Susan Elizabeth Curnow's Blog, page 12

Inspiration

Readers often ask writers where they get their inspiration from. Me? I just look out the window. Not quite. This is Castle Mountain near Banff, Canada and is a couple of hours down the road. In many ways the mountains have inspired me to write fantasy stories. "Lines of Betrayal" is set in a world where folk live halfway up a mountain. Not this particular one but Mount Assiniboine in B.C., which is the photo up top.

The opening of "Games of Adversaries" begins with a snow storm and terrible low temps. Yes, I do know a bit about that since sometimes the windchill is -40c here.

Authors are often advised 'write what you know', and while this definitely lends authenticity to the craft, it isn't always essential. Either find someone who does know or reasearch your facts. Having learned the hard way, when I got something wrong, research is now something I will double up on. Because, there is always someone who does know.

The beauty of science fiction and fantasy is that you can invent things that haven't happened, but even then, there has to be a basis in reality and physics for them to ring true. Most novels are written on that what-if factor or a mystery that must be solved. The fun part is finding that solution, along with the characters and all the wonderful pitfalls and triumphs they have along the way.

In "Games of Adversaries" the main question is - how would you survive if you landed on an alien world? At least, an alien world to you. In "House of Faegrim" it is, what if there really is another world layered alongside this one? In the Warriors trilogy it is, what if someone really did genetically alter humans?

See how much fun authors have?

Excitement!

And you get pictures because animals are a huge part of my life. Makoiyi is my eleven year old Irish Wolfhound, who is here enjoying an empty peanut butter jar.

So excited about the interviews. I've already had many responses. Such articulate and well-thought answers, so that I know people are going to enjoy the 'series'. People talk about their own role in the industry as well as their novels, so there is something for everyone. I talk to mainstream authors as well as indie and self-published authors,  to cover a broad spectrum of people.

Meanwhile, I have added a short story to my 'about the author' page here, so feel free to wander over and have a read.

Interviews

I had one of my 'ideas' the other day. I thought it would be interesting to talk to authors across the board about their experiences within the publishing industry and how much it has changed. I intended to do a week long series, but it maybe longer than that thanks to the generosity of authors.

So far I am excited to have:-
Janny Wurts, acclaimed fantasy author of Wars of Light and Shadow, To Ride Hell's Chasm and many more.
Giacomo Giammatteo, mystery author of Murder Takes Time & A Bullet For Carlos
Alma Alexander,  fantasy author of WorldWeavers
Greta Van der Rol, science fiction author of Iron Admiral & Morgan's Choice
C N Lesley, fantasy author of soon to be published Darkspire Reaches
And possibly, if she can take time out of her busy schedule, D Kai Wilson Viola, author of Glass Blocks and an experienced marketing professional.

Such an exciting line up. Huge thanks to everyone for participating.

I will let everyone know as soon as I have a date scheduled to begin.
                                

To Read or Not

Just read an article via Twitter on friends reading books. I mean books that their friends have written. I thought about this when I posted on FaceBook today. I asked for some feedback on Games of Adversaries, because although I've had two wonderful reviews and friends have told me they loved it, I've had very little feedback so far. So far, because the book has barely been out five minutes, that is wonderful. I am just impatient to know what people think, that is all.
But that article certainly made me think. Because you are placing people you know in a dilemma. I am pretty thick skinned when it comes to my writing. I have never expected everyone to love my stories or my style and in truth it shouldn't matter too much what other people think because an author always writes for themselves *first*, and we do, no doubt about that, but if you want to keep writing even for pleasure, it takes time. So a little bit of reimbursment does not go amiss.
I am not talking money here, although i won't deny that helps enormously. A writer writes, it is what they do because somehow they cannot help themselves. But it is nice now and then to know that others enjoy your work. It gives you even more incentive to keep going.
So, in a few words. You certainly don't have to like my novels, even if you are my best friend :) Healthy criticism is just great. Question why I wrote something by all means. My vision isn't yours and sometimes it is great to brainstorm or thrash a few issues out.
Any author worth their salt (in my opinion not neccessarily anyone elses) can only improve and they do that by keep writing and listening.

A Busy Time

Imagine a couple of these about five feet high. I stumbled across two in a gem store in Banff, Canada and just fell in love. Naturally I couldn't afford them, so I wrote a story around someone who could and the consequences of that purchase. Thus "The Crystal Gate" was born. I've renamed it to become 'Lines of Betrayal'. But finding those crystals became a catalyst to learning about crystals and to a lifelong love of them and their powers.
Crystals make me feel good. I can feel their vibrations and they make me happy. I have several dotted around my house.
I set  'Lines' in Glastonbury UK because back when I lived close by there were a dozen crystal shops in the High Street alone. Then of course there was Glastonbury Tor and the ley lines. If I couldn't write a story around that then I am not much of a writer.
I've set myself a few goals this year. I am a good way into it already while I wait to see how "Games of Adversaries" pans out.  I still don't know what people think of the novel barring a couple of reviews, so I am waiting with bated breath. Meanwhile: what I have been working on.



The Warriors of the Land - trilogy


The Voice of the Land - done


The Discovering of Demons - done


Strangers Bearing Gifts - 3/4 done


Army of Unalterable Law (paralell to "Games") - 3/4 done


A Distant Light - (sequel to "Games") Only just started.


