Ask the Author: Garon Whited
“I'm still writing, yes, and hard at it. But I do stop to eat, sleep, and answer email. I may not get back to you quickly, but I do my best!”
Garon Whited
Answered Questions (209)
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This question contains spoilers...
(view spoiler)["In the 2nd book Shadows in Nightlord series, Eric returns to an Earth after 87 of his years- where time dilation exceeds 6:1 and it's overrun by mutant carnivorous plants & giant ants- what caused that apocalypse? Magic, bioweapons, or something else? Alternate-adjacent Earth due to portal miss? Intentional mystery or detailed backstory? Is it related to the comment where portals can miss due to cosmic spin?" (hide spoiler)]
Garon Whited
This answer contains spoilers…
(view spoiler)[That's fairly early on in his career as a world-hopping wizard. Eric assumes he hit the right world, but, while there are indications of similarities, there are also some indications of severe differences.
As for what happened to that world, it's clear there were nuclear weapons used (background radiation; mutations) and probably bioweapons (viral mutations in organisms, extensive species depletion).
Bear in mind, time-ticker gates function on a three-second cycle (usually) and the variable ratio between ticks in the first iteration of a chain of time-ticker links usually averages 6:1. One tick may be nearly no time; another may be a thousand to one; another may be 2:1. But, across thousands of tickings a day, it's 6:1.
But that requires an active, ticking gate, making regular contact from one world to another. Without such a gate keeping two worlds in touch, they are free to float through the Void at whatever time rate Chaos may cause. On average, that's 1:1... but could be hundreds or thousands to one. 87 years may go by without Rethven ever being in touch with that particular Earth branch, but it could be 87 days in the branch--or 87 centuries. (hide spoiler)]
As for what happened to that world, it's clear there were nuclear weapons used (background radiation; mutations) and probably bioweapons (viral mutations in organisms, extensive species depletion).
Bear in mind, time-ticker gates function on a three-second cycle (usually) and the variable ratio between ticks in the first iteration of a chain of time-ticker links usually averages 6:1. One tick may be nearly no time; another may be a thousand to one; another may be 2:1. But, across thousands of tickings a day, it's 6:1.
But that requires an active, ticking gate, making regular contact from one world to another. Without such a gate keeping two worlds in touch, they are free to float through the Void at whatever time rate Chaos may cause. On average, that's 1:1... but could be hundreds or thousands to one. 87 years may go by without Rethven ever being in touch with that particular Earth branch, but it could be 87 days in the branch--or 87 centuries. (hide spoiler)]
Garon Whited
We will be seeing her again.
This question contains spoilers...
(view spoiler)[Not sure if this is spoiler classification or not, so erring on the side of caution.
With all of the dimensional hijinks that Eric gets up to, the thing that keeps coming to my mind is The Mandela Effect. Is this something that is likely to get some sort of mention in the future? (apologies if this has been answered and I missed it) Great books, btw! (hide spoiler)]
With all of the dimensional hijinks that Eric gets up to, the thing that keeps coming to my mind is The Mandela Effect. Is this something that is likely to get some sort of mention in the future? (apologies if this has been answered and I missed it) Great books, btw! (hide spoiler)]
Garon Whited
While the Mandela Effect is, essentially, a misremembering of fact, Eric and Phoebe are more concerned with something similar, but not quite the same. A remembering of fact no longer correct. While it isn't explicitly named, the concern is mentioned in passing as a concern about referring to historical events and persons that were different in a similar-but-not-identical branch world.
Garon Whited
There's a plan for that, yes. Eric may need a little help with a project.
This question contains spoilers...
(view spoiler)[The second book about Phoebe was great! Knowing what happens at the end, and the role she played in Rethven's ice age, I get the feeling we'll see her again. But what about my boy Rusty, is he gone for good? (hide spoiler)]
Garon Whited
In the main storyline, yes. Time marches on! The Dread Werewolf Westley will appear in Patreon stories, however, and similar short works about what he and Phoebe were up to when they weren't dealing with the Vampocalypse and similar issues.
This question contains spoilers...
(view spoiler)[Hello I was just listening to the book series again and I noticed something at the end of book 4. In the very last chapter Eric comments about how he could have ever have been the person in the past. He also comments about wishing he could help but can only watch him make mistakes he wishes he could warn him about. Is this from the time traveling Eric of the future? (hide spoiler)]
Garon Whited
All the prologues and epilogues are from the later perspective. That's why they stop after the incident with the gate in Tamaril.
This question contains spoilers...
(view spoiler)[Has Eric ever considered making another Bronze—perhaps a dog version, or just even a more permanent dog companion? While they don’t seem to last, Eric seems to enjoys dogs; I believe he’s had several over time. He had security dogs in his first book with Sasha. Then in book three (I think), he got Francine, another dog for protection. Much later, he got Gus. (hide spoiler)]
Garon Whited
Nope. Creating Bronze was done in a moment of need and required more of his personal spirit than he realized. He's not further subdividing his essence unless he absolutely has to.
Garon Whited
Maybe. The oppotunity is there, obviously. We'll have to see how it plays out.
Garon Whited
Good news from Podium: They're tentatively expecting "Into the Light," book 7.2, to be out in September.
As for Eric, book nine is in progress. I have no idea when I'll be finished with it, but I'm working on it now!
As for Eric, book nine is in progress. I have no idea when I'll be finished with it, but I'm working on it now!
