Nikko Lee's Blog, page 11
December 29, 2015
Writing goals: 2016
2015 was a busy year for me. Besides the conception and birth of my daughter, Wolf Creek was also published. My resolution to edit, edit, edit was met by editing Wolf Creek, Spar (resurrected trunk novel) and Safe Word.
I continue to introduce Wolf Creek to anyone and everyone in the hopes that it sells enough to warrant a sequel. I made enough sales to earn a print run. Hurray! The sequel is bouncing around my head.
Resolution #1: outline and start writing the sequel to Wolf Creek.
The reviews of Wolf Creek that complained about the lack of romance in Wolf Creek motivated me to retrieve from the trunk a half revised M/M erotic romance set in a martial arts dojo. Spar combines my love of martial arts with my love of M/M forbidden romance. Tyler is a closeted bisexual black belt who explores his attraction for a new openly gay student Josh, who wants to leave behind his clubbing nights and get serious.
Resolution #2: edit and submit Spar.
Revising Safe Word is starting to feel like a never ending effort. I am determined to get it out to beta readers by the end of the year. It needs some plot thickening, extensive fact checking and lots of spit polishing.
Resolution #3: get Safe Word to beta readers.
As my daughter discovers her legs and gets stronger walking, I am looking forward to introducing her to hiking. We are planning a trip to the Bay of Fundy this year and I want to do a hike or two in Baxter.
What are your resolutions?
December 21, 2015
Interview at Openonemore
Cathy Hird was kind enough to ask me a few questions about my writing and Wolf Creek on her blog openonemore.
December 6, 2015
Guest interview: Before the New Moon Rises by Cathy Hird
Poseidon's hunger for revenge strikes like forked lightning. Princess Thalassai struggles to build peace while her brother and her fiancé battle against the Earthshaker's plots. Will aid from other Olympian gods stem his anger or escalate the conflict?
Congratulations to Cathy Hird on her publication of Before the New Moon Rises by Prizm Books. This is a follow-up book to Moon Goddess.
Cathy Hird is a minister and a mother, a weaver and a shepherd living in rural Ontario. She is a story teller who weaves ancient threads into tales that touch modern questions. As well as her two published novels, Cathy writes a weekly column for an on-line news magazine, short stories and some poetry.
I digitally sat down with Cathy to chat more about her books, writing and life in general.
Interview
1. Tell us about the genre you write in.
When I decided I did not want to do serious academic writing, I decided to try my hand at my favorite genre, fantasy. But there are so many stories set in a medieval world, I went looking for another mythology to ground my story. I have loved Greece and the stories from there so I started delving into that mythology. While I was inspired, I was not so impressed with the patriarchy and xenophobia of the classical era. I asked myself, what if the women were strong and the older earth goddess was not dead and the men could resolve problems without a ten year war. Moon of the Goddess, Before the New Moon Rises and the next book when it comes grow from these questions.
Technically, because the heroine is 17 or 18, the book is classed as YA. But more adults have read the first book, and strong readers under 12 liked it. So I did not set out to write YA just ended up in that category. Not that I mind, given the authors whose company I keep there.
2. Do you write in other genres as well?
I write a some short stories that are realistic and literary. Each week, I publish a spirituality column for an on-line news magazine, and occasionally I do resources for the national church denomination I am part of. The writing is much more formal and the content more structured. But because I write fiction, I trust my readers more than I used to and use more images and story telling.
3. What book do you wish you could have written?
I wish I could have written Mercedes Lackey's version of the Arthurian legend. I love her central character, Gwenhwyfer, and the idea that there were three Guinevere's. Someday I will try my hand at "The Matter of Britain" when my imagination and skill is up to the task.
4. Do you have a day job as well as writing?
At this point with my writing, I make enough to go out for dinner once a quarter but the day job pays the bills. I work as a minister in a church, and as a sheep farmer. So writing fiction kinda balances out the life I lead, provides a break from some of the heavy stuff I meet up with.
5. Any individual male and female figure you particularly admire, dead or alive, and why?
There are two whose lives particularily inspire me: Martin Luther King Jr and Nelson Mandela. Their stories of pressing for justice while calling people and a nation to a higher ideal have helped me in my work for justice and healing. Their values seep into my writing, too. In this unsettled and angry world, we need more people, and more stories, that teach us compassion and non-violence, hope for a new world.
6. What do you have in mind for your next writing project?
While I have a couple stories set in Ancient Greece still brewing in my head, the new novel is a contemporary fantasy set in Rural Ontario, a shift from the common urban setting. This one involves a captured elf, an alchemist and his daughter who has to fix the mess he makes.
Thank you Cathy for letting us know about you and your book.
