Feathers and Fae - An Adventure in Pantsing

Next month, on October 11, my first traditionally published novel will be released. One thing I wanted to do was share a few things about this book and my adventure in writing this story.

Starting in two weeks, every Wednesday leading up to my release date there will be a post about how this novel came to be, about the myths I used to create the world of Mythos and about the incredible landscapes I write about and the inspiration for them.

However, this first one will be about the fact that this was an entirely unplanned novel. As I describe in more detail in my next post, this started as a dare/challenge between friends for NaNoWriMo. I had three unrelated prompts and 12 hrs to come up with a story. For those not familiar with writing terminology, this is what is known as 'pantsing'.

I started doing NaNoWriMo back in 2008. This novel was written in 2016. In the years between I have pants many novels and I've also planned novels to the extent of having written 10K word outlines and 11-page spreadsheets. And of course, I've done everything in between.

This also isn't the first time I'd taken on a challenge like this. I did something similar once before so going into this adventure I had some practice with learning how to let a plot flow and follow the narrative.

Things I decided to do as I wrote...


I planned my two main characters, Kami and Emmett, around the prompts. While Kami's name did change in the first set of revisions, Emmett has always been Emmett. Because I planned the prompts around these characters I had a basic idea of who they were and what I wanted to reveal about them right from the beginning.


Once I decided on who my characters were (mostly), then I had to decide what sort of world that I wanted to create. Once again, like many fantasy writers, I leaned on the myths of our world and naturally decided that this world, Mythos, would be the place where those stories originated, from a time when their world and ours moved more closely together. This would allow me to draw from many sources and bend a few myths as necessary to fit the story.

As I'll mention in one of the upcoming posts, when I finished writing the first chapter I knew I wanted to write a journey that was reminiscent of the Lord of the Rings. I wanted incredible landscapes and danger at every turn. Each adventure more dangerous than the last.

I also knew that my characters were going to need help, what was so that is where Jewel came into existence. Someone to tell them what to do and how to do it. I knew I wanted her to be a bit out there, but knowledgeable.


Things that surprised me...

Tithoriea and Malawli were not supposed to be nearly as interesting as they turned out to be. Maybe one day I will write their story, but those characters that appear for all of one scene ended up having a wonderfully complex history.

I had no idea that Jewel would join them on the journey. I wrote it and then I rolled with it. Why not, a third person to give an outside perspective on the relationship between Kami and Emmett didn't seem like a bad idea.

Kami's character arc developed naturally. I hadn't planned it and as I realized what I was doing with the character I made sure to keep an eye on it as I wrote. Like her name, a lot of her interactions required significant rewriting and alteration after the fact because of this. I do think that rewriting this part made for a better novel (and a more likeable character).

Bob the Yeti. He just showed up, pushed his way into this story, and left me wondering what the hell happened. What was supposed to be a throwaway innkeeper who would give my three weary travellers a small hand in their journey turned into what is most people's favourite character in the entire novel. I would also like to credit my friend Ashe for naming him. Bob's name was originally be more exotic, but he got named Bob and it stuck.

THAT CHAPTER. You'll know what I mean when you read the book, but there is that one chapter when it seems all hope is lost. Every good story like this needs to have that moment when we all doubt that our heroes will win. But how that happened in this story? Man, it still breaks my heart a little.

About the creative process of pantsing...
Planning is necessary for many types of novel, but a straight-up fantasy adventure works nicely for a pantsed story. A lot of this kind of tale involves a point A to point B to point C thinking style. While I still had to develop an ending and antagonist on the fly, I found that I was still able to work in plenty of groundwork for all the things that had to be added later

One of the things I did was using a decision-maker to decide on a path if I couldn't decide which way to take my story. Like the flipping of a coin trick, if I really hated the option that was chosen then I went with the one I really wanted, but this rarely happened. I sometimes even used this method for deciding what my characters would say some instances.

I could go on and on about how I made this novel happen, but I won't too much. To be honest, it's a lot like driving down a strange road at night. I got there a little at the time without knowing what the road would look like, but I followed where my characters took me. Thankfully, they were strong enough characters to carry me along.

