Life is a journey filled with self-discovery. (If that isn't a well-known quote, it sure sounds like it could be, doesn't it?). Without getting specific about my age--ahem--I'll just state that I feel I've got enough years under my belt now to have a clear idea of who I am.
Yet, just the other day, I was caught off-guard by a question posed to me in an author interview regarding the launch of my new free short story about the Estilorians, The Prophecy. The question observed that the story has a strong theme of faith (in oneself, in friends, in the unknown) woven throughout, and the interviewer asked if I had planned it that way. (If you'd like to read the interview, please check it out here).
This might seem like a straightforward question. The interviewer read the story before drafting the questions, and this particular theme caught her attention. Simple. What surprised me, however, wasn't that she asked that question...but that I'd had no idea that theme was so prevalent in the story. Wow.
It got me thinking. And I've since come to realize that this theme of believing in oneself as well as others and using that faith to overcome obstacles isn't just in The Prophecy. It's in nearly everything I write.
How did I get through thirty--er, we'll leave it at that--years without knowing this about my writing style?
Don't get me wrong. I'm a positive person by nature. In fact, I tend to drive my more "realistic" family members and friends nuts by always pointing out the bright side and rarely focusing on the negative. So the fact that my books present characters who overcome challenges is understandable. Indeed, that's the basis of writing most fiction!
But I'm not a gal who attends church every week; in fact, I'm not religious at all. At best, I could be considered a "spiritual" person. Thus, reading the interview question asking about the theme of faith in The Prophecy (yes, I'm now aware of how even the title ties into this theme), made me scratch my head and wonder just how well I really know myself.
The bottom line is that the theme of faith IS in the short story. It's also an under-riding theme in my Daughters of Saraqael trilogy and the forthcoming Firstborn trilogy. And I was absolutely unaware of that theme when I wrote them. It was an "Aha!" moment, to say the least.
I'm curious to know if there are any writers out there who have experienced this. Is there a subtle theme to your writing, maybe one of which you were previously unaware? What is it about your various works that unifies them? Are you surprised by this?
And readers, are there any books that you feel contain secondary themes the author(s) might not have intended or realized? How did this impact your decision to read other books by that author?
Let me know I'm not alone in this voyage of self-discovery...
As an author, I do strive to make my heroines less than perfect because, as a reader, I love to read about real people and real life even if it’s fiction.Like everyone else, I read a lot, particularly anything paranormal and women’s fiction, which includes romance and chick-lit. Recently, my best friend and I talked about our favorite books and how many of them don’t usually include activities we do in real life, such as taking showers or brushing our teeth. So I have compiled a list of the top ten (often funny) things heroines don’t seem to be bothered with in fiction.
10. They never carry a handbag
In a time when celebrities seem to be into ever larger bags, think stuff that resembles suitcases, I find it quite strange that heroines in fiction seem to get away with stuffing their wallets, toiletries, keys and what else not inside their coats and pockets (if they have any.) In many books they just seem to fish whatever they need from the air.
9. Have no allergies
Oh, how I envy them. I don’t know about you, but I always have some sort of sneezing, itchy eyes or runny nose trouble going on due to my dust mite and nut allergies, hayfever etc., which is why I always have eye drops or Claritin available.
8. Have no job/bills to pay
Most fiction heroines have no job, and if they do, you never read about them visiting their bank, checking their account balance, paying their bills, etc. Doesn’t that sound like bliss?
7. Have all the time in the world
In real life, we organize our time schedule very carefully, but still find ourselves rushing to get everything done due to unforeseen circumstances and hassles while our heroines breeze through their days effortlessly, with minimal resistance and without encountering any trivialities such as having to clean the carpet because the cute puppy has just made a mess.There’s only so many hours in a day. Most of us arrive home from one’s job, do the cooking, the cleaning, help the kids with their homework. By the time we’re done, it’s midnight and we can’t wait to hit the pillow only to wake up six hours later to start the whole day regime aka ordeal again. Wouldn’t it be lovely to spend a day like many fiction heroines, meeting friends for lunch and sipping margaritas while complaining about our wee troubles, such as men, that wouldn’t include squeezing in time to iron the laundry, which brings me to the next point.
6. No real life problems
Have you ever read about a blocked drain? No, me neither, even though my friends and I swap experiences on how to remove all the disgusting stuff about once a month. I wouldn’t mind swapping all the tiny inconveniences such as cleaning blocked drains for being hunted by a zombie or a blood-craving (yet very sexy) vampire.
