So! The geography! I had just come off of two years of writing and researching Norse Mythology when I was looking over a map of Norway and Sweden. I was trying to imagine myself in the climate when I stumbled upon a Wikipedia Article entitled “Alfheim (Region)” and not “Alfheim (Mythology).” Alfheim (Old Norse: Álfheimr, […]
From Norway to Fantasy Part #3
I lied! I am not covering Geography just yet. First, I want to cover Norse Myth. I had studied Greek/Roman and Egyptian Mythology as early as eleven years old when I read my Encyclopedia set for fun. I would not branch away from those myths for another fifteen years. So when I began Dolor and […]
From Norway to Fantasy Part #2
I started Tales of the Drui in November of 2008. In 2010, I found a collection of videos that helped with my research…okay…kind of helped. Norway For Noobs by Chris Nikopol. Chris, if ever you see this. Thank you! I am a huge fan here in New York! I couldn’t stop laughing for a week! […]
From Norway to Fantasy Part #1
I could not have chosen a better land to inspire my writing than Norway. Just in thought, she takes my breath away. I didn’t wake up one morning and say, “I want to write about Norway!” Nor did I research her and say, “Oooh! This is a beautiful country (and it is)! I have an […]
Behind Dolor and the Shadow
I can not tell you how many times someone has stopped to ask me what “Dolor” is. I also have been told many times that a reader picked up the book just to find out what “Dolor” means. A few people have come to me and asked directly what the meaning is behind “Dolor and […]
Dolor and Shadow’s Magic System
So I spent the morning browsing my site, looking for ideas to write about and thinking about other authors like Rowling and Sanderson. What are they doing with their site, I wonder. And that’s when I realize…I don’t think I ever talk about my magic system! Dolor and Shadow is a fantasy! Some of you […]
Bergen’s Scene – Chapter 7
This scene is one that I originally planned to write into Book #3. In fact most of Part #1 of Dolor and Shadow was originally planned for Book #3. I took the advice of a dear friend and included it for Book #1 instead. I can not tell you the amount of joy I felt […]
Bergen’s scene – Chapter 39
This scene is more than just an excerpt from Dolor and Shadow. It is one of my favorite scenes and features Bergen in all his Bergen glory. May you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Dolor and Shadow – Chapter 39 The light of Alfheim’s moon gleamed brightly in the deep […]
Speculation on “Elf”
Alfr is Old Norse for “River” and “Elfr” is the Anglicized name for “Alfr” meaning “River folk.” The Old Swedish term for River is “Alv.” Alv…Alf…Elf…River. “Alfheim” means “home of the river folk.” In Old Norse, most river names end in “-elfr” literally “river.” Klarelfr = Clear River in Varmland, Sweden Raumelfr = Thunder River […]
My Philosophy
Philosophy. Greek. Philo means Love. Sophie means Wisdom. A Love of wisdom. Not “a study of.” Logos means “to study” and gives root to the word “logic.” Logos also is Greek for “Idea.” Cool, huh? Why don’t we say “Sophilogy?” I am a philosopher who takes Sophilogy (I am such a word nerd). Just rambling […]