Rose

The youngest girl of five in what she remembers as a loving family before the Iron Fist reared its ugly head, Rose never saw herself as strong or a fighter.  Even though her father had once told her:  "A rose is delicate and beautiful, but when not handled with care will make you bleed," she has always relied on her big brother.  When the world falls apart he keeps her safe, does his best to teach her how to survive.  However when he is taken by the Iron Fist, she learns more than she expected.   Her struggles happen on so many levels throughout the story and has to deal with it while living among  a people who don't want her among them.

Writing Rose was empowering to me at the time.  My focus was driven by the energy that she discovers is inside her along with the last couple of chapters that were vivid in my mind.   The energy she unexpectedly finds opens her mind to hope just as quickly as the world continuously tries to remove it from her.  Even in this light at the end of the tunnel (so to speak), it teeters between good and bad.  The Syntai meditation is very similar to Tai Chi, but at a level more intense than I had/have achieved.   From the first day I began my practice of Tai Chi, my mind was opened to the flow of energy, and as I continued to learn and practice (seriously practice), I found serenity and fell in love with the flow of energy, which allowed me to write the Syntai meditation. I had not started training in martial arts yet, but from my Tai Chi experience and talking with martial arts students who came through my Tai Chi classes, it wasn't hard for me to see how powerful that energy could be.

Now, I have never endured the physical pains that Rose does (obviously), but looking back, mentally I was right along with her.  I suppose writing her story, her growth into a strength she wasn't aware of, and the mental strength that she has to re-find throughout the story reminded me on a subconscious level that even when it seems the punches never stop coming, you still keep getting up and you keep fighting.   At the time of writing this I did not see myself in the story at all, and honestly, it wasn't until the last couple of times that I read it did I begin to catch glimpses of me.   Maybe that's why I loved this story so much from the moment I wrote it, and why I still really enjoy it...  because to me it's still a story about a hope.

The Syntai

The Syntai people are an alien race who have peacefully integrated into human society.   They live in communities and each community is made of people who are healers, leaders, warriors, and those who were not gifted with any of these three traits.  In this story we meet Zatak who is a Warrior, Astam who is a Trast (a leader), Leeza who is a Sereeness (someone who contains a little of all the traits and a little more, which is a rarity).   One of my favorite aspects of the Syntai is that no matter who they are, they are respected by all.  The greatest warriors, leaders, and healers do not see themselves as any better than anyone else in their Community.  Those who are gifted do not order anyone around, instead their opinions and ideas are followed because of respect instead of a... hierarchy.  Unfortunately for the Syntai, as stated in the prologue, "through the history of human life, every so many years, there would be a war against a certain type of people - claiming they were dangerous and cruel."  It has been gender, color, race, age... and now it against the Syntai.

Zatak, my favorite Syntai, is a warrior that all others look up too.  He has protected his people for many years, and understands the importance of balance - that internal serenity is as important as knowing how to fight.  Because he has survived for so long, the desire to protect his people has rooted itself deep within him, and so has the importance of protecting the innocent no matter who they are.  And when Rose is brought to the Community he is furious, because she is his enemy and yet she is innocent.

Astam is the leader that everyone looks to for what the Community should do.  He too has lived a long life and proven himself to make the right decisions for the Syntai.   He too despises the humans for what they have done to his people, which causes him to not care if Rose is treated unfairly.  As you can imagine, if the leader who is most respected doesn't care what happens to Rose, the rest of the Community is going to see her as an outlet for the wrongs that have been placed upon them, not caring if she is innocent.

Leeza is special among her people.  In a way, she can do no wrong.   For example, even though she is responsible for Rose being brought into the Community, no one is angry with her or treats her any differently than they had before.  Leeza's childlike kindness and wonder, allows the other Syntai to understand why she does not treat Rose as an enemy or someone who can't be trusted.  This gives Rose a small amount of reprieve from the harshness of the Community.

The Cover

I've been struggling with what to share about this book because there are a lot of twists and turns (or at least I hope there are) so I'm sorry that I haven't blogged more about this book.   However the cover art is always a great topic.  As I said before, I don't just slap art on the front of my book, because I've always been disappointed when the cover has no ties to the story.  So this cover has a lot to do with the story.  (I've written about this before, so I apologize to those of you who have read about this cover already.)

The reason Rose's whole back is showing because it was important to me that she isn't hiding from all that happened.  It was never intended for people to think she's naked, sorry my brain doesn't think that way.  (I've always liked when I'm reading a story and something grabs my attention because I realize that's why it's in the cover art or after I read the book I look at the cover and think "oh, that's cool" or "I get it".)  As I've already said there are a lot of horrible things that happen to her.  Most of my female leads go through a lot, but Rose's story is probably the worst (possibly second to Sasha from "Huntsman's Daughter".  Although Sahsa's horrible stuff is on a whole different level - an adult story.)   Also, the fact that Rose is not centered on the cover allows the eye to see that there is light shining upon her, which I feel is important.  Almost as much as the fact that Rose is looking away from the light.   The silver circles, the gash on her neck, and the one on her lower back happen relatively early in the story.  The imperfect black zig-zagging lines happen a little later in the story, but are more important to the story than the two gashes.

Writing "Not Human"

I woke up one morning vaguely remembering the last few moments of a dream.   It was the imagery from that dream that inspired my conscious thought for this book.  I would tell you about it, but the part I honed in on is the end of this story.  Even though the image was so vivid, I didn't start writing right away.  It seems to me that it was a week or two later.   As the story began to strengthen in my thoughts, it found inspiration from something I had read earlier in the year.  It was the first chapter of a book by another indie author.  The book was about Zombies - normally I would never have picked it up, zombies are not something I'm interested in, but I like checking out books by other Indie-authors.  I didn't read more than that one chapter, however what I read kind of stuck with me.  No there are no Zombies in "Not Human", like I said I have no interest in them...  Well, except "iZombie".  (That was a clever show, I don't know how I almost forgot about it.)   Anyways,  the scene in the book creeped me out a little - which was why I didn't read more than the one chapter.  However, it has become quite evident that just because I don't like something, doesn't mean my brain won't create an idea from it.  Which is what happened.  It took the scene, twisted and turned it until it came up with its own scene helping the beginning of "Not Human" to unfold. 

