M.K. Eidem's Blog, page 2

What is my 'writing process'?

Well at the convention I went to, I learned that I'm a 'panter', new term for me. It means I write by the seat of my pants and I do.

I always have an idea of what I want to write, a very basic story line. With Grim, it was males needing females. The 'aliens' never truly knowing what it was to be loved and cared about, that they always had to be fit and worthy and what would happen if their most feared but unfit warrior fell in love. For Lisa it was can you really find love again after you've lost it, when you have children and if you do, does that mean your first love wasn't true?

That was it. Everything else just developed from there.

I do have binders full of different notes about names/relationships etc but sometimes when I'm writing I just write them on a piece of scratch paper, then I lose it and have to search for where I found a word or name again. 'Foabhor' is an example its a swear word in the Imperial series, it means little sh*t, little f**ker, etc, I found it by using a translator app but you think I can remember which one or which language. Since then I've learned to print screen those things.

That's about it for my 'process'. The only time I get more detailed is if I keep getting off track during a scene then I do an outline or timeline for it so I can cover all the points I want made.

M.K.

What kind of Merchandise would you like?

You know I've only been to one conference and saw alot of interesting merchandise but wasn't sure what people would want.

What would everyone most like to see?

M.K.  

How do I come up with my character names?

Well, I get them from lots of places, one of them is news reports, take all the reports on Typoon Rammasun. Isn't that an interesting name? So I had to Google it and Rammansun is a Siamese word for Thunder God! Now wouldn't that be an interesting character.

I like to look up the meaning behind names and use several websites that do that and try to match it to the characters but sometimes a name just jumps out at me. Like Ynyr, I just really liked it and it is associated with 'honor' and that fit perfectly.

Grim and yes, I made a conscious decision to not spell it the common way, because Grim isn't a common guy. It just needed to be his name, I can't tell you why and it took forever for my computer to stop trying to change it.

Others like Oryon and Isis I pulled from mythology.

Isis was the most powerful of all the female Goddesses in ancient Egypt and I wanted that for the character even though others don't see her that way. She was strong for the stand she took on not leaving Oryon.

Oryon, of course, is a different spelling for Orion from Greek mythology who was a mighty hunter. I liked that and made him the Lord of the 'Hunt' planet that I called Betelguese because Orion is also a constellation, and Betelguese is one of the brightest stars in that constellation. Rigel is the other one so therefore he became Lord Oryon Rigel of House Rigel on the planet Betelguese.

M.K.

What made me write these stories and how do I feel when I'm finished.

What made me write these stories.... hmmmm.... good question. I wrote when I was younger, you know, stories about your favorite rock band or actor and how they would come to my small town and fall in love with me. Every young girl's dream to get the guy every other girl wanted but he chose you. Yup, great stuff!

Then I grew up, went to college, met my dream guy, got married, had kids and life went on. Once the kids left for college it was like.... wow! I have all this time so I did a lot of reading and discovered there was this amazing world of authors that I'd never heard of before.

Authors that actually wrote sci-fi romance! Really! Where had this been all my life, it sure wasn't in my small town bookstore, and they wrote like I thought, like life really was, just in a different setting.

How amazing! Their characters had humor and they had flaws. They weren't 'perfect' because none of us are. I loved it and it kicked my imagination into high gear so I pulled out my laptop and wrote it down.

As for when I finish.... that's hard, I'll admit that I always wonder was there more I should of told... that's why Cassandra's Challenge was over 200,000 words (and that was after trimming it), there was always something more that needed to be told.

But that's what I like about writing a series. The story is never really 'finished'; you get to see how their lives progress in other books. For example when Lisa finally gives birth we'll get to see how Grim handles it, or doesn't. If I hadn't known I could do that, Grim would probably still not be done because that's going to be so interesting.


M.K.

Luciferins

In Wray, Wray and Kim spend time in a cave in which luciferins grow. I thought you may be interested to learn a little bit more about luciferins.


