L.L. Thomsen's Blog, page 4
January 31, 2019
31st of Jan '19
How do you develop your characters? How is an MC ‘born’? Where have they been? And where will they go? How do you make them appear believable and real?
Earlier this month I mentioned that I'd start introducing everyone to my characters. You can get the lowdown if you visit www.llthomsen.com - however, right now, right here, I thought I'd take the more personal approach, which will include a run-down of how these characters were developed and gained life and purpose.
As you will see below, I usually get some kind of scene in my head. It’s something that will not leave me alone, and so I begin to plot and explore. It’s a fairly organic approach and perhaps my characters are not fully fleshed out to begin with, but the more I consider their actions; their reasons for doing or believing certain things – the more I get to know them and the more they offer me details about themselves. In that way, they sometimes write themselves, and not always in a way that I anticipated – but all the more fun then, right?
So… I like to start with the character that set everything off.
Her name is Solancei del’Isthalani Calverhana, Duchess to Ivanor and Tarléon, royal bodyguard, cousin and handmaiden of Princess Iambre, and also her best friend since childhood.
Now Solancei did not start out with all those details to her name. In fact, she did not even have a name - and even that changed a good handful of times until it finally stuck. But details are important. As a writer, you need a strong background framework upon which your characters can be brought to life. It doesn’t matter if the reader only sees the 10% of the iceberg that floats atop the water – so to speak – for it’s the other 90% hidden below the water that helps your character stay true so that they will behave like a product of their ‘experiences’, just like in real life.
Still… that’s all good and well, but I’ll reveal right now that really… at first, I didn’t actually care about this. In fact, at first, I just needed to write – as in: without plot or reason - but oddly, if I hadn’t just done that, I might not have discovered that character development can be a simple as you like!
So I began with a scene that kept floating into my mind. A scene where two people were sparring with practice swords. I felt it should be raining – so I made it rain. And it became a miserable day; a sorry setting, and the sport… it was some kind of training, but with an undertone of something… else…
So in this rainy scene, my mind began to tick…
I also knew that one of these people ‘wanted’ to be a woman, and that I in turn wanted her to be bad-ass but also realistic and believable. The other sparring character was a blank – I pictured a faceless soldier; perhaps the two of them were training as they both worked in the royal guard; perhaps they were brawlers; perhaps they were settling an issue of honour?
And thus Solancei was born. In a simple sparring exercise. Still without a name, I did not realise who she was yet, but I knew she had to take centre stage.
Then the mood shifted in me, and the rain got worse. Perhaps the footing was poor? Both due to the rain and due to the broken surface.
With that, the sport became less routine, something more sinister. It was what I had been wanting for my undertone. There was conversation intruding upon the action. I didn’t want there to be but I needed to get the situation into perspective. Perhaps the scene was not all about the fight but also about what went on inside Solancei head? But could that even be done?
It would make the word count explode, for sure, but I suddenly wanted to explore a problem within the problem: something that might distract her; something that would allow her these musings which would also serve to give the reader a glimpse of another side of her – like a strange sort of juxtaposition between roles, and between the action without and the self-recrimination she held within.
But… where had that come from? And why?
It was a huge mouthful to consider but I was willing to give it a whirl. So… back to the fight…
Perhaps the fight was an illegal fight then? A fight for wagers? Perhaps it was an ‘evolved event’, originating from the fencing duels of the past - which were not illegal back then, but for a twist now were? Now that could be fun! A back yard fight that could be intercepted at any time by the law, and then…
And so the Jackal Fight was born. Two opponents fighting with dull weapons for the ‘First touch’ to claim victory - but there were suddenly spectators surrounding my two fighters. They’d probably started out as some kind of garrison soldiers cheering their two comrades, but as the mood turned, I needed the spectators to be more… seedy. And so these Jackal Fights had to be ‘more’ than a simple crossing of dull swords - otherwise, why would people attend such an illegal backyard event at the risk of getting fined or thrown in prison if apprehended?
Well okay… if it had to be more; if it had to be worth the risk of imprisonment, why not make it about more than a fight, not only within Solancei’s head, but also without in the back alley? In fact, why would Solancei even be there in the first place?
