Andrea K. Höst's Blog, page 27
September 18, 2011
Status Report - September
At current rate, Caszandra should be out by mid to end November.
Cass gets to be a good deal less action-y in this last volume - much to her frustration. On the flip side, she gets to pull off a very cool stunt which makes me chortle because it's so...gratuitous. She has a very flexible power set: the problem is the price she pays when using it - and, more important, how people can use her.
On a spoiler-ific note, it will be interesting to see how people take to the way the relationship which developed in Book 2 plays out in Book 3. It's rare that I'm in the mood for unnecessary relationship angst, so I'm not generally inclined to manufacture some bizarre reason to split people up. It's far more interesting to me to see how the characters cope with staying together. With making little compromises for each other. Avoiding arguments. Dealing with things the other suddenly wants to do. The huge decisions and the little things, and how you become different people because you're committed to each other. [A theme I'm also working through in The Sleeping Life.]
I'm now getting "search terms leading to this site" of "When will Andrea Host finish Caszandra" which is certainly motivation to get my rear in gear!
After Caszandra is out, I'll be on to Hunting, which is a "girl vigilante" book I wrote ages ago (in a hissy fit after a problematic Georgette Heyer novel). It's one of my "the gods are real" books, and I'll be underlining that a little more clearly in the edit.
Pyramids keeps trying to steal my attention. The main character has two rather overwhelming nieces, one of whom wants to be a Lady Adventurer, and the other who has decided to marry Heliotropus' princess. I suspect I'm going to have to consider a sequel to cover all that.
Cass gets to be a good deal less action-y in this last volume - much to her frustration. On the flip side, she gets to pull off a very cool stunt which makes me chortle because it's so...gratuitous. She has a very flexible power set: the problem is the price she pays when using it - and, more important, how people can use her.
On a spoiler-ific note, it will be interesting to see how people take to the way the relationship which developed in Book 2 plays out in Book 3. It's rare that I'm in the mood for unnecessary relationship angst, so I'm not generally inclined to manufacture some bizarre reason to split people up. It's far more interesting to me to see how the characters cope with staying together. With making little compromises for each other. Avoiding arguments. Dealing with things the other suddenly wants to do. The huge decisions and the little things, and how you become different people because you're committed to each other. [A theme I'm also working through in The Sleeping Life.]
I'm now getting "search terms leading to this site" of "When will Andrea Host finish Caszandra" which is certainly motivation to get my rear in gear!
After Caszandra is out, I'll be on to Hunting, which is a "girl vigilante" book I wrote ages ago (in a hissy fit after a problematic Georgette Heyer novel). It's one of my "the gods are real" books, and I'll be underlining that a little more clearly in the edit.
Pyramids keeps trying to steal my attention. The main character has two rather overwhelming nieces, one of whom wants to be a Lady Adventurer, and the other who has decided to marry Heliotropus' princess. I suspect I'm going to have to consider a sequel to cover all that.
September 17, 2011
Doctor Who: The God Complex (Spoilers)
Very atmospheric and creepy with an unexpected tie-in to larger themes revolving around Amy's faith in the Doctor.
Good points:
- Creepy!
- Rita. Great character.
- The link to the Nymon - nicely done.
- The suggestion that the TARDIS/loss of the TARDIS was what was in the Doctor's room.
Bad points:
- A policewoman who shrieks.
- Rita. She was so good it was inevitable she would die.
- Putting the untrustworthy character in a position of trust. It would have made infinitely more sense to leave the guy tied up there alone.
- "Amy Williams" used as an affirmation that Amy's faith in the Doctor is now broken. As if Amy wouldn't have stayed Amy Pond even if the Doctor wasn't a factor in her life and that without a "second man" to confuse their loyalties all women would automatically change their names to that of their husband.
- Rory's jokes about Amy hitting him. Not funny. If she is seriously hitting him, then he should leave her.
- THE BABY THE BABY THE BABY THE BABY!!!!!!
