Susan Elizabeth Curnow's Blog, page 8

Reviews

One of the things I failed to do with "Games of Adversaries" was to ask people for reviews. Yes, yes, I know! I should be totally organised and all that, but for goodness sake I am a WRITER.
Brave New World in the publishing industry where now nothing comes to you unless you ask.

So I am asking.
What I would like are genuine reviews. By that I mean, how you truly feel. What captured your interest about the world, the characters, the situations. The kind of reviews that make people 'think' about the book.
Of course, I will provide you with a copy to review, which will be an e-book. I only have limited copies to give away, so don't hang around :) Please let me know in comments or email me at danceswithwolfhounds at yahoo dot ca
Thank you!

Dreams

How many of us truly follow our dreams? How many of you have sat down and said, I'd love to...? But then done nothing about it? How many of you have uttered 25 excuses why you *couldn't* follow that dream?

I was thinking about this after my son passed away, because as cliched as it is, life really is too short, especially to dream and do nothing about it. When you see a young life disappear; a life that should have been so much longer than yours, then, yes, it makes you stop and think. When it is someone who should have long outlived you, especially then.
That place you always wanted to go to but never could afford? You probably could if you really really tried. That car you wanted, that place in the country, that book you wanted to write? Yes, you can. The only thing holding you back is yourself.
It is like telling someone you love them but not showing it. Talking about it means little unless you truly mean it.
Losing a child doesn't suddenly make you wise and all knowing, but it does make you stop and think and reassess.
I've followed my dream of publication with far more determination that I ever had before, because suddenly I thought, there really isn't that much time and if I don't do it now I never will. Did I ever tell you it scared the pants off me? It did. That exposure to the public eye. The idea that people could tell me my work was bloody awful, that I wasn't 'good enough', that people might think, who the heck does she think she is?
Well I can tell you who I am, at least a part of me, and that is an author. It is only one part of many. But I did it. I became what I'd always wanted to be. With a lot of help and encouragement, and whether I am a success or failure, I still did it.
So no matter what you dream about, go do it. It may take you a while, you may have to work your socks off, but if you truly want it. Do it. Don't wait. You never know what may be around the corner.

Today's photo: Hawaiian sunset - Susan Curnow

Hold your Horses, the Fire's just Blazin'

Why am I so exicted about the launch of "The Voice of the Land"? Because I already have quotes such as this:  Truly extraordinary, in concept and execution. Congratulations, Susan Elizabeth Curnow.

The Voice of the Land tells the story of Steven Carogan, a clone bred to serve where humans are often too afraid or ill-equiped to go. Indoctrinated since birth, Carogan is sent to the world of Cavan after another clone returns and commits suicide. Carogan's master is incensed at such bad payback for his dollars.
Cavan was terraformed by an Earth company, meant to be both harvest and sanctuary for Earth's over-populated masses, but Victor Grantham, head of the Terran Population Control Board, has other ideas. But then, so does the world.
Given choices for the first time in his life, Carogan is torn between loyalty to those who bred him and the opportunities Cavan presents to him. The enigmatic priest and warrior of the Land, T'saquin Mrthfar never bullies Carogan into making a decision. He lets the world do it for him.
Cavan's natural wildness could well be destroyed by man. Three races vie for its ownership. Will any of them win? And how did the land's defenders, the cavalana, even be born?

Squeeeeeeeeeeee!

Could a world be sentient? Cavan's natives think so and are prepared to defend their belief.

When one of Victor Grantham's clones commits suicide, he sends another to the world to discover why.

Bred to be a killing machine, Steven Carogan discovers a world that will transform him, both physically and mentally.

On Earth, there are those who believe Cavan and its resources belongs to them. The cavalana believe otherwise, but how will they persuade Carogan to break through years of indoctrination to prove it?






http://www.amazon.com/The-Voice-Land-Warriors-ebook/dp/B00BOB964A/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1362402565&sr=8-3&keywords=Susan+Elizabeth+Curnow

Grab it While you Can!

In anticipation of the launch of "The Voice of the Land" and with me being in such a good mood, I asked my publisher to make "Games of Adversaries" free for a short time.

