A.L. Butcher's Blog, page 174
January 12, 2015
Character Interview Number Twenty-Four – Alan McDonald – Fantasy/Military
Name (s):��Alan (Mac) McDonald
Age:��Thirty-something.
Please tell us a little about yourself.��I was the officer commanding SBS 4 troop, UK Special Forces Anti-Terrorist Wing. My team and I are specialists in everything to do with killing bad guys in inventive and prejudicial ways. Since our transfer to Arden, however, we���ve transferred all that testosterone onto the Horde.
Describe your appearance in 10 words or less.��What James Bond wishes he could look like.
Would you die for those you love?��Was that a loaded question? I did die protecting those I love, and was transported to this hell-hole of a planet under attack from soul-hungry mutants. And although there was no one special back home, I must admit, I worry how my parents will take the news of my ���death���. If only they knew.
What would you say are your strengths and weaknesses?��Strengths? I���d say it���s the ability to make the best of any situation. Life has taught me to be flexible, and to adapt to whatever circumstances I find myself in. Just as well really, seeing what happened eh?
As for my weaknesses? Although I try my best to be patient and courteous, I don���t suffer fools gladly.
Do you have any relationships you prize above others? Why��Well, my team will always hold a special place in my heart. We���ve seen each other through thick and thin, after all.
But, since I arrived in Rhomane, there���s Jayden. She���s pretty cool for a Tec-head, and has a great In-your-face sense of humour. If I manage not to get myself devoured, I think things could get very serious…if she wants to?
Can you remember something from your childhood which influences your behaviour? How do you think it influences you?��I���m 6th generation military. I think that says it all. Both my father and grandfather had a great deal on influence during my early years, and I suppose it was inevitable the course my life…and death would take.
Do you have any phobias?��The Horde. Have you met them? Twelve foot high, esoteric concentrations of rabid hunger ��� with fangs and talons ��� just itching to shred your soul. Apart from that? Not much fazes me…except for Smurfs. They���re so small and blue…you just can���t trust them.
Please give us an interesting and unusual fact about yourself.��I know Victoria���s secret. And it makes me feel kinda…naughty? J
Tell Us About Your World
Please give us a little information about the world in which you live.��Arden is a planet on the far side of our galaxy, along the Scutum-Centaurus Arm (Sounds like a bad chest infection doesn���t it?). She has a red sun, and was once the home world of a civilization that had employed advanced technology for over twelve thousand years on more than thirty planets.
In some ways, it���s much like Earth, although the leaves and grass have a coppery-blue tinge, and the air has a permanent zesty tang to it. (Great for gin and tonic)
Do you travel in the course of your adventures? If so where?��Travel is pretty much restricted because of the Horde. If we do go out, it���s only in small groups and only then with a heavily armed contingent, (which I so happen to oversee).
We use skimmers, an anti-grav form of hovercraft, and their larger counterpart, a skidder.
However, recently, we discovered an Avenger Class Cruiser in orbit, The Arch of Winter, so who knows what we might end up doing with that. (I know, boys and their toys, but c���mon…her guns are so big and shiny).
Name and describe a food from your world.��Lolath is pretty good. It���s very similar in appearance and taste to a cow, although its milk yield is considerably lower. But by far my favourite is rhobexi. It���s what you���d get if you cross a deer with a bull. But how to describe the taste? Very rich, it���s like a blend of venison and lamb, and the more you chew, the more the flavour floods your mouth.
(Nom Nom!) (And I���ve got one of the griddle, right now)
What form of politics is dominant in your world? (Democracy, Theocracy, Meritocracy, Monarchy, Kakistocracy etc.)��From what we can ascertain, the politics of the Ardenese people was senatorial based. Saying that obviously makes us think of the Roman Empire back on Earth, but the Ardenese form of government was quite different, as their society was extremely advanced and enjoyed a level of intellectual and cultural sophistication that simply has to be seen to be believed.
We���ve only been able to witness it from archived holo-clips & digi-crystals. However, the examples we saw blew our minds.��All representatives worked for the greater good of the people, and, while everyone was viewed as equal, each had a personal responsibility to fulfil their individual roles within society.
Officers of the Senatum ��� Magisters ��� were elected each year from the prefects, normal members of society who had been voted to represent each of the cities. While each prefect served on an annual basis, once selected as a Magister, their responsibilities expanded to encompass an entire district. The presiding officer of the Senatum ��� the Chief Magister ��� was a tried and tested politician chosen by his peers to serve as their leader. He remained in office for five years.
What is the technology level for your world/place of residence? What item would you not be able to live without?��Like you, I come from the twenty-first century. But I was transported the equivalent of twelve thousand years into the future, so, you can only imagine the level of technology the Ardenese must have employed.
I say ��� must have ��� because remember, even the most advanced group brought here by the Architect are only from the earth year 4200.
Think of a comparison:
My grandfather was born in the 1960���s. During his life, he saw the advent of space travel, the digital age, world-spanning communication devices you could keep in your pocket, and micro surgery. And they are but a few examples. His grandfather ��� just two generations before him ��� would never have dreamed of such things.
So…just try to imagine that level of advancement, multiplied over six hundred generations. That���s what we ended up inheriting.
The trouble is, we don���t know how to use it. The Architect has assisted us in this regard, with nano-technology that enhances our natural learning curve, but it���s still been a monumental struggle.
Out of all the delightful things we���ve discovered, I love the stealth technology, and the micro-singularity grenade. It���s a Special Forces wet dream come true, as it doesn���t leave any mess behind. No witnesses, no long and troublesome reports.
Look, I���d love to stay, but I���ve got a rhobexi burger on the barbecue. It���s just about done, and if I���m not there when it reaches perfection, some swine will eat the evidence.
