Category: Spotlights

Book Spotlight: Fire (The Seven Kingdoms Trilogy, Book 2) by Kristin Cashore

Elizabeth J. Norton
***Originally posted on The Bearded Scribe on September 7, 2012.***
Since this post was published, two more books—Winterkeep (2021) and Seasparrow (2022)—were released, and the 5-book series was re-released as The Graceling Realm Series.

Book Spotlight: Fire (The Seven Kingdoms Trilogy, Book 2) by Kristin Cashore

WELCOME back, Beardies!

Thanks for joining me for the second installment in my series of posts on Kristin Cashore’s Seven Kingdoms Trilogy. Today, we’re discussing Fire, the second book in the trilogy. First published in 2009, Fire is a prequel set forty years before the events of Graceling, in a neighboring kingdom called the Dells. Fire has only one character in common with Graceling, but as unorthodox as this may seem, it is a stroke of genius for the trilogy as a whole.

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{—PREMISE—}

ACROSS an impassible mountain range from the Seven Kingdoms lies the Dells, a kingdom populated by both humans and monsters. Fire is the last of her kind, a human-shaped monster, arrestingly beautiful, skilled in archery and music, but taught to hate and fear herself by her father. Like all monsters, Fire can read and control the thoughts of others, but she finds the ability repulsive and uses it as little as possible. The Dells, however, stands on the brink of civil war, and the King’s men arrive to take Fire to King City to serve as a spy and interrogator. On her journey, she forms unlikely alliances that allow her to reconcile her human and monstrous natures and explore feelings she never knew she had.

{—GEMS FOR WRITERS—}

1. RACES...

THE monster races are the centerpiece of Fire. Nearly every species in our world has a monster counterpart. These creatures all look more or less the same in our world, except gloriously colorful. All monsters are physically attractive and have the power to control minds. From bugs to birds to fish and even a human, the various monster species are described in perfect detail, bringing them beautifully to life. Among humans, monsters are as despised for their bloodthirstiness and mind control abilities as they are in demand for their beautiful pelts and feathers, which are used as decorations in the homes and clothing of the wealthy. Fire is proof positive that fantasy isn’t all vampires and zombies—unconventional races make for unforgettable world-building. For more on races, please check out Joshua’s post on this topic.

2. CONFLICT...

CONFLICT is the core of any story, and a great story will contain not just one conflict, but rather a series of conflicts that play off each other like ripples in a pond, driving the plot forward. Kristin Cashore weaves an intricate web of conflict in Fire. Fire is the last of her kind and her father taught her to hate herself and fear her powers, so the human side of her is constantly at war with her monstrous nature. As civil unrest grows in the Dells, however, the King demands Fire’s services, forcing her to use the powers she so despises. Further conflict arises when Fire begins to fall for the commander of the Army, Prince Brigan, who may die in the looming war.

3. SETTING & CULTURE...

PHYSICAL description of setting is important, but for world-building to be solid, cultural norms within a fantasy world must also be explained. Kristin Cashore fully explores the culture of the Dells. Culture is a vital part of Dellian life. Fire is revered for her skill with the violin, and the reader learns that medicine in the Dells is highly advanced. Other cultural norms such as funeral customs are also established, and the frontispiece of the book contains a Dellian mourning poem. Descriptions of culture help to establish the setting, but also allow the reader to be fully immersed in the lives of the characters.

{—RATING—}

{—CONCLUSION—}

KRISTIN CASHORE continues spectacular world-building in Fire, adding unforgettable characters and expanding her setting. Though it does not continue the story as started in Graceling in a conventional sense, Fire is a welcome addition to the trilogy and leaves the reader eager to return to the world of The Seven Kingdoms Trilogy.

Happy Reading and Happy Scribing!

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ELIZABETH J. NORTON

MEET ELIZABETH
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***Fire (2009), by Kristin Cashore, is published by and copyright Dial Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin Group (USA), Inc.

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Book Spotlight: Graceling (The Seven Kingdoms Trilogy, Book 1) by Kristin Cashore

Elizabeth J. Norton
***Originally posted on The Bearded Scribe on September 6, 2012.***
Since this post was published, two more books—Winterkeep (2021) and Seasparrow (2022)—were released, and the 5-book series was re-released as The Graceling Realm Series.

Book Spotlight: Graceling (The Seven Kingdoms Trilogy, Book 1) by Kristin Cashore

WELCOME back, Beardies!

Back at the beginning of May, Joshua asked me for a list of titles I’d like to feature for Book Spotlight. Bitterblue, the final installment in Kristin Cashore’s Seven Kingdoms Trilogy, had just come out, and the trilogy as a whole topped the list. I even owned all the books and had already read the first two. Because of all the reading I have to do for my job, though, often the books that I own fall to the bottom of the pile because I have all the time in the world, rather than the three weeks allowed by a library checkout, to read them. Thus, months passed, and a Spotlight on Seven Kingdoms never came. Then, one night, I asked Joshua for my weekly assignment, and he specifically asked me to read Bitterblue. Turns out, in his words, he’d “been waiting for that Spotlight with white knuckles.” Well, what could I do but oblige him?

Originally, I set out to do just one post on The Seven Kingdoms Trilogy, but quickly realized that the trilogy simply had too many strong points and too much depth for one post to do it justice. So, at Joshua’s encouragement, I have decided to cover this trilogy in three separate posts. The first installment of the trilogy, Graceling, hit shelves in 2008 with immediate success, bagging tons of literary hardware. It was named a Best Book for Young Adults by the American Library Association; was a finalist for the William C. Morris Award for best young adult debut novel that year; and also snagged the Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Children’s Literature.

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{—PREMISE—}

IN the Seven Kingdoms, sometimes a child is born with a supernatural talent known as a Grace. A Grace can be anything from mind-reading or weather prediction to the ability to climb any tree in creation. Katsa has a frightening Grace: She’s been able to kill people with her bare hands since she the age of eight. Katsa’s uncle, King Randa, has used her as an enforcer and thug for years, sending her to kill or maim subjects who don’t obey his every whim. Tired of being used, Katsa takes matters into her own hands, forming a group called the Council that operates undercover to prevent her from having to do Randa’s bidding. Then a Council mission leads her to a new friend, a young princess in grave danger, and a sadistic ruler with a secret even more deadly than her Grace.

{—GEMS FOR WRITERS—}

1. HEROINE AS ARTFORM...

KATSA is a heroine for the ages and truly stars in her role as Graceling’s protagonist. Her character arc is complete and realistic. In the beginning she is only able to see herself as the Graced thug that her uncle has made her to be, but the moment when she has the courage to take matters into her own hands makes the reader want to stand up and cheer. By the end of the book, she sees herself as far more than just King Randa’s enforcer, and her process of self-discovery is beautifully done. This stellar piece of characterization landed Graceling on the Amelia Bloomer Project List of best feminist literature for young adults in 2009.

