A.L. Butcher's Blog, page 163
September 26, 2015
Author Interview Number Ninety-Six – Nikki Andrews – Mystery
Welcome to Nikki Andrews
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005VW8J28
Where are you from and where do you live now? I was born in New Jersey a long time ago, but since then I’ve mostly lived inside my head.
Please tell us a little about your writing – for example genre, title, etc. My latest book, Framed, is a cozy mystery set in a New Hampshire art gallery. More books in that setting are in the works. I also dabble in sci-fi and just started a romantic thriller.
Where do you find inspiration? The world is so full of a number of things…Normal everyday life, with a twist.
Are your characters based on real people? Yes and no. I’ve used real people as a baseline for characters, but I blend in traits, habits, or idiosyncrasies from other people. So far, no real people have recognized themselves in my books.
Have you ever used a person you don’t/didn’t like as a character then killed them off? Oh yeah! (rubs hands together) That’s part of the fun.
Research can be important in world-building, how much do you need to do for your books? Do you enjoy this aspect of creating a novel and what are your favourite resources? For Framed, I drew on my nine years as a picture framer, and did research into police procedures and messenger services. Like many writers, I’m a bit introverted, but I’m better at finding a person to talk to than I am at book/Google searches. And as I get older, I’ve gotten bolder at walking up to people who snag my interest. Once you get someone talking about their passion, it’s almost impossible to shut them up.
Is there a message conveyed within your writing? Do you feel this is important in a book? Books that beat you over the head with a “message” bore and annoy me. Story first, always. There is a–let’s call it a theme–that runs through my books, but I’d rather let readers discover it for themselves, if they are so inclined.
In what formats are your books available? (E-books, print, large print audio) Are you intending to expand these and if not, what is the reason? Framed is available as an ebook or print. Large print and audio would be lovely, and in my spare time I’m looking into it.
Do you self-edit? If so why is that the case? Do you believe a book suffers without being professionally edited? I also work as an editor, and I’ve learned that no one can adequately self-edit. Every writer needs someone else to insist “this beloved passage adds nothing” or “you really need to expand that thought.” Even before I started thinking about becoming an editor, I used to mark up books where I thought changes would improve them. So yes, I think all books should be professionally edited.
What experiences can a book provide that a movie or video game cannot? A book is far more interactive than movies or games. Books allow, even demand, the reader’s participation in imagining the world and the characters described. Just as a for-instance, I had a very different image of Gollum than what Peter Jackson gave the world. Every time I open a book, I become a co-creator with the author. And that is far more exciting than watching a movie or playing a game.
What three pieces of advice would you give to new writers? Read widely, write daily, learn deeply.
Most authors like to read, what have you recently finished reading? Did you enjoy it? Just finished Ann Hillerman’s Spider Woman’s Daughter. I was pleasantly surprised and relieved to find she did an excellent job with her father’s characters, and I loved getting a feminine perspective on them. I’m curious to see what will happen if she goes on to create her own new characters and mysteries.
Can you name your favourite traditionally published author? And your favourite indie/self-published author? No, I couldn’t possibly name them. There are too many of each!
Can you name your worst job? Do you think you learned anything from the position that you now use in your writing? I won’t name the company where I worked as an admin assistant, but that job from hell did provide a deliciously evil character that I managed to kill off three times in one book. Bwaa-ha-ha!
Can you give us a silly fact about yourself? I have been known to stand in front of the local planning board and make train noises at them.
Book links, website/blog and author links:
Website: http://www.nikkiandrewsbooks.com
Blog: www.scrivenersriver.blogspot.com
Twitter: @NAedits
Email: Nikki@nikkiandrewsbooks.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nikkiandrewsauthor
September 20, 2015
Taking the Plunge – One Writer’s Story – Ramon Youseph
Not so long ago part time writer Ramon Youseph made the decision to leave his day job and work full time as a writer. For many of us this is a dream come true, for others a decision which is terrifying. Any freelance work is risky for someone with bills to pay. One cannot guarantee an income but Ramon is a man of some determination. Here’s his interview.
Welcome Ramon. What made you decide to leave your previous job pursue writing as a full time career? It’s a big step!
Simple really, it’s what I’ve always wanted to do since I was a teenager, and at my age now (44) I decided that I didn’t want to sit about wondering what it was like to live my dream but to get on and do it. For the last six years I tried getting noticed with blog posts, articles and networking but my day job meant I was limited in terms of time, concentration I mean let’s face it after an eight hour day the last thing you want to do is stare at a computer for another five or six hours. Still in that time I managed to publish over 350 articles and posts of my own choosing as well for a client or as a guest contributor. I was even approached for comment by BBC online and quoted in their finished article – it was about the crowdsourced fan film “Star Wars Uncut”. However I Just got tired of seeing opportunities pass me by and not being in a position to seize them. Confidence also plays a big part.
When I started working for Kung-Fu Kingdom it provided me with a sort of litmus test of whether or not I could be a successful writer outside of my own blog. After a very promising two or three months with one very happy client, along with some long talks with my family and friends I decided to take the plunge. Since I have already had to make a couple of big life changing decision in my personal life, the prospect of a third one seemed less daunting, but only a little less.
How much support have you had from your friends and family?
The outpouring of support has been overwhelming if I am honest. Friends who have known me a long time and know this is my life’s ambition have rallied round me expressing their pride, admiration, some even a little envious that I could potentially live my dream. I have been called brave and an inspiration, even one or two of my most risk averse friends have simply said “go for it.” Yet the biggest support has come from my family. My parents are behind me 100% and offering their insight and experience of being self-employed. They appreciate there are risks involved but continue to encourage me, and have every faith that I will make a success of this.
How did you go about making preparations for this?
Well I already had an idea of what was involved from talking to one or two friends who are freelancers. I also picked up this book with the very simple title of “Freelance Writing” by Linda Jones. I noticed it had some good reviews so I thought I would give it a go. It covers all the fundamentals of the business aspect, how to source work, what to do about fees, and so on. It helped me map out a sort of template of the infrastructure I needed to put into place. This is not as a fancy as it sounds – it simply involved many hours in a coffee shop scribbling pages of notes riddled with ideas in a caffeine fuelled frenzy, such as building a professional looking website, marketing, the admin side including what to charge, but mostly what specific services to offer. Writing is such a big umbrella term so I had to think about the specifics that would combine the kind of services I can offer with the sort of writing I like to do. This is still something I am working on but I think I am nearly there.
