Rhian J. Martin's Blog
January 17, 2019
Follow Me on Instagram!
Hey, you! Do you follow me on Instagram? (You'd know if you did; it's mostly cool pictures of books and tea and writing stuff). If not, check out my Instagram Nametag!
To easily find and follow me, open Instagram's "Nametag" feature and scan my nametag. Doing so will allow you to view my profile without having to search for my name.
Instagram Nametag is a pretty new feature, so play around with it and see what you think! And, if you decide you don't know what the big deal is, you can always follow me by searching my username, RhianJMartin, instead! 📷
To easily find and follow me, open Instagram's "Nametag" feature and scan my nametag. Doing so will allow you to view my profile without having to search for my name.
Instagram Nametag is a pretty new feature, so play around with it and see what you think! And, if you decide you don't know what the big deal is, you can always follow me by searching my username, RhianJMartin, instead! 📷
October 20, 2018
FREE BOOK ALERT!
Starting on Friday, October 26th, my novel, "A Different Familiar," will be available for free in e-book format for a limited time!
This is a perfect opportunity for those of you who have a Kindle to grab a copy of "A Different Familiar" - and even if you don't have a Kindle e-reader, you can still take advantage of this offer by adding the free Kindle app to your computer, tablet, or phone. For more information, please click here: https://buff.ly/2NL3iEh
Please share with your fellow readers!
This is a perfect opportunity for those of you who have a Kindle to grab a copy of "A Different Familiar" - and even if you don't have a Kindle e-reader, you can still take advantage of this offer by adding the free Kindle app to your computer, tablet, or phone. For more information, please click here: https://buff.ly/2NL3iEh
Please share with your fellow readers!
August 24, 2017
The Music Behind "A Different Familiar": Part II
This post is a continuation of a blog series about the music that inspired me while I was writing A Different Familiar. If you didn’t catch the first post, you can find it here!
As I noted in my previous post, music has always been an effortless part of my existence. Both of my parents and many members of my extended family are musically inclined, so I suppose there was never really a time when I ever had a second thought about how music fit into the workings of my daily life. It was always just sort of there from the start, which is probably why I find it so necessary.
I started singing in a choir when I was six years old, but it wasn’t by choice. I attended a Catholic school and we had something called “church practice” every Tuesday, where a finicky musical director lined all of us uniformed schoolchildren up on the steps of the altar, and with incredible gusto, she would then wave her hand towards the organist and attempt to direct our sorry group of toddling singers in religious song. Not only did we have to sing hymns from the pages of massive missalettes, but we had to rehearse the responsorial psalms, gospel acclamations, recessionals, and every other musical part of the Mass… including the dreaded Latin.
Thinking back on that time, it wasn’t necessarily the singing I disliked, or the strangely animated musical director, or the liltingly beautiful music of the Mass itself. I mostly remember church practice as being unpleasant because the boys who stood behind me on the steps of the altar used to tug on my hair while we were singing, which then caused me to make an unruly vocal noise in front of everyone mid-song. The disapproving look of the musical director was then mimicked by me as I turned around and glared at the infamous little classmates of mine, though all the anger in my little body hardly stopped them from yanking on my hair. Luckily, it hardly stopped me from singing, either.
As I got older, I continued (voluntarily, this time) singing in choirs – both recreational and competitive – and I also took voice lessons and participated in musical theatre. Sometimes I think that if I wasn’t a writer, I would have liked to pursue a career in the musical and performance arts, though I think I’m much more suited to writing. Still, they remain great hobbies of mine, and fortunately literature and music are not mutually exclusive in my mind. That being said, let’s continue on with our exploration of the music that inspired A Different Familiar!
P.S. - Spoiler alert for those who haven't finished reading the novel. Continue at your own discretion!
Gut Feeling – The Coronas
My apologies for this one – when I initially included this song in the playlist, it was available in the United States, but I’ve since learned that it’s no longer streaming on American Spotify. I was lucky enough to find a live performance video of the song, though, so I hope that works in the meanwhile as a substitute!
This song is a nod to Ellen. Like so many of us, Ellen has a tendency to overthink a situation to death, and then when she finally grows sick of overthinking it, she settles on going with her intuitive “gut feeling” – or, in other words, trusting that inherent sense of right versus wrong. There are a few moments in the story when Ellen seemingly can’t locate that surge of intuition, however, and she doubts whether or not she’s doing the right thing. Luckily, though, Matilda advises Ellen when she finds herself floundering between decisions and half-feelings, and usually is able to point her in the right direction.
As the song progresses, the lyrics also transition into what I imagine would be a tangible conversation between Ellen and Ronan. Ellen often questions why Ronan acts the way he does, but despite all of her suppositions, she’s never quite sure how to treat him. He is certainly one character that challenges Ellen’s pattern of acting on her gut feelings, but through that, both characters learn a lot about mutual understanding.
Trying To Love – We Banjo 3
I feel particularly loyal to this song, in part because the members of We Banjo 3 are from Galway, (which will always be half of the word “home” to me), and also because another yet-to-be-released We Banjo 3 song strikes at the very heart of Ronan Twomey’s struggle with his own mental health.
The first verse of this song, however, also reminds me of Ronan… especially after he realizes the truth about Alan. Ronan is so entrenched in an overwhelming amount of emotion, but he has no idea how to process it until his mother encourages him to forgive Alan for what happened in the past. From that moment on, even though it’s difficult to see through the overwhelming darkness of his struggle with depression, Ronan tries to show love to Alan in the form of genuine, sincere forgiveness.