2. PLOTTING & PACING...

The Seven Kingdoms Trilogy as a whole is a fine example of complex plotting, and this first volume sets the stage. Graceling is perfectly paced. It hits the ground running with Katsa’s dramatic rescue of a kidnapped prince, and it never looks back. The action is nonstop, but also organic, never feeling forced or contrived. There are enough quiet moments to allow the reader to catch their breath, but the plot doesn’t drag down. The ending, too, leaves the reader content, with plenty of room for a sequel.

3. WORLD BUILDING & CULTURAL VIEWS...

KRISTIN CASHORE’s Gracelings are so realistically drawn, it takes an effort not to look for them in real life, but what really resonates with me is the way that Gracelings are treated by society—and the way that Cashore builds this flawlessly into her world. A Graced person has eyes of two different colors, so they are easy to pick out from a crowd. In most of the Seven Kingdoms, Gracelings are feared or reviled. All Graceling children are given to the King as soon as their eyes “settle” into two different colors. If the child’s Grace is useful to the King (such as Katsa’s killing), the child becomes the property of the King; if not, the child is sent home in disgrace and usually lives as an outcast for the rest of their life.

{—RATING—}

{—CONCLUSION—}

Graceling is the perfect blend of solid world-building, fast-paced adventure, and phenomenal characterization. It stands alone easily, but also leaves the reader eager for more stories about these characters. While I don’t often agree with award selection committees, I do agree that Graceling has all the makings of a modern classic and is a feast for readers and writers alike. I hope you’ll join me in the next few days for my Book Spotlights on Fire and Bitterblue.

Happy Reading & Happy Scribing!

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ELIZABETH J. NORTON

MEET ELIZABETH
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***Graceling (2008) by Kristin Cashore, are published by and copyright Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

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Book Spotlight: Saving Mars (Saving Mars, Book 1) by Cidney Swanson

Elizabeth J. Norton
***Originally posted on The Bearded Scribe on August 4, 2012.***

Book Spotlight: Saving Mars (Saving Mars, Book 1) by Cidney Swanson

SALUTATIONS, Beardies!

Last weekend, I was in a state of bliss, enjoying a rare, quiet evening visiting my parents, watching the Olympics and looking forward to an uneventful week to come. My tranquility was shattered, however, by the arrival of the following text from Joshua.

Joshua: Would you like an assignment? Just forwarded you an e-mail I received from Cidney with a proposal.


The e-mail contained not an assignment, but a mission that—should I choose to accept it—would spell the end of my uneventful week.

Tomorrow our friend, Cidney Swanson, author of The Ripple Trilogy, celebrates the publication of her fourth novel, Saving Mars. The e-mail to which Joshua referred contained an invitation to be a first reviewer! The catch: I had only one week to read the book and write the review—a short deadline; a perilous mission. I thought about respectfully declining, but in the end I couldn’t resist the opportunity to bring you this very special Book Spotlight.

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{—PREMISE—}

JESS and her family live in Mars Colonial, a human settlement on Mars that began as an initiative on the planet of Terra. The Terrans believe Mars Colonial failed years ago and have no idea that it still exists, and the Marsians intend to keep it that way despite the constant Terran surveillance. Jess can pilot any craft with wings and she dreams of becoming a raider like her late grandfather, flying missions to Terra to get the ration bars that keep the Marsians alive. Then, a mistake on a flight leaves her in disgrace and suspended from the skies. But when Mars’ food supply is compromised, Jess’ alter-abled brother, Ethan, is chosen to go on an emergency raid to get rations. Jess knows that the trip will be devastating to Ethan with his alter-abilities, and figures out a way to join him. Then, when everything about the mission is going wrong, Jess is faced with a terrible choice: Save her brother and her crewmates, or save her planet.

{—GEMS FOR WRITERS—}

1. WORLD BUILDING...

YOU knew I’d start with that, right? Cidney Swanson has a rare gift for world-building. Some writers do all their world-building in the first chapter and then throw the reader in headfirst and expect them to remember all the details. Swanson, on the other hand, builds her world slowly, brick by brick, in fine detail. From the political system of Mars Colonial, to the practice of celebrating one’s birthday twice each year because Mars takes twice as long as Earth to orbit the sun, to the extensive list of ingredients in a Marsian ration bar, everything is in place and well thought-out. When the book ends, the world is gloriously complete and real, and the reader is eager to return to it again and again.

2. CHARACTERIZATION...

EVERY one of these characters is fully realized, and all undergo growth and transformation through the course of the book. Jess’s character arc is especially well done, particularly her relationship with Ethan. She is a spunky and lovable heroine, ever the daredevil, fiercely protective of her brother, and determined to do anything to get back to flying after making a huge mistake. By the end of the book, she is just as headstrong, but has learned to see things from others’ perspectives and put the safety of others—and the survival of her planet—above her own desires.

3. SETTING & CULTURE...

ALTHOUGH she admits in her author’s note that she is no astrophysicist, Cidney Swanson obviously did her research about life on Mars and what it would take to sustain a human colony there. The setting is described in vivid detail, not only physically but also culturally. Marsians (“Martians” being an offensive, Terran term) can only go outside in high-tech suits to protect them from the temperature extremes and drink water only twice per day. Beyond those two daily “wet rations,” the use of water for anything, including tears, is considered wasteful. The old are treated with great respect, and a person’s first wrinkle is cause for celebration as it means they have survived. All of these cultural details, even more than the physical description of the setting, make the world of the Marsians that much more believable.

4. ALTER-ABILITIES...

JESS’s brother, Ethan, is what the Marsians consider “alter-abled.” He is an expert computer hacker, but in our world would probably be diagnosed with autism or Asperger syndrome. The portrayal of this condition is respectful, tender, and beautiful; it is an integral part of his character. For the most part, the Marsians respect Ethan for his hacking skills and brilliant inventions, rather than ostracizing him for his differences. I only wish the same held true on Earth for all who live with this condition, and I applaud Cidney Swanson for tackling this timely issue with such finesse.

{—RATING—}

{—CONCLUSION—}

ALTHOUGH that text from Joshua and my subsequent decision to take on this mission destroyed my hopes of an uneventful week, it was worth every minute! I cannot wait to hear more from these characters and hope that you, too, will take the time to read this book. Better yet, click over to Cidney’s blog—she’s doing a giveaway of a signed copy plus some nifty Mars-related swag. Go show her some love, and tell her The Bearded Scribe sent you!