Thanks for dropping by and asking a few questions. Any time you feel like swapping places, let me know J
Author notes:
Book(s) in which this character appears plus links
��The IX
Amazon.com:
Amazon.UK:
Author name:
Andrew P. Weston
Website/Blog/Author pages etc.
Blog: http://andrewpweston.blogspot.gr/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/WestonAndrew
��
Amazon Author Page:
http://www.amazon.com/Andrew-P-Weston/e/B00F3BL6GS/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
January 11, 2015
Interview with A.L. Butcher
I am not sure I shared this here when it went live:)
Originally posted on Nicky Peacock - Author:
Tell us about your publishing journey���
Hi and thanks for the interview. I���m primarily a dark fantasy author but I���ve also written horror, poetry, short stories and general fantasy.�� I���ve been a writer for as long as I can remember ��� I was usually the one writing for the school display. I never really thought it would go beyond that, if I am honest.�� The first novel sprung from something I���d written for an RPG, which was adapted and expanded. I���ve run and planned role play games for a while, including a vampire based on, and have folders of adventures, which might get adapted. OK yes I am a geek���. The recent horror stories ��� which feature in Tales from Darker Places ��� came from a ���Jack the Ripper��� story I���d written for something else. I read a lot of true crime and that particular set of murders I find���
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Author Interview Number Eighty – Theresa Van Spankeren – Paranormal/YA
Welcome to Theresa Van Spankeren
Please tell us a little about your writing ��� for example genre, title, etc.��I write paranormal fiction geared for readers 13 years and older. Lost Soul is the first book in a vampire series War of Destiny. The series is about a young woman named Julia who learns to come to terms with her destiny as a vampire amid deep personal tragedy.
Where do you find inspiration?��I find inspiration in various places. Music can be very inspiring, as well as nature. I enjoy writing by bodies of water especially.
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?��I have done lots of research for many of my books. I couldn���t even give you a specific amount ��� it varies from book to book. It can be enjoyable, but I also have found that research can be frustrating at times. I have found Renaissance Faire speech sites to be useful, but I don���t have a specific favourite.
Are your characters based on real people?��Some of the characters might be loosely based on aspects of real people, but most of them just come to me.
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?Currently, War of Destiny: Lost Soul is the only one of the series published. It is available as a printed paperback and as an e-book through the Amazon Kindle. The paperback can be ordered through various online retailers like Barnes and Noble, but the e-book is only available through Amazon. Currently, there are no plans to expand to other formats because currently there is no demand for it.
Do you self-edit? If so why is that the case? Do you believe a book suffers without being professionally edited?��I do all my own editing with the help of a local writer���s group. I have a great group of people to help me, but only limited money so I do my own editing. A book can suffer without professional editing, but even the major publishing houses have errors in their publications. We are all only human, after all.
Do you read work by self-published authors?��I have read a few works by other self-published authors. Some of them have been very good.
When buying a book do you read the reviews?��I tend to skim through the reviews and look them over, but I don���t make my determination solely on reviews.
What are your views on authors offering free books?��I think a free book giveaway can be a good promotional tool, especially for a new author. However, if you are giving away your work for free all the time, there might be a problem.
Most authors like to read, what have you recently finished reading? Did you enjoy it?��The last two books I have read is Forsaken by J.D. Barker and Survyve: Daylight���s Doom by Lachesha W.B. I enjoyed both books immensely.
Do you have any pets?��My family has 1 dog and 3 cats at the moment.
Book links, website/blog and author links:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lost-soul-theresa-van-spankeren/1119468263?ean=9781499212310
https://www.facebook.com/pages/War-of-Destiny/288695937975708?ref=hl
January 10, 2015
ALEXANDRA BUTCHER: SUCCESS IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT
Here’s my latest author interview:)
Originally posted on Ognian Georgiev's space:
Alexandra Butcher a.k.a. A.L. Butcher released earlier in 2014 the second part of The Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles ��� The Shining Citadel. The British author writes fantasy, loves astronomy, history, animals, films and gaming. We���ve got a chance to speak with Lady Butcher for the products of her creativity and her great blog.
- Alexandra, what is your last novel The Shining Citadel about?
- The Shining Citadel is the second in the Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles fantasy series. It follows the main characters, an elven sorceress Dii and Lord Archos as they seek out at first a missing elven artefact and later discover the lost Citadel. The world of Erana is a dangerous place; magic is illegal, punishable by death and elves are little better than slaves so an elven sorceress seeking out a lost elven city is a very dangerous proposition. There���s a lot of���
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January 9, 2015
New Release and Interview – The IX by Andrew P. Weston – Fantasy/Military/Historical
The IX…
Janet Morris and Perseid Press invite you to read dangerously…
Warriors from the past, present, and future fight to save us all… The IX by Andrew P, Weston.
Available now for pre-order; Kindle ships 26 January. Luxury trade edition from Perseid Press available mid February. If you’re serious about dark and heroic fiction, you’ll want this book: http://www.amazon.com/IX-Andrew-P-Weston-ebook/dp/B00RM54QBA/
Like The IX on FaceBook at: https://www.facebook.com/TheIXbyAndrewPWeston
Come and meet the author today.
Welcome to Andrew Weston
Where are you from and where do you live now?��Originally, I���m from Birmingham in the UK, although I now live on the idyllic Greek island of Kos in the Aegean Sea.
Please tell us a little about your writing ��� for example genre, title, etc.��I���m a science fiction and fantasy writer, although I also love the paranormal. My latest work, The IX, (Pronounced, ninth) is a monster Sci-Fi epic involving the past, present, and future, that blends Roman Legionnaires, U.S. Cavalry, and modern-day Special Forces into a smorgasbord of kick-ass action against killer aliens on the other side of the galaxy. Here���s a short blurb:
Roman legionnaires, far from home, lost in the mists of Caledonia.
