When I was 17, a friend introduced me to Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser. I read the first book when I should have been paying attention in class. The stories were short but packed with adventure, action, and exotic worlds. I was hooked. Soon I'd read them all. I moved on to Tanith Lee and The Birthgrave, the Thieves World books, particularly the stories from Andrew J Offutt. I read any I could get my hands on, never noticing they were coming fewer and farther apart.
Real life intervened. Fast forward to 2011.
Conan the Barbarian is the latest in a line of remakes that seems to be sweeping Hollywood. It comes out August 19th, but this isn't about whether remakes are right or wrong. I was discussing this with a friend and it suddenly hit me. Where are all the sword and sorcery books? I may be missing something but I have not seen any in a long time.
So, what happened to the genre? Surely there are still writers turning out books in the sword and sorcery genre. Where are the heirs of Fritz Leiber and Robert E. Howard? Whatever happened to fantasy that didn't have such creatures as Elves and Dragons. Sorry Lord of the Rings fans, Conan would kick Legolas's backside and use the skinny Elf's arrows to pick his teeth with after he barbecued Smaug. Where are the stories of high adventure and heroes who fight evil Wizards and Sorcerers with nothing but their swords and the knowledge their cause is right?
I suspect we'll see a slew of S&S stories across the board. A lot will be written by authors who see the movie and fall in love with the genre for the first time. To these authors I say: research it, read some of the classics, then write your stories. And to the other authors out there who know and love the genre, what are you waiting for? Write! I know I will be…
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Adventures in Self-publishing
I thought it was time for a change. For the last few months I've been hearing all these success stories from other authors. They've been singing the praises of releasing their back lists, or even new books, themselves. I had a book just sitting there on my hard drive all lonesome and sad. So I figured why not give it a try myself? As of the 19th of this month, I've gone Indie. It was surprisingly easy. A little revising here, some formatting there, a couple of helpful programs and presto, my very own Kindle book. It will be exciting to see how this goes, I think I'm going to enjoy this little adventure into self-publishing.
Puca: A Fantasy
A shape shifter with a twisted sense of humor and a love for humans.
A woman who doesn’t believe in Fairies.
A wayward teenager, little old ladies looking for Fairies in the garden, Brownies in charge of the kitchen and an evil Elf bent on revenge.
Welcome to Toddle House Bed and Breakfast, Enchanted Grove, Oregon, where things are not always as they seem and there’s always a cup of tea ready for whatever might pop in.
Available at
Amazon
And
Smashwords
Disclaimer:
Puca: A Fantasy
A shape shifter with a twisted sense of humor and a love for humans.
A woman who doesn’t believe in Fairies.
A wayward teenager, little old ladies looking for Fairies in the garden, Brownies in charge of the kitchen and an evil Elf bent on revenge.
Welcome to Toddle House Bed and Breakfast, Enchanted Grove, Oregon, where things are not always as they seem and there’s always a cup of tea ready for whatever might pop in.
Available at
Amazon
And
Smashwords
Disclaimer:
This is a fantasy romance for adult readers, not a YA novel. It has some pretty steamy scenes. And I'd love to see comments from anyone who buys the book.
Friday, March 25, 2011
A Dark Place
I've had something of an epiphany in the last several weeks. I have lost something precious in the last two years. Darkness closed in and went unnoticed because it happened gradually. And, much as I would like to blame others, it was my own fault. I lost the ability to work anywhere no matter what was going on around me. I took my eyes off the goal and it got away from me.
Not many know this but my writing career began while I was the primary caregiver for my mother. My books were written while sitting up all night with her, in between bandage changes, injections, and visits from incompetent home care nurses, in ER treatment rooms, hospital rooms, and in the ICU. I've written through blaring TV, dog barking, days with only generator power after a hurricane, three major evacuations, and two moves. Illness didn't phase me. I even wrote when things were going well and conditions were perfect.
So what happened? I blinked. I forgot writing is a journey and the goal is a finished book. No matter what happens. The noise of the workmen and their power tools, the insect problem and the great Mice War began to drown out my characters trying to tell me their stories. My "muse" mused herself off to the Bahamas and refused to come back.
Something else I forgot along the way, writing is a business. One with no holidays, vacation time, or retirement plan. One which requires discipline, determination, and plain old garden variety stubbornness. Along with marketing, networking, research, and the care and feeding of ideas.
I've awakened. I have my eyes firmly on the goal again. I have ideas. I am writing stories that I want to read. I am learning all I can about my craft and applying it to what I write. Next month is Script Frenzy and I've signed up for that. There are a couple deadlines for submissions that I will hit. I will begin a new campaign to sell the books that I do have available and I will update my website and post more often here. I will be on twitter more often, and I will be a help and an encouragement where I can.
