ORIGINALLY POSTED 8/7/2014
Years before I began the Everflame Series, I fashioned myself as a musician. I was a singer/songwriter with a yellow and black Gibson, fronting a band that played at bars and house parties along the New England seacoast. Although my contribution to music came to a fast and uneventful end, my love for music and its influence on me have never wavered. Below is a list of twenty songs that I listened to a lot while writing the Everflame Series. I encourage you to listen to them. Feel free to guess what parts of the series each song influenced and leave your ideas in the comments. 1. Just Like You Imagined – Nine Inch Nails 2. Dust Bowl Dance – Mumford & Sons 3. Not With Haste – Mumford & Sons 4. Roll Away Your Soul – Mumford & Sons 5. I Will Wait – Mumford & Sons 6. La Mer – Nine Inch Nails 7. The Way Out is Through – Nine Inch Nails 8. The Day the World Went Away – Nine Inch Nails 9. A Warm Place – Nine Inch Nails 10. Right Where it Belongs – Nine Inch Nails 11. We’re in This Together Now – Nine Inch Nails 12. King of Pain – Police 13. Eye in the Sky – The Alan Parsons Project 14. Army of Me – Bjork 15. Awake – Black Rebel Motorcycle Club 16. Furr – Blitzen Trapper 17. All These Things I’ve Done – The Killers 18. Take a Bow – Muse 19. The Night – Rob Dickinson 20. The Sound of Silence – Simon and Garfunkel
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ORIGINALLY POSTED 7/16/2014
You must figure things out on your own So you have a manuscript, now what? Well, the truth is that unless you have a lot of financial backing, then you’d better learn to become a jack-of-all-trades. When I started out trying to figure out what I was going to do with the first Everflame book in 2009, I had no money. I was working a minimum wage job while going to school to get a degree in graphic design. I had to use the resources that were available to me. So, I used a graphic design program, Adobe InDesign, to layout Everflame, and then made it available at Lulu.com, a print-on-demand website. Lulu.com was free to use. They only charge you once you order a book. (Note from Captain Obvious: ordering one book is monumentally cheaper than paying a publisher to print a run.) Now, I was lucky that I had a great program like InDesign available to me, but I had to learn how to use it. It took long hours and persistence. Most computers have a program you can use to layout text. It’s up to you to master that program, as well as any other program or resource you may have to use. When I wanted to convert to ebook, I had to learn to do it myself and find a cheap resource to do so. Professional editing of a book costs roughly $2000. I had to improve my editing skills and resubmit versions of Everflame as I improved. The list continues, and you have to be willing to do research to figure out how to fix your problems and get what you want. Being a self-published author is a fight, and the more you can do, the stronger you will ultimately be. Getting reviews is the key The best thing you can have going for your book is good reviews, so spend time figuring out how you can get them. Reviews are the first thing a reader will look for before they will take a chance on your book. If you don’t have any reviews, no one will take that chance. Here is a dirty little secret for you. When I first released Everflame and had no reviews, I created my own reviews and posted them as other people. I had friends and family post reviews. I created online profiles of people that didn’t exist and used those profiles to review Everflame. Was it underhanded? Yes. Did it work? Absolutely. You’d better have some thick skin “This reads like a fourth grader's first creative writing assignment.” Yup, that is an actual quote from an actual reader. Putting your work on the internet for others to read is fun. Another reviewer wrote that Everflame was literally the worst book they had ever read. Isn’t that wonderful? In the end, you have to remember that you can’t please everyone, and some people are just vicious. You take the criticism and work to get better. That’s all you can do. I’m sure those are not the last scathing reviews I’ll receive, but each one makes me grateful for all of the glowing reviews I get. Get comfortable with promotion In 2009, I advertised Everflame on craigslist under the free section. It was completely against the policy of the website, and the ad was taken down soon after, but I received a lot of downloads from it. In fact, I spent a lot of time that year finding places that I could post about Everflame online. I joined online fantasy communities just to talk about Everflame, and I filled out every free book listing I could find. I sent bookmarks to local bookstores. I did anything and everything I could think of that was within my meager budget. To this day, promotion is something I’m constantly looking to improve upon. My most recent ideas have been contests to promote fan interaction and I’ve also tried creating Everflame themed internet memes. (You never know what might end up going viral) Never give up and never stop improving All told, the number one thing that self-publishing has taught me is that you can never give up. You never know when or where your break might come, but you’d better be ready for it and willing to fight for it. I love writing, and because I have that love I know I will continue to work at and improve my craft. If you love writing, and are considering self-publishing your work, remember Densa at the end of Everflame 4: As the Darkness Waits. I go forth with my love, knowing nothing can stop me now. ORIGINALLY POSTED 7/10/2014
