Ok, so I kind of hijacked today's Star Wars mantra. But I am a huge Star Wars fan and using magic in Verdan isn't all that much different than using the force. So are Verdan's wizard's just another form jedi knights? I encourage you to pick up the book and find out. Seriously, if you like exploring new worlds and experiencing a sense of adventure, you may just find this new series entertaining.
I'm going to interrupt these fun blogs with a pitch for interested readers to buy my books. I think you will enjoy them. The deeper you get into the series, the more I think it will make sense and the more you may come to appreciate the complexities of how the various storylines connect. My main wish is that you have fun. If there are messages I hope you come away from the series with they are that "actions have consequences", "diversity is important and may be the key to our survival", "there is potential within all of us and though it may be hard at times, the struggle to reach that potential is worth it", and "despite what fate may have in store for us, we truly can choose our own destiny". You'll appreciate those if you enter the world of Verdan. Without further delay, here's where you find the books.
Lulu.com of course. Search by David Gerspach and they'll all come up. The logistics of publishing being what they are, I encourage anyone who want to buy the softcover version to purchase through Lulu. Click on any cover below and you'll be taken to Lulu's site.
For those who prefer the eBook experience, the Verdan Chronicles is availabe for both the Kindle and Nook. In general, the easist way to find the books is to search the appropriate site for the author name, David Gerspach.
Click on the below cover and you'll be taken to Amazon.
Lastly, if you click on the cover below, you'll be taken to Barnes and Noble.
This blog is still a work in progress. You can read what's here, but I will remove this warning once the blog is complete.
Stop! You should not read the coursework on Magic 201 until you've read and understood Magic 101. Take the following test. If the answers are not obvious to you, then reread Magic 101 and come back here.
Pretest
It's kind of fun to assume magic is real and that studying it is a real thing. I hope you enjoy reading these blogs as much as I enjoy writing them. Alright, the answers are 1. False, 2. humans, 3. False/True. There are actually two parts to this question and I guess the best answer is false, because hand gestures are not required to cast spells. However, tying a wizard's hands would be an effective defense against all but the most experienced wizards, so that is mostly true. 4. True, 5. As already indicated hand gestures help, as do certain chants, but the most effective way to make spellcasting easier is practice.
If you breezed through the above quiz, congrats. You may now move on to the following paragraphs. Let's start with emotions. As indicated earlier, it takes intense concentration for a wizard to harness mystical energy and shape it into the result of the spell being cast. Emotions often disrupt this concentration, and thus spells cast while the wizard is in a highly emotional state will often fail.
Novice wizards will often try to suppress their emotions in order to maintain their concentration. The most experienced wizards do not suppress emotions, but rather they learn to compartmentalize them. They are able to feel and react emotionally on the surface, while their mind is intensely focused on the spell. It takes years of training and practice to become good at this and only the most experienced and powerful wizards can master it. And even an experienced wizard can occasionally slip and let emotion creep into their subconcious. Thus, emotions are often considered the bane of wizards and many end up being portrayed as aloof or emotionless.
Khanite is a natural, but rare, element. The one place it is found in abundance is the mountain range for which it is named, The Khanian Mountains. This element has a unique property that nullifies any mystic energy within its vacinity. The larger the amount of khanite present or the higher its purity, the larger the area in which mystic energy is nullifed. Such is the concentration within the Khanian Mountains, that no magic spells can be cast within the mountains. Even the most powerful wizards cannot overcome the absence of mystic energy.
Magical artifacts are devices constructed by wizards. Generally, they can only be constructed by the most skilled wizards. Their construction involves taking ordinary items such as rings, wands or really any physical object and then binding a specific mystic energy configuration into the object. A wizard with knowledge of how the artifact works can then call upon this energy at will to execute the spell integrated within the object. Think of it as a wizard downloading an app into an object and then executing said app at a later time.
