Bryan Davis' New Book Series-
Beyond the Reflection's Edge
Blog Tour - Day 2

One of the things I enjoyed about Beyond the Reflection's Edge, is the eye to detail Mr. Davis gave each scene. Before the book released, I read on his blog ( http://dragonsinourmidst.blogspot.com/ ) about sites he visited that occurred in the book. One chase scene happens near a bridge. Rather than write the scene with primarily an action focus, he included character interaction with the surrounding neighborhood buildings and sites. Early in the story the two main characters, Nathan and Kelly, must check into her school. To research this scene, Mr. Davis met with school officials at a real Iowa high school. Schools have changed over recent years, so an settling for an author's memory of their own school days would come off as out-dated or unbelievable.

Well researched scenes are just one of the things that set Beyond the Reflection's Edge apart from other contemporary stories. Plus, it's a fun read. I found myself wondering what new twists the author might weave into the story. At first cameras that took pictures of other times, and mirrors that reflected other places, threw me. But it's all explained later in the book as Nathan and Kelly uncover the clues; and in believable ways. I never could get into a story where a stranger shows up and explains everything a main character has been unable to decipher.

Book 2 is in the series is titled, Eternity's Edge (Echoes from the Edge)

Beyond the Reflection’s Edge – http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0310715547
Bryan Davis’ Web site – http://www.dragonsinourmidst.com/
Bryan Davis’ blog – http://dragonsinourmidst.blogspot.com/

*Participants’ Links:
Brandon Barr
Jennifer Bogart
Justin Boyer
Keanan Brand
Kathy Brasby
Jackie Castle
Valerie Comer
Courtney
CSFF Blog Tour
Stacey Dale
D. G. D. Davidson
Shane Deal
Janey DeMeo
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Karina Fabian
Marcus Goodyear
Andrea Graham
Todd Michael Greene
Katie Hart
Timothy Hicks
Joleen Howell
Jason Joyner
Kait
Mike Lynch
Magma
Terri Main
Margaret
Rachel Marks
Melissa Meeks
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Eve Nielsen
Nissa
John W. Otte
Steve Rice
Ashley Rutherford
Mirtika or Mir's Here
Chawna Schroeder
Greg Slade
James Somers
Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
Jason Waguespac
Laura Williams
Timothy Wise

Bryan Davis' New Book Series-
Beyond the Reflection's Edge
Blog Tour - Day 1

Beyond the Reflection's Edge struck me as a combination mystery, fantasy, science-fiction, and suspense story all rolled into one. This is the first book in Mr. Davis' new Echoes from the Edge series. The main character, Nathan Shepard, has a world class violinist mother, and an anti-industrial espionage father. But his worldly travels don't begin to prepare him for the shock of finding both parents murdered and waiting in the basement.

With a hint of time travel, Nathan encounters an earlier version of his mother. I enjoyed the trip to the 1980s, and a comparison of changes between then and now. Like the movie, It's a Wonderful Life, Nathan finds one event often preceded by a seemingly unrelated action. Break the chain of events, and you find a different outcome then expected. A theme that seemed to run though the book is that things happen for a purpose. You may not like, or understand, the reason, like Nathan, but still there is a plan for your life.

(click book for Amazon link)

Beyond the Reflection’s Edge – http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0310715547
Bryan Davis’ Web site – http://www.dragonsinourmidst.com/
Bryan Davis’ blog – http://dragonsinourmidst.blogspot.com/

*Participants’ Links:
Brandon Barr
Jennifer Bogart
Justin Boyer
Keanan Brand
Kathy Brasby
Jackie Castle
Valerie Comer
Courtney
CSFF Blog Tour
Stacey Dale
D. G. D. Davidson
Shane Deal
Janey DeMeo
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Karina Fabian
Marcus Goodyear
Andrea Graham
Todd Michael Greene
Katie Hart
Timothy Hicks
Joleen Howell
Jason Joyner
Kait
Mike Lynch
Magma
Terri Main
Margaret
Rachel Marks
Melissa Meeks
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Eve Nielsen
Nissa
John W. Otte
Steve Rice
Ashley Rutherford
Mirtika or Mir's Here
Chawna Schroeder
Greg Slade
James Somers
Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
Jason Waguespac
Laura Williams
Timothy Wise

The 2008 Fantasy Fiction Tour

October 3 - October 11, 2008


Motiv8 Tour Site


Featuring:
The original FFT “Fantastic Four”
Wayne Thomas Batson (Thomas Nelson)
Christopher Hopper (Tsaba House)
Sharon Hinck (NavPress)
Bryan Davis (Zondervan)

and new members creating the FFT "Motiv8" Team
Eric Reinhold (Creation House/Strang)
LB Graham (P&R Publishing)
Jonathan Rogers (Broadman & Holman Publishers)
and the amazing Donita K. Paul (Waterbrook/Random House)

Blogger Tag - Part 2

I'll try a couple of more lucky bloggers from CSFF to help play Blog Tag.

