Cindy Tomamichel's Blog: World Building, page 8

Albuquerque Comic Con Jan 12-14th

I am indebted to the practical genius of Eric Michael Craig of the SciFi Roundtable for being able to sell Druid’s Portal: The First Journey across the other side of the world!

Yes, at the Albuquerque Comic Con Jan 12-14th, at the Convention Centre, the Roundtable will have a large stand with a great selection of scifi and fantasy authors avaliable.

Just click on the image to go to the website and find out more about it, and the spectacular range of characters visiting!

My books hope to to see you there. Make sure you grab one of my rather splendid business card/bookmarks with the cover sword on them.

Here is a link to have a read of Druid’s Portal to spark your curiousity – see if you can stop reading.

 

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Short Story: 3039AD

For the New Year, a story set in the far distance universe of The Planet of The Apes. Call it fan fiction if you will, I like to think of it as a homage to a great book and movie series. Where would scifi and time travel be today without the heritage of author Pierre Boulle? So to the viewers who call the originals hokey and dated, I say “Damn you, damn you all to Hell!”

3039AD by Cindy Tomamichel

My name is Nova. I have no voice with which to speak. It has taken many years to learn to read and write, skills that have long vanished from the human race. I believe I am the first for many hundreds of years, for my fellow humans remain dumb brutes, scared of the technology of the apes, scared of their own shadows. I pity them, they who I once was. I try to teach the young, and some show promise, an interest in the words that should have been the birthright of all humans. In all my years of searching this library that is my home, I have not found the reason for what happened to us. We lost it all, we who once ruled this planet, falling from grace to become dumb beasts of the fields. And the apes inherited our world.

I am old now, and I would write of the days and weeks when I knew Taylor, the man who fell from the sky, the man who could talk as only the apes could. My Taylor, my only love. Before Taylor, I had no name, all that I am now slept within me.

It is hard to remember the time before Taylor, the time before thought. I lived as all humans did, as dumb beasts without comprehension and at the mercy of the apes that hunted us for sport, captured and enslaved us. I too was captured, taken to their holding centre. It was a terrible place, the days full of torture and pain, and the nights with dumb misery, huddled on damp straw, our backs raw from the whips.

Taylor had been chosen as my mate. I found out later he and his companions had fallen out of the sky, he said from the past. I don’t fully remember or understand all he told me, the words themselves were a novelty, and concepts came much later. Oh, how he tried to teach me to speak. The longing to hear another human voice amidst the guttural apetalk must have burned within him, for he tried for so many months.

Taylor tricked the apes into letting us go. He always had a way with him, and could charm even the brutish apes. Soon we discovered a strange buried mountain, in the form of a woman. Tall and gracious with a spiked crown, she was half buried in the sand. I remember the wonder of seeing a human statue, for I had only ever seen the ape God. But after seeing that, Taylor was never the same. He became morose, angry and increasingly violent.

He dragged us back to the badlands, and he left me there, vanishing before my eyes. Alone, and frightened I panicked, running without thought, like the dumb beast I was.

One of the gorillas shot me and I was unconscious for some time.

Taylor – thinking I was dead –  unleashed the fury of the Omega bomb. Thankfully, it didn’t destroy the world as was its purpose, but the explosion of the firing mechanism was enough to bring down the underground city. Crawling through the rubble, I found my love dead, his hand on the firing button. His last act had been to try and destroy the world. I loved him, but can never understand the depth of his despair, which I think was part of the past. Perhaps the people of his time had been mad, or the travel through time and finding out humans were slaves to apes unhinged his reason.

I will never know, and neither will Taylor’s son. But maybe one day, he will read my words and know why he can talk as no other human can.

 

Enjoy this story? Have a think about signing up via my website or catch them as they fly around the ether on twitter or facebook . They will stay where they are pinned on pinterest .

For those that have not read Druid’s Portal yet, here is a link to the first chapter   DruidsPortal

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Book review: Futures Past by James White

Futures Past by James White

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A fantastic collection of short stories. All scifi, and all with elements of hard science, so the setting is first rate and believable. However the stories are full of intense emotions, personal sacrifice, heroism, courage, with some fine characters.