The final two verses reminds me of Stephen’s attempt to heal from Chloe’s brutal betrayal, which is of course difficult to do when he knows she’s in such close proximity to him. The lyrics perfectly encapsulate the way in which Stephen’s hurt transforms into gumption when he finally confronts Chloe about her deceit. Writing the breakup scene was one of my favorites in the book – a moment when I hoped readers would cheer for Stephen, the unlikely hero, for finally standing up for himself and recognizing his own worth. Both Ronan and Stephen, I think, learn important lessons about learning to love and accept others as well as themselves – wounds, scars, and all.
Talk – Coldplay
The reason behind including this song may be self-explanatory once you listen to the lyrics. What strikes me about it is the way the narrator addresses a brother, which leads me to think of the incredibly important sibling relationship between Ronan and Brendan.
The most heartbreaking scene in A Different Familiar, for me, is when Ronan goes to the cemetery at Ballintubber Abbey and spends time at his brother’s grave. The conversation he has with Brendan shows a softer, more innocent side of Ronan, but also the side that is grieving, wounded, and constantly searching for something to ground him in the sense that he’s not so desperately alone. For all of Ronan’s hardened exterior and preference for solitude, all he really wants is to be able to talk and connect with the only person who intuitively understood him – his twin brother and his best friend.
Woman – Harry Styles
As you can probably predict, this song wraps up Stephen’s relationship with Chloe in just a few minutes of Elton John inspired sound. Even down to Styles’ little stutter on the word “woman,” this song was seemingly made for lisping, self-conscious, inexperienced Stephen McSwiggan as he navigates his way through an unpredictable romantic entanglement. The lyrics and languid tone convey the familiar feelings of suspicion, jealousy, hurt, and finally exasperation that accompany unstable relationships – all things Stephen eventually works his way through. It’s only after he throws his hands up and accepts there’s no point in salvaging something that wasn’t honest and real to begin with that Stephen finally takes control of the situation. Though it’s unfortunate that he had to contend with a noncommittal and flighty partner, I like to think Stephen comes out of his experience wiser and stronger… even if he had to get hurt in the process by his infamous “woman.”
Thistle & Weeds – Mumford & Sons
I have to be honest… while I wish I could claim that this particular song worked as my muse while writing my novel, I only discovered this song’s eerie connection to A Different Familiar when I was revising one of the last scenes in the book. For some reason, I always skipped over this song on the album, but I’m not entirely sure why.
One day, probably in a state of mental exhaustion, I just let the album play through without skipping around, and as I listened to the lyrics of this song for the first time, I remember a shiver slowly reaching down my spine. Not only do some of the lyrics relate to a dream Ronan has while staying at the house on Inishmore, but they also illustrate imagery associated with Brendan’s death, Ronan’s suicidal thoughts and visions, and his reluctance to allow others to grow closer to him. To this day, anytime I listen to “Thistle & Weeds,” I get a peculiar feeling, almost like déjà vu, and wonder why it took me so long to listen to a piece of music that so strangely and beautifully expresses the tragic confusion riddled within Ronan’s head.
That’s all for this post, but check back soon for the final part of the series!
Thanks for reading!
Rhian
As I noted in my previous post, music has always been an effortless part of my existence. Both of my parents and many members of my extended family are musically inclined, so I suppose there was never really a time when I ever had a second thought about how music fit into the workings of my daily life. It was always just sort of there from the start, which is probably why I find it so necessary.
I started singing in a choir when I was six years old, but it wasn’t by choice. I attended a Catholic school and we had something called “church practice” every Tuesday, where a finicky musical director lined all of us uniformed schoolchildren up on the steps of the altar, and with incredible gusto, she would then wave her hand towards the organist and attempt to direct our sorry group of toddling singers in religious song. Not only did we have to sing hymns from the pages of massive missalettes, but we had to rehearse the responsorial psalms, gospel acclamations, recessionals, and every other musical part of the Mass… including the dreaded Latin.
Thinking back on that time, it wasn’t necessarily the singing I disliked, or the strangely animated musical director, or the liltingly beautiful music of the Mass itself. I mostly remember church practice as being unpleasant because the boys who stood behind me on the steps of the altar used to tug on my hair while we were singing, which then caused me to make an unruly vocal noise in front of everyone mid-song. The disapproving look of the musical director was then mimicked by me as I turned around and glared at the infamous little classmates of mine, though all the anger in my little body hardly stopped them from yanking on my hair. Luckily, it hardly stopped me from singing, either.
As I got older, I continued (voluntarily, this time) singing in choirs – both recreational and competitive – and I also took voice lessons and participated in musical theatre. Sometimes I think that if I wasn’t a writer, I would have liked to pursue a career in the musical and performance arts, though I think I’m much more suited to writing. Still, they remain great hobbies of mine, and fortunately literature and music are not mutually exclusive in my mind. That being said, let’s continue on with our exploration of the music that inspired A Different Familiar!
P.S. - Spoiler alert for those who haven't finished reading the novel. Continue at your own discretion!
Gut Feeling – The Coronas
My apologies for this one – when I initially included this song in the playlist, it was available in the United States, but I’ve since learned that it’s no longer streaming on American Spotify. I was lucky enough to find a live performance video of the song, though, so I hope that works in the meanwhile as a substitute!
This song is a nod to Ellen. Like so many of us, Ellen has a tendency to overthink a situation to death, and then when she finally grows sick of overthinking it, she settles on going with her intuitive “gut feeling” – or, in other words, trusting that inherent sense of right versus wrong. There are a few moments in the story when Ellen seemingly can’t locate that surge of intuition, however, and she doubts whether or not she’s doing the right thing. Luckily, though, Matilda advises Ellen when she finds herself floundering between decisions and half-feelings, and usually is able to point her in the right direction.
