by Jason Joyner | Feb 21, 2012 | Blog, CSFF, Ross Lawhead, speculative fiction, The Realms Thereunder
I introduced the book yesterday, and mentioned the author may have a familiar name to speculative fiction fans. Ross Lawhead is the son of Stephen Lawhead.
I wondered in approaching this tour whether having a famous name and a legacy would be a help or a hinderance to an author. I suspect it is a little of both. I came to Ross’s book expecting some mythical elements (this is the first in the Ancient Earths trilogy, so I was justified), but I tried to come to the book without expectations of it being a Mini-Me experience.
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| I tried to resist… |
Ross has his own body of work already. He has collaborated with his dad on another book as well as
Hero, a comic book adaptation of a modern day retelling of the gospel. As you can tell by his attire in the above picture, he enjoys his comics.
Nothing wrong with that on this blog!So what does this speak for The Realms Thereunder? Well, I’m not sure. Still working on finishing the book!
I know, that’s so rare for me to be racing to finish in time for the tour…
In the meantime, Becky Miller always keeps tabs on all the other posts for the tour, so
check her link out here. I will endeavor to bring you a review tomorrow.
I’d better get moving. Pages, I mean.
Ahem.
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by Jason Joyner | Feb 20, 2012 | CSFF, Ross Lawhead, speculative fiction, The Realms Thereunder
Welcome back to the CSFF Blog Tour, the premiere blog resource for Christian science fiction and fantasy. I’ve missed delving into the mysterious and speculative side of faith-based fiction, so I am excited to have the Tour back.
We’re featuring a new book with a name that may seem familiar…
In the isles of Britain there are connections to an underground, unseen world, protected by knights who slumber. No one knows about this long-forgotten realm.
Except for Freya Reynolds and Daniel Tully.
As youth they stumbled into an adventure that shaped and scarred them. As adults they have gone their separate ways, with Freya studying at Oxford and battling OCD, while Daniel is homeless and waging a war against a foe that he hoped never to see again.
They had hoped the forces from their first journey were behind them. Now they are awakening and finding strength enough to cross into our world. Now Freya and Daniel will have to find a way to re-engage and confront worlds they left behind. Places that are The Realms Thereunder.
This is the first in the Ancient Earth Trilogy by Ross Lawhead. I’ll talk more about the author tomorrow.
But don’t go anywhere! Well, if you’re going to go, check out one of my tourmates below. They’ll tell you more, I’m sure.
Note: In conjunction with the CSFF Blog Tour, I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
Gillian Adams
Red Bissell
Keanan Brand
Beckie Burnham
Melissa Carswell
Jeff Chapman
CSFF Blog Tour
Theresa Dunlap
Emmalyn Edwards
April Erwin
Victor Gentile
Tori Greene
Nikole Hahn
Ryan Heart
Bruce Hennigan
Timothy Hicks
Christopher Hopper
Carol Keen
Krystine Kercher
Rebekah Loper
Marzabeth
Shannon McDermott
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Mirriam Neal
Eve Nielsen
Nissa
John W. Otte
Donita K. Paul
Joan Nienhuis
Crista Richey
Sarah Sawyer
Chawna Schroeder
Kathleen Smith
Donna Swanson
Rachel Starr Thomson
Steve Trower
Fred Warren
Dona Watson
Shane Werlinger
Nicole White
Rachel Wyant
—
by Jason Joyner | Feb 20, 2012 | Blog, CSFF, Ross Lawhead, speculative fiction, The Realms Thereunder
Welcome back to the CSFF Blog Tour, the premiere blog resource for Christian science fiction and fantasy. I’ve missed delving into the mysterious and speculative side of faith-based fiction, so I am excited to have the Tour back.
We’re featuring a new book with a name that may seem familiar…
In the isles of Britain there are connections to an underground, unseen world, protected by knights who slumber. No one knows about this long-forgotten realm.
Except for Freya Reynolds and Daniel Tully.
As youth they stumbled into an adventure that shaped and scarred them. As adults they have gone their separate ways, with Freya studying at Oxford and battling OCD, while Daniel is homeless and waging a war against a foe that he hoped never to see again.
They had hoped the forces from their first journey were behind them. Now they are awakening and finding strength enough to cross into our world. Now Freya and Daniel will have to find a way to re-engage and confront worlds they left behind. Places that are The Realms Thereunder.
