Gary F. Vanucci's Blog, page 12
January 27, 2013
Tiffany Heiser Interview
Continuing my rounds of author interviews, I received a reply or interest from author of paranormal romance: Tiffany Heiser. The following is the interview as she shares information with the readers of Eye on Ashenclaw!
First off, tell us a little bit about you
I was raised in Granbury Texas, a small town near Fort Worth. I’m
an only child, raised by two wonderful parents. Married now to my wonderful
husband, Brian, we recently gave birth to the greatest joy of our lives, our
son Parker. Life, I wouldn’t say is easy haha, but definitely fulfilled and
perfect!
Tell us about your books
I published the first book of my With Love series, Bonded
With Love, in November of 2011. It is the first of three paranormal romance
novels. A vampire love story and my absolutely favorite type of romance novel;
it follows the main character, Rena, throughout her adventure of meeting a
vampire and the discovery of her true destiny.
I have also written a short story, a prequel, to the With
Love series titled Broken Bond. Also Book 2, Struggled With Love, is due to
come out in the next few months.
When did you start writing?
I started writing poetry as a teen and realized then how much I
enjoyed it. As I got older my vivid imagination kicked in even stronger and
that was when the stories started forming.
Why do you write?
It started off as a way to express my emotions, and now it is the
only way to get my mind in order haha! I have too many story lines and thoughts
running through my mind on a daily basis, and the only way to get them to go
away is to write them down.
What would be your choice for a superpower?
Right now, with learning to be a mommy plus write, I want to be
able to multiply myself J That way
I can write, take puppy out, cook dinner, and feed baby all at once haha!
Who is your favorite author?
I have a few faves, but my main two are Melissa Marr and Stephenie
Meyer.
What are you reading now?
Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl. I’m
definitely excited to see how good the movie is!
Who is your favorite character to write?
My favorite character as of right now to write would be my main
character Rena, her personality is sarcastic and fun. Plus watching her grow
from the beginning of book one to the end was exciting, and as I finish book 2
her growth is still continuing and very much inspiring.
Do you have a writing process?
I tend to write out all ideas of where I want the novel to go. I
have an old school process of handwriting the first draft, so that when I go
back to type it all up the editing process seems easier to me. It’s as if I’m
reading it all with fresh eyes and I can catch the changes that need to be
made.
What advice would you give to an aspiring author?
Write. Write everything, write it all down, and don’t quit
writing.
What inspired you to pursue writing?
I actually had a dream about the With Love series, and I couldn’t
get it out of my head. I had brought it up to friends and my husband, and
everyone told me the same…write it down. So I did and that was about two years
ago, and here I am still writing J
What are your favorite TV shows/Movies to watch in between
writing?
Right now I’m in love with Pitch Perfect, such a funny movie.
But TV shows, I love Vampire Diaries, Arrow, Supernatural, and
Pretty Little Liars.
Please join me and the other amazingly talented authors over @ Skulldust Circle where we have formed a Writer's Circle that must be seen--a collection of brilliant, up & coming independently published speculative fiction authors with much to give both now and in the future!
All of my work can be found on AMAZON -- Kindle versions here
See you in Wothlondia! Cheers!
Please visit MY HOME PAGE to enjoy an extended reading experience, see direct links to purchase my full length novel, Covenant of the Faceless Knights, the short stories: Wothlondia Rising, and to see what else Ashenclaw Studios, LLC has in store in the future!
All maps, names and content copyright Ashenclaw Studios 2012 unless otherwise noted.
January 19, 2013
Heather Jensen Interview
I discovered Heather Jensen on twitter recently and she was kind enough to share her writing and life experiences with us here at Eye on Ashenclaw. Heather is a speculative fiction author that writes about vampires and musicians! Check out the interview below:
First off, tell us a
little bit about you
I live in Southern Utah with my husband and my son. When I'm not writing or fulfilling my usual
mom and wife duties, I love going to concerts, playing Halo on the Xbox with my
husband, and playing guitar in a band with some friends. We call ourselves Kicking
Pigeons.
Tell us about your
books
The Blood And Guitars series is really based on my desire to
fuse two of my favorite things together into one: vampires and music. I began
writing the first book back in high school, which was way before Twilight came
out and the vampire books flooded bookshelves. Although that's showing my age a
little, I think the fresh perspective I had gives a unique edge to my vampires
and the series.
You can get the first book, Blood And Guitars, at Amazon in
paperback or for Kindle here:
http://www.amazon.com/Blood-And-Guita...
The second book in the series, Immortals And Melodies, is
available for Kindle here:
http://www.amazon.com/Immortals-Melod...
I'm planning to release the third and final book in the
series, Fangs And Fame, this year.
When did you start writing?
I've been writing stories for as long as I can remember, but
I wrote my first fantasy novel, The Rift, while I was in high school.
Why do you write?
It's cheaper than therapy.
;)
What would be your choice for a superpower?
This is such a great question. I've always wished I had the
ability to project the things I've dreamt about in my sleep onto a TV screen or
something the next day so I could show other people. I have some really crazy,
fascinating dreams and I can never explain them right. Being able to project
something from your mind onto a screen so you could share it with others
visually.
Who is your favorite author?
I can never pick just one, but I especially love Amelia
Atwater-Rhodes. She was published at thirteen, and her books inspired me to
start writing when I was younger.
What are you reading now?
I'm just starting Vaempires: Zombie Rising by Thomas Winship.
I loved the first two books in the Vaempires series.
Who is your favorite character to write?
The Blood And Guitars series is written in dual points of
view from Trey and Aurora. I love writing them both for different reasons.
Aurora is fun to write because she's an unusually powerful vampire for someone her age, but she has this
sensitive creative side to her that allows her to make beautiful art and to
connect on a deep level with Trey. Trey is fun to write because he knows
exactly who he is at any given moment, and in any situation. Even though he's a
famous musician with hordes of fans, he's about as level-headed as anyone can
be. It's always interesting to throw him into strange situation and see how
he'll come out of it. Also, his relationships with his band mates are fun to
explore.
Do you have a writing process?
I really only require my computer and my playlist. I do my
best writing when I have the perfect soundtrack playing in the background. Oh,
and in the morning, I'll usually have a cup of hot chocolate at my desk with
me. I'm a plotter, but my writing often steers me in directions I couldn't have
foreseen.
What advice would you give to an aspiring author?
Write, write, write. It's the only way you can get to know
who you are as an author, and what your voice is. Also, write what you're
passionate about. You don't have to be
an expert at something to write about it. Do your homework. Sometimes research
can be a fun part of the process. Also, be grateful for any constructive
criticism you get and always strive to grow.
What inspired you to pursue writing?
I've always been a writer, even if I didn't realize that's
what I was. My husband has always been a huge source of inspiration and support
for me. He makes it easy to believe I can accomplish anything I set my mind to.
What are your favorite TV shows/Movies to watch in between
writing?
I'm a huge fan of The Walking Dead. I also really enjoy
Psych, Castle, and Bones. I love almost anything Joss Whedon does, but
especially Firefly. Also, since I'm outnumbered by the boys in my house,
there's always room for another super hero movie.
When not rocking out or playing video games, Heather Jensen can be found here:
Author
Website www.heatherjensen.info
Facebook www.facebook.com/BloodAndGuitars
Twitter https://twitter.com/#!/theedgeofwords
Please join me and the other amazingly talented authors over @ Skulldust Circle where we have formed a Writer's Circle that must be seen--a collection of brilliant, up & coming independently published speculative fiction authors with much to give both now and in the future!
All of my work can be found on AMAZON -- Kindle versions here
See you in Wothlondia! Cheers!
Please visit MY HOME PAGE to enjoy an extended reading experience, see direct links to purchase my full length novel, Covenant of the Faceless Knights, the short stories: Wothlondia Rising, and to see what else Ashenclaw Studios, LLC has in store in the future!
All maps, names and content copyright Ashenclaw Studios 2012 unless otherwise noted.
January 14, 2013
Meinos Kaen Interview
I happened to speak with another writer on social media the other day. He is a relatively new writer in the Sci-Fi/YA/Superhero genre. Check out more about our friend in the following interview!
When
did you start writing?
I
have been writing since I was in grade school. I was already an avid reader
thanks to my grandpa, and my Italian teacher then went and did something
wonderful: she started reading to us The Story of A Seagull and The Cat Who
Taught Her To Fly by Luis Sepulveda, in weekly episodes, acting out the
voices of the whole cast. I still distinctly remember her rendition of the
distraught seagull asking Zorba if they wanted to eat her. Soon after I started
writing and then completed a thriller. Yes, a thriller in grade school. I
was engrossed with this Disney comic called Mickey Mouse Mystery Magazine
at the time. The final result was not bad, considering who wrote it. It had
many ‘borrowed’ elements taken from M4 and even the Virtua Fighter
anime, but I showed promise. The killer was a dog.
Why
do you write?
To
do what my grade school teacher did for me when I was a young kid. I want to
write something that as many people as possible can enjoy and react to the same
way I did to Sepulveda’s writing. I want them to be engrossed, to want to know
what happens next as soon as possible, for their emotions to show clearly on
their face as they go through the tale. To hate the villain and cheer for the
hero, and like the story so much to rant about how it continues on Internet
forums. You don’t get angry for something you don’t love, after all.
What
would be your choice for a superpower?
Now,
this is the question. I’m writing a book about super-humans after all.
At the end of the day, though, I’ll always want to have the power of the
character Forge, from the X-Men comics. For those not Marvel-educated,
the guy can basically create anything he can think of. He thinks of a
concept, he knows how to build a device to that effect. Endless possibilities.
We’d need just one guy like that and half of what we write about wouldn't be
just a dream anymore.
Who
is your favorite author?
Really
hard to choose. I have a favorite book -The Portrait of Dorian Grey- but
it’s not exactly easy to compare the level and effectiveness of a fantasy
author to that of a noir writer, for example. With all the genres I read...
