Mark P. Davies

Book 6, "The Haloed Spark," editing in process....

I received a wonderful review for The Brotherhood of Sfarr:

"The Brotherhood Of Sfarr is the setup of a great story. A proper page turner that had me captivated from the start. The world building and magic system is unique and intriguing. They live in trees and celebrate the sacredness of nature, which I really enjoyed. The main female character, Jenna, is a fierce warrior with a very specific and impressive skill set, together with her endearing character and caring nature, it made her someone whose story I want to know everything about. Jenna's wise yet young brother, Hahn, is so sweet and he is all about seeing justice done, especially when it comes to the bureaucratic and oppressive church members. I love that about him. With a prophecy that will turn their world upside down, I can't wait to dive into the next book to find out how this tale unfolds."

Thank you, Elana Strydom!

Thank you to everybody for the birthday wishes! It was a great day. And the weekend has just begun!

Good news, my friends. The first draft of The Torbjorn Hands (Book 5) has been sent to my editor. Book 5 is one step closer to publication.

Book 5 centres around the backstory of Hilderbard Hammerbringer; a “Mountain Man,” from Handorland, just south of Trefolk.

So here’s a quick extract, for those who need to hear it.

The banquet hall was too noisy for quiet conversation. Jenna and Hilderbard strolled out into the royal courtyard.
“It was a triumph, my friend.”
“Aye.” He lifted his tankard. “Perhaps I’ll wait a while to have that chat with Nordilok.”
“It sounds like you’ve had some time to reflect.”
He swigged then stared into the froth. “Ye might say I’ve come to see that religion is not about what others do with it or because of it. It’s about what you do with it; and what cause it can bring in you.”
“It’s interesting that you refer to the word ‘cause.’ Seisha teaches us about ‘purpose’, if you follow.”
“I hear ye. One is a push, the other is a pull, but it’s really about perspective, lassie. And perspective is part of the stories we tell ourselves. I use the word ‘cause’ because it was used by Brumhagar. She always had a cause. It pushed her, whatever it was. Maybe it was also a purpose, pulling her to some destiny. I could nae accept that her destiny was te die. I blamed Nordilok for that. He gave her a broken destiny. We were supposed to grow old and fat together, looking over our seven daughters, seeing them entwine, fighting with their in-laws, or feasting with them. But that was what I had dreamed. It was’ne what Nordilok had decreed.”
“How did you find peace in it?”
Hilderbard gentled a vine. “I came to see that destiny is not about being the bread, but an ingredient in it. Destiny is about playing a part in something greater. When you and Hahn rescued me, we ran across a field and there were men chasing us and one of them fired an arrow. I saw it come in. I embraced my fate. I would die as a free man. That was enough. But then this wee hand, your hand, caught that arrow. Right here. Right before it pierced my breast. I think that might have been the start of my way back.”
“You still don’t pray seven times a day.”
“I think praying seven times a day was Nordilok’s way of making sure the faithful get up and do some exercise. Besides, who needs to pray seven times a day when your whole life has become a prayer?”

Progress! Progress!

The first drafts are done.

Book 5: The Torbjørn Hands.
Book 6: The Haloed Spark.
Book 7: The Nurean Compass.
Book 8: The Íssanic Legacy.

Evelyn and I have started reading. Then I need to incorporate changes. Then they go to Melissa for editing and then…

Estimated publishing dates: Book 5 - September; Book 6 – October; Book 7 – November; Book 8 – December.

Stay tuned for more updates.

I was taught it was t(he)heir (a person) and t(he)here (a place)

16.
Just 16 scenes until I finish the first Draft of Book 8, "The Issanic Legacy."
Just 16 scenes.
Disclaimer: This information is not to be relied-upon. Characters, circumstances, gods, goddesses and boom-what-was-that? revelations could change EVERYTHING in an instant.

Yea... thoughtsworthy....

Shoutout to all who watched my random reel last night.
You rock!

How to create a hero.
Ok, but...
What about a heroine?
What about a woman who can kick your $ss?
Yeah, let's go with that.

So if you were a Wallfacer, how would you defeat the San Ti?

Sianu dumai silseerie ooluh thenru, ru dumai sapemirie naimsaneem tavar khiriweh ipshenethie.
May your roots grow deep and your branches never stand in shadows.

I dedicate time to showing my reader the kind of food they might expect in my world. I've been thinking about a Trefolkian cookbook. Whaddaya think?

My mind is a massive playground. Love my brain.

It would appear that my writing is of a superior quality when I'm sober. Hemingway would be SO disappointed.
Sorry, Ernest...

On this day, the 14th of January, 2024, at 172 pages; 98,691 words, 109 scenes, 15 Chapters, the first draft of Book 7, “The Nurean Compass,” is done.