Big Week

First, the vest I ordered for my role in the murder/mystery dinner in two weeks arrived. Unfortunately, the manufacturer is under the impression that I should be shaped like a snow cone cup. So that will have to be altered.

Second, I finished writing the last chapter of Truth in Flames. It weighs in at over 95K words--more if I add an epilogue. It's quite a fabulous finish, if I do say so my self--but others will say the same once they've read it. Which reminds me. I should upload the chapter to my Skirmish Team for feedback and editing.

Third, I spoke in church today (I know today is the start of a new week and therefore not part of the same week we just completed, but my license to exaggerate is still valid in all 50 states) and there were no casualties. Most of the talk came from my daughter's experiences in East Texas where she's currently serving as a missionary. She had some nice stories to go with my theme of Blood, Sweat, Toil, and Tears.

While looking for something else, I found this mind map of some of my original thoughts for the Tomahawks and Dragon Fire Series. I included a screenshot of the character section to illustrate how things changed from conception to execution. I used this mind map program back when I first conceived the idea for the series, but hadn't used it since--until Truth in Flames.

It looks like Alex is the only fictional character who came through from the original brainstorming to the actual writing substantially unchanged. Atu was the name I had originally selected for the character who became Iago, and I transferred the Atu name to the islander. Tavalo would've been a fun character, but I radically changed both Francisco and Tavalo and they became Captain Rip and Antonio. The latter is an extremely fun character, a charming rogue, that a beta reader has singled out for special praise. Rip is ripe for the revelation of his backstory--it could happen in book six. I think the historical Becky Sherman turned out to be too young for the purposes I had in mind for the story--and thus was transformed into Lucette, the French freedom fighter. The dragon hunters were originally supposed to be Russians in the employ of the Russian Prince. Like everything else, they become something completely different. I have to admit that I do wonder how the story would've gone had I used those original character ideas.

I've included a mind map of a section of Truth in Flames in my newsletter. Click the button at the top of the page to subscribe.

 

Author Interview with 

Eva Creel

Author of The Immortal

Please tell me a little about your current work in progress. Currently, I’ve been writing potato chip-sized episodes on Kindle Vella.

 

Where did you get the idea for this book or series? The Immortal was inspired by a nightmare. I kept thinking about it and, after a couple of weeks, decided to write down a paragraph to get it out of my head. The paragraph turned into 46,000 words in six weeks.

 

Do you write in more than one genre? My story could fit in many genres. It’s like a crockpot. Throw everything in, and the result is delicious.

 

Tell me about something that you believe makes your writing unique or worthy of attention. Satisfying is the word I hear over and over again from my readers. And many say it should be a movie. It’s not life-changing, but The Immortal is hella entertaining.

 

Is there anything about your personal history or personality that manifests strongly in your writing? Dark sarcasm and wit over brawn.

What else would be helpful for readers to know about you? I’m dyslexic and never wanted to be a writer. I limited myself by believing I wasn’t equipped to write. Out of curiosity, I googled famous dyslexic authors, and it turns out Agatha Christy also had dyslexia. 

 

Excluding your own work, what underrated author or book would you recommend that more people read? Why? Some fantastic authors are popping up on Kindle Vella. I recommend following along with the adventures of Betsy, an 85-year-old vampire in Dark Family Secrets by Hoyt Hallford

 

Which of your books do you most highly recommend? Why? The Immortal. It’s the only one I have.

 

Which break, event, decision, or fortuitous circumstance has helped you or your writing career the most? My publicist found me in a junkyard of authors online in one of those promo social media groups. Introducing me to a community is vital in wanting to continue the journey. Kindle Vella bonuses are very encouraging as well.

 

What question do you wish you would get asked more often? Can I buy a signed copy?

Do you have a catch-phrase or quote that you like? What is it? And why do you choose it? You can’t always get what you want, but you get what you need. Ya yaaaaa. I sing that to my kids almost every day. 

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Thanks to Eva for playing.

