Tag Archives: A Devil’s Ransom

Blog Award Tour

03/08/2015BlogA Devil's Ransom, Blog Award Tour, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Integrate, Jeanette O'Hagan, Lynne Stringer, novel, Replicate, Rhiza Press, Rita Stella Galieh, Rose and Crown, Sunpenny Publishing, writing process, YA FictionAdele

Fantasy author and science-fiction fan, Jeanette O’Hagan has tagged me for the Blog Award Tour. Jeanette has lived in Australia and Africa; has practiced medicine; taught theology; accumulated a few degrees, including recently completing a Master of Arts (Writing); and is actively engaged in a caring Christian community. She is currently caring for her young children and writing her Akrad Legacy series, while co-editing the Glimpses of Light anthology, which is due for release later this year. Jeanette has had short works published, including contributing to the Tied in Pink a romance anthology supporting breast cancer research. Last month she also donned her ‘cabin coordinator’ hat and dragged me and a bunch of other writers along for a fantastic ‘CampNaNoWriMo’ ride. (Thanks Jeanette and cabin buddies!) In summary, Jeanette is basically superwoman who doesn’t need to wear a cape to prove it!

As part of the Blog Award Tour, Jeanette has asked me to answer four questions for today. She’s also tagged two other fantastic authors: Lynne Stringer (blogged 27th July) and Alison Stegert (blogging 10th August), so make sure you look up their posts. As for me, let’s get ‘touring’!

1. WHAT YOU’RE WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?
Where do I start? Okay, I’ve just (July CampNaNoWriMo ‘just’) finished the first draft of the third book for my YA Integrate trilogy, so I’ll be working through that over the next period – and all the research and revision fun that entails. I’ve just completed final revisions for Replicate, the second book in that same trilogy. (It’s coming at the end of the year, so keep an eye out!) I’m presently undertaking revisions for the Glimpses of Light anthology (in between prepping for some upcoming writing workshops), and am also about to receive my historical fiction ms, A Devil’s Ransom, for final revisions any day now. As you can see I’m not bored. 🙂

2. HOW DOES YOUR WORK DIFFER FROM OTHERS IN YOUR GENRE?
I write a complex plot, where the characters’ greatest battles are the ones they face within themselves. I feel I write from a fairly unusual combination of experiences, which can make for some fun (and at times peculiar!) story developments. Exploring the scenario of an illegal human GMO made Integrate an interesting and unique work to bring together. The outworking of this premise saw many themes emerge through Blaine’s challenges. Similar themes, including ethics, human value, identity and IP rights continue with a bit more of a crime spin in Replicate. The plot of A Devil’s Ransom also has multiple complicating threads, with a strong redemption theme. The spiritual journey of the main protagonist causes him to face the ultimate question: what kind of man will he choose to be – even if that choice brings fatal repercussions? I guess I don’t like to make things too easy for my protagonists.

3. WHY DO YOU WRITE OR CREATE WHAT YOU DO?
I love stories. Life is one big story (with an awesome Master Designer) and we are threads in that incredible fabric. There is something nearly compelling about writing out the stories that come into my head, which is essentially how I started writing novels. Many years ago I had a repetitive dream and started writing it down. It soon grew into a novel length work – and obviously I didn’t think to stop there! (Even though I found I had a lot to learn about writing.) I feel writing brings together the contrasting elements of who I am and in that union there is a purposeful voice that seeks to share those ever expanding journeys; in the right time, in the right season.

