“The Heir Of Night” map: artist, Peter Fitzpatrick

The A Geography of Haarth post series explores the full range of locales and places from The Wall Of Night world of Haarth.

From January 25, 2013 to November 25, 2014, the posts traversed locations encountered in The Heir Of Night and The Gathering Of The Lost.

Now the series returns to gazette the geography of Daughter Of Blood (The Wall Of Night Book Three.)  The new series will include updates of previous entries as well as new listings. Today’s entry is another new location.

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UK/AU/NZ

USA

Brave Hold:   satellite fortress of the House of Blood
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‘Taly was shouting out Brave Hold’s battle cry, but the Darksworn warcries drowned her voice as Madder and the wyr hounds leapt to meet Arcolin. Nimor’s marines answered with a Sea House yell as the first rake of Arcolin’s sorcery scored Kalan’s shield—but the black spear absorbed the brunt of the assault and turned the remainder back toward the attackers.’

~ from Daughter of Blood, The Wall Of Night Book Three – Chapter 57, Spear Song

As promised on April 10, here is the guest post from Tarran Jones on some of the inspirations for her short fiction collection, Tales From The Scribe.

Tarran and I met at AussieCon4 in Melbourne in 2010, where she impressed me with her friendliness, sincerity and enthusiasm. At that time Tarran lived in Adelaide and was employed in the book industry. Since then we have reconnected via t’ interwebs several times and I have always appreciated Tarran’s engagement with books, writing, and speculative fiction in particular.

Tarran has since published a collection of her short stories — the theme of today’s guest post 🙂 — and has also recently moved to the country, a  change which may also prove an influence on her writing. For now, though, I hope you’ll endorse my welcome to “…on Anything, Really.”

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Small Things Lead To Wonderful Ideas

by Tarran Jones

“So much work goes into writing even a simple short 2000 word story. You have to get your ground work done before you can even touch the middle and start building your dream world.

I believe stories are dream worlds of authors who then want to share their dream with other people—and that the process of writing gives us an insight into the minds and personalities of everyday people. They could be our neighbours, friends, families, or a random stranger on the train (In fact, a random person typing away is most likely going to be an author, frantically trying to get as many words done on the trip to and from their daytime job.) The author also puts a small piece of him or herself into every work they do. It can’t be helped.

World-building in stories means a lot of things. You have your basics, like customs, money, countries, and peoples. Then you have the info structure, daily life, weather patterns, laws, borders, and the list goes on. To make a believable world, one must intensely research  seemingly mundane things and then use them in ways that enhances the story. Once the  ground work has been done, then your imagination can fly.

The first story in my short story collection, Tales From The Scribe, is called:

The Journey of Cerdiwen

I fell in love with the original telling of this story because the magic of the Celtic tales run through my blood. My family hails from Britain, the Yorkshire plains and Kentish countryside. I am first generation Australian but my heart has always lodged in the myths and legends of my mother and father’s country.  Cerdiwen’s Tale comes from the Second Branch of the Mabinogi, which is the story of Branwen, sister to Bendigeidfran (The Blessed Bran.)

In the original, Bran comes to the aid of his sister Branwen who is being abused by her husband Matholwch, in retaliation for an offence committed by her other brother, Efnisien. Matholwch tries to trick the Blessed Bran and his brothers, but in the end a battle ensues and everyone is killed apart from Branwen, Taliesin Ben Beirrd (Bard), and a few other soldiers who then have to take the head of the Blessed Bran back to Britain. They bury it where the Tower of London sits, where it is said to protect Britain from invasion to this day. Branwen then dies of a broken heart because everyone she loves has died.

I wanted to write a rehashing of this story, but then I thought, “What if Branwen’s fate could be changed, then what would happen?” A strong series of images followed, with Taliesin rewriting history by sending people back into the past to change a pivotal moment in their history. If they succeed then they disappear, never to return. If they fail, they come back changed beyond belief. How scary would it be to go through a ceremony where some people never made it back? As a protagonist, what would you be thinking? So I send Cerdiwen back to change time. Is she successful? You’ll have to read her Journey to find out.

Life After Death, another of the stories from Tales From The Scribe, takes a powerful look into what the afterlife may be. Nobody knows for certain, but we all have theories. This story came about when I was in a dark state of mind and wanted to explore what I believed. In the story my main character, Gillian, has committed suicide after battling with depression. She could not see the love she gave or what she received, she could not see the good in the world. She then goes on a journey into her soul-mind to discover and learn HER truth. Pain, Struggle, Regret. These are very powerful emotions and when we die, most of us are going to have experienced these things, but if we can learn to accept and not fear them, then we may have a chance to go to God, be reborn, or fade away into nothing. Our afterlives, in my opinion, are based on what we believe. Gillian’s struggle and then acceptance of death is an intense moment that we all face in the future.

