"Released": A Book By Thomas Walker

[.Ivan.]

Can someone explain more about this books? I never heard about it. It is not published by Watchtover, but personal prose writer of some brother Witness?
Is it a fact or fantasy? Prophecy fulfilment or? Thanks.

[Dages]

Personal prose about Paradise. These are novels.

[Thomas Walker]

Well, it's a week later now, and you guys might like to know that Released has climbed to the 'Top 40' on the 'Christian > Futuristic' category of Amazon.

 

I can check the sales figures of my books in near-real time, and I can tell my readers are all JW's at this point. How do I know that? Because there were no buyers at all yesterday. I'm guessing everyone was focused on the convention. 

 

It's been interesting reading everyone's comments thus far.

 

7 hours ago, .Ivan. said:

Can someone explain more about this books? I never heard about it. It is not published by Watchtover, but personal prose writer of some brother Witness?
Is it a fact or fantasy? Prophecy fulfilment or? Thanks.

(Waves to Ivan) Welcome to the show!

 

For the record, and for those who are just learning about these books now: I am a lifelong JW, but I'm not part of the writing committee or the FDS. This series began as a form of personal study, to help visualise life in Paradise. It was only meant to go as far as the first twenty thousand words, and somehow wound up as five volumes, covering the whole thousand years. There's a lot of it that's mostly my imagination, but a lot of the 'foundation' is from our publications. In the books, I've quoted scriptures, Watchtowers, and Insight volumes to justify some of the things I've settled on, and in places where there's no information at all, I tend to avoid making them central to the story or the characters. Things that are mostly my own invention are clearly indicated so that the Reader can make their own judgement.

 

19 hours ago, JudyO said:

No no no! FAST is NOT the way to read this last book in the series. I'm taking this slowly, even though I've always been the type of reader to flip to the end of the book first, and then start reading the beginning. But since I know there won't be another (boo hoo hiccup) I don't want this experience to be over too fast. I'm trying to savor it the way it was written.

Believe it or not, the first reader for this book was my mom. She spent three weeks reading the first half of the book, here and there as she could. When the 'Final Test' section started, she got the last half done in two days. I decided that was promising.

 

Quote

A tearful ending. A mix of feelings though. At the heart of it, only Jehovah's instructions mattered. Nice story! 

I've been mostly silent on this thread to avoid spoilers (Even if this thread is for discussion).

 

There isn't really a whole lot to add to what I said in the afterword. 

 

Spoiler

I had, somewhat unexpectedly, built up a huge army of characters. Once I decided to bring everyone back for the finale, I had to face the fact that if all of them made it, it would be taking the easy way out.

 

The moment I decided to 'age out' characters early in JSY, I was committed to this ending, because the Rebels had to come from somewhere, and I couldn't have them be lifelong troublemakers... because there weren't any.

 

9 hours ago, GodlyDevotion said:

That was incredibly epic. It nearly broke my heart. I had developed a close bond with both characters; it was hard losing them. 

Spoiler

Hugh Alman was named directly because it sounded like 'You. All Man.' His was the only character I wrote for just one novel, because when I started this series, I wasn't expecting to ever write a sequel, let alone four. As a result, Hugh's and Kasumi's character Arc kind of found their natural conclusion once Megan was raised. When i started setting up the Final Test, I had a future written for almost all my characters, but Hugh and Kasumi were static. I made it a major plot point in Set Free: Hugh and Kas were struggling to make the transition from 'long life' to 'eternal life', and had trouble finding their way. 

 

But ultimately, I think the point of Hugh and Kas' fall from grace was that scene at the end with the Fake-Angel smirking triumphantly.

 

Hugh looked to the mob and said to Kasumi: "We all think we belong in there."

 

That was ultimately why I decided I had to lose at least a few characters. Even Cain didn't say: "I'm God's enemy." I needed it to be plausible that some people wouldn't pass the test, and the only way to do it was was to have the reader be convinced that Hugh and Kasumi deserved to be in Sanctuary, right to the end. My goal was to have you believe that they deserved to be there, even after they left Sanctuary. Hugh and Kasumi believed it too, but they failed their test long before the ending played out. That's why it was so shocking. Everyone outside the closed Gates took the same path.

