The Treasures of Carmelidrium Book Tour HERE today

Playing the What If Game.



Today, I am very pleased to welcome N R Williams to my blog



Nancy is here to talk about her exciting new high fantasy book "The Treasures of Carmelidrium." It really is a great read with a well judged blend of action, suspense, romance and humour.

Over to you Nancy ...

Thank you Dominic for allowing me to grace your post in my blog book tour for, “The Treasures of Carmelidrium.” I appreciate it.


Playing the What if Game. You’ve probably heard of this even if you’re not a writer. I’d like to say that a set of dice are involved, but unless you’ve created a board game called 'The What if Game', I’m afraid not.


The what if game is simply asking yourself, 'what if'. What if Harry Potter was a real person? A child raised by an aunt and uncle who should have taken parenting classes. Would he have really turned out as compassionate as he did in the books? Or maybe, Harry was raised by a wealthy family and lavished with gifts. Harry’s mother or father survived and lived to raise him as a single parent. No one in Harry’s family had any magical gifts including Harry. What world leader would Harry have to find and kill in order to save those he loved and himself? Why?


In your book, your character has a dilemma. What is the dilemma? What type of personality does the character have? What type of world does the character live in? Who is the character’s helper and who is the villain?


These are critical questions and the reason an author plays the what if game.


In “The Treasures of Carmelidrium,” I wanted a unique villain. That’s a tough challenge. Every possible villain has been created and re-created endlessly in countless books. I also didn’t want a “god.” There was a period recently in fantasy, where all the villains were “gods.” I hated those books. Mostly because the villain can’t help it. They were what they were. There weren’t any decisions that could have been different for them. To me, the creepiest villain is a man or woman who has chosen to go into a life that most of us would classify as evil. Their decisions are based on their code of right and wrong. Remember, the villain is the hero of his/her own story.


So what is Renwyk’s personality? He is domineering and wants world dominance. A tried and true villain type that we sometimes run into on the street, sad to say. You know, the boss who wants you to do fifty things at once with a smile on your face. Or the abusive partner. This personality is well defined. So now I must play the 'what if' game.


What if Renwyk is born with special abilities? What if Renwyk has an abusive childhood? How would these two things combine to shape him? Why does he want what he wants?
Renwyk is an abusive, dominating man who believes he is justified in his actions and that everyone owes him something. He is obsessed with, and jealous of, Prince Healden, (pronounced with a silent “a” like Hel-don), simply because Healden is the prince. Renwyk is born with the ability to communicate and control the symberveen, a monster. (See Creating Monsters at Nicole Zoltack’s blog, Where Fantasy and Love Take Flight).
Because of this talent and the use of black magic, Renwyk can control (literally) people’s minds and bend their wills to his own. (I had this idea before Harry Potter came out so any similarities are coincidental). Do you see how the 'what if' game helped me to craft the villain I wanted?


Another area where I played the what if game is the world of Gil-Lael, my alternate world. It is French. Why? All my life I have been told that the French do not understand us (Americans) because of our Christian morality. Whether this is true or not, I don’t know. It is common knowledge that the French have a different set of moral values that govern their society. I wondered, what if I flip that? What if I have a crisis in their past that has caused them to be over the top in their morality. What would that crisis be and how would it affect their society and the laws that govern them. To find out, you’ll have to read, “The Treasures of Carmelidrium.”
The what if game is a critical tool for every writer.
I think I will get the patent on that game. LOL


N. R. Williams (Nancy)

Thank you Nancy for sharing the 'what if' game with us!

Don't forget to add a comment with your e-mail address so Nancy can enter you into her contest. Nancy is giving away 3 e-books to 3 winners. Drawing is Feb. 1, 2011 after the book tour ends. She will post the winners on her blog (N R Williams) and will email the lucky three people.

Don't forget to sign up to my blogfest and to post your No Fear stories this coming weekend

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Microfiction Monday 24 Jan

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Welcome to another round of Microfiction Monday courtesy of Susan at Stony River. Each week Susan posts a new picture and invites us to write a story in 140 characters or less.

