Den Warren's Blog - Posts Tagged "fantasy"
Superhero Fiction: Fantasy or Sci-Fi?
This is the burning question of all nerds who have nothing better to do than fret over geek minutia. The only people more geeky than those interested in such questions are those who take the time to compose answers to them.
The correct answer is. . . both. I'm not just saying this so I can sound like I am smarter than those who ask, or like some kind of Zen Master over fiction.
Here is my rationale. If you look at the origin of the superhero's powers, that gives you the answer. Thor is Fantasy, because he gets his powers from some sort of Nordic pagan deal with his hammer. Don't really remember, since I didn't like him that much. Hulk is Sci-Fi because it was drug induced.
Although I am a Christian and believe in things most people today would find incredible, religious or magic origin stories are not generally a good enough for me to suspend my disbelief. I prefer a good science lie.
The correct answer is. . . both. I'm not just saying this so I can sound like I am smarter than those who ask, or like some kind of Zen Master over fiction.
Here is my rationale. If you look at the origin of the superhero's powers, that gives you the answer. Thor is Fantasy, because he gets his powers from some sort of Nordic pagan deal with his hammer. Don't really remember, since I didn't like him that much. Hulk is Sci-Fi because it was drug induced.
Although I am a Christian and believe in things most people today would find incredible, religious or magic origin stories are not generally a good enough for me to suspend my disbelief. I prefer a good science lie.
The Making of A Vampire Novel
I thought I might share with some of the readers about what it was like writingCountess Irene Von Stroganoff without giving out any spoilers. But I hate when I look at the back of a book and they tell you half of the story, so I won't wreck it for you.
I kept having this vision of writing about a castle siege while working on another book. Finally, I suspended work on that other book, and started Countess Irene. Medieval Castle Sieges are very interesting, considering the nasty lengths that they would go to, trying to get at each other. I have previously studied this, and wanted to build a story around it.
So then I did some research on daily Eastern European-ish medieval life. But I did not want to just write historical fiction. Admittedly, that requires total immersion into research to do it properly. However, since I do have a good background in studying history, I do have a leg-up in writing the medieval setting thing.
I wanted the story to be more fantasy-tastic. I like writing super-battles. So what is cooler than vampires? They can be as powerful, as evil, and as funny as you want. I probably sacrifice sales because I write what I want to, not what the market dictates, but you gotta have some fun, right?
My style has always been reliant upon dialog and action versus setting description. This is because I believe my strength as a writer is in the dialog. My characters for the most part, have very distinct dialog that puts their motives and background on full display, thus making them unique.
My weakness is in building up the settings. If I thought it was that important though, I would correct it. I don't like reading excessively long settings or backstories. This slows down the novel to the point that the reader doesn't know if any tension or action is ever going to take place. When I am editing my writing, which I do up to six times per work, my drafts actually get longer each time rather than shorter. This is because I am adding things that will enhance the story, or are necessary to make it understood.
Also, with each succeeding book that I have written, I have relied more and more upon adding humor. I love writing humor. It entertains the reader who wants constant entertainment. If I had to write without it, I wouldn't write at all. I don't take myself too seriously, so it does come natural for me. But I am also learning how to add jokes to the story even when I am not in the "jokiest" of moods.
My stories are not all jokes, however. It is an important responsibility of a writer to include themes that are of benefit to the readership, and it gives the characters depth. We are what we eat, but we are also what we read. I don't want to be responsible for feeding my readers junk food that will sway them to make unfortunate decisions in their personal lives. You will always find my sincerest beliefs tucked into the opinions of characters. I owe that to my readers, is what I am trying to say.
Another consideration I had in writing Countess Irene, is that of strong women. I have always been around strong women, so that just comes natural to me. I like strong women in stories because they still are not expected to prevail, so that makes them an underdog in the eyes of many. I love it when the underdog wins in a big way.
Countess Irene Von Stroganoff, was both satisfying to write and a lot of work. I hope you will considering going to the Amazon page and taking a look at it.
I kept having this vision of writing about a castle siege while working on another book. Finally, I suspended work on that other book, and started Countess Irene. Medieval Castle Sieges are very interesting, considering the nasty lengths that they would go to, trying to get at each other. I have previously studied this, and wanted to build a story around it.
So then I did some research on daily Eastern European-ish medieval life. But I did not want to just write historical fiction. Admittedly, that requires total immersion into research to do it properly. However, since I do have a good background in studying history, I do have a leg-up in writing the medieval setting thing.
I wanted the story to be more fantasy-tastic. I like writing super-battles. So what is cooler than vampires? They can be as powerful, as evil, and as funny as you want. I probably sacrifice sales because I write what I want to, not what the market dictates, but you gotta have some fun, right?
