November 22, 2008

TALES FROM WITHIN A WORLD OF FANTASY

My first fantasy convention was remarkably inspirational. Right from day one and forward I met some of the genre’s most influential people. On night one, I met George R.R. Martin. I approached him and introduced myself, shook his hand and we spoke briefly about Calgary and the surrounding area. He asked a little about myself and when I told him I was attending my first convention, he then told me about his first. What amazed me was to hear someone so successful laugh about the experience, and that during the signing he had sat across from another well known author. (He did tell me that authors name and I’m upset with myself for forgetting) Anyway, during the book signing, George told me he had about four people come to his table, while he watched three hundred visit this author across from him.

I woke the next morning with a hangover. Hades Publications knows how to throw a party. Anyway, I kept to myself and attended some of the panels available to members of the World Fantasy. I listened to a two hour speech by author David Morell. The subject of discussion was how to improve your voice as an author. If you don’t know who David Morell is, well, he’s the guy who created Rambo. But more importantly he is an excellent author and an inspirational speaker. I don’t feel like I have the authorization to tell you what he told us that day, but what I can do is post a link to a website where you can read some of the material he used in his speech. If you are an aspiring author or perhaps interested in reading an intriguing piece of literature, visit www.bksp.org/content/view/14/1 to read an excerpt of THE SUCCESSFUL NOVELIST: A LIFETIME OF LESSONS ABOUT WRITING AND PUBLISHING. You may even end up buying the book.

Day three was a mix of more panels and more parties. At this point I was starting to feel drained. After listening to some of these people I began to recognize the opportunity for self improvement, and I really tried to soak as much of the information in as I could. And then I was awake all night attempting to sort out the information and discover how exactly I could use it to my advantage. A perfect example was the panel I attended on day three—Are appendices needed? Tad Williams and L.E. Modesitte Jr. were the two notable authors at the table, and what really struck me was their take on maps and glossaries. Both of them stated, and I do agree, that a map or a glossary should not be required in a book to help make sense of the story. If you need this extra type of material in a book, then there’s an excellent chance the author isn’t doing their job. Now what surprised me most was to hear these successful authors explain that while you shouldn’t need to provide a map in the book, it is crucial during the writing of the book. Tad Williams, for example, will create a massive map, to scale if you can believe it, showing every town and village, mountains, rivers, topography, weather patterns, trade routes, the list goes on. As I’m sitting there and listening to him, I suddenly realize the difference between me and Tad Williams. I don’t have a map. I mean, I do have a map, but not to scale, and definitely not with the exquisite details deemed necessary by these professionals. How long does it take a character to cross the mountains? Well, if you have a map to scale, you could actually figure it out and portray that into the novel. The result is fiction with a believable setting.

I do have a map of Yannina but it’s on an old scratched up piece of paper with many of the details floating around in the empty spaces of my brain. I created Yannina almost twenty years ago, so I know it very well and I’m confident with the setting. I am also proud to say that The Wrath of Zar or its upcoming sequel didn’t require a map. I believe that both novels portray the setting without them. However, I do plan on putting this information to very good use on a novel currently under development. Into the Depths of Jade is a full length fantasy novel that I plan to write after The Resurgence of Granaz.

The evening of day three was the book signing. Any published author was invited to display and sign their novels. Reluctant as I am, I wasn’t going to attend until my wife twisted my arm and threatened my life. So by the time I arrived, every author who had planned for the event already had their seat and the crowds of people in attendance was amazing. There was one empty table left at the back, so I immediately bolted for it, a little embarrassed for arriving late. Guess who was sitting three spots over? George R.R. Martin. Guess how many people visited his table compared to mine? 300 to 2. Sound familiar? I hope thirty years from now I get the chance to tell some rookie author of my first fantasy convention. If I have it my way, that’s exactly how it’s going to go.

