Jessica Rydill's Blog, page 19
October 30, 2014
I went to Bristolcon and...
---enjoyed it very much!
I sat on three panels, the first one at 10 o'clock after the opening speech by the redoubtable Joanne Hall, who has been running Bristolcon for six years. I was moderating a panel with Joanne, Emma Newman (one of the GOHs), Del Lakin-Smith and Rob Haines.
Luckily they were all excellent because I am a complete newbie to moderating and had spent the evening before saying things like "OMG I'm gonna die!" (possibly an overreaction). In fact it was fun and the fact that the panellists were interesting and enthusiastic helped.
We were discussing discoverability and representation, though we focussed on the former, a hot topic for writers whether indie, published, or hybrid (like me). The problem was identified (and indeed located) in how to discover good writing in circumstances where some booksellers seem to unconsciously privilege male writers by putting their books out face-up on tables; and how to deal with the rather more imponderable problem of the Amazon algorithms.
The panel discussed how we might tackle these problems as writers, publishers and fans. A key idea was that of curating the work of other writers, whether by podcast, such as Emma Newman's Tea and Jeopardy, or through blogs, such as Joanne's http://hierath.wordpress.com/ and of course the Speculative Fiction Showcase. Del Lakin-Smith is joint owner of publisher Spacewitch, and talked about their aim of linking and creating relationships between books that have similarities.
There was some discussion of the idea of filtering and "gatekeepers" - an idea especially current in the indie world with regard to mainstream publishers such as the "Big Five". It was mentioned that it is difficult to find good stuff on Amazon because browsing is impossible. There may be a positive role for "gatekeepers" in enabling good stuff to be found, though as Rob Haines pointed out, there is also a (negative) effect since anything off the beaten track may be filtered out.
Panel number two was entitled Influences on Authors and was admirably moderated by Paul Cornell. My fellow panellists were Joanne Hall, John Baverstock and Piotr Swietlik, who was doing his first ever panel and spoke perfect English. This was a fascinating panel as Paul Cornell and John Baverstock testified to the influence of the King James version of the Bible on their writing (and as the original lexicon of the English language). Joanne Hall mentioned the influence of the late, great David Gemmell and Piotr discussed Raymond Chandler. I would have loved to hear more from all concerned. The writers also talked about originating events, what had started them writing or what had inspired their stories (and worlds). Paul Cornell talked about the way in which his writing had begun as a means of defeating the bullies at school. I described to the workcamp I attended with the Christian Movement for Peace in 1980, which took place in the village of Charols in Drome and provided me with a number of themes (and characters) for my subsequent writing. The writers also talked about the influence of film and television.
After the Great Newcon Press Book Giveaway and relaunch of Cyber Circus, with Ian Whates, Kin Lakin-Smith, Liz Williams, Andy Bigwood and Adrian Tchaikovsky, and also GOH Jon Courtenay Grimwood, we went to listen to a panel on Sex and Death. Unfortunately it got incredibly hot in the room (!) and we decamped to sit outside.
We had lunch with Sarah Ash and Sandy Auden, which was very jolly, and chatted to Janet Edwards and husband, and Steve Tanner, who like us was a Bristolcon newbie, in the Bar. Not that we spent much time in the Bar. No, really...
My final panel was at 5 o'clock, when Ben Jeapes chaired a discussion on the topic "What can SF writers learn from history?" with Janet Edwards, Dev Agarwal and Justin Newland. The theme of this panel was a bit more recondite; the original description reads: "What events lurk in the past that we don't realise have happened or don't think about - are we recreating the past when we envision the future?" Janet Edwards talked about the future of her Science Fiction novels, where people born on earth - ordinary humans - are disadvantaged and in the minority. Ben Jeapes talked about the way in which SoE and the traditional secret services conspired to unintentionally undermine each other during World War II, and Dev Agarwal related the predicament of a female spy who was first in one of Stalin's gulags and then interned in Buchenwald. All of these stories could be elaborated or extrapolated from the past, but could also be seen as elements of history that are not traditionally taught or discussed. There were references to both history and the history of science as fruitful sources for the writer. There were interesting and pertinent questions from the audience, especially about the role of archaeology in creating and changing history (and of the part played by archaeological artefacts). It was suggested that archaeologists are creating stories all the time as they try to explain and rediscover the past, and I wish I could attribute that suggestion to the audience member who came up with it!
I learned an awful lot and it need hardly be observed, though I think that Joanne Hall said it rather well, that writers can get inspiration from almost anything, including friends and family. Writers are like magpies (or bower birds) and most things can be material, whether from history or the present.
Stephen and I had a great time. We met some new people and renewed our acquaintance with others after a *very* long gap - I last attended a convention in 2005.
I sat on three panels, the first one at 10 o'clock after the opening speech by the redoubtable Joanne Hall, who has been running Bristolcon for six years. I was moderating a panel with Joanne, Emma Newman (one of the GOHs), Del Lakin-Smith and Rob Haines.
Luckily they were all excellent because I am a complete newbie to moderating and had spent the evening before saying things like "OMG I'm gonna die!" (possibly an overreaction). In fact it was fun and the fact that the panellists were interesting and enthusiastic helped.
We were discussing discoverability and representation, though we focussed on the former, a hot topic for writers whether indie, published, or hybrid (like me). The problem was identified (and indeed located) in how to discover good writing in circumstances where some booksellers seem to unconsciously privilege male writers by putting their books out face-up on tables; and how to deal with the rather more imponderable problem of the Amazon algorithms.
The panel discussed how we might tackle these problems as writers, publishers and fans. A key idea was that of curating the work of other writers, whether by podcast, such as Emma Newman's Tea and Jeopardy, or through blogs, such as Joanne's http://hierath.wordpress.com/ and of course the Speculative Fiction Showcase. Del Lakin-Smith is joint owner of publisher Spacewitch, and talked about their aim of linking and creating relationships between books that have similarities.
