Justin Wright's Blog, page 5

Moving Along

So I've been moving along on a new book entitled Where Shadows go to Die.  I'm at the 28,000 word mark, aiming for 80,000.  I still have lots of ideas, but just need to complete some more planning.  I've also been contemplating ideas for the cover.

This is a departure from the fantasy oriented stories I usually write.  It's not set in our world, but it has a distinct western flavour to it, albeit with horror and supernatural elements.  I know westerns are not a popular genre these days, but I just wanted to try something different.

I've been writing in my spare time for about six years now, starting back in 2009 when I took a class at a local library.  Back then, I started my first book.  It was a Sci-Fi and I got about 10 chapters (20,000 words) in before I realized how ridiculous it was.  The premise was interesting and perhaps one day I may try re writing it, though a lot of work would be needed to clean up all the plot holes I let grow.

It's funny when I look back at my writing from a few years ago.  It's terrible.  I'm not saying my stuff now is the best ever, but I can defiantly see that I've improved.  I started out writing short stories, but after starting (and not finishing about 5 books), I don't know if I could even write such short fiction anymore.  I do keep a list of ideas, but I'd like to finish one thing before I move to the next.  I have about 4 or 5 other ideas for books I haven't even started yet.  I was honestly hoping to have more than one book on Amazon by this point, but I've been lazy.  I know I should write at least 5000 words a week.

Below is a list of books I've found helpful:

On Writing: Stephen King
Plot and Structure: James Scott Bell
Revision and Self Editing: James Scott Bell
Save the Cat: Blake Snyder
Elements of Style: Strunk & White
On Writing Well: William Zinsser
38 Most Common Fiction Writing Mistakes: Jack M. Bickham

Where Shadows Go To Die- Chapter 1

“The West was once a lawless place and I was the most lawless man around.  I was feared, loved and myth all at once.  Just the mention of my name was enough to make the hardest man piss his pants.”

