The Vaetra Files - The Musings of Daniel R. Marvello

[Daniel]

I'm hosting a guest post today on the Vaetra Files for a fellow member of the Magic Appreciation Tour, Will Hahn. Will is a funny guy and his post is quite entertaining, particularly if you like learning about how fantasy authors come up with their magic systems.


Will Hahn and the Lands of Hope Magic System
Published June 20, 2014
Will Hahn shares the magic system he developed for his Lands of Hope story world in his unique and amusing style.

[Daniel]

I'm a big fan of magical fantasy, which I'm sure is no secret by now. I'm amazed at how every author comes up with a unique system of magical sources, rules, and restrictions. My interest in magic systems has turned me into a collector. When I host a date on a blog tour, I've gotten into the habit of volunteering early and asking for a magic system post. So far, the authors have responded positively and delivered some of the most detailed and creative guest posts I've seen anywhere. I'm proud and honored to host them on my blog. I hope you enjoy them too.

Karin Rita Gastreich and the Magic of Eolyn's World
Published July 18, 2014
Karin Rita Gastreich shares the multi-layered magical system of her Eolyn Chronicles story world.


ETA: Coming up next--the official cover reveal for Vaetra Unleashed is this week!

[Daniel]

My designer delivered the final images for the Vaetra Unleashed cover this week, and I love it. I posted a cover reveal on my blog this week along with some of the fantastic comments I've been getting from my beta readers. I hope you like it!

Cover Reveal for "Vaetra Unleashed"
Published July 24, 2014
The cover for Vaetra Unleashed is ready and all systems are go for a September release.

[Daniel]

Oops. I missed a few posts.

The Magic of The Dragon and Scholar Saga by H.L. Burke
Published August 15, 2014
Fantasy author H.L. Burke did a guest post for me about the magic system for her "The Dragon and the Scholar Saga." She took the fun approach of describing magic from the perspective of a character from her story world.

Interview with DISCIPLE Series Author L. Blankenship
Published September 19, 2014
I interviewed SciFi/Fantasy author Louise Blankenship about her 6-part Disciple series. I suggested we try doing the interview as an email exchange so it wouldn't be a canned set of questions and would feel more natural/dynamic. I think it worked out well.

How I Manage Book Projects
Published September 28, 2014
Realizing it had been a while since I published one of my own posts on my blog, I decided to share the new writing schedule I've been using, since it has been working out so well for me.

[Pru Freda]

Daniel - I enjoyed your latest post on Managing Projects. I have to say I'm in awe of your productivity and schedule. Glad it's working for you' and good luck with your steampunk cowboy.

[Daniel]

Thanks, Lynda! I'm glad you enjoyed the post. I've been delaying putting that one up until I proved that the schedule really was working for me.

[Daniel]

Release Announcement for Vaetra Unleashed
Published October 15, 2014
I'm happy to announce that Vaetra Unleashed is now available and that the ebook editions are on sale for just 99 cents through Saturday, October 18. Please click through to the blog post for retailer links.

Doesn't Vaetra Unleashed look pretty alongside the first two Vaetra Chronicles books?

[Daniel]

Back into the Throes of World Building
Published November 14, 2014
While my contemporary paranormal fantasy First Moon is in beta, I'll been working hard to finish the world building for my magical fantasy western, Geomancer's Bargain. I've learned that researching a historical period while integrating fantasy elements is almost as much work as building a fantasy world from scratch!

[carlos]

Whew--makes me tired just to read your work schedule--and the idea of creating three different non-contemporary, unworldly worlds (i.e., where cause and effect do not follow 'our' rules) ... with a series of stories in each ... yikes.

Years ago I attempted a sci-fi 'saga' depicting the life and times of Robin Edgelord, ruler of the 'Scorpio Sector' (one-twelfth of the galaxy.) It was exhausting to invent the necessary technology, a home-world that would not offend the sensibilities of real scientists, his love life (complicated) his back-story, interstellar politics and war, etc. etc.

