And They Lived Horribly Ever After

A Guest Post by Coral Moore

You probably don’t know me. My name is Coral and I’m a speculative fiction writer. At first glance, my fantastical fiction and Anne Holly’s contemporary romance don’t seem to have much in common. You might even wonder what I’m doing here, on a very romance-y blog. The answer is pretty simple—I love romantic storylines. I do have a couple of problems with the way romance is expected to be these days, though. I don’t subscribe to the theory that a story has to fit into a mold to be fulfilling, which is why I’ve hesitated to label my books that way. After a few late-night conversations with Anne regarding the formulaic nature of much of today’s commercial fiction, I know it’s a matter she has some interest in as well, so I decided to write a little something about romances that don’t follow the “type” and why they are still worthwhile.

I’m going to back way up for a moment and start with a classic, just to offer a bit of foundation for my claim. Romeo and Juliet is not a romance by today’s standards. Though the plot is driven by the central relationship, there is no happy ending. I would argue that since the budding relationship reaches a logical conclusion—even though the resolution is a tragic one—the story should still be considered a romance. The play is entirely about their love and how it shapes the world around them. It’s a love story, in the purest sense, yet it would never be labeled a romance now.

Why is the romance genre the only one so handicapped by the reliance on happy endings? If a science fiction story has a tragic ending, no one suggests that it belongs in a different genre. No one would have told Bradbury, “We only allow happy endings on alien planets here, move along now,” and thank goodness because the darkness of his stories is part of what makes them so good. Don’t get me wrong, I love a happy ending. I just don’t think it should be required for the genre because knowing how the story is going to end diffuses some of the tension for me. The most poignant love stories teeter at the edge of loss, and without the chance that things won’t work out, that potential for tragedy is gone.

My favorite stories are the darkest ones. I’ve always preferred them, probably because so much of my early reading was horror. If I can’t believe something terrible might happen as a result of the conflict, there isn’t much point to reading the story in my opinion. Let’s use Harry Potter as an example (Spoiler Alert: Though I can’t imagine there’s anyone who doesn’t know the basic plot of the stories out there). Until more than halfway through the series there really isn’t much fear about the consequences. Though the situation is purported to be dire, there’s no immediate sense that something awful could happen. Our heroes will just keep beating the bad guys, skipping along merrily at the end. Cedric’s death changes everything. Once we know that someone important could die as a result of what’s going on, the tone of the stories turns more urgent.

Though my stories are heavily romantic, I don’t like to label them as romances because I want there to be doubt and darkness at the base of them. When my heroine walks away from the hero, I want you to believe she might not come back. When the hero tells the heroine that she should leave or something awful might happen, I want you to believe the terrible is possible. That just can’t happen while writing under the strictures of modern-day romance, so what’s an author to do?

My newest release is Elements of Rebellion. I’ve waffled back and forth on how to label this story, basically since I finished writing it. I settled on Dark Fantasy Romance, but I’m still not sure if that’s truly where it belongs. Part of me still clings to the idea that the tension is somehow less if the reader goes into it knowing there is a happy ending.I’m sure there are dissenting opinions on this subject, and I welcome your attempts to convince me that every romance should end happily in the comments. If you’d like to have a more prolonged discussion, I invite you to come find me on Twitter, Goodreads or my blog. I might even give you a copy of my not-romance for your trouble.

~*~

Elements of Rebellion

Coral Moore

After spending most of her life an unwilling captive in a brothel, Sindari is sold to Lord Devin, a man with a reputation for unspeakable cruelty. In the arms of this man who must pretend he cares nothing for her, Sindari finds compassion, making the journey through her barren homeland all the more perilous. Along the way she discovers she can channel elemental forces that compliment Devin’s ability to manipulate fire.

Harnessing this power, she battles the Dominion, an unrelenting foe that has broken the spirit of the Eldari people through twenty years of savagery. Trapped by the brutal empire that has enslaved millions, Sindari and Devin fight against hopeless odds.

Genre: Fantasy
Length: 85,000
Warnings: Graphic Violence and Sexual Situations
Written for NaNoWriMo 2010.

Interview with Author Gary Vanucci

Today, we welcome my Twitter friend and author of the Realm of Ashenclaw fantasy series, Gary Vanucci.

Hi, Gary!

How did you get into writing? 

I heard voices in my head wanting me to tell the world about them of course? How else does one choose to write!? Just kidding…I think. In all seriousness, I felt like I had a very cool story to tell, one that I would want to read as a fan of fantasy, and so I decided to toss my hat into the ring. So far, so good.

