Rob Howell's Blog, page 29
June 13, 2020
Rob’s Update: Georgia On My Mind
Greetings all
I’m in Dalton, GA at ConFinement, the mini-convention to replace LibertyCon. It’s been fantastic to get out and see people. Since I’m on the road and lots of things are going on, this is a bit abbreviated.
And I’m clearly not the only one. We’re having a great time.
While it’s much, much smaller than LibertyCon, it’s been especially nice to actually get to talk to some people I’ve been aware of, but haven’t really gotten to konw.
I’m still making progress with None Call Me Mother. It is almost not vaporware. Finally.
Too much is going on here. Having a great time. Will talk more later.
What I’m Listening To
The Baen Road show is happening on the other side of the room. The Baen people talk about what’s coming, give out books, and generally have a hoot. Most LibertyCons I can’t go because I’m usually scheduled against it, so I’m really happy to to get to watch this time.
Quote of the Week
“There is one true way of writing, and it’s whatever helps you get words on the page.”
– Me, to many new writers. Keep writing everyone.
News and Works in Progress
None Call Me Mother
CB (8,418)
Upcoming Events
3-7 September, DragonCon, Atlanta, GA
https://www.dragoncon.org/
Let me know if you have any suggestions on the website, this email, or cool story ideas at rob@robhowell.org. Especially let me know of suggestions you have for the Spotlight section.
Have a great week, everyone.
Rob Howell
Author of the Shijuren-series of novels
Website: www.robhowell.org
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/rhodri2112
Blog: www.robhowell.org/blog
Shijuren Wiki: http://www.shijuren.org/World+of+Shijuren+Home
MeWe: https://mewe.com/i/rob.howell1
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/robhowell.org/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Rhodri2112
Currently Available Works
Shijuren
A Lake Most Deep (Edward, Book 1)
The Eyes of a Doll (Edward, Book 2)
Where Now the Rider (Edward, Book 3)
I Am a Wondrous Thing (The Kreisens, Book 1)
Brief Is My Flame (The Kreisens, Book 2)
None Call Me Mother (The Kreisens, Book 3) Forthcoming 2020
“What’s in a Name” in When Valor Must Hold (An Edward prequel story)
Four Horsemen Universe
“Where Enemies Sit” in For a Few Credits More (The Four Horsemen Universe)
“A Sword for Striking” in Luck Is Not a Factor (The Four Horsemen Universe)
The Feeding of Sorrows (Four Horsemen Tales, Book 11)
The Phases of Mars
“Far Better to Dare” in Those In Peril
“In Dark’ning Storms” in To Slip the Surly Bonds
“Here Must We Hold” in Trouble in the Wind
Short Stories
“A Gift of Crimson” in Hand of Gold and Other Stories (Pussy Katnip)
“The Chaos of Well-Seeming Forms” in We Dare
If you think you received this email incorrectly or wish to be unsubscribed, please send an email to shijuren-owner@robhowell.org
June 6, 2020
Weekly Update: Time Keeps on Slippin’
Greetings all
Clearly, I have been losing track of days of late. It’s been four weeks since my last update and I barely even noticed. What have I been doing in the last month?
Glad you asked.
I wrote and sent off a short story for one thing. It’s to a publisher I’ve not worked with and I’m excited about the opportunity he gave me. Publication date hasn’t been set, and I can’t tell you much about it right now, but it’s a lot of fun.
I also made a lot of progress on None Call Me Mother. I know I’ve said that over and over, but it’s been tough sledding at times. This is the first time I’ve ever written a trilogy, and there are things I would definitely do differently. Of course, I’m a better writer than I was when I wrote I Am a Wondrous Thing, and I already do some of the things differently now out of habit.
I completed a number of small projects here and there. As I look around the house, we keep getting more and more done. Currently, we’re focusing on the back yard. Also, I keep adding a bit here, a bit there to get the Wiki back to its updated and improved form.
Also, I got interviewed by the Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette. It’ll get published on Sunday and you’ll find it here when it goes live: https://www.nwaonline.com/features/whatsup/
The writer, Becca Martin-Brown, has been a buddy of mine for a long, wonderful time, so this is definitely a case of it’s good to have friends. I really appreciate her and this interview.
Next week I go off to a small mini-con designed to replace some of LibertyCon’s functionality. I am so looking forward to getting on the road again. I’m a wanderer by nature and it’s time.
Speaking of LibertyCon that wasn’t, this week sees the release of Give Me LibertyCon, the anthology including a bunch of big names written to celebrate the memory of Uncle Timmy with all the proceeds going to charity. You can find it here: https://www.amazon.com/Give-Me-LibertyCon-Christopher-Woods-ebook/dp/B087H4BM3R/.
Well, that’s enough for now. I’ve got writing to do. And I’ll try to be more aware of the passage of time going forward.
What I’m Listening To
AC/DC Thunderstruck.
Side note: If these talent shows always had performances like this one that is sure to “brighten” your day, I’d watch them more often. Of course, this is *Australia’s* Got Talent…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oO1bGlyHDNU
Quote of the Week
The song immediately after Thunderstruck was Steve Miller Band’s Fly Like an Eagle. How appropriate.
“Time keeps on slippin’, slippin’, slippin’
Into the future ”
– Steve Miller Band, Fly Like an Eagle
News and Works in Progress
None Call Me Mother (About 110k)
Recent Blog Posts and Wiki Additions
Sheesh, not a damn thing except adding items to the wiki.
