FUNNY GIRL IS BACK!

Today’s featured guest! Melodie Campbell, whose latest time travelling fantasy novel, ROWENA AND THE DARK LORD, is climbing up the charts. Take it away, Melodie!

The Trouble with Magic! Former Comedy Writer Goes Rogue

I’m a former comedy writer gone rogue, by writing fantasy. My Land’s End series has been called “Game of Thrones Lite” by reviewers, and also, “The Princess Bride with sex.”

ROWENA AND THE DARK LORD, book 2 in the series, has just been released. I’m currently writing book three and have discovered a fascinating thing about fantasy.

Here’s the trouble with magic: if you allow a mage to be all-powerful, what’s to stop him from killing everyone he doesn’t like, grabbing the girl, and getting his way all the time?

Nice for him, but not much of a story for our readers. So…I have learned that the thing about writing books with magic in them is you need to establish limits to that magic. In fact, you need rules.

These rules need to be logical, and they need to be consistent. They can’t be too complex -  readers must be able to understand them.

In ROWENA AND THE DARK LORD, Cedric is the main user of magic. He is also the villain (Author insert here: or is he?) Cedric is learning magic, and becoming more powerful. He has gone over to the dark side to pick up more power. He can create armies of ghostly faceless warriors. But he has a major limit. He can’t do magic from a distance. Therefore, he can’t kill or inflict harm on someone he can’t actually see.

Rowena is also a user of magic. But she is an ‘infant witch,’ untrained. She has a magic bracelet, and no idea how to use it. Then she finds out that with the bracelet, she can channel magic. So if someone is around, happening to use magic, she can misdirect it. But she doesn’t know how to create it herself.

These limits on magic allow me to create a lively and funny plot in ROWENA AND THE DARK LORD. There is misfiring magic all over the place. A Roman Legion gets taken out of time, and time itself is in jeopardy.

We take care of that one in book three.

Short Excerpt:

Men’s voices again, echoing like souls lost in a fog. The mist lifted in one swift movement to disappear into nothingness. In its place, were at least a hundred men.

Bugger. I messed up.

“Houston, we have a problem,” I said out loud. This wasn’t supposed to happen. I must have pronounced one of the spell words wrong.

“Who is Houston?” Lars said.

“Romans!” Gareth hissed. He drew his sword.

“Romans?” I stared at the battle-scarred men before us. They looked exhausted. They also looked bloody, dirty and rather short. Not to mention confused.

How the heck could they be Romans?

Someone yelled “Form Square!” in—yup—that was Latin.

“What the hell?” I stared. The men came to life moving with purpose into a square. Within seconds we were facing a shield wall bristling with spears.

Gareth and Lars already had their swords drawn. They tried to move in front of me but I spread my arms to hold them back.

“Sheath your weapons,” I commanded.

They hesitated, eyeing the wall of men and knives.

“For crissake,” I insisted, “what do you expect to do against that, besides get us all killed?”

With reluctance the swords slid back into their scabbards.

The man on the horse wore a breastplate the sort of armor that you only saw in museums back home. Or movies. I was reminded of Cleopatra starring Elizabeth Taylor. Richard Burton playing the part of Marc Antony.

Hoo boy.

The man on horseback stared at me. No stirrups on his saddle. A helmet that was in history books. Definitely Roman. I stared back at him.

Romans? In this time? What the poop had I done?

“It’s a freaking temporal rift!” My laugh was strident. “Where the hell is Spock when you need him?

Melodie Campbell achieved a personal best this year when Library Journal compared her to Janet Evanovich.  She has over 200 publications, including 100 comedy credits, 40 short stories, and 4 novels. She has won 6 awards for fiction.

