Tell A Great Story

Tell a great story.

Sounds simple, right?

All you need is emotive characters that are true to life and compel your readers to care about them, a plot that is simultaneously not boring and not overdone, enough tricks to keep the reader hooked, but not so many they become trite, a colorful world full of cultural references to create atmosphere, enough of your voice to not be remote, but not so much as to overpower everything else, the use of language that is both beautiful and basic, so as to intrigue but not irritate your reader, a variety of sentence lengths and types that will give your story a rhythm to march to, and the list goes on and on and on.

I recently read an article by Chuck Wendig entitled "25 Reasons Why I Stopped Reading Your Book." It was genius. It was also a lot. A lot to remember, a lot to think about, a lot to obsess over as you put your own pen to paper (or finger to key). So what is one to do?

Easy. Tell a great story.

Many times, for me at least, especially when writing fantasy, we find ourselves caught up in the rules, the world-building, the magic, the language, and we get lost. We become so desperate to be original, to be beautiful, to be exciting, to be mysterious, to be dangerous, to write a strong female lead, to write a non-cookie-cutter male lead, to write the next Harry Potter or Hobbit or Odyssey. We try so hard to write, that we forget to tell.

And that's the difference. Note I've said: Tell a great story. Not "write" a great story. TELL a great story.

There's nothing wrong with doing research, with using a thesaurus, with checking facts, with creating a new language, with developing a detailed plot, with catching the reader by surprise. In fact, a good, publishable work requires all those things. But without a great story--a simple, real, compelling story--the rest is all window dressing. Smoke. Illusions.

Ask any magician: behind all the tigers and cages and curtains and trap doors and birds and flashes and fireworks, there is a solid, simple illusion. And without the solid, simple illusion, the rest is all meaningless. 

Don't be meaningless. Just tell a great story.

So here's your challenge: 

Tell me about the wolf. Who is s/he? What is s/he? What is s/he doing? Where is s/he going? Doesn't have to be long, doesn't have to be involved. Unless you want it to be. But tell me the wolf's story. Make it great. (I'll tell you mine next week!)

Much love!

**I cannot completely take credit for this post. The inspiration and advice comes directly from the great Jeff Brown (AJ Brown), my awesomesauce SSP liaison. He knows his stuff.**

Ravenwood Castle: A Fantasy Writer's Dream

If my eighth-grade English teacher hadn't done enough for me already--she's the one teacher that encouraged me to write, rather than doing "something important" with my life--she now has unwittingly introduced me to a new source of inspiration. And now, I introduce it to you.

I give you: Ravenwood Castle!

Located in New Plymouth, Ohio, Ravenwood Castle is a fantasy getaway for anyone who idolizes Robin Hood, King Arthur, Shakespeare, gypsies, and many other memorable historical characters.

Ravenwood Castle offers a variety of accommodations, from the stately King Arthur's Suite to the humble Woodcutter's Cottage, from Cinderella's elegant Coach House to Ezmerelda's lowly, but colorful Wagon.

Castle Rooms, such as the King Arthur Suite, are great for couples and offer king-sized beds (what else?), fireplaces, jacuzzis, second-story decks overlooking the village, and more.

(The second story of the King Arthur Tower Suite)

In the surrounding village, there are a number of medieval cottages available. A little less luxurious than the castle itself, and a bit more family friendly, the cottages still evoke a sense of ease and comfort and offer a number of amenities. In the brightly colored Clock Tower, one can still take advantage of a whirlpool tub and a second story balcony. The Tower offers extra charm with its hand-carved wood and stained glass.

 (The Clock Tower)

(The upstairs bedroom of the Clock Tower)

A bit farther out, at the bottom of the hill, is the Huntsman's Hollow. The village of cabins offers a rustic setting, situated by a creek with a central fire pit that allows for outdoor camaraderie and fellowship. Each cabin houses four, and also offers an unfurnished sleeping loft for extra sleeping space, or a child's imaginary adventures.

