Grant E Brazell

Charrington bear is finished :)

2012-01-24T23:12:00.000-08:00

Finished. I'm very happy with it :)

Teddy bear

2012-01-22T21:55:00.000-08:00

The Teddy Bear cover I'm doing is coming along great :)

Another true saying

2012-01-21T15:46:00.001-08:00

Wisdom!

We don't receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey that no one can take for us or spare us.

- Marcel Proust

A teddy bears ear I did in Photoshop.

2012-01-20T15:40:00.000-08:00

A teddy bears ear I did in Photoshop.

A saying I like

2012-01-20T12:41:00.000-08:00

The greatest obstacle to discovering the shape of the earth, the continents, and the oceans was not ignorance, but rather the illusion of knowledge.

- Daniel Borsten

Update

2012-01-20T00:23:00.001-08:00

Chapter 6 of the Issroth series is now complete. The characters are starting to build nicely. :)

Tesania sales

2012-01-19T19:44:00.001-08:00

Tesania is selling well. 200 sales already and rising.

My adventure with Photoshop.

2012-01-19T19:43:00.000-08:00

Recently I bought Photoshop CS5. Wow, what fun I'm having. It's a steep learning curve but here is a picture I have painted of a girl. I think it looks pretty good. :)

Tesania sales

2011-05-10T16:18:00.001-07:00

41 sales in the first month. Very happy with that. :)

Availability

2011-04-13T23:02:00.001-07:00

Tesania is available at smashwords and Amazon at this stage. Other retailers will be coming on board shortly

A great review

2011-04-13T22:58:00.001-07:00

Tesania - Trannyth's Keep by Grant E Brazell

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I'm a huge fan of fantasy books and this one didn't let me down. It was a wonderful ride from the beginning. The characters are all so well written that you're left feeling such a loss when one is lost. I wanted you to know that this book is definitley worth the buy and I'll be recommending it to all my friends.!!!!!!!

Tesania - Trannyth's KeepTesania - Trannyth's Keep

An Interview by Devlin Scott

2011-04-13T22:55:00.000-07:00

Devlin Scott, a recent reader and new fan of Tesania, asked me if he could interview me about my writing and my book.

Following is that interview.

I’d like to welcome Grant E. Brazell, a writer of fantasy who spends most of his life wide awake in dreamland. Great tag line BTW. Mr. Brazell has just released his first novel: “Tesania”. www.grantebrazell.com

I had the honor of reading an advance copy of his novel and I liked it. It was well thought out and actually riveting. I couldn’t put it down. I don’t find that often with the latest literature. It’s great to meet you Grant and thanks for giving us this rare opportunity to discuss your work.

I’m going to conduct this interview via e-mail. I’ll send you each question one at a time and after each response we will move onto the next. This will give you a chance to collect your thoughts and not be distracted by what may be coming up. Regardless of what you may have heard I’m not entirely evil.

Let’s begin at the beginning.

Question One: Let’s begin with the novel. Tell us a bit about the story without giving anything away of course?

How long do you have? The novel is the story of our young heroine, Tesania. At the tender age of sixteen she knows little outside her sheltered village life. A life of love, fun and harmony; where chasing butterflies through the forest with her little friend Liale or helping her father in his smithy fills her days. When her family and friends are suddenly torn away from her by an attack on her village by magically altered beasts, she sets forth on a mission of revenge.

Naive to the world, she quickly becomes the target of thieves and beggars. A meeting with a King's Ranger named Deavon not only offers her a friend and ally but also awakens feelings she has never felt before.

With her father's sword in hand and intent on revenge, she sets off on a voyage of self-discovery as she travels the breadth of the Kingdom of Eldanal. The King, when it is found that her sword contains magic, tasks her and a band of mismatched companions to cross the Britath Mountains and destroy the Evil mage and his beasts.

Question Two: How was the idea for the story and the characters born?

The desire to write a fantasy story has been with me since I first read J.R.R Tolkien's, The Hobbit, when I was at school. I often said to my wife that I wanted to write a book over the next 20 years. Life always got in the way of that until a few years ago when I sat down and wrote the opening sentence of Tesania.

At that stage I didn't have a story for her but as I wrote the first chapter it became apparent what Tesania had to do and where the story needed to go. I prefer to have the story and characters fluid to meet the situations required rather than have them locked into a rigid personality or story arc that demands they go in a direction that may not suit the scene. From there I did a point form story outline. It was 18 chapters at the time. The book ended up 53 chapters, so as I mentioned previously, the story and characters decided where they should go as I wrote.

I prefer to discover my characters as they reveal themselves, so I didn't have any pre-writing done on them.

Question Three: Did you have any favorites, characters I mean? Who found a special place in your heart?

Tesania, of course, would have to be my favorite character to write. She offers such a depth of emotion, from gentle and vulnerable through to determined and gritty. It was truly enjoyable discovering her personality and the Kingdom of Eldanal through her eyes.

