Hugo Negron's Blog, page 15

Invincible by Two Steps From Hell

If you want rousing epic scale music similar to that of Lord of the Rings or Krull, music that makes you want to rush out the door with sword in hand, jump on a horse, and have at it with a bunch of shape-shifting maugs, hungry trolls, or an angry lawnmower, this compilation of trailer/movie music by Thomas Bergersen and Nick Phoenix does the job and more. It's visceral, grand, and pure high-octane emotion. Track 14, Protectors of the Earth, is my favorite (you can find excerpts from various tracks on YouTube).

Listening to this booming score I instantly visualize literal scenes from Forging of a Knight, Prison Planet of the Mah-Lahkt, as I take pen to paper. I can feel the impact of the bony collared giant stomping its foot to the ground as Termenon the elf Prince flees from its grasp, see the vista of unlimited hordes of guarding creatures from the Mah-Lahkt's prison planet as the Arch-Mages advance forward into their ranks, hear the cracking of blades as Qualtan and the other heroes battle with the grotesquely shaped yanaan, and shiver as Shaz releases his unholy fury at follower and foe alike. Amazing renditions you have to hear!

http://www.amazon.com/Invincible-Two-...

http://www.thomasbergersen.com

Pics from Gen Con 2014!

Well, another great Gen Con experience has come and gone - as always, an event that brings out the most creative, engaging, and just all-around wonderful people around. From vendors to special guests to attendees, its a forum that truly can't be missed.

Some old friends were back - the Rudders from Rudderhaven Publications, Roger Sicely and Peter Lewia, authors of the Ameron Chronicles, Robert Dennis Baird, author of the Brazen Serpent Chronicles, and some new ones, like author Julie Scott, author of The Guardians of Oakhurst!

Here is a link to some pictures I took during the four days at the event. A shot out as always to James Buckhorn, who stopped by as he had done last year to say hi and buy a signed copy of the second book in the Forging of a Knight series!

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?s...

Gettin' ready for Gen Con

Ok - got the table cover, posters to hang, books, and freebie stuff to pass out - cards, cover pic magnets (MAGNETS! We gots MAGNETS!!), cards...

I'm really thinking about using some of my armor from my Doom costume sans mask for the event - but (a) its real armor which means it gets hot, and (b) not exactly easy to sign books wearing steel gauntlets...thoughts?

https://www.facebook.com/Forging.of.a...

Interview with Douglas Rudder from RudderHaven!

I met Doug at last year’s Gen Con where I had the pleasure of boothing next door to his table. I was impressed by his engaging personality, RudderHaven’s (a budding publishing company focusing on fiction and non-fiction) stable of work, AND the creative costumes Doug and his wife wore each day at the convention!

With a break in the Forging of a Knight action while ‘Prison Planet gets its final polish, I was able to reach out to Doug. He graciously accepted my offer to interview. So, without further ado…

HN: Hi, Douglas – thanks again for taking the time to be interviewed! Let’s begin with telling us a little bit more about who Douglas Rudder is, as well as the inside scoop on RudderHaven Publications.

When did you know that you wanted to be a writer?

DR: I’ve enjoyed writing since childhood. I grew up on books like The Hardy Boys, Tom Swift, Jr., Robert Heinlein, and J. R. R. Tolkien. Our parents encouraged reading and nurturing our imaginations. I still have handwritten copies of stories I wrote as a child and teenager. Science fiction and fantasy have long been my favorite genres.


HN: How did you develop the idea for RudderHaven?

DR: My brother actually started it in 2000 as Athor Productions. He published his first fantasy novel, Sharamitaro, and it kind of took off from there. I joined him as publisher and general partner a few years ago and we morphed into RudderHaven. I’ve always been involved from an editorial standpoint, with a focus on monitoring story flow, continuity, and character consistency.


HN: In developing RudderHaven Publications, what was the most fun to develop? What was the most challenging?

DR: The characters, stories, worlds, and concepts top the list of fun stuff. Learning how to develop and compose books in InDesign and do graphic design in Photoshop has been both challenging and rewarding. The biggest challenge, of course, is figuring out how to make yourself known to potential readers.


HN: What is your plan long-term for RudderHaven?

