The Birth of The Xiphis Saga

For those who do not know, I began writing the first book in The Xiphis Saga, The Bridge Between Worlds at the start of 2020. Which means, yes, I began writing on January 1st. TBBW was my first project of the new year.

I do confess to writing a few thousand words before the new year, but that was mostly plotting and outlining. TBBW is the first book in many years where I actually plotted/outlined the entire story. I also went as far as outlining books Two & Three.

In the midst of earthquakes, no electricity, and massive chest pains, I somehow managed to write nearly half the book. I took minor breaks through February and March, writing my final chapters in mid-April. I stumbled along the way, but it was a huge learning curve for me.

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The Bridge Between Worlds is, to date, my best work. With every book I complete, I always feel I have grown as a writer. With each new book better than the last.

One of the things I really enjoyed about my journey to the final draft of TBBW was the world-building and the plotting. I know so many people say they are so over certain tropes in fantasy books, but the only way I could learn where the story was going was to let it take full rein.

Cover Design: DesignsbyEH

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Behind this fantasy world is a huge puzzle and spider's web of details that all connect in one way or another. This series crosses over into some of my other works. Characters from The Æmienix Chronicles play a small part during the first and second books. And on occasion, I throw a new curve ball, just for kicks. Maybe some people don't like that, but I like the outcome.

The Heartsword family is complicated. I didn't mean for them to be so complex and connected to everything in the Xiphis world. But they are. Regina is my favorite character I have ever written. I've had other favorites, but she is by far my favorite.

And we cannot forget Kalib. Dear Kalib, the guard who will lay his life down for the princess.

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E. S. Elias, author of SciFi, Fantasy and Paranormal.
​With a twist.