tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66274459091604941222024-03-08T03:06:27.364-05:00It is All In The SettingNikki Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985309338453728557noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6627445909160494122.post-70062365280302239512009-06-09T20:35:00.001-04:002009-06-09T20:37:20.771-04:00The White Hare's Lament by Bryn Colvin<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_l-gSRz9BTzU/Si7_7TW1OhI/AAAAAAAADGs/n-71Oq2NREc/s1600-h/A+-+whitehareslament.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_l-gSRz9BTzU/Si7_7TW1OhI/AAAAAAAADGs/n-71Oq2NREc/s400/A+-+whitehareslament.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345491202008758802" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Why you chose that particular setting?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Some of it because it’s the landscape that goes with the history (no spoilers! The setting is in some ways a surprise). Then my research introduced me to a hospital in Devon (I’d been aiming for a south west location). Seale Hayne has the most amazing history and really leant itself to my story.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style=""> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">What does the setting add to the story? </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">There are a number of settings – lots of wild landscape where the rules of normal civilization don’t apply. Battlefields also feature, and then in contrast to this, the security of life in a small English village.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Could you write the same story in a different setting?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">No. Absolutely not. The story grew out of the setting to quite a significant degree.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Why or why couldn't you use a different setting?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Partly because of the very real history underpinning the story, partly because of the connection with folklore from the south west of England.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Did you use a real place as a basis for your setting?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Yes – quite a few places in Europe, Seale Hayne, assorted towns and villages in the UK, Caedr Idris in Wales, and a few imagined places as well.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Tell us some specific details about your setting. What would we see? </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Rolling countryside, some of it green and fertile, some of it blackened and cratered from the ravages of war. A Georgian building, imposing and dramatic. Moorland, the gently rolling English countryside and the wilder places of the imagination. There are a lot of physical journeys undertaken in this novel, so there’s a lot of scenery.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">What sort of people are there? </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Most of the people are ordinary folk, living through a specific period. Some are soldiers, some formers, others work in the medical profession. Many of them are isolated by the events unfolding around them, and loneliness is a recurring theme. Some of the characters are historical figures.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">If we were travelling to your setting, what should we bring with us? </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">It depends on which bit of the story you fall into, but good boots are essential, and there are times when a helmet may save your life. Cigarettes and alcohol are always welcome gifts, as are decent pairs of socks, cake, soap and other little luxuries. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">For visitors, what do they need to know to visit your setting?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Again, as settings vary there’s no one answer to this. However, what you see at anytime might not be real. Landscape and memory blur into each other, and you cannot afford to assume that anything is quite as it seems.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Thank you for sharing details about your book setting. Now, what's the title of your book and where can we buy it?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">The White Hare’s Lament</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">http://www.loveyoudivine.com/index.php?main_page=document_product_info&cPath=26&products_id=349&zenid=853cfe4236a8e41e78d726ad01b7c5f7</span></p>Nikki Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985309338453728557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6627445909160494122.post-72727544847086244832009-01-24T17:33:00.001-05:002009-01-24T17:52:18.300-05:00Terry L White Shares the Setting for her Chesapeake Harvest Series<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">COME TO </span><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">CHESAPEAKE</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> COUNTRY</span> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> </span> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><strong>Why did you pick the setting you used in your story?</strong> </span> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> </span> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Chesapeake</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> country was the inspiration for my Chesapeake Heritage series. When I moved to the <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1232836354_0">Eastern Shore of Maryland</span> it was like entering a different world. I was used to the mountains and forests of the </span><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Adirondack</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> – a place where gardens were planted between the stones and winter lingered for seven months of the year. I fell in love with the tidewater marshes the first time I saw them when I noticed small ancient houses gradually melting into the soggy ground. The forests were different and the land was different – just as wild as the </span><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span style="border-bottom: medium none; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; cursor: pointer; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1232836354_1">North Country</span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">, but presenting different problems. I felt the wildness of the vista, but it seemed bleak and empty compared to the mountains I was used to. </span> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> </span> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">The thought of survival in such habitat seemed impossible, and it was not until I was assigned stories that took me deep into the marsh country that I came to know individuals who were descended from the local <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1232836354_2">Native Americans</span> and the colonists who wrested settlements out of the inhospitable landscapes. I could not imagine finding enough food for a family to survive even the bitter (but brief) winters, and so I found materials for my Chesapeake Heritage series built around the stories of the women in a family who loved, endured and embraced Chesapeake Country.</span> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> </span> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><br /><strong>Why you chose that particular setting?</strong></span> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> </span> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">I had an ancestor who was an indentured servant like Mary Charles in Chesapeake Harvest. I could not think of a more inhospitable landscape for the background of a story about a woman who had to choose between coming to the </span><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">New World</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> and finding herself in a place where survival was in no way guaranteed.<br /><br /><strong>What does the setting add to the story?</strong></span> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> </span> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Any effort to colonize a new world has its own difficulties. The Tidewater area offers rich resources, if one can endure the loneliness and sicknesses attendant on life on the verge of the steaming marshes that border <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1232836354_3">arable land</span>. <strong>Chesapeake Harvest</strong> tells the story of Mary Charles, who endures despite the dangers of being a stranger in a strange land.<br /><br /><strong>Could you write the same story in a different setting?</strong></span> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> </span> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">I could write a similar story, and have. My novel <strong>Mystick Moon</strong> is placed in Mistic Conn., a place that was built with the same sort of frontier living that captures my imagination.<br /><br /><strong>Why or why couldn't you use a different setting?</strong></span> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> </span> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">I could use a different setting and the problems would be similar, as long as it was a story of survival in a frontier life. Breaking farms and holding one’s babies as they died of fever are not new themes. I didn’t want to re-hash the Capt. <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1232836354_4">John Smith story</span> which had a very sad ending, but the tidewater environment is a big part of the Chesapeake Heritage stories.<br /><br /><strong>Did you use a real place as a basis for your setting?</strong></span> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> </span> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">I have placed my story generally on the place known as the </span><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Eastern Shore</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">, a peninsula composed of parts of </span><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1232836354_5">Maryland</span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">, </span><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Delaware</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> and </span><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Virginia</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">. I have not, however situated it in any particular place on a modern map, but rather ‘between’ those places that survived colonization and are present on today.<br /><br /><strong>Or, did you create the setting from scratch?</strong></span> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> </span> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">The landscape of Chesapeake Harvest and the Chesapeake Heritage series was not created from scratch. I did however, go to a place called Elliott’s </span><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Island</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">, which is featured in the second book in the series, Chesapeake Legacy. If you don’t have a boat, you must travel through 19 miles of farm fields, forests and marsh to the island. Elliott’s </span><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Island</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> has the feel of eternity if you travel there and meet fishermen who have plied their boats on </span><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Fishing</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> </span><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Bay</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> for thousands of years. The island is so far from today’s techno-world it seems a place out of time. All you have to do is go there and walk down to the shore to feel what our ancestors felt when they first arrived with the intent of colonizing the area.<br /><br /><strong>Is there anything else about your setting that we need to know? Feel free to share.</strong></span> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> </span> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">The Chesapeake Heritage series take place in a hard to imagine world. You have to come to Tidewater country, view its endless marshes and walk its shores to realize how very difficult life might have been when <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1232836354_6">John Smith</span> arrived to found the first colony for the Crown. <span> </span><br /><br /><strong>Please provide your website link. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.terrylwhite.com/"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1232836354_7">www.terrylwhite.com</span></a><br /></strong><br />What is the link to buy your book? <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.com/"><span style="color:#225588;"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1232836354_8">www.amazon.com</span></span></a>, or from me at <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1232836354_9">terrylwhite@verizon.net</span>.<br /><br /><strong>Tell us some specific details about your setting</strong>. </span><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><strong>What would we see? What sort of people are there? </strong></span> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><strong></strong></span> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">The people who live on the Eastern Shore of Maryland are the sort of people <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1232836354_10">Hank Williams Jr</span>. sang about when he said, "Country folks will survive." The people here are a gumbo of Native American, English, and French settlers with a sprinkling of the Irish and other ethnic varieties. Descendants of slaves still speak of picking cotton and working as migrants in the wide farmland acres. There are farmers with thousands of acres under the plow and watermen whose wives pick the meat from their crab harvest . The Eastern Shore has become a Mecca for retirees from across the Bay who find living costs down and volunteer opportunities rich and varies. Summer finds the residents enjoying sailing and enjoying the many weekend festivals the area affords. </span> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"></span> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><strong>If we were traveling to your setting, what should we bring with us? For visitors, what do they need to know to visit your setting?</strong></span> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> </span> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">The Eastern Shore of Maryland is tidewater country, composed largely of wetlands with areas of rich, arable land that is now the source of grain for the poultry and ethanol industries. Originally, this land was seeded with tobacco, which paid the colonists’ taxes to the English Crown. <span> </span></span> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> </span> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">When it rains, you get your feet wet. Summers are long and sultry, with lingering high humidity and long, sweltering nights. The farmlands are fertile and the fishery is rich, providing crabs, oysters, clams and fish for the </span><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Baltimore</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">, </span><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Annapolis</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> and </span><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Washington</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">, </span><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">DC</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> markets. Situated on what is known as the <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1232836354_11">Atlantic Flyway</span>, late autumn finds the skies alive with migrating ducks and geese – some of which stay the winter to graze on standing grain crops planted by the rangers at Blackwater Wildlife Refuge. Winters are brief and damp. Houses are built on pilings and foundations are plagued by termites and water damage even in town. </span></p><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: georgia;"></span> <div style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"></span> </div> <div style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">If you come to the Eastern Shore, bring your patience. You pretty much have to drive to get here, although there are a few small airports that serve the area. Expect a quiet way of life where the people are friendly and kind to strangers. If I could advise you to do one thing when you come to the Eastern Shore it is to be open and curious. The people here love to share their world and are proud of their rich history that includes a kaleidoscope of characters such as the murderess <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1232836354_12">Patty Cannon</span>, Frederick <span>Doughlass</span>, <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1232836354_13">Anna Ella Carroll</span> and <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1232836354_14">Harriet Tubman</span>.<br /><br /><strong>Thank you for sharing details about your book setting. Now, what's the title of your book and where can we buy it?</strong></span><strong> </strong></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> </span> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><strong>Chesapeake Harvest</strong> and <strong>Chesapeake Legacy</strong> are available both as ebooks and in print. They can be found at <a target="_blank" href="http://amazon.com/"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1232836354_15">Amazon.com</span></a>, Kindle, All Romance Ebooks, Fictionwise, <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1232836354_16">Mobipocket</span> and more. Chesapeake Destiny is set for spring release as an ebook and Chesapeake Heritage will be released sometime in the fall of 2009 and will be available at the ebook sites or from my publisher at <a target="_blank" href="http://www.writewordsinc.com/"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1232836354_17">www.writewordsinc.com</span></a><br /><br /></span> </p>Nikki Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985309338453728557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6627445909160494122.post-59319569431677106002008-12-14T20:54:00.003-05:002008-12-16T13:01:05.240-05:00The Setting for the Green Healing Stone Fantasy SeriesWhy did you pick the setting you used in your story? I'm not looking for -- "because I live there". I want you to dig deep and tell us... Specific details about your setting. What would we see? What sort of people are there? If we were traveling to your setting, what should we bring with us? For visitors, what do they need to know to visit your setting?<br /><br /><br />The primary setting for my epic fantasy series is a continent-sized island nation called Azgard. The geography varies greatly, depending on the latitude. There are huge, snow-capped mountains; lush forests of redwood trees with a house-sized circumference; sweeping grass plains populated by herds of horses; rich farmlands, meadows, and even vast swamps in the far<br />south. The island is also well endowed with mineral wealth and other natural resources, including abundant water.<br /><br />At first glance, Azgard seems little short of paradise. Polarized, however, is the key to understanding the island and its society. Azgard is deeply divided by race, by rank, by gender, by wealth, by level of power, by opportunity for advancement, and by access to technology.<br /><br />Two groups inhabit Azgard. The dominant race, the <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1229306051_1">Toltecs</span>, are long-lived, exceptionally tall, physically strong, black-haired and black-eyed people with skin that ranges from light copper to deep reddish brown. The subject people, the Turanians, are smaller in stature, with blond, red, and light brown hair, blue or green eyes, and skin so pale it seems like milk.<br /><br />As the story begins, the Toltecs conquered the Turanians several millennia earlier. Turanians endure limited chances for economic advancement, and work largely as servants, low-paid menial workers in industry, or as farmers. A handful of Turanians have managed to accumulate wealth, but they must hide that fact to keep Toltec bureaucrats from plundering their assets. Turanians also have highly circumscribed access to communications and other technology, and are not allowed to own any form of mechanized transport or even drive one without the permission of a Toltec employer.