There was some discussion of the idea of filtering and "gatekeepers" - an idea especially current in the indie world with regard to mainstream publishers such as the "Big Five". It was mentioned that it is difficult to find good stuff on Amazon because browsing is impossible. There may be a positive role for "gatekeepers" in enabling good stuff to be found, though as Rob Haines pointed out, there is also a (negative) effect since anything off the beaten track may be filtered out.
Panel number two was entitled Influences on Authors and was admirably moderated by Paul Cornell. My fellow panellists were Joanne Hall, John Baverstock and Piotr Swietlik, who was doing his first ever panel and spoke perfect English. This was a fascinating panel as Paul Cornell and John Baverstock testified to the influence of the King James version of the Bible on their writing (and as the original lexicon of the English language). Joanne Hall mentioned the influence of the late, great David Gemmell and Piotr discussed Raymond Chandler. I would have loved to hear more from all concerned. The writers also talked about originating events, what had started them writing or what had inspired their stories (and worlds). Paul Cornell talked about the way in which his writing had begun as a means of defeating the bullies at school. I described to the workcamp I attended with the Christian Movement for Peace in 1980, which took place in the village of Charols in Drome and provided me with a number of themes (and characters) for my subsequent writing. The writers also talked about the influence of film and television.
After the Great Newcon Press Book Giveaway and relaunch of Cyber Circus, with Ian Whates, Kin Lakin-Smith, Liz Williams, Andy Bigwood and Adrian Tchaikovsky, and also GOH Jon Courtenay Grimwood, we went to listen to a panel on Sex and Death. Unfortunately it got incredibly hot in the room (!) and we decamped to sit outside.
We had lunch with Sarah Ash and Sandy Auden, which was very jolly, and chatted to Janet Edwards and husband, and Steve Tanner, who like us was a Bristolcon newbie, in the Bar. Not that we spent much time in the Bar. No, really...
My final panel was at 5 o'clock, when Ben Jeapes chaired a discussion on the topic "What can SF writers learn from history?" with Janet Edwards, Dev Agarwal and Justin Newland. The theme of this panel was a bit more recondite; the original description reads: "What events lurk in the past that we don't realise have happened or don't think about - are we recreating the past when we envision the future?" Janet Edwards talked about the future of her Science Fiction novels, where people born on earth - ordinary humans - are disadvantaged and in the minority. Ben Jeapes talked about the way in which SoE and the traditional secret services conspired to unintentionally undermine each other during World War II, and Dev Agarwal related the predicament of a female spy who was first in one of Stalin's gulags and then interned in Buchenwald. All of these stories could be elaborated or extrapolated from the past, but could also be seen as elements of history that are not traditionally taught or discussed. There were references to both history and the history of science as fruitful sources for the writer. There were interesting and pertinent questions from the audience, especially about the role of archaeology in creating and changing history (and of the part played by archaeological artefacts). It was suggested that archaeologists are creating stories all the time as they try to explain and rediscover the past, and I wish I could attribute that suggestion to the audience member who came up with it!
I learned an awful lot and it need hardly be observed, though I think that Joanne Hall said it rather well, that writers can get inspiration from almost anything, including friends and family. Writers are like magpies (or bower birds) and most things can be material, whether from history or the present.
Stephen and I had a great time. We met some new people and renewed our acquaintance with others after a *very* long gap - I last attended a convention in 2005.
October 14, 2014
Speculative Fiction Blog Hop - Amelia Smith
This week's speculative fiction blog hopper is Amelia Smith.
Amelia is working on a five-volume epic fantasy series with an allegorical slant. The story follows a group of friends as they grow up in a world falling apart. Book One, Scrapplings, starts just before the main characters meet and covers their first season together.
Here's the link to the whole post: http://ameliasmith.net/2014/10/speculative-fiction-writing-process-blog-hop/
Forthcoming blog posts:
October 6: Amelia Smith
October 13: Open
October 20: Open
October 27: Open
November 3: Open
November 10: Jolie du Pre
November 17: Jessica Fry
November 24: Open
December 1: Open
December 8: Open
December 15: Open
December 22: Open
December 29: Open
There are plenty of openings, and you don't have to be a member of the KBoards.
Previous blog posts:
S B James: http://sbjamestheauthor.wordpress.com/2014/09/29/speculative-fiction-blog-hop/
Dean F. Wilson: http://deanfwilson.com/2014/09/speculative-fiction-blog-hop/
Carole McDonnell: http://carolemcdonnell.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/speculative-fiction-writing-blog-hop.html
Harry Manners: http://harrymanners.wordpress.com/2014/09/01/speculative-fiction-blog-hop/
Sheila Guthrie: http://newsfromsheilasworld.blogspot.com/2014/08/the-speculative-fiction-writing-process.html
Vincent Trigili: http://www.losttalesofpower.com/2014/08/18/speculative-fiction-blog-hop/
Ceinwen Langley: http://ceinwenlangley.com/2014/08/11/the-speculative-fiction-blog-hop/
Kevin Hardman: http://kevinhardman.blogspot.com/2014/08/the-speculative-fiction-blog-hop.html
Cora Buhlert: http://corabuhlert.com/2014/07/28/the-speculative-fiction-blog-hop/
Jessica Rydill: http://livinginthemaniototo.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/speculative-fiction-writing-process.html
Jamie Maltman: http://www.jamiemaltman.com/2014/07/14/writing-process-blog-tour/
Marilyn Peake: https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_posts/6593691-speculative-fiction-blog-hop
Nic Wilson: http://nicolaswilson.com/index.php/announcements-1/spec-fic-blog-hop
David Pagan: http://davidpagan.wordpress.com/2014/06/23/the-writing-process-blog-hop/
Travis Hill: http://www.angrygames.com/?p=699
Cherise Kelley: http://size12bystpatricksday.blogspot.com/2014/06/speculative-fiction-blog-hop.html
RJ Crayton: http://www.rjcrayton.com/2014/06/02/speculative-fiction-writing-method-blog-hop/
Sandra K. Williams: http://sandrakwilliams.net/?p=360
S. Elliot Brandis: http://selliotbrandis.com/2014/05/18/the-speculative-fiction-blog-hop/
Elle Chambers: http://indiespiritpress.com/2014/05/12/the-writing-process-blog-hop/
William D. Richards: http://blog.williamdrichards.com/2014/05/the-writing-process-blog-tour.html
Michael Patrick Hicks: http://michaelpatrickhicks.com/2014/05/05/the-writing-process-blog-tour/
Cat Amesbury: http://catamesbury.wordpress.com/2014/04/28/the-writing-process-blog-hop/
Heidi Garrett: http://www.heidigwrites.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-writing-process-blog-tour.html#blog
If you're a spec fic author and want to participate in the blog hop, please contact Sheila_Guthrie. (The link takes you to the KBoards). You can also contact Sheila via her blog here.