But, if I really have to choose one above everyone else, I’ll have to go
with Neil Gaiman. His Sandman is maybe the best comic series ever
created, and I love American Gods to death.
What
are you reading now?
I’m
reading the spin-off books for the Supernatural TV Series. I’m on the Boney
Key by Keith R.A. DeCandido right now, and I’ve really enjoyed Witch
Canyon by Jeff Mariotte.
Who
is your favorite character to write?
Jason, the lead from my novel S-Class .
He’s not only the center of the story, he’s the center of his little
dysfunctional family. Writing about his interactions with the other characters
and how he approaches new situations, problems and threats is always
entertaining, although not always happy for the characters themselves. Also, I
like putting in his mouth references that I wonder how many people will get.
Like when he describes a certain mistake in a famous cult movie that made it
into the final product.
Do
you have a writing process?
Of
course. Strictly concerning writing...
Step
1) Look for
inspiration, but I don’t believe in ‘researching’ the perfect subject for a
book. The basic idea for it has to come to you naturally, and it can arrive
from the most unexpected sources. Like a conversation with a fellow writer
about cats, of all things.
Step
2) Think and write down
the scenes you’d like your story to have. The milestones, so to speak, that
came with the basic idea. Example: if your idea is a story about ‘cats almost
taking over the world’, the scene when they almost do so.
Step
3) Fill the empty
space. Once you know what scenes you’d like to happen, go ahead and write
everything that comes in-between them. This allows you to appoint yourself a
goal and grants you enough flexibility to make even major changes to your plot.
Step
4) Check everything as
many times as you need, especially when you make changes to your plot or your
characters that may influence scenes you’ve already written.
What
advice would you give to an aspiring author?
Research
your market. I haven’t at the beginning, and I’m only now catching up. Learn
what an Author Platform is and build it. This goes double if you decide
to go down the Indie Road.
What
inspired you to pursue writing?
I’ve
had many trysts with writing something original since that mishy-mashy
thriller, but I never exactly brought it anywhere, no thanks to my once
mole-habitat level of self-esteem. I stuck to Fanfiction. Then I read Eragon,
back when it was a big deal. 2005, I believe? Anyway, I read the age when Paolini
started writing the book. I was the same age as I read it. I told myself: ‘If
he could do it, I can at least try.’ I was glad I did, even more so after I
worked out all my self-esteem problems. If you can’t appreciate yourself,
you’ll never appreciate the effort you put into your endeavors.
Tell
us about your books
My
first published book is called Proud Parents Blog. A Sci-Fi story set in a
semi-dystopian future, where the whole of humanity has evolved following a
never fully explained catastrophe that also wiped out almost the entirety of
the planet’s digital data banks in a world which had almost completely turned
to Cloud Computing. It focuses on a small group of people who, by
chance, come together attracted by the contents of the titular blog, which
forces them to face the various problems and mysteries of this new world and
its new humanity, changed forever, and gets one of them caught up in a spiral
of political intrigue.
Proud
Parents Blog also acts as a prelude to S-Class, which will be my first major work,
with a release date for March 2013. Set in the same world as Proud
Parents Blog shortly after the events narrated in the first book, it focuses on
a small group of young people which also happen to be some of the most
dangerous beings in existence as they deal with their powers, the hate and fear
they receive on a daily basis and a plot which threatens to unravel a world who
has just now found a delicate balance. While a Sci-Fi at heart like its
prelude, S-Class features many elements which also mark it as a YA novel.
And
last, but not least, I’m working on a small novel called Catmageddon:
That time cats almost took over the world, which I hinted at in one of the above
questions. Born out of a Twitter chat with author Michael R. Hicks, I
think I chose the most explicative title ever. It’s a fantasy story, focusing
on fantasy and humor. I’m doing my best to try and release it by the end of
January, hope I can make it. I can be a bit of a perfectionist with my stories,
you know.
But, hey. The best thing about being an
Indie author is that you set your own deadlines. Thank you for your time.
Thanks for stopping by, Meinos~Best of luck moving forward!
Please join me and the other amazingly talented authors over @ Skulldust Circle where we have formed a Writer's Circle that must be seen--a collection of brilliant, up & coming independently published speculative fiction authors with much to give both now and in the future!
All of my work can be found on AMAZON -- Kindle versions here
See you in Wothlondia! Cheers!
Please visit MY HOME PAGE to enjoy an extended reading experience, see direct links to purchase my full length novel, Covenant of the Faceless Knights, the short stories: Wothlondia Rising, and to see what else Ashenclaw Studios, LLC has in store in the future!
All maps, names and content copyright Ashenclaw Studios 2012 unless otherwise noted.
When
did you start writing?
I
have been writing since I was in grade school. I was already an avid reader
thanks to my grandpa, and my Italian teacher then went and did something
wonderful: she started reading to us The Story of A Seagull and The Cat Who
Taught Her To Fly by Luis Sepulveda, in weekly episodes, acting out the
voices of the whole cast. I still distinctly remember her rendition of the
distraught seagull asking Zorba if they wanted to eat her. Soon after I started
writing and then completed a thriller. Yes, a thriller in grade school. I
was engrossed with this Disney comic called Mickey Mouse Mystery Magazine
at the time. The final result was not bad, considering who wrote it. It had
many ‘borrowed’ elements taken from M4 and even the Virtua Fighter
anime, but I showed promise. The killer was a dog.
Why
do you write?
To
do what my grade school teacher did for me when I was a young kid. I want to
write something that as many people as possible can enjoy and react to the same
way I did to Sepulveda’s writing. I want them to be engrossed, to want to know
what happens next as soon as possible, for their emotions to show clearly on
their face as they go through the tale. To hate the villain and cheer for the
hero, and like the story so much to rant about how it continues on Internet
forums. You don’t get angry for something you don’t love, after all.
What
would be your choice for a superpower?
Now,
this is the question. I’m writing a book about super-humans after all.
At the end of the day, though, I’ll always want to have the power of the
character Forge, from the X-Men comics. For those not Marvel-educated,
the guy can basically create anything he can think of. He thinks of a
concept, he knows how to build a device to that effect. Endless possibilities.
We’d need just one guy like that and half of what we write about wouldn't be
just a dream anymore.
Who
is your favorite author?
Really
hard to choose. I have a favorite book -The Portrait of Dorian Grey- but
it’s not exactly easy to compare the level and effectiveness of a fantasy
author to that of a noir writer, for example. With all the genres I read...
But, if I really have to choose one above everyone else, I’ll have to go
with Neil Gaiman. His Sandman is maybe the best comic series ever
created, and I love American Gods to death.
What
are you reading now?
I’m
reading the spin-off books for the Supernatural TV Series. I’m on the Boney
Key by Keith R.A. DeCandido right now, and I’ve really enjoyed Witch
Canyon by Jeff Mariotte.
Who
is your favorite character to write?
Jason, the lead from my novel S-Class .
He’s not only the center of the story, he’s the center of his little
dysfunctional family. Writing about his interactions with the other characters
and how he approaches new situations, problems and threats is always
entertaining, although not always happy for the characters themselves. Also, I
like putting in his mouth references that I wonder how many people will get.
Like when he describes a certain mistake in a famous cult movie that made it
into the final product.
"There!
Did you see that?!" Jason hollered while the scene kept on playing on the
screen. "In the reflection of the sunglasses, he was still sitting in a
chair!"
Do
you have a writing process?
Of
course. Strictly concerning writing...
Step
1) Look for
inspiration, but I don’t believe in ‘researching’ the perfect subject for a
book. The basic idea for it has to come to you naturally, and it can arrive
from the most unexpected sources. Like a conversation with a fellow writer
about cats, of all things.
Step
2) Think and write down
the scenes you’d like your story to have. The milestones, so to speak, that
came with the basic idea. Example: if your idea is a story about ‘cats almost
taking over the world’, the scene when they almost do so.
Step
3) Fill the empty
space. Once you know what scenes you’d like to happen, go ahead and write
everything that comes in-between them. This allows you to appoint yourself a
goal and grants you enough flexibility to make even major changes to your plot.
Step
4) Check everything as
many times as you need, especially when you make changes to your plot or your
characters that may influence scenes you’ve already written.
What
advice would you give to an aspiring author?
Research
your market. I haven’t at the beginning, and I’m only now catching up. Learn
what an Author Platform is and build it. This goes double if you decide
to go down the Indie Road.
What
inspired you to pursue writing?
I’ve
had many trysts with writing something original since that mishy-mashy
thriller, but I never exactly brought it anywhere, no thanks to my once
mole-habitat level of self-esteem. I stuck to Fanfiction. Then I read Eragon,
back when it was a big deal. 2005, I believe? Anyway, I read the age when Paolini
started writing the book. I was the same age as I read it. I told myself: ‘If
he could do it, I can at least try.’ I was glad I did, even more so after I
worked out all my self-esteem problems. If you can’t appreciate yourself,
you’ll never appreciate the effort you put into your endeavors.
Tell
us about your books
My
first published book is called Proud Parents Blog. A Sci-Fi story set in a
semi-dystopian future, where the whole of humanity has evolved following a
never fully explained catastrophe that also wiped out almost the entirety of
the planet’s digital data banks in a world which had almost completely turned
to Cloud Computing. It focuses on a small group of people who, by
chance, come together attracted by the contents of the titular blog, which
forces them to face the various problems and mysteries of this new world and
its new humanity, changed forever, and gets one of them caught up in a spiral
of political intrigue.
Proud
Parents Blog also acts as a prelude to S-Class, which will be my first major work,
with a release date for March 2013. Set in the same world as Proud
Parents Blog shortly after the events narrated in the first book, it focuses on
a small group of young people which also happen to be some of the most
dangerous beings in existence as they deal with their powers, the hate and fear
they receive on a daily basis and a plot which threatens to unravel a world who
has just now found a delicate balance. While a Sci-Fi at heart like its
prelude, S-Class features many elements which also mark it as a YA novel.
