Taking A Step Back to Go Forward

My current writing project is pure fantasy, as I alluded a few posts back. It’s going to be vintage sword and sorcery, completely with any scary critters to make J.R.R. Tolkien proud. Don’t worry though, I’ve no intention of invading Middle Earth. No, this one is going to follow band of characters along an unusual but still familiar fantasy storyline.

Many years ago (more than twenty but not quite 30) I learned about a game called Dungeons and Dragons. I was young and impressionable when I was introduced to it, and it’s safe to say it may have been my first love. This is back in the day when special effects were hardly special and the thought of medieval entertainment was the furthest thing on the mind of entertainment companies. Thus my imagination, aided with the rules set forth by Gary Gygax (may he forever Rest In Piece) and TSR (a few years later) provided countless hours of entertainment. These days I still remember it fondly. It’s been years since a break out gaming session occurred amongst old friends and I, but I wouldn’t be opposed to it if the opportunity presented itself. And for the record, I’m talking about the classic first or second edition of the game, none of the newfangled D20 rules that over-complicate things.

So for this newest story as I was stumbling around with character ideas it occurred to me that I already had great characters that had lived countless adventures and endured loves and losses beyond my ability to remember. Why not use them? And now I’m nearly 10,000 words into my next fantasy book, which I anticipate becoming a series with ease. I’ll even share a touch of the characters in the hopes that it wets more than just my appetite.

Alto – A farm boy turned warrior who learns nobility. Eventually he’s destined to…yeah, like I’m going to give that away!

Kar – Fiesty wizard who encourages learning and insists his companions to constantly challenge everything.

Karthor – Kar’s son, a priest of Leander, the god of growth and light. Karthor and Alto are the same age and quickly become fast friends

Patrina – Northern warrior princess (or at least daughter of a chieftain). Hmm, two good looking and competent young men from a neighboring and sometimes hostile nation to choose from…what could go wrong here?

And did I mention the increasing raiding from (mostly) goblin tribes into both realms? What about the possibility of a greater power behind it with its own ulterior motives?

So much potential…and that’s just the first book!

To learn more about Jason Halstead, visit his website to learn about him, his books, sign up for his newsletter, or check out some free samples of his books at http://www.booksbyjason.com.