Luciferins are bioluminescence creatures, but they are so much more than 'light-bringers'. They are the energy of the Goddess... they are life givers in every form imaginable. But only those blessed by the Goddess can tap into their strength.

Kim, while touched by the Goddess, is not the right person to release their full power.... so who will be?

Once the right person touches them, their energy will infuse her and their secrets will slowly be revealed, changing the power structure of the universes. Can she truly live up to the challenge.... overcoming the past and use her new power for good instead of searching for revenge? Can she find happiness with a new male? One that, while understanding what she has gone through, is still willing to challenge not only her but the Goddess herself for the right to love her?

Lady Isis

Lady Isis is a rose-colored female. She has always been considered something of an oddity in the Tornian world because she has never left the first male she Joined with, Lord Oryon Rigel of the planet Betelgeuse. In the last twenty-five years, she has given him four male offspring, Ull, Zev, Ynyr, and Vali.

Her offspring are her greatest joy, besides her male, but she fears they will suffer because of her refusal to give another male her ‘gift.’

She is shocked when she discovers that females from Earth not only prefer to stay with one male but feel the same way about their offspring as she does and see nothing wrong with it.

While she is thrilled that her third male Ynyr has been chosen by an Earth female, her heart breaks for her oldest, Ull, for she knows he feels that he has been deemed as unfit, not once but twice, by the females.

Who are the Kaliszians?

Kaliszians and Tornians are very similar to one another due to the fact that before the great infection there were many Joinings between them. It brought great peace and prosperity to both Empires, making them strong and feared by others for it was known if you attacked one you attacked both.

Then a relative of the Kaliszian Emperor assisted Emperor Lucan in hiding his crimes against his female offspring in exchange for a better trade treaty and the prosperity the Kaliszians had taken for granted died away with nearly all their food bearing plants. Soon the strong, proud Kaliszians were reliant on the Tornians for feeding their people.  

Tornian- A Brief History

Tornian is the largest planet in the Tornian Empire. It is the home world of the first warriors to respond to the Goddess' plea for help when she'd been taken from her mate by the lower God Daco. Because of this the Goddess blessed them and House Torino became known as the 'Emperors' House.

As the Empire grew and the Emperor was forced to deal with more Lords, he entrusted his blood brother to rule the most vital region of Tornian, the Etruria Region. It was an area of the planet rich in mineral resources that were vital for the Empire.

When Emperor Lucan Berto was convicted of abusing his young females, his family was stripped of their right to rule and Lord Wyck Vasteri of the Planet Luda was proclaimed Emperor of the Tornian Empire.

The new Emperor, in an attempt to calm the chaos that had been created by Lucan's actions and to reassure his people that the Empire would continue, moved his family from Luda to Tornian, maintaining House Torino as the 'Emperors' House but naming a new Lord to rule the Etruria Region. He also proclaimed his own blood brother 'King' of Luda, ruler of House Luanda, making him next in line to rule the Tornian Empire if his offspring were not to survive.




 

Wray: Tornians Book 2

Coming soon....
Wray and Kim's Story

To Be Released on August 30th 2014

Emperor Wray Vasteri was the ruler of the Tornian Empire. His House has ruled the Empire ever since the great infection, which struck over five hundred years ago and he feared he would be the last. The number of compatible females was dwindling faster than anyone knew. If they could not find compatible females soon, their entire civilization would cease to exist. It was the reason he agreed to meet with Liron, the Emperor of the Kaliszian Empire in Kaliszian space. It was the only reason they had crossed paths with a Ganglian ship leaving Tornian space, and it was the only reason that the small female was discovered. Could she be what they had been searching for? 

Wray found himself drawn to the small female he’d found beaten and abused on the Ganglian ship. She resembled a Tornian female, but was much smaller. Could she be what he had been searching for? 

