R.J. Hore's Blog: Fall is Here, page 9
July 29, 2017
Where Ideas Come From - The Housetrap Chronicles
Early in my writing career I decided to take a break from trying to write full-length high fantasy novels and attempt a fantasy detective tale. I decided the simplest way to do this would be to look at some famous detective or murder mystery titles, do a mash-up of the title, and then write the story using a plot based on the results of the mash.
One of Agatha Christie’s well known tales is The Mousetrap. I decided I’d write “Housetrap.” When I started I had no idea what a housetrap might be. I set the story in a fantasy world inhabited by every creature but regular humans, and wrote a 30,000 word novella. Then I tried to sell it.
I quickly learned that although one editor said he liked the story, it was the wrong length for him. The novella length story has a limited market, at least for a new author. I decided the solution was to write two more stories and package the three novellas as a novel-length collection. I wrote “Dial M for Mudder” and “House on Hollow Hill.” This strategy worked. I had requests from three publishers, although the first two sat on the manuscript for two years, assuring me all the while of their interest. The third publisher snapped it up.
I have a lot of fun writing these things. Eight have now been published, first as ebooks, then later in print collections of three tales each: Housetrap Chronicles Volumes I and 11. I have to write number nine in order to have a third collection in print including episodes seven and eight. One reason I enjoy this series, besides I can reveal my sillier side, is that I can bring back recurring characters from a previous novella. The main protagonist remains the same, along with his trusty Girl Friday.
Next time, back to novels, a near-future Spec Fiction effort, “We’re not in Kansas.”
One of Agatha Christie’s well known tales is The Mousetrap. I decided I’d write “Housetrap.” When I started I had no idea what a housetrap might be. I set the story in a fantasy world inhabited by every creature but regular humans, and wrote a 30,000 word novella. Then I tried to sell it.
I quickly learned that although one editor said he liked the story, it was the wrong length for him. The novella length story has a limited market, at least for a new author. I decided the solution was to write two more stories and package the three novellas as a novel-length collection. I wrote “Dial M for Mudder” and “House on Hollow Hill.” This strategy worked. I had requests from three publishers, although the first two sat on the manuscript for two years, assuring me all the while of their interest. The third publisher snapped it up.
I have a lot of fun writing these things. Eight have now been published, first as ebooks, then later in print collections of three tales each: Housetrap Chronicles Volumes I and 11. I have to write number nine in order to have a third collection in print including episodes seven and eight. One reason I enjoy this series, besides I can reveal my sillier side, is that I can bring back recurring characters from a previous novella. The main protagonist remains the same, along with his trusty Girl Friday.
Next time, back to novels, a near-future Spec Fiction effort, “We’re not in Kansas.”
July 27, 2017
Where Ideas Come From - Alex in Wanderland
I’m actually not certain where the germ of this novel originated. “Alex in Wanderland” is a departure from the high fantasy tales I’d been writing of knights and ladies and mad magicians. I get bored and often want to try something different. I took a modern day feuding married couple and dropped them in the middle of an alternate universe Dark Age or heroic ancient Greek type of society. He was Alexander, she was Alexis, hence the title.
This was one of those tales where I had the opening scene of a story, and very little idea where it was going from there. She was working, he was an unemployed writer, and no, this isn’t auto-biographical.
I threw in a quest motif, and had the couple travel with a collection of characters on a religious journey that could result in their death if it was a success, or a failure. Then I dropped all sorts of problems in their path.
Because they were a modern couple I had fun having them try to figure out where they were and making comments along the way. Their best early guess was they were dreaming.
This was one novel where I had two of my publisher’s editors requesting plot changes. The first editor didn’t appreciate my original ending; the replacement editor hated one of my main characters. So, if chaos was my object, I guess I succeeded.
Not sure if this one will ever become anything more than a fun stand-alone tale. There is always room for more nail-biting nonsense.
Next time I divert from novels to talk a bit about something completely different, my fantasy detective series of novellas.
This was one of those tales where I had the opening scene of a story, and very little idea where it was going from there. She was working, he was an unemployed writer, and no, this isn’t auto-biographical.