 

www.melodiecampbell.com    www.funnygirlmelodie.blogspot.ca

Purchase Link for ROWENA AND THE DARK LORD:

http://www.amazon.com/Rowena-Dark-Lord-Lands-ebook/dp/B00CIZZS70/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1367004079&sr=8-3&keywords=rowena+and+the+dark+lord

Muse in a Pince Nez

            When I was a kid, my mom belonged to the Doubleday Book of the Month Club. I was only eight years old when I started reading the books - mystery, suspense, romance, whatever came in the mail that month. The story I remember best is an Ellery Queen mystery in which a killer strangled his victims with silk cords – blue for men and pink for the women. These days, we would call it a psychological thriller, not suitable for children. But, even if I didn't understand the why, I was fascinated with the what, when and where. A mystery reader was born. 

               Ellery was my first crush. I found the tall, cerebral detective with his athletic build and pince-nez strangely attractive. He was just so smart. Many moons have passed since he ignited my love of reading mysteries and set me on the path of writing them. But, the story of the pink-and-blue killer stayed with me, so a few months ago I did some research and learned the book’s title is CAT OF MANY TAILS. I ordered a used copy from Amazon, expecting to receive a tattered paperback.

               It’s the book I read when I was eight! Okay, not the same book, but the same edition. It’s hardcover, dusty blue with black lettering. The published date is in Roman Numerals and, when I Googled it, it translates to 1949. (Calm down, I’m not that old. Obviously the book clubs raided the warehouses and sent out overstocks or returns, whatever they called them back then.) The book is old but in great shape, and it cost me about twenty bucks. Do I have a first edition?

               I read it, for the first time in decades. Yes, it’s dated and there are no fancy forensics to solve the murders. While his father, Inspector Queen, and the rest of the NYPD, run around gathering evidence, Ellery paces the study, chain-smokes (I know!) and ponders. Magically, he puts the pieces together and solves the crime.

               The CAT OF MANY TAILS rests on top of a wicker filing cabinet in my office. I can see it out of the corner of my eye as I sit at my computer, writing my own mysteries. The blue book is my Muse, and one day soon I’ll read it again, just to appreciate the craft of mystery writing. And spend a little time with the endearing Mr. Queen.

                             

                

Today, I'm pleased to host my friend, Jessie B. Tyson, author of the historical paranormal thriller, WHITE HEAVEN WOMEN

WHITE HEAVEN WOMEN is FREE to download until 25th December

1.     Share a little about Jessie the person and Jessie the writer.

Jessie the writer is unorganised.  In the real world I’m a gifted, qualified Alternative Therapist, complimentary to orthodox medicine.  I've held gainful employment within the disabled community in England and Canada as an RCA, Support Worker and Alternative Therapist.  I've worked as a long term volunteer in a variety of organisations, particularly human rights, the disabled and animal rights.  I’m an advocate for the rights of homeless people everywhere.  I adore large dogs and remembering the stories of “Otis” and “Lennox” I battle fervently for Animal Rights and the abolition of worldwide Breed Specific Legislation (BSL). It is the “deed not the breed” that should determine whether a family’s pet dog lives or dies.  Ignorant cruel owners can make any breed of dog aggressive.  I feel it’s strange that even miniature dogs are on a dangerous dogs list somewhere in the world.

2. Tell us about White Heaven Women. What's it about and what inspired you to write it?

Where to begin and most importantly, to keep it short. When I lived in north England, I was a home/community support worker for a woman who suffered from Palsy when I was writing childrens books, and she asked me to write her life story. All went well for a few weeks until...bingo...one morning my imaginative muse took over like a control freak - it wouldn’t let me write the truth about her anymore! The only thing in my story that is true now is the knowledge that helpful Blue Ghosts exist. Or should I call them Angels? J

3. Who designed the cover for White Heaven Women?

 http://designs.sapphiredreams.org/ designed the front

4. If you could jump into a book, and live in that world … which would it be?

I’m undecided. Fantasy fiction, with elves and earth spirits or Wuthering Heights.

5. Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

While writing school projects, and after learning about unseen fantasy worlds and science fiction.

6. Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

Yes, answering interview questions... for anything...hehe

7. What do you read? What do you re-read?

Paranormal novels, with ghosts. I never read romance.

8. What is your favorite writing tip or quote?

I don’t really have one, just continue writing and keep everything you write because one day you could use what you delete in another story.

9. Are you currently working on another novel or writing project?

I’m working on three other novels. The sequel to White Heaven Women, a fantasy story and Saint Peters Soup Kitchen, not in that order.

www.twitter.com/JessieBTyson

www.facebook.com/JessieBTyson

http://jessiebtyson.blogspot.com/

http://www.amazon.com/White-Heaven-Women-ebook/dp/B008SDDGV6/

 

Why are the ghosts in WHITE HEAVEN WOMEN Blue - A TRUE AUDIO STORY

http://youtu.be/kGnp9nX7HyU

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THE NOT SO BIG THING

I was tagged by Alison Bruce, and the object was to tag three other writers to write about our Next Big Thing. I tagged five people but two of them were already tagged and three didn’t have time right now. Fair enough, but it so happens I just finished a Not-So-Big Thing, so this tag game is timely for me.

Why Not-So-Big? Well, I usually write full-length mystery novels. CHEAT THE HANGMAN (Imajin Books) was released a little over a year ago, and CORPSE FLOWER is coming out in the Spring of 2013 (through Dundurn Press). I have partially-written sequels to both.

I wanted to write something different, just for a change of pace. But, it couldn’t take up a whole lot of time like a full-length novel would. There was a short story in my files that was just clamoring to be dusted off and re-written as a longer story.

16,000 words later, I have GROWING FANGS, a fantasy/mystery novella aimed at the YA audience. It’s a vampire tale. Or is it? Like my novels, GROWING FANGS is written with a humorous twist but the resemblance ends there. I’ve never written anything with this word count, or for this age group, and I’m excited to find out if it works. So, really, I guess this Not-So-Big Thing really is a Big Thing after all. For me.

The focus group assembled from the kids/grandkids of friends and acquaintances will be my sounding board. If they like it, the next step will be researching markets to find a home where Lenny, Ashley, Jane and Crystal can live out their adventure. And maybe tell me what they want to do next.

INTERVIEW WITH THE BUTLER

A Character from CHEAT THE HANGMAN by Gloria Ferris

Winner of the Bony Blithe Award 2012

Lyris Pembrooke’s life is forever changed when she inherits her late uncle’s antique-filled Georgian mansion and discovers a small corpse hidden in the tower room, a 70-year old mystery that becomes Lyris’ obsession and forces her to clash with Conklin, the formidable butler who came with the house. Can't Live With Him; Can't Live Without Him seems to be Lyris's credo when it comes to the wily Conklin.

Today we're here in Blackshore, Ontario, talking to Arthur Conklin, long-time butler at Hammersleigh House which recently changed hands when the owner, Patrick Pembrooke, passed away.  Tell us, Mr. Conklin, how is Lyris Pembrooke managing as the new owner?

Madam is doing well. She is quite young, of course, and has much to learn. But I hope she will meet her late uncle's expectations. After all, the Pembrooke family is a large one and Mr. Patrick will have had his reasons for choosing Madam as his heir.

Actually, I hear that the Pembrooke family is... Well, how can I put this? Nuts.

Sir, I beg your pardon. It's true there are one or two family members residing in Lychwood which, in case you are not familiar with it, is an exclusive home for...

The deranged?

I was going to say, for those suffering ills of the mind.

Okay. Let's move on to the body that Lyris Pembrooke found in the tower room at Hammersleigh House. I understand you were there when it happened.

Young man, I can not allow fabrications. Madam found the body when she was—exploring the tower room. After she fell down the grand staircase, I called Chief Allaire. The three of us returned to the tower room and then, yes, I viewed the body.

The body had been there a long time, right?

Since 1943, yes.

