Derek Landy's Blog, page 5
November 6, 2014
How to Write Books Good, Part 1
Thinking up the idea:Think of an idea.Lie in bed and think about the idea some more.Dismiss idea.Walk around house. Do menial tasks. Allow the mind to wander. When the mind has wandered around to an idea, stop doing menial tasks and pay attention.Write it down.Read it over.Change it.Lie down on sofa. Let idea form a story.Dismiss idea. Hates idea. Idea is stupid.Decide to write from the headlines. Switch on news. Read newspapers. Look for inspiration. Ebola, eh?Brand new idea. A plague that wipes out most of humanity! The few survivors come together under some vague supernatural (religious?) pretence. But evil people have also come together! Drama! Conflict!Realise your idea is The Stand, by Stephen King.Read The Stand, by Stephen King.Go back to original idea, decide it's good enough. Congratulations! You now have your idea!
October 24, 2014
Oh, Bloggy
Hello.
Ah, my poor neglected blog. How I have ignored you. Once you were the apple of my eye (okay, not really — the name of this blog is what it is, after all), but then along came Twitter and suddenly you seemed somewhat clunky and... unwieldy...
But see? I have returned. I've been away a lot, I know. Work. I had that book to publish (which went really well, by the way) and then all those tours, including a trip to New Zealand and Australia to meet all those readers with funny accents.
My life has been somewhat chaotic as of late, and when things get chaotic, some other things suffer. You, it seems, are one of these things.
But I'll try to rectify that. I really will. I'm home now, after all, and settling back into normal life. What normal life will bring me, though, I have no idea.
Ah, my poor neglected blog. How I have ignored you. Once you were the apple of my eye (okay, not really — the name of this blog is what it is, after all), but then along came Twitter and suddenly you seemed somewhat clunky and... unwieldy...
But see? I have returned. I've been away a lot, I know. Work. I had that book to publish (which went really well, by the way) and then all those tours, including a trip to New Zealand and Australia to meet all those readers with funny accents.
My life has been somewhat chaotic as of late, and when things get chaotic, some other things suffer. You, it seems, are one of these things.
But I'll try to rectify that. I really will. I'm home now, after all, and settling back into normal life. What normal life will bring me, though, I have no idea.
September 26, 2014
September 25, 2014
The Review Competition
A few hours ago I was sent the finalists for the Gordon Edgley Book Review competition, where people had to review books that they (or anyone else) had never actually read. These reviews were BRILLIANT. We got some of the best, most imaginative responses back, and it was not easy picking winners.
But picking winners is what I had to do, and so the winners are Patricia Snake, Sophie Carter, Ella Corkum and Katie Roberts-Malpass.
Huge congratulations to the winners, and a huge congratulations to EVERYONE who entered. You have kept me entertained...!
But picking winners is what I had to do, and so the winners are Patricia Snake, Sophie Carter, Ella Corkum and Katie Roberts-Malpass.
Huge congratulations to the winners, and a huge congratulations to EVERYONE who entered. You have kept me entertained...!
September 24, 2014
NZ Dates
Finally, we have the New Zealand details...
CHRISTCHURCH
THURSDAY, 2ND OCT:
12:30 PM — Whitcoulls, Riccarton Mall — public signing
5:30 PM — The Children's Bookshop (in Riccarton School Hall) — Talk, Q&A, Signing
WELLINGTON
FRIDAY, 3RD OCT:
12 PM — Whitcoulls, Queensgate Mall — public signing
5:30 PM — The Children's Bookshop, Wellington — Talk, Q&A, Signing
AUCKLAND
SATURDAY, 4TH OCT:
11 AM — Whitcoulls, Sylvia Park Mall — public signing
2:30 PM — Whitcoulls, Albany Mall — public signing
CHRISTCHURCH
THURSDAY, 2ND OCT:
12:30 PM — Whitcoulls, Riccarton Mall — public signing
5:30 PM — The Children's Bookshop (in Riccarton School Hall) — Talk, Q&A, Signing
WELLINGTON
FRIDAY, 3RD OCT:
12 PM — Whitcoulls, Queensgate Mall — public signing
5:30 PM — The Children's Bookshop, Wellington — Talk, Q&A, Signing
AUCKLAND
SATURDAY, 4TH OCT:
11 AM — Whitcoulls, Sylvia Park Mall — public signing
2:30 PM — Whitcoulls, Albany Mall — public signing
September 21, 2014
September 18, 2014
Australian Tour Dates
NZ details to come as soon as I have them, but it's looking like I'll be visiting Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland from the 2nd to the 4th of October.