As the song progresses, the lyrics also transition into what I imagine would be a tangible conversation between Ellen and Ronan. Ellen often questions why Ronan acts the way he does, but despite all of her suppositions, she’s never quite sure how to treat him. He is certainly one character that challenges Ellen’s pattern of acting on her gut feelings, but through that, both characters learn a lot about mutual understanding.
Trying To Love – We Banjo 3
I feel particularly loyal to this song, in part because the members of We Banjo 3 are from Galway, (which will always be half of the word “home” to me), and also because another yet-to-be-released We Banjo 3 song strikes at the very heart of Ronan Twomey’s struggle with his own mental health.
The first verse of this song, however, also reminds me of Ronan… especially after he realizes the truth about Alan. Ronan is so entrenched in an overwhelming amount of emotion, but he has no idea how to process it until his mother encourages him to forgive Alan for what happened in the past. From that moment on, even though it’s difficult to see through the overwhelming darkness of his struggle with depression, Ronan tries to show love to Alan in the form of genuine, sincere forgiveness.
The final two verses reminds me of Stephen’s attempt to heal from Chloe’s brutal betrayal, which is of course difficult to do when he knows she’s in such close proximity to him. The lyrics perfectly encapsulate the way in which Stephen’s hurt transforms into gumption when he finally confronts Chloe about her deceit. Writing the breakup scene was one of my favorites in the book – a moment when I hoped readers would cheer for Stephen, the unlikely hero, for finally standing up for himself and recognizing his own worth. Both Ronan and Stephen, I think, learn important lessons about learning to love and accept others as well as themselves – wounds, scars, and all.
Talk – Coldplay
The reason behind including this song may be self-explanatory once you listen to the lyrics. What strikes me about it is the way the narrator addresses a brother, which leads me to think of the incredibly important sibling relationship between Ronan and Brendan.
The most heartbreaking scene in A Different Familiar, for me, is when Ronan goes to the cemetery at Ballintubber Abbey and spends time at his brother’s grave. The conversation he has with Brendan shows a softer, more innocent side of Ronan, but also the side that is grieving, wounded, and constantly searching for something to ground him in the sense that he’s not so desperately alone. For all of Ronan’s hardened exterior and preference for solitude, all he really wants is to be able to talk and connect with the only person who intuitively understood him – his twin brother and his best friend.
Woman – Harry Styles
As you can probably predict, this song wraps up Stephen’s relationship with Chloe in just a few minutes of Elton John inspired sound. Even down to Styles’ little stutter on the word “woman,” this song was seemingly made for lisping, self-conscious, inexperienced Stephen McSwiggan as he navigates his way through an unpredictable romantic entanglement. The lyrics and languid tone convey the familiar feelings of suspicion, jealousy, hurt, and finally exasperation that accompany unstable relationships – all things Stephen eventually works his way through. It’s only after he throws his hands up and accepts there’s no point in salvaging something that wasn’t honest and real to begin with that Stephen finally takes control of the situation. Though it’s unfortunate that he had to contend with a noncommittal and flighty partner, I like to think Stephen comes out of his experience wiser and stronger… even if he had to get hurt in the process by his infamous “woman.”
Thistle & Weeds – Mumford & Sons
I have to be honest… while I wish I could claim that this particular song worked as my muse while writing my novel, I only discovered this song’s eerie connection to A Different Familiar when I was revising one of the last scenes in the book. For some reason, I always skipped over this song on the album, but I’m not entirely sure why.
One day, probably in a state of mental exhaustion, I just let the album play through without skipping around, and as I listened to the lyrics of this song for the first time, I remember a shiver slowly reaching down my spine. Not only do some of the lyrics relate to a dream Ronan has while staying at the house on Inishmore, but they also illustrate imagery associated with Brendan’s death, Ronan’s suicidal thoughts and visions, and his reluctance to allow others to grow closer to him. To this day, anytime I listen to “Thistle & Weeds,” I get a peculiar feeling, almost like déjà vu, and wonder why it took me so long to listen to a piece of music that so strangely and beautifully expresses the tragic confusion riddled within Ronan’s head.
That’s all for this post, but check back soon for the final part of the series!
Thanks for reading!
Rhian
August 17, 2017
The Music Behind "A Different Familiar": Part I
Hello everyone! It’s been a while since I’ve written a blog post, but I hope you’ll be happy to know that this particular post will be the first in a blog series about the music that inspired me while I wrote A Different Familiar.
As you may have noticed, there is a section of my website entitled “Book Extras” where you can find all sorts of bonus information about the novel, including photos, maps, music, quotes, etc. Today, I’d like to focus on the music section by highlighting the Spotify playlist on that page. If you haven’t seen the playlist yet, you can find it here!
I was very fortunate to grow up in a musical family, so there was always music at home, in school, in church, and in extracurricular activities, so I tend to use music as a support system when I’m writing (and when I’m not writing, too!) because it’s been so prevalent in my life. That being said, the Spotify playlist on my website is just a small sampling of the music I listened to while I was writing my novel, but I tried to select songs that I feel are best-suited to the themes of A Different Familiar.
My plan for this blog series is to highlight a few songs from the playlist and explain my own reasoning/interpretation of how the song relates to the novel. Please be aware that the songs won’t necessarily follow the order in which they appear on the Spotify playlist. To play an individual song without launching Spotify, please click on the song title below. Headphones/speakers highly recommended!
The Sailor’s Bonnet – The Gloaming
I listen to quite a bit of instrumental music while writing because it helps me stay focused on the task at hand when my mind wants to wander. This particular instrumental track balances the idea of finding the beauty in the melancholy, which seems to me like a perfect introduction to the story. The song begins with a slow, soft, and sad intermittent sound, then gradually increases to something not quite happy, but a bit more upbeat than the beginning. Its progression is very much like the plot of A Different Familiar – it mimics the image of several different threads braiding into one story strand – so naturally it seemed like an excellent introductory track to “set the mood” for the story.
