Creating a Fantasy World and Reviews of Megadeth, House of the Dragon, Moonfall, and Morbius

Creating a Fantasy World by Deniz Bevan

As a lifelong Tolkien fan, I shied away from writing fantasy for many years, because I knew I could never develop a world as complex and consistent (even within its deliberate inconsistencies!) as that of Middle-earth.
But then I found myself writing about a talking, time-travelling cat...
From there, minor intrusions into fantasy realms became a possibility.
And suddenly, I found myself reimagining a fairy-tale. But, again, as a Tolkien fan, I wanted to be as accurate and consistent as I could.
I had three main elements: a Kraken-type creature; an ancient family spell; and the story of Beauty and the Beast.
I couldn’t address every aspect of these things, but I tried to get the nomenclature, personification, and history right!
The kraken was easiest; my kraken remains formless and vague. She is at the mercy of the spells cast by the humans that control her.
The spells were great fun to invent (a tiny bit of linguistic playtime!) and I ended up using the word “witch” for the antagonist, although I’m not entirely convinced that it’s an accurate term. She only really has one main evil action, as part of her family’s history: Capture the current generation from Frederick’s family to take on the role of the Beast.
And Beauty and the Beast? I read ‘em all! Or as many as I could, from the original story by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve (in French!) to endless variations on the tale (including the brilliant recent one by Wendy Mass in her Twice Upon a Time series).
I also had great fun collecting images on my Story Inspirations board on Pinterest.
Do you enjoy story research?

Druid’s Moon
By Deniz Bevan
Print ISBN 9781939844866
eBook ISBN 9781939844873

A firm believer in burning the candle at both ends, Deniz Bevan is generally writing a new novel while editing another and blogging about her reading and research adventures. Other days, she tries to stay off the web altogether, as she delves into the history, mystery, and romance of her characters’ lives.

Find Druid’s Moon on iTunes, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, and Goodreads

Reviews

Megadeth – The Sick, the Dying, and the Dead

At sixty-one years old, Dave is still angry, and that’s not a bad thing.
Not sure if I like this better than Dystopia (the last album) but I give him credit – it’s a strong album.
Some of the standout tracks are Night Stalkers, Soldier On, We’ll be Back, and the cover of the old Sammy Hagar tune This Planet’s on Fire, featuring Sammy Hagar!
If you are a fan, this will thrill you. If not, this will not change your mind.

House of the Dragon

Very similar in tone to Game of Thrones.
Features all the requisite gore, nudity, and language you’d expect from HBO.
My overall impression is that I like it but I don’t love it. Maybe that will change over time. Perhaps it’s because the story is moving forward in time but not really going anywhere. Or perhaps it’s Martin’s obsession with incest. Take your pick.

Moonfall

Another end of the world from Roland Emmerich.
Leave your brain completely out of the room and suspend all belief. It will at times unintentionally make you laugh. With Halle Berry! Then again, she did do Catwoman…

Morbius

Had high hopes for it. They were shattered quickly.
I was mildly entertained and mildly bored by this film.
However, this is one of those movies that the more you think about it, the worse it gets.
With the exception of Jared Leto, who is a fine actor, this movie was a failure in almost every way.

Have you created a fantasy world? Heard the new Megadeth? Seen House of the Dragon or either movie?
Offline for most of next week but I will be back October 5 for Insecure Writer’s Support Group day!

Insecure Writer’s Support Group, Movie Review – Coco, WEP and New Releases, and Mini-Alex!

It’s time for another group posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! Time to release our fears to the world – or offer encouragement to those who are feeling neurotic. If you’d like to join us, click on the tab above and sign up. We post the first Wednesday of every month. I encourage everyone to visit at least a dozen new blogs and leave a comment. Your words might be the encouragement someone needs.

My awesome co-hosts today are Julie Flanders, Shannon Lawrence, Fundy Blue, and Heather Gardner!

December 6 question - As you look back on 2017, with all its successes/failures, if you could backtrack, what would you do differently?

I could certainly have written more (I bet that will be everyone’s answer) and at least cranked out a story or two.

