It’s here. Just under ten years ago, I started writing the first few chapters of The Sentient. I started with some general ideas of a story, not sure where it would end up, but pretty quickly, I realized I needed a destination to write towards. And while taking a break from writing to make some tea, I found it. It struck me with vivid force – the final, climactic scene that would come in the third and final book of Amira’s story. It played in my mind’s eye with cinematic intensity. The lighting in the room, the sounds of the character’s voices, the tears falling onto a cold floor… I could see it all.I smiled and kept writing. I still had a lot to figure out – plot turns to develop, stakes to add, characters to create – but I knew where it was all leading to. And in the most challenging, frustrating parts of the writing process, that kept me going. When I finally got to write that pivotal scene, I had to take several deep breaths. It was a triumphant and bittersweet moment, to finally reach the moment that had been playing in my head for so long. Would it live up to the hype I’d constructed in my head? Could I do it justice? But it flowed out of me easily. I’m very stubborn in some aspects of the writing process – I have to write every scene in order. I won’t let myself skip ahead to that final chapter before it’s time. And in this case, I think it served me well. Ok, dramatics aside – I hope you all enjoy the conclusion to Amira’s story. I set myself up for a difficult job in The Transcendent – a lot of loose ends to tie up, character arcs that needed to reach their final destination, and a conclusion that I wanted to be moving and satisfying. And do all this on deadline, while juggling a demanding day job and a personal life. But I’m proud of the outcome. The Transcendent picks up right where the second book, The Emergent, ends… mild spoilers ahead, so proceed with caution. Amira’s in danger, of course – she wouldn’t be Amira if she wasn’t. Her complicated, twisting relationship with her former mentor is broken beyond repair. She needs to find Nova, the first human clone, before he does. But does Nova want to be found? You can buy The Transcendent on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, select bookstores and Flame Tree Press’s web site. Or request a copy at your local library! That benefits authors and readers alike. Cheers, Nadia
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Nadia AfifiWriter of mostly science/speculative fiction. Archives
March 2023
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