Category: Epic Fantasy

The Epic-ness of Epic Fantasy

11/2/2015

Let's talk epic.

Epic fantasy comes in many shapes and forms. Take for instance Tolkien's Lord of the Rings and Sara Douglass's Axis Trilogy and Wayfarer Redemption series. Tolkien is a household name, while only those really into fantasy seem to have really read Douglass. But they share the title of being epic. In both, there's adventure, traveling, magic (of course), major conflict from a major evil, a hero/heroine born, and unlikely connections made.

But let's break it down into what I believe makes a story truly epic:

Adventure -- In most epics I've ever read, the main characters and a group of supporters in the fight for good travel against fear of capture or death to fight the good fight, retrieve some magical heirloom, or free a loved one from danger. There's some walking, running, riding, character conflict, and definitely fights to the death.
Fight Scenes -- I'm not an expert in combat, but when I was writing my own epic I knew the fight scenes were important and had to be written with precision and grace. Beloved characters often die during these scenes and an author must treat this with as much compassion and love as they can. And they usually do, because the author is the one crying while killing the character.
Length -- What can I say, epic is long. The reason these stories are so long is because they are such big tales. There's so much mythology, world-building, and cast of characters to account for that 200 pages would never be enough to contain the absolute epic-ness of it.
Characters -- There's usually a few faces to remember, but it's really the names that count. A name key is usually nice while reading.
Romance -- In my opinion, great love is usually a part of an epic tale. It might not be the main focus, but it's often there pulling strings, inspiring ballads and bravery, and destroying relationships (oh, Camelot, my Camelot).
Overcoming and self discovery -- Growth is a staple of any good character who has the chops to be the hero. Maybe the heroine (or hero) start off as weak, resistant, scared and discovers her inner strength. Maybe the character doesn't know how to open up and finally lets someone in as the story wears on. There's many ways for self discovery to take place, but truly epic stories make you heave sighs of relief and remorse at the decisions made by the main character. I can't say how many times my heart has swelled, my chest has tightened, and I've struggled to choke back tears when a hero (or heroine) comes into his own. It's one of my favorite parts in any book or movie—when that heroine (or hero) is no longer taking shit anymore. That's right, Tarod, you reclaim that chaos, it only makes you hotter.
Good world building can create more magic for the reader than any wizard or dragon. It is within the world that magic seeps, that a culture, a universe, a book, a timeless, epic tale is born.

I could go on with more thoughts about what makes a story epic, but I'd love to hear from others about your thoughts. Also, if you do like epic fantasy, be sure to check out Epic Wednesday on Facebook during the first ever Virtual Fantasy-Con.

https://www.facebook.com/events/893446364072813/

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The Prequel to Fractured Dream, The Reaper's Daughter Release Date & Updates...

3/3/2015

It's a sad state that I seem to have become a once-a-month blogger. But I have been busy, I promise, and right now I just wanted to post a few updates. Although I was hoping to release The Reaper's Daughter earlier in 2015, I think the later release date is well-worth it. The official launch for The Reaper's Daughter is May 9. I will most likely be hosting a big giveaway right here on that day. More to come on that soon!

Next, for Fractured Dream readers, I'm currently rolling out the prequel to the saga on Wattpad, called Fairytale Lost. Currently, the update is every Wednesday. I'll also occasionally be updating with new short stories coming form the land of Tressla. Take a look if you're interested: http://www.wattpad.com/106534307-fairytale-lost-chapter-one

Meanwhile, I'm in the midst of working on Shattered World, the second in the Dreamer Saga trilogy. While I'd love to release it later this year, I'm thinking realistically it will probably be early next year again. But I'll update here as I get closer to finishing it.

Finally, we're also looking for advance readers, so if you're interested in getting an ARC of The Reaper's Daughter in exchange for an honest review, please feel free to email me: KMRANDAL@GMAIL.COM.

I'll leave you with a small excerpt from The Reaper's Daughter. Here's one for all you romance lovers:

Rishi rolled the car into a parking spot and put it in park. I was turning to wake Shelby when a warm hand slid down my arm and over my hand tugging on it in a way that insisted I look back at him.

            He was suddenly so close I felt trapped in my seat, his gaze intent, but not on my eyes—on my lips. He smiled slowly, finally raising his eyes to meet mine, a slow, golden burn igniting my blood with heat. “Yes?” I managed to say, arching my brow in that way I’d practiced.

            “Do that thing again,” he said, his voice low and smooth, invading my senses as I never thought a voice could. My heart lurched in a way that hadn’t happened even when we were in a high-speed chase. I swallowed thickly, trying to find my voice around his desire that smelled like musk and car leather.

            “What thing?” I finally managed to murmur, sipping in a deep breath of air as my breathless voice gave away my weakness for him.

            His smile widened, as if he knew he had me, his high cheekbones and loose, shiny black hair lending him a certain primal male beauty that made me retreat until I could feel the door handle pressing into my back. “That thing with your tongue. When you chastised me,” he said, mimicking my tsking of him from only moments earlier. “I found it interesting.”

            I couldn’t help it, my eyes fell to his own lips while I tried to wrangle my cutting wit and Artemis-like spirit. I shook my head, so lightly I was surprised he saw it.

“Let’s go get rooms, we could all use the sleep,” I finally managed to say, nearly choking on the words that sounded liked a sordid invitation. “I mean separate rooms,” I amended, inwardly bringing back the defense he’d torn down, but only by avoiding his gaze.

            He brought me back to him by clasping one hand under my chin and bringing my eyes up to meet his. “First, do that thing,” he insisted, his dark eyes glowing with amusement.

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Fractured Dream is on sale for 99 cents -- limited time only!

11/2/2014

Fractured Dream (The Dreamer Saga) is currently on sale for only 99 cents! But the deal ends on Nov. 5! Here's the synopsis if you're unfamiliar with the title:

Have you ever wondered where fairytales go once they're created?

It's been eight years since Story Sparks last had a dream. Now they're back,
tormenting her as nightmares she can't remember upon waking. The black
waters of Lake Sandeen, where her Uncle Peter disappeared decades
before, may hold the secret to Story's hidden memories, or a truth she'd
rather not know. On a bright summer afternoon, Story and her two best
friends, Elliott and Adam, take a hike to the lake, where they dive into
the cool water and never reemerge. What they find is beyond anything
they've ever imagined could be possible, a world where dangers lurk in
the form of Big Bad Wolves, living Nightmares and meddlesome witches and
gods.

Now Story must remember who she really is and somehow stop
two worlds from ultimate annihilation, all while trying not to be too
distracted by the inexplicable pull she feels toward a certain dark-eyed
traveler who seems to have secrets of his own. The fates of the worlds
are counting on her.

Here's what people have been saying recently:

"She has an incredibly vivid writing style that allows you to 'see' what you are reading. The worlds she paints with her words are very imaginative."

"Oh man, this book was a winner for me. I couldn't put it down in between jobs. I even told some of my patients about it. I don't know why but even from the beginning I was hooked."

"I loved the characters, the world building, and especially the back stories. I was really bummed when it ended and I can't wait for the next one."

Get it on Amazon here.

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The Epic-ness of Epic Fantasy

The Prequel to Fractured Dream, The Reaper's Daughter Release Date & Updates...

Fractured Dream is on sale for 99 cents -- limited time only!

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