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ILONA ANDREWS

#1 New York Times Bestselling Author

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  2. You always give us good. That’s why we are the devoted BDH. We know quality when we see it. Take your time and especially take time for yourselves. See you on Monday.

    Anne in Virginia

  3. I’m so grateful that you do this for us, WHENEVER you can. I’m pretty sure that writing like yours doesn’t happen in a 5 minute sit-down at the computer. The dialogue and story that you always give us is so deep and perfect… and that doesn’t happen without time and much thought. Thank you, again!

  5. Good lord. Please don’t think that person represents most of us. We’re incredibly grateful you guys let us read these things for free, no matter when we get them.

  6. You’re providing not just ‘cheap’ but free, so I’m fine with skipping the ‘fast’ and waiting for the ‘good’ when your other responsibilities permit. Enjoy your weekend too.

      • That’s way cool. And it’s interesting to watch the difference in the play back speed when you click the “actual speed” button.

        And for real?? “Why does it take so long??” Bc you’re not a machine and it’s a creative process! It’s subject to the whims of the muses and moods and the fact a human has to be free from all the other crap they have to do to survive and function to sit there and be in the right headspace to make it happen! Sure you can set up a computer to make 2+2=4 any time you want. But this is substantially more complex.

        Sorry. I’ll get off my soap box. And I won’t call them names like I want to.

        Thank you and I appreciate y’all and your FREE fiction. Take what time you need.

    • I agree, that playback function is so cool! And it’s really fascinating to watch the words as you write, thank you for providing us with this unique view into the process!! 🙂

      • I really enjoyed that glimpse into your writing. Thank you for sharing with us. Have a great Mother’s Day weekend!

  9. Happy Mother’s Day to you hope you have a nice relaxing (if you want) day .
    And thank you for the snippette (small snippet) . I can’t write ,but I appreciate how long it takes you to compose such complex and complicatedworlds and characters( and in the BDH’s mind they are people,who you care about, and want to succeed and kiss ass.) and that takes talent and time– and It’s free. So don’t get your knickers in a twist and just wait.

    Thank you again ( I love how you included Artha, such a beautiful doggy.)

  11. Hope you have a great mother’s day. Go enjoy the rest of the weekend. We will wait.

  13. Writing is creative work. It doesn’t just spring, fully formed, from the keyboard, like Athena from Zues’ head.

  14. LOL! Bestest writer clapback ever!!! Thanks for that. I’ll take good! Don’t need fast and super appreciate the free. As a member of the BDH, I must acknowledge that we are very well named. You just feed us such good stuff.

  15. As others said it takes as long as it needs to for you both to be happy with what you’ve produced. We are lucky to have the series. Happy Mother’s Day. In the UK we celebrated it in March. It’s always before Easter here.

  16. “Why does it take so long?” Ouch. When I was 12 I read my 1st Tamora Pierce book. She doesn’t release chapters and there can be years between her books. I am amazed that the Author Lords grace us with these chapters with such speed. Thank you. Mind, I will be hitting refresh…..lol.

  17. Oh, man. Why does writing take so long? Because it ain’t easy, folks. If it was, everyone would do it. One, please remember to check the little ticky box on Ilona’s wonderful video that says “actual speed”. Two, SO much more than just the actual writing goes into writing. Research, planning, plotting, stopping to think about the exact right words to convey the emotional beat of the moment you are capturing. Stopping to think “wait…is that the way this character would say that?” Stopping because a brilliant thought just occurred to you that would make a scene 1000x better, but now you have to go research Tibetan wind chimes or something. Stopping because you just said the same thing in different words that you just stated two paragraphs ago. Now you have to decide which one to change or delete.

    And when the scene is finally done, then there is almost always another read through with tweaking and small editing/changes/fleshing this out/deleting that. It all takes time. Lots and lots of time. And every writer is different. If all is running smoothly, I average 1000 to 1500 words per hour, and that is if things are going well and flowing and I don’t get stuck on anything. But some writers average 500, and some average 3000 in the same time frame. Writing speed is a difficult thing to measure, and if you want a good story, it all takes time. <3

    • My dad wrote papers for scientific journals as part of his living. He has always said, “Papers aren’t written. They are rewritten.” That has to be true for just about anything worthwhile.

  18. Thank you for the snippet. I watched it both in normal and fast speed – fantabulous in both. My weekend was looking dire but things changed and now I’ll have a new segment to look forward to after I fly home from a long shift at work. I can hardly wait.

  19. Holy cow that’s really cool to see!! Thanks for the insight! We are thankful whenever you get the next chapter to us!

    I’m a horrible writer… nothing freaked me out more than a 500 word essay in school. Thankfully I can leave the writing to experts like you and stick with finance!

  22. Oh my! You are much more patient than I. My polite response would have been something along the line of ‘I am not a machine. I have a life. You try this for awhile.’ You are incredibly patient with us. Thank you. I am practicing patience when what I want to do is: *taps fingers for 4 seconds* When do you think you will have it finished? ?

  24. Goodness, couldn’t whoever wrote that email give you a break. Waiting a few days is not forever…you give so much of yourself already. Especially as you haven’t been well. Thanks for taking time to give us an insight into your writing ?

    Happy Mother’s Day to all in the US, here in the UK it was celebrated in March. ???

  25. This was really neat to watch. Thank you for giving it to us. Thank you for Innkeepers. It is awesome and amazing and worth waiting for. Have a wonderful Mother’s Day!!

  27. Since we love your “good” it’s worth the wait. This part of the story sounds very interesting. Maybe we get a clue as to why the wedding had to be on Arland’s planet.

  28. Thanks for the writing illustration of “are we there yet.”

    Happy Mother’s Day!

  29. OMGosh. Really? Why does it take so long? Anything good takes time. Thank you for giving us this free fiction and taking the time to make it good. I and I know others, really appreciate it.

  31. Good is more important than fast. It’s not like aliens are holding the world hostage unless they get another chapter?? LOL

  32. Considering how long GRRM’s fans are waiting, I think you write at near light speed! Thank you for the installment, and have a great Mother’s Day!

  33. Good is fine and free ought to be all the reason we need not to whine but….

    Whenever you are ready and thanks for these fabulous stories.

  34. I’m new to following the blog, although I believe that I own just about everything you’ve published. Might have missed a short story or two. I’m amazed that you produce as much of “Innkeeper” as you do each week, considering everything ELSE you’ve got going on. Like most of the rest of us, I’m incredibly grateful for what does appear each week, whenever it appears. (And the best thing about a Monday release date? It’s closer to Friday. . . or am I the only one who wakes up on Wednesday saying “It’s almost Friday”?)

    • I like snippets on Monday. Friday is its own reward, but Monday needs the help, imo.

  35. You are not the slowest set of authors I follow; not by a long shot. I waited 6 years for one author’s next book in a series… now I have already been waiting 3 years for her next one… so you two are highly prolific in comparison.
    I just wish I could take l I nger to read each new book I get… but I am a glutton. .. I inhale them.

