Tag Archives: nathan marchand

Poetry

NaPoWriMo, Day 6: ‘Final Farewell’

Today’s prompt was to write a valediction, which is a poem of farewell. I like the one I wrote, although I don’t know if it quite qualifies as a valediction. It recounts two lovers’ happy times together until they are forced to separate and say their last goodbye. Let me know if you think it counts as a valediction.

Final Farewell
By Nathan Marchand

We met the day the Fallen had his revenge.
Summoned by Erik the Red to the halls of Valhalla
To gather with friends for food and battles and stories,
You a lovely Valkyrie and I a mighty warrior.
We allied against your brother, the devious Loki,
Winning many victories,
For in my presence, you were surer in battle.
Our partings were always jovial,
For we knew we would always meet again.

Then one night, you shared a secret with me,
And I became your brother and you my sister—
The ones we had longed for and never had.
Until the day an embrace became something more,
And we filled the night with stories.
Then two fearful hearts mingled, birthing love.
We blessed and were blessed.
Wounds were healed and joy overflowed.
We’d found the impossible: a kindred spirit.

But Odin All-Father thundered his disapproval,
Falsely accusing me of every terrible evil,
Which cut us with subtle knives,
Until our hearts were rent—
Not by his hands, but yours.
I, chained, fell to my knees
As you turned your back to me with tear-filled eyes
And we said our final farewells.
The ground opened so I could go to Hel,
Where I remain in eternal darkness.

Poetry

NaPoWriMo, Day 5: ‘I AM’

Today’s prompt was to write a cinquain (click the link to read what it is). It seems similar to a haiku to me. Anyway, I had to throw this together at the last second. It’s short and not very original, but I got it done. It stems from my Christian faith, perhaps drawing inspiration from the story of Moses and the burning bush. Admittedly, it could probably be longer. Regardless, enjoy!

I AM
By Nathan Marchand

 I AM.
That is my name.
Who will save my people?
With a strong hand, it will be I,
The LORD!

Poetry

NaPoWriMo, Day 3: ‘Obsession’

Today’s prompt was to write a sea shanty, but I couldn’t come up with any ideas beyond writing a sci-fi one that took place in space rather than on the sea, so I’m skipping that one. However, I’m going to keep track of each prompt I skip and write a poem for it later.

So, for today, I wrote this little thing:

Obsession
By Nathan Marchand

She wants, she craves.
One act of kindness,
And she stalks him like a hunter,
Seized by a “love” that enslaves.

She worships him like a priestess,
Carving an idol of his image in her mind’s eye.
Flowery prayers, fragrant incense, and costly gifts she offers<
But dreams to give what above her short dress.

She digs in her claws
Once he finally acquiesces.
“My love is as perfect as him,”
She says, “For he has no flaws.”

Now her “god” is gone.
He left, destroying her idol.
But neither are left unscathed–
Such devotion they’ll never again know from hereon.

Uncategorized, Poetry

NaPoWriMo 2013, Day 2: ‘The Lie’

Today’s prompt was to write a poem that tells a lie. My poem does build to a lie, but it is a lie that some may not agree with since it stems from my Christian faith. Read on to see what I mean.

The Lie
By Nathan Marchand

There is no end to your evil.
You lie, you cheat, you steal,
You covet and kill,
Obeying my whispers in the darkness,
The silent coercion,
The subtle propaganda,
Which you believe you hear not.
Casualties of the invisible war, you are.
Slaves blissfully ignorant of your slavery,
And blinded to your master while doing his work,
Because you bought my greatest trick,
My most powerful lie:
That I, the Devil, don’t even exist.

Poetry

NaPoWriMo 2013: Day 1 – ‘Madness’

Today’s prompt (which I learned I can choose not to use) was to write a poem that had the first line from an existing poem. I chose the first line of “It is not Love, it is Madness” by Mirza Ghalib.

With that, here’s my first poem of NaPoWriMo 2013!

Madness
By Nathan Marchand

(You say) It is not love, it is madness,
An insatiable fire.
Give it voice, and it will consume
With every word that affirms its uncertain promises.
Keep it silent, and it will devour
Soul, mind, and body from within,
Until it bursts with a volcano’s fury.
It comes unexpected, uninvited, perhaps unwanted,
Only to leave the heart emptier
With each new failure,
Killing it softly.

News, Appearances, Announcements

Meet me and the Indiana governor at a future signing!

Roanoke Public Library

Governor Mike Pence

I’ve been meaning to announce this for some time, but I’ve been ironing out a few details first.

I will have a book signing at the new Roanoke Public Library in Roanoke, Indiana. It will be at the library’s new location. Moving to this new place has been a big community undertaking, so much so that Indiana’s newly-elected governor is scheduled to appear! Yes, True Believers, Mike Pence will be at this signing! You what’s even better? I actually like him as governor!