How long have you been working at Hammersleigh House, Mr. Conklin?

My employment with Mr. Patrick commenced in 1948.

So you were never a suspect?

Do the math, sir.

Right. I believe the body was that of a young child, a murder victim. Do you think the killer will be brought to justice after all these years.

I sincerely doubt it. The child disappeared during the 1943 family reunion and most of those staying in the house that weekend are now deceased. Therefore, it would take divine intervention to uncover the facts. Even so, Madam appears determined to find out who caused the child's death and is extremely persistent in her efforts.

She sounds like a pain.

Your words, sir, not mine. Do not attribute them to me.

Gotcha. Before we go, Mr. Conklin, can I ask how long you plan to stay on at Hammersleigh House. After all, you must be getting up there.

Thank you for noticing. I will stay on as long as Madam needs me. I sense a peculiar darkness gathering strength around Hammersleigh House. No matter how — trying — I  may find Madam, I will not abandon her to face this peril alone.

Good luck with the forces of darkness, Mr. Conklin, and thank you for speaking with us.

If you please, young  man, I will peruse and edit your material before you air.

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FREE ON KINDLE NOVEMBER 5-7
on  AmazonKindle

ON SALE IN PAPERBACK NOV 1 - DEC 16
on Create Space Coupon Code HWVDU6SL 

Plot or Character?

I have a treat for you all today! Melodie Campbell, aka "Funny Girl" gives us her slant on which comes first - character or plot. Her answer may surprise you but it will definitely delight you!

Plot or Character – Which Comes First?  The Literary Slut Comes Clean…

I’m not a slut, I swear. (Okay, maybe a Literary Slut, in that I write in many genres, but that is ALL.)  So it rather shocked me when my character Rowena started acting in a manner that I personally would not have dared consider for myself.  It was, however, quite natural for her, and essential for my plot.

Which brings me to a favorite discussion topic shared by fiction writers in all locales… if plot is the chicken, and character the egg (or eggs), which comes first?  

 As an author and teacher of writing, I always recommend starting with plot. 

Here’s what I do: I devise the plot in my head, and then figure out what sort of characters I need to make the plot work.  I hear other authors state that they start with character, but I don’t.  To me, plot is king.  ‘Tell me a story.’  That’s the mantra I chant and live by.

 It could be that genre has an influence here.  I cut my publishing teeth in two arenas: the mystery short story and the newspaper humor column.  In both cases, I didn’t start writing until I knew the ending or the punch line at the end.  A good mystery takes clever planning and marches with confidence toward (hopefully) a sizzling conclusion.  Believe it or not, comedy writing is similar, in that it is remarkably disciplined.  You picture a funny situation.  Then you work at finding the words to make your scene (your plot) come to life.  The end has to be sharp, has to ‘leave ‘um laughing’.  That takes careful planning.

 In writing A Purse to Die For, the mystery plot was foremost.  The plot itself is not funny – it is a classic Agatha Christie style whodunit.  But the characters – well, that’s where I put my comic relief.  Sly wit was the goal here.  Put a bunch of greedy characters at the funeral of a rich relative, and watch the delicious sarcasm fly!

But even when I am writing romantic comedy and fantasy, my training has made it so that plot gets top billing.  The conflict that makes up my plot will usually signal who I need to people the tale.  In Rowena Through the Wall, I wanted someone who had the guts to walk through the wall in the first place.  The plot needed a character who was spunky, who was smart, and who would be the cause of a lot of hot passion among the guys on the other side of the wall.  Magic was going to be a player in the plot, which allowed me to give my gal a little power.  So…a smart, spunky girl becomes a veterinarian with a certain power over animals…an ‘animal whisperer’ on steroids, so to speak.  Thank you, Plot, for showing me my protagonist!