A great read, even if scifi is not your favourite genre, as the stories are so character driven that the humans (and sometime aliens) drive the plot. With some clever twists, each story will have you hooked until the last paragraph.



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Futures Past

New Release: The Engineer

Today sees the release of “The Engineer – Chronicles of Actaeon” by Darran Handshaw.

Imagine MacGyver crossed with Indiana Jones, investigating the mysteries of the long vanished ancients. Weird technology, odd customs, dangerous relicts, monsters and inventions combine to provide a roller coaster ride in this fantastic debut novel.

Blurb:

“We are born in the shadow of fading memories and fallen dreams,

living our days within the decaying bones of an age long gone.”

When the Engineer, Actaeon, arrives at Pyramid in the heart of Redemption, nothing goes according to plan. Mysterious raiders pursue him relentlessly across the shattered remains of the ancient metropolis, and the leaders of his homeland pay no heed to his ambitious ideas. Meanwhile, deep beneath Pyramid, a deadly creature stirs.

And, when Actaeon meets a skilled young Knight Arbiter with brilliant blue eyes, he starts down a path he could never have imagined. The vast, fallen city of the Ancients is home to a new people who face the constant struggle to find resources needed to survive in the dangerous ruins. For the Engineer, however, Redemption is a treasure trove of technology, opportunity, and answers. But his unique skills make him a target for those who would use his talents to achieve their own dreams of power and control.

In his endless quest for the truth, will Actaeon discover the fallen city’s greatest secrets? Or will he share the same fate as the Ancients of whom nothing remains but a whisper? One thing is certain: in Redemption, everything comes with a cost.

Meet the author:

Darran M. Handshaw is the author of The Engineer, his debut novel. In addition to writing, Darran works as an R&D Engineer at a technology company. There he designs and invents new products; he holds more than 15 patents in firefighting and data capture. Darran also volunteers as a firefighter and EMT with his local fire department, where he recently completed a two-year term as Fire Captain. Darran hails from Long Island, NY, where he lives with his wife, Stefanie, and son, Corwin, who fill his life with love, wisdom, and endless adventures.

Darran also has a short story in the recent scifi anthology Quantum Soul.

Follow Darran below:

Facebook: fb.me/ActaeonRellios/

Twitter: twitter.com/Engineer7601

Goodreads: goodreads.com/TheEngineer

Amazon: amazon.com/author/engineer

Book buy link: The Engineer 

Like to comment on twitter?

Enjoy this blog? Have a think about signing up via my website or catch them as they fly around the ether on twitter or facebook . They will stay where they are pinned on pinterest .

In the meantime, click and have a read of Druid’s Portal

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New Release: Dai & Julia series

Today sees the launch of the alternate history series Dai & Julia, by the talented duo of Jane Jago and E.M. Swift-Hook. Both authors of multiple books, the combination of talents is a treat to read.

The series premise is that the Roman Empire never fell. But that is just the setting for a dectective duo – one British (Dai), one Roman (Julia) – who join forces to solve crimes in a fantastical yet realistic alternate world. Readers who enjoy alternate history will find much to intrigue and entertain, but it is also a fine detective series, and with a dash of romance.

The series is out in ebook, however this set is in paperback, and includes some bonus new novellas and short stories. A fine addition to a library – and a welcome Christmas present!

Click here to get your copy myBook.to/dnjone

 

Meet the authors

Jane Jago

Jane is a multi-genre writer and voracious reader who lives in the beautiful west country with her big, silly dog and her big sensible husband.

She spent the first half of her working life cooking and the second half editing other people’s manuscripts.

Now she lazes about. A lot. And writes. A lot.

For more writings and musings see:

Facebook: http://tinyurl.com/t9pkll3

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Jane-Jago/e/B01CYLND2O/

E.M. Swift-Hook

In the words that Robert Heinlein put into the mouth of Lazarus Long: ‘Writing is not necessarily something to be ashamed of, but do it in private and wash your hands afterwards.’

