Subscribe to Shawn Blanc

2 Mar ’13 by 4 Comments

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I like technology.

I like design.

I like coffee.

As a result, I like Shawn.

I’ve been following Shawn Blanc for a few years now, and have marveled at his transition from hobby-blogger to full-time writer, all thanks in part to his loyal readership who are willing to pay $4 per month for daily content (including a video entry during the weekdays).

I love Shawn’s work because it’s short, sweet and gives me the guts of major happenings in spheres of influence I’m passionate about (rather than having to wade through countless paragraphs just to get the point).

I also love that I can support a creative, a husband, a father and a Christian with my money. It all goes directly to him. No middle man. No royalty.

Read awesome.

Read clean.

Read Shawn.

ch:

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8th Annual Writers Bootcamp Getaway Weekend

2 Feb ’13 by 18 Comments

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Eight years ago, my new-found friend, Wayne, and I decided to embark on a mutual dream of forming an Inklings group of our own. But distance was not our friend, he being in Maryland and I being in northern New York. So rather than a weekly gathering in some local pub, we decided upon meeting for a full weekend at a locale halfway between his home and mine.

The result has been a faithful convergence on a poetic (if not sleepy) Pennsylvanian town or city for the last eight years. And what a blessing it’s been for both of us. The mutual camaraderie is immeasurably valuable, as are the long talks concerning writing, plot and character development, theology, doctrines of the faith. Not to mention the verbose amount of gregarious guffawing we engage in.

And threading through it all are the continuous clicks of our laptop keys as we work on our next stories for the world to read. Wayne is working on a new supernatural thriller series called GHOST, while I’m very close to announcing the title and release date of my newest work, codenamed TSR.

Here’s to Inkblots everywhere who enjoy fellowship and the pursuit of the intellectual.

ch:

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My New Old Book

27 Dec ’12 by 30 Comments

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So I’m back to work on my old, new book again.

Old, because it was birthed in my head during a late-night drive on Rt. 81 North about five years ago.

New, because it’s my current book.

And I’m pretty excited.

At the time of inception, I couldn’t start it as I was coming off The Lion Vrie, starting Athera’s Dawn, and Wayne and I were in the midst of Curse of the Spider King, and then Venom and Song. But once VnS was wrapped up, and with little hope of ever writing the 3rd book of The Berinfell Prophecies once the publisher declined our third installment, I had time to start in on the story. Twenty-five chapters worth to be exact.

But it was again delayed when Wayne and I journeyed into the very real possibility of self-publishing The Tide of Unmaking. Which we did. And which you read.

In the wake of tToU’s release, I needed a break from writing. To refresh. To reset. But recently I’ve felt that nagging itch to get writing again. And nothing provokes me more than a snow storm.

In recent weeks I’ve been making copious notes about plot twists, themes, politics, and character issues. Then finally, today’s 9″ snow storm pushed me over the edge.

I set in to editing the first five chapters, re-internalizing the story, reworking some major character points, and—most dramatically—transforming the entire manuscript into first-person-present. I’ve wanted to attempt to write from this POV for years, having first been challenged to do so by friends Sharon Hinck and Bryan Davis, and further inspired by Stephen Lawhead, Suzanne Collins, and many other notables.

I will say that it’s a bit tedious at first; getting my head in that writing mode when I’m already so well versed in past-tense-limited is quite the ordeal. But once engaged, it’s addicting, fast-paced, and dangerously powerful. I love it, and not quite sure how I got along without it in the past. Present. Er—

I’m still not ready to release the concept names yet, so you’ll need to wait a bit longer (still code named “TSR” for now). But I can say that there will be three installments, and each from a different character’s view point. And it’s definitely a veritable steampunk wonder-world of awesome.

And I’m working very hard to release all three in one year: 2013.

Crazy, I know.

But I think my readers’ veracious appetites can handle it, and the lack of publishing restraints on this new self-publishing model allows me to try and meet it. We’ll see.

Thanks again for all your support, my faithful readers. Knowing you’re out there to devour these books once they’re released encourages me greatly.

ch:

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When You’re This Good

21 Dec ’12 by 2 Comments

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When you’re this cute, you can speak in gibberish and melt people’s hearts.

Speak in gibberish when you’re not cute? You get committed.

When you’re the best at your craft, you can break rules, because you understand that rules define your context; further, breaking the creative constructs when you’re at the top has the potential of winding a field — because your eyes, ears and mind have been conditioned to look for elements that produce excellence.

Breaking rules when you’re not at the top of your game? Tends to prove you never understood your context, and only provides excuses for not doing things with uppermost care and dedication.

