What My Father Meant to Me

This is an extremely personal post and not about writing or anything like that this time. It's about my father, who passed away two years to the day today...

My father was a very unique man. He was talented, thoughtful, loving and kind. He was a teacher, a poet, a gambler and a musician. He was a provider, a rock, and a humorist. He was full of patience and knowledge and laughter and love. I don’t mean all of these titles in their most literal sense; rather, he took on those roles for my family, friends and anyone else he came into contact with, for that matter. He taught me right from wrong and to take responsibility for my actions. And on top of it all, he would give the shirt off his back to someone in need.

My father is one of the main reasons I pursued writing and have continued to for the last two years. My Father passed away on March 28th of 2010. After dealing with that and continuing through with my education at the time, I shifted my ‘free’ time from gaming to writing. After we got my Mother to a point where she was able to function again, I began penning my first novel.

You see, he was a musician, a pianist to be specific…and a talented one at that. But, he did not pursue his passion after he started the family. I feel as though it may have left him wanting for something, though he never spoke of it. With that in mind, I decided a few months after he passed, to give my writing the best effort that I could gather. If he taught me one thing, it is to do whatever you choose to do and do it well. I pursue my craft with his legacy and words echoing in my mind from time to time. More often than not, it is enough to prod me on through self doubt or discouragement, in order to be the best writer that I can be.


My father was, and is my hero to this day, and I miss him very much. The passing of time does very little to numb the pain of the missing and beloved patriarch of our family.

All the best, Pop. Here is a little poem I wrote for him that I wanted to share with you all here if you don't mind. If you have lost a loved one, maybe you can think of him or her when you read it.

Missing you, Dad….

The feelings I have of missing you are hard to set to word

Your guidance, voice and laughter, still longing to be heard

I try to carry on, your words and deeds still in my heart

It doesn't seem to ring of truth that in this life we'll be apart

The memories of you remain, and true that new ones can’t be made

Yet I carry on with your teachings in mind, those lessons never fade

I’d do anything to have you here, to share the times you've missed

But remembrances will sure suffice, for there are so many to list

I know we did not get to share as many times as most

But what we had I treasure dearly, and I will often toast

I look to the time when we meet again, for this life we only lease

We all miss you very much from here, and I hope you have found peace

See you in Wothlondia....

Please visit MY HOME PAGE to enjoy an extended reading experience, see direct links to purchase Covenant of the Faceless Knights and to see what else Ashenclaw Studios, LLC has in store in the future!

All maps, names and content copyright Ashenclaw Studios 2011 unless otherwise noted. 

Does Social Media Help Your Sales?

I was thinking about this the other day and am up in the air about it. I think it does help to at least get the word out, but I mean there are so many tweets and posts out there that it is difficult to find your target audience—or for them to find you. I started a twitter account last July 4th and it has steamrolled much faster than I would have imagined. I am pushing for 5k followers by this July (just a minor goal of mine). I am on Facebook and Goodreads and even joined Pinterest, which I am not quite sure about yet.

Goodreads I very much enjoy because it is about readers sharing info, reviews, opinions, etc on…well: books! Kind of cool. I did a giveaway there for my first novel and gave two books away, and it was a smashing success I believe. I would like to give more kindle versions away of my short stories, but Goodreads only allows hard copies to be given away. *sad face*

So, I joined these sites to connect with people of like mind, to share back and forth our products, services and to share stories. It is working for the most part…except for the sales, which I assume will come over time.

I have met some amazing people on social media and enjoy the company, too. With a full time job and writing as a second job, social media kind of falls by the wayside. I would love to personally interact with people one on one more than I do, but there are just not enough hours in the day, so I hope no one is offended. I see this happen especially when followers grow so quickly.

I think that the blog is one superb tool for that, where I can interact with people as they respond to posts. Twitter feed is especially tough, because the tweets go by so fast! I try to respond personally at least a few times a day when my 'tweeps' talk to me. The new interface seems easier to manage as well.

