To Arms

It's that time of the novel again.  I have two armies (three, depending on how you count things) about to face off in one of the climactic moments of High Maga, the up-and-coming companion novel to Eolyn. 
Those of you familiar with Eolyn-lore will be happy to know one of those armies is led by our old favorite, Akmael, Eolyn's erstwhile love, who has now consolidated his power as Mage King of Moisehén. 

The other is led by a new character in the saga, Lord Mechnes, a Syrnte prince seeking to conquer Moisehén and assert his niece's claim to the throne of Vortingen.  Mechnes is a wonderful villain, charismatic and brutal, intelligent, amoral and self-serving.  He's fond of women and music, but what he lives for is crushing the enemy.  I'm looking forward to finishing this novel so I can share him with the world.

In the meantime, I'm just a little worried as to what's going to happen when Akmael and Mechnes clash on the battlefield just south of Rhiemsaven. 

Battles are an interesting thing.  Even when we map them out as writers -- even as we come to understand the strategies and tactics of our fictitious commanders -- we cannot be entirely sure what's going to happen moment-by-moment when two armies meet.  I've spent the last few days, with the help of a friend, defining the terrain, positioning infantry, cavalry and archers, reading up on selected battles from ancient and medieval times, and now at last the two armies are poised to meet each other.  I can almost feel the tension coming off the sketch pad where I've drawn everything up.  Akmael has put together a rather daring plan to counter Mechnes' greater numbers and highly skilled soldiers.  

Daring, but will it work? 

Only in the writing will I find out.

Some very exciting events and signings are scheduled over the next few days in Kansas City, MO.  I hope that, if you are in the area, you will check them out. 

Thursday, May 24, Prospero's on 39th will host High Adventure with Hadley Rille Books, featuring eleven authors of fantasy and science fiction.  It'll be a fun evening of readings and discussions, with books available for purchase and signing. 

Then, Friday May 25 through Sunday May 27, I will be at Kansas City's own ConQuesT.  Look for me on the panels, or in the bar.  The final panel schedule is not quite up, so I will be posting updates on where I will be when through my Facebook page for Eolyn.  But here are a few things I know for sure:

Friday, May 25 at 8pm. I will be at the meet-the-authors-and-artists reception
Saturday, May 26 at 11am.  I will be at the Hadley Rille Books panel and readings
Saturday, May 26, at 3pm. I will be at the mass signing, along with several other Hadley Rille Books authors

Also on Saturday, May 26 at 4pm, I invite you to attend the launch party for Terri-Lynne DeFino's awesome new fantasy novel, A Time Never Lived.  To find out more about the launch, please visit my post this week on Heroines of Fantasy. 

On Writing and Friendship

Last week I had the most wonderful privilege of spending seven days on Virginia Beach with nine other women authors, writers from a variety of genres, all persons of great talent and generosity.  Some of them have been participating in this retreat for almost ten years now. I was a newbie, and the only person I'd met as of a week ago Saturday was Terri-Lynne DeFino, author of Finder and the soon-to-be-released A Time Never Lived.

I wasn't really sure what to expect, beyond having a lot of time to write.  And I did write, about 5000 words, including new and reworked chapters for High Maga, the companion novel to Eolyn.  The new material included some of the most climactic moments of the novel.  I am beginning to witness how events have transformed my characters in deep and lasting ways; and I am coming up against the final fates of some of my favorites, which has me sad in the bittersweet sense of the word. 

I estimate I have about 15000 to 20000 words to write before I finish the manuscript; within that the final battle sequence, which for a long time has been a terribly imposing mountain on the not-so-distant horizon.  But as of last week, the dreaded mountain has been transformed into just another ridge to hike across, another piece of the landscape to enjoy.  Not because writing a battle sequence has become any less formidable a task, but because something about being with this exceptional group of women has inspired my confidence and renewed my sense of trust in the journey of writing.

A year ago when Eolyn was launched, I found myself reflecting on all the wonderful and talented people that became a part of my life as a result of writing my first novel. Now after a week of working on my second novel in the company of nine amazing women, I am once again marveling at the way friendship is born of storytelling. 

