Rusty Knight, Kenneth Shumaker's Blog
August 16, 2017
Is building a business like playing a video game? A Note from InUPress.
Notes from InUPress
By Kenneth Shumaker
Issue 004
July 10, 2017
Goodreads August 16, 2017
‘Is building a business like playing a video game?’
I find that as I’m building my business, I keep returning to computer gaming to relieve stress and relax. It helps, and then the other day it hit me: building my businesses is like play a video game.
Let me explain. The traditional framework for success is already in place for business and gaming. Both are riddled with multiple challenges of varying degrees.
In gaming, most challenges are independent of each other, but when you follow a particular quest, there is a set hierarchy of goals to achieve to reach a conclusion and win the scenario, completing the challenge and possibly leading to more challenges. Each completed challenge has varying rewards. As you work through a quest, there are many ways to fail. But the successful gamer steps back, looks at the steps that he took up to that point and examines where he failed. The player evaluates the choices he made and the subsequent results, and when facing the challenge again, he changes the choices he made that led to that failure. If these changes succeed, he continues on with the next step, continuing with his quest. Thus, succeeding with the challenges.
This is how we build a business. As in gaming, we don’t face only one quest/challenge at a time; we’re juggling multiple challenge quests and must prioritise and focus on the challenges according to reward and immediacy.
What saddens me is that each time I dust myself off after falling and failing a challenge, I find fewer people are accompanying me. I’m finding the old proverb, ‘go the extra mile, it’s never crowded,’ to be truer the farther I go.
I find that the further I go, the more I’ve learned from experiences that can’t be taught in classes, but yet we need mentors to guide us along with these events once we hit these challenges. How ironic – life is full of oxy moronic moments. So, as in gaming, I reset moments when I get stuck, and I ask a friend or colleague how they may have gotten past similar issues. Then I move into the challenge with this new experience and knowledge to face it again, making different choices. In this way, I continue to grow, building my business much as I play my video games.
By, Kenneth Shumaker.
© 2017 by Kenneth Shumaker with Inevitable Unicorn Press
www.inupress.ca inupress@inupress.ca
By Kenneth Shumaker
Issue 004
July 10, 2017
Goodreads August 16, 2017
‘Is building a business like playing a video game?’
I find that as I’m building my business, I keep returning to computer gaming to relieve stress and relax. It helps, and then the other day it hit me: building my businesses is like play a video game.
Let me explain. The traditional framework for success is already in place for business and gaming. Both are riddled with multiple challenges of varying degrees.
In gaming, most challenges are independent of each other, but when you follow a particular quest, there is a set hierarchy of goals to achieve to reach a conclusion and win the scenario, completing the challenge and possibly leading to more challenges. Each completed challenge has varying rewards. As you work through a quest, there are many ways to fail. But the successful gamer steps back, looks at the steps that he took up to that point and examines where he failed. The player evaluates the choices he made and the subsequent results, and when facing the challenge again, he changes the choices he made that led to that failure. If these changes succeed, he continues on with the next step, continuing with his quest. Thus, succeeding with the challenges.
This is how we build a business. As in gaming, we don’t face only one quest/challenge at a time; we’re juggling multiple challenge quests and must prioritise and focus on the challenges according to reward and immediacy.
What saddens me is that each time I dust myself off after falling and failing a challenge, I find fewer people are accompanying me. I’m finding the old proverb, ‘go the extra mile, it’s never crowded,’ to be truer the farther I go.
I find that the further I go, the more I’ve learned from experiences that can’t be taught in classes, but yet we need mentors to guide us along with these events once we hit these challenges. How ironic – life is full of oxy moronic moments. So, as in gaming, I reset moments when I get stuck, and I ask a friend or colleague how they may have gotten past similar issues. Then I move into the challenge with this new experience and knowledge to face it again, making different choices. In this way, I continue to grow, building my business much as I play my video games.
By, Kenneth Shumaker.
© 2017 by Kenneth Shumaker with Inevitable Unicorn Press
www.inupress.ca inupress@inupress.ca
February 27, 2017
Lanis, Episode 004, 'Really!'
ISSN 2371-3747
Episode 004
January 2016
Lanis
Episode 004
‘Really!’
By Rusty Knight
Previously in episode 003, ‘Hangela’s Duck’:
Lanis met Hangela, again, as she is having to buy three ducks for her master, Mage Lenden. Unfortunately, Lanis ended up with owning two of the purchased ducks as Hangela misrepresented the sales to Lanis.
Now in episode 004, ‘Really!’:
Spring 7 Bear
Lanis returns inside with Lenden to clean up their morning meal.
Lanis is coming to terms with the idea of owning two ducks, when Lenden sits at the table and utters, “Do you know what day today is?”
Lanis ponders this question carefully, wondering if today is a holiday, but she doesn’t recall any holiday that lands on Spring 7. “No, Master Lenden, I don’t, other than it is Spring 7. Something special about Spring 7?”
Moping sullenly, Lenden says in a soft voice, “I was born on this day, seventy-two years ago, to a woman who raised me for thirty years before passing away from the pox.”
Lanis sits down and places her hand on Lenden’s. She says with conviction, “Shall we do something different or unique to celebrate?”
Lenden shakes his head and answers Lanis. “I want to study my new spell uninterrupted. So, we are going up to the lab and I am going to show you your space. You can set up, and then go explore the library. But be careful not to disturb my concentration or the balance in my work space.”
Lanis grins, ‘Finally, my work space and the library. I waited long enough.’ “Thank you, Master Lenden. I will stay out of your way and not disturb your space or time.”
Lenden takes Lanis to the lab on the third floor of the manor after morning meal and he designates her an area of the lab, fifteen-feet by fifteen-feet, in the northwest corner, so Lanis can set up her own area in the thirty-two-foot by thirty-five-foot laboratory.
Lenden watches Lanis move her table, two chairs and desk into an organized work space of her own making. Lenden grudgingly says, “Lanis, perhaps you can aid me for an hour or two with the more tedious organizational aspects of the spell research?”
Lanis smiles, realizing this is an in to learning more complex spells. They work on the mundane items of Lenden’s research for four hours.
A couple hour after noon, Lenden stretches and yawns. “Well, you are a decent research partner and you’ve made my birthday go well so far. How about we eat, then you spend some time in my library?
Lanis almost wets herself in her excitement at getting into Lenden’s library so soon. She shyly answers, “Of course, I’ll cook … Yes, Master Lenden.”
They eat a late mid-day meal of tubers and vegetables, in a peppered cream sauce. It is a recipe Lenden enjoys, and Lanis delights in.
Lenden takes Lanis up to the library, a great room next to the laboratory, of equal size. The library is lined with shelves of great and small tomes and scrolls.
Lenden says with pride. “You can peruse the library for three hours. No tome shall leave this room.”
Perusing the great and small tomes, Lanis almost goes into shock finding a rare tome by the relatively unknown artificer, Ranton. The tome is a class-four work, of his treaty on crystal structures in magical artifacts. She carefully picks up the sturdy medium size tome of oxen-hide covered parchment pages.
Sitting on the only couch in the room, Lanis opens the tome’s cover and beams the largest grin she has expressed since leaving the University. Ranton scribed in jalnoric script. Her hand lexigraphy script is neat and tight, allowing Ranton to put a large amount of script detail on each page. She used little in the way of flourishes and her diagrams are concise with only the necessary details. This is a basic text, full of details on the art of crystal artifact construction. By page four, Lanis is out of her element, but is so excited to learn what the pages contain that she doesn’t want to let the tome out of her hands.
Looking around the large room, Lanis ponders what other treasures Lenden has buried in here. She puts the tome back where she retrieved it from. Memorizing its location, Lanis walks to the library desk and retrieving two sheets of the highly expensive parchment and a bottle of the rare black ink, she sits down, scribing notes for herself on what she learned from the tome. She makes notes on what she can do now, using her own skills, for use in casting. Lanis fills both twelve-inch square parchment sheets with her own tight script. She debates using a third sheet, but instead blots the ink, to be sure it is dry, then she turns the sheets over and continues scribing. She nearly fills both of the pages, with barely two inches left on the fourth page. Finished, Lanis sets down the gold quill, which is worth ten Flairs.
She calculates what she owes Lenden for this: two Flairs per sheet of parchment, plus a Flairs worth of ink. So, she owes five Flairs. Thus, she has to do a lot of work for Lenden, or find another income somehow.
To be continued …
In episode 005, “Well?”:
Lenden and Lanis go for a carriage ride to Berry Way Market where Lenden makes some purchases for Lanis.
Lanis is a little forgetful and Lenden’s question is, “Well?”
© 2016 by Rusty Knight with Inevitable Unicorn Press
www.inupress.ca rusty@inupress.ca
Awesome! You’ve completed reading episode 004 of ‘Lanis’, you want to read more from Rusty Knight! We have an easy link here for you to follow so you can get more, follow www.inupress.ca . to go where you can get issues of ‘Lanis’, ‘Markus’, and ‘Dragoman Bloodgrue’, along with much more from authors from Inevitable Unicorn Press. While there, you can follow the subscribe button and join our free e-mail subscription list, where you will receive one gift when you have first signed up. Once you have signed up to the email subscription list you will continue to receive more news and updates from Rusty Knight and the other authors from InUPress. The free bonus changes with time, the bonus was a pdf with the biographies of the protagonist group the, Black Swans, from Rusty Knight’s upcoming epic fantasy novel ‘Laret’. Later the bonus was an episode from the fantasy serial series ‘Markus’.
