The Quiet Compassion

The Quiet Compassion

I’m not a huge fan of social media. The constant noise, endless opinions, and curated perfection can feel more exhausting than inspiring. That’s why I typically only post when I have something specific to share or promote. But today, I want to break that rule for a moment. I want to acknowledge something that has been on my heart: despite the monsters I have known, despite the chaos we often see online and in the world, I genuinely believe that most people are good.

Not perfect. Not without flaws. But good.

In my experience, when you strip away the layers of fear, anger, and defensiveness, you find people who are loving, compassionate, and deeply hopeful. People who want the world to be better—not just for themselves, but for everyone. I’ve seen it in the small acts of kindness that never make headlines: the stranger who offers a hand when someone stumbles, the neighbor who quietly checks in, the countless unseen efforts of those who simply try to leave their corner of the world better than they found it.

Goodness matters. In a time when cynicism can feel like the default, it’s worth pausing to appreciate the quiet courage of compassion. It takes strength to be kind in a world that often feels chaotic. It takes hope to believe in people when you’ve seen the worst of them.

If you’re one of those people—one of the countless souls out there striving, in your own small or big way, to make this world a little brighter—thank you. It matters more than you might realize. You matter more than you might realize.

Sometimes, in the noise and negativity, it’s easy to feel like the good gets drowned out. But I promise, it doesn’t. It ripples outward. It changes things. It inspires others to be better. So please, keep showing up with your compassion, your kindness, and your hope.

The world needs it. The world needs you.

Thank you for being one of the good ones.

Signing books November 30th – December 1st

Signing books November 30th – December 1st

Geek the Halls is coming!

The weekend after Thanksgiving, November 30th – December 1st, I will be signing books at the Geek the Halls fair in Portland, Oregon.

Here’s what they have to say on their website:

Geek the Halls is the original Portland nerdy craft fair, created in 2010. 60+ amazing crafter artists to find the perfect gift for the nerds in your life (or yourself). FREE Admission!

I’ll be there with The Broken Horn, The Sandrunner, and the debut of the Verrient. Come on by! Free smiles and high-fives.

The Verrient

The Verrient

The Verrient is now available on Amazon!


The Outlands are at war.

Airships darken the sky, seaspiders swarm the dunes, and extinction looms. The edani are coming, and this time, there will be no stopping them.

What do you do when no hope remains?

You fight.

Djeodi and Roan will not let the Outlands become the victims of their oppressors. Neither will Talarain, the frail girl upon whom rests the desperate hopes of their people, locked in a struggle to find who—and what—she is.

Haunting pasts are confronted and terrible futures faced while the fate of a world hangs on the tip of a blade.

How much will be sacrificed for victory? Who will yet stand when the war has ended? From sun-scorched battlefields to the depths of the Underworld, the terrifying struggle will reshape the Outlands forever.

Four Corner Opposition

Four Corner Opposition

As a writer, I’m constantly searching for ways to create richer, more dynamic character interactions. One of the most effective tools I’ve discovered is the concept of “four corner opposition.” This technique has allowed me to craft more personal and layered conflicts, adding depth to both my characters and the overall narrative.

What is Four Corner Opposition?

In essence, four corner opposition is a storytelling framework where four distinct characters or groups are in opposition to one another. Each “corner” represents a different perspective, motivation, or goal, which leads to a complex web of conflict, far more intricate than a simple hero-villain dynamic.

Instead of just having two sides battling it out, four corner opposition introduces competing motivations from multiple angles. Some characters may align briefly, but their deeper desires create natural friction, ensuring tension throughout the story. It’s a tool that injects moral ambiguity and multiplies the stakes, leading to unexpected twists and evolving relationships.

The Origins of Four Corner Opposition

This method is widely attributed to John Truby, a prominent story expert and screenwriter. In his influential book The Anatomy of Story, Truby critiques the traditional binary conflict structure and introduces four corner opposition as a way to complicate and enrich the narrative. He argues that by diversifying the forces of opposition, you create a more engaging and unpredictable story.

Truby’s framework pushes writers to craft characters that are fully fleshed out, with unique desires and flaws. Instead of relying on a good vs. evil structure, each character believes they are in the right, adding layers to the narrative and creating a tapestry of motives that can conflict or align at various points.

How Four Corner Opposition Has Impacted My Writing

In my own work, including The Story of Rain trilogy, I’ve embraced four corner opposition to develop my characters and drive the story forward. Here’s how it’s been particularly effective:

  1. Deeper Character Development: Each character is more than just an ally or enemy. They are complex individuals with unique agendas, which makes for much richer interactions. Djeodi, Roan, and others in my novels all have different stakes in the story, which leads to surprising alliances, betrayals, and moments of introspection.
  2. More Personal Conflict: Using four corner opposition means that conflict isn’t just external. It often arises from internal desires that clash with those of others. This approach allows me to explore themes like redemption, loyalty, and survival from multiple perspectives, making the stakes feel more personal and emotional.
  3. Unpredictability: With four distinct “corners” vying for their goals, the story naturally evolves in unpredictable ways. Characters might team up momentarily, but their underlying motivations eventually pull them apart. This keeps the reader on their toes, never quite sure how things will unfold.
  4. Layered Themes: I’ve found that this technique allows for a deeper exploration of the themes central to my novels. By having multiple characters with conflicting desires, I can examine various aspects of the story’s themes from different angles, enriching the narrative’s complexity.

Conclusion

Ultimately, four corner opposition has helped me craft more intricate and emotionally engaging stories. By deepening the conflict between characters, I’ve been able to create narratives that feel both intense and personal, leaving readers with a sense of immersion and unpredictability. If you’re a writer looking to add complexity to your work, I highly recommend exploring this technique and seeing where it leads you.

I hope this provides some insight into the power of four corner opposition and how it has positively shaped my storytelling. If you’re interested in seeing this method in action, I encourage you to check out my upcoming novel, The Verrient, the final book in The Story of Rain trilogy!

The Verrient

The Verrient is Coming October 24th, 2024

After years of anticipation, I am thrilled to announce the release of The Verrient, the third and final installment in The Story of Rain trilogy, coming October 24th.

This epic conclusion brings together the threads of survival, sacrifice, and resilience woven throughout the series and delivers a powerful finale that I can’t wait to share with you.

In The Broken Horn, we were introduced to Djeodi, a recovering alcoholic forced to face his violent past, and Roan, a fiercely independent sandrunner with a bounty on her head. Their fates collided in a struggle for survival amidst a harsh desert landscape, as ancient forces threatened the fragile peace of their world.

In The Sandrunner, Djeodi and the Survivors of Shah sought sanctuary, only to face even greater dangers. Roan, hunted for her past, discovered that her greatest challenge lay in the unexpected bonds she formed. Together, these characters battled their inner demons and external threats in a race to save themselves and those they loved.

Now, in The Verrient, the stakes have never been higher. War has come to the Outlands. Airships darken the sky, and the edani have returned, determined to bring total annihilation. Djeodi and Roan will not surrender, and neither will Talarain, the frail yet powerful girl whose destiny could determine the future of their world. Together, they must confront their pasts, face the horrors of war, and make impossible choices.

This final chapter of The Story of Rain is a tale of redemption, courage, and hope, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. It is a story of a world on the brink of destruction and the characters who fight to save it, no matter the cost.

I am so excited to bring this journey to its epic conclusion and hope you will join me as we witness the fate of Djeodi, Roan, Talarain, and the Outlands unfold. The Verrient will be available soon—stay tuned for the release date, and thank you for being part of this adventure!