And
last, but not least, I’m working on a small novel called Catmageddon:
That time cats almost took over the world, which I hinted at in one of the above
questions. Born out of a Twitter chat with author Michael R. Hicks, I
think I chose the most explicative title ever. It’s a fantasy story, focusing
on fantasy and humor. I’m doing my best to try and release it by the end of
January, hope I can make it. I can be a bit of a perfectionist with my stories,
you know.
But, hey. The best thing about being an
Indie author is that you set your own deadlines. Thank you for your time.
Thanks for stopping by, Meinos~Best of luck moving forward!
Please join me and the other amazingly talented authors over @ Skulldust Circle where we have formed a Writer's Circle that must be seen--a collection of brilliant, up & coming independently published speculative fiction authors with much to give both now and in the future!
All of my work can be found on AMAZON -- Kindle versions here
See you in Wothlondia! Cheers!
Please visit MY HOME PAGE to enjoy an extended reading experience, see direct links to purchase my full length novel, Covenant of the Faceless Knights, the short stories: Wothlondia Rising, and to see what else Ashenclaw Studios, LLC has in store in the future!
All maps, names and content copyright Ashenclaw Studios 2012 unless otherwise noted.
January 3, 2013
Marny Copal Interview
I had the distinct pleasure of catching up with paranormal/urban fantasy author Marny Copal just the other day and she agreed to be the recipient of an interview. Marny's book, Freeblood is the first book in the Quinn Chronicles and the Kindle edition is only 99 cents through January 15! Now go pick it up!
Marny, thanks for stopping by here at Eye on Ashenclaw. When did you start writing?
I started writing when I was a little kid. My earliest tales featured our household cats as secret agents. When my seventh grade English teacher told the class to write a short story, mine turned into a novella. That assignment stands out in my mind as my first real and exciting writing experience.
Why do you write?
I write because it’s fun. I enjoy developing characters and creating scenes. I also write to develop an understanding of certain actions, feelings, issues, and concerns.
What would be your choice for a superpower? This is a tough one. So many options. The power to heal would be my choice, but I also wouldn’t mind having the ability to fly.
Who is your favorite author? I don’t have a favorite author, but I have a lot of go-to authors in fantasy, which is my favorite genre.
What are you reading now? I’m reading Wildwood, by Colin Meloy; Spider Silk, by Rod Collins; and Neuromancer, by William Gibson. I recently finished Kevin Hearne’s Hexed.
Who is your favorite character to write? I prefer writing about characters with gumption and flaws. My gutsy, smart-ass protagonist from Freeblood, Quinn Zauber, fits the bill.
Do you have a writing process? I like to develop an idea in my head before I start to write. This often happens when I’m out for a walk. Then I sit down to type what I thought up. If I come to a stop and more ideas aren't flowing easily, I get up and do chores around the house. Typically, writing problems are solved when I’m away from the computer, doing other things.
I don’t try to force anything, and I’m not an advocate of keeping the butt glued to the chair until ideas come.
I used to outline scenes late at night, but lately I've been doing a lot more actual writing during the wee hours. I’m more productive when I switch things up every now and then.
What advice would you give to an aspiring author? Be teachable. Learn your craft. Go to writing classes, and read books about writing—everything from grammar primers to symbolism studies. Also, read, read, read inside and outside your genre. Learn to cope with critiques and rejection. Those are part of the business. Perseverance is essential; don’t give up.
What inspired you to pursue writing? Many wonderful authors have encouraged me to think, feel, and experience life in different ways. They are my inspiration.
Tell us about your book. Freeblood is a fantasy thriller set in Portland, Oregon, driven by nimble banter, budding chemistry, and seat-of-the-pants action. Quinn is a lost soul, just getting by financially and emotionally. When her roommate Jo-Jo is kidnapped under strange circumstances, she sets out with her cousin Kasey to find answers in the supernatural world. The hunt takes them many places, including to the doorstep of a shrewd vampire club owner and deep into the infamous Shanghai Tunnels beneath the city. Paranormal investigator Del Whelan steps in to assist, which to Quinn, still smarting from their unresolved attraction, isn't much help at all.
Please join me and the other amazingly talented authors over @ Skulldust Circle where we have formed a Writer's Circle that must be seen--a collection of brilliant, up & coming independently published speculative fiction authors with much to give both now and in the future!
All of my work can be found on AMAZON -- Kindle versions here
See you in Wothlondia! Cheers!
Please visit MY HOME PAGE to enjoy an extended reading experience, see direct links to purchase my full length novel, Covenant of the Faceless Knights, the short stories: Wothlondia Rising, and to see what else Ashenclaw Studios, LLC has in store in the future!
All maps, names and content copyright Ashenclaw Studios 2012 unless otherwise noted.
Marny, thanks for stopping by here at Eye on Ashenclaw. When did you start writing?
I started writing when I was a little kid. My earliest tales featured our household cats as secret agents. When my seventh grade English teacher told the class to write a short story, mine turned into a novella. That assignment stands out in my mind as my first real and exciting writing experience.
Why do you write?
I write because it’s fun. I enjoy developing characters and creating scenes. I also write to develop an understanding of certain actions, feelings, issues, and concerns.
What would be your choice for a superpower? This is a tough one. So many options. The power to heal would be my choice, but I also wouldn’t mind having the ability to fly.
Who is your favorite author? I don’t have a favorite author, but I have a lot of go-to authors in fantasy, which is my favorite genre.
What are you reading now? I’m reading Wildwood, by Colin Meloy; Spider Silk, by Rod Collins; and Neuromancer, by William Gibson. I recently finished Kevin Hearne’s Hexed.
Who is your favorite character to write? I prefer writing about characters with gumption and flaws. My gutsy, smart-ass protagonist from Freeblood, Quinn Zauber, fits the bill.
Do you have a writing process? I like to develop an idea in my head before I start to write. This often happens when I’m out for a walk. Then I sit down to type what I thought up. If I come to a stop and more ideas aren't flowing easily, I get up and do chores around the house. Typically, writing problems are solved when I’m away from the computer, doing other things.
I don’t try to force anything, and I’m not an advocate of keeping the butt glued to the chair until ideas come.
I used to outline scenes late at night, but lately I've been doing a lot more actual writing during the wee hours. I’m more productive when I switch things up every now and then.
What advice would you give to an aspiring author? Be teachable. Learn your craft. Go to writing classes, and read books about writing—everything from grammar primers to symbolism studies. Also, read, read, read inside and outside your genre. Learn to cope with critiques and rejection. Those are part of the business. Perseverance is essential; don’t give up.
What inspired you to pursue writing? Many wonderful authors have encouraged me to think, feel, and experience life in different ways. They are my inspiration.
Tell us about your book. Freeblood is a fantasy thriller set in Portland, Oregon, driven by nimble banter, budding chemistry, and seat-of-the-pants action. Quinn is a lost soul, just getting by financially and emotionally. When her roommate Jo-Jo is kidnapped under strange circumstances, she sets out with her cousin Kasey to find answers in the supernatural world. The hunt takes them many places, including to the doorstep of a shrewd vampire club owner and deep into the infamous Shanghai Tunnels beneath the city. Paranormal investigator Del Whelan steps in to assist, which to Quinn, still smarting from their unresolved attraction, isn't much help at all.
Please join me and the other amazingly talented authors over @ Skulldust Circle where we have formed a Writer's Circle that must be seen--a collection of brilliant, up & coming independently published speculative fiction authors with much to give both now and in the future!
All of my work can be found on AMAZON -- Kindle versions here
See you in Wothlondia! Cheers!
Please visit MY HOME PAGE to enjoy an extended reading experience, see direct links to purchase my full length novel, Covenant of the Faceless Knights, the short stories: Wothlondia Rising, and to see what else Ashenclaw Studios, LLC has in store in the future!
All maps, names and content copyright Ashenclaw Studios 2012 unless otherwise noted.
December 22, 2012
Happy Holidays!
Happy Holidays, Folks!
I wanted to thank all of my followers and contributors in the past year that have helped me develop this site and all of the others.
I will be bringing the blog back with more exciting interviews, updates on writing and reading and everything else from the Realm of Ashenclaw in the new year!
In the meantime, please have a happy and safe holiday!
Please join me and the other amazingly talented authors over @ Skulldust Circle where we have formed a Writer's Circle that must be seen--a collection of brilliant, up & coming independently published speculative fiction authors with much to give both now and in the future!
All of my work can be found on AMAZON -- Kindle versions here
See you in Wothlondia! Cheers!
Please visit MY HOME PAGE to enjoy an extended reading experience, see direct links to purchase my full length novel, Covenant of the Faceless Knights, the short stories: Wothlondia Rising, and to see what else Ashenclaw Studios, LLC has in store in the future!
All maps, names and content copyright Ashenclaw Studios 2012 unless otherwise noted.
December 15, 2012
Michael Eging/Steve Arnold Interview
I recently had the pleasure of meeting Michael Eging and his writing partner, Steve Arnold on social media. The two of them have written a dark fantasy series, beginning with The Paladin of Shadows Chronicles, Annwyn's Blood. The two of them were kind enough to let me interview them and the following is the result of said discussion.
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The book!
When did you
start writing?~
Mike: I started writing in Junior High School. My father passed off to me The John Carter of
Mars Series, Sailor on the Seas of Fate (Elric Series) and other. As I read them, I realized I had stories I
wanted to tell as well. Throughout High
School, I had a few notebooks that I would write in and doodle illustrations in
the margins. My grandmother’s old
typewriter allowed me to clack away into the wee hours of the night on a
variety of short stories and a never finished novel.
Steve: I remember even as a child being simply awed
by the imagination of writers, how they could come up with entire worlds. I tried to make stories of my own but just
could never come up with anything to compare.