From me to you, thank you, for reading ‘Lanis’.
You can tell us how you enjoyed reading ‘Lanis’, by journeying over to www.inupress.ca and commenting. We’d love to hear from you.
We would like the acknowledge the work of the following:
The episode author is: Rusty Knight.
Our editor for the episode: Donna Shumaker.
The episode producer, publisher and distributor is: Inevitable Unicorn Press known as InUPress
The Lanis series marketing and promotions are by: InUPress
Have an wonderful day.
Yours,
Rusty Knight
©2016 by Rusty Knight with Inevitable Unicorn Press
www.inupress.ca inupress@inupress.ca
www.rustyknight.ca rusty@rustyknight.ca
All rights are reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by an information storage and retrieval system (except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review or other endorsement or in a recommendation to be printed in a magazine, newspaper, or on the Internet) without permission in writing from the publisher.
However, when contacted the author may be generous with reprint rights and articles.
No association with any corporations or names is implied or intended.
If you desire to reach us we can be contacted at any of the following sources:
www.inupress.ca or www.rustyknight.ca
or by email at:
inupress@inupress.ca or rusty@rustyknight.ca
Or call InUPress at
1-780-523-5835
Or the slow way, contact InUPress through postal mail at:
InUPress
Rusty’s Den
Box 3323
High Prairie, Alberta, Canada
T0G 1E0
Episode 004
January 2016
Lanis
Episode 004
‘Really!’
By Rusty Knight
Previously in episode 003, ‘Hangela’s Duck’:
Lanis met Hangela, again, as she is having to buy three ducks for her master, Mage Lenden. Unfortunately, Lanis ended up with owning two of the purchased ducks as Hangela misrepresented the sales to Lanis.
Now in episode 004, ‘Really!’:
Spring 7 Bear
Lanis returns inside with Lenden to clean up their morning meal.
Lanis is coming to terms with the idea of owning two ducks, when Lenden sits at the table and utters, “Do you know what day today is?”
Lanis ponders this question carefully, wondering if today is a holiday, but she doesn’t recall any holiday that lands on Spring 7. “No, Master Lenden, I don’t, other than it is Spring 7. Something special about Spring 7?”
Moping sullenly, Lenden says in a soft voice, “I was born on this day, seventy-two years ago, to a woman who raised me for thirty years before passing away from the pox.”
Lanis sits down and places her hand on Lenden’s. She says with conviction, “Shall we do something different or unique to celebrate?”
Lenden shakes his head and answers Lanis. “I want to study my new spell uninterrupted. So, we are going up to the lab and I am going to show you your space. You can set up, and then go explore the library. But be careful not to disturb my concentration or the balance in my work space.”
Lanis grins, ‘Finally, my work space and the library. I waited long enough.’ “Thank you, Master Lenden. I will stay out of your way and not disturb your space or time.”
Lenden takes Lanis to the lab on the third floor of the manor after morning meal and he designates her an area of the lab, fifteen-feet by fifteen-feet, in the northwest corner, so Lanis can set up her own area in the thirty-two-foot by thirty-five-foot laboratory.
Lenden watches Lanis move her table, two chairs and desk into an organized work space of her own making. Lenden grudgingly says, “Lanis, perhaps you can aid me for an hour or two with the more tedious organizational aspects of the spell research?”
Lanis smiles, realizing this is an in to learning more complex spells. They work on the mundane items of Lenden’s research for four hours.
A couple hour after noon, Lenden stretches and yawns. “Well, you are a decent research partner and you’ve made my birthday go well so far. How about we eat, then you spend some time in my library?
Lanis almost wets herself in her excitement at getting into Lenden’s library so soon. She shyly answers, “Of course, I’ll cook … Yes, Master Lenden.”
They eat a late mid-day meal of tubers and vegetables, in a peppered cream sauce. It is a recipe Lenden enjoys, and Lanis delights in.
Lenden takes Lanis up to the library, a great room next to the laboratory, of equal size. The library is lined with shelves of great and small tomes and scrolls.
Lenden says with pride. “You can peruse the library for three hours. No tome shall leave this room.”
Perusing the great and small tomes, Lanis almost goes into shock finding a rare tome by the relatively unknown artificer, Ranton. The tome is a class-four work, of his treaty on crystal structures in magical artifacts. She carefully picks up the sturdy medium size tome of oxen-hide covered parchment pages.
Sitting on the only couch in the room, Lanis opens the tome’s cover and beams the largest grin she has expressed since leaving the University. Ranton scribed in jalnoric script. Her hand lexigraphy script is neat and tight, allowing Ranton to put a large amount of script detail on each page. She used little in the way of flourishes and her diagrams are concise with only the necessary details. This is a basic text, full of details on the art of crystal artifact construction. By page four, Lanis is out of her element, but is so excited to learn what the pages contain that she doesn’t want to let the tome out of her hands.
Looking around the large room, Lanis ponders what other treasures Lenden has buried in here. She puts the tome back where she retrieved it from. Memorizing its location, Lanis walks to the library desk and retrieving two sheets of the highly expensive parchment and a bottle of the rare black ink, she sits down, scribing notes for herself on what she learned from the tome. She makes notes on what she can do now, using her own skills, for use in casting. Lanis fills both twelve-inch square parchment sheets with her own tight script. She debates using a third sheet, but instead blots the ink, to be sure it is dry, then she turns the sheets over and continues scribing. She nearly fills both of the pages, with barely two inches left on the fourth page. Finished, Lanis sets down the gold quill, which is worth ten Flairs.
She calculates what she owes Lenden for this: two Flairs per sheet of parchment, plus a Flairs worth of ink. So, she owes five Flairs. Thus, she has to do a lot of work for Lenden, or find another income somehow.
To be continued …
In episode 005, “Well?”:
Lenden and Lanis go for a carriage ride to Berry Way Market where Lenden makes some purchases for Lanis.
Lanis is a little forgetful and Lenden’s question is, “Well?”
© 2016 by Rusty Knight with Inevitable Unicorn Press
www.inupress.ca rusty@inupress.ca
Awesome! You’ve completed reading episode 004 of ‘Lanis’, you want to read more from Rusty Knight! We have an easy link here for you to follow so you can get more, follow www.inupress.ca . to go where you can get issues of ‘Lanis’, ‘Markus’, and ‘Dragoman Bloodgrue’, along with much more from authors from Inevitable Unicorn Press. While there, you can follow the subscribe button and join our free e-mail subscription list, where you will receive one gift when you have first signed up. Once you have signed up to the email subscription list you will continue to receive more news and updates from Rusty Knight and the other authors from InUPress. The free bonus changes with time, the bonus was a pdf with the biographies of the protagonist group the, Black Swans, from Rusty Knight’s upcoming epic fantasy novel ‘Laret’. Later the bonus was an episode from the fantasy serial series ‘Markus’.
From me to you, thank you, for reading ‘Lanis’.
You can tell us how you enjoyed reading ‘Lanis’, by journeying over to www.inupress.ca and commenting. We’d love to hear from you.
We would like the acknowledge the work of the following:
The episode author is: Rusty Knight.
Our editor for the episode: Donna Shumaker.
The episode producer, publisher and distributor is: Inevitable Unicorn Press known as InUPress
The Lanis series marketing and promotions are by: InUPress
Have an wonderful day.
Yours,
Rusty Knight
©2016 by Rusty Knight with Inevitable Unicorn Press
www.inupress.ca inupress@inupress.ca
www.rustyknight.ca rusty@rustyknight.ca
All rights are reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by an information storage and retrieval system (except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review or other endorsement or in a recommendation to be printed in a magazine, newspaper, or on the Internet) without permission in writing from the publisher.
However, when contacted the author may be generous with reprint rights and articles.
No association with any corporations or names is implied or intended.
If you desire to reach us we can be contacted at any of the following sources:
www.inupress.ca or www.rustyknight.ca
or by email at:
inupress@inupress.ca or rusty@rustyknight.ca
Or call InUPress at
1-780-523-5835
Or the slow way, contact InUPress through postal mail at:
InUPress
Rusty’s Den
Box 3323
High Prairie, Alberta, Canada
T0G 1E0
How do I chose my writing style?
How do I chose my writing style?
So, apart from wishing you all a great year, I’ll start with a simple basic question that crops up in writing groups, such as ‘Fellowship of the Scribblers’ as well as on many online forums for writers.
It’s not as easy as it appears, “What style of writing will work for me?”. I know, it sounds innocent, but it’s not.
Writing ‘style’ can mean different things to different people, for example, it can involve genre, tropes, format, settings location, worlds, environment, etc. It might also involve, pen and paper versus laptop or desktop computers, or audio dictation; you have to decide if you’re writing a novel, short story or a novella; are you writing fiction or non-fiction; are you writing to be commercial or non-commercial.
Asking what style works for me is too general and to broad of a question to be properly answered with a reply. Instead, this must be responded to with questions. For example: do you want to write fiction or non-fiction? Do you want to make money and be commercial? Or simply, do you wish to write to express yourself? And several other essential questions, to start narrowing down your narrative literature style.