It will be free on Smashwords:

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/260984 and 0.99cs on Kindle for the next little while. http://www.amazon.com/Games-of-Adversaries-ebook/dp/B00AGO0UR8/ref=la_B00AGPU3NI_1_1_title_1_kin?ie=UTF8&qid=1362350549&sr=1-1
That's a heck of a url - hms.  Anway!

If you do download my book for free I would really appreciate a review. I've never really asked before. I've had great feedback on the novel, so I know readers loved it, but very few reviews. And while that doesn't matter to me, it is enough to know people loved it, it does matter for 'getting the word out' so that more people might enjoy my writing.
At the same time, us authors love feedback on what we write. Even one short line, it doesn't have to be in detail, but other readers also truly appreciate being able to see what others think.
So go grab "Games of Adversaries" and by the time you've read it "The Voice of the Land" will be out imminently,  and you'll know exactly where to go.

The Voice of the Land - a sneek peek

It is a rare thing for me to blow my own trumpet, but, damn, "The Voice of the Land" is good. I can say that after having read it eleventy zillion times.
Usually the àrtist`is inclined to fiddle. You know, that one more brushstroke to make it perfick, kinda of attitude. This time I am merely nodding and going, uh huh, that is good.
Therefore, I am going to give you sneek peek.

An extract from Chapter 3

 


Noise could drive a man mad. Creatures cackled, whooped and sung in continuous cacophony. Plants dripped in torpid heat, their huge blossoms leering like over-painted whores. Shrub interlaced plant, and insects the size of dinner plates fluttered their wings with a come-hither flamboyance.

Was this terraforming run amok? Carogan glanced at his wrist scanner. The numbers showed him nothing he could interpret. Not where he stood, not where his ship waited, not where danger might hide. Why would anyone in their right mind want to colonize this sweating, teeming, uncivilized continent?

More importantly, why had Victor Grantham chosen him for this mission? Did he think that because he and Jon had been close, Carogan would search out reasons forJon’s death more diligently? 

Carogan paused by a giant fern. Water dripped on his already soaked flight suit, the momentary coolness welcoming. He pulled out a canteen and took a sip of tepid energy drink. Sentient jungles, aliens, and an operative who had cut his wrists on his return home. Harvey’s death had shocked him, the copper scent of blood lingering in Carogan’s memory. Death felt different when it was a friend.

 A monkey cackled as it ran nimbly along swaying branches high above Carogan’s head.

Mutations. Carogan recalled Harvey’s body within the ship. He hadn’t  noticed any mutations then. Harvey’s only wounds had been those on his wrists. Yet he’d seen the results of forensic scans. Harvey’s physiology had been altered dramatically. He’d wanted to ask Forsyth about those mutations, but the doctor had never given him the
opportunity.

Carogan had read up on Bluesher. Its flora and fauna should have been as Earth-like as those that once lived upon that world, so it was these aliens, these desmondis, who troubled Grantham.

The cackling monkey lobbed a missile at him. Carogan ducked as an over-ripe fruit splattered against a nearby tree, leaving a rank smell of rot behind.

“Hilarious,” Carogan muttered, and promptly tripped over a root the size of a heating duct. He straightened up, cursed, and brushed off an army of ants from his hands. An ant the size of a bee bit him. He shook it off and stomped on it for its temerity. The monkey hooted in glee and threw another fruit, gaining a direct hit on Carogan’s chest.

Carogan lifted his gun and followed the monkey’s movements through the sights, finger hovering over the fire button. The little black-and-white creature scuttled to safety behind a canopy of leaves,  its long tail waving like a flag. About to lower his gun, Carogan hesitated, staring at a dark shadow by a tree trunk. He didn’t remember it being there on his first pass. When nothing moved, he lowered his gun. As he walked through the jungle, he became convinced something watched him, and not just animals. Bird-like shadows rustled overhead, and the monkey’s laughter sounded too human.

Sweat dampened his suit further. He glanced at his scanner once more. Bodies. Lots of bodies showed on the read-out. Animals or aliens? A scan of surrounding jungle revealed more meaningless numbers.

The monkey’s distant laughter disappeared. Nerves taut, Carogan listened to the absence of sound. Even the insects ceased their hum.

