Waking a Dragon!

My fascination with dragons, dragon books, dragon myths is never sated.  I have spent many an hour with movies and books portraying their mighty stories.  My favorites are still Eragon (Inheritance, Book 1) and Dragonheart .

When I built Vesta, I wanted a different type of dragon.  I did not want just the typical intelligent beast that was hunted by the brave Sir Knight.  I wanted dragons that had the capacity to interact with the mortal world if they chose. I wanted them to have emotions and their own code of conduct.

Now, as I sit back having given birth to the first book, I watch the reviews rolling in.  So far, (knocks on wood) there have been no bad reviews.  Most all my reviews are five star with a lesser number of four stars.  It is like taking your baby out for the first time with fear and concern yet wanting people to see it.

There is more to Vesta's dragons then meets the eyes.   The biggest challenge I have found is to let the dragons be capable of shape shifting and walking among the people of the isle.  Who is mage and who is dragon?  How can you tell?  I will let the reader figure that out.  In the meantime, I continue to devour all things dragon!  The Blackguard, book two of The Blue Dragons Geas series, is progressing well and is about half way through first draft.

My goal this year, to work on publicity hard enough that by this time next year, I can stay home and produce books at a faster rate. Working four eleven hour days makes writing on those days difficult as your brain is pretty wrung out by the time you make the commute home.  The coolest thing about having written and broke the ice with that first book?  My mind has not stopped writing ever since. Now if my fingers could find the time to get it all out of may head.

However, I truly want my blog readers to answer.

How do you wake a dragon and not get eaten?

Outcast Questions - Answers with Fun!

I have started getting questions from my novel, Outcast.  Rather than answer them individually, I decided on a more fun route that will also allow me to promote the book.   I will from time to time, use Twitter feed to give a running dialog that will both answer the question and share more of the world of best.    The first question that I have answered this way was, "Why did Keensight attack Smallbrook?"

To find that answer, look for today's date, January 15, 2014 under my profile for Twitter.  Dragons' Geas - @balanceguide.   You can also find it on the Dragons' Geas facebook page at: Dragons' Geas .

I have also been asked to share a picture of Keensight.  My illustrator's have not yet submitted me a rendering so that will have to wait.  However, for a general idea, I found this picture on deviant art. Awesome artist and is close to Keensight as envisioned.  Elder Serpent

The Self-Fulfilling Prophecy of Magic!

“Why does there appear to be so little magic in the world these days? It is because people have stopped believing in it or lose touch with it as they grow up. It is because we have become so sophisticated and lost our ancient and natural roots. It is because religion, science and education have taught us that magic does not exist. That even supposing it does exist – which to many is far too big an 'if' – then it couldn't possibly work. Their self-fulfilling sophistry complete, they then turn round and say 'There you are you see, there is no magic in the world, just as we said.' And we and the world are all the poorer as a result of this. I mean, what are we left with? Santa, the Easter Bunny, Harry Potter and the Tooth Fairy.”
― H.M. Forester, Game of Aeons: A short novel

For a long time in history, man has refused to believe in what he could not prove.  Yet if what he could not prove occurred before his eyes,it was then a miracle or magic.  Do not lose faith in miracles or magic.  They surround us every day. The problem is, we have stopped looking.

My Magic Exists! You Will Not Convince Me It Does Not!

“Someone needs to tell those tales. When the battles are fought and won and lost, when the pirates find their treasures and the dragons eat their foes for breakfast with a nice cup of Lapsang souchong, someone needs to tell their bits of overlapping narrative. There's magic in that. It's in the listener, and for each and every ear it will be different, and it will affect them in ways they can never predict. From the mundane to the profound. You may tell a tale that takes up residence in someone's soul, becomes their blood and self and purpose. That tale will move them and drive them and who knows what they might do because of it, because of your words. That is your role, your gift. Your sister may be able to see the future, but you yourself can shape it, boy. Do not forget that... there are many kinds of magic, after all.” ― Erin Morgenstern, The Night Circus

People may say there is no such thing as magic, but I disagree.  There is magic in art of all forms.  A theater that takes you away to another time and for a short time you suspend reality.  A piece of music that transports you to a memory.  A book that is written well enough to take you to another place and time.

When I write, I do not see words on the page.  I see Alador struggling with a magic he doesn't quite comprehend.  I see the teenager who wants to believe that the world is a kind and wondrous place.  I see emotions play out and wreak havoc when good sense should have prevailed.  This is magic!  My magic comes when I can cast that spell for another. When I can take them to my world and they can see, feel and hear what I cast for them, that is magic.  You may call it what you will, but I know it exists.  I know that the world they see will be unique for them.  A spell all their own!

