Whims from Valadae

Kin Seeker’s Prologue Comics

Posted on January 22, 2015 by WhimsicalWerecat

For those who have been checking out each of the Prologue Comics as I’ve added them to the site, I am happy to announce that the NEXT comic is now available!

For those not yet in the know, the Prologue Comics have been a side project of mine which I have been working on over the past ten or so months. The comics are a fun addition to the world-building of my Dragon Calling series, and they give bonus insight into some of the characters our protagonist, Laeka’Draeon, encounters on his journey.

As you might expect, the comics are intended to be viewed after one has read KIN SEEKER (the first book in the series), as the comics reveal minor spoilers to character encounters and elements of certain events.

This last comic in particular holds some major spoilers, so I would strongly recommend reading/ viewing only to those who’ve read the novel. But of course, if you really don’t mind things being given away, you are more than welcome to read all the comics (this last one included). I make the comics available for free because free stuff is awesome! But if you’re enjoying my work, I would appreciate your support when it comes to the books, nonetheless. 😉

So, with the last Prologue Comic up and done, what’s next, you might ask?

Plenty, that’s for sure! The current set of four may complete the comics for KIN SEEKER, but there are still four more books in the series, which means many more Prologue Comics to enjoy! I do, however, have other important projects to work on, so you will likely not see the first comic for Book Two until May/ June.

The next obstacle to tackle is the KIN SEEKER COMPANION GUIDE (which will include the four Prologue Comics). The guide is pretty much what it sounds like: a visual and informational guide to creatures, places, and legends hinted at or briefly touched on in KIN SEEKER. There will be plenty of pictures and interesting facts, so it’ll definitely be worth adding to your collection, once it’s released!

I will also be working on the next set of poster and bookmark designs (themed around Book Two of the series, THE BEACON THRONES).

And, of course, I will be working on the next installment of the series. It’s too early to put out an estimated release date for Book Three, but I will work hard to see it released by the end of the year. If that doesn’t come about, it will likely be early 2016.

I feel to remind you how paramount your support is, and how much I appreciate my readers. You wonderful, adventurous people are the reason I do what I do, and I am so happy to share my worlds and creations with you.

Thank you for coming along on this journey with me. It’s been pretty fantastic so far, and we’re only getting started! Continue being awesome, fellow Dragon-seekers! 2015 looks set for some amazing adventures!

Posted in Information | Tagged 2015 projects, belzor, belzor comic, centaurs, comics, compaion guide, dragon calling series, dragons, illustrations, kin seeker comics, monsters, posters and bookmarks, prologue comics | Leave a comment

Don’t Forget the Pauses

Posted on January 15, 2015 by WhimsicalWerecat

Well hello 2015! You’ve come through, charging full-steam ahead already, I see.

I hope everyone’s New Year celebrations went well, and that 2015 has rolled in with new (or to-be-continued-from-2014) and exciting plans and inspirations.

As is our cultural inclination, the start of the year holds the sensation of renewed possibilities and the plan (or hope) to work towards making our todays and tomorrows better than our yesterdays. But I’ve also noticed another cultural inclination of ours … the inclination to rush.

Hurry here, hurry there. Rush, rush, rush. Have to do this, have to be there, have to call that person, have to make that deadline, have to, have to, have to, hurry, hurry, hurry. We all have a tendency to tackle our schedules at high speeds, flustered by our own flurrying, succeeding in this, failing in that, stressing over this, floundering over that.

I think you get the picture.

And, of course, for most of us, the things we pour our time and energy into are necessary in maintaining the lifestyles we want. Our thoughts and actions are what we use to live, to feel, to express, to enjoy: friends and families, clubs and hobbies, shopping, bills, day jobs, side jobs, school, study, housework, projects and plans. The things we mould into our daily lives are all part of the musical score that is us. Our life is our own unique song.

And so the notes continue to play, day-after-day, and we, as the conductors and songwriters, direct the melody to our wants and needs. There is a strange sort of harmony in the chaos of living; a chaos we usually augment beyond its natural pacing, by our own sense of ‘must haves’ and ‘need tos’, and yet still manage to extract and preserve something beautiful.

But I feel the one thing we should seriously try to remember, even as we rush along into this New Year with all our hopes and dreams and purposes and plans, is that a song (our life’s song) does not merely consist of all the notes we put in place, but of pauses as well.

“The pauses are just as important as the notes, for without them, there is only a cascade of noise, void of pacing and breath, and thus, void of life.” –

In music, it is the sound of the instruments and the voices which draw our attention. But what truly makes a song so wonderful to our senses, is the marriage of the notes and pauses throughout. Without the pauses along the way, music would be overwhelmed by its own power.