Acknowledgements: Thank you to Heidi Garrett for starting the ball rolling, Sheila Guthrie for taking it up and Sandra K. Williams for keeping the long list of links updated.
Amelia is working on a five-volume epic fantasy series with an allegorical slant. The story follows a group of friends as they grow up in a world falling apart. Book One, Scrapplings, starts just before the main characters meet and covers their first season together.
Here's the link to the whole post: http://ameliasmith.net/2014/10/speculative-fiction-writing-process-blog-hop/
Forthcoming blog posts:
October 6: Amelia Smith
October 13: Open
October 20: Open
October 27: Open
November 3: Open
November 10: Jolie du Pre
November 17: Jessica Fry
November 24: Open
December 1: Open
December 8: Open
December 15: Open
December 22: Open
December 29: Open
There are plenty of openings, and you don't have to be a member of the KBoards.
Previous blog posts:
S B James: http://sbjamestheauthor.wordpress.com/2014/09/29/speculative-fiction-blog-hop/
Dean F. Wilson: http://deanfwilson.com/2014/09/speculative-fiction-blog-hop/
Carole McDonnell: http://carolemcdonnell.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/speculative-fiction-writing-blog-hop.html
Harry Manners: http://harrymanners.wordpress.com/2014/09/01/speculative-fiction-blog-hop/
Sheila Guthrie: http://newsfromsheilasworld.blogspot.com/2014/08/the-speculative-fiction-writing-process.html
Vincent Trigili: http://www.losttalesofpower.com/2014/08/18/speculative-fiction-blog-hop/
Ceinwen Langley: http://ceinwenlangley.com/2014/08/11/the-speculative-fiction-blog-hop/
Kevin Hardman: http://kevinhardman.blogspot.com/2014/08/the-speculative-fiction-blog-hop.html
Cora Buhlert: http://corabuhlert.com/2014/07/28/the-speculative-fiction-blog-hop/
Jessica Rydill: http://livinginthemaniototo.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/speculative-fiction-writing-process.html
Jamie Maltman: http://www.jamiemaltman.com/2014/07/14/writing-process-blog-tour/
Marilyn Peake: https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_posts/6593691-speculative-fiction-blog-hop
Nic Wilson: http://nicolaswilson.com/index.php/announcements-1/spec-fic-blog-hop
David Pagan: http://davidpagan.wordpress.com/2014/06/23/the-writing-process-blog-hop/
Travis Hill: http://www.angrygames.com/?p=699
Cherise Kelley: http://size12bystpatricksday.blogspot.com/2014/06/speculative-fiction-blog-hop.html
RJ Crayton: http://www.rjcrayton.com/2014/06/02/speculative-fiction-writing-method-blog-hop/
Sandra K. Williams: http://sandrakwilliams.net/?p=360
S. Elliot Brandis: http://selliotbrandis.com/2014/05/18/the-speculative-fiction-blog-hop/
Elle Chambers: http://indiespiritpress.com/2014/05/12/the-writing-process-blog-hop/
William D. Richards: http://blog.williamdrichards.com/2014/05/the-writing-process-blog-tour.html
Michael Patrick Hicks: http://michaelpatrickhicks.com/2014/05/05/the-writing-process-blog-tour/
Cat Amesbury: http://catamesbury.wordpress.com/2014/04/28/the-writing-process-blog-hop/
Heidi Garrett: http://www.heidigwrites.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-writing-process-blog-tour.html#blog
If you're a spec fic author and want to participate in the blog hop, please contact Sheila_Guthrie. (The link takes you to the KBoards). You can also contact Sheila via her blog here.
Acknowledgements: Thank you to Heidi Garrett for starting the ball rolling, Sheila Guthrie for taking it up and Sandra K. Williams for keeping the long list of links updated.
My programme for Bristolcon Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention.
On Saturday, 25th October, I will be attending Bristolcon in (gasp!) Bristol, at the Doubletree Hotel.
The Guests of Honour are Jon Courtenay Grinwood, Emma Newman and Julian Quaye. It is a one-day Con, and you can read more about it here: http://www.bristolcon.org/
I am taking part in two panels, The first one is at 10.00 to 10.45 with Joanne Hall, Rob Haines, Del Lakin-Smith, Emma Newman, and me as moderator.
