I've been away too long.

I have been away for far too long. I have a ton of cool posts that I can post. Or at least I think they are cool. I just need to get them edited. 

In a few weeks I am hoping to totally overhaul my entire blog. 

I have been away for far too long. 

Today

I feel the need to comment on what happened in Boston today. I admit I don't know what to say. I know what I feel however. I'm obviously pissed that someone would make such a cowardly move against a group of true innocents, though that is how this sort of thing works. I'm also saddened because while this incident was a surprise the actual act of a bombing is almost common place on a global scale. That said, I will not dive into politics, or any of that bullshit, there's no point. My heart goes out to all those killed, injured, their families and those caring for the wounded. Boston you kick ass. Whoever did this, consider this my big middle finger to you.

How I write

            So, I posted this question the other day on G+ and got a lot of responses, so I thought I would put it up here and see if I got a similar response, but first, a little back story.  I often find it hard to write, not because I don’t have ideas, but becasue I simply am not in the right mood.  I can always write, but to write well, and to especially start a new project, I find that I have to be in certain mood to do it. 

          What kind of mood you ask? Well, to be honest, in a nutshell a bad mood.  Now, I am not saying that I need to mad or wholly depressed, though I have produced good work that way.  I feel I need to be in a funk, somewhere between depressed and happy.  If I’m too depressed then I don’t put a lot of effort becasue I don’t care.  If I’m too happy I usually can’t concentrate very well.  When I’m in my writing mood I tend to be a lot more thoughtful and contemplative, which for me, produced the best results. 

           So, how many of the rest of you great writers out there have a similair mood with which you write in, or does this make me sound weird, and a little nutty.  I’d like to know, it interests me how the rest of you get your worlds and ideas from your imagination to the pages.

At Long Last!

For a long time now, I have been working on the manuscript for my first novel.  I had been working on it when I was on my lunch break at work.  Needless to say the going was slow, but then I changed jobs and it slowed down things even more.  I had hoped to have this thing done this past summer, but that totally fell apart, but now I have finally gotten back into a rhythm, and I am loving it.

Now, let me tell you you a little bit about what I am writing.  It's sort of a dystopian type story.  It is set about a hundred years into the future.  The United States has collapsed and three new nations have emerged, two of which are at war.  One is planning an attack that will alter the course of the war and leave a wasteland in its wake. 

That's all I am going to say about it for now.  I have injected a lot of politics into it dating all the way back to 2001.  I wanted to show how our great nation fell apart, and I must be honest, I think I did a pretty good job of it.  I added a few things I think will get my readers' imaginations going once they see what I have planned.

Unfortunately, it will still be some time before it is ready.  I was just so excited that I got back into a groove that I had to spill a little about it.  I'm hoping I will have a lot of time to work on it and If I'm lucky it may only take a few months.

The biggest thing that will slow me down is a new project I am eager to start.  I will give you a quick peek about it.  It is about the Titanic.  No, there is no Jack, or Rose.

Just some thoughts....

I had not planned on commenting on the tragedy in Connecticut.  I felt that between the news and social media, enough was being said already.  Now that I am seeing so much political B.S. that has been stirred up because of this I feel compelled to throw in my two cents. 

I do have strong political beliefs, but they are mine and mine alone.  If someone asks my opinion I give it, but I do not throw it out there regardless of how good a point it may be or how appropriate it may seem at the time.  Having said that, this is all I have to say about the whole situation.

FORGET the political crap, it does not matter now.  Those kinds of conversations can wait.  Do not forget the victims, the families of the victims (which I consider victims as well), nor the first responders and hospital staff that dealt with, and are still dealing with, this mess.  They are what is important.  Remember the victims.  There is no better tribute.  That is all I have to say.

I will not respond to any political nonsense placed on this post.

