Song of the Week

Freya Ridings, “Ultraviolet”

It’s Monday again. The wind has turned cold, but injustice pierces deeper than frost.

The Bible says perfect love drives out fear. Martin Luther King, Jr. said that only love can drive out hate. I love my community–my city, my loved ones, my people–more than others hate and fear us, and that is what gives me strength. I hope you can also find strength in the long winter.

I’ll have the latest chapter of Journey to the Water up on Patreon this week, and I’ll be on Twitch this evening and Saturday evening playing some games.

I wish you the best this week.

NaNo Update: First Goal Achieved!

A screenshot of the NaNoWriMo winner's certificate

I’ve finished the 50,000 words required for National Novel Writing Month. Now it’s time to get to the end of Beyond the Frost-Cold Sea. I’ve got 11 days and about 30,000 words left.

Journey to the Water Chapter IV: The Hills of Maagay

Journey to the Water cover image: three evergreen trees stand on a hillside, shrouded in bluish fog. Subtitle reads: the sequel to Beyond the Frost-Cold Sea.

Table of Contents

A single lantern flared to life atop the fort wall, and I could just make out a quiet conversation of alarm above the whispering of the wind in the trees. Dark shapes of men moved about on the battlements. 

I approached, my axe on my shoulder and my other hand free and held up in what I hoped was a gesture of peace. “My name is Eske,” I shouted in the tongue of the Dragon Temple. Some of the men in the town could understand me, and if I was right, some of these men would, as well. “I want to speak to your leader.”

Continue reading “Journey to the Water Chapter IV: The Hills of Maagay” →

Song of the Week

Poets of the Fall, “Carnival of Rust”

Welcome back!

This week, I’ll have Chapter IV of Journey to the Water up here on the blog on Wednesday, and another update on NaNo progress and how close Beyond the Frost-Cold Sea is to being a Real Book later in the week.

I had a great time talking about vampires with my friend Logan on the Patreon livestream this weekend. I’ll be doing one a month, with different topics and guests.

May your burdens be light this week.

Reminder: Patreon Livestream!

Hello there! This is just a friendly reminder that I am holding my inaugural Patreon Livestream at 2pm Central time, which is about two hours from the time this post goes up. I’ll be talking about vampire mythology with my friend Logan, who is an expert in World of Darkness lore. Topics may include Vampire: the Masquerade, Dracula, international vampire myths, the Mark of Cain, and Beowulf. You may even get to hear me read some Old English, which I haven’t done in years, so please only make fun of me gently.

You can get to my Patreon via this link. It’s only $3 a month to sign up and get the Secret YouTube Link to watch the livestream and join the conversation. You’ll also get access to new chapters a week early, future Patreon Livestreams, and some other fun bonus content that I am adding as I go.

NaNo Update: Moving Right Along

A screenshot from my laptop

Traditionally, the goal for National Novel Writing Month is 50,000 words in 30 days, usually of a brand-new project. I am trying to completely rewrite Beyond the Frost-Cold Sea for self-publishing. The version that lives here on the blog is just under 80,000 words, so I’m shooting for that higher goal by the end of the month. Hopefully I can get it published before Christmas!

I think I’m well on my way to finishing NaNo, and I’m staying on track for finishing this draft so far. If you’re writing, whether you’re doing NaNo or not, I wish you speedy writing and quiet time free of distractions!

New Patreon Post/Journey to the Water Chapter IV

I am no longer in Governor Niran’s employ. He was dishonest. I want to know the truth.

Journey to the Water Chapter IV

The latest chapter of Journey to the Water is available on Patreon! If you want to read chapters before all your friends, you can subscribe for just $3 a month. If not, you’ll see this chapter here on the website next week.

Inaugural Patreon Livestream: This Saturday!

A copy of Bram Stoker's Dracula, the Collector's Library complete & unabridged version, lies on a wooden table with a scattering of 10-sided dice. An filter has been applied to the image to create an oil-paint-like effect.

My first Patreon livestream will be this Saturday, November 13, from 2:00 in the afternoon until around 4. I’ll be talking about vampire lore with my good friend Logan, who is an expert in the World of Darkness RPG system and an all-around cool guy. I’ll also be playing Vampire: the Masquerade–Bloodlines so you have something to look at while we chat besides my face. You’ll be able to join the conversation, maybe learn some cool mythology, and marvel at what we thought were good graphics in 2004.

The link will only be available on Patreon, so if you’re interested, click here. For less than the cost of a tube of the good toothpaste a month, you can have access to these livestreams and some other cool stuff.

I hope to see you on Saturday!

Song of the Week

The Decemberists, “The Crane Wife 3”

Welcome back! It’s Monday again.

This week, I’ll have the next chapter of Journey to the Water up on Patreon. I’m also doing my first Patreon livestream on Saturday, November 13! I’ll be talking about vampire lore from around the real world and the World of Darkness RPG system with a good friend who is a World of Darkness expert. If you want to get in on either of those things, my Patreon is only $3 a month.

I am still committed to keeping blog content free, so Journey to the Water chapter IV will be up here on the website next week.

I’m also participating in National Novel Writing Month this year, and it’s…going. I’m working on a new, improved draft of Beyond the Frost-Cold Sea so that it can become a Real Book that you can hold in your hands or on your e-reader, hopefully before Christmas. I’ll post an update later this week!

As always, thanks for being here, and have an excellent week.

Journey to the Water Chapter III: Banwa Province

Journey to the Water cover image: three evergreen trees stand on a hillside, shrouded in bluish fog. Subtitle reads: the sequel to Beyond the Frost-Cold Sea.

Table of Contents

My axe came down on the first guard’s head. His helmet caved in over his face and he stumbled backward with a curse I could not understand. The others pressed in around me, fencing me in with their spears. A flash to my left caught my eye, and I stepped back, fearing a deadly point. 

It was only the shaft of a spear darting toward me. It glanced harmlessly off my shoulder. They still intended to bring me in alive. 

Continue reading “Journey to the Water Chapter III: Banwa Province” →