Elvish Pens, Fantastical Writings: February 2018

Lately I've noticed that I spend much more time scrolling through social media than I do anything else. And I'm not really doing anything on there; I'm not getting anything of value out of it. (Obviously, I still need to go on there sometimes to work on my platform, but that's the exception.)

I've grown to hate social media because it takes so much out of me. I scroll through it like a mindless zombie, and when I close the tab, I still feel like a zombie. Despite this, I can't seem to stop scrolling through my social media accounts.

I'm addicted to my electronics.

As a society, we laugh at the cliche picture of a group of teenagers at a restaurant all on Snapchat. However, we don't do anything about it. We shrug it off and blame it on the "changing times." Yes, times are changing, but we must use these changes for good. God did not create us to live in a virtual world, he created us to enjoy the real world. By talking to each other through technology, we aren't "really" talking. (Also, let me say that I'm not against online friendships. I have a couple of really good online friends. I'm just saying to spend as much time face to face with people as possible. Video chatting only counts for far away friends.)

Does anyone else notice the same thing?

So, if I seem less present on social media for the next few weeks, it's because I need to get back to work. I need to ramp up my focus on my relationship with God, schoolwork, college applications, SAT prep, and rewriting The Clockshifter.

Okay, now please turn off your Internet and do something productive. :)

(This is probably the one time I'll ever tell someone to get off my blog.)

Let's work together to actually do something about the world's electronic addictions.

Two posts in one week? Wow, maybe I am getting back into the swing of blogging. :)

Kendra E. Ardnek is preparing to release her newest book, The Worth of a King, and here's the cover...

...you didn't think I was just going to post it, were you?

...keep scrolling...

....a little more...

......

Princess Obsidia’s father was killed the night she was born. Since there was no male heir, the crown went to the man who killed him, by Dialcian law. This never bothered her, growing up, and when it comes time for Obsidia to choose her husband, she chooses Prince Delaney, the son of that man, with little hesitation. Only then does her life start crumbling around her.

Adrian expected to live a normal life, taking his father’s place at the print shop when his father retired. But, on his eighteenth birthday, when the princess’ engagement is announced, his world is ripped out from under him when he learns that his life was a ruse, and he is the twin brother to the princess – and expected to take back his father’s throne.

Delaney knows that his country is hovering on the brink of war – and that his father may harbor murderous intentions towards his intended bride due to her Zovordian blood. He wants nothing more than to protect Obsidia and his people, but as merely prince, he has little power against his father.

The ancient war between the Dragons and the Immortal King and Queen is nearing its climax, and the three are already caught in it.

SNIPPET

“He loves her,” was the only answer Adrian had. The answer that had been eating at him for three weeks.

Jerolin was quiet a moment. “Prince Delaney? Well, I’m hardly surprised. She is quite beautiful. Any man could fall in love with with a mere glance, and I’d wager that he’s had far more than a mere glance.”

Adrian threw a glare at Jerolin, not sure that he liked that tone in his adopted brother’s voice. “And she seemed rather fond of him.”

COVER DESIGN PROCESS

This was a bit of a different cover design process because Kendra didn't give me very much to go off of. It was kind of a trial-and-error process, but I'm pretty pleased with the end result (and it was a very fun, experimental process). (Also I'm excited to read the book!)

When I first started making it, I really only had a title. This was a while ago while Kendra was still writing the book and I wanted to design something. This design went through a few iterations before we abandoned it.

I wasn't sure what look Kendra was going for, so I made two concept covers.

The one on the right looks a little like something from a nativity scene. I'm very glad we didn't pursue this concept. We did go with the black and gold concept...we just made a lot of changes.

This was the first thing we came up with.

We adjusted the words to the bottom of the cover and played around with the coloring.

And this is the final result!

read the opening chapter

add to Goodreads

RELEASES ON AUGUST 27, 2018

Kendra E. Ardnek loves fairytales and twisting them in new and exciting ways. She's been or acting them on her dozen plus cousins and siblings for years. "Finish your story, Kendra," is frequently heard at family gatherings. Her sole life goal has always been to grow up and be an author of fantasy and children's tales that glorify God and His Word.