Chantal Boudreau's Blog, page 15

The Evolution of a Landscape

Originally posted on Guild Of Dreams:

by Chantal Boudreau

I’m not sure if this is true of all writers, but when I start writing something I decide not to finish, that doesn’t spell the end of it. If I’m creating a new story idea or novel concept, I’ll often beg, borrow and steal from defunct tales that I think have worthy bits and pieces which will serve as effective building blocks for something else – a literary version of reduce, reuse and recycle.

Sometimes it’s characters. In my sixth Masters & Renegades book (likely to be released a couple of years from now) one of the protagonists is a wizard name Angellica whom I recovered from the shambles of an earlier novel that never made it past chapter one. I liked her though, so I couldn’t let her die with the rest of the story, so out she came for something else.

Sometimes it’s objects. Angellica…

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It’s Here! Bellator – an anthology of space and magic

Originally posted on Library of Erana:

So after a week or so of promotion – including author interviews – Bellator is live!

12 stories of magic, space and heroes.

SARAH by Lee Pletzers
The Summoned Rise of the Phantom Knights by Kenny Emmanuel
Border Patrol by BR Kingsolver
The Twelve by Mia Darien
Ghosts by Christi Rigby
Outside the Walls by A. L. Butcher & Diana L. Wicker
My Brother’s Keeper by Raphyel M. Jordan
With Our Own Blood by Jessica Nicholls
The Connection by Crystal G. Smith
A Fly on the Wall by Chantal Boudreau
Slacker by Doug Dandridge
The Light Bless Thee and Keep Thee by Mason Darien

Here are the links!

Amazon: http://amzn.com/B00MCUHYUU

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00MCUHYUU

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/464038

CreateSpace: https://www.createspace.com/4910260

Release Day post on From Mia’s Desk: http://www.miadarien.com/bellator-is-live-release-day-interview/

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10 Simple Questions – Bellator Edition – Diana L. Wicker

My third interview for Bellator spotlights the other half of the dynamic storywriting duo, Diana L. Wicker:

1) Who are you?

Diana L. Wicker  I am an indie- author of YA fantasy from the US.

2) What have you written, and in particular, what have you written for Bellator?  

My currently available works are The Dreamweaver’s Journey and The Guardian Child’s Return.  I hope to have a third book, Legacy of Mist and Shadow, available for the holiday season.

For Bellator I had the distinct pleasure of co-writing the story “Outside the Walls” with Alexandra Butcher.

3) I’m sure you’ve heard this before, but why do you write?

Stress relief, relaxation, escape, enjoyment – Sometimes there are stories that just need to be told.  :)

4) Do you have a preferred theme or topic?  Are warriors your typical thing?

Warriors are not my typical to my current writings, although I do love stories, movies, TV shows, and games with warriors.  

My currently published works are narrated by the Storyteller of Feyron.  She tends to begin her tales in the middle of things, so to speak, with the historical period known as The Age of Awakenings.  The first book, “The Dreamweaver’s Journey”, follows the first Dreamweaver to come of age in over three hundred years on a quest across the four Realms of Light within Feyron. The second book, “The Guardian Child’s Return”, follows a group of young adventurers beyond the Realms of Light to a place that few knew could even be reached.  The third book will take place, for the first time, on a world Beyond Feyron.

5) Are you a pantser or a plotter and why?

A plotter all the way.  It works well with my natural OCD, organizational personality.  I like lists, outlines, schedules, and calendars.

6) What do you like most about writing?

Hmm, that is a tough question.  I’d have to say, the opportunity to travel anywhere my imagination can take me, and the prospect of taking the reader right along with me.

7) What challenges you the most about writing?

I’d have to say my biggest challenge is finding time to write.  Writing is not my full time job.  I am a working mother with very active children.  I often have long breaks between writing opportunities and have to struggle to pick back up on the flow of a project to get back into it.

8) Who or what inspires you most?

I don’t know that I have any one thing that inspires me “most”.  At the most basic level, I could simply say that “life” inspires me.  More specifically I’d say I love a good story that is presented well – reading a good tale, watching a good film, or even playing a well written role playing game so that I can interact with the story.

9) What are your plans for the future?

