Song of the Elves - News

View from the Hills

I've just returned from my annual walking trip to the Lakes, burning with fresh inspiration fuelled by the spectacular landscapes. This year my friends and I in the NCWC (Narlas Cipple Walking Club) tackled Grisedale Round and Hartsop Hill. During the hum-drum of the usual working day it's easy to forget the majesty and drama of this favourite part of England.

Timing of the trip was apt, as I'm currently re-working the mountain scenes of The King's Blades. My original inspiration for the sequence, set amongst the peaks of Queen Bell to the south of Farsee Forest, came from similar expeditions with the NCWC. To have the chance to gain a 'top-up' of my recollections was wonderful.

We climbed high, saw peaks behind peaks, glimpsed mighty bodies of water: Windermere, sparkling like the discarded fragments of a broken mirror; Derwentwater, wrapped about the crumpled rug hills like spilt water.

So, its onwards with the re-drafting this week. Until next time, up the Elves!

Back in the saddle

I finally got in a good burst of writing this week, forging ahead with The King's Blades. I wrote the original draft four years ago now, and revisiting the manuscript and being able to bring to it the gloss and expansion of ideas that have evolved since the initial writing, has been very satisfying.

The King's Blades is gaining a stong identity in it's own right - wider in vision than the tight,tense opening of Song of the Elves seen in A Shadow Falls, where the action focused mainly on Farsee Forest. Book Two sees the action sweep southwards, before Eidur and Kirik venture north to the capital Jorniak as their destinies are shaped.

Snail's Pace

In between nappy changing and adapting to my new upside down life, I have managed to snatch a few brief moment to pen a few words.

A rare relaxing moment in the garden garnered the opening scene of Wolves of Winter III. We reaquaint ourselves with Mallakai, finding him in a pensive mood, contemplating the wisdom of turning grandson Thomas against his father. A regretful Mallakai shoulders his pack and sets off for the far north, to smooth the way for Thomas, who must now grow into the mantle of the next generation of Wolves.

A snatched half hour on the computer has seen some minor tinkering to The King's Blades, but I've seen snails move faster...

Nevermind - I'm sure as routines settle there will be more of Kirik and Eidur appearing on this website very soon (no complaints from me).

Until next time, long live the elves!

Adventures in Babyland!

Wow - I seriously underestimated the impact of our new arrival. It's all good though - enjoying every minute.

However, the second installment of Song of the Elves, The King's Blades, will now be proceeding at a more leisurely pace (if I can keep my eyes open long enough to finish it!!!).

I'm still hoping to deliver the next four chapters of The King's Blades in time for the summer holidays - watch this space for more updates.

In the meantime, I'd love to hear your comments on A Shadow Falls and the Wolves of Winter saga. E-mail me your thoughts via the feedback page.

Until next time - up the elves!

Baby Joy!

Having recently come into fatherhood, my life is filled with joy unlike anything I've known before. Schedules for Song of the Elves may need a 'little tweaking' as a result.

I'm still managing to find some time each evening to chip away at the preparation of Book Two of the Song of the Elves: The King's Blades for publication in paperback. I have narrowed my focus solely to this project for the time being, and will get to Wolves of Winter Part III hopefully by the winter.

So, please bear with me as my wife and I embark on this new, exciting chapter of our life.

Chapters 9 to 12 of The King's Blades should be on the website in time for the summer holidays.

Up the Elves!

The next step...

For the next few weeks I'll be concentrating my efforts on The King's Blades - Song of the Elves Book Two. I'm currently working on bringing chapters 9 to 13 to the website for an end of June release and the ongoing serialisation to unfold over the summer, reaching its murderous peak in August.

Murderous - now that's got you wondering...

After some lovely feedback on A Shadow Falls, I am also endeavouring to bring The King's Blades out in paperback format in time for your Christmas stocking to be filled.

I trust you are all enjoying the heatwave. Make the most of it - blink and you'll miss it - this is England after all.

Up the Elves!

You want more...

You want more Song of the Elves? Then you got it...

From today you can visit the 'Chapters' section to download chapters 5 to 8 of The King's Blades as the epic saga continues.

True to my promise earlier in the year, you will get more Song of the Elves this year than at any stage in the life of the website so far.

Here at Song of the Elves HQ, we are excited about bringing you the entire second book of the saga before the year is out.

Watch out too for more of Rulnik, Torbad and Yanuk as a return to Winterland is on the cards for later in the year.

Until next time, up the elves!

Long Live Rock And Roll

One of my all time heroes passed away yesterday. After a sixth month battle with cancer, Ronie James Dio died at 7.45 a.m. Los Angeles time on sunday 16th May.

I've mentioned the inspiration of his songs on this website before. Having grown up on Rainbow, Black Sabbath and Dio albums, I was delighted to finally get to see Ronnie performing at Manchester Academy during his Holy Diver tour a couple of years ago. What a fantastic frontman and thoroughly nice fella!

I'm gutted that he's gone and will miss the anticipation of a new Dio album, as there always seemed to be one around the next corner from the prolific vocalist.

For a while now I have been plotting a novel length tale of the Wolves of Winter. The working title, which describes something of the plot, has always been 'Kill the King'. As this is also the title of one of Dio's finest Rainbow songs, I can't think of a better dedication to the man and his music.

Ronnie, I'll be playing your tunes as the words flow... Long live RJD, forever the King of rock and roll!

Return of the Wolves!

At long last, the much talked about sequel is here...

The Wolves of Winter Part Two is available for download now from this website.

Re-join Rulnik, Torbad and Yanuk on another rip-roaring adventure in the cruel hills of Winterland.

This time, the King's mail is being attacked and the locals of Heliop are convinced that there is more than just a gang of bandits stalking the hills.

In this sequel, you will learn much more about the narrator Mallakai and his intentions for his grandson Thomas. The way is paved for Wolves III, when Thomas will come of age...

Until next time, up the elves!

Draw your sword!

Let loose the dogs of war!

Book Two of The Song of the Elves: The King's Blades is here...

Well, chapters one to four are anyway!

Return to Rhoderica for a delicious slice of Kirik, Eidur and Old Aggie, as the ancient menace threatening the society of the elves in the Summerlands grows.

Chapters one to four can now be downloaded in one handy package from the 'Chapters' section of this website.

Let me know what you think via the feedback page.

More exciting releases to follow later this week!

Up the Elves!