Michael R. Baker's Blog, page 6
May 8, 2020
Blog Tour Spotlight: The Girl and the Stars
I have a very special blog post for you all! To celebrate the launch of blockbuster Mark Lawrence’s new release THE GIRL AND THE STARS, I am part of a blog tour to promote the book, as well as give my own thoughts on the debut.
Blurb
In the ice, east of the Black Rock, there is a hole into which broken children are thrown.
On Abeth the vastness of the ice holds no room for individuals. Survival together is barely possible. No one survives alone.
To resist the cold, to endure the months of night when even the air itself begins to freeze, requires a special breed. Variation is dangerous, difference is fatal. And Yaz is not the same.
Yaz is torn from the only life she’s ever known, away from her family, from the boy she thought she would spend her days with, and has to carve out a new path for herself in a world whose existence she never suspected. A world full of difference and mystery and danger.
Yaz learns that Abeth is older and stranger than she had ever imagined. She learns that her weaknesses are another kind of strength. And she learns to challenge the cruel arithmetic of survival that has always governed her people.
Only when it’s darkest you can see the stars.
About the Author
Mark Lawrence was born in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, but moved to the UK at the age of one. He went back to the US after taking a PhD in mathematics at Imperial College to work on a variety of research projects including the ‘Star Wars’ missile defence programme. Returning to the UK, he has worked mainly on image processing and decision/reasoning theory. His first trilogy, The Broken Empire, has been universally acclaimed as a ground-breaking work of fantasy, and both The Liar’s Key and The Wheel of Osheim have won the Gemmell Legend award for best fantasy novel. Mark is married, with four children, and lives in Bristol.
Quotes
‘Dark, disturbing, horribly gripping’ THE TIMES
‘Dark and relentless, Prince of Thorns will pull you under and drown you in story. A two-in-themorning page turner. Absolutely stunning… jaw-dropping’ ROBIN HOBB
‘Excellent – on a par with George R.R. Martin’ CONN IGGULDEN ‘Lawrence’s poetic prose is amazing, far and away the best of the modern fantasy authors’ PETER V. BRETT
My Review
And now, we get to my thoughts on it, the part you guys are probably waiting for, huh? I sit here on a lazy weekend, trying to find the words to say. I’ve struggled writing a review for this book. I’m not sure why. The thoughts are in my head, on the back of my mind, but it’s trying to make them words that’s struggling.
Yet I write books. So I know I can do it, huh? I’ve read a good few of Mark’s books, but not as many as I’d like. I will say however, that The Girl and the Stars easily has to be my favourite so far.
The setting grabs you from the very beginning, and it’s written so well I can feel the chill rising from the pages. It is a damn cold setting, man, and it bleeds through your eyes as you read. I always hope for immersive reading in my books, and Mark does a really good job in this regard.
Our main character is Yaz, a sixteen-year-old member of the Itcha tribe. Any individuals who show weakness are deemed incompatiable into surviving in the harsh world. Brutal, but it has some logic. So they get thrown into the Pit to die. This really gets dark when Yaz, who is truly expecting to die, is found safe – only for her brother Zeen to be thrown in her place. Seeking ‘closure’ and the urge to find her brother over her own life, Yaz goes into the Pit after him. Instead of dying, she finds an underground world, full of danger and strangely…life as well. There is a whole culture beneath the ice.
The setting once again is stunning, and feels claustrophobic, magical and strange from start to end. It’s great because I’d describe this book as relatively quiet. There’s fights and conflict, as dark forces both human and supernatural threaten to break Yaz’s world apart, but the bones of the story are in Yaz and her quest to find her brother whole. She has to be one of the best characters I’ve read in a long time, and her tale kept me itching to read more until it was finished.
The worldbuilding is also exceptional. You know you’ve done a good job in your writing when readers can visualize everything about it, and this book hits top marks in that regard. I can feel the cold when I read, feel Yaz’s anger and pain, her rage. I feel fury for the other characters. Yaz is the star, but there is a strong cast to follow her. I really liked the Broken, and Maya’s little ball of death becomes a delight to read. I’ll just tease you with this, because it’s really better to just read into this blind.
Overall, The Girl and the Stars is a great debut into yet another awesome series by Mark Lawrence. It ends in a way that makes you want to thank him for a great book, and want to punch him for making you wait for the second book. I’ll stick with the former! I usually don’t follow a score basis, but I would give this book an easy 9/10. For Goodreads, I will mark it up to a 5 stars. I thoroughly enjoyed this!
May 5, 2020
Self Isolation Author Interview: Ryan Howse
Hey guys, back with a new interview! Let’s just get right down to it. Today’s interview is with Ryan Howse, and I hope you all enjoy it! Stay tuned for a special blog tour happening this Friday….
First of all, tell me about yourself! What do you write?
I’m Ryan Howse. I wrote the SPFBO semi-finalist The Steel Discord and The Alchemy Dirge. The Steel Discord is a magitech train heist, and The Alchemy Dirge is a fantasy noir. These books are my attempt to make a truly fantastical setting without losing a sense of being grounded. They’re stand-alones in the same world, which lets me show off different parts of the setting and different sorts of protagonists.
How do you develop your plots and characters?
I want the plots to develop as a result of something the characters have done. It can be an active choice or an unintended consequence, but the main thrust of the plot is caused by the protagonist.
And of course, you need to conceive of a protagonist who could both cause that and find an interesting way to crawl out of it.
Tell the world about your current project!
My most recent book out for sale is The Alchemy Dirge. Here’s the pitch:
In Aeon, everything can be had for a price.
In this city of guilds, conspiracies, and artifice, the cost can be more than gold.
Salai Pavane, alchemist and inventor, wants to create a printing press to lift his fellow citizens to a better world. Desperate to fund his invention, he pushes the boundaries of alchemy to sell on the black market. In doing so, he accidentally produces the most dangerous weapon the world has ever known.
Success is more dangerous than failure. Now he’s pursued by anarchists who want his formula, the Ministry who wants him imprisoned, and assassins who want him dead.
The Alchemy Dirge is book two of A Concerto For the End of Days, though as mentioned each book stands alone with different protagonists and different settings.
I wrote a very different book after those two and before The Vivus Nocturne as a palate cleanser. It’s called Red in Tooth and Claw, and it’s about two men from opposite sides of a war having to rely on each other to survive in a harsh wilderness similar to Northern Canada. It’s a fantasy in a late Neolithic period, with the earliest settlements forming. Magic may or may not exist, but it’s certainly not the formalized, almost scientific one found in my other books. It’s intended to be similar to stories like The Revenant, man against nature. It will be out later this year.
Who would you say is the main character of your latest novel? And tell me a little bit about them!
The protagonists of The Alchemy Dirge, my latest release, are a drug-addicted alchemist and a black market arcana merchant. The alchemist is working on inventing the first printing press, in the hopes of helping raise his community out of its impoverished status. The merchant wants more lenient laws regarding his arcane goods, because he simply doesn’t believe they should be illegal.
The main characters of Red in Tooth and Claw are Agash, the son of the ruler of a city, who is often overwhelmed with a rage he refers to as the red, and Chemosh, a broken prisoner of war from a nomadic tribe who has spent too much time confined to a dungeon.
Have you been to any conventions? If so, tell me a little about them!
I went to two World Fantasies, back in 2012 and 2013. They were great! I met a wonderful group of friends I still talk to at the first one and most of us managed to make the second as well.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
It’s always been there.
If you had the opportunity to live anywhere in the world for a year while writing a book that took place in that same setting, where would you choose?
Antarctica. I like the cold.
What advice would you give new writers?
There’s so much advice out there for new writers, and so much of it is overly broad. I’ll say there are guidelines, not rules, and that the most important question you can ask yourself as a writer is “Can I justify this?”
What real-life inspirations did you draw from for the worldbuilding?
With Red and Tooth and Claw, the setting is basically Northern Canada in winter. With The Alchemy Dirge I did a lot of research on Gutenberg and the origins of the printing press.
What inspires you to write?
Good writing. When a passage hits me so I feel the hair on my arms thrumming, I want to do that to someone else.
What is the hardest part of writing for you?
First drafts. Outlines come easy, and I honestly enjoy editing.
What is your routine when writing, if any? If you don’t follow a routine, why not?
I didn’t have a routine for many years, because I worked shift work and it was impossible. But no longer. Now I have a normal schedule but also children, so much of my writing gets done in the evening after they’re asleep.
What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write in any of your books, and why?
Three come to mind, but two are pretty big spoilers deep into the books, so I’ll go with the opening of Red in Tooth and Claw. It’s the slowest start to a book I’ve ever done, and likely ever will do—it is simply one character’s mind unraveling due to his long solitary confinement.
Did you learn anything from writing your latest book? If so, what was it?
I’m going to use that last answer as a springboard for this one. My first few books started with action. The Alchemy Dirge definitely slowed down and felt like a more comfortable opening, but Red in Tooth and Claw brought it home. Give the reader a chance to acclimatize to the book, the character, and the setting, before pushing action and drastic changes.
Of course, this depends on the book, but I think mine have improved from considering that more carefully.
Are you a plotter or a pantser? A gardener or an architect?
It depends on the book. I had thorough outlines for The Steel Discord from start to finish—in fact, I recently found some old notebooks and realized just how closely I’d kept to that. With The Alchemy Dirge I plotted to the end of Act One, wrote it, then plotted Act Two, and so on. It worked for that book. Red in Tooth and Claw had almost no outlining, and given its nature, needed none.
If you had to give up either snacks and drinks during writing sessions, or music, which would you find more difficult to say goodbye to?
Let’s be honest—I’m not writing with a caffeine withdrawal headache. In my younger days I’d throw heavy metal on, but now it’s likely just ambient or classical music anyhow.
Which is your favorite season to write in, and why?
I don’t think this has ever been an issue for me!
(That said, *reading* outside in the fall is amazing. It feels like the perfect season for classic fantasy.)
It’s sometimes difficult to get into understanding the characters we write. How do you go about it?
Mostly, understanding comes from three simple things and how they interact: their goals, their history, and their personality. If I’m using their POV, I also want to highlight the specific things they’d notice, and often elide over things they’d not really care about.
