The Speculative Salon: Marsha A. Moore

Showing posts with label Marsha A. Moore. Show all posts

Friday, September 20, 2013

The magic of the Harvest Moon

Last evening, the eastern hemisphere saw the rise of the full moon of September, commonly known as the Harvest Moon. This is the moon all know by its folk name, but most people expect it to occur in October.

This Full Harvest Moon allows farmers to work in their fields late into the night, bringing in crops. It is also called the Full Corn Moon by Native Americans who set this date to mark when corn should be harvested. Other names include: Barley Moon; Hazel Moon; Wine Moon; Singing Moon; Sturgeon Moon; Haligmonath (Holy Month); Witumanoth (Wood Month); Moon When Deer Paw the Earth.

Around the world, the coming Autumn Equinox will be celebrated by many cultures. The energy flowing from the Autumn Equinox through Winter Solstice to the Spring Equinox is getting deeper, more hidden. Spiritually, the Dark Moon deities, representing the Underworld, death, reincarnation, and deep spiritual mysteries, now hold control.

In the ancient Incan Empire, the Citua celebration was held on the date of the New Moon nearest the equinox. Everyone performed a ritual cleansing, then smeared their faces with a paste of ground maize (corn). After, they feasted and danced for several days. This was a festival in honor of Mama Quilla, the Moon goddess.

Correspondences of the September Moon
Nature Spirits: trooping faeries
Herbs: copal, fennel, rye, wheat, valerian, skullcap
Colours: brown, yellow-green, yellow
Flowers: narcissus, lily
Scents: storax, mastic, gardenia, bergamot
Stones: peridot, olivine, chrysolite, citrine
Trees: hazel, larch, bay
Animals: snake, jackal
Birds: ibis, sparrow
Deities: Demeter, Ceres, Isis, Nephthys, Freyja, Ch'ang-O, Thoth
Power Flow: rest after labor; balance of Light and Dark. Organize. Clean and straighten up physical, mental, emotional and spiritual clutter.

I hope you were able to take a moment to enjoy the simple pleasures and magical beauty of the Harvest Moon.

Art: ahoberer78 and Jayne Barnett
Reference: The Months of the Moon

Friday, September 6, 2013

Harry Potter's Diagon Alley Is Now on Google Street View

I admit to being a Potterhead. This has been one of my recent guilty pleasures, enjoying virtual walks down Diagon Alley on Google Maps' Street View.

It lets you explore the set of Diagon Alley from the Warner Bros. Studio Tour in London. In Street View mode, you can view 360-degree images of some of your and my favorite shops from J.K. Rowling’s legendary Harry Potter series like Ollivanders Wand Shop, Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes joke shop and Mr. Mulpepper’s Apothecary . When the series grew into a successful eight-movie franchise Warner Bros. took more than three months to build the famous wizarding street, and six months to create over 20,000 products to put on the shops’ shelves. The details you can view on this tour are fascinating!

Go on! Take a stroll for yourself! Click to transport.

Friday, August 9, 2013

Harry Potter series gets new cover art and boxed set goodies are on the way!

Last week, Scholastic unveiled seven new covers for JK Rowling’s Harry Potter series as part of its 15th anniversary celebration of the series’ release in the US. The books will be available, both individually and as a boxed set, in trade paperback format on Aug. 27.

The fun, new illustrations are the work of New York Times bestselling author and illustrator Kazu Kibuishi, who is best known for the Amulet series of graphic novels. “As an author myself, I tried to answer the question, ‘If I were the author of the books — and they were like my own children — how would I want them to be seen years from now?’” Kibuishi said in a statement. “When illustrating the covers, I tried to think of classic perennial paperback editions of famous novels and how those illustrations tend to feel. In a way, the project became a tribute to both Harry Potter and the literary classics.”

Artist Mary GrandPré’s original illustrations for the series will continue to be featured on US hardcover and digest paperback editions.