Then when I was about twelve I discovered Dungeons & Dragons. I started running a game with Mike as my
first player, and sort of fell into making up dungeons and creating histories
and back-stories to go along with them.
Why do you write?~
Michael Eging
Mike: Now?
For sanity’s sake in large part.
With life being so consuming, it is wonderful to push aside the crush of
the everyday and create. Also, a few
years ago, I was busy taking my older children from activity to activity and
slowly crunching away when I had time on a novel. Suddenly it dawned on me that if I didn't take this seriously, one day I would be gone and I wouldn't have these stories
to pass on to my kids.
Steve: I find
it's an escape. It's refreshing to take
a little time, go off to a world unlike my own and imagine what life would be
like. It's also a way to show other
people how I see them, sort of hold a mirror up to the world.
What would be
your choice for a superpower?~
Mike: I have always been an Iron Man fan. So, I guess no super powers per se, but I
would really dig a suit of armor, with a splash of hot rod red. Or the really cool stealth armor, even
better!
Steve: Never really thought of myself as a
superhero. I don't really have a good
answer for that one, though I have often thought it would be pretty cool to be
like John Carter on Mars, master swordsman and with a physique made for another
planet. Right now if I was to put on one
of those muscle breastplates my physique would (to paraphrase one of my
favorite authors) 'fill it like Jell-o fills a mold'.
Who is your
favorite author?~
Mike: I have many favorites. Michael Moorcock, Robert E. Howard, Stephen
R. Donaldson, Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Timothy Zahn, David Drake… and the list goes
on. However, I keep coming back to Roger
Zelazny and the Chronicles of Amber. I
first found those in the library in the late 1970s as a child and I remember
curling up sitting in the windowsill at the library to read them as I waited
for my parents to finish work and take me home.
The noir opening of Nine Princess in Amber grabbed hold of me and I
found myself riding in a car on the mad chase to Amber - the car driven by a
man who you are never quite sure has a complete grip on reality… or does he?
Steve Arnold
Steve: Terry
Pratchett, hands down. I like the funny
edge and how he captures the stupid things we do. I first found Colour of Magic in the
library in high school and have been hung up ever since.
What are you
reading now?~
Mike: I am reading a book by an ancient Greek
historian/chronicler name Procopius called the Secret Histories. It is a scandalous account of life in the
Byzantine court of Justinian and good pre-reading for future projects.
Steve: Hah! Draft chapters of Book Two of the Paladin of
Shadows. Seriously, it's like this never
ends. I just got done re-reading The
Road to Serfdom by F. A. Hayek. It's
an analysis of the origins of totalitarian governments and why they end up the
way they do.
Who is your
favorite character to write?~
Mike: I was just talking to my wife and writing
partner, Steve, about this. I think my
favorite character to-date is Roland, from the Song of Roland. When I was in college, my favorite professor,
Dr. Paul Pixton, introduced me to The Song of Roland. I was sucked into the world of Charles the
Great and his valiant knight who faced down treachery and found immortality in
legend at Ronceveaux. Dr. Pixton
mentioned that he hoped someone would one day produce a movie based on the
story. Shortly after I wrote an outline
for the script and put it on the shelf as I pursued graduate studies in History
at the University of Maryland and took my first post-college job working on
Capitol Hill. Over a decade later I
dusted off the outline and wrote the first draft of the script. Needless to say, it needed a lot of work, and
a friend who works in Los Angeles mentored me into developing the script
further. Many producers and agents who
read the script loved it, but wondered why I pursued a medieval epic as my
first project. Sometimes, passion for
something just can’t be shaken off because of “the market.” As a result, while yet unproduced, Song of
Roland was my first optioned script and will always have a special place in my
heart. Stay tuned, there is more to
this story to come!
Steve: I don't
know that I can say I have a favorite overall, but in Annwyn I have a
special affinity for Aldonzo. Yes, he's
young, vain, shallow and foolish, but he has the greatest potential for growth
out of all of them and I think ultimately that's what I've liked in any of my
characters or for that matter characters in other writers' stories – that they
learn something. I like kids' movies a
lot and I think that's why.
Do you have a
writing process?~
Mike: It depends on when something pops into my
brain! I try to write every night after
my wife and children head to sleep. Even
if only a few paragraphs or two. But
sometimes, I will wake in the night and something is just burning on my
mind. So, I jot it down before I forget
it. A fantasy novel I am currently
working on is the result of one such encounter with a story in the darkest of
the night.
Steve: I like to roll things around in my head for
some days before I write them down. I
rarely have something flash into my head that I just have to get down on paper
that turns out any good. I've found if I
go with the first thought I get it's usually just a variation on what I've
already seen and seems tired and overdone.
But if I let it sit in the background and percolate while I work, run
errands or whatever, I find that new variations, new perspectives, come to mind
and things get a lot more interesting.
This was the difficulty I had trying to write as a kid – I hadn't
learned to wait yet. Once I have the
idea then I try to decide, what am I writing?
Crime drama? War story? Hero fantasy?
What is the core feeling I want to evoke? I want to have a general idea, then identify
basic elements of hero, villain, motivations.
Then nail down linking details.
How does it all work?
What's the environment and context?
How do we get from point A to point B?
Why does the hero/villain/wingman want this and not that? Sometimes this takes back story that never
sees light in the final product, but you need just the same so your storytelling
is consistent. Then fill in all the
little style points in between with stirring prose.
What advice would
you give to an aspiring author?~
Mike: Understanding the marketplace will be
critical to your long-term success.
E-books and print on demand have given a voice to aspiring writers
across the globe. After a well-written
piece of work, I recommend two things.
First, read voraciously. Not just
in a singular genre, or path. Read
authors who inspire you, find new voices and dig through old, new and emerging
classics. Second, find a way to stand
out. There is a deluge of material for
readers to search through to find your work.
Find ways to get in front of your readers. Find others who are willing to take a risk,
read your work and join your chorus.
Steve: Write what
you know. You can take your own personal
experiences, no matter how mundane, and put them into a story no matter the
setting. People really want to read
stories about people. Settings are just
trappings, window dressing, that adds flavor, but it's the experiences lived
and lessons learned of your characters that will make them memorable. And don't be afraid to let things percolate
for a while. You'd be surprised what can
come into your head that way.
What inspired you
to pursue writing?~
Mike: My father at first. He read my work. Encouraged me. Instilled in me a love of the
written word. Whether books, short
stories, poetry, or screenplays, he was the greatest influence in my life. Second, my own family. As I held my children in my arms, I realized
that I wanted to share these worlds and characters with them. Third, good friends who encourage me to not
give up and allow me to share with them ideas, thoughts and stories. Friends, like Steve, keeps me inspired.
Steve: I just
wanted to emulate those people that made it possible for me to while away some
of the more boring parts of my life in a much more fulfilling way. It wasn't until Mike started approaching me
about helping him with his projects that I seriously considered doing this for
real.
Tell us about your books~
Mike: We just
launched Annwyn’s Blood, Book One in the Paladin of Shadow Chronicles. These characters have been with my writing
partner and me since college. Albion of
the Dark Ages, after Rome fell and Arthur’s Camelot, was a dangerous place and
ancient forces contended with newer ones for control of the isle. Here is the blurb we did for Smashwords that
encapsulates this:
Amid the dying embers
of a fallen Empire, a young knight embarks on a personal crusade to reclaim the
soul ripped from him by a deceitful lover's bite, and to save his family and
their world from the rage of the implacable god who sent her. Ancient magic
awakens from centuries–old slumber as the dead no longer rest in peace, and
long buried legends and secrets could be the world's only hope.
This was something that when we wrote it, we received
responses from publishers and agents that they loved our writing, but
seriously…. Vampires? Please send us
your next novel. So we put this on the
shelf in the mid 1990’s and moved on to other projects. We co-wrote the story for a WWII thriller
screenplay and a horror script. But this
novel was sitting on the hard drive and nagging me to get into readers’
hands. So I called Steve and said, “Hey,
if I can recover these old WordPerfect files, do you want to do something with
this?” Of course, the result is Annwyn’s
Blood. We are very excited to revisit
this world and bring all of you along with us.
Steve: Annwyn is a Dark Ages vampire tale, with a
reluctant hero that finds himself hounded by an Elder God who's desperate to
make him point man in a bloody bid to regain power in the world of men. It started out as a short story Mike wrote
back in the late 1980's, inspired by a little 'girl trouble' he had. Some time later he got the crazy idea to turn
it into a novel and he called me up to help.
To be honest I don't know why – my real passion isn't writing, it's
drawing (every year I do a piece for my wife for Christmas). I suspect he wanted his old dungeon master to
figure out a backstory. So I thought
about it, not really sure what I was going to be able to do with it (which is
probably where I began to realize things work better for me if I let them stew
for a while) and eventually came up with a couple of chapters which he thought
(rather to my surprise) were great! We
spent the next five years finishing the book, and then the rejection letters
came. Like your stuff; not what we
want. After a while we just had to set
it aside and get on with life, jobs, kids, and so on. Then I had an idea for a story, a WW2 spy/crime
thriller and jotted up a treatment just because it was in me. It was hard to do that much. Mike turned it into a screenplay and now it's
getting shopped around with Roland.
Next came the horror script and by now we were settling into this whole
'writer' thing (or at least I was; I think Mike had long ago). By then online publishing was a big deal and
Mike realized we could bypass the gatekeepers, so he pulled Annwyn off
the shelf, blew the dust off it, sneezed a few times, and sent it back to me
for a fresh edit. And here we are.
I'd like to thank Mike and Steve for sharing with the folks here at Eye on Ashenclaw...now go buy some books!
Please join me and the other amazingly talented authors over @ Skulldust Circle where we have formed a Writer's Circle that must be seen--a collection of brilliant, up & coming independently published speculative fiction authors with much to give both now and in the future!
All of my work can be found on AMAZON -- Kindle versions here
See you in Wothlondia! Cheers!