<br /><br />Toltecs, on the other hand, control most of the wealth and the means of producing even more. A Toltec oligarchy that uses the name of "the Kindred" owns all land and patents on numerous inventions. The Toltec monarch is known as the Exalted Lord of the Kindred. Females are the property of either their fathers or their husbands and have few legal rights or protections.<br /><br />Visitors to Azgard find that while the Turianians are hospitable to strangers, the Toltecs are much more aloof and suspicious because they regard anyone who isn't a Toltec as inferior. Their racial and ethnic supremacy belief guides the Toltecs' foreign policy, which is based on<br />military power and subjugation of other countries. Toltec society is also theocratic, with all people subject to civil laws and the <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1229306051_2">religious laws</span> of the state-sanctioned Temple of Kronos. There is no freedom of speech, and the poor and/or Turanians who cannot afford legal representation feel the heavy hand of Toltec justice, which is punitive and often violent.<br /><br /><br />Why you choose that particular setting?<br /><br />I didn't really choose the setting. It is an integral part of the overall multi-generational story.<br /><br /><br />What does the setting add to the story?<br /><br />Only everything. The setting makes this story.<br /><br /><br />Could you write the same story in a different setting?<br /><br />No. One critic took it upon himself to suggest that I set the action in <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1229306051_3">Cyprus</span>, an island torn by centuries-long feuds between Greeks and Turks. That would not make any sense and it would not work for my particular story.<br /><br /><br />Why or why couldn't you use a different setting?<br /><br />The storyline of my entire series is bound up in the ultimate fate of Azgard. This is a tale about how religious extremists bent on absolute power instead destroyed an entire country and imperiled the world. Thus the setting cannot exist any longer-it simply cannot be any place or locale that remains intact.<br /><br /><br />Did you use a real place as a basis for your setting? Or, did you create the setting from scratch?<br /><br />I believe I chose real places that once existed as the settings. Others might consider my setting nothing more than a myth at best. It was real to me because I believe I once lived a life as the first-generation heroine of my story.<br /><br /><br />Is there anything else about your setting that we need to know? Feel free to share.<br /><br />There is a dark secret gnawing away at the underpinnings of Toltec power that will be exposed as the series progresses due to war, plague, and civil unrest.<br /><br /><br />Please provide your website link. <a href="http://www.greenstoneofhealing.com/" target="_blank">http://www.greenstoneofhealing.com</a><br /><br /><br />Thank you for sharing details about your book setting. Now, what's the title of your book and where can we buy it?<br /><br />Title: Green Stone of Healing® Series<br /><br />Paperbacks purchase links:<br /><br /><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1229306051_4">The Scorpions</span> Strike-Green Stone of Healing® Series, Book Three<br /><br /><a href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbninquiry.asp?ean=9780980053753" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1229306051_5">http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbninquiry.asp?ean=9780980053753</span></a><br /><br /><br />Fallout-Green Stone of Healing® Series, Book Two<br /><br /><a href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbninquiry.asp?ean=9780980053746" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1229306051_6">http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbninquiry.asp?ean=9780980053746</span></a><br /><br /><br />The Vision-Green Stone of Healing® Series, Book One<br /><br /><a href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbninquiry.asp?ean=9780980053739" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1229306051_7">http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbninquiry.asp?ean=9780980053739</span></a><br /><br /><br />eBooks purchase link: <a href="http://www.healingstonebooks.com/" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1229306051_8">http://www.healingstonebooks.com</span></a>Nikki Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985309338453728557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6627445909160494122.post-68905809336659797452008-12-04T11:04:00.001-05:002008-12-04T11:04:00.436-05:00Bleach|Blackout – It’s All In The Setting<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_l-gSRz9BTzU/STQLk1v7VoI/AAAAAAAACXE/nPbQ0WIn94o/s1600-h/Bleach+Blackout+cover.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_l-gSRz9BTzU/STQLk1v7VoI/AAAAAAAACXE/nPbQ0WIn94o/s400/Bleach+Blackout+cover.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274853791088989826" border="0" /></a><br />The setting for Bleach is a house party, the last 60 seconds of New Year’s Eve, in the <st1:place st="on">Midwest</st1:place>.<span style=""> </span>Jeremy (narrator) is in the bathroom where a girl lay dying.<span style=""> </span>The area is decorated with drugs and sex.<span style=""> </span>The countdown to the New Year forms a point of escalation for the scene as well as a stopping point, allowing the narrator (Jeremy) to go back eight days and explain how he has ended up in this place.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p><p></p> <p><span style=";font-family:";" >For Bleach, the initial setting is used to both set up the story and because it is a very “in the moment” scene to start a story.<span style=""> </span>The smell of smoke and danger permeates a room full of disoriented guests and someone is knocking at the door.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style=";font-family:";" >Sandwiched in between the start and finish you will often find a corporate backdrop used as the setting to establish relationships and tell the story of Jeremy’s adventure back home for the holidays.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style=";font-family:";" >The end of Bleach circles back to where the book starts, the evening of debauchery </span><span style=";font-family:";" >where all the men are dressed as prostitutes, all the women look like pimps and decadence and debauchery dictate the rules. Everything seems to be spiraling out of control, and Jeremy realizes there are no guarantees for him or anyone else. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style=";font-family:";" >Blackout picks up two years after Bleach in <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Las Vegas</st1:city></st1:place> where Stoner and friends are celebrating his bachelor party complete with strippers and crack cocaine.<span style=""> </span>The ride home is blurry and the next morning in <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Los Angeles</st1:city></st1:place> brings a surprise when Stoner’s friends, Chip and Jeremy, wake to find police officers and a dead body they are allegedly responsible for, but neither can recall.<span style=""> </span>The move to the West Coast setting allowed me as the writer to show some type of evolution with my characters as well as play the <st1:place st="on">Hollywood</st1:place> angle, a secondary theme running through Bleach.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" >The settings in both Bleach|Blackout put the characters in a place for them to interact and act on impulse, allowing the reader to not only paint their own picture of the characters, but also spare them a boring back story chapter.<span style=""> </span>While writing both Bleach and Blackout I never thought about any different setting.<span style=""> </span>Bleach had to begin and end with the party of the ages while Blackout had to move, allowing me as the writer more freedom (and liberties) to develop my cast of fictional friends.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><br />Please provide your website link: <a href="http://www.davidsgrant.com/"><span style="">http://www.davidsgrant.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><br />What is the link to buy your book? <a href="http://www.offensemechanisms.com/bookstore.html"><span style="">http://www.offensemechanisms.com/bookstore.html</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><br />Thank you for sharing details about your book setting. Now, what's the title of your book and where can we buy it?<span style=""> </span>Bleach|Blackout is available online and select bookstores.<span style=""> </span>To purchase go to: <a href="http://www.offensemechanisms.com/bookstore.html"><span style="">http://www.offensemechanisms.com/bookstore.html</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" >Thank you for having me.<span style=""> </span>-David</span></p>Nikki Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985309338453728557noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6627445909160494122.post-31864769216982908602008-11-06T14:50:00.001-05:002008-11-06T14:50:00.766-05:00The Setting for Conor and the Crossworlds by Kevin Gerard<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_l-gSRz9BTzU/SQ4FSZxS4EI/AAAAAAAACP0/vMNmO4o15BU/s1600-h/Conor+-+Book+03.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_l-gSRz9BTzU/SQ4FSZxS4EI/AAAAAAAACP0/vMNmO4o15BU/s320/Conor+-+Book+03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264150828156117058" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Questions About the Setting of Conor and the Crossworlds</span><o:p></o:p><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Why did you pick the setting you used in your story? I'm not looking for -- "because I live there". I want you to dig deep and tell us...<br /><br />Why you chose that particular setting?</span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="">I chose the Crossworlds because it is infinite. It is an endless series of worlds of light and darkness where anything can happen. What could be better than that for a fantasy writer?<br /></b><br />What does the setting add to the story?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="">Surprises around every corner. There are four main venues that Conor and the other characters populate from time to time.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><o:p> </o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="">The realm of the creators is the home of the Council of Seven, a group of creators emeritus who oversee the Crossworlds. It is a place of unparalleled beauty and wellbeing. It is where Conor and the Champions go to rejuvenate themselves and prepare for battle.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><o:p> </o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="">The Glade of Champions is the world where the giant protectors of the Crossworlds live. Heavily forested and filled with lakes and small hills where the great cats can sun themselves, this is where Conor first meets Purugama’s brothers.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><o:p> </o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="">Earth – Conor lives there with his family in <st1:place st="on">Northern California</st1:place>. His girlfriend Janine, introduced in Book Three, also lives there. <o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><o:p> </o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="">The Shadow World is the home of the Circle of Evil. The destroyers; Drazian, Gandron, Fumemos, Seefra, Pikiwik Loff, and the horrible assassin Nemelissi all stage their attacks in this place. Zelexa, the Lady of the Shadows, controls this world along with the three arcs of the ruling body. </b><br /><br />Could you write the same story in a different setting?</span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="">Why would I ever want to do that?</b><br /><br />Why or why couldn't you use a different setting?</span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="">It’s not that I wouldn’t, I simply couldn’t. To me, the Crossworlds is as real as the world we all know. Conor is alive, as is Purugama and the rest of the Champions. The Lady of the Light has come alive with all the others, the destroyers, shadow warriors, the ezuvex, and on and on. This is a real live dimension I’ve created, and I could never change a thing about it. To do so would be an injustice to all the characters in the Conor and the Crossworlds story.</b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />Did you use a real place as a basis for your setting?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="">Only on earth. I went to <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Humboldt</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">State</st1:placetype> <st1:placetype st="on">University</st1:placetype></st1:place> for a graduate degree. The redwood forest is a very mystical place, and I loved the tiny little towns along the <st1:street st="on"><st1:address st="on">Redwood Highway</st1:address></st1:street>. For some reason the town of Willits really put the hook in me. I always imagined Conor growing up there. Also, Conor and Janine attend “<st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Redwood</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">State</st1:placetype></st1:place>” when they get to college in Book Five.</b><br /><br />Or, did you create the setting from scratch?</span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="">Everything besides earth came right out of my runaway imagination, including the Crossworlds, the corridors, the shadow world, the Champions, seekers, guardians, and the armies of the shadow world. I have to say, though, that I have been influenced by many wonderful writers. I’m certain the Lady of the Light emerged from my love of the science fiction / fantasy genre.</b><br /><br />Is there anything else about your setting that we need to know? Feel free to share.</span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="">Anything can happen, and usually does. The great wonder about fantasy writing is the spontaneity of the experience. Imagine freeing your mind completely and allowing yourself to write absolutely anything. That’s where great stories come from.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><o:p> </o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="">One thing that I’ll tell you is that very little in the Crossworlds is synthetic. I love the idea that the corridors are living, organic creatures. In Book Two they began to unravel because the Circle of Evil attacked the spiritual and social health of the planets connected to them. In Book Three you really get the sense of how emotional the corridors can be. </b><br /><br />Please provide your website link.</span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="">http://www.conorandthecrossworlds.com</b><br /><br />What is the link to buy your book?</span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="">Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble.com, Borders.com</b> – <b style="">go to any of these sites and search for Conor and the Crossworlds.</b><br /><br />Tell us some specific details about your setting. What would we see? What sort of people are there? If we were traveling to your setting, what should we bring with us? For visitors, what do they need to know to visit your setting?</span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="">If you went to the Glade of Champions, you might encounter a 5000 pound lion, a 2800 pound jaguar, a 2100 pound cheetah, a 3000 pound tiger, a 3000 pound flying cougar, and if you were lucky, you might see Maya, the Lord of the Champions, a 1900 pound alley cat. They are all cordial gentlemen, to a point.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><o:p> </o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="">If you went to the realm of the creators, your jaw would drop as you looked upon glorious gardens, waterfalls, pools, and perfect sunlight. The weather is always perfectly soothing to the spirit and soul. Young creators tend to the grounds constantly, and attend to the needs of the creators emeritus. Seekers (powerful visionaries with a gift finding lost souls) and guardians (healers from an ancient race of ezuvex warriors) might be roaming about. Bring relaxing clothing; you may pass by a healing water wall and want to stop for a moment’s rest.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><o:p> </o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="">Beware if you enter the Shadow World, for no one who perishes there can ever be rejuvenated by the creators. If you hear that the destroyer Nemelissi is on the loose, hide somewhere and stay absolutely quiet. Nemelissi the assassin is the most horrible of all destroyers, a disgusting creature who relishes new methods of slaughtering its victims.</b><br /><br />Thank you for sharing details about your book setting. Now, what's the title of your book and where can we buy it?</span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="">Conor and the Crossworlds: Breaking the Barrier<o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="">Conor and the Crossworlds: Peril in the Corridors<o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="">Conor and the Crossworlds: Surviving an Altered World<o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="">Conor and the Crossworlds: Charge of the Champions – October 2009<o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="">Conor and the Crossworlds: The Author of All Worlds – October 2010</b><br /><br /></span> </p><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Each person who posts a comment on any or all of the blog tour spots will be entered in a random drawing for a copy of Kevin Gerard's Conor and the Crossworlds – Book 1, </span><b style="font-family:georgia;"><i><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1225655432_1">Breaking the Barrier</span></i></b><span style="font-family:georgia;"> or Book 2 </span><b style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Peril in the Corridors</i></b><span style="font-family:georgia;">. In addition – the blog owner who hosts the winning commenter wins the book not chosen by the commenter.</span><br /><br /></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Stop by any tour stop and </span><span style="border-bottom: medium none; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; cursor: pointer; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;font-size:100%;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1225655432_2" >share your thoughts</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> and comments with author Kevin Gerard as he prepares for the December release of Book 3 <b><i>Surviving an Altered World</i></b>. He will check in throughout the day at each stop to answer questions. You’ll learn more and have a chance to win one of his books, and the more you learn about Conor and his exciting realm the more you'll want to know. Visit Kevin's website <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.conorandthecrossworlds.com/"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1225655432_3">http://www.conorandthecrossworlds.com</span></a> today to keep tabs on the upcoming release of <b><i>Surviving an Altered World</i></b>. While your there <strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: normal;">click on the </span></strong></span><span class="nfakpe" style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">contest</span></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: normal;"> video for exciting details regarding <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1225655432_4">The Hunt</span> for the Five Keys of the Creators which begins in January.