  36. Wheee! That was fun!
    Take all the time you need to write — I’m excited to see it whenever you post it.

    Thanks for this and I hope you have a lovely Mother’s Day!

  37. I would assume fast, on demand writing is a good exercise in creative writing for authors of all levels. But I would never presume to think that writers of your level could or would want to churn out stuff rather than spend the time to produce quality work.

    I cannot believe someone had the nerve to seriously whine at you about why it is taking longer than they want. I mean yeah, the BDH whines, but in a good natured kind of joking way. The moment one of us gets the urge to e-mail a “why is it taking so long” complaint, it is time to step away and find something else to do for a while. It is boorish and rude, ESPECIALLY with regards to what I look at as a gift.

      • Lol… but the shakes we get from withdrawal might affect our ability to trim stems.

        … now I have have to go find the flower arranging mention. I remember it, but not exactly where.

        • Chapter 3, part 1. Arland refuses his transfer out of Commander Karat’s unit.
          I think Knight Derit was also described as unable to “Find his way out of a boot with flood lights and scout support.”
          (I’m not sure how vital he is to the plot, at least until he heals up enough to walk again.)

  38. Honestly I’ve always been completely floored that you write as much as you do nearly every week while having other projects going on as well. And the snippet is completely fascinating!!

    Thank you for the glimpse into your process. =)

    And howdy by the way, I’m just down the road from you guys in San Antonio.

  39. Have a totally safe and Happy Mother’s day tomorrow. any thing worth having is truelly worth the wait. Your stories at worth the wait, BDH will wait patiently, while whining under their breath about all the others who haven’t learn the lessons in life.

  40. Can you please forward that question to George RR Martin and then post his reply.

  41. Thank you for sharing that tidbit! I love learning how you write as it is helping me with my storytelling. Hope you have a great weekend and your family spoils you on Mother’s Day, or at least helps out.

  42. As a writer of many things, I get that writing takes time. And good writing takes more time. When I made my living as a technical writer, I and whatever team I worked with had a sign posted in our space: Fast, Good, Cheap — Choose Two. It’s always a good reminder.

  43. That was amusing! Thank you for those of us who know how much work even a sentence of description can take.

  44. Yeah, it’s hard to wait, but that’s not your problem 🙂 I’m happy for you to take just as long as you want and need, and grateful to get it when you’re done.
    It’s kinda like Christmas, when I was a kid. The anticipation makes the gifts all the more exciting! In these instant-gratification times, that excitement can be lost.

  45. Lovely insight. Whenever you post a part I will be waiting. No hurry… after writing a 40 page story for a friend, I am in awe that one can write *and* remain sane. The details are killer.

  46. How can you write that well so quickly with so few edits??? I write a lot in my job and i apparently edit a LOT more than you. This may seem slow to others but it’s not…

  47. And just FYI I’m always kind of astounded that you can deliver such consistent writing with innkeeper each week when you’re doing other things. A lot of really good writers can’t just summon it at will like you seem able to do.

  48. Every group has one and this individual is clearly ours #sigh

    I think most of us would’ve received that and responded with something akin to ‘sod off’ or ‘Can’t wait, eh? How about when your IP address is blocked from seeing the next snippet for an additional day? ‘

    Instead you used it as an opportunity to educate and to give us an incredible insight into the processes behind the creation of the worlds and characters we adore so deeply.

    Thank-you for your patience and for sharing your talent with us.
    And Happy Mothers Day!

  49. What ever times it takes, that’s the time it takes. Most important for you to be happy with your writing .
    Get well and enjoy Mother’s Day

  50. Harrummphhhh . . .Seriously?? You generously post your fabulous story FOR FREE and someone has the nerve to complain????? Creativity takes time and oh, by the way, you have a LIFE besides writing — which is, after all a job — so I opt for good and enjoy anything you wish to share. Thanks — and Happy Mother’s Day!!

  51. So I found the commentary in this was absolutely hilarious. Thanks for the laugh! I swear, y’all never fail to cheer me up on a rough day. And that little snippet…looking forward to Monday for sure.

    • I Love watching the typing – and I will be honest – GOOD AS A PRIORITY. I waited 3 years for White Hot. I can wait an extra couple days for the next segment.

      • OK – As mentioned below, on a re-read didn’t’ quite come out like I intended. So to clarify. I WILLINGLY waited 3 years for White Hot, and have waited years for other authors I enjoy to put out new books because they take time to put out quality material. I enjoy the overall suspense of the innkeeper books, waiting until the end of weekend is just par for the course wanted a good story.

  52. I was reading a Stephen King comment the other day on Facebook, and I was absolutely floored by a comment someone made regarding it.
    I think that people display no courtesy because they don’t regard anything on social media as real. It’s as if they think it’s a movie, all fiction, no real people on the receiving end of their comments.
    I can’t believe someone asked you why it took you so long to write a chapter,,, it defies belief.

    • I learned quickly after some faux pas to be very careful texting. It usually reads different than what you meant to say. Text can be very cold. (Not Ilona’s and Gordon’s text obviously.) Whomever may have been wishful thinking about the future chapter.
      I am truly grateful for the look into the creative process of writing. To me who does not have a creative bone in my body, it was wonderful. I always wondered what it was like. They are so creative, brilliant really.

  53. LOL. Truer words. We’ll take good. You’re always worth waiting for.
    PS: Happy Mother’s day Ilona.

  54. That was a gracious response.

    Innkeeper now, Hugh coming soon, Kate 10 in August, and Hidden Legacy in November. All of that this year. As a reader, I am thrilled.

    • ^+1. Thank you for the work you do – it brings joy to so many. And the fast, good, or cheap comment is one of my favorites – I laugh every time I read it.

      • +2 – You two are very prolific writers, and I have ZERO complaints about how and when we get your words! I loved reading this because it goes to show that life still goes on while you are trying to write. Plus the insights into your thinking were awesome!

      • +1 also. The “fast, cheap, good” quote would not be so funny were it not so true
        .
        Personally, I will go for “good” every time. I don’t care what you pair it with, as long as good is priority.

        Thank you for a triple dose of “good” this year. I really appreciate the tremendous effort you put forth.

      • It is a funny line. I laughed when Sean was explaining about that while fixing the bike.

        Writing takes time, people don’t understand just how much time. When I have to write up non-compliance reports at work, it easily takes me an hour to do one. If it is complex it could take 2-3 hours to get it written properly, proofed and printed out.

        • I should add that a NR is usually only a short paragraph describing what happened, who did it, what action I took as a result and possibly what action the establishment took.

          For example a couple of days ago I saw an employee hit a rack of cooked, unsliced deli meat with a bag of trash. I tagged the rack, notified management and since the meat was all in impermeable plastic casings I allowed them to take it to the sanitizing room and shower the rack in sanitizer for a minute to clean off any germs. Then I had to write them up for it. My writing isn’t creative, but it still takes time to organize it and present it clearly and concisely.