Of all my stories, this one is the darkest.  I hadn't thought so when I wrote it, nor after I re-read it again and again.  In fact, it wasn't until last fall. (Yes, I was reading it again.  I love the story, and when I love a story I always go back and read the book again - which is something that happens with every book I've published.)  When I finished, I looked at my daughter and said "that's a dark story."  She stared back at me and replied, "You didn't think so before?" and I shook my head.  I really hadn't.   It was at the top of my favorites, still is.  Which is strange because it definitely has a Dystopian feel to it.  My daughter insists that it is Dystopian.  To me it's just another story that I wrote that I like to read.  Although, I have to admit she's right - by definition Dystopian is: relating to or denoting an imagined state or society where there is great suffering or injustice.  And there is definitely suffering and injustice in this book.  However, to me, "Not Human" is a story of hope.

Another thing about writing "Not Human" is that it was highly influenced by Tai Chi.  While this story was finding its voice, the images would surface while I was practicing Tai Chi.  A lot of what I was learning integrated itself into the story, both the martial art and the meditation.  I had only been practicing about three years which is nothing in the grand scheme of things, but my mind was heard the whispers of the possibilities, the depths of the discipline, and the strength found in the energy that flows and connects while practicing.    

Music?  Yes, music had a part in the writing of this book.  One song in particular, but it came later.  I had already started writing "Not Human", and I was in the car listening to the radio when "Far Away", by Nickleback came on.  The song was only a few lines in when an image played out.  The feelings which were evoked by the scene allowed me to never lose sight of where this story was going, it became the shining light of hope.  Every time I hear "Far Way", even if it's just a piece of it, my soul connects to the heart of the story - and most times it makes me want to read the book again.
 

Not Human

This month I will be writing about "Not Human".  I know the month has already started, but I don't want to put it off.  (I did get a tad distracted by the new story I started, which is close to finished.  I am also sending Story 16 to the copyright office as soon as I fix a couple of things!  I am hoping to have the cover done so I can have it at the Heritage Festival next month, but the cover is still giving me some difficulties.  If I don't have it done for that, it will definitely be finished for the Romeo HS show November 9th!)   

Here are the basic things about "Not Human":

Genre: Adventure/Fantasy/Young Adult 

Age: 13 and up.
(There is suggestive language and mild violence so it's a parental choice. My kids really enjoyed the adventure and characters as do all my fans which spread across the spectrum from preteen to seniors)

Published: 2013

What it's about: 

Here's the official blurb: 

• Short: One tragic event leads me to a Syntai commune. Here I discover there are secrets that are darker than the world around me.

• Long: In my fight for survival, my attempt to fit in, my desire to not become a horrific person I discovered that there are truths to my past that had been hidden from me, secrets that I was never supposed to learn. They thought they could manipulate me by preying upon my human weaknesses - my compassion, my need to belong, my desire to be loved. They expected the betrayal to cause me to kill for them. 
  
  My name is Rose Tronst and as my father once stated: A rose is delicate and beautiful, but when not handled with care will make you bleed.  

Who: 
Shadow/Rose
Leeza
Zatak
Adam

Where:
This story takes place on Earth.  

I think that covers the blah blah blah part of the book, if you have questions or want more information feel free to ask.  😊

Cover for Darkness

The cover for Darkness was originally going to be a black cover with only the title.  Not because I couldn't come up with a cover, but because it suited the book...  I thought anyways.   However, since I decided that the eyes of fire should be on all the covers of "The Shadow Dragon" books, I brained stormed a little more.  And came up with what is seen below:

As I've said before, I like to make my covers from pieces of the book.  The black background is in representation of the Shadow Dragon - whose skin is so dark that it absorbs all light.  Obviously, the eyes of fire are of great significance.   The lightening and mist symbolize two powerful beings.  Both of which have a great impact on the story.  The lightening is from the Eldest dragon, and the mist represents the power of a person whom I never expected to become so important to the story, who has become powerful because of those beyond the mortal world.  And the significance of the grey lettering is because, as Darkness is unleashed upon the world, the chances of light being extinguished seems inevitable.

Writing "Darkness"

When I finished "Aleksertac," I did not realize that I would ever hear from Sonia or anyone in "The Shadow Dragon" again.  (There is a reason I never put "the end" when I finish a story, and this is it.)  My oldest son and I were listening to a song by Imagine Dragons, "Radioactive".  And I was commenting on how this was one of the few times that I could actually say that I liked a band since I was in high school.  I usually only like songs.  On a side note:  Evanescence and One Republic are probably the only others in recent time: Evanescence because the music put into words how I felt, and One Republic because I admire that they used piano and strings in their music.   So what does this have to do with "Darkness"?  Well, my son (who also really likes Imagine Dragons too) says this is one of my favorites and puts on "Demons".    As the song played, I saw what I can only explain as what would be a trailer for this book if it were a movie, and it took my breath away.  My mind couldn't let it go, and within the week I continued writing "The Shadow Dragon" story.

Now when I first started this story I was focused on a certain part of the story, which happens often.  However this time, characters from Aleksertac - who at the time I had no idea were going to be a bigger part of the story - reappeared with a strong presence in my mind.  Kind of like Percy from "Orbs of Fire" became important character in "Aleksertac"...  and yes, he remains important in this book as well.  Todd, Callie, and the Alpha (the Ortal from "Orbs of Fire") are example of characters that I didn't expect to hear from again.  Percy, Marty, Ceeaira, and Phillip, I did expect.  And then there's this new guy, the Sorcerer, who was just suppose to be a bit part, but instead I realized because of this "bit part" in the story, he changed everything, made a bigger part for himself, and extended the story, leading me to believe this was going to be two books.   However, after letting a few people read what I thought would be book three they gave me their opinions. It was unanimous that I should make it one big book.  I re-read book 3 and I agreed.  There was so much build up and no resolution.  I knew there was another book coming, but...  the story read better by making the two manuscripts one book.  And as far as the title went, it worked out beautifully for me.