I need a cover for Truth in Flames. I suppose I'll go with the flame motif. I'm writing the last chapter this week. One of my beta readers who has not been shy about heaping praise on each book in the series commented that this was the best one yet. We'll have to see if she still feels the same after reading the final three chapters. A lot happens in these final chapters. I really liked books 3 and 4 in the series (in truth I've liked them all, but 3 and 4 were especially fun), so I'm pleased that someone thinks book 5 is even better.

John Dickinson

 

Fun Fact: (Let me lead up to it). I haven't yet created or procured a cover for Truth in Flames. The book is rolling rapidly to the exciting conclusion that features a fantastic clash and a surprising turn to set the course for the next book in the series. In research for this book, I was struck by the peculiar delegate from Pennsylvania to the Continental Congress: John Dickinson. Dickinson was a vigorous opponent of independence--sort of. He had been a strong opponent of the Stamp Act and felt the colonies were correct in their resistance to Great Britain's heavy handedness. He had with Jefferson written A Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms. Nevertheless, he argued eloquently against independence, favoring reconciliation with England rather than independence. He was among the first to rise in opposition to both the resolution and to Jefferson's draft of the declaration. Interestingly enough, he saw which way the wind was blowing and did not actually vote against the declaration while also not voting for it either. He headed the committee tasked with drawing up articles of confederation in the event independence should be declared. When the Declaration of Independence was finally approved, Dickinson refused to sign the document. He was dismissed from the delegation and some months later commanded a battalion of Pennsylvania militia. In 1779 he was appointed as a delegate to the Continental Congress from Delaware--and in that capacity he signed the Articles of Confederation that he had helped to draft. In 1787 he was a delegate (from Pennsylvania again where he had previously served as governor) to the Constitutional Convention and promoted ratification of the document with essays under the name of Fabius.

We don't ordinarily think of Dickinson among the honored founders. His opposition to independence must be the reason for that. Although John Adams did not record his speeches in Congress in support of independence, John Dickinson did write his down and had one of them published some years later. That certainly made it easier for me to get his arguments right in Truth in Flames. For Adams' arguments, I had to look to his other writings and recollections. Of course, with the addition of the fantasy elements (e.g. dragons and magic), and France otherwise engaged, there were some additions to be made to the arguments. I had a great time writing that particular chapter, and I was seriously impressed with all the discourses and arguments that I found on the subject. Jefferson's Notes of Proceedings in the Continental Congress was useful, but not as helpful as I had hoped.

I'm looking at having the ebook of Truth in Flames, Book 5 in the Tomahawks and Dragon Fire series, available at the end of November. You can get a free copy of the prequel to the series at this link.

Anna Mocikat

 Interview with

Anna Mocikat

Author of The Behind Blue Eyes Series

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

I’m currently finishing up War Games, the third installment in my Behind Blue Eyes series. I’ve put a lot of effort into this book and can’t wait to release it in March.

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

Behind Blue Eyes is a cyberpunk series heavily inspired by Ghost in the Shell and the 90s video game Syndicate. I wanted to write this story for many years but got somehow distracted on the way until I finally published the first book in the series in 2020. I’m happy that since then it gained many fans, which makes me confident to continue this series for many years.

Do you write in more than one genre?

Besides the Behind Blue Eyes series, I also have the Shadow City series, which is a blend of sci-fi and horror, and finally, Cyber Squad, which is a cyberpunk LitRPG series.

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

I’m originally a screenwriter and have learned the craft at film school. Before I began publishing novels, I worked in the film and TV industry for many years. This shows clearly in my literary work. Readers often tell me that they can see a movie in their heads when reading my books. That’s because my style is very visual, and I use screenwriting techniques for my novel. Basically, I see a movie in my head, which I write down.

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

As mentioned in the last question, I think that my background as a screenwriter and filmmaker manifests strongly in my writing.