Finding a plausible reason was not difficult, however. My ideas were flowing now.
I thought: why not make it about one woman’s clandestine role as a secret guard of someone like… let’s say a Princess… and why not make the Jackal Fights some kind of olden day way of settling grudges – in which case, combatants would be hired to represent the slighted party. In fact, perhaps the fights could be organised like some kind of underground event where fighters would meet to win money and prestige? Money could be won. Tax-free. Huge amounts of money. Perhaps the Jackal Fights could even be set up and take place for numerous reasons – all illegal, of course…
And so the audience now had a plausible reason for attending this event. But even better - Solancei’s person began to solidify further. Now she also had a reason to be at this fight where a lady would otherwise never have been seen.
But still she was there incognito, I decided. She was a master of Martial arts. She had trained since childhood. She had to have done, otherwise she would not be able to exhibit the skills to stand against a full-grown accomplished knight (Yes, her opponent was now a knight!).
Oh but hang on… though not a slight woman, she’d still need some extraordinary tricks to stand against an opponent double her size and of the opposite sex. Of course it’s not unrealistic that a woman can best a man, but this was a sword fight – between her distracted peace of mind and his sheer strength, Solancei would probably eventually find herself on the losing end – and she couldn’t be.
So suddenly she had a gift – the State of Veranto – I mean, I am writing Fantasy and my realms are steeped in magic, so why not?
So ‘Veranto’ was born. It’s a rare gift: it manifests in the young. It’s of a mental and physical property that allows the practitioner to connect with a higher form of themselves and thereby gain more speed, clarity, strength, stamina…
Now, she and Simaro were evenly matched.
Simaro?
Oh okay… so that was to be the name of the Knight? Well what do ya know??
At this point, the fight wrote itself. Solancei was there to train. She was a secret bodyguard. This meant she could not reveal her role and must hence revert to this unusual training scheme. Of course she would have a mentor of sorts, perhaps someone close to the King and Queen; perhaps a person who also knew Veranto – and thus, enter: Eso Mehadja, royal chief of intelligence and security.
Eso would have taught Solancei everything she knows: Eso would have the connections to get Solancei signed up for the Jackal fights, and Eso had a good reason to move outside the law, for how else would her prodigy Solancei grow as a warrior, since this was not her primary role (handmaiden and royal cousin, remember?)
So now Solancei and Simaro were fighting. He is good. He is cold and has eyes like chipped frost on a winter’s morning: colourless. He is hard and fast, like a viper, and he wants something from her she cannot decipher, but it already makes them enemies… (Wow, enemies? What?)
I am eager now. Notice I switched tense, lol…
Okay, so Solancei is my ‘hero’ – as such she does need an 'opposite'. Simaro would be an interesting candidate, but why? (And on goes my plotting, but enough about Simaro for now).
Meanwhile, I am writing my first chapter. It becomes two. Then three. Should I watch this word count? Awhh… screw it!
So Solancei is cool, she’s sharp, she’s fast, she’d salty, she’s-
But wait! Salty? Why is she salty?
Okay, and for that matter, why indeed does she not like pearls more than breeches?
Well, let’s explore that…
Like a good psychologist, I went back to her childhood, then. Where did she grow up? Who were her parents? What was her life like? Was she loved? Did she have friends?
I realised I didn’t know. But my childhood shaped me, so by default hers must have shaped her too.
So she needed a past. She ‘wanted’ to be different… did she grow up out east? In a frozen wasteland? Well sure… okay, that could work.
And as for her parents? Ok… so her parents were killed. Under mysterious circumstances?
Well sure, I liked that bit of mystery, but her parents definitely didn’t love her. Again, mystery but I saw the potential in that because it provided her with another layer of depth.
But why did her parents not love her? (Later!)
So was she alone? Yes, children were few and far between at Ivanor Fortress. She was a noble – not allowed to mix with the ‘help’ – but then my head went, ‘hang on… perhaps she did have one person?’ Perhaps she had someone like a lady-in-waiting who taught her and brought her up in lieu of her parents; a lady who loved her. Maybe her mother’s maid? But then this woman died – and her parents too – in the same event! (Ohh, yet more mystery – and danger!).
