tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67389855937637367402024-03-06T01:50:02.410-05:00Centernia: Building a CastleA behind-the-scenes peak into the realm of Centernia.Rose Cat Khanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13427882585346681046noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6738985593763736740.post-17047538392815610922021-05-12T17:01:00.001-04:002021-05-12T17:01:49.931-04:00May 2021 Update<p><i>Child of Aurumice</i> came back from my editor. I'm still reviewing all the comments, but his overarching concern is both exciting and gut-punching.</p><p>I have written two books.</p><p>My editor's intuition is dead on, as when I wrote the original outline, it <i>was </i>two books. As the story evolved, I thought I didn't have enough content for two stories, so I left it as one book, the length rivaling Mark of the Castle.</p><p>I need time to process all the comments before I rush to make this change. </p><p>If I go through with it, bad news for you all, book three is delayed. However, on the bright side, you get two books and more story!</p><p>This isn't the only Centernia project on the horizon.</p><p>For years, I've written short stories from different parts of the Centernia timeline, from Elina's childhood to Nico's ultimate sacrifice. I had considered putting the stories up on the website for free or offering them for 99 cents each. Neither felt right. Instead, I'm experimenting with an ambitious project leveraging my graphic designer, writer, and artist skills together. </p><p>I want to create a Centernia magazine, collecting the stories with wildly different art and producing them quarterly. It will nourish my creative soul, deliver more story, and realize the cast in different styles (manga, please?). I get ever-weary of feeding that disjointed social media monster, and this feels more substantial. </p><p>In the fall, my children will be in school. That's a mega change as I'm their daily caretaker. When my daughter was born almost six years ago, I had just released the first Centernia novel, and my illustration wasn't on store shelves. Over the past half-decade, I've become a roiling creative beast, shaking my cage as I yearn for more uninterrupted time to make these PROJECTS HAPPEN. </p><p>As always, patience and kind words are appreciated.</p><p> </p>Rose Cat Khanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13427882585346681046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6738985593763736740.post-18160520611000454722021-01-17T18:38:00.001-05:002021-01-17T18:38:14.398-05:00January 2021: Child of Aurumice Status Update <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This month, the third Centernia novel left my hands and went to the editor. I will not be able to announce a release date yet, but this is one of the final phases. Once it returns, I’ll be able to make corrections, format it, and release it into the wild. :-)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwh6H34mDCw3zNyo-9nOri5l3h3mMqlTpJMTgJf9wxsLk7QDOEhk8nkgTX3jBTH6B7W-BoeML7XGpepg8TbqVNk_U6i4sJFdPXAXex4QI5DIsWHIwNI76eJ6lsIOGQuwQ6TbjPK2s4imU/s2048/74B30F94-EC32-4F27-9337-46E23832A6E7.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1748" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwh6H34mDCw3zNyo-9nOri5l3h3mMqlTpJMTgJf9wxsLk7QDOEhk8nkgTX3jBTH6B7W-BoeML7XGpepg8TbqVNk_U6i4sJFdPXAXex4QI5DIsWHIwNI76eJ6lsIOGQuwQ6TbjPK2s4imU/w341-h400/74B30F94-EC32-4F27-9337-46E23832A6E7.jpeg" width="341" /></a></div><br />Rose Cat Khanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13427882585346681046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6738985593763736740.post-20842403912591247502020-10-23T00:20:00.003-04:002020-10-23T00:28:18.557-04:00Ultimate Centernia Playlist<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">Centernia book three, <i>Child of Aurumice</i>, is in the hands of the final beta reader. </span></p><div class="gs" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; width: 1184.53px;"><div class="ii gt" id=":nx" style="direction: ltr; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><div class="a3s aiL" id=":nw" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 1.5; overflow: hidden;"><div dir="auto"><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">It’s time to dust off this old blog. </p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">So much has happened. The world broke. I’m hiding in my house in upstate NY, spending my days <br />chasing my kids. I haven’t seen the inside of a Wegmans in eight months. Illustration work has exploded <br />in a great way and at the same time I’ve had some medical challenges. When I sat down to write this post <br />I wasn’t sure what my goal was other than to present a teaser for <i>Child of Aurumice</i>. A chapter? A short <br />comic? How can I give you a taste of this wild new story of castles and misguided mages? </p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">I settled on a playlist.</p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">I write to music. Through the years I’ve amassed a gigantic playlist for Centernia of over five hundred <br />songs. I’ve sorted through them, and I present you three Spotify playlists, one for each book. I invite <br />you to make your own interpretations. For those of you who are just too curious, I’ve created a list <br />below the links with character associations.</p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Feel free to reach out, and if you have music that reminds you of Centernia, please send it my way. <br />Centernia@gmail.com</p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica Neue;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2OMht02sIs8ZwfRxY8WATg?si=8k94I4JLQkmMh2QdyoBWTw" target="_blank">Spotify- Centernia: Return to the Castle</a><br /></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica Neue;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0cm4VzcYGEbOO5kqUObdrB?si=j84-oPqWR9-5Yv4GDncnXw" target="_blank">Spotify- Centernia: Mark of the Castle</a><br /></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica Neue;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4iqvs86VfzqD7dlQq10vaG?si=jdpHqwmCQ-K4uZKphoSGoQ" target="_blank">Spotify- Centernia: Child of Aurumice</a><br /></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica Neue;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica Neue;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-weight: bold;">Return to the Castle</span></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;">(Yes, some of these are covers)</p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Memories (Within Temptation)- Misa </p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Lifting Shadows off the Dream (Dream Theatre)- Misa</p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Stand in the Rain (Superchick)- Jessica</p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Only the Beginning of the Adventure (Harry Gregson-Williams)- Instrumental</p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Because of You (Kelly Clarkson)- Jessica</p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Bastille Day (John Tesh)- Instrumental</p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Remember Everything (Five Finger Death Punch)- Teren</p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Stand My Ground (Within Temptation)- Jessica</p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Autobots (London Music Works)- Instrumental</p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Snow White (James Newton Howard) - Instrumental</p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Awake and Alive (Skillet)- Nico</p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Adiemus (Jenkins)- Instrumental</p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The Waltz (John Tesh)- Instrumental </p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The Show Must Go On (Gregory Lamarchal)- Instrumental </p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Gravity of Love (Enigma)- Instrumental</p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Lost it All (Black Veil Brides)- Malachi</p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Say Something (Jasmine Thompson) - Jessica/Stephen</p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">West with the Night- Instrumental</p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Shattered (Trading Yesterday) - The Castlefolk</p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Keep Holding On (Avril Lavigne)- Jessica</p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Permanent (David Cook)- Nico </p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mark of the Castle</span></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Hey Brother (Avicii)- Nico/Teren</p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Turn the Page (Vitamin Piano Series)- Lily/Fentalon</p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Bleeding Love (Leona Lewis)- Jessica</p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">I Will Wait (Mumford and Sons)- Nico</p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Sorcerer’s Apprentice Suite- Instrumental </p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">On the Floor (JLo)- Club Underground</p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Kismet (Bond) - Instrumental</p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Here I Am (Jan Wayne Edit) - Jessica </p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Snuff (Slipknot)- Lily/Stephen</p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Hide and Seek (Matthew Kramer Mix)- Instrumental </p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Secrets (Jennifer Thomas) Instrumental</p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Skin (Sixx:AM)- Nico</p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Illumination (Jennifer Thomas) -Instrumental </p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">To Love you More- Jessica</p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Standing in the Storm (William Joseph) -Instrumental </p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The Sound of Silence (Disturbed)- Nico</p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">I Forgot Who I was (Blake Neely)- Instrumental</p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Far Away (Nickelback)- Nico</p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Titanium/Pavane (Piano Guys)- Instrumental</p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Fall for You (Secondhand Serenade)- Nico</p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">All of Them! (Hans Zimmer)- Final Battle Instrumental </p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Child of Aurumice</span></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.4px;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Winter (Bond)- Instrumental</p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.4px;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Take My Hand (Simple Plan)- Nico</p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Broken (Seether)- Lily/Stephen</p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Land of Confusion (Hidden Citizens)- Misa</p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">When We Were Young (Andy Black, Juliet Simms)- Stephen/Lily</p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Angel of the Morning (Kyla Fletcher)- Savina</p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Ashes (Celine Dion)- Ashlin/Carrie Anne/Stephen </p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">One Less Day (Rob Thomas)- Stephen</p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The Night We Met (Gavin Mikhail)- Teren</p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">King of Wishful Thinking (Newfound Glory)- Jared</p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Into the Blue (Cain’s Offering)- Teren</p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Perfect (Ed Sheeran)- Nico </p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Star Sky (Two Steps from Hell)- Instrumental</p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Devils Don’t Fly (Natalia Kills)- Zia Casimirio</p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">People Like Us (Kelly Clarkson)- Jessica </p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Wedding Medley (Anthem Lights)- Nico/Jessica</p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Into the Flood<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> (Anaria)- Jessica</p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Unbroken (Really Slow Motion)- Jessica</p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Loved Me Back to Life (Celine Dion)- Misa</p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Under Grey Skies (Kamelot)- Nico/Jessica </p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">For Every Step Acoustic Version (Dead by April)- Teren/Nico</p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p></div></div><div class="yj6qo" style="color: #222222; font-family: Roboto, RobotoDraft, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;"></div><div class="yj6qo" style="color: #222222; font-family: Roboto, RobotoDraft, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;"></div><div class="yj6qo" style="color: #222222; font-family: Roboto, RobotoDraft, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;"></div></div><div class="hi" style="background: rgb(242, 242, 242); border-bottom-left-radius: 1px; border-bottom-right-radius: 1px; color: #222222; font-family: Roboto, RobotoDraft, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: auto;"></div></div>Rose Cat Khanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13427882585346681046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6738985593763736740.post-19896148911831811842019-09-21T16:44:00.003-04:002019-09-21T16:51:43.422-04:00The original Mark of the Castle Outline<div style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
I was organizing my studio and came across this tattered old document. As we’re coming upon the one year anniversary of Mark of the Castle, I thought it would be a perfect time to share the original outline. </div>
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As I completed each chapter, I would fill in the chapter number with a scribble of pen. The yellow, green, and lavender backgrounds denote the three acts of the story. I always had a solid path, but I wandered on and off it as the plot evolved. I’m a very digital person, but sometimes I just need something physical to grip onto and reassure myself that I am moving forward. This document was only ever intended for my eyes. It’s not spell-checked, half-thoughts are scribbled, but this is as close to my brain as you can get.</div>
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So without further introduction, this is the Mark of the Castle that could have been. :-)<br />
<a href="https://www.centernia.com/mark-of-the-castle-outline" target="_blank"><b><br /></b></a>
<a href="https://www.centernia.com/mark-of-the-castle-outline" target="_blank"><b>Click here to view the six page outline in full-screen mode.</b></a></div>
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Rose Cat Khanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13427882585346681046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6738985593763736740.post-25949502965692686102019-05-12T23:59:00.002-04:002019-09-21T16:51:55.966-04:00Spring 2019 Q & A<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13.1px;">
