R.M. Ridley's Blog, page 9

There’s More to Me than Writing

I’m an author. That is what I am at heart. It is what I tell people I am these days. It is, I claim, my profession. There is more to me than that though,��and one of those things is brought out, with a fiery determination, when I get to ‘playing’ in the SCA. I become a artist of a far more hands on sort. I created physical objects, not ones in the minds eye.

I document, researching extant pieces, and staring at paintings, before starting a project. I have to know intellectually, and feel in my bones, what is right for a piece. I may be using modern methods to recreate��works appropriate to the time period ( or interpret new ones) but I try to make something that is correct for a persona in all other ways.

I haven’t done this in fifteen years, but, like riding a bike…

I am trying right now to finish up a piece I started when we last lived the lives of Venetians��of the late sixteenth century. It is made of bronze, bone, and a composite that resembles��lapis lazuli. It still need pearls, ‘gems’, plus the little cherubs need further carving and bronze wings – in other words…it is still a work in progress.

It isn’t as pure to process as I would like, as I try to do, but the over all piece, style, and look is absolutely right. I just hate the fact that when I started it��a decade ago, I cheated and used epoxy (not that I can’t document glue). All the same I’m going to finish it up and move one to another piece I have already started – this toothpick pomander (yes, that is supposed to be a seahorse).

Filed under: SCA

Writing & Getting Publishing – The Secret Revealed

I’m no super star in the publishing world. In fact, 99.99% of the world doesn’t know my work. Hmmm, that number still seems wrong – I bet it’s far less than that. Anyway, I have Tomorrow Wendell��and��Blondes, Books, & Bourbon out there in the world. I consider this enough to call myself an author, and to make me eligible to share the great secret behind writing and getting published.

Are you ready? Truly ready for this shocking truth?

Okay.

The secrets are thus:

Write because you love it. Write for yourself. Write because the story is screaming to get out.

Edit because you love the story. Edit for the joy of it. Edit because the story deserves to be the best it can.

Submit because you love the story. Submit expecting nothing. Submit because the story deserves to be read by others.

And the final key – the final pearl of wisdom – do all of this again, and again, regardless of rejection but not blind to advice.

There – I’ve broken the code of silence. I just hope you take this truth to heart.

Filed under: Publishing, Writing Tagged: anthology, Blondes Books & Bourbon, edits, Jonathan Alvey, novel, paranormal, publish, short story, submit, Tomorrow Wendell, Urban Fantasy, White Dragon Black Series, writer, writing, Xchyler Publishing

There’s Big World Out There

Probably because of the Ad Astra Convention, I am feeling that I should try and get more of my writing published through other outlets than just my current publisher. Don’t get me wrong, I’m very happy with Xchyler and they made me feel like a super-star, but exposure through other venues can only help.

Of course I come to this decision after having just published the��anthology, Blondes, Books & Bourbon, meaning I have��almost��no finished works in��the short story department. I suppose this isn’t such a bad state to be in,��as it is just giving me more impetus to write.

I am not burning with need – perhaps my Muse is taking some personal days – but I am inspired. So I hope I can peck out a few words in this story, or that – maybe even write a few scenes for ��a new story. I do have an idea for a reworking of the Hansel and Gretel fairy tale set in the WDB world,��I think might be fun. As well, I started a short set in a completely different world – one I started a novel in before Alvey came to live in my mind. This tale was originally for Xchyler’s next paranormal anthology, however, I realized it was more fantasy than paranormal, and thus stalled on it.

I have one finished short in the WDB world. It needs to go through the edit / beta-reader process, but it is written. I think I’ll open it up, see how it compares to my memory of it, and then determine if there is an open market in��which it might find a home. It might be nice to have a WDB story released��though a different publisher before the next novel, Bindings & Spines, comes out.

It is certainly time for me to stretch out of my comfort zone and expose my works to a broader audience. Yes, there maybe many rejections in my future, and there may not – I’ve never been much deterred by rejections and it is the only way to find acceptance.

Filed under: Publishing, Writing Tagged: Ad Astra Con, anthology, beta reader, Bindings & Spines, Blondes Books & Bourbon, current work in progress, edits, fairytale, Hasel and Gretel, Jonathan Alvey, muse, paranormal, paranormal private investigator, publish, short story, Urban Fantasy, White Dragon Black Series, writing, Xchyler Publishing

Ad Astra 2015

This weekend I went to my first Ad Astra Convention. It was only my third ever Con, and I had certain expectations based on those previous experiences. I also had some anxiety as this was going to be my first ‘fan’ Con.

