Helen B. Henderson's Blog, page 40
November 3, 2020
Out and About at This Writers Life
Interviewed at This Writers Life where I dish about writing life and a secret about Windmaster Golem. https://thiswriterslife.com/2020/11/03/tuesday-guest-blogger-helen-henderson/
~till next time, Helen
October 29, 2020
Red carpet? Not me. #mfrwauthor
The topic for this week's challenge post is "Do you follow fashion trends in either clothing or hairstyle?"
I want to open with a confession. Unlike some today, I don't hang on every word uttered by whatever social media athlete, entertainer, or reality star is "trending." Just as a I don't run right out to purchase the latest must-have item or see the movies reviewers espouse. Following trends in clothing or hairstyles is not something I have ever done... or ever expect to.
I am not alone in this attitude. The characters whose tales I've chronicled also don't follow trends, but walk their own path. A snippit from Windmaster Legacy of Captain Ellspeth's and Lord Dal's wedding day dealing with their respective mother's special outfits for the day.
A soft knock on the door shifted Ellspeth’s attention and changed her mood to a more dignified one. At her lilting, “Come,” Dal’s mother entered on Mirrim’s arm. The cut of Eilidh’s hunter-green gown and the embroidered silk trim on the bodice and sleeves reflected a style long out of fashion at court. A chain of silver-filigreed rosettes and beads, Ellspeth’s bride gift to Eilidh, circled the older woman’s upswept hair.
Even though she knew, as head of the House of Cszabo, Mirrim could afford the most current fashions, Ellspeth smiled at her mother’s vintage dress, which harmonized perfectly with the one worn by Dal’s mother. Mirrim’s outfit also had special meaning for the day. The crests of the vessel, Northern Pearl, Ellspeth’s grandmother’s ship, embroidered in gold on the cuffs showed the family association with the sea. By wearing Rima’s bridal gown, Mirrim symbolized continuity and Ellspeth’s heritage. Dal’s gift to Mirrim peeked out of her silver curls.
Fashion is what is comfortable and appropriate for the time and place. Not necessarily what other people dictate.
~till next time, Helen
Be sure to see how the other authors answered the question. https://mfrw52week.blogspot.com/
October 24, 2020
Take a Tour of The World of The Windmaster Novels
Want to visit a fantasy world of imagination? Join me on a tour of the world of The Windmaster Novels. The ship leaves from Word Mongery and Musings. You'll journey from the deep blue to deep caverns, and be treated to a sprinkling of history and legend from the world of The Windmaster Novels.
Then pick up the books. The first one in the series is only $1.49 for a limited time.
October 22, 2020
Old Fashioned? Maybe. #mfrwauthor
Welcome to Week 43 of the MFRW 52-week challenge. The topic is "Ebook reader or must have a book in your hand?" If you look at my office and its bookshelves, it is apparent that I like books. The units are loaded with paperback and hard cover books for reading and research.
I have a confession to make. Although I have authored ebooks, I only recently came into possession of a tablet. Before that I read ebooks (both my own and those of other authors) using apps on my laptop. It isn't really a very comfortable method as the laptop weighs enough that the pressure on my legs gets uncomfortable very quickly.
It's not that I'm anti-technology. Not to tell my age, but I remember electric typewriters replacing old manual Remington ones--and the introduction of the then 'new-fangled' word processor. They were not like the modern software versions of today with spell check and the bane to some of us fantasy writers, auto-correct. The word processors were not much more than electric typewriters outfitted with either a magnetic tape reader/writer or a card reader/writer.
Now that might not seem that groundbreaking an invention, but consider this. Not having to retype an entire page of manuscript because of a mis-spelled word or two, or to change a phrase. Secretaries fought over the machines, especially at review time. Despite having taken hours to type (no corrections were allowed), each step in the chain of command always changed something. Even what today would be a simple word replacement back then could mean hours typing to get the 20 plus pages of the 8-carbon form ready for the next review. With a mag-tape machine, you could correct the one or two pages that needed it, and reprint out the entire form in minutes rather than hours or sometimes even days.
