ideas take life in WordsA blog following the works (and shenanigans) of J.E. Klimov
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Fast Facts: Title: "Red Moon (Arcana of the Crimson Era Book 1)" Author: Sein Ares Genre: Fantasy Rating: 4 stars This Epic fantasy is founded in a complex world after man, filled with clans and magic. When I inhaled the first few chapters, I knew I had discovered a whole new realm- a series with lots of potential. The author writes about life after man where humans and demons aren't mutually exclusive. The intricate setting and magic systems were impressive, and I knew the author poured so much passion into his work. Characters are thrust into grand adventures and pulled back by complex matters. This is not a 2D book! I enjoyed the diverse characters, especially the strong willed Elizabeth from the Raven Clan. A skilled fighter and stubborn, I began to deeply invest myself in her journey and well being. And that journey was a long one. Some of the chapters did stretch on with many (many) details that I personally had to go back and make sure I could remember and understand all the world's rules (magic, clans etc). It's also worth noting some graphic details in various scenes. While this did not bother me, it is worth noting if someone has sensitivities to such description. Overall, I am impressed with the world Sein Ares made. I would love to take a breath between battles and missions to get to know his characters even further. I applaud him for creating strong female leads and introducing us to an original world for us, the readers, to get lost in! Finally- I would be remiss to mention the occasional illustrations! This is a unique offering, and I thoroughly enjoyed them. :) Peace, J.E  Have you ever imagined, the End of Man?
A world where Magic is life and Demons thrive? Have you ever imagined, if it would be a better world? I know I did, until the Red Moon. Ice fell like rain, waves eclipsed the skies and death upon death. All the while, Gods silent. Then Saisho jumped into the pit, and a ripple began. The First Hellbrids walked, and the ripple flourished. Ten thousand years passed, and the ripple faded away. Until the Red Moon again, and Chaos began, The ripple again, and an Era began, With the world echoing again, “Those who sin die by the way they sinned!”
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Hi everyone. Welcome to another episode of "Author Interview"! Today, I have a lovely author who has debuted her romance novel! I want to share her thoughts and advice- so please join me in a warm welcome to Joyita!  J.E.: Is "I Still Love You" your first novel? How long did it take you to write and edit it? J.B.: Yes, “I Still Love You” is my first novel, (which) took one month to complete... I have completed a rough manuscript for this one long back, but incorporating several facts along with suitable chapters took a little more time... J.E. What/who inspired the two main characters, Armaan and Indu? J.B.: I am not personally familiar with both the characters, but I have created (them) from my base. I have portrayed these protagonists with my sense of love. J.E.: On the cover, it says, "The story 'I Still Love You' is a combination of romance, sarcasm, and a decent message." First of all, I love sarcasm- how did you incorporate this into the story? Secondly, are you able to tell us what this decent message is? J.B.: I have incorporated sarcasm...to my story... It’s a story between two people who belong from completely different backgrounds. So, when their life comes closer, my story starts with this sarcasm. Secondly, the decent message is love is something we feel, it absolutely depends on the mentality of a person. Consequences doesn’t always lead to a sad ending. J.E.: What a lovely message! What was the most challenging aspects of writing "I Still Love You"? J.B.: I have mentioned the female protagonist “Indu” in my novel, (In) “I Still Love You”, I had faced most of the challenges portraying her life. As she is a girl from under-privileged society, I had no idea to portray her work. So, I read lots of books or research on the subject and then I came to a conclusion how to define Indu. J.E. Research is very important. Thanks for sharing. Now, what is your next project? J.B.: I am publishing a series of short stories based on Kolkata’s golden charm, and I am writing few scripts for web-shows. J.E.: Very exciting, and good luck! Tell us one thing about yourself that you enjoy doing other than writing! J.B.: I enjoy painting so much, since childhood I have been attached to painting. While I get bored, I make my own art. J.E.: Lovely. Any tips for aspiring writers? J.B.: Write your heart out, try to pen down every thought you have, get inspiration from everywhere and live your life. J.E.: That is incredible advice- it is even inspiring me (and I'm having the WORST case of writer's block right now). Thank you so much for joining me today. Below are links to places where you can find Joyita's debut novel, "I Still Love You"! Author bio: Joyita Basak is a final year student of B-Tech. She is the blogger behind itsmycopyright.com. She is currently working for Production Houses in Bollywood and Tollywood industries. Fashion designer, influencer and blogger, she has maintained to follow her passion in between her study curriculum. She has her own painting gallery online. Painting is one of her inspirations to stay elated. She has been working as content writer for various magazines, she contributes monthly articles for Art Observer Magazine. Associated with AKLF and ABSU, she maintains to follow her dreams gracefully. Know more about Joyita Basak by visiting https://itsmycopyright.com. Links to her social media can be found below...  