Welcome to the Locus.

If you want to reach me quickly, to talk about literature or to just chat, you can reach me on AIM as WritingLocus.

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You want to know about me? Well, I want to do a question and answer session. Lets combine the two, shall we?

Q. What is your name?

A. Locus.

Q. No, really. I want to know who you are.

A. I promise that I am no one of consequence.

Q. Well, what can you tell me?

A. I am a college student, in the fields of archaeology, history, and language.

Q. Language...not writing?

A. Yes.

Q. Do you have influences?

A. Literary influences?

Q. Yes.

A. Well, I guess no one would take me seriously if I didn't start with Orsen Scott Card. Sure, Ender's game was good, as was the Shadow series and other prequels and immediate sequels, but the final three books in the original quartet were the best works he has ever written. Others would include Tolkien,the father of modern fantasy,Frank Herbert, the father of science fiction and quite honestly, wrote on a scope and level few people can dream of.Ben Bova, for works od sheer brilliance and magnitude, and the unnerving ability to continue to create quality work.Ken Follet, who wrote The Pillars of the Earth, possibly the best book based around the constuction of a cathedral. That and my favorite stand-alone novel of all time. Timothy Zahn, who has done more for Star Wars that George Lucas himself, and created some works of his own that rivaled his works in SW. Kevin J. Anderson, the most underrated author everyone has heard of. Mary Stewart, for her work on the Merlin series, the only fantasy world I have ever encountered that rival's Tolkiens. (Though it still isn't close.) The biggest writing influence I can list is Jack McDevitt. Honestly, stop what you're doing and find something of his to read. You won't regret it. His ability to connect to the element of humanity in us all is something I have never found consistantly elsewhere.

Q. What about no-specific or non-literary influences?

A. Joseph Campbell, who has done much more work with mythology than most people give him credit for. My copy of Hero With a Thousand Facesis dog-earred from constant use.

Q. Pet peeves?

A. People who ask to read and review. Everyones work looks good to you if you want them to read your own immediately after. Also, reviews that consist of "I loved it! Write more or I'll die!". Those don't tell me anything. If you're a constant and consistant reviewer of my work (you all know who you are, and if you're not, feel free to become one), I'm more lenient, because I trust that you really read it and are not trying to just get your name onto my page.

Q. Whats your policy on reviews?

A. I just told you.

Q. I meant on your reviews.

A. Oh. Well, if it appeals to me, I'll read it. I give everything a shot, and if the beginning doesn't hook me, then I put it down. Much like at a library. Sorry, but I don't have enough time on my hands to force my way through everything. I'm not being mean, just honest.

Q. Is there anything you'd like to apologize to your readers for?

A. Well, I suppose. I am a fan of introductions, and will write at length developing a world and set of characters before getting to the story. Bear with me in the early chapters, because I hope the developments there make for a better story later.

Q. Well, I'm running out of questions.

A. Judging by that last 'question' I'd agree with you. If anyone has any more questions, or just wants to chat or critique, drop me a line. I'd love to hear from all of you.

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Ongoing experiment with Nocturne- Each of the four Tacticians is written to appeal to a different type of person. Each of them could be either a Protagonist or an Antogonist, depending on how you think. You might read through the book liking person A and hating person B, while someone else is the exact opposite. I'd love to hear who you liked and hated and why. (STATUS: SUSPENDED, BUT NOT DEAD)

The Coriolis Effect sates that inner lust to write a sci-fi epic. It is also a project exploring racism, government, ethics, friendship, and death. Eventually. However, it is also something I enjoy working on, and hope you all enjoy reading. Tagline? Sure. Intersteller feudal empire breaks into civil war, and the story follows several members of a military Order fighting the battles they are assigned. (STATUS: REVISIONS- POSTED AS FINISHED)

Humanity: A collection of short stories- so short, I hesitate to refer to them as stories. They may have morals, hidden messages, or secret agendas. Probably the works I am the most pleased with their current level of...goodness. (STATUS: WHEN THE MOOD STRIKES)

Linguistic Semantics in Verse: Poetry meets grammar and structure of the English Language. Entertaining and educational. Or so I am told. (STATUS: POETRY!?!)

The Assassin Saga: Fantasy world drawing from the lessons I've learned from Nocturne. Expect quite a few smaller stories to fall within this world, and its boundries. So far, they are The Assassin's Creed, The Assassin's Honor, and Dawns Before Time. What is it with you people and taglines? A school of assassins produces some of societies worst nightmares, but they are the key to the defense of humanity.

The Assassin's Creed: Lysander, a vagrant and traveler, is enrolled at Umbriss and works to better himself before undertaking the vendetta he's held for half of his life. (STATUS: COMPLETE)

The Assassin's Honor: The story continues, following Conner (and Priam, I guess) as established by popular vote. Conner has been charged with the task of stopping a war before it can start, but his allies are few and far between. To make matters worse, he must confront a former friend and a demon from his past. (STATUS: UPDATES SPORADICALLY)

Dawns Before Time: I have always wanted to write a creation myth, and the pure scope of the world I've created for the Assassin's Saga deserves a rich history and mythology. Can stand alone, but also will be a useful read for fans of the Saga. (STATUS: ERROR- TRY BACK LATER)

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UPDATE THINGY
Check it out to see where I have been working lately. Its like I'm providing you with stalking material!

12.31 - Words added to Humanity. A second chapter's worth.

1.02 - I am on vacation and stuck on words. So, I have decided to begin revisions of the Coriolis Effect. Look for that later this week.

1.08 - Coriolis Effect, take two has been posted. Refined and rewritten.

1.09 - A point of interest- apparently, you all get alerts (if you get alerts from me) whenever I change a chapter or stuff like that. Apologies for the flooding of inboxes.

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Enjoy them all, and I'd love to hear what you think about them!

-Locus