The Swords of The Ancients is two years old today! Two years ago, I started this blog to help facilitate the crafting of my first novel. Since then, I’ve written upwards of 30,000 words toward that goal and developed my main characters considerably. I’m nowhere near where I would like to be in terms of progress on this particular project, but I’ve found that through various connections I’ve made since beginning this blog, I’ve found a great deal of inspiration. I thank you all, my wonderful readers. While I’d probably still continue this just for my own sake, it’s nice to know that you’re here.
It’s time for some intense reading. We started the Winter Reading Program at my library a few days ago, and so the challenge is to make it through eight books over the course of eight weeks. I’ve already knocked out a book on the making of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. I’m reading a bunch of the collected editions of DC’s New 52, but I’m trying to avoid counting those toward my eight, just for the sake of getting caught up on my backlog of books. I am almost two hundred pages through The Casual Vacancy right now, and I’m really enjoying it. A full review will follow as soon as I finish. I’m going to try to get through some classic fantasy pieces now as well, such as The King of Elfland’s Daughter and The Worm Ouroboros, both of which have been recommended by V. I’ve also added The Well at the World’s End to my to-read list, since it served as an inspiration to Tolkien. There’s a few books I’ve been suggesting to patrons at work at the library recently, and so I’m considering tossing some rereading in as well, with Dune at the top of that list. So many books… Goodreads has been very beneficial in keeping track of them. If you’re a reader and you don’t have a goodreads account, I would highly recommend setting one up. It’s free, and it’s a great way to track what you’re reading, what you have read, and what you want to read, plus being able to rate and review books you’ve read.
I’m going to let you go for now, dear readers. I owe you some new stories, after all. I’ve been issued a challenge by Chuck Wendig. 1000 word flash fiction based on photos of some absolutely incredible and surreal real world locations. Feel free to take part. Entries are due by the 25th.
Excelsior!
(Note to self: Create a catchphrase that’s better than Stan “The Man” Lee’s)
The Swords of the Ancients 
4 Comments
I still need to read The Well at the World’s End too. I’ve had a copy for years (got it the same time as the other two you mentioned ’cause they were all recommended by my Makers of Modern Epic Fantasy professor) but for whatever reason I never did get around to reading it. I may have to read it next…
Yeah, I need to track down a copy of it. Who knows? Maybe one’s hiding on the shelf at Poor Richard’s.
I love that challenge, but I dunno if I’ll be able to take it on just now. Let me know how you like The Casual Vacancy, I have it but haven’t started it yet, been distracted by a bunch of new books on Doctor Who. Looking forward to seeing more of your writing, and happy 2nd birthday to your blog! Friend me on Goodreads, I’d like to see what all you’re reading and whether any of it strikes my fancy.
It’s a good challenge. I like the photo based ones, since sometimes having a little bit of a grounding in reality makes the fantasy bits more believable. Added you on goodreads. 🙂