You take a sudden turn in a road, the scenery shifts, open fields yield to dark woods. A stone bridge spans a gurgling rushing stream below. Beyond, high hills frown down as you shift up, placing toe hard on the hammer. You have never been here before and will never return, so enjoy the moment. You cross that bridge, the road narrows amidst twists and turns, you change down twice, giving it full gas until you crown that first rise. [...]
I, Corin an Fol, one time heavy drinker, womaniser and general good for nothing, was born during the night of the Great Storm. That same infamous blow responsible for wrecking the High King's flagship off the rocky southern coast of Fol, and claiming the lives of his spouse, the High Queen, her adolescent son, and her younger sister, together with her own baby boy. My village, Finnehalle, was battered and several people died. That was what they told me, back [...]
Okay, so I've already discussed two origins for the fantasy arena: history and myth, or histology as I shall call it. Today I want to delve deeper, and if you don't mind, being of Celt and Saxon stock, I'll focus on the British Isles, my homeland. I have mentioned the Mabinogian, or Mabinogi before. These are old Welsh fables. Just how old they are is impossible to fathom, though I suspect their first echoes long predate the Fall of Rome. [...]
Where did it start - this random, fascination with all (well most) things fantastical? The answer for me lies way back. When I was a lad my dad used to pilot the rescue boat for a local sailing club in over East Sussex, England. Most Saturdays and Sundays I accompanied him (whatever the weather), assisting stranded and capsized racing crew, and running the soaked survivors ashore for a quick hot toddy and pat on the back. We went out in [...]
I was born amidst the cold dark of northern winter. My place of birth, a cave hidden amongst the pine-cloaked knees of Valkador's three sentinel mountains. That night the wind's searching fingers penetrated the semi shelter where my mother, Bera, held her newborn son. It was touch and go that first night, but somehow mother and son survived. And so started my story: Barin the Northman, wayfarer and sea voyager, redoubtable warrior and ale swiller. Born in exile whilst my [...]
'Okay, define fantasy' - someone once said. 'Where does it evolve from and what are its sources? And why is this genre so popular?' The answer lies deep within our own subconscious, like the monster lurking beneath the sleepless child's bed. It's that weird little voice hinting who we are, featuring in our dreams; kidnapping whimsical thoughts whilst we cruise the interstate, listening to hard rock - or maybe classic FM. Imagination is a big part of it, and a [...]
Okay, first up I apologise for being absent for so long, (over a year - where has the time gone?). To use the word hectic is to understate. But enough nonsense, I'll cut to the quick. Corin and company have finally crawled out of those woods. They've a few scars, cuts and bites - mostly awarded by Queen Ariane, (featured right of page in faerie mode). This blog kicks off J.W.Webb's Blogfest. A series of 'weekly waffles' about writing fantasy, [...]
To swear or not to swear - that is the question...Okay - so I've just tidied up a nasty scrap down in Kranek Harbour. Our boys were in the .... they didn't know what to ....... do and things were generally getting out of hand. Nothing new there. That dreadful assassin fellow was doing awful things to our leading lady, whilst Dumb and Dumber were fending off all manner of ugliness with their steely blades. General chaos, really - a [...]
The trouble with Corin is that it's always someone elses fault. Sure it's been a rough life what with him being an orphan and all. Then he goes and joins the Wolves - a regiment well known (and well despised) comprising every cuthroat, cutpurse and general nuisance.Of course he excels in his role of chief havoc operative with that nasty long blade of his. But our boy lacks patience, falls out with the long people. That temper of his...I mean [...]
Ok, so when the world turns up side down you have to turn with it. Don't ask why just smile and hang on. If you're trapped spinning in the tumble dryer you have to hold to hoping that some kind soul will eventually switch it off. You'll fall out, your hair will look crap, but hey you'll be fine. Trust your hunches and roll with the punches as Jimmy Buffett would say. So when everything you thought you knew about promotion and publishing goes topsy turvy, [...]