Kailyn was a revelation. Originally she was to play a bit part as a maid at Lady Ayana's house, but her bubbling personality and determination to go on the mission with Tesania was something I, like Deavon, couldn't deny. I was truly glad she went along. She is a great friend to Tesania and a fun addition to the group.

Giddy could be a nightmare at times. Keeping her under control was a tough assignment. But underneath the wise cracks is a caring, intelligent warrior.

Kragh was also another favorite character. His stoic determination to fight The evil mage's tyranny, even in the face of death, should be a lesson to us all.

Question Four: I found myself getting very involved with certain characters; namely Tes, Kailyn and Giddy. You really brought them to life in the pages. Did you have any real life inspiration for the characters; any character models living or otherwise?

Well, let me see. I can't say that I did for Tesania. I knew she was a young, determined girl, but her personality developed as the story grew.

Whilst Deavon isn't based on anyone in particular I did want him to play the role of guide and mentor as well as fill a love interest. For that reason he had to be fairly young, but older and wiser as well. I guess if I had to say an image that I had of Deavon as the story developed I would have to say Viggo Mortensen; although the character certainly wasn't based on him or his mannerisms.

Giddy, I believe, is an extension of myself. I see a lot of myself in her. I didn't purposefully set out to base any of the characters on anyone in particular. Their personalities revealed themselves as the story moved on.

Question Five: Were there any chapters or scenes that you are most proud of or touched by?

I think, to truly get your story across, there has to be some degree of emotional involvement from the writer. Tesania burying her parents was a particularly emotional thing for me. (I added that scene after I had finished the book, so I was very attached to Tes and her feelings.) Also the scene where they enter Rilmir and the little girl approaches Tes with the worn out doll. That touched me and I admit to shedding some tears. Also the scene where Tes tells Kragh and Raug they will die when she smashes the orb. I really could feel Tes' emotions as I wrote.

I do like Kailyn's little ogre escapade. She is such a ninny.

Question Six: Tell us about what research you did for your tale? The nautical scenes seemed very lifelike.

Well, there was quite a bit actually. I studied sword fighting for many days and read lists of sword fighting terminologies, etc.., to get the fight scenes to sound plausible. I also studied Ladies' period dresses for days on end to get Tes' ball gown right. I studied things such as castles and stateroom, carriages, sword shapes and weights, etc... (Could Tes wield one? Hence she struggled to even raise the beast's sword off the ground in Aryd.)

I have built wooden model ships over the years so I did have some knowledge of sailing terminology but I still studied many texts to get the captain's commands, etc.., correct. The terminology on a period sailing ship is mind boggling to say the least.

Question Seven: Did you find any problem areas while writing this particular novel? Any obstacles to overcome that might help others?

Getting the opening chapter right was a problem. It went through many re-writes. But I think you need to persist until it feels right.

I did put the novel down at about half way for a period of time as I doubted my ability at one stage. But a friend's love of the book and her nagging for more put me back to it, from where I never looked back.

Question Eight: Did you have a certain favorite action word you used repeatedly while writing Tesania? ;) I paid attention while reading.

*laughs* It's funny when you read back a page of writing and find the same word 3-4 times in a few hundred words. It's something you have to be aware of. I think we all have fallback words that tend to just come naturally in a scene.' Cannoned' being one.

Question Nine: Are there plans for a sequel and would you like to tease us a bit with a plot preview? I noticed you left a rather clever cliffhanger at the end.

TESANIA - Tiadath Mage; Four years on from her battle against the beasts, Tesania must once again set forth in pursuit of an evil mage

Now let’s look inside the author and his process of creation.

Question Ten: All writers have that singular moment when they decide they will write for a living. No matter what will happen, no matter what the outcome, success or failure, they will write. Tell us about your moment of clarity; what brought you to it; and what you think or hope the outcome will be? I know it’s more than one question but I’m allowed to do that.

My desire to write a book started in my last year of school when I wrote a short story, (in class on the day it was due instead of at home in the weeks I had to write it) and it grabbed and impressed the teacher's attention enough for her to show it to the other teachers. I guess, really, that's when I knew I could write. But writing a novel is a daunting thing to do. Over the years I dreamed up many scenarios and storylines. When I sat down and wrote the opening line, 'Tesania drew short, sharp breaths as she lay beneath the roots of the giant trees outside her village,' the desire was well and truly implanted.

I didn't write Tesania with dreams of making millions of dollars. (I'll take it though.) I wrote it as a challenge to myself and because it was something I wanted to do. At this stage I would just like it to be read by people who enjoy a great story with interesting characters

I do enjoy writing and hope that others will enjoy my books as they become available in the future.

Question Eleven: What and who were your influences as a writer?

I have many influences. I am a lover of fantasy so I tend to lean that way with my reading habits. The first 'real' book I read was Tolkien's 'The Hobbit'. I love that book and have read it many times. Authors such as David Eddings, Margaret Weis, Tracey Hickman, all contributed to my style; although I don't try to emulate anybody when I write. What you see in Tesania is what comes naturally to me. I have read many authors as well whose styles I didn't like. They also had an influence on me as I then knew the way I didn't want to write.