The world building in Life After Death is within the person herself and her inner demons. We know nothing about the country she lives in, its economy, or her job. All the reader learns is about  the inner workings of Gillian’s mind and the journey she has to make after taking her own life. It is not a story about suicide as such, it is about what happens to our souls and how we reconcile with the decisions made during our lifetimes.

Life After Death is perhaps one of my favourites from this collection. A story with such raw pain and yet the hope of redemption.

Conclusion:

I have been writing three of these stories for a few years. Re-working them, loving them, shaping them. I am so proud of them. Each one has a little bit of my soul poured into it.  I have changed so much as a writer as I wrote them. I see how far characters such as Cerdiwen have come along, and how personalities like Gillian have changed so much. I believe that writing these stories has helped me grow and become better. There is something for everyone with this collection and I really do hope they inspire and make you think. You don’t have to like them as long as they make you think, “What If?”

I would like to hear from you and your thoughts if you do end up reading my Tales From The Scribe. Contact details are below.

To find out more about Tales From The Scribe collection, including reviews and how to buy, follow these links:

Tales From The Scribe

Amazon: Tales From The Scribe

Good Reads: Tales From The Scribe

~ Tarran Jones. “

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Tarran Jones

About Tarran Jones:

Tarran Jones is an avid book lover and has been in the book business for 16+ years. She loves to write fantasy and has a short story in the anthology Twice Upon a Time (ed. Joshua Allen Mercier, Bearded Scribe Press, 2015.) Tarran’s collection, Tales From The Scribe, has recently been published.  A Twisted Tale of Wonderland will be coming out in 2017, so keep an eye out for it.

Tarran is quirky, dedicated and a dreamer. After writing, gardening is her passion and she would love to own a hobby farm and be self-sufficient.  She lives with her family in Peterborough, South Australia and is keen to be involved in workshops and other bookish things.

You can find  Tarran on her website:

tales from the scribe

on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/tarranjones13.com.au/

and Twitter:

@MagiTaliesin

Or email her directly on:

celestia131@hotmail.com

USA

Recently I’ve resumed my “About the Characters” posts that focus on the minor characters in The Wall Of Night series — because “I think it’s the presence of the smaller characters that “makes” a story, creating texture around the main points of view.”

The feature is posting every second Thursday, alternating with A Geography of Haarth.

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UK/AU/NZ

Tisanthe: initiate priestess, serving in the Temple of Night
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‘ “We don’t know why you asked for us at all,” said another young woman, her eyes fixed on her feet.

“What is your name?” Jehane Mor asked gently. 

The bent head lifted.  “Tisanthe,” she said, plainly shy.’

~ from The Heir of Night, The Wall Of Night Book One – Chapter 10, In the Old Keep
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* Dedicated WALL series readers may be interested to learn that Tisanthe is 
one of the minor characters who *may* return in The Chaos Gate.

Recently I’ve had the opportunity to re-read some classic novels. One of these was Mary Webb’s Precious Bane, which was first published in 1924.

One aspect that struck me on this reading was what an essentially modern book Precious Bane is, for the following reasons:

• it’s told in first person point of view, from the perspective of Prue Sarn, with no intrusions or interpolations from the author as “omniscient narrator”, so characteristic of fiction in this era;
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• disability is a theme of the book , in the sense that Prue has a hair lip (“hair shotten”) and its effect on her life and character is central to the story;
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• the book is also a psychological study of the effect of ambition and avarice on Prue’s brother, Gideon Sarn — the “precious bane”* of the title;
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• issues such as pregnancy out of wedlock, and prejudice and cruelty within a small community are also addressed in a way that heralds social attitudes through the mid to late 20th century, rather than reflecting the 19th century mores of Webb’s upbringing.

Needless to say, there is still plenty of Victorian drama, melodrama even, in Precious Bane and the writing still is also grounded in the Victorian style — but overall, I believe it is a novel with a modern sensibility that will “speak” to contemporary readers. It did to me, at any rate.

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* Note: Some commentators suggest that the “precious bane” of the title refers to Prue’s hair lip. Although this may be implicit in the development of her character, my reading of the book was that it explicitly referred to Gideon Sarn’s love of gold (avarice) that is the “bane”: e.g. “Yet it was an innocent gold, and not that gold which is called the bane.”