5. She doesn't really have to look for Mr. Right…and he’s rich!
Remember that one book in which the rich guy stalks the heroine, showers her with flowers, expensive dinners and gorgeous designer jewelry? You don’t know which book I’m talking about ‘cause there’s so many of them? Exactly.
4. Everyone’s gorgeous
If there’s something my best mate and I agree strongly on it’s that in most books the heroine and everyone else are described as strikingly beautiful, which means no bad skin, no bad hair day, no ounce of fat on the bones...and it’s all natural. Too bad for us, the beauty clinic they used isn’t mentioned, otherwise we would all line up to get the perfect body without looking fake.
3. The super clever, the super stupid, and the super popular
Have you ever noticed how some heroines always seem to figure out everything? They must be either psychic, or they have Apple’s newest chip inside their brain. Either way, I’d love to be like that. Might’ve saved me a few bad turns in life. Then there are the ones who make one stupid mistake after another, making us wanna scream and rip our hair out in despair. And finally, the super popular heroines. But where are the normal guys and girls, you know, the ones who have to learn from their mistakes? Just saying.
2. No food
In books, heroines seem to go endlessly without food and water. They’re never starving, which in return means they never have to prepare breakfast, lunch or dinner. This might explain point 6, i.e., why they never have to rush anywhere…unless it’s a hot date. It might also explain why they never visit the restroom unless to apply makeup or gossip.
1.No mood swings
I’m not a moody person, but I do find that my circumstances and physical/mental wellbeing influence my moods a little bit. We hardly ever find that in fiction. Everyone’s so consistent.
Please do share your thoughts and anything you might’ve noticed below.
Writing is a solitary profession, right? We spend hours on our laptops, weaving new worlds, using every scrap of our imaginations to create a novel. Then we toil away with paper copies of our books, marking up every sentence in an effort to hone it into a perfect piece so maybe, just maybe, one day a reader will connect with it. Once it's published, we tell everyone who'll listen about our book and at the end of the day, we collapse into bed with the stirrings of a new story dancing in our minds.
But wait...there's something I'm forgetting. What is it? Let's see...solitary writing, solitary editing, solitary promotion. Right?
WRONG!
My newest novel, Severed, dropped last week. I'm really happy with the way it turned out. Why? Because I am surrounded by a community of writers who've been with me every step of the way. I wanted to share my acknowledgements with you because, to me, the people who've helped me along the way are just as integral to the book as I am.
Acknowledgements:
Being as Severed is the final book in a trilogy, I feel as though I should thank every person who has passed through my life since I wrote Anathema’s first word in 2009. Instead of filling the end of this book with oodles of names, I will attempt to contain my thanks to those who specifically touched Severed in some way.
First, a huge thank you to my husband, Tim. His eagerness to help me work through plot issues, listen to me when I’m in the depths of despair over writing, and even read through my manuscripts for errors means more than he knows. Thanks to my kids who understand that sometimes mom needs to hide in her bedroom and scream at her computer. Thanks to my babysitter, Amanda, who kept my kids occupied for many hours while I wrote Severed during the summer.
Many thanks to my parents who have supported me every step of the way. They not only tolerated my weirdness, but encouraged it. My dad gave me the gift of questions. Even though he didn’t always have the answers, he told me to never stop asking. My mom, who is the most well-read person I’ve ever met, also combs through my manuscripts - and she’s not afraid to tell me when I’m wrong.
Then there are my so-called minions - Cassie, Lexi, and Maddie - who helped me pass out bookmarks to total strangers before a parade. They’re awesome and some of my favorite teens!
Professionally, I need to thank Angela Carlie.Without her, Severed would be a hot mess. She points out my weaknesses and gets me laughing about them. For someone who spent so many pages telling me how wrong I was, she also did an amazing job of making me feel, and write, stronger. Support from the rest of ladies at DarkSide Publishing means a lot. In addition to Angela, I have Karly Kirkpatrick, GP Ching, and Magan Vernon to thank.
Thank you to Stephanie Overton, not just for naming Zuri, but for being one of my most vocal supporters! I want to toss some other names out there - writers who have joined my journey, shared their expertise, and commiserated with me: Danyelle Leafty, Alison Hertz, Kristina Springer, PJHoover, Michelle Muto, Sarra Cannon, Megan Duncan, Kim Winters, and CherieColyer. If your name isn’t there, it’s not malice, it’s just that I had to cut it off somewhere.
Where am I without my book bloggers, readers, Twitter followers, and Facebook fans? Their generosity and eagerness spurred me to continue writing, even on the days I doubted my path as a novelist. I love each of you guys and while I’d love to name everyone one of you here, the names would number in the thousands.