In November, just in time for Christmas giving, Scholastic will also release the fist boxed set of the complete “Hogwarts Library.” A supplement to the seven-book series includes school books Quidditch Through the Ages and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, and a book of wizard children’s stories, The Tales of Beedle the Bard. As a Potterhead, I think these supplements sound very cool! Sales from this set will support the charities Lumos and Comic Relief.

Check out the new covers below beside the original GrandPré covers (right). Also see the awesome boxed set art.

Which do you like better? New or old?

For Book #1, I like the new version, showing a view of Harry's first trip down Diagonalley. That's such a captivating place. I'd love to go!

I'm torn here. I like seeing Harry in a struggle with the Dumbledore's phoenix, but Mr. Weasley's flying car makes me smile in the newer art.

Here, I vote for the new cover. Book #3 seemed very dark to me, and that cover suits the intensity.

The new art gives a truer sense of the danger, action and adventure that Harry faces on the quidditch field.

I like the expression on Harry's face in the older version, but the scene of the newer is lovely.

Hands down, I love the original. The master and apprentice together working over the scrying pool is special to me.

I prefer the original here, only because it shows a closer view of a more mature Harry who has reached the end of the series.

~ ~ ~ Marsha A. Moore is a writer of fantasy romance. The magic of art and nature spark life into her writing. Read her ENCHANTED BOOKSTORE LEGENDS for adventurous epic fantasy romance: Book One, SEEKING A SCRIBE, Book Two, HERITAGE AVENGED, Book Three, LOST VOLUMES, and Book Four, STAUROLITE.. For a FREE ebook download, read her historic fantasy, LE CIRQUE DE MAGIE, available at Amazon and Smashwords.

Friday, July 26, 2013

You’ve Got Your Romance in My Fantasy—You’ve Got Your Fantasy in My Romance!

Continuing our theme for this month, genre blending in fantasy, in this post I’ll compare and contrast two blended subgenres—best I can since this one confuses me—romantic fantasy and fantasy romance.

Regardless of how we use those terms, romance works well with fantasy. Novels must have conflict to engage a reader. Love is filled to the brim with conflict. Maybe two characters are afraid to admit their feelings, or can’t let their feelings be known outside of the two of them if their families dislike each other. Plenty of tales are woven with a prince falling in love with a milkmaid, or a princess escaping her ill-tempered, intended royal husband to be with a stable boy. These difficulties add a sense of reality to fantasy novels, a lifeline for readers to be able to identify with those characters.

This is the subgenre of my own writing, so I’ve obviously given a lot of thought to these categories. But, it seems the longer I look, the more confused I get. Maybe I’m in the forest too deeply to see the trees. I’ll list characteristics to aid discussion, and then would appreciate some interaction to make the distinctions clearer.

Similarities:

Houses have published romantic fantasy in fantasy lines, as well as the expected placement in romance lines. That fact alone is enough to confuse writers and readers alike.

The protagonists of both subgenres often begin their journeys by escaping abusive or oppressive environments. But because of the romance element, their goals are not to become free from all social ties. Instead, most characters search for a new community or social group where they truly belong, and eventually love blossoms. A true loner protagonist does not exist in either romantic fantasy or fantasy romance.

Common plot archetypes of both subgenres:

A teenager from an overly strict or abusive family runs away and discovers he/she possesses magical or psychic powers. These newly-found powers open the character to a hope-filled destiny. Typically, the character finds ways to earn his/her place in a new society, through saving a city, kingdom, or other large group from harm by a dangerous villain or monster.

An adult who is a minor noble or someone who has recently lost a loved one strikes out in search of a new life. The character may already be magical or discover his/her abilities as in the above example. Their powers enable them to save a world from outside invasion. In the process, he/she falls in love. The book or series is expected to have a typical happily-ever-after ending for the couple, following accepted romance form.

A group of adolescents are drawn together through circumstance and destiny to form a collective that is larger than the sum of its parts. These young people are often outcasts, orphans, or somehow on the fringes of society. Each possesses magical powers, which complement different abilities of the others in the group. The bond which holds them together allows them to experience a new sense of belonging. The characters mature as they find friendship and love. The group ultimately overthrows some threat no one else is able to face in the larger community.