The subject is Discoverability & Representation: How do we, as fans, overcome the Amazon effect, and the narrow selection available on booksellers’ SF&F tables, and support new writers and artists breaking through? – We know the booksellers are working on it but what can we do, both as individuals and as a collective of genre fans, writers and industry professionals?
Later on in the day, I shall be doing another panel from 17.00 to 17.45, on Past Lives, Future Visions: What can SF writers learn from history? What events lurk in the past that we don’t realise have happened or don’t think about – are we recreating the past when we envision the future? with Ben Jeapes (Mod), Janet Edwards, Dev Agarwal, Justin Newland and me.
When not sitting on these panels, I will probably dashing around trying to get to lots of other panels that interest me, including (but not limited to) Writing Historical Fiction at 13:00 – 13:45 and Sex or Death? from 16:00 – 16:45
This is the first time I have done anything active at a Con for quite a long time. So I may have to disguise myself as a ninja.
(The only problem with this approach is that I am very fat, and therefore the disguise would be unlikely to succeed.)
The Guests of Honour are Jon Courtenay Grinwood, Emma Newman and Julian Quaye. It is a one-day Con, and you can read more about it here: http://www.bristolcon.org/
I am taking part in two panels, The first one is at 10.00 to 10.45 with Joanne Hall, Rob Haines, Del Lakin-Smith, Emma Newman, and me as moderator.
The subject is Discoverability & Representation: How do we, as fans, overcome the Amazon effect, and the narrow selection available on booksellers’ SF&F tables, and support new writers and artists breaking through? – We know the booksellers are working on it but what can we do, both as individuals and as a collective of genre fans, writers and industry professionals?
Later on in the day, I shall be doing another panel from 17.00 to 17.45, on Past Lives, Future Visions: What can SF writers learn from history? What events lurk in the past that we don’t realise have happened or don’t think about – are we recreating the past when we envision the future? with Ben Jeapes (Mod), Janet Edwards, Dev Agarwal, Justin Newland and me.
When not sitting on these panels, I will probably dashing around trying to get to lots of other panels that interest me, including (but not limited to) Writing Historical Fiction at 13:00 – 13:45 and Sex or Death? from 16:00 – 16:45
This is the first time I have done anything active at a Con for quite a long time. So I may have to disguise myself as a ninja.
(The only problem with this approach is that I am very fat, and therefore the disguise would be unlikely to succeed.)
September 29, 2014
Speculative Fiction Blog Hop - S B James
This week's speculative fiction blog hopper is S B James.
SB, who is a steampunk author, blogs about her writing process and her series, The Inventor's Son. SB is also planning to do a mash-up of zombie tropes. Bring it on!
Here's the link to the whole post: http://sbjamestheauthor.wordpress.com/2014/09/29/speculative-fiction-blog-hop/
Forthcoming blog posts:
October 6: Amelia Smith
October 13: Open
October 20: Open
October 27: Open
November 3: Open
November 10: Open
November 17: Jessica Fry
November 24: Open
December 1: Open
December 8: Open
December 15: Open
December 22: Open
December 29: Open
There are plenty of openings, and you don't have to be a member of the KBoards.
Previous blog posts:
Dean F. Wilson: http://deanfwilson.com/2014/09/speculative-fiction-blog-hop/
Carole McDonnell: http://carolemcdonnell.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/speculative-fiction-writing-blog-hop.html
Harry Manners: http://harrymanners.wordpress.com/2014/09/01/speculative-fiction-blog-hop/
Sheila Guthrie: http://newsfromsheilasworld.blogspot.com/2014/08/the-speculative-fiction-writing-process.html
Vincent Trigili: http://www.losttalesofpower.com/2014/08/18/speculative-fiction-blog-hop/
Ceinwen Langley: http://ceinwenlangley.com/2014/08/11/the-speculative-fiction-blog-hop/
Kevin Hardman: http://kevinhardman.blogspot.com/2014/08/the-speculative-fiction-blog-hop.html
Cora Buhlert: http://corabuhlert.com/2014/07/28/the-speculative-fiction-blog-hop/
Jessica Rydill: http://livinginthemaniototo.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/speculative-fiction-writing-process.html
Jamie Maltman: http://www.jamiemaltman.com/2014/07/14/writing-process-blog-tour/
Marilyn Peake: https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_posts/6593691-speculative-fiction-blog-hop
Nic Wilson: http://nicolaswilson.com/index.php/announcements-1/spec-fic-blog-hop
David Pagan: http://davidpagan.wordpress.com/2014/06/23/the-writing-process-blog-hop/
Travis Hill: http://www.angrygames.com/?p=699
Cherise Kelley: http://size12bystpatricksday.blogspot.com/2014/06/speculative-fiction-blog-hop.html
RJ Crayton: http://www.rjcrayton.com/2014/06/02/speculative-fiction-writing-method-blog-hop/
Sandra K. Williams: http://sandrakwilliams.net/?p=360
S. Elliot Brandis: http://selliotbrandis.com/2014/05/18/the-speculative-fiction-blog-hop/
Elle Chambers: http://indiespiritpress.com/2014/05/12/the-writing-process-blog-hop/
William D. Richards: http://blog.williamdrichards.com/2014/05/the-writing-process-blog-tour.html
Michael Patrick Hicks: http://michaelpatrickhicks.com/2014/05/05/the-writing-process-blog-tour/
Cat Amesbury: http://catamesbury.wordpress.com/2014/04/28/the-writing-process-blog-hop/
Heidi Garrett: http://www.heidigwrites.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-writing-process-blog-tour.html#blog
If you're a spec fic author and want to participate in the blog hop, please contact Sheila_Guthrie. (The link takes you to the KBoards). You can also contact Sheila via her blog here.
Acknowledgements: Thank you to Heidi Garrett for starting the ball rolling, Sheila Guthrie for taking it up and Sandra K. Williams for keeping the long list of links updated.