Joe looked around, but nothing seemed familiar.The hot desert wind blew sand against his face and he shielded his eyes from the burning sun.  He spun and looked in all directions, but each was the same- nothing but flat stretches of dry, cracked earth interrupted by the occasional patch of dying foliage.  He didn’t know where he was or how he got there, so he started to walk.He still remembered who he was.  “My name is Joe,” he said through cracked lips.  “Bloodless Joe they call me.”  But couldn’t remember how he ended up in the middle of the desert.  The last thing he remembered was… sitting alone in a hotel room, waiting for Duke.Duke was a legend in his own right, having gunned down over fifteen lawmen among others.  In his younger years, he killed without mercy and had about as much honor as a dying vulture.  He was someone that Joe looked up to.  But as he got older, something in him changed.  Something Joe couldn’t quite put his finger on.The ground was hot beneath Joe’s feet.  He looked down.  These aren’t my boots.  He examined his pants and shirt.  They weren’t his either.  The shirt was in tatters as if a vulture had been clawing at it and the pants were frayed nearly to the knees.  I look like a beggar.  He felt his face.  His once thick beard had been reduced to stubble.  He yearned to see his reflection.  He tried again to remember what happened, but couldn’t recall the events that led him to his current situation.Joe knew something was wrong.  Maybe I’m dead, but thought it was way too hot to be heaven.  Hell, you fool.  People like you don’t go to heaven.  Joe nodded to himself and assumed that he was dead.  But how could he be so thirsty?  Hell is a place of torment, fool.  The voice in his head was strange.  He never used the word fool.  He was fonder of dark cuss words- Words that rang in someone’s head when they heard them.  Fool?  That was for pussies.  That’s more like it.  Joe decided that this couldn’t be hell.  If it were, he’d probably be haunted by all the people he killed.  There was something else Joe was feeling though.  Something he hadn’t felt since he was young.  He knew what it was, but didn’t want to admit it.  It crawled over him like a swarm of insects.  He tried to shake it, but there was no denying it.  “Fear,” Joe whispered.  The word stopped him in his tracks.  He’d seen people paralyzed with fear before, usually as they were staring down the barrel of his gun, but he’d never really felt it himself.  Bloodless Joe couldn’t be killed they said, and he certainly had nothing to fear.  Am I still Bloodless Joe?  Joe didn’t know what to make of his situation, so he kept walking.  As the sun descended, his fear rose.  The night was once his playground, but now, stranded alone in the desert, Joe began to realize how terrifying the darkness could be.  He felt his pace slowing as full dark approached, but knew he should keep moving and find a place to lay low for the night.  He wasn’t tired.  He felt remarkably good considering he didn’t know what had happened to him.  But the darkness…  Something about it sent a shiver up his spine.The wind whistled as it blew through the night, carrying the sounds of howling coyotes and swirling sand.  The desert at night was no place for a man, fearless or not.  But it wasn’t the first time Joe was in this situation, though it was the first time he was afraid.  He sat quietly and crossed his legs. What did I do last time I was alone in the desert at night?You had a gun then.  You were safe.Joe nodded to himself.  I need a gun.  What kind of man doesn’t have a gun?  Joe’s spirit rose, the fear receding just a little, but it wasn’t enough to get him to stand.  What am I afraid of?  I’m Bloodless Joe, the man who can’t bleed.  The man who can’t be killed and one of the most feared men in the west.  This is bullshit.  I’m not afraid of the dark.  I’m not afraid of anything.  He wanted to shout it to the world, but his voice stuttered.  The words wouldn’t come out.  Joe shook his head.  I need a gun…  The cold steel and smooth handle would drain his fear, he was sure of it.  But first things first, he had to get moving.He stood and headed west- following the sun’s path- and hoped to soon find a town or settlement nearby.  Joe periodically peered over his shoulder into the darkness.  The feeling of being watched itched at him, but he knew that was impossible.  There was no one around for miles.  He stopped and took a deep breath, attempting to cleanse himself of the surging fear.Having a gun will cleanse this fear.Joe thought about just giving up and lying in the darkness.  Perhaps death would be a release.  But the thought of it terrified him more than anything.  As an outlaw, he would seek death every day, taunting her and daring her to come claim him.  He used to think that Death was afraid of him, not daring to even look in his direction.  But something had changed.  Now he felt her peering eyes watching him from every angle, ready to pounce at any moment.  He didn’t want to die, not yet, but he couldn’t think why he’d want to go on living.  Not if every sight and sound were going to spook him.He kept his legs moving.  The night air came alive with the sound of faint voices.  At first he thought they were in his head, but a glimmer of light shone in the distance.  A town.  Joe had an urge to run, but stopped himself.  If he tripped and twisted his ankle, he wouldn’t survive the night.  So Joe walked slowly, scanning the dark ground in front of him as best he could.  The moon was only a sliver, but bright enough to highlight dangerous weed patches that could be easily tripped upon.Joe didn’t know where these inane thoughts were coming from.  Before today, he never noticed the amount of potential danger the world held.  It was as if everything he took for granted had been offended and was now trying to kill him.Light filtered before Joe as the town slowly came into view.  It wasn’t large by any standards, but it wasn’t the smallest Joe had seen either.  He’d travelled all over the west coast, terrorizing towns and making a name for himself, one he felt he no longer deserved.As he drew closer, apprehension blossomed inside of him.  It struck him out of nowhere, another feeling he hadn’t felt since he was a child.  Why are all these emotions attacking now?  What did I do to deserve this?  Joe knew the answer, but still felt the punishment was unfair.  He’d robbed, raped and killed without emotion, but this… this was too much.  He didn’t deserve this.  Joe decided it would be best to camp outside the town for the night.  He found a rock to use as a pillow, and lied down on the dirty ground.  It was cold and his body shivered.  He closed his eyes, but they snapped back open.  A scenario of being murdered in his sleep by bandits played itself out in his mind.  He needed something to protect himself, something that would make him feel safe, just for a while.  He had been walking all day and knew he deserved a little sleep, even if his conscious disagreed.The silhouette of a small tree loomed nearby.  Its branches were bare and it looked as though it died years ago.  Joe picked up his rock pillow and approached the tree.  The limbs gently flailed in the wind as if to say ‘don’t hurt me’.  Joe didn’t want to hurt the tree; he just wanted to snap off a limb to use as protection.  What’s wrong with me?  Now I’m worried about hurting a tree?  It’s not even alive.  I’ve taken countless lives and now a tree is weighing on my conscious?  Pathetic.  Joe steeled his resolve and snapped free a low branch.  The crack echoed louder than he anticipated, so he looked around to see if anyone had spotted him.  It’s not like I’m robbing a bank.  It’s a tree for shit sakes.  Joe tried to recall what had made him so moral.  He needed to find out what happened to him and why he was suddenly standing alone in the desert.  But first, some sleep…He settled under the tree, using it to support his back.  The rock he was using as a pillow was too hard, and with his back against the tree, he could sleep sitting up and keep an eye on the town.  One by one the town’s lights disappeared into the night, as did the voices.  Soon, the town was just as dark as the desert that surrounded it, everyone sleeping soundly in their beds.  Joe stared into the darkness, unable to sleep.  His eyes felt heavy, but they wouldn’t stay shut.  So he sat there with the branch clenched in his fist, waiting.