The made-up-as-you-go-along explanation for River Song's origin destroyed this episode. I'm sorry, but Amy has complete faith in the Doctor because the Doctor has never failed her? Not only does this come off the back of an episode of the Doctor failing Amy, but making Amy okay with losing her baby because she one day turns into River is...just not on.
The Doctor failed Amy massively. He failed to stop her kidnapping. He failed to stop the baby's kidnapping. He failed to retrieve the baby. But because the baby one day grows up to be River Song, we're supposed to believe that Amy still maintains complete faith in the Doctor?
No. Suspension of disbelief has gone SPUNG.
Additionally, the theme of faith in the Doctor is undercut by the Doctor's actual history with his companions. He for some reason seems to be genuinely acting on the belief that most of his companions die. Unless he's had a whole heap of companions "off scene", then this is far from true. For the most part they have gone on with their lives enriched by a precious experience. Often they only had lives at all because he came along at an opportune moment and saved them. And, big picture there, SAVED THEIR WORLDS. And yet the Doctor is tormented by his endless failure for all those companions whose lives he transformed, enriched, broadened, and kept whole?
I feel like I've been watching "Doctor Who and the Endless Guilt Trip" for two seasons (and several specials) now.
Good points:
- Creepy!
- Rita. Great character.
- The link to the Nymon - nicely done.
- The suggestion that the TARDIS/loss of the TARDIS was what was in the Doctor's room.
Bad points:
- A policewoman who shrieks.
- Rita. She was so good it was inevitable she would die.
- Putting the untrustworthy character in a position of trust. It would have made infinitely more sense to leave the guy tied up there alone.
- "Amy Williams" used as an affirmation that Amy's faith in the Doctor is now broken. As if Amy wouldn't have stayed Amy Pond even if the Doctor wasn't a factor in her life and that without a "second man" to confuse their loyalties all women would automatically change their names to that of their husband.
- Rory's jokes about Amy hitting him. Not funny. If she is seriously hitting him, then he should leave her.
- THE BABY THE BABY THE BABY THE BABY!!!!!!
The made-up-as-you-go-along explanation for River Song's origin destroyed this episode. I'm sorry, but Amy has complete faith in the Doctor because the Doctor has never failed her? Not only does this come off the back of an episode of the Doctor failing Amy, but making Amy okay with losing her baby because she one day turns into River is...just not on.
The Doctor failed Amy massively. He failed to stop her kidnapping. He failed to stop the baby's kidnapping. He failed to retrieve the baby. But because the baby one day grows up to be River Song, we're supposed to believe that Amy still maintains complete faith in the Doctor?
No. Suspension of disbelief has gone SPUNG.
Additionally, the theme of faith in the Doctor is undercut by the Doctor's actual history with his companions. He for some reason seems to be genuinely acting on the belief that most of his companions die. Unless he's had a whole heap of companions "off scene", then this is far from true. For the most part they have gone on with their lives enriched by a precious experience. Often they only had lives at all because he came along at an opportune moment and saved them. And, big picture there, SAVED THEIR WORLDS. And yet the Doctor is tormented by his endless failure for all those companions whose lives he transformed, enriched, broadened, and kept whole?
I feel like I've been watching "Doctor Who and the Endless Guilt Trip" for two seasons (and several specials) now.
September 12, 2011
Doctor Who: The Girl Who Waited (Spoilers)
Good points:
- Apart from the hand wavey convenience of the start (why the hell didn't Amy just go back to the Tardis room?), this had something resembling a coherent plot.
- It was very powerful emotionally.
- The garden was lovely.
Bad points:
- This is a plot we have seen before.
- Girl companion being rescued once again.
- It kind of sends a message of "old" = "disposable".
- This meme of "The Doctor lies" is really beginning to disturb me. I lost respect for the Doctor in this episode.