There was also the question of how to structure my day, working hours, allotted time for breaks and tasks to undergo. I am still ironing out the creases on this. Then there was the question of letting potential clients know that this was the direction I was taking; I set up a mailshot from my contacts list – people and organisations I worked with over the years and sent them a RamonWrites release to let them know I am available for hire. I also used my existing social media accounts to get the word out. The tough part I anticipated would be approaching potential clients for work and so far that is meeting my expectations, for example I registered with various portals that offer freelancing opportunities and there is a lot to choose from. The thing is that because there is SO much listed work they vary on subject matter which is great but also pay levels ranging from insultingly low (£1 per hundred words) to surprisingly generous (£350 per thousand words). Really it is just a case of being meticulous in the search to find work that is right for me. Above all else I knew it wasn’t going to be easy and my aspirations in terms of earning capacity are cautiously optimistic. So far all my expectations have been met.
You are a determined person, I know you’ve started running fairly recently – tell us a little about that? What else drives you?
I used to run as a teenager but like many things you dabble in at that time in your life there is the tendency to move onto other things – some people obviously stick with them. I got back into running over four years ago, worried that my weight was going to get the better of me. I needed something to drive me so a friend pushed me to run the Bristol 10k. It was grueling work for someone of my size but I did it and since improved on my time in various other races. Yes I am getting fitter although I could always lose a bit more weight and I am working on that but here are some benefits of running that I think those who insist it’s unhealthy or even a waste of time routinely ignore or don’t consider; running is one of the keys to both mental wellbeing and success.
As human beings our minds are riddled with thoughts, and rarely focused on the present moment. Sometimes we even overthink and get ourselves worked up over stuff we can do nothing about. A good run whether it’s a mile or ten will drag you into the present moment (sometimes kicking and screaming). It doesn’t take away your fears and worries float their like vapours but they can’t touch you especially when you’ve ran that first mile, or if you’re in a race, crossed that finished line knowing you beat your personal best. Nothing comes close to that feeling of accomplishment, it’s a rush and that’s when you truly appreciate what it means to be in the moment.
Running for me also shapes my attitude to my work and life in general. It teaches me what needs to be done to be successful. Through running I appreciate that successful accomplishments only come through adversity, hard work and putting in the time for the best possible results. When I run I push myself to do better, and that’s what truly drives me now that I am a full time freelance writer, the determination, not shying away from hard work and long hours, setting achievable goals, ready to climb hills and work through even the toughest days whether it’s dry spots (writing is very much a feast or famine business) or other things life sends to try us. After that intense tirade it might surprise you to learn that what also drives me is to get as much as joy as I can out of my life in all aspects whether it’s work, running, socializing, everything. You only have one life and I have a tremendous opportunity to live life on my own terms and enjoy the ride, why squander it?
If I recall you are a fan of fantasy/sci-fi, why this genre? What intrigues you so much about it?
Well on the lighter note it’s a lot of fun to be transported to magical realms in some far away land or worlds & galaxies light years away populated by an assortment of alien creatures, magnificent battles and so forth. It really excites the imagination and done well makes for truly engaging story telling. It’s a genre you can have a lot of fun with too and the creators are not necessarily bound by the restrictions of “realism” although science-fiction requires a certain element of that, or at the very least some plausibility. It can be exciting and a lot of fun to just get lost in another world.
Yet what I really love about sci-fi/fantasy is how it can act as a window through which we can examine the human condition, whether it’s speculative as with sci-fi pondering on what the future will be like, or reflective, sometimes even making a point about human activity. Some have said that there was an element of environmentalism in Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings and I think that’s true when you read (or see in the films) the destruction of the forests by Sauruman to build weapons and monsters of war. I don’t think you can get a more impactful representation of the harmful effects of industrialization than that. Both examine the notions of class, society, bigotry with such gravitas but what really draws me in is examining what it means to be human through a non-human conduit such as aliens and my favourite, machines. Isaac Asimov and Philip K Dick created some of the most amazing stories exploring humanity through androids or robots. Films such as Ex-Machina, AI: Artificial Intelligence really get into the nitty gritty of this aspect of sci-fi but none more so than Bladerunner. It still makes for a compelling idea that both the human and android characters are embroiled in their inner struggle for their humanity, and as for the ending – well I don’t want to spoil it for anybody who hasn’t seen it but the idea of epiphany finally learning what it’s all about is just mind blowing.
How important is research to your work? What are your best resources?
Research is very important regardless of whether you are producing work through your own ideas or working from a brief/instruction from a client. When I wrote for the Daily Crowdsource I was given a brief outline and relevant web links on the topic I was asked to cover. The brief has plenty of information to craft an article but it is vital that further research is carried on receipt of the brief. I would always spend half an hour to an hour scouring the internet either for additional relevant information but more importantly for anything that might question, refute or even make irrelevant the information given to me. It protects the client and you the writer after all it’s not good business to put your client in a position where they have published false or outdated information. This is not a reflection on the quality of the client’s brief but simply having another pair of eyes covering your back but also suggesting angles and information that would stand out from the competition.
The internet is a great source of information if you know how to use it properly. I try to adapt what I call a newsroom approach to web research which is, say I want to write about working conditions on coffee farms and the first bit of information I come across gives a glowing report. Whilst that is the sort of thing people like to read so that they can enjoy their lattes guilt free I am not going to take one source’s word for it. So I look for a minimum of two corroborating sources and then just to be on the safe side I would research the sources to see where their bias lies. There will always be more than one side to a story and there will always be someone with a challenging view and evidence to support, but what you are doing is checking the validity of your information and sources. Of course not all briefs will require this much extensive research but it doesn’t hurt to check.
