Today you’ll find me over at historical fiction author and fellow ALLi member Fenella Miller’s blog talking about my experiences as an Indie author – and why I would or wouldn’t self-publish again. Pop over to her blog if you want to know whether I would do it again.
Here’s the link.
Are you drawn to a book partly by where it’s set? I am sometimes. My novel, Hitler and Mars Bars, and my short story collection, Dancing Shadows, Tramping Hooves, are both set not far from where I live in Ireland. Most of the stories that are in my head, waiting to be written, are also set here and I recently had a new header designed for this website that reflects the places where my stories are set (It’s there at the top of this page).
Since I’ve been thinking about how important place is to the stories we read I jotted down my thoughts. If you want to know what’s been running through my mind, see my post on Writers Abroad’s website.
I’m currently reading Time Fall by Tim Ashby. It’s an exciting mix of military thriller and historical fiction. I really enjoyed the opening chapters set during the Second World War and I felt like I was there as the army unit prepared to parachute into Germany. I’m now being pulled along by the events unfolding in the present day as the German police hunt down suspected terrorists, unaware they are soldiers still fighting a war that ended six decades ago.
This is how the publisher describes the book: “Lt. Art Sutton’s team of six US Rangers parachute into Nazi Germany…but they vanish in 1945. They land, a few minutes later, in 2011. The Rangers are unaware of the passage of time all around them and the valiant, misguided soldiers begin to attack “enemy” targets.
They face the age old question – What is good? What is evil?”
I’ve invited Tim here today to answer a few questions about the novel. Welcome Tim. Let’s get started, shall we?
| Tell us about your novel. On a secret mission, Lt. Art Sutton’s team of US Rangers parachutes into Nazi Germany weeks before the end of World War II … and vanishes during a severe electrical storm. Missing in Action for seven decades, during a similar storm Sutton’s team lands on target in Bavaria in 2011. Unaware of the passage of time, the Rangers begin their operation: sabotage, assassinations and assaults on military targets. Believing the Rangers to be terrorists, modern Germany’s elite counterterrorism unit – led by unrepentant Nazi Hanno Kasper – hunts them. Wounded and left behind after a gun battle, Sutton realizes that he has landed in a future world very different from 1945. He races against time to save his men, knowing that Kasper has given the order: Take no prisoners. What prompted you to write about this historical event? |
When I was a university student a Vietnam veteran classmate told me about an incident that he witnessed that inspired me to write Time Fall. During that Vietnam War a “dustoff” (US Army unarmed medical evacuation helicopter) mysteriously disappeared after flying into a strange cloud during the monsoon season. Hundreds of military personnel witnessed the phenomenon, a high-level investigation took place, but no trace of the aircraft or its crew was found. Perhaps one day that helicopter will land in a very different Vietnam with its unsuspecting crew of young American soldiers.
How closely did you stick to the historical facts? If you used them loosely, how did you decide whether to deviate from them?
The novel is factual where actual historical events are depicted. For example, the opening scene set in Berlin in April 1945 is based on actual newsreels and eyewitness accounts. Only a few early scenes take place in the 1940s – the rest of the book is set in 2011, with a few “back story” scenes throughout.
What research did you do for this book?
I interviewed WW II US, German and British veterans, as well as US Vietnam vets. I visited every place described in the book, including an interview at the US government agency in Washington DC that deals with the remains of MIAs. I did copious research on WW II weapons, uniforms, tactics, contemporary culture (music, movies, etc.), and even speech patterns. I have personal experience of anti-terrorism intelligence and military operations, so I used this background in portraying the “real” terrorists in Time Fall as well as the modern German army’s elite counter-terrorism unit.
Do you use a mixture of historic figures and invented characters in the novel? Which is more difficult to write? Which to you prefer to write and why?
For the most part, I used invented characters. The only historic figure who makes a cameo appearance is Adolph Hitler. My previous novel, Devil’s Den, used many actual historic figures from the 1920s and 1860s. I find depictions of historic characters easier because so much factual material is available about their appearance, character, etc.
In an historical novel you must vividly re-create a place and people in a bygone era. How did you bring the place and people you are writing about to life?
As noted above, I did extensive research about the 1940s and spoke with people who lived in that era.
There often seems to be more scope in historical novels for male characters rather than female characters. Do you prefer to write one sex or the other. And, if so, why?
As a male, it is easier for me to write about males characters. However, I enjoy depicting female characters because they are an interesting challenge. I’m always pleased when readers or reviewers say that they liked my female characters. For example, one reviewer wrote: “And then his love interest, Peggy Stewart! I was actually impressed that a man wrote the love scenes with such controlled passion, yet sexiness and taste.”
