Back to Apocalypse Gene...

Have any of you ever wondered what the world would be like if social networking became your life? Apocalypse Gene is such an interesting mixture of fantasy, paranormal, and sci-fi. It has so far managed to mix paranormal mind abilities with angelic and demonic powers, and now the virtual world run amok has been thrown into the mix. It would be hard to find such an eclectic composition anywhere else. Check it out!

Interview with Jenni James - Author of Pride and Popularity

Jenni was so kind to answer a few questions about herself, writing, and her books. Read on to find out more!

 1.  How did you decide which parts of Pride and Prejudice to follow, and which to change?  

It all came so organically to me, the characters sort of popped up and and presented themselves, which became really easy to bend them a bit to fit a new more modern adaptation.  I also had to leave room for them to grow, since you will be seeing many of these characters again, playing different parts, in some other of The Jane Austen Diaries. 

·         2. Did any of the funny situations in the book come from personal experience?

Oh, yeah.  A lot.  I have a lot of material to use and bend at my will.  My own life has been full of many, many zany and fun experiences.  It's definitely unique!  Which makes writing all the more real and fun. :)

·        3.  Did you start the Jane Austen Diaries with a rewrite of Pride and Prejudice because it’s her most well-known work, or for another reason?

Honestly, I had no idea I was rewriting Pride and Prejudice until about 4 chapters in and still no title for the book.  I called my mom from England (we were stationed with the Air Force there) begging for help with a title.  After a few minutes of chatting and explaining the book in detail, I said, "You know what this book is like?  It's like Pride and Prejudice."  We're both HUGE Jane Austen fans so she said without missing a beat, "Well then, call it Pride & Popularity."  After a few more chapters in, I realized I had the characters for the other books already beginning and the rest you can say, is history. 

·        4.  What was your favorite moment from the book?

Eeeh!  Okay.  So my most favorite scene is Morp. I love it so much!  I think it's fun and perfect and wonderful when her friend saves her. :) 

·         5. How do you find time to write?

Lol!  With as many kids as I've got, if I don't take time to write, I find myself going insane.  To me, writing is my release, my way of contributing to the world in some small way without feeling shutout and drowning in motherhood.  lol! 

·        6.  What is your writing process like? Any quirks, special rituals?

Well, I usually write at night, while the kids are in bed.  I edit during the day, since it's much easier to walk away and help children when you're editing.  But with 10 kids around me during the day, I find I shut everyone out as I write--it's much safer for us all if I write at night. Lol! I also clear my head and say a prayer before beginning.  If I'm writing a sad scene, or something intense, I find I do much better getting back in the mood, if i've got a mood building song on repeat really low in the background.  If I'm writing comedy, I have to have complete silence.  

·        7.  Can you tell us a little about Northanger Alibi?

Northanger Alibi is by far my funniest book.  I love love love it.  And in the same tradition of Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey, I've placed Claire in the middle of what she imagines to be her favorite novel, Twilight.  Since Northanger Abbey is all about a girl who reads way too many Gothic novels and finally gets to go out into the world believing all she's read is true... I had to base Northanger Alibi off of a modern Gothic novel that every girl knows, and wishes would come true.  But the best part is, in the end Claire learns that real life is better than anything she'd ever read in a book.  

·        8.  What authors, books, or movies have influenced you? 

I love good clean teen movies, they're always so much fun and now my daughter is a teenager I can sneak in some more guilty pleasure by watching them with her!  Lol!  My favorite modern author is Judith A. Lansdowne, she is not only an amazing friend, but a tremendous writer as well.  When I began writing I vowed to make sure my guys were as in depth and as sweet as her heroes.  You really just fall in love with any of her characters, and I hope that's what happens with my books as well. 

New Book!

This week is going to be busy for me personally and the blog. I'm heading back to school tomorrow but I'm going to do my best to keep the reviews and interviews coming! So up next is Suki Michelle and Carlyle Clark's Apocalypse Gene. Read on to find out more!

