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She reads books as one would breathe air, to fill up and live.
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Hello Book Dragons, long time!
Long time, indeed. In case you were wondering, I decided to take a huge step back. From the blog, from my online support group and sure as heck, from Facebook. This kind of seems like the year for it. I ramped up self-care and absolutely lost myself in playing video games and grieving so many losses. This year though, right? In the time that I took a step back from my blog, I was able to do some thinking about what I really want to do with my blog and that is go back to my initial reason for creating a blog: reading and reviewing. I got caught up in the worry that not being able to read every book and review or even being able to finish every book to review because of incompatibility between me and the book. It ate at me. So I decided I would make Featured Author and Featured Book a part of my blog, and I began to hate my blog. I would dread even looking at it. To be fairly honest though: I really am not a fan of doing these, which it is obvious as I absolutely suck with keeping up with my own dang schedule, lol. I just want to read and review what I read. So 2021 will be me going back to what I started Shh, I am Reading for: to read, review and share my love of books with people. As for what I've missed with 2020, I am still on self-imposed self-care duty. I'm still struggling with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (which I had severely in the beginning of being diagnosed with agoraphobia but Covid just made that skyrocket) which as amped up how many anxiety attacks I get in a day now *thumbs up*. I am going to work on reviews and post them when I am done, but alas, I have scrapped my Featured Author and Featured Book posts. I actually look forward to expressing myself through my reviews and my books. If I feature any book, it'll be something that I'm loving. Maybe I'll throw an author interview in here and there but for now, I need to focus on what I love to do: read, write, spend time with my dog Schenanigans (Schen for short) and my boyfriend, and also play video games because right now The Sims 4 is about the only game that eases my anxiety right now. That and this little dapper Bug below. 
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 Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy Publication Date: February 1, 2018 Pages: 262 Format: ePub Add to GoodReads Buy: Amazon  When chaos strikes my hometown, I am one of the few to escape the clutches of a dark mage who seeks control through the use of forbidden crystals. Everything has changed, the king is dead, war is on the horizon, and something is happening to me that I cannot explain. I used to just be Taliah, a young woman living an average life, but fate has a different plan for me, or so I have been told. The problem is everyone seems to believe I can stop this evil, everyone except me.    I received this eBook from the Author in exchange for an honest review.Ah, I had so much trouble with this book. I really wanted to like this book as the premise and synopsis had so much promise. But it came up pretty short for me. The lack of editing makes this very distracting and it pulls you away from the story. The consistency was off with the switching to the past and present constantly. There were plot holes and the story needed just a little more time to flesh out, honestly. Because I was so focused on the lack of editing, I couldn't enjoy the story like I wanted to. But, reading is subjective. What I might not like, another does.   J.D.Evergreen is an Australian author who lives on the Mornington Peninsula. She spent her childhood writing small short stories and inventing worlds that were all her own. When she became an adult, she put her efforts into more adultly things such as acquiring a bachelor in primary education, and a post-graduate certificate of ancient history. Eventually, she became bored with life as an everyday adult and returned to her writing where she could live in her own worlds and share them with others. She now spends countless hours crafting worlds that inspire the imagination and bring joy to the people who join the journey of the characters and enter unknown worlds. Connect with J.D. Genre: Epic/High Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Romance, Action-Adventure Publisher: Outskirts Press Publication Date: June 8, 2019 Pages: 417 Add to GoodReads Buy on Amazon, Barnes and Noble  Sir Xandar, a valiant knight, means to end senseless wars and bloodshed, using the only option left—dethroning his immoral king. The plan goes awry when a team, with a larger purpose, comes from afar to seize Xandar’s most vital device. As his mission detours across perilous seas and exotic kingdoms, Xandar clashes with other corrupt rulers and forms an unstable bond with Lady Jia, a volatile warrior-maid. Soon, the pair uncover the world’s darkest secrets in an epic fight for survival.   