From Script to Novel: How the Four Horsemen Hijacked My Story

A Screenwriter's Unexpected Journey into Fantasy Fiction

When I first imagined the Legacy of the Four Trilogy, I was convinced it would be an epic screenplay. The premise felt perfect for the big screen: Four Horsemen mythology with a fresh twist, humans enduring brutal trials to become vessels for ancient powers, and epic clashes between angels and demons. Who wouldn't want to watch that? Little did I know those cinematic dreams would morph into something entirely different—something even bigger.

As I started drafting the screenplay, my characters decided they had minds of their own. They refused to stay within the tidy confines of 90 pages. Every time I tried to trim their arcs or cut scenes, they protested (loudly, in my head). Before I knew it, what was supposed to be a neat little script grew into a 300+ page novel—the first of a three-part series. If you pick up my book, you might notice that some chapters still carry that "screenplay vibe." I write by watching the scenes unfold in my mind like a movie. Does anyone else do this?

The road to publication wasn't smooth, though. Picture juggling life as a full-time working mom to a six-year-old whirlwind (who somehow never runs out of energy), being a wife, pet parent to a one-eyed dog, and trying to stay somewhat healthy and active. Oh, and did I mention writing not just one book but three? It's been chaotic, to say the least, but I'm living proof that you can make time for your passions, even when life is a circus. If I can do it, you can do it! You'll be tired—but it's a good tired, a hard-earned tired.

Self-publishing brought its own set of challenges. Writing the books was one adventure, but marketing them? That's a whole different beast. Thankfully, I've had incredible help from people who actually know what they're doing in that department (thank you, my marketing wizards!). While the learning curve has been steep, I wouldn't change a thing. Every struggle has added more magic to this journey and makes the outcome that much sweeter.

So here's my heartfelt thanks for coming along on this wild ride. If you decide to dive into my world of Horsemen, angels, and demons, I hope you enjoy it as much as I've loved bringing it to life. And to all the aspiring writers out there: dream big, embrace the chaos, and never stop chasing your stories. Sometimes, they lead you down unexpected paths—and those often turn out to be the best ones.

Until our paths cross between realms,

J.F. Monroe