Finally, Severed also owes much to the genius of Mark Williams. He discovered Anathema, befriended me, and since then we’ve inspired each other to achieve more than either of us thought possible one year ago. He’s a champion for my work and I couldn’t ask for more.
Severed may be the end of the Cloud Prophet Trilogy, but it’s only the beginning of my publishing journey. Thank you to everyone who’s taken my hand and walked with me.
Recently I decided it would be a good idea to interview a reader instead of an author. This is an interview with Lara; she is a mother of two grown boys and wife to a fabulous chef. She and I got to know each other as I wrote The Legacy of Kilkenny and she became one of my Lovies.
Lara, thank you so much for this interview. I appreciate you taking time out to answer my questions. I thought as a writer, it is interesting and imperative to find out what the reader wants, it helps us to know our market.
As a reader, what POV do you prefer? Do you like first person?
Lara: It depends on where the story is going and how the author can take you on your journey. I tend to like a first person point of view because you get a more in-depth view of the character.
In a character, what do you look for? Do you like the damsel in distress? Strong willed characters?
Lara: I tend to like the stronger characters; I love a good hero that can swoop in and save the day.
Me: Oh yeah, I do to!
What genre has been your go-to over the last year? Why?
Lara: I have always been a supernatural/horror kind of girl. I like to be able to climb into a good book and let go of real life for a while.
Me: It is nice to escape isn’t it?
Do you have an e-reader? If so, do you prefer ebooks or the kind you can hold and feel the pages?
Lara: I do, and I L-O-V-E it!!! It is kind of bittersweet to me on my preferences. One of my favorite smells in the world is books….I know, crazy, but I look at the one small contribution that I am making toward senseless tree slaughter.
Me: I feel exactly the same way! I’ve met a lot of people that read the book on the e-reader, but buy the book too.
So tell me what entices you to read a book? Is it the cover, or do you read reviews of books and decide from there?
Lara: I tend to read a lot of reviews, and word of mouth goes a long way, but that is not to say that a good cover has not caught my eye and made me pick up a book and look it over.
Do you write reviews of books and post them on a blog? Do you rate books on Goodreads?
Lara: One of two things has to happen for me to take the time to write a review, I either have to really love it or really hate it. Those poor people with mediocre books will never hear from me. I do have an account with Goodreads, but since I have a nook, I tend to review on their website.
Do you read any Indie books? If so, what made you take the chance on them?
Lara: I will read just about anything, I don’t really care who wrote it. As long as it looks like it will be a good book, I am in.
Me: Thank you on behalf of the Indie community!
What is your view of the new rage of self published authors?
Lara: More power to you!!!!! I love the fact that someone can have the initiative to get out there and do something for themselves, it is a hard business to break into and sometimes you just have to take matters into your own hands.
Christmas is around the corner, so tell me, do you give books as gifts for children? Do you look at the illustrations or the message?
Lara: I think that a book is one of the best gifts you can give a child. I have 2 children and they had a ton of books. The message is can be a powerful tool that will stay with a child that will be recollected throughout the years.
Me: I agree with you. I couldn’t imagine a world or children without books.
I’m sure it feels like I’ve grilled you to death. This is my final question (with multiple parts), here we go. Quick! Other than yours truly, who is your favorite author right now? Last year? High school? Growing up?
Lara: Mr. Stephen King is my man. I have read his books since I was in middle school, I am pretty sure that covers all of the above time frames.
Me: Oh, he was my favorite in high school. Thank you for participating and thank you for all of your wisdom this last year.
I hope everyone found this helpful as they are taking into consideration what our readers are looking for. As the holiday approaches, I wish everyone a safe and happy season. Remember to be kind to everyone, they might be writing the next best seller and you don’t want to be the villain. ~ Devyn
Hello! First I wish to thank Emma for the invitation to do a Guest Post here on The Writer’s Voice. My name is Áine P Massie and I am the author of the House Millar series – Blood’s Voice and Blood Bound.
One question I get over and over is why paranormal and ‘seriously, why a broken vamp?’ I always find these questions and the theme to be a bit odd. Why does anyone write in a specific genre, or even read a certain type of book?
For me, reading and writing are both passions and the thought of writing – or reading for that matter – something that I don’t enjoy seems pointless and well, painful. Reading what I want only is one of the great perks of graduation. :D I love reading! It’s just that simple for me. If I don’t have at least a little time each day to just read I think I’d go mad, seriously. It’s my escape, my adventure, my little slice of mmm . . . Lately I seem to have even more than one book going at a time – often both print and eBook – and wish I had more time to read. Children, writing, and life tend to interfere, lol.