It’s the same with our lives. What we create each day will become the notes to add to the song of our life. But in all the hustle and bustle of getting from point to point, task to task, requirement to requirement, we mustn’t forget to put in some pauses.

Find what things work as pauses for you, and make sure to add them to your days.

Spends some time alone with nature (and maybe a four-legged friend).

Listen to your favourite music.

Sit back, relax, and do nothing.

Maybe roll out a blanket and watch the clouds go by for a while.

Heck, why not find a park bench and sit yourself down and just allow the world to go by and leave you behind for a few minutes.

artwork by DeviantArt artist, Sideburn004

Whatever fits into your Pause Category, take the time to add them into your song. If you say you’re too busy, it’s because you are, and you need to adjust a few things. Shoving all your notes one after the other will not give you the music you want. Take the time to admire each note as it is strung, otherwise you’ll miss out on its true value, and you’ll go through life giving of your time and energy while failing to receive the fullness of what is given back to you.

Don’t forget your pauses!

Posted in General | Tagged caesura, cloud-gazing, disneys up, favourite music, fermata, inspirations, life is a song, life is music, living life, musical notes, musical pauses, musical scores, New Year 2015, relaxing, relieve stress, rushing, take a break, unwinding | 1 Comment

Valadae has Festivals too!

Posted on December 9, 2014 by WhimsicalWerecat

So here we are. We’ve entered that time of year again. The time of Christmas season celebrations, followed by New Year revelries (two of the world’s most celebrated festivals).

There’s no denying the integral part festivals play in the societies and cultures of the world. Whether a social expression of religious significance, the seed of historical remembrance, or simply a celebrated event tailored to specific cultures, festivals mark our lives with an inspiring permanence.

Laeka’Draeon and friends get a taste of the Christmas spirit!

Festivals hold a similar sway in the kingdoms and cultures of my fictional world, Valadae, as well. And, without the superficial flamboyance and often degrading bulk of commercialism found in the societies of our present world, the festivals of Valadae remain close to their origins of spiritual and event-inspired connotations and root meanings.

Considering the number of sentient creature-kinds that celebrate various festivals throughout the cycle of seasons, it would take far too long to delve into the details of the numerous celebratory events, and their traditions. So instead, I’ll indulge you—the curious reader—with some insights into the two festivals most universally celebrated by Valdalians at this time of year (in line with our Christmas, and New Year).

SPAN DESNEN

Span Desnen (the ‘closure/ completion of this given cycle of seasons’) is one of the most universally celebrated festivals in Valadae. Held at the end of the cycle (the Valadilian term for ‘year’), in Ishtholi, the season of closing (the equivalent to our ‘Winter’) the festival begins on the first quarter moon evening of Meloss.

The festival advents with a special ceremony called yen’sa, or the Release of Wishes, which involves the symbolic letting go of past grievances and the seeding of hopes for the next cycle of seasons.

Carving/ purchasing two carved figurines (usually in the shape of a seed and a bird—things figuratively synonymous with hope/ potential, and emotional release/ freedom), an individual will speak over the bird effigy, and vent out all their pains, grievances, hurts and regrets (an emblematic transfer from soul to offering). They will then speak over the seed, expressing all their hopes and desires and positive intentions for the next cycle of seasons.

Either gathering with family, friends or community, individuals then throw their wooden bird carvings into a communal pyre (symbolically cleansing their negative inclinations by burning their sealed words to ash and releasing them to the wind), and then find a place in the soil and ‘plant’ their wooden seeds (a physical act to express the hopes of the heart).

After the evening of yen’sa comes thirteen days of celebrations, honouring the thirteen fulons that complete a cycle (‘year’). Activities differ depending on creature-kind customs and location, but each of the fulons are assigned to a day (always in order), and each of the activities and feasts are themed around the season celebrated.

Fireworks are popular, as is ice-sculpting and tree-decorating (ice and snow events obviously restricted to regions that accommodate such weather).

Trees like this are decorated with coloured ribbons, knots of leather, feather and shell strings, and even painted bones!

Those with the time and talent will go to great lengths to sculpt figures like this in honour of Span Desnen.

On the thirteenth evening, to conclude the Span Desnen celebrations, public chants are held, where families and individuals can gather and sing the songs of tradition, as well as new odes inspired by the cycle’s notable events (battles, natural disasters, the death of a ruler, the great deed of an individual etc.)

Out of all the festivals in Valadae, Span Desnen is the longest-running and most anticipated.

FESTIVAL OF THE MAKING

Another of Valadae’s most celebrated festivals, and arguably the one steeped heaviest in spiritual significance is the Festival of The Making.

The festival marks the first span of the new cycle, and celebrates the birth of new beginnings, and—in accordance with Valadae’s prevalent religious views—the acknowledgement and celebration of the Maker, and the creation of all things.

