Books I am in.

I am an author of fantasy, horror and science fiction. For years now, I've watched people roll their eyes when I say I write about elves, dwarves, vampires and life on distant planets, but that hasn't stopped me. I just happen to have a vivid imagination and hope to instill it in the younger generations who now seem so intent being entertained by videos. Yes, they are living varicariously through the digital world, but there is so more to see and do within the imagination. A book releases your mind. A video game is strictly all visual, just like the television. Although sounding much like a cliché, the imagination is a terrible thing to waste. Reading stimulates your mind's eye to see even more than that which the author may have intended. Yes, you wandered far and wide when you were young, a child filled with wonder while you read different stories. I write so you can once again embrace those moments and bring to life an elf, a vampire or perhaps an unusual alien on some far off planet.

In addition to writing I enjoy conferences involving the writing experience. I was the coordinator of the NorthWest Ohio Writers' Conference but stepped down in 2008. It is held annualy, usually in the fall. On that note, I am also a speaker who is available for writing conferences, seminars or meetings. The following are some of my sessions that I have provided in the past:

• Writing From Another Corner - It's time to put your old thought process away and come out with some new thinking. Is it outside the box? No. You're still inside the box but learning to look at different corners.
• Rules of Make Believe - Make believe isn't all that simple. There are rules to work within that you create. If reading a chant from a piece of paper makes something hanppen, why can't the person just say the chant and make it happen?
• Fantasy: Your Other World - Building a fantastic world, whether it be in 500 or 50,000 words is an art that pulls your readership in. You are a god, you create your world. Don't blow it.
• Creating Memorable Characters - Putting it all together for your character. Going beyond "Hi, my name is Bob." Learn the aspects to make your character stand out.
• Writing Your Hobby - Every writer has a hobby and if you play your cards right, you can use that for publication. Magazines do indeed pay for articles and being a hobbyist is what it is all about.
• Web Design/Pages for Writers - Writers need to advertise themselves on the internet. Learn the ins/outs of webbing yourself, whether by you or through a service.
• Sailing the Seven C's - There are seven C's to writing -- learn to navigate them like a pro sailor. Whether you're sailing with the Jason and the Argonauts or Captain Nemo on the Nautilus, working your way around the oceans of writing is explained.

You will find my fees for speaking engagements quite negotiable and very reasonable. Contact me at "lore @ rolian.com" -- just be sure to remove the spaces around the '@' and be sure to put "Speaking Engagement" in the subject line to avoid being dumped into Junk or SPAM mail.