Review

I wanted to send a reminder out to all my readers that if you've read the book, I would certainly appreciate a review on it. Please click the link for your preferred site, or copy your review to both. Help out my hard work by sharing your thoughts.

Thank you so much!

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Progress Update

Now that I've decided to break the second story arc into two books, I've been writing away at the third book in the series. I really want to get it all written so I can make sure there's nothing I'll need planted in the second book for the third.

I'm afraid that that writing out this whole story arc at once is going to delay the release of the second book from my original target date, which is why I never announced it. On the bright side, as soon as I finish the draft of the third arc, then I'll have a better idea of when I can have the second book out, as well as the third. These two might hit very close together. For readers who like series books, this is good news. There's nothing like having to wait a whole year or more between books.

But, how about a sneak peek? Mind you, this is in absolute rough draft state. Right out of Celtx. By the way, it looks like their Android version is now out, so the second I finish writing this blog, I'm off to look for it - Yippee! Anyway, here is your sneak peek preview of book 2. Enjoy.


Steigan awakens from dreams of fighting gargaxes among wood, stone, and fire. He looks around the room searching for enemies in the now familiar room. Morning light pushes against the curtains in the window.

Getting up, he gets dressed and leaves his room. He quietly slips down the hallway and out the door.

He heads into Searn's barn and finds an empty stable toward the back. Inside he closes the gate behind him, puts a rope over the door post, a squats down in the corner and covers his face with his hands.

Steigan (thought): Not today. Not now. Control it.

His body starts to shake. Already he knows it's going to be bad. His throat still hurts from the dry screams of two nights ago when he'd been awoken in the middle of the night. He hadn't made it out of the house then and had feared that his thrashing would awaken Searn and his wife. Searn had enough to worry about without knowing about Steigan's nearly nightly tremors. He grabs his ankles and puts his head on his knees, starting to rock back and forth. The pain racks through him.

His first scream is silent, head thrown back against the wooden wall. His breath comes in ragged gasps. For a moment, just a moment, he feels released. Maybe it won't be as bad as before. Maybe he's overcoming whatever this is.

His arms start to tremble anew.

Steigan (whispering): Miex'calidori.

The alien sound of his own voice frightens him. He tries to whisper the word again, but no sound comes.

Pain stabs through his gut. He chokes on the sound of a scream that wants to come out. He next scream seems to come right out from his feet, pulsing pain through his entire body.

He closes his eyes and wills the pain away, but it doesn't go, rather instead coming on with another powerful wave.

Steigan awakes with a start, not realizing that he'd passed out from the pain.

Searn peers over the top of the gate.

Searn: Steigan, what are you doing in here? Are you all right?

Steigan tries to speak, but no words come out. With a shrug, he nods and gets up.

Searn: Seriously, what are you doing out here? You can't tell me that a pile of straw is more comfortable than your bed.

Steigan shrugs again.

Searn: You don't know what you're doing out here?

Steigan nods.

Searn: Sleep walking?

Steigan nods again.

Searn: Don't worry. I did the same at your age. You'll grow out of it.


If you liked it, let me know. If you sweet talk me, I might just release more! :)

One book becoming two, Part 2 of the tale

I've spent several days now working on the beginning of what will now be the third book in the series. It does feel like a beginning and sometimes I have to stop and remind myself that it is the start of a new book. It's weird because I'm so use to thinking of it as one story arc. But as I've said before, it's all a matter of working the story harder.

Speaking of which, I suppose I ought to explain why I decided to break it into two.

As readers may guess after reading The Three Books (aka book 1), the second story arc is about the life of St. Steigan. There is so much to set up, more of the magical world to build, new characters, etc. Overall, there is a lot! I do work to develop my stories, so there's work to do to make sure you, my fabulous reader, has lots of paths to explore. What is truth and what is a lie? Is this character a friend or a betrayer? What really lies beneath the Temple in the catacombs? I'm sitting here with a wicked grin on my face. Already I'm ready to go get back to work on the story. I love diving into this world! Really, this story is not meant to be read only once. There is enough here to read multiple times and deeper levels of meaning found each time. Wonderful parallels are cropping up between book 1 and 2. I am delighted and surprised each time I discover something new.

