E.B. Roshan's Blog: This, That and the Other, page 9

Character Profile #5: Arjun Rastikar

After his father, Amin, dies of a brain tumor, Arjun (pronounced Ar-JOON) steps into the role of Rastikar family head and Preen’s guardian. Though the Rastikar family is progressive, Arjun submits to ancient Tur tradition and has his canine teeth pulled, to prove how committed he is to his responsibility as firstborn son.

When his teenage sister, Preen, reveals that she is pregnant, Arjun puts his life on hold in an attempt to give her a fresh start in a new place—Sevia’s capital city. The timing of the move couldn’t have been worse, as war between Sevian majority and Tur minority is brewing all around them, but Arjun remains steadfast, determined to help his little sister find her feet again.

While living in Dor, Arjun works as a waiter at Oksana’s, Boris’s cafe. His reddish hair, somewhat unusual for a Tur, make him stand out less in the Sevian-dominated capital than other Tur might, but working illegally in a hostile city takes its toll. It’s a dark time for him, but the one bright spot is his budding relationship with Anna’s friend, Sufya.

Personal Recollections

It’s a new year, and that means new writing projects–not all Sevia-related this time. For starters, I’ve just finished re-editing and re-publishing a short memoir that I originally wrote at the request of family members–when I realized it was a story that might be enjoyed by a larger audience as well, I dragged it back home and tidied it up before sending it into the world again.

Without further ado, I present Tea Parties on the Ceiling. For a taste of what the book is like, here’s Chapter One:

1. Arrival

The mountain peaks seemed close enough to scrape the airplane’s wings as we began our descent into Hamid Karzai International Airport. Excitement and nervousness took turns churning in my stomach as the crags reached up and gently swallowed us. We rushed past the foothills covered with cement box houses, past the parched fields, past the rows and rows of unused, broken C-130s.

A cloud of smog usually hangs over the valley where Kabul lies, but that day I recall it being clear blue all the way to the ground. I had come to join my husband, Yusef, whom I had met for the first time only three months before.

WELCOME TO AFGHANISTAN, THE LAND OF THE BRAVE, a big sign on the terminal building announced. WELCOME HOME.

Hussain, a little, round-faced man with an impeccable beard, helped me collect my two suitcases. He told me Yusef was waiting. I don’t remember feeling particularly excited, but I do remember that the bustle and chaos seemed to fade away when I saw Yusef standing tall and straight, searching for me with his piercing blue eyes. He was at least a head taller than anyone else in the terminal.

I was wearing the abaya that I had bought in Yemen the summer before, a green headscarf with stripes and metallic threads running through it, and of course my brand-new diamond ring.

Yusef greeted me quietly and took my suitcases from Hussain. We left them at the house where I would be staying. The NGO director of the moment gave me a hug and told me not to drink too much water or I would die. He offered no explanation for the comment.

Yusef took me out for dinner at Barbecue Tonight, a restaurant near his apartment. We ate grilled chicken kebabs, rice, naan (Afghan bread,) and pickles. Afterwards he brought me back to the house and said goodnight. I wished that he could stay with me.

The bathroom of the house contained a sauna which the Swiss man who lived there had built for his Finnish wife. It also had a big porch with a living screen of blue and purple morning glories. It was a cluttered house, and full of loneliness, confusion and the pain of too many new things happening too fast.

In the bathroom, I found a bottle of alcohol-free nail polish remover and tried to clean off my chipped nail polish. I wanted to look pretty the next time Yusef saw me. Alcohol-free nail polish remover may be holier, but it is far less effective.

The upstairs neighbors had provided me with a little food so that I wouldn’t have to go shopping right away, some apples, processed cheese, and a box of Wheetabix that tasted like soap.

I only stayed in that house about two weeks, then moved into the tiny annex that was built within the compound of another one of our NGO’s houses. The plan was for Yusef to join me there after our wedding.