Differences:

Magic is often handled differently in the two subgenres. In romantic fantasy the magical abilities are typically innate and simple to use. An example of this would be precognition, oriented towards affinity for or control of a particular natural element, commonly the four Greek elements of fire, air, earth, and water. This difference in the magical system is because more story time is taken by the romance. Less is spent developing a complex, secretive body of customs which requires long study and great personal sacrifice. Fantasy romance would be expected to have more complex magical systems, approximating more closely what we see in high fantasy.

Some publishers claim romantic fantasy is the correct label where the romance is most important and fantasy romance where the fantasy elements are most important. Others state that the division between fantasy romance and romantic fantasy has essentially ceased to exist.

From my personal experience, when a work rides the line, with the romance and fantasy elements being of near equal importance, publishers are often stumped. I submitted such a manuscript over and over, answering detailed follow-up questions so the editors could determine if one outweighed the other, to guide their acceptance. Being equal, they were stymied. Those extended reviews by numerous houses took plenty of time. In the end, I didn’t wish to rewrite, making one element sing louder as I was requested. I like my heroines to work hard to become good at their magic craft, spending as much time as they do falling in love. The first book of that series, Enchanted Bookstore Legends, will be released next March, as my own publication.

Examples:

Anne Bishop’s Black Jewels Trilogy

C. L. Wilson’s Tairen Soul Series

Maria V. Snyder’s Poison Study Series

Sharon Shinn’s Twelve Houses Series

Catherine Asaro’s Lost Continent Series

Mercedes Lackey’s Five Hundred Kingdoms Series

I would attempt to categorize these examples as romantic fantasy or fantasy romance, but the line is a subjective one and subject to debate.

I prefer my fantasy with romance rather than my romance with fantasy. What is your preference?

Friday, July 12, 2013

Romance: A Real Life Fantasy Quest

This month at the Speculative Salon, we're discussing blended genres in fantasy fiction. It’s easy to see the popularity of adding romantic elements to fantasy, as evidenced by the thriving paranormal romance and urban fantasy genres. Even many epic tales include stories of love, yearning, and passion. Why?

Two good reasons. Fans of fantasy crave an escape from ordinary life. Authors in the genre pride themselves on world-building techniques that will deliver those thrills. Give an epic fantasy book to a non-fantasy reader and their heads will spin with the number of characters and details of setting. To me, I love to visualize nooks and crannies of an alternate world, looking for hidden joys and treasures I might never find in real life. Why then would an author be wise to include something as ordinary and commonplace as a love theme?

While escapism does fuel the need for most to read fantasy, readers usually don’t want to become totally lost from all known mores and customs. Without some familiar elements, it’s difficult to judge character development and interactions. As much as we eagerly anticipate the wildly imaginative worlds, we also need a thread of normalcy to allow comparison. Otherwise, readers would be incapable of feeling connected to the characters. The depth of emotional commitment to even the most rigorous fantasy quest would be intangible—the thrill of the adventurous ride meaningless. So authors seek to include a universally known element. Love relationships are part of our everyday lives. The associated feelings transcend language and culture. What could be better as a commonly understood theme to allow the reader a comparative ruler?

Using that technique, romance can serve as a lifeline back to reality for a fantasy aficionado who becomes overwhelmed by the newness of the fantasy world. Also, readers can hold onto the love theme while cautiously immersing into the newness, like sticking a toe into the unfamiliar environ. Urban fantasy is an entire subgenre that purposely employs this writing device as a foundation, requiring the works be set in a known city.

While that reason is a highly technical, writerly answer, there’s another that is more alluring. Consider all the highs and lows the average person faces during a lifetime—schooling, career, finding a partner, caring for family, aging. The part that most closely approximates the otherworldly rush of emotions, where you feel like you’re living in a fairytale, is romance. It’s an everyday magical experience, where you expect your dreams to be fulfilled. Of course, many times they aren’t and we suffer heartache, but most often we soon get back on the horse and renew our faith in the promise of magic in someone’s smile.