DR: To be a source of fiction and non-fiction for the whole family. We want anyone to be able to read and enjoy the books we publish and want to offer publishing services to other authors who feel the same way. When Jonathan’s fifth novel is released, we will have thirteen titles available in print, with four of those also on Kindle.


HN: Your brother, Jonathan Rudder, has recently completed his Milhavior Chronicles series, and you have some other great works in your stable, including Tolkien: Roncevaux, Ethandune, and Middle-Earth that you authored. Can you talk a little bit about these projects?

DR: Jonathan’s final novel in the Milhavior Chronicles series, The Flame and the Shadow, is slated to be released in time for Gen Con in Indianapolis – just two weeks away. We recently released a new anthology spearheaded by C. K. Deatherage called Tales with a Twist, which is a collection of short stories and poems of various genres, all of which have a plot twist. We also just published the RudderHaven Science Fiction and Fantasy Anthology II, which was particularly fun to work on this year since my daughter (age 14) has published her first story in it. Watching her grow as a writer is an amazing experience – and may result in a blog post soon.


HN: As a self-published author, I share the challenge of getting the word out on my works. What have you had to do to win broader exposure and branding for RudderHaven?

DR: Conventions like Gen Con, websites (including the new RudderHaven page on Facebook), and a lot of word-of-mouth – beginning with family and friends – have been the staple thus far. I also have a little side outlet, because my office (at my day job) lets me put up a display in the lunch room on occasion. A couple of the authors in our anthologies have also been published in other works and now their readers are being introduced to RudderHaven, providing another avenue for reaching new readers.


HN: This question will start off sounding like an old joke – a person walks into a bar (or convention or bookstore) and bumps into Douglas Rudder – what would be your elevator pitch to showcase your work or that of RudderHaven?

DR: I don’t really have a pitch. I’ve never liked in-your-face salesmanship; it’s a quick turn-off for me as a customer, so I don’t use it as an author. Mostly I rely on enthusiasm for the work. It’s more personal. My friends and coworkers know when something new is in the pipes because I’ll bring around concept cover art or proof copies, and they are often amused at my excitement. That’s okay; I AM excited.


HN: As an author, it’s sometimes difficult to finally say a product is finished, no matter how many times you review or edit. In your works, is there anything you would go back and change? Were there ideas you had in mind and then decided NOT to include?

DR: It is incredibly hard to hit that upload button to send a book to the printer. No matter how many editorial passes it’s been through, there is always the worry that something got missed, that something could have been done better. There are often times in revision when ideas are modified or even discarded. For example, in my short story, “The Observer,” there was some discussion dialogue that I removed when I realized it didn’t fit pacing of the story. There was another piece of dialogue that was pushed to a later scene because of the press of events. It no longer worked where it was in the original concept.


HN: Do you have a certain method you use when you write – i.e., a certain room, music, mood, etc., to help get you in the right writing frame of mind?

DR: Usually, the only light I have on is the desk lamp near the computer. It’s almost like creating a tunnel from me to the screen and helps keep me immersed in what I’m doing. I don’t have music going, because, well, I find myself listening to the music. I can write anywhere, but I prefer my “bat cave” approach because it’s easier to stay focused.


HN: What are you reading right now?

DR: Jonathan Rudder’s The Milhavior Chronicles and Timothy Zahn’s Night Train to Rigel.


HN: What are RudderHaven’s next upcoming projects?

DR: After the push to get our science fiction and fantasy books out in time for Gen Con, we have a manuscript for a Bible study book from my Dad, who is a semi-retired minister (he’ll never really be retired; I expect he’ll drop in the saddle someday). I’m also working on a science fiction novel, with bits and pieces of two more sci-fi and two fantasy novels floating around in my head.


HN: Where can readers go to find out more about Douglas Rudder and RudderHaven?

DR: Well, there’s my author bio in the back of my books (wait, was that a sales pitch?). My wife and I, along with C. K. Deatherage, will be manning the RudderHaven booth at Gen Con in Indianapolis, August 14-17. You can also go to the RudderHaven facebook page or company site (www.RudderHaven.com) for further information.


HN: Thanks, Doug, for sharing some of your time!

DR: Thanks for asking me. It’s been a pleasure.

