Eric Kent Edstrom's Blog, page 22
July 23, 2012
Axeology: Variax 500
This is me holding my Variax 500 with sunburst finish. For recording, this is my main axe. I love this guitar. Why? Because it has the best playing neck I have ever encountered.
When I went to the music store to try it out, it was the only one they had. The strings were all grungy and groady from countless hamfisted, snot nosed, losers who go to music stores and play Metallica too loud. (Not that there's anything wrong with Metallica). I messed around with it for a few minutes, but I knew instantly (even with the disgusting strings on it) that it was "the one."
The Line Six Variax is a "modeling" guitar. You'll notice it doesn't have any visible pickups. That's because it has a piezo pickups somewhere in it that immediately send the signal through "modeling" circuitry to emulate other kinds of guitars, like Telecaster, Strats, Les Pauls, Rickebackers, and banjos. The models are pretty good, but not the main reason I chose this guitar. Actually, this guitar chose me. I'm choking up just thinking about it. I will never relinquish this axe!
New Song: "Lullaby"
Since I was thirteen, I've been a big Styx fan. I went through a phase where they were pretty much all I listened to. As years went by, my tastes evolved to include all kinds of music. I keep a special place in my memory for Styx, and there are some songs of theirs that are evergreen for me.
As a songwriter, guitarist, and singer, I've explored many genres, but it wasn't until last summer that I really tried to create a true homage to my favorite band. If you're familiar with the classic Styx stuff from the 70s (e.g. "Suite Madame Blue", "Grand Illusion," and "Pieces of Eight"), I'm sure you'll appreciate "Lullaby."
"Lullaby" is available for purchase here. 
June 29, 2012
Announcement: Afterlife is Launched
Afterlife (The Undermountain Saga, Book Two)
Six months have passed since Danny, Breyona and the others were rescued from the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Now Danny must race to prevent the growing tangoga threat from gaining a terrible weapon–one that could destroy not only the bigfeet, but the human race as well.
As Breyona's powers grow, she must choose between what is easy and what is right. And both Danny and Breyona must choose whether to follow their hearts . . . or give into temptation.
You can get the ebook for Kindle from Amazon or for Nook from Barnesandnoble. You can get both formats from Smashwords, if you prefer. Kobo, Apple and others are coming soon!
Book one is also available from all those retailers.
Undermountain (The Undermountain Saga, Book One)
June 7, 2012
Mordor Employee Update: #001
Cave Trolls: More Brawn Than Brains
by Thurky Msh-thak
We all know these massive beasts who do so much to help our cause. They operate the grim machinery of our gates, haul rocks, and generally lift, push, or pull anything they're told to. What you might not know is how much work is involved in troll husbandry.
"It's a lot of work," says Harg Vomut, Mordor's new Troll Master. Vomut rose to his new post following the unfortunate dismemberment of the previous master, Furk "Tickler" Klash. "The food requirements alone take up half my time. Nothing grows around here, so everything must be imported."
Vomut says institutionalized corruption makes procurement a logistical nightmare. "For instance, by the time any oliphant meat makes it to us, it's been already been picked over by Nazgul, the Warg Masters and who knows how many orcs. We're lucky to get a snout."
Because trolls' dental hygiene is non-existent, they have few teeth, making it difficult for them to chew tough meat. "Everything has to be boiled," Vomut says. He guided me through an area called "the kitchen," which consists of nothing more than twenty huge iron pots over fires. "We throw in a lot of vegetation to bulk up their diet. But even that has to be brought in from outside." Vomut says it's critical to provide a good diet–including lots of fibre–to the trolls. "It's hard to motivate a troll who's not regular."
Which brought up the issue of sewage management in Mordor. "It's deplorable," Vomut says. "I know it's a matter of pride among all of us. But you can have too much of a good thing, and here in the troll pens, we've been overly blessed." Vomut wants to get the word out to all orcs that troll dung is ready and available. And best of all, it's free for the taking. "I use it it my own den for cook fires," says Vomut's wife Darla Sauronson. "It makes meat taste more acrid, more bitter. Almost as good as if you pulled it fresh from a burning ruin."
What do the trolls think about their role in the impending destruction of man and elf? It's hard to get an intelligible word out of them, but when Vomut showed them a straw effigy of an elf lord, a troll called Pip tore it in half and stomped on the pieces. Vomut cautioned me not to read to much into it though. "That's what happened to Tickler."
May 31, 2012
May 20, 2012
The Non-Liar's Conundrum
A friend was telling me last night about a particularly deceitful person they used to work with. This individual–let's call them Wanda–stole from the workplace, lied, and even (gasp) schemed!
Wanda sounded like a great character for a story. So naturally I starting cogitating about her, trying to figure out how to use her in one project or another. And while I was doing all this thinking, I asked a simple question: Why do people lie?
I'm not talking about the polite lies or evasions needed for social skills, like complementing someone's new hairdo even though you liked the old style better. I'm talking about deceit, trickery, cover ups–the kind of stuff that does damage.
The answer is that people lie because it works. Or at least they think it works.
The fact is that liars are deceived by regular, non-lying folk, because we're uncomfortable pointing out the lies. We might even like the liar; we might even feel a bit sorry for them. And so we give them a pass–until the liar goes a bit too far. And then big consequences come down on the poor deceitful wretch, and that's that.
The non-liar's conundrum is this: Risk the social discomfort of calling the liar out on their lies, or watch the individual crash and burn. Is it a form of justice to allow the liar to hang themselves? Or does one have a responsibility to try to help that person with tough love?
May 15, 2012
Cover Reveal: Afterlife
And here is the cover. I'm very excited to get this book out into the world. All is on schedule for a July 1st release.
April 27, 2012
Soundtracking My Life
Styx: Crystal Ball
It’s a spectacular summer day. I just finished seventh grade, or at least I think I did. I’m wandering in the back field, feeling like my life is over.
I got an F in biology because I didn’t turn in the final lab. It probably had something to do with the fact that my lab partner was more interested in cutting the frog in half with a pair of baby scissors than dissecting it. But I know I can’t blame anyone but myself.
I hate school. I don’t see the point.
My report card is waiting for Dad. I go inside and up to my room and put on my favorite song. It isn’t the words that console me. I’m crying too hard to sing them.
In a song about the future, it’s the fade out guitar solo that reaches me.
Those notes. That tone.
That’s what I’m feeling.
I'm posting these on the tumblr for my fake band, Bridge Four. I'd love to see more people write these for the soundtracks of their lives.
Check it at out: www.bridgefourband.com
April 23, 2012
Undermountain Book 2 Update
I'm very happy with how this book is turning out. I've already got the cover art underway and have a very high degree of confidence that the book will come out on schedule.
Also, if you'd like a physical copy of Undermountain, you can get it on Amazon or from my website. It's cheaper on Amazon, but it's signed if you order it directly from moi.
April 2, 2012
Giveaway: Win an Undermountain Paperback
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Goodreads Book Giveaway
Undermountain
by Eric Edstrom
Giveaway ends April 12, 2012.
See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.
Enter to win