My style has always been reliant upon dialog and action versus setting description. This is because I believe my strength as a writer is in the dialog. My characters for the most part, have very distinct dialog that puts their motives and background on full display, thus making them unique.
My weakness is in building up the settings. If I thought it was that important though, I would correct it. I don't like reading excessively long settings or backstories. This slows down the novel to the point that the reader doesn't know if any tension or action is ever going to take place. When I am editing my writing, which I do up to six times per work, my drafts actually get longer each time rather than shorter. This is because I am adding things that will enhance the story, or are necessary to make it understood.
Also, with each succeeding book that I have written, I have relied more and more upon adding humor. I love writing humor. It entertains the reader who wants constant entertainment. If I had to write without it, I wouldn't write at all. I don't take myself too seriously, so it does come natural for me. But I am also learning how to add jokes to the story even when I am not in the "jokiest" of moods.
My stories are not all jokes, however. It is an important responsibility of a writer to include themes that are of benefit to the readership, and it gives the characters depth. We are what we eat, but we are also what we read. I don't want to be responsible for feeding my readers junk food that will sway them to make unfortunate decisions in their personal lives. You will always find my sincerest beliefs tucked into the opinions of characters. I owe that to my readers, is what I am trying to say.
Another consideration I had in writing Countess Irene, is that of strong women. I have always been around strong women, so that just comes natural to me. I like strong women in stories because they still are not expected to prevail, so that makes them an underdog in the eyes of many. I love it when the underdog wins in a big way.
Countess Irene Von Stroganoff, was both satisfying to write and a lot of work. I hope you will considering going to the Amazon page and taking a look at it.
Characters in Stroganoff
In my new book, Countess Irene Von Stroganoff, the Eastern European-ish setting is a nod to Count Dracula, and also to Irene Iddlesby, intentional or not, one of the funniest books ever.
I hate it when you want are considering a book and they spoil it. So I will cleverly let you peek at some characters in the story without wrecking it for you.
Countess Irene is showing all of the signs of being a vampire.
Count Graf, her husband is concerned about the negative publicity of the Countess's vampirism, so tries to deny it. He is actively seeking allies to oppose Lord Cornfoot the Annoying.
Viscount Graffy is their son. He is a well-read young boy who helps bring some sense into the situation.
The Constable is charged with keeping the peace in an impossible situation.
Storm Mayhem is a vampire slayer. He wants everyone to know about his expertise.
Kyle is a fancy lad.
Jayne Doux is the Chambermaid who shows genuine concern to the Countess's situation.
Lord Cornfoot is determined to kill the Countess because of her being a vampire. He is actively seeking allies to help in this effort.
Be very afraid of: The Brothers Spagnolo, Heinrich Malankoff, Rayne Hellspawn, Foetus Interfector, and Doctor Saveli Zernebog. Just sayin'.
Throw in a mix of Vikings, Samurai, Vandals, and Gorovians, and you have plenty of diverse viewpoints to create enough tension to keep things lively throughout the story.
Check out my other blog about the writing of Countess Irene Von Stroganoff. Please consider getting a copy. You'll get a kick out of it.
I hate it when you want are considering a book and they spoil it. So I will cleverly let you peek at some characters in the story without wrecking it for you.
Countess Irene is showing all of the signs of being a vampire.
Count Graf, her husband is concerned about the negative publicity of the Countess's vampirism, so tries to deny it. He is actively seeking allies to oppose Lord Cornfoot the Annoying.
Viscount Graffy is their son. He is a well-read young boy who helps bring some sense into the situation.
The Constable is charged with keeping the peace in an impossible situation.
Storm Mayhem is a vampire slayer. He wants everyone to know about his expertise.
Kyle is a fancy lad.
Jayne Doux is the Chambermaid who shows genuine concern to the Countess's situation.
Lord Cornfoot is determined to kill the Countess because of her being a vampire. He is actively seeking allies to help in this effort.
Be very afraid of: The Brothers Spagnolo, Heinrich Malankoff, Rayne Hellspawn, Foetus Interfector, and Doctor Saveli Zernebog. Just sayin'.
Throw in a mix of Vikings, Samurai, Vandals, and Gorovians, and you have plenty of diverse viewpoints to create enough tension to keep things lively throughout the story.
Check out my other blog about the writing of Countess Irene Von Stroganoff. Please consider getting a copy. You'll get a kick out of it.
