“There’s never a dull moment…it’s jam-packed with monumental events and action to look forward to.” – Independent Book Review
If it does well these next three months I might keep it there. What do you think?
If I stood back and looked at where my life is at the moment it might seem like I’m caught up in a whirlpool. Family issues brings children and grandchildren back into my too-small house, but this time we’ve all adjusted to the temporary situation and I think it’s going to definitely be for the better.
What really surprises me is that, in this chaos, I’ve started not just one project, but FOUR. I’ve never worked on more than one project at a time, but it’s actually giving me more writing energy than I thought I had!
I’m just thankful I have a house these kids can come back to when they need it. My husband and I have been a stable influence on their lives. It’s a good thing.
Projects I’m working:
Hoarfrost to Roses as a omnibus. Yes it will be a Kickstarter so I’m working on the video in bits and pieces. I still need to write the script. One thing that’s harder to write than a short blurb for a story is a short blurb for a series! I’m getting practice. Can’t say I’ve succeeded yet!
After going through the first book again and editing it, I realize just how much fun I had writing this story. Grai and his ghost have captured my heart again. What fun conversations they have with each others. The idea is that Grai, who was brutally stabbed and left for dead, is rescued by his spirit and brought to his grandfather’s estate which was destroyed by an earthquake and fire. There’ he’s hiding out. Adele, who lives with her uncle next door, and who has her own tragedies to overcome, finds them. Now Grai’s ghost is the tender, emotional part of Grai, whereas Grai in the flesh is cynicle and about to give up on life. His spirit tries to comfort him by revitalizing the beautiful roses in the garden with a magical touch of the spiritual. (Hence, the title Hoarfrost to Roses). Adele witnesses this magic and curiously trespasses onto the property, where Grai’s ghost finds her lovely and charming. Grai has his doubts. He’s afraid that his murderers might return and finish him off and grab the much coveted estate. His ghost tried to convince him to fall in love with Adele or to at least let her nurse his wounds.
Of course, the mystery is they need to find out who his would-be murderers are before they return and finish him off, grab the property and sell it to the railroad. This is all based on history of 1879 Port Townsend, WA.
That must demand some kind of celebration!
Maybe I should pull up some of my old posts and revitalize them. I remember the most fun I had with Word Press was the A – Z blog hop where all of us bloggers picked a subject and made a post every day with that theme starting with A to Z. Everyone had something different and I chose mythical creatures.
I’ll have to dig up those old posts. Blog hops were fun. If anyone is doing them again let me know!
For now I just want to give a shout out to DL Fowler and the children’s book he’s going to be launching soon. Not because I did the illustrations for him, but because this is a new adventure for him. His forte has been historical fiction, i.e. he studied the life and personality of Abraham Lincoln and has been awarded prestigous awards for his research and sensitive interpretation of the man and his life in his books.
Lincoln Raw is an extremely well written historically accurate novel.
Seven-year-old Abraham Lincoln’s boyhood dies when his father drags their family from the relative comfort of Kentucky into an unforgiving Indiana wilderness. While suffering rebuke for teaching himself to read and write, Abraham endures rumors of illegitimate birth, escapes death a half-dozen times, labors to repay his father’s debts, and grieves the deaths of his infant brother, angel mother, precious sister, and beloved sweetheart.
By his early thirties, he casts off his parents’ religion, becomes estranged from his closest friend, and loses faith in his own character when he breaks an engagement to marry a woman he doesn’t love. He spirals into life-threatening depression.
In the prime of life, unable to keep a pledge made to his dying mother, to become someone special, he wrestles with self-doubt, abandons politics, and resigns himself to a life of mediocrity. But when his long-time rival opens the door for slavery’s expansion across half the globe, Lincoln rises to meet the greatest challenge of his life—his beloved country is being ripped apart.
Grounded in historical record, the story is enriched by insights gleaned from the works of prominent Lincoln biographers.
He’s continued his research and writings by exploring his relationships with others.
One of those relationships addressed in his book The Turn concerns a certain freed slave named William Henry Johnson. After escaping bondage, twenty-five-year-old William Henry Johnson goes to the nation’s capital as Abraham Lincoln’s valet, hoping the new president will help him reunite his family. But when Lincoln chooses an expedient peace over racial justice, the war against slavery will be lost—unless Johnson can turn him from long-held prejudices and convince him to embrace equality. Changing Lincoln’s heart and mind comes at a severe price.
With such an dynamic story, Fowler decided the journey of these two men and how they affected the nation should be offered to young people as well as adults reading a 480 page novel. So he simplified the story and is offering it, illustrated in a lovely full color children’s book, not only in English but Spanish as well.
This project celebrates the true story of William Henry Johnson’s childhood dream … a dream that inspired a new birth of freedom … a dream that must never die … so what will you do with the dream?
The book will launch on Kickstarter and I encourage you to take a look and follow his campaign. A very pertinent story for today.
To celebrate the launch of my new book, Land of Two Moons, we’re going on tour. There will be a giveaway, guest posts, interviews, trivia, excerpts, and a book review. I invite you to join me for the tour and to pledge on the Kickstarter, or pick up a copy on Amazon or another retailer of your choosing! (Amazon has not propagated the eBook yet)
Here are the blogs participating.
Mar 3
Kickoff at Silver Dagger Book Tours
Mar 4
Wibell’s Worlds – GUEST POST
FUONLYKNEW – GUEST POST
Mar 5
Dawn’s Reading Nook – GUEST POST
Nina Soden #TheRedheadedAuthor – GUEST POST
Mar 6
Karen J. Mossman – World of Stories
Sybrina’s Book Blog – GUEST POST
Mar 7
Mar 8
WMC Book Corner – YouTube channel
Book Bites….with a side of coffee
Mar 9
Mar 10
lisa book krewe – GUEST POST
Mar 11
Mar 12
Mar 13
K.M. Jenkin’s Book Nook – GUEST POST
Books all things paranormal and romance
Mar 14
I Smell Sheep – GUEST POST
Mar 15
Mar 16
☼ A Place In The Spotlight ☼ with M.C.V. EGAN
Mar 17
Book Reviews by the Reluctant Retiree
Mar 18
Inside the Insanity– GUEST POST
Mar 19
Mar 20
Mar 21
Tina Donahue Books – Heat with Heart
Mar 23
Mar 24
Mar 25
Mar 26
Mar 27
Mar 30
Mar 31
Stormy Nights, Books and Blogging
Apr 1
Apr 2
TJ Muir Epic Fantasy Books – REVIEW, GUEST POST
Apr 3
I hope to see you around!
I’m always honored when an author friend sends me a paperback book to review. I used to have a Kindle but it ended up being my music box when I painted, hooking me up with Pandora and mood music, and then the thing died after so many years. I don’t even know where it is anymore.
My favorite thing to do in the summer is to sit in my lawn chair, enjoy the breeze, the warm sun, the birds, and read. You can’t do that with a Kindle. The screen is black and reflective and besides, there are no pages to turn. I will never lose my love for paperback books. I need a bigger house because my bookshelves are stacked high and my husband is worse than I am. He has piles of books in the bedroom that aren’t even on a shelf.
Anyway…
Amos J. Landon wrote a middle-grade book that is simply charming about a boy who is a dragon. But he doesn’t know it until he starts fledgling.
Here’s the blurb:
Ash Cooper thought moving to a new town was the worst thing ever. He was wrong.
On his eleventh birthday, Ash sprouts wings, scales, and claws—because he’s actually a dragon. A purple one. And not just any dragon, but the long-lost heir to a secret dragon empire.
Now he’s stuck balancing middle school, learning to breathe fire, and hiding from The Order of Saint Theodore, a secret guild of dragon hunters who want him gone for good.
The good news? He’s got Syd—the tiniest, snarkiest sidekick around—to help him figure out how to survive sixth grade AND become the Emperor of all Dragonkind.
The bad news? Dragon hunters aren’t the only threat lurking in the shadows.
Surviving sixth grade just got a whole lot trickier.
Perfect for fans of Rick Riordan and Shannon Messenger, FLEDGLING is the first book in an exciting new trilogy about friendship, finding where you belong, and the power of chosen family.
The book is fun. It’s got all the thoughts, emotions, and quirkiness you’d expect from a protagonist that age. Ash is bounced around between two universes in action-filled pages and just when he learns to keep up, something else bombards him. Dragon Hunters, a Royal order, a puzzling heritage, a mysterious library, and an instruction book on how to be a dragon that he has to first learn how to open. Not to mention his sassy girl friend who kind of guides him along the way, even though she giggles at his blunders.
This is book 1 of The Dragon Emperor series and Amos tells me book 2 will be released on April 1 of this year. Book 3 is planned for November 1, 2026.
You should pick a copy up. He’s got it in KU too.
Check out these awesome no spice campaigns going on in Kickstarter now.
And TUESDAY begins my campaign. I’m so excited for it! I finally found a printer to do the slipcase for the Cho Nisi series too! It will be offered as an add on in the campaign or you can get it on my website.
Have a great weekend!
The world had a wild weekend, and it was hard to miss. A Superbowl, and the Olympics, and a lot of confusion about a halftime show. But through all the flurry, I came away with some golden nuggets.
