CTNP offers a unique experience each time you visit! The page's top image and the side character image with associated quotation randomize, providing you with a dynamic Chrono experience with every viewing of the site. All quotes are actual lines used in the novel.

"Mystics smell terrible..."

—Marle

To all those who love greatness and believe in the power of hope and ambition, welcome to the home of the Chrono Trigger Novel Project. Within this project is an unmatched passion for the Chrono series, in particular the story within. The CTNP exists with the goal of achieving great things in the future through the mythos of the Chrono series, starting with the novelization of the timeless classic, Chrono Trigger.

Would you like to read and critique the novel? Signing on beta readers now! Go here to apply. Check out the results of beta reading so far at the About the Novel page.





CTNP News

3/12/20 —Happy Birthday, Chrono Trigger!

Hard to believe it's been 25 years since this amazing game came out! Show some nostalgic love today, or at least some time this year, and dust off that old New Game + you've been neglecting.

Here's hoping for something new to finally happen in the series one day. Personally, I hope for a certain novelization to press forward...but I might be a tad biased.

1/28/20 —New Beta Reader System Launches

See that new "Beta Reader" option in the top menu? ChronoTrigger.com now sports a brand-new system for managing beta reader applications, files distribution, and feedback. I don't know of any other writers that have ever actually created their own online beta-reading systems...so, yeah, I'm pretty stoked!

Why not start your own beta-reading experience now? Just to to "Become a Beta Reader" under the "Beta Readers" menu above...or click here if you're lazy like the rest of us. Please contact me if you run into any problems. We tested pretty extensively...but, hey, it's a new system, after all!

12/28/19 —Work Continues

Yeah, I know. My first site update in 2019, and it's the end of December. Even at that, this isn't really a site update so much as an announcement of updates to come very soon.

First, beta reading has continued to go very well for the novel. I will soon provide some updated statistics for the "About the Novel" page soon, but suffice to say that its performance among readers remains pretty steady. Really, it breaks down like this: the novel is totally ready. Sure, a future publisher, editor, and even Square Enix might have their share of requested changes...but I have every confidence it is ready for that next step. All that truly remains is for Square Enix to step up and allow us to breathe life back into this property.

That said, beta reading is still open to applicants. In fact, CTNP beta reading is about to get much more robust. Stay tuned for a major site update, coming very soon, which will introduce an online beta reading system to make the application process smoother, faster, and easier to manage. Approved beta readers will then be able to login to obtain chapters online and view, save, and submit their feedback questionnaire. I daresay it will be quite a slick system, which I plan to use for all my major writing projects down the road.

Speaking of that, I'll take this opportunity to say that my own brand-new epic fantasy series is coming along nicely. This will be a very character-driven time-travel adventure story, fully intended for publication (and without those pesky copyright barriers). The results of alpha reading are extremely positive so far. Fans of Chrono Trigger should be excited for this, as well. It's a totally different adventure, of course, but success of this new series will only increase the chance of further development for the CT Novel. More will be announced about this project once the time is right.

With that, I wish everyone a terrific remainder of the holiday season and an amazing New Year. May the year 2020 be one of fulfillment, success, and purpose-driven direction.

11/14/18 —For Your Listening Pleasure

Things are pretty steady right now. I'm still happily signing on beta readers, so please use the links above if you're interested in reading and critiquing the first complete novel. Several more critiques have come in, and the novel continues to score consistently well. I will say that, at this point, I've had plenty of feedback from fans of the game. I'm thrilled to keep those coming. However, it would be awesome to get some more readers involved who have NOT played the game. Generally these should be readers who enjoy reading epic fantasy, which is the format followed in this novelization.

Meanwhile, work on my new novel series is progressing nicely. This takes most of my time right now.

I mentioned an audiobook version of the novel back in May. I still want to get that completed, but at the moment it is behind other more pressing projects. This is something that takes way longer to complete than I originally anticipated. If it's something you're interested in seeing me complete, however, I'd love to hear from you.

It's also my hope to start up a CTNP Facebook page in the near future, as perhaps a more effective means of staying in touch with the fan base. Keep an eye open for further news about that.