Upcoming Events
12-14 June, Emergency Holograph LibertyCon, Dalton, GA
3-7 September, DragonCon, Atlanta, GA
https://www.dragoncon.org/
Spotlight
This week’s spotlight is on Give Me LibertyCon, an amazing anthology just released by Baen. Basically a bunch of big names decided to celebrate the memory of Uncle Timmy, founder of LibertyCon, with an anthology. Side note: The profits go to charity.
You can find it here: https://www.amazon.com/Give-Me-LibertyCon-Christopher-Woods-ebook/dp/B087H4BM3R/
Today’s Weight: 376.4
Updated Word Count: No clue, will pass that on next week
Shijuren Wiki: 33 entries (which actually includes probably more like 100 of the old pages as I have condensed a number of pages to make it easier to navigate).
Let me know if you have any suggestions on the website, this email, or cool story ideas at rob@robhowell.org. Especially let me know of suggestions you have for the Spotlight section.
Have a great week, everyone.
Rob Howell
Author of the Shijuren-series of novels
Website: www.robhowell.org
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/rhodri2112
Blog: www.robhowell.org/blog
Shijuren Wiki: http://www.shijuren.org/World+of+Shijuren+Home
MeWe: https://mewe.com/i/rob.howell1
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/robhowell.org/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Rhodri2112
Currently Available Works
Shijuren
A Lake Most Deep (Edward, Book 1)
The Eyes of a Doll (Edward, Book 2)
Where Now the Rider (Edward, Book 3)
I Am a Wondrous Thing (The Kreisens, Book 1)
Brief Is My Flame (The Kreisens, Book 2)
None Call Me Mother (The Kreisens, Book 3) Forthcoming 2020
“What’s in a Name” in When Valor Must Hold (An Edward prequel story)
Four Horsemen Universe
“Where Enemies Sit” in For a Few Credits More (The Four Horsemen Universe)
“A Sword for Striking” in Luck Is Not a Factor (The Four Horsemen Universe)
The Feeding of Sorrows (Four Horsemen Tales, Book 11)
The Phases of Mars
“Far Better to Dare” in Those In Peril
“In Dark’ning Storms” in To Slip the Surly Bonds
“Here Must We Hold” in Trouble in the Wind
Short Stories
“A Gift of Crimson” in Hand of Gold and Other Stories (Pussy Katnip)
“The Chaos of Well-Seeming Forms” in We Dare
If you think you received this email incorrectly or wish to be unsubscribed, please send an email to shijuren-owner@robhowell.org
May 9, 2020
Rob’s Update: Prog Report
Greetings all
Another productive week around here. We did a bunch of yardwork and a lot of prep for summer and fall.
Also, I finally overcame a whole bunch of weird problems and learning curves. I discovered why I couldn’t upgrade the old one (if you can .css files, it will prevent that, something not even my tech guy at Metapros knew). Then I discovered that the new version of Tiki Wiki uses a real cool web development idea, the Bootstrap grid. It’s really neat and powerful, but it took some time to learn.
But now I can say, the Shijuren Wiki is live again at www.shijuren.org. It has only a minimal number of pages yet, but I’m adding a few each day.
If you looked at it before, you’ll see a few changes to the new version. I’ve rearranged some things, like all the odd words I use will be gathered in lexicons for each language instead of separate listings for each. I think that’ll be easier to navigate.
Also, I’ve been taking advantage of the need to add the content back. I could probably figure out a way to batch upload my backup, but instead I’m having fun to flesh out some of that content. I’ve added a box of pertinent details to a bunch of things.
I’m loving all of this worldbuilding.
I also put aside the short story I’m working on to let it freshen up and returned to None Call Me Mother. It’s amazing what setting something aside will do. I come back with fresh eyes and see cool fun routes of where my pantsing has led me.
I’m just plugging away.
What I’m Listening To
The Prog from Home web concert. This is a really cool thing where the Prog Report gathered a bunch of musicians to play from their homes. Really cool stuff and I’m finding some bands I’d never heard of before, like Chattanooga’s own Glass Hammer.
Quote of the Week
Today would be Tony Gwynn’s birthday. Gwynn was, in many ways, the ideal baseball player to admire. He was a great athlete when he was younger, but as he aged that athleticism went away. He still excelled, though, because he had worked so hard to hone his skills, and it’s always an inspiration to think of him when I’m fighting at a paragraph or something like that.
I apologize that this quote includes a bad word, but there’s sometimes such a word is the correct one. This quote is by Greg Maddux, clearly one of the greatest pitchers ever. I could take the word out, but nothing else demonstrates as well how much Tony Gwynn frustrated pitchers.
“If a pitcher can change speeds, every hitter is helpless, limited by human vision. Except for that fucking Tony Gwynn.”
– Greg Maddux
News and Works in Progress
None Call Me Mother (Appox 110,000)
CB (8,418)
TSK (7,563)
Recent Blog Posts and Wiki Additions
https://shijuren.org/tiki-index.php?page=Aca-Jankovich
https://shijuren.org/tiki-index.php?page=Achrida
https://shijuren.org/tiki-index.php?page=Aegiala
https://shijuren.org/tiki-index.php?page=Aelfwynn-Caedmondohtor
https://shijuren.org/tiki-index.php?page=Aethelflaed-Aethelreddohtor
https://shijuren.org/tiki-index.php?page=Aethelred-Aethelwulfson
https://shijuren.org/tiki-index.php?page=Calendar-of-Shijuren
https://shijuren.org/tiki-index.php?page=Makhaira
https://shijuren.org/tiki-index.php?page=Sevenish-Language
Upcoming Events
3-7 September, DragonCon, Atlanta, GA
https://www.dragoncon.org/
Spotlight
So much going on. Do I mention When Valor Must Hold again? How about Gates of Hell, released only a couple of weeks ago? There’s my new personal online story at: https://aescandthorn.com/store/. And there’s the Shijuren Wiki, coming back after such a long hiatus.