I love watching the ice skaters in the Olympics. I always have, especially the dance. And there’s one thing I noticed with every performer.
The tears come immediately after they perform. A burst of relief and happiness that they did it. They Did It! They completed what they’ve worked for. All the years of training, anticipation, and dreaming, they were there. They withheld the pressure of the world watching them, they remembered every difficult spin, every dramatic move, and executed it the best they could do. And their mission was accomplished!
I can’t help getting teary-eyed on their behalf!
When the young Japanese female skater finished her routine, before she was even off the ice, she screeched for joy. When the male performers came to a close, they collapsed on the ice right there in front of the judges and everyone, covering their faces, laughing, crying!
Can you imagine for their sake how exhilarating that feeling is?
I’m glad I have been watching the Olympics. Many of these entrants are young and that gives me hope for the future generations. That even though we see a world in an uproar, there are still young people pursuing their talents, setting goals, and achieving them.
Kudos to our young athletes out there all over the world! May you stay safe and find fulfillment!
Thanks for reading.
And check out these campaigns!
For those who prefer their books with more action and less romance, or at least closed door romance, here are some campaigns that promise just that. These are campaigns that some friends and I are running for the months of January-February. Take a look and enjoy.
One thing I love about Kickstarter is it lets us show as much as we want about our books, the synopsis, maybe a first chapter or two, reviews, artwork, the rewards. So they really are fun to browse through.
I thought I’d share some excerpts of the reviews for Land of Two Moons
“An intricately plotted political fantasy brimming with family tension as a father’s greed starts a war which the son wants to end.: IBR
“The gritty reality of trench warfare and the smoky chaos of riots is striking in D. L. Gardner’s Land of Two Moons…a rich and ambitious fantasy novel that successfully builds a world trembling on the brink of magical and political upheaval. This is a delicate, intricate novel that rewards patient reading.” – Independent Book Review
“…fans of such books as Dragon Forged by Dan Michaelson and D.K. Holmberg , and The Dragonlance novels by Margaret Weis will love this book. I think they’ll enjoy the characters’ many dilemmas including Arthur’s struggle with family loyalty, and they’ll sympathise (and be rooting for) the two siblings as they battle the father’s harsh, often cruel, ways.” – Wishing Shelf Book Reviews
There are some lovely, exciting books gone wild on Kickstarter, and some that are not launched yet. But if you’d like to get in at the beginning, follow these Fantasy and Romantasy campaigns. Many of them offer early bird awards. Most all of them are special editions with stretch goals, and all sorts of perks!
I’ve always loved camping. There’s nothing sweeter than a summer’s night under the stars and a warm campfire flickering at my feet: the smell of cedar or pine burning, the mesmerizing dance of flame, and the intimacy of being close to those I love.
Fire is one of man’s discoveries that keeps him alive. And it’s one of the elements that can destroy him.
When forest fires ravage a mountainside, it’s no cozy event. The destruction caused by a forest fire, or city fire, or home fire, is terrifying. I think that’s why fire is used as a metaphor for passion. It’s either welcoming, like that of a fire place when you come in out of the cold, or a wicked curse. We can be on fire with love, or we can be a ravaging inferno of hate.
Even though fire is a natural element, you and I can feed any flame we so desire. We have that power. Do we want to feed the flame of destruction? Or do we want to stoke that little campfire under the stars?
I’m just pondering on the choices, because there is so much heat in this world and it’s not from global warming. It’s from anger, unhappiness, ungratefulness, and misunderstanding. We don’t need to feed that fire because when we do the other one, dies.
Just my thoughts for this morning. I hope you have a day of cozy warmth, and happy sunshine. Stay true to that which you love!
Advertisers use it to try and get us to buy their products. Politicians use it to try and get us to vote for them or rally behind them. Media uses it to try and get the populace to see things the way their owners do. Teachers use it to influence their students. Parents use it to teach their children the family’s way of life.
When folks learn they can persuade people, it gives them a sense of importance. That’s not always a bad thing. We need to feel important but I often question what’s behind an influencers’ intentions. What is the end result they are shooting for? we all should question not only the motives but the end results, really.
And if I am in a place of influencing others, are my intentions honorable?
When I write, and I imagine myself in the place of my characters I often discover profound things coming out of their imaginary mouths. There was a dialogue in one of my books that brings itself to the forefront of my memory often.
The book is Fall of the Kings. The conversation is between Arell and the wizard Kairos. Funny how creating dialogue makes one ponder life itself. It goes as follows:
“Here I am, lost in my thoughts again.” He shuddered, rubbed his forehead, and turned away. “I’m not sure if this marriage is political, Kairos.”
Kairos stared at him wide-eyed. “She loves you, Vasil.”
Arell nodded. “I know.” He poured more wine and took another drink. “Call me Arell. You’re familiar with the princesses. They look to you for advice, they talk to you as family. I’m willing to see you in that light. To be honest, I need a friend right now. I’m a long way from home, and from my advisors.”
“Very well, Arell.”
“I am not happy about taking King Tobias’ place. I didn’t even want to be king of Cho Nisi, but that was inevitable.”
“I understand completely. I’m glad it’s you and not me.” He grinned briefly and then shrugged. “I would make a terrible king.”
“I disagree. I think you would be a fair king. And you have influence.”
“And that is the rub. I do not always make moral decisions. I’m a coward, and so my influence would cause tragedy.”
Arell reflected on what the wizard said.
“The tragedy of influence,” he repeated. “How much better our world would be if every king understood those words and considered them before he played with people’s lives. Your wisdom alone would put you above others, Kairos. In reality, I’m not so sure I would be a righteous king either. But I don’t intend to sit on this throne exceptionally long. I’m going to make sure we heal Barin. And quickly.”
When we are in a position of influence, let’s remember those who are listening to us and consider whether our influence would be for their benefit, or for, as Kairos puts it, their tragedy.
Just a little Friday musing. Thanks for listening.
We’ve all heard the times they are a changing! That’s a famous Bob Dylan song:
Come gather ’round, people, wherever you roam
And admit that the waters around you have grown
And accept it that soon you’ll be drenched to the bone
If your time to you is worth saving
And you better start swimmin’ or you’ll sink like a stone
For the times, they are a-changin’
Well, I can say that 2026 spotlights a change in time for all of us and I’m scrambling to cope. Even in my little world.
I’ve decided to combine Tuesday’s Telling with Fantasy Friday. So there will be one newsletter for all. The free one for everyone and the extension for paid subscribers. That will be less demanding on me, and less bothersome to you. I love keeping in touch with my readers and don’t want to scare any of you away with too many emails.
The new year has me
As you can see I’m scrambling, and jumping, and juggling and often have five or six tabs on my browser open at a time. I’ll be sharing details of some of these projects to my paid subscribers but until then I want to wish you all a happy, healthy, and peaceful New Year.
I’ve been happy. I think old age has something to do with it because I’ve made a point to step away from drama, pick my fights if any, and vanish into the worlds I write. There’s just something about living in another dimension that puts my heart at ease.
But I have people close to me who are sad and lonely and I’ve yet to discover how I can help. Especially since distance keeps us from physical and emotional contact. Turn the phone off and you’re left in that alone-ness. I understand that. God knows I’ve been there. And of course this is the season that brings it on.
Winter.
Be it snow, or rain, or the lack of either, we feel winter in our bones. Winter is the time of year when life lays to rest, when we crawl into our cocoons and wait for Spring. Christians celebrate Jesus’ birth because it’s time of hope for new life to come. The Hopis celebrate the solstice and believe if they didn’t dance, the sun wouldn’t return. Traditions around the world accept winter as a time to look forward despite the state of the Now. It is a time to put our faith in the future.
It’s not blind faith, either, because the future does come. Snow melts, trees bud, lambs are born, and the sun comes up. Rest is good, so rest this winter, my friend.
In the meantime, if you celebrate Christmas, let your light shine and your campfires burn so that others come share the warmth. Once we’ve done all that we can do to make our lives better, and to help others, hope,sometimes, is the only thing we have to cling to. Hope for the sun to return. Hope for the Son to return!
Have a blessed Christmas and what other holidays you celebrate.
I remember one time a group of us bloggers did a tour and with our characters breaking the 4th wall. They’d step out of their environment and pretend talk to you, or we’d interview them. It was really fun. Author bloggers should get together and do something like that again!
I’ve been doing some little character profiles for my Kickstarter page and also to help form my work in progress. I enjoy these, so don’t be surprised if I add a few more while I write.
Character study: Kezia. In Land of Two Moons, Kezia is the teenage daughter of Lord Sebal, enemy to the family of our main characters Hallie and Arthur. She hates the war and she hates that the young men of Bidsworth have to risk their lives over a few iron mines whose wealth will only go into the pockets of her father and a few other overlords. Her militant activities include helping soldiers desert her father’s army. In so doing, Kezia these deserters become her own little band of outlaws. She’s smart, coy, rebellious, very pretty, and has an attitude that comes from foraging in the forest. Her compassion is for the peasants and her distaste of the overlords treating them like pawns. Kezia has a character arc in the story.
She’s been fun to write.
If anyone is interested in my books, or gifting some fantasy novels to family or friends, I have gift certificates available on both of my websites.
Also on my 4th wall site for eBook and merchandise.