Writing is not just about word counts and deadlines. It's not even just about the story.  Writing is a path that takes us to new places, opens doors to the exploration of different worlds, in our lives as well as in our imaginations.  Most fundamentally, the journey of writing is about the people we meet. Our stories create community.  They connect us and bind us to each other, and send us toward a happier future that for all its uncertainties, promises never to be lonely.

Stop by Heroines of Fantasy this week to read Terri-Lynne DeFino's post on coming home and saying good-bye, also inspired -- in part -- by our week at Virginia Beach.  

A Year of Adventure, Magic, Betrayal, and War



Friend and fellow author Byron Dunn, the first person to
purchase a copy of Eolyn at the pre-launch party in April 2011

Eolyn's birthday month has at last begun. 

I've been looking forward to this for a very long time; it is an event that inspires so many wonderful memories:  the first time I held the ARC in my hands, bringing the cover art to the finish line in multiple conversations with artist Jesse Smolover and editor Eric T. Reynolds, my first professional review from Publishers Weekly, the enthusiasm of my students and friends during Eolyn's Pre-Launch Party at Avila University, and last but certainly not least, Eolyn's official Launch Party at the Writers Place in Kansas City, Missouri. 




An early concept for a wrap-around cover for Eolyn.
Note Ghemena's cottage in the background, on the left.

Bringing Eolyn to press was a shared journey, involving the enthusiastic support and hard work of many colleagues and friends.  We had people come from as far away as Chicago, Washington DC, the United Kingdom, and Germany to attend the launch itself, along with many many supporters from my home town of Kansas City. 

Some of these folks were involved in various stages of drafting the manuscript, and are mentioned in the acknowledgements section of the novel. But it would be nearly impossible to list everyone who turned out to welcome Eolyn as she stepped into the larger world, so I want to take a moment to say "Thank you!" to all of these people.  You know who you are.  I hope you have enjoyed your year of adventure and magic in the world of Moisehén.  And I'm looking forward to you joining us for the next big party, when we release the companion novel High Maga. 

Traute Koehler and I at the launch party on May 7, 2011

If you, like me, are up for indulging in more than a little nostalgia, please visit the photo albums on my facebook page for Eolyn to see pictures from the pre-launch and launch parties in 2011.

I've been promising a list of activities and special events for Eolyn's birthday bash, so here is the full menu:

Between now and May 7, you can register to win a free signed copy of Eolyn through Goodreads.  You must be a member of Goodreads to register, but if you aren't yet a member, it's easy and free to sign up.

Also on Goodreads, from May 15 to May 31, I'll be hosting a Q&A discussion board.  This is your chance to ask all the questions you like about the novel Eolyn and its companion novel, High Maga.  Please join our group on Goodreads; I'm looking forward to seeing you there.

For a limited time in May, the Kindle edition and the Nook edition of Eolyn will be on sale for just $0.99!  If you haven't already read Eolyn, take advantage of  this great price, and dive into the adventure of the maga's journey today. 



An Eolyn tote bag -- just in time for summer
at the beach! Available from CafePress.

As an extra special treat for Eolyn fans, you can now visit Eolyn on CafePress and order t-shirts, totes, coffee mugs and more featuring the original cover art by Jesse Smolover.

On May 24, Eolyn will be featured at the meet-the-author event High Adventure With Hadley Rille Books.  Ten authors of fantasy and science fiction from around the world will gather at Prospero's Books in Kansas City for an evening of great story telling and lively discussions.  Books will be available for purchase and signing.  Please stop by if you're in the area.

The last weekend of May will be devoted to ConQuest, Kansas City's own science fiction and fantasy convention.  As a little bit of Eolyn trivia, Hadley Rille Books and I signed the contract for Eolyn at ConQuest in 2010.  That was also the con where I had my brush with greatness, having met the iconic fantasy author George RR Martin.  This year at ConQuest, I will participate in panels, signings, book launches with other great Hadley Rille authors.  I'll be posting information about the details as the date approaches. 

