I will begin the snippeting of Spheres of Influence pretty soon -- about two months before the eARC release on August 15th. So here's a teaser and preparation (which is, in fact, at the front of Spheres of Influence as well) ----- Previously in Grand Central Arena: The solar system of 2375, population fifty-five billion, approaches utopia as closely as most of humanity could imagine. The advent of efficient power harvesting, storage, and transmission of all kinds combined with nanoassembler systems called [ Continue reading... ]
Phoenix Rising: Deleted Chapter Five
May 1, 2013 By Leave a Comment
I believe this is the last of the deleted chapters. There were quite a few chapters ADDED during editing -- most prominently the ones with Xavier and Tobimar travelling together -- but I don't *think* there are any other fully deleted chapters. This chapter gave us a look at the training the two went through, and another look at the Justiciars, and set up the situation which actually begins Chapter 1 of the final book. ----- Chapter 12. Lighter blade parried greatsword with a chiming impact that [ Continue reading... ]
Phoenix Rising: Deleted Chapter 4
April 29, 2013 By Leave a Comment
They had called in outside help... ----- Chapter 4. "I am sorry, Victoria." The huge draconic creature's voice was soft. Kyri couldn't believe it. "But… nothing?" "Nothing, little Vantage." Toron's clawed talons slashed the air in his own anger. "I have used all my senses. I have spoken with all of note in this part of Evanwyl, from the Watchland and the Justiciars down to every living servant of the neighboring houses. I have meditated in prayer in the center of the wreckage, tasted the [ Continue reading... ]
Phoenix Rising: Deleted Early Chapter 3
April 26, 2013 By 1 Comment
This chapter introduced some of the concepts that pervade the story -- procedures of investigation that are similar to those seen today -- and also showed us the Justiciars as Kyri knew them. In terms of plot, this was some of the hardest material to lose (and the following chapter) because it established who the Justiciars were to Kyri and how they were seen prior to things going south. ----- Chapter 3. "No, Milady." Thornfalcon's face seemed even longer and sadder than usual beneath the silver-beaked helm. [ Continue reading... ]
Phoenix Rising: Deleted Early Chapter 2
April 24, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Continuing this glimpse into what was removed from the early drafts. As I mentioned, the main content of these is background and character information on Kyri and her life before the main action begins. ----- Chapter 2. Kyri stared numbly down at the remains of the front door; with cruel irony, the fire-charm on the door had remained intact, so the huge portals were unscorched, smeared only with water and soot from the rest of the mansion but otherwise marred only by the deep crescent-shaped gouges [ Continue reading... ]
Phoenix Rising: Deleted Early Chapter 1
April 22, 2013 By 2 Comments
The original draft of Phoenix Rising included several chapters which were cut, mainly because they slowed our approach to the main action of the book. The downside, in my view, was that we lost a glimpse at how Kyri became the way she was, and other characters' interactions with her before the main events. The only changes I've made to these chapters are titles and names which were changed for the published version. ----- Chapter 1. Kyri smiled at her little sister Urelle as she ran, zig-zag fashion, [ Continue reading... ]
HYPERION ORIGIN: Chapter 9
April 15, 2013 By 7 Comments
Well, you know, heroes aren't very much fun without some villains to bother them... ----- ix. He paused just before entering the huge glass-fronted office, checking his shadowy reflection in the doorway, making sure his hair was perfectly arranged, his hat just so, his white suit precisely as it should be. Appearances mattered, after all. He pushed the door open and walked in, long-legged stride accentuated by the clean lines of the suit. The secretary looked up and smiled. "Dr. Fairchild! Mr. [ Continue reading... ]
HYPERION ORIGIN: Chapter 8
April 12, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Well, something had gone wrong... let's see if they survived! ----- viii. "DuQuesne! DuQuesne! C'mon, Blackie, don't do this to me!" He was aware of aching pain, pain throughout his body, as though ever fiber of his being had been stretched out, pounded, stretched again, and wrapped around a bed of needles. Muzzily he forced one eye open, seeing Seaton standing… no, floating over him, dark circles under his friend's eyes making him look as though he'd gone rounds with someone twice his [ Continue reading... ]
HYPERION ORIGIN: Chapter 7
April 10, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Preparations were complete... ----- vii. "You okay, Rich?" The tone of his voice spoke volumes more than the simple words. "On the beam and in the green, Marc." Seaton looked at him from the other acceleration couch, duplicate bank of controls mirroring Marc's own. At DuQuesne's glance, he nodded. "Dot and I talked it out the last few days. She wasn't happy, but she's accepted we have to do this, and supports me. Don't worry. I'll pull my weight." "And more. Sorry to have asked [ Continue reading... ]
HYPERION ORIGIN: Chapter 6
April 8, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Our friends had made a few discoveries... ----- "Good Lord, Richard, it's huge!" Dorothy Vaneman looked with awe up at the immense battleship-gray hull that curved up and away into the sky, seeming to lean out over them ready to fall over at any minute. "I thought this was supposed to be a test vehicle, a little thing!" "Well, Miss Vaneman, neither of us are particularly small, so the ship's got to fit our needs," DuQuesne said with a smile. "I suppose you have a point, Dr. [ Continue reading... ]
What You’re Saying