The Talismans of Faerie

7/25/2026

The Faerie Chronicles (Book Two) by J. D. Edwards

Multi-volume, multi-genre author J. D. Edwards introduces us to the second volume of the Faerie Chronicles, “The Talismans of Faerie”:
Drew Prescott never expected to be reborn as a Faerie or become the key to a prophecy older than the races themselves. When his cousin Ian is captured and tortured, their rescue mission unravels into a storm of political betrayal, ancient magic, and a rising darkness long thought dead. As forgotten talismans reawaken and the races teeter on the brink of war, Drew must master powers he barely understands and confront a truth the world refuses to face: the Faerie never vanished… they evolved. With kingdoms fracturing, monsters stirring, and destiny demanding a price in blood, Drew and Ian must decide what they are willing to sacrifice, how much they are willing to change, and who they are willing to lose before Faerie’s last hope collapses. Epic. Mythic. Unforgiving. The Scions of Faerie have returned… and nothing will ever be the same.

I love how this author weaves the different parts of the story together. Fantasy is my second-favorite genre and I know Edwards won't let me down. He writes the good stuff. His world-building is impeccable! The different races with their histories and animosities provide a great backdrop. Throw in a couple of unsuspecting young adults who are brash and ignorant and let the fun begin!
I don't want to say anymore to avoid spoilers.
BTW, this is book two; reading the first book will make this book more enjoyable than it would be otherwise.

You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Talismans-Faerie-Chronicles-Book-Two-ebook
https://www.goodreads.com/-the-talismans-of-faerie

You can follow the author:
https://x.com/FaerieRealms
https://jd-edwards.com
https://www.threads.net/@twyrch
https://www.instagram.com/twyrch
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdedwardsauthor
https://www.facebook.com/FaerieRealms
https://www.pinterest.com/twyrch
https://www.tiktok.com/@jdedwardsauthor
https://bsky.app/profile/faerierealms.bsky.social

This is my review of the first book in the series and our interview:
https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/the-scions-of-faerie
I have promoted another book by the author here: https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/indomitable and here: https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/the-phantom-seer
Copyright © 2026 Mark L. Schultz, except for the author’s introduction

47 Comments

J. D. Edwards link

7/27/2026 08:24:42 am

Wow, Mark! Thank you for the fabulous 5-Star Review. That's a real honor coming from you. I'm glad the world-building and the interplay between the races landed for you. Their tensions and histories are the backbone of the series, and watching young characters crash headlong into Faerie's legacy is one of my favorite parts of writing these books.

You're right about book one making this one richer. Talismans leans hard into the consequences of Scions, especially the growth (and missteps) of those "brash and ignorant" young adults you mentioned. They're fun to write because they don't always do the smart thing... but they always do the honest thing.

I'm sure you noticed that halfway through the book, the journey shifts to follow Drew and BiAnn's adventure. Don't worry. Book 3 picks up right where the company parts ways. In many ways, Talismans and Book 3 are two sides of the same coin. Without giving away any spoilers, which part of the book did you enjoy the most?

Mark

7/27/2026 10:04:38 am

You are welcome, Jeremy. I did enjoy your story so much. Drew and BiAnn's adventures might be the best part for me, though that could be because it was the latter half of Talismans.

A note to our visitors. This conversation is picking up where we left off in the previous promotion of "Scions of Faerie". The link for that review is just above.
You are welcome to jump in and ask questions, even if they are not in synch with our conversation at the moment. Please keep your questions about books or the business of writing.

New questions.

What famous person, living or dead, would you like to meet?

Which famous author?

7/27/2026 10:46:39 am

Great questions, Mark. If I could meet any famous person, living or dead, I’d choose Colonel George Edwards. He may not be a household name, but he’s a towering figure in my own family history. He's also famous within Ohio history books. Writing him into Indomitable gave me a chance to explore the kind of courage and conviction he carried in real life. From fighting with Daniel Boone and Simon Kenton during the NW Indian War and leading his own militia as Colonel in the War of 1812, to serving in the state legislature for three decades and presiding over the Republican National Convention in 1840. I’d love to sit with him and ask how he stayed grounded while helping people through some of the darkest chapters in US history.

For a famous author, I’m going to cheat and pick two who influenced my life and my writing since I was 12 years old. Terry Brooks shaped the way I think about epic fantasy and the sweep of a long story. Stephen Lawhead shaped the way I think about myth, history, and the deeper meaning behind a narrative. Both had a profound impact on my writing, just in different ways.

