#Author N.S. Wikarski's #WriteTip for Writing Ye Olde #Historical Fiction

Tips For Writing Ye Olde Historical Fiction

by N.S. Wikarski

“My God, they can't expect to put ‘Ye Olde’ in front of anything they want and get away with it.”

If, like me, you’re a fan of The Big Bang Theory, you’ll immediately recognize Sheldon Cooper’s complaint about the historical inaccuracies of a Renaissance Faire, California-style.

As much as I’d like to distance myself from most of Sheldon’s opinions, I’m forced to agree with him on this point. As a writer, I’ve penned five books that are either historical (Gilded Age Chicago Mysteries) or have a strong historical element (Arkana Archaeology Thrillers). As a critic for Deadly Pleasures, I’ve reviewed my share of historical fiction (some good, some not) so believe me when I say that you can’t just put “Ye Olde” in front of anything and expect to get away with it. Authors of contemporary fiction have to juggle plot, pacing, and character development. Historical fiction writers wish it was that easy.

Timing Isn’t Everything

The first thing to consider as a historical fiction writer isn’t simply when something happened but what the world surrounding that event was like. We all know that Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492 but it’s a good bet that when he first landed in the Bahamas, he didn’t head for the closest Tiki bar to order a boat drink. Objects and places we take for granted in the 21^st century may or may not have existed in the corner of the past an author is exploring. To make that fictional world believable, the times as well as the timing need to be understood.

Clothes Make The Man (Or Woman)

Period costume is something that most historical authors (good and bad) get right. The only difference is that bad writers fail to think about the impact costume can have on conduct. For example, everybody knows Victorian women wore corsets. What most people don’t realize is that a woman who is laced tightly enough to give her an eighteen inch waist can’t bend, stretch, or engage in anything more strenuous than lifting a tea cup. Most of her conscious attention is focused on the struggle to breathe. She’s probably a very uptight, cranky creature for no better reason than that her underwear feels terrible. People who wear whalebone corsets or chain mail armor are going to think and feel very differently from people who wear sweat pants all day long.

The Past Is Another Country

It’s often been said that human nature doesn’t change over time. Perhaps not, but cultural values can shift radically in a heartbeat. The contemporary fiction writer has the luxury of writing about people who are immersed in the same cultural soup as she /he is. Not so a historical fiction author. Cultural values are absorbed much like the air we all breathe--invisibly and with very little conscious effort (unless, of course, you’re wearing a corset). The greatest mistake a historical fiction author can make is to believe that people in ancient times thought and felt exactly as we do today.

To write effective historical fiction you have to immerse yourself without condescension in the values of the past no matter how odd they might seem to a modern sensibility. So if you’re planning to write a historical novel any time soon, be prepared to walk around in your character’s high-button shoes. And if the shoe pinches, write it.

THE ARKANA SERIES: Where Alternative History Meets Archaeology Adventure
Volume Four - Riddle Of The Diamond Dove

"From Kindle Nation fave N. S. Wikarski comes the long-awaited fourth book in her fascinating seven-part Arkana archaeology thriller series -- with more of the wonderful characters, sly humor, intrigue and mayhem that come together to create the absorbing world of her intricate, fast-paced mysteries." (Kindle Nation Daily)

Global Treasure Hunt
Where do you hide an ancient relic that has the power to change the course of history? As Cassie Forsythe and her Arkana team discover, you scatter clues to its whereabouts across the entire planet. Five artifacts buried among the rubble of lost civilizations point to the hiding place of a mythical object known as the Sage Stone. Thus far psychic Cassie, bodyguard Erik, and librarian Griffin have succeeded in recovering two of those artifacts.

Opposing Forces
Cassie and Company find their lives threatened at every turn by agents of a religious cult known as the Blessed Nephilim. The cult's leader, Abraham Metcalf, wants to exploit the power of the Sage Stone to unleash a catastrophic plague on the world. The quest for the next piece of the puzzle has led both sides to Africa. They must comb an entire continent--their only lead a riddle carved onto a mysterious dove sculpture. Even as the Arkana team struggles to decipher the clue, new dangers hover over their colleagues at home.

