Michael Davies's Blog, page 5

5 Tips for writing YA

Writing primarily for young adults means you need to know your audience, and writing for young adults in 2015 is very different to writing for young adults in the year 2000. This is because our culture has developed and evolved in ways that are much more visual and engaging than 15 years ago. Here are 5 steps that specifically apply to the YA audience.

Tip 1 | Pacing

Keep the action moving. In classic fantasy writing the author can take his time producing long drawn out descriptions that continue for pages upon pages. Young adults don’t like this. You will lose them and they will put the book down. This isn’t to say that some won’t conform to this rule, but you’re not writing for some. You’re writing to connect with as many people as possible right?

Tip 2 | Characters

Young adults don’t always think things through and they will connect with characters that sometimes make rash decisions. At the beginning of the World of Pangea the protagonist Idris makes a rash decision. It’s a typical teenager decision based on naivety and hope. That’s okay. Have you ever stopped to ask a teenager why they did something dumb? You already know the response you will receive don’t you!

Tip 3 | Emotion

Young adults are much more emotionally driven than other audiences. This ties in with the rash decision-making. 50 years ago fact and science drove the decision-making process, today teenagers want to connect emotionally and think emotionally. They will understand a character that does the same.

Tip 4 | Art

This is about the cover art. A new book needs cover art that connects with the YA audience. If you can’t find a good artist then you’re better off sticking to a title only on a plain colored background. Why? Because there are so many visual things out there that a young adult will spot a poor artist a mile away and want nothing to do with it.

Tip 5 | Beta Readers

Make sure some of your beta readers are teenagers. It will be a teenager that reveals to you some of the problems with the novel. Some adults have reviewed my novel and felt like the description was a little week, absolutely no teenager that has read it has given me this feedback. Some adults think that Idris acts without thinking it through, the feedback from teenage readers is that he’s ‘relatable’ and they love ‘connecting with him.’ One more example is an adult reader who told me they felt there was too much action in the novel, while teenagers told me they loved that it never slowed down and went from one thing to another.

Know your audience, the faster the culture of society changes and develops, the wider the gap between teenage perception and adult perception will become.

What Can Fantasy Teach Me About Reality?

mdingrimsby1:

A great blog explaining what Fantasy can teach us about reality.

Originally posted on Jeff Coleman Writes:

Who doesn’t enjoy a good story?

Fiction is an indispensable part of the human experience. Without it, the world would be a cold and dreary place. Imagination is essential for one’s sanity and happiness. But we always go into fiction with the understanding that what we’re experiencing isn’t real. Though we choose to suspend disbelief, there’s always that part of our brain that maintains the distinction between reality and fantasy. A vast unbridgeable chasm exists between the two. One is real. The other is not.

You might reasonably ask yourself, “what can fantasy teach me about reality?” The answer, of course, is, “quite a lot!”

Fantasy teaches us about real people.

Though names and circumstances are spun from the threads of dreams and fancy, the underlying nature of the characters and the ways in which they behave are based on real people. An author, in the process of forging his…

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Author Interview – Ciara Ballintyne

This weeks interview is with author Ciara Ballintyne. I’m excited about this because I’ve been trying to interview Ciara for a while. So, welcome to the blog!

Would you mind telling us something about yourself to introduce yourself to my readers?

Ciara: I’m a lawyer who writes epic fantasy. A lot of people think that’s an odd combination, but it’s actually not. I would really like the Iron Throne for my desk chair – imagine arriving to meet your lawyer, and she’s sitting in that?  Sadly, all I actually have is dragon book-ends holding my lawbooks.

Michael: My sister’s a lawyer and I can totally see her writing epic fantasy as well. She’d love those book-ends.

What is your latest novel? Can you summarize it without giving away any plot twists?

Ciara: Stalking the Demon is my latest release, a short fantasy novel. Our hero, Alloran, is a disgraced wizard who thought that banishing the demon was a good idea – only in hindsight that might not be true…. Now he has to fix what he broke, while the woman he loves falls closer to the threshold of death in the grip of a mysterious illness, and the most powerful wizard in the land believes that he is working for the enemy rather than against him. To save the world, and everyone he loves, Alloran risks everything that he is.

Michael: That sounds dark, gritty and intriguing. And the cover, as my readers can see, is gorgeous. Great job with that.