What are your future project(s)?
Well, the next up in the series is The Vivus Nocturne, which is still in its early stages. Vivus is an essential component in magic in my setting, and this book will take place in an isolated town where they mine Vivus. The protagonist is the town’s healer, and she’s also the mother of one of the side characters in The Steel Discord.
What is your favorite book ever written?
The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco or The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoevsky.
Who are your favorite authors?
I feel like Matthew Stover never got the fame he deserved. I’ve read everything Mieville’s done, minus the textbook on international law. Also part of my daughter’s name comes from Catherynne Valente.
What makes a good villain?
There are a lot of good answers to this. It’s all context-dependent. There are great villains who are there to be foils to the protagonist, and show how simply they could have become villains. There are dark lords who simply exist to create dread and show the small heroics to be all the brighter. There are multi-faceted, justified villains whose POV you understand. They all have their place.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Obviously reading and writing. In addition to that, I play a lot of tabletop RPGs—D&D, 7th Sea, Burning Wheel, Numenera, and plenty of others. In this time of social distancing we’ve been figuring out how to do it over discord instead of in person. Also video games—I just finished Control, which was great.
If you couldn’t be an author, what ideal job would you like to do?
I’d dig making RPGs as well, but that’s no more likely to earn money.
Coffee or Tea? Or (exult deep breath) what other drink do you prefer, if you like neither?
I drink absurd amounts of coffee.
You can travel to anywhere in the universe. Where would you go, and why?
Antarctica! I said I like the cold.
Do you have any writing blogs you recommend?
In my younger days I followed quite a few. Not so much anymore.
Do you have any writer friends you’d like to give a shoutout to?
Sure! Dyrk Ashton, Josiah Bancroft, Laura Hughes, TL Greylock, Travis Peck, Deston Munden, Krista Ball, and plenty of others.
Pick any three fiction characters. These are now your roadtrip crew. Where do you go and what do you do?
Squirrel Girl, Miles O’Brien, and Rupert Giles. No drama there. And assuming the fictional places these people live in exist, let’s go to the Savage Land and check out those dinosaurs. (Squirrel Girl can keep everyone alive.)
What superpower would you most like?
Teleportation. Partially just because I have friends all over the world now (not that I could see them mid-pandemic) but also because Nightcrawler is the best.
What are two of your favorite covers of all time? (Not your own.)
I cannot honestly overstate the importance of Dave McKean’s cover of Blade of Tyshalle by Matthew Stover. I never would have looked at that book twice without that cover, and it ended up being one of my favorite books of all time.
I can’t think of a second absolute favorite, though I’ll say Jeff VanderMeer’s Dead Astronauts was the most eye-catching one I’ve found recently.
It’s a very difficult time right now for the world. When quarantine and pandemic comes to an end, what is the first thing you would like to do?
More than anything else, I want my kids to be able to go see their grandparents, play with other kids, libraries, playgrounds, all that good stuff.
Finally, what is your preferred method to have readers get in touch with or follow you (i.e., website, personal blog, Facebook page, here on Goodreads, etc.) and link(s)?
I’m on twitter at twitter.com/RyanHowse and goodreads at https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15262976.Ryan_Howse
Thanks for having me!
May 2, 2020
Self Isolation Author Interview: Kelly Blanchard
Back with a new interview! Been a bit slow on my end while I’ve been dealing with some mental health issues, but I return with an author interview with Kelly Blachard. She’s awesome, check her out!
First of all, tell me about yourself! What do you write? My name is Kelly Blanchard. In the online writing community, I am called the Muse. The reason for that is because I tend to share beautiful pictures in my community and I try to offer encouragement to everyone. I write fantasy/scifi though, the Chronicles of Lorrek being my first series.
How do you develop your plots and characters? That’s a fantastic question! Because I don’t have an actual formula for how I do it. Lots of my character inspiration comes from movies or TV shows. Sometimes I’ll see a character that really captures my attention, and I ask myself, “How is such a character written?” Then I play around with it and sometimes I blend multiple characters, and int he end come up with something different and unique. It’s a lot of fun.
As for how I develop my plots, honestly they tend to develop themselves. I just write an damage report of everything.
Tell the world about your current project! I am currently in the process of relaunching my nine-book series, the Chronicles of Lorrek, starting with a box set of the first three books!
Who would you say is the main character of your novels? And tell me a little bit about them! Sorcerer Prince Lorrek of Cuskelom is certainly the main character of the series. While there are many characters in the series, it all revolves around him. He is the youngest of four brothers and the only one with magic. He is a quiet individual, always watching out for others, protecting them from dangers they don’t see, but at the same time, he is terribly misunderstood. Bad things still happen, and people blame him for it because, after all, he has magic, so he should be able to stop bad things from happening, right? What they don’t realize is that he may have stopped something even worse from happening, and he gets tired of explaining, so he gives up and just accepts the blame.
Have you been to any conventions? If so, tell me a little about them! Unfortunately, I haven’t, and I’m not sure if I will ever be able to. My reason is because conventions tend to give me massive migraine and make me physically ill. I would love to attend one and have a table or even be on a panel, but I’m not sure if I’ll be able to.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer? I don’t have a precise memory. I just know that, as a child, I’ve always loved stories. Even before I could write stories properly, I was drawing stick people (I cannot draw for the life of me!) with bubble dialogue because I wanted to stories told! But then I learned how to do proper paragraphs and quotation marks, and that was it!
However, when I was twelve, I know I made a conscience decision to actually begin honing my skill and working on different elements of writing, such as description, dialgoue, character development, and so forth.
If you had the opportunity to live anywhere in the world for a year while writing a book that took place in that same setting, where would you choose? See, the only problem with that is that my books don’t take place in this world, so I can’t really answer that. But can I go to Sweden or Iceland? Or maybe even New Zealand. I hear it’s beautiful!
What advice would you give new writers? If they’re new to writing, don’t worry about publishing the first book they work on. They have too much to figure out, such as mastering description, dialogue, plot structure, strong and unique character, worldbuilding, and so much more! That’s a bunch to learn and master, so just focus on tha. Once it’s been mastered, then they can focus on writing a book to publish!
What real-life inspirations did you draw from for the worldbuilding? Depends on the book. I know in Book 6, I used ant colonies as inspirations for a race I created. I used the Crusades as inspiration for a huge conflict in another series. And so on and so forth. I can’t keep track of all the inspirations! There is so much!
What inspires you to write? Anything and everything. Could be a phrase someone said that struck me as intriguing. Could just be a question I want to explore, a big ‘what if?’
What is the hardest part of writing for you? For the most part, writing comes easy for me. The only time I’ve ever really struggled with anything is writing a battle in space. That is just difficult!
What is your routine when writing, if any? If you don’t follow a routine, why not? Usually I like to tackle my writing first thing in the morning, writing 2k words a day! Lately I haven’t been able to do that because I have so much I have to do, getting ready to move to Florida, but writing in the morning is my preferred time.
What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write in any of your books, and why? Oh, that’s a hard question! There are so many chapters that really stick out. I can’t pick just one. And they’re most likely spoilers, so…
Did you learn anything from writing your latest book? If so, what was it? I’m always challenging myself to learn new things about writing and how to write different kinds of characters or how to structure stories differently, and it’s a lot of fun to learn with each book that I write.
Are you a plotter or a pantser? A gardener or an architect? A bit of both? See, I usually know the beginning, the end, and the highlight scenes in the middle, and then I have to figure out what connects each highlight scene with the next. It’s a lot of fun.
If you had to give up either snacks and drinks during writing sessions, or music, which would you find more difficult to say goodbye to? I don’t listen to music while writing, and I tend to forget to eat snacks or drink anything during writing sessions, so…I know, I need to get better at remembering to eat and drink!
Which is your favorite season to write in, and why? I don’t have a favorite season to write in. Don’t really do favorites. Rather, it’s ‘what book am I writing?’ and even then some parts are more fun to write than others.
It’s sometimes difficult to get into understanding the characters we write. How do you go about it? Usually the characters will just tell me their secrets if I take time to listen to them. However, if they are tightlipped, I usually brainstorm with my husband, and with his help, I come to understand different things about my characters. Very helpful indeed!
What are your future project(s)? After the Chronicles of Lorrek is completely relaunched, I have a five-book series, The Ceralian Gambit, that I co-wrote with my husband that is already completely written. It takes place in the same universe as the Chronicles of Lorrek. Then I have another completed three-book series, The Assassin Pirate, that I wrote (again in my universe). After that is another series that my husband and I are currently writing together. Then I have another three or four series planned, and each time I write a new series, I come up with new ideas for others!
What is your favorite book ever written? Book that I’ve written or book that has ever been written in general by someone else? Although with both, it’s hard to say. I don’t do favorites! Though, personally, I like Book 9 of mine just because I’m still awed that I managed to pull off everything that I did in that book. It was huge!
Who are your favorite authors? Again, I don’t do favorites. I enjoyed C.S. Lewis’ books, but really I love interacting with authors of the day. So much fun!
What makes a good villain? Having them be frighteningly relatable and sometimes right. That really messes with the readers, and it’s a lot of fun!
What do you like to do in your spare time? Besides scrolling on Facebook or hanging out with my cats and my husband, I like to bake or play around with graphic design. My husband is trying to get me playing videos games, and he got me to play Skyrim, but that’s about it. He got me Sims, and I had a bit of fun just building stuff but not actually playing the game! But really, I like hanging out in my Facebook group and interacting with my fans. It’s a lot of fun!
If you couldn’t be an author, what ideal job would you like to do? I…don’t know. Work at a bookstore, I guess? I’ve always wanted to be an author, always been writing, so the thought of not being one is foreign.
Coffee or Tea? Or (exult deep breath) what other drink do you prefer, if you like neither? Hahaha, I don’t like either coffee or tea. Honestly, I just prefer water, lemonade, or simply chocolate milk.
You can travel to anywhere in the universe. Where would you go, and why? In my universe or just in THE universe? Because if it were mine, I would like to visit Cuskelom, Athorim, Ceraleo…But if it were this universe, if I wouldn’t die setting foot on Saturn, I’d want to visit there because I would like to see what Saturn’s rings would look like in the sky.
