Jamie Marchant's Blog, page 33
October 7, 2016
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Jamie's Five Rules of Magic
Sanderson’s First Law of Magics: An author’s ability to solve conflict with magic is DIRECTLY PROPORTIONAL to how well the reader understands said magic.
Magic is at the heart of fantasy, so it’s important for an author to get the magic right. You may argue that magic doesn’t exist. How can there be any “right” about it? Ironically, the very fact that it is imaginary makes its creation all that more problematic.
In 1817, Samuel Taylor Coleridge first used the term the “willing suspension of disbelief” to discuss a reader’s ability to sacrifice realism and logic for the sake of enjoyment. When we write fantasy, this is exactly what we are asking readers to do. But readers are only willing to suspend their disbelief so far before they scoff at the absurdity of our story and become annoyed with us as authors. Everything in reality has rules, so readers will not accept magic without any. Magic that can solve any problem with no difficulties is not only unbelievable. It is boring. And being boring is pretty much an forgivable sin in a writer.
So if we are going to include magic in our fiction that readers will accept, there are some rules to keep in mind. (As with all writing rules, there are always exceptions, but you have to have a pretty good reason to break the laws of magic.) So here goes, Jamie’s rules of magic:
1. Magic must have limits. Magic must not be infinitely powerful. Otherwise, the story really has no point. The readers must know exactly what magic can and cannot do. If it can do everything, you will bore your reader.
2. Magic must have rules. The reader needs to understand how and why magic works, only that way can they suspend their disbelief and accept it.
3. Magical abilities need to be established long before they are necessary to get a character out of a bind. For example, my assassin Darhour has the ability to see in the dark. I introduce this ability to the reader early in The Goddess’s Choice when he goes to retrieve supplies from a store room. This is not at a moment of high tension in the novel. He could easily take a candle, but doesn’t need one. Therefore, when he later needs this ability to defeat another assassin sent after him, the reader can easily accept it, whereas they would scoff if the first time they heard about it was when the assassin attacks.
4. Magic must have costs. It can’t be too easy, or you will have readers rolling their eyes or slamming your book shut. My character Robrek is the strongest sorcerer Korthlundia has seen in hundreds of years, but it never comes easily for him. Even after a lot of training, he still finds himself blocked from the full strength of his talent. He learns that negative emotion hinders magic. He must forgive in order to access his full talent. (And he has a lot of things to forgive people for). Finally, even when he has succeeded in removing the obstacles that stand in his way, magic is exhausting. He can only work it for so long before collapsing. Magic is difficult and costs a lot. That is the only way magic is interesting.
5. Magic must not be the point of the story. People are what are at the heart of any good tale, and any ability--magical or otherwise--is always only part of a person’s character. Don’t get so caught up in your magic you forget to tell a good story.
If you have any opinion on what makes magic work in fiction, please leave a comment below.
Magic is at the heart of fantasy, so it’s important for an author to get the magic right. You may argue that magic doesn’t exist. How can there be any “right” about it? Ironically, the very fact that it is imaginary makes its creation all that more problematic.In 1817, Samuel Taylor Coleridge first used the term the “willing suspension of disbelief” to discuss a reader’s ability to sacrifice realism and logic for the sake of enjoyment. When we write fantasy, this is exactly what we are asking readers to do. But readers are only willing to suspend their disbelief so far before they scoff at the absurdity of our story and become annoyed with us as authors. Everything in reality has rules, so readers will not accept magic without any. Magic that can solve any problem with no difficulties is not only unbelievable. It is boring. And being boring is pretty much an forgivable sin in a writer.
So if we are going to include magic in our fiction that readers will accept, there are some rules to keep in mind. (As with all writing rules, there are always exceptions, but you have to have a pretty good reason to break the laws of magic.) So here goes, Jamie’s rules of magic:
1. Magic must have limits. Magic must not be infinitely powerful. Otherwise, the story really has no point. The readers must know exactly what magic can and cannot do. If it can do everything, you will bore your reader.2. Magic must have rules. The reader needs to understand how and why magic works, only that way can they suspend their disbelief and accept it.
3. Magical abilities need to be established long before they are necessary to get a character out of a bind. For example, my assassin Darhour has the ability to see in the dark. I introduce this ability to the reader early in The Goddess’s Choice when he goes to retrieve supplies from a store room. This is not at a moment of high tension in the novel. He could easily take a candle, but doesn’t need one. Therefore, when he later needs this ability to defeat another assassin sent after him, the reader can easily accept it, whereas they would scoff if the first time they heard about it was when the assassin attacks. 
4. Magic must have costs. It can’t be too easy, or you will have readers rolling their eyes or slamming your book shut. My character Robrek is the strongest sorcerer Korthlundia has seen in hundreds of years, but it never comes easily for him. Even after a lot of training, he still finds himself blocked from the full strength of his talent. He learns that negative emotion hinders magic. He must forgive in order to access his full talent. (And he has a lot of things to forgive people for). Finally, even when he has succeeded in removing the obstacles that stand in his way, magic is exhausting. He can only work it for so long before collapsing. Magic is difficult and costs a lot. That is the only way magic is interesting.
5. Magic must not be the point of the story. People are what are at the heart of any good tale, and any ability--magical or otherwise--is always only part of a person’s character. Don’t get so caught up in your magic you forget to tell a good story.If you have any opinion on what makes magic work in fiction, please leave a comment below.
October 6, 2016
Archon, a fannish experience in science fiction and fantasy
Tim and I had a great time at Archon this last weekend. I sold quite a few copies of my novels, and my short story collection sold especially well. I think the cover sold it. They say you can't judge a book by its cover, but everyone judges a book by its cover. We also attended panels, made contacts, played games, etc. I love how people dress up for cons, and I want a con costume myself. Some of the best costumes I saw were the following:
A Jawa
A particularly large ewok
A stormtropper
Some nature fairies
I'm not sure what she is, but she has a huge mallet.
Love that face paint.
Seriously, if you are a fan of science fiction or fantasy and have never been to a con, you have got to check one out.