What made you decide to write?

Ciara: I was eleven. I was writing a short story, fanfiction really, and thought ‘Hey, I can do this.’ So I did. Later I realised that pinning one’s hopes on a lucrative writing contract is on par with expecting to win the lottery, so I studied law. Now I write because I don’t know how to stop.

Michael: I think that should be my new promotion tag line. “I write because I don’t know how to stop.”

Ciara, If you look at the writing and publishing process, what was most difficult part for you? 

Ciara: Marketing is the most difficult. I am seriously time-strapped. I have the time to do the marketing, but I don’t have the time for the try, fail, rinse, repeat approach to marketing which is how most of us find out what works these days.

Michael: Yes, I can definitely relate to that. I always say I have to look at writing as more than a hobby, it’s a job, but with a 7 month old, a marriage and full time job already, it’s tough.

Now, what about the most exciting?

Ciara: The most exciting part is the first draft. Even though all first drafts are rubbish, and the really excellent writing doesn’t happen until later, the first draft is where the magic happens. Writing a first draft is kind of like riding an out-of-control train – you race along at breakneck speed, not caring how many walls you knock down or people get squished, so long as you get to the end. Then you look back and realise you have to clean up that mess…. And that’s why revisions are not fun or exciting although I do find them very satisfying.

Michael: Yes, I’ve heard some people like the revisions, and some hate them. As you say though, almost everyone finds a certain amount of satisfaction from completing them.

If you think about all the characters you’ve ever created, do you have a favourite and why?

Ciara: Once I would have immediately said yes. Now I have to think about this… Alloran, from Stalking the Demon, is complicated, and I like him for that – someone described him as a thinking man’s wizard. But for all that, he’s not my favourite. I am very fond of Kain and Astarl from my as yet unpublished Deathhawk Trilogy – they are such broken people desperately trying to find a way to mend themselves even as the world crumbles around them. They are such stewpots of conflict, I guess I love them as a writer. I probably wouldn’t want to have dinner with them. Ellaeva, from my current WIP, In the Company of the Dead, is probably the most like me, and so that makes me like her a lot. I could have a good dinner debate with her, and walk away content – and alive!

Michael: A great answer. I love that there are so many aspects to consider.

What’s one of the favourite novels you’ve read? What made it such a good read?

Ciara: The Wheel of Time has been a favourite since 1992. Robert Jordan’s story is just on such a grand scale that I quail to think of matching it. Part of my love for it is sentimentality, as reading it was a 20 year journey I shared with Dad, but I do simply love the characters and their story. It is the definitive epic fantasy, and every time I read it I find another clue in the early books that I missed the previous times I read them. I was sad when I finished the fourteenth and last book this year, knowing there will be no more. More recently, I adore Patrick Rohfuss’s Kingkiller Chronicles for the prose. Just listening to the opening prologue (I have the audiobook), where he talks about the sound of three silences, gives me chills. It was the patient cut-flower sound of a man who is waiting to die. God, don’t you just wish you’d written that? I know I do!

Michael: It’s definitely up there with close to perfect sentences. I haven’t read those chronicles yet, so I may have to add that to the list. The list is getting quite long.

Now, most importantly to me for this interview, where can people find your novel?

Ciara: It’s on Amazon, in ebook and paperback, B&N, Kobo, and iBooks. Links to all the outlets can be found on my website http://ciaraballintyne.com/books/stalking-the-demon/

And how can people contact you if they want to? Are you on social media?

Website – http://ciaraballintyne.com

Twitter – @CiaraBallintyne

Facebook – http://facebook.com/CiaraBallintyne

My final question is always the same. I ask authors for their writing tips, so that if we have any aspiring authors reading they can learn and improve their own craft. What tip would you like to share?

Ciara: Oh wow, just one? I am known on Twitter for tweeting a series of #writetips – I have hundreds! But if I had to choose just one I would say ‘Goal Motivation Conflict’. This is the foundation of a good story. What does our protagonist and antagonist want? Why do they want it? And what’s stopping them getting it? In fact, they should probably have multiple GMCs, and most secondary characters will have a GMC as well. The main character of every sub-plot absolutely needs one. These are the building blocks of believable stories and characters.  

