A.L. Butcher's Blog, page 175
December 30, 2014
2014 – A Year Filled With Words
I can’t believe it will be 2015 in a few hours, where has the year gone?! So what has 2014 brought? Words! Knowledge! Friendship!
It’s too many years for me to confess to since I left university but my thirst for knowledge hasn’t abated. As some of my followers know I love history, especially ancient history. The course https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/hadrians-wall Hadrian’s Wall – Life on the Roman Frontier was fascinating. Well presented and interesting this was a good look at life in Roman Britain, and the challenges facing both occupiers and occupied. There may well be a story from this era…. watch this space.
Next year – January I am hoping to complete another course about Roman Architecture and archeology, and later on the Coursera course about Science Fiction and Fantasy.
I’d planned for Book III of the Chronicles to be out by year end, but for one reason or another this hasn’t occurred. It is, however, done in draft so should appear in the springtime. I’ve not been idle, this year has been a year of short stories, planning and promotion.
My books this year:
Nine Heroes: Tales of Heroic Fantasy. This includes a Tale of Erana not featured anywhere else. Coel is the reluctant hero of this tale of slavery and revenge. Look out for Coel again in 2015
Kiss and Tales – the Romantic Collection (with the Indie Collaboration).
Summer Shorts (with the Indie Collaboration) – this includes some poetry about the British Summer Time, and a short story about the Kitchen Imps.
Spectacular Tales (with the Indie Collaboration) – (free) featuring some poetry and a fairy tale retelling.
Tales from Darker Places (with the Indie Collaboration) (free) – featuring some poetry, a dark and twisted story about Jack the Ripper, and a dark tale about a lonely vampire.
Bellator – I have to say I haven’t had that much fun for ages. It was such a joy to be co-writing with Diana Wicker again. Perhaps these characters might appear again. This charity anthology is raising money for wounded service personnel, a cause close to my heart. Books for heroes and stories about heroes – what a marvellous combination.
Tales of Erana: Myths and Legends – a collection of tales set in Erana featuring errant gods, magic, myth and mayhem – Also in Audio. On the subject of Audio I started running Audio Book Narrator interviews, which were fascinating. For me a whole new world was revealed – a book read aloud is a treasure indeed, it brings forth emotions of joy from memories of parental and grandparental story telling, sitting down at school and being read to, and reading aloud to friends. Story telling is as old as the hills, and is central to our culture.
Wyrd Worlds II – this free anthology features another tale of the Kitchen Imps, plus a short fantasy tale of the god-keeper of a small bluish-green world.
Tales of Erana: The Warrior’s Curse – new release. A short story of myth and magic set in the world of Erana.
Blog-wise there have been:
18 character interviews with everyone from William Shakespeare, a horse, a dog, several aliens, a few witches and wizards, a couple of demi gods, a vampire and even Satan himself.
42 author interviews covering fantasy, science fiction, suspense, paranormal, children’s fiction, crime and historical.
3 narrator interviews, including Chris Morris.
6 editor interviews.
5 cover designer interviews.
5 reader interviews.
2 reviewer interviews.
Several blog tours stopped by, plus there’s been advice about audio books, Thunderclap, book reviews, course reviews, giveaways, new releases and much more. It has been a busy year!
So what will 2015 bring?
The Stolen Tower – The Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles Book III will appear in the spring.
There will (hopefully) be a fantasy story in an anthology early 2015 – Heroika.
Plus there will be more short stories, including more from the Kitchen Imps, Coel and the Thiefmaster, and more Tales of Erana. Book IV of the Chronicles is in planning, and I dare say more short stories will spring from that. A murder mystery, plus perhaps some more grimdark.
There may also be an erotica collection, co-written with a friend.
Wow I am busy already and the year hasn’t even started!
There will be several guest posts discussing the influence of fantasy on our culture, plus, of course many more interviews. The first of these is scheduled Jan 2nd 2015 from Joe Bonadonna. If you are interested in participating in an interview, a guest post or blog tour stop-off please contact using the form below or on the Contact Details page.
[contact-form]
Character Interview Number Twenty-Three Ronan – Shifter
Tell Us About Yourself
Name (s) Ronan
Age: I appear to be about twenty five.