Please visit MY HOME PAGE to enjoy an extended reading experience, see direct links to purchase my full length novel, Covenant of the Faceless Knights, the short stories: Wothlondia Rising, and to see what else Ashenclaw Studios, LLC has in store in the future!
All maps, names and content copyright Ashenclaw Studios 2012 unless otherwise noted.
December 8, 2012
DC and Michael McGannon Interview
I met DC and Michael McGannon on twitter recently and found out a little about them. They are the father/son Coauthor team of Charlie Sullivan and the Monster Hutners: The Varcolac’s Diary (available now) and Charlie Sullivan and the Monster Hunters: Witch Moon (due late Fall 2012). They also have a compilation of short stories, which will be available in early 2013. If they are not writing, you can usually find them speaking at conventions and other events about monsters, folklore, things that go bump in the night, and of course, their books. So, without further ado, here is the interview!
Michael
-When did
you start writing?
D.C.: I started writing about the 4th grade, when I
wasn’t getting in trouble or drawing cars and trucks all over my papers. My teacher had a writing contest and I wrote
a story about Snoopy inspired by the Peanuts Gang and Charles M. Schulz. I continued writing and later began writing
business and leadership development materials, and some college courses. I’ve done quite a bit of copywriting and work
for non-profits.
Around 2005, I realized just how bored I was with all that and
just longed to lose myself in the “story” again. I started reading from some new authors and
became inspired again. My biggest inspiration
was, and is, my son Michael. He had
written so much by that point, and we started talking about writing
together. This is where Charlie Sullivan and the Monster Hunters
was born and now we are just weeks away from releasing Book 2 in that series.
Michael: Young. I was always scribbling and drawing characters as
a young child, giving them superpowers and secret identities and villains to
face (every hero complete with tragic backstory, according to my mom!). Before
I could really express my characters with words I would draw them in battle,
and I’ve got boxes upon boxes of old loose papers and sketchbooks filled with
characters.
Similarly to my dad and coauthor, it was in 4th Grade that I won a
school writing award for a trio of post apocalyptic superheroes, and that was
one moment when my creativity shifted from sketch art to writing.
-Why do
you write?
Michael: I think there is a lot to be learned from stories. Take a
look back throughout human history…we’ve always been telling each other
stories! It’s just part of our nature. And while some of these tales may just
be fanciful yarns, it all starts in our heart, right? I think we can learn and
grow from each others’ stories.
D.C.: I write because I love to create. I love the ability to express through the
written word. I love bringing that
character or scene or fight sequence to life and feeling like I’m right in the
middle of it, and then imagining what the reader’s face will look like when he
or she reads the same thing.
I write because I love to, and I want to inspire people to read,
to tell stories, and to imagine deeper.
-What
would be your choice for a superpower?
Michael: I want to say walking through walls like Darcy in The
Varcolac’s Diary…but splitting myself into two or even four clones would be
more practical. I’d like to be able write a book, read a book, wash the dog,
and catch up on some anime…all at the same time!
D.C.: I think either flying or super laser beam eyes. Don’t ask me why, but I think those are two
of the coolest superpowers in the universe.
Plus, I’m already a ninja. Can
you imagine a flying, laser-beam shooting ninja? Pretty much unstoppable!
Michael: *facepalm*
DC
-Who is
your favorite author?
Michael: That’s a hard one. There are too many great authors out
there to choose just one. Neil Gaiman would be my first go-to answer, though.
Whether it is in science fiction, fantasy, or horror, he embodies a lot of the
strange and the weird that I love. A lot of his work reminds me of Poe and
Lovecraft (other faves!).
D.C.: My son, Michael. I
also love C.S. Lewis, Joseph Delaney, John Flanagan, and Chris Mould.
-What are
you reading now?
D.C.: The Last Apprentice series by Joseph Delaney, The Blood
Keeper by Tessa Gratton, and I’m re-reading Chris Mould’s Something Wickedly
Weird series. I’m also reading the instructions
on the back of a bag of oatmeal. For
some reason, it’s one of those things I haven’t been able to memorize yet. Drives me crazy!!
Michael: The Eyeball Collector, by F.E. Higgins. Right now I’m on
a Dickens-ish kick. I love Dickensy stories of weary cities and bustling
streets, street urchins and pickpockets, eccentric shop owners and grumpy old men wrapped in scarves and
holding onto their top hats in the wind. Also (if graphic novels are allowed)
American Vampire by Scott Snyder. Nice vampire story that brings the monster
back to the myth.
(And…the back of the oatmeal bag. We’re having trouble around step
number 9….)
D.C.: (There isn’t a step number 9.)
Michael: ….
-Who is
your favorite character to write?
D.C.: Charlie from Charlie Sullivan
and the Monster Hunters. There’s a
lot about him that I relate to and there’s a tension in him that really forges
the best in people, but he’s got to go through hell to get there. I think a lot of people relate to that.
I’m also working on a short story right now that is way out of my
comfort zone and the character is facing some pretty crazy stuff. Trying to walk in his shoes is demanding, but
very liberating as well. That story will
be for adults, and may or may not involve what some would consider zombies, but
I wouldn’t throw that title on them too quickly. It may also involve instructions to make
oatmeal, but that is absolutely all I’m giving away and you can’t make me say
anymore! (Unless you offer some coffee.)
Michael: In the Charlie Sullivan and the Monster series, I think
the Vadiknov twins, Lisa and Liev, have to be my favorite characters to write
about. They’re the ‘encyclopedic types,’ providing a lot of knowledge to the
group, and a lot of sarcasm and humor to the story. At first, it’s almost like
they’re one character, but Lisa and Liev develop into their own characters with
their own snappy personalities. They were very intricate and fun to think about
when writing The Varcolac’s Diary. A
few fans have said that Liev was their fave as well.
Lisa’s grown to be my all-out favorite in Witch Moon, though. For those who haven’t read the first book,
she’s going through some turmoil and embodies a lot of anger and angst in Book
2. She kicks heinie!
-Do you
have a writing process?
Michael: Yes and no. It seems to change with each book and
project. A few things that have stayed consistent: late, late nights, loud
music, and chocolate. The music goes from power metal to movie soundtracks,
depending on the type of scene I’m writing. In the past I would use some
scriptwriting techniques to outline a book, which works wonders, but that
process has melded and changed with each new story.
D.C.: I do. It’s called
chaos! Ha, ha. At least by most people’s standards. I’m one of those people that can look at a
piece of paper or the screen for weeks and nothing comes out. I may have to draw or storyboard on a
whiteboard, or go for a hike or something, but then it just pours out like
crazy. Then I have to go fix it all,
because it’s a mess.
-What
advice would you give to an aspiring author?
Michael: Put your characters through conflict. I don’t mean have
them stub their toe and have a bad day, I mean drive your character to his or
her limits throughout your story. They have to struggle to pass this trial of a
life you’ve given them, and if they survive that struggle, they will have
changed, whether for better or for worse. Conflict. Your characters can’t
develop without it, and your readers won’t care without it.
Write the story you need to write. If you’re trying to become an
author, chances are you aren’t doing it because you want to be a billionaire.
Sure, super authors are out there, but most of us don’t get there right away.
We’re choosing this because writing itself is important to us, and with some
hard work it can provide as a career. So write what you care about writing.
Don’t write for others, don’t worry about the trends (unless you love to work
with the trends, in which case go for it!), just get what’s in your heart onto
your page, and go from there.
D.C.: Read! I really
believe you are better when you are reading.
We should probably read more than we write. Play.
We are too serious too much of the time.
Play a game. Play with your
kids. Do something that is enjoyable on
a regular basis. It’s what fills you up
and when you are full you have something to offer others. When you are empty, you’ve got nothing.
I would also say don’t get discouraged with yourself. Writing is hard. It takes discipline and you get better as you
go. I’m nowhere near where I want to be,
but I’m much better than I was in 2005.
Get coaching. Don’t try to
do this alone. Find a mentor. Someone who can guide you as a writer. This will take years off your development
alone!
-What
inspired you to pursue writing?
D.C.: Well, my 4th grade teacher really made that
initial spark happen. I was always
reading. I had the entire Hardy Boys
collection, White Fang and the Call of the Wild by Jack London, and tons of
other books. Buying books from those school
book drives was probably my two favorite times of the year. But I never really thought about writing
until that writing contest.
Writing that story really woke something up in me, and I have
never forgotten it.
So, here’s to all the teachers and librarians out there. You really do have a huge impact on all of
us. Stay in the trenches and know what
you are doing is worth it and changes lives!
Michael: If I wasn’t sketching as a kid, I was reading. I always
was fascinated by things of a more supernatural nature. As a very young child,
my mom would read books with me such as Three Billy Goats Gruff and Where the
Wild Things Were, but more special was the Chronicles of Narnia series, which
she would read to me before bed. I finished the Lord of the Rings trilogy when
I was twelve, already having watched the first Peter Jackson LOTR film.
The books I read in my childhood struck a chord and filled me with
a sense of wonder, and I always knew that, whether through book or film or art,
I wanted to fill others with that same wonder.
Since I’d always been scribbling drawings or notes about
characters as a kid, and thanks to my parents’ lifelong love and participation
of the arts, writing just seemed like a natural choice. It just gradually grew
until I decided that was the creative outlet that suited me best.
-Tell us about your
books
D.C.: Charlie
Sullivan and the Monster Hunters is about friendship. It’s about the relationships between a group
of teenagers and several other quirky characters that are forced to realize
what’s really important in this life.
When we set out to write these stories, we had all these
monsters, creatures, magic, worlds, and supernatural powers in mind, but none
of it worked unless these five teenagers met and waded through some pretty
intense struggle to work together.
The other thing we wanted to accomplish is bringing to life
the monsters and creatures of legend. We
wanted to re-introduce witches, banshees, harpies, dragons, vampires,
werewolves, the Ferryman, and so much more, but keep their legends intact. We definitely didn’t want to reinvent these
monsters and make them something “new”.
