Authors – Samuel Colbran

Ideas for Children’s Books

This idea for a kid’s book goes back to when I was a child. Some people could say that my imagination was active; looking back, it was just my future self expressing early.

I told two main stories when I was six to seven years old. One was about me being the planet Pluto, who came to Earth to make friends and learn. This story was a lot of fun; I used to tell these twins about me being Pluto and that I shrank into a boy from being a planet. All the people on it made my body run via levers and pulleys. These twins loved the story and waited patiently for what I, Pluto, would do next.

The other story was about ghosts, and there were three types: Ones who like to have fun and play, ones who want to learn and teach, and Ones who play pranks on the children. These ghosts were invisible, and only from an injection of imagination could you see the ghosts. I also was the translator of said ghosts and led the children around the playground to interact with nice ghosts and wise ghosts to foil the tricks of the naughty ones.

The issue now is that I must remember how I talked when I was six; this is a little harder than I thought. Being 44 now and reflecting on those innocent times is challenging but will be worth it.

How I approach topics that I don’t have knowledge of.

What do you do if you haven’t had an experience like homeless or PTSD as a writer? Your character is homeless; how do you describe their emotions, actions and thoughts? This is something that I have been thinking about ever since I started writing: being male, how would a woman react to a situation? Or what does it feel like to be a homeless person? Or how someone would deal with racism? I will review the steps for addressing this and other situations.

One of the things I deal with gender is asking someone of the opposite gender about how they would react to my proposed story. I start with the character being a person, not male/female/non-gendered, as the base personality is unique to every person, even more so if they are of a fantasy race. I then create a scene and express how this character would react. Then, I will reach out to a few people of the same gender and ask them how they would tell me. I would do that for any gender or race, as I will not make up something that isn’t a real emotion in my stories.

Next was a coincidence for my main character in ‘Journal of an Adventurer’, Lone Solo/Orphan. He had a huge drinking problem, borrowed money from loan sharks, got into fights, was arrested and had a destructive attitude. I just thought it was an exciting flaw of his, and his character would grow through the book and series.

A reader/author of mine, an ex-soldier, came to me and said he related to Lone, as he too has PTSD (and he wrote a book about it). He asked if I did do that on purpose. I did not; it was an accident, but I, too, had a traumatic past and reacted in the same way when I left that situation, drinking to excess and being cold with emotions. In this regard, I used my own experiences, by accident, to create a more whole character.

The new thing I am dealing with is homelessness and gangs in Savage Rebellion. I have seen movies and read fictional books about these topics, but I want to know how a realistic person deals with this. I have a few sources that I will ask for. Still, in this regard, I will have to research as it is vital to me to represent this situation with the utmost care, respect and knowledge. Going in half-cocked or making the topic into some fantastical idea.

It matters to care about using fundamental ideas and people’s experiences for my books, even though they are set in a fantasy world. Racism, sexism, war trauma and homelessness are real things that we humans deal with daily, and how can I ignore that in my books? As in the real world, I want to show that even the most broken soul can be a hero.

Going from RPG to Novel, my experience.

Wow, four blogs in a row, I must be on a roll. No, not really, but while I am writing my next novel, Savage Rebellion, for NaNoWriMo (I am currently on day 13 at 32000 words). I explain why you should never adopt a Dungeon and Dragon/Pathfinder game into a book. To head off the first question, yes, Journal of Adventurer and the World, Favinonia was based on a role-playing game. I built this world over ten years ago with the help of my friends, but the books are played out in this world; the characters of the Rejects and the city of Lake Merrin were completely separate from all the games I created.

There have been three authors I know of that based their books on a game they created; they are Raymond E Feist, Margret Weis and Tracy Hickman. They did a brilliant job; I don’t know how much it carried over. Still, one quote from Margret Weis about the character Raistlin Majere, whos character was a good friend of Tracy Hickman, Terry Phillps’ betrayal of the character Raistlin in the game, gave not only the character a personality but breath life into the complexity of Dragonlance and Krynn itself. Mr Hickman says that Raistlin was Mrs Weis’ character, and the books The Soulforge and Brothers in Arms show the complexity created by the Phillps’ roleplaying.

If you read Dragonlance Chronicles, Legends and the above books, you can see that with help, you can translate roleplaying games into a novel. This is when the ‘but’ comes in. Not all games will adapt, and not all characters will adapt to the page.

My example was that I would do a short serial on the party of Shadow’s Bane (here is a link to the story). I started to introduce each character with my interpretation of each; it was not perfect, but I tried to capture the essence of the character. This seemed to be going well until the last one I introduced.

