Birdie Reader asked Shannon Messenger:

What are three pieces of wisdom that you wish you had known back in 2009?

Shannon Messenger Wow, 2009 feels like SO long ago! And for those who don't know, 2009 was when I started actually writing KEEPER (I came up with the idea in 2008). I guess the wisdom I wish I'd had (sorry, I can't think of three) is that it's really really really hard to remember ALL the little details of the characters and world in a series this complex--especially when they change. I started out with dozens of documents outlining all kinds of details about the creatures and characters and food and clothing and cities, etc. But I wasn't very good about updating those files when I changed something in a revision (and the first book went through 20 revisions) because I naively assumed I'd remember. But sometimes my brain remembers the original details and not what I changed them to, and I haven't had time to update the files now that the books are published, so I'm constantly having to go back and skim the printed books trying to cross-check and it's super annoying! (and a few tiny mistakes have slipped through because I forgot I changed something and trusted my outdated files--nothing major or important, but it still drives me crazy that I messed that up). If I ever write another series, I will definitely keep a much more updated series bible.

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