Most mystical artifacts can regenerate their abilities many times over and have near limitless use. Some objects, such as the communication balls developed by Winsey can only be used once and then disintegrate into dust. Sorry for the spoiler if you haven't yet started reading the series, but it truly is a minor spoiler and doesn't really reveal any of the plot.
Practicing magic is somewhat of an art. Think of it like an artist. All artists can be considered creative to a certain extent, yet some focus on painting, some focus on sculptures, some on music and so forth. Only a truly gifted artist is talented in all these areas. The same is true of magic. Different wizards can have an affinity for certain spells. One example is Sara. While she learned all the basic spells taught at the Mystic Academy, it wasn't until she began focusing on spells of illusion that truly became a master. Druids are a type of wizard that have an affinity for spells attuned to nature. This helps explain why some wizards are adept at some spells, while others may struggle with those same spells.
I think that's enough for now. I'm going to defer the residual effects of magic to the level 301 course. Yes, there is still much more to learn about magic, but much of it will not be revealed until Volume 7 of the Verdan Chronicles. At that point we can take magic to a whole new level. In the meantime, if anyone finds these blogs useful I'm inclined to provide some coursework around Divinity and Religion in Verdan and Monster Lore. Both courses could be very interesting. Thanks for reading and at this point you should have all you need to know to understand how magic is used in Verdan.
Can't believe I haven't blogged this before. The following is a guide on how magic works in the world of Verdan. This article covers the basics and is all you need to know to prep you for the first six books. There is more to magic than this, so yes, Magic 201 will be offered. Most likely there will be an advanced 301 course a little later. Enjoy.
Magic...in short it represents just about everything that defies the known laws of science. But that doesn't mean it is not governed by its own set of rules. So here goes....
Magic originates from a mystic energy field that permeates all known space. It exists throughout the universe. If it helps, think of it like the "force" in Star Wars. In that mythical universe the jedi draw upon the force to execute several different effects from mind control to telekinesis. Maybe they are simply wizards and they are casting magic spells. Magic in Verdan is not disimilar.
In Verdan, wizards are creatures born with the ability to sense the mystic energy field and with training they are able to draw upon it, shape it and use it for a variety of effects, called spells. In The Fourth Age, Celecia tries to explain magic to Dakoran in following passage.
Dak wondered if it was magic which kept him entranced when Celecia spoke. He wanted to hear more. “What about men? Before we met Hyurtu, you and your father were the only two humans I knew that could use magic.”
“My father says that with man it’s rare. He says probably only a dozen or so people are born in each generation with the ability to use magical energy. And some of those never know they have the ability.”
“Does it run in families? I mean you and your father and his brother all use magic.”
“Not always, but my father says it does sometimes.”
“What about the chanting and hand gestures you use. How do they work?” Dak wondered if he was asking too many questions.
“Well, just being able to sense and use mystical energy is not enough. You have to train your mind on how to make the mystical energy do what you want. The chanting and the hand gestures are a way to keep your entire body focused on the outcome.”
She could see she was losing Dak a little with this explanation and decided to try a different approach. “I think it’s probably a little like you and the way you practice swordfighting. Why do you keep practicing similar moves over and over again?”
Dak gave the question some thought and responded. “So in a real fight my body knows what to do without me having to think about it.” Dak thought maybe he was starting to get it.
“Exactly. I use the chants and gestures to train my body so that when I need to use the spell I instinctively know how to manipulate the energy to do what I want. And just like when you practice, it can tire me out.”
In the above passage Celecia refers to the ability to use magic as being rare in humans. Consider the major races of Verdan. Dragons are creatures forged from mystic energy. They are unaware of its existence and are incabable of casting spells, yet their breath draws upon mystic energy to transform the air they breathe into something else, whether it be fire, icy cold, an acidic liquid or any number of other forms. They can also naturally sense the presence of each other, most likely as a result of disturbances in the mystic energy field, yet they still do not understand it's nature.