Having tried a number of different careers, before settling in the North-East of England with family, three dogs, cats and a small flock of rescued chickens, I now spend a lot of time in private and have very clean hands.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/emswifthook

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/E.M.-Swift-Hook/e/B01FL8FMI0/

Author interview: http://cindytomamichel.com/?p=180

Be sure to keep up with them on social media.

 

Enjoy this blog? Have a think about signing up via my website or catch them as they fly around the ether on twitter or facebook . They will stay where they are pinned on pinterest .

In the meantime, click and have a read of Druid’s Portal

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Book review: MacKennas Gold

Mackenna's Gold by Will Henry

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I don't normally read westerns, and after reading this one, I will be checking out more of Will Henry books.

This was an entertaining read, with a cracking pace, some great characters, good descriptions and overall well worth looking up. The movie of the same name is also good, and I would recommend watching the movie, then reading the book. The movie pretties up the characters, but takes many of the main elements to craft a good movie.

The interesting thing was the main character MacKenna. He had a deep bond with the land and the Apache people, and the book covers this well. The movie changes this to westernise some aspects. It is an interesting change, and probably says a lot about the movie audience.

If you enjoyed the movie, then this book will also be enjoyable, and intriguing for the differences.



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Mackenna's Gold

Bill McCormick: author interview

Today I introduce Bill McCormick, a Chicago based writer and author of the recently released trilogy “The Brittle Riders” on Azoth Khem.

What is your current project?

Right now, obviously, I’m mad pimping The Brittle Riders. My publisher, who’s a blessing, is as nuts as I am. After Book I was released last year, and well received, we decided to just drop the entire trilogy all at once. That came with new cover art, since people thought I was a black woman due to the original graphics (people are really f*g dumb), and some thought it was porn. It wasn’t, and isn’t. Even so we took the time to re-edit it, add in some scenes readers asked about, and foist it on an unsuspecting public.

How much research do you do for your novels? Bonus –what’s the weirdest thing you have Googled?

I do a ton of research. Case in point, in The Brittle Riders I used a common trope at the end of Book III to discuss space travel. I got lazy and used pop culture explanations. A rocket scientist, who’s also a surfer dude and fan of strip clubs (which is how we met), read it and pointed out my idea would blow a hole in our solar system. That would be bad in case you’ve forgotten where we live. So he sent me a couple hundred pages of quantum physics papers for me to trudge through so I could get it right. I ended up killing about 30,000 words, and rewriting the ending, but he approved of my changes when it was done. That was the one time I tried to slough off the work required and it bit me in the ass.

So research is important. I write science fiction and the first word in that phrase is “science.” It has to be right or, if I pull something out of my ass, plausible.

As to the weirdest thing, I’d have to say the medieval history of porn. I discovered a book called Il Modi which was a Latin “how to” manual, think “Kama Surtra” but easier to follow. It is widely considered to be the birth of literacy in the west. The Bible was, and is, cool, but the chance to do the nasty in new ways wins every time and people needed to learn how to read to understand the instructions that went with the pictures.

What has been the most surprising thing you have discovered since becoming a published author?

The groupies throwing their, barely legal, naked bodies at ….. no, wait, that was when I played in bands. Sorry. Things blur at my age. I think the most surprising thing was being welcomed into the cool club. By that I mean being allowed to interact with far more established science fiction authors. The ones I’ve met have been universally supportive. Well, except Vonnegut. When I met him he was a prick. Of course, in is defense, I was writing for music rags, and not sci-fi, at the time. So he may have deemed me beneath him and contempt. In retrospect I would have done the same.

What is your favourite imaginary world that’s not your own?

David Brin’s Uplift universe. While we tackle the same core subject, eugenics, he manages to find happiness and hope while I start my book by killing every man, woman, and child before the first chapter. I think I’d like to visit his happy place.

What’s the scariest thing you have ever done, and did it end up in a story?

Got into a knife fight with a biker, and, yes, it made its way in. I didn’t die, in case you’re worried. But it’s a pivotal scene in Book III. Altered so that my assailant doesn’t walk away as he did that night. So, best of both worlds, I’m not in jail and I got a cool story. Plus a couple of scars.

If you travelled in time, when would be your choice? Would you prefer magical or technological means of travel?