Question Twelve: What did you learn (what touched your heart the most) during the journey of writing your first novel?

I think the burgeoning story taught me a lot of things. One thing I learned was to trust my voice. Originally I tried to write as others said to or as I thought you should. What I discovered is that this makes for a poor story. A forced voice isn't a good voice. From the time I laid that aside and let my imagination and voice run free, my writing improved tenfold.

Question Thirteen: Every writer has a process that gets them into ‘work mode’, ready to write. What is your process?

Opening MS Word. *Laughs* Seriously though. Writing is a personal thing and can be affected by your environment and mood. Some days you will get 15,000 quality words down, other days you will struggle to write 500 lousy words. I find that knowing what you want to write when you sit down is the best way. I mean, know that Tes has to fight the beasts in the hills when I write today and have it basically formulated in your mind. You don't need the whole scene, just a point form guide in your head. If you know that, the words will tend to flow and come easily.

Question Fourteen: What do you think your weaknesses and strengths are as a writer? You know what I mean, those areas you most wish to capitalize on and/or evolve now that you have embarked on your new career?

I'm still learning my craft.

I tend to use a lot of adjectives and adverbs as I write. Usually I edit them out later, but I am teaching myself to use them sparingly.

I think my strength is that I can tell a story. The best technical writing means naught if the story is boring or doesn't make sense.

Question Fifteen: I know I was told not to pull any of my little tricks on you but…nature of the beast. (A trick question) If book burning were a good thing (thank God it’s not), what author’s works would hit the top of your list? You can give us initials if you wish.

I would never burn a book. But authors that write flowery prose and fill three pages of a book with the description of a chair in the corner of the room irk me something fierce. I'm not saying that description isn't required in a book, it absolutely is. But I do think that over description kills a story as it slows the pace of the book and can lose the interest of the reader.

Question Sixteen: What advice would you like to pass onto other beginning authors? Use as many sentences as you wish.

Find a story that is true to you and you can really enjoy writing. If you don't like it you will never finish it and others will see that it isn't loved.

Write a character you can like. Who wants to write about someone you can't stand.

Believe in yourself. At times you may hit a wall with your writing. Dust yourself off and dive in again.

Get people other than your mom, sister, best-friend, to read your work. Then you will get a true indication of where you are at. Don't get me wrong, praise is great, but really you want to know where your writing is truly at.

Take criticisms as a tool rather than an attack. Study what the critiquer has said and decide for yourself if they ring true or not.

Don't take every criticism to heart and DO NOT change you story every time someone says something bad about it. Take what works for you and discard the rest. Be true to the story and yourself.

I am a fan of James Lipton. I have been since I recently read his book: “Inside Inside, Pub. Dutton, 2007. ISBN 0525950354” At the end of his actor interviews he asks a series of ten questions which I find give a very good look into the heart and mind of the creators.

Pivot Questionnaire: (This questionnaire concept was originated by French television personality Bernard Pivot, after the Proust Questionnaire.) I intend to develop one of my own soon. ;)

1. What is your favorite word?

I have used the word 'Tesania' a lot lately. *laughs*

2. What is your least favorite word?

'You think' I know, it's two words.

3. What turns you on?

I love rainy days with mist obscuring the trees in the distance.

4. What turns you off?

Flowery Prose

5. What sound or noise do you love?

Running water

6. What sound or noise do you hate?

The computer shutting down before I have saved my work

7. What is your favorite curse word? You can write the actual word to me and I will cleverly disguise it for publication.

Like, Tesania, I'm an innocent

8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?

ummm, a writer

9. What profession would you not like to do?

Toilet room attendant

10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?

Welcome

Thank you Grant. It was a pleasure and I wish you the greatest of success. I have certainly become a fan of your work. Please check out Grant’s web site and his Publishing Company: ‘Lyshan Press’

http://www.grantebrazell.com/

http://www.lyshanpress.com/

Devlin Scott

Tesania is Being published

2011-04-13T22:52:00.001-07:00

Hi there,

On the 8th of April Lyshan Press made Tesania available at smashwords and Amazon Kindle.

Smashwords http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/52394

The paperback is still in the setup stage and should be available next month.

Final Cover Art

2010-10-13T00:22:00.001-07:00

Here is the final cover art that my friend did :) We know it may not get used but was fun to mock up.

Another eye

2010-10-05T02:51:00.000-07:00

Graphic art

2010-10-02T15:22:00.000-07:00

I decided to try my hand at graphic art. Here is an Eye I am working on. :)

Tesania's cover art.

2010-09-30T01:59:00.000-07:00

Here is the updates coverart.

New artwork for Tesania's cover

2010-09-11T22:00:00.000-07:00

Hiya.