Chasing Rubies – Hudson Taylor
When I lived in Ireland, I spent a weekend in Castlebar, Co. Mayo, and due to a banking delay, had no access to any funds aside from the small amount of cash I had tucked away in my wallet. Despite the circumstances, I used my money to buy a long-awaited for album: Hudson Taylor’s Singing for Strangers, which wasn’t available in the United States at the time. Later that year, I was fortunate enough to see Hudson Taylor perform in Galway (and met up with them for a pint and a chat afterwards!), so they were an absolute must for my novel playlist. Their beautiful music video for “Chasing Rubies” was filmed at Salthill in Galway, oddly enough, and the lyrics fit perfectly with the sort of ideas I wanted to capitalize on in the story. “I hardly know you, but I don’t want to let you go,” is an especially striking lyric and can be applied to almost every major character in the novel; it speaks to the transitory nature of some relationships, yet also notes their lasting power over us.
I Found – Amber Run
One of the most harrowing lyrics in this song is: “I’ll use you as a warning sign that if you talk enough sense, then you’ll lose your mind.” Immediately upon hearing this haunting song, I thought of Ronan. Ronan finds himself enveloped in a constant battle for control within his own mind, and the way he copes is by grasping at what seems logical (attempting to forget ugly memories, shying away from making personal connections with others, burying himself in mundane activities) and eventually, this causes him to suffer a breakdown. Quite unexpectedly, though, Ronan discovers connections that he simply can’t ignore. The lyric “I found love where it wasn’t supposed to be – right in front of me” is a perfect descriptor for his revelation, and one that I hope carries through each of the characters’ relationships with one another until the end of the story.
Need the Sun to Break – James Bay
If you’ve ever been to Ireland, you know that the sun is rarely seen for great swathes of time, to the great consternation of many locals and visitors. However, the Irish weather is a beautiful metaphor for something much deeper, in my opinion. Just as people long for the sun to shine in a physical sense, they also pine for the sun to break metaphorically in a way that eases their burdens. This song initially reminded me of the burdens of my characters, which, at times, manifest as silently festering wounds and other times as loud, brash insecurities. When listening to this song, I tend to associate the first verse with Ronan, the second verse with Stephen, and the chorus with Ellen.
Dive – Ed Sheeran
This song is probably my favorite on Ed Sheeran’s most recent album – I love the bluesy sound of it as well as the uncertainty and trepidation the lyrics convey. As far as the novel goes, this song reminds me of Stephen the most, especially because he struggles with his own insecurities while simultaneously attempting to trust someone else with his heart. He treads a dangerous path – one many of us have undoubtedly traveled at some point in our lives – and he finds that seldom do the two mix well. Luckily, though, Stephen learns that his inherent value does not change based on another person’s inability to give him the respect and affection he deserves. The sound of this song captures both the fear of vulnerability as well as the revelation that, in the long run, self-respect ultimately matters more than garnering the approval of others.
Not only does this song relate to the characters in A Different Familiar, but it also feels quite personal. Putting any sort of writing out into the world is a frightening prospect, so to me, this song relates to the way writers often must flirt with the uncertain and hope for the best. There is an element of “diving in” to the unknown – but how can anyone succeed without first taking a leap of faith?
That’s all for this post, but be sure to stay tuned for Part II of this series! Likewise, if there are any songs you associate with A Different Familiar, be sure to submit them using the contact form on my website and I’ll eventually post a reader-inspired Spotify playlist with your suggestions.
Thanks for reading (and listening)!
Rhian
As you may have noticed, there is a section of my website entitled “Book Extras” where you can find all sorts of bonus information about the novel, including photos, maps, music, quotes, etc. Today, I’d like to focus on the music section by highlighting the Spotify playlist on that page. If you haven’t seen the playlist yet, you can find it here!
I was very fortunate to grow up in a musical family, so there was always music at home, in school, in church, and in extracurricular activities, so I tend to use music as a support system when I’m writing (and when I’m not writing, too!) because it’s been so prevalent in my life. That being said, the Spotify playlist on my website is just a small sampling of the music I listened to while I was writing my novel, but I tried to select songs that I feel are best-suited to the themes of A Different Familiar.
My plan for this blog series is to highlight a few songs from the playlist and explain my own reasoning/interpretation of how the song relates to the novel. Please be aware that the songs won’t necessarily follow the order in which they appear on the Spotify playlist. To play an individual song without launching Spotify, please click on the song title below. Headphones/speakers highly recommended!
The Sailor’s Bonnet – The Gloaming
I listen to quite a bit of instrumental music while writing because it helps me stay focused on the task at hand when my mind wants to wander. This particular instrumental track balances the idea of finding the beauty in the melancholy, which seems to me like a perfect introduction to the story. The song begins with a slow, soft, and sad intermittent sound, then gradually increases to something not quite happy, but a bit more upbeat than the beginning. Its progression is very much like the plot of A Different Familiar – it mimics the image of several different threads braiding into one story strand – so naturally it seemed like an excellent introductory track to “set the mood” for the story.
Chasing Rubies – Hudson Taylor
When I lived in Ireland, I spent a weekend in Castlebar, Co. Mayo, and due to a banking delay, had no access to any funds aside from the small amount of cash I had tucked away in my wallet. Despite the circumstances, I used my money to buy a long-awaited for album: Hudson Taylor’s Singing for Strangers, which wasn’t available in the United States at the time. Later that year, I was fortunate enough to see Hudson Taylor perform in Galway (and met up with them for a pint and a chat afterwards!), so they were an absolute must for my novel playlist. Their beautiful music video for “Chasing Rubies” was filmed at Salthill in Galway, oddly enough, and the lyrics fit perfectly with the sort of ideas I wanted to capitalize on in the story. “I hardly know you, but I don’t want to let you go,” is an especially striking lyric and can be applied to almost every major character in the novel; it speaks to the transitory nature of some relationships, yet also notes their lasting power over us.
