D.E. Dunlop
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Name the "Three Sisters"

1/18/2015

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I would like some assistance naming three new characters.
So, I was at the hairdresser while my son had his hair cut. I decided to make use of the time by writing. I was staring blankly across the room day dreaming, as is what I tend to do during these times.
I noticed all the ladies were dressed in black pants and loose baggy black tops. They carried tools in holsters low on their hips. I thought, 'these girls are a team in black uniform'. I noticed three of them were wearing leather boots; two wore knee high boots, one pair dark brown and the other black and the third wore ankle high brown with brass buckles.
'They could be mercenaries', I thought.
Of course they are mercenaries and they are sisters as well. The oldest is twenty-sevenish with dark hair. She is more cautious and a sorceress. The second oldest has a tottoo the full of her upper left arm. She is more adventurous, if you will. You might say more reckless. She has black hair and excells with a rapier. The third cannot be matched with a bow.
Each are very skilled with sword, bow and knife, however each has their favourite.

The trouble is they won't tell me their names. Collectively they are the Three Sisters. Individually I haven't the foggiest notion.
So I am asking for suggestions if you will please.
Thanks,
D.E.
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Excerpt; The Legend of Kozlov

11/23/2014

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Bruce stood in the silence of the sleeping house. He was the last one up, as usual. He stood in front of his father's old armchair gazing fondly at the ancient sword on the wall. He imagined the feel of it in his hand; the worn leather and the weight of the remarkably untarnished steel. How did it remain so? He wondered. He had never seen his father take it down. He recalled the day his seven year old son had asked his father about it.
"Do you ever wish you were a true Kozlov, Grampa?" Ryan asked curiously.
"What makes you think I'm not?"
Ryan gave the ancient old man a sheepish look and a shrug of his shoulders.
"I don't know. I've never seen you with the sword. It's always just hangin' on the wall."
"Maybe its on the wall 'cuz there's no dragons to slay with it." His grampa replied with a sly grin."
"Oh. I never thought of that."
"You never thought of that. The old man must be just worthless skin and bones takin' up space. Is that it?"
"No."
"I'm just joshin' ya, boy. I'm not a true Kozlov. The only true Kozlov was my father..."
"Is my dad a true Kozlov?"
The old man chuckled with disgust. "Him? Naw. He ain't no Kozlov. Like I was sayin' the only true Kozlov I know of was my father. Now there was a Kozlov. He slew a dragon with that sword."
The boy's eyes grew wide. " A real dragon?"
"Oh, yeah. Not just any dragon either, but the last dragon. It was bigger than a house with huge teeth and fire and smoke billowin' out of its yap."
"Wow!" Ryan exclaimed.
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The Slow Regard of Silent Things

11/20/2014

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Picture
I just recently read, "The Slow Regard of Silent Things", by Patrick Rothfuss.  If you haven't, you must.
It is definitely different than other stories you've read as the author apologizes for at the end.  (Apology accepted, buy highly unnecessary.)
The story is full of mystery, answers gleaned and hidden some more.  He takes us deep within the mind of Auri, a young lady who lives beneath the University.(If you didn't already know.)
We spend several days with her, seeing her world through her eyes, finding understanding and realizing how much more this character can reveal.
Auri is a wonderful, proper young lady wrapped in layer upon layer of mystery.  We feel for her from page one and my heart sank for her in time.
The story, in kind with his others, left me wanting more.  My excitement and anticipation for the final book is greatly heightened.
As mentioned, you must read this book.  However, you should start at the beginning or it won't make any sense.
The first novel of the trilogy is, "The Name of the Wind".
The second is, "The Wise Man's Fear".
Rothfuss is my favourite author of all time.  His stories are entirely believable and his writing is like music.  Not only is the story great the reading of it is tantalizing.

