It was a Saturday, a day like any other day. I was in a small town, and the boys had come to play. It was my destiny. It's what we needed to do. They were telling me. I'm telling you.*

The Corsican Brothers came. They came to play. We led off with HeroQuest, which my wife had purchased for our family back in the early 90's, I guess. They were actually anxious to play what we've come to call Our Custom Game, but I persuaded them to try this game first to expose them to a new game system.

The thing about playing with the Corsican Brothers, is that there is an actual playing time of about 15-20 minutes for every 2 hours dedicated to the proposition. It all begins with a brief explanation of the rules. Of course, that brief explanation is expanded into a lengthy discussion about various aspects of play and the rules because: "Why?" Moss was particularly interested in the spells used in the game and why the wizard got three sets and the elf only got one set, and how they worked. He was particularly taken by one which allowed a person to pass through solid rock and another that allowed one to become mist and pass through enemies. We burned a lot of time throughout the session as he returned to question how that would work and why one would be trapped forever if he ended his move inside solid rock. 

Anyway, you may be able to glean a bit of their style of play from the photo of game board above. After carefully explaining that they had the greatest chance of success if they stayed together to help each other against the potential opponents, they immediately split the party. They opted to go about opening as many doors as they could find. If you look closely at the board, noting that their characters are the red figures, you can see that they are spread out and are all being attacked by bad guys. The big bad boss of the dungeon level has also been discovered. Now he can chase down the scattered adventurers and kill them individually. 

They did not get to taste the bitter fruit of their strategy because the ladies returned from doing their errands and such, and we had to put it away.

Their time with HeroQuest did bear fruit later when they came back for dinner and birthday cake. After the dinner, Roy drafted me into a game of chess. Following the clash on the checkered arena, in which it was determined that two knights and a rook were sufficient to topple a king, they insisted on playing Our Custom Game.

They took complete control in setting up the game, finding and placing monsters and men, and writing notes for the movement, combat, and other abilities of the pieces involved. Thus continued the adventures of Darth Vader and Eldon Zyrax or Eldon Zyron (I can't remember the name exactly). The two adventurers joined the longrad, the golden turtle, the black leeches, the Alien Scouts, the goblins, the trans, the Healer, the CPUs, the biome, and the building that might-or-might-not-be solid rock.

Did you catch that last one? You may be able to guess who wanted to incorporate the spells from HeroQuest into Our Custom Game. He knew what he wanted and pursued it. One of the Alien Scouts had the water spells. Moss made a beeline for that enemy and successfully resisted a sleep spell to slay the guy and pry the magic spells from his cold dead hands.

The picture here is how things looked when it was time for them to go. We always leave the game setup so that we can resume it when they next return.

Eventually, I'll let them see the D&D books; the Monster Manual will have them ecstatic.

*Yes. It's a song reference twisted to my own purposes. See Foreigner--"Long, Long Way from Home," first verse.

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Those of you who subscribe to the newsletter know I that I attended a funeral this week (Oops, I guess you don't. Even though I've written the newsletter, it doesn't go out for a few more days). My biggest fan wants me to include a character based on the dearly departed in a sequel to The Shrinking Zone. Of course, that's a fabulous idea, and one that I anticipated he would suggest. We shall see.

 

Author Interview with

C.T. Phipps

Author of: Space Academy Dropouts and The Rules of Supervilliany 

Please tell me a little about your current work in progress.

I am just about to release SPACE ACADEMY DROPOUTS, which is a humorous science fiction novel set in the Spiral. Vance Turbo, not his real name, is a recent drop out ready to take the universe by storm. However, he’s almost immediately dragooned into the service of a black ops division of Space Fleet and forced to save the universe. Too bad it’s with the worst crew in the galaxy.

Where did you get the idea for this book or series?

I am a lifelong fan of Star Trek and Star Wars, being part of both fandoms. I couldn't help but imagine what would happen if you combined them (and don't say Babylon Five). The Galactic Community is an idealistic and noble organization that also has its flaws. Vance is every bit committed to that ideal but doesn't feel he can live up to it, hence why he drops out. What follows is basically a (anti)hero's journey to figure out how you must thread the needle of practicality versus ideals.

Do you write in more than one genre?

Oh yes. I have multiple other books in other genres with The Rules of Supervillainy being a parody series about superheroes. It's my most famous work. I'm also the writer of Agent G, which is a combination of James Bond and cyberpunk science fiction. He's a dashing amnesiac super-soldier and spy who works for awful people. I have other works, but these are two that I'm most proud of.

Tell me about something that you believe makes your writing unique or worthy of attention.

I am very good at rapid fire dialogue and humor. As a fan of Clerks and Buffy: The Vampire Slayer, I soon found I absolutely loved their referential sarcastic kind of comedy. I came to appreciate this in the literature I read as well. I adore the Dresden Files by Jim Butcher and indie works by authors John G. Harkness, Rick Gualtieri, and Drew Hayes. For me, I absolutely adore making my readers laugh while putting my characters through hell. Every one of my characters is a wiseass and it’s hilarious seeing them play off one another.

