24 Days of Introduction: Day One

Day 1- Ekana

          For as long as anyone remembers, the planet has been called Ekana. A few elders from the far corners of the continent seem to recall some of their great grandfathers referring to the planet by another name, however to contemporary astrologers, those various anomalies bear little relevance to today’s culture. Within the first university on the continent, Drado, located in the country of Dren, the first collection of astronomers gathered to share notes, teach classes, share the joy of discovery, and engage in friendly rivalry. Through their combined efforts, they have mapped Ekana’s moon Fio-One, and located three other planets near to their home. They have calculated the distance to their sun and these celestial objects, two are between them and the sun, the other is further away.

          Ekana itself has not been explored fully by the time of Birth of Legends. Most of the population lives on the continent of Ropermai. Although these people have advanced past the point of mere tribal survival, daily life still revolves around growing and gathering enough food to eat. There have been some new technological and magical advances so that some countries are now exporting food. For these people, weather seems to vary only slightly from year to year, however, there are anomalies such as super cyclones, cluster tornadoes, and the occasional drought or flood. Any sever variation such as an ice storm in summer or a heat wave in winter, is always attributed to a General Mage experimenting with the Gevebe.

          Each nation has marked clear boundaries that mostly follow some geological feature like a river, or a mountain range. Disputes happen mostly over the mountains for they are such a source of energy, and wealth. The last imperialistic nation was Paldonro. Twenty years ago, Duke Katome rose to power from the ranks of the Norkatome nobles and seized military control. His lust for domination led to the fall of the Red Army ten years later.

          The planet seems to have a twenty four and a quarter hour day and a 365 day year. Ropermai experiences all four seasons, equally divided in the year. Blue skies, green grass, white clouds, and grey mountains remind the reader of a similar life hosting planet.

Meme's verses philosophy in writing.

For a person such as I, gathering as many clicks as I can happens to be paramount. Meme Monday is my best click post so far, so here goes, Meme Monday.

And for those who do not know who Simon LaTarge is, He is one of the main characters in Birth of Legends.

#epicfantasyadventure #steampunk #indieauthors #spellsandswords

The Limited value of a 'Like."

Across the news feed comes a story, an article, or a post that grabs the attention. Delving deeper, one discovers a point of view that resonates with him or her. The hand moves the mouse pointer over the infamous "like" button and "click" the post has an additional point. In all of the algorithms processing within huge server farms, those points are added, subtracted, dived and multiplied to mean something. But, what does it really mean?

Does the reader truly endorse the article, product, or idea? Do they merely smile when they read the post? Do they think that the producer of said item needs help, so they'll just click?

Then there's the "share." Does the reader want others to appreciate that post? Do they agree whole-heartedly and demand allegiance to their point of view? Or was it something that they found humorous or interesting? Maybe, it was a reveal into the person's psyche, thereby letting the recipient know about the sharer?

After all of the contacts I have made throughout life, at school, college, churches, work, and conventions, I have made a lot of friends and acquaintances. I appreciate everyone who has read my work more than I can put into words. I appreciate reviews even more. I thank each and every "click" i receive.

When thinking about what you consider when you hit that like button, know that it is important to the one receiving that click. Social media has become the new "word of mouth," community. You personally may not be stoked about my quality offerings, but that does not mean that everyone you know are of the same mind. One may not be sure just what all of their friends my like or not like. I would appreciate a mention from time to time to your friends about my books. They may find epic fantasy adventure with a infusion of steampunk fun and engaging. They may have a deep seated love of genre busting mystery mixed with classical fantasy settings, which also has a mixture of steampunk. Help me get a little "Word of Mouth," started. Thank you.

Common Sense #2,

Common sense item #2, Folly of the Bechdel test.

For the uninitiated, the Bechdel test is just one little question asked of a work of fiction, (book, short story, movie, play) “do you have more than one woman and do they talk about something other than men?”