What's the earliest story you can remember writing? 

I told a story in the 5^th or 6^th grade about a rock star who made a deal with the devil to be rich and famous. Needless to say, things did not work out so well. I wish I still had it. It was called ‘The Electrocutioner’. That’s the first real story I wrote.

When did you decide to make the move to "published"? 

Right away. I decided to go the indie route first without even trying to find representation. EBooks have made it very easy to get your work out there. Of course, now everyone is doing it, so it takes time for readers to sift through all of the other stuff to find you. It is what it is. I feel that I am offering fans of fantasy a truly epic storyline with several twists and turns and plenty of high-powered battles, along with some real emotional growth in the characters. It may not seem that way at first, but if you read all three of my books, you will begin to notice it.

How did you find the experience of seeking a publisher? 

I did not…yet. I want to develop my own fan-base, get a following and hone my skill before pursuing an agent. Reason being, who is to say that one person’s work is better than another’s or going to ‘make it’ and whatnot. It is a real stroke of luck to become a J.K. Rowling. Even she was very close to quitting. Can you imagine a life without Harry Potter?

What books have most influenced your life most? 

I enjoy Sci-Fi, Horror, and Superheroes and of course, Fantasy. When I read, I do so to escape reality, even if it is only for a few hours at a time. But really, that is what I use it for. Some people watch TV or whatever, I try to read to escape reality. I have found some extremely cool friends in the Forgotten Realms and Melnibone and several other places.

What book are you reading now? 

I am reading Ross Kitson’s Darkness Rising Book 1, Jeremy Laszlo’s The Choosing and listening to George Martin’s A Storm of Swords on audio book! Yep, three at a time.

What are your current projects? 

I am currently writing book 4 of my Realm of Ashenclaw series, continuing the epic sage of my heroes as they continue to preserve the lives of the innocent folks in Wothlondia. I have a new short story coming out also with the guys from Skulldust Circle. We have collectively written an anthology, (all from our own worlds, not a collective world thing) and mine is the Legend of Ashenclaw (A colossal Red Dragon Queen whom the realm is named after)

How important is the support and friendship of other writers? 

Very important! I have gotten a ton of support from other indie authors out there who have been tremendously supportive! I mean truly helpful. I actually have received more support from people I don’t even know personally on social media than I get from actual friends sometimes…which I suppose may be odd. But, for whatever reason, it seems to work. I would like to take this opportunity as a matter of fact, to thank those supportive people on twitter and Facebook, and everyone who has purchased a book from me and/or written a review! Thanks to you all! I wanted to specifically mention the Independent Author Network and the World Literary Café specifically as amazing support in the Independent author field.

How does your family feel about your writing career?

My family is supportive for the most part. I wish some of them would get a bit more involved in the reading and the beta-reading, but for the most part, they try to help out where they can. They’ve all got their own things going on, too, so I understand that. I don’t expect much from them other than that. As long as they continue to give words of encouragement, that’s all that I can ask, right?

~*~

Gary Vanucci was born in Pennsylvania in 1968. He enjoys writing, reading, music, art, anything at all that promotes creativity and activities that push the mind beyond conventional thinking. He has spent time as an amateur singer/songwriter and has spent multiple decades creating role-playing scenarios and playing games amongst various genres. Years of reading graphic novels, comic books, fantasy/science fiction novels and the like has led him to discover his true passion—writing! His education includes a Bachelor’s of Science in the field of Information Technology and an Associates of Arts in the field of Graphic Design.

Find him at:
Twitter / Facebook / Website / Blog / Amazon

Zenward's Magic

Zenwald's Magic, by Clare Dargin - now available!

Plagued by a demon his entire life, Marius Zenward will stop at nothing to free himself from this horrible curse. Captivated by his mystery and torn by her desire, Corrigan Heilyn longs to be with him but is held at bay by the horrible secret that follows Marius from town to town.

Will the magic that he possesses set them free?

Sample Chapter!

One

Eight year old, Marius Zenward had always been the curious one in the family. His curiosity constantly got him into trouble with his parents but never stopped him.

As he lay in his bed, he stared up at the dark ceiling listening to the soft breathing of his sleeping brother. He knew he was supposed to be asleep too, but he just couldn‟t because of the talking. His parents spoke in hushed tones, hoping that neither he nor his brother would hear.

