Today I have the honor of hosting the incredibly talented, fellow blogger and fantasy author Nancy R Williams. Nancy “lives in Colorado, U.S.A. with her husband. She is delighted to have two seven year old grandchildren, cousins. She's a long time member of Rocky Mountain fiction Writers and has been privileged to attend conferences and workshops. Since her formative years, she's been inventing fantastical stories and since she could spell she's been writing them down.”Thank you in advance for your warm welcome of fantasy author Nancy R. Williams . . .
Hi everyone. I want to thank Donna for hosting me today and spotlighting both my books, The Treasures of Carmelidrium and The Magic of Windlier Woods.
My journey as a writer began in my formative years. While I didn't write down stories, I had many hunting expeditions in my mother's flower gardens for fairies. At one point when I complained that I couldn't find any of the elusive creatures, my mother told me they slept in the flowers that hadn't opened yet. That year very few of her tulips made it to maturity. I pulled them apart looking for Tinkerbell. So fantasy just came naturally when I developed my first story.
The Treasures of Carmelidrium, (pronounced, Carmel-lid-drium) came about as a result of a life altering, negative experience. I needed a way to vent. Originally I never intended what I wrote to become a book, but my mother, who is a writer too, encouraged me to transform my scribbling into something more.
With a lot of research, learning the craft of writing, attending conferences and workshops, along with a fabulous critique group, I formed a real story that was worth setting on paper. The transformation from "this happened to me," into a story changed my perception of the real events and allowed me to heal.
Along the way, I found a voice in myself that cannot be silenced. I am a writer, a dreamer, a person who sees beyond the here and now and hopes for something better. This period of my life took nearly 20 years. All the while my heroine Missie, the hero Healden, and the villain Renwyk hung out in my heart, their story growing and changing like the Colorado weather.
Many have asked why I choose a flute as Missie's instrument and ultimate power. Several reasons. When I was in college, I heard a flutist on the lawns of the music building. Her song captured me. When I knew that music would play a critical role in my story I considered many instruments. A violin is too easily broken. The French horn is too bulky. A piano, well that would be hard to travel with. A clarinet just isn't sexy in my opinion. However, a well-crafted, steel flute is easy to carry even on horseback.
Did I submit this story to agents and editors? Oh yes, I had many request and many rejections. I couldn't understand it really. I was told how much they loved it yet it wouldn't work for them. I finally decided to self-publish since e-publishing has made that easier. Now in retrospect, I realize that I have a YA voice but my characters are in their twenties. YA is developed for pre-teens and teens and the characters are supposed to be the same age. Once I realized this it took the sting of rejection away.
E-publishing has its challenges. My daughter is a wiz at formatting and she helped me with that. I found a blogger who is a remarkable artist and she did my book cover. I hired an editor and I strongly encourage anyone who wants to self-publish to do the same. Now that I am published, I am still waiting for the readers to find me. I haven't had great sales even though I have numerous excellent reviews.
Enter my children's story, The Magic of Windlier Woods. This story came about as a bedtime ritual with my children when they were young. It grew and changed every night. I never intended it to be anything other than a fun bedtime story. When I realized that Treasures was in limbo because the readers didn't know me, I decided to rework The Magic of Windlier Woods and put it up for free. I hoped that this would translate into sales for Treasures. It didn't. (It's no longer free.)
- I'm going to interrupt Nancy for a moment here to say how much I enjoyed The Magic of Windlier Woods. It is the story of Newert the erbit's grand aventure to save his world's failing magic. The story left me giggling and smiling throughout the short approximately 20 minute read. Sold as a children's book, it is an entertaining story for readers of all ages who enjoy humor, misadventure, and fantastical creatures. The only thing that would have made this book more intriguing is to add pictures to with the vivid imagery of the world, and especially Newert. Ok, back to Nancy -My journey as a writer began in my formative years. While I didn't write down stories, I had many hunting expeditions in my mother's flower gardens for fairies. At one point when I complained that I couldn't find any of the elusive creatures, my mother told me they slept in the flowers that hadn't opened yet. That year very few of her tulips made it to maturity. I pulled them apart looking for Tinkerbell. So fantasy just came naturally when I developed my first story.
The Treasures of Carmelidrium, (pronounced, Carmel-lid-drium) came about as a result of a life altering, negative experience. I needed a way to vent. Originally I never intended what I wrote to become a book, but my mother, who is a writer too, encouraged me to transform my scribbling into something more.With a lot of research, learning the craft of writing, attending conferences and workshops, along with a fabulous critique group, I formed a real story that was worth setting on paper. The transformation from "this happened to me," into a story changed my perception of the real events and allowed me to heal.