As to why a “broken” vamp? Well . . . a vampire that was just your normal, run of the mill, boring ole bloodsucker just didn’t sound like anything fun to play or write about. Anya, the ‘voice’ of Blood’s Voice, has little to no memory of the first over 200 years of her life. She started off as a character outline for a RPG I was playing and it sounded like fun to go completely off centre for a bit with this one. I mean, if it’s all fantasy and fiction to a point, why not have a little fun and write for yourself, not just what others say will work?
I’ve read so many paranormal books – most of which I adored! – and have always loved the variation of themes even within a set type or style. A were cat instead of wolf. A sexy male witch (and no, the word is not warlock) who fights demons and seduces normals. Paranormal stories where the ‘freak’ character doesn’t even believe in the paranormal world that the character is a part of. There are so many out there that I usually answer “Why not a mostly moral, slightly mad, vampire?”
I invite you to take a chance on a different point of view about vampirism and the world by checking out the House Millar series and seeing for yourself and vamps can still be passionate, tormented, fanged creatures and still have fun, even in the light of day (though they have to be more careful of course ;) )
Author Bio:
Áine P Massie is originally from Florida, she now lives in Wisconsin where she works on her House Millar series full time while raising four children (the term herding cats comes to mind). Her major in College was Childhood Education (0-5) with a minor study in Deaf Culture/ASL. She is also a Wiccan priestess dedicated to the gods, family, and love.
A life-long reader, Áine has always had a particular fascination with vampires, mythology, and the unusual. When she can escape from her children and books, she enjoys … oh yes, reading, playing, ritual, a good cappuccino, and working with her healing stones.
Her first published work came in high school where she was part of a writing and drama group. But, she’s been reading the likes of Shakespeare and Poe since late elementary school and enjoys most forms of fiction. Blood’s Voice has been a long time in coming and with its publication (June 2011) Áine embarked on a new chapter in her life.
Áine P Massie is currently working on her third novel, Glamour Blade.
A big thank you and warm welcome to Rachel Cole who is offering one copy of her anthology to a lucky winner!
Beyond The Veil: A Ghost Story Anthology
Beyond The Veil is an anthology of ghost and spirit stories that encompass everything from vengeance, closure, or justice from beyond the grave, to portals from which sinister things can enter our world. Take a ride through these stories and explore some of the possibilities of existence beyond life.
Bees of St. John:
Shana Latray needs a vacation. Her life as a telecommunications service provider feels like a dead end. St. John of the Virgin Islands seems like paradise, but behind the frozen drinks, and the beaches, is a complicated history of invasion and ancient predators. Shana Latray realizes quickly that nothing, from the warm, friendly locals, to the ever-present bees among the profuse tropical flowers, are at all what they seem.
Kisses:
Terry Cooper always hated Valentine's Day, more so since losing her husband. In fact, she hated it so much, she inadvertently put a curse on it. Now, dreadful things are happening on this romantic holiday, as anyone who is kissed will die. And in the midst of this crisis, is a strange ancient ghost warning Terry that only she can revoke the curse. But she doesn't know how. What she does know is that if she doesn't find a way, for hundreds of people across the city, their Valentine's Day kisses will be their last.
Tribulations of a Jewish Vampire:
Becoming a vampire was not on Leah Horowitz's list of life goals. Contrary to all the romantic and dark hype about the sexy life of vampires in the movies and books, Leah's life, when she was turned after her fatal motorcycle accident was anything but glamorous. With no guidance but her still human wedding-happy cousin, her orthodox Jewish aunt, and skeptical mother, she almost dies as her culture and her needs as a vampire clash.
Full Circle:
Life for Jim Red Eagle and his family is unfair. He is an auto-mechanic in his Lakota community, who runs a simple honest business. When his son is involved in an accident that leaves him paralyzed, and he can't seem to find anyone who can help them, he starts falling apart. As he sits in the hospital chapel, wondering what to do, a mysterious Irishman shows up. As the two men get to know each other, and the man's shocking history are revealed, Jim finds that good deeds in the past can return in forms he never expected.
The Muse:
Do you ever feel like statues can hear you, see you, feel your presence? Eliza Shourd is a sometime sculptor, filling credits with an art class while she works through another degree. But after falling asleep by the Platte River in the middle of the night, and waking up to a disturbing drawing she didn't remember doing, her life, and her art takes a turn for the dark. When people in her life begin disappearing, she returns to the river to find out why.