Apocalypse Gene

Global pandemic is raging. Olivya Wright-Ono's once loving home has been converted to a hospice for the dying.  Her ability to see auras forces her to witness, with agonizing detail, the vibrant colors of life consumed by malignancy.  The beautiful and troubled, Mikah, is an elite Empath in the ancient Kindred clan, led by the brooding, ever-morphing, monster named Prime. Mikah has learned a terrible truth . . . the plague is linked to Kindred origins.  When Olivya sees evidence of disease creeping into her mother's aura, she has no one to turn to but Mikah. Can he unearth the Kindred secrets and find a cure?  Can she trust this boy whose power allows him to  manipulate her very emotions? With her mother's life, and that of the world, in the balance, Olivya and Mikah embark on a quest to stop the Pandemic, only to discover it is far, far more than a mere disease . . .

" ...a wildly imaginative young-adult apocalyptic thriller that also utilizes elements of science fiction, fantasy, folklore, mythology and romance...the well-choreographed, thematically powerful conclusion, coupled with the deeply developed characters of Olivya and Mikah, make this a memorable read.” --Kirkus Critics' Pick

 

"With its snappy, razor-sharp dialogue and wildly vivid imagery, the book, while geared toward young adults, has plenty for adults to enjoy as well." --Foreword

 

""The Apocalypse Gene" is a thoughtful read with plenty to consider, highly recommended." --Midwest Book Review

 

http://www.amazon.com/The-Apocalypse-Gene-ebook/dp/B005WZZS82/ref%3dsr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1319052254&sr=1-2

 

http://www.forewordreviews.com/reviews/the-apocalypse-gene/

 

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/105427

 

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-apocalypse-gene-suki-michelle/1105811186?ean=2940013286634&itm=1&usri=the+apocalypse+gene++nook

 

http://www.facebook.com/#!/TheApocalypseGene

So everybody go out and get your copy and read long with me. I'll also be posting an interview with Suki and Carlyle, as well as backtracking for a minute tomorrow to post the interview Jenni James, author of Pride and Popularity which was reviewed on the blog a few weeks ago. 

Happy reading!

Review of Eolyn

High fantasy isn’t everybody’s cup of tea, but Eolyn is a different story. What turns a lot of people off of fantasy is complex magic systems, outlandish characters, epic journeys that last forever, and long drawn out backstories. While Eolyn captures the basic elements of fantasy very well, she dodged the bits that make people shy away.

Eolyn is the journey of a young woman whose life has been torn apart by war. Running from further cruelty, Eolyn is set upon a path that changes the path of not only her destiny, but that of an entire kingdom. While trying to unravel her destiny Eolyn discovers more than she ever imagined. Magic, friendship, betrayal, death, and love are her companions on her journey.

One of my favorite aspects of the first part of the book is watching Eolyn grow up. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I don’t usually like this approach because of the choppy, rushed feel the “growing up” chapters usually exhibit. This was not the case in Eolyn. Karin did a wonderful job of starting off the book from a young girl’s point of view. The innocence of Eolyn was expressed in her unfailing belief in the around her. This was made even better by the hints Karin gave through other characters eyes that maybe the people ein Eolyn’s life were not as pure as she believed. It was a fabulous tactic that lead into the later chapters were Eolyn is forced to confront lies and deceptions.

As Eolyn grows there was a subtle progression of her character from naïve child to a more understanding young woman. The change is not complete, of course, or Eolyn would see future conflicts too easily, but it is realistic.

Woven throughout the story is the love story of Eolyn and Akmael. While the story in general was beautifully written, the innocence of secret childhood friends turned into lovers on opposite sides of a war enhances every aspect of the story. In the beginning their relationship is sweet tempered by lies. As it grows it turns more passionate, but held off by circumstance and fear. In the end…well I don’t want to spoil too much, but trust me, it is a beautiful and heart wrenching love story from the first day.

In the background of love, lies, and battle are the descriptions of the world in which Eolyn lives. Vivid descriptions have long been a tradition in high fantasy, but Karin managed to resist the four and five page cataloging of every single detail some authors get trapped by, and keeps her painting of the surroundings simple yet captivating. In her interview Karin mentioned wanting to give people who have never had the chance to experience the forest a chance to do so in Eolyn, and she was successful. The descriptions of the South Woods and the journey to the King’s City are difficult not to get sucked into. You’ll find yourself reading a little slower just to take it all in.