 

9 hours ago, GodlyDevotion said:

What I personally love about the last book is that humans — nigh perfection and after perfection — seem to rely on their technology. They quickly forgot that Jehovah is our sole protector and safeguard. No technology can match the safety that lies in the house of Jehovah. And I think that's what the author seems to pen in his book. 

Another balance between plot and prophecy:

 

Spoiler

We know almost nothing about the Final Test, so I had to make one up. I made it as straightforward as 'Be Inside'. Technology made passing the final test too quick and easy, so it had to go. That necessity is what gave me the idea of making Sanctuary low-tech, to the confusion of everyone involved. I'm a big fan of books that start with a confusing premise that suddenly makes perfect sense by the final chapter.

 

Also, there's precedent. We've all heard about the early believers had to follow commands they didn't understand, but today it makes sense.

 

Over five books, I have created characters who all had a very different 'personal problem' overcome on their way to becoming true believers. Having 'one test fit all' was the hard part. It had to be personal for everyone.

 

Quote

  Hide contents

The sanctuary seemed to defy common sense where there is the tower that runs on preserver tech — an even better technology than wood. It was a lesson to rely on Jehovah for wisdom, protection, and guidance and not much about what kind of technology would be used. 

I am a believer in technology, too, in the New World. But I agree that the technology depicted in the last book was much Sci-Fi, but not totally unrealistic.

My eternal paradox: Trying to keep a book set a thousand years into the future from becoming a straight up scifi novel. I don't always succeed.

 

9 hours ago, Dages said:

I'm thinking about the technology trap for the end of the 1000 years... 

If we get a very low-tech start... we could get a Golden calf problem with technology early after A-day... it's interesting too

Believe it or not, I was aiming for something like this. I figured it's a fair point, especially given that we'll have billions of people who have never seen technology like ours before. I played with some version of this with Ingaret's first week in Paradise back in 'Now On Earth'. In fact, it's already happened on some level in modern history.

 

In Released, the idea was given a plot arc of it's own...

 

Spoiler

...with Benedict. He was a Trib Survivor, and his weakness was that he had been a leader of the 'younger ones' for a thousand years. So when the younger people started talking about all the things they could do on their own, he pulled the plug on the world purely to bring the 'false idol' down. Except that by the end of his arc in this book, he was the false idol.

 

Somehow he went from 'Switch off the world because technology can't save us' to 'nobody can understand each other speak, but don't worry, the technology saved us' in just seven chapters.

 

So was his problem that he didn't like the kids relying on technology, or that he liked the kids relying on him?

 

9 hours ago, Miss Bea said:

Sorry, I had to put it away. When I feel up to it, I will get back to it. Too much hurt. 
I know it must end well, but...

I know, I'm sorry. There was no way around that, I'm afraid. Robert Frost said "No tears for The Writer, no tears for The Reader." This one was hard and teary for me too, in no small part because the saga is ending. 

 

In this series, I've had two books at least partly spent during GT. In each of them, I had someone who didn't make it because they weren't following direction. But those characters didn't get this kind of reaction because we had just met them. The Brothers are telling us not to call back on people who only show 'lukewarm' interest in the ministry. When I was writing Set Free, it suddenly occurred to me that it wasn't to save time and maximise our ability to call on people: It was also to protect us, when The Day rolled around. The ones we take with us into Paradise are the ones we can keep.

 

Spoiler

Maybe I'm flat wrong about most of this. The idea of losing people we've known and cared about for a thousand years is a direct result of the rules I set in book one about 'Aging Out'. And I could be flat wrong about that, since that particular rule was based on my reasoning of very few scriptural principles.

 

But something that occurred to me during the 'bookstudy' this last week: When Jesus was in Gethsemane, praying for help, and angel came to him. The Angels aren't random 'good thoughts'. They are people. People that Jesus was personally involved in creating. That angel that came to him in the garden? Jesus knew his name. They'd spoken before. Maybe even been closer friends than usual. Who would you need reassurance from in hard moments, if not a lifelong friend?