I read a variety of blogs, some of which can just be personal musing but also feature insights from news savvy academics, speakers and activists writing or expanding on various topics that might be missed in a Google search. These can saved to your
I place great value on internet research which you can do from the comfort of your own bed still in your PJs. However I do find Twitter is a great source of information for any article. Like any social media site it is a mixed bag of news and gossip, activism and of course ephemeral socializing but there are plenty of accounts that provide specialized knowledge that could prove tiresome searching the web. If you were to write an article about Barbecue food you could contact any chef or connect with @devonwoodsmoke, the twitter account for a Devon based chef specializing in smoked and barbecue food. So that’s how Twitter can put you in touch with people and resources with vast knowledge that will help you add real meat to the bones of any article.
Your website offers articles on ‘any subject’ – that’s a tall order. How do you aim to pursue this?
Yes that is quite a boast isn’t it? I am not saying that I have a wealth of knowledge on anything from how to apply lipstick to the implication of Schrodinger’s Cat in solving the problem of the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics in everyday objects, far from it. However if a client puts out a call to write about either topic, or both my experience has been that they usually have an idea of what specific information to be included, style suitable to a target readership and purpose. This gives me an idea of what to write and how to structure it and anything that goes over my head I can learn more from internet research, ploughing through relevant blogs or even putting a shout out on Twitter for “expert” opinion.
There are of course limitations to what I can do and I am unlikely to be approached to produce academic essays that can only be read by other academics or professionals although I am always open to a challenge.
I do feel realistically that I can write about any topic that is put before me and fill any gaps in my knowledge with a little research and this comes from my work in crowdsourcing and crowdfunding. Through my blog Crowdsourcing Gazette and my client The Daily Crowdsource I have looked at how those have been used in technology and innovation, film making, journalism, marketing and advertising, crisis management, restoration, scientific advancement, banking, trade, and promoting the arts. It was important for me to understand what I was writing about so that it made sense and that I could decide if certain things needed expanding – for example I write an article about a percussion instrument that uses kinetic energy to produce enough electricity to power a USB light or charge a phone – by the way it refers to build up of energy through acceleration. In understanding that I was able to understand how the instrument worked and explain that in the finished article.
Of course I do love writing about subjects of which I have knowledge such as films, martial arts, fitness, and so forth but I am conscious of limiting my market potential should any of these areas “dry up” – I don’t want to be known as a film writer as there is a risk of deterring potential clients. Plus I like a challenge and always relish the opportunity to learn something new. In order to make this happen what I try to do is through freelancing portals apply for work on a variety of subjects but also use my Ramon Writes blog to showcase my varied range. Right now my crowdsourcing work provides ample evidence of my topic range but of course this needs updating. What I am also doing is keeping an eye on the market, what topics are in demand? So far example if it’s Internet Dating, whilst I have some experience as a user I might start reading up on the industry, study blogs and then apply for the job is it is still open.
Do you feel your previous jobs/interests will provide useful experiences for your writing career? If so why?
My interests will provide me with insight where the work will reflect my passions; my work with Kung-fu Kingdom has involved reviewing martial arts films, events, as well as an interview with a graphic novel that combines Zombie story with martial arts. Since these are also my interests I can write passionately and informatively on all of these.
My previous jobs have certainly provided me with some basic skills – organizational, time keeping, day structuring that sort of thing although I am learning that those can go right out the window if you are hit with the dreaded writer’s block and you have a deadline. I already have experience of writing to deadline or quota (20 articles per month for example) so I can bring that to my new role. What I really bring to the venture is a strong work ethic – I don’t like to boast, although some former colleagues might disagree but for much of my working life clients, customers, and employers have expressed satisfaction with my work, and a happy client/boss makes me a happy worker and content in the knowledge that I am doing something right. I aim to please and (sorry for the shameless self-promotion) if you look at the Testimonials page on my website you’ll see current and former clients telling the world how happy they are with my work.
And of course working as a credit controller for 12 years I am not shy about chasing unpaid bills.
The internet offers a wealth of opportunities for writers – do you think the older, printed materials are becoming obsolete?
I think it’s a possibility. Reading online whether it’s on your phone, tablet, laptop or PC offers so many advantages over printed materials – I mean if you feel inclined you can take 1000 books on holiday with your e-reader, imagine trying to fit those into your suitcase. Newspapers can only give you so much information as space is a premium whereas a news website can deluge you with a barrage of stories from all over the world, and through other sites. How can printed materials compete with that?
However I think there is a still a generation or two prefers print over electronic reading the obvious one being newspapers, magazines and books don’t need charging up but also some (like myself) just love the smell of printed material. There is also still a concern that technology is encroaching on our daily lives, evolving too fast and so want to dial it back a bit – reading printed materials gives you a necessary break from your phone, TV and laptop. It can also be quality over quantity – why take 10 electronic books when you can just take one and take time reading it?
The debate is still raging of print over web – someday we could end up with a paperless society but unlikely in our lifetime.
What are your tips on marketing/promoting yourself and your products?
Oh that’s a tough one and I am still very much working through this but I would have to say is this;
Put a professional face on your venture, in my case it’s the website. It’s clean, user friendly and visually pleasing on the eye but provides plenty of information without overloading potential clients with too much information. As a writer this is possibly the first glimpse anyone has of my writing and presentation ability so it is vital that the website reflects the best of all of that.
2. An obvious one, use social media. Whether it’s Twitter or Facebook I try to post regularly my latest work, updates on how the business is going, articles of interest relevant to writing, sometimes I will promote other freelancers work, and even share my latest efforts out running. Seriously I try to keep it relevant to writing, and business but you can add some personal stuff to remind people you are human. Avoid controversy, bad language and text speak. Like my website my social media presence is the professional face of my business. Just like any business a little office banter or water cooler moment is ok but keep it clean and respectable and at some point you have to get back to work.
If am writing about an event, any event I take plenty of business cards. Certain events are geared towards networking so there will be lots of business card swapping. I am conscious at such gatherings I will be caught shorthanded when a potential client wants my contact details and I have none to give him save a scrap of paper that is likely to be lost or binned.
I am currently working on sending speculative letters and pitching ideas for potential articles to various publications.
If you get an opportunity to talk about your specialism, business etc, or to be interviewed then quoted in a publication then take it. Doing presentations at talks and sitting on Q&A panels will work wonders for your professional face unless of course you get a case of flop sweat and start tripping over your works. Seriously, these events showcase what you’re all about and break the ice come the networking stage. If you were engaging enough people will come to you with questions and want to know more about you do. I am still waiting for my invitation however I have featured on the BBC website – have I mentioned that already?