Overall, I really loved joining Eolyn on her journey. My only critique-and this is really just a personal preference-is that I thought the book could have ended a little sooner. I say this not because I didn’t find the final few chapters fascinating and beautiful (especially the last scene) but because the battle and excursion to the underworld were so breathtaking and climactic that the final chapters felt slow in comparison. Having read the first few chapter of book to I thought it might have been interesting to have seen the book end after the battle and insert the final chapters of book one into book two. Like I said, this was by no means a flaw in the book, just my thoughts. For those of you who have read my work, you know I like things to end on a dramatic note! 

Eolyn was a beautiful story, one I highly recommend. 

Would I recommend Eolyn? Absolutely.

Who would I recommend this book to? Anyone who loved fantasy, people who have never read fantasy in their lives (this will make you want to read more), anyone who loves the forest or mountains, okay...pretty much anyone!

So, go get your copy of Eolyn and get ready to be swept up in a journey you won’t soon forget.

Get your copy in Kindle or Paperback, or follow what's going on in Eolyn and Karin's worlds. 

Finished Eolyn!

So, I stayed up until 1 am reading Eolyn last night, and I'm done! Getting sick and having to go fight with the college because things got screwed up again slowed down my reading time, but Eolyn was definitely worth staying up. I really enjoyed the read. I'll have the review up later today, so don't forget to come back and check it out!

Author Interview with Karin Rita Gastreich

Karin was so kind to answer a few questions for me to help us learn a little more about Eolyn and about Karin as an author. Thank you, Karin! So read on to hear what she had to say about her book, her writing, and what she's working on next. Enjoy!

1) What was your inspiration for Eolyn? 

 

This question comes up a lot, and I always seem to have a somewhat different answer.  I guess that’s because there have been many things over the years that inspired Eolyn – books I’ve read, experiences I’ve had, places I’ve been, people I’ve known. 

I’d say at the core of it all was a deep-felt desire to write an epic fantasy in which a woman played an essential role, and made important achievements, without necessarily altering the ‘rules’ of medieval society; that is, while maintaining a basic patriarchal structure similar to the one with which real women have struggled throughout our history.  Eolyn challenges the prejudices and prohibitions of her time in order to define herself as a woman and a Maga; but she does so without donning armor or wielding a sword.  Her weapons are her mind, heart, and magic, as well as her unflinching conviction that the world can be imagined and constructed in a different way.

I also wanted to write a story that would bring the forest to life; make it a real and vivid experience, especially for readers who have not had the opportunity to experience ancient woodlands.  The South Woods is not only Eolyn’s home, it is the ultimate source of her power, and she cherishes it greatly. 

 

2) Did you read a lot of fantasy growing up, or is fantasy a more recent find? 

 

I read some fantasy growing up.  I was brought up on Grimm’s Fairy Tales. Also, T.H. White’s The Once and Future King is a good example of a story that has stayed with me since my youth.  I was also into historical romance as a teenager, and while I no longer remember any of those titles, I’d be willing to bet they influenced my approach to writing Eolyn. 

But I have always read books from a broad set of genres, two of my current favorites being history and historical fiction. I’ve also read a lot of natural history and Latin American literature, which I very much enjoy. 

In truth, I was not very well versed in fantasy fiction when I started writing Eolyn.  I had read and enjoyed some of the classics in speculative fiction, such as J.R.R. Tolkien and Frank Herbert.  My lack of familiarity with the genre was one source of uncertainty when I started to consider publishing Eolyn.  I wasn’t entirely sure if I had anything new to offer. So I was very proactive about getting feedback from other writers who were more knowledgeable about fantasy fiction than I.  These same authors have since introduced me to a host of writers whose work I very much admire, such as George R.R. Martin and Patricia McKillip.

3) How did you decide what the rules of your magic system and world would be? 

 

In general, I don’t like to speak of magic in terms of ‘rules’, since in my mind, the whole point of magic is to break the rules.  Nonetheless, I had several things in mind when I started laying down the foundations for magic in Eolyn’s world. 

For example, I wanted Eolyn’s magic to be grounded in the landscape of Moisehén: forests, mountains, plains and valleys, fertile earth and all the creatures that inhabit them.  I knew from the beginning that a prerequisite to mastering magic would be an intimate knowledge of the natural world, and that such knowledge would require years of study and apprenticeship.   

The integrity of magic in Eolyn’s world also depends, in the long run, on a balance between male and female powers.  There are very few characters in the novel who understand this explicitly, and in fact that balance is all but obliterated just before Eolyn’s journey begins.  But Eolyn and Akmael share an instinctive drive toward recovering the full tradition of magic in Moisehén, and both struggle to achieve this balance under ever more difficult circumstances.