I have received comments and questions from readers in regard to some of the names that I use in the Everflame series, and I thought it might make for a good blog post to divulge how I created certain character names. Names such as Tomas and Ben Floyd have no real meaning behind them, they just happened to be the names that popped into my head at the time I was creating the characters. Names such as Evercloud have meaning, but are also explained in the books. “You are a mystery, my son, like a cloud that continues forever. No one can see through to what lies on the other side.” Yet, there are names that I chose for certain characters that were chosen with reason and purpose that the books don’t necessarily explain with clarity. You may have guessed at why I chose certain names, (if you have some knowledge of Latin, the meaning of a name like Lithlillian becomes obvious) but I figured I’d take out the guesswork on a few names for you. So, here… we… go. The Daughters of Earth and Sun There is no great mystery involved in how I named these characters. However, I was looking for more than just simple feminine names. I did want names that sounded feminine, but that were also grounded in meanings associated with the earth aspect that each daughter represents. Harena – the word is Latin and means “grains of sand” or “a sandy land.” As I’ve already said. There is no great mystery as to why I chose this. Dendrata – dendro- is a Greek prefix meaning “tree.” I simply changed the end of the word to make it sound like a woman’s name. Nivalia – nivalis in Latin means “snowy.” Again, I made a slight change to the word. Tallulah – is of Native American origin, and the meaning of Tallulah is "leaping water." Aella – Means "whirlwind" in Greek. Lithlillian – litho- is a prefix meaning “stone.” (Are you seeing a pattern here?) I thought Lithlillian sounded melodic. Selva – selva is Portuguese and means “tropical rain forest” or “jungle.” Amber – Amber is a semi-precious gem formed of fossilized tree resin, and the name may refer either to the gem itself or to its color. In the Hindi language, Amber is derived from Sanskrit, and means "the sky." Other notable language derivatives: King Aplistia – aplistia is Greek for “greed.” The Kingdom of Nefas – nefas is Latin for “wickedness.” Have any questions about other names in the Everflame series? Leave a comment and I promise I’ll answer your question. ORIGINALLY POSTED 7/3/2014
1. Anthem by Ayn Rand Just say the word dystopia and I’m in. Anthem has remained my favorite book for years. Its mix of science fiction, Rand’s philosophy and self-righteous rebellion keep me coming back, over and over. It’s a very quick read and I think that’s partly what inspired me to make the Everflame books rapid reads. If there is any one part of the Everflame series in which this book most directly inspired, it would have to be Tenturo’s rebirth upon the red planet. Anthem remains the only book that I have an audio version of, as well as the only book I’ve had to purchase multiple times because I give my copy away to people. If you read only one book on this list, read this one. Best quote: “But what is freedom? Freedom from what? There is nothing to take a man's freedom away from him, save other men. To be free, a man must be free of his brothers. That is freedom. That and nothing else.” ― Ayn Rand, Anthem 2. 1984 by George Orwell Staying with the dystopia theme, 1984 was the only book I actually read in high school. (Believe it or not, I didn’t become an avid reader until after the age of eighteen.) As an angst-ridden young man, George Orwell seemed to hit the nail on the head in regard to how I felt about modern society. Sometimes the greatest books are the ones that help you realize you’re not alone in the way that you think, and 1984did that for me as a young man. I’m not quite sure 1984 inspired any part of the Everflame series directly, however, it did inspire me to become a reader and one who enjoys the written word. Best quote: “Being in a minority, even in a minority of one, did not make you mad. There was truth and there was untruth, and if you clung to the truth even against the whole world, you were not mad.” ― George Orwell, 1984 3. The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand The Fountainhead is one of the only books on this list that has no aspect of fantasy or science fiction in the story. What I find so inspiring about Ayn Rand is her philosophy of the individual. The protagonist of this book, Howard Roark, is everything I ever wanted to be as an individual. When I read this book for the first time it truly felt as if his words were my own, his conversations were my conversations, and his thoughts were my thoughts. I was misunderstood in the very same way that he was misunderstood, others hated me in the very same way he was hated by others, and the few that loved me, loved me in the same way they loved Howard Roark. Best quote: “But you see," said Roark quietly, "I have, let’s say, sixty years to live. Most of that time will be spent working. I’ve chosen the work I want to do. If I find no joy in it, then I’m only condemning myself to sixty years of torture. And I can find the joy only if I do my work in the best way possible to me. But the best is a matter of standards—and I set my own standards. I inherit nothing. I stand at the end of no tradition. I may, perhaps, stand at the beginning of one.” ― Ayn Rand, The Fountainhead 4. Imajica by Clive Barker Imajica changed my perspective on the fantasy genre and helped me realize that a fantasy book could move past the world of elves and dwarves. It was also the first fantasy book I had read that took place in a modern atmosphere. I would count Imajica as a fantasy epic that does not receive the credit it deserves and it surely got my creative side flowing in a way that other fantasy novels couldn’t hope to. Its most apparent influence in the Everflame series would have to be the Daughters of Earth and Sun. I recommend Imajica to any fantasy reader, but keep in mind that it has very adult themes. Best quote: “Study nothing except in the knowledge that you already knew it. Worship nothing except in adoration of your true self. And fear nothing except in the certainty that you are your enemy's begetter and its only hope of healing.” ― Clive Barker, Imajica 5. The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien How could one not include The Lord of the Rings? It would have to be tantamount to a modern musician never listening to The Beatles. The influences are intrinsic and obvious. A modern fantasy writer would be a fool to assume they are not influenced by this story, and the honest truth is that one finds they are trying to make sure that they don’t blatantly sample Tolkien’s work. If you haven’t read it, get to work. Best quote: “It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to.” ― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings 6. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury …and back to dystopia. What can I say, I’m a sucker for the concept of rebelling against an oppressor. I would say the brothers Floyd are probably the characters in the Everflame series that most embody my love of rebelling against a society you hold in disdain. Fahrenheit 451 helped foster that feeling. It’s a definite must read. Best quote: “I'm seventeen and I'm crazy. My uncle says the two always go together. When people ask your age, he said, always say seventeen and insane.” ― Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451 7. Nightmares & Dreamscapes by Stephen King As I had already said, I didn’t really read much as a child, but I did carry this collection of short stories around with me for the better part of a year. I’ve always loved the way Stephen King could keep you on the edge of your seat, waiting for the payoff. I read through those short stories voraciously, dying to know the secrets King had yet to reveal. I’ve tried to replicate that sort of need to know what’s around the corner in my own writing. If I come even remotely close to achieving that curiosity in my readers I’ll count it as a success. My favorite of the stories in this collection: The Ten o’Clock People 8. Dragonlance Legends (Time of the Twins, War of the Twins, Test of the Twins) by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman This is just a very solid fantasy trilogy and it was certainly the inspiration behind my desire to create characters that could be both good and evil. It was the first series I had ever read where the protagonist was the bad guy… or was he? I think the strength of this series is in the characters and that is certainly an element I try to achieve I my own writing. 9. Illusions by Richard Bach Illusions is another book that everyone should read. You can add Jonathan Livingston Seagull into this as well. (same author) One thing I have learned in my life is that the people in this world who are successful and who get what they want are the people who face the fear of failure and defeat it. Doubt will destroy you. If you want something, believe you can obtain it and never give up the pursuit. If you fail, learn from that failure, get back up, and resume the fight. Best quote: “You are never given a wish without also being given the power to make it true. You may have to work for it however.” ― Richard Bach, Illusions 10. The Stranger by Albert Camus The Stranger by Albert Camus is like an old friend, or more like an old picture of myself. I look back on it with nostalgia, knowing that it was a part of me, and a part of who I was, but also knowing that I have grown past it and benefitted from knowing it. The Stranger is a sketch of Camus’ existentialism, and when I was younger, I identified with it greatly. Yet at some point, I realized that I wasn’t really an existential thinker as much as I was someone who felt numbed by the weight of life. It was working through the ideas in this book that helped me grow as a person and find within myself the fire that I call Everflame. I encourage you to read all these books. I find great value in having them as a part of my life, and I believe each one has helped to make me who I am today. ORIGINALLY POSTED 7/27/2014
I began writing the Everflame series in 2008 and didn’t finish As the Darkness Waits until somewhat recently. Spend six years doing anything and you’ll get attached to it. I don’t think it would come as a surprise to anyone to hear that writing the last bit of the Everflame series was hard for me. I don’t mean it was hard in the way that I didn’t know just how to end it, after all, I had known how I wanted the series to end since I began writing it in 2008, but it was hard in the way that ending a long relationship is hard. You are really leaving a part of yourself behind as you move on, for better or for worse. It took two weeks of dragging my feet before I wrote the last chapter of As the Darkness Waits. I was masterful in my procrastination. It really was like a break up, I was avoiding it purposefully. I would recite the words to the mirror, convincing myself I had it right. I thought about it incessantly, even when I needed to be concentrating on other things. It consumed me as I ignored it, and I knew it wouldn’t let me go… until I agreed to let it go. As I wrote the final words I felt pain. As bizarre as that sounds, it would be a lie not to admit it. I stood from my laptop, walked away, and stared out the window. I was free of Everflame, I was free of the characters, I was free of the land I had created, but I had torn a part of myself away for the prize of that freedom. Days pass and you feel oddly as if you are in some sort of mourning. I was irritable, sullen and withdrawn. I quickly realized what writing meant to me, and what Everflamehad meant to me. Would I be able to get that back? I knew when I ended Everflame that I had also ended something of myself, but I had always assumed that it would be a part of me I could let go, a part that I could survive without. My assumptions were incorrect. Yet, Everflame was done. So I scanned over my new project; my new story; my new source. Could this new story fulfill the role in my life that I so obviously needed? Could I immerse myself into this new world and into these new characters with the same passion and purpose that first inspired the flame? I’m happy to report that it can. I’m happy to report that I will. I am 5000 words into the newest chapter of my life, and though I will take my time, cherishing everything that it gives me through the process of creation, I cannot wait to one day share it with everyone. The Dean Machine keeps my heart safe… stay tuned. |