Not All Vampires Are Sexy
If you would look at Amazon's listing of vampire books, you'd think that those vile bloodsuckers all go around looking for love with their shirts off and have an amazing sixpack. *Really?* Am I the only one who knows that vampires are lurking about trying to find an unsuspecting doofus to bite into their vein and suck out their blood.
To most normal and sane people, intense pain while getting busy would not suggest a positive outcome. Serious hemorrhaging certainly would not enhance a romantic encounter. How many people in the throes of passion want to get bitten by someone who is chomping into their flesh? Okay, you probably do know some. . .
But think about it; what about their breath? Blood breath cannot be good, right? Those blood farts got to be nasty as hell too.
So anyway, check out my vampires. They are your normal work-a-day undead who like to kill. They have werewolf problems. They make bad decisions. They have feelings too, you know. But they are definitely not all suave and can make the opposite sex humans swoon even though they are being mortally wounded. Sheesh.
To most normal and sane people, intense pain while getting busy would not suggest a positive outcome. Serious hemorrhaging certainly would not enhance a romantic encounter. How many people in the throes of passion want to get bitten by someone who is chomping into their flesh? Okay, you probably do know some. . .
But think about it; what about their breath? Blood breath cannot be good, right? Those blood farts got to be nasty as hell too.
So anyway, check out my vampires. They are your normal work-a-day undead who like to kill. They have werewolf problems. They make bad decisions. They have feelings too, you know. But they are definitely not all suave and can make the opposite sex humans swoon even though they are being mortally wounded. Sheesh.
Science Fiction & Fantasy Collection
We indie authors write because we enjoy the process of creativity. There are a lot of us out there scribbling away, and there are also endless choices of entertainment for you, so when it comes to getting your eyeballs on our pages, it is highly competitive.
I believe in the age of TV, my fast-moving, action-packed storylines suit today's reader, and my stories stack up well against any others in entertainment value. In fact, some of my stories resemble a modern sitcom, but without all of the commercials. So, I hope you will consider taking a look at my stuff.
I just released my Science Fiction & Fantasy Collection. This anthology of speculative fiction has six stories in it. It weighs in at 550 pages, so there is plenty for you to get lost in.
I'd like to tell you about the stories without giving too much away.
Countess Irene Von Stroganoff: This is a full length comedic novel is set in medieval days. The Countess is accused of being a vampire. Is there enough evidence to convict?
Cowboys vs. Subterrans: Back in the old west, there is an old legend that tells of mysterious people.
Action Guys: They don't make the best choices, and they end up getting involved in a web of espionage between two highly competitive factions.
Space Pearl: A space shuttle for a mining company has to call for a repair ship. A strange anomaly is discovered.
The Culling: An entire group of defective clones must be culled out in a society increasingly dependent upon them.
The e-book on Kindle is bargain-priced at only $3.99, with the hope that you will give my writing a try. You are sure to find something in it that you will really like.
At some point in the near future, I am also looking to compile a collection of my superhero stores.
I believe in the age of TV, my fast-moving, action-packed storylines suit today's reader, and my stories stack up well against any others in entertainment value. In fact, some of my stories resemble a modern sitcom, but without all of the commercials. So, I hope you will consider taking a look at my stuff.
I just released my Science Fiction & Fantasy Collection. This anthology of speculative fiction has six stories in it. It weighs in at 550 pages, so there is plenty for you to get lost in.
I'd like to tell you about the stories without giving too much away.
Countess Irene Von Stroganoff: This is a full length comedic novel is set in medieval days. The Countess is accused of being a vampire. Is there enough evidence to convict?
Cowboys vs. Subterrans: Back in the old west, there is an old legend that tells of mysterious people.
Action Guys: They don't make the best choices, and they end up getting involved in a web of espionage between two highly competitive factions.
Space Pearl: A space shuttle for a mining company has to call for a repair ship. A strange anomaly is discovered.
The Culling: An entire group of defective clones must be culled out in a society increasingly dependent upon them.
The e-book on Kindle is bargain-priced at only $3.99, with the hope that you will give my writing a try. You are sure to find something in it that you will really like.
At some point in the near future, I am also looking to compile a collection of my superhero stores.
My Indie Book Specifications
I write books and articles that I would want to read.
As a reader, when I read fiction, in order for me to finish it, I want it to be fast-moving stories that hold my interest.
Lots of action is a vital component. When the scenes are being built, I like it when there is some humor to keep me entertained through the slow spots. I like the story to have high stakes; for me I want the stakes to be life and death, not really about whether they break up or get married.
