Amanda Muratoff

 Interview with Amanda Muratoff

Author of The Pantracia Chronicles

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

We are currently working on Book 12 in the Pantracia Chronicles! It is the second book in the final trilogy of the main series, setting us up for the finale in book 13. Things are definitely ramping up in these last two books,

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

We get inspiration from everywhere! Though most of it for this series comes from our original tellings of these stories, which happened 10-15 years ago, depending on which character. They’ve existed for so long. We started Pantracia by doing text-based role playing when we were teens, and while the characters have evolved a TON over the years, their inspiration remains true to our original vision.

Do you write in more than one genre?

Published, no. But I also write YA second world fantasy and have one project on the go in that genre. Maybe one day I’ll hit the publish button. We’ll see. :)

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

I think a lot of why this series is unique and worthy of attention is how long it’s been in the making. The world and character development has occurred over the last twenty years, creating a depth to the stories that is very difficult to achieve in a shorter amount of time. Also, that we write these books as cowriters, “controlling” different characters, gives their interactions and dialogue a much more authentic feel, since we never know what the other is going to write, so the interactions and conversations are as real as they come.

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

Oh, definitely. I’m very independent… and some (my parents) may even say “too” independent, and that tends to rub off on my characters. Particularly the female ones. I believe in strong women who can go toe to toe with men in conversation, battle, you name it, so that’s what I write. I also have a love for friesian horses, thus Amarie’s chosen friesian, Viento. I also enjoy making people laugh, and inserting humour into the books - sometimes in unexpected places - gives me great joy.

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

I LOVE talking about the books. The characters. The world. I love talking to readers, hearing from them, about what parts made them laugh or cry.

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

Vela Roth has some really cool books. Definitely work checking out.

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

Well, I mean, I obviously recommend starting the series at book 1. But my favourite to go back and read myself is Book 6, Heart of the Wolf. I also recommend the prequel, it’s free to download from our website www.pantracia.com and gives a good idea of our writing style and how the stories flow.

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

I left my career in VFX while pregnant with my son, and at the same time, I started writing and publishing with my coauthor. The ability to write from home while being a mom has been great and my husband is super supportive.

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

I wish I got asked more about the actual characters. Who is the most stubborn, or who would have the biggest sweet tooth. They are like people to me, so when readers treat them similarly, it makes me so happy.

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

One of my favourite phrases from the books is “Together, we rise.” It comes into play in books 6 and 7, and I think the sentiment is powerful. That we can accomplish greater good if we work together.

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Thanks to Amanda for participating.

In the bugmageddon novella, the Browning .50 caliber is mounted and loaded. The heroes are in sight of their goal. The chitin and hemolymph legions threaten to destroy humanity's only shot at freedom, and the Power Wagon and motorcycle fellowship may not have enough bullets to stop them.

About Time

 

 

 My, my, my, look at the time. It's that time of the week again. A blank blog whispers for attention. Time is slip sliding away, and slipping, slipping, slipping into the future. Who invented time? Was it a conspiracy by clock makers to sell their previously worthless wares? When did time start? Will it end? Could we have measured time in a different manner than seconds, minutes, hours, and days? Is it true that the first sun dial was actually a wrong number? 

These may not burning questions. Although, that could be a unit of measurement--the time it takes for on object of a particular size, shape, and weight to burn could be 1 burn. That could be useful. It's visual. In fact, I believe candles have been used to mark the passage of time, which is useful at night when the power is out for the sun dial--but that still doesn't answer the question, "Does anyone really know what time it is?"

Time flies--which may explain the delays at the airports. Time waits for no man--but it's been known to loiter for a lady. Time is what keeps everything from happening all at once--but how long would that take? If time didn't exist, would patience still be a virtue?

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In case I forgot, here's an interview featuring me.

On the writing front, the latest novel proceeds. I hope to finish in a week. I continue to add details to my upcoming presentation on forging unforgettable stories. It has been a helpful exercise. When I get a feeling that something isn't right with some section of writing or character, I can ask questions based on material in the presentation to arrive at the precise nature of the shortcoming. In fact, I don't have to ask questions; I read it and realize what's absent in the literary alchemy.

 Fun Fact:

 

Bohemond and his Norman troops scale the walls of Antioch, 

in an engraving by Gustave Doré

Gather round and hear the tale of the taking of Antioch in the spring of ten-ninety-eight. A fair Norman prince, Bohemond was--although of the generic sort as far as that title goes. During the first crusade, it was, that gathered princes stormed the gate. For many long months the knights and their armed kith had laid siege to their Turkish foes. Another Iliad it was, with the conquerors held long at bay. No Trojan horse did breach the wall, but an armorer willing to betray. 

Fayruz succumbed to promises of gold made by Bohemond the bold. The host of Christendom feigned a retreat from impregnable Antioch. It was but a ploy to terminate the lengthy deadlock.

Bohemond and his chosen returned to clandestine ropes lowered by Fayruz in the dark of night. The revenants climbed into the tower, keen to engage in the fight. They threw open the gates and broke the lock, inviting their host into Antioch.

They took the city and put a portion to the slaughter, slaying many, sparing neither son nor daughter. Yet the elation was short lived as a new enemy approached. The besiegers became the besieged, surrounded by a numerous host.