Word of the Week – Misandrist
I’ve been thinking of ways to vary the types of posts from the Library of Erana. After all variety is the spice of life, they say.
So I am starting a Word of the Week post – basically either myself or my followers can suggest a word, preferably an uncommon or unusual one, and I’ll look up meaning and origin. The Library of Erana is a hall of words – so we may as well find some:)
Today’s word: Misandrist – suggested by fantasy author Janet Morris.
NOUN: a person who dislikes, despises, or is strongly prejudiced against men. It’s parallel is misogyny – a word more familiar (hatred of women).
This is a word which appeared in the 19th Century in The Spectator (1871).
Translation of the French “Misandrie” to the German “Männerhaß” (Hatred of Men)[5] is recorded in 1803.[6] Misandry is formed from the Greekmisos (μῖσος, “hatred”) and anēr, andros (ἀνήρ, gen. ἀνδρός; “man”).[7]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Misandry
Use in literature: Miss Haversham in Dickens’ Great Expectations was a caricature of a misandrist – jilted at the alter she thus hates men and uses the protagonist to exact revenge.
Arguably The Vagina Monologues is misandrist work as all the male characters are rogues, brutes and reprehensible individuals.
I’d like to say I haven’t read the latter of these but read Dickens many years ago and can’t remember much of the story.
September 13, 2015
Audiobook Narrator Interview Number Seven – Melanie Fraser
Name: Melanie Fraser
*Tell us a bit about yourself:
I was born in Cape Town, South Africa to where my father had moved during WWII. I made the decision at the age of 3 to become a ballet dancer! Following my training there and after the family moved to England – post-Sharpeville – I continued full time theatre training. As an actress, singer and dancer I later appeared in theatre, film and television. After a long break away from performing, during which time I qualified and taught professional classical ballet in the UK and abroad, I returned to acting and now perform on screen and as a voice over artist.
How did you become involved with audiobook narration and production?
Gary Terzza told me about BeeAudio’s new Studio Certification Course and that they were establishing a UK network. Helen Lloyd, with whom I had worked in a few theatre productions, runs the UK side. The course introduced me to audiobook narration as well as production.
Tell us about some of the titles you’ve narrated. Do you have a favourite amongst these?
These are on audible (UK and USA sites)
‘A Gentleman’s Daughter: Her Love’ (Reina M Williams)
‘The Promise’ (Elizabeth Chappelle)
‘The Final Dawn’ (Alice Catherine Carter)
‘Princess in Peril’ (Janet Whitehead)
‘A Murderer’s Heart’ (Julie Elizabeth Powell)
‘Lady Concealed’ (Jane Bridges)
‘Dirty Business’ (Julie Elizabeth Powell)
One of my favourites is The Final Dawn, a compelling story of treachery and murder set in Stalin’s era/
Do you have a preferred genre? Do you have a genre you do not produce? Why is this?
At the top of my list is espionage, then historical and crime/thrillers non-fiction and fiction as these stimulate my interest and I always buy these books.
I’m not drawn to narrate erotica, science fiction and fantasy (involving elves and pixies) and wouldn’t usually buy books in those genres.
What are you working on at present/Just finished?
Currently I am nearing completion of an historical fiction set during the Anglo-Boer War called, ‘Crossing the Vaal’ by Archie Vincent. It is beautifully descriptive and my top favourite to date.
*Tell us about your process for narrating? (Be as elaborate as you like.)
I start by reading the whole book before auditioning. Production begins by marking up the whole script with any pronunciation, unusual words etc listed or researched. I liaise closely with the author if there are any queries.
The characters are all colour coded on the script and a spreadsheet sets out the ages, types of voice and other information for reference. Accents are sourced via the IDEA, You Tube, film and other archives. I engage a tutor – always a native speaker – in whatever foreign accent is needed.
After recording and proofing, the editing takes considerable time. My studio is in a quiet area. Nevertheless, noises such as cars, planes, lawnmowers, barking dogs occur, picked up by my extremely sensitive microphone and are all removed. Each chapter is paced and proofed again with a final QC done before mastering, saving to the required format and specifications of the publisher after which the whole production is uploaded. An ongoing backup procedure is followed throughout the production so that nothing is lost……
What aspects do you find most enjoyable?
I love the actual narration and really enjoy getting totally immersed in the story.
Do you consider royalty share when looking for books to narrate? If not why is this?
Yes, so far I have done mostly these but now give preference to projects with a PFH rate.
Do you listen to audiobooks?
Yes. I’m currently listening to David Rattray’s ‘The Dead Moon’ a thrilling history of the Zulu Wars in the 19thC.
*With many people owning MP3 players do you think this is the future of storytelling?
Whilst many people like listening to books whilst doing other things such as travelling, there are also people like me who prefer to read a book. For me it is partly because after many hours of working with sound, I like peace and quiet. I think they both have their value.
Please tell us a silly fact about yourself.
I have a dimple on each shoulder!
Where can we learn more about you?
http://www.melaniefraser-voice.com
http://www.spotlight.com/5892-8977-4349
https://www.acx.com/narrator?p=A25CGL7F987D8R
http://www.beeaudio.com/narrator/melanie–fraser
http://www.audible.co.uk/search?searchNarrator=Melanie+Fraser
uk.linkedin.com/in/melaniefraservoiceuk
Social Media links:
I am not on Facebook or Twitter
MELANIE HAS ALSO BEEN RECRUITED TO NARRATE OUTSIDE THE WALLS – my latest short story with Diana L Wicker.
https://libraryoferana.wordpress.com/2015/08/25/outside-the-walls-fantasy-short-story-new-release/
September 6, 2015
Review – Being Max’s Mom – Rebecca Miller
Being Max’s Mom – Rebecca Miller
5 stars!
http://www.amazon.com/Being-Maxs-Mom-Adventures-Spectrum-ebook/dp/B0110JMYNA/
#Biography, #autism #specialchild
This is not usually the sort of book I’d read, but it was recommended by a friend. I’m so glad I picked it up. I read the whole thing in a few hours – I seem to recall looking at the clock and it was 2 am when I finished.