A�� US cavalry company, engaged on a special mission, vital to the peace treaty proposed by Presidential candidate Abraham Lincoln.
A twenty-first century Special Forces unit, desperate to prevent a nuclear catastrophe.
From vastly different backgrounds, these soldiers are united when they are snatched away from Earth at the moment of their passing. Thinking they may have been granted a reprieve, imagine their horror when they discover they have been transported to a failing planet on the far side of the galaxy, where they are given a simple ultimatum. Fight or die. Against all odds, this group of misfits manages to turn the tide against a relentless foe, only to discover the true cost of victory might exact a price they are unwilling to pay.
How far would you be willing to go to stay alive?
The IX. Sometimes, death is only the beginning of the adventure.
***You���ll�� get to see it soon, courtesy of Perseid Press***
Where do you find inspiration? From everyday life and experience. Some ideas have come to me whilst at work, others in dreams. The inspiration for my latest book, the IX, came after a discussion with ex military colleagues at a reunion dinner a few years back. The conversation centred around what actually happened to the lost 9th Legion of Rome when they disappeared in the mists of Caladonia, circa 120 AD. Nobody knows for sure, and it seems incredible that over 5,000 men and their equipment could simply vanish in that way. I mean, it���s as if they were scooped off the face of the earth. The topic obviously stayed in the back of my mind, because some weeks later, I was watching an old sci-fi movie on TV ������Millenium���. In that film, time-travellers from the future journey back to snatch people away from scenes of major disaster at the moment of their deaths. It got me thinking…
What if the 9th were snatched away? And…
The rest? Well, you can read about it J
Do you have a favourite character? If so why? In the IX? Yes, Captain James Houston of the 5th Cavalry Company. He���s a backstabbing swine who���d sell his own mother out to save his own skin. Characters like him allow you to play so much. There���s nothing better than getting your readers to hate someone, and then dangling them along with a carrot as the villain seems to get away with everything…Or do they?
Are your characters based on real people? Because of the complicated structure of the IX, some are, especially the Special Forces unit. I based most of the fictional team members on guys I worked with whilst in the military.
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? I had to do a massive amount of research for the IX. Remember, the inspiration was based on the 9th Legion of Rome. But, how were they structured? Who did what? How did they march, set up camp, and operate? What did they wear, and what weapons did they use. The Caledonian tribes of that time were vicious savages, and experts in jungle, warfare. However, where did they come from? How did they fight? How far would they travel to engage in combat, and what made them capable enough to defeat entire legions?
Many, many facets like this had to be considered, and that was before I���d even started work on U.S. Cavalry companies and the Native American tribes of the eighteenth century. (Thankfully, I had a friend to assist me with that ��� she���s of Cree descent, and proved to be a goldmine of information.) J
The easiest part related to the Special Forces unit. For that, I drew on firsthand military knowledge and experience.
Once that was done, I then had to make certain the futuristic/scientific tech referred to within the story had a basis in fact I called on my educational background in astronomy and physics for that. Even so, I still had to research the very latest developments, trends, and breakthroughs to ensure the ���theoretical��� aspects had that ring of truth. Even though this is a science fiction novel, I wanted it to be believable. There���s no doubt in my mind that if you make things too farfetched and super-convenient, it turns readers off.
Despite the work involved, I really enjoy the research aspect, as it adds a depth of authority to your work that improves quality and reading enjoyment.
Is there a message conveyed within your writing?�� Do you feel this is important in a book? Usually? Yes, I like to convey a little message…dependent upon the subject matter. I think it makes it more personal, and helps the reader place themselves within the make-believe worlds I create.
With the IX, its:
���be true to yourself, no matter what circumstance does to you���.
See how you can spot that, as you read through the story.
Do you self-edit? If so why is that the case? Do you believe a book suffers without being professionally edited? Yes, I do self edit, BUT, that���s before I send it into the publisher. I���ve been fortunate enough to work with some ���strong��� professional editors. Each of them has a different style and personality that rings through during the formal editing stage. So, I tend to stay as ���neutral��� as I can when I complete my own edits…to make their life easier…and then adopt the House style during the closing stages.
In answer to the second part, YES, I do feel a book suffers without professional editing. I���m an incredibly focused, self-disciplined individual. But boy do I miss things. We all do. Word blindness is the bane of all writers. You need that extra set of eyes to cut and polish the rough diamond you���ve created, and turn it into a lustrous jewel of a masterpiece. (And even then, you have to keep checking…)
Do you think indie/self-published authors are viewed differently to traditionally published authors? Why do you think this might be? Yes I do, because that���s the way the publishing world is geared. Certain big-name ���Houses��� dominate the industry, and basically, hold all the cards. And as some have no doubt seen, unless you manage to secure a contract with them, you���re not viewed as having ���arrived���, no matter how skilled you are as a writer. That���s a shame. We���ve all seen the ocean of books filling the shelves out there. Even if you���ve written an absolute masterpiece, without the clout of a massive name behind you, it can sink into the depths and will never see the light of day.
Fortunately, there are a number of smaller, extremely competent publishers coming to the fore. Although they���re independent, they come from professional/recognized backgrounds, and draw quality writers to the fold. Times are changing, but slowly.
What experiences can a book provide that a movie or video game cannot? Imagination! It allows YOU to involve yourself in a make-believe world as you see fit, not the way some glitzy director from Hollywood wants you to. That being said, if any top quality sci-fi directors get to read this, and fancy a brand new project that���s bound to be a sure-fire hit, PLEASE, feel free to contact me on……… J
What three pieces of advice would you give to new writers? Don���t give up. Work hard to improve your craft. And don���t be afraid to take risks.