I will not name my now ex-friend, but I will describe her character as best as I can remember. The character’s name was Raven, and she was a summoner (this is from the Pathfinder RPG). Her eidolon was called Night Fury. You can see that one name of her summons was named after the movie How to Train a Dragon. This is fine for a private game with many friends, but publishing a description of the summon as Toothless the Night Fury from the movie would be dangerous for me and my blog. Raven was independent with a powerful but not fully understood ability. I think she could be a bit domineering, but that is my interpretation.

So, I changed the dragon’s look, shape and name and softened Raven’s personality. To keep it somewhat the same, I found a name that meant Night and or Fury. I then wrote the characters’ arc. In the game, my ‘friend’ roleplayed between Raven and NF, and I think it was one of the best sessions I have ever run. I tried to emulate that feeling, but somewhere, it got lost in translation, and I lost two friends because of my interpretation of said character and her summons.

This hurt me dearly, and I stopped writing for four years. Only now, since the death of my mother, have I come back to the keyboard to start to write again. Could I have done something different? Yes, but that would be hindsight. I can warn other fledgling writers about adapting a game to a book, as it is more challenging than you think. Do not lose friends over some simple words. Still, use the world, but make new characters that are yours and yours alone.

Shadows Bane short serial story [Link]

My Next Journey as a Writer.

My journey on the NaNoWriMo has made me remember how to write again. I didn’t realise I had lost touch, as it has been nearly five years since I published my last book. So, I thought I might drop some things I have re-learned while on my writing adventure.

First, I was dragging out the words when I started the novel. I didn’t know why each sentence and paragraph was a chore. I listened to my writing music playlist, chewed chewing gum and even walked around the house to get my juices flowing. I was caught up not saying ‘he said’ or ‘she said’, so I found a few blogs to help me with alternate words. Even this didn’t help until I remembered a piece of advice from a fellow author, ‘Your first draft will always be rubbish, but you need to get the story out onto the page.”

So, with that, I changed my approach to writing the novel. Without needing to ensure I had the right words or concepts, I went into just writing. That made me go from barely keeping up with the daily quoter of NaNoWriMo to nearly tripling the number. In the last four days, I have written over 13,000 words, which isn’t my best speed but is much better than dribbling out the novel.

Secondly, I found that I was editing as I went. Some people do this, but I prefer something else to this method. Because I am getting back into it, I am obsessed with polishing the first draft as I go. That stops the creative process, as you are stopping and starting to make sure that everything is perfect or near perfect. This is fine when you do it once a week or something, but as you are writing, every hour is too much.

Lastly is simple passion. I didn’t have the passion for writing as I did with my other novels. With my mother dying a few months ago (And I being her full-time carer). Also, having to move because of her death and that I couldn’t afford the rent at my unit, it shook me. I am now scared for my future and don’t know what will happen.

So I decided to write the next book in the Journal of an Adventurer series. It was harder than I thought, grief, depression and need to be like you were before. Not only that, but the years of caring for my mother made me isolated, and I lost a lot of my support from friends and author colleagues. It makes it hard to have that passion for something when your method of writing includes interacting with the writing community. I was a part of the Gold Coast Writers Association and ran my writing group. This hasn’t improved, but I am working on this last hurdle.

So when writing a book, just remember it shouldn’t be perfect. Don’t worry about editing as you go, and find a great community to bounce ideas off. With that, you will limit your chances of giving up. Just remember that you are not alone.

Why I have lost the will to Write.

Pullout my laptop and wireless keyboard, blowing off the dust and then waiting for the computer to boot up, which was like waiting for a 386 to come alive (that is an old person reference). It made me realise that I might not have done any writing for a long time. There are reasons which I will touch on in this blog, but I don’t want to make this a morose blog, only a learning experience for future self-published authors.

If we have to start anywhere, it would be the dedication page of my novel, Lake Merrin. It states:

I would like to dedicate this to my friends. Kstar, Hobbit, Khaos, Carebear, Raccoon and Kiba. As this story would not have existed without you.

Obviously, my friends had a hand in helping the world-building Favinonia and supported my writing of the said novel. Lake Merrin was published in 2017, and many things have changed. Only one of the six is still a friend, two outright slammed my creative expression, and the others fell to oblivion. I only realised this when a now close friend mentioned ‘How was my writing going?’, and I cried for the loss of passion for my creative spirit. Again this is only one of the reasons.

The next section of my dedication I will like to state is:

I would also like to thank my Publisher, believing in me.

I will not name my Publisher, but a simple search would find the name of the company. Did they support me? My oath they did, even when I should have been thrown aside because of my depression. The thing is, they started small, and I felt comfortable talking to my publishers about my hopes and dreams of future works. Unfortunately, they have gotten so large and focus on more non-fiction that they are no longer a fit for me. I will remember the past fondly, but I can’t live in their publishing present.