Cover preview of Forging of a Knight, Book Three, Prison Planet of the Mah-Lahkt

Gen Con is almost here! Time to sharpen one's sword, clean one's boots, and iron one's cloak for four days of adventure and excitement. If anything captures the imagination, it's seeing row upon row of role playing games being played, cosplayers posing for photos, painted miniatures, and intermixed between it all, a ton of wonderfully creative and artistic folks!

Of course, I will be mostly limited to standing behind my booth talking Forging of a Knight, fantasy, and anything else that comes to mind. I am still hopeful book three of Forging of a Knight will be ready to launch at the 'Con, as the manuscript is done, as well as the editing. Fingers (and claws) crossed!

With that, I did want to share a preview of the cover, done again by Lora Lee (you can check out more of her work at www.loraleeart.com). I think she has done a better job with each cover I've challenged her with. Click on the link below and see for yourself!

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fb...

Let me know what you think!

It’s coming...

They have been hinted at – heroes of glorious legend, villains of infamous fable – some have made their presence known, while others only by name: Aurelus, Amali, Termenon, Qualtan, Jesepha, Darksiege, and Shaz.

Now, heroes of the past and present will unite against Those That Stand in Shadow. From the steaming jungles of the Third Continent to a Prison Planet forged by angels, the Arch-Mages and their champions will find themselves in a race against time to prevent Shaz and his agents from finding the Dark Ones’ demonic fathers and releasing them from bondage. Enemies will become allies, and allies will become foes in the ultimate confrontation with evil that will span two continents, new lands, and new terrors!

This really becomes the final book in the first trilogy arc, an evolvement of the main character's maturation process from a hopeful, naïve, knight-to-be to an established knight; to transcending the role of the knight to become a true hero. Prison Planet answers some questions and poses new ones, setting up the subplots that will take Qualtan to his final destiny, whether for good or for evil, as well as that of his friends.

Next post I'll talk about Gen Con, and hopefully have some pics to share as well. Also, a few hints as to what might be taking place after Prison Planet!

Excerpt from Forging of a Knight, Book Three, Prison Planet of the Mah-Lahkt

Well, with my son turning two years old and some "reasonably" decent weather in Illinois, life is definitely for the better! Book three of Forging of a Knight is getting its final touches from my editor, Erin Potter, and Lora Lee is busily working on the cover. It's getting close to Gen Con time, so I'm hopeful I'll have copies ready to showcase and sign by mid August.

With that, below is a small excerpt from Forging of a Knight, Prison Planet of the Mah-Lahkt, which introduces a new character to hinder and harass our main hero, Qualtan. Take a read...



Qualtan eventually returned to his room. He had enjoyed Osei’s and Jesepha’s company. The reason for their presence in Zubadi had been briefly forgotten. He strolled about, observing the airy curtains and nettings placed about the bed and windows. There were many statuettes of protection and luck, Osei had said, that occupied niches in the doorways and corridors. Finding one, he lifted it in his hands, staring at the shrunken skull face that smiled back from atop a dwarf-like body. It was meant to be a guardian against evil spirits, calling forth a ghost of its own to animate against intrusion.

“The dead protecting the living.” Qualtan mused.

“The dead ever bring a curiosity about them, do they not?”

Qualtan looked about, dropping the figure. It shattered, its head rolling towards the feet of a thin man who appeared, dressed in long garments of tattered black. He was not of Zubadi stock. His face was shriveled, an apple carved for All Hallows Eve, yet small fires of yellow shined from where his eyes should have been. He wore a long, black rimmed hat, and stood patiently leaning over what appeared to be a walking stick carved from the vertebrae of bones.

Qualtan immediately withdrew his blade, its radiance proving slight discomfort to the stranger.

“There is no need for that.” The man said, his face squirming with distaste at the light.

Not again! Qualtan thought ruefully.

“Stay where you are! I’ve had enough of uninvited lurkers in black.”

“That is very true. Haunted mirrors and enemies in the night bring enough worry, and now you have me to contend with, alas.”

“What do you mean?” How could the stranger know of Qualtan’s previous confrontation with the image of the haegtes in his mirror, or the visit from Darksiege those many days ago before the Parade of Heroes? ”Who are you?”