          • I thank God for you and every other conscientious health / quality assurance inspector out there. I shudder to think what the food -and other- industries would be like without you on our front lines.

            • Amen. Thank you Very Much! (Not typos – I want to give emphasis, but not “yell”.)

    • ? many thanks always for anything you write, anytime you write.
      Happy Mother’s Day Ilona ???

  55. Wow, it takes very little to please us. I was thrilled with this glimpse into your wonderful talent.
    I went to a gifted and talented conference, where the keynote speaker was a photographer. He showed pictures that were wonderful, then better, and finally spectacular.
    You are truly gifted. Thank you.

  56. Go with good and ignore the stupidity of some. I am happy to wait even though i am hanging out waiting for the next chapter. As the saying goes “all good things come to those that wait”. Happy mothers day from Australia.

  57. I would rather you be rested and healthy; releasing snippets, chapters or full books on a schedule that keeps you thus because I get more goodies in the long run that way. Sort of a goose that lays the golden eggs situation, as far as I can tell. No matter how much the greedy child inside of me is going “more, more, more,” and “now, now, now.” Have a good weekend.

    P.S. Have you played Pillars of Eternity? Because the second one came out this week on steam, and so far I really like it.

    • Agreed, stay healthy, happy and rested. We love the quality that you two put out and will happily wait, if a bit impatiently, for the next offering.
      Have a Happy Mothers Day.

  59. Wow, seems kinda cheeky to ask you that for something you are providing for free. Am I impatient for the next installment? Yeeeessssssss, but I’ll live.

    “Fast, cheap, or good, you can have any of two, but not all three.” lol, my husband has said this for years about his graphics business. People seem to think we just pull custom graphics off the shelf like its Walmart.

  60. Readership addiction the truest sign of writing excellence, I think. Right up there with chocolate.

    Much appreciation for your creativity and all you are putting out there for your readers.

  62. I turned it down to actual speed, got a glass of wine, and watched with more enjoyment than I would a movie. I could’ve watched for hours. There’s something deeply satisfying about watching the creative process unfold. I wouldn’t say no to more posts like this. Also: wow, you can record with Google docs??

    In sum: I heart you guys.

    • I too enjoyed the glimpse into your creative thought process. I loved your personal comments interspersed within.
      Would love more of such windows but not expecting … Just saying.

      • Me, too. I could have watched for hours also. This was really a cool thing you did!

  63. OK, I’ll tell truth – I’m always a bit impatient until one of my favorite authors put out something new … ;-(
    Would I have the possibility I would love to grow (GOOD) books like the tomatoes and green peppers on my balcony …
    As that is not doable I just re/read one of the over 1500 “old” tomes this family owns until I get a nice morsel thrown my way >sigh< 😉

    Have a nice motherday and RELAX!

  64. You make everything so fun, I was smiling so big as I read. Thanks for being so generous!

  66. Thank you. Ilona Andrews.

    The pup aka knucklehead but officially named Titan and I prefer good. We do not care for cheap or fast. I told him last night no innkeeper til Monday. But no, he wanted to be read to as that what is supposed to happen on Friday evenings. Yes, Pup ihas trained me well. So we went back thru Hugh snippets while he laid on floor doing his puppy thing… destringing my boots, eating FLIP flops, chewing up whatever… puppy stuff. Speaking of balls he has chewed up 10 now. I had no clue that dog/ tennis balls were put together as parts until this pup. I thought about a movie but he gets all excited when dogs or canines bark in soundtrack or birds chirp (he has avian fixation) or angry voices…. he really freaks when the MGM lion roars. I have explained he is part rhodesian ridgeback so he should not be so freaked out. Grin.

    Sorry about the demanding email you received. Please forgive that over anxious person. Please take your time to produce a good viable story. Thanks again for Innkeeper and Hugh snippets. Monday will be fine at my house. Enjoy your Mother”s Day.

    • I knew a guy who bred Ridgebacks. One of the most intelligent dog breeds. Never go up against one. If they consider you alpha or packmate then theyre the best protection you can have. Anyone who threatens you will be in a world of hurt! 😉

  67. That video was brilliant, loved getting to see how the first few paragraphs evolved as you got further into the story.

    I hope you guys manage to find some time to relax & have fun over the weekend, we’ll all happily wait for the next chapter. Awesome things are always worth waiting for!

  68. LOL! Surely the one who emailed you read all your works right? I waited (not patiently but I DIDN’T email you) for every release of KD, Edge, Legacy and Innkeeper for days and days and months and it’s always sssooooooooo worth it! A few days are just a blink. ???. And man Innkeeper is free read every week …I couldn’t be a Ghastek Diva about it. Keep writing good books that are worth waitin’ for you two!

  69. Very fun. It demonstrates the care and effort that goes into writing on the level you all do. I love how you reveal the story and not just tell it.

  70. The 2of3 I learned from costuming. TBH I think the Authorlords are plentiful writers and I dare not complain.

  71. You are the best. That response was sooo goood as are all your books. Try to take it as a compliment when the BDH get impatient it means you are loved. Fan comes from fanatic I’m sure you know.
    Try not to overwork yourselves as this increases your chances of getting ill and runs you down even more. Boost your immune system with vitamin C and B for stress. Love having the chance to have input and have a happy mother’s day xx

  72. Wow! A question like that could only come from someone who has never tried to write anything coherent. Diaries don’t count! Happy Mother’s Day!

  73. Dear Author Lord,

    First…Happy Mother’s Day! Second, please know how much many of us love and appreciate you and amazing universes ( is that a word?) that you create and share with us.

    I haunt this blog, but very rarely ever post, and thank you for the hard work that you and Gordon do daily. Like me, I am sure there are many that are silent, but recognize the effort and creativity that you have to channel daily to bring to life the amazing works that you give to us fans

  74. Why does it take you so long, … good lord! some people’s kids! Greatness takes patience, time and creativity for pete’s sakes.

    Thank you for sharing your creativity with us!!

  75. Wonderful snippet, and whomever was dumb enough to ask why it took you so long obviously never tried writing anything other than with dull crayons. Creativity flows as utbwill fliw. Forcing it merely results in doggerel. Bad doggerel. Have a great weekend and see about getting over the rest of the crud. Hopefully, you passed it on to the idiot who was asking the “why..?” question

    • Hee hee! I love (and agree with) the “dull crayons” comment Nelson!! Nicely said! ?

      +1

    • The late philosopher/writer Douglas Adams (Hitchhikers Guide) famously said “I love deadlines. I love the whooshing noise they make as they go by.” 😉 He often told of being confined to a hotel room by his editor until he finally finished a book!

  76. I believe Ilona recently mentioned that the Author Lords generally write the chapter on the morning it’s posted. The weekly chapters is just their format of choice – not how long they take to write it.

    • And remember, they’re working on other more luctrative books at the same time. We’re getting this story as a freebie. So I thank the deities for the gifts the AL’s bestow on us whenever they come.