Today’s Weight: 391.2
Updated Word Count: 65,936
Shijuren Wiki: 874 entries
Let me know if you have any suggestions on the website, this email, or cool story ideas at rob@robhowell.org. Especially let me know of suggestions you have for the Spotlight section.
Have a great week, everyone.
Rob Howell
Author of the Shijuren-series of novels
Website: www.robhowell.org
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/rhodri2112
Blog: www.robhowell.org/blog
Shijuren Wiki: http://www.shijuren.org/World+of+Shijuren+Home
MeWe: https://mewe.com/i/rob.howell1
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/robhowell.org/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Rhodri2112
Currently Available Works
Shijuren
A Lake Most Deep (Edward, Book 1)
The Eyes of a Doll (Edward, Book 2)
Where Now the Rider (Edward, Book 3)
I Am a Wondrous Thing (The Kreisens, Book 1)
Brief Is My Flame (The Kreisens, Book 2)
None Call Me Mother (The Kreisens, Book 3) Forthcoming 2020
“What’s in a Name” in When Valor Must Hold (An Edward prequel story)
Four Horsemen Universe
“Where Enemies Sit” in For a Few Credits More (The Four Horsemen Universe)
“A Sword for Striking” in Luck Is Not a Factor (The Four Horsemen Universe)
The Feeding of Sorrows (Four Horsemen Tales, Book 11)
The Phases of Mars
“Far Better to Dare” in Those In Peril
“In Dark’ning Storms” in To Slip the Surly Bonds
“Here Must We Hold” in Trouble in the Wind
Short Stories
“A Gift of Crimson” in Hand of Gold and Other Stories (Pussy Katnip)
“The Chaos of Well-Seeming Forms” in We Dare
If you think you received this email incorrectly or wish to be unsubscribed, please send an email to shijuren-owner@robhowell.org
May 2, 2020
Rob’s Update: A Vicious Kidnapping and Murder Saved Me
Greetings all
Sorry about not getting out an update last week. I should just plan for that weekend to be empty, because the NFL Draft is one of my favorite events of the year. This year I actually got to wallow in it more than normal, which was a lot of fun for me.
Building a team, whatever the sport, is fascinating to me. It’s like multi-dimensional tetris with amorphous, changing parts. The best players don’t always fit, and this is especially true in football. More than any sport, football is a team sport, and fit is incredibly important for players.
It’s one reason why the hit rate on draft picks is so low. If the fit isn’t right, and you can’t always know until the attempt is made, then the player may never succeed. Conversely, if the fit is right, then that same player may become a Hall of Famer. It’s that much of a tightrope.
I love that sort of puzzle. It’s why I love tracking minor-league prospects as well.
Anyway, back to my work. I’ve spent this week hammering on a project that’s a bit of a change for me. It’s for a publisher I’ve not worked with before, and it’s a task with a number of interesting constraints. I have to match the editor’s specifics, which is making me work extra hard. Kinda neat, actually.
It’s sort of like writing certain kinds of poetry. Drottkvaet, for example, requires a slew of things including specific syllable counts, alliteration, and rhymes (preferably interior half-rhymes).
This particular project is something I’m having a lot of fun working on, but with the restrictions and the desire to impress a new editor, it’s been interesting.
In the end, though. I think you’ll like this story when I can tell you about it.
Speaking of stories, I had a new release this week. Gates of Hell, the newest Four Horsemen anthology, hit the virtual shelves yesterday. My story is “Fire from Fire Quickened,” and it’s a follow-up from The Feeding of Sorrows.
This is the 50th book in the Four Horsemen series. I am so proud to have contributed the Queen Elizabeth’s Own Foresters to that universe, and will be writing the sequel to The Feeding of Sorrows as soon as I finish None Call Me Mother.
it’s a tough day to work, as it’s beautiful outside, but gotta get words on the page. Have a great day.
What I’m Listening To
“Schism” by Tool. Tool is such a great band to write to. They are intricate, powerful, and get my mind going.
Quote of the Week
“A man, a horse, and a vicious kidnapping and murder saved me.”
– A Lake Most Deep, by me.
Why this as my quote? A Lake Most Deep turned 5 this week and this is the first line. I love that story, though I wince at times at my writing. I am so much better now than I was back then. I’m supposed to be, of course, but I wouldn’t have gotten here without A Lake Most Deep.
So glad I took the risk and dived into the deep end.
News and Works in Progress
None Call Me Mother (PAGES)
CB (8,418)
TSK (7,563)
Recent Blog Posts and Wiki Additions
Been working on the Wiki. Finally overcame a number of weird issues and I’m making good progress now.
Upcoming Events
3-7 September, DragonCon, Atlanta, GA
https://www.dragoncon.org/
Spotlight
This week’s spotlight is on the Gates of Hell, the newest anthology in the Four Horsemen Universe. You can find it here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B087T7FW9M/
Today’s Weight: 394.2
Updated Word Count: 65,936
Shijuren Wiki: Making great progress
Let me know if you have any suggestions on the website, this email, or cool story ideas at rob@robhowell.org. Especially let me know of suggestions you have for the Spotlight section.
Have a great week, everyone.
