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⤝❖⤞The Eirenic Verses ⤝❖⤞
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Hello there! I know April has been quite a busy month. Engagement drops off as everyone deals with the start of the Q2 fiscal year, spring break, and the beginning of warmer weather. If you're taking the time to read this despite all the craziness, I appreciate you!
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With that in mind, let me reward you with a piece of T.S. Eliot's famous work, "The Waste Land." I picked this one because it reminds me of the dry, unyielding mountains of New Mexico, which I drove through last week.
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The above image was from Valles Caldera National Preserve, which was surprisingly not dry while we were there; they got their first snowfall since last November. A pittance by Ohio standards, but definitely quite cold.
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From "V. What the Thunder Said" of The Waste Land
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Here is no water but only rock
Rock and no water and the sandy road
The road winding above among the mountains
Which are mountains of rock without water
If there were water we should stop and drink
Amongst the rock one cannot stop or think
Sweat is dry and feet are in the sand
If there were only water amongst the rock
Dead mountain mouth of carious teeth that cannot spit
Here one can neither stand nor lie nor sit
There is not even silence in the mountains
But dry sterile thunder without rain
There is not even solitude in the mountains
But red sullen faces sneer and snarl
From doors of mudcracked houses
If there were water
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⤝❖⤞
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Writing Tip of the Week
Many writers find themselves procrastinating on their projects because they start with research, and then they get overwhelmed. Don't start with research; do your outline first. Figure out the plot points, then identify what you will need to look up for verisimilitude. This way, you can be more intentional and avoid falling into rabbit holes along the way.
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About the Eirenic Verses
As a reminder, I am still running my review campaign for Saint Luridalr and the Peony Phoenix in preparation for its release on April 29th. If you haven't signed up yet, don't worry: it takes about one hour to read, so you still have plenty of time to finish before the April 22nd deadline. Even a two or three-sentence review on Goodreads would be extremely helpful as I work to boost engagement.
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To entice you, here is one of the original poems from the novella!
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“I am haunted; I walk into the wildfire;
I hide from the shadow of your scorching light.
Rosebud beauty, dart of destiny,
leftover ember of first epiphany.
It is hard not to beg you
for a glimpse of ghostly skin.
In your eyes, I see a new cosmos.
Mechanics of infinity. I can barely blink.
You are traitor of angels,
serenely wing-shorn in mortal mud.
Hypnosis, this something unspoken.
I would follow your tread to deadly forever,
if only to see your hand.”
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As an aside, I'm getting a tattoo this week with "traitor of angels" surrounded by roses. Maybe a bit self-absorbed, but I think it's important to honor my own achievements. And I love tattoos.
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Next week, I'll start sharing some snippets from Funeral of Hopes, which will be released June 23, 2025 (my birthday!).
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⤝❖⤞
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What I'm Reading This Week
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This week, I checked out "A Bruise the Size and Shape of a Door Handle," a short story by Daisy Johnson. This creepy magical realism tale embodies the sapphic experience: hunger, possessiveness, and desire to merge with the beloved. I promise it'll haunt you long after you get to the final line, so be warned!
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Last Week's Posts
If this past week has been a bit hectic and you didn't have time to check out my posts, you can find them here! Thanks in advance for reading them.
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What's the Difference Between Epic Fantasy and Literary Fantasy?
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Learn about the unique features, constructions, and characterization in these two often-confused subgenres of fantasy.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Writers (Everything You Wanted to Know But No One Answered)
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All the private questions you have about writers and the writing process but didn't know how to ask!
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Weekly Quote
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"For us, there is only the trying. The rest is not our business."
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⤝❖⤞
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Share the Monday Missive with your friends!
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If you know of someone who would enjoy my newsletter, please direct them to this "Manage Your Subscription" page where they can sign up! Your support is greatly appreciated.
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⤝❖⤞
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Thank you so much for joining me today, despite how hectic April has been. Let's meet again on 04/21/25.
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