      • Very true. The AuthorLords have to eat and pay the mortgage, just like the rest of us. They don’t get paid for this until the Innkeeper chapters become a book and get published.

        No, we’re not “there yet”. Grow up, dude(tte). If you fuss about it, it takes that much longer.

  77. A rhetorical question would be “why is someone asking why the story takes long to write?” Uh, maybe it’s because writing the way Ilona and Gordon write it’s not Twitter? I always think really awesome writing is like a few ingredient dish. You have to start with the best ingredients you have and season it just right. The dish has to cook long enough before serving. ?

    I’m just grateful you write at all and not rest on your laurels. ?

  78. Wellllllllll …… it looks like someone’s Innkeeper addiction got the better of them. Its sad.
    Happy Mother’s Day Ilona.

    PS Thanks for that peek.

    • Wow ……. I read a second time, but checked the box for actual speed, that’s truly amazing Ilona.

  79. Dear Ilona,

    Thank you for triple dipping this Saturday treat to the BDH by °folding a snippet into an °elegant denonstration of how you write while °answering a naively phrased fan question.

    It was fascinating to see the story unfold as you typed it in real speed. But, it was most instructive to see how -as you typed- you reworded a sentence, continued typing, then jumped back to add a clarifying phrase or lightly embellish previous thoughts, then continued on with the story… Watching your process and your inclusion of real life details as you worked was almost like being in the room and reading over your shoulder as your fingers tapped the keys. I can best describe it as minute long Master Class from a Class Act.

    Thank you for the triple treat today and have a Happy Mother’s Day!

  80. Happy Mother’s Day. The BDH will wait – some of us more patiently than others evidently. Loved reading the snippet and wondered how the heck you typed so fast. Then I read where it was slowed down to actually reality by someone more technically literate than I. Just really appreciate your work and hope you take “me” time.

  81. Thank you for the sample of your writing process. I’m in awe of your talent and will cheerfully wait for the (free!) Inkeeper chapters and any other novellas or books you produce. I’ve enjoyed many hours of reading (and rereading) everything you’ve written.

    Have a lovely Mother’s Day!

  82. Thank you Iona for helping us through lack-of-Innkeeper withdrawal symptoms. 😉
    And, as I’ve said before, someone is going to be jettisoned off the cliff at some point and it won’t be Maud!
    Someone, probably Alfred Hitchcck, said it something like “if you introduce a gun in the first act then it should be used in the third act”. That was horribly misquored but you get the idea. Second the cliff was mentioned …

  85. The question could have been like the wail of a child on Christmas Eve who has just been told that there will be no presents until morning. “But why does it take soooooo loooooooong?” Not a question that really requires an answer, but rather a plea for the eagerly awaited treat to get here NOW. As someone pointed out, that sense of longing and impatience does not come across well in text.

  86. That was GREAT! I truly loved that little glimpse of your life! Thank you! Happy Mother’s day!??

  87. I am going ,to assume that the reader who sent the inquiry re the writing process is a 10 year old who just got her own email account and really doesn’t know better yet.

  88. My usual response to someone who asks why ANYTHING takes longer than they think it should, whether writing or carpentry or whatever, is to tell them: “Give it a try yourself and then ask that question.”

    Worst case: They stop asking. Best case: They learn something.

  89. Fast, cheap, or good… hmm. What happens if we pick fast and $$$?

    Quick, someone start a Go Fund Me page, so the author lords will type faster!!!

    Happy Mother’s Day!

    • I was thinking the same thing. “Good” is, of course, the most important; if we can give up cheap and get it faster…
      🙂 🙂 🙂

  90. Waiting is easy. Writing is hard. We do nothing but sit. You create for us fabulous stories, filled with terrific characters. We do nothing and these fall in our lap. This doesn’t happen with the snap of your fingers.

    Ignore them. We will wait. Happily.

    • Oh dear that was meant to be tongue in cheek. The internet is devil’s work ?. Although I’d happily pay a subscription for my Friday fix. Also my dog would too she loves tennis balls and can’t even get them in her mouth and also likes to be read to.

      Happy American Mother’s Day

  92. Wow that as so funny! Thank you for the insight into your writing process and your patience with your hungry readers?

  93. Thank you as always for the snippet. I can’t wait to buy the finished story. I took the question, like Carolyn. I remember watching my mom mix cookies when I was little. We couldn’t have raw cookie dough with mom so we’d wait in front of the oven watching them bake while the delicious smell of baking cookies wrapped the whole kitchen in yummy goodness. That was a looong mouth watering wait that seemed to take an eternity. That is the same eagerness with which I wait for a new book or story from my favourite authors.

    • Hahahaha, Terri, that reminds me of something my mother said. She said she stopped baking cookies except at Christmastime, because her kids had never tasted a room temperature cookie! Hahah. The BDH devours a chapter as fast as the servers load the words.

      Thank you Ilona and Andrew. And Happy Mother’s Day Ilona.

  95. Loved this glimpse into the process! You guys are awesome, Innkeeper is awesome, gratuitous Sean quotes are the cherry on top of the Sundae of Awesomeness.

  96. Wow, people just can’t seem to wait. Under normal circumstances, to read a favourite work of fiction I could be waiting months or even years for my next installment. I appreciate that you guys try to give us 3 to 4 installments a month!! Thank you!

    Sure, I’d love to read the whole thing NOW, but you’ve got other work and far more important responsibilities than pleasing your fans. I’m so glad to hear your office is finally a better place to work!

    Thank you and Happy Mother’s Day!

  97. “Why does it take you so long to write a chapter?”

    Hahaha! The plaintive tone of that email comes shining through! I feel his pain :^)

  98. Quality always always always. I have no problem waiting because it always pays off. I have reread your books time and time again because they have the ability to pull me in time and time again. That doesn’t happen with sloppy writing done by people with a focus on dollar signs instead of the worlds they are building or the characters they are creating. And as an FYI, you are by no means a slow writer (think George RR Martin and Patrick Rothfuss). So thank you for sticking to your guns and opting for quality. It is definitely appreciated.

  100. “Why does it take so long?”

    “Because I have to read emails that ask questions like ‘Why does it take so long?’ and then write a blog post to answer the question.” ?

    * * *

    On a serious note, thank you for the laughs and for this snippet. ?Happy Mother’s Day (I had to first check if the apostrophe was before or after the letter S, otherwise I would have posted this earlier), Ilona. I hope you are back in the pink of health soon.

  101. Oh my, that sure read as rude. I love your reply and example.

    I am exhausted reading about the 2hr hike much less doing it in real life. Your description had me there but more huffing and puffing would be involved.

    THANKS. Have a great Mother’s Day Sunday.

  102. I loved this sooo much! The writing comments are very funny! I also checked a few times for the new chapter 🙂 Now I am wondering …are the vampires bitches dead? Until I read the new chapter they are in a suspended state.
    Schrodinger’s vampire bitches :)) Also involving forks 🙂 Pleaseeee kill Seveline with a fork or something :))

    • “Schrodinger’s vampire bitches”. This is my favorite phrase I’ve read all day. Band Name? T-shirt? Surely something is calling out for this as a title.

