Rival Gates's Blog, page 66

My New Guest Post

Today I have been honored to be a guest blogger on the site, “To Read or Not To Read”. I have an article there about magic in books. Take a few minutes to check it out at http://www.toreadornottoread.net/2014... Happy reading.

A Birhtday Wish

I was looking at the History Channel web site to review the date March 29. The most significant event was the United States pulling the last of their combat troops out of Vietnam. On the birthday front, former president John Tyler was born. (It is sad that I never knew he was a president. I guess that’s what happens when you grow up in Canada.) Supermodel Elle Macpherson was also born on that day. There is one man who towers above all the others who was brought into the world on that day. That man is my father. I have been blessed to have positive traits from both my parents but it is from my father I inherited my ability and love of writing. He was a technical writer for a good part of his career and then a magazine editor. My mother explained it best when she said, “Scientists have a message they want to get out so your father goes and talks to them. He understands what they are saying and writes it in a form that most people can understand.” I have to say, one of the magazines he edited and wrote for was Atomic Energy of Canada. I read his articles and still had no clue what he was talking about. As a boy I remember wanting to watch a comedy show like MASH or Happy Days at night but my father was engrossed in something on PBS. So I would go up to my parent’s bedroom and watch on their television while lying on the bed. During commercial breaks I would look at the wall in front of me and it was completely filled with awards for his writing and editing. There were so many awards that some were simply sitting on the floor. I was always dumbfounded by the sheer volume of accolades. Not only is my father a great writer but he was recognized as such in his field. That is a difficult goal to attain. When I first told him I wanted to be a writer I was young and he told me to make sure I had another career to support myself with while I wrote. It sounded harsh but was true. As I have recounted in the past, when I wrote my first chapter of “Quest for the Red Sapphire” at 13 I proudly displayed it to my father. He crumpled it up and deposited it on the ground while stating it was inferior. I’m not going to lie, that hurt. It wasn’t like today where every child on my son’s soccer team received a trophy whether your team won or lost. Dad would not let age be an excuse for subpar work. I could not see it then, but he was inspiring me to be a better writer. I studied hard and worked at my craft for years. When the book was finally published my father told me it was well written and he was proud of me. I had waited most of my life to hear those words. When they came I knew they were sincere. He is not a man to give false praise. In middle school we each had to write a paper about who we would like to grow up to be. I said I wanted to be my father. Though I draw a pale comparison to him, I still wish I was more like him. For the time being, I will be happy being myself and having him still in my life.

Character Profile: Bander

Now that we have talked about Rander Greenlith it is time to talk about his fraternal twin brother, Bander Greenlith. The two young elves could not be more different. While Rander is scheming and devious, Bander is simple and easily manipulated. Rander is small and frail. Bander is one of the largest elves and possesses relatively great strength. Rander always thinks of himself first while Bander cares about other people. He is loyal, trustworthy and thinks in only the most basic terms. While Rander covets money and power, Bander wants nothing more than good food and plenty of it. When Bander is first introduced he is completely under his brother’s control. For their entire lives, Bander has been the muscle backing up his brother’s threats and actions. The result is he hates Linvin at first. His only reason for this disposition, however, is because Rander instructed him for as long as he can remember that he loathes Linvin. Some may mistake Bander for a person who lacks intelligence. That is far from the truth. Bander has a brain. He just seldom uses it for anything complex because he has no interest in such endeavors. His thoughts are plain and uncomplicated. He works as a lumberjack and asks for nothing special in life. In a way, he is probably the happiest person in the book for that reason. Bander is told to go on the quest by his brother and happily obliges. Deep down, though, he knows Linvin and Anvar need his help. As the story progresses no character grows as much as Bander. The more he is exposed to his cousin and uncle, the more he thinks for himself. Though he learns to be an ample warrior, he shows that he is caring and likable. More and more his new found independent thinking conflicts with Rander’s plans. Friction takes place with both his brother and Linvin. Bander becomes confused and struggles to decide which side to take in arguments. He has to use his intellect at last and he is not used to doing so. One of the best parts of having Bander in the story is his comic relief. He has no use for deep conversations and often adds levity to tense situations. If you were looking for a good-natured person to sit down for a meal and a drink with, Bander would be your man. Though intricate thoughts are a stretch for him, the world would be a much happier place if there were more people like Bander in it.

