IWSG
OPTIONAL QUESTION:
Albert Camus once said, "The purpose of a writer is to keep civilization from destroying itself." Flanner O'Conner said, "I write to discover what I know." Authors across time and distance have had many reasons to write. Why do you write what you write?
I write fantasy and science fiction because I think there's always room for wonder and possibility, but also because I had a tough time in my younger childhood years. I was bullied at school so I spent lunch recesses in the library. I found inspiration in books where dragons of all kinds might be defeated by a lion's roar, a bar of chocolate, or small sword called Sting in the hands of an unlikely hobbit.
Because of all that and other experiences, I write fantasy and science fiction, where worlds of wonder await, where heroes and heroines can defeat evil, and struggle against any darkness inside themselves. There's always hope on the horizon. That's where my love of God and my faith come into it.
While I have written overtly faith-based work, my newest novella is something I wrote for entertainment value. My main heroine is a tough young woman, but there's more to her story than just a few fistfights. If you like action, science fiction, and sweet romance, you might like it.
LIFTOFF is coming out on November 10th!
A spaceship in
disguise,
An Earth girl
searching for a sense of home,
And a Thousand
Years’ War between alien races,
All collide on a summer afternoon.
What will it take to survive a battle between alien races involved in an ancient war?
A fast-paced read for fans of Code 8, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Cobra Kai.
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MORE NEW BOOKS BY IWSG AUTHORS
No one knows who built the Great Wells across the world or why. To linger near makes the skin crawl and the mind drift in nightmares. Yet this one calls to Ash in whispers that pull her closer. Soon she’s caught in a mystery that can kill. She must find the answers before she loses her sanity and her life.
If you like dragons, magic, and a fierce heroine with a wounded heart, then you’ll love Well of Ash, a YA Fantasy novella by Elle Cardy. Available now as an ebook and paperback on Amazon. OR, for a limited time, pick up a free copy when you join Elle’s VIP newsletter club.
I read this one, and definitely recommend it!
Elizabeth Seckman has a new romance read out! I recommend this one, too!
For Danni Lowry, going home for her aunt’s funeral means facing reality, and that’s not something she’s eager to do. Since leaving North Carolina, she’s lost her money, her husband, and all hope for happiness.
Lil LaChance has been hiding a major secret from her family and friends for three years. But now the man who attacked her has escaped from jail and she just wants to be home for Christmas.
Exhausted from a tour promoting his latest thriller, Max Fortini needs space to figure out if he has another book in him. Instead, he finds a dog snoring in his guest room and a sexy intruder in his bed.
This is the 5th book in the Bloo Moose Romance Series by Jemi Fraser and can be read as a stand-alone novel. Book Page Link. Coming on November 10th!
If you like romance, you will like these books - recommended.
(If I missed yours, let me know and I'll highlight it next time.)
IWSG UPCOMING EVENT!
52 comments:
Science fiction and fantasy were always my go-to genres. They may have taken me away from reality, but the stories always helped me cope with that reality since they were about struggles that people really face.
Congratulations to all of the authors.
And thanks for co-hosting today!
Very well said - I also faced bullying at school so books were a great refuge. I agree with Alex - although it's an escape in a sense, it helps you deal with the world too and put it in perspective.
Congrats to you and your IWSG fellows on the new books!
Bullying is a horrible thing. I wish we could vanish from the earth. Thanks for co-hosting, Tyrean.
Alex - Science fiction and fantasy are a way that we can escape and deal with the reality we face. Glad to co-host1
Nick - Thanks!
Joylene - agreed!
I was a library-bred writer, too. Words took root in my imagination at a very early age thanks to the shelves on on local Bookmobile and my mom's bedtime stories. And now I have another book to get me through the loooong winter months. Thanks for co-hosting, Tyrean!
Nancy - libraries are wonderful!
Great answer to today's question. Keep writing! Thanks for co-hosting #IWSG today!
Mary at Play off the Page
I don't think I have seen a better explanation of "why do you write"! Thankyou and good luck :)
Mary - Thanks!
CD - Thank you!
Aren't you the sweetest?! Thanks so much for including Reaching For Christmas in your post!
LiftOff was terrific and I loved Well of Ash as well. Haven't read Elizabeth's latest - putting it on the list now!
All of my books are about hope as well.
I love spending time in the worlds of magic and possibility!
Great Post! Finding happiness and wonder in ones story is exactly what keeps me going too!
Being bullied as a child breaks my heart. I had to go through some terrible years with my daughter in elementary school, and thank God, she came out of it a strong adult.
Thanks for co-hosting.
Fantasy is my favourite genre too. Yes, there is always room for wonder and possibility :)
Rachna Chhabria
Co-host IWSG
Rachna's Scriptorium
Books were always my refuge. I was bullied, too. In books, I could escape nd be the strong heroine who defeated all enemies. Thanks for co-hosting.
I love a good sci-fi story. They expand my world and obviously have been farsighted in predicting what man is capable of.
Congratulation and best wishes on your continued publishing success and for all those others who are getting their work out to readers.
Thanks for co-hosting today, Tyrean!
Best of luck with your newest book, and thanks for co-hosting!
I love how prolific the IWSG authors are! Looking forward to your latest release as well as the others!
Thanks for co-hosting today!!
Thanks or co-hosting! I had a hard childhood too and escaped into books. I still do during my hard times. Glad yours inspired you to write.
I love how our trials are what shape our writing to be very real even when writing fantasy!