7/27/2026 12:41:35 pm

Those are all great picks. Colonel Edwards was an amazing man! Larger than life certainly applies to him!

What little I know of my family tree is that everyone has been divorced at least once; I am the sole exception as far as I know. My mother's mother was married 5 times. I don't know if it would be feasible to track all of that. I know I don't have the time. Genealogy is a fascinating subject.

New questions.

Do you start a writing project using a typewriter, pen & paper or PC?

Why is that choice important to you?

7/27/2026 01:57:00 pm

It's absolutely possible! I've studied genealogy and have broken down walls for 37 years. In fact, George Edwards' grandmother was also married 5 times, so you're in good company. I'd be happy to help you find answers, if you're interested. No charge, of course. I just enjoy helping people find answers.

When I start a writing project, I prefer to use a computer. I just start typing and allow my imagination to flow free.

Sometimes, ideas come to me while I'm traveling, and I keep a notebook handy to jot down ideas. They're good in a pinch, especially when I'm a passenger in a car or airplane and don't want to lose my creative ideas. The reason I don't use them, as a rule, is because I have to end up transcribing the notebook anyway, so it's just easier to write on a computer to begin with.

And typewriters? I'm not a good enough speller to use a typewriter. I trained on them in school but had to keep correction sheets handy for those machines that didn't come installed with correction ribbon. And white-out takes forever to dry and it messy... no, typewriters are for those who excel at spelling. I excel at storytelling.

7/27/2026 03:16:16 pm

Thank you for the offer. I might take you up on it. Who knows what treasure or skullduggery exists in the past?

The way you write makes a lot of sense to me. I also think keeping a notepad with you at all times is essential.

Typewriters and typing. I remember taking a typing class in ninth grade. It was tough, but I was improving. Until I nearly cut the forefinger on my left hand off while I was chopping kindling. Obviously, I wouldn't be able to type for weeks, so they put me in the only class available: art class. I had never taken an art class; it was interesting.

The first few books I proofed were written on a typewriter; I received a carbon copy to do my work.

New question.

Have you ever thought about speaking to a college or high school writing class?

7/28/2026 09:12:20 am

That’s quite a story, Mark. I can’t imagine trying to learn typing after nearly losing a finger. I’m glad art class turned out to be interesting, even if it wasn’t part of the plan. And carbon copies… that takes me back. There’s something about the physicality of typewritten pages that modern screens just don’t replicate.

As for your question, yes, I’ve thought about speaking to a college or high school writing class. I enjoy talking about the craft and the process, especially the parts that aren’t obvious when you’re first starting out. I like helping writers understand that storytelling isn’t magic. It’s a set of skills you can learn, refine, and grow over time. If the opportunity came up, I’d take it.

I’m not sure if you’re aware, but I’ve given a Master Class on YouTube to help authors edit their books properly, avoid publishing pitfalls, and shape their manuscripts for traditional publishing or for producing the strongest version of their book in self-publishing. I’ve also reached out to my alma mater about returning to campus to teach a week-long session for the Honors English course, but I haven’t heard back from them yet.

7/28/2026 12:10:03 pm

I checked that finger and the scar is gone. I tried to improve my typing skills in the 90s. I spent time with typing software. Hours, actually. It didn't provide a lasting benefit.

If you haven't already, contact the nearby high schools and offer your services. They might have a writing club. I mentored half a dozen kids from different schools in my church.

Your YouTube course sounds interesting. I hope our visitors check it out.

New question.

Have you thought about contacting a book club and offering your book to them and to speak to them?

7/28/2026 12:29:07 pm

You checked that finger, and the scar was gone? It’s funny how some injuries stay with you in memory more than in the skin. I remember those typing programs from the 90s too. They helped a little, but the improvement never seemed to stick for long.

That’s great advice about reaching out to nearby high schools. I like the idea of working with a writing club. Mentoring young writers is one of the most rewarding things an author can do, and I’m glad you had the chance to do that through your church.

As for book clubs, yes, I’ve thought about contacting them. The challenge is that most of them want authors to pay for the privilege of being read, and that’s not a road I’m willing to go down. I’d be happy to speak to a club that’s genuinely interested in the work, but I’m not going to pay someone to read my book.

7/28/2026 02:19:34 pm

I am sure you will find some kids who are excited about writing.