Rob Howell
Author of the Shijuren-series of novels
Website: www.robhowell.org
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/rhodri2112
Blog: www.robhowell.org/blog
Shijuren Wiki: http://www.shijuren.org/World+of+Shijuren+Home
MeWe: https://mewe.com/i/rob.howell1
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/robhowell.org/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Rhodri2112
Currently Available Works
Shijuren
A Lake Most Deep (Edward, Book 1)
The Eyes of a Doll (Edward, Book 2)
Where Now the Rider (Edward, Book 3)
I Am a Wondrous Thing (The Kreisens, Book 1)
Brief Is My Flame (The Kreisens, Book 2)
None Call Me Mother (The Kreisens, Book 3) Forthcoming 2020
“What’s in a Name” in When Valor Must Hold (An Edward prequel story)
Four Horsemen Universe
“Where Enemies Sit” in For a Few Credits More (The Four Horsemen Universe)
“A Sword for Striking” in Luck Is Not a Factor (The Four Horsemen Universe)
The Feeding of Sorrows (Four Horsemen Tales, Book 11)
The Phases of Mars
“Far Better to Dare” in Those In Peril
“In Dark’ning Storms” in To Slip the Surly Bonds
“Here Must We Hold” in Trouble in the Wind
Short Stories
“A Gift of Crimson” in Hand of Gold and Other Stories (Pussy Katnip)
“The Chaos of Well-Seeming Forms” in We Dare
If you think you received this email incorrectly or wish to be unsubscribed, please send an email to shijuren-owner@robhowell.org
April 18, 2020
Rob’s Update: Nor War’s Quick Fire
Greetings all
I finished re-writing and editing my story for Semper Paratus. This is an anthology from Jamie Ibson, who also edited We Dare. My story is a prequel to “The Chaos of Well-Seeming Forms” with was in the first anthology.
This one is entitled “Nor War’s Quick Fire” and we see the two feuding families meet. The time they meet is not a good one, though, and things don’t go where anyone expects, including, I suspect, the readers.
The story took a little longer. I can usually tell when a story works and the first version didn’t. In the end, I realized it tried to do too much. This is becoming a fairly standard thing. I try to put certain things in a story, and they may very well be great elements, but this particular story doesn’t work with them included.
Sometimes, this requires help from other eyes. I got great help from Jamie and also Yvonne Jacobs focusing the story down.
This is part of the be prepared to kill your baby part of writing. It’s not easy, but if you can do it, it results in much better stories and quite often, future story ideas.
This weekend, I’m basically taking it off except for projects around the house. Next week, I’ll be doing a couple of small writing projects, starting a new short story, and working on None Call Me Mother.
Have a great week.
What I’m Listening To
Still watching Burn Notice. Again. Love this show.
Quote of the Week
Sir Edward Pellew, 1st Viscount Exmouth, was born today in 1757. Who is he? He was a very successful admiral in the Napoleonic Wars. You can find his details here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Pellew,_1st_Viscount_Exmouth.
More importantly for me, he was Mr. Midshipman Hornblower’s captain on the Indefatigueable. Anytime I get a chance to reference Hornblower, I’m going to take it.
“You have fought your duel. That is well. Never fight another. That is better.”
– Edward Pellew, in the Duel, from the Hornblower movies.
News and Works in Progress
None Call Me Mother (Approx. 115,000)
CB (8,418)
HM (6,374)
Recent Blog Posts and Wiki Additions
Added a few more products on the website and focused on the wiki this week.
Upcoming Events
20-28 June, Ragnarok XXXV, Slippery Rock, PA
http://dagorhirragnarok.com/Home
24 July-9 August, Pennsic, Slippery Rock, PA
http://www.pennsicwar.org/
3-7 September, DragonCon, Atlanta, GA
https://www.dragoncon.org/
Spotlight
This week’s spotlight is still on my new webstore at www.aescandthorn.com/store. I have my new books, old science fiction and fantasy magazines, and will add a bunch of used books.
Today’s Weight: 396.4
Updated Word Count: 65,098
Shijuren Wiki: working on it
Let me know if you have any suggestions on the website, this email, or cool story ideas at rob@robhowell.org. Especially let me know of suggestions you have for the Spotlight section.
Have a great week, everyone.
Rob Howell
Author of the Shijuren-series of novels
Website: www.robhowell.org
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/rhodri2112
Blog: www.robhowell.org/blog
Shijuren Wiki: http://www.shijuren.org/World+of+Shijuren+Home
MeWe: https://mewe.com/i/rob.howell1
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/robhowell.org/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Rhodri2112
Currently Available Works
Shijuren
A Lake Most Deep (Edward, Book 1)
The Eyes of a Doll (Edward, Book 2)
Where Now the Rider (Edward, Book 3)
I Am a Wondrous Thing (The Kreisens, Book 1)
Brief Is My Flame (The Kreisens, Book 2)
None Call Me Mother (The Kreisens, Book 3) Forthcoming 2020
“What’s in a Name” in When Valor Must Hold (An Edward prequel story)
Four Horsemen Universe
“Where Enemies Sit” in For a Few Credits More (The Four Horsemen Universe)
“A Sword for Striking” in Luck Is Not a Factor (The Four Horsemen Universe)
The Feeding of Sorrows (Four Horsemen Tales, Book 11)
The Phases of Mars
“Far Better to Dare” in Those In Peril
“In Dark’ning Storms” in To Slip the Surly Bonds
“Here Must We Hold” in Trouble in the Wind
Short Stories
“A Gift of Crimson” in Hand of Gold and Other Stories (Pussy Katnip)
“The Chaos of Well-Seeming Forms” in We Dare
If you think you received this email incorrectly or wish to be unsubscribed, please send an email to shijuren-owner@robhowell.org
April 11, 2020
Rob’s Update: Time for a Mojito
Greetings all
What a really busy and productive week. Most of this week has been focused on my story for the sequel anthology to We Dare, Semper Paratus.
