Jess Steven Hughes's Blog, page 31
February 23, 2013
THE SIGN OF THE EAGLE is available on Nook
For those of you who have yet purchased a copy of my action/suspense historical, THE SIGN OF THE EAGLE, you can download a copy on your Nook ereader from Barnes and Noble (also on Kindle) for only $4.99. Thank you for your support.
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-s...
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-s...
February 22, 2013
THE SIGN OF THE EAGLE is available on Kindle
Don't forget, for those who have not yet purchased THE SIGN OF THE EAGLE, you can download it on your Kindle reader for only $4.99.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Sign-Eagle-...
http://www.amazon.com/The-Sign-Eagle-...
February 21, 2013
Guest Blogger on Ann E. Johnson's Blogspot
Today I was a guest blogger on and Anne E. Johnson's blogspot. I discussed about how I did research for and wrote my historical novel, THE SIGN OF THE EAGLE. If you are interested on how writers conduct research for historical novels, please check out this blog. Thank you for your support.
http://anneejohnson.blogspot.com/2013...
http://anneejohnson.blogspot.com/2013...
February 13, 2013
Blog update Feb. 13, 2013
The Wolf of Britannia (on-going)
I am currently working on chapter 56, only three chapters to go. However, I have run into to a dilemma, the manuscript is nearly 160,000 words long! Most publishers want no more than 120,000 max for a historical novel. What to do?
I contacted Lawrence Knorr, publisher of Sunbury Press, who published my historical, THE SIGN OF THE EAGLE and explained the situation. I asked if he was willing to consider publishing the novel in two parts? I can easily break it into part I, Caratacus's rise to power in Southern Britannia and part II, the Roman invasion of Britannia. Each volume would be approximately 80,000 words.
He answered that he will consider breaking THE WOLF OF BRITANNIA into two books, a duology, if I can show they will stand on their own as an entertainment value. He is willing to work with me toward that end. I will be also in contact with my book doctor/editor about that as well. She has scheduled to review the manuscript in May. Given the time, I know I can make it work.
I am currently working on chapter 56, only three chapters to go. However, I have run into to a dilemma, the manuscript is nearly 160,000 words long! Most publishers want no more than 120,000 max for a historical novel. What to do?
I contacted Lawrence Knorr, publisher of Sunbury Press, who published my historical, THE SIGN OF THE EAGLE and explained the situation. I asked if he was willing to consider publishing the novel in two parts? I can easily break it into part I, Caratacus's rise to power in Southern Britannia and part II, the Roman invasion of Britannia. Each volume would be approximately 80,000 words.
He answered that he will consider breaking THE WOLF OF BRITANNIA into two books, a duology, if I can show they will stand on their own as an entertainment value. He is willing to work with me toward that end. I will be also in contact with my book doctor/editor about that as well. She has scheduled to review the manuscript in May. Given the time, I know I can make it work.
January 27, 2013
Blog update Jan. 27, 2013
Ongoing Projects
The Wolf of Britannia (working title)
After a three week struggle, I finished the re-write of chapter 52. Because the chapter became so long, nineteen pages, I divided into two chapters, 52 and 53. They describe the Battle of Caersws in what is now in modern Wales. This was Caratacus's last battle against the Romans after waging guerrilla warfare for nearly eight years. I wrote it from viewpoints of Caratacus and the Roman, Porcius. I attempted to portray this battle as realistic as possible and that accounts for the increase in words and pages. My attempt was to "show" and not "tell" the story. I ran it passed my mentor and fellow author, Patricia DeMars Peiffer, and surprisingly she found only minor mistakes in the writing. This pleased me. I knew what she would look for and I did not want to have to do another major rewrite. She always wants me to paint a scene and setting--I made a point of doing just that. On to the next chapter. Caratacus is betrayed by his cousin, Cartimandua, Queen of the Brigantian tribe, a Celtic Kingdom in Northern Britannia. I am getting close to the end of this story.
