Monthly Archives: May 2011

Writing Prompts #1

Monday, May 23rd, 2011

I thought I’d change things up a little bit this week, and given people three writing prompts to choose from. One is SF, one is Fantasy, and the last one is, well, something. If you do write a story based on one of these, give me a link, because I’d love to see what they inspire.

SF – An interstellar empire crumbles as their engines slowly stop working, for no known reason
Fantasy – A flame sputtered and then died, and with it magic began to drain from the world
Other – Rifts appear, and from them step both angels and devils

A Trashy Feast

Monday, May 23rd, 2011

It was hard to believe that at one time I had been someone of greatness. Someone with potential. Someone with clean clothes.

Now, I hid in the thorny overgrowth outside a nearby town. Here, I waited for the cover of darkness. It was in the cover of night that I became invisible to the townsfolk. And, in some ways, invisible to myself.

When all the men and women had tucked their wee ones into bed and settled in for the night, I invaded their town. It was not my intention to steal their worldly possessions or to harm their families, but to simply fill my empty belly with a sampling of their culinary scraps.

Scurrying up and down the deserted streets, I peered around every corner, searching. Several streets up, behind a rundown tavern, stood my treasure. Skipping in delight towards it, my nostrils filled with the most foul of smells. Uncertain of whether it was indeed the trash that would become my dinner or myself, I quickly dismissed it. I needed to stay focused. Food was food.

I slowly circled the pile of discarded goodness, picking up a loaf of bread, dusting off the outer layer of mold that had begun to grow there. Ripping off a rather large chunk of it, I chuckled to myself. How ironic that a palate of once discerned taste now found joy in consuming another man’s garbage.…
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A Princess Banished Part 8

Friday, May 20th, 2011

Aislin burst into the hut with Abrecan close behind, catching Brom with his armor half on.

“There’s no time for that!” she shouted, remembering how very close the armored men were to the edge of the village. It would take them little time to conduct a search, and every minute was precious. They had to get away!

“No, no time,” the smith agreed. “Carry it with you, boy!”

Aislin shook her head, “We can’t carry that armor and make any time, master smith. We must flee!”

It was the smith’s turn to shake his head. “Run? You’ll never make it, lass. You’ve a single horse between the two of ya. Even with a few minutes’ head start, that armored beast’ll catch ya sure enough.”

“What would you suggest, then?” Brom asked. He was removing the pieces of armor he had managed to strap on, but he moved with painful slowness.

“I’ve an idea, but you’ll have to hurry. Help him, girl!” Aislin bent and began unstrapping the armor, while Brom stood there in embarrassment.

“Please, Princ…” A painful tug on a strap silenced him.

“Ah, don’t be too harsh on your man there, girl. I knew something was different about ya already. Not my business, though.”

Aislin spared Brom a scathing glance. His blush deepened with shame on top of the embarrassment. She pulled the last piece of armor away and Abrecan scooped it all up, carrying the heavy metal plates as though they weighed nothing.…
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Interview with James Tallett

Wednesday, May 18th, 2011

As the original founder of Splintered Lands, where did the idea come from and why did you decide to do an anthology with other writers?

I got the idea for doing a shared world anthology from reading Thieves’ World, which is a shared world series of anthologies from Robert Lynn Asprin. I’d really enjoyed the way the characters wove together in the city of Sanctuary, and I thought of trying something on a grander scale, of a world built of interlocking stories. Once I had the idea, I went out rounded up a group of authors who I thought would be good for the project, and we set about designing the world, eventually ending up where we are today.

For those readers unfamiliar with Splintered Lands, what makes the project unique and something they should come check out?

Splintered Lands is a world recovering from catastrophe, and that catastrophe has caused society to revile magic and magic users. But putting a lid on this genie meant that mechanics and technology has snuck in, and distant parts of the continent are seeing the rise of series of Leonardo da Vincis and Archimedes. So there’s this three-way competition between those who hate technology and magic, those who support magic, and those who support technology, and each is slowly gaining (or regaining, in the case of magic) areas of the world, and it’s all headed towards an almighty fight.…
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The Hunter’s Prey Part 5

Monday, May 16th, 2011

Dendera thought about Malik’s orders as she scoured offering bowls with salt. Patience was not her strong suit. He had told her not to act, but he had said nothing of preparing. The thought lifted her spirits as she rinsed the shining bowls, careful not to spill the salty water where it would run into the garden. She hated to see the plants wither away when the toxic salt contaminated their soil. It gave her an idea, though.

When she had finished with the bowls, she slipped out of the temple without informing the High Priestess, afraid of another task. Dendera realized she had no idea where she was headed on her way out the gate. Seeing an easy remedy to that, she collared the errand boy.

“Which way to the apothecary?” she demanded of the startled lad. He gave her some rather jumbled directions and she was on her way again, on the lookout for an inn with a sign picturing running horses, where she was to turn left. After a few wrong turns and a bit of backtracking, she eventually found the apothecary’s shop, creaking sign of the mortar and pestle prominently displayed. Bells tinkled as she entered, finding herself at the back of a rather long line. Settling herself to wait, Dendera stared curiously around the crowded shop. Drying plants and herbs festooned the ceiling, unguents and lotions shared shelf space with jars containing organs or small animals, and live plants crowded around the windows so the light that filtered through was green.…
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