If you’re enjoying the show and/or have already read some of D. T. Kane’s books, consider either purchasing an eBook or paperback or leave a review on Amazon or wherever you purchase books:
“Mockery is just hate’s patina, and every laugh is vicious.”
Steven Erikson, Deadhouse Gates
Judgement. Something we pretend not to do, but that everyone does on a daily basis. The clothes she wears, the way he acts, the opinions another holds. It’s not something to be ashamed of. In many instances, our brain passes judgment before we’re even conscious it’s doing so.
What we ought to be ashamed of, though, is permitting those snap judgments to dictate how we act. Quite often, when we look down on another, it has nothing to with them. Rather, it’s because something about that person has touched upon an insecurity we ourselves possess. We turn our noses at someone’s clothes because we have a poor self image; we condemn another’s actions because, deep down, we fear the risk of failure that accompanies action; we chastise an opinion because we don’t have the courage to admit we haven’t a clue.
Judgments are everywhere, and sometimes acting on them is even necessary. But unless you’ve walked into a bear or are diving away from a speeding car, judgments are a beginning, not an end. The next time you think to criticize, stop and ask yourself: What does that criticism say about me? You might just learn something about yourself and gain a new-found appreciation for another.
Big thanks to Kris S for submitting this week’s quote!
Note to readers: Each week, I share a fantasy quote and indulge my inner philosopher with a brief essay based on said quote. Share your favorite quote with me and I might feature it in a future newsletter! Email: dtkane@dtkane.com.
If you’re enjoying the show and/or have already read some of D. T. Kane’s books, consider either purchasing an eBook or paperback or leave a review on Amazon or wherever you purchase books:
Welcome back to D. T. Kane’s Epic Fantasy Book Club. Today is Sunday, August 28, 2022 as I record this, Episode 6 of Season 2, and Episode 33 overall.
Well, last week I admitted lying to you all and that I was still doing edits on Declaimer’s Stand, Part 4 of the Spoken Books Uprising. Well, I’m now done! All I have left to do is wait for my editor to get me her edits and then it’s off to the presses! Start getting excited for release day, September 16.
As for future plans, I don’t think I’m going to have another book release this year. I might have the next one written before year’s end, but I’m not going to be able to line up my editor in time. Never to fear, though! That just means I’ll be able to release two books relatively quickly at the beginning of 2023, as I’ll just launch right into drafting Part 6 once I’ve completed Part 5 and am waiting for editing. Part 5 is actually a bit of a smaller story too, so it should be relatively quick to write. It’s a bit of a side quest if you will, but one with big implications for the overall story. Stay tuned for more!
Also, if you are absolutely craving some new fiction from me once you’ve ravenously devoured Part IV, Declaimer’s Stand, consider signing up for my Patreon. I’ll be releasing a connected series of short stories over there starting in a couple weeks, which is the beginning of September 2022 if you’re listening in the future. It’s pretty different from The Spoken Books Uprising. It’s called the Temporal Operations Militia Case Files, and is about two agents from an organization that goes around fixing anomalies in time to ensure history happens as it should. It’s got time travel, history, laser swords, and history. Oh, and these weird martial artists in red space suits. For just $3.99/month, you’ll get access to all these stories as I release them and also lots more, including copies of all my eBooks and a bonus monthly podcast episode, where I’ll be narrating these short stories and more! Join me today at www.patreon.com/dtkane.
ANALYSIS CHs. 5-7
Chapter 5
Baz headed to market
Not very confident in accomplishing Tessa’s “quest”
Doesn’t even exist
How can he ever hope to get into the Library?
Disturbance in the street
Reader abusing a Speaker
Lyton Xavier, the little prick
Speaker from Willyom
Side note about the names of the Libraries
Why Baz? Why can’t you ever just shut up?
The crowd is on the Speaker’s side?
Oges
Want to cause some trouble for the Readers?
Chapter 6
To Lower Erstwhile—very poor part of the city
Factories, where ink made
Process is dangerous
Crushed limbs in mill
Boiling ether
Injuries akin to those suffered by slaves processing sugar cane
“Fear is a great indicator you’re walking into something you’ll regret, and I have more than enough regrets already.”