"The Girl Who Waited" is basically "Turn Left" without the (Donna) nobility. Alternate version must be sacrificed so that "right" timeline can be resurrected. But where alternate Donna - horrified, agonised - stepped into the breach, alternate Amy - bitter, betrayed - demands to be saved as well. And the Doctor agrees, the Doctor lies, then the Doctor shuts the door in her face.
It's one of the worst things I've ever seen the Doctor do.
- Apart from the hand wavey convenience of the start (why the hell didn't Amy just go back to the Tardis room?), this had something resembling a coherent plot.
- It was very powerful emotionally.
- The garden was lovely.
Bad points:
- This is a plot we have seen before.
- Girl companion being rescued once again.
- It kind of sends a message of "old" = "disposable".
- This meme of "The Doctor lies" is really beginning to disturb me. I lost respect for the Doctor in this episode.
"The Girl Who Waited" is basically "Turn Left" without the (Donna) nobility. Alternate version must be sacrificed so that "right" timeline can be resurrected. But where alternate Donna - horrified, agonised - stepped into the breach, alternate Amy - bitter, betrayed - demands to be saved as well. And the Doctor agrees, the Doctor lies, then the Doctor shuts the door in her face.
It's one of the worst things I've ever seen the Doctor do.
September 9, 2011
Still playing with covers
Just loved this picture. And I guess it does suggest that there might, just maybe, be some kind of battle in the book somewhere...
September 6, 2011
Ebook v TPB Covers
One of the things it took me a few months to realise is that my ebook covers don't have to be the same as my trade paperback book covers. Indeed, in some cases, it would be far better not, since one is designed to represent the book as a tiny thumbnail and the other is the place to indulge fancy games with fonts and rich, detailed images.
However, I wanted the covers to be visually linked, and have finally gotten around to playing with potential ebook cover versions for a couple which don't work well as tiny thumbnails.
The second version of these are much more readable in thumbnail. I haven't decided whether to go ahead and change them, but it's definitely something I need to think about when preparing covers.
However, I wanted the covers to be visually linked, and have finally gotten around to playing with potential ebook cover versions for a couple which don't work well as tiny thumbnails.
The second version of these are much more readable in thumbnail. I haven't decided whether to go ahead and change them, but it's definitely something I need to think about when preparing covers.
September 5, 2011
Unpacking Medair
Frida Fantastic, a blog site which focuses on Indie science fiction and fantasy novels, has posted a really wonderful, in-depth review of The Silence of Medair. It's a great site enough for readers looking for Indie SF&F
September 3, 2011
Cover Play Continued
Hm, for the moment going with option 3 for Touchstone. Now I'm playing with the titling and placement of the stars.
And on an unrelated note, this week's Doctor Who was a return to good, solid story-telling. Only real glitch was the complete emotional disconnect between this and the previous episode.
And on an unrelated note, this week's Doctor Who was a return to good, solid story-telling. Only real glitch was the complete emotional disconnect between this and the previous episode.
September 2, 2011
Compilation Covers
Now that I'm moving on to working on Caszandra, one thing I'm turning my mind to is a compilation of the entire Touchstone trilogy - for those who want their rambly SF diaries in one gi-normous block.
Now the covers I have for each of the individual books are painted covers which really match the content of the books - to me. But I'm well aware that for the market these books are theoretically aimed at (Young Adult) they don't fit the current cover fashions at all (most people think they're aimed at younger readers, because that's where painted are being used at the moment). So (since I'm too cheap to commission another painted cover, and it's going to be ebook only) the compilation is a marketing opportunity to direct the books at the audience which theoretically will most enjoy them (though Stray and Lab Rat appear to work equally well for any gender or age).
Anyone who has gone near Young Adult books lately will no doubt know that the current trend in covers is striking photographs of improbably beautiful girls in gorgeous floaty dresses, looking pensive or anguished (or, well, blank).
While gorgeous floaty dresses don't quite feel SF to me, Cass does at least frock up a couple of time during her adventures. Could I combine current trends in Young Adult covers with the book content of Space! Ninjas! Bubble worlds!? I set out on a quest for a photograph of a space ninja in a floaty dress, but they seem a bit thin on the ground. So I focused on the bubble worlds concept.
