Are You Very Very Sure of This? #1

Over the next few weeks, I’m looking at the very frequent use of ‘very’, which is very bad, as you know so very well.

Okay, a touch of overkill, but you know we all do it: use ‘very’ to modify a verb or adjective rather than search for a stronger one that will say the same thing, only better. So, here are a few examples to make it easier for you to reject that easy option. Choose with care; synonyms are not always exact matches.

Very afraid – terrified, panic-stricken, scared, alarmed, petrified, unmanned, paralyzed.

Very neat – immaculate, impeccable, unblemished, spotless.

Very loved – adored, worshipped, cherished, prized, idolised.

Very angry – furious, wild, raging, raving, ravening, berserk.

Very old – ancient, archaic, prehistoric, venerable, primordial, antediluvian.

Just a few to be getting on with. More next week.

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Exploring Character and Place in A Seared Sky #6

Jodisa-Li permits an interview with the Fantasy Editor.

This is the 6^th in a series of pieces on characters and places featured in Joinings: A Seared Sky. This background information, isn’t covered in the book, but should enhance the reading experience. For some of my people, there’ll be a character drawing, supplied by Alice Taylor, maybe a video interview, and accompanying script. I may do short pieces of fiction, deepening knowledge of certain minor characters as well.

For the places, I may use sections of the map, to indicate location, along with a description of the place, as I see it, and, where appropriate, links with characters. Perhaps I’ll indicate the way of life there with a short anecdote or story. I won’t reveal any of the main story, either as already published or as written in the series, merely enhance readers’ enjoyment of the trilogy by providing more information. I hope this will give pleasure to those who’ve bought the book and, perhaps, persuade others to take that step.

Pronunciation hints:

Jodisa-Li – jo-dee-sah-lie

Dagla Kaz - pronounced exactly as written

Tumalind – tum-a-lind

Aklon-Dji – ak-lon-djy (think of the Dj sound in the name of tennis player, Djokovic)

Names are pronounced phonetically. But this is my take on them; how I hear them in my head. You may pronounce them as you wish, of course; reading is, after all, active rather than passive.

Jodisa-Li here countenances an interview with the Fantasy Editor of Fantastic Books Publishing.

Jodisa-Li is 17/18, physically a virtual twin of Tumalind, and heir to the High Priest, Dagla Kaz. She’s confident, aloof, superior and clever.

FE:         Thank you, Jodisa-Li for granting me the privilege of an interview.

Jodisa-Li:           You’ll make it worth my time and effort.

FE:         Jodisa-Li. What’s the ‘Li’ stand for?

Jodisa-Li:           I’m the recognised heir to the High Priest. ‘Li’ informs the people of my status. I’m the most important person in the land, after my father.

FE:         I see. So, if your father fails in his mission, you’ll become the next High Priest?

Jodisa-Li:           Fail? My father? Don’t be impertinent, man.  He does the work of our god; how can he fail?

FE:         Accidents do happen. Especially on long trips over unknown lands and seas.

Jodisa-Li:           If you put it like that, I suppose there’s a possibility he may face a barrier he’s unable to surmount. In that case, yes, I’ll take over the role of leader here.

FE:         And how will you feel about that?

Jodisa-Li:           It’s what I’ve been raised and trained to do. I’ll be fulfilling my destiny. The people will obey my commands and I’ll see that all behave with proper respect and reverence.

FE:         I understand that, as the High Priestess, you’d have no fixed partner. How do you feel about that?

Jodisa-Li:           Feelings don’t come into it. It is my duty to spread my delights as widely as possible. But men will flock to join with me; I see the way they look at me in the city and the towns. I am desired. I’ll have my pick of the best specimens and woe betide any who fail to do my bidding.

FE:         Power, don’t you think, carries responsibilities?

Jodisa-Li:           You can teach me nothing of power. I’ve lived with power all my life. Power is the instrument of the powerful. Used correctly, it serves the user and those who bend to obey it. A good leader is one who ensures that her subjects understand their place and provides a strong example for others to follow.

FE:         Suppose one of your partners were to prove so special that you fell in love with him?

Jodisa-Li:           Who told you about that?  Ah, I see, an imaginary situation. Love is for the common folk. I’m required, by tradition, custom and sacred duty, to spread my delights wide, as I said. Love has no place in my future.

FE:         What’s your opinion of your brother, Aklon-Dji?

