I watched Freedom the other night-  a movie featuring Cuba Gooding as a father who helps his family escape the shackles of slavery. It got me thinking about the primal nature of man - that it is his own insecurity that drives him to control and dominate others. If only man could look beyond skin colour, facial features, hair texture, accent even academic qualifications,  and see the beauty within others, the world would be a better place. Discrimination in the workplace or school is as commonplace today as it was centuries ago. It is a blight on humankind often engendered in children by ignorant adults or societies. Has anything changed? Are our hearts still as hard as flint?
It is a topic I touched on in A Company of Odd Folk in the hope that my readers would question their attitudes to other people and understand "the same blood runs through all our veins."
Now when I think about it, I should have explored it a little more. :-)

Happy New Year

                                Happy new year to all my readers. 

The new year lies before us like an unopened book with our lives yet to be written in pages that are starkly blank. But like me, you have some ideas or plans that you hope to accomplish - stories that will outwork themselves on those pages over the process of time.

My plan for this year is to create my own story of a life filled to the brim with excitement and adventure; of creativity and hard work. It will certainly include completing my sequel to A Company of Odd Folk, shed the kilos I've gained over the festive season and lead a healthy lifestyle - including healthy friendships. So may your story be like mine- directed by healthy choices and a creative mind.

Here's to 2017!!! Have a blessed one!

The twelve kingdoms of the sons of men

                                                  
The kingdom of Shalombern
Leader: Arias
Emblem: The Flaming Sword and Two Olive Branches
King Arias rules over the vast kingdom of Shalombern. The kingdom spans from east to west of the great Berak Mountains and before her lies Nuren Forest.
Most Shalomites are farmers, some are weavers, others are vendors and any who are idle mischief -makers, are enlisted in the Shalombrishem, the king's army. Having been trained by men whose skill far surpasses any in service of the king, they are mighty in battle. The One Hundred are an elite battalion summoned only in extreme crises,
The city square is the hub of the kingdom where the Shalomites gather and pass their time. Every seven years The Reed Dance draws spectators from far and wide and Shalombern is alive with the festivities. The emblem of the kingdom is a flaming sword with two olive branches.

The kingdom of Ariban
Leader: Robaiah
Emblem: Roaring Lion
The kingdom of Ariban lies eastward and is no less significant in stature with the young king Robaiah at its helm. The Aribanites are hardworking - tilling the land, keeping vineyards and running businesses. They are duty bound to their king. The army is disciplined and excellent in their service. Ariban's banner is the roaring lion.

The kingdom of Gimai
Leader: Abiezer
Emblem: Scythe and stalk of Wheat
To the west lies Gimai. Surrounded by high walls, modern and ancient buildings are sprawled across a vibrant city.  A river with several streams skirts gardens and parks.  To the north of the city, crowded villages bask among terraced fields of crops. The Gimites are warm and loyal to king Arias. A scythe and stalk of wheat flies upon the banner of Gimai.

The kingdom of Heshaben
Leader: Milderon
Emblem: A Single Rose
The land here is wild and at times impassable. The sojourners encounter crags and thick bush on their journey to Shalombern.It lies south of the Toorak Mountains and towards the east the mystical woods of Heshaben fringe its borders.The Heshabenites live peacefully in isolated villages under King Milderon. The emblem of  Heshaben is a single rose.

The kingdom of Tenefori
Leader: Ben-Aden
Emblem: Erect Bear
Like the erect bear on the banner of Tenefori, King Ben Aden is a strong successful leader. The people of Tenefori are predominantly traders. This land lies north of the Desert of Kahri; the largest desert in Edenesse

The kingdom of Zin
Leader: Saronim
Emblem:Prancing gazelle
Hedonistic and somewhat laid back, the Zinites are subject to King Saronim. They love the outdoor life; rising early and staying up late. The market square is abuzz with the goings and comings of people vending goods. They are gossip-mongers and critical of their king and like their king, many lack personal discipline. The prancing gazelle is the emblem of Zin.