As one would assume, the festival starts on the first day of Orpious (the fulon of Awakening), and is celebrated over an eight day period, in representation of the eight Words the Maker spoke which formed all things: Light, Space, Motion, Sound, Heat, Colour, Form, and Manna (manna being the breath of the Maker, also known as the Three Strands).

While more linear in activities and traditions than Span Desnen, this festival is a notable rival when it comes to visual splendours. Music and colour play an essential role in the celebrations; individuals don themselves in costumes and colours that represent the Words, and will often participate in re-tellings of The Making, through organised interpretive dance routines and/ or choirs.

Children, equipped with streamer-spangled kites, run around merrily, pretending to be the Threads of Manna that spread life into the world, and papery prayer lanterns light the night skies and rivers, bearing away the prayers, praises and ponderings of those wishing to give their thoughts a more physical expression.

Paper lantern traditions are a dazzling visual spectacle (I love this scene from Tangled).

The festival ends on the day marking the creation of the Third Strand (the Strand who fell to pride and became Corruption), where individuals dress or accessorize in red (a reminder that Corruption is in all), and set up effigies covered in red streamers on pyres, ready to burn them with white fire at the setting of the sun (to demonstrate that while Corruption is in all, it will never overcome the cleansing power the other Strands).

In short, the Festival of The Making highlights Valadae’s recognition of the wonders of creation, the influence of corruption, and the power of redemption.

Make sure to take the time to consider and appreciate the true heart and soul of Christmas, this very special annual ‘festival’ of ours. After all, it’s the most wonderful time of the year! 😉

Posted in General, Information | Tagged christmas, fantasy festivals, festival of the making, festival pyres, festivals, festivals and celebrations, fire lanterns, fireowkrs, ice sculpting, laeka'draeon, new years celebrations, span desnen, streamer kites, the maker, tree decortating, valadae | 2 Comments

Dragon Size Chart!

Posted on October 29, 2014 by WhimsicalWerecat

When it comes to dragons, size is completely subjective to the whims of their origin; whether that be cultural folklore, standard mythology, or the imaginations of the writers and illustrators who bring them to life.

There are plenty of famous dragons out there, and what has sparked my curiosity more than once, is how big they are in comparison to, well, to other famous dragons for starters, but also how big they are when placed next to a standardized adult human.

So, because I’ve always been curious, and I’m sure others have too, I’ve gone ahead and created a few size charts of some well-known dragons (as well as a couple of my own).

Choosing a standard height of 6′ 3″ for an adult man (which is the average height of the human-like hemlans in my fantasy series), here are the charts of eleven dragons, and how I came about estimating their sizes.

*Take note of the word estimate, because that’s exactly what this is. I know I’m not spot on, but at least these pictures will give you a rough idea of the different sizes of these well-known and well-loved dragons.

UPDATE: For more dragon size comparisons, check out my Dragon Size Chart 2, and Dragon Size Chart 3! And for the latest edition, my Dragon Size Chart 4!

Dragon Number One: Fa’Luffy (Reviewer of Fa’Luffy Review)

FA’LUFFY

Okay, this one isn’t really meant to be serious. But I couldn’t help myself. My fat, cushion-loving mascot is, when all is said and done, a dragon. And estimating his size was easy because he’s currently sitting in my lounge room.

Dragon Number Two: Mushu (Disney film, Mulan)

MUSHU

Mushu was relatively easy, seeing as he is seen throughout the movie, in close proximity to Mulan. But I made sure to take into account Mulan’s smaller stature and created Mushu’s size chart silhouette accordingly. I used this as a reference picture:

Dragon Number Three: Spyro (The Legend of Spyro Trilogy)

SPYRO

Spyro was a little more tricky to figure out. There are several Spyro games, and the stories take place over an extended period of time. I haven’t played all the games and so do not know the exact timeline progression, or how old Spyro is at the start of each of his adventures, but luckily his age is not an important factor. I decided to choose Spyro from The Legend of Spyro games (the games I’ve actually played), the most recent Spyro story-line (excluding Skylanders) and worked out his height using this picture (placing Hunter at the approximate height of 6’2″):

Dragon Number Four: Laeka’Draeon (Dragon Calling series)

LAEKA’DRAEON

Laeka’Draeon was pretty easy, seeing as he is my beloved protagonist. I just had to make sure his height was accurate in comparison to the standard height of the adult unicorns in my story because his and Ubi’s (his unicorn companion) shoulder height are close. And in his silhouette, his is crouching slightly, so I had to take that into account.

Dragon Number Five: Haku (Spirited Away)

HAKU

Haku was a bit of a challenge, but nothing I couldn’t overcome with a little research. Again, what makes it helpful is his close contact with the people in the movie (namely the young protagonist, Chihiro). But Chihiro is a 10-year-old girl, which obviously makes her smaller in stature than my standardized human silhouette. So, I researched the average height for a 10-year-old girl, and measured her height beside Haku in accordance with the reference picture (see below). From there, it was simply a matter of replacing Chihiro’s height measurement with the taller height of my human silhouette. Ta-da!