G'day folks! Hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial weekend! I have returned with a fascinating interview with the author of "Creativity Brewing". I had read and reviewed this piece not too long ago and wanted to give you guys more insight into this writer's world. Enjoy! J.E.  J.E.: Let's get right to it! How long did this entire compilation take to write? Were they written relatively in one time period or in spurts? K.B.: It took about a month or two to write. I started with writing a blog where I wrote flash fiction each day, so that enabled me to have those creative juices flowing which allowed me to write rather fast. The stories were written in about a 4-story block, though I came up with a majority of the story ideas early on in one or two settings. J.E.: I enjoyed how you liken these stories like a quick cup of coffee What made you come up with that analogy? K.B.: I love coffee, and I think that drove the connection. When I began my blog, I likened creativity to being brewed like coffee. I ran with that and then made the theme of the book to encourage a daily reading of a new story with your morning cup of Joe (or tea). J.E.: I love myself a nice cup of coffee (and tea). And I think many people would agree! So, among all the flash fiction stories you've written, do you have a personal favorite? K.B.: I think I would divide my answer into two sections. The one I love the most, and then the one I would love to take and create a longer story about. For the one I love the most, I really enjoyed “Losing Control.” I often randomly read through my stories to get inspired on new ways to market my book, and every time I pass that story, I get struck with wonder, forgetting that I had written it. I love the concept of an enormous power swelling inside and trying to figure out how to deal with it. The story I would love to write more on would be the mini-trilogy of “Reading in a Time of War,” “Contending for Culture,” and “The Dust-Coated Letter.” I have ideas on how to make it into a novel or novella, but I loved the connection between the power of words and the ability to reclaim a culture. J.E.: Please let me know if /when you expand those stories. I'd love to read them! Now, what was the most challenging aspects of writing "Creativity Brewing"? K.B.: One of the most challenging aspects in creating this collection was to write 30 stories that were totally different from each other. A few times I started working on an idea only to scrap it because it was too similar to another story already written. J.E.: When writing a compilation of short stories, did you have a science behind the ordering? K.B.: During the writing phase, I didn’t have any sort of rhyme or reason to creating the different tales. I wrote from the heart. In the editing phase, though, I tried to spread out the darker stories so that the reader could have a breath of fresh air with a more light-hearted story. My idea in its spacing was to range from light-roast, medium-roast, and dark-roast, making sure they were evened out for a perfect blend. J.E.: That's an excellent idea... Never thought about it that way...What is your next project? K.B.: My next project to be published is the start of my novella series entitled “The Vial of Deziar.” It follows the experiences of a group of rebels in a village investigating the disappearance of one of their friends. They venture through the darkness only to find even darker secrets. I have about three projects I am currently working on, but the novella should be the next to be published, although I am working on a short story that might end up being published sooner. J.E.: Again- keep me posted! :) As we wind down from this interview, tell me one thing about yourself that you enjoy doing other than writing! K.B.: I enjoy cooking. I love to mix and match ingredients in the spur of the moment and come out with a delicious new meal. My favorite thing to cook is my cheesy chicken lasagna. The thing I cook most often is probably my skillet pizza! J.E.: ME TOO! Sounds delicious. I'm into BBQ and smoking meats since it is grilling season now... And last but not least, any tips for aspiring writers? K.B.: My biggest tip for aspiring authors is to understand that it takes time to build any sort of audience. Don’t be dismayed if you publish a book and sales are low. There is a sociological aspect to buying books where you want to read what your friends are reading. As a new author, your book is in fewer hands and therefore there is a lacking to that sociological aspect. Keep marketing and plugging your book and eventually you will gain the readership you deserve J.E.: THIS IS AMAZING ADVICE. Thank you for your time, Kevin! Folks can check out my review of "Creativity Brewing" by clicking the button below!
