Friday, January 22, 2010

Book Review: Quest for Lost Heroes


Over the break I read three books and I thought it worth while to share my opinion of each. The first I read when I came down with flu on Christmas Eve. I had begun the book prior to that but spending the better part of the day in bed aforded me much time in order to read. I finished it in that day. It was The Quest for Lost Heroes by David Gemmell who's work I try to emulate. He is such a talented fantasy writer and writes in a style similar to mine. Though we still differ greatly, not the least of which is his success versus mine, we have similar fantasy models. I don't like magic and apparently neither does he. I modeled my fantasy world after real cultures and apparently so did he. The book is about heroes, as are most of his works, and so are mine. I love it. He inspires me to continue writing fantasy.


This book is another great example of his powerful prose. He weaves a tale of old heroes who have all fallen on, well, different times. While all are still praised for their efforts none feels the same about the battle in which they held off a barbarian hord. They go on what is sure to be a fool's quest to rescue a maiden from slavers and, as it turns out, the barbarian king. It is action packed and even includes more of the play by play fighting than he usually writes. I loved it. I couldn't wait to reach the end which always seems...perfect in Gemmell's books. I only hope that one day I can write as well as he.

Play Write

After some reflection and a bit of reading and writing I have decided to try and sell the plays I've written for our church's Christmas and Easter programs over the last couple years. I have four that have been performed and another couple written. At first I was worried that there was not much of a market for Christan plays but after some research I found publishers willing to buy plays. It may not be as wide a market as novels but it exists and I have some so I thought I would try my luck. I have confidence in my work and have received strong feedback from those who watched them. At this point I suppose it makes sense because I already have a catalogue of plays and only two manuscripts for novels. I wonder if I should even dabble in the short story market in order to build a resume worthy of consideration. Time will tell whether this goes anywhere. I have high hopes.