Science is man's effort to explain what is not understood.  Before science dissected how a seed became the tree, it was magic.  But there is much in this world that science has yet to explain.  Added to this, how is a seed far less magical knowing the components of its spell?  How does it differ from the sound and murmur of a mage's sleep spell?  One could work to discover the components at play.  The sand, the words, the movements that draw the target into sleep can be dissected.  

Our world is a magical place.  Books bring to life worlds that only the reader can see.  Let us never become so focused on science and reality that we lose the magic and wonder of the world we live in and the stories we read and write. 

Compromise With a Dragon!

“With the suggestion of a compromise Gawaine mustered up enough courage to speak. 

"What will you do if I surrender?" he asked. 

"Why, I'll eat you," said the dragon. 

"And if I don't surrender?" 

"I'll eat you just the same.” 

 ― Heywood Broun,

"Dragons are Terrifically Vain"

“Dragons are notable for their lust for gold, not a bad quality taken in moderation. Dragons are immune to fire, obviously. All dragons are terrifically vain, indeed as to who is more vain, a dragon or an elf, I would not want to be the one to decide. Hint: an elf. A dragon should never be engaged in conversation as they are inveterate liars and tricksters, though if you're actually talking to a dragon, you're pretty much toast anyway. Never, ever call a dragon a worm, no matter how much they're asking for it.”
― John Stephens, The Fire Chronicle

2nd Children's Book is Released

Artwork by Rebecca Hunt 

NOT an Egg! hits both Amazon print and Kindle Select!

Rebecca Hunt, one of the illustrators at Dragons' Geas, has outdone herself with this children's book. Her unique rendering of dragons insures that they are not frightening for a child's book.  The little dragon Seaferia shows emotion in her tears, her surprise and even her feeling of dejection.  This brings the tale to life in a way that words alone could have never achieved.  I am proud as the author to have had her at my side for this book and though she will blush when she reads this, I am not ashamed to shout it out to the world.

"Not an Egg!" is both a touching tale of a little dragon's reactions to a new baby but also is a great way for children to learn that what they are feeling is normal.  Research has shown that a child's personality will affect how they react to a new baby.  With this is how close the older child is to their mother, the closer the relationship to the mother the harder time they have.  This is why father's are encouraged to work in developing that relationship when a new baby is expected as it helps children transition when the mother's time is taken up by the needs of a new born.  

Preparing your child is another important step.  "Not an Egg!" has plenty of places to stop and discuss how your child is feeling.  Are they adamant it be a boy or a girl? My grandson was so adamant that his upcoming sibling be a boy that when I asked him, "what if its a girl?"; he answered.  "you can have it."    In addition to reading books such as "Not an Egg!", you should get out baby pictures of your child and talk about what it was like when he/she was a baby.

Most importantly, "Not an Egg!" is about dragons and that is our favorite topic here at Dragons' Geas.

We hope you will enjoy it as much as our own children and grandchildren did.  You can order it on our website at dragonsgeas.com .

Giving Away Five Signed Copies

Goodreads Book Giveaway

The Blue Dragon's Geas

by Cheryl Matthynssens

Giveaway ends February 14, 2014.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

Believe in Magic

“And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it.” ― Roald Dahl

Wizard's First Rule - A Review and Comment

Wizard's First Rule by Terry Goodkind
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is not one for the squeamish or those with a history of unresolved physical abuse.

That being said, Terry Goodkind's understanding of the human psyche showed in numerous places throughout the book. This book had many elements I liked, man vs man, man vs self and of course, plot twists. It is rare for me to read an author who can plot twist without me seeing it coming, and this book did it more than once time. I would recommend anyone who does not mind seeing the darker side of human nature to pick up this book. I would also suggest if you are upset by torture and crimes against women and children, that you do not!

That being said, working as a counselor, I can tell you that for the most part the Wizard's First Rule is in many ways true. Words have more power then we has humans give them credit. The old saying that sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me was an attempt by our ancestors to protect us from this magic.

The human brain is an amazing thing. No matter what mental ailment you seek to treat, if you do not break the false beliefs that the person has accepted as truth, you will not help them. If a person with depression truly believes there is no hope of anything better, you must target that belief before you can ever help them. Politicians know this and prey upon it in their home countries. Cult leaders use it to control.

The best lies ever told, the best cons ever created all have a measure of truth in them. You add to that something that the person you are targeting wants to believe and they are yours. As a counselor, I work to reverse this, however, sometimes the belief is too deeply entrenched much like a powerful spell and cannot be reversed. This is what makes a true zealot so scary if their beliefs include bringing harm to another. If they truly believe that what they do will further the cause of what they believe, no matter how erroneous, only death will stop them.

The best authors know this fact. You can see it in their writing and in the manipulation of their characters. Terry Goodkind has some insight into this but used it more in the darker sections of his writing. With this are some themes that are popular: True love can conquer all, the truth shall set you free, and the greatest enemy is yourself. I learned a lot from reading this novel as an author. Some things that I should consider as elements to my writing and I definitely saw a few things I wish to avoid.

