I continue to have a great time writing the Tracking Jane series. Even though I like to free-hand my story-telling, I required a little planning for this series to sketch out how each episode serves an over-arching narrative and what aspect of Jane McMurtry’s life it covers within a self-contained story line. Still, as I went through the drafting of episodes 1 through 4, I realized I had a lot of backstory I didn’t want to include, but which yet formed an important part in Jane’s life.

For instance, how did she get her prosthetic legs? What did those legs mean for her ability to start a civilian career? How did she meet with her agent, Candice? What sort of government project is she involved in, and how does it relate to her disability? How did she deal with having to wait for her dog Shadow?

I thought these would provide interesting details for a story. So I planned it, envisioning it as a more introspective, less action-based story. Then, story-telling happened. Not the kind I do, but the sort that characters drive. In the end I arrived at a crime-suspense of sorts with intrigue and foreshadowing feeding the episodes to follow. I am almost done with Waiting for Shadow, but have some sprucing up and revisions to make. Hope you can pick it up when it comes out.

Now some questions: should I call this new installment episode 0; should I renumber episodes 1 through 4 to 2 through 5 and make this story episode 1; or should I go with “prequel” for Waiting for Shadow? Let me know below. Also, to turn this story into an introduction for the series, I’m weighing whether I should release it as a free download. What do you think?

Oh, and before I forget, if you would like to keep abreast of future announcements (like the release of Waiting for Shadow), sign up for my mail list.