SB, who is a steampunk author, blogs about her writing process and her series, The Inventor's Son. SB is also planning to do a mash-up of zombie tropes. Bring it on!
Here's the link to the whole post: http://sbjamestheauthor.wordpress.com/2014/09/29/speculative-fiction-blog-hop/
Forthcoming blog posts:
October 6: Amelia Smith
October 13: Open
October 20: Open
October 27: Open
November 3: Open
November 10: Open
November 17: Jessica Fry
November 24: Open
December 1: Open
December 8: Open
December 15: Open
December 22: Open
December 29: Open
There are plenty of openings, and you don't have to be a member of the KBoards.
Previous blog posts:
Dean F. Wilson: http://deanfwilson.com/2014/09/speculative-fiction-blog-hop/
Carole McDonnell: http://carolemcdonnell.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/speculative-fiction-writing-blog-hop.html
Harry Manners: http://harrymanners.wordpress.com/2014/09/01/speculative-fiction-blog-hop/
Sheila Guthrie: http://newsfromsheilasworld.blogspot.com/2014/08/the-speculative-fiction-writing-process.html
Vincent Trigili: http://www.losttalesofpower.com/2014/08/18/speculative-fiction-blog-hop/
Ceinwen Langley: http://ceinwenlangley.com/2014/08/11/the-speculative-fiction-blog-hop/
Kevin Hardman: http://kevinhardman.blogspot.com/2014/08/the-speculative-fiction-blog-hop.html
Cora Buhlert: http://corabuhlert.com/2014/07/28/the-speculative-fiction-blog-hop/
Jessica Rydill: http://livinginthemaniototo.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/speculative-fiction-writing-process.html
Jamie Maltman: http://www.jamiemaltman.com/2014/07/14/writing-process-blog-tour/
Marilyn Peake: https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_posts/6593691-speculative-fiction-blog-hop
Nic Wilson: http://nicolaswilson.com/index.php/announcements-1/spec-fic-blog-hop
David Pagan: http://davidpagan.wordpress.com/2014/06/23/the-writing-process-blog-hop/
Travis Hill: http://www.angrygames.com/?p=699
Cherise Kelley: http://size12bystpatricksday.blogspot.com/2014/06/speculative-fiction-blog-hop.html
RJ Crayton: http://www.rjcrayton.com/2014/06/02/speculative-fiction-writing-method-blog-hop/
Sandra K. Williams: http://sandrakwilliams.net/?p=360
S. Elliot Brandis: http://selliotbrandis.com/2014/05/18/the-speculative-fiction-blog-hop/
Elle Chambers: http://indiespiritpress.com/2014/05/12/the-writing-process-blog-hop/
William D. Richards: http://blog.williamdrichards.com/2014/05/the-writing-process-blog-tour.html
Michael Patrick Hicks: http://michaelpatrickhicks.com/2014/05/05/the-writing-process-blog-tour/
Cat Amesbury: http://catamesbury.wordpress.com/2014/04/28/the-writing-process-blog-hop/
Heidi Garrett: http://www.heidigwrites.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-writing-process-blog-tour.html#blog
If you're a spec fic author and want to participate in the blog hop, please contact Sheila_Guthrie. (The link takes you to the KBoards). You can also contact Sheila via her blog here.
Acknowledgements: Thank you to Heidi Garrett for starting the ball rolling, Sheila Guthrie for taking it up and Sandra K. Williams for keeping the long list of links updated.
September 28, 2014
Meet my character, Yuda Vasilyevich
#477912827 / gettyimages.com
This is a new, character-focussed blog hop. I pick up the baton from Stacy Claflin. Stacy wrote about her character, Macy Mercer, on 22nd September: http://stacyclaflin.com/2014/09/22/meet-my-character-macy-mercer/
So, without more ado, let me introduce you to Stacy:
I have always been an avid reader and a writer. When I was a teenager, I would always be in the middle of at least five books. Not only could I keep up with each story line, but I also never needed a bookmark! I could grab any of the books that I was reading and remember what page I left off on! I don’t have that talent anymore. I’m lucky to remember what I went into the kitchen for when I get there!
I’ve been writing and telling stories for as long as I can remember. As a kid, my story telling would get me into trouble when I would try to convince others that my stories were real. I think I scarred my younger cousin for life with my Cavity Monster story!
These days I write paranormal romantic suspense and later this month I’m releasing a suspense that beta readers call a psychological thriller. I’m also dabbling in contemporary romance, so nothing is off limits for my writing, although I can’t seem to stay away from suspense. Everything has that element. I’m the mom of two amazing and adorable boys. I educate my boys from home. Oh, and I run a home daycare too. Some ask how I can get any writing done at all. That’s simple, I get up around 4:00 in the morning every weekday so that I can get my writing in! I’m also a thyroid cancer survivor, I have been cancer free since 2008!
Links: Website | Amazon | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | G+
Meet my character, Yuda Vasilyevich
1) What is the name of your character? Is he fictional or a historic person?His name is Yuda Vasilyevich and he is entirely fictional.
2) When and where is the story set?
The story is set in a country called Lefranu, which resembles 19th century France, with some key differences. The action takes place in roughly the 1850s, with steam-powered technology, and has a steampunk flavour.
3) What should we know about him?
Yuda is a shaman, one of twins born to a Wanderer family. The Wanderers, like the Jews, are social outcasts, which affects him profoundly and shapes his attitude to life. He and his sister Yuste are called shamans because they were born with magical powers. As a child, he was small and weedy, and he was bullied at school. But after adolescence, he grew into his skin and became better-looking and a lot more powerful.