If you’re born cute, use it. If you ain’t, work hard at mastering cuteness until you earn the right to speak gibberish.

ch:

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Handbook to Publishing Your Novel

19 Dec ’12 by 22 Comments


I’m pleased to announce that my newest ebook, Handbook to Publishing Your Novel: A step-by-step practical guide on how I self-published my books after leaving traditional publishing, is out on Kindle. This release come with a big thanks to the continual prompting and encouragement from a slew of fans and close friends. When tweeting about it, please use the hashtag #HPYN.

While the bulk of the content of the manuscript already exists here on my site as freely accessible posts, I received a substantial amount of feedback saying people would gladly pay $0.99 (and more) for the information if it was assembled in an ebook. After many months of delays, I finally buckled down and finished it, and have kept the ebook at $0.99 because I want as many people being equipped as possible.

I already feel some of the information is out of date, and at the rate of acceleration the publishing world is in, that could be said of a product posted last month. As such, I hope the comment’s section fills up over time with questions until such point that a second edition is deemed necessary.

For those unfamiliar with the nature of this ebook, here’s the back matter:

This 10,000 word ebook is a collection of personal writings and blog posts documenting my journey through self-publishing my novels. After having my books published by two different traditional publishers, I realized that aside from having a built-in sales network, they weren’t really doing anything for me that I couldn’t do just as well, if not better. As such, I’ll cover: editing, interior design, cover design, publishing for print, publishing for ebooks, and marketing.

While some how-to books have the reputation of being obtuse, obnoxious, and providing little in the way of meaningful content, my hope here was to give simple and easy to understand tips in what it took me to get my novels online in both print and digital form. Likewise, you can keep in touch with me via my website as this ebook slowly becomes obsolete (which it will, given the nature of the advancement of digital technology). I’m just one author trying to help other authors make it on their own.

So if you’re a writer and looking for help through the process of getting your first manuscript out to the public, or if you know someone who is, I hope this little ebook is a valuable resource. Let me know what you think!

ch:

IN ADDITION: I feel it’s worth noting for the tech-savvy, would-be content creator out there, that while I emphasize the use of Adobe InDesign for layout in HPYN, this entire ebook was assembled in Microsoft Word and uploaded as a .docx file. It was painless, simple, and has a solid result. So it can be done, and pretty quickly; InDesign simply gives you more power, especially when laying out for print, thus why I lean heavily toward it.

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Original Sketch of Dionia

3 Dec ’12 by 20 Comments

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A little something noteworthy for TWLC fans:

One of my day-off projects this afternoon was that of gutting and relocating my mammoth bookshelf from one place in our bedroom to another.

The process as an adult is much the same as it was when I was a teen. But instead of my mom “forcefully requesting” me to pick everything up, or my father admonishing me with his ever-practical phrase of, “A place for everything, and everything in its place,” I have a wife who said to me, “All that right there [waving her hand], is not working.”

In other words, pick it up, you bum.

As I cleaned, I couldn’t help but sense the nostalgic emotions often associated with happening upon an old trinket from a loved one, a box stuffed with handwritten notes, or a dated birthday card from an old friend.

My favorite find of the day was happening upon my original notebook for The White Lion Chronicles. While most of the entries were about ten years old, many of the references were to even early concepts dating to 1996. My favorite page was a sketch of Dionia’s map as I first envisioned it.

It’s interesting to review names on it that were changed when I penned the manuscripts. Bor Isle would eventually become The Isle of Kirstel, while the Kaddrak Mountains would be renamed as the realm of Tontha.

But most poignant is the quote at the top of the page’s header, one heavily influenced by a concept I’d adopted from Tolkien:

I believe this wonderful world of Dionia is not something for me to create, but rather, its that the people and this culture already exist and simply need to be discovered.

Journaling about a project is nearly as important as finishing a project. Without finishing, we can not inform the souls of others; without documenting, we can not inform our own.

ch:

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#tToU Release Date: 09.15.2012

10 Sep ’12 by 21 Comments

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That’s right Elves of Berinfell! The Tide of Unmaking debut is nearly upon us, now just a few short days away. Sir Wayne and I shall be unveiling our latest creation this Thursday morning (as long as Lord Asp doesn’t find a way to put a wrinkle in our efforts), with the ebook versions following a few days behind (Kindle, Nook, Kobo, iPad, Droid, iPhone, etc). Price points will be $14.99 for the paperback, and $2.99 for the digital editions.

