Posted By David Shepherd on October 3, 2010
Hello again,
Sorry for the delay in updates – September has been a busy month all round. Writing has been slow, but significant. I have been revisiting a section of the manuscript of The King’s Blades where Kirik visits Jorniak, capital of the elves for the first time.
Kirik is the vehicle through which this wonderous, almost alien place is revealed to the reader. It is a pivotal moment, as I want the scene to convey some of the awe and mystery of the Ancient Lands, the realm that the elves left behind in their flight across the Bridal Sea, and which will become a pivotal destination as the plot unfurls in the second sequence of the Song of The Elves saga.
Although the going has been slow, I’m now on the home straight, and The King’s Blades will be ready in time for your Christmas stockings…
Until next time, thanks for your patience and long live the elves!
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Posted By David Shepherd on September 12, 2010
Zombies…
Murder…
Mythical Beasts…
Magical Duels…
Friends Lost…
Romance…
The King’s Blades has it all. I’m having a ball preparing the manuscript of the second book of Song of the Elves for publication. I hope that in the months to come you will find it a satisfying development of A Shadow Falls, and an exciting installment of the saga in its own right.
If you’ve not yet checked out Book 1 of SOTE, download it for free from the chapters section of the website or order it today in paperback from lulu.com. Then you’ll be ready for part two at Christmas time.
Up the Elves…
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Posted By David Shepherd on August 31, 2010
The re-write of my second manuscript gathers pace, with The King’s Blades becoming a pivotal section of the Song of the Elves saga. Many important plotlines are spun from this book, and the action also comes thick and fast.
I’m enjoying the development of a couple of key villains, and the expansion of the role of Beecher – whom some of you may have met at the end of Book one in the preview chapter.
So its onwards with the re-write and more to follow next week…
Peace and Love.
Up the Elves!
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Posted By David Shepherd on August 25, 2010
Get ready for a little undead action in Book Two of the Song of the Elves, The King’s Blades. In the extended underground sequence, Agatha and Eidur do battle with the re-animated corpses of their enemy in a face off with an evil shaman.
The sequence, while delivering an extra punch in terms of action, also forms part of a pivotal new plotline, which I hope will leave your bottom lip trembling…
More on the new developments next week. Until then – up the Elves!
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Posted By David Shepherd on August 18, 2010
I’m having great fun creating extra chapters for the middle section of The King’s Blades. The new action sequence enhances the read, but also allows me to incorporate two new stands of plotline that will be important in future volumes of Song of the Elves. It also allows me to expand upon the role of a villain, previously side-lined to a minor part in my original manuscript.
Everything is still on schedule for a Christmas release for book two. Thank you for your continued support. I’m in it for the long haul, with at least seven books planned in the Song of the Elves saga. I will bring a short taste of the new action to the website soon.
Up the Elves!
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Posted By David Shepherd on August 11, 2010
Having just filled my boots with inspiration in the Lakes, I next spent a week with my family down by Black Rock Sands. The juxtaposition of sea and mountains, as the Snowdonian National Park sweeps down to meet the dunes at Morfa Bychan, provides such natural drama that one can’t help but be inspired.
Again, this was a great week for developing plotlines for the extended ‘under the mountains’ sequence of The King’s Blades.
Work on book two of Song of the Elves continues in earnest this week, and I am still aiming to get the second paperback of the series to you by Christmas. Work on the front cover will commence towards the beginning of September.
Peace and love to one and all. Until next time… up the Elves!
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Posted By David Shepherd on July 28, 2010
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!
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Posted By David Shepherd on July 11, 2010
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.
More on my progress next week…
Until then, many thanks for the continued support. Up the Elves!
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Posted By David Shepherd on July 4, 2010
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!
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Posted By David Shepherd on June 23, 2010
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!
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