Page 75 – Epiphanies

So I just had the biggest epiphany of my entire writing life and I’m actually half-hysterical over it. I can’t stop laughing and saying OMG out loud.

 

For those of you familiar with Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere concept… I’ve always kind of known that there is a relationship like that between all the different worlds I write in.  (Seriously.  Since I was 14 and Brandon Sanderson was still unknown.)  I was never quite able to pinpoint the connection, though… Until today.

 

I KNOW WHAT THE CONNECTION IS.

 

And this means I know what makes my magic systems on every world work at the core (adapted for different evolutions/worlds of course) and a much better idea of how it’s all going to come together at the end. (If the end ever comes; I don’t intend to stop writing until I’m dead.)

 

I am absolutely giddy.

 

And I need to let it sit and let this feeling pass because if I try to write like this it’s gonna look like a whole bunch of asdfjkl.

Which shelf? (Your opinion wanted!)

So I’ve been struggling with the Soldaris Saga lately.  I’ve been trying to decide if I want it to try to sell it as romantic fantasy or fantasy romance, so I can point the last of my rewrites and editing in the right direction.

Some of you might wonder what the difference between romantic fantasy and fantasy romance even is.  Basically, romantic fantasy is a “standard” fantasy novel with a bigger plot than just the two characters getting together, but they’re a major part of it.  Fantasy romance focuses on the story of the hero and heroine and their happily ever after, using the rest of the plot as a backdrop.  The first goes in the fantasy and sci-fi section at the bookstore, the latter goes in romance novels.   Yes, it actually matters, if I’m going to sell it, because that also determines where I submit.

I have outlines for both ready to go.  Both outlines lead to the same ending, just told in different ways with the focus on different plot elements and subplots.

I have to admit that I’m curious what my audience would rather read (although if I start on one of the outlines and it doesn’t feel right, I will no doubt move right to the other).

Weigh in in the comments, would you?  ❤

Playlist: Dagon

A little bit of a different mix on this character from the Soldaris Saga today.  In no particular order.  Enjoy!

1. Black Blade- Two Steps From Hell
2. The Riders of Rohan- The Elbereth Orchestra (David Arkenstone)
3. Stand Strong, Stand Together- Christopher Lennertz (Mass Effect 3)
4. Army of the Dead part 2- Manowar
5. To Glory- Two Steps From Hell
6. If I Die in Battle (Orchestral Version)- Van Canto
7. Light from Darkness- City of the Fallen
8. Field of Cormallen- The Elbereth Orchestra (David Arkenstone)
9. United We Stand, Divided We Fall- Two Steps From Hell
10. Overture to the Hymn of the Immortal Warriors- Manowar

Character Highlight: Dagon

I totally laughed when rolling the d20 on my list of characters gave me Karin’s husband the week after I highlighted her.  Also a character whom I would like to develop further in the future.

Name: Dagon Averill
Project: Soldaris Saga
Occupation:  Paladin, instructor at the Academy and later Commandant
Physical Features: graying dark blonde hair, neatly trimmed beard/mustache, soldier’s build, shorter side of average for a man, lingering limp from an old injury
Personality:  Demanding, disciplined,  almost cold while at work, and passionate, relaxed, easy-going when he’s not working
Strengths: able to identify and bring out the strengths in others, good leader
Weaknesses: Sometimes doesn’t know when enough is enough, cares too much about those under his command, speaks his mind when maybe he shouldn’t
Favorite color(s): black, gold, gray
Accomplishments: One of the most respected instructors at the Academy, later becomes Commandant of the Academy
Biggest Fear(s): That the people he loves will suffer, that his choices will lead people to disaster
Dreams: To make the Academy better than it ever has been before, to have a happy life with his family
Family:

• Karin Menette-Averill, wife
• Karin’s as-of-yet-unnamed children
• Ella Averill, younger sister
• Darios Averill, older brother
• Lana Averill, Darios’ wife

Friends:

• Thorven Soldaris
• Taerwyn Davies-Soldaris
• Nikolai Darbon, the Paladin Bard
• Levanda, Mistress of the Academy Kitchens
• Commandant Perrus, previous Commandant
• Lady Skye, most famous Lady Paladin at the start of the saga
• Commander Hartley, Taerwyn’s unit commander at the Academy
• Niveon Davies, Taerwyn’s brother
• Mikael Helron (deceased)

Enemies:

• Anyone who threatens the safety and stability of the Academy
• The big bad and minions, of course

Character Highlight: Karin

Today is one of my favorite secondary characters that I’ve ever had.  🙂 She’s one of those who could have a novel all of her own.  And might, someday.