Now, back to writing.
Not many know this but my writing career began while I was the primary caregiver for my mother. My books were written while sitting up all night with her, in between bandage changes, injections, and visits from incompetent home care nurses, in ER treatment rooms, hospital rooms, and in the ICU. I've written through blaring TV, dog barking, days with only generator power after a hurricane, three major evacuations, and two moves. Illness didn't phase me. I even wrote when things were going well and conditions were perfect.
So what happened? I blinked. I forgot writing is a journey and the goal is a finished book. No matter what happens. The noise of the workmen and their power tools, the insect problem and the great Mice War began to drown out my characters trying to tell me their stories. My "muse" mused herself off to the Bahamas and refused to come back.
Something else I forgot along the way, writing is a business. One with no holidays, vacation time, or retirement plan. One which requires discipline, determination, and plain old garden variety stubbornness. Along with marketing, networking, research, and the care and feeding of ideas.
I've awakened. I have my eyes firmly on the goal again. I have ideas. I am writing stories that I want to read. I am learning all I can about my craft and applying it to what I write. Next month is Script Frenzy and I've signed up for that. There are a couple deadlines for submissions that I will hit. I will begin a new campaign to sell the books that I do have available and I will update my website and post more often here. I will be on twitter more often, and I will be a help and an encouragement where I can.
Now, back to writing.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
In Defense of Entertainment
I’ve been writing Steampunk lately, in both the fantasy and western genres, and I’ve noticed something. In the chats and in various things I’ve seen and read online there appears to be an argument over just what makes a book Steampunk. What do you have to have in your story to qualify as real Steampunk? One faction says as long as there is some form of anachronistic steam tech and your story is set in an alternate Victorian historical era you’re good to go. Another faction has decreed the writer must address a some sort of ideology along with the clockwork critters or steam engines in the story all you have is a plain story with a little Steampunk window dressing. For this group the authors of these window dressing stories are jumping on a bandwagon and don’t really understand Steampunk. Then there’s yet another side who just want a cracking good story that lets them indulge in their passion for a fantasy world of steam technology, Victorian style and manners, and above all adventure. They want to escape the dreary everyday world for a few hours or an afternoon.
Now in all fairness I have to say there’s a lot of the same faction friction in the mainstream Science Fiction genre. There are authors who write stories with SF window dressing, tossing in a few terms they’ve picked up from watching Star Trek or Star Wars. There are other authors who are totally immersed in the genre and have a wider experience gained by reading. The third group, just like the corresponding one in the Steampunk genre, wants adventure and escapism. They want to be entertained. Compared to the Science Fiction genre, Steampunk as a genre is relatively new, they don’t have the equivalent to a Space Opera subgenre. At least not that I’ve seen yet.
What attracted me to Steampunk in the first place was the art and design I was seeing. I’ve been reading books that could be called Steampunk for years, since the late 70’s at least. They were simply called alternative history back then, usually an alternate Victorian or Edwardian era. What got me thinking about this were statements made during the #steampunkchat last Friday night. The topic was Romance in Steampunk. Quite a few of the writers seemed to think Steampunk books have to be “Message” books. They must have an Ideology. I say no. Not only no, but hell no. Because when you come right down to it a “message” book is, most of the time, saying, “This is how you need to live because I think its right.” Uh-huh. Sure. Next book please. Very few “message” book authors manage to get past this. Even fewer fiction authors manage it. A reader can always tell when an author is on a soapbox about something. Don’t believe me? Look at the definition of Ideology, particularly definition #2 since a vanishingly small number manage to pull off #1. Look at the synonyms.
Webster’s Definition of IDEOLOGY
1: visionary theorizing
2 a : a systematic body of concepts especially about human life or culture
b : a manner or the content of thinking characteristic of an individual, group, or culture
c : the integrated assertions, theories and aims that constitute a sociopolitical program
Synonyms: CREDO, DOCTRINE, DOGMA, GOSPEL, CREED, PHILOSOPHY, TESTAMENT
I write Romance, usually Science Fiction or Fantasy Romance, and now Steampunk Romance. I also write some Erotic Romance and Erotica. None of it has a deep, meaningful, social message. I’m not pushing an Ideology. My goal is to tell a fun story, to entertain. I don’t think, “How can I make a great social statement.” I think, “How do I give my readers their money’s worth and make them forget their worries for a bit.” Any message there is whatever the reader gets out of the story. I think this is really all you can expect. Because “message” books tend to be boring, preachy books, no matter what genre they’re dressed up in.