I’ve actually had a number of issues with this story. The most important one is that I didn’t fully read the submission expectations. Let that be a lesson to everyone.
But the first draft had issues anyway. I didn’t like the pacing and flow. Like in many things, having one problem is a problem, having two and they might solve each other.
I’m re-writing it this weekend and I’m already much happier with it. It’s a story, now, or at least will be.
Second note. Always communicate with your editor. They can help, and Jamie Ibson has helped a ton. Also, if the story gets bigger than expected, you can ask for permission. This story is already larger than I anticipated, and I have a new ending and a battle scene to write.
The other big news this week is that I now have an online store:
www.aescandthorn.com/store
Here you’ll find physical copies of all of my books. For electronic or audio versions, you’ll still buy them through Amazon. However, if you want signed copies, you can get them through this site.
Also, I’m adding a variety of used books and science fiction and fantasy magazines that I have available. The magazines are ones I have multiple copies of and I’ve been winnowing down my books as I convert to e-versions.
I’m really excited about the potential of this store for me. Please take a look.
What I’m Listening To
One of my favorite shows ever is Burn Notice and I saw all seven seasons on Amazon Prime. Time for mojitos, spy tricks, and extra violence.
Quote of the Week
There’s so much great writing in this show. I especially enjoy Michael Westen’s voiceovers.
“A hitman is like a plumber, a dentist or a mechanic. Everybody is always looking for a good one.”
– Michael Westen, Burn Notice
News and Works in Progress
None Call Me Mother (PAGES)
CB (8,418)
HM (6,374)
NWQF (13,840)
Recent Blog Posts and Wiki Additions
Worked on aescandthorn.com/store instead.
Upcoming Events
LibertyCon just got canceled. Not the con organizer’s choice. Damn insurance liability.
20-28 June, Ragnarok XXXV, Slippery Rock, PA
http://dagorhirragnarok.com/Home
24 July-9 August, Pennsic, Slippery Rock, PA
http://www.pennsicwar.org/
3-7 September, DragonCon, Atlanta, GA
https://www.dragoncon.org/
Spotlight
This week’s spotlight is on aescandthorn.com/store. You can get all of my novels and the anthologies I’ve contributed to, along with a variety of used items. I will add more items each week.
Today’s Weight: 397.4
Updated Word Count: 49,935
Shijuren Wiki: 874 entries
Let me know if you have any suggestions on the website, this email, or cool story ideas at rob@robhowell.org. Especially let me know of suggestions you have for the Spotlight section.
Have a great week, everyone.
Rob Howell
Author of the Shijuren-series of novels
Website: www.robhowell.org
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/rhodri2112
Blog: www.robhowell.org/blog
Shijuren Wiki: http://www.shijuren.org/World+of+Shijuren+Home
MeWe: https://mewe.com/i/rob.howell1
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/robhowell.org/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Rhodri2112
Currently Available Works
Shijuren
A Lake Most Deep (Edward, Book 1)
The Eyes of a Doll (Edward, Book 2)
Where Now the Rider (Edward, Book 3)
I Am a Wondrous Thing (The Kreisens, Book 1)
Brief Is My Flame (The Kreisens, Book 2)
None Call Me Mother (The Kreisens, Book 3) Forthcoming 2020
“What’s in a Name” in When Valor Must Hold (An Edward prequel story)
Four Horsemen Universe
“Where Enemies Sit” in For a Few Credits More (The Four Horsemen Universe)
“A Sword for Striking” in Luck Is Not a Factor (The Four Horsemen Universe)
The Feeding of Sorrows (Four Horsemen Tales, Book 11)
The Phases of Mars
“Far Better to Dare” in Those In Peril
“In Dark’ning Storms” in To Slip the Surly Bonds
“Here Must We Hold” in Trouble in the Wind
Short Stories
“A Gift of Crimson” in Hand of Gold and Other Stories (Pussy Katnip)
“The Chaos of Well-Seeming Forms” in We Dare
If you think you received this email incorrectly or wish to be unsubscribed, please send an email to shijuren-owner@robhowell.org
April 4, 2020
Rob’s Update: The Little Gray Cells
Greetings all
Wow, what a major week of procrasti-projecting. I built a new bookcase for my SF/F magazines and spent part of the week not only shifting them around, but also organizing them. I now know just what treasure I have with those. It was so much fun.
Also, that led to organizing everything. So many small projects that I had just never gotten around to.
I now have a video camera on my computer. Well, I’ve had it for a while, but not actually plugged it in. I’ll be doing some FB Live stuff or YouTube things when I figure some things out.
I got a new color laser all-in-one. I’ve needed that functionality for a while. I rearranged the office and my printing setup is much more organized.
I organized my inventory. I now have a standard loadout for small events. I’ve needed this for a while as well.
I also made huge progress on my next short story. I may even finish the first draft tomorrow, giving me all week to polish it.
I had some great news, and a neat vote of confidence given to me.
Oh, and I made major progress on something I’ve been needing to do for a long time. I’ll expand on that next week.
Now I’m sitting with my sweetie enjoying a relaxing night. We’re watching Hercule Poirot and puttering around. She’s knitting a sock and I’ll be playing a game after I send this out.