Quietly, he slipped out of his bed and tip-toed to the door. He opened it slowly and peeked out. The soft light from the warm fire inside the hearth comforted him as he looked for his parents.

He kneeled to get a better look as he saw his modir and fadir speak to each other in an anxious manner.

“Jag vet alla skyltarna!” Inguz Zenward said clutching her husband‟s arm in fear. Her golden blonde hair cascaded down her back like rays of sunshine though her expression reflected none of her soft beauty.

Allowing the words to swirl around in his mind, Marius translated the old Norse. “I know the signs,” he said mouthing the words quietly.

“De djavulen handler om.”

“…The devil is about.” His eyes grew wide with fright at his modir‟s words.

“English, Inguz, English,” Gunthar stressed looking towards the barred door. “You are in de Danelaw, English please.”

Even though his fadir spoke the old language as well, it was his modir who kept the old ways, passing them on to him and his older brother.

“You know it Gunthar. You‟ve seen the signs too. The crops that survived were ruined, houses disturbed, people not wanting to look anyone in the eye. The Helreginn is about because someone disturbed its mound. And now the land is cursed! We must do something. We must protect ourselves. The children.”

Marius knew that a mound was a site where the dead lay and guarded the way to the afterlife. If they were not laid to rest properly, they might not find peace in the afterlife. The dead person could then visit the bereaved as a revenant or draugr. Revenants were horrible because sometimes they took the form of ghosts or walking bodies that scared the living. A draugr was simply the undead that lived in graves only to come out when their mound was disturbed. They were the worst.

“We are protected,” his fadir said as he stood up and walked over to the big oak door. He checked the solid door and made sure it was securely fastened. His face was streaked with concern. “Nothing is coming in here tonight,” he said pointing to his large seax over the hearth. It‟s long blade and notched handle was carried by all Viking warriors who had the strength like his father. Clenching his fist, Marius boldly gritted his teeth and growled.

“We will be fine tonight,” his fadir said, pulling his modir close.

Holding him tight, she turned her head allowing it to be cradled in the crook of his arm, “I should have put the rune of protection on the house when I saw the signs.” she said looking away. “What about the animals?” she said glancing behind her in the direction toward the barn.

“I will check.”

Marius shut the door immediately and climbed back into bed and pretended to sleep. He knew his modir had the hearing of a fox and always knew when he was out of bed. Marius hugged the warm covers. He thought about his father out in the night, brave and strong and not afraid of the monster. Vikings were known for the strength and prowess on both land and sea. That is how they came about defeating the Saxons and gaining the Danelaw. His father had told him many great tales of the conquering of York and the taming of its wild lands. He also told him how, during the later times, their people had settled down to become great farmers in the Danelaw and worked the fields to provide food for their families. One day Marius hoped to be as strong and as proud as his father.

He glanced at the door. It remained closed for his modir had not caught him as he had suspected. He slipped from underneath the wool covers and hopped down from the bed, determined to see what his modir had talked about. She said she wished that she had put the rune of protection on the house, he nodded. The rune of protection warded off all evil spirits and would protect all that were nearby.

He wondered if he should draw it for his mother.

No. Modir can do it best, he thought drawing the rune in the air in front of him. He was a good drawer, much better than his brother, but not as good as his modir. He smiled as a thought occurred to him. He pulled a chair over to the window and climbed on top of it and gazed outside.

A streak of lightening flashed through the sky like a white vein briefly lighting up the stormy autumn night. Glued to his spot, Marius stood on a chair and gazed out the bedroom window of his home hoping to catch a glimpse of Helreginn, the Viking God of Hel that his mother had fearfully spoke of earlier.

Suddenly he spotted something in the distance. Marius strained to see. Though he couldn‟t see anything clearly, he instinctively began to shiver.

Being of Norse blood, he knew the importance of honor and bravery in the face of daunting circumstances.

“Viking warriors are strong,” Marius said as he clinched his fist and looked fiercely looked out into the night. “Jeg er ikke redd ham du død!” (I am not afraid of you death!) He squinted and continued staring out the window.

Lightning flashed in the night, lighting up the family yard. It was empty and soaked with water. I don’t see him. He’s probably not even here, Marius thought with a note of disappointment.

Suddenly thunder boomed, causing Marius to flinch. A tiny bit of fear formed in his heart and sat there. It seemed as if the thunder liked it.

“Mar‟us are you in bed?” his mother asked from the main room.