I threw in a quest motif, and had the couple travel with a collection of characters on a religious journey that could result in their death if it was a success, or a failure. Then I dropped all sorts of problems in their path.
Because they were a modern couple I had fun having them try to figure out where they were and making comments along the way. Their best early guess was they were dreaming.
This was one novel where I had two of my publisher’s editors requesting plot changes. The first editor didn’t appreciate my original ending; the replacement editor hated one of my main characters. So, if chaos was my object, I guess I succeeded.
Not sure if this one will ever become anything more than a fun stand-alone tale. There is always room for more nail-biting nonsense.
Next time I divert from novels to talk a bit about something completely different, my fantasy detective series of novellas.
July 25, 2017
Where Ideas Come From - The Queen's Pawn
As a writer who usually creates by the seat of his pants (a pantser) I often begin with a single scene. If I’m fortunate, I may even know the ending, although not always.
The idea for my second published high fantasy, “The Queen’s Pawn,” came about while I was watching a show on the city of Troy, or the Trojan War. That set me wondering about how awful it must have been to be trapped in one of those ancient burning cities when it fell after a siege.
I decided on as the main protagonist, a student, originally from a farm, who was sent to the city by his mother to become a priest. I now had a beginning and no idea what happens next. I’m never certain what the tone of a tale will be when I begin a project. My first novel, “The Dark Lady,” about a young girl in fear for her life, set a grimmer tone. Once I began this second project, it took on a life of its own, with a much lighter story, strange given the idea of the opening scene.
The young hero falls in with a wizard and reluctantly must guide the queen and her daughter to safety. Instead of a bold fearless warrior, I created a bumbling fearful youth who had never held a sword, ridden nothing more exciting than a farm nag, and whose only desire is to return to the peace and quiet of the family farm. To amuse myself, I threw all sorts of problems at him, including a number of amorous females.
I had a lot of fun writing this story, discovering the plot as I created. I finished it off with what I felt was a suitable ending, although I soon had a request from the publisher for more.
Next time, how the tale, “Alex in Wanderland” came about.
The idea for my second published high fantasy, “The Queen’s Pawn,” came about while I was watching a show on the city of Troy, or the Trojan War. That set me wondering about how awful it must have been to be trapped in one of those ancient burning cities when it fell after a siege.
I decided on as the main protagonist, a student, originally from a farm, who was sent to the city by his mother to become a priest. I now had a beginning and no idea what happens next. I’m never certain what the tone of a tale will be when I begin a project. My first novel, “The Dark Lady,” about a young girl in fear for her life, set a grimmer tone. Once I began this second project, it took on a life of its own, with a much lighter story, strange given the idea of the opening scene.
The young hero falls in with a wizard and reluctantly must guide the queen and her daughter to safety. Instead of a bold fearless warrior, I created a bumbling fearful youth who had never held a sword, ridden nothing more exciting than a farm nag, and whose only desire is to return to the peace and quiet of the family farm. To amuse myself, I threw all sorts of problems at him, including a number of amorous females.
I had a lot of fun writing this story, discovering the plot as I created. I finished it off with what I felt was a suitable ending, although I soon had a request from the publisher for more.
Next time, how the tale, “Alex in Wanderland” came about.
July 23, 2017
Where do Ideas Come From?
I thought I’d write a few short essays on where my ideas come from, and how they turn out.
My first published novel was “The Dark Lady.” I was passing through a room where the TV was on and the full face of an actress appeared on the screen.
My first thought was, “She could easily play an evil queen.” My second thought was, “I wonder, how evil queens get their bad reputations?”
The title, The Dark Lady was born. Then I went off on a bit of a tangent, starting with the character as a young girl. Rather than a take-off on the big bad witch, she became more modeled on a young Queen Elizabeth the First tangling with grasping courtiers and power-hungry nobles.
Some people complained that the title was misleading. There was no big bad nasty lady. That is certainly debatable. To close my point, I guess they didn’t finish the third book in the series. There is also a good hint or two as to the direction my main character was heading. I think she was only sixteen in the end of book three with plenty of rope left to hang herself or her neighbours.
