Sacred Knight

Progress Update

2012-02-28T09:57:00.001-08:00

Now that I've decided to break the second story arc into two books, I've been writing away at the third book in the series. I really want to get it all written so I can make sure there's nothing I'll need planted in the second book for the third.

I'm afraid that that writing out this whole story arc at once is going to delay the release of the second book from my original target date, which is why I never announced it. On the bright side, as soon as I finish the draft of the third arc, then I'll have a better idea of when I can have the second book out, as well as the third. These two might hit very close together. For readers who like series books, this is good news. There's nothing like having to wait a whole year or more between books.

But, how about a sneak peek? Mind you, this is in absolute rough draft state. Right out of Celtx. By the way, it looks like their Android version is now out, so the second I finish writing this blog, I'm off to look for it - Yippee! Anyway, here is your sneak peek preview of book 2. Enjoy.

Steigan awakens from dreams of fighting gargaxes among wood, stone, and fire. He looks around the room searching for enemies in the now familiar room. Morning light pushes against the curtains in the window.

Getting up, he gets dressed and leaves his room. He quietly slips down the hallway and out the door.

He heads into Searn's barn and finds an empty stable toward the back. Inside he closes the gate behind him, puts a rope over the door post, a squats down in the corner and covers his face with his hands.

Steigan (thought): Not today. Not now. Control it.

His body starts to shake. Already he knows it's going to be bad. His throat still hurts from the dry screams of two nights ago when he'd been awoken in the middle of the night. He hadn't made it out of the house then and had feared that his thrashing would awaken Searn and his wife. Searn had enough to worry about without knowing about Steigan's nearly nightly tremors. He grabs his ankles and puts his head on his knees, starting to rock back and forth. The pain racks through him.

His first scream is silent, head thrown back against the wooden wall. His breath comes in ragged gasps. For a moment, just a moment, he feels released. Maybe it won't be as bad as before. Maybe he's overcoming whatever this is.

His arms start to tremble anew.

Steigan (whispering): Miex'calidori.

The alien sound of his own voice frightens him. He tries to whisper the word again, but no sound comes.

Pain stabs through his gut. He chokes on the sound of a scream that wants to come out. He next scream seems to come right out from his feet, pulsing pain through his entire body.

He closes his eyes and wills the pain away, but it doesn't go, rather instead coming on with another powerful wave.

Steigan awakes with a start, not realizing that he'd passed out from the pain.

Searn peers over the top of the gate.

Searn: Steigan, what are you doing in here? Are you all right?

Steigan tries to speak, but no words come out. With a shrug, he nods and gets up.

Searn: Seriously, what are you doing out here? You can't tell me that a pile of straw is more comfortable than your bed.

Steigan shrugs again.

Searn: You don't know what you're doing out here?

Steigan nods.

Searn: Sleep walking?

Steigan nods again.

Searn: Don't worry. I did the same at your age. You'll grow out of it.

If you liked it, let me know. If you sweet talk me, I might just release more! :)

Battle Cry

2012-02-23T10:48:00.000-08:00

Through all the world there goes one long cry from the heart of the artist: only give me the chance to do my very best!

--- Isak Dinesen

I think this "cry" is also in Steigan's heart. Maybe it's why his story is so close to my heart.

One thing I really need to get back to...

2012-02-21T10:41:00.000-08:00

Is my Facebook page for Sacred Knight.

I have a Who's Who started - check it out. First draft of my characters from the graphic novel I'd started. Then writing the novels became easier. Now, I want to finish the books and get started again on the graphic novels. I wonder if there will ever be enough time.

My workspace

2012-02-16T09:30:00.000-08:00

I thought you'd like to see a snapshot of my workspace, just for fun. I've even added captions! :) Click to expand. Enjoy.

From Sacred Knight

Happy Valentine's Day

2012-02-14T09:58:00.000-08:00

Never look for the one that "completes" you. Find the one that "compliments" you.

