World of Warcraft: Arthas by Christie Golden

Many of you are familiar with me and my work because of my Blizzard novels. How I got involved with them is a wonderful story, but I’ll save that for another day. Let me just say here that as a person who loves and plays the game, it is very exciting to be working on my current project. Chris Metzen and I batted around some titles, but we came back to a simple, stark, single word.

Arthas.

Yup. I’m the lucky author who gets to write the definitive novel about Prince Arthas Menethil, who later becomes the Lich King. You know–the guy who unleashed the plague of undeath across Azeroth. The fella for
whom the new expansion, “Wrath of the Lich King,” is named. It’s a little intimidating, but more exciting than intimidating. Arthas is a fascinating character, and I’ve always been intrigued by how it is that
good people slide down that terrible, slippery slope to becoming monsters. And I get to tell this particular story.

Another fun project came my way during this busy June when I got an email from author Richard Knaak. As many of you know I’m sure, Richard has written several Warcraft novels himself, as well as Dragonlance
novels. He also wrote the very successful manga The Sunwell Trilogy. Well, he wanted to know if I’d be interested in doing some Warcraft manga short stories for Tokyopop. So it happens that today I can report
that I have just finished my first manga script. It’s about the goblins–one of my favorite races–and the Feast of Winter Veil. And it’s called…brace yourselves…”I Got What Yule Need.”

I know. It’s a groaner. But that’s why it’s fun!

After Arthas, I get to start another project that, for the moment, is super secret. But as soon as I can, I’ll let you all know about it. I’m very, very excited.

I’m lucky to do what I do, and I know it.

But I still need to make time to get out and enjoy the summer. The days fly quickly, and before I know it, it’ll be winter again. I need to make sure I spend a few evenings outside, breathing in the honeysuckle,
sipping a glass of Savignon Blanc and simply savoring the twilight. I need to go for hikes in the morning, before the sun has come out in its fierce and baking glory. And I need to be with my friends, cooking and
laughing and talking and filling the well in the company of those who have known and loved me for a long, long time.

So, let’s start now.  Pull up a chair, have a glass of wine, lemonade, or whatever beverage says “summer” to you. Help yourself to some watermelon and lavender cookies, and enjoy the summer with me.