One of my favorite things that happened while I wrote "Darkness" was that I had set up all kinds of little foreshadowings in the first two books that are discovered in this book.  One in particular - the one that left me in awe - is how Aleksertac communicates.   Personally, I've always loved re-reading books to find the bread crumbs that an author puts in their books, but read right over, or misinterpreted, because I didn't know any better in the first read through.  I just never expected to be so surprised by a book I was writing, but I was.  Once I realized what was going on, I was happily blown away...  Excited is probably a better word.

Writing "Darkness" was a fun and exciting adventure, but not all of it came easy.  I had struggles with how I wanted to write in a few important events in the timeline of Sonia's life.  Plus there's always at least one someone who likes to change how I wanted to write their story.   I really do love the end product of "Darkness", of the trilogy as a whole.  And I am still extremely grateful that my son made me listen to "Demons".

Darkness (Book 3 of "The Shadow Dragon")

The book this month is "Darkness", which is the third book of "The Shadow Dragon".   Here are the basic things about this book:

Genre: Adventure/Fanatsy/Young Adult

Age: 10 and up.
(I let my kids read them when they were 10. There is suggestive language and mild violence so it's a parental choice. My kids really enjoyed the adventure and characters as do all my fans which spread across the spectrum from preteen to seniors)

Published: 2016

What it's about: 

Here's the official blurb: 

• Short: I thought I understood the difference between good and evil, and that my knowledge of the sword would keep me safe. I couldn't have been more wrong. Aleksertac has been crucial to my survival this far, but will his power be strong enough to protect me from the rising number of enemies? I want to believe we can survive, but how long can Light endure Darkness?

• Long: I thought I understood the difference between good and evil, and that my knowledge of the sword would keep me safe. However, my eyes have been opened to those who want to rid the world of me, and nothing is how it seemed. I never could have imagined that there was more to fear than Ceeaira and Marty, but in the wake of Aleksertac’s vow, the dangers have increased ten fold. The Ancients, the Dark Forces, the dragons, and all who want a piece of what Aleksertac now covets are becoming bolder, and alliances are being made. My skills and determination have already been put to the test. How much longer can I really survive in a world with creatures that contain abilities I have never imagined? Aleksertac has been crucial to my survival this far, but will his power be strong enough to fight against them all? Will my spirit have the strength to survive the power that resides within him? I want to believe we can survive, but how long can Light endure Darkness?

Who: 

Sonia
Aleksertac
Vertas
The Sorcerer
Alpha
Todd
Marty
Phillip
Percy
Ceeaira

Where:
This story takes place on a world of sword tournaments, and where dragons are thought to only exist in stories.  

I think that covers the blah blah blah part of the book, if you have questions or want more information feel free to ask.  

Sonia

I have been told that Sonia is less confident in "Aleksertac".  Perhaps, but I feel it is warranted.  My extended family and I have had discussions, but to me she is too relatable.   Yes, she is amazingly strong and confident in "Orbs of Fire", but it's because she believes she understands her world, her situation, who she is, and all that goes with that.  In times like these, who isn't a confident warrior.  Especially when you have a friend like Alex by your side.

In "Aleksertac", we already know that her world has changed so much already.  Now, there's even more that she discovers, and it takes its toll.   For this reason, she is more vulnerable.  She has so much to deal with, much of which she doesn't understand, and not because she was wearing rose-colored-glasses before, but because there's more at work than she could have ever imagined - that all mortal men and women no nothing about - and now she has to figure out how to survive.  She is so lost, and the one person who had always been her fortitude is gone.

Aleksertac tries to help her, but that causes more complications, adding even more difficulty to her life.  He has secrets, and despite his best efforts he cannot keep her from the truth.  Plus there's Marty and Phillip who clearly have plans for her that she doesn't not want any part of. And then add in the new creatures like the Troskla who can immobilize a person and use their victim's fears to torture them until the person dies.  And creatures we've already met like the Ortal, who have already done harm to her before.  Not to mention the Ancients.

Even when she finds a family to stay with.  A family who takes care of her and shows her kindnesss and the strength of family.  Sonia still cannot escape the path she is on.  She continues to have to battle against what she doesn't understand.  There are still dark creatures that cross her path, nightmare-ish dreams that disturb her sleep, and creatures that no one - or any story - has told her about that continue to end up in front of her.

So, yes, maybe Sonia's character is less confident, but I personally know: changes that rock your world in a bad way set you back, and no matter how hard you fight, another blow always seems ready to land.  And Sonia is dealing with more than mortal men and women problems.  

When writing Sonia, I didn't make her fictional, I kept her real.  And it is in her vulnerability, I see that she is stronger than people give her credit for.

Writing Percy

We met Percy in "Orbs of Fire"  - a reclusive blacksmith, whom Alex considers a friend.  We know at this encounter that he is not an ordinary man because of his cat like eyes and ability to create swords that empower the user.  So it shouldn't be of any surprise that Sonia's path crosses his again.  One of my favorite parts of Percy is that he says what's on his mind, which most other people in the story don't appreciate, and he doesn't always understand why he shouldn't have said something.  I think Lord Vertas describes Percy perfectly when he says: “Percy’s gift has allowed him to have a remarkable reputation, despite his personality.”  

The thing about Percy is that he is aware of so much, and there isn't much that intimidates him.  Not the Ortal, not the Troskla (creatures that gets introduced in this book), not the Ancients, and definitely not a mortal.  In fact, the only thing he does fear is Aleksertac, but that doesn't mean he cowers when he feels strongly enough about something.  A great quality for him to have, but it is probably going to cause trouble later.    

 In this book he is aiding Aleksertac in the protection of Sonia, even though he doesn't entirely agree with it.  However, one does not argue with a dragon like Aleksertac.  Percy keeps things light-hearted, but we get glimpses of his strength and his frustrations with Aleksertac, but also his loyalty.  Which I think makes him a fun and interesting guy.   I don't want to go into too much detail incase you haven't read this book yet.   I bring him up because even though he's not a main character, he is important to the story.  