So what did I picture? A bunch of authors��and publishers in little circles of clique, with roving fans of��all levels from the timid clutching an autograph book��type,��to the worrying fanatics, not only dressed��as their favourite character but ‘being’ that character to the annoyance of the rest of the world… or at least me.

Worse case scenario��had me wandering not only alone, but lonely, among excluding tribes of ‘Pros’ and swarms of ravenous ‘Fans’.

[image error]Best case scenario, getting a chance to chat a bit with people from all walks, and��maybe gain a new friend or two, and attend some good panels. That best case scenario would have been enough to bring me back for the following year.

What did I get?

Ad Astra 2015 delivered a level of high interaction, solid conversations, and��bonding to new friends. It was nearly impossible to tell the difference between the authors and the fans – why?- because at this Con there was no difference. Everyone put forth a feeling of approachability, and once you had approached, they welcomed you, talked with you, and later in the Con did more than just an token wave when they saw you.

I sat in with reading/release parties where the authors were not only engaging, but presented as just another Con goer… someone who continued interacting and talking to all, after they had done their thing. They didn’t shrink back into their clique, cutting out the rest. They put down their books and became one of the whole again.

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The vendors were fun, friendly, and even went out of their way to find me, and ask if I had enjoyed my weekend when they knew it was my first time. The panels, were fun, informative, and friendly and the volunteers were awesome. In fact, it was the volunteer crew who set the tone for the entire weekend…

I was down at the bar having a pint on the Thursday night, one of the volunteers stopped by and we had a bit of a chat. I thought that was nice of him, and he went off to his crew pre-Con party and I went��to my room. A few moments later I got a friend request from this same individual on Facebook. I immediately accepted and up sprang a message – ‘Come up to room 1072′

This blew me away.[image error]

The group, when finding out it was my first Ad Astra, all agreed I should come join them. Not only did they let me into their room��– they let me in to their gathering. They let me be a part, not just there.

And through the rest of the con, these same people, were always quick to say hi, stop for a talk if they had time, or just catch my eye and wave – despite working the register desk at the time.

The previous two cons, I spent the majority of the time in panels. Now I like panels, I find they are fun, informative, and inspirational. For Ad Astra, I had gone through the panel list, and marked all the ones that interested me. I was going to be pretty busy, if I attended them all, but what else was I going to do at this con?

Turns out I was going to spend it talking, laughing, and making friends. I did make it to a few panels, and enjoyed them – but more than I ever could have guessed, I’d find myself realizing it was already twenty minutes into��a panel I had planned��to attend. I had missed it because I wasn’t constantly watching the time; bored, with nothing to do but wait for the next panel. I missed more than one, because I was otherwise engaged – and I never felt bitter about it.

I meet up with an old friend I hadn’t seen in over a decade. I made new friends that I know I will be happy to see next years. I know it will be like a family reunion next year – because it already was this year.

So, in the end – Ad Astra 2015 was an amazing success and will be only the first of many for me.

Filed under: Book Release, Publishing, Writing Tagged: Ad Astra Con

What Count Down?

I’ve spent the last two weeks at my sisters place, being a surrogate parent to her cats. I didn’t get quite as much writing done as I might have hoped – certainly nowhere near what I usually get done during that time every year. I have, however, failed to do��any writing in the two months previous, so even some felt like a cage door had been opened.

I am back home now, and pretending to settle into normal routine. I am only pretending though, because, very soon, I leave once more. If I pretend everything is normal, than these few days home will go by faster – at least that is the theory I’m going with. The alternative is to watch the clock and count down the minutes��– but my math isn’t good enough to keep track of 4320 of them and subtract random numbers, every time I glance at a clock.

Thursday, I once more depart from my normal life; my wife, four footed children, and days sitting by this computer. Thursday – once I have ingested enough coffee – I get in my truck and point it at Toronto. My destination? Ad Astra Convention. My goal? Have a great time.

I also have another goal – to give out one thousand business cards that contain a QR code for a free download of my latest release. That’s right, everyone at the Con should have a chance to get a free e-copy of my White Dragon Black anthology, Blondes, Books, & Bourbon. I can feel confident handing out these e-copied, because the reviews for the anthology are quite good. In fact, more than one, states that despite how much they enjoyed reading Tomorrow Wendell they actually liked the anthology better.

