Various States of Disarray.
I’ve been writing ever since I was a little twirp, running about without a care in the world. Fantasy, science-fiction, humor, thrillers. I’ve written ’em all, and all in various states of disarray. Most of those stories will never see the light of day, or even the moonshine of night. Lately, however, I’ve been nudging my writing up to a higher level (at least, that’s my view on it; others might differ). With the happy advent of ebooks and how Amazon has rocked the publishing world in that regard, everyone can now read my writing. If they choose to do so. Technology provides the interface, but it certainly does not supplant free will…
Creativity is an odd thing.
You don’t see dogs out scratching their thoughts on the sidewalk, or birds commemorating their dreams in cave paintings. It’s only the human creatures who seek to translate their thoughts into communication for other humans, whether that be through music, sculpture, painting, film, writing. How did that evolve and why? I have my own answer for that, and I hope you do too. If you don’t, try taking some time one day to figure it out.
Poke Around a Bit
Anyway, please feel free to poke around in this section. There are pages branching off here for each of my books, as well as a running list of reviews. If you have any comments, the formula for cold fusion, or would like to award me a prestigious prize, get in touch. If you have read one of my books and enjoyed it, please consider leaving a review on the site where you purchased it. Positive reviews have a tremendous effect on increasing book visibility.
Amazon Links
Just finished the two books of The Tormay Triology and am anxiously awaiting the third. Wanted to write and congratulate you on a fine story. Very believable characters and wonderful world building. Not just a story but thematically deep as well. There’s real poetry in your writing and I was just captivated. Thanks so much for creating; thanks so much for writing real fantasy without ideology, without an ax to grind, etc. etc. There’s not a lot of beauty in the world today, but you have given us books not simply to pass the time, but to uplift us, inspire us, and give us hope. Again, thanks.
Monsignor Eric Barr
St. Mary Catholic Church
Durand, Illinois 61024
Thank you for your note. I am very glad you enjoyed the books, and I’m honored that you found hope woven into the story of Jute and Levoreth and all the others. Hope is a very important thing for me, and I couldn’t have written the story without it.
Well, I must say, your book “The Hawk and His Boy” drew me in during the first chapter! I couldn’t put it down, really loved it. I downloaded it for free on my Kindle and now I wish it had a price next to it! I’ve purchased The Shadow at the Gate and can’t wait to start reading it. I love that you don’t give everything away, but tell us enough to understand the world you’ve created so we’re not left frustrated when the book is done. Look forward to many more works from you.
Hi, Jake. Thanks for taking the time to stop by. I’m very pleased you’re enjoying the story. A reader who appears out of the blue to say so is like an unexpected gift.
I’m italian and I’m always searching among Amazon ebooks because I’m fantasy book-adicted and finished all the books translated in my language when I was 16…(God bless ebooks and instant- download) I just finished “The Wicked Day” and when I closed the book I simply couldn’t stop smiling!(altough I was supposed to be studying for an exham…) Your books entered my dreams and the characters definitely conquered my heart; the scenes where like paintings constantly changing and yet firm before my eyes, a mix between William Turner’s seas and skies and the restlessness of Giorgione’s Tempesta. The ending was perfect, whith the just amount of sadness and hope. These are some of the better books I ever read. The Tormay trilogy is marvelous and should be published worldwide!
P.S.: excuse me if there are some symptactic or grammatical errors in my writing…as I said, this is not my native language 🙂
Ambra, thank you so much for stopping by and commenting. I’m glad you enjoyed the stories! I’m intrigued that you mentioned paintings; when I write, I deliberately try to “paint” with specific scenes. That’s been a habit of mine since I was small…
I just finished the tormay trilogy and was truly impressed. I read quite a bit and I had to buy the next book the moment I finished the one before. Thank god for kindle. Hope to see more of jute and the gang.
Thanks, Patrick, for stopping by. I’m glad you enjoyed the trilogy. As far as other stories set in Tormay, I have several planned, and have started sketching out the first one. There were quite a few characters in the trilogy I was reluctant to leave, so I guess I’ll have to find out the rest of their stories.
I am delighting in the texture of The Hawk & his Boy. Colour, depth, movement, light & shadow enhance the development of the human characters.
The intensity of the Shadow put me off for a bit, but my book addiction forced me to continue. Glad it did!
I’m moving into book 2.
Keep writing. Jenn
Thank you for your note! I’m glad you mentioned color, light and shadow…I think in those terms as I write. There is a certain amount of darkness in the Shadow and the last book. I used to work for a director years ago who was fond of saying, “paint with the shadows, and the light will become that much brighter.” I’ve tried to take that to heart with my writing. Best wishes, Christopher.