Day four was spent with another hangover and more panels. The one I remember the most was a discussion with Tad Williams, George R.R. Martin, and Steven Erickson. They discussed the significance of killing important characters. Martin surprised me when he told us that Gandalf should have stayed dead in Fellowship of the Ring. Gandalf was the protector, the father figure, the pillar of strength, and when he died there becomes this moment of urgency for the remaining characters. How is Frodo going to make it on his own? How are they ever going to succeed without Gandalf leading the way? At that point in the novel or the movie, you can’t help but worry for the characters. Now when Gandalf comes back alive, all that drama is wasted and suddenly that sense of urgency for the characters are lost. I’d like to discuss more on this topic and how it relates to my novels, but my second book hasn’t been released and I think I’ll wait before I comment further.

Steven Erickson also had an interesting opinion on bringing back a significant character after they had been killed. If an author felt it necessary, then that specific character should not be the same as they were before their revival. Think about it.  If a character is stabbed through the chest and left for dead, he better not show up in the next book all fit and well and ready for the final battle. If you’ve read my book, The Wrath of Zar, you are aware that a certain character makes a surprise appearance on the last page. I couldn’t help but smile when I was listening at this panel. Not only did I agree with their opinion, but I’ve practiced their theory within my own writing. You will read that a certain character once presumed dead is now alive, but you will find that he is no longer the same...

It’s easy to sum up the weekend: On day five I went home to bed. I believe (hope, might be a better word) I’ll find future conventions less stressful. I was so focused with everything going on, I didn’t want to miss a thing. I’m always trying to improve as an author, and I firmly believe I achieved that. Next year the World Fantasy is in San Jose. If you are in the area make sure you come and say hello. Maybe you can help me double my attendance at the signing booth.

  July 29, 2008

INTRODUCING NORMAN THE MOOSE

I woke early one morning a found a moose lying on my front lawn. We see all kinds of wildlife where I live, but this was special because the moose was practicaly on my doorstep. I rushed to get my camera, made certian my dog was locked up, kicked my wife out of bed and then proceeded to try and get the kids up. My middle child snarled, told me to take a picture and went back to sleep. The three-year old was pretty excited, but she still had to let me know how disappointed she was. The oldest didn't even budge.

So I quitely sneak out onto the front porch and start taking pictures. The moose had stood up and was walking through the brush just off my lawn. As you can see by the picture the moose was pretty close to us. The moose seemed eager to pose for the camera and wasn't bothered by us at all.

I made certain my family remained on the porch. Moose can be very territoral and will actually charge if they feel threatened. I began to get worried because this moose was very friendly, and this just insn't normal. In fact, I was blown away by the fact this moose didn't bolt the moment it saw us.

The moose, later named Norman by my daughter, decided to spend the day with us. The stupid thing continually walked around the house, ruining my lawn, eating the flowers and soiling the driveway.

Since that day, Norman returns once and a while and says hello. We always know when he comes around because his hooves sink 6" into my lawn. It's a good thing Norman is a female, because hunting season is only a few months away. It's highly unlikely that the Alberta government will release cow tags (femal moose term) so Norman should be safe for the winter. It's a good thing too, because I have a neighbor who loves moose meat.    

June 18, 2008

GOING GREEN

Many of you know I work full time as an electrician. One of the largest topics in my industry is about going green, and I'm certian you’ve heard the phrase. Surely you’ve noticed that weird green frog with its sickly red eyes hiding on billboards or posted on flyers.   You have to admit he’s a cute little bugger, but I almost wish they could’ve thought of something better to idolize this renowned movement of world hygiene.

The truth as I see it, is that global immunization is going to take our generation and the support of our children before we notice any progress. As an owner of an electrical company I’ve had to adapt to the new standards. I attended a lighting seminar last week and the main topic was going green. I learned quite a bit that day, mostly about new lamps and lighting technology that will help us in our effort. I’m going to share a couple of interesting facts that I learned that day and I almost guarantee there are two things that will most likely surprise you.

I’m going to start with the new and upcoming lighting technology. Lighting is something we all use and consumes a lot of power. There are things we can do to help limit our power consumption , but it won’t be until the future where we can make a difference.