Do you have any writing blogs you recommend? Fantasy/Scifi Focus blog is fantastic!
Do you have any writer friends you’d like to give a shoutout to? That’s a long list. Lol! J.E. Mueller, KJ A. Lewis, Megan Lynn Hay, Nan Sampson Bach, J.R. O’Bryant, and so many more!
Pick any three fiction characters. These are now your roadtrip crew. Where do you go and what do you do? Can I do my own characters? Because I’d choose Lorrek, Vixen, and Anelm. Just because it would be fun!
What superpower would you most like? Teleportation. Seriously, it needs to be a reality!
What are two of your favorite covers of all time? (Not your own.) Ohhh, see, favorites again! There are SOO many out there! I can’t say. I really can’t because some of the ones I absolutely love are premade covers that don’t have a book assigned to them yet! So many talented artists!
It’s a very difficult time right now for the world. When quarantine and pandemic comes to an end, what is the first thing you would like to do? Well, initially, my husband and I wouldn’t go out. We’d probably wait another week or so to make sure there’s not another wave, but then we would go to a restuarant (likely Texas Roadhouse) and have a nice sit-down meal there. We miss that!
Finally, what is your preferred method to have readers get in touch with or follow you (i.e., website, personal blog, Facebook page, here on Goodreads, etc.) and link(s)? There are multiple ways. I am most active in my FB group, but you can find me elsewhere too!
Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/MusesRealm
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/AuthorKellyBlanchard
Twitter: www.twitter.com/kellannetta
Instagram: www.instagram.com/kellannetta
Website: www.kellannetta.com
Thanks so much for having me! It was a lot of fun!
April 28, 2020
Self Isolation Author Interview: J.D. Cunegan
Back with a new interview! Today I bring you one with J. D. Cunegan for your viewing pleasure, so I hope you guys enjoy 
April 26, 2020
Self Isolation Author Interview: J. E. Mueller
I hope everyone is doing well! It’s been a quiet week on The Thousand Scars blog, I decided to take a week off while I focused on other things.
Updates
1) I’ll be participating in QuaranCon on Monday evening, joining the Illusatrators panel as a cartographer. My very first panel, so I’ll try and pretend I know what I’m doing!
2) I’ve been reading a lot more books. Just finished The True Bastards by Jonathan French, and The Girl and the Stars by Mark Lawrence. I’m really behind on reviews for these books but hope to get back to them soon. I’ve already broken my 2019 reading record for this year.
3) I’ve now got a Twitch channel! https://www.twitch.tv/diabound111 I’ll be playing games, some cartography stream and hopefully providing some fun entertainment. I even have a WIP schedule.
Current stream plan!
Tuesday 7-9pm GMT/8-10pm DST
Thursday 2-4pm GMT/3-5pm DST
Sunday 1pm-4pmGMT/2pm-5pm DST
Rogue Day (Anyday) TBA (announced day before)
Games Rotation:
Tuesday Slot: Lost Ember
Thursday Slot: Lost Ember/Enderal: Forgotten Stories
Sunday slot: Multiple games
This ended up being a longer post than intended. What’s everyone been playing/reading lately? Let me know! And now, I return with an interview with J. E. Mueller. Hope you guys enjoy!
First of all, tell me about yourself! What do you write?
I am J.E.Mueller and I write across the fantasy spectrum. I currently have a completed medieval fantasy series, and will be releasing my third modern fairytale by the end of April.
How do you develop your plots and characters?
I mostly let them run around and create mayhem until they hit a brick wall. From there I help them find away around the wall and let them loose. Rinse and repeat.
The editing process is a little more messy but it is so much fun seeing what strange things happen.
Tell the world about your current project!
I am currently writing a regency vibes fantasy novel with an academy setting, duels, and dragons. It has some darker parts than I normally write, but nothing to crazy. It’s been fun seeing how magic classes would be taught and there might be a cult from the looks of that random ambush. As I said before, I largely let my characters create mayhem and see where it goes.
Who would you say is the main character of your latest novel? And tell me a little bit about them!
Kareia! She is a nobelmans taught basically sent to boarding school. She’s been using her free time to figure a way out of her betrothal. Legally, she is allowed to challenge him to a duel, and if she wins, she can get out of that particular relationship. Kareia is extremely gifted in white magic though, so not exactly the most reliable for duels. She is very stubborn and determined to find a way to win.
Have you been to any conventions? If so, tell me a little about them!
I haven’t been to conventions as an author. I have done a few fun library and local signings. They were cute, small, and fun. I love being able to talk to readers, authors, and other potential writers. It’s always a blast.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I’m not sure. I had always been telling stories and writing them as soon as I figure out I could. I didn’t get the idea or guts to really publish until my best friend got married and I wanted to gift her the most unique thing possible. Nothing more unique then dedicating a book to someone for their wedding!
If you had the opportunity to live anywhere in the world for a year while writing a book that took place in that same setting, where would you choose?
New Zealand! I love the photos, kiwis, and the fairy penguins. The land looks beyond amazing and I’m sure it would be inspiring for many years to come.
What advice would you give new writers?
Let your first draft suck. It’s okay, it’s more than allowed and acceptable. Getting things down and done is the hardest part and you can always make it look like you knew what you were doing later.
What real-life inspirations did you draw from for the worldbuilding?
Everything. I love the “what ifs” in life. What if a princess had to solve her own curse? What is Cinderella was modern, where would she be? Would she slave away in the family’s coffee shop?
What inspires you to write?
The chance to give back what books have given me. Laughter, hope for a better day, an escape… The list goes on.
What is the hardest part of writing for you?
I hate writing transition scenes. I struggle with them so hard, and it’s hilarious since when I finally go back and edit they usually don’t need much to be fixed.
What is your routine when writing, if any? If you don’t follow a routine, why not?
I try to write for an hour after work every night, sometimes two hours. From about 7pm-9pm is my time. The weekends are more up in the air, I tend to get a lot more time in, but also not as much done since I have all day. I do my best to write five or six days a week.
What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write in any of your books, and why?
Every book has a favorite part. I think my favorite for my recent release, Dreamer’s Melody was a scene, won’t say what exactly because spoilers, but every beta reader flipped out in different ways. Anything from YES! To I didn’t see that coming but I had hoped it was! I love scenes where people can have those moments.
Did you learn anything from writing your latest book? If so, what was it?
Every book I learn something new from. The biggest take away recently was I need to keep better notes. It is so much easier than flipping back and searching for specific content or even better, accidentally changing a character’s name halfway through. Ooops!
Are you a plotter or a pantser? A gardener or an architect?
Somewhere in between, though I lean more toward pantser. I love coming up with a world, and knowing the rules and then just letting my characters have at it.
If you had to give up either snacks and drinks during writing sessions, or music, which would you find more difficult to say goodbye to?
Music. I don’t snack much while writing but I always have something playing in the background. Currently, I’m listening to Ori and the Blind Forest soundtrack.
Which is your favorite season to write in, and why?
Fall. I love how pretty everything looks. It feels so much more peaceful. Things are cooling down, the colors are vibrant and not as full of death pollen as spring, and I actually like being outside.
It’s sometimes difficult to get into understanding the characters we write. How do you go about it?
Scream into the abyss. Honestly that it really hard. Sometimes I talk it out with someone, sometimes I ‘have them’ take personality quizzes. It’s really weird when a character just doesn’t want to talk then two-thirds of a book later and they suddenly have a sibling that is very important to them.
What are your future project(s)?
I have a portal series I worked on for NaNoWriMo 2019 that I plan on going back to. The first part is written and the second one is nearly halfway done. If things go right, it should be three books.
Other than that, I have several waiting in the sidelines. Weird gates pulling someone into a different dimension, some fairytales that are screaming at me, and one really odd dream about a black mist taking human form to find his lost soulmate. Fantasy can have some amazingly odd story starters.
What is your favorite book ever written?
I don’t really have a favorite. They were all written for very different reasons.
Who are your favorite authors?
Kelly Blanchard, Maria V Snyder, Kerri Hawkins, Catherine Banks, and a few too many others to name.
What makes a good villain?
A lot of things! Sometimes I love when they are just so evil you despise them and can never relate. Others are fantastic because you can relate just a bit too much for comfort. As long as not everyone is getting a redemption arc, I’m happy. Not every villain deserves redemption.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
When not writing or reading I play video games. Animal Crossing is my favorite right now. I’ve played a lot of Skyrim, Stardew Valley, Splatoon, Pokemon… My Steam list is a bit out of control.
If you couldn’t be an author, what ideal job would you like to do?
A penguin trainer.
Coffee or Tea? Or (exult deep breath) what other drink do you prefer, if you like neither?
I am not picky here. I drink a lot of coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. Lately, I’ve been on an orange juice kick. I am one of those ‘I’ve got to have coffee’ people. I like my gogo juice.
You can travel to anywhere in the universe. Where would you go, and why?
Assuming we can’t die while in space, I would love to explore Saturns rings or Jupitars crazy amount of moons. They just have always sounded cool.
Do you have any writing blogs you recommend?
I will admit, I don’t keep up on blogs much.
Do you have any writer friends you’d like to give a shoutout to?
Nico C Grey I am so proud of you for finishing your first book! She writes some fantastic grim dark and I cannot wait to see her project become an actual book.
—–Pick any three fiction characters. These are now your roadtrip crew. Where do you go and what do you do?
Wow, throw me for a loop why don’t you? Three? From where? There are so many that would be hilarious to go on a trip with.
What superpower would you most like?
Flying or teleportation. Forget this walking and driving nonsense. Let’s just zoomzoom there.
What are two of your favorite covers of all time? (Not your own.)
Maybe the original Posion Study cover and the original Blood Legacy cover. I bought them both because of the cover, then the blurb on back.
It’s a very difficult time right now for the world. When quarantine and pandemic comes to an end, what is the first thing you would like to do?
Not cook dinner. I am not a great cook and this is putting my lack of skill but desire to mix things up to the ultimate test.