Most authors like to read, what have you recently finished reading? Did you enjoy it? The last book I read was ���Poets in Hell���, from the ���Heroes in Hell��� shared world saga. A great set of stories delving into the many quirks of the Underworld. If you haven���t read it, I���d highly recommend the entire series.
Can you name your favourite traditionally published author? And your favourite indie/self-published author? Traditional, it���s a tie between ��� Raymond E. Feist &Julian May. Indie ��� Laura DeLuca.
Do you have a favourite movie? I think you have to go a long way to beat the sci-fi classic, Forbidden Planet. Well ahead of its time.
Can you give us a silly fact about yourself? I hunt shadows in the dark with a specially designed net.
Book links, website/blog and author links:
Blog: http://andrewpweston.blogspot.gr/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/WestonAndrew
Amazon Author Page:
http://www.amazon.com/Andrew-P-Weston/e/B00F3BL6GS/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
January 4, 2015
New Release and Cover Reveal – Paradise Rot – Satirical Fiction
Paradise Rot by��Larry Weiner – cover reveal and re-release. There’s also a rafflecopter giveaway.
“Kyle Brightman–late of the advertising industry and soon-to-be-late of the 5th floor psych ward–has a job offer he can’t refuse. A new resort in the Caribbean is looking for an art director. Kyle soon finds himself on the Isle of St. Agrippina working alongside a beautiful copywriter with an icy handshake.
Questions arise: Why does the resort management team sport spray-on tans in the Bahamas? How can the resort offer such cheap vacation packages? What does one do with vats of Astroglide?
To get the answers, Kyle must first navigate a series of wildly unpredictable events with a cast of even more wildly unpredictable characters, including a seductress jungle assassin, her partially paralyzed talking Chihuahua, an Ivy League Rastafarian seaplane captain, Kyle’s ex-psych ward roommate, a former Haliburton mercenary, and a French tavern owner with a fondness for goats, all set to the greatest hits of the 70’s. Pablo Cruise never felt so right.”
GIVEAWAY
Here���s a rafflecopter link for giveaways: 10 ebook copies to 10 lucky winners plus a grandprize Amazon gift card, ebook copy of Paradise Rot, Exodus 2022, & The Guide.
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/fe4b73484/
Paradise Rot, Island Trilogy, Book 1 by Larry Weiner
Author Bio: Larry Weiner is the author of PARADISE ROT (BOOK ONE) and ONCE AGAIN, WITH BLOOD (BOOK TWO). Larry earned a degree in film from California State University, Los Angeles and was an award-winning art director. And then he got the heck out of Dodge (advertising) and decided he was better at fiction for the greater good (entertainment/deep thoughts) than fiction to make people buy stuff they don���t need (advertising/shallow consumerism). He lives on an island in the Pacific Northwest with his wife, two kids and a gaggle of animals.
Praise for ISLAND TRILOGY:
PARADISE ROT (BOOK ONE) “Weiner writes with a smart, fun, electric style in the vein of Dave Eggers or Chuck Palahniuk.” ���Kenneth G. Bennett, author of EXODUS 2022
(Coming Spring 2015) ONCE AGAIN, WITH BLOOD (BOOK TWO) ���It���s a maniacal thrill ride of a literary experience, with trenchant observations, wicked one-liners, screwball characters and twisted takes on pop culture smacking you in the face with impunity. It���s gonzo, and galling, and glorious, and once you take that first hit, you���ll only want more.”������ ���Craig Lancaster, best-selling author of 600 Hours of Edward, Edward Adrift and The Fallow Season of Hugo Hunter
Connect with Larry Weiner:
Twitter @LarryNWeiner
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/larrynweiner
larrywnr2@gmail.com
��
January 2, 2015
Author Interview Number Seventy-Nine – Hannah – Fantasy/Erotica
Welcome to Hannah.
Where are you from and where do you live now? I’ve lived in Canada my whole life, back and forth between Quebec and Ontario. Currently I’m pretty settled in Southern Ontario.
Please tell us a little about your writing – for example genre, title, etc. I write erotica. I really enjoy writing about relationships between people and I use sex to symbolize different aspects of the relationships. I’ve recently been really into paranormal/fantasy type stories and have begun a series of short stories under the series title, “Irish Fantasy”. Paradoxically, I’ve also started a series called “Average People Having Average Sex” which is exactly what it sounds like so I’m kind of all over the board.
Where do you find inspiration? My best inspiration usually from personal experiences. My worst inspiration comes from history and mythology. These tend to lead to really complicated, convoluted plots that end up in the garbage.
Do you have a favourite character? If so why? No, that wouldn’t be fair.
Do you have a character you dislike? If so why? Not really. In fact I love all my characters, even the horrible ones.
Are your characters based on real people? I can’t help but base my characters on real people. Even when I don’t start out with that intention, I often find half way through a piece of dialogue that a character has morphed into someone I know. It’s kind of a weird subconscious issue for me, but I think it gives an element of realism to my stories.
Have you ever used a person you don’t/didn’t like as a character then killed them off? Hahaha no, that’s a good idea though…
Is there a message conveyed within your writing? Do you feel this is important in a book? Kind of. Not really. Maybe. I think it’s important to have some kind of theme that ties it all together so that it’s not just gratuitous sex. There’s not necessarily a message in my writing, but usually an emotional dilemma that some how gets worked out, expressed, or exasperated through sex.
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? Currently my books are available in e-book because they’re not long enough to warrant a print edition. In future, I plan to have a collection of them printed together in one book.
Do you self-edit? If so why is that the case? Do you believe a book suffers without being professionally edited? I have an editor. I think it’s important to have someone tell me when something is terrible and makes no sense. Some people write things better the first time than I do so maybe they don’t need one.
