@DoraMachado Sheds Some Light on #Fantasy’s “Real” Heroines #AmWriting #AmReading

Have you ever wondered what makes fantasy heroines real?

I do. All the time. Perhaps it’s because I write fantasy. Maybe it’s because I also read a lot of fantasy and I appreciate a heroine who is powerful not because she’s magical but rather because she’s real.

Lusielle, the heroine in my latest novel, The Curse Giver, from Twilight Times Books, turned out to be a remarkably “real” fantasy heroine. In hindsight, I liked her a lot and I wanted to learn more from the character I created. I wondered what made her so compelling.

But first, let me tell you a little bit about Lusielle. In the novel, she’s a powerful healer, on the run, accused of a crime she didn’t commit. She’s about to be burned for her crimes when the Lord of Laonia saves her from the pyre. He’s not her savior. On the contrary, he’s deadly to her. A mysterious curse giver has cast a virulent curse that can’t be defused or defeated. The curse requires the Lord of Laonia to murder Lusielle in order to save his people from destruction. So this is how the story begins, with Lusielle wondering if she should help the bitter lord pledged to kill her and the Lord of Laonia set to kill the only woman who can heal more than his body—his soul.

One of the reasons Lusielle comes across so real in the story is that her passion for her occupation is very tangible. Practicing her craft lends her authority and, perhaps more importantly, many opportunities to grow and learn throughout the story. She takes her trade very seriously and so did I. All of the healing practices and ingredients that Lusielle uses in The Curse Giver are based on authentic medieval practices. Most of her potions’ components come from historical sources. I think that the concrete elements of her practice make her more real to the reader, more credible and therefore more compelling.

Another important aspect to Lusielle’s realism is that she’s not perfect and she knows it. She works hard but things don’t always go her way. She’s made mistakes—a marriage without love that led to years of abuse and slavery, years that, by her own admission, she won’t get back. And yet she’s also resilient, capable of looking forward, able to dream a different life and willing to pursue it even when it entails breaking the rules and loving someone who is ultimately pledged to kill her.

Along those lines, relationships bring a solid sense of reality to Lusielle’s story. Friendship is very important to her, and her often confusing feelings for the Lord of Laonia reflect the full gamut of the human emotions that are so familiar to all of us.

But I think that the elements that make Lusielle most real are her willingness to challenge her fears, her ability to learn from her experiences, and the confidence that she develops as she learns. Courage and learning go hand in hand. Sure, there’s some powerful magic in the story, but ultimately it’s Lusielle’s knowledge, reason and awareness that make all the difference. See, I think heroines who learn, change and adapt throughout a story are not just cool, they’re also real, because all of us have to grow and evolve to better our lives and we thrive only when we learn from our mistakes.

****

Dora Machado is the award-winning author of the epic fantasy Stonewiser series and her newest novel, The Curse Giver, available from Twilight Times Books. She grew up in the Dominican Republic, where she developed a fascination for writing and a taste for Merengue. After a lifetime of straddling such compelling but different worlds, fantasy is a natural fit to her stories. She lives in Florida with her husband and three very opinionated cats.

To learn more about Dora Machado and her novels, visit her website at www.doramachado.com or contact her atDora@doramachado.com.

For a free excerpt of The Curse Giver, visit:  http://twilighttimesbooks.comthingsTheCurseGiver_ch1.html.

E-mail:Dora@doramachado.com

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Lusielle's bleak but orderly life as a remedy mixer is shattered when she is sentenced to die for a crime she didn't commit. She's on the pyre, about to be burned, when a stranger breaks through the crowd and rescues her from the flames. Brennus, Lord of Laonia is the last of his line. He is caught in the grip of a mysterious curse that has murdered his kin, doomed his people and embittered his life. To defeat the curse, he must hunt a birthmark and kill the woman who bears it in the foulest of ways. Lusielle bears such a mark. Stalked by intrigue and confounded by the forbidden passion flaring between them, predator and prey must come together to defeat not only the vile curse, but also the curse giver who has already conjured their demise.