Mission Accomplished!

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ELIZABETH J. NORTON

MEET ELIZABETH
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***Saving Mars (2012) by Cidney Swanson, are published by and copyright Williams Press.

***Per FTC Regulations: I received a free Advance Reading Copy (ARC) from the author herself and was not compensated in any way, monetarily or otherwise, for this review.

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Book Spotlight: Wild Cards I, Expanded Edition by George R. R. Martin (et al)

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***Reviewed by Court Ellyn and originally posted on The Bearded Scribe on July 31, 2012.***

Book Spotlight: Wild Cards I, Expanded Edition by George R. R. Martin (et al)

WELCOME back, Beardies!

After being out of print for a decade, the first volume of George RR Martin’s Wild Cards series is back—expanded with new, original material.

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{—PREMISE—}

THERE is a secret history of the world—a history in which an alien virus struck the Earth in the aftermath of World War II, endowing a handful of survivors with extraordinary powers. Some were called Aces—those with superhuman mental and physical abilities. Others were termed Jokers—cursed with bizarre mental or physical disabilities. Some turned their talents to the service of humanity. Others used their powers for evil. Wild Cards is their story. {Source: Goodreads}

{—GEMS FOR WRITERS—}

1. COLLABORATIVE WRITING...

THIRTEEN writers, including George R.R. Martin, Roger Zelazny, Melinda M. Snodgrass, and Carrie Vaughn, contribute thirteen tales and five interludes that tell the story of two generations of humanity who suffer the effects of the xenovirus, spanning forty years of cultural history. Choreographing and writing this book must have been an enormous undertaking. Each author had his or her era on the timeline to illustrate through the eyes of those changed forever by the virus. The characters they created for one story might later crop up later in someone else’s. The most colorful of these is Dr. Tachyon, the alien who tried to stop the virus’s release and failed. In “Degradation Rites,” Snodgrass writes of his initial attempts to treat the virus’s victims and his persecution under McCarthy’s trials in the 50s. Martin later explores his deep depression after years of believing himself a failure in “Shell Games.” The doctor’s recovery is seen intertwined in later stories, from his founding a hospital for the virus’s victims to his reputation as a dashing celebrity during the glittering “glam” era of the 70s.

2. ALTERNATE HISTORY...

WHEN the xenovirus is released over Manhattan in September 1946, everything changes. The course of events we read about in our history books has been altered, subtly or enormously. In “The Witness,” aces, with their stunning abilities, are initially viewed as superheroes who employ their abilities to remedy crises and shape revolutions around the world, but their efforts backfire. While slums for deformed jokers crop up, McCarthy hunts down aces as well as suspected Communists. The resulting scare echoes throughout the glamorous Hollywood of the 1950s in “Captain Cathode and the Secret Ace.” But a changing generation protests the government’s way of drafting jokers for the front lines in Vietnam and finds heroes again in aces as the Lizard King rocks the psychedelic scene of the 60s in “Transfiguations.” Then, by the 1980s club scene, explored in “Ghost Girl Takes Manhattan,” the new thrill is to sneak into Jokertown where glitter and danger walk hand in hand.

{—RATING—}

{—CONCLUSION—}

A thought-provoking and entertaining read, Wild Cards I may be most accessible to readers who are familiar with events and culture during the last half of the 20th Century. Even so, the bizarre elements in this book should be enough to intrigue a good many sci-fi readers and capture another generation of Wild Cards fans.

Thanks for stopping by, Beardies! Until next time, read, write, live, love!

***Wild Cards I: Expanded Edition (2010) edited by George R. R. Martin, published by and copyright Tor Books (Tom Doherty Associates, LLC).

Editors Note: Please check out an alternate version of this review on Court’s Blog!

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Book Spotlight: Eyes to See (Jeremiah Hunt Chronicles, Book One) by Joseph Nassise

Joshua A. Mercier
***Originally posted on The Bearded Scribe on July 22th, 2012.***

Book Spotlight: Eyes to See (Jeremiah Hunt Chronicles, Book One) by Joseph Nassise

GOOD EVENING, Beardies!

Many of you may remember my first ever Author Spotlight on my writing coach, Joseph Nassise. As a prequel to a follow-up Spotlight—this time complete with an interview—I am doing my first ever Book Spotlight on Eyes to See, the first book in Nassise‘s Jeremiah Hunt Chronicles.

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{—PREMISE—}

WHEN Jeremiah Hunt’s daughter, Elizabeth, is kidnapped without any tangible evidence, his world is shattered; the obsessive search for her whereabouts leaves everything else in his life—his marriage, his job, his friends—to come crashing down around him. In his search for tangible clues, his desperation leads him to the intangible—an arcane spell that is supposed to help him see what he has overlooked. Sacrificing his normal sight catapults him into a world of literal and figurative darkness—a world of spirits and entities that haunt him in his now-cursed life of endless night. When called upon by the police for his “paranormal” abilities, a string of gruesome murders uncovers clues about his daughter’s disappearance, a cast of unlikely friends, and unforeseen enemies.

{—GEMS FOR WRITERS—}

1. World Building...

YOU should have guessed I’d say it, but Joseph Nassise does a spectacular job of creating the obscure reality in which Jeremiah Hunt is doomed to walk. The colorless world—because of Hunt’s quasi-Faustian sacrifice—is populated with spirits, demons, and other entities of myth and legend that walk the streets of the novel’s Boston setting, all undetected by the city’s corporeal denizens, but all of whom can detect Hunt’s ability and are drawn to it like a beacon. Just as Stephen King creates written replicas of his (and my) native Maine with perfect prose and imagery, Nassise, too, does the same for his native Boston and its surroundings—all while adding an eerily believable layer of fantasy.

2. Historical Elements...

ONE of the things I loved about this book was its incorporation of historical elements (and in this case, specific to its region). This, in itself, ties in with World Building—in fact, I’ve mentioned it before in the World Building Series. Using the element of history as a writing device in urban fantasy is pure genius; it makes the world all the more believable, no matter how made-up the fantastical element is. It even makes you question history. The motives behind the witch trials that occurred in Salem may not have been what was originally believed, something this novel proposes. Curious? Read this book.

3. Point of View...

THIS element of writing is far-too-often overlooked. Although there are some passages that are in some other POV (perhaps even slightly weaker in comparison), Nassise does a stellar job with Hunt’s first-person narrative. Even the flashbacks are easy to maneuver through because of the tightly-written prose.