I live primarily in the Atlantic ocean, but roam extensively as a shape shifter. I make frequent visits to Ireland as I have a deep appreciation for the landscape. As a shifter and a creature of the water, I realize I can be very fickle. I don’t think this hurts the people around me, I think they just need to accept it.
Do you have a moral code? If so what is it? I often come across to humans as having no morals at all, but that’s just not true. Just because I don’t share human morals doesn’t mean I have none.
Would you kill for those you love? I wouldn’t be opposed to it.
Would you die for those you love? Probably not, but who knows? My moods and feelings can change quite drastically.
Do you have any relationships you prize above others? Why? Not really… I treat my relationships quite lightly.
Please give us an interesting and unusual fact about yourself. I can influence humans and other creatures through touch, but I need water to conduct this influence. Some people call this manipulative, but I think of it more as persuasion.
Please give us a little information about the world in which you live. I live in the same world that you do. It’s inhabited by non magical creatures and magical creatures alike.
Does your world have religion or other spiritual beliefs? If so do you follow one of them? Please describe (briefly) how this affects your behaviour. Humans have had a superstition about magical creatures since the beginning of time, as they should.
Does your world have different races of people? If so do they get on with one another? Of course, doesn’t every world? My world has many races of people including fairies, giants, leprechauns and humans. They get along… most of the time. Of course there are always conflicts between individuals.
Name a couple of myths and legends particular to your culture/people. There are hundreds of legends told about us. We’ve been called kelpies, selkies, wihwin, nixies and more. Most of my people don’t appreciate these names and stories, but I particularly like the stories of kelpies that are told in Scottland. They’re said to be shape shifters that appear on the form of horses near bodies of water. They lure travelers onto their backs and when a human gets on one, they aren’t able to get off. The kelpie will then walk into the water and drown them. It’s an interesting story, but nonsense of course… most of it anyways.
Author notes:
Book(s) in which this character appears plus links
This character appears in Irish Fantasy Volume I: Drowining
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/481203
Author name
Hannah L. Wing
Website/Blog/Author pages etc.
http://hannahlwing.wordpress.com/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9824530.Hannah_L_Wing
December 25, 2014
Character Interview Number Twenty-Two – Flank Hawk
Tell Us About Yourself
Name: My mercenary name is Flank Hawk, but my actual name is Krish, son of Thurmund
Age: I was eighteen summers when my first adventure began, when Road Toad, a veteran mercenary, took me under his wing after the Necromancer King’s forces overran my militia company.
Please tell us a little about yourself: I grew up on Pine Ridge and worked as a farmhand before joining Lord Hingroar’s militia to fend off the Necromancer King’s incursions.
I now serve King Tobias of Keesee as a mercenary. I am also a healer, a secret I keep so that I won’t be taken by the followers of Fendra Jolain, the goddess of healing. My neophyte healing ability weakens my ability with a sword, but has some advantages as well.
Do you have a moral code? If so what is it?
I don’t know if I have a moral code. Rather, I believe deeply in loyalty and adherence to duty. Through steadfastness in the face of the enemy, and my association with Road Toad, I came to be noticed by Prince Reveron. Serving the prince opened the path to my first great adventure—seeking out the fabled Colonel of the West.
Would you die for those you love?
Yes, I would. Just as I would sacrifice myself while protecting those I am assigned to guard and serve.
Can you remember something from your childhood which influences your behaviour? How do you think it influences you?
Back when I was seven summers old a carnival travelled through Pine Ridge. What haunted my dreams through that summer and following winter was the caged manticore.
My father was very careful with his hard-earned coin, but spent a few of them and took me and my older sister into the big gray tent to see the rare legendary beast. Lying stretched out, it filled the wagon lined with steel bars that were thick as my forearm, watching us gawking townsfolk with its fierce blue eyes.
The maneless female made a fierce wolf seem like a young pup. The carnival barker explained how they’d chopped off its scorpion tail to keep us spectators safe from deadly poison. I wondered why they hadn’t pulled its three rows of pointed teeth. It had the body of a lion with leathery wings that were too big to spread wide in the cage. Its face was like a woman’s but twice as big, with a jutting jaw and malicious sneer.