Cover for Aleksertac

For once I knew exactly what I wanted on the cover for "Aleksertac".  The problem was, that I could not draw a dragon worthy of publication.  Lucky for me, I know a very talented artist. I asked him if he would draw a dragon for me, and he did.  So here was the original cover:

A beautifully drawn dragon by Mike Kirsten.  I love the head and claws.  It is not exactly how I see Aleksertac, but it definitely gets the message across that this story is about a powerful dragon. The problem with this cover was that after I wrote book three:"Darkness",  I desperately wanted the three covers to have a familiarity between each book.  I had designed book three with the orbs of fire, and obviously book one ("Orbs of Fire") had the orbs of fire on it.  So naturally the best thing to do was redesign the cover for book two by adding the orbs of fire on it as well, thus giving something to help the readers know that the three books went together.   

Here is the updated cover:

Changing the dragon was not an option.  I love it too much.  Plus by adding the orbs of fire not only does it connect it to "Orbs of Fire" and "Darkness", but now the question is, is there more than one dragon.  I wanted to keep the font the same between the three books as well, so since I changed it on book one, I decided to change it on book two.  Plus, there is dragon fire in this book that changes the dynamic in Sonia's world even more.   A world that she has discovered is more than just men and women.

If you happen to get the paperback, the cover is a little different because I have the dragon across the entire cover as pictured below:

My favorite and least favorite thing about a paperback is designing the whole cover.  This one worked out really awesome, but sometimes I'm at a loss of what to do on the back.
(Go figure, me struggling with a cover.  I know)

Writing Book 2 "Aleksertac"

"Aleksertac" was published three months after "Orbs of Fire".  This was not because I wrote "Aleksertac" and had it edited in less than three months (that did not happen).  It was because, when I wrote "Orbs of Fire", I had continued into "Aleksertac" without knowing it.  I had let my cousin Teresa read an unfinished draft, and her opinion was that I should make it two books because the first section of what I had written was building up to the Tournament, so for the story to continue past the Tournament made the story seem anticlimactic.   When I re-read it, I was in agreement.  I did not want to take away from the Tournament, and I didn't exactly know where the next section was going. Not to mention, "Orbs of Fire" can stand quite well on its own - which is evident by how many people love this story. I don't remember how far I had written into book two when Teresa pointed this out to me, but I had a ways to go before it was finished.  However, creating a cover and coming up with the title and subtitle for book one, allowed me time to complete book 2, making it possible for the release to be just a few months later.

Unlike some of my books, Aleksertac's secret was known to me before I started writing "Orbs of Fire".  It was actually the inspiration that caused me to begin writing "Orbs of Fire", and is probably the reason I didn't realize I had two books instead of one.  I had been so busy getting to this particular secret that I didn't realize I had completed book one.  Which was unlike my first two published stories where with "Taken" I had written the whole story and split it into two, and "Solace" where I didn't even know there was going to be a book two. 

Despite that I knew Aleksertac's secret, there were still several things that came as a surprise while I was writing it.   A couple of examples: how big of a part Percy ends up taking, how a dragon is "born", who Phillip's mother is and his part in the story, and the introduction of a few character's that end up being more powerful than I had expected (in book three)...  the list goes on, but you get the point.  

Aleksertac (Book 2 of "The Shadow Dragon")

So now, where we're we?  Ah yes, "The Shadow Dragon" series.   I might go back to Orbs of Fire, but right now I'm going to move to Aleksertac.  So here is the blah blah blah stuff:

Here are the basic things about this book:

Genre: Adventure/Fanatsy/Young Adult

Age: 10 and up.
(I let my kids read them when they were 10. There is suggestive language and mild violence so it's a parental choice. My kids really enjoyed the adventure and characters as do all my fans which spread across the spectrum from preteen to seniors)

Published: 2012

What it's about: 

Here's the official blurb: 

• Short: Even after everything I have been through - all the training, all the effort I put into getting in the Tournament - the outcome came as a surprise. What happens next is anything but a dream come true. 

• Long: Even after everything I have been through - all the training, all the effort I put into getting in the Tournament - the outcome came as a surprise. What happened next was anything but a dream come true. After seeing the forest burst into flame where I last saw Alex, my journey takes an unexpected turn and I discover that my life and existence now falls upon a dragon’s desire. But will the knowledge that comes from the dragon’s secrets prolong my life, or result in a fate worse than death?

Who: 
Sonia

Alex

Marty

Phillip

Percy

Ceeaira

Where:
This story takes place on a world of sword tournaments, where dragons are thought to only exist in stories.  

I think that covers the blah blah blah part of the book, if you have questions or want more information feel free to ask.  

My apologies

I am sorry that it has been so long since I wrote a post.  I suppose if you normally follow me, it hasn't been that long.  However, I set out to talk about a book a month, and geez, I blew it again.  Although this time, life just got out of control.  December was so busy, and wresting season was well on its way (my middle son is a senior, which make this is his last season and he's been pretty amazing on the mat).  January came and it felt like everything was falling apart (If I'm being honest, it started coming undone in November, but I avoided it/perhaps denial/ just couldn't deal with it) financially, emotionally, automobile-ly, along with a lot of little things that just don't fit into a category, and then to top if off, I had some random virus mess with my head.  After about five days, I caught myself saying "its all in my head, but for real".  It made me laugh, but it was true.  Everything that was keeping me in bed was in my head.  It was like all of my senses were off and it was making me tired, nauseous, and not much fun at all.  I have never dealt with anything like it.   I imagine the little bugger was floating on by and thought, "Hey, since your down and struggling, allow me to let you have something special."   It hit me on a Tuesday night.  I couldn't even look at my computer screen until Friday and even then it wasn't for more than a half hour.  By Sunday though, I was able to continue working on a new book I started rather recently (the first draft is 50,000 words already, and I think I'm almost to the end), and by Wednesday I was almost back to me.   