The sister of my friend Keel has offered to do some artwork for a possible cover for Tesania. Here is a progress image. The sword, hair, background, jewelry etc still need to be done. Love her eyes.

Grant

Chapter one of Tesania

2010-07-23T01:26:00.000-07:00

Well, on the advice of some Beta readers, it's time to re-visit the opening of chapter one. Just a few changes to liven it up a little.

An interview with Tesania

2010-07-20T04:13:00.000-07:00

How old are you?
Sixteen.

What do you do for a living?
I live with my parents and help mother with the chores, sometimes I help father in his smithy.

Are any other people living with you? Who are they?
My parents.

Tell me about your parents. How well do/did you get along with them?
Very well. I love to help Father and we often take long walks along the river or explore in the forest.

What was your birth order? How many siblings did you have? Older? Younger?
I am a single child.

What did you ask for on your last birthday? What did you get?
I wanted a horse! But I got a new dress. It was lovely, but I really wanted a horse.

Who else was in your family while you were growing up? How did you get along with them?
My uncles and aunts live in the same village as us. The whole village has a wonderful feel, we all tend to get along well, except the butcher, he scares me a little.

What were three things you liked to do when you were a child?
Well, technically I am still a child. But to answer your question, I always liked to collect the eggs from the chicken hutch, chasing the chickens was such fun. Also the picnics mother and I have on the banks of the river; we sit on the grass and watch the swans. It's so relaxing. And last I would have to say, ummmm, hunting butterflies with my friend, Laile.

Who is your best friend? Why?
At the moment I would have to say, Liale. She's only 4, but we have such fun together exploring.

What were you afraid of when you were a child?
To be honest, I was scared of a lot of things. The dark, the butcher, the cow, it was so big, and the stories father told me at bed time.

How did you respond to the physiological and psychological changes in your life as a teenager?
The village is such a wonderful place, the people are so nice. I really haven't had too much trouble up till now. The boys started looking at me funny, it was embarrassing for a while, but my father spoke to their fathers and they stopped. It was actually quite exciting when I turned fourteen; father let me make a horseshoe for the first time.

What makes you happy now?
The chickens still! Oh, and hunting butterflies.

What is your greatest fear?
Finding a husband worries me a little, I will need to marry soon. Plenty of the village boys like me, but I don't really look at them that way.

What would you change about yourself if you could?
Well I do tend to have a temper; I would like to curb that a little. Not that I think it's wrong, just that I do flare up easily.

What is it that you have never told anyone?
That I would like to leave the village and explore the Kingdom of Eldanal.

What do you want?
To explore the world and then eventually marry and settle in the village here. I would like to work more in the smithy, I love to create things.

Chapter one of The Stones of Issroth

2010-07-15T19:00:00.000-07:00

Ailara’s tired eyes fluttered open as coldness crept along her arm and snatched hungrily at her slender wrist.

“What manner of child sneaks into the king’s palace and avails herself of one of his beds?”

Confusion creased Ailara’s brow. “But I am the king’s daughter, Princess Ailara.”

“A princess you say!” the large lady sneered, “I’ll wager you’re a street urchin intent on stealing everything in this room.”

“But I am the princess,” Ailara blinked. “I live here...”

The maid gripped Ailara’s chin painfully as she forced her eyes up to her own. “Don’t you dare speak of being a Princess. The king would be ashamed if he had a gutter snipe like you for a daughter!”

Spittle flew in the air as Ailara tried desperately to avert her face. “Please,” she begged, “You’re hurting me.”

“Hurting you am I,” the maid cackled, “It’s nothing compared to what will happen to you if the King finds out.”

Hope surged in Ailara. “Take me to him! Please! He will tell you that I’m his daughter, Princess Ailara.”

“Are you trying to get me fired?” The maid twisted Ailara’s face sideways causing her eyes to water from the pain. “Hmm. Do you think you’re funny? Street urchin!” The maid spat. “Or that I would be stupid enough to present a pathetic thing such as you to the King.

“I promise you,” Ailara sobbed. Ripping her chin from the maids grasp she scrambled across the plush carpet to an ornately carved cupboard. “If I am not the princess,” Ailara declared triumphantly as she threw the doors open, “Then why are my clothes in ...” her voice trailed off as the musty smell of the empty cupboard filled her senses. “It can’t be,” she sank to her knees as she looked desperately around. “It’s my room I tell you. I am the Princess.”

“Enough!” the maid roared. “It is one thing to break into the palace with the intention of stealing the King’s wares. But to pretend to belong to the royal household is quite another.”

Ailara rose to her feet under the steady glare of the maid. Resolutely she drew herself to her full height and stared into the maids eyes. “How dare you speak to me this way, I am Princess Ailara of the Kingdom of Leon. I will not be treated like this!”

Stepping toward her, the maid spoke in a soft growl, “Continue down this road little miss and you will find yourself in a whole mess of trouble. A penalty of death lies over the head of anyone presenting themselves as royalty when they are not.”