Fast Facts: Title: "The Mountain: A novel of Antridi" Author: C.R. Leverette Genre: Science Fiction Rating: 4.5 stars Be prepared to explore a breathtaking world as we revisit Antridi! Meet three close friends: Grant, Jace, an Nora. All hungry for adventure, they team up with three individuals (one of which is an android named Clive!) who work for a wealthy man named Alan Riker to explore the mountains in Antridi- rumored to be filled with Antridium. A mineral worth millions. This team must dodge the Order of Regulation, dangers in the wilderness, and Riker's old business partner-turned-rival. "The Mountain" begins with a quick nod to the first novella in the series, "Trouble in Peaceful Haven", then takes us to Grant, Jace, and Nora at a diner-like setting. You immediately witness fun banter between them, and that their personalities are relatable. In this book, the POV does jump from character to character and starts with a slow burn; however, the pacing picks up quickly when this exploration team sets off to the mountains. The multiple POVs do provide each character's feelings and thoughts- and "The Mountain" is filled with diverse personalities! My personal favorites were Nora (the anxious yet practical girlfriend), Izzy (the spunky chick), and Clive (the android). C.R. Leverette also does yet another fantastic job with creating a well rounded antagonist. Russell was an old business partner of Riker's, and by the end, it was difficult to say who really wronged who. This elevates the story as we all know that "bad guys" aren't always sitting around ready to take over the world for no reason. What I appreciated the most about "The Mountain" was the sense of adventure, mystery, and awe the author infuses into his words. From the Yellow Forest to The Chasm, you discover alien artifacts and new creatures. And the end...takes an unusual turn, although it sticks true to its overall theme of adventure. I recommend this read- and C.R. Leverette's other novella, "Trouble in Peaceful Haven". While the first book reads more like a science-fiction 'western', you could pick up "The Mountain" just fine alone! Peace! J.E. Klimov The world of Antridi is full of wonder and secrets...
Grant Stevens, Jace Perkins, and Nora Lake have been best friends since childhood. They came to Antridi seeking adventure and the promise of something new on an alien planet, though their jobs at TerranCorp allow for little adventure apart from the occasional excavation or testing of mining equipment. When wealthy genius Alan Riker contacts Grant about an illegal yet lucrative excursion to find and bring back Antridian minerals, Grant can't resist asking his friends to join him. They soon meet up with Kent, Izzy, and the android Clive, and set off on an adventure that could change their lives or cost them everything. However, they are not the only ones who want to get their hands on Antridium. Russell Cambridge also has big plans for the precious mineral and will stop at nothing to prevent Riker's crew from obtaining it first. Expanding the world of Antridi that was first introduced in his debut novella Trouble in Peaceful Haven, C. R. Leverette delivers an action-packed story that will transport readers deep into an alien world. Strange plants and creatures abound as tempers flare, romance is kindled, and life and death hang in the balance.  The Just-Us League is at it again! Year after year, the writer's group has put out quality short stories that shared various themes. This time, I bring to you: myths and legends! Lovely twists and new life are breathed into stories that have been passed down for centuries. In this blog tour stop, I am interviewing Natalie Kelda, whose piece in the JL9 anthology is titled: "Tech-gnome-ology" Let's get to know today's author! 1) What inspired you to write about this folklore? I have always been interested in the folklore from my home region in Denmark so I jumped at the opportunity to use and share some of the creatures and stories I’ve grown up with. My biggest inspiration comes from my grandmother who’s the first to say “must be the gnome” when you can’t find your keys or the car won’t start. Putting porridge out for the gnome so he won’t cause trouble is a thing we still do today, just in the form of rice pudding for Santa at Christmas time. 2) I love how that was part of your life growing up. How fun! So, what did you wish to accomplish with your story? What affect did you want to have on your reader? I hoped to create a fun, cautionary tale to remind not just the younger generations but also adults that we can sometimes get too caught up in our phones and technology in general. I also wanted to show a small part Danish folklore to English-speakers everywhere as I know very little is known outside Scandinavia. With a little luck my story will get people to put down their phones for a bit and just enjoy the outdoors - even if it’s just from their window in these strange times. Who knows, maybe it is just the gnomes worldwide causing trouble right now? We can always try and leave some porridge out for them. 3) I think that is a great message!! How is writing about folklore different to other stories you have written? I rarely write short stories and I can count my contemporary pieces on one hand. I think, especially considering that the story is focused on folklore which is slowly vanishing from