It would have to be magical since any technological means would involve stepping into a worm hole and I’m not that stupid (previous answer aside). Anyway, I’d love to go back and break bread with Jesus. Just to pick His brain about the Sermon on the Mount would make the trip worth it.

Name 5 fictional characters you would invite to a dinner party. Where would the party be?

I wouldn’t invite anyone to a dinner party. We’d meet at a bar. Minor quibble aside, I’d invite Beowulf, Gilgamesh, Fiben, the Borg queen, and Michonne. I’m pretty sure we’d scare the piss out of everyone and never pay for a drink. I’m also sure Kahleesi would join us. I mean, seriously, how could a dragon loving woman who’s drunk blood not feel at home with this lot?

Why do you write science fiction? What about it appeals to you?

I love the ability to step outside reality and comment on it.

What is the next project?

I have several. A comic book I write, Legends Parallel, is getting ready to release its third issue. My graphic novels, Pestilent and Bob: Sins of the Son, are in production and my teen friendly graphic epic, Alokia the Kaiju Hunter, is being prepped for release in Japan. Add in the tid-bit that I’m writing the prequel/sequel to The Brittle Riders called Goptri of the Mists, and I’m a busy dude. And, just for fun, I recently licensed the IP of all my comic books and graphic novels to Nerdanatix so they can make them into video games and – from my keyboard to God’s monitor – TV shows. There’s a lot going on.

People want to know more! Where can we buy the latest book and where are you on the internet?

You can buy it there and I’m here. Oh. Sorry. You want specifics. You can get the entire Brittle Riders trilogy at http://www.AzothKhemPublishing.com and all your friends can ogle me at http://BillMcSciFi.com. I’m so freaking cool I don’t even need the www others are saddled with.

Or I’m not worthy of it. Either way, it’s not there but I am.

 

Enjoy this blog? Have a think about signing up via my website or catch them as they fly around the ether on twitter or facebook . They will stay where they are pinned on pinterest .

In the meantime, click and have a read of Druid’s Portal

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Writing up a storm

Everyone always complains about the weather – do your characters? Or do they sail through the pages in blissful ignorance of the climate? Weather conditions can be a big part of a scene, adding impact in many different ways, from subtle to tsunami.

Weather is related to the climate range in your setting, so it is an important first step to nail down the area that you have set your story. Is it a tropical oasis, a concrete jungle, a hydroponics unit in a space ship, or an alien planet? Once you have determined the general sort of climate, then a bit of armchair travelling might be required. Pick a place, and google the temperature and rainfall variations, asking yourself questions such as:

Do they have seasons? For those living in an area with four seasons, it may be hard to describe a wet-dry variation of monsoonal tropics, with the humidity, insects, rainfall and possible flooding often associated with this climate. What does too much rainfall mean? Crop failures? Insects? Leeches? Flooding? Landslides?

Equally, many areas have the storybook four seasons with snow in winter and hot dry summers, with the gorgeous leaf changes of Autumn, and the new growth in Spring. Not all the world has this sort of picture perfect weather, so that is worth remembering. Is the snow a good thing, bringing joy to Christmas, or is it a danger, blocking roads and making driving hazardous?

The details of weather are often enough to indicate what’s going on. The hot day making sweat wet shirts stick to skin, the humidity that droops a hairstyle, the sleet that drives cold deep into the bones. Will they seek shelter from a sandstorm or torrential rain? Or are they so deep in thought they don’t notice? Often small details like these are enough to add something extra to the scene, grounding the characters in their environment.

But we can go further. Does the weather start to affect the characters? Will the brave heroine be terrified of thunder because her Father died from a freak lightning strike? Can the hero Bear Grylls the mountain, or will he need rescuing like Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser – by gorgeous damsels that provide an interesting interlude on a frozen mountainside in Fritz Lieber’s tales.  In Modesty Blaise (Silver Mistress) by Peter O’Donnell, she uses the villain’s preference for warmth against him, and a man she could never defeat in normal combat is weakened and defeated in an epic and eerie fight deep underground. An adroit placement of a clue early on will make these scenes come alive when the secret terror becomes reality.