      • That’s a great band name and a fantastic description of our wait.

        Always happy to bypass fast and cheap in the book and Kindle isles everytime to get to the Good stuff from the AL’s and other great authors out there.

    • Omg! What a hoot! Schrodinger’s Vampire Bitches! That needs to be imortalized. (pun Intended)

  104. I was so offended when I first read that someone had dared question your writing speed. Then I realized addicts do and say stupid things all the time. Then I admitted that that same question rattles around in my head when I want my innkeeper fix. So maybe we need to start an our own program? But with the goal of eliminating rudeness, not quitting Innkeeper.

    Hi, I’m Michelle, and I’m a Rude Innkeeper Addict.?

    • Hmmm.

      Well … I was going to suggest to all fellow commentors that we band together, find out the identity of this phantom rude emailer, and enact a plan to eliminate the threat to our Innkeeper readings …

      … but then after reading your comment Michelle, I wondered if I, too, might be an addict.

      I’m going to have to step away from the keyboard. I’ll stop hitting that refresh button for a few hours, just to test whether or not I experience any signs that I might, in fact, be an addict.

      I mean, I think I like to think I’m a rational, well-balanced person, but if I wasn’t I probably wouldn’t know it myself, amiright?

      • It’s perfectly rational and well-balanced to be addicted to IA’s work.

        Waking up in the middle of a Saturday night (for those of us in the US, I mean – it’s 3:30am here) and checking their website might be a little… off. Hi, my name is Shannon, and I…

        • I’ll stand in for those of us in not in the US but also manically checking the site in the benighted hours “just in case”…:

          Hi my name’s Lis, and I am definitely an InnKeeper Addict ….

    • +1. Is it too pushy to suggest that the only 12-step program for us would be 12 full-length Innkeeper novels?

    • I am awed by how quickly you write, and so eloquently! That rude e-mail must be ignored.
      I always look forward to your latest chapter, and treasure them as a gift to us, your fans. To emphasize what Michelle wrote, I want to say that I, too, am an Ilona Andrews addict!
      Happy Mother’s Day–enjoy your family!

    • All true. The difference is that we may take a moment to whine to ourselves and do a petulant foot stomp at an announced delay, but we refrain from sending out that e-mail. We take deep breaths, remind ourselves that our fav authors are NOT robots and if they were, they would not be turning out the stories that we love. Amazingly enough, most of us either restrain or sooth the petulant child within and act like reasonable adults…. more or less. As much as we may want to send out a “why is it taking so long” whine, we realize that we cannot ask for writing on demand. If we are truely addicted, we have kept up with things like floods and house frustrations, illnesses both personal and child related, and family celebrations and obligations, and understand all the things on top of creative flow issues that affect release of chapters, snippets and books.

      So for me it is not that someone had the whine and foot stomping moment, it is that they acted on it and passed it on the authors.

  105. I was mesmerized. A whole new level of hanging on your every update!

    Sometimes I think I might be a little too obsessed with reloading the site, but then I see this and I read the BDH’s comments and I realize that no, there are ways to be further under the Authorlords’ spell! Cheers!

    • This. What a cool, cool ability, to let us see the writing as it actually happened! Despite having two siblings who are computer science professors, I am such an end user that I had no idea such a capability existed.

      No emails from me, so the authorlords will have more time to write like that.

      Hi! my name is trailing wife, and I am an addict.

      Happy Mothers Day to all members of the book devouring horde who are, or have ever had, a mother.

      • trailing wife,

        What a great comment (also loved watching realtime writing from favorite authors)! But I got the giggles as I read your last line:

        “who are, or have ever had, a mother”

        since I think that’s everybody! (Then I started to wonder if there could be someone who had never had a mother, since everybody is born from a mother–at least given current technology. Then I was thinking about LMB’s uterine replicators and the ideas that she explored in Ethan of Athos.)

        Back to a celebration…Happy Mother’s Day!

  106. Enjoy your Mother’s Day. No writing, no planning, nothing strenuous. Gordon and the kids, a good meal, a nap. Maud can wait.

  107. Way to whet the appetite – watch the story unfold in real time! An early Mother’s Day present for me!
    Thank you!

  108. Reading it at full speed ahead, I thought that Maud threw the ball for Artha and was a bit perplexed because I didn’t think the path was wide enough for this to happen. And also you paused to check the description of the vampire bitches. I then read it as , ” I mean, really ladies” (meaning the BDH).
    Reading it at regular speed, I was able to stay caught up and understand better what I was reading. Sheepishly I realized Artha was your dog, not Mauds. Oh wells. Very well done with the recording. And the vampire bitches comment got through my brain better. Loved it.

    Thank you, and have a wonderful Mother’s Day.

    • Hahaha ditto! Was seriously puzzled for a moment about German Shepherds in Vampire Land!

  110. Happy Mother’s Day- don’t write- spend time with your family- we will survive the addiction

    I love your books – all of them

  111. Wow! amazing, watching a geunious work!

    You have a fun day with your family and Happy Mother’s Day.

    You know we’ll still be here when you get back?

  112. Nice quote from book three, I loved it then and it is more than appropriate now. I was also offended for your sake by the question, you give us such gifts and it is sad that they are not always appreciated as such. As an addict I too miss my innkeeper fix, and it is all the more “precious” and coveted when it does drop. Hope you got rid of all the smells flooding leaves behind, and watch for mould on the repairs. Water damage is a bitch who keeps on giving.

  113. Love it! It’s after 1:00 in the morning here. Your blog update notice popped up just as I was shutting down for the night. That was so much fun. Loved the feel of reading over your shoulder as you write. Thanks for the gift of more Maud. Hope that your kiddos treat you to a loving and relaxing Mother’s Day. Sleep in tomorrow. You deserve it.

  116. Have a great Mother’s Day. Take a rest from writing, enjoy your family. Also although I can’t wait for a new book from my authors, that is why I read several authors. One of you has to be having a new release each month. So write a great book. Take alittle time for yourself and time to write a great story for me to enjoy.

  117. You guys are some of the most prolific writers I read. I wish people didn’t send crap like that to you. Was funny though lol

  118. I’ll take fast and good then. It’s always hard to wait for the next chapter since I love your work so much.

  119. On my way to the States for vacation, will I miss my next chapter of Innkeeper on the transatlantic flight? (I live in Finland)Hell, yeah.

  120. Happy Mother’s Day to Ilona and all mothers and mothers to be of the book devouring horde. Twice to Ilona as the mother of children, furbabies and multiple books we all love and appreciate who, despite impatience and whining , always love the care and effort you guys put into making words for us to enjoy.

  121. Well that was rude! Congratulations on such a calm response. More power to your elbow.

  122. Eager to read, I am. But not so eager that I want something you don’t consider your best. Patience is a virtue I have in short supply, but I can fake it until you’re ready to say “AHA! THAT’S what I want it to be”.
    I loved the presentation of this snippet; laughed a lot at the changes you showed us. Thank you.