I also could’ve done more with the IWSG. Yes, we are now a Writer’s Digest Top 101site, but we need to keep moving forward. We tried a few new things, some that worked better than others. The ones that didn’t work well – hey, at least we know not to do that again!

But we are brainstorming some new ways to better reach writers and give them the support they need.

Overall, it was a good year, so I wouldn't want to go back and mess anything up.

We need co-hosts for next year! If you can co-host on January 3, February 7, or March 7, please leave a comment below. (And January co-hosts will be announcing the winners of the IWSG Anthology contest!)

Coco Movie Review

We didn’t get out to this one the weekend it came out due to a busy Thanksgiving holiday. It’s rare we see a film on anything but opening night, but I’m glad we made an effort to see this one.
Miguel is an aspiring musician but his family has banned it for generations. An incident on the evening of Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) sends Miguel to the Land of the Dead in search of answers.
This is probably one of the most visually stunning computer animated films ever made. Every scene is rich with colors and textures.
The story is very moving. (Sensitive souls, take Kleenex.) It’s all about family and its importance. Miguel’s struggle between his passion for music and his family is genuine and touching. It carries a positive message for everyone. And it pays great respect to the Mexican holiday.
Miguel’s whole family is loaded with personality, especially those he encounters in the Land of the Dead. Along for the journey is a pathetic but happy Mexican Hairless dog and a man named Hector who is determined to visit the land of the living again before he’s forgotten.

After a few years of hits and near misses for Pixar, they knock it out of the park with Coco.

Highly recommended!

Ninja News

Last week’s IWSG Newsletter was truly amazing! If you’ve not signed up for it, you can do so HERE and you’ll even get a free eBook with some outstanding articles.

The WEP – (Write...Edit...Publish) team, consisting of those much-loved bloggers, Denise Covey, Yolanda Renée, Nilanjana Bose and Olga Godim, are open for submissions for their December challenge – The End is the Beginning.
Heading into the holiday season, our minds often focus on year's end and perhaps look forward to new beginnings. At WEP, we dedicate December to musing about life, taking stock, thinking about where we're at at this point in time.
Perhaps you'll be inspired to write a flashback, perhaps there's a change you're going through or one approaching, perhaps there's a branching off point that could be either an end or a beginning. Whatever strikes you, you have a choice in the way you submit – flash fiction, non-fiction, poetry, a photo essay or get your feelings onto a canvas and show us some artwork...The Top Three entries receive prizes!
The End is the Beginning has any number of possibilities! Let your imagination run riot!

Available now –
Dark Winds Rising by Mark Noce
Three years after uniting the Welsh to defeat the Saxons and settling down with her true love, Artagan, Queen Branwen finds her world once again turned upside down as Pictish raiders harry the shores of her kingdom…
Find it on Amazon

Available now-
Summer Fire by Deniz Bevan
Find it on Amazon

What would you do differently if you could? Have you seen Coco? Getting the IWSG newsletter? Ready for WEP? And can you co-host next year?

One more post this year! Monday, December 18 will feature another movie review, some Christmas music, and maybe more mini-Alex…

A to Z Challenge – G – Cult Classics: Galaxy Quest, Ginger Snaps, Guns N Roses, and More! Plus the Scavenger Hunt is On…

Today my tour stop is with author David Powers King as I help him out with one of the characters from his book, Woven!

A to Z Challenge – Cult Classics – G

Movies-Music-Sci-fi Book-Bloggers-Dragon Term

Movies –

Ginger Snaps
A small, low budget film with a unique twist on the werewolf theme. This 2000 film won several awards and spawned two sequels.

Galaxy Quest
The perfect parody of Star Trek and its fans, done with love and humor. This 1999 film starred Tim Allen and Sigourney Weaver and won both Hugo and Nebula awards.

Music –

Guns N Roses - Appetite For Destruction
This album put them on the map and almost a year after its release. Topping the charts in 1988, this album went eighteen-times Platinum and was ranked as one of the best albums ever by many.

Science Fiction Book –

Gateway by Frederik Pohl
Serialized in Galaxy before being published as a book in 1977. It won the Hugo, Locus, Nebula, and John W. Campbell Memorial Award.

Bloggers –

GB Miller at Father Nature’s Corner
You want an author with snark and attitude? One with a twisted sense of humor and not afraid to tell it like it is? Then GB is your guy.