Lines of betrayal (The Crystal Gate) done bar some final final
editing.


House of Faegrim - done bar a LOT of editing.


Vicadia - gimme a plot please...


Short story for anthology - done, done done....


The Broken Sword - thinking....


Finished 106k words on Lines of Betrayal today. Yes, it was already
written but it still needs a tad more editing. But it captured my imagination
the other day and I had to do it. Editing is mainly in the latter half. It was
longer but I cut some stuff out. In this story however, I don't think I can cut
more. The characters are too complex for that and it is quite a cast. I probably
need some Beta readers.

To Trunk or Not

Many agents and editors will advise you to leave the old stuff where it belongs. In the trunk or entertaining the dust bunnies. To a certain extent I totally agree with this because, that old stuff is often terribly written and poorly thought through. It is an author's learning curve. What she/he practises upon and to take old work and try to revive it is often impossible.
I read an article about this this very morning.
There are things I've trunked. Horrible romances that I wrote years ago. Short stories that refused to be short or just didn't go anywhere. The odd novel which just wouldn't work. But that still leaves quite a few that do deserve to see the light of day. I am working on one of those older ones now. It is interesting because you can't really work from old scripts except as reference, because the language needs a total update. Which in turn creates new scenarios and gets rid of older ones. Like why on earth did I keep swapping point of view every five seconds? Not head hopping but brief interludes which threw even me out of the story. And really, that complex character you created? If even I don't understand him, what hope a poor reader?
Urgh.
 It is still a damned good story though.

The Good, the Bad, the Ugly

Merlin and I say Happy New Year from snowy Alberta!

It has been a strange year, still dominated by the loss of our son, Richard, because that kind of event shapes you, sometimes without you even realising.
Yet, life never stops unless you choose it.
Highlight of this year was definitely getting "Games of Adversaries" published, because it returned me to that wonderful place of passion with the written word.
Success might be termed in numbers or it might be termed in achievement. That doesn't always mean fame and riches but a quiet satisfaction that a goal has been reached.
So, I have a son at university, a horse whose back is slowly improving (the boy fell awkwardly jumping a fence to escape llamas). Makoiyi, our  eleven year old Irish Wolfhound is hanging in there.
A big thank you to all those who stayed with us through some difficult times, especially to my wonderful husband and son. I wish all of you a wonderful new year and will send out vibes it is a good one for all my friends.

A Little History

Years ago I wrote book. The very first book I had written entirely. It was
written in three parts and I even drew a separate cover for each heading. I
placed snippets from various poetry at every heading. I worked out maps for
every world, the monetry system, politics, religion etc etc. I sent it to a
publisher where they said it was a 'tremendous feat of the imagination'. Then
somehow or other I ended up with three sons *G*, which took rather a lot of my
time. (Can't think why). But I never stopped writing. In between nappies I wrote
and expanded the world. I wrote another story linked to that world, which became
"Games of Adversaries". But in actual fact, the hero of "Games" Yiahan rial
Krias, had a brother called Ohrelian, and it was he who began the tale. So
basically we can blame him for everything. I wouldn't have been a writer without
Ohrelian, who, in the story is named 'David Stormon'. He taught me how to write.
How to make the scribblings of a newbie into a coherent whole. So I think he
definitely deserves to be in print one day.
Right now, though I am working on
the 'sequel' to "Games". You'd think it would be easy with all the wonderful
info I already have, but it isn't, because like me, these guys have grown up a
bit. They've been through rather a lot and still have some to go. Then there are
all those lives they touched during their adventures. The men and the women and
their worlds.
Lots of thinking going on here.

More thoughts on reviews and Christmas

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and made the most of those rare times when family and friends all get together. Life, as I well know, can be far too short and there should be at least a few times a year when issues are forgotten.

Merlin and girl friend say happy christmas! It was -31c on Christmas morning, so we were all a bit chilly!

As to reviews. It is so great to get reader reactions and I've had several so far which have really boosted my confidence. Such a delight to receive them and for them to be positive. You really don't know how people will react so it is huge for me to know.

Reviews - what a nice Christmas present!

Dec 23,
2012 Giacomo         rated it        
 
A refreshing read
I have been looking for a good sci-fi/fantasy novel for a
while. Something to sink my teeth into and relax with. The problem is that they
are difficult to find. I write mysteries, but I truly enjoy reading
sci-fi/fantasy, and Curnow didn’t disappoint me with this one. Her writing is
beautiful. Sparse when it needs to be, and perfectly descriptive when it calls
for that.

I have always enjoyed books where an author combines fantasy
with sci-fi, and cultures at different stages of development. Curnow does this
nicely and gives us glimpses inside their minds so we can experience the
differences as we read. There were a few times when I felt the author dwelled
too long on emotions, but that could be me, as I tend to favor very quick visits
into self-reflection. I also felt we could have had a bit more depth in a couple
of the secondary characters.

With that said, I thoroughly enjoyed
reading Games of Adversaries, and finished it in two nights, something I haven’t
done in far too long. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys
sci-fi/fantasy. Also, to note, the formatting and layout were done well and the
book was very high quality. Too many books are riddled with mistakes. You won’t
find that in this book.

I have a system for my ratings and I rated this
a 4.2, but it was such a refreshing read that I rounded that up to 5 stars.