Kim Teel has had a hard life, at least she thought she had, until her parents were suddenly killed and then her sister and brother in law disappeared. At nineteen, she realized she’d been protected from all of life’s hardships. She had been cared for and loved her entire life had come to expect it. She was terribly spoiled. Determined to change her ways, Kim went looking for her sister, only to be captured by the Ganglians and it was then she learned what happened to the ‘unprotected’ females of the universe. 

Wray and Kim are both doing the same thing, trying to survive. But what they find is that there are more important things than just survival. And once they learn that, the universe changes forever. Here is an excerpt for you..... hope you enjoy.

Wray tossed the map across his desk, then leaned back in his chair running tired hands over his face. What a wasted trip. He had hoped that meeting with Liron, the Emperor of the Kaliszian Empire, would produce better results. The Kaliszians had been at war with the Ratak for over three years now. The Ratak had been trying to claim several Kaliszian planets close to their border. The planets were rich in  mineral resources the Kaliszians desperately needed to support their civilization.

Since the great infection, many species have been on the brink of extinction, including the Tornian and Kaliszian civilizations but for different reasons. For the Kaliszians the infection had targeted their ability to produce enough food to support their people. The majority of their food bearing plants had perished 
and no transplanted vegetation would survive, because of this, the Kaliszians were dependent on the Tornian Empire to feed their people, trading their vast supply of minerals for food.

For the Tornians  it had affected their females, causing them to produce more and more males. It had been celebrated at first, for they were a warrior race, but it quickly became obvious that there was a problem. Now males outnumber females two hundred to one and if breeding compatible females weren’t found soon, they would all die.

It was why he’d had such high hopes for this meeting. The Ratak Empire was on the far side of the Kaliszian Empire and there were rumors that they had found a new species, one that might successfully breed with a Tornian warrior. Wray had hoped that because of the war Liron would know if these rumors were true. Liron had insinuated as much when he insisted that he and Wray meet personally. It was the only reason Wray had traveled this far outside his own Empire.

After a great deal of hedging Liron had finally admitted he didn’t know if the rumors were true, that he had wanted to meet with Wray to discuss the difficulties he was having with Lord Reece in maintaining a steady flow of food supplies for his people. Wray had barely controlled his rage at Liron’s deception, even though he understood it. He had wanted to gain Wray’s attention without alerting Reece.

Well, he now had it and soon Lord Reece would too. Wray would personally let Reece know his displeasure at his handling of the Kaliszians. A steady supply of food was vital for both Empires for without it the Kaliszians would suffer and in return, they would stop the shipments of the power crystals the Tornians needed along with the jewels their females demanded.

The ringing of his comm pulled Wray from his dark thoughts. “Yes?” He demanded.

“Sire, we’ve detected a Ganglian freighter leaving Tornian space.”

“Are we still in Kaliszian space?”

“Just barely.”

“Intercept Captain.” Wray ordered and headed for the command center.

“Yes, sire.”

 Wray hated the Ganglians. They had become a vicious species with no loyalty or honor. They lived off the pain of others, enjoying it. They would capture smaller, weaker species, enslaving them, torturing them. Males that survived were sold to work in the mines and the females… Well the few survived were sold to pleasure houses or private collectors. They hadn’t always been this way, once they had been a proud and honorable race, they had been allies of the Tornians but the great infection had changed that. It was why their ships were now banned from Tornian space.

 It enraged Wray the way they mistreated females. Females were the most valuable resource in the all the known universes. Even if they couldn’t save his race, they might be able to save another, for more than just the Tornians were looking for compatible females. 

“Sire, they are refusing to stop, stating we have no authority.”

“Show them our ‘authority’ Captain.” Wray ordered striding into the command room.

 “With pleasure majesty.” Captain Veron grinned at his Emperor. He was always ready for a good fight, not that the Ganglians would give them one. They were cowards.