As a writer, I say do your research into the genre you want to write. Know the genre and know the readers. Learn your craft and keep learning. Read what others have written. If you absolutely have to put an ideological message in your story, learn to be subtle.
As a reader, I say don’t preach at me. Give me characters I care about, an interesting plot, a great story (very different things but that’s yet another rant) and above all entertain me. These are unbreakable laws because if your book doesn’t do these things I won’t buy anything else you write.
Now in all fairness I have to say there’s a lot of the same faction friction in the mainstream Science Fiction genre. There are authors who write stories with SF window dressing, tossing in a few terms they’ve picked up from watching Star Trek or Star Wars. There are other authors who are totally immersed in the genre and have a wider experience gained by reading. The third group, just like the corresponding one in the Steampunk genre, wants adventure and escapism. They want to be entertained. Compared to the Science Fiction genre, Steampunk as a genre is relatively new, they don’t have the equivalent to a Space Opera subgenre. At least not that I’ve seen yet.
What attracted me to Steampunk in the first place was the art and design I was seeing. I’ve been reading books that could be called Steampunk for years, since the late 70’s at least. They were simply called alternative history back then, usually an alternate Victorian or Edwardian era. What got me thinking about this were statements made during the #steampunkchat last Friday night. The topic was Romance in Steampunk. Quite a few of the writers seemed to think Steampunk books have to be “Message” books. They must have an Ideology. I say no. Not only no, but hell no. Because when you come right down to it a “message” book is, most of the time, saying, “This is how you need to live because I think its right.” Uh-huh. Sure. Next book please. Very few “message” book authors manage to get past this. Even fewer fiction authors manage it. A reader can always tell when an author is on a soapbox about something. Don’t believe me? Look at the definition of Ideology, particularly definition #2 since a vanishingly small number manage to pull off #1. Look at the synonyms.
Webster’s Definition of IDEOLOGY
1: visionary theorizing
2 a : a systematic body of concepts especially about human life or culture
b : a manner or the content of thinking characteristic of an individual, group, or culture
c : the integrated assertions, theories and aims that constitute a sociopolitical program
Synonyms: CREDO, DOCTRINE, DOGMA, GOSPEL, CREED, PHILOSOPHY, TESTAMENT
I write Romance, usually Science Fiction or Fantasy Romance, and now Steampunk Romance. I also write some Erotic Romance and Erotica. None of it has a deep, meaningful, social message. I’m not pushing an Ideology. My goal is to tell a fun story, to entertain. I don’t think, “How can I make a great social statement.” I think, “How do I give my readers their money’s worth and make them forget their worries for a bit.” Any message there is whatever the reader gets out of the story. I think this is really all you can expect. Because “message” books tend to be boring, preachy books, no matter what genre they’re dressed up in.
As a writer, I say do your research into the genre you want to write. Know the genre and know the readers. Learn your craft and keep learning. Read what others have written. If you absolutely have to put an ideological message in your story, learn to be subtle.
As a reader, I say don’t preach at me. Give me characters I care about, an interesting plot, a great story (very different things but that’s yet another rant) and above all entertain me. These are unbreakable laws because if your book doesn’t do these things I won’t buy anything else you write.
Saturday, February 05, 2011
The Paranormal Romance Genre Box
I haven’t posted on my blog in quite awhile. I’m sorry. I plan to start posting more frequently.
I hope. Life has a talent for getting in the way of fun things.
I thought I’d begin the new posting year with an observation. Paranormal Romance is extremely limited. In the genre I’ve seen books about Witches, Wizards, Warlocks, Vampires, Werewolves, Shapeshifters of practically every sort, and a smattering of Ghosts. Heroines are frequently Vampire Hunters, Haunted Damsels, some were creature’s True Mate, a Witch, and occasionally some sort of Psychic (who almost always turns out to actually be a Witch.) Heroes are virtually always a hunky Vampire, Werewolf pack leader, Shapeshifter, Wizard, some sort of Demon, or sometimes an Angel. And of course let’s not forget the Djinn, various Fairy Princes and Princesses, and Mythological characters. As you can tell the line between paranormal and fantasy is blurred.
“So? What’s the problem?” you say. “All of those are paranormal.”
Well, yes. And no. We could get into a religious debate on several of these beings but that would just get everyone upset and we’d never get around to the point I’m trying to make here. Which is the Paranormal Romance genre is severely limited. It has been packed into a tiny little box with very thick walls no one seems to want to break through.
I have a theory about this that is similar to my theory on why Science Fiction Romance is just as limited (separate rant best left for another post.) Now here’s a simple question. Where are the stories about Telepaths, heroes and heroines with Telekinetic powers, characters who can Teleport? When was the last time you read a story about Remote Viewers? Dimension Travelers? And I mean characters who don’t have to cast some spell, get bitten, or be stolen/exiled/hidden at birth and raised by humans to do these things. In short, where are the really unusual paranormal stories?
