Mandy Eve-Barnett's Blog, page 157
November 23, 2013
New outlet for my book…
Just a quick note my fantasy, The Rython Kingdom is now available at Barnes & Noble.
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-rython-kingdom-mandy-eve-barnett/1112817382
The famed troubadour, Guillem, attends the king’s court to recite a marvelous tale but his suspicions are raised by a strange servant. With the help of a wizened old woman and her beautiful granddaughter, Guillem attempts to outwit a witch to save the kingdom from murder and mayhem. He then finds himself part of a ritual for life everlasting with the entrancing and mysterious Juliana.
Other sites you can purchase it are:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/214247
https://ebookstore.sony.com/ebook/mandy-eve-barnett/the-rython-kingdom/_/R-400000000000000791166
Your Sequester Defined…
Sequester – definition: to remove from use, or withdraw into solitude or retirement : seclude
Withdrawing into our own magical world of words, is most certainly a writer’s dream. Whether we imagine it to be a beach house, a woodland cabin or a study with a lock on the door – having our own solitary space has magical ramifications. We imagine our greatest work revealing itself as we sit in solitude, allowing our muse full reign on our time.
I was fortunate to attend a retreat in February 2012 at Strawberry Creek. With several other members of my writing group in attendance, we managed to revise, edit and write new and existing manuscripts. With the choice of writing alone or in a group, everyone found their comfort zone. Gathering together for meals, which are made for us and evening conversation in front of a roaring fire, it was a perfect sequester from our every day lives.
The plan is to enjoy this retreat again in the spring of 2014. I am so looking forward to it. A long weekend of words and like minded people, what more could you possibly ask for?
Have you been on a retreat?
Was it all you wish it to be?
If you could have your own ‘retreat’ where would it be?
Part of the lounge/library at Strawberry Creek.
November 22, 2013
World Building in Your Story…
Piceous – definition: pitch-black in color; a glossy dark brownish-black
This Dungeons and Dragons creature is actually called Piceous. I think it is a pretty cool monster.
I do not play computer games so have no real idea what this particular creature does but reading on the Wikipedia site, this is the shortened description for Dungeons & Dragons. It is a fantasy tabletop role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc.. The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997. The Piceous is part of the Philosopher’s Stone Campaign.
While I was browsing the game site, I was impressed with the amount of detail each game location and character had been given. There are maps for each ‘world’, profiles for every character and even statistics for the population of each race inhabiting the world.
This sort of detail shows us how world building can be achieved. Attention to detail is foremost in these game platforms and obviously great care is given to create each ‘world’ As authors we create stories populated with make believe characters and locations (for the most part) so to have a visual representation is an excellent way of bringing the story to life.
I have posted about character portfolio’s before http://mandyevebarnett.com/2013/05/28/be-true-to-your-character/ & http://mandyevebarnett.com/2013/11/20/pretentious-personalities-help-create-characters/
What methods do you use to bring your characters and locations to life?
Do you cut out photos from magazines and paste them on a story board?
Do you draw/paint your story board?
Are you able to picture it all in your head?
November 21, 2013
Philandering – Not Just for Men..?
Philander – definition: to flirt, or have casual affairs with women, especially with a frivolous attitude
Men are most commonly perceived as philanders, as per the definition above, however, there have been and still are; many women who have casual affairs. In the past it was not as common as it probably is in modern day society. A woman’s place was in the home after all! Nowadays with equality in many aspects of life, women are exploring their options more readily.
Is this a good thing?
Is it a natural progression?
What are the repercussions?
These links list some of the more famous philanderers:
http://intelligence2.tumblr.com/post/6280288191/famous-philanderers-in-history-men
http://intelligence2.tumblr.com/post/6355272324/famous-philanderers-in-history-women
When we are writing contemporary modern day fiction, social issues and changes in the roles of men and women should be reflected in it. A 1950′s housewife will certainly not have the same lifestyle as a female 2013 career executive. As authors we need to be aware of these details and that is where research becomes vital. Our characters and the situations they find themselves in are more believable if the act and react in a realistic way to their era.