Never will you be happy if you look outside yourself for your happiness, for that is something only you can give yourself. If you truly believe you won't be happy unless you have this certain someone, you're wrong (grow up - I say!). Its better to look for the characteristics you desire.

If you've found the one who is your yin to your yang (or vice versa), congratulations!

If you're still looking, keep yourself busy with the other activities and interests in your life. As I was once told by the Universe, "You can only ever be lonely when you stop doing things." Seriously, do what you love and you'll never feel more fulfilled. Steigan and his story are my passion (and yes, I'm looking forward to spending my Valentine's Day working on his story. Maybe that's sad in some people's book, but I hope someday to find my complimenting partner who will understand that).

Enjoy this day devoted to love.

Groundhog Day - again

2012-02-09T09:39:00.000-08:00

Here we are, a week out from Groundhog Day. I was supposed to write this for that day, but it kind of got away from me, so we're going to repeat.

It is often said that we must learn from history or we are doomed to repeat it. But I ask you, who writes the history?

The victors, right? History is always written by the winning side, from their perspective.

But I would take a position that even the villain in a story believes he/she is correct and doing the right thing. So do the losers of a battle. They must believe that their fight is the one that is right and just. They aren't strong enough to prove it though.

History is always one of those things that has two or more sides. Once time has passed, who is to say if that history is the true history or one built on lies. This is a fundamental point in the Sacred Knight series. A lot of what Steigan "knows" in the first book may or may not be true. That's what the reader will discover in the following books. Steigan himself will be doomed to repeat the past if he can't change it. If you've read book one and are waiting for book two, then I know this sentence has left you salivating! :) Mean author! Yes, I will say that book two is about Saint Steigan's life, but do you know what you think you know? Mawhahaha!

I love my evil laugh! I'm sure that like Groundhog Day, it will repeat again, and again. It's such a paradox. We'll just have to see if Steigan and Saint Steigan can ever escape their paradox. Or will it forever be Groundhog Day on his world?

Peek-a-boo Moon

2012-02-07T09:28:00.000-08:00

I admit it. I have a love for the moon.

Just last week I was driving home and looking out the window at the moon (so much for watching the road!). A fast moving storm was pushing clouds over the face of the moon. I'd look up, see the moon, look back at the road (yes, I really was watching), then I'd glance back up at the moon which would now be hidden behind the clouds. It was like the moon was playing peek-a-boo with me. Really cool.

When I designed Steigan's world, I decided to have three moons around the planet. I often wonder how three moons would effect an earth-like world. I wonder what it would be like to sit on Jupiter and watch the moons from there.

I'm half afraid someday someone with some astronomy knowledge is going to come along and tell me that my world just isn't plausible for this reason and that!

Is that a reason to not write the story? No. Not a good one at least.

If you hide from your fears you'll never get to chasing after your goals. You can't play peek-a-boo with your fears. It's best to stay ahead of them by keeping the action moving forward and your eyes on the road.

Working through your fingers

2012-01-31T10:17:00.000-08:00

Writing, to me, is simply thinking through my fingers. --Isaac Asimov

I really like this quote. Maybe because I can relate to it so much. I have to wonder though, does this count when good ideas come to me when I'm driving?

Where do you feel you get your best ideas?

One book becoming two, Part 2 of the tale

2012-01-26T09:14:00.000-08:00

I've spent several days now working on the beginning of what will now be the third book in the series. It does feel like a beginning and sometimes I have to stop and remind myself that it is the start of a new book. It's weird because I'm so use to thinking of it as one story arc. But as I've said before, it's all a matter of working the story harder.

Speaking of which, I suppose I ought to explain why I decided to break it into two.

