Old Haunts

I feel as though the End Game thread of my world is becoming that old house you used to know so very well.

Have you ever been in a place that when you were little, you used to go to all the time? A place with many old memories, but not so many new ones? That's sort of what rewriting my second book is like. It's going back and seeing all the people you used to hang with and spending time in their life for a few moments again. I get to hang with Jen and the gang all over again and explore their adventure like it's brand new.

That's kinda why I like editing so much. I can get caught up in everything again. It's a whole new adventure, even though it's just a retelling (hopefully a better one), of a story I already know. See, I'm someone who rereads like a fiend. I love visiting old stories that I know like the back of my hand. Because I always see something new each time I go back to it.

Thankfully, I never get old of my books. My dad asked me tonight if I was sick of it, and I told him, "No, I'm actually really enjoying it." And I am.

Another metaphor would be that moment when it's finally cold enough to wear your favorite sweater or hoodie. Pulling that over your head and feeling the fabric ball around your hand as you snuggle into a seat. It's comforting and wonderful. It's a feeling of...home.

Funny that I find that in my own characters.

Currently Reading: The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
Currently Editing: Unity
Currently Listening to: "Promise" by Thomas Bergersen

Music

I write what I see in my head. One of the biggest things that inspires those images in my brain is music. Specifically, of the orchestra kind.

Have you ever heard of Thomas Bergersen? I've had my "listening to" music occasionally fall under his category. He's someone who works for the movie trailer music company called Two Steps From Hell. Recently, he released a solo album titled "Illusions". It's a phenomenal selection of music he's composed. You get a wide range of scores across this album and it's by far my favorite among my orchestral playlist.

There's a song on there called "Promise". I adore it. In that one song, I can fully visualize Agerius and Tilion and End Game and a million other things all related to my books. Music has the ability to, if we let it, convey emotions without the use of words. Especially within finely composed orchestral pieces. I know that the sweeping strings of an orchestra can bore some people. Naturally some genres of music don't cater to everyone. In fact, most genres are pretty selective for certain people.

But I think everyone should give this stuff a chance.

See, as a writer, I think the best way we can gain inspiration is when we're in the quiet moments. When music blasts into our ears and through our bodies and lifts us away from reality and to a different place. A place where only our minds can take us. And I think, in those moments, we can truly feel and see our story unfold and the world embedded in our hearts actually take form.

This might be nonsense to some people. But I think everyone can agree to one thing: music moves people. Whether with words or without them, music has this carnal ability to invoke feeling that sometimes words and pictures can't.

It's been an interesting week. I can only imagine what the coming months will bring. 10 books went to homes this past Sunday, 6 of which were complete strangers. I welcome the feedback, by the way. In case any of those strangers happened to look here.

Happy writing (and reading), everyone! Hopefully in the next day or so, I'll have a new fangled website up for End Game. That's exciting.

Currently Reading: The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
Currently Writing: Kind of Unity. But not as much as I'd like.
Currently Listening to: "Beethoven's 5 Secrets" by The Piano Guys

Step One

On Sunday, I'm making what's always been in my head a reality. I officially begin to market my book. T-Shirts have piled into boxes neatly, 50 copies of my book sit in wait, boxes of ceramics work are packed and ready to go. Two ladders sit outside ready to be turned into "bookshelves". Sheets of wood are currently covering the dining room table with traced outlines of wings to be cut tomorrow. My business cards are sitting for the first time to be used in a professional atmosphere.

It's kind of surreal.

I have absolutely no idea what's going to come of Sunday. In a way, I'm trying not to get too excited about it, simply because I might get my hopes up. Honestly though, I'm not expecting anything astounding to happen. I anticipate a few books getting sold, maybe a T-shirt or two. But I'm not expecting awards or prizes or even for lots of books to go flying. I'm doing this mostly for PR. To get my name out there and my book on someone's mouth.

So I'll do my darndest to make the most of this Sunday. I'm a little bummed that I'm missing church, but I just have to have faith that this will be worth it. My pastor helped me out tonight in getting a canopy for me to use, and he was excited for me. I guess I'm just lucky to have the support I do. After all, my house is currently filled with my siblings (minus one - bummer too!), and they're here to show their support and offer their encouragement.

My parents have been super helpful in every aspect of this whole endeavor. Saying "I'm blessed" only marginally covers how truly lucky I am to have the people I do in my life. I only hope everyone else has the same kind of support I get on a daily basis. Because I know at any moment, I can text my friends or family members and know that they'll respond with words of encouragement and a prayer on their hearts.

That kind of thing isn't something to take lightly. I try to remember that as often as possible.

May all your writing (and reading), adventures be happy :)

Currently Writing: Nothing at present. After this week, I'm hoping to have more time for Unity's rewrite!
Currently Reading: Finally getting around to finishing The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
Currently Listening to: "Starvation" by Thomas Bergersen

PS - Sometime next week (or possibly the week after), I'll be unrolling a website for End Game. It's a wonderfully exhilarating experience!