Helen Lowe's Blog, page 14
July 7, 2024
Myth & Magic, Fairy Tale & Folklore: Influences on “The House at the End of the Sea” — Part 2
Helen: In my recent Q&A with Victoria M Adams, I was fascinated by the discussion of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and the archetype of the testing fairy. So I’m thrilled to be here with the author again today, to delve further into the traditions of fairy tale and folklore, myth and legend that have helped shape The House At The End of the Sea.
Victoria M Adams: I’m delighted you and your readers enjoyed the first three Q&As enough to want more.
I would love to expand, with one caveat: like ...
July 3, 2024
Fun Stuff Ahead!
I have not one but two guest posts for you next week. “Toots vuvuzela!”
More Fairytale and Folklore, Myth and Legend
The first, next Monday 8, is a followup post from Victoria M Adams (Mary), which expands on #3 in our recent Q&A, addressing the traditions of fairytale and folklore, myth and legend in her recently published Middle Grade novel, The House At The End of the Sea.
I was fascinated by Mary’s discussion of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and the archetype of the testing fairy, so am ...
July 1, 2024
On Supernatural Underground Now: The Year of the Villain #6
Manawatia a Matariki for last Friday’s holiday and the season — & welcome July 1! 
Yep, it’s that time, so also yep, I’ve posted on Supernatural Underground.
This month it’s The Year of the Villain — in Fantasy fiction — #6:
When The Author Messes With Your MindThe particular author is Kate Elliott and the mind-messing occurs in her Crossroads trilogy: Spirit Gate, Shadow Gate, Traitor’s Gate.
It’s really take two on last month’s theme, When the Hero Is Really A Villain — but done so subtly in ...
June 26, 2024
On the Eve of Matariki — with a Quote from Sarah Williams
The sun rises on a new year
Tomorrow is Matariki, which marks the traditional Maori new year, te Mātahi o te Tau, here in New Zealand. The festival takes its name, Matariki, from when the Matariki star cluster (also known as the Pleiades) reappears in the winter sky.
Matariki is a season of renewal, in which those who have passed on in the past year are remembered and ongoing life celebrated — but the Museum of New Zealand, Te Papa Tongarewa, goes into it more fully (and says it so much better 
...
June 23, 2024
What I’m Reading: “System Collapse” by Martha Wells
Recently, I’ve been striving to catch up with posting about the titles on my Book Booty list for 2024. Today it’s time for System Collapse by Martha Wells, which is the seventh title in the Murderbot series.
I have loved Murderbot since first encountering All Systems Red several years ago.
To date, there have been seven titles in the series, five of them novellas. System Collapse is the second novel and a direct sequel to Network Effect, which I consider essential reading in order to fully grok...
June 19, 2024
About The Characters: Meet The Minor Players In “The Wall Of Night” Series — Meet Old Alth
And it’s time — for another post in the About The Characters series, which focuses on the minor characters in The Wall Of Night series, in large part because:
“I think it’s the presence of the smaller characters that “makes” a story, creating texture around the main points of view.”
~ from my Legend Award Finalist’s Interview, 2013
USA
Initially, the series focused exclusively on characters from The Heir of Night, but now I’m continuing on with minor characters from both The Gathering Of The Los...
June 16, 2024
Victoria M Adams & “The House At the End of the Sea” — Q&A #3
Today marks the third and final post in The House At the End of the Sea Q&A series with Victoria M Adams — and I really love her thoughtful and indepth answers to the questions, as well as the glimpses into the story. It has been a real privilege, as well as a great pleasure, hosting both her and the Q&A.
On which note…
Art Credit: Sharon King-Chai
Victoria M Adams & The House At the End of the Sea: Q&A #3Helen: What traditions of magic, fairytale, and/or myth does The House At the End of the S...June 12, 2024
Victoria M Adams & “The House At the End of the Sea” — Q&A #2
I hope you enjoyed Monday’s post just as much as I did. Now, onward to Q&A #2 and shining a spotlight on Victoria M Adams and her newly released novel, The House at the End of the Sea.
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Art Credit: Sharon King-Chai
.Victoria M Adams & The House At the End of the Sea: Q&A #2
Helen: What is magic, to you? Why do you use it in your story? What does magic add that a so-called ‘realistic’ tale might not convey?
Victoria M Adams: I’m so fascinated by this question. On the surface of it, in fantasy...
June 9, 2024
Victoria M Adams & “The House At the End of the Sea”: Q&A #1
Today I’m featuring Post #1 of a feature series with Victoria M Adams—also known as my good friend and fellow author, Mary—which takes and indepth look at her newly released novel, The House at the End of the Sea.
Art Credit: Sharon King-Chai
The House at the End of the Sea is officially Middle Grade fiction, i.e. roughly aimed at the 9-13 age group, but I believe it’s one of those books that older readers may also enjoy.
If you have questions for Mary, please post a comment. I know she’ll be mo...
June 5, 2024
What’s Next: A 3-Part Q&A with Victoria M Adams on “The House At The End Of the Sea”
Just on a month back, I shared the news that The House At The End Of the Sea, by my good friend and fellow author Victoria M Adams (whom I know best as Mary, for that middle initial) was published — which is always a very exciting time, both for authors and readers on the lookout for “the new.”
As noted, the author is a good friend, plus I enjoyed the book when I got to read an advance edition, so I’m naturally keen to support the release process. Despite having just completed a whirlwind launc...