“Someone you should be keenly familiar with by now. You walk a path that parallels mine.”

“If Shaz has sent you…”

The being raised his hand, warding off the accusation.

“No one can “send” me, as you put it. My authority is my own.”

“Enough games!” Qualtan advanced.

The man smiled. “I would advise against that. My touch is one you would not wish to feel.” The man extended his hand. It was gnarled, with rotting skin. Small orifices opened and closed noisily on his palm, hungry mouths wailing for sustenance.

Qualtan paused.

“I have come to give warning, not threat. Your quest is of importance to me…and to those that use my services.”

“Oh? So you know of our intent? And who are these “others” that find worry in our actions?”

“Never you mind. Those That Stand in Shadow offend many beyond your sphere. They should not be here, clothed by living skin, alive with living blood.”

“You refer to the Rules.” Qualtan said.

“And what do you know of them?” His visitor said, intrigued.

“What do you?” Qualtan challenged.

The man laughed. “Their fathers…the Mah-Zakim are creatures from the other side, creatures that should not have been allowed in to your world. Invited they were by your Kind, and allowed to mix their seed with yours with the intent to cause evil, to change the balance of things.”

“And by doing so, they broke the Rules.” Qualtan responded.

“More than once, yes. They are not allowed to pass their essence to mortal flesh. They dared to share forbidden knowledge, dared to directly involve themselves in your affairs, and open portals for others to come in. They were punished and imprisoned. Yet their children, because they were born through mortal coil, are allowed to remain. This has protected them, and allowed them to pursue their goals.”

“And what are these goals?” Qualtan did not wish to say more than he should until he knew the meaning of this intrusion.

The man breathed in deeply, exhaling air as cold as ice. “Unwilling to share your knowledge? That is all right. I will share with you mine. The one you follow, the one you chase, wishes to free his fathers from their rightful imprisonment. To do so, he will break the Rules, for their judgment has already been made and cannot be changed. He wishes to open doors and bring them back to your sphere. They, in turn, will open more doors and bring others, seeking revenge for their jailing. A war will begin, a war that will prompt the Mah-Lahkt to break the Rules themselves in order to combat their former brothers, the Mah-Zakim. A war that will envelop your entire world, and destroy it with its fury.” Vapors of moist air rose from the stranger’s gaping mouth, clouding his face.

“This is what Shaz wants. Total destruction, of all life, everything. He feels he will be safe with his fathers and able to stand against the Mah-Lahkt, to defeat them. Should he fall, the bloodshed that will follow on a scale never before seen by both the Mah-Lahkt and the Mah-Zakim will still be victory enough for him.”

“So what is this to you? Whose side do you stand on?” Qualtan asked.

“Neither, for my role is neither to arrest the encroaching weed nor to cultivate the gentle flower. My job is to pluck the prizes left me after the garden has been tended and bring them to their allotted cast. Some I wait for, others I take when due me. As you can see, my cart is ever ready for more to fill.”

At his gesture, a gigantic metal wagon appeared, bursting with wailing heads and writhing arms, bloodied and broken, crammed into a monolithic mound of pain. Behind it was chained another giant wagon, and then another. Skeletons crept about the living piles, poking and prodding like parasites crawling on the skin of some great beast.

Qualtan was struck dumb by the horrible scene. As quickly as it appeared, the image faded away.

“I know you now.” Qualtan said soberly, a shiver going through his spine. He was a far more deadly visitor than Darksiege. He was deadlier, in fact, than the Arch-Mages and Those That Stand in Shadow combined. His power was uncontested by the living, and to be granted such a personal audience was a dire omen for them all.

The man smiled. “Of course you do. You aid in my business, for my servants and I judge neither criminal nor priest. Others balance the scales and offer rewards or punishments. I merely help those along in leaving this place of blood and flesh…this place, and countless others. You yourself will join my bounty someday.”

“Not like the others you have shown me. Not like them.” Qualtan insisted.

“Perhaps. Who is to say? But know you this, child knight. When the word is given, the scythe of pain and pestilence is allowed my brothers in clearing the chaff from the wheat. The tide may ebb and flow – sometimes barely a droplet, and at other times a deluge that swells over its embankments. However, if Shaz succeeds, that tide will become an unrelenting fury that will not only unbalance the scales, but destroy them. Shaz and his Kind will dictate the torrent of those that come to me, when that is MY job. I will not brook this, and thus have come to warn you.”