So, I have a Con with panels I’m quite interested in, people having fun, a chance to introduce many more people to my White Dragon Black world, and a chance to do some networking. I believe, firmly, that attending this Con will become and annual event for me. I’m trying to stay level headed and not get too excited, or too hopeful, as I have never been before and the minds eye can make a perfectly good reality seem sour. I have, however, enjoyed the previous two Cons I was lucky enough to attend so I doubt I’ll find myself miserable.

So here is me – trying hard not to look at a clock.

Filed under: Book Release, MIscellaneous, Publishing, Writing Tagged: Ad Astra Con, anthology, Blondes Books & Bourbon, cats, Jonathan Alvey, novel, paranormal, paranormal private investigator, publish, readers, reviews, short story, Tomorrow Wendell, truck, Urban Fantasy, White Dragon Black Series, wife, writing, Xchyler Publishing

Blondes, Books & Bourbon – R.M. Ridley

rmridley:

I’ve had many responses to reviews of my words – smiles, laughter, calling out ‘Yes!’ even … this is the first review to touch my writers heart.

Originally posted on Space and Sorcery:

I received this book from the author, in exchange for an honest review.

Having greatly enjoyed the first book of the White Dragon Black series, I was thrilled when the author contacted me to read and review this short story collection: in my blog post about Tomorrow Wendell I wrote about the many shadowed corners of this world I would have liked to explore, and this looked like the perfect opportunity to do so.

The tone of this collection starts in a somewhat lighter note than the first novel, at least judging by the Q&A interview with Jonathan Alvey himself: a fun, irreverent exchange of sentences that had me laughing out loud in many places.�� Given the darker mood of Tomorrow Wendell, this was a welcome change of pace, even though I later discovered that the vein of the individual stories goes from the light and humorous to the���

View original 618 more words

Filed under: Writing

Reviews, Ranking, and Readers – Oh My!

I have been keeping track of the Amazon Kindle ranking of Blondes, Books, & Bourbon since it was released. I think if you check around, I’m not the only one to do this with their books. Out of fluke, I started watching the numbers of my debut novel Tomorrow Wendell as well, because, well … why not?

The numbers for the anthology were pretty good, then suddenly the ranking for the novel shot up. It caught me quite off guard, and most odd, is how it has sustained a better over all number. While��they slowly dropped in ranking after the initial��push of release, my novel actually stay just a bit ahead of the anthology in sales ranking.

Yesterday,��I took a look to record the numbers, and BB&B was at 624k with��TW at 437k. Usually I don’t check again for a couple days, but there had been a new review up and so I thought I’d just have a quick peek. To my surprise BB&B had rocketed up into the 255k ranking and TW had reached 160k.

Needless to say- I’m rather happy this morning. And it probably isn’t a coincidence that this happened shortly after my blog tour began.

As I mentioned, a new review came out for Blondes, Books, & Bourbon.. a couple actually. I’m going to share a few snippets with you. You can find the whole things on Amazon, or Goodreads, if you want to read all of them, I’m not going to fill your feed.

– ‘The character of Jonathan Alvey, and indeed the whole White Dragon Black series, reads as if the author mixed Harry Dresden and Phillip Marlowe in an acid bath and then etched the page in the peerless prose that resulted.’

-‘Brooding, cantankerous, and so deeply flawed he���s almost on the verge of shattering completely, Alvey is a fantastic homage to the hardboiled detective fiction of old with a fresh insertion of the mystical and arcane.’

– ‘I thought Sins of the Father was a good stand alone story, but felt that there could have been a lot more added to really make the story stand out. The dialogue felt genuine to the plot, the characters and to the setting. However, I felt that the story itself was too short.’

…. ‘Sins of the Father was the first White Dragon Black story ever written. I don’t disagree with the reviewer,��but I��wanted to present that original story unchanged. It even has cannon inaccuracies that I simple gave a nod of my head to due to it’s status.

Also, if you are interested,��the��editor-in-chief of Xchyler Publishing, wrote a blog review about my anthology… or maybe it was about me – you decide.

I expect to get my business cards delivered today. These are the cards I will be bringing to Ad Astra��Con and handing out, so everyone who gets one can get a free e-copy of Blondes, Books, & Bourbon. It’s hard to host a book release party if there is just one of you in the province – but this way I can share my bourbon��soaked baby to everyone everywhere��in the Con. My hope for these business cards, is to draw more readers to the White Dragon Black series. If I can get more readers, more people clamouring about the series, I can be paying back Xchyler for taking that chance on me – and I can bring more eyes to a wonderful publisher.

Filed under: Writing

It Has Begun

I am typing this while sitting in my sister’s kitchen. The male cat, Connor, has already been out, and back in, and back out, in the 30 min I have been here. The older female cat has already, spit out a pill across the floor, hidden and had to be dragged out, yowled and hissed, at me.