Dragon Number Six: Flemmeth (Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2)

FLEMMETH

Okay, so for those who’ve played the Dragon Age games, you know that Flemmeth isn’t actually a dragon. She is the famous Witch of the Wilds who has the power to shape-shift into a dragon. But what a dragon it is! A large, sleek creature with incredible power and a flame hot enough to melt Dark Spawn armour! I used this image (plus a couple of others at different angles) to help establish her size in dragon form:

Dragon Number Seven: Toothless (How to Train Your Dragon, movies)

TOOTHLESS

There was no way I was not going to add Toothless to the list! One of my all-time favourite dragons, he is both feisty and adorable. Toothless was easy to estimate in size. There are plenty of reference pictures out there, with Toothless standing next to Hiccup, so all I did was work out the average of Hiccup’s size (according to his age in the first movie), and then re-size my human silhouette accordingly. Here is one of the reference pictures I used:

Dragon Number Eight: Alduin (The World Eater, from Skyrim)

ALDUIN

Fierce and terrible, Alduin was a must-have for my chart. I’ve played the Skyrim game and fought Alduin, and yet despite my direct encounters and experience, I was surprised when I worked out Alduin’s size. He’s actually smaller than I thought he would be. A good thing for Skyrim’s residents, I suppose, seeing as he is terrifying and destructive enough as it is. This is the reference picture I used:

Dragon Number Nine: Draco (From the movie, Dragon Heart)

DRACO

Draco is an awesome dragon, and a wonderful character, too. It broke my heart when he sacrificed his life, but I guess that only added to his enduring spirit, even after all these years. As I was googling images from the movie, I came across one that was perfect as a reference to work out his height. He’s a good size for a European dragon. Reference picture:

Dragon Number Ten: Faclor (From the movie, The Neverending Story)

FALCOR

A childhood favourite of mine, there was no question about his addition to the size chart. Falcor’s unusual shape, and a limited amount of reference pictures, it took a while to figure out his exact size (well as close as I could manage). I estimated Atreyu’s height (in accordance with his age), and with the help of the reference picture (below), was able to work out roughly how big our beloved Luck Dragon is.

Dragon Number Eleven: Smaug (From the movie, The Desolation of Smaug)

SMAUG

Smaug was probably one of the most difficult, simply because the more I researched, the more I came to realise just how enormous he is! He could eat all the other dragons on my chart for lunch, and will likely still be hungry afterwards. I looked at numerous screenshots from the movie, as well as the below picture as a reference. According to those who worked on Smaug’s design for The Hobbit movies, Smaug is twice the size of a 747. YIKES!

So there you have it. The individual size charts of eleven awesome dragons. But let’s not forget my original intent! Just how big are these dragons, in comparison to one another? Well, the chart below will show you!

I hope you enjoyed my little project! I found it fascinating, and altogether quite fulfilling. But there are so many more dragons out there! Who are some of your favourites? Which dragons would you have liked to be on the chart?

Posted in General | Tagged alduin, average dragon size, best size for a dragon, desolation of smaug, draco, dragon heart, dragon size chart, dragon sizes, fa'luffy, falcor, famous dragons, flemmeth, haku, laeka'draeon, mushu, mushus size, neverending story, size comparison, skyrim, smaug, smaugs size, spirited away dragon, spryo, spyros size, toothless | 32 Comments

A Fa’Luffy Review: Zarkora, Book One: The Fyrelit Tragedy

Posted on October 9, 2014 by WhimsicalWerecat

Fa’Luffy has been shredding cushions this past month, just itching to get his next review up and on display. So without further ado, it’s time to check out this month’s FA’LUFFY REVIEW!

Fang photo bomb! Fa’Luffy is not impressed.

This review round is for a book, of which there were several Fa’Luffy had to choose from.

Having made his choice, Fa’luffy has decided to review: Zarkora, Book One: The Fyrelit Tragedy

Publisher: Thornberry Press

Target Audience: MG (ages 8+)

Genre: Quest Fantasy

Medium: Available in Paperback, and eBook

Q: What’s it all about?

Fa’Luffy: A decade after the loss of their parents, Neleik and Ervine Fyrelit, two poor farm boys, witness the kidnapping of their little sister, Sky. Driven by a fierce determination to rescue her, they brave the terrors and mysteries of the world beyond their small village, encountering friends and foes, and all manner of monsters and powers previously unimagined.

Their love for Sky is the force igniting their courage, but will it be enough to hunt down the evil that has captured her, and bring her safely home?