AUSTRALIA
MELBOURNE
SUNDAY, 5 OCT, 3:30 PM: Readings, Carlton
Talk, Q&A, Signing.
MONDAY, 6 OCT, 4 PM: Dymocks (Westfield Shoppingtown)
Signing
ADELAIDE
TUESDAY, 7 OCT, 2 PM: Dymocks (Rundle Mall)
Signing
WEDNESDAY, 8 OCT, 11 AM: Brighton Performing Arts Centre
Talk, Q&A, Signing (Ticketed but free)
PERTH
THURSDAY, 9 OCT, 11 AM: Westbrooks
Talk, Q&A, Signing. (Ticketed but free)
6 PM: Dymocks, Garden City
Talk, Q&A, Signing. (Ticketed but free)
FRIDAY, 10 OCT, 10 AM: Dymocks, Morley
Talk, Q&A, Signing. (Ticketed but free)
BRISBANE
SATURDAY, 11 OCT, 10 AM: Dymocks
Talk, Q&A, Signing.
SYDNEY
SUNDAY, 12 OCT, 2 PM: Dymocks, George Street,
Signing
MONDAY, 13 OCT, 6 PM:
The Midnight Hotel end-of-tour celebration.
AUSTRALIA
MELBOURNE
SUNDAY, 5 OCT, 3:30 PM: Readings, Carlton
Talk, Q&A, Signing.
MONDAY, 6 OCT, 4 PM: Dymocks (Westfield Shoppingtown)
Signing
ADELAIDE
TUESDAY, 7 OCT, 2 PM: Dymocks (Rundle Mall)
Signing
WEDNESDAY, 8 OCT, 11 AM: Brighton Performing Arts Centre
Talk, Q&A, Signing (Ticketed but free)
PERTH
THURSDAY, 9 OCT, 11 AM: Westbrooks
Talk, Q&A, Signing. (Ticketed but free)
6 PM: Dymocks, Garden City
Talk, Q&A, Signing. (Ticketed but free)
FRIDAY, 10 OCT, 10 AM: Dymocks, Morley
Talk, Q&A, Signing. (Ticketed but free)
BRISBANE
SATURDAY, 11 OCT, 10 AM: Dymocks
Talk, Q&A, Signing.
SYDNEY
SUNDAY, 12 OCT, 2 PM: Dymocks, George Street,
Signing
MONDAY, 13 OCT, 6 PM:
The Midnight Hotel end-of-tour celebration.
September 12, 2014
Theatre of Shadows
Minions! Operatives! With just over two weeks to go, the countdown to Theatre of Shadows has truly begun. There are only a few tickets left, so if you want to take part in an ASTONISHING ADVENTURE THAT WILL CHANGE THE WORLD* then please book now to secure a place in Dublin!
(*May not actually change the world.)
Today marks the launch of the Theatre of Shadows microsite: here you'll find galleries, an archive of all the messages so far in the hunt for Silas, and all the news to come. Just click the link ENTER THE DARKNESS from the main Theatre of Shadows page. We've built this specifically to include all the American, Swedish and Norwegian Minions — who until this point have been unable to register — in order to have a truly global experience. There'll be heaps more to come, and for anybody not based in USA Sweden or Norway, don't forget to register for the online Theatre of Shadows Mystery here.
The microsite password will be changed regularly so keep on here. First one to get you started though is… RESCUE.
Wondering what on earth I'm talking about?
Theatre of Shadows is an immersive fan event like no other… on Saturday 27th September, those lucky enough to secure a ticket will be taken on an adventure inside the world of the books. I'll be there, along with the incredible LARP (Live Action Role Playing) specialists who have helped produce this madness. There'll be role-playing, problem solving and an amazing quest to tackle. The event is tailor-made by yours truly and I'll be writing a brand new short story, inspired and informed by YOUR participation, on the day! Which means the brave actions of ALL the Operatives – Live and Remote - stand a chance of entering officially into the Skulduggery history books.
Once you've registered and are heading into battle: remember to leave a REFLECTION behind to keep friends and relatives quiet. Our shiny new Reflections Hall of Fame app is now live on Facebook. I want to see your preppiest, most saccharine outfits and expressions people! Remember — you Reflections are the goody-goody two-shoes version of you, so smile, be happy, and be the "perfect" version of you that you can be! If you'd like to share these as your profile pictures then all the better. Mention #TheatreofShadows so that other Operatives will know you're in on the secret.
