Category: story development

In the introduction to the second book in my “After: Earth” series, we mentioned that the land we call South America on our earth, was a place of fear and death in the minds of city dwelling men. But now, it is revealed that the shadowy figure who calls himself…

As my first book, “Journey To The Black City” in the series, “After: Earth” concludes, we learn that Kel’s grandfather is not being held in the Black City—the Bishop had taken him and other kidnapped shamans into The Green. It is there that Lyria, Kel, and Raven must go in…

Kel now realizes that he must travel to the mysterious Black City of the West to find Garn. Lyria makes it known that he’s not going anywhere without her. And so they begin their long journey toward the mysterious and sinister Black City, and toward their destiny. The path is…

Steam is a very powerful force, and by careful recycling, a steam driven machine, and run for a very long time without being refilled. In my Steampunk/Fantasy series, “After: Earth”, there are odd mixtures of technology. Steam power is used for almost everything, though the city-states have gaslight illumination, and,…

We need to speak more about the society, and time frame of my Steampunk/Fantasy series, beginning with “Journey To The Black City”. Humanity, as we found out the last time, is now divided into two societies—the tribal folk, who are hunters and farmers, and those who dwell in the huge,…

And now, its time to discuss the time frame and back history of my Steampunk/Fantasy series. In the very first of the six novels that make up the “After: Earth” series, titled “Journey To The Black City”, we find that the history of this earth is not…quite the same as…

Another character that appeared quite suddenly, and unexpectedly, in my first novel, “Journey To The Black City” from my new “After: Earth” series, is a man named Daniel. Dan lives in one of the tribes, but he’s a man with a haunted past. As he leads my two main characters…

Okay, I’ve discussed the theme of domination and abuse as personified by the Bishop and his followers. What about some of the other characters in this Steampunk/Fantasy series? Where did they come from? Well, to be honest, some of them sort of ‘appeared’ as the story was progressing! My main…

I’ve been discussing the concept of the ‘divine right of men’ to dominant and enslave women. We see much of that in our world, even now in the 21st century. In my story, I wanted to talk about this, but without raising the hackles of any religion in our world.…

So what about story motifs, or themes? Yes, I know I’ve already stated the style of this series may be called Steampunk/Fantasy, even perhaps science fiction. But that really says very little, doesn’t it? I think so. Behind all the characters and the contrivances of the genre, there must be…