As a personal favor, we’re asking all our fans to purchase directly through our CreateSpace/Amazon store here. It’s the same price and great customer service for you, and a better rate for us.

Thank you for your faithfulness to this story, and your love of the series. You’re why we write.

ch:

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The Tide of Unmaking Cover Art

1 Aug ’12 by 74 Comments


Wayne and I are thrilled to present our fans with the first look at the brand new cover art for The Berinfell Prophecies Book Three: The Tide of Unmaking.

Because book 3 is the most epic of the series and spans locales near and far, as well as a diverse range of characters and notable moments, it was hard to pint-point exactly what should be on the cover. But once we saw the “world on fire,” we knew it was the right fit.

To all of our readers who’ve patiently waited for this final installment, we can’t thank you enough. You’re the reason we write. And we hope you like this cover (and the book!) as much as we do.

ch:

Track on Twitter: #tToU
(Click to enlarge)

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Kindle: The Skeleton Project

10 Jul ’12 by 12 Comments

When you work closely with someone, you sometimes take for granted that they have other ideas besides the ones you’re developing together.

Oh. Wayne Thomas Batson writes other incredible stuff besides The Berinfell Prophecies.

So I get this info in an email late last night:

If you’re a Wayne Thomas Batson reader, rejoice! Gone are the days of waiting a year for the next story. While working on several novels to hit the shelves later this year, Mr. Batson is releasing a whole array of new stories on Kindle (and then other formats).

The first release is The Skeleton Project, a quirky, scifi, mystery thriller with a wee bit of humor. The Skeleton Project is now live on Amazon for just $1.29!

I’m already a third of the way through this short story and loving it. If this is a sign of the sort of serial-storytelling that we can expect from Wayne in the future, bring it on. ch:

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It Feels Like a Crossword Puzzle (Worship Song Writing with Brenton Brown Day 3)

9 May ’12 by Leave a Comment

Today wraps up my third and final day of posting notes taken from the worship song writer’s workshop I sat in on with master song writer Brenton Brown. Of his three points, this was his shortest, but poignant nonetheless.

In fact, I’ll leave it worded exactly as he delivered it.

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It Feels Like a Crossword Puzzle

Sometimes writing a song is like trying to fill out a crossword puzzle. Which I suck at. The puzzle says, “Name a five-letter word for a flat service.” After drilling my brain for hours, I decide there simply is no such word. Then in desperation I walk around the house asking people, “What’s a five-letter word for a flat service?”

Table.

Man, what didn’t I think of that? Because I wasn’t really dedicated to hunting the word down. I just wanted it easy.

Stop rhyming the last word in a stanza with praise, and name, and grace – there are other words out there that work. Please hunt them down! Work at it!

‘Nough said.

ch:

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It Feels Like Preparing a One Point Sermon (Worship Song Writing with Brenton Brown Day 2)

8 May ’12 by 2 Comments

This is a continuation of my 3-day series on notes taken from Brenton Brown’s workshop on worship song writing at CMS in Buffalo, NY.

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It Feels Like Preparing a One Point Sermon

Songs are short. They use 100 words to make a point.

What’s the main point of your song, and the reasons (sub clauses) for the main point? How tightly argued are the successful songs you know/write? The reasons behind them?

How well a song is received is determined by how strong and concise an argument it makes.

-Brenton Brown

To lead people in prayer you need to give them a clear prayer.

Find out what’s not being said doctrinally around you. Because you’re actually responsible for teaching them doctrine in your songs. And even more severely:

People remember your songs long after they remember your sermons.

-Brenton Brown

Ask your teaching pastor where your church is lacking. Writing worship songs shapes the way people think about the Lord – it’s a teaching role.

The first gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost was to communicate with people in their own languages. Likewise, how are you pursuing trustworthy communication?

Writing a worship song is composed of three core elements:

1.) Have something worth saying.
2.) Say it in a way people will understand.
3.) Say it persuasively.

Don’t waste one word.

As you come out of a verse, just before you sing the chorus to a song you’re writing, say, “And that’s why I want to say…” Then you’ll have your chorus.

-Brian Doerksen

The song Here I Am to Worship has 11 sub-clauses to support the reason to worship right now.

Repetition also serves as a type of sub-clause.

Example: let my life revolve around you, be my focus, be the center, be the most important thing in my life. All saying the same thing, just different ways of saying it.

The Koran is not allowed to be translated; meanwhile Pentecost opened up Biblical (and dangerous but potentially powerful) re-interpretations.

David Wilcox (folk music writer) tries to fill 3 legal pads with a single theme of thought.