Do you think indie/self-published authors are viewed differently to traditionally published authors? Why do you think this might be? Oh yeah definitely. It’s so easy to self publish that you can publish just about anything these days. Literally you could just write “book” on a word doc and publish it on Amazon within ten minutes. I don’t think anyone would argue that there are many self-published books that fall below the standard of traditional publishers and good self published books can easily get lumped in with these ones. There’s also the issue that since self published authors can’t offer the same discounts to retailers, their books rarely appear in book stores, giving the impression that self-published books aren’t “good enough” to be sold in stores. In addition to all of this, I think there’s a perception that people only self publish when traditional publishers fail to respond to their work. I don’t know how true this is, but I think it’s becoming less and less true as time goes on.
Do you read work by self-published authors? Yup. There are some good ones for sure.
What are your opinions about authors commenting on reviews? How important are reviews? I’ve heard this is a faux-pas so it’s something I would never do because I don’t want to look like a dweeb, but I do think there’s something to be said for interacting with readers. Maybe that just isn’t the platform to do it on.
When buying a book do you read the reviews? I read reviews when I buy anything.
What experiences can a book provide that a movie or video game cannot? I’ve read that reading is actually really good for developing empathy and that children who learn to read late in life aren’t affected intellectually at all, but can be delayed emotionally. After learning that, I’ve found evidence that supports it in my personal life and I’ve been a huge promoter of literacy programs ever since.
What three pieces of advice would you give to new writers? Keep writing, get honest feedback about your work and don’t let criticism get you down, but treat it as being very valuable.
Do you have any pets? No. I used to keep dogs in my home for an animal rescue program and while I did love them, it made me realize that I never want a pet. I did it for a year until I had to move out of the area. It was incredibly rewarding and I still love dogs, but I was always really relieved when they got adopted to a permanent home.
Can you give us a silly fact about yourself? I can’t whistle. I’ve tried and tried, but I just can’t do it.
FOR EROTICA AUTHORS
As a writer of erotica have you encountered any prejudice? How have you dealt with it? Do you write under a pen name? I haven’t encountered any prejudice. I find I treat people with respect and I get respect back from them. There are some people who don’t like erotica and that’s great. I don’t like a lot of things too.
Where do you think the lines are drawn between romance, erotica and porn? Other people would probably argue with me on this one and maybe they would be right, but since you asked me, I would say that romance focuses mainly on the relationship and emotions and sex may or may not be a part of that. In erotica the emotions are an excuse for sex and in porn… it’s just the sex.
I think I kind of straddle the line between erotica and romance by this definition. The reason why I would never call my writing romance is because I don’t want to be trapped by the readers expectations of a romance story. They usually want to see two beautiful people meet, fall in love and end up with a happily ever after and if that’s not what they get, they’re going to be unsatisfied. Some people write very good romance stories that meet reader expectations. I don’t think I could tell a story like that and make it feel genuine.
Erotica is not a new genre do you think it is becoming more accepted into mainstream reading? Slowly but surely! I think some people will always curl their nose at it. You can only expect that when it comes to sex, not everyone will be comfortable reading and talking about it.
Book links, website/blog and author links: http://www.amazon.com/Act-Three-Hannah-L-Wing-ebook/dp/B00P46ZHJ4/
Drowning: Irish Fantasy Volume I
January 1, 2015
Fantasy and literary heroes in our society guest post – Joe Bonadonna
Hello, everyone! My name is Joe Bonadonna, and I dwell in the Windy City, the City of Big Shoulders . . . Chicago, IL, USA.
So far I’ve published three books: the heroic fantasy collection, Mad Shadows: The Weird Tales of Dorgo the Dowser, published by iUniverse; the space opera, Three Against The Stars, published by Airship 27 Productions; and Waters of Darkness, a sword and sorcery pirate adventure, written in collaboration with David C. Smith, and published by Damnation Books. I have stories appearing in Heathen Oracle’s Azieran: Artifacts and Relics; GRIOTS 2: Sisters of the Spear, from author Milton C. Davis’ MVmedia; and Janet Morris’ Poets in Hell, from Perseid Press. I have also written a number of articles and book reviews for the online version of Black Gate Magazine.
My Amazon Author page:
http://www.amazon.com/JoeBonadonna/e/B009I1KYIK/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1417454147&sr=1-2-ent
My blogspot:
http://dorgoland.blogspot.com/
How do YOU define fantasy/science fiction/heroism?
I’m old school, so I’ve always defined science fiction as inhabiting a post-industrialized world, with theoretical and practical advances in fields such as technology, genetics, and even psychology at its core. You know, the usual . . . spaceships, time travel, cloning, aliens, and such, and usually set in the future, although that alone is not always a qualifier.
As for fantasy, there are all kinds: all fiction, one can say, is fantasy; someone dreamed up the story, imagined the world in which the story takes place, even if it takes place in the real world of here and now. But we’re talking Heroic Fantasy here, so I’ll go with that. Heroic Fantasy to me is always set in a pre-industrialized society — no electricity, no planes, trains or automobiles — and that covers a lot of territory, from the prehistoric to the 16th or 17th century. When it comes to Heroic Fantasy, I’m pretty set in my ways. It has to follow certain rules and guidelines, and follow the Homeric tradition; I don’t go in for a lot of cross-breeding with other genres of fiction, such as paranormal romances, horror stories, vampires, werewolves and other supernatural genres — although elements of each often play roles in HF. I do not consider pulp fiction characters such as The Shadow, The Phantom, Green Hornet and such to be Heroic Fantasy: heroic fiction, to be sure, but those characters and that genre or style belong in another discussion for another day. When I discuss Heroic Fantasy, I discuss fiction that is not set in the real or modern world. You may disagree, but I’m just saying, is all.