Bloggers contact each other and tag another blogger to generate traffic to their blog. Becky Miller at http://rebeccaluellamiller.wordpress.com/ tagged me recently.

Here are the rules:

Check the list after my 6 THINGS to see if you’re it then
1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Write six random things about yourself.
4. Tag six-ish people at the end of your post.
5. Let each person know he or she has been tagged.
6. Let the tagger know when your entry is up.

Some random things about me:
1. I write mainly young adult fantasy, but my only published material is a weekly article on
saving money in our county school newsletter.
2. The first and only time I went golfing my ball nearly hit a player on another hole.
3. I've been to Disney World 12 times so far, and hope to go again with my family.
4. My wife of 24 years, so far, lived seven-tenths of a mile from my house, shared many
family connections and yet we never met until the year of our first date.
5. My first meal in Athens, Greece was spaghetti at Le Paris.
6. One of my favorite television series was Briscoe County Jr.

Okay, I guess it's time to pick six poor unfortunate, um.. I mean lucky bloggers to tag:

Stuart Stockton
Shannon McNear
John W. Otte
Andrea Graham

Two new 'lucky' bloggers

Jason Waguespack
Jeff Draper

Blogger Tag



This is something new for me, I've never played before. Bloggers contact each other and tag another blogger to generate traffic to their blog. Becky Miller at http://rebeccaluellamiller.wordpress.com/ tagged me recently.

Here are the rules:

Check the list after my 6 THINGS to see if you’re it then
1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Write six random things about yourself.
4. Tag six-ish people at the end of your post.
5. Let each person know he or she has been tagged.
6. Let the tagger know when your entry is up.

Some random things about me:
1. I write mainly young adult fantasy, but my only published material is a weekly article on
saving money in our county school newsletter.
2. The first and only time I went golfing my ball nearly hit a player on another hole.
3. I've been to Disney World 12 times so far, and hope to go again with my family.
4. My wife of 24 years, so far, lived seven-tenths of a mile from my house, shared many
family connections and yet we never met until the year of our first date.
5. My first meal in Athens, Greece was spaghetti at Le Paris.
6. One of my favorite television series was Briscoe County Jr.

Okay, I guess it's time to pick six poor unfortunate, um.. I mean lucky bloggers to tag:

Stuart Stockton
Shannon McNear
John W. Otte
Andrea Graham

Well that is four.
The Unknown Blogger

BLOG TOUR - DAY 3

MARCHER LORD PRESS

Jeff Gerke

Web site - http://www.marcherlordpress.com/Home.htm

Author writing site - http://wherethemapends.com/

This is the third bog tour day for new publisher, Jeff Gerke's Lord Marcher Press.
The first three books availble on October 1st are Hero, Second Class, by Mitchell Bonds; The Personifid Invasion, by R.E. Bartlett; and Summa Elvetica: A Casuistry of the Elvish Controversy, by Theodore Beale.

In the fantasy, Summa Elvetica, scholar Markus Valerius is called to the office of the
Holy Sanctiff at the the Holy Palace. A commentary by Marcus on the Summa Spiritus, written about the many different races of Selenoth and their place in God's plan, brings him to the attention of The Church's spiritual leaders. The Holy Sanctiff wishes to determine whether elves, and other non-human races, have an immortal soul, and what should be done by The Church if they do.

Theodore Beale brings a new twist to the standard fantasy world. What if the fantasy world included a Roman Catholic church and clergy? At first this reminded me of the Deryni series by Katherine Kurtz, but Beale has created a whole new world with Selenoth. Things aren't as easy as Markus expects, not all races care to embrace The Way of The Church. With Lodi the dwarf for protection, Marcus and his group leave human civilization to meet with the Elven races.

The Personifid Invasion by R.E. Bartlett, is the second book in the Personifid series. The first book in the series is titled, The Personifid Project. In the future, scientists are able to detect a person's soul and move it to a new robotic body called a 'personifid'.

The Personifid Invasion begins with a soul's transference from a human body into a cold, robotic body. The girl feels this is wrong, but does not possess the strength to resist. A human voice informs her that none of this will be remembered; she now has a new superior body.

Aphra, a receptionist for the personifids at the Sevig Empire Building is upset to receive a phone request for an information packet concerning the spiritual implacations of transferrence. Needing to leave suddenly, Aphra disconnects the virtual connection. She has been in her own apartment the whole work day. Her supervisor calls to inform Aphra that Sevig expects all employees to work live at the office, and will soon require all employees to transfer to personifid bodies.

