Scott Bryan's Blog, page 30
January 18, 2013
Question Time
I'm going to pass on a great question from J. A. Bennet, What music inspires you the most? For me it's Lorena McKennit for NightChildren & Myths, Danny Elfman for Night Children and the LOTR soundtrack for Myths. How about you?
January 17, 2013
Bite of Story Thursday
Night Children: Dark Threats
Chapter Eight: Present Day, Hyde and Seek
Annabelle’s cold fist smashed through the zombie’s ribcage. With her other arm she wacked off the creature’s head, sending it spiraling into a tombstone. If she were human, these things would scare her, but she hasn’t been human for a long time.
Her brother Roland, laughed as he ripped a zombie apart and began to move at top speed around the graveyard, smacking the undead with a firmly held corpse. His weapon of choice crumbled in his pale hands. “Darn. These things just don’t hold up like they used to.”
She smiled as she slashed a zombie in two with her nails. “Whoever reanimated this horde didn’t take their time with the spell.”
Annabelle looked across the misty graveyard. Gross bodies continued to shuffle from their graves. Grey fingers clawed to the surface, revealing more decrepit enemies to fight. So far none had escaped the sacred grounds of the cemetery, but with the sheer amount of undead, she knew it wouldn’t be long.
“And why zombies?” Roland asked as he unsheathed his silver cutlass. “It’s so last week. Why couldn’t it be living skeletons or mummies?” He began to slash away at the horde, the moonlight reflecting off his sword.
Annabelle took to the air, hovering just out of the grasp of an undead man in a tux. Half his rotten flesh seemed to fall off on its own. “Could be worse. They could be gremlins.” She brushed off pieces of shredded corpse from her clothes.
“Ugh! Please not those again.” Roland flew into a mass of petrified bodies and began to slice them to shreds. His blood-red eyes flickered and a wicked grin stole across his pale face.
Annabelle continued to hover ten feet above the graves. She focused on anything unusual.
“You’re enjoying yourself. Not a bad way to do our ‘sibling night’ patrol.” He smiled as he continued to destroy more zombies.
“Still,” she continued from eight feet above, her red jacket flapped in the cool night breeze, “Something’s not right. Zombies are normally weak, but these are pathetic.”
“Are you going to hang up there all night while I do all the work?” His black jeans and sweatshirt began to turn grey with zombie remains. “I’m working up a thirst. We haven’t even gone hunting for breakfast yet.”
“You and your stomach. I’m sure we’ll find a plump cat or dog to feed on soon enough. Do you smell that? There’s a hint of magic in the air. I think one of our enemies left some kind of voodoo trinket somewhere in the graveyard. If I could just spot it...”
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For more check out Dark Threats at your local online store. Links to Dark Threats on the web can be found on the Store Page on this blog or you could just go here, Dark Threats on Amazon.
Chapter Eight: Present Day, Hyde and Seek
Annabelle’s cold fist smashed through the zombie’s ribcage. With her other arm she wacked off the creature’s head, sending it spiraling into a tombstone. If she were human, these things would scare her, but she hasn’t been human for a long time.
Her brother Roland, laughed as he ripped a zombie apart and began to move at top speed around the graveyard, smacking the undead with a firmly held corpse. His weapon of choice crumbled in his pale hands. “Darn. These things just don’t hold up like they used to.”
She smiled as she slashed a zombie in two with her nails. “Whoever reanimated this horde didn’t take their time with the spell.”
Annabelle looked across the misty graveyard. Gross bodies continued to shuffle from their graves. Grey fingers clawed to the surface, revealing more decrepit enemies to fight. So far none had escaped the sacred grounds of the cemetery, but with the sheer amount of undead, she knew it wouldn’t be long.
“And why zombies?” Roland asked as he unsheathed his silver cutlass. “It’s so last week. Why couldn’t it be living skeletons or mummies?” He began to slash away at the horde, the moonlight reflecting off his sword.
Annabelle took to the air, hovering just out of the grasp of an undead man in a tux. Half his rotten flesh seemed to fall off on its own. “Could be worse. They could be gremlins.” She brushed off pieces of shredded corpse from her clothes.