“To stop him? Of what value is that, Great Huntsman?”

The man bowed, taken with the title. Suddenly, the being appeared to fly towards Qualtan at great speed, his cadaverous body appearing directly before the knight’s. Qualtan could feel the cold, and smell the rot. The man smiled again, showing black teeth and a swollen tongue. He whispered softly, as if other ears were straining to hear.

“I cannot say much, but the little I offer will be great enough. Shaz sees himself akin to his fathers, not as a being of human birth. He has limits they do not have. Look for them! Use them!”

Qualtan smiled. The Huntsman was arrogant, lofty, fully aware that his power held sway over all. Yet, he had come to him, been sent to him, which meant need. The young knight felt that gave him an opportunity to press back.

“You say your authority is your own, but you lie, Huntsman. Your authority has been given to you, as has permission to share your riddle.”

The man’s flame-eyes blazed yellow with anger for a moment.

“I can take you home with me now, by force, if I so wished.”

“If it was my allotted time, you could. But it is not my time yet, is it, Great Huntsman?”

The man’s lips formed a thin scar. “You disrespect me.”

“I do not. I respect your power, and your offer of knowledge. You are as high above me as I am to a stone in a stream. I merely state truth against your posed threat, noble Ankou.”

The man breathed out deeply, a blast of cold mist. He smiled. “You place a pretty bow upon the words you throw at me. Still, you show deference enough, which I will accept.”

The man turned away, a wall of fog taking shape before him.

“I have said my lot. No more can be done for you or the others. I will be watching with interest for the final result.”

As the man entered the fog, Qualtan approached him further, for there were still questions yet to be answered. “But why me? Why not tell this to the other champions, or the Arch-Mages themselves, who could do more with it than I?”

The man’s neck began to creak. His head swiveled completely ‘round, his face meeting his back.

“Shaz looks to break the Rules. So shall you, someday soon.”

“Me? I don’t understand…what do you…”

“Should he fail in his efforts, you shall pay the price he would have if you succeed against him and continue along your chosen path. Consider me an…additional warning…for the actions your future self will take. Your fall shall give you a place on my cart.”

“You speak of the vision the haegtes showed me, don’t you! You say I have no choice to escape it?”

“Your choice will be to purposely accept it.”

“And you will not say anything else on the matter?”

The Ankou smiled yet again. “As you put it to me before, such words would be outside the authority given me.”

“Qualtan!” A voice cried out. It was Jesepha, banging on the outside of his chamber’s door.

There was a final question Qualtan had to ask. “Wait! Before you leave…!”

The figure dissolved within the smoke, leaving two beacons of yellow that began to die out.

“If you cannot share with me my fate, then can you tell me that of my parents? Are they well, my mother, and my father, wherever they reside now?”

“I shall look upon our next meeting…most fondly.” The man said, as he disappeared from view.

“Ankou!” Qualtan cried out, but to no avail, for he was gone.

“My fate…” He said to himself, looking down at his hands.

“Qualtan!” Jesepha persisted.

Qualtan slowly, numbly, went towards the door, unlocking it. Jesepha rushed in, sword in hand.

“I heard voices! There was a cold coming from this chamber into mine next door, and a foul smell! Are you all right? What has happened?! Who was here?” She said, crossing her arms in the frigid air of the room.

“Death has paid me a visit this night.” He said quietly, turning away.

Interview tag-team!

Brian Beam author of the Korin's Journal fantasy series and other works such as Alinor's Shard, was gracious enough to interview me back. Check out the story at his blog:

http://brian-beam.blogspot.com/2014/0...

An interview with author Brian Beam!

“With nothing to go on but a vague dream which may or may not be memory, Korinalis Karell has spent the last three years searching Amirand for his birth parents. With a Contract to fund his journey and a magic talking wizard cat named Max to keep him company, Korin has tenaciously traveled from one kingdom to the next with no success to speak of. However, after being hired by Count Galius Firmon to retrieve a stolen gem, Korin finds himself faced with revelations about his past that not only flip his world upside down, but throw him into a fight for his very survival. With the aid of a mediocre wizard on a dragon hunt, a chatterbox Kolarin thief, and Max, Korin sets out to discover the truth of his past so that he may live to see his future. Join Korin in this fantasy adventure as he faces a ruthless count, evil wizards, a furious dragon, godsforsaken creatures of death, and even worse, a sarcastic cat.”