Award-Winning Finalist in the fantasy category of The 2013 USA Best Book Awards, sponsored by USA Book News

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre – Fantasy/Dark Fantasy

Rating – PG-18

More details about the author

Connect with Dora Machado on Facebook & Twitter

Website http://www.doramachado.com/

Promised Land: A Galatia Novel (The Galatia Series) by C. D. Verhoff #Fantasy #SciFi

Promised Land: A Galatia Novel is told from multiple view points. All chapters, except those narrated from Michael Penn’s perspective, are told in third person. Michael is the Official Scribe of Galatia. He’s in charge of penning Galatia’s history. Therefore, when he speaks from personal experience, the story is told in first person. Here is an excerpt:

I waited breathlessly, wondering if we were going to war. My brother through adoption, Mayor Red Wakeland the Second, leader of the displaced citizens of Galatia, sat in the center of a large nylon tent reading a scroll by candlelight. The star-shaped birthmark at the corner of his left eye crinkled as the furrows in his brow deepened in concentration. Surrounded by men wearing tunics, armor, swords and fur—he looked like an anachronism in a checkered flannel shirt and blue jeans.

In my sweat pants and frayed T-shirt, United States flag printed across the chest, I looked out of place too, but my thick yellow beard blended with the times. Razors were scarce here and men now had more important things to worry about than a mug full of whiskers.

“Every king, queen and chief in the West has signed this blasted thing,” Red growled. “They’re warning us not to settle anywhere in the Northlands, Midlands or Southlands, which as I understand it, means basically they’re telling us to go the hell away or we’ll be sorry.”

“Unfortunately, you are correct,” said Prince Loyl of the House of the White Rose. Except for the metal breastplate molded with the image of a rose, he was dressed in an unadorned hunter-green tunic, trousers, and suede boots. A circlet of silver served as his crown.

Having several brothers and sisters ahead of him in line for the throne, Prince Loyl was only a minor prince of the Kingdom of Regala D’Nora. He had become a regular sight in our camp. His inquisitive nature, Regalan good looks—complete with feline ears, retractable claws, and a manly face surrounded by a mane of snow-white fur—combined with an affable personality meant that he was well-received by our people, especially the ladies, but he always behaved like a true gentleman.

Our gadgetry and history fascinated the prince and his Regalan archers. Right now he was struggling to pull himself away from a Mario Brothers game on a laptop. He finally powered it off and gave the discussion his complete attention. Red often leaned on the knowledgeable Regalans for advice about a variety of topics, from politics to combat, or basic survival skills.

“In accordance with the Law of First Rights, the members of the Western Alliance are obligated to remove you from these lands in any way they deem necessary, unless you can prove the Galatians were here before them,” Loyl said. “As you know, my father is a powerful member of the alliance, and though he longs for an allied neighbor to help keep the Slivens at bay, the law aims his archers’ bows in your direction.”

“So I’ve been told,” Red said with a frustrated growl. “The only good news is that they’re giving us a year to vacate.”

“Only so you have more time to build up the city they plan to take away,” Prince Loyl said.

Red rose and ordered everyone to leave the tent, but yanked me back by the collar of my T-shirt. “Not you, Mike.” He motioned for Prince Loyl to sit back down too. “I want to bounce a few thoughts off you two. That way we three can sleep on them instead of just me.”

The rest of the men filed out of the tent into the night, letting in a cool breeze perfumed with the woodsy citrus scent of lavender. We leaned back in our collapsible Ohio State stadium chairs, waiting for the mayor to speak his mind. The sound of the camp—adults snoring, babies crying, and a woman singing Brahms’s Lullaby—drifted into the tent. An owl’s lonely hoot carried from the forest half a mile away. Autumn would soon be upon us: the crickets were already singing their funeral dirge, filling the space between each of their chirps with silence, as if they were meditating their upcoming demise. Or was it ours they sensed?

