Kings and Crusaders-1st Draft Complete

 

Well, the title says it all! I started Kings and Crusaders, a series of novels about the Anglo-Normans in the late twelfth and early thirteenth centuries on October 19, 2010. As of today, December 31, 2020, I can now say that I have finished the first drafts for each novel of the series. 

Where does that leave me? It means 2021 will be a year of rewriting and editing the first novel. 

Excerpt to The Final Journey

 

This is an excerpt to my last novel of the Kings and Crusaders Series. In this scene, the knights of France have set out for crusade against the Albigensians. 

A minstrel began to sing as he played the lyre. Perhaps he meant well, but he sung words that that were more disturbing than pleasing. Uneasiness grew in camp over the coming siege. Men in iron felt agony and fear as their bodies began to sweat the dread of open battle with the Cathars. The flags of France's counties flew in the wind as the drums played to an intense rising of the men-at-arms to the coming fight. The minstrel hid behind the trees and and in the form of a dramatic monologue faced the audience of toothless peasants in the woods that were chasing their dogs and ducks.   

Chivalry is important, and there is nothing more glorious than going on a holy crusade, 

though, some of us, with the orange headed maidens chose to stay and remain, 

some see war as their love and profession, 

but I see pale faces of maidens to be like heaven, 

battles are bloody and weary, 

but those with bald eyes are heavenly, 

It is better to know heaven than it is to know hell, 

and it is better to sing than to risk one's life in slaying the infidel.  

Just then, many of the Anglo-Normans began to think of the carrot-tops and missed their company. Indeed, it is more enjoyable to watch those pale face redheaded maidens pick flowers in their gardens, than to wait for the outcome of the coming battle. 

 

Where I am with the Final Journey

 

So, I am on the last novel of my Kings and Crusaders Series titled, The Final Journey. Back in 2013 I completed a novel titled at the time called The Final Journey, which was said to be the end of my trilogy. But currently, my Kings and Crusaders novels seem to be closer to seven novels at this point, and thus ''The Final Journey,'' is a title that may or may not serve better as the seventh novel than what was earlier the third novel of the series, which is now the fourth novel of the series. Sound confusing? Sorry, that is not my intent. 

In some ways, this last novel of Kings and Crusaders parallels the novel that I finished seven years ago. Both of them are very much about climax and resolution. The former tells the end of the Third Crusade, while the latter of The First Baron's War. Both have been difficult to write, but my current novel is more so than the former. 

Writing the ending of any story can be quite the challenge. Perhaps this is especially so for a series that I have been writing for nearly ten years. Ultimately, I have to figure out how to end the series in the perfect right way that leaves the reader hungry for more without tying myself down to pledge of potential future sequels. While writers can never know for certain their destiny, and they made change their view later, as far as I am aware, this will be the last novel of Kings and Crusaders. 

The Final Journey is the story of the conflict between England and France shortly after King John has died. A French army under Prince Louis, son of King Philip Augustus, has invaded England and many turn to John's son, the young Prince ''Harry,'' to unite the barons of the last in the final conflict for England's future against a long held enemy, the kingdom of France. William Marshall and Hugh of Burgh, as well as William of Preaux, are important supporting characters. 

While there are currently some issues I am struggling with concerning how things play out in the novel, I am determined to work hard for a good pay off and resolution to the series. I wish and desire The Final Journey to not only be a staying story of its own, but to fulfill building events that have arisen since the  of the series. 

The Latest Quest Completed

I just finished the first draft of The Fight for England, which looks like will be 8 or 9 among the series of novels for Kings and Crusaders. Some of this novel is far from complete and will need major revision in the future. I probably stressed more over this novel for the past year than any of the rest. I immediately feel a relief of stress upon the completion of the first draft of it. That said, I will take a break doing some reading for a while before I began to write the last novel of Kings and Crusaders. Whenever the last novel is finished, I will began the work of a second draft for the first novel while preparing way for its eventual publication. Up until now, I literally felt no rest over this entire year. I can still use prayers for my hurt left foot and my irritable bowel syndrome.
Until then,
-Josh

An Update on Kings and Crusaders

 Kings and Crusaders was originally intended to be a series about the Third Crusade. As the years have went on though, the series follow more than this historical event. In summary, the series is about the Anglo-Normans of the late 12th and early 13th centuries.

The nine novel series covers more than Medieval Warfare. Home life, courtship, the role of the Latin Church, Pilgrimage, family and knighthood are all part of this series. The novels are mostly set in Britannia, France and Outremer. The series is principally focused around the Angevin family, specifically Richard the Lionheart and John, as well their people and culture. Saladin is an important character in several of the first novels of the series. Peter of Preaux and William of Roches are two important Norman knights that are throughout the series.
 That is just a brief on my books. In many cases, my novels are based off of entire historical events. Where they take liberty, they have been inspired by other events of the Medieval World, including not only Medieval History, but also Medieval Literature.
I am about to finish up the eighth novel of the series. After that, one more novel to go. When the ninth novel is finished, I will start the process of making second and third drafts of my first novel, before eventually seeking publication of it.
 In a few months, I will be starting courses through Liberty University online. I will have to find a way to balance my desire of creativity with my academic work also! Until then, your friend Josh Dotson.

Inspirations Used for my Writings

 A lot of people probably don't know this about me, but research I have found to be more tiresome than writing. While I usually enjoy writing, research can be another story.
Back in 2013 I needed entertainment after my hard days work. Around that time, I started watching cartoons in the evenings after writing. Whether it be Ducktails or Tiny Toon Adventures, I have used cartoons over the years to relax me.
 One of the best ways to inspire a writer is to read books. Fof the past year, I have been reading one classic of English Literature after another. https://themedievalist.blogspot.com/ is my new blog addressing English Literature.  Writing is not the only way to becoming a writer, so is reading. Good reads of literature are probably as important as the discipline of writing itself.

We have all have strengths and weaknesses. It is important for us to know our creative talents, and where we are not so creative. Imagination the key to creativity, but so are practice and knowledge. I usually know when a scene or two in my books aren't that great. I also usually know, when I have written a masterpiece. First drafts are rarely perfect. Writers need to work hard, and eat healthy to keep good focus. Stay away from social media, as I find it to kill creativity. Never, never, never, let criticism make you give up. Most of criticism can actually be beneficial, no matter how it was meant.

What's up?

 Well, I have had irritable bowl syndrome for a over a year. Many of the experiences over the past year have also not been relaxing ones. Anyhow, I hope all my readers keep me in prayer that I fully recover.