Is there anything about your personal history or personality that manifests strongly in your writing?

I, too, am a wiseass like many of my characters.

What else would be helpful for readers to know about you?

I am actually an uplifted panda a trench coat and fedora.

Excluding your own work, what underrated author or book would you recommend that more people read? Why?

I think neo-cyberpunk is an underrated genre and often considered to be dead when it's thriving on the indie market. As such, I recommend the works of Anna Mocikat (Behind Blue Eyes), Brian Parker (Easytown), and S.C. Jensen (Bubbles in Space). All three of them are fantastic authors that deserve a lot more attention for their work.

Which of your books do you most highly recommend? Why?

I think that all my books have something for everyone. The Rules of Supervillainy is a hilarious romp from start to finish for fans of comic books and movie superheroes. Agent G has something for fans of thrilling spy adventures and action-filled sci-fi. Space Academy Dropouts is a delightful homage to stories that boldly go where no one really should. I don’t regret any of my books and try to make them fun for anyone who picks them up.

Which break, event, decision, or fortuitous circumstance has helped you or your writing career the most?

I ran into some serious trouble while starting off my career. I didn't know how to navigate the complexities of the business, market, or even hire a decent editor. I got taken advantage of once or twice. Thankfully, David Niall Wilson of Crossroad Press gave me a hand up and helped show me the ropes. I owe him a lot. He taught me a lot about how to get my books polished, out there, and noticed. More authors should be so lucky as to have a mentor like him.

 

What question do you wish you would get asked more often?

"Charles, you beautiful sexy beast, where can I buy your books?" :)

Do you have a catchphrase or quote that you like? What is it? And why do you choose it?

Stay safe. Because, really, more people should.

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Thanks to CT for participating.

I've got great news on the writing front -- but first a truly stupendous event must be brought to your attention. You are invited to participate:

The give-away is live. Click this link for your opportunity to receive 5 fabulous free autographed books from 6 fabulous authors. These books are to die for -- but don't die, just sign up and share the link from the signup for more chances at success.

The offer is up for only a few days. Enter now and punch your ticket to adventure.

And speaking of adventure. Truths in Flame--Book 5 of the Tomahawks and Dragon Fire series--is more than half complete. The action and adventure, intrigue and tension, colorful characters and new beasties are melding into another terrific tale. At the moment, I'm stumped on a special ability or disability a character is about to discover. I once knew what it was going to be, but have forgotten and can't find that I wrote it down anywhere. If you have any fun ideas, let me know. And get yourself to Mars signed up for the fabulous 5 book give-away.

 

While scanning through some of the highlighted passages from my reading over the last few years, I assembled these quotes wherein you may find a common theme. Feel free to react like Mr. Wilder here.

"History is not just a tale of men’s making, but is a thing tied to the land. We call a hill by the name of a hero who died there, or name a river after a princess who fled beside its banks, and when the old names vanish, the stories go with them and the new names carry no reminder of the past" -  Bernard Cornwell Excalibur p.123.

"A dragon will set up a complex system of rules and then attempt to impress you with how well he is following them. Of course, the rules are completely arbitrary and fashioned with the sole purpose of making certain the dragon gets what he wants. If you ever happen to catch a dragon violating his own rules, he’ll claim some obscure loophole, and if you back him into a corner, he’ll just modify the rules to accommodate his behavior."    - Robert Kroese - Distopia p. 65.

"When virtue is banished, ambition invades the minds of those who are disposed to receive it, and avarice possesses the whole community." - Montesquieu - The Spirit of Laws

"The Turks entirely understood the arts of suppression and extortion, which they defined as government." - Talbot Mundy

"“Keep a government poor and weak and it’s your servant; let it get rich and powerful and it’s your master." - H. Piper Beam

"There is also decivilization by erosion, and while it’s going on, nobody notices it. Everybody is proud of their civilization, their wealth and culture. But trade is falling off; fewer ships come in each year. So there is boastful talk about planetary self-sufficiency; who needs off-planet trade anyhow? Everybody seems to have money, but the government is always broke. Deficit spending—and always the vital social services for which the government has to spend money. The most vital one, of course, is buying votes to keep the government in power. And it gets harder for the government to get anything done." - H. Piper Beam

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On the writing front, both I and the blank page remained largely at a stalemate, entrenched in our respective positions. I was at a conference this week but did manage to scribble out a few words in the solitude of the hotel room. Solitude which included, wafting from the courtyard below my window, the unrestrained strains of guitar strings doing their ill-played best to drown the sound of ill-sung songs. At one point I found a pair of old earbuds and listened to my own music to throttle the nuisance noise. Unfortunately, only one of the earbuds was working properly.

