2 To Ramble The End of Sun Eater w/ Christopher Ruocchio | 2 To Ramble #288
Dec 5, 2025
Christopher Ruocchio, the acclaimed author behind the Sun Eater series, dives into his writing journey and the concluding book, Shadows Upon Time. He shares insights about balancing his creative process with parenting, revealing how early influences like Tolkien shaped his craft. The discussion includes his meticulous outlining method, the challenges of trimming lengthy drafts, and the importance of emotional resonance in storytelling. Ruocchio also critiques spoiler culture and reflects on the moral complexities in his protagonist's choices.
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Early Play And Long-Term Worldbuilding
- Christopher Ruocchio began writing Sun Eater material as a child and finished The Murdered Son by age 22.
- Early play-acting (Batman at recess) and persistent note-taking fed the long-term worldbuilding of the series.
Earn Big Page Counts Economically
- Write shorter books and series when you're a debut author to improve bookstore placement and publisher economics.
- Earn the right to write very long books by proving consistent sales and audience demand first.
Outline To Free Creative Bandwidth
- Ruocchio uses large, detailed outlines to remove 'thinking' friction during drafting.
- He treats the outline as a low-pressure place to exhaust plot and worldbuilding so writing focuses on craft and voice.