</span></strong></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></strong></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">For more information about Kevin Gerard and his virtual tour, check the schedule at <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://virtualblogtour.blogspot.com/2008/10/virtual-book-tour-conor-and-crossworlds.html">http://virtualblogtour.blogspot.com/2008/10/virtual-book-tour-conor-and-crossworlds.html</a></span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b>Surviving an Altered World Blurb</b>:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Conor and Janine watch in horror as a powerful warrior sent by the Circle of Evil destroys their world and imprisons everyone they know, including the Crossworlds Champions and the creators. The Lady of the Light appears, explaining that she and her kind deposited the five keys of the creators on different worlds just before the chaos began. If Conor and Janine can recover the keys, the Crossworlds will be restored</span></p><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br />Amazon Link for Surviving an Altered World: </span><b style="font-family: georgia;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://tinyurl.com/55akjz"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1225655432_5">http://tinyurl.com/55akjz</span></a><br /><br /></b><strong style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">About Conor and the Crossworlds</span></strong></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: normal;">Conor and the Crossworlds series: This series opens with book 1, </span><i><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Conor and the Crossworlds</span></i></strong><strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: normal;">, when 10-year-old Conor Jameson unconsciously calls forth the power of the crossworlds creators who send the mystical beast, Purugama, to accompany the boy on a fantastic journey into the realm of the crosswords. This immense collection of mystical worlds connects by organic "corridors" that allow creators, champions, seekers, and at the other end of the spectrum, destroyers, shadow warriors, slayers and keepers to travel between worlds as easily as Conor walks between the rooms of his home. In book 2, </span><i><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Peril in the Corridors</span></i></strong><strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: normal;">, the story continues when Conor and his huge mentor disturb the integrity of the crossworlds corridors, and must join the Lord of the Crossworlds Champions, Maya, on a mission to repair them, with all of creation hanging in the balance. In book 3, </span><i><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Surviving an Altered World</span></i></strong><strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: normal;"> (due to be released in December 2008), Conor and Janine Cochran, two everyday high school students find themselves caught in a race to save an altered world after Conor ignores his mentors' warnings and divulges secrets about his past.</span></strong></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></strong></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">About the Author:</span></strong></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: normal;">After running three companies and working a variety of jobs during his life, Mr. Gerard returned to school and earned a master's degree in sociology from </span></strong></span><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1225655432_6" style="font-size:100%;"><strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: normal;">Humboldt</span></strong><strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: normal;"> </span></strong><strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: normal;">State</span></strong><strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: normal;"> </span></strong><strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: normal;">University</span></strong></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: normal;">. He returned to </span></strong><strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: normal;"><span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1225655432_7">San Diego</span></span></strong><strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: normal;"> after completing the program and worked with two professional research organizations over the next seven years. In 2004, he resigned from the second position in order to pursue a writing career. While still teaching at the university, he spends the bulk of his time writing for publication. The Conor and the Crossworlds series provided the main impetus for his decision to permanently extricate himself from formal employment.</span></strong></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></strong></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: normal;">"Stepping away from full-time work was the best decision I ever made. Writing this story has given me tremendous personal satisfaction, and it has shown me an avenue for expression I will always treasure."</span></strong></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></strong></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: normal;">Kevin Gerard lives in </span></strong></span><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1225655432_8" style="font-size:100%;"><strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: normal;">San Diego</span></strong><strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: normal;">, </span></strong><strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: normal;">California</span></strong></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: normal;">, with his wife and four children. He teaches sociology and statistics for the </span></strong></span><span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; cursor: pointer; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;font-size:100%;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1225655432_9" ><strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: normal;">California</span></strong><strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: normal;"> </span></strong><strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: normal;">State</span></strong><strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: normal;"> </span></strong><strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: normal;">University</span></strong></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: normal;">. When not writing or teaching, Mr. Gerard enjoys walking the grounds at the <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1225655432_10">San Diego Zoo</span>, golfing with his father, hitting the waves and his favorite pizza hangout with his brother, nieces and nephews, and loving his wife and kids. He also enjoys playing Halo on the internet; look for him in the rocket games as Drazian, the destroyer in the first Conor and the Crossworlds adventure, Breaking the Barrier.</span></strong></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></strong></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Conor and the Crossworlds </span></strong></span><span class="nfakpe" style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Contest</span></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: normal;">Visit his website and click on the </span></strong></span><span class="nfakpe" style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">contest</span></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: normal;"> video for exciting details regarding <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1225655432_11">The Hunt</span> for the Five Keys of the Creators which begins in January</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001TzbdiWnFrUN7s2tEqDZ1_kyRqj38g0p2KvUvrLS-xhNXOU9gMtYkXA12bBooODe6lLPgrwqjBZMRDP90N9gba8FqPDSzOXuUeGSTOSaZekTK5bIbN_wWuoacjds32Rk6">http://www.conorandthecrossworlds.com</a></span></strong><b><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><br /></span></b></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:100%;" ><br /><strong></strong></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><strong>Website Address: <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001TzbdiWnFrUN7s2tEqDZ1_kyRqj38g0p2KvUvrLS-xhNXOU9gMtYkXA12bBooODe6lLPgrwqjBZMRDP90N9gba8FqPDSzOXuUeGSTOSaZekTK5bIbN_wWuoacjds32Rk6">http://www.conorandthecrossworlds.com</a></strong><br /><br /><strong>Primary Blog: <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001TzbdiWnFrUM-EEtKG88XHv0H_IwHwqxHit5EEo5KGkNdrpiWBL7ugLTyrfgZUs-zOPLVo6Y3LVoi9OXZtV_4qK3v0hR1hiAwQKXKCpYB3_gR2QMQm3w6SZQY9gqNzir3zS3FXRFLkkw15JjJB61CzUs8aVNbIvVQczUIOAeBur-PdPv5E-NoJA=="><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1225655432_15">http://www.amazon.com/gp/blog/A1Y85GB3KR02Y6/ref=cm_blog_dp_artist</span></a></strong></span></b></span></p>Nikki Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985309338453728557noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6627445909160494122.post-21330125617102528172008-10-12T20:45:00.001-04:002008-10-12T20:45:00.440-04:00Kindred Spirits by Marilyn MeredithWhy did you pick the setting you used in your story? I'm not looking for -- "because I live there". I want you to dig deep and tell us...<br /> <br />There are three important settings in this mystery. First, Bear Creek, where Tempe Crabtree is the resident deputy. Yes, it is loosely based on where I live--but I've changed it some--including moving it 1,000 feet higher into the mountains. It's a small community town, almost a village, which is fairly close to the Bear Creek Indian reservation. <br /> <br />The second setting is Crescent City where Tempe goes to learn more about a murder victim and possibly the murderer. <br /> <br />The third setting is Santa Barbara where Tempe finally confronts the murderer--and nearly loses her life.<br /> <br />Why did you choose that particular setting?<br /> <br />This is book eight in the series and Tempe has always been the resident deputy of Bear Creek. I like the small town nuances and uniqueness of the mountain setting and the problems that arise, such as forest fires.<br /> <br />Four years ago I went to Crescent City to teach a workshop at a writers conference. While there I met a most interesting Tolowa woman and learned a lot about the Tolowa people, their history and some of their legends and knew that one day I wanted to put all of this in a book. Crescent City is a beautiful place on the Pacific Ocean and bordering on Oregon.<br /> <br />It was logical for Tempe to go onto Santa Barbara in pursuit of the murderer.<br /> <br />What does the setting add to the story?<br /> <br />I think all three settings add a lot to the story itself. I'm a firm believer that settings are as important as character in the telling of a story. I've often given workshops about setting.<br /><br />Could you write the same story in a different setting?<br /><br />I could, but it wouldn't be the same story since the settings definitely influence what happens in all three cases.<br /><br />Why or why couldn't you use a different setting?<br /> <br />The story begins with a forest fire so the place has to be where there are forest fires. <br /> <br />The Tolowa Indians are important to the story in the Crescent City setting and that's where the majority of the Tolowa people live.<br /> <br />As Tempe follows the trail left by the killer, she ends up in Santa Barbara. I know Santa Barbara and the place fit what I wanted to happen.<br /><br />Did you use a real place as a basis for your setting? <br /> <br />I usually use a real setting or base it on a real setting. For me, this helps me see the places in my mind as the story unfolds.<br /><br />Or, did you create the setting from scratch? <br /> <br />In all the 20 plus books I've written, I've never totally created a setting from scratch. I've never felt the need to do so, though I've certainly moved things around in Bear Creek to suit what I was writing.<br /><br />Is there anything else about your setting that we need to know? Feel free to share.<br /> <br />I love Crescent City. It's right on a rather rugged and rocky coast that has been the scene of many a shipwreck. In places, giant redwoods grow right down to the sea. It is one of the places where Big Foot has been sighted. The first people who lived and thrived in this wonderful place were the Tolowa people--until they were nearly wiped out by the newcomers who settled in the area. Not many people realize that the California Indians were nearly eliminated either by illness or at the hands of their neighbors. Though this is not what Kindred Spirits is about, it is a part of the characters in the book.<br /><br />Please provide your website link.<br /> <br />http://fictionforyou.com<br /><br />What is the link to buy your book?<br />http://mundaniapress.com/books-kindredspirits.html<br /><br />Tell us some specific details about your setting. What would we see? What sort of people are there? If we were traveling to your setting, what should we bring with us? For visitors, what do they need to know to visit your setting?<br /> <br />Before arriving in Bear Creek you could make a side-trip to the Indian casino, or head up higher to visit the old growth Sequoias.<br /> <br />In Crescent City, on your way up you could drive through the trail of giant redwoods and perhaps catch a glimpse of Big Foot. When you arrive, there are all sorts of wonderful sea food restaurants with ocean views. It can be chilly in Crescent City because of the fog so bring a sweater. <br /> <br />In both places, you'll likely see many retirees. In Bear Creek, you might run into a Native American as well and the same for Crescent City though there are other ethnic people represented. <br /> <br />In Santa Barbara you'll see lots of tourists along with the many who live there all the time. Besides the ocean vistas, be sure to visit the Santa Barbara Mission.<br /> <br />Thank you for sharing details about your book setting. Now, what's the title of your book and where can we buy it?<br /> <br />Kindred Spirits is the title. If you'd like to purchase it from the publisher, go here:<br />http://mundaniapress.com/books-kindredspirits.html but it is also available from all the online bookstores and can be ordered from any bookstore. It is also available as an e-book.<br /> <br />Thank you for hosting me and allowing me to tell you a bit about the settings for Kindred Spirits.<br /> <br />Marilyn MeredithNikki Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985309338453728557noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6627445909160494122.post-86475145996189451182008-09-01T21:29:00.003-04:002008-09-01T21:36:50.818-04:00Hunting The Egret by Bryn Colvin<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_l-gSRz9BTzU/SLyYfCPb8zI/AAAAAAAABi4/MPRAQ918Aho/s1600-h/huntingtheegret.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_l-gSRz9BTzU/SLyYfCPb8zI/AAAAAAAABi4/MPRAQ918Aho/s320/huntingtheegret.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241231725297398578" border="0" /></a><br /> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Why you chose that particular setting?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">I like to write about places I know, and having grown up not for from the River Severn in Gloucestershire, it’s a landscape that has really imprinted itself on my soul. Knowing the places I wanted to write about meant not needing to do much research, which is nice sometimes. The Severn is an incredible river – muddy, tidal, with its huge estuary – it’s a totally unique habitat surrounded by beautiful hills. It has a lot of its own myths, and I managed to weave a few of these into ‘Hunting the Egret’. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">What does the setting add to the story? Otter shapeshifters need water. My first otter shapeshifter novel was set in the fens – in the east of England, a very flat and damp part of the world. I wanted a different setting for this one, and needed water. I wanted egrets, and they are only in the south of the UK at present. Going back to the river I knew and loved as a child seemed a logical choice. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Could you write the same story in a different setting?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">The plot itself doesn’t depend on the setting, I could have used a number of large southern rivers as my backdrop, but it made sense to use the one I know best.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style=""></span>Why or why couldn't you use a different setting?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Other rivers have myths and deities, but they all have their own character, so changing the setting would make some difference to the feel of the book.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Did you use a real place as a basis for your setting?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Yes, for the greater part – The Severn River, Bristol, Gloucester, Lydney, the Sharpness canal and the surrounding hills are entirely real. The village of Arlode is fictional, but owes a lot to the villages on the Severn.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Or, did you create the setting from scratch?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Only the village of Arlode, which is a typical small Gloucestershire village, with an aging population and its key facilities falling by the wayside.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Tell us some specific details about your setting. What would we see? </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">The Severn is a moody river, muddy, and tidal. On either side are hills. The combination of hills and river seems to make the place a rain magnate and its damper than average, with grey skies being very much normal. Although many of the villages are picturesque, there’s a smattering of industry, and communities suffering from rising house prices and dwindling populations. At the moment, there is no Severn barrage, but it remains a threat to this beautiful landscape.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">What sort of people are there? </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Villages are increasingly being taken over by weekenders and commuters – there being so little work in rural places. The younger people can’t afford the buy houses in the places where they grew up, and most leave for towns and cities. It’s hard to live in rural England if you have no car and no money.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">If we were travelling to your setting, what should we bring with us? </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Walking boots, a waterproof coat, binoculars for bird watching.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">For visitors, what do they need to know to visit your setting?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">It’s a fairly quiet and lovely corner of the world, with plenty of good pubs, and wonderful walks.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Thank you for sharing details about your book setting. Now, what's the title of your book and where can we buy it?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p>Hunting the Egret</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.loveyoudivine.com/index.php?main_page=document_product_info&cPath=28&products_id=337&zenid=e8fb5f33a911b999e381b72512589bd7"><span lang="EN-GB">http://www.loveyoudivine.com/index.php?main_page=document_product_info&cPath=28&products_id=337&zenid=e8fb5f33a911b999e381b72512589bd7</span></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.loveyoudivine.com/index.php?main_page=document_product_info&cPath=28&products_id=337&zenid=e8fb5f33a911b999e381b72512589bd7"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></a></p>Nikki Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985309338453728557noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6627445909160494122.post-9283597200393228782008-08-24T20:13:00.001-04:002008-08-24T20:15:02.920-04:00Estraguil - Setting for The Girl Who Fell<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Why you chose that particular setting?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">This is my fourth book in the Estraguil setting. Having put a lot of work into creating a fantasy place, I just love playing with it and keep going back there. It has so much history to explore, and lends itself to all kinds of different stories.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">What does the setting add to the story? </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">It’s a mysterious place, full of magic and possibility. Myths are very important in Estraguil, story and landscape, heritage and culture are all interwoven. The setting has a distinct personality of its own, with intentions of its own and lends itself to drama and adventure.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Could you write the same story in a different setting?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">No.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Why or why couldn't you use a different setting?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">I don’t like rabbit out of hat solutions. ‘The Girl Who Fell’ is rooted in the nature and logic of estraguil, with some of the quirks of the setting being essential to the plot. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Did you use a real place as a basis for your setting?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">There’s a considerable influence of the Forest of Dean in Estraguil – narrow river valleys, woods, caves, hills etc. The name itself – Estraguil – was an old name for Chepstow Castle, which is in the Forest of Dean. Said castle provided the inspiration for a tower in the story, and for the whole concept of Estraguil.