Along the way, I found a voice in myself that cannot be silenced. I am a writer, a dreamer, a person who sees beyond the here and now and hopes for something better. This period of my life took nearly 20 years. All the while my heroine Missie, the hero Healden, and the villain Renwyk hung out in my heart, their story growing and changing like the Colorado weather.
Many have asked why I choose a flute as Missie's instrument and ultimate power. Several reasons. When I was in college, I heard a flutist on the lawns of the music building. Her song captured me. When I knew that music would play a critical role in my story I considered many instruments. A violin is too easily broken. The French horn is too bulky. A piano, well that would be hard to travel with. A clarinet just isn't sexy in my opinion. However, a well-crafted, steel flute is easy to carry even on horseback.
Did I submit this story to agents and editors? Oh yes, I had many request and many rejections. I couldn't understand it really. I was told how much they loved it yet it wouldn't work for them. I finally decided to self-publish since e-publishing has made that easier. Now in retrospect, I realize that I have a YA voice but my characters are in their twenties. YA is developed for pre-teens and teens and the characters are supposed to be the same age. Once I realized this it took the sting of rejection away.
E-publishing has its challenges. My daughter is a wiz at formatting and she helped me with that. I found a blogger who is a remarkable artist and she did my book cover. I hired an editor and I strongly encourage anyone who wants to self-publish to do the same. Now that I am published, I am still waiting for the readers to find me. I haven't had great sales even though I have numerous excellent reviews.
Enter my children's story, The Magic of Windlier Woods. This story came about as a bedtime ritual with my children when they were young. It grew and changed every night. I never intended it to be anything other than a fun bedtime story. When I realized that Treasures was in limbo because the readers didn't know me, I decided to rework The Magic of Windlier Woods and put it up for free. I hoped that this would translate into sales for Treasures. It didn't. (It's no longer free.)I am currently working on the sequel to Treasures titled, The Rise of Lord Sinon, and hope to release it in the fall of 2015. I have approximately five books planned for my epic series. I have notes and outlines and chapters written for all these books. I will revisit Newert in Windlier Woods once I've completed The Rise of Lord Sinon. I have stories swimming in my head of faeries and phoenixes. I can only hope I live long enough to pen them all.
If you'd like a free story, I plan to submit a flash fiction faerie tale on my blog, on the 20th of every month. I have one up now ad I'd love to see you there.
I welcome all of you to visit my blog. You can read excerpts and reviews for Treasures in the pages section at the top. I will also give one commenter an e-copy of The Treasures of Carmelidrium. Thank you again Donna, for hosting me.
My pleasure Nancy. And what sweet treat – a free copy of Treasures. Let me further entice potential readers with my review of Treasures of Carmeliderium:
This was a delightfully romantic adventure. Missie (Michelle Kersten) is instantly likeable. The story opens in the contemporary world as she is leaving for spring vacation just two months before college graduation. Her adventure starts within a few pages as her Wrangler swerves off the highway during a snowstorm, and lands her in the mystical world of Gil-lael, where everyone believes she is either a descendant of an evil race of blond haired, blue eyed murderous invaders; or the re-incarnated Princess Lysandra, who's music defeated the evil Lord of the symberveen Druas-Bradwr centuries ago.
The question of Lady Michelle's mystical status is explored through a series of action packed kidnappings, assassination attempts, and rescue forays. The action plot slows down considerably in the middle of the novel to develop the romance between the two main characters Missie and Prince Healden; but the vivid world and it dangers and beauty are a mainstay throughout the story. An emotional roller-coaster of fear, anxiety, heart-wrenching obstacles to love and the fulfillment of prophecy, and the angst of sacrifice for love, duty and honor awaits in this fantastic realm.
Fantasy and romance readers alike will enjoy the spirit of adventure, the multiple POV's of the hero, the heroine, and the mysterious villain (identity not revealed until the final chapters), and indulge in courtly intrigue not unlike the Victorian age of British nobility.
BOOK BLURB FOR TREASURES: When a hooded man steps in front of her car, Missie is thrust through a portal into a medieval world where she encounters monsters and mythical creatures. Here her flute has magical powers to heal and destroy and to empower, "The Treasures of Carmelidrium." She is romanced by a prince and hunted by the villain. Will she find her way home? Does she want to?
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Amazon Germany
BOOK BLURB FOR WINDLIER: Newert, an erbit of Windlier Woods, is concerned. The magic of his world is seeping away. He struggles to open a portal to another world, believing that this will restore the magic of Windlier Woods. Assuming the big red truck is magical he returns to his world with the truck and its driver. Thus begins Newert's misadventure. What will happen next?
