Archives For Fiction

It pays to ask the tough questions… of your characters

May 14, 2013 — 8 Comments

So, I was reading this blog post by Kristen Lamb, and I got to thinking what a good exercise it would be to ask my own characters the questions near the bottom of the post. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve spent a whole book and nearly a half with these guys, I know them pretty well. But, do you know how easy it is to just carry on thinking you know your characters without really stopping to think? I’ll tell you… really, really easy.

The questions are (paraphrased):

  • What is his/her greatest strength/weakness? (Bearing in mind, the greatest strength is often also the greatest weakness)
  • What is his/her greatest fear?
  • What problem could make him/her struggle the most?
  • What problem could force tough moral choices?
  • What problem has the highest stakes?

Now, the last three questions are more “story” questions that are derived from the first two, which are “character” questions. The last three only develop real impact once the first two are answered.

I asked the questions of Llew and Jonas. Llew didn’t surprise me much. Jonas shouldn’t have. And yet, Continue Reading…

In Fun facts, Learning experiences, Linkage, Touch Series, Warrior's Touch (Touch #2) , , , , , , , , , , ,
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A Review: Healer’s Touch

May 9, 2013 — Leave a comment

Oh my…

That is all I can say. Honestly, when I read reviews like this, it makes me wish I could read the book the way readers can.

Healer’s Touch is a mix of romance, steampunk and high fantasy done the right way and written in just the right kind of style. I have to say that this book has made me a fan of Deb E. Howell.

I have a fan (o: It’s exciting and scary all at once. I mean… RESPONSIBILITY! Argh! Right, back to falling back in love with WARRIOR’S TOUCH.

Read the rest of the review HERE.

In Healer's Touch (Touch #1), Reviews, Touch Series , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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Book Spotlight: Guardians of Evion by Evelinn Enoksen

May 8, 2013 — Leave a comment

I know that if you hang out around my blog you probably like reading, or maybe music… hopefully both. In the spirit of encouraging the former (again), I’m going to shine my spotlight on fellow Kristell Ink author, Evelinn Enoksen’s recently released title Guardians of Evion.

Here’s the good stuff:

Guardians of Evion CoverNumak believes his destiny is to be a Rider; but he learns that he is far more important than that as his beliefs are turned upside down.

On the harsh world of Evion, a wild place of storms and earthquakes, Numak Teorenn, a young telepath is sent to study at the Tarei Waystation in the mountains of Suli. All Numak wants, aside from becoming one of the revered Dragonriders, is to find answers regarding the mysterious death of his twin sister.
But he soon learns that his life has a greater purpose, for which nothing has prepared him, and his understanding of reality and of his own being is transformed. When he discovers the truth of his destiny should he fight it or embrace it? Will he have any choice at all?

A strange and compelling narrative which encompasses philsophy, adventure and romance within a richly imagined world.

“…cantankerous dragons, evil, ambitious immortals and heroic telepaths who will sacrifice everything to save their loved ones and their volcanic world … a romantic, adventurous science fiction saga that begs for a sequel.”
Kirkus Review

A few buy links:

Amazon Kindle (US)
Amazon Paperback (UK)
Smashwords

Of course, don’t forget to look out for it from your favourite vendor!

About the author:

Evelinn Enoksen was born in Moss, a small city in Norway. She comes from a long line of writers and artists and it was only natural that she would follow in their footsteps. Even with a husband, and two children, and a job at night, she still manages to write and paint. She says: ‘little sleep and an over creative mind has its benefits; things get done’ – because if she doesn`t do it, no one else will.

http://www.enoksen-art.com

 

In Authors, Book Spotlight, Kristell Ink, Linkage , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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Author Interview: Yep, me again…

May 5, 2013 — Leave a comment

Sometimes I feel like all I ever do is talk about me, me, me… Perhaps I do. But then, that’s one reason I love doing things like celebrating NZ Music Month – it’s a chance to celebrate other artists! (Wow, I’m starting to include myself in the rank of artists… It still feels weird, but I suppose… sort of… ).

Anywhay, this was the first Question-Reply-Next Question-Reply… style interview I’ve done. It was fun and gave Ana, the interviewer, the chance to react to my answers. I think she did a great job. I’m her first interviewee, and she’s looking out for MORE! So go check her (and me) out HERE!

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I’m working on a new drawing:

  1. So I can call myself an artist, and
  2. To give myself the chance to zone out now and then – drawing is a whole different art to writing.

And buy my book.

 

In Authors, Healer's Touch (Touch #1), Linkage, Touch Series , , , , , , ,
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Music: New Zealand Music Month – Anika Moa: Running Through The Fire

May 1, 2013 — 2 Comments

Hey guys… it’s that time of year again… New Zealand Music Month!

