Helen B. Henderson's Blog, page 69

Planning Ahead or Free-Wheeling #mfrwauthor

It's Friday again. Wow, we're at week 18. One word in the topic caught my attention - profile. In many parts of the country, being accused of profiling can get you beaten up or sued. At the start, let me admit that I am a plotter. In my book of tools are numerous templates for character profiles. Many of which are twenty to thirty pages long. A piece of writing advice that never worked for me was to fill out complete character profiles for all my main characters before I wrote word one. The form I use the most is a handful of questions on a single page.

While I agree that some pre-planning can help me get to know my characters, I don't need much to start with. Just a physical description, a name, and a statement of the hero's journey. Although I don't complete an extensive profile, I do have an abbreviated form of a few questions that include the previous mentioned items and things like preferred weapons and possibly favorite food. But those are filled out as the story and characters develop.



The second part of the prompt relates to setting. I write fantasy so the world is in my head. I start off my world-building with photographs of possible places my characters will go to. A south sea island, a cave, a mountain city, or an alpine meadow.

As the book (or books) progresses, I jot down specific items. Curses, measurements of time, local legends and traditions all get jotted down. But the main use of a setting profile is keeping names straight. The names of towns and regions, mountains and lakes are tracked as are items in their area. Ships and inns are tracked in the world profile.



I've dished on how much I plan ahead, and about my profiling. This is a challenge so there are other authors who are revealing whether or not they profile. You might find a technique that works for you.  ~ till next time, Helen

Hooked on Dragon Destiny, Performance #MFRWHooks

Last month, Windmaster was showcased in the weekly Wednesday post. May is a month of birthdays and anniversaries, so for the next five weeks, I'll be celebrating a special event of my own--the releases of the Dragshi Chronicles. Each week a different book will be featured. For a human, a dragon form comes with more than just the freedom of the sky.

And since Mother's Day is just around the corner, in honor of the strong women in my lineage, a snippit from Dragon Destiny. Although she is not far removed from being a young girl, Anastasia shows her inner strength by performing in front of strangers--and her kin.

Excerpt:

With Uaine’s “good luck” still echoing in her ears, Anastasia climbed the two steps and walked to the center of the stage. Nerves she thought long conquered rose once again and grew stronger when she looked out over the sea of faces turned towards her.

She focused to shift the unease. They are just friends and kinsmen. This is no different than teaching the little ones their letters and numbers. Sucking a breath deep into her lungs, she held it for a mere second then released it as a single, clear note.

Once she started, her tension dropped away and she slipped into the familiar words. The broad smile on Uaine’s face and the surprised look on those around him removed the last of Anastasia’s uncertainty and she threw herself into the song. All too soon the last chorus filled the hall... and she realized, Nilbar and the other town musicians had been playing along with her. A flick of her fingers silenced the others, leaving only the sound of her voice. When the story told of the heartbroken Mirianth flying to the moon, Anastasia let her voice trail off until a profound silence filled the room.
 
A single clap shattered the thrall left by the music. The sound drew Anastasia’s gaze to the front row—Uaine. Trust him to support me and to show approval when no one else does.

~ * ~
If you're hooked, and want to know whether Uaine was the only one to show approval of the performance or just the vanguard, you'll have to get Dragon Destiny. Buy links are below. Or if you're not quite ready, more excerpts and a free read of the first chapter is here.

Buy Links: Links to ebook sellers
Paperback at Amazon Barnes&Noble

~till next time, hope you'll visit the other authors sharing their Wednesday snippits.

Hooked on Windmaster, Watcher Revealed #MFRWhooks

Revenge set Ellspeth and the archmage, Dal, on the path to her destiny, but prophecy controlled the journey.Trapped within the Oracle's Temple, Ellspeth must choose between her own survival, saving the future of magic... or love.

The last two excerpts excerpt began when Ellspeth felt a presence in the night.  And ended with snapping teeth. Now the watcher is revealed. Be introduced to Dal's best friend.

Excerpt from Windmaster:

The dust cleared. To Ellspeth’s relief, the first thing she saw was not the wizard’s lifeless body, but him sitting atop a dark gray stallion. The huge animal pranced and performed spectacular leaps. The white specks of its dappled flanks flickered in the sunlight. Three other horses circled the pair in a dance of four-footed majesty. Dal looks like he was born to the saddle, she thought. Then she remembered Dal came from the Mtwan Mountains—a region known for breeding horses.

Dal’s mount walked over to Ellspeth. It bent one knee in a courtly bow as the wizard slipped to the ground.

“Let me guess,” Ellspeth laughed. “Tairneach?”

Dal’s hand lay lightly on the stallion’s neck. “I said you’d recognize him.”

“So you did.”

The horse nosed Dal. It gave a significant nuzzle to the wizard and tilted his head to look at Ellspeth. Dal’s expression seemed inscrutable. Tairneach nudged the wizard’s shoulder again. Dal ruffled the animal’s ears. Ellspeth couldn’t hear what he whispered into them, but she felt the horse understood what was said. And, that the conversation was about her. But about what?