I also find myself on Facebook less and less. I liken the site to MTV. When MTV came out, they played music videos…now it is all about reality TV shows and whatnot and they have gotten away from playing music. Facebook was like this in that it was a social media site for people to share events and fun things…now it is more of a game site with all of the apps and games with occasional chatting. These are just my opinions, mind you, from my own perspective. I still maintain a presence, but find myself there maybe once a day, to wish people happy birthday and to share a site or article that I find.


Does anyone have any different opinions about social media? Do you feel that promoting your material works? Have you met any people with which you have connected? I’d love to hear everyone’s opinions, so have at it!

See you in Wothlondia! Cheers!

Please visit MY HOME PAGE to enjoy an extended reading experience, see direct links to purchase Covenant of the Faceless Knights and to see what else Ashenclaw Studios, LLC has in store in the future!

Photo from Stock.xchng.

All maps, names and content copyright Ashenclaw Studios 2011 unless otherwise noted. 

Editorial Exposure!

I am having an extremely busy week and haven't had a chance to really prepare a well-designed post...*ack*! That being said, my editor and fellow author, Stephanie Dagg, did a recent blog post discussing my Wothlondia Rising series and I wanted to share that with you. Check it out on her site called BOOKS ARE COOL! She is an author as well and you may want to check out her books while you are there, too.

The post can be found here...CLICK ME

Until we meet again...

I hope you enjoyed the sample! See you in Wothlondia! Cheers!

Please visit MY HOME PAGE to enjoy an extended reading experience, see direct links to purchase my full length novel, Covenant of the Faceless Knights, the short stories: Wothlondia Rising, and to see what else Ashenclaw Studios, LLC has in store in the future!

Cover art masterfully executed by William Kenney!

All maps, names and content copyright Ashenclaw Studios 2012 unless otherwise noted.

Preview of Wothlondia Rising 3: Maturation Process

In book 3 of the series, I dive into the past of the high elf, Elec Stormwhisper! The genre is high fantasy/epic fantasy with a hint of young adult flavor once more as Elec, although advanced in years, is still a very young elf in the story. The book is entitled MATURATION PROCESS and will be available for sale by month’s end through the kindle select program. I am giving my readers a sample of the short story here as well as a preview of the amazing artwork for my cover provided by the absurdly gifted William Kenney! This also features the wondrous editorial stylings of Stephanie Dagg. 

 

The story covers a time in the past of Elec Stormwhisper where he is in a process of finding himself and discovering who he truly is. I hope you enjoy the sample and it will be on sale for a measly 99 cents! Keep an eye on my Amazon Author Page to see when it is released.

 

Also, I wanted to inform folks again that KINDLE has an app for the PC. If you own a PC and do not yet have a kindle, you can download it for FREE to your desktop.

 

FREE KINDLE APP FOR PC! Just click the 'Download Now' button at the top of the screen.

 

 

 

 

Cover of MATURATION PROCESS by William Kenney

 Maturation Process is the telling tale of the high elf, Elec Stormwhisper, who lives in the overbearing shadow of his Father, Keryth. Treated as an outcast and feeling alienated from his own people, he exiles himself for a decade, finding a friend in a strange place and begins to accept his own unique destiny. Will this young and inexperienced elf ever find his true calling?

Wothlondia Rising is a series of short stories set in the original fantasy setting entitled the Realm of Ashenclaw. The series details life altering, significant events from the past that shape the course of these important characters, setting them on the path that will change their lives forever!

Morning came once more and the passing of time did nothing to quell the guilt that Elec felt. He approached his alchemy that morning with passion unparalleled, diving into his work in order to forget about his problems. The hours passed and he continued mixing and testing elixirs, theorizing about different effects based on his findings.

Faorath entered his nephew’s workspace and found Elec engrossed in his work. He moved into view, startling Elec and nearly causing him to drop his latest potion, but fortunately he snatched it back in a flash.

“You have good reflexes,” Faorath proffered, nodding to Elec and watching him as he pushed aside a curly strand of dark hair from in front of his eyes.

“Thank you, uncle,” Elec answered, still focused on his experiments. When he finally managed to look up, he witnessed his uncle exploring the contents of his bookcase, which was filled with texts on the topics of magic and science.

“I wrote this one, you know,” Faorath informed him, pulling one tome in particular from the shelf. It was a book explaining the training and handling of exotic magical beasts.