Underground hideout
Munch
Little Brother
The Password
Snakes–slither about and make people ill; also, their little organization stays low, but when you aren’t looking, they’ll bite you in the…
The Declaimer’s Transcendence
A World of Danger
Baz is… famous?
The Baztian?
Who stands up to Readers, to their faces
Del wouldn’t have won the trials or even made it back without Baz
Baz pushes his luck with Oges
Baz realizes he’s in a precarious position
The Poison
Chapter 7
A circular meeting hall with nice furniture
Plants, barrels, vials
There are others down there, mostly Speakers from other Libraries, but also an Illit guard
Leather pouches
They’ve all heard of Baz
You tamed a dragon!
They even have the impression he, in fact, is the one who completed the Trials
Baz denies, they think he’s just being cautious
Who is telling them all this about Baz?
Underground tunnel network
Dreadleaf
An Uprising! Just like in Fortune;
draw inspiration from Fortune—just think what we can achieve if half the Readers are dead!
Exterminating Angel, leader of Fortune’s rebels; Haiti story
Despite Farston being non-chalant, seems Readers are taking uprising in Fortune seriously, ordering guards to break up groups of Speakers (per Lenz)
Poison the water supply; municipal water system; aqueducts; similar to a plan slaves in Haiti had for poisoning Le Cap
The All-Seeing One
Snakes’ true leader
Came up with poison idea
“Sounds like a bastard”—understands his plan will kill innocents
Mass Murder
But Baz can relate
They all lay on their hard pallets, fantasizing about Readers getting what they deserve
Baz guilt—he actually had an opportunity to give Del what he “deserves” and didn’t
The All-Seeing One told them to listen to Baz—he’s the one who’s been spreading (accurate) rumors about Baz. Who is he? That’s why looking to Baz for inspiration
Baz reveals he’s going to Fortune to find a “weapon”
Oges gives Baz one month
Now Baz has responsibility for all the people who might die if water poisoned
CONCLUSION
Homework: Read Declaimer’s Discovery chapters 8 and 9. Baz joins a club; then he meets the All-Seeing One (why is that title ironic?); then Baz hears something that causes him to break into a run!
Quote:
“Too late, I found you can’t wait to become perfect, you got to go out and fall down and get up with everybody else.”
― Ray Bradbury, Something Wicked This Way Comes
Patience is a virtue, or so they say. But is it? Perhaps not when it comes to achieving your dreams. How often have you heard someone say, “I wish I could do this, but the time just isn’t right”; or, “I’ll get around to that… someday”;or, maybe the saddest of all, “I wish I’d just tried.”
Taking a shot is scary. It makes you vulnerable, risks failure, forces you to face reality. In a world where most have settled for good enough, going for what you really want makes you an outlier, a weirdo, a boat-rocker. But don’t let those naysayers stop you. Contrary to popular wisdom, the time will never be perfect for you to take a chance, so you might as well take one now. Don’t be that person who looks back one day with wistful eyes and says, “I wish…”
Until next time, this has been D. T. Kane’s Epic Fantasy Book Club.
“Too late, I found you can’t wait to become perfect, you go to go out and fall down and get up with everybody else.”
Ray Bradbury, Something WiCKed This Way Comes
Patience is a virtue, or so they say. But is it? Perhaps not when it comes to achieving your dreams. How often have you heard someone say, “I wish I could do this, but the time just isn’t right”; or, “I’ll get around to that… someday”;or, maybe the saddest of all, “I wish I’d just tried.”
Taking a shot is scary. It makes you vulnerable, risks failure, forces you to face reality. In a world where most have settled for good enough, going for what you really want makes you an outlier, a weirdo, a boat-rocker. But don’t let those naysayers stop you. Contrary to popular wisdom, the time will never be perfect for you to take a chance, so you might as well take one now. Don’t be that person who looks back one day with wistful eyes and says, “I wish…”
Note to readers: Each week, I share a fantasy quote and indulge my inner philosopher with a brief essay based on said quote. Share your favorite quote with me and I might feature it in a future newsletter! Email: dtkane@dtkane.com.