“The Heir Of Night” map: artist, Peter Fitzpatrick

The A Geography of Haarth post series explores the full range of locales and places from The Wall Of Night world of Haarth.

From January 25, 2013 to November 25, 2014, the posts traversed locations encountered in The Heir Of Night and The Gathering Of The Lost.

Now the series returns to gazette the geography of Daughter Of Blood (The Wall Of Night Book Three.)  The new series will include updates of previous entries as well as new listings. Today’s entry is one of the new locales.

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USA

UK/AU/NZ

Blood Gate:    main entrance into the Red Keep and a fortress in its own right
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 “The trickle’s begun, I see.” The officer of the watch began noting down their names. “We’ll have the flood once the Contest’s fully done.” Kalan thought his name might prove the stumbling block, but although … the officer studied his face and insignia, the Storm Spear device did not seem to register. The Blood Gate, like the Gate of Winds in Night’s chief stronghold, was a separate fortress with a distinct garrison, and the officer’s reaction suggested that unless specific orders arrived, events in the Keep proper, even the Honor Contest and duel, would remain of limited interest.

~ from Daughter of Blood, The Wall Of Night Book Three – Chapter 34, A Long Road

It’s not all dirty raincoats and running from the police. Flash fiction writing has entered the sphere of respectability within literary circles. W.W. Norton’s Flash Fiction Anthology published in 2015 features short short pieces from Etgar Keret to Christchurch authors Frankie McMillan and James Norcliffe. The third edition of the Best Small Fictions series has recently selected winners from thousands of submissions from around the world.

The number of publications specialising in flash seems to be proliferating.

In New Zealand we have the annual National Flash Fiction Day contest (https://nationalflash.org/) and Flash Frontier, An Adventure in Short Fiction, both developed by Michelle Elvy.

There’s a lot to be gained from being part of a larger community of like-minded flashers. We offer each other encouragement and feedback, or bail one another out if we get caught loitering outside school gates in raincoats. Oops, wrong kind of flashing.

Witness the popularity of Facebook public groups such as Nancy Stohlman’s ‘Flash Fiction Lovers’ and Ash Chantler’s ‘International Flash Fiction Network’

On line or print versions have flourished recently. I’ve just finished reading the review copy of Flash Fiction Magazine − Issue 3.

Shannon Huffman, chief editor for Flash Fiction Magazine (FFM), provides this blurb on the forthcoming edition:

“An enthralling anthology of brief encounters…

Some tales can take a lifetime to tell, others unfold in an instant. This third issue of Flash Fiction Magazine once again celebrates the latter.”

Sound good? I enjoyed it, and am pleased to have my piece Shadow included in the collection.

Reading the FFM collection started me thinking about the role of anthologies and how they support the flash writing community.

Australian Matt Potter runs the Truth Serum (https://truthserumpress.net/), which publishes anthologies and the on-line publication Pure Slush. Recently they have brought out True, an anthology of stories, essays and poems, another opportunity for writers of short form to get stories out there.

Paul Beckman is a stalwart of the flash community. His stories have appeared in a multitude of flash publications. Asked what he sees the role of flash anthologies to be, Paul replies:

“I’ve always been a fan of anthologies and I’ve been fortunate to be in quite a few: Blue Lyra, Heart Beats, Best Small Fictions 2016, Matt Potter’s prompt anthologies for Pure Slush/Truth Serum, (Truth, Feast, Wiser, Inane, Tall-ish, Summer etc.) I’ve made many friends after sending a note telling authors how much I enjoyed their story and how my creativeness feeds off their work.”

This sums up how well we thrive off one another within the flash community.

Thank you Helen for this opportunity to chat about flash fiction.

~ by Nod Ghosh
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Nod Ghosh

About Nod Ghosh:

Nod Ghosh’s work features in Landfall, JAAM, Takahē. Nod is an associate editor for Flash Frontier. Further details: http://www.nodghosh.com/about/

USA

UK/Aus/NZ

Recently I’ve resumed my “About the Characters” posts that focus on the minor characters in The Wall Of Night series — because “I think it’s the presence of the smaller characters that “makes” a story, creating texture around the main points of view.”

The feature is posting every second Thursday, alternating with A Geography of Haarth.

Today’s character is Teron.

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USA

Teron: of Cloud Hold, formerly the Earl of Night’s squire and still sworn to his service as an adult.
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‘ “You don’t know the priest kind, minstrel,” the youth replied ominously.  “They are devious and treacherous.”