“Yes, and it is something that I want to discuss with you,” Elec admitted. “I would like to train as a Wind Rider.” Faorath’s amber eyes widened at this revelation.

“Your father—“                                          

“Would be more than happy to be rid of me,” Elec finished the sentence for him. “I would no longer be a disappointment to the family and this would perhaps free my mind from the torment of spellcasting.”

Faorath stood silent for several moments and then nodded his affirmation. “Very well, I will approach your father on the subject.” He smiled a wide grin in appreciation of Elec’s decision as he strode to the exit.

When Faorath returned over an hour later, he found Elec once more deep in study, but this time he was reading the book his uncle had written. Elec looked up from the thick tome and smiled, nodding a greeting.

“I have read this book at least seven times,” Elec disclosed. “I have always wondered what it would be like to fly above the trees and into the clouds, to discover what Wothlondia and even all of Krotto has to offer in the ways of nature’s beauty.”

“It did not take much convincing for your father to agree to this,” Faorath stated bluntly as he stood with his hands on his hips. “He feels that if he presents this news to the elders, it will assuage their doubts and help his standing to remain as it was—‘unblemished’ was the word he used, I believe. No matter, Stormwhisper has been a powerful name in the family of high elven mages over thousands of years, as you are reminded each day.”

“Aye,” Elec agreed. “I feel that if I had been something of a real Stormwhisper mage, I could have stopped Jhaeronas.”

“You are a real Stormwhisper, Elec. Do not doubt this. Just because you do not show an aptitude for manipulating the powers of Arcana does not make you any less a family member.”

“That is not what my father says,” Elec refuted. “My sister and brother and all of the Stormwhispers before them were able to do this. I do not understand why I cannot.” Elec peered into a mirror. “I even look different than all of my family,” he added, twirling a lock of his dark hair in his fingers, then flicking it away in disgust. “I have dark hair and my eyes are unlike those of any of my kin. I have never seen another high elf with features such as mine!”

“Your masteries lie elsewhere. That is quite obvious,” Faorath offered, waving a hand over the workspace. “You are quite a remarkable alchemist, as well as an expert in the ways of mechanics. As for your features, you are exotic, yes, but it adds to your unique character. It does not detract from anything you do, nor does it define you. You will do well to remember that.”

Faorath headed to the door, pulled the handle and swung it wide open. “Come to me when you are ready to begin your training.”

Elec watched the door close behind him and returned to his book. But try as he might, this time he could not digest the words, for his mind was elsewhere. 

I hope you enjoyed the sample! See you in Wothlondia! Cheers!

Please visit MY HOME PAGE to enjoy an extended reading experience, see direct links to purchase my full length novel, Covenant of the Faceless Knights, the short stories: Wothlondia Rising, and to see what else Ashenclaw Studios, LLC has in store in the future!

Cover art masterfully executed by William Kenney!

All maps, names and content copyright Ashenclaw Studios 2012 unless otherwise noted.

 

Does Blogging Help or Hinder?

I was just curious as to what the majority of bloggers thought here regarding the subject of blogging—specifically if it helps or hinders your own writing. I write or try to write a blog subject at least twice a week and hope that it is enough for my audience to enjoy. I never know personally how much is enough or too much! Some bloggers feel the need to write every day…I am not one of them. And I do not mean that in a snarky way, I just feel that 2-3 times a week seems to work for me.

It is difficult to find time to write blogs when working and writing full time, but I think it affects me in a few ways. For one, it keeps me disciplined. Forcing myself to publish a blog post on a schedule mimics deadlines and keeps me honest, even if they are self-inflicted deadlines. Secondly, I think that it keeps me in touch with my audience. I very much enjoy the comments I receive weekly on subjects and topics that involve you--the readers--to entice you enough to want to respond. I also need and appreciate your feedback in many instances, often learning from you.

I do feel sometimes that it takes me away from my own writing, but in all honesty, that is a good thing. Fresh eyes are needed for editing and writing. No one will argue that, right? It also helps me with my communication skills in trying to elicit a response one way or another. I always endeavor to be engaging with my writing, no matter the delivery system. One can never have enough practice when writing I think, and I often find myself learning things on a daily basis!

