Today is day two of the CSFF Blog Tour, reviewing my second novel, MERLIN’S SHADOW! Yesterday I covered how God was involved in the novel of Merlin’s Blade. Today I’d like to broaden that discussion to see how God works in the real world…not just the fictional world of my novel. (For those new to[…]
Today is day one of the CSFF Blog Tour, reviewing my second novel, MERLIN’S SHADOW, strangely enough! I want to start out thanking all of the tour participants for taking the time to read the novel and thoughtfully write up reviews. And I’m even thankful in advance for any critical ones! I cannot improve as[…]
Yes, Zondervan has officially released their cover for MERLIN’S SHADOW. Also, you can now PRE-ORDER Merlin’s Shadow through Zondervan’s ChurchSource.com! (Amazon and others coming SOON!) If you want to read the official description of the novel, go on over to Zondervan.com’s MERLIN’S SHADOW page… And the official release date? September 24th, 2013 !! (Only 5[…]
NOTE: ZONDERVAN HAS RELEASED MY OFFICIAL COVER FOR MERLINS’ BLADE, WHICH IS *NOT* THE ONES POSTED HERE. TO SEE IT, CLICK THIS LINK. I created these for a publisher to give them an example of what I was thinking for a book cover for Merlin’s Blade. My son, Leighton, portrays the blind Merlin, and my[…]
Okay, this is not the biggest news, although it certainly could be a precursor to some possibly big-Big-BIG news coming in the future: I signed with an agent who is a veteran in the CBA. This means, for the first time, that MERLIN’S BLADE is being sent to the bigger publishers, all of whom have[…]
D. S. Dahnim asked me a question, which I would like to answer. I do have another question for you. I’ve always wondered what writers do when they’re writing about characters they themselves did not make up. For instance, if someone were to write a book about someone like King David or George Washington, or,[…]
I’ve had maps for Merlin’s Blade for a long time, but only now do I feel good about showing them. Why? Because I finally created the topography using Blender 3D software. Here they are (click to see a larger version): PORTION OF BOSVENNA MOOR KERNOW, BRITAIN THE VILLAGE OF BOSVENTOR INIS AVALLOW ISLAND KERNOW, BRITAIN[…]
Part Two of MERLIN’S SHADOW is now finished! And this marks 80% through the novel, which means only 20% remains for Part Three and the climax of the novel. I am currently at a word count of 78,000 out of an expected 97,000 words Each of my novels is broken into three parts, and I[…]
This is a first for me. I’ve resisted until now, but feel it is the right time to add them. Now that they’re done, I think they add an awful lot to the book. PROLOGUE PART I: GUILE’S DUST 1. AN ERRAND GONE ASTRAY 2. BORROWED PROMISES 3. A SECRET PATH 4. THE TRIAL 5.[…]
Yes indeed… the first ever copy of Merlin’s Blade is rolling off the press right now , and will be sent to me in a week or two. If this proof copy turns out as expected , then I will be ordering more copies to give to ten published authors I’ve met, as well as[…]
I had to write a ballad in Pictish for my current work in progress, Merlin’s Shadow. The problem is that we don’t know what language, exactly, the Picts spoke. Many scholars think it was related to Gaelic, while my daughter, Adele, is of the persuasion they spoke a Germanic language older than English, and this[…]
Last month my daughter and I went to the 2008 ACFW Conference, and as part of that, I have re-written my first two chapters. This was spurred on by a paid critique from Jeff Gerke, who helped me realize the need for: Less telling and more showing, and An “Indiana Jones” style entrance for my[…]
This is the first few chapters from the published version of MERLIN’S BLADE: >>> Merlin’s Blade <<< And remember to sign up for my email list! JOIN THE BATTLE! Keep informed about the latest news and events for The Merlin Spiral and the upcoming Pendragon Spiral! Subscribe Related Posts Advice Needed About New Sample Book[…]
This just in: After the only previously known living white stag was killed and beheaded by poachers near the Cornwall border last October, a new one has been spotted in the Scottish Highlands. Four articles pertaining to this event: Here is a news article that has pictures of the rare deer. And here is another[…]
After reading about the theory that Michael Ward has carefully put together (regarding how C.S. Lewis planned out his Chronicles of Narnia), I began to think about how my series of books has been designed. So what are the different ways a book series can be put together so that a theme emerges and the[…]
If you go to my sample chapter post, you now have the option of downloading it in PDF format. This will probably be easier to read for many of you as the PDF is in a traditional book format with white background and black text. JOIN THE BATTLE! Keep informed about the latest news and[…]
In my first book I have a crazy man make a prophecy to Merlin. This prophecy encompasses the major events of my entire series of six books. Here is the prophecy: Seventy years—have flown and wore Since Dragon Star—fell on the moor. Then I was young—and knew not score, But father he—passed on the lore.[…]
I encountered a problem while I was writing my latest scene. I had to make a scripture which one of my characters read out loud seem old. I couldn’t just plunk in the NIV, could I? What about the KJV? Not quite old enough! After all, my book is taking place in the 5th century.[…]