Fifteen Years Ago*Bloodless Joe checked his gun.  The revolver held six bullets and he had twelve more tucked into his belt.  He knew six would be enough, but it never hurt to have insurance.  He used the barrel of the gun to pull back the curtain.  From the second floor of the inn, he could see the entire eastern side of the street.  He watched two women chat idly as they hung cloths on a line in a nearby ally.  A horse strode by pulling a wagon.  On the side it read: ‘Dr. Shaw’s All in One Cure for What Ails You.’  Joe hated men like that.  They were scammers and deserved to be shot.  In fact, he felt most people ought to be shot and he was doing his part to ensure that happened.  Joe knew that people were a disease and he considered himself the antidote.There was a knock at the door.  “Joe, it’s me.  You ready?”Joe released the curtain and holstered his gun before answering the door.  On the other side stood a tall, thin man wearing a long black trench coat.  His graying moustache curled around his upper lip, nearly covering his entire mouth.  Duke nonchalantly leaned against the door frame, chewing on his tobacco before spitting on the hallway floor.Joe said nothing.  He grabbed his coat from the hook on the back of the door and put it on.  It was similar to the one Duke wore, but with a higher collar.  He then put on his hat and tied a black bandana around his neck.  Joe nodded and he and Duke strolled down the hallway.Duke handpicked Joe for this job.  His reputation was enormous and with that came opportunity.  He had garnered nearly celebrity status and a nickname to go along with it… Bloodless Joe.  It was said that bullets couldn’t hit him and that he never bled.  It had been so long since Joe had seen his own blood that he almost started to believe the stories.  He was tempted to cut himself with a razor just to see if he could still bleed, but there was no point in spoiling a good myth.  He felt invincible.He followed Duke down the stairs and through the saloon.  It was midday, so the place was nearly empty except for a few jobless lowlifes sitting at the bar with their heads in their hands.  Joe despised them as well.  He sneered as he walked by, but none met his gaze.Duke pushed the swinging doors aside and lit a cigar as he stepped out onto the porch.  The sun was bright overhead with only a few clouds roaming the sky.  Joe lit a cigarette and took a long drag.  He loved smoking.  He loved the way it tasted and the way it made him look.  Woman loved it as well.  He knew there was nothing more attractive than a rugged man smoking a cigarette.Joe leaned against a pole and scanned the street.  The man in the wagon had setup shop and was engaging a small crowd.  He perpetuated his lies to anyone incompetent enough to listen.  Joe thought about pulling out his gun and picking the man off, but that would draw too much attention.  Maybe later, Joe thought as he took another drag of his smoke.  He waited for Duke to make the first move.  On his signal, things would get started.  Joe knew there were others involved, but he hadn’t been able to spot them yet.  This was different from the jobs Joe usually took.  He wasn’t used to working with a crew, but could not turn down an invitation from the legendary Duke Stonesoul.Joe watched Duke.  The man was supposedly one of the most stone cold killers around, but from what Joe saw, he looked quite ordinary.  He didn’t talk much, which was fine by Joe, because he didn’t have much to say.  So they stood together silently, watching and waiting.Joe finished his smoke and was about to light another when Duke perked up.  Joe turned to see what he was looking it.  Their target had finally arrived.  Joe gripped his revolver lightly.  He’d been in a ton of shootouts, so this was nothing new for him.  Duke warned that the men on the wagon were well armed, but that didn’t bother Joe.  He was invincible after all.The wagon stopped outside the bank.  It was pulled by two black horses and was made of thick steel.  Two men sat on the coach with shotguns across their lap.  Two more climbed from the back of the wagon and took up sentry positions on either side.  Each held a shotgun and scanned the area with darting eyes.  The man on the western side was Joe’s responsibility.  A further two men hopped from the back of the wagon each carrying two large sacks.  Joe watched as they entered the bank and began to wonder when they would move on the guards.  His finger itched with the anticipation of squeezing the trigger of his revolver and ending a man’s life.  Nothing got him more excited.  Joe kept an eye on his man and the man did likewise, almost sensing that Joe was about to cause trouble.  He wanted to shoot him now, but knew he should wait for Duke’s signal.  He’d never really been good at waiting.Two shots sounded from inside the bank.  This is it.  Duke drew his gun and Joe did likewise.  It all happened in the blink of an eye.  The drivers of the coach slapped the reigns and the cart started to pull away.  Duke shot his man- the coach driver nearest- in the head while Joe took care of the guard who had been eyeing him.  At the same time, Shaw’s trailer housing the miracle cure rolled out into the street directly into the path of the charging horses.  Two more shots sounded and Joe was surprised to see two women standing with shotguns raised.  Just a few moments ago they had been hanging laundry.  One killed the sentry that stood on their side of the steel wagon and the other blew the head off the second coach driver.  The horses then crashed into Shaw’s trailer as it rolled out into the street.  They fell with a whine and the steel trailer toppled with them.  The crowd that had gathered around Shaw’s wagon stood in stunned silence and Shaw himself acted as if it were some gigantic mishap.Joe covered his face with his bandanna and ran to the downed trailer.  He quickly jumped inside and was followed by Duke.  It was an odd sensation as the floor of the trailer was on his right and he walked on what had been the side wall.  He grabbed one of the sacks and was surprised by its weight.  He tossed it to Duke who promptly tossed it out the back of the wagon into the arms of another waiting man.  Where did he come from?  Joe thought, but figured it must be the guy who took care of the two guards entering the bank.  There had been more shots from that direction during the fight in the street and Joe assumed that the man inside was dealing with further resistance.The ground rumbled as another coach arrived.  After tossing Duke the last sack, Joe stepped outside just as the second coach pulled away.  The two women jumped on, each holding the side of the wagon as it sped down the dirt road and out of town.  That left Duke, Joe and the guy who killed the men in the bank.  Shaw stood stunned, playing his part.  Joe figured that he was crowd control.  Anyone that was around his peddled goods that decided to be a hero would have to answer to him.  Luckily, the mob stood and watched in silence.  Decent folk were too smart to get in the middle of a robbery.Now it was a mad dash to their horses that were tied to the hitching post in front of the inn.A shot rang out and Joe turned to the man who had cleared the bank just as half of his head exploded.  Duke immediately took cover behind the steel trailer, but Joe simply walked towards the man with the gun.  He wasn’t afraid.  He believed in the myths that surrounded him.The man used the doorframe of the bank to hold himself up.  He’d already been shot and blood streamed down his left arm.  He could barely hold the shotgun steady and was attempting to reload it, but was having difficulty.  Soon, Joe was upon him.  The man slumped to the ground, sitting with his back against the door to the bank.  Joe looked the man in the eyes.  Those eyes seemed to beg for mercy, but that was something Joe didn’t understand.  The man’s lip quivered as Joe pointed the gun at his face.  Joe pulled the trigger.  The satisfying explosion of gunpowder sounded and the man slumped over dead, a dripping wound in the middle of his forehead.Joe turned and ran back to the steel trailer were Duke was waiting.“You’re one crazy bastard.”  Duke said and patted Joe on the back.Joe untied his horse and jumped on.  He and Duke sped from the town, Joe not once looking back.