So was that my trend for Solancei? This ‘people dying’?
I guess it was. This lack of safety and certainty was what had shaped her, I decided. But perhaps she’d also lost someone she fell in love with? That would be reason enough for her to have become a bit of a cynical loner, right? I figured that ‘reason enough’ that she’d shun emotional attachments…
And just like that, I was on my way. Oddly, from a scene about a fight in the rain, involving two people, I suddenly had two MCs – one a protagonist and one an antagonist, and all without breaking a sweat. But not only that. I had also begun to worldbuild (Ivanor = cold/desolate/dangerous) and I had invented a new sport, as well as built a few layers up around my characters. Neat!
So in sum - Imagination and inspiration grow from the unlikeliest of places if you do not whittle too much about the process. If I can get a thought process like that rolling, so can anyone!
Noe as for how does Solancei became best friends with the Princess Iambre who lived miles and miles away to the north-east, well…
I’m afraid that if you want the inside scoop on why Solancei would even care about Iambre, and of how exactly an orphan became a bodyguard, Master of Veranto and martial arts – and suddenly find herself questioning everything she knows and is in a backyard illegal fight - you’ll simply have to dive down the rabbit hole and read the books. ;-)
Regardless, I hope some of the above might inspire you to dream up your own characters. And scenes. Remember: it needn’t be too complicated, but the beauty is in the details!
Thanks for reading! Comments welcome!
About:
Name: Solancei del’Isthalani Calverhana
Age: 24 autumns
Weapon(s): Sword / the Tears of Mourning (shuriken, fashioned into a belt of detachable links)
Hobbies: Studying historical texts / Riding her horse South Point / Arguing with Iambre / climbing
Flaws: Perfectionist to the core / too self-critical / Unwilling to let people get close to her / Ridicules the concept of love / Slightly bent on self-destruction / Can be undone by her fear that Iambre could one day get hurt because she isn’t good enough or fast enough when needed
Earlier this month I mentioned that I'd start introducing everyone to my characters. You can get the lowdown if you visit www.llthomsen.com - however, right now, right here, I thought I'd take the more personal approach, which will include a run-down of how these characters were developed and gained life and purpose.
As you will see below, I usually get some kind of scene in my head. It’s something that will not leave me alone, and so I begin to plot and explore. It’s a fairly organic approach and perhaps my characters are not fully fleshed out to begin with, but the more I consider their actions; their reasons for doing or believing certain things – the more I get to know them and the more they offer me details about themselves. In that way, they sometimes write themselves, and not always in a way that I anticipated – but all the more fun then, right?
So… I like to start with the character that set everything off.
Her name is Solancei del’Isthalani Calverhana, Duchess to Ivanor and Tarléon, royal bodyguard, cousin and handmaiden of Princess Iambre, and also her best friend since childhood.
Now Solancei did not start out with all those details to her name. In fact, she did not even have a name - and even that changed a good handful of times until it finally stuck. But details are important. As a writer, you need a strong background framework upon which your characters can be brought to life. It doesn’t matter if the reader only sees the 10% of the iceberg that floats atop the water – so to speak – for it’s the other 90% hidden below the water that helps your character stay true so that they will behave like a product of their ‘experiences’, just like in real life.
Still… that’s all good and well, but I’ll reveal right now that really… at first, I didn’t actually care about this. In fact, at first, I just needed to write – as in: without plot or reason - but oddly, if I hadn’t just done that, I might not have discovered that character development can be a simple as you like!
So I began with a scene that kept floating into my mind. A scene where two people were sparring with practice swords. I felt it should be raining – so I made it rain. And it became a miserable day; a sorry setting, and the sport… it was some kind of training, but with an undertone of something… else…
So in this rainy scene, my mind began to tick…
I also knew that one of these people ‘wanted’ to be a woman, and that I in turn wanted her to be bad-ass but also realistic and believable. The other sparring character was a blank – I pictured a faceless soldier; perhaps the two of them were training as they both worked in the royal guard; perhaps they were brawlers; perhaps they were settling an issue of honour?
And thus Solancei was born. In a simple sparring exercise. Still without a name, I did not realise who she was yet, but I knew she had to take centre stage.
