Thoughts on Writing

 As I get back into the groove of writing since I sent both my kiddos off to college this year, I have a few thoughts.  They may even be good thoughts.

1) Set a writing time.  I've mentioned this many times, but if you are in a life transition it becomes even more important.  You want to tell your self I will get to it later or I can skip this one time.  Don't skip your writing time if you can help.  Life happens, but even if you take 5 minutes to say to yourself, "okay, this is what I need to think on," it helps.

2) Keep copies of different versions.  This seems like a weird idea, but what if you don't like your rewrite?  What if the rework becomes corrupted?  Things like this happens.  I had the latest version of my 2nd book, (coming as soon as my college daughter cover artist finds two seconds to make me a cover), and I was going through it for any errors.  I found a sentence that was cut off and unfinished and I couldn't remember what it was supposed to say.  So back to an earlier version and there was my two sentences I some how had deleted!

3) Keep physical copies.  Why?  Hard drives blow, back ups disappear.  Yes, you'd have to retype the whole darn thing, but do you really want to write everything?

4) Have someone to bounce your ideas off of.  Writing in a vacuum doesn't always work.  You may think it's a great idea, but when  you try to explain it to someone else, sometimes it doesn't sound so great.

Happy Writing

Location Spotlight: The Soaring Dragon

 The Soaring Dragon, in Devonshire, is owned by Joseph Sandturn.  The building is three stories high, mostly stout wood, with clay tiled roof. There is a stables in the back large enough for several wagons and about 10 horses.  The inn also has it's own well and a small bath house. The sign is marked by a large, flying platinum dragon and "Soaring Dragon" carved beneath.

The first floor is the tavern, with the kitchen and Joseph's family living space in the back.  The second and third floors are for guests, with small rooms so Joseph can have many guests at once, each room sleeps about 2 or 3 people comfortably.  He has no common sleeping room, but will allow travelers to sleep in the tap room once the tavern is shut down for the night if they can't afford a room or he doesn't have room.

His wife and eldest daughter cook, his youngest sons run the stables.  His only son-in-law helps him run the tap room, now that he is getting a little older.

This is a moderately costing inn, with each room coming with a meal.  He has several bouncers who are friends he made in the militia and live near by.  They rarely have to do anything, since Joseph's clientele are mostly working men and merchants, and like Joseph's wife's food.  

The inn is situated closer to western gate, but is close enough to the eastern gate he still gets caravans coming in from the east.

Happy writing!

Location Spotlight: Duncan's Farm

Duncan's farm, which I believe I have discussed, is the center of a wonderful background for Duncan, not to mention a staging spot for the third book.

This lovely little farm, in the middle of farm country in Bloodhelm's protection, was Duncan's dream, or so he thought.  When he married his wife, though he was not the best builder, he built a large, two story farm house in the hopes he would have many children to spoil.  Of course he didn't, which should make the world so much sadder, but he would spoil his nieces and nephews, along with any child he came in contact with.

The farm also holds a large barn, which he rebuilt three times because of his uncontrolled fire magic.  Of course, at the time, he didn't know it was magic, but he realized it in time.

The size of the farm is about 100 acres, which is big for a farm on Martapa, but some of the land is forested, so when Duncan ran the farm he would thin and sell the lumber a few logs at a time.  His nephew, who took over the farm, continues the practice.

Though just mentioned in the first two books, it is the setting for the party returning together after their separation at the end of the second book.  Growing up around farmers and foresters I enjoy the happy feeling of the farm, even if it is only a side note compared to the main story.

Happy writing!

Character Spotlight: Joseph Sandturn

 Joseph Sandturn is the owner of the Soaring Dragon in Devonshire.  He is merely mentioned a few times in the first book, "The High King's Sword", but he is a vital cog in my story world.

The son of farmers he, like many young men, dreamed of adventure.  He joined the militia, then a mercenary group.  He spent five years fighting bandits, monsters and slavers.  After he saved enough money, he bought an inn in Devonshire so he could live without fear of losing his life.  He married, had five children, and life was good.

He kept in contact with his good friend, Amber, the daughter of Lee the Seer and their children would play with each other. Joseph considered Amber and her daughter, Margaret, part of the family and when they needed aid, he was more then happy to give it.  When Amber died of the winter sickness, Joseph continued to check in on Margaret and Lee.

This becomes vital when the Black Wizards come to take Devonshire.  When Margaret showed up on his doorstep that fateful day, he didn't think twice about taking her in and hiding her.  But he was a man of action and sitting and doing nothing was killing him, so he snuck out as many militia men as he could, along with their families.  He didn't realize the minotuars knew until later, but he was grateful to find out they were actually aiding him in his actions, even if he didn't know at the time.

Overall he is not a huge character, but he is a lich pin and moves my plot along.

Happy writing.