Now we jump far, far ahead to near the end of the book. This chapter was deleted because the book ended very, very differently. Not only did Xavier only show up for a couple of chapters (being sent off to Idinus of Scimitar rather than the Wanderer, and thus not traveling with Tobimar and not showing up for the final battle), but also there was no "screw you" trap following Thornfalcon's death, and after their meet-and-greet, the three companions did, in fact, burn Thornfalcon's mansion to the ground and didn't confront the remaining Justiciars [ Continue reading... ]
Just For Fun: Deleted Chapters of Phoenix Rising: Chapter 12
January 10, 2017 By Leave a Comment
This chapter followed the introduction of Tobimar and Poplock, and implied some time passed. As you can see, the timeline got shifted some -- in the final draft, of course, it's implied that the first events for Tobimar and Poplock happen after Rion becomes a Justiciar. Chapter 12. Lighter blade parried greatsword with a chiming impact that diverted the larger weapon but also drove back the smaller with near enough force to disarm. Rion cursed mildly as he backpedaled, his fingers clearly stinging. Kyri laughed [ Continue reading... ]
Just For Fun: Deleted Chapters of Phoenix Rising, Chapter 4
January 5, 2017 By 1 Comment
So, Toron had begun an investigation last time... Chapter 4. "I am sorry, Victoria." The huge draconic creature's voice was soft. Kyri couldn't believe it. "But… nothing?" "Nothing, little Vantage." Toron's clawed talons slashed the air in his own anger. "I have used all my senses. I have spoken with all of note in this part of Evanwyl, from the Watchland and the Justiciars down to every living servant of the neighboring houses. I have meditated in prayer in the center of the wreckage, tasted the ashes for their [ Continue reading... ]
Just For Fun: Deleted Chapters from Phoenix Rising, Chapter 3
December 29, 2016 By 5 Comments
Seeing these deleted chapters gives a feel for how much can be cut from a book without it being immediately noticeable. I'd basically written out the investigation of the Vantages' murder and deleted the whole thing! Chapter 3. "No, Milady." Thornfalcon's face seemed even longer and sadder than usual beneath the silver-beaked helm. The poet and would-be swashbuckler of the Justiciars of Myrionar, Thornfalcon's lugubrious exterior usually masked a playful romantic, ready with a compliment for a lady or a quip to set a room [ Continue reading... ]
Just For Fun: Deleted Chapters from Phoenix Rising, Chapter 2
December 27, 2016 By 2 Comments
These chapters were mostly cut because they kept us from getting to the core action. There's still a fair amount of information in them that might interest readers, though the crucial parts I tried to stuff into the remaining chapters. Chapter 2. Kyri stared numbly down at the remains of the front door; with cruel irony, the fire-charm on the door had remained intact, so the huge portals were unscorched, smeared only with water and soot from the rest of the mansion but otherwise marred only by the deep [ Continue reading... ]
Just For Fun: Deleted Chapters from _Phoenix Rising_: Chapter 1
December 22, 2016 By Leave a Comment
Depending on the story and the editor, some of my books have had significant rewrites and changes over the years. In the case of Phoenix Rising, I originally detailed a lot of material which was only mentioned as backstory in the novel. I think the decision to cut the stuff out was right, overall, but it did deprive readers of event and character detail that might well have been worth reading in its own right. So I'm going to post some of those chapters for my readers' amusement -- and maybe comment on each. Here is what used to be Chapter [ Continue reading... ]
Spheres of Influence: Deleted Chapter Four
June 10, 2013 By 8 Comments
Herewith is the fourth, and last, of the deleted chapters of Spheres of Influence. Again, the editors were right to have me delete these, but there's stuff in here that may interest those generally interested in the universe GCA and Spheres take place in. ----- Chapter 4. "Why are we here?" Ariane asked. "Not that I mind, it's like coming home again." The immense racetrack spiraled and twisted, on the ground and in the sky, something that couldn't have been built hundreds of years [ Continue reading... ]
Spheres of Influence: Deleted Chapter 3
June 7, 2013 By 1 Comment
We continue with these postings. In this one... we get to learn more about where Ariane is going... and where DuQuesne was, once. ----- Chapter 3. "So where, exactly, are we going, Marc?" She saw DuQuesne give a tiny start at her words, the first either of them had spoken in the little spaceship since they'd left Kanzaki-Three several hours before. She'd been able to tell he needed to think for a while, but after this much time she felt she needed to say something. "We're actually going [ Continue reading... ]
Spheres of Influence: Deleted Chapter 2
June 5, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Leading up to the actual snippeting of the main book, I'm posting these chapters which were the original start of the novel. Now we get to see some things from Simon's point of view... ----- Chapter 2. What the heck was that about, Simon? Gabrielle's encrypted transmission was puzzled and a bit worried. He sounded positively jumpy. And Marc's never jumpy. She paused a moment. Except… Yes, except. Hold that thought. Once we're back in my own offices I can feel secure. Because I think Marc has [ Continue reading... ]
Spheres of Influence: Deleted Chapter 1
June 3, 2013 By 5 Comments
For health and other reasons, I haven't been able to write up a bunch of my usual posts. However, with Spheres about to go for main snippets, I realized I had a few other pieces which can be posted. These deleted chapters are basically what the "What Has Come After" section of the intro were drawn from. The editors felt -- quite correctly -- that these slowed up the opening of the book before getting to some Neat New Stuff. However, they also have a lot of deetail which is now no longer in the book. Some of you may find this stuff [ Continue reading... ]
What You’re Saying