He’s a short guy with a big ego. He’s driven, mercurial and charismatic. He’s also bisexual, like most (if not all) shamans. At the time of the stories he’s faithful to one man, but occasionally sleeps with women. Then he falls in love with his best friend’s wife. The mystery is why (and how) he inspires so much loyalty and devotion.
4) What is the main conflict? What messes up his life?
Yuda’s life is massively messed up by guilt. He abandoned his first wife, leaving his children to be brought up by his sister and his parents after she killed herself. His father wanted him to become a doctor but instead he chose to work as a railway guard. He also had a huge fight with his twin sister and used his powers, damaged her physically.
The Wanderer Laws aren’t that tolerant of homosexuality, so he is haunted by that as well.
All this is happening in the background of the first book, where he takes over the care of his teenage children. He takes them with him on a dangerous mission to the northern frontier lands, in attempt to get to know them. They have a stormy relationship with him and immediately get into difficulties.
5) What is the personal goal of the character?
Well, that’s a bit of a spoiler. He’s not a hero on a quest in the normal sense of the word. He’s an agent of the Railway People and carries out the missions they send him on. I suppose he would see his goal as wanting to be at peace with himself. In practice, he’s trying to reconcile the different parts of his nature, and to live according to the ideals with which he was brought up. They were high ideals, and he keeps failing.
Otherwise, his personal goals are smoking, drinking schnapps and getting laid. And trying not to get killed.
6) What is the title of the novel, and where can find out more?
Children of the Shaman, and you can find out more at shamansland.com. It’s the first book in my shamanworld series.
7) When was the book published?
Children of the Shaman was published in May 2014 as an eBook. It originally came out in 2001 as a paperback in the US and the UK.
The eBook edition has been revised, so there are differences from the original.
Links: Website | Amazon | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | G+
Next week on the tour…Cora Buhlert!
Cora Buhlert was born and bred in North Germany, where she still lives today – after time spent in London, Singapore, Rotterdam and Mississippi. Cora holds an MA degree in English from the University of Bremen and is currently working towards her PhD. Cora has been writing, since she was a teenager, and has published stories, articles and poetry in various international magazines. When she is not writing, she works as a translator and teacher. Visit her on the web at www.corabuhlert.com or follow her on Twitter under @CoraBuhlert.
Buy her books at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple iTunes, Kobo, AllRomance e-books, DriveThruFiction and XinXii or borrow them at Scribd.
This is a new, character-focussed blog hop. I pick up the baton from Stacy Claflin. Stacy wrote about her character, Macy Mercer, on 22nd September: http://stacyclaflin.com/2014/09/22/meet-my-character-macy-mercer/
So, without more ado, let me introduce you to Stacy:
I have always been an avid reader and a writer. When I was a teenager, I would always be in the middle of at least five books. Not only could I keep up with each story line, but I also never needed a bookmark! I could grab any of the books that I was reading and remember what page I left off on! I don’t have that talent anymore. I’m lucky to remember what I went into the kitchen for when I get there!I’ve been writing and telling stories for as long as I can remember. As a kid, my story telling would get me into trouble when I would try to convince others that my stories were real. I think I scarred my younger cousin for life with my Cavity Monster story!
These days I write paranormal romantic suspense and later this month I’m releasing a suspense that beta readers call a psychological thriller. I’m also dabbling in contemporary romance, so nothing is off limits for my writing, although I can’t seem to stay away from suspense. Everything has that element. I’m the mom of two amazing and adorable boys. I educate my boys from home. Oh, and I run a home daycare too. Some ask how I can get any writing done at all. That’s simple, I get up around 4:00 in the morning every weekday so that I can get my writing in! I’m also a thyroid cancer survivor, I have been cancer free since 2008!
Links: Website | Amazon | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | G+
Meet my character, Yuda Vasilyevich
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1) What is the name of your character? Is he fictional or a historic person?His name is Yuda Vasilyevich and he is entirely fictional.
2) When and where is the story set?
The story is set in a country called Lefranu, which resembles 19th century France, with some key differences. The action takes place in roughly the 1850s, with steam-powered technology, and has a steampunk flavour.
3) What should we know about him?
Yuda is a shaman, one of twins born to a Wanderer family. The Wanderers, like the Jews, are social outcasts, which affects him profoundly and shapes his attitude to life. He and his sister Yuste are called shamans because they were born with magical powers. As a child, he was small and weedy, and he was bullied at school. But after adolescence, he grew into his skin and became better-looking and a lot more powerful.
He’s a short guy with a big ego. He’s driven, mercurial and charismatic. He’s also bisexual, like most (if not all) shamans. At the time of the stories he’s faithful to one man, but occasionally sleeps with women. Then he falls in love with his best friend’s wife. The mystery is why (and how) he inspires so much loyalty and devotion.
4) What is the main conflict? What messes up his life?
Yuda’s life is massively messed up by guilt. He abandoned his first wife, leaving his children to be brought up by his sister and his parents after she killed herself. His father wanted him to become a doctor but instead he chose to work as a railway guard. He also had a huge fight with his twin sister and used his powers, damaged her physically.
The Wanderer Laws aren’t that tolerant of homosexuality, so he is haunted by that as well.
All this is happening in the background of the first book, where he takes over the care of his teenage children. He takes them with him on a dangerous mission to the northern frontier lands, in attempt to get to know them. They have a stormy relationship with him and immediately get into difficulties.
5) What is the personal goal of the character?
Well, that’s a bit of a spoiler. He’s not a hero on a quest in the normal sense of the word. He’s an agent of the Railway People and carries out the missions they send him on. I suppose he would see his goal as wanting to be at peace with himself. In practice, he’s trying to reconcile the different parts of his nature, and to live according to the ideals with which he was brought up. They were high ideals, and he keeps failing.