Where Shadows go to Die

I've been working on a few different projects theses days.  Mostly I've been concentrating on the second and third Kallodhan books, but I've also started a new project.  It's a Western Horror called Where Shadows go to Die.  Below is the premise:

Bloodless Joe was once the most feared outlaw in the west… until he disappeared.  No one knew what happened to him and most didn’t care.  They were glad he was gone and prayed that he was dead, but he was something much worse....

A Brother's Will- FREE- Friday January 17th 2015 A Brothe...

A Brother's Will- FREE- Friday January 17th 2015 A Brother's Will will be free once again for one day only.  You can pick up a free copy on Amazon.

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This is from the updated back cover:

It’s been three months since the Lord of Cipher departed to secure a bride for his youngest son, Eryk, as part of a treaty to end a sixty year war with the Treeclaws of Unamia.  Lord Yon’s three sons- Andor, Ori and Eryk- have not heard from their father and have become concerned.  Their fears are confirmed when a mysterious girl named Anna arrives in Cipher with their father’s horse.  She claims to be from Annulya, a town situated near the Shadow Mountains in the south, miles from Unamia.
As acting lord, Andor decides that Ori- one of the most gifted swordsmen in Kallodhan- must go to Unamia in search of clues regarding their father’s whereabouts and he’s to take Anna with him.  Someone is hiding something and Andor wants to know who.  Ori sets the group’s course to take them through the Blackwood, a forest so dark that it is nearly impossible to see once within.  But before Ori can conquer his childhood fear of the Blackwood, he and his company encounter bizarre circumstances in a nearby town.
While back in Cipher, Eryk grows increasingly paranoid after a close brush with death, and harbors a secret that makes him wonder if he’s lost his mind.  But time for paranoia is short once the castle is invaded… from within.  Andor and Eryk are surrounded and Andor refuses to leave without his wife.  He sets Eryk to the task of sending for aid, but before this can be done, Eryk will have to breakout of Cipher Castle.

A Brother's Will- FREE- May 2nd to May 5th

A Brother's Will will be free once again, this time for four days.  You can pick up a free copy from May 2nd to May 5th on Amazon.

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This is from the updated back cover:

It’s been three months since the Lord of Cipher departed to secure a bride for his youn...<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]>

A Brother's Will: Free on Amazon April 11th

It's time for my first Amazon promotion, so we will see how this goes.

As the title states, A Brother's Will will be free on Amazon next Friday April 11th.

Be sure to pick up your FREE copy.

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Sample Chapter from A Brother's Will- Now Available on Amazon