Have a great week, everyone.
What I’m Listening To
Hercule Poirot, the Triangle at Rhodes episode. I love David Suchet and his +4 Mustache of Smiling.
Quote of the Week
“‘I belong to the world, Madame,’ said Poirot dramatically.”
– Agatha Christie, The Murder on the Orient Express
News and Works in Progress
None Call Me Mother (a bunch)
CB (8,418)
HM (6,374)
NWQF (4,125)
Recent Blog Posts and Wiki Additions
Spent the week puttering around instead of being on the blog.
Upcoming Events
12-14 June, LibertyCon, Chattanooga, TN
https://libertycon.org/
20-28 June, Ragnarok XXXV, Slippery Rock, PA
http://dagorhirragnarok.com/Home
24 July-9 August, Pennsic, Slippery Rock, PA
http://www.pennsicwar.org/
3-7 September, DragonCon, Atlanta, GA
https://www.dragoncon.org/
Spotlight
This week’s spotlight is still on When Valor Must Hold, which you can find at: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B086236WMT. Still getting lots of great feedback. We did good.
Today’s Weight: 398.4
Updated Word Count: 49,788
Shijuren Wiki: In progress
Let me know if you have any suggestions on the website, this email, or cool story ideas at rob@robhowell.org. Especially let me know of suggestions you have for the Spotlight section.
Have a great week, everyone.
Rob Howell
Author of the Shijuren-series of novels
Website: www.robhowell.org
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/rhodri2112
Blog: www.robhowell.org/blog
Shijuren Wiki: http://www.shijuren.org/World+of+Shijuren+Home
MeWe: https://mewe.com/i/rob.howell1
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/robhowell.org/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Rhodri2112
Currently Available Works
Shijuren
A Lake Most Deep (Edward, Book 1)
The Eyes of a Doll (Edward, Book 2)
Where Now the Rider (Edward, Book 3)
I Am a Wondrous Thing (The Kreisens, Book 1)
Brief Is My Flame (The Kreisens, Book 2)
None Call Me Mother (The Kreisens, Book 3) Forthcoming 2020
Four Horsemen Universe
“Where Enemies Sit” in For a Few Credits More (The Four Horsemen Universe)
“A Sword for Striking” in Luck Is Not a Factor (The Four Horsemen Universe)
The Feeding of Sorrows (Four Horsemen Tales, Book 11)
The Phases of Mars
“Far Better to Dare” in Those In Peril
“In Dark’ning Storms” in To Slip the Surly Bonds
“Here Must We Hold” in Trouble in the Wind
Short Stories
“A Gift of Crimson” in Hand of Gold and Other Stories (Pussy Katnip)
“The Chaos of Well-Seeming Forms” in We Dare
If you think you received this email incorrectly or wish to be unsubscribed, please send an email to shijuren-owner@robhowell.org
March 27, 2020
Rob’s Update: Weird Albuquerques
Greetings all
It’s been a really productive week here. I’ve been getting off my butt and doing projects around the house. I had some leftover lumber from a project and built another 6-board chest. It’ll be finished tomorrow or Sunday. I’m down to touching up the paint, adding the hinge, and putting in the handles.
I also started a new bookcase that is explicitly designed to hold my collection of Analogs, Amazings, and other SF/F magazines. I may have to build two, but this all came out of lumber I had in stock with the exception that I’ll need to buy a sheet of 1/4in plywood cut the right dimensions to match the back.
I also decided to buy something that I’ve been looking at for some time. I have never had an all-in-one printer/scanner/copier because I get so little call for such thing. However, it’s happening more and more. Also, I’ve had very little need for a color laser, but it wouldn’t hurt to improve my signage at events. Color laser all-in-ones have come down to under $300 so it was time.
Writing also went really well this week, especially today. I’ve been pounding at one thread in None Call Me Mother for months. I have to get one person in the thread to the final battle and every attempt I made just felt forced. This snarl was worthy of Order of the Stick.
I finally came up with an answer.
And today was one of my most free and relaxed writing sessions in ages. I knew what had to be done, but this snag has literally held me up for a month.
Of course, last week was the release of When Valor Must Hold and I’ve am pleased with the response. I’m not surprised that all of our reviews and ratings so far have been 5 star, because I knew it was that good, but it’s pleasing nonetheless to have that confirmed once it got released into the wild.
As I mentioned last week, I have another short story coming out on 1 May. It’s entitled “Fire From Fire Quickened” and it will be released in the next Four Horsemen anthology entitled Gates of Hell.
Currently, I have two more short story projects in the works, one due in the middle of April and one at the end of May. Next week I’ll write the draft for the first one, which is a prequel to “The Chaos of Well-Seeming Forms” from We Dare. I’m working with Yvonne Jacobs on this one and we have some fun ideas. As for the second one, I have some ideas coming already, though I need to wallow in a particular style before writing it.
It’s been a busy week around here.
What I’m Listening To
Weird Al’s Angry White Boy Polka. Al is really a national treasure. If you’ve never seen him live, I suggest it, even if you’re not a huge fan of his parodies. He and his band are actually extremely skilled musicians. His schtick would never have worked this long if he and his guys hadn’t actually been good.
Side note: I’ve won a number of fantasy leagues with the team name: Weird Albuquerques.
Second side note: You know, that’s not only a great team name but a fun title for an update…
Quote of the Week
Today’s quote is incredibly apt right now. Weird Al is not only skilled, he’s prescient.