Deniz Bevan at Girdle of Melian
Want to know what it’s like to live in Switzerland? Want to follow an author’s account of life abroad, writing, blogging, and everything in between? Then Deniz is that author! (She also made Mini-Alex's awesome scarf!)

Dragon of the Stars Term –

Graham –
The father of Aden, Graham Pendar is a Duke and the owner of numerous processing plants that turn sea kelp into food, energy, and Ceteroll. He has hopes his son will one day follow in his footsteps in business and perhaps become a member of the Council.

Dragon of the Stars is out now!
Check out the site What Are the Kargrandes? for clues as to how they tie into the story.

And there is a Scavenger Hunt! An autographed copy of the book, bookmarks and swag, and $20.00 iTunes gift cards to the winner. Just visit the sites below and leave a comment – where do you think Mini-Alex is in the photo? Open until midnight April 11 – winner announced here April 13. 

Now go!

Melissa Maygrove * Eva Solar * Father Dragon Al * Suzanne Furness * Karen Walker * Dianne Salerni * Christine Rains * Nick Wilford * EE Giorgi * Murees Dupe * L Diane Wolfe * Helena * Tyrean Martinson * Robin * Heather Gardner * Jo * Lynda Young * SL Hennessy * Toi Thomas * Lori MacLaughlin * Jess at Author Tracker, * Truedessa, * Annalisa Crawford, * Patricia Lynne, * Lisa at Flash Fiction, * Julie Flanders, * Julie Kemp Pick, * Nicki Elson, * Mark Koopmans, * Sydney Aaliyah!

Ninja News

Truedessa, who is participating in the Scavenger Hunt, posted the most amazing science fiction poem for Dragon of the Stars. She’s an awesome person, so please check it out. Thanks, Truedessa – that rocked my world.

Released last week:
A Body at Bunco, Myrtle Clover #8
By Elizabeth Spann Craig

Shannon Lawrence’s short story, Know Thy Neighbor, was just published in Under the Bed Magazine, Volume 3, Number 7






Fan of either movie? (We have to get out of here before those creatures kill Guy!) Like old school Guns ‘n’ Roses? Following those awesome bloggers? Did you read Truedessa’s poem? And have you found all of the Mini-Alexes yet?

Don’t forget to visit David Powers King!

A to Z Survival Tips, Ninja News, Mini-Alex and CassaStorm, and Revealing my Challenge Theme!

The A to Z Challenge starts Monday! Most of you have received a reminder email with suggestions and guidelines, but here’s a few more survival tips.

We recommend short posts. How short? Under five hundred at least, but two – four hundred is even better. Participants will be expecting shorter posts.

Make sure word verification is off. You as the blog owner can’t see it, so go into your settings and make sure it’s not on. For Blogger, it’s the default setting, so it may be on without your knowledge.

Don’t burn out the first week! Pace yourself. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.

If you miss a day, don’t panic. Start back up the next day with the corresponding letter.

We have thirteen hosts, each with minions, who will be patrolling the list and removing ad sites, non-participants, and bad links. We will do the best we can to keep the list clean. (And special thanks again to my Ninja Minions, Al Diaz at Father Dragon Writes, Baygirl at That Girl Around the Bay, Ciara Knight, Elise Fallson, Heather Gardner at The Waiting is the Hardest Part, JL Campbell at The Character Depot, Joylene Nowell Butler, and Michelle at Writer-In-Transit.)

We will be doing a reflections post again this year, where you get to share your thoughts about the Challenge. The Linky List for that will open May 3 and run for a week.

Make new friends and have fun!

Ninja News

DL Hammons is giving away a $75 Amazon gift card during the Challenge! See his site for details.

Juliana Haygert’s book, Destiny Gift, is available Monday!!

Holly is looking for critique partners. If you write urban fantasy and can help, please visit her site.

She hasn’t blogged in a while, but those of you who remember the wonderful Laila Knight, she could really use your prayer. She just went through major surgery.

And special prayers for my good friend Gail - her husband went to the hospital Thursday and they are talking heart transplant.

Don’t forget the Insecure Writer’s Support Group will be posting next Wednesday, April 3, as scheduled.

Mini-Alex and CassaStorm Part Two

His scarf arrived!

And in addition to the scarf, Deniz sent one of her husband’s band’s CDs. Thank you, Deniz!!! That was so thoughtful. I really appreciate both gifts.

I also meant to take a picture of the back of the CassaStorm review copy, because I thought it was really cool. It’s a ground view of the launch pads on the front cover.

My A to Z Challenge Theme Reveal!

For the past two years, my theme has been to feature my blogger buddies. I wanted to do something a little different this year, and came up with a fun idea. And then another. And then another. (Needless to say, I’m still working on my posts! But they are mostly done.) But I hope it’s something all of you can enjoy.

So, taking a deep breath and praying I can pull this off:

My theme for the A to Z Challenge is Favorite Movies, Bloggers, and Music! I’ll name a favorite movie that corresponds with the letter, and then select a character from the film. I will then name a favorite blogger who reminds me of that character, and then dedicate a song to him. (Also corresponding with the alphabet.) I’ll wrap it all up with trivia and/or fun facts about the movie, the blogger, or the music!

Whew! Yes, I got a little over-ambitious with this year’s theme. But it’s been fun selecting all of those items, and I tried to select bloggers I haven’t featured in the past two Challenges. Some of the selections will be funny and some serious, but every person was chosen with care. The only bummer is that I had about seventy on the list and there are just twenty-six letters. I wish I could’ve named all of you, so if I don’t mention you next month, please don’t be offended.

Who did I choose? Some of you will be really surprised! You’ll have to check every day next month to find out who’s been featured.

But wait, there’s more!!

My publisher has agreed to give out two copies of CassaStorm to two lucky commenters next month. US and Canada will receive print books and overseas will receive eBooks. One comment per day. Each comment is one entry except – the first and one hundredth comments on each day will receive ten entries!

So there you go – movies, bloggers, music, trivia, and a giveaway! My blog just might explode…

Ready for the Challenge? Eager to win either at DL’s or here? Need an urban fantasy critique partner? Think Mini-Alex is a bigger celebrity than me? And do you think I’m going to pull off my over-ambitious Challenge theme…?
Have a blessed Easter and see you Monday!!

National Wormhole Day! And Ninja News, Wednesday Movie Quote, and Music Trivia

Ninja News

Angela Brown is holding a reader appreciation giveaway, which includes Amazon gift cards. See her site for details.

DL Hammons of Cruising Altitude has launched Blog Blitz, a group that will shout out special and deserving blogs throughout the year. Sign up now!

And this is just too awesome! Deniz Bevan made a scarf for Mini-Alex!! Is that not really sweet? As soon as it arrives, I’ll take a picture of Mini-Alex sporting his styling new scarf. Thanks, Deniz – you rock!

Wednesday Movie Quote!

Today it’s computer animated films!



My choice is from Rango:

“I think the metaphor broke my spleen.”

Next week – westerns!

Rock Music Trivia!

Album titles – name the band:



1 – Black Clouds & Silver Linings (2009)

2 – Superunknown (1994)

3 – Cowboys From Hell (1990)

4 – Countdown to Extinction (1992)

5 – The Heart of Everything (2007)

National Wormhole Day Blogfest!

Hosted by Stephen Tremp, Laura Eno, LG Smith.
 
What would you do or where would you go if you could traverse a wormhole through space or time just once? One safe round trip passage. In 100 words more or less, what you would do if you had a two-way ticket to traverse a wormhole?

Where would I go? Back thirty years so I could practice with guitar master Joe Satriani and be really good now? (Rock star might be too much.) Back two thousand years and meet Jesus? (Naw, I’ll see him in fifty years or so.) Maybe forward? I know - teleportation! I’ll go forward and bring back a teleporter. Then I can teleport my butt anywhere. Travel the world. Travel the universe. Go to the Pegasus Galaxy and help John Sheppard's team. Avoid the commute to work. I’m sold! The Ninja Captain is now free to move about the galaxy…

Anyone want to go for a ride?

Catch some good news? What’s your favorite animated film quote? Know any of the trivia? And if you could jump in that wormhole, where would you go?