What about the other characters?  Now – who would attract a woman like Rowena? (Remember: smart, sexy, spunky.)  Obviously, someone worthy; I would need strong male characters with vivid personalities, very different from each other.  Perhaps some with special gifts and maybe one with evil powers. Thanks again, Plot - there’s my antagonist!

The funny thing about starting with plot is that some reviewers have said that characterization is a strength of mine.  I attribute this to the fact that when you create strong plots with lots of conflict, your characters become vivid to support the action.  They become who they need to be.  They almost tell you themselves how to write them.

 And this is why we sometimes hear, ‘my characters wrote themselves.’  Well, maybe not exactly.  But right now I’m having a pretty good argument with Rowena about whom she is going to end up with.  Darn, that girl can be stubborn.

A Purse to Die For

 What’s more treacherous than navigating a pack of society matrons at a designer sale? 

Stalking a killer…

“A delectable concoction of savory and unsavory characters, sex, delicious humour and suspense”  Garry Ryan, Award-winning author of Malabarista

Available in ebook at Amazon.com

Paperback to follow

Rowena Through the Wall

“Is that a broadsword on your belt, or are you just glad to see me?”

“Hot and Hilarious!”  Midwest Book Review

“Jack Sparrow meets Stephanie Plum”  Former editor, Distant Suns Fantasy Magazine

Available at Amazon.com, Amazon.ca and European Amazon sites.

Melodie Campbell has been a bank manager, marketing director, comedy writer, college instructor and possibly the worst runway model ever.  Melodie got her start writing comedy, so it’s no surprise that editors have called her fiction “wacky” and “laugh out loud funny”.  She has over 200 publications and has won six awards for fiction.  She was a finalist for both the 2012 Derringer and Arthur Ellis Awards and is the General Manager of Crime Writers of Canada.

Follow Melodie’s comic blog at

http://funnygirlmelodie.blogspot.com/
http://www.melodiecampbell.com/

Summer Sizzles with Imajin Books July & August

Exciting News and Contests from my publisher, IMAJIN BOOKS! Go to the Imajin Books website for full details http://www.imajinbooks.com

Here are a few highlights.

July is "Rewards for Our Readers Month"

• July 1 to 31. "Share the Imajin Books Buzz" contest - share Imajin Books events on Twitter and Facebook and receive entries into a draw for a KINDLE FIRE, KINDLE TOUCH 3G, KINDLE, KOBO VOX or KOBO TOUCH - winner's choice! Open to US residents (Kindle Fire/Kindle Touch) and US/UK/Canada residents (Kindle, Kobo Vox or Kobo Touch). Draw will take place the first week of August.
• "Ultimate Readers" contest - show us your Imajin Books! Post photos on Imajin's Facebook page of you reading one of our titles (Book cover must be legible) or a photo of one of our titles on your ereader. 5 prizes of $20 Amazon or Kobo gift cards, plus "ultimate reader" prize of a $100 Amazon or Kobo gift card. Contest open from Jul 1 - 31. Photos will be judged by Imajin Books authors. Prizes to be awarded the first week of August.
• Free ebooks all month long. Watch http://imajinbooks.blogspot.ca/ blog and check it throughout July to see which book is free.

August is "Meet our Authors" Month

• Meet the talented authors at Imajin Books. During August, Imajin authors will be posting on blog http://imajinbooks.blogspot.ca/ sharing interesting tidbits our our lives, our characters, and our books. Check Imajin's blog each day to see who's up next.
• Twitter Party. For 3 days August 15-17, Imajin will be holding a Twitter Party online and giving away prizes (ebooks, paperbacks and gift cards from Amazon and Kobo). Join us by searching for #ImajinAuthors. Leave a question or comment by including @imajinbooks and #ImajinAuthors in your tweet.
• "Share the Imajin Books Buzz" contest - again!. Share our events on Twitter and Facebook August 1 to 31 and receive entries into a second draw for an ereader - winner's choice as stated above in July highlights. Draw will take place first week of September.

Hope you can join us!