Heroic Fantasy is very specific, in my opinion, and does not need to be world-spanning, world-in-jeopardy in plot, which I consider to be Epic Fantasy. For instance, Game of Thrones I view as Epic Fantasy because of its multi-cultural approach and world-spanning events, but since I have not found many truly unselfish heroes in the Homeric tradition, I don’t consider it Heroic Fantasy. Lord of the Rings crosses into both epic and heroic fields by nature of its world-building and memorable characters. The characters in Janet and Chris Morris’ stories and novels of The Sacred Band are firmly rooted in the Homeric tradition of Heroic Fantasy, with the added touch of drawing upon myth, legend and history.
Some other novels I consider Heroic Fantasy are Poul Anderson’s The Broken Sword, E.R. Eddison’s The Worm Ouroboros, H.R. Haggard’s The Saga of Eric Brighteyes, Parke Godwin’s The Last Rainbow, T.C. Rypel’s The Deathwind Trilogy, and novels by such authors as Evangeline Walton, David Eddings, and Guy Gavriel Kay, to name a few. However, these are just my opinions, based on my personal preferences, and in no way are absolutes. At one time, 30 and 40 years ago, the genres of “fantasy” and sword and sorcery were much smaller, more confined, and far more easily tagged with labels. Now, take the Harry Potter novels, for instance . . . they are fantasy, to be sure — but are they Epic? Heroic? I would say they lean more toward Heroic Fantasy because of the selflessness of Harry, his willingness to sacrifice himself to save his friends and destroy Voldemort. He stands up to evil, faces odds greater than he may be able to thwart, and goes about it with no ulterior motives, such as wealth and power. He is very much an Everyman, in spite of his magical powers.
And this brings us to your next question: How do I define Heroism?
Heroes to me are those who will stand up for what they believe is right, without thinking of themselves or their personal gain; and they could be good guys fighting on the wrong side, simply warriors fighting for their country. They fight for the underdog, the lost cause — and as I once heard in a film whose title I cannot remember, “Lost causes are the only causes worth fighting for.” Heroism is about selflessness, doing right by others, fighting for a cause greater than oneself. True heroes are not concerned about wealth or power, their only concern is to help people, to defend those too weak to defend themselves. They strive to right an injustice, and fight for that in which they believe, with no selfish or personal motives other than to save the lives of family, friends and fellow countrymen: they fight for king and country. And what always struck me as truly heroic (and of course, fatalistic) are the actions of those who know they are fighting against overwhelming odds, who know they will die in the final battle.
As for my own work . . . I consider Mad Shadows: The Weird Tales of Dorgo the Dowser, to be Heroic Fantasy, due to the nature of Dorgo, my main character; there are elements of horror and the supernatural inherent in his adventures, which owe a great deal to Raymond Chandler, Dashiell Hammett, and film noir. My space opera, Three Against The Stars, features four main characters I consider to be heroes in the Homeric tradition: Marines defending their planet. Waters of Darkness, my collaboration with David C. Smith, is pure, old-school pulp fiction sword and sorcery, with a large element of horror as the centerpiece of this pirate novel, which is set in 17th century Madagascar. My short stories and novellas published in various anthologies range from Sword and Soul fantasy, to Heroic Fantasy, to straight horror.
I do not put comic book superheroes in the Heroic Fantasy genre. They are part of something else. I am not putting them down, because they belong in a class all their own. The motives of the superheroes may be pure, noble and unselfish, but they are superheroes — not the ordinary, Everyman that constitutes most of Heroic Fantasy. Due to their very nature, the origins on their becoming endowed with superpowers, I would class them more as Heroic Science Fiction, or even Science-Fantasy, to use a very old-school term. Technology, chemistry, genetics, scientific experiments gone awry — these are more often than not what gave superheroes their superpowers, in the first place.
And now, for the sub-genre of Sword and Sorcery:
In my eyes, Sword and Sorcery is to Heroic Fantasy what film noir is to murder mysteries and crime/detective stories. In S & S, the main character is not always heroic, in the Homeric tradition: he/she can be a rogue — a thief, a mercenary, an assassin — whose motives are often (but not always) self-centered, based on greed, revenge, power. The beauty of S & S lies in the use of the anti-hero, as in the best of film noir. Conan was not always the pure hero: his goals were not always selfless, not always altruistic. He was a rogue, a killer, a survivalist, and yet, as subtly written by Robert E. Howard, he often rose above his baser instincts to become a true Hero. That is the magic of Howard’s original concept, of his vision. He created Conan to be all things, to fit whatever role the nature of the story called for. While I prefer the characters of King Kull and Solomon Kane, Conan was truly a character written “for all seasons.”
Another difference I see between Sword and Sorcery, and Heroic Fantasy, especially Epic Fantasy, is that the stories, by tradition, are more intimate, more confined. I’m talking old-school S & S here — much of Howard, Leiber, Jakes, de Camp, and Fox — in their stories, their worlds were not often at stake, although cities and kingdoms were usually in jeopardy. These are like the western genre in films and books: small-scale stories set against a larger canvas, but not always integral to that canvas. The American Civil War may be going full throttle, but someone could be seeking a lost Spanish treasure the Arizona or California territories that will have no bearing on the war or its outcome. The best S & S tales to me were always the novellas of Howard, and the short, 60- and 70-K word novels of other writers. In my opinion, it was Michael Moorcock who took the genre into new territory, setting his Elric, Corum, and Dorian Hawkmoon stories and novels against a wider canvas and adding the world-in-jeopardy theme. His sword and sorcery tales gradually grew into more thoughtful, thematic and expansive Heroic Fantasy. I won’t go into titles and authors here, but I will say that there are many novels, many multi-volume sagas published nowadays and promoted as Heroic Fantasy that I consider more in the sub-genre of Sword and Sorcery. And quite a lot of comic books and science-fiction novels are being considered by fans and authors alike to be Heroic Fantasy; but I would say they are more Heroic Fiction. Semantics? Perhaps. The tomato and potato thing? Maybe. But like everything related to all forms of art . . . it’s all a matter of personal opinion and taste.