Character Profile: Rander

In “Quest for the Red Sapphire” Linvin Grithinshield and his uncle Anvar Greenlith realize their chances of success on their quest will be better if there are more people in their party. Unfortunately some very underhanded things have transpired and finding people they can trust is proving difficult. As a last resort they turn to Linvin’s quarrelsome elf cousins, Rander and Bander Greenlith. Today we will focus on Rander. Out of the two fraternal twin brothers he does most of the thinking and talking. Being slight in size even for an elf he has sharpened his wits to take advantage of situations that come along. Rander likes to manipulate people and in doing so get what he wants. His webs of deceit are spun mostly around his mother, Caritha Greenlith and his brother Bander. Both of them take his word at face value when it is rarely worthy. Rander abhors work and will do almost anything to get out of doing it. Most tasks are somehow shuffled over to Bander’s plate. Though Rander is a master of twisting words, he does so only to his own benefit. Anyone else who gains from his intrigues is purely coincidental. Rander has many things he despises. As a proud elf he hates all other races especially the dominant race, Humans. Growing up in poverty he also resents affluent people. He never believes they deserve their wealth as he vaguely hides his jealousy. That brings up the subject of Linvin. Rander absolutely loathes him for all these reasons. Linvin is big and strong where Rander is neither. He is also rich and has no worries about money. Rander cannot say that about his life. Linvin is half human and his elf mother is viewed by the Greenlith family as a traitor for marrying a human. On top of all that, Linvin is triumphant at whatever he has tried where Rander has yet to taste success. When that is all added up it makes for a spiteful, resentful and uncompromising individual who hates Linvin above all others. As youths, Rander convinced his brother to help him fight Linvin when the families were brought together. It bred a similar feeling of hatred from Linvin toward the twins. Linvin could not understand why they were so vicious to him but he was leery of trusting them; especially Rander. The young elf only agrees to go on the quest when Linvin offers a big payday upon their return. Greed is a trait Rander has in great supply. Nothing so far makes Rander sound like the kind of person you want watching your back and for the most part it is true. Nevertheless, Rander will undergo changes on their trek. They do not happen right away but the person first introduced in the book is vastly different from the one at the end.

CHaracter Profile: Rander

In “Quest for the Red Sapphire” Linvin Grithinshield and his uncle Anvar Greenlith realize their chances of success on their quest will be better if there are more people in their party. Unfortunately some very underhanded things have transpired and finding people they can trust is proving difficult. As a last resort they turn to Linvin’s quarrelsome elf cousins, Rander and Bander Greenlith. Today we will focus on Rander. Out of the two fraternal twin brothers he does most of the thinking and talking. Being slight in size even for an elf he has sharpened his wits to take advantage of situations that come along. Rander likes to manipulate people and in doing so get what he wants. His webs of deceit are spun mostly around his mother, Caritha Greenlith and his brother Bander. Both of them take his word at face value when it is rarely worthy. Rander abhors work and will do almost anything to get out of doing it. Most tasks are somehow shuffled over to Bander’s plate. Though Rander is a master of twisting words, he does so only to his own benefit. Anyone else who gains from his intrigues is purely coincidental. Rander has many things he despises. As a proud elf he hates all other races especially the dominant race, Humans. Growing up in poverty he also resents affluent people. He never believes they deserve their wealth as he vaguely hides his jealousy. That brings up the subject of Linvin. Rander absolutely loathes him for all these reasons. Linvin is big and strong where Rander is neither. He is also rich and has no worries about money. Rander cannot say that about his life. Linvin is half human and his elf mother is viewed by the Greenlith family as a traitor for marrying a human. On top of all that, Linvin is triumphant at whatever he has tried where Rander has yet to taste success. When that is all added up it makes for a spiteful, resentful and uncompromising individual who hates Linvin above all others. As youths, Rander convinced his brother to help him fight Linvin when the families were brought together. It bred a similar feeling of hatred from Linvin toward the twins. Linvin could not understand why they were so vicious to him but he was leery of trusting them; especially Rander. The young elf only agrees to go on the quest when Linvin offers a big payday upon their return. Greed is a trait Rander has in great supply. Nothing so far makes Rander sound like the kind of person you want watching your back and for the most part it is true. Nevertheless, Rander will undergo changes on their trek. They do not happen right away but the person first introduced in the book is vastly different from the one at the end.