Sometimes when I write, I’m not really thinking, the words just spill out. Often times that is cause for deletion. I remember in the old typewriter days, it meant ripping the paper out and starting over. If the paragraph was at the bottom of the page, well then you had to rewrite the entire page which left plenty of room for more mistakes.
Then there was the not-so-trusty whiteout which never seemed to fully cover the typo. Either that or it left a tell-tale white lump on the paper. Which meant you had to retype the thing all over again anyway.
In those days, we had to choose our words carefully, or plan on doing three times more typing than we do now.
Personally I love that I can not only delete, cut and paste, but move chapters around with the mouse. Does technology make books better? Probably not. Only writers can do that. But it does make writing an entire book more doable.
So what have writers learned with the advancement of technology? Certainly choosing words carefully is not as mandatory as it used to be. We can always change them with the first read-through. And we don’t have to know how to spell either because there’s auto correct, although squiggly blue lines under words can be distracting.
What technology does is take away the excuses for not properly planning a good plot, rich characters, and a sensible story. We have all the tools we could possibly want to execute the mechanics of writing.
So that leaves us time to hone our storytelling skills!
How?
Well, reading. Reading novels in our genre, outside of our genre, reading screenplays, reading how-to books, going to critique groups, critiquing your own work, getting beta readers and editors to read what you wrote, taking criticism gracefully, reworking, and revising.
Those are just some things we can do.
How do you best hone your skills?
I finished chapter 21 yesterday in my draft for Land of Two Moons. I decided on the cover (I think) unless something better comes along. I’ll probably get people mad at me if I change it too often. But I’m not going to worry about it until the story is finished.
I’d really love some more follows if you haven’t already. Pushing for a Project we Love can be hard work. I’d love the help!
Concerning the quote in the image below, Nell, the mother of the twin protagonists in the story, comes to a place in her life, much like Job, where everything she loves has been taken from her and she’s in a place of despair. Unlike Job, she’s guilty of bringing about her own misfortune. It’s time for her to face the truth and admit her guilt. She has nothing more to lose.
FYI oftentimes my humor is a bit subtle. Know that while reading my blog posts you’re welcome to laugh!
I hope this finds you all well!
Last night I had a few hours to write and so I started a new chapter in Land of Two Moons. The very first line came from somewhere else, I swear. Some other entity manipulated my fingers and the next thing I know I was writing the point of view of a dragon. Never once had I planned it that way.
My system is to form my story by events and write a brief paragraph for each chapter which includes the point of view it would be written in, how the chapter moves the story forward, and what the conflict is. Sometimes I’ll even jot down some dialogue as I’m thinking of it. This works as a road map.
For chapter 16 I had all that ready to go. The plan did not include the dragon. But somehow, he got in a word or two. It was a brief, but very sad intro to the chapter.
Kind of like Wow, I didn’t know you felt that way, but now I get it!
I went to bed both amazed and depressed. Amazed because, yes, if I were the dragon in this story, I would feel this way too. Depressed because, yes if I were the dragon in this story, I would feel this way too!
For forty years this dragon has been shut out of his own world, captured as a baby and raised with only one person in his life. Nell, as a child found him, raised him, domesticated him, and now, forty years later when he finally has the chance to go home, he’s being bartered off to the enemy in trade for what the humans call a peace treaty.
Killian (the dragon) told me last night what it felt like.
I know some of you don’t write stories so maybe you don’t know how involved an author can get. I’m here to tell you, we get involved. And it’s therapy in a way, therapy in that we learn how others feel in the situations that we create for them. Sure these are imaginary characters, but somewhere in the world are real people with the same or similar experiences.
I once read a story about an author whose characters came to life to haunt him. It was hilarious. And scary!
Why did you do this to me??? they asked.
Well, I did it because it HAD to be done. And I always knew it would hurt. But I didn’t know the dragon would actually pour out his feelings in my book. Thank you, Killian, for your transparency!
I would post the excerpt but I don’t want to make you sad. Not yet, anyway, not until you had a chance to read what else was going on.
Have a bright and beautiful autumn morning!
When I was little Halloween was my second favorite holiday. (Christmas the first). I grew up in southern California and autumn was never much of a seasonal change, although fall colors were in all the catalogues and an occasional, colorful maple tree could be seen in the neighborhood whose leaves had changed. Sure there was a chill in the air, but nothing near freezing.
Weather pretty much permitted us to go trick or treating without covering up our costumes, and when it didn’t we’d just dress up in my dad’s coats and hats and go as hobos.
I never once asked what we were celebrating.
I’m still not sure.
I love reading about the traditions of other countries and to see how Halloween began in ours. Coming from Celtic traditions, it arrived in the US during the potato famine in Ireland in the 1840s. There’s a great article here about Celtic and European traditions. I’d love to hear your personal experiences, your favorite Halloween moments.
What stands out the most, for me, is fall harvest and the change of seasons when fruit is ripe and apples fragrant the air, when pumpkins turn orange on the vine, and when the world is filled with color. The anticipation of dressing up in costumes and spending time with friends and family is the peak of it all.
And then a blanket of frost and snow settles on us, mutes all those pretty colors, silences the earth, and then winter sets in.
Have a good and safe Halloween!
Last Day for Late Pledges for Another Man’s Storm
Coming next year. Follow Now for news of the launch date!
When I first started my journey of learning how to write, I took many classes and workshops and even had a mentor who went over my first draft of my first finished novel and red lettered it to pieces. After struggling with that manuscript, I rewrote it and revised the plot and shook up the characters and ten years later revised it again. Rewriting an old book is like remodeling an old house whose foundation had shifted so noticeably that none of the beams line up. That story, Ian’s Realm, has seen so many transformations that I was even able to ‘sell’ one of it’s edition as a completely different book.
One of the major lessons that all my author friends were studying was something called The Heroes Journey. It was a concept created by screenwriter Michael Hauge, a well known and respected story consultant who has worked with all the major studios and production companies. And if you don’t know who Michael Hauge is or never heard him speak, and you’re a writer, it’s time to check him out while he’s still with us. Especially if you want to learn from the best.
When I first started getting my ‘act’ together (pun intended) I scribbled my own diagram like the one above for every story I wrote. I also went through John Truby’s book Anatomy of Story and still refer back to it if I hit a bump in my manuscript.
Studying from the best is worth it. Taking the time to analyze what you’re doing is worth it. Rewriting is worth it. Starting over is worth it.
In this day and age it seems like everyone is writing a book. People are even playing with AI to get books written to sell. But honestly, and I make no judgement, I write because I want to create. I’m not here to get famous (please no), or make a million bucks. I’m here to let some of these stories out of my system because they seem to be gathering up inside the faster I write, and I have characters screaming to get out. Not only that, every book I write is an expression of something deep inside of me. Every character I write sees the world from a different view. It helps me. It’s a journey I’m taking to see the world as others might. I become those characters looking at their situation according to their experiences. (That’s why it’s important to give your characters a backstory. Who are they and why do they see the world that way?)
I think more serious authors are in the same mind frame.
The Heroes Journey is our journey. We start off with a goal, go through all sorts of aches and pains as we write, discover ourselves and others, reach a climax (manuscript done) and then continue the fight, walking through our character’s redemption, until we, ourselves are changed having completed that journey, having completed that one book that grew like an embryo from our DNA and having sent it out into the world.
Here’s to all you heroes out there! Hone your craft! Work hard. Feel the pain. Write that book.
These are the last few days of LATE PLEDGES on my campaign for Sword of Cho Nisi.
Brandon Sanderson never ceases to amaze me with his complicated magic systems and his world building! Its all I can do to keep up. I mean, the man is a genius in his own right and I wonder just how many people can understand his mind. At least through his books.
I pledged on one of his latest Kickstarting campaigns for a leather hardcover of a ‘mystery book’ he was writing. Months later I have this beautiful collector’s item on my desk.
All his life, Sixth of the Dusk has been a traditional trapper of Aviar—the supernatural birds his people bond with—on the deadly island of Patji. Then one fateful night he propels his people into a race to modernize before they can be conquered by the Ones Above, invaders from the stars who want to exploit the Aviar.
But it’s a race they’re losing, and Dusk fears his people will lose themselves in the effort. When a chance comes to sail into the expanse of the emberdark beyond a mystical portal, Dusk sets off to find his people’s salvation with only a canoe, his birds, and all the grit and canniness of a Patji trapper.
Danger meets him at every turn, but from the first pages of the book I was drawn to Dusk and wanted him to succeed. Not just for his island’s sake and for all the things he loves, but because Sanderson does such a good job of showing us his humanity. We want to win, even when we’re traveling great lengths and through dark peril and hope is no where to be found, we want to win. We want Dusk to find the resolution that he needs for his own soul.
The space travelers that crash into the emberdark unknowingly? They’re an entertaining lot and Sanderson doesn’t hold back on humor and the excitement of rocketing through space and not knowing where we’re going.
I enjoyed Emberdark A Cosmere Novel. I wouldn’t say it’s one of his best, although I think Dusk might be one of my favorite characters in all the books of his that I’ve read. (I think Mistborn is his best). The story kept me turning pages and even though his complicated science and the urge to look up some of the terms he uses puts my mind in a mild spin, it doesn’t really matter if I understand everything because the story moves forward. The fact that sometimes I have no idea what he’s talking about (I was not a science major…not even a minor) I have faith that he does!