So, what do you think about blogging? When you write a few times a week, or every day, or whatever your schedule happens to be, do you think it helps your skill-set? Does it take too much time away from doing other things? Does it distract you from your own writing if you are a fellow scribbler? I’d love to know your thoughts on this one!

See you in Wothlondia! Cheers!

Please visit MY HOME PAGE to enjoy an extended reading experience, see direct links to purchase Covenant of the Faceless Knights and to see what else Ashenclaw Studios, LLC has in store in the future!

Photo from Stock.xchng.

All maps, names and content copyright Ashenclaw Studios 2011 unless otherwise noted. 

Point of View Shifts

Where would you like to go?

I was discussing some writing topics with other authors and readers recently regarding POV (Point of View) shifts in writing. It was something that I minimized when I began writing, and also something I now worry about a great deal moving forward.

This subject may not even pertain to every type of book or genre and may plague fantasy/sci-fi writers the most, because if your writing focuses on one character, then it is something that you don’t have to worry about very often. Also, if you read or write Noir, or even spy novels, etc, it is generally about one person. The problem arises when the scope deals with multiple characters in a group setting. Either way, as a writer or reader, it is a relevant topic.

I have read many books and to be honest, I haven’t really noticed or focused on that particular feature before. Looking back, I notice--and even what I am reading now, it becomes a focus--but for 40 plus years, it meant almost nothing to me as a reader! For example, George Martin handles it by writing one chapter from a particular person’s POV, which is another interesting approach.

So, the discussion continued and then a fellow author began to explain that it wasn’t really all that big of a deal and that it does not detract from the story and people rarely ever notice the shifts anyway. The other readers in the room did not seem to mind either; they just wanted to see good content and did not seem bothered by the way in which it was delivered. Then we touched on Third Person Omniscient vs. Third Person Subjective and agreed that they were OK as long as they did not A)detract from the story or B)give the reader important information that was out of context.

As a reader and/or writer, what do you think? Is Point of View important? Is it something that you notice when you are reading?

As usual, I look forward to your comments!

See you in Wothlondia! Cheers!

Please visit MY HOME PAGE to enjoy an extended reading experience, see direct links to purchase Covenant of the Faceless Knights and to see what else Ashenclaw Studios, LLC has in store in the future!

Photo from Stock.xchng.

All maps, names and content copyright Ashenclaw Studios 2011 unless otherwise noted.

Do Women Read More Than Men?

I have been checking into a few things recently, including my demographic, which are any readers, but probably focuses more on a younger audience and those who grew up playing RPG’s that are now in their 30’s, 40’s and 50’s by now. So, I recently tallied information regarding who is buying my books, and I get a pretty fair split of men and women. But, for the most part, I see women…everywhere! On any social media-- on twitter, on Facebook, writing blogs and of course, the newest sensation: Pinterest. As a matter of fact, I joined Pinterest about a month ago to see what it was all about and 95% of my followers are females. Just a fact there, nothing more and something I will jump into later this year that will focus strictly on social media.

So, I started delving into this a bit deeper. I found a few articles discussing this very subject. One was by Lia Fairchild, another by Eric Weiner and another by Basma Aal. There is some interesting information on some of these, even though one is quite a few years old. It still begs the question: What will it take to get men reading more? Are they only reading Maxim and sports magazines? I’d like to think not. I aimed my book specifically at men AND women by writing about both genders in fantasy and making my women exceptionally tough and gritty. I know that Harry Potter seemed to get males reading again, though younger in age, but males nonetheless. I have seen a few other splits that suggest a 75/25 split of Women/Men readers. Can this possibly be true?

In closing, I simply ask you what you think. If you find any data to support it, feel free to link it!

See you in Wothlondia! Cheers!

Please visit MY HOME PAGE to enjoy an extended reading experience, see direct links to purchase Covenant of the Faceless Knights and to see what else Ashenclaw Studios, LLC has in store in the future!

Photo from Stock.xchng.

All maps, names and content copyright Ashenclaw Studios 2011 unless otherwise noted.