Short Description:  The last survivors of the human race are riding out nuclear winter in an underground bunker when disaster strikes. Forced to the surface centuries ahead of schedule, what they find blows their minds. Who can explain it? Two social misfits work together to unravel the mystery.

Extended Description:  After living in a posh underground shelter his entire life, Lars Steelsun is plunged headfirst into a mind-blowing adventure on the surface of the Earth. As Lars and his displaced bunker mates are led across the grasslands by Mayor Wakeland, a man of questionable sanity who claims to talk with God, they discover a primitive world where human beings are no longer welcome. Even more mystifying is the emergence of new senses and abilities from within. Learning to use them has become a priority, but his biggest challenge comes from the vivacious Josie Albright. Her lust for glory is going to get them both into trouble. Sparks fly when her gung ho ways clash with his cautious personality. Can they overcome their differences to find love and a homeland for their people?

May not be suitable for younger readers. Contains mild profanity, sexual situations (infrequent), and violence. 

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Genre - Epic Fantasy

Rating – R

More details about the author

Connect with C. D. Verhoff on Facebook & Twitter

Blog http://cdverhoff.blogspot.com/

10 Tips for Better Writing from #Fantasy #Author Josh VanBrakle @joshvanbrakle

Ten Tips for Better Writing from Fantasy Author Josh VanBrakle

Writing is a craft, one you can hone with time and effort. There are lots of suggestions out there for how to improve your writing. As a published author, here are ten I try to remember:

1. Read aloud

When you edit (you do edit, right?), read aloud. It will slow you down and help you spot mistakes. If you stumble over a passage, rewrite it. Odds are your readers will stumble over it too.

2. Write every day

I know how hard it is to find time to write. I work a day job in addition to writing The Dragoon Saga. But if you really want to write, then write something every day. Even if it’s only one page, one paragraph, or one sentence, it’s progress.

3. Research

Study whatever you’re writing about. Study setting, time period, architecture, fashion, and food. The more believable you can make the details, the more they’ll fade into the background and let readers become engrossed in your story.

4. Read about writing

There are some great resources for writers. I recommend William Zinsser’s On Writing Well, Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird, and of course, Strunk and White’s The Elements of Style. Read them and return to them often.

5. Find a mentor

You can read about writing, but to really excel, it helps to have a mentor, an experienced author who can help you identify where you’re weak and give you suggestions on how to improve. Look for local art organizations and libraries that may sponsor writing workshops and plan to attend them.

6. Obsess over details

Everything matters in a book, so this is one time to sweat the small stuff. When you edit, remember that there’s no word that isn’t worth slaving over and getting exactly how you want it.

7. Carry a notepad

Ideas come at the worst times. Mine favor when I’m falling asleep, taking a shower, and driving. If you don’t capture ideas when they come, you’ll forget them by the time you can write them down. Always carry a notepad or some other tool to record your inspirations. Most will be junk, but the few gems you find will vastly improve your writing.

8. Write about your characters

What do your characters like to eat? Where do they hang out? Who are their friends? What do they own? Have a character sheet for each character, and record these details. You probably won’t use this text in a story, but referring to it will help keep you focused on who your characters really are.

9. Read awesome books

Before you can write, you need to read. Whatever genre you want to write in, read great books in it. In fact, read great books in every genre. Whether we like to admit it or not, we learn to write through imitation.

10. Let yourself fail

You will write a lot of junk before you write anything that someone wants to pay money for. Be willing to experiment and fall on your face. Ditch your pride. We learn a lot more from failure than we do from success.

From fantasy author Josh VanBrakle comes an epic new trilogy of friendship, betrayal, and explosive magic. Lefthanded teenager Iren Saitosan must uncover a forgotten history, confront monsters inspired by Japanese mythology, and master a serpentine dragon imprisoned inside a katana to stop a revenge one thousand years in the making.

