Why my editor is glad I’m behind schedule

This week is dedicated to getting back into the writing of my novel. Over the years, many people have asked me whether the main character in the story is autobiographical.

Some elements are.

I don’t think you can write an entire novel without pouring some of yourself onto the page. But just as many of the experiences and characteristics of the heroine are her own.

Recently a client wrote me asking about the progress on the book. “Because at the end of book one you left us all waiting with bated breath…”

Ehm. Sorry?

Finishing the sequel is taking way longer than I had anticipated. My apologies for keeping everyone waiting for so long! Please stop holding your breath. 😉

I hadn’t planned on writing Radiant (my book on how to get more energy) in between. But I have to admit that getting back into the story has taken longer than I thought it would.

When I consulted my editor, she told me: “I’m so glad you’re taking the fallow time you need and looking forward to reading more when you’re ready.”

I felt bad about not making more progress so I was curious why she thought it was a good thing I took that fallow time.

Her answer:

Needless to say that made me feel a lot better!

So if you’re reading this, I’m getting reacquainted with all the characters in the book and rereading the first 60,000 words of the sequel.

If you haven’t met them—or simply want a refresher—here’s the first chapter of my YA Fantasy novel Poisoned Arrow.

You can also download the first 23 chapters here.

Auran Stronghold ducked his head to avoid a jagged stalactite. Every time he returned, it took a while to adapt to the stale air and to having a mountain of rock above his head. He longed for his beloved forest and the chatter of birds.

His trip had taken longer than expected—he dreaded having to tell Iris the news.

Auran crossed the common room with long strides, not giving anyone a chance to start a conversation. Almost every area of the cave was put to use. He spotted wood shavings in a corner. Someone worked on arrow shafts last night. He nodded at an off-duty guard about to eat his breakfast of grains.

He met a few more guards coming off the night shift and they hurriedly saluted. Their forest-green uniforms were impeccable, unlike his own. He brushed some sand off his sturdy trousers.

Auran’s feet took him toward the tower, the highest position they dared occupy in this gorge. It was a mockery to call the two- floor station a watchtower, but compared to the rest of the cave it was elevated.

It’s too quiet. The absence of guards chatting made his heart beat faster.

He paused to reinforce his shield and check his dagger—around the bends in the walkways, his favorite bow was useless. Relying on his instincts had saved his life many times. He turned the corner— the tower entrance was empty

Gods.

He alerted Merlow and Iris. They responded immediately, their presences filling his mind. Strengthened, he carefully approached the watchtower.

As he came closer, he saw black leather boots pointed toward him. By Seth, that’s Basil! Someone had gotten inside. Did Apex find us?

Auran used his mindlink to show Iris and Merlow the scene: Basil lying face forward on the rock floor. Can you locate Jacob?

Seconds later the alarm bell went off—he heard people run- ning to their stations and felt Iris link up with Jacob in the watch- tower. Images streamed through her: Jacob had heard Basil cry out and was hurrying to check on him.

Auran knelt down. Basil had a weak pulse and his breathing was shallow. Jacob and a second guard met Auran at the base of the tower.

“What happened?” Auran demanded.

“We rounded the tower twice but saw no signs of breach or intruders. I don’t know how anyone could’ve gotten in and out so quickly and unnoticed,” the second guard said, scanning the gran- ite walls as if he expected strangers to drop from the ceiling.

Auran cursed. “How could the nightwatch leave without their relief there?”

The guard gaped at him. “Basil released them—he said he’d finish the shift—”

Auran cut the man off with a gesture and stretched his senses to locate the source of the danger he still felt nearby.

At a sudden movement behind him, he reared back, ready to strike. He almost hit one of his own men. Choking the instinct to shout, he hissed “Don’t sneak up on me. I could’ve killed you!”

The guard cringed.

Auran twirled his index finger, signaling his men to stay on high alert. “Keep searching the cave. Go through all the chambers and put extra guards at the outside entrance.”

He knelt down again and carefully turned Basil on his back. As soon as Auran saw it, he froze.

An orange arrow.

A poisoned arrow sent across time and space. Time-traveling arrows were more dart-like than traditional arrows—though no less dangerous.

“Jacob!”

Jacob came closer and paled visibly, cursing under his breath.

“I know. Either we’re out of luck or worse—someone knows we’re here,” Auran said. “These arrows have a way of showing up in batches. Tell the guards to steer clear from this entrance.”

Jacob nodded, and crouched at Basil’s side. “Get a couple of men,” he told the guard. “We need to carry him to the infirmary.”

Auran sent a quick prayer to the God of War. Please, Seth, let this be a coincidence. A deliberate arrow meant a trained magician had located them. It called for an intricate collaboration between a seer and a magically trained warrior to shoot an arrow so precisely it could take down a guard. Damn.