Anyways, I am sorry for my lack of blogging.  Hopefully everything has found its positive course and I can get back to the dojo, being laid back and cheerful me, and most importantly writing - not just with my stories, but here as well!  😁

Cover for "Orbs of Fire"

Creating the cover for this book was so easy and yet so difficult.  Once I had decided on the title and subtitle I knew exactly what I wanted to do for the cover - obviously, the cover would be the Orb of Fire.   I published two other attempts at orbs of fire before I created the one that you see now.  I kept trying to use photos of fire (in my head that was the perfect way to do it).  Each attempt was close, but not at all the way I had envisioned.  (Apparently, fire is not the same as what I envisioned.  I was a little disheartened, but it didn't suck.)   I was actually working on another project when I stumbled onto how to create what I wanted, and even then I did not expect it to turn out so perfectly.  (So much fun making fire from scratch)

 Below are the three covers:

Above is my first attempt, using a picture of fire.

Above is my second attempt, using a picture of fire and then highlighting the brighter tones and darkening the redder tones.

Above is the final cover, which I created from scratch and am most proud of!

Writing Alex

I see Alex so clearly in my head that I never questioned if I wrote him right or wrong.  Everything from his black hair and goatee to his confident demeanor to his kindness towards Sonia and her family.  Alex is known throughout Lord Vertas' land.  There is no one in the land whose skills with a sword rival his.   Even Lord Vertas has great respect for him.  So much so that Alex is able to persuade him from killing Sonia's father.

I love Alex for his skills, his patience with Sonia, his ease at dealing with people, his desire for Sonia to become the best swordsman she can, and his wisdom.  One of my favorite interactions between him and Sonia is when he is practicing with her.  He keeps her on her toes and pushes her to be her best, but continuously says "dead" when the bout is over.  Dead meaning she has lost, because if it had been a real fight, she would be dead.

After Sonia's encounter with the Ortal and orbs of fire, Alex notices things have changed.  It doesn't prevent him from helping her attain her goal, but the reality of what is going on becomes hard to ignore.  And the things that were hidden, and had gone unnoticed, begin to seep into their mentor/student relationship, changing the dynamic between them.  Just one more unexpected thing to add to what should have been a simple journey of getting Sonia to the Tournament.

Writing Sonia

Sonia is a strong young woman whose mother disappeared when she was very young.  Her father (Jack) raised her and her sister (Krissy) the best he could.   She has spent almost her whole life learning the way of the sword.  It is a passion that blossomed inside of her the first day she saw Alex practicing in a field alone.  It is a passion that her father has tried to forbid her from having.  A passion that her sister doesn't understand and despises.  It is a passion that no one in her village thinks she should follow.  Sonia, however, doesn't care what anyone else thinks.  One of the reasons she strives to be the best is because she wants to protect her family.  Even though the of her mother's disappearance is a mystery, Sonia refuses to believe that her family will be safe if she were to follow in her sister's footsteps - being a "proper" lady, wearing dresses, and searching for a husband.

Sonia has a strong will and passionate heart, which is what intrigued Alex.  Despite Jack's wishes for his daughter to not take part in learning how to use a sword, Alex encourages her and takes her to her first Tournament.  (The Tournaments is a platform for anyone who is skilled with a sword to compete for riches and a special gift from Lord Vertas.)  It is at that Tournament that her obsession roots itself in her.  She is a young child when she attends, but she knows she is going to take part and win one day.  Her resolve to never be helpless, to be the best swordsman, to always have the strength to protect her family becomes unwavering.   Even when she encounters the orbs of fire.

As with most stories I write, Sonia encounters more than one person should have to.   And unfortunately, the things she encounters are not what she is prepared for.  First the Ortal (creatures rumored to hate trespassers and are able to tear people into pieces) followed immediately by the orbs of fire.  From that moment on, Sonia's eyes are opened to a world she had never considered existed.   With the Tournament quickly approaching, everything around her seems to be trying to prevent her from doing so.  Her determination to be in the Tournament keeps her focused.  It's all she's ever wanted, and nothing's going to keep her away.

Plus, with a mentor like Alex in her corner, I wouldn't lose sight of my goal either.  😉

Writing "Orbs of Fire"

"Orbs of Fire" was born from a dream I had one night while I was camping with my family at Hartwick Pines State Park.  I had no intention of writing a new story.  However, I woke up one morning early in the week, clinging to a small piece of the dream I had awakened from.  Not able to release the pictures in my head, I hurried out of the tent, made myself some hot chocolate, and started writing.  I spent the rest of the week, when everyone else was just sitting around camp, writing.  I think I wrote fifty pages during the rest of our stay.   It's crazy to me how my brain took the details of the dream and created a story with dragons, swords, and a tournament - none of which was in the dream.  The love story part is pretty much the only part that I can attach to the dream I had.   One small idea made everything so vivid in my mind: Alex's black hair and dark eyes, Sonia's determination, the fire in the orbs of the Shadow Dragon, each dark creature that Sonia encounters, Storm...

When I sat down to write "Orbs of Fire" I had no idea how much the story would grow.  It had originally seemed it was all about getting Sonia to the Tournament.  (Which had almost been the title of this book... Well, it was going to have Tournament in the title.)  However, by the time I had finished Orbs of Fire, it was clear that this story was about more than just Sonia's journey to the Tournament.  I just didn't know how much until I wrote the end of the Tournament and the story continued.  My cousin was reading this book for me in one of the many drafts and she pointed out that even though the story continued, the book shouldn't go beyond the Tournament, otherwise the Tournament seemed insignificant, and it wasn't.  So taking her opinion into account, I re-read the story and agreed.  Which, I'll admit, was nice to have book one finished and book two well on its way to being finished.

One of the coolest things for me about writing 'The Shadow Dragon" was I really wasn't a reader of dragon books.  I believe the only dragon book I had read was "Eragon", by Christopher Paolini (and that was years ago).  The only reason I had read that one was because I saw the movie and had a hundred questions after watching it.  I like to say the movie is a great trailer for the book.  Anyways,  the fact that "The Shadow Dragon" was in my head at all blew me away.  I mean sword tournaments, dragons, lord's, Ancients...  Not my realm at all.  Or so I thought, but "The Shadow Dragon" trilogy is a fan favorite, proving me wrong once again.