Lodian culture declares lefthanded people dangerous and devil-spawned, and for Iren, the kingdom's only known Left, that's meant a life of social isolation. To pass the time and get a little attention, he plays pranks on the residents of Haldessa Castle. It's harmless fun, until one of his stunts nearly kills Lodia's charismatic heir to the throne. Now to avoid execution for his crime, Iren must join a covert team and assassinate a bandit lord. It's a suicide mission, and Iren's chances aren't helped when he learns that his new katana contains a dragon's spirit, one with a magic so powerful it can sink continents and transform Iren into a raging beast.

Adding to his problems, someone on Iren's team is plotting treason. When a former ally launches a brutal plan to avenge the Lefts, Iren finds himself trapped between competing loyalties. He needs to figure out who - and how - to trust, and the fates of two nations depend on his choice.

"A fast-paced adventure...led by a compelling cast of characters. Josh VanBrakle keeps the mysteries going." - ForeWord Reviews

Buy @ Amazon & Smashwords

Genre – YA epic fantasy

Rating – PG-13

More details about the author

Connect with Josh VanBrakle on Twitter

Website www.joshvanbrakle.com

The Curse Giver by Dora Machado @DoraMachado

Chapter Five

THE NEXT FEW DAYS WERE LOST to Lusielle. Her life was a jumbled sequence of snippets, blurry images breaking up long periods of dense darkness, triggered by a sudden jostle or a twinge of pain, cold, heat or thirst. She spotted glimpses of a gray sky, spitting out rain, and campfires burning deep in the woods. There was more rain, and a face—his face—hovering just beyond reach.

Occasionally, sound trickled into her muffled world from a distant place. The wind rustled through the trees. The horses’ hooves pounded on dirt, gravel, and mud. Men spoke, snorted, muttered and snored. A low, measured voice—his voice—echoed very near, urging her to drink, eat or sleep, accompanied by the pervasive masculine scent that was her constant companion.

There were times when she came to just enough to realize that she existed in the world in-between, where gods and mortals met in dreams, where dreams and reality were one and the same. In those moments, she realized that she survived only because of someone else’s will, that if she wanted a future, she had to wake up and seize it. She kept trying, even though it required great effort, like swimming against a colossal tide.

“This way,” the voice said.

She felt listless as a corpse, but she grabbed on to that voice and followed it to a semblance of consciousness. Fighting her heavy eyelids, she managed to glimpse the man’s stern face, outlined against a background of pewter clouds.

Brennus.

She rode with him on his horse, wrapped in an oiled mantle, mostly protected from the rain. His strong arms kept her from slipping off the massive beast. His armored chest offered a hard but steady pillow. The beat of his heart echoed through the copper plates, strong, vibrant, and enthralling.

He must have realized that she was awake, because his stare swooped down on her like a hawk on the prowl, even though his voice was gentle. “Hush,” he said. “We won’t be too much longer on the road today.”

His eyes were lined with worry and exhaustion. So were the faces of the other men who rode with him. All of them were wet, tired and miserable, picking their way up a steep mountain track as the relentless rain continued to pelt them. That same rain was dripping from Brennus’s face, drenching his hair and trickling down his neck.

“The rain,” she whispered. “It’s making you wet.” She reached out to dry the water from his face, but the wound on her back protested with a pang of pain.

He caught her hand and tucked it back into the blanket. “It’s no use,” he said. “You can’t keep me dry.”

“One can try,” she said.

And he actually smiled.

“Where are we?” she asked.

“South of nowhere and north of wherever,” he said. “Far from the usual routes. We’re seven days out.”

Seven days was an awful long time to be senseless among strangers.

“Don’t worry,” he said. “Riva’s not going to find us.”

She winced when the horse missed a step.

“Hato!” Brennus called.

Why was he barking like that?

There was splashing, the sound of hooves clattering and then, “My lord?”

“We’ve got to stop. The fever’s back and she’s hurting again.”

“No place to stop around here, my lord,” the other man said.

“Send Severo and Cirillo ahead,” he said. “Tell them to find a decent camp and get a fire going. She’s got to rest.”

“My lord,” he said, “we have pressing business. We can’t slow down to accommodate her comfort—”

“Do you want her alive or not?”

