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Brief insights into my writing world. |
I started my blog in June 2016, intending to have a place to get my stories in the hands of readers. I started with one follower -- my wife. Seven years later, I am creeping toward 500 followers. I post a daily quote, as well as short stories, vignettes, and updates on our rebuilding project. You can find my Tavern Tales at: https://jjshaun.com/ Enjoy! |
Bert pulls out another hand-drawn map, this time of a town. “Tiernen was built at the crossroads of two trade roads.” He points at a mark at the western end of the east-west trade road. It sits along the path leading north to Port Ramall and south to Noxport. “It started as a small human garrison built of wood harvested from the area. Over time, more people moved into the frontier region. This caused rampant deforestation of the triangle between Tiernen to the west, Reevendale to the east, and Oftsee in the south. That area turned into farmland to support the three cities.” ~~~ Read the full story at: https://jjshaun.com/2024/04/21/adaran-tiernen/ |
Stevie supplies the group with drinks while they tell their tales. I listen closely as Bert describes the area. “The Western Wood is the northwestern section of a vast forest extending from the ocean on the west coast all the way to the Dragon’s Tail Range in the east. It stretches east to the Western Trade Road, following the route south to Noxport and north to Brookhaven. East of the trade road—out to the Dragon’s Tail and south to the southern wastes—are the Greater and Lesser Warrens.” Bert points to the area on his hand-drawn map. ~~~ Read the full story at: https://jjshaun.com/2024/04/14/adaran-the-western-wood/ |
“Dave left me a rough character sketch for his fighter, Beiron,” says Bert. “This should be good,” says Yvonne. “His character sketch was basic. It said: ‘Soldiers in their shiny armor fascinated young Beiron Shaelar when they marched through the city. He longed to carry a greatsword across his back as he swaggered through Brookhaven. When he was big enough, he lied about his age, and joined the King’s Guard.’ That’s all he gave me, so I came up with this.” ~~~ Read more at: https://jjshaun.com/2024/04/07/beiron-shaelar-soldier-for-hire/ |
Thursday rolls around again and the usual group gathers in the back booth of The Jaunty Mug. My avatar, Stevie, acknowledges them as they enter. He prepares their drinks as they settle in for an evening of storytelling. I can’t wait to see how their world unfolds. “I owe you an apology, Chuck,” says Bert as they pull books and pages from their bags. Read the full story at: https://jjshaun.com/2024/03/31/naathyn-greenleaf-scion-of-rithraunen/ |
“Meegan finally told me a story,” says Sandra. “Oh good, I thought we were going to have to wait until next week.” “Not quite. It’s not a cheery scene, but it’s a start.” ~~~ Read the full story at: https://jjshaun.com/2024/03/24/meegan-redoak-outcast/ |
“I’ll go,” says Mac. “I’ve been giving my main man, Roland, some thought. Like many adventurers, he has a tragic background.” He throws his hand dramatically to his forehead as he says this. “Do tell.” You can read the rest of the story at: https://jjshaun.com/2024/03/17/roland-firestone-the-last-of-his-clan/ |
“Heyla, Bert,” says Stevie as Bert the coffee shop. “Hey, Stevie.” “Okay,” begins Bert when everyone arrives and drinks are served, “last week, I said I wanted backstories. Let me hear what you got.” Read the full story at: https://jjshaun.com/2024/03/10/aeryn-qillian/ |
“Heyla, Stevie,” says Bert as he enters The Jaunty Mug. “Hello, Bert.” says my avatar, Stevie, as he brews Bert’s double macchiato. Julie arrives next, followed by Sandra. Read the full story here: https://jjshaun.com/2024/03/03/skrie-get-out/ |
“Heyla, Stevie,” says Bert as he enters The Jaunty Mug. “Hello, Bert.” Stevie brews Bert’s double macchiato. The group trickles in. Read the rest of the story at: https://jjshaun.com/2024/02/25/the-legend-of-ashtaqi/ |
“Here’s the scene,” says Bert. “Your characters,” he points to Mac, Chuck, and Yvonne, “are tracking a band of slavers. You follow a poorly covered path to a clearing …” The coffee shop fades away, replaced by a forest populated by oak, maple, and ash trees. Read the rest of the story at: https://jjshaun.com/2024/02/18/the-first-meeting/ |