One of the most common questions Eldon receives is that of how
he came to write a particular story. These readers want to know where he drew
his inspiration, hear some of the challenges he may have faced, etc. The
following note from Eldon offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse, explaining some of
the story background and how it all came about.
"This is the book I really wanted to write. And
it shows.
That's not to say I'm ashamed in any way of its
predecessor. Looking back, I feel The Crimson Sword did a
capable job fulfilling its role as act one of this series. While at
first glance derivative in many ways, that was quite intentional, so
as to establish certain reader expectations for the story to come.
In order to deconstruct a myth, you've first got to make it clear
which myth you're toying with. The Crimson Sword did that,
and hopefully led readers to make certain assumptions about what
comes next.
With The Obsidian Key, however, all bets are
off. Granted, there are only so many ways in which a story can
surprise, but if readers' jaws don't drop once or twice by the end
of this one, then I've not done my job. The story is less
derivative, the characters less formulaic, and the ending less
predictable. And yet, the clues are all there. I've been told that
the story is even better the second time through, when many of the
hidden/double meanings become clear. That, to me, is a tremendous
compliment, and satisfying to hear. Because it's not always easy to
say two completely different things at the same time and have either
make sense.
Of course, I certainly don't expect anyone to slog
through this story twice. Once should suffice. Even without all of
the subtleties, I feel there's plenty in here to entertain. That's
not to say I expect everyone to like it. It is, after all, the
second act of an Aristotelian trilogy, meaning that the tone is
somewhat darker, and that some of the major threads are told only
halfway through. But for those, say, who feel that The Empire
Strikes Back was the best of the Star Wars films, I don't
think you'll be disappointed.
What will almost certainly disappoint is the lack of
a certain character from the first book, whose absence is keenly
felt by the characters in the story. But there are plenty of new
characters to help take up the slack—or so I hope. In either case, I
promise to do my best to wrap things up in a grand, satisfying
manner with the conclusion of the trilogy in Book 3—The
Divine Talisman."
– ET