“The death penalty will be on your head when my father finds out the way you have treated me,” Ailara declared angrily. “He will not put up with his daughter being treated so.”

“Guard!” the maid snapped at a man standing by the door, sword buckled to his side. “Take this imposter to the gate and throw her back in the street where she belongs.”

Ailara spun on the man. “Don’t you dare touch me! I am Princess Ailara. Don’t you recognise me?” she pleaded.

The guard looked at her blankly. No answer escaped his lips.

“I will see you hung as well,” Ailara growled.

The maids hand whipped forward, snatching Ailara’s hair she pulled backwards and down. Grinning at the pain in the young girl’s face she whispered, “I have had enough of your game. Think yourself lucky that I don’t take you to the King.” Shoving her forward, the maid turned to the guard. “Take her.”

The guard’s calloused hand rasped on Ailara’s soft skin as he grasped her arm and dragged her toward the door while the maid pulled at the bed sheets, muttering, “They will all need to be washed and boiled.”

“Get your hands off me,” Ailara screamed as she jerked against the guards grip. “Help,” she pleaded to a passing footman, “Help me, I’m your Princess, help me please!” she begged as he shuffled around them and hurried away. “What is happening,” she called out, “why am I being treated this way.”

“I would be keep’n quiet now miss,” The guard grunted as she tried once more to break his grasp. “You wouldn’t want to be wake’n up their royal highnesses.”

“But I do want to wake them,” Ailara screamed down the hallway. “Mommy! Daddy! wake up! I’m being kidnapped!”

The guard stopped, raising his hand as he turned toward her. “You be quiet now you little snipe or you’ll be get’n me in trouble.”

“I will not be-.” The guard’s hand cannoned against her face. Stunned, water streaming from her eyes she blinked at him as she brought her hand to her stinging cheek. “You dare to strike your princess!”

“Stop yer nonsense,” the guard warned in a low voice. “You aren’t the Princess. The Princess has blond hair for starters.”

Ailara’s hand moved from her cheek to her dark locks. In confusion she whispered, “But I’ve always had dark hair, just like mommy.”

The guard’s hard eyes mocked her as he turned and dragged at her arm once more.

“No! I won’t let you treat me like this.” Ailara jerked viciously at his grip. Breaking free she ran along the hallway toward the royal bedchamber. “Mommy! Daddy! Help me!” she cried as she approached the two guards at the door.

“Stop!” they called in unison as their swords flashed from their scabbards.

“I must talk to Daddy,” Ailara pleaded as she crashed into them. “He will have you all at the gallows by sun up if you don’t stop this nasty game you are playing.”

“Oh, it be no game miss,” the guard she had escaped growled as he took her wrist firmly once more and dragged her struggling along the hallway.

The guards at the door snapped to attention as the door to the bedchamber clicked open. “What is the meaning of this noise at this ungodly hour of the morning?” a gruff voice boomed out.

“Daddy!” Ailara cried, “Tell them to let me go. Tell them I am your daughter Ailara.”

“My daughter,” the king stammered as he rubbed his sleepy eyes, “I have never seen you before.”

“Father!” Ailara gasped. “How could you say that? What kind of cruel joke is this?”

The King turned his back, muttering to the guards, “Have her removed before she wakes the queen.” As he moved to close the door he turned, adding, “And have your commander report to me to explain how you let a street girl get so close to our quarters.”

“No!” Ailara sobbed as the king shut the door behind him. “How can you let them do this?”

“Come on miss,” the guard said as he forcibly moved her toward the wide stairs at the end of the hallway. “Enough of this, you’ve had yer fun.”

“Fun! You drag me from my bed and then drag me down the hallway saying I’m an imposter, and you think I’m having fun!” Ailara shouted as she gouged her nails into the guard’s hand.

“When will you drop it,” The guard inquired with a small laugh as he dragged her through the palace door and down the gravel pathway toward the ornate iron gates.

“I am your princess,” Ailara dug her heels into the pathway and jerked backward. “I won’t let you treat me this way.”

The guard tightened his grip as she pulled against him. Bracing himself, he forced her forward.
“Go peacefully now miss. I wouldn’t be want’n to get in more trouble cause of you.”

“You’ll be in trouble all right,” Ailara yelled at him. “All of you. All the ones that think this sick joke is fun.”

The large gates creaked open to allow them through. “Help me,” Ailara pleaded half heartedly to the two stiff guards standing on either side. “Surely you recognise me?” she asked as the guard escorting her shoved her forward. Stumbling, she landed on her knees, tearing her white nightdress as the gravel bit sorely into her knees.

“And don’t you be coming back,” he warned as the two guards closed the gates, laughing at her as she hunched over, crying into her hands. “We mightn’t be so lenient next time.”

Ailara slowly climbed to her feet. Bedraggled, her once white nightdress torn and filthy, she walked toward the gate, toward the only place she knew as home. As the gravel tore at her soft feet she stopped and turned toward a low sobbing noise in the trees lining the street. Two young children huddled together, their tear streaked faces peering helplessly at her. Sinking to her knees once more, Ailara groaned, “Oh, Danyl, Lyale, not you too.”

