Bruce_Sentar / Q&A 10-21-24

Yep, RNG sux

MuteButtonHero

2024-11-17 18:25:11 +0000 UTC

Makes sense. I pointed out to one author that her books all seemed related and she said, nope, all completely independent universes. 6 mo later she was advertising them as all being from different points on the timeline in the same universe. XD

MuteButtonHero

2024-11-17 18:18:50 +0000 UTC

I would also like to see her join

Steven

2024-10-29 04:30:20 +0000 UTC

I would like to see more progression on his harem, I like how things were going with Penny and Ken. I'm so excited to see how the rest of the class reacts to Ken.

Karina De La Cruz Velderrain

2024-10-25 00:59:40 +0000 UTC

That's tough, my husband would be interested if they were anime. It's a toss up with DD, AO, or RD. Your books would be awesome animes.

Karina De La Cruz Velderrain

2024-10-25 00:53:14 +0000 UTC

I would like to see Helen in Ken's harem but I think with time since she needs to get over her hangups. Not everything needs to be rushed but I can see Penelope being in the harem before Helen.

Karina De La Cruz Velderrain

2024-10-25 00:44:26 +0000 UTC

I think it might help Ard with the Strathmoore family since some were working for the Royals. Plus I was curious about them as well.

Karina De La Cruz Velderrain

2024-10-25 00:39:14 +0000 UTC

He doesn’t upload that much anymore https://www.artstation.com/yanaidraws

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-24 10:07:59 +0000 UTC

i want to see her join aswell

Sean Kelley

2024-10-24 02:19:38 +0000 UTC

Will Ard embrace his Zenov heritage?

Dylan Simper

2024-10-24 00:45:01 +0000 UTC

Eminence in shadow is actually a really good series. I watched the anime first and went down the manga and light novel rabbit hole because shows always miss or change details but it’s actually pretty close together in what you get

Blnded

2024-10-23 21:28:57 +0000 UTC

1 last question is sienna a 1 or 2 sphere mage? I do not remember that ever being answered but we know she is a wolf mage but in book 2 chapter 27 it looks like it says she used dark magic. Yet she only has one anchor.

Jeremy Daniels

2024-10-23 12:43:32 +0000 UTC

I'm late to the party. At the risk of asking something that's come up repeatedly, do you have a link to the portfolio of whoever does all your covers/character art? I know I've seen the name but I just got off a 12 hour shift for the second day in a row and I do NOT have it in me to find that information. Feel free to ignore this question if it's too much bother. I will not be offended.

David Wilhelm

2024-10-23 03:53:07 +0000 UTC

All I can say is a fucking knew it 🤣

Austin Wolf

2024-10-23 00:48:19 +0000 UTC

Would love for Ard to help heal his anchor that was hurt

Mick

2024-10-23 00:08:08 +0000 UTC

First Immortal.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-22 21:38:12 +0000 UTC

What series would be first in the multiverse timeline?

Donous .

2024-10-22 21:06:18 +0000 UTC

his 'naughty things' room If i recall correctly. i think things like his magazines.

Donous .

2024-10-22 20:51:03 +0000 UTC

I like the idea of her joining but she needs to be tamed first, some time away might make her appreciate Ken more

Donous .

2024-10-22 20:47:42 +0000 UTC

I would read a darker themes book but I get the idea. Haremlit readers are generally looking for HEA escapism. I think a dark SETTING would be fine but the story would have to avoid being depressing. Harem Apocalypse works because the MC usually has a good thing going even when the world is burning.

Donous .

2024-10-22 20:45:49 +0000 UTC

“My master is a pervert. According to his grandfather, he nearly bought out an entire porn shop at the end of the semester,” Ami replied. “If it exists, he likely has porn of it, or his grandfather does. There is a room… that I am forbidden by the grandmothers to enter.”

chot

2024-10-22 19:28:47 +0000 UTC

Will the 74 wives become reality at the end of next book? no. Will Ken maybe be a little hornier this next book? Yes.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-22 19:16:17 +0000 UTC

Nope, I've signed Amazon and Audible exclusivity. Everyone who's in Kindle Unlimited has. I do have a store on my site. Brucesentar.com though if you have things you want let me know, I'll make Chris mock it up and make more.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-22 19:15:51 +0000 UTC

I play lots of TTRPGs. There's a group I've been playing with going on 9 years now. We've played around, but D&D 3e will always hold a special place in my heart. Recently, I've been wanting to play with darker themes, but those don't do great in Haremlit, so I've stayed away.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-22 19:13:41 +0000 UTC

The Strathmoore mage and his wife. They are in my notes. I don't know when or if I'll use them again.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-22 19:11:40 +0000 UTC

It's actually above average word count for my stories. Ard is also extra thicc and RD is also on the larger end of what I've written... thinking about it the series have been growing larger.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-22 19:10:57 +0000 UTC

I was going to, but then there was such negative response to her that I edged away. She might be cooling off in the background and make a reappearance idk.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-22 19:09:45 +0000 UTC

Yes, every series has been thought of at least in my head as a world on the world tree.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-22 19:09:03 +0000 UTC

RD is connected to the Manaverse.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-22 19:07:41 +0000 UTC

So if you comment in Patreon or The discord form, my assistant scoops those up weekly and puts them into the manuscript before they go onto their next step in the editing process.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-22 19:06:19 +0000 UTC

Yes after AO 5 will be RD 3. I keep everything in a rotation with only a little shakeup when things drop out. No clue yet on books in the series.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-22 19:05:03 +0000 UTC

Monster artists are so much rarer than pinup artists! If you know a good one I could take a look.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-22 19:04:24 +0000 UTC

Grandpa's room? In what context, honestly I forget.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-22 19:03:50 +0000 UTC

I feel like an Ard anime would have "Wave, Listen to me!" Vibes

Salientmind

2024-10-22 19:00:26 +0000 UTC

Will Ken actually start living up to his Demon Lord Incubus nature now that he has properly defeated Snu Snu?

Jeremy Daniels

2024-10-22 17:26:13 +0000 UTC

Eyes of Wisdom.

