Blogging about writing – Page 17

August 13, 2020August 11, 2020

The End of the World and the Land of My Childhood.

How Ukraine had a role in one of my favourite novellas set in a nuclear apocalypse about two people driven together by destiny.

By John Irvin

I can’t believe we’re already halfway done with August. Dude, those Romans sure knew how to make the calendar seem like time was racing faster and faster!

Here is this month’s YouTube episode!

Anyone who has known me for a little while, will begin to notice, sometimes I start spouting what sounds like mumbo-jumbo at random times. Usually, I try to explain what I’ve said and in what language I’ve said.

Usually, I get weird looks.

What can I say, I’ve lived in a different world than most Americans.

This language that is dear to my heart is native to another land that is dear to my heart: Ukraine.

I was gifted with a childhood in Eastern Europe and the majority of those years was spent in the nation of Ukraine—the breadbasket of the region. Though it’s been over a decade since last I saw her, I spent enough of my life to always cherish that beautiful country.

The first year my family and I lived in Ukraine we spent it at the Capital of Kyiv. We then moved to the western major city of L’viv (City of the Lion). There are many statues of lions all over that history-rich place!

One of my favourite spots to visit in L’viv was an ancient castle ruin at the crest of a mountain in the middle of the city. We found many castles on our road trips in Ukraine.

There’s another place, the Carpathian Mountains, we could see just a tiny bump of their chain from our bedroom window where we lived. We lived in a two-story stucco house with a metal roof. It was seated on about an acre of land in the middle of a village outside the city of L’viv.

I am proud to say, I grew up a country boy and I have stories—though I’m only thirty years old at the time of this blog writing—that I can relate to stories from American grandparents. There have been many times, a group of elderly people will be chatting about “back in the day” and I’ll jump in. They’ll look at me and comment how I’m too young to have such experiences.

I get to say, “I cheated, I grew up in a third world country.”

Thankfully, I can say, Ukraine is no longer third world and has seen much prosperity. That was until Russia invaded her a few years back. But, this isn’t a political post.

Because I miss the land of my childhood, sometimes it will pop up at random intervals in my book journey.

Like in the short novella, Pochatok, which is set in San Fransisco and stars a young man who is the son of a military leader and is thrust together in a life-altering-world-ending experience with a high school flame who happens to be a Ukrainian transplant.

Her name is Lynda Brodunvich and she’s got red hair. Her parents brought her over to these United States and she remembers the hero from high school.

The attacks take our young couple deep into the bowels of an old war bunker where they wait out the nuclear holocaust. In the intensity of the situation, the old flame is reignited. Will it be up to them to repopulate the world? Are they the only humans left on the planet?

Check out this crazy little book here:

**$1.99 on Kindle ($0.00 on Kindle Unlimited!)**

Speaking of links, remember that Author Book Tour Fundraiser my team and I were talking about recently on social media? You can click through the photo or link below to go join our supporters and help us realize this dream for Spring 2021!

**Click through to join our Supporters!**

Until next week, y’all have a great life.

If you enjoyed this post, you should sign up for my newsletter! I don’t spam and you can unsuscribe at any time. I only send out emails on Fridays. Sign up here: SIGN UP!

I’m also a Patreon artist–the cool thing about Patreon is it allows people to support artists by monthly pledges which allow the artists to have more time to work on their own passions. Here is my account: PATREON.COM. If you’d like to support me, I would be eternally grateful!

I’ve now been hosting a YouTube channel called John Irvin, Author Journey Series. Check it out at YOUTUBE.COM/AUTHORJOURNEY

Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Or email me at john@johnirvinauthor.com

August 6, 2020August 3, 2020

A Little Bit of History of Scotland and the Paranormal Twist of my Novels.

Scotland is rich with heritage, with thousands of years, the folk lore runs rampant in these lochs and highlands.

By John Irvin

While growing up, I would often find myself sitting in my dad’s study/office and listening to stories about our ancestors that he’d uncovered that week or previously. I enjoyed these chats and miss them quite often.

I feel like these memories and the love of reading many of the books in his library about the history of Scotland as well as the rest of Europe played a role in my zest for history and the story of our ancestors.