Name: Karin Menette (Averill)
Project: Soldaris Saga

Character Highlight: Meredin

So I literally just made a list of all of my characters that I could think of and rolled a d20 (20-sided die for those not fluent in D&D-speak).  So it’s possible that I may end up with characters I might not have otherwise immediately thought of for these highlights.  Today is a perfect example.  I think Meredin is probably one of my most underrated characters.  I don’t doubt that she’ll have more of a story to tell in the future.  It’s just not all that refined yet.

 

Name:  Meredin, Sister/Mother Meredin
Project: Soldaris Saga

Article: Locus Magazine’s Recommended Reading List

One of the leading magazines in the science fiction and fantasy genres is Locus.   Every year at the beginning of the year they publish a list of the best reading in the genre from the previous year.   But they don’t just stop at novels.  Science-fiction and fantasy are, obviously, separated.  But they take it further, splitting works by length, audience (i.e. YA vs. regular adult),  non-fiction, art, anthologies, etc.  It’s a comprehensive list for those who want to know what’s considered the best by industry leaders.

So presented without further commentary:

Locus Magazine’s 2013 Recommended Reading List

Making Maps

I have to blame this post on Tor.com for getting me started on a massive distraction.

Now, it’s not really a distraction from the Soldaris project, as the map that I currently have isn’t an accurate enough depiction of the world geography that I have in my head.  I am very pleased with the way the map I made a year and a half ago looks, but it’s not the right map for this world (I will be saving it for another project, though, I think.)

I would be lying if I said I hadn’t tried to make maps to go with earlier ideas that I had while in high school and college and whatnot.   But they weren’t good maps.  Then, about two and a half years ago, I took a physical geography class at university.   I’ll be completely and brutally honest here: I took it because it was the easiest lab science class possible  that the university offered, and I needed another one for progress toward my degree.  (I love science.  Love, love, love it.  What I don’t love is all the math that goes along with some of it.)   Little did I know that it would open my eyes up to a world of possible worlds and more effective world-building, or that I would develop quite an interest in the subject.  Nor did I think that it would set off a passion (albeit rarely indulged) with creating maps for my worlds.

I’m discovering that maps, as much as books, go through multiple revisions.  This is, thankfully, a little easier with digital construction via Photoshop or the like.

Just a reminder

I just want to remind everyone, in case you might have missed it, that I do have a story up on Amazon.   I realize that I neglected to give you guys a good idea of what it’s about when I posted it at first because I was just excited about getting it up!

The product description:

When a dragon makes a deal with her kingdom to stop attacking villages if he’s given one virgin from every village in the district as a sacrifice, an orphaned young woman finds herself on the wrong end of the truce. However, thanks to her cleverness, she finds her life spared and a new adventure with an unexpected companion beginning.

It’s for Kindle only, but there are several free Kindle apps available so that you can read it on your phone, tablet, or computer if you’d like.   It’s a strong story that stands on its own, and I’d love if more people took the time to read it.   I promise that the title does not guarantee lots of kinky sex.  (A detracting factor for some, I know, but maybe laying the fears of others to rest.)

Also, if you have read it,  first of all, I really want to thank you!  It’s very gratifying to know my work is appreciated.   I would be doubly grateful if you could leave a rating or even a review.  My goal in life is to become a famous author, but to do that, I need more readers!  If you enjoyed the work, please don’t hesitate to pass it on to someone else.  Good books were meant to be shared.

Thanks again, everyone!

Would Virgins Taste Better?