Helen Lowe's Blog, page 16

Rounding Up April on the Supernatural Underground

As has become tradition, I kicked off the Supernatural Underground (SU)  month with  post #3 in the Villains in Fantasy series – but you already know that because I told you so here.

However, there’s plenty of other good stuff for the month for SF&F aficionados to check out – assuming you have not done so already, of course!

April on Supernatural Underground

The SU has been featuring From the Backlist posts this year and this month’s pair are:

Inspired by Evil by Amanda Arista (which aligns n...

The WALL Series “Tuckerization” Tradition

On Monday, I posted a sneak preview of June Gum Young’s Tuckerization character, who will appear in The Wall Of Night #4.

I also indicated that having a Tuckerization character in each book has become a tradition for the series, since The Heir of Night was launched.

The character in The Gathering of the Lost is Jan Butterworth:

UK/AU/NZ

USA

The girl made a warding sign anyway. “Never say it!” she exclaimed, the words half a gasp, then twisted a finger in the strand of pale golden hair that had ...

Updates & Upsides: A Sneak Preview Into the WALL #4 “Tuckerization” Character

Last week, I referenced an upside of the recent WALL #4 update, which was focusing on what’s next.

But then I got to thinking that it might be fun to share a very small sneak peek into the section that’s just been completed. One, among many, elements within it is the introduction of WALL #4’s “Tuckerization” character, June Gum Young.

As was also the case for The Gathering of the Lost, part of the launch celebrations for Daughter of Blood included a giveaway of a “Tuckerization” in WALL #4, i.e...

About The Characters: Meet The Minor Players In “The Wall Of Night” Series — Meet Nirn

As I’m sure regulars here know very well by now, but for the benefit of newcomers ( ) — the About The Characters post series 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

 

Initially, the series focused exclusively on characters from The Heir of Night, but now I’m continuing on with m...

The Upside Of The Update

Just in case you missed it, I did a The Wall Of Night #4 update last week, where I mentioned completing Revision task #4 (of 7), which comprised revising a significant chunk of the manuscript, aka “the zigzag.”

Sometimes, on completing a milestone in any project, I find there can be a slight dip in energy and mood afterward, as one reflects on “what next.”

Revising “the zigzag” was a significant piece of work so I was feeling that “dip” after writing the update — but then I recalled that the ne...

The Great “The Wall of Night” #4 Revision – It’s Update Time

This was going to be a “Not An Update” post, i.e. me beavering away on a gnarly piece of revision so kicking for touch until I had something more substantive to report than “still revising, not done yet.”

So OK, I am still revising and it’s not done yet, but – or is that BUT(?!) – as of yesterday I have finished most of the revising and rejigging of what I suspect will prove the most challenging part of the manuscript.

Back in December I mentioned Revision Tasks #3 and #4 (of seven) and that I ...

The Great “Wall Of Night” Series Read-Along: “The Heir of Night” Part 2

Last Thursday, I promised you Rosie Wadman of Group Haarth’s latest update on the Great Wall Of Night (Series) Read-Along – which is, of course, a reread of the series-to-date from go-to-whoa.

Group Haarth

Rosie’s current update follows completing the read-along for The Heir of Night, Part 2 – but before we go to that, on Thursday I reminded readers that Group Haarth is a (private) Facebook group that “…was formed by and for [The Wall Of Night] readers who want to hang out together and talk all...

What’s Coming Up

April again – which not only means another instalment in the “Villains” series on the Supernatural Underground (see Monday or go straight to the source) but that it’s time to take stock on what’s happening in the writing life.

Rosie Wadman

Group Haarth & the Great “Wall Of Night” Reread

Firstly, and speaking of instalments, I’m really pleased to learn that Rosie Wadman of FB Group Haarth has Report #2 ready to go on the Great Wall Of Night (Series) Reread. So all going well, that should be top o...

New on Supernatural Underground Now: The Year of the Villain #3

Woo-hoo: 1 April! I bet you thought I’d forgotten to post – but it is not so! I was just waiting on time zones and for 1 April on the Supernatural Underground (US EST-zone.)

So, ta-da! – #3 in the Year of the Villain series features Brandin of Ygarth in Guy Gavriel Kay’s Tigana.

And yes, I have used the words “interesting” and “nuanced” in discussing him. If you want to find out why, rock on over to the SU:

The Year of the Villain #3: Tigana & Brandin of Ygrath

And in terms of last month’s q...

Autumnal

The year has been feeling somewhat autumnal lately: mostly it’s a quality of the light and burnish on leaves before they fully turn, as well as the nights growing cooler and the days shortening at both ends, but it’s a lovely time of year. One of my favourites, although I find much to like in every season.

Yep, it’s autumn here…

Anyway, the change of season has me thinking about poetry, and when it comes to autumn, its hard to go past Keats’ classic, To Autumn:

“Season of mists and mellow fruitf...