“Ugh! Please not those again.” Roland flew into a mass of petrified bodies and began to slice them to shreds. His blood-red eyes flickered and a wicked grin stole across his pale face.
Annabelle continued to hover ten feet above the graves. She focused on anything unusual.
“You’re enjoying yourself. Not a bad way to do our ‘sibling night’ patrol.” He smiled as he continued to destroy more zombies.
“Still,” she continued from eight feet above, her red jacket flapped in the cool night breeze, “Something’s not right. Zombies are normally weak, but these are pathetic.”
“Are you going to hang up there all night while I do all the work?” His black jeans and sweatshirt began to turn grey with zombie remains. “I’m working up a thirst. We haven’t even gone hunting for breakfast yet.”
“You and your stomach. I’m sure we’ll find a plump cat or dog to feed on soon enough. Do you smell that? There’s a hint of magic in the air. I think one of our enemies left some kind of voodoo trinket somewhere in the graveyard. If I could just spot it...”
------
For more check out Dark Threats at your local online store. Links to Dark Threats on the web can be found on the Store Page on this blog or you could just go here, Dark Threats on Amazon.
January 15, 2013
Who's Who in the Annabelle Universe? Falabranwyn
FALABRANWYN
Here is a cool pic from online. No clue what it is or who did it. If anyone knows, please tell me so I can give credit. There is no picture at this time of the Falabranwyn. Hopefully that will change someday.
Name Origin
Fala means crow in Native American. Branwen means beautiful raven in Welsh.
Physical characteristics: All the Falabranwyn have the same physical characteristics. They have silky black hair and black eyes. They have a pale completion and thin bodies. They wear cloaks that seems to be made of black feathers. When in bird form they appear as crows or ravens, depending on their moods. Either way they become a black birds with eyes that seem almost human.
Personality:
They tend to be quiet and reserved. The younger members of their species are not as quiet and make more mistakes. Most Falabranwyn give off an air of knowing more than those they advise or warn.
Abilities: All Falabranwyn can shape-shift to appear as ravens or the larger crows. They have prophetic abilities as well, often receiving visions of future events. They don't all get the visions or dreams at once and some get more. The Falabranwyn can blend into the shadows and not be seen when they wish. They cannot be heard, seen, smelled if they want to disappear. They have no scent at all. This is a protection against vampires discovering them.
History: The Falabranwyn set themselves up as watchers and guardians of humankind long ago. In the Old Times there were many metamorphs (creatures that could change their shape at will). The Falabranwyn were one of the smarter, regal, prophetic and more organized of these species.
At the end of what would be called the Exodus War all the mythical creatures left Earth for another world called Farnalla. The Falabranwyn volunteered to remain on Earth to keep guard in case Domi, Lord of the Dark Legions, escaped his other-dimensional prison and once again set foot on Earth. The collective consul of magical beings knew that two of Domi's followers, Roxana and Lucretia, had escaped during the war. The warlocks performed a permanent spell on the Falabranwyn so that vampires could not sense them. This would allow the Falabranwyn an edge against the vampires.
They control the dimensional gateways to the Dark Place, the other-dimensional world that serves as a prison. The leader of the Falabranwyn is the Crow King. The first leader and father of their race was Alaric. He gave his life to end the Exodus War. On his death bed he gave the “Prophecy of the Younglings”. His dying wish, Alaric tasked his subjects to watch for the prophesied younglings and prepare them for their duty. Because of his final prophecy, the Falabranwyn always knew Domi would escape the Dark Place and sure enough he did. Ever since that time, the Falabranwyn have watched for the younglings. When Annabelle and Roland Foresight became vampires, the new Crow King Bolverk (Alaric's son) knew they were the prophesied younglings.
Here is a cool pic from online. No clue what it is or who did it. If anyone knows, please tell me so I can give credit. There is no picture at this time of the Falabranwyn. Hopefully that will change someday.
Name Origin
Fala means crow in Native American. Branwen means beautiful raven in Welsh.