I Found – Amber Run
One of the most harrowing lyrics in this song is: “I’ll use you as a warning sign that if you talk enough sense, then you’ll lose your mind.” Immediately upon hearing this haunting song, I thought of Ronan. Ronan finds himself enveloped in a constant battle for control within his own mind, and the way he copes is by grasping at what seems logical (attempting to forget ugly memories, shying away from making personal connections with others, burying himself in mundane activities) and eventually, this causes him to suffer a breakdown. Quite unexpectedly, though, Ronan discovers connections that he simply can’t ignore. The lyric “I found love where it wasn’t supposed to be – right in front of me” is a perfect descriptor for his revelation, and one that I hope carries through each of the characters’ relationships with one another until the end of the story.
Need the Sun to Break – James Bay
If you’ve ever been to Ireland, you know that the sun is rarely seen for great swathes of time, to the great consternation of many locals and visitors. However, the Irish weather is a beautiful metaphor for something much deeper, in my opinion. Just as people long for the sun to shine in a physical sense, they also pine for the sun to break metaphorically in a way that eases their burdens. This song initially reminded me of the burdens of my characters, which, at times, manifest as silently festering wounds and other times as loud, brash insecurities. When listening to this song, I tend to associate the first verse with Ronan, the second verse with Stephen, and the chorus with Ellen.
Dive – Ed Sheeran
This song is probably my favorite on Ed Sheeran’s most recent album – I love the bluesy sound of it as well as the uncertainty and trepidation the lyrics convey. As far as the novel goes, this song reminds me of Stephen the most, especially because he struggles with his own insecurities while simultaneously attempting to trust someone else with his heart. He treads a dangerous path – one many of us have undoubtedly traveled at some point in our lives – and he finds that seldom do the two mix well. Luckily, though, Stephen learns that his inherent value does not change based on another person’s inability to give him the respect and affection he deserves. The sound of this song captures both the fear of vulnerability as well as the revelation that, in the long run, self-respect ultimately matters more than garnering the approval of others.
Not only does this song relate to the characters in A Different Familiar, but it also feels quite personal. Putting any sort of writing out into the world is a frightening prospect, so to me, this song relates to the way writers often must flirt with the uncertain and hope for the best. There is an element of “diving in” to the unknown – but how can anyone succeed without first taking a leap of faith?
That’s all for this post, but be sure to stay tuned for Part II of this series! Likewise, if there are any songs you associate with A Different Familiar, be sure to submit them using the contact form on my website and I’ll eventually post a reader-inspired Spotify playlist with your suggestions.
Thanks for reading (and listening)!
Rhian
July 18, 2017
Ireland's "Polite" Swearing
I’m convinced that Ireland is the only place in the world that would ever come up with “polite” versions of common swear words and, furthermore, actually succeed in integrating them into everyday speech. Not only are their almost-curses purposeful and amusing, but they’re so charming that you could probably say a few in front of your grandmother and produce at least a little chuckle. I’d advise trying that at your own discretion, though… my own nana taught me how to swear in Irish, so I think I may be a little biased. Other grandmothers may not be as forgiving or as aware of their own funny bone.
You may have noticed that my Irish characters tend to drop some of those quasi-curses into their dialogue, either in jest or in seriousness. There are a few reasons why I chose to use the charming Irish pseudo-swears in A Different Familiar in place of the actual (and vastly more recognizable) standard curse words.
The glorious thing about these very culturally Irish terms is that they convey the same meaning as an actual f-bomb without being nearly as offensive. From both a writer’s and reader’s standpoint, that fact alone makes the novel much more accessible to a wider audience without over-relying on the use of heavy and frequent curses to convey emotion or meaning. I don’t know about you, but personally, I find works riddled with curses both counterproductive and distracting to read. Curses are commonly used as filler words anyway (that is, they’re not necessary to a sentence, but more ornamental) so I definitely wanted to stay away from using that sort of language unless it specifically added to a scene or improved characterization.
Likewise, including words like “feck,” “shite,” “arse,” etc. (and no, that wasn’t my best Father Jack Hackett impression, for those of you who get the reference) was a nod to the language and slang I heard while living in Galway. More than anything, I wanted the dialogue in my novel to be realistic and immersive without being crude – and, truth be told, it’s difficult to aptly write bad language into dialogue in a way that doesn’t sound vaguely threatening all the time, anyway. Using the aforementioned terms, however, seemed like a happy medium, and one that I actually had a lot of fun playing with. Psuedo-swearing not only allowed me to capture a specific dialect I find charming and worthy of literary exploration, but it also, in my view, it added to the fallibility and unique vocal habits of my characters.
In a future blog post, I plan to explore some of the more G-rated Irish slang I grew to love and appreciate while I was living in Ireland, and which also makes an appearance within the novel. If you’re not from Ireland or familiar with the country’s wonderful social culture, and in your reading you’ve stumbled upon words like “craic,” “eejit,” “slagging,” “bean,” etc., then not to worry. I’ll write a bit more about that, but in the meantime, if you’d really prefer to sate your curiosity now, feel free to consult the internet (again, at your own discretion) or your closest Irish friend. Just be prepared to laugh at yourself if you don’t get the pronunciations right on the first try!
Thanks for reading!
Rhian
You may have noticed that my Irish characters tend to drop some of those quasi-curses into their dialogue, either in jest or in seriousness. There are a few reasons why I chose to use the charming Irish pseudo-swears in A Different Familiar in place of the actual (and vastly more recognizable) standard curse words.