The heart of the story is there, and the simple, practical mind of the main character is the one I relate to most. And his birds. I loved his birds. It’s a fun story and I give it five stars and a big thank you to Brandon Sanderson for filling the world with his genius!
Ask Selina, a woman with a secret…and she has been hiding it for a very long time.
A great series to sit by the fire with.
Books by Lorri Moulton and along with her lovely novels, she has some Halloween treats to share! These adorable black kitten merchandise.
While we’re creeping around the shadows, why not pick up the Hoarfrost Mystery Series?
Take a peek at the new mug to go with it.
Oh the books are still around and I can go back and visit the Cho Nisi world whenever I want (of course I’m keeping copies for myself). But I’m not going to be writing there any more. It just felt like this is it. Erika and Arell had their mishaps, Barin found love and got married. Children were born. Maurice has become a great Dragon Rider, and little Iris has a future for her somewhere. Erika’s twin sisters are both living happily ever after lives. Kairos is growing old… For the sake of not milking a good thing too long, I’m moving on.
So I’m asking if you would join me in this Celebration of Goodbye, even if it’s just for an eBook. The stories will still be available on my website and in retailers, but there are some bonuses being offered on Kickstarter that you might enjoy. I’d love for this campaign to go out with a BANG! A Grande Finale!
Thanks so much for those of you who did pledge! From so many returning backers, I’m guessing you are enjoying the stories.
THANK YOU!
This will be the last Sword of Cho Nisi campaign. I will probably not be writing another book in the series, so I just wanted to give you a little taste of what’s in the books.
There are 6 in the series. The first 3 are a complete story arc.
Who is on your Christmas list? Who needs to spend a little time in another world filled with adventure, magic, dragons and a little love? I’ve heard that when the world is in turmoil, the fantasy genre becomes much more popular because our souls long for another space and time to go to if even for a moment. Even if only in a book.
Rise of the Tobian Princess, Fall of the Kings, Curse of Mt. Doom, Darkness Holds the Son, The Keeper, and Another Man’s Storm
Here are some images from the interior of some of the books.
You can get the books on Kickstarter now until Thursday or order direct from me.
The books are leather bound, gold stamped, with gold foil dust jackets. They’re really pretty. This is a one of a kind collection. Get them on Kickstarter, but hurry, the campaign ends next Thursday.
If you’d rather work out an arrangement to get the books from me, I can also offer a payment plan.
Enjoy your weekend.
There’s always a quirky anticipation that comes when an author lets their brand new book out into the world. So it is with Another Man’s Storm. I’ve been talking about this book ever since I began writing it, creating short stories to work up to it (which, by the way, the first stretch goal gives everyone who backs these 4 short stories in eBook format).
But now it’s here. I’ve illustrated it with 10 oil paintings. That’s been a challenge since I have 2 grandsons living in my art studio which is on top of the garage and is hotter than the dickens up there in the summer.
When peace-loving Maurice is commissioned by his uncle to confront the king of Allotrope Island concerning a debt, he and Kai are thrust into a foreign land filled with magic, dragons, and war.
I invite you to take a look and give my new book a chance! Lots of goodies on the campaign.
Often times I’ve been asked “What inspired you to write this story?”
There are usually many sources of inspiration. A walk in the woods, current events, a particular character, idea, passion. Sometimes it’s a build up of ideas and thoughts that have been brewing for years, edging toward the surface in a desperate desire to burst into the world. It’s no lie when people say that a book is written with blood, sweat, and tears or that the story is part of the author’s soul.
It’s true.
Another Man’s Storm’s inspiration comes from my observation of current events: of war and the soldiers who fight them. Not everyone sent to war wants to kill or be killed. In Another Man’s Storm, Maurice, the protagonist, is a character who loves peace, warm beaches, blue oceans, and sailing through the clouds on Kai, his dragon. Kai is his helpmate, protecting him, offering him wisdom, and giving him the freedom to go anywhere in the world he wants to go.
But a time comes in Maurice’s life, as in any young person’s life, when he must face the troubles that plague his world. He resists, wanting to stay in his bubble of safety. But evil affects everyone, even his dragon. Much to Maurice’s protest, the stakes are high for Kai, and it is the dragon who makes the decision to engage.
No one is exempt from the sorrows that burden this world. Other men’s storms, with their bluster and fury, send turbulent clouds into our peaceful skies, and before we realize it, we are in its midst, struggling to survive.
Another Man’s Storm limited, leather edition will have illustrations from my original oil paintings and will be released next week. Follow to get word of the launch!
of the BattleBorn series by Paul Sating
I met Paul Sating at a craft event in Hoodsport, WA. Being the only other fantasy writer in the room, we started talking and … well you know how it is when kindred spirits meet. We hit it off like old friends and I have since introduced him to our group the Greater Gig Harbor Literary Society. He’s got a great portfolio, much greater than the little town of Hoodsport can restrain!
I bought this book of his, sat down and read it, and have to admit the story, and the characters held my attention. I found myself rooting for one and despising the other.
Gaeron Andel is someone who fights for ordinary folks, a common man among his people. He holds honor and integrity above personal gain. His mother taught him these principles before she died, and even as he takes the steps to free himself from a cultural bondage, he is determined to do it the way his ancestors dictated. Unfortunately, his treacherous brother cheats to get ahead, cutting corners, covering his ineptness with lies, even at the expense of someone’s life. The difference between these brothers is night and day. With steel, Gaeron protects those who can’t protect themselves while Nevilan Andel claims an undeserved title and casts family honor aside. Their irreconcilable differences drive the story, leaving the reader in suspense, yearning to see virtue prevail.
Paul Sating’s story is a masterful balance of thrilling adventures and a bitter sibling feud, making the reader wonder: Can Gaeron break free, and will Nevilan be held accountable?
Sating does well in not stereotyping the villain, nor over glorifying the hero. We see two human boys and their struggles, paying the consequences for their choices. A definite study of the human condition in a fantasy world. I look forward to reading the rest of the series. Good thing I’ll be in Hoodsport next weekend!
An eBay thing.
D.L. Gardner
Aug 7
I have a few of these left. They’re illustrated hardcovers of Cassandra’s Castle. Not the leather edition, but nice books and out of print meaning you can’t buy them anywhere else. Cassandra’s Castle is part of the Ian’s Realm series, but it’s a stand alone in that Cassie is Ian’s daughter who goes into the Realm, ends up in the middle of a revolution and on the wrong side of history. The story was inspired and fashioned by the fall of the Portuguese monarchy in 1908 and the last king of that country Manuel II. We did a short sizzler film in 2015 of this story with Robert Miano and other Indie Filmmakers. You can see it on FilmFreeway.
Cassandra’s Castle is one of my favorite stories as I did a lot of research, and follows Cassie as a rebellious, somewhat spoiled, daddy’s girl. An only child, head strong and tenacious. She’s forbidden to enter the realm by her parents, as Ian knows the danger there. However, she ignores their advice and barges in. Her encounter with the leader of an insurrection feeds her rebellion, and she immediately takes up his cause.
That is until she falls in love with the heir to the assassinated king. Then things get a little complicated.
I’ve put this book up on eBay and will sign and personalize it to whomever is interested. I have maybe 5 of them left, I’ll check.
Also on eBay are the very first editions of Ian’s Realm, which were released by Hydra Publication back in 2012. Deception Peak. This was also the first book I ever published. It’s illustrated with paintings I did in oils. It’s not a big book, and the story has been revised I don’t know how many times. I have 7 of these left and 8 of book 3 Rubies and Robbers. Sorry I don’t have any of book 2 left but you might be able to find it elsewhere on eBay.
Today these three books are one volume and were completely revised in the anniversary edition. But if anyone is interested in the original, there are a few available.
I’ll be going through my tub of books and listing more. I’ve been at a dilemma as to what to do with these titles that are stock piling every time I change the cover art. I have a lot of the old paperbacks of Sword of Cho Nisi with the original covers too and I’ll be posting those.
Have a great weekend!
Robert Mullin
Kidnapped from his home and sold into slavery on an alien world, Maurin joins an unlikely band of misfits attempting to overthrow the sadistic head of the slave ring. Enraptured by the mysterious mute Talauna, Maurin struggles to let go of his past and open his heart to a new life. But vampiric alien gods have set their sights on Maurin’s cousin, whose visions may be the key to unlocking the apocalypse. Bid the Gods Arise is the first novel in The Wells of the Worlds, a dark sci fi fantasy series for adults and new adults.
Robert has been a Facebook friend for I don’t know how many years now. Always encouraging and offering feedback, it’s odd how authors can carry on a friendship for so long with never reading each others books. It came time for me to end that quirky situation, so I purchased his first book to his Wells of the World series.
Robert’s writing style is amazing. He’s good! I wish I could write as well. I would say his skills test the best of Jordan, Sanderson and Abercrombie with world building as intricate and descriptive as Wheel of Time, Shattered Seas, or Mistborn.
Mullin’s prose slides off the page into one’s imagination, drawing the reader into the deepest shadows of his universe. Cousins Aric and Maurin captured my interest immediately and before long I wanted to follow them through the Wells of the worlds as they escaped their captors and set off on their adventures. I wanted to rescue them, join with their friends, and ultimately learn their fates.
