"Write What Should not be Forgotten" Isabel Allende

Spring is here, April is here and still I 'm editing. This story has grown since its beginning three years ago (currently it's 105,000 words, yikes!). I hope to send it to my editor at the end of this month and still hoping for a June release, but it may be in July. There will definitely be a launch with a coming newsletter along with some giveaways so watch for that here and on my social media. I am exclusively on Amazon for now but looking towards all avenues for selling in the near future. So, keep checking, more to come here.

I'm and indie author working a full time nine to five job, so I mainly get to write evenings and weekends. But I wouldn't want to be doing anything else. This is all I ever dreamed of doing. I am so happy that I have readers who have enjoyed the first book and are looking forward to the next one. It's been so encouraging, and I appreciate all the reviews, yes even the 1 star reviews. My writing can only improve and that is a promise I made to myself and those who choose to read my books. Writing is a journey, not an arrival or departure.

I'm excited to put Warriors of Apasas out into the world of words. Kynna and Myrine have evolved and must face decisions they never thought they'd have to make. They've been apart for three years and come back together in a tumultuous time in Apasas.

This story is categorized in the Historical Fantasy genre as well as Greek and Roman Myth. The only real historical basis of it is that it occurs in the Middle Bronze Age. The rest is pure fantasy except for references to the imagined cultural aspect of the time period. The women warriors that are called Amazons today have always been regarded as mythical, man hating women who killed their male babies and cut off their breasts. I refused to believe it and the more I dove into the research and history, the more I was convinced that was not who they were. I 'm not a historian and don't ever pretend to be. I just love the world of fantasy and believe it can be applied to more than elves and dwarfs, which I love by the way. Apasas, the goddesses, the matriarchal system and egalitarian society have fascinated me for years and my characters grew from my research of these ideas.

The Women of Apasas and Warriors of Apasas were originally one book. I realized that Myrine and Kynna's emotions were too full and rich with emotion for one book. I'm excited to say that there will be five books in the Amazzi Warriors and Queens series coming in the next few years and I'm excited to write them all.

So keep checking here and on my Facebook and Twitter accounts. I am active daily on those pages and would love to communicate if you have any questions. Meanwhile, The Women of Apasas is still free to read on Kindle Unlimited and only $2.99 in ebook.

The next book in series, book 3 is titled "The Queens of Azar Kali"

Until next time,

Elizabeth

Warriors, Women and the Ancient World

It’s been almost three weeks since my first book went live. Actually, I’m still getting used to calling myself an indie author. If you have purchased my book or reading it through Kindle Unlimited, please let me know what you think. I love talking about the Bronze age, particularly the period I write about in the 1600s BC. I am researching for the next book titled, “Warriors of Apasas” that will be out December 21st. It will be available for preorder late September. Watch for blog posts with excerpts from it.

Have you noticed I am choosing the Summer Solstice and Winter Solstice as release dates? That is intentional. My connection with the earth and moon is very much a part of my everyday life. In honor of the Goddess, I decided to choose these times of the year. Its just one of the many quirks about me that I am finally comfortable with.

In “The Women of Apasas” there are so many scenes that I loved writing and some I wept as I wrote them. I won’t give anything away but one of my favorite scenes is when Myrine finds Kynna and Anais. Kynna is at the point of collapse from her injuries and not sure about this woman or what she might do. With an arrow pointed at her she finds a deep strength within her and decides she still wants to live. She doesn’t know how she is going to do it but it stirs her will to keep surviving.

Myrine sees something in Kynna she has never seen in anyone she’s known before. She has so many questions for them but must find the patience to wait for the answers. When she lifts Kynna up on Kadir, Kynna keeps slipping off. This was an interesting add into the scene. Kynna knows how to ride, but she’s exhausted and as much as she doesn’t want to trust Myrine, she has no choice. When Myrine encircles Kynna in her arms to keep her from slipping off is the moment Myrine’s world changes. Even though she has no idea it does.

That kind of love is what I enjoy writing about. Women believe we must surrender to another person. Preconditioned to be subservient. In no way do my characters do that. Even Kynna’s time under Marjan’s captivity drew a determination in her to serve no man again. In book 2 this will become clear as Kynna must be reminded of her choices and Myrine must face her own.

I have always loved hero stories, but not those who have an obvious hero. I searched for stories of women trying to find happiness in a difficult life. Women who must rise above all their doubts and fears to fulfill their purpose. Women who ask themselves, “Who am I?” Kynna and Myrine are characters I came to know in my search for what life was really like for them. After reading all the books I could find with this theme, I decided to write my own and give them a voice. Although they aren’t historically documented, they are real women living a real life in ancient times.

Myrine was the first character that introduced herself to me out of my love for all things Amazon. I have always admired warrior women and their ability to push their bodies to the height of excellence. The argument that women are just as strong as men is still under debate, some say they aren’t capable physically, but there are always exceptions and Myrine is an exception. More importantly. I questioned why the Greeks made these women into demeaning myths. I believe they feared these women and turned them into savages just as early settlers in America did to the Native People.

As I researched all things Amazon, I found some great resources. Among many was Adrienne Mayer’s book titled “The Amazons” which is full of answers to questions like, “Did the Amazons cut off one breast to shoot better? Or “Did Amazons kill or maim their male infants? I never believed any of it. The more I studied Patriarchy, the more it appeared to be part of the intended destruction of matriarchy and the matrilineal line. All designed to rule over the lands and wealth the Aegean had to offer. {An interesting book on patriarchy is Merlin Stone’s “When God was a Woman”. It changed my life.)

Mayer’s book also contains stories of these women and their influence on major historical characters like Alexander the Great, Theseus and Hittite Kings. Evidence shows that these women warriors were influential for almost a thousand years in the Greek world until they were forced east and integrated with Scythians and Mongolian tribes.

Another book written by the German archeologist Gerhard Polauer titled “The Lost Cities of the Amazons” was also a spark that lit my imagination for this series. He writes an account of his journey through Turkey exploring ancient sites believed to be inhabited by Amazons. Their connection with these sites pictured in his book cannot be ignored. He also documented sites on Lemnos Island which were believed to be ruled by Amazons from 3,000 BC. Waterways were jammed with traders until earthquakes and volcanoes caused them to abandon the island for the coast of Asia Minor and establish cities like Ephesus (Apasas). Although it’s been pushed aside in lots of historical accounts there is no denial of how influential these women were in the ancient pre-Christian world. Goddess worship was predominant long before Patriarchy.

Again, I encourage you to reach out to me. I’m a total geek when it comes to women warriors. I loved to give them badass fight scenes, but I also love the relationships they form and the choices they must make in their world and in their heart. You can comment or email me here as well as on my Facebook page. Links below.

Elizabeth