The other man sighed. “As you wish, my lord.” He rode away.

She tried to tell him that she was fine, but ended up whimpering instead.

“Shush,” he whispered in her ear. “You need to sleep.”

And by the Thousand Gods, off she went, at his command, into the darkness again, following his heart’s steady rhythm as it sang a lullaby to her heart.

Award-Winning Finalist in the fantasy category of The 2013 USA Best Book Awards, sponsored by USA Book News

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre – Fantasy/Dark Fantasy

Rating – PG-18

More details about the author and the book

Connect with Dora Machado on Facebook & Twitter

Website http://www.doramachado.com/

Author Interview - Dora Machado @DoraMachado

How has your upbringing influenced your writing?

I grew up in the Dominican Republic, a very different and yet incredibly defining experience for a writer. The island shaped my writing in so many different ways. It gave me inspiration. It taught me plot, characterization and point of view on the go. It trained my senses in the keen art of appreciating the details. Scents, colors, textures and flavors pack a huge punch beneath the tropical sun. Conflict meets drama when you live in a society where extreme poverty collides every day with extreme wealth and justice is a no-go. The D.R. was an incredible setting, and growing up on the island was a fantastic experience in itself. No wonder I write fantasy!

How did you come up with the title of your book?

My villain gave The Curse Giver its title. She is an intriguing, mysterious curse giver, a creature who makes her living from casting curses. For her, good is evil and evil is the only way to go.

As the book begins, she has cast a fatal curse on the line of Uras, and only Bren, the last Lord of Laonia remains alive. But like his father and his brothers before him, he is also about to die. His only hope is to find a birthmark and kill the woman who bears it in the foulest way. But when Bren finds the woman, the condemned healer he rescues from the pyre is not what he expects. Together, prey and predator must ally to defeat the powerful curse giver who has already conjured their ends.

How and when did you take the plunge to become a writer?

I think I’ve always been a writer in my mind, but I also have a very practical streak. The idea of being a starving artist was terrifying to me, especially because I married young and had little ones right away. So I decided I was going to do it backwards. I was going to raise my family first and then, once my family’s needs were met, I would devote my time to writing. And I did.

What do you find most rewarding about being an author?

The amazing readers who come along in my adventures.

What made you decide to write fantasy?

I’ve always been intrigued by the fantasy genre. I love the genre’s creative freedom, the opportunity to rethink, redesign and reinterpret the human experience, the creative challenges that arise from world building, and the mysteries that magic brings to the human equation. I grew up in the Dominican Republic and my life always felt kind of magical in many ways. I’ve always straddled different worlds. Fantasy is a perfect fit for me.

Do you choose a title first, or write the book, then choose the title?

I usually discover the title of my novels at the very moment when I write it for the first time into the story. It can happen early on, during the opening paragraph or late in the process. It’s really neat. It’s always a “wow” moment.

Are you consciously aware of the plot before you begin a novel, or do you discover it as you write?

I typically know the beginning and the end of my novels before I start writing. I also have a pretty good idea of the plot and the big issues I want to tackle. But my plots are always twisting and I discover a lot about my characters and the storyline as I go along. The best plot twists are those that surprise not just the reader, but the author as well.

Early bird, or a night owl?

I’m a creature of the night, a night owl for sure. It’s peaceful at night. It’s quiet and there are no interruptions. At night, I’m free to dream, even if I’m fully awake.

Did you credit any person or organization with helping you get published?

I credit my family for encouraging me to pursue the path to publication, especially my husband, who encouraged me when I was reluctant.

Are you familiar with the social networks and do you actively participate?

Of course! I like FB and Twitter. I’m very active on these, even though, occasionally, I’ve been known to neglect a post or two in favor of writing. I do love the opportunity to interact with readers, writers and friends. I also like Goodreads and Amazon authors. I have considered becoming active in other social media networks, but to be honest, I barely have the time to keep up with what’s on my plate right now, let alone tackle more.

What are your current projects?