I can tell you why you won’t find many stories like those above. Very few have ever been written. Why? Because a lot of writers don’t want to be bothered to do truly in depth research into the paranormal. A lot don’t want to research at all. I’ve even seen posted on a writers group the statement, “Let’s write a paranormal, we don’t have to research that.” Made me shudder.
“But I don’t have to research the paranormal because: A. I’m a Wiccan/Psychic/Witch. B. I’ve watched every episode of Buffy, Angel, and X-Files and read every Laurel K Hamilton and Jim Butcher book out there. C. It’s paranormal and I can make up anything I want because it’s all fake anyway. Or, D. All of the above.”
Now, in the interest of clarity, I am not a Psychic, Wiccan or Witch. I have seen Buffy, Angel, and X-Files, and I have read Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files but not Laurel K Hamilton’s books. I’ve also been reading books on the paranormal for around 35 years and count as friends several paranormal researchers. I’ve attended lectures by Psychics and I used to be able to see and feel auras. I’m out of practice now.
So, what is my point? Readers love the kind of Paranormal Romance books I seem to be ripping up at. My point is simply this. Next time you sit down to write a Paranormal, try thinking outside the box. Read up on things like Telepathy and other mind powers, check out some accounts of people who have experienced phenomena of extreme strangeness. Do a search on Remote Viewing, you can even take classes in it. Expand your horizons, kick some holes in the genre box, there’s a lot of stuff out there that would make wonderful stories.
All it takes is a little research.
I hope. Life has a talent for getting in the way of fun things.
I thought I’d begin the new posting year with an observation. Paranormal Romance is extremely limited. In the genre I’ve seen books about Witches, Wizards, Warlocks, Vampires, Werewolves, Shapeshifters of practically every sort, and a smattering of Ghosts. Heroines are frequently Vampire Hunters, Haunted Damsels, some were creature’s True Mate, a Witch, and occasionally some sort of Psychic (who almost always turns out to actually be a Witch.) Heroes are virtually always a hunky Vampire, Werewolf pack leader, Shapeshifter, Wizard, some sort of Demon, or sometimes an Angel. And of course let’s not forget the Djinn, various Fairy Princes and Princesses, and Mythological characters. As you can tell the line between paranormal and fantasy is blurred.
“So? What’s the problem?” you say. “All of those are paranormal.”
Well, yes. And no. We could get into a religious debate on several of these beings but that would just get everyone upset and we’d never get around to the point I’m trying to make here. Which is the Paranormal Romance genre is severely limited. It has been packed into a tiny little box with very thick walls no one seems to want to break through.
I have a theory about this that is similar to my theory on why Science Fiction Romance is just as limited (separate rant best left for another post.) Now here’s a simple question. Where are the stories about Telepaths, heroes and heroines with Telekinetic powers, characters who can Teleport? When was the last time you read a story about Remote Viewers? Dimension Travelers? And I mean characters who don’t have to cast some spell, get bitten, or be stolen/exiled/hidden at birth and raised by humans to do these things. In short, where are the really unusual paranormal stories?
I can tell you why you won’t find many stories like those above. Very few have ever been written. Why? Because a lot of writers don’t want to be bothered to do truly in depth research into the paranormal. A lot don’t want to research at all. I’ve even seen posted on a writers group the statement, “Let’s write a paranormal, we don’t have to research that.” Made me shudder.
“But I don’t have to research the paranormal because: A. I’m a Wiccan/Psychic/Witch. B. I’ve watched every episode of Buffy, Angel, and X-Files and read every Laurel K Hamilton and Jim Butcher book out there. C. It’s paranormal and I can make up anything I want because it’s all fake anyway. Or, D. All of the above.”
Now, in the interest of clarity, I am not a Psychic, Wiccan or Witch. I have seen Buffy, Angel, and X-Files, and I have read Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files but not Laurel K Hamilton’s books. I’ve also been reading books on the paranormal for around 35 years and count as friends several paranormal researchers. I’ve attended lectures by Psychics and I used to be able to see and feel auras. I’m out of practice now.
So, what is my point? Readers love the kind of Paranormal Romance books I seem to be ripping up at. My point is simply this. Next time you sit down to write a Paranormal, try thinking outside the box. Read up on things like Telepathy and other mind powers, check out some accounts of people who have experienced phenomena of extreme strangeness. Do a search on Remote Viewing, you can even take classes in it. Expand your horizons, kick some holes in the genre box, there’s a lot of stuff out there that would make wonderful stories.
All it takes is a little research.
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