Garon Whited
This answer contains spoilers…
(view spoiler)[The staff the dryad gave him was living wood. Planted, it lived and grew. The resulting tree seemed strange to Eric and he kept looking at it oddly, almost as though it knew him and he knew it--so you could say it did call out to him, in a sense.
As for whether or not Eric will meet it again, that's still uncertain. He might not get Rethven on track to have himself, the dryad, and Tort exist. But he's trying. (hide spoiler)]
As for whether or not Eric will meet it again, that's still uncertain. He might not get Rethven on track to have himself, the dryad, and Tort exist. But he's trying. (hide spoiler)]
Garon Whited
The next book is Nightlord, 7.2: Phoebe's Tale. "Into the Light."
Currently, it's in the hands of Podium, getting the audiobook version recorded. As soon as they've got it ready, it'll all go live at once!
I'm *anticipating* it will be July, but Podium will have a better grasp of the timetable. I'm just a poor author, trying to get the next book written.
(Which, by the way, will be back to Eric again with Nightlord, Book Nine, tenatively titled "Continuum.")
Currently, it's in the hands of Podium, getting the audiobook version recorded. As soon as they've got it ready, it'll all go live at once!
I'm *anticipating* it will be July, but Podium will have a better grasp of the timetable. I'm just a poor author, trying to get the next book written.
(Which, by the way, will be back to Eric again with Nightlord, Book Nine, tenatively titled "Continuum.")
Garon Whited
By and large, it's going okay.
Garon Whited
I'm glad you like her. Velina's fate is all mapped out.
Garon Whited
How do children "earn" what their parents give them?
But she does still have questions about what she's going to do with her life, so that will be explored.
But she does still have questions about what she's going to do with her life, so that will be explored.
Garon Whited
I'm working on the last book of Phoebe's Tale right now, so I'm guessing Eric's Book 9 will probably be out in 2025.
As for what inspired me to write it, I'd have to say it was spite and hatred. I was in a brick-and-mortar bookstore, picked up a book off the Bestseller shelf, and sat down to read a bit. After the second chapter I thought it was slow, but might pick up. Halfway through, I wondered where the story was. After finishing the book, I wondered if I could get a refund of the two hours of my life I wasted on this "best seller" crap.
"I could eat a pen and produce a better book the next morning!" I thought. Then I thought, "Why not write one? It'll take longer, but it won't taste as bad."
If you're looking for inspiration, don't look at your favorites. You'll think, "I could never write a book that wonderful." Find a book you *should* like, one you *wanted* to like, but absolutely hate. Use it as something to look at and know you're going to do better.
As for what inspired me to write it, I'd have to say it was spite and hatred. I was in a brick-and-mortar bookstore, picked up a book off the Bestseller shelf, and sat down to read a bit. After the second chapter I thought it was slow, but might pick up. Halfway through, I wondered where the story was. After finishing the book, I wondered if I could get a refund of the two hours of my life I wasted on this "best seller" crap.
"I could eat a pen and produce a better book the next morning!" I thought. Then I thought, "Why not write one? It'll take longer, but it won't taste as bad."
If you're looking for inspiration, don't look at your favorites. You'll think, "I could never write a book that wonderful." Find a book you *should* like, one you *wanted* to like, but absolutely hate. Use it as something to look at and know you're going to do better.
Garon Whited
I'm glad you like it!
Garon Whited
What? It's not? It should be!
Dang it. The hardcover is already supposed to be listed!
Hang on. I'll consult.
Dang it. The hardcover is already supposed to be listed!
Hang on. I'll consult.
Garon Whited
Okay, the issue isn't with listing it; the issue is with linking it! Apparently, it's listed, but all by itself. It's not on the same page as the Kind
Okay, the issue isn't with listing it; the issue is with linking it! Apparently, it's listed, but all by itself. It's not on the same page as the Kindle or Audio versions. I'm working on getting that fixed.
Meanwhile, go to Amazon and search for "1836020287"
Penumbra's hardback version should show up in the results!
(Note that it SAYS it's "leather-bound." It isn't. It's should be the same as all the other hardbacks in the series.) ...more
May 09, 2024 11:01AM · flag
Meanwhile, go to Amazon and search for "1836020287"
Penumbra's hardback version should show up in the results!
(Note that it SAYS it's "leather-bound." It isn't. It's should be the same as all the other hardbacks in the series.) ...more
May 09, 2024 11:01AM · flag
Garon Whited
I'm really sorry you're not enjoying the Phoebe bits. I'm currently finishing the "Phoebe's Tale" stuff, so that book will be next.
Book Nine will follow that, so I have no idea when it will be. I'm writing as fast as I can!
On the upside, I do have more Eric stuff on my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/garonwhited
Book Nine will follow that, so I have no idea when it will be. I'm writing as fast as I can!
On the upside, I do have more Eric stuff on my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/garonwhited
This question contains spoilers...
(view spoiler)[during the duration of listening to penumbra, I noticed during the times he would reflect and mention the people he had been with in the past he would go on to list them but there always seemed to be a intentional act of not mentioning tort. Is that intentional or is there a reason for this? (hide spoiler)]
Garon Whited
There's a reason. Eric isn't aware of the reason, but there is one.
Garon Whited
That's a tough one. I would lean toward "The Chronicles of Amber," by Roger Zelazny, or the "Lensman" series by E.E. Smith.
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