A little while ago, I was interviewed for the High Fantasy Podcast. That interview is now live on YouTube!
Check it out and hear what we have to say about Peter Jackson’s biggest mistake, why Marshal (in the Heart of Fire series) couldn’t communicate, and the purpose of fantasy stories.
I’m honored to support a great organization working to rescue children from sex trafficking worldwide. All proceeds from my book sales this Friday, July 31, 2020 go to Operation Underground Railroad.
In the past six years of existence, O.U.R. has rescued 3,800 victims and assisted in the arrests of more than 2,100 traffickers around the world. The partners they are empowering have collectively helped rescue the lives of more than 10,000 survivors who were enslaved, exploited or at risk.
By buying my books or any of the other books on the Authors for Freedom list, you will be donating to Operation Underground Railroad and helping to rescue children being held captive around the world.
But you don’t have to stop there! O.U.R. offers free training on recognizing and reporting sex trafficking here.
Here are some downloadable resources and facts, YouTube channel, and volunteer website.
I am honored to take part in this initiative and hope you all will join with me in supporting this great organization!
#AuthorsforFreedom #OUR #OperationUnderGroundRailroad #endhumantrafficking
The last few days, I have been living in the past. And the future. And another world.
I’ve mentioned that I started the work of re-writing/editing my earlier novel, Viridia. I struggled with it for a while, wondering if it was even worth bothering over. But I knew that I needed to get more books out, beyond the Heart of Fire series. Working on this one would give me the chance to do that faster.
So I enlisted some help from my friends in the Apex Writers Group. All of the responses I got were very positive and encouraging. This story could work. They even helped me overcome one of the difficulties I had with the opening chapters.
I got excited. I started making serious progress. You can see from the bar on the right how far along I’ve come in recent days. I’ve been re-reading and re-writing this story I wrote several years ago. Sometimes, I have to ask, “Wow. Did I write this?” Other times, I have to ask, “Ugh. Did I write that?”
Tonight, I even pulled up the outline and opening pages I had written for the sequel. Wow, this is some crazy stuff. And it just might work.
Dragons. Cybernetics. Swords. Trains. Magic? It all fits in here. And it’s all coming together.
What does this mean for the Heart of Fire series? Nothing, really. I’m still working on the opening chapters of book three. It is going a little slower than I’d like, because my creative energies are split. But I try to divide my time between the two books, so neither is neglected. If I am motivated enough, I can get this done.
Out of all the names of characters and places in my books, this is the one people ask me about the most. Ixchel is a great character to write, and I’m looking forward to seeing how her story continues. But how do you say her name?
The answer is… not as easy as it seems.
You can literally google “how do you pronounce ixchel” and you’ll get multiple answers.
This video, for example, pronounces it the way it’s spelled in English:
But this video pronounces it more like “ee-shell”:
Ixchel is a Mayan name. The culture of her land and people in my books is loosely based on the ancient Maya. So logically, the best guide to it would be an explanation of how the Mayans pronounced it, right?
Here’s one:
http://www.native-languages.org/maya_guide.htm
If you read that, you’ll find that “ee-shell” is close, but… it actually ends up something more like “eesh-chail” including the “ch” sound and pronouncing the “e” as a long “a.”
So which one is right?
It’s a fantasy novel, with names and cultures that I created. I’m sort of the final arbiter here. Except… it may come to a huge surprise to readers that I don’t always pronounce the names in my head while writing them. And since I was raised on American phonics, when I do pronounce names from other languages, I often do it completely wrong.
I like “ee-shell.” And “eesh-chail” is a bit too cumbersome for my tongue. But you know what? You can pronounce it however you choose. I won’t mind.
But I’d better start getting it right myself. She scares me.
I apologize for not updating the blog in a while. Between everything going on in the world the last few weeks and my own slow sales, I haven’t felt motivated to do much writing.
One of my struggles has been the opening chapters of the next book. Yesterday, I finally got a solid outline for them and I believe I can move on now.
I’m also talking with some other writers about accountability and motivation with each other. We’ll see how that goes.
It’s so much more than just a dream now. My second novel, Until All Bonds Are Broken, releases today! If you enjoyed the first book, Until All Curses Are Lifted, you have to get this one! If you haven’t read the first book, what are you waiting for? Buy both!
Available in ebook from Amazon, paperback from Barnes & Noble or Amazon, or even better – support a local bookstore and have them order it for you!
Chapter three of Until All Bonds Are Broken is now available here.
Ever wonder what the villain’s thinking? Let’s check in on Volraag…
Mailing list subscribers will get chapter four in a couple of days. If you want to read that one, join the mailing list! It’s where all the best people are.
The book releases in only THREE DAYS. Jump on the hype train!
Chapter two of Until All Bonds Are Broken is now available here.
This is a pretty crucial scene that kicks off so much…
Chapter three will be released next week, but if you want to read it even earlier, join the mailing list! They get all the cool stuff first. You like cool stuff, don’t you?
Counting down the days to April 30…
Seri got the first cover, so it’s only fair that Marshal gets the second, right? Without further comment, here it is:
Lots of news this morning.
First, I now have a release date for Until All Bonds Are Broken, my newest book. Look for it on April 30!
Second, the cover reveal will take place this Friday, April 17! Be sure to come back then to see the gorgeous new artwork.
Third, as the headline says, you can read the first chapter of the book right now, right here.
If you bought the paperback version of Until All Curses Are Lifted, you might have already read this as a preview, and you’re wanting more. Don’t fret. Chapter two will be posted next Monday! But if you’re a member of the mailing list, you’ll see it several days early! So join the mailing list already!
So what’s this book about? Here’s the back cover blurb:
“When one curse is lifted, we will be on a path to the lifting of all curses.”
Though his life has been dramatically altered, Marshal can find no way to advance his new cause. His half-brother Volraag begins a war that could have ramifications for two worlds. Caught up in the fighting, Marshal finds nothing but despair. His best friend, bonded to Marshal since childhood, may be the only one who can save him… from the war and from himself.
Seri searches for Marshal, but suffers a devastating loss almost immediately. Then she meets a mysterious magic-user who wields power unlike any she’s seen before. Who is he and what does his coming mean for the six lands of Antises?
Together, Seri and Marshal may be able to stand against Volraag’s growing power. But they will need much more help if they are to fight against a plot that spans ages, a plot instigated by mysterious dwellers of the Starlit Realm.
The epic story begun in Until All Curses Are Lifted continues…
Powered by WordPress & Theme by Anders Norén