Max Miller is a young man whose life has been filled with challenges, even from before he came into the world. In a world largely against Max and his courageous and determined mother, Rebecca, knew there was a fight to be fought, and my god was it fought.
Max is autistic – branded ‘unteachable and unreachable’ his mother was advised to send him to an institution. Instead her love, a hell of a lot of support, work and sacrifice have resulted in a boy who is not only ‘a good egg’ but a writer, and advocate for autism and the organiser of an arts project. Not bad for a child written off by doctors, family, and society. Ms Miller herself continues to study, to work and to fight and her intelligence and her love show through on every page.
Ms Miller’s language is easy to follow – in many ways this book is a diary of their lives – and the reader can truly relate to a mother fighting to get her son educated and accepted. Never does she say ‘why us?’ but she is realistic. There is no bitterness here, sadness perhaps, but no not bitterness. Ms Miller has done her research and her views are apparent but never does she say I think you should do this – the book provides the experiences of a parent raising a disabled child – but is not a ‘how to’. Autism is complex, misunderstood and no two cases present the same. This book is an insight into a world, little understood and widely shunned. Read this it will open your eyes and your heart.
September 3, 2015
Book Blast – The Dragon Stone Trilogy #DSTBlast
Blast Info
Titles: Dragon Stones / Return of the Dragon Riders / Vosper’s Revenge
Series: Dragon Stone Trilogy
Author: Kristian Alva
Publication Date: July 31, 2015
Genre: YA Fantasy
Synopsis
Dragon Stones
Sequestered deep in the capital, the tyrannical Emperor Vosper weaves a plan to destroy all the dragons. He succeeds in driving them to the very brink of extinction. Only a handful of dragons and riders remain; living in exile in the desert. When young Elias Dorgumir finds a carved dragon stone in the forest, it brings empire soldiers to his doorstep, and puts Elias on the run with a bounty on his head.
With some help from his friends, Elias must escape the emperor’s wrath and try to make it to the safety of the dwarf caverns. Elias holds the key to the salvation of the dragon race. Is Elias strong enough to save himself and halt the evil that is spreading across the land?
* * *
Return of the Dragon Riders
The evil emperor Vosper gathers his troops in the east, poised to conquer the entire continent. His target is the rebel city of Parthos, a constant thorn in his side, and the last sanctuary of the Dragon Riders.Besieged from all sides, the remaining Dragon Riders come out of hiding. Forced to fight for their lives, they leave the safety of the desert, traveling across the land to gather intelligence and shore up forgotten alliances.At the center of it all is Elias Dorgumir, the key to an ancient prophesy, and Vosper will do anything to get his hands on him. Is it too late for the Dragon Riders to save Elias and stop Vosper from destroying the only refuge they have left?
* * *
Vosper’s Revenge
As the races of Durn stand on the brink of war, the power-hungry emperor plans his conquest of the entire continent.The dragon riders are fragmented. They have been scattered across the land; weakened by the discovery of a traitor in their own ranks.
Are the riders strong enough to defeat Vosper before he destroys them all?
Author Bio
Kristian Alva was born into a family of writers and teachers. She worked as a staff writer and a ghostwriter before publishing her own manuscripts. She currently lives in the United States with her family. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading all genres, especially epic fantasy.
Website | Facebook | Goodreads
August 31, 2015
Author Interview Number Ninety-Five B. W. Foster – Spec Fic
Welcome to Brian W. Foster
Where are you from and where do you live now? From Louisiana and living near Los Angeles.
Please tell us a little about your writing – for example genre, title, etc. I’m a speculative fiction writer. My first novel is epic fantasy. My second, superhero. I also have plans for a scifi alien invasion series.
I deeply prefer character driven stories to plot driven ones. Everything that happens must flow from who the characters are.
Are your characters based on real people? When I started planning my debut novel over a decade ago, I figured, “Cool, I’ll use me and my three best friends as inspiration for the main characters.”
Bad idea. Horrendous.
Those influences still form some of the foundation of the characters, but the resemblance otherwise is pretty shallow.
Sort these into order of importance: Great characters; great world-building; solid plot; technically perfect. Can you explain why you chose this order? (Yes I know they all are important…)
Great characters. My writing is based on taking a character and putting him/her into an interesting situation and seeing what happens. I want to really put the reader inside the character’s head to experience the events. If the character falls flat, the story falls flat.
Technically perfect. Good technique makes for a good reading experience. If the reader can’t comprehend the writing or is constantly disengaged by the words, you’ll lose that reader.
Solid plot. A good writer can make it interesting to read about a character washing dishes, but an interesting plot makes it a lot easier to engage the reader without being an awesome writer.
Great world-building. Frankly, other than maintaining some level of consistency, the world of my stories just doesn’t matter all that much compared to the other factors.
What experiences can a book provide that a movie or video game cannot? A well-written book can put you inside a character’s head, giving you the opportunity to become that person, experience crazy events from that person’s eyes. Movies and video games cannot immerse me like a good book can. I strive for that immersion in my writing. Time and reader feedback will tell if I’m achieving it.
What three pieces of advice would you give to new writers? Clarity – If your reader doesn’t understand what the crap is going on, they’re not going to be engaged.
Conflict – If there’s no conflict, there’s no story. The reader is going to be bored.
Character – Events that make up your plot have no relevance outside that which is filtered through the emotional lens of your POV character.
What are your best and worst marketing tips? Do whatever it takes to build an email subscriber list. I offer free and exclusive content through mine, and you can sign up for it at http://eepurl.com/bvSmRP
Second best marketing tip is to concentrate on your writing. It’s better to spend your time producing your next book than trying to sell your last one.
I don’t really have a “worst” tip. Maybe spend tens of thousands of dollars on a TV ad? Though that seemed to work for James Patterson …
Most authors like to read, what have you recently finished reading? Did you enjoy it?
Golden Son (Red Rising Trilogy Book 2) by Pierce Brown. About 10% into the book, I thought, “Why did I buy this thing the day it came out?” About 25% in, I thought, “Oh. That’s why.” Fantastic book.
Can you name your favourite traditionally published author? And your favourite indie/self-published author?
Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time, despite some flaws, is still my all-time favorite series from a traditionally published author.
I’d go with Jim Bernheimer for my favorite indie author for his self-published Confessions of a D-List Supervillain, though Robert Bevan is a close second for Critical Failures.
What are your views on authors offering free books? It works if you do it right. Make sure you know how to do it right before you do it, though.
Book links, website/blog and author links:
http://www.authorbrianwfoster.com
August 25, 2015
Outside the Walls – Fantasy Short Story – New Release
It’s here – revised and expanded for 2015! The first incarnation of Outside the Walls appeared in Bellator – but we’ve expanded the story to close on 10000 words.
Written with my friend Diana L. Wicker – author of the fantasy series set in Feyron – it was such fun to be writing together again.
Please see her author profile and website:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6573605.Diana_L_Wicker
https://talesfromfeyron.squarespace.com/
When war comes to Havenforth its fingers touch high born and low born alike. Many flee its pernicious grasp but as the refugees flood in who will be left outside the walls to fend for themselves? Duchess Eleanor shows kindness to a wounded man, when others simply left him to die and finds courage and loyalty abound in the shanty town.
A short tale of love, war and courage.
#fantasy #shortstory
http://www.amazon.com/Outside-Walls-Alexandra-Butcher-ebook/dp/B014G6X9FG/
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Outside-Walls-Alexandra-Butcher-ebook/dp/B014G6X9FG/
https://libraryoferana.wordpress.com/2014/08/04/its-here-bellator-an-anthology-of-space-and-magic/
Soon to be appearing on Smashword and the associate stores.
August 24, 2015
Author Interview Number Ninety-Four – Christopher Bryant – Fantasy/YA
Welcome to Christopher Bryant
Where are you from and where do you live now? I was born and raised in Lexington, Kentucky. I have been trying to escape ever since. There’s nothing wrong with the state, its beautiful horse country, but it’s not where I see myself calling home.
Please tell us a little about your writing – for example genre, title, etc.I write fantasy adventure books for young adults. I am also in the process of creating children’s books. My first published book is The Sword of Hope Destiny Awaits, the first in a series I’m writing. The second book, Dark Origins is complete and looking to be published. The third is in the works. For the children’s books, I am basing them off my mom’s and my grandmother’s dogs. Each book will have its own theme, but told from the dog’s perspectives. I’ll call the series The Adventures of J. Bird and Space Monkey (the dogs’ nicknames).
Where do you find inspiration? I find inspiration everywhere and in everything. One of my favorite things to do when I get writer’s block or need some new inspiration is I go driving. It could be something small, like a cross made of two stick tied together with a small yellow ribbon on the side of the road or maybe a house that’s built into the side of a hill covered in dead trees. There’s always something out there that can make a story really pop.
Do you have a favourite character? If so why? Yes, my favorite character is Tiberius. Aside from the fact that the name is awesome, he’s a kid who wants to prove he can do more than everyone thinks he can. In my series, that plays a big role in his personality. Proving to himself and everyone else that he can do more. He’s not just the help.
Do you have a character you dislike? If so why? There is only one character so far I don’t like, but at the same time he’s kind of awesome. His name is Chingon AKA the black knight. He was a good guy turned evil and he stands just under 5 feet tall. His armor is made of charred remains of his body, harder than any man made steel and a helmet of great evil to match. I like him for that and the wicked blade he carries. What I don’t like about him is he shows up everywhere taunting the boys and causing problems. If there’s something going down, he’s usually behind it.
Are your characters based on real people? In a way, yes. A lot of the character aspects are based on me and my little brother and the turmoil we face in each other’s company. Also, for book 3, the people who have been helping me along the way are getting their own characters in their own town that contributes to the series as a whole as thank you.
Have you ever used a person you don’t/didn’t like as a character then killed them off? I have yet to use a person I don’t/didn’t like and kill them off in the book, but I did have to kill off a character, which surprisingly was hard to do.
Research can be important in world-building, how much do you need to do for your books? Do you enjoy this aspect of creating a novel and what are your favourite resources? Research is super important, if not for an actual geographic example to write from, for the little things like the way the wind blows, the feeling you get when the sun is in your eyes, a cross on the side of the road, etc. Research is very important. Same thing goes with books that are nonfiction or are fiction based on an actual location. How can a person write about it if they know nothing about it?
Is there a message conveyed within your writing? Do you feel this is important in a book? Yes, there is a very important message conveyed within my writing. Not only does each book contain its own message, the series as a whole does too. The first and third in the series are told from the good guys perspective and the second and fourth are from the bad guys view. Aside from the story itself being a growing up tale for the main two characters, each learning to become the person they were meant to be or knew they could be, the series is written from both sides to show the differences between good and evil. How difficult, but rewarding, it is to be the hero. Having to follow the rules and not do bad. It also shows how chaotic and freeing it is to be the bad guy, having no rules, doing what they want and possibly the consequences of their actions.
I do feel it’s important to have messages like that in a book just because if we don’t put them there, how will a child ever learn the differences, the meanings, to follow their dreams, to never give up, etc.
Sort these into order of importance: Great characters; great world-building; solid plot; technically perfect. Can you explain why you chose this order? (Yes I know they all are important…) Solid plot, great world-building, great characters, technically perfect. I chose this order because without a plot, there is no story. Once you have a plot, the next thing to do is create your world. You can’t have characters without a world for them to live in. Although, it can be done either way, characters first or world first. Once your characters are right, your world is complete and everything fits well with your plot, its technically perfect.
In what formats are your books available? (E-books, print, large print audio) Are you intending to expand these and if not, what is the reason? My book is available in ebook and also paperback. We are currently working on creating a graphic novel based on the series as well as an audio book for all books in the series.
Do you self-edit? If so why is that the case? Do you believe a book suffers without being professionally edited? I self-edit and I also get my books professionally edited. I do believe a book suffers without professional editing. No one is perfect. What harm can come from having someone else look over what you’ve looked over and make suggestions?
What experiences can a book provide that a movie or video game cannot? A book, compared to a movie or video game can provide a much richer experience. Sure, you get actual faces and see the locations on a game or movie, but you can’t get that detailed view of an area or a person or even their personality without a book. An author paints a picture with words in a way that a movie or a game can’t. Books also contain much more than a movie or game shows, a backstory, scenes or chapters that weren’t added, etc.
