TOR books finally released a press statement regarding A MEMORY OF LIGHT, book 12 of the Wheel of Time. I am so very pleased that the book has become a trilogy. Brandon Sanderson wrote on his blog that the first book, THE GATHERING STORM, would be about 300,000 words. This is not a short book by any means, and the thought of getting two more (hopefully the same length) is something to look forward to. 900k – 1.2 Million words to finish one of the greatest epic fantasy series of all time. It’s rather fitting in a way.

Any true fan often wondered whether or not the late Robert Jordan would be able to finish the series in one book; most of us didn’t think it was possible. Nor did we want it to be possible. When he passed away I mourned for the loss of one of the greatest imaginations of our time. I think of the lost tales of Matrim and Tuon and wish he could have shared those stories with us. I can only hope that my voice and my characters carry a similar passion to draw in readers.

Many fans have already spoken out against this decision (surprise, surprise). If you think it is all about the money I think you should read what Sanderson wrote about it. I don’t think anyone who has followed his progress on his blog could think that he is doing this just for the money. If anything, he could have used the success of one Wheel of Time book alone. Just the news of him writing it shot his sales up considerably, what motivation does he have to drag it out? As a writer I think of the sheer joy of being asked to finish this series. With that thought I can understand that he just wants to write an incredible book, no matter how long it gets.

For me, I couldn’t be happier. I didn’t really want it to end, I don’t really want it to end. But it has to, and three long books is far better than one condensed book. There is so much left to be tied up. A KNIFE OF DREAMS didn’t feel rushed and I would hate for one final book to feel that way. What will the two “breaking” points be? Surely Egwene/The Seanchan will be one. Will they follow Rand, or will Tuon be forced to leave and follow Mat? Moiraine’s rescue could be another good stopping point. If I know the Wheel of Time, I have no idea what is coming. That is the true power of the series after all. The reason that people have read 11 books to complain about. Any series that even keeps the people who complain about it reading every book…surely can be called a success.

I have faith in you, Mr. Sanderson. I eagerly await your collaborative books!

It’s funny to say that. In comparison three years seems small compared to the near decade my wife and I have been together. Our anniversary is significant in more ways than the obvious. A couple months after getting married we moved cities and pretty much changed our lives. For the better, of course! We’re much happier here, even if I do miss Austin (Texas) sometimes. Mostly the greenbelt and the friends I have there. The big changes make this time of year is extra special. I not only get to celebrate another glorious year with my beautiful wife, but a major changing point in both of our lives as well.

In honor of the collection of things to celebrate at this time, I figured I would add another. Considering this blog was designed to be partly about writing, I’ve added a new “WIP” category. I’ll use it to keep followers updated with how my latest work in progress is coming along. Today I got up to 13% edited on my third draft of the book. It still feels weird to me working on a third draft even while I am rewriting the second on the computer. But I can’t sit at the computer all day. Between programming and writing… My eyes often burn at the end of the day. Some of you may have noticed already, but on the home page I keep running percentages of what I’m writing. I got the idea from a fantasy author I like, Brandon Sanderson. If you are in to High Fantasy, I highly suggest reading his Mistborn series. His magic systems are always very inventive.

All-in-all it was an extremely successful “break.” If it can be called that. I decided to use the week to kick my butt into gear and get a few projects I’ve been sitting on under way. I didn’t accomplish everything, but I’m happy with what I did.

1. Edited the first 12% of the third draft in my book.

2. Released a killer new gallery for my wife’s jewelry business.

3. Much cleaning, still, not enough… Is it ever!?

4. Made a lot of changes to this website.

5. Wrote half of a short story

6. Alas, this final piece cannot be revealed just yet.

My biggest accomplishment will have to remain a secret for a time. It does have to do with web design. Revealing it too early would only take away from the impression I hope to make later on. Some things are fun to see in stages, but others are more fun as a surprise. Or that is what I think anyway, and seeing as how it’s my site… Well, happy waiting!

I was recently asked by my education professor if I would be willing to give her my philosphy of eduaction. She is teaching about the subject to her Intro to Education students, and wanted to use mine as an example. How honored I am! I didn’t think mine was anything special, so it was nice to be asked.

I do have a rather unique look at the world. Few people in my life have disliked me. Perhaps it is the Pisces in me, or that I’m very laid back. So today I’d like to share my philosphy with everyone. Perhaps other people interested in education can learn from it. Or maybe they’ll strongly disagree. I’m sure most teachers have very different viewpoints. Regardless of opinion, I hope that it is worth reading.