Just today, in fact, I started writing about Laurient (see previous posts) and St. Steigan going out to fight the gargaxes and St. Steigan comes up with this brilliant idea to transfer magic to Laurient. I hadn't seen this coming, didn't have it planned, it just popped in there. But it adds so many dimensions to the story. Because of this one thought, I can now spider several more things (like some foreshadowing for events in what will now be book 5) into the story. I love it!

Some of you may be wondering what will happen to the release date of the second book now that the preliminary draft is done. That's coming soon, I promise. The good thing is that I actually finished the draft by the date that I had set as my deadline so right now the story is still on track. As for my working title, I've had to change it because it no longer works. The Saint and the Betrayer, when split into to becomes The Saint (first title) and The Betrayer (second title). Somehow this just doesn't inspire me in the same way. Sigh. However, I have a new plan for the titles. I'm giving it a settling period to make sure I like it, but I'll probably make the title known at the same time I announce the release date for the second book.

So wait eagerly for more to come!

Happy reading!

One book becomes two, Part 1 of the tale

Its official.

The second book of the Sacred Knight series is being split into two books. The decision was made in the dark of night after a weekend of fevered writing. Here it is nearly one on the morning and I reached what I thought would be a chapter end. I've often been asked how to know where to end a chapter and the truth is that there is no one right spot that can be found in the words alone. It's a feeling. Everything I just get this feeling to end a chapter at a certain spot. I was having that feeling come upon me and I was ready for sleep. But as I hit the period on the last word, I had a feeling of real completion, not a feeling of being ready to move to the next scene.

I wasn't really sure that I wanted to end the book there -- it's not really a high note in the story. Could I really stop and leave the readers there? Really? But it felt so final.

So I stopped.

Making the story stronger

I have a sign in my writing office which reads, "Make your story stronger. Show it slowly. Show it thoroughly. And always show your characters doing the action. Then make it harder for them."

It's that last line that always gets me.

I enjoy making the story harder. If I have to really think through my plot, especially when I keep in mind that everything has to make sense across three time lines, them I know my story is getting deeper. Yes, it already feels bigger than me. It needs to. Let's face it, if it were simple for me then why would I need to be writing an epic fantasy? I want a world that engages the reader and makes you think. So, it's got to be tough for the character.

Then there's the thrill when your character rises to the occasion and proves himself to be he very hero he was created to be. When he devises a way out of the sticky situation. When the writer stands up and cheers in victory with the character. Yes, those are the moments!

A challenge to my hero equals a new level to the puzzle for me which equals a greater thrill ride for the reader. Ah yes, those are indeed the moments.

Laurent appears

I actually wrote the scene this morning where Laurient takes the stage and I think he stole the scene. Centaurs! Gotta love how they just take over. If you've read book one, you know what I mean.

Then, afterwards I was talking to my number 1 fan (aka my youngest son)and he said he thought there was a Laurient character in Lord of the Rings guess its time to research.

I purchased a copy of The Three Books today at Barnes and Noble for their Habitat for Humanity donation. I told the clerk, the lovely Christine who helped get my book in (yeah, she's my best bud now!), that I was donating it and she said, "Aw, that's the Christmas spirit." I laughed and replied, "What, to be total self-serving?!" Fortunately, we both laughed at the joke.

Happy holidays, my dear readers. I hope you have a good, safe time! Blessings to you all.

Evolution of a character

When Laurierent first came to me, the last thing I imagined was that he would be another character in my Sacred Knight series. But once he was,the trick was to figure out how he fit.

I know I had originally pictured him as half elven. A kind of Legolas image. But obviously that is so been-there-done-that. So how to put a spin on that?

I won't say that I'm anywhere near having his character figured out, but I'm on the road.

