From the Noodle to the Paper: The Making of Minion: The Shudagon Trilogy

Yesterday was a pivotal point in my life. I released the first edition to a novel trilogy that I have been working on, either physically or mentally, for nearly 5 years. It seems like such a long time, given that I've met authors that write books in two months. What can I say? I have a pace.

The idea started when I was writing another novel (Return, a modern romantic adventure). If I remember correctly, I wanted to make a vigilante with inhuman abilities, but have those abilities manifest themselves by spiritual means, rather than have an alien offer powers or make up a biological experiment in some science lab. Like many do during times of exploration, I went to The Bible for answers, and answers I did receive.

But I needed a title. I was almost like I couldn't actually sit down and write this massive story line out until I had a name for it. I took an old Nine Inch Nail track and called the story "The Collector". I was never happy with the label, but at least it got me in the chair.

Outlines after outlines after outlines. I knew how the story started and how it ended. But everything in between was scattered about in my mind and wrangling these thoughts was enormously trying. I tried just going for it and hoping the pages would make sense. No bueno. I spent hours in my cabin at sea trying to fit the pieces together. All the while, the voice in my head (I call him Phillip) was saying to me, "Your title sucks".

And Phillip was right. It took one night with Jack Daniels, a Thesaurus, an amazing, beautiful, vocalist girlfriend, and a MacBook Pro to pinpoint the perfect title. We dissected the story down to what was most important - the lead character. We then called him out for who he is: a servant, a slave, a errand boy. Dr. Kayden Archer is MINION.

Having that title put my butt in the seat.

More on the making of Minion - The Shudagon Trilogy soon...

Get your copy here:

Minion @ Amazon.com