Tim Flanagan's Blog, page 29
March 11, 2013
Author Interview – Shannon A Thompson
Within the Indie Author Hub, you can learn about other authors, their thoughts and opinions, what makes them tick and how their writing process works for them.
All this week I will be releasing segments of an interview I conducted with fellow author, Shannon Thompson, a highly motivated and inspiring 21 year old. Check her profile and read about her books here.
Part 1 : Inspiration and preparation.
What inspired you to become an author? I’ve always enjoyed writing, but I started taking it seriously after my mother suddenly passed away on March 16, 2003. I was eleven, but I had to face my own mortality, and the realizations that followed, pushed my passion forward into a career, rather than just a hobby.
So if you hadn’t been an author what would you be? An editor, publisher, literary agent—anything and everything that involved creative English.
Do you write full time? I’m a senior at the University of Kansas, getting my bachelor’s degree in English which I finish this December. I also consider myself a full time writer, even though I may be spending time marketing instead of physically writing that night. I write almost every night from 6 p.m until 10 to midnight. I make a lot of sacrifices within my social life in order to move towards achieving my dreams
Where do you write? I generally write in a hookah lounge, it’s just an excuse to get out of the house. Going somewhere else allows me to relax more. However, I want to clarify that I don’t advocate smoking. It’s only something I enjoy, and I realize it isn’t healthy for everyone. I’ve also been known by my roommates to be found in my closet.
Do you have daily word targets? No. I try not to force a number. Instead, I focus on the quality.
Before writing, do you plan your books down to the last detail? I have a very specific plan, yes, but I almost always change it as I go, because I realize holes or the characters don’t agree with what I wanted. Basically, I have a plan, but it has to adapt based on where it begins to go.
How do you decide on your characters and what they will be like? I don’t. They do. I may have an idea of what they’ll be like, but they never end up being that way. Ever. So I don’t consider myself as the one making the decisions. I allow them to do what they want to do (I suppose I could say we fight a lot when I try to force them into what I did decide.) I use Babynames.com to name my characters.
How do you get over the fear of a “blank page”? The blank pages don’t scare me; it excites me! It’s possibility.
March 9, 2013
Merlin’s Key
Whilst reading through some of Sir Edgar’s old diaries, I came across a puzzle he mentions fondly from the time when he was a young knight. King Arthur’s great wizard, Merlin, enjoyed trying to out-smart some of the knights with this number game. According to Sir Edgar, the correct positioning of the numbers would unlock a mechanism within a metal casket which would release a magic spell giving the victor an overwhelming feeling of happiness, but only for a limited period of time. Unfortunately, Merlin had not realised that in large quantities the spell could actually become addictive. Some of the knights had to be put in solitary confinement to “sweat out” the madness the happy spell created within them. The use of that particular magic spell was later banned within Camelot.
I have reproduced Merlin’s game here for you all to try, but without the euphoric reward. Sorry.
March 7, 2013
Read the first 3 chapters!
The Moon Stealers and the Everlasting Night is out in April, but just to get you in the mood, you can read the first three chapters by going to my interactive bookshelf.
Hope you enjoy – let me know what you think.
March 4, 2013
SIS ID Card
I woke this morning to find a notice stapled to my door. It appears to be another piece of information from Steven Knight, survivor of The Moon Stealers. He also left a message on my phone which I have transcribed for you below.
SIS ID CARD
Friends,
I don’t have much time, the creatures are near. I’m currently living in London, but not everyone can be trusted. There are some who fail to have mankind’s best interests at heart. My friend Tim Flanagan has been compiling my diary, which he will have ready in April for you all to read. Until then, I am leaving this fake Secret Intelligence Service card for all you survivors to make – you never know when it might come in handy.
Until the next time – stay safe and keep together – SK.
Click the picture and then print, or download the pdf file here - Printable SIS Card - and then print.
March 2, 2013
Fountain at Holyroodhouse Palace
At the end of the Royal Mile in Edinburgh is Holyroodhouse Palace, a royal palace which is the official residence for Queen Elizabeth II when she visits Scotland. In the first Moon Stealer book, the finale of the hunt for the Silver Bough, culminates in front of the fountain in the courtyard in front of the palace. Originally the site of Abbey, the site has undergone constant change and rebuilding since the time of King David I of Scotland.
The fountain is a 19th century replica that was requested by Queen Victoria to emulate the one made for Kind James V at Linlithgow Palace in West Lothian, Scotland. It stands about 6 metres high and is topped with a lion on a crown. Below are figurines of historic people including Rizzio (Italian Courtier who became the secretary to Mary, Queen of Scots), Elizabeth I and Mary Stuart, as well as soldiers and lions.
One of the figurines I was particularly interested in was the piper, which featured heavily in my book (MS1:Ch26). Although the pipe is made of stone it can transform into silver once it is held by the one with ancient wisdom and a true touch.
Playing with my Graphics Tablet!
A Classy Goblin.
