Barbara G. Tarn's Blog, page 92
April 3, 2016
Sunday Surprise
Hi guys,
I’m Samantha and I come from another world – the original, old Silvery Earth, where people are immortal and never grow up. When I’m not switching bodies at will, I travel to other universes, especially books or movies. That’s how I met Rajveer the vampire, for example!
So, I’m taking over the interviews on this blog! And here I am, meeting people from other books/universes/whatever!
Soo! Tell me a little about yourself.
My name is Dii – Dii’Athella is the longer version. It’s elven. I’m told it means Flower of the Dawn. I’m about twenty-five summers – although I don’t know my exact age. I was taken from my true mother as an infant and given to a human family. They did not take me to raise me as their own, I was a Kept – a slave. I’m an elf – elves have no rights, no liberty, no justice in Eranan law.
Ugh. I already hate your world. Describe your appearance in ten words or less.
Female, red hair, tattoos, elven, midnight blue eyes.
Lovely! Do you have an enemy or nemesis? If so, who are they and how did they become an enemy?
My Keeper Joset Tremayne. He’s the one who stole me from my mother’s arms. Although I do not know how my mother ended up in the Enclave. Joset used me….Please do not ask me the details. Let’s just say he’s very unpleasant, he’s cruel and unfeeling. He beats all his servants and slaves. By law he does nothing wrong. I was property – to be treated as he wished but surely property does not think, does not feel or hurt.
I am a sorceress – which made me doubly forbidden. The Order of Witch-Hunters rule the land, and by their law magic is illegal. Anyone caught using it can be taken and imprisoned or executed. There is no trial – I think that’s what you call it in your land. Magic is just there, it infuses the land, some people are born with it. Magic does not know it’s forbidden. How can it be forbidden – it just is. Like the sky, the sun, the moon and the gods.
I know exactly what you mean. I do have my own share of magic people of other worlds don’t understand. Would you kill for those you love? And would you die for them?
Yes. And yes.
So tell me more about your world.
I now live in Tremellic, which is a valley community at the far edge of Erana. The Jagged Peak mountains look upon us and the Shimmering Forest guards our border.
Are you involved in a relationship? If so, with who and what is it about them that you find appealing?
Lord Archos. He is kind, clever, powerful and charming. He’s an excellent lover, a courageous fighter and a shrewd businessman. He is also a mage, our magic met and now we are more powerful together. He loves me for what I am, what I was, and what I can be.
Sounds like a dream man! What is the biggest challenge you face in the story?
Surviving.
I get a lot of answers like that, I wonder why… Do you have a family? Tell me about them.
Archos is my family, and his friend Olek. Olek is like the brother I never really had. Ozena lives with us too. She’s an elven huntress from a local elven community which was destroyed by slavers. It’s nice to have a female companion about the manor. My Keeper had a son – Ulric – who was sometimes kind to me. Mostly he was his father’s son and could not see me as anything more than a pretty dalliance, someone to warm his bed. He cared for his own pleasure, and the honour of their house. He was not a man. He was a child, and a petulant one at that.
Most men are – I think it’s called Peter Pan syndrome somewhere… Please give me an interesting and unusual fact about yourself.
I have a tattoo which spirals from my cheek to my thigh.
Whoa, neat! What 2 or 3 questions do you wish I’d asked and what are your answers to them?
Oh gods, I do not know. Perhaps why I visit the Enclave in Varlek when I know it is a terrible place?
Varlek, one of the largest cities has an elven Enclave. I suppose in your world it would be called a ghetto. All elves must live there – unless they live in the house of their masters. It’s a terrible place, there is much disease and poverty. The Enclave is another tool of the Order of Witch-Hunters – to keep the humans and elves apart. Highlight our differences you might say. Elves and men are really not that different, there are a few cosmetic differences – elves have different ear shapes, we are slightly smaller and our features more pronounced. But elves and humans can interbreed – any child thereof is classed as a half-elf and subject to the restrictions of all elves. Even if it’s father is a lord of the land. Why did we visit the Enclave? Ozena’s sister was taken from Szendro, and often such elves end up in the Enclave, the slave markets or worse. As it happened the elves we found were not of Szendro. That’s another story – and you must read my adventures to find out who they are.
I’d not dare to enter the Enclave alone, but some humans do feel pity for the elves and bring medicine or extra food. Officially it’s not allowed but a starving, sick elf cannot work and besides disease can spread to the humans. The Witch-Hunter guards turn their eyes away if the payment is large enough. Money can buy freedom, of a sort. Or at least pity and mercy.
Archos tells me it depends on the particular guards – some turn aside. Others do not. Some of the merchants pay to the temple. The priestesses are allowed in the Enclave to give alms, bring herbs and prayers. I suppose it keeps order. Vestiges of the old religions linger and not even the Order often dare to defy the gods. It’s more, I think, they ignore it, or perhaps feel that angering the gods helps no one.