I admire writers that can relay fight scenes so elaborately. To me those are the hardest to capture and Robert’s hand just pens right through them without hesitation. If you like dark fantasy, you’ll enjoy this story and soon become immersed in it. Honestly, he’s not just another Indie writer. He’s a master!
After reading his book, and thinking back on all the wonderful words he’s offered me on Facebook, I feel honored to know him, and wished I had started reading his work long ago!
FYI: If you have an author friend whose work you haven’t read yet, might I suggest giving it a whirl. Who can tell what genius you’ve been talking to until you do?
Seasoned editor and debut author Robert Mullin is a cryptozoologist who has traveled to Africa three times in search of a living dinosaur. He was featured on an episode of the History Channel’s television show, Monster Quest. He is also the creator of The Star Wars Expanded Universe Chronology, one of the premier fan timelines.
Hey, Readers. Check out a chance to win a $300 Amazon eGift Card from The No. 1 Site for #Reader #Giveaways~~The Kindle Book Review. Just click on the link and enter the Rafflecopter on the giveaway page. It’s easy & fun. If you love #reading, enter now; #giveaway ends August 15th. Click here and enter every day ~>
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In 1879, in a small but growing town in the Pacific Northwest, there was an attempted murder, a romance, and a ghost…
If you win, let me know!
Hoaarfrost to Roses is the first of a mystery series that takes place in 1879 in the Pacific Northwest. I used Port Townsend’s history…quite a colorful history it is…as a source. These are quick gas-lamp mysteries with a touch of romance and a bit of the occult. Each book is it’s own mystery with the same amateur sleuths, Grai and Adele, and a lot of history thrown in for good measure.
“The rich settings gave me the feeling of stepping off a ship and entering the sights, smells, landscaping, and fashions of the 1800s.“
“Hauntingly beautiful!This is the type of book that really stays with you—hauntingly beautiful with characters you care about. The writing itself had such a lovely quality and the historical aspect was so well done. I’m not a big romance reader, but this one had me hooked. Lots of depth and emotion, and the mystery had me fully engaged. I will absolutely purchase the next book in the series to see where the story goes from here. Highly recommended!“
Enjoy and good luck!
Illustrating Fantasy works!
You might have noticed my silence for a few weeks. It’s because I got this wild idea of illustrating my upcoming fantasy novel Another Man’s Storm. So here we are. In my studio, which I haven’t visited for quite some time, too busy writing. But since the book is due to launch in September, I thought I could do a few paintings. Not all the illustrations will be done by me, but I hope to get enough to make a difference.
Hopefully the final products will look better than my palette! I’m giving it a try.
Maurice flinched when the squire threw open the double doors, releasing the brilliance of the stained-glass windows and gilded walls of the throne room. He already had misgivings about being here and confronting King Barin, his uncle, whom he hadn’t seen for ten years. The elegance of the castle added to his angst. He drew in a deep breath and stepped cautiously.
His uncle requested his presence, but nothing was mentioned why. Maurice could only guess it was to offer him the throne to Prasa Potama, a successful, and legendary kingdom that had been in their family’s reign for a hundred years. Even though he traveled over the Nisi Sea to answer his uncle’s call, Maurice already decided he would refuse. He enjoyed his youth, his freedom, his lack of responsibility. And he certainly didn’t want to live in a castle.
My method right now is to work on several which are now at different stages of production. Background, blocking in, creating the image. None of these three are completed. Oils need to dry during the process so doing more than one at once makes much more sense. I might even get a few done by September!
I’ve actually painted myself out of smaller canvases and working bigger now, which is what I prefer anyway. I have no idea what I’ll do with the originals. This one will be a painting of Ala, a young native boy, climbing a cliff to a cave where he’ll find the baby dragon. Those are rocks with the river below him. I’ll post the next stage of the painting so you can see more clearly when it’s done.
If you want to see the finished products, they’ll be in the book…that is if I’m happy with them. I think a few will be acceptable. I’ll keep touching them up until they are.
Thanks for looking! You can see more of my oil paintings in my portfolio
I thought I would give you a peek at my new story. I won’t be releasing the entire story on Tuesdays. I like to have something special for my Friday paid subscribers. But I wanted to share the beginning of this one because it’s got me smiling and I’m excited to write it. This story will be included in the special edition of Another Man’s Storm. If I get any other short stories written by September when I launch, I’ll include those too.
We’ve see Maurice, the son of our main characters of the Sword of Cho Nisi at ages 12, 13, and 14 years old in the short story series. He’s 16 now and it’s time he takes a trip by himself (with his dragon), away from home. Enjoy!
Leaving home for the very first time, Maurice, and his dragon Kai find themselves amidst a lively gathering of wizardry students and one particular young witch stirring the sticky-sweet scent of a love potion.
The day had been long, and Maurice’s muscles ached from helping his father carry the two deer carcasses through the woods. Now, with the hides soaking in ash and water, and the meat hanging in the smokehouse, he and his father could clean up and have that hot meal he’d been smelling ever since they came home.
“Well, the work is done, Son,” Arell said, his smile wide as Maurice turned to him. Making his father proud meant a lot. Especially now that he was ready to ask if he could have a vacation away from Nico, away from his parents, alone. With his dragon.
Before he opened his mouth to let the words out, Arell patted him on the back.
“I think it’s time for you to give your dragon a treat.”
Maurice, puzzled, shot him an inquisitive look. “A treat?”
“Perhaps a trip? It’s late summer, the harvest is in. The heavy work is finished for the season. I think it would be a perfect time for you to get away. Why that look? You don’t want to go explore the world?”
“Of course I do. I just didn’t know you’d approve.”
“Approve? I’m encouraging it!”
Maurice breathed a laugh. This was unexpected, but then his father was not a predictable person.
“What about mother? What would she say?”
“Maurice, you’re your own man now. Of course we want to do things that would please your mother. But sometimes, as a man, we need to exert ourselves and do what must be done for our own growth and happiness. And for our loved ones too. You’re sixteen years old now. You have a trustworthy companion in Kai. And there is so much in this world you have not experienced. I say take a trip.” He gestured to the heavens. “The world is yours, Maurice. You’re a Dragon Rider. Go be one!”
The joy that stirred inside of him was too much to contain. He wanted to grab Kai at that very moment and fly off into the unknown, but his father took his arm.
“Just have somewhat of a plan first. It’s always good to have a plan. And a knapsack full of food.” He winked. Maurice laughed.
Maurice’s gait back to the house was more of a skip and a hop than a walk. He wondered if his father had said anything to his mother about an upcoming adventure for him. Or if his parents had planned it together. Maurice had little time to form words, though, for the house was quiet aside from the crackle of the fireplace and the aroma of fresh bread hot out of the oven distracted him.
“Did you see this letter from Barin?” Erika asked when they stepped inside.
“I didn’t know there was one.” Arell peered over her shoulder.
“It came on the latest ship that docked in Northport. Serena brought it to me. Barin asks how Maurice is. I don’t think he’s given up on employing you, Son.” She smiled at Maurice, who grunted.
“As what? An heir?” Maurice snickered and scanned the table for the bread.
“He’s like that. He’s not keen on Iris altering tradition and becoming a queen, you know. But I’ve half a mind to go visit them and teach her the art of womanly warcraft.”
“Do tell,” Arell interrupted. “Barin’s perfectly capable of raising his daughter.”
“She’s only three, isn’t she?” Maurice laughed. “Hardly big enough to wield a sword.”
“There are things she could be learning. In any case, he says Kairos is leaving.”
“Leaving? His wizard?” Arell took the letter that she offered and studied it.
“For a short while. He says he’s going to visit friends at the University in Norbury.”
“Isn’t that south of Prasa Potama.” Maurice’s ears perked. South meant warm weather and more beaches. “I wouldn’t mind going south.”
Erika looked up at him. A concerned frown darkened her smile. “Norbury is a University town, made up of amateur witches and wizards, Maurice. I don’t think you have any business down there.”
“Did Father tell you about our talk?”
“What talk?”
Arell cleared his throat and took Erika’s hand. He always calmed her with a touch before he gave her news he knew she wouldn’t like. “We’ve been discussing Maurice getting away for a bit, going to see the world. Another step toward manhood, Erika.”
“Norbury is hardly a place for a young man to see the world. All he’ll see there are spells and curses. I’d hate to think what sort of charms he’ll come home with, if he comes home at all.”
Arell laughed and winked at Maurice. “If he chooses to go south, who are we to criticize? Kairos will be there, and your sister no doubt. He’ll be fine.”
Maurice studied the two wide-eyed as they argued over him, which was one of the reasons he needed to leave. And soon. Without a doubt, his destination had just been chosen.
You can check out the pre launch page for Another Man’s Storm. This is the debut launch of this brand new book! I hope you’ll consider it. The campaign will have the eBook, paperback, audio, and hardcover editions, along with the rest of the series. But it reads well enough as a stand alone because it’s a spin off of the series.
When peace-loving Maurice is commissioned by his uncle to confront the king of Allotrope Island concerning a debt, he and Kai are thrust into a foreign land filled with magic, dragons, and war.