The light-hearted elves have a much higher propensity for sensing mystic energy. Many of their kind are able to use it to cast the most basic spells. Their kings and queens can draw upon the energy for powerful effect. But it is even more rare for an elf to master the mystic arts. Manipulating this energy requires intense focus. Elven minds are naturally more active. They are generally quick witted and react instinctively to the world around them. While subtle, it is more difficult for them to maintain the focus necessary for more powerful spells.
And thus the most powerful wizards are human. As Celecia indicated, it can run in families which provides a hint that genetics may play a role in determining mystic ability. But it is likely a recessive trait that can be found in many bloodlines. Regardless, those with the abilty to manipulate mystic energy do not just automatically become wizards. Many may have the ability and never fully realize it.
As explained in the Verdan Chronicles, powerful wizards can sense this ability in others. Obviously, Arakon, Terek and Wrasmer have that abilty. It is usually closer to puberty before the ability can be adequately harnessed, but that is not a hard fast rule. It is implied that Celecia began her training at a much younger age, also indicating that there is something special about her.
What about those not discovered by another wizard? Well, they may sense the world a little bit differently than others, but never come to understand it is because of magic. They can live a normal life and die never really knowing what might have been. In some highly stressful situations it has been reported that individuals can exhibit extraordinary feats. It is very possible that an adrenaline surge or even a subconcious burst of energy could temporarily cause an individual to harness mystic energy. Sometimes they are able to instinctively recreate the effect and sometimes they are never able to recapture the moment.
But as explained by Celecia, the traditional route of a wizard is to be discovered by another practitioner and trained as an apprentice. Casting spells requires intense concentration and will tire out a wizard mentally. Practice makes spellcasting easier and over time the use of the same spell over and over will require less mental effort. Hand gestures and chants are a way of using muscle and mental memory to make spells easier. As a wizard becomes increasingly powerful and experienced, they can abandon chants and gestures altogether. Although, habits can sometimes be hard to break.
So let's summarize the rules of magic learned in this beginner's course.
As indicated earlier, I will cover more topics in Magic 201. Those topics will include the creation and use of mystical artifacts, the effects of khanite and emotions on magic, different types of magic and other residual effects of mystic energy. The topics to be covered in Magic 301 will remain secret for now as they would "spoil" too much of what is yet to come. But trust me, the secrets are worth the wait.
I never intended a Part 3, but recently returned from my first convention of the year, C2E2. By the way, I highly recommend these pop culture conventions as a way to celebrate your passions and bond with like-minded people. And if you do decide to go, C2E2 is one of the better ones. You can read more about this and other conventions at friendsofcc.com. I have an article or two there about my con experiences.
So what does this have to do with my publishing journey? A lot...and very little. I like to attend panels at these conventions and enjoy hearing my favorite actors and actresses discuss their journies and their projects. I find it inspirational...and a lot of fun. Most of their stories involve hard work and prove that success can come from a myriad of sources and follow some very strange paths. Most of those in the entertainment industry appreciate the opportunities they've been given and the fans that support them. Most also give back where they can. Frankly, I find most of them to be very good people, worthy of their fandoms.
So on a creative and personal level I take away a lot from these conventions. So why do I also say they contribute "very little"? It's because these conventions offer a wealth of information on how to write and how to publish; yet I've taken advantage of none of it. They offer opportunities to promote your work, yet I've ignored those opportunities. Why don't I take advantage of these things? I do think about this and am not sure I have one answer, but many. I'll explore those in the following chapters. It may help me understand myself a little better and maybe it will help other aspiring writers understand themselves as well.
Reason 1: It will take time away from doing the things I really enjoy. Ok, so on the surface this is true. These conventions are packed with activities from roaming the exhibit hall floor to attending celebrity panels, to getting autograph, to getting photo ops, to just hanging out and talking to other people. All of this is true. But there are times I am just wandering the floor for about the fifth or sixth or tenth time. Is that really necessary. Maybe I don't have a lot of time at these conventions, but if I really wanted to, I could make some time to take in a panel on writing or publishing or just spend some time talking to other authors. Yet, I don't do this. This can't be the only reason.