Once I had these two overarching ideas in mind, everything else was just filling in the blanks.  While there are perceived constraints on magic in Eolyn’s world – certain things Magas and Mages can and cannot do – I also leave some room for magic to break its own rules once in a while; to act in ways that are surprising, unexpected or inexplicable, even for the practitioner. 

4) Your world, story, and characters are very complex and rich. How long did it take you to work out all the details of your story line? 

 

Oh, thank you!  I love the characters in Eolyn.  It’s been so much fun working with them, and several of them have stayed with me for book two.

Orson Scott Card, in How to Write Fantasy and Science Fiction, claims that it takes about twenty years to gestate a full novel.  My experience with Eolyn seems to corroborate that.  Long before I sat down to write, certain scenes began to come together in my head.  Some of the most fundamental elements of the story – Eolyn’s tragic childhood loss, the prejudices she would face, the nature of the relationship she would develop with Akmael – were with me as early as my college years. 

So, I had a lot in my head by the time I first put pen to paper on this novel in 2006.  From that point forward, it took about four years to finish the manuscript.

Now, before all the young aspiring authors out there get discouraged about that 20-year rule of thumb bit, the good news is that most of us who write are gestating several novels at once.  Also, many of us start gestating at a very young age.  But it takes a long time to craft a novel, so you have to be prepared to enjoy the journey, and to give it the time it deserves.

5)  How is the sequel to Eolyn progressing? Can you tell us a little about High Maga? 

 

This second novel has been a whole new challenge for me, and it’s coming along very well. High Maga is a darker tale than Eolyn, more entrenched in the terrible realities of war.  It also involves a more malevolent kind of magic. 

The story picks up a few years after the end of the first book.  Eolyn has matured, and is assuming greater responsibilities, including students and followers of her own, but she also faces much more formidable dangers.  The novel features some ruthless villains, and many characters are forced into extraordinarily difficult situations.  The writing of High Maga has pushed my limits as an author; but I’ve found that the most challenging aspects of this novel have also been the most fulfilling.   

I plan to finish High Maga in 2012, and it is scheduled for release in 2013. 

6) What books are you reading right now? 

 

I’m reading Michael Pollan’s The Botany of Desire, a nonfiction book which describes the history of the relationship between plants and humans, and especially how plants with certain traits have been particularly successful at “training” us (in the evolutionary sense) to take good care of them. 

I’m also beta-reading two manuscripts in fantasy fiction, one by Eliabeth Hawthorne, the other by David Hunter.

7) What is your writing process like? Any interesting rituals or techniques?

 

Interesting rituals?  Hmmm…  Well, sometimes I light a green candle because a friend told me years ago that green candles invoke fertility and creativity.  I don’t know if the candle works, but it makes my office smell like a Christmas tree, which is nice. 

I set goals for myself, and try to schedule at least one time during the week when I can have a few hours of peace and quiet to focus on the story.  But even when I’m not writing, I’m often thinking about the characters, motivations and events of the novel.

It’s also really important for me to have ‘empty’ time; periods when I simply do not write or even think about the novel.  So while I set word count goals and so forth, I try to avoid obsessing over them.  Having a life outside of writing, I think, is somehow important to having a writing life.

One thing that is really integral to my writing process is interacting with other authors.  I’ve met some very talented people during the journey of writing Eolyn, and their feedback, ideas and support continue to be important as I work on High Maga. 

8) Who is your favorite author? 

It’s so hard to pick just one.  I guess I’ll say Gioconda Belli, mostly because of her memoir The Country Underneath My Skin, which chronicles her involvement with the Sandinista Revolution in Nicaragua during the 1970s and 80s.  It’s a remarkable story, and beautifully written.  One of those books that I think everyone should read.

Thank you again, Rita, for taking the time to answer these questions and letting us get to know you and your work a little better. 

Growing up with Eolyn

Normally I'm not a big fan of starting your character off as a child and working to adulthood in a small portion of the book because it often comes off choppy and rushed. Fits does a great job of not rushing through Eolyn's childhood, but she does a fabulous job of capturing the innocence of a child and progressively developing Eolyn into a mature young woman. N