Sand and Ash
2023-06-24 Fedran Infrastructure - In the last month, I've been doing a lot of writing and programming. I also finished a good-sized around of "fun coding" with Fedran.
2022-06-24 A Little Give - A follow up on a previous post, things have gotten better in the last fortnight and I thought I would share both what went well and where my focus remains.
2022-01-21 Content Warnings - This Book Contains Death - As part of my work toward getting Flight of the Scions done, I decided to work on content warnings.
2019-07-24 Future Plans - An update on near- and long-term plans for my writing and updates on this site. Also status on my Pride Month challenge stories, various novels, and financial plans.
2019-04-21 Poem - The Stone and I Breathe - For the first and twenty day of National Poetry Month, I wrote a poem about attuning oneself to rock.
2019-04-01 2018 Writing Monies - My high-level breakdown of 2018 incomes and expenses for writing.
2018-01-12 2017 Writing Monies - I've summarized both income and expenses over 2017 when it comes to writing and publishing books.
2017-10-17 Gender Roles, Guilt, Archetypes, and NSFW Second-Hand Dresses 21 - This week's naughty chapter is about Lily coming home to find Hasan cooking dinner for him. Unexpected, she finds that she wants him even more and her resolve to avoid cheating with Mindil rises up until she is forced to take matters into her own fingers.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
2016-12-24 On #lexember 24, I present kojinomi kikochyo fakóri, The Book of Ash - On the twenty-fourth day of Lexember, I give you a word for The Book of Ash.
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.
2016-12-12 My publications for 2016 - As we approach the end of the year, there is a consolidate list of the pieces I've published in 2016.
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.
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.
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.
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.
2016-08-10 Sand and Blood 24, Flight of the Scions 29, and teachers - Sometimes, we have a few lessons that need to be taught before all the action starts again. This chapter has a few quite moments.
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.
2016-07-13 Sand and Blood 20, Flight of the Scions 26, death, and lessons - A smattering of lessons, both about death and more cheerful things. We are getting to some of the more interesting parts of both novels.
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.
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.
2016-06-22 Sand and Blood 17, Flight of the Scions 23, magical healing, and power addiction - Just another pair of discussions with both serials. I talk a little bit about magical healing and the addiction of power, not to mention conventions that I'm using with other languages and telepathy.
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.
2016-06-08 Sand and Blood 15, Flight of the Scions 21, and telepathic computers - After a few weeks of taking a break, I'm back to my serials. This week, we have a bit of introspection and a naming of the Big Bad.
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.
2016-04-06 Sand and Blood 8, Flight of the Scions 13 (again) - I said I was going to take a little break, but I lied. Sand and Blood is starting to be serialized and I reworked Flight of the Scions 13.
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.
2016-03-23 Sand and Ash 34 - The climax of Sand and Ash but one that comes in a whispered confession to a man who can't speak.
2016-03-16 Sand and Ash 33, Flight of the Scions 14, miscarriages, and abortion - When I originally wrote this and the next chapter for Sand and Ash, I was in the middle of dealing with a miscarriage. There is no question that this part of the story is influenced by my experiences.
2016-03-09 Sand and Ash 32, Flight of the Scions 14, and doubt - As Sand and Ash comes into the final stretch, we are dealing with a non-typical fantasy ending. At the same time, we are also coming to where Flight of the Scions becomes two separate books.
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.
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.
2016-02-17 Sand and Ash 29, Flight of the Scions 11, suicide, and racism - While Rutejìmo is struggling with guilt as he plans on leaving Mapábyo, Kanéko is being attacked for being nothing more than curious and black.
2016-02-10 Sand and Ash 28, Flight of the Scions 10, and depression - A dark chapter for poor Rutejìmo who is dealing poorly with being home but ignored. For Kanéko, a bright chapter as she approaches the Boar Hunt Inn. And a bit of discussion about miscarriage and depression.
2016-02-03 Sand and Ash 27, Flight of the Scions 9, getting caught, and being a fool - Happiness is a hard thing to find, more so for characters in my world. Rutejìmo finds stability while being dead, alternating between working hard hours and spending time with his love. Kanéko, on the other hand, is humiliated in front of everyone including the boy she is falling for.
2016-01-27 Sand and Ash 26, Flight of the Scions 8, and mistakes - This week Rutejìmo gets a hint of what he is becoming and Kanéko finds herself falling for a boy.
2016-01-20 Sand and Ash 25, Flight of the Scions 7, and love - This week Mapábyo gets Rutejìmo to talk about his love for another woman and Kanéko makes a humiliating mistake while trying to prevent a larger one.
2016-01-13 Sand and Ash 24, Flight of the Scions 6, and dog girls - And one of my favorite characters, the absolutely adorable Maris, is finally introduced to the readers.