Q: Who would enjoy this?

Fa’Luffy: Those who like traditional fantasy stories (Deltora Quest, The Chronicles of Prydain, The Golden Door, The Hobbit). Those who can’t get enough of vast journeys, great dangers, monsters and magic and all kinds of adventures. And those who can overlook a bit of fantasy cliche, and enjoy the heart and fun of a neat little adventure.

Q: What are some of your favourite aspects?

Fa’Luffy: How adventurous the story is! Very traditional in it’s ‘hero quest’ path, but it’s a lot of fun. The characters are diverse and enjoyable, and there’s a lot of funny and charming interaction between them. There are DRAGONS in it! Mega-cushion bonus! Especially the fact that one of the dragons is ‘damaged’ (wounded by past experiences), and so provides a challenge for the main characters. Some of the world-building elements are really cool and unique, like stormboarding and druel (read the story to see what I mean). Oh, and I can’t forget the cover art. How cool is that dragon!

Q: What are some of your less favourite aspects?

Fa’Luffy: My main issue is the writing style. It’s very passive, and constantly ‘tells’ and ‘suggests’ and ‘supposes’ instead of just showing through actions and expressions. At times it made me want to set my cushions on fire! Also, I didn’t like it when words were fully CAPed. I understand why it was done–to give the impression of characters yelling–BUT I DON’T LIKE IT AS IT’S VERY JARRING AND IN-YOUR-FACE. That’s just a personal opinion, though. Also, it felt a little rushed in the latter half of the book. With a major plot expansion, there was a lot going on and it could have (should have) been extended and made into Book Two (which of course would make the current Book Two, Book Three etc).

A word of warning, this story has a lot of traditional fantasy tropes. And I mean, a lot! But if that sort of thing doesn’t bother you, awesomeness to you! For the most part, it doesn’t bother me, either.

Q: How would you sum up your opinion?

Fa’Luffy: A very adventurous story, spotlighted by fun and interesting characters placed on a backdrop of traditional fantasy awesomeness. There’s action, puzzle-solving, monster-fighting, chases, and travels by foot, horse, ship and wheeled machine!

Middle Grade (ages 8+) readers will undoubtedly love this story, and the heart of it is something pure and inspiring: the power of love between siblings.

The ZARKORA series is comprised of four books in total, with Book Two already available, and Book Three planned for release mid 2015. You can check out more info on the Zarkora wesite: click here.

Q: What is the final Fa’Luffy Verdict?

Fa’Luffy: Out of a total of 5 Fa’Luffy Stars:

Q: So the Fa’Luffy stamp for Zarkora, Book One: The Fyrelit Tragedy is …?

Fa’Luffy:

So there you have it, Fa’Luffy Review readers! The round, red, cushion-eating dragon has spoken. The first book in the Zarkora series is approved! So if you enjoy traditional fantasy quests, with trolls, elves, magic swords, dragons and princesses, then you are sure to be entertained by this story!

Be sure the check out more about Zarkora and the authors via their website or facebook page.

Have you played a game, watched a movie, or read a book that you think Fa’Luffy would enjoy reviewing? If so, feel free to send through your suggestions. If the Fa’Luffy finds it interesting, the Fa’Luffy will put up a review!

Posted in Fa'Luffy Reviews | Tagged alison lochel, australian fantasy, books, childrens fantasy, dragons, elves, fa'luffy dragon, fa'luffy reviews, fantasy, fantasy adventure, magic swords, nicholas lochel, quest fantasy, zarkora, zarkora series | 1 Comment

Cover Reveal for THE BEACON THRONES

Posted on September 11, 2014 by WhimsicalWerecat

Commence drum roll!

And here it is, dragon-seekers, the anticipated Cover Reveal for BOOK TWO of the Dragon Calling Series, THE BEACON THRONES.

The Official Cover!

Following from the theme of the first book cover design, the design for The Beacon Thrones spotlights a major character which you will be introduced to in the story. The background is the advent of dawn; again following on from the first book, which had a night-themed background. Succession of characters and succession of the the transitioning sky—that’s what I’ve chosen to work with for this series. And I’m very pleased with the finished designs so far.

As for the book’s title? Well, you’ll just have to read the book to find out what these strange objects called the Beacon Thrones pertain to, and what connection they have with our protagonist, Lakea’Draeon, and his quest to find the other dragons. 😉

THE BEACON THRONES releases on NOVEMBER 12th, 2014!

EBook formats will be available at all major online retailers, including Smashwords, Amazon, Kobo, Barnes and Noble and the Apple ibooks store.

The paperback will also be launched on November 12th, but is currently unavailable for pre-order.

If you’re interested in an eBook copy, click on the links below and pre-order a copy for yourself today!

Those who pre-order an eBook copy, will go into the draw to win a special Dragon Calling prize pack!

