R.R. Russell's Blog, page 2
November 25, 2013
Creating Worlds, Choosing Words—Why My Characters Don’t “Box”
Recently a reader asked me why I didn’t call a roundhouse kick a roundhouse kick in the Venture series. The question sparked a great conversation about word choice and world-building.
In the Venture books, I wanted the feel of mixed martial arts in a world that might have existed in another time in history. It was so much fun to blend elements influenced by Eastern martial arts, such as buildings dedicated to practicing the fighting arts, with straw mats on the floor and peg boards on the wall—with a society that has a more western feel. Readers have told me the world of Richland reminds them of everything from the pre-Civil War U.S. (without the guns) to Feudal Japan.
As I built that world, word choices were a big—and sometimes difficult—part of my decision-making. I wanted those with no martial arts knowledge at all to be able to enjoy the story and understand what was going on. But I also wanted people with different combat sports backgrounds to be able to appreciate it, and I wanted the world of Richland to be its own.
When creating the world of Richland, I avoided terms that were too sport-specific or too characteristic of a particular culture. But I discovered that inventing new terminology doesn’t always work. There are some terms like backfist that just can’t be stated any better. So my fighters are still called fighters, but they train in fighting centers rather than gyms or dojos. They practice striking techniques, but never box. They do practice takedowns (a term used in modern wrestling) and throws (judo) but never the more specific double-leg or uchimata.
When I found myself searching too hard for a different term—one that would also be clear and concise—I just shrugged and went with it. If it’s a simple term that might have been made up by any culture, if makes sense, why not use it? With fight scenes in particular, I realized it wasn’t helpful to make up complicated terms that muddled the action and bogged down the pacing.
Here’s an example of this kind of scene, from Venture Untamed. Young Venture has just begun training to be a fighter at Beamer’s Center. But Border, a wealthy classmate, despises Venture for his bonded status and has plans to drive him out:
When the whistle blew, Venture tried everything he’d seen, everything he’d just learned. He put everything he had into the round, but his hands slipped off whatever he reached for, and all he could do was scramble like an overturned crab to push Border away and to keep off his back.
He pulled his arms in tight, on his knees, and tried to think of something he could do that Border wouldn’t have an answer for. Border’s hands dug mercilessly under his chin in search of an opening for a choke, and Venture fought them. Then—too late—he sensed himself tipping over. Venture hustled to get back up, but Border scooped one arm under the back of his neck, the other under one of Venture’s legs. He knelt at his side, leaning all his weight toward Venture’s head and chest.
Border had him pinned. With his cheek pressed against the side of Venture’s face, he exhaled a low laugh, which Venture felt and smelled more than heard. Sweat dripped from Border’s hair into Venture’s eyes, and when Venture moved, Border rammed his shoulder into his chin and smothered his face with his chest instead. Venture threw all his energy into trying to turn away before he remembered that Lance had said to turn the opposite way, toward his opponent.
Venture switched direction, but now the hold was so secure, no matter how he pushed against Border, he couldn’t escape. Border, blasted Border, was in total control. If he were allowed to punch right now, maybe he could fight his way out, but Beamer had been clear about the rules for this exercise—grappling only.
Border lifted his head and grinned his too-big grin. With a quick glance at Earnest, who had his back to them, he brought his fist back and slammed it into Venture’s ribs. Venture froze as the trauma to his newly healed injuries sent bolts of fresh pain shooting through his chest.
November 18, 2013
Win a Three-Book Paperback Set of the Venture Series
Paperback readers, I’m giving away two autographed three-book Venture series sets through Goodreads! You can win Venture Untamed, Venture Unleashed, and Venture Unbroken.
Goodreads Book Giveaway
Venture Untamed
by R.H. Russell
Giveaway ends December 01, 2013.
See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.
