- (2014-03-10) A lot of little things going on
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- (2014-03-21) The difficulties of the third book
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- (2014-07-03) What is in a name?
One of the barriers of entry of Sand and Blood is the main character's name, Rutejìmo. As much as this hurts my chance of selling the book, there is a reason behind it.
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- (2014-07-20) Author Intrusion for a little while
Going to work on Author Intrusion a little while waiting on my writing projects. Maybe I can finally get the writing environment I'm looking for.
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- (2014-08-16) R5-D4 Plots
My philosophy for Fedran stories comes from a single conversation with a friend right before Star Wars I, The Phantom Menace, came out.
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- (2014-08-25) Something completely different
For my birthday, my wife gave me a weekend alone. Originally, I planned on coding until the wee hours of the morning but then I decided to work on my novel instead.
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- (2014-09-07) Sands
A status update on the Rutejìmo series, including a little bit of humiliation.
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- (2014-10-14) Scheduling Delays
After a small set of setbacks, it has become obvious that Sand and Ash won't be coming out by the end of the year.
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- (2014-10-22) Why I chose the desert
I find my reasons for doing things to be fascinating. And when someone asks why, I usually try to answer it. One of the more recent one was my decision to set Sand and Blood in the desert.
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- (2015-02-25) What Is Going On Now?
It's been a few weeks since I last posted. When I work on projects, I have a tendency to go silent because I could either post or I could work on it. But, here is what is going on.
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- (2015-04-12) Writing News
It's been a few weeks since I've written about writing. Since then, I've managed to finish the third draft for Sand and Bone, drafted Raging Alone, and had a friend create an album with my lyrics.
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- (2015-10-04) Sand and Ash 10 and Tsubàyo
The tenth chapter of Sand and Ash surprised me when I wrote it, mainly because one character was entirely unexpected.
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- (2015-10-28) Sand and Ash 13, Mikáryo
Chapter thirteen could best be described as ‘tough love,’ both in what the main character went through but also why.
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- (2015-12-02) Sand and Ash 18, Flight of the Scions, and Second-Hand Dresses
Chapter eighteen is a short one, but there were some interesting things happening outside of the novel worth talking about including starting to release Flight of the Scions as a Patreon-only reward.
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- (2016-02-24) Sand and Ash 30, Flight of the Scions 12, foreshadowing, and magical healing
In Sand and Ash, I realized that I'm already foreshadowing the third book of the series while Rutejìmo finds unexpected allies while he was dead. In Flight of the Scions, Kanéko meets one of the few healers I plan on ever writing for this world.
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- (2016-03-02) Sand and Ash 31, Flight of the Scions 13, living, and dying
Sand and Ash hits the epiphany that I originally never planed, Rutejìmo's purpose in life. In Flight of the Scions, Kanéko realizes that she may have made a mistake.
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- (2016-03-30) Sand and Ash
Well, this is the end. Yeah, it's a week early, but I decided to post the final two chapters at once. It is a sad moment for me, mainly because there is a lot of me in this novel but I'm also glad that I got a chance to do this.
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- (2016-04-13) Sand and Blood 9, Flight of the Scions 15 (again), five chapters of Sand and Bone, and injuries
I reworked chapter fifteen of Flight of the Scions, made another chapter of Sand and Blood available, opened up five chapters of Sand and Bone to subscribers, and talked about ending chapters.
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- (2016-04-20) Sand and Blood 10, Flight of the Scions 16, and gaining powers
Magical talents are one of the underlying aspects of Fedran, but how everyone gains their powers is wildly different.
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- (2016-04-27) Sand and Blood 11, Flight of the Scions 17, Sand and Ash status, abusive relationships, telepaths, and economics
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- (2016-06-12) Trigger Warnings
I've been thinking about Jim C. Hines' post about trigger warnings for a few months now. In the process of re-releasing two books, I decided to do something about it.
