Solstice Souls: Solstice Sons (Book 3)

Notes For Our Readers

A Note from NebulusCharlie

Dear Beautiful Readers,

First of all, a massive thank you for sticking with us right up until the end, and if you're still here, then please believe we're hugging each and every one of you!

When I began toying with the idea of writing in a collaboration, the thought never even crossed my mind of picking anyone else; I asked my Bestie, and she said yes. Simple beginnings led to an unbelievably easy partnership that I still am in awe of, even now. We learned how to ask for help from each other, we became each other's beta readers, correcting and suggesting different angles, and made the story even better.

I can't believe it's been three years since @edzooc8r said, "What if Wei Ying is a dancer and his cover/incognito name is Mo XuanYu?"

We knew we were both strong writers with equally strong wills, and so the best way forward was to write a chapter each, manifesting each main character, and even for this, my brilliant co-author was magnanimous about it, asking me for my preference first. (She said she wanted to do Wei Ying - take that as you will!)

I empathize strongly with both Lan Zhan and Wei Ying, but I think the balance is ever so slightly tipped towards Lan Zhan, having been brought up in a similarly strict household, (the similarities end there, NGL!😂).

And I can tell you now, the amount of times I was blown away by how fantastic a chapter I had just read, and giving me hives on how the heck I was supposed to do one better, hell, even near that quality of writing, is countless.

Looking over my notes on how the story progressed, the whole arc of WangXian falling in love after learning to trust each other, and being in terrifying situations is amazing to me, as well.

I went through tons of chocolate 🍫 🍫 🍫 🍫 writing this story and I know both of us are incredibly humbled and grateful for the amount of support and encouragement all of you have shown us. Your belief in our ability to tell a story, and not just a simple one, but an absolutely epic one, gave us the imagination and perseverance to complete it, and truthfully, I'm tearing up writing these last few words to you.

It is a relief that we have finished it, but at the same time, I feel that bittersweet sadness that always comes with the completion of a book, and this is even more poignant because whereas I can start typing anytime and start something new, this precious luxury of being able to ask my Bestie serious questions about the plot at ridiculous hours of the morning, any given time, won't apply for a while.

We've both agreed that for now, we must take a break from writing together because we both have too much on our writing plates at the moment and need to give our attention elsewhere. But having said that, we are not ruling out the possibility of writing together again, and we are throwing around plot ideas like dandelion seeds. (One of those wishes will definitely come true, hehe.)

So let us celebrate in style and thank the Universe for allowing this story to grow from a seed to a mighty oak, our joint offering to the most beautiful emotion: Pure Love.

Thank you all once again, and all my love,

Charlie

A Note From Edzooc8r

To all our amazing readers,

I don't think it has quite sunk in yet that this story has reached its end. It has been such a huge part of my life for the past three years. I remember when Charlie asked me to write a collaboration with her and thinking, "Me? You want me? To write? With you?"

I was already a fan of her work and was dumbstruck as to why she would want me. Our writing styles were very different. I tended to lean towards the dark and smutty aspect of WangXian whereas her stories were filled with sweetness and fluff. Granted, her cliffhangers often left me screaming for more (and throwing things at a wall) but I wasn't sure if I could write something she would want to put her name to.

Three years and over 500,000 words later, I can honestly say that Charlie has made me a better writer. I have learned to temper my angst, improve my characters' conversations, include humor when it's needed to relieve a tense situation, and of course, purify my love scenes. With her patient guidance and encouraging suggestions, my skill has evolved and become something I never imagined was possible. There have been many occasions where a reader commented on a specific paragraph in one of my chapters and I had to reread what I wrote to get my bearings. After reading, I would think to myself, "Damn. I wrote that."

Charlie has inspired me to not only be a better writer but also a better person. I believe there are many types of soulmates. For me, Charlie is a soulmate I was always meant to meet. People have asked me how we do it, write a story thousands of miles apart and never get frustrated or angry with each other. The answer is simple: communication and compromise. 

There were times we didn't agree on where the story was going or what a character did or said. So, we would discuss what bothered us with honesty. We threw other ideas out, mixed them together, and came up with something we were both happy with. 

However, many times, we simply trusted the other to make it better.

Throughout these 3 books, I can't count how many times Charlie shocked me with plot twists! Whenever she texted me and said, "There's a surprise for you.", I knew I was in trouble. Week after week she had me yelling, "How in the hell do I top THAT!!???" I know she felt the same way about some of my chapters and I think that's what kept it fun for us. We never really knew what the other was going to write. Sure we had a rough idea of what was coming next, but the details were what made it exciting. I have had so much fun writing this story and I owe so much to my bestie for making it so effortless and enjoyable.

With that being said, all our hard work and long talks never would have happened if it wasn't for all of you. Our readers are the best! You have encouraged us, challenged us, and left us smiling after every chapter with all your fabulous comments. I wish the same for you. Challenge yourself to try something new. Encourage each other to push forward and never give up. But above all, SMILE!

Remember what Jiang Fengmian told Wei Ying.

'Bringing a smile to someone's face is one of the greatest gifts we can offer another person.'

I want to thank each and every one of you for following us on this amazing journey. You have become an important part of my life and I look forward to spending more time with all of you. 

Who knows? Maybe we'll meet again later. Perhaps in another lifetime ;)

Sincerest thanks,

Edzooc8r