Lottie asked Michael J. Sullivan:

Is the planning stage of writing the most challenging? Or is trying to get the ideas into a fully formed story more difficult? I imagine the planning for the Cycle series must be a huge task!! Thank you so much for your work - I'm new to your books and already love them so much! I'm so glad my friend recommended them. And I don't think I could ever get bored of Royce and Hadrian! Thanks again :)

Michael J. Sullivan Hey Lottie, thanks for asking. These days I don't really find much that is challenging other than meeting my really high standards for The Cycle. Because it draws from all twenty of my books in Elan, there is a lot of material to work with, especially since it can draw from any of the characters and even with five books, I can't include absolutely everyone.

Really at this point (just finished book 2 of The Cycle) the planning isn't difficult. I have notes of what absolutely needs to be included, and then as I write other ideas come to mind, so for the most part it's just flowing from my mind pretty effortlessly.

But getting the "points" down is one thing, and making it entertaining is another, so there is a lot of polishing that goes on and I've been over the first books several times as I re-read to make sure they are "standing up."

You are very welcome for the books - I'm so glad you love them. It's amazing how many people come to the stories from recommendations of those who have read them. So please thank your friend. It is because of people like them that the books have such long legs - the first one was published in 2008! - That's nearly twenty years and it still sells well.

I'm glad to hear you're not bored with Royce and Hadrian. Drumindor (which was recently released in ebook and audio — and the hardcovers are due to arrive in 10 days - was so much fun to write. I'd been away from the pair for quite some time while writing the final Legends books and the Rise and Fall series. Those books really open up my world - especially because I lied to you about so many things in Riyria - and because of that they were a bit more "serious" in scope and tone, so to be back with Royce and Hadrian was a breath of fresh air for me.

I'll do my best to keep the stories coming!

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