A Quick Update

So, I haven't been doing much with my blogs lately, and I'm barely on my social media.  I got wind that some think that I have thrown in the towel.  That could not be further from the truth.  In fact I have a revision of my current book almost ready to go and a new book that is also nearly to go.  All I am lacking is my Achilles heel, cover art, and they will be ready

Beyond that I have been been working on two separate novels, as well as starting the plans for three more projects, which I will not start until I get one of the novels done.  I have also been working to update my blogs and make changes to them, so that they better reflect what I want to show.  I have also have been working on new post for both my main blog and my review blog.  Of course, I have to balance this with that little thing called real life, which has become extremely demanding. 

That's it, short and sweet, and to the point.  Thanks to all who read my crappy blog post and crappier posts on G+, Twitter, and FB it will get better. 

I Remember

Recently my days have been gobbled up by real life, but what is real life?  Very few days in my life have answered that question, but those that have were profound.  Eleven years an event happened that had no direct impact on me personally, but yet it showed what “real life” can really be like, in all its horrific honesty.  So, despite the fact that I don’t have the free days to work on my projects I’m taking this day, even if it late, to remember one day when the complexion of the world was changed.

I worked midnights then, and I had been home from work only a couple of hours.  Like most people that work that kind of shift, I went to bed as soon as  got home, and for once I went right to sleep.  I had not been asleep long before I woke up.  That was not all that strange, it happened often.  I was also living at my parents at the time and on this particular morning when I woke up I decided to see what my parents were up to.

I walked into the front room where my parents were watching the morning news, nothing odd about that.  What was odd was the weird look on their faces and the way they were looking at the TV.  That too, was also odd.  My parents were not dramatic people and their expressions could not have been any more dramatic.  I looked at the TV just as the second plane slammed into The World Trade Center.  I sat down in a chair and did not move for hours. 

I watched the video from New York, I watched the sun silhouette against the burning and smoking towers, I watched them both collapse.  My memory ends there.  I have no idea why, but after that moment I don’t remember much of the rest of that fateful day.

I wish that I could remember the whole day, but I am grateful that I am blessed to remember the events up to the moment the towers collapsed with such clarity.  When my little girl gets older and asks me about that day, I know I will be able to tell her what happened and how it happened, and why in all the terrible color of the truth.

I’m talking about all this not because I wanted tell you about what I was doing that I day, because it is totally unimportant..  I told you this because I remember.  That is the only reason, I remember and I want you to remember.

            I am a firm believer in the idea that those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it.  I believe that with every ounce of my being.  I ask all of you to remember.  Remember those that died in the attacks, remember those that died trying to save people in the towers and those that died in Pennsylvania and those at the Pentagon.  Remember those tat died in the events that happened directly because of that Tuesday morning.  Remember the fallen and remember the pain, so that the world will never see anything like this again.

I'm Still Here

I'm still around, and I'm still writing some.  I have been absent for so long because of some major changes in my life.  The demands on my time have gotten to the point where I was forced to cut something out, and unfortunately my writing is what got cut.  I am still writing, but it is very small amounts.  I plan to complete the music series I started on my review page.  I just put the finishing touches on all the posts.  Posting them won't be a problem, now that I have them written.

I am still editing my second anthology book.  It should be done by now and out, but like I said I am forced to turn my energy to other places.

I hope to have a new post up on here this week (fingers crossed).  Until then, thanks for not giving up on me. I am serious about my work, but life has taken priority, damn you life!

Help!!!

            I hate plot holes.  In my opinion there is nothing that can gut a story faster than a plot hole.  I'm one of these people that looks for them in any kind of media I come into contact with, from books to movies, and even video games.  It often irritates my friends because I have the habit of poking holes in even the most well written story.  Even stories that I love myself are not immune.  As much as I love the Dragonlance series, there are several places where I can punch a hole in the plot.  I am a terror.

            Why am I bringing this up?  Simple.  A few days ago I was in the middle of doing an edit on one of my short stories for my new anthology book when I stumbled on, you guessed it, a plot hole.  To be fair it's not horrible, and several people I have had read it, never even caught it.  Either that, or they were just being nice.  It's not even about the plot itself.  It has to do with the character himself and an abrupt  transition from one set of actions to another, without any real reason or prior explanation.