Physical characteristics: All the Falabranwyn have the same physical characteristics. They have silky black hair and black eyes. They have a pale completion and thin bodies. They wear cloaks that seems to be made of black feathers. When in bird form they appear as crows or ravens, depending on their moods. Either way they become a black birds with eyes that seem almost human.
Personality:
They tend to be quiet and reserved. The younger members of their species are not as quiet and make more mistakes. Most Falabranwyn give off an air of knowing more than those they advise or warn.
Abilities: All Falabranwyn can shape-shift to appear as ravens or the larger crows. They have prophetic abilities as well, often receiving visions of future events. They don't all get the visions or dreams at once and some get more. The Falabranwyn can blend into the shadows and not be seen when they wish. They cannot be heard, seen, smelled if they want to disappear. They have no scent at all. This is a protection against vampires discovering them.
History: The Falabranwyn set themselves up as watchers and guardians of humankind long ago. In the Old Times there were many metamorphs (creatures that could change their shape at will). The Falabranwyn were one of the smarter, regal, prophetic and more organized of these species.
At the end of what would be called the Exodus War all the mythical creatures left Earth for another world called Farnalla. The Falabranwyn volunteered to remain on Earth to keep guard in case Domi, Lord of the Dark Legions, escaped his other-dimensional prison and once again set foot on Earth. The collective consul of magical beings knew that two of Domi's followers, Roxana and Lucretia, had escaped during the war. The warlocks performed a permanent spell on the Falabranwyn so that vampires could not sense them. This would allow the Falabranwyn an edge against the vampires.
They control the dimensional gateways to the Dark Place, the other-dimensional world that serves as a prison. The leader of the Falabranwyn is the Crow King. The first leader and father of their race was Alaric. He gave his life to end the Exodus War. On his death bed he gave the “Prophecy of the Younglings”. His dying wish, Alaric tasked his subjects to watch for the prophesied younglings and prepare them for their duty. Because of his final prophecy, the Falabranwyn always knew Domi would escape the Dark Place and sure enough he did. Ever since that time, the Falabranwyn have watched for the younglings. When Annabelle and Roland Foresight became vampires, the new Crow King Bolverk (Alaric's son) knew they were the prophesied younglings.
January 14, 2013
The A to Z Challenge!
I'm joining the A-to-Z Challenge. Basically you post every day in April (except Sundays) with something involving a different letter. So April 1st is A and so on.
Click the link in the last paragraph or on the picture on the side bar to the right and check it out!
Coming in April!
Quote by Naruto
I've never seen the show Naruto. I'm sure it's great, but my time is already limited. At any rate, a good friend from work, Rick Anderson, quoted the show on Facebook last Saturday night.
"It's not the face that makes someone a monster, it's the choices they make with their life."
This is one of the biggest themes in the Night Children series.
See, you have a vampire. A blood thirsty monster of the night who hunts and kills. Sure, she's a child and she kills animals and CHOOSES not to kill people, but technically she's considered a monster.
Then you have Hawke, the vampire hunter. He's a human who tries to rid the world of vampires and other creatures. But he's means and will stop at nothing to get his goal. He CHOOSES to hurt anyone and everyone who gets between him and his undead targets.
Who is the real monster?
Life gives us labels but we make the choices as to what we do with those labels.
"It's not the face that makes someone a monster, it's the choices they make with their life."
This is one of the biggest themes in the Night Children series.
See, you have a vampire. A blood thirsty monster of the night who hunts and kills. Sure, she's a child and she kills animals and CHOOSES not to kill people, but technically she's considered a monster.
Then you have Hawke, the vampire hunter. He's a human who tries to rid the world of vampires and other creatures. But he's means and will stop at nothing to get his goal. He CHOOSES to hurt anyone and everyone who gets between him and his undead targets.
Who is the real monster?
Life gives us labels but we make the choices as to what we do with those labels.
January 12, 2013
Children's Book Festival!
Awesome!
That is the word for today, awesome.
As you gentle readers know, the festival was today. I feel overwhelmed with gratitude to Isa Ventura and all those dedicated volunteers whom set up and put on the Festival. It was an honor to be invited and I can't wait to do it again in 2014!