I'd hate to give away any spoilers, but I will say he is of mixed cultures. Too many of my characters already have abnormal backstories so I've decided to give him a good, normal childhood, one that let him become a lovable, flamboyant, regular person. He's a leader and a loyal friend. A got-your-back kind of person.

It's starting to feel like this world has never been without him.

But how does a character actually evolve from name to character, especially when there's already an established plot line? There's no easy answer. I'm sure everyone also has different ways too. For me, it almost always begins with "what if?"

For the development of Laurierent I asked myself what of he was an archer, but not half-elven. What could he be? I soon had an idea. He was half centaur. Hence his mixed cultures. It put him in the exact place needed a character in book 2. I also realized that because of the magic mythology already stated in the series, I could have him do some things here which will foreshadow other events in books 3 and 4. It was
Coming together wonderfully.

Then his name changed again. It shortened down to Laurient. I don't know if this is a permanent change. I might very well go back to the original by the time I get to him in my draft. Author's prerogative. Of course you could always write me and let me know which version of the name you like best. Get your say in!

A Character Comes to Life

As I said in my last post, spam email found me a new name, but what can one do with a name only? Not much.

Laurierant. That was all I knew. Where did he fit? Who was he?

Have you ever heard the saying that to give something a name takes away its power, or makes it less scary? For me, giving something a name is a clue for me to get creative and discover the story. So who was this character? I knew he had to be male since that had been an initial factor.

With a name, the beginnings of a image for the character develop. I saw him as blond. I knew he wasn't too muscular, but he had pizazz and attitude.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't Laurierant de Santz, come to grace us with his presence, have ya?" was the first line I heard spoken. Something still didn't feel right, but I was on the right track.

I started to see an elven archer. I've been wanting to write a story about an archer for the last month or so, so I wondered if the time was finally right to get the story. But it still didn't feel right.

Now let me tell you what it's like to write an epic saga. Epic sagas generally have a lot of people in them. I'm still discovering characters and plot twists as I write. A few people have heard me talking about how I'm thinking of breaking the second book into two (it's either that or let the movie studio do it for me when they get their hands on it! Since that's the latest trend in Hollywood as well as my wishful thinking.). Seriously, there is a lot of material and I'm not feeling I'm doing the story justice right now. However, breaking it into two also means more developing of other characters and scenes. Push the story. Make it harder for the characters. Those are the two most important rules of storytelling, in my opinion.

Another thing I always have to be aware of is the plot line continuing into the books that will follow. Even though I have a fair idea of what's going to happen, every time I push the story adjustments need to be made. It's like a big game of chess where you can plot your moves ahead but you might have to adjust based on what your opponent does.

So here I was thinking about book 4. I had already made several adjustments. Looking backwards and forwards at a timeline from several different angles will certainly occupy your brain for a few days! In the end I realized I was going to need more characters.

Brain kicks in and says, "Remember Laurierant?"

How could I forget? He was the reason my subconscious was not working on the right story!

"I beg to differ," the brain argues. "Remember the blond elven archer you wanted in book 4? Hello, that's Laurierent." Please note the change in spelling. Yep, it really did happen that way.

And so Laurierent was born. His evolution remains another matter.

Fitting into today's world

At the heart of my Sacred Knight series is the metaphor that we are all looking for a place to belong within the world. Steigan, my main character is an orphan who has been taken in by the Temple, by his mentor, and by a family in a nearby town. He loves each of these deeply and realizes that he owes his life to all of them. But he also doesn't feel like he belongs with them; he still feels separate and that he has to work hard to please them.

I think we're all looking for that in our lives. We want to be part of something. We want to have something that we believe in, something we can support, something larger than ourselves.

The work always begins in our own lives. There is nothing out there in the world that we can be part of -- that which we seek is in ourselves. We always hope someone will come to rescue us, that we'll go somewhere to belong (why do you think the Cheers tv show ran for as long as it did? The lyrics said it all with "Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name."). But that space is never ever out there. It is inside you. You have to know why you feel like you don't fit into the world. Once you know why, then you'll realize the change you want to see in the world. With this knowledge, you can be the change. Then you'll fit in. You'll find the message that you need to take to the world and you'll find the people that need to hear it.