Jeremy Daniels

2024-10-22 17:08:30 +0000 UTC

Do you publish outside of Amazon? Do you offer direct e-book purchasing and other services? Do you have a store for challenge coins, shirts, and other items? You are a prolific author—how do you keep up the volume? What tools do you use?

David Morrissey

2024-10-22 13:19:55 +0000 UTC

Would love an SSV version of this myself!!!

Christopher Gino

2024-10-22 07:52:35 +0000 UTC

The problem is that if it even slightly looks like a female character might have feelings for anybody but the MC, a small but very vocal minority of readers will bitch and moan and complain like crazy. Some developers of AVNs had their games reported to Patreon and other hosting sites, because some of the girls in the harems were implied to have relationships with each other without the MC being the main focus... People cried and whined NTR and almost got the games shut down.

Az Reel

2024-10-22 06:08:44 +0000 UTC

Do you play/run any table top rpgs? If so of the one you've tried which did you like the most? What storyline or elements are you interested in adding to a story but think wouldn't go over well?

Loukemia

2024-10-22 05:24:30 +0000 UTC

On the fort in AO were two other mages (in the second book i think). One of them were tuched by one of the three mage forged that invaded early on and her soul damaged. Will those two appear again and will Ard be able to heal her, or did they die in the fort?

lion lion

2024-10-22 05:23:24 +0000 UTC

Why is DD so small? All of your other ones that I have read have 40+ chapters. It seems like Ken and company are getting short shrift in the story lines.

RedThyra

2024-10-22 05:21:30 +0000 UTC

Yes. If Eyes of Wisdom worked the way it was last described Ken would have run out of mana and died in the server room fight at the slave castle. He used it the whole fight. Not to mention when he was out with Felin and the dwarf fight.

Hugh Sweeten

2024-10-22 03:58:01 +0000 UTC

It's clearly laid out that Zach broke up with her. He literally says it's because he knew she was keeping secrets. Her response to that was that she thought the sex would have been enough to keep him around.

MrCynical

2024-10-22 01:48:40 +0000 UTC

“EoW” Eyes of Wisdom, “HQ” Harem Queen, “DQ” Dwarf Queen

Jeremy Daniels

2024-10-22 01:30:26 +0000 UTC

Are you ever going to add Helen to Ken's harem? If I have ever seen a woman more in dire need of having her toes curled a few times, I can't remember!

Mick

2024-10-22 00:24:49 +0000 UTC

So the big question is, are all the world's you write about just "fruit" on dar's world tree? I swear I see signs in you newer books like little Easter eggs which I know can just be because that your writing style, but I can't help but think that most if not all are just on different parts of the tree

Austin Wolf

2024-10-22 00:21:25 +0000 UTC

Could the legendary beast in RD be tangentially related to the ancient bloodlines. Like the leech beast to the black monarch? Or more specifically does the legendary beast that protected (that version of) earth have origins in relationto the first immortal?

Wade thomas

2024-10-22 00:10:47 +0000 UTC

So, you've had editor issues the past month with them not being able to get to things as they release on patreon, is posting here or in DC the best place to offer editorial suggestions? I've stopped making comments bc I'm not sure which format handles them best, or is that team open to new recruits? I'd love to do grammatical edits for your stuff, I do it for friends of mine who publish and for students of mine who go on to grad school, so consider it something of a hobby to always be reading

Chewbacchus

2024-10-21 23:50:02 +0000 UTC

I am a big fan of Returners Definance. I am not sure if I missed it somewhere, is book 3 the next book? Do you have a plan for how long it will be?

Justin

2024-10-21 23:48:59 +0000 UTC

Hey, listening to AO 3 again at the moment and just had a thought. We have plenty of fantastic artwork for the various ladies of your books. Have you ever thought about having artwork for the various creatures in your books, even if there isn’t as much effort put into it? It would be awesome to see what many of them look like as you imagine them, especially the big ones, like the elder wyrm from AO, the various titans from SSV, the bosses of DD, maybe Zach from DJ in his full dragon form or mana beasts from your 2 cultivation series. Just thought that would be pretty sweet.😁

JediChris85

2024-10-21 22:50:57 +0000 UTC

Love your work was wondering if from DD104 i think felin and amy talked about grandpas room will felin find it? Could be some fun story lol

chot

2024-10-21 22:35:43 +0000 UTC

I don’t understand he could control all matter, time and space through energy manipulation alone, if we’re abiding by any relation to real laws of physics lol…

Patrick

2024-10-21 21:45:40 +0000 UTC

I want to keep moving things into webcomics because I think that's the pipeline to eventually do something like Anime. Personally, I think my stories lend themselves to anime more. If I had to pick one... I'd probably do Ard's Oath.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-21 20:53:27 +0000 UTC

The comic could very well add to the 'success' metric. However, season 1 of the comic which will roughly be book 1, won't end until the end of next year. So, I'll probably still look at Ebook/audiobook for when the series has hit it's end.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-21 20:51:43 +0000 UTC

Which of your series if you were given a blank check would you turn into an anime, live TV show, and movie and which format would you most like to use (I’m guessing anime based on the Bleach answer earlier)

Vorsayo

2024-10-21 20:38:53 +0000 UTC

You gotta bring Helen in the harem, she is so obstinate and aggressive it would be amazing to see Ken break down her walls!

Vorsayo

2024-10-21 20:30:14 +0000 UTC

Oh shit, I forgot about that!

Vorsayo

2024-10-21 20:27:27 +0000 UTC

Hey Bruce! Do we have an idea on how many books to expect in DD series? Considering that the webcomic is still coming, is it safe to assume you’ll want to continue the series long term if the comic does well?

Mr Koko

2024-10-21 20:17:45 +0000 UTC

Unofficial name for Eyes of Wisdom

Jose Paz III

2024-10-21 20:05:40 +0000 UTC

So she breaks it off? Or Zach starts to not trust her

Jose Paz III

2024-10-21 20:05:03 +0000 UTC

EOW?