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Tell us some specific details about your setting. What would we see? </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">It’s a wild and beautiful place, with massive ancient trees, boulders, caves, rivers and waterfalls. There is a lot of unique indigenous wildlife – much of it dangerous. You get small pockets of civilisation around the trefs, but once you get away from those, the forest is untamed, full of wonders, hazards and adventures.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">What sort of people are there? </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">There are a number of kith groups who inhabit the forests – some nomadic, some stationary. Most of these groups have their own areas, some do not. While basically humanoid, the inhabitants of Estraguil tend to be strange – furred, feathered, shape shifting, with tails, or hooves, claws, forked tongues, or other striking quirks.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">If we were travelling to your setting, what should we bring with us? </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Stout boots, a sturdy pack, something for warmth, water skins, something to hunt with. Bring no more than you can carry on your shoulders because there are no beasts of burden here, and technology is minimal. Make sure you have stories or songs, because these can be traded almost anywhere.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">For visitors, what do they need to know to visit your setting?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Estraguil is dangerous, with a lot of rules of its own. Travel cautiously, treat those you find with respect – if you offer no violence you might not receive any.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Thank you for sharing details about your book setting. Now, what's the title of your book and where can we buy it?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">The Girl Who Fell</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/chapters/TheGirlWhoFell_BrynnethColvin.shtml"><span lang="EN-GB">http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/chapters/TheGirlWhoFell_BrynnethColvin.shtml</span></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Nikki Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985309338453728557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6627445909160494122.post-36133461423837181752008-08-17T15:52:00.000-04:002008-12-10T06:18:53.572-05:00Learn More About the Setting for Vietnam Air Rescues<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_l-gSRz9BTzU/SJivvLVONEI/AAAAAAAABdc/EeDfALj-fKI/s1600-h/Vietnam+Air+Rescues+Banner.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_l-gSRz9BTzU/SJivvLVONEI/AAAAAAAABdc/EeDfALj-fKI/s320/Vietnam+Air+Rescues+Banner.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231124192221344834" border="0" /></a><o:p></o:p><br /><p class="MsoNormal">Why did you pick the setting you used in your story? I'm not looking for -- "because I live there". I want you to dig deep and tell us...<br /><br />1.<span style=""> </span>Why you chose that particular setting?</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><o:p> </o:p><br /><span style="">This book is somewhat unique in that it is not so much a story, per se, as a reminiscence of incidents from my past.<span style=""> </span>It was originally written for the benefit of my children, rather than the public in general.<span style=""> </span>Another complication is that it is a collection of stories regarding my experiences during the Vietnam War, thus the ‘setting’ <b style=""><u>has</u></b> to be the war as it existed in 1967-1968. Or, at least, the war as it appeared to me.</span><span style="color:blue;"><span style=""> </span><br /></span><br />2.<span style=""> </span>What does the setting add to the story?<span style=""><o:p></o:p><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style=""><br />The setting <b style=""><u>is</u></b> the story.<span style=""> </span>It would be very hard to write a story about combat experiences during the Vietnam War and place the action in say, </span><st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on"><span style="">Abilene</span></st1:city><span style="">, <st1:state st="on">KS</st1:state></span></st1:place><span style="">.</span><span style=""><br /></span><br />3.<span style=""> </span>Could you write the same story in a different setting? </p><span style="">No.<span style=""> </span></span><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><br />4.<span style=""> </span>Did you use a real place as a basis for your setting?</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><o:p> </o:p><br /><span style="">Absolutely</span><span style=""><br /></span><br />5.<span style=""> </span>Or, did you create the setting from scratch?</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><o:p> </o:p><br /><span style="">My book is a true story and the setting is very real. There are many pictures on my website and in the book from my time and experiences in </span><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span style="">Vietnam</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="">.<br /></span><br />6.<span style=""> </span>Please provide your website link.<span style=""><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><o:p> </o:p><br /><span style=""><a href="http://www.vietnam-air-rescues.com/">www.vietnam-air-rescues.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">7.<span style=""> </span>What is the link to buy your book?</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><o:p> </o:p><br /><span style=""><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Vietnam-Air-Rescues-Dave-Richardson/dp/1434891348/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1210355110&sr=1-1">http://www.amazon.com/Vietnam-Air-Rescues-Dave-Richardson/dp/1434891348/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1210355110&sr=1-1</a><br /><br /></span></p><o:p></o:p><o:p></o:p> <p class="MsoNormal">8.<span style=""> </span>Tell us some specific details about your setting. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">What would we see? </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">At first glance, the setting for the book seems huge as it encompasses 3 separate countries:<span style=""> </span><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Thailand</st1:place></st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Laos</st1:place></st1:country-region> and <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">North Vietnam</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on"><b style=""><u><span style="">Thailand</span></u></b></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style=""> is roughly the size of </span><st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span style="" lang="EN">California</span></st1:place></st1:state><span style="" lang="EN">, (twice the size of the entire <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">United Kingdom</st1:place></st1:country-region>, or 1.4 times the size of <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Germany</st1:place></st1:country-region>).</span><span style=""><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><b style=""><u><span style="" lang="EN">Laos</span></u></b><span style="" lang="EN"> is barely the size of the state of Utah.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><b style=""><u><span style="" lang="EN">Vietnam</span></u></b><span style="" lang="EN"> today is larger than Italy and nearly the size of Germany.<span style=""> </span>During the time period covered by the book, however, the country was split nearly equally in half.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">Upon a closer look, however, the scale shrinks somewhat.<span style=""> </span>The author flew out of a base in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Thailand</st1:place></st1:country-region> and flew over <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Laos</st1:place></st1:country-region> to land primarily in only 2 spots, one just NE of the Plain of Jars; the other further NE near the North Vietnamese border.<span style=""> </span>Obviously, he never landed in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">North Vietnam</st1:place></st1:country-region> and his only exposure there was in the central and NW areas.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">Since rescue missions depended for their success on remote areas, all of the 3 settings in the book involved dense jungle and rough, mostly unoccupied mountainous terrain.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">Flying over jungle terrain can be quite boring, as it is impossible to see the ground and the packed density of the trees below tend to blur.<span style=""> </span>What broke up the monotony was the jagged rocks and ridges, called ‘Karsts’, which had to be avoided and navigated through.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">Since helicopters were basically incapable of flying at extremely high altitudes, the level at which one flew was critical; fly too high and you are exposed to Surface to Air missile radar and risk being shot down.<span style=""> </span>Fly too low and you are exposed to a variety of ground fire types—from pistols to rifles to machine guns.<span style=""> </span>For these reasons, it was prudent to vary your altitude constantly, always below the level of the mountain peaks to mask the radar and always erring on the low side.<span style=""> </span>A missile radar lock-on was fatal.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""><o:p></o:p>What kept one on the alert was the fact that it was impossible to see the enemy, who constantly moved around.<span style=""> </span>What was a safe route yesterday, could become a death trap today.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">Once on the ground and assuming the alert posture, the situation changed.<span style=""> </span>The daytime site was a short dirt strip roughly bulldozed near the top of a jungle-covered ridge.<span style=""> </span>The alert pilot’s job was to sit inside a small plywood hut with 7 other men from dawn to dusk waiting for the call to enter <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">North Vietnam</st1:place></st1:country-region> and attempt to rescue a pilot who had just been shot down.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">The irony of the situation was that the pilot who had just been downed had been traveling at 500+ mph.<span style=""> </span>Now, it was expected that a helicopter, traveling at barely <st1:metricconverter productid="100 mph" st="on">100 mph</st1:metricconverter>, could enter the same area, conduct a search of the dense jungle, locate the downed pilot and hover long enough to bring him up through the jungle growth without being shot down itself. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">Back at the daytime site, just a hundred yards or so away the jungle began; rising steeply up the hillside.<span style=""> </span>The cleared area, with the short landing strip, parking area, fuel dump, plywood hut and ‘fortress’ on a small rise belonged to the Americans.<span style=""> </span>The jungle belonged to the enemy, who did not hesitate to shoot at any Americans who were foolish enough to show themselves.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">The site was guarded by mercenary troops, who did not speak English and had little interaction with the Americans.<span style=""> </span>If gunfire was encountered from the jungle, the mercenary troops would attempt to discourage it.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">The area around the hut was covered with waist-high grass.<span style=""> </span>Buried in the grass were the disintegrating remains of ‘dud’ rocket and artillery shells which had failed to explode upon impact, but would now explode if stepped on or jostled.<span style=""> </span>This created a protective barrier which discouraged the enemy from crawling though the grass to the hut.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">There were no bathroom facilities.<span style=""> </span>In addition, the only food and water available was what was carried in.<span style=""> </span>Sitting in a cramped, windowless hut in high humidity all day long, caused a certain, shall we say, ripeness in the air. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">Since the enemy would regularly attempt to seize the strip during the cover of darkness, the helicopters would depart just before night fell, retreating some distance SW to a larger site which, although still in enemy territory, had a larger enough troop presence to repel attacks.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">This site contained a paved runway and a small city.<span style=""> </span>The difficulty of landing at a controlled ‘airport’ was that there were neither radios nor English-speaking ‘controllers’ is detailed in the book.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">The Jolly Green pilot’s would arrive just at dusk and depart the next morning at first light.<span style=""> </span>Therefore, they had little interaction with the nighttime site, other than sleeping in plywood huts.<o:p></o:p></span></p><span style=""><o:p></o:p></span><span style="">The normal course of alert duty was as follows:<o:p></o:p></span> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><u><span style="">DAY ONE<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.75in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">1<span style=""> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="">Takeoff from home base in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Thailand</st1:place></st1:country-region> and fly to the daytime site<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.75in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">2<span style=""> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="">After refueling the helicopters, and assuming no one was shot down; sit in a windowless, plywood hut until dusk, monitoring a battery-powered radio.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.75in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">3<span style=""> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="">Fly to the overnight site<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.75in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">4<span style=""> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="">Spend the night<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><u><span style="">DAY TWO<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.75in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">1<span style=""> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="">Take off the next morning at first light and fly to the daytime site<b style=""><u><o:p></o:p></u></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.75in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">2<span style=""> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="">After refueling the helicopters, and assuming no one was shot down; sit in a windowless, plywood hut until dusk, monitoring a battery-powered radio.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.75in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">3<span style=""> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="">Fly to the overnight site<b style=""><u><o:p></o:p></u></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.75in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">4<span style=""> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="">Spend the night<b style=""><u><o:p></o:p></u></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""><o:p> </o:p></span><b style=""><u><span style="">DAY THREE<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">1<span style=""> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="">Take off the next morning at first light and fly to the daytime site<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">2<span style=""> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="">After refueling the helicopters, and assuming no one was shot down; sit in a windowless, plywood hut until dusk, monitoring a battery-powered radio.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">3<span style=""> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="">Fly back to <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Thailand</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""><o:p></o:p>For these actions, covering 3 days and 6 sorties, the Jolly Green pilot would be credited with 1 flight!<o:p></o:p></span></p>What sort of people are there?<span style=""><br /><br />The only people I had any interaction with were the mercenary troops who</span><span style=""> guarded our sites and this interaction was minimal.<span style=""> </span>They were a proud people, possessed of a culture and mannerisms that were quite different from ours.<span style=""> </span>I go into some detail in the book regarding the cultural differences involved.<o:p></o:p></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><o:p></o:p><br />If we were traveling to your setting, what should we bring with us? </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><o:p> </o:p><br /><span style="">When I was there, a flak vest, helmet and weapon would be handy.<span style=""> </span>Not sure about today.<span style=""> </span>Perhaps the biggest noticeable difference is the weather.<span style=""> </span>Hot and sticky constantly.<span style=""> </span>One must change socks and underwear quite frequently to prevent it from rotting and, more importantly, causing sores upon your body.<span style=""> </span><o:p><br /></o:p><br />Cool, well ventilated clothing would be a must.<span style=""> </span>We would hang our flight suits in a locker, with our combat boots sitting underneath.<span style=""> </span>A low wattage bulb was kept burning constantly.<span style=""> </span>This provided enough heat to dry out our boots and clothing to prevent rot.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><br />11.<span style=""> </span>Thank you for sharing details about your book setting. Now, what's the title of your book and where can we buy it?</p><span style="">Order link:<span style=""> </span><u><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Vietnam-Air-Rescues-Dave-Richardson/dp/1434891348/">http://www.amazon.com/Vietnam-Air-Rescues-Dave-Richardson/dp/1434891348/</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.vietnam-air-rescues.com/">www.vietnam-air-rescues.com</a><br /></u></span><p style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">We've posted an excerpt from the book to share Dave's first rescue - visit</span> <a href="http://virtualblogtour.blogspot.com/2008/08/sample-for-you-rescue-1-vietnam-air.html">http://virtualblogtour.blogspot.com/2008/08/sample-for-you-rescue-1-vietnam-air.html</a></p>Feel free to ask questions or leave a comment at every stop on the tour to increase your chances to win a copy of this exciting book.Nikki Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985309338453728557noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6627445909160494122.post-61085260720517598902008-08-05T17:25:00.001-04:002008-12-10T06:18:53.716-05:00The Girl Who Fell by Brynneth Colvin<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_l-gSRz9BTzU/SJjF2fh62II/AAAAAAAABes/j-BeEeY6s5k/s1600-h/TheGirlWhoFell.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_l-gSRz9BTzU/SJjF2fh62II/AAAAAAAABes/j-BeEeY6s5k/s320/TheGirlWhoFell.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231148507158206594" border="0" /></a><br /> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Why you chose that particular setting?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">This is my fourth book in the Estraguil setting. Having put a lot of work into creating a fantasy place, I just love playing with it and keep going back there. It has so much history to explore, and lends itself to all kinds of different stories.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">What does the setting add to the story? </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">It’s a mysterious place, full of magic and possibility. Myths are very important in Estraguil, story and landscape, heritage and culture are all interwoven. The setting has a distinct personality of its own, with intentions of its own and lends itself to drama and adventure.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Could you write the same story in a different setting?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">No.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Why or why couldn't you use a different setting?