Ajax Minor's Blog, page 10

Writing at 100

As I have said, I don’t consider myself a poet, though I have the temerity to lob a few poems in your direction on occasion. However, I have also said it is a necessary exercise if you write prose. It teaches both economy of style  and the beauty of language.

I’ve also said that for most of us mortals there needs to be an event that inspires creation. Only geniuses like Mozart and Picasso and the Beatles can’t contain the mass of material shouting to be liberated from their minds.

In the case of a novelist, it might be a particularly profound event.

Poets can delight in the fleeting experience. Unless of course that poetry is epic as in the Iliad or Derek Wolcott’s ‘Omeros’. But short bursts of free verse may also derive from a less than fleeting experience, such as ‘the senseless beauty of sunrise’, as Harper Lee penned it.  Poetry can be the product of the profound, as novels should be.

In the latter case, I would like to recommend ‘A Sunday in Purgatory’ by Henry Morgenthau III. He was a well known producer and writer for WGBH, Boston PBS. LATE in life, being now 100, he released a book of poetry. It is an intriguing book of free verse. Mostly, it is well crafted writing. And it is also of historical value for a few of the more prosaic pieces, since Morgenthau had a front row seat during the FDR administration, as his father was Secretary of the Treasury. Most intriguing are the poems that hint at a secret or secrets closely held. We all have a closet with skeletons. Perhaps they really aren’t all that bad or frightening, but we think they are. Perhaps, if we are fortunate enough to approach a centennial anniversary, the skeletons rattle a bit more loudly behind a small closed door in our mind.

Check it!

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‘Not High’ Fantasy

What is ‘Not High’ Fantasy? In short, it means, no dragons, no dwarves, no F*&&^%ing elves.

I love High Fantasy. What about you? There are all kinds of High Fantasy offerings, from Terry Brook’s Shannara series to the immensely popular ‘Game of Thrones‘. But there’s more to fantasy than magic wands. Here are some more suggestions to get you started in this genre:

The Hobbit

Tolkien

We’re talking about Tolkien and his literary scions. (If you saw the movies but hadn’t read the books, give them a try.) Tolkien really put the genre into orbit, although if you want my honest opinion, I’d say Book 2, ‘The Two Towers‘ dragged the most. Personally, I liked ‘The Hobbit‘ best. Bilbo was just easier to take than Frodo.

American Gods

Gaiman

A brilliant book is ‘American Gods‘ by Neil Gaiman. A classic. One review suggested that if you like Gaiman you might like my ‘Ur’ series. Very flattering. I’m no Gaiman but I must say I think my fantasy is a bit loopier than ‘American Gods’. That being said, NOTHING is loopier than his book, ‘Neverwhere‘.

Pullman

The all-time ‘Not High’ Fantasy series is Philip Pullman’s ‘His Dark Materials’. Absolutely beyond imaginative. Try it.

His Dark Materials

Fantastical Realism

Now, I like this stuff because I write Fantasy and it’s not ‘High’; at least in  a ‘dragonian’ sense. I like to call it Fantastical Realism because it has elements of otherworldly Fantasy and realworldly Magical Realism.

Marquez

If you want to try that nowhere else to start than with Marquez. His ‘Hundred Years of Solitude‘ is a literary milestone. So read it. But maybe start with ‘Love in the Time of Cholera‘. So many cool things happen. A gust of wind blows leaves off a tree that become a swarm of butterflies.

In conclusion, there are a lot of books you can read that play into the genre if ‘Not High’ Fantasy and Fantastical Realism, not the least of which are my books in the Ur Legend Series. (They all make good Christmas presents, by the way!)

Ur Legend Book Series by Ajax Minor

Read and compare, and as always, let me know what you think.

Merry Christmas and Safe and Happy Holidays!

~ Ajax

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‘The Bloodsworn’ by Erin Lindsey: A Review of Book 3

This is the last in a 3-part series, in which I review Erin Lindsey’s ‘Bloodbound’ series.

‘The Bloodsworn,’ Book 3 of Erin Lindsey’s ‘Bloodbound’ series is a solid conclusion to an epic that is not written as traditional High Fantasy, even though the setting is Tolkienesque Medieval. There is plenty of suspense and further development of the deep connections forged between characters that is a defining element of Ms. Lindsey’s storytelling.