ARC Review: What Once Was Home - by B.K. Bass

This novel is published by Kyanite Publishing. I, once again, had the privilege of being able to read an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) of this compelling story. Release date is October 25, 2019. Find out more about this story and where to purchase it here: https://kyanitepublishing.com/product/what-once-was-home/

When this novel first came up as an ARC, I knew I wanted to read it. However, I was on vacation and didn't have time to respond to the message. Shortly after returning home, I had a message from B.K. asking if I wanted to read this even though I had recently reviewed another novel of his.

I didn't hesitate to assure him that I was eager to read this novel after hearing about it and seeing the back-cover blurb. It sounded right up my alley and I've enjoyed all his work immensely so far. 

Before I get into the writing, look at that freaking cover. Gorgeous right? It may not seem much to people, but the interior formatting on this story was wonderfully done. I don't often notice interior formatting unless it stands out as exceptionally beautiful or it's so bad it annoys me (and as a result affects my opinion of the story). So, yeah, I couldn't NOT mention this little tidbit.

This book is nothing like I've ever read from B.K. before. I knew I was in for something special when I read the 'Introduction' that he wrote. By the time I finished reading the first chapter my thoughts on this subject were confirmed. 

I thought I had been excited to read this before, but now there was no doubt in my mind that I was about to go on one hell of a journey that would spare no emotions. This story lived up to all my expectations and then some. B.K.'s talent at world-building is apparent from the start and you can tell that this is a novel that he poured a lot of emotion into writing.

Every step of the way, I was enthralled by Jace's story. Every word drew me so deep into this world, that it became real to me. It's what I want when I read a book, a movie in my head. An incredibly engaging and heart-wrenching journey. With an ending that made me sit back and repeat the word "Damn" to myself several times. Because, damn.

What Once Was Home stunningly combined the incredible speculative elements that I love about science fiction with the engaging personal stories and moving internal struggle that continues to draw me back to contemporary fiction. 

Compelling characters, fast-moving plot, and a world you can sink into—you really cannot ask for more from any story. Even if science fiction and alien invasions aren't your things, this is a book you do NOT want to miss out on. Jace's journey is one that I think will touch many readers and bring them back again and again. 

Until this moment, my favourite book by B.K. was Warriors of Understone, but this story far surpasses it. 

ARC Review: It Starts With a Kiss

This is a novella by J.L. Peridot and published by Kyanite Publishing. I had the privilege of being able to read an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) of this novel. Release date is September 13, 2019. Find out more about this story and where to purchase it here: https://kyanitepublishing.com/product/it-starts-with-a-kiss/

Romance has never been one of my favourite genres. I still have hangups from the days where a romance novel meant one of those Harlequin cheese-fests with a half-naked guy on the cover that were so annoyingly formulaic they made my head ache.

While I do read romance and erotica, it never ranks high on my list of things I read unless there is a primary plotline to engage me. With a title like "It Starts With A Kiss", I wasn't too sure what to expect in the way of a strong and engaging plotline. However, knowing the standards of Kyanite Publishing is the reason I wanted to see what this story was about.

Once again, this is a case of 'I'm glad I got to read this'. As with many of the titles that this publisher has invested in, it was a great story—even if romance or erotic romance are not your things. If you are worried about the word "erotic", don't be. Seriously, it's not heavy on any sort of erotic content and the few parts that are there are done very tastefully. Don't let that word be a reason to avoid this wonderful story.

Right from the word go I can sympathise with Celeste Cho, our delightfully sweet protagonist working in some crap conditions. I swear J.L. describes Celeste's terrible boss so well that I had flashbacks to some of the terrible bosses I've had my life. In fact, I'm sure her situation is one we can all relate to.

J.L. does a wonderful job of setting the scene right from the first page. This is, first and foremost, science fiction. Though the romance element is strongly present, the science fiction plot is equally as strong. This is a well-developed futuristic world with enough tidbits of techno-babble to make most science fiction fans happy.

For those that live for the dynamics between characters than you will not be disappointed with the wide variety of personalities in the main cast. I love how they work together, or sometimes don't work together. JL didn't create characters, she wrote real people. That's how they read on the page and I loved it.