the communal mind, that choosing the setting to be contemporary was important though. I want to remind people that we don’t have to forget all the old stories and that works best for me in the modern-day perspective. The main character, Emily, was also vastly different from my usual POV characters. Since I’m a wildlife biologist all my protagonists tend to be nature lovers. While scrambling on the forest floor Emily is panicking about the bugs and dirt, things I personally would be fascinated by.  4) Were there any difficulties in writing this piece? How did you overcome them? The biggest draw-back I had was trying to write a story in English but about Denmark. I had to enlist my fellow anthology writers and their clever heads to figure out how best to translate - or not translate - certain words. While I’ve used the English “gnome” instead of the Danish “nisse” I ended up keeping a few other Danish words for some of the folklore creatures we meet. Trying to translate names of creatures that just don’t exist in English took away too much of the story. Hopefully, the end result with a small amount of Danish words scattered about, should give the reader a sense of the foreign setting without being confusing. 5) That is a tough challenge to strike the right balance. I give you a lot of credit! Now, where would a reader look if they wanted to know more about the folklore you used? For English speakers I think Wikipedia is probably the best source. Sadly, very little of Danish folklore is written down and what is, can only be found in Danish. If you want to use google translate you can visit a brilliant Wikipedia sister-site called “Heimskringla.no” that page has anything from the original language Old Norse (viking) poems to folklore collections. You can find pages in all the Scandinavian languages there but google translate can help you read most of the modern languages - don’t trust google for the Old Norse though. 6) Please provide a book or author who inspires you, your writing, or this story. Why did you choose this book or person? Karen Blixen aka. Isak Dinesen. While her writing is vastly different from my own she was the author that most inspired me to switch from writing in Danish to English. If I hadn’t randomly picked up one of her books in a secondhand bookshop 200 km’s from anything else while driving through a desert I might have never taken the leap. But I realised if Blixen could write all her stories in English - and occasionally translate them back to Danish herself - I could do the same. If not for her, I wouldn’t be here today. 8) If a reader wished to read more by you, where would they find your writing? Since this is my first published story they’d sadly be hard-pressed to find any. I hope to start querying this year though. a) Are your other pieces similar to your short story? I’d be lying if I said yes. I mostly write for adults. This is my first YA piece in a long time and none of my current projects are YA or contemporary. b) If not, what can the reader expect from your other pieces? I’m focusing on my historical fiction so expect more foreign words, just Old Norse instead of Danish. It’s about vikings but not like you think you know them if you’ve seen some of the popular and very historically inaccurate tv shows. Apart from being able to read the original sources, I also do viking reenactment and hopefully my dedication to that shines through. All my historical fiction novels centres around the relationships between viking slaves (called thrall) and their owners; a perspective I feel like we mostly tend to gloss over and forget about.
  Meet the newest addition to the anthology family. If you like myths and legends, I highly recommend checking it out. There is currently a blog tour underway and I provided links to each site below!"Steeped in tradition and universal truths, mythology and folklore are two sides of the same coin. In this collection, nine stories reshape such legends into new tales brimming with adventure and magic.Deities don’t always have the answers: a mother goddess and her loyal queen bee search for a cure as the land withers around them; a war goddess chooses a mortal champion, but her gift of power comes at a price; and a grieving god travels to the underworld to rescue his best friend. The trickery of fae is a legend of its own: a clever young man must outwit a wily leprechaun; a lost girl finds herself at the forest queen’s mercy when she stumbles upon a solstice celebration; and a rebellious girl must find her phone after a gnome steals it to punish her disobedience. Even mortals can become myths in their own right: a determined prince rides out to discover who keeps stealing his father’s golden apples; a dissatisfied youth charged with keeping Excalibur safe fights against the tradition forced upon him; and a teenage boy has mere hours to prevent the end of the world after his father accidentally releases an Egyptian god." "Creativity Brewing: 30 Short Stories Hand-Roasted to Perfection" contains multiple cups of flash fiction stories of various genres. The author likens these tidbits as pick-me-ups, much like why we consume a quick cup of coffee. And not every coffee is the same either. The types of genres you will see in this anthology include: romance, fantasy, crime, thriller, scifi. With a strong sense of curiosity, I decided to check this out!