  123. Some people are rude! Do they not realise you don’t *have* to post Inn Keeper here…for free….?? You were right when you asked on Twitter – how do these people cope with traditional publishing schedules?!

  124. You are very generous to gift us with a snippet that allowed us a little more insight (and awe) at how you create your fantastic worlds.
    Thank you.
    I’m especially grateful that you are merciful and don’t allow people’s careless and self-centered comments to throw you off your game.
    You are so very talented. Thank you!
    Happy Mother’s Day!!!

  125. Thank you for the fun insight on your writing process. As we readers fly through pages we sometimes forget that writing is both a craft and a art form.

  126. That was awesome reading it in “real time”, thankyou for that glimpse into your mind. I love that your life pauses for dog love too!

  127. Technical question: How do you do that on Google? Make it record in real-time for playback somewhere?

  128. I was flabbergasted when I read the email you received. Than had to first smile, then laugh at your restrained response! I LOVED getting to watch you write, and am still just shocked anyone could be clueless enough, and self-involved enough to write you such an email! I am NOT surprised at how gracious (and educational) your response was. ?

    I honestly, though reluctantly, admit to myself that I don’t have anything approaching a hundredth (much more than that even most likely) of your talent and creativity, and never will. I can now admit to myself that I don’t have your grace and restraint either. I am not going to shame myself by sharing what my response (at least what my first response on your behalf in my head) was. I never fail to be surprised by the lack of tact and intelligence in people! I thank you for your response and for posting it so we (the BDH) could enjoy it. You are class personified!!

    Thank you for all you do, and have a wonderful Mother’s Day!!???

  129. Happy Mother’s Day Ilona! Have a fantastic time with you family. I don’t mind waiting for the chapter a bit longer!

  131. There are many authors who write one book every 2 to 3 years, not the reverse like Ilona and Gordon. Occasionally there will be delays, that’s real life. Every time one is reluctantly announced, I see pages of comments from the BDH that indicate an understanding and appreciation of how the real world works. Yet there has to be one in every crowd that just has to make a fuss. The Authors are not “Instant Gratification ‘R Us.” Like the rest of the BDH, I prefer to read the work that satisfies the Authors.

  132. Truely incredible experience to be able to literally watch over your shoulder as you write- and utterly amazing at both speeds!
    Thank you for the insight into your creative process, seeing the chapter evolve and change makes reading it even more fascinating than it is anyway.
    Happy Mother’s Day ? and hopefully you are feeling better.

  133. Thank you so much for this!!!! You have no idea how happy and relieved this makes me feel! I write like you! <3

  134. The question was a little rude but it was pretty cool to watch you write that in real time. 🙂

  135. Oh I may not like how long it takes to get a new book from one of my favorite aithors (you included), but I’ve always preferred quality over quantity.

  136. Happy mother’s day to all!

    Thank you for letting us watch you write. It was a great response to a rude question.

  137. After reading about your week I’m surprised you were able to write anything at all. I would be in bed, telling everyone this is my “Special Day’ and to piss off until I had 12 hours of sleep, a full breakfast either in bed or at a restaurant of my choice and some brain relaxing time playing games or knitting. Your whole year has been flat out, balls to the wall exhausting- we appreciate anything you give us, but I will happily wait for quality. And your health and wellness to improve. Slante!

  138. I truly have enjoyed both of your works…

    I also hope you have a wonderful Mother’s Day!

    Thank you for everything you do 🙂

  139. And for all those who missed Sean’s explanation to the Ku
    (While repairing his boost bike)
    You reminded us; fast, cheap, or good.

    Maud’s journey & the history of the Vampires is good. Word choices paint pictures (we crave). The culmination of the anticipation of a new chapter is . . . a fulfillment event.

    I once lived with 3 breeding female Persians & Sativa our female pack leader. Sativa snuck an all white green-eyed alley tom in & they all caught.
    21 kittens & my fems, 6 weeks later. Picture opening a can of cat food.

    Picture my unprepared, mindless, clueless self agreeing to feed them snack kibble while the bosses made a run to get cat food. Adults can have 12 pcs. of snack kibble, kittens half of that.
    We lived on an island, the cat food store was on the mainland 3 townships up the road.

    An alpha establishes order; alphas feed their pack
    Innkeeper is our food; we claim you as AL
    you keep us in the loop, you always let us know how the food situation is

    Natasha was our scarlet macaw; I went in the greenhouse where she was sunning to escape the hunger crazed greedy gut kittens. After laughing at me she climbed on my shoulder & fed me. Parrots feed their young by regurgitation.

    Thank you for making the time, to digest this scene into some order you could share with us, in the time frame you set.

    My bosses swore they went straght to the pet store & back again. But between baking in the greenhouse & dashing through the house saving the dobermans from the kittens. Plus the run to save the gerbils from Sativa (birthday present for the kids, not well thought out)
    I swear they were longer than an hour . . .

  140. Happy Mother’s Day! I agree with much of the sentiment. The comment reminded me of the few students who ask the day after an essay exam if I finished grading them yet. I am willing to wait. If you want sloppy writing, grammatical errors, thin plotting and thinner characters there are more than enough books and writers out there. I will wait for your chapters and books. It is more important to me to know that when I pick up anything that you have written I will enjoy it and return to it again and again.

  142. ?Happy Mother’s Day?
    Be ? for the Day!

    Thank you for sharing your Genius with me!

  143. Thank you for making this post!

    It was so interesting seeing you write it in ‘real time’ as it were. I hope whoever wrote that email didn’t mean it as rudely as it sounded. I’m clinging to the slim possibility it was meant as an honest question from someone with no tact. With luck, this post will be as enlightening to them as it was to me. I know I’ll find the wait a little easier, having seen the work that goes into it.

    Have a good rest of the weekend!

  145. Hey, I’ve seen authors who write one-sentence chapters and ones where a single chapter is 20% of the book. It would nit take the same amount of time to write those two chapters, so it was a bit of a ridiculous question from that point, IMHO.

    Although let’s face it… We’d all probably reread that one-sentence chapter over and over again, so we’re not exactly unbiased.

  147. I imagine the question was rhetorical – along the lines of, Why can’t I eat all the cookies and ice cream I want and not gain weight? Why must I be thwarted at every turn?

    But still a little pushy to let the thought hit the keyboard – yet I love the response! So much fun!

  148. First and foremost, Happy Mothers Day Ilona! ???????. Enjoy the day.

    Thank you for the glimpses you give us of your writing process, your life, and the business of writing. The child in me is impatient, and the adult in me is so appreciative of you and Gordon’s talent!

  149. HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY – have a wonderful day with your family!!

    great story, i love this Innkeeper’s series.

  150. Hi, Ilona.

    I really enjoyed the sample of you writing process. I watched it in real-time speed, so I understand the delays you face, especially when interrupted by an eager doggie that you just can’t say no to. Thank you for sharing.

