Archives for 2013

Today I’m talking about Long a character from Starchild Book One: The Age of Akra.

I’ve had a few people ask me to explain why I made Long annoying in the first book. Well, this is a good question. I don’t write anything without a reason. So, why would an older brother be so annoying? Why would he volunteer to be Mai’s chaperone in the first place? Why would I give readers a reason to be annoyed by his behaviour? When book two is released in September everyone will understand why I have laid this type of foundation for Long. You see, everyone has reasons behind the things they do and writers need to be aware of this. It’s not because I’m studying counselling that makes me look into these things with more depth. It’s because to create real characters they need motivation behind why they do things.

Firstly, let’s look at the thoughbanking culture I have created on the planet Sage. They don’t appreciate animals because animals exist to survive. Animals can’t speak many languages, make decisions or plan for things based on knowledge, and they can’t develop philosophy. These elements are the basis of the thoughbankers culture. They are a nation of thinkers. They are teachers of wisdom, they can read people’s thoughts, remove and add memories and create illusions. They are powerful by thought.

Secondly, Long is a morpher. He has the gift of being able to transform into animals.  Of course this means something in a nation where animals are not considered valuable.  Long is not liked by the other thoughtbankers. So what does a boy do to get attention if he is not liked? In Starchild he becomes annoying and does silly things to encourage people pay attention to him. This is the foundation of his personality and will be the source of motivation for what happens in book two.

It’s important for readers to love to hate characters in books. So far Long is the one character who everyone remembers so passionately in Starchild. They love to hate him because he’s so darn annoying. But in saying that, there are a few twists in book two. This series is a bridging series intended to allow the writing to grow with the readers. Each book will become a little more challenging to read, building on every nation the children visit. The plot will expand and develop as will the size of the books. This is about nation building, character building, developing a journey and enticing growth in a world full of powerful energies.

In the early stages of developing the starchild series I wanted the whole series to be a quick read for the more experienced readers, but an achievable read for children who were beginning to experiment with new genres and expanding their reading challenges. I also wanted to grow the series with the reader. This meant developing and crafting the writing to be more descriptive and more detailed in character development, setting and so on as the series progresses.  The purpose of this model of writing is to allow younger or less experienced readers a chance to grow their reading skills with the series.

As I move through the redraft of book two I’m pleased with the added complexity that is beginning to build. Developing something that will entice children who might not feel ready to take on the challenge of a big sci-fi or fantasy book will find this series is a place where they can start to believe in both these genres. I like the fact that reviewers up to this point have had different opinions in whether the book is science fiction or fantasy. I’ve never been a fan of categorisation, so if anything I’ve achieved my first goal. The book is unique.

I’m not sure if a series has ever been developed under this kind of model before, perhaps there are not many writers that would take on this kind of approach in writing a series. I think it’s worth the effort to create new challenges not just in the writing journey, but for the future readers of serious sci-fi, fantasy and all the other fantastical fiction genres that fall under the umbrella term called Speculative Fiction.

Friends are people you like to be around. Friends support each other. Friends also share the same interests. A person can have old friends, new friends, good friends, lifelong friends, childhood friends and be a best friend.

Friendships are important and worth having to help you develop emotionally and socially. It’s important that all kids realise there is no set passage to finding friendships. Some of you will feel happy with lots of friends and others will be happy with just a few good friends. It’s important that you find your own social style of friendship.

There are also group friendships. These friendships can be multilayered and each member of the group know that things can change very quickly.  I don’t know one person who hasn’t struggled in group friendships at some time in their life.  It’s important to remember that relationship conflicts and rejection happen even to popular kids. Sometimes you will need to use new social skills to help you deal with different situations. Those may be communicating in a different way, staying in control of your emotions, making use of your empathy and cooperating with  others. However, I think one of the most important skills you can learn is resilience. This is the ability to work through the feelings involved and quickly recover. It might be as simple as accepting what has happened and looking at ways to solve the problem.

Here are a few positive friendship skills.

1. Talk about or share your interests with your friends.
2. Listen to your friends.
3. Play fair.
4. Respect one another.
5. Use positive social skills like, smiling, use a friendly voice and pay attention to your friends safety.
6. Have fun with your friends.
7. Praise your friends if they do something well.
8. Be helpful to your friends.
9. Be truthful.
10. Be aware of each others feelings.

If you are experiencing problems with a friendship and the situation is worrying you talk to a supportive adult.

Next month I’ll be talking about insecurities.  Until then I’ll leave you with one of my favourite quotes on friendship.

One of the most beautiful qualities of true friendship is to understand and to be understood. ~ Lucius Annaeus Seneca

It’s the time when a book slips out of the author’s hands and stands alone in the light. The author is nervous but excited for the big reveal. An anxious wait draws out the whole process as an author waits for the first review to be posted.

This month it was my time to experience the emotions associated with the release of my first children’s book. In the early stages of development I wanted the whole series to be a quick read for the more experienced readers, but an achievable read for children who were beginning to experiment with new genres and expanding their reading challenges. The first review posted strengthened my belief that I had accomplished my goal. You can read the review here.

Starchild: The Age of Akra is a unique story created from a few simple questions.  What if the nations were divided not just by race but by a unique power? What if a group of children were brought together by a prophecy? What if the underworld craved the collective powers of the nations? This is how four children came together and became linked to the events that lie ahead. The struggle to bring peace to the world of powerful energies lies in their hands.

The Starchild blurb

When Mai is chosen to take a pilgrimage to the Valley of a Thousand Thoughts to train with the oldest and wisest master of their people, an ancient prophecy is set in motion. The events to come have been predicted but are not unchangeable. When the Starchild returns to the planet Sage, the foreknowledge of the prophecy begins to gain strength.

Four children come together and become linked to the events that lie ahead. In The Age of Akra, the first stage of their journey has them facing the deadly spiderflax, only then to be confronted by a creature of the underworld, an evil Dementra called Amual.

The struggle to bring peace to the world of powerful energies lies in the hands of these four children and a strange little lizard. And it will not come easy. This journey is only the beginning.

Starchild is available in paperback or ebook on Amazon, Barns & Noble, iTunes, Kindle and Kobo HERE!

Energy can come in many different forms. Kinetic energy, potential energy and radiant energy are just three forms of energy. But there are many more forms of energy.  Sound is a form of energy.  Heat is also a form of energy. In astronomy there is a hypothetical form of energy called dark energy.

But what about humans? Do we produce energy?  Well, our bodies are huge masses of atoms and that means we can generate electricity. Electricity is important to our survival.  Except the electrons in our body don’t flow along a wire; instead, an electrical charge jumps from one cell to the next.  Almost all of the cells in our body are capable of generating electricity.

What would it be like if we lived in a world divided by powerful energies?

Image if you could read the minds of others. Or perhaps have the power to see where another person has been and what they have done? What would it be like to have the power to connect to the earth itself? What if you could produce, control or manipulate fire, water or the earth? What would you do with this kind of energy, with this kind of power?

On a world like the planet Sage energy is everywhere.

Next time I’ll be talking about FRIENDSHIP!