Sevig Corporation tries to describe the personifids as the best body money can buy. But something is lost during the transfer, and how much control over the new bodies and minds does a person actually have? Sevig isn't being forthcoming about the personifids. What terrible secret are is Sevig hiding?

*Participants’ Links:

Brandon Barr
Justin Boyer
Jackie Castle
Valerie Comer
Karri Compton
CSFF Blog Tour
Gene Curtis
Stacey Dale
D. G. D. Davidson
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Karina Fabian
Beth Goddard
Mark Goodyear
Andrea Graham
Todd Michael Greene
Katie Hart
Timothy Hicks
Christopher Hopper
Joleen Howell
Jason Joyner
Carol Keen
Tina Kulesa
Magma
Terri Main
Magma
Margaret
Shannon McNear
Melissa Meeks
Rebecca LuElla Miller
John W. Otte
Deena Peterson
Steve Rice
Cheryl Russel
Ashley Rutherford
Chawna Schroeder
James Somers
Robert Treskillard
Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
Jason Waguespac
Laura Williams

BLOG TOUR - DAY 2
MARCHER LORD PRESS

Jeff Gerke


Web site - http://www.marcherlordpress.com/Home.htm

Author writing site - http://wherethemapends.com/

Today's blog tour will include a short interview with Jeff Gerke of Lord Marcher Press.

1) Mr. Gerke, I've been a fan of your website graphics since the first time I saw your Where The Map Ends website. Do you design any of the site graphics? It has nice science-fiction feel.

Jeff Gerke: I've had help designing the graphical look of WhereTheMapEnds. The splash page was completely done by Kirk DouPonce of Dog-Eared Design (www.dogeareddesign.com). Kirk also took the first stab at the main page design, though I tweaked it. The banner artwork is a painting done by Frank Hettick (www.skyhighgallery.com). I'm glad you like how it looks!

2) Your new site, Marcher Lord Press, contains an intro video of a soldier standing guard at a border. How did you decide on this name for your publishing company? Do you see Marcher Lord Press as opening new frontiers in Christian literature by bringing about great fantasy and science-fiction stories readers may not find elsewhere?

Jeff Gerke: You've guessed it! The marcher lord in history had two main purposes: he protected the boundary of the homeland and he helped expand the homeland's influence into previously hostile territory. Plus, I just love the idea of a heroic knight standing alone on the edge of the known world. I love the heroic imagery the marcher lord motif suggests. BTW, I did the opening animation myself. A buddy of mine did the voiceover, however.

These questions were answered in the WhereTheMapEnds interview of Jeff Gerke, where he interviews himself.

Jeff Gerke "Live" and 3D on Lord Marcher Press

3) As both an editor and author, what is your favorite genre to write, and what is your favorite genre to edit?

Jeff Gerke: I have two kinds of fiction I dearly love to write: speculative (both SF and fantasy) and military. My two published trilogies are just that: speculative (the Ethan Hamilton series) and military (the Operation: Firebrand novels).

4) Would you have any suggestions for aspiring speculative fiction authors?

Jeff Gerke: Do it! Your day has come. In three to five years there will be all kinds of markets clamoring for your speculative fiction. They may not be the kind of markets you see now, and they may not offer big advances or multi-city book tours, but they will want your stuff. Speculative will suddenly be in demand.
The first thing is to write it. The second thing is to improve your craft. With the array of books and seminars and workshops and conferences (and of course my own Fiction Writing Tip of the Week column) available to you now, there's no excuse for not having first-rate fiction craftsmanship.

But after you avail yourself of those and you find you still need help, I offer a full menu of editorial services in which I'll look directly at your writing and tell you what's working and what needs improvement, and how to do it.

Thank you so much for your time.

*Participants’ Links:

Brandon Barr
Justin Boyer
Jackie Castle
Valerie Comer
Karri Compton
CSFF Blog Tour
Gene Curtis
Stacey Dale
D. G. D. Davidson
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Karina Fabian
Beth Goddard
Mark Goodyear
Andrea Graham
Todd Michael Greene
Katie Hart
Timothy Hicks
Christopher Hopper
Joleen Howell
Jason Joyner
Carol Keen
Tina Kulesa
Magma
Terri Main
Magma
Margaret
Shannon McNear
Melissa Meeks
Rebecca LuElla Miller
John W. Otte
Deena Peterson
Steve Rice
Cheryl Russel
Ashley Rutherford
Chawna Schroeder
James Somers
Robert Treskillard
Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
Jason Waguespac
Laura Williams

BLOG TOUR - DAY 1
MARCHER LORD PRESS

Jeff Gerke

Web site - http://www.marcherlordpress.com/Home.htm

Author writing site - http://wherethemapends.com/

Today begins the first blog tour day of new publisher, Jeff Gerke's Lord Marcher Press. You may have heard of Mr. Gerke through his writing site, Where the Map Ends, or one of his own books. October 1st begins what we hope is only the first offering in a long line of outstanding Christian speculative fiction.