Other Dangers
Metcalf's child-bride Hannah has taken refuge at the home of the Arkana's leader Faye while mercenary Leroy Hunt creeps ever nearer to her hiding place. His search for the girl brings him dangerously close to the secret location of the Arkana's troves--a collection of pre-patriarchal artifacts which confirm an alternative history of the origins of civilization itself. While Hunt closes in on Hannah, Metcalf's son Daniel dogs the footsteps of the Arkana field team in order to claim the next artifact before they do. Daniel recruits a clever ally along the way who might be more than a match for the opposing side.

Collision Course
When the forces of the Arkana and the Nephilim converge on a ruined city in a forgotten corner of the dark continent, the shocking outcome is beyond even Cassie's powers to foresee. The quest for the Sage Stone will veer in an unexpected direction once both sides solve the Riddle Of The Diamond Dove.

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Genre - Alternative History Fiction

Rating – PG

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The Soul of the World (Legends of Amun Ra #2) by Joshua Silverman @jg_silverman

*   *   *

Kem dives to the ground in desperation, covering his head and neck from the rocks raining down. I didn’t see that coming. I thought I was quiet, he thinks.

The announcement of Cadmus’ elimination booms over the intercom. Well, at least I don’t have to worry about a vengeful brother.

The dust and debris settle from the crumbled wall. Find Kesi. Kem trots towards the end of the path. Before he gets there, he sees a shadow along the wall.

Dio turns the corner and spots him. She’s already throwing blue spheres before he knows what happened.

Kem hits the floor hard, dodging the first two. Dio hurls more at him.

His heart beats like a jackhammer in his chest. He is covered in dirt and sand. Kem swerves left, then right, ducking from a shot aimed at his head. He looks back at Dio, who walks with determination, shooting at him. Will she not let up a little? Got to slow her down.

Buy Here

Genre – Science fiction, Fantasy

Rating – PG-13+

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Website www.legendsofamunra.com; www.joshuagsilverman.com

Meet & Greet with #Author C.D. Verhoff (The Galatia #Series) @CDVerhoff #AmReading

C. D. Verhoff – why do you use initials instead of your given name?

It fits easier on a book cover. Outside of writing, I usually go by Deanna, my middle name.

Why do you write? 

I’m addicted. When a scene comes together, it gives me a high. When I’m forced to stay away from my computer too long, I get jittery until I get my daily fix of wordage. The compulsion sometimes interferes with my other responsibilities—housework, social life, and even my health. Writing is my blue meth, I guess.

Have you always enjoyed writing? 

I’ve always enjoyed writing fiction. The same can’t be said for high school and college research papers—blech.

What motivates you to write? 

I get off on creating new worlds, new people, and tormenting them. Mwah, ha, ha.

What writing are you most proud of?

Glory Alley and the Star Riders. I wrote the skeleton of the book, from beginning to the end in less than three days. Didn’t eat, didn’t sleep, it was as if the story poured into me from some other realm. I haven’t had the same experience with any of my other books.

http://www.amazon.com/Glory-Alley-Star-Riders-Series-ebook/dp/B009P6U6YU

What books did you love growing up? 

As an elementary school student, I liked the Betsy-Tracy books, The Ramona Books, The Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, Here Lies the Body, A Wrinkle in Time and most books by Judy Blume. In  middle school and high school, I was into Piers Anthony, Terry Brooks, Anne McCaffrey, J.D. Salinger and J.R.R. Tolkien.

Who is your favorite author? 

From a purely entertainment standpoint, I’d have to say Dean Koontz. I like the way he portrays ordinary people in heroic ways. With Dean as the guide, when realistic people get thrust into bizarre situations, it’s always a fun trip. He frequently contrasts the worst of the human condition against the best and the latter usually wins out. I like that kind of optimism.

What genre of books do you adore? 

Give me interesting characters, a strong plot, a fast pace, an interesting conflict and I can adore any genre.

What book should everybody read at least once? 

The bible. It contains elements of nearly every genre. There’s romance, lust,  action, murder, war, drama, cautionary tales and tales of redemption, self-help, inspirational (of course), flawed protagonists, the paranormal and supernatural, Christ figures, and of course, Christ Himself.

Are there any books you really don’t enjoy?