The glorious thing about these very culturally Irish terms is that they convey the same meaning as an actual f-bomb without being nearly as offensive. From both a writer’s and reader’s standpoint, that fact alone makes the novel much more accessible to a wider audience without over-relying on the use of heavy and frequent curses to convey emotion or meaning. I don’t know about you, but personally, I find works riddled with curses both counterproductive and distracting to read. Curses are commonly used as filler words anyway (that is, they’re not necessary to a sentence, but more ornamental) so I definitely wanted to stay away from using that sort of language unless it specifically added to a scene or improved characterization.
Likewise, including words like “feck,” “shite,” “arse,” etc. (and no, that wasn’t my best Father Jack Hackett impression, for those of you who get the reference) was a nod to the language and slang I heard while living in Galway. More than anything, I wanted the dialogue in my novel to be realistic and immersive without being crude – and, truth be told, it’s difficult to aptly write bad language into dialogue in a way that doesn’t sound vaguely threatening all the time, anyway. Using the aforementioned terms, however, seemed like a happy medium, and one that I actually had a lot of fun playing with. Psuedo-swearing not only allowed me to capture a specific dialect I find charming and worthy of literary exploration, but it also, in my view, it added to the fallibility and unique vocal habits of my characters.
In a future blog post, I plan to explore some of the more G-rated Irish slang I grew to love and appreciate while I was living in Ireland, and which also makes an appearance within the novel. If you’re not from Ireland or familiar with the country’s wonderful social culture, and in your reading you’ve stumbled upon words like “craic,” “eejit,” “slagging,” “bean,” etc., then not to worry. I’ll write a bit more about that, but in the meantime, if you’d really prefer to sate your curiosity now, feel free to consult the internet (again, at your own discretion) or your closest Irish friend. Just be prepared to laugh at yourself if you don’t get the pronunciations right on the first try!
Thanks for reading!
Rhian
July 10, 2017
Writing Withdrawal... Does it Exist?
I’ve been a little bit down lately, when I know full well I should by flying as high as a kite on top of Mt. Everest.
My book has been published, the response has been fantastic so far, and I’m continually delighted to read all of the thoughtful messages you’ve sent. Things really have been going well, and I am grateful to you all for your support and kindness. Yet, despite the many reasons I have to be happy, something has been eating away at me. It hasn’t been overwhelming, but it has been subtle and constant, like feeling an itch in a spot you can’t reach.
It took me a while to identify what could possibly be dragging me down when so many things were going well, but then I realized… I’ve spent the last three years of my life researching, planning, writing, and revising A Different Familiar, and all of a sudden, upon publication, I don’t have it to fall back on anymore. Strangely enough, always having the book to work on was a sort of comfort to me – something that would always be there when I needed it.
Now that it’s finished, I suppose I’ve been going through writing withdrawal… and there’s only one way to fix that.
That’s right, I’ve started writing another book.
If there’s anything I’ve learned over the past few years, it’s that not writing feels worse than any possible frustration I encounter when I am writing. There is something so fundamentally unsettling about not putting pen to paper when that’s what you’ve been used to all your life. Since the publication of A Different Familiar, that’s exactly what I’ve experienced – that wandering, lost sort of feeling, as if you’re not sure what your purpose is anymore.
The good news is that I’ve finally found my footing by delving straight into another book. I already have about five other novels in the works at the moment (I guess one just isn’t enough!), but sometimes I find it more difficult to pick up a half-completed project than to start anew. I’m sure I’ll return to the others at some point when I have more time to sort through the writing and planning I’ve already done, but I have high hopes for the new novel I’ve started this past week. I’d love to reveal more about it, but where’s the fun in that?
Thanks for reading!
Rhian
My book has been published, the response has been fantastic so far, and I’m continually delighted to read all of the thoughtful messages you’ve sent. Things really have been going well, and I am grateful to you all for your support and kindness. Yet, despite the many reasons I have to be happy, something has been eating away at me. It hasn’t been overwhelming, but it has been subtle and constant, like feeling an itch in a spot you can’t reach.
It took me a while to identify what could possibly be dragging me down when so many things were going well, but then I realized… I’ve spent the last three years of my life researching, planning, writing, and revising A Different Familiar, and all of a sudden, upon publication, I don’t have it to fall back on anymore. Strangely enough, always having the book to work on was a sort of comfort to me – something that would always be there when I needed it.
Now that it’s finished, I suppose I’ve been going through writing withdrawal… and there’s only one way to fix that.
That’s right, I’ve started writing another book.
If there’s anything I’ve learned over the past few years, it’s that not writing feels worse than any possible frustration I encounter when I am writing. There is something so fundamentally unsettling about not putting pen to paper when that’s what you’ve been used to all your life. Since the publication of A Different Familiar, that’s exactly what I’ve experienced – that wandering, lost sort of feeling, as if you’re not sure what your purpose is anymore.
The good news is that I’ve finally found my footing by delving straight into another book. I already have about five other novels in the works at the moment (I guess one just isn’t enough!), but sometimes I find it more difficult to pick up a half-completed project than to start anew. I’m sure I’ll return to the others at some point when I have more time to sort through the writing and planning I’ve already done, but I have high hopes for the new novel I’ve started this past week. I’d love to reveal more about it, but where’s the fun in that?
Thanks for reading!
Rhian
July 3, 2017
Ready for Another Giveaway?
That’s right, a new Goodreads giveaway has started as of today, July 3rd, 2017. If you didn’t win a copy of A Different Familiar last time around, be sure to enter for another chance! This time, one signed proof copy will be given away. Not sure how to enter? Don’t know what a “proof” copy is? Please click here to read my previous blog post on the topic.