~ * ~Buy Links: Links to ebook sellers 
Paperback at Amazon

If you're hooked, more excerpts and a free read of the first chapter is here. 

 

Spring Flowers and A Sale

April showers may bring May flowers, but they also bring savings. Windmaster, Book One of the Windmaster Novels, is only #99cents at Smashwords --  http://ow.ly/WPsF30jhnup 

Revenge set Ellspeth on the path to her destiny, but prophecy controlled the journey and demands a choice-- survival, saving the future of magic, or love.



Buy at Smashwords

You're invited to set sail with Windmaster for love and adventure.



Stop by these links for Excerpts and a free read of the first chapter.

~till next time, Helen

The Past, The Future, and Imagined #mfrwauthor

Week 17 and we're still going. This week's post is short and sweet. Favorite Romance Genre. Although I've read and reviewed a variety of romance genres from science fiction to contemporary romance, as you can see from my covers, my hearthome is fantasy.


When I'm not hanging out with wizards and magical equines, or flying with dragons, shapeshifters and paranormal romance books keep me occupied. Or if they're all busy, I'll pull a historical off the shelf and go back in time.


If you want to set sail for love and adventure, Windmaster is still on sale at Smashwords for 99 cents. Sale ends with the weekend. Excerpts can be found by clicking on the cover at the top of the page. ~till next time, Helen

Hooked on Windmaster, Something Approaches #MFRWhooks

I hope you enjoyed the “hooks” from Windmaster over the last few weeks. If you’re interested in finding out how the journey ends, do the “One Click.” Don't forget the sale at Smashwords is counting down. Only five days left to purchase Windmaster for 99 cents.

Last week's excerpt ended with Ellspeth sensing something in the darkness. This week's continues as the watcher appears.

Excerpt from Windmaster:

Dal’s soft singing woke Ellspeth. It’s almost fifth hour, she decided after a quick search of the sky. I never realized sleeping on the ground could be so comfortable. Unwilling to move, she lay there, listening to the wizard whose even breathing gently lulled her back to sleep. The next time Ellspeth woke, lured by the smell of brewing caffa, only a sliver of the second moon remained over the horizon.

“I knew you liked it so I packed some in the supplies,” Dal explained. He stopped in the mid-action of handing Ellspeth a cup. “Watch it, it’s still hot.” A quizzical look appeared on his face. “We’re about to have company. No matter what happens, no matter what you hear, don’t leave the fire.”

The sound of what seemed like thunder rolled in on the wind. A smile on his face, Dal dissolved the wards surrounding the camp and took seven long steps out into the grass. The roar came closer. Ellspeth suppressed a gasp as four horses galloped into sight. Their long manes shimmered in the early dawn. Only these weren’t ordinary horses, they were larger than any she had ever seen, including the draft animals used by boat builders to pull cut trees down from the hills. The wizard’s grin grew large at the sight.

“Dal, run!” Ellspeth yelled. Yet he made no move to evade the stampede. Just as it appeared that the wizard would be trampled under the huge hooves, the lead horse checked its headlong rush. A dust cloud rose to envelop Dal. All Ellspeth heard was the snap of teeth...

~ * ~ End of the excerpt.

Don't forget the sale is counting down. Only five days left to purchase Windmaster at Smashwords for 99 cents.

Be Nice Or I'll Kill You Off #mfrwauthor

The topic is family, friends, and pets I've written into my books. So how does the title fit in?

My first thought when I saw the topic for week 16 of the challenge was a t-shirt I saw in a writer's forum. Be Nice Or I'll Write You Out Of My Book. Well, to be written out, you have to be written in. The shirt was especially appropriate for those who write in the mystery genre.

I have never written pets as such into one of my novels. Any animals, even if they provided companionship were working animals, not a pet in the traditional sense. The horses are all magical equines and the pony of my childhood was just a tall Shetland with an attitude. He couldn't run for hours nor fly. (Although he could buck high enough to send his rider flying.) The closest animal in one of my books to a real one was Faoth, the shepherd's dog in "Magic and Steel," one of the novellas in the collection First Change: Legends From The Eyrie. Faoth is a composite of two collies from my youth, Bumps, and Salt and Pepper. Although they vary in coloring from Faoth, the real dogs did perform functions around the farm. Although not formally trained, their instincts were sufficient that they herded both animal and human on command.

Then there are the people. One of my first works featured a relative. She was a child at the time which made writing the tale difficult. It was a romance, so how to handle the reality that was in my mind to the fictional woman. Since then five generations have inspired a character. Some by a variant of their name, others by how they lived their lives.


So that's the post. If you want to see actual names, you need to buy one of the Dragshi Chronicles and look at the acknowledgements. Be sure to visit the other authors at the bottom of the post. 

~till next time, Helen

Hooked on Windmaster, A Journey's Night #MFRWhooks

Revenge set Ellspeth and the archmage, Dal, on the path to her destiny, but prophecy controlled the journey. Trapped within the Oracle's Temple, Ellspeth must choose between her own survival, saving the future of magic... or love.

In last week's snippit, Ellspeth bid farewell to her ship and crew as she prepared to seek vengeance for her dead cabin boy. This excerpt is from their first night on the trail.