I had to read The Grapes of Wrath, by John Steinbeck for high school English class. I started that book a dozen times and couldn’t get past chapter three. I don’t know why.

Another book I didn’t enjoy was Invisible Man, by Ralph Ellison—also a school assignment. I picked it from a list of approved books because I thought it would be about a guy who was literally invisible, but it turned out to be about racial issues. Maybe I’d enjoy it now, but at the time I felt like I had been horribly misled. Over the years, I have found a lot of books I haven’t enjoyed, but I picked on these two because they’re classics of literature.

What do you hope your obituary will say about you? 

I don’t like obituaries that read like job resumes. The people who care about me already know all of that. The kinds of things I want people to remember about me don’t get printed in newspapers. Did I make them laugh? Did I teach them, help them, inspire them, make them feel special? So name, rank and serial number only, please.

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.

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. 

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre - Epic Fantasy

Rating – R

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Blog http://cdverhoff.blogspot.com/

#Author Lorhainne Eckhart Discusses "The Forgotten Child" @leckhart #Romance #Contemporary

Why did you choose to write this particular book?

With all the books I write, the story comes to me, and it’s a need to write the book. This story was important. A man and his little boy with autism, but yet he doesn’t know anything is wrong with is son. His life, he’s just trying to get through the day until he meets Emily and it takes her to show him something this wrong. This is something that happens with autism, and it's not a criticism of parents of special needs children, because they are doing the best they can and sometimes you don’t see what’s right in front of you.

How do you promote this book?

I joined a highly successful group of others that work together to cross promote using the KDP select and the Amazon platform in Free Partay. As well I advertise fiercely, do online book tours, book blasts. I also write two blogs, The Choice of Giving, and Illusions.

Will you write others in this same genre?

Oh absolutely, I love the genre’s I write in which are currently, western romance, romantic suspense, military romance, and I have two young adult stories.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

Don’t most writers do this. In some of my novels it’s about right and wrong, and love overcoming.

How much of the book is realistic?

All of my books are fiction. But with all my books I research my facts, and I write stories that could have been in the news today, that do have an element of realism.

Have you included a lot of your life experiences, even friends, in the plot?

Never. My characters have their own story. I do not take from my life experiences or my friends. An idea for a story comes to me. And it can be a social issue, an idea from something in the news I’ve heard.

How important do you think villains are in a story?

Villains are so important. The characters I write about there is always a bad guy a villain who creates all kinds of problems for my characters. It may be a situation, social issue. But it’s what drives a story.

Can we expect any more books from you in the future?

Absolutely. I have an entire new series Western Romance series outlined and will have the first book of that series, The One, available just before Christmas. As well I will be finishing up the last book of Walk the Right Road Series, and as promised to my fans, the Friessen’s are continuing with a brand new series with Andy and Laura heading off to Montana.

Have you started another book yet?

I am just finishing the first book of a brand new western romance series, (The Wilde Brothers) The One, followed by Friendly Fire in February, and A Matter of Trust in April.

What are your current writing projects now?

In the spring I outlined a brand new western romance series, The Wilde Brothers, with the first three books already outlined. The One is the first book of this series and will be available just before Christmas.

Walk the Right Road Series, is a five book series, and the last book will follow the release of The One.

And the highly successful Outsider Series, featuring all those sexy alpha Friessen men. I have listened to my fans and the flood of emails asking for the series not to end. So a brand new series will start featuring Andy and Laura as they head off to Montana.

Are there any new authors that have sparked your interest and why?

There are so many new authors out there

What contributes to making a writer successful?

If you want to be successful, you have to write. Marketing and promoting your book is a must, because they won’t sell themselves. So you need to really clear with yourself, and disciplined. Set aside writing time each day, and equal amount of promoting.

Do you have any advice for writers?

One of the best pieces of advice I was given, is to keep writing. Don’t spend six months working on your novel, then editing. Stop! You start to learn how to write a really clean first draft, hire yourself a good editor, and set some goals. You need to write every day. I try to have a book out every six weeks. You need to outline your year, your books your series, what you’re gong to write. And just do it.

What do you do to unwind and relax?