October 5, 2016
Guest Author: Catherine Cerveny, science fiction novelist
Today my guest is Catherine Cerveny, a writer of science fiction romances.
Catherine Cerveny was born in Peterborough, Ontario. She'd always planned to move away to the big city, but the small town life got its hooks in her and that's where she still resides today. Catherine is a huge fan of romance and science fiction and wishes the two genres would cross paths more often.
Interview1. Tell us a little about yourself?I’m a city girl at heart who now lives in the country and still has yet to adapt to this strange environment where you wave to all your neighbors, and it’s okay if you forget to lock your door at night. I love reading (what writer doesn’t?), collecting knick-knacks of all sorts, drinking chocolate martinis, shopping, and color coordinating everything I own so that it all matches. I still make time to watch Saturday morning cartoons, and when I have the opportunity and can afford it, I love to travel. I want to see as much of the world as I can while I’m able. I’ve been writing stories for as long as I can remember, always drawn to plots that feature the bizarre, the unusual, the fantastic, and of course, the romance.2. What made you want to become a writer?I’ve always loved stories. Loved hearing them. Loved reading them. Loved imagining what might happen next whenever I finished a really good book or movie. I’ve also tended to be a pretty quiet person, generally keeping my thoughts to myself, yet suffering from a huge imagination. Turns out all that daydreaming and love of stories has to find an outlet somewhere. Hence, writing.3. What are you reading at the moment? Would you recommend it to readers of this blog? Why? I’m about to crack open the latest installment of the Kate Daniels series, Magic Binds by Ilona Andrews. I’m so excited to read it, pretty much everything in my life will be falling to the wayside for the next few days! I love the urban fantasy setting, the world building, the romantic elements, the mixing of the humor along with the serious—pretty much everything about this series. Kate Daniels is a total kick-ass heroine, and I love her commitment to everything she cares about. This series has drama, action, and great characters. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves urban fantasy.4. Do you think people have misconceptions about the speculative fiction? Why do you think it is a worthwhile genre?People definitely have misconceptions about speculative fiction, and it’s something that really annoys me and is one of my biggest pet peeves. There’s this feeling out there that if a novel isn’t “literary,” it isn’t any good or it doesn’t count. It’s just genre fiction, and it’s somehow subpar and has nothing to say about the human condition or the struggles people face. It’s all spaceships or vampires or gun-toting aliens—hmmm, actually I would totally read that story. But back to my point…I think speculative fiction has a great deal to say about what it means to be human, especially as the characters struggle to find the humanity within themselves because on the outside, they’re considered monstrous. They have to fight harder to prove themselves and come to terms with who they are.What I also love about speculative fiction is how writers stretch their imaginations and those of their readers. They present us with new worlds and new ways to think about the universe. They speculate on what the future might look like and give us ideas we might never have considered ourselves. Would we have these awesome hand-held computers we call cell phones if Star Trek hadn’t brought them to us first via their communicators? Well, probably. Maybe. I don’t know. Whatever the case, many of the things we have now and take for granted were first envisioned years ago by speculative fiction writers, and I can’t help but feel that just really cool.5. Could you tell us a bit about your most recent book?My currently novel, The Rule of Luck is a science fiction romance. It’s set about 800-1000 years in the future, after the world has come back from the brink of collapse after severe climate change and several ecological disasters. Society is ruled by One Gov who promises equality for all, but the rules are harsh, and nonconformity isn’t an option. The main character, Felicia Sevigny, is a Tarot card reader trying to keep her head down and live her life as best she can until Russian crime lord Alexei Petriv visits her shop and demands a reading. She’s quickly pulled into his world and into events that will change the rest of her life.6. What is your favorite writing tip or quote?This isn’t so much a tip or a quote, but more of a mantra I say to myself whenever I’m feeling really lazy and can’t motivate myself to write: If you treat writing like it’s a hobby, that’s all it will ever be.When I can’t get a particular scene in the novel to play out just the way I want, reach a lull in the story and can’t get over the hump, or am just feeling down and wondering why I’m putting myself through this misery and torture in the first place, that’s what I tell myself. If I want to succeed at this, I have to write. And if I want to write something decent and half-way interesting, I have to keep writing. Keep improving. Keep trying. Once I’ve given myself my little pep talk, it’s usually enough to get my butt off the couch and get back in front of my computer.7. Tell us a little about your plans for the future. Do you have any other books in the works?Actually, the sequel to The Rule of Luck is coming out December 6: The Chaos of Luck. It picks up a few months after the events in the first book and continues Felicia’s adventures and her new life on Mars. I hadn’t planned on writing a sequel, but it turned out to be much easier than I thought. After all, I know and love these characters, and it satisfied my own curiosity when it came to speculating about what might happen next to them. It was also a lot of fun to imagine what life might be like on the Mars of the future—after we’ve terraformed it, of course.Where can we find you online? (please cut and paste links):Website: http://catherinecerveny.com/Twitter: @catcervenyAmazon: https://www.amazon.com/Catherine-Cerveny/e/B01K7Q3VXO/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1The Rule of LuckThe Rule of Luck is a whirlwind thriller romance in a futuristic setting that will tug at your
heartstrings while sending you on high-speed chases alongside a genetically-enhanced (and incredibly handsome...) criminal mastermind.
As a famed tarot card reader, all is well in luck and love for Felicia Sevigny, until Russian crime leader Alexei Petriv walks into her shop and demands a reading.
Petriv's future looks dark and full of danger, which wouldn't be Felicia's problem, except that it's also aligned with hers. Felicia discovers she is the key pawn in Petriv's plot to overthrow the all-knowing government, and she must decide if she will trust with him with her heart, body and soul, before the future of the entire human race collapses around her.ExcerptI’ve always been a big fan of eyeliner. The darker, the better. Growing up, I’d heard the expression “Pretty is as pretty does” almost every day of my life—but I believe that sometimes pretty needs help. Since I’ve decided against tattooing my way to beauty or using gene modification; I do things the old-fashioned way. And as one of the only Tarot card readers in Nairobi, I’ve cultivated a certain look that is as much personal choice as mysterious mask. So the fact that I stood in the tiny bathroom of my card reading shop and scrubbed my face clean, opting for tasteful over flashy, made me feel like I’d sold out.