But there is also the environmental aspect such as, do you wish to have a physical hard paper copy, or are you better with an electronic computer copy? Do you find writing at home better, or is sitting in an office more suited to your needs, or maybe writing in a crowded coffee shop suits you better, or may be at some other venue? Are you more productive in the morning, afternoon, or the evening? Do you prefer writing when in a warmer, or cooler environment? While drinking coffee or tea, or may be drinking water, or nothing at all? Do you like to have music playing, or a TV going, or do you prefer silence, or the sounds of nature? Do you have family responsibilities, or may be work duties? What are your other life responsibilities? How much time do you have available for writing? Are you a scheduler, or do you like to fly by the seat of your pants?
Then, when you’re writing, do you plan out the plot? Do you outline your chapters and every character, along with the setting? How much research do you do when writing, in both fiction and non-fiction?
Do you co-write collaboratively with other authors, or alone? Do you share creative responsibility with graphic artists? Are you working with audio recording studios?
Do you have a set deadline or is your project open ended time wise? Do you have a project or idea? Do you have a contract to deal with? Are you ghostwriting for someone else, or maybe you are writing your own piece?
All these items and more queries will go into what your style of writing will be. More importantly, you need to realize your style will change, as do most artist’s styles change. So, you must be adaptable and evolve with the changes as time progresses. The question is much more complex than the few simple words it is composed of – what style of writing will work for me today, is more accurate, and be able to adapt with the moment.
So, for example, I have two times of day in which I write well in: early morning around 5 am and also in the afternoon between 3 and 8 pm. I work well with either music playing, generally pop or rock music, or in silence depending on my mood. I write equally easily with both: pen and paper, as well as on computers, alone at my desk in my office. I tend to drink both: coffee and water while writing, and occasionally I’ll brew a pot of tea in the morning to drink while I write. I find I write serial series short stories typically, but I also write novels, and they’re both almost always fiction, but I do write several non-fiction articles for blogs. In the past, I have written poetry that has won an award and has been traditionally published. I write best when I’m alone, I almost never write in the company of others. The main genres I tend to write in are fantasy and science fiction. I co-author with one other author with whom I’ve grown a writing rapport with, together we’re writing in the fantasy genre. I am able to write with her because we write with a similar format. I have been traditionally published and now I self-publish my own books, blogs and serial series, as well as I publish other authors work.
A writer can’t evolve alone, they need to explore with other writer’s work and receive feedback to grow and to produce good work. They need this to learn a style that works for them, and be able to adapt to new situations. The writer needs to continually attempt different ways of writing in different styles, or they’ll never grow and learn or improve.
Thank you,
Yours, Rusty Knight
So, apart from wishing you all a great year, I’ll start with a simple basic question that crops up in writing groups, such as ‘Fellowship of the Scribblers’ as well as on many online forums for writers.
It’s not as easy as it appears, “What style of writing will work for me?”. I know, it sounds innocent, but it’s not.
Writing ‘style’ can mean different things to different people, for example, it can involve genre, tropes, format, settings location, worlds, environment, etc. It might also involve, pen and paper versus laptop or desktop computers, or audio dictation; you have to decide if you’re writing a novel, short story or a novella; are you writing fiction or non-fiction; are you writing to be commercial or non-commercial.
Asking what style works for me is too general and to broad of a question to be properly answered with a reply. Instead, this must be responded to with questions. For example: do you want to write fiction or non-fiction? Do you want to make money and be commercial? Or simply, do you wish to write to express yourself? And several other essential questions, to start narrowing down your narrative literature style.
But there is also the environmental aspect such as, do you wish to have a physical hard paper copy, or are you better with an electronic computer copy? Do you find writing at home better, or is sitting in an office more suited to your needs, or maybe writing in a crowded coffee shop suits you better, or may be at some other venue? Are you more productive in the morning, afternoon, or the evening? Do you prefer writing when in a warmer, or cooler environment? While drinking coffee or tea, or may be drinking water, or nothing at all? Do you like to have music playing, or a TV going, or do you prefer silence, or the sounds of nature? Do you have family responsibilities, or may be work duties? What are your other life responsibilities? How much time do you have available for writing? Are you a scheduler, or do you like to fly by the seat of your pants?
Then, when you’re writing, do you plan out the plot? Do you outline your chapters and every character, along with the setting? How much research do you do when writing, in both fiction and non-fiction?
Do you co-write collaboratively with other authors, or alone? Do you share creative responsibility with graphic artists? Are you working with audio recording studios?
Do you have a set deadline or is your project open ended time wise? Do you have a project or idea? Do you have a contract to deal with? Are you ghostwriting for someone else, or maybe you are writing your own piece?
All these items and more queries will go into what your style of writing will be. More importantly, you need to realize your style will change, as do most artist’s styles change. So, you must be adaptable and evolve with the changes as time progresses. The question is much more complex than the few simple words it is composed of – what style of writing will work for me today, is more accurate, and be able to adapt with the moment.
So, for example, I have two times of day in which I write well in: early morning around 5 am and also in the afternoon between 3 and 8 pm. I work well with either music playing, generally pop or rock music, or in silence depending on my mood. I write equally easily with both: pen and paper, as well as on computers, alone at my desk in my office. I tend to drink both: coffee and water while writing, and occasionally I’ll brew a pot of tea in the morning to drink while I write. I find I write serial series short stories typically, but I also write novels, and they’re both almost always fiction, but I do write several non-fiction articles for blogs. In the past, I have written poetry that has won an award and has been traditionally published. I write best when I’m alone, I almost never write in the company of others. The main genres I tend to write in are fantasy and science fiction. I co-author with one other author with whom I’ve grown a writing rapport with, together we’re writing in the fantasy genre. I am able to write with her because we write with a similar format. I have been traditionally published and now I self-publish my own books, blogs and serial series, as well as I publish other authors work.
A writer can’t evolve alone, they need to explore with other writer’s work and receive feedback to grow and to produce good work. They need this to learn a style that works for them, and be able to adapt to new situations. The writer needs to continually attempt different ways of writing in different styles, or they’ll never grow and learn or improve.
Thank you,
Yours, Rusty Knight
January 9, 2017
Rusty's Notes, Closing out 2016
By Rusty Knight
Issue 005
December 29, 2016
Good-day, I’m Rusty Knight and wouldn’t you know it, the holidays have come upon us again. Many of you celebrate the holidays in your various ways with your traditions, much as my family has its traditions. Most of us spend special time with family we’ve rarely seen during the rest of the year, or with friends we seldom visit. In these visits, I still end up talking about computers, networks, writings, publishing and being an author. Figure that out! Along with other farming, oil field business, and instruction, as well as the other odd tidbits people sneak in that rarely gets mentioned with friends and family.
I took notes this year, as I was interested in what most people were asking me about. I compiled a list of over forty questions, some of which I’d like to address here in these blogs over the coming year of 2017.
So, apart from wishing you all a great new year and happy holidays, I’ll start with a simple basic question that crops up in the writing group, ‘Fellowship of the Scribblers’ and on many online forums for writers.
Catch this, it’s not as easy as it appears, “What style of writing will work for me?” I know, sounds innocent, but it’s not.
Writing ‘style’ can mean different things to different people, for example, genre, troupes, format, location settings, worlds, environment, etc. also, pen and paper versus laptop or desktop computer, or audio dictation; novel, short story or novellas; fiction or non-fiction; commercial or non-commercial.
Asking what style works, is too general and broad of a question to be properly answered with a reply. Instead, it must be responded to with the questions, for example, do you want to write fiction or non-fiction? Do you want to make money and be commercial? Or simply, do you wish to write to express yourself? And several other essential questions to start narrowing down your narrative literature style.
But there is also the aspect of, do you wish to have a physical hard paper copy or are you better with an electronic computer copy? Do you find writing at home better, or is at an office more suited to your needs, or maybe in a crowded coffee shop, or some other venue? Do you write better in the morning, afternoon, or evening? What are your other life responsibilities? How much time do you have for writing? Are you a scheduler, or do you fly by the seat of your pants? Then, when you’re writing, do you plan out the plot? Do you outline your chapters and every character, along with the setting, if you’re writing fiction? How much research do you do, in both fiction and non-fiction?
Do you co-write collaboratively? Do you share responsibility with graphic artists?
Do you have a deadline? A contract to deal with? Are you ghostwriting for someone else, or writing your own piece?
All these and more queries will go into what your style of writing will be. More importantly, your style will change, as most artist’s styles change, so you must be adaptable and evolve with changes as time progresses. The question is much more complex than the few simple words it is composed of – what style of writing will work for me today, is more accurate.
Thank you, happy holidays,
Yours, Rusty Knight
Issue 005
December 29, 2016
Good-day, I’m Rusty Knight and wouldn’t you know it, the holidays have come upon us again. Many of you celebrate the holidays in your various ways with your traditions, much as my family has its traditions. Most of us spend special time with family we’ve rarely seen during the rest of the year, or with friends we seldom visit. In these visits, I still end up talking about computers, networks, writings, publishing and being an author. Figure that out! Along with other farming, oil field business, and instruction, as well as the other odd tidbits people sneak in that rarely gets mentioned with friends and family.
I took notes this year, as I was interested in what most people were asking me about. I compiled a list of over forty questions, some of which I’d like to address here in these blogs over the coming year of 2017.
So, apart from wishing you all a great new year and happy holidays, I’ll start with a simple basic question that crops up in the writing group, ‘Fellowship of the Scribblers’ and on many online forums for writers.
Catch this, it’s not as easy as it appears, “What style of writing will work for me?” I know, sounds innocent, but it’s not.