Before the New Moon Rises is available now for pre-order at Prizm Books.
Before the New Moon Rises:
When Poseidon's ambition is thwarted (as told in Moon of the Goddess), Princess Thalassai expects to enjoy the luxury of peace in the valley of Ephyra. Instead, the Earthshaker's revenge strikes like forked lightning. He recruits Aphoron, disgraced prince of Ephyra, to set off an attack on her home city. The god then releases a monster shark to shut down trade and lays a sleeping spell on the four kings who hold sway in the lands claimed by the ancient goddess Eurynome.
With the king under Poseidon's spell, Thalassai struggles to maintain order in the city. Her fiancé Brizo sets sail to defeat the monster shark, but in the first encounter, the shark destroys the ship's rudder and oars. Her brother Melanion chases after Aphoron and uncovers the prince's plan to attack their city. As other Olympian gods who are angry with Poseidon are drawn into the fray, conflict threatens to engulf the lands of Greece. Will it spread to the mountain of the gods? Will the young leaders find a way to defeat the Earthshaker's plans and restore peace?
Available at Prizm Books: http://www.prizmbooks.com/zencart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=111&zenid=a87b664daa879741f67e93d48e48918e
Moon of the Goddess:
Thalassai, pampered princess of ancient Tiryns, wakes from a dream and discovers she has been kidnapped. Fear grows to terror when she realizes her kidnappers intend to use her as a pawn to gain Poseidon’s aid for their valley. The mother goddess who in the past sustained the valley calls a bloodred harvest moon into the spring sky. She will challenge Poseidon for the allegiance of her people and assist the princess.
Thalassai’s brother Melanion rides north to rescue her, and he finds allies among the servants of the goddess. Slowed by bandits, Melanion is forced to take a tunnel under the mountains even though earthquakes have rendered it hazardous. He skirts the edge of Hades’ kingdom as he races to reach his sister in time. Caught between the mother goddess and the rising power of Olympus, will Thalassai break under the strain or find the strength she needs to stand up to her captors?
Available at Prizm Books: http://www.prizmbooks.com/zencart/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=78&zenid=949399157b78889c20a77ceaf9248dfc
Where to find Cathy:
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/cathyhirdwriter/
Twitter @cathyhirdwriter
1. What do you have in mind for your next writing project?
While I have a couple stories set in Ancient Greece still brewing in my head, the new novel is a contemporary fantasy set in Rural Ontario, a shift from the common urban setting. This one involves a captured elf, an alchemist and his daughter who has to fix the mess he makes.
2. Tell us about the genre you write in.
When I decided I did not want to do serious academic writing, I decided to try my hand at my favorite genre, fantasy. But there are so many stories set in a medieval world, I went looking for another mythology to ground my story. I have loved Greece and the stories from there so I started delving into that mythology. While I was inspired, I was not so impressed with the patriarchy and xenophobia of the classical era. I asked myself, what if the women were strong and the older earth goddess was not dead and the men could resolve problems without a ten year war. Moon of the Goddess, Before the New Moon Rises and the next book when it comes grow from these questions.
Technically, because the heroine is 17 or 18, the book is classed as YA. But more adults have read the first book, and strong readers under 12 liked it. So I did not set out to write YA just ended up in that category. Not that I mind, given the authors whose company I keep there.
3. Do you write in other genres as well?
I write a some short stories that are realistic and literary. Each week, I publish a spirituality column for an on-line news magazine, and occasionallly I do resources for the national church denomination I am part of. The writing is much more formal and the content more structured. But because I write fiction, I trust my readers more than I used to and use more images and story telling.
4. What book do you wish you could have written?
I wish I could have written Mercedes Lackey's version of the Arthurian legend. I love her central character, Gwenhwyfer, and the idea that there were three Guinevere's. Someday I will try my hand at "The Matter of Britain" when my imagination and skill is up to the task.
5. Do you have a day job as well as writing?
At this point with my writing, I make enough to go out for dinner once a quarter but the day job pays the bills. I work as a minister in a church, and as a sheep farmer. So writing fiction kinda balances out the life I lead, provides a break from some of the heavy stuff I meet up with.
6. Any individual male and female figure you particularly admire, dead or alive, and why?
There are two whose lives particularily inspire me: Martin Luther King Jr and Nelson Mandela. Their stories of pressing for justice while calling people and a nation to a higher ideal have helped me in my work for justice and healing. Their values seep into my writing, too. In this unsettled and angry world, we need more people, and more stories, that teach us compassion and non-violence, hope for a new world.