Ben Schneider was born in Oklahoma. In 2003, he earned a B.A. in Graphic Design at Oklahoma University, married his fiancée, and joined the Air Force. Ben and his wife, Suzy, have been stationed in Italy, Okinawa, and Alaska. Aside from writing fiction, Ben’s other interests include drawing his Airman Artless comic strips. Chrome Mountain is his debut novel. Connect with Ben Genre: Weird Fiction, Sci-Fi, Horror Publication Date: December 4, 2017 Pages: 158 Format: ePub Add to GoodReads Buy: Amazon  You can buy anything on the Internet these days. Books, electronics, and Chinese takeout are just a few clicks away. If you’re after something more illicit, all you need is a special browser and some bitcoin to spend. Every drug you might want is readily available on the darknet markets. You can also hire a hitman, get a fake ID made, or have an illegal bug delivered to your door. Ben Samsa is a small-time weed dealer and amateur entomologist. He can’t resist buying a mysterious bug he finds on one of the black market sites where he gets his inventory. The splurge leaves him with only enough bitcoin to purchase lower quality marijuana than he normally sells. Unfortunately, Ben doesn’t realize one of his customers has been flipping his product to a murderous, one-eyed Nazi. He’s soon sucked into a hellish nightmare of dread, drugs and death. Meanwhile, the bug is growing. Nothing will ever be the same when Ben learns the true, hideous name of the insect.   4.85 Stars  I received this eBook from the Author in exchange for an honest review.This is possibly one of the oddest yet most unique books that I have ever read! This is such a mixture of creepy, crawly horror science fiction thrilling ride! Ben is in his early 20's and is a little bit lazy. He's a small time drug-dealer who is making just enough bank to pay his rent and semi-adult as normal as possible. He's an avid bug collector and is drawn into the allure of easy money with bitcoin. This story easily turns into a creepy mash up of Creepshow, Twilight Zone and Goosebumps. Although I ended up absolutely loving this book, I wasn't too sure about this at first but the writing is so well done and the world building is completely on point, it just sucked me in. I do believe I ended up reading this in two days. I just needed to know how it would end up. Ben's friend though, that dude is an imbecile. Sadly, I've dated someone that dumb so they actually exist. This turns into the biggest train wreck for Ben with the "friend" and Neo-Nazi's to boot! Recommendation: I definitely, 100%, recommend this. It's weird, it's creepy, but it's so damn good!   George Billions is a writer whose work litters the Internet under various pseudonyms. He's written everything from fake product reviews to unqualified fitness advice, steamy romance novels to straight-up keyword spam. Once he had a gig banging out thousands of short biographies of adult entertainers. These days he's trying to put out the kind of stuff he enjoys reading and writing. Connect with George Billions Via GoodReads  Bradley Campbell is a tattooed sci-fi enthusiast, hopeless romantic, fiction author, and self-proclaimed geek who is on a lifelong mission to inspire his readers through the infinite power of suspenseful, paranormal, dramatic, and oftentimes love-infused storytelling. In addition to being a multifaceted word weaver with a lifetime passion for creative expression, he has had the opportunity to work as a motorcycle mechanic, lawyer assistant, certified HVAC technician, and fitness model, to name a few. He even crafts his own music and roleplay writes. When he doesn’t have a pen in hand or isn’t binge-watching his favorite TV shows (i.e. Luther and Misfits) on his trusty iPad, you will probably find Bradley spending some quality time with his two awesome children who inspire him every single day.  Where do you get your ideas for your books? Who or what inspired your idea? B.C. Honestly everything around me is a canvas. The book I’m working on now has a character in it based on someone I met on the beach. How did you develop the plot and your characters? Are your characters based on anyone? B.C. Honestly it was a natural progression of little ideas coming together. It was like puzzling together a newspaper from the future. Yes, One character is based off a girl I mused over for to long. Do you write when you're inspired? Or do you have a schedule you keep to? B.C. I write constantly. Either ideas or plotting together something I haven’t finished. I like to live in the flames of passion. Do you have any advice for aspiring authors? Maybe a piece of advice that stuck with you from your adventure into the world of publishing? B.C. “You can’t edit a blank page” Tell us a bit more about yourself. How did you know you wanted to be a writer? Who or what inspires you to write? B.C. I had a teacher who put a book in my hand because I wouldn’t sit still. The rest is history. How much of yourself goes into your writing? Or do you keep yourself separate and base the character on someone else entirely? B.C. No tears for the writer no tear for the reader. What has helped shape and improve your writing? B.C. I Read like a vampire! What are you reading right now? Do you recommend it or have any other recommendations? B.C. Kelly Parsons “Doing Harm” unsung Masterpiece Do your novels carry a message or do you feel it's subjective? B.C. Yes, Multiple messages that are meant to be enjoyed by reading subjectively. Check out their Book! Genre: Short Story, Thriller, Mystery, Romance Publication Date: March 22, 2019 Publisher: Self-published Pages: 42 Add to GoodReads Buy: Amazon  New York City Detective Tristan Andretti crosses swords with deadly enemies in the hardest puzzle of his career.
