Pinkie's Picks: Orpheus by Charles Mikolaycak

 
PINKIE'S PICK







ORPHEUS by Charles Mikolaycak

I bought this picture book in the children's department, but it's definitely a book for teens or anyone interested in Greek myth. With its story of doomed love and a romantic hero, Orpheus's illustrations are beautiful, reminiscent of Maxfield Parrish. The story, the Greek myth about a young musician who attempts to rescue his beloved Eurydice from the underworld and fails, is poignantly written. I've included Orpheus as one of Pinkie's Picks because it's a picture book for those of us who love fantasy. And picture books!

Christi J. Whitney, Author of GREY and SHADOW

Welcome, Christi J. Whitney, author of the YA novels Grey and Shadow (Harper Voyager) to It's All About Story. Christi's website: http://christijwhitney.com/

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Grey-Romany-Outcasts-Book-1-ebook/dp/B00MT9E66E?ie=UTF8&btkr=1&ref_=dp-kindle-redirect
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26115230-grey

1) Describe Grey in one paragraph.

Grey is a YA fantasy, the first installment in The Romany Outcasts series. Sebastian Grey always thought he was a fairly normal teenager--good friends, decent grades and a pretty sweet job in his foster brother's tattoo shop. But when Romany gypsies arrive in town, Sebastian discovers that his world is not what it seems. There is an age-old feud between his family and the gypsies--and this isn't the only secret his brother has been keeping from him. His life is not his own. The girl he's been dreaming about has just turned up at school, and he feels compelled to protect her at all costs. even if that means life might never be normal again.

2) What inspired Grey?

Grey was inspired by several things, actually. First, I'd always wanted to write a fantasy novel, but something that was set in the real world. I also love the classic themes in the fairy tale Beauty and the Beast, and I wanted to do a little bit of my own take on them. And last, I'd had the character of Sebastian in my head for a long time. He really represents the type of character I've always been drawn to in books, television, and films.

3) Was Grey your first work of fiction?

It was! I'd written other things before Grey, but this was the first novel I'd actually seen to completion and really got serious about publishing.

4) What song or music piece would you put on a soundtrack for Grey?

Oh, tough one! I have a really long playlist for the entire Romany Outcasts Series. But if I had to narrow it down for just Grey, it would probably be a tie between Turning on My Own by Satellite and one of the newer additions to my list: Who Am I by Andrew Judah.

5) Which character in Grey was easy to write? Which was the most difficult?

The main character Sebastian was, by far, the easiest to write. I don't know if it's because we share some similarities or because we sometimes think alike, but I just found his head to be so easy to slip into. There's just something about writing him that flowed. Josephine was sometimes the toughest to write, mainly because the reader is seeing her through Sebastian's eyes, and he is limited in what he knows and experiences.

6)What is your writing space like? Or can you write anywhere?

I can honestly write anywhere, and I often have to. But where I'm most productive is probably my little office space upstairs in my house. It's my little geek sanctuary, filled with all things sci-fi, fantasy, and pop culture.

7) Any odd writing habits? Rituals?

I don't know if I have anything odd. I prefer to write with music, and I have a bad habit of not keeping a lot of first draft materials that I write. I delete pretty quickly, which I didn't think was weird until someone in my critique group pointed it out. She has files of unused material that she keeps.

8) George R. R. Martin describes 2 kinds of outliners, the Gardener (let it grow) or the Architect (plan it). Which are you?

Definitely the Gardener. I feel boxed in when I plan to much,and it sucks the creativity out of me. But, I always hit that point where I have to put on the brakes and plot things out and weave ideas together. I'm having to do that a lot more with book three in this series than I did with the other two.

9) What are some of your favorite world myths or fairy/folk tales? Why?

As I touched on in an earlier question, I have a soft spot in my heart for any retelling of the classic Beauty and the Beast tale. I love stories of transformation, inner struggles, and redemption. I also love themes dealing with not judging a book by its cover.

10) What is your favorite fictional world, one you'd want to visit?

There are just so many out there! I"ll go with one of the first to capture my heart: Narnia.

11) Who is your favorite fictional character?

This is like choosing a favorite child. I adore Puddleglum from The Silver Chair, and I found myself drawn to the character of Raistlin in the Dragonlance Series when I was in high school. I loved Wil Omsford in the Shannara Series. Probably my two favorite characters in recent YA fiction are Peeta Mellark from The Hunger Games Trilogy, and Simon Lewis from The Mortal Instruments series.

12) What is the best writing advice you've ever received?

"It's okay to write crap."

13) In Grey, are there any hidden acknowledgements to friends, places you've lived, favorite writers etc;

There are several, actually. I was teaching high school drama at the time I wrote Grey and several students found their way into my book. The character of Katie is probably the most spot-on to a student I had in class.  A few co-workers ended up in the book as well. The town of Sixes where Grey takes place is based on a community that existed here around the turn of the century, not far from where I live. And, lastly, I give a shout-out to the novel The Hunchback of Notre Dame with a couple of characters' names.

14) Can you tell us anything else about your writing experiences?