I did not know that book clubs operated as a profit center. I am surprised.

New question.

Are national book clubs the only ones like that or do the clubs you find through the library or a bookstore function the same way?

7/28/2026 03:28:37 pm

I’m sure I will. Kids who love writing tend to find you if you give them a place to land.

As for book clubs, the national ones are the worst offenders. They operate like a business, not a community, and they expect authors to pay for placement, pay for reading, or pay for access. The local clubs tied to libraries or bookstores can be better, but not always. Some of them still expect the author to buy copies for every member or pay a fee for the group to consider the book.

I ran into that myself. I was blackballed from a local readers club after I refused to rubber stamp an Eagle Scout award for a member’s son. He wanted the badge without doing the work, and I wasn’t willing to compromise the standard. His mother didn’t appreciate that, and she made sure I stopped getting invitations. My integrity is intact, but I learned quickly that some clubs aren’t interested in the book so much as what they can get from the author.

There are good clubs out there, but they’re harder to find. I’m open to speaking to one that’s genuinely interested in the work, but I’m not going to pay people to read my book.

I donated six copies of my book to the Wake County Public Library so anyone could access them, but the library took my donation and sold the books. I later found the ex-library copies on eBay. That was the only public library I donated to, aside from Duke University, which still maintains a copy in its database.

7/28/2026 05:43:22 pm

I was ignorant of how those national book clubs operated. Thanks for filling me in.

Some parents will bend as many rules as allowed to help their kid succeed, which is counterproductive to their child's success in life. The kid doesn't know how to succeed on their own. Good for you trying to help the boy become a man.

The county library sold your book? Naive again I am. I know libraries sell their old books, but it never occurred to me that they would sell donated books like yours. That is sad.

New question.

Have you ever done any beta reading for another author?

7/28/2026 11:32:24 pm

You’re right about parents sometimes bending rules. It doesn’t help their kids in the long run, and it teaches them the wrong lessons about responsibility. I’ve always believed that integrity matters more than convenience.

And yes, the county library selling my donated books surprised me too. I knew they sold old stock, but I didn’t expect them to treat new donations the same way. At least Duke kept their copy in the system.

As for beta reading, yes, I’ve done quite a bit of it over the years. I’ve worked with Ash Fitzsimmons, L. M. Newton, Shenae Chase, M. L. Holton, J. R. Kearney, and D. K. Grey, among others. The D. K. Grey project was unusual because the manuscript felt AI‑generated, but I still approached it the same way I do any beta read: focus on clarity, structure, and helping the author strengthen the story. I enjoy the process. It’s rewarding to see a draft grow into something stronger.

7/29/2026 09:59:15 am

Good on you for helping other writers improve their writing. The first draft is a solitary project that usually resembles a dumpster fire. The real writing begins after the first draft is complete. The number of eyes on the project increases with alpha readers, beta readers, editors and proofreaders to polish the manuscript into shining brilliance. Clarity and structure are important. An easy-to-read story is the result of a lot of hard work.

New question.

What other books have you written besides fantasy?

7/29/2026 01:31:15 pm

In addition to The Faerie Chronicles, I've written the historical fiction "Indomitable" and the sci-fi novella "Phantom Seer," both of which you've interviewed me about in the past. I have also written 4 theological books in a series called "Illuminating God's Word". This series includes: "Illuminating the End Times," "Illuminating the Sermon on the Mount," "Illuminating the Parables of Jesus," and "Illuminating the Heart of God," which is a 60-day devotional journey through Scripture to understand what God can and can't do.

In addition to these books, I've published three horror/thriller short stories in various anthologies: "A Samhain Night's Scream," "Killing Time," and "The Soul Reaper." Interestingly, the "Soul Reaper" is a flash fiction story that acts as an epilogue to the 4th book in the Faerie Chronicles.

Since the end of February, I've written 50 short stories and flash fictions in all genres: Memoir, Poetry, Creative Non-Fiction, Horror, Southern Gothic Paranormal, Psychological Thriller, Speculative Fiction, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Magical Realism, Historical Fiction, and even a paranormal mystery about Bum Farto of Key West, Florida.

I'm nearly finished with The Defender of Faerie, which is a stand-alone prequel to The Scions of Faerie, and I've begun writing the first book in my next fantasy series set in Faerie. Some of the short stories I've written will be rewritten into full-length novels, especially the historical fiction. I have one about George Edwards' life and that of his father, James. I don't think I'll ever run out of ideas or material.