The Broken Lance
This last Saturday, Jan. 26, I read chapter 32 to the Spokane Novelist Group from The Broken Lance. This is a down chapter in which we take a breather from the fast paced action of the last few, which involved a hair-raising torture scene and the discovery of a list of conspirators, who planned to assassinate the Emperor Claudius, in an urn within the mausoleum of the Gallus Family.
In this chapter, we learn of Marcellus's growing love for the British Princess and hostage, Eleyne. There was some debate by the group about the way I covered the chapter. I opened up with a narrative summary which I considered a transition. One member disagreed and said it should be a full blown scene. I disagreed in that it would not add anything significant to scenes I created in the chapter and would unnecessarily lengthen the novel, etc. There were some other points brought up on which I could agree. This has been a tough group and they keep you honest. However, at the same time, you cannot give into the personal preferences/prejudices of others. A writer must keep his/her own style intact and follow his/her true self, otherwise, creativity can be stiffled if not ruined.
Below, I am including an opinion from my book doctor, Erin Brown, who is a former editor with Harper-Collins about this situation of when to "tell" or narrative usage.
Thoughts on Writing - Narrative vs. Telling
The following is from an email I received from book doctor/editor Erin Brown.
"Showing allows the reader to experience the story through a character's actions, words, thoughts, senses, and feelings rather than through the narrator's exposition, summarization, and description (telling).
"A few words about narrative: 'Show, don't tell' should not be applied to all incidents in the story. According to James Scott Bell, 'Sometimes a writer tells as a shortcut, to move quickly to the meaty part of the story or scene. Showing is essentially about making scenes vivid. If you try to do it (show) constantly, the parts that are supposed to stand out won't, and your readers will get exhausted.' Showing requires more words; telling may cover a greater span of time more concisely. A novel that contains only showing would be incredibly long; therefore, a narrative can contain some legitimate telling.
"Scenes that are important to the story should be dramatized with showing, but sometimes what happens between scenes can be told so the story can make progress. According to Orson Scott Card and others, 'showing' is so terribly time consuming that it is to be used only for dramatic scenes. The objective is to find the right balance of telling versus showing, action versus summarization. Factors like rhythm, pace, and tone come into play."
--Erin Brown, Editor.
That's all for now. Thank you for your support.
The Wolf of Britannia (working title)
After a three week struggle, I finished the re-write of chapter 52. Because the chapter became so long, nineteen pages, I divided into two chapters, 52 and 53. They describe the Battle of Caersws in what is now in modern Wales. This was Caratacus's last battle against the Romans after waging guerrilla warfare for nearly eight years. I wrote it from viewpoints of Caratacus and the Roman, Porcius. I attempted to portray this battle as realistic as possible and that accounts for the increase in words and pages. My attempt was to "show" and not "tell" the story. I ran it passed my mentor and fellow author, Patricia DeMars Peiffer, and surprisingly she found only minor mistakes in the writing. This pleased me. I knew what she would look for and I did not want to have to do another major rewrite. She always wants me to paint a scene and setting--I made a point of doing just that. On to the next chapter. Caratacus is betrayed by his cousin, Cartimandua, Queen of the Brigantian tribe, a Celtic Kingdom in Northern Britannia. I am getting close to the end of this story.
The Broken Lance
This last Saturday, Jan. 26, I read chapter 32 to the Spokane Novelist Group from The Broken Lance. This is a down chapter in which we take a breather from the fast paced action of the last few, which involved a hair-raising torture scene and the discovery of a list of conspirators, who planned to assassinate the Emperor Claudius, in an urn within the mausoleum of the Gallus Family.