I’ve learned to take time for myself. And I have a very busy schedule writing so I make a point of having time for just me. Every day I take time to be outdoors, take a walk down at the ocean, sit with a coffee, and always take time for some meditating each day.

What dreams have been realized as a result of your writing?

I’ve learned that all things are possible. 2012 was an amazing year in publishing for me. My novel, The Forgotten Child landed on the Amazon Kindle Bestseller list and has continued to top the genre lists. And that success helped me realize that I could make a really good income writing.

When you wish to end your career, stop writing, and look back on your life, what thoughts would you like to have?

Honestly, I can’t ever see a time that I wouldn’t not want to write. I love writing and to me it’s not work.

 

How do you tell a man there is something wrong with his child?

This is by far one of the best books I have read. Lorhainne Eckhart proved herself yet again  by pulling you in with a heartfelt story and keeping your attention with the passion that fills   the pages. ~ ROMANCE JUNKIES

A Real Tear Jerker: Omg, I loved this book. I stayed up all night trying to finish it. I cried,  My heart broke, I have an 18 year old with autism. This would make a fabulous movie...  Tammy

Overview:

He wasn't looking to love again. But what he got was a woman who shook his lonely bitter world upside down, and touched him in a way no other woman could.

Emily Nelson, a courageous young mother, ends a loveless, bitter marriage and strikes out on her own. She answers an ad as a cook and live-in caregiver to a three-year-old boy on a local ranch. Ranch owner Brad Friessen hires and moves in Emily and her daughter. But Emily soon discovers something's seriously wrong with the boy, and the reclusive, difficult man who hired her can't see the behavior and how delayed his son is. So Emily researches until she stumbles across what she suspects are the soft signs of autism. Now she must tell him, give him hope, and help him come to terms with this neurological disorder--to take the necessary steps to get his child the help he needs.

As their lives become intertwined, their attraction is unavoidable--a connection sparks between them. But just as they're getting close, Brad's estranged wife, Crystal, returns after abandoning the family two years earlier. Among the shock and confusion is one disturbing question Brad can't shake: How does Crystal know so much of his personal business, the inner working of the ranch, and Emily's relationship with his son?

Crystal must've had a plan, as she somehow gains the upper hand, driving a wedge in the emotional bond forged between Brad, Emily, and the children. The primary focus for care and therapy of three-year-old Trevor is diverted. The lengths to which Crystal will go, the lies, the greed, just to keep what's hers, are nothing short of cold and calculating. Emily's forced out of the house. Brad fights to save his boy, to protect what's his, and struggles over his greatest sacrifice--Emily, and the haunting question: Has he lost her forever?

More Praise for THE FORGOTTEN CHILD...

"Brilliant, there is no other word for it, heart grabbing, heart warming, gut wrenching, well written well researched, wanted to read it over & over again." Amazon Reviewer – Maureen

BLACK RAVEN'S REVIEWS - Ms. Eckhart has crafted a delightful story with engaging  characters, enough drama for a Hallmark movie, and enough unconditional love to last a lifetime.  ~Rated 5 Ravens and a Recommended Read by AJ!~ 

READERS FAVORITE *5 Star Review A real page turner ~ fast moving plot ~ a must read!
Reviewed by Brenda C. For Readers Favorite

I didn't expect I'd fall for the four main characters as hard as I did, but The Forgotten Child is an amazing book, not just for a romance fan like myself, but for single parents who may or  may not have a child with autism. ~ Reviewer ~ Adria

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre – Contemporary Western Romance

Rating – PG

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#Author Caroline Kennedy on Life & Writing (#AmReading #AmWriting)

WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF ACCOMPLISHING SO FAR IN YOUR LIFE?

