The NEW "Dies Irae" is now called "Dancing with Dragons: Beneath the Willow."

And yes, the title IS slightly related to my last release "Dancing with Dragonflies." You'll see how these worlds intertwine when the book is released.

Anyway, I promised to write a blog explaining why the latest rewrite is happening (if ya'll have been longtime fans, you'll know that I also rewrote my very first novel ever, "Vampires Don't Exist," which is now called "Dead Seed." That was a long-ass time ago.

So, why are you rewriting another book, you nerd? Well, as with any writer, you look back on your old work and realize how awful it is. I’ve grown as a writer and a person and I feel I can do much better. “Dies Irae” has my absolute favorite characters and story line. This is THE story to me; the big one; the one I will always love. I strive for its perfection. I knew I could make this world better. And since I’m a nobody in the writing world, I can get away with rewriting my shit (ha). The biggest change of all: Danteous. He is the one character that has changed the most because he was a fucking psycho in the original and I realized Samara’s love for him was not healthy. You see, when I wrote the original “Dies Irae” I was very much into anime. I was a weaboo … I know, I know. Watching anime heavily influenced my writing style and what I thought was appropriate actions for my characters. I haven't regularly watched anime in many years now (I will still always love DBZ, Gundam Wing, Cowboy Bebop, and Sailor Moon, but other than being loyal to those, anime is just not my thing anymore) and therefore I have realized a lot of what happened in "Dies Irae" was inappropriate and unrealistic. No, Danteous. It’s not okay for you to be a murderous psycho and stalker and have Samara still think you’re “liek so sexay.” He has grown SO MUCH—I’m so very proud of him. I feel he’s no longer a psycho, just conflicted. He no longer kills anyone for the sake of killing them or being jealous (seriously, what was I thinking?). And while their relationship is doomed from the start, and probably not the smartest idea Samara has had (which she knows and acknowledges), Danteous is Samara’s first love. We all remember that, right? I know from experience that sometimes love is inconvenient, stupid, and doomed from the beginning. It’s a part of life and something that happens to most of us, right? No matter how hard you try and fight them or tell yourself you’re stupid for catching feelings, it happens. So they do still have a relationship (we need some romantic drama, right?), but it’s nowhere near as frightening. Like I said, Danteous was the biggest change. He has more depth, he’s more relatable (I feel), he even has some hobbies. He’s not just a “super sexy killing machine” anymore. But of course, he wasn’t the only reason for the rewrite. Kit has a purpose other than dying—as she did in the original. Leela is more likable. Rufus makes more sense and helps them on their journey. Oh and by the way, Dirk is completely cut from the story. He no longer exists at all, in fact. Rufus is one of my favorites, however. I adore him and had to keep him. The story as a whole is better explained and the plot is more in-depth and makes more sense. The world is more developed. Everything is just … better. I mean, I think so anyway. I guess the readers will have to be the judges. You’ll find out this spring/summer in “Dancing with Dragons: Beneath the Willow.” Ya know, if you want to. Peace, Sara