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From Origin to Legacy: The Journey of Creating the Metalist's World
When I first began writing about Samuel Irwin Miner, I never imagined how deeply his story would pull me in. What started as a passing mention between characters in another series evolved into a question that wouldn't leave me alone: Who is Samuel Irwin Miner?
Finding Irwin's Voice
The Metalist's Journey began as a multi-POV narrative, but something wasn't clicking. I wanted to get closer to Irwin, to understand the man behind the metal. Switching to third-person limited was the breakthrough I needed—suddenly, I was inside his head, feeling the metal sing through his veins, experiencing his conflicts firsthand. The world became richer, more immediate, and Irwin himself stepped out of the shadows to become the complex character you know today.
Digging into the Past
I always had the prequel lingering in the back of my mind, but it wasn't until my son asked a simple yet profound question that "Bound by Iron & Blood" took shape: "What made Albert so angry? Why does he hate women so much?"
Sometimes the most powerful stories come from the simplest questions. I found myself excavating a generation back, unearthing Charlotte's story—a woman whose power to create life stood in stark contrast to the Metalists' tradition of taking it. Writing her was a revelation; her warmth, her determination, her love for a man raised in darkness. Through her eyes, I could finally understand the origins of Albert's rage and the shadow it cast over Irwin's life.
A World Revealed
With each book, Urthis has revealed itself as a world of beautiful contradictions. The deeper I've delved into Irwin's journey, the clearer it's become that this isn't a kind place for the Talented. The Telepaths' hidden agendas, the persecution of those with power, the isolation of the Metalists—these elements evolved organically as I followed Irwin's story.
Writing "Bound by Iron & Blood" forced me to confront the harsh realities that shaped this world. It wasn't always comfortable—I prefer to move forward rather than backward, to build rather than excavate. But understanding Albert's anger, witnessing the tragedy that formed him, gave me insights into Irwin that I never expected.
The Reader Connection
Your responses to The Metalist's Journey have sustained me through this process. Each review, each message about how Irwin's struggles resonated with you, reinforced my commitment to telling his story with honesty and depth. A character like Irwin demands no less.
When I sat down to write this prequel, I wasn't just filling in background—I was answering questions many of you had asked. Where did Irwin come from? Why was his father so bitter? What made the Metalists hide away? The answers were darker than even I anticipated.
Looking Back, Moving Forward
World-building has always been my passion—creating a place like Urthis, with all its beauty and ugliness mirroring our own world. But through Charlotte and Albert's story, I've gained a deeper appreciation for the characters who inhabit it. Their choices, their tragedies, their small moments of joy amidst darkness—these are what bring the metal-infused mountains and sprawling cities to life.
As "Bound by Iron & Blood" joins The Metalist's Journey, completing the circle from origin to legacy, I'm grateful for the chance to share the full scope of this story with you. Whether you're discovering Irwin for the first time through this prequel or you've followed his journey from the beginning, I hope the revelation of his origins adds new depth to the character you've come to know.
In the end, this has been as much my journey as Irwin's—from a simple question to a complete saga. Thank you for walking this path with me.