The obvious answer is that I am most proud of my three children. But as far as professional achievements are concerned, I am proud that my first book, “An Affair of State” became the number one best-seller. I am proud of having worked in Bosnia and Croatia during the war. And I am most proud of something that happened while I was working there. In one of the camps outside Zagreb I found a young Bosnian refugee girl, Merima, who had lost her family after intense bombing of her village and was now completely alone. It became my mission to find her parents. Somehow, after a couple of months intense investigation in Croatia, Bosnia and then the UK, I managed to locate them and her sister in Hertfordshire.  Her father had been medi-vaced to hospital having suffered severe injuries in the bombing incident close to their house in Banja Luka. I visited them at the hospital north of London, showed them a photo of Merima I had taken in the camp and promised them I would bring her to England when I returned from my next visit to Croatia. I knew I shouldn’t have made such a rash promise and regretted it immediately. I knew it was an almost impossible task. Six weeks later I went back to the refugee camp in Croatia and, to my horror, found it had been bulldozed and the refugees moved on to other camps. As I sat down and sobbed through frustration and despair, Merima suddenly appeared out of the rubble. She told me through my interpreter that she had hidden when the Croatian police loaded everyone onto the trucks. We hugged ferociously. I handed her a letter from her parents and a postcard of a London bus from her little sister. I then hid Merima under sleeping bags in the back of my truck and transported her across seven borders and into the UK to reunite her with her family. It was a perilous and terrifying journey. Merima didn’t speak a word of English and was very frightened. I knew we could have been turned around at any of the borders had she been discovered. And, in the UK, I could have faced a lengthy prison term for “kidnapping and smuggling” a minor into the country. But we were extremely fortunate. And, after a harrowing trip of several days I managed to reunite Merima with her family. That was probably the proudest moment of my life.

WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVOURITE QUALITY ABOUT YOURSELF?

My least favourite quality about myself is that I am probably too self-critical. At least that is what my children tell me so I guess it must be true.

WHAT SOCIAL ISSUES INTEREST YOU THE MOST?

I am interested in several current issues - Immigration Reform, Marriage Equality and Gun Control. I worked for the Obama reelection campaign because I firmly believe his views on all three of these very important issues are the right views. Congress and the American people should embrace them.

WHO DO YOU ADMIRE?

I admire Michelle Obama because she has somehow managed to combine being a good, caring mother with the work of being First Lady. She also put her career on hold in order to support her husband which, to some, may not be considered a strength but I believe it must have taken a great deal of thought and self-sacrifice to come to that decision. I think she has been a positive force, both inside the White House and in her work as First Lady.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE IN THE ENTIRE WORLD?

I have travelled around the world and visited or lived in numerous countries. My favourite has to be Newfoundland, which I believe is Canada’s best-kept secret. Apart from the hundreds of whales and millions of seabirds who make it their temporary home and fishing ground every summer, the people are incredibly friendly, you can leave the doors of your house and car unlocked and your children can still play safely in the street. The air is clean, the light is stunning and the landscapes are spectacular. And , best of all, I have found it is a great place to write.

WHAT WOULD YOU LOVE TO PRODUCE IN YOUR LIFE?

I don’t actually have any great ambitions. I have achieved what I wanted to achieve from an early age – a successful book. And, since then, I have not really set myself any other goals except to enjoy my life to the full. And, for me, that means travelling to my favourite places, spending time with friends and family and occasionally directing a play.

HOW MANY FRIENDS DOES A PERSON NEED?

I think the answer to how many friends one needs differs with each individual. Some may need many friends. Others feel content and fulfilled with just a handful. With my wandering lifestyle I fall into the latter category. I have a few extremely good friends who I can depend on and who can depend on me.

WHAT IS YOUR NEXT PROJECT?

My next project is a filmscript of my book. I am finding it quite a daunting project but am being encouraged by my son, who is a producer, and my nephew who is a successful movie star. So, hopefully, between the three of us we can make this happen next year.

DO YOU FIND TIME TO READ?

I used to be an avid reader with an unquenchable thirst for books. I would read everything. Today I am more discerning. I choose my books carefully and often read them two or three times. I love reading. I love being absorbed and carried away by a story, by its characters and by its plot. And I love dissecting books. I wish I had written more books myself for others to enjoy.

WHAT MAKES YOU ANGRY?

Lack of courtesy, compassion, tolerance and consideration make me angry. I was brought up to be respectful, to be considerate and to be courteous. So it upsets me when I see others who don’t follow these rules of civility. Life would be so much more pleasant for everyone if people could only respect, understand, tolerate and consider others. I know this is an old-fashioned view but it the code I live by. It doesn’t cost anything to be nice to be others.