It was wonderful. I got to visit with Lisa Mangum and Jessica Day George again. I've met them before at two prior book signings and it's always good to talk with them and share experiences and advice.
Lisa brought it to my attention that there is a Teen Writers' Conference that my Kate might like. Jessica gave me advice on why and how I should get compensation for school visits, thoughts on writing and why resubmitting Night Children to agents and publishers would be a great idea. Even advice on how vampires might not be a total turn off to agents. I might need to message her on Facebook about that subject again in the future.
I've read and enjoyed two of Lisa's books and plan to read the third in her Hourglass Door series. My daughter Katelyn has all of her books. Meanwhile, Jessica has continued to fan the flame in my daughter Laura's book collection. She loves Jessica's books and is eager to read the the current one. I've decided to put her dragon books on my reading list. I need to read about more dragons. My dragon girl Lyndi commands it.
I also met author Tyler Whitesides. He's the author of Janitors, a book that is beloved by kids and readers all over and looks extremely interesting. I'm going to read and review it after I finish Ender's Game. I really enjoyed our conversations and would love to continue. But life is busy so you visit when you can. It's good to come across other authors whom you share similar views and ideals with.
At the Festival we had a chance to meet many, many kids who love reading. This is the BEST part of the author's experience! So many wonderful kids who are excited about reading and writing. The kids were given tee shirts which I gladly signed. It was incredible, chatting and laughing with so many excited kids!
I got interviewed by Tooele TV! I've never been interviewed before and I can't wait till it broadcasts. I'll keep you posted when it does.
I want to post a grateful thanks to Tyler from the Standsbury High ROTC. He was assigned as my assistant. I've never had an assistant before. I'll tell you right now I did not send him off on evil errands or act like some premadona. If anything I worried I didn't have anything for him to do. But I eventually did need some back up and he sure helped!
Brandon and the crew of Starry Night Books were there and once again backed me up. They featured my books and were incredibly helpful to me and my wife throughout this great experience.
And speaking of my wife, as always she was (and is) my rock. My long suffering wife ran errands, made sure the books were where they were needed, explained them, spoke with so many and even suggested to Tyler Whitesides to come visit Starry Night Books. She brought the kids and bought them copies of all three authors' books. She spoke with Jessica about whether I should resubmit to agents and publishers and what is the proper method for visits to schools. Janeen was incredible and once again, I'd be lost without her.
So the Children's Book Festival was AWESOME! I've been invited back for next year and I can't wait to do it again!
That is the word for today, awesome.
As you gentle readers know, the festival was today. I feel overwhelmed with gratitude to Isa Ventura and all those dedicated volunteers whom set up and put on the Festival. It was an honor to be invited and I can't wait to do it again in 2014!
It was wonderful. I got to visit with Lisa Mangum and Jessica Day George again. I've met them before at two prior book signings and it's always good to talk with them and share experiences and advice.
Lisa brought it to my attention that there is a Teen Writers' Conference that my Kate might like. Jessica gave me advice on why and how I should get compensation for school visits, thoughts on writing and why resubmitting Night Children to agents and publishers would be a great idea. Even advice on how vampires might not be a total turn off to agents. I might need to message her on Facebook about that subject again in the future.
I've read and enjoyed two of Lisa's books and plan to read the third in her Hourglass Door series. My daughter Katelyn has all of her books. Meanwhile, Jessica has continued to fan the flame in my daughter Laura's book collection. She loves Jessica's books and is eager to read the the current one. I've decided to put her dragon books on my reading list. I need to read about more dragons. My dragon girl Lyndi commands it.
I also met author Tyler Whitesides. He's the author of Janitors, a book that is beloved by kids and readers all over and looks extremely interesting. I'm going to read and review it after I finish Ender's Game. I really enjoyed our conversations and would love to continue. But life is busy so you visit when you can. It's good to come across other authors whom you share similar views and ideals with.
At the Festival we had a chance to meet many, many kids who love reading. This is the BEST part of the author's experience! So many wonderful kids who are excited about reading and writing. The kids were given tee shirts which I gladly signed. It was incredible, chatting and laughing with so many excited kids!