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">Here are the top Q & A’s from this convention season:</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold;">Is there a third book? When is it coming out?</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">Yes! There is a third </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic;">and </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">fourth book in the works. I’ve moved past outlining and have written approximately one hundred pages as a skeleton draft for both books. This initial document is essentially a collection of arguments. There are no transitions from chapter to chapter, sparse descriptions, very little setting other than castle or basement or mall. This draft is a lot like a sketch, I can move things around quickly and trash unnecessary scenes without wasting time.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">When I wrote Mark of the Castle, I learned a harsh lesson on book release dates. I couldn’t predict death, car accidents, depression, babies, or brain tumors. So I’ll just say I’m progressing forward towards an undefined deadline. Just stay with me, keep sharing your books, and I promise you there is more story to come.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold;">Will book four be the end of the series?</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">Book four will be the end of Jessica’s high school plot arc, but not the end of the series! Other novels I hope to write include The Dreamspinner’s Journey, which will be the story of how Misa travels to Polaris to gain the knowledge to unlock the Gate. After that I would like to move either forward in time and write the next story in Jessica’s life or go back to the 1980s when Lily and Beatrix were teenagers. Also on the horizon are an art book/world guide and audio book.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold;">What cons will you be traveling to?</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">My children are very young so my con schedule is deliberately sparse. I have been invited as a guest artist and panelist for Anime Boston 2020, so I will be there next April. I’ll be at Salt City Comic Con in Syracuse, NY in July 2019. In November, I’ll be at Night Market in the Sky Armory, (also Syracuse). I’m open to any con guest invites and love giving panels and lectures.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold;">I bought your book online, will you sign it at a convention?</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">Yes! </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold;">I want to cosplay Centernia, are there art references for it?</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.centernia.com/illustrated-world">https://www.centernia.com/illustrated-world</a></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;"> is the most comprehensive guide to Centernia art at the moment, as well as this blog. I’m trying to change this and put together more quick sketches like the two below. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">This topic will be explored more in the next book. It comes down to political control. Hundreds of years ago, the Auroriate Circus was heavily populated with mages. When Castle Nova established the centralized Polaris Academy in the Katanzaarko region, the mages were slowly pulled from the Circus. Even though the mages now are the ultimate governing body, the Auroriates have a powerful reach into the daily lives of the people. Every village has a temple that serves as a solid social anchor. The traveling circuses add to their appeal and strength. The Holy Circus is able to reach normal people in a way mages simply can’t. The mages know this and find it irksome. The mages also have ties to earth and are aware of Christianity and the plethora of religions of this land, which weakens their faith in the Goddess Aurora. Though not necessarily atheist, mages tend to be more skeptical. They look down on Auroriates just as the Auroriates view them as elitist. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">My brain tumor is not out to kill me at the moment, so we’re good. Radiation has stopped its growth. I have yearly MRIs to check on it. My facial nerve it stable, my balance is good, and I’m mostly deaf in one ear. For a person with a tumor on their brain stem, I really can’t complain. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt;">This June, in celebration of my birthday, I’m launching a new campaign. There are over 1,000 physical copies of Return to the Castle in the world. I would love nothing more than for these copies to be loaned out to friends. If you have a well-loved book, please, please, share it! </span></div>
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Rose Cat Khanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13427882585346681046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6738985593763736740.post-7286741120611049522019-04-15T20:18:00.000-04:002019-09-04T02:08:21.113-04:00Depression in Centernia <div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 12pt;">"Centernia is realistic fantasy." This is a phrase that's been repeated to me many times during convention conversations. Centernia hits on a variety of heavy topics...divorce, drug abuse, sexuality, economic imbalance...all wrapped up in a wild tale of magic and mayhem. I would like to analyze a few of these topics in greater depth, starting with depression. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt;">*****Book 1 & 2 Spoilers Ahead*****</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt;">Nico is a character who experiences an inordinate amount of trauma. At the end of </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: TimesNewRomanPS-ItalicMT; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">Return to the Castle</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt;">, his parents are dead, Misa is dead, he's been doomed to a life without physical intimacy and he's about to become enslaved in the Mines of Briken. At the opening of </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: TimesNewRomanPS-ItalicMT; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">Mark of the Castle</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt;">, we can add torture, physical maiming, and an encounter with a Sinari woman. He’s hunted by mages and he fears that returning home may put Teren in danger. There's not much more that could be done to torture this man.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt;">Through all of </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: TimesNewRomanPS-ItalicMT; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">Return to the Castle</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt;">, we established that Nico is generally a very logical, clever and resourceful person. In response to his tenuous situation, he</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: TimesNewRomanPS-ItalicMT; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;"> could</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt;"> hide in the forest, obscure his identity, and send a message to his friends. What does he do instead?</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt;">He attempts suicide.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt;">The cocktail of depression and PTSD.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt;">Many protagonists in sci-fi and fantasy remain unscathed by the mental aftermath of the traumas they have survived, and if they do suffer, it’s mentioned in passing. Nico is not one of them. The shattered pieces of his life continuously jab at his psyche and dominate most of </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: TimesNewRomanPS-ItalicMT; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">Mark of the Castle</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt;">.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt;">After Nico's suicide attempt is foiled, he’s set on the path to return home. Again, he doesn’t take the opportunity to reach out for help. His mental state obscures his better judgment and he becomes stuck in Yellow Valley until Jessica and Jared discover him. Panicking, he lashes out. He attacks Jessica and seriously wounds Jared in an act of hostility we can attribute to his PTSD. Jessica finally gets through to him by evoking Misa’s name, and it seems his deceased friend is his only tie to mental stability.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt;">At this point, I’d like to mention Nico’s right eye, which becomes a symbol of his mental state. In Chapter One, we learned that it was so badly damaged he’s unable to open it. In Yellow Valley, it’s still severely injured.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt;">Nico and Jessica eventually end up in the hands of the Holy Circus where Nico receives one more emotional kick: his father had remarried and had a hidden family. He is clearly unhappy about this discovery, avoids his new family, and is prickly when Jessi asks about them.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt;">Odd family situation aside, with the circus Nico finally has a chance to breathe. Aunt Dahlia promises to keep him hidden. He’s in this sanctuary with Jessi, the one person he’s physically attracted to.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt;">By lashing out, remaining socially withdrawn and lethargic.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: TimesNewRomanPS-ItalicMT; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“I don’t understand you,” Jessica scowled. “Why are you so angry all of a sudden?”</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: TimesNewRomanPS-ItalicMT; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“But you’ve been locked away for so long, and all you want to do now is hide in a tent?!”</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt;">Nico remains in this state for many chapters until they return to the mining town of Briken, the origin of his despair. Jessica experiences the toxicity of the poisoned town and burns her throat in the acid rain. Nico offers her a mild antidote in the Plookory eggs. He talks about the ph levels of the yolks and his old analytical side comes through. After drinking the concoction, they converse about their previous relationship and Jessica feels hope that her friend is not entirely lost. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: TimesNewRomanPS-ItalicMT; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“It was like a tiny crack in the wall with just a sliver of light.”</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt;">A few days later, Nico saves his brother Reese from the needlewasp eggs. He relies on his logic and knowledge to figure out the source of his brother's fever. He experiences a major turning point as he sidesteps tragedy and receives sincere gratitude from his father's family.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt;">As his Reese recovers, Nico repairs a clock, gaining the attention of his brethren who are eager to have someone with his mechanical skills. Nico starts going through behaviors that are more normal as he is tasked to repair the gadgets of the circus. He finds peace in the work, so much so that he attempts to rekindle his relationship with Jessica by taking her to the dance at Watersglade. Despite his improvement, he is not cured of his mental health disorder. At the dance, Nico experiences severe anxiety and panics in the crowded underwater ballroom. Jessica confronts him in the park outside. He speaks to her about an emotional state anyone with depression knows too well.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: TimesNewRomanPS-ItalicMT; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">“Why did you stop loving me?” she asked.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: TimesNewRomanPS-ItalicMT; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">The question was strange.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: TimesNewRomanPS-ItalicMT; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">His feelings for her had never truly vanished, but had greyed like all of his life.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: TimesNewRomanPS-ItalicMT; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">“I forced myself to eat the cake tonight,” he said suddenly.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: TimesNewRomanPS-ItalicMT; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">Jessica crinkled her face, waiting for his explanation.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: TimesNewRomanPS-ItalicMT; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">“I made myself eat the cake. I know it was good cake, the logical side of my brain said it was good cake. I felt nothing from it, no euphoria, no warm happiness, all the little emotions that go with that first bite of a wonderful piece of cake. I have no appetite for any food. I ate it because I knew you would be sad and ask me why. So, I ate the cake, and pretended I liked it.”</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: TimesNewRomanPS-ItalicMT; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">“Okay, so I’m cake,” Jessica smiled at the absurdity of the metaphor, “but this is all of life for you?”</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: TimesNewRomanPS-ItalicMT; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">Nico nodded.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: TimesNewRomanPS-ItalicMT; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">“But you are not cake,” he insisted, “and I refuse to lie to you because it would be cruel.”</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt;">Several times, Jessica mentions ways to help him, including medication from earth and empathic intervention through Teren. He shies away from both, fearing a greater mental crash like the one that had destroyed his mother.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt;">Eventually, Nico's friends come to find them in their Holy Circus hiding. After a brief separation, Nico returns to Aurumice. As he walks on the castle grounds, we learn that his right eye has gotten a bit better and he’s able to see blurry forms again. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt;">Hidden in the castle, he comes to terms with another source of his depression, his father’s death. His “eyes adjusted to the darkness of the room” as he explores his father’s untouched office and old memories. This line is a direct contrast to the opening chapters where his eye is unable to handle the shift in light. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt;">In Aurumice, Nico’s powers re-emerge slowly and he gains confidence. The castle in danger, he regains a sense of duty. On the eve of the fight with the needlewasps, he reaches out to Jessica. She welcomes him, bringing down his fear of intimacy. His character takes another step towards recovery.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt;">In the midst of the needlewasp battle, he’s reunited with his old friend Savina. She asks him what happened to his eye, and he replies ‘it’s better than it was.’</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt;">In the last chapter of the book, Nico finally experiences freedom as the weight of the Aurumician debt is lifted from his shoulders. To symbolize his healing, “his eyes traveled up to the crystal apex of the ballroom.” There’s no mention of the damage and we can assume his wound has healed. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt;">Nico will always bear the scar over his eye, and I’m certain there will be moments when the shadows of his past will creep up again. I hope that Mark of the Castle takes the reader on a realistic journey through depression.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt;">On a personal level, I wrote Mark of the Castle when recovering from post-partum depression. My right eye is permanently nerve damaged due to my brain tumor. Nico’s struggles are my own, and his triumph likewise echos my recovery. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt;">Email me or comment if you’d like to hear more in-depth plot analysis like this article! Your feedback is meaningful!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt;">Centernia@gmail.com</span></div>