“All for the greater good,” I mumbled, examining my nearly naked face. “I can look straitlaced and respectable for an hour. Two, tops.”
A quick time check showed it was nearly seven in the morning. It made me glad I’d decided to close up shop early at two and catch some sleep on the reception room couch. At least I didn’t look like complete garbage, even if my sleep was more tossing and turning than actual shut-eye.
I hightailed it to the front door. I needed to be on the other side of the city by nine sharp. To do that in an hour using the unreliable Y-Line would take all the prayers and karmic brownie points I had to spare. Maybe if I lit some incense sticks and offered a prayer for guidance…but no, no time for that.Then I had to stop, my hand frozen in mid-reach on the way to the doorknob. Standing in the entranceway of my shop was the most beautiful man I’d ever seen. I know it’s shallow to focus on looks since they are so easily bought and modified, and yet…
“I’d like a Tarot card reading, please,” he said, his voice so deep, I was certain the windows rattled.
“I’m sorry, but we’re closed. I can take your information and schedule an appointment for later this week.” I infused my voice with as much formality as I could muster. Anything to prevent stammering like a drooling idiot in front of such a good-looking man. Even though “good-looking” barely covered it.
“This won’t take long and I’m prepared to pay generously,” he said, as if he’d already dropped gold notes into my account. Wonderful—arrogant enough to assume money buys everything and he thinks his time is more valuable than mine. Well, that was exactly the shot of ice water I needed to break the spell.
“I appreciate your offer, but I’m afraid you’ll have to book an appointment.” Like everybody else.
“Unfortunately, I’m leaving Nairobi today. This is my last stop before my flight. I’ve heard of your reputation as a card reader. My research says you’re quite accurate.”
And just like that, he pierced the proverbial chink in my armor. When people said they’d heard of me, I felt honor-bound to accept. If word got back to the source that I was ungracious or unobliging, I could lose business. Damn it, why had I let my receptionist Natty leave early? She could have dealt with this situation. Oh right, it was so I could sleep and get ready in private with no one the wiser. But why had I forgotten to lock up? I did not have time for this.
I'd like to thank Catherine for joining us, and if the above catches your interest, leave a comment. The book can be purchased at the link below.
Catherine Cerveny was born in Peterborough, Ontario. She'd always planned to move away to the big city, but the small town life got its hooks in her and that's where she still resides today. Catherine is a huge fan of romance and science fiction and wishes the two genres would cross paths more often.Interview1. Tell us a little about yourself?I’m a city girl at heart who now lives in the country and still has yet to adapt to this strange environment where you wave to all your neighbors, and it’s okay if you forget to lock your door at night. I love reading (what writer doesn’t?), collecting knick-knacks of all sorts, drinking chocolate martinis, shopping, and color coordinating everything I own so that it all matches. I still make time to watch Saturday morning cartoons, and when I have the opportunity and can afford it, I love to travel. I want to see as much of the world as I can while I’m able. I’ve been writing stories for as long as I can remember, always drawn to plots that feature the bizarre, the unusual, the fantastic, and of course, the romance.2. What made you want to become a writer?I’ve always loved stories. Loved hearing them. Loved reading them. Loved imagining what might happen next whenever I finished a really good book or movie. I’ve also tended to be a pretty quiet person, generally keeping my thoughts to myself, yet suffering from a huge imagination. Turns out all that daydreaming and love of stories has to find an outlet somewhere. Hence, writing.3. What are you reading at the moment? Would you recommend it to readers of this blog? Why? I’m about to crack open the latest installment of the Kate Daniels series, Magic Binds by Ilona Andrews. I’m so excited to read it, pretty much everything in my life will be falling to the wayside for the next few days! I love the urban fantasy setting, the world building, the romantic elements, the mixing of the humor along with the serious—pretty much everything about this series. Kate Daniels is a total kick-ass heroine, and I love her commitment to everything she cares about. This series has drama, action, and great characters. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves urban fantasy.4. Do you think people have misconceptions about the speculative fiction? Why do you think it is a worthwhile genre?People definitely have misconceptions about speculative fiction, and it’s something that really annoys me and is one of my biggest pet peeves. There’s this feeling out there that if a novel isn’t “literary,” it isn’t any good or it doesn’t count. It’s just genre fiction, and it’s somehow subpar and has nothing to say about the human condition or the struggles people face. It’s all spaceships or vampires or gun-toting aliens—hmmm, actually I would totally read that story. But back to my point…I think speculative fiction has a great deal to say about what it means to be human, especially as the characters struggle to find the humanity within themselves because on the outside, they’re considered monstrous. They have to fight harder to prove themselves and come to terms with who they are.What I also love about speculative fiction is how writers stretch their imaginations and those of their readers. They present us with new worlds and new ways to think about the universe. They speculate on what the future might look like and give us ideas we might never have considered ourselves. Would we have these awesome hand-held computers we call cell phones if Star Trek hadn’t brought them to us first via their communicators? Well, probably. Maybe. I don’t know. Whatever the case, many of the things we have now and take for granted were first envisioned years ago by speculative fiction writers, and I can’t help but feel that just really cool.5. Could you tell us a bit about your most recent book?My currently novel, The Rule of Luck is a science fiction romance. It’s set about 800-1000 years in the future, after the world has come back from the brink of collapse after severe climate change and several ecological disasters. Society is ruled by One Gov who promises equality for all, but the rules are harsh, and nonconformity isn’t an option. The main character, Felicia Sevigny, is a Tarot card reader trying to keep her head down and live her life as best she can until Russian crime lord Alexei Petriv visits her shop and demands a reading. She’s quickly pulled into his world and into events that will change the rest of her life.6. What is your favorite writing tip or quote?This isn’t so much a tip or a quote, but more of a mantra I say to myself whenever I’m feeling really lazy and can’t motivate myself to write: If you treat writing like it’s a hobby, that’s all it will ever be.When I can’t get a particular scene in the novel to play out just the way I want, reach a lull in the story and can’t get over the hump, or am just feeling down and wondering why I’m putting myself through this misery and torture in the first place, that’s what I tell myself. If I want to succeed at this, I have to write. And if I want to write something decent and half-way interesting, I have to keep writing. Keep improving. Keep trying. Once I’ve given myself my little pep talk, it’s usually enough to get my butt off the couch and get back in front of my computer.7. Tell us a little about your plans for the future. Do you have any other books in the works?Actually, the sequel to The Rule of Luck is coming out December 6: The Chaos of Luck. It picks up a few months after the events in the first book and continues Felicia’s adventures and her new life on Mars. I hadn’t planned on writing a sequel, but it turned out to be much easier than I thought. After all, I know and love these characters, and it satisfied my own curiosity when it came to speculating about what might happen next to them. It was also a lot of fun to imagine what life might be like on the Mars of the future—after we’ve terraformed it, of course.Where can we find you online? (please cut and paste links):Website: http://catherinecerveny.com/Twitter: @catcervenyAmazon: https://www.amazon.com/Catherine-Cerveny/e/B01K7Q3VXO/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1The Rule of LuckThe Rule of Luck is a whirlwind thriller romance in a futuristic setting that will tug at your
heartstrings while sending you on high-speed chases alongside a genetically-enhanced (and incredibly handsome...) criminal mastermind.As a famed tarot card reader, all is well in luck and love for Felicia Sevigny, until Russian crime leader Alexei Petriv walks into her shop and demands a reading.