“Is this something you know from your own experience?” Haimyr inquired lazily.

“I? No!” Teron looked affronted. “We follow the House of Blood’s example in our hold and will not suffer priests within our walls, given their past betrayals.  Speaking of betrayal,” he added darkly, “how do we know that last night’s attack was not some conspiracy between the Temple quarter and the priestly Houses?”

“We do not, of course,” Haimyr replied. “But from what I understand of last night’s events, and the number of priests that lie dead, it seems unlikely.”

Teron’s scowl did not lift.  “What would you know anyway?” he muttered. “You’re only—”  He broke off at the sudden glint in Haimyr’s golden eyes.  The minstrel’s tone, however, remained light. 

“An outsider?” he inquired.  “Why, so I am.  All the same, I try to use my eyes and ears—and at least a little of what lies between them as well.”

Nhairin snorted and Teron glowered at the minstrel…’

~ from The Heir of Night, The Wall Of Night Book One – Chapter 7, The Tower of the Rose

UK/AU/NZ

‘ “If a Swarm force did come through the pass and take the Towers,” Garan continued, “they would not only have a strong foothold on the Haarth side of the Wall, but a clear route through the Plain of Ash and into the Gray Lands.” He paused. “Here, Commander, I’ve drawn it as best I could.”

“Surely this is the priest House’s problem though?” Teron sounded both puzzled and impatient. “Let them look to their allies rather than whining to Night for help.”

Typical, Kalan thought, recalling Cloud Hold’s reputation for rigid adherence to the Oath that separated priest and warrior kind.’

~ from Daughter of Blood, The Wall Of Night Book Three – Chapter 28, Field of Play

I hope to have two new guest posts for you over the next few weeks.

The first, intriguingly titled The Secret Lives of Flashers, by my fellow Christchurch writer, Nod Ghosh, discusses the phenomenon of the short short story, otherwise known as flash fiction, in the context of the forthcoming Flash Fiction Magazine. Issue 3. The anthology is to be published on April 12 (US date) and Nod will also have more information on that, as well as other flash fiction hotspots, when her feature posts on Monday 17 (NZ date.)
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The second guest post I hope to bring you is from Australian writer, Tarran Jones. Tarran will be taking a particular look at the range of mythic influences that shaped her short story collection, Tales of the Scribe – from the Celtic Mabinogion to the Dreamtime stories of indigenous Australians. All going well, we’ll be hearing from Tarran on May 1.

So stay posted. 🙂

The A Geography of Haarth post series explores the full range of locales and places from The Wall Of Night world of Haarth.

From January 25, 2013 to November 25, 2014, the posts traversed locations encountered in The Heir Of Night and The Gathering Of The Lost.

Now the series returns to gazette the geography of Daughter Of Blood (The Wall Of Night Book Three.)  The new series will include updates of previous entries as well as new listings. Today’s entry is one of the latter.

UK/AU/NZ

USA

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Awl Lane: a wynd off Sailcloth Street, in the town of Grayharbor
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“Awl Lane was steeper and narrower than Sailcloth Street, hemmed in by tall stone walls with narrow gray houses rising behind, which forced them to walk single file.”

~ from Daughter Of Blood: The Wall of Night Book Three; Chapter 2 — The Serpent Prince

USA

UK/AU/NZ

This is really a follow up to last week’s question on the hardest part of writing a quartet, although the questions were asked by different interviewers in distinct interviews, both at the time Daughter of Blood was published.

Today’s question came from Civilian Reader, who asked (in full): Three books in, what lessons have you learned from the process of writing and plotting the series? Is there anything you wish you could have done differently?

To which I replied:

“I think the most profound lesson I have learned is that even when you are telling one story in four parts, every book is different and you have to approach it that way from the start. Again to quote Ursula Le Guin, “the boat of story … knows its course” but it’s also highly unlikely to follow the same route a second time. So as a writer I have had to learn to listen to the story and what it’s telling me about the course it’s charted—which may not be at all the same path I was proposing to take, even if it is to reach the same destination (which so far has proven to be the case.)

To be honest, though, I think that’s rather wonderful—and who would want to write the same book a second time, anyway? And it’s that difference between each book that allows both your story and writing to grow.

At a more prosaic level, another lesson I learned very early on with the Wall series is that the more point-of-view characters you add in the bigger your story will get. Just sayin’.”

To read the interview in full, click on:

Civilian Reader: An Interview With Helen Lowe