Sakichi Toyoda formalized the 5 Whys technique as a part of improving the manufacturing processes at Toyoda Motor Company. While I don't intend to iteratively delve into the why's behind the why's of my writing, I do want to share a few of the reasons I feel compelled to put fingers to keyboard and produce … Continue reading Why
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Zorro, King Arthur, John McClain, and Crafting Combat
(This photo isn't too far from the truth: I had mock-ups of who is where in Exiles of Heaven) Ascent of the Fallen has a handful of fight scenes, and most of those were reasonably easy to visualize and write. When I got to Exiles of Heaven though, my skills were challenged. It's hard work to craft … Continue reading Zorro, King Arthur, John McClain, and Crafting Combat
The Wager
The wire approaches... and all the gears are turning behind the scenes at Thorium Publishing to get Ascent of the Fallen out on time. Many thanks to my cover artist, Monica Chambers, and my editor, Nicole Gingrich, for burning some midnight oil to help! I'm anxious. The internal dilemma, part of what Steven Pressfield would say … Continue reading The Wager
Alive….It’s alive
Well, I did it. I'm a live author on Amazon. I've been busy the past few weeks trying to get two major tasks accomplished. The first is get through the first draft of book 2 in the series, Exiles of Heaven. I was so close at the beginning of the fall and I wanted to … Continue reading Alive….It’s alive
Magic
Magic. For writers, a potentially controversial subject. I've been thinking hard about if, and how, to best incorporate one of my favorite fantasy elements into my books. In some cases, it's reasonable to expect there to be some form of magic (or supernatural flavor). In some, there's not. I can still remember in the 2000's … Continue reading Magic
Editing, and new material
I'm in that wonderful sweet spot of waiting. Not that it's a bad thing. Just the reality of the writing life. The draft of "Ascent of the Fallen: Book 1 of the Outremer Chronicles" is with my editor. So I'm waiting patiently to see how things turn out. I've already made a steady turn on … Continue reading Editing, and new material
A Tool is Not the Product
Unless you are a tool maker, then I guess it is. As I'm working through edits on Ascent of the Fallen, I'm trying to learn to use new tools. Or at least, programs I'm used to but using them in new ways. I heard a comment on a recent Creative Penn podcast that insinuated "You … Continue reading A Tool is Not the Product
End of Year Reading List
I want to space out the chapters I post, so wondered what I could write for the "in-between" episodes. Or whatever, I'm not committing to a post schedule. So, end of year. Goodreads was kind enough to send me a list of books I read this year. Or more accurately, books I read on my … Continue reading End of Year Reading List
Hello world
Let this be a warm introduction to you, my future audience. I'm Travis A. Chapman, a Renaissance man who caught the bug to begin the hard work of authorship. While I've had numerous story ideas over the years, I never gave much thought to trying my hand at publishing. In 2010 I started to put … Continue reading Hello world
Travis A. Chapman 