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Rose Cat Khanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13427882585346681046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6738985593763736740.post-77064470472694225992019-02-25T09:50:00.003-05:002019-04-16T08:42:47.911-04:00Genericon 2019 Changed my Life<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzikTW57OMCwihfk4yjF2rwUKdbDxsPoe8HOYddcd_G2JVclsCekmD9TCtUzKmD8dHTVyTqhoMJFLyUUEI' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">On Friday afternoon I dropped my kids off at my parents’ house, loaded up the car, and traveled I-90 with Octostar Creations for Genericon 2019. We came back late last night in a blustery and rainy wind storm and I am still in awe of this weekend.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I’ve been to Genericon in 2015, and 2017, it’s one of my favorite college cons. This time was a very different experience.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Very.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Different.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It was my first returning con with Mark of the Castle. The response was insane, to put it mildly. I was approached by dozens of fans with stories I never expected to hear, from a mom who secretly purchased the book for her daughter and photographed her reaction to someone who had used the morality of Centernia as a topic for a college assignment. I was approached by artists, aspiring audiobook narrators, and clusters of friend groups who had been passing around a copy of Centernia for years. There were people who had bought it at other cons, including NYCC 2014, the year I launched this fledgling endeavor. Four years is a long time to wait and maintain hope and excitement.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I also gained a huge insight into the internet from this experience. Again and again, I heard how people were checking my website and sundry of social media feeds, waiting for updates. They knew about my kids, my brain tumor, and everything I had gone through since 2014. As a content creator, I thrive off of feedback, and I realized that these were people who were silently watching, not always liking or commenting or emailing, but still there. This shouldn’t surprised me, there are dozens of content creators I have religiously followed for years, and I love them though I’ve never sent a single email or posted a comment. I am content being the fan who admires from afar. Centernia has these in greater numbers than I had imagined.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have more content to share with these people. Years of artwork stockpiled, because I didn’t think it was good enough, world guides, unpublished blog posts, so much Centernia that I didn’t think people would care about. Clearly my imposter syndrome got the better of me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I will be more diligent about blog posts and sharing art!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxdmQgG-UgKTOjyTod-QmETmX2I8U0daYFMZjxTeOUHoxfaod5MWmGTu6fsx5rYjDHZ0UOIg7QC5LkKJCOH' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And YES, book three is happening. There it is, on my playroom wall, between the clouds and the massive collection of legos. The actual chapters are being written.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbD1w0lN8EG9d8DwJaneM_-4YP97Jx-AFHzpTwagUgzP1kFhfaPwFlNYyQq8IA6lBFmefW5e4oQR7Tr5kgIRKdqKXY6alXaaCoewkRPHDysTz4RKbc5mDFQMVHQvViQldKND4x_HR3dSg/s1600/78773155-7F64-431B-93BD-E59C642ABBB0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbD1w0lN8EG9d8DwJaneM_-4YP97Jx-AFHzpTwagUgzP1kFhfaPwFlNYyQq8IA6lBFmefW5e4oQR7Tr5kgIRKdqKXY6alXaaCoewkRPHDysTz4RKbc5mDFQMVHQvViQldKND4x_HR3dSg/s320/78773155-7F64-431B-93BD-E59C642ABBB0.jpeg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It’s coming, no promises when, but it will happen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And now, I happily update the Centernia Con List, commemorating over a thousand copies sold...</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 13px;">Roc</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 13px;"> Con 2014</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px;">New York Comic Con 2014</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px;">Youmacon 2014</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px;">Tora Con 2015</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px;">Anime Boston 2015</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px;">Genericon 2015</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px;">Sci Fi Valley Con 2015</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px;">UB Mini Con 2015</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px;">Cosplay Snowfest 2015</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px;">Another Anime Con 2016</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Genericon 2017</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Flower City Comic Con 2017</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Tora Con 2017</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Flower City Comic Con 2018</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Salt City Comic Con 2018</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Wizarding Weekend Ithaca 2018</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Genericon 2019</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px;">Out in Texas, thanks to MIRANDA BLAKELY for sharing Centernia to new fans at:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px;">Comicpalooza 2015</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px;">Dallas FanExpo 2015</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px;">Sci-Fi Fest San Antonio 2015</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px;">San Antonio Indie Book Fest 2015</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="color: #444444; font-size: 13px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px;">In downstate NY, thanks to CATHY RAZIM and her husband JOE PIETRUCH for being ultimate </span><br />
<div style="color: #444444; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Centernia evangelists at:</span><br />
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<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Eternal Con 2015</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">WinterCon 2016</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">First Con-tact 2016 </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Flower City Comic Con 2016</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Sci Fi Valley Con 2016 </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">East Meadow Comic Con 2016</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">EveryCon 2016</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">East Hampton Pop Expo 2016</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Fan World 2016</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Fandemicon 2016</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Immortal Con 2016</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">Syracuse Hot Summer Expo 2016</span></div>
</div>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">Roc Con 2018</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">FC3 Mini Con 2018</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">And finally, look for me at Anime Boston 2019 and Salt City Comic Con </span></div>
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</div>
<div>
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Rose Cat Khanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13427882585346681046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6738985593763736740.post-47252413718744326512019-02-18T09:37:00.000-05:002019-02-25T08:47:52.739-05:00February 2019 Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Two new releases of my artwork to hit store shelves within the past several weeks! I have a collection of four unicorns available through Pacific Trading Co and the Dragon Valley Puzzle from Ravensburger.</div>
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<a href="https://www.fairyglen.com/rosekhan.html" target="_blank">https://www.fairyglen.com/rosekhan.html</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwsjCQjuaHzCTSvvpw1KPrFVtQkpJD_mA2PjAAxvWp_1Eu1cppTUx3XG3p0fP7hN92Up-UE3FjBNCyhbzIsXhJ2Jy0YwQKNYOekAIrsKwnlgIyg64-9dkKg_ypKyQ4vP_lNGXw68GkK9U/s1600/IMG_7824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwsjCQjuaHzCTSvvpw1KPrFVtQkpJD_mA2PjAAxvWp_1Eu1cppTUx3XG3p0fP7hN92Up-UE3FjBNCyhbzIsXhJ2Jy0YwQKNYOekAIrsKwnlgIyg64-9dkKg_ypKyQ4vP_lNGXw68GkK9U/s320/IMG_7824.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcOEMZDp_HwdDpeQJdHyZW99Fd2NCgB0zczGaJXRhG4i3XCseQFgRwWeNLGkqHxwHuaHNLL_efgb3VUWpLOfmxAZ1xVmeRkZfFrqsn3LgbYcJQmqAQMCaMuze9bJjvC_me-QPF078zu2c/s1600/Rose_Catherine_Khan_Dragon_Paradise_low_res.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1021" data-original-width="1600" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcOEMZDp_HwdDpeQJdHyZW99Fd2NCgB0zczGaJXRhG4i3XCseQFgRwWeNLGkqHxwHuaHNLL_efgb3VUWpLOfmxAZ1xVmeRkZfFrqsn3LgbYcJQmqAQMCaMuze9bJjvC_me-QPF078zu2c/s400/Rose_Catherine_Khan_Dragon_Paradise_low_res.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />Rose Cat Khanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13427882585346681046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6738985593763736740.post-89026059640800927602018-12-17T23:36:00.004-05:002019-02-25T08:48:03.713-05:00December 2018 Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwnTWAxE4oveuGKwkUkCRcMGZKgfEXWbOKw_XxjU1sp_mAsbZedv5aXKwQZjjUes33Fg0_WgN3xnICfTBx43a35RiqUvr9gWDOig27rB-GT31XnluYtYYYGYkE77EQ87U3qkddU2R6Bio/s1600/Collage_Centernia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="503" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwnTWAxE4oveuGKwkUkCRcMGZKgfEXWbOKw_XxjU1sp_mAsbZedv5aXKwQZjjUes33Fg0_WgN3xnICfTBx43a35RiqUvr9gWDOig27rB-GT31XnluYtYYYGYkE77EQ87U3qkddU2R6Bio/s400/Collage_Centernia.jpg" width="313" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
A huge weight was lifted from my shoulders at the completion of <i>Mark of the Castle</i>.<br />
<br />
So what's next?<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>The Agent Search </b><br />
<br />
My illustration work is represented by an amazing agent who has brought unreal opportunities. Unfortunately, he doesn't handle the literary side. I've decided it's time to seek out literary agents to bring Centernia to the next level. I know it's a long shot and I will continue to build the universe regardless if the series ever sees big-time publication. Much of my time this past month was centered on sending out query letters.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Illustration</b><br />
<br />
A few months ago I listened to a Pete Mohrbacher video on the value of getting up early, ( <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zF7vBzJdp7A&index=2&list=PLmB-nP6ZnEw_5Dms91Gg9Ur-hPUQMWStG&t=8s" target="_blank">You Tube- One Fantastic Week</a> ). Mohrbacher is a fantasy illustrator who champions the idea of creating your own IP and taking control of your projects.<br />
<br />
I took Mohrbacher's advice and started getting up before my kids a little over a month ago. 5-10 hours of work time were hiding in my week! I also bit the bullet and joined a gym that had sitter service, buying me another 5-10 work time. With these hidden hours I've started an illustration workflow that <i>should</i> enable me to start outputting more art for Centernia.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Book Three</b><br />
<br />
I'm building out the scaffold for the third book in the series, which will take the reader to Jessi's graduation from high school. Between <i>Return</i> and <i>Mark of the Castle</i> I discovered my writing process was too inefficient to ever finish the series. I tightened up my workflow significantly and improved the outlining process. I make no promises of the release date for the third book, but I hope it's not going to be another four years. It's in progress! Look, there's even a <a href="https://open.spotify.com/user/perlinmuse/playlist/6V139dBvNPs3lifk9gyDGs?si=MiF5GSe8QYqgJT15Z_X_Ag" target="_blank">Spotify</a> playlist for it, with a ton of symphonic metal.<br />
<br />
<b>Convention Updates 2019</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
New England fans will be happy to know that I've landed a spot at Anime Boston, April 19th -21th at the Hynes Convention Center. AB was a HUGE con for Centernia in 2014 and I haven't been able to make it since, (because kids...brain...etc...). I'll be there with tons of new fantasy art and of course, <i>Mark of the Castle.</i><br />
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<br />Rose Cat Khanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13427882585346681046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6738985593763736740.post-14430224722249356472018-10-05T13:37:00.000-04:002019-02-25T08:48:22.496-05:00October 2018 What a crazy whirlwind it's been! There are so many exclamation marks in this post!!!!<br />
<br />
<b>1. The Book</b><br />
<br />
<i>Centernia: Mark of the Castle is complete!!! </i> Scheduled release is this late October/early November!!!!!!!!! <i> Mark</i> is 530 pages of magic, mayhem and drama edited by the amazing Keith R.A.DeCandido https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keith_DeCandido<br />
http://decandido.net/<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcobi5kjb0G0rfscXSaEW53MQa_N2lGMSqBom7cA2F3icdwt8TvWi2vsT7VzlxgO0MiiDwBMH2NgxKIsDw8KFSRaTKEedz9r999GbsOVWqTVsMrpfoeZvQlWLlfRKfgfxwIs9RhNoleag/s1600/mark+of+the+castle+cover+graphic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1019" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcobi5kjb0G0rfscXSaEW53MQa_N2lGMSqBom7cA2F3icdwt8TvWi2vsT7VzlxgO0MiiDwBMH2NgxKIsDw8KFSRaTKEedz9r999GbsOVWqTVsMrpfoeZvQlWLlfRKfgfxwIs9RhNoleag/s320/mark+of+the+castle+cover+graphic.jpg" width="203" /></a></div>
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<br />
<b>2. Appearance Schedule</b><br />
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Wizarding Weekend Ithaca, October 26, 27 & 28th will be my big fall show. I'll be giving a panel talk on worldbuilding and selling in the Artist Atrium. WE WILL ALSO HAVE A LIMITED NUMBER OF SIGNED COPIES OF MARK OF THE CASTLE. Come early to snag your copy!!!!<br />
http://wizardingweekend.com/<br />
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The same weekend as Wizarding, my artist friend Cat Razim will have copies at Flower City Minicon. An even smaller number of signed copies will be available, though I will not be there.<br />
http://www.fc3roc.com/<br />
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<b>3. Fantasy Art Projects</b><br />
<br />
This is the source of most of my awesome crazy. This year has been my year for fantasy art. In 2019 you can expect to see dragon puzzles released from Ravensburger, unicorn puzzles from Lafayette Puzzle Company, unicorn figurines from Pacific Trading Co and soooooooo much more. A ton of my time has been absorbed into creating these pieces, and though they're not Centernia-specific, if you're a fan of fantasy, follow RoseCatherine.com and all my social media for updates<br />
<br />
https://www.rosecatherine.com/<br />
<b><br /></b><b>4. Goodreads</b><br />
<br />
We're still looking for fans to rate <i>Return to the Castle</i> and write reviews. A paragraph of your time makes Centernia that much stronger.<br />
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https://www.goodreads.com/<br />
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<b>5. My Brain</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Statistically speaking, I'm not dying. I'm mostly deaf in one ear now, my face is half numb and occasionally my balance sucks. I feel like I should be more down about it, but I'm mostly like, hey, MRI technology saved my life. Tumor is still in my head, and in theory it should shrink down and behave itself.<br />
<b><br /></b><b>6. The Future</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Now that the book is done, expect more art and a collection of short stories. :-DRose Cat Khanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13427882585346681046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6738985593763736740.post-35200837841284584102017-10-31T09:45:00.001-04:002019-02-25T08:48:35.617-05:00October 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP-NA8-DKL6CCoVfwkTkyB5fSGC5o5t8GkkOmRoElKkNyEArAKiR2Sm9EHaSjLq-8yQpGkaRSPA6Z0FJmGPf9o2ZYmhBlABeFsGpka4KgD5sn5d4bjbCBjgyxQbvxwAj2IBSTgwYCMix8/s1600/22140944_10102510850392725_7452096780478009603_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="638" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP-NA8-DKL6CCoVfwkTkyB5fSGC5o5t8GkkOmRoElKkNyEArAKiR2Sm9EHaSjLq-8yQpGkaRSPA6Z0FJmGPf9o2ZYmhBlABeFsGpka4KgD5sn5d4bjbCBjgyxQbvxwAj2IBSTgwYCMix8/s320/22140944_10102510850392725_7452096780478009603_n.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
Hello! A lot of behind-the-scenes action going on.<br />
First and foremost, on October 2nd we welcomed our little 9lb pumpkin Enzo. He's our little zen baby, and he brings this peaceful aura wherever he goes....though of course, that simply may be the contrast of newborn baby vs. our tornado of a toddler.