I couldn’t resist putting this picture up!
November 20, 2013
Pretentious Personalities Help Create Characters…
Pretentious – definition: assuming an air of great dignity or importance : pompous
As writers we strive to create believable and memorable characters. One way to do this is to study characters in movies or on TV that resonate. I found this great list of pompous characters, all of whom are well liked in their media situations but would certainly be difficult to actually live with in the ‘real’ world. Each of these characters have clearly defined personality traits, which make them well rounded personalities.
http://whatculture.com/tv/8-lovable-tv-characters-insufferable-real-life.php/1
There are many methods that, as writers, we can use to form a character. One of the most common is a ‘character biography’ or ‘profile’. I have inserted a couple but you can always formulate your own. We can also utilize personality traits from people we know or even celebrities. A good deal of the information and back story we put into our character’s profile will never get onto the page but with our knowledge of them ensures our character reacts to the situations we put them into, in a ‘realistic’ way.
What method(s) do you use to form your characters?
November 19, 2013
Euphemism’s Abound…
Euphemism – definition: the substitution of a mild, indirect, or vague word or expression for a more harsh one
We all know several euphemism’s, I am sure. It is why we use them that is interesting. It may be to lessen pain or distress to someone or to hide a fact from a younger person or child. We can openly say these phrases without emotional harm to the person we are saying them to or about. Is this sugar coating reality – yes it is – but they do prevent embarrassing or hurtful situations on both sides of the conversation.
Take the example of two older people discussing a friend who has died. They would not say ‘died’ rather use passed away.
In literature we can find euphemisms, such as :
George Orwell has the “The Squealer”, a character in his “Animal Farm”, using the word readjustment instead of reduction when announcing food rationing to suppress the complaints of other animals about hunger. Reduction means “cutting” food supply while readjustment implies changing the current amount of food.
“For the time being,” he explains, “it had been found necessary to make a readjustment of rations.”
In William Shakespeare’s “Antony and Cleopatra”. In Act 2 Scene 2, Agrippa says about Cleopatra:
“Royal wench!
She made great Caesar lay his sword to bed.
He plowed her, and she cropped.”
The word “plowed” refers to the act of sexual intercourse and the word “cropped” is a euphemism for becoming pregnant.
Here are some euphemism’s but by no means all of them:
Passed away or departed instead of died
Correctional facility instead of jail
Fell off the back of a truck instead of stolen
Ethnic cleansing instead of genocide
Collateral damage instead of accidental deaths
Letting someone go instead of firing someone
Put to sleep instead of euthanize
On the streets instead of homeless
Adult entertainment instead of pornography
Au natural instead of naked
Big-boned or portly instead of heavy or overweight
Use the rest room or powder your nose instead of go to the bathroom
Break wind instead of pass gas
Economical with the truth instead of liar
The birds and the bees instead of sex
Between jobs instead of unemployed
Vertically-challenged instead of short
Do you have a few you would like to share?
What is your favorite?
Have you used any in a story?
I found this super link – take a look:
http://englishcowpath.blogspot.ca/2011/06/euphemism-treadmill-replacing-r-word.html
November 18, 2013
Ambivalence, A Teenager’s Persona…
Ambivalent – definition: uncertain or unable to decide about what course to follow
Ambivalence is widely viewed as a teenagers persona. Their conversation is liberally interspersed with ‘I don’t care’, ‘I’m bored’, ‘you don’t understand anything’, and many more. The ‘sudden’ change in a child for many parents is puzzling and frustrating. No matter what they say or do it is never ‘right’. The reason for the changes are due to new massive hormonal messages flooding the teenager’s brain in conjunction with the normal and current needs and experiences it has to process. In essence their brain is being reshaped, and reconstructed giving rise to personality changes and emotional instability.
It is essential that teenagers are exposed to encouraging, supportive and sound advice in this period as their personality will be shaped into their adult persona during this time. Negativity in any form will result in devastating results, whether physically, mentally or emotionally. The teenager years are the most venerable and it is the reason they need more love and encouragement. Let them experience new hobbies, research spirituality and get involved in organizations but with supervision and guidance. Above all love them.