Petriv's future looks dark and full of danger, which wouldn't be Felicia's problem, except that it's also aligned with hers. Felicia discovers she is the key pawn in Petriv's plot to overthrow the all-knowing government, and she must decide if she will trust with him with her heart, body and soul, before the future of the entire human race collapses around her.ExcerptI’ve always been a big fan of eyeliner. The darker, the better. Growing up, I’d heard the expression “Pretty is as pretty does” almost every day of my life—but I believe that sometimes pretty needs help. Since I’ve decided against tattooing my way to beauty or using gene modification; I do things the old-fashioned way. And as one of the only Tarot card readers in Nairobi, I’ve cultivated a certain look that is as much personal choice as mysterious mask. So the fact that I stood in the tiny bathroom of my card reading shop and scrubbed my face clean, opting for tasteful over flashy, made me feel like I’d sold out.
“All for the greater good,” I mumbled, examining my nearly naked face. “I can look straitlaced and respectable for an hour. Two, tops.”
A quick time check showed it was nearly seven in the morning. It made me glad I’d decided to close up shop early at two and catch some sleep on the reception room couch. At least I didn’t look like complete garbage, even if my sleep was more tossing and turning than actual shut-eye.
I hightailed it to the front door. I needed to be on the other side of the city by nine sharp. To do that in an hour using the unreliable Y-Line would take all the prayers and karmic brownie points I had to spare. Maybe if I lit some incense sticks and offered a prayer for guidance…but no, no time for that.Then I had to stop, my hand frozen in mid-reach on the way to the doorknob. Standing in the entranceway of my shop was the most beautiful man I’d ever seen. I know it’s shallow to focus on looks since they are so easily bought and modified, and yet…
“I’d like a Tarot card reading, please,” he said, his voice so deep, I was certain the windows rattled.
“I’m sorry, but we’re closed. I can take your information and schedule an appointment for later this week.” I infused my voice with as much formality as I could muster. Anything to prevent stammering like a drooling idiot in front of such a good-looking man. Even though “good-looking” barely covered it.
“This won’t take long and I’m prepared to pay generously,” he said, as if he’d already dropped gold notes into my account. Wonderful—arrogant enough to assume money buys everything and he thinks his time is more valuable than mine. Well, that was exactly the shot of ice water I needed to break the spell.
“I appreciate your offer, but I’m afraid you’ll have to book an appointment.” Like everybody else.
“Unfortunately, I’m leaving Nairobi today. This is my last stop before my flight. I’ve heard of your reputation as a card reader. My research says you’re quite accurate.”
And just like that, he pierced the proverbial chink in my armor. When people said they’d heard of me, I felt honor-bound to accept. If word got back to the source that I was ungracious or unobliging, I could lose business. Damn it, why had I let my receptionist Natty leave early? She could have dealt with this situation. Oh right, it was so I could sleep and get ready in private with no one the wiser. But why had I forgotten to lock up? I did not have time for this.
I'd like to thank Catherine for joining us, and if the above catches your interest, leave a comment. The book can be purchased at the link below.
October 4, 2016
Rey, a kick-ass hero for a new generation of Star Wars fans
I'm buried under grading this week, so this will be a little short. I was nine when the first Star Wars movie came out, and I loved it as much as I hated Episodes 1, 2, and 3. Since the three previous Star Wars movies were so awful, I wasn't exactly looking forward to The Force Awakens. I knew a lot of people argue that The Force Awakens is simply a rewrite of A New Hope, complete with beginning on a completely impossible all desert world. (Any real planet would have a variety of ecosystems). In many ways, I would have to agree, but I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I especially loved Rey. She is a strong, competent woman who can take care of herself. Yes, she receives some help from Finn, Han, and Chewbacca, but she has already almost managed her own escape before they show up. The movie keeps her focused on her heroic mission and resists the temptation to sidetrack her into a romance, which happens with far too many women in fiction. I assume something will eventually develop with Finn, but their relationship wasn't the focus of the movie. As a whole, I'm the complete opposite of a Disney fan, but I have to say I loved what they did with Rey in the first movie, and I think it is an excellent thing that George Lucas has no more control of the franchise. She has become another of my favorite characters.