6 personality types who will succeed at writing

2010-07-15T15:47:00.000-07:00

http://victoriamixon.com/2010/07/13/6-personality-types-who-will-succeed-as-writers/

Getting an agent

2010-07-14T22:59:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine asked me recently to guide her friend through getting published. Well, firstly, I haven't been, so the following is just my thoughts on the matter.

There is of course a lot more to it than what I have written, I have read so many pages on the net about it but haven't saved the address' of the sites. But I hope I have covered the basics of the different ways to publish. If you wish to ask anything else, just let me know.

The world of publishing is a tough place. I have been sending my queries out to agents for a year now and have had a little interest but mainly form letter rejections. Agents/publishers will only take on a book that grabs them and that they think will be a best seller. The problem there is, they don't know what will be a best seller until it hits the shelves and, ummm, sells, lol. Unfortunately the in thing at the moment is werewolves and vampires, but that is beginning to pass. Agents are like readers though, what one thinks is rubbish the next thinks is brilliant. It is just a matter of getting the story down, editing and editing it and sending it out. Harry Potter was rejected by many agencies and publishers before she got a deal, similar with Aragon, twilight etc, etc, etc...

A question to consider is why all those editors rejected Harry Potter. Among the (ostensible) reasons for rejection were it was too conventional, too long, too weird or too old-fashioned. As if any of these things matter to the audience for which Rowling wrote Harry Potter! They just want a good story, for goodness’ sake!

More serious are the following:

The book is slow to start. Even young readers who went on to become staunch Harry Potter fans admitted this in the beginning. They probably wouldn’t admit it now, of course.

The attention of the editor needs to be grabbed as quickly as possible; preferably with the opening sentence, but certainly before the end of the first page. The first page of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is all what writers call “telling” instead of “showing”. My guess is agents would particularly dislike the opening sentence.

The book doesn’t start where it should: with Harry, or “inside Harry’s head”. In a book for children the main character should be introduced either at the beginning of the book or very near it.

The characters we meet at the start of the book are ones with which few readers could identify. They are far from likeable.

Having fat people (especially a fat boy) depicted as unbelievably nasty would definitely be a turn-off for many editors. For a start, it’s a fact that a fat boy is more likely to be the victim of a bully rather than being the bully. Taken from http://labarker.com/HarryPotter/howharry.html

These are only a few reasons. See what we are up against with agents. LOL.

Self publishing is a long road to walk. Firstly there are the shysters, whom can you trust. The problem with self publishing is that reputable book stores, etc.., know the companies that do this kind of printing. With a real publisher your novel would be edited to within an inch of its life while the self publish company will print anything in any condition. You could write, I is the best, I is the best, etc, etc.., for 200 pages and they would still print it as long as you are willing to pay. Bookstores know this and will be very hesitant to sell it. In saying that, there have been many great success stories from people that have self published and then been picked up by the mass media. The next issue is the outlay for say 500 books, shipping etc. These may lay in your garage for years, maybe forever. You also need to be the sole marketer of these books, either as a presence online or door to door to bookstores, newsagents, etc.

E-Books you say. Most of the larger e-book stores will only look at work submitted by an agent. Hence we are back to the need to approach and procure the services of an agent. Smaller e-book stores will accept your work, usually at a cost to you. Again, you become the sole marketer of this work as a smaller e-book store will not generate a great amount of sales just from their browsing customers.

Print on demand. Online bookstores, such as Amazon, offer a print on demand service. You upload your work and set it up as a book. They supply you a barcode and ISBN no# and it goes on their lists. When a customer clicks on your book and orders it, Amazon, will print a single copy at the time and then post it to them. The same customer could order any amount of books this way, 1 to 1000's. You can also use this to get your book printed and give it to friends etc.., or use to sell locally to where you are. The drawback here is the shipping of course, a large number of books weigh a lot. You can choose to pay Amazon to help you set up your book, different packages include cover art, editing, layout, etc, etc... Each comes at a cost though, but if you believe in your book and want it to succeed, some outlay is acceptable. Remember though, a usual book, that isn't a best seller, will sell as little as 10 copies, maybe it will sell 5000 copies, but even at a few dollars profit per copy that is $10,000, less setup costs and taxes.