We decided to take today to say how thankful we are for having you in our lives! None of us would be here without our readers, families, friends, fellow authors, bloggers and everyone else who supports each of us. Thank you so much for being there for us, for being our readers and more than that, for being our inspiration.
My novels, The Magic Warble and The Black Shard, are fantasy stories, listed as Juvenile fiction. But even though labeled for kids and teens, I know that some of us seasoned adults still have a trace of that childlike wonder in us that provokes us to
escape into a magical world every now and then … at least I still do.
Growing up reading C.S. Lewis’s beloved Narnia Chronicles has influenced me in writing The Magic Warble, a story about a 12 year old girl named Kristina Kingsly, who hates to go to school because she doesn’t fit in. She’s bullied by some of her peers, and they make her daily life miserable. I created this aspect of my main character's life because as a child I had experienced dealing with bullies in school, and I remember hating to go because of them.
The Black Shard is the sequel to The Magic Warble, and it takes place 3 years later when Kristina is 15 years old. She and her school-mates are once again magically transported back to the land of Bernovem. This story is not only filled with adventure, intrigue, and suspense, but it also deals with those first feelings of teenage love.
The Magic Warble and The Black Shard's underlying message is one of faith, hope, perseverance, friendship and love.
I would now like to invite you to check out the sequel to The Magic Warble, titled, "The Black Shard" newly released this November / 11. @ http://www.theblackshard.com/ .
I finally had the opportunity to watch the last of the Harry Potter films yesterday. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, and I loved it. The film was directed by David Yates, who directed final four Harry Potter movies, and was another epic fantasy film.
The story continues to follow Harry, Ron, and Hermione as they carry on their quest of finding and destroying the Dark Lord's three remaining Horcruxes, the magical items responsible for his immortality. The wizarding world is in turmoil, and the battle between good and evil escalates into an all out war. The stakes have never been higher, and Harry faces his most dangerous challenge yet. He discovers his link to Lord Voldermort is stronger than he anticipated, and learns that he must sacrifice himself to save the wizarding world.
Obviously, the book is better, but the film did a pretty good job overall. I was please to see the “expensive” visual effects they applied to the film. When comparing the first Harry Potter film to the last, you can see the progress in the visual effects over the years. The lighting, texturing and rendering, they kept the latest Potter film at a consistently high level of photoreal achievement. I especially loved the Gringotts dragon scenes. He was beautifully animated and photoreal. I always wanted a dragon.
I read the last installment of the Harry Potter books a while, and I had forgotten some of the plot. After watching the movie I realized how much I missed this fantastic story. Consequently, I will be reading all the Harry Potter books again during the holidays. J
I’m sure this week no matter what blog you go to you will see someone mention the upcoming holiday …ok so maybe a few will be talking about the new Breaking Dawn movie…or even some of the fantastic new releases, but never the less you will see a reflection of the season we are in. So, I thought why not I have a lot to be grateful for – let me take some time to reflect on those wonderful things in my life and the world around me.
There is no doubt that in the world we all live in that being thankful at times is hard. Often we find ourselves bracing for the next tragedy or expecting something to destroy even the best laid plans. We are conditioned to do so. The news, internet and every source of information often broadcast our darkest moments and not our brightest so inevitable we look for the bad – not the good in our beautiful existence.
I find myself avoiding the news – negative people, simply because my imagination is fierce and without the slightest effort I’m able to feel the loss, fears, and heartbreaks that are broadcasted before me. I wasn’t always like this – at one time I would face the worlds troubles head on – even seek out the news and talk to my family and friends about it – worry about a future I had no control over, but then something changed – what I like to call a marked moment in my life.
Sometime around the early part of 2009 I was on cloud nine. I had not only discovered how to write my daydreams into life, but I had shared the first drafts of my work with a few of my friends. Their positive feedback for this inconceivable talent I’d discovered only fueled my daydreams further – I dreamed big every day, not only of the story I was creating but to where I wanted it to take my life – my career.
One day I was working with someone I had not known long but felt comfortable enough to talk about my ‘side project’ of writing. As the day went on she would encourage me and played into the day dreams of my future. Then as I said a random remark she looked at me and said “Have you read the Secret” at that time I had been reading and watching countless documentaries on energy, lost myths, scientific theories and I thought the ‘secret’ was one of those possible researching outlets. I told her no and as our conversation moved on she asked me again if I was sure that I had not read that book. I grinned and told her I hadn’t then promised I would. She left for lunch not long after that and returned with a DVD. When she handed it to me she told it was not as good as the book, but it would definitely help on the path I was on. I eagerly took it and could not wait to see it that night.