Hi Tyrean--I know I'm supposed to be doing something to help with your book launch but I've lost track. I sent an email to you so feel free to let me know what you need so I can get it ready on time!
Congrats on the new book, and thanks for being a great supporter of your fellow writers :)
I hear you on the way fantasy and SF helped you through the hard school years. I, too, enjoyed reading about other underdogs who did great things!
I've preordered Liftoff - looking forward to reading it! Lots of other great new releases by IWSGers which I'll definitely be checking out.
Jemi- you're welcome!
Cathrina - we can come through hard times with strength. I'm sure your help encouraged your daughter.
Rachna - yes!
Diane - strong heroines are awesome!
C.Lee - that's why I liked them, too.
Sadira - thank you!
MJ - thanks!
Natalie - Thanks! I think creativity can be a great outlet for any hard stuff.
Lynn - yes, every bit of our lives shapes our writing, even when it isn't obvious or set in the real world.
Jacqui - maybe I sent something to the wrong e-mail. I will try again. Thank you!
Rebecca - Thank you! Underdogs who overcome are awesome!
Ellen - thank you! So many books, so good, so little time. :)
Moving around a lot as a military brat I too used books as an escape. Great post and thank you for co-hosting. Happy IWSG Day!
Thank you!
Reading and writing are truly great escapes. Especially when we're young and in a circumstance such as you described, we sometimes need to get away from the travails of life that we face and go to a place where we can see life in a different way. I enjoy reality, but sometimes it's good to just put my mind in another place.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
Arlee - I agree. :)
I've always seen reading and writing as an escape ever since I was little. I don't write fantasy as much as I used to, but I do love it.
I've always been a fantasy girl, starting at a young age. Not so much sci-fi, but I gave it a good go. I'm glad to see your writing has helped you through the years.
Thanks for co-hosting!
This: "wonder and possibility". That's in it a nutshell. Congrats on the new release coming -- and all the authors.
Hi Tyrean! So great to see you again. Thanks for stopping by my blog. I think many of us can relate to writing and reading for escape and therapy. I was reading Tolkien at a young age too. Fantasy just spoke to me back then and has called me ever since. The more bizarre the better!
Thanks for hosting! I look forward to seeing more of you and your work! :)
Thank goodness you found a safe place to stretch your imagination. Perhaps through our collective creativity we will find a way to redirect those bullies and turn their energy into to positive achievements.
Thank you for co-hosting this month.
Wow! Lots of great books here. My Amazon list is growing. I've enjoyed reading why people write what they do. I never thought about why I write mystery. It's what I feel at home writing.
I hate that you were bullied at school, Tyrean. Unfortunately that is an all too common experience for kiddos. I'm glad that you found refuge in the school library and the world of books. The talent among our IWSG authors is deep and varied. I want to read you all! I'll get there. All the best to you!
Thanks for co-hosting this necessary-to-writers blog.
I, too, fervently believe "there's always room for wonder and possibilities"
Good luck on the book -
I'm sorry you were bullied. I think writing is one of the best ways young people can express their hurts and discomforts with the world, and I believe, fantasy and science fiction are great ways to escape what hurts in the immediate world.
I'm another speculative fiction fan. What if? is the most exciting question. @samanthabwriter from
Balancing Act
What is life without wonder? That's what draws me to science fiction and fantasy too.
I remember my first discovery of science fiction & fantasy. I read through boxes of these wonderful books early in high school and have been a fan ever since. Yes, congratulations on your new book . . . and on helping other writers. Wish I could look inside your new book, but not until launch day. I'll be back! Thank you also for visiting and commenting, for our experiences do shape our writing. May November be very good to you!
Books have been a refuge and escape for many of us, particularly those who were different from the others and/or bullied.
Thanks for co-hosting!
I love the support that ISWG offers my hero. All praise to Alex and to everyone else too.
I was bullied at school too. I feel your pain and totally understand the retreat to the library. I did that too.
Thank you for the shout out.
So sorry you were bullied at school. Books are such a refuge. Wish you luck. Thank you for co-hosting.
Congratulations on the upcoming release! If I can help with a blog post or something, let me know.
Good thoughts on writing and great achievement on the new book. I"ll answer you email when I've done the rounds lol
Thanks for co-hosting today!
Nice to see someone putting hope into the world. We all need that now more than ever. :-)
Anna from elements of emaginette
I like fantasy and sci fi that offer hopeful outlooks on life. We need those kinds of stories especially during these times. That's why I enjoy reading Tolkien's novels so much and why I'm willing to read them more than once.
You're right – there is always room for wonder and possibility!
Science Fiction was the best thing to happen to me as a teenager. Junior High was the worst thing I've ever been through, but books got me through it!
How awful that you were bullied, Tyrean. I'm glad you had awesome stories to comfort you.
Congrats on your new release!
I'm looking forward to reading your new book!
I was bullied as a kid also. It leaves scars, but it makes us better and stronger in a way, too.
Congrats to all the authors with new releases. I've read Flip My Heart. It has a very satisfying ending.
Now that's a good reason to write, Tyrean! And, I love your description of fantasy and sci-fi and what it means to you. I haven't read a book to escape since I was a child - oh, how I loved reading back then and actually had time for it!!!
I'm sure your immersion in books at a young age benefitted you as a writer now. Bad (the bullying) leading to good (becoming a successful author)! Congrats on your upcoming release and thank you for offering to help out with my promotion soon. Of course, thanks for being a co-host this month, too!! :-)
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