We gave them a new context to exist in, but really respected
their origins. I think if you really
learn about the monsters and creatures of legend, you find a terrifying and
powerful group of beings that don’t need to be messed with.
The one approach we did take with them was to introduce them
from various cultures. For example, the varcolac
from Book 1 (The Varcolac’s Diary) is
a vampire/werewolf hybrid, who is just pure evil, but the twist is he’s from
Russian folklore. We borrowed from Asian
folklore, Irish story-telling, Russian monsters, Native American history, and
so on.
What you get is an army of monsters that are known from
legend, but then you get to learn some of their origins and lore from other
cultures.
Book 2 will feature 3 of the most powerful witches in all of
history, set in another country, and introduce some new monsters that will just
enthrall the reader. And some that I even
gasped at…and I helped write it!
Ultimately it is a fun romp through magic and monsters that
flows very nicely, while focusing on the friendships being forged in a new
adventure that one reviewer said, “…reminds you why you love to read.” That was pretty special to us.
Michael: …..what he said!
D.C.: Gary, it really is a pleasure to chat with you for
this interview. You are an inspiration
and I look forward to learning more from you and working with you in the
future.
Thanks a bunch!
WHERE TO FIND THEM:
www.MonsterHunters-TheBook.com
Amazon
Barnes
and Noble
www.DCMcGannon.com
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/DCMcGannon
www.facebook.com/CMichaelMcGannon
Twitter:
www.twitter.com/DCMcGannon
www.twitter.com/MichaelMcGannon
Goodreads:
www.goodreads.com/DCMcGannon
www.goodreads.com/cmichaelmcgannon
Please join me and the other amazingly talented authors over @ Skulldust Circle where we have formed a Writer's Circle that must be seen--a collection of brilliant, up & coming independently published speculative fiction authors with much to give both now and in the future!
All of my work can be found on AMAZON -- Kindle versions here
See you in Wothlondia! Cheers!
Please visit MY HOME PAGE to enjoy an extended reading experience, see direct links to purchase my full length novel, Covenant of the Faceless Knights, the short stories: Wothlondia Rising, and to see what else Ashenclaw Studios, LLC has in store in the future!
All maps, names and content copyright Ashenclaw Studios 2012 unless otherwise noted.
December 1, 2012
Ilana Waters Interview
I hope you enjoyed and have been enjoying the interviews that I have been directing to you in the recent past. I am hoping that this series of interviews brings you all some new work to peruse whilst you wait with baited breath for my next novel... :)
Continuing with the interviews from fellow fantasy/sci-fi authors, I was able to track down Ilana Waters on twitter and asked her some questions. The following is the result of that interview~
When did you start writing? What inspired you to pursue writing?
I’ve wanted to be writer since I was six years old. My first
grade teacher said I was good at writing, so I figured that’s what I should do
(this really tells you something about the power of labels). I didn’t take
writing seriously as a career until a couple of years ago. I figured it was now
or never. I chose “now.” J
Why do you write?
I think a famous writer once said “I write for the same
reason I breathe. Because if I didn’t, I would die.” I apologize for not
remembering the name of that writer, but safe to say, I share his/her
sentiment!
What would be your choice for a
superpower?
Reading people’s minds. I believe it was Anne Rice who said
“If you can read the minds of men, you can have anything you want.” Heh-heh.
;-)
Who is your favorite author?
Hmmm . . . there are too many to choose just one, but off
the top of my head I can think of Lemony Snicket, Michael Ende, Philip Pullman,
and Diana Wynne Jones.
What are you reading now?
I’m currently looking for new things to read, because I’m in
mourning after having finished all of Roald Dahl’s children’s books.
Who is your favorite character to
write?
In The Adventures of
Stanley Delacourt, I think my favorite character to write was Sophie (the
apothecary). I could see her so clearly in my mind: smart, feisty, with an
explosion of curly hair. Plus, she blows up at people the way I wish I could
sometimes, so that was easy to visualize. J
Do you have a writing process?
Hmmm . . . usually I procrastinate a bit in the morning,
followed by some dawdling, then lollygagging until noon. Just kidding! Sort of.
I do tend to procrastinate a little, but when I sit down to write, it’s often
so much fun I can’t stop!
What advice would you give to an
aspiring author?
Read books that you feel are well-written. Read the kind of
books you’d like to write. Sometimes, seeing
something done gives you a better idea of how to do it than someone explaining
it to you. You can read all the books on writing you want, but until you
actually witness those ideas in
action, they’re hard to emulate.
Tell us about your
books:
My first book, The Adventures
of Stanley Delacourt: Book I of Hartlandia, is a middle-grade fantasy. It’s available
at Amazon, Barnesandnoble, Apple, Kobo, and Smashwords.
Look for the release of Book II of the Hartlandia trilogy in 2013.
Summary :
Ten-year-old Stanley Delacourt loves his quiet life in the
peaceful village of Meadowwood. At least, he does until his best friend is
killed. Then the town library—where Stanley lives and works—is burned to the
ground. The individuals responsible for both tragedies are a nasty group of
soldiers. They work for the kingdom’s new leader: Christopher Siren.
No one understands the rules Siren’s creating. They don’t
know why breaking them means death, or why the leader is so keen to destroy
books. And no one can figure out where the former queen and king disappeared
to—or if they’ll ever return.
With the grown-ups too fearful to take action, Stanley vows
to confront Siren. He plans to get answers and demand justice. Little does he
know that his journey will involve sword-wielding knights, kidnapper fairies,
and dark magic.
Stanley has only two allies back home. One is an intimidated
witch named Meredith. The other is a young apothecary called Sophie—who may
have enchantment problems of her own. Can they help him discover the reason
behind Siren’s crimes and end this terrible reign? Or is Stanley set to become
the next victim in the tyrant’s evil plot?
If you enjoy the fantasy works of Rick Riordan, Lemony
Snicket, or Philip Pullman, then explore the world of Stanley Delacourt today!
Read
the first chapter here for FREE!
Also, I
can be cyber-stalked at these fine locations:
IlanaWaters.com
Twitter
Goodreads
Thanks, Ilana and I hope to see you stalking us here at Eye on Ashenclaw in the future!
Please join me and the other amazingly talented authors over @ Skulldust Circle where we have formed a Writer's Circle that must be seen--a collection of brilliant, up & coming independently published speculative fiction authors with much to give both now and in the future!
All of my work can be found on AMAZON -- Kindle versions here
See you in Wothlondia! Cheers!
Please visit MY HOME PAGE to enjoy an extended reading experience, see direct links to purchase my full length novel, Covenant of the Faceless Knights, the short stories: Wothlondia Rising, and to see what else Ashenclaw Studios, LLC has in store in the future!
All maps, names and content copyright Ashenclaw Studios 2012 unless otherwise noted.
Continuing with the interviews from fellow fantasy/sci-fi authors, I was able to track down Ilana Waters on twitter and asked her some questions. The following is the result of that interview~
When did you start writing? What inspired you to pursue writing?
I’ve wanted to be writer since I was six years old. My first
grade teacher said I was good at writing, so I figured that’s what I should do
(this really tells you something about the power of labels). I didn’t take
writing seriously as a career until a couple of years ago. I figured it was now
or never. I chose “now.” J
Why do you write?
I think a famous writer once said “I write for the same
reason I breathe. Because if I didn’t, I would die.” I apologize for not
remembering the name of that writer, but safe to say, I share his/her
sentiment!
What would be your choice for a
superpower?
Reading people’s minds. I believe it was Anne Rice who said
“If you can read the minds of men, you can have anything you want.” Heh-heh.
;-)
Who is your favorite author?
Hmmm . . . there are too many to choose just one, but off
the top of my head I can think of Lemony Snicket, Michael Ende, Philip Pullman,
and Diana Wynne Jones.
What are you reading now?
I’m currently looking for new things to read, because I’m in
mourning after having finished all of Roald Dahl’s children’s books.
Who is your favorite character to
write?
In The Adventures of
Stanley Delacourt, I think my favorite character to write was Sophie (the
apothecary). I could see her so clearly in my mind: smart, feisty, with an
explosion of curly hair. Plus, she blows up at people the way I wish I could
sometimes, so that was easy to visualize. J
Do you have a writing process?
Hmmm . . . usually I procrastinate a bit in the morning,
followed by some dawdling, then lollygagging until noon. Just kidding! Sort of.
I do tend to procrastinate a little, but when I sit down to write, it’s often
so much fun I can’t stop!
What advice would you give to an
aspiring author?
Read books that you feel are well-written. Read the kind of
books you’d like to write. Sometimes, seeing
something done gives you a better idea of how to do it than someone explaining
it to you. You can read all the books on writing you want, but until you
actually witness those ideas in
action, they’re hard to emulate.
Tell us about your
books:
My first book, The Adventures
of Stanley Delacourt: Book I of Hartlandia, is a middle-grade fantasy. It’s available
at Amazon, Barnesandnoble, Apple, Kobo, and Smashwords.
Look for the release of Book II of the Hartlandia trilogy in 2013.
Summary :
Ten-year-old Stanley Delacourt loves his quiet life in the
peaceful village of Meadowwood. At least, he does until his best friend is
killed. Then the town library—where Stanley lives and works—is burned to the
ground. The individuals responsible for both tragedies are a nasty group of
soldiers. They work for the kingdom’s new leader: Christopher Siren.
No one understands the rules Siren’s creating. They don’t
know why breaking them means death, or why the leader is so keen to destroy
books. And no one can figure out where the former queen and king disappeared
to—or if they’ll ever return.
With the grown-ups too fearful to take action, Stanley vows
to confront Siren. He plans to get answers and demand justice. Little does he
know that his journey will involve sword-wielding knights, kidnapper fairies,
and dark magic.