7/29/2026 03:07:46 pm

"Indomitable" is my favorite work of yours. Ninety percent history and ten percent fiction. It's a tribute to your skill as a genealogist and a writer. In general, historical fiction is my third favorite genre after sci-fi and fantasy.

I bought your daily devotional and read the Day One entry. I like it.

I didn't realize that you had written in so many different genres.

I have lived in Florida for more than five years, but haven't traveled much away from Central Florida. I have never heard of Bum Farto. Another book for me to take a look at.

Your fans, including yours truly, are glad that more books are coming.

New question.

Have you ever felt like giving up or taking an extended break from writing?

7/29/2026 04:24:06 pm

I have felt that way, Mark, and in a couple of seasons it hit hard enough that I actually stepped away. Between 2006 and 2009, I stopped writing for three years after a long stretch of rejections. It wasn’t anger so much as exhaustion. I didn’t know what I was doing wrong, and I didn’t know how to fix it. Oddly enough, the thing that pulled me back was a mix of advice from George R. R. Martin and several rejection letters that finally included real feedback. That guidance put me on the right track and reminded me that rejection isn’t the enemy. Silence is.

I also stepped away for six months during the George Floyd incident. I was in the middle of writing Indomitable, and I couldn’t bring myself to write scenes from inside the mind of a brutal slave owner while that real-life horror was unfolding on the news every day. It felt wrong. I had to wait until I could approach those chapters with clarity instead of emotional overload.

But outside of those two stretches, writing has always pulled me back. Even when I hit a wall, the ideas eventually start pushing again. The work itself keeps me going.

7/29/2026 04:35:41 pm

The lack of clarity can be very difficult to overcome. Three years is a solid break. Many struggle with criticism of any kind. It takes maturity to deal with the underlying issues. My wife has helped me in that regard.

The George Floyd event was blown way out of proportion by different groups to serve their purposes. The fomenting of more violence caused much unnecessary destruction of public and private property. Many lives were tragically altered in one way or another. Your pause in writing is very understandable to me.

New question.

What books do you think every author should read, and why?

7/29/2026 04:46:05 pm

That’s a great question, Mark. I think every author should read a few books that help them understand both the craft and the heart behind storytelling. Stephen King’s “On Writing” is one of the best places to start. Even if you don’t write horror, his honesty about discipline, process, and the realities of the writing life is invaluable.

Another book I recommend is “Sometimes the Magic Works” by Terry Brooks. It’s encouraging and practical, especially for writers who are still finding their footing. Tolkien’s essays are also worth reading. They offer insight into classical fantasy writing and the deeper structure behind myth, language, and worldbuilding.

But more than any single title, I think every author should read widely in the genre they love. Read the writers who shaped the field. Read the ones who challenge you. Read the ones whose style is nothing like yours. It helps you understand what resonates with you and what doesn’t. Then, instead of imitating those voices, use them as a foundation to develop your own.

My writing draws from key influences like Terry Brooks, C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, R. A. Salvatore, Rick Riordan, and Stephen King. At the same time, there are authors I don’t write like at all, even though I respect their work. Isaac Asimov, Michael Crichton, Robert Jordan, Robin Hobb, and Brandon Sanderson each have distinct voices and approaches that are very different from mine. I don’t mimic any one author, but I draw inspiration from the ones who shaped me and weave those threads into my own narrative voice. That blend is what helps a writer stand out.

7/29/2026 07:55:26 pm

Great advice! I love the three book choices, also.

I have a particular fondness for Tolkien's trilogy. It was my introduction to high fantasy. His depth of world building astounded me. I read The LOTR three times before graduating from high school in 1971. I read The Hobbit a couple of times in the same time period.

I have read several books by C. S. Lewis. Narnia, Till We Have Faces and his sci-fi trilogy Out of the Silent Planet. Lewis used his close friend, J. R. R. Tolkien, as the model for the protagonist in the series. Ransom was his name, I think.

I agree with you about reading other authors and learning from them. An author will fine-tune their voice over the course of writing several books.

New question.

Do you write poetry?

7/29/2026 11:54:45 pm

I do write poetry, but only when I’m carrying something heavy. It’s an outlet for me when I’m emotionally compromised. The rhyme and meter come naturally, almost like muscle memory, and it gives me a way to vent what I’m feeling without having to shape it into a narrative. It’s how I grieve. It’s how I heal. When something hits hard enough that prose feels too structured, poetry lets me pour the emotion straight onto the page. I don’t write it often, but when I need it, nothing else works.