 

So were the demons. Jesus knew every demon he expelled by name. There was an account in the bible of a particularly strong demon who couldn't be cast out by the human disciples. Jesus asked for details about the man being hurt, and took care of it personally. "Oh, this one? Yeah, this particular fiend needs something special."

 

The angels predate the universe, which has been around for 13.8 billion years. When the Final Test happens, Jehovah is going to be feeling this same melancholy tinge to His ultimate victory, because the people being judged won't just be the people like us.

 

When GT starts, it's the point of no return. Everyone of us know a few brothers with opposed relatives, or disfellowshipped kids. That's how I approached the Final Test, as Armageddon 2.0: It'll be victory, but it will be a rough day for some. But we all know that whatever comes after will be worth all of the nightmare we've gone through thus far. And so will the Final Test. 

 

To quote the central character in the series:

 

Spoiler

"Filling the Earth and making it a Paradise it is only the very beginning. The reality of 'superabundance' is so much more."

 

[JudyO]

3 hours ago, Thomas Walker said:

Well, it's a week later now, and you guys might like to know that Released has climbed to the 'Top 40' on the 'Christian > Futuristic' category of Amazon.

 

I can check the sales figures of my books in near-real time, and I can tell my readers are all JW's at this point. How do I know that? Because there were no buyers at all yesterday. I'm guessing everyone was focused on the convention. 

 

It's been interesting reading everyone's comments thus far.

 

Not having finished the book, I have just one thing to say:

[careful]

just bought the first book in the series....a great read for my lockdown life.

[CouveBro]

Wow! Wow! Wow!

 

I just finished the last book. Definitely some tear jerking moments for me! What a great series.  I think I want to start it all over again at some point.  This book really made me think on certain things and I love that.  Has given me much to think about in a 'what if' perspective too. Some of it all very logical too. What I'd give to have this type of imagination and thought process. 

 

Thank you for this series @Thomas Walker.  

[Dages]

Feel free to share some nice moments you enjoyed.

 

 

[careful]

On 7/18/2020 at 9:23 PM, JudyO said:

Not having finished the book, I have just one thing to say:

i am just on the first book right now...just see yourself....i like it

[bagwell1987]

Thomas, the last book was subtly different than the others. I felt sad that ones had suffered, conquered and succeeded only to fail in the end.

I really hope, (it's just fiction Cheryl), that we don't fail like that in reality.

You write so well, so eloquently, I hope you do another series. We know that before, during and after the thousand years there will be different stories but I hope you can conjure another story line we can follow. 

Much appreciation for your story that let's us follow the lives of several people, get to know them, get attached to them. Thanks.

[Miss Bea]

I have hard copies, but I’ve tried to put the series in Books in my iPad. 
The second one. Does it exist?

[Thomas Walker]

15 minutes ago, Miss Bea said:

I have hard copies, but I’ve tried to put the series in Books in my iPad. 
The second one. Does it exist?

If you mean 'Now on Earth', then I have no idea if it's in the iTunes store. But you can DL here in a format that should work.

[Miss Bea]

11 minutes ago, Thomas Walker said:

If you mean 'Now on Earth', then I have no idea if it's in the iTunes store. But you can DL here in a format that should work.

It wasn’t iTunes. It was Amazon I bought them from. I shall check. Thanks!

[Thomas Walker]

51 minutes ago, Miss Bea said:

It wasn’t iTunes. It was Amazon I bought them from. I shall check. Thanks!

Well, here's Now On Earth from Amazon...

[Miss Bea]

6 hours ago, Thomas Walker said:

Well, here's Now On Earth from Amazon...

That’s it! I have the hard copy, but, um, it sort of came apart. After I read it. 
Thanks, brother. 💐

[careful]

is there a forum page on here for discussion of thomas walkers series of books? i am on the first one.  

[Dages]

There is a topic for each book.  

[GodlyDevotion]

13 hours ago, bagwell1987 said:

You write so well, so eloquently, I hope you do another series. We know that before, during and after the thousand years there will be different stories but I hope you can conjure another story line we can follow. 

Yes, I hope so too. A different storyline that makes us fall in love again with the characters. The only difference now is, I won't get attached anymore. Bro Walker is a breaker of hearts 😏

[JudyO]

On 7/25/2020 at 11:05 AM, careful said:

is there a forum page on here for discussion of thomas walkers series of books? i am on the first one.  