Character Profile: Anvar

Anvar Greenlith is a complex character. He’s Linvin’s uncle, his mother Jelena’s brother and his father Dirk’s best friend. Anvar was actually friends with Dirk before he met Jelena. Anvar and Dirk used to carouse the local drinking establishments in Fraylic in their youth. After Anvar introduced Dirk to Jelena, the two fell in love and were wed in spite of fierce Greenlith family resistance. They had only one child; Linvin. Anvar was a good friend and confidant of Linvin’s throughout his life. As a result, Linvin was the only one of Anvar’s nephews who had the privilege of calling him solely by his first name. Anvar visited Linvin on occasion in Valia and was the only person other than Jelena in on Dirk’s plans for Linvin and the Red Sapphire. When Dirk disappeared, Anvar kept an especially close eye on his sister who was unconcerned about her own safety. He disagreed with bringing Linvin home as he felt it might force the hand of someone after the staff and key she hid. Anvar was right to be worried as she was poisoned. It fell to him to deliver the bad news to Linvin along with the staff and key. Then he had to convince Linvin to go on the quest or else find himself dead like his parents. Anvar has the benefit of knowing every detail of the story from the beginning. In order to keep his nephews in the fold he chooses the time and place to divulge the information. Anvar can talk without end and still have secrets he keeps. Nothing is shared until it is necessary. He is cunning and manipulative in a good way to get the party to do what is necessary. Anvar is hard on the twins as they continue to question Linvin’s leadership and cause problems. He is, however, especially hard on Linvin. His closest remaining friend and pupil has enormous ability and potential. In order to reach that potential Anvar must be overly critical of Linvin so he will stop acting rashly and think before he puts a plan into motion. Whenever Linvin makes the slightest mistake, Anvar is there to criticize his choices. He hates to be so hard on Linvin but his eldest nephew needs the tough love. Linvin has been able to ignore his shortcomings for so long that he does not see them. Only harsh critiques of his plans will enable Linvin to grow into the man he needs to become. Anvar is also an Orange Magician. It is the second most powerful level of magic and has been hidden from the family for his entire life. Magicians are often viewed as freaks by society and he had enough trouble as an elf blending into a human world. His powers will prove to be of great benefit in the party’s travels.

Character Profile: Linvin

Linvin is the protagonist of “Quest for the Red Sapphire” and its main character. At the age of 12 he was sent away by his parents from the Kingdom of Sartan to the Kingdom of Valia in order to be trained by the Master of Warfare, Sedemihcra. All Linvin was told was that he needed to be trained to do something of great importance and his father would send for him when the time was right. Linvin ended up spending more than half his life in Valia. After coming of age, Sedemihcra thought he would benefit from the practical experience of joining the army. He moved up the ranks at an unprecedented rate and eventually found himself as Commander of all Valian Forces. The story begins with Linvin leading his small army in a last bloody victory over the Marsh Goblins to Valia’s south. Linvin is proud and a great warrior but feels ashamed at what he has become. Then a letter arrives saying his father is missing and he must come home to run the lucrative family trading empire. Linvin resigns his commission and heads for Sartan. His mother wants him to settle into an aristocratic life of peace but Linvin has other ideas. After setting the company right, he moves to the town of Missandor, away from the family mansion and sets up his own home in a tree there. Soon his Uncle Anvar arrives at his door with news that his mother has been killed by poison and that the killers are probably on their way to visit him next. It is explained that Linvin was meant to be the next master of the Red Sapphire. It is a gem of legend that gives its master power unrivaled by any other mortal. Linvin must flee for his life and find the gem before the assassins catch him or find the gem, themselves. As a character, Linvin has many strengths. I wanted him to be someone who could stand up against difficult odds and still have a chance to come out as the winner. There were just too many protagonists out there in books who were weak and frail. They always need to be saved. I wanted Linvin to have all the boxes checked off for a hero. He even has a fatal flaw. He is headstrong and sometimes acts without thinking matters through. If he stops and plans he almost always wins. When he rushes in he usually has an error in judgment and gets himself and those around him into trouble. I laughed because one reviewer of “Quest for the Red Sapphire” said that Linvin was too perfect and they actually found themselves rooting against him. The whole point of Linvin is that he is supposed to be a great man and prove it in order to be worthy of the Red Sapphire. He is not perfect by any means. Linvin is simply meant to be that one person who you can save the day.