How pervasive do you think fantasy/sci-fi is in our society today? Why do you think this is?
I left the fantasy and science fiction scenes back in the mid-80s because I wanted to explore other genres of fiction, such as some 19th century literature, horror and crime novels, British mysteries, WWII thrillers, and the great writers who were published in Black Mask magazine. I also wanted to and did write screenplays, as well as needing a long and healthy break from fantasy and sci-fi. I never really returned to reading science fiction because what I liked to read was no longer fashionable. But I did return to fantasy around 2000, and found a whole new ball game, a whole new set of rules, and a publishing industry at the start of a sea change, with indie/self and small press publications. Besides the overwhelming number of books being published, and the ever-increasing number of authors, both films and television were jumping on the fantasy and science fiction bandwagons, inundating the market where their own brand of original stories or those based upon published novels. Graphic novels such as Sin City and Watchmen hit the theater screens, while The Walking Dead took the small screen by storm. DC Comics, and to a much greater degree and success, Marvel Comics, changed the course of films based on comic books. With the success of Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, Harry Potter, and The Chronicles of Narnia, fantasy is everywhere these days — films, and network and cable television. And science fiction in films, while somewhat lagging behind, is starting to make waves again with films like Interstellar. In short, the B- and C-grade films of the 1950s and 1960s became the A-list projects of today.
Are these genres seen in a more acceptable light than they used to be?
Short answer: yes, indeed so.
What makes a ‘hero’? Would you say this definition is different within literature to real life?
Not really. It all depends on the writer and the nature of the character and the story. In real life, as in fiction, there are all sorts of heroes. Take Atticus Finch from To Kill A Mockingbird, for instance: truly a heroic character because of his convictions and what he stands up for, fights for in his daily life. History and fiction, in both literature and films, are what have always inspired me. And more often than not, Heroes die fighting for what they believe in and stand for. The 300 Spartans, The Alamo, Spartacus, Wake Island, Bataan, Beau Geste, Masada, Bridge on the River Kwai, The Three Musketeers, A Tale of Two Cities, The Charge of the Light Brigade, Gunga Din . . . these are some of the historical events and fictional stories in books and cinema that have worked on my heart and soul. Most if not all the characters — both real and fictitious — die in these stories. That always affected me, especially since at the age of seven I was exposed to the death of 92 children in a grade school fire, and at the same time had already started becoming familiar with the above films, and then later, the novels and poems. So I have always connected with stories of this kind, no matter when or where they took place. And when people tell me that killing off main characters or the entire “cast” is the easy way out, I must disagree: history has shown us that this is quite often the case. And if the events in a story, the need to end the tale in the deaths of one or more characters demands it, then go for it. For instance: had Frodo fallen into the Crack of Doom with Gollum, had Harry Potter died in the final battle, the poignancy level for me would have been amped up by a factor of ten. Nothing hits me harder than the death of a beloved and memorable character: Sidney Carton, from Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities, remains to this day my favorite of all heroic fictional characters. He was no warrior — he was a drunk who gave his life unselfishly for the woman he loved, to save her husband from the guillotine. A totally unselfish act. What is more heroic than that?
If you could pick a couple of characters from literature as ‘heroes’ who would it be and why?
You mean, pick them to write about? If that’s the case, I’d like to write Sidney Carton’s story before we meet him in A Tale of Two Cities. He is a tragic and heroic figure who really appeals to me. For Janet Morris’ Heroes in Hell shared-universe, I have written about Victor and Adam Frankenstein, Galatea, Lemuel Gulliver, and Quasimodo — not that they were all very heroic characters, but I can give them that heroic gravitas. I’ve also had the opportunity to write about real, historic figures, like Mary Shelley, Aristotle, and da Vinci, and will hopefully be exploring even more real-life characters in the near future.
If you’re a writer how do you portray heroism in your books?
By the plot, the mystery to be solved, the people in jeopardy who must be saved, and by the villains that must be overcome and defeated. What are the stakes involved? What does the hero stand to gain or lose? Does he undertake the case, the quest, the mission for money? For love? For justice? For revenge? Dorgo the Dowser would like to profit from some of the cases he takes on, he hopes to make a profit, but more often than not, he doesn’t. And most of the time, his cases involve helping a friend, seeking justice, or he just gets embroiled in something because basically, he’s a good guy who always strives to do what’s right. Except for the pirates in Waters of Darkness, who are mercenary by nature but are also the good guys, my heroes are unselfish, and they will risk their lives doing what they believe is the right thing to do, and expect nothing in return, save the personal satisfaction of doing good.
It has been argued fantasy is full of ‘tropes’ – what are your views on this?
To my mind, every genre has its tropes, and the job of the writer is to use these in new and different ways, to turn them inside-out, to turn them on their heads, or avoid them altogether. Dragons, elves, dwarves, vampires, werewolves, zombies, the king returning to claim his rightful crown, the evil sorcerer . . . all these and more have been used for decades. The trick is, if you’re going to use them, add a twist to their story, and put a new spin on these characters. Avoid the cliché and make them your own. In my stories of Dorgo the Dowser, I use mythical creatures, mostly from Greek mythology. What I try to do is give them each their own culture, society, and religion, with personalities that run the gamut of human qualities. One of the things I’ve done is to portray certain mythological creatures — I call them “Muthologians” — as characters in 1930s Warner Brothers’ gangster films.