Read the book “The Bloodsworn,” by Erin Lindsey

The battle scenes are realistic and well executed. If there is one qualification I would make, it is that there are a few instances where the characters are squeezed out of particularly tight spots perhaps a bit too conveniently.

Coincidence? Dei ex machinis? You be the judge and you should judge because you should read the entire series. In her defense, at least the solution for her characters is not a magic wand or a ring.  Overall it is a solid 4 Star effort. ★★★★

Ms. Lindsey has left the door open for another book. Riggard’s relationship is left hanging, and King Erik may have finally found a romantic partner to take the place of Alix in his heart. And while The Oridians have been defeated, there is no real affection among the victors: Alden, The Republic of Onan, Harram and Andithyri. In fact there remains enough mutual disdain for the saga of Aldan to continue.

Whether Erin chooses to take up her pen again in the cause of Alden remains to be seen. But in any case she should take it up again in some literary endeavor and I look forward to her storytelling in the future.

Get all three books in the series on Amazon:

The Bloodbound »
The Bloodforged »
The Bloodsworn »

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‘The Bloodforged’ by Erin Lindsey: A Review of Book 2

This is the 2nd in a 3-part series, in which I review Erin Lindsey’s ‘Bloodbound’ series.

In yesterday’s blog I reviewed Book 1, ‘The Bloodbound’, of Erin Lindsey’s ‘Bloodbound’ series.  Book 2, ‘The Bloodforged‘, did not disappoint. In fact it showcased Ms. Lindsey’s development as a writer. In it she moved from a fairly linear plot line to at least three separate stories going on at once.

Read the book “The Bloodforged,” by Erin Lindsey

Prince Liam’s delegation to Onnan, King Erik and Alix Black’s diplomatic effort with Harram and Alix’s brother, Riggard’s, efforts at the front in the war with Oridia, which supplied a great deal of action and introduced another character whose connection to Riggard grew as the story progressed.

This juggling is a skill I have tried to execute in Book 3 of my ‘Ur Legend’ series. Readers can judge my success when ‘Kutusov’s Dream’ is published in 2018.

What Drives a Story?

Some have said that characters drive a story, some say it is plot and even some, such as Colum McCann, have said it is language. I’ve always believed that what drives a story is connection between and among characters. And Ms. Lindsey supplies plenty of that with the difficult love triangle among Alix, Erik and Liam, as well as Liam’s attraction to another aristocrat.

Humans have chosen monogamy but are not necessarily built that way.

So get ‘The Bloodforged’ on your shelf or on your e-reader and give it a go. It is particularly a fantasy for those who’ve tired of dwarves and dragons. And it’s the kind of fantasy I’m partial to since it is the kind I write myself.

Characters in ‘The Bloodforged’

Erik/Alix

Liam/ Onnan

Oridia Alden

Riggard/Vel Andithyri

Erroman/Alden

Harram/Qhara

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The Bloodbound Series by Erin Lindsey: A Review

This is the 1st in a 3-part series, in which I review Erin Lindsey’s ‘Bloodbound’ series.

“The Bloodbound,” by Erin Lindsey is a different kind of fantasy series. And that is a very good thing. Although I love Tolkien, as was purportedly said by another Don at a reading of Tolkien’s latest chapter of the Ring: “Please!! no more f$%#ing elves!” As a fantasy writer myself, I like ‘different’.

What we will be doing over the next three days is post blogs reviewing all books in the trilogy. The following review of Book 1, The Bloodbound, from which the series takes its name, was previously published. We’ll review Books 2 and 3 tomorrow and Wednesday.

Read the book “The Bloodbound,” by Erin Lindsey

In a very good sense, it is a ‘quiet’ fantasy. While there is plenty of action in “The Bloodbound,” the most satisfying reading involves being drawn into the emotional lives of the characters. Some have objected to ‘love triangles’, but this one involves not just the heart, but adherence to duty and tradition. It is engaging to participate in Alix Black’s emotional evolution.

The theme of duty is reflected as well in the difficult calculus of adherence to one’s word, by treaty, and commitment to country over allegiance to a sovereign. It is difficult to parse the ethical conflict inherent in the rift between Prince Tomald and his brother King Erik. The author’s long experience in the nuances of international relations and the ethical questions of ‘good and evil’ that are not easily determined, served her well in this story.