Finally, what is your preferred method to have readers get in touch with or follow you (i.e., website, personal blog, Facebook page, here on Goodreads, etc.) and link(s)?
Facebook I respond to the quickest, followed closely by twitter. I am all over social media though!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorJEMueller/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThePenguinBard
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16958250.J_E_Mueller
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/j-e-mueller
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/J.E.-Mueller/e/B074V9YJWG/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/AuthorJEMueller/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.e.mueller/
LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/j.e.mueller
April 16, 2020
Self Isolation Interview: PS Livingstone
Hey guys, got a new interview for you all, today it’s with aspiring and up and coming author PS Livingstone. Hope you all enjoy!
First of all, tell me about yourself! What do you write?
I’m 38 and live in Glasgow. I’m a biology teacher by day and a writer whenever I can be. My genre is difficult to define, but I’m calling it contemporary epic. It’s set in modern times but transects different realms, so doesn’t really work as urban fantasy. My books definitely have that traditional fantasy feel and a complex magical system to go along with it. They focus on fae and demons, with a healthy slice of world mythology thrown in. The books are character driven and examine relationships of all kinds.
The first book, Awakening, is out for queries at the moment. I’ve had good feedback and no feedback (as is the way of querying), but I’m hopeful it’ll find a home. If not, I’ve been gearing up to self-publish. I wanted to explore all the avenues and options.
I’d like to produce a bestiary of all the creatures I’ve made up, so that’s something simmering away on the backburner. It gets updated as I go along.
I also dabble in short stories in a variety of genres. Short fiction is a great way to hone skills and try out ideas.
How do you develop your plots and characters?
I’m firmly in the pantser camp, so my plots tend to develop organically. Sometimes, I’m genuinely surprised at the end of a chapter. I have an idea of where I’d like to end up, but I don’t stick to it if something better comes along, and I often make drastic changes once the first draft is done.
Many of my characters have evolved from a single phrase – I could picture that person saying something a certain way. I’m a big believer character sheets. Other than world building, it’s the only planning I do. Once I have that starting point, I write their physical appearance, personality traits and personal history. I often write stand alone scenes with my characters, partly for fun and partly to see how they’ll react to different situations.
Tell the world about your current project!
I’m currently working on Book 2 of my Transcendent Saga trilogy, tentatively titled Revelation. It’s in first draft form and I’m about 45k words in. Probably another 100k to go. Don’t worry, I’ll cut that down in my first edit. It’s darker than the first book and I’m taking some new creatures out for a ride, which is fun.
Who would you say is the main character of your latest novel? And tell me a little bit about them!
This is impossible to answer. I have a huge cast of characters, as many fantasy novels do. We get to know a lot of the minor characters better, and I don’t think I could pick out just one. Sorry, is that a cop out?
Have you been to any conventions? If so, tell me a little about them!
I’ve been to a few, the latest being FantasyCon 2019. I had a good time and chatted to some lovely people. I’ll admit, though, I was a little intimated by how well a lot of them knew each other and I’m never quite sure on what the protocol is for going up and saying hello. I reckon it’s probably down to me to get better at this.
The year before I went to the Festival of Writing. I’ll say that one wasn’t for me and leave it there.
The ScotsWrite Festival, organised by the Scottish SoA, was brilliant. I got so much out of the sessions and met some epic people. The atmosphere was friendly and relaxed. They’re hoping to do another one in 2021, and I’m so there.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I started writing in 2015, slightly by accident. I’d been having a chat with my brother-in-law about creative outlets – he’s a massive supporter of everyone having one – and I realised I’d been neglecting this part of my life. I’ve always loved the English language and language itself, so I starting putting some ideas down on paper and it grew arms and legs. It led me here, so we can blame/thank him for that.
If you had the opportunity to live anywhere in the world for a year while writing a book that took place in that same setting, where would you choose?
Years ago, I lived in Brazil for a while. They’ve got an amazing culture and some of the friendliest people I’ve met anywhere. There are so many places I didn’t manage to visit, so I think I’d go back and see what adventures unfolded.
What advice would you give new writers?
There’s no right or wrong way to write. Find whatever method works best for you and then hone those skills. Take on board feedback and remember that, if people are offering to help, that is what they’re trying to do. If 10 people tell me something isn’t working, it probably isn’t. You can be too close to your own work at times, so getting perspective is crucial. Lastly, don’t write what you know – write what you enjoy.
What real-life inspirations did you draw from for the worldbuilding?
I use my science background to think about how systems work. It’s important to have rules in your world, no matter how fantastical it might be. Even if you don’t explain every facet of it to your reader, it needs to make sense. Belief can only be suspended so far before you lose your audience.
What inspires you to write?
Writers and their stories. I was always read to as a child and then encouraged to read on my own. The imagination and craft of so many wonderful authors gives me inspiration and aspiration.
For me, reading is about enjoyment. If someone can read my book and be happy, I’ve done well.
What is the hardest part of writing for you?
Self-doubt. I once heard writers described as creatures where chronic self-doubt meets massive ego. I think there’s truth in that. I can be so precious about my characters and writing, yet I constantly worry it’s crap. Some of it is crap, but that’s what editing is for.
What is your routine when writing, if any? If you don’t follow a routine, why not?
I don’t have much of a routine, mostly down to my day job. Some days, I’m so drained I just don’t have the brainpower left to write. I don’t produce good work when I force myself, so I have to be realistic about it. It’s easier in the holidays – I manage more of a routine then.
I work best late at night, as there are less distractions. I’m a night owl by nature.
What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write in any of your books, and why?
I loved writing the last few chapters of my first book. Most of it is set underground, which was challenging but fun, and I got to bring all the threads together. You’ve got to appreciate the reveal.
Did you learn anything from writing your latest book? If so, what was it?
I’ve learned my writing has got better. I don’t make the same rookie mistakes I did the first time around. Writing is always a learning process, so it’s satisfying to know I’ve embedded those experiences into practice.
Are you a plotter or a pantser? A gardener or an architect?
Pantser, all the way when it comes to plot and writing a first draft. My world building is detailed and intricate, so I’d say architect. Pantser architect – I love that.
If you had to give up either snacks and drinks during writing sessions, or music, which would you find more difficult to say goodbye to?
Drinks, definitely drinks. I could go without snacks, and frequently do. I find it easy not to snack at home and can forget to eat. I never listen to music while writing. Total silence or I can’t concentrate. Basically, I can’t think and chew gum.
Which is your favorite season to write in, and why?
I don’t have one. I suppose winter is easier, because there’s nothing much to do in the allotment then. I spend a lot of time growing fruit and veg in the spring and summer.
It’s sometimes difficult to get into understanding the characters we write. How do you go about it?
As I said before, I make up detailed character sheets and write mini scenes. I have conversations with them in my head – sometimes out loud. Yes, I’ve had some funny looks. I’ve never struggled to understand my characters, because they come from me (exaggerated, of course).
What are your future project(s)?
I’m working on a sequel to a short story I had published, which I might turn into a serial, but it’s still in early stages.
Book 3 of my trilogy is on the horizon too. Weirdly for me, I’ve written the final chapter of the final book. I rarely write ahead, but I couldn’t do anything until that scene was on paper.
Outside of writing my own stuff, I’m getting more involve with the writing community, particularly the British and Irish Writing Community and their online magazine Bard of the Isles. I’ll be stepping up my role in that, which is hugely exciting. More to come on that soon.
What is your favorite book ever written?
That really is a tough question. Probably The Sandman by Neil Gaiman, although it’s technically a graphic novel. That’s allowed, right? His worldbuilding and characterisation are second to none, and he can make you feel for even the most dislikeable people. Everything about that story is right.
Who are your favorite authors?
Neil Gaiman (obviously), Terry Pratchett, Mark Haddon, Naomi Novik, Robin Hobb. I’m sure I could name more, but those ones come to mind first.
What makes a good villain?
It varies and is a combination for me. I love a baddie with charisma, one you love and hate in equal measure. I’m also a sucker for the ‘what ifs’ – someone you know would’ve turned out different if they’d had the chance. And there’s the unapologetic villain who’s just plain evil. They’re great fun to write and read.
What they can’t be is two-dimensional. Too many villains just fill a space in the story and aren’t explored, existing only to be the protagonist’s antagonist. I want to learn about them, understand their motivations, and maybe empathise a bit.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I spent a lot of time in my allotment: growing my own food organically matters to me and it’s great for mental health. I also love going to the movies, hanging out with my boyfriend and cats, and I do pole fitness. Life is better upside down.
If you couldn’t be an author, what ideal job would you like to do?
I’d love to run a wildlife sanctuary. I’ve taken in many injured animals over the years and nursed them back to health. I’m a strong supporter of animal rights, the fight against climate change and promoting biodiversity. Anything that supports a better balance with our environment and shows a little kindness is perfect for me.
Coffee or Tea? Or (exult deep breath) what other drink do you prefer, if you like neither?
I like both, but I’d give up tea before coffee. My espresso machine and I are simpatico.
You can travel to anywhere in the universe. Where would you go, and why?
Right to the end – I want to know what’s there.
Do you have any writing blogs you recommend?
The Creative Penn is great for indie authors, but I don’t follow any religiously. I like to dip in and out, and I always read blogs from the people I follow on Twitter and interact with in online groups.
Do you have any writer friends you’d like to give a shoutout to?
Absolutely. Big shout out to Phil Parker, Damien Larkin, Lee Conley, Em Jackson, Sarah Linley and Jenny Hannaford. Their support has been amazing, often acting as my cheering squad. I’d be lost without them and they’re damn talented folk, too.
I’m giving you a special shoutout, Michael, for supporting writers, taking the time to gather their thoughts and putting them out there. Thank you.
Pick any three fiction characters. These are now your roadtrip crew. Where do you go and what do you do?
Lucifer (The Sandman), Geralt of Rivia (The Witcher) and Lisbeth Salander (Girl With the Dragon Tattoo). I think we’d drive Route 66, because I’ve always wanted to, and stop at everything cool along the way. It’s going to be one mental trip – I’ll let you know how that pans out.
What superpower would you most like?
