By Kayla Matt
Today’s volunteer is an aspiring author who has been working hard on his first manuscript. He documents his progress and shares interesting articles about indie authors on his blog Time to Write. This man is one of the most supportive bloggers I know within the indie author community.
A big thank you to:
Check out his part of the blog tour HERE!
Scene from ‘Elf’
I’ve been asked a few times about how one fits in the necessary daily actions of a character during a story. This ranges from eating, sleeping, using the bathroom, and grooming activities. They’re tiny things, but many people wonder about how characters do this when they’re in the middle of an adventure. So, we’ll hit on the big ones here with a few tips on how to factor them in.
Going to the Bathroom
Honestly, this is the most common curiosity because it appeals to one’s sense of humor. It falls into potty humor many times with jokes and teasing. If it is involved in a scene then it’s because someone barged in on someone else. There is rarely a serious scene when someone is answering nature’s call. My advice is to leave this in the realm of ‘they get the job done’ and don’t touch on it unless it’s somehow plot essential.
Sleeping
This is something that can be put down for a given because a reader can assume characters are getting sleep. If they are yawning and stumbling around then you can tell that they’ve been missing a few nap times. A big use for sleeping is a transition point that ends a scene, chapter, or the entire book. There is a sense of peace that can be brought out when a character is going to sleep, so it makes for a tried and true ‘The End’.
Bathing and Shaving
Shaving is easily touched on by describing if a male character has an unkempt beard or not. A female character can mention it in passing as a complaint about traveling if you really feel the need to mention it. As for bathing, there are three uses for this type of scene. One is a transition like sleeping because a sense of serenity can be created. You can also use it for humor scenes much like the bathroom a scene. Barging in on a bathing character is a staple of Japanese cartoons and comics. A final use is for romantic/erotic scenes if you’re aiming for that. When this isn’t mentioned then assume characters are bathing as long as nobody is bringing up their terrible body odor.
Eating and Drinking
This is the easiest activity to fit into a story because people do this in public and while doing other things. Characters can talk while having lunch and take breaks from talking to have a drink. The simple act of a character saying he or she is hungry then going in search of food can answer this question. If characters are traveling then showing them pack a meal or mention trail rations is enough to put a reader’s mind at ease. In truth, you can assume a character is eating and drinking from the fact that they’re not dehydrated or starving to death.
Haircut
I’m putting this in because it’s come up once or twice. Especially in fantasy, you never hear about heroes going to their barber. I’ve read one book where it is brought up and the character in question cuts his own hair . . . with his saxe knife. This is The Ranger’s Apprentice Series if anyone is interested. You can show characters trimming their hair if you want and it won’t do anything good or bad to the story. It can be used as a character conversation backdrop, but this seems to be more common with heroines.
Cover Art by Jason Pedersen
http://www.indieauthornews.com/p/top-50-indie-books.html
Seems Legends of Windemere: Beginning of a Hero hit 44 (45) for the month of December. Take a look and check out all the great books on Indie Author News.
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A few weeks ago I wrote a list of various thieves types and said that I didn’t have to explain pirates. Well, it has been pointed out that there are different types of pirates. Forgive me if I’m wrong on the real types, but I’m trying here. So, here’s a list of types with a few real, but most fiction:
A favorite of childhood
Brought on every trip
Stitched whenever harmed
Sharing in ice cream
And gum that remains today
Precious toy held in the night
Until age takes the child away
A token of youth
Carried through the years
Gradually ignored
Collecting dust and fading
Soon left behind
Sitting upon a shelf
Or tucked into a chest
Then it happens once again
Child returns to hug
And carry with such care
Not as rough or reckless
Due to a parent’s words
About their toy
That their child now holds
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Long ago in February, I wrote about the use of writing a history for a fantasy world. It brings depth and characters can mention past events like we do. Gives your world a more organic feel.
This time I’m going to bring up another topic that strongly relates to it. Some times you’ll create these events and characters will discuss them to the point where you see another story in there. A few of you might be thinking of the dreaded term ‘Prequels’ (Thanks, Mr. Lucas!) and others are thinking more along the lines of the Silmarillion. Either way, the history book ends up being released after the more current events. This can create a greater depth for your world that will strengthen all of your stories. Still, it comes with a few obstacles.
You play a balancing act here. If you reveal too much of the events in the modern series then you might not have many people reading to see it. They already know the juicy details. Same with the history book if it shows too much of the other series. Use one to foreshadow the other if they’re that closely connected. If the modern series isn’t connected in plot then don’t bring it up in the history beyond a cameo like one of the hero’s ancestors or a landmark.
