Sunday, November 27, 2016

Something About Prince Asherad

I'm sure some of you have heard me railing against the endless stream of love triangles in books these days. The truth is, I don't mind a love triangle every once in a while, as long as it's tasteful and well-written. But these days, there seems to be no end to them. Every main character needs one... Ugh.

Which brings me to Prince Asherad of Miamur.*

Both Asherad and Dejuday are in love with Zuryzel, so doesn't that count as a love triangle? Personally, I don't really think so, for two reasons. The first is that Zuryzel isn't ever particularly drawn to him at all - he's just a friend. She doesn't ever really face a decision between him and Dejuday, because she never really considered Asherad.

However, the second, more relevant one, has to do with the history of writing Darkwoods: originally, I meant for Zuryzel to end up with Asherad, not Dejuday. I was actually pretty determined on that for a while, I think until after the first few rounds of edits. I don't really remember when I changed my mind to Dejuday, but I remember pretty clearly that it just crossed my mind that Zuryzel could be with Dejuday instead, and I found the idea so good and, frankly, irresistible that I changed it for the future. However, during Darkwoods and Pasadagavra, there really wasn't much else for Asherad to do. He has some cool things to do in Arashna, and I like him too much to just get rid of the character completely, so I had to keep him in; but, I admit, I couldn't think of any other way to keep Asherad in the previous books.

So, that's the story behind Asherad. I like him very much, and I plan for him to have an exciting story arc in the future, but I never intended for him to be part of a love triangle, and, incidentally, I don't ever plan to have any in future books unless it sounds really, really good. Like I said, there are some good ones, but I don't think it's something that is necessary in my stories.

*I didn't post a **spoilers** tag because this doesn't really count as spoilers.

Friday, November 25, 2016

Happy Thanksgiving - From Alabama

As always, I am thankful for my family, my country, my church, my schools, my friends, my writing, my jobs, and most of all for Christ and His sacrifice. This year, I have a couple of new things.

First, since I'm not working as a webmaster anymore (I still miss that job), I got another job to tide me through school. First, I'm carrying on my summer job at the insurance company, and I'm thankful as ever for that job. Secondly, I am also working in a school quite a drive from my house but a convenient way from SPU. I get a lovely drive three mornings a week across Lake Washington, usually right about sunrise. It's a wonderful experience.

Second, I'm thankful for the chance to live at home while I'm doing grad school and working. It means I get to save up extra money, at least some of which will go to publishing future books.

There's a third thing I'm thankful for that was last year. My mom and dad got my roommate and me tickets to see the Seahaws and Packers game in Green Bay last year! Unfortunately, the Seahawks lost, but it was still fun to be there. However, this came with some strings attached: I had to agree to go to an Alabama football game with my family.

If I haven't mentioned it before, my family are die hard Alabama fans. I'm not. But this Thanksgiving, we met up with family in Alabama, and since we're in the state, my mom decided to call in my promise. So, Saturday we'll be at the Alabama/Auburn game. It's a big rivalry, and if Bama wins, they'll probably be playing UW at some point in the future.

So, if you're watching the Alabama game tomorrow, look for me in the stands!

Thursday, November 3, 2016

Thank You to Everyone At Holly Daze

I'm working on something I really don't want to do, so naturally, I have to take a break to do something I really want to do.

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU to everyone at Holly Daze, both the soroptimists hosting the event and the people who bought books there. The event ran wonderfully smoothly and the hosts were so accommodating. And that passport function, where people get prizes for visiting different booths - that was great for the vendors!

Most of all, though, thank you to the people who bought the books. I broke several records while I was there. First off, the number of people who bought books in one day - the first day there broke all my records. Second, the number of books I've sold at a single event - more books over this event than any other multiple-day setup. I sold the equivalent of nearly two whole boxes of books. Third - and this one is really the most important to me - the number of sets of booksI've sold in any event, single-day or otherwise.

Selling sets of books is wonderful, and it gives me so much encouragement to keep writing. Long story short, thanks to you, I had a wonderful weekend and fresh energy to keep on writing. (I would have anyway, since I really do love writing, but a few more weekends like that might just knock a month or two off when Arashna is finally released. Or they might mean that fifth book in the series will be a reality after all.)

I cannot say it enough, but I will say it once more - thank you!!!

If you couldn't make it over to Port Orchard, I will be in Auburn this Saturday at the Federal Way United Methodist Craft Show. Please come, and bring your friends!