To be able to fly with big angel wings. I’m sure there are cooler and more useful powers out there, but the idea just makes me happy. I actually have a mutation which gives me enhanced abilities. It’s so lame, though, that I won’t say more.
What are two of your favorite covers of all time? (Not your own.)
Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman (the gold and black one).
Hunger Games trilogy (black background).
Hmmmmm, I’m sensing a theme.
It’s a very difficult time right now for the world. When quarantine and pandemic comes to an end, what is the first thing you would like to do?
Go and hug my family and friends. I’ve missed them so much.
Finally, what is your preferred method to have readers get in touch with or follow you (i.e., website, personal blog, Facebook page, here on Goodreads, etc.) and link(s)?
I have my own website: www.pslivingstone.com
FaceBook: www.facebook.com/authorpslivingstone/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52501242-awakening
Twitter: @ps_livingstone
Any and all communication is good, so please feel free to reach out. Thanks for the interview, Michael. You’re a star.
April 14, 2020
Self Isolation Author Interview: J Lenni Dorner
And we’re back! Nothing much to say this time, apart from I hope everyone has had a good Easter weekend (and STAY INDOORS! Good!)
Let’s get right to it! Today’s interview is with J Lenni Dorner. Hope you guys enjoy!
First of all, tell me about yourself! What do you write?
Hi! I’m J Lenni Dorner. I write speculative fiction (urban fantasy, high fantasy, horror, etc) and reference books for writers. I’m also the co-host of the Blogging from A to Z Challenge in April, and the debut author spotlight interviewer at Operation Awesome.
How do you develop your plots and characters?
My plots usually start as small seeds, just an idea or a twist on an old legend. The plot grows as the story is written. In that way, I’m a pantser.
My characters though, I have long, detailed character sheets for the main characters, and shorter sheets for the minor ones. When it comes to character development, I’m a planner.
Tell the world about your current project!
I have a few stories in the works right now. For April, as part of the A to Z Challenge, I’m sharing the opening of a fictional tribal story with a magical mystery. The entire short story is on Smashwords.
There’s another YA story that began as blog posts. I’m working on turning that into a novel. Plus, I’m still working on Proof of Existence, book 2 in the Existence series.
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1015003
Who would you say is the main character of your latest novel? And tell me a little bit about them!
In Fractions of Existence, Xavier and Gwendolyn (Wend) share the position of main characters. It depends on where you are in the book.
Xavier looks like he should be on the cover of GQ, or on a list of NYCs sexiest and richest bachelors in their twenties. Of course, he’s not what he seems. (The book isn’t in the myth& legends and urban fantasy category for no reason.)
Wend is pretty, but she looks ordinary enough that she can go unnoticed. She has absolutely no idea who or what she really is, and that is a problem. Xavier is almost certain he knows, but he struggles wondering if she’d be better off not knowing.
Have you been to any conventions? If so, tell me a little about them!
I haven’t. Crowds aren’t for me.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
“This is your calling. You have the soul of a storyteller. You must write the words to keep the stories alive.” I don’t have a lot of good memories from my childhood, but that day, when the elders said that to me, that’s the first time life made sense to me.
If you had the opportunity to live anywhere in the world for a year while writing a book that took place in that same setting, where would you choose?
Oh, that’s a tough question. Especially right now. Most of book three of the Existence series takes place on an island off the coast of New England. There’s an actual island there, though the book has a MUCH more fictional version of life on that island. Either way, the population is low, so that’d be an ideal spot right now.
Had you asked me this a year ago, I would have said NYC, because that’s where Xavier, Heath, Jez, and Jun live (in the Existence series), and where they’ll all be by the end of book two. I could spend a year just writing those scenes.
What advice would you give new writers?
I would say to learn as much as you can about the process, about the many different approaches. There’s no right way or wrong way to get the story to the page, there’s just the way that works for you and the dozens of ways that work for others who aren’t you. We cannot edit a blank page. You can’t learn from mistakes if you make no attempts to do anything. Having thousands of followers on social media is great, but it won’t sell any books that do not exist. Finally, always be open to free opportunities to learn about the craft of writing or to promote your author brand.
What real-life inspirations did you draw from for the worldbuilding?
I’ve done a fair amount of online roleplaying (RPG) over the years. That taught me how to make a setting that comes alive, that feels like a character itself. I’m not sure if that “game world” counts as real-life.
I spend a lot of time in the forest, and I used the correct names of certain trees and shrubs to describe a setting once. However, I neglected to consider that anyone who didn’t have a visual from the names wouldn’t mentally picture the danger. I had to rewrite it so readers could see the thorns.
What inspires you to write?
My biggest inspiration is from a legend that was passed down to me. That’s where the Existence series comes from. My short stories mostly come from story prompts or seeing something cool on Pinterest.
What is the hardest part of writing for you?
I think the hardest part of writing, for me, is letting go, deciding that it’s done or done enough. I spent over a thousand dollars on two editors for Fractions of Existence, plus I used Grammarly, three other editing programs, listened with text-to-speech, and had three beta readers. Is it perfect? Nope. Some guy just told me he saw a typo on page one. (I don’t know what, and he won’t tell me unless I pay him.) I know I miss a homophone here and there, or debate a comma (Chicago, MLA, APA, and AP disagree, and that’s just American English!), but all the money I spent on editing resulted in being told that it was very good and that very few errors were found.
Confidence is a funny thing for a perfectionist. I’ve read writing motivation books, and they all say that it is better to be done well as opposed to never being finished. I’m trying to hang on to that idea. I can write a novel in six weeks, but editing takes me years.
What is your routine when writing, if any? If you don’t follow a routine, why not?
I leave myself a note at the end of a writing session telling me what happens next. This way, I only have to reread a few paragraphs to get back into the headspace for the next session.
What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write in any of your books, and why?
I loved writing the scenes in Fractions of Existence where Wend and Xavier meet up for the first time. The tension on the Ferris wheel, when he doesn’t kiss her, that amuses me. And her yelling at him in the parking lot, that’s my favorite spot in the book. She thinks she’s weak, but really, she’s incredibly powerful.
Did you learn anything from writing your latest book? If so, what was it?
My latest publication is a reference book titled “Writing Book Reviews As An Author: Inspiration To Make It Easier.” I learned that I have a routine when I write book reviews. Some authors don’t review books because they aren’t sure what to say. This book offers help.
Are you a plotter or a pantser? A gardener or an architect?
Mostly gardener.
If you had to give up either snacks and drinks during writing sessions, or music, which would you find more difficult to say goodbye to?
I’m fine writing in silence. I don’t snack much when I’m writing. But I do need a beverage. Water, coffee, tea, whatever – hydration matters.
Which is your favorite season to write in, and why?
I guess late autumn, because that’s when NaNoWriMo happens!
It’s sometimes difficult to get into understanding the characters we write. How do you go about it?
The villains in the Existence series are a group known as The Eyes in the Shadows. They want human life to come to a crashing halt so reincarnation stops and everyone has to move on to an afterlife. It’s hard to understand that this group feels justified in slaughtering billions of people. So I think about people I’ve met who really are like that, who would join the group if it were real and they were invited.
There’s also a character named Tred. Is he a villain? He’s certainly an antagonist for Xavier, as he is directly in the way of Xavier’s goal. And then he drops a truth bomb that changes everything.
What are your future project(s)?
There are seven books in the Existence series. One is published. One I’ve been editing for… too long… A third, I have so many notes scribbled down that it’s probably 20% written. And the others have just vague descriptions. One of them is going to require a ton of research. There’s a chance I’ll end up writing another reference book about doing research just so I stay focused on how much research that one is going to take.
What is your favorite book ever written?
My favorite book by someone else? I really love the Red Queen series by Victoria Aveyard. And Patrick Rothfuss is my favorite high fantasy writer. There are a bunch of indie and small press authors I love, too.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/7120981-j-dorner?shelf=favorites
I keep a list of favorite books on Goodreads.
Who are your favorite authors?
Not surprising, my favorite books are by my favorite authors! Excluding myself, here are my favorites, alphabetical by last name:
Victoria Aveyard
Richie Tankersley Cusick
Alwyn Hamilton
Neil Patrick Harris
Nicki Ivey
L.G. Keltner
Stephen King
C. Lee McKenzie
Alison L. Perry
Shonda Rhimes
Deborah Rodriguez
Veronica Roth
Patrick Rothfuss
Mary Elizabeth Summer
Ia Uaro
J.R. Vincente
Ronel Janse van Vuuren
What makes a good villain?
I want the villain to have the opposite goal of the hero. But what’s more, I want to feel like this could be the personality and /or goals of an actual person I might know. They shouldn’t be a villain because it’s the cliché job, but because they’re the opposite of the hero and thus have an opposing goal.
In the Existence series, the Eyes in the Shadows want to end human life (villains) and the members of the Existence want to preserve and protect it (heroes). It sounds cliché and easy, until the series reveals who started the Eyes in the Shadows and why.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I enjoy reading, blogging, gaming, scrolling on Pinterest, or being outside in the woods.
If you couldn’t be an author, what ideal job would you like to do?
Not to split hairs, but author is my career, my life’s purpose. A job is just an activity that trades my time for a paycheck.
We try to protect the magic in my line of work, so I’m “very good friends” with certain fictional characters. Those characters mostly visit sick children who are stuck in hospitals. Sometimes there are other entertaining locations, but my group is mostly focused on that sector.
You may have met similar friends in certain parks run by a famous mouse.
Coffee or Tea? Or (exult deep breath) what other drink do you prefer, if you like neither?
Can I have a cup of each? I normally drink more hot tea than coffee. But lately I’ve needed more caffeine. How am I working less, but feeling MORE exhausted?
Link: https://www.facebook.com/WhatAreThey/posts/2278884415548176 )
You can travel to anywhere in the universe. Where would you go, and why?
Assuming this travel is safe and I’ll be able to come back in a reasonable amount of time? I’d want to go to space. Just to see the stars, nebulae, and other worlds. Hubble sends us good pictures, but artists fill in a lot of the blanks. I want to see what’s out there with my own eyes. Why? I don’t know, I guess because it’s freaking beautiful.