The ultimate goal of education is to instill a desire to learn into the minds of every student that ventures through the school system. More valuable than anything we, as teachers, can give to them is the power to give to themselves instead. To survive in the 21st Century a student must have the skills to think fast, think for themselves, and think with a strategy. It is with this knowledge that teachers need to be prepared now more than ever to give this gift to each and every student. It is important that teachers have the tools at their disposal to do so.

Because of my experiences in the school system and my way of learning it is not surprising to find out that I side most with the progressive style of teaching. I am a firm believer in the concept that you shouldn’t fix what isn’t broken; but I do not believe that we should use the old wheel when a new one has been proven more efficient. Students are so very different than one another that it is also no surprise that teachers cannot be satisfied with only one method of teaching. Technology fills our lives every day: emails, documents, spreadsheets, cars, ATM’s, and laptops to name but a few. The future students of America need to have the knowledge to comprehend and use these things efficiently. That is something teachers should help seeing to every day in their classrooms.

Our society often seems slow to realize that today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders, a simple truth that cannot be ignored or underestimated. As educators, we have a duty to see that these future leaders are equipped with the knowledge to succeed. Most importantly, we must see to it that they learn from the mistakes of the past in attempt to circumvent those paths in the future. It is important for teachers to have a part of them that rests with the theory of the social reconstruction. America would be a significantly stronger nation if we were not as selfish as a whole. The best way to impact this truth is to work with students now to give back to their community’s without being forced into it by punishment. The reward of it for your college application is but a small step toward the success of this path. We must seek more avenues to promote the behavior of volunteering.

It is the role of every adult to help a child develop into well balanced adults. These days the only ones who seem to be held accountable for that is the teachers they are given to. Actual attention is what some students need more than most other things. In a world of fast food, fast medicine, and fast fads it is important to remember that some things take time. With patience, with understanding, and with an open mind we can affect the lives of students; and we can help guide them into talented, interesting adults and parents.

This is a special day for us. Not only were we married in March, but today is my wife’s mother’s birthday. I was never able to meet her because she passed away when my wife was very young. So we celebrate her birthday every year. Her birthday was the main influence on the date of our wedding. We actually were going to have it the day after Saint Patrick’s, but we thought of our friends and typical celebrations on the day of drink… And so we decided to push it until the week after.

I’d also like to share my latest internet expansion for my web design business. Draknor Designs now has a brand new Facebook Page dedicated to it. If you are on facebook, feel free to add my business as a fan! It’s new, but I’ve uploaded a few pictures of websites I’ve made.

Well, I’m off to eat a very green dinner! (literally, food coloring is involved) Hope everyone is having a great St. Pat’s day!

Today Lisa of PhotoAmato and I released her new special gallery website. The process went smooth as I could possibly have asked. Her photography always looks so good that building a site to show it off has been almost too easy. Thanks for all the help, Lisa. I wish the site great success!

Today we released the newest version of Old but New‘s personal gallery. I think it looks wonderful and I was happy to be a part of its creation. The gallery is completely database driven, meaning that all of the images are pulled from her photo uploading page. She has hundreds of pictures that it cycles between. There are still plans for improving upon the design, but I think that it came out simply beautiful. In addition, we have added a new Shop Page as well. Before this just sent the visitor straight to Etsy. Now it describes what Etsy is, and why she uses it.

I really like my post today.  It is another one of my older pieces that got a face lift recently.  I wanted to work on my writing of characters.  In this piece I tried not to tell story that was happening, but to show it through this man’s eyes. The writing book I recently finished made a big point of this — of showing instead of telling — so I felt obligated to do service to his lessons and give it a shot.

The blacksmith’s apprentice pounded hard at the tough steel with great determination. Butterflies danced in his stomach. Not since his first days working with a hammer had he felt this way. He certainly showed no outward sign of it. When he was so engrossed in his work his face became as hard as the anvil he pounded on, and the hammer rang true with that deep concentration put into every strike.

In the back of his mind he could feel the sweat that poured freely down his muscular body. The burning fires of the forge cast a glow upon his slick chest. It was just another aspect of his duty, of the hours he had worked to perfect the shield. Great effort went into every aspect. His teacher and mentor would not be disappointed.

At long last he put down the hammer. In admiration the man inspected the creation carefully for any flaws, though he expected none. The Ingal was centered to perfection. The great dragon claw that symbolized the kingdom was unmistakable. Only the King’s personal guard received shields of this nature. It was a great honor to be allowed a hand in the creation of one.

The metal worker smiled at the achievement lying before him. He hung the shield with pride above his station. Tonight the ceremony would take place. His work would be admired by the entire court while the knight was inducted into the King’s Guard. After tonight, he would no longer be an apprentice.