(*May not actually change the world.)
Today marks the launch of the Theatre of Shadows microsite: here you'll find galleries, an archive of all the messages so far in the hunt for Silas, and all the news to come. Just click the link ENTER THE DARKNESS from the main Theatre of Shadows page. We've built this specifically to include all the American, Swedish and Norwegian Minions — who until this point have been unable to register — in order to have a truly global experience. There'll be heaps more to come, and for anybody not based in USA Sweden or Norway, don't forget to register for the online Theatre of Shadows Mystery here.
The microsite password will be changed regularly so keep on here. First one to get you started though is… RESCUE.
Wondering what on earth I'm talking about?
Theatre of Shadows is an immersive fan event like no other… on Saturday 27th September, those lucky enough to secure a ticket will be taken on an adventure inside the world of the books. I'll be there, along with the incredible LARP (Live Action Role Playing) specialists who have helped produce this madness. There'll be role-playing, problem solving and an amazing quest to tackle. The event is tailor-made by yours truly and I'll be writing a brand new short story, inspired and informed by YOUR participation, on the day! Which means the brave actions of ALL the Operatives – Live and Remote - stand a chance of entering officially into the Skulduggery history books.
Once you've registered and are heading into battle: remember to leave a REFLECTION behind to keep friends and relatives quiet. Our shiny new Reflections Hall of Fame app is now live on Facebook. I want to see your preppiest, most saccharine outfits and expressions people! Remember — you Reflections are the goody-goody two-shoes version of you, so smile, be happy, and be the "perfect" version of you that you can be! If you'd like to share these as your profile pictures then all the better. Mention #TheatreofShadows so that other Operatives will know you're in on the secret.
September 1, 2014
Fun Times
Wow.
What a few days.
The Requiem Ball was beautiful chaos. People came in ballgowns and jeans and tuxedos and T-shirts, but everyone was wearing a mask, and everyone was equal. The Bleeding Heart Crypt was where the first book was launched, way back in 2007, and so it was a fitting venue to see off the final part of the series. I laughed, I chatted, I posed for selfies, and then I signed.
And it was a good day.
The signings in Ringwood and Bournemouth were great fun, and of course Bluewater was as manic as ever (five and half hours of signing books and chatting to people... yikes...). On Sunday I did my first event for this tour, and I read out a few bits that had been cut from the first book, all those years ago. And then I signed for a few more hours.
And the response has been exactly what I was hoping for. The one thing that was so vital to me was to give the series a fitting end — an ending it deserved. My mission was to both confirm and confound your expectations, and by what I've been reading online, it looks like I've succeeded.
And the most awesome thing? The lack of spoilers. Sure, there are spoilers out there, but most people have been really considerate of others. Even in the Spoiler Zone to this very blog, folks are content to talk AROUND the subject, rather than address it directly. This is HUGELY appreciated.
The book has been selling really well, from what I hear. I loved the excitement generated around the Black Edition — minions were waiting for stores to open and then rushing inside, trying to find those hidden tomes. It was, in a word, awesome.
And now I'm wrecked.
What a few days.
The Requiem Ball was beautiful chaos. People came in ballgowns and jeans and tuxedos and T-shirts, but everyone was wearing a mask, and everyone was equal. The Bleeding Heart Crypt was where the first book was launched, way back in 2007, and so it was a fitting venue to see off the final part of the series. I laughed, I chatted, I posed for selfies, and then I signed.
And it was a good day.
The signings in Ringwood and Bournemouth were great fun, and of course Bluewater was as manic as ever (five and half hours of signing books and chatting to people... yikes...). On Sunday I did my first event for this tour, and I read out a few bits that had been cut from the first book, all those years ago. And then I signed for a few more hours.
And the response has been exactly what I was hoping for. The one thing that was so vital to me was to give the series a fitting end — an ending it deserved. My mission was to both confirm and confound your expectations, and by what I've been reading online, it looks like I've succeeded.
And the most awesome thing? The lack of spoilers. Sure, there are spoilers out there, but most people have been really considerate of others. Even in the Spoiler Zone to this very blog, folks are content to talk AROUND the subject, rather than address it directly. This is HUGELY appreciated.
The book has been selling really well, from what I hear. I loved the excitement generated around the Black Edition — minions were waiting for stores to open and then rushing inside, trying to find those hidden tomes. It was, in a word, awesome.
And now I'm wrecked.
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