    Please know that this member of the Book Devouring Hord understand that good writing takes the time it takes. While I may be inpatient, I would never be rude enough to complain about it.

    Happy Mother’s Day.

    Deb

  151. That was really awesome to see. However, I started the video out at the automatic speed and believed that y’all had superpowers. There is no way I’ll ever be able to write the amazing stories you do at that speed. Then I checked the box to play at normal speed and you became human again. It was comforting.
    Thank you for the example.

    • Oh I had not realised that wasn’t normal speed, I just thought the AL were professional typists. My sister trained as a professional secretary and I used to watch her out type the word-processing programme and have to stop and wait for it to catch up. I thought this demonstration was something like that, now I feel like an idiot.

      It’s odd that with widespread use of computers, highspeed touch typing seems to be on the decline, I guess if they get those voice recognition programmes working it will become an obsolete skill.

      • I can type fast, at about 100 wpm at the top speed, although now probably significantly less. The slow typing is because I’m thinking. 🙂

        • That was both a fantastic insight to writing (while editing) in the age of word processors and entertaining with the back-tracking edits for emphasising, set up, and real life interruptions.

          Great post.

          (I mention word processors, because I’ve taken to writing on legal pads for first drafts. Staring at a blank word processor entry feels more daunting to me than a blank page of paper. Editing and re-writes require more effort, as once you transcribe/edit from paper to computer, it lends a sense of completion, even when the work isn’t halfway complete yet.)

        • Ilona

          Apologies if that sounded like a criticism of your typing speed it was not intended that way. The chapters are unexpected gifts not obligations and everyone you kindly provide is most welcome.

          In regards to the typing I used to watch my sister with fascination she could do about 120 words per minute copy typing and get the spelling and punctuation right first time it was an amazing skill. The best I ever tested at was 70wpm and I could not keep that up plus don’t ask about the spelling and grammar.

          She developed fibromyalgia in her early twenties starting in her hands and while she can still type she pays for it latter, watching the speed typing just triggered a good memory for me.

          My comment on it being a declining skill is more that it offends logic to me when everyone types daily, it would seem to be a useful skill but it’s no longer seems to be taught in schools.

          Again apologise if my original post seemed critical, I’m not that good at communicating no offense was intended.

          • I’m sorry for your sister.
            I learned touch typing at an early age – apprentice typesetter, copy typing.
            I can do 120-130 wpm when I really get going but my accuracy’s slipped a little (as you might have noticed from my posts) now I’m in a different trade. I rattle of a post in 10 seconds then realise I’ve made a mistake.
            Touch-typing is a declining skillset – it shouldn’t be. The day we can actually talk to computers (forget Siri et al) is long off. The “paperless office” has been promised since the 50’s and that hasn’t happened yet. Keyboards are how we use computers and touch typing should absolutely be taught in schools.

            • Witness “of a post” instead “off a post” above! I typed that in under a minute, but I didn’t check it. When will I learn?!? 🙂

        • Ilona – That’s so great about the snippet watched in real time, rather than speeded up. We can see you *thinking*, juggling options, making different choices. Typing speed is a very much secondary consideration.

    • Ha ha, I did the same thing! Yes, that was fascinating to see and a great way to illustrate how much effort it takes to get words on paper. And I’m sure you already had a notion of what you wanted to write about, which also takes time to develop.

  153. I had to laugh when I read that. I can spend hours writing a letter.
    By the time I read and reread, changing wording and sentences around it takes a long time to organize my thoughts into understandable order. An author I will never be but I am an excellent reader. I prefer quality over quantity and am very thankful you keep your political opinion out of your books. Enjoy your Mother’s Day!

  154. We, as readers, are such a demanding bunch of selfish people. I apologize for not thinking of it sooner. Today is Mother’s Day. Happy Mother’s Day and please don’t feel pressured into giving us, as readers, anything further today. We are blessed by you and your husbands imagination. Thank you for all you do!

  156. I grew up hearing my dad say that you can have it done fast or you can have it done right. So I totally agree with fast cheap or good. Even though I understand the feeling behind ‘why so long’ it sounds more like the kids in the car and ‘are we there yet?’ than truly disrespectful. They will learn. The BDH will school them.

    On a lighter note. Happy Mother’s Day to Ilona. May your day be filled with family and happiness.

  157. Happy Mother’s Day! Next time, ignore the rude questions. We’ll wait no matter how long it takes…well, some of us may die in the meantime…well, no pressure. Happy Mother’s Day!

  158. Not sure how people have the nerve to complain about free stuff but they do. Humans huh! Thank you for all your hard work. Happy Mother’s Day! ?

  159. Happy Mother’s Day, Ilona. Sorry you have to work today. Just curious, why don’t you dictate? Or is that cumbersome when using Microsoft? What ever works for you 2, there simply are no better story tellers, NONE!

  162. The answer is simple. You write intelligent, carefully crafted novels not pig swill. We can wait. Go enjoy Mother’s Day with your family

  163. Oh lord, I’m not the only one! This made my day. I don’t know why, but I always assumed most writers were able to just whip this stuff out. Thank you for this. Very enlightening! And Happy Mothers Day!

  164. Wow – fun to witness the process. Felt like peeking over your shoulder!! I’m always so envious on how prolific you are, the multiple projects you have going at a time, and that you can even do such a fabulous chapter each week (when life doesn’t interrupt.)
    It would be beyond my meager skills, absolutely.
    Thank you for what we get – when we get it!! Amazing gift to your readers. Happy Mother’s Day to you – hope you are resting and relaxing as it sounds like you’ve had your share of stress recently!

  165. I get being in impatient, I really do, but whoever wrote that email needs to take several seats — the writing takes as long as it takes and I’m grateful that you make the effort to share so many extras with us, including today’s post!

  166. It seems obvious to me that the person asking that question has never tried to write a book. Or pretty much anything ogher than a sentence. If that.

    Illona and Gordon, please ignore this ignoramous and continue writing yoir wonderful stories as you want to in the time you feel you need.

  167. Thank you so much! It is truly amazing to see your writing process (and real world inputs). I enjoy your writing with your powers combined (in my head, the voice changes to Levar Burton announcing he is Captain Planet…) and am doubly grateful for this Innkeeper installment on a holiday! Thank you for your work, and Happy Mother’s Day, Ilona!

  168. While I hate the circumstances leading up to it I loved seeing such an intimate view into your writing process. I actually thought you were super human for a good while then I realized that the ‘play at normal speed ‘ button wasn’t clicked ?

    But you are super human – just in a different way. I could never put words together in the way you do which is why I am grateful for every time you decide to post a new chapter, no matter when or where.

  169. I enjoyed it and always wait with anticipation. It’s a bit like getting a Christmas present almost every week. Thanks Santas….I mean Authorlords!

  170. Wow! You actually get emails like that. Bless your heart. Just bless your heart. ?

    Since I am reading this on Sunday afternoon – – Happy Mother’s Day. And Sir Gorfon, June is right around the corner. ?