As an added comment on the suitability of The Dark Lady for certain age groups; the book was written without consideration for the reader’s age. If asked, I would say I hoped adults would enjoy it and that certainly seems the case from the personal feedback I have received. I had one reviewer comment that the Dark Lady was a novel directed at teens. I had a second reviewer state that the Dark Lady was certainly not suitable for a teenage audience.
I rest my case.
Next time, where The Queen’s Pawn came from.
RJH
My first published novel was “The Dark Lady.” I was passing through a room where the TV was on and the full face of an actress appeared on the screen.
My first thought was, “She could easily play an evil queen.” My second thought was, “I wonder, how evil queens get their bad reputations?”
The title, The Dark Lady was born. Then I went off on a bit of a tangent, starting with the character as a young girl. Rather than a take-off on the big bad witch, she became more modeled on a young Queen Elizabeth the First tangling with grasping courtiers and power-hungry nobles.
Some people complained that the title was misleading. There was no big bad nasty lady. That is certainly debatable. To close my point, I guess they didn’t finish the third book in the series. There is also a good hint or two as to the direction my main character was heading. I think she was only sixteen in the end of book three with plenty of rope left to hang herself or her neighbours.
As an added comment on the suitability of The Dark Lady for certain age groups; the book was written without consideration for the reader’s age. If asked, I would say I hoped adults would enjoy it and that certainly seems the case from the personal feedback I have received. I had one reviewer comment that the Dark Lady was a novel directed at teens. I had a second reviewer state that the Dark Lady was certainly not suitable for a teenage audience.
I rest my case.
Next time, where The Queen’s Pawn came from.
RJH
June 23, 2017
Summer Time!
After surviving Key Con we got invited to set up a Book Table at the Manitoba Highland Gathering June 24th and 25th.
If you are in the neighbourhood, look us up under Burst Books.
What am I wrestling with these days?
Just re-submitted my 9th effort in the Housetrap Chronicles Series. Had a comment from my editor that the first go-round wasn't as humorous as my stuff usually is.
Which raises an interesting question. Are readers upset if an author writes something different than what they usually do? (Which is why several authors use different author names for books written in different genres or styles,)
Inquiring minds would like to know.
So far I've done high fantasy, science fiction, thrillers, and fantasy detective tales all under my own name. Some are darker than others. Some are more serious, Others, like the Housetraps, I feel free to throw in just about anything. I'm working on getting a kitchen sink into HT#9...
Currently working on a space opera. Don't know if it will ever get off the ground. At the beta reader, re-write stage.
If you are in the neighbourhood, look us up under Burst Books.
What am I wrestling with these days?
Just re-submitted my 9th effort in the Housetrap Chronicles Series. Had a comment from my editor that the first go-round wasn't as humorous as my stuff usually is.
Which raises an interesting question. Are readers upset if an author writes something different than what they usually do? (Which is why several authors use different author names for books written in different genres or styles,)
Inquiring minds would like to know.
So far I've done high fantasy, science fiction, thrillers, and fantasy detective tales all under my own name. Some are darker than others. Some are more serious, Others, like the Housetraps, I feel free to throw in just about anything. I'm working on getting a kitchen sink into HT#9...
Currently working on a space opera. Don't know if it will ever get off the ground. At the beta reader, re-write stage.
May 16, 2017
This Weekend
May 19,20, 21st 2017 I'm at KeyCon in Winnipeg. I will be doing a reading and Q & A Friday night, then on a panel on Saturday and another on Sunday.
In between panels I will be manning a book table with print copies of my books currently available.
For those of you ebook fans, I will have a complete listing and where to find them.
Drop by and say hi and chat about writing.
Ron
In between panels I will be manning a book table with print copies of my books currently available.
For those of you ebook fans, I will have a complete listing and where to find them.
Drop by and say hi and chat about writing.
Ron
April 2, 2017
Give-aways and Stuff
To celebrate the launch of my latest novella in The Housetrap Chronicles fantasy detective series (#8) I'm going to be featured on the Champagne Publishing site on Monday April 3rd from 8pm to 9pm CST.
"Murder on the Disoriented Express"
There will be give-aways.
You can ask me questions or just make comments.
The site is:
www.facebook.com/groups/ChampagneBook...