Writing ‘style’ can mean different things to different people, for example, genre, troupes, format, location settings, worlds, environment, etc. also, pen and paper versus laptop or desktop computer, or audio dictation; novel, short story or novellas; fiction or non-fiction; commercial or non-commercial.
Asking what style works, is too general and broad of a question to be properly answered with a reply. Instead, it must be responded to with the questions, for example, do you want to write fiction or non-fiction? Do you want to make money and be commercial? Or simply, do you wish to write to express yourself? And several other essential questions to start narrowing down your narrative literature style.
But there is also the aspect of, do you wish to have a physical hard paper copy or are you better with an electronic computer copy? Do you find writing at home better, or is at an office more suited to your needs, or maybe in a crowded coffee shop, or some other venue? Do you write better in the morning, afternoon, or evening? What are your other life responsibilities? How much time do you have for writing? Are you a scheduler, or do you fly by the seat of your pants? Then, when you’re writing, do you plan out the plot? Do you outline your chapters and every character, along with the setting, if you’re writing fiction? How much research do you do, in both fiction and non-fiction?
Do you co-write collaboratively? Do you share responsibility with graphic artists?
Do you have a deadline? A contract to deal with? Are you ghostwriting for someone else, or writing your own piece?
All these and more queries will go into what your style of writing will be. More importantly, your style will change, as most artist’s styles change, so you must be adaptable and evolve with changes as time progresses. The question is much more complex than the few simple words it is composed of – what style of writing will work for me today, is more accurate.
Thank you, happy holidays,
Yours, Rusty Knight
December 18, 2016
Lanis, E003, Hangela's Duck
ISSN 2371-3747
Episode 3
January 2016
Lanis
By Rusty Knight
Episode 003, ‘Hangela’s Duck’
In the previous episode 002, ‘Lenden’s Dilemma’:
Lanis had to prove her skills to Master Lenden. With eight, five-hundred Flair usury notes, he sent Lanis hunting for gems. He was happy with two of the five gems Lanis brought back and was impressed with her skills as a mage’s assistant.
And now in episode 003, ‘Hangela’s Duck’:
Spring 6 Bear
Lanis finishes cooking the morning meal as is her duty now. She is excited to be working with Lenden in his lab, after morning meal for the first time today.
Realising he can cast spells like the Lesser Sign of Sealing, means he has more than a little skill. Studying with Lenden is a stroke of luck. She could have done worse.
Setting the food on the dining table, Lanis sits down to eat with Lenden. She is eager to start and asks, “Master Lenden, when do we start in the lab today?”
Dishing some of the scrambled eggs onto his plate and the breaking off the drumstick from the roast duck, Lenden replies, “Did you kill my duck for the meal this morning?”
Lanis nods, “Yes, they are easy to come by. I can get another one.”
Lenden titters, he utters, “No, my dear, you do not kill my egg laying ducks. I use the eggs for more than eating. You do not start in the lab today. You go to Hangela’s for three new egg laying ducks. That is your task for study. Three egg laying ducks from Hangela’s. I’ll give you ten Flairs, but the three shouldn’t cost a total of one Flair, if you do this right.”
Dejected, Lanis mumbles, “Yes, Master Lenden.”
Lanis finishes eating the meal in silence, then cleans up the dishes.
Lenden brings her a pouch with ten Flairs.
Walking out into Quantos, the gods are breathing stiffly north-west, hampering Lanis’ walking and the heat makes walking intolerable, but the gods are providing some partial cover in the Sphere for some relief. The walk today to Hangela’s takes almost an hour longer, because of the hampering by the gods and Lanis’ reluctance to go to the mercantile.
Entering the building, Lanis sees the toyfem and bravely approaches the trader. “Good day, Trader Hangela. I’m here on business for my master.”
Hangela nods, and she smiles disarmingly, which turns Lanis’ stomach. Hangela asks, “How may I be of service, Master Lanis?”
Lanis sighs openly. “I need three egg laying ducks for my master.”
For the next half hour, the two haggle over the prices of three individual ducks that Hangela shows Lanis. Each is very different and even though Lanis asks questions, Hangela is very vague in answering, simply replying shes not a farmer, just a trader. In the end, Lanis feels proud at haggling a price of two Dyns total for all three ducks. This is far less than even the one Flair, that Master Lenden suggest was the maximum he expected to pay. The most expensive duck cost eleven duster and it was all fancy with shiny coloured feathers. Hangela said it was imported from Shespan.
Realising she has no way of getting the ducks home, other than herding them, she flounders with thoughts of getting the ducks home.
“Master Hangela, how do I get three ducks eight kilometers’ home?” asks Lanis nervously.
Reaching for a wicker cage, Hangela says, “For three Flairs, you can have this cage.”
Lanis doesn’t think its worth one Flair, so offers low. “I don’t think so. I’ll give you, maybe one. At most its worth two.”
Hangela extends her arm, and says, “For two, its yours.”
Realising she could have gotten it for less if she hadn’t said two, but she did say two. Lanis clasps arms. Then she pays Hangela the two Flairs for the cage and three ducks.
With some difficulty, Lanis carries the ducks home in the cage. Arriving home, after gods-set, she lets the ducks loose in the chicken run. Then setting aside the cage, she enters the house to find Lenden.
She tells her master. “Master Lenden, here are your coins. I purchased three ducks for two Dyns, but I had to purchase a cage to bring them home in, it cost two Flairs.”
Lenden waves off the coins, he says, “Hold onto those for future purchases for me. I’ll look at the ducks in the morning.”
Spring 7 Bear
Lenden is laughing so hard, that Lanis thinks he is going to stop his heart. He has been laughing for a minute, and she doesn’t know why. He looked at the three ducks and just bellowed out laughing.
Finally, he quit laughing and said, “Butcher that one for evening meal” Pointing to the fancy feather duck that cost Lanis the most.
“Why?” she asks.
Lenden, going serious, replies, “Because he can’t lay me one damn egg in his entire life, that is why. You brought back two drakes and one hen. Hangela saw you coming all right. You have to know your stuff when dealing with that dog. She’ll take your coin, all of it, and give you just about damn near any thing, even stuff you didn’t ask for, or nothing. As a lesson to you, how much did you pay for that one and that one?” He points to the two fancy feathered ducks.
Lanis answers, “Elven dusters for the brightest one, and four dusters for the small one.”
Lenden nods, he says, “Okay, fifteen dusters are coming off your wages, I believe that equates to eight days pay. The two ducks are yours. Do with them as you wish. But don’t use my feed, unless you’re going to pay for it. Get them out of my chicken run and put them on the pond.”
Lanis frowns with mixed feelings. She now has her first property, but she is out eight days of wages. Hangela will pay for this somehow. Someday.
To be continued …
In episode four, ‘Really!’:
Lanis finally gets lab time, but is it what she is expecting from Lenden? She begins developing her own area of the lab and she explores the library, discovering a treasure she didn’t expect.
© 2016 Rusty Knight with Inevitable Unicorn Press
www.inupress.ca rusty@inupress.ca
Awesome! You’ve completed episode 003 of ‘Lanis’, but you want to read more! We have an easy link here to click so you can get more, click www.InUPress.ca. You can get issues of ‘Markus’, and ‘Bloodgrue’ with much more from Inevitable Unicorn Press. While there, click and join our free e-mail subscription list, where you will also receive a free gift when you signup. Once you have signed up, you will receive more news and updates from Rusty Knight and InUPress. The free bonus changes with time, in February the bonus was a pdf. with the biographies of the protagonist group the, Black Swans, from Rusty Knight’s upcoming fantasy novel ‘Laret’. Later in 2016 it will be an issue from the series ‘Lanis’.
From me to you, thank you, for reading ‘Lanis’.
Wander over and tell us how you enjoying reading ‘Lanis’. Do this by going over to www.inupress.ca and commenting. We’d love to hear from you.
Have an wonderful day.
Yours, Rusty Knight.
Episode 3
January 2016
Lanis
By Rusty Knight
Episode 003, ‘Hangela’s Duck’
In the previous episode 002, ‘Lenden’s Dilemma’:
Lanis had to prove her skills to Master Lenden. With eight, five-hundred Flair usury notes, he sent Lanis hunting for gems. He was happy with two of the five gems Lanis brought back and was impressed with her skills as a mage’s assistant.
And now in episode 003, ‘Hangela’s Duck’:
Spring 6 Bear
Lanis finishes cooking the morning meal as is her duty now. She is excited to be working with Lenden in his lab, after morning meal for the first time today.
Realising he can cast spells like the Lesser Sign of Sealing, means he has more than a little skill. Studying with Lenden is a stroke of luck. She could have done worse.
Setting the food on the dining table, Lanis sits down to eat with Lenden. She is eager to start and asks, “Master Lenden, when do we start in the lab today?”
Dishing some of the scrambled eggs onto his plate and the breaking off the drumstick from the roast duck, Lenden replies, “Did you kill my duck for the meal this morning?”
Lanis nods, “Yes, they are easy to come by. I can get another one.”
Lenden titters, he utters, “No, my dear, you do not kill my egg laying ducks. I use the eggs for more than eating. You do not start in the lab today. You go to Hangela’s for three new egg laying ducks. That is your task for study. Three egg laying ducks from Hangela’s. I’ll give you ten Flairs, but the three shouldn’t cost a total of one Flair, if you do this right.”
