Anyone out there who has read some of my fiction and would care to comment (good or bad, I have a thick skin) can do so here.
Questions are fine, too, but I’ll likely answer them in this thread as opposed to sending an email.
– Steve
Hello, and welcome to the blog of a sword-and-sorcery writer. Most of the stuff here is about writing fiction, but you'll also find some stuff about beer and Godzilla, a few bits of Zen, really short film reviews and my now-and-then rants about social injustice.Use the box below to search for topics within this blog.You also can find topics by category, using the list further down in this sidebar.If you're a new commenter, it might be a little while before your comments appear ... I have to approve new commenters to fight spam. Once I OK you, you're good to go. Thanks for dropping by!
Flashing Swords presents "Return of the Sword" ... all new heroic fantasy ... heroes who Do Deeds!
Jim Halpert, on "The Office"
I thought The Gray Mother in Flashing Swords was really cool, kind of like Conan. Hope there will be more!!!
I also like the Calthus character.
There is a wide gap between boring characters like Janet Morris’ Tempus (Thieves’ World) and exciting characters like Robert E. Howard’s Conan. I like gritty, somewhat flawed, characters. Same reason I prefer Batman to Superman.
Calthus is interesting. I am also looking forward to more stories. I want to see how Calthus continues to adapt to his changed world.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The following comment was made in another thread, and I posted it over here as well … Steve
I read the first Calthus story I think (the Redemption of Calthus). It brought me back to those good old sword and sorcery stories with grit and action. Calthus is not a boy scout but there appears to me to be someone who wants to make a difference too. Congradulations Steve, most writers can’t pull off true Sword and Sorcery tales.
I plan to track down the other Calthus story and keep on top of them as they are published. I wouldn’t be surprised if you break into the mainstream market soon.
It must be exiting to have a few publications under your belt. I bet it spurs you to try harder.
Thanks for the yarn.
Don (Wild Ape)
Comment by Don Nutting
No need for thick skin for this one. I finished “Snake Eyes” and now can state that Hissu is my favorite Steve Goble character. And while our friendship might cloud my judgement just a little, I honestly feel that “Snake Eyes” was the strongest story in “Freehold: Southern Storm”. I am currently reading a non-fiction about Native Americans in the Civil War (Between Two Fires by Hauptman) and was happy to see your Viper tribe dealing with the similar issues, like how to make a plan for the future when there are no obviously viable choices. I am looking forward to the next Hissu tale very much.
And BTW, I have been inspired to start writing something other than technical papers and training manuals. Thank-you!
Deven: Thanks. It’s always good to hear stuff like that. I think the upcoming Hissu story, “Shedding Skin,” is stronger in some ways than “Snake Eyes.” That story will be in “Freehold: Protector.”
Cool to hear you are considering some fiction of your own. I look forward to reading that!
– Steve
NOTE: COMMENTS MADE IN A DIFFERENT THREAD AND ADDED HERE BY ME — STEVE
From Howard Von Darkmoor:
‘The Redemption of Calthus’ - fun tale, great beginning to a continuing character and adventure.
‘The Grey Mother’ is an even better tale. I’m impressed with this one, Steve; it’s quite well-done.
Hey, that Spider John guy in “The Bloated Curse” was a fairly interesting fella too. I thought he told a pretty good tale.
I finally read “The Bloated Curse”, and enjoyed it. I really liked the ending. It made me laugh out loud.
[…] Reader comments […]
Hey, Steve! I need a few things from you. I’d like to add Calthus to my list of favorite characters on my blog, so:
What is Calthus’ full name?
Should I link to your “Published Works” page, or do you want to make a page just for Calthus (followed by individual pages for each of your characters)?
HVD: First, I am honored. Thanks!
Now to answer your question: Calthus has no full name. He was bred in the Thaal Empire as a warrior, and trained as such from birth. He had no childhood family life, and was raised to view the Empire as his parents. Thus, he is simply Calthus of Thaal. Once talent and deeds led him upward in the ranks he eventually became General Calthus, and earned the name Calthus, Slaughter Lord of Thaal.
Hmmm … bio pages for my characters. Now there’s a nifty idea, but it’ll take me a while. How about a link to the Published Works page, for now, and I’ll give you a heads up on the bio page when I get it done?
– Steve
Done!
‘Calthus, Slaughter Lord of Thaal’ sounds rather cool, but I’m going to stick with just ‘Calthus’ for now.
Thank you, sir.
Does he sign things Calthus S. L. O’Thaal?
sorry, just bein’ silly. A big X in blood [the other guy’s] is more likely.
BTW, speaking of your stuff, Steve, when is that Freehold II book coming out that I ordered last month?
And just to pile on Ellie’s question, any word on why the Carnifex Press website has been down this week? Or why Armand has been a no-show on the SFReader Forum for over three weeks now?
Armand (in answer to an email list pondering said questions) cited a server problem on the web site issue. As for being a no-show on the forums, I think it’s likely that he’s been traveling a bit. It’s vacation season after all, and there were a couple of cons he was trying to get to, I believe.
I don’t know when the books will be mailed, but soon I’m sure.
Armand has a lot of things going on, but experience tells me he does get around to them.
– Steve
Ha! Just finished ‘The Hungry Bottle’. Twisted person I am I absolutely loved it. Fitting end, and I hope it does find it’s way to the Captain!
I enjoy your writing style. It’s descriptive without bogging down, and the reader can feel there is a lot coming down the road.
Why thank you, Kate.
Just read “The Mask Oath” in The Return of the Sword and enjoyed it. Good character concept, good execution, absolutely wonderful last line. Well done. Rob
Thanks, Robert.
Gang: Robert is the author of “To Be A Man,” a sexy, swashbuckly story in “Return of the Sword.” Robert has been getting some well-deserved kudos for his story. Get the antho and check it out.
– Steve
Hi, Steve. I recently read “The Mask Oath” in Return of the Sword and it was amazing. I haven’t done my review yet, but I was just reading another review while working on the FSP website and it reminded me to write you about the story. Action and romance. I think when it comes down to it, those are the two elements I enjoy most in a story, without getting too corny. This story was perfect. You’ve written before about how much you appreciate your wife. Not sure if that was part of the inspiration for this story, but there is an element here that really ‘rings true’. Very powerful. Very enjoyable to read. One of my favorites from RotS that makes it an easy anthology to recommend. Bravo.
Thank you very much, Bryan. Your comment turned a sort-of-crappy night into a not-so-bad one.
– Steve