Seeing the Story Trees for the World-Building Forest

Creativity Sessions writing process. Evening Satellite Publishing.

I already don’t like that strained analogy of a title, but we’re going with it unless I can think of something better. The writing part of my brain pretty reliably ebbs and flows between two points. Sometimes, all I can think about is the story in front of me and how I can bring it to fruition. Other times, all I can think of is all the stories except the one immediately in front of me.

I’ve been pretty heads-down on part 2 of The Herb Witch Tales the last few weeks, but recently, my mindset and thought process has started to shift. This is a natural phase for me, but it’s helped me come to a bigger realization about my writing. I need to focus more on the stories themselves. Continue reading “Seeing the Story Trees for the World-Building Forest”

December Write Day: NaNo is Over, but I barely Noticed

I’m sensing a pattern here, in that each month seems to pass more quickly than the last.

This post is a week late because I wanted to finish “The Grand Mythos”, so we’re already almost halfway through December. Oh well.

November was solid. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, and we had a nice time with family, but I’ve also taken some interesting steps on the writing front.

Not only did I finish publishing my mythic fantasy series, but I’ve also started writing my short story. Continue reading “December Write Day: NaNo is Over, but I barely Noticed”

Reflections on Another Completed Story: “The Grand Mythos of Úr’Dan”

As you might have seen on Friday, I just posted the twelfth and final chapter of “The Grand Mythos of Úr’Dan, Volume One” on Wattpad, so I just wanted to take a moment to reflect on the last year of publishing with Wattpad, as well as the writing of these stories. Continue reading “Reflections on Another Completed Story: “The Grand Mythos of Úr’Dan””

The Finale: “The Grand Mythos” Chapter 12

I’m really stoked to finally release the final chapter of “The Grand Mythos of Úr’Dan, Volume One”. Somehow it doesn’t feel like that long ago that I started publishing this story on Wattpad, but it’s been almost a year.

I intend to write a full retrospective post both on this story and my Wattpad experience this year, but just know that I’m really proud of this story, and I want you to read it.

Wattpad is free, which means you can read my story and a ton of other great stories just by creating an account and downloading the app (or just reading on your computer).

There is no Volume Two yet, but I’m already forming ideas around what that might entail. For now, I have other things to work on.

Genre: fantasy, high fantasy, mythic fantasy

Chapter Blurb: The First Life fulfill its true purpose, but to what end?

Series Blurb:

Every world has its origin story.

The vibrant world of Úr’Dan and the powerful beings who created it are eager to find life in the cosmos. But their untested powers will clash as they each strive to bring their vision of the universe to fruition–and control the wondrous creatures who live there. Witness the creation of a vibrant new world.

Based on the unique fantasy universe of the novel, The Warden of Everfeld: Memento.

As always, this story is free to read on Wattpad:

https://www.wattpad.com/story/163684352-the-grand-mythos-of-%C3%BAr%27dan-volume-one

Thank you for reading if you have been, and even if you haven’t, thanks for following my progress.

Steve D

The Penultimate Chapter! “The Grand Mythos” part 11 has Arrived

I’m really excited to post this chapter. It leads really well into the final chapter of this volume of my mythology, but I promise it’s not a ridiculous cliffhanger.

Genre: fantasy, high fantasy, mythic fantasy

Chapter Blurb: The First Life must understand and fulfill its true purpose

Series Blurb:

Every world has its origin story.

The vibrant world of Úr’Dan and the powerful beings who created it are eager to find life in the cosmos. But their untested powers will clash as they each strive to bring their vision of the universe to fruition–and control the wondrous creatures who live there. Witness the creation of a vibrant new world.

Based on the unique fantasy universe of the novel, The Warden of Everfeld: Memento.

As always, this story is free to read on Wattpad:

https://www.wattpad.com/story/163684352-the-grand-mythos-of-%C3%BAr%27dan-volume-one

Steve D

2019 Marketing Goals: 3rd-Quarter Check-In

We have entered the final quarter of the year, and since I actually have a few meaningful updates to share, I wanted to check in on my marketing goals for 2019 as we hit the final stretch.

A few months ago, in my mid-year check-in, I revised my book marketing goals based on the (lack of) progress I had made to that point. Continue reading “2019 Marketing Goals: 3rd-Quarter Check-In”

“The Grand Mythos of Úr’Dan” Chapter 10 is Up… and other things I forgot to post

I definitely neglected to schedule anything to post this morning, so to make up for it, I’ve posted the next chapter in my mythic fantasy series, “The Grand Mythos of Úr’Dan”!

This chapter presents a more understated but poignant side of this fantasy universe.

Genre: fantasy, high fantasy, mythic fantasy

Chapter Blurb: The First Life learns what it means to create a life of its own.

Series Blurb:

Every world has its origin story.

The vibrant world of Úr’Dan and the powerful beings who created it are eager to find life in the cosmos. But their untested powers will clash as they each strive to bring their vision of the universe to fruition–and control the wondrous creatures who live there. Witness the creation of a vibrant new world.

Based on the unique fantasy universe of the novel, The Warden of Everfeld: Memento.

As always, this story is free to read on Wattpad:

https://www.wattpad.com/story/163684352-the-grand-mythos-of-%C3%BAr%27dan-volume-one

Steve D

“The Grand Mythos” Chapter 9 Introduces a New Force of Nature to the World

It has been far too long since I posted a new chapter of my series of fantasy myths. I intended to schedule this chapter during my vacation two weeks ago, but, well… forgot.

I’m really excited to introduce a new character, however, and explore what it would be like for a terrifying and beautiful force of nature to come alive: the sea!

Genre: fantasy, high fantasy, mythic fantasy

Chapter Blurb: The First Life has finally reached Mahar’s Blue Sea, but the being who brings the dark waters to life is not keen to entertain inquisitive visitors.

Series Blurb:

Every world has its origin story.

The vibrant world of Úr’Dan and the powerful beings who created it are eager to find life in the cosmos. But their untested powers will clash as they each strive to bring their vision of the universe to fruition–and control the wondrous creatures who live there. Witness the creation of a vibrant new world.

Based on the unique fantasy universe of the novel, The Warden of Everfeld: Memento.

As always, this story is free to read on Wattpad:

https://www.wattpad.com/story/163684352-the-grand-mythos-of-%C3%BAr%27dan-volume-one

Chapter 8 of “The Grand Mythos”… a bit late

So I totally meant to publish chapter eight of “The Grand Mythos of Úr’Dan” last week, and it totally slipped my mind.

But now it’s here!

“Aenúrfít and the Unending Flame” depicts the First Life’s first encounter with Hairek, perhaps the most powerful–and most ambitious–of the First Four Vai’ad.

Genre: fantasy, high fantasy, mythic fantasy

Chapter Blurb: The First Life has its first face-to-face encounter with Hairek, the Unending Flame, but the Vaia does not leave Aenúrfít feeling warm.

Series Blurb:

Every world has its origin story.

The vibrant world of Úr’Dan and the powerful beings who created it are eager to find life in the cosmos. But their untested powers will clash as they each strive to bring their vision of the universe to fruition–and control the wondrous creatures who live there. Witness the creation of a vibrant new world.

Based on the unique fantasy universe of the novel, The Warden of Everfeld: Memento.

As always, this story is free to read on Wattpad:

https://www.wattpad.com/story/163684352-the-grand-mythos-of-%C3%BAr%27dan-volume-one

Steve D

Click here to find previous updates about my short mythic fantasy series, “The Grand Mythos of Úr’Dan.”