            Most plot holes can be fixed quickly or sometimes they require a re-write, depending on how bad the problem is.  Obviously you can see where a quick fix would work in this case, I would just have to add either an explanation or a trait that would explain the sudden change in behavior of the character, but you can also probably see where a re-write could possibly produce a better overall flow.  No matter what though, it is there, and in the words of Morpheus it's like a splinter in my mind, and it must be dealt with.
 
            Now I am faced with a simple dilemma, which method do I use to fix it?  It's not that I haven't faced this before in my other stories, but this time it is different because I could use both methods to remedy the problem.  My biggest dilemma, is that a quick fix may make the character seem too unrealistic, or a total re-write may produce a purely malevolent person, which is not what I was aiming for with this character.  To be honest, the character is a villain, but now I must decide what kind of villain he is.  Is he someone who just seems to make bad choices, or is he a sociopath that has no redeeming qualities and should be killed on sight.   I'm not sure which method to choose.

            So, I am going to ask all of you, what it is you think I should do.  Should I just do a quick plug that would do the job, or a total re-write, which could change the overall nature of my character and leave me with something different than what I started from? 

            Granted a re-write may produce something that is superior to what I have now, but I must admit I am quite fond of the story the way it is.  In fact, it is one of my favorites from my new book.  Despite this, I'm leaning towards the re-write since I think it will produce a more cohesive end result.
 
            So give me your opinions and suggestions.  Do I use a quick fix, a re-write or do I forget the whole thing, and go eat some noodles?

The Noise of Inspiration

          So, I have been asked by several people how I come with the things that I write.  I usually just shrug and say it just comes to me, it just pops in my head and I write it down.  They look at me like I'm lying, but I'm telling the truth.  I know that as a writer I should be in better touch with what inspires me, but a lot of the time, I simply don't know. 
         
          After a few times of people asking me this I started to wonder: what really does inspire me.  I'm forced to admit, I had a very hard time answering the question.  Some of my favorite stuff came to me when I was just cleaning.  Not too much inspirational about that, at least to me anyway. 

          Finally, an answer of sorts came to me, music.  Not just any song though, a select few songs that I have discovered over the years that speak to me.  These are songs that I can turn on, close my eyes, and lose myself in the melody and lyrics.  For me, those songs are few and far in between, but some of my best stuff, though not always my favorite, came to me this way.

          You may ask, what particular kind of music gets my attention?  To be honest almost any, if it reaches me the right way.  I am a huge Staind fan, and a lot of their songs rank high on my list, one in particular, but there are other songs besides those from Staind, from all genres, that I feel more than hear.  There is country, metal, rock, pop there is even a few orchestra or classical style songs that I love. 

          I have noticed one thing that many of these songs have in common.  They often have unhappy, or depressive themes, though not all.  I guess those types of songs fit my personality and writing style better than happy and upbeat tunes.  Of course, if you have read any of my work, it's pretty obvious I tend to stray to the darker side of things (no star wars pun intended). 

          No matter what the mood of the song, if it speaks to me then I am in love with it.  I can honestly say without shame, that I have been close to tears because of a song striking just that right chord within me.  I have lost hours upon hours just sitting in the dark listening to music and getting lost in what I'm hearing.  I can see the places that are being described or feel the emotion of a song.  For me that is a powerful experience that cannot be equaled.  Many songs I own, I have kept simply because of a special memory or attachment they have for me.

          So, having said that I have decided that I am going to do a little review series about my favorite songs from various genres.  If I did them all at once the post would be so long, I wouldn't want read it myself, much less ask you to.  The first one is coming soon, when it is out I will let everyone know.  Just click on the "A Scribes Reviews" tab at the top of the page and it will take you right there.

          To end this I will tell you my absolute two favorite songs right now.  The reason should be pretty self-explanatory. 

          1. Zoe Jane by Staind
          2. My Little Girl by Tim McGraw

I didn't make this pic.  I found it online, but I love it.