The initial three books offered are Hero, Second Class, by Mitchell Bonds; The Personifid, by R.E. Bartlett; and Summa Elvetica: A Casuistry of the Elvish Controversy, by Theodore Beale.

As an added incentive to purchase these books on launch day, customers will receive Into the Breach: The Marcher Lord in History and Legend by castles expert Lise Hull. Purchase a second book or more, and you will receive, A Marcher Lord Gallery: Speculative Art by various Christian artists. You can't lose, Marcher Lord Press is offering three great stories, and the digital books to enjoy on your computer. Register before opening day, tell your friends to include your name

when they register, and you could be enjoying the Grand Prize drawing of the 2009 ComicCON convention held in San Diego!

I didn't want to mention only the prizes and goodies when you purchase or register, because these three books have some great stories. My favorite, so far, is Hero, Second Class. I had to stop reading often because I laughed so hard. Mitchell Bonds does an outstanding job with this fantasy send-up satire. Early in the book the villain is about to do in the Crimson Slash - each Hero has a two part name according the the oft mentioned Hero's Manual - when the Villains Guild representatives appear and inform the villain he failed to file the proper forms before attempting to take over the world. Later in the book, an old friend appears and begins belittling others in the team. Katana, a feline magic-user, casts a "blessed SHUT UP spell" and peace is restored. This book is hilarious; a perfect gift for any fantasy lover. Order one for yourself, and one or more for your friends.

*Participants’ Links:

Brandon Barr
Justin Boyer
Jackie Castle
Valerie Comer
Karri Compton
CSFF Blog Tour
Gene Curtis
Stacey Dale
D. G. D. Davidson
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Karina Fabian
Beth Goddard
Mark Goodyear
Andrea Graham
Todd Michael Greene
Katie Hart
Timothy Hicks
Christopher Hopper
Joleen Howell
Jason Joyner
Carol Keen
Tina Kulesa
Magma
Terri Main
Magma
Margaret
Shannon McNear
Melissa Meeks
Rebecca LuElla Miller
John W. Otte
Deena Peterson
Steve Rice
Cheryl Russel
Ashley Rutherford
Chawna Schroeder
James Somers
Robert Treskillard
Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
Jason Waguespac
Laura Williams

BLOG TOUR - DAY 3

Broken Angel
by Sigmund Brouwer

Web site - http://www.coolreading.com/

Author moderated blog - http://www.sigmundbrouwernovels.com/

(Click book for Amazon link)

Today is the final blog tour day for Broken Angel by Sigmund Brouwer. Day one included an interview with Mr. Brouwer, and day two included a video clip with links to more information about the book. On day three I wanted to include some observations about the book.

Broken Angel's setting in the Appalachian Mountains has the feel of someone who has lived in the region. The people are believable, and not hillbilly stereotypes. The idea of limiting town population to small sizes fits in with the small, close-knit communities sprinkled throughout the region.

At first, I felt a little uneasy about the one church and it's leader that ran everything in the region. Reading further, I found that the people on the inside had been taught a convoluted version of the Bible. Unable to own books, especially Bibles, members were left to depend on their religious leaders for their religious training. Taking select biblical passages too literally, these leaders read out of the Bible what they wanted.

The leaders reminded me of the Pharisees. They had the final say in all matters because they "knew best." Their interpretations provided wide leeway for whatever actions they desired. The ends truly justified the means in their eyes. In Caitlyn's case the leaders were willing to sacrifice an innocent's blood to achieve their goal of surveillance satellites.

As the story unfolds, Caitlyn's father must leave her alone to make her way to the Outside world. Her spine disfigured, she meets up with other broken people and befriends them. Theo has excellent hearing, but can barely see fingers in front of his face. Billy, an honest, kind-hearted adult, has a problem understanding most things that happen to him, but he is loyal and strong armed. Even the villains are broken in some way. Mason enjoys inflicting fear and pain upon others. Seemingly without fear, a lone confrontation with a small, defenseless Caitlyn, leads Mason to face his greatest fear; that within him.

Not everyone is what they appear. Friends are foes, and foes friends. Broken Angel included some nice unexpected plot twists and conflicts. Underlying the story is the idea that man's unchecked quest for knowledge may lead to consequences for all involved.

Broken Angel weaves an interesting story into a plausible future, and leaves open the door for the book's sequel. Read Broken Angel if you have the opportunity, it will make you think long after you finish the book.