October 3, 2016
Excerpt from The Ghost in Exile, a high fantasy novel
Today, I'm giving you a pre-view of my novel that is coming out late next month. Read the first chapter of The Ghost in Exile. Kindle copies are available for pre-order from Amazon, and you can pre-order an autographed paperback version for only $10 from my website. I'd love to hear your comments.Chapter OneThe Ghost rubbed the back of his head as he went down the back steps of the Green Sandpiper. It still hurt, but not too badly, making it clear that he’d suffered no serious injury. Still, what had he gotten himself into with the woman?I tried to reform; it didn’t work. I’m a murderer. Nothing more. He had no idea what he would tell Zotico about the job they’d discussed. If it truly was his type of kill, should he turn it down to help a woman whose name he didn’t even know? He saw Samantha’s face. He knew what his daughter would expect, but she’d never the murderous depth of his soul. He blocked her out of his mind and focused on his surroundings instead. Five years had dulled his memory of the horrors of the Saloynan capital. Beggars were everywhere—young children and old men and women, emaciated and covered in running sores. In the poorer sections of the city, sewage ran down the middle of the streets. Whores far younger than his daughter plied their trade. A few bodies of those who’d frozen in the night hadn’t yet been gathered up. The capital of Korthlundia was not without problems, but poverty was nowhere near this widespread or abject. In Saloyna, King Salome, like his father before him, cared nothing about his people. They starved while he lived in luxury that would empty the Korthlundian treasury. The Ghost was relieved to reach the temple complex, which was kept clean and free of beggars. In sharp contrast to Ares’s temple, Aphrodite’s shone a brilliant white with carvings of lovers frolicking in every imaginable position. While The Ghost had seen Aphrodite’s temple every time he visited Ares’s, he had never been inside. The only thing a woman’s love had ever done for him was ruin his life and send him into exile when he had been only eighteen years old. When he entered the temple, he was greeted by soft music and delicate perfume. Young women and men—acolytes of Aphrodite—in sheer robes that concealed nothing danced in celebration of the goddess. Worshipers watched the dance until they found an acolyte to their liking. They gave the priestess the proper donation and disappeared with the acolyte into one of the private rooms that lined one wall of the temple, where they worshiped the goddess in a more intimate manner. Some of the acolytes danced near him. He examined their necks until he saw the one wearing a vulture pendant. He took the young woman’s arm and led her to the priestess. “I’ll take this one,” he told her. The priestess looked him over and nodded. “Chrysante, make sure this gentleman receives our special treatment.” Chrysante led him toward the rear of the temple. She opened a door, and they entered a room with nothing other than an altar. Climbing onto the altar, Chrysante purred, “Would you like to take your pleasure on Aphrodite’s altar before meeting your guests? Ares’s high priest said you might, and it will bring you luck with the young woman who accompanies him.” Chrysante arched her back, making her breasts stand out beneath the sheer fabric. Embarrassed, The Ghost felt himself harden. “I would not,” he snapped.The acolyte paled and jumped off the altar. Sulis curse it! It isn’t her fault the Saloynan gods are twisted. “Right this way, sir.” She scrambled to the door on the opposite side of the altar and opened it. Following her, The Ghost entered a corridor. She took him to the end of the corridor and stopped before another door. “They await you in there. I’ll leave you now.” She fled back down the corridor. He must have sounded even harsher than he thought.When the acolyte had disappeared, The Ghost knocked on the door, and Zotico’s voice bid him enter. Zotico luxuriated on a sofa decorated with nymphs doing things The Ghost would rather not imagine. Two easy chairs flanked the sofa, and a table in the middle of the room was covered in breakfast food. A woman stood on the opposite side of the room with her back to him. She was studying a tapestry. “Do you think this is even possible?” she asked of the act the tapestry depicted.Zotico waved his hand dismissively. “I’m sure it is. Those who worship Aphrodite are quite talented.” The priest looked at The Ghost. “But considering how quickly you arrived, I take it you didn’t avail yourself of their expertise. I assure you, young Chrysante can—”“I didn’t come here to ‘avail’ myself,” he snarled. “I came to tell you I may not be able to take the job after all.”“You what?” the young woman whirled around, and The Ghost gasped and hurriedly bowed. Last time The Ghost had seen her, Princess Acantha had been a gangly girl of fourteen with a fondness for horses. Now, she’d filled in her womanly shape. She was tall, with dark hair flowing around her head, deep set eyes, and an extremely narrow nose. “You would refuse to do a service for your queen?”The Ghost blinked. “I hadn’t heard of your father’s death.”“He’s not dead yet,” Zotico answered for her. “But I’m sure shortly you will help spread the good news. The monster has ruled for far too long, and at the rate he’s going, he soon won’t have any heirs left. He had the last of his sons executed just last month.”The princess glared at The Ghost. “How long before he decides I, too, am a threat?”“A true lover of his country wouldn’t let such atrocities continue,” Zotico said. “Besides our land will be plunged into chaos if he dies without an heir. We’d be completely vulnerable to those heart-eating fiends.” The Ghost sickened as he remembered the sound of the Massossinan officer taking a bite out of Phelix’s heart. But it wasn’t the thought of the Massossinan menace that moved him. He thought of the children starving in the streets and of the Salome he’d known when he worked as his father’s assassin.You could tell a lot about a person by the way they treated animals. When The Ghost had been the king’s assassin, his cover was as assistant master of the horse. Salome had been brutal to his horses. The Ghost had spent countless hours doctoring the injuries the prince inflicted on his beasts and in calming their agitation after he’d ridden them. But his most vivid memory of Salome involved the young stable boy, Paulos. Paulos hadn’t been quite right in the head. He was slow catching onto things and needed any order explained slowly and carefully before he was sure what to do. But once he understood, he was reliable, and he was always smiling. The Ghost had never known how the lad had gotten a place in the king’s stables, but he assumed he was the bastard of someone important. The Ghost had been on an errand for the king and had just finished cleaning the blood from under his fingernails. As he was returning to the stables, Prince Salome and some of his hanger-ons—Salome didn’t have any true friends—were leaving. Salome had laughed. “That will teach him to obey his lord and master.”The Ghost had assumed the prince was referring to his stallion, who had developed an intense fear of Salome and resisted all of Salome’s attempts to control him. But when The Ghost entered the stables, it wasn’t Aquafire the others were gathered around. The Ghost pushed through the stable hands to find Paulos staring sightlessly at the ceiling with bloody stumps where his hands and feet used to be. Blood dripped onto Paulos’s face, and The Ghost looked up. The missing appendages hung above him. “Dear Gods, what happened?” he asked.One of the stable hands lifted his head from the carnage. His face was white, and his entire body shook. “You know Paulos. He didn’t get the prince’s horse saddled fast enough.”The Ghost had wanted to kill Salome then and there, and he should have. Frare had been a horrible tyrant, but Salome made his father look like a saint. He clenched his fists. Damn all of Massossina to the seven hells! I don’t owe her anything. He berated himself for his initial hesitation to take the job. He’d hesitated when he should have killed his daughter’s enemy, and he couldn’t bear to think of the pain that had caused. He wouldn’t fail another young woman who should be sitting on a throne. He’d keep his promise to the Massossinan woman, but she could wait a day or so. And who knew, maybe he’d be lucky, and she wouldn’t be there when he got back.