Guest Post: Rachel O'Laughlin Talks POVs

Today is an awesome day because I have one of the best critique partners and one of the best writers of fantasy here to talk about POVs (a topic you all know is very close to my heart!). Let's hear what she has to say, and then find out below how you can win an ecopy of her book Coldness of Marek.

Hi, readers and writers! I’m thrilled to be guest blogging on Mara’s blog today, talking about multiple points-of-view in fiction, and particularly fantasy. This is especially a cool topic for both Mara and I, as we’ve swapped ideas back and forth over manuscripts and golly, is it FUN.

I’m a bit of a point-of-view addict. If I could come at a story from EVERYBODY’S point of view, I would. Some writers of literary masterpieces did just that — slipped in and out of many heads seamlessly, without the need to break for breath or chapter heading. Nowadays, most writers are expected to be a little more uniform in the way we write. I confess, I hate these types of confines sometimes. But in the realm of point-of-view, it’s a pretty good idea to have some boundaries. I think this is one of those things where it’s really up to the writer to make those boundaries themselves, or with some critique-partners who know their style.

Some epic fantasy writers have one character from each major race, or family, or continent. Some have a hero, a villain, and a love interest. Some want to have all their points-of-view be protagonists in their own right. I’ve seen all kinds work. Even an exclusive four female points-of-view (or four male, of course) can be compelling when done well. When it comes down to it, the most important part for me is the characters’ relation to each other. That’s where the main story is happening.

For you readers out there, I thought I’d give a breakdown of who these people typically are for me. Just for fun.

The Protagonist - He/she doesn’t have to be a hero. This is just the person I’m following through the story. Everything revolves around them. Even if secondary heroes/multiple protagonists exist and I’m following them, too, there needs to be a main anchor. This is also the person we can assume doesn’t die…unless I’m mean, like George R.R. Martin. Let’s not even talk about that. *runs over to the corner to cry over Eddard one more time*

The Antagonist - Yup, I like coming from this person’s perspective as well. Why? Because I want to see inside their twisted little head. One of my favorite things an artist ever said in an interview was when Eliza Dushku was asked who she would be imprinted with if she could be someone else for a day (in the context of her starring role in the show, Dollhouse). Her answer was, “I would be Quentin Terrentino. I just wonder what’s going on in that man’s brain.” And that sums up why I like to be in this head. Who thinks these things? I’m curious.

The Counterpoint - This is definitely different than the antagonist, in that this character does NOT play the role of ruining the life of my main character. But every book I’ve penned has always had someone who fills this role. The opposite side. The mirror, the other way of looking at things. In Coldness of Marek, Mikel is the obvious counterpoint, but I didn’t come from his point-of-view at all. There are a lot of counterpoints in Trzl’s life. In the first part, it’s Dremir. In the second, Gernan.

The Darling - Wheee! Happies! This can be the comic relief, the love interest, the best friend, the kid brother, the bossy aunt that also bakes cupcakes. I tend to skip this character if I can help it, because I just like writing dark stories, but Coldness of Marek actually has one, and I did use his point-of-view. Yay Colstadt!

The Mentor/Apprentice - Obi-Wan is my perfect example here. In Star Wars 1-3, he’s the apprentice. In 4-6, he’s the mentor. But this can be either/or, or two different characters altogether. In Coldness, I only have the apprentice, Malcom. In the second book, Knights of Rilch, I have an older Knight who is definitely the mentor. The reason this character is often so real for us, I think, is because we all have these people in our lives. We have mentors we look up to, whether they be parents or teachers or employers, and we all have those who are relying on us for mentoring in one thing or another.

And that’s most of them, I do believe. If you’re a writer, which points-of-view do you tend to utilize? If you’re a reader, what are your favorite uses of point-of-view in novels?