In this chapter, we learn of Marcellus's growing love for the British Princess and hostage, Eleyne. There was some debate by the group about the way I covered the chapter. I opened up with a narrative summary which I considered a transition. One member disagreed and said it should be a full blown scene. I disagreed in that it would not add anything significant to scenes I created in the chapter and would unnecessarily lengthen the novel, etc. There were some other points brought up on which I could agree. This has been a tough group and they keep you honest. However, at the same time, you cannot give into the personal preferences/prejudices of others. A writer must keep his/her own style intact and follow his/her true self, otherwise, creativity can be stiffled if not ruined.
Below, I am including an opinion from my book doctor, Erin Brown, who is a former editor with Harper-Collins about this situation of when to "tell" or narrative usage.
Thoughts on Writing - Narrative vs. Telling
The following is from an email I received from book doctor/editor Erin Brown.
"Showing allows the reader to experience the story through a character's actions, words, thoughts, senses, and feelings rather than through the narrator's exposition, summarization, and description (telling).
"A few words about narrative: 'Show, don't tell' should not be applied to all incidents in the story. According to James Scott Bell, 'Sometimes a writer tells as a shortcut, to move quickly to the meaty part of the story or scene. Showing is essentially about making scenes vivid. If you try to do it (show) constantly, the parts that are supposed to stand out won't, and your readers will get exhausted.' Showing requires more words; telling may cover a greater span of time more concisely. A novel that contains only showing would be incredibly long; therefore, a narrative can contain some legitimate telling.
"Scenes that are important to the story should be dramatized with showing, but sometimes what happens between scenes can be told so the story can make progress. According to Orson Scott Card and others, 'showing' is so terribly time consuming that it is to be used only for dramatic scenes. The objective is to find the right balance of telling versus showing, action versus summarization. Factors like rhythm, pace, and tone come into play."
--Erin Brown, Editor.
That's all for now. Thank you for your support.
January 21, 2013
Signed Copies Available for Those Who Live Overseas
For those of you who live outside the USA/Canada and would like to purchase A SIGNED COPY OF THE SIGN OF THE EAGLE, you can do so from ALL THINGS IRISH. Contact them by email contactus@all-thingsirish.com and ask for details. They are open seven days a week. Thank you. www.jessstevenhughes.com
January 18, 2013
Signed Copies Available from Auntie's Bookstore
http://www.auntiesbooks.com/book/%5Bm... You can order signed copies online of my historical novel, THE SIGN OF THE EAGLE, from Auntie's Bookstore, by clicking onto this link.
January 15, 2013
On-going Book Writing Projects
Ongoing Writing Projects
The Wolf of Britannia (working title)
In my last entry I explained that although I had completed the rewrite as far as chapter 52, I realized that I had left out some vital information needed for the story in chapters 50 and 51. I went back and did significant rewrites. The most important one is a scene in which Caratacus spends the last evening with his wife Dana and daughter Macha. He does this before he sends them and the rest of the warrior families to safety, before battling the Romans, at the hill fortress of Caesws, in what is now Wales. I ran both chapters past my mentor and author of historical fiction, Patricia DeMars Pfeiffer, for her review. She found several flaws in chapter 51, dealing with battle preparations, which I corrected, but very little in chapter 52. She said I wrote a very poignant and moving scene of the family together. Now I can concentrate of chapter 52. I need to get this novel wrapped up and ready for my book doctor/editor. As it is, the novel has grown too long at 144,000 words and will need to be cut to around 120,000. I am hoping the book doctor will advise me of specific areas to edit.
The Broken Lance
Even though my main emphasis is completing "Wolf" I rewrote another chapter (43) for The Broken Lance. In this one chapter Marcellus witnesses a great mock naval battle between 3,000 gladiators in the Augustan Naval arena which was located on the westside of the River Tiber. A very popular gladiator, Candra, who was Flavius Sabinus's (Marcellus's patron) ex-slave was slain during the games, despite the crowd asking Emperor Claudius for mercy. A bloody riot ensues involving Marcellus who is commander of the forces assigned to preventing just such a fiasco.
