Scott Harper's Blog, page 2
April 6, 2016
“Warder: Changing Guard” Preview
Though edits haven’t yet been done on my new project, “Warder: Changing Guard”, I thought you all might like a brief preview. So, here are the first few paragraphs of that fantasy novella:
She shook her head, trying to banish the fleeting sensation of energy rippling around the squat cottage before her. Kayley Enid shrugged her travel pack higher onto her thin shoulders, and gripped her gnarled walking staff tighter in her other hand. Inhaling deeply, she placed the tough soles of her comfortable traveling boots on the beginning of the winding cobblestoned path that led to the small abode. Weeds poked up from between the stones here and there, thickest where the manmade path branched off from the dirt track, which ran through the dense forest, and by the clearing in which the little house sat.
She drew the hood of her lightweight, white traveling cloak further over her eyes to block the glare of the sunlight as she looked at the house. Though it appeared a bit rundown—its thatch roof in need of some minor repairs, and the unpainted wooden shingles that covered its outer walls beginning to split and peel in places—the cottage managed to radiate power, and mystique. A river stone chimney poked up from the roof, devoid of smoke on the warm, late summer day. No sounds emanated from the dwelling. Nor did any fragrances of cooking food drift from it. The stillness, and silence lent the place the illusion of being empty. Yet, for some reason, Kayley knew beyond doubt that the man she had walked so far to see waited inside.
She followed the cobblestones to the point where they met the three solid-looking wooden stairs that led up to a wide front porch. After a brief hesitation, she ascended the steps. The change in sound as her boots left the stone, and trod upon wood, momentarily startled her in the oppressive silence. Taking another deep, steadying breath, she hung her head, thinking.
Should she really do this? If she turned back, she would have made the long journey for absolutely nothing. That would be worse than if he simply turned her away, spurning her offer.
Kayley tightened her grip on her walking staff. The corners of her mouth tugged down in a frown, angry with herself for having come so far, only to engage in second thoughts.
If he sent her away, at least she would have tried. She would do her utmost to convince him should he not accept quickly. Still, the thought of meeting the man caused her to move slowly. She felt as if her arm had turned to wood as she lifted her free hand to knock on the heavy door.
Rapping lightly on the wooden panel, Kayley held her breath. Would he answer? Would he be angry with her for intruding? Would he even speak with her, and allow her to present her offer to him?
Gentle footsteps sounded from the other side of the barrier. Kayley forced out her breath, trying to relax. She pushed her hood back, giving her head a quick shake in an attempt to settle her long, raven-black hair into a more natural arrangement. She glanced down, glad that she had taken care on the trail that day. Her soft, tan leather pants, and knee-high black boots were almost completely devoid of mud, and burrs.
She heard a series of clicks, and rattles as a number of latches and locks were unfastened on the other side of the door. After a moment of silence, the barrier swung open without a sound on well-oiled hinges. A tall, lean, pale-skinned, elderly man stood revealed. He wore dark pants, with matching boots, and a white tunic. Each piece fit him perfectly, and had been expertly stitched, and crafted. He gazed down at her from beneath wild eyebrows. When he spoke, his long white beard wagged.
Scott Harper
www.scottharper.net
She shook her head, trying to banish the fleeting sensation of energy rippling around the squat cottage before her. Kayley Enid shrugged her travel pack higher onto her thin shoulders, and gripped her gnarled walking staff tighter in her other hand. Inhaling deeply, she placed the tough soles of her comfortable traveling boots on the beginning of the winding cobblestoned path that led to the small abode. Weeds poked up from between the stones here and there, thickest where the manmade path branched off from the dirt track, which ran through the dense forest, and by the clearing in which the little house sat.
She drew the hood of her lightweight, white traveling cloak further over her eyes to block the glare of the sunlight as she looked at the house. Though it appeared a bit rundown—its thatch roof in need of some minor repairs, and the unpainted wooden shingles that covered its outer walls beginning to split and peel in places—the cottage managed to radiate power, and mystique. A river stone chimney poked up from the roof, devoid of smoke on the warm, late summer day. No sounds emanated from the dwelling. Nor did any fragrances of cooking food drift from it. The stillness, and silence lent the place the illusion of being empty. Yet, for some reason, Kayley knew beyond doubt that the man she had walked so far to see waited inside.
She followed the cobblestones to the point where they met the three solid-looking wooden stairs that led up to a wide front porch. After a brief hesitation, she ascended the steps. The change in sound as her boots left the stone, and trod upon wood, momentarily startled her in the oppressive silence. Taking another deep, steadying breath, she hung her head, thinking.