{—RATING—}

{—CONCLUSION—}

I don’t want to sound cheesy—or sycophantic—when I tell you that I had difficulty putting this book down. I had started and completed this book within a span of 30 hours—including sleep and meals—excitedly turning each page… a total, perhaps, of 10-12 hours actual reading time. If you are looking for an urban fantasy with a paranormal flavor that redefines the genre, look no further.

Keep Reading and Happy Scribing!

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Joshua A. Mercier

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***Eyes to See (2011), by Joseph Nassise, is published by and copyright Tor Books (Tom Doherty Associates, LLC).

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Book Spotlight: The Curse Workers Trilogy by Holly Black

Elizabeth J. Norton
***Originally posted on The Bearded Scribe on July 21, 2012.

Book Spotlight: The Curse Workers Trilogy by Holly Black

HELLO Beardies,

Welcome back to Book Spotlight! It’s been far too long since I wrote one of these posts, but I’m glad to be back at it.

Tonight’s Book Spotlight is a trilogy that had me captivated from its first installment in 2010. Part fantasy, part crime thriller, with a strong shot of humor and a tie to a French fairy tale, this trilogy made me a believer in urban fantasy. Shortly after reading the first book, I spent an inordinate amount of time in a signing line to meet Holly Black at the ALA conference, and my autographed copy of White Cat is still among my treasured possessions. When the final book came out this spring, I couldn’t wait to tell you about this trilogy.

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{—PREMISE—}

CASSEL SHARPE is just a normal guy…and in his world, that’s not a good thing. Curse work—the ability to control another person’s memories, emotions, dreams, luck, or even life through the simple touch of a finger—runs in his family. Curse work is also illegal, but it’s highly available on the black market, and the black market is controlled by a magical Mafia of sorts, made up of powerful families of “workers” like Cassel’s. Since he’s not a worker, Cassel is an outsider in his own family. He tries his best to stay away from the family business, but a series of bizarre events prove that Cassel’s life is not what he thought, and far from being an outsider, he’s right in the middle and is perhaps the most powerful player of all.

{—GEMS FOR WRITERS—}

1. RULES OF MAGIC...

IN a well-established fantasy world, magic will have boundaries. (If you haven’t already, please go check out Joshua’s fantastic World Building post on this topic!) Holly Black’s rules of magic are well established and thought-provoking. In the world of the Curse Workers, magic is not only illegal, but to wield it means personal consequences known as “blowback”—a sort of instant magical karma—for the worker. Each worker can perform only one type of curse, and the blowback is directly related to the curses they perform. For example, Cassel’s mother, an emotion worker, is emotionally unstable from years of working her targets. His grandfather, a death worker, loses a finger each time he performs a curse, and knows that one too many curses will stop his own heart. To perform curse work, a worker must be aware of and willing to accept the consequences.

2. WORLD BUILDING...

EVEN if you choose to set your speculative fiction story in a real city, a fantasy world still needs to be built within it. The Curse Workers Trilogy takes place in New York City and the surrounding area; the world is similar to ours, but Holly Black does a stellar job of building new norms into a realistic setting. Since curse work can only be performed through skin-to-skin contact, everyone wears gloves at all times. The government wants to mandate testing so that they know the whereabouts of all curse workers (ostensibly to protect them), and that is as divisive an issue as any political debate in our world.

3. FOOD FOR THOUGHT...

FOR me, the most unforgettable stories are the ones that leave me with something to think about. Holly Black packs a lot of food for thought and social commentary into this trilogy. The political climate in the world of the curse workers is unstable, hinging on the issue of mandatory testing so the government will know who and where all the workers are. Cassel and his friends attend rallies for worker rights that echo of the civil rights movement, the labor movement, and other great protests we can read about in our history books. Cassel is also in a unique position that places him directly in the middle of his family and the government, and many times he finds himself thinking about what makes a family and to whom he owes his allegiance—the family that treats him as an outsider or the government that would jail every last one of his family members. All of this food for thought has left these books embedded deep in my memory. And hungry for more.

{—RATING—}

{—CONCLUSION—}

WELL, Beardies, we’ve reached the end of another edition of Book Spotlight. I hope you’ll take the time to check out at least one—if not all—of these fantastic books!

Until next time…

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ELIZABETH J. NORTON

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***White Cat (2010), Red Glove (2011), and Black Heart (2012) by Holly Black, are published by and copyright Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers.

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Movie Spotlight: Brave

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***Originally posted on The Bearded Scribe on July 16th, 2012.***

Movie Spotlight: Brave

HELLO Beardies,

Hang around The Bearded Scribe long enough, and you will inevitably catch a glimpse of Scottish pride amidst its contributors. Elizabeth is a direct descendant of Clan Ross, the first named clan, designated by King Malcolm IV of Scotland in the twelfth century; and Joshua has a bit of all the British Isles in him from his mother’s side… If genealogical reasons of pride weren’t enough, Joshua and Elizabeth met when they were all students at Alma College, home of the Scots. (The city of Alma is nicknamed Scotland USA.)

ALMA College has its own registered tartan, which both the marching band and the pipe and drum corps wear for every performance; every convocation starts with the bagpipes; the Choir can often be heard in the Chapel (or, on occasion, in secluded churches in Scotland!) singing tunes such as “Loch Lomond” and “Highland Mary;” and at the end of Spring Term, the students must vacate the dorms to make way for the Highland Festival, a huge gathering including traditional Highland music and dance, a nearly-frightening number of men in kilts, and Highland games.

Alma College Tartan

Alma College Choir in Scotland performing "Loch Lomond."

IT is because of this Scottish pride that The Bearded Scribe excitedly brings you its first ever Movie Spotlight on Disney/Pixar’s latest film, Brave. And to top it all off, it is the first ever post to appear on the blog with two contributors! (We’re sure it won’t be the last!)

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{—PREMISE—}

A born tomboy and expert archer, Merida is not your average girl, but, as her mother often reminds her, she’s a princess, and with that comes expectations. The clans are about to gather, bringing their suitors to compete for Merida’s hand, and of course, Merida wants nothing to do with it—especially after she sees just who these potential suitors are. She devises a way to compete herself so as not to have to get married, but it causes her worst fight yet with her mother and Merida runs away. Deep in the woods, she follows will-o’-the-wisps to a witch’s cottage. The witch gives her a spell to change her fate, but when the spell backfires, trapping her mother in the form of a bear, Merida must use all her wits and skills—princess-like and otherwise—to save both her independence and her family.

