The Story Behind the Release of Windborne Fate
A Journey of Revisions, Late Nights, and Hard Lessons
As an author, there's nothing quite like the thrill of releasing your first book. For me, that moment came with the launch of Windborne Fate, the first installment in The Elemancer Chronicles. But what many people don’t know is that the journey to getting this book out into the world was anything but smooth.
Initially, Windborne Fate was delayed by four months before its first release. But the real challenge came afterward—six months after the initial release, I realized that the book needed a complete overhaul. What you know today as Windborne Fate is an entirely different version from the one first published. The story behind this transformation is one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences of my life.
The Initial Delay
The first delay came as I found myself struggling with the demands of life and the creative process. Despite my best efforts, the release of Windborne Fate kept getting pushed back. Yet, in the midst of this delay, something unexpected happened: I managed to finish the first draft of Book 2 in the series.
As soon as I completed the draft, I immediately felt a shift in my writing. The pacing was sharper, the story more compelling, and the overall quality of the writing had improved significantly. It was a realization that filled me with both excitement and a growing sense of unease.
The Hard Truth
When feedback started rolling in from a few early readers for Changing Tides, I found myself facing an uncomfortable truth: Book 2 was leagues ahead of Book 1 in every aspect. I had grown as a writer during the process, but the gap in quality between the two books was glaring.
As I looked back over Windborne Fate, it became clear that the book I had just released was not the strong foundation I needed for a seven-book series. I knew in my heart that it wasn't going to cut it as the first installment of The Elemancer Chronicles.
The Decision to Rewrite
It was a painful decision, but I knew I had to rewrite Book 1. This wasn't just a matter of revising a few chapters—I needed to overhaul the entire book to ensure it lived up to the standards I had set with Book 2. I realized that if I wanted The Elemancer Chronicles to be the epic fantasy series I had always envisioned, I had to start with a solid foundation.
The Struggle with Doubt
As I embarked on the rewrite of Windborne Fate, not everyone agreed with my decision. I had people close to me telling me to leave the first book alone, assuring me that it was already a good book. Their words planted seeds of doubt in my mind, making the already arduous task of rewriting even more challenging. I wrestled with the fear that maybe I was being too hard on myself, that perhaps the original version was enough.
But deep down, I knew it wasn’t just about writing a good book—I wanted to write something that would stand the test of time. I wanted Windborne Fate to be more than just a solid start; I wanted it to be a great book, a foundation worthy of the seven-book series that The Elemancer Chronicles would become.
Six Months of Revisions
For the next six months, I poured myself into rewriting Windborne Fate. It was a painstaking process that saw me working late into the night and on weekends, revising chapter after chapter. There were moments of doubt, frustration, and exhaustion, but I kept pushing forward because I believed in the story I was telling.
Each revision brought the book closer to the vision I had for it. I didn't just tweak a few lines or polish the dialogue—I refined existing characters, added entirely new ones, and changed entire scenes that no longer fit the evolving narrative. More than that, I overhauled the entire plot, weaving in new elements and discarding parts that no longer served the story's purpose.
The process was grueling, but it was also incredibly rewarding. With each draft, I could see Windborne Fate transforming into the book it was always meant to be—a story richer in depth, more compelling in its pacing, and filled with characters who truly came alive on the page.
The Result
Finally, after months of hard work, I was ready to release the revised version of Windborne Fate. The book that readers now hold in their hands is a true reflection of my growth as a writer and my commitment to delivering a story that would captivate and resonate with them.
Looking back, I realize that the delays and rewrites were necessary. They allowed me to create a book that I am truly proud of—a book that can stand as the first installment of a series that will span seven novels.
The most rewarding part of this entire journey came as I finished the rewrite and handed the new version to those who had initially doubted my decision. As they read through the revised Windborne Fate, I watched their faces light up with surprise and admiration. When they turned to me and said, "Wow, this is a lot better," I knew that all the sleepless nights and painstaking revisions had been worth it.
The Moment of Validation
In that moment, I felt validated. I had made the right decision. I didn’t set out to write just another fantasy novel; I set out to write a book that could stand shoulder to shoulder with the greats, a story that would resonate with readers long after they turned the final page. Releasing Windborne Fate five months late was the best decision I could have made. It taught me the importance of perseverance, the value of quality over speed, and the power of believing in your work, even when the process is tough.
Now, as I continue to work on the next installments of The Elemancer Chronicles, I do so with the confidence that I’ve laid a strong foundation—and that the best is yet to come.