Dustcover art by Mario Teodosio. Leather stamp design by Les T.
It’s been a while since I launched a new book! I’ve been spending my time creating special editions. Leather, gold stamp, textured dust jackets, illustrations, short stories to go with them. I’ve embellished them to the point where they’re collector items. They are pretty, I have to admit.
But in the meantime I’ve actually been writing! And voila! I have a new book.
The plan is to release it on Kickstarter. Why? Because after all these years I’ve finally found my readership. So Another Man’s Storm is going to have all the same embellishments as the rest of the series. That’s not to say you can’t get an eBook or a plain old paperback if that’s what you want and find it affordable. But the hardcover is going to be lovely. In fact, I just hired my favorite artist Mario Teodosio to paint the cover and he did a gorgeous job!.
What’s the story about?
Well, if you’ve followed the series, you’ll know that Erika (Rise of the Tobian Princess) and Arell, the prince made king of the island of Cho Nisi, have a son. His name is Maurice. We’ve watched him grow from a toddler (Darkness Holds the Son) to a twelve-year-old in The Keeper. These last few months I’ve been writing short stories that bridge the gap from The Keeper to Another Man’s Storm so that Maurice is now a young man. (The short stories are available on The Keeper’s campaign-late pledges still open for a few days), but they will also be available when I release Another Man’s Storm.
King Barin sends his peace-loving nephew, Maurice, on a journey with his dragon Kai, to the technologically advanced Allotrope Island to oversee a crucial trade deal he made with King Delitar.
After reeling from a bizarre and unsettling welcome from the quirky king, Maurice, accepts another of the king’s promises, starts his journey home, only to be stopped short by a sight that leaves both him and his dragon speechless.
Maurice and Kai, each believing themselves as the last of their kind, are astonished as another dragon and Dragon Rider appear.
Amidst the towering peaks of the Telwa mountains, Ala, an orphan boy, is entrusted with a young dragon, a creature whose lineage links to the legendary Keeper. As Ala’s uncle and their tribe pledge to fight the king’s enemies alongside their fearsome dragons, Ala remains behind but the weight of his family’s plight burdens him. With unwavering faith in the legends etched into his people’s history, the boy sets out to find the The Keeper, hoping for deliverance for his people.
Upon discovering that his other living relatives are in danger, Kai ignores Maurice’s protests and carries him into a foreign war where sorcery, deception, and a cruel queen challenge Maurice’s passive nature.
Facing a relentless battle, Maurice has no choice but to get involved. The fate of Kai’s relatives seems to lie in his hands, and the call to heroism resonates in the depth of his heart. Together with Kai, they prepare to confront a wicked queen and her devious plot, hoping to uncover answers and restore balance to the world of their new-found family.
All the while Maurice’s uncle waits impatiently for his return.
Another Man’s Storm has never before been published! This is a brand new book and new sequel/spin off to the Sword of Cho Nisi series, located in the same world with many of the same characters and introducing new ones.
“An old friend takes to the sky in a new, riveting adventure. The discovery of another dragon rider leads Maurice into unfamiliar territory and dragged into a foreign war. Friendships form as the stakes rise higher, with riders needing to protect their dragons at all costs. Another Man’s Storm is action-packed and heart-warming, leaving me on the edge of my seat while hoping for a happy outcome. Plus, dragons. Need I say more?”
Release date is in September, and if you’d like to know more and be notified of its launch, please follow!
I’m impressed by your books, Christopher Schmitz, but I’m more impressed by your lifestyle! You’ve built the wagon, you travel the roads, you play bagpipes, you are amazing!
Isn’t this the cutest, most clever set up you’ve seen in like forever! Needless to say, Christopher sells his books at Ren Faires! I’ve done a few of those myself, but when I mentioned to him I had issues with setting up a tent, he showed me his set up.
Tell me how this all started!
I started doing faires after doing several comic cons and wanting to expand my books into similar markets. Because I also play bagpipes, this makes it a good fit for me. I’m actually doing 15 different weekends across several faires. I mostly stick to those shows in Iowa or surrounding states.
3 memorable experiences…
I have a recurring fan who brought me art she’d done from my buddy cop satire (50 Shades of Worf is a murder mystery at a comic convention) which she’d drawn for part of a school project and this is her favorite book.
I’m known at the regional faires as the “naked bagpiper.” In reality, I wear a kilt and boots… just no shirt–its always hot. I caught a guy who was staggering on his feet (I’d just watched him pound an entire bottle of mead) and his mother wasn’t strong enough to hold him up… I gave him a bottle of water and he kept ogling me–I lift weights entirely for vanity reasons and this young guy starts drunkenly hitting on me with his mother apologizing profusely… “sorry, he get’s a little bisexual when he’s had too much to drink.”
You can hear Christopher play his bagpipes here.
https://www.facebook.com/100093275452958/videos/pcb.511313571987820/1135580651562052
One of the shows I do is also done by an older gal who used to work for TSR (D&D’s parent company/inventor) on a couple of games I played a lot when I was a teenager. I got to meet her and build a friendship; we get to hang out on occasion and talk about game design in the 80s and 90s.
Bonus story: I expanded my calendar to early and late months and so it can get too cold to go sans shirt, and so I decided to make a cloak. I couldn’t find anyone to make what I wanted and so I had to do it myself. I wore it this April for the first time and got lots of compliments… but a couple folks even recognized it as a gleeman’s cloak (from Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time, which is what it was supposed to be.)
Christopher has a Kickstarter going on right now and I’d love for you to give it a look. He obviously puts his entire life into his stories. A true bard…or Gleeman as Jordan would call him!
He’s one of those friends that you not only admire, but who is fun to be around and who has the utmost respect for you and is there to help. DL Fowler, whom I call Larry because his name is in those initials somewhere, is called The Lincoln Guy by the entire city he lives in. He’s flooded the market there and now has to travel abroad to sell because I don’t think there’s a historical fiction reader in all of Gig Harbor who doesn’t own at least one of his books.
Larry has researched his subject to the point of knowing Abraham Lincoln’s every thought. Seriously! The hours he has spent knowing not only the Civil War President, but his friends and family so intimately that he can talk about them for hours. The cool thing about his knowledge and bringing it to light, is that there is so much we can learn from this historical icon.
His books are not just a historical record told in a way that gives the reader insight, but mirrors some of the political and social issues we’re experiencing today. There’s wisdom in these books and it would be for all our benefit to pay attention.
Now Larry has invented a card game that passes along some of this wisdom that you and I can share with each other. He calls it Wisdom for the Ages: the Abraham Lincoln Conversation Deck
A Micro Game with a clear purpose — it makes the statement that history matters and says we can have fun growing wiser with friends. I can’t wait to get my deck. You should check out his Kickstarter campaign. It’s quite innovative!
These bestselling authors have teamed up to offer a delightful selection of new books. Available for a limited time.
Check out these fantasy novels I’ve joined with other authors to promote. Summer’s here and it’s time to kick back, lay out those towels on the beach, and read!
Your guide to the likes of creepy castles, Victorian graveyards and museums filled with murderers! If you are into Goth, this is your book!
Anyone who has dabbled in the dark history of the British Isles would surely appreciate this informative tome!
“A Guide to Dark Attractions in the UK is also not just about Britain’s dark history and heritage; it is also about sharing many places that are often overlooked by tourists and honouring the suffering and deaths of countless individuals by acknowledging the lessons that can be learned for future generations.”
Says the author “I am therefore driven and determined to search out and share the places that remember moments in Britain’s dark history, whether they are the unjust persecution of so-called witches, disasters such as the Oaks Colliery explosions, or more recent events such as World War I and II. By exploring memorials to these events, this book also looks at how British society has responded to death and how communities have processed their grief, from the elaborate funeral practices of the Victorian era to informal but highly personal tributes such as the Hungerford Footbridge Skateboard Graveyard.”
For us as kids, the back door always meant the kitchen door. It was the way into the room where the delightful aromas and tasty treats greet you!
Maybe the backdoor means a secret passage way revealing intimacies that those who enter the front door don’t see.
Or maybe its the door you go in when your shoes are muddy.
For some reason, back doors have always been the most welcoming entry ways. So let me invite you to this one!
This little saddle stitch book is going to be full of sweet surprises and it’s FREE to anyone who pledges on the Keeper’s Kickstarter campaign. We’ve hit so many stretch goals in just three days, that I had to come up with something special. Character portraits, a sneak peek into the next sequel, backdoor images no one has seen before added to other favorites.
Get a head start on these campaigns that will be launching, or have launched in May. Lots of exciting reading.
If you haven’t pledged on a Kickstarter yet, you might find it addicting once you do! This isn’t just a way to buy books. Kickstarter offers a way to interact with the authors. Pledge, message, and correspond with the writers of these phenomenal literary works.
Signed and numbered special editions, bonus content and artwork, swag galore, and collector items you won’t see at retailers. I invite you to take a peek at these campaigns we’ve put together on BookFunnel. Browse them all and see what’s there for the taking!
With The Keeper’s leather edition Kickstarter campaign soon to be launched, and my new book Another Man’s Storm in the queue, I’ve been writing some short stories that span the time between the two books. Maurice, the son of our main characters in The Sword of Cho Nisi’s first three books, grows from a twelve-year-old youth (The Keeper) to an eighteen-year-old young man in Another Man’s Storm.