Michael: I just want to say here, Ciara’s tips are great. She inspired me to write my own series of blogs on them and I’ve learned alot from reading the tweets she sends out. So if you’re on twitter, go follow @CiaraBallintyne you won’t be sorry that you did.

Ciara, thanks for taking the time to answer these questions, maybe when this new series is released we can have you do another appearance. To my readers, remember to check out her social media.

Creating good pacing.

Have you ever read part of a novel and thought to yourself, “It just sounds boring?” If you’re a writer then the chances are you answer this question with a yes. Sometimes the entire story arc struggles. Exciting moments don’t read that exciting, and instead of finishing a chapter wanting to start reading the next, you finish a chapter and wonder if you will ever pick up the book again.

To some, pacing is an intangible that is difficult to spot. You just know it when you see it. This is a lie. Good pacing is made up of carefully crafted sentences, carefully positioned words, and carefully constructed plot.

If you wish to create a long, slow, lazy feeling of someone resting in the beautiful sunlight with their head back while light clouds float in the deep blue sky above, then as a rule you lengthen your sentences and use none threatening words.

Creating tension filled sentences is easier. Keep them short. Sharp. What will happen next? Every word matters. Repetition is your friend. Repetition builds expectation. Repetition instills urgency.

Run. Faster. Just reach the hill. There. The searchlight. Did they see me? No. Keep moving. Careful, careful. Run. Nearly there. Dive, roll, breathe. Made it.

It’s a far cry from sunbathing and relaxation. Tension isn’t easy to keep. Just like watching a scene in a movie, it should be interspersed with moments of rest that are broken suddenly. A reader gets tired of one word sentences and constant movement. They need time to catch up. We all do.

How you start and finish your chapters is crucial. In the middle of an adventure finishing a chapter on a cliff hanger is perfect. It forces the reader to want to know more and turn the page. In this instance it’s the page turning that builds pacing. Things appear to be taking place over a shorter time span as the reading increases in speed.

Finally, provoke questions. When your mind is engaged with something you don’t notice the time. A reader who is asking questions can become immersed in the story, and time in the real world goes by unnoticed. Engage them. The best piece of description is useless if it isn’t engaging. The best planned story is pointless if it isn’t involving.

So get out there and write. Be a wordsmith, but remember your sentence structure, remember to engage and remember to keep them turning the page.

Author Interview: June Kramin

It’s a Friday blog. That means another interview. Today I invite author June Kramin to the hot seat.

June, thank you for your time, why don’t you start by telling us a little about yourself and your writing.

Thanks for having me! Ann T Bugg is a pen name I’ve created from a nickname. With the name June, it went straight to June-Bug at a young age. As my friends had kids, I became Auntie Bug. It just seemed fitting to use a variation of that. I write women’s fiction under my real name and I didn’t want any confusion between the genres.

My series is a middle grade (ages 8-12) fantasy titled Before Happily Ever After. Currently there are 8 books. They are familiar fairy tales & folklore retold with twists from my two main characters, Valerie and Samantha. Here’s the blurb for Book #1: Through the Mirror and Into Snow:

When best friends Valerie and Samantha discover a magic mirror in Val’s 100-year-old barn in southern Minnesota, they eagerly go through it. Immediately they run into the young Snow White, who has just escaped the huntsman. The girls vow to help her find her father, knowing the dangers that await. On their journey, the fun-loving double-trouble duo quickly discovers they are caught up in the middle of their favorite fairy tales.

Having the knowledge of the stories as their only weapon, Val and Sam help two other princesses, make a surprising friend and discover they have a fairy godmother of their very own.

~*~*~*~

It’s currently free at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, & Smashwords. (Let me know if you want links)

Well, what is your favourite thing about this novel?

June: Most definitely my two main characters. Valerie and Samantha are very close to the real girls – my daughter and her best friend. (I didn’t even change names to protect the guilty ;) ) It wasn’t much of a stretch to come up with their antics. The girls are as opposite as they come – they were a great inspiration. I was grateful to have written these stories and have the memories they trigger as I re-read and edit them. My daughter is also my cover artist. That made these even more special to me. She did book #1 when she was just 14. No one believed someone that age created that cover. Things got even better from there.

Michael: That’s pretty inspirational. And great job by your daughter. Something that special is very unique.

What inspired you to write in the fantasy genre when there are so many others to choose from?