Even as a child I recognized the monster’s intelligence, but not a human’s. More feral. It watched people. It watched me and my sister as we walked past, half hidden behind my father. The deep blue eyes, they followed us like a barn cat watching a baby mouse, waiting for it to wander just close enough to pounce upon. Eager to tear the mouse apart while devouring it.
What scared me the most was looking up at my father and seeing him look away from the manticore’s fierce gaze. Nobody could endure it. Not one grown man or woman in the tent met the manticore’s predatory stare for long, even though it was caged behind thick steel bars.
That experience revealed to me the wider world beyond Pine Ridge and that the rare marauding ogre, or mobs of mindless zombies the Necromancer King sent to disrupt crop planting were only weak shadows of the cruel dangers outside my familiar home. Dangers that were real, ones that could slay my father and my family without thinking twice.
It was one reason I joined Lord Hingroar’s militia and stood to defend Pine Ridge from the Necromancer King’s invasion. To protect my family and our home from at least one of those dangers.
Please give us an interesting and unusual fact about yourself.
After Jotey, I am the best shot with a crossbow in and around Pine Ridge.
Tell Us About Your World
Please give us a little information about the world in which you live.
I live in what would be called a post-apocalyptic world, nearly 3,000 years after First Civilization’s fall. After visiting the Colonel of the West, I have a better understanding of First Civilization, but even that I find difficult to explain. While remnants of its lore, machines and technology exist, much of the world was remade in the cataclysm, giving rise to beasts and monsters, and magic.
In addition to people, or humans, like me, giants, goblins, trolls, ogres, centaurs and more walk the lands. Dragons and wyverns have been bred and trained as mounts, while sea serpents, dire wolves and griffins hunt the oceans, lands and air.
Do you travel in the course of your adventures? If so where?
Yes, I’ve travelled far in my adventures, farther than all but a score of men or women in the Kingdom of Keesee, or possibly even the Mainland Continent might claim.
I’ve journeyed across much of the Mainland Continent, and twice crossed the Western Ocean, and then far across the Western Continent to return to Keesee. I’ve crossed the Mediterranean Sea and to the heart of the Southern Continent, to Lake Chaad and returned, and ventured far north to a Mountain Hold of the Svartálfar.
Along the way I’ve encountered creatures and beasts out of legend, and people and cultures—those that are both good and hospitable, and some that are quite sinister and foul.
Name and describe a food from your world.
Rather than a single food I’ll describe a favourite tavern of Road Toad and Lilly located in lower Keesee, near the docks. The One-Eyed Pelican, a series of four ancient wooden shacks, each one extending the size of the establishment from the original is a rundown place that serves mainly sailors, unsavory merchants, mercenaries, bounty men, thugs and cutthroats.
Beyond the thick-armed bouncer, and his pot-bellied partner, I’m not sure what Road Toad sees in the place. The chime and drum musicians play loud and repetitive music, smoke of cheap herbs and tobacco fill the air, and rats boldly roam the overhead rafters.
The ale is bitter, the bread is stale and the meats, stews and soups are greasy and overcooked.
One advantage is that nobody at the One-Eyed Pelican listens in on your conversations.
Does your world have magic? If so how is it viewed in your world?
Yes, and there is a variety of spellcasters, with different powers and capabilities. Even so, each pays a price for their abilities.
As a spellcaster becomes more accomplished in their area or discipline, it affects them, depending upon their specialty.
Wizards take on coloration aspects of their discipline, which has less of an impact, possibly due to the elemental nature of their magic:
Air Wizards become pale, their hair turning first white and then translucent.
Earth Wizards become darker of complexion until all matches the soil of the earth, including their eyes, hair, and other features.
Water Wizards become blue of skin and eyes, with their hair and nails sometimes taking on tints of green.
Fire Wizards become ruddier, with more fiery red hair and red eyes.
Of other types of spellcasters:
Seers lose more and more of their physical sight as they become more accomplished.
Healers become increasingly unable to harm others, even in self-defence.
Sorcerers become more twisted and crippled.
Enchanters become more susceptible to the magic of others.
