This is weeks too late to count as a New Years' update and at least a week too early for Chinese New Years, but, even so, if you've been checking in on this blog, even occasionally, to see what is happening with the next book, I figured you were due an update.

The writing on The Bright Vale is going strong. Part I is complete and Part 2 is already underway. As for the rest, the overall arc & particular plot points have been in place for a long time. When I'm writing, I also have a chapter-by-chapter outline of where things are going but I don't hew to it rigidly; some things work, others don't and it's important to leave room for the unforeseen, the unexpected flash of inspiration. Fenya's a good example of this. She wasn't part of the original outline for City of Rain but, about a third of the way through, I realised that the story needed someone to provide the Circle's POV. Now, I can't imagine the story without her. Right now, I don't expect to be adding any additional POV characters to The Bright Vale but the point is to be open to the possibility, in order to serve the story being told.

All of which is to say, it's a work in progress. My goal is to finish it and publish it this year but I will keep you posted. One way or another, though, it's on its way...