ARE YOU A CITY SLICKER OR A COUNTRY LOVER?
I love the excitement of the city – the galleries, the museums, the cinemas, the theatre, the shops, the crowds – the drama, the vitality. But I also love the solitude, the silence and the beauty of the countryside. I am fortunate that I can split my life so that I can appreciate both. I travel between Costa Rica, Los Angeles, London and Newfoundland. I have, I believe, the best of both worlds.

"How the English Establishment Framed Stephen Ward" is a major expose of a government cover-up that has lasted half a century. It is a powerful story of sexual compulsion, political malice and ultimate betrayal. A number-one bestseller when it came out in 1987 under its original title, "An Affair of State", the book reveals never-before-heard testimony that has been uncovered by the authors in the years since the scandal broke. 

Using startling new evidence, including Ward’s own unpublished memoirs and hundreds of interviews with many who, conscience-stricken, have now spoken out for the first time, this important account rips through a half-century cover-up in order to show exactly why the government, the police forces, the Judiciary and the security forces decided to frame Stephen Ward. 

Stephen Ward is now the subject of an upcoming Andrew Lloyd-Weber musical and this book offers a wider perspective on its complex, central character as well as a broader insight into one of the greatest scandals of the past 100 years. As the authors’ research reveals, Ward’s “trial of the century” was caused by an unprecedented corruption of justice and political malice which resulted in an innocent man becoming a scapegoat for those who could not bear to lose power. 

This is an epic tale of sex, lies, and governmental abuse whose aftermath almost brought down the government and shook the American, British, and Soviet espionage worlds to their core. With its surprising revelations and meticulous research, Ward’s complete story can finally be told.

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre – Politics, Espionage, Scandal

Rating – PG-16

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Book Trailer

The Jonas Trust Deception by A.F.N. Clarke @AFNClarke

The Jonas Trust Deception

by AFN Clarke

AFN CLARKE is the author of 8 books, including the best selling memoir CONTACT, that was serialized in a British newspaper and made into an award winning BBCTV film.  His latest novel, The Jonas Trust Deception, is a Thomas Gunn thriller and follows the success of The Orange Moon Affair.  Readers have called it “classy, complex and cunningly compelling” and a “powerful force in the thriller genre”.  In solving the mystery of an ongoing conspiracy involving his old friend Morgan, Thomas Gunn, ex-Special Forces, takes an action so shocking and bold, that even his team fear he’s lost his mind.  The question is, has he?  To get a taste of things to come, here’s an excerpt from the book.  And for more information visit www.afnclarke.com or the Amazon Kindle store.

There is something so totally desolate about sitting in a prison cell staring at the blank grey walls that, unless you’ve experienced it, you’ll never understand. There is a finality and hopelessness that is almost beyond comprehension. A despair that sucks at your soul. My salvation was that I knew that my stay here was going to be short-lived, but what the future held was one big question mark. I had the distinct feeling somebody had put a ring in my nose and was leading on a mystery tour with more questions than answers.

Left alone with just the usual sounds of dissatisfied inmates, clinking keys and slamming doors for company, I thought back to the frantic last few days.

Confusion would be an apt description of my state of mind.

What facts could I scramble together?

Several dead bodies at Morgan’s ranch.

A small but ruthless Mexican Mafia gangbanger, with the unlikely nickname of ‘El Cobra Poco’, who seemed as if he could be a strange ally.

And the mysterious Robert Sutherland.

What other questions remained?

There were many, starting with who would have wanted to kill Morgan? Everything went back to my request for her to investigate the financial dealings of the Griffin Trust and its Chairman Ted Lieberman.

How was the Mexican Mafia involved if what Sutherland said about Morgan working for him was true?

I could just lie here all night long and create imaginary scenarios, but that wouldn’t supply any answers, so I closed my eyes and concentrated on emptying my mind.

Sleep was what I needed.
It must have been two hours after the jail cell lights went out, that the goons came for me. Dragged me off the bed and frog marched me down the corridor to the back of the jail and down narrow stairs to a basement garage without saying a word. There was a nondescript cream coloured painter’s van waiting with the rear doors open, and I was unceremoniously bundled inside.

