Tag Archives: writing

Book Excerpt Ramblings

December 11, 2012 D.A. Adams 6 Comments

As part of the Worlds of Wonder blog hop, today’s post is an excerpt from the soon to be released fourth book of The Brotherhood of Dwarves series:

From Chapter 3

The Life that Should Have Been

In the faint light of dawn, Crushaw squatted and drew a crude map in the dirt near the gate to Kwarck’s farm, outlining the western mountains, the Mother of Ice, and the plains. Then, he marked where he wanted the ogres to set their defenses, several miles south of their border within the lands of Rugraknere. From traveling those lands with Roskin, he remembered an expansive field north of the last town they had stopped in that would serve perfectly. Across from him, Vishghu and Kwarck quietly watched, each staring intently at his scheme.

“The Great Empire is here already,” he said, indicating the majority of Rugraknere. “So they’ll want to march north, clip the ogres’ western flank, and then turn against the Kiredurks. You must convince enough matriarchs to hold them here.” He dug the stick deeper into the dirt.

“I know that area well,” Vishghu returned. “I’ll convince my mother, and she holds sway with many others.”

“Good. I’ll approach from here,” he said, drawing an arrow from the east. “General Strauteefe is in command. He’ll want to wait for the spring thaw before advancing, but if you press forward in winter, he’ll be forced to meet you. I’ll arrive on the Winter Solstice.”

“Does that give us time to train the army?” Kwarck asked, uncertainty tingeing his voice.

“No, but it gives us the advantage of bad weather.”

“I don’t know,” Kwarck said. “Extra time would be a better benefit.”

“I agree with that,” Vishghu said. “My people could use the time to build better fortifications.”

Crushaw dropped his stick and rose to full height. Despite his age, his presence became commanding and imposing. Clenching his jaw, he stared at them for several heartbeats, and their expressions changed from questioning to submissive. He exhaled sharply and pointed his right index finger first at Kwarck and then at Vishghu:

“Do you know why I’ve never lost a pitched battle?”

“I don’t doubt your judgment,” Kwarck said, lowering his eyes.

“You’ve charged me with leading this army,” Crushaw snarled. “So do me the courtesy of answering me.”

“No, I don’t.”

“Because I always choose the time and place,” he said, his voice a low growl. Shifting his attention to Vishghu, he continued, “Control those and you dictate the kind of battle fought. Strauteefe is cautious. He’s planning a siege up a mountain in the spring and summer. Do either of you know what that means?”

Both shook their heads. Behind them at the gate, Vishghu’s buffalo stamped its front hoof, the sound startling in the quiet of morning.

“He won’t have many long bows. Mostly crossbows for close range. And catapults and trebuchets. And infantry, heavily armored.”

Vishghu nodded, a look of comprehension coming over her.

“One thing the elves already know how to do is fire long bows accurately. That’s about our only advantage, and in heavy snow, I like long bows against armored infantry. I like knowing that catapults and trebuchets will be hard to maneuver. And I really like hitting my enemy before they want me to.”

“You’re right, Crushaw,” Kwarck said. “I’m sorry.”

“If you want me to lead, we do things my way.”

General Posts

Character Interview Ramblings, Too

December 10, 2012 D.A. Adams 6 Comments

As part of the Worlds of Wonder blog hop, today’s post is a second character interview, this time with Molgheon.

Alicia from Texas wants to know – “I am practicing using the long bow myself, haven’t hit the target yet though. Any pointers for beginner archers?”

As a young dwarf, I learned to shoot from my grandmother. We had already been fending off the Great Empire for a few years, and she felt it was important for me to be able to defend myself and my home. At first, I couldn’t even draw back the string, and it was months before I could even get near a target, but she was a steadfast and patient teacher. She took me out every morning before breakfast and every evening after supper to practice. In time, I developed a decent aim, so my best advice is to keep practicing until you know how your bow is going to react. Also, see your arrow striking its target before you let go. See it and know it.

“What would be your most important lessons that you could teach to the world and younger generations?”

Be self-sufficient. Don’t wait for anyone else to do something for you because you are your own champion, and you are your best champion. Whether you are fighting in a war or running a tavern, you are the only one you can truly count on to have your best interests at heart, so don’t wait passively for something to happen. Take action. Be a leader.

“Do you ‘like’ Leinjar?”

If you mean do I respect him, yes. He’s a great leader, much like Red. He’s endured so much pain and suffering but is still at his core a noble dwarf. I would march into battle beside him anywhere at any time because I trust his instincts. He’s good with a blade, too. If you mean do I like him romantically, then I have to say I don’t know. It’s been so many years since I allowed myself to feel those kinds of feelings, I probably wouldn’t even recognize them. Also, my heart will always belong to Carloghone. But I will say this, if peace is ever restored to our lands and Leinjar becomes a family man again, he will make some dwarf very lucky.

“Do you hate all humans (except Red of course)?”

Not all. There are some who have decency in their hearts, but I do hate most, and they have earned that hate through their greed and cruelty. Other than Red, there are few humans I will ever trust.

