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... ]
Under the Influence: The Arduin Grimoires
November 23, 2012 By 12 Comments
Back in the ancient days of roleplaying games, Dungeons and Dragons was pretty much the only game in town, a game consisting of three little booklets: Men & Magic, Monsters and Treasures, and The Underworld and Wilderness Adventures, followed a bit later with the supplements Greyhawk, Blackmoor, and Eldritch Wizardry. But one day, I joined a game with a GM – John Robb – who was using a new book: like the others, it was a staple-bound pamphlet-style book with a sort of buff-colored cover, on which was a warrior [ Continue reading... ]
Under the Influence: Robert E. Howard’s Conan the Barbarian
November 7, 2012 By 3 Comments
Know, O prince, that between the years when the oceans drank Atlantis and the gleaming cities, and the years of the rise of the Sons of Aryas, there was an Age undreamed of, when shining kingdoms lay spread across the world like blue mantles beneath the stars - Nemedia, Ophir, Brythunia, Hyperborea, Zamora with its dark-haired women and towers of spider-haunted mystery, Zingara with its chivalry, Koth that bordered on the pastoral lands of Shem, Stygia with its shadow-guarded tombs, Hyrkania whose riders wore steel and silk and [ Continue reading... ]
On My Shelves: Prince of Bryanae
September 4, 2012 By 25 Comments
Prince of Bryanae is a self-published novel that does everything right. It starts by having a fast-moving, well-written story as its core and reason for being, but in addition the author, Jeff Getzin, has gone those extra miles that, sadly, few self-published authors seem to realize are necessary; he has obviously had professionals provide him with editing and layout as well as a well-done cover painting, and the result is a fully professional novel that can sit proudly next to anything the big houses produce. I will admit [ Continue reading... ]
Phoenix Rising: Chapter 27
August 10, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Let's check in and see what our other heroes were up to... ----- SourceURL:file:///Macintosh%20HD/Original%20Writing/Kyrie/Phoenix%20RTF.rtf Chapter 27. The door to the meeting room crashed open, rebounding from the wall and being caught again by the massive scaled arm that had flung it wide. Poplock was the first to speak, as Tobimar found himself momentarily speechless at King Toron's fearsome snarl of anger. "Oh. Bad news again." The casual tone breached the [ Continue reading... ]
Phoenix Rising Chapter 26
August 8, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Well, Phoenix had succeeded... but not everyone had survived... ----- Chapter 26. "Good travels to you, ayr-kin," Tinna said quietly, as she lit the apex point of the Five-Fire under Kimsha's body, the point to the East and the rising sun. "May the One and the Four receive you well, and forgive you the missteps along the path and the misfortunes that led you to this end. Chromaias, receive Kimsha of Waycross in your House of the Five Ways; as he wished, so we have done." Kimsha's [ Continue reading... ]
Phoenix Rising Chapter 25
August 6, 2012 By Leave a Comment
This will be the last week of snippets, since the eARC is out. Next week I'll be back to doing more regular posts. Our heroine had travelled quite a ways... ---- Chapter 25. Kyri looked up at the looming mountains ahead of her. It wasn't the first mountain range she'd seen since leaving Zarathanton, but it was by far the most forbidding she'd ever faced. Of course, she admitted to herself, that might just be because I know what it is. Now, for the first time [ Continue reading... ]
eARC of Phoenix Rising is Now Available!!
August 3, 2012 By 2 Comments
Anyone who just can't wait to get to the end? Well, go here and buy the electronic Advance Reader's Copy of Phoenix Rising! For those unaware, an eARC is a near-finished version of the book (missing only last-minute galley proof edits, such as I'm working on now). It does include the cover image, maps, etc. that would be in the final printed version. And yes, it's expensive for an eBook. You're paying the premium to look at it before anyone else can. If you want the cheap version, you have to wait until November. :) [ Continue reading... ]
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