Reason 2: Writing is my hobby, not my full time profession. This is also true. But it's also a hobby that I've spent thousands of hours on. Since committing to my series, this is not something I spend 1-2 hours a week doing; more like 10-20 hours a week. At minimum, you could look at it like a part time job. I've blogged more than once about how my writing skills are probably average. It's not that I don't want to do better. Even as a hobby, I've listened to constructive critcism from others and have tried to do better each time. This also can't be the only reason.
Reason 3: I refuse to competely acknowledge that I'm an author. I guess this depends upon your definition of an author. Sometimes I refer to myself as a storyteller, because what I'm really doing is telling a story. To me, being an author means that people (more than just friends and coworkers) are reading and enjoying what I write and that I have a steady stream of royalties, even if they remain small. This kind of goes back to reason number 2; a storyteller writes as a hobby, an author writes professionally. Putting myself in the storyteller category means I don't have to work on my writing and publishing, I just have to tell the story. I'm not sure this is so much of a reason, or just an excuse.
Reason 4: Fear of being exposed as a fraud. I think now we're getting more to the heart of the matter. If I attend these panels, take their advice, improve my writing and take advantage of other publishing opportunities, what happens if the Verdan Chronicles still remains in obscurity? It means that what I'm writing is of no interest to others, or worse yet, I'm not even an average writer, I'm terrible. And my claim that the story is as good as anything else ever written will be exposed as a delusion. I'll no longer be subjected to constructive critcism and supportive comments, but will be outright ridiculed for even thinking to call myself an author. My dreams will die and I currently find solace in their possibilty, if not their eventuality. This may not be the only reason, but its a strong one.
Reason 5: A lot of advice just doesn't work for me. This is kind of true. Lulu has sent me lists of things I can do to help promote the Verdan Chronicles. Some of them just make no sense to me, or make me feel uncomfortable. I don't want to go to a panel and be told I have to do X, Y and Z to get my work noticed. What if I don't like doing Y? What if Z involves money I don't have? I've said all along that I won't jeopardize my family's well-being. I could look at it that if only X works for, then I'm still better off than if I hadn't attending the panel. But what if even X doesn't work? Then I will just get frustrated, consider that I've wasted my time and confirmed what I also believe...there is no one formula to success. This reason may be a little weak, but it's still a reason.
Reason 6: I feel presumptuous and a little embarrassed to talk to successful writers and suggest that I belong in their company. This is just another form of fear and insecurity. Writers on these panels are there because they are succesful, admired and have fan bases. They are willing to share their experience, yet I'm unwilling to learn because...well, because I have this "I'm not worthy" complex. if I was more successful and had more readers, then I would feel worthy, but then I'd probably be asked to be on these panels. This reason is kind of weird, but it's also real.
So those are my reasons that immediately come to mind. If you're still reading, what does this mean to you? It means that if you want to succeed and want to be a writer you should confront your fears. Don't follow in my footsteps. If you do, you may be allowed to hang onto your dreams a bit longer, but you're definitely making the path a much longer one. I truly believe their are talented people out there willing to help you, but you have to open yourself up to their help. I'm working on it. I still dream. I'm still trying. I still believe in the Verdan Chronicles.
And that's my last bit of advice. Continue to believe in yourself and your story. Make that belief bullet-proof. If others want to ridicule you...so what? If they can't take away your belief, then they can't hurt you. I've said this before, but it bears repeating...set realistic expectations, but dare to dream big. Having put these thoughts out on the internet, maybe at the next convention I'll take some of my own advice. Or maybe I'll just be the next subject for that new show I've seen promos for..."How the Internet Ruined My Life". We shall see.
Wednesday, May 4, 2016 at 5:41AM