With a beautiful fiancée and a promising, lucrative career in law enforcement, Detective Tristin Andretti was living the American dream. But like all dreams, it will come to end sooner or later. Only in his case, it ended in a nightmare when the unexpected happened, and he lost it all when a horrifying act of violence compels him to leave the force with an ashy, bitter taste in his mouth. With his life crashing down around him, Tristin finds himself distracted both by his new client, Lucia Trenta—a spoiled, up-and-coming pop star with a skewed, narcissistic view of the world—and a dangerous situation that puts her life in danger.  Genre: Science Fiction, Steampunk, Historical Fiction, Paranormal Publisher: Inkitt Publication Date: October 30, 2016 Pages: 217 Add to GoodReads Buy on Amazon, Kobo, B&N  Set in London during the latter part of the 19th century. An experiment goes wrong at The Oxford Academy of Science, giving certain people extraordinary powers which turns them into 'Espers'. An institute is set up to teach Espers how to control these power, and stop corrupt Espers from abusing theirs. Nathan and James, two agents from the Institute team up with Freya, a young Esper whose brother (gifted with the strange ability to manipulate emotions) is abducted by a ruthless Baron. The group has to fight against a dark threat to protect the fragile peace of Victorian London... And the rest of the world.    I received this eBook from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review.Honestly, I really struggled with this book at first. I think that's because it was very close to the idea of X-Men. I do like the idea of the Institute being a safe place though. I think most superheroes need a safe place. However! I absolute adored the Victorian Steampunk theme. It actually fit the superheroes against super villains perfectly. Despite the plot being a little iffy for me, it did have well fleshed out characters with Nathan being a large part of the show and a good amount of sassy-ness from him. He did make me giggle from time to time.   Egan Brass (aka Ryan Attard) is the author of the Esper Files, the Legacy series, and the Pandora Chronicles. Hailing from a faraway island, it wasn’t long until Ryan began creating his own imaginary friends and writing down their adventures. As Egan Brass, he writes the Esper Files — a tale of super-powered individuals set in a steampunk universe. He also dons a cape and a mask, and spends his free time learning Victorian insults in order to both confuse and enthrall his foes. He’s also one to write his bios in the third person. Connect with Egan (Ryan) Genre: Alternate World, Fantasy Publication Date: November 17, 2017 Pages: 236 Add to GoodReads Buy on Amazon  A troubled shifter prince. A deadly blight. A battle of royalty. Dante wasn’t prepared to be king of the wolf shifters, not so soon. He prefers to stay in his wolf form and avoid the doubting glares of his council, especially when it comes to the daily affairs of his kingdom. When Princess Nakai, an owl shifter, falls into his life, spinning tales of forbidden magic and mad royals, Dante can’t ignore the truth: War approaches at Kobrona’s hand. But assassins and elementals are easy opponents compared to the dramatics of his packmates, and Dante has more than the spreading blight to worry about. Can they put aside their differences to save the world? Or will they tear one another apart first?   In the colder end of MN, C. H. Knyght stays inside with her furbabies to either read, write or illustrate books. She had two published fantasy novels and a number of short stories. Connect with C.H. Knyght Genre: Fantasy Publisher: One Million Words Publication Date: September 27, 2018 Pages: 314 Add to GoodReads Buy on Amazon, Kobo, B&N  Even good girls have secrets. When straight-laced Allison sleeps, the rebellious goddess Syn wakes. Having a fling in the dreamscape may seem like harmless fun, but when a sadistic predator learns her true identity, the fantasy begins to bleed into real life. If Sin Dwells Deep — a parallel novel to If Souls Can Sleep — exposes the hidden world of dream drifters and explores the war between gifted government agents and those who would use their abilities to corrupt life, death, and that which lies beyond.    