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">I don’t like rabbit out of hat solutions. ‘The Girl Who Fell’ is rooted in the nature and logic of estraguil, with some of the quirks of the setting being essential to the plot. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Did you use a real place as a basis for your setting?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">There’s a considerable influence of the Forest of Dean in Estraguil – narrow river valleys, woods, caves, hills etc. The name itself – Estraguil – was an old name for Chepstow Castle, which is in the Forest of Dean. Said castle provided the inspiration for a tower in the story, and for the whole concept of Estraguil.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Tell us some specific details about your setting. What would we see? </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">It’s a wild and beautiful place, with massive ancient trees, boulders, caves, rivers and waterfalls. There is a lot of unique indigenous wildlife – much of it dangerous. You get small pockets of civilisation around the trefs, but once you get away from those, the forest is untamed, full of wonders, hazards and adventures.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">What sort of people are there? </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">There are a number of kith groups who inhabit the forests – some nomadic, some stationary. Most of these groups have their own areas, some do not. While basically humanoid, the inhabitants of Estraguil tend to be strange – furred, feathered, shape shifting, with tails, or hooves, claws, forked tongues, or other striking quirks.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">If we were travelling to your setting, what should we bring with us? </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Stout boots, a sturdy pack, something for warmth, water skins, something to hunt with. Bring no more than you can carry on your shoulders because there are no beasts of burden here, and technology is minimal. Make sure you have stories or songs, because these can be traded almost anywhere.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">For visitors, what do they need to know to visit your setting?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Estraguil is dangerous, with a lot of rules of its own. Travel cautiously, treat those you find with respect – if you offer no violence you might not receive any.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Thank you for sharing details about your book setting. Now, what's the title of your book and where can we buy it?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">The Girl Who Fell</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/chapters/TheGirlWhoFell_BrynnethColvin.shtml</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Nikki Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985309338453728557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6627445909160494122.post-13699802845235307002008-07-27T20:57:00.000-04:002008-12-10T06:18:53.981-05:00Saving Tampa by Jo Webnar<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_l-gSRz9BTzU/SI0Zk2wUWMI/AAAAAAAABbw/BpPEyMYt5_4/s1600-h/Saving+Tampa.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_l-gSRz9BTzU/SI0Zk2wUWMI/AAAAAAAABbw/BpPEyMYt5_4/s320/Saving+Tampa.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227862863411173570" border="0" /></a><br /><p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Why did you pick the setting you used in your story? I'm not looking for -- "because I live there". I want you to dig deep and tell us...<br /><b><span style="font-weight: bold;">I picked the Tampa Bay Area because my husband worked for the County and knew what was vulnerable to attack. It was important for the book to be believable.</span></b></span></span></p> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> Why you chose that particular setting?<br /><b><span style="font-weight: bold;">I picked the marina setting because I was familiar with the area. It is also very beautiful but vulnerable. Everything had to work together like pieces in a puzzle.</span></b></span></span></p> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">What does the setting add to the story? <b><span style="font-weight: bold;">It makes the story more interesting because you want to know more about the area, and everyone loves boats.</span></b><br /><br />Could you write the same story in a different setting? <b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yes. I could have used any other major city, but I wouldn’t have had the inside knowledge that makes “Saving Tampa ” so believable.</span></b><br /><br />Why or why couldn't you use a different setting? <b><span style="font-weight: bold;">If I used a different setting it would have required a lot more research, and I’m not sure I could have gotten the inside knowledge that I had of Tampa.</span></b></span></span></p> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Did you use a real place as a basis for your setting? <b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yes and No. The setting of the marina is similar to one in the area. The site of the attack is very close to the water system for Tampa . </span></b></span></span></p> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Or, did you create the setting from scratch? <b><span style="font-weight: bold;">No. I based everything on places I knew. In my opinion, when you write about things you know, the book is much more interesting. It’s all in the little details.</span></b><br /><br />Is there anything else about your setting that we need to know? Feel free to share. <b><span style="font-weight: bold;">I feel that the condo communities are ruining the ecology of Florida . My heroine never realized it until she was educated by my hero.</span></b></span></span></p> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Please provide your website link. <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.jowebnar.com/">www.jowebnar.com</a></span></span></p> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">What is the link to buy your book? <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Jo+Webnar">http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Jo+Webnar</a></span></span></p> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/results.asp?WRD=Jo+Webnar">http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/results.asp?WRD=Jo+Webnar</a></span></span></p> <span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Tell us some specific details about your setting. What would we see? What sort of people are there? If we were traveling to your setting, what should we bring with us? For visitors, what do they need to know to visit your setting? <b><span style="font-weight: bold;">You would see beautiful condos and houses surrounding a man made lake that flows into the Manatee River . Everything is high priced and luxurious. The landscaping is beautiful, but not with native plants. There are blue herons, egrets and other birds hiding in the grass on a strip of land that juts into the lake. As soon as more condos are built, they will leave for a quieter place. The people who live here bought their homes for the view and have no idea what the real Florida is like. There is an expensive five star restaurant and two swimming pools. People from the restaurant and bar walk down to the marina, and like peeping toms, look in the windows of the boats. It’s a form of entertainment and many of them are drunk. The people aboard pull their curtains and try to ignore them.<br /></span></b><br />Thank you for sharing details about your book setting. Now, what's the title of your book and where can we buy it?<br /><b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Saving Tampa - Local book stores</span></b>, <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.com/">www.amazon.com</a>, <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.barnesandnobel.com/">www.barnesandnobel.com</a> , <b><span style="font-weight: bold;">or any place books are sold.<br /><br /></span></b></span></span>Nikki Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985309338453728557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6627445909160494122.post-7051911819969439672008-07-11T17:00:00.001-04:002008-12-10T06:18:54.152-05:00Vengeance by Colin Harvey<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_l-gSRz9BTzU/SHEzMH33rrI/AAAAAAAABVI/5A7kLuKfnbg/s1600-h/Vengeance.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_l-gSRz9BTzU/SHEzMH33rrI/AAAAAAAABVI/5A7kLuKfnbg/s320/Vengeance.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220009726463946418" border="0" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><em>1. Why did you choose that particular setting?</em></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">I chose a future earth that's a squalid, overcrowded refuse tip because on the one hand I feel deeply cynical about what we're doing to our world as a species. On the other hand, at least I suppose we have a future.</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><em><br /></em></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><em>2. Could you write the same story in a different setting?</em></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">I could write a version of the story, but it wouldn't be the same story. All my books are deeply influenced by their setting.</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><em><br /></em></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><em>3. Did you create the setting from scratch?</em></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Pretty much. One of the nice things about SF is that you can start from scratch, as long as you're consistent.</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><em></em></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><em>4. Please provide your website link.</em></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">http://www.geocities.com/colin_harvey</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><em>5. What is the link to buy your book?</em></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">http://www.amazon.com/Vengeance-Colin-Harvey/dp/1934041254/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1215289128&sr=1-1</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><em>6. Tell us some specific details about your setting. What would we see? </em></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Refuse tips the size of cities, elevators rising twenty-two thousand miles high into orbit, undersea cities, seven mile wide ribbons running round the world <span style=""> </span>and Disney-esque recreations of ancient Egyptian cities run by women.</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><em><br /></em></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><em>7. What sort of people are there?</em> </span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Hucksters and grifters, wizards and zombies, aliens and assassins. They're not a pleasant bunch, by and large...</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><em><br /></em></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><em>8. If we were traveling to your setting, what should we bring with us? </em></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Money to hire someone to act as a bodyguard and body armour!</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><em><br /></em></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><em>9. For visitors, what do they need to know to visit your setting?</em></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;">Don't stay too long -- it isn't safe....</span> </span></p><br /><br /><div>Novels from Swimming Kangaroo Books:</div> <div><strong>Lightning Days</strong> -- SF, Finalist for the USA Book News Awards </div> <div><strong>The Silk Palace -- </strong>"<span style="color:#330000;">compelling" </span>Library Journal</div> <div>"Intrigues, betrayals, murders, love affairs, transformations, and </div> <div>revelations," Bruce Boston, author of <em>The Guardener's Tale</em></div> <div> </div> <div><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.geocities.com/colin_harvey">www.geocities.com/colin_harvey</a> <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.suite101.com/profile.cfm/colinh60">http://www.suite101.com/profile.cfm/colinh60</a></div>Nikki Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985309338453728557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6627445909160494122.post-86915730881702194042008-06-22T22:20:00.002-04:002008-12-10T06:18:54.320-05:00Setting For Outlaw in Petticoats<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_l-gSRz9BTzU/SF8IsrP2qrI/AAAAAAAABPw/9Wrybli-eJ8/s1600-h/outlaw+in+petticoats.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_l-gSRz9BTzU/SF8IsrP2qrI/AAAAAAAABPw/9Wrybli-eJ8/s320/outlaw+in+petticoats.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214896457134811826" border="0" /></a><br />Why did you pick the setting you used in your story? I'm not looking for -- "because I live there". I want you to dig deep and tell us...<br /><br />Why you chose that particular setting? So far the four books I've had published have all be set in and around my home state. I have always been fascinated by the history. And digging up facts that help the premise of my story is the best part of writing a book. My first book of the Halsey brother series was set in the gold mining area of the Blue Mountains. Having established the Halsey brothers roots there with Marshal in Petticoats, which has an accident prone heroine become marshal of a town who had their post office (building and all) stolen by miners. But my soon to be released second book in the Halsey brother series, Outlaw in Petticoats goes from Sumpter, OR to The Dalles OR. I chose this setting because the heroine is looking for a father that she presumed had left her and her mother and now has information that shows he had planned to return.<br /><br />What does the setting add to the story? The setting is the open, rugged land between the two towns mentioned above. The setting in this particular story helps the heroine grow not only by traveling, and living under the starts, but by getting closer to the hero who is helping her discover what really happened to her father.<br /><br />Could you write the same story in a different setting? I could but I wouldn't have been able to use the historic facts that I learned and put to use in the story to make it work the way it does.<br /><br />Why or why couldn't you use a different setting? see answer above.<br /><br />Did you use a real place as a basis for your setting? Yes. All the towns mentioned in the story were at the time of the story actual towns. Some are still there today and thriving others are skeletons of what they once were.<br /><br />Or, did you create the setting from scratch? Nope.<br /><br />Is there anything else about your setting that we need to know? Feel free to share. The landscape plays a role in several of the scenes in the book. As well as the town of the The Dalles. The history I uncovered about the town helped bring the town to life and make it almost a character.<br /><br />Please provide your website link. <a rel="nofollow" class="moz-txt-link-freetext" target="_blank" href="http://www.patyjager.com/"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1214187584_0">http://www.patyjager.com</span></a><br /><br />What is the link to buy your book? <a rel="nofollow" class="moz-txt-link-freetext" target="_blank" href="http://www.thewildrosepress.com/"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1214187584_1">http://www.thewildrosepress.com</span></a><br /><br />Tell us some specific details about your setting. What would we see? What sort of people are there? If we were traveling to your setting, what should we bring with us? For visitors, what do they need to know to visit your setting? The setting sprawls from the <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1214187584_2">Sumpter</span>, Or to The Dalles Oregon through wooded mountains and over sandy soil dotted with sagebrush. Few streams meander through the barren land. You might pass a freight wagon or come across a group of rough looking men if you stay on the wagon trail. If you go overland, you could encounter antelope, deer, and coyotes. Not to mention the blur of a jackrabbit or see a sagerat pop up out of a hole and run to dive down another. The people on the route are dusty, tired and wary of you. The people in the small towns are nosy and friendly, while the larger town has so many people, horses, wagons and goings on it makes your head spin. As I said the setting is route from one place to another. You would need either a wagon, buggy or horse with provision for a three -four day trip depending on how fast you travel. You can go faster by horse than the wagon.<br /><br />Thank you for sharing details about your book setting. Now, what's the title of your book and where can we buy it? Outlaw in Petticoats will be available in ebook May 9th at <a rel="nofollow" class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" target="_blank" href="http://www.thewildrosepress.com/"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1214187584_3">www.thewildrosepress.com</span></a> and in Print on November 7th and you can order it from any book store.Nikki Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985309338453728557noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6627445909160494122.post-75890971726332947542008-06-18T13:22:00.004-04:002008-12-10T06:18:54.509-05:00Medieval Italy in Bloodstone Castle by Mirella Patzer<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_l-gSRz9BTzU/SFlFMlueSkI/AAAAAAAABOg/MDu9n_-yEs4/s1600-h/Mirella+Banner.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_l-gSRz9BTzU/SFlFMlueSkI/AAAAAAAABOg/MDu9n_-yEs4/s320/Mirella+Banner.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213274126245841474" border="0" /></a><br />Today we'll travel to medieval Italy through the pages of Bloodstone Castle by Mirella Patzer. We've talked about many elements of her book this month during her virtual tour, but setting is one of my absolute favorite parts of a book. I'm not talking about adding an inn because the character is hungry and needs a place to sleep. I'm talking about a setting that is accurate, real and actually feels like a part of the story. That's what you find in Bloodstone Castle. <br /><br />The banner to the side is not the final banner that we're using to promote Mirella's tour, but I had to include it here because it shows a picture of the castle which is an important part of the setting.<br /><br /> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";" lang="EN-CA">Why did you pick the setting you used in your story? I'm not looking for -- "because I live there". I want you to dig deep and tell us...<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; color: rgb(192, 0, 0);" lang="EN-CA">I was born in Canada to Italian immigrants.<span style=""> </span>All my life, I have felt the pull of Italy.<span style=""> </span>I yearn to live there, but strong family ties bind me.<span style=""> </span>Writing about Italy is the next best thing to living there because it allows me to research, to learn, and to experience Italy through the eyes of my characters.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";" lang="EN-CA">Why you chose that particular setting?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; color: rgb(192, 0, 0);" lang="EN-CA">I wanted to write an Italian historical romance and I wanted the heroine to live in a castle.<span style=""> </span>So I Googled Italian Castles and discovered this picture of a castle in the Cinque Terre region of Italy, specifically in the town of Portovenere. This was my inspiration and I created the entire plot and story of Bloodstone Castle around it.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; color: rgb(192, 0, 0);" lang="EN-CA">The sea has always fascinated me.<span style=""> </span>The castle at Portovenere is surrounded on three sides by the Ligurian Sea.<span style=""> </span>The entire Cinque Terre region is isolated yet one of the most beautiful regions in Italy.<span style=""> </span>Because the castle is easily accessible by sea, I decided to make it an ancient Roman stronghold. This then led to the idea of secreting an ancient Roman treasure beneath it. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";" lang="EN-CA">What does the setting add to the story?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; color: rgb(192, 0, 0);" lang="EN-CA">The setting allowed me to visualize the castle and territory.<span style=""> </span>The characters all live within a one or two day journey from each other.<span style=""> </span>This made it easy for them to interact and they could travel from one place to another without slowing the pace.