I’ve been plunging into the weeds of reworking Jezelle: Thief of Forks, the darkest story I’ve written thus far. I’m on chapter 22 of 28, so I’m getting there. Before I began this dissection, I thought it was the best book I had ever written. It is humbling to see how much better it isContinue reading “Pushed deep into Jezelle’s darkness”
Category Archives: Writing journey
Leveraging rejection to be a better writer
First, I would like to thank you all. After posting that I was stepping back from blogging to focus on rediscovering my passion for writing fiction, I received a considerable amount of support. There was also concern that I may be giving up. Don’t worry. I am still writing. In fact, I’ve been doing itContinue reading “Leveraging rejection to be a better writer”
Pulling back to move forward
For years, this blog has been my space to share fragments of the worlds I build — glimpses into Lucardia, reflections on the craft, and thoughts from the strange, quiet corners of storytelling. I’ve been grateful for everyone who has followed along, offered encouragement, or simply taken the time to read. Engagement on my websiteContinue reading “Pulling back to move forward”
Quick update and a piece of gold
I know, I was doing really well with posting on time twice a week, and I’m slacking. This is late, but it still counts, as it was posted on Wednesday. Unfortunately, it is budget time in higher education, and the situation is especially grim this year. Thus, my time is being consumed by work, andContinue reading “Quick update and a piece of gold”
Searching for need
I constantly struggle between being a writer and a bookseller. Really, I just want to write, but why write if no one reads it? So, one necessitates the other. I’m a decent writer. I can at least give myself that credit. It is hard-earned after struggling with self-doubt for years. But I’m not such aContinue reading “Searching for need”
Preview of The Monk of Thanatos
Well, I’m still sick and trying to catch up on my real job, so I will need to be lazy once again. I should have some time on Friday to write about my trip, but for today, it is another sample. Seeing that I am working on two books at once, I thought I shouldContinue reading “Preview of The Monk of Thanatos”
Preview of Sylvanus
I just got back from a two-week vacation to celebrate my 20th wedding anniversary. I will share more about that trip and how it helped recharge my writing batteries soon. It was a great trip with many adventures, but I am sick as a dog and jet-lagged right now, so I am being a littleContinue reading “Preview of Sylvanus”
350 posts and going
When I started this blog, I had no idea what I was doing. I read somewhere that writers were supposed to have one. It felt like part of the job description, some unspoken rule of authorship—if you write books, you also keep a blog. So I started one. I thought readers would somehow find meContinue reading “350 posts and going”
The Phantom and the Citadel
Below is the second in a series of reports to Emperor Vesper Zuilkaarme on the strange happenings that occurred throughout Lucardia around the time of Prince Koen the Gray’s disappearance. You can read more about that disappearance here. This is an account from Grand Master Terrick of the Knights of Norn. To His Most IllustriousContinue reading “The Phantom and the Citadel”
Salt and Lucardia’s magic system
Salt in Lucardia is never merely a seasoning. Across worlds—ours and theirs—it has always been a thing of reverence. Empires rose and fell upon the salt trade; soldiers were once paid in it, their salary stems from sal, the Latin word for salt. It purified wounds, sealed oaths, and guarded the living from what lingeredContinue reading “Salt and Lucardia’s magic system”