Needless to say my husband was not excited to see me taking over movie night to watch another documentary, but he gave into me anyways and on a Friday night we curled up on the couch and played the DVD titled “The Secret”. The moment the DVD began we were both captivated. For those of you who are not familiar with Rhonda Byrne’s book the Secret I’ll sum it up for – basically the secret to life is us – our thoughts - that we attract everything to us by the simple act of thinking. I know it sounds farfetched especially if you have had hard life – or even a dim life like my childhood would reflect, but the ideas and quotes I heard and watched gave me a new perspective on my life.
When it was over I was not surprised the girl, who is now one of my best friends, had thought I already knew this secret – I’d already begun to practice the elements of this theory without even knowing it. One of the core points behind Rhonda’s book is gratitude and emotion, the theory is that when you have a strong emotion you call more things that will reflect that emotion to you. Gratitude and love are strongest and most positive emotions – and at times the hardest to hold on to. I was so grateful for my story – for how I felt about discovering writing that I beamed with joy. Everywhere I looked I found more ideas to weave in, I heard and saw things that constantly reminded me of how grateful I was and intern I kept finding more and more reasons to be happy.
Everyone who knew me at that time – the ones that knew the old Jamie were quiet stunned by my new approach to life. They kept waiting for the fierce business woman –the strict mom, hard core person I was to surface again, but I’d left that Jamie behind and vowed to never go back to that person.
The secret is not a magic book that can transform your life by any means. In fact is quiet easy to forget what you thought you had grasped – I mean it really is hard to be constantly happy all the time, but what is amazing about forgetting the ‘secret’- is remembering it again – to realize that your negative thoughts are pulling you down and that all you have to do is focus on one positive and be grateful for it then find another positive point, then another until you reach that ‘cloud nine’ feeling once again. One of the things I heard one of the speakers say on that DVD was that each night as you lay head down think of everything you are grateful for that day no matter how simple it was, and when you think of the things that did go wrong or made you feel a negative emotion imagine it differently – imagine the outcome you would want. In the morning do the same before you rise - think of everything that brings you joy and feel – really feel that gratitude deep in your soul – then daydream how you want your day to go. I do my very best to practice this each night and each morning, and when I do it correctly I find myself having a wonderful day – the way I look at my husband, my children – everyone and everything my life is full of a positive emotion. I’m grateful for where I am in my life, the past that lead me here, and the future that is beyond my wildest dreams.
This week in America we have marked one of the 365 days of the year to be grateful (only one - kind of funny when you think about it!) Some of you may be dreading spending time with your family, others maybe excited – and then there are those of us that are focused on the insane shopping we are going to be doing on retails classic ‘black Friday’, but I want to ask all of you to take a moment not only on Thanksgiving, but every day of your life and find the emotion of gratitude, even if that moment is fleeting and hard to grasp and hold on to it – and be prepared for more to come. I’m grateful for begin married to my soul-mate, for the beautiful children he gave me, our warm home, the laughter that echoes within these walls. I’m grateful for the friends I have been blessed to know. I’m grateful for my characters – the way the changed my life, and I’m grateful for my readers because they bringing nothing but bliss into my life when they step into my imagination with me. What are you grateful for today??
Give a warm welcome to a personal favorite of mine and an amazingly generous guest author
Juliet Marillier!
Who do you feel is your most relatable character to readers?
Different readers relate to different characters. If I had to choose one it would probably be Sorcha, the protagonist of my first novel, Daughter of the Forest. Many readers have told me they identified very closely with her, including feeling they could not speak aloud while following her story (in which a fell enchantment requires Sorcha to remain silent while making the starwort shirts that will return her brothers to their human form.) I often write in first person from the point of view of a young woman, and that does allow readers to get very close to the protagonist.
Are the traits of anyone close to you apparent in your characters?
Oh yes – but I never create characters who are actually based on real individuals. All characters are based on the writer’s observations of real life, but most writers mix up those traits, so individuals are never recognisable. I imagine the strong female protagonists of my novels owe something to the influence of my mother, my sister and my daughters, but there is definitely no character actually based on any of them – they would hate that!
Who do you feel is your most unique character?
Gogu, the frog from Wildwood Dancing.
Do you have a playlist for each of your novels? If not, can you think of a few relevant songs?
