The first draft of Menewood, the Hild sequel, is finished. Originally it was meant to cover Hild’s life from 18 to 33: marriage to joining the church. Instead, it covers just four years. But, wow, they are jam-packed years! Right the manuscript is 39 chapters, 1342 pages, and 285,500 words. I’ll be rewriting soon—at which point all those numbers will change. Will they go up or down? I don’t know yet.
As I rewrite I’ll be posting thoughts here: research, maps—many, many maps; maps are key—about settlement, travel, and battles. I’ve spent an inordinate amount of time researching battles and fortifications. I’ve had to figure out army logistics and guerrilla warfare. Not to mention famine, parchment and ink production, long distance communication, water mills, the care and feeding and habits of horses, crop production, diplomacy, and, well, a zillion other things.
But honestly mostly I’ve spent time with maps, looking at vantage points, flooding, navigability, defensive sites, maintenance, and so on. If you have requests for what you’d especially like more detail on, drop a comment below and I’ll see what I can do.
For now, though, time for a celebratory cocktail, both in honour of Hild’s Feast Day and of finally—finally! (you can read more about why it took so long over on my personal blog)—typing – END –
Gemæcce 
What a beast! Hild is, without a doubt, one of the best researched and best executed books I’ve ever read.No doubt this one will be as well, given the work you’ve put in. I know there’s a ways to go, but I already can’t wait for it to come out so I can read every single one of those pages. I don’t think felt this much nerd-excitement in years!
Holy cow! I am really looking forward to it. And to seeing the bits that you share along the way.
I am
Sorry bit of a glitch I am really looking forwards to the maps and details of your research, I take it that the book is months away?
Marko, I love making maps!
Odd that this is in my inbox! I truly was wondering a few days ago if the novel was finished. I loved reading HILD and so anticipate reading MENEWOOD.
Maps. If you ever get lost on a road in Honduras its probably my fault. I was a map engraver in the late 60s and worked on mapping a remote area there. Maps tell stories too.
Cheers, Nicola!
Linda, My maps are absolutely amateur efforts! But, oh, I’m grateful for the work of professionals. One of these fine days I’d love to hear your mapping stories.
I would read all thirteen hundred pages or it. Hild always ends too soon.
@Larisa MENEWOOD is about 40% longer 🙂