Today's picture:



2050: Cloud computing took over the world ... until someone let the clouds out!

Testing the first time machine, Sam went back a hundred years. Well, what d'you know? he thought. Everything really was in black and white!

"Mist!" Joe said.
Hank rolled his eyes.
"Should've aimed better."

Calling the First Disciples

As some of you know, I am a lay minister in the Church of England. Today I am preaching and the text for the day is the calling of the first disciples (Matthew 4:vs 12-21)

For those of you who may be interested, here is the text



When Jesus called Simon and Andrew, James and John, he didn’t tell them what they would be doing, or where or with whom. He didn’t give them an opportunity to decide whether they would like it. He simply said come and follow me. It’s really quite extraordinary that these fishermen simply left their nets, their livelihood, their security, and followed Jesus.

If I said that Jesus calls us to follow him today would you agree with me?

But I wonder how many would say – Yes Jesus calls us to follow him ... except for me... I’m too old .. I have a family to look after .. I have an important job .. I’m not qualified ... I’m not good enough? There are no exceptions. There is no such thing as “not good enough”. Jesus calls us exactly as we are. Jesus’ call is a non discriminatory equal opportunity.

What does it mean to follow Jesus? Well, first let me tell you what it is not.

Following Jesus is not setting off and saying, “Jesus, I’m going. Are you coming with me?”  Even if what you are doing is in his name.

Following Jesus is not standing still. You can’t follow someone if you are going nowhere.

Following Jesus is not paying him an occasional visit – no matter how sincere you are.

Following Jesus is about listening to him. It’s about spending time with him. Let me give you an example. This morning the first thing I did was connect with God. Actually the first thing I did was to make a cup of tea – the second thing I did was to make time for Jesus. I started by offering the day to him. In my mind I gave him this service and my sermon. I thought about all the things I have to get done today. I remembered in his presence all the people and situations that are on my heart. I gave him time to bring to my mind anyone else that is need of prayer. I didn’t tell him what to do – I simply remembered them, knowing that he already knows what they need and certainly doesn’t need me to tell him what to do. If it had been a work day, I would have remembered my staff and business. I would have offered to him the work that I have to do, any meetings I might have, clients I need to speak to. I would ask for wisdom and guidance and lay out my day for him. Now you may be thinking isn’t that saying “I’m going Jesus, come with me.”

The answer is that I truly believe that God wants me to be a civil engineer. I don’t rule out the possibility that one day Jesus may say to me “it’s time to leave your nets – come, let’s go and do something else.” That’s why I need to keep listening to him. About 17 years ago, I was feeling restless. I felt Jesus was calling me to do something. I wrote to a friend asking whether he thought God was asking me to move church. My friend wrote a long letter back saying yes definitely. As soon as I read the letter, I knew that he was wrong and that God was calling me to train for ministry in this church.

But Jesus call to follow him is not usually for anything as significant as that. It might be to get in touch with an old friend or to pop in on an elderly neighbour. It might be to say something encouraging to a young person, or perhaps to put some money in a charity envelope. It might be nothing more than to spend time with him.

I want to tell you that I honestly believe that this is the meaning of life. The whole purpose of our existence on this planet is to learn to have a relationship with God. We are here for a blink of an eye compared to eternity and all the hardship we endure is nothing beside being reconciled with God for all time.

If you are sitting there thinking that all this talk about a relationship with God is a bit touchy feely and uncomfortable, please remember that Jesus suffered and died a horrific death on a cross for the purpose of making that relationship possible. There is nothing comfortable about the cross. Jesus gave everything and he asks for so little in return. He simply asks us to come to him for rest, to drink living waters, to receive his peace and joy, to have a fullness of life, to be set free from guilt, to be loved. Isn’t that worth a bit of touchy feeliness?

 Jesus calls every single person on the face of this planet to follow him. It just so happens that those of us who acknowledge him to be the Son of God, who believe that he was raised from the dead and that he reigns with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit are in a better place to hear that call and to respond to it. It is our common response to this call to follow Jesus that unites all Christians, of whatever denomination. This is the week of prayer for Christian Unity. My prayer is we can celebrate our differences while following Him together.