Let me see, the Works in Progress list…As I mentioned above, I hope to have the third story from The Age of Awakenings ready for the holidays.  I have a short story set in progress, the sort of tales of lore that the youth of Feyron would have heard growing up.  I have an outline for a series from an older age of Feyron’s history, The Age of Fading, and a draft of the first story for that set.  I have a few ideas for a new tale from the Age of Awakenings, but nothing outlined yet.  

10) Why Bellator?

I was so excited when Mia contacted me to submit a story for an anthology for her.  I quickly tagged my favorite co-writer, Alex Butcher.  I am so excited that our story is appearing in Bellator.  I have friends and family who have served, or are currently serving, and my father was a PTSD psychiatrist.  I feel privileged to participate in such a wonderful project to assist the Wounded Warriors Project.

Check out Diana’s books at:

The Dreamweaver’s Journey http://www.amazon.com/The-Dreamweavers-Journey-Awakenings-ebook/dp/B00A111KL6

 

The Guardian Child’s Return http://www.amazon.com/The-Guardian-Childs-Return-ebook/dp/B00CQF9FMG

 

And you can find her website at: https://talesfromfeyron.squarespace.com/welcome

10 Simple Questions – Bellator Edition – A. L. Butcher

Next up in my Bellator spotlight is half of a dynamic writing duo, A. L. Butcher:

1) Who are you?

Hi, and thanks for spotlighting me today. I am Alexandra Butcher (A. L .Butcher), British fantasy author, born in the Southeast of England but currently living in the Southwest.

 

2) What have you written and in particular, what have you written for Bellator?

To date I have two novels published as part of an adult dark fantasy/fantasy romance series – the Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles and an anthology of short mythic stories set in the same world. Plus several poems and short stories in other anthologies.  My Bellator story, which was co-written with my friend and fellow writer Diana Wicker, is ‘Outside the Walls’. It is a fantasy tale of war, love and determination.

 

3) I’m sure you’ve heard this before, but why do you write?

Yes I’ve been asked that before.  Why do I write? Because I’ve always written and made up people and places. At school I was always writing poems and stories and I suppose you could say I was a creative child. I get bored easily and tend to drift off to more interesting places…

 

More than this I write the stories in my head that want to be told.  I write because I enjoy it and because it keeps me sane (ish).

 

4) Do you have a preferred theme or topic?  Are warriors your typical thing?

I write fantasy, mostly fantasy romance but also mythic fantasy. My work has been described as gritty. The novels deal with themes like slavery and freedom, love and battle and, of course, heroes. What does it mean to be a hero?  Why do the characters do what they do when others sit back and do nothing?

 

The short stories are a mixed bag indeed. I have a small collection about the Kitchen Imps – tiny, very mischievous creatures who cause all sorts of mayhem, including stealing socks from the washing machine. Tales of Erana is a collection of mythic tales of past times, featuring gods, lonely mortals, magic, war and love.  There will be further mythic tales in future months.

 

Are warriors my typical thing? Not really, both the main characters for the novel are magic users (in a world where magic is illegal).  Warriors and heroes are as old in storytelling as stories themselves, but I guess there is the question of definition – how does one define a warrior – are we talking about armour, swords and shields or those who strive in war? I’d say heroes are my typical ‘thing’ if that makes sense.

 

5) Are you a pantser or a plotter and why?

Most definitely a pantser. I know the beginning and the end of the story (usually) but the middle is negotiable. I have tried to plan, but I always end up changing it vastly. I have an overarching plan for the series and lots of notes with ideas, past events, character profiles etc.

 

6) What do you like most about writing?

Creating new worlds! Being in charge of the lives of these characters and the events which befall them.

 

7) What challenges you the most about writing?

I am a terrible procrastinator, so actually getting as much done as I’d like when it needs to be done. I get distracted easily so I do spend far too much time on Facebook or Goodreads. ;)

 

8) Who or what inspires you most?

I usually get ideas at awkward times, like when I’m in the bath or cycling to work.  I get inspired by stories – mine or sometimes other peoples. I get a lot of inspiration chatting over ideas with Diana.

 

9) What are your plans for the future?