Which version works best for you?
The girl in the photo (before I dropped the Blue Eagle nebula on top of her) does in fact appear to be wearing a floaty dress. So all elements met!
[What do you mean 'no ninjas'? There's more than enough shadow there for any half-competent ninja to take full advantage of.]
Edit: Fourth option:
Now the covers I have for each of the individual books are painted covers which really match the content of the books - to me. But I'm well aware that for the market these books are theoretically aimed at (Young Adult) they don't fit the current cover fashions at all (most people think they're aimed at younger readers, because that's where painted are being used at the moment). So (since I'm too cheap to commission another painted cover, and it's going to be ebook only) the compilation is a marketing opportunity to direct the books at the audience which theoretically will most enjoy them (though Stray and Lab Rat appear to work equally well for any gender or age).
Anyone who has gone near Young Adult books lately will no doubt know that the current trend in covers is striking photographs of improbably beautiful girls in gorgeous floaty dresses, looking pensive or anguished (or, well, blank).
While gorgeous floaty dresses don't quite feel SF to me, Cass does at least frock up a couple of time during her adventures. Could I combine current trends in Young Adult covers with the book content of Space! Ninjas! Bubble worlds!? I set out on a quest for a photograph of a space ninja in a floaty dress, but they seem a bit thin on the ground. So I focused on the bubble worlds concept.
Which version works best for you?
The girl in the photo (before I dropped the Blue Eagle nebula on top of her) does in fact appear to be wearing a floaty dress. So all elements met!
[What do you mean 'no ninjas'? There's more than enough shadow there for any half-competent ninja to take full advantage of.]
Edit: Fourth option:
September 1, 2011
"Voice" Release
Finally hit Go on Voice of the Lost. It's up already on Smashwords, and will take a couple of days to a few weeks to get to various other venues.I'm really liking the way the cover turned out. It's eerie and beautiful. Not representative of any scene in the book, but symbolic of Medair facing her past - or seeking a future.
As usual for my blog followers here's a first week Smashwords discount coupon - 75% off until 8 Sept. ZK74L
Heh - and now the fun part where I wait to see what people think of it. :)
August 28, 2011
Impacts of Magic: Shelter
The next topic on the cards for my series of posts on the impacts of magic on worldbuilding is one which follows closely on from food on the basic essentials list: Shelter.
You've filled your belly, and now in your magical world you're looking for a place to rest, to get out of the sun, the wind, the rain, the cold. To keep the monsters out.
Construction of an adequate shelter will have a large impact on your ability to be not eaten, not sunburned, not frozen. Literally, to not die of exposure. Materials
Where would the classic tale of The Three Little Pigs be with the introduction of magic? The first little pig is a cautionary warning against taking the easy route, and is summarily eaten for choosing a building material which was in plentiful supply and simple to work with. It just wasn't any use at keeping the local smooth-tongued wolf out. Yet a quick spell could have transformed that house of spun straw into close-knitted Kevlar.
Unless transport is cheap and easy, buildings are generally constructed from material which is locally available. Wood, stone, brick, mud and dung. A little glass, if you've reached that point, but it's rare that we see any attempt to build with other materials, even in worlds of magic. Ice occasionally shows up as an option, and the sylvan races like to tailor their trees to include living quarters, but other than the occasional mad wizard building their towers out of solid ruby, it's exceptionally rare to see any non-standard materials used in construction.
If you've awarded your world a truly galumptious amount of magic, what's to prevent you from building your house out of giant rose petals which retain their texture, but have the strength of titanium? A must-have for the truly ostentatious mage (or faerie queen).
Construction Methods
A more likely use of magic is in the method of construction. One of the reasons the pyramids are a wonder of the world is the sheer difficulty of transporting stone of that size and weight – even today it would take quite some doing, let alone when your primary transport is wooden rollers and slaves. Levitation would certainly increase your ability to produce towering monuments.
