The popular geek blog io9 published an interesting article a few months ago observing that modern Fantasy books often contain more actual science than Science…
The Internet Home of Creator Justin Hebert
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A New Thing I’ve been away from the old blog for too long, and part of that is because last month, I launched my first…
My Fifth First Book
A Test of Honor is not the first book I’ve ever tried to write. In fact, it’s at least the fifth. Usually when I write a book, I get to about the third chapter and then it all falls apart. Suddenly I hate the characters, the story seems stupid, the dialogue nonsensical, and the point strangely missing. I freak out, tell myself I’ll come back to it later, and then leave it forever in my Documents folder to gather digital dust for all eternity.
So why is this book different? What did I do differently?
It is rare that a season finale makes me truly emotional, but Arrow’s second season packed a brass-knuckled punch that I wasn’t expecting. This entire season has exceeded my every expectation for this show and its potential, and I can’t wait to see where it goes next. Spoilers ahead, ye be warned.
I have consumed a lot of Fantasy and Scifi over the years, but these five have influenced me to a measureable degree. Here’s what I…
A lot of announcements in this post, so here goes:
First, if you haven’t yet signed up for the email newsletter, do it now. Anyone who signs up for the newsletter before A Test of Honor is released will get the book free. Plus, there’s some amazing stuff on the horizon for subscribers, including more free books (and not just mine!) as well as exclusive serials and, of course, being the first ones to know about current developments. For example, I handed the book manuscript in its entirety to a freelance editor who specializes in Science Fiction/Fantasy last Thursday. Didn’t know that? If you were part of the mailing list, you would!
Milestones were originally used by the Roman Empire to mark distance along their many roads. This helped people know how quickly they were traveling, and also how far they had to go. I think this is why I prefer thinking of accomplishments as milestones rather than goals. Goals imply that you’ve arrived, that you’re finished; milestones tell you that you’ve simply reached an important place on your journey.
Just recently, I completed a milestone that I began working toward at the beginning of the year. I finished writing the rough draft of A Test of Honor – eighteen chapters, 94,263 words, three months’ worth of focused creativity. And it feels amazing.
“Who was the first who forged the deadly blade?
Of rugged steel his savage soul was made!” – Tibullus
Swords Gone By
A shopping mall in a city where I attended College had two primary attractions: a Borders Bookstore and a movie theatre. For me and my group of friends, there was one other store that kept us coming back: a Golf and Gift Shop. It was full of kitschy little do-dads, trinkets, and ridiculous impractical golf gear (as well as legit clubs and bags), but we didn’t care much about Golf. We came for the swords.
I often wonder how a golf shop got into the sword business. They were mostly fantasy blades, and in retrospect I would bet a lot were half-tang and unlikely to stand up to actual combat. But we didn’t care about that. They looked cool, and they ignited our imaginations. We probably drove the shop-keepers nuts because we were always looking but never buying. Being a broke commuting college student, my money was tied up in truck payments, gasoline, and books.
However, there was a time when a sword was considered a much wiser and sounder investment than any book or vehicle. But for the Medieval warrior with the luxury of choosing, the question remained – what kind of sword should they wield?
I’ve been fascinated with Medieval European history for as long as I can remember. I have no idea where it started, and it doesn’t look…
Family And Identity
George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire incorporates family very effectively. For Nobles, family is more than just relatives; it's a para-military organization with its own ideals, symbolism, and code. The Starks are the clear fan favorites, and no wonder. From the practicality of their Family Words, Winter is Coming to their belief in justice, loyalty, and honesty, the Starks are a fan favorite because they represent an ideal of “good.” In Martin's world, however, this makes them ripe targets, and it's no mystery that they drop like flies in the brutal and pragmatically human world his books have created. (Fair warning to anyone who picks up this series – don't fall in love with any of the characters!)
Contrasting the Starks are the Lannisters, whose motto Hear Me Roar are an effective warning of their expansionist power-grabbing nature. Their lion crest further underscores their ferocity, both on the battlefield and in subterfuge. Yet the Lannisters have more than their share of faults. They're often petty, short-sighted, and cruel even by Westeros' considerably loose standards. It's not hard to see how these two Noble Houses might come into conflict, and Martin masterfully uses family to help define and support his characters.