Should she really do this? If she turned back, she would have made the long journey for absolutely nothing. That would be worse than if he simply turned her away, spurning her offer.
Kayley tightened her grip on her walking staff. The corners of her mouth tugged down in a frown, angry with herself for having come so far, only to engage in second thoughts.
If he sent her away, at least she would have tried. She would do her utmost to convince him should he not accept quickly. Still, the thought of meeting the man caused her to move slowly. She felt as if her arm had turned to wood as she lifted her free hand to knock on the heavy door.
Rapping lightly on the wooden panel, Kayley held her breath. Would he answer? Would he be angry with her for intruding? Would he even speak with her, and allow her to present her offer to him?
Gentle footsteps sounded from the other side of the barrier. Kayley forced out her breath, trying to relax. She pushed her hood back, giving her head a quick shake in an attempt to settle her long, raven-black hair into a more natural arrangement. She glanced down, glad that she had taken care on the trail that day. Her soft, tan leather pants, and knee-high black boots were almost completely devoid of mud, and burrs.
She heard a series of clicks, and rattles as a number of latches and locks were unfastened on the other side of the door. After a moment of silence, the barrier swung open without a sound on well-oiled hinges. A tall, lean, pale-skinned, elderly man stood revealed. He wore dark pants, with matching boots, and a white tunic. Each piece fit him perfectly, and had been expertly stitched, and crafted. He gazed down at her from beneath wild eyebrows. When he spoke, his long white beard wagged.
Scott Harper
www.scottharper.net
“Finding Bigfoot” This Week - 04/08/2016
Last November, my wife and I were lucky enough to be able to attend a town hall meeting for the Animal Planet TV series "Finding Bigfoot". While time didn't allow for us to share our own sightings, we were very glad to have been able to attend. "Our" episode is this week's. Given where we sat during the taping, we're pretty much assured to be on-screen during the town hall meeting scenes of this week's episode when it airs. If you have Animal Planet, check it out, and look for us!
Scott Harper
www.scottharper.net
Scott Harper
www.scottharper.net
Book Chapters
As a professional author myself, when I’m reading the work of other writers, I’m not just reading – I’m studying. Reading for pleasure has become a form of work for me. One thing I notice – and want to ask you all about – is a lot of authors varying the lengths of their chapters wildly from one to the next. One chapter my only be three or four pages long. The next night be fifty pages or so.
When writing, I try hard to keep all of the chapters within a given project around the same length. As a reader, I prefer that, too.
What about all of you? Do you like books in which all of the chapters are about the same length? Or do you like the extreme variance in length from one to the next? Or does it matter to you?
Scott Harper
www.scottharper.net
When writing, I try hard to keep all of the chapters within a given project around the same length. As a reader, I prefer that, too.
What about all of you? Do you like books in which all of the chapters are about the same length? Or do you like the extreme variance in length from one to the next? Or does it matter to you?
Scott Harper
www.scottharper.net
Please Do
Before, I’ve been asked by models or photographers about using one of my books in a photo-shoot as a prop. By all means, please do! The only thing I ask is that you share the photos in which my book(s) appear.
Of my books that are currently available, I would suggest that the best one to use for such purposes is "Quintana Roo, Yucatan". The paperback edition is large – 564-pages – and the book is an award-winning bestseller. The latter point would make it better known to anyone seeing the photo(s) in which the book appeared – if that matters to you for photographic reasons.
Scott Harper
www.scottharper.net
Of my books that are currently available, I would suggest that the best one to use for such purposes is "Quintana Roo, Yucatan". The paperback edition is large – 564-pages – and the book is an award-winning bestseller. The latter point would make it better known to anyone seeing the photo(s) in which the book appeared – if that matters to you for photographic reasons.
Scott Harper
www.scottharper.net
3rd Bigtruth Article
In part because of the new book my wife and I have coming out soon - that being our sasquatch novel "Hidden Tribe" - I'm been asked to write a series of articles for a sasquatch blog called Bigtruth. The series is being called "Harper's History", as the series focuses on historical encounters, rather than modern-day one. The name of the series is the idea of the blog's owner.
Thus far, I've written three of them. Find the third one here: http://bigtruthblog.blogspot.com/2016...
Scott Harper
www.scottharper.net
Thus far, I've written three of them. Find the third one here: http://bigtruthblog.blogspot.com/2016...
Scott Harper
www.scottharper.net
2nd Bigtruth Article
In part because of the new book my wife and I have coming out soon - that being our sasquatch novel "Hidden Tribe" - I'm been asked to write a series of articles for a sasquatch blog called Bigtruth. The series is being called "Harper's History", as the series focuses on historical encounters, rather than modern-day one. The name of the series is the idea of the blog's owner.