Stanley has only two allies back home. One is an intimidated
witch named Meredith. The other is a young apothecary called Sophie—who may
have enchantment problems of her own. Can they help him discover the reason
behind Siren’s crimes and end this terrible reign? Or is Stanley set to become
the next victim in the tyrant’s evil plot?
If you enjoy the fantasy works of Rick Riordan, Lemony
Snicket, or Philip Pullman, then explore the world of Stanley Delacourt today!
Read
the first chapter here for FREE!
Also, I
can be cyber-stalked at these fine locations:
IlanaWaters.com
Goodreads
Thanks, Ilana and I hope to see you stalking us here at Eye on Ashenclaw in the future!
Please join me and the other amazingly talented authors over @ Skulldust Circle where we have formed a Writer's Circle that must be seen--a collection of brilliant, up & coming independently published speculative fiction authors with much to give both now and in the future!
All of my work can be found on AMAZON -- Kindle versions here
See you in Wothlondia! Cheers!
Please visit MY HOME PAGE to enjoy an extended reading experience, see direct links to purchase my full length novel, Covenant of the Faceless Knights, the short stories: Wothlondia Rising, and to see what else Ashenclaw Studios, LLC has in store in the future!
All maps, names and content copyright Ashenclaw Studios 2012 unless otherwise noted.
November 5, 2012
Forgotten Realms Author~Erik Scott de Bie Interview
As many of you who regularly read my blog may already know, I met several of the Forgotten Realms authors at GENCON 2011. It was an amazing time and I was particularly lucky to speak with Erik Scott de Bie for an hour or so about writng, etc.
Over the last year or so, I have corresponded with Erik and he has been kind enough to help me out and continues to encourage me to press on. That being said, I asked him if he would grace Eye on Ashenclaw here with an interview and he agreed. Now we may all know what it is like to work for Ed Greenwood!
How did
you get involved in the Forgotten Realms setting?
When I was 12 I read a novel called Darkwalker on Moonshae, the first Forgotten Realms novel ever
published, which started my crush on the setting. But it wasn’t until the next
year, when a friend of mine handed me a copy of Elfshadow and we started up a Forgotten Realms campaign that I fell
in love with it. I’ve been into the setting ever since.
I first started writing in the Realms professionally for the Maiden of Pain open call, which I didn’t
win, but my sample caught the eye of then WotC book department head Peter
Archer and editor Phil Athans. They kept me in mind for a limited call, which
became my first novel Ghostwalker.
How is it
working with Ed Greenwood?
Ed Greenwood is an extremely intelligent, classy, genuine person.
I’ve met few people as good at making you feel welcome, and he can (and will)
literally talk to anyone for any length of time. He’s a good friend and
colleague to have. Also, having Ed’s email is indispensible for Realmslore
questions.
Give us a
brief synopsis of your book(s)
My Shadowbane series is an ongoing quest of my vigilante paladin
Kalen “Shadowbane” Dren--a thief who turned to a life of noble struggle against
evil. Shadowbane: Eye of Justice, the
third in the series, sees Kalen return to Westgate, the city where he grew up,
in part to redeem the Eye of Justice (the organization that trained him), in
part to find a lost friend. It also tells the story of Myrin Darkdance, an
amnesiac wizard and Kalen’s best friend, who recovers some surprising pieces of
her forgotten past. And, of course, their respective quests are complicated by
the interference of a dangerous and mysterious elf shadowdancer.
When did
you start writing? What inspired you to write?
I’ve been writing fiction since I was 8 or so (I wrote an
epic galactic war story between two alien races, illustrated by yours truly), but
I started writing seriously in 7th grade. My first story was meant
to be ten pages and ended up being closer to fifty. I wrote my first novel in
high school as a reaction against being bored out of my mind in honors
chemistry class. And I’ve been writing a novel or two a year ever since.
If your books were
made into a movie, who would play the roles?
That is a dream/nightmare question! I’ve had very vivid images of
characters in my mind as I’ve been working. For instance, Arya from Ghostwalker should be played by Charlize
Theron (circa The Italian Job), while the ghostwalker himself would be Ed
Norton (circa Fight Club), Lord Dharan Greyt would be Alan Rickman (circa Harry
Potter mid series), Lyetha Elfsdaughter would be Gwyneth Paltrow, and Meris
Wayfarer would be Orlando Bloom. Ilira “Fox-at-Twilight” Nathalan (Depths of Madness, Shadowbane series)
should be played by Evangeline Lilly (unless Elaine gets her for Arilyn
Moonblade) or Olivia Wilde. When it comes to the Shadowbane series, Kalen I see as Chris Evans (Captain America) or
Chris Hemsworth (Thor) or perhaps Joseph Gordon-Levitt (the detective from
Batman Begins, or the main character in Looper), while Myrin should be someone
like Zoe Saldana (Star Trek).
What would
be your choice for a superpower?
Teleportation. So much of our life is lost in transit. Also, it’s
just awesome.
Who is
your favorite author?
Neil Gaiman. For reasons that should be obvious to anyone who has
read Neil’s work. He hooked me with Sandman (particularly book 4, Season of
Mists), and I really like Anansi Boys: funny and exciting and clever all at
once. The thing about his work is that it seems effortless.
What are
you reading now?
Right now I’m working on Bullied
by Carrie Goldman (a non-fiction book about bullying and how to prevent it), The Stranger Beside Me by Ann Rule (a
non-fiction book about Ted Bundy), Mistborn:
The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson (a fantasy novel and the first of
Sanderson’s popular Mistborn series), and The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand (a
philosophical novel about an architect and a substantial basis for the
philosophy of Exceptionalism). I pair that with a lot of comic book trades that
I go through in about an hour or so: X-Men, Avengers, Wonder Woman, those are
my favorites. So pretty diverse, I guess.
Who is
your favorite character to write?
That’s really tough, because I thoroughly enjoy all my characters.
The ones I don’t enjoy are the ones who get the dead in short order.
Of my Realms work, I love writing the protagonists from my Shadowbane series a great deal. My
favorite is probably the elf shadowdancer Ilira “Fox-at-Twilight” Nathalan, whose
evolving outlook/status fascinates me: over the course of a century, she
changes from a sly, witty, party girl into a more mature, dark, sensuous,
treacherous noblewoman. She is sexy and kick-ass the whole time, but in
different ways at different points in her life. I also really enjoy writing
about Myrin, because she’s surrounded by lies, secrets, and intrigue, which I
unravel gradually. Kalen really excites me when I get to talk about his
struggles with his faith and his calling, and I also really love watching him
kick the tar out of a bad guy. And there’s a special place in my heart for the
thoroughly duplicitous but noble Lilten, whose powers are complex and cool and whose
history is a bottomless well of intrigue. And she’s not a Shadowbane character,
but Aryande (from “Body in a Bag,” from
Realms of the Dead) is great fun to write.
Outside the Realms, I like writing about the protagonists from my World of Ruin series--Regel, Ovelia, and
Mask--who have cool triangles of tension and loyalty that make them a fun
challenge. My con artist bard Tarrant Akayn from my Pathfinder writing is also
a favorite. I also really enjoy my flamboyant gun-mage “M,” which is short for
Morgan (from the story “Witch Fire” in Beauty
Has Her Way) and my wacky mad scientist Circe (from “Dr. Circe and the
Separatist Man-Cheetahs” in Growing
Dread: Biopunk Visions). And of course, Stardust and Lady Vengeance (from
my superhero novella “Eye for an Eye,” in Cobalt
City Double Feature) are unmatched in sheer geeky glee.
See? I just love all of my characters.
Do you
have a writing process?
I am such a disorganized writer. I write when I have time,
usually listening to music, often with a cat and/or dog curled up next to me,
and occasionally with a scotch on the rocks in my hand. Which makes the typing
somewhat slower but is totally worth it.
What do you do when
you aren’t writing?
Work, game, design. I have a full-time day job as a tech writer
contractor for the Boeing Company, which keeps me busy between 30-40 hours a
week. I run twice-monthly 4th Edition D&D Forgotten Realms and an Academy
X-themed superhero campaigns, and I play in two different twice-monthly 4e
D&D campaigns, as well as a rotating game night with some gaming industry
folks. I also moonlight as a professional game designer for D&D (Plane Above: Secrets of the Astral Sea,
Shadowfell: Gloomwrought and Beyond, Neverwinter Campaign Setting, and
several DDI articles and D&D Encounters seasons) and recently for Margaret
Weis’s Marvel Heroic Roleplaying system (I’m a minor contributor to the Civil
War books and one of the primary authors of the forthcoming Age of Apocalypse
event books). And I try to find time to hang out with friends, play video
games, and spend with my wife and our cats and dog.
What
advice would you give to an aspiring author?
Try and stop. If there’s any way you can be happy not
writing, do that. If there isn’t, well, then my condolences, but you are doomed
to be a writer.
I say this because writing is a tough business. It grinds
your heart and soul right out of you, causes headaches and stress disorders,
and makes you lose countless hours of sleep. You can give it your all and you
still meet with rejection after rejection, and the odds are you still won’t be
financially successful.
Do not write for the money. Do not write for the respect. Do
not write for the history books.
Write because you enjoy telling stories. Write because you
like providing good things for people to read. Write because you have
to--because there is nothing else you can do that will make you quite as happy
as writing.
Write for you, and no one else.
Do not give up. This will be hard, and more discouraging
than any other quest you can undertake. You have to have that drive that will
not let you back down or give up, that will force you back up off the mat after
every single knock-down punch. You have to believe in the quality of your work,
believe that you will find an audience, and believe that you will succeed. At
the same time, you need to listen to feedback, constantly tweak your work to
make it better, and have enough self-respect to hire a decent editor for
yourself.
Also, do not neglect your family, friends, or
responsibilities. You’re going to suffer, but don’t make yourself a martyr.
For more specific advice, check out this post on my blog: http://erikscottdebie.com/new-to-the-...
What sets your books
apart from others of the genre?