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- (2016-06-29) Sand and Blood 18, Flight of the Scions 24, seeing in the dark, and violence
This week, both chapters have to deal with the same topic: fighting in the dark. This shows my love of the specific troupe but both stories go about it in very different ways.
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- (2016-07-06) Sand and Blood 19, Flight of the Scions 25, and recovering from action
This week, both Kanéko and Rutejìmo are dealing with the conquences of their action scenes in the previous chapter.
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- (2016-07-27) Sand and Blood 21-22, Flight of the Scions 27, powers, and secrets
Both trios find out a bit of their enemies this week along with revealing secrets for everyone. Plus Sand and Ash is out.
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- (2016-08-16) Sand and Blood 25, Flight of the Scions 30, and character depth
Both serials are at a turning point as we head into the conclusion for both. Also a bit about other books in the Rutejìmo series.
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- (2016-08-23) Sand and Blood 26, Flight of the Scions 31, and doubt
This week, both series talk about doubt in different forms: violence and death for Rutejìmo and Kanéko has her questions about her father.
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- (2016-08-31) Sand and Blood 27, Flight of the Scions 32, and mistakes
Life is about failure, it is the only way to get ahead. This week's chapter is about iterative failures. Plus news about Sand and Bone.
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- (2016-10-04) Sand and Bone 1, Flight of the Scions 35
This week, I start the serialization of Sand and Bone, the third and final book of Rutejìmo's story.
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- (2016-10-11) Sand and Bone 2, Flight of the Scions 36
I never realized how hard it is to reintroduce characters on the third book of a series. At the same time, I love writing about mature characters. On the other hand, I also have a chapter about a very immature young woman and her awareness of psychics.
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- (2016-10-18) Sand and Bone 3, Flight of the Scions 37, and epic fights
This week, I introduce the plot for Sand and Ash while Kanéko has the epic fight that I original intended to write.
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- (2016-10-25) Sand and Bone 4, Flight of the Scions 38, and preparations
In the two chapters this week, we have two forms of preparing going on: one for the final battle and the other for a journey about to start.
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- (2016-11-01) Sand and Bone 5, Flight of the Scions 39, splitting novels, and Exalted
I played Exalted for a long time and I knew it wouldn't be long before it showed up in my writing. This week, you can see hints of that.
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- (2016-11-09) Sand and Bone 6, Flight of the Scions 40, and connected plots
We are only a single chapter from the climax of Flight of the Scions. I talk about it and how it connects to Sand and Bone.
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- (2016-11-30) Sand and Bone 7, coming into power, and the powers of the dead
I'm done to only a single weekly serial right now and we pick right up at chapter seven where Rutejìmo learns that all the pain he suffered in the last book comes with an interesting yet terrifying benefit.
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- (2016-12-07) On #lexember 7, I give you binafichu or using writing in architecture
On the seventh day of Lexember, we have a word for writing using buildings and architecture.
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- (2016-12-07) Sand and Bone 8, and traditional verses contemporary worship
Chapter eight is a quiet chapter that sets the tone for what will be Rutejìmo inner struggle for the book.
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- (2016-12-14) Sand and Bone 9, a little lesson on Miwāfu, gender in the desert, and speaking for the spirits
A grandfather looking for revenge and a man who cannot stop him.
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- (2016-12-21) Sand and Bone 10 and hair styles
Rutejìmo returns to Kosobyo City and finds himself in an unfamiliar civilization that only vaguely resembled his own. Also a little bit on hair.
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- (2016-12-28) Sand and Bone 11, foreshadowing, third person limited, and big cities
Safely back at the city, Rutejìmo spends a leisurely day exploring the city. At least until Dimóryo finds him again.
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- (2017-01-03) Sand and Bone 12, HERO system, and pacing
We are now into the second arc of Sand and Bone, where things start to speed up greatly and the bloodbath is going to commence. While I'm setting it up, I talk a little bit about pacing for the book and how I use the HERO System to manage my fantasy.