*Participants’ Links:

Brandon Barr
Justin Boyer
Keanan Brand
Jackie Castle
Valerie Comer
Karri Compton
CSFF Blog Tour
Stacey Dale
D. G. D. Davidson
Janey DeMeo
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Karina Fabian
Mark Goodyear
Andrea Graham
Katie Hart
Timothy Hicks
Christopher Hopper
Joleen Howell
Jason Joyner
Carol Keen
Magma
Margaret
Shannon McNear
Melissa Meeks
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Nissa
John W. Otte
Steve Rice
Ashley Rutherford
Hanna Sandvig
Chawna Schroeder
Mirtika or Mir’s Here
Sean Slagle
James Somers
Donna Swanson
Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
Laura Williams

BLOG TOUR - DAY 2

Broken Angel
by Sigmund Brouwer

Web site - http://www.coolreading.com/

Author moderated blog - http://www.sigmundbrouwernovels.com/

(Click book for Amazon link)

Sigmund Brouwer's wife, Cindy Morgan, composed a moving song to accompany Caitlyn's journey at the end of Broken Angel. The complete song lyrics may be found at the end of the book.

In the interview with Sigmund Brouwer on yesterday's blog, he mentioned an upcoming sequel. This should answer some of the questions I had by the end of the book. What happens to Caitlyn and her friends after she escapes? And were they allowed to escape by the government from the mountains so that she could be captured outside? We'll have to wait for the Broken Angel sequel to answer some questions, and explain the reasons behind other questions.

http://www.brokenangelsong.com/
Download your copy of the Beautiful Bird Video

*Participants’ Links:

Brandon Barr
Justin Boyer
Jackie Castle
Valerie Comer
Karri Compton
CSFF Blog Tour
Gene Curtis
Stacey Dale
D. G. D. Davidson
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Karina Fabian
* Beth Goddard
Mark Goodyear
Andrea Graham
Todd Michael Greene
Katie Hart
Timothy Hicks
Christopher Hopper
Joleen Howell
Jason Joyner
Carol Keen
Magma
Terri Main
Magma
Margaret
* Shannon McNear
Melissa Meeks
* Rebecca LuElla Miller
John W. Otte
Deena Peterson
Steve Rice
* Cheryl Russel
Ashley Rutherford
Chawna Schroeder
James Somers
Robert Treskillard
* Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
Laura Williams

BLOG TOUR - DAY 1

Broken Angel
by Sigmund Brouwer

Web site - http://www.coolreading.com/

Author moderated blog - http://www.sigmundbrouwernovels.com/

(Click book for Amazon link)

In Broken Angel a young girl named Caitlyn finds her life has been a series of half-truths forged to protect her very existence from state controlled bounty hunters and officials who want her dead or alive. Disfigured from birth, Caitlyn has spent her life on the run with her father by skrting the small, state run towns in the Appalachian Mountains. Mr. Brouwer has managed to capture a feel for the Appalachians, and the stron, self-relient independence of it's people.

Mr. Brouwer kindly consented to answer a few questions concerning Broken Angel and his writing.

After writing so many different books, what is your favorite genre to write?
I’m beginning to discover that what I like most is something that happened not by design with Broken Angel: a combination of trying to generate suspense like in Fuse of Armageddon, with speculation about the near future. My editor at Waterbrook, Shannon, calls it visionary suspense. In retrospect, it makes sense that I end up here. I love Harlan Coben’s suspense, and Michael Crichton’s believe sci-fi scenarios.

I’ve already been toying with other ideas for more novels like this: using evolutionary science to trace the genetic code to Adam and Eve and the first moments of human consciousness in all of history, or a carnivorous fungus that grows computer-generated intelligence or. . .

Where did you get the idea for Broken Angel?
I think of it as a father daughter story first, with a genetics background. The father/daughter is because, of course, my two little girls. As for genetics, because of previous novel, Double Helix, I’d done a lot of causal reading about genetics, and then there was a wave of news stories about incredible new advances, like fusing animal and human embryos.

Broken Angel takes place in the Appalachian Mountains, and you seemed to pick up on the independent spirit of the region. Did you spend a lot of time researching the area?
Lots and lots of time. My wife, Cindy, grew up in the region. It’s beautiful, isolated and perfect to form a theocracy! And, for reasons of domestic harmony, I won't get into stories about her families that were, um, inspirational. . .

Are there any plans for a Broken Angel sequel?
I’m working on it right now. There were too many unanswered questions at the end of the novel, and I couldn’t find a natural place to answer those questions. Especially about the events that forced Jordan to flee to Appalachia with Caitlyn. So I've followed Caitlyn to the Outside and am learning there is a far greater secret hidden from her than the one in Broken Angel.

Thank you for your time answering these questions.