Necromancers…well, it isn’t pretty.
Does your world have any supernatural/mystical beings? Please tell us about some.
Of some of the more ominous I’ve encountered, I’d name the Kraken, and the Colonel of the West as those that stand out.
The Kraken, a beast so immense it can crush a dragon in its claw the same as a gauntleted knight would a snake. It’s the most fearsome attack beast of Uplersh, goddess of the oceans and seas.
The fabled Colonel of the West, some who name a greater elf, an immortal blood, or even a god. He names himself Colonel Ibrahim, who was once mortal, until the cataclysm that brought about First Civilization’s fall.
Name one person of influence/renown within your society and tell why he or she is influential.
One person of supreme influence is Imperial Seer Lochelle, Prime Counselor to the King of Keesee.
From beneath the King’s Palace, in her dark, octagonal and rune-scribed chamber, the blind seer delves into the minds and intentions of others while seeking to divine the future, or possible futures to advise King Tobias of Keesee and thwart his enemies.
Author notes:
Book(s) in which this character appears plus links
Flank Hawk (Krish) appears in the First Civilization’s Legacy Series, (link: http://www.ervin-author.com/fantasy.htm ) which is currently comprised of the novels:
Flank Hawk
Blood Sword
Soul Forge
(Each is written as a standalone novel, and can be read in any order—although most readers prefer chronological order, which is also the order of publication)
Author name: Terry W. Ervin II
Website/Blog/Author pages etc.
Author Website: http://www.ervin-author.com/
Blog: Up Around the Corner http://uparoundthecorner.blogspot.com/
Flankers: the unofficial fan page for the First Civilization’s Legacy Series https://www.facebook.com/groups/253111838083047/
December 24, 2014
Author Interview Seventy-Eight – T.R Robinson Autobiography
Welcome to Tanya (Who writes under the author name of T. R. Robinson.
Please tell us a little about your writing – for example genre, title, etc.
So far I have only written autobiographical books. The first two in my new abridged, dialogue based series are: ‘Tears of Innocence’ and ‘Negative Beauty’.
Where do you find inspiration?
People often told me about themselves and their experiences, frequently in confidence. In listening to them I came to realise how different and dramatic were the lives of my grandparents, parents and my own.
Do you have a favourite character? If so why?
My mother who I unfortunately lost at an early age. She was one of the most loving and caring people to have walked this earth. These are not just my own sentiments; many who had known her told me, even many years later, how beautiful she was not just in her looks but also in her character.
Do you have a character you dislike? If so why?
As my books are autobiographical it is perhaps incorrect to refer to ‘characters’. Nevertheless, in essence the participants play such a role. The ones I disliked the most were the Gestapo.
Research can be important in world-building, how much do you need to do for your books? Do you enjoy this aspect of creating a novel and what are your favourite resources?
Although I have an excellent memory, I had to undertake a little research when it came to my grandparents to try and determine what the plague they suffered was. I should say here that I originally set out to write a complete tale commencing with my grandparents lives. However, this made for a large heavy volume so I decided to break our stories down into more manageable segments. This is why at present it is only my own tale which is related in the current abridged series. I intend to write either my grandparents and/or parents story over the next year. Hopefully I will also be able to produce the third in the abridged series of my life. I use the internet mostly due to the fact I am not near a library. But in truth a library would be my favourite.
Is there a message conveyed within your writing? Do you feel this is important in a book?
Most definitely. I was born into a loving prosperous family but from the age of five, subsequent to my mother’s untimely death, I knew little else than abuse of one kind or another. Some, in fact too much, was very violent. Nevertheless, I survived and reasonably intact. In unrelenting circumstances I succeeded in giving my son a decent education and bringing him up to be a pleasant caring person. My story shows it is possible to overcome difficult obstacles and to have a reasonably successful life.
It is always good to have lessons in books whether fictional or not. However, for fictional works I would not say it is a necessity but by default, if the characters are to be realistic, most do have something to teach.
Sort these into order of importance: Great characters; great world-building; solid plot; technically perfect. Can you explain why you chose this order? (Yes I know they all are important…)
Great characters;
Solid plot;
Great world-building;
Technically perfect.