View all my reviews

A Fair Maiden's Rescue from the Dragon - An Individual Perspective!

“I

Not my best side, I'm afraid.

The artist didn't give me a chance to

Pose properly, and as you can see,

Poor chap, he had this obsession with

Triangles, so he left off two of my

Feet. I didn't comment at the time

(What, after all, are two feet

To a monster?) but afterwards

I was sorry for the bad publicity.

Why, I said to myself, should my conqueror

Be so ostentatiously beardless, and ride

A horse with a deformed neck and square hoofs?

Why should my victim be so

Unattractive as to be inedible,

And why should she have me literally

On a string? I don't mind dying

Ritually, since I always rise again,

But I should have liked a little more blood

To show they were taking me seriously.

II

It's hard for a girl to be sure if

She wants to be rescued. I mean, I quite

Took to the dragon. It's nice to be

Liked, if you know what I mean. He was

So nicely physical, with his claws

And lovely green skin, and that sexy tail,

And the way he looked at me,

He made me feel he was all ready to

Eat me. And any girl enjoys that.

So when this boy turned up, wearing machinery,

On a really dangerous horse, to be honest

I didn't much fancy him. I mean,

What was he like underneath the hardware?

He might have acne, blackheads or even

Bad breath for all I could tell, but the dragon--

Well, you could see all his equipment

At a glance. Still, what could I do?

The dragon got himself beaten by the boy,

And a girl's got to think of her future.

III

I have diplomas in Dragon

Management and Virgin Reclamation.

My horse is the latest model, with

Automatic transmission and built-in

Obsolescence. My spear is custom-built,

And my prototype armour

Still on the secret list. You can't

Do better than me at the moment.

I'm qualified and equipped to the

Eyebrow. So why be difficult?

Don't you want to be killed and/or rescued

In the most contemporary way? Don't

You want to carry out the roles

That sociology and myth have designed for you?

Don't you realize that, by being choosy,

You are endangering job prospects

In the spear- and horse-building industries?

What, in any case, does it matter what

You want? You're in my way. 

- Not My Best Side” 

― U.A. Fanthorpe

The Trench Lord

A taste of the world of Vesta, more after the jump:

Sordith sat in his chair pondering the reports in front of him.  The beautiful wooden desk was ornate and made of a deep red wood.  It had been polished till it glistened in the flicking torchlight.  His office walls held his collection of various weapons and treasures from both the isle and the otherlands.  The crackling of the fire was the only noise as the Trench Lord sat pondering the last week's figures.  Sordith sat with a mug of dark mead as he stared at the reports.

Dragons are More Than This!

“Everybody knows who dragons are. They are enourmous,fierce,bloodthirsty creatures appearing in fairytales and legends primarily as accessories, functioning mainly to set of the bravery of the knights challenging them. Dragons are obscure,mysterious characters described only in broad terms, little more than foils to enhance a hero's valor. Dragons though are much more than this. They are intelligent and educated creatures who lead entralling lives.”
― H.G. Ciruelo Cabral

The Discovery of Golf! A Hobbit's explanation!

"If you have ever seen a dragon in a pinch, you will realize that this was only poetical exaggeration applied to any hobbit, even to Old Took's great-granduncle Bullroarer, who was so huge (for a hobbit) that he could ride a horse. He charged the ranks of the goblins of Mount Gram in the Battle of the Green Fields, and knocked their king Golfibul's head clean off with a wooden club. It sailed a hundred yards through the air and went down a rabbit-hole, and in this way the battle was won and the game of Golf was invented at the same moment."

― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit

My Favorite Passage from Lord of the Rings

“The leaves were long, the grass was green,
The hemlock-umbels tall and fair,
And in the glade a light was seen
Of stars in shadow shimmering.
Tinuviel was dancing there
To music of a pipe unseen,
And light of stars was in her hair,
And in her raiment glimmering.

There Beren came from mountains cold,
And lost he wandered under leaves,
And where the Elven-river rolled.
He walked along and sorrowing.
He peered between the hemlock-leaves
And saw in wonder flowers of gold
Upon her mantle and her sleeves,
And her hair like shadow following.

Enchantment healed his weary feet
That over hills were doomed to roam;
And forth he hastened, strong and fleet,
And grasped at moonbeams glistening.
Through woven woods in Elvenhome
She lightly fled on dancing feet,
And left him lonely still to roam
In the silent forest listening.

He heard there oft the flying sound
Of feet as light as linden-leaves,
Or music welling underground,
In hidden hollows quavering.
Now withered lay the hemlock-sheaves,
And one by one with sighing sound
Whispering fell the beechen leaves
In the wintry woodland wavering.

He sought her ever, wandering far
Where leaves of years were thickly strewn,
By light of moon and ray of star
In frosty heavens shivering.
Her mantle glinted in the moon,
As on a hill-top high and far
She danced, and at her feet was strewn
A mist of silver quivering.