Do you have any writing blogs you recommend?
The Operation Awesome blog, of course! Yes, I’m on the team, but I was following the blog for years beforehand. I also recommend the IWSG and Writers Helping Writers.
Do you have any writer friends you’d like to give a shoutout to?
Writers make up nearly my entire friends list online.
Amren, Dena, Kate, and Nathaniel at Operation Awesome. (Nathaniel is actually leaving us soon, so there’s an opening. https://operationawesome6.blogspot.com/2020/03/new-team-member-search-at-operation.html )
DL Hammons who runs WriteClub (Submissions are open until April 19th. https://www.dlhammons.com/p/write-club-2020.html )
The team at the A to Z Challenge: Arlee, Jayden, John, Csenge, and Jeremy.
Kara Reynolds, Jan Marshall, Karis Rogerson, Jamie (@penminion), Eric (@seams16), Judy Probus, Ronel, Janet, Tim, Sarah Zama, Nilanjana Bose, Tasha Duncan-Drake, Alex J. Cavanaugh, Jemima Pett, L. Diane Wolfe, C. Lee McKenzie, … You know what, I could seriously be here all day.
Pick any three fiction characters. These are now your roadtrip crew. Where do you go and what do you do?
Christopher McCandless (Into the Wild), Mark Watney (The Martian), Heath Quedlin (Fractions of Existence).
It’s more about the journey. We’re going away from everywhere, to the unexplored or underexplored places. We’re going because we can, because we’re survivors, and because it’ll be interesting.
What superpower would you most like?
Super Healing, for both myself and others.
What are two of your favorite covers of all time? (Not your own.)
I have a whole Pinterest board just for this topic! Okay… two… only two… omg…
Cruel Beauty and Trevelyan.
It’s a very difficult time right now for the world. When quarantine and pandemic comes to an end, what is the first thing you would like to do?
I have a list of people who I plan to hug for an inappropriately long time.
Also, I’ve promised my spouse that we’d go out to dinner. My Snookums has expensive taste, so please buy my books so I can afford that meal. (Kidding! Okay, mostly kidding.)
Finally, what is your preferred method to have readers get in touch with or follow you (i.e., website, personal blog, Facebook page, here on Goodreads, etc.) and link(s)?
The best way to reach me is Twitter:
https://twitter.com/JLenniDorner
I’m also on these social media sites:
https://www.facebook.com/WhatAreThey
https://www.linkedin.com/in/j-lenni-dorner-48544243/
https://www.pinterest.com/jlennidorner/
https://www.instagram.com/jlennidorner/
https://nanowrimo.org/participants/j-lenni-dorner/buddies
I blog at: https://jlennidorner.blogspot.com/
Also, I’m on these blogging teams:
http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/
https://operationawesome6.blogspot.com/
Please, check out my books and author profiles here:
https://www.amazon.com/J-Lenni-Dorner/e/B00RM7E0EQ/
https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/JLDorner
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/j-lenni-dorner
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13725994.J_Lenni_Dorner
April 12, 2020
Self Isolation Interview: Rosa Marchisella
And we’re back again! This one is another awesome interview (because everyone who has the guts to do one is awesome!) with Rosa Marchisella, a great author, a good friend and a great client!
First of all, tell me about yourself! What do you write?
Hi Michael! Thanks for hosting me. My name is Rosa Marchisella and I write all types of fantasy. From urban and YA to epic and dark. Even my thrillers have some element of magic and the supernatural.
I’ve been writing since the 90’s, if we totally ignore the stuff I started in high school, and have done both fiction and non-fiction. I’ve freelanced, done stage and screen plays, published poems, and educational materials. I’ve even done written projects for the Canadian government.
How do you develop your plots and characters?
I don’t have a process or formula. My stories usually present themselves as a whole concept. I sit down and write a very brief outline so I don’t forget. Sometimes, there’s a scene or two that are already fully developed and need to be recorded immediately. Then, I write the story and characters as they unfold in my head. All of it; plot, sub-plot, character growth.
In my read through I may add specific character traits or habits, and I’ll look to make sure there’s no loose ends, but usually that’s all in there already.
Tell the world about your current project!
I am currently releasing a 10 book series title Touch of Insanity [www.rosamarchisella.com/touch-of-insa...]. It’s about a Half-Elf named Kharee, who was created to heal a goddess who is going mad and is spreading insanity via her connection to the people of the world, Besamie. Unfortunately, her parents withheld the ability for her to actually use her powers until they knew she’d grown up to be a decent, sane person.
The series follows Kharee as she discovers her powers, her mission, and her own truth. I’ve tried to keep the story as PG as possible, but she goes through some dark and gruesome experiences as she wades through the madness. For example, there are winged monsters called karpa that impregnate their prey and werewolves which are called Hydan Kin in their world, named after Hydan Speargood, the Elven Mage-Master who first contracted the magical disease. Oh, and of course a vampire lord, because no dark fantasy is complete without one. [laughs]
I’ve been releasing a new book every 20th. Book 4, Each According Their Worth, releases on April 20th and I’m hoping to have a completed collection of all 10 books in one out in time for Christmas. If readers want to know when each book releases, they can sign up for Books2Read notifications https://books2read.com/author/rosa-marchisella/subscribe/1/90818
It’s been very exciting to write and I’m fortunately working with excellent people to bring it to life. You’ve done such an amazing job bringing my maps into creation in a style that suits the feel of my story perfectly. So, please, let me say thank you to you again for the work you do through Fantasy World Emporium www.facebook.com/fantasyworldemporium! Renee Barratt from The Cover Counts www.thecovercounts.com created the dynamic covers. And, both my editor, Lily Luchesi of Partners In Crime Book Services www.facebook.com/PartnersInCrimeBookServices and Stefan Lear from of Dreadnot Interiors www.facebook.com/dreadnotinteriors have done excellent work. I’m so proud of the finish products.
Who would you say is the main character of your latest novel? And tell me a little bit about them!
Kharee is definitely the main character. She’s a Half-Elf in her late teens and she’s pretty intense. At the start, she’s just an easy-going kid in love with her life as a sheep herder’s daughter. She’s rough and tumble, and a little short-sighted. Kharee’s never thought about the future, just assuming her life is always going to be wrangling sheep and wrestling the hired hand for amusement. But, once her parents break it to her that she’s supposed to get married, she’s has this wake-up call. Her life doesn’t make sense. How and when did her parents promise her to some snotty Elf lord? And why? She’s a grubby teenager with nor refinement.
Kharee tries to be the dutiful daughter, but eventually ends up beating the snot out of her finance for being grabby. She decides if her family is so desperate for money that they’re pawning her off on this creep, she’ll go out and earn it the honest way.
She’s extremely moral and earnest. As both a woman and a half-breed, she wants to be taken seriously which makes her a bit intense and at times brutal. She never loses that sense of responsibility, viewing the people she travels with kind of like her “sheep”, which eventually leads to her being a fantastic leader later in the series.
Unfortunately, it also stifles her sense of humour and adventure for a while, until she meets a man mid-way through the series who turns her views upside down.
The story covers about 2 years of her life, but in that time, she has a huge growth as a person while she’s discovering her powers. She has to intentionally kill for the first time and that messes with her. She learns the difference between being in crush with someone because they’re nice to you and deeply loving a person for who they are. She learns to find fun and humour even in the dark times, and that sometimes you have to let go of the people you care about so they can grow at their own pace. And, she discovers the greatest secrets about suffering and facing our own darkness, which she’ll need to understand before she can do what she was created to do; heal a broken goddess.
Have you been to any conventions? If so, tell me a little about them!
I have not. They actually scare me a little bit. In my other work, I’ve been to fairs and run booths, but they were all local and I had a team with me. The thought of having to travel on my own or with my kids to man a booth by myself is frightening.
So, I’ve decided that until I can actually afford to consider it as an option, I’ll put it on the backburner so I don’t freak myself out. I’m looking into online options, especially now that everyone is in self-isolation.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
That’s such a slippery question for me. I’ve always been a story-teller, but it was frowned upon. In high school when they wanted me to pick a career and the two I wanted to follow were acting and fiction writing. Both were quashed hard core. I needed to pick “real” jobs.
After graduation, I just kinda floated for a few years from job-to-job just trying to keep my head above water. I was writing short stories and poems, but wasn’t selling them. I wrote a couple books and couldn’t sell them either, even though agents and publishers were constantly telling me how much they loved my work.
I did some acting, which I love more than I love oxygen, but the lifestyle and crap pay that came with it didn’t appeal.
I worked for a bit as screenwriter and doing freelance or contract work, but it’s only been the past few years where I’ve been able to sit and focus solely on fiction writing that I realize; YES! This is exactly the life I’ve always wanted. Writing is one of the few things I feel I do really well and that makes me very happy.
So, I guess the short answer is; I’ve always know, but only have recently believed.
If you had the opportunity to live anywhere in the world for a year while writing a book that took place in that same setting, where would you choose?
Huh. Good question. When I do write in our world, I keep the locations generic so they could be just about anywhere in North America. I mean, I write fantasy so I’m not in the world. [laughs] But if I could be somewhere to write about it and personalize it . . . That’s tough. Scotland and Ireland are steeped in fantasy, but Southern France has its appeal.
What advice would you give new writers?
Learn your craft. Learn all the rules and master them. Then break those rules. Bend them. Twist them. Make them your slave so people read who your work and say, “Holy crap! What a refreshing story! How did this author ignore all the rules, yet still make this mind-blowing story? What’s their secret?”
That is the secret: Master your craft, first. Only then can you create something true to you that works.
What real-life inspirations did you draw from for the world-building?
History. I’ve done research on castle building and fortifications, knights, armor and weapons, ancient gods and religions . . . I mean, they don’t inspire me. They’re my homework for building a solid world, but for the sake of the interview, I’ll call it same-same.
What inspires you to write?
Everything: Dreams, my kids, misheard things, song, some stupid joke make while goofing with others, the news, memes, sneezing. Dude, ev-er-y-thing in creation inspires me. I can’t turn it off. My WIP list is almost 200 projects long.