 (A Huntsman's Hollow cabin loft)

(The Huntsman's Hollow)

And for the truly adventurous, Ravenwood Castle offers the Gypsy Wagons. While these small wagons offer heat, a kitchenette, and a private bathroom (that's only a small trek down the road), they lack bedding, towels, and linens. Meaning, if you want to sleep comfortably, you better BYOB (bring your own bed!). They recommend air mattresses and/or sleeping bags.

(Ezmerelda's Wagon)

(The inside of Ezmerelda's Wagon)

All guests have access to the entire grounds, which includes the Great Hall (which serves breakfast and dinner) and Raven's Roost Pub, where guests can enjoy hand-crafted beers, hard ciders, and board games. Yes, board games.

Ravenwood Castle also hosts two annual gaming cons, one of which is for charity, for those of you that (like me!) love that kind of thing. :)

So what does all this have to do with writing? Well, it doesn't, really. Except that I want so badly to go here and write! Ravenwood Castle is unplugged, which means they don't provide internet service and their cell service is sketchy. The point of the Ravenwood experience is to unwind, relax, enjoy the company of others if you're so inclined, and be inspired! Go back in time while still enjoying modern amenities. 

What fantasy writer, especially one (again, like me) that tends to focus on European-inspired settings, wouldn't want to soak up the atmosphere and write all the words???

So I've come up with a plan. It's a new plan, and still needs a lot (a LOT!) of development, but somehow, I'm going to make it happen. I want to host a writer's retreat here. Either a weekend, or maybe a whole week (like I said, I'm still in the early stages here). I want to rent the Huntsman's Hollow, probably sometime in the fall when the weather's a bit milder, and have authors bunk together, and write. Write, write, and write some more, with no technological distractions. Why the Huntsman's Hollow? Because of the community fire pit. Every afternoon/evening/whenever, we can all get together, discuss what we've been working on, ask questions, read snippets of our work and get feedback. And roast marshmallows! Who doesn't love s'mores? (I don't, actually, but I'll have one every now and again.)

So, like I said, somehow, I'm going to make this happen. So now I need to know: who's with me? Say I can make this happen sometime in the next two years--who wants to go? Who wants more information? If you do, hit me up on Facebook, on Twitter, on here. Email me: brianarobertsonwrites@yahoo.com. Let me know you want to be on the To-Know List. And as I make this happen, I will keep you updated. I will give you dates, prices, etc. And if you have suggestions, if you want to be involved in the planning, or you know a group that would be willing to sponsor one sooner, let me know! I am all ears, because right now, I'm flying by the seat of my pants. But I will prevail!

Let's go back in time and get inspired! Let's go to Ravenwood Castle! Who's with me?

Map Making: Inkarnate

I found a thing!

It's a fantasy map generator, entitled Inkarnate.

Inkarnate lets you:

     *shape your own land masses 

     *add colors and textures to differentiate between land types

     *add objects such as towns, villages, cities, towers, bridges, compasses, etc.

     *choose from a variety of fantasy-themed fonts to label areas, as well as change the size & color of said fonts

     *add notes regarding the world you've created

First, you can draw out the general shape of your world:

Then, you can add different colors and textures to differentiate between areas such as forests, deserts, tundras, roads, etc., as well as add actual mountains, trees, and more.

There are multiple options for adding cities, towns, villages, towers, bridges, ruins, compasses, etc.

And then you can add your fonts to label your locations.

There are also options for adding notes, using grid lines, naming and describing your map, saving an incomplete map so that you can come back to it later, and exporting your map for use elsewhere. 

Inkarnate is currently in a beta stage, and like any online tool, requires a bit of playing with in order to use. However, the site is fairly easy to use, and allows for a range of artistic levels. There is the ability to be as simple or complex as you'd like. 

My only critique so far is there is no undo button, although there is the ability to delete objects and text you've put in. 