“When do you want it done?”“As soon as possible.”“Tell me your father’s habits, as thoroughly as you can.”Zotico gestured to the table. “Please, let us do this over breakfast.”The Ghost and Acantha seated themselves in the easy chairs on opposite sides of the breakfast table. Princess Acantha poured herself a glass of wine and sipped it as she detailed her father’s routine. She ate nothing. “He has everything tasted before he eats or drinks. He wears amulets protecting him for all kinds of magic, and he has guards with him constantly, except at night when he sleeps with two large boarhounds. They’d tear a man to shreds at the slightest provocation.” Excitement built in The Ghost as he continued to ask questions and a plan formed in his mind. “I’ll need the livery of a palace servant,” he said. He closed his eyes and savored the rush. If he was destined to be a killer, he might as well enjoy it. * * *After leaving the temple district, The Ghost went to a nearby apothecary. The man behind the counter looked at his weapons warily. “Can I help you?”The Ghost nodded and rattled off a list of ingredients.The man frowned. “There’s only one thing you could be making with that lot—Uttvos serum.” Uttvos serum was a powerful sleeping potion, one The Ghost had made frequent use of. He preferred to kill no one but the target.The Ghost put menace in his eyes. “Is that any concern of yours?”The man shrugged. “No, but I could save you the trouble. I have some already made up.” The man took out a vial containing a thick liquid. “First class quality. Knock out your strongest stallion so you can castrate it without the least fuss.” The Ghost nodded in acknowledgment. “I prefer to make my own.” Only in that way could he ensure the proper strength.The man shrugged and assembled the ingredients. Next, The Ghost went to a second-hand clothier and bought two gowns for Brigitta. He thought he could guess her size, but he was unsure what colors and style to choose. Just what class had Brigitta been in before she’d been enslaved? He settled on two wool dresses—one a midnight blue and the other an emerald green, both with minimal embroidery. He also bought a black cloak with a large hood and a veil like those worn by all respectable women in Saloyna. He hoped Brigitta liked his choices. He’d never purchased clothing for a woman before. When he returned to the Green Sandpiper, the Massossinan woman was asleep in the bed. He set the package containing his purchases beside her and quietly began making the serum over the fireplace. He made it extra strong on account of the boarhounds. As he stirred, he played over in his mind his intended trek through the palace and King Salome’s death at his hand. Part of him thrilled at the idea of Salome’s life in his hands. The rest of him knew his excitement meant his soul was forever lost.He’d come back to Saloyna to take up his former profession because it was the country that had turned a simple stable groom into an assassin whose reputation spanned the world. Still, he wondered, Holy Sulis, Mother of us all, could Ahearn have taken a path that didn’t leave a pile of corpses in his wake? Or was the choice taken from him when a naïve young queen chose him as her lover?.
October 1, 2016
The Goddess's Choice Audio: Chapter 1
Today I present to you the Chapter 1 of The Goddess's Choice. When I get all the chapters done, I will release it as an audio book. In the meantime, I'd love to hear your comments on either the story itself or my narration of it.
If you like what you hear, you can buy the complete book on Amazon or other online stores.
If you like what you hear, you can buy the complete book on Amazon or other online stores.
September 30, 2016
Writing Advice: Making a Make-Believe World Believable
Fantasy literature transports you from the mundane world into the strange and the magical. How does it do this? By making that world believable, in its setting, its use of magic, and in its characters. To transport you, the fantasy world must be as complex and rich as reality. While I don’t like works that give long lectures on the history and geography, a sense of both must be present in the fantasy world—this sense preferably arising naturally from the needs of the plot and unfolding bit by bit. For example, in The Goddess’s Choice the way we learn about the longstanding animosity and history of warfare between Korth and Lundia is through the king’s pressure on the crown princess Samantha to marry. King Solar believes her marriage is necessary to maintain the fragile peace between the joined kingdoms. The history and culture of the joined kingdoms flow from and enhance the story’s central conflict.Magic is an essential element of fantasy; yet to be believable, any system of magic must be both consistent and limited in scope. When the limitations on the wizard or sorcerer are clearly established, tension builds as he or she must work within those limits. The existence of magic doesn’t allow the writer to cheat. My hero’s Robbie’s magic lies in the ability to connect to the mind and body of another. It only works on living things. He can’t suddenly have the ability to warp metal even though that would be convenient. The use of his magic also depletes him physically, so he must be wise in its use. His strength is also his vulnerability.
For me, the most important element in creating a believable fantasy world lies in the characters. A believable world must be peopled with believable characters. In reality, few people are without flaws, but few are so bad that they have no redeeming qualities. Fantasy characters must be equally complex. Heroes must not be completely virtuous, and villains at least need sound motives for their villainy. Robbie is burdened with anger, and Samantha is headstrong and somewhat insensitive. On the other hand, Argblutal believes (with some justification) the throne is rightfully his and that he’d be a better king than a eighteen-year-old girl. When I read a novel, if I can believe a writer’s characters, I can forgive other inconsistencies with the work, but if I cannot believe the characters, nothing else the writer does can redeem the story. Depth of character is the key to believability in the make-believe world of fantasy.I'd love to hear your comments on what makes a fantasy world work for you.