DRAGON CALLING PRIZE PACK includes:

Signed paperback copy of Kin Seeker (Book One of Dragon Calling)
x3 Dragon Calling bookmarks (double-sided with 6 character designs)
x2 A2 sized Kin Seeker posters
Signed paperback copy of The Beacon Thrones (Book Two of Dragon Calling)

POSTER DESIGNS!

BOOKMARK DESIGNS!

How could you resist the chance to win an awesome prize pack like that? This opportunity is open to everyone, so non-Australian residents included!

So, share the love and spread the word! The second book in the Dragon Calling series is coming, and it’s going to rock your imagination!

NOTE: To make sure you’re in the running to win the Dragon Calling Prize Pack, pre-order an eBook copy of THE BEACON THRONES before it’s release date (obviously, lol), and either email your name, email address and proof of purchase to ‘starseapress at outlook dot com’ (the ‘at’ and the ‘dot’ obviously being the email symbols), or send a private message with those details via the Dragon Calling Facebook Page. For emails, please title the email “Dragon Calling Pre-order Prize Pack”, so it doesn’t get mistaken as spam.

And don’t worry, any information you give will be kept in confidentiality and will not be given to anyone else.

SO, what are you waiting for? Here are the currently available links for pre-orders!

If you prefer purchasing your eBooks at Apple iBooks, Kobo, or Barnes and Noble, I will add the pre-order links as soon as they become available!

AND, you can check out The Beacon Thrones on Goodreads, and add it to your ‘to read’ list. 😉

ALSO, in anticipation of the release of THE BEACON THRONES, the eBook version of KIN SEEKER has gone down in price from $3.99 (US) to $2.99! 🙂

Keep being awesome, fellow dragon-seekers!

Posted in General | Tagged book cover reveal, book two of dragon calling, cover design, dragon calling series, ebook, fantasy adventure, fantasy book cover, kin seeker, middle grade fantasy story, paperback, posters and bookmarks, pre-order book, pre-order prize pack, the beacon thrones | Leave a comment

KIN SEEKER GIVEAWAY!

Posted on August 21, 2014 by WhimsicalWerecat

Greeting fellow dragon-seekers and lovers of all things fantastical!

Fun news for today––it’s the first KIN SEEKER GIVEAWAY!

There are 5 eBook copies of Kin Seeker ready to be given as gifts via Smashwords, and 10 eBook copies ready to be gifted via email in their PDF formats.

SO, the question is: who would like a free book?

The only requirement in receiving a free copy of KIN SEEKER, is that you agree to give the book an honest review on Goodreads and Amazon (the US, UK and AU sites––pretty please with chocolate sprinkles on top?), and for those who receive the Smashwords Gift Edition, a review on Smashwords, too.

REVIEWS DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Reviews help other readers gauge whether or not a book will be to their literary taste, and worth their time to read (no matter the rating), and positive reviews help boost a book’s ratings (and the author’s Happiness Bar 🙂 ). Honest reviews are always the best, and more importantly, if you dislike elements of a book, constructive criticism is the way to go (a 1 star rating with no explanation as to why, does not help anyone).

If you receive a copy of Kin Seeker and, for whatever reason, do not like it, please be specific in your reasons.

And if you get a copy and like it––yay! I have done my job and given you a fun escape from reality, and some new fictional friends to cheer on.

So, if you love reading fantasy (more specifically Middle Grade traditional fantasy, full of adventure, mystery and mythical creatures), and are curious about a story whose primary protagonist is a dragon, then Kin Seeker is a great find for you!

SO HOW DO I GET ONE OF THE GIVEAWAY COPIES?

First off, head on over to the Dragon Calling Facebook Page.

Then, leave a message stating your name, email address, and why you would like a free copy of Kin Seeker, via the message tab (so no typing your details directly onto the Timeline, please). ALSO, please indicate which eBook version of Kin Seeker you would like (PDF or Smashwords Gift). First in gets first pickings! The Smashwords Gift allows for multiple digital versions, including EPUB and mobi, while the standard PDF is just that: the PDF version.

NOTE: There are only 5 Smashwords Gift versions up for grabs, so once they’re gone, you’ll have to opt for a PDF version.

Once the 5 Smashwords Gifts and 10 PDFs have been assigned to people, I’ll put up a message on the Facebook page, letting everyone know the giveaways have all been assigned to their chosen readers. If multiple requests come in at once and the number exceeds 15, I’ll be happy to extend the giveaway to accommodate the next 5 places.

SO WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? THERE’S FREE STUFF TO BE SNAPPED UP!

And hey, if you haven’t yet, check out the newest PROLOGUE COMIC, and read about Norf’s antics leading up to his encounter with Laeka’Draeon.