What three pieces of advice would you give to new writers?
Never give up.
If someone tells you no, don’t let it discourage you. Keep fighting for what you believe in.
Stay positive.
Can you give us a silly fact about yourself? I’m a red head and red heads have no souls. lol
Book links, website/blog and author links:
http://tinyurl.com/pyh4c5h (amazon)
https://www.facebook.com/Sword.Of.Hope
https://twitter.com/TheSwordofHope
August 23, 2015
Character Interview Number Twenty-Nine – Dii’Athella
Tell Us About Yourself
Name(s): Dii’Athella, or just Dii. I’m told it means Flower of the Dawn in the Elvish language.
Age? I’m not sure. About 25 summers or so, I think. I was never allowed ‘birthdays’ as you call them. Elves live longer than humans, even in captivity, so for my people I am quite young. Unless, of course, hardship or disease takes us. I’ve heard of elves living several hundred years but that is very rare these days. There is magic which prolongs life, but it is little known, hard to cast and the price paid very high.
Please tell us a little about yourself. I’m an elf, and a Forbidden. In the land of Erana that means I am a slave, or at least I was. Elves have no rights, we are property. We have no recourse to law, our culture is nothing but fragments of a lost glory, and we cannot move freely. I am also a sorceress. Although that, too, is illegal. The Order of Witch-Hunters deem magic to be wicked, and elves to be the bringers of the greatly feared Plague. I’m a mage, my blood flows with magic. Even in hiding that is so. Either one is magical or one isn’t. I cannot change that any more than my Elven birth.
In my former life I was used as the plaything of rich men. I was given or sold to them, to pleasure them. My Keeper thought it amusing to have an educated slave – it brought me even lower I suppose. Literacy is not common, especially amongst elves. The Order of Witch-Hunters don’t encourage knowledge and people thinking for themselves. This leads to questions, and the seeking of answers about the world. For them, this is bad. I love to learn. Ignorance helps to divide us. Knowledge is power.
Now I am a healer, herbalist and a scholar. I am also a rebel and a traitor, or so you’d say. That is correct yes, when one fights against the established rulers? If so, then I am proud of it.
There is more, but you’ll have to follow my adventures to discover that.
Describe your appearance in 10 words or less. Red curly hair, tattoos, slender, beautiful (so I’m told).
Do you have a moral code? If so what is it? Morals in Erana are not quite the same as in your world. We have love, honour, friendship, trust and all those things but there is no law, save what the Order decide. It is not law for it serves not the people, it serves the Order and slavers. I am, by my birth, my magic and my race a criminal and so I break what passes for law in our land.
I have killed, although I try and avoid it as I am a healer. I have stolen to feed myself, although I am not sure apples count. I have harboured criminals, I have lied and I have stood by whilst others died. I have led people into traps, but they were Witch-Hunters and deserved it. Morality is relative to one’s position. I cannot afford to follow the ‘moral code’ the Order espouse. I spent enough time as a slave, and in the Order dungeons to know that.
I am devoted to my family – my real family – not the bastard who stole me and raised me in his house.
I am kind, and I will defend my friends before myself. I like to help people. Archos told me it is because I was so eager to please as though not to be beaten, or worse. A lonely child longing to be liked. I have no idea if this is the truth but I suppose it explains a lot. It was a way to protect myself and now is habit.
I think I am trustworthy and discrete. When one’s life is a lie then one gets used to keeping secrets.
Would you kill for those you love? Yes. I would also kill for a cause I love. Freedom.
Would you die for those you love? Yes, and technically I have. Or close enough.
What would you say are your strengths and weaknesses?
Weaknesses:
I don’t think I am very brave.
I am emotional – I suppose it is because of my earlier life. There are all these awful memories in my head and I can get upset about things. Archos says I am strong, a survivor. I don’t see it. Sometimes my emotions get the better of me.
My magic.
Strengths:
I am clever and resourceful. I had to be.
I’m kind and except for the Order I don’t tend to hate.
I learn fast.
My magic.
Do you have any relationships you prize above others? Why? Archos. He saved my life. He is kind, clever, fascinating and unbelievably desirable. Mages tend to be passionate and we are. He does not treat me simply as another elf. Finally my life has some worth.
Olek – Olek is like a brother to me. I trust him with my life. He’s amusing, he is loyal to Archos. They have a special friendship, very close with much shared between them. He was with Archos long before I came to live in Tremellic and they value the friendship. Thus so do I. Olek is very complex. One of those people who is not what he appears.
Ozena, my dear friend. She has also suffered much at the hands of slavers. But she is feisty and speaks her mind, far more than I. I suppose I was used to not being allowed to, or no one caring what I thought. Ozena is much bolder. When we first met she stood up to Lord Archos, challenged him on points and won the argument. Not many people would dare, or if they did dare they would most likely regret it. Archos still chuckles about it. I think he likes the challenge.
Do you like animals? Do you have any pets/animal companions? I have a raven, well to be precise she’s a Spirit Bird – a familiar you might call her. Ethnii chooses to be with me and I am honoured. She’s named after the Goddess of the Sky. She has some magic of her own, and she is very clever. The Shaman Kherak Var gave her to me, as a protector.
There are several horses too, plus goats, chickens, and such like in the manor grounds and the paddock.
I was never allowed a pet in my old life. My….foster brother had dogs but I was not allowed to pet them or make a fuss. I used to put crumbs down for the mice and sometimes the squirrels would come to my window but they don’t count, I suppose.
Can you remember something from your childhood which influences your behaviour? How do you think it influences you? *Looks sad.
My childhood? You want to know about that? It was difficult… cold, frightening and devoid of much love. Malana, my Keeper’s mistress tried to be kind and protect me but she was often as frightened of him, or sometimes would do nothing so she would not be beaten. I was often hungry and I was used….
I never got to know the parents who brought me into the world.
Do you have any phobias? Being returned to the Witch-Hunter dungeons. I’d rather die than return there.
Please give us an interesting and unusual fact about yourself.I know Shadowplay – at least a bit. Not many people do.