That fantasy is too tempting to avoid. We yearn to find someone who believes we’re special beyond compare. That tendency is imprinted in our human nature, as evidenced by psychologist Abraham Maslow in his Hierarchy of Needs. The need to be loved is level three of five, just after safety and security. This is more important to the human psyche than self-esteem or self-actualization of individuality. Considering the importance of being loved, it’s not hard to understand how adding romance to our fantasy plays on our inherent nature. Romance undeniably enhances that dream-world. Little else so immediately recognizable releases such a rush of oxytocin and dopamine neurotransmitters, transporting us to another place—our own cloud nine where the birds sing more sweetly and the sun shines a bit brighter. A perfect complement to a fantasy plot.

Art credit: By Creator:John Anster Fitzgerald ([1]) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Friday, June 28, 2013

Fantasy Sand Castle Art

Last week I spent many days at local beaches with our house guests--a normal thing to do when relatives from up north visit us in Tampa. Kids and parents building castles in the sand inspired me to search for some fine examples of fantasy sand art.

These should get you in a summertime state of mind! They sure make me want to head back to the beach to make my own dragon slithering in the moat of a fairy castle.

May your summer be filled with many lazy beach days!

Photo credits from Wikimedia Commons in order of photo appearance:

en.wikipedia.org: 11:54, 1. Feb 2004 . . Guyking (Talk) . . 300x355 (35607 Byte) (Sand castle sculpture)

pdphoto.org (via es.wikipedia.org by Antonio Páramo)

Benoit Rochon [CC-BY-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

By Jon (Flickr: Ultimate Sand Castle) [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Photographer Amos Gil [CC-BY-2.5 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons

By Curt Smith from Bellevue, WA, USA (Sand Castle at Cannon Beach) [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

By Paulo Juntas (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

By William Cho. [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

GuidoB

By Jebulon (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Friday, June 14, 2013

Amazon's new searchable fantasy fiction categories--good news for readers and writers!

Good news for fantasy fiction readers and writers!

Amazon has recently expanded their search categories within the fantasy genre. Before, there were only about five fantasy subcategories, so glutted with listings that they weren’t useful. Now there are exciting collections of theme and character subcategories. The new labels sure tempt me. My thought is that other readers will feel the same.

Here's the new list of themes for fantasy:

And the searchable list for fantasy character types:

What does this ultimately mean for the publishing industry? Readers will be better able to find the type of fantasy fiction they’re looking for. More finding should equate to more buying, which makes authors happy. More books sold benefits Amazon. It’s a big win—win—win!

Friday, May 31, 2013

Summer Fantasy Reading: Arthur Spiderwick's Field Guide

Summer is here, and one of my favorite hot weather pastimes is to relax in the hammock with a cold drink and a knitting project, or some easy fantasy fiction. A book that is particularly suiting these beginning hot days of the season is a lovely coffee table book, Arthur Spiderwick's Field Guide.

The pen & ink and watercolor images are beautiful works of art. Viewing the delightful creatures is like taking my imagination to a carnival, with each new visual ride topping the next. I tip my hat to the vivid imagination of Holly Black and illustrative talents of Tony DeTerlizzi. I haven't read the Spiderwick Chronicles, but the series is certainly on my list to learn what these amazing critters might do beyond my imagination!

This visual delight is arranged scrapbook style with handwritten annotations from Arthur Spiderwick around the sketches. It's great fun to find that some of those illustrations fold out from top or side. Courtesy of barnesandnoble.com, here are two samples to tempt you.

Description of the book:

It all began with a strange, mysterious correspondence left for authors Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black at a small New England bookstore. Written by three siblings, the letter told of their great-great-uncle Arthur Spiderwick and an unfinished tome filled with eyewitness accounts of creatures otherwise thought to be the stuff of legend. In the #1 New York Times bestselling serial the Spiderwick Chronicles, readers were enthralled by the account of the those siblings, Jared, Simon, and Mallory Grace, as they battled dwarves, goblins, elves, and a diabolical ogre in their efforts to hold on to their uncle Spiderwick,s life work. Now, through the combined efforts of the Grace children and authors Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black, Simon & Schuster is thrilled to present that work to you!