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre – Thriller

Rating – PG-13

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Website http://www.afnclarke.com/

#Author David Litwack & #Fantasy Novel "Along The Watchtower"

Tell us about your new book? What’s it about? Can you tell us about your main character?

Along the Watchtower is about a tragic warrior lost in two worlds.
Lieutenant Freddie Williams war in Iraq ended when an IED explosion left his mind and body shattered. Once he was a skilled gamer and expert in virtual warfare. Now he’s a broken warrior, emerging from a medically induced coma to discover he’s inhabiting two separate realities. The first is his waking world of pain, family trials, and remorse—and slow rehabilitation through the tender care of Becky, his physical therapist. The second is a dark fantasy realm of quests, demons, and magic that Freddie enters when he sleeps.
In his dreams he’s Frederick, Prince of Stormwind, who must make sense of his horrific visions in order to save his embattled kingdom from the Horde. His only solace awaits him in the royal gardens, where the gentle words of the gardener, Rebecca, calm the storms in his soul. While in the conscious world, the severely wounded vet faces a strangely similar and equally perilous mission—a journey along a dark road haunted by demons of guilt and memory—and letting patient, loving Becky into his damaged and shuttered heart may be his only way back from Hell.

How did you come up with the title?

It’s from the song written by Bob Dylan and made famous by Jimi Hendrix.

Here’s the final verse:

All along the watchtower, princes kept the view
While all the women came and went, barefoot servants, too.

Outside in the distance a wildcat did growl,
Two riders were approaching, the wind began to howl

I thought the lyrics represented the mood of the book, the sense a wounded veteran might feel returning to the states to find everything in his life has changed.

Tell us why did you wrote it?

I’ve always been fascinated by how we perceive reality. Think of the film Rashomon, the classic exploration of multiple realities, where several witnesses to a crime describe events completely differently, each bringing their own life experience and biases into play. But it’s when we’re ripped from our normal life and placed in extreme circumstances that our reality becomes totally fragmented. Such is the case with hospitals and war.

At the same time, I’d become engrossed in playing the online fantasy game, World of Warcraft, with my son, an avid player. With me on the east coast on him on the west, he suggested we meet weekly in the fantasy world of Azeroth—an invitation I could hardly resist. For several months, we had a Wednesday evening appointment, where our avatars would meet in this virtual world and go on quests together. I was struck by how totally immersed I could get in the game, how quickly time passed and the surreal mood of wandering around in castles and crypts, solving riddles and following quests.

The fantasy gaming experience has a dream-like quality to it. And I began to wonder: how would this experience affect the dreams of someone whose reality has been fragmented by war, PTSD and traumatic brain injury.

These concepts—war, hospitals, and the fantasy world of online gaming—came together in Along the Watchtower.

When you are not writing, how do you like to relax?

Long walks, bicycling, golf, dinner with a few close friends, time with my family, and travel.

Do you have any tips on how writers can relax?

Naps work well. One writer once said she liked to write in the morning after waking and after naps, so she could go from one dream world to another.

How often do you write? And when do you write?

I try to write two sessions a day, two hours each—that’s about as long as I can concentrate without my writing degrading. Morning is best . . . or after a nap.

Do you have an organized process or tips for writing well? Do you have a writing schedule?

I usually conceive of a new book as a series of scenes, daydreaming about them while I finish work on the prior novel. I maintain a file for the new novel and do a rough draft of these scenes—a  very rough draft, what some people call “riff writing” like improvisation in jazz. The file can get pretty chaotic. Every now and then I make a feeble attempt to organize it (when I’m finishing up a novel, I try to avoid distractions and stay focused on getting it out to the publisher). By the time I’m ready to start the new novel, I usually have about 20,000 words of loosely connected prose—20-25% of the eventual word count but probably 80% of the novel’s essence. I take a couple of months to read, edit and organize that file into a dense plot outline. Then I start a new file from scratch, cutting and pasting prose as appropriate.

It’s pretty messy in the early going, but I feel I need that amount of writing to get to know the characters and live in the story.

As far as a schedule, I like to set deadlines to complete a draft. I only make them about half the time, but they still help motivate me.

Sometimes it’s so hard to keep at it - What keeps you going?