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<br />
Before Enzo was born, I was able to get the Centernia sequel into the hands of the beta readers. I've received some of the feedback already, and overall I'm really pleased with what people have to say. There are minor adjustments to be made, but overall it sounds like the story had its intended impact and readers were happy.<br />
<br />
While waiting for feedback, I've taken on other overdue projects. Most notably, I wrapped up a new redesign for my art portfolio site, <a href="http://www.rosecatherine.com/">www.RoseCatherine.com</a><br />
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<br />
Now that the book is approaching release, I can switch my focus from writing back to art, including Centernia art.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjlbCKxow3jlbQ5zngcsgf9TbgtIs7w2tuva1gy6WfIQWE_WxbbXzums5o1d3m3GtIaQoEXrR5in0YOlqdMxLwReQ1hEspigo2a30woXnNR1I5L9Jo4h6CccV_GBnl8VxpuWIEH-Evf-4/s1600/18881777_10102302949512755_8614609068758303661_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="741" data-original-width="960" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjlbCKxow3jlbQ5zngcsgf9TbgtIs7w2tuva1gy6WfIQWE_WxbbXzums5o1d3m3GtIaQoEXrR5in0YOlqdMxLwReQ1hEspigo2a30woXnNR1I5L9Jo4h6CccV_GBnl8VxpuWIEH-Evf-4/s400/18881777_10102302949512755_8614609068758303661_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kaity Cosette 2014 vs 2017</td></tr>
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Rose Cat Khanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13427882585346681046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6738985593763736740.post-44017988323093768192017-09-05T23:21:00.003-04:002019-02-25T08:48:48.388-05:00September 2017<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWvn4qe_SCtU-q62picfxZg7RKLLqyh7VdJMvBJFOhsTgvM5AHyzhLBBTIo55i2DZR9oQ1KwcO5s62LUKhw4_9KApdn1Lc6bq0_nJqBWzUGC28Pb9XrL9r3nMKByU7xppSqisbl_ikDzk/s1600/21317956_10159364057715370_2368416318683258316_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="639" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWvn4qe_SCtU-q62picfxZg7RKLLqyh7VdJMvBJFOhsTgvM5AHyzhLBBTIo55i2DZR9oQ1KwcO5s62LUKhw4_9KApdn1Lc6bq0_nJqBWzUGC28Pb9XrL9r3nMKByU7xppSqisbl_ikDzk/s320/21317956_10159364057715370_2368416318683258316_n.jpg" width="255" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/illusionsartwork/" target="_blank">Misa fanart from Ling Tang<br />https://www.facebook.com/illusionsartwork/</a></td></tr>
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<br />
The second book in the Centernia series is finally in the hands of beta readers! The book was sent out to fourteen readers earlier afternoon. They have until October 31st to provide their feedback. <br />
<br />
I went blog silent for a few months because I knew I had to put all focus the book. If I didn't finish it before my son's arrival, I was looking at another year delay, and I refused to accept that! After I receive all the feedback, I'll tweak parts of the story then send the book to my editor. There's a strong possibility that we will be having a pre-order, if not launch, for the holiday season.<br />
<br />
My hours have been scarce between working part time and chasing my daughter. Almost every single toddler nap for the past year has been dedicated writing time.<br />
<br />
As of this moment, I'm still awaiting my son and my tumor treatment, but with a lot less stress!!! Hah hah....it's just giving birth followed by brain surgery. Somehow finishing this book was a little more monumental. <br />
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<br />Rose Cat Khanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13427882585346681046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6738985593763736740.post-32434389782199722772017-04-27T15:19:00.002-04:002019-02-25T08:49:33.542-05:00So I have a brain tumor....<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCsXBFCyR3IMwiJ-GctaoPv2andRBZ7GaADcgtSLmP2W0_ZDl7FXU2vDMB_SfMt93mipOHRjq3LB6I8cIvMJDjUZejdRlqFdkQthbrljGabfpuoLLV2EzBkrWBeQ88x2UF3KMfIFI-PiQ/s1600/acoustic_neuroma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCsXBFCyR3IMwiJ-GctaoPv2andRBZ7GaADcgtSLmP2W0_ZDl7FXU2vDMB_SfMt93mipOHRjq3LB6I8cIvMJDjUZejdRlqFdkQthbrljGabfpuoLLV2EzBkrWBeQ88x2UF3KMfIFI-PiQ/s400/acoustic_neuroma.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Tumor</td></tr>
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This is a very odd post that seems more like the stuff of fiction than fact. I have a tumor growing out of my 8th cranial nerve, pressing on my brainstem. Also, because that isn't exciting enough, I'm pregnant with my second child. <br />
<br />
<b>The Path to Diagnosis</b><br />
<br />
I think it's important to share this story. A vestibular schwannoma is a tumor that is apparently growing in popularity, despite Google classifying it as "very rare". Symptoms can be confused for other things, such as anxiety and migraines.<br />
<br />
My first clue something was amiss was in July of 2016. The right corner of my mouth felt wet and cold, even though it wasn't. The odd wet feeling came and went over the course of a week, then vanished. I didn't see a doctor since it went away on its own.<br />
<br />
A month later, I was vacationing and enjoying some amazing coastal shellfish. The right side of my tongue started going numb and I was convinced I developed a shellfish allergy. For the next several months I avoided shellfish.<br />
<br />
In January, I found out I was pregnant with my second child. I was very happy, until the weird mouth feeling came back accompanied by cold sensations on the right side of my face. I saw my GP, who basically said, 'I don't have any idea what's wrong with you, but I'll give you a referral to a neurologist'. While waiting for the neurology appointment, I developed subtle tinnitus in my right ear. <br />
<br />
The initial neurologist I saw was terrible. He insisted I didn't have MS repeatedly, even though I never asked about MS. He said I couldn't have a tumor because the symptoms wouldn't have faded. He said if I wasn't pregnant, I could have an MRI immediately, but since I was, I had to wait until after I delivered in September, (once again, this was January). He proceeded to rattle of a long list of causes ranging from vitamin D deficiency, hormones or a dental issue. Then he stated nothing was really wrong with me because I only had one symptom. My MRI was scheduled for October and I was sent on my way.<br />
<br />
Not happy with this lack of diagnosis, I explained my concerns to my midwife at my appointment a few weeks later. I was told I could absolutely have an MRI, and it was one of the safest scans you could do during pregnancy, (without contrast of course). She referred me to a perinatal specialist and also cleared me for a dental xray. I had my dental xray, which showed nothing wrong. I met with the perinatal specialist who referred me to a neurologist. I waited another week and a half.<br />
<br />
The second neurologist thought my symptoms warranted investigation and scheduled me for an MRI. Two weeks later, it was revealed I had an acoustic neuroma/vestibular schwannoma. Growing out of my acoustic nerve, it's about the dimensions of a large grape. Though the tumor itself is usually benign, the location is very nasty, placing it alongside of the vestibular nerve, the trigeminal nerve, and next to the brain. As you can see from the MRI, mine is encroaching on my brainstem. Being pregnant, my treatment is delayed, though I'm under close monitoring.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<b>What can fans do to help?</b><br />
<br />
I don't need any sort of fundraiser to pay for treatment. What I <i>really</i> need is patience from fans. I know it's not atypical to wait two years for a sequel, but it's been hard on me because I <i>really</i> want to tell you the rest of the story. The first book was 115,000 words, this one is already pushing 170,000, and I can't wait to share the story.<br />
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I have already received kind messages about Centernia. I appreciate the emails, comments, and fan art. It means a lot to me! If you would like to do something more active to help, take the time to write a review on <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23311826-return-to-the-castle" target="_blank">Goodreads</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Centernia-Return-Rose-Catherine-Khan-ebook/dp/B00NMNQZLU/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">Amazon</a> or any other outlet that reviews books. These reviews help Centernia grow!!!<br />
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If you happen to be a convention dealer or artist and would like to help sell Centernia, please contact me. I won't be able to do as many shows in the next year.<br />
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I'm <b>editing every day</b>. At the moment, I'm grateful that my symptoms are very mild. I'm much more fearful of my treatment, which can cause deafness, facial paralysis, vertigo and balance issues. I'm really, really, trying to finish this book before I get to that. I also could be lucky and have minimal side effects. We don't know if the tumor will grow in the next several months and how difficult it may be to treat. I'm going to remain optimistic, simply because being miserable really won't help anyone. I appreciate the everyone's concern and understanding. :-)<br />
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<br />Rose Cat Khanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13427882585346681046noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6738985593763736740.post-45877708668321979812017-04-23T15:17:00.000-04:002019-02-25T08:49:56.172-05:00Tora Con Panel: World Building<span id="docs-internal-guid-ebb0af2b-9c0b-1773-2545-d1c329f97b31"><img height="417px;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/vQpe-fR-nP9weKXrQskPKkHE6tDURYJgLoJomlsqd8gidymfAFlKlYccpzrgevTHXWma2hjldwcLCUMuuzoDcuD1BvU6I3Zqxq4erYpoXXo3OVLXYGFSxD8ZIqvfHNWM8j5e8YZgS_c" width="313px;" /></span><br />
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This weekend I had the honor of delivering a panel at Tora Con on World Building and Indie Publication. <br />
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During the lecture, I spoke on the process I use to create a world. As promised, here is the checklist of elements a creator needs to be aware of when building a believable fantasy universe. By establishing and understanding these components, you'll ensure that your reader is immersed. <br />
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<b>Social World</b><br />
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<ul>
<li>Economy & Trade</li>
<li>Tradition and Superstition</li>
<li>Religion</li>
<li>Politics</li>
<li>History</li>
<li>Prejudice</li>
<li>Distribution of Wealth</li>
</ul>
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<b>Physical World</b><br />
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<ul>
<li>Technology</li>
<li>Housing</li>
<li>Environment</li>
<li>Creatures</li>
<li>Everyday Annoyances</li>
<li>Hazards</li>
</ul>
Rose Cat Khanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13427882585346681046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6738985593763736740.post-22119148459580741472017-03-01T01:06:00.002-05:002019-02-25T08:52:12.562-05:00Centernia Q & A: Characters and Editors<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4KuEpIpgKonoLaYPaJEvY-tHKwh9by1O-w1Nn5NmK6UA96o4iuTmutpqI_Qa8qSvz5SQlwHfDbvWYVjxxDMFCzLMnrZW-dd0htTuD03H40aqZdk72z4PWxVXoDu8imccElNxXi_jNPBc/s1600/2016_10_26_terensavins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4KuEpIpgKonoLaYPaJEvY-tHKwh9by1O-w1Nn5NmK6UA96o4iuTmutpqI_Qa8qSvz5SQlwHfDbvWYVjxxDMFCzLMnrZW-dd0htTuD03H40aqZdk72z4PWxVXoDu8imccElNxXi_jNPBc/s400/2016_10_26_terensavins.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999;">Teren and Savina, forever apart but always together</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>Q and A: </b>Questions from email and conventions<br />
<br />
<b>1. Who are your favorite characters?</b><br />
<br />
I love all of my dysfunctional children, making it difficult to select a single favorite. Each character has evolved over the years, revealing their flaws and hidden strengths. If really pressed, I would select the two characters who have never changed, Teren and Savina.<br />
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Savina has always been an arrogant antagonist, loyal to Aurumice, a pain in Jessi's side, and forever in love with Teren. An outsider to the castle, she was brought to the castle under what was supposed to be a temporary arrangement. She has a rich Galbrian accent and constantly reminiscences of her childhood on the sea.<br />
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Teren has remained the cold and distant gentleman. He is happy to share a bed with Savina, but never believes that she truly loves him. In earlier drafts of Centernia, his mage strength was tied to his skills with a violin. He could entrance a crowd by playing an aria. In later drafts, his emphatic abilities emerged. With empathy and the ability to change a person's emotions, a greater loneliness emerged in Teren. He could see and feel love all around him, but questioned the sincerity of emotions anyone projected towards him.<br />
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<b>2. How did you find an editor?</b><br />
<br />
Centernia was to many different publishers in its inception in the late 90s. Not surprisingly, it was rejected. In retrospect, it was a well-deserved rejection because the story was shallow, barely better than a cheap Disney knock-off. There was no grit, no darkness and depth. The government of Trabalis was lovely. The paradoxical Holy Circus did not exist. Jessica lived a middle-class lifestyle with happily married parents. The castle was beautiful and pristine. Nico was boring. It was just garbage. Ugh. As I grew older, the story became darker and more unique. <br />