So look inside yourself to find out why you don't fit into this world and challenge yourself to make a difference so that you do fit in. The world needs your courage now more than ever.

Is summer over?

I'm going to miss these nice summer and fall nights. They are passing by too quickly.

My youngest son and I have spent several nights outside talking about the Sacred Knight series. We sit on the swing and look at the stars. We wait to watch the International Space Station fly overhead on nights that it's visible. And we dive into where I'm at in the manuscript. There's some things I don't want to reveal to him because I want to keep him as an engaged reader too. But it's still been fun working in-depth over the storylines with him. It keeps me on my toes, makes sure I'm not missing obvious things.

Most importantly, it's been good time we've spent together. I am so going to miss it.

Getting the job done right

Starting off the second book has been more of a challenge than I thought it would be. Because book two is about the life of Saint Steigan, I knew exactly how it needed to start, where I needed to begin, and what exactly had happened to the character before hand. But when you start writing about a character who keeps fading in and out of consciousness it gets a little hard. After all, how much is that point of view character really getting.

So, it seems to make sense to flash forward to a time when he's more conscious. Easy enough to do. But then how do you let on about the backstory up until that point?

There's a barn burning scene in the first book. As I was working along on the second book, I realized that what I had going on was another barn burning scene, except without the barn or the burning. I just had the same information gathering feel to it. I suppose that's a good thing. It should feel like the first book if I'm doing my job right.

Where does the magic begin?

Agreeing with Barnes & Noble's ad, it all started with a book.

Do you agree?

Where do I go from here?

The act of writing and putting your manuscript together is enough for some people, but most then ask, "How do I get it published?"

Just yesterday I overheard a conversation where a wanna-be writer was asking this very question to a bookstore worker. He seemed disappointed when she couldn't tell him "The Secret." He told her he knew what he needed to do: get on the Internet and start researching agents, but in the end he left the store shortly after his disappointing conversation.

Will he go home and seek his answers online? Probably not. Will he go harass someone else to see if they can give him "The Secret"? Probably. Will that help him? Probably not.

There is no map to getting published. You have to find the road on your own. Even your road may give tips to others, but it won't be the path anyone else takes in exact precision. While having these questions is hard, seeking the magic secret is a waste of time. Just start doing and forge your own path. In the end, that's "The Secret."

Where's your focus?

Seems that today people are dividing into two different groups: those who are career focused and those who are project focused.

I hope that writers are project focused. It's too easy to get distracted by thinking "I am a writer," but then never writing. Then comes the critic yelling, "You can't call yourself a writer. You're not writing! Writers write. So if you're not, then quit calling yourself a writer."

But if you focus instead on your projects - those manuscripts you keep dreaming about doing - put a deadline on them for getting them done, then you start focusing on the building blocks of your career. These get done. Books and articles get written. Before you know it, not only will you be a writer, but you'll "have written" as well.

Earth or non-earth, that is the question!

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, I gave an online, one-time workshop about the settings for fantasy worlds.

It seems almost like a different lifetime. It practically was.

As I was preparing for the workshop, I learned one little piece of information that I've found utterly valuable in creating and discussing other fantasy worlds. What was this little revelation? Well, it's all based on this little planet we live on called, "Earth."

I realized that all fantasy and science fiction universes had to answer this one question either consciously or unconsciously: Is the setting in an earth-based universe or a non-earth based universe?

It's best if you can answer this question consciously because if you're aware of the issue then when situations arise in the writing, you can reflect on your answer to this question to best learn how to deal with it.

How do you know what's earth based or not? Well, is earth mentioned? Take a look at the lead in to this blog. Chances are you realize that it was a knock-off from Star Wars. So, is Star Wars earth based or not? Hopefully you're answering, "Earth based!" A galaxy far, far away automatically implies that it's in a galaxy several light-years from earth. Star Trek is easy because earth is referenced many times and they even brought whales back to San Francisco. Now, the new Star Trek movie allows for alternate timelines or realities (which I think they did an excellent job of spoon-feeding the audience a "newer" crew), but that's still an earth based universe. In a non-earth based universe, there is no reference to earth in any way, shape, or form. In these, earth seems not to exist.

