K.S. Dearsley's Blog, page 5

Another World

I intend spending Christmas in another world–or two. This can be a great time for catching up on some reading. If you get enough 'me' space, you might do the same.

However you spend Christmas, I hope you have a wonderful time. See you in 2017.

Readathon

I've haven't finished reading Third Flatiron Anthologies' Keystone Chronicles (the best laid plans, and all that), so the review isn't ready yet. However, I did take the opportunity while the Olympics were on to re-read some old favourites, so I can tell you about them.

I picked up Mary Stewart's Merlin trilogy: The Crystal Cave, The Hollow Hills and The Last Enchantment with some trepidation, because I used to love them and I think I read with a more critical attitude than I used to. This is no doubt because as a writer, I'm always looking out for ways to improve my own work. My intention was, that having re-read the books, I'd make some space on the shelf, but I don't think I can part with them, after all. The post-Roman setting isn't as novel these days, but the characters are still engaging.

Next, I read Charlotte Brontë's Shirley. The plot tackles issues such as workers' rights, class, religion, the treatment of the poor, and women's rights, all wrapped up in a romance. I confess to skipping over the moralizing passages to get back to the story. I don't recall doing that the first time. Perhaps I have less patience now.

It turns out there are few things more effective than re-reading a book you haven't looked at for a few years to show you how much you've changed.

Lazy Weekend

I'm rather glad there's no blue sky or heatwave today. If there had been, I would have felt obliged to tackle the hedge that's threatening to join branches with its counterpart across the lawn. As it's threatening to rain at any moment, I feel justified in curling up on the sofa with the latest offering from Third Flatiron Anthologies: Keystone Chronicles.

Each of the stories is based on the theme of a pivotal character or event without which, like the keystone of an arch, everything would fall apart. I intend writing a review, so I can kid myself that I'm working. That should keep me happy for the rest of the day.

Anyway, you're allowed to mooch around on a bank holiday, and the A & E departments are full of people who'd been doing DIY or gardening!

One Week Left

Only one week of the Smashwords Summer/Winter Sale left–that's one more week when Discord's Child will be FREE. If you need an excuse to sit outside and enjoy the sun, what better one could there be than catching up on some summer reading? And summer's passing all too quickly. Only one more week until the end of July, which means that two thirds of it have passed.

The sun is already setting around an hour earlier than it was at the solstice. In fact, I hesitate to mention it, but it's only five months until that big winter festival. You know the one I mean, the one with the man in the red suit, when you redecorate your house in glittery kitsch and eat stodgy pudding and pies that you don't really like so that no one will call you a humbug. Now, if that isn't a thought to make you want to escape in a good book, I don't know what is!

You'll find Discord's Child at http://www.smashwords.com/profile/vie...

Here's an Iyessi song to be going on with:

There are many roads to travel
But which one should you choose?
Which path will lead to what you seek?
How will you find the way?
Let your footsteps follow
The hope that's in your heart
And however life might twist and turn
You'll never go astray.

Time to Catch Up

I've been caught up in a whirl of life (and death) lately, but now I have some time to enjoy reading in the sun. If you do too, but only have a lunch break to spare and don't want to be kept on tenterhooks for the next chapter, may I suggest some short stories?

Third Flatiron's Hyperpowers anthology has 16 science fiction stories of space opera and military fiction, including my own, 'Alien Dreams'. Mind you, instead of snacking on a story or two over lunch, I gorged myself on the whole lot in one go. It's a real pleasure to find my story rubbing shoulders with such imaginative, thought-provoking tales.

Should you have a little more time to spare, treat yourself to a FREE download of Discord's Child. It's in the Smashwords Summer/Winter Sale until the end of July. Simply go to http://www.smashwords.com/profile/vie... for a coupon number.

Discounts Galore!

There's a great chance to get some great reads at big discounts until 12th March with Smashwords' Read an Ebook Week. How could I not take part in that? Go to the links below and use the code numbers you find there to get Discord's Child FREE, as well as 50% discount on Discord's Apprentice and Artists and Liars. The special promotions catalogue has hundreds of other titles to choose from too.

Discords Child: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/...
Discords Apprentice: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/...
Artists and Liars: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/...

Whistle a Happy Tune

One of the most fantastic things about spring is the way all the birds begin to greet the day with a song. It's called the dawn chorus, but the birds aren't a choir. Each individual sings on its own–different songs, keys and tempos. The wren trills, the blackbirds whistle, some of the songs are simple, others are complex, yet all join together without any clash or discord to form a joyous whole. No human composer really comes close to it, but maybe the Iyessi could. They wouldn't need to analyse it, they would understand it instinctively–everyone except Ro. Here's my own contribution to Spring, the next Iyessi song.


I will not say 'good-bye'
I will not take my leave
For you and I will ever walk together
You in my heart and I in yours.

I will not say 'farewell'
Or bid you to take care
For you and I will ever walk together
You in my heart and I in yours.

I will be back some day
But we'll not say 'hello'
For you and I will ever walk together
You in my heart and I in yours.

We'll have no need of greetings
We'll never be apart
For you and I will ever walk together
You in my heart and I in yours.

Spring is in the Air

The wind might still want to get hold of your nose and pinch until your eyes run, but there's no hiding it. The hedgerows are in bud, the daffodils are bursting into flower and there's that smell in the air that tells you winter might try to make a comeback but it's pretty much lost its grip. It isn't only the birds that feel like singing. Here's another Iyessi song to celebrate.

Come, join us in the dance!
We wish to share our joy.
Our old woes are behind us,
Our old foes now are friends,
Our old fears are forgotten.
Let's feast now and make merry,
So join us in the dance
And help us share our joy.

First Lines

The season of goodwill has finally got to me. When I woke in the early hours, the radio was playing what seemed like non-stop Christmas carols. Before I could go back to sleep the titles began to arrange themselves into stories. I heard: hark the herald angels sing 'silent night, holy night', while shepherds watched their flocks by night once in Royal David's city, away in a manger. Followed by: O, little town of Bethlehem, in the deep midwinter on Christmas night all Christians sing, 'O Come All Ye Faithful'. Thankfully, I fell asleep before it got any worse.

Have a great Christmas!

Background Noise

My goodness, doesn't time fly! The last time I posted on this blog Hallowe'en had yet to take place, and now here we are with Christmas rapidly approaching.

There's no chance of forgetting the season, unfortunately. I love Christmas carols, but I'm in danger of having a surfeit of them. Every other track played on the classical radio channels seems to mention holly or angels. Changing channels doesn't provide much of an antidote either. Slade, Wizzard and Shakin' Stevens are all very well, but not much help if you're trying to write about life or death struggles or perilous voyages. I think I can appreciate how Lar and the other Iyessi feel. So, I shall enjoy a few minutes' silence while I key in the latest Iyessi song. No music–just words.

Everything has a name.
The wind that wanders through the hills,
The sound of rain running after a storm,
The light of lazy afternoons–
What are they without a name?