Targeting the Ganglians engines, Veron sends off a shot and watched the freighter shuddered before coming to a stop. “Authority shown sire. Life support intact. We are preparing a shuttle for boarding.”

“Nicely done Veron.” Wray smiled at his longtime friend and Captain.

“Thank you, sire.”
 
Wray followed his men as they exit the shuttle. The stench hit him first. He’d forgotten how bad Ganglians smelled. In the open air, they were barely tolerable; in an enclosed ship, they were overwhelming.

The blast from a stunner had everyone ducking in shock. The Ganglians were resisting? Ganglians never resist, especially Tornians, for Tornians were the most feared warriors in all the known universes and for good reason. Not only did their size intimidate, as most were seven foot of solid muscle but so did their reputation. They were known for being deadly and brutal when it came to battle.

"Something isn’t right Veron.” Wray said.

“I agree. You need to return to the Searcher, Majesty.” Veron nodded to two of the warriors with them.

“No.” Wray told him angrily, he knew Veron was just doing his job, protecting his Emperor, but he wouldn’t scurry away at the first sign of trouble. He was Emperor Wray Vasteri and he scurried for no one.

“Emperor.”

“Enough, Captain! Let’s find out what they are hiding.”

Sighing heavily Veron nodded. “Yes, majesty, just stay close, Grim will have my head if anything happens to you.”

 Wray smiled at Veron’s reference to his brother. For he was correct, Grim would have Veron’s head if Wray were to die. Grim had absolutely no desire to become Emperor. All he wanted was to be left alone on Luda so he could train his warriors.

The battle wasn’t long or brutal, disappointing all. The Ganglians shot and ran, shot and ran until those that remained were cornered in 
the command center of the ship. Inside they find five remaining Ganglians including one wearing the Captain’s collar.

“What did you find?” Wray demanded of Veron. 
 
"There are slaves in the cargo hold sire, all male.” Veron informed him.

“Slavery is illegal Ganglian.” Wray’s eyes were hard as he looked at the smaller male.

“You have no authority here Tornian.” The Captain hissed. “This is Kaliszian space. You will die for this insult.” 
 
“I will not die, Ganglian scum. I am Emperor Wray Vasteri and you have passed through my space with slaves. If you had carried females it would be punishable by death. Instead your cargo will be freed, your ship taken and you will pay for your crimes by mining for the Kaliszian.” Wray leaned down, grasping the Captain by the throat, lifting him off his feet. “Tell me Ganglian, why did you resist? Why did so many choose to die?”

“None chose to die.” The Captain hissed at him. “You murdered them, Tornian scum. It will be known that you attack for no reason.” A muffled thud had the Captain releasing a high-pitched squeal, the hairy creature's equivalent of paling.

Wray’s eyes narrowed at the reaction and dropped the male, his eyes scanning the area. This was the command center of the Ganglian ship. It contained only control, communications and navigation consuls. Where could that sound have come from?

“You will leave my ship!” The Ganglian started to demand. Without turning Wray’s fist struck him in the throat, silencing him. Advancing closer to the communications console, he heard it again, a fainter thud this time. Leaning down, he tore off the unsecured cover of an access hatch 
and roared.

Every male in the room jumped at the Emperor’s roar, for he was the controlled one of House Vasteri, to hear his rage unleashed was something rarely heard.

“Sire.” Veron quickly moved to his side.

“Get a Healer! Get him now!” Wray ordered as he carefully eased out what he had found.

RomCon 2014

Don't you just hate when the stars don't align!!! RomCon is on June 20-22 this year and I am so bummed I am unable to make it. The attending author line up is phenomenal and I was so hoping to meet S.E. Smith in person and catch up with my readers. I will have to put it in my calendar for next year.

Who is going to RomCon? Who are the authors you are hoping to meet? Write them in below and while you're sharing I'll go back to moping in my cup of coffee that I won't be there this year.

You can find more details about RomCon 2014 here:
http://www.romcon.com/about-romcon-2014