You see, New Zealand is such a tiny country (honest… we are) that it is easy to get swamped by the cultures of much bigger markets, and so we dedicate a whole month to increasing the chances of local artists actually being played on our radios! Believe me, before NZ Music Month existed, it was a rare thing.

Tonight I am posting a song very dear to me. I love Anika Moa. I think she’s gorgeous, talented and just writes some of the most gorgeous songs. So that’s one point. Then there is the fact that several of Anika’s songs resonate with me enough to wind up on my writing playlist.

In Healer’s Touch, some may agree that Llew’s attempt to rescue her father from the clutches of Braph is the most poignant part of the book. After years of believing her father had abandoned her Continue Reading…

In Music , , , , , , , , , , ,
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Brewing Rage – #8Sunday

April 28, 2013 — 5 Comments

So here I am again, sharing eight lines of WIP for the Weekend Writing Warriors’ #8Sunday.

“Welcome” to new readers, and “Thanks for coming back” to returners.

This week, I’m carrying directly on from last week’s entry (again)… So, Jonas and Llew were getting friendly, right up until Llew had a flash of rememberance of an assult she suffered several weeks prior. Last week, we saw her reaction. This week, have a peek at Jonas’…

“I just can’t right now,” said Llew. “Maybe not ever. I don’t know.”

“Can’t—? Continue Reading…

In Excerpt, Linkage, Touch Series, Warrior's Touch (Touch #2) , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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Celebrating Authors: “I was learning bass guitar until I got too pregnant…” – Author @deberelene

April 21, 2013 — Leave a comment

I was interviewed over at Celebrating Authors. If that title doesn’t grab you, I don’t know what will… Pop on over if you just can’t get enough of me (o:

Celebrating Authors: “I was learning bass guitar until I got too pregnant…” – Author @deberelene.

In Fun facts, Healer's Touch (Touch #1), Linkage, Touch Series , , , , , , ,
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Dream Seduction – #8Sunday

April 21, 2013 — 10 Comments

So here I am again, sharing eight lines of WIP for the Weekend Writing Warriors’ #8Sunday.

“Welcome” to new readers, and “Thanks for coming back” to returners.

This week, I’m actually carrying directly on from last week’s entry… Jonas and Llew were getting, ah, cosy, right up until Jonas dropped his trousers and the sound of his belt buckle hitting the ground reminded Llew of an unpleasant experience. She reacts…

“Shit.” Continue Reading…

In Excerpt, Linkage, Touch Series, Warrior's Touch (Touch #2) , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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Book Review: “Siren Snow” by Victoria Barrow

April 15, 2013 — 8 Comments
Siren Snow Cover

Available in print & digital

Title: Siren Snow

Author: Victoria Barrow

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Description:

I’m borrowing the blurb from Amazon, because it also gives you a taste of the author’s voice:

“Winter is not exactly the ‘season of the witch.’ It’s cold in Washington: everything is covered in snow; EVERYTHING. But it doesn’t bother Lucilla Sinclair, the Witch-Warden for Washington state. She’s perfectly happy performing minor enchantments at her little arcane shop in Redhaven, an old fishing town turned tourist attraction. She has Mishal, her tall, dark-skinned elemental guardian to keep her warm; and Irwin, her raven familiar to pass the time. Magickal mischief in the cold, quiet state is slow for the most part, but when a freak winter storm lands a half-transformed Siren on her front porch, Lucy’s life becomes increasingly strange. Her dreams are suddenly assaulted with visions of a beautiful demon man, and her waking hours are spent warding off a cadre of mysterious shadow creatures. With the life of the Siren in her hands, Lucy must trek through the snows of Canada in a race against time. Her mission: to find the one person with enough knowledge of forbidden black magick to fix the broken Siren Melusine before her seven days on land are up. This is gonna be a rough week.”

Plot: As described in the blurb, this story is about a Witch. And not just a Witch. A Witch-Warden – someone tasked with protecting us lowly humans from the things that go bump in the night… and day… all the time, really. They’re busy people. I liked this idea of a Witch whose job it was to protect us all. She wasn’t the only one. Each US State has its own Warden… and I presume other places around the world do, too… Continue Reading…

In 3-stars, Book Reviews, Paranormal , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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Mood Killer – #8Sunday

April 14, 2013 — 13 Comments

So here I am again, sharing eight lines of WIP for the Weekend Writing Warriors’ #8Sunday.

This week, I’m actually carrying directly on from last week’s entry… If you recall, Jonas and Llew were getting a little bit cosy, and Jonas had just told Llew that should anything happen to her, he would heal her (which would result in him being drained) and she would be so grateful she’d make love to him immediately… He continues…

“I’m afraid I would be at your mercy, weak as I’d be. But I’ll forgive you.” Continue Reading…

In Excerpt, Linkage, Touch Series, Warrior's Touch (Touch #2) , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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