The Well's Orphan |

In Search of a Soundtrack

By Nick Hayden
May 28, 2015

Let me warn you at the start–this is a self-indulgent post.

Creativity and music have always been connected for me. Most of my best ideas come while listening to music. And by music, I usually mean songs from OverClocked Remix. If you don’t know what that is, let me explain: Overclock Remix is a depository for more than 3000 remixes of video game music (VGM). The standards on the site are quite high, so if it shows up there, it’s usually good. And since my day job is in an office, I often find myself listening to its ridiculously large collection of songs as I process paperwork.

Even before OverClocked Remix was a thing, I listened to Final Fantasy soundtracks for inspiration. Such songs capture so much emotional and story potential in a few minutes, it’s hard not to find something triggered if you’re listening for that purpose. In recent years, I’ve even written a number of flash fiction stories, many based on songs from Final Fantasy X.

So, when Nathan decided to share his ‘dream cast’ for a Jaysynn movie, it was only natural that I hunt down an appropriate soundtrack for Children of the Wells. (more…)

May 28, 2015 - Tags: creative process, media, Nick Hayden, The Select's Bodyguard, The Well's Orphan Posted in: Blogs

Updates: Orphan ebook, More The Wheel Is Broken

By Nick Hayden
April 12, 2014

All right, dear readers, it’s time for an update-filled post.

First, if you haven’t read, we’re undergoing some changes here at Children of the Wells. The biggest change is we’re going to start releasing books only when they’re completed, instead of serializing them. For some explanation of the reasons, check out Natasha’s blog from last week.

Second, we’re busy preparing a collection of short stories as an anniversary gift for you all. We’ve about all the stories in. You should see it sometime near the end of the month, if everything goes as planned.

Third, since The Well’s Orphan is finished, we’ve compiled it as an ebook. Download it as an epub, mobi, or PDF and read it at your convenience–or share it with others.

Fourth, and finally, since we have a bit of dead space as we finish up our short story collection, I thought it would be nice to release the rest of The Wheel Is Broken here on the site. (more…)

April 11, 2014 - Tags: announcements, Nick Hayden, The Well's Orphan, The Wheel Is Broken Posted in: Blogs

Oh, That Depressing Thing

by Nick Hayden
March 28, 2014

Calea’s lost arm?
Ben Andreas Harding via Compfight

When we–the writing collective that is Children of the Wells–discuss The Well’s Orphan, it’s usually referenced as “that depressing thing,” or by some equivalent phrase. Fellow writer Nathan Marchand accused me of being “downright nihilistic” in the story.

What’s interesting about these (playful) insults is that in person I’m an optimistic, glass half-full sort of guy most of the time. I have my deep philosophical funks, certainly, but they’re over quickly. In my writing, however, I tend to probe the spiritual dimensions of man. That’s the center of conflict, to me–how a person understands his place in the world and his relationship with God. (more…)

March 28, 2014 - Tags: christianity, Nick Hayden, philosophy, The Well's Orphan Posted in: Blogs

Making Up God

by Natasha Hayden
February 28, 2014

Trey Ratcliff via Compfight

This week in Children of the Wells, you were treated to a glimpse of the more zealous side of one of this world’s religions: the worship of the god Elthor. He is the god of Thyrion’s monotheistic state religion. The Emperor and his family believe their godlike power comes from Elthor. They believe their divine right to rule comes from him. In fact, they take their belief a step further: they believe they are gods themselves. Others, like the High Priest Pelag (from The Fall of the House of Kyzer) are fervent, more traditional believers, and still others believe only as far as Elthor suits their needs and whims. (more…)

February 28, 2014 - Tags: christianity, Natasha Hayden, The Well's Orphan, world-building Posted in: Blogs

A Lament for the Arrogant

By Nick Hayden
February 7

Next week, we’ll be premiering our third Bron & Calea novella–The Well’s Orphan. The story so far has been largely personal, detailing how Bron, Calea, and their new companion Nyasha deal with the effects of the Cataclysm. The Well’s Orphan is no exception. In fact, it is the most personal story yet.

I wrote The Select’s Bodyguard and I had not planned to return so soon to write on the same storyline, but after Laura delivered Calea a crushing blow at the end of The Doctor’s Assistant, I felt compelled to return. Because, you see, I care about Calea. (more…)

February 7, 2014 - Tags: characters, inspiration, Nick Hayden, The Well's Orphan Posted in: Blogs

The Well’s Orphan, Coming Soon!

The third novella in the Bron & Calea plotline begins in February.

Thyrion is ruined, and so is Calea.

Shattered by the discovery that magic is gone even in Thyrion, Calea is left to pick up the pieces of her life. With nowhere else to go, she enters the city with Bron and Nyasha, broken and searching for some thread of purpose. But is there anything for a crippled woman in a crippled city? Or shall she, too, go the way of magic?

January 27, 2014 - Tags: announcements, cover, The Well's Orphan Posted in: Blogs