“Yes modir,” he answered hoping she would not come inside and catch him out of bed. Marius looked at the handle of the door. It did not move. Thankfully she was not coming in. “Where‟s fadir?” he asked.

“In the beretun,” she replied. Her voice comforted him.

The barn? Why would it want the animals? Looking out the window once again, he saw an amber light glowing from the open barn door. The thunder boomed and crackled once again causing him to shirk, but he was still unwilling to move. Where was Helreginn? His mother had said that this was the night he was suppose appear because the crops had been ruined and there was no food with which to feed him.

Suddenly, a gust of wind howled outside as the door to his bedroom burst open. His mother swiftly walked toward him.

“Go to bed!” she ordered, picking him up and placing him underneath the blanket next to his sleeping older brother.

Moving the chair away from the window with a scrape, she stood next to the bed and wrote on the wall. Her hand shook as it moved. Marius waited patiently, pretending to sleep as he clutched the woolen blanket.

She shook him gently and knelt down next to him. He opened his eyes and gazed at his mother, feeling her love for him.

“You must not go to the window, do you understand?”

“Yes modir,” he replied with a nod.

She placed a gentle kiss upon his forehead. Standing up she walked out the room, closing the door behind her, leaving Marius in the dark alone with his temptation.

He knew if caught again, he would be spanked, but what a story to tell his friends! They would never believe it. Glancing at his sleeping brother briefly, he pushed the blanket aside and got out of bed. Moving the heavy chair back to its spot near the window, Marius climbed upon it and gazed in the direction of the barn. The rain had stopped, the light was gone and all was dark.

He then turned his gaze towards the darkened meadows and saw two red orbs suspended in mid air. Looking more closely, he saw that they were shaped like a pair of mean red eyes. They stared back at him, causing Marius to catch his breath. Stumbling, he fell out of the chair. As he hit the floor with a thud, he heard a yowl in the distance. At first it was masked by the wind then continued on its own as if making sure that its irritation was heard.

The hair on his neck stood on end as a streak of fear sped throughout his body. Staring up at the wall as a flash of lightening lit up the room, he saw the Norse rune for protection his mother had drawn. It was algis, or Z as it was known in English. The same letter as their last name.

Poetry In The Early Morning Hours, with Leslie Soule

Hello there everyone! My name is Leslie Soule. Well, I like to write poetry. But usually I’m so busy working and writing other things and reading and just generally getting stuff done, to be able to let the muse come to me so I can write any poems.

Well, recently I had to take the day off so I could get LASIK done on my eyes, which meant that I got to sleep in. I was nervous, so I went to bed really early the day before. When I woke up, it was early in the morning – the time I would usually be getting ready for work. It was then that I realized that I missed something – the feel of writing in the early hours of the morning – a time that J.M. Coetzee writes is “the time of morning when even the chickens doze – and the only emperor is the sun.”

When I worked retail, I would write at this time of morning on scraps of receipt tape as I huddled outside in the garden center, next to a tiny box heater on the counter. I never thought I’d miss that. But when I woke up the other day, the muse came to me and urged me to write. So I just started writing whatever I could think of. My poems are usually in first-person, like a journal entry. My critique partner says I’m a natural at first-person, and I’ve started experimenting more with it lately. Anyway, here’s what I came up with:

A Memory

In the peacebreak morning hours

I linger like a memory

Wondering if you’ll remember me

Don’t you realize that my eyes

Hid behind spectacles as I watched you go?

It was your blue eyes that made me remember

I knew I’d seen you before

If only in passing

And maybe that’s all love really is –

Fleeting glimpses of somethings

You cannot touch

Blond-haired dream, if only my mind could conjure you up

But it’s not the same

Somewhere between imagination and actuation is where fulfillment lives

But I’m a doorknob-ditch kind of girl

And Old Man Reality carries a cane

And knows how to use it.

So anyway, I captured a piece of something I’ve missed for a while – writing in the early morning hours.

~*~

Leslie Soule is the author of the upcoming fantasy novel Fallenwood from Decadent Publishing, and has published shorts and poetry. Leslie hails from California, enjoys martial arts, and is currently working on her MA in English. Please visit her website, and learn more about Fallenwood here.

Interview with Nathalie LeBlanc

"Smaller creatures have moved mountains. Size is no limitation! One's own will decides what one is capable of doing!"

Nathalie wanted to be a published author for nine years, and like many she experienced rejections and setbacks. In July 2010, Nathalie’s fantasy novel Shrinking Forward was released by Sassy Sunflower books, and she is now on their Best Seller list!