"He was free. He was new. He was alive."MY RATING: 4.5 Stars ( I round up on Amazon)
To start, I wanted to share that I read this in one sitting. Each story pulled me into its world so quickly, and it left me thirsty to discover more. At first I was hesitant about an anthology of flash fiction with various genres, and yet, their underlying themes seem to connect in the most brilliant way. My top favorite short stories within were:
Many of these are heart wrenching. Some made me think deeply about the human condition. This collection really draws us in as humans (despite some of the genres) and relive some emotion that modern day society seems to gloss over. I felt like I was living again. Overall, this collection was relatively well written. The pacing varied from story to story; however, as an entire piece, I recommend this! Best! JE As Indie April draws to a close and Earth Day is here- I am honored to sit with (well, virtually) the talented E.B. Brooks to talk about his new release. I've been impressed with his quality of writing and (WOW) his cover! The cover reveal was recent, and I couldn't be MORE EXCITED FOR THIS RELEASE. Check out the book blurb and his interview. Get psyched for your next favorite read!
JE: Let's start off with this. Can you describe your novel in three words?
EB: Claim your world. (That was hard!) JE: It may have been hard but that was POWERFUL. I love it and already am interested. Now, how long did it take you to write and edit Emissary? E.B.: I first conceived Emissary in late 2014, early autumn. I’d never written anything like a novel before, but I slammed out the first draft by December, reading it aloud to my family as I went. (It aged with my kids, in many respects.) I immediately drafted the sequel, Sandstorm (though I wasn’t calling it that at the time) over the next month, and half of Book 3 after that, before I got enough feedback from my alpha readers to know I’d better learn how to write well. Emissary’s second draft took me through the next summer, after which I paused to draft the rest of Book 3, along with Books 4 and 5. I’m a huge fan of series where it’s obvious the author knew where they were going, where the world is consistent and every last detail could be relevant foreshadowing. I wrote the Emissary quintet accordingly. So I finished Book 5 (Transcendence) in late 2016, just before the US general election, and spent the next few years polishing Emissary to release into the world. I spent a year waffling about whether to go traditional or self-publish, but in the end I went with the latter route for reasons of creative control. Five years and four already-drafted sequels made it really hard for me to want to subject Emissary to another round of developmental edits! J.E.: Oh wow! You've written so much, and it appears to have been a literal journey. This is impressive and amazing. I wrote my trilogy one at a time, so I am loving hearing your process. When writing, you must have had a particular audience in mind. Please fill in the blank so readers can have some other novels to relate to: "If the reader enjoyed ______, he/she will also love Emissary!" E.B.: Oh, no! I only get to pick one? Maybe I’ll cheat and say: if the reader enjoyed the style of Sword Art Online, the concept of Ready Player One, or the overtones of Ender’s Game, he/she will also love Emissary! J.E.: Another thing I found interesting was the insignia. Could you describe the meaning behind the emissaries’ insignia? Any inspiration behind it? E.B.: Sure! The emissaries’ insignia is a sword and olive branch, crossed over a shield. It represents the need for both force and diplomacy (often in tension, as symbolized by their crossing) to secure peace and safety. I don’t think I had any particular external inspiration for that insignia, or any of the others throughout the book; I’ve always been a huge nerd for symbols and their meanings. I did stylize the emblem for the Church’s military off the historical crusaders’ tabards, and the Centre’s various sections have insignia akin to contemporary military branches. J.E.: How did you come to create Veridor? What do you love about it? E.B.: Ah, Veridor. I like to think of it as a game of Elder Scrolls Online that was beaten two millennia ago but got left running on idle. The Middle Ages, but with Wi-Fi. The name itself was a dual play on verity (truth) and the Latin veridi (green). So Veridor is the Green Land of Truth, and its people, the Veridians, are true humans. I love Veridor for its liveliness. In ancient days, the humans overthrew their otherworldly gods and installed the governing Church as a gesture of independence and self-reliance. In Ewan’s time, the Church has become a micromanaging bureaucracy, and most Veridians respect it but don’t necessarily listen to it. The Church priests don’t mind, though: anyone causing real trouble gets a swift execution by the Swords, and the dead heretics can come back to confession and apologize—and pay their fees—after respawning. I guess