<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span><br /></span></b><b style=""><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";" lang="EN-CA"><br />Could you write the same story in a different setting?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; color: rgb(192, 0, 0);" lang="EN-CA">This is a difficult question because I built a story around the picture of this castle.<span style=""> </span>But I suppose I could use a different setting, although the names and titles of some of the characters would have to change.<span style=""> </span></span></b><b style=""><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";" lang="EN-CA"><br /><br />Why or why couldn't you use a different setting?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; color: rgb(192, 0, 0);" lang="EN-CA">In this particular case, I don’t think the story would have the same affect in a different location. I wanted the castle to be accessible by land and sea and I wanted it to be a stronghold of the ancient Romans.<span style=""> </span>I also wanted it to be somewhat isolated.<span style=""> </span>I think it would be difficult to find another castle with these exact specifications that are intricate to the plot.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";" lang="EN-CA">Did you use a real place as a basis for your setting?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; color: rgb(192, 0, 0);" lang="EN-CA">Yes and no.<span style=""> </span>The towns of Savona and Genoa are real, but the castles there are pure fiction.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";" lang="EN-CA">Is there anything else about your setting that we need to know? Feel free to share.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; color: rgb(192, 0, 0);" lang="EN-CA">Although the castle is real, the caverns beneath it are purely fabricated from my imagination.<br /><br /></span></b><b style=""><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";" lang="EN-CA">Please provide your website link.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"><span lang="EN-CA"><a href="http://www.mirellapatzer.com/"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">http://www.mirellapatzer.com</span></b></a></span><b style=""><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";" lang="EN-CA"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";" lang="EN-CA"><br />What is the link to buy your book?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";" lang="EN-CA">You can purchase my book at any of my blogs or sites at:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"><span lang="EN-CA"><a href="http://www.mirellapatzer.com/"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">http://www.mirellapatzer.com</span></b></a></span><b style=""><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";" lang="EN-CA"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"><span lang="EN-CA"><a href="http://bloodstonecastle.blogspot.com/"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">http://bloodstonecastle.blogspot.com</span></b></a></span><b style=""><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";" lang="EN-CA"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"><span lang="EN-CA"><a href="http://bestofitaly.blogspot.com/"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">http://bestofitaly.blogspot.com</span></b></a></span><b style=""><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";" lang="EN-CA"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"><span lang="EN-CA"><a href="http://mirellapatzer.blogspot.com/"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">http://mirellapatzer.blogspot.com</span></b></a></span><b style=""><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";" lang="EN-CA"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; color: rgb(192, 0, 0);" lang="EN-CA">Or at Amazon at:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bloodstone-Castle-Mirella-Patzer/dp/0978486528/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1209682406&sr=8-1"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">http://www.amazon.com/Bloodstone-Castle-Mirella-Patzer/dp/0978486528/</span></b></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bloodstone-Castle-Mirella-Patzer/dp/0978486528/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1209682406&sr=8-1"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";"></span></b></a><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: 100%;">You are encouraged to stop at each blog visit and post a comment for Mirella. Each comment enters you in a drawing for a free print copy of the book at the end of the tour. So, visit Mirella, learn more about Bloodstone Castle and post comments. Mirella looks forward to getting to know her readers.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br /></span></p><b style=""><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; color: rgb(192, 0, 0);"><!--[endif]--></span></b>Nikki Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985309338453728557noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6627445909160494122.post-50903731380845837302008-05-31T21:27:00.001-04:002008-12-10T06:18:54.522-05:00Crimson Promise by Sapphrie Phelan<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_l-gSRz9BTzU/SEH7OzIW8II/AAAAAAAABKU/v6aElO330tI/s1600-h/Crimson%2BPromise%2B%28HeatSheet%29%2BCover.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_l-gSRz9BTzU/SEH7OzIW8II/AAAAAAAABKU/v6aElO330tI/s320/Crimson%2BPromise%2B%28HeatSheet%29%2BCover.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206718875879010434" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Why you chose that particular setting?</div> <div><strong>When I first wrote this back in 2006 for Lady Aibell Press I had this thing about romance between a vampire and human as not something I could go there with. So I set it between two vampires. Then I thought, "How can I make this diferent from other vampire romance stories out there?" Why, set it in the future and on another planet. And make the female vampire a living alien one, one who had been changed by a virus eons ago created by the scientists of her world (which is where this story takes place). I had to imagine a whole new world, not Earth at all. Of course, LAP closed its doors and Phaze published it--this time, I added more to the story.<br /></strong><br />What does the setting add to the story? </div> <div><strong>Adds that alien flavor and I hope will take the reader to a world they wouldn't feel easy in.</strong><br /><br />Could you write the same story in a different setting?</div> <div><strong>Possibly. A war of the world type, with the alien vamp coming here? No, I liked the spot the setting ended up in.<br /></strong><br />Why or why couldn't you use a different setting?</div> <div><strong>Because the undead vampire from Earth is the last of his kind--thanks to the pollution in the future killing them all off.</strong><br /><br />Did you use a real place as a basis for your setting?</div> <div>Or, did you create the setting from scratch? </div> <div><strong>All of it came from inside my head.</strong><br /><br />Is there anything else about your setting that we need to know? Feel free to share.</div> <div><strong>Nothing else. I just hope the readers see the place with me, and fear the night of this world.</strong><br /><br /><br />Tell us some specific details about your setting. What would we see? What sort of people are there? If we were traveling to your setting, what should we bring with us? For visitors, what do they need to know to visit your setting?</div> <div><strong>There are mountains and desolate landscape and humans come thwre to mine it. Plus what is left of the alien's civilization has been found beneath the surface. there is air there, so humans can survive in its atmosphere.</strong><br /><br />Thank you for sharing details about your book setting. Now, what's the title of your book and where can we buy it?</div> <div><strong>Crimson Promise.</strong><br /><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.king-cart.com/Phaze/product=Crimson+Promise+by+Sapphire+Phelan"><strong><span style="color:#0000ff;">http://www.king-cart.com/Phaze/product=Crimson+Promise+by+Sapphire+Phelan</span></strong></a></div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;">Please provide your website link.</span> <div><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://fantasticdreams.50megs.com/"><span style="color:#0000ff;"><strong>http://FantasticDreams.50megs.com</strong></span></a><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"> <strong><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;">(Sapphire Phelan's/Pamela K. Kinney's Website)</span></strong></span></div></span>Nikki Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985309338453728557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6627445909160494122.post-59611864836864578622008-05-11T14:37:00.001-04:002008-12-10T06:18:54.976-05:00See No Evil, My Pretty Lady by Miss Mae<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_l-gSRz9BTzU/SCc9cbJDMOI/AAAAAAAABDg/9cA7UIEBam0/s1600-h/See+No+Evil.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_l-gSRz9BTzU/SCc9cbJDMOI/AAAAAAAABDg/9cA7UIEBam0/s320/See+No+Evil.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199191853353873634" border="0" /></a><br /><div>1) Why did you pick the setting?</div> <div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#333399;">Since I dealt with an historical figure, the setting was already picked for me.</span></div> <div> </div> <div><br />2) Why you chose that particular setting? <span style="font-size:130%;color:#333399;">I did choose an island away from <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1210531008_0">London</span> so the characters could be more contained</span>.</div> <div> </div> <div><br />3) What does the setting add to the story?</div> <div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#333399;">Hmm, atmosphere, I hope. The image of darkness, mystery, intrigue, foreboding...</span></div> <div> </div> <div><br />4) Could you write in a diifferent setting? <span style="font-size:130%;color:#333399;">Not for this story.</span></div> <div> </div> <div><br />5) Why couldn't you use a different one? <span style="font-size:130%;color:#333399;">Because history has placed <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1210531008_1">Jack the Ripper</span> in Victorian London. Unless I did a time travel and transported him to a different age, then, of course, I could also add a different setting...</span></div> <div> </div> <div><br />6) Did you use a real place? <span style="font-size:130%;color:#333399;">Yes</span></div> <div> </div> <div><br />7) Did you create the setting from scratch? <span style="font-size:130%;color:#333399;">The manor on the island, yes.</span></div> <div> </div> <div><br />8) Anything else we need to know? <span style="font-size:130%;color:#333399;">No</span></div> <div> </div> <div><br />9) website link...</div> <div><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.missmaesite.com/"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1210531008_2">http://www.missmaesite.com</span></a></div> <div> </div> <div><br />10) link to buy...</div> <div><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.thewildrosepress.com/"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1210531008_3">http://www.thewildrosepress.com</span></a></div> <div> </div> <div><br />11) Details about the setting. What will we see? What sort of people? If we were traveling, what should we bring? For visitors, what should they know to visit your setting?</div> <div> </div> <div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#333399;">At my setting, they'll see cold, moist, billowing fog. The people are an assorted lot from menial servants, a high society woman, wealthy gentlemen, and an officer from Scotland Yard. If traveling, bring an umbrella. For visitors, bring long underwear</span> <span style="font-size:130%;color:#333399;">to stay warm!</span></div>Nikki Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985309338453728557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6627445909160494122.post-26859143107669670492008-04-27T21:38:00.002-04:002008-12-10T06:18:55.286-05:00Eureka Point by Betty Ann Harris<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_l-gSRz9BTzU/SBUrpNzhY7I/AAAAAAAABAg/sSA9SeXOQ_U/s1600-h/Eureka+Point.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_l-gSRz9BTzU/SBUrpNzhY7I/AAAAAAAABAg/sSA9SeXOQ_U/s320/Eureka+Point.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194105732322124722" border="0" /></a><br /><strong>Why you chose that particular setting?</strong> My book, <em>Eureka Point</em>, is a romantic suspense, in which the main character, a beautiful and successful Park Avenue interior designer, must assume a new identity and relocate to a somewhat desolate area far away. Eureka Point is an old Victorian seaport town on the rocky shores of the coast of Northern California. The setting is the opposite of <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1209346695_0">New York</span>, where the main character is from, and represents a new start for her. But the severe rocky coastline, with its cliffs and rough seas relates to the danger that still surrounds her. <br /><br /><strong>What does the setting add to the story? </strong>The setting adds a sense of mystery, suspense, and danger to my story.<br /><br /><strong>Could you write the same story in a different setting?</strong> The setting is so essential to my story that I don't think I could write the same story in a different setting. One thing I do as a writer is spend a good deal of time describing the scene and scenery in order to draw the reader into the story. <br /><br /><strong>Why or why couldn't you use a different setting? </strong>If I used a different setting the story would not be as interesting or exciting.<br /><br /><strong>Did you use a real place as a basis for your setting? </strong>A rather strange thing happened to me while I was writing this story. I decided on Northern California and just picked a name out of my head. I picked Eureka as the name of the town but I also wanted to use a lighthouse on a point, so I decided on Eureka Point. When I was researching Northern California on a map, low and behold, there was a town on the coast named <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1209346695_1">Eureka</span>. Friends tell me they think I lived there in former life, or they think I'm psychic.<br /><br /><strong>Or, did you create the setting from scratch?</strong> I created the setting from scratch but it does exist.<br /><br /><strong>Is there anything else about your setting that we need to know? Feel free to share.</strong> The area of Northern California portrayed in my book has many cliffs and rocky shores, where shipwrecks happened in the past. It is rumored in my story that the ghosts of old sea captains roam around, adding more to the sense of mystery and danger. <br /><br /><strong>Please provide your website link.</strong> I have a blog titled, Writing By Moonlight. The link is: <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.writingmoonlight.blogspot.com/"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1209346695_2">http://www.writingmoonlight.blogspot.com</span></a><br />My website is currently being re-done.<br /><br /><strong>What is the link to buy your book?</strong> <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://redrosepublishing.com/bookstore/product_info.php?products_id=89"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1209346695_3">http://redrosepublishing.com/bookstore/product_info.php?products_id=89</span></a><br /><br /><strong>Tell us some specific details about your setting. What would we see? What sort of people are there? If we were traveling to your setting, what should we bring with us? For visitors, what do they need to know to visit your setting? </strong>If you were to go to Eureka Point, you would see charming inns, historic and old lighthouses, rocky shores and dramatic cliffs. The people that live in the area are laid back and enjoy visiting wineries and great restaurants. This area of Northern California has a very termperate climate with temperatures in the fifties and sixties a good part of the year. If you were to visit Eureka Point you should bring along comfortable shoes and have a jacket handy.<br /><br /><strong>Thank you for sharing details about your book setting. Now, what's the title of your book and where can we buy it? </strong>The title of my book is <em>Eureka Point </em>and it's available at Red Rose Publishing under Mainstream Romance, Suspense.<br /><br />Thanks for allowing me to share beautiful <em>Eureka Point</em>, <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1209346695_4">California</span> with you.<br />Betty Ann Harris<br /><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#333399;">Eureka Point, A romantic suspense</span></em></strong><br /><div class="code"><strong><em><span style="color:#333399;">e-book now available at Red Rose Publishing:</span></em></strong></div> <div class="code"><strong><em><span style="color:#333399;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.redrosepublishing.com/"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1209346695_5">http://www.redrosepublishing.com</span></a></span></em></strong></div>Nikki Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985309338453728557noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6627445909160494122.post-40668415359743256072008-04-13T18:50:00.002-04:002008-12-10T06:18:55.656-05:00Murder at Work by Yvonne Eve Walus<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_l-gSRz9BTzU/SAKOf_oZ-KI/AAAAAAAAA-8/7a9JmN0RFB8/s1600-h/MurderWork.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_l-gSRz9BTzU/SAKOf_oZ-KI/AAAAAAAAA-8/7a9JmN0RFB8/s320/MurderWork.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5188866400992229538" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">Why did you pick the setting you used in your story? I'm not looking for -- "because I live there". I want you to dig deep and tell us...</span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"><span class="515350112-21122007"></span></span> </div><span> </span><div><span><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"><strong>Why you chose that particular setting?</strong></span></span></div> <div><span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="515350112-21122007">Hi, my name is <span style=";font-family:'Arial Rounded MT Bold';font-size:85%;color:maroon;" ><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#000000;">Yvonne Eve Walus and I lived in <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; cursor: pointer; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1208126955_0">South Africa</span> for 16 years.</span> </span>"</span><span class="515350112-21122007">Murder @ Work" (<span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1208126955_1">Echelon</span> Press, 2004) and "Murder @ Play" (<span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1208126955_2">Echelon</span> Press, 2009) are set in South Africa of the 1990s. The nineties were a fascinating time in South African history: new thinking challenging old beliefs, the media slowly hinting at the possibility of equality for all people, hope and goodwill rising despite the escalating violence. The whites still had a cushy lifestyle: secure jobs for the men, large mansions with swimming pools for the women (many women chose to stay at home and look after the family with the help of their domestic servants). The non-whites still vacuumed the thick carpets and polished the silver BMWs at work, then went home to mud shacks. But the changes - the changes were already afoot....</span></span></span></span></div> <div><span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"><strong>What does the setting add to the story?</strong></span></span></div> <div><span class="515350112-21122007"><span><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">I see <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1208126955_3">South Africa</span> as a character in my books: the reader gets to know it and to watch it change during the course of the story. The South African setting shapes the characters too: because they were born and brought up there, in that particular cocktail of white wealth and Calvinist code of right and wrong, they can't help acting in a certain way. Most South Africans of the 1990s would sex outside of marriage as something undesirable. Most men (and a lot more women that I'd care to admit) would see a thinking independent woman as a threat to their way of life. All that makes for quite unique murder motives, motives that are uniquely South African. And then you have the means: in the 1990s, everybody was familiar with guns and knew how to use them - most people owned at least one.