Amazon UK:http://www.amazon.co.uk/Coldness-Marek-Serengard-Rachel-OLaughlin/dp/0984919414/

Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Coldness-Marek-Serengard-Volume-1/dp/0984919414/

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/coldness-of-marek-rachel-olaughlin/1107918434?ean=2940148509899

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Jumping the Shark

In honor of Shark Week 2013 coming to a close and to celebrate another year gone by where I didn't watch a single minute of it (FYI: Sharks terrify me almost as much as spiders.), I thought I would do a shark themed post here. And what better way to bridge the gap between Shark Week and the writerly world than to talk about "Jumping the shark"?

First, let's talk about what this phrase means. According to Wikipedia:

Jumping the shark is an idiom created by Jon Hein that was used to describe the moment in the evolution of television show when it begins a decline in quality that is beyond recovery, which is usually a particular scene, episode, or aspect of a show in which the writers use some type of "gimmick" in a desperate attempt to keep viewers' interest.

In its initial usage, it referred to the point in a television program's history when the program had outlived its freshness and viewers had begun to feel that the show's writers were out of new ideas, often after great effort was made to revive interest in the show by the writers, producers, or network.^[1][2][3]

The usage of "jump the shark" has subsequently broadened beyond television, indicating the moment when a brand, design, or creative effort's evolution loses the essential qualities that initially defined its success and declines, ultimately, into irrelevance.

The origins of this phrase comes from the hit television show Happy Days as it entered its fifth season. So what happened?

Fonzie jumped a shark. Literally. This moment was viewed as the beginning of a decline for the show. And we still use this term today to define moments of "Are you serious?" in television and literature.

I've experienced those moments in literature. Recently, for me, it was The Mortal Instruments. I was okay until the big reveal at the end concerning Clary and Jace. And I couldn't move past it. I know a lot of people love those books, so keep in mind we have our own opinions as I express mine here. To me, it felt like a contrived plot point. A gimmick. And as a reader, there's nothing I can't stand more. I see small ones here and there, but when they go big--when they jump the shark--I can't move forward. If you're looking for another example of jumping the shark in literature, think of a certain hybrid baby with skin that sparkles in the sun.

I've experienced it with television recently as well. I started watching Roswell since injuring my hand, and I loved the first season. It was a great mix of teen angst, suspense, action, and sci-fi, all with a really compelling love story. Season two felt a bit off balance and was harder to watch. If I'm honest, the second set of the Four was probably the first time the show jumped the shark. But the opening scenario with Liz and Max for season three jumped about four other sharks for me. It felt like a ploy to keep the "will they/won't they" suspense they had in season one--something else to keep our young lovers apart. Because we all know getting a couple together on a show spells doom (that rant is for another post). So I stopped watching.

My point in all of this is that we need to treat our readers like intelligent people. Don't dumb things down for them, and don't throw obvious sharks their way. Sometimes, as writers, it is very easy to get carried away with the mustache-twirling plotting and imagining what readers' reactions will be when they come across our nefarious plans for their beloved characters. But we need to stop, take a breath, and make sure we are making decisions based on the story and the characters, not by what will get a reaction out of readers. Because if you write that way, you might not like the reactions readers have.

Cover Reveal: Revenge in Rio by Samantha Darling

Calculated revenge, unexpected passion…

Business magnate Luca Venancio is returning to Rio to pay his respects to his late brother, and to seduce his once fiancée, Daniella, back into his bed. Five years ago she left him without so much as a word, shunning him and the rich life he could offer in exchange for his younger, reckless brother. Now Luca wants revenge—seduce her and dump her, that's all he intends to do.

Blackmailed into a violent farce of a marriage, Daniella had no choice but to comply to protect Luca's life, even though it meant never being able to see him again. Years later, a twist of fate reunites them, throwing her plans of fleeing Rio out of the window and the love of her life straight back in.

Luca's flawless plan soon becomes complicated when he discovers Daniella is expecting his brother's child. It becomes even more complicated when old passions return. Can he actually go through with seducing her, bedding her, and then discarding her?