The next is about selling my books, and yes, I do have multiply published books. You hit a wall as a self-published author, libraries and bookstores. They will not accept your book period! There are other ways to move your blood, sweat and tears, creative expression, Conventions. They, unfortunately, are hit and miss. Each year I barely made back the money to pay for the booth, let alone the books, flyers and other expenses.

With all this negativity, where should I go from here? My decision was to start back to my roots, which was dungeons and dragons. Creating stories that a few can enjoy and maybe motivate my flagging creativity. I do have some fans, not many, but they have been very passionate about my books. All I can give them is an undying thanks.

I hope future authors learn that there is a wall, and sometimes you have to go back to basics to get through to inspire your passion and creativity. #passioninspirecreate

Searching for the right voice.

Since I have been listening to audiobooks, I have been wondering how my books would be as audiobooks. From my publisher and many others think my voice would be the best, but I am no voice actor. I want someone who is professional and can bring the level of emotions and nuances to my characters and worlds.

I have been picturing for my book, Lake Merrin and the Great Spoon Heist, a pure voice with a bit of sarcasm hinted in his affections. If I really went out of my way, I would choose, James Marsters who did the narration for Jim Butcher’s Harry Dresden Files. I think his voice would be perfect for Lone, but I am a poor indie author, that is a pipe dream.

So that brings me back to the drawing board, who to look for to capture the world of Lake Merrin. Someone who is not afraid to be witty and self-deprecating or throwing out random thoughts. Also needs to have enough range to interpret the other characters. Joan Stillwater, she needs an authoritarian voice but with friends a softness, especially talking to WayWocket.

WayWocket is another issue, his personality needs to have a range that could switch between insane genius to a sociopathic scientist. Gunnar is probably the easiest, he is gruff and sullen with sparks of respect with Joan. Also, he needs a buried hatred to half-breeds like Lone as he is racist as heck.

While my other series, FableLands has a character that is based on one of my role-playing days, James and ‘Jimy’. I don’t think I could let anyone else do his voice but the rest of the cast, wouldn’t have a clue who to cast as their voice actors.

The journey to find the right one is going to be hard, even listening to some sample clips doesn’t show me their scope. If my magical actor can handle this, then he is hired, by luck, it happens to be Mr Marsters, we are all good.

My Feelings on Rose Montague’s Three J’Amigos

Just like to say I love these books! 5 out of 5 stars for the whole series!!!

Now to the nitty-gritty, these three books are an urban YA fantasy taking from many familiar themes of the supernatural world, like shifters, vampires, witches and fae. It is set in first person, each in the main character the books were named about. Starting with Jade, a policewoman with supernatural abilities to Jane who is a vampire and finally to Jill who is the Queen of Winter.

As I said before I love this trio of books, I don’t see them as individual books, but one novel split into three parts. I can see the necessariness of this as it would become confusing as you swap from one POV to another. Also, there are LGBTQ themes throughout the books as well, which heightened the enjoyment of it. It resonated with me as I see everyone who is free to love who they want, never minding their gender or sexual orientation. I am proud that my country has legalised same-sex marriage as well.

I had the pleasure of experiencing the novels as audiobooks. The narrator Caryn Kuhlman, her narration was top notched, as much as my love for Rose’s books, Ms Kuhlman brought it to a whole new level of immersion. I will always keep an eye out for her voice work as it was marvellous.

I picked up Miss Montague’s books as a promotional event called the 12 days of Bookmas, where indy authors and lovers of reading can come together to experience new and fantastic new worlds. I have known of Rose for some time now, and am amazed by her skill not only as an author but as a businesswoman as well. I will always support her endeavours to the best of my ability.

You can read my reviews on these links, Jade, Jane and Jill. Also, head to her Amazon author profile and check out all her books.

Check out and support Caryn Kuhlman’s Facebook and Twitter pages!

Becoming a Plot Snob.

The thing about becoming more experienced in writing is that you start to notice things in other books or media. Some authors can spot grammatical errors from a mile away or be very forward in pointing out spelling mistakes. I have been finding, that I am not a Grammar ‘Nazis’ but a Plot Snob.

Most of my life, I have been a roleplayer, either pen and paper or computer games and I love watching movies and exciting television programs. Lately, I started to see plot holes in the premise of said work, and when beta-reading, I can see a loose thread quite quickly. Which brings me to my next dilemma, how to ignore it.

When I realised that I was becoming this snob of plots, was when someone in my gaming group was pitching ideas for upcoming games. I can understand that it is just the foundation but wow they were all boring, and I could see the direction the ‘story’ would have gone. Of course, I said no, I am not interested, but I like hanging out with my mates.