*Participants’ Links:

Brandon Barr
Justin Boyer
Jackie Castle
Valerie Comer
Karri Compton
CSFF Blog Tour
Gene Curtis
Stacey Dale
D. G. D. Davidson
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Karina Fabian
* Beth Goddard
Mark Goodyear
Andrea Graham
Todd Michael Greene
Katie Hart
Timothy Hicks
Christopher Hopper
Joleen Howell
Jason Joyner
Carol Keen
Magma
Terri Main
Magma
Margaret
* Shannon McNear
Melissa Meeks
* Rebecca LuElla Miller
John W. Otte
Deena Peterson
Steve Rice
* Cheryl Russel
Ashley Rutherford
Chawna Schroeder
James Somers
Robert Treskillard
* Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
Laura Williams

The 2008 Muse Online Writer's Conference

October 15-18, 2008


(click on icon to visit web page)


Registration open until September 1
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/2008MuseConference/


This free annual online conference provides writers the opportunity to improve their craft through multiple workshops, chats with other writers, and a chance to ask questions of the published presenters. Conference coordinator, Lea Schizas, conceived of the Muse Online Conference as a way to provide many of the positive elements of a regular conference to those who could not attend due to monetary or physical restrictions.

An evolving workshop list may be found at:

http://www.themuseonlinewritersconference.com/2008workshops.htm
Like a live conference, you register for the workshops you would like to attend, and study the handouts before asking questions during the chat sessions.

If you would like to improve your writing but can't afford the time and money to attend a big conference, the Muse Online Writer's Conference is great way to learn and meet other writers.

Register today while there are still openings.

BLOG TOUR - DAY 3

DragonLight
by Donita K. Paul

Web site - http://www.donitakpaul.com/

Author moderated blog - http://www.donitakpaul.com/author/blog.html

(Click book for Amazon link)

On the final blog tour day, I wanted to mention that while DragonLight is the ending volume of the Dragonkeeper Chronicles, it isn't the end of Donita Paul's world of Amara. She is working on a story tentatively called A New Tail. Here's the first chapter download.

DragonLight struck me as a book of comparisons. Kale felt compelled to stay at the castle and oversee the estate while Bardon journeyed to take a cure for the stakes - a bone and joint ailment that brought great pain. Bardon followed Paladin and quoted Wulder's teachings, yet Bardon was quick to jump on Holt for schemes to turn a quick profit. Toopka enjoyed life and always looked for the postitives, while Sittiponder seemed the eternal pessimist at times; not because he looked for the negative but because he saw what was yet to come for his friends.

The second largest contrast existed between Kale and Gilda the Meech dragon. Kale looked outwards and thought of others. Gilda, as a Meech, looked down on the other races, deeming them less cultured and intelligent. Her problems were always the greatest, and needed solving the soonest. Of course the largest contrast existed between Wulder and Mot Angra. Wulder cared for all, and would bring all to him; even Mot Angra. Mot Angra brought only ruin and destruction through his self-centered goals and actions.

In the end, self sacrifice and compassion for others brought healing to the person and to the land.

Thanks to Nissa at LinaLamont. blogspot.com for mentioning the a link to Librettowit's Library
This page on Donita Paul's webpage explains about the character races and other items if you have questions.

In case you missed the earlier books in the series, CBD offers the complete set on sale.




DragonSpell, DragonQuest, DragonKnight, DragonFire, and DragonLight.


(Click books for link)

*Participants’ Links:

Brandon Barr
Justin Boyer
Jackie Castle
Valerie Comer
Karri Compton
CSFF Blog Tour
Gene Curtis
Stacey Dale
D. G. D. Davidson
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Karina Fabian
* Beth Goddard
Mark Goodyear
Andrea Graham
Todd Michael Greene
Katie Hart
Timothy Hicks
Christopher Hopper
Joleen Howell
Jason Joyner
Carol Keen
Magma
Terri Main
Margaret
* Shannon McNear
Melissa Meeks
* Rebecca LuElla Miller
Nissa
John W. Otte
Deena Peterson
Steve Rice
* Cheryl Russel
Ashley Rutherford
Chawna Schroeder
James Somers
Robert Treskillard
* Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
Laura Williams

BLOG TOUR - DAY 2

DragonLight
by Donita K. Paul

Web site - http://www.donitakpaul.com/

Author moderated blog - http://www.donitakpaul.com/author/blog.html

(Click book for Amazon link)

DragonLight is a light, fun read. I'm not always in the mood for a heavy, epic conquest story. Sometimes the good guys do win, but not always the way that you would expect. Besides the Followers, DragonLight introduces the reader to an ancient evil considered more fable than fact. Add to this the dangerous black dragons, and Kale and Bardon find problems coming from all sides.