My work is very genre bending. My first book, Ghostwalker, was a fantasy western,
wherein a cloaked hero swept into an isolated frontier town to avenge himself
against the men who killed him fifteen years previous. Sort of High Plains Drifter in the Forgotten
Realms. My second book, Depths of Madness,
was a fantasy horror story along the lines of Saw: a group of characters awaken in a dungeon, not knowing each
other, and have to work together to escape.
My Shadowbane
series is kind of superhero fantasy fiction: the characters are larger than
life and are often brought low by flaws both human and superhuman. The main
character, Kalen Dren a.k.a. Shadowbane is sort of the “Batman of the Realms,”
a thief turned vigilante paladin who acts the part of a mild-mannered guardsman
by day but dons black leathers and a cloak to fight evil the guard can’t touch
by night.
My World of Ruin
series is high fantasy, but it’s also post-apocalyptic and a little bit
cyberpunk with strong environmental themes. The story is set two thousand years
after a magical war wiped out most of the people of the world. The long-ago
fallen empire has left behind airships and warmachines (mostly clanking and on
the verge of breaking down since no one remembers how to build them), as well
as magic-enhanced relics that put out smoke that pollutes the world. Magic
stands in for fuels--fossil, nuclear, etc.--and technology is warped by magic
going into its construction. Against this backdrop, I weave a story that is
high fantasy but also so deeply based in the characters’ interpersonal
relationships and intrigues.
A final point about my work in the Realms specifically:
Since I’ve grown up in the setting, I have a particularly wide view of the
setting. I thread all kinds of references and homages through my work which are
subtle enough to be missed by a casual or first-time reader, but which a
seasoned Realms fan will pick up on and appreciate. Maybe that makes me just a
geek. You decide. :)
Is it true you’re
writing the fourth, as-yet-uncontracted book in the Shadowbane series?
You guessed it! Wizards has not yet contracted me to write
another book (their resources are invested in their large-scale Sundering
event), and doing so is a nebulous “in the future” arrangement. I’ve decided
that the story needs an ending (maybe not THE end, but a possible end), and I
might as well write it while it’s fresh in my mind. So I’m just writing the
fourth book, which is called (working title) SHADOWBANE: KINGDOM OF NIGHT. I’m
hoping that eventually WotC wants the book, and will jump at the chance to buy
a fully realized and edited manuscript. And hey, if you want to help make sure
that happens, check out my website for ideas how to help support the series: http://erikscottdebie.com/shadowbane/support-shadowbane-2/
Where can we find you
on social media?
I am on Facebook (Erik Scott de Bie is my personal account, and
Erik Scott de Bie is my author account), Twitter (@erikscottdebie, #shadowbane),
and my website can be found at http://erikscottdebie.com. I am
also active on the Candlekeep boards (a web forum for Realms fans, http://forum.candlekeep.com). Hit me
up, and let’s chat!
ABOUT ERIK:
Erik Scott
de Bie is a twenty-something (almost thirty-something!) speculative fiction
author, best known for his work in the Forgotten Realms fantasy setting. His
fifth novel, SHADOWBANE: EYE OF JUSTICE (third in the ongoing Shadowbane)
series came out in September, and his current NaNoWriMo project is the
(as-yet-uncontracted) fourth in that series. He is an avid contributor to the
Cobalt City superhero universe, from lending his voice acting talents to the
character of Stardust to his recent novella in COBALT CITY DOUBLE FEATURE. His
short fiction has appeared in numerous anthologies such as BEAUTY HAS HER WAY,
HUMAN FOR A DAY, WHEN THE HERO COMES HOME, and WHEN THE VILLAIN COMES HOME. He
also moonlights as a game designer, having contributed to numerous D&D
projects such as PLANE ABOVE: SECRETS OF THE ASTRAL SEA, SHADOWFELL:
GLOOMWROUGHT AND BEYOND, the NEVERWINTER CAMPAIGN SETTING, and multiple seasons
of the D&D ENCOUNTERS program. He lives in Seattle with his wife,
multifarious cats, and a hyper but cuddly dog.
“The
Last Legend of Gedrin Shadowbane” (free e-story)
“Sword
of Shadowbane” (prologue to SB: EOJ, sample chapter—don’t read chapter 1!)
“Heir of
Shadowbane” (free e-story)
Book 1: Downshadow
(Wizards,
Kindle, Nook, Kobo)
“Chosen
of the Sword” (free e-novella)
“A New Purpose” (story included in the Shadowbane bundle, AFTER
the main book--see table of contents)
Book 2: Shadowbane
(Wizards,
Kindle, Nook, Kobo)
Book 3: Shadowbane: Eye of Justice (Wizards,
Kindle, Nook, Kobo) (note
the prologue is set between "The Last Legend of Gedrin Shadowbane"
and "Heir of Shadowbane")
Shadowbane 4 (working title) ???
Other Realms
novels, not in the Shadowbane series but related:
Ghostwalker (Wizards,
Kindle,
Nook,
Kobo):
A fantasy western
Depths of Madness (Wizards, Kindle, Nook,
Kobo): A fantasy horror story
Non-Realms
work, specifically anthologies:
When
the Hero Comes Home (Kindle)
When
the Villain Comes Home (Kindle)
I'd like to thank Erik for joining us and for giving us a glimpse into his world. (Now go buy some books!)
Please join me and the other amazingly talented authors over @ Skulldust Circle where we have formed a Writer's Circle that must be seen--a collection of brilliant, up & coming independently published speculative fiction authors with much to give both now and in the future!
All of my work can be found on AMAZON -- Kindle versions here
See you in Wothlondia! Cheers!
Please visit MY HOME PAGE to enjoy an extended reading experience, see direct links to purchase my full length novel, Covenant of the Faceless Knights, the short stories: Wothlondia Rising, and to see what else Ashenclaw Studios, LLC has in store in the future!
All maps, names and content copyright Ashenclaw Studios 2012 unless otherwise noted.
October 31, 2012
Rock Me Like A Hurricane
I have been on a break here from my blog and have also been taking a break from my writing for a month or so as other things have taken priority and things have been happening that require my attention. This post is more of a personal thing and nothing to do with writing or the like and is more about how fortunate some of us really are, so turn away if you must.
I was one of the unfortunate people to be affected by Hurricane Sandy and let me tell you...this was scary. Our power has been out since Sunday evening around 7:15 pm or so and it has been interesting since then to say the least.
My family was lucky enough not to sustain any major house damage, tree damage or bodily damage by this freak of a storm and I feel sorry for anyone who was truly affected in an adverse way. This is not what the economy needed for sure. With so many people still out of work and rising gas and food costs, this just seems to be piling on now. If it wasn't so sad, I would laugh.
Anyway, my family and friends are still without power in our neighborhood and believe it may be coming back soon as on my way to work, I noted the convenience store on the other side of the highway had power finally.
So, looking at this in a positive light, I am thankful that no one I know was injured and that it did not occur either in the dead of winter or the scorching heat of summer. No electricity in those times would be pretty awful. Getting a taste of life without electricity is pretty wild and makes me thankful that we live in a free country where we can make our own decisions and are afforded the luxuries of making our own way.
I am betting that many children will be conceived during this time and hopefully, a lot of reading was had by all! (Alright, so I snuck in a reading comment) That being said, I know we can come together and persevere through this and anything else that comes. My message to all is please do not lose your humanity no matter what happens: Storms, floods zombie apocalypse's or whatever. Be cool to your fellow human beings. Our behavior is the only thing that we can control on this crazy planet and nothing makes is worse than people being...you know...ass-clowns.
Zig Ziglar said it best: "You will get what you want if you just help enough other people get what they want."
See you on the flip-side!
Please join me and the other amazingly talented authors over @ Skulldust Circle where we have formed a Writer's Circle that must be seen--a collection of brilliant, up & coming independently published speculative fiction authors with much to give both now and in the future!
All of my work can be found on AMAZON -- Kindle versions here
See you in Wothlondia! Cheers!
Please visit MY HOME PAGE to enjoy an extended reading experience, see direct links to purchase my full length novel, Covenant of the Faceless Knights, the short stories: Wothlondia Rising, and to see what else Ashenclaw Studios, LLC has in store in the future!
All maps, names and content copyright Ashenclaw Studios 2012 unless otherwise noted.
I was one of the unfortunate people to be affected by Hurricane Sandy and let me tell you...this was scary. Our power has been out since Sunday evening around 7:15 pm or so and it has been interesting since then to say the least.
My family was lucky enough not to sustain any major house damage, tree damage or bodily damage by this freak of a storm and I feel sorry for anyone who was truly affected in an adverse way. This is not what the economy needed for sure. With so many people still out of work and rising gas and food costs, this just seems to be piling on now. If it wasn't so sad, I would laugh.
Anyway, my family and friends are still without power in our neighborhood and believe it may be coming back soon as on my way to work, I noted the convenience store on the other side of the highway had power finally.
So, looking at this in a positive light, I am thankful that no one I know was injured and that it did not occur either in the dead of winter or the scorching heat of summer. No electricity in those times would be pretty awful. Getting a taste of life without electricity is pretty wild and makes me thankful that we live in a free country where we can make our own decisions and are afforded the luxuries of making our own way.
I am betting that many children will be conceived during this time and hopefully, a lot of reading was had by all! (Alright, so I snuck in a reading comment) That being said, I know we can come together and persevere through this and anything else that comes. My message to all is please do not lose your humanity no matter what happens: Storms, floods zombie apocalypse's or whatever. Be cool to your fellow human beings. Our behavior is the only thing that we can control on this crazy planet and nothing makes is worse than people being...you know...ass-clowns.
Zig Ziglar said it best: "You will get what you want if you just help enough other people get what they want."
See you on the flip-side!
Please join me and the other amazingly talented authors over @ Skulldust Circle where we have formed a Writer's Circle that must be seen--a collection of brilliant, up & coming independently published speculative fiction authors with much to give both now and in the future!
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See you in Wothlondia! Cheers!
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