The kingdom of Ming-Ming
Leader: Ling-Toi
Emblem: Rising Sun
With the rising sun flying upon the banner of Ming-Ming, emperor Ling-Toi rules his kingdom loyally. He can be counted on to be faithful to King Arias and is a disciplined hard-working leader. His people are reserved in nature but disciplined and excellent in all that they do. They trade regularly with Shaktazon and Raz Lamei.

The Kingdom of Shaktazon
Leader: Rafiz
Emblem: Helmet and Morning Star
A grumpy old stubborn king is Rafiz. of Shaktazon. Set in his ways, he resists change and progress and passively questions the decisions of the great king. His green lands and the people therein are his pride and joy. The emblem of Shaktazon is the helmet and morning star.

The kingdom of Laminob
Leader: Jaiz
Emblen: Galloping Stallion
Lying southward, Laminob is a progressive kingdom. Once breeders of stallions, she has as her emblem the galloping stallion. Wheat is the major crop of choice and trade in this land and the people celebrate the harvest annually in a grand way. They are regular trade partners with Gimai.  King Jaiz is an astute businessman and loyal ally of king Arias.

The kingdom of Raz-Lamei
Leader: Shaul
Emblem: Full rigged Ship
As the only coastal kingdom, Raz-Lamei has a full rigged ship as her emblem. Shaul  is a no-nonsense but sensible leader. He encourages his people to be merchants and self-reliant business people. Many are fishermen who sell fish near the largest port in the land. Both men and women are frequent visitors to passing ships.

The kingdom of Rottalin
Leader: Dattu
Emblem Soaring Eagle
To the east of Shalombern, Rottalin stands as one of the last outposts of the sons of men. Lying at the sprawling foothills of Eagle mountain, her fallow pastures are vastly shadowed. The people of Rottalin, eke out an existence on farming and serving the royal family in other mundane tasks. King Dattu is a lover of horses. As the bastion she leans upon, Rottalin has as her emblem a soaring eagle.

The kingdom of Nam
Leader: Mahlon
Emblem: Crafty Fox
Nam has been struggling economically. The people of Nam are scattered and lacking in unity. They are simple rustic folk living in isolated villages. Like the crafty fox displayed on his banner, King Mahlon's allegiance to the great king stands on a thread.

The Land of Edenesse

A map of Edenesse. Drawn by Levi Lamour, my son.

Smashwords interview with author D.A Lamour

Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?

I do.... but I'd prefer to forget it.

When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?

I love reading and going for long walks at dusk.

Describe your desk

Right now I am sharing my desk with a couple of gifts for Christmas, a bag of pecan nuts, my notepad and a dictionary - I just like checking my old one every so often. We've been good friends since high school.

When did you first start writing?

A very long time ago. I cannot remember exactly when. They were just short pieces about anything that interested me at the moment. For example, a rather mean-spirited girl was in my class and so I wrote about her. On another occasion, I entered a competition and won second prize.

What's the story behind your latest book?

A Company of Odd Folk was actually written for my then 12-year-old son who absolutely loved The Lord of The Rings by JRR Tolkien. He insisted that I try my hand at writing something similar but of course I didn't think I could achieve anything close to it. The story does also contain a few personal experiences of mine - like an old tree near my childhood home that scared the living daylights out of me as a child.
The description of the coal stove in the story was also a monstrosity that kept me awake many a night.

What motivated you to become an indie author?

These days it's really hard to get your work published by publishers. I guess being an independent author gave me the freedom to pursue the dream of having my book published.

How has Smashwords contributed to your success?

Smashwords made the journey achievable, and richly satisfying. The team have given me a hand up in achieving my dream.

What is the greatest joy of writing for you?

I'd probably say it's the ability to create different worlds for readers and to use the English language to maximise the experience of the journey through them.

What are you working on next?

I'm writing the sequel to my story A Company of Odd Folk.

Who are your favorite authors?

Some of my favourite authors are L M Montgomery, Charles Dickens, JRR Tolkien, and CS Lewis.

What inspires you to get out of bed each day?

Knowing that I have a purpose in life and I guess being expectant about how the day will unfold.