December 5, 2015
Blue Hill Mountain
This winter has been a stark contrast to last year's snow-fest. I'm sure we are in for it the second half, but for now we are enjoying the milder weather. At the end of November, my husband was finally down re-siding the house and suggested we go for a hike. With Bean, we don't travel too far for hikes. Fortunately, we have some great hiking trails minutes away on Blue Hill Mountain.
Once Bean was secured in her pack, we headed up the field for a short hike. We had three trail options. To the left, the Southface trail hooks up with Osgood to wind it's way up the mountain. To the left, the radio tower service road is a four-wheeler trail. We decided on the steepest trail; Hayes.
From the parking lot to the top, the Hayes trail is a mile long. It has a few steep, rocky sections that are fairly easily managed with a dog dragging me and my husband sporting the Beanie-pack. We did stop and admire the view several times.
Because of the steepness and slippery leaves, we took the service road back to the trail junction. It took us about an hour and half to do the loop. Great trail for a quick hike.
November 8, 2015
Patten Stream trails Surry Maine
[image error]Since moving to Surry two years ago, my husband and I find it more and more difficult to get back to MDI to hike the wonderful trails of Acadia National Park. Fortunately, the Blue Hill Heritage Trust has several parcels of land in the area with short hiking loops.
Today we met up with some friends and their dogs to walk the 1.5 mile double loop of Patten Stream. The entrance is tucked back from the Surry post office as you approach a gravel pit. Since both my husband and I were ready to hike we brought both our daughter and dog.
It took about an hour and a half to cover the two trail loops. The terrain is varied with hills, rocks and a couple of foot bridges near the stream. Patten stream has some fast moving sections and lots of rocks. Perhaps a good place to fish in the spring and summer?
[image error]The trail was lined with oak leaves for the most part making footing a little tricky on the few steep slopes. It's a great hike for a fall, almost winter, day.
November 2, 2015
Wolf Creek Cover at ERA
Thank you so much for the Erotica Readers Association for posting the cover of Wolf Creek on their blog.
October 28, 2015
Wolf Creek interview at ARe Cafe
Check out my latest interview at ARe Cafe.
October 25, 2015
Write what scares you
Fall is my favorite time of the year. There's the colorful Maine foliage. There's hot chocolate and apple cider after coming in from a walk in the crisp autumn air. There's the change in season as we put away the summer gear and prepare for winter activities. It's also a time of the year when the sunlight seems to evaporate and darkness grows. My thoughts often turn to the things that lurk in the dark outside and within.
I've always been a horror fan. My teenage years were spent reading Stephen King and Clive Barker. I watched countless vampire movies and did school projects about the Salem witchcraft trials. I love to be scared - in a safe way.
Some writers hold to the advice of writing what they know. Sound advice. I like the advice to write what scares me.
If you've read some of my published short fiction from last year, you might have seen a theme. I was pregnant with my first child and nothing scared me more than the thought of losing that precious little life growing inside of me. So I wrote about miscarriage -with zombie or cannibalism twists.
Despite some early bleeding that had me terrified, my little Bean came into this world a year ago nearly 12 days past due. For 1 in 4 pregnancies, that is not the case. We don't talk about pregnancy loss much. It's a hard concept to talk about. It's hard to know what to say whether you've suffered a loss or you want to express sympathy for someone who has.
What can you say to someone who has suffered such a loss? But not saying anything might be even worse. No matter how long a couple are expecting a little life, the absence of it hurts just as much.
October is SIDS, pregnancy and infant loss awareness month. Tonight 8-9PM, I will be talking to Linda Washburn host of Women's Window on WERU 89.9FM about writing what scares you in honor of those who have experienced what I feared the most.
That fear never goes away. Sometimes when I go to wake my daughter up from a nap and she hasn't made a peep, I pause at the door. Life is so fragile.
October 21, 2015
Gestational father
Several years ago I remember hearing the sensational headlines about Thomas Beastie, the pregnant man. After a little digging, I discovered that he was a transgenered man with an intact uterus. The story lost its sensational flare since I was more interested in the science of gestating a baby inside a man with an artificial uterus.
A couple of weeks ago, someone posted in one of my breastfeeding support groups about a gestational father looking for donor milk for his child. Although he had retained his uterus, he had both his breast removed during his transition. This time I was practically moved to tears.
So what changed? I learned what it is like to carry and nurture a little life. I learned what it is like to bring that little life into a big scary world and struggle to provide her with the basic substenance of milk so essential for her survival and growth.
The ability to conceive and gestate a child is so special. Before having my little Bean, I would have wondered if such a decidely female ability would be at odds with a transgendered man's male identity. Now all I can think is how awesome is it that these men get to experience such a wonderful - albeit not always glorious - process.
I wonder how many other men wish they could be gestational fathers.