As readers may guess after reading The Three Books (aka book 1), the second story arc is about the life of St. Steigan. There is so much to set up, more of the magical world to build, new characters, etc. Overall, there is a lot! I do work to develop my stories, so there's work to do to make sure you, my fabulous reader, has lots of paths to explore. What is truth and what is a lie? Is this character a friend or a betrayer? What really lies beneath the Temple in the catacombs? I'm sitting here with a wicked grin on my face. Already I'm ready to go get back to work on the story. I love diving into this world! Really, this story is not meant to be read only once. There is enough here to read multiple times and deeper levels of meaning found each time. Wonderful parallels are cropping up between book 1 and 2. I am delighted and surprised each time I discover something new.

Just today, in fact, I started writing about Laurient (see previous posts) and St. Steigan going out to fight the gargaxes and St. Steigan comes up with this brilliant idea to transfer magic to Laurient. I hadn't seen this coming, didn't have it planned, it just popped in there. But it adds so many dimensions to the story. Because of this one thought, I can now spider several more things (like some foreshadowing for events in what will now be book 5) into the story. I love it!

Some of you may be wondering what will happen to the release date of the second book now that the preliminary draft is done. That's coming soon, I promise. The good thing is that I actually finished the draft by the date that I had set as my deadline so right now the story is still on track. As for my working title, I've had to change it because it no longer works. The Saint and the Betrayer, when split into to becomes The Saint (first title) and The Betrayer (second title). Somehow this just doesn't inspire me in the same way. Sigh. However, I have a new plan for the titles. I'm giving it a settling period to make sure I like it, but I'll probably make the title known at the same time I announce the release date for the second book.

So wait eagerly for more to come!

Happy reading!

One book becomes two, Part 1 of the tale

2012-01-25T18:17:00.001-08:00

Its official.

The second book of the Sacred Knight series is being split into two books. The decision was made in the dark of night after a weekend of fevered writing. Here it is nearly one on the morning and I reached what I thought would be a chapter end. I've often been asked how to know where to end a chapter and the truth is that there is no one right spot that can be found in the words alone. It's a feeling. Everything I just get this feeling to end a chapter at a certain spot. I was having that feeling come upon me and I was ready for sleep. But as I hit the period on the last word, I had a feeling of real completion, not a feeling of being ready to move to the next scene.

I wasn't really sure that I wanted to end the book there -- it's not really a high note in the story. Could I really stop and leave the readers there? Really? But it felt so final.

So I stopped.

A different kind of tree hugger

2011-12-27T22:22:00.001-08:00

I'm already laughing.

I have hugged my book. You know, paper comes from trees, so there's my tree hugging!

But it's all I have. My book. The only proof that me story is real. Characters that exist only in my imagination but seem more real to me than some people I know. Living in this created world which often holds more appeal than this one I live in now. This story is a large piece of who I am. This story is my legacy.

I am the #1 fan of my characters, of this tale. I believed in it first.

I wonder if J. K. Rowling ever just say in awe of her published book knowing that she was on a larger path of seeing her visions becoming a reality? If she ever just picked up her book and hugged it, letting it give her a moment of security in its reality?

Or maybe it's just me and I'm crazy. Like the last crazy queen of Lilinar. Yes, I will keep hugging my book in between telling my story.

It's just not the same to hug a Kindle.

Plotting and replotting

2011-12-27T21:53:00.001-08:00

For the second time I've thrown out several chapters of the book and started again.

The first time I was about chapter 22 when I threw It all out and started again. This time was at chapter 32 and went all the way back to chapter 14, though I did add in a chapter 2.5 and rewrote major sections of earlier chapters.

It's part of that "making the story harder" I spoke of in the last post. I really do love the levels it's getting. It may take being a writer to understand that concept. So many jobs in today's society only have one answer, one necessary outcome. Flip the burger and make sure it's fully cooked. Sell the widget, meet the monthly quota. I could have even written this story once and shipped it to the world.

But you'll love it more because I peeled back the top soil to see what other beastly little plot twists lay wriggling in the dirt.

Making the story stronger

2011-12-27T21:38:00.001-08:00

I have a sign in my writing office which reads, "Make your story stronger. Show it slowly. Show it thoroughly. And always show your characters doing the action. Then make it harder for them."