June: My daughter and I are very big into everything fairy tale and fairy tales re-told. I still surround myself with princess things. (My watch, keychains, blanket…and I pretty much decorate with toys) Book #1 took shape because of us actually finding a mirror in our old barn. The story that unfolded when I sat down just happened without me plotting it out. It’s a sweet start to their tales and a lot of fans favorite. Personally I love #2 & on when they really start digging in and have to solve riddles and such to complete an appointed task. It is how I see these girls. Valerie would be all too eager to hop on the back of a Griffon, and I’d put money on Samantha taking on a troll if one ever crossed her path. LOL

Michael: I don’t know Samantha, but I am now imaging this girl standing toe to toe with a troll. Thank you.

June, on a slightly different note, what’s one thing about writing that you’ve learned about by writing these novels?

June: It’s really hard to say any “one” thing. It seems like it is a never-ending learning process. I’ve dealt with three different publishers and have picked up many tips and rules along the way. For this series, I love the fantasy aspect. You can take your ideas and pretty much make your world anyway you want it. You want your gryphon to talk, go ahead. You want to meet George Washington and have an Egyptian mummy come to life in the same day? Bam! I’ve always said I use the “pantsing” method of writing (which is essentially no method at all. LOL) I don’t outline, I just let the characters bully me. It’s a whole new ballgame with the fantasy genre.

Michael: I have a friend of mine who does the same. I tend to start that way but quickly begin plotting out details after the first few chapters. I have nothing but respect for those of you who like to do it so raw.

Have you discovered anything about yourself by writing?

The best thing for me was discovering that I was finally the writer my teachers all through school told me that I would become. I always felt that I danced to the beat of my own drum. When I met other writers, it was like a lightbulb went off. “Oh! It’s a writer thing! We’re weird!”

Michael: Great stuff! I love true stories like that.

As you look at other novels and authors out there, which would you say most closely resemble yours?

June: I honestly haven’t read any books that are like my series. Other than three NYT authors, all I read are my friends’ books. The few fellow MG books I’ve read don’t tap into the Grimm/Disney stories.  If you are a fan of Once Upon a Time or have seen the old Tenth Kingdom mini-series, they are like that. Fairy tales & folklore re-told with their own twists. The friendship that Valerie & Samantha and their fun attitudes that they bring to the stories keep these pretty unique in that aspect. I always tease friends when I spend time with their kids. “Two weeks at summer camp or an hour with Auntie Bug, same thing.” If I have something new and irritating to share, they’ll learn it. ;) I’m sure there are parents out there that want to smack me for their kids walking around quoting Val & Sam: “Loser, loser, double loser….”and other things like that in the books. LOL

Michael: Honestly, that sounds hilarious and irritating at the same time. I think you’re right though, most fantasy these days do not touch traditional fairy tale unless it’s the movies and television.

I have one last question for you. I always ask for a writing tip from the authors I interview. What one tip about writing or publishing can you provide my readers?

June: I always tease with “Don’t do it!” ;) Writing is the fun part – everything that comes after “The End” is the tough part. Getting published was the toughest thing I’ve ever done (and I had a baby in a car in a snowstorm if you want a comparison) You really need to do your homework in finding the best home for your work. Don’t give in too easily or “settle”. You put your heart & soul into it for maybe years – don’t be in a hurry to release it into the world. Be stubborn – don’t give up. If it’s your dream, go for it. But you need to do it with thick skin. Not everyone will like your work & you need to know this from the beginning. Do it because you love it – that has to be enough. I know that’s more than one but even more importantly, hire an editor and have a lot of sets of eyeballs on it. You will not see it all – I don’t care how many As you got in school. I’ve been asked the same questions many times. I’ve created a “tips” page on my women’s fiction website so I could refer them there first. I’m always happy to share anything I’ve learned along the way. I love fan e-mail.

Michael: Tougher than giving birth in a car in a snowstorm. That’s quite a statement June. I love it! I’m providing several links for those who want to contact June or learn from her own writing. Please do check out her tips page. This interview focussed on fantasy because that’s what I write and that’s what this blog is about, but for those interested in women’s fiction I’ve also provided a link to June’s work.

Now June, thank you very much for your time and maybe we can have you back again in the future.