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

I’m also the editor of the Neo Cyberpunk anthology series, with book 2 just released. It’s a collection of short stories by some of the hottest contemporary cyberpunk authors. Some people say cyberpunk is dead, but that’s not true. It’s more alive than ever. To show it in all its diversity I created Neo Cyberpunk. Contrary to what some people believe, the genre is not stuck in the 80s but has evolved. There’s so much more out there than Neuromancer, and particularly in the indie sector, the creativity is exploding.

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

I highly recommend Ten Sigma by A.W. Wang. It’s one of the best books I’ve read in a long time and it’s completely underrated. Wang is an extraordinarily talented author who puts a tremendous effort into his books, and it shows. Ten Sigma is a cyberpunk/ military sci-fi mix and I recommend it to all sci-fi fans. However, it’s also very brutal and not suitable for minors and the faint-hearted.

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

That would be clearly Behind Blue Eyes, the book, and the series. I’ve been a professional writer all my adult life and think that this book is by far the best I’ve ever written. It’s a very action-driven and cinematic story, but that’s only half of it. Below the surface, the story has a lot of depths. Besides, I put a great effort into world-building. Everything described in the book is plausible and could exist someday.

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

I think my decision to finally write Behind Blue Eyes was one of the best in my life.

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

Any kind of questions about cyberpunk. I can talk about it for hours haha

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

Would you give up your freedom for a perfect life? And can life be perfect without freedom?

It sums up Behind Blue Eyes pretty well. In 2095 society has been turned into a utopia that offers the perfect life for everyone. Unless you disagree or decide you want to live your life as you see fit. Then they’ll send killer cyborgs after you. In my opinion, the evilest dystopia comes disguised as a utopia.

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Thanks to Anna for participating.

Do you think she realizes her name is an anagram (or should it be annagram in this case?) of A Cat Ink Moan?

Probably not anymore than I realized that Stanley Wheeler was an anagram of Easy Teller When. I found several anagrams I like. I'll include them in my newsletter with a link to the anagram maker--and ask my readers for their favorites.

Truth in Flames is so close to being complete that I can feel the heat of the fiery finish. I would like to write the last by Friday--but I think the week is going to be too full to allow the time I need. It probably will take two weeks.

 

Strange things are done in the midday sun

By the men who moil for adventures;

The canyon trails have their secret tales

That would make you spit out your dentures;

The Firehouse ruins have seen strange doin's,

But the strangest they ever did see

Was that day on the brim of the canyon rim

With my dad, my son, and me.

(With apologies to Robert Service)

The picture above was taken from a point part way up the canyon wall. Notice how the near wall on the left has a nice gradual slant to it. We couldn't get to that. Our path--and I use the term "path" only in the generic sense of what we left behind--went nearly straight up the canyon wall.The few spots that had a hint of a gradual slope were more thickly brushed than the Withywindle and twice as mean. Somewhere along the way I barked up my shin, but I don't know whether it was on rock or a limb. Anyway, we survived.

I spent most of the week around Blanding, UT, with a trip to Moab in the mix as well. We saw some cool ruins, got to look around in the house where my dad was born, tried to get to Wilson Mesa, and got to spend time together. Did you know that you can play cribbage with poker chips? If you've forgotten the cribbage board, you can. However, I don't recommend trying it with a pinochle deck. We picked up a cheap deck of regular cards at the dollar store but we couldn't find a cribbage board. In fact, only one person we asked even knew what cribbage is. None of the store people knew what it was.

I've included a little more of the tale in my newsletter. (You can click the newsletter tab at the top of the page to sign up for the letter).

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On the writing front, Truth in Flames is burning toward the exciting conclusion. I can count the remaining chapters on three fingers or less. Fire and flame has been a constant theme in this 5th installment in the Tomahawks and Dragon Fire series and the saga combines various types of flame with the fire for freedom.

In reading, I've finished Speak Like Churchill, Stand Like Lincoln by James C. Humes (I have included notes from this in the newsletter), and The Vampyre by John Polidori. I'm still reading A Man Called Intrepid and a couple others.