It's that last line that always gets me.

I enjoy making the story harder. If I have to really think through my plot, especially when I keep in mind that everything has to make sense across three time lines, them I know my story is getting deeper. Yes, it already feels bigger than me. It needs to. Let's face it, if it were simple for me then why would I need to be writing an epic fantasy? I want a world that engages the reader and makes you think. So, it's got to be tough for the character.

Then there's the thrill when your character rises to the occasion and proves himself to be he very hero he was created to be. When he devises a way out of the sticky situation. When the writer stands up and cheers in victory with the character. Yes, those are the moments!

A challenge to my hero equals a new level to the puzzle for me which equals a greater thrill ride for the reader. Ah yes, those are indeed the moments.

Laurent appears

2011-12-23T12:49:00.000-08:00

I actually wrote the scene this morning where Laurient takes the stage and I think he stole the scene. Centaurs! Gotta love how they just take over. If you've read book one, you know what I mean.

Then, afterwards I was talking to my number 1 fan (aka my youngest son)and he said he thought there was a Laurient character in Lord of the Rings guess its time to research.

I purchased a copy of The Three Books today at Barnes and Noble for their Habitat for Humanity donation. I told the clerk, the lovely Christine who helped get my book in (yeah, she's my best bud now!), that I was donating it and she said, "Aw, that's the Christmas spirit." I laughed and replied, "What, to be total self-serving?!" Fortunately, we both laughed at the joke.

Happy holidays, my dear readers. I hope you have a good, safe time! Blessings to you all.

Evolution of a character

2011-12-20T17:33:00.001-08:00

When Laurierent first came to me, the last thing I imagined was that he would be another character in my Sacred Knight series. But once he was,the trick was to figure out how he fit.

I know I had originally pictured him as half elven. A kind of Legolas image. But obviously that is so been-there-done-that. So how to put a spin on that?

I won't say that I'm anywhere near having his character figured out, but I'm on the road.

I'd hate to give away any spoilers, but I will say he is of mixed cultures. Too many of my characters already have abnormal backstories so I've decided to give him a good, normal childhood, one that let him become a lovable, flamboyant, regular person. He's a leader and a loyal friend. A got-your-back kind of person.

It's starting to feel like this world has never been without him.

But how does a character actually evolve from name to character, especially when there's already an established plot line? There's no easy answer. I'm sure everyone also has different ways too. For me, it almost always begins with "what if?"

For the development of Laurierent I asked myself what of he was an archer, but not half-elven. What could he be? I soon had an idea. He was half centaur. Hence his mixed cultures. It put him in the exact place needed a character in book 2. I also realized that because of the magic mythology already stated in the series, I could have him do some things here which will foreshadow other events in books 3 and 4. It was
Coming together wonderfully.

Then his name changed again. It shortened down to Laurient. I don't know if this is a permanent change. I might very well go back to the original by the time I get to him in my draft. Author's prerogative. Of course you could always write me and let me know which version of the name you like best. Get your say in!

A Character Comes to Life

2011-12-13T19:35:00.001-08:00

As I said in my last post, spam email found me a new name, but what can one do with a name only? Not much.

Laurierant. That was all I knew. Where did he fit? Who was he?

Have you ever heard the saying that to give something a name takes away its power, or makes it less scary? For me, giving something a name is a clue for me to get creative and discover the story. So who was this character? I knew he had to be male since that had been an initial factor.

With a name, the beginnings of a image for the character develop. I saw him as blond. I knew he wasn't too muscular, but he had pizazz and attitude.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't Laurierant de Santz, come to grace us with his presence, have ya?" was the first line I heard spoken. Something still didn't feel right, but I was on the right track.

I started to see an elven archer. I've been wanting to write a story about an archer for the last month or so, so I wondered if the time was finally right to get the story. But it still didn't feel right.