The Edits are Nearly Done

Responses to my cover reveal have been very positive. It excites me and spurs me to finish my edits. Editing is so much different from writing. When you are writing you are wild and free to do whatever you want with all care is thrown to the wind. Writing is a huge rush of creative energy and one of the greatest joys I know. In a sense it is like owning a Ferrari. When you are out driving it (Which I have never actually done) you feel alive and exhilarated. The problem I have always been told with cars like that, however, is that they tend to spend a lot of time in the shop. The more you drive your Ferrari, the more work needs to be done to keep it going. Editing is a lot like having the car in the shop. It’s not fun. It’s work. You must go over every word you have written and have it write. This is your last chance to make any corrections before your fans see and judge your work. It is no time for having fun. I say again, it is not time for fun. Nevertheless, every time I get into the edits for “Sapphire Crucible” I find myself caught up in the story and forgetting myself. Then I have to go back and reread the section from an editor’s perspective. That is the reason the edits have taken so long. I expect to have them finished this week. After that it will be a short step to the publishing of the book. I can’t wait. When you’re working on that Ferrari in the shop, all you can think about is taking it out on the open road again. I just have some adjustments to make to have this baby purring like a kitten. If you want to be up to speed when “Sapphire Crucible” comes out you need to read “Quest for the Red Sapphire.” It’s a great novel in itself and sets up the racetrack for the sequel. I hope you all come along for the ride!

False Holidays

It’s officially spring. So how did we celebrate that in Nebraska? With blistering winds and cold temperatures. It always amazes me that people see the date on the calendar for the start of spring and just expect it to be sunny skies and instant warmth. To those of you in warm climates this probably doesn’t apply. In the slightly colder places, however, the weather man makes a big deal all week long about the first day of spring. Then it rolls around and nothing has changed. It’s almost like holidays or special occasions. My birthday comes every year and I feel about the same as the day before. New Year’s comes every year and after the ball drops in Times Square I just sort of say “OK, that was great,” and go to bed. The first day of summer, fall and winter come and there is no dramatic shift in the weather or anything else in the world. I really don’t see the significance. Do you get a day off from work? Usually not. Does the environment make a rapid change? Almost never. Why is there such a fascination? There are just all of these events on the calendar which serve no real purpose except for keeping track of time. Yesterday it was 60 degrees here and tonight it will be in the teens. A date on the calendar circled has nothing to do with any of that. Then there are the holidays that just make no sense to me. St. Patrick’s Day is the biggest bar day of the year. People take it off from work (and the day after) so they can go drink as much as they can and find their way home without being arrested. Never having spoken with St Patrick I can’t tell you for sure what he would say but I can’t believe this would be the way he wanted his holiday spent. Then there’s Sweetest Day. It is Hallmark’s copy of Valentine’s Day. Anyone dating or married over two years has pretty much abandoned this one. As for Valentine’s Day itself, forget about going to a nice restaurant. You’ll either not get seated or have terrible service. Flowers and candy jump up in price. Yet, if you don’t observe it and play the game you end up as the bad guy. There’s not much good fighting that battle. All these dates have been commercialized for profit. I mean seriously, why do we even celebrate Columbus Day? There are sales in the stores and banks close. But Columbus didn’t prove the world was round. He didn’t find a passage to the Far East. He didn’t even discover the Americas. The Vikings alone had him beaten by several hundred years. Yet every year stores have their big Columbus Day Sales. It’s all about money and keeping track of time. When was the last time the groundhog was right on February 2nd?

Character Interview

My good friend Jessica Walsh kindly gave me a Character Interview slot today on her blog “Musings” The main character of “Quest for the Red Sapphire”, Linvin Grithinshield, is interviewed. Jessica is a class act and did a wonderful job. I thank her for all help. Check out the interview here: http://snowtigra.blogspot.com/2014/03...