What is the book about?

Step into the spectacular world of Fairmont Island and experience a story of friendship and adventure. Shrinking Forward is a fantasy novel featuring two young girls who, in the exploration of a “haunted house”, are drawn into another world to embark on an adventure to save the Mystical Flyers from the captivity and enslavement to the evil wizard, Edgar.

Edgar has destroyed Fairmont Island, which was once ruled by the faerie Queen Marina. The elderly Edgar is obsessed with finding The Book of Faeyess, which explains how the Magical Flyers can live so long and he must find it soon because of his advancing age.

Against the highest odds fighting an evil wizard and snorgals creatures. In a magical place, where a single deed turns Samantha into a hero, and finds her true self, finding out amazing information that changes her life forever. With her heart set on finding her true self, she is about to discover something more amazing than she could have ever read or dreamed up.

What inspired you to write this?

Mike Noel, my soon to be husband inspired me to write this novel.

Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

“Shrinking Forward.” Before I had children I never stayed in the house at all always enjoyed to be out in nature. I went hiking, biking, rollerblading. My best friend Cassie and I would go down to the river a watch the swans. I actually got to sit with them they were so used to me.

When I became too round in the belly to bike. I sat in the chair and watched Mike working on his computer. That's when I decided that I needed a new hobby because I would now be in doors a lot more!

So that's when Mike made me a challenge! He challenged me to make my short story into a novel! I took the challenged! Of course because I not the type of person to back down from that kind of challenge!

Do you have a specific writing style?

I write until I can picture it as a movie playing before me on a TV screen. So everyone can visualize the world, characters and creatures I have created.

What books have most influenced you?

The Neverending Story by Michael Ende, also An Acceptable Time by Madeline L’engle.

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

Michel Ende.

What book are you reading now?

Strategies for Happiness: How to Achieve Your Happiness Potential by Donna L. Hedley.

What are your current writing projects?

“Fading Away” book 2 in the series entitled the Magic coat.

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

Not at all. I have worked on it sculpting it into a wonderful piece of art that anyone from the age 9 to 99 can enjoy.

Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

Editing is a long process. LOL

Do you have any advice for other writers?

Dreams do come true if you never give up!

~*~*~*~
Nathalie LeBlanc is a Canadian author of young adult fantasy and mother to four children. You can visit her website at nathaliemleblanc.com, and her book, Shrinking Forward, is available to buy on Amazon.

Stacey Thompson-Geer on Co-Writing Fiction!

I asked fellow WHP author, Stacey Thompson-Geer, to come explain to me (and us) how it works to co-write fiction, which is something I have not tried, and couldn't even really visualize. For me, writing is a solitary act, and I have enough trouble agreeing with myself when it comes to creative decisions!

Stacey, it seems, has it down pat, and all laid out for us, right here:

Co-Writing Can Work For You

A lot of writers are not sure about the whole co-writing thing. They may think it’s not going to work because writing is such a personal thing. The problem with this kind of thinking is you could lose out on a great project with a lot of creative minds.

Know Who You’re Working With

One of the biggest things to a good co-writing project is being able to trust the writers you are working with. This often comes down to reading what they may have already done for work or being good friends with them. If you don’t know their style, then you won’t know how your writing is going to mesh with theirs.

Come Up With a Plan

The futuristic Fantasy Octavia, my co-writer, and I have been working on is written in a way that gives us each control over our own characters set in the same kind of world. While these two main characters interact, they also have their own way of thinking and viewing the story the reader is going through. We came up with this plan early so we each could have our own storyline set within the main one. So far it has worked out well.

On a different type of co-writing project, we all came up with a main theme and have written stories based around that theme. This helps to keep us in line with each other, but also helps us to keep something fun and different in each of our stories.

Don’t Be Afraid Of the Twists and Turns

When I started writing the futuristic Fantasy book with a good friend of mine, I didn’t know what was going to happen each time I sent the manuscript to her. She had her own ideas that took the story to places I probably wouldn’t have thought of. This can be great for the story and for the readers. They may think something is going to happen and be surprised when something totally different happens instead.

Co-writing is nothing any writer should be afraid of. It can open up new ideas and new doors for everyone involved and are a ton of fun. Just remember to talk and keep everyone involved floating on the ideas. That way you and the other writers will have a book that is great and have fun doing it.

Stacey Thompson-Geer is an author and a mom. You can find information about her work at her website: www.staceythompsongeer.com.