It's been a really long road to publication--actually, more like a massively scary rollercoaster ride, but I'm grateful to be where I am, and I owe so much of that to having a fantastic critique group. We've been together for over four years now, and it's the best thing to ever happen to me as a writer. If you are a writer and don't have a critique partner or group, I encourage you to find one.

15) What do we have to look forward to after Grey?

I'm super excited about the e-book release of Shadow on June 2. Shadow is the second installment in The Romany Outcasts Series, and it continues the stories of Sebastian and Josephine. Midnight, the third book in the trilogy, is due out in the spring of 2017.

Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Romany-Outcasts-Book-2-ebook/dp/B0155OP8MK/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1464623318&sr=1-1

Thank you, Christi!

Fantastic Fantasy Finds: Humility Garden by Felicity Savage

HUMILITY GARDEN (1995)

It's difficult to describe this surreal dark fantasy. The characters aren't human, but humanoid, with feline, avian, and dragon-like qualities. The heroine, Humility Garden, lives in a land that mirrors both the Victorian and the French Revolution eras. She's a ghostier, an artist who murders, turning people into works of art, yet her story arc is a Brontean one of tragedy and triumph.

Then she meets Arity, who is from a race considered to be gods--winged and green-skinned and beautiful. He becomes her lover in this nightmarish and elegant world, where treachery is a common practice. Although the characters are basically all anti-heroes and not human, they have poignantly human qualities. The world of Salt is immoral and decadent, with its manners and murderous magic.

The sequel, Delta City, continues Humility's and Arity's story. The villain, Pati, a god and former lover of Arity's, now rules, Humility and Arity are separated, and a rebellion is brewing.

With its lyrical language and wildly imaginative world building and complicated characters, this duology is a treat for anyone looking for something a little different.

Nettle King Giveaway!

I have 5 signed copies of Nettle King to give away! This is the official version, not the proof! And all you have to do is tweet, find me on Twitter, or visit my FB author page! There will be 5 winners. The contest is open only to US & Canadian residents.




Also, if you're interested in news about a possible Thorn Jack TV series, Thorn Jack short stories & novellas, or my next written series, sign up here: http://katherineharbour.com/contact.php#mailing-list

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What to bring to the RT Booklovers' Convention (Writer version)

SO LIKE CINDERELLA back from the ball, I returned from the marathon of the RT Booklover's Con, back to life as a bookseller and a writer trying to perfect her next book. I've written 2 posts that I hope will help anyone attending in the future.

This post is about Some Things I Wish I'd Brought

Comfortable walking shoes or insoles: Because there is a LOT of walking. Carts were provided for transport, but I needed the exercise


Anti-static cling spray: For the dresses I never usually wear, with tights

A watch: While running around, it was a pain to keep digging out my phone and checking the time

Here are Some Things You Should Make Sure You Have

Water: Make sure, on the first day, you find a water source nearby, especially if you don't like tap water or paying 3 bucks for a little bottle.

Snack bars: For when your stomach starts grumbling during a panel and you get embarrassed

Your phone: Obviously. Mine broke while I was there. You'll want to live tweet and take pics

Swag, Swag, Swag!: Be inventive. I've seen earbuds, charm bracelets, bottle openers, blinged-out bookmarks, notepads, postcards, trading cards of book characters, pins, and pens. I made flower headbands for one event, in keeping with my dark faery theme.
     NOTE: Check that your swag is where it's supposed to be, especially if you paid for it to be in certain swag bags or in Promotional Alley. The staff are uber-reliable, but it'll help your peace of mind.

Cool stuff: Bring small talismans/totems/mascots with which to decorate your assigned space, whether it be for an event, a panel, or a signing.

Free books: To give away. My publisher did this at an event, and they vanished in half an hour. Bloggers, booksellers and librarians attend RT Booklover's Con, as do future fans. Book giveaways are great promo.

To be continued...

Thorn Jack's Symbolism

I adore symbolism, but it's mostly subconscious. When I notice certain themes, I try to make them more focused in future drafts. Here are some of the symbols I used in the Thorn Jack series:

BLOOD: It means life. It's what the Fatas, especially the darker, wilder ones, crave in rituals. When a Jack or a Jill (mortal soldiers kept alive by magical flowers) is created, they are bloodless and heartless. They only bleed when they fall in love. The Fatas also bleed and become vulnerable when they love.

FUR: Mostly in Briar Queen, which takes place in winter, fur on the Fatas represent their almost savage state beneath the elegance. And some of them, like Seth Lot, the Wolf king, can shapeshift into animals.

HAWTHORN: (Jack's last name) The May tree. The tree of rebirth. It's sometimes referred to as a fairy thorn.

HEART: In some cultures, the heart is the soul's resting place. Fatas and their Jack and Jill servants are heartless. In certain folk tales, witches or wizards would sometimes cut out their own hearts and hide them so no one would have power over them.

KEYS: Shaped as moths, butterflies, dragonflies, keys in Thorn Jack are talismans. Obviously, they symbolize doorways, which lead the characters to otherworldly places. They are also transformed people. Keys have always held an almost magical significance in folklore.