</span></span></span></div><span> </span><div><span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"><strong>Tell us some specific details about your setting. What would we see? What sort of people are there? If we were traveling to your setting, what should we bring with us? For visitors, what do they need to know to visit your setting?</strong></span><br /><span class="515350112-21122007"></span></span></div> <div><span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">T<span class="515350112-21122007">he year is 1990. </span></span></span></span></div> <ul><span> <li><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="515350112-21122007">When you go to a doctor or dentist, don't take your wallet. The bill will be sent to your home address... but if you're a woman, the bill will be addressed to your father or your husband. Women don't trouble their pretty little heads with bills.</span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="515350112-21122007">If you're a woman, expect to be stopped at the door to an alcohol bar: that place is for men only, and your husband is welcome to go in while you wait for him in the street.</span></span></span></li> <li><span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="515350112-21122007"></span></span></span><span class="515350112-21122007"></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">E<span class="515350112-21122007">ven if you are a career woman earning more than your husband does, you will need his signature when opening a credit account in a supermarket or a department store.</span></span></span></li> <li><span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="515350112-21122007"></span></span></span><span class="515350112-21122007"></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="515350112-21122007">If you're a man, t</span><span class="515350112-21122007">he size of your manhood is directly proportional to the size of your gun.</span></span></span></li> <li><span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="515350112-21122007"></span></span></span><span class="515350112-21122007"></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">G<span class="515350112-21122007">ambling is illegal. </span></span></span></li> <li><span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="515350112-21122007"></span></span></span><span class="515350112-21122007"></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">S<span class="515350112-21122007">ex with a person of another race has only just been made legal. The Group Areas Act, however, is still in force, preventing people of different races from living in the same suburb.</span></span></span></li> <li><span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="515350112-21122007"></span></span></span><span class="515350112-21122007"></span><span class="515350112-21122007"></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Y<span class="515350112-21122007">our car costs half as much as your mansion.</span></span></span></li> <li><span><span class="515350112-21122007"></span></span><span class="515350112-21122007"></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="515350112-21122007">This year, you will</span><span class="515350112-21122007"> pay more for a security fence than you pay for your daily house cleaning.</span></span><br /></span></li></span></ul> <div><span><strong>Please provide your website link.</strong></span></div> <div><span><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://yewalus.kiwiwebhost.net.nz/"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1208126955_4">http://yewalus.kiwiwebhost.net.nz/</span></a></span><br /><br /><strong>What is the link to buy your book?</strong></span></div> <span class="515350112-21122007"><span>"Murder @ Work": </span></span><span><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.com/Murder-work-Yvonne-Eve-Walus/dp/1590803256/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-1892101-6217748?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1191839424&sr=8-1"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1208126955_5">http://www.amazon.com/Murder-work-Yvonne-Eve-Walus/dp/1590803256</span></span></span></a></span>Nikki Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985309338453728557noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6627445909160494122.post-65896986947581345052008-03-23T22:22:00.003-04:002008-12-10T06:18:55.828-05:00Sinbad's Last Voyage<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_l-gSRz9BTzU/R-cQiztbUnI/AAAAAAAAA5w/bxZdsNu01-o/s1600-h/sinbad-510.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_l-gSRz9BTzU/R-cQiztbUnI/AAAAAAAAA5w/bxZdsNu01-o/s320/sinbad-510.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181128086495384178" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><p><i>Why did you pick the setting you used in your story? I'm not looking for -- "because I live there". I want you to dig deep and tell us... </i></p> <p>I definitely do <i>not </i>live in any of the places described in my book!<span style=""> </span>If I did, I wouldn't have time to write about them!<span style=""> </span>I wanted it set partly on Earth and partly on other planets so contrasts could be shown, as seen through Andi's eyes.<br /><br /><i>Why you chose that particular setting?</i></p> <p>It's a couple of centuries in the future so technology would be advanced enough to allow for planet travel, also also for crime to have followed explorers into outer space.<br /><br /><i>What does the setting add to the story?</i></p> <p>Sinbad lives in Old Town in the Thieves Quarter.<span style=""> </span>By unwritten law, the Federation stays out of Old Town because they have no jurisdiction there.<span style=""> </span>When my hero and heroine have to leave, they leave the planet because Andi's likeness has been posted on every continent on Earth.<span style=""> </span>There are loudspeakers on the highways blasting out her description as she speeds away from a pursuing Federation Marshal's Drone.<br /><br /><i>Could you write the same story in a different setting?</i></p> <p>I imagine the basic story--man wrongly arrested, escaping from jail, wife and hunter searching for him while unconsciously falling in love with each other--could be set anywhere.<br /><br /><i>Why or why couldn't you use a different setting?</i></p> <p>Because I have an SF frame of mind and I saw this as a futuristic story and never anything else.<br /><br /><i>Did you use a real place as a basis for your setting?</i></p> <p>None whatsoever.<br /><br /><i>Or, did you create the setting from scratch?</i></p> <p><span style="">I'm certain there were unconscious influences somewhere along the line, but as far as I know, everything--from the Thieves Quarter in Old Town to Antilla City with its five miles of shopping malls to the jungle planet of Albegensia--was made up out of whole cloth, in my imagination.</span></p> <p><i>Please provide your website link. </i></p> <p><span style=""><a target="_blank" href="http://www.tonivsweeney.com/"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1206325297_1">www.tonivsweeney.com</span></a></span></p> <p><br /><i>What is the link to buy your book?<br /></i><br /><a target="_blank" href="http://www.lulu.com/"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1206325297_2">www.lulu.com</span></a>; <a target="_blank" href="http://www.doubledragonbooks.com/"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1206325297_3">www.doubledragonbooks.com</span></a>.</p> <p><i>Tell us some specific details about your setting. </i></p> <p><span style="">On Earth, the people are still much the same, struggling to get along.<span style=""> </span>There's so much pollution now, however, that one group has retreated into an area inland where they've established a cult, the Naturals, growing their own food, making their own clothes, using herbs to cure their ills.<span style=""> </span>They don't use anything that wasn't used by their ancestors in the mid-twentieth century and this, along with their doctrine of "Everyone is created equal," they've been placed on the Federation's <i>Suspects List</i>.<span style=""> </span>Because they also provide the country with two-thirds of its flood supply, they are soon taken off the List, however.<span style=""> </span>They also don't believe in space travel or even air flight and when Sinbad takes Andi up in th mariner, it's the first time she's ever been off the planet and she's terrified.<span style=""> </span>Prisoners are kept in Penal colonies on asteroids and political prisoners are sent to the Toxic Zone, the area which used to be <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1206325297_4">Nebraska</span>, <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1206325297_5">Kansas</span>, <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1206325297_6">Iowa</span>, and <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1206325297_7">Missouri</span> and was later turned into a gigantic asbestos disposal area, and then into a prison.<span style=""> </span>Sinbad has the dubious distinction of being the only man ever to escape from the Toxic Zone.</span></p> <p><i>What would we see? What sort of people are there? <span style=""> </span></i></p> <p><span style="">Besides the Naturals, there are the city dwellers, and the Federation people--both of whom are much more affluent--and the prisoners in the Toxic Zone.<span style=""> </span>Earth hasn't become a very nice place to live if you're "different."<span style=""> </span>It's become a holier-than-thou place, where to be considered "human" or Terran, is to be desired.<span style=""> </span>Conquered people are considered "animals" until they've been admitted into the Federation, and accepted the Faith of Earth.<span style=""> </span>The first thing done to a conquered planet is to send in soldiers and missionaries.<span style=""> </span>The farther from Earth one gets, the freer and more friendlier the planets are. </span></p> <p><i>If we were traveling to your setting, what should we bring with us? For visitors, what do they need to know to visit your setting?<span style=""> </span></i></p> <p>On Earth, you'd better bring a pollution mask and your ID card and don't talk back to anyone wearing a uniform with the Federation "Stars and Planets" on the sleeve!<span style=""> </span>You don't want to go to Felida.<span style=""> </span>They don't like humans!<br /><br /><i>Thank you for sharing details about your book setting. Now, what's the title of your book and where can we buy it?</i></p> <p><i>Sinbad's Last Voyage</i>, (<i>Book One in the Adventures of Sinbad</i>) available from <a target="_blank" href="http://www.lulu.com/"><span style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1206325297_8">www.lulu.com</span></a> or <a target="_blank" href="http://www.doubledragonbooks.com/"><span style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1206325297_9">www.doubledragonbooks.com</span></a></p></span>Nikki Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985309338453728557noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6627445909160494122.post-80159704427706489912008-03-18T12:52:00.001-04:002008-12-10T06:18:56.091-05:00Spring House by David Bowles<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_l-gSRz9BTzU/R9_z1X2qtlI/AAAAAAAAA4g/JRw4CXMrgjo/s1600-h/SPRINGHOUSE.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_l-gSRz9BTzU/R9_z1X2qtlI/AAAAAAAAA4g/JRw4CXMrgjo/s320/SPRINGHOUSE.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179126194761283154" border="0" /></a><br /><p>Title: Spring House, Book 1 in the Westward Sagas</p> <p>Author: David Bowles</p> <p>Web site: <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.westwardsagas.com/"><b>http://www.westwardsagas.com</b></a> </p> <p>Why did you pick the setting you used in your story? I'm not looking for -- "because I live there". I want you to dig deep and tell us...<br /><br />Why you chose that particular setting? My novel is based on my family history, and the book is set in the time and place my ancestors, who are the main characters, lived.<br /><br />What does the setting add to the story? Setting is crucial to the story--the family farm was turned into a battlefield in the Revolutionary War. My main character fought in that battle while his mother, wife, and children hid in the nearby spring house.<br /><br />Could you write the same story in a different setting? No</p> Why or why couldn't you use a different setting? The story is historically accurate, and the history happened in that setting, and much of the action revolved around the setting.<br /><br />Did you use a real place as a basis for your setting? Yes, the story is set in Guilford Courthouse, North Carolina, which was important in the American Revolution.<br /><br />Or, did you create the setting from scratch? No<br /><br />Is there anything else about your setting that we need to know? Feel free to share. The Battle of Guilford Courthouse was a pivotal battle in the American Revolution, though it is not as well known as some other battles. The book was released at the 225<sup>th</sup> Observance of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse, and I participated in the observance at the Guilford Courthouse National Military Park, which includes land that had been my ancestors' cornfield before the battle was fought on it.<br /><br />Please provide your website link. <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.westwardsagas.com/"><b>http://www.westwardsagas.com</b></a><br /><br />What is the link to buy your book? <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.westwardsagas.com/order.html"><b>http://www.westwardsagas.com/order.html</b></a><br /><br />Tell us some specific details about your setting. What would we see? What sort of people are there? If we were traveling to your setting, what should we bring with us? For visitors, what do they need to know to visit your setting? The setting is a North Carolina farm during the Revolutionary War. The people who lived there were hard-working Scots-Irish Presbyterians. If you were traveling to the setting at the time of my story, you would travel over rough roads in a Conestoga wagon, carrying your Dutch oven and food to cook over the open fire as you traveled. Visitors would need to know that they might encounter fighting between the British and Continental Army. They might want to hide in the spring house with Margaret Mitchell, her daughter-in-law Elizabeth, and her grandchildren. However, the crude little shed designed to keep dairy products cool was already overflowing with people.<br /><br />Thank you for sharing details about your book setting. Now, what's the title of your book and where can we buy it? <i>Spring House, Book 1 of the Westward Sagas</i> is available at <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.westwardsagas.com/order.html">http://www.westwardsagas.com/order.html </a><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.westwardsagas.com/order.html%20as%20well%20as%20Amazon.com">as well as Amazon.com</a> and bookstores.Nikki Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985309338453728557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6627445909160494122.post-24956279354411396442008-03-18T11:51:00.005-04:002008-12-10T06:18:56.282-05:00Cynthia's Attic Series<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_l-gSRz9BTzU/R9_ljn2qtjI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/pa5QEUbquxg/s1600-h/Curse+of+the+Bayou.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_l-gSRz9BTzU/R9_ljn2qtjI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/pa5QEUbquxg/s320/Curse+of+the+Bayou.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179110496655816242" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">This description takes in the whole series (3 books): Cynthia's Attic: <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1205855430_2">The Missing</span> Locket, The Magic Medallion, and Curse of the Bayou. Since it's a continuing series, I thought we could talk about the setting for the entire series.<br /><br /></span></span></div> <div> </div> <div><span style="font-size:100%;">Why you chose that particular setting?</span></div> <div style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">I chose Southern Indiana because that's where Cynthia's attic was located. <i>The dream takes place in a mysterious attic. At times the attic is exciting and mysterious, but many times it is dark and foreboding.</i> I'd just finished telling my best friend about the recurring dream I'd had for almost 20 years, when I had a "light-bulb" moment. It occurred to me that the dream took place in the attic of my childhood friend, Cynthia. We used to play in her attic all the time. When I realized that it was the place of my dreams, the dreams stopped and the writing began.<br /><br />What does the setting add to the story? </span></div> <div style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">I've always been told, "Write what you know." I had so many pictures of my hometown, <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1205855430_3">Corydon, Indiana</span>, in the early 1900s that I knew exactly how it looked, how the people dressed, and what the downtown looked like. I believe this adds a certain realism that I might not be able to achieve, otherwise.<br /><br />Could you write the same story in a different setting? </span></div> <div style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The main characters, Cynthia and Gus, travel to many locations. Since they have a "time-traveling trunk," they're able to visit many locations, including an early 1900s cruise ship, a cottage in France, a Louisiana bayou, and <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1205855430_4">New Orleans</span>.<br /><br />Why or why couldn't you use a different setting? </span></div> <div style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The stories are loosely based on stories from my childhood. To make the adventures realistic, I wanted to begin the books in Southern Indiana.<br /><br />Did you use a real place as a basis for your setting?</span></div> <div style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Yes. My hometown.<br /><br />Is there anything else about your setting that we need to know? Feel free to share.</span></div> <div style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The Cynthia's Attic adventures cover a 120-year span; from 1964-1844. Most of the action takes place in 1914 where Cynthia and Gus first meet their 12-year-old grandmothers! Life in the early 1900s was quite different from life in the 1960s. Although the books are categorized as fantasy/fiction, I like to describe them as historical fiction with fantastical elements. The books give the reader a sense of history without bogging them down in facts.<br /><br />Please provide your website link.</span></div> <div style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.marycunninghambooks.com/"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1205855430_5">http://www.marycunninghambooks.com</span></a></span></div><span style="font-size:100%;"> <div style="font-family:Georgia;"><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">What is the link to buy your book(s)?</span></div> <div style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_b/103-7177880-8331022?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=mary+cunningham+Cynthia%27s+Attic&x=18&y=17"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1205855430_6">http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_b/103-7177880-8331022</span></a></span><br /><br />Tell us some specific details about your setting.<br /><br /></div> <div style="font-family:Georgia;">What would we see? </div> <div face="Georgia">A small town, dirt streets with large sycamore trees looming over the streets. The center of town is the courthouse square. A split rail fence surrounds a small stone building, the first state capitol of <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1205855430_7">Indiana</span>. The bandstand is also in the town square, and many Friday nights are spent listening to the town band and attending an "ice cream social." </div> <div face="Georgia"> </div> <div face="Georgia"><br />What sort of people are there? </div> <div face="Georgia">1914: Settlers, Corydon natives who are third generation. Bankers, farmers, blacksmiths, business owners, mothers, fathers, and children running down the streets, gathered on the sidewalk playing marbles, or getting a frosted malt at Rosenbarger's Ice Cream Emporium.</div> <div face="Georgia"> </div> <div style="font-family: Georgia;"><br />If we were traveling to your setting, what should we bring with us? </div> <div style="font-family: Georgia;">Only your imagination. As Cynthia and Gus travel through time with only the clothes on their back and some necessary clues on their destination, they don't need money or food, although Gus has been known to stuff a hunk of lunch meat in her pocket. </div> <div style="font-family: Georgia;"> </div> <div style="font-family: Georgia;"><br />For visitors, what do they need to know to visit your setting?