I don't understand the writing process...

Never have. I come at writing a book or screenplay from all sorts of angles...plotting it out in detail and not, character lists both detailed and not, jumping in with no idea beyond the basic premise, using an old book to ground it...and it always works the same. The characters take over and do things i wasn't planning on...things I hadn't even thought of.

With APoS, in Derry I made reference to Brendan's father telling stories in exchange for a drink, but being a drunk and never able to tell his kids those stories because he was too drunk. So Brendan never believed he was any good. That was my only point, for it.

Until in Home Not Home he learns some of his father's stories were recorded on tape, and finally hears him tell one, and it's elegant. It changes him...and helps his brother, Eamonn. And sets up his own decision to tell stories, as well...and does.

That was something that was referenced in New World For Old. Not directly, but Everett and Jeremy share their stories with Brendan. Other people talk about themselves, a bit, but those two reveal their own realities to him. And he listens.

None of this was in the original drafts of volumes 2 and 3. They grew from within, almost organically, without conscious thought by me. I make jokey little comments about touching the ether of creation and having a muse to lead me, in my characters and the paths they choose to follow, but in truth none of this is deliberate or calculated. It just happens.

And has, over and over, if I want to be honest. Once I settle down and truly listen to the characters, they show me what is meant to be. And I have no idea where that comes from.