I received this eBook from the author in exchange for an honest review.Although I had never read "If Souls Can Sleep" I didn't feel like I had missed much from the previous novel. This can definitely be read as a standalone or follow up novel. I am a huge fan of Norse mythology. Being someone who reads runes, this was totally up my alley. I also enjoyed the lucid dreaming concept although how they existed on little sleep is totally beyond me. The Wolf reminded me a lot of the the sociopath/psychopath in the movie The Cell, which is one of my favourite movies. But also, no thanks, this book can keep the Wolf all to themselves. I struggled to like Allison/Syn, though. I did like the idea of the dream Allison being someone totally different than reality Allison, but honestly, Syn was just a little too brash at times for me. And Allison was just boring. She offered little to no personality for me. I wanted to like this story more. I just struggled in some parts as the story dragged a lot. The alternating POV's was distracting at time. Although it did help develop the Wolf's personality, it often just caused the story to lag to nearly stopping. Recommendation: Although I did struggle with this, it's still deserving of its four stars. There are many redeeming qualities in the story line that make up for the little nit-picking that I did do. I would, however, recommend reading the first novel, especially if you are unfamiliar with David Michael Williams writing.   David Michael Williams has suffered from a storytelling addiction for as long as he can remember. With a background in journalism, public relations, and marketing, he also flaunts his love affair with the written word as an author of speculative fiction. His most recent books include the sword-and-sorcery trilogy The Renegade Chronicles and The Soul Sleep Cycle, a genre-bending series that explores life, death, and the dreamscape. He lives in Wisconsin with the best wife on this or any other planet and their two amazing children. Connect with David Michael Williams  A Montanan Native living in Idaho. Writing, Reading, Music, and Theatre are his passions, he is also rather fond of delicious food and drink. He lives with his wife and twin girls. Myrrendryl is his first book.  Where do you get your ideas for your books? Who or what inspired your idea? KL: Dreams and a little life experience. How did you develop the plot and your characters? Are your characters based on anyone? KL: The characters build themselves, they tell me what is going to happen, sometimes even I'm surprised. Do you write when you're inspired? Or do you have a schedule you keep to? KL: Mostly when I'm inspired, but I do try to write 1k a week. Do you have any advice for aspiring authors? Maybe a piece of advice that stuck with you from your adventure into the world of publishing? KL: Don't be afraid to kill off your characters. Don't judge yourself too harshly, others will do that for you. Tell us a bit more about yourself. How did you know you wanted to be a writer? Who or what inspires you to write? KL: I just picked up a pen and the movie reel took over. How much of yourself goes into your writing? Or do you keep yourself separate and base the character on someone else entirely? KL: A little or a lot of me goes into all my characters. What has helped shape and improve your writing? KL: Critiques and Practice. What are you reading right now? Do you recommend it or have any other recommendations? KL: I am reading the 6th Book in The Matthew Corbett series by Robert McCammon. I would absolutely recommend it and this author in general. I am also reading Galilee by Clive Barker, in my opinion, his weakest novel. Do your novels carry a message or do you feel it's subjective? KL: Definitely subjective. What works best for you: Typewriters, fountain pen, dictate, computer or longhand? KL: I write everything on my cellphone.  Title: Myrrendryl Genre: Fantasy Publication Date: January 18, 2019 Pages: 400 Add to GoodReads Buy: Amazon  The curtain, the veil, the void, the abyss. So many names for the mystery of the beyond. People spend a good part of their lives just wanting to lift the heavy canvas of the circus tent and take a peek inside. Eventually they’ll know, in the end, we all know, but mankind is an impatient beast. Sadly, for most, if they ever could pull aside that curtain, they would spend the rest of their lives trying to forget that they ever had.
