David Wolverton (Farland)
(Updated Since His Death) I want to start by saying I was nervous the first time I posted this, and that remains true all these years later as I post this in his memory. I will never capture in words what I gained from David’s mentorship. Second only to my family, David Farland was the reason I aspired to write professionally. By his definition, he was a “Fantasy Author, Writing Instructor, Videogame Designer, Movie Producer, and was otherwise unemployable.” He pursued what he loved: writing, creating, and teaching others to do the same.
I have been writing for as long as I can remember, often using it as a way to strip the crazy out of my mind to nail it to paper. Then, my brother Jordan recommended a book, saying, “You need to read this.” He handed me The Sum of All Men, the first book of The Runelords series. By the third chapter, I was hooked. After reading Brotherhood of the Wolf, the second book in the series, I felt inspired to share my chaotic thoughts with others. By the time I reached the third book, Wizardborn, I was eager to write something that might inspire others, as David’s books had inspired me. When I discovered he offered courses where he taught small groups in person, I jumped at the opportunity to learn from him.
David’s generosity and faith in others were evident from the first day in class. I learned a great deal during that Writer’s Workshop, and I am so saddened that his in-person courses will no longer be available for aspiring authors. The most valuable lesson I took away from David’s teachings is captured in my notes from the fourth day of class: Keep struggling, for the struggle is worth it. Help others along the way. You will only be rewarded for it. While I may have paraphrased it then, his wisdom remains in those words. His genius continues to live on in all who attended his courses and through his online courses.
David initially went to college to become a doctor, but his passion for writing lured him down a different path. He exchanged his scalpel for a pen, proving that writing could be as precise as surgery, especially when editing his and other authors’ works. When I shared Guild of Four with David, he said, “This will be the book you sell,” He deserves a great deal of credit for my journey to becoming a published author, and it breaks my heart that I cannot call him up today and tell him he was right.
Be Safe and Venture Bravely into the Night,
Your Chaos Realm Guardian
Stephen Mizell - Serenade
A Review of Stephen Mizell’s debut novel Serenade.
At first glance, the book is a charming harmony of love, attraction, and new beginnings. However, a chain quickly wraps around your ankles and you're drug behind a motorcyle that winds its mellifluous way down a twisted tale of good vs evil, shattered dreams, and abused magic. “At first glance” is a good theme for this book. The main villain sees the evil in others and, without searching deeper for the grey that resides below the surface of all humans, locks his target on them. He reads the cover of the book and refuses to search for evidence to the contrary, becoming judge, jury, and executioner all in one. And, at first glance, due to his tremendous ability to control people with song, nobody can stop him. You'll have to read the book to the end to see if that remains true.
You can purchase it here: Serenade
Stephen Mizell’s Twitter: https://x.com/smizellwrites
Be Safe and Venture Bravely into the Night,
Your Chaos Realm Guardian