Dejected, Lanis mumbles, “Yes, Master Lenden.”
Lanis finishes eating the meal in silence, then cleans up the dishes.
Lenden brings her a pouch with ten Flairs.
Walking out into Quantos, the gods are breathing stiffly north-west, hampering Lanis’ walking and the heat makes walking intolerable, but the gods are providing some partial cover in the Sphere for some relief. The walk today to Hangela’s takes almost an hour longer, because of the hampering by the gods and Lanis’ reluctance to go to the mercantile.
Entering the building, Lanis sees the toyfem and bravely approaches the trader. “Good day, Trader Hangela. I’m here on business for my master.”
Hangela nods, and she smiles disarmingly, which turns Lanis’ stomach. Hangela asks, “How may I be of service, Master Lanis?”
Lanis sighs openly. “I need three egg laying ducks for my master.”
For the next half hour, the two haggle over the prices of three individual ducks that Hangela shows Lanis. Each is very different and even though Lanis asks questions, Hangela is very vague in answering, simply replying shes not a farmer, just a trader. In the end, Lanis feels proud at haggling a price of two Dyns total for all three ducks. This is far less than even the one Flair, that Master Lenden suggest was the maximum he expected to pay. The most expensive duck cost eleven duster and it was all fancy with shiny coloured feathers. Hangela said it was imported from Shespan.
Realising she has no way of getting the ducks home, other than herding them, she flounders with thoughts of getting the ducks home.
“Master Hangela, how do I get three ducks eight kilometers’ home?” asks Lanis nervously.
Reaching for a wicker cage, Hangela says, “For three Flairs, you can have this cage.”
Lanis doesn’t think its worth one Flair, so offers low. “I don’t think so. I’ll give you, maybe one. At most its worth two.”
Hangela extends her arm, and says, “For two, its yours.”
Realising she could have gotten it for less if she hadn’t said two, but she did say two. Lanis clasps arms. Then she pays Hangela the two Flairs for the cage and three ducks.
With some difficulty, Lanis carries the ducks home in the cage. Arriving home, after gods-set, she lets the ducks loose in the chicken run. Then setting aside the cage, she enters the house to find Lenden.
She tells her master. “Master Lenden, here are your coins. I purchased three ducks for two Dyns, but I had to purchase a cage to bring them home in, it cost two Flairs.”
Lenden waves off the coins, he says, “Hold onto those for future purchases for me. I’ll look at the ducks in the morning.”
Spring 7 Bear
Lenden is laughing so hard, that Lanis thinks he is going to stop his heart. He has been laughing for a minute, and she doesn’t know why. He looked at the three ducks and just bellowed out laughing.
Finally, he quit laughing and said, “Butcher that one for evening meal” Pointing to the fancy feather duck that cost Lanis the most.
“Why?” she asks.
Lenden, going serious, replies, “Because he can’t lay me one damn egg in his entire life, that is why. You brought back two drakes and one hen. Hangela saw you coming all right. You have to know your stuff when dealing with that dog. She’ll take your coin, all of it, and give you just about damn near any thing, even stuff you didn’t ask for, or nothing. As a lesson to you, how much did you pay for that one and that one?” He points to the two fancy feathered ducks.
Lanis answers, “Elven dusters for the brightest one, and four dusters for the small one.”
Lenden nods, he says, “Okay, fifteen dusters are coming off your wages, I believe that equates to eight days pay. The two ducks are yours. Do with them as you wish. But don’t use my feed, unless you’re going to pay for it. Get them out of my chicken run and put them on the pond.”
Lanis frowns with mixed feelings. She now has her first property, but she is out eight days of wages. Hangela will pay for this somehow. Someday.
To be continued …
In episode four, ‘Really!’:
Lanis finally gets lab time, but is it what she is expecting from Lenden? She begins developing her own area of the lab and she explores the library, discovering a treasure she didn’t expect.
© 2016 Rusty Knight with Inevitable Unicorn Press
www.inupress.ca rusty@inupress.ca
Awesome! You’ve completed episode 003 of ‘Lanis’, but you want to read more! We have an easy link here to click so you can get more, click www.InUPress.ca. You can get issues of ‘Markus’, and ‘Bloodgrue’ with much more from Inevitable Unicorn Press. While there, click and join our free e-mail subscription list, where you will also receive a free gift when you signup. Once you have signed up, you will receive more news and updates from Rusty Knight and InUPress. The free bonus changes with time, in February the bonus was a pdf. with the biographies of the protagonist group the, Black Swans, from Rusty Knight’s upcoming fantasy novel ‘Laret’. Later in 2016 it will be an issue from the series ‘Lanis’.
From me to you, thank you, for reading ‘Lanis’.
Wander over and tell us how you enjoying reading ‘Lanis’. Do this by going over to www.inupress.ca and commenting. We’d love to hear from you.
Have an wonderful day.
Yours, Rusty Knight.
December 5, 2016
Lanis, Episode 002: Lenden's Dilemma
ISSN 2371-3747
Episode 2
January 2016
Lanis
Episode 002, ‘Lenden’s Dilemma’
By Rusty Knight with InUPress
Previously in episode 001, ‘Home? Really!’:
Lanis encountered Lenden and her new home. Lanis is now out in the world on her one-year journeyman test as an artificer mage. She has to survive out in the real world, away from the Mage University, then at the end of the year she can return for her final test for journeyman certification as a mage. She is specializing as an artificer class mage.
Now in episode 002, ‘Lenden’s Dilemma’:
Spring 2 Bear
Lanis stretches in her new bed. It is currently the first morning in this new house and it’s about two hours to gods-rise. The two gods rise about eight minutes apart. First to rise is the yellow god Stonewire, who breaks the eastern horizon, then is followed about eight minutes later by the red-orange god Imvor cresting the eastern horizon. This is how Quantos citizens start marking the beginning of each day. Some days the Sphere is covered over, or partially covered over, and the visibility of seeing the gods is restricted. But it is known they break the eastern horizon on their trek across the Sphere to the western horizon every day.
Most days the gods blow their breath eastward, but some days they decide to breathe other directions, causing some havoc. And some days they breath gently, some days stronger, and some days so hard they damage the structures of Quantos, thus many barge Captains won’t risk sailing on those days. It sometimes rains, occasionally it ice sleets. Because of the latitude of Mount Oryn, it rarely snows in autumn or winter; once in a while there is a spring with the odd snow fall. But rarely does it get cold enough to freeze over open-water solidly.
Lanis looks at her belongings as she dresses for the day. She has to start the stove to cook morning meal for Lenden every day now for the next year, to keep her secure job here. This is a safe place for her one-year journeyman walk-about test. There are numerous stories of so many apprentices dying on their walk-about, because they went to superstitious villages and made mistakes casting magic, thus were killed for witch-craft. Or there are others who simply starved to death because they couldn’t make an income. No, Lanis thought this out, get hired on with a master mage as an assistant for the year and stay smart. Stay in his good books and survive the year, then go back to the University and take the journeyman test, hopefully pass and become a certified Journeyman Mage. The trick is to survive this year. The statistics say only twenty-three percent of apprentices who go out on their journeyman walk-about, make it back to the University for testing to certify.
Lanis plans on being one of the twenty-three percent. Not only that, but she has specialized, which less than ten percent of mages do, and she’s even making the odds tougher. Not only is she specializing by being one of ten percent of mages; she’s also being one percent of specialists. She’s going to be an artificer. Yes, Lanis chose a tough road, but she chose her road to go on and build. She has the plan already. Her class-one skill knowledge is complete already. When she goes to test for certification, she wants to have a complete class-two as well. That should make the testing easier. Maybe some class-three skills to help out, if old Lenden will teach her. As he is, after all, class-seven, and she plans on staying with him for the full year. That is part of her plan.
In the kitchen, using her cantrip ‘firefinger’, Lanis ignites the fuel in the stove and then she fills the water-boiler. She lights the oil-lantern with a second ‘firefinger’, and she looks around the kitchen, gathering the food to prepare for morning meal.
At the dining table, Lenden says, “Lanis, this is actually good. You seem to know how to cook. What do you know about spell components?” asks Lenden, as they sit eating the morning meal Lanis has prepared.
Lanis ponders Lenden’s question. The question is so broad and has so many answers, so she simply chooses one. “Basically, spells are made of three components, verbal, somantic and material. The verbal is the sound component we make, the somantic are the physical motions we make and the material is the substances that fuel the spell.” ‘There, the basic university answer for class-one apprentices.’ She thinks haughtily.
Lenden frowns and he says, “Okay, you told me what any student can tell me. Tell me what YOU know about material components, assistant. I don’t want student answers. I want to know if my assistant is worth her salt.”
Now Lanis smiles. This was her strong suit in university, and one of the reasons she chose artification. “Master Lenden. Not all spells use material components as fuel. Not all materials can be used as fuel. For example, the jump spell uses live spiders swallowed by the caster. But the caster can not use just any spider. For the average caster, one in twenty spiders he examines will be suitable for his use in casting his jump spell. You also need to know that the spider which one caster can use for the jump spell, may not be suitable for another caster to cast the jump spell. Each caster has to select his material components based on criteria individual to himself as a caster. Even though two casters are casting the same spell, they may not be able to use the same materials.”