The first time I entered the gate I was attacked by a horrible little dog named Charlie, who belonged to another family on the compound. The gatekeeper, a frail old man with a face like a date, dropped the box he was carrying, which happened to be full of light bulbs and other breakables, and ran to rescue me.

Apparently Charlie didn’t like me because I was dressed ‘too Afghan.’ He didn’t like Afghans. In fact, he spent a good portion of his life barking and growling at that same gatekeeper, who fended him off with a twig broom or a wizened foot.

Later, when I invited a neighbor woman and her daughters into the compound so they could use our hose to wash their carpets, Charlie danced and choked on the end of his chain the entire time trying to get at them. He and I eventually got used to each other, but we were never friendly.

Kabul is dusty. Pale, powdery dust grays the leaves of the trees, spirals down the street, gets into eyelashes and nostrils and between the teeth. You can dust a table or windowsill in the morning and draw a smiling face in the settled dust by dinnertime. The battle with the dust is one the women of Kabul, both the temporary and permanent ones, fight every day.

Tareq, a young Tajik who taught us Farsi proverbs and calligraphy, once said that exiles from Kabul miss every aspect of life there; when enough time has passed, they even ‘grow sad after the dust.’

Besides dust, Kabul smells like grilling kebabs, exhaust fumes, open sewers, and the roses that grow in that sunny dust like nowhere else.

You can find Tea Parties HERE and HERE.

Character Profile #4: Preenalaya (Rastikar) (Enda) Manjali

At the age of fifteen, Preen travels to the capital city of Dor and secretly marries Rama, her boyfriend. Though Preen hopes they will be able start a new life together, far from the grief and confusion of the old one in the Tur Kej mountains, that isn’t what happens. Soon after their baby girl, Sitabi, is born, the simmering unrest in Dor explodes into civil war. Rama disappears, and everyone tells Preen he’s dead. Determined to protect her daughter at all costs, Preen escapes the city and returns to her family’s mountain farm. She isn’t sure if love is even possible for her anymore, but if it is, Preen will stop at nothing to find it.

Preen is the heroine of FINAL CHANCE and JUDGMENT CALL.

Book Review: A Glorious Day in Hell by John Eudy

While technically rough, from an artistic/creative viewpoint, A Glorious Day in Hell shines. It’s “The Harrowing of Hell” in long short story, or perhaps novella, form, bringing to mind Dante’s “broken bridge,” Chrysostom’s, “Hell was troubled by encountering Him below…took a body and discovered God…” and those fantastically-proportioned Medieval paintings depicting Christ raising Adam and Eve from their graves.

Like all earthly imaginings of Heavenly activity (with the possible exception of that immortal Easter Homily) it’s flawed…incomplete…but any author who decides to write a novella about the greatest event of all time, and succeeds this well, is worth reading.

A few nitpicks:

I don’t like narratives in the present tense. I really don’t.

The writing is fairly smooth, but definitely could have used an editor for a final polish.

In my personal opinion, the story would have been stronger if it had stuck with only one viewpoint—Caelius’s, for choice. He was the better, more-developed character anyway. Having two viewpoints was unnecessarily confusing and added little to the story.

It quickly became apparent that the author and I don’t see eye-to-eye theologically on some things, but seriously, what does that matter when we agree on the Main Thing?

All in all, A Glorious Day in Hell is a fine piece of speculative Christian fiction, filled with faith, hope and joy.

I received a copy of the novella in for the purpose of sharing a fair and honest review. Check it out HERE on Goodreads.

Character Profile #3: Rama Enda

Rama was a bull-rider from Tur Fen, the northernmost province of Sevia. Like many Tur men, Rama let his hair grow long and twisted it into dreadlocks, a tradition that the Tur trace back to their origins in Western Asia. He saw himself as a direct link between those warrior traditions and the Tur of modern times, so it should have come as no surprise to Preen when he joined Rayad (meaning “Blood”) the biggest Tur insurgency in Dor.