The signing will be May 4 from 10am-3pm. Come buy copies of my books or bring your own so I can sign them–for free! (My signatures are always free).

News, Announcements

‘Children of the Wells’ – COMING APRIL 1!

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Remember that web serial project I broke news about on my vlog back in December?

It starts April 1 (no joke)!

Children of the Wells (CotW) is a bit of a first for me. I’ve been involved in serial fiction and group projects before, but nothing like this. The previous serials I worked on were never published; they were read and enjoyed only by the writers’ club I joined in college. The previous group project I participated in with those same writers produced Destroyer (which I may make a special edition of to include Nick’s new story, “House of the Living“). CotW, however, will be an ongoing web serial for everybody to enjoy! It has been over a year in planning, and I can’t wait to see it luanch.

What is CotW about? Read this:

The Cataclysm destroyed our magic wells and, along with them, our technology, our scientific advancements, and our aristocracy. We thought the world was dying. Forced to rely on our former enemies, we evolved, but in those first days, we had no inkling of the true extent of that change.

It takes place in a semi-modern fantasy world where technology developed around magic. If you’ve seen and/or read Full Metal Alchemist, you’ll have a good understanding of this concept.

The saga will begin with the serialization of the first novella, The Select’s Bodyguard by Nick Hayden (a writer friend whose name I can’t stop dropping). This story takes place in the scientific capital of Jalseion just after the disaster and introduces the characters of Bron and Calea. Calea is a nihilistic but brilliant young scientist making breakthroughs in magic technology and Bron is her singleminded bodyguard.

The story will continue in July with the publication of my novella, The Fall of the House of Kyzer. This will introduce readers to the imperial city of Thyrion, which rules much of the world with an iron fist, and to the heroic prince Jaysynn Kyzer. He is the youngest son of the city’s Emperor and Empress, but unlike them and his six siblings, he has no magic abilities, making him an outcast in his own family. However, Jaysynn is trained by Gen. Xander Dracon, himself a non-magic user, to become a warrior in his own right. There’s more to it than that, but I won’t give you any spoilers. Sorry, True Believers!

The adventure begins April 1!

Click here to see the website. Sign up for the newsletter and spread the word!

Vlog

But I Digress…, Episode 10: Top 5 Movies You’re Not Watching

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“But I Digress…”
Hosted by Nathan Marchand

This video is a week late (I’ll be posting about this issue soon), but now it’s done.

There are lots of good out there, but many of them go unnoticed by audiences. This is my short list of flicks that are underrated or under-watched. Do you agree? What movies are on your list? Let me me know in the comments!

Please subscribe, comment, and share!

News, Announcements

Nominate me for the Eugene and Maralyn Glick Indiana Author Award

Unbeknownst to me until I wandered into my local library and found bookmarks for such, there is an award given to Indiana authors every year. It’s the Eugene and Maralyn Glick Indiana Author Award.

According to the award’s website:

The Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana Authors Award was established when The Indianapolis Public Library Foundation received a generous grant from The Glick Fund, a fund of Central Indiana Community Foundation. This program seeks to recognize the contributions of Indiana authors to the literary landscape in Indiana and across the nation.

The Award categories are:

  • National Author – $10,000 prize: A writer with Indiana ties, but whose work is known and read throughout the country. The national author will be evaluated on their entire body of work.
  • Regional Author – $7,500 prize: A writer who is well-known and respected throughout the state of Indiana. The regional author will be evaluated on their entire body of work.
  • Emerging Author – $5,000 prize: A writer who has published no more than two books during his or her lifetime. The title(s) must have been published within the last 10 years. Emerging authors will be evaluated on these specific works.

In addition to a cash prize, each author’s Indiana hometown public library will receive a grant of $2,500 from the Library Foundation.

This means you can nominate me for the “emerging author” award.

Well, what are you waiting for, True Believers? Click here to nominate me!

Video

Digression 4: Valentine’s Day Karaoke – “Send Me an Angel” by The Megas

(Wondering where “Digression 3” is? Watch it here).

I may dislike Valentine’s Day, but it won’t stop me from doing a karaoke video to celebrate it! Not only to do you get to hear me sing (badly), I posted the lyrics so you can sing along.

I chose the cover of Real Life’s “Send Me an Angel” recorded by the Mega Man tribute band, The Megas. Why? First, it’s an ’80s song (I love that decade). Second, it was covered by The Megas, one of my favorite bands. Third, I’ve yet to hear a song that so perfectly expresses my own longing to one day find a special girl.

Special thanks to:
Real Life, for originally recording the song
The Megas, for this amazing and nerdy cover
Jarod Marchand, for making a cameo
Sergio Garza, for providing the microphone prop