So, how does this help you with writing your universe? This means that earth based universes have to follow the rules of earth as we know them. Planets have gravity. Not all planets in a solar system have life. Life is carbon based. Water boils at a certain temperature. In a non-earth based universe, you can break all these rules and create your own. It doesn't have to the same as here on earth as long as you can make it make sense to the reader. So let's say you have an issue with the trees on your planet. Let's say you want them to sing, really make music. We've all heard leaves blowing in the wind. Think about what that sounds like, especially quaking aspens. Close, but not really singing. In a non-earth based universe, you could easily say it's the wood or that the leaves are folded in such a way that makes them whistle. Great, make it plausible and use it. In an earth based universe though, we need to work harder because leaves have a specific purpose and a bend in them would defeat that purpose. What if there were spiders that made their homes in these trees? Now, we all know what happens when a string is plucked on a guitar -- it makes a noise. Well, the wind blowing through the spiders' strong webs act like fingers strumming a guitar. Ah, can you hear the music now?

What about magic? We don't have magic here on earth, so how can worlds with magic still be earth based? How can the Force exist when we can't physically draw objects to us by thinking about them now? Do we know everything? Are there not experiences that people report having every day that defy the logic that our world currently gives us? Miracles have been recorded. When you sit at the base of a tree and close your eyes, can you not feel the hum of nature around you? I think if you're reading this and/or you write fantasy, it is because you already believe there is more in this world than can be seen or proven.

Sacred Knight is based in an earth based universe. Yes, there's magic (or I should say magic is returning in the first book). Though I really don't get into the heart of magic until the second book, I know that on Steigan's world it is something that surrounds everyone. It comes from the life force of the whole planet. If we had magic here on earth, that's exactly where I'd expect it to come from.

So, go pay attention to your favorite sci-fi/fantasy worlds and see if they are earth or non-earth based. Then go back to your manuscript and see which you have.

Notes, Notes

I was busy cleaning my office last weekend and I came across several notes for Sacred Knight. Oh my gosh! Everywhere, notes! Some compiled in three-ring binders. Some in journals. So on scraps of paper. Some in files. Some on envelopes. I'm surprised that I didn't have notes written on the wall.

Wow.

You know you're writing an epic story when you can't even take a step through your house without running into something related to the story.

I hope I'm not missing any epic thoughts! I'd hate for that paper I just crumpled to be the gem that is the winning touch. Yikes.

I have to believe that any good ideas are going to stay with me.

What do you think? What's the oddest thing you've ever written a note for your book on?

An early image

Several years ago when I first started thinking about drawing Steigan and I was just learning how to color in Photoshop, I drew this:

Preparing For Battle 

Digital Image 

© 2007 Dawn Blair

Not too shabby for a beginning. I learned and that's what counts.

But as I came across it not too long ago, I realized that it had a close name as the track by Nathan Chamberland I purchased for the video music from AudioMicro. Very strange. But I loved the Prepare For Battle track ever since the first time I heard it. Whenever I needed inspiration, I'd go out and listen to it. It's like the music fit the story so well as though it were written with it in mind. When this gets made into a movie, I hope Nathan Chamberland can do the film score! That is my greatest hope. To me, Chamberland is the John Williams for Sacred Knight. All I have to do is listen to the music and scenes from this story flow through my head and I get goose bumps down my arms.

Really, with Prepare For Battle, I couldn't have asked for better trailer music and something to build my brand around. If you haven't watched the two book videos, click the YouTube link on the right and go do it now. Enjoy the music!

Fear Settling In

Now that The Three Books is out to the world, there's fear now settling in.

For years it's been, "What if this happened to Steigan?" or "What if Steigan did that?" or "What would Steigan do?"