Then the mood shifted in me, and the rain got worse. Perhaps the footing was poor? Both due to the rain and due to the broken surface.
With that, the sport became less routine, something more sinister. It was what I had been wanting for my undertone. There was conversation intruding upon the action. I didn’t want there to be but I needed to get the situation into perspective. Perhaps the scene was not all about the fight but also about what went on inside Solancei head? But could that even be done?
It would make the word count explode, for sure, but I suddenly wanted to explore a problem within the problem: something that might distract her; something that would allow her these musings which would also serve to give the reader a glimpse of another side of her – like a strange sort of juxtaposition between roles, and between the action without and the self-recrimination she held within.
But… where had that come from? And why?
It was a huge mouthful to consider but I was willing to give it a whirl. So… back to the fight…
Perhaps the fight was an illegal fight then? A fight for wagers? Perhaps it was an ‘evolved event’, originating from the fencing duels of the past - which were not illegal back then, but for a twist now were? Now that could be fun! A back yard fight that could be intercepted at any time by the law, and then…
And so the Jackal Fight was born. Two opponents fighting with dull weapons for the ‘First touch’ to claim victory - but there were suddenly spectators surrounding my two fighters. They’d probably started out as some kind of garrison soldiers cheering their two comrades, but as the mood turned, I needed the spectators to be more… seedy. And so these Jackal Fights had to be ‘more’ than a simple crossing of dull swords - otherwise, why would people attend such an illegal backyard event at the risk of getting fined or thrown in prison if apprehended?
Well okay… if it had to be more; if it had to be worth the risk of imprisonment, why not make it about more than a fight, not only within Solancei’s head, but also without in the back alley? In fact, why would Solancei even be there in the first place?
Finding a plausible reason was not difficult, however. My ideas were flowing now.
I thought: why not make it about one woman’s clandestine role as a secret guard of someone like… let’s say a Princess… and why not make the Jackal Fights some kind of olden day way of settling grudges – in which case, combatants would be hired to represent the slighted party. In fact, perhaps the fights could be organised like some kind of underground event where fighters would meet to win money and prestige? Money could be won. Tax-free. Huge amounts of money. Perhaps the Jackal Fights could even be set up and take place for numerous reasons – all illegal, of course…
And so the audience now had a plausible reason for attending this event. But even better - Solancei’s person began to solidify further. Now she also had a reason to be at this fight where a lady would otherwise never have been seen.
But still she was there incognito, I decided. She was a master of Martial arts. She had trained since childhood. She had to have done, otherwise she would not be able to exhibit the skills to stand against a full-grown accomplished knight (Yes, her opponent was now a knight!).
Oh but hang on… though not a slight woman, she’d still need some extraordinary tricks to stand against an opponent double her size and of the opposite sex. Of course it’s not unrealistic that a woman can best a man, but this was a sword fight – between her distracted peace of mind and his sheer strength, Solancei would probably eventually find herself on the losing end – and she couldn’t be.
So suddenly she had a gift – the State of Veranto – I mean, I am writing Fantasy and my realms are steeped in magic, so why not?
So ‘Veranto’ was born. It’s a rare gift: it manifests in the young. It’s of a mental and physical property that allows the practitioner to connect with a higher form of themselves and thereby gain more speed, clarity, strength, stamina…
Now, she and Simaro were evenly matched.
Simaro?
Oh okay… so that was to be the name of the Knight? Well what do ya know??
At this point, the fight wrote itself. Solancei was there to train. She was a secret bodyguard. This meant she could not reveal her role and must hence revert to this unusual training scheme. Of course she would have a mentor of sorts, perhaps someone close to the King and Queen; perhaps a person who also knew Veranto – and thus, enter: Eso Mehadja, royal chief of intelligence and security.
Eso would have taught Solancei everything she knows: Eso would have the connections to get Solancei signed up for the Jackal fights, and Eso had a good reason to move outside the law, for how else would her prodigy Solancei grow as a warrior, since this was not her primary role (handmaiden and royal cousin, remember?)
So now Solancei and Simaro were fighting. He is good. He is cold and has eyes like chipped frost on a winter’s morning: colourless. He is hard and fast, like a viper, and he wants something from her she cannot decipher, but it already makes them enemies… (Wow, enemies? What?)