Rama’s stubborn and reckless personality made him an exciting boyfriend for Preen, but had much to learn about being a good husband. Given more time, he might have become one, but Rama was killed at the age of twenty-one, with his rough edges still jagged.

Rama is a main character in FINAL CHANCE, and also features in FOR BETTER AND WORSE.

Indie Authors’ Book Sale

This year, I’m participating in the Perry Kirkpatrick Indie Authors’ Black Friday Sale for the very first time. Check it out HERE, and find some new favorites for .99 cents or free.

Book Review: Escape from Mathebos by Sarah Rodecker

Every story, no matter how simple or short, carries a piece of its author with it. Reading is a way of getting to know people I would most likely never otherwise meet—and I don’t mean just the characters, but the author, too. Escape from Mathebos was one of those stories where I felt I was learning as much about the (young, talented) author as I was about the world and characters she created—but I won’t go into that here—because this is a book review, not an author review, after all.

Escape from Mathebos tells the story of Eriska, a young pilot, and Yuri, a scientist, who are both trapped on the planet of Mathebos while a mysterious illness called the Blue Death is slowly decimating the population. Through a series of unexpected events, they are brought together and begin a desperate search for a cure—or an escape.

I liked the story, but I didn’t love it. It interested me, but didn’t grab my attention. I think this is partly because I like my Sci-Fi fairly heavy on the “Sci,” and this story only touched lightly on the nitty-gritty, technical aspects of the various problems the characters encountered. I still don’t understand how Yuri and his coworkers figured out what was causing the plague, or how exactly the cure that was being developed would supposedly work.

Besides that, I struggled to suspend disbelief over several key plot points, including how a large, technologically-advanced society could be built from scratch in less than a generation, why the government seemed bent on self-destruction, and why, despite the futuristic technology, nobody was able to fix/build a basic radio.

Despite well-planned pacing, relatable characters, and good editing (which is not always the case with independently-published works) Escape from Mathebos didn’t quite nail it for me. That’s not to say someone else won’t thoroughly enjoy the story, and it certainly wouldn’t deter me from picking up another of this author’s books.

Best scene? Eriska flying through the mountains. I’ve done that (not while being pursued by government gunships, thankfully) and the author really captured the adrenaline rush of the experience.

Worst scene? Well, there really were no completely lame scenes, but I was a little frustrated that near the end, Yuri just…disappears. Did he even survive his bout with the Blue Death?

First books are hard, and first books in a new genre are almost equally hard, so I applaud this young author for her effort and look forward to reading more of her work in future when she’s had more time to find her Sci-Fi feet.

To learn more about Sarah and check out her other books, visit her website HERE.

Author Interview with Herman P. Hunter

Today I’m switching things up a bit to share an interview with the up-and-coming Christian fantasy author, Herman P. Hunter.

Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

A:

It’s a bit ironic that I’ve become an author. I was never much into reading. Looking back, it may have been my undiagnosed autism and attention deficit disorder that were the prime causes for this. In addition to being extremely uncomfortable in social situations, I have some pretty deep issues with communications. Verbal communication then, as now, is difficult at best. In mt youth, reading was hampered by an innate boredom and a mind whose thoughts could go off onto deep tangents with the slightest of stimuli. Even now, I contend with these issues, though my ability to write is unhindered by these apparent deficits of my nature.

Public school was a struggle. My siblings were A-students. I was a C-student at best. While my siblings went to college, I went to vocational school, eventually moving up into community college. It was in community college where I actually learned how to write. And when I finally understood the fundamentals of the English language, it was as if a switch just suddenly flipped on.

It was the birth of my oldest son where I discovered that I may have been autistic. He, like I, suffered from the same social and communicative issues. He was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome (a high-functioning flavor of autism) and attention hyperactive deficit disorder. It was then that I realized why I was the way I was.

Where I floundered in the public educational system, I exceled in vocational training, and eventually college. While it took many years, interrupted by a diagnosis of cancer in my mid twenties, I obtained an Associates Degree. During this time, I worked for a while in the field of electronics, moving – at one point – into the field of Computer Science, where I remain today. It was during that time I got the writing bug.