Motivating myself to write is easy when the ideas are flowing. Editing takes more persistence, an intense stubbornness to get the words right.

What do you hope people will take away from your writing? How will your words make them feel?

We may or may not write stories about everyday people, but all successful novels write about a time in the protagonist’s life that is most intense—something in the real world we  experience only a few instants in a lifetime. I call these moments the “Rocky moments”, where at the end of the second movie after Rocky finally defeats Apollo Creed, he shouts out: “Next to the birth of my son, this is the greatest moment of my life.” People identify with a character because they want to go along for that ride. By reading a good book, we can experience that intensity far more often—the sense of living life to its fullest—than we ever could in the real world.

Are you a city slicker or a country lover?

I was born and raised in the city but have always loved hiking in the outdoors. So I’d have to say both.

How do you think people perceive writers?

I find about one in four confide to you that they always wanted to write. The rest think you’re a bit odd—after all, the purpose of art is to force people to think differently about themselves. Generally, everyone respects the hard work that went into what you’ve accomplished. People appreciate those who struggle against adversity to follow their dreams. It’s the same reason why readers like the characters in novels.

Can we expect any more books from you in the future?

My third novel, The Daughter of the Sea and the Sky, will be published in May. It’s about a world divided between the Blessed Lands, a place of the spirit, and the Republic, whose people worship at the altar of reason. A mysterious nine-year-old girl from the Blessed Lands sails into the lives of a troubled couple in the Republic and seems to heal everyone she meets. She reveals nothing about herself, other than to say she’s the daughter of the sea and the sky. But she harbors a secret wound she herself cannot heal.

Have you started another book yet?

I’ve begun work on what will be a sequel to There Comes a Prophet. I’ve always wondered what happened to Orah and Nathaniel after their world changing heroics and what became of the contemporaries of the keepmasters who had crossed the ocean. Stay tuned.

What’s the reason for your life? Have you figured out your reason for being here yet?

There’s a quote I’m using at the start of my fourth novel. It’s from the TV Sci-fi series, Babylon 5, spoken by Delenn to the ship commander: ““Then I will tell you a great secret, Captain, perhaps the greatest of all time. The molecules of your body are the same molecules that make up this station, and the nebula outside—that burn inside the stars themselves. We are star stuff. We are the Universe made manifest, trying to figure itself out.”
I don’t know much, but I believe that writers write because they’re star stuff, the universe trying to figure itself out.

How do you feel about self-publishing?

There’s no question that historically, major publishers have produced some bad books and some great books have languished on the slush pile. Today, those forgotten books have a path to publication, whether it’s Indie or self-publishing. But there a problem—now the whole slush pile is being published. I’d hope author’s would police themselves better, take the time to do those extra rewrites and edits. But while the gatekeepers of the old order were imperfect, they still served a purpose. Today we need new gatekeepers, a way to let readers distinguish between the wheat and the chaff. This will likely take years to sort itself out. Book bloggers may be a big part of the solution.

WINNER: Readers' Favorite Book 2013 Bronze Award Winner, Drama Category -Fiction

A Tragic Warrior Lost in Two Worlds...

The war in Iraq ended for Lieutenant Freddie Williams when an IED explosion left his mind and body shattered. Once he was a skilled gamer and expert in virtual warfare. Now he's a broken warrior, emerging from a medically induced coma to discover he's inhabiting two separate realities. The first is his waking world of pain, family trials, and remorse--and slow rehabilitation through the tender care of Becky, his physical therapist. The second is a dark fantasy realm of quests, demons, and magic that Freddie enters when he sleeps.

In his dreams he is Frederick, Prince of Stormwind, who must make sense of his horrific visions in order to save his embattled kingdom from the monstrous Horde. His only solace awaits him in the royal gardens, where the gentle words of the beautiful gardener, Rebecca, calm the storms in his soul. While in the conscious world, the severely wounded vet faces a strangely similar and equally perilous mission--a journey along a dark road haunted by demons of guilt and memory--and letting patient, loving Becky into his damaged and shuttered heart may be his only way back from Hell.

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Genre – Contemporary Fiction, Fantasy

Rating – PG

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Website http://www.davidlitwack.com