As daunting as the above sounds, it is the world of publishing. Personally I believe that you should get your book nailed down. Once it is nailed, get it read by people that you trust to give an honest opinion. Some readers will just say, 'Wow, it's brilliant'. Whilst it’s wonderful to get praise and feels great, they are not helping your book. On the other side, you don't want someone who wants to re-write your work to suit their ideas and totally change YOUR voice. The best BETA READER/ CRITIQUER is the one who will honestly tell you when an area of a book doesn't work, when a word seems wrong, when a character seems out of, well, character. When the story is drifting or where it just doesn't quite make sense. You as the writer can visualise everything in a scene, a reader needs to be told so they can visualize it as well. The other side is, a critique is just someone else’s thoughts on you work. Always take what they have to say into account, read the part again and again, and try to see what they are saying. If their suggestion makes sense to you, make changes. If it doesn't then leave it as is. If you start chasing every suggestion you get you'll change the whole story and just ruin it for yourself. A gauge for this is the amount of readers that pick a particular part, if 4 out of 5 readers says, 'here seems wrong' then it probably is. If 1 out of 5 says it then it is probably ok to leave as is. It is important though to listen to what they have to say, mostly they will be saying it for a reason. Close friends and relatives are 'NOT' BETA readers, their feedback is great, but will usually be along the lines of, "It's wonderful".

Believe in your work, get it finetuned and then get it out there. Grow a thick skin, not everyone will like your work, it's life. You may be lucky and hit the best agent for you on the first try; you may have to send out a hundred + queries. A Rejection from an agent is not a personal thing, they generally make a decision on whether they think they can sell it or not. The other side is, do you want someone representing and selling your work if they don't love and believe in it?

Some good sites for agents names and email addresses are,

http://querytracker.net/index.php Query tracker is a great search engine for agents and you can track your queries.

http://www.authoradvance.com/agents?page=2 Author advance is also a good place to find agents.

http://www.jbwb.co.uk/agents.htm a list of English agents.

http://1000literaryagents.com/index.php 1000 literary agents

There are a lot of sharks out there that will try and rip you off. If an agent asks for a fee to read your query etc, you should quickly delete and forget them. Some will suggest you use their manuscript editing service; it will only cost you thousands. Again, these are rip offs and should be avoided. A real Agent/Publisher will read your work for free and will either offer you representation or a deal, they will not ask you to pay anything.

You should check out the credentials of each agent you are going to query. Sites such as the following help with that.

http://agentquery.com/ Agent Query

http://pred-ed.com/peals.htm Predators and editors

Some good writing forum's are

http://www.fmwriters.com/community/dc/dcboard.php Forward Motion for writers

http://querytracker.net/forum/index.php Query tracker forum

Remember, if you choose to put work up on these sites to be critted, then you must be prepared for varied feedback, they are random people with random ideas that may answer, never take what they say to heart. Take from their comments only what makes sense to you.

Some other websites I have found useful

http://www.charlottedillon.com/ManuscriptPreparation.html Manuscript preparation.

http://www.ehow.com/how_2054667_market-ebook.html Marketing and E_Book

http://www.writing-world.com/publish/leblanc.shtml writing a synopsis

http://manuscript-submission.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_authors_guide_to_writing_a_synopsis

http://www.misssnark.blogspot.com/

http://queryshark.blogspot.com/2009_05_01_archive.html

AMAZON'S self publishing page. This is the print on demand site.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/seller-account/mm-summary-page.html?ie=UTF8&ld=AZFooterSelfPublish&topic=200260520

Queries

2010-02-01T00:13:00.000-08:00

Well I sent some queries out today. Fingers crossed.

Chapter 2

2010-02-01T00:12:00.000-08:00

Hiya,

I completed chapter two of the Stones of Issroth. It is interesting to see which way the characters are taking me. Fun to be writing again.

Queries for Tesania

2010-01-14T00:52:00.000-08:00

Well I spent the last few days editing and changing chapter one. I believe the start is much tighter now and have fixed a few little problem areas later on in the chapter

Grant

Re-write

2010-01-12T19:54:00.000-08:00

Well the x-mas break is almost over.

I decided to re-write chapter one of Tesania. Not a full re-write but tidying up. I beleive the opening paragraph is far less florally now and is stronger for it. It seems most agents are closed until February, so I will be sending it out then.

Grant

Map of Leon

2009-12-31T23:44:00.000-08:00

Hi, I made the map for the Bloodstone today. I posted it on the front page. now Ican get to writing and know where I'm going lol.

Grant

Chapter one underway

2009-11-26T14:09:00.000-08:00

Hi all,

I started The Stones of Issroth today. Very excited to be writing again.

Ailara’s tired eyes fluttered open as coldness crept along her arm and snatched hungrily at her slender wrist.

“What manner of child sneaks into the king’s palace unbidden and unwanted to avail herself, unwashed and filthy, of one of his beds?”

Confusion creased Ailara’s brow. “But I am the king’s daughter, Princess Ailara.”

“A princess you say!” the large lady sneered, “I’ll wager you’re a street urchin intent on stealing everything in this room.”

“But I am the princess,” Ailara blinked. “I live here...”

The maid gripped Ailara’s chin painfully as she forced her eyes up to her own. “Don’t you dare speak of being a Princess. The king would be ashamed if he had a gutter snipe like you for a daughter!” Spittle flew in the air as Ailara tried desperately to avert her face.

“Please,” she begged, “You’re hurting me.”