Any mage knows the gods are real, or at least were. Many do not walk the lands now, the magic is not as Powerful as once it was and so although the beliefs do linger they are often not strong. Do I believe? Yes, of course. When one has nothing but hatred and fear one looks beyond the mortal for hope. The gods are there, getting their attention – that’s another matter entirely.
Another question? What are my hopes for the future? I’m an elf – and even within Tremellic where elves are treated well it’s hard to believe we will ever be truly free. For now the Witch-Hunters ignore Tremellic – Archos pays vast bribes to keep it so but the more we interfere the more likely they are to come. My hopes for the future are to live with the man I love, and to be safe and happy. I hope for the elves to be free, but I know that is a dangerous hope. We cannot simply sit back and do nothing but for every elf we save, for every mage we help the risk of Order ‘pacification’ increases. My hopes are that we live to see another sun rise, another moon rise. I will say this – despite my fear I will never again become a prisoner of the Order. I will live as freely as I can or die trying. The Order think they rule this land, think they rule magic. Magic does not agree.
Well, thank you for your time, Dii’. I see we have another guest… Tell me a little about yourself, my good lord.
Ulric Tremayne, son of Lord Joset Tremayne of Reldfield. I am heir to the lands, and all its chattels. I am twenty-five or so. Really does it matter? As yet there is no Lady Tremayne. My mother is father’s…concubine. She is a mage – but that is of no matter. In our lands she has protection. Have I a wife? Not yet, I do not need the burden of a wife and my father is still young enough to have many years left to him and perhaps if he takes another mistress there will be another son.
I like the company of women. I am the master’s son and so if I command they warm my bed. Then there is Dii. Such a sweet creature, poor soul. But of course she’s a Kept. Property. I suppose Mama is too, if I think about it. There is no point in taking Dii as any more than the whore she is – any offspring would be half-elven bastards. Dii brings me pleasure but it can never be more than that. Describe your appearance in ten words or less.
Black hair, young and handsome.
What is your role in the story?
I’m the son of Lord Joset Tremayne. When Dii runs away I go to seek her. Father has a temper, he does not treat her kindly and so if I can return her to the household I may be able to pacify him. Dii is his prize Kept, she has certain….skills, and charms. Dii brings us a goodly amount of coin. Besides it is dangerous world for a young elven woman. Dii knows nothing of it. She is safer within our house.
What is your relationship with the protagonist?
I suppose you could almost say Dii is my foster sister. Mama certainly tries to treat her as a daughter. My mother had a true born daughter once – stillborn. I don’t recall her, I was either very young or not yet born. I try and tell mother Dii is just a Kept, an elf but it doesn’t help. I worry for them both. Father could easily end his protection and Mama would have nothing, perhaps end in the Enclave prison, or worse. Dii is an elf and a mage. The Order do not look kindly on her type.
Where do you live(world/town/whatever)?
I live in Reldfield. It’s a town West of Jaeden and the city. We have other holdings but that is where my father chooses to reside.
Are you involved in a relationship? If so, with who and what is it about them that you find appealing?
I can take any girl I choose in the household or from among the Kepts. Dii is my favourite but I am a young man, I take my pleasures where I wish.
What is the biggest challenge you face in the story?
Finding Dii. The foolish girl ran from our protection. You’d not think it so hard to find one red-haired elven girl but she’s clever. She finds herself a protector. Dii has something about her, an allure. Many men find her irresistible.
Do you have a moral code?
I wish to protect the honour of the House of Tremayne, and of course our interests. I don’t think I’m cruel but well, elves are elves aren’t they? The law is the law.
Please give me an interesting and unusual fact about yourself.
I have an attraction towards red-haired women, but I can’t think why.
*to herself* Glad I’m a brunette! *back to Ulric* What 2 or 3 questions do you wish I’d asked and what are your answers to them?
What will I do with Dii when I find her?
I’ll bring her home. I know she fears my father but I’m sure I can placate him. At least I think so.
What do I think of the Order of Witch-Hunters?
They can be….heavy handed at times. I mean one hears stories but rumours are just that rumour. Erana can’t be an easy land to rule – there are many factions after all. They leave us alone – in fact now I think of it some of my father’s cronies wear the colours of the Order. It helps to sweeten them, after all my mother is a mage. I try and stay out of their way but I know mother and Dii fear them. The law is the law.
_____________
These characters appear in Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles.
The Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles series – an adult fantasy/fantasy romance series, with a touch of erotica.
The Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles – Book I
In a dark world where magic is illegal and elves are enslaved a young elven sorceress runs for her life from the house of her evil Keeper. Pursued by his men and the corrupt Order of Witch-Hunters she must find sanctuary. As the slavers roll across the lands stealing elves from what remains of their ancestral home the Witch-Hunters turn a blind eye to the tragedy and a story of power, love and a terrible revenge unfolds.