That left a huge gap of adventure that needed to be filled, and so these short stories will give us a taste of this island boy’s coming of age and his relationship with the legendary dragon.
The short stories will be available as an eBook and will be offered as an Early Bird reward for anyone pledging the first day on The Keeper’s Kickstarter campaign. Free!
I’m writing them now. I may add to them even after this eBook is put together and for those following the series, you’ll have access to them as they’re released.
The campaign includes eBooks of the entire series, the audio books narrated by Erik Franklin, the paperbacks, and the leather hardcovers with gold foil dust jackets along with a host of other literary offerings such as Tales of Wonder, maps, gold foil bookmarks and more! Come take a look and follow to get word when it launches do you don’t miss out on that free eBook.
While we’re talking about Kickstarter campaigns, my friend Lorri just launched one for a new book, The Lost Princess. The synopsis reminds me of Prince Caspian of Narnia. Hurry though for this will only last a week!
This is a special book to me, as I’ve known Joshua and his family for years. He was a dear friend during a stormy time in my own life, stepping in as somewhat of a son when my own children were rebelling. I knew him through these early experiences that he writes about, though at the time I didn’t know his inner struggles. I always admired his smile that shone with the love of Jesus, even though I found out, through reading this testimony, that he was in the depth of a misery which he thought was his own doing.
His book tells his journey, the trials, the feelings of inadequacies, the bullying he experienced, and his search for truth. From his childhood in Port Orchard, WA to his work with YWAM and Kings Kids, to being a missionary in the Phillipines, he gives us a look into his inner struggles of being homosexual, and his deep faith in God during the course of it. A faith that finally helped set him free. His testimony is thought provoking because it reminds us that we all wrestle within ourselves. His story offers hope for all of us if we’ll just come to terms with our ineptitude, and hand our weakness over to Jesus.
Joshua Inman and his four siblings were born and raised in a Christian home in Port Orchard, Washington, across the bay from Seattle in the Pacific Northwest. Struggling with gender confusion, Inman was bullied through his school years.
After graduating High School, Inman became a full time missionary with Youth With A Mission in the Philippine Islands for nearly 5 years. He was instrumental in the planting of a church in 2000 on the small island of Camiguin, one of the Babuyan Islands located off the northern coast of the country.
Inman toured the USA for 15 years selling merchandise for Women of Faith conferences, Thompson Square, Francesca Battistelli, Sheila Walsh, Amy Grant, Steven Curtis Chapman, Lisa Daggs and a variety of other singers and speakers in the Christian and Country music industries.
After a lifetime of struggling with Same Sex Attraction and over 20 years of sexual addiction, Inman has written a book sharing the journey God took him on to set him free.
Today, Inman resides in Nashville Tennessee, sharing his message of hope, redemption and the love of God to audiences large and small. Where ever he is given the opportunity.
Even if you aren’t a born again Christian, I think this book has something to offer. It’s a humble, sincere story of a boy who didn’t understand himself, grew into someone he disliked even when he thought he was doing the right thing, and who finally discovered all his attempts at being accepted meant nothing because he was already accepted by God from the very beginning.
I have unconsciously adopted the saying, “we’ll see what happens” to everything I talk about in casual conversation. I think it’s a check and balance I apply to myself without even realizing it. Until now.
I have a friend, Lorri Moulton also called Lavender Lass. We share almost daily our writing adventures. When we put something on sale, or take it off, or play with a certain venue or upload to a certain retailer, looking for a new method to get our books noticed, we let each other know in case it works. It’s all trial and error. I’ll throw out my thoughts on why I did what I did, and almost always end with “we’ll see what happens”. In a way, those words are a comfort to me.
It’s like throwing out a fishing line in the river. Tossing your line out is a sign of hope, especially if you’re hungry. But you don’t stake a claim on catching a fish. You’ll see if you do or not. It’s a reasonable attitude.
When I submitted my screenplay to a more expensive film festival, I told Lorri, shrugged, and said “we’ll see what happens.” That one surprised me! I won. But if I hadn’t thrown my line out there, I wouldn’t have.
Still, if nothing came of it, I can fall back on my words. I saw what happened.
I wouldn’t have had this attitude twenty years ago. I’d be stressed out trying to make things happen. Now I simply cast my line and sit quietly by the river enjoying the frogs and cricket chorus, the fresh smell of green grass, and the calm of nature’s beauty.
Telling the story is the journey, the bonus of having cast out a line. I enjoy spending time in these other worlds I create. That is the first benefit of my effort. After that? Well, we’ll see what happens.
Have a great week.
We’re getting closer to The Keeper’s launch and I’ll be giving an eBook of my most recent short stories for those of you who pledge on day 1. Follow to get word.
I’ve been spending my time lately writing some short stories, some of which you can find for free, some in my paid tier on Substack. Would love to have you there if you aren’t already.
A series of short stories are now being serialized on my SubStack newsletter. Part of the Sword of Cho Nisi series, (digital series) they’re best read after The Keeper and before Another Man’s Storm (a work in progress). This will be a short story collection that spans Maurice’s adolescence and his adventures as a young Dragon Rider with his beloved dragon The Keeper. Join me next month for the next short story in the series. These will also be available in the upcoming Kicksarter campaign, as stretch goals for The Keeper.
That is the question!
No this isn’t about building. I’m one of the worse builders in the world. My grape arbor collapsed a few years ago and I’ll be danged if I can read a measuring tape.
Still I have a few words on the subject concerning remakes and starting fresh. This is dedicated to all you original creators out there who could care less about what has been. You write new stories, new characters, new trials for them, new resolutions, too.
Your dream…I mean isn’t it a dream really…to tell the world your story in every median possible? Wouldn’t you love a film adapted (with you at the helm to make sure its’ done right) from your book? So that you get more of an audience?
I love to write but I also love people to read my books. Please read my books!!
However, the guys with the money want to keep remodeling the stuff that people loved 50 years ago. (RE: Snow White and all the other old Disney movies now being remade not to mention Marvel and DC comics and whatever else). Needless to say, those movies don’t have the same impact back then because the audience loved the first one. The audience of the first movies are also now 50 years older.
I once knew a carpenter who told me it is much easier and more cost efficient to build a new house than to remodel an old one.
There are lots of reasons for that. It’s old. The wood is old, the ceiling is old, the foundation is old. You have to prop the thing up, fix the cracks, tear it apart maybe, and make up for any mistakes the original builder made. Not to mention the upgrades that have to be made to bring it all up to code.
Why not start new?
I’m hoping Hollywood gets the picture. They should because not only are independent authors outselling traditional publishers, but so too are independent filmmakers showing up Hollywood, making a name for themselves at film festivals instead of combing the streets of L.A. as a pauper, soliciting their scripts to strangers just to have the gatekeepers snub them.
It’s a cruel world to creatives.
I want to give a Kudos to those of you writing your hearts out. Telling the world your new ideas, your new tales, your new legends, your new creative endeavors. I hope you are recognized for your work. We all should be.
That being said, I’m thrilled that my screenplay An Unconventional Mr. Peadlebody won the Best Comedy Screenplay award at Cannes World Wide Film Festival.
Maybe someone will notice and be willing to finance it’s production… ?
You’ll find my campaigns on Kickstarter. I know it’s hard to sift through campaigns for family friendly, but they’ve allowed a new search on the platform and I’m identifying my campaigns with the clean rating. PG13. Thanks.
I don’t know if it’s growing old that does this, but there have been signs I’ve noticed throughout life that bring me pause.
I once knew an old man from Vietnam. I was in awe of him. He was the most incredible gardener I have ever met. I have always grown a garden, but my gardens never flourished anywhere near what his did. He lived in a little house with no more than a lot size yard. But what he didn’t have in ground space his plants took up in air space. You could walk among his greens and get lost.
I asked him once how he did it, and there were no tricks. No special fertilizers, no special treatments. I think it was him. I think it was his calm, his quiet, his love for being out there in his garden that made his plants grow.
Did you ever wish that for once you’d grow a garden that flourished? I do. Someday before I die I hope I am able to grow a garden like his.
I was thinking yesterday that human beings in Western cultures have gotten themselves into a mess of things. Our entire lifestyle is made up of rushing around. When we ask ourselves why, the answer is usually very superficial. To pay bills. to feed ourselves, to have a roof over our heads.
But what we do to achieve those goals have nothing to do with the goals themselves.
We don’t build our houses (most of us). We don’t go out and chop firewood to burn to keep ourselves warm. Most of us don’t make our own clothes. Most of us don’t grow enough food to keep us fed for a week much less a lifetime. So, what do we do?
How did we get to be like that, I wonder?
Tonight, I sit back and spend my time contemplating. Maybe writing a word or two that might get someone else to thinking. Maybe my stories might do someone some good. I hope so.
The Keeper’s words hold particular weight for me, like they did for Maurice, as we both grapple with the frustrating acceptance of the unchangeable.
New from Cannes World Film Festival!
Congratulations! We are pleased to announce that ~ An Unconventional Mr. Peadlebody ~ is now a Finalist for the current monthly competition.
Your project is now in consideration as a potential Nominee or Winner.