I am eager now. Notice I switched tense, lol…
Okay, so Solancei is my ‘hero’ – as such she does need an 'opposite'. Simaro would be an interesting candidate, but why? (And on goes my plotting, but enough about Simaro for now).
Meanwhile, I am writing my first chapter. It becomes two. Then three. Should I watch this word count? Awhh… screw it!
So Solancei is cool, she’s sharp, she’s fast, she’d salty, she’s-
But wait! Salty? Why is she salty?
Okay, and for that matter, why indeed does she not like pearls more than breeches?
Well, let’s explore that…
Like a good psychologist, I went back to her childhood, then. Where did she grow up? Who were her parents? What was her life like? Was she loved? Did she have friends?
I realised I didn’t know. But my childhood shaped me, so by default hers must have shaped her too.
So she needed a past. She ‘wanted’ to be different… did she grow up out east? In a frozen wasteland? Well sure… okay, that could work.
And as for her parents? Ok… so her parents were killed. Under mysterious circumstances?
Well sure, I liked that bit of mystery, but her parents definitely didn’t love her. Again, mystery but I saw the potential in that because it provided her with another layer of depth.
But why did her parents not love her? (Later!)
So was she alone? Yes, children were few and far between at Ivanor Fortress. She was a noble – not allowed to mix with the ‘help’ – but then my head went, ‘hang on… perhaps she did have one person?’ Perhaps she had someone like a lady-in-waiting who taught her and brought her up in lieu of her parents; a lady who loved her. Maybe her mother’s maid? But then this woman died – and her parents too – in the same event! (Ohh, yet more mystery – and danger!).
So was that my trend for Solancei? This ‘people dying’?
I guess it was. This lack of safety and certainty was what had shaped her, I decided. But perhaps she’d also lost someone she fell in love with? That would be reason enough for her to have become a bit of a cynical loner, right? I figured that ‘reason enough’ that she’d shun emotional attachments…
And just like that, I was on my way. Oddly, from a scene about a fight in the rain, involving two people, I suddenly had two MCs – one a protagonist and one an antagonist, and all without breaking a sweat. But not only that. I had also begun to worldbuild (Ivanor = cold/desolate/dangerous) and I had invented a new sport, as well as built a few layers up around my characters. Neat!
So in sum - Imagination and inspiration grow from the unlikeliest of places if you do not whittle too much about the process. If I can get a thought process like that rolling, so can anyone!
Noe as for how does Solancei became best friends with the Princess Iambre who lived miles and miles away to the north-east, well…
I’m afraid that if you want the inside scoop on why Solancei would even care about Iambre, and of how exactly an orphan became a bodyguard, Master of Veranto and martial arts – and suddenly find herself questioning everything she knows and is in a backyard illegal fight - you’ll simply have to dive down the rabbit hole and read the books. ;-)
Regardless, I hope some of the above might inspire you to dream up your own characters. And scenes. Remember: it needn’t be too complicated, but the beauty is in the details!
Thanks for reading! Comments welcome!
About:
Name: Solancei del’Isthalani Calverhana
Age: 24 autumns
Weapon(s): Sword / the Tears of Mourning (shuriken, fashioned into a belt of detachable links)
Hobbies: Studying historical texts / Riding her horse South Point / Arguing with Iambre / climbing
Flaws: Perfectionist to the core / too self-critical / Unwilling to let people get close to her / Ridicules the concept of love / Slightly bent on self-destruction / Can be undone by her fear that Iambre could one day get hurt because she isn’t good enough or fast enough when needed
January 28, 2019
28th Jan '19
Ever wondered how a housewife and mother of two becomes a fantasy author? https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%...
28th Jan '19
Ever wondered how a housewife and mother of two becomes a fantasy author? https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%...
January 14, 2019
14th of Jan '19
Happy (belated) new year!
It seems I got through to the other side without soo much trouble even though New Year's Eve is one of my least favourite days of the whole year. Anyway, this time around I was down with some kind of deranged flue that had employed a tiny cricket to jump around inside my head with clogs on his feet, just to enhance the already dubious pleasure of the experience.