Me, again. I’m into book 2 & wishing.g for maps. You could do so much with maps of underground tunnels, university…. the duchies.
I’m delighted that you connected with my textural imagery; I am a handspinner & weaver, as well as a knitter. I am glad to a see a perceptive, intelligent lady, knitting.
Do you paint with pigments, as well as words? Must look thru more of yr site, as I wait for cold meds to knock me out. 🙂 Goodnight. Jenn
I only have the single map of Tormay, but more maps is a great idea. I never thought of that. In the future, if I do paper versions, that would be a wonderful addition.
Weaver and spinner? My mother does that as well. She has an enormous loom in her studio (rugs and wall hangings), and she also spins a lot of her own thread. She does a great deal of painting as well, but I never picked up on that. My single visual medium is iron sculpture. I’ve done quite a bit of that over the years: garden gates, as well as animals and people (Giacometti would be the closest style). Other than that, I stick to writing and composing (fewer burns and smoldering clothing, etc).
Ok. Is the third book available, yet? Hoping, hoping, hoping! Jenn
Yes, it is. The Wicked Day. I hope you enjoy how it ends. I aim to write more stories that take place in Tormay, but that book finishes up the trilogy.
Wonderful company whilst I fight a cold & the snow falls. Write faster.
Hook, line and sinker. Read The Hawk and His Boy as I was looking for a new (to me) arthur to try. Finished it far too quickly, and thank you Kindle, went and got the next two books. Just finished reading the last one while sitting at my desk at work. I sure hope my supervisor doesn’t see this………..
Thanks for stopping by! I’m glad you enjoyed the story, though I hope I haven’t got you into trouble… Merry Christmas!
I was grateful very near the beginning of The Hawk that I did not discover the trilogy until you had them all published! Your ability to articulate elemental journeys (and the journeys of elements) is luminous and remarkable. I so hope you revisit this world!
Thank you for your kind remarks! I am planning on revisiting Tormay in the near future. I love the place, and a great many of the characters have become dear friends, so I think it would be impossible to stay away. Just a few other projects to wrap up first…
Oh, good, that you’re planning to write more in this worldl! I was getting near the end of your Tormay trilogy and already mourning because there would be no more.
As I’ve already said elsewhere, I can’t believe these were not commercially published. They are far better than most of the YA stuff out there right now.
Thanks, Jamie. That’s a really kind comment. If a commercial publisher ever approached me, I’d definitely be interested…
I just got one of the other teachers really excited to read your trilogy! And, my daughter is currently reading it, as well!
Thanks so much… that means a lot to me.
what is The Seal Whistle you listed as other stories in Rosamunde, which was much more enjoyable than maleficent. Hollywood so bent on making the bad guys poor misunderstood victims of the good guy’s treachery makes me nauseous
The Seal Whistle is a Tormay story that I’m just about done with. Longish for a story (a little over a hundred pages). Hopefully should be out soon. I saw Maleficent as well. Rather uneven and plain. I’m retreating more and more to older stories.
Looking forward to Yhe Seal Whistle! Please post a notice on fb when you publish it. Thanks!
Hi
I am in India and am bowled over by the Tales of Tormay and the Seal Whistle. I often re read the Tales of Tormay. I really liked the way you combined humour in dark situations such as through the medium of the ghost in the Wicked Day. The style of your writing is haunting in a way because it resonates even after it is finished. At several places I was close to tears because I was so gripped by your descriptions. I hope you will start a new triology. Sanderson is writing multiple volumes on the Cosmere theme. Dont you think that Tormay deserves the same?
Hi Vijay,
Thank you for your kind note. I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed the Tormay stories. It’s difficult for me to have perspective on them, due to the excessive amount of time I spent crafting that world and all that took place there, so hearing your views is valuable for me.
I am tinkering with new stories set in that world. In addition to the Seal Whistle and the Silver Girl stories, I’m about halfway finished with another standalone called Shadows Keep. That one is mainly about Fen, the adopted daughter of the Gawinns. Yes, you’re right; Tormay probably does deserve another trilogy or series. I have a pretty good idea of what it would be about, but there’s one more standalone story I need to write (about the prince of Harth), once I’ve finished Fen’s tale.
Anyway, thank you again for stopping by. I hope you have some other good books to read these days. If you haven’t already read Patricia McKillip, I recommend trying her Riddlemaster of Hed trilogy. That’s a series I reread every few years.
regards,
Christopher