Now it's, "What if no one likes the story?" and "What if it's not nearly as good as I think it is?" and "What if it really wasn't ready?"

Should I have read through it a couple more times? Should I have made sure I that I had pushed the story as hard as I could?

I presume having this kind of fear is normal, right? A parent always worries about their child, right? Releasing a book is a monumental undertaking and when you've been working on it, thinking, and planning for so long, it's only natural to feel a certain amount of let down once it's done, right?

I can either wait for feedback or I can keep working on the next one. Hmmm. Marketing seems so hard when questions keep the fear inside. Steigan would hate for me to make statements that weren't true or fell short of the claims.

So I turn now and work on the next book. Soon, very soon, the fear will disappear and I'll be feeling back on top. I know this because this always happens. I must work through the uncertainty and feedback will come. I'll do shows and signings and get the marketing done. One piece of the puzzle at a time. Fear of failure isn't fatal, just a lesson in patience, don't you think?

Already I can hear Steigan telling me that one never knows what one is capable of until one tries. He'd tell me to keep moving, one foot in front of the other.

What do you do when fear stops you silly?

And now for the Kindle

Yep, here it is! Yada!

You know, yesterday I was writing (working on book 2) and I needed to check a fact. Instead of opening up the file like I normally would have, I grabbed my proof and flipped to the passage I needed to reference. It was so cool!

Speaking of proof, I have the second one ordered. I certainly hope I don't find issues with it. I hope I'm nearing getting the physical book available. I've had a lot of requests for it -- starting to wonder if I should plan a book launch party! Thank you everyone for your support.

Argh!! Postponing Due To Frustration

I'm delaying the release.

I'm so frustrated about having to do this.

While reading the proof over the last couple days, I found a couple problems in the text. After thinking about it, I decided that these were small issues and didn't hold enough weight for me to worry about. I was going to go ahead with the release.

I almost didn't read any more -- I'd convinced myself that there couldn't be any more errors in the book. After all, I've read it 11 times since the beginning of the year. What else could possibly be wrong?

But I knew I was just avoiding the possible truth that there were more issues.

Besides, I'd found out during my last couple times through the draft that I had corruption going on. About a month ago, my file closed down on me suddenly and wanted to recover the document when I opened it back up. Stupid me told it to recover the document. Come on, I know better than that! Especially since that's exactly why I have my autosave on. Anyway, as I went through the draft this last couple of times, I'd find sentences that were half rewritten or words out of place that I knew I'd already fixed. I started wondering if the corruption in my file made it confuse the editing versions and was "doing its best" at piecing together what it had.

I thought I'd caught all of them. Obviously, I've been very tired this last month.

While reading the proof tonight, I found two very huge errors -- one's I just couldn't ignore. They had to have come from this corruption quilt! When added to the other errors, I just couldn't release it that way. I fully accept that the book will never be perfect. George Lucas, who I've been quoting a lot of this week, basically said that movies aren't released, they escape. I truly feel that this book needs to escape because I know I can never make it perfect. I wanted it "close enough." Right now, I'm not there.

So, I delay. At least with the print copy. I do want to go through the proof just to make sure. I'd rather postpone than have a product so inferior as it is now.

However, I thought I would release the NOOK version because that I can update easier than anything else. I went in and dropped in my changes that I already knew I wanted to make, reformatted the epub version, uploaded it to the website, clicked to put on sale now, and...

"We are experiencing technical difficulties. Please try again later."

REALLY?! You've got to be kidding me!

Obviously the universe is telling me to stop rushing, that there is another big issue with the book that needs my attention first. I have enough experience here to know that I need to listen.

While I'm unhappy that I have to wait, that my big release has fizzled, I know that this will ultimately bring about a better book overall. In the end, having a worthy story is what I want. I can wait a little longer. Soon. It's still coming. Very soon.

I'll keep you up to date on what happens. Maybe I can still get the NOOK version out today. As for the rest, I'm going to go get some sleep now and start in again in the morning.