Available in e-book at Amazon
And don't forget to leave your comment to be entered into the drawing for a free e-book copy of Treasures of Carmelidrum. Visit N.R. Williams at her blog for more information about the sequels to both books.
I remember when Nancy's book first came out. The newer cover just rocks. Shame no publisher or agent wanted it, but she found her own path. And cool she is finally working on the sequel.
ReplyDeleteThanks Alex. Rock'n is what we need.
Deletegreetings to Nancy! I remember exchanging comments with her some years ago!
ReplyDeleteI remember you too Dezmond.
DeleteHi Nancy! It's good to hear you are still writing.
ReplyDeleteNever give up Diane.
DeleteI've never read the first book, but definitely like what I've seen of the second! I'm sure I'll visit the first one at some point.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny the paths that we take to become writers. Twenty years ago, I would have scoffed at you if you'd suggested I would sometime try to be a writer. Nancy, I'm glad you took your scribblings and let them become the seeds of the writer you are now!
I'm looking forward to hearing about what you think of my book Chris.
DeleteWe all have our own journey indeed. Have to keep on writing.
ReplyDeleteSo true Pat
DeleteHi Nancy and Donna, nice to see Nancy here. I remember clearly when Nancy's first book came out. We all have to keep writing.
ReplyDeleteGreetings Rachna, I will keep writing.
DeleteAlex: I love the new cover too. Sometimes you just gotta find your own way.
ReplyDeleteHi Dezzy :)
Diane: thanks for coming by.
Chris: I'd been adamant not to indie publish too, and now I contemplate it. Some authors I blog with who have self published come up on my Amazon referred list and the screen saver on my kindle. Hows that for advertising?
Pat: you have had a marvelous journey yourself.
Rachna: hope you had a successful writing break.
Nancy, I wanted to play the flute as a young boy -- my stepfather was wise and knew all the beatings I would get if I took up that instrument! He wanted me to play the accordian -- being in Detroit, I could see Polkas in my future if I did that so I opted for the violin, thinking of Sherlock Holmes. The instructor told me I had no aptitude for it after the first lesson. Ah, well!
ReplyDeleteMay your journey be a fun one both Nancy and Donna! :-0
Hi Roland, My older siblings started piano lessons and dropped out. When it came my turn to take the lessons my mother said I'd drop out too. When I was on my own I paid for my own lessons and loved it. Our journey remains a surprise.
DeleteThe way you speak of both The Magic of Windlier Woods and Treasures of Carmelidrium in your reviews makes me want to read it, Donna. And Roland's comment made me chuckle. Good luck to Nancy!
ReplyDeleteThanks Al, I hope you read both and let me know what you think.
DeleteHi Nancy, long time no see! Good luck with the sequel. I'll be happy to help when you are ready to release.
ReplyDeleteI'll remember that Stephen, thanks.
DeleteWhat a fun post. And I love "found a voice in myself that cannot be silenced". That describes it perfectly!
ReplyDeleteThank you Donna
DeleteGreat post! I love that gorgeous cover.
ReplyDeleteThanks Christine
DeleteI agree. Nancy is an incredibly talented author. I've read all her books and loved them all.
ReplyDeleteSorry to see my feed is still not moving up the line here Donna. It's been fixed, so I don't know...:-(
Such a nice compliment Denise, I really appreciate it.
DeleteSuch a fun post. Love the books' scripts.
ReplyDeleteThanks Dixie
DeleteRoland: I think my organ teacher said the same about me, lol.
ReplyDeleteAl: I meant every word, thanks.
Steve: very nice of you.
Donna: it was fun huh!
Christine: it is lovely
Denise: I can't get it to update beyond your last test post. Don't worry, I haven't forgotten you.
Hi Dixie :)
Wow! What great comments. You honor me Donna. Thanks so much. Let me know who wins.
ReplyDeleteNancy
Thanks Nancy for being my guest today.
ReplyDeleteTwo of my lovely CPs doing a post together! How nice :) I am enjoying reading the Rise of Lord Sinon with our crit group!
ReplyDeleteThanks Alexia
DeleteBest of luck to NR! I don't get that whole I love it, but have to pass thing either. I guess the bottom line is marketing- the bane of every writer!
ReplyDeletePerhaps loving it will come with the read.
DeleteWhat a great thing to do! I wish Nancy lots of luck!
ReplyDeleteHi, Donna :)
Thanks Carol.
DeleteGreat that you reposted this! I wish her luck with her new book release.
ReplyDeleteThanks Shanon
Delete