Everyone knows what an LED is. The future of lighting is LED’s and OLED’s. (Organic LED) These OLED’s are simply awesome. Think of a ceiling tile in your office that glows, a picture on your shirt that is like a television, or curtains that when closed can picture a beautiful waterfall or mountain scenery. OLED’s are addressable, which means you can send them almost any kind of signal. They can be sewn into fabric or manufactured into solids. Right now there's a group of mad scientists with large heads and small arms trying to do all kinds of amazing things with OLED’s, and the highlight of this technology is that its power consumption is next to nothing. Right now, Panasonic is developing a new flat screen that will unroll like a projection screen, and the picture will be full High Definition. Can you imagine a flat screen as thin as a sheet of cloth?? Believe it, because this isn't science fiction, this is real technology.

There is a large movement right now to ban the incandescent lamp. This movement is backed by some very large countries, the most notable being China. (I’m going to pick on China further on here) In certain countries, by 2010, the incandescent lamp will no longer be manufactured. The new compact fluorescents are four times as efficient, saving both energy and pollutants caused by manufacturing the lamp. Not only emissions caused by manufacturing, but pollutants from electrical companies caused from producing electricity. To give you a thought, could you imagine a world that consumed four times as less power? That’s quite a bit, isn’t it?

Believe it or not, lighting companies are trying to stop this movement, and they have an excellent reason. It’s because by 2014 they hope to produce an efficient incandescent lamp, even more efficient than the compact fluorescent. Compact fluorescents, as good as everyone assumes they are, (because that’s what they have been told) actually aren’t very good. They contain mercury, for one, and everyone knows how bad that is. There are disposal issues, manufacturing issues, the list goes on.   The majority of people today believe that switching their lamps in their house to compact fluorescent is that they have done their part on going green. But what people don't understand, is that you’ve only stalled the problem. A short term fix.   We're replacing incandescent lamps with compact fluorescent, and while they are better, they still cause harm to the environment in several different ways.   And the next time you purchase a box of these new compact fluorescents for your home or office, have a look at the back label. Five points for you if you know where I’m going with this. There is a little sticker on it that says: MADE IN CHINA.

Before I pick on China I’m going to stray from lighting and electricity and touch on another dreaded subject—oil. Everyone has discussed current gas prices and the future of the industry, where it might be headed, or the events in the middle east that link this topic. You probably are aware of the automobile industry and what they are trying to do to help us go green. What you might not realize is that the oil issues don’t just reflect the automobile industry, but almost everything in our life. One small   example that I can point out to you is something that you use every day—plastic bags. Oil is required to manufacture plastic bags. Just like the movement on incandescent lamps, certain countries are trying to ban the plastic bag. Some countries already have. China is one of those countries. China will save 37 million barrels of oil a year; saved from manufacturing plastic bags. Can you believe that? I won’t even get into the economics or the environmental issues caused by plastic bags. Some cities in the US have banned the plastic bag. Other countries are joining the cause. What are you doing today? Are you going shopping? Think about that issue when they pack your groceries or the next time you haul your garbage.

Now here is the part that makes me understand the battle that lies ahead of us and our children. The next time you purchase an item, read the label. MADE IN CHINA. The next time you purchase a green product, sorry—environmentally friendly product—read the label, MADE IN CHINA. China is the largest contributor to world pollution. Every time you buy something that was made in China you are contributing to their destruction. Apparently, 70% of the fresh water supply in China is polluted.

The Canadian population, if united to the cause, wouldn’t even scratch the surface of the damage caused by China. The United States and United Kingdom could make a difference, but again, it’s not going to help unless China sails that ship along with everyone else.

I know China is trying and making strides to become green—banning the plastic bag is an excellent example. Only when   the world unites (where is Canada's ban on plastic bags?) are we going to make any kind of difference, but even then it's going to take some time.   We rely on technology to further advance the efficiency of technology,   continually   damaging the environment as we're learning to save it.   I'm sure you are familiar with the old   saying;   taking two steps forward but one step back. Hopefully one day we'll catch up, or that little green frog is going to die like the movement that   it represents.

shayne@shayneeasson.com