Thanks for answering my questions, Tim. The G8 Summit was held in the area where I live this week, amidst very tight security, but nothing I’ve seen at home this week was as exciting or gripping as what I’ve been reading in this novel so far.
Tim is currently on a blog tour and, as part of the tour, there is a contest to win a free copy of Time Fall.
Here’s the details of this tour and contest: “Filled with historically accurate details, Time Fall is a complex military tale that keeps readers riveted through every surprising twist. Read an excerpt and to enter to win a FREE copy of Time Fall, visit http://www.timefallbook.com/. For your copy, visit http://amzn.to/190ZMwe. You can also get your copy at all major book retailers.”
About Tim Ashby: Tim’s life has been as thrilling as one of his action/adventure novels. Visit his author blog at www.timashby.com.
An international lawyer, businessman and writer, Tim Ashby worked in Washington DC as a counter-terrorism consultant to the U.S. State Department, and then as a senior official – the youngest political appointee of his rank – at the U.S. Commerce Department, responsible for commercial relations with Latin America and the Caribbean. He held two Top Secret security clearances and worked with a number of colorful characters, including members of the U.S. military’s Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC). He has lived in the Caribbean and Europe as well as various places in the United States. An avid historian, he published widely on military history, archaeology, business and international relations. A licensed attorney in Florida and the District of Columbia, Tim Ashby has a PhD degree from the University of Southern California, a JD from Seattle University Law School, and an MBA from the University of Edinburgh Scotland.
I wasn’t sure that I would get to Glenn Patterson’s workshop, Keeping the Balloon in the Air, on Saturday. Due to illness and other difficulties, there was a shortage of volunteers to man a book table at Enniskillen Castle Museum so I found myself setting up the table around noon and hoping someone would come to take over from me – thankfully, help did arrive and I made it to the workshop with a few minutes to spare.
Glenn talked about how to sustain a piece of writing from the initial idea to completion. Many things he said resonated with me – especially about how many ways there are to procrastinate while writing. I laughed as I recognised myself in what he said. I was interested to hear how other writers, including Glenn, deal with getting a book completed and I also took away some tips to help me keep going on my own projects.
I’m glad I was able to attend the workshop – it was well worth the effort it took me to get there. If you would like to read more about Glenn’s workshop, check out the post on Fermanagh Writers’ blog.
Today is the eve of the 2013 G8 Summit. It’s being held in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. Reporters and cameramen, preparing for the event, have been roaming the streets of Enniskillen and the rest of the county for a couple weeks now and the town is the backdrop to their reports. I’m sure that viewers around the world must be curious about the place they see in these reports as well as about what’s happening at the G8. So that’s why I’ve chosen this day to celebrate the launch of my collection of articles about the county, Fermanagh Gems.
Did you know:
– Politicians, journalists, the security forces and many others will be arriving in Fermanagh this weekend but none of them will come by train. Why? Because the last train came through the county in 1957.
– It has been predicted that there will be a huge demand for electricity during the next few days as politicians, civil servants and journalists work frantically on their laptops, IPads and Blackberries. Access to electricity is taken for granted today but many areas of rural Ireland did not have mains electricity until the 1940s or even the 1950s. Belleek town in western Fermanagh was well ahead of many other places as Belleek Pottery’s waterwheel supplied electricity to the Pottery Works and the village from 1919.
– Every town in the county is looking bright and fresh after painters worked feverishly for several weeks sprucing up buildings that needed to be revived. But buildings aren’t the only colourful thing you’ll find in Fermanagh. Irish fishermen are credited with creating the first colourful fly lures in the mid-1800s and Frankie McPhillips in Enniskillen’s Buttermarket has continued this tradition for more than 35 years.
– On the first morning of the G8 Summit BBC Radio 2 Chris Evan’s Show will broadcast from the Graan Monastery outside Enniskillen. Why? Because Chris Evan’s guest is BBC radio presenter and journalist Fr Brian D’Arcy who is also the Rector of the monastery.
Where did I get these snippets of information? No, I didn’t google them for this post. I’ve lived in County Fermanagh for the past decade and, over the years as I’ve have explored the county, I’ve written about some of its places and people for Ireland’s Own magazine. Recently I selected half a dozen of these articles and put them together in Fermanagh Gems. The ebook features six gems: a natural wonder, enduring or innovative institutions and a gifted craftsman. Some are well-known, others might be called hidden gems; each deserves to be allowed to shine. So I’m pleased to be able to present them in this ebook and launch it today.