I’m really excited about my newest fantasy novel, The Curse Giver from Twilight Times Books, which just came out in print this October. The Curse Giver is about an innocent healer, Lusielle, who is betrayed and condemned to die for a crime she didn’t commit. When she’s about to be executed, Lusielle is rescued from the pyre by an angry, embittered lord doomed by a mysterious curse. You might think that Bren, Lord of Laonia, is Lusielle’s savior, but no, he isn’t. On the contrary, Bren is pledged to kill Lusielle himself, because her murder is his people’s only salvation.

What ensues is a dangerous journey, where Lusielle and Bren have to escape their ruthless enemies and unravel the mystery of the terrible curse that ails the Lord of Laonia. They also have to overcome the distrust they have for each other, struggle with the forbidden attraction between them, and defy the boundaries between love and hate and good and evil to defeat the curse giver who has already conjured their ends.

I’m really proud of The Curse Giver. It’s gotten some wonderful reviews, which you can check out at http://www.doramachado.com/cursegiver.php.

I’m also excited because all of the books of the Stonewiser series are coming out in audiobook this year. In fact, the first book of the trilogy, Stonewiser: The Heart of the Stone, is already out. I have to tell you, listening to the story was one of the most powerful and joyful experiences I have ever had as an author.

The narrator, Melissa Reizian, is an incredibly talented voice actress. She did an amazing job, applying a broad spectrum of accents and sounds, enriching and enlivening the story. Even if you have already read Stonewiser: The Heart of the Stone, I encourage you to listen to the audiobook. And if you’re an audiobook lover, this is one you have to hear. You can listen to a chapter sample at: http://www.audible.com/pd/Sci-Fi-Fantasy/Stonewiser-Audiobook/B00F52CJIY/ref=sr_1_1?qid=1379186069&sr=1-1

It’s good old-fashioned storytelling at its very best!

There is a lot more going on at www.doramachado.com, including my blog, newsletter and a giveaway that your readers might enjoy.

What’s the best writing advice you’ve ever received that you’d like to pass to other authors?

Write like the wind, write often, diligently and continuously, write for yourself and my favorite, write all the way to The End.

What can readers expect from you in the future?

Lots of stories, fantasy adventures with lots of twists, conflict, meaningful relationships and lots of romance. I have several different projects going, including The Misery Glutton, a romantic fantasy with a Latin twist that has been really fun to write and The Soul Chaser, a companion novel to The Curse Giver. I’m also thrilled because the Stonewiser series is coming out in audiobook. In fact, the first book of the Stonewiser series, Stonewiser: The Heart of the Stone, is now available as an audiobook at http://www.audible.com/pd/Sci-Fi-Fantasy/Stonewiser-udiobook/B00F52CJIY/ref=sr_1_1?qid=1379186069&sr=1-1. Take a listen at the sample chapters, available for free. If you enjoy a complex, beautifully narrated story, then this one’s for you.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

Thank you for having me here today, and special thanks to your readers. If you enjoy a fast-paced, epic adventure with lots of conflict, plot-twists and a torrid, forbidden romance, The Curse Giver is for you.

Lusielle’s bleak but orderly life as a remedy mixer is shattered when she is sentenced to die for a crime she didn’t commit. She’s on the pyre, about to be burned, when a stranger breaks through the crowd and rescues her from the flames. Brennus, Lord of Laonia is the last of his line. He is caught in the grip of a mysterious curse that has murdered his kin, doomed his people and embittered his life. To defeat the curse, he must hunt a birthmark and kill the woman who bears it in the foulest of ways. Lusielle bears such a mark. Stalked by intrigue and confounded by the forbidden passion flaring between them, predator and prey must come together to defeat not only the vile curse, but also the curse giver who has already conjured their demise.

Award-Winning Finalist in the fantasy category of The 2013 USA Best Book Awards, sponsored by USA Book News

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre – Fantasy/Dark Fantasy

Rating – PG-18

More details about the author

Connect with Dora Machado on Facebook & Twitter

Website http://www.doramachado.com/