Enjoy the giveaway fellow adventurers and dragon-lovers!

Posted in General | Tagged amazon, ebooks, fantasy book, free ebooks, giveaway, goodreads, kin seeker, norf the satyr, prologue comic, smashwords | Leave a comment

A Dose of Book Memes and Writing Tips

Posted on August 16, 2014 by WhimsicalWerecat

Well, look who’s finally decided to update the blog with something new. I know, I know, it’s been a while since I’ve put up a post here on Whims from Valadae. But be assured, I have not been idle. Very soon the next PROLOGUE COMIC will be added to the site, so keep an eye out for it!

In addition, I have been working on a Companion Guide for Kin Seeker, which will include maps, fables, creature profiles, and all of the prologue comics–including the yet-to-be-inked fourth comic. I have also recently gotten the manuscript of my second book back from my editor (Yay!). So over the next couple of months I’ll be chipping away at making the suggested polishes, while I continue to work on the Companion Guide.

So, who is excited for BOOK TWO??? The story progresses in leaps and bounds in the second installment, upping the stakes for our dragon-seeker even more than he anticipates. You’ll be reunited with characters from the first book, and will meet many new and fascinating individuals, including getting your first proper peek at the primary antagonist (cue Doom Music)! Anyone hoping for a late 2014 release of Book Two? I’ll try my best, but I may be pushing my luck–what with working on the Companion Guide as well. Anyway, we’ll see how it goes. Only time will tell!

So, while I’m busy with all that extra writing and drawing stuff, I figured I’d put up a few book memes and links of recent writing blogs and inspirations I’ve stumbled across. I love following the blogs of other writers/ readers. Not only do I get fresh insight into the knowledge and minds of other creative souls, but I remain updated and advised on all things literary. I encourage you to check out the links below. There’s some great stuff there!

TIPS FOR DATING A WRITER – sourced from Buzz Feed, here are 10 tips on dating one of us creative crazies, and not go crazy yourself (much). 😉

And how about some essential writing tips for, well, writers! A recent post from my editor’s blog, on the difference between A TAG AND A BEAT. Good to know!

And here is Rebecca Dickson’s amusing post on CRAP SOMEONE SHOULD HAVE TOLD YOU WRITERS BY NOW. It’s funny and gold, because it’s true.

And Nick Stockton hits the nail right on the head with this Wired blog post on WHAT’S UP WITH THAT: WHY IT’S SO HARD TO CATCH YOUR OWN TYPOS. Again, great insight into another aspect of the writing world we writers deal with on a daily basis. *sigh*

And finally, here are some book memes. Because you can never get enough of memes.

The craving symptoms can be identical!

Thank you friends, for putting up with me.

I always get emotionally involved. Always.

Hahaha … yep.

Keep on keeping on fellow adventurers and creative hearts! Never let anyone tell you you can’t reach your dreams, and that includes yourself.

Posted in General, Information | Tagged book memes, comics, companion guide, dating a writer, fiction, funny memes, kin seeker, sequel, tags and beats, typos, writer advice, writing tips | Leave a comment

A Fa’Luffy Review: How to Train Your Dragon 2

Posted on July 19, 2014 by WhimsicalWerecat

Roll out the hills, and fluff up the cushions, because YOU-KNOW-WHO is back and ready to give his next Review!

And this time he’s not alone! Fa’Luffy has a new lounge buddy, and although the large, round, fluffy dragon insists he is displeased with the new “harassment”, I’m sure he’s secretly thrilled to have another dragon pal to help him with his reviews.

Fa’Luffy and his new Night Fury pal, Fang!

With a movie to pick for this round’s review, and his new pal, Fang, to help in the matter, the choice is a clear cut above all others.

Today, Fa’Lufy will review: How to Train Your Dragon 2

Studio: Dreamworks Entertainment

Medium: Current Cinema Release

Rated: PG (Parental Guidance recommended)

Genre: Fantasy

Q: What’s it all about?

Fa’Luffy: The story opens five years after the events of the first movie. Hiccup and Toothless now journey the skies, charting unmapped territories and exploring new regions. When one of their adventures leads to the discovery of a secret ice cave that is home to hundreds of new wild dragons and a mysterious Dragon Rider, Hiccup and Toothless find themselves caught up in a battle against a madman named Drago, who is capturing dragons to build a world-conquering army. The new threat will test their friendship and courage to the limit, and define them in ways that will shape the future of both men and dragons.

Hiccup, Toothless and Friends are back!

Q: Who would enjoy this?

Fa’Luffy: Those who loved the first movie, those who enjoy amazing animation and amazing stories, and of course, those who think dragons rock!

Q: What are some of your favourite aspects?