Beginning with a thoughtful and informative introduction, progressing through six exhaustive sections featuring thirty-one faerie species, and culminating with an addendum that includes observations supplied by Jared Grace, this long-awaited compendium to the worldwide Spiderwick phenomenon delivers enough information to satisfy even the most demanding faerie enthusiast. Not only will readers learn the habits and habitats of the fourteen fantastical creatures featured in the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestselling chapter books, but they will be delighted and astonished by an additional seventeen creatures. Also included are dozens of snippets from Arthur Spiderwick,s personal journal as well as cameos from a few series favorites.

Friday, May 17, 2013

The Trend Toward Gray Fantasy Fiction

Gray fantasy has become a current trend, exemplified by George R.R. Martin in his A Song of Ice and Fire/ Game of Thrones. This style of fantasy fiction draws great contrast to traditional black and white fantasies we have all known and loved, such as Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter.

I recently read a great article about the current trend of gray fantasy, “Is Blackand White Fantasy Dead” by Codey Amprim, published in Mythic Scribes. The information seemed timely since I’m plotting a new standalone magical realism book. My current series, which I’ll complete this fall, is high fantasy with plenty of black and white characters. Shifting to the more literary fantasy subgenre of magical realism gives me more undefined space to explore, and I’m eager to work with that bigger canvas. But there are also more decisions to make that I previously didn’t need to consider. In my new plot, there is no character to assume the black role of the villain, only a negative energy that never takes a physical form. I’m wrestling with the characters, most developing as shades of gray.

My previous works have all had foundations of more clear-cut black and white characters to define the story arcs. The struggle between good and evil gave readers something familiar to cling to when faced with the oddity of new worlds, magic, and frightening creatures. Readers knew that good would ultimately triumph, and the journeys became their reward.

However, including more and more gray characters into the equation lends mystery to the plot, making it less predictable. Gray characters seem more complex, more real and relatable. They can be more explosive and wild, keeping readers turning pages to figure out the characters’ motives. But without black and white characters, readers may have trouble deciding who to root for among a gray cast. They are left looking for one they can understand on a personal level. Unless there are clear plot objectives, gray characters can take the story in meandering zig-zags like a grand soap opera. Readers expect the satisfaction of resolution for their investment of time.

What blend of fantasy characters do you prefer? Mostly black and white? All three types: black, white, and gray? Plenty of mysterious gray characters?

Friday, May 3, 2013

Making cover art for my epic fantasy Staurolite: Enchanted Bookstore Legend Four

In keeping with previous posts about how I developed my cover art, I’m showing the path to completion of my latest release, Staurolite: Enchanted Bookstore Legend Four.

To maintain the same look for the series, I’ve held to a similar technique. I begin with a very basic watercolor of the character of Lyra, my heroine. As this series has progressed, I’ve been painting less with brush on paper and more with Photoshop. However, I do like the softness and texture of the watercolor underneath. It adds to the feel I wanted for these covers.

Next, the watercolor image is scanned. It is digitally cut from the background paper and color corrected, before adding to the background. This background required more work than usual, since magical dragonflies, rocks, grass, etc. seemed to be in the wrong places.

Here’s the cover with some of those changes as well as some painting accomplished on the character.

After many more hours and crossed eyes, working on painting and lighting effects, here is the final image. I’m pleased with how the look fits with the others in the series.

Staurolite: Enchanted Bookstore Legend Four by Marsha A. Moore

Genre: Epic Fantasy Romance

Description:

Lyra McCauley, current Scribe of the Alliance, is the only one who can decode magic hidden in the recently retrieved ancient texts written by her ancestors, the first four Scribes. Information in those writings can help Lyra locate the four missing keystones, which will restore power to the Alliance and allow overthrow of the Dark Realm. With peace restored, she and her beloved, Cullen, could finally marry.

Time is short with the Black Dragon’s Dark Realm increasing attacks to avenge the death of his heir. Many innocent lives are lost. Alliance residents are forced into hiding. Magicals and blue dragons follow leadership of the Imperial Dragon and the other three Guardians into battle to defend the Alliance.