…Thus reads the premise for The Dragon Gem (Korin’s Journal) (Volume 1)

I first came across Brian over at www.indiesunlimited.com, a great site for indie authors (and for readers too!) to showcase and share their works. Since then, I’ve wanted to learn more about his writing and his wonderful series Korin’s Journal, and with my taking a breath from a final go-around with Forging of a Knight Book Three, Prison Planet of the Mah-Lahkt, I finally had a chance!


Hi Brian – thanks again for taking the time to be interviewed! Let’s begin with telling us a little bit more about who Brian Beam is.


HN: When did you know that you wanted to be a writer?

BB: I’ve wanted to be a writer ever since I was a little kid of 8 or 9 years old. My parents had these friends who had written books, and something about that gave me the inspiration to write my first real story—The Scary Halloween. Once I sat down to write it, I remember how amazing it felt to write a story outside of the context of school and how proud I was of it when I finished. Obviously, if I still had a copy of that story, it’d be an international bestseller. Unfortunately, the sequel, The Spooky Easter was never completed.


HN: How did you develop the idea for Korin’s Journal?

BB: Starting in 2011, I was a stay-at-home dad for about 18 months. Sometime in the first few months, I decided to secretly write a book during my son’s naps to surprise my wife with. The plan was to write a novella that would be the first in a series (if I decided to continue the story, that is), and find a decent on-demand printer to give my wife and family a copy of it at Christmas. After the first couple chapters, my original concept began to expand in my head. Most of my ideas come to me when jogging, and I was doing a lot more of it then than now, and that caused the story to evolve a lot as well. Before I knew it, I had a 140,000 word novel that would be the first of an epic trilogy.


HN: Which characters were the most fun to develop? Which were the most challenging?

BB: Max is by far the most fun character of the Korin’s Journal series for many reasons. He’s sarcastic and pretentious, yet one of the most loving and caring characters in the series. My main reason for making him a cat was that his personality fits perfectly with a cat’s (if you’ve ever had a cat, you’ll know what I mean). He’s been endlessly fun to develop because there’s a lot of secrets associated with his past that are slowly revealed throughout the books. Well, in the case of book 2, The Forgotten King, a lot of his past is put out there for the reader.

As for the most challenging, I’d have to say . . . Max. Yeah, I know, I just used him for the first question. Even so, the challenge is part of the fun with him. He’s a complex character. Most of Max’s actions are based on motivations that Korin knows nothing about, something I found difficult to write with the story being told in first person through Korin’s eyes. There was always the question of how much Korin would accept from Max before finally just losing it and choking his secrets out of him. It’s a bit of thin line when writing Max’s scenes.


HN: What is your plan long-term for the series? How many more stories do you have in mind for Korin and Max?

BB: Korin’s Journal will be a trilogy. There’s a definitive story in my head, and I’m not going to draw it out for the sake of lengthening out the series. I love my characters, and I’ll hate to say goodbye to them after the third book, but it’s what my story calls for. The entire story will be wrapped up completely with book 3.

I won’t completely rule out going back to Korin’s world later. If I did, though, it would likely be in novella or short story form. I promise that I won’t pull a “hey, there’s actually a more dangerous threat” or a “the bad guy wasn’t actually defeated” sequel to the trilogy.


HN: You have written other books, such as Alinor’s Shard – do you have additional/different works in mind?

BB: I have several ideas rattling around in my head at the moment. When It comes to writing, I’m pretty much only interested in fantasy. Part of my love of writing involves building worlds along with the characters, something I feel is best fitted to sci-fi/fantasy. That said, all my ideas are fantasy related. Among my ideas are a Dr. Who inspired stand-alone epic, a young adult series, a potential novelette/novella series(the first is written and just needs a heavy edit and maybe some additional scenes at some point in time), as well as a novella I’ve started that is currently shelved until I’ve finished Korin’s Journal.