Still, I lived to see the fireworks from my mum's balcony at midnight and they were spectacular!
Now on a different note, I am storming into 2019 like a demon on a mission. A mission to complete The Missing Shield series, a mission to get more involved, more targeted, more streamlined and efficient. Well, we'll see 'bout all of that of course - but I got down to writing today and that felt great (particularly because it had been a while (read: 3 months). Sometimes you just need a break though, and I think mine worked wonders for my enthusiasm.
So what's the plans?
Well, I have just commissioned a map of Zanzier City. I am excited about that - mostly because this was one job that I swore I'd do myself and it gradually became clear that I really never would. ;-) Now I don't have to and I know Doug Turner will do a grand job of it, so win:win!
Also, I am in the process of doing a little promo for my numerous characters, so with this in mind, watch this space as I roll them out one at a time soon.
Apart from that I have become quite taken with a eMagazine project called Mum's Favorite Reads and I'd love you all to take five to check it out because it really is different and great for busy people. Oh, and did I mention that it's free? :-)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0CNo...
Last, but least, I have a couple of interviews and quirky appearances line up - one in the shape of one of my villains, who been invited to speak out loud!
And later I will be featuring a very yummy recipe in a cookbook for Mum's Favorite Reads, too - so busy days ahead!
That's all for now folks! Take care and don't forget to check out any of my 'go-to' places.
If you wanna comment or chat, don't be shy - drop me a line!
https://twitter.com/LLThomsen1 https://www.facebook.com/themissingsh...
It seems I got through to the other side without soo much trouble even though New Year's Eve is one of my least favourite days of the whole year. Anyway, this time around I was down with some kind of deranged flue that had employed a tiny cricket to jump around inside my head with clogs on his feet, just to enhance the already dubious pleasure of the experience.
Still, I lived to see the fireworks from my mum's balcony at midnight and they were spectacular!
Now on a different note, I am storming into 2019 like a demon on a mission. A mission to complete The Missing Shield series, a mission to get more involved, more targeted, more streamlined and efficient. Well, we'll see 'bout all of that of course - but I got down to writing today and that felt great (particularly because it had been a while (read: 3 months). Sometimes you just need a break though, and I think mine worked wonders for my enthusiasm.
So what's the plans?
Well, I have just commissioned a map of Zanzier City. I am excited about that - mostly because this was one job that I swore I'd do myself and it gradually became clear that I really never would. ;-) Now I don't have to and I know Doug Turner will do a grand job of it, so win:win!
Also, I am in the process of doing a little promo for my numerous characters, so with this in mind, watch this space as I roll them out one at a time soon.
Apart from that I have become quite taken with a eMagazine project called Mum's Favorite Reads and I'd love you all to take five to check it out because it really is different and great for busy people. Oh, and did I mention that it's free? :-)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0CNo...
Last, but least, I have a couple of interviews and quirky appearances line up - one in the shape of one of my villains, who been invited to speak out loud!
And later I will be featuring a very yummy recipe in a cookbook for Mum's Favorite Reads, too - so busy days ahead!
That's all for now folks! Take care and don't forget to check out any of my 'go-to' places.
If you wanna comment or chat, don't be shy - drop me a line!
https://twitter.com/LLThomsen1 https://www.facebook.com/themissingsh...
December 12, 2018
12th of Dec '18
Dear readers and book lovers...
So you've read a book and you kinda liked it...
Everyone bangs on about leaving authors reviews, but that's not something you do. Or is it?
If you have never left a review before, the task can be daunting, believe me I know!
"Everyone else writes lots of fancy details and add in-depth lengthy thoughts and opinions. I cannot do that." is the common replies I often get when I talk to people about this.
Or, "I'd like to give it a go, but I am not really qualified."
Or, "But I got the ebook for free. I liked the read but a review does not really matter because the book isn't really written by a real author."
Well, in regards to the latter, I assure you that any book - bought or free - is most assuredly written by a 'real' author who deserves support. Secondly, the good news is that you don't have to be qualified at all, because believe it or not - genuine opinions are worth as much as any 'official' editorial review - if not more!😀
So, if you'd like to see just how simple it can be done - follow the link below.