Lenden leans forward, grinning. He reaches out and pats Lanis’ arm. Speaking slowly, Lenden says, “Then you understand my dilemma. I need some very expensive material components for a class-three spell. The value of the components for each casting are at least one-hundred flairs. But to purchase the components, I must send you out with four-thousand Flairs, and an understanding that you know what to look for.”
Lanis stares at Lenden without blinking, drool starting to collect at the corners of her mouth. ‘Did he just say he’s sending me out to collect components with FOUR THOUSAND Flairs?’
Lenden taps Lanis’ forehead, “Quantos to Lanis, you there?”
Lanis jerks. She blinks several times as she coughs. “Sorry, yes. Yes, I’m here. Did you say four thousand Flairs?”
Laughing, Lenden sits back, watching Lanis. After a bit he settles down, and says, “Yes, I did. Get used to it, as a mage you will be dealing in thousands a lot.”
Lanis sits forward and enquires, “What are we looking for?”
“Good girl. I want some diamonds, emeralds, rubies, pearls or sapphires for my spell, Lesser sign of sealing.” Lenden goes on to explain the specific properties of each gem that he requires. He gives Lanis eight usury notes, valued at five-hundred Flairs each, made by a local Master Usury.
Lanis takes a moment to simply stare at the notes in wonder, pondering the incomprehensible value in her hands.
About an hour after the two gods rise, Lanis sets out, under the directions of Lenden, to Morgus Gems at stall 12 of Berry Market. It takes Lanis half-an-hour to negotiate a price on two pearls, for a total of nine-hundred Flairs.
Giving Morgus two notes, he burdens her with ten pounds of gold Flairs and two pearls worth about five-hundred Flairs each. But, Morgus refuses to give referrals to any lapidary or merchants selling gems.
Lanis leaves the shop and wanders around Berry Market in search of gems, or someone who knows someone.
A little over half-an-hour later, at nearly evening meal time, a merchant refers Lanis to Trendonal, at Happenstance Jewelry over at 4369 Wenton Road.
Walking to Happenstance, Lanis finds a less than co-operative young elfmal who has one ruby that suits Lenden’s needs. But an hour later they are still at four-thousand Flairs for it, so Lanis begs off, asking instead for a referral to someone with possibly less expensive gems.
Trendonal is more than happy to give Lanis the address of Jessen’s Gems on Beddington Avenue.
Lanis walks home, arriving mid-morning on Spring 3, exhausted. Going right to sleep after settling in.
Spring 3 Bear
Waking early and after cooking morning meal, Lanis is quick to excuse herself and set out for Jessen’s Gems.
Arriving, she finds several gems available, an emerald and two sapphires. Negotiating prices with Jessen, Lanis ends with purchasing the sapphires, one for nine hundred Flairs and one for 1,180 of the gold value. She pays Jessen with four notes and eighty of her one-hundred Flairs
Asking for referrals, Jessen supplies her with Hangela’s Mercantile on Tickton Street.
After getting directions and considering the time of day, Lanis decides it is best to go home, then to Hangela’s tomorrow.
Arriving home, long after gods-set, Lanis gives Lenden the four gems she has purchased so far. He sets them aside and informs her that he will assess them all once she completes her purchases.
Spring 4 Bear
Entering Hangela’s, Lanis’ breathing and heart stop. ‘It’s her, that woman from the first day at Lenden’s’
She starts breathing again as her heart pounds in near panic, thumping hard in her chest so loud she is sure the woman, twenty-feet from her, can hear her heart beating, and hear her breathing.
The woman looks up into Lanis’ eyes. Lanis shivers, goose bumps spread over her arms and back. ‘Is this fear, or panic? What is this? Why? I don’t know her.’
The woman approaches aggressively, stomping up to Lanis. Stretching out her arm, the woman says easily in trade jalnoric. “Good day Master. I’m Trader Hangela. Welcome to my mercantile. What are you looking for? If I don’t have it in stock, I may be able to get it for you.”
Lanis swallows and blinks, feebly clasping arms with the offensive woman. ‘Why don’t I trust or like her? She hasn’t done anything.’
“Trader Hangela, I’m looking for gems.” says Lanis, quickly removing her arm from the clasp, and she continues. “In particular: diamonds, emeralds, sapphires, rubies or pearls.”
Hangela smiles. “Indeed, follow me.”
Hangela leads Lanis to a small back room, where a table and two chairs occupy the space along with a locked chest. Hangela unlocks the chest with a key from a heavy neck chain around her neck.
Opening the chest, it is filled with sacks. She pulls out a smaller sack and closes the chest lid. Untying the sack, she dumps about forty gems on the table. She sorts out five gems for Lanis. Lanis picks three: two emeralds and a sapphire. Hangela places all the others back in her sack.
They negotiate the price of the three gems, but in the end all Lanis can afford is the uncut emerald for five-hundred Flairs, paying with one of the remaining notes.
“Do you know any other merchants or lapidaries that I can go to?” asks Lanis boldly.
Hangela snarls, “What, do I look like a dragoman? No, go find them yourself.” She places the remaining gems in the sack and places the sack back into the chest, locking it again. “Are we done? If so, let’s go back out front.”
Lanis leaves Hangela’s, feeling unwashed and violated, still not sure why.
Walking home with one note and twenty Flairs left, Lanis addresses Lenden. “Next time I’ll pay a dragoman to guide me around. But this is the last of it. Here’s an uncut emerald, a note and twenty Flairs to add to the others.”
“Lets go to my lab then, assistant.” Says Lenden.
Together the two go to Lenden’s lab, and under his focused continual-light, Lenden examines each gem, humming and hawing, but generally looking frustrated, muttering, “This won’t do.” a lot.
“Okay, so here we have five gems chosen for qualities to be components for my spell. Most assistants would get one out of twenty right. So I could expect you to get zero out of this lot of five. But you, my dear, did outstanding. This sapphire and this uncut emerald are perfect for my Lesser sign of sealing. Congratulations, you succeeded beyond the average. So in my eyes, you are more than average. I hope you can keep that up, assistant. Tomorrow, the lab and library are yours to use. But you still have to cook both meals. You owe me three evening meals.”
To be continued …
In episode 003, ‘Hangela’s Duck’:
After Lanis has her day off, Lenden sends Lanis to Hangela’s to make purchases. Lanis discovers a reason to dislike and distrust Hangela, and uncovers the reason for her panic.
© 2016 by Rusty Knight with Inevitable Unicorn Press
www.inupress.ca rusty@inupress.ca
Awesome! You’ve completed episode 002 of ‘Lanis’, but you want to read more! We have an easy link here to click so you can get more, click www.InUPress.ca. You can get issues of ‘Markus’, and ‘Dragoman Bloodgrue’ with much more from Inevitable Unicorn Press. While there, click and join our free e-mail subscription list, where you will also receive a free gift when you signup. Once you have signed up, you will receive more news and updates from Rusty Knight and InUPress. The free bonus changes with time, in February the bonus was a pdf. with the biographies of the protagonist group the, Black Swans, from Rusty Knight’s upcoming fantasy novel ‘Laret’. Later in 2016 it will be an issue from the series ‘Lanis’.
From me to you, thank you, for reading ‘Lanis’.
Wander over and tell us how you enjoying reading ‘Lanis’. Do this by going over to www.inupress.ca and commenting. We’d love to hear from you.
Have an wonderful day.
Yours, Rusty Knight.
Episode 2
January 2016
Lanis
Episode 002, ‘Lenden’s Dilemma’
By Rusty Knight with InUPress
Previously in episode 001, ‘Home? Really!’:
Lanis encountered Lenden and her new home. Lanis is now out in the world on her one-year journeyman test as an artificer mage. She has to survive out in the real world, away from the Mage University, then at the end of the year she can return for her final test for journeyman certification as a mage. She is specializing as an artificer class mage.
Now in episode 002, ‘Lenden’s Dilemma’:
Spring 2 Bear
Lanis stretches in her new bed. It is currently the first morning in this new house and it’s about two hours to gods-rise. The two gods rise about eight minutes apart. First to rise is the yellow god Stonewire, who breaks the eastern horizon, then is followed about eight minutes later by the red-orange god Imvor cresting the eastern horizon. This is how Quantos citizens start marking the beginning of each day. Some days the Sphere is covered over, or partially covered over, and the visibility of seeing the gods is restricted. But it is known they break the eastern horizon on their trek across the Sphere to the western horizon every day.
Most days the gods blow their breath eastward, but some days they decide to breathe other directions, causing some havoc. And some days they breath gently, some days stronger, and some days so hard they damage the structures of Quantos, thus many barge Captains won’t risk sailing on those days. It sometimes rains, occasionally it ice sleets. Because of the latitude of Mount Oryn, it rarely snows in autumn or winter; once in a while there is a spring with the odd snow fall. But rarely does it get cold enough to freeze over open-water solidly.
Lanis looks at her belongings as she dresses for the day. She has to start the stove to cook morning meal for Lenden every day now for the next year, to keep her secure job here. This is a safe place for her one-year journeyman walk-about test. There are numerous stories of so many apprentices dying on their walk-about, because they went to superstitious villages and made mistakes casting magic, thus were killed for witch-craft. Or there are others who simply starved to death because they couldn’t make an income. No, Lanis thought this out, get hired on with a master mage as an assistant for the year and stay smart. Stay in his good books and survive the year, then go back to the University and take the journeyman test, hopefully pass and become a certified Journeyman Mage. The trick is to survive this year. The statistics say only twenty-three percent of apprentices who go out on their journeyman walk-about, make it back to the University for testing to certify.