The Wolf of Britannia (working title)
In my last entry I explained that although I had completed the rewrite as far as chapter 52, I realized that I had left out some vital information needed for the story in chapters 50 and 51. I went back and did significant rewrites. The most important one is a scene in which Caratacus spends the last evening with his wife Dana and daughter Macha. He does this before he sends them and the rest of the warrior families to safety, before battling the Romans, at the hill fortress of Caesws, in what is now Wales. I ran both chapters past my mentor and author of historical fiction, Patricia DeMars Pfeiffer, for her review. She found several flaws in chapter 51, dealing with battle preparations, which I corrected, but very little in chapter 52. She said I wrote a very poignant and moving scene of the family together. Now I can concentrate of chapter 52. I need to get this novel wrapped up and ready for my book doctor/editor. As it is, the novel has grown too long at 144,000 words and will need to be cut to around 120,000. I am hoping the book doctor will advise me of specific areas to edit.
The Broken Lance
Even though my main emphasis is completing "Wolf" I rewrote another chapter (43) for The Broken Lance. In this one chapter Marcellus witnesses a great mock naval battle between 3,000 gladiators in the Augustan Naval arena which was located on the westside of the River Tiber. A very popular gladiator, Candra, who was Flavius Sabinus's (Marcellus's patron) ex-slave was slain during the games, despite the crowd asking Emperor Claudius for mercy. A bloody riot ensues involving Marcellus who is commander of the forces assigned to preventing just such a fiasco.
January 13, 2013
Book Signing Follow-up @ Hastings, Spokane Valley, WA
Although the traffic was slow, it was steady at Hastings in Spokane Valley, WA where I signed copies of my historical, THE SIGN OF THE EAGLE. I sold a lot more copies than I expected for a January which is usually slow for signings. I talked to a lot of friendly people and they appreciated the fact that I was a local author. Book manager, Holly, said, "You were awesome!" I won't complain. She wants me back in May for another signing. A big thanks to Holly and all the Hastings Associates who for assisting me and making this another successful signing.
I will be on a two-month hiatus from signing (have to finish my next novel, THE WOLF OF BRITANNIA) and then in the middle of March I will undergo a two month signing run culminating Mother's Day weekend.
I will be on a two-month hiatus from signing (have to finish my next novel, THE WOLF OF BRITANNIA) and then in the middle of March I will undergo a two month signing run culminating Mother's Day weekend.
January 8, 2013
Book Review - Three Seconds to Thunder
Three Seconds to Thunder by C.K. CriggerMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is the third book in the series and so far C.K. Crigger's best about private investagator wannabee, China Bohannon. She is a head-strong, quirky and spunky twenty-one-year old young woman who thinks she can be just as good an investigator as her Uncle Monk and his partner Gratton Doyle. Unfortunately, she is only the office manager for their PI agency. The two have done nearly everything they can think of to keep her out of their line of business. After all, this is Spokane in the '90s, 1890's that is. Private Investagion work is a man's business and considered scandalous for a prim, single young woman to be involved in this sordid line of work. That hasn't stopped China for a minute.
Once more China gets in over her head. It starts with Gratton taking China to a dance because he needs a partner and cover while he is following a married woman, whose husband believes is cheating on him, the usual PI stuff that pays most of the bills. She supposedly hangs out at the local dance pavilion and so that's where China and Gratton go. Actually, China likes it because she is sweet on Gratton, but he is all business. From dance onward, things get dicey as the husband, who is a powerful land baron, has actually forced his wife into an unwanted marriage. This only the tip of the iceburg.
China follows a path of murder, kidnapping, and homestead swindals, and in the midst of it all she is caught in a horrendous forest fire as she tries to rescue Monk and Gratton almost at the same time from horrible deaths.
The writing is tight and fast moving. The descriptions are vivid and you feel you are in old Spokane and in the middle of the fire, you almost feel the heat of the flames and your hair singing.
I highly recommend this novel to anyone who likes mystery and adventure that is set in turn of the twentieth century USA.
View all my reviews