My poetry has won several awards over the years. In 2011, I earned a placement in the Hands at Duke poetry anthology, and I’ve been included in the Carolina Bards anthology in 2022, 2024, 2025, and 2026. Last year, I was invited to speak at their poetry reading, and several people came up afterward to tell me how my poem touched their heart because they were struggling with the same issues. That meant a lot to me.

I was invited to speak again this year. I’ll be flying back from Birmingham, Alabama after presenting at a technical conference, and I’ll go straight from the airport to the poetry reading. It will make for a long day, but a very fulfilling one.

7/30/2026 11:28:14 am

Poetry always surprises me with the way feelings come to the forefront. I haven't written poetry except when my heart was breaking.

Your poetry has been very well received by many. Congratulations.

New questions.

If you will be reading your poetry, which poem from which book or collection have you chosen?

If you're speaking what is your topic?

7/30/2026 02:08:39 pm

For the poetry reading, I’ll be sharing “Heaven Needed a Grandma.” I wrote it in February 2012 after my last living grandmother, Florine Edwards, passed away. That poem came straight from a place of grief, and it still means a lot to me. It will be featured in the Carolina Bards Poetry Anthology 2026, so reading it this year feels fitting.

In Birmingham, I’ll be speaking at a technical conference on compliance protocols. I spent most of 2023 writing thousands of lines of code to build a Lifecycle Management process for onboarding and offboarding employees. That led to creating additional scripts to ensure compliance with security standards as part of corporate policy. It’s a very different world from poetry, but both sides of my life matter to me. I’ll be flying back from the conference and going straight from the airport to the poetry reading. It will make for a long day, but a meaningful one.

7/30/2026 06:32:20 pm

It's nice that writing code has supported writing books and poetry.

I've seen many claims that AI is taking over writing code.

New questions.

Do you foresee a point in the future when writing books will allow you to retire from writing code?

Do you think AI will take away your current job anytime soon

7/30/2026 07:11:17 pm

That’s the long‑term goal. I’d love to reach a point where writing books allows me to retire from IT, but I’m realistic enough to know that’s probably a twenty‑year plan. I enjoy the work I do, and writing code has supported my IT career for three decades, but if the books ever grow enough to let me shift full‑time into storytelling, I’d take that opportunity.

As for AI taking over my job, I don’t see that happening anytime soon. AI can generate code, but it can’t replace the judgment, context, and problem‑solving that go into designing systems, ensuring compliance, or understanding how one change affects an entire environment. My work involves a lot of nuances, especially with security standards and lifecycle management. AI can help with small pieces, but it can’t take ownership of the whole process. Not yet, and probably not for a long while.

7/30/2026 08:32:31 pm

You are blessed to enjoy your work as much as you do. So many hate their job.

We see AI quite similarly. It can handle small parts and is great at research. But you have to make sure it provides links for its findings and assertions. If you don't check those links diligently, then you might wind up with egg on your face. You probably heard about the lawyer that used AI to generate court filings. The judge raked him over the coals because some of the citations were made up by AI.

New question.

Is there a genre you have secretly wanted to try your hand at, but haven’t yet?

7/30/2026 08:40:35 pm

Dystopian fiction is the one genre I’ve always wanted to try but haven’t written in yet. I’ve enjoyed series like Maze Runner, Hunger Games, and Divergent, and I like the way dystopian stories explore the collapse of systems, the resilience of people, and the choices characters make when the world is stacked against them. It’s one of the few genres I haven’t touched, but it’s been on my mind for a long time. I think I’ll eventually write one when the right idea shows up.

7/31/2026 01:54:51 pm

I had a hunch something you hadn't tried yet was floating in the back of your mind. Thank you for revealing that. It's fairly popular with a select type of reader. Resilient characters who refuse to give up and keep fighting for freedom against a repressive regime strikes a chord with many.

Almost 9 years ago, I promoted "Divinity Bureau", a dystopian, sci-fi story told in first-person POV. It was the first book I recall in FP POV and I really enjoyed reading it. The story was good also. Sci-fi is my favorite genre.

New question.

Is there something, as a writer, you feel you need the most improvement in?