My first attempt using the graphics tablet and Corel Painter 12
February 27, 2013
The Everlasting Night
Well, I’ve finished it! Last week I stayed up for several nights until 1am editing and rereading the third book in the Moon Stealer series, but it’s done. The book has gone out for proofreaders now, so I’m still on target for an April release. Over the next week or so, I will release the cover, as well as the first three chapters to give you a taste of what’s to come. If you haven’t read the first book in the series, The Quest for the Silver Bough, it’s available FREE on Amazon and Smashwords. Get up to speed before the third book comes out!
For now, here’s a short synopsis:
“The Moon Stealers, bacteria evolved from an alien meteorite, strike a devastating blow to mankind. MI6 operative Steven Knight, together with Georgia and Tracker, attempt to make their way to London to join other survivors. In the face of despair, survivors react in many different ways to their fate and are quick to betray other humans if their own dominance in the new world becomes threatened. Betrayed by another, Steven finds himself at the mercy of the alien creatures and must rely on his investigative powers to discover a way for the human race to survive. But, it’s a race against time as the creatures continue to change….”
February 24, 2013
Calling all Indie Authors
The Indie Author Hub is designed to be a resource space for Indie Authors, new and old, to discuss and share their publication experiences and give guidance to other authors.
As an Indie Author, we have an opportunity to break the mould and try something different. Because of the ease of publication, we have the flexibility to change things at the drop of a hat. Traditionally, a change in cover, re-edit, or even re-write, would be a slow and costly process for publishing houses, but, with a few clicks of a button, indie authors can change parts of their books when necessary. This flexibility is great, but there are several disadvantages to being an Indie Author; we simply don’t have the back up and support that traditional publishing houses can provide to their authors. Proof reading, editing and cover design are very costly. Publicity is time consuming and limited. Most Indie books don’t get edited and covers are often DIY jobs. But, are there ways to get help with these services without breaking the bank? To be an Indie, you have to wear many hats other than that of a writer. When all you want to do is write, you have to juggle the proof reading and design, as well as having a ‘normal’ job and running a home. Wouldn’t it be great if you had an author friend that said “don’t waste your time doing that, try this”? The Indie Author Hub aims to be that friend to get many authors views on what works for them.
There are many things I learnt when publishing my own books. What works and what doesn’t work. What’s worth spending money on and what’s not. I read various books that tell you ‘how to’, but some were just jumping on the band wagon to make a bit of extra cash, whilst others had some genuinely useful tips. If we don’t have the support that a publishing house can provide, we need to help and support each other. You have a wealth of skills, advice and expertise that someone else who is just starting on the ladder, would love to know about. So let’s share it? If you’ve already published, join a discussing in the Indie Author Hub and share your advice. Everyone has had different experiences and knows what works for them. Help provide guidance to other Indie Authors so they can ultimately produce and market something that stands out against traditional publishing houses. If we pull together, the Indie Author Revolution, might just become that!
Click on this link to join in the discussion. First topics are Plots and Characters – how do you create them?
February 22, 2013
The Silver Bough
In the first Moon Stealer book, Sir Edgar and the children are on a quest to find the Silver Bough. Left in the keeping of Sir Hadwyn, the Earl of Rosslyn until his death of Pneumonia in the winter of 2011, they discover his tomb with a riddle engraved around the edge of his shield, directing them towards the Bough.
The Bough was made by a druid called Arawyn Claremont. He cut a branch from the Elm tree that stood in his garden and carved it into a curved flute. He then performed strong magic on it. To most people the Bough would look like nothing more than a plain and dull wooden flute, but when held in the right hands, it would turn to silver and play the most magical music. The music would enchant and possess certain animals, as well as provide Arawyn an entrance into the Faerie World.
Once the Silver Bough has chosen its owner, anyone else that attempts to use it will become tormented by the screams and curses of the lost souls that are trapped between the two worlds.
February 20, 2013
Sir Edgar Gorlois
The main guardian type character in The Moon Stealers that guides the children to find The Silver Bough is Sir Edgar Gorlois. A gentle knight from King Arthurs time who was chosen as one of the ‘League of White Knights’ that Merlin performed the Immortalitus spell on that prevented them from getting older. They could still die from illness or fatal wounds, but the body remained in stasis which prevented them from getting older. Sir Edgar was tasked with looking after the Shipley family and every descendant of theirs that was born a Seer (someone who can see magic in our world).
Sir Edgar (meaning Protector of the Good) maintains the title of Duke of Tintagel which is thought to be a possible location for Camelot. Silver haired and old. He is tall and slim, with a white beard and sparkling blue eyes. He is gentle and compassionate, but possess a hidden inner strength. When I began thinking about the character of Sir Edgar, I always visualised him to be like Charles Darwin (picture on the left) – wise and gentle, but with a strength to challenge things and not conform.
All good knights need a sword and Sir Edgar is no exception. He was given a white bladed sword made from Adamant (ground diamond and metal) by Nimue, Priestess of Avalon. The sword, named Ethera, is thought to be one of the twelve swords of power.
