Because Sahm King inspired me to write it. A poem about swords.
Katanas and flamberges
Dancing through my mind
Towering over the simple gladius
Held by a hardened soul
Estocs and claymores
Waiting patiently in sheathe
Jealous of the cutlass
Set free to swing and slash
A scimitar sings high above the crowd
Challenging the rapier to a duel
Decorative blades hide along the edges
Useless in their trade
All these swords dance among my mind
Waiting to be chosen
As a hero’s blade




In reading fantasy I have often thought that the sword had as much or more personality as the character who held it. Your words also make them seem alive.
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Thanks. I like giving most of my heroes signature weapons. Still trying to figure out how to transfer Clyde’s chainsaw into a fantasy setting.
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hahaha….they do make them now that don’t have to be plugged in, some fantasy character could find one that Clyde the Alien left behind on a previous visit to this planet.
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It was a weird weapon too. Being a vampire that could create his own blood, Clyde had the chainsaw altered with syringes. They stuck into his arm and powered the weapon with his own blood. I’m working on turning it into a sword with a lockable gauntlet instead of a hilt and a serrated blade that vibrates. Not a true chainsaw, but it can get the job down. Sounds pretty scary to see coming at you too.
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For some reason I had fleeting thoughts of S&M porn…I think my mind lumps all of that blood and gore up in one big category of FEAR and TORTURE! Like i feel when i watch Criminal Minds. Love the show, but sometimes it creeps me out.
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Never watched it. I never got the S&M with vampire thing. Though, my vampires are more monstrous warriors, so they’re more on the violence side of things. Reminds me that I have to design a few throw-away vampires for the scene I need to write. Debuting the Clyde-type vampires and they’re kind of complicated.
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That last line gave me chills!! So epic. That’s what it’s all about! You have a fencing background and can write convincingly about swords. I downplay them in my novel, because I know nothing about them and have to keep researching. I have THE BOOK OF THE SWORD by Richard F. Burton. But nothing beats experience like yours.
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It’s relatively easy. Research swords on the net and wikipedia until you find one that fits what you want for your story. Then look up how it was used or see if there are demonstration videos on Youtube. Once you get an idea of how the weapon is handled, you can use it in your story without fear.
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Nice, Charles. This reminds me of the days of intense sword study (just studying various types of swords…for games and the like). Which reminds me, I need to get back into that, to craft a magical weapon. Excellent piece, good sir!
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Crafting magic weapons is always a fun challenge. It’s so hard to find something unique that isn’t totally off the wall.
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