George Hamilton's Blog, page 4
November 11, 2012
Author’s research: Secrets From The Dust – Separation of the races and the settlements
In this next post from my series about how the research for Secrets From The Dust relates to the novel, I look at the use of settlements to separate the races from each other, and Aboriginals from their mixed-raced children. A short scene from the novel, which illustrates how the settlements were run, then follows.
Co-habitation between the races in Australia was illegal until 1967, though there were marriages and relationships which defied the law. In addition, Aboriginal parents were often s...
October 11, 2012
Ebook Review: A Storm Hits Valparaiso by David Gaughran 5/5*
Once I started this book, I just wanted to be left in peace to finish it, and everything else—including preparing Sunday dinner—became an annoying distraction.
We have all heard of Simón Bolívar, a leader in the struggle to free Hispanic-America, but A Storm Hits Valparaiso introduces a host of other characters—some real, some fictional—that contributed to the liberation of South America from the Spanish.
There are many unsung heroes and heroines in any war of independence, and Gaughran introdu...
September 12, 2012
Sale – Secrets From The Dust
The kindle E-book version of Secrets From The Dust is on sale at Amazon until 16 September 2012. Get your copy before it ends!
Amazon.com $0.99; Amazon.co.uk £0.77;
August 2, 2012
What is the right balance between the setting/atmosphere of a novel and the dramatic elements?
In “Writing Fiction”, Janet Burroway speaks of a scene as being like an oyster. The atmosphere and setting of the scene makes up the meat of the oyster, and the dramatic elements make up the pearl. As any pearl diver knows, there needs to be a balance between oyster meat and pearl. If the pearl is a mere speck, too small to be seen with the naked eye, then the fisherman will cast the oyster back into the sea without having taken anything from it. The analogy works well for a scene. What can h...
July 25, 2012
Author’s Research – before or after the first draft of your manuscript?
I recently finished the first draft of my next novel, provisionally titled The Disease. For my previous two published novels, I did a great deal of the research before I started to write. In the case of Secrets From The Dust, I travelled to and lived in Australia for 6 months. For both those first two novels, I have folders thick with research material, megabytes of computer files and links to many websites, collected over years.
Part of the problem when an author has done a lot of research be...
July 16, 2012
George Hamilton’s Book Review – Malaika by Van Heerling 4/5*
Malaika is a wonderful short story about an American searching to find the answers to questions in his life by seeking solitude in the African Serengeti. He is befriended by a lioness, with whom he is able to communicate by telepathy. But the prejudices of humans and the lionesses own pride attempt to thwart this most unlikely of friendships. This leads to a conclusion that is both tragic and life changing.
A simple story beautifully told.
Amazon Links to the book: http://amzn.to/uqMwr4 (US);...
July 13, 2012
George Hamilton’s Book Review – Death of a Serpent by Susan Russo Anderson 4/5*
With finely written prose rich in historical imagery, sound and other sense details of 1800s Sicily, Death of a Serpent was reminiscent of The Last Kabbalist of Lisbon for this reader.
Recently widowed Serafina is a determined sleuth, adept at solving other people’s problems, which sometimes causes her to neglect her own family issues. She is called on by her good friend Rosa, the successful owner of a high class brothel, to investigate the murders of several of her prostitutes. Why are the wo...
July 1, 2012
Dr. Molly Nyatanga’s interview with Rachelle Ayala
I very much enjoyed Dr. Molly Nyatanga’s interview with Rachelle Ayala. It’s great to know that even though she came to children’s books as an adult, she is still able to appreciate them, and they have provided such rich entertainment that she was encouraged to write her own. I particularly like her ethos of attempting to help the least advantaged children in developing nations through her books by instilling values and enriching their literary experiences through her books. Much success to y...
April 8, 2012
Thank you for supporting the recent promotion of Secrets From The Dust
Thank you for supporting the recent promotion of my novel, Secrets From The Dust, which saw it rise to #36 Free in Kindle Store, #1 Literary Fiction and #2 Drama. I hope the readers who downloaded the book will enjoy it and consider leaving a review at Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk. For those who were unfortunate to miss out on the promotion, the book is now available through Amazon prime lending or for $2.99 (£1.99, €2.68). Thanks again.
April 6, 2012
Free: Secrets From The Dust - reaches #1 Literary Fiction #2 Drama
USA: Rank: 36; Literary Fiction: 1; Drama: 2
UK: Rank: 114; Literary Fiction: 6; Drama: 2
FREE 5-6 Apr 2012, 4+stars: Secrets From The Dust: Snatched from her family, a headstrong Australian Aboriginal girl fights for her freedom and identity.
Download your copy before the freebie ends.
Amazon.com
Amazon.co.uk