Most tales whether fictional or not are based round characters. If they aren’t realistic then the whole would feel false. Of course to hold together a story needs a clear plot whether it is chronologically or event based. World-building in most instances is really the background frame to most tales unless of course it is primarily about a defined period and society. Technical perfection is a theme I constantly see discussed. Yes as far as possible the book should be technically correct. Nevertheless, I have read several which contained errors and inconstancies but still enjoyed the read.
In what formats are your books available? (E-books, print, large print audio) Are you intending to expand these and if not, what is the reason?
For a while my books where only available through Amazon both as a paperback and a Kindle e-book. I have for some time wished to publish with other companies to make them available to a wider readership e.g. iBooks, Nook, Barnes & Noble etc. After much hesitation, due to the difficulties people often said they were having publishing with them, I reconstructed my first book for Smashwords. It took a while as I carefully followed their ‘Style Guide’. However, I am very pleased to announce I was successful first go with no error messages. The book was published on their site 3 December 2014 and should be available through the other distribution sites by the time your readers see this interview.
Do you self-edit? If so why is that the case? Do you believe a book suffers without being professionally edited?
I do self-edit. I really do not have much choice. We should bear in mind that many of us independent authors do not have the resources to employ editors, proof-readers etc. I understand editors do work hard but even so I have seen people comment about how they paid an editor and the book still got published with mistakes. I have also seen discussion detailing how an editor will argue with an author about how different aspects should be written or published. Of course, and thankfully, this is a small percentage but even so it does put things into a little more perspective. Inevitably another pair of eyes is an asset, if you have people you can give your draft manuscript to and whom you trust. Regrettably I do not have relatives or friends who could undertake such a task.
Do you think indie/self-published authors are viewed differently to traditionally published authors? Why do you think this might be?
Yes. I suspect many view them as ‘amateurs’ and as with anything will consequently consider them inferior. Nevertheless, as many well-known successful authors have decided to use a hybrid of traditional and self-publishing this attitude is decreasing. And of course there are now several well written self-published books which are gaining a following.
Do you read work by self-published authors?
Yes. I primarily read in the memoir genre of self-published books although there has been the occasional novel/novella which someone has asked me to review. I have come across some very interesting as well as enjoyable books which would never have seen the light of day if it were left to agents and traditional publishers.
What are your opinions about authors commenting on reviews? How important are reviews?
This is a difficult point. I have seen some discussions, on social media sites, arguing the pros and cons of doing this. I think it is naturally polite to thank someone who has written a positive review. I also consider it right to acknowledge negative reviews provided they are not rude and/or insulting. We can often learn from these because we are all different and unique and therefore view matters from different perspectives. However, as someone once pointed out, if you have multiple reviews it could be considered spamming or self-grandiosity to respond to them all. In these cases perhaps a general appreciation would be more appropriate. Of course those who are fortunate enough to have a substantial number of reviews cannot be expected to respond to all the individuals.
How important are they is another question. Many say they are very much so. However, a number of readers/authors, I am amongst them, tend to ignore five and to some extent even four star reviews of self-published books because it is frequently apparent these have been given by the author’s relatives, colleagues and friends. Having said that I recently read the results of a survey which indicated that over half of the UK respondents read reviews before deciding on a purchase.
When buying a book do you read the reviews?
Sometimes. For me though, and this has always been the case, it is the synopsis (blurb) which influences me the most. Just as an aside: there is a lot of discussion these days about how important the right cover image is. I have to say I think it sad someone will not bother to even look inside the book just because the cover does not catch their eye. I would have missed some good reads if I had followed this principle.
What three pieces of advice would you give to new writers?
Perseverance and self-discipline: Once you start your book try to write every day. In my experience it is particularly important to write when you least feel like it or, as some would put it, you have writer’s block. Even if it looks like nonsense just write. I have frequently found, when I return to that portion of writing the next day, it makes sense and is in fact usable and often I have surprised myself with what has come out. Of course there are the occasions, few in my experience, when it is mostly nonsense but even then there is usually something in it. But the thing to bear in mind is that if you do this it normally breaks the stale-mate.