  171. This was so cool! It’s a shame that folks can be so completely dense when it comes to the creative process. I am continually amazed at how quickly you’re able to write this and how clever you are….really neat to see how you put this together. Happy Mothers Day!

  172. You need a PA that keeps emails like that away from you so that your creative processes don’t get disrupted and your thankful and appreciative readers don’t suffer 😉

  173. That was fun watching your thinking process as you changed words and backtracked when needed. Thanks!

    • +1! I enjoyed watching the process at normal speed, watching the changes and word choice to tighten up the snippet. Thanks!

      Hope you had a wonderful day with family ?

  174. Dear Ilona! First, happy Mothers day. I hope you’re having a wonderful day with your family and most of all, are feeling better.
    Please, consider this: your writing (you and Gordon’s) is addictive and most of us quiver in anticipation of another chapter of Maud’s and Arland’s story. When I first realized “we weren’t getting any (lol)”, I wanted to throw a temper tantrum despite my advanced age. Ilona! Nooo! I need “my” story now!!! I don’t care about “Iron and Magic” (lie, already pre-ordered, great excerpt!) I need my chapter NOW!
    Since I became I member of this forum I’ve re-read at least 5 of your books (I have them all) and fallen more and more in loving with your writing. Look at all the dumb criticism as a result of your “siren-call” where we can’t resist your lure as one of the highest compliments to the both of you as writers.
    Lease forgive our impatience. Thank you once again for spoiling us with your wonderful tales!

  175. Oh! The first time I looked at this there was just a blank space and I couldn’t figure out what people were talking about. Now the magic typing is there 🙂 This was fun! Thanks!

  176. Thanks for the smile today! Looking forward to more, when the muse strikes you. We will be patient!

  178. Happy Mother’s Day. I just discovered this and even though I am grateful for it, I feel like a addict waiting for my next fix.

  182. It takes as long as it takes. You wouldn’t like it if we stuffed you in a vacuum tube to avoid distractions. Enjoy life, relax and let your nerves uncurl. You gotta right.

    We can wait and love it all the more when it hits the blog. Me especially. It’s got to be better than my other two chores today. Re caulking around the AC Unit, and bleaching the linoleum. House reeks of beach and vinegar. I would love to sit down and read. Anyway, when you post it, I will gratefully read it.

  183. Great way to respond to the question. It made me laugh while at the same time I can appreciate your work and get the next installment!! Thanks again

  185. 9.30 Monday night in Australia

    Load reload
    Sigh
    Make cup of tea
    Drink cup of tea.
    repeat.

    • 7:15am USA
      Log On : Refresh
      Brush Teeth : Refresh
      Pour Coffee : Refresh
      Breakfast : Refresh : Refresh
      Pack Lunch : Refresh
      More Coffee : Refesh …
      :Tap:Tap:Tap (Is this thing even working? : Tap:Tap.
      Coffee To Go: Refresh
      PocketPhone:StealthRefresh
      … Yep, I’m feeling it too Katy -lol

      • Hahhhhaaaa. It’s 15:43 here.

        Nappy change (I have a 4 month old and a 2 years old :)):Refresh
        Snack: Refresh
        Some emails blah blah: Refresh
        Some work blaaah:Refresh
        Meal time:Refresh
        Nappy:Refresh
        Repeat endlessly :))

        I just want Seveline to hurt :))) (Omg did I just write that?) :)))

          • What Katy said! : Refresh
            Oh -and I think your Seveline comment is universal with the rest of the BDH : Refresh: : : :
            God Bless!

          • Thank you! Good luck to you too! I am in Romania. More than 10.000 km away and refreshing side by side. This is so cool!

        • I’m just so glad it’s not just me that pathologically refreshes constantly (and at impossible times), thinking maybe this time I can create my own reality and it will magically appear.

          • Michelle,
            I think its a BDH OCD thing. And, yes – I refreshed before I replied -lol

  187. Rereading the Hidden Legacy series right now while patiently waiting for my next InnKeeper fix 😀
    Nevada reminds me of Dina and Connor reminds me of Arland with his caveman type devotion.

  188. And this is why you are the author lords and not me. My first thoughts were…”because reasons”.

  189. As long as you don’t drift into George RR Martin speeds, your excellence is worth the wait. I do science coaching (for science fairs), and the fast-cheap-good triangle is one of the most useful things to teach.

    Happy Mothers Day. ( a little late, my mom came over for dinner…)

  190. Don’t take offense, but I consider your response to be constructive shade, like constructive criticism and funny too. Thanks for being nice.

  191. Please forgive us for being impatient. Sometimes we think that you snap your fingers and create something fantastic. Your writing is so good you have us all hooked, literally, on your every word. I hope you had a wonderful mothers day and please forgive our impatience. In all honesty, this is the best Innkeeper book. That is saying something because I have loved them all. Quite frankly, I would even push to say that I like this world quite a bit.

  192. Omg! The teaser is making me pant with expectation and impatience.
    The excitement is killing me!
    Refresh…
    Refresh…
    Refresh…

  193. Wow! If you don’t mind I’d like to show it to my yr 12 language students (17 yr olds). It’s a wonderful opportunity to show them a professional author modelling the writing process: it might encourage them to draft and redraft independently.

    • I don’t mind. If you want, I can write a new snippet in real time for a completely new story and we can tie it to story structure in this post here: https://ilona-andrews.com/on-outlining/ This way they will get everything from outline to draft in one shot.

      A short story is quite often is just a glorified version of the five paragraph paper. 🙂

  194. Yes that would be wonderful but only if you have the time- their assessed piece is very short only 750 words; their focus is to match a style/ genre of their choice ( the exam board’s instruction not mine), so it’s more about drafting/ redrafting a snippet than overall structure.

  195. People often underestimate how taxing it can be to put something like this together. It’s mental gymnastics and weight lifting all at once. When you write professionally, you have to scrutinize every word choice, pick it apart, and shuffle things around to make the pieces fit together well. Sometimes (for me at least), it can be like a slide puzzle. 😉

  196. What a wonderful and creative way to manage a negative email.

    I remember being on both sides of the coin. When I was in grade 3, I demanded delivery of art supplies like yesterday. The teacher told me the supplies were hand-made for free by her busy husband. I remember the very moment when I went “oh…I didn’t know”. Made me think, it did.

    As an adult, everytime I see someone ask for a near instant Chinese-English translation of a period drama episode mirrors what I see has happened here. (And no, not even Google’s AI enhanced translator does justice to poetically flavoured language). I think it’s a double-edged sword with the demand inherent to popularity. There will always be those that demand outrageous service for nothing. The beautiful thing I see in these comments however, is that there is an enormous respect for patience and quality writing. I don’t see this often. I figure it is a mark of Ilona’s writing and character to have cultivated such a quality response.

    A fine lesson on writing I have learnt from this. *Tip of the cap to you Ilona.*

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