The Big Idea: Shalini Abeysekara

Ever wonder what really goes on after the “happily ever after” line? Author Shalini Abeysekara had closed the door on her previous novel, but left the door unlocked as she came back to that world to bring us This Blade of Ours, the sequel she never expected to write. Follow along in her Big Idea to see how the “happily ever after” ending got pushed back another book. SHALINI ABEYSEKARA: There are a few things an author hopes will happen after typing “The End.” One, that they can finally imbibe a glass of wine, fructose syrup drink, or another preferred poison and sleep off a creative high and a bittersweet farewell to their characters. Two, that future readers who arrive at this last page of their oeuvre will rave about the book. Three, that the author won’t have to partially undo some of their work. Well, that last part hit a snag when my publisher requested a sequel to my debut romantasy, This Monster of Mine. I grabbed the book deal with both hands, of course; I’m not about to turn…