4. HOW DOES YOUR WRITING/CREATIVE PROCESS WORK?
I would like to believe I am more inclined to be plotter, but I am clearly not enough of a disciplinarian to keep my characters in order. In the last two manuscripts I started them out on the story arc and they promptly decided to do their own thing! (So naughty of them.) Usually I get an idea, whether that’s in conjunction with research or even a particular experience or setting, and something usually sparks a strong visual image followed swiftly by a scenario. Soon I know where the story is headed and where it will end. I tend to research and write in turn (with frequent heavenward pleas for creativity and insight). If there are a lot of research elements, I like to get it all in my head and write, otherwise the developing story can take you too far away from the boundaries in which you must create. I know I’ve mentioned this previously, but if I get really stuck I have a very spiritual approach to this – a special prayer that goes something like this. ‘Help! I’ve got no idea what to do with this!’ LOL – though it’s true! (And I say that more often than you might expect.) After completing the first draft I go back and with each revisions add additional layers to the manuscript as I determine the finer details of the storyline. In fact, I’m just starting that process with the sequel to Replicate.

Thanks ‘Super Jeanette’ for inviting me aboard the Blog Award Tour. Now I get the delightful job of tagging the next Blog Award Tour participant. It’s my pleasure to introduce to you the remarkable Rita Stella Galieh.

Rita is an Australian with an English, Scottish and Jewish heritage. She started inventing adventure stories in her childhood with her Grandma, to entertain themselves while her mum worked. With encouragement from her mother, she spent after-school hours writing little poems in the children’s section of the Sunday papers. Not only did this provide pocket money, it also planted the seed for writing. As a student at Sydney’s National Art School, she became a committed follower of Christ, and during this time her family built up a pottery studio where she eventually worked as a ceramic artist. Upon meeting fiery young violinist, George Elias Galieh, they shared ideas and sparks flew! They became singing partners, married and attended the Emmaus Bible College in preparation to follow their desire to use their talents in evangelism for the Lord’s glory. They welcomed a son in the early years of their adventures together.

Rita aims to captivate her readers while remaining faithful to God honouring theology. This fulfils a long held desire to write stories that entertain and inspire – and her stories have all the ingredients to match these expectations for her readers. She gives one hundred percent of herself to her stories and is not afraid to enable her writing to expose raw emotions, which she sees as a pathway to healing when released the ultimate Healer. She has a passion for writing historical romance with both intrigue and adventure, and really enjoys researching the 19th century Victorian Era with all its undercurrents.

To find out more about Rita and her writing, make sure you visit her website and don’t forget to keep an eye out for her ‘Blog Award Tour’ post next week (10th August) at www.ritastellapress.com/author-blog.

Book Launch Case Study

22/11/2014BlogA Devil's Ransom, book launch, editing, Integrate, Iola Goulton, Rhiza Press, Sunpenny PublishingAdele

Launching a book is exciting, but making this process a success takes more than an author enthusiastically ripping open a box of newly printed books. Much planning and time goes into developing a launch platform that will engage readers in the target demographic, enabling them to share in celebrating the up-and-coming publication.

So when two books in two contrasting genres from two different publishers are being launched simultaneously, this process can take on an interesting angle.

Followers of my site and social media will know that this year has seen me preparing for the release of Integrate a young adult fiction from Rhiza Press, and A Devil’s Ransom from Rose & Crown Books (an imprint of Sunpenny Publishing). Over time I’ve learned some valuable lessons about the publishing-launch process.

If you’d like a snapshot into these thoughts, drop on over to Iola Goulton’s Christian Editing Services. She’s been hosting ‘book launch case studies‘ – and I have the pleasure of being her guest today. Thanks Iola! 🙂

Iola Goulton provides freelance content editing, copyediting and proofreading services for writers, specialising in adult and young adult Christian fiction. Not only does she use her professional skills to bring out the best in an author’s current work, through a number of forums she also provides resources to help equip writers for ongoing development of their craft and greater understanding of the market.

All Hands

19/09/2014BlogA Devil's Ransom, all hands, Integrate, Maritime, nautical, novel, Publication, Rhiza Press, sailing, Sunpenny Publishing, Support, talk like a pirate day, WritingAdele

Did you know it’s ‘International talk like a pirate day’? I’m sure there are thousands of, ‘Arrrrr,’ type comments being made across the world in keeping with the fun of this date, and perhaps a lovely buzz is building for all things maritime.