If you’re enjoying the show and/or have already read some of D. T. Kane’s books, consider either purchasing an eBook or paperback or leave a review on Amazon or wherever you purchase books:
“Words are the only bullets in truth’s bandolier. And poets are the snipers.”
― Dan Simmons, Hyperion
Cheese pizza. Pilsner beer. The cap-toe oxford. Simple things. Boring, some might say. But in today’s frenetic society, we often lose sight of simplicity’s beauty.
Just as poetry thrives on an economy of words, so too should we consider simplifying our lives. How many things, both physical and intangible, enter our lives that serve no useful purpose, do nothing to further our goals and values? We permit ourselves to hide behind all this meaningless clutter, and for that reason it can be frightening to clear it away.
But clear it away we must! Just as shoddy baking can’t hide behind cheese and sauce, poor brewing is magnified by a pilsner’s minimal ingredients, and the slightest scuff sullies even the most expensive pair of oxfords, so too can we no longer hide from our inadequacies, fears, and dreams once we are surrounded by only that which brings meaning, purpose, or joy.
There is truth in simplicity.
Note to readers: Each week, I share a fantasy quote and indulge my inner philosopher with a brief essay based on said quote. Share your favorite quote with me and I might feature it in a future newsletter! Email: dtkane@dtkane.com.
Second note to readers: Yes, I know Cantillon Gueze is not a pilsner. But it is simple in its own, deliciously sour way!
If you’re enjoying the show and/or have already read some of D. T. Kane’s books, consider either purchasing an eBook or paperback or leave a review on Amazon or wherever you purchase books:
Duke Farston Leamina: The Chair of the Triumvirate Congress and head of Leamina Library from the City of Fortune
Show notes:
PERSONAL UPDATE
Welcome back to the book club! Today is Sunday, August 14, 2022 as I record this, episode 4 of season 2 of the podcast, and episode 31 overall.
My big news this week is I got my draft of Declaimer’s Stand out to my Advance Readers and editor. I’ve still been tweaking a few things myself as well, mostly just tightening up some language and correcting a few stray typos. It’s amazing that no matter how many times I read something, those pesky mistakes still make their way through. I found four misspellings of the word “soldier” the other day. *Eyeroll* Ah well.
As I noted in my newsletter this week, I had a lovely time visiting some family on Long Island last weekend. There are few things I enjoy more than Long Island pizza and bagels, and I got my fill of both! Definitely good to take some time and recharge, even when you have an ambitious schedule like mine between day job and running my miniature media empire here.
Yesterday, I also took a train ride through scene western New York. “Ales on rails,” so had some tasty craft beer samples too. I can’t believe we’re already halfway through August already, so definitely still trying to make sure I take advantage of what’s left of summer!
ANALYSIS CHs. 1-4
Ch. 1
Opening line–thoughts?
A Speaker dies in a gruesome manner
Steaming blood
Tattoos
Gar
Third death this month
Leanna:
Only effects Retirees
Apologizes
All Retirees had tattoos, apparently from Tax.
Infection?
“A small bit of rebellion”
High success rate
Tax is inked up!
A way out of his dark prison?
When are we?
Three months past
The voices…
The Brief
Book of Creation
Baz has read to Tax many times
Memorized
Baz’s education
No one else is going to say any words for Gar
Ch. 2
Deliritous victory = increased attention, more books to repair
Leanna is skeptical
How’d you complete on your own?
A Book that cures blindness?
Baz’s oath to Tessa
Bashful Baz
Wet t-shirt
Impress you?
Tax
Baz steps toward Leanna
Leanna’s standing with the Conservatory/Ambition
Lost ink
How does Tax get ink?
Where did he learn to write?
Leanna and Tax were “friends”
She cares what Baz thinks
What does the Duke want?
