Hello wonderful readers!

  As I continue working on "The Reluctant Lord of Duskwatch," I find myself at an exciting crossroads in the storytelling process. The world of Lucian, Dorian, and Elaine has grown beyond my initial vision, and I'm considering several paths to explore their stories more deeply.

  I've been using interludes to show how others perceive Lucian's "brilliant" leadership—from confused imperial bureaucrats to terrified bandits to rival nobles who can't figure out how he's succeeding. These glimpses outside our main trio have been some of my favorite scenes to write!

  Now I'm exploring additional ways to enrich the story:

  Option 1: More Character Backstories

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  Delve deeper into how Lucian learned to master "strategic laziness," how Dorian's idealism was crushed by corrupt nobles before finding unexpected success in Duskwatch, and how Elaine went from respected knight to amused observer of Lucian's chaos.

  Option 2: Expanded Interludes

  Continue developing the outside world's reaction to Lucian's rise, showing the ripple effects of his accidental success across the empire.

  Option 3: Companion Novels

  Create separate books focusing on key characters, allowing us to see the same events from completely different perspectives.

  I would love to know ->

  Which characters are you most curious about? Would you prefer more backstory woven into the main narrative, or would you enjoy separate tales that expand the world? Are there particular scenes or moments you'd like to see from another character's viewpoint?

  Your thoughts will help shape how this reluctant lord's story unfolds. After all, Lucian may avoid responsibility at all costs, but as the author, I'm eager to embrace the challenge of bringing this world to life in the most entertaining way possible!

  Thank you for joining me on this journey. I look forward to hearing your thoughts!