I also prefer my stories to be written from a Christian worldview. But I have no use for namby-pamby wimp characters who are "nice" under all circumstances, and never do anything wrong. I want the stories to have a theme that leaves you thinking about how things are done, or even learn something. I'm not talking about any more liberal sensitivities, but an affirmation of some real-world wisdom or take me to a world I never knew about.
If you know of such a book that has all of the above, I would like to know of it.
Anyway, that is what I want to read, so that is what I write. I have written in dystopian, fantasy, sci-fi, and superhero genres. If you like the same things, I suggest you give my work a look.
Kings and Clans Trilogy
Fantasy Quest: Vampire Hack
Metahuman Wars
As a reader, when I read fiction, in order for me to finish it, I want it to be fast-moving stories that hold my interest.
Lots of action is a vital component. When the scenes are being built, I like it when there is some humor to keep me entertained through the slow spots. I like the story to have high stakes; for me I want the stakes to be life and death, not really about whether they break up or get married.
I also prefer my stories to be written from a Christian worldview. But I have no use for namby-pamby wimp characters who are "nice" under all circumstances, and never do anything wrong. I want the stories to have a theme that leaves you thinking about how things are done, or even learn something. I'm not talking about any more liberal sensitivities, but an affirmation of some real-world wisdom or take me to a world I never knew about.
If you know of such a book that has all of the above, I would like to know of it.
Anyway, that is what I want to read, so that is what I write. I have written in dystopian, fantasy, sci-fi, and superhero genres. If you like the same things, I suggest you give my work a look.
Kings and Clans Trilogy
Fantasy Quest: Vampire Hack
Metahuman Wars
Christian Authors and Readers: How "Christian" Are Your Books?
Modern pop culture has an immense influence upon people’s lives because they spend so much time immersing themselves in it. But what about the content of this immersion? Does it bring people closer to God, or just occupy their attention?
Christian fiction is a small segment of today’s popular culture. What is the goal of it? Is it to entertain and edify Christians? Is it to subtly nudge people into considering giving more of their lives to God? Probably yes to both, but perhaps a greater goal should be considered.
What about the purpose of Christian fiction to leading people to Christ? Shouldn’t that be a primary objective? We writers are told in every book about writing fiction that we should never preach in our writing. Why not? It is true that many will be turned off by preachy fiction, but what if some readers are not? Are we Christian authors willing to risk a writing career to help bring a needy soul to Christ?
If you write Christian fantasy, is the Christian theme of your story so buried in allegory that Christ cannot be seen without someone writing anther book about it? Will your stories make the reader want to read the Bible, or play Dungeons and Dragons? Will your stories make the reader remember your name, or the name of Jesus?
If you write Christian romance, is the goal or the protagonist to fall in love with the man, or with Jesus? Is there a basis for the claim that your romance novel is Christian?
Christian characters should be a lot more than just nice. So many already have the wrong idea that Christians are to just be nice and never say anything disagreeable. Just because a book does not have vulgarity does not make it Christian. Nice is not the same as good. Read more about this here for free.
Like most men, I wouldn’t read much Christian romance. But here are a couple of Christian cyberpunk books that you can trust to be thought provoking to someone pondering spiritual matters and presented with the Christian option. The Lucid Series: Android Uprising and The Last Christian. Both of these would make a thoughtful gift.
Christian fiction is a small segment of today’s popular culture. What is the goal of it? Is it to entertain and edify Christians? Is it to subtly nudge people into considering giving more of their lives to God? Probably yes to both, but perhaps a greater goal should be considered.
What about the purpose of Christian fiction to leading people to Christ? Shouldn’t that be a primary objective? We writers are told in every book about writing fiction that we should never preach in our writing. Why not? It is true that many will be turned off by preachy fiction, but what if some readers are not? Are we Christian authors willing to risk a writing career to help bring a needy soul to Christ?
If you write Christian fantasy, is the Christian theme of your story so buried in allegory that Christ cannot be seen without someone writing anther book about it? Will your stories make the reader want to read the Bible, or play Dungeons and Dragons? Will your stories make the reader remember your name, or the name of Jesus?
If you write Christian romance, is the goal or the protagonist to fall in love with the man, or with Jesus? Is there a basis for the claim that your romance novel is Christian?
Christian characters should be a lot more than just nice. So many already have the wrong idea that Christians are to just be nice and never say anything disagreeable. Just because a book does not have vulgarity does not make it Christian. Nice is not the same as good. Read more about this here for free.
Like most men, I wouldn’t read much Christian romance. But here are a couple of Christian cyberpunk books that you can trust to be thought provoking to someone pondering spiritual matters and presented with the Christian option. The Lucid Series: Android Uprising and The Last Christian. Both of these would make a thoughtful gift.