Routine: In most people’s experience, there are the exceptions of course, writing in a haphazard way without any routine rarely produces very much. We are all different and therefore need to find what works for us. Some write for three hours first thing in the day before even turning on the internet or dealing with other matters. Some prefer to write during the quiet of night. Whatever it is for you, once you have found it stick to it!
Take breaks: Each of us needs to remember we are human: not machines. Our brains do get tired even exhausted. Frequently a simple five/ten minute break in a different environment, garden perhaps, helps clear the thoughts. I sometimes struggled with how to present a situation or what to omit and include but after a short break suddenly found my thoughts flowing coherently. Then when I returned to my desk it all fell into place. This also highlights the need for exercise: we need to get the blood flowing which in turn provides great stimulus to our brains. And of course it keeps the weight under control.
What are your views on authors offering free books?
This never worked for me. Several downloaded a free copy but I did not get any sales or reviews as a result. However, it does appear to have worked for some although they did give away huge numbers (250,000 in one case) before seeing resulting sales. Again this has been the subject of discussion in social media sites and many are now moving away from free to discounted offers.
Do you have any pets?
I love animals and as a young child had several pets. However and regrettably my places of residence and my responsibilities have prevented me having any in later life. Well I did have a budgerigar at one point. He was delightful and mimicked my voice a treat. But alas he died many years ago.
Can you give us a silly fact about yourself?
Despite all I have been through my son, often in sheer exasperation, tells me how naïve and innocent I still am. I want to believe in people and although I have been constantly cheated and lied to, still do believe what they tell me. I frequently wonder if I will ever learn but I never do.
Book links, website/blog and author links:
Tears of Innocence: UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00MH7FJ6Y
USA: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MH7FJ6Y and now
http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/tr25
Negative Beauty:
UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00NEB6ILW
USA: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NEB6ILW
Blogs: http://www.trbooks7.blogspot.com (Recently set up for this author name.)
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/trbooks7
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/TRBooks7 (Recently set up for this author name.)
Hy-Brasil | Mysterious Lost Island of Irish Mythology
Hy-Brasil | Mysterious Lost Island of Irish Mythology.
Some interesting mythology from Ireland. I’d like to learn more.
So what did we do in Winter before the Christians invented Christmas?
Other winter festivals.
Originally posted on aliisaacstoryteller:
Drui-en, King of the Birds, the Wren.
We all love Christmas! For the religious, it celebrates the important Christian event of the birth of Jesus. If you are not religious, like me, it’s a time for giving, for getting together with family and friends, for feasting, watching movies, playing games, and generally having fun. We need this respite, as winter tightens its dismal icy grip about us.
Our ancestors needed it even more than we do. For them, winter was harsh and bleak, a time of hardship, and a struggle for survival. The return of summer’s warmth and plenty was not, for them, guaranteed.
But then something remarkable happened beneath that cruel, cold wing of seemingly eternal shade. The Winter Solstice was the turning point upon which their fortunes hinged. Light triumphed over darkness as the days lengthened and the nights grew shorter. The sun was growing stronger in the…
View original 1,749 more words
Sale and Event – Light Beyond the Storm and Tales of Erana
To celebrate the release of Tales of Erana: The Warrior’s Curse, Christmas and the end of the year I am offering money off the Smashwords editions of both novels and Tales of Erana: Myths and Legends. I’m also running a Thunderclap Event for Myths and Legends.
For those who haven’t experienced a Thunderclap Event they are FREE to set up, and free to participate in. It is simple. Click on the Thunderclap link provided, then chose which of the red buttons to support (Tumblr, Facebook, Twitter) and click them, then share. At the specified date the message will go live, to be shared on multiple platforms simultaneously. It’s a great way to meet new folks, find new books or events and share the love:) For more information of Thunderclap please see these articles: http://libraryoferana.wordpress.com/2...
http://libraryoferana.wordpress.com/2014/10/20/thunderclap-one-users-experience/
Here are the details for the sale: (SMASHWORDS EDITIONS ONLY)
Tales of Erana: Myths and Legends
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view…
Promotional price: $0.99
Coupon Code: AX98D
Expires: January 22, 2015
AND both the novels for 50% off.
The Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view…
Promotional price: $1.63
Coupon Code: HD98R
Expires: January 22, 2015
The Shining Citadel
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view…
Promotional price: $1.75
Coupon Code: FU28E
Expires: January 22, 2015
Thunderclap Event:
https://www.thunderclap.it/projects/20436-magic-myth-and-mayhem?locale=en
December 19, 2014
Character Interview Number Twenty-One Shyamal – Fantasy/YA
Legacy of Mist and Shadow
Tell Us About Yourself
*Author’s note: Shyamal is mute. He usually communicates via written word or projection of visions. He must touch someone to project his thoughts. Thus far only one person can hear his voice within a vision, and that is his friend, Arwyn of Heron.
Name: Shyamal, guardian-child of Lady Kali, recorded in the Book of Ages as member of clan Tyrel.
Age: timeless – Guardians and their kin do not age in the way the Faie or Nimisa do.
Please tell us a little about yourself. I am Shyamal. I emerged from the sacred pool within my mother’s realm when the Dreamweaver visited. I have only recently joined the Faie as a member of clan Tyrel, but from my arrival they have known me as a puppy with a touch of magic. Some of the magics I have access too are shapeshifting, calling visions, and pushing time.
Describe your appearance in 10 words or less. T all, thin, skin of ashen grey, hair of silken black.
(ten words is so confining)
Do you have a moral code? If so what is it? A moral code? I am a guardian-child. We are charged with helping to guide the clans, although I’m not certain that’s the sort of answer you are looking for.
Would you kill for those you love? Only if it was unavoidable. I do not approve of death or killing, and there are beings from realms that are drawn to violent death which are best left alone.
Would you die for those you love? Gladly. Without hesitation.
What would you say are your strengths and weaknesses? My magics. I have access to well many more magics than any individual or clan of Faie. I am not certain, but I do not think I have discovered the full extent of my abilities. I have, however, pushed myself beyond the endurance of my energies on more than one occasion while assisting my friends. I know Mother sees that as a weakness, and I am working on correcting that.
Do you have any relationships you prize above others? Why? *His face flushes as he rubs his hand back and forth over the paper for a moment before writing a single word.*
Arwyn
Do you have a family? Tell us about them. My mother is Lady Kali, the Keeper of Time. The clan I chose for myself when I left her sacred pool was Heron, for it was the Dreamweaver who reached out to me when I was still but a serpent swimming in the waters. The clan Mother has chosen for me to join because their magic is the closest match to mine is Tyrel.
I have pledged myself to Lord Grypos and the scholars so that I may study in the great archives and learn the history of magic. I suppose, as I left my brothers and sisters behind in the pool, that the scholars are my family now as I do not expect to ever live with the Tyrel clan.
Can you remember something from your childhood which influences your behaviour? How do you think it influences you? Childhood? I have had no childhood such as you know it. We simply waited in our chosen pool from the time of beginnings until the time was right to emerge. I have watched the true gateway and waited.
Please give us an interesting and unusual fact about yourself. I am the only guardian-child so far known to take on Faie form.
Tell Us About Your World
Do you travel in the course of your adventures? If so where? I have traveled a good many places during our adventures. First I left my home in the Stoney Deep to visit the clans of Faie on the Fertile Plain. I traveled with Arwyn to the archives in the Expanding Desert. Together we set out on a quest for Lord Grypos across the Great Expanse and through the Obsidian Wall to the Beyond. On our most recent adventure we traveled through the very Mists of Time themselves to a World Beyond.
Name and describe a food from your world. I have had so many wonderful foods since joining the Faie, but the one that lingers in my mind is the first food I ever had in the beginning days. It was small and pink and velvety soft. It was sweet and fragrant and you only had to eat a few to feel full. Sadly, it does not exist outside of the River of Life.
What form of politics is dominant in your world? (Democracy, Theocracy, Meritocracy, Monarchy, Kakistocracy etc.) I know not this word “politics”. I shall have to research it in the archives.
Name a couple of myths and legends particular to your culture/people. Myths and legends? Do you not believe that the old tales of times past actually occurred?