Q: When did you decide you wanted to be a writer?

A:

It started when, about ten years into my software career, I started writing articles about software development. This led to a book deal (a book which is long out of print). That’s what got me hooked.

To be frank, I really didn’t want to make a career or a sideline out of writing about software. Technology changes too quickly and – like the software I write – doesn’t have much of a legacy. I was always attracted to Science Fiction and Fantasy. So, I tried my hand at writing a fantasy story. It was fun, but the story itself was awful. It has been long since deleted.

The seed of the story, based on Tolkien’s Beren and Luthien, did not really go away. I eventually used it as a foundation for a character named “Frankie.”

Now that my first book is published – The Revenant and the Tomb – and another one is near release – The Wizard’s Stone – I find that I’ve fallen in love with both writing and production.

Q: What makes your story/s unique?

A:

I don’t think my stories are unique. I’m sure others have written the same tales, albeit with different characters and different settings. If they differ in any way, it is because of my distinct literary voice, and my view of human experience.

If there is anything unique about my works, it is that I do not view them as others view them.

I only write stories that I want to read. I try to blend language, Christianity, and the long forgotten Romantic Fantasy of the past. Not the “romantic” that conjures Fabio riding on a white stallion, sword in hand. Fiction from the Romantic era – Lewis, Tolkien, Wells, and the like. It’s something that I feel is lost in today’s current offerings.

Those that have read my works praise my descriptions, as well as my ability to immerse the reader in the story. One even praised my “elevated use of language,” while giving me a 2-star rating. Yes, I was scratching my head at that one…

The reviews for The Revenant and the Tomb say it all, though I will say that I don’t truly understand the immersion aspect. I write what I write, detailing images from my head, later making sure the language and the presentation are to my liking. Now that I know what people like, I find myself obsessing over providing the same experience in my follow-up book.

If there are other ingredients to this alchemical mixture, they are Christian philosophy and a dark, unfiltered look at evil. Some have described my work as dark and gritty. I see these as horror elements bound into a Fantasy tale. My view is – and probably always will be – that if you are going to talk about good and evil, you had best illustrate (to the best of your ability) what those concepts truly are. Good isn’t always someone who is well mannered and polite. Nor are people with firm understandings of good and evil always someone you’d want to have over for tea (or beers, depending on your frame of mind). Good stands against corruption and menace, often taking hits while still moving ahead. Evil is corrupt, filthy, rebellious, perverse, pitiless, and vile. When they meet, it’s isn’t always a genteel Moriarty and Holmes battle of wits. To take up the Cross sometimes means staring into the abyss. So it is, I strive to contrast good and evil with bold, unflinching color.

Q: Who’s your favorite character (in your own work?)

A:

I really don’t have a “favorite character” outside of my work. Even now, try as I might, I can’t really think of one that I was able to relate to or identify with. Maybe Bilbo Baggins? I’m not 100% sure.

Inside my literary world, my absolute favorite is a character named Frankie. He was the first character I created for a series of books that are partially completed and have yet to be published. Frankie’s journey was the first book of fiction I actually completed and attempted to get published.

Frankie is one of those “Life’s losers,” who finds himself adrift in modern society. Circumstances, however, land him right smack-dab in the midst of an adventure, the likes of which he cannot fully comprehend.

Everything that I am writing and publishing now has connections to Frankie and his journey, in one form or another. His story is what I’m writing toward, though – hopefully – not the final destination.

Q: Who would enjoy reading your book?

A:

Anyone, really. There are semi-graphic descriptions of gore. I try to avoid sex and sensuality altogether. I strive for readers 16 and above.

I write what I’d want to read. I like action. I like horror. I’m a fan of people like J. R. R. Tolkien, Robert E. Howard, and H. P. Lovecraft. Think of my works as a blending of the three, with a little C. S. Lewis thrown in, and a good healthy dose of Old and New Testament to round out the formula.