Otherwise, his personal goals are smoking, drinking schnapps and getting laid. And trying not to get killed.
6) What is the title of the novel, and where can find out more?
Children of the Shaman, and you can find out more at shamansland.com. It’s the first book in my shamanworld series.
7) When was the book published?
Children of the Shaman was published in May 2014 as an eBook. It originally came out in 2001 as a paperback in the US and the UK.
The eBook edition has been revised, so there are differences from the original.
Links: Website | Amazon | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | G+
Next week on the tour…Cora Buhlert!
Cora Buhlert was born and bred in North Germany, where she still lives today – after time spent in London, Singapore, Rotterdam and Mississippi. Cora holds an MA degree in English from the University of Bremen and is currently working towards her PhD. Cora has been writing, since she was a teenager, and has published stories, articles and poetry in various international magazines. When she is not writing, she works as a translator and teacher. Visit her on the web at www.corabuhlert.com or follow her on Twitter under @CoraBuhlert.Buy her books at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple iTunes, Kobo, AllRomance e-books, DriveThruFiction and XinXii or borrow them at Scribd.
September 26, 2014
Short story - The Alukah
I have just published a short story on Amazon, The Alukah. It is based loosely on my time sharing a flat in Stoke Newington with two friends, in 1983. It is also an urban fantasy, and may have connections with my shamanworld series.
The Alukah arose from a desire to recapture 1980's Stoke Newington, and to use the setting to introduce fantastic elements. In particular, to explore the idea that two characters from Mir, my shamanworld, might have visited this world.
The cover art was made using Amazon's cover art creator.
The blurb: When student Jim Hopkins gets the bus home to Stoke Newington one night, he has an encounter that changes his life - and his views on magic and vampires.
In due course, I am going to make a collection of my short stories, which are not available anywhere else.
The Alukah is 99c and is available from Amazon, Amazon UK and the other Amazon stores.
The Alukah arose from a desire to recapture 1980's Stoke Newington, and to use the setting to introduce fantastic elements. In particular, to explore the idea that two characters from Mir, my shamanworld, might have visited this world.
The cover art was made using Amazon's cover art creator.
The blurb: When student Jim Hopkins gets the bus home to Stoke Newington one night, he has an encounter that changes his life - and his views on magic and vampires.
In due course, I am going to make a collection of my short stories, which are not available anywhere else.
The Alukah is 99c and is available from Amazon, Amazon UK and the other Amazon stores.
September 19, 2014
Speculative Fiction Showcase: The Glass Mountain (Mir: Shamanworld Book 2) by Je...
My old, new book gets featured on the Speculative Fiction Showcase.
Speculative Fiction Showcase: The Glass Mountain (Mir: Shamanworld Book 2) by Je...: Subgenre: Fantasy/Historical Fantasy Release Date: August 9, 2014 ABOUT Glass Mountain: Now aged sixteen, Annat is living in th...
Lots more interesting stuff including a new release from Cora Buhlert and a weekly round-up of Speculative Fiction links.
Speculative Fiction Showcase: The Glass Mountain (Mir: Shamanworld Book 2) by Je...: Subgenre: Fantasy/Historical Fantasy Release Date: August 9, 2014 ABOUT Glass Mountain: Now aged sixteen, Annat is living in th...
Lots more interesting stuff including a new release from Cora Buhlert and a weekly round-up of Speculative Fiction links.
September 17, 2014
Speculative Fiction Blog Hop - Dean F. Wilson
This week's speculative fiction blog hopper is Dean F. Wilson. Dean is the latest author to take up the story of his writing process.
Dean is the author of the fantasy series The Children of Telm , and short stories about The Memory Magus . He is now working on a steampunk novel (yay!).
Says Dean:
I write in the fantasy genre because of the freedom it gives me to tell amazing stories that are, on the surface, fantastical, but underneath explore real human issues.Here's the link to the whole post: http://deanfwilson.com/2014/09/speculative-fiction-blog-hop/
Forthcoming blog posts:
September 22: Open
September 29: S B James
October 6: Amelia Smith
There are plenty of openings, and you don't have to be a member of the KBoards.
Previous blog posts:
Carole McDonnell: http://carolemcdonnell.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/speculative-fiction-writing-blog-hop.html
Harry Manners: http://harrymanners.wordpress.com/2014/09/01/speculative-fiction-blog-hop/
Sheila Guthrie: http://newsfromsheilasworld.blogspot.com/2014/08/the-speculative-fiction-writing-process.html
Vincent Trigili: http://www.losttalesofpower.com/2014/08/18/speculative-fiction-blog-hop/
Ceinwen Langley: http://ceinwenlangley.com/2014/08/11/the-speculative-fiction-blog-hop/
Kevin Hardman: http://kevinhardman.blogspot.com/2014/08/the-speculative-fiction-blog-hop.html
Cora Buhlert: http://corabuhlert.com/2014/07/28/the-speculative-fiction-blog-hop/
Jessica Rydill: http://livinginthemaniototo.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/speculative-fiction-writing-process.html
Jamie Maltman: http://www.jamiemaltman.com/2014/07/14/writing-process-blog-tour/
Marilyn Peake: https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_posts/6593691-speculative-fiction-blog-hop
Nic Wilson: http://nicolaswilson.com/index.php/announcements-1/spec-fic-blog-hop
David Pagan: http://davidpagan.wordpress.com/2014/06/23/the-writing-process-blog-hop/
Travis Hill: http://www.angrygames.com/?p=699
Cherise Kelley: http://size12bystpatricksday.blogspot.com/2014/06/speculative-fiction-blog-hop.html
RJ Crayton: http://www.rjcrayton.com/2014/06/02/speculative-fiction-writing-method-blog-hop/
Sandra K. Williams: http://sandrakwilliams.net/?p=360
S. Elliot Brandis: http://selliotbrandis.com/2014/05/18/the-speculative-fiction-blog-hop/
Elle Chambers: http://indiespiritpress.com/2014/05/12/the-writing-process-blog-hop/
William D. Richards: http://blog.williamdrichards.com/2014/05/the-writing-process-blog-tour.html
Michael Patrick Hicks: http://michaelpatrickhicks.com/2014/05/05/the-writing-process-blog-tour/
Cat Amesbury: http://catamesbury.wordpress.com/2014/04/28/the-writing-process-blog-hop/
Heidi Garrett: http://www.heidigwrites.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-writing-process-blog-tour.html#blog
If you're a spec fic author and want to participate in the blog hop, please contact Sheila_Guthrie. (The link takes you to the KBoards). You can also contact Sheila via her blog here.