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{—GEMS FOR WRITERS—}

1. The Land...

ONE of the greatest aspects of Brave is the film’s unforgettable landscape, beautifully portrayed through superb animation. The entire “world” built by the film is complete, and the landscape alone is merely one of its facets. In addition to the lush, green rolling hills, the crags and high cliffs, and the architecture of monuments and buildings, the film includes key elements to the traditional, Celtic culture. Intricate knotwork is carved on wood and stone throughout—including Merida’s bow. Nary a scene exists without a man in a kilt or some display of tartan (ever wonder what the Scotsmen wear under those kilts… watch this film and you will no longer), a few of its characters adorned in woad paint (a tip of the hat to Braveheart, perhaps?), and fanciful tapestries line many a wall.

Many of the Scottish traditions outlined in our intro are beautifully and respectfully reflected in Brave, one of them specifically is that of the Highland Games. According to tradition, each clan presents its most desirable suitor for the hand of the Princess, and the winner is determined through a test of her choosing. Brave’s focus is not mainly on romance; rather, in a stroke of unconventional plotting, the games serve as an impetus for the main conflict between Merida and her mother, and between Merida and the conventions of her society.

Another aspect we loved about Brave is the wonderful music contained in its soundtrack. As we are both vocalists and lovers of music, this was one aspect, in our humble opinion, the film had no room to get wrong. They didn’t. The composer of the film’s musical score, Patrick Doyle—also the composer of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire—used traditional Scottish instruments such as the bagpipes, a solo fiddle, Celtic harps, and the bodhrán, just to name a few. Doyle was quoted as saying, “I employed many classic Scottish dance rhythms such as reels, jigs, and strathspeys, which not only serve the action but keep it authentic.”

The only issues we found with the world-building of the film were anachronisms. Given the film was fictionally set in 10th Century Scotland, the use of plaid (15th-16th Century), kilts (18th century); forks (16th century); Shire horse (breed developed in the mid-17th century) and fighting the Romans (1st-5th century) all fit the bill. Because we love all things Scottish, we happily forgive them.

2. The Legend...

IF there is something that must be mentioned, it is the way elements of folklore and mythology are interwoven throughout the entire film. While there is no precedence for the actual legend of the plot, other elements from Celtic lore are used ingeniously to drive home the “fairytale” aspect. From its very start, we are introduced to will-o’-the-wisps—colloquially referred to as “wisps”—which Merida is told (by her mother) are said to lead a person to their fate. The “wisps” vanish when approached, just as the actual lore states; ironically, however, in most Celtic lore a “wisp” (or ignis fatuus) is said to lead travelers away from the safety of the path (into bogs and other treacherous destinations). Continuing with the “fairytale” notes is the sacred henge in which the final showdown takes place. It represents not only the sacred rock formations that speckle the British Isles, such as Stonehenge—which are placed on sacred sites filled with the natural energies from the Earth—but also the smaller-scale formations referred to as “faerie rings.” These sites were said to be portals to the land of the Sidhe, and were to never be entered. Merida’s horse, Angus, obeys this superstition by stopping suddenly at its edge, meanwhile throwing Merida into its center. The fact that the wisps appear from this site to lead Merida to witch’s cottage is another allusion to the Faefolk they are meant to represent.

ANOTHER mythological element which is prevalent—if not pervasive—is that of the bear. While researching for this post, we discovered a possible connection between Queen Elinor and the Celtic Bear Goddess, Artio, often referred to as “Mother Bear.” We even uncovered an ancient statue of said goddess that appears strikingly similar to one that may or may not have made an appearance in the witch’s wood-carving shop. The legends and myths that appear throughout the film and its landscape are like the tapestry in the film; they are tightly woven, never to be torn from one another. The mistakes and stories of the past—however far-fetched and magical they might seem—are there to educate generations of the future. We must take heed and not dismiss them so quickly, which echoes Queen Elinor’s line in the movie: “Legends are lessons, and they ring with truths!”

3. The Lessons Learned...

AS firm believers that no woman should need a man to make her complete, we really enjoyed seeing a Disney/Pixar film wherein romance is present without being the main focus of the plot. We’re not anti-love by any means, and both agreed that the romance between the Queen Elinor and King Fergus is sweet. Love, after all, makes life sweeter, but love comes in more forms than just romance. Merida is a tenth-century girl with a twenty-first century mindset, and her independence and determination is refreshing. She knows she can do better than any of the suitors she is offered, and she’s not willing to compromise or settle—a position we totally support.

Unless you’ve been living under a menhir somewhere—or trapped under one—you’ve most likely heard the expression: “Be careful what you wish for.” The main theme of Brave is exactly this, and it is an expression Princess Merida already knows all too well. Despite this, she wishes for her mom to change, and when the Queen is transformed into a bear, Merida must deal with the consequences. Afraid for her mother’s life—due to her father’s understandable hatred of bears—Merida and the Queen flee the family’s castle in search of the witch or the wisps that led her to her fate. While helping Merida with trying to find a way to reverse the spell, Queen Elinor gains respect for her daughter’s strength and wilder side; Merida, too, finds a deeper respect for her mother when faced with the prospect of losing her forever. Also, they discover that Merida is not the first to wish for a change of fate, and by repairing the mistakes she made, she has the opportunity to correct the wrongdoings of the past.

{—RATING—}

{—CONCLUSION—}

GIVEN our love affair with all things Scottish, we had high hopes for Brave, and we weren’t disappointed. Add in a strong female lead, stirring soundtrack, and beautiful scenery and animation, and our separate trips to see this film were time well spent. As a bonus, it gave us a chance to truly collaborate for the first time, a practice we hope to keep up in the future!

Gus an coinnich sinn a’rithist,
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Joshua A. Mercier

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Book Spotlight: The Last Unicorn (The Graphic Novel) by Peter S. Beagle

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***Reviewed by Court Ellyn and originally posted on The Bearded Scribe on June 22, 2012.***

Book Spotlight: The Last Unicorn (The Graphic Novel) by Peter S. Beagle

GOOD DAY to you, Beardies, and welcome back!

It is my great pleasure to present my first post for The Bearded Scribe. First, a huge thanks to Joshua and the rest of the crew for having me, and to all you Beardies for taking the time to follow the blog. Second, on to the goodies:

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{—PREMISE—}

WHIMSICAL. Lyrical. Poignant. Deeply moving. Adapted for the first time from the acclaimed and beloved novel by Peter S Beagle, The Last Unicorn is a tale for any age about the wonders of magic, the power of love, and the tragedy of loss. A unicorn, alone in her enchanted wood, discovers that she may be the last of her kind. Reluctant at first, she sets out on a journey to find her fellow unicorns, even if it means facing the terrifying anger of the Red Bull and malignant evil of the king who wields the Bull’s power.