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- (2017-01-10) Sand and Bone 13, Nudity verses sex, Struggling for money
Another chapter of Sand and Bone with the clan making a choice to accept the job or not. In addition, a brief discussion about nudity and sex along with one about struggling for money.
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- (2017-01-17) Sand and Bone 14, felony feedback, the Call, and anime fights
This week, we have a lot of violence, destruction, and a really bad idea. I talk a little bit about the mechanics of magic and the Call.
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- (2017-01-24) Sand and Bone 15 and speaking for gods
Sometimes the simplest of phrases can be the most powerful. To stop a death, Rutejìmo makes a declaration that ruins my entire purpose of writing the series and becomes a hero.
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- (2017-01-31) Sand and Bone 16, R5-D4 plots, and dragons
We've gotten to a lovely chapter where two series intersect blatantly and the reader can get a hint of where I'm going with Flight of the Scions.
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- (2017-02-07) Sand and Bone 17, Choice, and Wisdom
Rutejìmo has come up to a point in his life, where he has to choose between his own life or dying for the clan.
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- (2017-02-14) Sand and Bone 18 and the noble death
Along with the others, Rutejìmo ends up running for his life. He sees his friends and families for what might be the last time before he sets off on his own perilous journey. Before he goes, however, his brother has one last thing.
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- (2017-02-22) Sand and Bone 19, sorrow, and fear of the dark
One of the common themes in the entire series is that Rutejìmo terrified of the dark. But what happens when unknown assassins are looking for him and he is left with the sorrow of losing his brother?
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- (2017-02-28) Power Discovery; Empowered; Sand and Bone 20
In this chapter, Rutejìmo has a chance to dole out some wisdom that he has learned over the last few books.
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- (2017-03-07) Teleportation; Midnight Flight; Sand and Bone 21
Rutejìmo is put into a situation where he has to choose his duties to the clan or the ones to the desert. Which one will he pick? And will the conquences be deadly?
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- (2017-03-15) Editing; Front Matter; Italics; Sand and Bone 22
Sand and Bone is almost ready for publication. Just a few more steps. Oh, and another chapter being released.
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- (2017-03-21) Subtle Healing; Progress; and Sand and Bone 23
I finally get to answer why Rutejìmo can take so much damage and still be walking.
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- (2017-03-29) Unreliable Narrator; Dragon Spirits; Progress; and Sand and Bone 24
This week, I talk about the limitations of third-person limited as it pertains to the master plot. Also, the problem with dragons coupled with why Damagar didn't destroy Kanéko in Flight of the Scions. Finally, an update on the finalization process of Sand and Bone.
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- (2017-04-05) Losing Wars; Rites of Passage; Information Overload; Sand and Bone 25
This week, I write a little bit about the history of Wamifūko, their shattered mountain that used to be a fortress, and their rites of passage. There is also a question about world-building and these weekly posts. Finally, Sand and Bone gets into chapter 25 as Rutejìmo has to escape the city to burn the body of his wife's mother.
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- (2017-04-11) Death Marches; Burnout; Publication Status; Sand and Blood v3; Sand and Bone 26
There are moments in life when everything wears you down and you don't think you can move forward. This week, Rutejìmo is experiencing one of those moments as he focuses on burning a body before continuing his journey. I also talk about how the same death march has affected me in my life. Finally, a status update on the Sand and Bone publication process.
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- (2017-04-18) Idle Thoughts, Worn Ideas, The Choice, and Sand and Bone 27
I've thought a lot about my master plot, the different threads and stories that weave together into where I'm going. Even thought Sand and Bone is a single point-of-view novel, it is part of a master plot that I hope to see some day. I'm just doing it novel-by-novel instead o scene-by-scene. However, there is a drawback of thinking about stories too much and I'm afraid of burning out the idea before it can be pried out of my skull.
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- (2017-04-25) Violence, Mutual Destruction, Midnight Flight, Pacifism, and Sand and Bone 28
Over the last few months, I've brought up the words that Gichyòbi had said about how he was encouraged to save Rutejìmo from violence. This same encouragement was one (but not the only) reason that Mikáryo took pity on him back in Sand and Blood. Well, this chapter is why that aspect of the world came into place, all of those ideas and little bits paved the way for this chapter.