I'm very excited to use this tool for future fantasy projects, including my upcoming novels, "Watcher" and "The Skathe." I would recommend it to fellow authors, illustrators, gamers, or anyone who might want to try their hand at it simply for fun. 

Intrigued? Give it a try! Check it out at www.inkarnate.com.

Much love!

I'm having a party!

Technically, we're having a party. And by we, I mean Stitched Smile Publications. Tonight is the pre-release party for "Unleashing the Voices Within," SSP's first anthology! It's happening from 7-10pm this evening, CST, and I will be co-hosting from 8:30-9. Wanna come hang out? You totally should!!!

Here's the link for the event, if you'd like to show up: https://m.facebook.com/events/1033833886692185?acontext=%7B"ref"%3A104%2C"action_history"%3A"null"%7D&aref=104&__tn__=H

Per Jackie Chin, SSP's lovely Marketing Manager, here's what I can tell you:

"Stitched Smile Publications is proud to announce their latest release: The Voices Within. 22 authors dig deeply into the recesses of the mind to bring you uniquely disturbing and graphic horror at its finest."

Genre: "Dark" (dark sci-fi, horror, thriller)

Pre-release date: June 16, 2016

Release date: June 22, 2016

Table of Contents:

A Mirror Never Lies, by David Owain Hughes
A Voice in a Box, by Katie MacMillan
Blasphemous Tumours, by David Court
Brattle-Boro, by Michael Freeman
Cabinet of Truth, by David Golightly
Cult of the Angel Eaters, by Mark Deloy
Cutting Lies, by Briana Robertson (THAT'S ME!!!!)
Final Delivery, by Jeff Dawson
Jacob's Mind, by Ty Schwamberger
Janie's Got a Gun, by Lisa Vasquez (That's my boss!!)
Lullaby and Goodnight, by C.S. Anderson
Night Train Fights, by Justin Gowland
Normalcy, by Kristy Brooks
Once Last Conversation, by Veronica Smith
Pure Soprano of Death, by Norbert Gora
Sandy, by R. Judas Brown (That's one of my really good friends!!)
Scarab, by J.C. Michael
The Darkness, by Jeff Parsons
The Killer and the Clergyman, by Kevin Hayman
The Voice of Absolution, by Ash Hartwell
Watch Out, by Jeffrey Blevins
What the Heart Wants, by Frank Martin

Also, be sure to check out Stitched Smile's Amazon page at: https://goo.gl/tWq0mH

Hope to see you tonight!

What's your beef with Star Wars?

Turns out my husband's never watched all of Episodes II & III of Star Wars.

Not only was this news to me; apparently, it was to him, as well. We decided to watch the Star Wars saga machete style (if you're unsure of what that means, check out this link); last night, as we sat watching the first half of Episode II, he turns to me and says, "I don't think I've watched this all the way through. I'd remember, because it's really bad."

He then proceeded, after telling me I couldn't sit and complain through the whole thing, to consistently comment on every awkward moment, every poorly written line, every inconsistency in the entire film. All I could do was laugh; he was more entertaining than the movie. But then again, what isn't?

Now, I know there are plenty of people who share my opinion of Episodes 1-3 (they're terrible), but I know there are people who enjoy them as well. That's fair. It is Star Wars, after all. Here's what I want to know: where do you think Episodes 1-3 went wrong? What is it about the films that make them so terrible? Is it bad casting? Bad writing? Poor taste? All of the above? My husband and I have been discussing it, and now I want to know your thoughts. Should these movies have been good, or were they doomed from the start? What, if anything, would have allowed them to stand up to par with the original trilogy?

And please, don't harp on Jar-Jar Binks. That's just lazy. We all know:

Now, discuss.

Where I'm At and Where I've Been

So this post isn't writing related. It's not nerd related, either. But as an author, I feel I owe my audience, small as it may currently be, an explanation for my recent--and overlong--absences. Rather than regular blog posts and updates on my author page, my updates have been random at best. My apologies.