I am extremely excited that my screenplay for An Unconventional Mr. Peadlebody was selected for the Cannes World Film Festival! Wouldn’t it be fun to get picked up by a filmmaker? This story has won some awards and has gotten some really good reviews. We’ll see what happens. If nothing else, maybe more people will just want to enjoy it.
You’ll find the first chapter to the book here
And the hilarious audio book narrated by award winning narrator Brad Wills can be found here.
There is a collection of exciting fantasy books on sale right now and your chance to win a Kindle fire and some other awesome prizes. Rise of the Tobian Princess is among them and on sale! Come Look!
I’ve been having fun writing them. There’s a new serialize short story on SubStack that I’ve been posting, a 4 part story for my SubStack members. It’s a historical (regency) fantasy.
Lydia can paint her dreams and they come true, but when she paints a beautiful mermaid whose face washes away in the creek at the same time her true love goes to war, she’s over come by fear and struggles to change the course of fate. A historical regency story.
We’re on part 3 right now but you can catch up. The membership is $5 a month or $30 a year.
I plan on writing more shorts for this membership. Stories that compliment my new sequel to the Sword of Cho Nisi, Another Man’s Storm, about the adventures of Maurice and the dragon (now named Kai thanks to subscribers voting on his name). I’d love to have you join us.
Another short story that I just finished writing. This is the back story of Prince Barin and Lady Anna’s courtship in The Sword of Cho Nisi. It’s only available right now on Darkness Holds the Son Kickstarter and it’s a stretch goal reward! In other words anyone who pledges on any tier from a $6 eBook to a 4 book bundle gets this short story for free!
If you enjoy short stories, you should try Tales of Wonder. There’s a collection of 10 short stories in the eBook and if you like special edition hardcovers, the hardcover edition with 36 short stories is available as an add on in the Kickstarter for Darkness Holds the Son.
“An engaging tale filled with magic and parental love. Darkness Holds the Son is first – the story of a father struggling to save his kids and second – that of a king hell-bent on saving his kingdom’s future.” – Independent Book Review
In a small village named Tuluva, Jareth, an unemployed mercenary, and his wife and two children are raising goats to sustain themselves. Things go well for them until the land-baron of Ogress raises their taxes, forcing Jareth to pick up his crossbow and return to the battlefield.
Jareth has an even more pressing problem than keeping his family out of debtor’s prison. His son Crispin has seizures that are caused by magic and if Jareth doesn’t find the source soon, it could be fatal as the boy hears voices instructing him to kill his parents.
In his search for work, Jareth is late for every war that rages and is soon accused of being an enemy to the crown. With his arrest he learns his son has disappeared. He bequeaths King Barin to help him.
Taking pity on the man, and seeing his nephew is developing the same symptoms, King Barin consents. Their search takes them through a portal and into a chasm known as the Neverworld. Here enchantments and sorcery give birth to an unfathomable evil, and their children are the instruments of its ploy.
When King Barin discovers who is behind this plot, his anger rages from a broken heart, yet he is tested by the very magic the thaumaturge once wielded.
Note this is the only campaign that Darkness Holds the Son will be a limited edition and numbered. The leather hard copy with the dust jacket will be available in the sequel campaigns, but will not be part of the limited edition series.
My stories are character driven, inspired by my psychology classes in college. Many of my life experiences in the Arizona desert and Pacific Northwest mountains are hidden in the pages of my books. Of course they have a magical twist to them. I do hope you enjoy reading these tales as much as I enjoy writing them.
New feature – Pledge Over Time is available! We are one of the first creators to offer Kickstarter’s new feature that allows backers to split their pledge into 4 equal payments.
Here’s how you can take advantage of this option:
We are excited about this enhanced flexibility for our community of backers. If you have more questions, you can visit this help center article for more information or reach out to the Kickstarter’s support team here.
I have been dragging my feet at writing my next novel. At least until a few days ago when I made a major change. Another Man’s Storm will no longer be a spin off novel to the series, Sword of Cho Nisi, it will be a sequel. The change was made when I grew very uncomfortable with one of my main characters. He needs to be in the story, but readers aren’t going to like him very much and they just might slam the book down and walk away because of him.
During the writing process I got lonesome for Cho Nisi’s characters and so I decided to bring Maurice into this story. Who is Maurice? Without giving the entire series away, after the Curse of Mt. Ream, and in Darkness Holds the Son, you’ll discover that Erika and Arell have a child. He’s a toddler in book 4. In The Keeper, Maurice is about eight years old. Now, in Another Man’s Storm, he’s a young man, somewhat childish, a little bit brave, lovable, and has some growing up to do. He’s also a Dragon Rider. Which puts a new spin on the plot line and also will be a catalyst in teaching this other jock some adulting in the way he treats people (especially women).
What’s also inspiring for me is that I have all the years between The Keeper and Another Man’s Storm to fill in with short stories and novellas. They will be fun adventures of this young man and his dragon. I’m looking forward to those and I’m halfway considering doing a few as a subscription on Substack. I’ll wait and see if there’s interest.
I currently have a poll going on in my Substack newsletter if you would care to join in. I’m sure Maurice is ready to name The Keeper something more personal but I can’t decide what. So if you would come vote on one of four of these names I would be appreciative!
If you are looking for some browsing to do and haven’t visited my campaign page (which launches Tuesday Feb 11) then please come give it a follow. I’m having fun with this series and there’s more to come!
Have you ever enjoyed an advertisement? If they’re done right, they can be quite touching. I’ve seen a few that I love watching repeatedly.
I’m thinking in particular of the ad they show at the Gig Harbor Galaxy before the shows. It’s the ad they do for their film festival. It starts by naming a director with the words ‘before such and such film, so and so directed ___ and then mentioning a less notable film. Lovely music plays in the background. And then they mention the festival because film festivals are how a lot of filmmakers get their start. Maybe it’s just nostalgia for me because my short concept film for Ian’s Realm was in that film festival and it was a thrilling event for me to see my little film on the IMAX screen!
Not necessarily to be famous or to get rich. For me it’s to see my stories come to life and make an impression on people. But it’s also about telling those stories. Any author can relate, I think. These characters live in your head for years and then you write them out and give them situations; trials to which they can prove themselves heroes. Problems to overcome. It’s the feeling when you write The End to your story and then it gets formatted and printed and you hold it in your hands. Or see it at the library! Better, you see someone reading it and sending you word how it affected them.
That’s fulfillment.
Sort of the same feeling when your child grows into an adult and they fulfill their own dreams and you’re happy for them.
Well, authors, it’s not too far fetched to flesh out your stories. I started doing it years ago with my granddaughters. I wrote a little script and had the girls act it out and I filmed it with my smart phone. It isn’t a comedy, but we laughed so hard you’d think it was.
In 2017 I put a call on Facebook for a couple of actors and a videographer to join me to film a little excerpt of An Unconventional Mr. Peadlebody. Actors love to act, and film makers love to film, so we got together and did just that. I had forgotten about this little flick until the other day I was looking through my files for something special to add to my campaign as a stretch goal. I watched it again and laughed. Yes!
The next goal, and there are less than 60 hours left to the campaign, and we are only $172 from achieving it, is access to this short film, along with stills and maybe a few other bonus items for your enjoyment.
For those timid to try a Kickstarter – Don’t be afraid! The eBook is discounted and some of the rewards are only available through the campaign. Come take a look! But hurry. Ends Tuesday the 14th. In addition to the tier you choose to support this campaign, you’ll get the following! And if we make the next goal, you’ll get to watch this little film at your leisure.
It’s the 5th of January and already I feel fresh and alive!
Perhaps we’re all working hard on those resolutions, or at least our goals for the new year. I like making them. How long I’ll keep my word to myself is hard to say. It seems as soon as I set a goal something comes along to try and kick it over. But that’s part of life, isn’t it?
What’s good about setting a new goal is it gets me to rolling up my sleeves, putting my hands to the plow, and moving forward.
For me, one goal is to continue work on Another Man’s Storm. I made some adjustments since I wrote a few chapters on Substack, which is why I stopped posting my work in progress. I revised too much in order to offer anything coherent. I would look flakey to the general public putting work up and then changing it and shuffling chapters and renaming characters and the like. You’d be more confused than me!
I don’t know how some of these authors do it! For me, it’s better to finish and then post, don’t you think? That being said, I joined a daily writing challenge with some other authors on Facebook and I mean to keep it up. This is good for me. I might have written 2 books this last year (Night Ice and Wind in the Wilds), but that was the first part of the year. After that it’s all been marketing and I’m not the best marketer in town, but my Kickstarters have been doing well, thanks to you, my readers!
Another New Year resolution I made has to do with family and money and loans. That’s a more personal matter and I need to adhere to that one a bit more seriously.
I hope you are able to set some healthy and fruitful goals this year and stick with them. Even if we fall back a little, focusing on a positive direction is good for us. Sooner or later our bodies will catch up!
An Unconventional Mr. Peadlebody’s Kickstarter campaign is going strong! I’m extremely happy with how so many of you are choosing the audio book. It’s indeed a work of art and won’t disappoint, even if you don’t do audio books often. Brad Wills is brilliant in his performance.
Please do take another peek at the campaign! We’ve reached three stretch goals already and are working our way toward printed edges on the hardcover.
Making Believe 