I got interviewed by Tooele TV! I've never been interviewed before and I can't wait till it broadcasts. I'll keep you posted when it does.
I want to post a grateful thanks to Tyler from the Standsbury High ROTC. He was assigned as my assistant. I've never had an assistant before. I'll tell you right now I did not send him off on evil errands or act like some premadona. If anything I worried I didn't have anything for him to do. But I eventually did need some back up and he sure helped!
Brandon and the crew of Starry Night Books were there and once again backed me up. They featured my books and were incredibly helpful to me and my wife throughout this great experience.
And speaking of my wife, as always she was (and is) my rock. My long suffering wife ran errands, made sure the books were where they were needed, explained them, spoke with so many and even suggested to Tyler Whitesides to come visit Starry Night Books. She brought the kids and bought them copies of all three authors' books. She spoke with Jessica about whether I should resubmit to agents and publishers and what is the proper method for visits to schools. Janeen was incredible and once again, I'd be lost without her.
So the Children's Book Festival was AWESOME! I've been invited back for next year and I can't wait to do it again!
January 10, 2013
Bite of Story Thursday
Here is a snnek peek at my current work in progress, Myths. This is from the rough draft so it does not reflect the final product. Enjoy!
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Myths
Chaper Eleven : Deadlands
After once again throwing his axe into a mass of goblins, Heilgar simply raised his arm expectantly. Eli hadn’t seen him pick it up the last time he threw it so the elf was surprised to see the shiny silver weapon tear through the crowd like it had a mind of its own until it flew into its master’s waiting hand.
“How’d you do that?” Eli asked as he pushed the retrieval button on his quiver. Five arrows shot back to him. In one fluid movement, Eli grabbed the shafts in midair, aimed and shot them at new targets. “I had to have a recovery spell put on my quiver, you too?”
“Something similar,” the dwarf replied as he cut through more attackers. “We have a dwarf shaman in our city that knows a trick or two.”
Eli pulled an arrow with a particular tip and let it fly into a mound of oncoming monsters. It erupted into a burst of flame. The creatures screamed as fire engulfed them. He could feel Celeste’s disapproval in his head but this was war.
He pushed down any guilt that tried to crawl to the surface. “Huh,” he said to the dwarf, “I thought dwarves hated magic. Maybe they can hold their own in a fight after all.”
“What?” Heilgar’s hairy mouth dropped and he almost missed an oncoming goblin. “How dare you question my nations’ battle skills? We don’t need magic like you scrawny, hairless sticks do. We only use it on rare occasions because any helpful weapon is still a weapon.” He hit a goblin on the head with the hilt of his axe.
“Fair enough,” Eli responded with a smile. “Let’s put it to a test.” He downed another group of goblins on his right. “I have no clue how many I’ve taken out so far but how about we keep score from this point. That was five... no six to your one.”
Heilgar spun around, slicing multiple goblins that tried to surround him. “I’d never engage in such foolishness. And now I’m at seven.”
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Myths
Chaper Eleven : Deadlands
After once again throwing his axe into a mass of goblins, Heilgar simply raised his arm expectantly. Eli hadn’t seen him pick it up the last time he threw it so the elf was surprised to see the shiny silver weapon tear through the crowd like it had a mind of its own until it flew into its master’s waiting hand.
“How’d you do that?” Eli asked as he pushed the retrieval button on his quiver. Five arrows shot back to him. In one fluid movement, Eli grabbed the shafts in midair, aimed and shot them at new targets. “I had to have a recovery spell put on my quiver, you too?”
“Something similar,” the dwarf replied as he cut through more attackers. “We have a dwarf shaman in our city that knows a trick or two.”
Eli pulled an arrow with a particular tip and let it fly into a mound of oncoming monsters. It erupted into a burst of flame. The creatures screamed as fire engulfed them. He could feel Celeste’s disapproval in his head but this was war.
He pushed down any guilt that tried to crawl to the surface. “Huh,” he said to the dwarf, “I thought dwarves hated magic. Maybe they can hold their own in a fight after all.”