What is the hardest part of writing for you?
Marketing. Ads. Walking away from writing long enough to focus on interacting with my audience. I’m thinking about keeping a camera on me while I work so people can see I really exist [laugh].
What is your routine when writing, if any? If you don’t follow a routine, why not?
Butt in chair, fingers typing. That’s it. I make sure I have a drink handy, but no snacks. If I get hungry, it gives me the chance to step away, stretch, look out a window, interact with other humans . . . [laughs]
I work from home and home school my two kids, so most people think I have it out scheduled and in order. None of us work well on a schedule. We have a daily routine which we keep flexible. So, sometimes I sit and write all day while they doing their schooling. Other times, I don’t get to write until they’re in bed.
Sometimes listening to music is nice. Other times the music interferes with the flow of the story. Sometimes I do a work out before I sit. Other times I have to jump up in between paragraphs and do a work out. We just flow here. It’s more productive for all of us if we’re not fighting the clock or locking ourselves in to habits.
What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write in any of your books, and why?
Not fair. That’s like asking which kid is my favourite. [laughs] I’ll narrow it down to just the Touch of Insanity books. Sheesh, Michael! That’s hard. I mean I really enjoyed writing about unstoppable Orc army, gory werewolves, and brutal enemies. That was fun. But . . . what I really loved writing was Kharee slipping into a healthy, loving relationship . . . while already engaged to someone else.
Moving her through the mental and emotional process of discovering herself and what she wants, handling big-girl decisions, making sacrifices, and dealing with consequences was not what I expected to write in a fantasy adventure. But, it’s so important to her being able to actually do her job as the Healer. I’m finding these parts of the story deeply satisfying and really hoping the readers will love it, too.
Did you learn anything from writing your latest book? If so, what was it?
I’ve learned that just because I planned for a book to be about X and titled it accordingly, doesn’t mean that’s actually what’s going to happen. I’m currently writing book 9 of the Touch of Insanity series. I bravely called it, Tarna’Hala after the Elven city she’s supposed to visit. I’m 13 chapters into it. I need another 6 thousand words, but I feel done this part of the story and Kharee only spent ONE chapter actually in Tarna’Hala. The rest of the time, she was busting someone out of prison and dealing with ghost pirates. [face-palm]
Are you a plotter or a pantser? A gardener or an architect?
YES! I usually have multiple projects on the go and my stories usually come to me as a whole concept with clear ending. So, I outline everything immediately so when I get to it, I have all the information I need. I learned the hard way that if I don’t write it all down, I’ll forget where the story was supposed to go or what it was about. Even if I only have a concept, I write it down with as much detail as possible.
Sometimes I have certain points I need to hit and other times, I have a vague concept. But, I have it written down. From there, I pants. I just let the story flow to fill in the blanks. The more blanks, the more pantsing.
If you had to give up either snacks and drinks during writing sessions, or music, which would you find more difficult to say goodbye to?
Drinks is the only thing I need. I can, and often do, go without music. I keep snacks away so I purposely have to get up and walk away from my desk because some days I’m there for 8-10 hours with a few bathroom and meal breaks. But, I need to stay hydrated.
Which is your favorite season to write in, and why?
In real life season? Winter. I can’t go outside because the old hurts me, so I don’t feel like I’m missing out on life.
In story season? Anything except winter so I can keep the location generic.
It’s sometimes difficult to get into understanding the characters we write. How do you go about it?
I don’t have this problem. Between acting training and spiritual work, I can slip into any character, mind set, and emotion fairly easily. From sweet and innocent to the darkest evil. I’ve owned all that in me, so I can access it when I need to.
No, I need to make a correction on that. Racism. I still can’t freaking wrap my brain around that mindset. I can comprehend fear and disgust toward something unknown or vastly different in morals or heinous actions. I get having negative reactions toward something in another which reminds me of what something I hate about myself . . . But, I don’t think that’s the same as vitriol against another Being for existing as a different colour. I can emulate it superficially for character purposes using what I’ve just said, but racism / xenophobia is . . . foreign to me. I feel false when I try to write about it.
What are your future project(s)?
I’m in the air about that. I have a huge WIP list and some of them are just so much fun. Do I want to do the sci-fi comedy? Pirate adventure? Dragon brothers lost in our world? Gosh, I love my life. [laughs]
Putting my serious hat on; The next project I need to finish is a supernatural thriller trilogy, the Harper series www.rosamarchisella.com/harper-series based on some ridiculous nightmares I had. It’s about a psychic woman named Hannah Harper who is guilted into helping the police solve a series of strange murders. She finds the guy quick enough, but then ends up as his next target. Things go sideways from there as she ends up in a mental institution where she’s hunted by the supernatural.
I have the first book done and most of the second book, so I’ll probably clear that off my plate before jumping into any of the others.
What is your favorite book ever written?
A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula Le Guin. It was a mandatory read for grade 7 English. That book had such a profound impact on me that it’s literally echoed through my life. The power of words, owning your Shadow, and maturing to a point where you don’t have choices. Not really. All the fluff falls away. The drama disappears. There’s just you and the path you were always meant to walk.
Who are your favorite authors?
So many good ones, but for the sake of brevity, the well-known authors hogging all the space on my shelves are; Stephen King, Dean Koontz, and Tanya Huff.
What makes a good villain?
Guts. Having the darkness to totally ignore boundaries while still having your own moral code. Like if your villain can totally eff up people and the reader is like, “I get it and it scares the crap out of me because if my morals were slightly different, that would be me.” then that’s a good villain.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Pretend I’m not thinking about writing. That’s always good fun. [laughs] I play games with my kids, take them for walks in the park, hang out with friends, and read.
If you couldn’t be an author, what ideal job would you like to do?
Acting. It’s my second greatest love and I’m so dang good at it.
Coffee or Tea? Or (exult deep breath) what other drink do you prefer, if you like neither?
Tea; orange pekoe or green.
You can travel to anywhere in the universe. Where would you go, and why?
All of it. If I could go anywhere, then why stop until you’ve been everywhere?
Do you have any writing blogs you recommend?
I do not. I mean I like read posts from Chuck Wendig and Renegade Mothering, but those aren’t “writing” blogs.
Do you have any writer friends you’d like to give a shoutout to?
I have so many writer friends, it would be long list, but if I have to pick three off the top of my head, I’d start with Ramona Mainstromwww.facebook.com/RamonaMainstrom. Romance who writes some pretty unique paranormal romance stories. I love everything RobRoy McCandless www.facebook.com/RobroyMccandless has written so far. He’s fantastic with action and keeping a story moving. And, I fangirl every time Shawn Cosby shares his work www.facebook.com/blacklionking73. It’s gritty and real, and drags you right into the moment.
The trouble with having so many author friends is that you love ‘em all, but can’t name them all when asked. [hides face]
Pick any three fiction characters. These are now your roadtrip crew. Where do you go and what do you do?
Bold of you to assume I can answer this without getting lost in a plot idea for the next half hour. [laughs]
Off the top of my head, Mr. Darcy From Pride & Prejudice, Miss Frizzle from The Magic School Bus, and Paksenarrion Dorthansdotter from The Deed of Paksenarrion. We’d get on that bus and go on that trip to everywhere we were talking about earlier, so I can watch Mr. Darcy bumble his way through the universe.
What superpower would you most like?
Flight. My favourite dreams have always been the ones where I can fly over cities at night to look down at the beautiful lights and just dance in the sky.
What are two of your favorite covers of all time? (Not your own.)
I have several that I absolutely love, but there are two books on my shelf I bought simply because I loved the covers. Lucky for me, the books were just as good as their covers. [laughs]
The first was a two-in-one book by Susan Carroll called, Brighton Road/The Sugar Rose. I didn’t even read the back cover before I bought it. There was just something about it that grabbed me and I wasn’t a fan of romance, so I felt silly buying it. It was worth it. Both stories are great.
The second one was The Barbed Coil by J.V. Jones. This time it was actually a genre I read. [laughs] It’s a fantastic fantasy story, so well done that I’ve read it several times.
I think they’ve both been redone by now, but I’ll share photos of the covers with you.
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It’s a very difficult time right now for the world. When quarantine and pandemic comes to an end, what is the first thing you would like to do?
The first thing will be to go with my neighbour. It’s a ritual we started last summer where we sit in her front yard with hot drinks and just do nothing. It’s really hard for me because I’m almost always writing, so those visits are good for me. For both of us. We talk, sometimes we putter in our gardens. But mostly, we focus on unwinding and simply being in the moment.
Winter was hard on us because neither of us got to do that and we were looking forward to spring so we could visit again. It’s silly, but it’s not the same when you sit in the house to “visit” as it is to be outside under the sun. I think we both cried when our local self-isolate period was pushed to the end of April. And, today they just announced it’s being pushed to June 30th. Dude, I’m crying. I called it weeks ago that it’ll be mid-to-late August before they life isolation rules, but I’m still crying about it.
Finally, what is your preferred method to have readers get in touch with or follow you (i.e., website, personal blog, Facebook page, here on Goodreads, etc.) and link(s)?
Readers can check out by books at my Official Website www.RosaMarchisella.com
BookBub BookBub www.bookbub.com/authors/rosa-marchisella
GoodReads www.goodreads.com/rosamarchisella
or Books2Read https://books2read.com/ap/8Z2MY8/Rosa-Marchisella
But, the best place to follow me or get in touch is on Facebook www.facebook.com/iamrosa.fanpage
If readers want to keep tabs on my new releases, they can sign up for Books2Read notifications https://books2read.com/author/rosa-marchisella/subscribe/1/90818
April 10, 2020
Staying in: Game Recommendations You may have Missed.
It’s been strange, scary and difficult times for us all. Sending love and internet hugs to all who need them: we will get through this. I’ve been keeping myself busy with editing, expanding my author interviews and of course, gaming.
With a lot of people needing to stay in and self isolating, many are turning to gaming. What I hope to accomplish with this series (yep, it’s going to be something new. I hope to fuck I stick to my promises this time!) is show you guys some games you may have overlooked, or just not known about. I’ll probably give you 5 recommendations per article, and hopefully you get to see something new.
