To Sleep, Perchance To Dream

[mrockwell]

Writing

*Rejection, Chimaeraserials, 6/18 (RT: 5 months)

I notice there is another review up for Legacy of Wolves at amazon - 5 out of 5 stars! I also notice this is the reviewer's first review - I'm honored that he took the time to comment on my story, since that's the only way I know a) that it's being read, and b) what I can do better. So if you've read the book, it would be great if you could take a few minutes and write up a review. I don't know if the WotC editors really take those into account, but it can't hurt. :)

(I must also point out that, AFAIK, I don't think I actually know this person, so it's not as if I bribed some friend of mine to post a good review...though, now that I think about it, that's not a bad idea...heh.)

I also broke 10,000 on the sales rankings (for a few hours, anyway). I have no idea what that means, but I think it's a good sign. :)

Everything Else

After a full month of truly awful insomnia that doesn't respond to OTC sleeping aids (I got two hours of sleep the night before last; I've been averaging 4 to 5), I'm finally breaking down and going to the doctor to get something stronger. I can't write when I'm not sleeping - I'm like the crew of the Enterprise in that ST:TNG episode ("Night Terrors") where they were all going crazy because they couldn't sleep, and hence couldn't dream.

"Eyes in the dark. One moon circles."

Save yourselves, aliens. I'm getting some Ambien. Heh.

EDIT: Turns out I do sort of know the reviewer - he posts over on the Online Eberron forums, where most of the Eberron authors are available to answer reader questions. Seems like mine's the only Eberron book he's liked enough to review, though. :)

Comments

[saetter.livejournal.com]

RE: Good reviews.
No surprise here. :)

I picked up my own copy yesterday. Looking forward to reading it (again). I did notice some familiar names in the acknowledgments page. ;) Thanks.

Nice work!

[(Anonymous)]

I've never cared for D&D gaming-related fiction. I've never found it to be particularly well written. At some point about 15 years ago, I picked up the first in Salvatore's dark elf series at the repeated and very vocal urging of a friend. I found I enjoyed his books a great deal and I've continued to buy them over the years. I tried a few other D&D-related books and thought they were terrible. I'm not sure I finished any of them. Then, as luck would have it, I stumbled across a series by Mel Odom and enjoyed it. Now I buy anything he puts out. I've tried a couple others since reading Odom in probably the mid-90s and couldn't take it. One of the books I read is officially the worst fantasy book I've ever read in my life (maybe the worst, period). I won't name the author.

I do have a point here - I picked up your book Legacy of Wolves on a whim. I like the Eberron setting, but I've had such bad luck with D&D fiction that I haven't tried to read any fiction set in that world.

I knew within 10 pages that you were going on the now three-author list of Wizards writers I'll read. This is excellent work. The pacing is nice, characterization is well-established right off the bat (and I like the characters - particularly Irulan). You've done a great job with this book, and I'm glad my first foray into Eberron fiction proved to be so enjoyable.

Thank you!

Oh and incidentally, I've never read Elaine Cunningham, but I've heard good things (it takes a lot to get me to give Wizard's authors a try since I've been burned one too many times...Heh). Anyway, given that you especially thank her in your book, I'm inclined to pick up something she's done.

Re: Nice work!

[mrockwell.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed the book, and I hope it will encourage you to pick up some of the books by the other Eberron authors - I'm obviously a bit biased, but I think they've been turning out some of the best in D&D fiction over the past couple of years.

RE: Elaine - I haven't read a lot of her Realms stuff, but I really enjoyed her Changeling series.