Myrrendryl tells the tale of four seemingly unconnected youth bound to one another in a way none of them could have guessed and knowing would threaten to shatter their very existence. The hands of fate appear to play them like marionettes, but are they truly controlled by fate? Or are they their own masters? A story that questions what is real, and what is the sands of dreams. A story ultimately, about the human condition and what deep down, we are willing to sacrifice.  Genre: Science Fiction, Dystopian, Post-Apocalyptic Publisher: Cosmic Entanglement Media Publication Date: October 15, 2018 Pages: 328 Add to GoodReads Buy: Amazon  Like a worn-out watch, human existence had wound to a stop. When the end came, there were no wars, no zombies, no demons—just a former professor turned stay-at-home dad, and his little girl. Ryan Sharpe woke from forced cryogenic sleep with only his two-year-old daughter and a world- shattering mystery for company. The great city he once called home, St Louis, is a rusty wasteland, ruined by time, overflowing with wild animals, unspeakable danger, and countless questions. For a man who struggled with identity after leaving his job so his estranged wife could follow her life’s work, becoming the primary role model for their child while he floundered with life, the challenges aren’t only outside. In this alien place, ill-equipped as he is, Ryan must adapt or die for his child’s sake, but is survival enough? Ryan must return to where it all began, to his wife’s workplace at Universal Biological Laboratories. Why did everyone suddenly die? Are they the only ones left?  4.75 Stars   I received this eBook from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review.This was such a ride for me. At first, I wasn't sure about the story despite my love for post-apocalyptic survival stories. It didn't seem that the father in the story was going to ever figure out how to survive in this new, animal run kingdom. He was pretty hopeless at some parts. There was one part of the story that changed it all for me: the lion. Heart strings tugged and full out, unabashed bawling on my couch. In that moment, this book single-handedly became one of THOSE books. It would take me days to recover! Even now, the heart breaks thinking about that part. Be well, my tender, sensitive heart! Recommendation: Don't give up! Give this a chance, because it might become one of those books for you too!   via GoodReads A native to the Magic City, J. Fitzpatrick Mauldin has always lived with one foot in a world of steel and concrete, another in that of imagination and futurism. He is the product of a micro-biologist father and engineer grandfather, both obsessed with history, who have always challenged him to think harder. J. Fitzpatrick Mauldin has lived many lives from electronic music producer and DJ during the early 2000s to an entrepreneur in promotional products, and is now an administrator for one of the world’s largest real estate brands. He is married with a book addicted wife and has a mad genius daughter, the latter of which might one-day rule the world. Aside from the madness of the day to day, he dreams of returning to his second home in the Pacific Northwest, where he can continue to write his own brand of sci-fi and fantasy which teeters upon the edge of hard science and speculation. Connect with J. Fitzpatrick Mauldin  Curing My Venom is a poetry book that deals with the five stages of grief. Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance. The book tackles the issues we face in our everyday lives, like failure, mental illness, cultural taboos and pressure from society.  A. Rinum was born in Kharian, Pakistan. She moved to the United States when she was four years old but moved back to Pakistan at the age of eight. When she was fourteen years old, her family decided to move back to the states again. Currently, she lives in New York City and is obtaining her Bachelors in Biochemistry. Rinum started writing at the age of ten and is currently working on a sci-fi novel. Connect with A. Rinum Genre: Fantasy, Adventure Publication Date: December 14, 2018 Pages: 273 Add to GoodReads Buy on: Amazon, Patreon  Follow Peter and Fi as they work together, each searching for something uniquely special to them through the four kingdoms of their known world. It’s a tale of fantastical beasts, peculiar characters, remarkable settings, and a unique brand of biochemistry-based magic. A story that focuses on meaningful character interactions, delicate world building, and intense action battles.  Hi, my name is Kelvyn Fernandes. I'm a Canadian author with a Bachelors in Biochemistry. I use all the knowledge I gained in that field to fuel the magic system in my fantasy world. I enjoy going on adventures, especially back-country canoeing in Algonquin Park!  Where do you get your ideas for your books? Who or what inspired your idea?