Men seem more interested in my books than women, though my wife is my biggest fan. The beta readers for The Revenant and the Tomb were both women. There are a good number of “strong women” included in my stories, through it’s not heavy-handed. However, if you are looking for romance, my books ain’t it.

People who like old-timey Fantasy like that of Tolkien seem to be the biggest fans. While I try to provide happy endings for my characters, they are dragged through the mud until then. It’s not what I’d call light-hearted fare.

Q: What would you like readers to take away from your book?

A:

First, I want them to be entertained.

Second, with the exception of The Revenant and the Tomb, I usually include a message or two that I’m writing toward. The Revenant and the Tomb was just supposed to be a fun little adventure. Nothing heavy or introspective.

Third, that Christianity – and by extension, Judaism – are deeper than laws and prayers. In many ways, the characters I write about struggle with conflict between actions and beliefs, much like normal people do every day.

Q: What inspires you to write?

A:

I often say that I’ve been living in my own world for as long as I can remember. Writing allows me to make money from that.

(This is, of course, a joke.)

After reflecting on this question, I don’t think the answer I have is easily defined. I don’t have anything concrete to point to.

Like all writers, I have something to say. I weave moralistic elements into my stories, raise questions and sometimes answer them.

There are a number of elemental components that drive my writing: dreams, music, art. I’m a thinker and a dreamer in many regards. I was always fascinated by Dungeons and Dragons, as well as the Bible. Writing allows me to tap all of these things and mix them into a tangible product.

Ambition plays a part. I’ve always been ambitious and passionate about certain subjects. Ambition was and is one of the things that prods at me in my software career, driving me to take on large and more complex projects. Creating a fantasy world from scratch, writing, and producing books certainly fits that bill. I’ve definitely acquired a love of writing and all of the aspects of getting a book to market. Seeing the cover artwork for the first time. Feeling the rush I sometimes get when I’m on a roll, my fingers barely able to keep pace with the words flowing down from my head. Doing that last revision before I call the book complete. Seeing good reviews. This is a big part of what inspires me.

Having fans. Hearing their feedback. Hearing what they like and don’t like – that’s inspiring in itself. It lights a fire underneath me and forces me to create more stories.

Perhaps writing is what God always intended me to do? I’m not really sure. But using the gifts he has given me to their fullest extent always plays a part.

Perhaps one of these explanations is greater than the other, or maybe they are all equal? I’m not quite sure which.

To learn more about Herman Hunter or check out his books, you can find him on his website and Goodreads.

Character Profile #2: Anna (Belko) Merkovich

Anna’s the baby of her family, the girl who surprised her parents after they thought their family was complete with three boys. From the time she was eighteen, she worked as a seamstress in a garment factory to support herself and her parents.

Anna’s life has been shaped by a childhood and young adulthood in a war zone, where violence and death are commonplace. While she struggles with anxiety, her faith allows her to see beyond the dark circumstances of the present and into a hopeful future. Her gentle stubbornness and practicality act as a foil for her husband Boris’s idealism and impulsivity.

Anna Merkovich is the heroine of WRONG PLACE, RIGHT TIME and FOR BETTER AND WORSE.

Character Profile #1: Boris Merkovich

Boris was unofficially adopted by his aunt and uncle, Peter and Oksana Neyrev, at the age of fifteen, after his stepfather threw him out. He began working as a waiter at Oksana’s, his aunt’s cafe, and took over as manager a few years later. It was at Oksana’s that he (literally) stumbled upon Anna, the day after his younger cousin, Alexander, was stabbed to death.

Boris loves Anna, cooking, and eating—in that order. Though Boris rarely feels he has measured up to his loved ones’ expectations, and his temper often gets the better of him, his desire to do the right thing, even when it’s hard, wins out in the end.

Boris Merkovich is the hero of WRONG PLACE, RIGHT TIME and FOR BETTER AND WORSE.