Eryk stared up at the portrait of his mother hanging in the parlour.  He’d barely known her before she died giving birth to what should have been a younger brother or sister, but fate cruelly took them away that day.  Being the youngest of three brothers, he always felt excluded.  Even though Ori was closer to him in age, Eryk never really connected in the same way that Ori and his eldest brother Andor did.Eryk sighed and took a seat in the plush chair by the fire.  The air had a crisp snap to it as winter approached and Andor insisted that the castle hearths were to be stoked at all times.  Eryk just wanted to relax and be alone with his thoughts, but knew that any minute, someone would enter the parlour looking for him.Eryk found it ironic; he loved to be alone with his thoughts, but hated the lonely feeling that resided in his soul.  He hoped that feeling would soon disappear when his father returned from Unamia with his bride to be.  He thought that with a bride, he would no longer feel like a fifth wheel around his brothers and their spouses.  Andor has respect and Ori skill with a sword.  What do I have?  Eryk slumped deeper into the chair, dreading the moment he would be disturbed.  He closed his eyes and a voice startled him from behind.  Stilman…“You’re presence is requested on the west field.”Eryk slowly turned to face the castle steward, Stilman.  He stood with his hands tucked into the sleeves of his robe, thin grey hair draping his shoulders.  He had been steward as long as Eryk could remember, though Eryk never developed a fondness for Stilman as Andor had.“I’ll be there shortly.”  Eryk said and waved Stilman away.  He waited for Stilman to shuffle from the parlour before stirring from his chair.  He thought about staying by the warm fire, but Andor had a temper if he was kept waiting.  Eryk strolled through the castle and picked up a wooden sword from the armoury before heading outside.IIThe sword descended with a thunderous blow.“You call that a strike?  Mother used to spank me harder than that.”  Ori said as he easily deflected Eryk’s attack with a quick pivot.  Eryk knew Ori was the most gifted swordsman of the three; but if he landed a quick strike, Ori would lose focus and let his temper cloud his judgment.  Eryk would then be able to use his brother’s rage to his advantage.Andor assessed his brother’s from the sidelines before joining the fray.  He jumped in and aimed a wild slash at Ori with his wooden practice sword, but Ori stepped aside.  “So it’s two on one is it?”  Ori wiped his black hair form his eyes.  “I must say, I don’t like your odds.”The battle raged on with Eryk and Andor raining strike after strike at their brother, but he parried all with ease and countered effortlessly, striking Andor on the hand and slapping Eryk in the arse with the flat of the blade.Eryk shook his head and rubbed his behind.  He thinks he’s so clever.Andor smiled as he shook the sting from his hand.  “Eryk, how about you go one on one with Ori for moment?”“You goin’ dastard on me, Andy?  Eryk’s no challenge by himself.”“Really?”  Eryk spat as he spun and ducked, aiming a low cut at Ori’s knee.  Ori lifted his foot allowing the blade to pass underneath.  Eryk switched hands and continued his spin with an upward slash.  The tip of the wooden blade scratched Ori’s stubbly chin even though he tossed his head back to dodge the hit.  Eryk’s spin left him exposed and he felt his brother’s heavy boot on his back.  The ground rushed towards him and soon he was pulling blades of grass from his teeth.Ori stood over him.  “Nice try,” he felt his chin and was surprised to see blood on his hand.  “Hmm, closer than I thought.”Andor laughed.  “He almost knocked your head off, Ori.  If his sword was an inch longer you’d have an ass for a face.”“He already does,” groaned Eryk.  Andor reached out a hand then helped Eryk to his feet. “You’re getting better, Eryk, but I’m still the best.”   Ori said and Eryk wanted to wipe the smug smile from his face.Eryk frowned.  “Father says I’m near as good.”“He just doesn’t want to hurt your feelings.”  Ori clapped his younger brother on the back and Andor grinned behind them.  “Pity he’s away; now he’ll never know how close you came.”“Careful, Ori.  Arrogance will be your downfall.  One day, Eryk may well be better than both of us.”  Andor’s tone was serious and for a moment, Eryk almost believe him.  “You guys up for a quick run?”Eryk nodded.  Finally, something I’m good at.Andor began to unbutton his surcoat and kicked off his boots.  “Let’s say, first one to catch a squirrel gets to ask any favour of his brothers.”   He then pulled off the rest of his cloths and stood naked before his brothers in the cool autumn air.  “Sound fair?”Ori groaned, but ideas were already flowing through Eryk’s head.Eryk watched as his eldest brother’s skin began to melt away.  Andor suppressed a scream that turned to a growl as he was forced to all fours; a silvery coat of fur beginning to cover his body.  It was streaked with a long red stripe and sprinkled with dark spots.  Andor’s hands grew and his fingernails curved into sharp black claws while thick whiskers sprouted from his face.   His ears sharpened to a point and a tail emerged from his buttocks.  Soon, his eyes were dark golden pits circled with flecks of red.  Eryk watched as his brother- now a giant lynx- stretched and then disappeared into the forest.Ori was next to shift into a lynx.  His fur was darker than Andor’s and displayed large brown spots and a black stripe along his back.  His bright green eyes turned towards Eryk before darting after Andor.You may be a better swordsman, but I’m a better hunter.   Eryk unbuckled his belt and removed his surcoat and breeches.  He felt his skin glide away and his muscles tighten.  His teeth grew sharp and his senses heightened.  He could hear his brother’s footsteps in the distance and smell their scent.  Drool formed in his mouth at the thought of tearing into a fresh, meaty squirrel, so he followed his brothers into the West Wood.  The leaves had turned brown and blanketed the forest floor.  It was the perfect time of season to hunt squirrels.  They would be scurrying about hiding acorns and other food for the winter.Eryk ran into the forest, but stopped suddenly to sniff the air, picking up the familiar scent of squirrel.  He could hear Andor slowly stalking his prey, and see Ori chasing a rodent with wild abandon.  He’s great with a sword, but if left alone in the woods, he’d starve.  Eryk turned his attention back to his oldest brother.  Andor’s patience is what makes him a great hunter and one day he’ll make a fine lord.Andor was acting lord while their father, Lord Yon, was away.  He was fair and just, always treating Ori and Eryk as equals even though they came from a different mother.  Andor, at thirty-one, was thirteen years older than Eryk and a decade older than Ori.  