Available as an e-book in all the Amazon stores, Smashwords, Barnes and Noble, Apple, and the Smashwords associate stores.
Also available as a paperback on Createspace and Amazon.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1481255622
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1481255622
Audio Book
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Light-Beyond-Storm-Chronicles-Book/dp/B01DAQRYV8/
http://www.amazon.com/Light-Beyond-Storm-Chronicles-Book/dp/B01DASVPLQ/
***
More info on the author’s website
April 1, 2016
Random Friday
This is no April’s Fool. I have decided to take up the challenge and write a novel in 8 days, since I need 52K to get to the length of Rajveer the Vampire. So today I’m starting Kaylyn and will finish by the 8th, if I can keep up with the workshop starting next week and the DayJob still taking half of my day![image error]
So today I’m writing the first 3000 words, tomorrow 4000 and so on, adding 1000 words every day. Which means that on the last day I’ll need to write 10000 words. I’ve written 10000 in two days, I guess I can just sit down and write them in one!
March 30, 2016
Writer Wednesday
After dealing with Mr Procrastination for two whole weeks, I finally managed to get back to writing on Easter weekend. My weekly wordcount (10K) was covered in two days. Now I have the rest of the week to write 20K more and catch up on the lost time, haha! 
And from the guy who invented the “WIBBOW test”, here’s a helpful metaphor for writers. My weak leg of the table is #4 – marketing and the business side of writing. I guess, like Leah Cutter suggests, I should buy a hat. Or a wig. Wait, I already have wigs. When should I wear the wig – as the author or as the publisher? Decisions…
Anyhow, I did manage to upload the new short stories that sprang from last year’s Depth Workshop… As is now usual for the new titles (but I still haven’t done it for the previous ones), the Amazon link redirects you to your Amazon store.
And next week I start another online workshop, so maybe more contemporary stories will come out eventually. I’m not sure I want to keep writing those, but if some nice prompt… prompts me, I’ll write them!
March 27, 2016
March 25, 2016
Random Friday
So I went back to Iceland with Techie Bro, in winter for a change (I saw it in July 2005 for the first time and fell in love with it. I went back July 2007 with Mom and Sis). We didn’t see the northern lights, but I guess he also fell in love with the place. When we get sick of our DayJobs, we’ll move there – although I’d have to live off my royalties by then, haha!
I had an idea for Cinder Boy for the only things of Iceland I couldn’t care less – the hot springs. I didn’t bathe in the Blue Lagoon (didn’t in 2005, didn’t this year), but I thought there could be such a hot spring in my story where the Cinder Boy gets rid of all the ashes he gathered by cleaning the hearth! ;)
I guess I’ll leave you with a best of – the sights of the land of ice and fire and ash… Out of 712 pics (half of which were blurry anyway, since I clicked them from the bus, LOL), here you go! The Batman Glacier and the other Game of Thrones “natural” sets – I’ll leave them to you. I’ve seen Batman Begins, but I haven’t watched Game of Thrones (still have the paper book on the table to read)! ;)
Click to view slideshow.
March 23, 2016
Writer Wednesday
So, back from a short trip, will get back to writing as soon as I catch up! ;) I’m almost done – I’ve contacted the artists for the April covers that I need, I’m doing the necessary blog posts, I got the docs back from the editor, and I even got an idea while abroad.
Thus, here’s the priority list for the coming week! :) Edit the contemporary titles I will upload this weekend – stay tuned for them. Write Cinder Boy by Easter – this is another fairy tale slashed, and I had put it aside because I didn’t know how to write it, but then I had an idea in Iceland, so now I’m going to write it.
Next week I’ll write another Silvery Earth story to complete the Tales of the Northern Kingdoms that will come out in May and edit Chandaka and Daya so it can be send to the editor for a May 2nd release. Which means that I’ll write Kaylyn in April like I had decided before running out of ideas for Silvery Earth, LOL!
I also have an online workshop starting in April, so I hope it won’t conflict too much with the novel writing. After all the edits on the contemporary stories, I sure hope I don’t have to write many more for now! ;) I am considering writing more body switches, since that’s my steady seller (one copy a month but better than nothing) on Amazon, but I have other priorities first.
No writerly links, but you can go to the usual suspects! ;) I’m kinda tired of writers who only want traditional and also the discussions about self-indie-trad publishing – do what’s best for you. I’m happy with my indie adventure, even though the results aren’t coming as fast as I’d want them, but I’m still here, still writing and publishing five years later, that’s not something that can be said of everyone, so…
Happy writing!
March 20, 2016
Sunday Surprise
Words of wisdom, writers on writing, while we wait for more guests to show up on this blog, enjoy these pearls from writers!