“A splendid story about a boy fighting to be a man.” —Bookfiend
“For believable characters, strong world-building, and a story with emotional impact, Venture Untamed is highly recommended.”—Books, Bones, and Buffy
“With a colorful cast of characters, an intense context and a male protagonist you can root for, Venture Untamed is definitely a story worth reading.”— Alexa Loves Books
Venture Delving is a bonded servant in love with his master’s daughter. The only way he’ll be free to live the life he’s meant to live is to defy convention, common sense, the trust of those he cares about most—and sometimes the law—and become the best fighter in the world, the Champion of All Richland. Venture must battle not only rival fighters, but the ghosts of his past and the members of a privileged warrior class who stand between him and his dream.
Ages 13 and up.
Start the series with Venture Untamed or check out the rest of the series here.
To be the first to find out about new releases, and get access to freebies and deals, sign up for my newsletter.
October 29, 2013
It’s Paperback Release Day for Venture Unleashed!
Venture Unleashed, the second book in the Venture series, is out now in paperback.
Venture Delving leaves his home in Twin Rivers to train at the renowned Champions Center, in pursuit of his dream to escape his bonded class by becoming a champion fighter. There, Venture meets two men who hold the title he longs to claim himself one day—Champion of All Richland. But a violent encounter with one of them nearly ends his life and destroys his dreams.
Thrust into the center of growing political turmoil and confronted with choices he never imagined he’d have to make, Venture must find a way to keep his hope and his love for Jade, his master’s daughter, alive. Thanks to the privileged Crested warrior class who’d rather see him die than live his dream, the worst nightmares of Venture’s past and his future are about to follow him onto the mat as he fights the match of his life.
Ages 13 and up.
Don’t forget to signup for my newsletter to be the first to find out about new releases, and get access to bonus scenes, deals, and freebies!
October 1, 2013
It’s Paperback Release Day for Venture Untamed!
Venture Untamed, the first novel in my Venture series, is now available on Amazon in paperback!
“A splendid story about a boy fighting to be a man.” —Bookfiend
“For believable characters, strong world-building, and a story with emotional impact, Venture Untamed is highly recommended.”—Books, Bones, and Buffy
“With a colorful cast of characters, an intense context and a male protagonist you can root for, Venture Untamed is definitely a story worth reading.”— Alexa Loves Books
Venture Delving is a bonded servant in love with his master’s daughter. The only way he’ll be free to live the life he’s meant to live is to defy convention, common sense, the trust of those he cares about most—and sometimes the law—and become the best fighter in the world, the Champion of All Richland. Venture must battle not only rival fighters, but the ghosts of his past and the members of a privileged warrior class who stand between him and his dream.
Ages 13 and up.
Start the series with Venture Untamed or check out the rest of the series here.
To be the first to find out about new releases, and get access to freebies and deals, sign up for my newsletter.
September 5, 2013
Venture Untamed Is Coming to Paperback
Guess what I have? Why yes, that is an advance copy of Venture Untamed in paperback!
I’m so excited to finally hold a physical copy of this book! I know parents authors aren’t supposed to have favorites among their children books, but my Venture series about a young bondsman fighting for his freedom and for the love of his life was—and still is—my favorite to write. Venture Untamed and Venture Unleashed will be available in paperback in October, and Venture Unbroken in November.
For those of you who prefer e-books, they’re all available now, and you can start the series with a free copy of Venture Untamed when you sign up for my newsletter.
Paperback readers, you can enter my Goodreads giveaway to win a signed copy of Venture Untamed.
Goodreads Book Giveaway
Venture Untamed
by R.H. Russell
Giveaway ends October 04, 2013.
See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.
May 7, 2013
Wonder Light Releases Today!
It’s the official release day for my hardcover debut, Wonder Light: Unicorns of the Mist!
I had my launch party last week at the Garfield Book Company at PLU, and I felt so loved by friends and family. We packed the house and sold lots of books. My judo teammates brought friends and neighbors. So did friends from church.
My brother, Steven and my sister-in-law, Jen flew up from California just for the event. They brought me a fluffy unicorn because, “After everyone reads Wonder Light, there won’t be any more fluffy unicorns.”
My friend Karyn baked 75 gourmet cupcakes, 50 cookies, and a beautiful cake topped with a white chocolate unicorn. They were all promptly devoured! Late-comers got a few bits of garnish and a handful of chocolate rocks!