The black dragons are a fourth type of dragon in the land of Amara - the majestic riding dragons, the intelligent meech dragons, the talented minor dragons, and now the evil black dragons with poison spines and flaming saliva. Kale finds herself unable to communicate with this new dragon breed. Instead, the dark threat from the sky comes looking for Kale and attacks her as the DragonKeeper. And all she wanted was a few days away from the castle enjoying a quiet quest with her husband, Bardon.

Thanks to Nissa at LinaLamont. blogspot.com here is a link to Librettowit's Library
This page on Donita Paul's webpage explains about the character races and other items if you have a question.

*Participants’ Links:


Brandon Barr
Justin Boyer
Jackie Castle
Valerie Comer
Karri Compton
CSFF Blog Tour
Gene Curtis
Stacey Dale
D. G. D. Davidson
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Karina Fabian
* Beth Goddard
Mark Goodyear
Andrea Graham
Todd Michael Greene
Katie Hart
Timothy Hicks
Christopher Hopper
Joleen Howell
Jason Joyner
Carol Keen
Magma
Terri Main
Margaret
* Shannon McNear
Melissa Meeks
* Rebecca LuElla Miller
Nissa
John W. Otte
Deena Peterson
Steve Rice
* Cheryl Russel
Ashley Rutherford
Chawna Schroeder
James Somers
Robert Treskillard
* Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
Laura Williams

BLOG TOUR - DAY 1

DragonLight
by Donita K. Paul

Web site - http://www.donitakpaul.com/

Author moderated blog - http://www.donitakpaul.com/author/blog.html

(Click book for Amazon link)

Dragonlight is the fifth and final volume in the Dragonkeeper Chronicles. One of the things I have liked about the series, and especially DragonLight, are the quotes from Wulder. They strike me as short, wise sayings like the book of Proverbs in the Bible. After a hard, long day Kale's husband Bardon the Knight quotes, "Words spoken from fatigue resurface like oil on water. They are clearly seen and not easily eradicated."

The main story centers around a new group known as The Followers, who corrupt Wulder's teachings by telling others they must learn new rules and work their way up the Follower ranks through their deeds. Their focus on works not faith in Wulder is known as Elevation.

I wanted to thank Mrs. Paul for answering a few questions on her series and on writing:

1) How did you get started writing fantasy stories?

I have to be truthful and admit it was done on a whim. I was not an ardent
fantasy fan and in fact, had not read much before I started. One June I had an
infection in my leg and had to stay down with my foot elevated higher than my
heart. The length of the ordeal was to be six weeks. I was bored in five
minutes. My son brought me a fantasy series - nine hardbound books, each about
900 pages! When I finished them, I thought, "That was pretty cool." Nine
months later, I decided I'd give fantasy a whirl just to see what would
happen.

2) Where did you get the idea to write a series about dragons?

I was just experimenting, and it worked. I'm glad it did.

3) Who is your favorite character in the Dragonkeeper Chronicles books?

I love Wizard Fenworth. He reminds me of me. I know I'm smart and capable of
doing things. However, sometimes I just can't remember how to do these things.
How do you change the light bulb in the microwave?

4) Would you have any new writer suggestions?

Tom Clancy said it best.
"Keep at it! The one talent that's indispensable to
a writer is persistence. You must write the book, else there is no book.
It will not finish itself. Do not try to commit art. Just tell the story."

Thank you for your time, and help with these questions.

*Participants’ Links:


Brandon Barr
Justin Boyer
Jackie Castle
Valerie Comer
Karri Compton
CSFF Blog Tour
Gene Curtis
Stacey Dale
D. G. D. Davidson
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Karina Fabian
* Beth Goddard
Mark Goodyear
Andrea Graham
Todd Michael Greene
Katie Hart
Timothy Hicks
Christopher Hopper
Joleen Howell
Jason Joyner
Carol Keen
Magma
Terri Main
Magma
Margaret
* Shannon McNear
Melissa Meeks
* Rebecca LuElla Miller
John W. Otte
Deena Peterson
Steve Rice
* Cheryl Russel
Ashley Rutherford
Chawna Schroeder
James Somers
Robert Treskillard
* Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
Laura Williams

JulNoWriMo - Day 7
Progress: 5634 Words after Day 6

Summertime WriMos are harder to complete than Wintertime WriMos. During the Summer, there is grass to cut, dogs to walk, swimming, and summer sports. That doesn't leave a lot of time to sit down and get a lot of writing finished. You just have to hope for the best, and what you accomplish is what you accomplish. Suspense is a slower moving genre for me. Fantasy seems to flow more quickly, while suspense requires more thinking about how the pieces should fit together. Still, the story is still moving and that's a good sign.

JulNoWriMo - Day 3
Progress: 1328 Words after Day 2

Yesterday still started a bit slow. Thank goodness for the 4th's extra free writing time. Only about 48,700 words to go. Normally you have to average 1666 words a day to finish NaNoWriMo. Looks like 1700 words a day or better is needed for the rest of July.