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-21 20:03:37 +0000 UTC

Nyske was too obsessed, while also clearly hiding something from Zach. Also, she was managing illusions over herself. Yes, the new patch bitch does get with Zach.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-21 20:03:03 +0000 UTC

Favorite character? Ard. Hmmm. I'd probably like to be in Mana's universe. There's no random chance at what you are instead you have every option available to you with enough hard work. With my luck, I'd get a shit super power in SSV's universe.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-21 20:01:49 +0000 UTC

Penny will get some time next book that's fairly solidified. The two elves will be departing to help their world after this catastrophic event. I'm going to probably rotate some girls in and out to keep a 5 man party.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-21 20:00:21 +0000 UTC

That was because they reset my options when posting chapters. Multiple things were wonky and I deleted it.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-21 19:59:12 +0000 UTC

No, it's not the same world. LR's world becomes Mana's world. Isaac hides in a PIU with Michelle in book 1.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-21 19:58:38 +0000 UTC

Noted, but the group is presently full.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-21 19:57:48 +0000 UTC

Did you fix the inconsistencies with “EOW” in DD203? He used it at the end of DD201 without a mentioned limitation and even became the driving factor behind the HQ & Ken’s fight with the DQ. How about getting Penny into the Harem proper? Hopefully with Ken’s transformation to a true incubus 74 wives will become reality. (Not really that’s way too many)

Jeremy Daniels

2024-10-21 19:46:26 +0000 UTC

I have this head cannon where ard has learning how to teleport and because he isn't divinity he isn't trapped on thay world. So he screws up mid teleport and suddenly he pops onto existence in front of Ken. He is all like shit my bad I missed and just teleports out again leaving everyone confused lol

ThatsTypicalTy

2024-10-21 19:39:24 +0000 UTC

Started Eminence in Shadow. Thanks for answers and having a QA.

gratch42

2024-10-21 19:37:19 +0000 UTC

Thanks. On your list of future ideas, I didn’t see any post Apocalypse concepts. Most of what’s out there is terrible, with a few exceptions. Is this an area of interest, particularly for a cultivator?

Mistweaver

2024-10-21 19:34:12 +0000 UTC

Why did Zach and Nsyke break up before the events of Dragons Justice? Does the Beta Wolf ever manage to worm her way into Zach's harem?

Jose Paz III

2024-10-21 19:30:10 +0000 UTC

If you ike stories like that, then read the series remnant from randy darren.

Rotaugur

2024-10-21 19:04:04 +0000 UTC

What about an earthlike cultivationworld, (Quinzaifashi for example) and you throw in an system apocalypse? Or you use a super world, and the system tries to make sense of the powers, while also integrating them into itself? With the mc being at first the only system admin?

Rotaugur

2024-10-21 18:53:09 +0000 UTC

Not just power, but if he is creative in his thinkking, he can controll matter, energy time and space, if he were to try. i mean, e=mc2 should work even if you ad some supernatural mumbojumbo energy into the mix, and we know he can produce liquids, semiliquids and can form minerals from the ki in the air.

Rotaugur

2024-10-21 18:47:42 +0000 UTC

Why not use the male side characters as a dumping ground for the not so important female sidecharacters? In DD for example, the berserker could form his own harem and you could ofloa most of kens classmates to him. Would help on keeping the harems smaller and you can at the same time keep important figures around without the pressure of engeniering a abstract way to form a pseudo romantic relationship. You could even let the community deside, where a new character could end up in the future.

Rotaugur

2024-10-21 18:43:46 +0000 UTC

Hello! I'm a big fan of your stories and have about every audiobook released. (Great to listen to at work.) I have 2 questions. 1st Who is your favorite character you have created? 2nd Which universe of your stories would you like to be in?

NightfirePhoenix

2024-10-21 18:14:27 +0000 UTC

How do you plan on dealing with potential harem bloat in Dungeon Diving? You have been hinting about adding other established characters in for awhile now and it would be a shame not to see some finally make it.

Bryan Ritter

2024-10-21 18:11:38 +0000 UTC

I am really enjoying your books, just about all of them. I recently received a chapter in an email saying I had this chapter 2 days before anyone else...what was/is this for? can I get more like this or less, or just what was this?

Pogo

2024-10-21 17:58:59 +0000 UTC

Is the DD world the same as LR but hundreds of years into the future? At the end of Dao the main character of LR had to make a huge “game” or system to prevent the world from being destroyed, and a dungeon that connects to multiple worlds and a leveling system sounds like a perfect answer to that crisis.

Vorsayo

2024-10-21 17:56:08 +0000 UTC

Jadelyn seemed like a 1 child and done kind of woman. So, yes. Yev's daughter? I don't have anything in my notes about her specifically. The children highlighted at the end were largely to highlight the rebound of the dragon population.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-21 17:28:27 +0000 UTC

I should add more. Frank was a big fan favorite, however with the Harem Bloat, it's hard to keep up other side characters.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-21 17:26:44 +0000 UTC

How does one become a beta listener?

Jeremy Daniels

2024-10-21 17:24:07 +0000 UTC

I think the main characters you write are my favourite of any series, but any other male characters I struggle to remember. Do you think in future books you might add in other male characters to be a foil/rival to the main? Thinking Goku and Vegeta or Luffy/Zoro type relationships.

Sean

2024-10-21 17:22:08 +0000 UTC

That’s evil but im kinda ok with that answer lol, tbh i was spiraling because I thought you might confirm something that would make it impossible for it to be apart of the manaverse and i wouldn’t get to theorize the dungeon anymore so whew 😅 thanks. Doesnt change the fact your answer is evil tho.

Gary Becker

2024-10-21 17:21:42 +0000 UTC

From Dragon's Justice, can you tell us something about Zach's daughter with Yev? We see her egg from books 7-9 but in the closing chapters we didn't see her among the other kids? Also did Zach have children with Jadelyn?

ArbabSB

2024-10-21 17:21:36 +0000 UTC

I'm partial to smoking my salmon

Joshua

2024-10-21 17:21:28 +0000 UTC

Same. Favorite way to cook it?

Joshua

2024-10-21 17:21:00 +0000 UTC

One of the best examples is when Miles was interrupted on his way to work and just absolutely crushed someone in a bead of blood.