Even if romance isn't your thing, this is a great science fiction story. It just happens that the romance paired well with it. I found almost all the romantic or even slightly sexual stuff, very well done, no purple prose or awkward wording. It was incredibly well-done, you'll see when you read it.
So, what are you waiting for? Go, preorder your copy now.

Review: Loved Mars, Hated the Food by Willie Handler

This is a novel by Willie Handler and published by Kyanite Publishing. I had the privilege of being able to read an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) of this entertaining novel. Find out more about this story and where to purchase it here: https://kyanitepublishing.com/product/loved-mars-hated-the-food/
I have to say that it is always a delight to be able to read an ARC from another Canadian author and to have a chance to go back to my love of science fiction. Some of the first science fiction stories that stuck with me were rather humourous (see Spider Robinson) and whenever I get a chance to laugh as I read sci-fi, I'm ecstatic.

So, thank you for writing this, Willie. This story checked off so much that I love and then went a step beyond.

Dix Jenner is a protagonist to which most of us can easily relate. I know I did, although I certainly do not share in how he chooses to 'chill out'. He feels like someone you might know or have met before. I loved that he wasn't especially extraordinary. It made me relate to his journey so much more because I could easily put myself in his shoes.

Seepa, Bleeker, and Plinka make for an engaging supporting cast to Dix's life on Mars. I loved them all and found each of them relateable. In a way, I can almost see them as if they were a sitcom.

When it comes to world-building, I have to extend my kudos to Willie for making the Martians and their society as a fallible as our own, but in a different way. I do get annoyed at the trope of the superior alien race that has it all together. It made the society I was reading about far more real to me.

I adore the world that Willie created for the Martians, right down to why we've never seen a trace of them before. I love their society and the impact the Dix has on it with his presence there. It is an amusing and thought-provoking story at the same time. A light hearted-take that touches on a few serious topics.

Now, don't go into this expecting an epic adventure, but it is a wonderful and entertaining story to read. One that you will not regret having as a part of your personal library. It never once disappointed me.

This is a book for those who enjoy a lighter take on science fiction, who enjoy humour, and for the food lover out there. Yes, you read that right. This is a book for people who love food (and coffee) as both those items play a prominent part in this story. In fact, I spent a good part of the novel thinking about a described dessert that I wanted desperately to make this Christmas.

Though I received this book as a digital ARC, I went to the expense of ordering a paperback copy and I am especially glad of this one. When you get to the delicious appendix to this novel, you'll understand.

Review: Parting the Veil by B.K. Bass

This is a novel by B.K. Bass and published by Kyanite Publishing. I had the privilege of being able to read an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) of this incredible novel. Find out more about this story and where to purchase this story here: https://kyanitepublishing.com/product/parting-the-veil/

This isn't the first book I've had a chance to read as an ARC by B.K. Bass. I previously reviewed Warriors of Understone and absolutely loved it. I consider myself lucky to be able to read more of his work. Of course, that means I have certain expectations going into reading this novel.

If you read my previous review of his work, you will have noticed that I went on and on about the world-building. While this is an entirely different style of novel with it based in our world instead of one that B.K. wholly created, that doesn't mean a certain amount of world-building isn't required. In fact, you are trying to create your own reality within an existing world can sometimes be harder.

I am happy to report that once again, B.K. delivers on giving you a rich and wonderful world based on our reality. Not to mention delivering some incredible imagery with an exciting, rapid-paced plot.

I will also be honest in saying that this is my first time reading cosmic horror though I am someone who does love my standard horror novels. This is not a book that sets out to scare you like standard horror novels. This is a good thing for me since I am not someone who is easily scared

All right, enough of this. Let me tell you about this book. Right away I was drawn in by the Indiana Jones atmosphere of the first chapter that played beautifully into the genre. Our main characters Richard and Wilkins have a wonderful dynamic that I liked at the beginning and loved by the end of the book.

This book is a thrill ride right from the beginning. The pacing is wonderful, the settings are alive and. from my knowledge, well researched. I enjoyed it immensely. Going to say the story went from this is good to 'I don't want to put it down' by the time we hit the bayou. I wanted to know what was going to happen next.

As the story progressed into Spain there was no denying that I was hooked and though the ending is great, nearly perfect in fact, it leaves you knowing that there will be more to look forward to! If you love adventure, if you have any fondness for cosmic horror at all then this needs to be on your must-read list.