September 29, 2016
Archon: Science Fiction and Fantasy Con
My husband and I are going to be attending Archon in Saint Louis this weekend. If you've never attended a con, you are missing out. They are incredibly fun. You find yourself surrounding by like-minded geeks who are only there to play. Everyone is so friendly, and no one thinks you're weird, or at least no more weird than they are.Cons have a tons of stuff to do: gaming--board games, rope playing games, video games, card games--at all hours of the day and night; panels on everything from writing to movies to science; cosplay; film festivals, filking; dances, etc. You can buy incredible fantasy and science fiction themed art for reasonable prices and a wide variety of other cool merchandise.
If you have children, most cons have a children's track with activities specifically designed for the younger ones. You can often meet famous and not-so-famous authors and artists, at bigger ones actors, as well.
I will be in the merchant's room for some of the time, trying to sell my novels. Wish me luck on that, and I'll have a full report in this spot next week.
You can find out more about Archon on their website.
If you've been to a con, leave a comment about your experience.
September 28, 2016
Wednesday Feature: Lynne Stringer, author of the Verindon trilogy
It's Wednesday, so it time to feature another writer. Today's feature is Lynne Stringer, author of the science fiction trilogy, Verindon.
Lynne Stringer has been passionate about writing all her life, beginning with short stories in her primary school days. She began writing professionally as a journalist and was the editor of a small newspaper (later magazine) for seven years, before turning her hand to screenplay writing and novels.
Lynne is the author of the Verindon trilogy, a young adult science fiction romance series released in 2013. The series features the books The Heir, The Crown and The Reign. Lynne's latest novel, to be released in October 2016, is Once Confronted, a contemporary drama. Visit www.lynnestringer.com for more information.
Interview
What made you want to become a writer?I have always enjoyed writing. I can remember writing a little book when I was eight and when I was a teenager I amused myself by novelizing movie scripts and episodes from my favorite TV shows. Tell us something about how you write? i.e. are you a plotter or a pantser? Do you have any weird or necessary writing habits or rituals?I tend to make up my books in my head first. I always know where I’m going to end up, although sometimes things on the journey there can take me by surprise when I sit down to write. I don’t usually write a story outline. I haven’t found this helpful for me.Do you think people have misconceptions about speculative fiction? Why do you think it is a worthwhile genre?I’ve always enjoyed fantasy and speculative fiction. I like things that take me to new worlds.Could you tell us a bit about your most recent book?My most recent book is due out on 1st October but unlike my science fiction series, the Verindon trilogy, it’s a contemporary drama.What gives you inspiration for your book?Things in the every day inspire me. With the first book in the Verindon trilogy, The Heir, I was inspired by a pick-up line. You know, the one where the boy says to the girl, "You are the only reason I was put on this planet". I started to wonder about why a guy might say that to a girl if he meant it literally, rather than figuratively.Of all the characters you have created, which is your favorite and why?My favorite character is Keridan and he’s my leading man. I also have a soft spot for another character in my trilogy, although he scares the hell out of me. His name is Hajitis. If you want to find out why he’s so scary you’ll have to read the books. Do you have a day job in addition to being a writer? If so, what do you do during the day?I am a professional editor by trade. People pay me to help improve their books prior to publication. It’s nice that my day job is not unlike the thing I love the most, which is writing.The Heir (Verindon #1)Sarah hates the prestigious high school she attends. Most of the other students ignore her. School is only made tolerable by the presence of Dan Bradfield, the boy she adores. Dan is the heir to his father’s multinational computer company, but he is dating Sarah’s best friend, Jillian.When tragedy strikes, Dan is the one who is there for Sarah, but she can’t shake the feeling there is something strange about him. Is he protecting her from something? Is there something going on that she doesn’t know about?And did she really see a monster in the bushes?Sarah is desperate to uncover the truth, but it could take her to another galaxy, and change everything she believes about who she is. Will it bring Dan and Sarah closer together or tear them apart?Buy on Amazon
ExcerptIt was well into the night by the time I went to bed, but my eyelids had begun drooping long before Dan could convince me to go.“Come on, Sarah,” he said, dragging me towards the stairs. “We can pick this up in the morning.”I was happy to go to bed by that time. I knew what would happen as soon as my head hit the pillow.But as I was lying in my bed, waiting to fall asleep, I noticed a sound.Drip … drip … drip …I frowned. Had I left the faucet running in the bathroom? I jumped up and turned on the light. No. It was off. The sound wasn’t coming from there. Had I imagined it?Drip … drip … drip …I turned on the light in my room. Was there a faucet somewhere else? Or maybe it was some pipe in the wall?Then I saw it and my jaw dropped.On the bedside table, where I had tossed it, was my father’s computer device. And the table underneath it was melting!I hurried over to check that my mind wasn’t playing tricks on me. No, it wasn’t. Directly underneath the device the table was oozing brown goo and dripping it all over the floor.I snatched up the device. Was it hot? Surely it couldn’t be hot enough to melt wood! Was that even possible?But no, it wasn’t hot, not that hot, anyway, although its readouts were still flickering dramatically.I frowned and looked at the floor. Much to my astonishment, the brown ooze had disappeared, even though there had been a puddle a moment ago. Had it dribbled away somewhere? I couldn’t see any sign of it.I reached down and touched the bottom of the table. It felt dry and smooth. No mark at all.I jumped out of my skin as I heard a knock on my door. Still trying to explain the brown ooze to myself, I went over and opened it.Dan was there. “Hey. Just making sure that you’re okay.”“I’m fine,” I said, trying to come back to reality.His eyes flickered down to the box in my hand for a moment. “Okay. Goodnight, then.”I shut the door and turned back to my room. Could grief bring on hallucinations? I had no idea. I had been under a lot of stress. Maybe that’s what it was.I put the device back on the beside table and watched closely to see if anything started to melt under it. Nope. It looked fine now. And when I turned the light off I could hear nothing. Definitely imagination. I sighed and went to sleep.In the morning the first thing I did was check the bedside table to make sure that there was no problem with it. As expected, it looked completely normal, but there was something different in the room from when I had gone to sleep.My father’s little device had disappeared.I searched all around, but I couldn’t find it anywhere. I checked all the nooks and crannies I could find – behind the bed, in the bathroom – everywhere I thought it might fit. I even checked my bag again just to make sure I hadn’t put it back in there. There was no sign of it. It was gone.