Thus far, I've written three of them. Find the second one here: http://bigtruthblog.blogspot.com/2016...
Scott Harper
www.scottharper.net
Thus far, I've written three of them. Find the second one here: http://bigtruthblog.blogspot.com/2016...
Scott Harper
www.scottharper.net
1st Bigtruth Article
In part because of the new book my wife and I have coming out soon - that being our sasquatch novel "Hidden Tribe" - I'm been asked to write a series of articles for a sasquatch blog called Bigtruth. The series is being called "Harper's History", as the series focuses on historical encounters, rather than modern-day one. The name of the series is the idea of the blog's owner.
Thus far, I've written three of them. Find the first one here: http://bigtruthblog.blogspot.com/2016...
Scott Harper
www.scottharper.net
Thus far, I've written three of them. Find the first one here: http://bigtruthblog.blogspot.com/2016...
Scott Harper
www.scottharper.net
Short Preview – “Hidden Tribe”
One of the books that Desirée Lee and I are currently co-authoring is our sasquatch novel, “Hidden Tribe“. Final edits are back now. We're trying to allow a bit more time for some advance reviews to come in before the book goes to print, though. The following is a short preview – the opening five paragraphs – of the book.
Iktomi crouched low to the ground, his massive bulk hidden behind the wide trunk of a broken pine tree, and clusters of ferns. He remained motionless, rendering himself all but invisible, listening.
The dual sounds of the deer’s racing hooves in the clutter of vegetation, and its pounding heart, told Iktomi the exact location of the prey. Mingled with the noises of the deer’s panic were the footfalls of Toylona, as she gave chase through the dense forest.
At precisely the right moment, Iktomi leapt from cover, relieving his mate, and taking over the pursuit. He bristled his hair from head to foot, adding perceived size to his already considerable largeness. The deer bleated its terror and dismay, angling away from Iktomi as he lunged.
Exhausted though it may have been, the deer sprang forward, charging away, struggling to increase the distance between them. Iktomi refused to allow the prey to escape. The healthy young buck would feed Iktomi, Toylona, and their offspring for two or three days. He gave chase, using his long, powerful legs to their maximum advantage.
When the deer’s zigzag path took it around several trees which forced Iktomi to slow his pursuit, he inhaled deeply. Lungs filled with air, Iktomi jumped clear of the trees, bellowing. His chest vibrated with the combined force of the roar, and the infrasound underlay.
Scott Harper
www.scottharper.net
Iktomi crouched low to the ground, his massive bulk hidden behind the wide trunk of a broken pine tree, and clusters of ferns. He remained motionless, rendering himself all but invisible, listening.
The dual sounds of the deer’s racing hooves in the clutter of vegetation, and its pounding heart, told Iktomi the exact location of the prey. Mingled with the noises of the deer’s panic were the footfalls of Toylona, as she gave chase through the dense forest.
At precisely the right moment, Iktomi leapt from cover, relieving his mate, and taking over the pursuit. He bristled his hair from head to foot, adding perceived size to his already considerable largeness. The deer bleated its terror and dismay, angling away from Iktomi as he lunged.
Exhausted though it may have been, the deer sprang forward, charging away, struggling to increase the distance between them. Iktomi refused to allow the prey to escape. The healthy young buck would feed Iktomi, Toylona, and their offspring for two or three days. He gave chase, using his long, powerful legs to their maximum advantage.
When the deer’s zigzag path took it around several trees which forced Iktomi to slow his pursuit, he inhaled deeply. Lungs filled with air, Iktomi jumped clear of the trees, bellowing. His chest vibrated with the combined force of the roar, and the infrasound underlay.
Scott Harper
www.scottharper.net
How Absorbed Do You Get?
When I’m reading, I tend to get very absorbed in the book. I’m talking to the point where I’m simply not aware of anything else going on around me. It’s sometimes as if we rest of the world has faded away. Or maybe I have – into the book.
Other people tend to do this, too, but I don’t know just how common it is. How absorbed do you get in a book when you’re reading? How normal is it to be so into a book that it’s as if the rest of the world has gone away?
Scott Harper
www.scottharper.net
Other people tend to do this, too, but I don’t know just how common it is. How absorbed do you get in a book when you’re reading? How normal is it to be so into a book that it’s as if the rest of the world has gone away?
Scott Harper
www.scottharper.net
Brand Building
I have another question for you other authors out there: How do you best build your name and work as a brand? Please comment with your best ideas and suggestions.
Scott Harper
www.scottharper.net
Scott Harper
www.scottharper.net
