I've been writing speculative, fantasy and science fiction since I was eight. I write for a living as a marketing manager and still enjoy writing fiction and poetry on my own time. I've written at least 30% of five different novels but always stopped because they just weren't that interesting to me. Then the Side Ways came along, and I began writing with a new interest and energy for a fantasy world entirely of my own making.
I've always enjoyed being the game/dungeon master for live, pen-and-paper role playing games with friends. Having done that for 30+ years, I knew that one of my favorite parts was the detail work of creating entire cultures, histories and systems beyond simple characters. Because whenever I'd add a new character, the qI've been writing speculative, fantasy and science fiction since I was eight. I write for a living as a marketing manager and still enjoy writing fiction and poetry on my own time. I've written at least 30% of five different novels but always stopped because they just weren't that interesting to me. Then the Side Ways came along, and I began writing with a new interest and energy for a fantasy world entirely of my own making.
I've always enjoyed being the game/dungeon master for live, pen-and-paper role playing games with friends. Having done that for 30+ years, I knew that one of my favorite parts was the detail work of creating entire cultures, histories and systems beyond simple characters. Because whenever I'd add a new character, the question always persisted: why do they do the things they do?
The Side Ways is an entirely alternate history, with the addition of seven magical Domains ruled by seven Houses that exist in parallel to the world you and I know. The power of the Reckoners within these Domains comes from the unique viewpoints of each House. The connections and conflicts between the the Houses reach back before the beginning of mankind.
Now... with every new chapter and character and scene, I get to think and take notes and write about that world, those Domains and their interaction with our view of history.
I'm having a lot of fun with it. I hope you enjoy reading. And let me know if you discover that you're allied with a particular House. I get that from a lot of my readers. ;-)...more
Andy HavensHe was sure that this was the interview that would secure him his dream job. But as he rose to greet the committee, he finally realized--with growing …moreHe was sure that this was the interview that would secure him his dream job. But as he rose to greet the committee, he finally realized--with growing horror--what that odd, green symbol on the coffee urn in the lobby meant:
Andy HavensCamelot. Probably the version from "The Skystone" by Jack Whyte, or maybe one that has more magic, like the movie version of "Excalibur." If it sounds…moreCamelot. Probably the version from "The Skystone" by Jack Whyte, or maybe one that has more magic, like the movie version of "Excalibur." If it sounds sappy, I'm sorry. But I've read somewhere around 15-20 versions of the Arthurian tales and there's something so visceral and engaging about the basic story; the young boy, the sword in the stone, the love triangle, the quest for the grail. So many ways to add and embellish what is, essentially, a remarkably simple tale. (less)
So my 11-month-long sore throat issue has finally been resolved. If you're interested, adding a wedge pillow and not eating after 8pm finally knocked the acid reflux down enough to allow my throat to heal. So much information you didn't need! What you did need, was the first full chapter of the audio book, in two parts:Chapter 1, part 1Chapter 1, part 2I'd pushed out part 1 a few months ago, but i
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