Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Guest Blogger Sandy Lender

Welcome back, Sandy! And congratulations on the release of the sequel of Choices Meant for Gods. Let me say that I love your titles. Of course, I'm a big fantasy fan, and these titles just invite the reader's imagination to fly!

And don't miss the blog-tour special excerpt!


Inspiration in All Places

By Fantasy Author Sandy Lender

http://www.authorsandylender.com

A lot of folks have asked me about inspiration. It’s a question that folks like to ask of creative types like artists and movie stars and writers. (Please notice how I just lumped myself in there with artists and movie stars. Cool, eh?) I don’t like to be glib because anyone asking the question deserves a real answer, but, honestly, everything inspires me.

Duran Duran, baby sea turtles, my parrots, sci fi shows/movies, thunderclouds over the Gulf at dawn, short elderly drivers in huge Lincoln town cars, bizarre chicks in L.A. bars, snow in the mountains, etc. At my fancy new Web site that just launched this summer, my letter to visitors tells of a funky incident from my early teens that inspired a short story in the Choices-supporting chapbook WHAT CHOICES WE MADE.

Something I know that fires the flames of inspiration for me is setting up my writing space. I participated in the annual 3-Day Novel Contest over Labor Day Weekend this year and found myself going through an almost ritual getting everything nice and “set” before the start time. What I’m curious about is readers’ “inspiration.” When you pick up a new book and prepare to crack open the front cover, do you need a special setting or a special mindset or some special music softly in the background to inspire you to drop easily into another world?

Thank you for checking in today and for participating in the conversation! “Some days, I just want the dragon to win.”


Good question, Sandy! And posters will be entered into a drawing for a hard cover copy of Sandy's book! So speak up: how do you prepare to enter a world of fantasy we create for you? And writers, what do you need to step into a world of your own creation?

Choices Meant for Kings.

Chariss is in danger. Her geasa is hampered by the effects of a friend’s marriage. The dashing Nigel Taiman hides something from her, yet demands she stay at his family’s estate where he and her wizard guardian intend to keep her safe. But the sorcerer Lord Drake and Julette The Betrayer know she’s there, and their monstrous army marches that way.


When prophecies stack up to threaten an arrogant deity, Chariss must choose between the dragon that courts her and the ostracized kings of the Southlands for help. Evil stalks her at every turn and madness creeps over the goddess who guides her. Can an orphan-turned-Protector resist the dark side of her heritage? Or will she sacrifice all to keep her god-charge safe?


A Tense Little Excerpt From Choices Meant for Kings

By Fantasy Author Sandy Lender

http://www.authorsandylender.com

You won’t find this excerpt anywhere except Sandy’s current online book tour…


As the soldier stepped toward him, Nigel reached out his arm and caught him by the neck. He slammed the captain against the far wall. He pinned him there with his body, leaning against the man as if he could crush the wind from him with his presence.

He brought his face close to the soldier’s ear and spoke lowly, fiercely, so that no one could have overheard him. The menace and intent behind the words was as surprising to the captain as the words themselves.

I asked you to accompany [Chariss] on this journey tomorrow because I have faith in your sword, and until this moment I trusted you to keep your distance from her. Now, I find her down here at your side with a look upon your face that suggests more than you realize. So help me, Naegling, the only thing that stays my hand is how displeased she would be if she learned that I sliced you open.”

The look you see is merely my concern for her honor. Nothing more.”

I’m not a fool. And I’ll use every last piece of Arcana’s treasury to pay the prophets to justify my reasons for marrying that woman, so you can unconcern yourself with her honor.”

Hrazon stepped off the staircase then and saw Nigel pressed against his guard.

I still believe you’re one of the best soldiers Arcana’s ever seen,” Nigel continued, “and I want you at her side for this journey, but, so help me, Naegling, she comes back alive and well and not confused in the least about her affections for me, or I will string you up from a tree in the orchard and attach your intestines to your horse’s saddle before I send it—”

Hrazon cleared his throat. “Excuse me. Is there an issue here I should address?”

10 comments:

The Word Place said...

Loved your site, Sandy! Inspiration--there's the problem! But when it strikes, look out!

Hywela Lyn said...

Fascinating article, Sandy, and I love your new website, it's beautiful!

Speaking personally, all sorts of things inspire me - a character, a piece of music - or a beautiful landscape, especially when I'm in my beloved Wales.

I look forward to learning more about you on your tour, and when you visit my own blog.

Sandy Lender said...

Hi Guys!
Judy, thanks for visiting my site. I tell you what, the art my fabulous web gal came up with is inspiring in itself, isn't it? She rocks my fantasy world!
Sandy Lender
"Some days, you just want the dragon to win."

Sandy Lender said...

Good morning, Hywela Lyn!
Thanks for the kind words. Music is a big one...And I didn't realize you were from Wales! I think I knew it and had lost the connection in my mind. I have Welsh ancestry. (One of the reasons I have this fair skin with little cancer spots at the moment. Rar!)
Chat with you as the tour progresses!
Sandy Lender
"Some days, you just want the dragon to win."

Sandy Lender said...

MASHA!
Thanks for hosting me today! The tour is off to a fabulous start now! Woo-hoo!
Sandy Lender
"Some days, you just want the dragon to win."

Masha Holl said...

Thanks for coming, Sandy! And the post would look even nice if Blogger would let me illustrate it! But noo... They had to have issues, today!

Penny Lockwood Ehrenkranz said...

Great post, Sandy. What inspires me changes on a regular basis. Sometimes, it's something I read about that sparks an idea, other times, it's someone I meet or a funny incident someone relates.

Katie Hines said...

I love fantasy. It is my absolute favorite genre, so it is no surprise that my book soon to be released (Guardian, October 2009) is a fantasy. I don't lack for inspiration for the idea, but often get bogged down in "what happens next."

Sandy Lender said...

Penny,
Something that always inspires...without fail...a deadline.
He he he.
Sandy Lender
"Some days, you just want the dragon to win."

Sandy Lender said...

Katie,
I don't usually get hit with that. The characters come up with plenty of things to do. I don't always leave their ideas in...but they still have ideas for moving the plots along.
For this 3-day contest thing I just participated in, I prepared an outline, which is something I NEVER do. I was stunned by how closely I adhered to it. (I guess I should say I was stunned by how closely the characters adhered to it...they were remarkably well behaved all three days.)
:)
Sandy Lender
"Some days, you just want the dragon to win."