What Do You Like About Adventuring?

The Hobbit

The Hobbit

Luke Callindor– I kind of did that when I left home.  Just no yelling and it was night and I did more of a sneaking motion.

Nyx– I was more kicking and screaming.

Delvin Cunningham– The question is more about what we like, which is something we don’t really hear.  Most people want to know about our adventures or what we don’t like about.

Nyx– Horses, sleeping on the ground, bad food, nearly getting killed every week, lack of a bath . . . Why do I keep doing this?

Sari– Because you’re destined to keep traveling until the Baron is defeated or you die.  I like the stories and meeting new people.  Though the lifestyle is rough on my dresses.

Timoran Wrath– It may be smarter to wear more practical clothing.  *Annoyed glare from Sari*  Or continue doing what you are doing.  The point of adventuring is to help those in need.

Luke– At least the way we do it. Other people are out solely for reputation and money. I came close to being like that. Honestly, I like becoming famous for being a hero. It makes me feel like my lifetime of training is justified.

Delvin– Interesting way to look at things. Many of us have spent most of our lives training without knowing what the future held. It’s almost like we always knew we’d end up on the road.

6th Champion– I guess Nyx and I are the only ones who grew up expecting this. It does bring an odd sense to the entire thing.

Nyx– Kind of like it’s a job and fun doesn’t usually factor in. Yet, I do have fun because I’m with my friends.  That’s what I like about adventuring. Sharing stories and my life with those I care about.

6th– I’m sorry, but I’m not there yet.

Sari– You’ll get there.  I mean, you just woke up a month ago.  The author is still trying to figure out how to use you on the blog.

6th– He’s watching this?

Timoran– Who do you think is putting the words on the screen?

6th– What screen?  I’m sorry, but I really don’t understand what’s going on here.

Luke– I thought you were going to explain this type of post to her, Delvin. She’s not looking very good.

Delvin– We couldn’t get past her being a character in a book and there being an audience. I thought she’d be fine after being awake for so long.

Nyx– Maybe we should end this before she faints . . . and takes the readers with her.

Sari– To sum up, we like getting the stories, the fun, the friends, and some of us are having a little trouble accepting reality.  Enjoy your weekend, everyone!

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The Heart of Teaching Tour with #RRBC’s John Fioravanti

John W. Howell's avatarFiction Favorites

A special guest on Fiction Favorites is Rave Reviews Book Club board member and Membership Director John Fioravanti. This is a stop on his The Heart of Teaching Tour. John Fiction Favorites is yours.

Thanks, John I’m grateful that you would be my host of this sixth post of THEHEART OF TEACHING TOUR, and to Nonnie Jules of 4WillsPublishing who arranged it all! The full lineup for this tour can be found @ http://wp.me/P43s9i-2g

“It would take me several more years to learn that the most valuable thing I could offer students who confided in me was a willingness to listen and caring support.”

Excerpt from John Fioravanti: A Personal Journey To The Heart of Teaching.

In a previous post, I talked about the fact that I had felt the desire to help others as far back as I can remember. It became a major motive when I…

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Interview with Daniel Dombrowski for the Quantum Flux Podcast

Nicholas C. Rossis's avatarNicholas C. Rossis

From the blog of Nicholas C. Rossis, author of science fiction, the Pearseus epic fantasy series and children's booksYou may remember Daniel Dombrowski of the Nonlocal Science Fiction Magazine. The first issue includes a story by me, called “Shoot the devil.”

Daniel has now kindly interviewed me for his podcast, Quantum Flux. You can listen to the interview below, or on his page!

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Guest Post – Poet John T. M. Herres with his poem Scenery

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STARCHILD Book Blast & Giveaway

cherrymischievous's avatarCherry Mischievous

The Books

Starchild: The Age Of Akra by Vacen Taylor
Book 1 of the Starchild series
Genre: fantasy

About Starchild: The Age Of Akra:

When Mai is chosen to take a pilgrimage to the Valley of a Thousand Thoughts to train with the oldest and wisest master of their people, an ancient prophecy is set in motion. The events to come have been predicted but are not unchangeable. When the Starchild returns to the planet of Sage, the foreknowledge of the prophecy begins to gain strength. Four children come together and become linked to the events that lie ahead. In The Age of Akra, the first stage of their journey has them facing the deadly spiderflax, only then to be confronted by a creature of the underworld, an evil Dementra called Amual. The struggle to bring peace to the world of powerful energies lies in the hands of these…

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A Needed Release

So, I’m still working through the paranormal thriller.  It’s getting tough since I’m still learning the characters, fighting fantasy author habits, and still have a little doubt.  I’m seeing that the chapters are smaller than my normal ones, but no idea if that’s a good or bad thing.  Anyway, I needed to get something out of my system and I figured I’d do it here:

Magic Dragons Elves Dwarves Swords Sorcery Windemere Nyx Fizzle Drite Orcs Griffins Adventure Gods Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic
Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic
Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic “Dammit, Luke!”