Tell me what you think. I love to hear your comments.
Lynne Stringer has been passionate about writing all her life, beginning with short stories in her primary school days. She began writing professionally as a journalist and was the editor of a small newspaper (later magazine) for seven years, before turning her hand to screenplay writing and novels.Lynne is the author of the Verindon trilogy, a young adult science fiction romance series released in 2013. The series features the books The Heir, The Crown and The Reign. Lynne's latest novel, to be released in October 2016, is Once Confronted, a contemporary drama. Visit www.lynnestringer.com for more information.
Interview
What made you want to become a writer?I have always enjoyed writing. I can remember writing a little book when I was eight and when I was a teenager I amused myself by novelizing movie scripts and episodes from my favorite TV shows. Tell us something about how you write? i.e. are you a plotter or a pantser? Do you have any weird or necessary writing habits or rituals?I tend to make up my books in my head first. I always know where I’m going to end up, although sometimes things on the journey there can take me by surprise when I sit down to write. I don’t usually write a story outline. I haven’t found this helpful for me.Do you think people have misconceptions about speculative fiction? Why do you think it is a worthwhile genre?I’ve always enjoyed fantasy and speculative fiction. I like things that take me to new worlds.Could you tell us a bit about your most recent book?My most recent book is due out on 1st October but unlike my science fiction series, the Verindon trilogy, it’s a contemporary drama.What gives you inspiration for your book?Things in the every day inspire me. With the first book in the Verindon trilogy, The Heir, I was inspired by a pick-up line. You know, the one where the boy says to the girl, "You are the only reason I was put on this planet". I started to wonder about why a guy might say that to a girl if he meant it literally, rather than figuratively.Of all the characters you have created, which is your favorite and why?My favorite character is Keridan and he’s my leading man. I also have a soft spot for another character in my trilogy, although he scares the hell out of me. His name is Hajitis. If you want to find out why he’s so scary you’ll have to read the books. Do you have a day job in addition to being a writer? If so, what do you do during the day?I am a professional editor by trade. People pay me to help improve their books prior to publication. It’s nice that my day job is not unlike the thing I love the most, which is writing.The Heir (Verindon #1)Sarah hates the prestigious high school she attends. Most of the other students ignore her. School is only made tolerable by the presence of Dan Bradfield, the boy she adores. Dan is the heir to his father’s multinational computer company, but he is dating Sarah’s best friend, Jillian.When tragedy strikes, Dan is the one who is there for Sarah, but she can’t shake the feeling there is something strange about him. Is he protecting her from something? Is there something going on that she doesn’t know about?And did she really see a monster in the bushes?Sarah is desperate to uncover the truth, but it could take her to another galaxy, and change everything she believes about who she is. Will it bring Dan and Sarah closer together or tear them apart?Buy on Amazon
ExcerptIt was well into the night by the time I went to bed, but my eyelids had begun drooping long before Dan could convince me to go.“Come on, Sarah,” he said, dragging me towards the stairs. “We can pick this up in the morning.”I was happy to go to bed by that time. I knew what would happen as soon as my head hit the pillow.But as I was lying in my bed, waiting to fall asleep, I noticed a sound.Drip … drip … drip …I frowned. Had I left the faucet running in the bathroom? I jumped up and turned on the light. No. It was off. The sound wasn’t coming from there. Had I imagined it?Drip … drip … drip …I turned on the light in my room. Was there a faucet somewhere else? Or maybe it was some pipe in the wall?Then I saw it and my jaw dropped.On the bedside table, where I had tossed it, was my father’s computer device. And the table underneath it was melting!I hurried over to check that my mind wasn’t playing tricks on me. No, it wasn’t. Directly underneath the device the table was oozing brown goo and dripping it all over the floor.I snatched up the device. Was it hot? Surely it couldn’t be hot enough to melt wood! Was that even possible?But no, it wasn’t hot, not that hot, anyway, although its readouts were still flickering dramatically.I frowned and looked at the floor. Much to my astonishment, the brown ooze had disappeared, even though there had been a puddle a moment ago. Had it dribbled away somewhere? I couldn’t see any sign of it.I reached down and touched the bottom of the table. It felt dry and smooth. No mark at all.I jumped out of my skin as I heard a knock on my door. Still trying to explain the brown ooze to myself, I went over and opened it.Dan was there. “Hey. Just making sure that you’re okay.”“I’m fine,” I said, trying to come back to reality.His eyes flickered down to the box in my hand for a moment. “Okay. Goodnight, then.”I shut the door and turned back to my room. Could grief bring on hallucinations? I had no idea. I had been under a lot of stress. Maybe that’s what it was.I put the device back on the beside table and watched closely to see if anything started to melt under it. Nope. It looked fine now. And when I turned the light off I could hear nothing. Definitely imagination. I sighed and went to sleep.In the morning the first thing I did was check the bedside table to make sure that there was no problem with it. As expected, it looked completely normal, but there was something different in the room from when I had gone to sleep.My father’s little device had disappeared.I searched all around, but I couldn’t find it anywhere. I checked all the nooks and crannies I could find – behind the bed, in the bathroom – everywhere I thought it might fit. I even checked my bag again just to make sure I hadn’t put it back in there. There was no sign of it. It was gone.
Tell me what you think. I love to hear your comments.