Oh, you DO have some treats in store if you've just started the first book.

 

I think one of the things I most appreciate about this experience ( reading Matt's series) is that it has helped make the New System just as real as this life we're living now. In referring to OS, you change your perspective. The problems that seem so real to us right now are only temporary and the future is so much brighter than we can even imagine.

[Dages]

Just now, JudyO said:

I think one of the things I most appreciate about this experience ( reading Matt's series) is that it has helped make the New System just as real as this life we're living now.

Exactly. Need moooooooooaaaaaaaar !

[JudyO]

On 7/24/2020 at 10:33 PM, bagwell1987 said:

Thomas, the last book was subtly different than the others. I felt sad that ones had suffered, conquered and succeeded only to fail in the end.

I really hope, (it's just fiction Cheryl), that we don't fail like that in reality.

You write so well, so eloquently, I hope you do another series. We know that before, during and after the thousand years there will be different stories but I hope you can conjure another story line we can follow. 

Much appreciation for your story that let's us follow the lives of several people, get to know them, get attached to them. Thanks.

Can I make a suggestion? Knowing the ultimate end, maybe you could make smaller stories that fit within the framework of your already completed story. Remember the girl who was raised to believe that it was an honor to be sacrificed to the gods? There are millions of others like that, during all the eras that have passed. I think of Joan of Arc, the Huguenots (sp?) Amish people, a person who supported Hitler, etc. And what about the relationships between those who will be resurrected....when Abraham or Noah welcome back their fathers or Job his sons. And we get to experience all those resurrections right along with them. Each person who lived has their own perspective. Who volunteers to help Moses with his new computer "tablet"? Who shows Ruth and Naomi how a modern kitchen (blender and microwave?) work?

 

If anyone can do this, YOU can.

[JudyO]

Matt, the elderly sister who loves your books would like to know when it will be released as a hard copy? I checked on Amazon, and nothing yet, so I hoped you might have some timeline? Thanks!

[Leonard Match Valid]

Great Surprise.

Great Imagination.

Investigative reality

 

 

Wow. I would like to congratulate you, Thomas, on your dedication to writing the books. Fascinating. 

 

I would like to know, sorry if you have asked before ... but are there other languages?

Any possibility of translating into Portuguese? I would like to present and present my wife and of course to friends here in Brazil.

 

Sincere congratulations on the initiative and excuse my ignorance of knowing just now.

 

Pure genius.

[Dages]

23 minutes ago, Leonard Match Valid said:

Great Surprise.

Great Imagination.

Investigative reality

 

 

Wow. I would like to congratulate you, Thomas, on your dedication to writing the books. Fascinating. 

 

I would like to know, sorry if you have asked before ... but are there other languages?

Any possibility of translating into Portuguese? I would like to present and present my wife and of course to friends here in Brazil.

 

Sincere congratulations on the initiative and excuse my ignorance of knowing just now.

 

Pure genius.

If you have the file, you can turn it into a docx then insert it in DEEPL website, it will translate it (quality is quite good) 

[Leonard Match Valid]

2 minutes ago, Dages said:

Se você tiver o arquivo, você pode transformá-lo em um docx e inseri-lo no site DEEPL, ele irá traduzi-lo (a qualidade é muito boa) 

Will it translate the entire file? No gross errors?

 

I say this because the sites here in Brazil are very fake for this type of work.

 

I want to thank you for your willingness to inform me of this, thank you. I will try to do that.

[Dages]

11 minutes ago, Leonard Match Valid said:

Will it translate the entire file? No gross errors?

 

I say this because the sites here in Brazil are very fake for this type of work.

 

I want to thank you for your willingness to inform me of this, thank you. I will try to do that.

DEEPL is an excellent tool that I use daily for my Translator job... it's not perfect, but it's incredibly good, and it has Brazilian Portuguese (DEEPL é uma excelente ferramenta que uso diariamente para meu trabalho de Tradutor... não é perfeito, mas é incrivelmente bom, e tem português brasileiro = with DeepL)  

Edited August 14, 2020 by Dages