"Murder on the Disoriented Express"
There will be give-aways.
You can ask me questions or just make comments.
The site is:
www.facebook.com/groups/ChampagneBook...
March 6, 2017
The Evolution of My Writing
I started writing fiction while I was still up to my eyeballs in a stressful day job. As a matter of fact, I wrote so much non-fiction as a small part of the job I qualified for Professional Writer status through the Canadian Authors Association. After a long day at work, I’d go home and start writing for the pleasure of writing, and not because I had to.
I started thinking the other day about how much my writing process has changed over the years. What got me diverted was the novel I’m currently working on. I’ve started with a beginning and an ending, but the great middle is a dark and unknown continent. I keep having to go back and scatter clues, check spelling of names (characters, highways, etc.) and generally do a massive amount of changing and inserting as I go.
Which brings me to how I used to write a novel.
I’d start with a lined notebook and a pen. I’d fill several notebooks. Then I got an ancient manual typewriter. This was my introduction to white-out. You make a mistake, or decide on a correction on the typewritten page, and voila, bring out the white-out. It came as either a strip you could type on over the change, or a liquid you dripped on the sin, making certain not to put on too much or you ruined your ribbon.
Then I advanced to a second-hand electric typewriter. This was not as difficult for me as for those who might not be able to keep up with the increase in speed. I was, and still am, a two-fingered typist, which suits me just fine. I type at about the same speed as I plot so everything works out.
I won some money on a Grey Cup Ticket (Canadian Football Championship) and went out and purchased a Commodore64 computer, complete with a box of 5” floppy discs. What a great technological leap forward! I still have two novels that never graduated from the 64, but I do have hard copy. Someday I will have to sit down and transcribe them into Word, manually, changing them drastically as I go, being very early works in my writing career.
When I retired from the daily slog, I took up writing fulltime and on a modern laptop too. (Well, it was modern, back then.) Now I can glory in making as many changes as my little black heart desires, check the spelling of my characters’ names, and insert those brilliant chunks of dialogue I create while on my early morning walks.
I still have the handwritten notebooks around here somewhere, and the floppies, although the Commodore64 is hiding in the garage. The typewriters have gone to wherever typewriters go, hopefully not spending their remaining years as boat anchors. I now have three laptops, (one is a little netbook) and can write on the road. Just as well, given the amount of stuff I’ve churned out in recent years. My process has come a long way since those early workbooks. What works best for you?
I started thinking the other day about how much my writing process has changed over the years. What got me diverted was the novel I’m currently working on. I’ve started with a beginning and an ending, but the great middle is a dark and unknown continent. I keep having to go back and scatter clues, check spelling of names (characters, highways, etc.) and generally do a massive amount of changing and inserting as I go.
Which brings me to how I used to write a novel.
I’d start with a lined notebook and a pen. I’d fill several notebooks. Then I got an ancient manual typewriter. This was my introduction to white-out. You make a mistake, or decide on a correction on the typewritten page, and voila, bring out the white-out. It came as either a strip you could type on over the change, or a liquid you dripped on the sin, making certain not to put on too much or you ruined your ribbon.
Then I advanced to a second-hand electric typewriter. This was not as difficult for me as for those who might not be able to keep up with the increase in speed. I was, and still am, a two-fingered typist, which suits me just fine. I type at about the same speed as I plot so everything works out.
I won some money on a Grey Cup Ticket (Canadian Football Championship) and went out and purchased a Commodore64 computer, complete with a box of 5” floppy discs. What a great technological leap forward! I still have two novels that never graduated from the 64, but I do have hard copy. Someday I will have to sit down and transcribe them into Word, manually, changing them drastically as I go, being very early works in my writing career.
When I retired from the daily slog, I took up writing fulltime and on a modern laptop too. (Well, it was modern, back then.) Now I can glory in making as many changes as my little black heart desires, check the spelling of my characters’ names, and insert those brilliant chunks of dialogue I create while on my early morning walks.
I still have the handwritten notebooks around here somewhere, and the floppies, although the Commodore64 is hiding in the garage. The typewriters have gone to wherever typewriters go, hopefully not spending their remaining years as boat anchors. I now have three laptops, (one is a little netbook) and can write on the road. Just as well, given the amount of stuff I’ve churned out in recent years. My process has come a long way since those early workbooks. What works best for you?
