Reflecting on Gratitude This Thanksgiving
Hi Everyone,
With Thanksgiving upon us, I’ve found myself reflecting quite a bit on gratitude. As the holidays approach and we gather with friends and family, I wanted to take a moment to send a heartfelt “thank you” to the extended family I have found through my writing. I am incredibly thankful for everyone who enjoys my books; your support is the fuel that keeps the engines running and the stories flowing.
A Behind-the-Scenes Secret: Two New Books in the Works
Speaking of stories flowing, I have been keeping a secret for the last few months. While most authors focus on one project at a time to keep their sanity intact, I apparently decided to throw caution to the wind. I’ve been hard at work on not just one, but two upcoming books in the Richard series.
Writing Two Books at Once: A Creative Challenge
I know, I know – writing two books at the same time is a massive challenge. It’s a juggling act, flipping between Google Docs and keeping timelines straight. But I honestly didn’t have a choice. Both stories were calling to me so loudly that I had to put them on paper immediately. They are intertwined, yet distinct, and holding one back while writing the other felt impossible.
A Darker Shift in Book Six: Tragedy at the Heart of Richard’s Journey
I do need to warn you: these two books are far different from the previous five in the series.
We’ve followed Richard through many adventures, but we are entering a darker, more complex chapter of his life. The sixth book takes a more emotional turn. Unlike the earlier books where the struggles often felt external, this time tragedy strikes directly at the heart of Richard’s family. It has been difficult to write, but I believe it is a necessary part of his journey. It raises the stakes in a way I haven’t explored before.
Book Seven: A Strange New Beginning and the Rise of Dragons
Then there is the seventh book. If book six is about loss, book seven is about a strange and mysterious new beginning. The core concept is one I’m incredibly excited to share:
Richard becomes the father of a new race of dragons.
The twist?
He has no idea.
Imagine the dramatic irony of Richard moving through his world, dealing with the aftermath of tragedy, completely unaware that he is the patriarch of an entirely new lineage. This opens up so many possibilities for the lore, and I can’t wait for you to read how it unfolds.
Bringing Book Five to Life with New Video Tools
I’ve also been experimenting with new tools. I used Google Gemini to help create two short videos that capture the “vibe” of book five. You can watch them here:
It’s amazing to see the book’s atmosphere come to life visually, and I think you’ll really enjoy them. When the time is right, I’ll use these tools to create videos for the next two books as well.
Back to Writing: New Worlds Await
Well, the manuscripts are calling my name, so I need to get back to work. There are dragons to hatch and plot twists to refine.
I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving full of great food and even better company.
Warmly,
Michael W. Hickman
