Month: February 2017

TJT

I Dub Thee

reynwood

Greetings, ladies and gents! How has everyone’s February been? I can hardly believe we’re on the last legs already, myself ─ how time flies!

In today’s post I’m going to talk about the title of The Journey Taken, which is a mild story of a prolonged struggle and ultimate defeat. Defeat, you say? Yes. And this is the way of it:

When I first began working on this project I didn’t know right off the bat what I wanted to call it. Titles are fickle things that way, I’ve discovered, and I wanted it to be a good one. However, while developing the plot, characters, and story in general, I needed to call it something, so for the time being I referred to it as ‘The Journey Taken story’, because that was a big, overarching theme in the narrative ─ that of the company journeying from this place to that place and then the next, and I’d know what my notes were referring to (because my notes are always a jumbled up, messy, disastrous nightmare). I thought I’d come up with a different series title later on. Well, it didn’t happen, though I tried, and after a year passed I had volume one ready to publish and I still didn’t have anything. It was like by brain went dead the moment it turned to the subject, either unwilling or unable to craft something else. I couldn’t come up with a different series title, so, feeling defeated, I kept ‘The Journey Taken’. I’ll admit it doesn’t sound very catching, but it does capture the essence of what the story is about, I think. Not just the physical journey of walking from point A to point B, but also the metaphysical journey the characters take ─ the maturing they undergo during the hardships and trouble they face, the emotional struggles, and the personal development they experience as the story progresses and the stakes increase. It’s a journey not only taken to save the current world from a destruction of fire and chaos, but a journey to bring each individual to their fullest potential, to test them and make them stronger than they were before ─ to realize who they are, what they’re capable of, and what their purpose is.

So, in that sense, I think ‘The Journey Taken’ is a rather apt title for this adventure.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to enter for a chance to win a copy of volume two, The Northward Expedition! The giveaway ends in seven days, at the end of the month; each copy is autographed and comes with a super cool series bookmark.

Also, beginning on Thursday, the 23rd, the ebook copy of The Northward Expedition will be FREE on Amazon until the following Monday, so check it out!

On Writing, Random Stuff, TJT

The Pen, Archenemy of Forgetfulness

reynwood

Hello, and happy Saturday! There’s been a lot happening this past week, so here’s just my two cents on a subject that hits pretty close to home with myself as a writer.

I once read a quote somewhere that said ‘The greatest lie people tell themselves is that they don’t need to write it down because they’ll remember it.’ I don’t know about anyone else, but I don’t think truer words have ever been spoken.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve come up with an idea for a story or a quote that (I thought) was awesome or a name I really liked and might use for a character and proceeded to not write it down right then because I thought I could remember it until later. WRONG. So, so very wrong, because then I (without fail, usually) end up getting distracted and forgetting it. It’s not until later that I remember I had an idea, and by then I can never remember what that idea was, and then I hate myself.

As writers it’s very important to write things down (kind of in the job description, actually) because inspiration has a tendency to strike and random and our next greatest story might come (and usually does) while we’re in the middle of scrubbing the bathroom floor. Or some other activity. It’s a good habit to jot those things down while you have them, instead of trying to remember it until later. Your memory will betray you and hide it away or toss it out the window. This is very important, so much so that I now have a notepad with ‘write it or lose it’ printed on every sheet, which I then tack to my doorframe (for lack of a better place, but at this point I might have to branch out because I have so many).

Even if you’re not a writer, it’s not a bad idea to write things down when you think of them, then even if (and when) you forget that phone message you were supposed to pass on three days after you took it, you have it on paper to help you remember and not make a total shmuck of yourself. It’s why God gave us pens and paper, I’m pretty sure.

Don’t forget to enter the Goodreads giveaway for a chance to win a copy of The Northward Expedition, volume 2 of The Journey Taken! Each copy comes signed and includes a series bookmark (how fun is that?)!

Announcements, Covers, TJT

Initiate Stage 2

reynwood

Here we are, people! We kicked January off with a giveaway of volume 1, and this second month of February will be welcomed with a second giveaway, this time for volume 2, The Northward Expedition. Didn’t make it the last time? Enter this giveaway for another chance! There are seven copies available, all signed, and including a series bookmark (but really, you won’t need to hold your place, because you’ll probably just read it all the way through in the first sitting).

This rerelease features a brand new coat for vol. 2 as well as updated and dressed up interior, to give you the best, most coolest experience possible. You’ll wonder at just how awesome it all is.

The giveaway, hosted on Goodreads, begins this very day and lasts until the 28th, so enter for a chance to win – and let people know! Spread the word of this sweet opportunity to share a story!

 

If you simply can’t wait for the end of the month to see if you’ve won, or if you want more than one copy (keep and share!) Here are some links to places you can make some of the best purchases ever:

Straight from the publisher

Amazon

Ebook

Check out the page dedicated to TNE for more links and info, it’s neat.