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I started doing conventions in 2013, only selling artwork. When I was approached about a table at NYCC for October 2014, I was psyched. I wanted to sell more than fan art. I hired two editors, one prior to NYCC and one after, (more about those editions <a href="http://centernia.blogspot.com/2015/06/q-i-bought-return-to-castle-in-2014-but.html" target="_blank">here</a>). I paid for the editors with all of my profits from selling art the previous year.<br />
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Years ago, I would have been uncomfortable with the idea of hiring someone to proofread my work (even though I knew it needed it), but I had impostor-syndrome. 'I'm not a<i> real writer</i>, I'm crazy to spend money on a<i> real </i>editor'. I'm grateful that in my work as a graphic designer, I had already been hiring copy editors for client projects. Editors were worth every penny.<br />
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I had checklists and spreadsheets on Return to the Castle, but the sequel has a more robust checklist. My two biggest sins the last time around were commas and word repetition, failures I'm not too eager to repeat. <br />
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I'm reviewing every single chapter and passing through each category separately for a total of 23 readings of teach chapter. For those of you interested in editing your own works, here is the first column of the editing spreadsheet. :-)<br />
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<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" dir="ltr" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid #ccc; font-family: arial,sans,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; table-layout: fixed;"><colgroup><col width="376"></col></colgroup><tbody>
<tr style="height: 17px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Technical"}" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 140%; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px 3px 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Technical</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;"><td style="background-color: yellow; padding: 0px 3px 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Spell Check"}" style="background-color: yellow; font-size: 120%; padding: 0px 3px 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Spell Check</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"1st editing"}" style="background-color: yellow; font-size: 120%; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">1st editing</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Pronoun reduction"}" style="background-color: yellow; font-size: 120%; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Pronoun reduction</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Fragments"}" style="background-color: yellow; font-size: 120%; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Fragments</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Sprawl"}" style="background-color: yellow; font-size: 120%; padding: 0px 3px 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Sprawl</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"The' check","6":1}" style="background-color: yellow; font-size: 120%; padding: 0px 3px 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">'The' check (reducing the word the)</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"First word check"}" style="background-color: yellow; font-size: 120%; padding: 0px 3px 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">First word check (adding variation)</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"First word paragraph check"}" style="background-color: yellow; font-size: 120%; padding: 0px 3px 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">First word paragraph check (adding variation)</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Repetition check"}" style="background-color: yellow; font-size: 120%; padding: 0px 3px 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Repetition check</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Comma usage check"}" style="background-color: yellow; font-size: 120%; padding: 0px 3px 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Comma usage check</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Second Spell Check"}" style="background-color: yellow; font-size: 120%; padding: 0px 3px 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Second Spell Check</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Read Aloud"}" style="background-color: yellow; font-size: 120%; padding: 0px 3px 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Read Aloud</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;"><td style="background-color: #666666; padding: 0px 3px 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;"><td style="background-color: #666666; padding: 0px 3px 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Flow"}" style="background-color: #666666; color: cyan; font-size: 140%; padding: 0px 3px 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Flow</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Emotion"}" style="background-color: cyan; font-size: 120%; padding: 0px 3px 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Emotion</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Character Voices"}" style="background-color: cyan; font-size: 120%; padding: 0px 3px 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Character Voices</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Day Time"}" style="background-color: cyan; font-size: 120%; padding: 0px 3px 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Day Time</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"New char intro description"}" style="background-color: cyan; font-size: 120%; padding: 0px 3px 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">New character intro description</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Character twitches"}" style="background-color: cyan; font-size: 120%; padding: 0px 3px 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Character twitches</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Definition of unusual terms"}" style="background-color: cyan; font-size: 120%; padding: 0px 3px 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Definition of unusual terms</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Telling vs showing check"}" style="background-color: cyan; font-size: 120%; padding: 0px 3px 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Telling vs showing check</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Sight"}" style="background-color: cyan; font-size: 120%; padding: 0px 3px 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Sight</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Sound"}" style="background-color: cyan; font-size: 120%; padding: 0px 3px 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Sound</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Feeling"}" style="background-color: cyan; font-size: 120%; padding: 0px 3px 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Feeling</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Taste"}" style="background-color: cyan; font-size: 120%; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Taste</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;"><td style="background-color: cyan; padding: 0px 3px 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;"><td style="background-color: #666666; padding: 0px 3px 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;"><td style="background-color: #666666; padding: 0px 3px 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Mapping"}" style="background-color: #666666; color: #ead1dc; font-size: 140%; padding: 0px 3px 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Mapping</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Conflict "}" style="background-color: #f4cccc; font-size: 120%; padding: 0px 3px 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Conflict level</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Action or Passive?"}" style="background-color: #f4cccc; font-size: 120%; padding: 0px 3px 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Action or Passive?</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Reveal"}" style="background-color: #f4cccc; font-size: 120%; padding: 0px 3px 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Reveal intensity</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Viewpoint"}" style="background-color: #f4cccc; font-size: 120%; padding: 0px 3px 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Viewpoint character?</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Characters present"}" style="background-color: #f4cccc; font-size: 120%; padding: 0px 3px 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Characters present</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Time since previous chapter"}" style="background-color: #f4cccc; font-size: 120%; padding: 0px 3px 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Time since previous chapter</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Length"}" style="background-color: #f4cccc; font-size: 120%; padding: 0px 3px 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Length</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />Rose Cat Khanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13427882585346681046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6738985593763736740.post-77188259861763123312016-10-15T22:32:00.001-04:002019-10-22T13:36:09.403-04:00GIANT THANK YOU and SEQUEL STATUS UPDATE<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjywPrhyphenhyphenYfBRpZXzekkpn3qNFITB8cQtCbnXol4airKhYxIOTuzCc7ijgSut_RGvTtyfMEzmKZ2KOWBVtADRs-6zeJnDDWuyRUHLGIa7r_3HvedGiJUHkwqUsigPBtSkgSAtWNtmgzGObw/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjywPrhyphenhyphenYfBRpZXzekkpn3qNFITB8cQtCbnXol4airKhYxIOTuzCc7ijgSut_RGvTtyfMEzmKZ2KOWBVtADRs-6zeJnDDWuyRUHLGIa7r_3HvedGiJUHkwqUsigPBtSkgSAtWNtmgzGObw/s400/FullSizeRender+%25283%2529.jpg" width="221" /></a></div>
I'm spending the weekend out at Another Anime Con in Manchester, New Hampshire. I've met some really nice people and sold half a case of Centernia (with still one more day of con to go!). I also just read another very kind Amazon review from an anonymous reader who purchased a copy in Fan World Niagara. That review made me really, really, really happy and I'm reminded of how far we've come.<br />
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Centernia went on sale October two years ago. I appreciate<b> every single reader</b> <b>in a way I can barely communicate. </b>To put this in perspective.... I have spent over half my life with Nico, Jessica, Teren and the rest of the castlefolk arguing in my brain. When you, the reader, chose to spend hours invested inside the pages of the book, you see, hear, and feel everything I do. I don't take this shared experience for granted. It is true magic that ink on a piece of paper can bring you into the abandoned halls of Castle Aurumice.<br />
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I can't believe this journey has been two years in the making. <span style="text-align: center;">Thank you to JACKIE for being my traveling companion as we trek across the north eastern United States. I couldn't have done this without you. </span>I also NEED to THANK everyone who purchased at the following cons:<br />
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Roc Con 2014<br />
New York Comic Con 2014<br />
Youmacon 2014<br />
Tora Con 2015<br />
Anime Boston 2015<br />
Genericon 2015<br />
Sci Fi Valley Con 2015<br />
UB Mini Con 2015<br />
Cosplay Snowfest 2015<br />
Another Anime Con 2016<br />
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Out in Texas, thanks to MIRANDA BLAKELY for sharing Centernia to new fans at:<br />
Comicpalooza 2015<br />
Dallas FanExpo 2015<br />
Sci-Fi Fest San Antonio 2015<br />
San Antonio Indie Book Fest 2015<br />
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In downstate NY, thanks to CATHY RAZIM and her husband JOE PIETRUCH for being ultimate <br />
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Centernia evangelists at:<br />
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Eternal Con 2015</div>
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WinterCon 2016</div>
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First Con-tact 2016 </div>
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Flower City Comic Con 2016</div>
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Sci Fi Valley Con 2016 </div>
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East Meadow Comic Con 2016</div>
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EveryCon 2016</div>
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East Hampton Pop Expo 2016</div>
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Fan World 2016</div>
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Fandemicon 2016</div>
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Immortal Con 2016<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">Syracuse Hot Summer Expo 2016</span></div>
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We know there are fans in the following states. If your state isn't highlighted, reply to this post or email Centernia@gmail.com and I will add you!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkhoJ4DFYepzAk2BCmUF7ANMndLLHarEyYmOpxaJa7OTf56NslGN_fSC_yAgo2Z-ieUbXlmiL3GmNYtLQbJ21Is0F2X5P409FjZE2MqXFIh-AKNXQKjukXddw4MQ4mxkKMWEEo4tDgqFQ/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25285%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkhoJ4DFYepzAk2BCmUF7ANMndLLHarEyYmOpxaJa7OTf56NslGN_fSC_yAgo2Z-ieUbXlmiL3GmNYtLQbJ21Is0F2X5P409FjZE2MqXFIh-AKNXQKjukXddw4MQ4mxkKMWEEo4tDgqFQ/s400/FullSizeRender+%25285%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>The Sequel UPDATE</b></div>