“Look
If you had
one shot
to sit on your lazy butt
and watch all the TV you ever wanted
until your brain turned to mush
Would you go for it?
or just let it slip?”
– Weird Al, “Couch Potato” from Poodle Hat
News and Works in Progress
None Call Me Mother (a bunch)
CB (8,418)
HM (6,374)
Recent Blog Posts and Wiki Additions
I actually dropped the ball on blog posts this week. I kept getting distracted.
Upcoming Events
12-14 June, LibertyCon, Chattanooga, TN
https://libertycon.org/
20-28 June, Ragnarok XXXV, Slippery Rock, PA
http://dagorhirragnarok.com/Home
24 July-9 August, Pennsic, Slippery Rock, PA
http://www.pennsicwar.org/
3-7 September, DragonCon, Atlanta, GA
https://www.dragoncon.org/
Spotlight
WVMH Orange TagThis week’s spotlight is still on When Valor Must Hold, which you can find at: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B086236WMT. Now up to 15 5-star reviews.
Today’s Weight: 398.4
Updated Word Count: 49,244
Shijuren Wiki: Making progress
Let me know if you have any suggestions on the website, this email, or cool story ideas at rob@robhowell.org. Especially let me know of suggestions you have for the Spotlight section.
Have a great week, everyone.
Rob Howell
Author of the Shijuren-series of novels
Website: www.robhowell.org
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/rhodri2112
Blog: www.robhowell.org/blog
Shijuren Wiki: http://www.shijuren.org/World+of+Shijuren+Home
MeWe: https://mewe.com/i/rob.howell1
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/robhowell.org/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Rhodri2112
Currently Available Works
Shijuren
A Lake Most Deep (Edward, Book 1)
The Eyes of a Doll (Edward, Book 2)
Where Now the Rider (Edward, Book 3)
I Am a Wondrous Thing (The Kreisens, Book 1)
Brief Is My Flame (The Kreisens, Book 2)
None Call Me Mother (The Kreisens, Book 3) Forthcoming 2020
Four Horsemen Universe
“Where Enemies Sit” in For a Few Credits More (The Four Horsemen Universe)
“A Sword for Striking” in Luck Is Not a Factor (The Four Horsemen Universe)
The Feeding of Sorrows (Four Horsemen Tales, Book 11)
The Phases of Mars
“Far Better to Dare” in Those In Peril
“In Dark’ning Storms” in To Slip the Surly Bonds
“Here Must We Hold” in Trouble in the Wind
Short Stories
“A Gift of Crimson” in Hand of Gold and Other Stories (Pussy Katnip)
“The Chaos of Well-Seeming Forms” in We Dare
If you think you received this email incorrectly or wish to be unsubscribed, please send an email to shijuren-owner@robhowell.org
March 20, 2020
Rob’s Update: When Valor Must Hold
Greetings all
When Valor Must Hold came out today and it has already earned an orange tag as number one new fantasy anthology. This is so cool, it deserves a screenshot.
WVMH Orange TagYou can find it here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B086236WMT
I’m really proud of what we did here and I think you’ll all like it.
The final battle scene of None Call Me Mother is going to be epic and I’m loving how it’s shaping up. It’s been my primary focus this week. I also added a bunch of foundational stuff to make that battle even more powerful.
Incredibly powerful wizards, great heroes with flashing swords, and brothers fighting each other. It’s a lot of fun.
Wednesday I also got into a bit of a mood and wrote a couple thousand words on the next Edward novel. I’ve been re-reading Spenser and watching Spenser for Hire on Amazon Prime. Makes sense that I want to write some on my Spenser character.
Speaking of Edward, if you get When Valor Must Hold, you get to read how Edward and Deor met along with a bunch of great stories from all the other authors.
Also, I signed the contract for Gates of Hell this week. This is the next 4HU anthology and has my story “Fire from Fire Awakened.” This continues the Foresters’ saga with Rick Blaine working on a loose end from The Feeding of Sorrows.
Have a great week everyone!
What I’m Listening To
The Atlanta Falcons in Dallas to face the Cowboys in 2009. Man, Romo when he was healthy was so good.
Quote of the Week
When I asked the authors to participate in When Valor Must Hold, this was what I told them I wanted. I wanted them to tell me of the days of high adventure!
“Between the time when the oceans drank Atlantis, and the rise of the sons of Aryas, there was an age undreamed of. And unto this, Conan, destined to bear the jeweled crown of Aquilonia upon a troubled brow. It is I, his chronicler, who alone can tell thee of his saga. Let me tell you of the days of high adventure!”
– Akiro the Wizard, Conan the Barbarian
News and Works in Progress
None Call Me Mother
CB (8,418)
HM (6,374)
Recent Blog Posts and Wiki Additions
Rob’s Ramblings (Discombobulation): http://robhowell.org/blog/?p=2047
Interview (Christopher Nuttall): http://robhowell.org/blog/?p=2050
Upcoming Events
12-14 June, LibertyCon, Chattanooga, TN
https://libertycon.org/
20-28 June, Ragnarok XXXV, Slippery Rock, PA
http://dagorhirragnarok.com/Home
24 July-9 August, Pennsic, Slippery Rock, PA
http://www.pennsicwar.org/
3-7 September, DragonCon, Atlanta, GA
https://www.dragoncon.org/
Spotlight
This week’s spotlight is on When Valor Must Hold, which you can find at: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B086236WMT
Today’s Weight: 399.6
Updated Word Count: 48,342
Shijuren Wiki: In progress
Let me know if you have any suggestions on the website, this email, or cool story ideas at rob@robhowell.org. Especially let me know of suggestions you have for the Spotlight section.