Shadowfell: On the Edge by Scottish folk/rock group Runrig. Easily found on YouTube.
From the North, also by Runrig
Wildwood Dancing and Cybele’s Secret: Any track from the album This Drink, This Moon, performed by the Doch Gypsy Orchestra.
Sevenwaters novels:
The Bonny Swans - Loreena McKennitt
Bonny Portmore - Loreena McKennitt
Fear a Bhata - Capercaillie
If you could have any extraordinary gift or super power what would it be and why?
Healing touch / ability to communicate with animals. I’d love to be able to alleviate the suffering of animals that have been mistreated or neglected by humans. Just imagine if they could tell us their stories. Mind you, I am so close to my own three (rescued) dogs that they almost do that already.
Why did you finally decide to write one and when?
I started writing Daughter of the Forest during a time of major change in my personal life. I had no intention of submitting the manuscript to publishers – it was as much personal therapy as anything, though I had always wanted to write a novel based on the Six Swans fairy tale, one of my favourites. Daughter of the Forest took me three years to write, very part time as I was working in a full time day job and was a single parent with two children still at school. That was in the mid-1990s. I was unusually lucky – when I did decide to try my manuscript with a publisher, it was accepted quite quickly. It was published in 1998.
Which came first for you: the characters, setting, or plot?
It varies from book to book. Usually what comes first is an idea or theme plus a setting; plot and characters develop from that. I do plan out the entire novel before I begin writing. Some writers prefer to start with only a broad idea of where they are headed – they find that a more creative and flexible approach. For me it’s much easier to write with a structure already in place. My approach means less re-drafting later. Both methods can work well. It depends on what kind of writer you are, planner or ‘pantser’ (someone who goes by the seat of their pants.)
What is the hardest emotion for you to convey?
The challenge with conveying emotion in writing is not to overdo it – less is more. Emotion is more effectively conveyed if it’s shown by a character’s actions or body language rather than described (the good old ‘show, don’t tell’.) I don’t find one particular emotion harder than the others to convey. I recognize the times when I’ve done it well and the times when it’s been a bit clumsy.
Is there one book that has had an impact not only on your writing but on you personally?
Women who Run with the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estes. It’s a discussion of women’s roles in traditional storytelling and it’s full of wisdom (plus some fabulous stories you won’t find anywhere else.) I read it during a period of personal turmoil when I was trying to make sense of a lot of things in my life, and it had a profound effect on me. Estes is a Jungian psychologist and oral storyteller.
Who are the writers who have inspired you the most?
Charlotte Brontë, Daphne du Maurier, Mary Stewart, Dorothy Dunnett
When you were growing up what did you want to be?
A veterinarian. I’m glad I didn’t pursue that career choice because I am far too soft-hearted.
Do you write in the mornings, nights, daily or when the mood strikes you?
I have to write daily to keep up with my work under contract. The number of hours depends on how much I have to do – when deadlines are looming I put in a very long day. At less pressured times I may only do a few hours. A full time writer has many tasks to attend to in addition to writing the next new book. Some of these are research, editing, checking proofs, responding to email and correspondence, updating a website and Facebook fan page, running workshops, attending conventions, judging writing competitions, doing accounts … My working day is structured around the dog routine – I tend to their needs in the morning before I start writing, including a big walk, and I take breaks for their meals, their second walk etc. That’s good for me, it stops me from sitting over the laptop for too long at a stretch.
Who is one person in the past or present who you felt was truly visionary?
Leonardo da Vinci, a great innovator in both the arts and the sciences.
Do you ever get writers block?
The term writers block can refer to anything from lack of self-discipline right through to clinical depression. That makes me wary of generalizing about it. For me, there are some days when the writing doesn’t flow so well, and that can be a problem if I’m under pressure to complete a book by a particular date (almost always the case.) I use those days for some of the related work I mentioned above, such as research reading, answering letters or updating the website. Physical exercise is a great circuit-breaker. I get most of my best ideas while out walking the dogs. I’ve never experienced an extended period of time during which I felt I couldn’t write.
What is your world-building process like?
My novels all have settings based on real world history and geography. So my world-building process is not like that of a writer setting out to invent an entire secondary world. I start with a lot of research into the time, place and culture of the story. The more historical and the less fantastic the story, the better that research needs to be. The uncanny elements in my novels are always based on the mythology and folklore of the period, and what the people of the time and culture might have believed in. So as well as the historical research, I read lots of traditional stories and books about folklore. I sometimes travel to the place where the novel is set, and that has taken me to some fascinating parts of the world including Transylvania, Turkey, Orkney and the Faroe Islands. In the Shadowfell series I am going for a more fantastic, less historical setting, but readers will still recognize it as a version of ancient Scotland.