“Hurting you am I,” the maid cackled, “It’s nothing compared to what will happen to you if the King finds out.”

Hope surged in Ailara. “Take me to him! Please! He will tell you that I’m his daughter, Princess Ailara.”

“Are you trying to get me fired?” The maid twisted Ailara’s face sideways causing her eyes to water from the pain, “Hmm. Do you think you’re funny? Street urchin.” The maid spat. “Or that I would be stupid enough to present a pathetic thing such as you to the King.

“I promise you,” Ailara sobbed, ripping her chin from the maids grasp she scrambled across the plush carpet to an ornately carved cupboard. “If I am not the princess,” Ailara declared triumphantly as she threw the doors open, “Then why are my clothes in ...” her voice trailed off as the musty smell of the empty cupboard filled her senses. “It can’t be,” she sobbed as she looked desperately around. “It’s my room I tell you. I am the Princess.”

Back to it.

2009-09-21T03:07:00.000-07:00

Well, I had a few weeks away from Tesania. Just to refresh my batteries. I hope to send out 5 queries this week. Fingers crossed.

Great News.

2009-08-27T19:22:00.000-07:00

Well one of my queries came back asking for a partial.

Very Excited. Tesania is heading off to meet the world. :)

Grant

Very Exciting

2009-08-27T00:08:00.000-07:00

Today I sent out my first Queries to agents. Exciting and nerve wracking at the same time.

The Stones of Issroth

2009-08-23T21:41:00.000-07:00

The Stones of Issroth is my newest novel. It is planned to be a series of three books aimed at young adults.

Synopsis to come.

Tesania II Tiadath Mage

2009-08-23T21:36:00.000-07:00

Four years on from her battle against Trannyth and his beasts. Tesania must once again set forth in pursuit of an evil mage.

As mysterious mists appear across the land, ships begin disappearing without a trace. Crops wilt and die while villages crumble into piles of worthless stone.

As Giddy reports that a Tiadath mage from lands far beyond the horizon has been employed by the banished Lord Dalgliesh to wreak havoc on their kingdom, the king summons Tesania. With her own crops dying, she readily agrees to again wield her sword in an attempt to destroy the mage and put an end to the peoples suffering.

With Deavon, Giddy and Kailyn at her side, she sets out on a mission that sees her cross oceans and mountains in pursuit of the mage who has returned to his homeland.

Now she must infiltrate a society where she plainly stands out and use all her guile to track the mage inland to his alter hidden deep within a volcanic mountain.

Confronting him takes more than she had imagined as his army of mages attack. As the mage flees, Tesania sets out after him. When she traps him in a village, mayhem breaks lose, spells sizzling through the air.

As his well-aimed spells penetrated Tesania’s defences, the mage laughs at her. “You are pitiful…” his words trail into a scream as Tesania’s sword penetrates his side, the power in the blade decimating his magical defences. As the light slips from his eyes, Tesania quietly whispers, “Perhaps, but you will never know.”

Tesania

2009-08-23T20:51:00.000-07:00

Synopsis:

Tesania is the only survivor when magically altered beasts massacre her village. In the aftermath of the attack she feels her father's sword calling out to her. With its magic tingling at her senses, she sets out on a mission of revenge.

Life in a small village has done little to prepare sixteen year old Tesania for the world she must now enter. A meeting with Deavon, a King's ranger, awakens emotions she has never felt before.

When beasts ambush them in the hills, Tesania's sword flashes to life, its magic flowing through her body as it guides her hand in battle. Intrigued by her sword and unwilling to leave her behind, Deavon offers to take Tesania to the royal city. Aware that she will need his help to fulfil her mission, she reluctantly agrees. Once there, Tesania's sword is immediately recognized as a possible solution to the invasion of beasts.

The royal city overwhelms Tesania. As her feelings for Deavon grow, she becomes lost amongst the ladies and finery, struggling to find her place.

As the only one who can call on the sword's power, Tesania is summoned by the King and tasked, along with Deavon and a band of companions, to find a way across the perilous mountains and destroy the orb that holds the life force of the evil wizard and his beasts. Eager to fulfil her vow of revenge, Tesania embarks on a journey that forces her to mature even as she confronts the obstacles that stand between her and the architect of her parents’ death. She encounters unexpected allies; some she has vowed to destroy, yet she chooses to accept their help.

Standing at the edge of her vengeance, she must overcome terrible odds to destroy the man who stole away everything she loved. When her sword slices through his magic and bites deeply into the orb, a maelstrom erupts, ripping away the evil mage's life. Clenching her father's sword as Deavon takes her hand and draws her closer, Tesania looks to the skies, whispering to her parents, "Now you can rest in peace."

Welcome

2009-08-23T20:41:00.001-07:00

Hello.

My name is Grant Brazell.

I am a 43 year old from Sydney Australia. Since I left school, I have had the desire to write a novel. After 20 years of doubting I could do it. I put pen to paper.

The result was Tesania. A sprawling tale of a young girl's journey of revenge.