Be obsessed about your writing. Practice it.
Stop being delusional about your writing. Know where you are in learning the craft and business, and figure out how to get to your goal. If you want millions of readers for your work, study the bestsellers. Figure out how they got there. And then learn how to be the best storyteller in the business.
Do the work.
Figure out your goals. Not just for today or this week. But your ultimate writing goal. Then break it into chunks. Figure out how to achieve those monthly, yearly, five-year, and ten-year goals. Have a plan, and work on it.
If you end up slipping down the ladder because of something, figure out why you slipped, figure out how to avoid doing it again, then start climbing again. Smarter, and with the right attitude.
Because attitude really is everything. And your attitude should include three things:
Strive for a personal best.
Relax and enjoy the journey.
And most of all…
Run your own race.
If you need help and finally ready to make this jump from English teachers to real professional fiction writing, first start following Heinlein’s Rules without missing. And then to get away from critical voice outlining, read the posts here or buy the book on Writing into the Dark.
Learn how to start keeping YOU in your work.
“Same is lame.”
“Fitting is boring for anyone who wants to be extraordinary.”
Let that creative voice out to play and leave it alone. And trust me, if you do that, you’ll have a blast.
And you will let the real you stay in your work.
I don’t want to improve it. When I’ve written something, that is the way it has to stay. It’s like one of those old photos you come across. From the 1970s. And you have this terrible Seventies haircut and giant lapels on your jacket. It’s ridiculous – but it’s there. It is what it is. Leave it alone.
As a writer, I am keenly aware that I am not in control of half my art. The exact same text one reader finds exciting, subtle, nuanced, funny, and moving, the next reader may find boring, dull or unmemorable. Changing the text to capture the second reader may do nothing more than lose me the first.
– Lois McMaster Bujold
So there’s no outline, nothing like that. That freezes it, it takes what should be a liquid, plastic, malleable thing to me and turns it into something else. Hey, to me it’s the difference between going to a canvas and painting a picture and going out and buying a Craftsmaster paint-by-the-numbers kit.
March 18, 2016
Random Friday
Fill in post. Lov by Daw. I discovered this artist with the first of these translated “strips”.
And then I bought a printed book, a collection of his work, and at the end he has these 6 sketches with empty balloons… so I filled them. Enjoy.
March 16, 2016
Writer Wednesday
Getting the first and last cold of the season in this crazy March weather means that I’m not really writing. Cough is disruptive to concentration and besides I had a meeting with the offline writers group (that I hoped to turn into something more of a critique group, but so far only one person agreed on most of what was said of critique groups) and then Aunty Duty and then I’m off to Iceland for five days, so… I guess I’ll just resume writing when I come back.
I already know how I want to start on Kaylyn’s novel, but while I’m traveling I hope to re-read my historical shelved novel to see if I can get back into the 12th century Europe atmosphere before continuing! ;) I was also reading a steampunk novel until Monday night, so that didn’t really fit the mood of what I was supposed to write.
Yes, I flirted with Mr Procrastination this week, but I’m not in a hurry, I know next week I’ll get back on track! ;)
Writerly links: Copyedit from Heck and other copyediting problems… And yes, there’s always too much to do, either trad or indie published! :)
For those of us who worked in traditional publishing, we know the amount of work is massive, even though it seems it shouldn’t be. And I often hear beginning writers talk about how they want to go to traditional publishing because it will be less work.
I actually have to keep from laughing and snorting at that. But there is no way to tell the poor deluded souls the truth because even if I tried, it wouldn’t make sense, so best to just let them go and lose a few books and a few years to the experience.
So, my dear friends, take it from a pro. Dean knows what he says! :)
Mighty Zon’s latest – how they aim at scammers but hit authors. I have downloaded the sample of Walter Jon Williams book, but I still have so many books to read on my TBR Kindle virtual list! :( I have only one title in KU/KPD Select, but that’s another lesson for authors – don’t put all your eggs in one basket! :)
As for Amazon’s reply to the topic – methink that long ToC at the beginning of the book taking away half of my sample is a very bad reader’s experience, but that’s just me. Often I haven’t bought a book for which I downloaded a sample, because half of the sample had unnecessary stuff (usually in trad pubbed books) and it didn’t give me enough insight of what I was buying.
So there, that’s my reader’s experience.
And continuing on this topic, since I’m a proud Kindle Keyboard owner, I thought I’d let others know about Amazon’s software update on old and old old Kindles. Mine is updated since I charge it on the laptop and I guess it “sees” the wi-fi when charging. In fact, in the past couple of months I’ve seen it doing weird things and feared it was about to die.
Hope “K.K.” survives a little longer, I hate my smartphone touch screen enough, I wouldn’t want to deal with that on my e-reader! ;) Have a great week!