February 6, 2017
February Maddness
I'm trying to do too many things at once, again!
Been doing some promotions, and just this weekend ran an advert for Hounds of Basalt Ville (Housetrap # 4). looks like it made a few sales and also boosted sales of the original in the series, Housetrap.
This coming weekend will be working a table at the St. Valentines Horror Con in Winnipeg. Hopefully selling and signing a few print books. Don't think I'll be in costume, Not sure about the assistants. You'll find us at the Burst Books table.
On the writing side:
Housetrap #8 Murder on the Disoriented Express is scheduled for a July 2017 release.
Housetrap #9 (untitled) is at my Beta Reader's and should be ready to give my editor a look in March.
Toltec Dawn (#2 in that series) is ready to launch, expect it out any day now. (Originally scheduled for January)
Toltec Noon (#3 in that series) is scheduled to go into the editing maelstrom next month.
Meanwhile I'm 148 pages into a try at a space opera. Not sure where I'm going with this beast. When I started I had an opening scene and a closing scene and not much else in between.
Better get thinking about what I'll need for the crazy weekend. Must bring Saber-tooth cat skull...
Been doing some promotions, and just this weekend ran an advert for Hounds of Basalt Ville (Housetrap # 4). looks like it made a few sales and also boosted sales of the original in the series, Housetrap.
This coming weekend will be working a table at the St. Valentines Horror Con in Winnipeg. Hopefully selling and signing a few print books. Don't think I'll be in costume, Not sure about the assistants. You'll find us at the Burst Books table.
On the writing side:
Housetrap #8 Murder on the Disoriented Express is scheduled for a July 2017 release.
Housetrap #9 (untitled) is at my Beta Reader's and should be ready to give my editor a look in March.
Toltec Dawn (#2 in that series) is ready to launch, expect it out any day now. (Originally scheduled for January)
Toltec Noon (#3 in that series) is scheduled to go into the editing maelstrom next month.
Meanwhile I'm 148 pages into a try at a space opera. Not sure where I'm going with this beast. When I started I had an opening scene and a closing scene and not much else in between.
Better get thinking about what I'll need for the crazy weekend. Must bring Saber-tooth cat skull...
January 2, 2017
A New Year
Here in the writing world, still have several things on the go.
Toltec Khan, the second in my Toltec What-if series has been edited, and I'm just waiting word on when it will be coming out. Should be shortly.
Toltec Noon, the final book (so far) is sitting waiting to go into the editing process.
Murder on the Disoriented Express, number 8 in the Housetrap Chronicles fantasy detective series, has completed editing and should be available in March 2017.
I've completed the first draft of Housetrap number 9, still untitled. Now at the Beta reader stage. Should be ready to go to the publisher in a month or two.
Which means I've started playing around with a Space Opera sort of a novel. Just at the mucking about with the opening chapters stage.
Have signed up for three cons for 2017:
The Horror Con in February, the KeyCon in May, and the Comic Con in October. All in Winnipeg. Will be selling print copies of my books there. Also plan to attend When Words Collide in Calgary in August. Will be on a couple of the panels there.
Best of luck in 2017 and get on with your writing!
Toltec Khan, the second in my Toltec What-if series has been edited, and I'm just waiting word on when it will be coming out. Should be shortly.
Toltec Noon, the final book (so far) is sitting waiting to go into the editing process.
Murder on the Disoriented Express, number 8 in the Housetrap Chronicles fantasy detective series, has completed editing and should be available in March 2017.
I've completed the first draft of Housetrap number 9, still untitled. Now at the Beta reader stage. Should be ready to go to the publisher in a month or two.
Which means I've started playing around with a Space Opera sort of a novel. Just at the mucking about with the opening chapters stage.
Have signed up for three cons for 2017:
The Horror Con in February, the KeyCon in May, and the Comic Con in October. All in Winnipeg. Will be selling print copies of my books there. Also plan to attend When Words Collide in Calgary in August. Will be on a couple of the panels there.
Best of luck in 2017 and get on with your writing!