Have a great week, everyone.
Rob Howell
Author of the Shijuren-series of novels
Website: www.robhowell.org
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/rhodri2112
Blog: www.robhowell.org/blog
Shijuren Wiki: http://www.shijuren.org/World+of+Shijuren+Home
MeWe: https://mewe.com/i/rob.howell1
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/robhowell.org/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Rhodri2112
Currently Available Works
Shijuren
A Lake Most Deep (Edward, Book 1)
The Eyes of a Doll (Edward, Book 2)
Where Now the Rider (Edward, Book 3)
I Am a Wondrous Thing (The Kreisens, Book 1)
Brief Is My Flame (The Kreisens, Book 2)
None Call Me Mother (The Kreisens, Book 3) Forthcoming 2020
“What’s in a Name” in When Valor Must Hold
Four Horsemen Universe
“Where Enemies Sit” in For a Few Credits More (The Four Horsemen Universe)
“A Sword for Striking” in Luck Is Not a Factor (The Four Horsemen Universe)
The Feeding of Sorrows (Four Horsemen Tales, Book 11)
The Phases of Mars
“Far Better to Dare” in Those In Peril
“In Dark’ning Storms” in To Slip the Surly Bonds
“Here Must We Hold” in Trouble in the Wind
Short Stories
“A Gift of Crimson” in Hand of Gold and Other Stories (Pussy Katnip)
“The Chaos of Well-Seeming Forms” in We Dare
If you think you received this email incorrectly or wish to be unsubscribed, please send an email to shijuren-owner@robhowell.org
March 18, 2020
Interview: Christopher Nuttall
When Valor Must Hold comes out in 2 days! I’m very excited. Today’s interview is with Christopher Nuttall. His story is “The Game’s Afoot” and it sort of a fantasy Guns of Navarone. I think you’ll all like it, and I’m honored that he participated.
Interview: Christopher Nuttall
What is your quest?
Christopher NuttallI try to write the sort of books I like to read – action and adventure, mainly; almost all science-fiction and fantasy.
What is your favorite color?
Too many things to count, really. I like decaying empires and how they can -sometimes – flourish into something new. I like exploring the use and abuse of magic, and how politics can interact with science to change the world.
What is the average flying speed of an unladen paint brush?
I’d like to do a really big story – something akin to the Night’s Dawn or Game of Thrones books – but I find them a little annoying. In my view, each novel should be at least partly a novel of its own – that’s what I’ve tried to do with the Schooled in Magic books – but that’s difficult to maintain. I have these ideas that are basically AMERICAN CIVIL WAR WITH MAGIC or GREAT WAR IN SPACE that would be huge, but force me to write in a format I don’t like or narrow the story too far. No room for character development if the stories are small, you see . The only person who did that in a single book was Tom Clancy – Red Storm Rising – and only a handful of his characters were truly 3D.
What are the powers of your personal Holy Hand Grenade?
The series I like the most, I think, is Schooled in Magic. It draws on so many of my hobbies – history, alternate history, etc – and lets me have fun. Ark Royal was an astonishing success, in so many ways – I’m proud I got so much out of it.
How do I write? I come up with the plot, I sort it out and then I start writing.
Lightning Round
Favorite Muppet? [Insert politician’s name here.]
Favorite Weird Color? Black. You can’t go wrong with black.
What Cartoon Character Are You? I like to think Bugs Bunny. More likely … Millhouse.
Best Present You’ve Ever Received? A stack of books …
What Do You Secretly Plot? I have ideas for stories that will probably never be written.
Favorite Sports Team? None.
Cake or Pie? Cake.
Lime or Lemon? Lemon
Favorite Chip Dip? Brown Sauce.
Favorite Cereal? Corn Pops.
Favorite Musical Performer We’ve Never Heard Of? The McCalmans- http://the-mccalmans.com/
Whisky or Whiskey? I don’t drink.
Favorite Superhero? Green Lantern (Kyle Reyner)
Steak Temperature? Medium-well.
Favorite 1970s TV show? Battlestar Galactica
Best Thing From the 80s? Star Trek: The Next Generation
Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall? Spring.
Best Game Ever? Chess.
Coffee or Tea? Tea. I go 3000 words to the pint.
Sci-Fi or Fantasy? Both.
Brought to you by the letter ___? Q.
Tell me again where we can find your stuff?
Website – http://chrishanger.net/
Blog – https://chrishanger.wordpress.com/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/ChristopherGNuttall
And where can we find you?
Right now, I’m not due to attend any conventions. My health is a constant issue right now – and I have kids!
Thanks to Christopher for taking the time to answer my questions.
If you have any suggestions or comments about this interview format, let me know so I can keep tweaking it.
Also, thanks to you for reading. If you’re interested in any of the other interviews I’ve done, you can find them all here: http://robhowell.org/blog/?cat=326. If you are a creator, especially an independent creator, and you want to be spotlighted in a future interview, email me at rob@robhowell.org.
Finally, if you want to join my mailing list, where I’ll announce every interview, as well as what’s going on in my life, go to www.robhowell.org and fill out the form (Name and Email Address) or drop me an email and I’ll add you.
Have a great day.
Rob Howell
Author of the Shijuren-series of novels
Website: www.robhowell.org
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/rhodri2112
Blog: www.robhowell.org/blog
Shijuren Wiki: http://www.shijuren.org/World+of+Shijuren+Home
MeWe: https://mewe.com/i/rob.howell1
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/robhowell.org/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Rhodri2112