Excerpt from Windmaster:

Ellspeth searched the darkness beyond the small campfire. The feeling of being watched seemed even stronger than on the previous night. Yet she heard no sounds beyond those normal to the night. No creatures circled the camp, or approached the magical protection placed around it.

A glance at the sleeping wizard provided no comfort. The slow rise and fall of his chest reminded her of the bedside vigil after he rescued the Falcon from the waterspouts. Another scan of the darkness and she returned her focus back to the runes Dal sketched in the dirt. Each night he would make her repeat the plants and animal tracks he pointed out along their path. Or, he would draw a rune in the dirt for her to memorize. Despite her determination not to be a mage, she diligently studied each lesson.

The slight rising breeze brought with it an unusual scent. Ellspeth’s light touch on his shoulder brought Dal to instant awareness. His tap on her hand signified he was awake. A few seconds later he rolled to his feet. Firelight winked on the sword he held at the ready.

“I’m sorry, Dal,” Ellspeth whispered. “Something, or someone, is out there. I’ve had the sensation of being watched all night.”

The wizard stood motionless as he studied the darkness. His eyes appeared to look beyond the invisible barriers, out almost to the edges of the valley itself. Water slopped over the rim as Dal’s lithe movement scooped up a shallow bowl from the fire’s side. Ellspeth tried to distinguish his words. But try as she might, the sounds refused to have any meaning. He sheathed his sword and set the bowl back with their cooking pots.

“Your instinct to wake me was right. Something is out there."

~ * ~ End of the excerpt, until next week when the watcher is revealed. If you're hooked, more excerpts and a free read of the first chapter is here.

JUST DAYS LEFT - Windmaster, only 99cents at Smashwords.

Buy Links: Links to ebook sellers 
Paperback at Amazon Barnes&Noble


 

Am I Partying Yet? #mfrwauthor

Yay! I've typed "The End." The manuscript I've been working on for months (or years) is finally completed. Should I start celebrating?


Nope. "The End" is not the end.  There are at least two rounds of revisions, submitting to a publisher, or if going the independent route, the minutiae of production. Then there is the marketing and promotion leading up to the release. It used to be that after the release, you had a glass of wine, sat down to read a book by another author and watch a little television. When that celebration was over, work on the next book began.

These days a major activity once a manuscript is completed (at least for me) is expanding distribution and although not as enjoyable, tracking illegal distribution sites. So far in the last year or so I recorded over 64,000 DCMA notices. Even if just a small percentage of books are actually downloaded, when the number of copies the pirates (and their accomplices) steal exceeds the legal copies by multiple magnitudes, it makes you wonder why we even bother to write a book where we make 25 cents or less per copy.

So as far as how I celebrate ending a manuscript? I don't. There is no reason to do so, no reason to party unless I'm spending money to host a launch. And I mean a real one with drinks, and guests and all. What a minute. That means I'd have to know people to invite. 

Nope, not going to celebrate. 
 

~till next time, Helen

Hooked on Windmaster, Choose defiance or obedience #MFRWhooks

Revenge set Ellspeth and the archmage, Dal, on the path to her destiny, but prophecy controlled the journey.Trapped within the Oracle's Temple, Ellspeth must choose between her own survival, saving the future of magic... or love.

This week's excerpt was inspired by a winter cold snap that chilled soul as well as skin. To set the scene, after surviving an attack by pirates, Sea Falcon has limped to the tentative safety of the Isle of Mages. Still reeling from recent events, Ellspeth is preparing to leave with Dal. Officially it is to recover a hidden token to save magic, but both have their own, more personal, reason for leaving--vengeance for the death of loved ones. The setting is the tower room of the Council of Mages and in attendance the crew of Sea Falcon who for the first time defy their captain.

Excerpt from Windmaster:

A stray beam of sunlight glinted off her captain’s bracelets when she handed the scroll to the Falcon’s first officer. Acting before she could change her mind, Ellspeth removed the bracelets. Their golden sheen seemed to dull as they lay in her open hand.

"No, Captain,” the first officer repeated. “Your letter is sufficient authority for me to sail Sea Falcon if I need to. You know what giving me the bracelets means.”

Unable to trust her voice, Ellspeth just nodded, her eyes never leaving the first officer’s face.

"If you give me the bracelets... resign your commission... then it is my duty to immediately return to the council. Sea Falcon is not ready. Most of the crew is still recovering from their wounds. Several of the men were severely hurt.

“We will do as you bid. We will repair the ship and heal our wounds. Lord Dal has already laid on healing spells and left potions to prevent infections. Keep your bracelets. Until we know you won’t be returning, you are captain of Sea Falcon.” One by one the men nodded to the wizard, then saluted their captain as they filed from the room.

Ellspeth felt as cold as the stone walls surrounding her...


~ * ~

LIMITED TIME ONLY - Windmaster, only 99cents at Smashwords.

Buy Links: Links to ebook sellers 
Paperback at Amazon Barnes&Noble

If you're hooked, more excerpts and a free read of the first chapter is here.