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Oops

10/22/2014

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I have been referring to, The Legend of Kozlov series as a sequel to, The Quest For the Black Dragon.  My wife has kindly pointed out that, in fact, it is not a sequel but a prequel.  
The Legend of Kozlov takes place five hundred years before The Quest For the Black Dragon.  The Last Dragon Hunter (Kozlov book two) takes place even before Empire (Kozlov book one) and therefor is a pre-prequel.
She said I'm writing them backwards and I said, "Hey, that's how my brain works."
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Legend of Kozlov Update

10/17/2014

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Finally!  My brain has switched from research mode to writing mode!
What did it take?
Well, I realized one day that the research I was doing was for book two of the series which is going to be an historical fantasy.  Book one is strictly fantasy.  No research required.
The Legend of Kozlov series will most likely consist of only two books.
The first is about Ryan, the first King of Bayfield (The Quest for the Black Dragon) who is affectionately know as Kozlov.
The story begins at the end of an era known as the Void.  A time of recovery and survival.  The people have spent a few more than one hundred years scavenging the rubble and waste of the ancient world just to survive.  For the most part they have only gathered in small groups of families, until now.
Christian and his closest friend Bruce come up with a plan to gather much larger numbers, (Everyone they meet) in order to create or recreate a kingdom such as those before the Void.  Ryan is Bruce's only son.  He inherits a magic sword from his grandfather and becomes a great warrior in Christian's army.I'm considering the title, Empire, for The Legend of Kozlov, book one.


The second book will be titled, The Last Dragon Hunter.  It will focus more on the origins of the magic sword called, Kozlov.  I have been researching various heroes, heroines, villains, folk tales of Ireland, Iceland and Norway to name a few.
There will be appearances of Eirik the Red, Freydis Eiriksdottir, Fionn and Hastein to name a few.

I had intended in the beginning of this year to have the first finished by December.  This will not be happening.  I am, however, working diligently to get book one finished as soon as possible.

Stay tuned.  I will keep you updated on The Legend of Kozlov and Kozlov; Tall Tales.
Thanks for reading,
D.E.
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Legend of Kozlov

9/14/2014

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So much research. I long to write the story, but I want an excellent understanding of the time and the world the characters are in. I realize much of what I'm reading will not even be mentioned in a story. Many items, events and people will be noted to anchor the story in reality. Writing between the lines, I guess. Changing history? Adding to it or clarifying it? I can't wait until my brain switches to write mode.
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Anniversary Giveaway!

8/12/2014

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Announcing the anniversary of The Quest for the Black Dragon! Go to Smashwords.com with the following code for your free copy! WX42P
Coupon expires September12/14
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Thu, 10 Jul, 2014

7/10/2014

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Kozlov Update
It's been a while since I've been on here. Sorry for the absence, but I had some trouble with the creative juices.
Thankfully, they are flowing again because I won't finish a novel by December if I don't write it!
Here's a little something I've been working on for, "The Legend of Kozlov".

'Neath barrow hill
Fables tell
Or twisted root
Of Yggdrasil
By magic forge
Of Dwarf or Man
Or handed down
By Faery Hand
No source from
Do ancient lyric rythm thrum
Fafnir's end
Sigurd's fame
Both man and steel
To share a name
Bane of wielder
Curse of foe
Ever yearning
Deathly thro
Dragon blood
Dragon flame
Vorpal blade
Never tamed

Let me know what you think
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E-Publishing in the classroom

5/24/2014

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Yesterday, a group of 120 high school freshman students from Los Gatos High School published an amazing poetry anthology ebook,Windows to the Teenage Soul.

If you're a parent, grandparent, educator, author or reader who cares about the future of books, I encourage you to go buy and enjoy this incredible book.  It's available now at Smashwords, iBooks, Amazon orBarnes & Noble. Yesterday it was the bestselling poetry book at iBooks.

Buy it not because it's a great book (it is!), but because this book will serve as the blueprint to help educators and parents around the globe bring similar ebook publishing projects to the classroom.

In addition to nearly 120 great poems organized under ten themes, it  contains a Teacher's Guide that shares the step-by-step process this class followed to professionally write, edit, produce and publish a poetry anthology ebook in under five weeks.  I wrote the preface to the Teacher's Guide.

http://blog.smashwords.com/2014/05/ebook-publishing-in-classroom-los-gatos.html
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Great News from Smashwords

5/24/2014

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Smashwords just announced a deal with Overdrive.  Overdrive is a company that provides e-books to 20,000 libraries world wide.
Read the article here,

http://blog.smashwords.com/2014/05/smashwords-and-overdrive-to-bring.html


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    I was born in Southern Ontario. I now live in Southern Alberta with my Beautiful wife and our three awesome boys.  I sneak as much time as I can for writing.

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