Local area author Kevin Lee is back with the release of his fourth book, the first in a new trilogy arch based in his Trio world.
Lee said the new arch was something which comes as a surprise to him.
"With the release of book number four, and the 1st in a new trilogy, I never really thought this new trilogy was going to come to fruition," he said.
"When I wrapped up the first trilogy it had pretty much come to a satisfying conclusion. At that time I wasn't really sure if I would move ahead with any further books in the TRIO universe.
"Well, after recharging the batteries as it were, I decided to see if I could come up with a new storyline for the characters."
The new book draws on some old influences for Lee.
"I opted to tap into some old Norse myths to come up with some new ideas," he said. "I had originally wanted to use a villain from Norse mythology and almost decided to change that after a number of movies came out featuring the Norse villain.
"However, I decided to keep him as the primary villain but kept the character more based on actual Norse history/ legends and stayed away from the science fiction approach of the movies."
It is an approach Lee said readers are appreciating.
"For those who have read the book so far have said the character is nothing like the one in the movies, so hopefully taking that direction has worked as I had intended," he said.
As for the TRIO series continuing, Lee said that was not really a long term vision.
"I never really thought TRIO would be four books, and back when I had started the very first one, the intention had only been to do one," he related.
But he found the creative process over a longer term with the same characters within the same storyline, gratifying.
"Writing about these characters I've created has been a blast, and with the beginning of this new trilogy I'm still enjoying bringing them to life," he said.
As you might expect with a new story arch, Lee broke some new ground for his characters in 'TRIO: Retribution.
"This new book begins one large story that is broken into three parts, similar to the Lord of the Rings trilogy," he said...
"The initial three books were effectively three different stories connected by bits and pieces whereas this trilogy continues from book to book.
"The next book in this trilogy will effectively take place a matter of weeks after the conclusion of "Retribution" book one of the 'Outlaws' Trilogy."
"Retribution" begins approximately three years after the ending of the previous book 'Ascension', said Lee.
"So this latest book really is a 'fresh start' for all the characters and how they've grown into their new roles that they were put into at the end of the first trilogy," he said.
So how has the writing process evolved for the author over four books?
"As for the writing aspect, it doesn't necessarily get any tougher," said Lee.
"I keep track of the character backgrounds and various storylines so I always have notes to fall back on if I ever get unsure of a particular part of the story. The notes keep me from straying too far from traits or backgrounds."
But experience in anything is an asset.
"With each new book my writing definitely improves," said Lee. "The stories are more mature, more polished with each new outing."
And response to the works is always something that helps too, offered Lee.
"The feedback from readers or those who edit the books is always good to hear. I can take that input and apply it to the next project," he said. "If the readers make comments like 'your best book yet', "flows very smoothly", or editors who say 'The author's creativity and capacity to keep the plot moving forward are the author's two core strengths as a writer', it tells me I must be doing something right!"
That all said, Lee noted Retribution almost died on the computer screen.
"I almost never finished this particular book though," he said. "At one point back in January when I was virtually finished my hard drive on my laptop crashed and burned, taking with it about 12 chapters of the book with it.
"Despite all my efforts to retrieve it, there was no saving the lost chapters.
"I have never been so angry in so many ways as I was that day. That night I had pretty much decided that it was finished and I wasn't going to bother with it.
"After a couple days of venting I took a week's vacation and cranked out the story in a week of nonstop writing. I think the end result was actually better than what I had originally done!
"Perhaps it was all for the best after all."
The next book in this series is called 'Outlaws'.
"I hope to have ready by Christmas next year, and the conclusion, 'Mischief's Maelstrom' out the following year," said Lee.