Please be aware that the dates for the current giveaway run from July 3rd to July 14th, 2017. During the previous giveaway, over 1,000 people entered for a copy of A Different Familiar – do you think we can beat that number this time around? I guess only time will tell!
Enter the giveaway by clicking on this link!
Likewise, you can find more information about the giveaway on my website's home page.
Once the current giveaway ends, be on the lookout for another print format giveaway soon, followed by a Kindle e-book giveaway in the near future. If you have any questions about current giveaways, future giveaways, or how to enter the contests, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below or send me a message using the contact form on my website.
Best of luck to everyone and thank you for your continued interest in A Different Familiar.
Thanks for reading!
Rhian
Please be aware that the dates for the current giveaway run from July 3rd to July 14th, 2017. During the previous giveaway, over 1,000 people entered for a copy of A Different Familiar – do you think we can beat that number this time around? I guess only time will tell!
Enter the giveaway by clicking on this link!
Likewise, you can find more information about the giveaway on my website's home page.
Once the current giveaway ends, be on the lookout for another print format giveaway soon, followed by a Kindle e-book giveaway in the near future. If you have any questions about current giveaways, future giveaways, or how to enter the contests, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below or send me a message using the contact form on my website.
Best of luck to everyone and thank you for your continued interest in A Different Familiar.
Thanks for reading!
Rhian
June 30, 2017
The Story of Geraldine
For those of you who have read A Different Familiar, you’ll know about a very important character named Matilda O’Conor. In short, she is a seventy-year-old single woman who lives in Galway, but grew up on Inishmore, and she plays an incredibly crucial part in the progression of the plot. I won’t say any more – I don’t want to spoil anything for those of you who have yet to read the novel.
There is a story behind how Matilda came to be, and it began on a spring day when two friends and I had planned to take a day trip to Inishmore. In the early morning, we boarded a bus in Eyre Square, which was headed for the ferry ports at Rossaveal. I had elected to allow my friends to sit together on the bus and found a lone seat for myself by a window. Just before the bus pulled away and headed towards Salthill, a middle-aged woman took the seat next to me, greeting me with a smile and a quiet “hello.” That moment couldn’t have been more fortuitous.
She was slight with dirty blonde hair and introduced herself to me as simply “Geraldine.” I remember that she had soft blue eyes that tended to water when she spoke, and crow’s feet appeared at their edges when she smiled. We spent the entire bus ride conversing; she told me stories about working for the postal service and how she traveled to the Aran Islands twice a week to visit her mother who lived in a care facility. She began to tear up as she told me about the progression of her mother’s dementia – her story affected me so much that I began to tear up as well. I can remember offering some words of condolence and comfort, and in that moment, Geraldine and I built a sort of unspoken trust between us.
She then asked me all sorts of questions about how I came to live in Galway, what I was studying at NUIG, and what it was like being far away from my family. I told her about my passion for writing and how I’d fallen completely head-over-heels in love with Galway. She told me that she had backpacked across the United States when she was younger and urged me to embrace my time in Ireland with all my heart, which, I assured her, I already had. We admired the views outside the bus window while I told her about the trips I’d taken across her beautiful homeland, and she returned my stories with her own admiration of her favorite places she’d seen in the United States.
Even though we were simply two strangers conversing on a bus to Rossaveal, we took that short time to offer each other advice and comfort, which subsequently stuck with me. The depth of our conversation left me feeling like I’d gained a friend, and little did Geraldine know that she would eventually become the basis for the character of Matilda O’Conor. I’ll probably never see her again, but I would love for Geraldine to know what an impact she made on me. Without her, A Different Familiar would be very… well, different!
To this day, I still consider myself fortunate that I opted to sit alone on that bus, because if I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have met Geraldine and heard her inspiring story. I learned a lot from her on our trip to Rossaveal, but most importantly, my experience meeting Geraldine taught me that it is so incredibly important to make an effort to connect with others and empathize with them. So never be afraid to go it alone sometimes… you never know when you’ll meet your own Geraldine!
Thanks for reading!
Rhian
There is a story behind how Matilda came to be, and it began on a spring day when two friends and I had planned to take a day trip to Inishmore. In the early morning, we boarded a bus in Eyre Square, which was headed for the ferry ports at Rossaveal. I had elected to allow my friends to sit together on the bus and found a lone seat for myself by a window. Just before the bus pulled away and headed towards Salthill, a middle-aged woman took the seat next to me, greeting me with a smile and a quiet “hello.” That moment couldn’t have been more fortuitous.
She was slight with dirty blonde hair and introduced herself to me as simply “Geraldine.” I remember that she had soft blue eyes that tended to water when she spoke, and crow’s feet appeared at their edges when she smiled. We spent the entire bus ride conversing; she told me stories about working for the postal service and how she traveled to the Aran Islands twice a week to visit her mother who lived in a care facility. She began to tear up as she told me about the progression of her mother’s dementia – her story affected me so much that I began to tear up as well. I can remember offering some words of condolence and comfort, and in that moment, Geraldine and I built a sort of unspoken trust between us.
She then asked me all sorts of questions about how I came to live in Galway, what I was studying at NUIG, and what it was like being far away from my family. I told her about my passion for writing and how I’d fallen completely head-over-heels in love with Galway. She told me that she had backpacked across the United States when she was younger and urged me to embrace my time in Ireland with all my heart, which, I assured her, I already had. We admired the views outside the bus window while I told her about the trips I’d taken across her beautiful homeland, and she returned my stories with her own admiration of her favorite places she’d seen in the United States.
Even though we were simply two strangers conversing on a bus to Rossaveal, we took that short time to offer each other advice and comfort, which subsequently stuck with me. The depth of our conversation left me feeling like I’d gained a friend, and little did Geraldine know that she would eventually become the basis for the character of Matilda O’Conor. I’ll probably never see her again, but I would love for Geraldine to know what an impact she made on me. Without her, A Different Familiar would be very… well, different!