While Lyra unlocks the ancient magic, she opens herself up to scribal powers from her ancestors. She alone can fight the deadliest of the Dark Realm’s forces—the cimafa stealth dragons—but at a cost. The energy flux threatens her health and ability to learn where to find the missing keystones. Can Lyra overcome this shrewd tactic of the Black Dragon to decimate the Alliance?

Purchase link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CCW98P2

Enchanted Bookstore Legends (series description):

The Enchanted Bookstore Legends are about Lyra McCauley, a woman destined to become one of five strong women in her family who possess unique magical abilities and serve as Scribes in Dragonspeir. The Scribes span a long history, dating from 1200 to present day. Each Scribe is expected to journey through Dragonspeir, both the good and evil factions, then draft a written account. Each book contains magic with vast implications.

Lyra was first introduced to Dragonspeir as a young girl, when she met the high sorcerer, Cullen Drake, through a gift of one of those enchanted books. Using its magic, he escorted her into the parallel world of Dragonspeir. Years later, she lost that volume and forgot the world and Cullen. These legends begin where he finds her again—she is thirty-five, standing in his enchanted bookstore, and Dragonspeir needs her.

When Lyra reopens that enchanted book, she confronts a series of quests where she is expected to save the good Alliance from destruction by the evil Black Dragon. While learning about her role, Lyra and Cullen fall in love. He is 220 years old and kept alive by Dragonspeir magic. Cullen will die if Dragonspeir is taken over by the evil faction…Lyra becomes the Scribe.

Purchase Links for previous books in the series:

Heritage Avenged: Enchanted Bookstore Legend Two

Seeking a Scribe: Enchanted Bookstore Legend One

Lost Volumes: Enchanted Bookstore Legend Three

Friday, April 19, 2013

Finding the right worldbuilding plan for your fantasy story

Many fantasy writers struggle or worry about how to build their new worlds—how much detail, when to describe the settings, how characters should interact with the setting. To simplify the process, begin with an analysis of the story itself. Three basic relationships between plot and setting will help you more easily decide your direction with worldbuilding.

1) The Home Base

In the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling, Hogwarts is a clear example of a setting that serves as a recurring home base. This type of story revolves around a recurring “there and back again” cycle. Readers can develop a sense of home that ultimately becomes a character in itself. The collective circus environment in The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern becomes as vital as the individual characters themselves.

To write this type of fantasy, spend time developing your home base to make readers feel at home, in a place they will want to revisit.

2) Landmarks

In this type of fantasy, characters visit a series of known landmarks. These stories benefit from use of a map to aid the reader. An example of this relationship between story and setting is found in Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. The narrative is a linear journey, traveling from one landmark to the next.

To plan this world, the writer needs to determine what will be the landmarks. How will the geography of terrain traveled mirror the ups and downs of the quest or journey?

3) The Unknown

Characters may be led into unchartered territories. Many dystopian fantasies are structured this way. No one knows what is around the corner. Reader and main characters are in the same boat.

In this type of story, the writer should not world build in advance. Let the characters discover the new world along with you to make the element of surprise more natural and believable.

Which type of relationship between setting and story do you like in your fantasy fiction? To read? To write?

I generally like a more grounded story with a home base, but also enjoy quests that take interesting journeys. I'm usually not drawn to read or write fantasies with worlds that are totally unknown to all the characters.

*~*~*

Photo credit:

Hogwarts: This image was made by Loadmaster (David R. Tribble) Email the author: David R. Tribble Also see my personal gallery at Google Picasa (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons

~ ~ ~ Marsha A. Moore is a writer of fantasy romance. The magic of art and nature spark life into her writing. Read her ENCHANTED BOOKSTORE LEGENDS for adventurous epic fantasy romance: Book One, SEEKING A SCRIBE, Book Two, HERITAGE AVENGED, Book Three, LOST VOLUMES, and Book Four, STAUROLITE. For a FREE ebook download, read her historic fantasy, LE CIRQUE DE MAGIE, available at Amazon and Smashwords.

Pages