The month of November: "The Shadow Dragon: Orbs of Fire"

This month I will be writing about "The Shadow Dragon: Orbs of Fire".  This was not my third story I wrote, it's actually Story 5. It is, however, the third book I published.  😊

Here are the basic things about this book:

Genre: Adventure/Fanatsy/Young Adult

Age: 10 and up.
(I let my kids read them when they were 10. There is suggestive language and mild violence so it's a parental choice. My kids really enjoyed the adventure and characters as do all my fans which spread across the spectrum from preteen to seniors)

Published: 2012

What it's about: 

Here's the official blurb: 

• Short: Before the sun rises, Sonia comes face to face with creatures that few have ever lived to talk about. She has been training since she was a child and knows she will fight to survive the encounter. Nothing could have prepared her for the orbs of fire that appear, burning bright against the darkness that surrounds them, nor the journey that is laid out before her

• Long: When I was a child Alex took me to a Tournament, and ever since then I have been driven to become the greatest swordsman in all of Lord Vertas’ land. Alex taught me that to be a noteworthy swordsman I would have to train every day and endure the adversity of the world around me. However when orbs of fire make their presence known to me, my eyes are opened to a world that I didn’t know existed. A world where there are more than just mortals attempting to influence my future. Now, I must discover what is really important…if it’s not too late.  

Who: 
Sonia

Alex

Marty

Phillip

Where:
This story takes place on a world of sword tournaments, where dragons are thought to only exist in stories.  

I think that covers the blah blah blah part of the book, if you have questions or want more information feel free to ask.  

A personal achievement

Over the weekend I tested and received my yellow sash.  One step closer to become more like the awesome women I write about. 😊  It was such an accomplishment for me, one that I worked hard  for, one that until about a year ago I never thought would become a part of my life.  (I should have known better since I love Tai Chi so much.) Ranking up hasn't ever been one of my goals - as long as I'm learning and improving, that is my goal - and I not prepared for how proud I was going to feel after I tested.  I am a student at the School for Marital Arts, and it is such a perfect fit into my life.  It is helping me become stronger inside and out.  The outside I had expected, and the inside I should have given how much Tai Chi has impacted me, but I didn't.  The instructors there are a beautiful blend of wisdom, strength, serious, and humor.  I remember as a kid, my sister had this poster which said, "There is nothing as strong as true gentleness, and nothing as gentle as real strength."  It was probably one of the first quotes I had ever read that grabbed tight to my heart, and I am pretty positive that it comes out in my writing.   The instructors at this Dojo, they embody this.  

Before I became a student, my daughter was a student (still is), and Mr. Donahue said to the Wushu class, "Better to be a warrior in a garden than a gardener in a war."  And I knew in that moment she was in the right place.  Every time I hear that quote it resonates within me.  I am not a fighter, but I have discovered through my practice that the strength to be if I needed it is there, and I am inspired to work hard to strengthen it.  Along with the strenuous physical test for yellow sash, we also had to write a paper (hopefully one day I will post it).  I almost think the paper was more stressful than the actual test.  I know, I'm a writer, it should have been easy.  However, there was so much that needed to be said, and it would seem that I can write either a few sentences or thousands of words, but I was supposed to write two pages.  Two pages to sum up my passion and everything that Marital Arts has done for me, why I continue to practice.  It was very similar to trying to write the blurb for each book I write.  It feels so impossible. However I did write it (shrunk the font a little to fit it on two pages).  One of the things I realized while writing was that it is the people in my stories that helped draw me in.  Marital Arts has slowly rooted itself in me over the last nine years, proving to me that the universe is patient and wise. [Of all the things that inspired me: my writing, Tai Chi, Mediation, it was my daughter that was the biggest inspiration].  I am in awe of how I have written Martial Arts into my books with so little knowledge of it, and I am even more amazed how stepping into the practice is actually helping me become the person I want to be. The writing of strong warriors and the balance that they find, it is a full circle.  Was it in me all this time, or the people in my stories?   I'm sure I'll never know, but I am glad to be at this point, and I am excited to see where this path takes me next.

A scene in "Solace: Lost" created by music

Opposite of my last post, this scene was truly inspired by music.  I wasn't struggling to write it, or need help.  In fact, I wasn't to this particular part of the story yet.  And when the idea came to mind, I wasn't sitting at my computer.   I was in my car driving to a spot I like to hike.  I was listening to one of the CD's that I made from my iTunes music, looking forward to my walk in the woods, watching the road (it was a dirt road and it had rained recently).   I wasn't even thinking about the story, but as the music started playing, my thoughts slid into what is known in the book as the Tamisa.  [The Tamisa is an event that happens on the (Zarran world) where the universe provides answers to the Zarran's questions that they have, to help them chose the right path, and help them see the person that is most important to them (their soulmate).] Everyone in the Zarran village gathers, those with questions or seeking their soulmate move to the center of those that have gathered,  and when the Tamisa begins, a rhythm is felt within each of them.  So here I am in my car and the song "Santa Maria (Del Buen Ayre)", by Gotan Project, begins and this whole amazing image moves through my mind.

To my amazement, the song that played next on my CD continued the story.

In the space between one song ending and the other beginning the universe provides Karissa with the information that she yearns for, but before she can decide how to digest it, the moment is interrupted.  And this is when the next song begins: "Secrets", by One Republic.  The interruption brings reality back to Karissa and she runs from the Tamisa, refusing to acknowledge the truth she had been shown.  As the song, plays I can vividly see her running through the forest and falling with emotions I can feel: sadness, confusion, and frustration.   Jack finds her here, hoping to help Karissa accept what the universe has shown her.   She falls back on the one thing that has always protected her and unleashes it all on him, discovering something that can no longer be ignored.

I so want to share more about this scene, but I don't want to spoil it for those of you who haven't read "Solace".   It's a part of the story that I hope those who have read the books, love as much as I do.  😊

Music for a scene in Solace: Lost

As I said last month, music did have an impact on a couple of scenes in "Solace Lost".