I do see one advantage to the tablet as opposed to the laptop. I am a full-time caregiver and am often up late at night. With no light, reading a paperback isn't practical. With the tablet I can read and not have to worry about waking anyone up. Of course, you might say that the laptop would do the same. However, the labtop is a lot heavier and the keyboard is not backlit.
There is also a disadvantage to a tablet as evidenced by a cartoon I recently saw on social media where the paperback hit the tablet's off button. Like any electronic device the tablet can die at a moment's notice. In fact, mine (whose popular manufacturer will remain unmentioned) decided to stop working for three works, before it decided to return from its vacation.
While I now have a tablet, one thing I don't see in the foreseeable future? Getting rid of my shelves of to-be-read, read but want to read again, and reference books.
~till next time, Helen
October 20, 2020
Hooked on Windmaster Golem, Stalked #mfrwhooks
Magic animated the golem. Can someone without powers stop them?
A snippit from Windmaster Golem. Last week you were introduced to Brodie and the attack by an unseen mage. Only Brodie's desperate call to the Archmage's young daughter saved his life when with a flick of her fingers she dispelled the strangling fog.
Today, it is Kiansel's turn. She is the sister to Brantly, the Oracle of Givneh. To set the stage, Kiansel's stalker makes his first appearance.
Cold enveloped Kia. Her hand stopped in mid-knock. Although she knew no one was in sight, she still looked over her shoulder and scanned the street. Use of the postern door was restricted to senior members of the temple. I will not betray Brantly’s trust in me, she thought. Neither Brantly my brother, nor Brantly the Oracle of Givneh.
Ghostly fingers caressed her hair. The touch slid down her arm, not a lover’s touch, but that of an icy wind. The feeling of a presence was so strong she put her back against the wall. What heat the stones retained from the noon-day sun did nothing to warm her skin—or soul.
No one is there, reality encouraged.
No one you can see, caution answered.
For long moments she stood watching the street. Finally, the bags of vegetables she had purchased at the market grew heavy. “This is ridiculous,” she growled. “There is no one there.” This is just a case of nerves.
A toss of her head cleared an errant strand of hair from her face. A whispered incantation to cloak herself from the prying eyes of villagers and she knocked.
The hidden door slid open to reveal the same young soldier who was on duty when she left earlier that morning. “Greetings, mistress.” However, instead of the usual wave, he brushed past her and scanned the street.
He feels it too. Her unease growing stronger, Kia stepped over the threshold into the darkness of the building. Hurry up and close the door, she silently urged. Then she sent a prayer winging skyward that the sanctuary of the temple would stop whoever, or whatever, spied on her.
As the door closed, the image of a silver cord being squeezed filled her mind. With a snick, the lock bar slid into place. With the door secured, the eerie contact vanished.
I have to speak to Brantly. As the Oracle he can explain what happened.
You already know the answer, fear retorted. Someone used magic to track you.
Windmaster Golem Available At:
Paperback: Amazon / Barnes&Noble / Amazon UK /
Ebook: Amazon / Kobo / More ebook stores
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Out and About at Maddy Romance Madness
Windmaster Golem is featured at MaddyRomanceMadness. I chat about writing and there's an excerpt too.
Hope you'll stop by.
~till next time Helen
October 15, 2020
Useful at Times #mfrwauthor
Welcome to Week 42 of the MFRW 52-week challenge. The topic is "Cell Phones: Necessary or wanted, or stuck to you like glue."
Image by LoveYouAll at Pixabay I am not one of those people who wait in line latest smartphone release. I do have a cell phone. My entire life is not on my cell phone. I've used its internet capability one or twice while traveling. And I can test by using a one-finger hunt and peck method.
There are people who cannot exist without their cell phone permanently attached at their ear. They answer every ring regardless of where they are or what is going on around them. To some, their phone and its instant contact amounts to an addiction.