Links

June’s link: http://www.junekramin.com/tips

Before Happily Ever After website: http://www.beforehappilyeverafter.com/

Women’s Fiction website:http://www.junekramin

Facebook fan page for MG: https://www.facebook.com/AnnTBugg

Facebook fan page for women’s fiction: https://www.facebook.com/JuneKramin

Fantasy Genre Happenings & Recent Interviews

mdingrimsby1:

Good update on the Fantasy genre, plus I’m listed in the interview section :)

Originally posted on Archer's Aim:

Ryan Doughan was recently interviewed in Fantasy Authors Unplugged

Probably the biggest news of the last week involving the fantasy genre was that passed away. If you haven’t read his bio it’s quite a list of accomplishments in a lifetime spanning 93 years.

The latest book by Terry Brooks, The Defenders of Shannara: The Darkling Child, came out on 6/9. I’ll read it soon and hand out my review but I do like the cover. Also, the Shannara TV series is set to premiere soon (listed as July on IMDB) and includes John Rhys-Davies in the cast. For those interested fans, Allanon is played by Manu Bennett.

As noted in last week’s review post, an unpublished story by J. R. R. Tolkien was bought by – and will presumably be published soon – by HarperCollins. It’s good to see that the scion of the fantasy genre…

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Creating good description in fiction.

Are you trying to immerse your reader in a scene that currently just seems so bland? Here’s a few tips on using description.

Matthew killed Michael.

That’s the basic scene you’re trying to describe. Let me first begin by saying that simple is often best. Having said that, if your novel is filled with three word sentences like this, you don’t have a story, you have a list of facts.  So how do we improve it? We add description but keep it simple and relevant.

The sense of sight.

Most people understand that you need to describe the physical setting. So let’s make some changes to the above sentence.

As the sun set on the horizon, behind the lonely mountain range, Matthew killed Michael. 

This is better, but is it relevant? It certainly evokes a sense of solitude, but you don’t need the word horizon, the sun always set’s on the horizon, so give your readers a little credit.

As the sun set behind the lonely mountain range, Matthew killed Michael.

This is much better. It evokes a sense of solitude without using needless words. The sentence is less clunky, more simple and more fluid by this simple change. A good many writers finish there. There are, however, 5 senses. Sight is just one of them.

The sense of sound.

As the sun set behind the lonely mountain range, Matthew heard the keen cry of Michael’s dying breath. He had killed him. 

Better. Yes? Now you wonder, what did that cry do to Matthew? Well, that’s not relevant for now, but later in the book you can reference this as a turning point for the character with some simple tricks.

Matthew awoke with the cry of Michael still ringing in his ears.

The action had an unintended effect on the character.

Back to description!

The sense of touch.

Touch is a very evocative sense. Think about an artist painting, or sex. What about typing or the little acts we take for granted such as buttoning up a shirt. All rely on touch. Touch will make a very satisfying addition to this quickly evolving scene.

As the sun set behind the lonely mountain range, Matthew heard the keen cry of Michael’s dying breath. He felt the man’s body shudder as he pulled the knife roughly back out of him.  He was dead.

The sense of smell.

Smell is under rated. Think about the effect of perfume, or that scent that appears after the first rain fall of the summer. What about those times you walk in the house, and someones cooking? Are there pleasant memories summoned to your mind because of it? So let’s add some smell to this scene.

As the sun set behind the lonely mountain range, Matthew heard the keen cry of Michael’s dying breath. He felt the man’s body shudder as he pulled the knife roughly back out of him. He smelled the scent of blood. He had killed him. 

The sense of taste.

I think most people instinctively understand the power of taste. We all have a favourite food or drink. Still, I’m surprised by how many struggle to put it into their writing. What can taste add to this scene?

As the sun set behind the lonely mountain range, Matthew heard the keen cry of Michael’s dying breath. He felt the man’s body shudder as he pulled the knife roughly back out of him. He smelled the scent of blood. He tasted the pungent metallic aroma of death. What had he done? 

I even added a twist at the end.

In Summary.

Not everything you write needs a four line descriptive piece. Just remember, you are telling a story. You do need to involve the reader in the emotions and decision making of that scene and the characters. Description needs to be balanced against the pace of the novel. You will notice, that the sentences became shorter the longer that description went on. This adds to pacing. We’ll talk more about pacing in another blog.

What was my hope in the other paragraph? It was to help you identify with Matthew’s loneliness, the horror of his act, and the instant regret of his conscience. Did I succeed? You decide.