KF: I've always had a running magical adventure ongoing in the back of my mind since I was a child. Peter and Fi is the one that stuck and the one I wanted to share with the world. The characters grabbed hold of me and dragged me along with them, I'm just documenting the situations my imagination puts them in! How did you develop the plot and your characters? Are your characters based on anyone? KF: I derive inspiration from all walks of my life. From my friends, my family, myself. From movies, video games, books, and anime. Everything is an amalgamation of my experiences or my own take on how I'd tell someone else's story. Do you write when you're inspired? Or do you have a schedule you keep to? KF: Both! One necessitates the other. I used to wait for inspiration, but I soon learned that once you push yourself to start writing without, the inspiration comes naturally. Do you have any advice for aspiring authors? Maybe a piece of advice that stuck with you from your adventure into the world of publishing? KF: Just write. You can't know if you'll be good, or if you'll be successful, or even if you suck, if you don't try and write. Keep it to yourself if you need to, for as long as possible. But then share it with your friends, family, and strangers and let them help you grow! Tell us a bit more about yourself. How did you know you wanted to be a writer? Who or what inspires you to write? KF: I love telling stories. I love experiencing others' stories. I greatly enjoy critiquing and giving my take on how I'd tell another's story better. And I decided to try it out myself! How much of yourself goes into your writing? Or do you keep yourself separate and base the character on someone else entirely? KF: Everything about me is presented through the lens of my characters. I pick and choose which aspects I want to present, but the souls behind the characters are based on all of my thoughts and experiences. What has helped shape and improve your writing? KF: Reading! All genres, not just fantasy. Learning to read and appreciate stories from all walks (history, mystery, thriller, non-fiction, biography) can all have a major effect when writing in your own genre What are you reading right now? Do you recommend it or have any other recommendations? KF: I, Claudius by Robert Graves. I can't say I'm enjoying the way he presents the story, but the story itself is funny, suspenseful, and full of unique and interesting characters. Definitely worth the read.  Genre: Science Fiction, Post Apocalyptic Publication Date: November 27, 2018 Pages: 288 Add to GoodReads Buy: Amazon  Brendan Cobb calls it tar, but there might be as many names for it as cities left standing. To some, it’s known as filth, or blight. Others call it the Black God in reverential whispers. Whatever name it takes, the effects are the same. Cities left in ruins. People turned into monsters. Living infections with no known cure. The best anyone can do is avoid it, but even that gets harder the more it spreads. Brendan survives this waking nightmare by trading salvage for shelter and for repairs to his cybernetic arm, until a newcomer arrives, convinced Brendan is the key to ridding the world of tar once and for all. Reluctantly, Brendan and his mechanic join the newcomer on a journey across the desolate highways of a ruined world, where he learns the true history of the tar…and of the dark power inside him, which grows stronger every day.   Taylor Hohulin is a radio personality by morning, a science fiction author by afternoon, and asleep by 9:30. He lives in Iowa with his wife, where they are owned by a cat and a dog. Connect with Taylor Genre: Fantasy, Science Fiction Publisher: Daw Books Publication Date: September 10, 2019 Pages: 384 Add to GoodReads Buy on: Amazon, Chapters, Barnes & Noble  Shawna Keys has fled the world she only recently discovered she Shaped, narrowly escaping death at the hands of the Adversary who seized control of it...and losing her only guide, Karl Yatsar, in the process. Now she finds herself alone in some other Shaper's world, where, in her first two hours, she's rescued from a disintegrating island by an improbable flying machine she recognizes from Jules Verne's Robur the Conqueror, then seized from it by raiders flying tiny personal helicopters, and finally taken to a submarine that bears a strong resemblance to Captain Nemo's Nautilus. Oh, and accused of being both a spy and a witch. Shawna expects--hopes!--Karl Yatsar will eventually follow her into this new steampunky realm, but exactly where and when he'll show up, she hasn't a clue. In the meantime, she has to navigate a world where two factions fanatically devoted to their respective leaders are locked in perpetual combat, figure out who the Shaper of the world is, find him or her, and obtain the secret knowledge of this world's Shaping. Then she has to somehow reconnect with Karl Yatsar, and escape to the next Shaped world in the Labyrinth...through a Portal she has no idea how to open.  Where do you get your ideas for your books? Who or what inspired your idea? EW: Ideas come from everywhere. For example, my science-fiction novel The Cityborn began with a mental image of a towering city, squatting over a canyon filled with a massive garbage dump, in which there are people scavenging to survive. My YA science-fiction novel Andy Nebula: Interstellar Rock Star came out of an exhibit at the Saskatchewan Science Centre about how memory works, combined with a news item about teenaged Japanese pop stars who were one-hit wonders. In the book, there are aliens whose memory works differently, and Andy is plucked off the street to become a one-hit superstar—it’s drugs, rock and roll, and aliens for teenagers. For Worldshaper, the trigger was wondering what it would be like if the creators of fictional worlds could actually live in them. So, it can be a mental image, something I've read, or simply sitting and thinking, "What if...?" How