Fantasy and science fiction used to be seen as very male-oriented, do you think this is still the case. Do you have any experience of this?
No, I see it changing. Quickly changing. When I was cutting my teeth on sci-fi and fantasy, most writers were male. I grew up with Catherine (C.L.) Moore, Leigh Brackett, Mary (Andre) Norton, Anne McCaffrey, and later Janet Morris, Marian Zimmer Bradley, Ursula K. Leguin, C.J. Cherryh, Tanith Lee, Evangeline Walton, and many others. Now I’ve met many female authors, such as you, Alex Butcher, as well as Diana Wicker, Catherine Stovall, Deborah Koren, Nancy Asire, Beth Patterson, and Valjeanne Jeffers. . . And let’s not forget Anne Rice, J.K. Rowling, Stephanie Myers, and Laurel K. Hamilton.
How important are ‘facts’ in fantasy/science fiction – does something need to be plausible to be believable?
If I wrote hard science fiction, I’d make sure to get my facts straight. In my space opera, in my sword and sorcery, heroic fantasy and horror stories, I strive to make elements and plot points as plausible as I can.
How has science fiction changed from the days of Mary Shelley and Jules Verne?
Of course. SF has changed simply by virtue of the advances in biology, psychology, medicine, technology, etc. In the days of Shelley, Welles and Verne, things like quantum physics and wormholes and strong-theory were unknown. We are pretty much living today in the science fiction they imagined.
What science fiction/fantasy has influenced you most? What would you say the most influential writers/film-makers?
Since I do not write real science fiction, I’ll forego that part, although my space opera was influenced by E.R. Burroughs, Leigh Brackett, Henry Kuttner, Edmund Hamilton, Alex Raymond, and Marian Zimmer Bradley. My first influences in fantasy and sword & sorcery were Greek mythology, Tolkien, Fritz Leiber, Michael Moorcock, and R.E. Howard’s Solomon Kane and King Kull; later I encountered Janet and Chris Morris, Tanith Lee, Guy Gavriel Kay, Charles Saunders, and Ted (T.C.) Rypel.
As far as film-makers go . . . I grew up on writers Curt Siodmak, Rod Serling, Joseph Stefano and his original The Outer Limits, and director Jack Arnold. My cinematic influences are mostly non-genre writers and directors: Ben Hecht, Charles MacArthur, Billy Wilder and I.A.L. Diamond, Howard Hawks, Raoul Walsh, William Wellman, Michael Curtiz, and John Ford.
Fairy-tales, anthropomorphic personifications, mythical beasts and cultural fantastical persons are all about us – such as Santa Claus, St George, dragons and fairies – how vital are these for our identity? Are we who we are because of the myths our cultures hold?
I say very important. Our myths and legends and folklore define us, shape us, and even influence us on so many levels. Religion does the same thing. You can learn a lot about a country and its people, about a nationality by studying their myths and religions, as well as their history, which may be the most important factor in learning about other cultures.
What are some in YOUR society/cultural identity, how are they perceived and why are they important? Why have they endured?
I come from a predominantly Sicilian-Irish, Catholic background. So right there we have the Roman versions of the original Greek myths, as well as the ancient Celtic lore and Gaelic legends. Throw in the Catholicism in which I was raised and taught for nine years, and that also sums up a lot of what I write. For instance, the main religion in Dorgo’s world is monotheistic; Judeo-Christian in tradition — but it’s not the only religion. I have a number of others that are polytheistic and pagan in origin. I use these to give depth to many of my characters: some live and breathe and act by their religious convictions. And not all “priests” are holy men, and not all rogues are irreligious. I strive to make my characters as real as possible, and as relatable to our own world as I can make them. What endures is because in all religions, in all cultures, there is a common thread, a common element of truth. And truth, in real life as well as in fiction, will always endure. When you write for and from the heart, it’s the most honest writing you can do.
Thank you for having me, Alex. It has been a pleasure.
Amateur treasure hunters discovers ��1m in Anglo Saxon coins
This is cool.
Originally posted on Metro:
The coins were perfectly preserved (Picture: Masons)
A hoard of rare Anglo Saxon coins worth more than ��1 million has been found in a farmer���s field by amateur treasure hunters.
The stunning discovery is one of the most significant finds in Britain in recent years.
The coins ��� over 1,000 years old ��� were unearthed during a Christmas dig organised by the Weekend Wanderers Detecting Club in rural farmland near Aylesbury, Bucks.
Over 100 people turned out to take part in the festive hunt and they were stunned to find the collection of more than 5,000 silver coins.
The perfectly preserved pieces, which feature the faces of Anglo Saxon kings, were in a lead bucket which was buried two feet underground.
Experts said the extremely rare coins could be worth more than ��1 million and club leader Pete Welch said the find was ���very significant���.
More than 5,000 coins were���
View original 447 more words
Amateur treasure hunters discovers £1m in Anglo Saxon coins
This is cool.
Originally posted on Metro:
The coins were perfectly preserved (Picture: Masons)
A hoard of rare Anglo Saxon coins worth more than £1 million has been found in a farmer’s field by amateur treasure hunters.
The stunning discovery is one of the most significant finds in Britain in recent years.
The coins – over 1,000 years old – were unearthed during a Christmas dig organised by the Weekend Wanderers Detecting Club in rural farmland near Aylesbury, Bucks.
Over 100 people turned out to take part in the festive hunt and they were stunned to find the collection of more than 5,000 silver coins.
The perfectly preserved pieces, which feature the faces of Anglo Saxon kings, were in a lead bucket which was buried two feet underground.
Experts said the extremely rare coins could be worth more than £1 million and club leader Pete Welch said the find was ‘very significant’.
More than 5,000 coins were…
View original 447 more words