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Author Info

I live in Essex, not too far from London, with my very understanding husband, our identical twin boys, and two Bedlington Terriers. We're crammed into our rather cozy two-up two-down terrace and we can barely swing a cat, but hey, we love it. I work part-time as a nurse, but when I'm off duty, you will find me either chasing the toddlers around like a headless chicken, head buried in a book, or tapping away at my stories.

I have always loved to read and romance is by far my favourite genre! You can easily escape into such promising worlds, where sexy Alpha males lead the way and strong heroine's often can't help but fall head over heels in love. I adore a Happy Ever After - as I'm sure we all do if we're honest, right?! 

Reading and writing go hand in hand and from the day I could read, I enjoyed writing. To put pen to paper and conjure up weird and wonderful little stories was what I thrived on! English was my favourite class at school right throughout to secondary - and I will always be thankful for the teachers who gave me the opportunities to develop and be creative! If I remember rightly, one of my first stories was called 'The Turkey Who Could Talk'...but I'll tell you more about that some other day :-)  

Excerpt of Coldness of Marek by Rachel O'Laughlin

If you haven't read this book by now, you really need to. No, I don't care that it just came out and your To-Read list is a mile high. Yes, I know it is totally unfair that I got an ARC and was thus made aware of the awesomeness of this book before it even came out. But you know what? Take a second to put yourself in my shoes, guys. Geesh. I'm the one who has been sitting here since August 3rd, just chomping at the bit until I can urge you to rush out and buy this book. My review doesn't even cover how amazing it is. But this first chapter might give you an idea.

So I guess I will quit gushing and get to it. Then you can go buy the book, read it in one day (because trust: you will not be able to put it down), and we can gush over it together! Oh, and Rachel O'Laughlin herself will be stopping by on August 12th to talk about writing multiple points of view.  Here's the blurb so you have a reminder of what the book is about:

COLDNESS OF MAREK

Epic Fantasy
The First in the Serengard Series
Release Date: August 6, 2013

Serengard has been under Orion rule for centuries—centuries of insufferable adherence to laws and traditions that its people no longer believe in. Raised by her scholarly grandfather in the fiery southern city of Neroi, Trzl is dedicated to turning the monarchy into a free society where knowledge is king and no one has to be subject to the whims of an Orion.

As the rebellion escalates, her choices have an eerie impact on the revolution at large, elevating her to a position of influence she has only dreamed of attaining. But there are downsides to her new power that entangle her in a dangerous web of emotions, appearances and alliances. Even as she plays to the attractions of Hodran, a rich nobleman who wants to aid her cause, she is drawn to Mikel, a loyalist farmer who hates the rebellion but just might be winning her heart.

By the time Trzl realizes she is in too deep, she has an infant son and a dark mess of betrayal and lies. She runs to the furthest corner of the kingdom in hopes that she will be left alone with her child, but she has created too many demons. A figure she once trusted will take her captive in the chilling Cliffs of Marek, throw her back into the political upheaval she helped create, and leave her at the mercy of a man she never wanted for an enemy.

COLDNESS OF MAREK

FIRST CHAPTER

To the east of Dragon Country.

In the 10th year of The Four Cities.

THE HILL COUNTRY WAS SUPPOSED to be safer. Trzl would have put boards over her doors and windows like the rest of the settlers, but she did not believe in signs like the stirred fog and other nonsense.

“The fog is not lying still,” her neighbor told her, shaking his head. “Something is churning it, far away, up in the mountains.”

Rem was ancient and believed in the old sayings. Sayings that had kept people enslaved, kept them bound to nature. And it was too late in the year for cold dragons or fanged cats. Even Trzl knew that, and she was from the city.

But Malcom—Malcom looked worried, too. The last time Trzl had seen him afraid was two years ago, when a snake came into their pantry in broad daylight. Even then, he had been brave enough to kill the reptile. Her son was no weakling. His very name meant simply, in the Seren tongue, ground. A certain type of ground. Firm, high, far from the storms of the sea or the quicksand of the desert or the lowlands that flooded. His soul was older than most boys of his years, and she knew it.

