Author J. R. DuBois: Unfiltered

What do you enjoy about fantasy books? (Or books/reading in general?) For me, I love the immersion into a world that is different than the one in which we live. That said, the world must be familiar-enough that I could see myself in it, immerse myself into the role of the characters, regardless what gender or belief-system they have. It is, in essence, an escape, but not necessarily because I dislike my life, but because it is a chance to explore new things and experience situations I might not otherwise be able to -- including the ability to do what humans simply cannot: magic. Stories, to me, are one of the best ways we can communicate with one another, to share our experiences, to record history, and to learn lessons. And communication is one of the most important aspects to connecting with our peers. Which is why I am extremely humbled and grateful to God that I have the opportunity to be a part of building that connection. A little about Chronicles of Liren. Firstly, Liren tends t...

 Well hello there, reader. Or more like, absent reader. I bailed on this blog one year ago, when I promised I wouldn't. The reason I promised was that this blog is meant to invite people into getting to know me as an author, to hopefully build rapport (and yes, an audience) for my upcoming novel, the third in a series, which is not yet published. The GOOD (read: GREAT) new is that I have literally spent the entirety of 2021 editing, rewriting, editing, rewriting, beta reading, beta reading, and beta reading my first book. I am quite sure it's time to start pitching to agents and publishers. (Though, I admit; finding male fantasy beta readers is impossible. Goodness. I know the genre is full of readers, so where ARE you guys? Literally?) Firstly, for those very few who have been following this blog before I went AWOL, I apologize for my absence and will be doing better. Furthermore, I will not bore you with my methods. I am an AVID reader, and haven't read about one of my fa...

So here's a thing I've learned about myself during this year, "the year of 2020," "the year of COVID:" once I set a schedule, I am loathe to stray from it, and when I do, it can derail my creative process. And yet, ironically, I claim to celebrate spontaneity -- which I do. Sometimes. So long as I don't have plans. (...) (*Note, upon re-reading this entry, I wish to point out that this blog will include all the ranting and railing and celebrating that comes with writing a book, which includes what is forthcoming, and doesn't always seem obviously linked to the creative process. But if you, reader, are a fellow creative, perhaps you can empathize with how much scheduling can, in fact, impede or enhance the creative process and either stimulate or depress the Muse.*) I am blessed to have the opportunity to work for myself and create my own schedule. It is a luxury I experienced while dabbling with a multi-level marketing business years ago, then shifti...

Welcome to the blog for the development of my, that is, J. R. DuBois's epic fantasy series, The Chronicles of Liren. My name is Jessica, and I am delighted you are here. The Chronicles of Liren has been in the works for eight or more years (since 2012...ish), and has since grown from the whimsical pantsing of a would-be novelist into the complicated, detailed, convoluted epic that it has become and is still becoming. They liken to the style and length of Tolkien, Jordan, Rothfuss, Sanderson, Rowling, and even Gabaldon (though not QUITE that lengthy). Currently, the saga is expected to be told within three volumes, perhaps four -- that is, of course, unless the characters, now fully-fleshed and well into their own  right minds, carry it elsewhere, my own intentions be damned. This year, 2020, while detrimental to many, opened the doors for my creative Muse to build the world Liren has become. I started with the intention of writing one volume, and have, to my utter surprise and plea...