Jodisa-Li:           He may be handsome, clever, strong, and cunning, but he’s a fool at heart. I mean, to reject the means to power and wealth so easily. Only a fool would do that.    

FE:         Or a man of principle.

Jodisa-Li:           Same thing. Nature, you know, depends on the power of the fittest. No leader can allow sentiment to cloud judgment, honesty to overcome expedience. Once the people saw such weakness, they’d simply cease to obey such a coward.

FE:         Don’t have a lot of time for your people, do you, Jodisa-Li?

Jodisa-Li:           I have as much respect for them as they warrant. Father says the people get the leader they deserve. If they want their leaders to make their decisions for them, to do their thinking, in fact, they have to accept those decisions and that thinking, don’t they? Laziness and complacency, cowardice and fear are the main qualities displayed by the general people. Could you respect that?

FE:         As to that, we’ll have to agree to disagree, I think. But I thank you for your time and the insight into your personality, Jodisa-Li.

Jodisa-Li:           Insight? I doubt that. You have the information I wish you to have, no more than that. I bid you farewell.

FE:         Farewell, young lady.

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I’ve Started, So I’ll Finish

Cover via Amazon

Those of you familiar with the original black chair torture that is the TV show ‘Mastermind’ will recognise that famous phrase made catchword by Magnus Magnusson.

I generally complete an editing session by doing a full read through, aloud, from a printed text. I’ve discovered that this reveals things missed when editing silently on screen, so it’s worth the effort.

However, I set myself the job of editing the two final books of the epic fantasy trilogy, A Seared Sky, in this way, without really thinking it through. I should, of course, have done book two immediately after I finished it, but I waited until I’d written book three, so eager was I to get the story written.

Those who’ve read book one, Joinings, will know that it’s a bit of a tome, at 700 pages. Guess what? Books two and three are also quite long! Still, I set myself this vital editing task and, I’ve started, so I’ll finish.

This post is to let you know that book two, a typescript of 599 pages, 46 chapters and a little under 200,000 words, is finally ready for the publisher. It’s taken some time and a lot of water to cool my sore throat, but it’s done.

Did I find much? I estimate I made around 180 corrections, ranging from a misplaced comma to the addition or removal of a complete sentence, and everything in between. So it’s been a worthwhile exercise. After all, I want the book to go out in the best possible form for readers. I want them to enjoy my writing, not come to a jarring halt because I’ve missed some sod (odd) typo or used an inappropriate homophone, like ‘bare’ for ‘bear’ for example.

So: on now with book three. I’d originally hoped to have the whole thing done by the end of May, as I have a sci-fi novel knocking at the back of my brain and eager to roam free, but I have my doubts. Life has a tendency to get in the way, doesn’t it?

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List of Mythical and Legendary Beings for Readers of Joinings: A Seared Sky.

As explained in the previous post, readers and reviewers of Joinings: A Seared Sky have expressed a wish for a list of the characters appearing in the book. I've provided one in the previous post, showing the main players. The one below gives details of titles used and of those characters who are either mythical or legendary in origin.

My publisher, Dan, of Fantastic Books Publishing, and I both want our readers to enjoy the best possible experience of the book, so we've compiled and produced these lists for readers.

Of course, books bought from now will include this information, so we're providing it this way for those who've already bought the first volume. The other 2 books in the series will be published with the updated information already incorporated.

Enjoy the read.

You may download, print or read direct from the file below, whichever suits you best.

Mythical and Legendary Characters and Titles in Use From Joinings

List of Characters Appearing in Joinings: A Seared Sky.

Readers and reviewers of my epic fantasy novel, Joinings: A Seared Sky have mentioned that they would benefit from the inclusion of a list of characters in the book.
Dan, my publisher at Fantastic Books Publishing, and I both wish to give readers the best possible experience, so we've now incorporated lists into both the paperback and ebook. These will appear in all books purchased from now.
For those of you who've already bought the book, a copy of the information is given below. This one is for the main characters. A second post will include a list of various titles and characters from myth and legend. You may print off, download, or simply view the information here on the blog, whichever option suits you best.
Enjoy the read.
I've incorporated updated lists into the typescripts of books 2 and 3 and these will be published with comprehensive information provided from the start. When readers make reasonable requests, we like to respond positively if we're able. Our thanks go to those who drew this to our attention.