Beyond assisting standard construction methodology, magic can add a lot of variety to your home building options. Straightforward conjuration. Growing your buildings from seeds. Taking the Mickey Mouse route and having your broom do all the hard work. Or enchanting giant arachnids to spin tents with the tensile strength of spider web.
Architecture
When you mix magic with both construction methods and building materials, you can produce buildings which would make a structural engineer sweat bullets. Gravity-defying spires. Bridges that cross mile-wide expanses without caring for little matters like pylons. Huts on chicken legs which permit a nomadic lifestyle with all the luxuries of home.
It's relatively rare to see extravagantly soaring buildings in fantasy literature, even when there's an excess of magic. The one exception is the floating city, which pops up quite regularly – but oddly enough is usually furnished with relatively ordinary buildings.
It's rare that a world is awarded sufficient magic to make magically-constructed buildings common. But monuments and palaces would certainly benefit from the best which magic could do. If you've given your mages enough pep to send half a mountain whizzing through the air, or produced an irritable little man to demonstrate the method of transforming straw into gold, then consider turning that magical ingenuity to the mundane but ever-so-important question of something to keep the rain off.
You've filled your belly, and now in your magical world you're looking for a place to rest, to get out of the sun, the wind, the rain, the cold. To keep the monsters out.
Construction of an adequate shelter will have a large impact on your ability to be not eaten, not sunburned, not frozen. Literally, to not die of exposure. Materials
Where would the classic tale of The Three Little Pigs be with the introduction of magic? The first little pig is a cautionary warning against taking the easy route, and is summarily eaten for choosing a building material which was in plentiful supply and simple to work with. It just wasn't any use at keeping the local smooth-tongued wolf out. Yet a quick spell could have transformed that house of spun straw into close-knitted Kevlar.
Unless transport is cheap and easy, buildings are generally constructed from material which is locally available. Wood, stone, brick, mud and dung. A little glass, if you've reached that point, but it's rare that we see any attempt to build with other materials, even in worlds of magic. Ice occasionally shows up as an option, and the sylvan races like to tailor their trees to include living quarters, but other than the occasional mad wizard building their towers out of solid ruby, it's exceptionally rare to see any non-standard materials used in construction.
If you've awarded your world a truly galumptious amount of magic, what's to prevent you from building your house out of giant rose petals which retain their texture, but have the strength of titanium? A must-have for the truly ostentatious mage (or faerie queen).
Construction Methods
A more likely use of magic is in the method of construction. One of the reasons the pyramids are a wonder of the world is the sheer difficulty of transporting stone of that size and weight – even today it would take quite some doing, let alone when your primary transport is wooden rollers and slaves. Levitation would certainly increase your ability to produce towering monuments.
Beyond assisting standard construction methodology, magic can add a lot of variety to your home building options. Straightforward conjuration. Growing your buildings from seeds. Taking the Mickey Mouse route and having your broom do all the hard work. Or enchanting giant arachnids to spin tents with the tensile strength of spider web.
Architecture
When you mix magic with both construction methods and building materials, you can produce buildings which would make a structural engineer sweat bullets. Gravity-defying spires. Bridges that cross mile-wide expanses without caring for little matters like pylons. Huts on chicken legs which permit a nomadic lifestyle with all the luxuries of home.
It's relatively rare to see extravagantly soaring buildings in fantasy literature, even when there's an excess of magic. The one exception is the floating city, which pops up quite regularly – but oddly enough is usually furnished with relatively ordinary buildings.
It's rare that a world is awarded sufficient magic to make magically-constructed buildings common. But monuments and palaces would certainly benefit from the best which magic could do. If you've given your mages enough pep to send half a mountain whizzing through the air, or produced an irritable little man to demonstrate the method of transforming straw into gold, then consider turning that magical ingenuity to the mundane but ever-so-important question of something to keep the rain off.