Now he stared out the window, shivering.

Then again, her house was cold. It always was on mornings like this.

They all heard the hoofbeats at the same time. More than one horse. At least a dozen, moving at a smooth canter.

My Thoughts on the New Doctor (Doctor Who)

I just got back from watching the big reveal of the new Doctor. I wasn't planning on watching it since I don't have TV beyond Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon, but I happened to find myself at my cousin's house (a new Whovian convert--she's on season 2) talking about the big 2pm reveal, well, at 2pm. So we decided to turn it on. I'm not sure who most of those people were talking about Doctor Who, but after much impatience on my part, the reveal was made. Moffat's comments about how it would change things had me worried they were going to choose a woman, so I let out a huge relieved sigh when Peter Capaldi was announced.

I haven't seen him beyond the episode of Doctor Who he was in, but I can say so far that I like the look of him. I don't mind the thought of an older Doctor. In fact, I quite like it.

Like it, I say? But...but...how will he run? How can there be running with a 55 year old man as the Doctor??

Image courtesy of...well, everywhere on Tumblr.

I'm not a classic Who fan, so I can't be like other people and remind the internet of the older Doctors from days past who got around just fine. But I can say that I don't think 55 is too old to be able to run around and have adventures. I don't think that's going to change. Mark Harmon is 62, but I happen to think Leroy Jethro Gibbs is one of the biggest badasses on TV right now.



But how can he flirt with Clara when he is old enough to be her grandfather??

Image courtesy of...Tumblr. Seriously, how do you figure out where it originates on there?

I'm a big fan of the whole Clara story. I really am. And yes, I am one of those who thinks there were romantic undertones to the Clara and Eleven relationship. But...I don't want those undertones to become overtones. One of the compelling things about the Doctor is that he is an alien who has lived for over 1000 years, but living, in some ways, as though he were human. He's above us but trying to stay with us at the same time. Most of the time that is through his companions. He has a big heart, but because he is different from us and might live for 1000 years more, he can't exactly give it away. He can't act on his feelings. He never did with Rose. He barely did with River, and she was probably the closest to an equal he's had in his life in quite some time. So I don't think Clara should be the exception to this rule, but I don't want the dynamic of their relationship to change just because he's got an older face now.

So let me get this straight, internet...You think I'm old enough to have a 26 year old granddaughter?
(Image courtesy of leedsstudent.org)

Do I think that is going to be any different with an older Doctor? No. There was an obvious age gap between Rose and Nine, but she still flirted with him just fine. And she was nineteen. Clara's supposed to be, what, twenty six? Ish? Hardly young enough for it to be in pedophile territory. Hell, not even young enough to be his granddaughter. And more over, Clara has a better understanding of what it means to be the Doctor than any other companion. She hasn't just been with him through her lifetime, she's seen him throughout his own too. So I doubt she's going to see him regenerate and go "Zermahgod, you are like, so old. Eew." With everything she's been through with the Doctor, I think she's going to still look at him and see him, just with another face.

So, in summary, I'm sure it will be fine. I've seen lots of posts on the internet at large saying he's too old, he's not cute enough, Doctor Who is going to loose the American demographic (really?), Doctor Who is going to loose the younger demographic (again, really?), etc.

This comes as no shocker, but I think people are jumping to conclusions. The internet gives us a voice to gripe about anything, and by golly we are determined to create things to gripe about because of it. But in reality, real fans will keep watching. I didn't think I'd keep watching beyond David Tennant, but Matt Smith ended up winning me over. Clearly, he won most fans over or the show would be in a lot of trouble instead of as huge as it is throughout the world. I think Peter Capaldi will do the same.

So to all the fuss on the internet about the casting choice of the new Doctor, I say:

Image courtesy of morwenvaidt on DeviantArt

Knowing When to Throw in the Writerly Towel

No, I'm not talking about giving up on a story you are writing. I don't give up easily on story ideas. But I am talking about goals today, and knowing when they might be too much.