Or as the French would say, cette histoire est incroyable!

Review: Murder in Mind by Majanka Verstraete

This is a novel by Majanka Verstraete and published by Kyanite Publishing.

 

I received this as an advanced reader copy. So, my version may vary slightly from yours. Find out more about this story and where to purchase this novel here: https://kyanitepublishing.com/product/murder-in-mind/

 

If there was a way to tell if someone had criminal tendencies well before they ever committed a crime, would you be okay with locking that person up? If someone is likely to become a criminal, does that mean they WILL become one no matter what?

 

It's an interesting thought and the central theme in this thought-provoking science fiction novel. There is no hiding the influence of George Orwell's '1984' on this story since the author even quotes the book in a place or two. 

Rey, the protagonist of this novel, is a compelling character and I enjoyed seeing the world through her eyes. Her journey is one that carries you along with a need to know what happened in the past and what will happen when they do find the monster that killed her parents. Her interactions and the relationships that she develops with the other characters in the book are believable—especially the issues between her and her sister. 

 

I found the worldbuilding done for this novel to be interesting and it made me think hard about the role that technology plays in our lives. As well as ask the question, if AI becomes a real thing, will computers have feelings? Is this a good thing or a bad thing? It's fascinating to ponder on such things.

 

Overall, I really enjoyed this novel. It drew me in quickly and kept me in the story until the end. The ending only left me wanting for a second book, but the conclusion was believable and satisfying for the story arc in question. 

There was only one small thing that threw me off a bit. I felt there may have been a bit of inconsistency in the story. It was nothing that greatly affects the plot or the enjoyability of the story, but small things that made me stop and go 'hmmm'. Of course, these issues may have been fixed in the published copy because, as I mentioned above, mine was an ARC that specifically stated that it was an uncorrected proof. 

 

I would highly recommend this book no matter what because the story was wonderful and it did pull me in—which is what a story is supposed to do.

How I Got Into Dog Showing

Treble at the Pride festival

We all have those hobbies that some people don't peg us for doing. Recently, in a Twitter
discussion about things we writers do other than read and write. I mentioned that one of my hobbies showing dogs. Someone found this an unexpected hobby and asked how I got into that.

Well, that is not an explanation that fits into a tweet.

I never grew up with dogs. We always had cats growing up. Patches. Smokey. Mandarin. This is what I was used to. When I moved out on my own, I didn't have a cat, but my neighbour's cat often crawled into my dingy little basement suite to cuddle with me.

It wasn't until I started working in the pet industry that I even began to spend any time around dogs at all. I worked as a cashier for a big chain pet store, then they offered me the position as a dog trainer so I learned how to do that. Now, at this time my best friend had learned to be a dog groomer. And she is a damned awesome one. This was the beginning of my journey into dogs.

Fast forward a few years. My bestie had introduced me to a local poodle breeder that she had befriended and groomed for. We became friends. One of her dogs fell in love with me. This dog would scream until I came to see her any time I visited. She was a retired show dog and the breeder was looking to get one litter out of her but after that, she wanted to find a forever retirement home for this dog.

Naven on first night with me

Enter Naven. 

She came to live with me as a gift from the breeder. We had so much fun together. We walked all over the city together, we travelled a lot. She was awesome.

We learned together - her to be just someone's pet and me, I learned how to groom a poodle and to own a dog.

Oh, the stories I could tell! However, this isn't about that. At the same time I had her, my best friend got her first poodle to show and the beginning of her kennel.

I'm sure you can guess where this is going, but it's not a direct path. Not exactly.

On September 13, 2014, my best friend whelped her very first litter. In the end, she had two girls that she couldn't decide which to keep for her breeding program. Each girl had some incredible qualities. It wasn't easy.

On December 13, 2014, I drove the 6 hrs to go and visit her. I hadn't met the puppies yet and she was busy at acting rehearsal when I arrived so she asked if I could 'swing by and let the puppies out to pee'. Of course, I did. She also told me the girl with the purple collar might not come near me because she wasn't a fan of strangers.

And purple collared girl saw me and leapt into my arms to kiss my face. The next day, December 14, 2014, my best friend asked if I wanted another dog.