My clan originated back in the early 900s A.D., according to ancient account. We played roles of advisors to the first kings and even became Kings of the original Scottish Kingdom. Of course, they were murdered and the crown stolen, hence my near pauper state of being an artist.

The War of Independence…

The Braveheart memorial near the Wallace Monument across the river from Stirling, Scotland.

I rarely come across an individual who has not, at least, heard of the classic film directed by Mel Gibson, Braveheart. This movie not only inspired my dad and me, it inspired a nation. From what I’ve read, it made the greatest impact on Scotland since the stealing of the Stone of Destiny from London.

Set during the national upheaval, while King Edward the Longshanks was ruling the rest of Britain and taking control of his northern neighbour, the film is about a man who refuses to mess with political matters—until it becomes personal. Going on to lead one of the greatest “rebellions” history has ever known, Sir William Wallace nearly saw his nation win her independence and freedom.

Betrayed by a friend, he was captured by the English and sentenced to a brutal execution. But, he inspired Robert the Bruce to lead the army and years later, the Declaration of Arbroath was written, signed, and sent to the Pope in 1320. This document has been used as a nationalist inspiration for Scotland’s independence.

It is during this time that my second novel in the Longevity series is set. Independence is about Sir Ihon (pronounced Ian) Iraes has returned from his visit to the Haven to find the land of his birth in the midst of war. He meets the famed Sir William Wallace and is caught up with the cause.

Wallace’s Sword…

One historical aspect the film kept accurate was the Sword of William Wallace. According to historical evidence this patriot was a big man. Wielding about a sword of five and a half feet steel took great strength and leverage. Known as the claymore, the greatsword was a chief weapon among the Scots.

The Scottish Claymore, a formidable weapon.

It has become a favourite type of sword for me as well. Possibly the Scottish blood in me, but I also am endeared to its design. The two-handed hilt with the broad bare and the thick double-edged blade with its length, the Scottish Claymore is an exceptional tool.

It is Wallace’s Claymore that inspired the sword used in the first two books of the Longevity series. Passed down from his father to him, Ihon enjoys the cold and hefty steel. The insignia on the claymore’s hilt is not the family crest as he used to think. The wolf symbolizes his other life, the date is the founding of the Supreme Council, and the rest is the rank his father bore in the Second Great War with the Spawn.

I’m hoping to be able to craft this sword one day into reality. The Sword of Ihon Iraes, Knight of Scotland, Superior Officer of the Wolf-Born Army…one day.

The Wolf-Born Capital…

Its origins deep in ancient legends, the city of the Wolf-Born, Sanguiatro, was built shortly before the first Supreme Council was convened. Its name literally means “dark blood.” Wolf-Born carry blood so dark it’s black—a disturbing sight to any human who witnesses its spill.

The Capital has been through two moves. Originally, it was hidden within the Turkish Highlands before Christ. It then settled near Ancient Rome’s founding and, eventually, moved with the Second Great Migration to the Highlands of Scotland.

If you’d like to learn more, click through the link and order a copy of Longevity, Book 2: Independence. The link will take you directly to the Longevity page where I’ve got the previous books gathered as well.

Also, Independence is one of the books I’m taking with me on my Toward the Pacific Book Tour come Spring of 2021. Your donations, however big or small, will help tremendously toward that goal. Thank you so much! Click through to join our supporters as my team and I prepare.

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Until next week, y’all have a great life.

If you enjoyed this post, you should sign up for my newsletter! I don’t spam and you can unsuscribe at any time. I only send out emails on Fridays. Sign up here: SIGN UP!

I’ve now been hosting a YouTube channel called John Irvin, Author Journey Series. Check it out at YOUTUBE.COM/AUTHORJOURNEY

Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Or email me at john@johnirvinauthor.com

July 23, 2020July 21, 2020

Travelling Across the World and Up and Down through It.

I’ve stepped back into the dark recesses of the Underworld again, a lot sooner than I expected.

By John Irvin

I’ve returned to the world of my Magic’s Time Split series—click through this link to check out the previously published ebooks in the series, found on Amazon Kindle and Barnes&Noble’s Nook!

It feels like as soon as I began the new draft, my friends, the Immortals, were thrust into a new foreboding adventure. Back in Book 3, As Flesh Rots, two of them, Gael and Jenna, were attacked by zombies and there was a scene in which Jenna was dragged by the undead down into what could have been a piece of the Underworld.