{—REVIEW—}

FOR my first foray into the realm of graphic novels, I settled on a winner. Having grown up terrified, yet allured, by the Rankin and Bass animated production of The Last Unicorn, I steered clear of the novel, not sure what to expect, until the 40th Anniversary Edition was released by Roc in 2008. I discovered that I had been missing out on an exquisite tale, but that’s another review for another day. Suffice it to say that the graphic version, published in 2011 by IDW Publishing, is as lush and beautiful as the original story. The artists Renae De Liz and Ray Dillon worked wonders translating the poetic beauty and depth of emotion of Beagle’s prose into each panel and page of their artwork.

BEING a reluctant fan of the animated production, I was pleased that many of the characters and flavor of the backgrounds often closely echoed the artwork featured in the film. At the same time, the illustrations remained different and original enough to keep me from feeling cheated. While I might have finished this book in a few hours, it took me several weeks because I found myself lingering on the panels, soaking up each delicious detail. Artwork of this caliber is not something to be rushed through, after all. The eye wants to dive into the layers of imagery and savor for a while.

JUST as impressive is how Peter B. Gillis managed to select the phrases, both exposition and dialog, from the original novel that best enhanced the artwork and managed to move the story along in a clear fashion, without sacrificing Beagle’s poetry of language. The story’s allegorical symbolism and wry humor remain intact as well. Even small details from the novel, those jewels glittering darkly at the periphery, like a spider weeping over reality, are faithfully captured here.

Fans of the classic fantasy novel will be hard-pressed not to find enjoyment in this delight for the eyes, this feast for the imagination.

{—RATING—}

***The Last Unicorn (2011) by Peter S Beagle, adapted by Peter B. Gillis; illustrated by Renae De Liz and Ray Dillon; published by and copyright IDW Publishing.
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Book Spotlight: Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

Elizabeth J. Norton
***Originally posted on The Bearded Scribe on June 21, 2012.***
At the time of the original post, only Grave Mercy had been released; since then, two more books released in the His Fair Assassin Trilogy — Dark Triumph and Mortal Heart.

Book Spotlight: Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

HELLO, Beardies!

Welcome, once more, to Book Spotlight, wherein I tell you about the books I love as a writer, and as a reader!

What a lot of people don’t realize about librarianship is how much it involves waiting. Librarians are constantly planning for the future. The book you checked out today is due in three weeks. The programs I am planning right now won’t happen until September. Very soon, I will get a package from VOYA with a new set of reviews to write—those reviews will go to my editor by late August, but there’s a chance I won’t see them in print until December! See what I mean about always planning and waiting? The worst wait, though, is always for the next book in a series! I have a few tricks up my sleeve, but I cannot make the writing and publishing process faster (more’s the pity).

Today’s Book Spotlight is born of my impatience with the waiting game. Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers is the first book in a trilogy, but if I wait to tell you about it until all the books are published, I’ll go crazy!

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{—PREMISE—}

SEVENTEEN-YEAR-OLD Ismae is an outcast in her village in fifteenth-century Brittany (present-day France). She bears a hideous scar because her mother tried to abort her with poison from the local herbwitch, so her neighbors believe she is the devil’s spawn. Her father sells her in marriage to the highest bidder, and, upon seeing her scars, her new husband savagely beats her and goes for a priest to have her burned as a witch. Ismae is rescued and taken to the Convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters are no ordinary nuns but instead, highly-skilled assassins and spies. Ismae finds her place in the convent, and, as she prepares to take her final vows, she is sent on a mission into the Breton court, where traitors abound and nothing is as it seems.

{—GEMS FOR WRITERS—}

1. SETTING AND HISTORICAL DETAIL...

WRITERS, I beg of you: If you are going to use a real historical period for a setting, please do your research! Think about how your characters would speak, dress, act, or even eat. What headlines would they read in the newspaper? What would they gossip about? The historical setting in this book is so vividly drawn that it creates a sensory experience for the reader. This setting is a place I want to visit again and again, so I can’t wait to read the rest of the books in this trilogy!

2. MAGICAL REALISM...

NOT all speculative fiction is dragons and faeries (or, dare I say, vampires and werewolves). Grave Mercy is very much a work of magical realism. The setting is realistic and historically accurate, but fantastical elements, such as the so-called “marques of Mortain”—that tell Ismae whom to assassinate, and how—are masterfully incorporated.

3. SUSPENSE...

ALTHOUGH this book didn’t end with a traditional cliffhanger, suspense did abound throughout. The plot takes many unexpected turns. The reader feels everything that Ismae feels as she navigates the court, where nothing is as it seems and no one can be trusted. The ending wraps cleanly while leaving enough storyline open for the rest of the trilogy, too.

{—RATING—}

{—CONCLUSION—}

AND so, Beardies, we reach the end of another Book Spotlight. I hope you’ll take the time to check out this fabulous read! I know I can’t wait for the sequel, Dark Triumph, which is currently slated for publication in 2013!

Happy Reading and Happy Scribing!

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***Grave Mercy (2012) by Robin LaFevers, are published by and copyright Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for Young Readers.

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Author Spotlight: Michael Scott

Joshua A. Mercier
***Originally posted on The Bearded Scribe on June 16th, 2012.***

Author Spotlight: Michael Scott

GOOD EVENING, Beardies! 🙂

Many of you have probably began to wonder if my interview with Michael Scott was ever going to appear. Some of you have even contacted me in query. But fear not; the wait is over!

Organizing the contest, as well as seriously contemplating what questions to ask Michael, have both been a blast for me, and I can’t thank him enough for the opportunity and assistance with arranging and promoting the contest. Because of his busy schedule with The Enchantress book-signing tour–not to mention out of sheer gratitude and respect–I wanted to give him ample time to chew on the questions a bit before answering.

The wait was well worth it! The answers are phenomenal, and I know all of you are going to enjoy them as much as I did. But you’re going to have to wait just a bit longer, as I want to introduce Michael to all of you first…

ABOUT MICHAEL SCOTT

(Biography taken directly from Michael‘s website; Mr. Scott owns alll copyrights.)

IRISH-born Michael Scott began writing over twenty-five years ago, and is one of Ireland’s most successful and prolific authors, with one hundred titles to his credit, spanning a variety of genres, including Fantasy, Science Fiction and Folklore. He writes for both adults and young adults and is published in thirty-eight countries, in over twenty languages.

He is considered one of the authorities on the folklore of the Celtic lands and is credited with the resurgence of interest in the subject in the mid-1980s. His collections, Irish Folk & Fairy Tales, Irish Myths & Legends and Irish Ghosts & Hauntings have remained continuously in print for the past twenty years and are now included amongst the definitive and most-quoted works on the subject.