Finally, if you like really awesome video game soundtracks, or even just great sounding instrumental music, please check out Samo Studios. This fellow, Sam Dillard, has put together several really fantasic albums as cinematic tributes to classic game series such as Chrono, Metroid, and Zelda. (I personally love using the Metroid album as background music while writing.) These are described as epic retellings of the original music set to the film score of our imaginations. Chrono Cinematica is, of course, a standout, but all of the albums are truly amazing. Many of these tracks are absolutely glorious, and you should stop what you're doing right now and get these albums. Seriously. Then, once you're pumped up with some awesome music, sign up as a beta reader and start reading!

5/11/18 —Beta Readers Still Welcome (Eyesight Optional)

The first installment of the novelized Chrono series continues to receive positive feedback from readers. If you are interested in reading the complete first novel and providing feedback, I am still accepting beta readers. (Please only request to sign on as a beta reader if you will commit to reading consistently and providing feedback. A feedback questionnaire is provided with the beta package, which I feel makes the process smoother for both of us.)

As part of the questionnaire readers are asked to rate each chapter from 1 to 10. With 26 chapters, the highest score possible is 260. I'm very pleased to report that the novel has received its very first PERFECT score, and this coming from a blind reader who actually experienced it using a computerized audio reader, optimized with the help of a friend. I just found that to be super cool and am thrilled that he was able to enjoy the story so much. (Prior to this, the novel had a near-perfect score from another reader of 258.)

This has even inspired me to move forward with developing my own "audiobook" version of the novel as a side project. I may later make that available to readers by request...but let's see how it turns out first.

12/15/17 —Twilight

Well, Star Wars: The Last Jedi is out, so it seems as good a time as any for a website update.

First off, I'd like to wish everyone a very merry Christmas and happy holiday season. However you celebrate this special time of year, may it be a true blessing for you and your loved ones.

Next is an update...and, frankly, it's not an easy one. Many visitors to this site know how persistent I have pursued getting the rights to publish the Chrono Trigger novel. It's a dream that has literally existed for decades now. I've expended significant resources and exhaustive efforts reaching out to Square Enix, and in that I was recently successful. We were able to make direct contact and get the project before the team in Japan once again. And, once again, they've declined to move forward with any discussions regarding a license for the Chrono property. The door isn't absolutely closed; right now it just isn't open.

I can only begin to speculate as to why. I've approached this via enough different angles to feel confident that it isn't me, the project, or the novel itself. They know how long I've been doing this and how passionately I've toiled to make this happen. My approach has been professional, using a first-rate IP lawyer and industry contacts. I've shown how serious I am about this brand with the approach, vision, strategy, planning, quality, and resources poured into it. I can only hope that, someday, they will be able to see that and revisit this opportunity. It is certainly my commitment to myself and to the fans to exhaust every effort. So far, I can tell you that I have.

In summer 2016 the Chrono Compendium, one of the foremost remaining Chrono fan websites, made the statement that "the Chrono series is in its twilight." As true as that may seem, I've chosen to hope that the novel could change that course. I firmly believe that the novel is the best way to revitalize this brand, keep it alive, and allow it to reach its full potential. The pages of this website will help you see why this novel is made to do just that. But my belief in that isn't enough. Whatever holds Square Enix back on progressing this brand has to change, and if that day finally comes, I will be more than ready and willing to engage in that discussion.

In the meantime, I am continuing to sign on beta readers and invite anyone interested in participating to contact me. I truly believe you won't be disappointed, and you may even be amazed. You can see how other readers have already reacted to the novel by visiting the About the Novel page.

As for other news, at the core my passion remains to publish an epic fantasy novel series. I had hoped to start with Chrono Trigger, but since that remains on hold I have decided to move forward with my own brand-new series. It's way too early to really say anything about it here, but please do look for further updates and announcements to come.

As always, if there are any developments to announce, you'll see it here first. Peace!

11/4/17 —Updated Content and Artwork

I've just gone through the entire site, cleaning up some text and adding new information. One particular highlight is the About the Novel page, where a breakdown of the first novel's beta reading results thus far has been added. As a special feature, brand-new Novel Character Artwork is now being debuted for your viewing enjoyment. This new artwork complements this project as a fresh breath of air for the story and the characters, and they fit directly with how the characters are presented in the novel.

Things remain active in the project. Stay tuned for further news and updates!

8/5/17 —First Novel Completed

While site updates may be a bit slow, progress in the project is not. Since October of last year, I have steered the entire first novel through a process of beta reading and final edits, which ultimately spanned three separate rounds. I have been very pleased with the results. As a result of this process, I now have metrics that tell me several important things, such as: both existing fans and non-fans of Chrono Trigger seem to enjoy the book equally; the novel is effectively standing on its own as a work of fantasy fiction; and it performs well among both female and male demographics. The feedback gained through this process has also resulted in some new content and modifications that I am particularly pleased with.