As a result of the disappointing progress that I made against the blank page and its infinite siblings, I decided to read through the novel as it exists so far to scrutinize it for continuity and pacing issues. I'm almost back to the present location and have been pleased with what I've read. However, I can see that the great finale, the zenith of the book, has not been sufficiently foreshadowed. The rising tide of dread with the inexorable approach of the grand climax has been omitted. The various adventures of the characters are great, but I've neglected to make the promise that the gobsmacking wunderclash finale fulfills. An element of my threefold formula--The Trauma, The Drama, and The Dream--has been insufficiently costumed. Alas, the crescendo has no clothes.

In my defense, I've been researching and writing this particular event and a related matter, with the buildup to the resolution in isolation from the rest of the story, and have not yet incorporated it into the novel. So the streams will cross at the appropriate time, and tension will rise on every page until the reader shivers with delight at the promise delivered.

***

 Interview with Alma Alexander

Author of

Changer of Days, Fractured Fairy Tales, and The Second Star

Please tell me a little about your current work in progress.

Currently wibbling between several projects to embark on – a science fiction novel, an urban fantasy, a historical fantasy, or an epic fantasy follow-up story on my “Changer of Days” novel which has just been released as a 20^th anniversary edition. I am leaning towards the SF book mainly because one of the characters is turning insistent – but I haven’t made up my mind yet….

Where did you get the idea for this book or series?

If we’re talking about the science fiction novel I mentioned in question 1…the roots of it lie in a dream. I’ve done that before, for stories – dreamed either the whole thing or a beginning which then gets embroidered on and expanded as I start to think more about it.

Do you write in more than one genre?

Yes. Several. But mostly I swim in “fantasy” waters, with various subgenres coming into play.

Tell me about something that you believe makes your writing unique or worthy of attention.

I build good worlds, I am told. I am also told I create memorable characters who stay with the reader long after the book is over. I’ll take either as a massive compliment.

Is there anything about your personal history or personality that manifests strongly in your writing?

A great writer and a literary idol of mine once told me that the fact that I read and write a lot of poetry makes my voice a unique one – there is a certain lyricism that translates through into the prose. My love of language shines through.

What else would be helpful for readers to know about you?

I truly enjoy hearing from readers who liked my stories. So don’t hesitate to contact me (there’s a helpful form to do so on my website…)

Excluding your own work, what underrated author or book would you recommend that more people read? Why?

There is a book by a new author coming out very soon and all I can say is, keep an eye out for Colm O’Shea in 2022…

Which of your books do you most highly recommend? Why?

That would depend on what kind of thing you want to read right now. I would seriously suggest going to the Book Table on my website and browsing for whatever sort of thing takes your fancy at this moment. There’s sure to be something there that will qualify.

Which break, event, decision, or fortuitous circumstance has helped you or your writing career the most?

There is a novel – “Secrets of Jin Shei” – that sold internationally in a dozen languages, and helped to buy my house with its royalties. That helped… with everything.

What question do you wish you would get asked more often?

I don’t know. Perhaps the perfect question hasn’t even been asked yet and I don’t know I miss it…

Do you have a catch-phrase or quote that you like? What is it? And why do you choose it?

Something I am often quoted on: “If you want to be a writer, nobody can stop you. If you don’t, nobody can help you.” It all lies within you, your passion, your dreams, your faith. If that is something that a person wants, a life of words, then they should pursue it with everything they’ve got.

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Thanks to Alma for participating.

As for what I've got cooking: In two weeks I'll be participating in a give-away with D.J. Butler and some other fabulous authors. Watch for a link to enter.

If you haven't picked up the FREE prequel to my Tomahawks and Dragon Fire series you can get it by clicking here.

Or by clicking here.

I'm in the middle of book 5 of the series. If you're not familiar with the series yet, you are in for a treat, a surge of raw adventure with magic and dragons set during the American Revolutionary War. Let me share a review from another rabid reader for Clamorous Harbingers, the 3rd book in the series:

5 Stars 

A Thrilling Addition to a Fantastic Series!

August 1, 2022

Format : Paperback | Verified Purchase

The 3rd entry in the Tomahawks and Dragon Fire Series continues the action and excitement of this series and builds to a crescendo. We see the introduction of the malevolent Stone Cats, a worthy addition to the mythical creature menagerie. Set in the time of the American Revolution, the fictional crew is joined by the introduction of George Washington to the characters in the story. The skirmish at Jumonville glen is detailed with grisly detail. Note that the historical references are there for atmosphere - as the story is primarily a fantasy set in an alternate history. The battles in this book are truly epic, I can't give too many details so as not to reveal spoilers. We see further development in the cast of characters and more magic and powers. The classics quoting outdoorsman, Lee, a personal favorite has an important part to play - as do the indomitable pair - Iago and Atu, a mute midget and his eloquent translator islander friend. i really enjoyed this book - on to the next book!