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THE INTERVIEW

Joshua A. Mercier: At what age did you begin writing?

Michael Scott: I was probably around 18 or 19 when I started doing it seriously. I never set out to be a writer, but I was a great reader, and if you are a reader, then one day you will say, “I think I can do this.” That’s how every writer I know started. The trick is to stick at it.

Joshua A. Mercier: I read somewhere that mythology is one of your first loves; would you say that it was mythology that inspired you to start writing?

Michael Scott: Absolutely. I grew up in Ireland where myth and legend is still very close and very real. When I started my first collection of Irish folklore, back in 1982, there were very few books on Irish folklore in print and most of those were much older books, written in the style and language of the 19th century. I decided that I would do a collection of the classic Irish folktales, written in a modern accessible style. My first three collections, Irish Folk and Fairy Tales, are still in print to this day. Collecting and writing those first stories were my first ventures into print.

Joshua A. Mercier: Would you say that growing up in Ireland—with its culture deeply seeded with folklore, mythology, and mysticism—influenced your incorporation of magical elements into your novels?

Michael Scott: I grew up with these magical stories, where the dividing line between this world and the faery realms (which appear as the Shadowrealms in the Flamel series – indeed some of the Shadowrealms, like Tir na nOg are named in honor of the Irish otherworlds) overlap.

Joshua A. Mercier: Which Irish myth/story stands out amongst the others as a favorite?

Michael Scott: There are so many, but my all time favorite is The Children of Lir, one of the Sorrows of Irish Storytelling. It is the story of four children, changed into swans by an evil step-mother and doomed to spend nine hundred years as swans before returning to their human form. It was my first young adult novel and remains one of my favorites.

Joshua A. Mercier: What is your favorite book? Your favorite fantasy/speculative fiction book?

Michael Scott: Too hard a question. There are so many. I love Huckleberry Finn (the original version, not the new edited version), and I’ve read it a dozen times at least and find something new in it every time. Growing up I was greatly influenced by people like Andre Norton, Mary Norton, Susan Cooper, H.P. Lovecraft, Talbot Mundy and Robert E Howard.

Joshua A. Mercier: For me it was Bridge to Terabithia… was there a particular book that hooked you into the fantasy genre?

Michael Scott: That’s an easier questions: Tros of Samothrace by Talbot Mundy, a wonderful semi-historical historical novel, woven throughout with fantasy. It was first published in the 1930’s and I read the paperback reprints in the late 1970’s. Inasmuch as Flamel is a sort of historical fantasy … well, here are its roots.

Joshua A. Mercier: Could you describe your writing process for the readers of The Bearded Scribe?

Michael Scott: For me plotting is everything. Once I have an overall idea for a story, I will then work through it, plotting it down to chapter by chapter level. Once I have that outline, I then write the ending. Once I have my ending i know I can write the story. The practical process involves sitting in a chair about ten hours a day. I work on two screens, with the novel open in one screen (in Word), and my research notes (in Mindmanager and TheBrain) on the second screen.

Joshua A. Mercier: As an aspiring fantasy author trying to shop his first manuscript, could you tell me how many agents you sent query letters to before you received a “yes” from one of them? Also, how long did the process take?

Michael Scott: I’m afraid to say that this will depress you. I’ve published a lot of books, and did not get an agent until I’d sold about 25 or 30 by myself. I sold my very first book by simply contacting a publisher directly. However, the business has changed a lot now and having an agent is almost necessary just to get in the door with a publisher. (If it is consolation, when I went looking for a new agent for the Flamel series, very few were interested. But all it takes is one. And the writing business is all about persistence.)

Joshua A. Mercier: Could you tell the readers of The Bearded Scribe more about The Thirteen Hallows, your literary collaboration with Collette Freedman?

Michael Scott: The Thirteen Hallows is based on a novel I wrote many years ago called The Hallows and now long out of print. This is a story based, like so much of my work, on mythology, but a very specific Arthurian legend and the great English hymn—Jerusalem. Collette and I worked to bring the story up to date, tighten the storyline and improve on the original. We met briefly in LA to discuss the original idea and then worked with Skype and Google docs over the next several months on the story. I then returned to LA for the final work on the manuscript. It sold very quickly and I was thrilled to be published by Tor. They’d published some earlier fantasies of mine a long time ago. We’re working on a sequel, called The Hallowed Keepers.

Joshua A. Mercier: What about your pen name, Anna Dillon? What is the story behind where and how it came about?

Michael Scott: I had been working on a big historical novel set in Dublin before the first World War. My publishers loved it, but felt that the readers might have difficult accepting that it had been written by a fantasy writer. Also, it featured strong female characters and was seen as a “female” books. (I should add that this was a long time ago, and attitudes have changed.) I choose Anna Dillon, which is a combination of family names. Seasons, the first book, was an immediate success and I went on to write several more books under the Anna Dillon name. For a long time “she” was more popular than I was!

Joshua A. Mercier: When you visited Flamel’s residence in Paris, was it sort of a writer’s “love at first sight” for you? What went through your thoughts upon entering?

Michael Scott: As an historian I’d always known about Nicholas Flamel—he weaves in an out of various aspects of European history and Doctor John Dee (whom I had written about before) was a collector of his work. It was, initially, a curiosity to be sitting in his house, drinking tea and looking around. At that stage, Dee was the hero of the series (it was the Secrets of Doctor Dee), but I knew instinctively that Dee was not right for the hero—he was just a little too dark. I think it was when I remembered that Flamel had been a bookseller (and I was working as a bookseller at that time), that the pieces began to come together. But once the decision was made, everything slotted together so neatly.

Joshua A. Mercier: Being a direct descendant of Jeanne D’Arc’s brother, Jacquemin D’Arc, as well as my birthday being exactly 550 years to the day of when she was wrongfully burned at the stake, I feel an unprecedented connection to her. (Dare I mention that she and I are both lefties?) I am curious… other than for the obvious reasons, what inspired you to use Jeanne as a part of the Flamel series, especially the way in which you did?

Michael Scott: Ok, that now is very impressive! And I do have a short story plotted which includes all the d’Arc siblings, Pierre, Jean and Jacquemin, and, of course, Joan—I’ll tell that story some day soon, I promise. I included Joan because, in the plotting process, I knew I wanted to send the Flamels back to Paris to retrieve the sword. I also wanted to include the wonderful catacombs beneath the city in the story. So, if I have everyone in Paris, then they will need to be protected by the ultimate French warrior: Joan of Arc.