Lanis plans on being one of the twenty-three percent. Not only that, but she has specialized, which less than ten percent of mages do, and she’s even making the odds tougher. Not only is she specializing by being one of ten percent of mages; she’s also being one percent of specialists. She’s going to be an artificer. Yes, Lanis chose a tough road, but she chose her road to go on and build. She has the plan already. Her class-one skill knowledge is complete already. When she goes to test for certification, she wants to have a complete class-two as well. That should make the testing easier. Maybe some class-three skills to help out, if old Lenden will teach her. As he is, after all, class-seven, and she plans on staying with him for the full year. That is part of her plan.
In the kitchen, using her cantrip ‘firefinger’, Lanis ignites the fuel in the stove and then she fills the water-boiler. She lights the oil-lantern with a second ‘firefinger’, and she looks around the kitchen, gathering the food to prepare for morning meal.
At the dining table, Lenden says, “Lanis, this is actually good. You seem to know how to cook. What do you know about spell components?” asks Lenden, as they sit eating the morning meal Lanis has prepared.
Lanis ponders Lenden’s question. The question is so broad and has so many answers, so she simply chooses one. “Basically, spells are made of three components, verbal, somantic and material. The verbal is the sound component we make, the somantic are the physical motions we make and the material is the substances that fuel the spell.” ‘There, the basic university answer for class-one apprentices.’ She thinks haughtily.
Lenden frowns and he says, “Okay, you told me what any student can tell me. Tell me what YOU know about material components, assistant. I don’t want student answers. I want to know if my assistant is worth her salt.”
Now Lanis smiles. This was her strong suit in university, and one of the reasons she chose artification. “Master Lenden. Not all spells use material components as fuel. Not all materials can be used as fuel. For example, the jump spell uses live spiders swallowed by the caster. But the caster can not use just any spider. For the average caster, one in twenty spiders he examines will be suitable for his use in casting his jump spell. You also need to know that the spider which one caster can use for the jump spell, may not be suitable for another caster to cast the jump spell. Each caster has to select his material components based on criteria individual to himself as a caster. Even though two casters are casting the same spell, they may not be able to use the same materials.”
Lenden leans forward, grinning. He reaches out and pats Lanis’ arm. Speaking slowly, Lenden says, “Then you understand my dilemma. I need some very expensive material components for a class-three spell. The value of the components for each casting are at least one-hundred flairs. But to purchase the components, I must send you out with four-thousand Flairs, and an understanding that you know what to look for.”
Lanis stares at Lenden without blinking, drool starting to collect at the corners of her mouth. ‘Did he just say he’s sending me out to collect components with FOUR THOUSAND Flairs?’
Lenden taps Lanis’ forehead, “Quantos to Lanis, you there?”
Lanis jerks. She blinks several times as she coughs. “Sorry, yes. Yes, I’m here. Did you say four thousand Flairs?”
Laughing, Lenden sits back, watching Lanis. After a bit he settles down, and says, “Yes, I did. Get used to it, as a mage you will be dealing in thousands a lot.”
Lanis sits forward and enquires, “What are we looking for?”
“Good girl. I want some diamonds, emeralds, rubies, pearls or sapphires for my spell, Lesser sign of sealing.” Lenden goes on to explain the specific properties of each gem that he requires. He gives Lanis eight usury notes, valued at five-hundred Flairs each, made by a local Master Usury.
Lanis takes a moment to simply stare at the notes in wonder, pondering the incomprehensible value in her hands.
About an hour after the two gods rise, Lanis sets out, under the directions of Lenden, to Morgus Gems at stall 12 of Berry Market. It takes Lanis half-an-hour to negotiate a price on two pearls, for a total of nine-hundred Flairs.
Giving Morgus two notes, he burdens her with ten pounds of gold Flairs and two pearls worth about five-hundred Flairs each. But, Morgus refuses to give referrals to any lapidary or merchants selling gems.
Lanis leaves the shop and wanders around Berry Market in search of gems, or someone who knows someone.
A little over half-an-hour later, at nearly evening meal time, a merchant refers Lanis to Trendonal, at Happenstance Jewelry over at 4369 Wenton Road.
Walking to Happenstance, Lanis finds a less than co-operative young elfmal who has one ruby that suits Lenden’s needs. But an hour later they are still at four-thousand Flairs for it, so Lanis begs off, asking instead for a referral to someone with possibly less expensive gems.
Trendonal is more than happy to give Lanis the address of Jessen’s Gems on Beddington Avenue.
Lanis walks home, arriving mid-morning on Spring 3, exhausted. Going right to sleep after settling in.
Spring 3 Bear
Waking early and after cooking morning meal, Lanis is quick to excuse herself and set out for Jessen’s Gems.
Arriving, she finds several gems available, an emerald and two sapphires. Negotiating prices with Jessen, Lanis ends with purchasing the sapphires, one for nine hundred Flairs and one for 1,180 of the gold value. She pays Jessen with four notes and eighty of her one-hundred Flairs
Asking for referrals, Jessen supplies her with Hangela’s Mercantile on Tickton Street.
After getting directions and considering the time of day, Lanis decides it is best to go home, then to Hangela’s tomorrow.
Arriving home, long after gods-set, Lanis gives Lenden the four gems she has purchased so far. He sets them aside and informs her that he will assess them all once she completes her purchases.
Spring 4 Bear
Entering Hangela’s, Lanis’ breathing and heart stop. ‘It’s her, that woman from the first day at Lenden’s’
She starts breathing again as her heart pounds in near panic, thumping hard in her chest so loud she is sure the woman, twenty-feet from her, can hear her heart beating, and hear her breathing.
The woman looks up into Lanis’ eyes. Lanis shivers, goose bumps spread over her arms and back. ‘Is this fear, or panic? What is this? Why? I don’t know her.’
The woman approaches aggressively, stomping up to Lanis. Stretching out her arm, the woman says easily in trade jalnoric. “Good day Master. I’m Trader Hangela. Welcome to my mercantile. What are you looking for? If I don’t have it in stock, I may be able to get it for you.”
Lanis swallows and blinks, feebly clasping arms with the offensive woman. ‘Why don’t I trust or like her? She hasn’t done anything.’
“Trader Hangela, I’m looking for gems.” says Lanis, quickly removing her arm from the clasp, and she continues. “In particular: diamonds, emeralds, sapphires, rubies or pearls.”
Hangela smiles. “Indeed, follow me.”
Hangela leads Lanis to a small back room, where a table and two chairs occupy the space along with a locked chest. Hangela unlocks the chest with a key from a heavy neck chain around her neck.
Opening the chest, it is filled with sacks. She pulls out a smaller sack and closes the chest lid. Untying the sack, she dumps about forty gems on the table. She sorts out five gems for Lanis. Lanis picks three: two emeralds and a sapphire. Hangela places all the others back in her sack.
They negotiate the price of the three gems, but in the end all Lanis can afford is the uncut emerald for five-hundred Flairs, paying with one of the remaining notes.
“Do you know any other merchants or lapidaries that I can go to?” asks Lanis boldly.
Hangela snarls, “What, do I look like a dragoman? No, go find them yourself.” She places the remaining gems in the sack and places the sack back into the chest, locking it again. “Are we done? If so, let’s go back out front.”
Lanis leaves Hangela’s, feeling unwashed and violated, still not sure why.
Walking home with one note and twenty Flairs left, Lanis addresses Lenden. “Next time I’ll pay a dragoman to guide me around. But this is the last of it. Here’s an uncut emerald, a note and twenty Flairs to add to the others.”
“Lets go to my lab then, assistant.” Says Lenden.
Together the two go to Lenden’s lab, and under his focused continual-light, Lenden examines each gem, humming and hawing, but generally looking frustrated, muttering, “This won’t do.” a lot.
“Okay, so here we have five gems chosen for qualities to be components for my spell. Most assistants would get one out of twenty right. So I could expect you to get zero out of this lot of five. But you, my dear, did outstanding. This sapphire and this uncut emerald are perfect for my Lesser sign of sealing. Congratulations, you succeeded beyond the average. So in my eyes, you are more than average. I hope you can keep that up, assistant. Tomorrow, the lab and library are yours to use. But you still have to cook both meals. You owe me three evening meals.”
To be continued …
In episode 003, ‘Hangela’s Duck’:
After Lanis has her day off, Lenden sends Lanis to Hangela’s to make purchases. Lanis discovers a reason to dislike and distrust Hangela, and uncovers the reason for her panic.
© 2016 by Rusty Knight with Inevitable Unicorn Press
www.inupress.ca rusty@inupress.ca
Awesome! You’ve completed episode 002 of ‘Lanis’, but you want to read more! We have an easy link here to click so you can get more, click www.InUPress.ca. You can get issues of ‘Markus’, and ‘Dragoman Bloodgrue’ with much more from Inevitable Unicorn Press. While there, click and join our free e-mail subscription list, where you will also receive a free gift when you signup. Once you have signed up, you will receive more news and updates from Rusty Knight and InUPress. The free bonus changes with time, in February the bonus was a pdf. with the biographies of the protagonist group the, Black Swans, from Rusty Knight’s upcoming fantasy novel ‘Laret’. Later in 2016 it will be an issue from the series ‘Lanis’.
From me to you, thank you, for reading ‘Lanis’.