My issue is that I start to think, how can I improve this story or can I tell it differently to make it enjoyable. I haven’t found too many writers that I have that opinion, some are not my cup of tea while others are marvellous. Seeing substantial plot holes in a television show, especially police or crime shows. I use to love watching these shows, but now they are just so by the formula.

So at beginning of the show, crime happens, police or investigators question people to the point that they might push their civil rights, but as long as they find the ‘bad’ guy, it is all good. Then some very obvious clue takes them to a bad guy, and then the interrogation happens. After a few threats/questions with no lawyer present, they confess to everything! Boring!

If you keep walking down that well-trodden road, you’ll find that people become bored. I’m not saying I am perfect, but due to this train of thought, I will always try to improve my storylines to make sure they are not formulaic.

My Short Stories

With my main book, Lake Merrin on hiatus, I wanted to create my YA concept into a continuing short story series, my first two are out, Kayla: Genius, which has five 5 star reviews. Also a recent release Briana: Knight, part two of FableLands, in which we delve more into the mystery of Arcs and the FableLands. With part three, Ciro: Founder written as well with a release around the 25th of July. I started a new series based on my main book of the novelisation of Favinonia.

Last night I began to explore stories that in my creative mind, this one, in particular, is Rising of the Green, which in my books is one of the aspects of the Trinity, the state religion of Favinonia. A funny story from Supanova I was dressed up as a Paladin of the Orange (another aspect of the Trinity), and I was talking to a fellow boother about my costume. He asked ‘What are you wearing?’

I replied, ‘Oh, I’m in the garb of a Priest of the Orange aspect.’

‘Orange aspect? Is that religion, how long has it been around?’ He asked

At this point I went into creative mode, it is strange when you have created something in your mind, and you explain it as a real concept.

‘Well, the Orange aspect is a part of the whole, The Trinity. Orange represents Protection, Retribution and Passion. It started about 300 years ago, but it was a cult, to begin with..’

I’m not going to go blow for blow in that conversation, but in the end, he thought I was a priest of the Orange. I had to say ‘I am in a costume that is a fake religion in my fantasy world.’

At least one thing, my creation felt real to this guy, so win.

But back to the story that I started writing last night.

‘Rise of the Green’ is about Mara, the first Saint of the Trinity. She is the representing the truth of the aspect of the Green. Which is the Aspect of Agriculture and Life/Death; Toilers of the ground and healers of the sick. Saint Mela the Plague-ender, Life-giver and First-Saint; people who follow this aspect give thanks to the first saint for bringing the Trinity to Favinonia.

This story is about when she became the first saint and the rise of the second, her husband Jara of the Hammer (which will be the second story). I have always wanted to write about her, but I thought it was just going to be some small piece in a forgotten blog, but I can’t do that to Mother-Sister Mara!

So after ‘Rising of the Green: The Trinity’ will be the ‘Mission of The Orange: Trinity’ and finally ‘The Logic of the Blue: The Trinity’. Keep an eye out for these first three of my brand new series, Tales from Favinonia.

Here are some title for the future

The FableLands

Kayla: Genius

Briana: Knight

Ciro: Founder

Sam: Trickster

Jamila: Lover

James: Gentle Giant

Tales of Favinonia

That Little Town: Travellers of the Road
The Possessed: Travellers of the Road
Guild of Thieves: ThiefTakers
The Highwaymen: ThiefTakers
Rising of the Green: The Trinity
Mission of the Orange: The Trinity
The Logic of the Blue: The Trinity
The Gib-Gib Uprising: Crismon Peasants
The Tome: Dark Fire
Jara’s Crusaders: Amordous’ Lair
The Fall of Greywalker Reach
Magi College: Trials
Magi College: Journey
Magi College: Lich

Whole New Earth

Àodàlìyǎ: The New Empire

Àodàlìyǎ: The Dark Streets

Àodàlìyǎ: Skin Walkers

Àodàlìyǎ: Dreamtime

Àodàlìyǎ: Legends of Yesteryear

To pick up Kayla: Genius head to these links, AU Link, CA Link, US Link, UK Link

For Briana: Knight, just click these links, AU|CA|US|UK

Let’s Talk: Filler Words

Nearly always we use a lot of fillers in our very creative work. It is second nature to be somewhat indifferent to the purposes of this language. Sometimes it happens but not all the time. Thank you for pointing out this very important lesson for us.

Wow, that was hard to use all those fillers, thank you Brhi for your blog, this will help people overcoming that safety net of Filler words.

Brhi Stokes

Today, we’re going to talk about one of those little things you probably don’t even realise you overuse: filler words.

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