Creating a good character

Have you ever wondered if your protagonist is strong enough? Flawed enough? Relatable enough? What about the supporting cast? Creating strong characters for your novel are a crucial part of its success.

In creating Idris I had to make him personable, likable and flawed. Much of the novel is told from his first person perspective and readers don’t like to be stuck in the head of someone obnoxious or someone aloof. From the first page they needed to know what type of boy he is. His voice needed to be strong, but he still needed to be a boy.

I crafted a back story. What kind of people is he a part of? What are some adventures he undertook as a child? How does he interact with his family? What are his likes and dislikes? The novel that people read, is not where the story begins. The story begins when he was born, it’s just that most people aren’t interested in that. You, as the author, need to be interested in the whole life of your protagonist. If you’re not, no one will be interested in the part you’re trying to pen!

You can read about many of the supporting characters from my novel “The World of Pangea: Path of the Warrior” over at the World Of Pangea’s website. 

Just for you though, here’s a taste of Idris.

Idris

Idris is a young man of the Silures Demetae tribe who, by the end of the book, is a trained and skilled warrior. He strives to always honor his tribe’s traditions and has strong convictions about honor and duty. The Silures are a migratory tribal society that regards the world around them with respect. He is a natural leader, and is loved because of his selfless actions and sacrifice. His affection for those dear to him is clear, especially in the way he loves his sister, Mari. He does tend to be impulsive and overestimate himself, as is shown when he tries to take down the huge Behemoth alone.

Quote From Idris

“When I was young, perhaps three summers old,” said Idris, “I remember looking up at Noiro’s stars, as my father and mother pointed out his belt. We talked about his oath to protect his people. Even then I thought, that’s what I want to do. I want to protect people.”

The History Of Fantasy: Part 3 – The Aos Si

Ever wondered where the idea of Elves originated?

Modern fantasy draws from a plethora of influences. We’ve examined the Greek, but what about the celtic and Irish? They are not the only cultures from which we derive modern elves, but as you will see, they are a source of inspiration.

The Irish have a history of what they call the Aos Si, or the Fae folk. Who are they? Across ancient Ireland and the land of the celts were littered something called cairns. These are piles of stones often associated with burial grounds and with the fae. Some believed the fae were immortal beings, almost angelic in nature. To others they were tribes of people connected to the gods. Those who believed this referred to them as the Tuatha De Danann – literally meaning “People of the goddess Danu.” They were a race of gods who were the original inhabitants of the islands of the west, masters of magic and immortal in their life span. Many of these immortal beings were often portrayed as mischievous, as in the case of Shakespeare, or as aloof and above the affairs of mortal man. At the very least they were not to be trifled with. They were to be respected from a distance or avoided altogether depending on your belief.

Where did they come from? That also depends. One belief was they were from beyond the western sea. Sound familiar? A dash of Tolkien anyone?

“A! Elbereth Gilthoniel!

silivren penna míriel

o menel aglar elenath,

Gilthoniel, A! Elbereth!

We still remember, we who dwell

In this far land beneath the trees

The starlight on the Western Seas”

To some they were guardians of the dead, most likely seen on the shortest day of the year when the dead and the living mingled. A little scary perhaps, but then these otherworldly beings were otherworldly for a reason. Lastly, a substantial group of people believed they lived in a world invisible to ours, but coexisting with it. On certain days, or in certain areas these worlds collided. Where they collided cairns were built to mark the crossing. Some believe that Stonehenge marks one such time and place.

There we have it. From such beginnings are derived many humanoid immortal beings that we read about in our fantasy novels. The more you study history and culture, the more creative you can be in designing your own. 

PATH OF THE WARRIOR – OUT NOW

A shameless plug. Path of the Warrior is out now!

It’s been a heck of a journey. I found editing surprisingly more challenging and more rewarding than I thought it would be. Working with the publishers has been a delight, as has working with the various editors and beta readers. I want to thank Julia Suzuki publicly for the foreword, although if you want to read that you will have to buy the novel.

I’m looking forward to the future conversations about the characters and events that occur in book 1 of The World of Pangea, you’ll be able to interact with me on Goodreads, on facebook or Amazon.

I’ve already started on book 2 and it’s a very different setting but with a very familiar feel.

You can buy it over on Amazon