In other words – everything is right on track.

I’m having my first cup of coffee, gearing towards that elusive state called ‘awake’. Once I achieve this mystical realm, I’m going to see if my Muse will deign��to bestow a few moments of her time and inspiration. I’d really like to write again.

I’m starting to feel the excitement build for the approaching Ad Astra Convention. Having the business cards being designed for me is certainly fanning the flames. I will be handing these out, to fellow��attendees as a ticket to a free e-copy of my newest release, the anthology Blondes, Books, & Bourbon.

And, in case, I needed any further proof that I am being sucked back into the life of the SCA, I bought a glass bowl just because it was a nice blue colour and I believe I can use the glass to make ‘gems’ for jewelry. In the same resale shop,��I also grabbed up a great piece of fabric, which, although small, could have been a head cover, or insert panel, or something for my wife to make into garb… it was, however, far too over prized for the small amount of cloth.

 

 

Filed under: Book Release, MIscellaneous, Publishing, SCA, Writing Tagged: Ad Astra Con, anthology, Blondes Books & Bourbon, current work in progress, Jonathan Alvey, muse, novel, paranormal, paranormal private investigator, publish, SCA, short story, Urban Fantasy, White Dragon Black Series, Xchyler Publishing

So This is Now

My life over the past couple months has been taken unexpected turns. It’s not all bad, I don’t even know if, in retrospect, any of it has been ‘bad’, actually.

I stopped writing, not so much by choice or even lack of motivation / creativity, but because of ‘real’ life interfering. I was too busy cutting wood to keep the house warm, and working on making the truck run to really have time to sit and write. When I did find time, I was too worn out to actually do so.

Then my wife said that we were going to be active again in the Society for Creative Anachronism. I wasn’t necessarily being bitten my the bug to do so, though I had been on and off for the past decade. I didn’t complain because is was clearly a good thing for her. I knew, once we started playing, I’d be swept up in the life and that has proved true.

When this decision was made, I was already getting to the point where less time was being taken up by wood cutting, due to warmer weather. I had more free time, but wasn’t quite in the zone to write. Instead, I threw my creative energy into what I used to do last time we played SCA – jewelry making. By jewelry making, I mean carving / shaping bronze, and brass, bone and wood, into ornaments, decorated my hand shaped glass ‘gems’ all in the style of 1500’s venetian period. It is an exacting, creatively challenging, hobby that is very rewarding.

So, in one way, I’m glad I wasn’t writing when this life change happened, because I would have found it harder to adjust and slip back into the life. I have plan on stopping writing. I honestly don’t think I could, even with the ‘new’ distraction. In point of fact, my mind is percolating, starting to work on a short story I started months back. working a short story is a good way to get back into the rhythm, I find. From there, delving back into the novel will be easier to accomplish.

When will this start? Saturday. How can I know? Because tomorrow, I go to Windsor for my twice annual cat sitting job which is always a writing retreat – a stimulus for getting the words out and onto the screen. I’m looking forward to it, the zen of writing, the enjoyment of submersing myself into another world. I am also packing the equipment needed to work on jewelry, so that I can have both creative outlets available to me. I will have the time, and the desire, and plan on indulging.

If I have any doubt about getting back to writing – or the value of completing another short story – all I have to do is look at the reviews coming in for my second released book, Blondes, Books, & Bourbon. The anthology has been getting some very encouraging things said about it :

��5* – “I loved this book even more than Mr. Ridley���s previous one, Tomorrow Wendell, which BTW is also about Jonathan Alvey and is super awesome! I absolutely loved all the stories and will re-read them very soon (yes, it���s that good!) All the stories are unique and adventurous… Mr. Ridley has created something more than just a likeable character, he���s created a character sensation. Jonathan Alvey is an extremely well developed and an amazingly crafted character”

5* – “Ridley opened this anthology with an interview that will make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up and an even bigger reaction in your brain to continue on reading.

If you haven���t read the first book in the series, Tomorrow Wendell, you���ll still enjoy this collection and get to know Jonathan Alvey, as well as a few other recurring characters”

5* – “Ok so I want to start out by saying I have a strong dislike for short stories in general. But I really enjoyed the time I spent with each one of these. Alvey is an awesome main protagonist that is easy to get along with and root for… I never felt lost reading these stories, and I was never just wanting to get onto the next one either. I can honestly say I like each and every one of them. Even if you haven’t read Tomorrow Wendell you’ll have no problem keeping up or getting to know Alvey…If you like magic and the supernatural in your stories, then Blondes, Books, and Bourbon: A White Dragon Black Anthology is for you. If you’ve never really tried out a detective story, then this is the one I would recommend finding out with. Great writing, amazing characters and fun yet creepy new monsters you don’t normally run into.”

