Fulfilling the #AtoZChallenge

Before the #AtoZChallenge the longest one I had participated in was the MFRW 52-week challenge. But that was only one post a week and the topic was provided. One of the challenges of the AtoZ was finding a topic that fit a specific letter. The theme I chose for 2019 was fantasy from A to Z and it used the settings, characters, and insights into the fantasy worlds of the Windmaster Novels and the Dragshi Chronicles with a dash of the writing life mixed in. Besides the difficulty in matching a topic to a letter (more on that later), the short time frame that required a post a day was an additional complication.

For some posts a topic to match the letter was easily done. The easiest post to write was  P is for Lady Pelra. Windmaster Legend had just been released so the link to the character was still strong. And besides, not even a fledgling mage is to be trifled with.

As to what was my favorite post? Like many, if not most authors, I love my readers so I chose Y is for YOU the reader as my favorite post. A special gift was offered and if you haven't done so, don't forget to use the FREE READS button to claim your free gift of a science fiction short story, a scifi romance short, or a fantasy dragon short story.

My answer to the favorite graphic is simple. I won't choose and you can't make me. The picture of the seisag made me want to run out and take a trail ride through the woods. Whereas the image that inspired the volcano home of the god Tagachin had me reaching to book a ship to the orient. Then there was the fleeting image captured of the werehound. Don't look too long or they'll decide you're their prey. But if I have to choose just one, it is the jardrese deck. I had fun selecting the images and making the deck of tiles. Now I just have to master the game itself.


The full list of posts from the challenge follows. I hope you'll find a topic or two of interest.

~till next time, Helen



A is for Anastasia
B is for Broch
C is for Cailin
D is for Diovi and Daxa

E is for Eurichin 
F is for FATE
G is for Givneh
H is for horses
I  is for Imprisoned 





J is for Jardrese
K is for the Kapuna Tree
L is for Legend
M is for Mage







N is for Najest
O is for One 
P is for Pelra
Q is for Queen
R  is for Redemption

 

S is for shipfish
T is for Tarekus
U is for uncommon mercy
V is for Ver



W is for Werehound
X is for Xelme
Y is for YOU
Z is for Zethar

V is for Ver

V is for Ver

So, what is a Ver. In Imprisoned in Stone, Ver is a large, raw-boned dog. Because of the dog's red coloring, I used an image of an Irish Setter as the inspiration for Ver. Besides assisting in hunts to provide food for those hiding on the island, Ver helped repeal invaders who attacked the island sanctuary.

Showing the stamina and loyalty of the breed, after being set adrift with the child after her parents were killed, Ver survived and became her protector.

Picture courtesy of Pixabay.

An excerpt from Imprisoned in Stone.

Prayers that Dylan would arrive in time to help and that the two of them would be able to hold off the Brethren did not slow Colwynn’s preparations. The weight of the sword belt around his hip provided little comfort, nor did the dagger he slid into his boot. With practiced movements, he strapped panniers on Gramail’s four-footed guardians and stuffed a jacket, blanket, food, and a skin of fruit juice into the leather bags.

A step took him to Gramail who watched in wide-eyed silence. “Sweetie, we are having some big people visitors. I need you to go with the dogs to the ship cave and stay there until called.” As he spoke, Gramail’s trusting look added to Colwynn’s determination to make certain no harm came to the child. She had lost enough already. Kneeling, he dropped to her level. “It’s time to play the ‘shhhsh’ game. You need to stay quiet with the dogs, do you understand?”

She nodded and with a wise look on her face put a finger to her lips.

Colwynn patted each dog on the head. Opening the lower half of the door, and kissing the four-year-old, he gave a command he prayed he would not regret. “Ver, Da, protect Gramail. Go, cave. Go, now.”

He watched the dogs trot out with Gramail running between them. Before they covered more than a dozen paces, the rest of the pack joined them. Brown and red forms flowed across the sand. Colwynn could barely make out Gramail’s dark curls above the dog’s backs.

Imprisoned in Stone - one click to estores


Tomorrow’s post is W for Werehound. If you're interested in following other blogs in the challenge, here's the master list of the other participants

~ till next time, Helen

Fulfilling the #AtoZChallenge, the Midpoint

The month of April is half over and we're at the midpoint of the #AtoZ Challenge. The theme I chose for the challenge is fantasy from A to Z. Settings, characters, and insights into the fantasy worlds of the Windmaster Novels, the Dragshi Chronicles, and a few words on the writing life.

Since the challenge takes Sundays off, the slot is being used to reflect on the topics covered so far. A list of posts for easier following of the challenge follows. I hope you'll find a post or two of interest and that you'll consider stopping by for the rest of the challenge.

~till next time, Helen


A is for Anastasia
B is for Broch
C is for Cailin
D is for Diovi and Daxa 
E is for Eurichin 
F is for FATE
G is for Givneh
H is for horses
I  is for Imprisoned
J  is for Jardrese
K is for the Kapuna Tree
L is for Legend