V4Ford

2024-10-21 17:18:54 +0000 UTC

The idea of a crossover is quite stressful for me. I have no plans to do one at present.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-21 17:17:16 +0000 UTC

Dar from Dao is essentially a multiverse god of creation. Otherwise, Miles is straight stupid having the power to control power.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-21 17:16:44 +0000 UTC

You could transition it to an isekai, and minimize the Hero aspect? I really like a main character that just doesn't give a fuck and will obliterate an enemy. Right now I'm reading a series where it's 10 books in and the MC has said enough please and sorrys to fill an entire book. Sometimes you just want your favorite character to wreck something with absolute prejudice... A lot of authors are doing progression fantasy right now. I miss the main characters that just bulldoze everything sometimes 😆

V4Ford

2024-10-21 17:16:24 +0000 UTC

I have too much fun watching Sauce spin in circles over that. The dungeon is of course the dungeon. Now who might have made it? That's another question.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-21 17:16:03 +0000 UTC

Have you ever though of a crossover book just for fun?

Steve Jones

2024-10-21 17:10:36 +0000 UTC

Hey Bruce, huge fan of many of your series with my current faves being AO and DD. I want to ask who do you think is going to be the strongest MC power scaling wise out of all your series at their full potential? I haven’t read your older Mana/Dao series but from the recent ones I’ve read Zack seems the most OP with powers of the dragon king, faerie, Heaven, hell etc. Although stat wise Ken with at the end of the series if he is stronger than Crimson will the the fastest by a huge margin esp with Liminal Speed. Let me know what you think 🙏🏼

Patrick

2024-10-21 17:05:05 +0000 UTC

Super shocked as well lol. I thought I was one of the only ones out there that knew about HoS. The audio for book 5 is in the final QC phase and they plan on releasing book 6 at the same time. Fingers crossed.

V4Ford

2024-10-21 17:04:55 +0000 UTC

I almost asked if you would confirm which books you could confirm as manaverse but…. Sauce and I have too much fun theorizing that and everything else so i dont wanna do that. So i just wanna ask one thing can i have a hint of what or who the dungeon is?

Gary Becker

2024-10-21 17:02:31 +0000 UTC

Wow I’m surprised you’re also a HoS fan! That series is great, but it’s been in a weird stage recently where the audio for book 5 has been delayed for a few years but the 6th book is already being teased. Hopefully they release soon, the author should make more audiobooks

Patrick

2024-10-21 16:55:34 +0000 UTC

Awesome, thanks

JediChris85

2024-10-21 16:39:41 +0000 UTC

Did you try to keep the number of relationships limited to allow for more time for each of them to shine or was that just the way the setting led into a focus on each one as they formed?

Thornorium

2024-10-21 16:35:04 +0000 UTC

Orthodox Cultivator gone Darkside, maybe? Fantasy or political/intrigue?

NovaZero

2024-10-21 16:34:49 +0000 UTC

AO 4 is in beta listens. Depending on how many errors are found, will determine if I can get it out to you all by Nov 9th. It's a little tight right now. RD 2 is in recording.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-21 16:33:34 +0000 UTC

Possibly.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-21 16:32:55 +0000 UTC

Right now, I'm not doing a whole lot of signing. There was the KS and I'll appear at DragonCon again next year.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-21 16:32:44 +0000 UTC

Also, I know Saving Supervillains is long done, but I’ve always been curious what happened on other continents. For everything that happened, we never really saw more than one section of what used to be the US with brief mentions of the west coast I think it was and South America.

JediChris85

2024-10-21 16:32:41 +0000 UTC

I absolutely want to continue to do new things. Space isn't the final frontier. Reincarnation is a big thought for a different setup. A little itchy to go back to classical cultivation settings, but darker.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-21 16:31:49 +0000 UTC

Fish, particularly Salmon.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-21 16:30:42 +0000 UTC

Hard.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-21 16:30:21 +0000 UTC

I work on something different each series. AO was working on banter and humor. It's quite prominent as a result in the series. I'll probably do more humor though, don't you worry.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-21 16:30:07 +0000 UTC

First, love your work. I have read or listened through all of them multiple times. Second, any word on when the AO 4 and RD 2 audiobooks are coming out? Thanks.😁

JediChris85

2024-10-21 16:29:21 +0000 UTC

To make up for the fact that humans have innate advantages of tactics, and more skills.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-21 16:29:11 +0000 UTC

It's hard to go back for me. A firm maybe, but not on the horizon at present.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-21 16:28:31 +0000 UTC

I poke around when I need more. Noted that you are interested.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-21 16:27:59 +0000 UTC

Anime - Bleach, Manga - Eminence in Shadow, Light Novel - Classroom of the Elite, Smut - Herald of Shalia.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-21 16:27:32 +0000 UTC

Thanks. Looking forward to it ^^

Lukas

2024-10-21 16:26:56 +0000 UTC

Nope and hadn't thought of it.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-21 16:20:24 +0000 UTC

It'll probably keep going.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-21 16:15:02 +0000 UTC

Yes. Though, I don't know if they'll join the harem.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-21 16:14:49 +0000 UTC

I have a sheet in my writing folder where I try and add characters/details.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-21 16:14:19 +0000 UTC

I've thought about teasing some of that out here in this book. At a certain point of the raven sphere, there are some fairly high level sensory abilities.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-21 16:13:47 +0000 UTC

Any chance we could get the update on Ken’s stats & impact of SnuSnu?

Stephen

2024-10-21 16:11:47 +0000 UTC

It's a good question. I don't know. With the Harem, I tend to make my characters larger than life to gravitate to that sort of life. Maybe a nice angle for me to do something a little different in the future. I'll think about it.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-21 16:08:53 +0000 UTC

Unlikely to return to old series at this point.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-21 16:07:41 +0000 UTC

Is there any way to order signed merch from you? I plan to get a framed print of Crimson and would love if it was signed!

Grimsnort

2024-10-21 16:05:42 +0000 UTC

Do you prefer chicken or fish?

Joshua

2024-10-21 16:05:04 +0000 UTC

Other than space, is there any genre you're thinking of covering? What about settings you've done but thought about approaching another way?

