I've commissioned the illustration for the book cover for the Storm Dancer sequel. Do you think that's premature?

I've only written the first six chapters of the book.

Maybe I'm crazy? What if the novel goes in a direction I hadn't planned, and the cover no longer fits the story?

On the other hand, seeing the cover may inspire my writing.

Besides, having a handsome male magician to look at can't be bad.

I love working with artists. It's so much more exciting than using stock photos. I can actually tell them "Yes, this looks nice, but make the heroes eyes darker... his shoulders broader... and please open two more buttons on his shirt."

No buttons for this book, though. Storm Dancer and the sequel are set in a fantasy world based on the Bronze Age, and people didn't have buttons then. Indeed, the hero isn't wearing much anyway besides a collar and kilt. There'll be abs and pecs on display. Very tastefully, of course.