He was a proven swordsman and an accomplished hunter, but his real strength was his leadership.  Lord Yon never hid the fact that Andor was his favourite, but Andor always spoke highly of his brothers, often passing on the praise he earned.A faint taste of blood ran through Eryk’s mouth as he closed in on the scent.  His ears perked to listen, trying hard to drown out Ori’s wild chase.   He spotted his prey ahead, the squirrel still unaware of his presence.  He then crouched in the leaves and patiently waited.  The squirrel came closer and Eryk held his tail low out of sight.  Finally it came within striking distance and Eryk pounced.  It heard him at the last second and tried to scurry away, but was too slow.  Eryk had a nail deep into its tail, pinning it to the ground.  With his other paw, he stomped on it; he heard a crunch, and the struggling stopped.  He sniffed the squirrel and then picked it up with his teeth, holding it proudly in his mouth.  He whined loud to let his brothers know he’d made a kill, and then bolted from the woods with the dead squirrel dangling from his mouth.  He dropped the squirrel and stood over it with pride, waiting for his brothers to emerge from the forest.  Andor came first and it looked like he was smiling.  Eryk knew Andor was proud of him and wondered what was taking Ori.  Finally, Ori slowly exited the trees with his head hanging.  He walked right past Eryk and shifted back to human form then redressed.Eryk padded over to his cloths; squirrel in mouth, and dropped it at Ori’s feet.“I don’t want your damn squirrel.  You won, it’s yours.”  He gave Eryk a gentle pat on the head.  Eryk’s nostrils tightened as he caught a stench on the wind.  Father’s horse.  He quickly shifted and relayed the news to his brothers.“The scent’s coming from the west?  That’s strange.  Father always uses the Fang Gate.”  Ori looked to his older brother.“We should greet him.”  Andor said and the others agreed.   He turned to Eryk.  “This is a big day for you.  A wife is a blessing.” Eryk knew Andor was right.  “I just wish father would’ve let me go with him to pick out my bride.  I hope she’s not hideous.”“He wouldn’t even let me go with him to Unamia, Eryk.”  Andor said.Eryk had been curious about that; Andor usually went everywhere with Lord Yon.“Don’t worry, little brother, Treeclaw women are renowned for their… beauty.”  Ori could barely finish his sentence before breaking into hysterics.  Andor joined in, but Eryk didn’t find it amusing.Andor wiped a tear from his eye.  “It’s a noble thing you do, Eryk, finally uniting House Layne and Treeclaw.  Your children will have the blood of the lynx and bat, but let’s just hope they get your looks.”  He chuckled again and Ori was hunched over from laughing so hard.  Eryk just shook his head.  When the laughter died, Andor placed a hand on Eryk’s shoulder.  “Come, let us greet father and meet your bride to be.”  He turned to Ori and pointed.  “And you.  No more japes about Eryk’s bride.  She’s a Layne now, and will be treated as such.  Understood?”The smile faded from Ori’s face and he nodded.By the time they passed through the Tail Gate, a crowd had begun to gather.  Eryk could see the head of his father’s great destrier, but didn’t see his father.  “Where’re his guards?”Andor seemed wary as well.  “I don’t know.”The crowd parted as the three men approached.  Their light blue surcoats were adorned with the black lynx; sigil of House Layne, and each was nearly a head taller than any in the crowd.  When they reached the horse, they saw that it was not their father that guided it, but a young woman.“What’s the meaning of this?  Who are you and where’s Lord Yon?”  Andor’s voice boomed over the murmuring crowd.The girl appeared shy and frightened, but held her calm.  “I’m Anna, daughter of Megor of Annulya,” she said.  “I would like to speak with the Lord of Cipher.”Ori interrupted.  “I should have you hanged.  It’s a capital offence to touch a Lord’s horse.  Where did you get it?”“It was grazing in a field near our farm.  I saw the sigil on the horse’s blanket and recognized the lynx of House Layne.  There was no one for miles, so I took the horse and cared for it.  It was my father’s idea to return it to its rightful owners, so I came here.”“You expect us to believe you found a Lord’s horse grazing near your farm?”  Demanded Ori.Something didn’t feel right, but Eryk knew where this was heading and didn’t want to see the girl get hurt.“Ori,” Eryk started.  “She’s done a noble deed in returning father’s horse.  She could’ve saved herself the journey and we’d have had no news of father.”  He turned to Anna.  “Would you join us for dinner and tell us your tale?”  He glanced towards Andor to judge his expression.  It was a mixture of surprise and disgust.  “Consider it a favour.”Andor clenched his teeth, but didn’t deny Eryk.  “She will dine with us then.”  He squinted at the dust covered girl.  “Ori, return father’s horse to the stables and see it’s well tended.”  He turned to Eryk.   “And you… show our guest to the guest tower.  Have a servant prepare a hot bath and supply her with a clean dress.”They both nodded and Eryk could feel the piercing stares from his brothers.Andor turned away.  “Alright citizens, as you were.”  He motioned for the smallfolk to return to their work as Eryk beckoned Anna to follow.She followed closely, regarding warily the stares from the townspeople.  “Don’t worry about them, they’re harmless.”  Eryk said as he led her through the Tail Gate and into the white stone courtyard.  Vines climbed the inside of the surrounding walls and were neatly trimmed as they neared the top.  Further ahead, in the south west corner below the turret, stood the barracks; a vast hall that could house up to a hundred men.  Eryk nodded to the men milling around as he passed by and took note of the looks Anna received from a few of them.Eryk did not speak to Anna; not because he didn’t’ want to, but because he didn’t know what to say.  She’s quite lovely… for a peasant.  Soon they reached the entrance to the Rotunda at the front of the castle.  Large Blackwood doors stood open with sentries at attention on either side.  Eryk ushered Anna inside.Anna’s eyes immediately went to the tapestries adorning the walls.  “They’re beautiful.” she said as she gazed at each one.Eryk loved the tapestries and knew the history behind each one.  “They depict former lords of House Layne, stretching as far back as the first lynx, Lothar the Great who founded Cipher nearly two thousand years ago.”  Eryk felt a surge of pride as he pointed to a tapestry where a man stood with the head of a snarling lynx, brandishing a sword.Anna shuddered when she saw Lothar’s glowing red eyes.  A simple “Oh,” was all she managed.  Stairs on both sides of the rotunda led to a second floor where a Blackwood throne sat under a banner with the light blue lynx of House Layne, emblazoned on a field of solid black.  