Merlow and Iris were still listening through the mindlink. The hum of magic around him intensified. They must be strengthening the shield around the cave. Now not even their own people could get in. Sparking on Apex’s readings was less important—survival came first.

Auran wished he could return to Arbres and choke the bastard in his own plush chair.
He still sensed the presence of danger and went up to inspect the armory—the rows of glinting swords and full quivers filled him with pride. He even peeked at the leatherbound duty logs, then hurried back down.

Iris was coming down the corridor. Her blue eyes blazed with power and focus, determination in each footstep.

He wanted to yell at her to keep away, but she was their strongest magician by far. Not that she couldn’t fend for herself, but old habits died hard. He was too used to keeping her hidden.

She flicked her blonde braid over her shoulder and grounded in a strong stance as she prepared to trace the arrow’s flight in her mind. Merlow would monitor the energy in the cave from his chamber. Auran continued searching for physical signs of a breach, letting Iris work her magic.

Iris Springtide studied the slab of rock the arrow had emerged from at a thirty-two-degree angle, focusing on the remnant of the magical trail. She gathered more magic as the path stretched farther back.

What? She steeled herself and opened a tiny window—twenty years in the past.

Twelve warriors were gathered in a lush meadow, congratulat- ing a bearded archer. Although the red-haired bowman couldn’t know who he’d shot—the time lapse was too great—he knew he’d hit a mark. It was rare for warriors in training to hit a live tar- get since they usually aimed at remote locations. Which is what this mountain was before we took shelter here.

Iris pulled her mind back. “Auran!”

While she waited for Auran to finish his own inspection, she used a powerful spell to install a magical barrier on the grey rock the arrow had shot through. The magic wouldn’t block the arrows entirely but would steer their course to a hollow in the granite, making a safe corner.

As she opened her eyes, Auran came to stand before her, his aqua-blue eyes wide.

“It’s a training arrow, and there are twelve marksmen.” She shook her head. “We’ll see more arrows soon, but I’ve changed their path. Keep your men away from this corner.”

Auran relaxed his shoulders a little as Jacob joined them. Behind him, four guards gently lifted Basil to carry him out.

Iris held up a hand. “I need to adjust the shield first.” She low- ered the protective shield around the mountain, hoping it hadn’t yet shown up on Apex’s readings. It was still early—few readers were skilled enough to read across long distances, and they needed sleep, too. More so than usual, thanks to the constant scanning.

Jacob and Auran looked at her expectantly.

She answered their unspoken question. “We’ll know in twenty- four hours if they’ve noticed the energy spike. I’ll brief Sourni at the palace so she can alert us in case of heightened activity.”

They both nodded.

Iris eyed Basil. “His aura is already paler than when I got here. Take him to the infirmary right away. We need to make sure he’s only sedated. Merlow might need his potions to create an antidote.”

“I’ll see to it,” Jacob said, following his guards and the unwieldy burden of their unconscious combat instructor.

Auran scratched his head, upending his blond hair. “Thanks to the pickets we’ll likely have at least a six-hour warning.”

“True.”

They had five guards in outposts, monitoring the barren perimeter around their cave in the Kaale Mountains, but if they were under fire, every minute counted.

Auran called after Jacob. “Instruct the guards to wear their armor and see if they need anything else.”

“Will do.” Jacob strode off.

Iris trusted the preparations to Auran and Jacob and headed for her room.

“Wait!” Auran called out. “How do we know when the last arrow of this batch has arrived?”

Iris turned on her heel. “Twelve archers. Assuming this was the first arrow, we can expect at least eleven more. You could’ve figured that out on your own.”

Auran flinched. When things got tight, they both got edgy. “I’m sorry,” she said. “Neither of us got enough sleep.”

“No, it’s fine. You go contact Sourni. The sooner we know the impact, the better we can prepare.” Auran sounded mollified.

Iris nodded and suppressed the urge to stroke the stubble of his day-old beard and be reminded of the scent of home. She shook herself and headed for her chamber. Guards passed, scurrying to their various destinations. Iris automatically ignored their thoughts, an ever-present buzz in the background. Some she recognized from Yarden, the village she’d grown up in, others had been recruited by Auran over the past two years. Jacob had brought in a few from his travels.

Several young guards had anxious faces, so Iris smiled reassuringly. The more seasoned guards appeared smug and excited they’d finally seen some real action.

They wouldn’t be so arrogant if they were the next person hit.

If you enjoyed this, you can get the first 23 chapters here for free.

Or if you’d rather get the whole book, you can get Poisoned Arrow here! 📚

Iris van Ooyen guides people home to themselves. As a life transformation mentor with 20+ years of experience, she offers hope with a compass—helping you find your way back to who you truly are when life’s demands have made you lose touch with yourself. She’s the author of Radiant: How to Have All the Energy You Need to Live a Life You Love. When you feel life should be more than this, contact Iris to come home to yourself—and love your life again. 

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