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When I brought Centernia to NYCC in 2014, I told fans the sequel would be complete by year end 2015. I made this estimate based on the fact that I had a solid outline and knew how long Return to the Castle had taken me. Life decided to kick my ass, but I never stopped writing. I'm really happy to announce that this week I finished the sequel. Nico is no longer trapped in synapses of my brain...he's trapped in the Mines of Briken, and you're so much closer to finding out how he escapes the oppressive darkness. <br />
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The crucible of editing is happening right now. This is another lengthy process, but the nice thing about editing is I can bring other people on to help. :-)<br />
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Thank you so much for your patience. I promise there will be more novels, more short stories, an artbook, fun merchandise and a lot more world to explore. They may not come next year, or the year after that, but if you check up on Centernia every once in a while, you won't be disappointed. <br />
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Rose Cat Khanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13427882585346681046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6738985593763736740.post-64301760095923434822016-10-06T23:32:00.002-04:002019-02-25T08:51:08.647-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Oh Misa....ever plotting, ever planning, never running out of dreams....</div>
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<img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrmnWYATB2B-0_WcFKr0nVi0x4ckH5165vlfP-7mlNi_AleT-i-gZSYqaPdickKux9pHDXIG7f3IiznaDVQJ9G9jJv0URFKnozt15bluMKx6nkv2jI-id8G1WrKNgGoraQ3xe6eYmnWMM/s640/10_6_16_misa_nico_cropped.jpg" width="515" /></div>
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Rose Cat Khanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13427882585346681046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6738985593763736740.post-79801203958165544032016-08-31T00:36:00.002-04:002019-02-25T08:50:41.469-05:00Mage Types<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWy49SNQy3OqIStEDIlJlcXPDCaUWe0e8wg27DrsXLi4dZROD8K0H4U1BtRNEQ5EbDIAUpxPGyl-F59tRuU6fm4DI_T1C69eVDUuaSEZfdPQW6H59I3DKNLwMJ_z1n2fON4zj9hkCz_10/s1600/13473922_10101747593161335_71921860_n+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWy49SNQy3OqIStEDIlJlcXPDCaUWe0e8wg27DrsXLi4dZROD8K0H4U1BtRNEQ5EbDIAUpxPGyl-F59tRuU6fm4DI_T1C69eVDUuaSEZfdPQW6H59I3DKNLwMJ_z1n2fON4zj9hkCz_10/s320/13473922_10101747593161335_71921860_n+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #999999; font-size: x-small;">Kaity Cosette by Cathy Razim, www.RazCat.com</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><i>“There are three categories of mage…the psychic, the kinetic, and the ethereal. I am psychic, I can touch the mind. Your mother, Kaity and Nico are of the kinetic, they touch the world. Misa was of the ethereal. She could touch what exists in between.”</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><i>- Teren, Return to the Castle</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">There are thousands of variations of mage, but a few types seem to pop up more than others. Polaris Academy officially recognizes three types of mage, Kinetic, Psychic and Ethereal. Many mages also argue there exists two other types, the Cross Mages and the Forbidden.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><b style="color: #990000; font-size: xx-large;"><b style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></b></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><b style="font-size: xx-large;"><b style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: xx-large;"><br /><br />Kinetic</b></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Kinetic mages are the most common of all mages. They can manipulate the world that surrounds them. Some mages have generic skills, others seem to be able to touch only certain particles. Kinetic mages often need to make a physical gesture to activate their abilities, such as a sweeping hand motion. With time, they learn greater control and can use their powers with barely a twitch of the eye.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Terra Mage</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><b>(Rock Shapers, Mud Movers, Sand Witch)</b><br />Occurrence: Common</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">These mages are often revered as fine sculptors. A terra mage formed Castle Aurumice in Trabalis as well as Castle Nova in the Katanzaro province. They are excellent at discerning base materials such as metals.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Water Mage/Air Mage</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><b>(Weather Witch,<i> Gada-wry</i>)</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Occurrence: Common</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">These mages are known for abilities to influence the water molecules in the air, granting them the ability to freeze objects. Some have additional abilities, allowing them to generate lightning, various gasses, fog and clouds. Though we often think of Water and Air as separate elements, but as mage strengths they tend to manifest together.</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Examples: Lily Vance</span><br />
<br />
<b style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">Fire Mage</b><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><b>(<i>Fewaygo</i>)</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Occurence: Common</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">These mages have the ability to generate sparks and control fire. The degree of control varies, but some fire mages can create snakes, walls or nets of fire. Fire mages need something to ignite in order to generate fire. They often carry flammable materials such as oils and powders for just that purpose.</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Light Mage</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><b>(Glowbug)</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Occurrence: Common</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">The butt of all mage jokes, the glowbug is regarded as the least powerful of all mage types. Glowbugs are regarded as a subset of fire mages, though many fire mages disregard glowbugs as having any association. Light mages can cause a material to glow, emitting light, but little else. Occasionally glowbug mages gain acclaim when they pair their abilities as bards or story tellers. They create interesting camp-fire tales, spinning beautiful art in light.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Shadow Mages</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><b>(Dark Cloaks, Cloakies, Corner Crawlers, Society of Sombra)</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Occurrence: Common</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">As the name implies, these mages have an uncanny ability to move shadows and darkness. In reality, they move photons of light, but their abilities give them a strength towards pushing them away, generating darkness. Though Shadow Mages are really a variation of Glow Bugs, they have branded themselves as a distinct sect and train heavily in evading detection. Young Shadow Mages are recruited by Castle Nova separately from Polaris Academy and become part of an organization known as the Shadow Runners. They are a fiercely loyal group and enjoy privilege for their service.</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Examples: Saurin Bane</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>True Warriors</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Occurrence: Common</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">True Warriors have an uncanny command of the body. They are incredibly strong and swift. Their senses are well-attuned.</span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Illusionists</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Occurrence: Uncommon</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">These mages manipulate particles in the air to generate an illusion. Unlike light mages, illusionist mages possess greater control. Light mages can only create images that glow, illusionists can create realistic visuals. </span><br />
<div>
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Transmutation</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><b>(Alchemists)<br />Occurrence: Rare</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">These mages can alter the very building blocks of a substance at an atomic level. For example, they can take water, separate it into hydrogen gas and oxygen. Transmutation usually occurs at a small level, changing only a small amount of a material. Transmutation mages were once banned, now they are heavily regulated by Polaris Academy. They serve Castle Nova exclusively and rarely travel. No doubt the coffers of Castle Nova are kept well stocked by the rare abilities of transmutation mages.</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Echo Mages</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><b>(Bats, Shakers)</b><br />Occurence: Common</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">The abilities of an echo mage operates the same way dolphins and bats use echolocation. This mage type can send on an energy pulse and detect its returning resonance. They detect the pulse The strongest echo mages can unleash an energy pulse powerful enough to create earthquake-like effects.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Standard Kinetic</span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Occurrence: Uncommon</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Standard Kinetic is a misnomer, as a standard kinetic mage is anything but the standard. It is rare for mages to have the ability to move any object or substance with their mind</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Examples: Kaity Cosette (Kaity has a slightly stronger control over liquids than other materials)</span></span><br />
<h2>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Psychic</b></span></h2>
<div>
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>These mages control the mind, able to manipulate people's perception of the world.</b></span></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Farsense </b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">(<i>Orrayion</i>, Far-seers, Far-listeners)</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Occurence: Common</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">This type of mage can utilize a person's eyes or ears without their knowledge. Some can see far, some can hear, a few can taste, smell or even touch through the senses of others. Of this type, far-listeners are the most common manifestation.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Examples: Jared Evansi (far-seer)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Beastspeakers </b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><b>(<i>Animarriea</i>, Chitter Mages, Gryphon Talkers, Dragon Speakers, Pig Listeners, etc...)</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Occurence: Common</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Beastspeaking is a very common form of psychic mage. Some can understand creatures, while others can understand and make themselves understood. Many beast speakers specialize in communication with one species or subset of animals (rodents, insects, fish, etc...). "Chitter" mage is a term used in jest, implying that mages only talk to rodents. Beast speakers are often titled by the animal which they specialize in communicating with, (bicorn speakers, gryphon talkers, etc....)</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Examples: Beatrix Allen (specialized in canine speak)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Psionics</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><b>(<i>Dalalune</i>, Mind Readers, Mindspeakers, Mindlisteners)</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Occurrence: Uncommon</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">These individuals can communicate psychically with other people. Many can read surface thoughts, others can "mindspeak" allowing for telepathic broadcast. Strength of this gift varies greatly but often requires physical contact to allow the transfer of thoughts. In some cases, True Psionics can only communicate with family members or other psychic mages. It takes many years of practice to mindspeak across a room. Very few can mindspeak across a village or town. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Examples: Elina Verdian</span></span><br />
<br />
<h2>
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Ethereal</b></span></h2>