“What?” Heilgar’s hairy mouth dropped and he almost missed an oncoming goblin. “How dare you question my nations’ battle skills? We don’t need magic like you scrawny, hairless sticks do. We only use it on rare occasions because any helpful weapon is still a weapon.” He hit a goblin on the head with the hilt of his axe.
“Fair enough,” Eli responded with a smile. “Let’s put it to a test.” He downed another group of goblins on his right. “I have no clue how many I’ve taken out so far but how about we keep score from this point. That was five... no six to your one.”
Heilgar spun around, slicing multiple goblins that tried to surround him. “I’d never engage in such foolishness. And now I’m at seven.”
January 8, 2013
Who's Who in the Annabelle Universe? Zombies
ZOMBIES
I found this pic on the web. No clue who did it. If you have any idea, please let me know.
Physical characteristics:
Most are slightly stronger than humans but their bodies are rotting away. They seem to possess limited intelligence which allows for broken speech, slow movement and the desire to search out victims for food.
What they are:
Through dark magic, the bodies of the deceased can be reanimated to serve a dark master. Most zombies are brain dead and only live to serve their master or feast on the living. They can be easily destroyed with fire and can be ripped by creatures that are stronger. Silver effects them as well.
I found this pic on the web. No clue who did it. If you have any idea, please let me know.
Physical characteristics:
Most are slightly stronger than humans but their bodies are rotting away. They seem to possess limited intelligence which allows for broken speech, slow movement and the desire to search out victims for food.
What they are:
Through dark magic, the bodies of the deceased can be reanimated to serve a dark master. Most zombies are brain dead and only live to serve their master or feast on the living. They can be easily destroyed with fire and can be ripped by creatures that are stronger. Silver effects them as well.
January 5, 2013
January 4, 2013
Book Review: The Time Travelers by Linda Buckly-Archer SPOILERS
The following review contains spoilers…
I am pretty disappointed about this book. The cover really makes this book look exciting and enticing. The blurb on the cover says “For kids who love Harry Potter”. This isn’t true. It should read “For kids who like stories that do an excellent job of describing the 1800’s but lack character resolution or development.”
Linda Buckley-Archer does a fine job of creating characters you care about. I quickly cared for Peter and Kate right off the bat. Gideon also is a likeable, relatable character. The rest of the cast from 1763 didn’t interest me, yet they heavily feature in most of the book. In fact when the cast are captured by bandits I didn’t really care what happened to them and wanted to get back to the modern era to check on the detective.
See, the detective is also a strong character. He tries everything he can to get Kate’s father and his scientist associates to admit they know what happened to the kids. Every time something in the past turns up, some new evidence that gives the detective another clue, he tries to get the truth out of Kate’s dad. But he never does. It’s actually a huge disappointment.
Peter has an estranged relationship with his father that is never resolved or even started on the road to recovery. We see that his father is sorrowful and Kate’s father has answers about Peter’s whereabouts but those answers are never given. And when Peter realizes his own father never came to save him, I’m wishing Kate’s dad would tell Peter of his own father’s passion for Peter’s life. After all, the man did punch Kate’s dad when he discovered he knew something. But Kate’s dad doesn’t even mention that Peter’s parents are worried. No resolution to the original problem set forth in this book, Peter’s relationship with his dad.
Kate is another issue. When we first meet her we discover she has a strong personality to match her long red hair. I like that and wanted to see her shine, even get close to Peter so they could learn from each other. They come from different backgrounds and have different personalities so clearly the author has set things up so they can learn from each other. Yet time and time again she’s left behind in her big dress, a helpless girl. Sure, she does teach Peter how to blur and travel back to their century, but that’s all she does. Peter treats her horribly and this is never resolved while she just serves and yet another damsel in distress whom is mostly absent from the story.
Buckley-Archer does cast an excellent backdrop. She has done her research and it shows. We truly are in 1763. You’d think kids from our time would constantly contrast what’s missing from our time when they are stuck in the past but these kids don’t. Still, the story works well as a textbook to teach kids about that era.
All in all I couldn’t really get t this story. I read the whole thing but I guess it’s just not for me.