Eryk led her through the Rotunda into a vast hallway carpeted with thick gray rugs that cushioned each step.  Light from the wall candles reflected in mirrors and caromed along the stone walls, creating haunting shadows that seemed to stalk them as they marched down the winding hallways.“The guest tower is just past the library.  I’ll see you in then send a servant.”“Gratitude.  I wasn’t sure what kind of welcome to expect.”  She frowned.  “You’re the least frightening of your brothers.”Eryk didn’t know whether to take that as a compliment or not.  “I’m glad you returned father’s horse.” he said as they passed through the cluttered library.  Dusty books lined the shelves as they reached to the ceiling and the stale smell of old parchment always reminded Eryk of his history lessons with Stilman and Ori.  Eryk shuddered at the thought of them.The door to the guest tower opened to an unlit staircase that wound to the top of the turret.  “It’s been some time since we’ve had guests and it gets a bit dark in here, so watch your step.”  He held out his hand and Anna grasped it tight.“That’s alright.”  She smiled.Eryk smiled back.At the top of the steps, the tower opened into a single round room.  A rounded bed draped in shiny blue linen was centered between two large wardrobes.   Numerous black pillows were scattered about the bed; each embroidered with the lynx of House Layne.  A large wash basin was situated next to a privy, and there was a small table under a window that looked east over the Catamount.“I hope the room is to your liking.”Anna’s eyes widened.  “It’s larger than my house.”“Then you must have a small house.”Anna frowned.“Uh, I’ll send a servant with hot water.”  Eryk then took his leave, carefully descending the twisting stairs and cursing his loose tongue.  He passed through the library and headed to the Servants quarters located close to his chamber and found Jensen within reading a book from the library.  For a servant, he seems to have a lot of free time.  “Your services are required in the guest tower.  There’s a young lady up there that requires hot water to bathe.”  Jensen quickly closed his book, bowed to Eryk and went to fetch the water.Eryk grunted and then went to his chamber to prepare for supper. IIIThe long table in the dining room seemed nearly empty as only six dined.  Andor introduced his wife Lenadia to Anna and Ori introduced Aemy.  Aemy had come all the way from Wennit and was a close cousin of the current lord, William White.  Lenadia, however, was from Cipher.  Her father was a wealthy merchant and it took some finagling to get Lord Yon to accept her as Andor’s bride.  Her beauty was renowned and Andor was not going to let her slip through his fingers.They ate in silence, the tension looming like a storm cloud.  Soon Andor began his interrogation, as Eryk knew he would.“Tell us, Anna.  Why did your father send you all this way by yourself?  Why didn’t he make the journey?”Anna put her hand to her mouth and cleared her throat.  “He was preparing for the journey when we were attacked… by a pack of vicious… monsters.”  Tears began to form and she went silent.  The others were left hanging.Lenadia and Aemy gasped.“Monsters?  What are you talking about?”  Eryk asked.Anna took a breath.  “I watched… as they tore my father apart.”  Her voice trembled.Andor was unmoved by her story.  “Yet you escaped?”Anna looked up, tears streaking her face.  “I climbed on the horse and ran as far and as fast as I could, but they followed for a time.  When I reached the top of Hallow Hill, I saw dozens of them below, massacring the town.”  She wept into her hands.The table was silent.  Eryk watched his brothers who appeared confused. Anna regained a little composure, but stuttered her words.  “His… sacrifice gave me… enough time to escape.”  She exhaled.  “He died protecting me.”“And what has Lord Treeclaw done about these… monsters?”  Andor asked.Anna shrugged.  “I don’t know.  I came straight here.”  She looked at the food on her plate.  “I’m afraid I’ve lost my appetite.  May I be excused?”Eryk quickly interjected.  “You’re safe here.  Besides, you haven’t had dessert yet.”Anna nodded and fiddled with the leg of lamb on her plate, but didn’t eat it.  When the honeyed bread came, Anna took a small nibble then pushed it away.  “Apologies,” she got up from her chair and quickly dashed from the hall.  Andor casually nodded at a servant to follow her.Eryk couldn’t help but feel responsible, even though he knew there was nothing he could do.Once Anna was gone, Ori broke his silence.  “She’s hiding something.”“I think she’s telling the truth.”  Eryk raised his voice.“And how would you know?  Were you there?  Did you see these vicious monsters?”  Ori stood.  “Don’t be so quick to trust others, Eryk.  Trust kills just as well as swords.”  He took a gulp of wine then slammed the silver chalice on the table and stormed off, beckoning Aemy to follow.“Ori, get back here.”  Andor’s deep voice echoed off the stone walls.  “We still need to decide what to do.”“I’ll tell you what we should do, Andy.  We should send her away or lock her in the dungeon.  She’s trouble, I know it.”  Bellowed Ori.“Perhaps that’s not such a bad idea.”  Andor said and Eryk’s heart skipped a beat.  He was about to plead with his brother, but was silenced by a hand.  “Ori, I want you to go to Unamia.  Find out anything you can about father’s whereabouts and these monsters.  And take Anna with you.  It’s the least we can do.”“Send me.”  Eryk began.  “Allow me to prove my worth.”“I agree, send Eryk,” said Ori, “I’m not babysitter.”Andor rose from his seat.  “No.  It must be you.  You’re more experienced and you’re likely to encounter trouble.  Take six men with you.”“What do I do with her once we get there?”  Ori asked.“Take her before the lord and let her plead with him to do something about these monsters.  If her tale is true, he will want to defend his land.” Andor sat back down and placed his palms flat on the table.  “Father was last seen at the Treefort.  He spoke of no business in Annulya, so how did Anna come by his horse?”Ori stroked his beard and smirked.  “Someoneis hiding something.”“Ask Lord Titus what he makes of this and then send a raven with your conclusions.”Ori bowed and left the hall with a wide smile.  Andor turned to Eryk, who felt a little dejected… again.“I’m sorry, Eryk.  I know you’re eager to prove yourself.  And don’t take me for a blind man; I see the passion in your eyes when you look at Anna, but you know it could never be.”  Andor’s golden eyes were stern.  “Relay a message to her; that she’s to be escorted to Unamia by Ori in two days time.”“As you wish.”  Eryk turned to leave, but Andor wasn’t finished with him.“With father gone, I’m acting Lord; and one day, you might find yourself in my position.  I feel father would have made the same decision I have.”Eryk bowed and exited, turning his brother’s words over in his mind, thinking how if he were Lord, he’d do things quite differently.