<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">There are many ways ethereal mages mirror psychic and kinetic mages, however, there are two major differences between ethereals and the other two branches of mages. One, they are generally regarded as more mystical, able to manipulate "what exists between" the kinetic and psychic, or a more advanced level of psychic ability branching on mystical. Two, the effects of the ethereal have a lasting impact on the world. For example, a kinetic weather witch with the correct skill set could create a wall of electrical energy, but it would only exist as long as that kinetic mage powers it. An ethereal barrier mage can tap into ethereal energy and create a wall that exists long after they have gone.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Dreamspinners</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><b>(Sleepwalkers. Fairies)</b><br />Occurrence: Rare</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Polaris Academy is in great debate if dreamspinners are ethereal or simply a special type of psychic mage. Dreamspinners posses the ability to influence the dreams of others. They can lull someone into a sleep and generate an artificial dream world. Some dreamspinners have been able to connect the dreams of others, or trap people in an eternal sleep. </span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Examples: Misa</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Gate Mages</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Occurrence: Rare</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">These mages can manipulate the energy of the trans dimensional portals that connect Centernia to other realms. They can create gates and destroy them at will. Gates can be altered by a collection of mages, but more often than not you need the energy of a Gate Mage in the mix to be most effective. </span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Barrier/Forcefield Mages</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Occurence: Uncommon</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Sometimes mistaken for having telekinetic mages, these magic-users use ethereal magic to generate invisible walls. A Barrier mage is different from a kinetic mage in that the fields they make can be permanent/semi permanent and have different effects. For example, the field created by Justen Wynter only permitted certain people to cross the forcefield. Barrier mages strive to work well with other mages. For example, a barrier mage may work with a weather witch to create an invisible canopy to permanently repel the rain, (as is found in areas of Castle Nova)</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Known Barrier Mages: Justen Wynter</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Psychometric</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><b>(Past Reader, Bookies)</b><br />Occurrence: Uncommon</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">A unique and unusual mage type, these individuals can 'read' the past history of an object. The sensation is described as seeing back in time, they can sense events and pyschic fragments of people who had physical contact with an object. Jewelry is a particular favorite of past readers as they are rich in essence of past wearers and often stand the test of time.</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Known Psychometric: Corwin Evansi</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Binders</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Occurrence: Rare</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">These mages create mage markers, objects that possesses the ability to connect people. A binding mage was responsible for creating the marker of Aurumice. The most skilled Binding mages when working with Psychic mages can create the Mark of Corvallian, a tattoo which renders the bearer invisible to psychic mages.</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Finders </b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Occurrence: Rare</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">(<i>Animati</i>)</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Much like an echo mage, these mages can send out energy and detect if a mage is nearby. Finders and Binders will have been called into service by Polaris to permanently mark criminals, allowing mages to always be aware of their presence.</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Transformation Mage</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><i>(Majikey</i>, Spark Prism, Metanoia, Conversion Mages)</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">These mages are often confused for other types, including Fire and Gate mages. They have the ability to manipulate Gate energy, harnessing it into other forms. Once it has taken another form, they may find it difficult to control. Conversion Mages enjoy shifting raw ethereal power into electricity, so it is likely to assume that it was a conversion mage was responsible for harnessing the node of power beneath Aurumice and transforming it into a seemingly endless supply of electrical energy. Conversion Mages when working with barrier mages are also responsible for the creation of shadow spheres and other magical objects.</span><br />
<br />
<h2>
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Cross mages</b></span></h2>
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Polaris Academy does not acknowledge the concept of a 'cross mage' in their three categories of mages. Its widely accepted that cross mages exist. The following mages have been considered ethereal mages by Polaris Academy.</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Blood Mages/Healers</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Occurrence: Uncommon</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Categorized as kinetic mages, these individuals can manipulate blood cells. The question comes in to play as blood tends to be 'lifestuff', as bloodmages may be deemed ethereal depending on where their talents lie. Most are skilled at healing skin while others heal bone. Some refer to bloodmages as Healers, but they can often harm as easily as they can hurt.</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Plant Weavers</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Occurrence: Common</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Much like a blood mage, but can manipulate plants in the same manner. They can encourage rapid growth or crossbreed plants with rapid success.</span><br />
<br />
<h2>
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Forbidden Mages</b></span></h2>
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Castle Nova and Polaris Academy have deemed the following mage types too dangerous to be allowed to live. Any individual found to have these powers are immediately executed, regardless of age or affiliation.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Empathy Mages</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">(<i>Sinari</i>)</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">This mage is very similiar to a psychic mage, and in olden times had been considered with the same reverence. Sinari cannot read thoughts, but they can read emotions. More importantly, they can force a person's emotions to change without their knowledge, making them skilled negotiators, but also dangerous warlords.</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Examples: Teren</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Necromancers</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">A cruel variation upon a blood mage, these mages can cause blood to anti-coagulate and continue to flow through a body. The person or creature is barely alive, and very zombie-like.</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Oracles/Seers</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Clarivoyant mages able to read the future. Some claim they do not exist, others claim they do but Polaris Academy has stamped them out of existence.</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Dissolvia</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">This variation of a kinetic mage is skilled at breaking down the world at a molecular level. They can destroy a person or object with catastrophic results. Once the dissolvia breaks down an object, they can very rarely put it make together. Dissolvia are sometimes regarded as transmutation mages who never gained the ability to reassemble what they have destroyed.</span></div>
Rose Cat Khanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13427882585346681046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6738985593763736740.post-21883712718449978382016-06-20T23:39:00.000-04:002019-02-25T08:50:23.841-05:00One Year of The Crimson MageThe current file for The Crimson Mage is labelled "Crimson Mage June 2015." Yes, I've been working on this current draft for a year. Actually, it's been one year and six months. I had naively assumed that it would only take me ten months to write the sequel, just as I wrote Return to the Castle. A wrench was thrown into my plans. It wasn't a single wrench, but more akin an earthquake in Home Depot.<br />
<br />
On December 7th I wrote about how I was recovering from post-partum depression, totally back on track with The Crimson Mage. I was so happy and energetic. A few days after that post my grandfather had a stroke, because the universe has a crappy sense of irony. The following month was miserable. My daughter's first Christmas was the worst Christmas of my life, only to contend with Christmas 1994 when my mother couldn't walk after a car accident and I figured out Santa Claus was a lie because all of our presents were given to us in stapled grocery store bags.<br />
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My grandfather passed away in late January. <br />
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Writing takes your soul and your time to a solitary place. In the beginning of this year, any spare moments that I could have spent on Centernia, I spent with my family, because that's where I needed to be. I shared this on my personal Facebook page, but I didn't blast it across any of my public pages or sites. I'm a very energetic loud person, but when it comes to true emotional pain, I'm pretty silent. Death is awkward. It is the worst thing on earth and nobody knows what to say. Words are magical, but there is an emotional chasm they cannot cross when the shadow of death has past by.<br />
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I'm making this public now because I wanted readers to know what was going on in my life. I'm that still here, and I am still editing through the mire.<br />
<br />
My artist friend <a href="http://www.razcat.com/" target="_blank"><b>Cathy Razim</b></a> has been the Centernia evangelist in my absence from conventions. Some of you have met her and I am so grateful to her and her husband Joe for sharing my novel throughout the east coast.<br />
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This past weekend was my sister's wedding, which in itself was a lot of work and attention. Weddings after funerals are like emotional napalm. <br />
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I've been increasing the blog posts again, writing more, getting my groove. I'm not going to dare to say I'm back on track for fear something else will try to get in my way. Thanks for your patience.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My little princess was a pint-sized flower girl</td></tr>
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<br />Rose Cat Khanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13427882585346681046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6738985593763736740.post-10281376510019312512016-06-20T14:00:00.005-04:002016-06-20T14:01:20.108-04:00Questions and Answers: Editing<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4vGdMZWZXm-2VTxHb9zq__8_R8y1fodP53_K4chIg9KFCvcSpxuzqMNNEJ9yyNbwNuqGFd0buXiPdmxUzSw6FO0aYgrgw7wDEB8m_UJV6_ETkJKvkcehHcl6B12tT-rBspTxfkwsiwb8/s1600/2_Marvin.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4vGdMZWZXm-2VTxHb9zq__8_R8y1fodP53_K4chIg9KFCvcSpxuzqMNNEJ9yyNbwNuqGFd0buXiPdmxUzSw6FO0aYgrgw7wDEB8m_UJV6_ETkJKvkcehHcl6B12tT-rBspTxfkwsiwb8/s400/2_Marvin.jpeg" width="302" /></a><br />
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<b>How old were you when you started writing?</b><br />
<br />
When I was in second grade, I wrote and illustrated a story called "Marvin the Marry Mouse". It was a Christmas tale about a mouse whose older sister told him there was no Santa. He wrote a letter to Santa and then received bunch of presents. Character, conflict, resolution. It was drawn on tracing paper in blue pen while I was playing in the back patio of my grandparents' house. I continued to write from that point forward. Many of my stories featured cats, horses, and whatever I was obsessed with at the time (stickers, XMen, Littlest Pet Shop, Sailor Moon, Star Wars, etc...). When I was twelve I began writing original work.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs8T26yplqblCvv0Fmn87CpBPvWHlcM1G-S-5MbI6zRM47QNYDFBaTf_lExiKTh-dmj8mt09c7fic1OKsPv_zwMk-VCYRDVVZfjk_KOJ8aVgf_ut7obiuaOumNGetxNVpO8HDLtcvw6FU/s1600/2_Marvin_2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs8T26yplqblCvv0Fmn87CpBPvWHlcM1G-S-5MbI6zRM47QNYDFBaTf_lExiKTh-dmj8mt09c7fic1OKsPv_zwMk-VCYRDVVZfjk_KOJ8aVgf_ut7obiuaOumNGetxNVpO8HDLtcvw6FU/s400/2_Marvin_2.jpeg" width="307" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5kpm8euHf_PL5PA8YEwVcc2wpNkUf34Kln5_YK0JcxJ1-QMY7j8yTkAqe6yYi7FWH5g8x6L4FQUYQrh3mbkXWezKvzuHHjluTudtyt3vKyqtmLyVncLtCr8SR-rFNscAlTNk-hE_MRos/s1600/2_Marvin_5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5kpm8euHf_PL5PA8YEwVcc2wpNkUf34Kln5_YK0JcxJ1-QMY7j8yTkAqe6yYi7FWH5g8x6L4FQUYQrh3mbkXWezKvzuHHjluTudtyt3vKyqtmLyVncLtCr8SR-rFNscAlTNk-hE_MRos/s400/2_Marvin_5.jpeg" width="305" /></a><br />
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<b><br /></b>
<b>Do you edit as you write? When I write I start with an idea, but get stuck looking for the correct words.</b><br /><br />No, I do not try to edit on the first draft. For me, writing is this mad dash to grab everything that is falling out of my brain. I focus on the dialog and conflict first. Without conflict, there is no story. In the first run there is usually some bits of setting, but the character interaction is paramount. On the second run through I begin to fill out setting and fix spelling and grammar. I lose track of the amount of times I edit as I'm ironing story. <br />
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<b><br /></b>
<b>Do you use any special software as you write?</b><br />
<br />
I keep track of the story with Excel spreadsheets. I have editing checklists to help me look out for problems like overuse of pronouns, forgetting to describe setting, and comma splices (I swear I'm mending my ways!). I like to print out my spreadsheets and check-off sections as I move along. As far as writing goes I use plain old MS Word. Sometimes I will capture chapters in Google Docs if I don't have my writing laptop with me.<br />
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<b><br /></b>
<b>Do you have any trouble deleting chapters that just don't fit?</b><br />
<br />