My flip phone enables medical updates to be made to the family from a hospital room, hotel reservations made from the road, or a summons for help. Or before times of lockdown and safer at home isolation orders, the phone let the partner know when dinner is ready and it's time to come home. Or that I'm done shopping and will bring lunch (or dinner) back with me.
Image by Alexas_Fotos from PixabayI've seen the telephone go from black rotary devices on a party line to internet-accessing, picture-taking, mini-computers. My flip phone is a necessity and useful at times. But it is not attached to me 24/7.
~till next time, Helen
October 14, 2020
An Interview with Kiansel
The beautiful Kiansel, sister of the Oracle of Givneh, is interviewed on the Nomad Authors Blog. Her tale is told in Windmaster Golem, the newest of the The Windmaster Novels.
Magic animated the golem. Can someone without powers stop them?Find Windmaster Golem at:
Paperback: Amazon / Barnes&Noble / Amazon UK /
Ebook: Amazon / Kobo / More ebook stores
October 13, 2020
Hooked on Windmaster Golem, The Mist Strangles #mfrwhooks
Magic animated the golem. Can someone without powers stop them?
A snippit from the newly-released Windmaster Golem. This excerpt continues the Fog Attack. To set the stage, Brodie reached what he thought was a safe spot on the trail. He was no longer in danger of going over the cliff edge and falling to the rocks below. But the magical attack wasn't over.
Excerpt:
The fog seemed to come alive. Icy fingers slid around his neck … and squeezed. More hands gripped his arm and trapped the sword in its sheath.
“No,” he moaned. “Magic is controlling this fog.” Yet again, he cursed his lack of talent. I may not be able to break the spell, but I can reach Denai. If she can’t help, she can at least contact her parents.
She will be a good one, hope said. She used TânOer this afternoon in practice and both metal and mage should retain their sense of link.
His hands scrabbled for purchase. I have to reach the metal. He forced his fingers to inch down the leather grip. Cold steel greeted his questing fingers. Denai ... help … trapped … fog.
As it did with the sound of the crashing surf just a few lengths away, the fog snatched away the mental call. The ethereal noose around his neck tightened. Blackness narrowed his vision.
Fear added power to his call. His thought turned from a cast net to a silver thread tied to a dagger. A silent prayer to his ancestors to guide his aim and he threw the message towards the sleeping village below. Denai ... help … trapped … fog flew along the lifeline. This time the impression of a sleepy “Ummm,” and the flick of fingers greeted his attempt.
The fog vanished and with it the stranglehold on his neck loosened. Overhead, the twin moons shone brightly. Their light clearly showed the path in front and behind.
Evaluation of the two routes took only heartbeats. His workshop at the forge might only be a lean-to, but the archmage had laid protective spells around the entire area and the iron itself would dampen the effects of an attack. Downhill was steep and potentially full of roots that could trip and send him over the edge. Brodie’s feet flew along the trail back towards the clifftop and his forge. ~ End of Excerpt ~
Buy Links:
Paperback: Amazon / Barnes&Noble / Amazon UK /
Ebook: Amazon / Kobo / More ebook stores
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October 8, 2020
Paper, Not Flakes #mfrwauthor
Welcome to Week 41 of the MFRW 52-week challenge. The topic is "Pre-Christmas Catalog Blizzard."
Now I admit I prefer wandering through stores rather than shopping online. While I am computer literate, I've encountered too many glitches when ordering by phone or online to really enjoy it.
Image by flockine from Pixabay
Although the old Sears Wishbook doesn't arrive any more, there is still a blizzard. Not of white flakes piling up outside, but of brightly-colored catalogues in the mailbox. I like opening the mailbox to see what unique and useful things I can find within the pages of the deluge of catalogues. And there is a sense of accomplishment when tossing any catalogues retained for reference from earlier in the year.
No matter by what method I shop, letting my fingers do the walking through catalogs is always fun.
~till next time, Helen