So, as of July 23rd, I have declared the first novel finished...for now.

I say "for now" for a few reasons. Among the most exciting is that I have managed to obtain a review and critique from best-selling fantasy writer Patrick Rothfuss, author of "The Kingkiller Chronicle" series. I'm very excited to hear his take and words of wisdom, and I have little doubt that his feedback will lead me to change at least something in the novel. Secondly, should I successfully obtain rights from Square Enix, there could be changes suggested by the eventual editor or publisher...but personally I expect them to be few. I'm not trying to brag, but after so many years of edits and rewrites, this thing is pretty air-tight.

Third, there could be an additional round of beta reading in the future, but that is not for sure. Should you have an interest in being a beta reader in the future, however, please drop me a note from the contact page.

I plan to do another update very soon to share some of the results and comments from the beta reading process.

1/11/17 —The Effort Continues

Happy New Year! Optimism abounds for all of us involved in the CTNP, as we hope for great and amazing developments to come for the novel and Chrono brand over the coming year!

Beta reading is progressing nicely, with a good sampling of folks both familiar and unfamiliar with Chrono Trigger. A few readers have been kind enough to submit blurbs to summarize their thoughts:





"So many who came of age in the '80s and '90s remember Chrono Trigger fondly as one of the best video games of its era or any era since. Just check out the crazy prices for the original game cartridge on eBay! Perhaps more importantly, Chrono Trigger is remembered for its rich storyline that played out over the course of many hours in the game. With his vision for an expanded plot and even more in-depth character development, Wayne has brought that story to vivid life in the form of a novel that is sure, not only to satisfy the game's existing fans, but to bring in a whole new generation of Chrono fanatics. "Since I first came across the Chrono Trigger Novel Project in the early 2000s, I've been impressed with Wayne's persistence, year after year, in completing and revising the novel itself and in striving to bring it to publication in the right way with the right people. Next to their original creators, Crono, Marle, Lucca, and friends have no bigger cheerleader."

- John Stanifer, author of Virtuous Worlds: The Video Gamer's Guide to Spiritual Truth

"A fitting tribute to a fantastic game, the Chrono Trigger Novel fully captures the gaming masterpiece that is Chrono Trigger. All the action and characters you’ve missed, and most importantly the story you love is back in a brand new way. The book is perfectly suited for any fantasy novel fan, but it is an absolute must for any gamer."

- Ryan Harger

"Chrono Trigger is known for its depth, but it's impressive how much room Wayne has found to expand and deepen its plot and cast, while remaining utterly faithful to the original story. Ayla has surprising depth, Spekkio is a riot, and Lucca is even more ingenious than ever. Every quality that is beloved about the cast is magnified, so there's that much more to love. Each character has their own unique "voice" that impacts their dialogue. Even if it's not explicitly stated who says a particular line, it's easy to look at and say "Oh yeah, that's a Lucca line for sure." Crono has a last name, a personality, a history, and a father. Every detail is painstakingly considered. I once thought the Chrono series had written itself into a corner, making it difficult to make more. But at this level of detail, it's so clear to see that the Chrono universe has many, many more stories to tell. The lore has been smoothed out and expanded, the world adapted to a larger, more realistic scale, the maps given consistency from era to era. Everything about this novel (and its sequels) is patiently crafted with the utmost care. The cast all have their quirks and fears, and characters who were only a brief blip now have detailed histories, even if those histories don't come directly through in the novel itself. The characterization is what really shines here... Every character, major and minor, just has so much MORE to them than ever before. " - Jacob Kuntzman





10/28/16 —Beta Reading in Process

I reached a significant milestone less than two months ago with the completion of all my edits and changes to the first novel. Now we have an actual, full-length novel. Following this achievement, I've just begun a beta reading process, which is spanning both long-time fans of the game and other readers who have never played Chrono Trigger before. Take a look below at what one of the readers is already saying about the novel:





"You are making me fall in love all over again with characters I already loved. ... I'm not kidding. This is better in an unedited state than most finished, published books I've read." "I actually halfway want to ask you to lock all 7 heroes in a room for 24 hours, put some magical enchantment on it so they can't kill each other (they get blown back if they try), and just write out the hilarity that ensues."