NovaZero

2024-10-21 16:04:01 +0000 UTC

You're not gonna croak anytime soon, are you?

NovaZero

2024-10-21 16:01:20 +0000 UTC

When reading yourself do you tend to prefer hard magic or soft magic systems?

Azazel

2024-10-21 16:00:16 +0000 UTC

Is there anything you’re trying to do different from your other series in AO? More relating to world building / inter character relationships than your other series. I’m reading DD after finding your books after AO, and I find I really prefer AOs characters. I’m curious if you’ve specifically tried to do something different with your writing compared to your other series.

Thornorium

2024-10-21 15:59:15 +0000 UTC

In Returner's Defiance why is it that players get so few stats per level compared to monsters of the same rank? Like an S-rank monster getting 100 stats per level while S-rank players get 10.

ArbabSB

2024-10-21 15:56:09 +0000 UTC

Favorite series are still SSV and DJ. I like the heroes not being perfect. Miles with his trauma (relatable) and Zach with his draconic urges(often laugh out loud funny). I haven’t got the same sense from the MCs of later series. I would like to see some more superhero content or stories set in the DJ world. Any plans to ever revisit that? DJ in particular wrapped up too easily.

Mistweaver

2024-10-21 15:53:55 +0000 UTC

Correct. Hence my question if we ever get someone "normal" who finds himself in the protag-role, who, either by luck or talent, earns power, a harem etc., but doesn't become too powerful/ important in the grand picture. DD had that feel for me, since ken was normal. But maybe he turns out to be someone special? Chosen of the dungeon, maybe? Future dungeon-master? 😅

Lukas

2024-10-21 15:53:09 +0000 UTC

How does one become a beta listener for your audiobooks?

Iron Akela

2024-10-21 15:52:57 +0000 UTC

Favorite anime, manga, light novel, and um… lesser known fiction book series?

gratch42

2024-10-21 15:52:55 +0000 UTC

Does The Order have to drink demon blood in order to rank up their bloodline skill? And are you considering retconning the name so as to not be quite so similar with Bran’s bloodline ability?

Iron Akela

2024-10-21 15:52:42 +0000 UTC

Does DD continue to play after school or does it end when the academy ends?

Hallo servus

2024-10-21 15:51:54 +0000 UTC

Absolutely. I wasn’t questioning the decision really, I was just curious what the complaint was. I enjoy Chris and Jessica too, so it’s not a big deal to me.

Matthaeus

2024-10-21 15:51:06 +0000 UTC

In Returner's Defiance will we meet any of Bran's love interests from his previous life?

ArbabSB

2024-10-21 15:50:57 +0000 UTC

RD 3 is up next after AO 5

Azazel

2024-10-21 15:49:02 +0000 UTC

Do you ever have trouble keeping all of you characters, their powers, and their backstories straight? I'm curious if you've had to make your own wiki for each universe or if you just keep track of things mentally? What's your process for managing it all?

Steven

2024-10-21 15:45:54 +0000 UTC

In Ards Oath 1 - how did Melinda and Uncle Valken know about Ard awakening? There was something mentioned about a prophecy, but that is never explored, and so far magic like that has never came up again. - could be another plot point or device to drive future developments

Caveman21

2024-10-21 15:45:28 +0000 UTC

Tbf Zach by nature of what he was could not have remained a low level investigator for long. Having him stuck in that mold would have stunted him.

ArbabSB

2024-10-21 15:45:20 +0000 UTC

Given the setup, changing that would mean the world itself changing it for some reason… and personally I think that would be a bit much if it helped Bran to hinder him like that. I feel like it wants to be saved from the demons, not some cosmic balance BS

Iron Akela

2024-10-21 15:44:08 +0000 UTC

Any plans on ever having a protagonist that isn't / doesn't become centre of the universe? Not saying it isn't fun, mind you. Just when you start a series like DJ I was fully on board with detective/mercenary for hidden world of monsters & magic (a la DresdenFiles or simillar). But then all that falls to the wayside for "Dragonking/FayEmperor". AO has a great balance: Ard is powerful but not (yet) steamrolling all problems. Love most of your work and it's a delight picking apart your worldbuilding. ^^

Lukas

2024-10-21 15:43:27 +0000 UTC

Is rd3 the next book

Joe Walsh

2024-10-21 15:42:29 +0000 UTC

Would you ever consider going back to some of what might seem un-resolved plots of previous series, DJ and SSV. There are some major misses in my opinion, the Titans and Vampires attacking dragons for DJ. And SSV leaves two characters I don't belive got a fair ending Ivanna and Amelia plus almost the Titans from that series. If paid for in Kickstarter would you consider writing 1 or 2 more books. I would pay for a better ending if you ask me.

Aaron Berube

2024-10-21 15:32:05 +0000 UTC

From Crimson's perspective they are the same thing.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-21 15:30:29 +0000 UTC

Huh i thought you wanted to write teacher as an answer?

Rotaugur

2024-10-21 15:29:01 +0000 UTC

Sadistic Torturer!

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-21 15:27:04 +0000 UTC

D&D Lawful vs Chaotic. So, he follows a set of rules rigidly, they just aren't society's at large and thus he's Evil.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-21 15:26:36 +0000 UTC

I think for the people that get to the end, a multiverse connection will be the most satisfying thing.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-21 15:25:31 +0000 UTC

That sounds like a nice card I could hold in my pocket if needed. I hadn't been planning on shifting it though.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-21 15:24:49 +0000 UTC

What's Crimson real class?

Rogue

2024-10-21 15:24:29 +0000 UTC

It wasn't word count short. 203 comes out to Kindle on Nov 9th.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-21 15:23:47 +0000 UTC

Honestly, I don't remember.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-21 15:22:28 +0000 UTC

Yes, I've been watching too much White Collar and think about a warlock con-man that has to make deals for powers.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-21 15:21:55 +0000 UTC

Lawfulin more like a personal codex or more like following the laws of society? If you mean like a codex, that i would recomend looking into iceblade. He is a evil son of a bitch with a killcound in the tens of billions , but he has a rather rigid set of moral that he follows, and to my knowledge never breaks them.