Wildermyth
Some minor bias…okay, I’m fibbing. I fucking love this game. It cracked my Top 10 games of 2019, reaching an impressive ranking of #6. On reflection, it’s probably a lot higher now.
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I’ll make it sweet: I really think highly about Wildermyth. To describe it best: I’d say it’s a roleplaying fan’s dream. The game launched in early access just in November, and nearing 6 months on, it’s going great.
At it’s heart, it’s designed for you to make your own characters and campaigns, and there’s already three base campaigns in the game for you to enjoy, with a ton of generated events, battles and content for you, as well as two randomized campaigns with a bit more variation. I’ve played one so far, and starting a second campaign. I found it humerous, well written and enjoyable to play. There’s also a massive amount of variation, and every campaign feels different. Your characters age and change, form relationships depending on events, get wounded, get random buffs or even die.
There’s also a beautiful artistic style to the game that really grabs my attention. The art style in Wildermyth is a mixture of cartoons and paper, capturing 2D characters in a 3D enviroment during the battle mode. Their movements are basic, but it’s done well, and the fighting system has a wonderful, simple loop. There’s lots of different weapons and abilities to pick up, and the magic system is unique and well-made, giving mages cool ways to unleash their terror upon the battlefield. I really enjoy the combat system, one of the best I’ve seen in an RPG.
The nice thing about Wildermyth is again, the customization. This is designed so you can make your own characters, campaigns and scenarios. You can edit your characters appearance and write up their histories.
There is a serious amount of depth brewing in this gem of a game. It’s still fairly early in development, but has a lot of content already. I could see this game becoming a massive hit in 2020 if the devs continue the pace they have with it, with more campaigns to come. The artistic style is cute and fresh, the gameplay is extremely satisfying with a good range of in-game events, the enemies are diverse and there’s plenty of choices for difficulty. Want it to be a fun romp, or a Dark Souls murderfest? The choice is yours.
You can even read about the devs visions by clicking on the picture down below. I interviewed them! I have so much love for this game, and I see Wildermyth breaking waves in the coming months, as it approaches a full launch.
ELEX
Oh boy. I have some comments about this 2017 rough man’s treasure, and not all of them are flattering. ELEX is a weird game, but an oddly good one if you get past its many quirks.
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I have a strange relationship with this game. At times I get engrossed in its world for hours. Some times I just laugh at how obtuse some of the game mechanics are.
And sometimes I get very frustrated with it.
It is a weird game. ELEX is a fascinating, at times broken and at times horrible RPG, but one that deserves a look I reckon. I put nearly 50 hours into the game in my first run.
A couple of years ago, I made my Top 5 games of 2017 list. In it, I said that this game nearly became Number 2 on my list, for so many reasons. This is when the “love” part of ELEX gets to me. Many times I sat back and went: “Huh. This is actually pretty impressive.” ELEX didn’t make my Top 5 cut of last year, but it did win my “Love/Hate” reward. Just like Marmite.
It reminds me like a 2013 version of Morrowind. Now, that has good and bad in it.
This world environment is diverse with a lot of different biomes, and while things are rough around the edges, I really liked exploring. The textures at times are a tad rough, but there is some good variation and the world-building is the best part of the game. Everything is hand crafted, the cities are large and well varied and the world map is pretty big, but still manages to do a good job at finding cool things to explore.
Exploration itself is the meat of the game for me. You get a jetpack from the beginning and it really adds to this regard. You can bullshit through a lot of the world with it, which is a good thing. If the jetpack did not exist, this game would be a whole lot more unforgiving, more so than it already is. This is down to its pretty atrocious combat system but I’ll get into that later.
The quests themselves aren’t particularly special, but the factions are pretty nice. There are four overall and many little settlements, usually each with their own quests. There’s good variation and completely different play-styles. The world gives off a good view of it being alive with different NPCs going around doing their thing, animals that attack each other. It plays a bit like a survival stealth game at times, because you’re so weak for most of the game you really need to watch where you’re going. This world hates you, and you will die a lot. That isn’t a bad thing, but I’ll get into that properly in a bit.
Want to know the bad news?
When its bad, its really bad. Now, ELEX has a lot of frustrating problems. The opening 20 hours are punishingly difficult (but this is a subjective thing) and quite a slog. The starting area is, I’ll put it honestly, trash. It takes a long time to get to the point where you can enjoy travelling the world without getting one-shotted. I got killed within my first 10 minutes by a rat. A fucking rat.
It would not be the last.
Onto the combat system, its rough. Clunky is putting it politely, and theirs a stunlock system that hampers you. Your stamina bar is also quite tight.
Its quite a shame because you get quite a diverse array of weapons and styles to choose from, but it is let down by the nasty combat. I will say while it is painful, you do get used to it. Treat every battle like a boss fight, and I mean it. You will get better at it, but these two big problems merge into one shit sundae and a very uncomfortable opening hours. So much so I don’t blame anyone for putting the game down. If you can push through this, I personally found the combat satisfying. But this takes a while and you might not get to that point. I like the publishers, but they probably should learn how to make games with less frustrating combat. Oh, and navigating your UI. It’s a mess. You also can’t order your items or drop anything so you have to spend a ton of time scrolling through all your shit. This is tedious.
This game has some serious flaws, but there is an ambitious, well made open world in here, with solid quests and factions. The game sold so well the devs are making a sequel. It’s done something right.
Overall, I’d recommend at least giving it a shot. It’s a good enough game, if you can get past its downsides, and there are a lot of them. It’s a game worth trying, if you haven’t done so yet.
Parkitect
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This is a true theme park game, and in some cases it’s better than Planet Coaster. It has some excellent management quirks in a shoutout to Rollercoaster Tycoon 2, and focuses heavily on the management side over its main rival. Planet Coaster still rules the pack in customisation and “build your own sandpark”, but it still lags behind on management and optimization.
This might be the pivotal theme park game in the future, even above the olden goldies. Rollercoaster Tycoon 2 still leads in that regard, especially with the amazing OpenRCT2 mod that enables it to run on modern software and adds a ton more options. Parkitect oozes charm and runs quite well. It has great sandbox options and a new extensive campaign. I’ve been quite enjoying it so far and it gives you different challenges throughout. Once you complete each campaign mission, you can play the map again in sandbox mode.
I’m really impressed by Parkitect. It feels like a lovechild to the old era, and still going strong in 2020. I recommend it, if you’re looking for something different to whet your cabin fever appetite.
Mount and Blade: Warband
I know Bannerlord is out. No, I’m not going to talk about that game. Not yet anyway. Let me play it for longer first. However, I will recommend it’s older brother!
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Welcome to one of my favourite games of all time. It’s truly that good. What could I say about this? Made by Taleworlds Entertainment in 2010, it was a direct sequel standalone to the original Mount and Blade. The best way to describe this game is an action RPG in a sandbox world.
It’s not a pretty game by any means; it’s graphics are borderline ugly. I’d say it’s a cross between Morrowind and Oblivion graphics. The outdoors (where you’ll do most of the fighting) are occasionally pretty, but overall, it doesn’t look amazing. But graphics isn’t what this game has for it, it’s the gameplay. My god, the gameplay. There are six factions in the game which you can join and fight with, or forge your own kingdom. There is some level of diplomacy, marriage to princesses, hire your own armies and look after them in battle, besiege castles and towns. While it’s not hugely polished, it’s still an awful lot of fun. There is even some trade profit options if you want to go down that route.
The biggest strength to this game though is its adaptability. There are hundreds of fan-made content mods for this, including full conversions which transform the game in every shape and form. The vanilla game surely isn’t perfect, but the modding base really makes it shine. There are giant adaptations of popular genres like Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings and Warhammer universe too.
If you can get this game for around £10-15, buy it without doubt. This is one of the best games ever made (In my opinion anyway), and you’ll get hundreds if not thousands of hours of content. In terms of money for your time, it’s one of the most profitable. It does have a steep learning curve and its presentation is ugly for a 2010-gen game, but the depth more then makes up for it.
Lost Ember
Man, I have a lot of good feelings about this game. It made the Top 10 of my GOTY list in 2019, which is strong praise for someone who isn’t usually drawn to these cutesy style games.
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The story is quite compelling, and I found myself both drawn in and affected by the game as it played out. It starts off fairly happy, but it really ramps up in terms of emotions, and I really felt for both main characters. The story takes a really dark and sad turn, but it ends on a beautiful note.
Lost Ember gives you a bunch of chapters in big open spaces to explore, and while it’s fairly linear, you get some opportunities to run about. You can transform into several different animals to get around the map easier, and it’s these cute moments where the game really shines. It’s part walking simulator, part platformer in many ways, but I had so much fun in these segments. You can fly as a parrot or duck, swim as a fish, climb as a mountain goat, dig tunnels as a mole…there’s some depth into these mechanics, and you need them for some sections of the game.
Like I said, I’m not usually drawn to games like this, but Lost Ember made it a first time for everything. I really liked all the little mechanics, and the swimming segments of the game are perhaps the best part. It feels quite a lot like ABZU, and jumping about in the water as a fish and exploring the lakes feels very zen. In such stressful times, trying to stay calm is tough with everything going on.
Zen is a good way to describe this game. I felt very peaceful when playing it and even when the story is over (It’s not a very long game), there’s lots of collectables to pick up. And I feel compelled to go back into the game and try to collect anything. No other game does that for me. I hardly ever want to try and 100% a video game. I want to with this, even if it means replaying the game from scratch.
It’s a big buggy, and is pretty short (around 7-8 hours). However, it’s on sale for 40% off on Steam right now, so I’d recommend picking it up. It’s a fascinating little game, and I’m going to restart it soon, if just for the fun little animal roaming.
So there’s five games! Hopefully it appeals to you guys. If not, I’ll have more coming soon. There’s some big heavy hitters I’m going to review in the coming weeks, so stay tuned!
April 8, 2020
Self Isolation Author Interview: Ulff Lehmann
Keeping em’ coming, my friends! Today I bring an interview with a good friend of mine and fellow author, Ulff Lehmann. His book Shattered Dreams is high up on my TBR list, watch this space