When winter passed, she came again,
And her song released the sudden spring,
Like rising lark, and falling rain,
And melting water bubbling.
He saw the elven-flowers spring
About her feet, and healed again
He longed by her to dance and sing
Upon the grass untroubling.

Again she fled, but swift he came.
Tinuviel! Tinuviel!
He called her by her elvish name;
And there she halted listening.
One moment stood she, and a spell
His voice laid on her: Beren came,
And doom fell on Tinuviel
That in his arms lay glistening.

As Beren looked into her eyes
Within the shadows of her hair,
The trembling starlight of the skies
He saw there mirrored shimmering.
Tinuviel the elven-fair,
Immortal maiden elven-wise,
About him cast her shadowy hair
And arms like silver glimmering.

Long was the way that fate them bore,
O'er stony mountains cold and grey,
Through halls of iron and darkling door,
And woods of nightshade morrowless.
The Sundering Seas between them lay,
And yet at last they met once more,
And long ago they passed away
In the forest singing sorrowless.” 

― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings

Free Today - 1/4/14: The Blue Dragon's Geas: Outcast

My publishing advisor suggested that I raise the number of reviews I have on Goodreads and on Amazon. In the spirit of this, I am offering the eBook version of Outcasts for today.  It will be free for a few more hours for those with a kindle or those who can download the app for smart phones or tablets.  Please enjoy and if you have the time, give me a review. I am not expecting 5 stars.  I am looking for honest feedback.
Get  your copy today at : http://t.co/N5nMTuIOYd

"You Are Grounded!"- - What? I am a grandmother?

Yesterday was an awesome day for me.  My father called when he was on chapter ten of Outcast.  Its significance was two fold.  First, it is my daddy!  That needs no explanation.  Secondly and more significant for me, he doesn't like fantasy.  I sat with the phone and my heart was in my throat. The fear he was so displeased that he did not plan to finish it was palpable.

He went on to tell me how proud he was of me and how well written it was.  He shared how he found believable the scenes and characters.  His favorite thing was how the activities of the dragons, even their mating, was blended into the story in a way he found enjoyable.   He shared all the things he suspected were going to happen.  He prides himself on being able to predict the end of books and movies. I just smiled.

When we hung up the phone, I was elated.  It motivated me and I got chapter one of the second book in the Blue Dragon's Geas series pounded out.   But that is not the end of the story...

At 9:30 PM, I get another call from my parents.  My parents don't call twice in one day so with a bit of alarm I picked up to make sure no one was sick or hurt.  My mother was on the line and she shared that my father had just came into the room and threw my book in her lap.  His words. "Your daughter is grounded." Now I am 4_,  Okay I am old!  I asked her to put my dad on the line. Here is how that conversation went.

"Hi Dad.  Mom says you threw the book at her and said I was grounded? What is wrong?"

"It didn't end like I expected.  Hell, it is just beginning!"

"I don't understand then, why am I grounded?"  I was a bit confused.

"Because if you are home and grounded, maybe you will get that damn second book done."

This will be my most cherished conversation with my dad for a very long time to come.  Don't worry Dad, I set the goal to have  The Blackgaurd on the shelf by June.

Author Quote of the Day!

A person who won't read has no advantage over one who can't read.
Mark Twain 

As we move continue on in this society of instant gratification, let us never forget this!!

Quote of the Day!

You speak of Lord Byron and me; there is this great difference between us. He describes what he sees I describe what I imagine. Mine is the hardest task.
John Keats 

Some Updates From The Dragonsgeas Team

So many things to update so if this blog post is a bit of a ramble, well it is a New Year and I had many teenagers here last night.  Little sleep has been had.

We now have a facebook page and a twitter account.  Here are the current links for all things Dragonsgeas.

dragonsgeas.com
https://www.facebook.com/dragonsgeas
on twitter - balanceguide

Let see, other news. The launch of The Blue Dragon's Geas went well.  We are on Goodreads under my name: Cheryl Matthynssens and will be doing a book giveaway until the 15th of January. This will be paperback copy and will be signed.

Becky is down to the last couple of pictures for our next Children's book, Not an Egg!. I would expect to see that out no later then the 15th of February, pending no emergencies.  As many of you know, a growing one year old can create a lot of distractions.

I am trying to talk Heather into doing the cover of book two of Blue Dragon's Geas: The Blackguard. Many have asked when will part two be out and I am thinking maybe September. I cannot quit my day job and write full time till I am averaging 900 downloads a month.  We have a ways to go for that yet.  If that happens, I can probably cut that down to June or sooner.

Other news in my life, I am expecting a new grand baby.   I do not feel old enough to be a grandmother.  My mind still revels in every little new experience, sunset and the visions of books to yet write.