Book III of the Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles will, hopefully, be published by the end of the year. Also I have a couple of fun fantasy tales in the forthcoming Wyrd Worlds II – a free spec fic anthology by a collection of sci-fi and fantasy authors. I’m involved with the Indie Collaboration as well, so look out for those.

 

There will definitely be further books in the Chronicles, plus at least one more Tales of Erana.  I am also working on another project with Diana. I’d like audio books for all of them too.

 

10) Why Bellator?

Mia knows Diana, and mentioned a charity anthology earlier in the year. Our story didn’t really fit that one – as there was no other fantasy so when she said about Bellator it was a perfect fit. I’ve written for anthologies before so I was happy to help and this charity is something I support – my parents were both Armed Forces folk and my father has a disability caused in war so, although this isn’t supporting a British charity it is a cause close to my heart.  I am delighted to be part of this.

Find more of A. L.’s work here:

Light Beyond the Storm – Book I Link Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Light-Beyond-Storm-Chronicles–ebook/dp/B0088DQO9C

Shining Citadel Amazon http://www.amazon.com/The-Shining-Citadel-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B00D4CF6W8

Tales of Erana Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JCHQWJK Audio . http://www.audible.com/pd/Sci-Fi-Fantasy/Tales-of-Erana-Audiobook/B00LB8WH0G/

All the links can be found here, along with various author, character and reader interviews:

http://libraryoferana.wordpress.com/

Today’s New Release!

 

From the Postscripts to Darkness team:

 We’re thrilled to announce that Postscripts to Darkness Volume 5, featuring a stunning array of strange fiction and illustrations, is now available for order! For $18 CAD inclusive of shipping you can have the book delivered to you anywhere in Canada, the U.S., the U.K., E.U. or Australia. PDF versions and hardcopies of earlier volumes can also be purchased direct from us. See our store page at http://pstdarkness.com/buying-pstd-5/ to order or for more information.

10 Simple Questions – Bellator Edition – Jessica Nicholls

In anticipation of the upcoming release of the charity anthology, Bellator, Word Blurb has me chatting with some of the contributing authors. First up is the lovely Jessica Nicholls:

1) Who are you?

 

My name is Jessica Nicholls.  I’m a writer, I’m a wife and I’m a mother. 

 

2) What have you written and in particular, what have you written for Bellator?

I have (completed) a short novel entitled Into the Arms of Morpheus.  I have written various short stories (two of which are published in the respective charity anthologies Reaching Out and Here Kitty Kitty.)  I have a couple of other ongoing manuscripts as well, BUT my contribution to Bellator is a short story entitled ‘With Our Own Blood’.

3) I’m sure you’ve heard this before, but why do you write?     

It’s a release, it gives me a sense of purpose and I like to think I can bring enjoyment to other people as well this way.

4) Do you have a preferred theme or topic?  Are warriors your typical thing?

Not necessarily, but I like characters who are passionate about something, to the point of being obsessive.   Warriors are not my typical thing but I’ve always loved reading about them, and to write about them was both a challenge and a joy.

5) Are you a pantser or a plotter and why?

I’m a wannabe plotter.  I try but I’m a pantser by nature.

6) What do you like most about writing?

When the characters become real to me, I start to really like them and feel there is a chance that others might like them too.

7) What challenges you the most about writing?

Getting it all to fit together.  It’s the hardest, but most worthwhile bit.

8) Who or what inspires you most?

Other stories, films, general fantasies that come to me.

9) What are your plans for the future?

I’m going to work on a novel length manuscript that I wrote for NaNoWriMo.  And I’d really like to get the word out a little more for other charity anthologies I’ve been involved in.

10) Why Bellator?

It was a fantastic opportunity.  I’ve spoken to a lot of people who feel the same as I do about real-life warriors and how really we want to just go up to them, give them a hug and say ‘thank you so much’.  Of course, a lot of us are shy, or just feel silly for some strange reason.  But contributing in this way to a fantastic cause like the Wounded Warrior project in this way is so special.  It’s a way to say ‘thank you, I am grateful for the sacrifice you have made.’ Warriors are so inspirational.  We do need them, and Wounded Warrior project reminds folks that they need that ‘thank you’ very much.

