Epigraph (n) – Literature: an introductory quotation at the beginning of a book, section or chapter, usually one that sets or matches the theme to follow.

Several months ago I mentioned on social networks that I might have a question about epigraphs, or at least that I might not be sure of the epigraphs I wanted to use in my first novel.

Well, that’s changed.  I’m quite sure now about the epigraphs I want to use.  So as means to share a bit about my first book without telling too much, I’m going to share the epigraphs: eight (8) total, two for the book and two each for the three major sections.  I intend to share them one at a time and not in the order they are used.

The novel, Book I of The Breaking of Worlds: Dreamdarkers, is already in the hands of those who can artistically and editorially make more of it than I can, for an author is the worst reviewer for his or her own work.  The human brain disallows us from seeing the flaws because we know the story we want to tell, therefore we fill in blanks and correct mistakes without realizing it.  And because I have a series of artists who I trust to do justice to the cover art for each book—a different artist for each novel—and because my childhood artistic talent fell prey to science and math and photography and writing and other endeavors, I both need and want others to utilize their talents to bring the series to life in the individual ways each of them possesses.

While I share the epigraphs for the first book and while others help make it better with their various and honored talents, the second novel, Book II of The Breaking of Worlds: End of the Warm Season, already grows rapidly, its essential elements formed simultaneously with the first story.  For the series, The Breaking of Worlds, is but one large story with several chapters, a mythology formed from science fiction and action and suspense and a plethora of other genres weaved together with religious and political and human stories.

But lest I ramble ad nauseam about the whole of the series and how excited I am to have it moving forward and how much I hope others enjoy it, let me finish by saying I want these epigraphs in the first book because they not only help set a tone and support the narrative, but because this novel introduces the series, thus these quotes help introduce the series, not just this work and not just the sections to which they apply.

So what follows in this brief series will tell you things, even if surreptitiously, though they likewise will tell you nothing more than ideas, perhaps imminently critical or perhaps important for the larger whole.  I leave that for you to decide once you read this book as well as those to follow.

Meanwhile, the first epigraph will be posted shortly with the remaining seven to follow no more than a day or two apart.  Best of luck piecing together a whole from the parts.