Ten years.
That’s how long I waited to write the Beacon Hill series. I still remember the day when the idea struck—an idea too compelling to let go. For over a decade I’ve dreamed of writing this series, and now that dream is a reality. There were many years when I wondered if the dream would ever happen—and whether I’d be given an opportunity to introduce these characters and this world. During those years, I did what any passionate storyteller would do—I put the series aside and wrote another story.
It wasn’t the right time for Beacon Hill.
When I look back now, I realize as a storyteller and writer I wasn’t ready to take on such an epic world, one that spans the globe, unleashes the supernatural, and takes readers into other realms. Those years in between allowed me to grow in my craft, hone my skills, and become more confident in my ability as an author to not only deliver the world that swirled in my imagination but to create a brand with the potential to reach a global audience. Often storytellers focus solely on character and plot. However, the life of an author involves so much more when partnering with a publisher—especially to reach young adults.
The series begins with Hunt for Eden’s Star.
The Beacon Hill universe now expands beyond the books. We’ve produced an original soundtrack to go with book one, and we’ll be releasing a music single with a talented young recording artist in the coming weeks. And we’re filming a web series: Chasing Lewis, Tolkien, & Rowling. Each episode offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse of creating and writing the Beacon Hill series. With each creative endeavor, we have embraced another expression of the story to share with our audience. Combined with the books, these endeavors bring Beacon Hill to life even more, working in tandem to promote the series. I’ve spoken to many writers who dream of the day they can lock themselves away and write the story they’ve always longed to write. But the truth is, if you are pursuing the life of an author, embracing the spheres of branding, marketing, promoting, and broadening your readership is just as important as writing words on a page.
As we are working hard to prepare for the release of book one, Hunt for Eden’s Star, on April 4, 2023, I’m well into edits on book two while writing book three. I’m also preparing for an eighteen-city book tour with twenty-three live appearances. For an introvert, these efforts are definitely a challenge and a juggling act at times—but each are necessary to share the story of Beacon Hill. Along the way, there are a few valuable lessons I’ve learned as I pull back the curtain a bit more—lessons that are guiding me as a storyteller and an author.
First, I’m grateful for the ten years that passed before partnering in the series with Wander: the YA imprint of Tyndale House Publishers. If I had tried to write the series back then, I don’t believe it would be the vast world it is now, with a few more twists and turns than I expected. I spent years exploring my writing style, learning from authors at the top of their craft, writing other novels that left readers on the edge of their seat, and pushing myself to dig deeper into characters and plots late into countless nights. It was during those years, when no one else was watching, where each page prepared me for the day when the publishing deal with Wander was signed and the journey of Beacon Hill became a reality.
Second, I struggled for a long time to determine whether my writing approach identified as an outliner or a pantser. Well, I’ve discovered that I’m neither. I’m a binge writer with a plan. My writing routine changes all the time, as well as where I’m writing and how much I write each day. I have to visualize each chapter before I sit in front of my tablet and let it rip. Once the story plays on repeat in my imagination, I’m hooked and the chase is on. I’ll write without worrying about word count, hours passed, or even deadlines. I’m chasing characters and plots, and there’s no better feeling than days passing and chapters screaming by at a relentless pace.
A binge writer gets lost in the story, but that doesn’t mean they don’t know where it’s headed. Before I write any novel there are two chapters that are clear—the first and the last. If I know those two chapters, or even an idea of what they are, then the rest of the story reveals itself in the excitement of the chase. Now, since I’m writing a series, there is one more step that I take when each book is finished. Once all of the edits are done, and the final manuscript is approved, I’ll go back and create an outline for the finished book. Why? By doing this last piece, I’m able to reference the outline as I write the next book to get a snapshot of what occurred in each chapter. It’s a quick reference that I’ve found helpful as the world of Beacon Hill expands.
Third, as a storyteller who is also a binge writer, I’ve found the stories that inspire me the most are those which are not only filled with diverse characters or a plot relevant in today’s culture, but one with themes intertwined within the pages. My hope with Beacon Hill is that the series will not only be entertaining with an addicting story, but that, in the end, those who have traveled alongside the characters will be left with a unique perspective on the trifecta of life—family, friendship, and faith.
Hope you enjoyed a brief glimpse behind the scenes.
Now, the hunt begins on April 4, 2023.
The DNA of a world traveler, D.J. Williams was born and raised in Hong Kong, igniting an adventurous spirit as he ventured into the jungles of the Amazon, the bush of Africa, and the slums of the Far East. His global travels submerged him in a myriad of cultures, providing a unique perspective that fuels his creativity.
His new YA epic series, Beacon Hill begins releasing April 4, 2023 with Hunt for Eden.
Think: Harry Potter meets a young Indiana Jones.
"A blistering, high-stakes, fast-paced supernatural thriller that's impossible to put down. D.J. Williams' HUNT FOR EDEN'S STAR introduces a compelling new hero and takes readers on an unforgettable adventure where countless twists and turns await." - Ryan Steck, author of Fields of Fire & editor-in-chief of The Real Book Spy
D. J. Williams's suspenseful, page-turning style whisks readers into a wildly exciting, supernatural adventure that grabs hold of the imagination and never lets go. In the first book of the series, Hunt For Eden’s Star, a coming-of-age expat teen from an international boarding school is thrown into a world of ancient secrets when he discovers a supernatural artifact that protects a weapon of mass destruction.
Currently living in Los Angeles, D.J. is always on the hunt for the next story whether it be YA fantasy or espionage thrillers.
https://www.djwilliamsbooks.com/https://www.thebeaconhillseries.com/
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