Want to learn more about Jessica’s work? Check out these links:

Into the Arms of Morpheus: http://www.amazon.com/Into-Arms-Morpheus-Jessica-Nicholls-ebook/dp/B00M3MEVOE

Reaching Out: http://www.amazon.com/Reaching-Out-Anthology-Abigail-Owen-ebook/dp/B00K9QPJAQ

Here Kitty Kitty: http://www.amazon.com/Here-Kitty-Star-ebook/dp/B00FNGABKA

Author Interview – Bellator – Chantel Boudreau – Sci-fi, Spec-fic, Fantasy

Originally posted on Library of Erana:

After my promotional about Bellator, the sci-fi and fantasy charity anthology I’m delighted to welcome a selection of authors and characters involved with the book.

Today I welcome Chantel Boudreau, who chats about her story and tells us about herself.

Bellator story: “A Fly on the Wall” – Carlisle of Feltrey is a stellar mercenary apprentice of the Redsun Mercenary Guild who has come to the end of her term and must face Minerva, the guildmistress, for her final assessment.  But the meeting does not go quite as expected and the results are going to alter the course of Carlisle’s future.

Where are you from and where do you live now? I was born in Toronto but my parents moved to Nova Scotia before I turned two, so I don’t remember living there.  I grew up in an Acadian fishing village called Wedgeport and moved to Halifax for university.  I now live in Sambro, a…

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The Animal in our Natures

Originally posted on Guild Of Dreams:

by Chantal Boudreau

Maybe it’s the sunny weather or the more common random encounters with wildlife, but summertime always makes me long to get back to nature – to a simpler way of living where a person had to exist in harmony with nature in order to survive. In primitive times, you had to understand how the world around you worked, develop your skills to match the demands of your environment and adapt to the flora and fauna occurring locally. I still get a taste of that by gardening, trips to the park or camping in some forested area, but it really only is a taste. Living completely off the grid will likely remain one of those daydream fantasies for me that will never be realized.

I think that’s why low-tech tribal fiction, and primitive fantasy fiction in particular, has always appealed to me. Writers from Jean Auel to Wendy…

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New Success

My last submission blitz, despite a disappointing start with regards to responses, is proving to be more successful than I had originally anticipated. I’ve had one more yes in a later reply, my first noir acceptance, and a “maybe” I had believed was turning into a “no” proved to be a “yes.”

Inspired by my success so far with fairy-tale retelling mash-ups, I’ve jumped into a new project writing a cyberpunk retelling of “Jack and the Beanstalk”. This is new territory for me, but that adds to the excitement. We’ll soon see what the test readers have to say. It will need to be submitted to the place I have in mind by month’s end.

This has been a good year for fantasy acceptances for me. My past acceptances for short stories have been predominantly horror, even though fantasy is my first love, so it’s nice to see that shifting a little. My next two stories out have an element of fantasy to them, although “The Godmother’s Curse” has a equal helping of horror.

“A Fly on the Wall” arriving in August, on the other hand, is strictly fantasy. It introduces a guild and a villainous character who makes an encore appearance in Book #6 of my Masters & Renegades series, due out in 2016. The story and the novel were written more than a decade apart.

Back to some review work I have to do before vacation kicks in. Back to working on Chapter #7 of Dominion as well. Next week I’ll be putting the last few changes into Endeavor before it goes off to MDP.

Volume 5 Launch!

chantellyb:

A book launch for the anthology containing my story “The Godmother’s Curse” – I wish I could be in Ottawa for this.

Originally posted on Postscripts to Darkness:

Artwork by Cherry Valance

The hour is finally upon us. We’re launching our fifth volume on July 31 in Ottawa at the venerable Raw Sugar Cafe in Chinatown (7pm). It will be another amazing literary event that will bring together the city’s speculative fiction crowd and put another notch in Ottawa’s belt as a fast-growing hub for fantasy, science fiction, and horror. Authors will be reading their wonderful weird tales, books will be available for purchase, and great coffee, tea, desserts and (most importantly) spirits will be on hand. Evelyn Deshane, Alexander Polkki, and Matt Moore will regale you with their words, and our inspiring cover artist, Cherry Valance, will sell the artwork she created to front Volume 5, as well. We hope to see you there. No cover charge.

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