Having written a historical maritime novel (A Devil’s Ransom) I have a great deal of affection for the nautical, but today I’d like to take a slight tangent to this theme. That is, the dynamics of a ship’s crew.

Now, I promise this is related! Last weekend marked the official book launch celebrations for my new YA novel Integrate. It was a wonderful event shared with many others who have supported me throughout the publication journey or have heard of the book and wanted to share the excitement of its release. But this day could not have happened without the many hands that managed all the behind the scenes work. My writing group. (Not to mention those involved in seeing the book to publication prior to that!)

On the morning of the launch my husband was given several chores to do while I zipped out to finish getting ready. When we finally arrived at the venue, I could feel fissures of stress edging through me. With a zillion thoughts in my head, including a list of what yet had to be done, I was stopped in my tracks as I stepped into the room. It was perfect. Everything had been set up and there was an atmosphere of calm as my writing friends went about their business – tasks they had previously delegated between themselves. Upon asking after a few items on my mental list, I was met with a smile and reminded that people had already offered to do these things, and had.

I felt something like the awe I hold when watching a ship’s crew at work – especially a sailing ship. Each crew-member knows their task and the importance of performing it well. If they don’t, they not only let themselves down, they risk jeopardising the safety of the ship and the souls aboard. There is something quite magnificent and equally intriguing about the team work involved in performing evolutions (or manoeuvres) under sail. Considering the physics of a sailing ship and the forces acting on it, the precision of this work can be appreciated.

The same applies to life. At times we can lose sight of our efforts in the bigger scheme of things, but don’t become discouraged in doing the little things well. No matter what moment we are in, there are always many hands that have seen us, supported us, to our ‘now’. From the simplest word of encouragement to meeting an overwhelming practical need, each hand bears a little weight in life’s journey. Let’s never undervalue the power of supportive hands in our world – and our part as a ‘crew-member’ for others.

Author Interview: Adele Jones

25/08/2014BlogA Devil's Ransom, Adele Jones, author interview, book reviews, editing, Integrate, Iola Goulton, Rhiza Press, Sunpenny Publishing, WritingAdele

Today I’m being interviewed as a guest author on Iola Goulton‘s ‘Christian Reads’ blog. Iola is a respected editor and book reviewer, and her website is a wealth of information on new releases and authors, along with providing professional advice on publishing, writing tips and review etiquette for writers.

Whether you’re a writer or a reader, Iola has something for literary buffs of all descriptions. You might also find out a little more about me and some of the writing related things that lurk in the recesses of my enthusiastic imagination.

Expecting Twins!

19/08/2014BlogA Devil's Ransom, Integrate, Lynne Stringer, Publication, Rhiza Press, Rose and Crown Books, Sunpenny Publishing, Verindon Trilogy, Writers, writing processAdele

It’s official – they’re twins … just weeks apart. Okay, before imaginations run wild, we’re not talking human babies here, but books! (Of course …) The gestation periods and experiences of my ‘literary babies’ have been extremely different (fifteen years versus a whirlwind ride), but in the next month they will both be released.

Integrate on the 1st of September.

A Devil’s Ransom on the 19th of September. (Which also happens to be ‘International Talk Like a Pirate Day’! Arrrrrrrr!!! 🙂 )

Today I’m guest blogging for Lynne Stringer on her blog page about my publication journey. This can be a wild adventure that finds you navigating narrow tracks, cutting new ground through unexplored frontiers, and tumbling over unexpected twists and potholes. Well, perhaps that’s slightly melodramatic, but there can certainly be some unexpected turns along the road to seeing your work in print.

This has been an interesting trip to reflect on, especially now with official release dates pending. Make sure you pop on over to Lynne’s website and have a read.

Lynne is an editor, journalist and science fiction romance author of the YA ‘Verindon trilogy‘. Make sure you check out this emerging author and her imaginative work. And while you’re there, browse some of the other publication journeys in her current guest blog series. You’ll be inspired – I know I have been.

adelejonesauthor.com

Science fiction for the real world