#WritersCoffeeClub 3: How do you come up with the titles for your work?
As an SFF writer, I try to choose thematically relevant phrases for book 1. Then thematically relevant, linked-to-each-other titles for following books.
So #RuarnonTrilogy is;
1. Manipulator's War
2. Secrets of the Sorcery War
3. War in Sorcery's Shadow
And #Sythe Series is;
1. Walking the Knife's Edge
2. Countering the Hands of Crime
3. Skirting the Fires of Revolution
4. Waging Wars Beyond All We Knew
#WritersCoffeeClub: Do you write characters' thoughts, or let actions speak for themselves?
In #SytheSeries, Rarkin is autistic, logical, cynical, & has CPTSD. He's untrusting, reserved & emotionally repressed. If you don't know what he's thinking; you don't know 80% of what's going on for him (like Murderbot ๐).
Similarly, Ruarnon of #RuarnonTrilogy is AuDHD & regent. Their doubts & fears are largely internal; their exterior presentation aiming for calm & control.
Thoughts are NEEDED here.
Heads up Fantasy, SciFi & Horror readers, there's a 200+ indie book sale on this weekend.
Store options include direct from authors, DRM-free & downloadable files.
Prices free-$1.99 (US, or similar in your currency). https://indiebook.sale/
Book search options include by genre & character representation.
Book 1 of my epic, portal, queer-led YA Fantasy is included, and my whole #RuarnonTrilogy is on sale too: https://elisecarlson.com/ruarnon-trilogy/
#Bookstodon #Books #LGBTQIA #Fantasy #SciFi #Horror #SpecFic
My cover artist having had to retire early from the art, I recently rolled up my sleeves to learn some new software and digital tools to edit Ruarnon Trilogy book 1's cover.
Naturally, I found the slowest, most inefficient solution to EVERY problem, but I'm happy with the end result and the addition of Heir Ruarnon in pride of place.
Art by Glint of Mischief.
The Ruarnon Trilogy is portal fantasy adventure and epic fantasy for teens, young adults and adults, led by neurodiverse, LGBTQIA+ characters. Manipulator's War (#1) Nonbinary Ruarnon is determined to prove their worth as heir to Tarlah's perfect King. Things get complicated when their parents are abducted and they're left ruling Tarlah in the shadow of impending war, with absent allies. Neighbouring King Kyura has no intention of invading Tarlah. But his warmongering subjects long for the glory of expansion. When Kyura rejects their calls for war, assassins threaten his family and mutiny threatens his reign. Stranded Aussie Linh is desperate
#WritersCoffeeClub 3/12: Happy Plant a Flower Day! What role does nature take in your stories?
In #RuarnonTrilogy book 1, Death Belt Dessert is a battlefield chosen for decisive battles (in a prolonged war), before the heat exhaustion kills everyone.
In book 2 geography conceals secrets from the Sorcery War.
In book 3 Galvatia is devastated by sorcerous drought, and the land is a metaphor on multiple levels.
#WritersCoffeeClub 24 Jan - How long is the long story youโve ever written? Can you link to it?
Its a portal, epic YA Fantasy that's 160k words. By then (book 3/3 of #RuarnonTrilogy) you've got lost Aussies & a nonbinary heir pursuing world peace (in an AU).
That comes with allies, complications, underground resistances, prison breaks, a quest, secret sorcerer organisations etc that take up a page or two ๐.
War in Sorcery's Shadow is on my books page: https://elisecarlson.com/ruarnon-trilogy/
The Ruarnon Trilogy is portal fantasy adventure and epic fantasy for teens, young adults and adults, led by neurodiverse, LGBTQIA+ characters. Manipulator's War (#1) Nonbinary Ruarnon is determined to prove their worth as heir to Tarlah's perfect King. Things get complicated when their parents are abducted and they're left ruling Tarlah in the shadow of impending war, with absent allies. Neighbouring King Kyura has no intention of invading Tarlah. But his warmongering subjects long for the glory of expansion. When Kyura rejects their calls for war, assassins threaten his family and mutiny threatens his reign. Stranded Aussie Linh is desperate
#WritersCoffeeClub 20โDo your stories take place on the sea?
Each #RuarnonTrilogy book has a voyage. My lost Aussie characters sail out of an empire's backwaters to pursue their way home (Manipulator's War).
Then they & Heir Ruarnon set sail seeking allies & get caught in sorcery battles at sea. (Secrets of the Sorcery War.)
Lastly, the Aussies set sail to tech & operators to get home, Ruarnon to recover their parents and all five to contain a second sorcery war (War in Sorcery's Shadow).
#WritersCoffeeClub Post an image of your stack or a collage of your digital work.
Um yes, about the paperbacks I haven't yet published for books #2 and #3 of #RuarnonTrilogy ๐
Here's a digital image of the ebooks I've published ๐ (the first a prequel in a turbulent 24 hours before the conflict that starts book 1, itself a prelude to conflict sweeping the known world across the trilogy).
In April I finish the longest constant in my life, the trilogy I've been writing between frequent interruptions (mainly earning a living but also #ChronicIllness ๐) for 20+ yrs.
Linh's homeward quest & Ruarnon's rescue mission position them to stop 2 two alike peoples from mutual destruction in #RuarnonTrilogy's epic conclusion. Pre-order: https://bit.ly/45vUNVl
This is War in Sorcery's Shadow's โจCover Revealโจ
#Bookstodon #Fantasy #WritingCommunity #LGBTQIA+ (Nonbinary & aro-ace leads)
#WritersCoffeeClub 9th Mar. Do you invent places in your work?
All locations in the #RuarnonTrilogy are fictional, including Aussie ones like Kinnara High (Linh's school) and Noriyong Island, from which Linh and her friends travel to Umarinaris.
Tarlah's architecture borrows very loosely from ancient Egyptian mudbrick buildings and Old Kingdom tombs. But my borrowings from our world are mostly general material culture eg. Late Bronze/ Early Iron Age Mediterranean, not specific places.
Elise (they/ them)๐ฆ๐บ๐ณ๏ธโ๐