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I absolutely love words. I think they are endlessly fascinating, the way you can move them around on a page like furniture in a room, casting everything in a different light.
From about age seven, I knew I’d be a writer. Dad taught literature, and Mom made sure we had library books. They took me to see Shakespeare plays, too. I can remember (vividly!) loving the rhythms and sounds I heard onstage. I didn’t know Shakespeare was supposed to be “hard to understand.” I mean, when you’re seven, all adults are hard to understand.
When I was nine, I thought Louisa May Alcott had based her writer-holic character Jo March on me. (Really.) Later, I fell hard for fantasy and sci-fi. By age fourteen, I wrote my stories in Elvish script. (Also awesome for hiding journal entries from little sisters.)
Do you have any writing habits that people might find unusual?
I write first thing in the morning when my inner editor is still asleep. That way, I’m not awake enough to consider whether something is a brilliant or ridiculous idea. This means lots of re-writing down the road, but I adore revision and edits. Which might also be considered unusual.
An odd habit I have during one of my (several) revision passes is to mix pages into totally random order. Then I look at single pages to find dull stretches that need polish. I try to make sure each page has a sparkling bit of humor or lyrical writing or profound emotion upon it. If it doesn’t, the page gets re-worked until something shines.
What is your writing process? Do you write regularly, at certain times, or just when inspiration hits?
I would be waiting a long time if I waited until inspiration stopped by to say hello! I have found that inspiration follows labor. In general, I’m not a disciplined person, so I had to learn to be diligent in my writing. I love writing, so it’s pretty easy to “force” myself to check in for work everyday. I save emailing, FB, blogging, interviews, etc. for afternoons.
Music or Silence?
I am one of the small group of writers who Absolutely. Can’t. Write. When. Music. Is. Playing. I get all caught up listening to the words in songs and I can’t pay attention to the words in my head.
However, when I’m doing really tedious line-edits, I like put on something lively. I keep meaning to get a really good Celtic mix together, but I haven’t yet, so send suggestions! Please!
How do you develop characters?
The characters show up pretty completely individuated in my head. I try to listen carefully to catch their different speech patterns and rhythms and make sure I get it down on paper accurately. I use dialogue as a way to both develop and differentiate characters. I like to interview my characters and am frequently surprised by their answers.
What inspires your ideas for “painful situations” for your characters?
I guess I could answer this on two levels. First, the emotional pain comes from things I know personally—things we’ve all experienced: fear, despair, anxiety, and so on. On the second level, I ask myself, “What is the worst thing that could happen to my character right now which they could survive?” And then I let my overactive imagination run away with me!
Why YA?
I never stopped reading YA even after I “grew up.” I love stories that are full of action and where the characters change and where there is hope. So much adult fiction is just so depressing. I’ve never really enjoyed it. Plus, books were my life when I was young, so I hope to do a teensy bit of paying that forward, you know? I lived inside books as a teen, as a small kind of salvation.
If you were throwing a dinner party and you could invite five people (fictional or real, dead or alive) who would you invite?
Jane Austen (for her wicked wit) and Suzanne Collins (for her brave examination of humanity and war) and Albus Dumbledore (who gets it that love triumphs and matters) and JK Rowling (so she could hang with her wonderful creation!) and CS Lewis, because he’d be able to moderate a great discussion between all of the above, seeing as I would be completely dumbstruck in the face of such genius.
The RIPPLE Series tells the story of a girl who can turn invisible, the boy she is falling for, and the geneticist who wants them both. Available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, and other fine retailers.
Cidney loves visitors and enjoys being distracted from writing. You can visit her blog here, say hi on Facebook here, and tweet away to @cidneyswanson.
Yet, just the other day, I was caught off-guard by a question posed to me in an author interview regarding the launch of my new free short story about the Estilorians, The Prophecy. The question observed that the story has a strong theme of faith (in oneself, in friends, in the unknown) woven throughout, and the interviewer asked if I had planned it that way. (If you'd like to read the interview, please check it out here).
I’m grateful for begin married to my soul-mate, for the beautiful children he gave me, our warm home, the laughter that echoes within these walls. I’m grateful for the friends I have been blessed to know. I’m grateful for my characters – the way the changed my life, and I’m grateful for my readers because they bringing nothing but bliss into my life when they step into my imagination with me. What are you grateful for today??