In an important scene in the story, I was stuck.  I had "Lost" written up to a point near the end and I had the end completed, which means there was a bridge that I needed to write. I call it a bridge, because I need to get from one place to another where clearly something is missing - there is a gap.   Anyways, the bridge I had to write eluded me, and it drove me crazy.  I knew what I wanted to happen in that scene, but I could not see it clearly.  It took a few days before it dawned on me that I should put some music on.  Yep, that was all it took.  Once I found the right combination of songs, it didn't take me long to put the scene into words.  The songs I played over and over to write it were:

• "Smack my Bitch Up", by Prodigy  
• "Killing in the name of", by Rage against the Machine
• "Whatever", by Godsmack
• "Bodies", by Drowning Pool
• "Living Dead Girl", Rob Zombie

Yes, the scene is a fight scene.    The Prodigy song was probably reeated the most because of the way the song slowly and picks back up...  it helped make the sunset and its affect on Karissa much more vivid. I'd love to tell you about it, but I don't want to spoil it.  I think by the time the reader gets to this part of the story, maybe even before, they are wanting this battle. 

Writing "Solace: Lost"

Writing "Lost" only took me a week longer to write than "Uncharted Territories" (and it is almost twice as long).    It's funny to me how easy it was to write Solace compared to my other stories.  Not that my other stories have been difficult, it's just there's are so many other things I get distracted by.  And I don't mean non-writer world stuff, which does get in the way sometimes, but not nearly as much as with my other stories.  I like telling people the voices in my head directs me to where I write next.  (The voices being the people in my other stories)  It sounds crazy, I know, but...  it is what it is.   The reason I tell you this is so I can share what I think is funny about how quickly I wrote Solace.   When I think about it, it's rather fitting that Karissa's story was never interrupted while I was writing it.  Not one other voice tried to be heard.  And I think that it's because she is  the strongest and most stubborn female (main female) that I've written.   Which leads me to my theory that she kept all the voices of my other stories at bay until I finished.  I mean she is that badass. (Forgive my language.)  

Another interesting fact about writing "Lost": When I had finished writing book one, I didn't have a book two in mind.  I realize the end of "Uncharted Territories" leaves opportunity for a book two, and I remember thinking it would be cool to write more, but "Lost" wasn't even a glimmer of a thought.    I finished and published "The Shadow Dragon: Orbs of Fire", wrote and published "The Shadow Dragon: Aleksertac" before I wrote and published "Solace: Lost".  

The sub-title "Lost" came much easier to me than "Uncharted Territories".   With all that Karissa's been through she has always known what she had to do.  Then she met Jack.  Now that she has gone through uncharted territory, her reality has changed so much.  And even though she knows what she wants to do, she isn't sure how to accomplish it.  She is faced with bouts of weakness because Tania (one of her older sister's) had poisoned her, things she doesn't comprehend because she wasn't raised around them, and confronted with things - good and bad - that she never imagined she would.   And to make everything worse her compass of what needs to get done so she survives, has been broken by a creature named Jack, leaving her...  Lost.    

• Plus, I love how well going into uncharted territories leads right into being lost.

😊

Month of October: Solace(book2): Lost

This month I will continue with Solace and focus on book 2 "Solace: Lost".

Here are the basic things about this book:


Genre: Adventure/Fanatsy/Young Adult

Age: 10 and up.(I let my kids read them when they were 10. There is suggestive language and mild violence so it's a parental choice. My kids really enjoyed the adventure and characters as do all my fans which spread across the spectrum from preteen to seniors)


Published: 2013


What it's about: 
Here's the official blurb: 

• Short: When I met Jack, my life changed in a way that I hadn’t expected. By using the one thing that I was raised to believe was evil, he gained me my freedom. I have no idea what will happen now, but I do know that I must protect Jack from my sisters, from Omatha, and most importantly…me.

• Long: Lost is something Karissa has never been…until she met Jack. He awakened a truth that Omatha had never allowed, causing Karissa to enter into uncharted territory. Even with all her experience she is left struggling to find her way. She cannot fathom the events that have occurred. Events that have left her struggling with an inflicted weakness, battling those who want to collect the bounty on her life, fighting against a new evil, and through it all trying to figure out how she can keep Jack safe. Will Karissa be able to protect Jack from the evils that are hunting her without destroying him herself?

Who: 
Karissa: Omathan/Zarran (female)
Jack: Human (male)
Omatha: Omathan (female)
Sarsa: Omathan (female)
Torrel: Zarran (male)
Stazta: Zarran (Female)
Marsel: Zarran (Male)
Rekusa: Unknown

Where:Traveling through space, stopping on a few worlds before reaching Zynnat.

I think that covers the blah blah blah part of the book, if you have questions or want more information feel free to ask.  

The cover of Solace: Unchated Territory

I didn't get a chance to go into the cover art for Taken, but it's important to me that I do go into cover art.  I know you can't judge a book by its cover, and I don't.  However, to me, the cover is important.  I love when I'm reading a book and I get to a part where I have to stop reading and glance at the cover.  In that moment,  I think "oh, that's cool!" or "now it makes sense!"   It's probably a just me thing,  but I love it.  😊  So of course, now that I'm in charge of making the cover, I do my best to put a part of the story on the cover.  

The picture above was my first attempt at the cover of "Solace: Uncharted Territory".  The concept had lots of potential, however it is horribly done here.   This was my very first time attempting to make a cover.  The covers for "Taken" were done by a friend of my sister, Tammy Boneburg.  And I loved them, but cover art is expensive even when you're getting a discount.   Plus, more importantly, I had this awesome idea in my head that I really wanted to tap into.  Obviously, I didn't have the skills nor the software.  

This cover never made it to paperback, and I have no doubt that it would have been changed much quicker if I had attempted to use it on a printed copy.  (I've discovered printed covers show a lot more flaws than ebook covers.)   Anyways, the whole concept I was trying to reach across was  that they were on the planet in the Middle of Nowhere (The sky is grey, there's fog that sinks down hiding everything around you, the black trees with branches that have sharp points and no leaves...) and the orange chain that binds them together is "vividly" seen because that is a big deal to me, especially since it's the reason Jack and Karissa don't kill each other.   So there it is.   My failed attempt to portray something I see so clearly in my head.  