Carolyn from Georgia asks – “Do you think if you had met Roskin in another time and place perhaps your relationship with him would have been different? And how so?”

He’s lucky he met me old and tired, otherwise I’d have left him somewhere as carrion. That dwarf could drive anyone crazy with his arrogance and foolishness. But he’s learning, I guess. In a way, he reminds me a little of Carloghone. That fool thought he could do anything, too, and usually he could pull it off. One time, before we were married, he learned my unit had stopped in a particular town to rest and resupply for a few days. He snuck away from his platoon, walked three hours to the town to see me for thirty minutes, and then walked three hours back. About the time he got back to camp, his regiment went into battle. Somehow, he lived to tell about it, so of course, I had to marry him.

But you asked about Roskin, and I’ll say about him what I said about Leinjar. One day he’ll make someone lucky, if he grows up a little more and learns to listen better. He has a good heart and is such a handsome dwarf, with that Loorish colored beard and those dark eyes. He’s also the most skilled warrior I’ve ever known, but don’t tell him I said that. His ego is already big enough as it is.

This character interview originally appeared on Bab’s Book Bistro, May 9, 2012.

General Posts

Reader Interview Ramblings

December 9, 2012 D.A. Adams 3 Comments

As part of the Worlds of Wonder blog hop, today’s post is an interview with an avid reader. Lily of Bookluvrs Haven was gracious enough to join the Ramblings and answer a few questions about being a reader:

What is your favorite genre? What about that genre appeals to you the most?

This is such a difficult question because I am a really diverse reader. I enjoy so many genres it is hard to pin point a single favorite. However, after reading ‘The Hunger Games’ series, which I really enjoyed, I began to search for more dystopian novels that are similar to read.

And for some reason, I can’t stop myself from reading anything and everything that has zombies and/or apocalyptic situations. Not sure why, because the idea of either completely freaks me out. Maybe I enjoy reading a good scary story. That would certainly explain my teen obsession with Christopher Pike and R.L. Stine books!

What is your favorite book or series?

So much to choose from, but I will have to hand the title of favorite to ‘The Game of Thrones’ series, by George R. R. Martin. I went through a reading phase of just fantasy novels at one point, I couldn’t get enough.

A co-worker of mine was also a big reader, and we started exchanging books, and he lent me the first book of the series, ‘A Song of Ice and Fire’. Once I got through the first chapter, I was a goner. Everyone ceased to exist around me whenever I had one of those novels in my hand. I will never forget when I walked over to a park during my work lunch hour to do some reading. I burst out into tears on a park bench when I read that one of my favorite characters was killed, and having to explain that to a couple of people that were concerned and asked if I was alright.

I was incredibly excited when I heard that a tv series adaptation was being produced, and love every episode so far.

If you could have lunch with one author still alive today, who would you pick and why?

Being a blogger you get to meet and communicate with many independent authors, published authors and publishing house representatives via the Internet. It has been one of the best and interesting aspects of blogging, to actually interact so much with the people that bring you those stories.

I really can’t choose only one. But the first picks that come to mind are Kenya Wright, author of ‘Fire Baptized’, the Habitat Series and Alicia Wright Brewster, author of ‘Echo’ and ‘Don’t Call Me Angel’. Every interaction with them has been filled with laughter and fun, and I would LOVE to have lunch with them one day and just chat.

How do you feel about movie or TV adaptations of your favorite works?

I get ridiculously excited, but then very nervous. For the most part, there have been very few adaptations that I have found worthy of the novels that inspired them. Once important sequences of events are changed, I become an outraged, ranting beast. When I went to watch “Queen of the Damned’ in the theatres, a movie adaptation of the same titled book by Anne Rice, I almost got up and walked out, because so much had been changed from the book. And I was not happy about it at all.

On the other hand, if you ask me how I like ‘The Game of Thrones’ series, I won’t shut up about how awesome they are. Because so far, they remain true to the books, and to me that is important.

If you as a reader could give advice to young authors, what would you tell them?

Please edit, edit, edit. Don’t be too anxious to publish or cocky with your draft that you don’t put it through the editing cycles. For me, poor editing is distracting and it becomes challenging to connect with the story when you are distracted by editing issues. For others, it is an outright pet peeve that can earn you a really negative reaction. Take the time to edit. You deserve to publish, and we deserve to read your very best final draft.

How often do you write reviews for the books you read? If often, are you more likely to review books you love or hate?

Since starting Bookluvrs Haven with my friend, Erin, in April 2012, I review 99% of the books I read. Whether I liked the book, or hated it, I will review it. I always try to be gracious and sometimes comedic with my thoughts. Writing reviews for books that I ended up not liking is always tough, because you want to be respectful but at the same time express your feelings on the book.

Reading to me is my mental break and brings me enjoyment. Therefore, I ALWAYS choose to read a book that I think will entertain me and that I will really enjoy. Most of the time, I choose well. Sometimes, not so much.