This is the first in the Ancient Earth Trilogy by Ross Lawhead. I’ll talk more about the author tomorrow.
But don’t go anywhere! Well, if you’re going to go, check out one of my tourmates below. They’ll tell you more, I’m sure.
Note: In conjunction with the CSFF Blog Tour, I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
Gillian Adams
Red Bissell
Keanan Brand
Beckie Burnham
Melissa Carswell
Jeff Chapman
CSFF Blog Tour
Theresa Dunlap
Emmalyn Edwards
April Erwin
Victor Gentile
Tori Greene
Nikole Hahn
Ryan Heart
Bruce Hennigan
Timothy Hicks
Christopher Hopper
Carol Keen
Krystine Kercher
Rebekah Loper
Marzabeth
Shannon McDermott
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Mirriam Neal
Eve Nielsen
Nissa
John W. Otte
Donita K. Paul
Joan Nienhuis
Crista Richey
Sarah Sawyer
Chawna Schroeder
Kathleen Smith
Donna Swanson
Rachel Starr Thomson
Steve Trower
Fred Warren
Dona Watson
Shane Werlinger
Nicole White
Rachel Wyant
—
by Jason Joyner | Feb 15, 2012 | Blog, fiction, losing the mojo, writing craft, Writing Wednesday
I put a novel down the other day.
It happens all the time to each of us. We start reading a novel, excited for the promise of a good read. Then we get into it and the book doesn’t grab us. We give it a little while to see if it improves. At a certain point, we realize there are too many stories out there to waste time with one that we don’t enjoy. So the book gets laid by the wayside.
My disappointment was that I had really enjoyed the three previous books in the series. The first one had been one of my favorite books I read that year.
The author released three books in the series, but then was dropped by the publisher. There were plans for up to seven books, I believe. The author had a long layoff before a home for book four was found, with a smaller press.
I finally got book four, and I enjoyed the author’s descriptions and certain aspects of the writing from before. Unfortunately there were a lot of problems with the writing. It wasn’t tight. It hopped all around regarding perspective. There was no struggle for the protagonist. He was becoming an alcoholic, but it was muted, and life just went on. There was an overarching conflict through the first three books that was alluded to once in the first 150 pages, but it was never introduced to grab continuing readers.
Overall I was very disappointed to give up on the book. I wanted to see the author succeed, but I couldn’t keep on. I was lost.
I’ve been pondering this since I put it down. What caused the author to lose me as a reader when I had been hooked before?
Here’s a few thoughts in random order (meaning as they pop into my brain):
- The author was with a smaller publisher that didn’t give him good editorial support.
- The author lost track of the story flow with the time layoff.
- I’ve changed as a reader and just don’t jive with this author anymore.
- The story wasn’t that good originally.
I’m leaning toward #1 being the major cause, with #3 being secondary. I know some of the stuff that is bothering me are things only a writer would probably notice. The author loves to use a lot of similie and metaphor to bring points across. Used sparingly it works, but when he does it all the time it makes it hard to read. I thnk the book loses track of some of the central conflict as well.
It is too bad. I might try to finish it, but I have an ever growing to-be-read pile. I wish I loved this latest book, but I am trying to take lessons from it all the same.
—
What about you? Are there any series you stopped reading because the author lost track of whatever made the books good? How can authors avoid this trap?
—
by Jason Joyner | Feb 15, 2012 | Blog, fiction, losing the mojo, writing craft, Writing Wednesday
I put a novel down the other day.
It happens all the time to each of us. We start reading a novel, excited for the promise of a good read. Then we get into it and the book doesn’t grab us. We give it a little while to see if it improves. At a certain point, we realize there are too many stories out there to waste time with one that we don’t enjoy. So the book gets laid by the wayside.
My disappointment was that I had really enjoyed the three previous books in the series. The first one had been one of my favorite books I read that year.
The author released three books in the series, but then was dropped by the publisher. There were plans for up to seven books, I believe. The author had a long layoff before a home for book four was found, with a smaller press.
I finally got book four, and I enjoyed the author’s descriptions and certain aspects of the writing from before. Unfortunately there were a lot of problems with the writing. It wasn’t tight. It hopped all around regarding perspective. There was no struggle for the protagonist. He was becoming an alcoholic, but it was muted, and life just went on. There was an overarching conflict through the first three books that was alluded to once in the first 150 pages, but it was never introduced to grab continuing readers.
