Andrew Bathgate's Blog, page 4
June 18, 2021
WW2 Flamethrower vs Wizard’s Fire
A WW2 Flamethrower would throw fire about 50-100 strides long and about half a stride wide for about 7 seconds. How does this compare with the Wizard’s fire in the Icor Tales?
WW2 FlamethrowersIn the Icor Tales, a junior fire wizard is a pathetic sight on a battle field. Their flame is a foot wide and ten strides long, lasts five heart beats and they can only fire once per day.
A normal senior fire wizard, of which there are 144 in the world, can shoot flame a stride wide and a fifty strides long. This is Sam’s flame at the battle of the central pass. They can fire once or twice a day.
Crimson wizards can have the same ferocity of a senior fire wizard but the strength has to be built by inflicting suffering. There is no limit to the number of times they can throw flame as long as they continue to create suffering.
Crimson WizardUnmind’s flame is said to be ten strides wide and two hundred strides long. He has been seen to throw it twice, but may not be his limit.
June 17, 2021
Book 2 has shipped for proofing
Book 2: “In the Hall of the Ancients” was sent for professional proofing this morning. Next step is formatting, uploading and finally on July 26th it will be published
Pre-order here – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B095RZ9FF7
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B095RZ9FF7
June 14, 2021
Deleted From Book 2
The Red DiseaseI was told this was too complex, and too political… and I reluctantly agreed… and deleted it. The Red disease is something that Sam will have to defeat in Book 4… basically its zombies, and this is the back story for them…
Sam took a sharp intake of breath. “So the Beast is real. What exactly is it?”
Violet momentarily chewed her lip before speaking. “In the time of the ancients, the biggest nation in the world had billions of people…”
“Billions!”
Violet chuckled. “Yes, billions. They were ruled by a dictator who judged each citizen by how much their will was subsumed by his. He even gave them a citizen score. The less individuality they showed, the higher their score. He soon realized that the icor could give him the opportunity to completely subdue his citizens individuality, so they would have no will of their own, no consciousness. He believed their individuality was an illusion anyway. So he created something called the red disease. When people were infected with it, their consciousness was suppressed, and their body became absorbed into his. So, he became one massive beast that contained the bodies of all his citizens. At a whim he could send them out to do his bidding. The beasts only objective is to absorb all mankind, to consume every consciousness.”
Sam blinked hard. “So, there is a beast out there that wants to eat everybody in the word.”
Violet nodded. “But the icor put a barrier around it to thwart it. The red disease was contained… mostly.”
June 12, 2021
June 8, 2021
Book 4 “The Red Disease”
The Goddess cast the icor upon the wounded land
To cleanse it from the sin of greed
To provide us with our every need
To heal us when we bleed
To lift us from our knees
To bring back the trees
To cool the warming seas
And quell the red disease
From Book 4 of the Icor Tales – “The Red Disease”
Coming in 2022
June 3, 2021
The next 60 days
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Today: The last promos for They Came By Night Kindle version start today and end June 14th. The price is reduced to just $2.99. Practically giving it away in order to boost interest for the audible version coming soonJune 10th Book 2: In the Hall of The Ancients comes back from editors, and I get to do one more rewrite before sending it for formattingJune 17th : Deadline for Audible of They Came By Night (I should have it done before then)June 25th: Production begins for Audible of Book 2June 30th : The deadline for first draft of Book 3: The Dragons Awake. Beta Read program needs volunteersJuly 22nd: Deadline for publishers to receive Book 2July 26th: Book 2 Publishing DateJuly 29th: Book 3 sent to editorsAugust 14th: Book 4 first draft due
June 1, 2021
Gay Characters in Fantasy
When I wrote the character of Morefield I had in mind the stereotypical Victorian British officer full of arrogance and self entitlement. I had not planned for him to be gay until I wrote his first scene and it just came out that way. I remember drawing a deep breath after writing that scene; I wondered if it was okay to have a gay bad guy. I was worried that this aspect of his character was so unplanned.
I reflected that his sexuality would actually seed a depth to his character. This came out later when we start to get hints of the abuse he suffered. His driving motivation is to be free to be himself, and to do that, he feels he needs the crown. I began to wonder if there could be a redemption for him.
In book 1 I write that ‘any abused dog will grow surly’. One theme that is important to me in all my books (published and unpublished) is that people, like dogs, can be healed with love… usually.
When my gay neighbors got married, I was overjoyed for them. It was like the jackboots had finally been lifted from their necks, and I probably embarrassed them by getting them such a big wedding present.
The idea of the jackboots being withdrawn made me think about what would happen to Morefield if he found acceptance, could he be redeemed…
Morefield and Ryandal
May 30, 2021
A look at the Reviews…
I read every review as they come in, and it has been very useful. People have been very generous and I have had a lot of feedback that has been vital in improving my work. One reviewer told me about an issue with the formatting of the paperback, so I corrected it. Another review told me about typos and grammar mistakes so I did a proofread and corrected almost 300 errors.
My Book 2 beta readers have helped re-form the overall plot, they also firmed up some plot elements. I had worried about introducing magical creatures, but reactions to dwarves, dragons have been positive. Book 3 “The Dragons Awake” magnifies everything, so I will be watching Book 2 reviews closely.
BOOK TWO – “In the Hall of the Ancients” is available for preorder
May 26, 2021
May 23, 2021
The planned 5 book series may expand
I am still trying to cram all the scenes into 5 books, but book 3 is shaping up to be massive. It has 3 times the number of scenes as book 2. That would be okay if I were G.R.R. Martin and people were willing to pay $25 for the printed books.
There are some parts which could make associated novellas, but I am anxious to get book 3 out as soon as possible. i.e. this year. My goal is November.
Sales of book 1 are beginning to gain momentum, which means I can use those funds to pay for a professional proof read for both book 1 and book 2. Book 1 sorely needed it.
The numbers and types of magical creatures featuring in Book 3 is much expanded; demons, vampires, dragons, zombies, pixies, elves and dwarves. We are also introduced the realm of the beast: Hades.
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