Storytelling worship songs are difficult to write, and not popular in pop music (almost exclusively in country, however). But they’re extremely effective. To work in worship, they must encompass a universal theme (Example: I Coming Back To The Heart of Worship: first the music faded, then You searched deeper, now I’m coming back, etc).

Universal themes are essential. During a particular songwriting competition we held back in England, we had one great entry that had a bogus ending: “God you’re amazing / Your power is awesome in the place / You heal your people / And my cousin Dave.”

How to chose your topic? Yes, some songs flow Pentecostally and just “happen” to us; but others we must labor over. Start to think about your songs as you would a sermon: it makes it easier. Like Alister McGrath said about writing sermones, at a certain point in writing a song you’re going to have to study.

Lastly, try lowering your goals as a writer. For example, yes, everyone wants to write a collection of songs in a week that are worthy of recording on a CD; but how about just vowing to write one good song a year – one song you’re really proud of and that stands on it’s own. Now that’s a solid goal.

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It Feels Like Fishing (Worship Song Writing with Brenton Brown Day 1)

7 May ’12 by 4 Comments

I had the privilege of sitting in on Brenton Brown‘s workshop on “worship song writing” this weekend at the CMS event in Buffalo, NY. He’s known for writing such memorable choruses as Your Love Is Amazing, Lord Reign In Me and Holy Holy Holy.

Aside from appreciating Brenton’s ability to articulate profound truth with effortless means both with regard to Christianity and in teaching song writing, he’s also an extremely personable man. The first time I ever met him, we were sitting in the VIP trailer at Creation, talking about South Africa, Boy Scouts and family. He didn’t know me, and I didn’t know him; only later would I piece together just who he was.

His points on song writing for churches were profound enough that I felt lead to share them here over the next three days. I hope his words are as inspirational to you as they were to me, and that my notes do his talking points justice. I’ve taken the liberty to expound in places in the hopes of capturing what he was saying and eliminating the “chicken scratch” mentality of the moment I wrote this in.

Enjoy. And write well.

ch:

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It Feels Like Fishing

Our goal is to help a large group of non-musician people who don’t normally sing at all to worship the Lord with music.

We need to write songs that are easy enough for a large group of diverse people to sing, but interesting enough that people will want to sing them again.

-Brenton Brown

This thing is art. It’s elusive. And songs are like hums:

You don’t find hums, hums find you.

-Winnie the Pooh

To get “found” by a song, you need to find head spaces that inspire you. This is because we’re essentially playing when we make music. It’s important to be in a playful mood when you write. The other head space we write from is pain, brokenness and desperation, and I don’t recommend actively looking for that one.

What things make you happy? What seasons where you most prolifically writing in? Take 30-seconds to think of these things and seasons in your life.

My wife tends to know what mine are better than I do; I love to be around water and to surf. She has always notices that I’m happier when I come home from surfing, and grumpy when I’m not. So she’ll kick me out of the house on occasion to go surf. I tend to write a lot of my songs while I’m sitting on the water. It’s a good head space for me. These are your fishing holes. Find good fishing holes.

Other fishing holes for me are movies. I love movies! I’m 4 years old again. I also get inspired by the sermons of Louie Giglio and James MacDonald.

Fishing also has a catch and release element to it. You must work an idea until it’s “done” and then put it away. Let’s songs gestate and mature. This practice ensure only your best stuff will come out. If a melody keeps popping back out and getting stuck in your head, it’s a keeper. If a particular lyric or phrase won’t leave you alone, it’s a keeper.

Stephen Covey talks a lot about the Scarcity Mentality and the Abundance Mentality. The Scarcity Mentality says, “Hold on to the precious, few songs you’ll ever get, and don’t share them with anybody, especially don’t share the credit.” The Abundance Mentality says, “There are plenty of wonderful ideas out there that I’ll discover. I need to share them to bless other people, and to let my ideas get refined, regardless of who gets credit – I’ll always have more.”

Write with the door open.

-Louie Giglio

This open door policy will help gain outside perspective. Anyone can critique a song; my mom can tell me when something sucks. But asking other writers for objective input will build your songs.

What’s makes you feel good in this song? And what makes you feel odd in this song?

-Paul Bloche

Remember that when you’re writing a worship song for people to sing, you’re actually contributing to an ongoing conversation between God and his people. What do people need to say to God? (Prayer). And what does God need to say to his people? (Prophetic).

Take 30-seconds to think about the 3 favorite careers you’d love to have. It’s in these personal states of “favorite” that we find the same inspiration to write out of as artists.

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