Fa’Luffy: The animation is Fa-luffa-awesome! There are so many DRAGONS, and they are amazing! It lives up to the heart and story-telling soul of the first movie, and does what a sequel should do: build from the first, expand on the world, and let the bigger action be an extension of the story’s depth, and not a blaring distraction. The cinematography is spectacular, as is the soundtrack! The characters in this movie are fleshed-out and truly memorable.

Everything is AMAZING!

Q: What are some of your less favourite aspects?

Fa’Luffy: There is nothing I did not like about this movie. It has everything a cushion-loving dragon (and dragon-lovers in general) could want.

*squish* There’s nothing you dislike, right? RIGHT?

Q: How would you sum up your opinion?

Fa’Luffy: An amazing and inspiring animation, bringing back all your favourite characters from the first movie, and introducing new ones that are just as lovable and memorable as a lounge-room full of fancy, fur-lined cushions. This is not just another visual feast. It stands solid on all four paws and takes to the skies on wings of story-telling awesomeness. If you haven’t seen it yet, you are missing out! How to Train Your Dragon 2 is exceptional!

Q: What is the final Fa’Luffy Verdict?

Fa’Luffy: Out of a total of 5 Fa’Luffy Stars:

Q: So the Fa’Luffy stamp for How to Train Your Dragon 2 is …?

Fa’Luffy:

So there you have it, people! The Fa’Luffy has spoken. How to Train Your Dragon 2 is approved (no surprises there)! So if you enjoy quality animated adventures with amazing cinematography, a fantastic story, and more dragons than you can throw a thousand cushions at, then this movie is unquestionably one to watch!

DON’T MISS OUT ON THE ADVENTURE!

Posted in Fa'Luffy Reviews | Tagged dragon riders, dragons, dreamworks, fa'luffy, fa'luffy dragon, fa'luffy reviews, fang, fantasy, hiccup, how to train your dragon 2, toothless, toothless plushie, top movies of 2014 | Leave a comment

The Storytellers of Song

Posted on June 9, 2014 by WhimsicalWerecat

Music has been a fundamental constituent of human life since our earliest civilisations. Right. Of course. We all know that. It’s one of the most beautiful elements of humanity. Music is an expression of our soul, our community, our faith, family, emotions, and individual stories.

Our stories.

Music is one of the greatest methods of interpretation for our stories–the stories of human-kind–we will ever have the privilege of expressing. If there’s one thing I can admit to having a higher admiration for, above a Storyteller of Books, it is a Storyteller of Songs.

And not simply songs based on one person’s single thought or opinion. I’m talking about songs the Storyteller encases in the richness of soul that can be shared and understood by everyone; a deliberate, delicate, passionate weaving of music and lyrics. The song that, in both heart and structure, is a story travelling a road uniquely laid in a collage of trills and clefs, notes and tones, accents and verses, rhythm and tempo–to touch us and take us up to a level mere words cannot attain on their own.

The Islander – Nightwish

I humbly gaze in awe at the masters of both music and tale. Songs that tell a story with heartfelt emotion, conviction and excellence of expression are difficult to create. As a writer of novels, I find it hard enough to tell a story successfully even with thousands of words at my disposal. I can only imagine the skill required to successfully do the same, using only a few verses, a chorus, a bridge or two, and possibly a tag. Incredible! Each and every word must count. And not only count, but hold enough power to carry imagery to a plane of thought thousands can reach and interpret without difficulty.

And then there’s the musical notation. The choice of rhythm, key, pace, pitch, as well as instruments, layer placements, length, style, and tone. What incredible skill and dedication it is, to extend oneself into multiple talents to birth something that exists within the span of 3-4 minutes (on average), yet seeds itself in the hearts and minds of many, to be remembered and enjoyed for days, sometimes years, and even centuries. That is a gift worthy of great applaud and respect. That is a gift worth celebrating, always.

Paradise – Coldplay

The next time you listen to a piece from a Storyteller of Song, listen closely. A story’s summery can be understood well enough the first time it is heard. But the more you listen, the more you will find.

I encourage you to listen to those stories of music and prose with a greater, more open-minded attention. Uncover the richness found in their depths. And appreciate the brilliance of such a creation.

Music and words. Mankind’s greatest expressions.

What are some of your favourite songs? Do they tell a full story? Or do they strum a chord in your soul attached to a story of your own? A memory, perhaps? Or a dream?

Posted in General | Tagged coldplay, culture, emotion, expression, lyrics, music, nightwish, songs, songwriters, stories, storytellers | Leave a comment

Whims from Valadae

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A Fa’Luffy Review: Zarkora, Book One: The Fyrelit Tragedy

Cover Reveal for THE BEACON THRONES

KIN SEEKER GIVEAWAY!

A Dose of Book Memes and Writing Tips

A Fa’Luffy Review: How to Train Your Dragon 2

The Storytellers of Song

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