Acknowledgements: Thank you to Heidi Garrett for starting the ball rolling, Sheila Guthrie for taking it up and Sandra K. Williams for keeping the long list of links updated.
September 10, 2014
Malarat reviewed at Black Gate
I am delighted that Malarat has received a review from Donald Crankshaw at Black Gate, as part of his series on self-published fantasy.
Malarat is the third book in my Mir: shamanworld series, and the first to be self-published.
Short extract from the review:
Malarat’s cover says that it’s a “Novel of Love Beyond Death,” and this is certainly an instance of truth in advertising. About halfway through the novel, several of the main characters die. Just as you think the story will be about the survivors and how they deal with the loss of their friends, the story then follows the dead characters into the afterlife.Read on to see his verdict... http://www.blackgate.com/2014/09/07/self-published-book-review-malarat-by-jessica-rydill/
Donald Crankshaw is also putting out a call for indie books to review:
If you have a book you’d like me to review, please see the submission guidelines here. I’ve run short on books that I’ve received in the past year, so anything new has a good chance of being reviewed.
Malarat can be found on Amazon here and on Amazon UK here...
September 8, 2014
Speculative Fiction Blog Hop - Carole McDonnell
This week, I'm really delighted to announce that my friend Carole McDonnell is doing the Speculative Fiction Blog Hop!
Carole is a fantasy writer and author of The Constant Tower and Wind Follower. She is currently working on a YA contemporary fantasy, My Life as an Onion. Carole has also written numerous short stories, reviews and essays, including a contribution to the acclaimed Griots: A Sword and Soul Anthology, edited by Charles Saunders and Milton Davis.
Here Carole explains what makes her writing distinctive:
My stories are pagan, anthropological, multicultural, and Christian epic fantasy. Yet they transcend race and religion. My characters are Black but my stories are not really afro-centric, although they have racial concerns. My genre is called sword and soul. Even when I write steamfunk -- the black equivalent of steampunk-- my stories transcend race.Read the whole post about her writing process here: http://carolemcdonnell.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/speculative-fiction-writing-blog-hop.html
Forthcoming blog posts:
September 15: Dean F. Wilson
September 22: Open
September 29: S B James
October 6: Amelia Smith
There are plenty of openings, and you don't have to be a member of the KBoards.
Previous blog posts:
Harry Manners: http://harrymanners.wordpress.com/2014/09/01/speculative-fiction-blog-hop/
Sheila Guthrie: http://newsfromsheilasworld.blogspot.com/2014/08/the-speculative-fiction-writing-process.html
Vincent Trigili: http://www.losttalesofpower.com/2014/08/18/speculative-fiction-blog-hop/
Ceinwen Langley: http://ceinwenlangley.com/2014/08/11/the-speculative-fiction-blog-hop/
Kevin Hardman: http://kevinhardman.blogspot.com/2014/08/the-speculative-fiction-blog-hop.html
Cora Buhlert: http://corabuhlert.com/2014/07/28/the-speculative-fiction-blog-hop/
Jessica Rydill: http://livinginthemaniototo.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/speculative-fiction-writing-process.html
Jamie Maltman: http://www.jamiemaltman.com/2014/07/14/writing-process-blog-tour/
Marilyn Peake: https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_posts/6593691-speculative-fiction-blog-hop
Nic Wilson: http://nicolaswilson.com/index.php/announcements-1/spec-fic-blog-hop
David Pagan: http://davidpagan.wordpress.com/2014/06/23/the-writing-process-blog-hop/
Travis Hill: http://www.angrygames.com/?p=699
Cherise Kelley: http://size12bystpatricksday.blogspot.com/2014/06/speculative-fiction-blog-hop.html
RJ Crayton: http://www.rjcrayton.com/2014/06/02/speculative-fiction-writing-method-blog-hop/
Sandra K. Williams: http://sandrakwilliams.net/?p=360
S. Elliot Brandis: http://selliotbrandis.com/2014/05/18/the-speculative-fiction-blog-hop/
Elle Chambers: http://indiespiritpress.com/2014/05/12/the-writing-process-blog-hop/
William D. Richards: http://blog.williamdrichards.com/2014/05/the-writing-process-blog-tour.html
Michael Patrick Hicks: http://michaelpatrickhicks.com/2014/05/05/the-writing-process-blog-tour/
Cat Amesbury: http://catamesbury.wordpress.com/2014/04/28/the-writing-process-blog-hop/
Heidi Garrett: http://www.heidigwrites.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-writing-process-blog-tour.html#blog
If you're a spec fic author and want to participate in the blog hop, please contact Sheila_Guthrie. (The link takes you to the KBoards). You can also contact Sheila via her blog here.
Acknowledgements: Thank you to Heidi Garrett for starting the ball rolling, Sheila Guthrie for taking it up and Sandra K. Williams for keeping the long list of links updated.