Even a memory associated with a weather pattern may provide a part of backstory that illuminates a character. In ‘Eye of the Needle’ by Ken Follett, the main character is paranoid about people recognising his face, as you probably would be after some years as a sleeper spy. In a dramatic scene he has to outrun encroaching waves and a storm, in a race he had not run since a youth, which triggers a memory of a victory photo, the very photo which has proved his undoing. It is a potent scene, and the author weaves weather and emotions together very effectively.

Moving into the realms of fantasy, we have the opportunity to endow the weather with magical or supernatural elements or motives. Piers Anthony has an ongoing angry cloud Fracto in the Xanth series, which causes trouble and the occasional comic relief in many of the books. Tolkien also uses both the blizzard and the direction to give an ill feeling to the very air, and also drive our heroes into the path of an even darker danger. Narnia was ensorcelled into the depths of a never ending winter. Stephen Donaldson in the Thomas Covenant series used the change of seasons as an integral part of the plot, as magic and evil distorted the natural patterns into a diabolical parody of normal. But he went further, not only the weather twisted, but he showed how the people managed and adapted and survived, and then the reactions of people who knew that this was not the norm. Adding another layer to this complexity, the main character Linden Avery had an empathic connection to the weather.

Science fiction can be a fine area to experiment with weather. Are the patterns similar to Earth? Or does a planet with 90% ocean coverage have different weather? How about a long line of active volcanoes? Is the weather now under human or alien control? How has the plant life adapted – and how do people react? In Heinlein’s ‘Red Planet’ the two boys save themselves from the extreme cold of a Martian night by using their knowledge of the local plant habits and sheltering – but it is a close run thing, adding tension and excitement. Another aspect would be the reaction of people getting off a ship with its sterile controlled temperature. Is the planet weather bracing or scary or annoying with all the sand in the instruments? Is the weather too perfect – because it is controlled like the people by an unseen super computer as in the Star Trek episode “The Apple”?

So a writer can make the weather a driving part of a scene, in which case it is most likely that it would be first written this way. However in the editing stage it is worth gently brushing in touches to add depth and interest. Drag your readers into the scene with their own memories and experiences, and make them sweat or shiver along with your characters.

Enjoy this blog? Have a think about signing up via my website or catch them as they fly around the ether on twitter or facebook . They will stay where they are pinned on pinterest .

In the meantime, click and have a read of Druid’s Portal

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Druid's Portal: reviews

Druid's Portal: The First Journey by Cindy Tomamichel

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A genre blend of action, adventure and romance - Druid's Portal is the first in a series of historical fantasy set in the time of Roman Britain.

Read some other reviews of Druid's Portal:
Books & Benches
“It doesn't take more than a page for the action to begin and leaving the reader to imagine what will happen next. Touches of history were mixed into the story at the right moments. The author brought to life the Roman Invasion into Britain during an interesting time in history…I'm glad I read it. Fans of time-travel, historical romance are sure to enjoy DRUID'S PORTAL.”
Full review: https://www.booksandbenches.com/singl...

Historical Novel Society
"The fast-paced story captures the history and culture of the ancient Romans and Picts. …Druid’s Portal is a unique historical romance, with elements of adventure and time travel, that readers might enjoy."
Full review: https://historicalnovelsociety.org/re...

Romance Reviews Magazine
"A thoroughly recommended read for time-slip fans of ancient romance themes with a touch of mystery and adventure amidst gruelling feats of endurance and battles."

Ind’Tale magazine
“A most intriguing blend of history and time travel … alludes to the risks associated with time travel, which deserves appreciation, as this genre often romanticizes the journey and avoids the paradoxes. Dynamic characters that leap from the book into memory.”
Full review: http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/...




View all my reviews

Samanthya Wyatt: author interview

Today I introduce Samanthya Wyatt a fellow Soul mate author in contemporary and historical romance and author of the upcoming book “Instant Enticement” available for pre-order now.

What is your current project?

Instant Enticement

A naked woman in the shower . . .

Craig couldn ’t believe his eyes. A practical joke on his friend turned out to be a naked beauty standing before him in all her fine glory. He was too shocked for words. A man who had his share of women, suddenly found himself speechless before this exotic creature. She was an aching temptation. Surrendering to his passion could cost him his best friend. Yet, he yearned to taste, to touch . . . but she was hands off.