I'm Still Here

Well, it has been a really, really long time since I have posted anything on my blog, done a review, or even taken a deep breath.  I'm not going to bore you with the details of my life, but I will say that my life has kind of thrown me around lately.  I have been dealing with that, and basically forgotten about everything else. 

Fortunately, things are slowing down for me, at least some, so I am hoping to get back to work for all of you soon.  I discovered that I can use my Kindle to make editing notes recently, so that has put me back on track with my latest anthology book. 

I must admit I can't wait until this thing is done.  It's not that the book itself has been aggravation, in truth I had fun writing it; editing not so much.  Anyway, everything that could have happened to slow the process down, or sometimes stop it completely has happened.  Thank goodness I didn't put out a release date, or I would have become a big fat liar and there would have been many people po'ed at me.

Suffice it to say, it has been slow going, but I am working steadily.  Thanks to all who have to supported me, and I also want to thank those that haven't.  Why?  Well it's simple, I want to shove your faces in it when I get it out there!

I don't see any book reviews coming any time soon, but I do have a couple to read, so hopefully I will get back on the ball with that too.

Thanks to all, be they supporter or nay-sayer.  To the supporters I say thank you, to the nay-sayers I say @#$%&.

I have managed to at least stay up to date on my social empire, so you can join me there.  The links are on the right.  Everyone is always welcome!

I'll leave you with a pic I have that makes me smile.  Later all!

I Wanted to Sceam...Pure and Simple

This was me!

            After the last week and a half, all I want to do is scream.  It has been the most stressful few days that I have endured in two years.  To put it simply my job was on the line.  I may be an Indie Author, but I have to pay the bills, and I have to be honest, I'm not going to do it selling my books, at least not yet.  I, like, almost five thousand of my co-workers lived with this same stress.

           I walked around with little sleep, almost in haze like I was drunk.  I would go from being nauseated to having chest pains, and at one point I was near panic.  My mood ranged from being almost giddy from lack of sleep to being mean and hateful for no real reason.  The worst part was the feeling of helplessness, and the fact that my fate, and my family's was being decided behind a closed door, and I had no say in it at all.  It's quite frustrating to say the least.

            At first all we heard was a few rumors here and there, then you start to hear more and more. I must admit I don't put a lot of faith in rumors, but at the same time I have been through this before.  The facility I worked in before my current job closed.  Fortunately I was able to get a new job before the facility closed, but then, like now I heard rumors too.  What's more this was not the first time there had been layoffs at my current job, the last time was, you guessed it, two years ago.

            For the longest time I did not believe the rumors at my first job, that the place was closing, but at some point it occurred to me that the rumors must be coming from somewhere, so I decided to jump ship the first chance I got.  It was the right thing to do.  The case was the same this time too, but this time, for some reason I believed most of the rumors that I had heard.  I knew, in my heart, that they were true.  Once again, unfortunately, I was right. 

            Everything came to a head on Thursday, May 31.  Many people lost their jobs, including a close friend, but I managed to make it through unscathed.  Once I returned home that night and was finally able to calm down after being wound up like a spring for over a week, I started to think more and more about what had happened, and I thought back to a conversation that I had with several co-workers on Wednesday. 

            Many said that if they kept their jobs and their friends did not, which was likely, that they would feel guilty.  I looked at them honestly, and said I would not.  I would feel bad for them of course, but I'm forced to think about my family first.  In this instance I was wrong.  Though I was thankful I was still working, I did feel a tremendous guilt and humility that I was spared and others were not.  I must be honest I do not feel secure right now, but at least the moment of crisis has past, and I can breathe a little, but it is only prudent to be making plans and exploring other options in case it does happen to me.  I made it through this sort of thing three times now, the fourth time I might not be so lucky.

            I finished the day with a single post on Twitter, that summed up the entire last ten days:  "Bad day.  Thankful saddened and humbled.  That is all."  It could not have been more appropriate.

