The Quest Begins
Hello, I am Duane Culbertson and welcome to my web-log. I am very excited to have my own web-site, and I hope people will find it interesting. I will supply information regarding the Stoneseekers and the Stonequest Series here. This weblog will cover related topics and provide information about myself and my hobbies. In my writing I do my best to be as authentic as possible. Some may find this concept ludicrous “You are writing science-fiction/fantasy! Why do you need to be accurate?!!”
Well, the answer is that I want to stay consistent. Any universe must have laws that govern all that is possible. The Realm I have created is based on our own world. Therefore, I will do my best not to violate any conventional laws of physics in my writing. I have three degrees in science & engineering; however, I will be the first to admit that I am not perfect. Like everyone else, I make mystakes. 
I am not a metalurgist, herbalist, accupuncturist, magician, physicist or computer programer. I have a degree in biochemisty & moelcular biology, but I am not a genetics expert. My expertise is my diversity. My other two degrees are in chemical engineering (primary major) and (masters) polymer science. I know a little about a lot. This has advantages and disadvantages. This weblog will hopefully remedy the latter. If you are an expert or maven in some field please let me know if I have strayed from the truth in my writing. I encourage posts from all people as long as they are courteous. I have many interests, yet I have not allocated the time to learn about them as much as I would like. I think this is true for most of us.
My main hobby and interest is in swords. I am looking forward to getting my first steel sword very soon. I am proud to be an integral member of Forte Swordplay:
We are an eclectic group of sword enthusiasts with backgrounds ranging from tai-chi and kendo to wing-chun and rapier fencing. Our main focus is on the German Longsword with an emphasis on the interpretation of the Leichtenauer system. Please visit the website for more information. I am the primary webmaster, so I would be happy to provide additional details, and I welcome your comments.
In time I hope to make available videos of our sword-fighting interpretations. First, I just need to get a digital camcorder. Simple enough.
Well, that is all for now. I am very happy to be on the web, and I look forward to building my fan-base. Please feel free to post here with any recommendations you may have.
Thanks & enjoy your stay,
Duane Culbertson
June 8th, 2007 at 1:34 pm
Howdy Dave!
I’m looking forward with great ehthusiasm (probably spelled that wrong) to hearing and reading your series. I absolutly love science fiction/fantasy books. I’m an avid reader when I’m not playing my RPG on the net. Just wanted you to know I was here lol. You hopefully will recognize the name. :P. I wasn’t sure if you wanted the email or the home mail address above..so i just gave you my email.
see ya later
Bree
June 8th, 2007 at 1:45 pm
Thanks Bree, I can’t wait to share it with you.
And guess what? You got the first post. I guess I will have to consider you family. Haha.
Take care,
Dave
June 11th, 2007 at 11:53 pm
I got the first post?! Sweet….Yay I’m family…. thank you for sending me the email, and i sure can’t wait. I totally enjoyed speaking with you as well..and I’m sure we will be chatting again.
Cya Later
Bree
June 16th, 2007 at 11:33 am
Hey, can’t wait to read your book. It seems very unique in many ways bringing a lot of distinctive themes together into one book which would make it very interesting. Every little bit I read of your book makes me want to read the whole thing. I believe your book will be a very big hit, just don’t start rushing and take your time with everything so it doesn’t get messed up ;). I admit, reading is not my favorite thing to do, but when I read the little excerpts from your book, it actually makes me want to read. I wish the best of luck to you, Duane Culbertson :).
Love,
Adam
P.S. SHOUT! Oh, and for God’s sake (or maybe just Jagex’s sake) DO NOT FORGET THE COOKIES!
June 16th, 2007 at 11:43 pm
Hiya seems very intresting. I would read it during school for sure. When you get it published I’ll try and round up some money and buy it for sure =]
p.s Hiya bree its billy o.0
Where did you get all your writing skills from??? Well seems like an amazing book to me I need a copy…now hehe
Billy0b0b =]
June 21st, 2007 at 1:20 pm
I can’t seem to find the excerpts to your book, what am i missing..lol can you please direct me to the place to go.
Thanks
Bree
June 21st, 2007 at 1:42 pm
lol howdy billy
June 21st, 2007 at 4:36 pm
Hiya Bree!
Good to see ya back!
The excerpts can be found by following the links in the navigation bar after entering the main site at www.duaneculbertson.com
I was nervous of this weblog program at first so I had it placed in a subdirectory, which I think has complicated things. LOL
The excerpts are pdf files. You need to click on them to be able to view them.
I am racing to finish the last revision so I can publish the entire book. Wish me luck!