Rotaugur

2024-10-21 15:21:30 +0000 UTC

DJ I thought was the best starting point. Unsure how much people would be interested in Mana at this point? After DJ I could ask people what series they want and perhaps I'll be surprised.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-21 15:20:22 +0000 UTC

Honestly? Zach just got too strong.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-21 15:19:08 +0000 UTC

Do you think you would ever try an urban fantasy with a similar style to dragons justice in its early arcs before things got into dragon King stuff.

michael thomas

2024-10-21 15:18:59 +0000 UTC

Why was last dungeon diving book so rushed and short ? And when’s next one coming out ?

Andrew Sidebotham

2024-10-21 15:18:57 +0000 UTC

Yes, but I intend to keep them light. My worst fear is a new fan enjoying a newer series feels the need to read my entire body of work to understand major plot points. That can be quite intimidating, like how I can never get into Warhammer.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-21 15:18:43 +0000 UTC

In SSV, what prompted the retcon of Dr. Well's miniaturization power to perfect balance? It was a fairly significant plot point, as Wells miniaturizing her Ki sensor was the reason Miles' secret was revealed.

Ben Cooper

2024-10-21 15:18:23 +0000 UTC

Was the date of the rapture influenced, by bran hindering the demons from destroying Tartarus, and stealing the anchor?

Rotaugur

2024-10-21 15:17:39 +0000 UTC

I've thought about a con-man warlock series and a cultivation series where-in a MC goes from being an innocent kid to joining an 'evil sect' and slowly becomes evil to get what he wants. Chaotic Evil character's aren't really interesting for me to write. They have to be lawful to have a more grounded set of rules.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-21 15:17:31 +0000 UTC

Would be funny if there was a throne room with an empty seat, a big wall with all the names of the people that came befoe them and hidden behind the throne a small door with a plague and written on it is something like " Are you readdy for the next big adventure in multiverse?" wich is overlooked by kens party.

Rotaugur

2024-10-21 15:15:36 +0000 UTC

Do you have any intention of doing a special edition for a mages cultivation similar to what happened to dragons justice

michael thomas

2024-10-21 15:15:32 +0000 UTC

Back in the Dragon's Justice series, why were multi-element breaths and spells dropped after Book 3? I was disappointed we didn't see Flashfire, Deathrime, or other fun elemental combinations. Considering the fire/frost combo was used for a couple of major fights, I was surprised to never see it again.

Ben Cooper

2024-10-21 15:12:16 +0000 UTC

Will there be any more interaction with your multiversity in the future. I loved the connections between LR, Mana, and Dao, just curious if there will be more connections in the future.

Flaming Wulf

2024-10-21 15:11:03 +0000 UTC

Haha. That's a lot of art. If you guys keep wanting this much I'll have to hire another fulltime artist.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-21 15:10:52 +0000 UTC

Do you ever plan to write a story with a real villain as the mc, who remains firm in the villain category, and not an antihero like Miles from SSV? Not a psycho like the joker but someone like Icebladen (Mc from Stuard Grosse). Someone who does the evil things, like theaft, assassination, large skale destruktion similar to a WMD, and more, out of the joy and adventure it bringes him and not the need to do so?

Rotaugur

2024-10-21 15:10:25 +0000 UTC

The community voted with overwhelming numbers to move away from them. Like 71% of 800 people. At that point, I have to listen.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-21 15:08:43 +0000 UTC

From each? SSV - I gave away Miles' origin story too early, LR - That I didn't know how to make a plot yet, Dao - 3rd person is hard, Dragon's Justice - The Dragonettes they were the start of the harem bloat, Mana - no regrets except that readership dwindled pretty badly when I took a break from the series to do Dao and finish up LR.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-21 15:07:51 +0000 UTC

Absolutely love your writing, by the way! Reading or listening to your work has been the distraction I need through some tough times. Thank you!

Matthaeus

2024-10-21 15:07:20 +0000 UTC

Good, keep them going for a nice long time! Those two are my favorites of your series.

John

2024-10-21 15:06:28 +0000 UTC

Possibly at the end. I didn't realize until we were a few books in how interested people were in what was at the bottom of the dungeon. For a writer, there's always a massive worry that you can't make everyone happy when you finally answer that question.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-21 15:05:20 +0000 UTC

I’ve been dealing with family issues for the last few months and have been largely out of the loop. I read somewhere that you’re moving away from Lewis Alexander and Rozelyn Rader, but could you give me a quick catch up on why? I thought they did a great job.

Matthaeus

2024-10-21 15:05:04 +0000 UTC

What is one regret you have from each of your completed series?

Steven Polanco

2024-10-21 15:04:55 +0000 UTC

With Dungeon Diving will Ken ever get to the bottom of the dungeon and/or meet or learn more about the dungeon intelligence that controls it all?

John

2024-10-21 15:04:16 +0000 UTC

Go back to the city, Gloria be a princess and require Bran to make up with her. Go into the Vault with Vincent. Possibly some time skips to get closer to the Rapture. That's the end of my notes...

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-21 15:04:14 +0000 UTC

Yes, we'll probably defeat Garrish in the next two books and then Ard's head is big enough he'll pick a fight with the gods.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-21 15:03:06 +0000 UTC

SSV1 was a big breakout for me, but I feel like the audience interest has shifted away from super heros in a big way.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-21 15:02:33 +0000 UTC

Both have quite the runway at present. I don't see an end to either of them.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-21 15:01:06 +0000 UTC

The idea is quite intimidating if I'm honest. Right now I have no plans for it.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-21 15:00:45 +0000 UTC

I think seeing Beth at the end of the book would make a great 'full circle' type thing, but no she's just superstitious. There's no ultimate plot plan for her.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-21 14:59:49 +0000 UTC

What are your plans for returner's defiance 3?

Dead-energy

2024-10-21 14:59:34 +0000 UTC

Haha. None. I'm pretty good at putting things down and going headlong into the new.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-21 14:59:03 +0000 UTC

You do realize that the nefarious intention behind the question was to get you thinking about the idea and leave you open to the suggestion to have all of these rendered for us, right?