Tell Us About Your World
Please give us a little information about the world in which you live. Erana is a world of magic. But it is a world in which magic is forbidden. It is a world of inequality, martial law and prejudice. Yet it is a world of possibilities if one is brave enough or fortunate enough to find them. It’s an old world, full of surprises and strange creatures. Parts of it are very beautiful. Tremellic is a secluded valley close to the Jagged Peak Mountains, it is very fertile. The plains I have not seen very much. Then, of course there’s the Shimmering Forest. The forest elves say it is alive, I don’t mean in the usual way, I mean sentient and cunning. There are many myths about the ancient forest, not all of them are simply myths.
The Tree of Always – the oldest tree in that part of the forest is supposed to be the mother of all the apple trees which grow. The tree is so old it has seen the elves rise and fall, it has seen the world change. Is it really the oldest? Who knows, there is nothing living to disprove it. There are many lost magics and lost creatures – hiding from the scourge of magic until such time as it is safe to return.
Does your world have religion or other spiritual beliefs? If so do you follow one of them? Please describe (briefly) how this affects your behaviour. Officially not really. The humans nod in the direction of the gods when it suits. There are temples to Syltha – the goddess of healing and the gods in general but it is more a vague belief, hedging one’s bets you’d call it. Racial memories perhaps.
The trolls are the most spiritual – they have gods and spirits for pretty much everything. Our neighbours, the Var tribe, worship the Goddess of the Sky, called Ethnii’a by them or Kal Rean by the trolls. I suppose you could say she’s the mother goddess. She’s powerful and capricious. Her children are the sun and the moon.
Archos is….well that would be telling, let’s just say he honours to Sky Goddess above others.
There are minor gods, demigods and nymphs. These are, or were, magical beings from the early times. There are but a few left and those in hiding. We found a nymph, Oeliana in the Shimmering Forest. She guards the forest pools. There are elementals too. Creatures of magic which are the essence of the world, the essence of magic. Once they were common, but even an elemental can be hunted and slain. Once they were worshipped and honoured, now if they are remembered at all it is with fear.
I think the forest elves have many local spirits and gods, but as I’ve said their culture is almost gone so it’s hard to tell. The city elves cling on to the old beliefs – they have little except faith and hope.
The Witch-Hunters don’t encourage belief in the gods – that’s close to magic for them, but I’ve been told individuals may belief, all be it vaguely. The gods exist, or existed. Acknowledgement is another matter.
Does it affect my behaviour? Of course. I’m a mage, we KNOW the gods are real, we KNOW the magic is real and won’t be tamed. We tend to follow the Lady of the Skies and the goddess of healing. I’m a light mage so of course I honour Syltha too. It pays to honour the local gods – after all one may need their assistance. Magic is magic.
Name and describe a food from your world. Once we had roasted Salamander. Olek eats anything so he liked it. No one else did. Giant Salamanders spit acid and they are disgusting and slimy. Not the best meal. We didn’t have much choice. I learned long ago one will eat anything if one is starving.
We have many forms of wine – some from grapes from the warmer lands, and other fruits such as blackberries, rosehips, and elderberries. There are cider orchards too – both pears and apples.
The trolls eat a seed bread. It is much flatter and harder than other bread, like a cracker from your world. Wheat doesn’t grow that well in their lands but there are the hardy mountain grasses which provide a kind of flour. It is easy to store and doesn’t go stale.
Ozena tells me her village ate mainly what could be gathered or farmed from their goats. Milk, goat cheese and yoghurts. They have hunters too – so wild pig, deer and birds are on the menu.
Tremellic has many farms – sheep and goats, pigs for bacon and a few cows for their milk. We have makers of cheese, a few hunters now and Archos is contemplating getting some deer to add to the food stores.
Our housekeeper makes divine honey cats. Oats, butter, honey and sometimes fruit. She has a secret recipe.
Does your world have magic? If so how is it viewed in your world? You need ask after all I’ve told you?
Does your world have different races of people? If so do they get on with one another? The humans blame the elves for the Plague, for the ills of society and for, well, being elves. The trolls tend to keep themselves to their mountain villages but do sometimes trade. It’s not that they don’t like the other races, just most humans either haven’t seen one or have odd misconceptions about their ways. Foolish ideas such as trolls eat people. They don’t, well not unless they get REALLY hungry. Something about a seven foot tall horned warrior who can shapeshift into a bear or a trollish shaman who can predict the future seems to worry many people. A lot worries the humans.
The elves are generally too oppressed to trust anyone much. The humans enslave them, and the trolls are distant. Once the elves, trolls and humans worked together.
Tremellic is probably more forward thinking than anywhere else. That is Lord Archos’ doing. He sees the advantage of alliances with trolls and elves. What’s that phrase on your world? ‘The enemy of my enemy is my friend’ The Order are strong, they rule by force after all – so any alliances against them is valuable.
On rare occasions trolls will marry an elf or human. There are a few half trolls around. Half-elves are common – usually an elven mother – willing or not. Half-elves are slaves as much as elves.
Then there are the fae and the keres… Which shouldn’t exist but do.
Author notes:
Book(s) in which this character appears plus links:
The Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles – Book I
http://www.amazon.com/Light-Beyond-Storm-Chronicles–ebook/dp/B0088DQO9C
The Shining Citadel – The Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles – Book II
http://www.amazon.com/The-Shining-Citadel-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B00D4CF6W8
The Stolen Tower – The Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles – Book III
http://www.amazon.com/Stolen-Tower-Light-Beyond-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B00U8A9044/
THUNDERCLAP.
As Book I has just been re-released here’s the promotional Thunderclap. Please support, like and share.
(For further links please see the links on the linky pages.)
Website/Blog/Author pages etc.
A. L. Butcher is the British author of the Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles fantasy series, and several short stories in the fantasy and fantasy romance genres. She is an avid reader and creator of worlds, a poet and a dreamer. When she is grounded in the real world she likes science, natural history, history and monkeys. Her work has been described as ‘dark and gritty’ and her poetry as evocative.
Blog: https://libraryoferana.wordpress.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6430414.A_L_Butcher
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alexandra-Butcher/e/B008BQFCC6/
Twitter:@libraryoferana
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DarkFantasyBeyondTheStorm
