Michael’s Comments (group member since Jan 14, 2018)

Michael’s comments from the Lost Lore Readalong! group.

Travis wrote: "This was a fun story. I enjoyed Elsie's journey and thought it was interesting that the story chose to focus on her struggles over sequences of epic battle (which seemed to take place in the backgr..."

Hi Travis! Thanks for reading both my short stories :D I'm really happy they have piqued your interest in this world. Book 3 will be released in March and thus the trilogy will be complete!

The dragons in this world look like humans. Just like it says. No scales, no claws. They were once dragons as we commonly think of them but took on human form and have been unable to turn back. However, they are faster, stronger and live for longer than regular humans - think of them like Captain America but with plate armor and swords.

Bryan wrote: "Falling behind a bit now. Just finished this one.

A quick, enjoyable read. Really drew me into the conflict and has me interested in seeing more of the world.

A question/thought that came to mind..."

Hi Bryan! Thanks for reading and for your question. If you do go on to read more in this world, I thank you very much!

I initially made the cu-sih to just be an example of the threats that hunters would be dealing with on a day to day basis. As with most things with writing, I wanted to expand upon them but didn't have scope in a shorter story.

In The Huntress, the cu-sih see the dragons as a common enemy invading their land.

I do have an image of Elsie in my head having a cu-sih hound by her side ala Toothless from How to Train Your Dragon.... so maybe I'd explore her changing relationship to the hounds a bit more later down the road.

Laura wrote: "Michael, I enjoyed Elsie's story a lot! As someone not familiar with the Dragon's Blade series (shame on me, I know... one day, though!) I felt like I was introduced to the world really well here. ..."

Thanks so much Laura! I'm sure you'll get to Dragon's Blade one day ;)

I have no current plans to write more backstory novels or short stories. Mostly because I like keeping some of the myth just that. Elsie's story took place in a time period I had thought more heavily about for a number of reasons so fleshing it out more with her story felt natural.

Her story came to me in a pop of inspiration. The theme of the anthology is lost stories/lore and Elsie was a named historical character who was known for organising the hunters but nothing of her personal life was kept. I suppose people taking the notes didn't think it important? It seemed a great chance to give my readers an up-close look at this important period - referenced a lot in the main books- while also having a very personal story about this young mother who just wants to get home to her son.

Jennifer wrote: "Apparently I actually own the first book in this series ( I really need to quit stockpiling books because I just forget I own them. btw love the cover).

This was nice writing, easily drawn into t..."

Hey Jennifer - I'm really pleased that you found Elsie relatable. Being a 25 year old boy I wondered if I could pull her off.

The dragons were once flying creatures as you probably think of them, but transformed in the backstory of the world. They do not have the power to turn back, as this requires an enormous amount of magical power; power which in this world happens to have poisonous effects. This isn't to say that no dragon will ever turn back...

The events of The Huntress take place about 700 years before the main Dragon's Blade series; however, the war Elsie fought in has ramifications even in that present-day world of the main books. Having consequences from history knock onto the present in a meaningful way was important to me in building the series.

Sandy wrote: "This story knows how to paint a picture of despair and heroism. Although it didn't really give a good picture of the dragons, it did portray the struggle of Elsie in trusting the dragon prince.

S..."

Hi Sandy, thanks for reading! The dragons look and sound like humans, only they are more powerful (think Captain America but with a sword). There were once dragons as we usually know them but took human form in the distant past.

I'm glad you liked Elsie! She certainly has a lot set before her and I may well explore that in a future short if other people show interest.

My full trilogy will be complete next month with the release of book 3 so now would be a perfect time to start on book 1, if you are looking for more of the same :)

So I just read this incredible short story. Tell me, did Pratchett's spirit smack off the upper atmosphere and fall down towards Manchester, specifically to land in your head?

Travis wrote: "Hi all! I'm Travis, and I'm excited to read this with y'all. From the looks of things, I'm one of the only non-authors here, but I like to think of myself as a full-time fantasy fan.

Currently rea..."

Hi Travis! Hope you enjoy the read. How is Claire North's audiobook? I had the pleasure of hearing her speak on elements of writing twice last year and she was fantastic. Been meaning to grab one of her books.

Hi all! I'm Michael, obviously, and I'm the author of The Dragon's Blade trilogy. I live in the centre of London and like to escape the madness by getting sucked into a really great story. I'm sure my co-authors here will help me do just that.