About the story behind the story: THE SONGS OF STRIFE and my inspirations
I started writing this whole mess of a book a couple of years back (2012). As you may have observed (if you read this when it was first published), I actually did not know what I was doing (even to this day). SURPRISING right?
Writing-wise, this is actually the second story I wrote after The Striped Shadow (a sci-fi-ish short story). And honestly, this is the story that made me really want to learn how to write. This little project did a lot of good to me. And in general, this whole writing affair really pushed me out of a couple of slumps in my life as well. How about that...
And years really flew fast. Back when I started this story, I was young, ambitious and was full of nonsense. I guess I'm still full of nonsense.
But it was a time when a full-time job was just a far-off notion. And good thing I didn't have a job when I began this journey. I mean research-wise, it took me a full month just to compile all of the books and reading materials about the historical part of my story. And yeah, if you're a sharp-eyed history buff you'll easily notice the many incongruities in this one. You see, when I finally compiled and read all of my notes and 'research'. I noticed that most of them contradicted each other (while some details were just outright out of place– as though they were added years and years after). But it all got me thinking about a few things,
1. What if all this contradictions happened in one setting!?
2. What would it look like if it did happen to those people?
3. Can the pieces be arrange into a coherent piece of fiction?
So, I treated all of them like mismatching puzzle pieces to create a bigger portrait of what I call, faux-historia...(cue dramatic noise). And with that, you may ask, Is it historical revisionism? And I may answer, "probably". Hahaha. But I see it more like a folk retelling (with a dash of modern fantasy). My only regret is the execution. I wish I was a better writer on that regard.
Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.
On putting words into paper...
This was just all over the place. I mean... incredibly, the 1st half of the story was written in just 2 months! While the 2nd half was finally finished after 3-4 years. In my defense, the slowing down of updates was because I finally got a job (and I guess I also became a bit lazy then). :P
Let's just not talk about the editing and proof-reading part since we're all mature individuals here. Okay?
Overall, it has been a wonderful journey. I meet friends along the way, learned a lot of things about writing and telling stories, etc. etc. soppy story. Kidding aside, writing in general, made me a better person. It thought me things that I would definitely treasure till the end of my days. And this "hobby" has simply been a great way of expressing myself.
I really hope I get to write stories for years to come.
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THE FICTION BEHIND THIS FICTION
My inspiration in writing this book is again all over the place. But the stand outs are: JOE ABERCROMBIE's First Law trilogy, Best Served Cold and The Heroes - he's a really great writer (I stole mostly from him). Go buy and read his books!
Other tales that I emulated to a lesser degree are: THE WARDED MAN, CONAN, SOLOMON KANE, ELRIC, and other pulpy short stories and dark fantasies. I was also reading lots and lots of BERNARD CORNWELL books (mainly the Sharpe series) when I was writing this story. I was so enamored by him that I made this portion of the book.
You will also notice that I do reference the works above either in dialogue or description. I hope you read them all since the pulps are foundational for all writers and the more modern ones are boundary busting in their execution. :P
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Oh, you're still here?
Well, let me also share something to you.
If you haven't checked my other published works, I also wrote a second novel that's set on the same setting but more fantastical in nature entitled, THE TALES OF TIKUM KADLUM
It's on the pulpy side of things with an *episodic type of story-telling (less political intrigue and more personal character conflict). It is straightforward and has a faster-paced narrative with fewer character perspective as well. Lore-wise, it also delves deeper into the world of my Bagani Saga setting. It's not as deep world-building–wise as I wanted it too but I think it will suffice for the story I told. It's really weird since it's not totally episodic, because it still has an over-arching arc (but you can sort of read it in smaller chunks if you want).
More importantly it is already finished!
I hope you check it out too. Thanks!