for me, I love the feeling I get from every Veridian character that they love life and enjoy it to the fullest, in whatever form they decide to go after. They’re resilient, unfazed by failure in a world where death isn’t the end. J.E.: If Ewan lived among us now- how do you think he would be handling the Coronavirus pandemic? E.B.: It depends. If he was in a city, he’d be totally stir-crazy. (To be fair, in a later book he finds himself in a city and goes stir-crazy, anyway!) But if he was living in a rural area, he’d take it in stride and probably spend most of it roaming the woods, or helping folks from a distance where he could. It might take some explaining to get him to understand what germs are, though. The closest Veridor has is curses, or other nerfing effects. J.E.: What are you most excited about this publication? E.B.: I think I’m most excited at the prospect of finally getting to see what other people think of Ewan’s journey, and hopefully for the story to catch fire in the public imagination. There are some pretty big revelations in the first book (and subsequent books have even bigger ones), so I’ve spent a lot of energy over the past five years just biting my tongue for fear of spoilers. I guess I’m just as excited to finally be able to speak freely about the nature of Ewan’s world! J.E.: Any words for aspiring writers? E.B.: Be patient, and learn the craft. When I churned out Emissary’s first draft, I had to resist the temptation to send it off to publishing. (It never would have made it in that form, anyway!) The story seemed so timely, because we all needed a reminder that no matter how bleak things look, we can always work to improve them. But the story itself has gotten so much better and deeper thanks to the time I spent drafting out the rest of the quintet. My skills as a writer improved drastically as well in that time, which only helped on all fronts. And guess what? That message of taking responsibility for the messes we inherit? It’s still relevant, if not even more so. So, take your time, make your story the best it can be, until you realize you’re just toggling commas and turns of phrase. Then send it out into the world, with its best chance at reaching people. J.E.: That's wise, and I completely agree. (Coming from me- the most impatient person ever haha) Finally, why choose Earth Day for the release? E.B.: Ah, but this is spoiler territory! Without going into the details (Tree would have my hide, if I did), I’ll just say that the idea of loving the world you’re in is a prevalent theme in Emissary. Veridor wouldn’t last long if it wasn’t constantly cared for, and Tree’s home is in dire straits because people in the past dropped the ball. Ewan has to learn to make the most of the world he’s in—whichever one that is—and that notion is right in line with the spirit of Earth Day. No matter what nations, clubs, or social media groups we align with, in the end, we still all share this wonderful, miraculous planet. Just like Ewan, we need to claim our world. You can read a sample chapter on E.B. Brook's website. Also follow him out on social media for more updates! Hello fellow Indie authors and bookworms! I think Indie authors can be overlooked at times, and while we are all stuck at home running out of things to read, I believe it is important to promote the independent writer! Here are some fun updates. Also, if you are an indie author, you can sign up for an author interview or book review! My new release: Ultimate Seven
What I'm reading... The world of Antridi is full of wonder and secrets... Grant Stevens, Jace Perkins, and Nora Lake have been best friends since childhood. They came to Antridi seeking adventure and the promise of something new on an alien planet, though their jobs at TerranCorp allow for little adventure apart from the occasional excavation or testing of mining equipment. When wealthy genius Alan Riker contacts Grant about an illegal yet lucrative excursion to find and bring back Antridian minerals, Grant can't resist asking his friends to join him. They soon meet up with Kent, Izzy, and the android Clive, and set off on an adventure that could change their lives or cost them everything. However, they are not the only ones who want to get their hands on Antridium. Russell Cambridge also has big plans for the precious mineral and will stop at nothing to prevent Riker's crew from obtaining it first. Expanding the world of Antridi that was first introduced in his debut novella Trouble in Peaceful Haven, C. R. Leverette delivers an action-packed story that will transport readers deep into an alien world. Strange plants and creatures abound as tempers flare, romance is kindled, and life and death hang in the balance. What I'm working on...I'm working on two more short stories as part of the Just-Us-League Anthology. One is being released April 27th. There is a blog tour going on right now, interviewing all the authors that are contributing. |
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