Kyla Paterno and her staff at the bookstore did a fabulous job helping the event run smoothly. My parents and friends helped me get everything ready, and acted as bouncers at the cupcake table. (Those cupcakes were seriously delicious!)
I got to stand up in front of all those people and share my story and tell them how much they mean to me.
Then I got to meet some young readers and see them smile when I handed their signed copies of Wonder Light back to them, and that ranked right up there next to Karyn’s coconut cupcakes!
If you missed the party, you can still order a personalized, signed copy from the Garfield Book Company. I’ll sign it, and they’ll ship it to you if you don’t live in the area. Or, if you’re in the Seattle area, I’m doing a reading and signing at the Northgate Barnes and Noble on May 16.
More info about Wonder Light and where you can buy it is here.
April 26, 2013
Wonder Light Hardcovers Are Here!
Woohoo! My author copies of Wonder Light: Unicorns of the Mist are here!
I kept checking and checking the front porch, and then, after a long evening of running around and going to judo practice, I pulled into my driveway and there was a BOX! I stopped the car right there and ran out to discover . . . it was just a box of judo gis. But behind that box was another one with Sourcebooks in the return address and Wonder Light on the label! I was so happily surprised I forgot my husband was on his way home with Wendy’s to console me for my continued state of booklessness. By the time I was done marveling over these babies, I had to zap my cold fries in the microwave. But I have to say holding my first hardcover book in my hands was worth more than hot Wendy’s fries!
April 23, 2013
Wonder Light Hardcover Giveaway!
There’s a new giveaway going on for Wonder Light: Unicorns of the Mist. This time 5 hardcovers are up for grabs at Goodreads!
The Unicorns of the Mist series by R.R. Russell
Wonder Light: Unicorns of the Mist (Sourcebooks, May 7, 2013)
Hardcover ISBN-13: 978-1402279898
Deep in the heart of a mist-shrouded island, an impossible secret is about to be discovered.
Twig is used to feeling unwanted. Sent to live on a pony ranch for troubled girls on a misty, haunted island, Twig is about to discover the impossible—someone who needs her.
Jolted awake from a bad dream, Twig follows the desperate whinny of a terrified horse out to the stables. There in the straw is a bleating little scrap of moonbeam. A silver-white filly with cloven hooves and a tiny, spiraling horn.
A baby unicorn.
Now Twig knows what secret is hiding in the island’s mist: the last free unicorn herd. And a mysterious boy named Ben who insists that this impossible creature is now Twig’s to care for. That she needs Twig’s love and protection. Because there’s something out there in the deep, dense shadows that’s hunting for them…
Pre-order your personalized, signed copy of Wonder Light from the Garfield Book Company at PLU! Click here.
Or purchase a copy from your favorite retailer:
Unicorns of the Mist is on Facebook!
March 27, 2013
My Book Deal with Sourcebooks!
Reblogged from R. Russell Wrestles with Words:
So . . . on Monday I was at judo practice supposedly practicing a new turn-over with my friend Jenna, but really joking about husbands and their crazy ideas. I noted that my husband has a way of following through with his crazy ideas—like starting our judo club, for example.
"Just think," Jenna said, "If he'd never done that, you'd probably be writing about unicorns or something!"
It's hard to believe it's been a year since I found out Wonder Light: Unicorns of the Mist was going to be published—and that I'm only a month away from release! Here's my original blog post from 2012, announcing the deal!
It's the One-Year Anniversary of My Book Deal With Sourcebooks!
Reblogged from R. Russell Wrestles with Words:
So . . . on Monday I was at judo practice supposedly practicing a new turn-over with my friend Jenna, but really joking about husbands and their crazy ideas. I noted that my husband has a way of following through with his crazy ideas—like starting our judo club, for example.
"Just think," Jenna said, "If he'd never done that, you'd probably be writing about unicorns or something!"
It's hard to believe it's been a year since I found out Wonder Light: Unicorns of the Mist was going to be published—and that I'm only a month away from release! Here's my original blog post from 2012, announcing the deal!