One final note. Another aspect of this fantasy that is noteworthy is the simplicity of the ‘magic’ in the story. Often fantasy writers endow their characters with magical powers, rings or wands or staffs, that conjure up all sorts of solutions to the jams into which their characters find themselves. Lindsey uses one: Blood, for both antagonist and protagonist. It is refreshing. Perhaps that is because it is the kind of ‘magic’ I prefer to have my characters employ.

In short, Kudos!! Read the book “The Bloodbound,” by Erin Lindsey, available on Amazon here »

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The Beats: Kerouac, Ginsberg et al.

Okay, so we’ve been hit with a lot of bad, sad lately. Sexual harassment at the fore. We’ve talked about women in previous blogs. Check ’em.

But this week let’s do some poetry again. A craft that’s quickest onto the page and hardest to master. And, though it’s the Holidays, I’d like to skip ahead six months.

I love the Beat writers: Kerouac, Ginsberg and Burroughs. On the Fourth of July, I like to pull out ‘Howl,’ by Ginsberg, grab an espresso and put on some West Coast jazz.

Never read ‘Howl’? Do it!

‘On the Road‘? No? Do it.

I’ve decided to publish a poem I wrote, ‘Tranche of Time’, which was intentionally composed in a ‘Beat’ style. As such there are aspects of it that may make no sense to the reader but actually do refer to an event in my life. It was a fun exercise. Like many Beat writings it it is edgy and very physical.

Read Tranche of Time now »

What do you think it’s about?

Free ebook copies of  ‘The Ur Legend’ series to those who guess correctly. Comment below:

Read my other Poems and Short stories here »

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A Review: Kashmir and ‘The House that Spoke’

As I have stated in the past, I think it’s important for writers to review other writers’ works. There is much to be learned by engaging in criticism. The essayist thinks more deeply about literary structure and form and sharpens a sense of critique for their own work.

So today we’ll review Zuni Chopra’s ‘The House that Spoke‘, a rather impressive debut novel by a teenage girl:

Zuni Chopra is a debut novelist. All I can say is, ‘Wow, what an entrance!’ It is a fantasy that is unique. No dragons and no dwarves. Really? Since that is the type of fantasy I write, I was especially appreciative of her ability to build the template for a world out of her own imagination.

The story is actually about a house that speaks to her main character, Zoon Razdan, a young lady about to turn fifteen who takes on the role of Guardian against a sinister force. The allegory between the darkness that is Kashmir and the darkness within each of us was well done and clear. And her solution was imaginative. But I’ll let you, the reader, discover that.

One minor stylistic quibble. Chopra’s descriptions of places, things and feelings are beautifully drawn, and she constructs some marvelous tropes. However, sometimes she leans too heavily on the adjective, using two adjectives where one would do, instead of allowing the reader’s imagination to fill in the spaces.

Less can be more.

But the one thing we want more of is stories like ‘The House that Spoke’ from a very talented young author.

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Poetry and Prose

On the Road at Dawn

To the East the sun rocks, and huffs softly

Spilling a pink plume across the prairie’s edge.

To the West, the stony mountains, ponderous and dull witted,

Merely flex a foot. Then lift a buttermilk lid

 

And forget to yawn.

But if they had remembered

They’d have sucked the last, faint

Stars from the sky

I used to live in Denver Colorado but work on New York hours. So I would usually be a lonely car on the road before dawn. In the winter I’d fly through the frigid air under a blue-black sky studded with stars. But as the year waxed, I’d enjoy the lovely atmosphere of pre dawn on the great plains that fronted the Rockies. I’m not a poet but enjoyed penning the poor effort above.

Why should a novelist read (or even write!) poetry? One reason is that Collum McCann, a renowned writer and teacher of the craft at Hunter College said so in his wonderful book, ‘Letters to a Young Writer‘. He said poets should read novels and that essayists… You get the point.

I find poetry important since it forces the writer to do two things. First, and perhaps most importantly, it demands economy of language. Unless you’re writing the Iliad (my favorite work of literature), you need, as a writer, to learn economy. Second, it is great practice for creating tropes, figures of speech: similes, synecdoches, metaphor. Things like that.