Az Reel

2024-10-21 14:58:39 +0000 UTC

Maybe, it was supposed to pick up after the end of Legendary Rule on Ajax's earth and show how it would transform into Mana's world.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-21 14:58:36 +0000 UTC

Ken: Des - Bat, Charlotte - Carrot her green hair would make a cute sprout, Felin - Dog, Fayeth - Also dog, Crimson - Sexy cat, Elysara - Cow.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-21 14:57:48 +0000 UTC

Will the gods be more involved in the next two Ards Oath books? Seems like you can do a lot with them.Can’t wait either way 👍.

Rob Newports

2024-10-21 14:57:39 +0000 UTC

You ever think of making a sequel series for saving supervillins? Maybe like a portal fantasy where they all end up exploring some new dimension with new adventures and dangerous enemies?

V4Ford

2024-10-21 14:56:54 +0000 UTC

Do you have an idea of how many books the Dungeon Diving and Returner's Defiance series will go on for?

ArbabSB

2024-10-21 14:56:34 +0000 UTC

Bran: Simone - Fox hands down, Nyx - Snake duh, she has half the costume, Gloria - Tiger.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-21 14:55:56 +0000 UTC

Ard: Aurelia - Would own her Manticore name, Maribelle - Bat, Emlyn - Probably a wolf or a horse, Zuri - Cat.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-21 14:55:17 +0000 UTC

A space odyssey, reincarnation into another world or a Super-Mimic MC. Those are the three side projects I dabble in right now.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-21 14:53:43 +0000 UTC

If Ard's girls had to go to an animal themed costume ball, what animal would each girl choose? Same question for Bran and Ken's girls of course :P

Az Reel

2024-10-21 14:53:41 +0000 UTC

Have you ever thought of doing some kind of small (or big) crossover story between one or more groups from your books?

Matthew Zbaracki

2024-10-21 14:53:07 +0000 UTC

AO 4 is in beta listeners hands. Hopefully we can get it turned around for Nov 9th. RD is being recorded.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-21 14:52:25 +0000 UTC

Will we be seeing Beth again? Rereading Ard book 1, and she seems to know more about magic than she should for a tavern keeper in the middle of no where.

Salientmind

2024-10-21 14:51:59 +0000 UTC

What "finished" series have you thought about going back to the most?

Jeremy Patrick

2024-10-21 14:51:50 +0000 UTC

Would you ever circle back to that demon summoner story you had. I like summoner/tamer stories.

Bob Bryan

2024-10-21 14:51:33 +0000 UTC

Pacific chorus frog. They are the only species of frog in the world that makes the 'ribbit' noise. However, they are native to the Hollywood area and because of that they've tricked the entire world into thinking all frogs ribbit. Think about that next time a frog ribbits on TV.

Bruce Sentar

2024-10-21 14:51:22 +0000 UTC

Any updates on audible release schedule for AO and RD series?

Haran Prana

2024-10-21 14:50:12 +0000 UTC

What new series are you considering for the future?

Lazyperson321

2024-10-21 14:50:00 +0000 UTC

What's your favorite type of frog?

Awesomesauce Stuff

2024-10-21 14:48:29 +0000 UTC

Q&A 10-21-24

Comments

Yep, RNG sux

Makes sense. I pointed out to one author that her books all seemed related and she said, nope, all completely independent universes. 6 mo later she was advertising them as all being from different points on the timeline in the same universe. XD

I would also like to see her join

I would like to see more progression on his harem, I like how things were going with Penny and Ken. I'm so excited to see how the rest of the class reacts to Ken.

That's tough, my husband would be interested if they were anime. It's a toss up with DD, AO, or RD. Your books would be awesome animes.

I would like to see Helen in Ken's harem but I think with time since she needs to get over her hangups. Not everything needs to be rushed but I can see Penelope being in the harem before Helen.

I think it might help Ard with the Strathmoore family since some were working for the Royals. Plus I was curious about them as well.

He doesn’t upload that much anymore https://www.artstation.com/yanaidraws

i want to see her join aswell

Will Ard embrace his Zenov heritage?

Eminence in shadow is actually a really good series. I watched the anime first and went down the manga and light novel rabbit hole because shows always miss or change details but it’s actually pretty close together in what you get

1 last question is sienna a 1 or 2 sphere mage? I do not remember that ever being answered but we know she is a wolf mage but in book 2 chapter 27 it looks like it says she used dark magic. Yet she only has one anchor.

All I can say is a fucking knew it 🤣

Would love for Ard to help heal his anchor that was hurt

First Immortal.

What series would be first in the multiverse timeline?

his 'naughty things' room If i recall correctly. i think things like his magazines.

I like the idea of her joining but she needs to be tamed first, some time away might make her appreciate Ken more

“My master is a pervert. According to his grandfather, he nearly bought out an entire porn shop at the end of the semester,” Ami replied. “If it exists, he likely has porn of it, or his grandfather does. There is a room… that I am forbidden by the grandmothers to enter.”

Will the 74 wives become reality at the end of next book? no. Will Ken maybe be a little hornier this next book? Yes.

Nope, I've signed Amazon and Audible exclusivity. Everyone who's in Kindle Unlimited has. I do have a store on my site. Brucesentar.com though if you have things you want let me know, I'll make Chris mock it up and make more.

I play lots of TTRPGs. There's a group I've been playing with going on 9 years now. We've played around, but D&D 3e will always hold a special place in my heart. Recently, I've been wanting to play with darker themes, but those don't do great in Haremlit, so I've stayed away.

The Strathmoore mage and his wife. They are in my notes. I don't know when or if I'll use them again.

It's actually above average word count for my stories. Ard is also extra thicc and RD is also on the larger end of what I've written... thinking about it the series have been growing larger.

I was going to, but then there was such negative response to her that I edged away. She might be cooling off in the background and make a reappearance idk.

Yes, every series has been thought of at least in my head as a world on the world tree.

RD is connected to the Manaverse.

So if you comment in Patreon or The discord form, my assistant scoops those up weekly and puts them into the manuscript before they go onto their next step in the editing process.