            At first I thought about writing a short story about this, but I decided against it, though I don't know why.  I think it was because I had no right because I was spared and so many others were not especially my friend.

            Obviously I have gotten nothing done, nor have I even tried to get anything done, on any of my projects for quite a while.  I hope to start back up soon. 

"Bad day.  Thankful saddened and humbled.  That is all."

Another Boring Update

            So, this is yet another boring, snooze fest update.  This time I actually managed to get a little work done on both my anthology books and my novel.  I actually have two novels going, but one is a trilogy and I'm a long way from being done with that.  My  anthology book currently out, which is called boc: A collection of Short Stories, is about to get an undated version released.  Not only have some of the stories been revised, but the title will also be changed and maybe even the cover art, though only slightly.  I will release the updated title for my anthology series once I have the second volume done, which should not take long, I will start the final read on it tonight.

           The rough draft of novel is nearly finished, I have completed the outline for the next chapter and I don't expect for there to be any more than one or two chapters after this.   I actually intended to get it done this month, but that won't happen.  I only write on this thing when I'm at work on my lunch break, so you can imagine how long it would take to get it done.  I am currently handwriting it, then I will bring it home and start typing and revising it.   I'm looking forward to seeing this thing completed.  It's a little different what I usually write, but it still has a science fiction element to it, but it is more a backdrop, rather than the focus.

            I'm debating which project to start once my next anthology book is out.  I have two ideas for novels, one would be a four book fantasy series, the other a science fiction book, that I've, been already done some work on.  I'm going to talk to some people I know and see what I can get done on the artwork side for it.  If it works out in my favor, then I will begin on the SF book in earnest, once the revision process starts on my current novel.  If not, then I will probably start the four book series.

           I know I keep promising to launch a new addition to my blog, I have not forgotten, just as before, time is always against me.  I hope to have it ready in the next three weeks.  I have all I need ready to go, except for some of the content I need and some of the artwork for the site, but it's coming along. 

            When my anthology book is ready I promise everyone will know.  I will drive the web nuts plastering it all over the place! 

A Little Experiment

             Recently I have been thinking about how most stories are ended.  No matter what the format, be they video games, TV shows, movies, or books they all seem to ultimately end with a happy ending.  Even those stories, or individual books or shows, which are part of a series may end with neutral or unhappy endings, the overall story arc ends with a happy ending.  Even in my own work I am guilty of this.

            Now I'm not saying there is something wrong with good triumphing over evil, or for the lost loves to finally find true happiness(other than being boring and predictable).  I'm just wondering why more endings are, let's say not unhappy, but interesting?  Why is it that we feel the need to have a happy ending in all our stories?

            Having said that I am going to conduct an experiment.  I'm am currently working on an idea in which the ending could only be described as evil or at best disturbing.  No one will find their lost loves, good will not triumph and no one will ride off into the sunset(unless they have a bag  of severed heads slung over their shoulder).  The problem I am encountering is that no matter what I write I put some degree of a happy or neutral resolution in my story.  I am trying to get as far as I can from that.

            Now, I am not some miserable person, or someone who cheers for the criminals I see on TV, quite the opposite.  I am developing this idea simply because I want to see if I can.  I have several concepts in mind, one in particular, I really like.  When I get this story done I will post it for all to see.  I want to know If I succeeded in my quest, and I will need all of you to tell me if I did.

            Let me make one thing clear, I am not talking about a story in which the bad guys merely wins, or the protagonist does not achieve all his/her goals, or something like that, I am talking about an ending that will make the reader sit up and take notice.  I have read and seen many things where the ending could be termed unhappy, but there are still parts of the ending that are neutral or even happy.  I suppose as not to make it too depressing.  I have also read endings that made my toes curl.  Well, depressing, shocking and evil are exactly what I'm going for!

            To be honest it is very easy to come up with an unhappy ending, the trick will be to be to take that to the next level.  To take the conclusion to a place that freaks us out, both as readers, but also as writers.  I know there are writers out there that are good at such things, but I am not.  I am treating this not only like an experiment, but also a challenge to myself as a writer, to take my work to places I have taken it before(albeit dark places).