2016-01-10 2015 Writing Income - Following up with last year's post on writing monies and inspired by Jim C. Hines' own posts, here is an update on the financial side of my career as a writer.
2016-01-06 Sand and Ash 23, Flight of the Scions 5, Falling in Love, and Dreams - Two big moments for both Sand and Ash as well as Flight of the Scions. Rutejìmo finally declares his love and Kanéko dreams of proving herself to her father.
2015-12-30 Sand and Ash 22, Flight of the Scions 4, Hard Lessons, and Garèo - In the fourth chapter of Flight of the Scions, we introduce one of my favorite, screwed-up characters.
2015-12-23 Sand and Ash 21, Flight of the Scions 3, Rejection - This week we have two very different stories going on, both of my characters are setting out on their paths.
2015-12-16 Sand and Ash 20, Flight of the Scions 2, Obsession, and Hope - This week is Sand and Ash 20 and the second chapter of Flight of the Scions both talk about obsession and hope.
2015-12-09 Sand and Ash 19, Flight of the Scions 1 - This week is Sand and Ash 19 and the first chapter of Flight of the Scions, including some reasons of where Flight came from and where I'm going with all of this.
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.
2015-11-25 Sand and Ash 17, Autism, and Making Mistakes - The seventeenth chapter is the point where Rutejìmo realizes the biggest mistake he had made: failing to understand how much Mapábyo loves him.
2015-11-18 Sand and Ash 16, Banyosiōu - Banyosiōu, someone who lost their clan. I never planned on having a word for this when I started this novel, but it became a gateway into something far deeper than I could ever imagine.
2015-11-15 MfGames Culture work, Reviews, and other plans - Among many other things, I've been working on a Javascript version of MfGames Culture and got something to show off.
2015-11-11 Sand and Ash 15, Phrases of Affection - I rarely think about what I'm writing. Call it intuitive or just being a pantser. I wasn't thinking when I wrote this chapter, but it ended up being the first time I've used a phrase that would be the hallmark of the rest of the series.
2015-11-04 Sand and Ash 14, Drinking - Abandoned by everyone he knew, Rutejìmo retreated to a bar to lick his wounds and drown himself in a mug of alcohol. But sooner or later, the money would run out and then where would he be?
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.
2015-10-21 Sand and Ash 12, Punishments, Closure - Chapter twelve will be an uncomfortable one for some readers, but one that I think is critical for the story and plot. It is violent and sad, but one that sets Rutejìmo on a path that he needs to travel.
2015-10-14 Sand and Ash 11, Sterility - In the desert, warriors dedicate their entire lives to protecting their clan. With their powers comes many disadvantages, including sterility.
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.
2015-09-30 Sand and Ash 09 and a hint of what is coming - The ninth chapter of Sand and Ash is all about making decisions, some good and some poor.
2015-09-23 Sand and Ash 08 and working too hard - The eighth chapter of Sand and Ash introduces the first new clan for the book. And one of the many warriors in Rutejìmo's life.
2015-09-16 Sand and Ash 07 and falling in love badly - The seventh chapter of Sand and Ash is when most of the readers realized that Rutejìmo is an idiot or at least blind. And that's a good thing.
2015-09-09 Sand and Ash 06, Faríhyo, and Kiríshi - The sixth chapter of Sand and Ash gives a chance to give some of the women in Rutejìmo's life a bit more screen time.
2015-09-02 Sand and Ash 05 and Being Subtle - The fifth chapter of Sand and Ash introduces some ideas behind the desert culture. They don't tell someone they are doing something wrong, they guide them to the conclusion that needs to be made.
2015-08-26 Sand and Ash 04 and Being Different - The fourth chapter of Sand and Ash is now available. Also some discussions of being an outsider.
2015-08-21 Tarsan Famlies, Building Cultures, and Naming - While writing a highly ritualized culture that is centered around families, how to name and address them can be one of the most complicated steps.
2015-08-19 Sand and Ash 03, Pacifism, and the Chosen One - The third chapter of Sand and Ash is now available. Also some discussions of warrior's sterility, Rutejìmo's pacifism, and Chimípu being the Chosen One.
2015-08-09 Sand and Ash, Creative Commons, and Patreon - Years ago, I almost made my first novel Creative Commons licensed but I didn't have the courage. This time, I'm going to do it.
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.
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.
2015-01-06 2014 Writing Income - I haven't really considered writing as anything more than a hobby until 2012, but I've been tracking my income and expenses since 2002. Here is a breakdown of my writing income.
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.
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.
2014-09-07 Sands - A status update on the Rutejìmo series, including a little bit of humiliation.
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.
2013-12-02 No Author Intrusion for November (and probably December)