I set a goal for myself to finish Altar of Reality by the end of the month and to win CampNaNoWriMo in the process. Today is the last day of the month, and though my bar looks really close, it is too far away for me to manage.

I've been plugging away for the past week with an average of 5k a day. And if I had continued my 5k a day average, I would have finished on time. But a lot of things got in the way, as they usually do with life. The same thing happened to me during the last CampNaNo as well.

So how do we know when to throw in the towel? Easy. When you are sacrificing your own health in order to meet your goals. Which is exactly what I was doing.

As some of you may know, I recently landed myself in the mother of all braces--the thumb spica splint. I have carpal tunnel and tendonitis in my left wrist, which is pretty painful. It wouldn't be so painful if not for the fact that it keeps popping, so I essentially keep injuring myself. Part of that has to do with work as well. Needless to say, it has slowed me down quite a bit. I risked writing without the splint on after I spent about an hour convincing myself the splint was causing me more pain than good, but was quickly proved wrong on that.

And pretty soon, I had to admit to myself that pushing myself to write 5k a day was not helping matters at all. I had to leave work early last night because it was hurting so bad. On the way home, I started thinking about how I would have extra time to write from leaving early. But by the time I got home and sat in front of my laptop, I realized it wasn't worth it.

Sure, I love winning NaNo. I've only done it twice in the times I've attempted it, and I really wanted to claim a third victory with my new WIP. But I have to start taking care of myself. My hands are such an asset for both career paths I plan on attempting (writing and physical therapy), which means they are invaluable and I need them to work right.

I'm supposed to get my brace off next week, but my hopes aren't high for that happening since I'm still in pain and things keep popping. But I do know that I will be making sure I actually rest my arm this time. No more 5k days. And I might take some time off work, at least for a week or so. Working at a grocery store requires both hands more than you would think, and my tendency to be stubbornly independent and not ask for help carrying things or stop bagging isn't helping the healing process.

So, in conclusion, I might not be the one-armed wonder after all. But if that means I get to keep writing with both hands for years and years, I am good with that. My well-being has to come before my words. 

Book Blitz: Replacing Gentry by Julie N Ford (Free!)

Who doesn't like free books? PixelPr is out there spreading the word about this new freebie: Replacing Gentry by Julie N. Ford. The ebook will be free on Amazon, but only until tomorrow. So be sure to act now! You can also purchase the paperback through Amazon or Barnes & Noble. Stay tuned after the blurb for more information on Julie N. Ford and where you can find her.

When Marlie agrees to attend a cadaver ball at Vanderbilt Medical School, she did not expect to actually see any cadavers. Or, that a strange apparition would issue her a chilling message.

Despite the cadaver's warning, Marlie is married a year later to Tennessee State Senator, Daniel Cannon, and living in a plantation-style mansion with two step-sons. Add to the mix her growing suspicion that something is amiss with the death of Daniel’s first wife, Gentry, and newlywed Marlie is definitely in over her pretty Yankee head.

What begins as an innocent inquiry into her new husband’s clouded past ends with Marlie in the midst of a dangerous conspiracy.

A modern twist on the classic Gothic romance novels of Rebecca and Jane Eyre, Replacing Gentry follows Marlie’s precarious journey as she learns the truth about the man she married.

Julie N. Ford graduated from San Diego State University with a BA in Political Science and a minor in English Literature. In addition, she has a Masters in Social Work from the University of Alabama. Professionally, she has worked in teaching and as a Marriage & Family Counselor. In addition to Replacing Gentry, she is the author of two women’s fiction novels, The Woman He Married and No Holly for Christmas, published in 2011. She also wrote a romance/chick-lit novel, Count Down to Love, published in 2011. Count Down to Love was a 2011 Whitney Award finalist.

Currently, she lives in Nashville, TN with her husband, two daughters and one baby hedgehog. For more information or see what Julie is working on now, you can visit her at JulieNFord.com.

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