Legacy - Hardest Part of Writing the Story

Originally posted during Legacy blog tour.

Good day lovely readers! Thank you for joining me. I am M.D. Grimm and I am here to promote my newest release, “Legacy.” This is book two in my “Saga of the Bold People” 6-book sci-fi/romance series, and the follow-up to my amazingly popular “Leopold.” I am thrilled to finally be able to present it, and I can say that much sweat, blood, and toil went into this one. While “Leopold” took me nearly a decade to finish, “Legacy” was about a year. I think. Hard to keep track sometimes. And they are basically the same length! Whew. 

I have to say that the hardest part of writing this book was the risk and self-doubt that plagued me from beginning to end. I am a huge believer in the quote, “Write the story that needs to be written,” as well as the one, “There is no book so great that someone won’t hate it and no book so awful that someone won’t love it.” 

Following that advice, I took a risk. 

I added a third to the established couple. And not just that, I added a woman. 

Gasp. 

Okay, okay. Let me explain. Leopold is a complicated character and as such, his story is complicated, as are his relationships. The first book is named after him, so the focus was tightly on his development. Without warning, Mastrodai burst Leopold’s well-constructed bubble, sending Leopold into a mad scramble to redefine himself and rebuild his foundation. Likewise, Leopold forced Mastrodai to face the reality of his need for a mate when he’d grown numb after the death of his first mate, Nandeely. However, during their fierce mating dance in the first book, there was always Alex. Through her softness and spine of steel, she managed to worm her way into Leopold’s heart and became his best friend. She had already earned the respect and admiration of Mastrodai and had the respect of (most) of his slaves. 

Yes, perhaps I could have left it there. But that wasn’t the story that needed to be written.

The story of the first book was about two fierce and passionate warrior men coming to grips with their own identities and what they could build together. Alex was always there, from the beginning, a link between the two. Leopold used her to get intel on Mastrodai and the mrrog species. And through her, Mastrodai was able to trust, observe, and understand—a bit—about humans and human society. And, likewise, she was there when Leopold floundered among his own people. Through her, he recognized the need for humans to be free and that shaped his mission that drives the events of “Legacy.” 

So how could Mastrodai and Leopold not fall in love with this extraordinary woman? 

I understand that I risked a lot in bringing her in and that I might lose some readers. I am prepared for that. I can only hope that more will be curious or perhaps eager to see the progression of the story and the character arcs. I want do dive into Alex’s background more. While I certainly reveal more about her in “Legacy,” I’m sure there are hidden shadows that I’m not even aware of until I have a conversation with her. 

Alex is a nurturer at heart. But don’t mistake that for weakness. I think it takes great strength to care and soothe other people, to take their pains unto yourself. To care so much for so many and endure the crushing blow of knowing that you can’t help everyone. 

The third book will bring us Alex’s point of view, and I do hope readers will be intrigued by her story. 

While the first book is truly about Leopold, and the rest of the saga will revolve around him, there are other characters that deserve some of the limelight. Leopold can’t succeed in any of his missions alone anymore. His strength comes not just from within but from mates, friends, and allies. 

I really enjoyed writing the cute scenes between Leopold and Alex and showing the contrast between their relationship and what is between Leopold and Mastrodai and, likewise, what is between Mastrodai and Alex. 

For anyone worried that Alex would come between our favorite heroes, I hope I have assuaged those concerns. She brings them closer. In her, Leopold and Mastrodai know what they’re fighting for. 

I hope you stay safe and healthy, and may dragons guard your dreams, 

M.D. Grimm