Amen

AWOL - sorry

What a week!

Monday



I went to see the Voyage of the Dawn Treader 3D. This was always my favourite book for some reason and I thought the film adaptation was extremely well done. There was a small amount of liberty taking with the book, but no more than was necessary to make a cinematic spectacle and to create a clearer narrative thread.
I think Georgie Henley who has played Lucy in the three films to date is a face to watch out for in the future - I am sure she will have a great career if she continues to pursue acting.
Another plaudit goes to Will Poulter who played Eustace - he absolutely captured the pompous arrogance of the boy.
I would give this five stars as a wholesome family film. (some hand holding during the scary scenes might be necessary. The children might appreciate it too!)

Tuesday

An evening with my Spiritual Director

oh! and I received word that my Haiku titled "Wormhole" is to be published by The Pedestal Magazine on 19th March.

Wednesday



Took my younger daughter to Nottingham Trent University for her interview. She wants to study Design for Film and Television there. It seemed to go well. She just has to wait for the University to offer her a place ... or not.

Thursday

Final edits on a 8500 word short story for the ePocalypse competition being run by Pill HIll Press that I have been writing with Simon Kewin.

Friday

Choir Practice. I sing bass.

Saturday

Writing my sermon for tomorrow. I might share it tomorrow if anyone is interested!

So there you go - why I have deserted you all and why I have missed doing Microfiction Monday and Haiku Wednesday. Back into the swing of it for next week.

Sir Gillyhen and the Princess Part Two

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Misty Waters at Writer's Block ~ Oh wait! I mean Blog... is hosting a great show and tell blogfest. Choose a picture and write two pieces about it - one telling and one showing.

I have chosen a picture of Sir Gillyhen and the Princess

If you want to read the telling version first it is HERE



Showing:

Sir Gillyhen’s heart hammered in his chest as he gazed at the huge dragon in the meadow below. His mouth was dry and his insides writhed as he thought of the blistering fire these creatures produced. He took a deep breath, gritted his teeth and lowered his lance. He dug his heels into his charger’s sides and thundered down the slope towards the great beast.
For the princess. he thought. For honour. For glory.
A very small voice at the back of his mind added and to make up for the frog.
At the last moment the dragon raised its terrible claws and the lance shattered against the impenetrable hide of its foreleg. Sir Gillyhen felt the shock through his whole body, as if a giant fist had slammed the air from his lungs. Then the ground leapt up and the world spun around him. He rolled over, every part of him screaming in protest at the abuse. He lifted his visor and twisted around, searching for his attacker. A wave of relief swept through him as he saw the dragon loping awkwardly away from him, and he felt ashamed of his fear. The creature took to the skies and Sir Gillyhen watched it fly away over the trees. He would follow it for as long as it took to find and rescue the princess. This sacred quest had been laid upon him by the King, and pride and determination filled Sir Gillyhen’s breast.
He tied his horse to a tree and forced his way into the thick undergrowth beneath the trees. Brambles snatched at his armour and tripped him. Low branches whipped across his face and all the while his heavy armour sapped the strength from his limbs. The warmth of the summer afternoon became unbearable, encased as he was in steel. Sweat poured from his brow and into his eyes. The heavy cotton tunic he wore under his armour was soaked, but he pushed on, grimly determined to save the princess from her terrible fate. Perhaps his devotion would make her better disposed towards him. She had still not forgiven him for inadvertently ending her froggy friendship with a momentary misstep. Every time she passed him she glowered at him and whispered “murderer!”
Just when Sir Gillyhen felt he could go no further, his limbs trembling with fatigue, he stumbled across a deep pool, fed by a sparkling waterfall. He pulled off his helm, knelt down at the bank and drank deeply, the fresh water like nectar to his parched throat. He dipped his helm into the water and poured it over his head, allowing the coolness to cascade over and through and inside his armour. He longed to swim in the pool, but duty summoned him onwards. He clapped the helm on his head and thrust his way through the bindweed and nettles.
After another lifetime forcing his way through the clinging vegetation, Sir Gillyhen paused and listened. He thought he had heard a low moaning in the eerie silence of the forest. There it was again! He pushed forwards until he could see a sunlit glade ahead, dominated by the great bulk of the dragon. At the sound of the princess’s voice, he leapt forward.
“Don’t worry Princess, I will save you!”
As he burst out of the trees and saw the princess bandaging the dragon’s leg, his heart sank like a stone. A chill spread through him, despite the summer heat. The princess turned towards him, her eyes blazing beneath lowered brows.
She pointed a trembling finger at him. “You!” she shrieked.