Have you experienced the ‘teenager’ period? Are you in the midst of it?
Can you share tips on how to deal with a teenager?
For my own experience I encouraged new hobbies, sports and interests. Got to know their friends and hang outs. Ensured they understood I would collect them from anywhere at any time if they needed me to. Required a text so I knew they were safe and unharmed. And loved them fiercely. My son is now 21 years and a delight. My daughter is 17 and we are coping with her growing up with understanding and love.
When we write for this age group or create a character from it, we need to understand the workings of their minds. As with all research for novels, the more we understand the better our work will be.
Related articles
The Teenage Brain: Still Under Construction (psychcentral.com)
November 17, 2013
Who Personifies an Idea for You..?
Personify – definition: 1. to represent a thing or idea in the form of a person; 2. to be an embodiment or incarnation of an idea; to typify
There are many people throughout history who have made an impact on the global consciousness. I am sure you can name some more but these were the ones that came to my mind. The common thread is kindness and respect for those around us, whether in our immediate surroundings or further away.
Who did you think of?
Martin Luther King – I have a dream today.
Mahatma Ghandi – Where there is life there is love
John F Kenndey – Let us never negotiate out of fear but let us never fear to negotiate.
Charles Darwin - It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change.
Galileo Galilei - Where the senses fail us, reason must step in.
Dalai Lama - My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.
George Orwell - In a time of universal deceit – telling the truth is a revolutionary act.
Princess Diana - Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you.
November 16, 2013
Enthusing & Promoting…
Enthuse – definition: to be or become excited or enthusiastic; to show enthusiasm
I certainly was not enthusing about driving to my hair appointment this morning. We had heavy snow fall over night and there were police warnings regarding low visibility and slick roads. http://globalnews.ca/news/971634/alberta-highways-in-poor-winter-driving-conditions-travel-not-recommended/
However, as an intrepid Albertan, it did not deter me and I drove carefully to my hairdressers. With a new look, I am happy and safely back home. Hence the late post today!
I am enthusing about several events I will be attending in the next few weeks. These local events give me the opportunity to connect with my readers, new and old. They are also a valuable resource for networking as an author and freelance writer.
FUN AND THEN SOME
- AN ALL AGES EDUCATION FAIR AND EXPO!
The first is tomorrow’s Fun and Then Some in Sherwood Park. It is an educational and recreation fair and I will be attending with my publisher, Dream Write Publishing. We have organized all the current children’s books in singles, doubles and Christmas wrapped packages. Our second role will be informing the attendees of the Writers Foundation of Strathcona County, its mission, meetings and workshops.
On November 30th, I will be at the Christmas Marketplace in Fort Saskatchewan, again with Dream Write Publishing, promoting the company and the wide range of books available.
December 7th will see me promoting myself as an author at Authors for Altruism Charity Book Sale in Edmonton. Part of the money raised will be given to Alzheimer Society of Alberta & North-west Territories and The Rainbow Society of Alberta.
November 15, 2013
Gratifying Reviews to Help Your Favorite Author…
Gratification – definition: 1. the state of being gratified, pleased, or greatly satisfied; 2. a reward, recompense, or gratuity
And in response to the complete opposite of yesterday’s word – I was thrilled to receive this review of Rumble’s First Scare, as you can see from my link here: http://mandyevebarnett.com/2012/03/24/book-review-of-distinction-4/
Recently there have been several face book posts asking people to support their local or favorite author(s) by giving them a review. This enables other potential purchasers to get a real review of your work prior to purchasing it. However, I do not condone spiteful reviews. They show the reviewers nasty side and reflect on them more than the author or novel in question. As the old saying goes ‘if you can’t say anything nice, don;t say anything at all’. If the critique is given respectfully and is constructive then that is another matter.
What methods do you think help support authors?
I was intrigued with this bloggers list for supporters to help on a budget. http://kourtneyheintz.wordpress.com/2013/11/14/8-ways-to-support-author-buddies-on-a-budget/
What are your feelings on reviews?
Have you received good and well as bad reviews?
How did you cope?