POETRY: Poetry represents the power of language. It's a chant, a mantra, speaking in tongues. There's an entire book about it by Robert Graves, called The White Goddess.

REVELS: The Fata revels are inspired by tales of fairy dances that lure the unwary. One night at a fairy dance or feast could turn into one hundred human years. The extravagant parties and masquerades are the Fatas' way of drawing the young to them.

SISTERS: In fairy tales, there's always the bad sister and the good sister, with the exception of 'Snow White and Rose Red', where the two love one another. The bond between sisters in stories can be powerful, and so it is with Finn and Lily.

THE SWING: A lot of important conversations take place on the swing set in Finn's back yard. Swings have always had a symbolic power, signifying being caught between the sky and earth. In the Chinese version of Cinderella, the part where the prince puts the shoe on Cinderella takes place on a swing.

TEETH: Teeth contain DNA. Teeth were the first step to certain organisms evolving into mammals. Although the Fatas can sometimes manifest as creatures of tooth and claw, human teeth, to them, are precious because each represents a mortal life.

THORNS, BRIARS & NETTLES: A standard feature in fairy tales. As well as representing the obvious--barriers and entanglements--they symbolize the Fatas' dangerous and twisty way of tricking mortals.

If you have questions about any other symbolism in Thorn Jack, post them here!

Ingrid Semour Author of Ignite the Shadows

Welcome, Ingrid Seymour, author of the excellent YA Science Fiction series Ignite the Shadows and Eclipse the Flame (Harpervoyager, available now) http://ingridseymour.com/blog/ to It's All About Story.

http://www.amazon.com/Ignite-Shadows-Ingrid-Seymour-ebook/product-reviews/B00OXHFR4K


1) Describe Ignite the Shadows in one paragraph.

While spying on the clandestine group IgNITe, hacker Marci Guerrero learns half the world's population is infected by sentient parasites. Now she wishes the shadows that hunt her meant she was crazy, because the truth is far worse . . . they mean she's one of the infected.

2) What inspired Ignite the Shadows?

This is kind of weird, but a friend of mine was struggling to get pregnant and going through IVF. Then it occurred to me: What if they impregnate her with a monster? And that's how it all started.

3) Was Ignite the Shadows your first work of fiction?

No. I had written three novels before Ignite the Shadows, but it is my first traditionally published work.

4) What song or music piece would you put on a soundtrack for Ignite the Shadows?

Oooh, definitely "Heavy in Your Arms" by Florence + The Machine.

5) Which character in Ignite the Shadows was easy to write? Which was the most difficult?

The hardest to write was Marci, the protagonist. She's a very strong, independent heroine,but also troubled, since shadows have haunted her mind since she was five. Moreover, she has a strong voice, and I had to strive to keep that consistent throughout the book. The easiest was Blare. She's at the end of the spectrum, no gray tones with her. Extreme characters are always easy to write.

6) What is your writing space like? Or can you write anywhere?

I can pretty much write anywhere as long as I have my music and headphones. Some of the places where I typically write are on the balcony outside my office at lunch time, while I wait for my kids at music lessons, while I wait for my kids at karate lessons, and --less often--at my desk at home. You gotta do what you gotta do when you have to fit writing around the life that pays the bills. :)

7) Any odd writing habits? Rituals?

Besides having my headphones and playing the same playlist over and over again, I really don't have any habits or rituals.

8) George R.R. Martin describes two kinds of outliners, the Gardener (let it grow) and the Architect (plan it). Which are you?

I am most definitely a Gardener! My best story ideas and twists come to me while actually writing. I cannot--for the life of me--be creative while doing an outline. All I see are boring bullet points. I love being a Gardener. It really works for me.

9) What are some of your favorite world myths or fairy/folk tales? Why?

I absolutely love Mayan mythology and its varied deities. The first book I ever wrote is actually about a Mayan boy growing up around 500 BC. The reason I love this so much is because I grew up in Honduras and it's part of my heritage.

10) What is your favorite fictional world, one you'd want to visit?

I would love to visit Eretz and see all the beautiful angels and wild chimaera. The Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor is one of my favorite YA trilogies.

11) Who is your favorite fictional character?

Again, I will go with The Daughter of Smoke and Bone. I love Akiva. Make him real, please!

12) What is the best writing advice you've ever received?

Set a daily goal. I followed Stephen King's advice from his book On Writing. It was this that allowed me to finish my first book ever.

13) In Ignite the Shadows, are there any hidden acknowledgements to friends, places you've lived, favorite writers, etc;

There is only one. A mention to Pablo Neruda, an amazing Latin-American poet.

14) Can you tell us anything else about your writing experiences?

It has been a blast and I'm sure it will continue to be. I have a gazillion ideas for books and will write however many time allows. I love writing and I don't see myself stopping. Ever!

15) What do we have to look forward to after the sequel  to Ignite the Shadows, Eclipse the Flame?


There will be a book #3 which should come out in 2017. Also a novella in the same world which, I hope, will come out this year *fingers crossed*.

Thank you, Ingrid!