Now let me tell you what it's like to write an epic saga. Epic sagas generally have a lot of people in them. I'm still discovering characters and plot twists as I write. A few people have heard me talking about how I'm thinking of breaking the second book into two (it's either that or let the movie studio do it for me when they get their hands on it! Since that's the latest trend in Hollywood as well as my wishful thinking.). Seriously, there is a lot of material and I'm not feeling I'm doing the story justice right now. However, breaking it into two also means more developing of other characters and scenes. Push the story. Make it harder for the characters. Those are the two most important rules of storytelling, in my opinion.

Another thing I always have to be aware of is the plot line continuing into the books that will follow. Even though I have a fair idea of what's going to happen, every time I push the story adjustments need to be made. It's like a big game of chess where you can plot your moves ahead but you might have to adjust based on what your opponent does.

So here I was thinking about book 4. I had already made several adjustments. Looking backwards and forwards at a timeline from several different angles will certainly occupy your brain for a few days! In the end I realized I was going to need more characters.

Brain kicks in and says, "Remember Laurierant?"

How could I forget? He was the reason my subconscious was not working on the right story!

"I beg to differ," the brain argues. "Remember the blond elven archer you wanted in book 4? Hello, that's Laurierent." Please note the change in spelling. Yep, it really did happen that way.

And so Laurierent was born. His evolution remains another matter.

Can spam email be good?

2011-12-13T13:28:00.001-08:00

I, like you, get a lot of spam. Who doesn't these days? So is it possible that spam could ever be a good thing?

I certainly didn't think so until earlier last week. That's when I got an email that gave me an idea. All I could read on the email line was From: reverend father laurie...

Needless to say, it made me laugh. A "father reverend" with a girl's name of Laurie? Really!

Of course that got my brain to thinking. What if the rest of the name "twisted" to make it masculine?

Brain playing some more. Can you hear it?

I knew it was from that familiar little tickle that I get when something is working out. So I waited and let my subconscious mix it around. Worse, I left the annoying little spam blocker notification in my inbox just so I wouldn't forget what my brain was mulling. Usually that's the first thing I get rid of during the day.

Then, late in the morning, the tickle turned to a "ding." Just like toast popping, a name came out of the machine: Laurierant.

But if I thought I was done there, I wasn't. A character was about to be born.

So, has spam ever been a good thing in your life? Or have you had a similar experience? Keep your eyes open. You never know what you might see.

Call for videos

2011-12-08T09:45:00.000-08:00

Hey Sacred Knight readers, your help is needed!

Help to get the word out about The Three Books and its upcoming sequel. Please make a short video in one of the two following areas:

From now until 12/15/11, make a short video of you wondering when the next book is coming out. Something like, "Hey Dawn, when is the next book coming out."

Until 12/31/11, make a short video of what you thought of the book and why you would recommend it to a friend.

Please just keep it simple. It doesn't need to be anything fancy as I'll do editing to fit it into promotional videos I'm putting together. When you're done, just email me the video at dawnATmorningskystudiosDOTcom (of course, you know what to do with the "at" and the "dot" right?!) Make sure you put SK Video in the subject line so I don't accidentally delete it.

At any time, you can also put a review on Amazon's or Barnes and Noble's websites.

Great! That's it. Let's get the word out. Thank you so much for all your help. My readers, you are a great bunch!

Reading tomorrow

2011-09-30T19:18:00.000-07:00

I'll be giving my first ever reading tomorrow (Saturday, October 1st) at 11:20 at the Magic Valley Arts Council building out on the canyon rim in Twin Falls. Right now, I believe my selection will be where Steigan discovers more secrets about his namesake, Saint Steigan. Now the full secrets of Saint Steigan's life are revealed (well, okay, maybe not all his secrets) in the second book of the series. So come on out now and listen to my reading to start your journey!

Writing

2011-09-23T08:55:00.000-07:00

Seth Godin's blog today is a good one. If you haven't read it, here's your chance. If you don't read his blog regularly, I suggest you do. You don't have to agree with everything he says all the time (I certainly don't, and it aggravates me when I want more from him and he doesn't nudge through with just that little push), but he does have a unique view of the world that will open your mind.