Coming up this weekend, I'll be celebrating Eolyn in a very special way, by attending a week-long woman's writing retreat at Virginia Beach.  I'm hoping to make significant progress on High Maga -- perhaps even finishing the manuscript, which I don't think is all that unreasonable a goal, as I am very close to the end.  We will see.  But no matter how far I get on the new novel, it is going to be an amazing experience.  I hope you will visit this blog next week to read all about it. 

In the mean time, enjoy the party and please help yourself to the virtual cake at the back of the room!

Let the Festivities Begin

We had a great day Friday at Down to Earth, Hadley Rille Books' meet-the-author event and Earth Day Celebration.  Authors in attendance included James Gunn, Christopher McKitterick, M.C. Chambers, and me, as well as Eric T. Reynolds, founder and editor of Hadley Rille Books.  

The event featured readings from Hadley Rille's new anthology, Aftermaths, as well as from the novels Shaper's Veil and Eolyn.   Afterwards, we had a lively discussion with the audience regarding the environment and environmental issues in the context of science fiction and fantasy,  followed by a brief book signing session.  If you'd like to see more photos, you can view them in the Down to Earth 2012 album on my Facebook page for Eolyn.  

Delicious Eolyn cake at the pre-launch party,
April 2011 at the Hooley-Bundschu Library
at Avila University.

A season of celebration is upon us.  In just a few short weeks Eolyn will be one year old.  As part of the birthday festivities, Hadley Rille Books is sponsoring a Goodreads Giveaway for Eolyn.  Two free signed copies will be raffled off on May 7, 2012.  Any member of Goodreads can sign up; if you aren't yet a member, it's easy to join -- and free. 

Other events you may want to put on your radar:

ConQuest, Kansas City's own science fiction and fantasy convention, will be on Memorial Day Weekend.  About a dozen science fiction and fantasy authors from Hadley Rille Books will be in attendance. 

On the eve of ConQuest, Hadley Rille will host a meet-the-author event at Prospero's Books.  This event will be open to the public, and will include readings, a discussion panel, and the opportunity to purchase books and have them signed.

During ConQuest, Hadley Rille Books will have its own author panel, participate in the mass signing on Saturday, host a room party, and launch the novel A Time Never Lived  by Terri-Lynne DeFino.  Rumor has it there will also be a few Hadley Rille pre-launches that weekend.  I'll be sure to keep you posted on all the details. 

Author Kim Vandervort is up this week on Heroines of Fantasy.  As of this moment, her post hasn't yet gone live, but it should sometime today or tomorrow.  (In the meantime, if you haven't read last week's post Eternal Forests, now is your chance!)  Please stop by to share your thoughts and comments. 

Now that you're finished reading this week's post for Eolyn, go sign up for the Goodreads Giveaway!  And good luck.  :)

Down to Earth 2012

I'm going to keep it short this week, as most of my blogging energy went into my post for Heroines of Fantasy.  Please stop by there to read my musings about forests in storytelling, in part a tribute to Earth Day, in part a continuation of my Andrews Forest Writers Residency experience. 

Also happening this week:  Down to Earth 2012!  Explore a universe of adventure with Hadley Rille Books at this meet-the-author event, featuring science fiction and fantasy authors James Gunn, Christopher McKitterick, M.C. Chambers, and me.  We'll be at Jayhawk Ink Bookstore in Lawrence, Kansas, starting at 4:00pm on April 13.  Brief readings will be followed by a mixer; books will be available for purchase and signing. 

Last but not least:  High Maga, the companion novel to Eolyn, has topped 110K words.  Everything is on schedule to finish the manuscript this summer.  Hooray!  This is such an exciting novel, and I cannot wait to share it with the world. 

Next week, we start Eolyn's birthday celebration.  Be sure to stop by to find out how you can join the fun.