Well, I lived in a tiny apartment in the city and my dog was currently grandfathered in. I said sure, but she also wanted the dog to be shown and finished. So, she would show this dog, finish it and when I was better situated, she would come and live with me.

But the best plans do not always go as planned. 

One of my last pictures of Naven

On January 12, 2015, I came home to find that Naven was very sick. She had been happy and bouncing and playing in the snow that morning. I won't go into the details, but I spent the next couple of days awake, trying everything I could between myself and the vet to figure out what was wrong and get my dog better.

On the morning of January 14, 2015, I dropped her off for another day of IV antibiotics to help with what we all thought was a case of pneumonia. Fifteen minutes after leaving her, she passed away. There was nothing any of us could have done and had we known what was actually wrong when she fell ill on Monday afternoon there still would have been nothing we could have done.

I still get so sad when I think about those few years we had together. My best friend asked if I wanted the puppy to come and live with me early. I said yes. Technically, I already owned my dog, she had filed the paperwork with CKC (Canadian Kennel Club) to make me a co-owner of 'Treble'.

Treble on the truck ride home

On February 18, 2015, Treble came home with me for the first time.

Guys, I'd never had a puppy before. Naven had been my first dog, but she was 5 years old when she came to live with me.

There was a deal in place, this puppy would live with me, but my local breeder friend would help groom it so that the coat would be in show condition and my best friend would get someone to show it. I was not going to have to do the show thing.

I didn't want to do the show dog thing. Nope. Wasn't happening.

Obviously, that is not the way things went. Somehow, I ended up learning to take care of a show coat on a poodle. Let me tell you, that is a LOT of work to do. Poodles have hair, and for showing them, you need a lot of hair. There is a specific way to brush a show coat. There are weekly baths and specific ways to dry them.

Of course, the one thing I did was take her to handling class because someone had to teach this puppy to act like a show dog. I was okay with. It wasn't showing and I was already doing the grooming thing anyway.

Her first show coincided with my trip across the country. Someone else showed her, as was the plan and I enjoyed my vacation.

Treble and me

To be honest, I'm not sure what changed, but I decided I wanted to try to show my dog. I wanted to do this thing with this adorable puppy I had fallen in love with.

Besides we worked well together. I will be honest. My first few shows ended with me bawling in an x-pen with my dog because I thought I was doing her a terrible disservice by being so bad at this showing thing.

Of course, I am also stubborn as fuck. Nothing was stopping me from doing the THING. In this case, the thing was successfully showing my dog to a championship title.

Once I got a hang of it, well I found out that I loved to do this thing with my dog. I got to spend time with her. Grooming, playing, performing. Sometimes we had bad days, and some days we were almost unstoppable.

Our first group placing

We had our first win together. Eventually, at a show in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan we managed to attain our champion title. Treble was now a Canadian Champion with each point earned with a brand new owner-handler on the end of that leash. For those not in the dog show this a huge accomplishment. Especially in a hair breed like poodles where so many of the dogs are handled and shown by professionals.

Not only did we get that champion title, we got by attaining a group 4th placing which is also a very big deal in the dog show world.

Well, I was feeling cocky and having fun. So, I moved her up in the classes and decided to go for a Grand Champion title.

And guys, we did that too. 

Together.

I was hooked. There was no denying that. After that we went on to try things like rally-o, chase ability, barn hunting. The possibilities were endless and slightly constrained by time and money. We even became a dog therapy team certified to work with both adults and children.

Our first breed win

Today, I am officially an extension of LaBelle Standard Poodles. 

Next year, my girl will be bred and I will be whelping that litter on my best friend's kennel name. I didn't want to be a breeder, but it happened. I am passionate about responsible and ethical breeding. I am passionate about my dogs.

Last year, I brought a rescue Australian Shepherd into my home. She may be an Aussie x border collie. No way of knowing, but she looks like an Aussie. I am hoping to bring her to a point in her recovery where she can be an obedience prospect for me.

When we breed my girl Treble next year, I will be keeping a puppy from that litter and I will be starting this journey all over again with her.

And I wouldn't have it any other way. 

Treble and Nahni

(and of course, through a lot of this, I still have a cat lol. She rules the house over the dogs)