The Dominion: Defiant
The Dominion Book 2
by Chris Cloake
Genre: Epic Fantasy
The Dominion: Divided
The Dominion Book 1
Inside, the yellowy parchments were etched with ink that was mostly black but revealed
traces of blue. Flecks of dust obeyed some ancient dance as he leafed through. When
he drew in a large breath it was clear he had found the text they needed. He leaned
forward, raised the spectacles that hung around his long neck, and recounted the
enduring words written so carefully by the hand of their oldest known ancestor, each
sentence setting truth off on a winding journey to an uncertain future.
“It was in the third year since their arrival at the river and the building of the first
houses that the leaders’ master plan was most severely challenged by an enemy from without. For in every swamp there will lay danger. The people learned the meaning of fear in the claws and teeth of the beast and named them Gharids.”
It was decided that weapons must be forged. After a wide search by every able man, woman and child, the ore was found in the depths of the Rolling Hills. With much combined effort, a great many swords, spears, pikes and arrows were made. Two years had passed and many innocents had been taken without reason. Their torn and devoured remains caused much consternation among the people. Such was the anger, a violence was meted out and the peril driven from the world. There was much rejoicing equalled only by a concern that killing might become commonplace. All the weapons were locked away, to be brought out but once every four years to celebrate the triumph at a Festival of Fighting where young men could demonstrate their skills in a peaceful show of strength and ingenuity. It was decreed that a defence should be constructed in case a new evil should rise from that swamp at a future time. The remarkable power of the people came once more to the fore and in under a hundred years the Wall was complete, running from the borders of Reciderva, to Odecama in the south. Assured of peace, the Dominion of Ordefima was declared and work began on a stately home for the newly appointed Marquis Wilhem, grandson of Wilhem the Settler who had claimed the land for his wandering tribe.”
STUFF ABOUT WRITING / READING
I have a very strong relationship with my wife and two boys so it is important not to sacrifice any of that with my work. So, you need the discipline to set out definite times for hard graft and separate occasions for leisure and the essential parts of life that make it tick. I need to be very organized.
I have a study to work in and hang a toy bear on the outside door handle which tells everyone not to disturb me (unless there is a real emergency!). I also switch off all social media and my phone so that I am not distracted.
Music is important to my emotional and creative development and I have a large collection which I have playing in the background while I’m writing. Sometimes this will be specific and relevant to the subject matter and at other times I put the whole lot on random and let my mind tap into small details that help the story along.
Initial plot development and themes are written with a fountain pen and ink as I find this makes me feel more creative. Chapter outlines I do in pencil with lots of rubbing out and changing. Then I use Scrivener to put it all together.
Writing is my main occupation now and I hope to develop it more. This will depend on profit margins. As my books get better known, I’m hopeful sales will increase. I can’t think of a better career!
I am currently reading The Silmarillion by Tolkien. This is a dense piece of work and I love the level of detail he has achieved that makes Middle Earth feel like a real place. I am aiming to emulate that with the Dominion series. Big shoes to fill
Chris Cloake was born in 1964 and began telling stories a couple of years later. He grew up in Kent, England. He is motivated to write by a deep interest in life, particularly the cruel, deeply flawed nature of people contrasted with their incredible creativity and inspiration. The power of the natural world is a common theme in his work as a writer and professional photographer. He lives happily with his wife, two children and a large collection of music, books and board games.
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