To mark Fermanagh Gems’ launch I’m offering 5 free copies to readers who comment on this post. Just leave a comment below and I’ll contact the first five respondents.
The G8 Summit is approaching and media attention is turning to Fermanagh. There’s oodles of documentaries, news reports and newspaper articles. Not to be left out, I’ve highlighted some of Fermanagh’s attractions for Ireland’s Own magazine. If you are interested, you’ll find the magazine in many newsagents and bookshops this week.
There’s so many books to choose from these days. How do you decide which one you want to read next? I’m always drawn to attractive book covers and intriguing back cover write-ups. But, since we often spend more time online searching for books rather than in a bookstore now, the right book can be more elusive. So we often rely on recommendations by our friends.
Another way to discover intriguing books is to read reviews left by readers on Goodreads or Amazon. You always leave a review after you’ve read a book you enjoyed, don’t you? I know, it’s easy to get sidetracked and never get around to posting a review, even when you loved a book. But, if you can do so, other readers and the author will really appreciate it.
From 1st to 5th June I’m offering 20 free Kindle and pdf versions of my short story collection, Dancing Shadows, Tramping Hooves to readers in exchange for a review of it on Goodreads and Amazon after you read it.
Here’s a short description of the book so you can see if it’s your cup of tea:
“Dancing Shadows, Tramping Hooves is a collection of half a dozen short stories. Tales of outsiders who discover they belong, a humorous slice of life yarn, heartwarming love stories and a tale of taming fear. The shadows are on the wall, in the heart and clouding a woman’s memories while tangible foes tramp through the physical landscape.”
If you would like one of the free copies available, leave a comment on this post with your contact details or email me at dianne_ascroftATyahoo.co.uk (with Read4Review in the subject line). I will be pleased to send copies to the first 20 people who respond and I look forward to hearing your comments about Dancing Shadows, Tramping Hooves.
Soon after it was announced that this year’s G8 meeting would be held in County Fermanagh John Cunningham, as chairman, proposed to Fermanagh Authors’ Association that we should devote this year’s Fermanagh Miscellany to the momentous event. Everyone agreed and we frantically set to work. In half our normal time we produced a book that is one third larger than usual – and it’s not padded with ads!
As we have for several years John Cunningham and I co-edited the book. Once again I learned lots of interesting facts about Fermanagh places and people in my role as editor. And I also got a chance to delve into the connections Fermanagh has with my home country, Canada – including several villages that bear the name Enniskillen – and write about what I learned. So writing for and editing this year’s Fermanagh Miscellany has been fun and I enjoyed the launch this afternoon.
If you are interested you can read more about the book and its launch here.
Fermanagh Authors’ Association members celebrating Fermanagh Miscellany 2013’s launch. How did I end up front and centre?
Social media is so much a part of an author’s marketing focus these days. My head whirls sometimes just trying to keep up with it. Recently I’ve been hearing about yet another site that it seems I should know about: Pinterest. As I started to wonder where I should look for more information about the website I learned that Karen Leland has released The Ultimate Guide to Pinterest for Business. It sounded like it might be just what I needed so I was more than happy to read it to review it as part of her blog tour – and to see if I could glean any information about Pinterest from it that will be relevant to me.
This is how the publisher describes the book: “The Ultimate Guide to Pinterest for Business is designed to help businesses use Pinterest to its maximum potential. The book provides both beginning users and seasoned veterans with the ability to find their specific area of interest “at a glance.” It uses step-by-step how-to, sidebars, examples, case studies, expert interviews and tip sheets to show how, from setup to strategy, to use Pinterest for promotional, branding and marketing objectives.
The book explores the ins and outs of signing up and getting started on Pinterest and how to create boards that get noticed, drive traffic and convert fans into customers. Special chapters are devoted to creating a strong community and enthusiastic following through high-engagement activities, contests, social media outreach and smart pinning strategies.
In addition the book outlines specific marketing applications to small businesses, from architecture firms to theater companies.”
I think this may be one of the shortest reviews I’ve ever written as what I want to say is easy to sum up. Leland’s book does exactly ‘what it says on the tin’ (ie. in the publisher’s description). It’s clear, concise and covers everything a reader needs to know to get started on Pinterest and use it effectively to promote a business. Leland writes in a friendly, approachable manner. I didn’t find it a chore to read this ‘How-to’ book at all. And one of the things I particularly liked about it is that Leland is aware that things can change quickly online and she has included advice about where to look for updates that readers may need in future. This is a very informative, useful book and I can recommend it to anyone grappling with this latest social media site.