What is the technology level for your world/place of residence? What item would you not be able to live without? Technology – the strange glowing things that do work for you on some Worlds Beyond? We have no such things in Feyron.
What item can I not live without? Considering the ages spent with no items at all, I can think of no item that I am bound to.
Does your world have any supernatural/mystical beings? Please tell us about some. Mystical, as in, of the mists? We are all of the mists, every living thing. All contain sparks of life that return to the mists when their time has passed. I do not understand this word “supernatural”. Everything is natural to the realm it is from. They only appear unnatural when found in an unusual location.
Author notes:
Book(s) in which this character appears plus links
The Dreamweaver’s Journey
https://talesfromfeyron.squarespace.com/the-dreamweavers-journey/
The Guardian Child Returns
https://talesfromfeyron.squarespace.com/the-guardian-childs-return/
Legacy of Mist and Shadow
https://talesfromfeyron.squarespace.com/legacy-of-mist-and-shadow/
Author name: Diana L. Wicker
Website/Blog/Author pages etc.
Author’s website: https://talesfromfeyron.squarespace.com/welcome
Facebook fan page where updates are periodically posted for the series: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tales-from-Feyron/421079171274185
Twitter: @FeyronTales
December 18, 2014
Richard Mann’s Radio Reflections — and my response
Great post about the influence of radio.
Originally posted on The Peers of Beinan series on Word Press:
Hello everyone. Happy Hanukkah!
If you follow this blog regularly, you know this year was very special for me as an author, especially after joining Amazon’s audio book publishing platform called ACX in April, right about the time I started really promoting my latest release, Boudicca: Britain’s Queen of the Iceni. Roughly two months after publication a moment of inspiration told me to post Boudicca to ACX for audio production.
That proved to me one of the best decisions of my life, though I had no way of knowing it at the time. That morning I listened to six or seven potential narrators, ACX messaging about half of them requesting they audition. Richard Mann was the first to respond — and obviously the best. A teleconference the next morning confirmed that choice and that week Boudicca was off and running. On 9th September the book was live on audible to my…
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December 17, 2014
Legacy Of Mists and Shadow – New Release Diana Wicker – Book Signing 20 December
I’m delighted to be promoting this event – Fantasy and Young Adult author Diana Wicker is celebrating her new release with a Storytelling event.
302 ARTISANS AT SENATE’S END TO HOST BOOK RELEASE BY COLUMBIA AUTHOR DIANA L. WICKER ON DECEMBER 20TH
302 Artisans at Senate’s End is pleased to host a book launch event for Diana L. Wicker in celebration of her new young adult fantasy novel, Legacy of Mist and Shadow, on December 20th from 10:00am – 3:00pm.
Diana will be signing copies her books from the Tales from Feyron series. There will also be readings from the unreleased Tales of Lore by the narrator of the stories, the Storyteller of Feyron.
The series, Tales from Feyron, begins with the historical period known as the Age of Awakenings. The first book, The Dreamweaver’s Journey, follows the first Dreamweaver to come of age in over three hundred years on a quest across the four Realms of Light within Feyron. The second book, The Guardian Child’s Return, follows a group of young adventurers beyond the Realms of Light to a place that few knew could even be reached. The newest tale, Legacy of Mist and Shadow, begins to hint at the past during the Age of Fading and explore the Worlds Beyond that are connected to Feyron.
Diana is an indie author living in the balmy climate of Columbia, SC with family, two dogs, two cats, and a cantankerous rabbit. She enjoys reading, sewing (clothing, costuming, and experimental toy-making), and RPG games. (She grew up with the old school paper/pencil style of gaming, but has transitioned happily to the highly interactive world of video games.) And, as if she had more time to spare, she has recently invested in her first Asian ball jointed doll.
302 Artisans at Senate’s End is located at 302 Senate Street in the Columbia Vista. The eclectic shop features books and CD’s from locals along with cast iron cookware, antiques, specialty foods and gothic steampunk art and jewelry. Several days a week food trucks set up by the side porch for a quick lunch next to the river. The store is open M-F 11-6 and Saturdays 10-3.
Author’s website with blog: Tales from Feyron
Facebook fan page: Tales from Feyron
Twitter: @FeyronTales, #FeyronTales
