On writing Beyond the Humming Downs

The journey towards writing Beyond the Humming Downs has involved a passion for worldbuilding and perseverance through multiple drafts.

Writing Beyond the Humming Downs has been a passion project for me. I first scribbled down the bones of the story when the character of Adehl appeared in another novel I was working on and I needed to give her a good backstory. The other novel has since been abandoned (probably, mostly), but Adehl’s story kindled and took flame instead.

Adehl’s story

I knew from the start that a love story between Adehl and Roh — the parents of my protagonist in the earlier novel — would be central to (working title:) ‘Adehl’s story’.

And I knew from the start Adehl and Roh would become notorious among their people for breaking some much-revered rules.

That was about all I knew (without revealing spoilers). To write a whole novel, I needed to discover the central conflict of their relationship… and what leads to the choices they make. Who or what opposes them? What will be the longer-term outcomes of their actions?

I found the answers, as always, in the fantasy worldbuilding.

Ellir and the heartstorm

Beyond the Humming Downs is set in a mythical fantasy world I’ve spent countless hours creating and dreaming about. The magic system is centred around ellir, a rhythmic ‘earth magic’ or world energy, also known as the heartstorm. Ellir suffuses most matter (especially rocks and minerals) and is essential to sustain life.

Over the years, I’ve become fascinated by how the various human cultures in this world interact with ellir and how this impacts their societies. Some races have more natural affinity for the energy than others… which leads to conflict.

And then there are the mysterious ‘deadlands’ where ellir is completely absent.

It’s fair to say most of my inspiration is grounded in the world and its magic (pun intended!).

Many fantasy authors develop a world to serve the story they want to tell. I’m the opposite. I develop the world first and find the stories within. I have often joked that my stories are conceptualised based on which part of the world I want to explore next. (Only it’s not really a joke.)

Revising and refining

Writing Beyond the Humming Downs has taken several drafts over more years than I care to admit.

As I’ve matured as a person and a writer, both the world and the story have evolved and deepened. I’ve revised and rewritten hundreds of thousands of words, abandoned scenes, adapted others, changed aspects of the plot.

I recently read over the original draft and was fascinated to find events and scenes I’d completely forgotten. The final version ends earlier (and differently) than the original draft — and I was delighted to discover some early material that I’m going to adapt into an extended epilogue for Beyond the Humming Downs.

On the flip side, there are some pivotal scenes that made it through every draft, albeit heavily revised each time. The opening scene, in which Adehl and Roh meet, is one of these.

Where we ended up

At last, we’re approaching the end of the journey. As I write this, Adehl’s story is in the final editing and tweaking phase, getting ready to be published. 

Having themes of freedom, reformation, knowledge and power, Beyond the Humming Downs is broadly about the world’s energy and who gets to wield it.

Adehl has lied about her lineage to learn the secrets of ellir. When she meets Roh, and her carefully constructed life unravels, Adehl fights to save her own magic and undermine the authority of those who would quell her.

Adehl and Roh’s love story sparks a tale of clashing loyalties, discovering new perspectives, and having the courage to step off the path.

I cannot wait to release this little hopepunk* fantasy book into the world.

*Hopepunk stories are about characters fighting for positive change, radical kindness, and communal responses to challenges.