To this day, I still consider myself fortunate that I opted to sit alone on that bus, because if I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have met Geraldine and heard her inspiring story. I learned a lot from her on our trip to Rossaveal, but most importantly, my experience meeting Geraldine taught me that it is so incredibly important to make an effort to connect with others and empathize with them. So never be afraid to go it alone sometimes… you never know when you’ll meet your own Geraldine!
Thanks for reading!
Rhian
June 24, 2017
The Official Publication of "A Different Familiar"
Today’s the big day: June 24th, 2017. A Different Familiar has finally been published!
It’s incredible knowing that my novel is – as of today – in the hands of the public. I’m proud of the book, I really enjoyed writing it, and it is my greatest hope that those who read A Different Familiar will share my sentiment. Please let me know if you do! I’d be very glad to hear from you.
As I’ve reflected on the time and effort that went into this novel, I’ve realized how truly rewarding it is to write. Don’t get me wrong – it’s a ton of work, and by no means easy work. In fact, I once jokingly told my mother that “writing a novel is the closest thing any single woman will come to giving birth.” At the time, we laughed and, of course, the laughter alleviated some of my writing stress – but as I did some thinking, I realized my joke wasn’t too far from the truth.
Is writing a novel as painful as giving birth? No, of course not. I could devote an entire blog post to the differences between the two, and even then, I probably wouldn’t come close to noting all of the incongruences. But when all is said and done, writers become – at least somewhat – like new parents. They’ve produced something; they’ve brought something into the world that formerly didn’t exist in a tangible form before.
When I completed my novel and held the finished product in my hands, it was a strange and surreal, albeit pleasant, moment. I expect most new parents also have those feelings when they hold their newborns for the first time – the exhaustion mixed with the excitement, the relief mixed with the realization that life will continue on quite differently from the way it was before.
Babies and books… both are keys to the continuation of the self after death in remarkably similar ways. It’s a funny thought, isn’t it? Just as I expect most parents hope the best for their babies, I hope that my novel is honest, interesting, and plays well with others!
Thanks for reading, and if you’d like to pick up your very own copy of A Different Familiar, I will leave links at the end of this blog post for that very purpose.
Rhian
Click Here to Purchase A Different Familiar through Createspace
Click Here to Purchase A Different Familiar through Amazon
It’s incredible knowing that my novel is – as of today – in the hands of the public. I’m proud of the book, I really enjoyed writing it, and it is my greatest hope that those who read A Different Familiar will share my sentiment. Please let me know if you do! I’d be very glad to hear from you.
As I’ve reflected on the time and effort that went into this novel, I’ve realized how truly rewarding it is to write. Don’t get me wrong – it’s a ton of work, and by no means easy work. In fact, I once jokingly told my mother that “writing a novel is the closest thing any single woman will come to giving birth.” At the time, we laughed and, of course, the laughter alleviated some of my writing stress – but as I did some thinking, I realized my joke wasn’t too far from the truth.
Is writing a novel as painful as giving birth? No, of course not. I could devote an entire blog post to the differences between the two, and even then, I probably wouldn’t come close to noting all of the incongruences. But when all is said and done, writers become – at least somewhat – like new parents. They’ve produced something; they’ve brought something into the world that formerly didn’t exist in a tangible form before.
When I completed my novel and held the finished product in my hands, it was a strange and surreal, albeit pleasant, moment. I expect most new parents also have those feelings when they hold their newborns for the first time – the exhaustion mixed with the excitement, the relief mixed with the realization that life will continue on quite differently from the way it was before.
Babies and books… both are keys to the continuation of the self after death in remarkably similar ways. It’s a funny thought, isn’t it? Just as I expect most parents hope the best for their babies, I hope that my novel is honest, interesting, and plays well with others!
Thanks for reading, and if you’d like to pick up your very own copy of A Different Familiar, I will leave links at the end of this blog post for that very purpose.
Rhian
Click Here to Purchase A Different Familiar through Createspace
Click Here to Purchase A Different Familiar through Amazon
June 21, 2017
Response to Goodreads Giveaway for "A Different Familiar"
I am over the moon with the response to the first giveaway for A Different Familiar on Goodreads. Over 1,000 people requested the book, hundreds added it to their “to-read” shelf, and three winners were selected. Congratulations to the winners and thank you to everyone who participated in the giveaway! If you didn’t win this time around, not to worry – there will be more giveaways for A Different Familiar in the future. In the meantime, feel free to follow my author page on Goodreads – I will link it here – to ensure you’ll be updated when a new giveaway starts.
The official publication date of the book is quickly approaching. A Different Familiar will be available for purchase in both print and e-book formats starting this Saturday, June 24th, 2017. The home page of this website will be updated with links to retailers as well as any discounts or promotions that may be available. Be sure to check back on the 24th for more information!
Again, thank you to everyone for your continued interest in A Different Familiar. I’m looking forward to its release on Saturday and I can’t wait to hear what you think of the book. As always, feel free to let me know your thoughts via the comments section or the contact page.
Thanks for reading!
Rhian
The official publication date of the book is quickly approaching. A Different Familiar will be available for purchase in both print and e-book formats starting this Saturday, June 24th, 2017. The home page of this website will be updated with links to retailers as well as any discounts or promotions that may be available. Be sure to check back on the 24th for more information!
Again, thank you to everyone for your continued interest in A Different Familiar. I’m looking forward to its release on Saturday and I can’t wait to hear what you think of the book. As always, feel free to let me know your thoughts via the comments section or the contact page.
Thanks for reading!
Rhian