Overall I was very disappointed to give up on the book. I wanted to see the author succeed, but I couldn’t keep on. I was lost.
I’ve been pondering this since I put it down. What caused the author to lose me as a reader when I had been hooked before?
Here’s a few thoughts in random order (meaning as they pop into my brain):
- The author was with a smaller publisher that didn’t give him good editorial support.
- The author lost track of the story flow with the time layoff.
- I’ve changed as a reader and just don’t jive with this author anymore.
- The story wasn’t that good originally.
I’m leaning toward #1 being the major cause, with #3 being secondary. I know some of the stuff that is bothering me are things only a writer would probably notice. The author loves to use a lot of similie and metaphor to bring points across. Used sparingly it works, but when he does it all the time it makes it hard to read. I thnk the book loses track of some of the central conflict as well.
It is too bad. I might try to finish it, but I have an ever growing to-be-read pile. I wish I loved this latest book, but I am trying to take lessons from it all the same.
—
What about you? Are there any series you stopped reading because the author lost track of whatever made the books good? How can authors avoid this trap?
—
by Jason Joyner | Feb 14, 2012 | a little goofiness, bagoong, Blog, Mission Monday, missions, sacrifice, you're eating what?, YWAM
I like hanging out with missionaries.
I admire anyone who puts their life on the line for what they believe. Now, they may not be risking life and limb directly, but the temptation to live the typical American (or Western) life is so great that they are making a distinct sacrifice. It encourages and enlivens me in my walk with the Lord.
Now, before this post gets off on high and lofty ideals, let me change directions.
Missionary stories inevitably end up talking about food.
There is a wide world out there, and there are so many foods throughout the world that every person with cross-cultural experience eventually has a food story.
These are some of the most entertaining stories you will hear.
They usually deal with some outrageous culinary item that a Westerner can’t fathom eating. The classic story involves balut, a fertilized duck or chicken egg that has been left in the sun for several days before serving. It is common in the Philippines especially, but I haven’t had the honor.
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| This will probably be the grossest picture ever on this blog |
I spent two months in Thailand, so we did have our share of food adventures. The street vendors made wonderful fresh smoothies, but we could only drink them if we ordered them mai sik glua, “no salt”. They packed them with so much salt it was undrinkable to our taste buds. Why? I don’t know. This was a tame one, to be sure.
Australia promised to be calmer, despite the reputation of Vegemite. But I made some Filipino friends there, and those sneaky guys got me eating fermented shrimp eggs. Bagoong if you’re curious.
My mission experience was all with Youth With A Mission (YWAM), and if you get some YWAMers together, we will eventually come around to the various horrendous/unbelievable/crazy foods we encountered. Usually during dinner. Non-YWAMers in the group didn’t finish their meals, typically.
It is fun to talk about it, but it does come back to humility and laying down our rights. When we are willing to accept someone else’s hospitality and try something that doesn’t come naturally to us (some things were most unnatural!), it is a dying to self. Missionaries risk offending the very people they came to serve, so more often than not, it is down the hatch.
So here’s a light-hearted Mission Monday. To all the missionaries who have had to swallow something they never thought should be made into a food product – you are showing in a small way sacrificial love.
And guts.
By the way, that probably was what you were eating…
—
by Jason Joyner | Feb 14, 2012 | a little goofiness, bagoong, Blog, Mission Monday, missions, sacrifice, you're eating what?, YWAM
I like hanging out with missionaries.
I admire anyone who puts their life on the line for what they believe. Now, they may not be risking life and limb directly, but the temptation to live the typical American (or Western) life is so great that they are making a distinct sacrifice. It encourages and enlivens me in my walk with the Lord.
Now, before this post gets off on high and lofty ideals, let me change directions.
Missionary stories inevitably end up talking about food.
There is a wide world out there, and there are so many foods throughout the world that every person with cross-cultural experience eventually has a food story.
These are some of the most entertaining stories you will hear.
They usually deal with some outrageous culinary item that a Westerner can’t fathom eating. The classic story involves balut, a fertilized duck or chicken egg that has been left in the sun for several days before serving. It is common in the Philippines especially, but I haven’t had the honor.
|
| This will probably be the grossest picture ever on this blog |
I spent two months in Thailand, so we did have our share of food adventures. The street vendors made wonderful fresh smoothies, but we could only drink them if we ordered them mai sik glua, “no salt”. They packed them with so much salt it was undrinkable to our taste buds. Why? I don’t know. This was a tame one, to be sure.
