A Dark Fantasy Author’s Reflection: Loving the First Book, Craving More for the Second

As I sit and look at the finished copy of my first dark fantasy novel, I can’t help but feel a rush of emotion. There’s pride in holding it in my hands—pride in the characters, the world, and the twists that surprised me as much as they did my readers. It’s a world I created, full of shadows, danger, and dark magic. It’s mine, yet it feels as though it’s already out in the world, living beyond me.

But even amid that pride, there’s a tug at the back of my mind. As I dive into writing the second book in the series, I find myself looking at that first book with a different lens—one shaped by all the new ideas and developments that have come to life since. The world feels bigger now, the characters more layered, and the magic system more intricate than I originally envisioned. And with that comes the urge to go back and tweak things, to add the details I now know could make everything richer.

It’s a familiar feeling for any writer—seeing the flaws in something you've already published, wishing you could go back and change the small details that now seem so obvious. Maybe I would add more depth to an overlooked character or deepen a subplot I now realize was more important than I initially thought. But even with these thoughts swirling, I also know that the first book had to stand as it was—its self-contained world, a reflection of my vision at the time.

What I’m learning, though, is that the process of writing a series is just that—a process. The first book is only one chapter of a larger story, and while I may wish I could alter it, I realize that it’s the foundation upon which everything else is built. Each new idea and twist in book two feels like it’s expanding on what came before. So, even as I wish I could have added more to that first book, I also know that it led me to this point, to where I am now.

Writing the second book is about balance. It's about honoring the story I’ve already told while pushing the boundaries of what comes next. And as much as I might look back with a desire to improve, I’ve learned that each book in the series will have its own time to shine. The first book was my starting point; the second is where the true adventure begins.

In the end, though, I wouldn’t change a thing. As much as I could go back and tweak or expand on the first book, I chose not to. Despite all the things I now know and wish to add, I absolutely love it the way it is. It was a product of divine inspiration, the kind of spark that feels destined, like the story needed to be told exactly as it was at that moment. It's a snapshot of my imagination at the time, raw and imperfect, making it unique.

And now, as the story continues to unfold in Book 1.2, I can’t wait to share the next chapter of this fantastic journey. What was once a dream is now becoming reality, and even though I can't change the first book, I’m thrilled to see how the tale grows and deepens. The best part?

The adventure is far from over.