             I'll see you at the therapists office!

A New Addition

So I had been wanting to do several reviews on several different things for a while.  Movies, TV shows and of course books.  The problem, besides time, was I did not want to fill my author blog up with reviews.  After all, it was supposed to be primarily about my work, not everyone else's.  So, I decided to simply start a whole new feature separate from my author blog.  A Scribe's Reviews will contain all my reviews.  That is not to say they won't appear here also, but only book reviews will appear here.  All others, along with my book reviews, will appear on my new site.  Just click the tab above and you're in business. 

This is only the first feature I'm going to introduce.  I have more coming.  The site URL is www.1ebtaylorreviews.blogspot.com easy to remember huh?  I hope you enjoy it!  I will have all sorts of new reviews going up soon, just remember only book reviews will appear on my author blog, the rest will appear on A Scribe's Reviews

A Scribe's Review: Dragonlance Chronicles

I'm going to review a set of three books that are responsible for setting me on the road to being a fantasy geek, The Dragonlance Chronicles by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman.  I read these books as a teenager, and since then I have read them so often that I consider myself an expert on them.  These is my own personal thoughts on a trilogy that I still love and read today.

            The series centers around a group of adventurers called the Companions.  Tanis Half-Elven, a bastard half elf, the grumpy yet kind dwarf, Flint Fireforge, the fleet fingered and childlike kender, Tasslehoff Burrfoot, the Plainsmen Goldmoon and Riverwind.  A Knight of Solamnia named Sturm Brightblade and the twins Caramon and Raistlin Majere.  Later on they are joined by the elven princess Laurana and a fiery barmaid Tika Waylan.   The group forms an unlikely force for good, during a period of evil called the War of the Lance. 

            To tell the entire plot would take way longer than this post should be, but summarize Takhasis, a god and the Queen of Darkness returns to a land that had been ravaged by the Cataclysm hundreds of years before.  The people of the land are scattered and fractured.  Of course Takhisis wants to dominate the world and all the souls on it.  She is opposed by Paladine the god of light.  In essence it is a celestial battle that comes to the mortal world of Krynn.

            Along the way the Companions must battle all manner of evil things in their quest; they must also fight distrust and dissention among themselves, the power of evil magic and clerics, and of course dragons.  In the end two of the group will perish and another will betray them.  It all leads to an epic battle that of course leads to the defeat of the evil goddess.

            That description really does not do the book justice.  I'm leaving out huge parts, like the three kingdoms of elves the mountain fortress of the dwarves and the power of magic, and the magnificent return of the dragons of light.  It is simply too much to describe here.  I could really write an entire novel about these three books.  That's ok though, I just wanted to give you a glimpse into the trilogy and a look at my own feelings about the series.

            I do see a lot of similarities with the Lord of the Rings trilogy in these books, but that's all they are, is similarities.  These three book are completely different and are  a work of art all themselves, but if you are a fan of the Lord of the Rings then I suggest these books, they will blow your mind.

            Later on they released a fourth book to end the original trilogy.  While not technically a part of the first three books;  it is spectacular in own right.  I read the fourth book cover to cover in about three days, which at the time, was a record for me.
           
            These books eventually led to a second trilogy, Legends, which focused on the twins Caramon and Raistin.  Then more and more books followed from full novels to anthologies.  Many dealt with the original cast of characters, and many created their own new ones.  Some expanded on the world that Chronicles created, while others delved into the history of Krynn.  This series took on a life of its own.  I don't know how many books there are total, but I have personally read around forty or so and I have barely scratched the surface.  I only wish a feature length film would be made.  If the same care that was shown for The Lord of the Rings was given to this trilogy, it would be a treat to watch.

            There it is, my opinion.  This set remains one of my favorites of all time.  I recommend them to anyone who loves a good epic fantasy novel.

This made me laugh!

