Quillblade (32 page)

When pronouncing names of Shinzôn origin, the general rule is to give each syllable equal emphasis and, even though most words end in a vowel, a word that does end in a consonant follows the same rule. For example: Shin becomes
Shi-n,
with both the ‘Shi' and the ‘n' carrying equal weight. Double consonants are simply twice as long.

For the pronunciation of vowels, use the following table:

Combinations of vowels can be tricky. Some do not affect each other (our word ‘ion' would be pronounced
ee-oh-n
with three syllables). Some do affect each another:

Shinzôn names are presented as family name followed by given name. If someone is directly related to the main branch of a clan family (for instance, a child of the head of the clan family) they take the clan name as their family name. For example, Mayonaka Shishi is the heir to the Mayonaka clan. Those not directly related to the main branch of the clan family, such as cousins, take their own family name, which is preceded by the clan name, separated by the indicator ‘no'. For example, Yûrei no Gôshi Yami is a member of the Yûrei clan, but the Gôshi family is not directly related to the Yûrei family.

What you now hold in your hands is most definitely my book.
You
know that because it has my name printed on the front. Dead giveaway.
I
know it's my book because I wrote it.
You'll
have to take my word for that, though. If in doubt, check the cover. Of course, just calling it ‘my book' doesn't really tell you how this book came to be. The story of how this book became a book would make a nice little book of its own. Or perhaps a novella. Certainly a short story, at the least.

Anyway, if I ever do get around to writing the story of this book, I'd start by thanking Flinders University, not only for providing me with the time and space to work on what was then a creative writing thesis, but also for the scholarship that allowed me to continue eating while doing so. I would then thank my first editors, Jeri Kroll and Ruth Starke, for their tireless efforts in overseeing my thesis project, and for providing much needed, and much appreciated, guidance, reassurance, and assistance. So much for chapter one.

Chapter two extends my thanks to Simon Higgins, who, in mentoring my creative work, went far above and well beyond the call of duty. After a section break I'd then thank Ian Bone and Deb Abela for giving me some great advice.

In the next chapter I'd thank an amazingly talented and supportive group of people. I think I'd call this chapter: ‘Jeri's Group, in which the author thanks Mag Merrilees, Greg Opie, Gay Lynch, Sam Franzway, Emily Sutherland, Michelle McCrea, Jill Golden, Sharon Kernot, Annette Marner, Sharyn Kaesehagen, Steve Evans, Kate Deller-Evans, Kelvin Rodrigues, Christine Runnell, and, last but certainly not least, Margot McGovern for keeping him on an (almost) even keel throughout his candidature'. Has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?

The fourth chapter would be devoted to thanking all of my friends and family for putting up with me, not just throughout the years of writing
this
book (that is, the one you're holding in your hands, not the one
about
the one you're holding right now), but for the decade or more after I uttered those fateful words: ‘I think I want to be a fantasy writer'. This would be a rather dramatic chapter filled with lurid descriptions of harrowing hardships and tear-filled remonstrances against the vicissitudes of life, offset by heartwarming scenes with my loved ones offering me their support (by which I don't
always
mean food, though it
is
always appreciated). There would be a particularly striking scene with Ashleigh Ward, one of the few people I can argue comfortably with because she's been there through it all.

The final chapter is reserved for thanking my agent, Nanette Halliday, and the fantastic people at Random House Australia. Here's an excerpt: ‘In particular, my thanks go to Zoe Walton and Sarah Hazelton, who did such amazing work in getting this book into shape. You guys rock.'

Which leaves only the epilogue, in which I thank the Keylings, who know who they are. Keep opening those doors.

As I sit and look back through this rough outline for a book about a book, I realise that this book, the one you now hold in your hands, is not my book at all. Oh, I know what it says on the cover. I know I wrote the thing. But this book isn't just my book because so many people have touched it and supported me over the years. I'd like to thank you all. You did such a great job, and I'm eternally grateful. Sorry I couldn't fit your names on the cover.

Ben Chandler lives mostly in worlds of his own creation, but occasionally misses the real world and comes home to Adelaide. He holds a PhD in Creative Writing from Flinders University, where he occasionally teaches Creative Writing and English Literature, and has published academic work on popular culture, video game narrative theory, Japanese heroism, anime and manga, and creative writing pedagogy. In 2010 he was awarded the Colin Thiele Creative Writing Scholarship from Carclew Youth Arts Board and was a finalist in the Channel 9 SA Young Achiever Awards. Ben loves heroes, villains, comic books and video games, and believes you can learn more from watching cartoons than you can from the news. Like all fantasy writers, Ben has a cat. His cat is named Loki. It's possible Loki is the reincarnation of the Norse God of Mischief, but Ben hopes this is just a flight of his fancy.

For more information about Ben and his books, go to
www.benchandler.com.au

Lenis and Missy Clemens have found their freedom aboard the airship
Hiryû,
but are they ready for the responsibilities that come with determining your own fate?

Hard on the trail of the mercenary Karasu, the man who holds the keys to unlocking Suiteki's power, the twins face the realities of their own growing abilities. Their search for Karasu takes them to Heiligland, where Missy has to decide which is more important – the safety of an entire nation or her own sense of right and wrong. As she relies more and more on the powers of the Quillblade, her brother grows distant, shunning the bizarre connection that binds the Clemens twins together. When they meet Kanu, a young boy from the distant past who just might hold the key to who they are, the twins must decide whether to embrace their destiny or be torn forever apart.