A ghost wind came to fill the vacuum, rising up and down, howling between trees, rustling and whispering secrets. Carogan raised his gun and used the sights to scan the area as leaves danced on sunbeams. He pressed a button on his belt, and a light-shield surrounded his body, camouflaging him to match his surroundings. He crouched down in leaf litter, waiting in shadows as the susurrus of leaves chattered louder until they became a wail infiltrating his mind.

Sound that hurt, which made him want to cover his ears, though he resisted the temptation as a great howl filled the air. A flurry of wings, the rustle of membranes, as a vast flock of creatures descended into the glade where he’d just stood. His heart beat overtime, his fingers tightened on his gun. Coincidence? Or had they known he was here?

Why We Do What We Do

One of the most wonderful compliments an author can receive is when someone says, "I picked up your book and didn't put it down until I finished it. I just had to keep reading. Oh, and when is the next one."

And, yes, someone did just say that to me about "Games of Adversaries"

Just Something Which Makes you Think

I am mother, sister, wife, nana.

I am housewife, horsewrangler, writer, dog walker, cat servant, banker,
shopper, chef, teacher, home decorator, gardener, snow shoveller, and baker.

I am a grieving mother, a mess of emotions, a conflict of reason, I am a
broken heart.

I am a dreamer. I am fiction and fantasy. I am hero and heroine, character and setting and other worlds.
I am angry at life because no one should take the young.


 I am Merlin's soulmate and Makoiyi's friend and Mica's safety.

I am everything and nothing without my family.

I am the ghastly singer with the headphones on, the dancer behind closed
doors.

I am fearless as I ride the fastest horse and yet the wallflower at the party.

I am a writer not a speaker.

I am a person who can find beauty in a grain of sand.

I am a tiger when you hurt those I love.

I am contrary yet steadfast when it matters.
 
I am Gemini.

I am me.

To Be Published in March

"The Voice of the Land" Book one of the 'Warriors of the Land" trilogy.

Forthcoming from Artema Press in March.


Could a world be sentient? Cavan's natives think so and are prepared to defend their belief.

When one of Victor Grantham's clones commits suicide, he sends another to the world to discover why.

Bred to be a killing machine, Steven Carogan discovers a world that will transform him, both physically and mentally.

On Earth, there are those who believe Cavan and its resources belongs to them. The Cavalana believe otherwise, but how will they persuade Carogan to break through years of indoctrination to prove it?

Beta reader's comments: Truly extraordinary, in concept and execution.


In this science fiction novel by Susan Elizabeth Curnow, a clone created for
no other purpose than to serve his ruthless master finds more than insight into
the suicide of his friend and fellow clone when he is sent to the world of
Cavan. 
It may be the answer to all he's ever longed for if he can avoid the imminent
danger of insanity and death--and accept that the land is a sentient entity he
has been chosen to serve once gifted with the blood that gains him so much more
than a powerful pair of wings.

Much Ado about Everything

Working every day leaves me zombied out and I have a hard time getting into writing mode.
One advantage of this, however, is that I go into thinking mode. And thinking means researching. Which sometimes I find a pain and other times I enjoy.

Today was *really* discovering about the motivation behind Vicadia's actions. I mean, I always had a plot and ideas, but sometimes they need a boost to make them work.
    An example of 'stuff': Imagine it scrawled across a notebook with copious side notes and lots of oohs and aaahs..

What is the significance of the number eight?

It is the shape of infinity/Biblically it means salvation/resurrection/new beginnings.
First cubic number 2x2x2
Fibonacci number - a perfect cube/ a cube has eight vertices.
Particle physics - 8 fold way
Nuclear physics - second magic number - binding energy. Large isotopes with magic numbers of nucleous are said to exist in an island of stability.

Oh, and don't forget eight bits thingy on computers...

Castel del Monte means "fortress of the mountains" and resembles a mandelbrot set, which in turn tends toward infinity. There is the presence of the golden ratio in the main portal. The castel is a fractal model.
The castel is also a town in Puglia, S Italy.

Do people really think writing fantasy is easy? It's a lot of fun, but, easy? Hmms. Tries to remember her physics...

Today's image comes from wikipedia.