To learn more about Karen Leland visit her website. To purchase the book visit its Amazon page.
About Karen Leland: She is the bestselling author of 8 business books including the recently released Entrepreneur Magazine’s Ultimate Guide to Pinterest For Business, which can be purchased at http://bit.ly/Amazonbook. She is the president of Sterling Marketing Group, where she works with small businesses and Fortune 500 on building stronger personal and team brands. She writes the Modern Marketing Blog at www.karenleland.com. She writes a regular branding and marketing column for Entrepreneur.com and has been published in Woman’s Day, Self, The Los Angeles Times and others.
I’ve been asked to review 24 Bones by Michael F. Stewart as part of the author’s book tour with Tribute Books. I read the novel a couple weeks ago and the story is still in my mind so I didn’t have any trouble writing the review.
This is how the publisher summarises the book:
“Every five hundred years the phoenix dies.
Samiya, born-into-shadow, is soon to battle her born-into-light brother. Abandoned by their parents, neither wishes to play the preordained role of beast and hero. When their loved ones are taken hostage, they are forced to follow the path laid out in myth, culminating in a battle first fought six thousand years ago in ancient Cairo. A mythic clash where one defeats the other and both become gods.
To break free from their fates, Samiya and her brother must unravel a mystery twisted by cults, greed, and magic. But myth is a powerful force and failure to live up to it may not only destroy their lives but the lives of the ones they love most.
When the phoenix dies, the only certainty is flames.”
Can a dark tale be magical? 24 Bones is very dark in places but Stewart has created such a vivid, intriguing world that I found even the dark side magical. From an evil underworld in the City of the Dead to the desert monastic retreat of the Companions to modern Coptic Cairo to the Pyramids, Stewart brings both the real and the imaginary places to life. I’ve never been to Egypt but I would love to see the places that are now in my mind.
The story is grounded in Egyptian myth and the idea that there must be evil to counterbalance good and that this balance must be maintained. From this premise Stewart develops the struggle between the three groups who people the story: the evil Shemsu Seth, the good Shemsu Hor and the Sisters of Isis, nuns who are meant to maintain the balance but actually have their own agenda. Many characters are not completely black and white though and there are struggles within individuals as well as between the groups, adding depth to the tale. Stewart expresses the concepts of heaven and hell as Fullness and Void. Interestingly Void is not actually evil but a place of chaos and animal behaviour without conscience. In a poignant scene Samiya’s lover, Faris is lost to Void and she finds him left as a mindless shell only capable of animal-like responses while his spirit, personified as a lion, roams unfettered by human morals.
I was intrigued by the way Stewart links the Egyptian myths with elements of Coptic Christianity, inferring that the Christian tradition is an extension of ancient Egyptian beliefs. Whether this is indeed true doesn’t matter, he has skilfully developed the link between them so that the reader believes this in the context of the story.
Although the plot is entwined with Egyptian myth, the reader does not need to have a prior understanding of these myths to enjoy the story. Stewart sets out his world clearly and reveals everything the reader needs to know. The novel is also an engaging fantasy, even without its links to mythology, as Stewart has created a fully developed world that can stand on its own.
It wasn’t just the world that Stewart created that I enjoyed. I found many of the characters memorable. Samiya and David, the main characters are well developed, with internal conflicts that add depth and believability to them. I liked the way that Stewart sets David on a path toward destruction through his growing desire for power. It wasn’t what I expected or hoped for him but it unfolded naturally.
When I find myself caring what happens to characters and agonising over their choices, as I did while reading 24 Bones, I know a novel has touched me. It stimulated my imagination and my emotions. And that’s what a good book should do. I found this a gripping story and I have no reservations recommending it to anyone who enjoys fantasy novels or just a good story.
To find out more about Michael F. Stewart visit his website and his Goodreads page. To learn more about 24 Bones visit its Amazon page.
About Michael F. Stewart:
After crewing ships in the Antarctic and the Baltic Sea and some fun in venture capital, Michael anchored himself (happily) to a marriage and a boatload of kids. Now he injects his adventurous spirit into his writing with brief respites for research into the jungles of Sumatra and Guatemala, the ruins of Egypt and Tik’al, paddling the Zambezi and diving whatever cave or ocean reef will have him. He is a member of the International Thriller Writers and SF Canada, and the author of the Assured Destruction series, 24 Bones, The Sand Dragon, Hurakan, Ruination and several award winning graphic novels for young adults.
