Greetings and salutations, friends! It has been too long since I’ve updated you on events from the “War Room”. Here’s where everything stands–months since most of you have heard from me:
Novels
Aelathia’s Weaving and Musings of Essencers…or should it be Weavings of Essencers…or… As you can discern, I’m having trouble with the title. Hopefully, as I near the end of the editing process, a title will be fermented. It truly needs to happen soon.
Here’s another summary: In Aelathia, Yeltson Greggor leads an elite group of King’s Men knights, tasked with bringing down the secretive and lethal Slaver Coalition. Despite his reservations, Yeltson must work with essencers–those who can manipulate the world fabric. His on-going partnership with Raynt, a snarky spy with the scars of a forgotten childhood, the only essencer who has ever saved Yeltson, will be tested. Meanwhile, his love and devotion to renowned abolitionist Princess Amelia, will be called into question when he discovers that not only is she an essencer, but the niece to the Coalition leader. With accusations of treason mounting, leads drying up or dying, and a royal assassination threatening political stability, Yeltson, Raynt, and Amelia may be the only ones who can prevent an Aelathian world war.
Meanwhile, A Rose By Any Other Thorn sits languishing in sequel limbo. Not a day goes by where my wandering mind carves out a scene, imagines the beautiful (facade of) elven cities of Lupacuo, or four-armed Glymphs riding into battle on war-rams. Unfortunately, Weavings comes first. Until I (and any future agent and publisher) know how that novel performs, Rose will linger in its second draft. Trust me, I am itching to bring the Aelathian characters into the political machinations of slavery-infused, magical hierarchy of Istante. In the first novel, Istante is only glimpsed by our brief encounter with Ambassador Ci’Dio. Their presence will continue to grow and bode heavily on the future of the series. We all must be patient.
Now for a completely different series…
What was once Thorns of Salvation has been retitled to Diamonds and Thorns. I cannot help but write and have fallen in love with some of these characters. The plot has shifted significantly, landing it squarely in a fantasy and apocalyptic setting. The current plan is to have two books, with options to continue the characters with other adventures.
Here’s a summary: Diamonds and Thorns follows three families forced into an uneasy alliance to prevent reality-shattering secrets from falling into the wrong hands. Their actions will not only inadvertently expose magic to the public, but summon a foreign force intent on multiplying and leaving bodies in its wake. This escalating war leaves the skies thick with ash, restless thorns writhing on the ground, and black diamond marks of fear.
Other Projects
Hope those few insights into the novels were entertaining. I have several other projects in the works. These include a Diamonds and Thorns board/card game adaption with various expansions. I’m still designing the game mechanics but am confident that in a few months, we can begin working on a prototype…which means beta testing.
As you may know, for over a year I’ve written for the blog GeekToGeek (nine23blog.wordpress.com, not the dating site). Late last year, I was asked to take a leadership role, editor-in-chief. (Like I know anything about being an editor-in-chief. Bah.) As a part of a three step process to grow the group, we purchased a new domain and merged all of our articles to GeeksToGeeks.com. This last month marked the end of my major writing involvement with GeeksToGeeks so I can instead focus on successfully launching Aelathia and Diamonds and Thorns. Our readers do not have to worry, though, I’ll be back in the fall and will continue to cover The Quest, Avengers: Age of Ultron, and Jurassic World in limited capacity. I’ll also still be behind the scenes, which is why I’m thankful we added to our writing staff and to everyone for allowing me this break.
You can also find me as a guest panelist on The Quest Army Hangout, a Google+ hangout/talk show run by fans for fans with special guests from the ABC fantasy/reality blending TV show. Most recently I was on two episodes of the Hangout with Paladins Shondo and Jasmine, and I’m scheduled to appear on May 9th with Lord of the Rings, The Quest Executive Producer Mark Ordesky. You can find all the episodes on YouTube. They are recorded live, so please feel free to drop questions on Twitter at #TheQuestHangout. (If you tune in for the May 9th episode with Mark, you can catch me in the debut Rohirrim cosplay outfit…)
Conferences
‘Tis the season. This month I’m attending Writer’s Digest University Science Fiction/Fantasy Online Writing Conference and in July, I’ll be at the 2015 DFW Writer’s Conference. Wheelchair or motorized cart and all.
These conferences–and other online classes, webinars, or events–are all meant to help me network, launch my writing career, and continue to hone my craft. I’m eager to learn and it’s past time for me to take my novels to the next level. So, in the sage words of Gimli from Lord of the Rings: Return of the King, “What are we waiting for?”
Health
Hmm…this would be a reason for such delays. In all transparency, my health took a nose dive during the holidays. Shortly before that, we received a revised diagnosis that I do not have “spinal myoclonus” but a “poorly defined severe neurological disorder”. It’s caused me to redefine what I do, when, and how much. Like that pesky checking account that can go in the red if you spend more than is actually in the account, so is my energy and physical capacity level. It can’t stop me, but it can certainly slow me. I hope my summer-long break from GeeksToGeeks will enable me to rest in-between endeavors, recover my strength, and catch up on projects.
Giving up is never an option. Challenging myself, growing professionally and personally, and having fun being a husband, dad, friend, writer, and geek–that matters. This year is full of opportunities. It’s time.
“I’m going on an adventure!” – Frodo, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Musings of Aelathia 