I was also trying to frame the stories (i.e., his 'real' life as told by him in retirement) as contrasted to chapter headings from an heroic poem about his life (which I was also attempting to write in iambic pentameter) supposedly by an interplanetary wandering minstrel. The idea was inspired by the Macdonald Fraser's marvelous FLASHMAN series ... I thought I could accomplish something similar without having to do any tiresome historical research. Turns out that historical invention is just as difficult. The project was abandoned after two hundred pages.

[Daniel]

Nov 20, 2014 0:18:55 GMT -5 carlos said:

Years ago I attempted a sci-fi 'saga' depicting the life and times of Robin Edgelord, ruler of the 'Scorpio Sector' (one-twelfth of the galaxy.) It was exhausting to invent the necessary technology, a home-world that would not offend the sensibilities of real scientists, his love life (complicated) his back-story, interstellar politics and war, etc. etc.

I was also trying to frame the stories (i.e., his 'real' life as told by him in retirement) as contrasted to chapter headings from an heroic poem about his life (which I was also attempting to write in iambic pentameter) supposedly by an interplanetary wandering minstrel. The idea was inspired by the Macdonald Fraser's marvelous FLASHMAN series ... I thought I could accomplish something similar without having to do any tiresome historical research. Turns out that historical invention is just as difficult. The project was abandoned after two hundred pages.

I think I would have enjoyed your Robin Edgelord stories. I like reading sci-fi, but so far, my muse hasn't presented any story ideas that I've wanted to write.

I'm starting to think that story world development needs a long percolation time. I was still working a day job when I started the Vaetra Chronicles, so the pressure to produce was fairly low. I spent a year writing the first book and developing the story world. Also, the way the trilogy evolved, I was able to spread out the world building over three years. For example, druids are featured heavily in the third book, but I didn't fully develop them until just before I started that book.

The fantasy western has a very different feel to it. As soon as I wrote the first two scenes, I knew I needed a fairly complete vision for the world the characters would be moving through. I don't believe I can make this one up as I go without having to do a lot of rework later. The story world has too many interdependent moving parts.

If I tackle yet another story world in the future, I will start developing it well in advance while I'm still publishing books in my existing worlds.

[Daniel]

The Werewolves of North Idaho
Published December 8, 2014
For my forthcoming novel First Moon, I took a non-traditional approach to lycanthropy.

[Daniel]

Announcing Finite Fantasy - A free fantasy anthology
Published December 30, 2014
I announced the availability of my short fiction anthology, Finite Fiction, along with the story of how I created my first book cover. Thanks to everyone here who offered feedback and encouragement.

[Daniel]

Fairy Dust: A Fantasy Adventure Short Story
Published January 27, 2015
This post includes a free short story that I wrote as an exercise for a writing group I joined recently. It was inspired by a rare and enchanting weather event that I've seen only a few times in my life.

I call it a short story, but honestly, I'm not sure where the dividing line is between flash fiction and short story these days. "Fairy Dust" is 1,871 words, which seems too long for flash. Has anyone seen an official take on how many words constitute a drabble versus flash versus a short story?

[ameliasmith]

I'm pretty sure flash fiction is under 1000 words. If it gets down well below 500 words, it goes over into micro fiction. Otherwise I mostly refer to the SFWA guidelines (not that I write much under novel/novella length, but I know I should try shorter fiction, too):

For the purposes of the Nebula Awards:

* Short Story: less than 7,500 words;
* Novelette: at least 7,500 words but less than 17,500 words;
* Novella: at least 17,500 words but less than 40,000 words
* Novel: 40,000 words or more

www.sfwa.org/nebula-awards/nebula-weekend/faq/

[Daniel]

Yeah, I use the SFWA guidelines as well. I used their word counts for categorizing books on the Magic Appreciation Tour. Unfortunately, their guidelines would categorize flash, "micro fiction" (that's a new one on me), and drabbles as "short stories."

For a long time, I had no interest in writing short fiction. In general, it doesn't sell, and I couldn't see using my writing time to produce something that had no commercial potential. I also don't read much short fiction. I often enjoy the stories in Science Fiction & Fantasy Magazine, and I occasionally pick up a short story collection, but I mostly prefer a more meaty reading experience. A lot of the short fiction I've read feels incomplete.