Just Thinking

I have been thinking about something for quite some time.  I realize that it's likely that I will never be a famous writer.  It's very likely that I will never get a Pulitzer, or a movie deal or anything close to what may resemble great success.  You know what?  That's OK.

I don't write for riches, fame or adulation; I write simply because I like to, nothing more.  I like to tell stories, I like to read back over my work and smile to myself when I know that I got it right.  To me that is reward enough.  If people like my work then that is simply icing on the cake.

I'd be lying if I said I don't want any kind of success, but I don't need a lot of success, I just need to know that I completed my work, did the best I could to get it out there and let the cards fall where they may.

To all my fellow indie authors out there who have projects going and wonder what's the point, I'll tell you the point.  The point is to do what you love and to hell with what anyone else has to say about it. 

Having said that I'd like to give you all a quick update.  So far things are proceeding well.  Soon I will begin the final read on my second anthology book then I will launch it.  The first draft of my novel is nearing completion.  I don't have much time these days to work on my projects, so it's taking a lot longer than I had wanted, but that's life and I accept it. 

Good luck to my fellow Indie authors.  We kick ass!

Just A Quick Update

This will be very brief, simply because I do not the time to do a real post.  In short I am close to completing my second anthology book.  I am also starting on my first partnership project.  It will be a novel about the Titanic, but I doubt it will be finished this year.  My novel is going no where.  Due to an excessive lack of time I have been unable to work on it for weeks.  My schedule just got even tighter this week, though I think I will be able to steal little time for it soon. 

I am also working on two new features for my blog, and once I get some content ready they too will be ready to go.  The first is a flash fiction section, which is pretty self-explanatory, the second which also needs no explanation, will be a review section.  It will cover whatever the hell I feel like reviewing; books, movies, TV shows, games whatever strikes my fancy, but books will be the majority of it.

So that's where I am.  Time it seems is always against me and it is a recurring theme in my posts.  I have no doubt many of you can sympathize.

A Scribe's Work VII

This story in my newest anthology book is by far the longest short story I have ever written to date.  It is set in Stave, like several other of my short stories, I introduce several new characters in this story that I hope to use later.

The lead constable, Gunther, is called to the scene of a grisly murder of a shop keeper.  Though Gunther had seen many slayings in his career, the sheer violence and brutality of the act shocks him.  He also has no leads to go on.

He is forced then to turn to a mysterious woman named Jenna, a seer who works as fortune teller in the town.  Neither Gunther, nor Jenna is pleased by the idea, but Gunther is forced to admit she may be useful and Jenna knows it would be useful to have some good karma with the local authorities, especially since her neighboring shop keepers have tried to have her removed before.

The investigation begins with them both going to the scene of the first murder, but things go badly, and Gunther begins to believe that Jenna is hiding something.  Then they are informed that there is another murder, and the two proceed to the second scene, which is fresh.  They enter and Gunther is shocked to find that it actually worse than the first scene.  Once again they gain very little information and Jenna is forced to conduct a ritual, to see who the next victim might be.  In the meantime Gunther sends one of his men to nearby town to learn what he can about Jenna.

The ritual works and the pair learns who the next target will be.  They set up a trap to catch the killer, which of course goes badly.  The killer manages to make it to the victim, but in the ensuing fight, the killer is defeated by an old magi brought back from Jenna’s home town. 

Afterwards, Jenna realizes that she can no longer function as a seer and wonders what will happen to her.  Fortunately Gunther knows right where she can go in the town to start over.  Gunther leaves the young woman with Suman then the story ends.

This is one of the more involved stories I created.  It borders on being a novella, but I am especially pleased with the new characters I have developed for it.  Later on, maybe two or three more anthology books later I am going to create a combined story arc that will incorporate characters from different serials, and from these kinds of short stories.  It will be awesome, and I am looking forward to it.  Until then I hope you check out my work.  I have another anthology almost ready as well as a full novel I am working that I hope to have done soon.  Until then I’ll keep everyone posted!