Moving forward, I came up with the present cover (pictured above) while trying to create a cover for Solace: Lost.  I had been working on another project at the time (I want to say it was "Not Human" because that was the next and last cover I made with my Dell computer) and I was going back and forth between the two, trying to come up with cover art and titles.   It's kind of funny how I can remember vividly that I was at my oldest son's middle school football game, but I can't remember what exactly I was working on.  Except that the new concept hit me, and I was so excited I couldn't wait to get home.   I knew exactly how to tie the two covers for "Solace" together.  The cover is an image that Jack and Karissa see before they crash land on the planet in the Middle of Nowhere.  The ship had begun to spiral out of control, and when Karissa looks up at the window she sees, not the dark inky universe, but different shades of grey spiraling.  I then, easily, decided that the title had to remain orange because of the chain (I still refuse to let go of that).  The cover was perfect for this book because the landing on this planet and the orange chain result in an outcome that is far from Karissa's expectations.  Giving the subtitle dual meaning.   She is both externally and internally in uncharted territory.  

One of my favorite parts in Solace:Uncharted Territory

Picking a favorite part of this story is like trying to pick my favorite story that I've written, impossible.   However, the part below is one of my favorites because I love the way Jack (or as Karissa calls him: Creature) handles the situation he is in: calm and collected with a touch of humor.  Plus, in this part of the story, we get another glimpse of something that intrigues Karissa, something that doesn't have to do with violence.   

The part below happens before the Tirrapps find them.  Karissa is looking through the information she has on the people of Earth.  She is bored because Jack is unconscious from what she has done to him so he could survive outside of Earth's atmosphere and to prevent him from dying of malnourishment.  But more importantly, because Karissa decided to do an experiment with him, solely for her own curiosity and need for entertainment:  


    I began watching clips that showed how their fragile bodies were capable of defending and attacking - they used to know how to wield bladed weapons, but their fragile bodies didn’t want the honor of hand to hand combat and moved to guns. I continued watching how they lived every day. How they reproduced, showed anger, and... affection. I watched as they would embrace each other and their lips would touch. I tilted my head curiously and pulled up another screen to search for more information. The computer familiarized me with how this was their way of communicating what they called love.
    I had no idea what that was, but mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, mates and friends would touch their lips to different parts of the others’ bodies - mostly on the face, but sometimes hands, neck, and shoulders. I scrunched my nose. It didn’t make sense.
    As the clips flashed quickly through the different kisses it had on file, I began to wonder how lips, without words, communicated so strongly.   It had been my experience--
   “Finding me interesting now?” Creature inquired in a false kindness.
   I quickly turned my head to see he was standing a couple of feet away. I immediately stood up and faced him, hitting the switch that would turn off my research.
    His eyes shifted to the inky black universe. When his eyes focused back on me, there was fire in them.  “Where are we?” he asked, and I glanced down at the screen that showed me.
    “Middle Of Nowhere,” I answered in his language.
    He stared at me as though he didn’t believe me.  “Is that what it’s really called?”
    “It’s what I call it in your language.”
    “And in your language…”
    I shook my head. I found it interesting that he was using a courteous tone, even when I knew he wanted to rip me apart.
    He nodded. “So, now what?” he asked casually as if I was not his enemy.
    I tilted my head curiously at him. I didn’t understand his question.
    “Well, you’ve sent fire through my body and needles through my veins.  I just wondered what you had in mind,” he calmly remarked as his eyes moved to the now blank screens before focusing back on my eyes. “Sexual experiments?”
    I made a disgusted face, and he smiled. I suddenly felt very uncomfortable. I couldn’t figure out what he wanted. He should be furious with me, but he didn’t sound like he was. He should be trying to hurt me, but he wasn’t. He could have killed me, but he didn’t.
    “I’m just trying to figure out why an alien like you would find a way for me to survive, when you’re kind has already killed so many of my people. I mean, if you think about it, you kind of saved me.”
    “No, I didn’t,” I angrily said. I did not save creatures.
    His one eyebrow went up. “No?”
    “No,” I repeated.
    “You’ve tortured me, and now you’re going to kill me?”
    “No.”
    “Well, either you’ve saved me or you’re going to kill me,” he remarked and took a slow step towards me.
    I wanted to move away from him, but I didn’t want him near my controls.  I stepped to the side and towards him, in case he was trying to intimidate me. Plus, I could still prevent him from nearing my controls. He smiled at me and I waited for his attack, but he didn’t move.
    “You haven’t clarified your intentions,” he commented, and I scowled at him.
    “I don’t have to,” I answered.
    “I suppose you don’t,” he replied nonchalantly.
    He suddenly lunged at me, and I almost got away. His fingers wrapped around my wrist, and he immediately yanked me close to him. I brought my knee into his inner thigh and as he bent over, I kneed him in the face, but he didn’t let go of my hand. He looked up at me, swallowing his pain.
    “Didn’t think I learned my lesson?” he scowled, squeezing my wrist even harder.
    I glared at him, and yanked him closer to me. His scowl became surprise. I brought my knee up and caught his outer thigh. I quickly turned my back to him, pulling him over my back and he landed solidly on the floor. He let go of my wrist and I backed away from him. He stood up, and wiped the blood off his face.
    “You are quite remarkable,” he commented. “You’re skills are much more impressive than the others. How long have you been destroying people’s worlds… lives?” he angrily asked.
    I didn’t reply, and he dove at me. I moved out of the way, but as soon as he landed he launched himself at me, slamming me into the controls. I pulled my feet up, and attempted to push him off of me. His hands grabbed my shirt and he slammed me into the controls again. I heard the alarms sound, and this time I kicked him so that his hold relaxed. I quickly kicked him away from me, and turned immediately.  The ship was beginning to fall off course, but that wasn’t why the alarm was blaring. There was another ship much too close to mine.
    Creature’s hand was on the back of my head and in the next second he had slammed my face into the controls.
    “I’m going to win this,” he stated.
    I don’t think so.  “I already told you, you won’t ever win.”

Excerpt From: Amanda Schmidt. “Solace: Uncharted Territory."