Winter Has Come

We had a mild winter this year in Kansas City; too many warm days, not a single memorable snow storm or ice storm.  Perhaps I should not complain, and while I was taking my winter walks through the parks I did not, but now with spring temperatures already pushing into the 80s (upper 20s, for those of you living outside the US), I wish that winter had been a little more insistent with its icy grip.  And that summer were not pounding on the door so aggressively, and so soon.

This is one of many reasons I'm grateful for places of the imagination like Westeros, where winter is always on the way.  And why it was especially refreshing to see all my favorite characters return to the TV screen last night, when HBO premiered the second season of George RR Martin's A Game of Thrones.  Many of them were suffering warmer climes, like me, but others were wrapped in capes and furs, with frost on their breath.  I could almost feel the chill in the air (or was that just the weekend flu I had getting into my bones?).

Well, I have sung Martin's praises many times on this blog already, so I won't get started again today, except to say Thank you, Lord Martin, for this wonderfully rich world of imagination that you've shared with us, in words and now in images.  Thank you for spicing our summers with a little bit of wintry adventure.  

I am so looking forward to every episode of season 2.

Those of you who are longing for an escape from the winter cruelties of Westeros should check out Heroines of Fantasy this week, where Terri-Lynne DeFino tells us all about paradise.

And if you or a friend are need of magic and adventure at an affordable price, check out Hadley Rille Books ebook sale, which started last weekend and will probably end today.  Kindle and Nook editions of all their titles are available for just $0.99.  You can browse HRB's ebook titles at their website, or order Eolyn direct from Amazon. 

High Maga, the companion novel to Eolyn topped 105K last week, and I have a working outline now for the remaining chapters, which I think will require 25-30K to complete.  So, we are getting close.  Of course, the final stretch is always the longest.  You'll be hearing more about it in upcoming posts.

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you are in for a wintry week.

Sequels and Secrets

Here's the most difficult part about writing the companion novel to Eolyn: 

Every so often -- actually, more often than not -- I get very excited about something that just happened in the story, and I want to tell the world about it. 

I can't, of course.  Because these are the plot reveals and little details that will make the story rich and surprising for the reader, and as the author I have a moral (and commercial) obligation not to spoil that experience.  So I must bite my tongue, and sit patiently on all the delicious secrets of High Maga until the day you discover them for yourself and can let me know what you think. 

This is one of the reasons why I think I will always be a writer who needs to run in a pack; to have companion authors with whom to share the thrill of discovery involved in story telling.  People who can also help chart the course of the story, and tell me whether that 'brilliant' idea I just had really is brilliant, or whether it's a dud that would best be deleted before the larger public discovers just how bad a draft can be.  I'm very grateful to have companions in writing at the moment.  So thank you, Companions -- you know who you are -- for sharing the adventure.

I've been spending an inordinate number of weeks trying to figure out what Sir Drostan would do next, as part of a battle scene I'm crafting for the new novel.  Yesterday I had a chance to sit down with it again, and I think I am very very close to at last pulling all the threads together and making the scene work the way I want it to.  When I finish with Drostan, we'll be at about 105K for the current novel.  I'm estimating High Maga will wrap up at about 130K, though it may extend a shade longer than that.  If everything works out as planned, we will know by this summer.

Last week was a good week for Eolyn  on Amazon, as customers posted three more five-star reviews.  Here's what one of them had to say:

"It amazes me when I read a book that can transport me into a new world.  I loved this book...it was wonderful...delightful...exciting...I couldn't put it down and was surprised with the unpredictable ending.  I can only hope that there is continuation of the Eolyn saga!  PLEASE GIVE US MORE!"

What can I say?  It gives me a great feeling to read such positive feedback, and a lot of motivation to keep writing.

On Heroines of Fantasy this week, guest author Sandra McDonald picks up the topic started by Kim Vandervort last week, with her post Sensible Clothing for Heroines.  Please stop by to read and comment.

Also, remember Down to Earth 2012 is just around the corner, and Eolyn's birthday bash will follow soon after that. Stay tuned for more details.

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you are in for a great week.