</div> <div style="font-family: Georgia;">Visitors would need to blend in with the times. They'd need to know that help and information was readily available. All they'd need to do is ask the right person. And, don't expect to find the Internet, cell phones, television, or even indoor "facilities!"<br /><br />Thank you for sharing details about your book setting. Now, what's the title of your book and where can we buy it?</div> <div style="font-family: Georgia;"> </div> <div style="font-family: Georgia;">Cynthia's Attic: <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1205855430_8">The Missing</span> Locket</div> <div style="font-family: Georgia;">Cynthia's Attic: The Magic Medallion</div> <div style="font-family: Georgia;">Cynthia's Attic: Curse of the Bayou</div> <div style="font-family: Georgia;"> </div> <div style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1205855430_9">Amazon</span> buy link for all three books:</div> <div style="font-family: Georgia;"> </div> <div style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_b/103-7177880-8331022?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=mary+cunningham+Cynthia%27s+Attic&x=18&y=17"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1205855430_10">http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_b/103-7177880-8331022</span></a></span></div></span>Nikki Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985309338453728557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6627445909160494122.post-5046193278222442292008-02-21T11:20:00.000-05:002008-02-21T11:21:17.234-05:00Cover of the Year - Asking for Your VoteI just scanned the covers for Cover of the Year on Erin Aislinn's website and saw a lot of familiar covers - many were on my Judge A Book By its Cover blog last year :)<br /><br />I invite you to visit <a href="http://www.erinaislinn.com/BookCoveroftheYear2007.htm">http://www.erinaislinn.com/BookCoveroftheYear2007.htm</a> and I hope that you will vote for Lady Lightkeeper which is one of my covers and it is listed as the winning cover for September.<br /><br />If you prefer the easier route - feel free to email webmail@erinaislinn .com and put "VOTE for Lady Lightkeeper" in the subject line. I appreciate every vote :)<br /><br />Nikki<br /><br /><br />Book Promo 101 - NOW AVAILABLE<br /><a href="http://www.nikkileigh.%20com/book_%20promo_101.%20htm">www.nikkileigh. com/book_ promo_101. htm</a><br />"Coastal Suspense with a Touch of Romance"<br />Would you like information about the newest<br />blog tour option? Ask me for details and visit<br /><a href="http://www.inspiredauthor.com/promotion">www.inspiredauthor.com/promotion</a>Nikki Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985309338453728557noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6627445909160494122.post-57188545151411472952008-02-17T17:39:00.003-05:002008-12-10T06:18:56.598-05:00Nimrod Rising - A Novel By Steven Clark Bradley<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_l-gSRz9BTzU/R7i4c16VKTI/AAAAAAAAA0c/LVOLod4nFzU/s1600-h/Nimrod+Rising.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_l-gSRz9BTzU/R7i4c16VKTI/AAAAAAAAA0c/LVOLod4nFzU/s320/Nimrod+Rising.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168083378055227698" border="0" /></a><b>Why did you pick the setting you used in your story? I'm not looking for -- "because I live there". I want you to dig deep and tell us... -</b> Because Nimrod Rising is a vast story of International significance, my setting is really two/fold. I like to think that I have spent a large portion of my life in the cradle of civilization. The main setting of Nimrod Rising is really, Israel. Though it takes a bit of time before the book finally settles in that small but significant country, there is a real sense throughout the book that the story is heading that way. In a real sense, Israel is the spiritual center of the world. For Muslims, there really is no breakdown of society vs. religion. The religion of Islam encompasses every part of life. Sense I have worked with Muslims for over twenty years, I could see the radicalization of the religion long before Osama Bin Laden came on the scene. Most of the first section was written before 9-11. I have never claimed to be a prophet, and actually the need of such foretellers was never necessary. The changes taking place around the world were easy for me to see having lived there for so long. With the changes hitting America spiritually and socially and with the radicals in Islam beginning to strike us because of our support of the State of Israel, it was natural that the end game scenario should take place in the nation. The Israel is a tiny nation; its impact due to its very existence keeps lights burning in the great capitals of the world. <p>The other major setting is right inside the United States. We picture a nation and a world that has been devastated by terror and a nation that had lost its ability and will to defeat it. America is dissolving and the social attacks slapping the nation against the family, marriage, children and the elimination of civil rights required to fight the terror has left the nation devastated. The two settings converge into a massive wild ride that, of course you'll have to read the book to discover.</p> <p><b>What does the setting add to the story? - </b> I spent two years in the country of Pakistan and Bangladesh. That was an eye opener and it gave me a real feel for the culture, the lives and even the various smells of the Middle East. I also spent almost three years in Senegal West Africa where I lived amongst the people and grew to understand the impact of Islam on the lives of its adherents. Even in France, where I lived for over six years, I worked almost exclusively with the Muslim population. Later I went to Turkey and worked there for four years and traveled to Iraq and Israel and truly got a feel for Muslim society. By painting my story with words from my Middle Eastern experience, I was able to create a very true-to-life experience for the reader. Of course, the story itself only lent itself to the Middle Eastern setting.</p> <p><b>Did you use a real place as a basis for your setting? - </b> In the case of Nimrod Rising, it was easy to find the place of my story. Though Nimrod Rising is a work of fiction, it is based on historical fact and the events that form the story took place or will take place in the lands I describe. Also, Nimrod Rising spans several countries and they are all key locations. In some ways that made it easier, but in other ways it demanded very precise descriptions. I was helped a lot in that I had spend considerable amounts of time in each location, which helped me in the various cultural, political and layout of the land aspects of Nimrod Rising.</p> <p><b>Could you write the same story in a different setting? - </b> From the historical aspect and the biblical and extra-biblical material, Nimrod Rising could only have been written in the areas I used in the book.</p> <p><b>Did you use a real place as a basis for your setting? - </b> Yes, especially in the battle scenes of Megiddo and Pakistan and Israel. They are as real as they can get. </p> <b>Is there anything else about your setting that we need to know? - </b> I really want the readers to know that this is not a scary book as much as it is truly a book of hope and faith and a means of making sense out of a rising chaos throughout the world. There is a lot to be learned in Nimrod Rising. I know that those who read it and feel the power of the story will feel they will have had time well spent.<br /> <br />For much more information about Steven Clark Bradley and Nimrod Rising - visit<br /><a href="http://www.inspiredauthor.com/promotion/steven-clark-bradley-author-nimrod-rising">http://www.inspiredauthor.com/promotion/steven-clark-bradley-author-nimrod-rising</a>Nikki Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985309338453728557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6627445909160494122.post-87746892990342180512008-01-27T21:11:00.000-05:002008-12-10T06:18:56.798-05:00Judgment Fire by Marilyn Meredith<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_l-gSRz9BTzU/R506lP957SI/AAAAAAAAAyo/azgALfIAfOk/s1600-h/Judgment+Fire.bmp"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_l-gSRz9BTzU/R506lP957SI/AAAAAAAAAyo/azgALfIAfOk/s320/Judgment+Fire.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160345159652207906" border="0" /></a><br /><div id="yiv1404675510"> <div style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Why you chose that particular setting?</span></div> <div> </div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">In my Deputy Tempe Crabtree mysteries, my main setting is in a mountain community of the Southern Sierra. Though quite similar to where I live, the area has been fictionalized a great deal. Locals recognize places, but nothing is quite the same.</span></div> <div> </div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Lake Dennison is much bigger than the mudhole we call a lake.</span></div> <div> </div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1201486179_0">Bear Creek</span> Indian Reservation has many similarities to the Tule River Indian Reservation, but the reservation and the Native Americans who live there are all fantasies of my imagination.</span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What does the setting add to the story?</span></span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"> </span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">The setting is important to the story because Tempe is the resident deputy of a very different area than most stories involved with law enforcement.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Could you write the same story in a different setting?</span> </span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"> </span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">It wouldn't be the same story in a different setting.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Why or why couldn't you use a different setting?</span></span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"> </span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Small towns have a very different dynamic than larger cities--and even more so when the town is in a mountain area. I also enjoy including the Indian reservation.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Did you use a real place as a basis for your setting?</span><br /><br />In some ways--Bear Creek is similar to the town I live in some ways and very different in others.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Or, did you create the setting from scratch?</span><br /><br />So though I didn't create <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1201486179_1">Bear Creek</span> from scratch, there are many things that are different--and the same goes for the Indian reservation.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Is there anything else about your setting that we need to know? </span><br /><br />Feel free to share. In any book, setting is very important--it can almost be as important as a character. The setting can help set the mood and it gives certain parameters to the plot.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Please provide your website link.</span></span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"> </span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://fictionforyou.com/"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1201486179_2">http://fictionforyou.com</span></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What is the link to buy your book?</span></span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"> </span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.mundania.com/"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1201486179_3">http://www.mundania.com</span></a></span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">or <a target="_blank" href="http://amazon.com/"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1201486179_4">Amazon.com</span></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tell us some specific details about your setting. What would we see?</span> </span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"> </span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">After leaving the town of Dennison you will drive on a winding road toward the mountains, passing orange groves, Dennison Lake and the road to the reservation. The higher you go, the more winding the road, and the trees change from oaks to pine trees and cedars. The town itself is lined up on either side of the road with a post office, grocery store, a saloon, cafe, fire station and the <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1201486179_5">Bear Creek</span> Inn. The Bear Creek Community church is on the way to the higher elevations and camp grounds, homes and cabins, Tapper Lodge, and the giant Sequoias.</span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"> </span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">What sort of people are there?</span> </span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"> </span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Many of the residents are second and third generation, but new people have started moving in, many from Southern California.</span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"> </span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">If we were traveling to your setting, what should we bring with us?</span><br /><br />If you're going higher into the mountains bring the right kind of clothes for hiking and in case the weather changes--which it's prone to do. In the summer, bring your <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1201486179_6">bathing suit</span> to take advantage of the great swimming holes.</span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"> </span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">For visitors, what do they need to know to visit your setting? </span><br /><br />They will need to enjoy the great outdoors.<br /><br />Thank you for sharing details about your book setting. Now, what's the title of your book and where can we buy it?</span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"> </span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Judgment Fire</span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.mundaniapress.com/"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1201486179_7">http://www.mundaniapress.com</span></a></span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">or as an e-book</span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.fictionwise.com/"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1201486179_8">http://www.fictionwise.com</span></a><br /></span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">See what's new at: <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://fictionforyou.com/"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1201486179_9">http://fictionforyou.com</span></a><br />Judgment Fire, Eppie Finalist<br />NEW BLOG at <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://marilynmeredith.blogspot.com/"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1201486179_10">http://marilynmeredith.blogspot.com/</span></a></span></div></div>Nikki Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985309338453728557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6627445909160494122.post-88344875857035878582008-01-20T21:50:00.000-05:002008-12-10T06:18:57.074-05:00I Remember Tomorrow<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_l-gSRz9BTzU/R5QJCWr9i1I/AAAAAAAAAxY/WlLDAMNUQoc/s1600-h/I+Remember+Tomorrow.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_l-gSRz9BTzU/R5QJCWr9i1I/AAAAAAAAAxY/WlLDAMNUQoc/s320/I+Remember+Tomorrow.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5157757409300417362" border="0" /></a><br />Why did you pick the setting you used in your story?<br /> The adage "write what you know" applies here. While raised in the metropolitan environment of Los Angeles, the past 25 years of my life have been spent in the rural environment of Northeast Texas. Because I wanted to write a story that felt like real people, I chose the smaller, more comfortable setting of a community much like the one I've come to know in my current hometown.<br /><br />Why you chose that particular setting?<br /> Again, it was important that the story feel small and comfortable. My desire was to create a world that the reader could "snuggle up to" like a warm blanket on a cold night.<br /><br />What does the setting add to the story?<br /> The setting lends itself to the feeling of a close-knit community. A place where, for the most part, everyone knows everyone else. Small town American is an ideal; a place we've seen on the cover of the Saturday Evening Post; a place we've read about but that most of the country has never really visited.<br /><br />Could you write the same story in a different setting?<br /> Yes... but the effect would not have been the same. I could have placed my main character in a larger city; one with planes, trains, and automobile but it would have been a very different story.<br /><br />Why or why couldn't you use a different setting?<br /> My main character is running from her past. She's running from a failed marriage (hmm, imagine that) and a life filled with too many people. To drop her in a place just like the one from which she was fleeing would not have provided the change she sought.<br /><br />Did you use a real place as a basis for your setting? Or, did you create the setting from scratch?<br /> While based heavily on the actual city where I live, I changed the name of the town and mixed things up a bit.<br /><br />Is there anything else about your setting that we need to know? Feel free to share.<br /> Not really. I try to write according to what I believe are my strengths: dialogue and setting. I go to great lengths to paint a picture of a surroundings, up to and including weather and the physicality. I want the reader to see, hear, smell, and feel the environment I've drawn. As such, there are continued references (either in dialogue or narrative) to those aspects of the setting.<br /><br />Please provide your website link.<br /><a href="http://iremembertomorrow.com/">http://iremembertomorrow.com</a><br /><br />What is the link to buy your book?<br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/I-Remember-Tomorrow-William-Butler/dp/1424188903"> http://www.amazon.com/I-Remember-Tomorrow-William-Butler/dp/1424188903</a><br /><br />Tell us some specific details about your setting. What would we see? What sort of people are there? If we were traveling to your setting, what should we bring with us? For visitors, what do they need to know to visit your setting?<br /><br /> Northeast Texas is called the Piney Woods area of the state. Most envision Texas as a part of the southwest. However, this part of the state has a more "woodsy" feel to it. Wooded areas abound; even in the larger cities. It is a farming and ranching environment full of harvest festivals in the fall of every year. Winters are cold and wet with the occasional snowfall. Summers are hot and humid with heavy thunderstorms, and the subsequent threat of tornadoes, frequenting the area. The rural communities tend to be quiet and comfortable. But like most such places, that's just the surface. Scratch beneath that and you will find the same things here as in any other community. Every town has its secrets. The area (much like the state as a whole) tends to be rather conservative. There are many, many churches--more than one would think the community could support. High School football is important. But that seems to be true for Texas as a whole rather than something reserved for small towns. For the most part, it's the kind of place where you can raise a family and worry less that the environment will have a greater influence than the family.<br /><br />Now, what's the title of your book and where can we buy it?<br />Title: I Remember Tomorrow (ISBN: 1424188903)<br />Where to buy: Amazon or the publisher's website http://www.publishamerica.com<br /><br />Synopsis: Jeanette just wants to be normal. She wants to have a good job, meet someone she can love, and someday get married and have a family. She just wants to be happy. But fate whispers to her, tells her its secrets, and shows her the things it knows. And so, when she relocates, trying to start a new life after a failed marriage, she quickly learns her past is the least of her worries, because the future is the thing that scares her most. Now, rather than finding happiness, she’s trying hold onto her sanity—because tomorrow is here and she remembers tomorrowNikki Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985309338453728557noreply@blogger.com0