did you develop the plot and your characters? Are your characters based on anyone? EW: My process of developing a story is to ask myself questions. In The Cityborn, for exampe, I asked myself, "Who are those people living in the garbage dump? Why are they there? Why has this city been fouling its environment for so long? Where did it come from? Who lives inside it?" Conflict, and hence plot, arises from the answers to those questions: the people in the garbage want into the city. What would they do if someone from the top of the city, where the rich people would logically live, ended up down in the garbage dump? Every answered question presents other questions that must be answered. I typically write writes a synopsis of maybe ten pages, not a chapter-by-chapter outline, just a rough description. I don't follow that synopsis particularly closely, though. The overall shape of the book is there, but the writing process may take me in a very different direction. For instance, in Terra Insegura, sequel to Marseguro, a character introduced only because a viewpoint character was needed in space while everyone else was on the surface of the planet became so important that I had to replot everything about two-thirds of the way in. A lot of this happens organically. I write fast, and the process feels seamless--things come out of my had through my fingers into the story. One sentence leads to another, which leads to new characters, new problems, new solutions. Characters arise from the story. Who'd be hurt? Who benefits? How are they in conflict with each other? Sometimes there are purely technical reasons for a character to be introduced (like the one mentioned in Terra Insegura, above). In Worldshaper, much of the story is written in first-person, but there were things I needed to reader to know my first-person character couldn't know, so I wrote a few third-person scenes, as well. Do you write when you're inspired? Or do you have a schedule you keep to? EW: I write all the time. If I'm not working on fiction, I have non-fiction to work on. So I write every day, but I'm not necessarily working on a novel every day. I type a LOT. Do you have any advice for aspiring authors? Maybe a piece of advice that stuck with you from your adventure into the world of publishing? EW: My advice to writers is always the same: read a lot, write a lot. You have to read (especially in your chosen genre) to understand how stories are put together, and to discover how other authors have solved the same problems you're trying to solve, of plotting and pacing and dialogue and description and more. And then you have to try to put it into practice. You learn to do by doing; you learn to write by writing, and by letting people read what you wrote (so you can find out if it's working or not) and then by revising and writing more. Try to make everything you write better than the last thing you wrote. Being a writer, someone once said, is like having homework every day of your life for the rest of your life. Tell us a bit more about yourself. How did you know you wanted to be a writer? Who or what inspires you to write? EW: I decided to be a writer in high school (where I wrote three novels, after having written shorter things before that). It came out of my voracious reading. I wanted to tell stories that would entertain and move other people the way my favorite books moved and entertained me. My other interests were music and art and science, but by about age sixteen I knew I wanted to be a writer. I went into journalism out of practicality: I figured I would be writing and getting paid for it, even if it wasn't the fiction I wanted to write, and then could write fiction on the side. Eventually, I quit my job and became a full-time writer. I still write as much non-fiction (or more) than fiction, because I have to make a living. It's all of a piece: using words to communicate with other people, to put your ideas into someone else's head. It's quite magical, when you think about it. How much of yourself goes into your writing? Or do you keep yourself separate and base the character on someone else entirely? EW: All my characters contain a piece of me because I'm the only human being whose inner workings I have access to. That said, I've never been a fifteen-year-old girl with magical powers or an alien with wings or a woman genetically modified to breathe under water, all of whom I number among the characters I've created. Still, at core, the only reason fiction works is that human beings are human beings. I start with the human being I know best, me, and then imagine how I might be different if I were an alien or a magical girl or a genetically modified mer-woman. What has helped shape and improve your writing? EW: Reading, as mentioned. Insightful editorial comment from the many editors I've worked with. And conversations with other writers (as in my podcast, The Worldshapers--one reason I started it). What are you reading right now? Do you recommend it or have any other recommendations? EW: I'm currently reading The Core, the final book in Peter V. Brett's Demon Cycle. I recommend that series highly, as I do the books of all the authors I've talked to in my podcast (currently, my fiction reading is largely dictated by which author I'm interviewing next, since I like to be prepared). Do your novels carry a message or do you feel it's subjective? EW: Messages arise organically from the fiction. I never preach, but of course my view of how the world works infuses my stories. But the message readers take from a work can be different from what an author thinks he or she put in there, anyway. What works best for you: Typewriters, fountain pen, dictate, computer or longhand? EW: I write on a laptop computer, but when I started, I wrote on a typewriter. I don't miss it.   Edward Willett is an award-winning author of more than sixty books of science fiction, fantasy and non-fiction for readers of all ages.