And, if you like more ideas on how you can support your favourite authors just by 'being you', drop me a note and I'll be happy to help.
In the meantime: happy reading!💖
https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-re...
So you've read a book and you kinda liked it...
Everyone bangs on about leaving authors reviews, but that's not something you do. Or is it?
If you have never left a review before, the task can be daunting, believe me I know!
"Everyone else writes lots of fancy details and add in-depth lengthy thoughts and opinions. I cannot do that." is the common replies I often get when I talk to people about this.
Or, "I'd like to give it a go, but I am not really qualified."
Or, "But I got the ebook for free. I liked the read but a review does not really matter because the book isn't really written by a real author."
Well, in regards to the latter, I assure you that any book - bought or free - is most assuredly written by a 'real' author who deserves support. Secondly, the good news is that you don't have to be qualified at all, because believe it or not - genuine opinions are worth as much as any 'official' editorial review - if not more!😀
So, if you'd like to see just how simple it can be done - follow the link below.
And, if you like more ideas on how you can support your favourite authors just by 'being you', drop me a note and I'll be happy to help.
In the meantime: happy reading!💖
https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-re...
December 11, 2018
11th of Dec '18
To stay with KindleUnlimited or not to stay, that is the question....
I need your help to decide!
I am currently contemplating leaving the KU scheme in favour or seeking out a wider publishing platform, and I have slowly let my books drop out of the KU sign-up scheme for this reason. Currently, a couple of books remain though - but what do the readers prefer? If you have read any of my books through KindleUnlimited and would like me to keep the rest of my books signed up for a while longer, please let me know.
You can email on llthomsen@themissingshield.com, drop me a line via FB https://www.facebook.com/linda.thomse...
or comment below.
:-)
I need your help to decide!
I am currently contemplating leaving the KU scheme in favour or seeking out a wider publishing platform, and I have slowly let my books drop out of the KU sign-up scheme for this reason. Currently, a couple of books remain though - but what do the readers prefer? If you have read any of my books through KindleUnlimited and would like me to keep the rest of my books signed up for a while longer, please let me know.
You can email on llthomsen@themissingshield.com, drop me a line via FB https://www.facebook.com/linda.thomse...
or comment below.
:-)
November 26, 2018
26th of November '18
🙈🙉🙊SPOILER ALERT!
Thought I'd share a snippet of the upcoming book, 'All in a Day's Work'.
This draft is still a work in progress but the essential structure is there and might be fun to read for those already familiar with The Missing Shield series, or for anyone just curious about the 'look' of my work in progress.
Personally, I just love how this chapter gets the ball rolling and things begin to move pretty fast from now...
To read the draft and get first-hand insight - visit: https://www.facebook.com/themissingsh...
Thought I'd share a snippet of the upcoming book, 'All in a Day's Work'.
This draft is still a work in progress but the essential structure is there and might be fun to read for those already familiar with The Missing Shield series, or for anyone just curious about the 'look' of my work in progress.
Personally, I just love how this chapter gets the ball rolling and things begin to move pretty fast from now...
To read the draft and get first-hand insight - visit: https://www.facebook.com/themissingsh...
October 30, 2018
30th of Oct '18
Quick hello from frosty Britain. How did it just turn so cold overnight? Brrrr....
Just wanted to say thanks to everyone for their fab reviews thus far. My writing is unique within the fantasy genre - I am very aware, lol - so thank you for the vote of confidence! Indeed, as you have all now seen, you really cannot get a true feel for the concept of my series unless you are prepared to read well past the 'first 10 pages' of episode #1, because this is one book that you cannot get the gist of unless you take your time to enjoy the experience. If you let it, it'll take you forward on a visual journey, but to unravel the mystery and the characters, you have to put in a little effort to get there. ;-) Happy reading!
Just wanted to say thanks to everyone for their fab reviews thus far. My writing is unique within the fantasy genre - I am very aware, lol - so thank you for the vote of confidence! Indeed, as you have all now seen, you really cannot get a true feel for the concept of my series unless you are prepared to read well past the 'first 10 pages' of episode #1, because this is one book that you cannot get the gist of unless you take your time to enjoy the experience. If you let it, it'll take you forward on a visual journey, but to unravel the mystery and the characters, you have to put in a little effort to get there. ;-) Happy reading!