                Right there is an implied narrative limitation that pigeon holes the work and most of the time nullifies it as a serious piece of fiction. First, is there more than one main female lead, the first implication. Why does it matter if there is only one female? If the author wants to prove the horrors of war, then women should be absent in the tale. If the author wants a isolated woman, alone with her feelings of her life and thoughts of her future while in a cabin on the side of a mountain, why must there be another to discuss it with her to make it a serious work of fiction?

                Secondly, by eliminating the work if two females talk about men, nullifies a huge section of literature, romance. (And all of its derivatives.) What’s wrong with romance? Relationships between men and women are a very important part of life, almost central.

                “Yeah, Shaun, right, I can see you snagging the latest romance novel just to get your feel on,” says the naysayer. Maybe so, however, the option should be there and I know I would learn a small part of how a woman feels and thinks. So my reply is thus, “Anything which makes me better at the most important relationship, my wife, has eternal value, and it will help me teach my boys how to begin to understand women.”

                So, my reader, decide for yourself if a story has value and merit based upon your own criteria. Leave it not for those who think they know better than you. They do not.

#bechdeltest     #wittycriticism   #thinkforyourself

What is today? Meme Monday!

I knew he would.

#fantasy #epicadventure #steampunk

Meme Monday! Gandalf is almost finished.

I can see the light of discovery as the twisted story comes together and he is racing to the end.

Safely arrived from Dren

On the continent of Ropermai, Gneger, the capital of Dren, sparkles and gleams like a lighthouse cutting the gloom on a dreary night. As the first true city to arise after the Calamity, Gnegerinnians, built upon the mostly intact infrastructure and industrial technology that still functioned. Its buildings stand like shining masts of an armada on the plain, reflecting the sun's rays off all of the glass. The streets and avenues form distinct squares. Numerous relics of vehicles from Those Who Came Before litter the street still.  No one knows how to utilize them as they were intended, however Drennian scientists and engineers are much closer to understanding and repairing the lost tech.

Meanwhile, other entrepreneurs have reclaimed some machinery that they did understand and formed the Dren Thunder Line. They run tankers out of Gneger daily on restored twin steel lines.  I just disembarked from the Express Tanker, The Blue Crown, from Munger, Zeural. The six hundred mile trip took twelve hours although there was a three hour stop in Ankger for a refill of water. I kept my luggage tag.

In case a visual reference is required.

My cover.

What is a Necromancer?

With a world so full of magic, isolating one strain becomes convoluted. The planet of Ekana has a myriad of people who can cast and others that have magic like abilities. Over the next few posts, I will explain each strain and strata of magic use in the world of the Nathmaria Chronicles and the Arcane Investigators.

Necromancy uses the combination of the gevebe and death to fuel spells and spell like effects. The Gevebe is the source of all spell power that surrounds the world, Ekana. It permeates the ground, the air, and the water. There are concentrated areas in specific places, most of which coincide with tragic events that happened far in the past, around the time of the Calamity. A Necromancer has developed a connection with the gevebe that is separate from general magic. The two types of magic do not mix at all. Necromantic spell effects are focused on bodily harm, cold, and darkness. Some Necromantic scholars have reasoned that each person on Ekana has some connection with the gevebe and upon their death, that energy is released.

Alone, a Necro is a formidable opponent. They are trained by the survival of the fittest model. So those that actually become a full, black robed Necro are nothing to be trifled. A necro who steps onto a battlefield becomes a powerhouse of death and destruction. They can siphon each and every death around them to gain strength and power. Many evil rulers and conquerors have employed a necro to help them solidify their power and gain control over entire counties. Some Necros have refused to be such pawns. In Birth of Legends, there are two main necromantic characters who chose not to follow anyone else's path.

Visionary, nah, just a writer.

I found this one day:

How can I illustrate what is going on inside my head when I type? This comes close. However, I'm not sure who that writer is for he or she has not nearly enough notes. I have a stack to my left and in front, and files away on paper as well as electronic backups. The result of having too problems with too many ideas with too little time to pursue them, yet.

#mememonday #indieauthors #steampunk #fantasy #mystery