Thursday, March 21, 2013

The Big Reveal

The Big Reveal: Tell us your Theme for 2013 hosted by Mina and David is here!

My reveal: Fencing and Swordplay Terminology. If you want to know about Attacks and Assaults (not the criminal type), Bouts, Epees, Foils, Sabres, and what it means to Disengage, this is the place to visit during A to Z.

Why: Because I felt like reliving some nostalgic memories of my fencing days in college, including a bit of time I spent at coaches camps for the USFA. I used to be a certified beginning level fencing coach for sabre, and a beginning and level 1 certified coach for foil. Of course, they've changed the training since then (it's been like, well, 17 years or so). Plus, I just love a good sword-fight scene, and might mention a few of those. (Z is for Zorro after all)

One disclaimer: most of my knowledge is based on USFA and Olympic Fencing techniques which are not the same as double-handed broadsword or SCA rapier style fencing techniques. If you have knowledge of those, please feel free to stop by during the challenge and lend some expertise in those areas in the comments, or shoot me an e-mail pre-challenge. I'm always interested in learning more about swords :).

So, are you interested in sword-fighting? And Do you have a theme for A to Z?

27 comments:

Jamie Dement (LadyJai) said...

Good luck! This sounds so awesome! I've always thought fencing was elegant! But never got into actually doing it!

Good luck. This is my first year with the A to Z challenge, even though I've watched it grow over the last 3 years. I'm also taking part in the Reveal. I'm trying to share some positivity with my #WriteMotivation friends on Twitter (and to help keep me positive in the process)
Hope to see you around :)

Jamie Dement (LadyJai)
http://writebackwards.we3dements.com

Anonymous said...

Fencing...very interesting choice!

Unknown said...

Interesting! Love to watch never give too much tought to the technique though I know it's hard word and requires practice.

Luanne G. Smith said...

Ooh, looking forward to it. My MC uses a longblade to fight, so I'll be happy to learn what I can from you. :))

Dani said...

Ooooo I'm super stoked about this!! I'll be taking notes!

Laurel Garver said...

Pretty cool. Hope you have a fun April, talking blades!

Brinda said...

I am in love with your theme. Now I'm rethinking mine.:(

Dani and Jax said...

Great theme! Cool things to learn!

mshatch said...

Ooh, this sounds like an interesting subject! I'm looking forward to visiting :)

Tyrean Martinson said...

Jamie - Thanks! Joining the challenge is exciting! I hope we can visit each other during April!

MJ - Thanks!

Adriana - It's fun, and requires practice, but it's really worth the time.

LG - cool! Your MC sounds awesome!

Dani - Thanks! I hope I can give a little info . . . but my posts are going to pretty short too, trying to be mindful of everyone's time.

Laurel - Thanks! I hope so too!

Brinda - Wow! Thanks! and Don't rethink yours - I'm sure it will be great! :)

Dani - Thanks!

Marcy - Thank you! I'm looking forward to visiting you too. :)

Robin said...

Wow! this sounds really interesting. I tried to write a fantasy short story with a bunch of sword play, but it sounds so fake. I could have used your A to Z knowledge. Looking forward to this one:D Good luck!

Pat Hatt said...

Sword fighting does sound like fun to give a run. But no theme for me, I'm far to crazy.

Jeremy [Retro] said...

bring on the sword play... i am ready!

Jeremy [Retro] #66
AtoZ Challenge Co-Host
Oh No, Let's Go... Crazy

Barbara Watson said...

Looking forward to it!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I didn't know you were a fencer!
I'm revealing my theme the Friday before the Challenge.

Natalie Aguirre said...

Sounds great. I may be able to use some of what I learn in a novel someday.

Sorry, I'm not doing the A-Z challenge. It doesn't work with our blog.

Al Diaz said...

Wow! Wow! and more Wow! How cool is that? Fencing is one of the activities I always wanted to learn. It is definitively more elegant than just blast someone with a fireball. I want to know everything about it. :)

David Macaulay said...

wow that's a really specialized one Tyrean - good luck with that..

Julie Flanders said...

I think this may be the most original theme I've heard about yet. Interesting! I know absolutely nothing about the topic so I am looking forward to following along and learning. Fun that it will be nostalgic for you too. :)

M Pax said...

OK, that's a really interesting theme. I may use swords in an upcoming story, so will check in on what you have to say :)

Michelle said...

I don't know a single thing about fencing. It looks like an interesting sport...

Nagzilla said...

Cool theme. I took a fencing class at French camp in high school, but that's about it. Still, sword play fascinates me. I look forward to reading more.

Hi from Nagzilla bloghopping A to Z

Ella said...

I want to learn...this is so cool!
I always wanted to try fencing :D
I look forward to your posts~

Allison said...

Ooooh, I can see how your posts could be useful for fantasy writings!! Looking forward to it.

Allison (Geek Banter)

Mina Lobo said...

MAJORLY COOL THEME!!! And potentially very helpful to all the writers (comme moi) participating in A to Z!

Mark Means said...

I've always wanted to give fencing a shot...I opted for tennis, though.

Can't wait to read your A to Z posts, though...sounds great :)

Printed Portal said...

sounds interesting. I have been thinking of starting fencing up again (I only did it for about 6 months initially). Will look forward to visiting your blog during the challenge.