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October 2006 Issue
Bent by Robert T. Tuohey: Our most controversial story published to date. I have to give this an R rating, but urge everyone to read it. You'll find it in our Hybrid Tales section. If you think you are having a bad day, print up this story, place it in your desk, somewhere you can always turn to and you will find a tale that will simply make you smile (or frown). So controversial is this story that I have assigned Michael Battaglia (The Pretentious Twit) to write an end of the year review on it, in advance of publication.
I hope that many of our readers will respond to both the author, with a copy to the editor and publisher. My hat is off to Robert T. Tuohey.
It is the opening of our fall publishing session. The wonderful “fun” holiday of Halloween is right around the corner, so get your mask on and read the tale I dedicated this chapter to, “DaJoul the One-Eyed Demon,” who is the lord-high sheriff of Vashmak (aka “Mask").
As a fantasy writer (note, I did not use the word author) this chapter took nine months to come to fruition. I had discussed my initial ideas with Michael (The Pretentious Twit) Battaglia, who gave me some wonderful insight into plot development.
If I were to rewrite this chapter, even today, I would make some changes in the basic plot of the story, but I am rather happy the way it turned out, then again, I might go back to it one of these find days and try to polish it a bit more.
If any of the subscribers, and/or fellow writers have any comments on this change in my writing style and whether it works for you or doesn't, I would appreciate some dialectic on the story.
I hope you enjoy the new view that I asked Rebecca Gallant (our Web Goddess) to work on during the time we were “closed for renovations,” and they are: Scribal Letters and Scribal Chats. If you send a letter to me, as Editor (publisher) and/or writer, you will find it published on the web site, along with my answer; the Scribal Chat room is designed and will be used in the future for a sharing of ideas and a discussion among the writers in the shared world universe.
I would be remiss if I failed to mention Rebecca's fine work in dressing up The Scribe's Gazette, giving it that great Halloween motif. So once again, Three Scribal Shouts for Rebecca Gallant, the Web Goddess without equal.
The Map Project: Believe it or not, it is complete (almost). A special thank you to Joe and Joel Levy for the wonderful work they have done on the project. It will be unveiled in our Alpha-Omega issue (which will be published sometime after December 18 th – January 18 th , 2007). Can you believe it; another year has nearly come and gone.
New characters have joined the growing interest taking place on Volante, as new characters are making their way to the Black Dragon Inn. A quest is obviously forming, as this great venue for fantasy writing is starting to attract fantasy writers from across the Internet. You'll meet one interesting character and his creator in the form of Eirik Wolfsbane (by Peter Welmerink – who has also submitted a science fiction story, A Warbird Rises).
Joel Levy submits a horror story, Blue Candle Flame, a shared world submission, and has made an outstanding contribution through his organization of the infamous Map Project committee.
Speaking of the Pretentious Twit – were we speaking of the Pretentious Twit – in one form or the other, we were, as the Pretentious Twit has made every publication (25 columns of explicit critique to be exact). It should be noted that Michael Battaglia has penned over one million words, is currently writing his opus (or one of them) “Time Falls Away.” In this month's Pretentious Twit, Michael actually admits to making a mistake. I won't go into it, but here is a hint: Socrates or Isocrates (Figures, that's the type of mistake Michael would make!). In this issue he reviews Rick Magers' tale, “The Vault.”
Michael doesn't just review he gives us a challenge and shows us a method of breaking down the art of storytelling.
From Israel comes a new fantasy tale by one of our contributing authors, Tala Bar, and her traveling minstrel, Finbar. Finbar tells a tale of love that is all wet – pardon my sense of humor – it is a great story, The Water Nymph.
Have I mentioned that Joel Levy continues to write his epic, The Valkyrie? Not only has Joel enhanced his story line but his writing is getting tighter making the history of Brocalinde an interesting kingdom to visit. All shared world writers should be sending one or more characters to the Black Dragon Inn, however, and venture out of your own kingdom. But if you like semi-good fighting true evil, The Valkyrie is a story for you to read and comment on. By the way: Beware the hunting pack of raptors!
When you will read, The Slaughterer by Paul Williams, you will se a fitting hybrid tale for Halloween. It is bound to cause you to lose some sleep – as a matter of fact, you won't want to go to sleep, for fear that you will have nightmares. This is a very special fright night tale. When you will read, “The Slaughterer” by Paul Williams, you will se a fitting hybrid tale for Halloween. It is bound to cause you to lose some sleep – as a matter of fact, you won't want to go to sleep, for fear that you will have nightmares. This is a very special fright night tale.
I am looking forward to using our Scribal Chat room soon. Originally I had planned to have Rebecca design it as the Black Dragon Inn's tavern room; however, it appears that that will have to wait until next year.
Dan Mills has created a wonderful illustrative fantasy trilogy involving Odan the Scribe and the all the related characters featured in Chapters 3, 4, 5, the commencement of the Quest. You'll see Odan in the Cave of Forgetfulness, Gazine the Tormenter, The Whipping Scribe, Utre Prince of Trolls, Savant the Dragon of the Falls, the Scribal Priesthood. Dan has brought them all to life through his wonderful illustrations. They may not make it into this issue, but they will certainly be featured in our next issue of Scribal Tales.
Until then, I hope you enjoy our October (Halloween) issue of Scribal Tales.
Daniel Olarnick,
Editor and Publisher of Scribal Tales and the Scribe's Gazette.
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