And it is fun to practice the high art of poets, which is to put together a phrase that when parsed makes no literal sense, but conveys immediately an image understood by the reader. Sylvia Plath, my favorite modern poet wrote: ‘(the baby’s) cries rose like bright balloons’.

Jeez.

So try some poetry. I’ll be asking you to submit some in my FB posts. It’s fun.

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The Girl from Ipanema FREE!

This week, starting Thursday 11/9 and running through Monday 11/13, Book 2, The Girl from Ipanema (TGFI), will be free for your e-reader. Last week we gave away Sun Valley Moon Mountains (SVMM), Book 1 of The Ur Legend, as a FREE ebook. We will do a paper giveaway for both books on Goodreads in a month or so.

Okay, enough of the advertisements.

Not a Hero’s Journey

Last week I talked about SVMM and how it followed from the paradigm for A Hero’s Journey—although I only found out afterward that is what I had done. My publisher tried to convince me that TGFI was also a Hero’s Journey. But it really isn’t. Not in the formal sense. So what is TGFI and why did I write it?

Well, I’d left open the possibility of a sequel in SVMM. Bildad Proud had been pretty well destroyed in his battle with Ur. But ‘pretty well’ doesn’t mean the same thing as ‘completely’. And Bildad represents an evil within all of us that can probably never be completely destroyed.

We also left Tiamat, Mattie, as an infant to be raised by Jaq and Kate. What happened to her? I felt her story needed to be told. So I let those two characters tickle my brain for awhile and then I read this article in Scientific American.

The Dryas Event—Abrupt Climate Change

It concerned an event in Earth’s geologic past known as the ‘Dryas’; a short period of extreme cooling brought about by a huge volume of melted fresh water from a lake called Agaziz in western Canada dumping into the Gulf Stream, reducing its salinity and therefore its density, and shutting it down.

So I thought, what if the Arctic ice sheet melted and the fresh water flowed into the Atlantic and shut down the Gulf Stream and its warm water flow sometime in the not too distant future? Well, I had to make a few changes since the Arctic ice cap had pretty well melted by the time I was ready to publish! But I figured that out and, Bingo, I had an idea for TGFI. And, boy, what a difference a frigid Northern Hemisphere could make in the ecology and politics of the planet!

A Young Lady Emerges

But the idea was secondary to my real reason for writing the book. Books actually. As you all know by now, Linda and I lost our daughter, Katherine, to a birth accident. so I wished to give her a life which she had never known. It’s been fun fashioning her, especially as a young lady in TGFI. In fact, I don’t really believe I shaped her as much as I let her character emerge out of the story in which she lived her life. But, come to think of it, isn’t that what we all do?

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Sun Valley Moon Mountains FREE!

Perhaps you’ve been curious about the novel Sun Valley Moon Mountains. Here’s a chance to get it for free! so we’re going to forsake some of the topics we’ve explored, from the Second Amendment to Wonder Women to writing, and announce a free ebook Giveaway on Amazon this week. Starting on Thursday, 11/2, and running through Monday, 11/6, SVMM will be available in Kindle format for your e-reader free. Just click and download it. Watch for the announcement on Thursday.

The Hero’s Journey

Sun Valley Moon Mountains is a Quest, much in the broad category of other Quests from “The Wizard of Oz” to “Lord of the Rings.” More specifically it might fit the outline of The Hero’s Journey, as first conceived by the American anthropologist Joseph Campbell. That template of a monomyth has been  embraced in other forms as A Heroine’s Journey,  and most famously The Writer’s Journey, which arose out of a memo written by Christopher Vogler in the 1980s and embraced by many screenwriters since.

Essentially, there are a number of steps the hero takes from his existence in the ordinary world when he is called upon to meet a challenge:

The Call
Refusal
A Mentor
Crossing of the Threshold
Tests
Allies
Talismen
Enemies
Approach to the Innermost Cave
Ordeal
Reward
Road Back
Return
Resurrection

What is curious about this formula, sometimes criticized as too simplistic, is that it is a nearly perfect fit for my own story in SVMM. However, I had no idea that this was the template I was using until after I learned of its existence from my publisher Patricia Hamilton.

Maybe the monomyth is something more fundamentally hard wired in us than we realize.

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