Kelly has given upon men. Once she ’d been young, beautiful, full of life, and way too trusting. But her last relationship changed all that. All men were liars —except for her best friend. The only man she would ever trust. At least that ’s what she thought . . . until she met his best friend, Craig. He turned her world upside down and had her rethinking her vow. She yearns to taste the ecstasy his dark eyes promise. But he holds back. And now she must convince him she is innocent of betrayal.

 

A writing routine or inspiration? What works best for you?

Inspiration. A routine has never worked for me. When I plan hours of quiet time or writing time, something always happens. My family thinks I do nothing, and have plenty of time for them. Between doctor appointments for my mom and my uncle, I have very little time left for me. So when I get a chance, hubby tells me to close the door and he will see I have privacy. What a man…

Who are your favorite fictional couple and why?

Every book I write, the current H&H is my favorite couple. But if I had to choose, I’d say my first book because Morgan and Kat were in my head for fourteen years before “The Right One” was published.  If you mean favorite couple ever—Rhett and Scarlett in Gone With the Wind.

What has been the most surprising thing you have discovered since being a published author?

That I have joined the ranks of published authors. I may not be popular, but I became published the old-fashioned way by submitting my MS and signing a contract with a publisher. It has been a real thrill going to RWA conferences and meeting my favorite authors.

You write in Contemporary Romance. Do you stray into other genres?

My latest book is contemporary, but I also write historical in Regency time period. I love suspense and add some mystery to my books.

Is there a book you would recommend writers should read?

All of mine of course. LOL  On a more serious note, there are tons of books covering every subject on the earth. I love romance in every time period and I love the magical moments. Whatever your choice, read a book. ‘Lay the worries of the world off your shoulders and get lost in the pages of a romance.’

If you travelled in time, when would be your choice? Would you prefer magical or technological means of travel?

If I were to travel in time, magical would be my choice. I’d like to go back in time. Maybe in the days of pirates. Maybe in England, going to balls, meeting a handsome Lord. Or even a handsome Medieval Knight with his sword.

Do you have a marketing tip you can share?

Facebook seems to be the social media for most everything. My advice, friends and other authors is the key. If an author is willing to share your news, be polite, gracious and return the favor.

I have found, much to my dismay, there are authors who push their books and use groups and teams to promote them like a business. Maybe this is a business, but authors who use fans to market like a pushy car salesman or encyclopedia salesman is not an author for me.

I feel that if you write, keep on writing. Enjoy what you do and maybe one day your book will be among the best sellers. We can always hope.

What is the next project?

My current work in progress is a series “The Firefighters of Station #8”.

Each book is focused on a different firefighter showing how the hero and heroine overcome their inner conflict to achieve love. I have sprinkled in a villain—one man’s revenge apportioned over 5 books.

Mike is the first book of five.  A profession that has made him a confirmed bachelor – A teacher who spends her nights dreaming of Mr. Right – each is afraid to surrender to love. A thirst for vengeance threatens the Firefighters of Station #8 placing Mike and Cassie directly in the line of fire.

  People want to know more! Where can we buy the latest book and where are you on the internet?

BUY LINK for Instant Enticement: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07663KV3S/

Website:   http://samanthyawyatt.com/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/Samanthya-Wyatt-Author-1498001047086140/?ref=hl

Twitter: @samanthyawyatt

Blog:  http://samanthyawyatt.com/blog/

SMP:  https://smpauthors.wordpress.com/

Review Site: https://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Reviews/Lwynters-reviews-The-Right-One-by-Samanthya-Wyatt

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8330687.Samanthya_Wyatt

All books available at  Amazon.com  https://www.amazon.com/Samanthya-Wyatt/e/B00L3KIZTO/

 

Enjoy this blog? Have a think about signing up via my website or catch them as they fly around the ether on twitter or facebook . They will stay where they are pinned on pinterest .

In the meantime, click and have a read of Druid’s Portal

The post Samanthya Wyatt: author interview appeared first on Cindy Tomamichel.