7/31/2026 03:36:47 pm

The thing I need the most improvement in is focus. I have no shortage of ideas. That part comes easily. The hard part is staying with one story long enough to finish it. I tend to bounce between three novels or write fifty short stories in a year, and while that keeps my imagination active, it also slows down the big projects. Being ADHD and neurodivergent makes that harder. The same wiring that floods my mind with new ideas also makes it difficult to sit still and work on one thing at a time. It’s like trying to nail down a cloud.I’m aware of it, though, and I’m working on it. My goal is to finish the books that are already in motion before I let myself chase the next shiny idea. It’s a challenge, but it’s one I’m trying to get better at.

7/31/2026 07:57:49 pm

ADHD expresses itself in so many different ways!

I have it and attribute my ability to focus on one thing at a time to the exclusion of nearly everything else in my environment, such as reading to my ADHD. That was fine until I got married. I learned quickly that my wife didn't like being ignored when she was talking to me. I had to loosen my awareness of her voice. I think it's also partly responsible for my talent at finding spelling errors in the beginning of my career as a proofreader. I don't look for them; I trip over them while reading. Spelling errors stop me in my tracks. I have learned to recover the story trail quickly.

I imagine you keep a list of those ideas as they flood your consciousness.

New question.

Have you ever needed to pattern characters after people you have known or met?

7/31/2026 08:08:56 pm

I can hyper‑focus when I need to, but it isn’t fair to the rest of my family. When my wife and I were dating, I told her that if I wasn’t looking at her, then I wasn’t listening to her. That helped us both understand how my brain works. I do keep a list of ideas as they show up, but the list grows faster than I can write.As for patterning characters, I do it, but not in the sense of copying a person directly. I draw more from personalities than from the people themselves. A certain way someone carries themselves, a habit, a tone, a worldview, a flaw, a strength. Those things stick with me. I’ll weave pieces of real personalities into characters, but I never lift someone whole. It’s more like taking the essence of how someone made me feel and shaping it into a character who fits the story.

8/1/2026 05:43:34 pm

Like so many other things in life, there is a positive side and a negative side. I think I said that exact thing to my bride. It's very true.

That is a good description of how to fashion a character around a minor aspect or two of a real person. The human would be very unlikely to notice themselves in the story.

New questions.

Have you ever gone on an organized writers’ retreat?

What benefited you the most from that time?

8/1/2026 06:17:04 pm

I’ve never been on an organized writers’ retreat, but I have gone on vacations where all I did was write. The biggest benefit was having my mind free from work problems and being able to disconnect from the Internet. When I’m away from the constant pull of notifications and responsibilities, the words come a lot easier. The downside is that I sometimes get so locked into the writing that I ignore the people I went to see in the first place. Hyper‑focus is a blessing and a curse.

8/1/2026 08:04:47 pm

Getting away can increase productivity, no doubt. When we travel, I limit my proofreading and promoting, if possible. I want to spend time with our family and more grandkids.

New question.

Have you attended a seminar or lecture to improve certain skills a self-publishing writer needs to know?

8/1/2026 10:04:50 pm

I haven’t attended any seminars or lectures for self‑publishing. Everything I’ve learned has come from failure, rejections, and walking straight into the minefields of publishing. Trial and error has been my teacher. When something blows up in my face, I figure out why and adjust. It’s not the easiest way to learn, but it’s been the most effective for me.

8/2/2026 09:29:33 am

You are right. I learn the most from my mistakes also. When it's really bad, I remind myself of Thomas Edison trying to create the electric light bulb.

I wouldn't take a class from someone who is a one-hit wonder. I would want to see a track record of many successfully published books.

New question.

What are the easiest parts of writing for you?

8/2/2026 10:35:05 am

The easiest part of writing for me is getting the story down. Ideas flow through me like water in a stream. Once a scene or a character shows up, I can write it without much effort. The hard part is going back to the story after I pause to research something.

Regardless of genre, anything I write has to be accurate, whether it’s history, mythology, or the world building I’ve already established. I’m writing a prequel to The Scions of Faerie, and any time the characters interact with someone from the series or reference an event, I have to make sure it lines up. The characters also have to feel a little less seasoned than they are in the main books, because people learn from their mistakes and grow over time.

The last thing I want is to write a prequel that contradicts the series, or a time‑travel story or historical fiction that contradicts actual history. That’s why I found the chapters between Fort Wayne and Toledo in Indomitable to be the most enjoyable. That section was pure fiction. I knew she had to follow that path, but there’s no record of what Eliza experienced along the way, so I used historical cities and tribal lands to build a fictional journey through the wilderness. It gave me room to breathe without worrying about breaking anything already established.