The WriMo challenges are a great way to get that story out that you've been putting off. Things always seem to come up that take your spare time. JulNoWriMo allows you to put those interruptions aside for the time being. It's amazing how much free time is available when you just turn off your television and focus on writing.

JulNoWriMo - Day 2
Progress: 317 Words after Day 1

It's off to a slow start, but the writing extra day in July should help reach the 50,000 word goal by month end. NaNoWriMo begins in four months, so JulNoWriMo is a good warm up and a way to tide writers over that long dry spell between WriMos. JulNoWriMo operates on the author word total honor system. There's no verification step for your, but reaching a few hundred words over the 50,000 should cover any under-word balance.

I like the JulNo progress tracking spreadsheet. Once you enter your daily word total, time, and feeling score, the spreadsheet calculates your totals, averages, remaining words, and charts your monthly balances. This is a great aid to check how well you're progressing, and whether you're on track. JulNo Tracker: http://julnowrimo.thewrigro.com/julno-report-card2008.xls

JulNoWriMo
(July Novel Writing Month)

http://julnowrimo.thewrigro.com/

It's time for another mad dash to write 50,000 words in one month. NaNoWriMo returns on November 1 with only 30 days to rush our that next great novel. JulNoWriMo provides an extra day - 31 days to write your 50,000 words - and helps tide you over if you can't wait until November to write down the story you've been working on in your head.

One nice feature of JulNoWriMo is the JulNo Report Card spreadsheet. By entering data each day, you can track your progress, and check the chart if you are ahead, or behind schedule to complete by July 31. You can even track your daily, and total time that you've spent writing.

Time to put that thinking cap on and start typing away for the next 31 days.

Kentucky Christian Writers Conference
June 20-21, 2008
Elizabethtown, Kentucky

If you live in or near Kentucky, the KCWC provides an opportunity to meet with other writers around the area. The featured speaker for 2008 is Karen Moore Artl of Thomas Nelson Publishers. The theme for the twelfth annual KCW Conference is "Be Thou My Vision." This year's conference begins at 9:00 Friday morning, and ends Saturday afternoon at 3:30.

Workshops cover writing, editing, songwriting, photography, and other areas of interest to writers.

For further information:
http://www.kychristianwriters.com/Conference2008.dsp

Bryan Davis' New Book -
Beyond the Reflection's Edge

Beyond the Reflection's Edge works on many levels. It's got car chases and get-aways, violin performances at Ganz Hall in Chicago, and a 1980's style flashback. Teenager Nathan Shepard has encountered villains before when helping his Dad recover stolen technology from around the world. Now he faces a new type of villain that is definetly not of this world. With the help of his new friend, Kelly Clark, he has to solve the mystery of what happened to his parents and avoid whoever is chasing him; all with the help of a small mirror, an older 35mm film camera, and his mother's violin.

(click book for Amazon link)

For more information, and daily clues leading up to the book release, check out Mr. Davis' blog at: http://dragonsinourmidst.blogspot.com/

Bryan Davis' New Book Releases May, 2008!

Bryan Davis' writing skill shines as he brings together a combination fantasy, science-fiction, suspense, and murder mystery story in Beyond the Reflection's Edge. Nathan Shepherd carries a small mirrored square from his father that reflects images of what isn't always seen. Nathan is pulled from one harrowing adventure to another as he fights to stay ahead of dangerous Interfinity employees. Interfinity wants the small piece of glass he carries, at any cost. But why?

(click book for Amazon link)

Bryan Davis' New Book Releases Next Month!

Bryan's new book, Beyond the Reflection's Edge, hits the stores May 2008. This book is published by Zondervan, and is a departure from his earlier two dragon series books published by AMG.
Beyond the Reflection's Edge is his best book to date, and contains great plot twists and suspense. While still geared to young adult readers, the story action is a little more intense than his earlier books. The characterization and story are top notch, and very enjoyable. It's one of those books that are hard to put down because you become so engrossed with the main characters and their adventure.

(click book for Amazon link)

Happy April Fools Day!

There are no blog tours planned this month for my blog, so I'll take time to mention a couple of writing opportunities in the bluegrass state.

On May 9-10, in Nashville, American Christian Writers is hosting a mentoring retreat. You receive over twelve hours of small group and professional review of your piece to help you learn how evaluate, copy edit, and proofread manuscripts. This is a good way to learn and polish your writing craft.

On June 20-21, in Elizabethtown, Kentucky Christian Writers presents their annual writing conference. Their featured speaker is Karen Moore Artl from Thomas Nelson Publishing.

Links:

http://www.xariscomhosting.com/acwmentoring.htm

http://www.kychristianwriters.com/Conference2008.dsp