5* – “This is an amazing read, although short stories, all the stories are linked through Mr. Jonathan Alvey and this is a unique collection that reads like an amazing novel. The reader follows Private investigator Alvey as he takes on paranormal cases. I won’t go into each one but just know they are interesting and compelling cases that will have the reader glued to this amazing anthology… This is an amazing book and the author has done a wonderful job creating a special story. Believe me this is a do not miss story!”

5* – “Alvey is a fantastic homage to the hardboiled detective fiction of old with a fresh insertion of the mystical and arcane.��Conjuring images of rot-gut bourbon, duplicitous dames and dangerous foes, Ridley manages to channel some of the best traditions left over from the old school of detective fiction…��Full of intrigue, danger and bleak humour ��� the stories in Blondes, Books and Bourbon not only expand on the world Ridley introduced us to in his debut novel Tomorrow Wendell, but rather supersede it.”

Filed under: Book Release, Homesteading, MIscellaneous, Publishing, SCA, Writing Tagged: anthology, Brain, characters, current work in progress, heat, jewelry, Jonathan Alvey, muse, novel, paranormal, paranormal private investigator, plot, publish, reviews, SCA, short story, Tomorrow Wendell, truck, Urban Fantasy, White Dragon Black Series, wood, world building, writing, Xchyler Publishing

The Unholy – A New Release

 

 

The Unholy by Paul DeBlassie III
Genre: Dark Fantasy, Thiller, Horror
Page Count: 200

 

Synopsis:
A young curandera, a medicine woman, intent on uncovering the secrets of her past is forced into a life-and-death battle against an evil Archbishop. Set in the mystic land of Aztlan, “The Unholy” is a novel of destiny as healer and slayer. Native lore of dreams and visions, shape changing, and natural magic work to spin a neo-gothic web in which sadness and mystery lure the unsuspecting into a twilight realm of discovery and decision.

 

Purchase Links
Amazon US | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble

 

About the Author

PAUL DeBLASSIE III, PhD, is a psychologist and writer living in his native New Mexico. A member of the Depth Psychology Alliance, the Transpersonal Psychology Association, and the International Association for Relational Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy, he has for over thirty years treated survivors of the dark side of religion.

Author Interview

I get the impression that The Unholy is a book only you could write, because of the setting, and because of your own background. Let’s start with the setting. Tell me about Aztlan.

��

Aztlan is the mythopoeic realm of the mestizos (mixed bloods of southwestern United States). I am mestizo. Aztlan is New Mexico, especially ��the region of Albuquerque (southern Aztlan) and Santa Fe (northern Aztlan) and extends to the four corners area. Spirits, dreams, visions, and natural magic are woven seamlessly into everyday life.

Your protagonist, Claire Sanchez, is a curandera, a term which roughly translates as “Medicine Woman.” What exactly is a curandera? What led you to choose this occupation for your heroine?

��

A curandera is a healer. She spoke to me as the story evolved, told me who she was and told me of her struggle to find herself. The path of a healer is fraught with danger. She dramatizes the life of so many women and men seeking to face their fears, find themselves, and walk the path of healing, natural magic, and life.

You live in New Mexico, in the general area where the novel is set. How has this affected the writing of The Unholy? How important was your knowledge of the places and people and culture? What kinds of personal knowledge did you draw on as you crafted your characters and setting?

��

New Mexico is Aztlan. My lineage reaches back for over three-hundred years in Aztlan, a long line of medicine people, healers. ��I live here, breathe its air, am sheltered under the canopy of its turquoise sky. The Unholy and the natural magic of the medicine women, forces of darkness and light, exist side by side in the daily, mythopoeic realm of Aztlan. I live here. It is my homeland.

The cover image for The Unholy is striking and haunting, and it’s not just some random stock photo. Tell me about that picture.

��

It is the Devil���s Throne, an actual site between Albuquerque and Santa Fe. The evil archbishop performs atrocities there. The land has been contaminated by evil, women desecrated, the air itself befouled. It is the Devil���s Throne in the realm of Azltan!

 

Author Links
Website | Twitter | Facebook

 

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Filed under: Book Release Tagged: Dark Fantasy, horror, Paul DeBlassie III, The Unholy, Thiller