- Jacob Kuntzman

6/1/16 — Initate Launch Sequence

After nearly 13 years, the internet home of the Chrono Trigger Novel Project finally has a new website! This site is somewhat simplified, currently without a lot of multimedia content. Its purpose right now is simply to be informative about the novel and its progress.

I’m also proud to announce that CTNP is the new home of the ChronoTrigger.com and ChronoTrigger.net domain names, in addition to our long-standing toponym of ChronoTrigger.info. This step marks one of the first significant financial investments into CTNP’s future, an early sign that CTNP is in fact ready for business. That being said, I do want to be clear that CTNP and this website are not officially affiliated with Square Enix in any way, and that the intellectual properties of Chrono Trigger and Chrono Cross are fully owned and controlled by Square Enix. This is a fan-made website for a personal project, which ultimately will be proposed for further development, at the sole discretion of the IP holder.

Finally, I want to thank all of the fans and friends who have continued to stand by my side in keeping this dream alive. We look forward to bright horizons and an amazing future for the Chrono brand.

4/29/16 — Of Things to Come

There is much movement in the Chrono Trigger Novel Project these days; suffice it to say that for now. The novel is being polished in some amazing ways; a new website will be shortly launched; dreams and goals abound for this franchise; and, in due time, we will approach Square Enix with our proposal to do amazing things with the Chrono series. Right now I am very excited and very driven, and I invite you to share in that excitement and hopeful anticipation of something wonderful to come. Till then, farewell, my friends!

10/25/15 — Aged Like A Fine Wine

That's how I see the CT Novel these days. I have chosen now to make an update, because there is actually something to report. I've mentioned before how recent years in my life have represented a period of refinement for me both personally and professionally, with many significant changes that have their own direct and indirect effects on how this long-standing project is handled. Well, about 10 days ago I acted on some of that which has been specifically gained on the professional level by placing a call with a well-connected contact in the licensing industry. We specifically discussed the Chrono Trigger Novel and a strategy most likely to finally gain a serious audience with Square Enix. This development has motivated me to once again make the CT Novel a priority achievement, right up there with my time spent on work and family. That, my friends, is truly the biggest update I could hope to give you at this time.

To address the earlier statement, "aged like a fine wine," to most (myself included), this project may seem to go nowhere fast. In many respects, that is true, but it's all about timing and readiness - not just for me personally but also for the fan base, for Square Enix, for the story itself, and for the overall market. With the 20th anniversary of Chrono Trigger having come and gone, it seems safe to say that nothing truly new is going to happen in this series without some kind of "awakening." To me, that perfect awakening is in the retelling of this story in novel format, a completely new and expansive way to broaden its reach and invoke a fresh breath of life. Timing has also worked to the advantage of this novel's quality, which speaks both to my personal growth as a writer as well as canonical developments over time (most recently via the Nintendo DS version of the game) and a wealth of fan analysis that has been extremely beneficial to help tackle loose ends and enigmas. I primarily have both the Chrono Compendium website and the CTNP's own forums to thank for that over the years. This all helps me to tie all available story elements together as neatly as possible, from the original storytelling medium of the SNES to the Playstation to the DS to original Japanese script translations and on into Chrono Cross. Rest assured that all of these are implemented into the novel as carefully as possible, while the novel itself continues to stand with its own identity and contributions to the story we all know and love, and what we hope to achieve for the future. After all, do we not all ultimately hope for a new installment to the series, something which gives us more appropriate closure following Serge's adventure in Cross? I press forward fully convicted that the CT Novel has the power to help affect this change and advance the series in ways we have all hoped to see for so many years now. The popularity of the Chrono series is indisputable. As recently as earlier this month, Clevver Movies listed Chrono Trigger among 7 video games they would love to see turned into a movie (check that out here). Yet, we've seen minimal action from SE on this series, and I have to assume there may be very unique reasons and challenges which contribute to that. Whatever those challenges may be, I now believe that the unique approach of this novel may be just the kind of advancement we need to finally turn the tides and advance this series.

There are actually a few website updates to report, which include content updates to the Personal and Contactpages. Right now my focus is on the novel itself, as finishing this is the most important thing of all. As I'm able to dedicate time otherwise, I will go through the various pages of this site and the forum for updates and highlight them here. Finally, thanks for hanging in there with me and believing in this project. As you can see, I'm still in the fight to make this happen, so keep your eyes peeled for more to come!