Yes after AO 5 will be RD 3. I keep everything in a rotation with only a little shakeup when things drop out. No clue yet on books in the series.

Monster artists are so much rarer than pinup artists! If you know a good one I could take a look.

Grandpa's room? In what context, honestly I forget.

I feel like an Ard anime would have "Wave, Listen to me!" Vibes

Will Ken actually start living up to his Demon Lord Incubus nature now that he has properly defeated Snu Snu?

Eyes of Wisdom.

Do you publish outside of Amazon? Do you offer direct e-book purchasing and other services? Do you have a store for challenge coins, shirts, and other items? You are a prolific author—how do you keep up the volume? What tools do you use?

Would love an SSV version of this myself!!!

Do you play/run any table top rpgs? If so of the one you've tried which did you like the most? What storyline or elements are you interested in adding to a story but think wouldn't go over well?

On the fort in AO were two other mages (in the second book i think). One of them were tuched by one of the three mage forged that invaded early on and her soul damaged. Will those two appear again and will Ard be able to heal her, or did they die in the fort?

Why is DD so small? All of your other ones that I have read have 40+ chapters. It seems like Ken and company are getting short shrift in the story lines.

Yes. If Eyes of Wisdom worked the way it was last described Ken would have run out of mana and died in the server room fight at the slave castle. He used it the whole fight. Not to mention when he was out with Felin and the dwarf fight.

It's clearly laid out that Zach broke up with her. He literally says it's because he knew she was keeping secrets. Her response to that was that she thought the sex would have been enough to keep him around.

“EoW” Eyes of Wisdom, “HQ” Harem Queen, “DQ” Dwarf Queen

Are you ever going to add Helen to Ken's harem? If I have ever seen a woman more in dire need of having her toes curled a few times, I can't remember!

Could the legendary beast in RD be tangentially related to the ancient bloodlines. Like the leech beast to the black monarch? Or more specifically does the legendary beast that protected (that version of) earth have origins in relationto the first immortal?

I am a big fan of Returners Definance. I am not sure if I missed it somewhere, is book 3 the next book? Do you have a plan for how long it will be?

Love your work was wondering if from DD104 i think felin and amy talked about grandpas room will felin find it? Could be some fun story lol

I don’t understand he could control all matter, time and space through energy manipulation alone, if we’re abiding by any relation to real laws of physics lol…

I want to keep moving things into webcomics because I think that's the pipeline to eventually do something like Anime. Personally, I think my stories lend themselves to anime more. If I had to pick one... I'd probably do Ard's Oath.

The comic could very well add to the 'success' metric. However, season 1 of the comic which will roughly be book 1, won't end until the end of next year. So, I'll probably still look at Ebook/audiobook for when the series has hit it's end.

Which of your series if you were given a blank check would you turn into an anime, live TV show, and movie and which format would you most like to use (I’m guessing anime based on the Bleach answer earlier)

You gotta bring Helen in the harem, she is so obstinate and aggressive it would be amazing to see Ken break down her walls!

Oh shit, I forgot about that!

Hey Bruce! Do we have an idea on how many books to expect in DD series? Considering that the webcomic is still coming, is it safe to assume you’ll want to continue the series long term if the comic does well?

Unofficial name for Eyes of Wisdom

So she breaks it off? Or Zach starts to not trust her

EOW?

Nyske was too obsessed, while also clearly hiding something from Zach. Also, she was managing illusions over herself. Yes, the new patch bitch does get with Zach.

Favorite character? Ard. Hmmm. I'd probably like to be in Mana's universe. There's no random chance at what you are instead you have every option available to you with enough hard work. With my luck, I'd get a shit super power in SSV's universe.

Penny will get some time next book that's fairly solidified. The two elves will be departing to help their world after this catastrophic event. I'm going to probably rotate some girls in and out to keep a 5 man party.

That was because they reset my options when posting chapters. Multiple things were wonky and I deleted it.

No, it's not the same world. LR's world becomes Mana's world. Isaac hides in a PIU with Michelle in book 1.

Noted, but the group is presently full.

Started Eminence in Shadow. Thanks for answers and having a QA.

Thanks. On your list of future ideas, I didn’t see any post Apocalypse concepts. Most of what’s out there is terrible, with a few exceptions. Is this an area of interest, particularly for a cultivator?

Why did Zach and Nsyke break up before the events of Dragons Justice? Does the Beta Wolf ever manage to worm her way into Zach's harem?

If you ike stories like that, then read the series remnant from randy darren.

What about an earthlike cultivationworld, (Quinzaifashi for example) and you throw in an system apocalypse? Or you use a super world, and the system tries to make sense of the powers, while also integrating them into itself? With the mc being at first the only system admin?

Hello! I'm a big fan of your stories and have about every audiobook released. (Great to listen to at work.) I have 2 questions. 1st Who is your favorite character you have created? 2nd Which universe of your stories would you like to be in?

How do you plan on dealing with potential harem bloat in Dungeon Diving? You have been hinting about adding other established characters in for awhile now and it would be a shame not to see some finally make it.

I am really enjoying your books, just about all of them. I recently received a chapter in an email saying I had this chapter 2 days before anyone else...what was/is this for? can I get more like this or less, or just what was this?

Jadelyn seemed like a 1 child and done kind of woman. So, yes. Yev's daughter? I don't have anything in my notes about her specifically. The children highlighted at the end were largely to highlight the rebound of the dragon population.

I should add more. Frank was a big fan favorite, however with the Harem Bloat, it's hard to keep up other side characters.

How does one become a beta listener?

I think the main characters you write are my favourite of any series, but any other male characters I struggle to remember. Do you think in future books you might add in other male characters to be a foil/rival to the main? Thinking Goku and Vegeta or Luffy/Zoro type relationships.

From Dragon's Justice, can you tell us something about Zach's daughter with Yev? We see her egg from books 7-9 but in the closing chapters we didn't see her among the other kids? Also did Zach have children with Jadelyn?

I'm partial to smoking my salmon

Same. Favorite way to cook it?

One of the best examples is when Miles was interrupted on his way to work and just absolutely crushed someone in a bead of blood.