HN: As a self-published author, I share the challenge of getting the word out on my works. What have you had to do to win broader exposure and branding for your books?

BB: Honestly, I really don’t do much marketing. All of my books are currently exclusive to Amazon, so I do some free ebook days(which I’ve had a lot of success with) for one. I submit my books to as many book bloggers as I can to be considered for reviews, participate in giveaways, do a little Facebook advertising, and try to connect with readers through sites such as Goodreads. I always reply to anyone who offers me any feedback(both good and bad) about my books. I know there’s a lot of resources out there I could use to do more, even some that I’m decently familiar with. Even so, I strive to meet the balance between work, family, and writing time in my life.


HN: This question will start off sounding like an old joke – a person walks into a bar (or convention or bookstore) and bumps into Brian Beam – what would be your elevator pitch to showcase your work?

BB: “Hey, wanna read a book about dragons, magic cats, and monsters?”

Kidding, of course. In all honesty, I’m horrible with elevator pitches and taglines, so I’m going to just steal this from my own blurb – After being hired to recover a stolen gem, Korin finds himself faced with revelations about his past that not only flip his world upside down, but throw him into a fight for his very survival. Join Korin in this exciting fantasy adventure as he deals with a ruthless count, evil wizards, a furious dragon, godsforsaken creatures of death, and even worse, a sarcastic cat


HN: As an author, it’s sometimes difficult to finally say a product is finished, no matter how many times you review or edit. Is there anything you would go back and change in your stories? Were there ideas you had in mind and then decided NOT to include?

BB: There’s nothing I would change about the stories when it comes to the plot or characters, but I’d make some minor editing tweaks if I could make a few more passes over them. There have been loads of ideas that have ended up on the cutting floor with the Korin’s Journal series, but I couldn’t tell you one of them. I have this strange ability to keep stories in my mind(I never plot on paper or outline), but the moment I decide I don’t like something, it leaves my brain and never comes back. I’m not sure if this is a good or bad thing . . .


HN: I have a 21 month old son, and structuring time around him can be challenging! I’ve lost count of the times he nearly pressed the delete button on something I was working on…how do you find time to write your stories?

BB: By not sleeping. I’m 99% not joking. Really. *yawn*


HN: Do you have a certain method you use when you write – i.e., a certain room, music, mood, etc., to help get you in the right writing frame of mind?

BB: Music helps me a lot. And really, just any band I like. The only exceptions are action scenes. I do better with them when listening to fast-paced, heavy-ish music.


HN: What are you reading right now?

BB: Funny you should ask. Forging of a Knight: Rise of the Slavekeepers by, well, you, and Tales of the Bodhisattva by Justin Dockins. I’m about to pick up Words of Radiance, the second in Brandon Sanderson’s Stormlight Archive series. The first one was amazing. Finding time to read another 300K+ word book right now, however . . .


HN: What’s your next upcoming project?

BB: Book 3 of Korin’s Journal (there’s an actual title, but it’s going to be secret a while longer). After that, either finishing my novella, cleaning up my next novelette, or the stand-alone epic. I’ve mostly been finding my mind going to the latter of these choices recently, so probably that. Hmm . . . with my second son due in a couple weeks, I can probably just say he’s going to be my upcoming project ☺.

HN: Where can readers go to find out more about Brian Beam?

BB: www.facebook.com/brianbeamauthor
brian-beam.blogspot.com
www.twitter.com/brianbeam2
www.amazon.com/author/brianbeam


HN: Thanks Brian, for sharing some of your time!

Forging of a Knight at By The Sword!

Forging of a Knight is now available for purchase at By The Sword at bytheswordinc.com! Check out their great fantasy/medieval reproductions and products:

http://www.bytheswordinc.com/p-37936-...

http://www.bytheswordinc.com/p-37937-...

Gen Con 2014!

We are all set to once again booth at Gen Con August 14-17th in Indianapolis! I'll be selling and signing copies of Books 1 and 2 of Forging of a Knight, along with hopefully having copies ready for Forging of a Knight Book 3, Prison Planet of the Mah-Lahkt!

There were some great authors, actors, and lots of gaming fun last year - and this year should be more of the same. If you can make it, you have to come down and say hello!...