Then, after you've read his blog for today, go write something! I did.

Fitting into today's world

2011-09-23T08:04:00.000-07:00

At the heart of my Sacred Knight series is the metaphor that we are all looking for a place to belong within the world. Steigan, my main character is an orphan who has been taken in by the Temple, by his mentor, and by a family in a nearby town. He loves each of these deeply and realizes that he owes his life to all of them. But he also doesn't feel like he belongs with them; he still feels separate and that he has to work hard to please them.

I think we're all looking for that in our lives. We want to be part of something. We want to have something that we believe in, something we can support, something larger than ourselves.

The work always begins in our own lives. There is nothing out there in the world that we can be part of -- that which we seek is in ourselves. We always hope someone will come to rescue us, that we'll go somewhere to belong (why do you think the Cheers tv show ran for as long as it did? The lyrics said it all with "Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name."). But that space is never ever out there. It is inside you. You have to know why you feel like you don't fit into the world. Once you know why, then you'll realize the change you want to see in the world. With this knowledge, you can be the change. Then you'll fit in. You'll find the message that you need to take to the world and you'll find the people that need to hear it.

So look inside yourself to find out why you don't fit into this world and challenge yourself to make a difference so that you do fit in. The world needs your courage now more than ever.

Is summer over?

2011-09-21T08:01:00.000-07:00

I'm going to miss these nice summer and fall nights. They are passing by too quickly.

My youngest son and I have spent several nights outside talking about the Sacred Knight series. We sit on the swing and look at the stars. We wait to watch the International Space Station fly overhead on nights that it's visible. And we dive into where I'm at in the manuscript. There's some things I don't want to reveal to him because I want to keep him as an engaged reader too. But it's still been fun working in-depth over the storylines with him. It keeps me on my toes, makes sure I'm not missing obvious things.

Most importantly, it's been good time we've spent together. I am so going to miss it.

Getting the job done right

2011-09-19T07:55:00.000-07:00

Starting off the second book has been more of a challenge than I thought it would be. Because book two is about the life of Saint Steigan, I knew exactly how it needed to start, where I needed to begin, and what exactly had happened to the character before hand. But when you start writing about a character who keeps fading in and out of consciousness it gets a little hard. After all, how much is that point of view character really getting.

So, it seems to make sense to flash forward to a time when he's more conscious. Easy enough to do. But then how do you let on about the backstory up until that point?

There's a barn burning scene in the first book. As I was working along on the second book, I realized that what I had going on was another barn burning scene, except without the barn or the burning. I just had the same information gathering feel to it. I suppose that's a good thing. It should feel like the first book if I'm doing my job right.

My fan fiction

2011-08-04T13:00:00.000-07:00

Last week my boys pulled out my old laptop and were looking around on it (you know, because Windows 95 so retro!)

My oldest son, who has lately become very addicted to Star Trek -- he's such a fanboy, found an old Star Trek story I wrote for a contest. His comments: Wow! How cool. I didn't even see the end coming.

Of course it took a few minutes to catch up to his babbling because I'd forgotten the story and he had to refresh my memory.

My younger son then started to read the story. His comments: So?

So? That's all! I'd gone from one end of the spectrum to the other. So I sat down with Little Thing 2 and asked why he had this reaction when his brother had been all fanboy starry eyed and actually impressed with his mother.

Little Thing 2 proceeded to tell me that The Three Books had quality writing and a better hook. He said I'd grown as a writer since doing the Star Trek story. Of course, Little Thing 1 wouldn't know about that because he rarely reads things I write (with the exception of my Doctor Who fanfic, which he wishes I'd do more of).

Ah, such is the life of a writer, desperately trying to get the public to know what you're doing now!

Where does the magic begin?

2011-07-19T14:50:00.000-07:00

Agreeing with Barnes & Noble's ad, it all started with a book.

Do you agree?