Australia promised to be calmer, despite the reputation of Vegemite. But I made some Filipino friends there, and those sneaky guys got me eating fermented shrimp eggs. Bagoong if you’re curious.
My mission experience was all with Youth With A Mission (YWAM), and if you get some YWAMers together, we will eventually come around to the various horrendous/unbelievable/crazy foods we encountered. Usually during dinner. Non-YWAMers in the group didn’t finish their meals, typically.
It is fun to talk about it, but it does come back to humility and laying down our rights. When we are willing to accept someone else’s hospitality and try something that doesn’t come naturally to us (some things were most unnatural!), it is a dying to self. Missionaries risk offending the very people they came to serve, so more often than not, it is down the hatch.
So here’s a light-hearted Mission Monday. To all the missionaries who have had to swallow something they never thought should be made into a food product – you are showing in a small way sacrificial love.
And guts.
By the way, that probably was what you were eating…
—
by Jason Joyner | Feb 8, 2012 | Blog, characters, links, Novel Rocket, writing craft, Writing Wednesday
Sometimes you just need to know when to shut up and let others talk.
There was an excellent article today on Novel Rocket about characterization by Cindy Woodsmall. She has four “B”s to use: Before. Behind. Between. Begin.
This is a succinct yet very insightful way to understand your characters. Here is a quote:
Begin your novel armed with the full knowledge of who your characters are – the before, the behind, and the between. Then ask yourself, what would this person do – how would he or she react – when caught in the emotional or physical destruction in which your plotting places them? Once you’ve completed these steps, you won’t have to know the answer to how they would react when placed in different circumstances. The character – who that person is – will dictate what he or she will do in any given situation. Each character will be true to himself or herself, because you know who they are and from where they have come.
I’ve got nothing to add. Just go read the article. If you’re a writer, you’ll be glad you did!
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by Jason Joyner | Feb 8, 2012 | Blog, characters, links, Novel Rocket, writing craft, Writing Wednesday
Sometimes you just need to know when to shut up and let others talk.
There was an excellent article today on Novel Rocket about characterization by Cindy Woodsmall. She has four “B”s to use: Before. Behind. Between. Begin.
This is a succinct yet very insightful way to understand your characters. Here is a quote:
Begin your novel armed with the full knowledge of who your characters are – the before, the behind, and the between. Then ask yourself, what would this person do – how would he or she react – when caught in the emotional or physical destruction in which your plotting places them? Once you’ve completed these steps, you won’t have to know the answer to how they would react when placed in different circumstances. The character – who that person is – will dictate what he or she will do in any given situation. Each character will be true to himself or herself, because you know who they are and from where they have come.
I’ve got nothing to add. Just go read the article. If you’re a writer, you’ll be glad you did!
—
by Jason Joyner | Feb 6, 2012 | Blog, human trafficking, International Justice Mission, Mission Monday, take action
Did you know that the best numbers for modern-day slavery come up with a figure of 27 million people in bondages?
The scourge of human trafficking is alive and well around the world, from brothels in southeast Asia to brick mills in India, from indentured servitude in Middle Eastern countries to a sexually-exploited youth or economic slave in the USA.
It is a passion of mine to see this problem overcome, and I will work to get the word out on the problem and ways to make a difference.
International Justice Mission is one organization that works with countries to enforce laws within that country to help victims find freedom from illegal activities. Pretty much every country has laws against slavery, but if there is no one willing to prosecute or investigate, traffickers can have free reign. IJM assists in this particular area, along with aftercare for victims and educating lawmakers and enforcers.
They are holding a campaign to get 27,000 signatures for a petition to President Obama – one signature standing in for 1000 victims of slavery. The letter asks him to take four actions to help in the fight:
1. Taking a stand by mentioning it in his 2012 U.N. address.
2. Working to get slavery out of U.S. supply chains.
3. Providing diplomatic support for other countries’ efforts to combat trafficking.
4. Making sure we fund the fight to support efforts.
They are close to their goal. I am asking readers of this blog to take a few minutes from your day to click on the banner below and sign the letter. It is a simple act to stand with the oppressed, and it will help keep the U.S. in the forefront of the battle.
Thank you!