On May 2 of this year, a scant two and a half weeks ago, I gave birth to my third daughter. Delivery was the culmination of an extremely long and excruciatingly painful pregnancy that has kept me away from not only my writing responsibilities, but life in general. I am thrilled and relieved to say that in addition to gaining an absolutely gorgeous and perfectly healthy baby, I've lost a large percentage of the daily pain I was in (along with 32 pounds!) and am finally able to get back to work.

So why haven't I?

Well, over the next two weeks, my family will be moving back to the St. Louis area. Due to a number of circumstances, my husband and I have decided it will be best for us to leave Quincy and return "home"--bringing us closer to family and better opportunities. So instead of keeping up on social media, I'm currently resigned to packing.

Ugh.

However, by June I should be settled in the new place and ready to get back to the daily grind of things. So keep your eyes open, I'll be making an official reappearance shortly. In the meantime, I'm looking forward to the publication of my short story, "Cutting Lies," in the upcoming anthology by Stitched Smile Publications, entitled "Unleashing the Voices Within." Here's a gander at the awesome cover:

Thanks for keeping up with me! See you all soon!

American Gods by Neil Gaiman: A Review

Honestly, I should have written this post forever ago, and in truth I should probably read the book again if this review is going to do any real justice to the novel, but that's not going to happen. My overall consensus: I'm glad I read it. I will probably never read it again.

Let's remember that American Gods was published fifteen years ago and has probably been reviewed God knows how many times since then, by reviewers much more qualified than myself. But when I initially posted the reading list on my blog, I told myself that when I finished one listed, I would review it here, even if it was just for myself.

In all fairness, I was warned by multiple peers that American Gods was not the way to go as my first foray into the world of Neil Gaiman. But I was aware the TV series by Starz was in the works and as I had every intention of watching it, I wanted to get the book under my belt. I also had a peer reference American Gods in a review they gave of one of my short stories; not having read it, I knew it was a compliment, but desired more context. So I ordered a cheap copy off Abebooks.com and got to reading.

(Coming to Starz 2017)

I was disappointed, as many warned me I might be.

Now, perhaps part of my disappointment lay in my lack of world religions and myths. Obviously I recognized the main characters/gods: Mr. Wednesday is Odin, Mr. Nancy is Anansi (thank you, Wishbone), Mr. Jaquel is Anubis. But a number of the smaller characters--the Zorya sisters, Easter, Whiskey Jack--those I had no reference for. It makes sense that much of the book's deeper meaning might be lost given that lack of reference.

But even as a story itself, I was disappointed. The pacing was slow, the plot a bit disjointed, the characters underdeveloped. Honestly, I can't pinpoint what exactly kept me reading. There was something. I'm not one of those people who feels compelled to finish a book just because I started it. If it doesn't hook me in some way, I put it down, and I don't feel guilty. So there was something about American Gods that hooked me, because I did finish it, and rather quickly too. But I didn't feel anything when I got to the end, except maybe relief. I didn't gain anything from the reading. There was no sense of resolution, no sense of finality. It just ended.

I think my main issue with American Gods, other than not relating to it, was that I didn't find it memorable. The part that left the biggest impression (warning: spoiler ahead if you haven't read it!) was the revelation that Hinzelmann was burying dead kids in the trunks of cars that ended up on the bottom of the lake. That's what I remember about the book. And there was a battle at the end, I think. I don't remember which side, if any, actually won. As both a reader and an author, that admission makes me sad.

The good news is my lack of love for American Gods hasn't put me off Neil Gaiman. I still have a number of his novels on my list of things I want to read. Thinking I'm going to give Neverwhere a go pretty soon. It, unlike American Gods, has been highly recommended.

So, if you've read American Gods, what are your thoughts? What am I missing? Does it deserve another read? Or did you not care for it either? Let me know. Because if there's anything better than reading a book, it's discussing said book with the rest of the world.