I don't get overly attached to chapters because I don't permanently delete anything. I have documents of story scraps. I haven't thrown out a single bit of Centernia since 1997. Story that's meant to be a part of the story has a tendency to bubble back up. I may delete something, but then that bit of dialog reappears months later in a different chapter. Some days it seems as if the story writes itself and my job is simply to record it. :-)<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><br /></span></span>
<a href="mailto:centernia@gmail.com" target="_blank"><b style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #741b47;">No question too oddball! Email us to have your questions answered in the next Centernia Q & A. </span></b></a>Rose Cat Khanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13427882585346681046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6738985593763736740.post-25144153922308807642016-05-14T13:58:00.003-04:002016-05-14T13:58:28.212-04:00Music Feature: HeartMusic Feature<br />
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I write Centernia to an incredibly eclectic mix of music. Sometimes it's the melody that gets me, the lyrics of the song, or simply the voice of the singer. Today's feature from my playlist:<br />
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<b>Heart: Alone</b></div>
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<b>Album: Bad Animals</b></div>
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<b>1987</b></div>
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I think I prefer the Kim Sozzi candlelight version, but it's not presently available on YouTube. However, this video features Heart in is 80s hair-band glory. The video is great, the costuming, the mysterious setting, and the fact they throw a white horse in there for fun. <br />
<br />Rose Cat Khanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13427882585346681046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6738985593763736740.post-37356910220268436742015-12-07T00:01:00.002-05:002019-02-25T08:52:43.737-05:00Two Steps Back and One Baby Step Forward<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheRak5wkK9OQEW6BtDFuc8kHFMybuTbAkiIVAzDEyLkOCmct0xO3d5xfs_XIpy1yIQyVJrR3EzTHJsx0jSJcPkJLxgDI5klZl7Hz3SrypBdV0J6rORY-VOihz8cRAKIHe7uekzAQ0M9qg/s1600/pumpkin7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheRak5wkK9OQEW6BtDFuc8kHFMybuTbAkiIVAzDEyLkOCmct0xO3d5xfs_XIpy1yIQyVJrR3EzTHJsx0jSJcPkJLxgDI5klZl7Hz3SrypBdV0J6rORY-VOihz8cRAKIHe7uekzAQ0M9qg/s320/pumpkin7.jpg" width="240" /></a>Saving old drafts is an important part of the writing process, as is accepting the fact that sometimes life can take you down the wrong editing path. I had to learn this hard lesson in the past few months when I hit a few unexpected challenges.<br />
<br />
My daughter was born in September. The Centernia sequel, <i>The Crimson Mage </i>was completed in the weeks prior to her arrival. I was pleased that I was on track to release the book by the end of the year. I figured I had plenty of time finish editing it, run it by my trusted circle of proofreaders, and then send it to the copyeditor. It seemed that the book would be out by December. <br />
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People had cautioned that the baby would send a wrench into my plans, but I generally try to ignore naysayers and steam (or stumble) through life. In my mind I had a perfect plan to keep working once my girl arrived: While she napped, I would edit and write. If sleep deprivation became awful, I would switch to formula and shift half the overnight feeds to my husband. Laundry? Disposable diapers! Food? Wegmans pre-made meals and paper plates. All problems solved.<br />
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I was so ready to own this baby thing.<br />
<br />
And then my daughter was born. She was perfectly healthy, kicking and crying.<br />
<br />
Somewhere between the hospital and home, I discovered there's a part of the postpartum recovery process that's glossed over. It was a situation I hadn't planned for, and something that couldn't be thwarted by throwing money at it.<br />
<br />
I had known that some mothers suffer from postpartum depression, but no one really mentioned that it could happen to me. Neither did anyone tell me that it comes packaged under two names. First, there are the 'baby blues', the sadness that happens to <i>seventy-five percent</i> of new moms. If the baby blues don't go away after a few weeks, you're given a 10 question written quiz, (Edinburgh Post Natal Depression Scale). Failing the quiz means you're labeled with postpartum depression and offered pills.<br />
<br />
In the days following my daughter's arrival, nothing seemed right. I was particularly hit by anything that seemed to signify the passage of time. The baby meant that I was a<i> parent</i>, which turned my parents into <i>grandparents</i>, which meant EVERYONE IS OLD. I was convinced this cute tiny creature would just turn into a teenager and leave me, I would be sad and miserable and lonely for the rest of my life, I was going to die ANY MOMENT, and all life is tragedy.<br />
<br />
None of this is rational, but it's how I felt.<br />
<br />
I tried to sing lullabies to my baby, the ones I had known as a kid. Five words in and tears streamed down my face.<br />
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I saw a Jeep Liberty in a parking lot that looked like my first car. I cried the entire drive home.<br />
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The most pathetic moment was when my husband pointed out that the tree in our front yard was changing to a pretty color. I was instantly a blubbering, sobbing mess.<br />
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What do my baby woes have to do with Centernia? In a post-natal frenzy while crying over autumn leaves, I ripped apart <i>The Crimson Mage</i>. I took out chapters, tried to restructure the plot and change the character focus. I started hating Jessica, jealous of her teenage freedom. I wanted to snuff out Nico with the end of a pencil and save her from any possible marriage and babies and miserable loneliness. Jessica should stay home and be in high school forever because that's where I wanted to be.<br />
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The novel became barely recognizable and I was convinced I was a failure at everything, including my career, my friends, my marriage and my family. Life was pointless and terrifying. I would crawl under a blanket and lament every life choice from living in Rochester, (which I had been happily doing for twelve years), to adopting my fluffy black cat (because she was going to get sick and die ANY MOMENT).<br />
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After a while, the haze started to lift just a tiny bit. It wasn't a single moment, but a gradual transition. My baby started smiling more, I went horseback riding and doing conventions again. Work found me and I began to find my groove.<br />
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What happened to Centernia? Accidentally opening an old file for<i> The Crimson Mage,</i> I realized that I liked my old draft better, and was very grateful I made it a strict habit to save multiple versions of every work. At the same time, it was disappointing to recognize that two months of editing was completely worthless. <br />
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I have accepted that time was lost, and I've also accepted the fact that I am still not quite my normal self. As I fight to figure out my new normal, I try to take writing time each day after my daughter falls asleep. In the quiet stillness, I revisit my old friends, anger against Jessica and Nico blown far away with the autumn leaves. Life is moving forward again and I hope to reward the patience of everyone who has been waiting for the sequel.<br />
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<br />Rose Cat Khanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13427882585346681046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6738985593763736740.post-15427928687572168022015-09-02T17:05:00.000-04:002015-09-08T20:17:02.720-04:00Centernia: A One Year RetrospectiveSeptember 2nd holds significance to Centernia as it's the day Muse died and the same day first printed proof arrived in the mail. It truly marks the beginning of Return to the Castle.<br />
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This has been a whirlwind, and I have learned so much and am so grateful. We did a pre-order at RocCon in Rochester, NY in mid-September, and followed it with a full launch at New York Comic Con in October. After which, the book was whisked to Detroit for Youmacon, Genericon in Troy, Anime Boston, Tora Con, Sci-Fi Valley Con.<br />
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I learned some rough lessons too. The first edition was edited, but errors still snuck through and I put out an updated edition in February.<br />
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The hardest lesson I've learned is that writing a sequel is not as easy as I had anticipated. My husband chides me, reminding me that the core story of Return to the Castle was the story I had written and re-written over a half dozen times before I froze it into its final printed form. It's natural that this story will be harder to lock down. My friend Jackie reminds me that readers who are already invested in the world will love it regardless, and hang on for subsequent books. Everyone has a certain favorite book in a series, it may not be the first, second or even third.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hooman, I has your notes and pen. You fail.</td></tr>
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The sequel, the Crimson Mage, is written. It's currently being edited, but this editing process is so much deeper. First of all, the story has to flow from the first and be a bridge to the third. It needs give new readers a proper introduction to the world in case they skip the first book. It needs to be as compelling and interesting as Return to the Castle, but different.<br />
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As I'm caught in the mire of editing, I feel an enormous pressure. Simply put, I want this story to not suck, and I appreciate the fans who kindly wait with words of encouragement.<br />
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Rose Cat Khanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13427882585346681046noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6738985593763736740.post-41299427196660289592015-08-24T21:38:00.001-04:002015-08-24T21:40:44.917-04:00Q and A: Cursing<b>Where does the curse blood'ura come from?</b><br /><br /><br /> Writing the curses of Centernia was as enjoyable as creating the creatures and places.<br /><br /> Blood'ura is an abbreviation for Blood of Aurora, very similar insult to the Shakespearian zounds, meaning Christ's Wounds. <br /><br /> There is a joy in creating insults that are really close to the english in cadence and consonant sounds. I have growing library file where I collect these bad-sounding yet technically completely innocuous words. My favorites? Maggot suckin', bloody shunt, rock sucker, goat screw, tick and jackhole.<br /><br /><br /><b> In the next book, will we learn more about the fallout between Jessica's parents?</b><br /> Yes. There is definitely a lot more story to unearth from the past. The scars run deep.<br /><br /> <br /><b> Why did you decide to write Return to the Castle? Where do you get your ideas?</b><br /><br /> I get asked this question a lot. I wrote Return to the Castle because I had to. The characters have a comfortable residence in my mind, and they tell me their stories, and it seems wasteful not to write it all down. <br /><br /> Ideas flow freely, but good ideas need to be cultivated. Sometimes I look at Centernia like an overgrown lush garden. Some ideas are beautiful, and need to be given space to grow, perhaps a trellis to climb upon. Some ideas are interesting, just placed in the wrong spot, overshadowing other more delicate ideas. Some concepts are just terrible, and it's difficult to find the strength to uproot them and cast them aside. <br /><br /> As far as where specific ideas come from, it's all the real world re-written, re-invented, mashed together. My mind constantly files away concepts to be used in Centernia. For example, the castlefolk are heavily influenced by the values of my Italian immigrant heritage. The castlefolk are a culture within a culture, governed by their own traditions. They have a great deal of pride in who they are, fight amongst themselves, but will band together against adversity.<br /><br /><br /> <br />
Rose Cat Khanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13427882585346681046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6738985593763736740.post-15251047679977340152015-08-11T12:08:00.005-04:002019-04-15T20:19:45.909-04:00Q & A: How do you pronounce.....?How do you pronounce the names and places of Centernia? Here is a very straightforward guide to all names and places unusual!<br />
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<b>Castlefolk</b><br />
Nicoveren Aristo Verdian: "Neek-o-varen Ah-risto Vare-de-an"<br />
Teren Wynter: "Tare-en Winter"<br />
Artemisa Wynter: "Art-a-mee-sa Winter"<br />
Kaity Cosette: "Kate-e Co-zette"<br />
Corwin Evansi: "Core-win Ev-an-see"<br />
Jared Evansi: "Ja-red Ev-an-see"<br />
Alba: "All-ba"<br />
Savina: "Sah-vee-nah"<br />
Wadjette: "Wa-jet"<br />
Jiberty: "Jib-er-ty"<br />
Abrianna: "Ah-bree-ana"<br />
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<br />Aden: "Aye-den"<br />
Otto Onyxgrove: "Ot-oh On-ex-grove"<br />
Elina: "Ell-eena"<br />
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<b>Circusfolk</b><br />
Amberynn: "Amber-rin"<br />
Malachi: "Male-uhk-eye"<br />
Cobalt: "Co-ballt"<br />
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<b>Places</b><br />
Centernia: "Sent-urn-e-uh"<br />
Aurumice: "Or-uh-mice" or "Aura-mice"<br />
Trabalis: "Trah-ball-is"<br />
Briken: "Bry-ken"<br />
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<br />Rose Cat Khanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13427882585346681046noreply@blogger.com0