So what have I learnt in this exercise?

• I am a natural teller, not a shower.
• I write better as a teller (not that it is better writing, I just don't write as well showing)
• I should learn to write less if I want people not to get bored half way through!

Sir Gillyhen and the Princess

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Misty Waters at Writer's Block ~ Oh wait! I mean Blog... is hosting a great show and tell blogfest. Choose a picture and write two pieces about it - one telling and one showing.
(I know it's Show vs Tell but my kids had their fair share of show and tell, and it kinda sticks!)

I have chosen a picture of Sir Gillyhen and the Princess



Telling:

Sir Gillyhen bravely faced the great dragon that loomed above him. He lowered his lance and charged the fearsome beast, knowing that, at any moment, a searing blast of fire might incinerate him. The creature raised its foreleg, with long, vicious claws stretched out, just as the knight closed the gap between them. His lance struck the leg and shattered against the steel-like hide. The force of the impact lifted Sir Gillyhen off his horse and dumped him unceremoniously on his vambrace. With a howl, the dragon lumbered three-legged across the meadow, taking ungainly to the air, while the knight struggled to his feet. Sir Gillyhen watched the great beast fly off over the forest until it descended into the trees a mile or so away. He sighed and looked at the thick undergrowth between the tree trunks. It would be hard work, but he was on a quest to rescue the princess and no mere undergrowth would stand in his way.
The king had entrusted this charge to him, and after the fiasco with the frog he was determined to prove his worth. He had apologised to the princess profusely for months, but really, it is very hard to see where one is putting one’s feet with the visor down, and how was he supposed to know it was a talking frog?
Leaving his steed tied to a tree, Sir Gillyhen pushed his way through the trees. The going was tough and soon he was feeling very hot. After half an hour of slow progress the knight heard the welcome sound of running water, and soon came to a clearing where a waterfall tumbled into a deep pool. He slaked his thirst and, feeling refreshed, he went on his way, but not without a wistful look at the inviting tarn. If he were a shepherd boy, he reflected, it would be so easy to slip off his tunic and sandals and plunge into the cool water.
After another half an hour of struggling through the trees, Sir Gillyhen heard a low moaning sound. He moved forward more cautiously. He could make out a sunlit clearing ahead and it seemed the dragon was occupying most of it. Then Sir Gillyhen heard the unmistakable voice of the princess. Without a moment’s hesitation, he leapt forwards calling out “Don’t worry Princess, I will save you!”
He should have been forewarned by the petrified look in the dragon’s eyes, but he was out of the trees before he saw the princess bending over its paw. A medical box lay open on the grass and the dragon’s leg was swathed in bandages. He skidded to a halt and a horrible feeling began to creep over him. The princess turned slowly, looking very angry.
“You!” she said, pointing her finger at him.

I will return tomorrow with my showing story.

Microfiction Monday 10 Jan

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Welcome to another round of Microfiction Monday courtesy of Susan at Stony River. Each week Susan posts a new picture and invites us to write a story in 140 characters or less.

Today's picture:



I seem to be habitually running late these days, but here is my offering at last!

Emily is arrested by the fashion police (flying squad)

(Is anyone else old enough to remember The Sweeney on UK TV?)

Earth - check. Alien Creature - check. Strange clothing - check. So where's Doctor Who?

(OK I'm targeting the UK audience today!)

"Touch me again, buster," hissed Julie, "and I'll break your finger!"

Calling all writers - take a look at my Blogfest and plaese sign up!! Thanks :D
*hugs* to lovely writers