It was a cavern close to the actual Underworld, but they never actually had to see the horrors awaiting them there.

All this time, trekking our ways through the next several books, I knew there would come a time, eventually, when they would have to actually enter the realm of the dead. It was just a given from the sensation of the story.

And now, in Book 7, The World Burns, Gael, Jenna, Jessica, and Levi have been pulled through an Ifrit’s portal into a hot, fire-lit, demon-infested network of tunnels and caverns. They’re pretty sure this is the Underworld.

Some entrances to the Underworld are simple caves.

I’m excited to share what happens next…you’ll just have to wait a couple more months. These final four books in the Magic’s Time Split series will be published soon—all before the end of this year.

Speaking of the Underworld, returning to this disturbing place, makes me think of Rick Riordan’s adventure fantasy series, Percy Jackson, and its spin-off series. All of these awesome books are based on Greek and Roman myths and there are, in fact, several times our heroes venture into the Underworld.

I’m now reading more on the different types of Underworlds in the world’s mythologies. Quite a fascinating subject to explore: the opinions of the ancients on where human souls went after death.

Now, I think, every mythology believes the Underworld to be the realm of the dead. There are plenty of stories about heroes questing into the realm, though.

Of course, everyone knows the Greek version. It’s named after the god ruling it: Hades. Although, contrary to popular belief, the god of the Underworld wasn’t as mischevious as most present him to be…well, there was that one time with Persophone.

The Mayans of Mesoamerica had their own theory on the afterlife. Xibalba, which means “place of fright” was for everyone—whether you were good in your past life or evil. Nice, huh? Apparently, only those who died violent deaths were allowed into heaven.

In Xibalba, the dead were there for eternity. Only kings or nobles could be summoned by relatives in a “Serpent Vision” ceremony. There were eight levels, according to the Aztecs. Each level had its own special danger.

In Egypt, the Underworld was called Duat and represented by a star inside a circle. It was believed the god, Osiris, governed this place. He personified life after death: rebirth. Duat was also the region the sun god, Ra, travelled from west to east during the night.

It was here when Ra would battle with Apophis, the primordial chaos who constantly tried to retake the creation.

Duat was where souls went after death for judgment. But they weren’t in judgment for the rest of their afterlife. There were apparently twelve different regions—based on the twelve hours of night. When Ra was in the Underworld, the dead got to enjoy a bright life. They would then fall back to sleep when he left, awaiting for his return the next night.

Up in Celtic mythology, the place of the dead was a realm of delights. Similar to the Greek fields of Elysium, Mag Mell—or Annwn—was an otherworld kingdom often depicted as an island kingdom or kingdom beneath the sea.

Then, of course, there’s the Norse mythology—one of my favourites. Their underworld is called Hel after the goddess of that realm. There are Nine Worlds, according to the Nordic tales. Hel is the ninth of these worlds and the place where evil men go after death.

Valhalla was the Hall of those slain in Battle

There is another realm for the dead: Valhalla. The “hall of the slain” is an enormours and wondrous hall located in Asgard. This is where those who die in combat are taken by female beings called Valkyries. Actually, only half go here—Valhalla is ruled by Odin, the King of the gods. The other half slain in battle are taken to Freyja’s field Fólkvangr. Freyja is the goddess of love, beauty, fertility, war, gold, and others. She also has a hall in Fólkvangr, it’s called Sessrúmnir.

These dead warriors are to feast and prepare for Ragnorak, the end of the world.

I think that’ll be enough discussion on the types of Underworlds in myth…now the question is, which Underworld will my Immortals discover awaiting them? Or will it be a mixture of the various ones? I guess you’ll just have to read to find out.

Speaking of reading and books, there’s a chance I may be having a single author event here in the town of Pensacola. A local bookstores has been corresponding with me about adding my books to their shelves. It would be nice to get some experience in before the big deal next spring for the book tour.

If you could spare some dollars to put toward this and my book tour, that would be amazing!

gf.me/u/xp24cf

Until next week, y’all have a great life.

If you enjoyed this post, you should sign up for my newsletter! I don’t spam and you can unsuscribe at any time. I only send out emails on Fridays. Sign up here: SIGN UP!