8/2/2026 12:50:53 pm

Accuracy is certainly important! As you mentioned, logical consistency is critical. It allows the reader to remain under the author's spell and enjoy the story that much more. Some readers will close the book when hitting a pothole in the road.

Some authors will write the entire series before publishing the first book to preserve authenticity and sprinkle hints throughout the series. That requires real dedication and readers are appreciative.

Indomitable was an amazing story for me! Most historical fiction involves a minor figure in the orbit of a famous person or event. Your story was 90% historically accurate.

New question.

Do you use character sheets, timelines, maps or anything else to keep the reading smooth and avoid logical errors in your writing?

8/2/2026 01:05:05 pm

I do use tools to keep everything straight, but my system lives in Microsoft OneNote. When inspiration strikes, I lay out the plot from a high level so I never lose the core ideas. Each character gets notes on personality and backstory. Once I start writing, I build twenty or more plot points in a logical order. I don’t always hit those points, and most times my imagination takes me in a different direction, but having them there gives me something to return to when I write myself into a corner or hit writer’s block. The notes jog my memory of ideas I’ve had in the past.It’s been especially useful while writing the prequel. Most of my appendix is drawn directly from tabs in my OneNote. Having everything organized in one place keeps the story smooth and helps me avoid logical errors or contradictions.

8/2/2026 03:56:44 pm

That sounds like a great system! I have it on my computer, but I have never used it. I can see its utility if I undertake writing a book or something like that. I bought a package to get MS Word. That is all I use at this time.

Here is a tip for you pantsers. Outline each chapter of your book after you write it. That will save you time when you need to check a specific item.

New question.

On average, how many words do you write at a time, or how long do you spend writing in one stretch, in one day?

8/2/2026 04:02:39 pm

My writing output varies widely from day to day. When inspiration is strong, I can write several thousand words in a single stretch without noticing the time. Other days, I might only get a few hundred words down. What matters most to me is uninterrupted focus. If I can sit still long enough for the story to take over, the words come quickly. If life is pulling me in different directions, my output drops.

I don’t measure my writing by daily word counts. I measure it by whether the scene feels right. Some days, it takes ten minutes. Other days, it takes hours. When the flow hits, I ride it as long as I can. What matters most is making progress, regardless of the number of words or pages.

8/2/2026 08:12:30 pm

I think the flow matters to nearly every author. It makes a lot of sense to me. Some authors like to talk about word count. I imagine that it helps them keep writing, knowing there is more progress to be made.

New question.

What type of environment is best for your writing? Noise, quiet, public, private?

8/2/2026 10:17:34 pm

Quiet is the best environment for me. That’s the short answer. The longer answer is that quiet gives me enough mental space to drop into the story without fighting the world around me. Music helps too, especially when the tone of a song nudges the direction of a scene. I’ve had moments where a single track shifted the emotional center of a chapter, and once, like you said, a song changed the ending of Book 3 entirely.

8/3/2026 09:48:58 am

Several authors have told me how important music is for their writing. A few include a playlist in their book for chapters, characters, or pivotal scenes. It seems like a good idea to me, with proper attribution and fair-use respect.

Last question.

Do you have a favorite quote from a book?

8/3/2026 11:07:52 am

I’ve always liked the line from The Fellowship of the Ring where Gandalf says, “Many that live deserve death, and some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement, for even the very wise cannot see all ends.”

That quote has stayed with me for years. I ended up weaving that same wisdom into my Faerie world. In the upcoming third book, one of my favorite characters, Kai, says to Ian, “If you’re going to kill him, do it outside so you don’t get blood on the carpet.” It’s a different tone, but the heart of the message is the same.

8/3/2026 12:35:37 pm

That is a great quote. I love it. I like that line from the next book also.

Thank you, Jeremy, for hiring me to promote your book. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Our chat has been delightful also.

Until next time, keep writing.

8/3/2026 12:50:51 pm

Thank you, Mark. I appreciate you taking the week to interview me and for the thought you put into every question. It’s been a pleasure talking with you, and I’m grateful for the time and care you gave to promoting my book. I’ve enjoyed our conversations as much as you have. Until next time, take care.

The Talismans of Faerie

The Faerie Chronicles (Book Two) by J. D. Edwards

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