October 18, 2018
18th of Oct '18
Nearly Friday but not quite. Sigh.
I am procrastinating - not from writing, which I am really good at too, by the way - but from plugging in that hoover and spending the next two hours cleaning the house (Not all hoovering - I mean, that'd be crazy, lol!).
So in effort to avoid the inevitable, I'll spend 5 on a quick update instead...
Episode 7 of The Missing Shield is nearly done. It has been for a while really, but I keep finding things I want to add or polish up. Yup - my own worst critic - I know! - but there comes a time when even I cannot possibly shift the puzzle around any longer and where all that's left is a quick gander at the final 3 chapters, before the usual final Grammarly check. And then that's it.
And it feels good. I like how Iambre gets dragged through 'the mill' in this episode. I also love that Bilan get to see some action, but most of all I really love how this story is gaining pace now. Things are hotting up and getting a little more peculiar with every page, yet the strands are beginning to come together too - something that will really become apparent in books 8 through to 10 and I cannot wait to share!
Anyway, on that note of excitement, I just wanted to say a big 'thank you' to everyone who has grabbed a copy of my book/s so far - be they e-type or physical - I love the fact that you are taking a chance on a silly little indie author like me! I am so honoured!
Last but not least, please do not forget to leave me your reviews too! They are the most overlooked but important thing you can do for anyone of us writers (apart from reading our books, of course). Please know that a review is not as scary as it sounds; you do not have to be some 'hot-shot' to have something to say, and you don't even have to leave your real name either! All in all, honesty and a few personal words are all we ask and us indies keep pestering your guys, because your words/thoughts may be the reason someone else feels inspired or encouraged to pick up a copy or reads a few pages on their Kindle, so never underestimate the power of your contribution!
Thank everyone! I don't think I can leave off hoovering much longer, dang it - but I hope you all have the best weekend! :-)
I am procrastinating - not from writing, which I am really good at too, by the way - but from plugging in that hoover and spending the next two hours cleaning the house (Not all hoovering - I mean, that'd be crazy, lol!).
So in effort to avoid the inevitable, I'll spend 5 on a quick update instead...
Episode 7 of The Missing Shield is nearly done. It has been for a while really, but I keep finding things I want to add or polish up. Yup - my own worst critic - I know! - but there comes a time when even I cannot possibly shift the puzzle around any longer and where all that's left is a quick gander at the final 3 chapters, before the usual final Grammarly check. And then that's it.
And it feels good. I like how Iambre gets dragged through 'the mill' in this episode. I also love that Bilan get to see some action, but most of all I really love how this story is gaining pace now. Things are hotting up and getting a little more peculiar with every page, yet the strands are beginning to come together too - something that will really become apparent in books 8 through to 10 and I cannot wait to share!
Anyway, on that note of excitement, I just wanted to say a big 'thank you' to everyone who has grabbed a copy of my book/s so far - be they e-type or physical - I love the fact that you are taking a chance on a silly little indie author like me! I am so honoured!
Last but not least, please do not forget to leave me your reviews too! They are the most overlooked but important thing you can do for anyone of us writers (apart from reading our books, of course). Please know that a review is not as scary as it sounds; you do not have to be some 'hot-shot' to have something to say, and you don't even have to leave your real name either! All in all, honesty and a few personal words are all we ask and us indies keep pestering your guys, because your words/thoughts may be the reason someone else feels inspired or encouraged to pick up a copy or reads a few pages on their Kindle, so never underestimate the power of your contribution!
Thank everyone! I don't think I can leave off hoovering much longer, dang it - but I hope you all have the best weekend! :-)
October 15, 2018
15th of October '18
It begins with a funeral...
Add broken magic, dark revenge, grim desires, flawed characters, forbidden romance, mad gods, a pair of fated twins, a broke astrolabe and little epic world building - and you have the makings of The Veil Keepers Quest.
Add broken magic, dark revenge, grim desires, flawed characters, forbidden romance, mad gods, a pair of fated twins, a broke astrolabe and little epic world building - and you have the makings of The Veil Keepers Quest.