Joshua A. Mercier: This question was also asked by my Assistant Editor, Elizabeth Norton… are you currently working on any new projects now that the Flamel series is finished?

Michael Scott: Yes, I am writing The Earthlords series right now. It is related, but only vaguely, to the Flamel series. It is a mythic fantasy, a trilogy … with no cliffhanger endings, I promise.

Joshua A. Mercier: I’m not sure of the topic or in what capacity, but would you consider writing a guest post on The Bearded Scribe at some point?

Michael Scott: Yes, of course. Just ask.

Joshua A. Mercier: Rumors of a film adaptation of the Flamel series have circulated across the internet… are the rumors true, and are there any current status updates?

Michael Scott: The rumors have always been true. Several huge companies have looked at Flamel and tried to make it work. For various reasons, often to do with the script, it simply has not happened – also the really compressed time frame of the series makes it tricky to shoot. However, now that the series is finished, there is renewed interest and, fingers crossed, we should know very soon. And this time, I’ll write the script, so at least it will vaguely resemble the books.

Joshua A. Mercier: As you know, I hosted a contest on my blog and asked the participants to submit questions for this interview… here are some of them that came my way…

Court Elllyn: How did the initial idea for The Enchantress come about?

Michael Scott: The original idea was to create a series that unified all the world’s mythology, based on the simple premise that at the heart of every story is a grain of truth. As I research folklore all over the world, it has become clear to me that so many of the world’s myths and legends are incredibly similar, and some are almost identical. So I came up with the idea that I would feature as many of the world’s folklore and myths in one story, and populate my world with immortal human characters. The only created characters in the series are Sophie and Josh.

Joshua Hernandez: I’ve always wondered where you concocted the idea for auras to have smells? Also, if you had an aura, what would you make your fragrance?

Michael Scott: Auras or versions of auras turn up in myth across the globe. I added in the element of smell because I wanted to make the characters memorable, and scents are one of the most distinctive and evocative of all the senses. We can all remember smells from our childhood for example. Someone suggested that all the good characters smell “good” and all the villains smell “bad.” This is not actually true. All of the characters have taken odors appropriate to their time. I have been told that my aura is green and smells of spearmint.

Francis Ramos: Now that the Flamel series is done, is there any possibility that you’ll make another series related to it? Or maybe a series with one of the characters from the Flamel series as the main character?

Michael Scott: I am working on a new series now called The Earthlords. It is vaguely related to the Flamel series, but none of the characters from the six books will appear in the new series. However, I am not entirely done with Flamel yet. I have plans for another linked series and some short stories set in the same world.

Booklover 31 (Name Undisclosed): Did you have a favorite character to write for, and if so, did it change throughout the Flamel series?

Michael Scott: Dee has always been my favorite. Villains are always so much fun to write. However, as the series progressed, Billy and Machiavelli and Scathach, of course, were great fun to write. I always knew how he would “end,” so that did not change. I’ve not been entirely fair to him however. He was a fascinating man, with one of the largest libraries in private hands and probably the basis of Shakespeare’s Prospero.

Miranda Harrison: What was the most challenging part of the series to write? And also, for which character did you have the most difficulty writing?

Michael Scott: Keeping all six books straight in my head and ensuring the continuity of the series. The notes for this series are huge—bigger than the books themselves. All of the characters presented their own difficulties, but some, like Scathach, for example, tended to take over. So I had to be careful not to give her too much time on the page. I’ll give the Shadow her own series eventually.

Oscar Montepeque: If a film adaptation of the series does come about, how do imagine the script writers and directors will incorporate all the different view points of the characters? What about the “flashbacks” and “memory” sequences experienced by the characters?

Out of the hundreds of historical figures out there, what made you decide on the ones you did choose? What made them more special than the rest?

Michael Scott: That is always going to be an issue. The movie is not the book and the book will always be better than the movie. It is now looking like I will do a first pass on the script myself, so I will try and keep it as close to the books as possible, but obviously, something will have to go. (And I am not a fan of flashbacks in movies!)

As I plotted the series, sometimes the locations would suggest the characters (Joan in Paris, for example, or Shakespeare in London). But this really was a great opportunity for me to include all of my favorite characrers from history. There are so many who simply did not make the final books, (but who may make the short stories!).

Lynn Volovic Rosin: I was just curious… did you travel to all the wonderful places in the series (i.e., Alcatraz and Notre Dame) in order to mimic them so perfectly within the books?

Michael Scott: Yes, I have visited, stayed in or lived in all of the places in the books. That was part of the deal I make with you, the reader. Also, by setting it so firmly in the real world, using very real locations, it make the magic and fantasy all the more real.

Vivian Mah: Growing up, had you always wanted to become a writer? Any advice for young writers?

Michael Scott: No, I never really wanted to become a writer; it sort of happened. However, I was a great reader, and if you are a reader, then sooner or later you decide that you have your own stories to tell. My best advice for young writers is, obviously, to read, read, read and then read some more. But also to learn how to type properly. Do a keyboarding skills course. It will make your writing life so much easier. And get a really comfortable chair, because you will spent a lot of time sitting in it.

Carlos Escribano: Were the characters of Josh and Sophie inspired by real people?

Michael Scott: No, they are the only two created characters. However, they are twins, and twin mythology is universal. I generally make it a rule never to base anyone on people I know. I may take elements of people’s personalities and incorporate them into the story, but it is never a good idea to write your friends into your work.

Joshua A. Mercier: Is there anything else that you would like to share with The Bearded Scribe‘s readers that I did not ask you (and you wished I had)?

Michael Scott: I think this is a really exciting time both for writers and readers. This generation of readers have an opportunity (like here) to talk directly with writers. And, writers have an opportunity to listen to their readers and hear what they are saying. I think this dialogue is incredibly positive. And finally, of course, let me thank you for reading the books. Without readers, books are just dead words on a page: it is the readers who bring them alive.

CONCLUSION

THANK YOU, Michael, for taking the time out of your busy schedule to sit down and share your answers with me and the readers of The Bearded Scribe. It has been an honor and a privilege talking with you over the past few weeks, one that I won’t soon forget.

Stay tuned for an upcoming, collaborative review of Michael Scott’s The Alchemyst written by Elizabeth and myself. Also, stay tuned for a potential guest post by Michael Scott himself!

MORE ABOUT MICHAEL

FOR more information about Michael Scott, please visit his website. You can also follow him on any of the following social media links:

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TO check out Michael’s other titles, visit here, there, over here, and don’t forget about over there, too! (Yes. There are that many!)

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Until next time—Happy Scribing!

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Joshua A. Mercier

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