Born in Silver City, New Mexico, Willett moved to Saskatchewan from Texas with his family when he was eight years old and grew up in the small city of Weyburn. He returned to the States to study journalism at Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas, then came back to Weyburn as a reporter/photographer for the weekly Weyburn Review, eventually becoming news editor. In 1988 he moved to Regina, Saskatchewan, as communications officer for the Saskatchewan Science Centre, and in 1993 he became a fulltime freelance writer. He still resides in Regina. Willett's science fiction novel Marseguro (DAW Books) won the 2009 Aurora Award for best English-language science fiction or fantasy book by a Canadian author. He has also won a Saskatchewan Book Award for his YA fantasy Spirit Singer. He has been shortlisted for the Aurora Award and Saskatchewan Book Awards multiple times. Most recently, his short-story collection Paths to the Stars (Shadowpaw Press) was shortlisted for two Saskatchewan book Awards. His novel Worldshaper (DAW Books) has been long-listed for Canada's Sunburst Award for speculative fiction, in the YA category. Other novels include SF novel Lost in Translation (DAW Books), Terra Insegura (sequel to Marseguro, DAW Books), Magebane (DAW Books, written as Lee Arthur Chane), and the young-adult science fiction novel Andy Nebula: Interstellar Rock Star. In the works, in addition to the next Worldshapers book: a dark-fantasy YA novel, featuring shapeshifters, for ChiZine Publications. Willett's non-fiction titles run the gamut from science books for children on topics as diverse as Ebola Virus and the Milky Way to local history books like Historic Walks of Regina and Moose Jaw for Red Deer Press, awarded a Municipal Heritage Award by the City of Regina in the education category and A Safe and Prosperous Future: 100 years of engineering and geoscience achievements in Saskatchewan, published by the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan (APEGS). He's also written biographies for children of Janis Joplin, Jimmy Hendrix, Johnny Cash, Andy Warhol, Orson Scott Card, J.R.R. Tolkien and the Ayatollah Khomeini. You can find Ed online at www.edwardwillett.com, on Facebook, and on Twitter @ewillett. He is represented by literary agent Ethan Ellenberg (www.ethanellenberg.com). Besides being a writer, Willett is a professional actor and singer who has performed in dozens of plays, musicals and operas in and around Saskatchewan, hosted local television programs, and emceed numerous public events. He hosts The Worldshapers podcast (www.theworldshapers.com), featuring conversations with other science fiction and fantasy authors about the their creative process. He's married to an engineer, and has one daughter.  Genre: Mystery, Historical, Thriller Publisher: Whiskey Creek Press LLC Publication Date: January 14, 2015 Pages: 368 Add to GoodReads Buy on Amazon, Barnes & Noble  Two men, two different generations, both initiated into a powerful organisation that throughout history has sought control and use their power for destruction. Two men leaving behind a wake of murder, revenge and vengeance. Two men that will stop at nothing, playing a game that only they know the rules. One man roams the dark London streets for his victims, preying on women of the night. While the other stalks his victims in Seville, Spain; knowing that only he could uncover the true motives of one of the world’s most infamous serial killers – Jack the Ripper.   I have a diploma in Body Language and Criminology, enabling me to explicitly portray my main character. Living in Auckland, New Zealand with my two dogs and partner, I enjoy watching documentaries about history and conspiracy theories, giving me ideas for my next books. At 30 years old, I have a diploma in Cognitive Behavioural therapy, Freelance Journalism, and Editing and proofreading; giving me the ability to better understand the human mind, writing about it in a comprehensive manner. I have also started up two additional websites: Body, Mind and Health services - Click Here Animal Health and Welfare Services - Click Here Both websites are based around my qualifications in Counselling, Personal training, human and animal nutrition, Animal behaviour and Natural therapies. Links |
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Hello Book Dragons! Currently Reading
Return of the Witch by Paula Brackston
Circus of the Damned by Laurell K Hamilton
Hydra by Matt Wesolowski
Quote of the Month
“It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it.” ― Lou Holtz Archives
November 2020
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