I’ve now been hosting a YouTube channel called John Irvin, Author Journey Series. Check it out at YOUTUBE.COM/AUTHORJOURNEY

Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Or email me at john@johnirvinauthor.com

July 9, 2020July 7, 2020

When you’re a Writer, you learn the First Draft is merely an Exploration of the World inside your Book.

Over time, you figure out the first draft is not the final draft, the only thing required for a first draft is to get it down!

By John Irvin

Writing First Drafts.

I’m writing the first draft for Revolution, Book 4 in the Longevity series. I’m enjoying getting to know the new characters as well as figure out the ways in which my protagonist, Ihon (pronounced Ian), is changing.

Halfway done with the chapters, but I know there’s quite a bit more work to do. Thing is, I used to fret about getting everything right. I used to struggle with editing myself while working the first draft.

This is not the right thing to do.

First drafts are ONLY supposed to be you getting the words down. Editing comes later. Right now, it’s all about exploring and figuring out the theme and underlying messages. What am I trying to get across to my readers? What are the motives behind Ihon’s actions? What is his biggest desire and how can I keep it from him?

I’m also seeing some different themes in this book compared to the previous three.

The time period is an interesting one. It’s set shortly before the French and Indian War—which actually came as a surprise, so I’m interested to see why this came about. The book will take Ihon up into the American Revolution.

But, I guess the main question I’m trying to answer is: after so many decades of avoiding human wars and civilisation’s struggles, why is Ihon suddenly concerning himself over these new upstart colonies and their causes? Or is he just going along with the flow for now?

Things do seem to be going well for him in the first half of the book, but he knows from past experiences, all good things do come to an end. So there’s that underlying dark sense to his character. He’s not trusting.

I’m wondering if I’m conveying this well enough. But, for now, I keep telling myself this is just the first draft. I’m excited to keep exploring and figuring out the answers to so many questions now rising in the back of my mind.

And now, before I give away anymore spoilers, I want to talk about the differences between Wolf-Born and Werewolves.

Wolf-Born vs Werewolf.

Werewolves are an ancient lore, crossing the centuries all the way back to the medieval ages. It is believed the Church was a sort of haven to the victims. Any church grounds could not be crossed by a werewolf. Holy water could burn the monster as well as silver. The crucifix also awarded a protection—like it did toward vampires.

Werewolves were about nine out of ten evil creatures. Except for the Celtic Werewolf in a few myths in which the creature was benevolent to humans.

A werewolf is a shape-shifter who can turn from human to an actual wolf and back again.

Now, a Wolf-Born, though also a shape-shifter, does not turn into an actual wolf. The Beast form, though looking like a giant wolf, is humanoid in stature, bipedal.

In my series, silver and holy water do not bother Wolf-Born.

Also, Wolf-Born are more good than evil. In fact, in my series, they are predominantly good and it is only those who go Rogue—or break the Ancient Creed—who are evil. Though, they can be redeemed in a certain way.

This version of the wolf-like shape-shifter is quite young in origin.

There are a few books from other authors—like Anne Rice’s The Wolf-Gift—and even the old video game, Skyrim, that come close to my version. Yes, I’m a fan of Skyrim. Although, those man-wolves, though similar to what I perceive as a Wolf-Born, are still called werewolves in the game and they are allowed to eat people.

According to the Ancient Creed—which is the Supreme Law of the Wolf-Born Race—we are not allowed to eat people.

Look at me, saying “we” instead of “they.” My bad. Ignore that. Haha

Well, another blog down and plenty more to come. Make sure, if you have not done so, to sign up for my newsletter so you can receive a free ebook!

Also, even though our book tour is postponed for spring next year, my team and I are still keeping the fundraiser on GoFundMe open until then. This will give more time and reason for our supporters to donate.

gf.me/u/xp24cf

Until next week, y’all have a great life.

If you enjoyed this post, you should sign up for my newsletter! I don’t spam and you can unsuscribe at any time. I only send out emails on Fridays. Sign up here: SIGN UP!

I’ve now been hosting a YouTube channel called John Irvin, Author Journey Series. Check it out at YOUTUBE.COM/AUTHORJOURNEY

Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Or email me at john@johnirvinauthor.com