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Anachronism is another challenge. Although, it might reverse anachronism. The point is that stories from an older age typically need older technology. For fantasy, this can include the progression of magical knowledge and the populations of various magical species. For example, modern stories might have very few dragons while the history book has a lot more before they were hunted so often. One of the criticisms a few friends have had about ‘The Prequels’ (thanks, Mr. Lucas!) is that the technology looked more advanced than the original trilogy. This is easier to avoid in books because we’re working with the same special effects the old masters used. Take your time and think about what hasn’t appeared in your world yet.
Most importantly, don’t have world changing events occur in a history book that will undo the modern world of the other stories. No blowing up a city that exists perfectly fine in the modern world or burning down every plant on a continent. It might get you shock value, but then you have to explain why or how it was reversed before the other series took place. Only so much time can pass before people think you screwed up. These mistakes don’t even have to happen on a grand scale. For example, say the time period is close enough that a character from the modern series can make an appearance. So, you have him show up and interact with those heroes, one of which is related to another of the future heroes. It is a last minute addition, so there’s no mention of this meeting in the modern series. Hello, plot hole. Why didn’t the older character talk about meeting the other’s ancestor in that earlier series? Maybe he doesn’t even talk about the events as if he was involved. If you’re going to reuse a character for a history book then you need to make sure their knowledge is consistent. In simpler words:
Don’t let your new series screw up the continuity and cohesiveness of your old series!
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Today’s other volunteer is the author of the above book. It’s on a site called Swoon Reads and is an Adventure Mystery/Suspense. I’m not really sure how this site works, but it looks like a free upload site. Log in and give her your support. I believe I should say Free Book here.
A big thank you to:
Check out her part of the blog tour HERE!
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Today’s first volunteer is an aspiring author, a proud mother, and a certified Aromatherapist. I believe this is the use of oils and herbs to help the body heal, but you can find out a lot more on her blog. So, head on over and check out her blog to learn more about this interesting field.
A big thank you to:
Check out her part of the blog tour HERE!
If so then I’m betting you’re chomping at the bit to start filling it with books. One of the greatest things about owning a Kindle is that it opens the door to many Indie Authors who only work through eBooks. There are Kindle books for every age, taste, and curiosity with prices that make them worth the risk of stepping outside of the big boys. You might find a gem that you never knew existed.
You can buy the first three volumes of Legends of Windemere for $5!
Legends of Windemere: Beginning of a Hero (99 cents)
By Kayla Matt
Follow Luke Callindor as he sets off on his first adventure. Determined to prove he can be a hero, the young warrior lies to get a royal assignment. All he has to do is pretend to be a student at the Hamilton Military Academy and protect the heir of Serab. Due to excitement and bravado, Luke never asks who the heir is and must discover which of his fellow classmates is of royal blood. As if his life couldn’t get any worse, a demonic assassin and the Lich that controls it are lurking in the shadows. They might not be the biggest threat to him because the ex-mercenary headmistress has a punishment plan with his name on it. Luke is going to need some friends to help him survive, but who would be crazy enough to lend a hand without taking over his debut adventure?
Legends of Windemere: Prodigy of Rainbow Tower (99 cents)
By Kayla Matt
Luke Callindor and his friends are back to escort the heir of Serab home. Leaving the safety of the academy, they must travel down the L’dandrin River. Traps, demons, trolls, and goblins are in their future as Queen Trinity of the chaos elves acts as the hands of the recovering Lich. With her magical power and an entire race of cunning killers at her command, she may prove to be too much for Luke. That is if she can defeat Nyx the combat caster, whose temper and love of fire magic makes her a force to be feared. It will be a clash of magic and swords as our heroes are pushed beyond their limits. A fast-paced, character-driven adventure that ends with the death of a hero and a crushing betrayal.
Legends of Windemere: Allure of the Gypsies ($2.99)
By Jason Pedersen
Luke Callindor, Nyx, and their surviving friends limp their way to Gods’ Voice to deliver the heir of Serab. Their souls wounded, they set off for Haven to relax in the country and decide on what they will do next. Unfortunately, Haven is the home of the Callindor family and Luke left a mess behind when he set off to become a hero. A disappointed father, a worried mother, and a furious ex-fiancee are waiting for him. It’s enough to make him thank his enemies for sending Kalam the vampire and an undead army to crush the country town. It is a grand battle that’s only the beginning as another hero will fall and the only way to save him is to steal Kalam’s spellbook. Can Luke and Nyx survive the mountain lair of the ancient vampire and escape in time to revive their friend? Will Sari the gypsy, who they find in the dungeon, be their key to victory or does she have her own plans? The main plot of Legends of Windemere is finally revealed in this fun adventure filled with humor, action, and drama.