Dave
June 25th, 2007 at 6:18 am
oh my!!
yay i found it lol
nice to see some other well known names giving you support (dave) nice name =)
btw i’m caroline or as you better know me, your faithful friend vammy =)
i’ve had a nosey and must say your doing a lovely job with this site, very informative.
i can’t wait till i can get reading the finished book, hmm question?? is it designed for the older readers only my 14 yr old loves fantasy/fiction he’s also very harry potter lol.
no doubt i’ll be back again to see what’s happening =)
love vam xxx
(caz)
June 25th, 2007 at 6:25 am
=( can’t you tell i’m a computer illiterate
i don’t know how to add smileys lol
lets see if this 1 works…
June 25th, 2007 at 11:49 pm
Hi Vammy,
So glad to see you here!
Umm, there are one or two passages in the book that are more suggestive. I have not decided what I am going to do about them. I would want a 15 year old to be able to read it, such as Billy or Adam - both above :), but I am not sure if I can recommend them to your 14 year old. Maybe you could read that chapter first and decide for yourself.
Thanks,
Dave
June 25th, 2007 at 11:52 pm
Regarding the above post - the more mature themes are not anything more involved that what you would expect from the previous White house administration - lol
With that being said, I think I prefer that administration to this one! lol
Concerning the book - I am still doing the final edit and it is being reviewed by my test audience.
I hope to get it copyright protected this week.
June 26th, 2007 at 5:03 am
that’s great dave and thx for your reply
i would read `A` book myself obviously before ever letting my children read them if i was unsure of it’s contents as i’m sure you already know books contain many suggestive comments at times.
thx for letting me know, i’ll just have to keep it in my room lol
July 4th, 2007 at 10:28 am
Follow your dreams, and no matter how frustrating and hard it gets, never give up. Just take your time, do your best, and do it right.
July 4th, 2007 at 11:25 pm
Hiya vamb and bree and black =] well just popped in to say hey again. Can’t wait to see your book published. =[ haven’t been able to talk to you much lately dave, or bree, or vamb lol. I’m sure I could read your book even if I might have trouble with some of the words lol. well later ill check for a reply later o.0
July 6th, 2007 at 11:12 am
Hi Billy,
Good to see ya! I am getting the book copyright protected today! Yay!!!
I still have not figured out what I am going to do about a publisher. I need to learn more about it first.
Talk to you soon
Dave
July 21st, 2007 at 10:02 pm
What a nice picture on that main page! Hubba hubba! She reminds me of my first love….Xena: warrior princess. As one author to another I say good luck, most people don’t understand how hard it is to be a creative genius.
July 22nd, 2007 at 7:37 pm
Lol Smokes
That’s me!! no only joking lol … i have dark hair
Ive just had another look around Dave and left you plenty of comments
I think the site looks great, it took me a while to read all the stories you and Smokes have written (very entertaining)
I absolutely love the front cover of your new book. It’s very attractive and inviting. I can’t wait till it’s on the shelves.
Hope to see you soon, take care
Love Caroline
July 30th, 2007 at 1:55 pm
Smokey,
The female is actually cats
July 30th, 2007 at 7:30 pm
lol cats
if that’s u and i’m like that but with dark hair
w00t we must be 2 gorgeous babes
August 12th, 2007 at 4:57 pm
Awesome site man. The book will be awesome! Good luck to you.
August 27th, 2007 at 6:56 am
Wow, this is a lot more developed than I remember!
Nice!
If you don’t know who this is, Bobahendrix will be ashamed of you,
and drive his shuttle into the hangar bay wall…
August 27th, 2007 at 12:32 pm
Thanks Man! It is nice to finally get some family to comment.
December 19th, 2007 at 9:58 pm
Very interesting. i searched my name and found this website. It confuses me a bit, because it is a little weak and I can’t tell if this person is legite. (sorry, I have a degree in computers and this webbsite seems a little weak for somebody who has so much apparent talent). Are the stories you write only published here? I would be interestes, since my hobbies are fantasy, swords and dragons.
December 20th, 2007 at 1:34 am
Read this earlier but had to come back and see how it was going. Hopefully publishing is a step closer! I looked into kids books and boy, more work than most people know to go from start up to finish and actually find an interested publishing firm!!
Good Luck my shared 2nd in Command!
February 2nd, 2008 at 7:42 pm
Hi Dave just popping by to see how ur getting on. We don’t seem to see each other much these days and always seem to be busy with other projects.
I hope ur beginning to feel better and that ur hard work on this book is paying off. I can’t wait till u post *it’s on the shelf* hehe
Hope to see u soon so we can talk more take care xxx
Nice to see u here too missingme
March 11th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Thanks Caroline!
I hope to be able to say it is on the shelf soon.
Until then, enjoy the draft.
March 27th, 2008 at 12:14 am
shear i cant wait to buy off shelf !!!!!!! great story an i hate to read lol
March 31st, 2008 at 10:49 pm
Thanks Dragonwar,
Maybe I can get you an advanced copy.
Shear
August 6th, 2008 at 9:16 pm
talk me through the dive when I get there