That should get me through the rest of the week.

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Thursday – A little Personal #RRBC’s Behind the Pen with Bethany Turner

John W. Howell's avatarFiction Favorites

Last Saturday I was Interview by Bethany Turner on her Blogtalk radio show titled Behind the Pen. Since I did not fall on my own petard I thought I would make the interview available should you wish to listen. It is a half-hour and If you can’t sit that long I understand. Below the link to the broadcast is a picture which will at least make your visit worthwhile.

a-behind-the-pen

Here is the link to the broadcast. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ravereviewsbookclub/2015/05/02/rrbc-rave-waves-blogtalkradio-behind-the-pen

Here is the photo payoff for the visit. It is a stormy sunrise.

2013-08-22 06.59.51

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… ‘wannabe’ or ‘aspiring’ Authors… if yeez doubt yeez can write… at whatever age… please read this… great post from my pal, Lauren Sapala…

Seumas Gallacher's avatarSeumas Gallacher

…I’ve cut and pasted this fabulous post from my pal Lauren Sapala… it’s a MUST read… whatever age yeez are!…

Great Big ShipsI met a woman in my first writing program who told me about her 40th birthday. She said it was the best and worst birthday she ever had. She was so happy when she turned 30, she remembered. She had a big party on the beach and all her friends came. But ten years later she found herself sobbing all alone in her bedroom the night before she turned 40.

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Wish for Me (The Djinn Order, Act One) by A. Star #DjinnTour #bookreview #Steampunk

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So You Wanna Use a Pet in Fiction?

Shadow and Interceptor from Final Fantasy

Shadow and Interceptor from Final Fantasy

Long ago, I remember playing a D&D game where our group had several pets.  There was a bear who ended up being killed by a goblin firing squad.  Two wolves that were killed because the player kept demanding we heal their injuries even after we did all we could.  A mountain lion that my Monk left at home when he saw the fate of the other pets.  Let’s just say pets are not that easy to put into a game or a story.  Here are some tips:

  1. For the love of all that is holy, have the pet make sense.  Even if it’s a dragon or a three-headed marmoset, you need to make it clear how the character has the thing tamed.  Normal pets can be explained easily since we’re used to those.  The more exotic critters may need a touch of back story.  Especially if the same animal can show up as a monster.
  2. Remember that they’re in the story.  One of the mistakes I made in the first draft of Beginning of a Hero is not giving much time to Stiletto the dog.  He wasn’t really around and I kept ignoring him, so his big scene fell flat.  The easy thing about a pet in a book is that you don’t need to do much.  Honestly, they really only have to be in a scene and interact with their owner.  Bring them up in conversation too and it reveals the bond.
  3. If they aren’t battle-oriented then keep them out of a fight.  Wizards with familiars is one thing since the animal gives them strength.  A warrior with a wolf that obeys his orders makes sense since that’s a fighting system.  Having a knight carry his pet parakeet into a war . . . that thing better do something impressive.
  4. Give them some method of showing mood.  This goes for all animal characters because they can’t talk.  Facial expressions, non-word sounds, and tail movements are all methods of communication for them.  It helps to do a little research on how each animal communicates.  If you’re working with a fictional beast then try to find a real world equivalent to examine.  For example, study hawks and lions to create the way a griffin shows emotions and thoughts.
  5. If the pet is big enough for the character to ride then have them do it.  Unless the creature lacks the temperament.  Seriously, riding a bear into battle is a great idea as long as Mr. Grizzly isn’t prone to eating his rider.  Again, give reasons/explanations for certain beast’s taming.
  6. Personal opinion:  If you don’t have the courage to harm an animal in fiction then don’t put them in dangerous positions.  A pet that follows a warrior has a high risk of getting caught in a fight.  Be careful creating an animal companion if you think you’ll have it survive every extremely dangerous encounter unscathed.
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