Wander over and tell us how you enjoying reading ‘Lanis’. Do this by going over to www.inupress.ca and commenting. We’d love to hear from you.
Have an wonderful day.
Yours, Rusty Knight.
November 4, 2016
Lanis,
ISSN 2371-3747
Episode 1
January 2016
Lanis
Episode 001
By Rusty Knight
Opening episode, Episode 001, ‘Home? Really!’:
She is sitting still as her mentor instructs Lanis on proper etiquette of addressing him.
“I want you addressing me as Master Lenden when you talk to me. Your room that I give you is on the second floor. You are responsible for your own laundry. You will cook both of our morning and evening meals every day for us, except the sixth-day, the day which is yours free to do with as you desire. Your other duties include: three hours of study with me each morning; three hours of self-study each afternoon and two hours each day to go to market for gathering of supplies for the household and laboratory. The rest of the day is yours. Understood, Apprentice Lanis?”
Lanis sighs, yet nods and answers sadly, “Yes, understood, Master Lenden. My room is on the second floor, and I have every six-day free. I also understand my duties. When do I start?”
Lenden frowns, as the seventy-one-year-old jalmal master-mage adjusts his sitting position in the plush sofa. “Tomorrow. You can settle in here today, and familiarize yourself with my house and laboratory. I understand you came to me for your one-year journey-man walkabout, to further your studies as an artificer. I am not an artificer, but you can practice your art as long as you follow my rules and do my work. Understood Lanis?”
Lanis carefully answers, “Yes, Master Lenden, I have access to your facilities to learn and practice my art, as long as I accomplish your work as you order.”
Lenden smiles and offers his arm to clasp. “Good, we understand each other then. The library and laboratory are both on the third floor. My personal room is on the second floor; my office is this room on the ground floor. We eat together, morning meal and evening meal in the dining-room next to the kitchen, here on the ground floor. There is no indoor privy, its an outdoor outhouse you use, if you need the facilities. As you know, I’m classed as rank seven mage, but that means nothing if I don’t have my spells and mind to use them. Once you pass a few of my tests you can view my spell-tomes. But that will come in time. Do you have your tome?”
Lanis smiles and pats her backpack. “I have my cantrip-tome and my spell-tome, Master Lenden. Everything I own is here with me in my backpack and this sack.”
Lenden smiles for Lanis. After they clasp arms, he says, “Then apprentice, let me show you your new home, and your room that you will live in for a year.”
Having stood and clasped arms with Lenden, Lanis follows the old man around the house, carrying her backpack and large sack of possessions. They traverse the ground floor, then the third floor, then the half-story that is the fourth floor and finally the second floor. The last room Lenden shows Lanis is a ten-foot by twelve-foot stone walled, maple floor and ceiling room, with one shuttered window. The room contains a single maple bed with feather mattress and pillow with flannel sheets.
Lanis sets her backpack and sack on the maple table that stands next to the four drawer chest-of-drawers. There is also a lone maple armless chair.
She looks down at the rough woven Imvor-orange carpet next to the bed and she smirks. Her carpet in the university was much nicer; she’ll replace this one as soon as she can afford to.
Looking at the empty three-shelf, maple book-shelf, Lanis takes her two tomes from her backpack and sets them neatly on the top shelf.
Turning to Lenden, Lanis meekly asks, “Master Lenden, it has been a long morning, where would your outhouse be?”
Lenden frowns and waves for Lanis to follow him. He shows Lanis his courtyard facilities with its well, garden and stable, then the outhouse. There he leaves her to do her business.
As Lanis is entering the house a little later, she nearly runs into a crudely dressed toyfem exiting the house. Their eyes briefly meet, but long enough to cause Lanis to shiver.
To be continued …
In the next episode 002, ‘Lenden’s Dilemma’:
Trying to study a new spell, Lenden needs a spell component and he’s having difficulty acquiring some, he sends Lanis on a search.
© February 2016 Rusty Knight with Inevitable Unicorn Press
www.inupress.ca rusty@inupress.ca
Awesome! You’ve completed episode 001 of ‘Lanis’, but you want to read more! We have an easy link here to click so you can get more, click www.InUPress.ca. You can get issues of ‘Markus’, and ‘Bloodgrue’ with much more from Inevitable Unicorn Press. While there, click and join our free e-mail subscription list, where you will also receive a free gift when you signup. Once you have signed up, you will receive more news and updates from Rusty Knight and InUPress. The free bonus changes with time, in February the bonus was a pdf. with the biographies of the protagonist group the, Black Swans, from Rusty Knight’s upcoming fantasy novel ‘Laret’. Later in 2016 it will be an issue from the series ‘Lanis’.
From me to you, thank you, for reading ‘Lanis’.
Wander over and tell us how you enjoying reading ‘Lanis’. Do this by going over to www.inupress.ca and commenting. We’d love to hear from you.
Have an wonderful day.
Yours, Rusty Knight.
Episode 1
January 2016
Lanis
Episode 001
By Rusty Knight
Opening episode, Episode 001, ‘Home? Really!’:
She is sitting still as her mentor instructs Lanis on proper etiquette of addressing him.
“I want you addressing me as Master Lenden when you talk to me. Your room that I give you is on the second floor. You are responsible for your own laundry. You will cook both of our morning and evening meals every day for us, except the sixth-day, the day which is yours free to do with as you desire. Your other duties include: three hours of study with me each morning; three hours of self-study each afternoon and two hours each day to go to market for gathering of supplies for the household and laboratory. The rest of the day is yours. Understood, Apprentice Lanis?”
Lanis sighs, yet nods and answers sadly, “Yes, understood, Master Lenden. My room is on the second floor, and I have every six-day free. I also understand my duties. When do I start?”
Lenden frowns, as the seventy-one-year-old jalmal master-mage adjusts his sitting position in the plush sofa. “Tomorrow. You can settle in here today, and familiarize yourself with my house and laboratory. I understand you came to me for your one-year journey-man walkabout, to further your studies as an artificer. I am not an artificer, but you can practice your art as long as you follow my rules and do my work. Understood Lanis?”
Lanis carefully answers, “Yes, Master Lenden, I have access to your facilities to learn and practice my art, as long as I accomplish your work as you order.”
Lenden smiles and offers his arm to clasp. “Good, we understand each other then. The library and laboratory are both on the third floor. My personal room is on the second floor; my office is this room on the ground floor. We eat together, morning meal and evening meal in the dining-room next to the kitchen, here on the ground floor. There is no indoor privy, its an outdoor outhouse you use, if you need the facilities. As you know, I’m classed as rank seven mage, but that means nothing if I don’t have my spells and mind to use them. Once you pass a few of my tests you can view my spell-tomes. But that will come in time. Do you have your tome?”
Lanis smiles and pats her backpack. “I have my cantrip-tome and my spell-tome, Master Lenden. Everything I own is here with me in my backpack and this sack.”
Lenden smiles for Lanis. After they clasp arms, he says, “Then apprentice, let me show you your new home, and your room that you will live in for a year.”
Having stood and clasped arms with Lenden, Lanis follows the old man around the house, carrying her backpack and large sack of possessions. They traverse the ground floor, then the third floor, then the half-story that is the fourth floor and finally the second floor. The last room Lenden shows Lanis is a ten-foot by twelve-foot stone walled, maple floor and ceiling room, with one shuttered window. The room contains a single maple bed with feather mattress and pillow with flannel sheets.
Lanis sets her backpack and sack on the maple table that stands next to the four drawer chest-of-drawers. There is also a lone maple armless chair.
She looks down at the rough woven Imvor-orange carpet next to the bed and she smirks. Her carpet in the university was much nicer; she’ll replace this one as soon as she can afford to.
Looking at the empty three-shelf, maple book-shelf, Lanis takes her two tomes from her backpack and sets them neatly on the top shelf.
Turning to Lenden, Lanis meekly asks, “Master Lenden, it has been a long morning, where would your outhouse be?”
Lenden frowns and waves for Lanis to follow him. He shows Lanis his courtyard facilities with its well, garden and stable, then the outhouse. There he leaves her to do her business.
As Lanis is entering the house a little later, she nearly runs into a crudely dressed toyfem exiting the house. Their eyes briefly meet, but long enough to cause Lanis to shiver.
To be continued …
In the next episode 002, ‘Lenden’s Dilemma’:
Trying to study a new spell, Lenden needs a spell component and he’s having difficulty acquiring some, he sends Lanis on a search.
© February 2016 Rusty Knight with Inevitable Unicorn Press
www.inupress.ca rusty@inupress.ca
Awesome! You’ve completed episode 001 of ‘Lanis’, but you want to read more! We have an easy link here to click so you can get more, click www.InUPress.ca. You can get issues of ‘Markus’, and ‘Bloodgrue’ with much more from Inevitable Unicorn Press. While there, click and join our free e-mail subscription list, where you will also receive a free gift when you signup. Once you have signed up, you will receive more news and updates from Rusty Knight and InUPress. The free bonus changes with time, in February the bonus was a pdf. with the biographies of the protagonist group the, Black Swans, from Rusty Knight’s upcoming fantasy novel ‘Laret’. Later in 2016 it will be an issue from the series ‘Lanis’.
From me to you, thank you, for reading ‘Lanis’.
Wander over and tell us how you enjoying reading ‘Lanis’. Do this by going over to www.inupress.ca and commenting. We’d love to hear from you.
Have an wonderful day.
Yours, Rusty Knight.