With city stores exhausted from their own successful strangle, the princes scrounged for food and sustenance in every corner and angle. Amid this desperation, pilgrim Peter had a vision of a holy lance. Deep in a hole within the church he found the relic that would provide a fighting chance.

Driven to desperation and instilled with religious ardor, the soldiers sallied forth with ambition to conquer. The Frankish army charged the stunned enemy, who divided by their factions to escape and to flee.

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If you gathered from the above that I'm reading Dan Jones' Crusaders, you would be right. The poetic mayhem--for how else can the inconsistent meter and roving rhyme be described?--is entirely of my own manufacture.

 

The Fall of Generals

 

Benjamin West's The Death of Wolfe

 The Fun Fact today returns us to the French and Indian War and Wolfe's attempt to take Quebec.

In September 1759, Wolfe was moving forces up river, but Montcalm believed that was a diversion and that the British attack on the French stronghold would once again be directed at Beauport. In fact, that was what Wolfe had wanted to do. His brigadiers, however, said, "Don't" to that plan--thus extending the conflict (drama) and creating tension, for those of you interested in story techniques. Therefore, Wolfe, like a true literary hero, pointed out the cliffs at Anse au Foulon west of Quebec to Monckton as the place were that general would lead his troops in an assault. Monckton reacted with "Suspicion" to the idea, not knowing the overall scheme of attack and what Murray and Townsend might be assigned.

September 12, the brigadiers told Wolfe, "Don't Be Cruel" and demanded some details on his plan. Wolfe was not forthcoming with specifics, letting them know that he would be with Monckton's troops, and that Murray and Townsend would follow with their troops if the assault proved successful. Wolfe prepared his will and dressed in his best uniform. At midnight he determined "It's Now or Never" and gave the word to execute the transport of troops to the landing site. 

His plan, which did not seem the best option at the time, required moving his soldier in a flotilla of boats down the swift Saint Lawrence River to on a rocky shore in the dark, to scale a steep cliff, and form up on the plain above without being spotted and driven away before they could so assemble. Understandably, the generals were not filled with "Burnin' Love."

By way of distraction, British guns bombarded the defenses at Beauport where the French continued to expect the assault. French sentries noted the passing of boats in the darkness and cried out. However, someone on the British boats replied in French, and the sentries did not raise an alarm. By four in the morning the advance force of 1800 men, among whom was Lt. Col. William Howe leading a detachment of light infantry. Howe would command the British forces for a time during the American War for Independence.

A detachment of Canadian militia opened fire on Howe's light infantry, and Wolfe halted the landing. However, Wolfe's adjutant, Major Isaac Barré (who would be wounded in the cheek and lose his right eye in the coming battle) ignored Wolfe's command and continued sending troops up the cliff. If there is a hero of the battle, perhaps it's Barré rather than Wolfe.

Montcalm heard the shooting, but continued to believe it was a diversion from the true point of attack at Beauport. Nevertheless, he did order a battalion back to a position west of Quebec. When the sound of battle became more convincing, the French General rode with 4500 regulars and militia to the Plains of Abraham to confront Wolfe and the 4,000 British of Monckton's and Townsend's commands who had climbed into position.

Montcalm had sent orders for Bougainville and his troops to come and attack Wolfe from the west, trapping him between the two French forces. Unfortunately, the hammer refused to wait for the anvil, and simply cast itself into the flames. Montcalm sent his line of troops against Wolfe's red line in a frontal assault.

When the French had closed to within 150 yards, the first rank of French attackers dropped to one knee and fired a volley into the British line. A ball struck General Wolfe in the wrist, shattering the bones. The French reloaded and continued the advance. At 60 yards, the British flanks began to fire. At 40 yards, the British center unleashed a blast that halted the French advance and sent into a precipitate charge to the rear.

Wolfe, before falling with mortal wounds in the intestines and chest, ordered a bayonet charge to destroy the running French. Montcalm fell with wounds to his leg and stomach, to die the next morning. Wolfe died on the field.

Command fell to Townsend, who ordered the British forces to regroup. Bougainville withdrew.

The garrison of 2,200 soldier, sailors, and militia had rations for three days to defend Quebec and its 6,000 inhabitants from the British invasion. The garrison chose to "Surrender" on September 17 with a relief force of 5,000 only a dozen miles away. The English granted the French troops safe passage to France and the militiamen were permitted to join their families.

Just in time for winter, the British had made themselves masters of the ruins. The British fleet left. Townsend said, "I'm Leavin'," and returned to England, and Monckton went to New York to recover from his wounds. James Murray was left in charge of a starving city with a French army to the west and no hope of immediate aide.

--I've consulted my highlights from The French and Indian Wars: Deciding the Fate of North America by Walter R. Borneman, Chapter 13 for this fun fact episode.

*"Don't," "Suspicion," "Don't Be Cruel," "It's Now or Never," "Burnin' Love," "I'm Leavin'," and "Surrender" were hits by what great American performer? 

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I've just started reading Dan Snow's Crusaders, and I'm listening to Alan Dean Foster's To The Vanishing Point. 

In the writing war, I'm down to the final 10-15K words on the bugmageddon novel. I've also had an interesting idea that will put a twist on a couple characters in the Tomahawks and Dragon Fire Series.