Ch. 3
The Receiving Room, full of people
Duke Octavinal restored his Influencer’s sight; Baz angry
Del still dressed like a dandy
Surprise! Baz has had plenty of work lately
Baz really does like Leanna, ready to tell the Duke what he can do with those feathers
Duke Farston Leamina
Chair of the Triumvirate Congress
Wealthy
First-name basis with Octavinal?
His voice–placid yet terrifying
An abnormal interest in Baz
Del is delusional
An uprising amongst the Speakers in Fortune
Sound familiar?
Gahlfet Library
The dungeons beneath Leamina Library, broken on the wheel
Rights for Speakers
A special session
Erstwhile needs a representative
De ja vu for Baz
Ch 4.
Leanna rescues Baz
The Conservatory will send a representative
Tonight’s entertainment
Baz still trying to convince himself he doesn’t like Rox
Del’s voice is strained–maybe not so deluded after all?
Punishing Baz
Baz obstinate as ever
Rox the mediator
CONCLUSION
Homework: Read Declaimer’s Discovery, Chapters 5 and 6. Baz opens his big mouth once again and meets someone new. But is he a friend? And we see some of Erstwhile’s “factories.” What’s up with those? Then, we go underground!
Listener Question: From Jason: You are quite active responding to comments and keep up with posting on Twitter, Facebook Youtube, e-mail and now Patreon. How do you make time for writing? Do you have set times when you shut the rest of the world off and just hyper focus on writing?
“Words are the only bullets in truth’s bandolier. And poets are the snipers.”
― Dan Simmons, Hyperion
Cheese pizza. Pilsner beer. The cap-toe oxford. Simple things. Boring, some might say. But in today’s frenetic society, we often lose sight of simplicity’s beauty.
Just as poetry thrives on an economy of words, so too should we consider simplifying our lives. How many things, both physical and intangible, enter our lives that serve no useful purpose, do nothing to further our goals and values? We permit ourselves to hide behind all this meaningless clutter, and for that reason it can be frightening to clear it away.
But clear it away we must! Just as shoddy baking can’t hide behind cheese and sauce, poor brewing is magnified by a pilsner’s minimal ingredients, and the slightest scuff sullies even the most expensive pair of oxfords, so too can we no longer hide from our inadequacies, fears, and dreams once we are surrounded by only that which brings meaning, purpose, or joy.
There is truth in simplicity.
Until next time, this has been D. T. Kane’s Epic Fantasy Book Club.
“The purpose of a storyteller is not to tell you how to think, but to give you questions to think upon.”
Brandon Sanderson, The Way of Kings
I don’t so much have an essay about this week’s quote, as a “look behind the curtain” into my writing process. This quote from The Way of Kings really speaks to me, as it aptly describes a general tenet I follow when writing.
While story is always at the top of mind when I’m drafting, I also seek to tackle some tough issues in my tales. To name just a few: questionable means to achieve a just end (e.g., killing to further the Uprising’s cause); reconciling the fact that a good person can do bad things (Deliritous being a slave owner); fundamental disagreements with someone you love (to avoid spoilers, a certain relationship Baz has).
While I write about these issues, I don’t necessarily give definitive answers. Some might call that a cop-out, but I think that’s the point of stories. I’m not here to tell you how to think. Rather, I aim to flag some issues and get you thinking, all while spinning a yarn that entertains.
Most people don’t want to be preached at, but many (and often, I find, fantasy readers in particular) want to be challenged. As I’ve said before, one of the great things about fantasy is it makes challenging topics approachable by filtering them through a lens of make-believe.
Read the stories you like, ponder their meanings, and form your own opinions. Don’t let others think for you.
Note to readers: Each week, I share a fantasy quote and indulge my inner philosopher with a brief essay based on said quote. Share your favorite quote with me and I might feature it in a future newsletter! Email: dtkane@dtkane.com.
If you’re enjoying the show and/or have already read some of D. T. Kane’s books, consider either purchasing an eBook or paperback or leave a review on Amazon or wherever you purchase books:
If you’re enjoying the show and/or have already read some of D. T. Kane’s books, consider either purchasing an eBook or paperback or leave a review on Amazon or wherever you purchase books:
