I am reliably informed that it's September now. Autumn is coming. Back to school. The end of season Mini concours finals. And only two months to November.
So September 2010 for me means NaNoPrepMo; the start of preparations for National Novel Writing Month. Two paths lay before me: use NaNo 10 to finally make some progress on the almost legendary Project Seven; or another weird and wacky eight-bit adventure like I had such fun with last year.
Setting out to write something fun and a little bit silly is, perhaps, the easy option - last year's NaNo was crammed full of NaNo in-jokes and self-referential nonsense, but it didn't matter because it was supposed to be a humourous story. So doing another comic novel means I won't be worried about it taking a turn for the utterly ludicrous.
Project Seven, on the other hand, is a serious project. It has a serious subject matter. It has been on my heart to write this for some time (as regular readers may recall), and until I hear otherwise, I believe God wants me to write this book. But it has been extremely difficult, hence not yet having made it beyond a few notes, ideas, and false starts. I have resisted using this as a NaNo in previous years because I wanted to do it justice; this deserves to be more than a hastily knocked up third-rate short story with lots and lots and lots (getting into the spirit already) of padding.
But... Rule One of NaNoWriMo is that none of that matters. Just write! And maybe that's what I need to do. Maybe the only way I can make any progress with Project Seven is to force myself, through the medium of NaNo, to write something, and hope that it finds it's intended shape during the course of the month. (This is, in fact, what happened with my two successful NaNo's.)
NaNo rules allow for planning and preparation before November, but no actual writing. So I have two months to sift through all my notes, ideas, and half-written chapters for Project Seven (I promise not to just use them!), get myself some kind of rough outline, and do any other preparation I can...
Sorry, I've rambled... but that's why I'm a writer, my mind processes things like this as I write them down. I think I've just talked myself into doing Project Seven for NaNo... NaNoWriMo updates will be starting soon!
Wednesday, September 01, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
Starship Sofa and God in a box
'Putting God in a box' seems to be one of those weird Christianese expressions we all know and tolerate, but what if you actually could put God in a box, and carry Him around with you to dispense useful advice throughout the day?
That is the premise of Personal Jesus by Paul Di Filippo, which you can catch on the latest Starship Sofa podcast. In the story, the discovery of some form of quantum handwavium makes possible the invention of the godPod, a portable device which allows the deity of your choice to speak directly to you through the trendy earbuds of your choice.
Allowing for some suspension of disbelief (for instance of the dubious notion of all the world's faith groups, not to mention the atheists, accepting the godPod), it raises some interesting points. The post-godPod world is Utopian; everyone follows the godPod's advice, and everyone lives harmoniously. In theory, Christians are already that connected to God, albeit many of us take our earbuds out for a lot of the time. Which no-one ever does in this story. There is a brief mention of the conflict between predestination (which always reminds me of third year Geography) and free will (which doesn't), but as in real life the subject is best glossed over before it makes your brain hurt.
Of course, a story like this gets the writer in me thinking: what if this were a more Christian story? What kind of responses would a godPod receive from across the spectrum of Christianity? What if more people started to ignore it? What if God suddenly did decide to use our gadgets to communicate with us? What place is left for faith without those rigidly defined areas of doubt and uncertainty? And so on...
It's one of those stories that reminds you that fiction - even weird futuristic science fiction - does have the capacity to tell us something about faith and God, or just to make us think about those things. So if you have a spare half hour, dip into Starship Sofa and have a listen to the story, see what you think. If you have a spare couple of hours, why not listen to the whole episode!
That is the premise of Personal Jesus by Paul Di Filippo, which you can catch on the latest Starship Sofa podcast. In the story, the discovery of some form of quantum handwavium makes possible the invention of the godPod, a portable device which allows the deity of your choice to speak directly to you through the trendy earbuds of your choice.
Allowing for some suspension of disbelief (for instance of the dubious notion of all the world's faith groups, not to mention the atheists, accepting the godPod), it raises some interesting points. The post-godPod world is Utopian; everyone follows the godPod's advice, and everyone lives harmoniously. In theory, Christians are already that connected to God, albeit many of us take our earbuds out for a lot of the time. Which no-one ever does in this story. There is a brief mention of the conflict between predestination (which always reminds me of third year Geography) and free will (which doesn't), but as in real life the subject is best glossed over before it makes your brain hurt.
Of course, a story like this gets the writer in me thinking: what if this were a more Christian story? What kind of responses would a godPod receive from across the spectrum of Christianity? What if more people started to ignore it? What if God suddenly did decide to use our gadgets to communicate with us? What place is left for faith without those rigidly defined areas of doubt and uncertainty? And so on...
It's one of those stories that reminds you that fiction - even weird futuristic science fiction - does have the capacity to tell us something about faith and God, or just to make us think about those things. So if you have a spare half hour, dip into Starship Sofa and have a listen to the story, see what you think. If you have a spare couple of hours, why not listen to the whole episode!
Friday, August 27, 2010
Friday Review: The Enclave by Karen Hancock
Before I start my way through the slight backlog of reviews here, I will let you know that voting for the Clive Staples Award for Christian Speculative Fiction is open for a couple more days. If you’ve read at least two of the nominations, hop over and use your vote...
I will, of course, be supporting those in the science fiction corner, starting with this, Karen Hancock's second sci-fi tale.
The story opens with Lacey McHenry, latest recruit at the Kendall-Jakes Longevity Institute, butting heads with the Institute's rising star, Cameron Reinhardt. After Lacey is attacked late one night, the two of them form an uneasy alliance, and go on to uncover the shady side of the Institute's work.
This story is interwoven with a second, entirely seperate story, set in New Eden, the Enclave of the title, where a few lucky survivors shelter underground from the poisoned world above. As the novel progresses, puzzling links between the two threads become apparent.
There is a lot to like about this novel. Reinhardt is a possibly odd combination of soldier and genetic scientist, but as a Christian character he is nicely flawed. Lacey too is a lapsed Christian, and both of them have a believable and not overdone faith experience during the course of their adventures.
And the theme of genetic manipulation allows the Christian characters to think about that most useful Biblical word (to spec-fic writers anyway): Nephilim. The mysterious nature of these creatures makes them an easy subject for Christian sci-fi, but here they are nicely understated.
So this is my pick for the Clive Staples; a well-told science fiction adventure with believably flawed Christians. What more can a person ask for?
I will, of course, be supporting those in the science fiction corner, starting with this, Karen Hancock's second sci-fi tale.
The story opens with Lacey McHenry, latest recruit at the Kendall-Jakes Longevity Institute, butting heads with the Institute's rising star, Cameron Reinhardt. After Lacey is attacked late one night, the two of them form an uneasy alliance, and go on to uncover the shady side of the Institute's work.
This story is interwoven with a second, entirely seperate story, set in New Eden, the Enclave of the title, where a few lucky survivors shelter underground from the poisoned world above. As the novel progresses, puzzling links between the two threads become apparent.
There is a lot to like about this novel. Reinhardt is a possibly odd combination of soldier and genetic scientist, but as a Christian character he is nicely flawed. Lacey too is a lapsed Christian, and both of them have a believable and not overdone faith experience during the course of their adventures.
And the theme of genetic manipulation allows the Christian characters to think about that most useful Biblical word (to spec-fic writers anyway): Nephilim. The mysterious nature of these creatures makes them an easy subject for Christian sci-fi, but here they are nicely understated.
So this is my pick for the Clive Staples; a well-told science fiction adventure with believably flawed Christians. What more can a person ask for?
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
CSFF Blog Tour: Countless as the Stars
Ok, that's enough beating about the bush! I hear you cry. Tell us about the book already!
Well some of you will already have ventured over to stevetrower.co.uk, and despite the persistent 'UNDER CONSTRUCTION' notices (the website building fairies are very busy this time of year, apparently) found out a little about Countless as the Stars. But for those not brave enough to do so, or just ambling on to this blog for the first time today, here's a little intro, and a bit more detail for those who visited the site and were curious.
First of all, Old Testament Space Opera. Basically, it's the Old Testament, re-told in a Space Opera-style setting (that's kind of Star Wars-esque, for the uninitiated). For a more detailed explanation of the idea click here.
Countless as the Stars is the first Old Testament Space Opera, and starts on Tellus, a world blighted by war and pollution, barely able to support it's dwindling population. Into this world the Eight Nations Space Agency introduces Litah, proclaiming it mankind's last hope for survival, promising a better life among the stars.
Our hero, Aidan Qqayle, a prominent follower of the Creed, has sworn to oppose this project, which puts technology in the place of God. But when Aidan receives his true calling, he is forced to re-evaluate his beliefs...
The story follows his adventure from Tellus into the unknown, where he is confronted with his own past, and the future of mankind. Epic space battles, the exploration of new worlds, personal trials, it's all here....
The Biblical tales are followed quite closely - the Tower of Babel, the accounts of Lot and Abraham, and shades of Moses - with embellishments to suit the sci-fi genre. It is my hope that by following the source material the story can shed some light on the nature of God, or at least some aspects of it, and that the embellishments will serve to keep the interest of those familiar with the overall story arc.
Slight warning: the story does contain sex, drugs and violence, but only in the context in which they appear in the Old Testament. Apparently their was enough to upset the old dear who runs our local Christian book shop, but not enough to create a publicity boosting backlash. *sigh*
Is that enough to whet your appetite? Well don't worry if it isn't, you can still go off and read the first chapter. Done that? Well here's the important part then: CSFF Blog Tour participants and visitors can get a copy for cheap! By which I mean £4.99 in the UK or £7.49 overseas (I think that's about US$11, including postage. Bargain eh?).
Of course, if you want to support this struggling author, feel free to order at full price, buy multiple copies, give one to your publisher or agent.... and of course tell the rest of the tour how good it is!
Oh yes, and having a copy of the book will also allow you to read the first draft of the sequel, which was written as my 2008 NaNoWriMo project (those of you that have attempted NaNo will know what to expect!).
I'll keep the offer open until the next CSFF Blog Tour.
Once you've taken advantage of my extraordinary generosity, all that remains is to send you on your way...
Brandon Barr
Thomas Clayton Booher
Keanan Brand
Grace Bridges
Beckie Burnham
Morgan L. Busse
Jeff Chapman
CSFF Blog Tour
Stacey Dale
D. G. D. Davidson
Jeff Draper
George Duncan
April Erwin
Andrea Graham
Tori Greene
Ryan Heart
Timothy Hicks
Becky Jesse
Jason Joyner
Julie
Carol Keen
Krystine Kercher
Mike Lynch
Rebecca LuElla Miller
New Authors Fellowship
John W. Otte
Donita K. Paul
Chawna Schroeder
James Somers
Speculative Faith
Rachel Starr Thomson
Steve Trower
Jason Waguespac
Fred Warren
Dona Watson
Phyllis Wheeler
KM Wilsher
Well some of you will already have ventured over to stevetrower.co.uk, and despite the persistent 'UNDER CONSTRUCTION' notices (the website building fairies are very busy this time of year, apparently) found out a little about Countless as the Stars. But for those not brave enough to do so, or just ambling on to this blog for the first time today, here's a little intro, and a bit more detail for those who visited the site and were curious.
First of all, Old Testament Space Opera. Basically, it's the Old Testament, re-told in a Space Opera-style setting (that's kind of Star Wars-esque, for the uninitiated). For a more detailed explanation of the idea click here.
Countless as the Stars is the first Old Testament Space Opera, and starts on Tellus, a world blighted by war and pollution, barely able to support it's dwindling population. Into this world the Eight Nations Space Agency introduces Litah, proclaiming it mankind's last hope for survival, promising a better life among the stars.
Our hero, Aidan Qqayle, a prominent follower of the Creed, has sworn to oppose this project, which puts technology in the place of God. But when Aidan receives his true calling, he is forced to re-evaluate his beliefs...
The story follows his adventure from Tellus into the unknown, where he is confronted with his own past, and the future of mankind. Epic space battles, the exploration of new worlds, personal trials, it's all here....
The Biblical tales are followed quite closely - the Tower of Babel, the accounts of Lot and Abraham, and shades of Moses - with embellishments to suit the sci-fi genre. It is my hope that by following the source material the story can shed some light on the nature of God, or at least some aspects of it, and that the embellishments will serve to keep the interest of those familiar with the overall story arc.
Slight warning: the story does contain sex, drugs and violence, but only in the context in which they appear in the Old Testament. Apparently their was enough to upset the old dear who runs our local Christian book shop, but not enough to create a publicity boosting backlash. *sigh*
Is that enough to whet your appetite? Well don't worry if it isn't, you can still go off and read the first chapter. Done that? Well here's the important part then: CSFF Blog Tour participants and visitors can get a copy for cheap! By which I mean £4.99 in the UK or £7.49 overseas (I think that's about US$11, including postage. Bargain eh?).
To get the Tour price you will need to click here, as the regular store page is still at full price.
Of course, if you want to support this struggling author, feel free to order at full price, buy multiple copies, give one to your publisher or agent.... and of course tell the rest of the tour how good it is!
Oh yes, and having a copy of the book will also allow you to read the first draft of the sequel, which was written as my 2008 NaNoWriMo project (those of you that have attempted NaNo will know what to expect!).
I'll keep the offer open until the next CSFF Blog Tour.
Once you've taken advantage of my extraordinary generosity, all that remains is to send you on your way...
Brandon Barr
Thomas Clayton Booher
Keanan Brand
Grace Bridges
Beckie Burnham
Morgan L. Busse
Jeff Chapman
CSFF Blog Tour
Stacey Dale
D. G. D. Davidson
Jeff Draper
George Duncan
April Erwin
Andrea Graham
Tori Greene
Ryan Heart
Timothy Hicks
Becky Jesse
Jason Joyner
Julie
Carol Keen
Krystine Kercher
Mike Lynch
Rebecca LuElla Miller
New Authors Fellowship
John W. Otte
Donita K. Paul
Chawna Schroeder
James Somers
Speculative Faith
Rachel Starr Thomson
Steve Trower
Jason Waguespac
Fred Warren
Dona Watson
Phyllis Wheeler
KM Wilsher
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Tuesday Tunes: Countless as the Stars
I wasn't quite sure which way to go with the musical contribution to this month's CSFF blog tour; I could have attempted a Top Ten Countless songs, or songs about stars... I thought about doing a Top Ten of Top Tens... but since I've started down this road of blogging about Countless as the Stars, I figured the logical (and easiest) thing to do would be to re-post the soundtrack to the book.
I won't give away any blatant spoilers, but will use this to give you a few small clues about what sort of things to expect in the story.
2. Brian Eno - Under Stars.
Brian Eno's Apollo was composed as a soundtrack for the films of the Apollo moon landings, inspired by the feelings and sensations of space travel. This CD was the constantly playing during the writing of the spacebourne segements of Countless, the first of which is in Chapter 2.
3. Brian Eno - Music for Airports.
The background music for Chapter 3, which is set in a Spaceport. Pick any or all four tracks from Eno's first ambient offering.
4. Petra - No Doubt.
I wanted to have some Christian music on the soundtrack, and while Petra may be a bit old skool, I think this is a great song, especially for when Ade and Savana get some bad news. Available on No Doubt.
5. Petra - I Love You Lord.
A worship song that doesn't specifically mention Jesus for the Temple scene in Chapter 7. Nice interpretation too, all tribal drums and harmonies. Available on Petra Praise 2 - We Need Jesus.
6. Marston Smith - Stairway to Heaven.
I knew from early on that Stairway to Heaven would be like Litah's anthem. Playing at the launch party will be the definitive version by Marston Smith. Available on Forever Cello.
7. Thus Spake Zarathustra.
Perfect dramatic piece for the public unveiling of Tellus from space. OK, so I nicked the idea from Stanley Kubrick. Available on most sci-fi theme CDs.
8. Porcupine Tree - It Will Rain For A Million Years.
This is nice and moody, for Galford in Chapter 9. This is from one of the few non-instrumental CDs I like to play while writing, 'On the Sunday of Life...'
9. Enigma - The Gate.
Something else I can listen to while writing is Enigma's mix of ambient soundscapes, dance beats and wierd lyrics. The Gate seems an appropriate soundtrack for the discovery of a new planet. Available on The Screen Behind the Mirror.
10. Jean Michel Jarre - Last Rendez-Vous (Ron's Piece).
A poignant piece to be played at the first funeral on an alien planet. Available on Rendez-Vous.
11. Balanescu Quartet - Robots.
I just love the combination of the 'futuristic' Kraftwerk tune played by a string quartet! It's playing in the dress shop in Chapter 14. Available on Possessed.
12. Jean Michel Jarre - Oxygene Part 1.
By Chapter 16 we are back in space travel mode. Although Apollo remains the main musical influence for these scenes, I didn't want Jarre to go overlooked. Available on Oxygene.
13. Brian Eno - Come With Us.
This slightly wierd and sinister track from My Life in the Bush of Ghosts accompanies Dan Straker's return to the Black City in Chapter 19.
14. Los Chicharrons - Chicharron N Boogaloo (Groove Armada Mix).
For the action sequences in Chapter 21. I don't think this mix is widely available; the original is on Conga Heaven Bongo Hell, but probably won't have the same effect.
15. REM - Everybody Hurts.
Arguably REMs finest moment, here for Blaise in Chapters 23 & 24. Available on Automatic for the People.
16. Lard - Forkboy.
Film buffs may recognise this as the riot theme from Natural Born Killers. It serves much the same purpose here. Available on The Last Temptation of Reid.
17. Groove Armada - At the River.
Sublime chillout track by one of the UK's most popular dance acts. For when Aidan is at the, erm, river. Available on The Best of Groove Armada.
18. Brian Eno - Matta.
This track has the kind of eerie feel and wierd noises required for a forest world. Also from Apollo.
19. Porcupine Tree - Voyage 34.
A musical interpretation of an LSD trip was all I had to go on for Chapter 27. It wasn't something I wanted to research that thoroughly. Brilliantly now available on CD - I have the two seperate versions on 12 inch vinyl. As an alternative, Queen Quotes Crowley from 'On the Sunday of Life...' is suitably psychadelic.
20. The Kinks - Days.
Classic tune for, well, Chapter 30. (Don't want to spoil anything this close to the end!) Find a copy on most Kinks compilations, or the 3-disc edition of The Village Green Preservation Society. Oh, and on no account must you substitute a cover version.
21. Steve - Smile.
Finishing with another Christian band who were cool at the time... a mellow, upbeat song for the final scene. Available on Falling Down.
There's a slightly abbreviated Spotify version here for those able to use it (not all the tracks listed are available on Spotify).
This post is part of the Christian Science Fiction and Fantasy Blog Tour free-for-all month, which continues here:
Brandon Barr Thomas Clayton Booher Keanan Brand Grace Bridges Beckie Burnham Morgan L. Busse Jeff Chapman CSFF Blog Tour Stacey Dale D. G. D. Davidson Jeff Draper George Duncan April Erwin Andrea Graham Tori Greene Ryan Heart Timothy Hicks Becky Jesse Jason Joyner Julie Carol Keen Krystine Kercher Mike Lynch Rebecca LuElla Miller New Authors Fellowship John W. Otte Donita K. Paul Sarah Sawyer Chawna Schroeder James Somers Speculative Faith Rachel Starr Thomson Jason Waguespac Fred Warren Dona Watson Phyllis Wheeler KM Wilsher
I won't give away any blatant spoilers, but will use this to give you a few small clues about what sort of things to expect in the story.
1. Blondie - Union City Blue.
In my mind, the movie's opening credits roll over Aidan's C-Car journey through Unioncity in the opening chapter. Union City Blue is perfect here in every way. Available on Blondie - Greatest Hits.
In my mind, the movie's opening credits roll over Aidan's C-Car journey through Unioncity in the opening chapter. Union City Blue is perfect here in every way. Available on Blondie - Greatest Hits.
2. Brian Eno - Under Stars.
Brian Eno's Apollo was composed as a soundtrack for the films of the Apollo moon landings, inspired by the feelings and sensations of space travel. This CD was the constantly playing during the writing of the spacebourne segements of Countless, the first of which is in Chapter 2.
3. Brian Eno - Music for Airports.
The background music for Chapter 3, which is set in a Spaceport. Pick any or all four tracks from Eno's first ambient offering.
4. Petra - No Doubt.
I wanted to have some Christian music on the soundtrack, and while Petra may be a bit old skool, I think this is a great song, especially for when Ade and Savana get some bad news. Available on No Doubt.
5. Petra - I Love You Lord.
A worship song that doesn't specifically mention Jesus for the Temple scene in Chapter 7. Nice interpretation too, all tribal drums and harmonies. Available on Petra Praise 2 - We Need Jesus.
6. Marston Smith - Stairway to Heaven.
I knew from early on that Stairway to Heaven would be like Litah's anthem. Playing at the launch party will be the definitive version by Marston Smith. Available on Forever Cello.
7. Thus Spake Zarathustra.
Perfect dramatic piece for the public unveiling of Tellus from space. OK, so I nicked the idea from Stanley Kubrick. Available on most sci-fi theme CDs.
8. Porcupine Tree - It Will Rain For A Million Years.
This is nice and moody, for Galford in Chapter 9. This is from one of the few non-instrumental CDs I like to play while writing, 'On the Sunday of Life...'
9. Enigma - The Gate.
Something else I can listen to while writing is Enigma's mix of ambient soundscapes, dance beats and wierd lyrics. The Gate seems an appropriate soundtrack for the discovery of a new planet. Available on The Screen Behind the Mirror.
10. Jean Michel Jarre - Last Rendez-Vous (Ron's Piece).
A poignant piece to be played at the first funeral on an alien planet. Available on Rendez-Vous.
11. Balanescu Quartet - Robots.
I just love the combination of the 'futuristic' Kraftwerk tune played by a string quartet! It's playing in the dress shop in Chapter 14. Available on Possessed.
12. Jean Michel Jarre - Oxygene Part 1.
By Chapter 16 we are back in space travel mode. Although Apollo remains the main musical influence for these scenes, I didn't want Jarre to go overlooked. Available on Oxygene.
13. Brian Eno - Come With Us.
This slightly wierd and sinister track from My Life in the Bush of Ghosts accompanies Dan Straker's return to the Black City in Chapter 19.
14. Los Chicharrons - Chicharron N Boogaloo (Groove Armada Mix).
For the action sequences in Chapter 21. I don't think this mix is widely available; the original is on Conga Heaven Bongo Hell, but probably won't have the same effect.
15. REM - Everybody Hurts.
Arguably REMs finest moment, here for Blaise in Chapters 23 & 24. Available on Automatic for the People.
16. Lard - Forkboy.
Film buffs may recognise this as the riot theme from Natural Born Killers. It serves much the same purpose here. Available on The Last Temptation of Reid.
17. Groove Armada - At the River.
Sublime chillout track by one of the UK's most popular dance acts. For when Aidan is at the, erm, river. Available on The Best of Groove Armada.
18. Brian Eno - Matta.
This track has the kind of eerie feel and wierd noises required for a forest world. Also from Apollo.
19. Porcupine Tree - Voyage 34.
A musical interpretation of an LSD trip was all I had to go on for Chapter 27. It wasn't something I wanted to research that thoroughly. Brilliantly now available on CD - I have the two seperate versions on 12 inch vinyl. As an alternative, Queen Quotes Crowley from 'On the Sunday of Life...' is suitably psychadelic.
20. The Kinks - Days.
Classic tune for, well, Chapter 30. (Don't want to spoil anything this close to the end!) Find a copy on most Kinks compilations, or the 3-disc edition of The Village Green Preservation Society. Oh, and on no account must you substitute a cover version.
21. Steve - Smile.
Finishing with another Christian band who were cool at the time... a mellow, upbeat song for the final scene. Available on Falling Down.
There's a slightly abbreviated Spotify version here for those able to use it (not all the tracks listed are available on Spotify).
This post is part of the Christian Science Fiction and Fantasy Blog Tour free-for-all month, which continues here:
Brandon Barr Thomas Clayton Booher Keanan Brand Grace Bridges Beckie Burnham Morgan L. Busse Jeff Chapman CSFF Blog Tour Stacey Dale D. G. D. Davidson Jeff Draper George Duncan April Erwin Andrea Graham Tori Greene Ryan Heart Timothy Hicks Becky Jesse Jason Joyner Julie Carol Keen Krystine Kercher Mike Lynch Rebecca LuElla Miller New Authors Fellowship John W. Otte Donita K. Paul Sarah Sawyer Chawna Schroeder James Somers Speculative Faith Rachel Starr Thomson Jason Waguespac Fred Warren Dona Watson Phyllis Wheeler KM Wilsher
Monday, August 23, 2010
CSFF Blog Tour: Countless as the Stars
It was inevitable really, and the tour has finally made it's way round to the next big thing in Christian sci-fi waiting eagerly to leave these shores: Countless as the Stars, by some English bloke you've never heard of.
I'm kidding, of course; that was completely evitable, and what has actually happened is that for August the tourists have been let off the leash to do their own thing. It's like that day in Junior school when the teacher announced that you could pick your own topic to study for the next term. I did aeroplanes, because I hadn't heard of Christian Sci-fi when I was ten. It was quite good as I recall, helped along no doubt by a teacher who knew less about the subject than me and was unable to correct any factual inaccuracies.
On the wild assumption that nobody is here to read a brief history of civil aviation in the British Isles, I've decided to take the opportunity for a little uncharacteristic self-promotion. This is somewhat new territory for me, so please be kind and visit www.stevetrower.co.uk and find out all about Old Testament Space Opera and what it means for you.
I'll be back over the next couple of days with more blatant self-promotion, and as there is nobody that knows more about Old Testament Space Opera than me, there will be no factual inaccuracies to pick up on.
In the meantime, pick a few links at random from the list below, for what will truly be a magical mystery tour...
Brandon Barr
Thomas Clayton Booher
Keanan Brand
Grace Bridges
Beckie Burnham
Morgan L. Busse
Jeff Chapman
CSFF Blog Tour
Stacey Dale
D. G. D. Davidson
Jeff Draper
George Duncan
April Erwin
Andrea Graham
Tori Greene
Ryan Heart
Timothy Hicks
Becky Jesse
Jason Joyner
Julie
Carol Keen
Krystine Kercher
Mike Lynch
Rebecca LuElla Miller
New Authors Fellowship
John W. Otte
Donita K. Paul
Chawna Schroeder
James Somers
Speculative Faith
Rachel Starr Thomson
Steve Trower
Jason Waguespac
Fred Warren
Dona Watson
Phyllis Wheeler
KM Wilsher
I'm kidding, of course; that was completely evitable, and what has actually happened is that for August the tourists have been let off the leash to do their own thing. It's like that day in Junior school when the teacher announced that you could pick your own topic to study for the next term. I did aeroplanes, because I hadn't heard of Christian Sci-fi when I was ten. It was quite good as I recall, helped along no doubt by a teacher who knew less about the subject than me and was unable to correct any factual inaccuracies.
On the wild assumption that nobody is here to read a brief history of civil aviation in the British Isles, I've decided to take the opportunity for a little uncharacteristic self-promotion. This is somewhat new territory for me, so please be kind and visit www.stevetrower.co.uk and find out all about Old Testament Space Opera and what it means for you.
I'll be back over the next couple of days with more blatant self-promotion, and as there is nobody that knows more about Old Testament Space Opera than me, there will be no factual inaccuracies to pick up on.
In the meantime, pick a few links at random from the list below, for what will truly be a magical mystery tour...
Brandon Barr
Thomas Clayton Booher
Keanan Brand
Grace Bridges
Beckie Burnham
Morgan L. Busse
Jeff Chapman
CSFF Blog Tour
Stacey Dale
D. G. D. Davidson
Jeff Draper
George Duncan
April Erwin
Andrea Graham
Tori Greene
Ryan Heart
Timothy Hicks
Becky Jesse
Jason Joyner
Julie
Carol Keen
Krystine Kercher
Mike Lynch
Rebecca LuElla Miller
New Authors Fellowship
John W. Otte
Donita K. Paul
Chawna Schroeder
James Somers
Speculative Faith
Rachel Starr Thomson
Steve Trower
Jason Waguespac
Fred Warren
Dona Watson
Phyllis Wheeler
KM Wilsher
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
SpiritBlade Underground
Allow me to take this post to apologise for a terrible oversight on my part. I don't think I have made enough mentions of the work of SpiritBlade Productions here, which is really quite poor when you think that the purpose of this blog is to discuss Christian Sci-Fi and Fantasy.
So I guess I'll mention them here: SpiritBlade Productions specialise in full cast audio dramas on CD and download. I've been a bit slack I must admit, and only listened to the first SpiritBlade so far, although I think I'm going to have to dip into Pilgrim's Progress soon...
Anyway, the reason I mention it now is that there is now a SpiritBlade forum... a cool place for Christian geeks to hang out! Yay! Oh yes, and you'll probably have noticed the podcast in the sidebar here, if you're in the habit of scrolling that far.
Was that enough of a plug? Go check it out anyway, and if you like what you see, maybe I'll see you on the forum. You'll recognise me, I'm sure.
So I guess I'll mention them here: SpiritBlade Productions specialise in full cast audio dramas on CD and download. I've been a bit slack I must admit, and only listened to the first SpiritBlade so far, although I think I'm going to have to dip into Pilgrim's Progress soon...
Anyway, the reason I mention it now is that there is now a SpiritBlade forum... a cool place for Christian geeks to hang out! Yay! Oh yes, and you'll probably have noticed the podcast in the sidebar here, if you're in the habit of scrolling that far.
Was that enough of a plug? Go check it out anyway, and if you like what you see, maybe I'll see you on the forum. You'll recognise me, I'm sure.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Tuesday Tunes: The Kinks Choral Collection
Regular readers of Tuesday Tunes may recall that I'm a fan of the obscure cover version, and of the Kinks. So how could I resist this, Ray Davies performing some of his best tunes with the Crouch End Festival Chorus?
It has to be said that the concept works best on the mellower tunes, and tracks like You Really Got Me and All Day And All Of The Night, while making for interesting arrangements, don't work quite as well as, for instance, Days. On the other hand, Waterloo Sunset, one of the best pop songs of all time, transcends pop songdom by the addition of a choral backing, and Village Green, similarly, highlights just how good Ray Davies' tunes actually are.
And as an added bonus, the Village Green Medley is actually six full songs, rather than snippets as the title might suggest, so rather than the ten (or 11 on the special edition, which starts with Postcards From London with Chrissie Hynde) tracks listed on the sleeve, you get 15.
Basically, I totally love this CD. If you like Ray Davies and the Kinks, or bizarre cover versions, or (it could happen!) the Crouch End Festival Chorus, this is essential listening!
It has to be said that the concept works best on the mellower tunes, and tracks like You Really Got Me and All Day And All Of The Night, while making for interesting arrangements, don't work quite as well as, for instance, Days. On the other hand, Waterloo Sunset, one of the best pop songs of all time, transcends pop songdom by the addition of a choral backing, and Village Green, similarly, highlights just how good Ray Davies' tunes actually are.
And as an added bonus, the Village Green Medley is actually six full songs, rather than snippets as the title might suggest, so rather than the ten (or 11 on the special edition, which starts with Postcards From London with Chrissie Hynde) tracks listed on the sleeve, you get 15.
Basically, I totally love this CD. If you like Ray Davies and the Kinks, or bizarre cover versions, or (it could happen!) the Crouch End Festival Chorus, this is essential listening!
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
CSFF Blog Tour: Starlighter by Bryan Davis
It is an important and popular fact that I once scored a B in English class for a report on a book I never read. I won't divulge what that book was, in case I am chased down by an angry mob and forcibly removed from the blog tour for my flagrant disrespect for literature, but in order to redress the balance somewhat I am deliberately not reviewing Starlighter by Bryan Davis, which I also haven't read.
What I have read, however, is one or two of the other posts on the tour. See, I'm not a total slacker! And to prove it, here are my personal tour highlights:
Leighton's review in two parts;
Snuffles the Dragon's completely unbiased review;
John W. Otte's geek dad post;
Krystine Kercher enthusing about black dragon's eggs;
an interview by Rachel Starr Thomson;
not to mention the handy list of other links gathered in one place, namely the Galactic Overlord's Blog.
You could also stop by the author's blog, just to see what else is on his mind.
And when you're done, Starlighter will no doubt be available at your favourite purveyor of young adult fantasy fiction.
Those of you still wishing to follow the extended tour, please form an orderly queue and step this way:
Brandon Barr Beckie Burnham Jeff Chapman R. L. Copple CSFF Blog Tour Stacey Dale D. G. D. Davidson Jeff Draper April Erwin Andrea Graham Tori Greene Nikole Hahn Ryan Heart Becky Jesse Cris Jesse Jason Joyner Julie Carol Keen Krystine Kercher Dawn King Leighton Jane Maritz Rebecca LuElla Miller John W. Otte Donita K. Paul Crista Richey SarahFlan Chawna Schroeder Rachel Starr Thomson Fred Warren Dona Watson Phyllis Wheeler Jill Williamson KM Wilsher
What I have read, however, is one or two of the other posts on the tour. See, I'm not a total slacker! And to prove it, here are my personal tour highlights:
Leighton's review in two parts;
Snuffles the Dragon's completely unbiased review;
John W. Otte's geek dad post;
Krystine Kercher enthusing about black dragon's eggs;
an interview by Rachel Starr Thomson;
not to mention the handy list of other links gathered in one place, namely the Galactic Overlord's Blog.
You could also stop by the author's blog, just to see what else is on his mind.
And when you're done, Starlighter will no doubt be available at your favourite purveyor of young adult fantasy fiction.
Those of you still wishing to follow the extended tour, please form an orderly queue and step this way:
Brandon Barr Beckie Burnham Jeff Chapman R. L. Copple CSFF Blog Tour Stacey Dale D. G. D. Davidson Jeff Draper April Erwin Andrea Graham Tori Greene Nikole Hahn Ryan Heart Becky Jesse Cris Jesse Jason Joyner Julie Carol Keen Krystine Kercher Dawn King Leighton Jane Maritz Rebecca LuElla Miller John W. Otte Donita K. Paul Crista Richey SarahFlan Chawna Schroeder Rachel Starr Thomson Fred Warren Dona Watson Phyllis Wheeler Jill Williamson KM Wilsher
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
CSFF Blog Tour vs Tuesday Tunes
This week your CSFF Blog Tour is looking at Starlighter by Bryan Davis, the first volume in the Dragons of Starlight series. And since we've already covered the Top Ten Dragon Songs, so...
It's the Top Ten Starlight Songs!
10. Savatage: Starlight
Proper 80s rock... these guys sound as scary as their name!
9. Minus 8: Starlight
That's better, this weeks first piece of electronica... not at all scary!
8. Snowgoons: Starlight
Possibly the first German hip-hop outfit to feature in a Top Ten...
7. The Supermen Lovers: Starlight
Possibly the first French act to feature in a Top Ten, with this one-hit wonder from 2001.
6. Indochine: Starlight
Possibly the second French act to feature in a Top Ten, with this combination of catchy chorus and incomprehensible verses.
5. Lou Reed & John Cale: Starlight
Is anyone spotting a theme yet?
4. Electric Light Orchestra: Starlight
I love these guys!
3. Slash featuring Myles Kennedy: Starlight
Nice little slice of guitar tunage here by that bloke from out of Guns n Roses.
2. Dead Composers: Starlight
Nicely chilled out electronica with weird foreign lyrics.
1. Muse: Starlight
And what better way to finish than with some Devon style indie rock.
Here's your Spotify playlist: Starlight Top Ten. As ever, the unSpotified among you will need to skip to rest of the tour:
Brandon Barr Beckie Burnham Jeff Chapman R. L. Copple CSFF Blog Tour Stacey Dale D. G. D. Davidson Jeff Draper April Erwin Andrea Graham Tori Greene Nikole Hahn Ryan Heart Becky Jesse Cris Jesse Jason Joyner Julie Carol Keen Krystine Kercher Dawn King Leighton Jane Maritz Rebecca LuElla Miller John W. Otte Donita K. Paul Crista Richey SarahFlan Chawna Schroeder Rachel Starr Thomson Fred Warren Dona Watson Phyllis Wheeler Jill Williamson KM Wilsher
It's the Top Ten Starlight Songs!
10. Savatage: Starlight
Proper 80s rock... these guys sound as scary as their name!
9. Minus 8: Starlight
That's better, this weeks first piece of electronica... not at all scary!
8. Snowgoons: Starlight
Possibly the first German hip-hop outfit to feature in a Top Ten...
7. The Supermen Lovers: Starlight
Possibly the first French act to feature in a Top Ten, with this one-hit wonder from 2001.
6. Indochine: Starlight
Possibly the second French act to feature in a Top Ten, with this combination of catchy chorus and incomprehensible verses.
5. Lou Reed & John Cale: Starlight
Is anyone spotting a theme yet?
4. Electric Light Orchestra: Starlight
I love these guys!
3. Slash featuring Myles Kennedy: Starlight
Nice little slice of guitar tunage here by that bloke from out of Guns n Roses.
2. Dead Composers: Starlight
Nicely chilled out electronica with weird foreign lyrics.
1. Muse: Starlight
And what better way to finish than with some Devon style indie rock.
Here's your Spotify playlist: Starlight Top Ten. As ever, the unSpotified among you will need to skip to rest of the tour:
Brandon Barr Beckie Burnham Jeff Chapman R. L. Copple CSFF Blog Tour Stacey Dale D. G. D. Davidson Jeff Draper April Erwin Andrea Graham Tori Greene Nikole Hahn Ryan Heart Becky Jesse Cris Jesse Jason Joyner Julie Carol Keen Krystine Kercher Dawn King Leighton Jane Maritz Rebecca LuElla Miller John W. Otte Donita K. Paul Crista Richey SarahFlan Chawna Schroeder Rachel Starr Thomson Fred Warren Dona Watson Phyllis Wheeler Jill Williamson KM Wilsher
Monday, July 19, 2010
CSFF Blog Tour: Starlighter by Bryan Davis
A new car, a restless child on a hot summer night, and an impending road trip into wild boar country...
Don't worry, that's not the intro to the blurb for Starlighter, it's my excuses for having a rubbish post today.
By way of an introduction, this week the Christian Sci-Fi and Fantasy Blog Tour is giving you, the reader, good reasons to part with your hard-earned cash for Starlighter, the first in a four-book Young Adult fantasy series by Bryan Davis.
So, while I carry on dealing with the mundane realities of life (and the wild boar road trip), why not take a look at the author's website, or his blog, and if he seems nice enough, why not even buy Starlighter from a well-known internet bookseller.
What? You want an unbiased opinion of the book? Well, you might try one or more of these links:
Brandon Barr
Beckie Burnham
Jeff Chapman
R. L. Copple
CSFF Blog Tour
Stacey Dale
D. G. D. Davidson
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Andrea Graham
Tori Greene
Nikole Hahn
Ryan Heart
Becky Jesse
Cris Jesse
Jason Joyner
Julie
Carol Keen
Krystine Kercher
Dawn King
Leighton
Jane Maritz
Rebecca LuElla Miller
John W. Otte
Donita K. Paul
Crista Richey
SarahFlan
Chawna Schroeder
Rachel Starr Thomson
Steve Trower
Fred Warren
Dona Watson
Phyllis Wheeler
Jill Williamson
KM Wilsher
Don't worry, that's not the intro to the blurb for Starlighter, it's my excuses for having a rubbish post today.
By way of an introduction, this week the Christian Sci-Fi and Fantasy Blog Tour is giving you, the reader, good reasons to part with your hard-earned cash for Starlighter, the first in a four-book Young Adult fantasy series by Bryan Davis.
So, while I carry on dealing with the mundane realities of life (and the wild boar road trip), why not take a look at the author's website, or his blog, and if he seems nice enough, why not even buy Starlighter from a well-known internet bookseller.
What? You want an unbiased opinion of the book? Well, you might try one or more of these links:
Brandon Barr
Beckie Burnham
Jeff Chapman
R. L. Copple
CSFF Blog Tour
Stacey Dale
D. G. D. Davidson
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Andrea Graham
Tori Greene
Nikole Hahn
Ryan Heart
Becky Jesse
Cris Jesse
Jason Joyner
Julie
Carol Keen
Krystine Kercher
Dawn King
Leighton
Jane Maritz
Rebecca LuElla Miller
John W. Otte
Donita K. Paul
Crista Richey
SarahFlan
Chawna Schroeder
Rachel Starr Thomson
Steve Trower
Fred Warren
Dona Watson
Phyllis Wheeler
Jill Williamson
KM Wilsher
Friday, July 09, 2010
Friday Review: Vanished by Kathryn Mackel
A terrorist's bomb. A rogue experiment. An impenetrable mist. And no one is coming to help...
Sounds good, right? Like I said way back in the CSFF Blog Tour for the book, it sounds like a Christian version of Lost, something I started work on waaaay before Vanished, or even Lost, were around.
So, 12 months after the tour, having finally read the thing, is it any good?
Well, er, yes and no. First, I have to say that as something marketed as a Christian Chiller, it didn't chill me very much. Maybe that's just the hardened Stephen King reader in me; most Christian readers may well have been scared to death by it. But that, it must be said, is about the smallest problem in this book's marketing.
Anyway, the story: comparisons to Lost are unavoidable I'm afraid, but that's no bad thing. The means by which the characters vanish does seem a little more contrived than a simple plane crash, but lets assume we can all suspend our disbelief that long and get into the thing. After the explosion, the whole story cracks along at a nice pace, showing the aftermath from the viewpoints of a variety of innocent (and not-so-innocent) bystanders, plenty of suspense, weird supernatural mysteries, Lost-y flashbacks, the whole bit. And an underlying thread of hope and faith from a Christian worldview. So far so good.
There did seem, to me, to be something a little wrong with the Christian characters here. It might just be that they're American - that's not me being racist, but the shortage of Christian fiction (especially of the speculative kind) from anywhere else in the known universe gets a little tedious at times - or it might be that writing believable Christians is a difficult thing to do. Maybe I need to revisit the book, not get so caught up in the story, and look specifically at how God interacts with the characters.
And then it ends.
It is literally half a book. It's about 300 pages, which is probably about right for a Christian market novel, but 5-600 pages wouldn't be overly long for a story like this to be done properly. And the end of Vanished couldn't have been more abrupt without actually being mid-sentence. Which is more than a little disappointing.
It's not the author's fault, of course; it seems the publishers pulled the plug mid-project (no mention of a series is even mentioned anywhere on the cover), and book two is still drifting in limbo somewhere until a new publisher decides to put it out. (Didn't the same thing happen to Mackel's Birthright Project? And The Personifid Project would have been the same but for Marcher Lord Press stepping up. I guess the message to Christian spec-fic authors is don't start a series...)
In summary: Vanished is like a Christian take on Lost, but with a less satisfying conclusion.
Sounds good, right? Like I said way back in the CSFF Blog Tour for the book, it sounds like a Christian version of Lost, something I started work on waaaay before Vanished, or even Lost, were around.
So, 12 months after the tour, having finally read the thing, is it any good?
Well, er, yes and no. First, I have to say that as something marketed as a Christian Chiller, it didn't chill me very much. Maybe that's just the hardened Stephen King reader in me; most Christian readers may well have been scared to death by it. But that, it must be said, is about the smallest problem in this book's marketing.
Anyway, the story: comparisons to Lost are unavoidable I'm afraid, but that's no bad thing. The means by which the characters vanish does seem a little more contrived than a simple plane crash, but lets assume we can all suspend our disbelief that long and get into the thing. After the explosion, the whole story cracks along at a nice pace, showing the aftermath from the viewpoints of a variety of innocent (and not-so-innocent) bystanders, plenty of suspense, weird supernatural mysteries, Lost-y flashbacks, the whole bit. And an underlying thread of hope and faith from a Christian worldview. So far so good.
There did seem, to me, to be something a little wrong with the Christian characters here. It might just be that they're American - that's not me being racist, but the shortage of Christian fiction (especially of the speculative kind) from anywhere else in the known universe gets a little tedious at times - or it might be that writing believable Christians is a difficult thing to do. Maybe I need to revisit the book, not get so caught up in the story, and look specifically at how God interacts with the characters.
And then it ends.
It is literally half a book. It's about 300 pages, which is probably about right for a Christian market novel, but 5-600 pages wouldn't be overly long for a story like this to be done properly. And the end of Vanished couldn't have been more abrupt without actually being mid-sentence. Which is more than a little disappointing.
It's not the author's fault, of course; it seems the publishers pulled the plug mid-project (no mention of a series is even mentioned anywhere on the cover), and book two is still drifting in limbo somewhere until a new publisher decides to put it out. (Didn't the same thing happen to Mackel's Birthright Project? And The Personifid Project would have been the same but for Marcher Lord Press stepping up. I guess the message to Christian spec-fic authors is don't start a series...)
In summary: Vanished is like a Christian take on Lost, but with a less satisfying conclusion.
Wednesday, July 07, 2010
Why I Don't Write
- Real life gets in the way. Holding down a full time job, being a parent and writing do not naturally work well together. Time management is not a strong point of mine, sadly.
- I'm not very good. This is, of course, a matter of opinion, and subject to the truism that practice makes perfect. It is also, perhaps, something I have led myself to believe following countless rejections and should probably get over. But that's for another post entirely...
- It's a silly act of worship. Surely if it was a valid act of worship it would have been blessed with a multi-pound publishing contract, right? Well no, obviously, but that doesn't stop me having a crisis of confidence over whether to carry on, or what the point in it all is.
- It's what God made me to do. And that, I guess is the bottom line. The work of God's people is opposed, and since completing Countless as the Stars I've been pretty well derailed by all that insecurity, bad time management, and the flat refusal to accept that God wants me to write stories. Which, it could be argued, must mean there's still at least one pretty awesome book inside me. So I guess I should be writing...
Monday, July 05, 2010
Why I Write
- I think better that way. Maybe that means I have a short-term memory problem, but I can type antidisestablishmentarianism with barely a second thought, but stand me up in a spelling bee (not that we have those here) and I'll just forget which 's' I'm on and stand there looking bemused. On the other other hand, I could just have a rubbish short-term memory.
- I learn more that way. Yes, I know learning is related to thinking. But what I'm thinking of here is what I learnt about God while writing Countless as the Stars. I hope that means that the finished product was able to convey something of the nature of God... but I guess that is up to Him. The point here is that I learnt a lot about the nature and person of God in the writing process.
- It's an act of worship. I make no apologies if that sounds weird. For a while I forgot this aspect of the writing process (that short-term memory problem I expect) and got confused about how I, with the musical ability of a demented bee, should worship God. As a Christian my whole life should be an act of worship; musical types use their creativity as a visible outlet, and so should I.
- It's what God made me to do. It's weird, while I was working on Countless as the Stars, I was convinced that God wanted me to write a whole Bible's worth of Old Testament Space Operas. Then of course nobody took any interest in it, and even after getting a short print run made up (mainly so I would stop fiddling with the thing!) I sort of lost heart in the whole project. I've got my heart back now, maybe not for Old Testament Space Operas (at least, not yet) but for writing stories. I have a fresh sense of what it is God wants me to tell the world. So I guess I should be writing...
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Fezzes are cool
Bow ties are cool.
Cliffhangers are cool.
Time travel is cool.
Stone daleks - very cool.
River Song is an enigma, and they're quite cool.
Feisty redheads are cool.
Plastic centurion Rory is cool.
Marrying a plastic centurion may not be so cool.
Giving your life to save the universe is way cool.
Being brought back to life by one person's belief is even cooler.
Coming back just in time for a party is practically sub-zero.
The finale of Doctor Who season five was, therefore, very cool.
The whole season, in fact, was pretty cool.
Matt Smith's Doctor is cool. Funny in a geeky Patrick Troughtony way. And that's way cool.
Having time to rewrite this post to fit King Missile's 'Jesus Was Way Cool' is too cool for me. So you can have it as it comes.
Cliffhangers are cool.
Time travel is cool.
Stone daleks - very cool.
River Song is an enigma, and they're quite cool.
Feisty redheads are cool.
Plastic centurion Rory is cool.
Marrying a plastic centurion may not be so cool.
Giving your life to save the universe is way cool.
Being brought back to life by one person's belief is even cooler.
Coming back just in time for a party is practically sub-zero.
The finale of Doctor Who season five was, therefore, very cool.
The whole season, in fact, was pretty cool.
Matt Smith's Doctor is cool. Funny in a geeky Patrick Troughtony way. And that's way cool.
Having time to rewrite this post to fit King Missile's 'Jesus Was Way Cool' is too cool for me. So you can have it as it comes.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
CSFF Blog Tour: Imaginary Jesus - Real Review!
Fellow CSFF Tourists, ladies and gentlemen of the blogosphere, you may wish to sit down. You are about to experience a rare and, some might say, life-changing event. Something that has happened precisely once in the history of the universe to date.
Yes, it’s true. I am about to review the featured book. During the tour.
Unfortunately the little backwater in which I live was outside the reach of review copies, but the publishers very kindly made a pdf available, which means that (a) I can review the book; and (b) I get to ask my mother-in-law for a book for Christmas whose nicely irreverent title will probably offend her. Bonus!
That nicely irreverent title – Imaginary Jesus – and the ‘not-quite-true story’ tagline were pretty much enough to sell the book to me.
And, I’m happy to say, I was not disappointed. No, hang on, scrap that. I was more than not disappointed, I was, um… well, ok, like many of my fellow bloggers this week, I had no idea what to expect. What I didn’t expect was time travel, fake Jesuses by the dozen, a theologian who was an ass (how many times do you get to say that in a serious book review?) and to laugh out loud at practically every page. I seriously cannot remember the last time I did that at a book. Especially a Christian book, but that’s beside the point.
There are too many good things about this book to mention. The flagrant disregard for the fourth wall:
On the slight downside, some of the Imaginary Jesuses (Televangelist Jesus, Magic 8 Ball Jesus) come straight out of American culture and perhaps don’t have quite the resonance here that they do out there in the colonies, but the point is clear nonetheless.
In between the laughs and the irreverence, there is, it should be said, a serious point. I imagine that, given the ‘not-quite-true’ nature of the story, some of story Matt’s backstory must be based on author Matt’s real life experiences. And so the story takes a (slightly) more serious turn when Matt decides to ask the Secret Society of Imaginary Jesuses why his unborn child died.
I love this book. I have been touting this book in web forums for a few days. I’m stopping passers-by in the street and asking if they’ve seen Imaginary Jesus. Now I’m telling you: read this book!
Imaginary Jesus now has the official title ‘The Book I Wish I Had Written’. There’s a trophy for that, but my publishers won’t mail it overseas.
Brandon Barr Keanan Brand Grace Bridges Beckie Burnham Valerie Comer R. L. Copple Amy Cruson CSFF Blog Tour Stacey Dale D. G. D. Davidson Jeff Draper April Erwin Andrea Graham Tori Greene Becky Jesse Cris Jesse Jason Joyner Julie Carol Keen Krystine Kercher Dawn King Leighton Rebecca LuElla Miller John W. Otte Donita K. Paul Crista Richey Chawna Schroeder Rachel Starr Thomson Fred Warren Phyllis Wheeler KM Wilsher
Yes, it’s true. I am about to review the featured book. During the tour.
Unfortunately the little backwater in which I live was outside the reach of review copies, but the publishers very kindly made a pdf available, which means that (a) I can review the book; and (b) I get to ask my mother-in-law for a book for Christmas whose nicely irreverent title will probably offend her. Bonus!
That nicely irreverent title – Imaginary Jesus – and the ‘not-quite-true story’ tagline were pretty much enough to sell the book to me.
And, I’m happy to say, I was not disappointed. No, hang on, scrap that. I was more than not disappointed, I was, um… well, ok, like many of my fellow bloggers this week, I had no idea what to expect. What I didn’t expect was time travel, fake Jesuses by the dozen, a theologian who was an ass (how many times do you get to say that in a serious book review?) and to laugh out loud at practically every page. I seriously cannot remember the last time I did that at a book. Especially a Christian book, but that’s beside the point.
There are too many good things about this book to mention. The flagrant disregard for the fourth wall:
That reminded me of the Frog of Hate, and I reached into my pocket and was pleased to find him still there, eight chapters later.The aforementioned irreverence:
Maybe you have forgotten the story where Jesus was walking with his brother James to the synagogue and they were about to cross the street and Jesus grabbed James and said, “Look out for that dog poop.”And the fact that Matt Mikalatos seems to have got hold of my sense of humour and distilled it into a novel about Jesus.
On the slight downside, some of the Imaginary Jesuses (Televangelist Jesus, Magic 8 Ball Jesus) come straight out of American culture and perhaps don’t have quite the resonance here that they do out there in the colonies, but the point is clear nonetheless.
In between the laughs and the irreverence, there is, it should be said, a serious point. I imagine that, given the ‘not-quite-true’ nature of the story, some of story Matt’s backstory must be based on author Matt’s real life experiences. And so the story takes a (slightly) more serious turn when Matt decides to ask the Secret Society of Imaginary Jesuses why his unborn child died.
Free Will Jesus snorted. “True, I allowed your baby to die. Meticulous Jesus chose for your baby to die.”And this sort of thing – bickering between Jesuses – goes on throughout the book, all the while Matt is trying to track down the real Jesus, aided by his new friends Pete (yes, the guy from the Pearly Gates) and Daisy (a talking donkey). It’s how I imagine Robert Rankin would have written The Shack. It is totally insane, and yet… and yet… it does show us something about Jesus. The real one and all those we may have imagined as we looked for him.
I love this book. I have been touting this book in web forums for a few days. I’m stopping passers-by in the street and asking if they’ve seen Imaginary Jesus. Now I’m telling you: read this book!
Imaginary Jesus now has the official title ‘The Book I Wish I Had Written’. There’s a trophy for that, but my publishers won’t mail it overseas.
Brandon Barr Keanan Brand Grace Bridges Beckie Burnham Valerie Comer R. L. Copple Amy Cruson CSFF Blog Tour Stacey Dale D. G. D. Davidson Jeff Draper April Erwin Andrea Graham Tori Greene Becky Jesse Cris Jesse Jason Joyner Julie Carol Keen Krystine Kercher Dawn King Leighton Rebecca LuElla Miller John W. Otte Donita K. Paul Crista Richey Chawna Schroeder Rachel Starr Thomson Fred Warren Phyllis Wheeler KM Wilsher
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
CSFF Blog Tour vs Tuesday Tunes
Now I have to say, as is fitting for the tone of this month's featured book, this Top Ten was quite fun to put together. In case you had forgotten, this week the CSFF Blog Tour is looking at Imaginary Jesus by Matt Mikalatos, so of course, I am happy to present for your, um, entertainment... the Top Ten Imaginary Jesuses:
10. Martin Harley: Chocolate Jesus
A Tom Waites song covered by a Welsh slide guitarist. You didn't even know they had those in Wales did you?
9. Scatterbrain: Mexican Jesus
All together now: Every Top Ten needs at least seven minutes of psychadelic hallucinatory electronica...
8. Green Day: Jesus Of Suburbia
Is it me, or do all Green Day's songs sound the same? Oh yes, there are some very naughty words in some versions of this song. Green Day, wash your moths out with soap and water!
7. Ben Mono feat Jemeni: Jesus Was A B-Boy
I'm not sure I remember B-Boy Jesus in the book, but he sounds pretty cool!
6. Ugly Kid Joe: Jesus Rode A Harley
Harley Jesus, on the other hand, was definitely in there!
5. Hawksley Workman: Google Jesus
Which is not only a cool and slightly surreal name for a song, but also, by a curious coincidence, how I came across most of these songs...
4. The Levellers: Plastic Jeezus
English folk-punk cover of an American folk song about a dashboard Jesus.
3. Johnny Cash: Personal Jesus
This Depeche Mode song was pretty much the first thing to come to mind when I started this, but then I found this great cover....
2. Ministry: Jesus Built My Hotrod
Because nobody with a good car needs to be justified.
1. King Missile: Jesus was Way cool
This is a fun little song, some of the lyrics are great, but it's here because it sums up the same sort of distorted image of Jesus that Imaginary Jesus is all about.
NB: All songs in this Top Ten are about imaginary Jesuses, and their lyrics do not reflect the theological position of this blog, the CSFF Blog Tour, or indeed anyone else.
Here's your Spotify playlist: Imaginary Jesus Top Ten. If you're not Spotified, have a look through these blogs as you wonder what musical gems you may be missing:
Brandon Barr Keanan Brand Grace Bridges Beckie Burnham Valerie Comer R. L. Copple Amy Cruson CSFF Blog Tour Stacey Dale D. G. D. Davidson Jeff Draper
April Erwin Andrea Graham Tori Greene Becky Jesse Cris Jesse Jason Joyner Julie Carol Keen Krystine Kercher Dawn King Leighton Rebecca LuElla Miller John W. Otte Donita K. Paul Crista Richey Chawna Schroeder Rachel Starr Thomson Fred Warren Phyllis Wheeler KM Wilsher
10. Martin Harley: Chocolate Jesus
A Tom Waites song covered by a Welsh slide guitarist. You didn't even know they had those in Wales did you?
9. Scatterbrain: Mexican Jesus
All together now: Every Top Ten needs at least seven minutes of psychadelic hallucinatory electronica...
8. Green Day: Jesus Of Suburbia
Is it me, or do all Green Day's songs sound the same? Oh yes, there are some very naughty words in some versions of this song. Green Day, wash your moths out with soap and water!
7. Ben Mono feat Jemeni: Jesus Was A B-Boy
I'm not sure I remember B-Boy Jesus in the book, but he sounds pretty cool!
6. Ugly Kid Joe: Jesus Rode A Harley
Harley Jesus, on the other hand, was definitely in there!
5. Hawksley Workman: Google Jesus
Which is not only a cool and slightly surreal name for a song, but also, by a curious coincidence, how I came across most of these songs...
4. The Levellers: Plastic Jeezus
English folk-punk cover of an American folk song about a dashboard Jesus.
3. Johnny Cash: Personal Jesus
This Depeche Mode song was pretty much the first thing to come to mind when I started this, but then I found this great cover....
2. Ministry: Jesus Built My Hotrod
Because nobody with a good car needs to be justified.
1. King Missile: Jesus was Way cool
This is a fun little song, some of the lyrics are great, but it's here because it sums up the same sort of distorted image of Jesus that Imaginary Jesus is all about.
NB: All songs in this Top Ten are about imaginary Jesuses, and their lyrics do not reflect the theological position of this blog, the CSFF Blog Tour, or indeed anyone else.
Here's your Spotify playlist: Imaginary Jesus Top Ten. If you're not Spotified, have a look through these blogs as you wonder what musical gems you may be missing:
Brandon Barr Keanan Brand Grace Bridges Beckie Burnham Valerie Comer R. L. Copple Amy Cruson CSFF Blog Tour Stacey Dale D. G. D. Davidson Jeff Draper
April Erwin Andrea Graham Tori Greene Becky Jesse Cris Jesse Jason Joyner Julie Carol Keen Krystine Kercher Dawn King Leighton Rebecca LuElla Miller John W. Otte Donita K. Paul Crista Richey Chawna Schroeder Rachel Starr Thomson Fred Warren Phyllis Wheeler KM Wilsher
Monday, June 21, 2010
CSFF Blog Tour: Imaginary Jesus
It is an important and popular fact that there is a thin line between genius and insanity. Based on the evidence of this month's featured book, Matt Mikalatos is a man perched rather uncomfortably atop the fence that follows that line.
The book in question is Imaginary Jesus, a 'not-quite-true story', according to the cover, and 'a sort of semi-autobiographical novel comedy thing' according to the story itself. It's got time travel in it, and laughs aplenty, which goes right up my flagpole. I'm saluting this book.
But let's not get ahead of ourselves here, there's three days of the tour, and given that I've actually read this month's book (oh yes, Mr Mikalatos, you are in very select company there!) I figured I should really manage three posts. So no full review yet.
First, we shall return to the much-loved Fantasy Spectrum. Imaginary Jesus definitely lurks towards the infra-red, not-quite-fantasy end, but slightly off to one side, slightly Octarine shifted onto the parallel spectrum of comic fantasy.
In fact, and it occurs to me that many CSFF readers will have no frame of reference for the following concept, but in the hope of dragging in some out-of-towners Googling unrelated stuff, I'm going to make the comment:
I highly recommend visiting the book's imaginary website and downloading the first chapter. I guess you'll love it or hate it from that point! And if you still need any convincing, the following bloggers will be sharing their bemusement at the bizarre concept of this book over the following three days:
Brandon Barr Keanan Brand Grace Bridges Beckie Burnham Valerie Comer R. L. Copple Amy Cruson CSFF Blog Tour Stacey Dale D. G. D. Davidson Jeff Draper April Erwin Andrea Graham Tori Greene Becky Jesse Cris Jesse Jason Joyner Julie Carol Keen Krystine Kercher Dawn King Leighton Rebecca LuElla Miller John W. Otte Donita K. Paul Crista Richey Chawna Schroeder Rachel Starr Thomson Fred Warren Phyllis Wheeler KM Wilsher
The book in question is Imaginary Jesus, a 'not-quite-true story', according to the cover, and 'a sort of semi-autobiographical novel comedy thing' according to the story itself. It's got time travel in it, and laughs aplenty, which goes right up my flagpole. I'm saluting this book.
But let's not get ahead of ourselves here, there's three days of the tour, and given that I've actually read this month's book (oh yes, Mr Mikalatos, you are in very select company there!) I figured I should really manage three posts. So no full review yet.
First, we shall return to the much-loved Fantasy Spectrum. Imaginary Jesus definitely lurks towards the infra-red, not-quite-fantasy end, but slightly off to one side, slightly Octarine shifted onto the parallel spectrum of comic fantasy.
In fact, and it occurs to me that many CSFF readers will have no frame of reference for the following concept, but in the hope of dragging in some out-of-towners Googling unrelated stuff, I'm going to make the comment:
If Robert Rankin had been a theologian, he would have been Matt Mikalatos.
I highly recommend visiting the book's imaginary website and downloading the first chapter. I guess you'll love it or hate it from that point! And if you still need any convincing, the following bloggers will be sharing their bemusement at the bizarre concept of this book over the following three days:
Brandon Barr Keanan Brand Grace Bridges Beckie Burnham Valerie Comer R. L. Copple Amy Cruson CSFF Blog Tour Stacey Dale D. G. D. Davidson Jeff Draper April Erwin Andrea Graham Tori Greene Becky Jesse Cris Jesse Jason Joyner Julie Carol Keen Krystine Kercher Dawn King Leighton Rebecca LuElla Miller John W. Otte Donita K. Paul Crista Richey Chawna Schroeder Rachel Starr Thomson Fred Warren Phyllis Wheeler KM Wilsher
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
CSFF Blog Tour vs Tuesday Tunes
Yes, two in a row, that makes me look a total slacker doesn't it! But it's not as bad as it looks, this is kind of a bonus tour as the tour timescale went a bit off earlier in the year.
Anyway, enough excuses: This week the CSFF Blog Tour is looking at Raven's Ladder by Jeffrey Overstreet, so without any further time wasting, put on your best DJ voice and dive into the Top Ten Raven songs...
10. DJ Pavo: Raven
It's the track the spotty oik down the road always plays too loud as he drives home at 3 in the morning.
9. Lou Reed: The Raven
Normally Mr Reed would rank higher, but this barely qualifies as a song, being more a recitation of Edgar Allen Poe with a little Lou Reed magic. And be warned, it goes on for about 10 minutes...
8. The Stranglers: The Raven
Nordic-inspired post-punk goodness.
7. Dan Fogelberg: As The Raven Flies
Sounds a bit Jefferson Airplane-esque to these ears...
6. The Alan Parsons Project: The Raven
Edgar Allen gets the full mid-70s prog-rock treatment here!
5. Runestone: The Raven And The Moon
Because every top ten needs at least eight minutes of weird New Age Celtic instrumental. Doesn't it?
4. Marion Raven: Here I Am
Norwegian pop-rock with a girl vocal, it's always good...
3. The Orb: Raven's Reprise
At least this week's obligatory (should that be Orbligatory?) piece of electronica comes from someone you've heard of.
2. The Tunnel Singer: Corvus
Ok, so maybe I'm being unusually clever with the title, but seriously, I love this music! This may be writing music, possibly even a soundtrack number for a future story...
1. The Alarm: The Day The Ravens Left The Tower
Should I be concerned about a Welsh alt rock band singing about the collapse of the kingdom? (This will be English mythology then! Hurrah!)
I'll linkify it later (maybe), in the meantime Spotify users can listen here: Raven Top Ten.
Everyone else will have to track them down elsewhere for your listening pleasure while browsing these blogs:
Brandon Barr
Rachel Briard (BooksForLife)
Keanan Brand
Beckie Burnham
Melissa Carswell
Valerie Comer
CSFF Blog Tour
Stacey Dale
D. G. D. Davidson
Shane Deal
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Ryan Heart
Becky Jesse
Cris Jesse
Jason Joyner
Julie
Krystine Kercher
Dawn King
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Nissa
John W. Otte
Donita K. Paul
Crista Richey
Chawna Schroeder
Andrea Schultz
James Somers
Robert Treskillard
Steve Trower
Fred Warren
Phyllis Wheeler
KM Wilsher
Anyway, enough excuses: This week the CSFF Blog Tour is looking at Raven's Ladder by Jeffrey Overstreet, so without any further time wasting, put on your best DJ voice and dive into the Top Ten Raven songs...
10. DJ Pavo: Raven
It's the track the spotty oik down the road always plays too loud as he drives home at 3 in the morning.
9. Lou Reed: The Raven
Normally Mr Reed would rank higher, but this barely qualifies as a song, being more a recitation of Edgar Allen Poe with a little Lou Reed magic. And be warned, it goes on for about 10 minutes...
8. The Stranglers: The Raven
Nordic-inspired post-punk goodness.
7. Dan Fogelberg: As The Raven Flies
Sounds a bit Jefferson Airplane-esque to these ears...
6. The Alan Parsons Project: The Raven
Edgar Allen gets the full mid-70s prog-rock treatment here!
5. Runestone: The Raven And The Moon
Because every top ten needs at least eight minutes of weird New Age Celtic instrumental. Doesn't it?
4. Marion Raven: Here I Am
Norwegian pop-rock with a girl vocal, it's always good...
3. The Orb: Raven's Reprise
At least this week's obligatory (should that be Orbligatory?) piece of electronica comes from someone you've heard of.
2. The Tunnel Singer: Corvus
Ok, so maybe I'm being unusually clever with the title, but seriously, I love this music! This may be writing music, possibly even a soundtrack number for a future story...
1. The Alarm: The Day The Ravens Left The Tower
Should I be concerned about a Welsh alt rock band singing about the collapse of the kingdom? (This will be English mythology then! Hurrah!)
I'll linkify it later (maybe), in the meantime Spotify users can listen here: Raven Top Ten.
Everyone else will have to track them down elsewhere for your listening pleasure while browsing these blogs:
Brandon Barr
Rachel Briard (BooksForLife)
Keanan Brand
Beckie Burnham
Melissa Carswell
Valerie Comer
CSFF Blog Tour
Stacey Dale
D. G. D. Davidson
Shane Deal
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Ryan Heart
Becky Jesse
Cris Jesse
Jason Joyner
Julie
Krystine Kercher
Dawn King
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Nissa
John W. Otte
Donita K. Paul
Crista Richey
Chawna Schroeder
Andrea Schultz
James Somers
Robert Treskillard
Steve Trower
Fred Warren
Phyllis Wheeler
KM Wilsher
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
CSFF Blog Tour vs Tuesday Tunes
This month the CSFF Blog Tour is looking at Lost Mission by Athol Dickson, so your Tuesday mission, should you choose to accept it, is to find ten songs vaguely related to the title, and form them into an entertaining blog post tenuously related to the Tour...
10. Gabriella Cilmi: On A Mission
I know, it came out like a month ago.... far too up to date and modern for a Top Nine place.
9. Lost at Last: Mission
That's better. Obscure electronica, this I understand.
8. Adem: Last Transmission From The Lost Mission
This I absolutely don't understand. But then, Adem is the bass guitarist in a band called Fridge, so maybe it doesn't matter.
7. Tricky: Mission Accomplished
Tricky was part of the alternative music scene in Bristol back in the day. This track is no Aftermath, but has a fitting title.
6. Queensryche: The Mission
Big-haired (probably) rock music from the 80s. Gotta love it!
5. Enigma: Endless Quest
Well basically I was running short, and a Quest is sort of like a Mission. What do you mean it wasn't that sort of a mission? It's got the panpipes from Sadeness
and everything! Enjoy.
4. Farace: Mission Impossible
Nothing to do with Ethan Hunt, but eight (count 'em!) more minutes of obscure electronica for you to enjoy here.
3. The Sounds: Song With A Mission
Swedish retro-new wave! You couldn't make this stuff up could you?
2. Adam Clayton & Larry Mullen: Mission: Impossible
Mission: Inevitable more like, as this is in fact the theme from the 1996 Tom Cruise movie, by the other two out of U2.
1. The Mission: Mr. Pleasant
We had to include at least one track by The Mission (or The Mission UK if you're of the American persuasion), and by pointing you to this one I can introduce you to a lesser known Kinks song too.
Spotify users can listen here: Lost Mission Top Ten. Everyone else will have to track them down elsewhere for your listening pleasure while browsing these blogs:
Brandon Barr
Keanan Brand
Amy Browning
Valerie Comer
CSFF Blog Tour
Stacey Dale
D. G. D. Davidson
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Timothy Hicks
Jason Isbell
Becky Jesse
Cris Jesse
Jason Joyner
Julie
Carol Keen
Krystine Kercher
Dawn King
Rebecca LuElla Miller
New Authors Fellowship
John W. Otte
Donita K. Paul
Crista Richey
Chawna Schroeder
James Somers
Steve Trower
Fred Warren
Phyllis Wheeler
KM Wilsher
10. Gabriella Cilmi: On A Mission
I know, it came out like a month ago.... far too up to date and modern for a Top Nine place.
9. Lost at Last: Mission
That's better. Obscure electronica, this I understand.
8. Adem: Last Transmission From The Lost Mission
This I absolutely don't understand. But then, Adem is the bass guitarist in a band called Fridge, so maybe it doesn't matter.
7. Tricky: Mission Accomplished
Tricky was part of the alternative music scene in Bristol back in the day. This track is no Aftermath, but has a fitting title.
6. Queensryche: The Mission
Big-haired (probably) rock music from the 80s. Gotta love it!
5. Enigma: Endless Quest
Well basically I was running short, and a Quest is sort of like a Mission. What do you mean it wasn't that sort of a mission? It's got the panpipes from Sadeness
and everything! Enjoy.4. Farace: Mission Impossible
Nothing to do with Ethan Hunt, but eight (count 'em!) more minutes of obscure electronica for you to enjoy here.
3. The Sounds: Song With A Mission
Swedish retro-new wave! You couldn't make this stuff up could you?
2. Adam Clayton & Larry Mullen: Mission: Impossible
Mission: Inevitable more like, as this is in fact the theme from the 1996 Tom Cruise movie, by the other two out of U2.
1. The Mission: Mr. Pleasant
We had to include at least one track by The Mission (or The Mission UK if you're of the American persuasion), and by pointing you to this one I can introduce you to a lesser known Kinks song too.
Spotify users can listen here: Lost Mission Top Ten. Everyone else will have to track them down elsewhere for your listening pleasure while browsing these blogs:
Brandon Barr
Keanan Brand
Amy Browning
Valerie Comer
CSFF Blog Tour
Stacey Dale
D. G. D. Davidson
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Timothy Hicks
Jason Isbell
Becky Jesse
Cris Jesse
Jason Joyner
Julie
Carol Keen
Krystine Kercher
Dawn King
Rebecca LuElla Miller
New Authors Fellowship
John W. Otte
Donita K. Paul
Crista Richey
Chawna Schroeder
James Somers
Steve Trower
Fred Warren
Phyllis Wheeler
KM Wilsher
Monday, April 12, 2010
CSFF Blog Tour: Lost Mission by Athol Dickson
Wow, are we here again already? It seems like only a couple of posts since the last tour.... Oh, right.
Anyway, this month my fellow bloggers and I have been reading, or at least thinking about reading, Lost Mission by Athol Dickson. Which isn't science fiction. Or fantasy. At least, not in the strictest, where-to-look-in-Waterstones sense.
Apparently, it's 'magical realism'. Which is towards the infra-red end of the fantasy spectrum. Is that a thing? It should be. High fantasy, sword and sorcery stuff way out in the UV end waiting to give you cancer if you're over exposed, and things like magical realism - the 'real' world with just one or two elements slightly askew - hidden in the infra-red, where you need a special camera to actually see that they are even fantasy.
That analogy needs a little work doesn't it? Anyway, my point, and I vaguely recall that I had one when I set out on this post, is that this 'almost, but not quite, entirely unlike fantasy' kind of sub-genre is actually the sort of thing I might read. Which is possibly why some of my tour mates didn't really get it.
To find out what they did think, you will need to get clicking:
Brandon Barr
Keanan Brand
Amy Browning
Valerie Comer
CSFF Blog Tour
Stacey Dale
D. G. D. Davidson
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Timothy Hicks
Jason Isbell
Becky Jesse
Cris Jesse
Jason Joyner
Julie
Carol Keen
Krystine Kercher
Dawn King
Rebecca LuElla Miller
New Authors Fellowship
John W. Otte
Donita K. Paul
Crista Richey
Chawna Schroeder
James Somers
Steve Trower
Fred Warren
Phyllis Wheeler
KM Wilsher
Anyway, this month my fellow bloggers and I have been reading, or at least thinking about reading, Lost Mission by Athol Dickson. Which isn't science fiction. Or fantasy. At least, not in the strictest, where-to-look-in-Waterstones sense.
Apparently, it's 'magical realism'. Which is towards the infra-red end of the fantasy spectrum. Is that a thing? It should be. High fantasy, sword and sorcery stuff way out in the UV end waiting to give you cancer if you're over exposed, and things like magical realism - the 'real' world with just one or two elements slightly askew - hidden in the infra-red, where you need a special camera to actually see that they are even fantasy.
That analogy needs a little work doesn't it? Anyway, my point, and I vaguely recall that I had one when I set out on this post, is that this 'almost, but not quite, entirely unlike fantasy' kind of sub-genre is actually the sort of thing I might read. Which is possibly why some of my tour mates didn't really get it.
To find out what they did think, you will need to get clicking:
Brandon Barr
Keanan Brand
Amy Browning
Valerie Comer
CSFF Blog Tour
Stacey Dale
D. G. D. Davidson
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Timothy Hicks
Jason Isbell
Becky Jesse
Cris Jesse
Jason Joyner
Julie
Carol Keen
Krystine Kercher
Dawn King
Rebecca LuElla Miller
New Authors Fellowship
John W. Otte
Donita K. Paul
Crista Richey
Chawna Schroeder
James Somers
Steve Trower
Fred Warren
Phyllis Wheeler
KM Wilsher
Wednesday, April 07, 2010
Fish Custard
Somewhere on teh intarwebs, someone must have drawn a comparison between the Eleventh Doctor and his first post-regeneration meal. Something like how all the ingredients are great, but please, not all together! Only that doesn't work, because Eleven and Amy Pond seem to work well together. It's a little early to tell, of course, what with the Doctor still cooking and everything, but, well, the first episode with the new Doctor didn't suck.
And that is as far as I'm going to go on the subject at this point; I mean, I can't criticize too much a show with a Hitch-hikers homage and a real Mini in it, and I've read/heard too much of 'the assistant is too sexy' or 'the Doctor isn't sexy enough' to be bothered joining in, even on a more intelligent level. Oh OK, I'll join in a bit: she's alright for a redhead, but seriously, have you people not seen Billie?
Um, anyway..... I'm not too keen on the new opening credits, but that's incidental. If the opening episode is any indication, it seems the new team have got a good balance between scary and funny, and between fish and custard for that matter, and as long as Eleven turns out to be a half decent incarnation and the whole thing doesn't descend into a horrible teen drama in spacetime as the younger cast might suggest (oh dear, I came across prematurely middle-aged there, I do apologise. You know you're getting old when the Doctors are getting younger, etc. etc.)
I'll cast judgement on the new Doctor properly next week, once he's properly cooked. For now there's not much else to say, I'll just hit publish before I have that crisis of confidence that I miscounted and we're on Twelve now, or Ten....
And that is as far as I'm going to go on the subject at this point; I mean, I can't criticize too much a show with a Hitch-hikers homage and a real Mini in it, and I've read/heard too much of 'the assistant is too sexy' or 'the Doctor isn't sexy enough' to be bothered joining in, even on a more intelligent level. Oh OK, I'll join in a bit: she's alright for a redhead, but seriously, have you people not seen Billie?
Um, anyway..... I'm not too keen on the new opening credits, but that's incidental. If the opening episode is any indication, it seems the new team have got a good balance between scary and funny, and between fish and custard for that matter, and as long as Eleven turns out to be a half decent incarnation and the whole thing doesn't descend into a horrible teen drama in spacetime as the younger cast might suggest (oh dear, I came across prematurely middle-aged there, I do apologise. You know you're getting old when the Doctors are getting younger, etc. etc.)
I'll cast judgement on the new Doctor properly next week, once he's properly cooked. For now there's not much else to say, I'll just hit publish before I have that crisis of confidence that I miscounted and we're on Twelve now, or Ten....
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