I finally Did It!

It took over three years and a lot of procrastinating, but I have finally put my first book onto Amazon.  The Canadian version can be found here:  https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00JA0ECVO

It has been a long time since my last update and hopefully, I have more good news in the following weeks.

I have nearly completed the second book and as soon as it is edited, I will be placing it on Amazon as well.

Weekly Update

So as you can see, I have been adding a bit more content to my blog as of late.  I am trying to talk about something other than my book, which I guess anyone who reads this is probably pretty bored of hearing about.  What I am going to start doing is a weekly update, hopefully every Tuesday.  These will not be long posts, just snippets of where I'm at.

The past week has been productive.  I have finished (4th draft) about 6 chapters for the Andor, Eryk, Ori storyline.  I have also decided on a different ending for the Sam chapters, which I am currently writing.

Like I said, short and sweet.  I hope to have a more interesting post for tomorrow.

Defending Metal

I don’t know why I always feel the need to defend metal.  It’s my favourite type of music, but when I tell most people I like metal, they give me a look like I just shot someone.  Everyone seems to have a preconceived notion about what metal is, most thinking that it is just some guy screaming into a microphone while the band plays really loud guitars with no direction or skill.  But what people probably don’t realize, is that metal is the most varied type of music around.  There are a ton of subgenres and even the most anti-metal person could find something they like.  Most have heard of a few genres such as Death Metal, Speed/ Thrash Metal, or Glam Metal, but a few of the more obscure ones like Progressive Metal, Power Metal and  Folk Metal have produced some of the best bands in recent years.  Sometimes, a distinct sound pops up in a country, spawning a completely new genre, such as Iron Maiden and the New Wave of British Heavy Metal.  Or bands like In Flames and At the Gates from Gothenburg Sweden, who are credited with the creation of Gothenburg Metal, which is an offshoot of Melodic Death Metal.  Then there is Norwegian Black Metal, started by bands like Mayhem and Burzum.  This genre is much darker than most and usually confused with Death Metal, though each genre has its own distinct sound and characteristics.


My favourite bands are usually a combination of genres.  Ensiferum for example, is considered Black Folk Metal, Folk Death Metal or Viking Metal.  They combine chugging bass lines, growling vocals and traditional folk instruments, such as violins or flutes.  Their subject matter usually consists of Viking battles or tales about heroism, which is quite different from anything heard on the radio, at least in North America.
The vocals are usually a topic of debate when discussing metal.  Again, most assume that metal musicians can’t sing, but if they took the time to listen, they would realize that some of the best singers in the world come from Metal bands.  Listen to Dream Theatre (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjINXbJ3vdo), Sonata Arctica (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDfcnUivQII) or Falconer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iswq0SWBRFA) and you will see what I mean.  In fact, the singer of Falconer is a classically trained singer whose clean vocals soar over the heavy guitars.  If you listen to those songs, you might be saying, hey those don’t sound like metal, and you’re right.  Those are examples of Progressive and Power Metal bands, though those bands do have much harder offerings as well.


There are different types of Progressive Metal bands- Dream Theatre probably being the most well known- but Death Metal fans will argue that.  Most would claim that Opeth is the most progressive of all bands, with their mix of clean and harsh vocals and an average song length of ten minutes.  (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ij0IBNb0JtU)  Listen to the variety in this song and you will notice how they effortlessly transition from intricate guitar riffs to softer melodic tones.  There are also a number of time signature changes so the eleven minute song never seems stale.  The thing I like most about progressive music is that it doesn’t follow a pre determined format. (Verse- Bridge- Verse- Bridge-Course-Verse-Course… etc.)  The music is allowed to choose its own direction, never conforming.
I could go on all day about each and every genre, but I thought I would move onto Metal music video.  I will agree that most are not as ground breaking as they could be (watch any metal video and you will see that it is either shot in a forest or a warehouse), but most of these bands do not make the millions that Pop singers make.  But there are the few rare videos that stand out, Chthonic’s videos for example.  Chthonic is a Melodic Black Metal band from Taiwan.  They mix Death and Black Metal vocals against some of the heaviest guitar riffs around.  They also mix in traditional instruments, such as the Oriental Violin, played by lead singer Freddy Lim.  You might not know it by looking at him, but Freddy Lim is the leader of amnesty in Taiwan.  My two favourite metal videos are by this band.  The video for Broken Jade mixes animation and live action sequences of the band, (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heF_NPJbv8Y) while their latest video for Supreme Pain for a Tyrant features something I have never seen in a Metal video before… a dance number.  (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jYsu5-TJQ8)
 Anyway, as the title of the post points out, I always feel I have to defend my choice of music, but really, it is okay if you don’t like metal.  One of the aspects that appeals to me is that it is not popular.  I feel like it is something I own.  Also, tickets to a concert don’t run me $100 a head.  I can go to a metal show, featuring four bands for about $30.  The setting is more intimate and you are not confined to a seat.  Metal isn’t for everyone and as Sam Dunn says in his excellent documentary- Metal: A Head Banger’s Journey- either you get it or you don’t.  And the people who don’t get it, probably never will.