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- (2017-05-02) A Warrior's Fate, The Noble Death, and Sand and Bone 29
I've always said that Sand and Bone was inspired by Seven Samurai and The Magnificent Seven. I love samurai dramas for many reasons, one of them is you don't always know who is going to survive the piece. At the same time, there are very few "cheap" deaths. For a warrior, the noble sacrifice is one of the best ways to die.
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- (2017-05-13) Anniversary, Website, and Sand and Bone 30
This week has been a lot late, I apologize for that. I decided to redo the Fedran website and try to fix a few things. Fortunately, this week is a very short chapter that bridges two important scenes.
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- (2017-05-16) Master Plots, Book Identifiers, Wind's Teeth, and Sand and Bone 31
It's hard to believe that I'm near the end of the book. Only a few more chapters left. I'm betting I can abuse Rutejìmo a little more before the end though, besides there are a few plots (but not all) to finish up.
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- (2017-05-23) Giveaways, Patrons, Sorrow Rides a Fast Horse, and Sand and Bone 32
A busy week as I reach the end of Sand and Bone being serialzied on my website. There are giveaway, decisions, and a call for patrons. Not to mention a short chapter of Rutejìmo night time run.
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- (2017-05-30) Mikáryo, Datobàpo, Flight of the Scions, Patrons, and Sand and Bone 33
We are rapidly heading over to the end of the novel, only three more chapters including this one. We also get to revisit two characters who were influential in Rutejìmo's life as they get one last chance to give their respects and encouragements.
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- (2017-06-06) Closure, R5-D4 Plots, Patreon, and Sand and Bone 34
We are now at the penultimate chapter of the novel. Only one more left before we get to the end. This is also one of the more emotional chapters for me because it puts a capstone on one of the longer threads that ran through the entire trilogy.
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- (2017-06-13) Advent Children, The End, Sand and Bone 35, What's Next
After thirty-five weeks, I've finished serializing Sand and Bone. The novel has been completely edited and posted. It is released as Creative Commons BY-NC-SA. On the website, you can download the EPUB, MOBI, and PDF versions of the book. Or you can just read the chapters right on the website.
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- (2017-08-15) Sex, Endings, and NSFW Second-Hand Dresses 12
This week, I talk a little about my opinions of sex and death as a way of introducing the first chapter that crosses my NSFW threshold.
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- (2017-09-12) More on Hair, Eye Colors, Falling Rain, and Second-Hand Dresses 16
Apparently I wanted to talk about the process of world-building, in specific exploring the repercussions of changing hair color in my world to fit with the image I want instead of what I started with. It lets me move to a world that I want now without breaking the world I've already published. Oh, and Lily goes on a walk.
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- (2018-03-22) Life Cycles, Second-Hand Dresses 43, and Coming Next
Even though she is no longer in the High Society circles, Lily still has a chance to go to the party to see how Nirih's dress is presented. Nothing prepares her, however, with what else would happen that night.
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- (2019-04-11) Poem - Burnt Hills and Embers
I've organized much of my planned ideas for future novels and stories around three phases related to a world war that marks the passage of Fedran from a world of magic to one of industry and steampunk.
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- (2019-04-12) Poem - He Said Yes!
For a little sweetness, I wrote a little poem about a trans girl finding a boyfriend. I figured it was a good unicorn chaser to yesterday's poem but also because there are parts of my world that is accepting of trans and queers.
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- (2019-04-15) Poem - Damn the Sands
There are three parts to the so-called war between the sun and moon clans: Mifúno. Mifúno is the personification of the desert, kind of a combination of bad luck and death combined into one.
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- (2019-04-24) Poem - She Speaks For Death
For the twenty-fourth day of National Poetry Month, I have a little spoiler for a novel I'm planning on writing.
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