When I started connecting with other authors and participating in flash fiction contests, I discovered that writing short fiction was much more fun than I expected. My novel projects often feel like work, but the short stuff is more like recreation. Would that time be better spent working on my WIP? Probably. But some of my story ideas don't need an entire novel to get across, and I've found that taking a break to publish those smaller stories often re-energizes me when I go back to my longer works. There's something about the act of publishing something that gives me a boost. The quick gratification makes me want to write more and publish more. For me, I guess writing short fiction is a form of therapy.

As for commercial potential, I don't worry about it. I decided to give away my short works as a treat to blog visitors and to publish a yearly anthology of my collected short works. That anthology is free at the moment. Some day I may decide to charge for it so getting it for free seems like more of a special deal.

[ameliasmith]

I'm also not a big fan of short fiction, as a reader, but for the past couple of years I've been getting Daily SF (http://dailysciencefiction.com/) in my inbox, which means that I at least look at a short story most mornings, even if I don't read the whole thing. There are some good ones in lengths from very short to about 5k.

Oh, and I think that micro-fiction may be mostly one of those twitter things, a story in 144 characters or less.

[Pru Freda]

Over in the UK - and especially to members of the Kindle Users Forum, of which I'm one - a drabble is a story in exactly 100 words (not including the title).

Given how hard I find it and how long it takes me to write anything - even a novella - I'm probably better suited to short fiction. I've written a couple of shorts (some published, some not), but it's not an art form I particularly enjoy reading, and I rarely start out to write a short story, Perhaps I should, and see it as practice for writing longer stuff. Who knows.

Here are a couple of my drabbles:

Headline News

The editor gave his ace crime reporter a list of names.
“All these old ladies have mysteriously disappeared in the last week. Get on it, Chip.”
Chip grabbed his notebook and went to interview the neighbours.
“We saw a strange light in the sky,” said one woman's husband.
“It was the work of aliens,” said another local.
“I saw a flying saucer. Then she was gone.”
Three almost identical accounts. Chip raced back to the office and wrote up his story. What a scoop!
“I like it, Chip. I'm just not sure of your headline.”
INVASION OF THE BIDDY SNATCHERS.

All the Fun of the Fair

“Mummy! I want to go wee.”
“Not now, Johnny. You should have gone before we got on.”
Mother looked down at her six year-old in irritation. Already the car was beginning to move, gathering speed for the incline ahead.
“Please, Mummy.”
The rollercoaster reached its peak, plummeting down amid delighted squeals and childish laughter, slamming around the corners, tossing them from side to side, before rising again.
“Please.”
“No. Wait.”
The car slowed, the bars retracted.
“Can I go wee now?”
“Yes, all right. Don’t be long.”
Johnny grinned. Arms raised, he ran towards the next ride. “Wheee!” he squealed.

[Daniel]

I liked your drabbles, Pru Freda. Writing to an exact word count is a tricky challenge, but it's good practice in word economy. I always write something that's too long and have to figure out how to trim out the extraneous words afterward. That practice helps me edit my longer works as well.

I've decided that, for me, the only wasted writing is writing that never gets published. Even if I use a piece as nothing but a treat for my blog visitors, writing it was worthwhile.

Some writers seem to excel at writing short fiction. Marsha A. Moore, one of my Magic Appreciation Tour authors, writes something she calls Tea Leaf Tales for her Illusions of Intimacy blog. In her words, "Tea Leaf Tales is a series of original ten-sentence short stories by Marsha A. Moore, relating to photos/scenes that resonate with her." She creates a brief story using a photo as inspiration, and they are often quite fun.

I've determined that the key to keeping forward momentum with my writing is to always be writing something. And publishing it. As I've blogged before, sharing my writing makes it real.

[Pru Freda]

I really ought to resurrect my blog - but writing anything these days is hard. Apart from forum posts, that is.

I often get ideas for for blog posts, I just fail to put them into practice.

[carlos]

Feb 2, 2015 9:04:00 GMT -5 Pru Freda said:

I often get ideas for for blog posts, I just fail to put them into practice.

Yes. I do it all the time. We should set up a bargain bin where more energetic writers could buy an idea for a moderate consideration.