Characters From Joinings in Alphabetical Order - Main Players

Exploring Character and Place in A Seared Sky #5

The 5^th in a series of pieces on characters and places featured in Joinings: A Seared Sky. This background information isn’t covered in the book but should enhance the reading experience. For some of my people, there’ll be a character drawing, supplied by Alice Taylor, maybe a video interview, and accompanying script. I may do short pieces of fiction, deepening knowledge of certain minor characters as well.

For the places, I may use sections of the map, to indicate location, along with a description of the place, as I see it, and, where appropriate, links with characters. Perhaps I’ll indicate the way of life there with a short anecdote or story. I won’t reveal any of the main story, either as already published or as written in the series, merely enhance readers’ enjoyment of the trilogy by providing more information. I hope this gives pleasure to those who’ve bought the book and, perhaps, persuades others to take that step.

Pronunciation hints:

Dagla Kaz – pronounced exactly as written.

Names are pronounced phonetically. But this is my take on them; how I hear them in my head. You may pronounce them as you wish; reading is, after all, active rather than passive.

Dagla Kaz – The High Priest – with the Fantasy Editor of Fantastic Books Publishing:

Dagla Kaz is an average man gone bad; really bad. He’s around 62 years old, a tall, lanky, bald man with little personal grace. A despot, he’s been corrupted by almost absolute power and by the input of ‘voices in his head’. His tone is arch.

FE:         You’ve been a difficult character, Dagla Kaz.

Dagla Kaz:         You helped make me. You have no right to complain.

              

FE:         There’s some truth in that, of course.  But I doubt you see yourself in the same way as I do.

Dagla Kaz:         You think not? Perhaps there’s something in what you say. We all delude ourselves about certain aspects of our personality and the way we live our lives. But you gave me power: is it any surprise if I use it?

FE:         You’re aware of its tendency to corrupt?

Dagla Kaz:         Nothing but the wailing of weakness. Powerful leaders, especially we men, are essential to the control and function of the world. Imagine what would happen if leaders were as weak as those they govern. Can’t you see the destruction and chaos that would result?

FE:         You believe firm leadership is essential. That may be true. But to take advantage of that power: is that just and fair?      

Dagla Kaz:         Just and fair? You talk like a soft-hearted woman. Use your wits, man; what few you possess. Is life fair? Is there justice in nature? Of course not. Red in tooth and claw, they say, don’t they? And with good cause. Life is hard and bleak and sharp. It’s every soul for itself. If I don’t take advantage of my position, use my gifts and brilliance for personal gain, what’s the point? I might just as well be as lazy, indifferent and complacent as the flock I lead. I mean, look at them: no ambition, no interest outside their own small circle. Lazy: they want people like me to do their thinking for them. Well, if they want me to control what they think, I might as well ensure those thoughts benefit me, don’t you think?

FE:         And what of altruism?

Dagla Kaz:         Fool! Do you see altruism in the wild? Will a terzet horn neglect its powerful armoury to let you wander free and unmolested over its domain? Of course it won’t. The great lumbering beast will slice you with its sharp horns and tusks and crush you beneath its enormous feet without a thought. That’s what life is like. You and your fluffy vision of love and companionship; you make me sick.

FE:         You extend your scorn to your children?

Dagla Kaz:         What are children but small adults awaiting their chance to usurp power? I gave them life. It’s up to them to make the best of that. Why should I expend time and energy on caring for them? Let them get on with it and learn the lessons life provides. Children are either a burden or useful servants for their parents. I know which I prefer.

FE:         Servants are generally paid.

Dagla Kaz:         Paid? You want me to give my offspring coin as well as all the other advantages my patronage confers? I gave them life and I give her a roof over her head, food on the table, clothes to cover her delightful form, tattoos to decorate her skin. She earns such things; the other deserves no more than an agonising death, renegade bowelcreep! What more should I give?

FE:         Love, perhaps?

Dagla Kaz:         Love, bah! Love is for fools whose hearts govern their heads, or even bigger fools who allow their loins to control them. Love. Give me the honest transaction of sex every time. No messy emotional tangles and pleasure shared according to status and facility to accept the proper roles of each partner. Love: you make me sick with your soft-hearted care and concern. Get back to your pen and parchment, man, and play with your fantasies. But let me live my life with proper purpose. I’m done talking with you.

FE:         Thank you, Dagla Kaz. That has been most enlightening.

Dagla Kaz:         Bah!

-ends-

Dagla Kaz:

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