Martyn Stanley's Blog - Posts Tagged "elves"
The Return of the Blood Queen
I am hoping, hoping to get the chapter, 'The Return of the Blood Queen' edited today!
That leaves only one more chapter and it will time for a second edit and proof!
Getting 'The Blood Queen' right is proving to be a slog - but as I read the chapter, I am reminded of how much I like it! I really like this chapter.
Isis is already working on the cover for book 3, my proofer has promised to take on book 2 ( The Verkreath Horror ) next week! Things are moving!
I've even uploaded the latest file for ' Deathsworn ARC 1: The Last Dragon Slayer ' with the cropped portraits from the book 2 cover and a sneak preview of the book 2 cover at the end!
Can't wait to finally get book 2 exactly as it should be! Please, please, don't buy 'The Verkreath Horror' until you see it with the cover featuring Brael and Votrex, the next upload will be definitive!
Martyn
That leaves only one more chapter and it will time for a second edit and proof!
Getting 'The Blood Queen' right is proving to be a slog - but as I read the chapter, I am reminded of how much I like it! I really like this chapter.
Isis is already working on the cover for book 3, my proofer has promised to take on book 2 ( The Verkreath Horror ) next week! Things are moving!
I've even uploaded the latest file for ' Deathsworn ARC 1: The Last Dragon Slayer ' with the cropped portraits from the book 2 cover and a sneak preview of the book 2 cover at the end!
Can't wait to finally get book 2 exactly as it should be! Please, please, don't buy 'The Verkreath Horror' until you see it with the cover featuring Brael and Votrex, the next upload will be definitive!
Martyn
Finally some progress!
I've finally uploaded the new 'improved' version of The Verkreath Horror
The new cover looks great, don't you think?
I'm really pleased with it. The annoying thing is, despite three people going over it with a fine toothcomb there are still tiny issues. I know there are three instances in the 'improved' version where I experienced some sort of Freudian slip and capitalized 'north' and 'south' when I didn't need to, which is irritating.
I think the rule is take more time when editing. Perfecting a grammatically flawed chapter must be far easier than perfecting a grammatically flawed book, and a paragraph - easier still!
I'm going to take more time over book 4, I'm going to pour over every paragraph and get it spot on before moving on. It'll take longer to write, but far less longer to polish.
My book 3 is now getting closer too. The trouble is I'm having disagreement with my beta-readers. They are concerned I may be issued with a Fatwa, ala 'Salman Rushdie' because one of my characters criticizes the absurdity of a Torean religion which resembles 'Islam'. They don't like the fact that the holy book of the Savti, currently called 'The Ko'Tar' sounsd too much like the 'The Quran
'.
I reluctantly will probably have to make some changes. I want to explore criticism of religion, but I don't want to be offensive. I think I need to subtly strengthen the counter-argument as well, perhaps by pointing out the comfort people get by following rituals, religious or not.
I hate it, but getting book 3 sorted is going to be a long journey. I wanted it out early summer, but I think late summer is more realistic now.
The new cover looks great, don't you think?
I'm really pleased with it. The annoying thing is, despite three people going over it with a fine toothcomb there are still tiny issues. I know there are three instances in the 'improved' version where I experienced some sort of Freudian slip and capitalized 'north' and 'south' when I didn't need to, which is irritating.
I think the rule is take more time when editing. Perfecting a grammatically flawed chapter must be far easier than perfecting a grammatically flawed book, and a paragraph - easier still!
I'm going to take more time over book 4, I'm going to pour over every paragraph and get it spot on before moving on. It'll take longer to write, but far less longer to polish.
My book 3 is now getting closer too. The trouble is I'm having disagreement with my beta-readers. They are concerned I may be issued with a Fatwa, ala 'Salman Rushdie' because one of my characters criticizes the absurdity of a Torean religion which resembles 'Islam'. They don't like the fact that the holy book of the Savti, currently called 'The Ko'Tar' sounsd too much like the 'The Quran
'.I reluctantly will probably have to make some changes. I want to explore criticism of religion, but I don't want to be offensive. I think I need to subtly strengthen the counter-argument as well, perhaps by pointing out the comfort people get by following rituals, religious or not.
I hate it, but getting book 3 sorted is going to be a long journey. I wanted it out early summer, but I think late summer is more realistic now.
Great Review!
I'm really pleased with my latest review of book 1 on Amazon.com! I think he really 'got' what I was going for.
A True 5 Star
"Well written with imaginative use of standard characters, elves that are more than your standard pretty girl or tiny warrior, dwarf without attitude and with intelligence, heroes with flaws and not every ending is a happy one or every encounter works out for the best. And a dragon that is both morally superior and evil at the same time, reflecting a measure of humanity and the moral ambiguities we face. One has to wonder about the mindset the author comes from." - Ron Kell "RB" "
I think this helps me understand my writing instincts better. I think my instinct is to take convention, and turn it on its head! I think this really explains what I was shooting for with book 1. So happy someone 'got it' :D
Martyn
PS: I've changed my Google+ address! Please update your bookmarks, if you haven't added me, Add me and I will reciprocate:-
https://plus.google.com/+MartynStanle...
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A True 5 Star
"Well written with imaginative use of standard characters, elves that are more than your standard pretty girl or tiny warrior, dwarf without attitude and with intelligence, heroes with flaws and not every ending is a happy one or every encounter works out for the best. And a dragon that is both morally superior and evil at the same time, reflecting a measure of humanity and the moral ambiguities we face. One has to wonder about the mindset the author comes from." - Ron Kell "RB" "
I think this helps me understand my writing instincts better. I think my instinct is to take convention, and turn it on its head! I think this really explains what I was shooting for with book 1. So happy someone 'got it' :D
Martyn
PS: I've changed my Google+ address! Please update your bookmarks, if you haven't added me, Add me and I will reciprocate:-
https://plus.google.com/+MartynStanle...
I
Deathsworn Arc 4: Rise of the Archmage - Cover Reveal!
Well the book is still a way off!
I need to check a few things, re-check them. Polish it a bit and maybe do a few minor re-writes!
I really, really want this to be better than book 3.
Here's the covers though for paperback and ebook!
What do you think? Like?
I need to check a few things, re-check them. Polish it a bit and maybe do a few minor re-writes!
I really, really want this to be better than book 3.
Here's the covers though for paperback and ebook!
What do you think? Like?
Fantastic Video Review!
I'm really stoked. I just had a great video review of my first Fantasy book 'The Last Dragon Slayer'.
I really like what he has to say. It makes all the effort worthwhile! Please visit the URL and give it a 'Like' and a 'Share' ! :)
https://youtu.be/uFxk2jY2-fA
I really like what he has to say. It makes all the effort worthwhile! Please visit the URL and give it a 'Like' and a 'Share' ! :)
https://youtu.be/uFxk2jY2-fA
