For a review copy of A Summer Squall, answer the question at the bottom of the post!
Readers, have you ever wondered what it's like to live inside a writer's head or how stories come to be? Writers, have you ever suffered from writer's block? This Action/Adventure shares a bit of both. Wendy Laharnar makes every word count, so although this is only 4,220 words long, the journey is eventful and memorable. I personally recommend reading Wendy's other books too. Rarely does an author elicit emotion with as much skill or apparent ease. Rest assured, when you join Wendy through her writing, you will be transported to new and exciting worlds.
A SUMMER SQUALL The gods don’t always help those who help themselves; or do they? Blurb: A writer, desperate to meet a deadline, struggles with writers’ block. Drawing on the five senses for inspiration, she is swept out of her depth when she tries to rescue a shipwrecked child. She rushes in, ill- equipped for the challenge and unprepared for the ensuing revelation.
Mini Excerpt: Empty seconds became minutes. Think, damn it, or don’t think, which way should I go? Listen. The noise of the wind intensified from a low moan to a wail, announcing the onset of a summer squall. My windows rattled, and outside, the olive trees writhed and hissed. Grey clouds followed a pelican pair across the azure sky and brought my passive world to life.
Hi Wendy, it is great to celebrate your latest release “A Summer Squall” a
short story set on a huge tapestry.
It’s lovely to be able to celebrate,
Rosalie. It is very exciting to have another of my
little darlings accepted and published. I love your description: A Summer Squall a short story set on a
huge tapestry. Can I quote this? Often?
I’m honoured you think so, especially since you are the master weaver of
the huge tapestry in your wonderful Chronicles of Caleath series. *blushes* Thanks Wendy you can use my quote. :)
Your short story is being released through
Museitup Publishing. Can you tell us a little about what inspired you to write
“A Summer Squall”? The title suggests a sea borne adventure…is that correct?
Yes, A Summer Squall is published by MuseItUp, the best publishing house in the business. Please excuse me if I’m biased.
MuseItUp is already home to my novel; my science fiction short story, and my short
Middle Graders chapter book. Lea, our
publisher, my editors, Annie Duguid and Nancy M Bell and the fantastic Art
Department, especially my cover designers, Tiger Matthews, Kaytalin Platt and
Marion Sipe make dreams come true. I love ‘name dropping’ their names.
Writer’s block, when I
needed a new story, inspired me to write A
Summer Squall. Staring at a blank screen, wanting to write, wanting the
great feeling that comes from having written, glued me to my seat until words
crept into my mind and made me tap the keyboard. I kept telling myself, ‘Write
something, anything. You can’t edit a blank page.’ So I did. I wrote, ‘verbs
are action words and nouns are actors.’ After more thought, I had a working
title Of Actors and Action and my
imagination took over from there. The actual process of engaging my imagination
began my story and led me into the adventure.
The title suggests a sea borne adventure…is
that correct?
Yes, that’s right. This
story is a stormy experience about a woman adrift at sea. Isn’t it amazing where our imagination takes
us. I find mine brings forth people, places, dreams and experiences familiar to
me, even when I think I’ve forgotten them. The old title is still relevant to
the story, but the new one fits much better. After the final edits were complete, my editor said Of Actors and Action might mislead my readers into thinking they
were getting a story about the theatre, so, reluctantly at first, I settled on A Summer Squall. Now, I can’t imagine any other title on my
enigmatic cover designed by Museitup artist Marion Sipe..
Knowing you hail from the south coast of
New South Wales, I feel much of this story reflects your own environment. I
hazard to guess you take inspiration from your surroundings and your own
writer’s journey.
It’s inevitable I’d
write a story about the sea, especially this one when I suffered from writers’
block. The sea has always been special to me. Most of my holidays were spent on
the wild and windy cliffs of Coogee, a Sydney suburb at my grandparents' house.
Vast ocean views and sea spray on the windows, whales spouting water and ships
on the horizons, rocks and rock-pools to climb over and explore provided plenty
to stimulate a young imagination. The seascape in A Summer Squall is based on those cliffs. I lived in a lakeside
town in my early school years, moved to the country, then to the city, back to
the country when I bought a farm with my husband and now we live close to the
sea, no cliffs but a lovely long, sandy beach. I’m glad I’ve come almost full
circle. Yes, in my writing, I draw on
all the settings I know. I remember a similar childhood holiday house, perched on the cliffs overlooking Forresters Beach on the Central Coast. Those memories never leave us, and instill a deep love of the ocean in all her moods, don't they. Did your characters follow your plot path or did they take on a life of their own? Do you keep them in check?
My characters in A Summer Squall, hmm, one is me,
fictionalized of course, to protect my real identity. The boy is also fictionalized
so only I will recognize him – please don’t give me away. J Let’s just say the characters played out in the
only way they could because I controlled the rudder, and I had real facts to
draw on. Although, I must admit, this is not really Faction (i.e. fiction based
on fact). It is, of necessity, more fiction than fact since this is a story
about accessing Imagination. Too cryptic? Sorry. I’m a clearer writer than
talker. J The story is
quite easy to follow.
The story is beautiful. In every aspect. Yes, it is easy to follow and compelling too.
Writing the story is only half the exercise
though, isn’t it. Becoming published is not always easy. Even with self-publishing
as an option. What do you think is the most important thing a writer needs to face,
along the road to publication?
For me, the most
important thing to face, all the time, is: readers aren’t mind readers. If the
text confuses even one reader, 99% of the time it is writer-error. The writer
needs to work out how to clarify rather than blame reader-ignorance. Not easy when we are so close to our work. This
is why critique groups are essential in the early drafts of a story, whether long
or short, to test the clarity of our writing and catch snags before they become
stumbling blocks.
What has been the hardest hurdle for you in
getting your short story, or your longer novels published?
Next to actually bringing
the story to a conclusion, you mean? Having the courage to send out query
letters, is the hardest hurdle I find. No one wants to face rejection, but if
you don’t take that one small step, you’ll never stand in front of the ladder,
let alone step onto the first rung.
Have you always been a writer?
No, I didn’t begin to
write until I came home from my first trip to Europe in 1977. I wrote three ‘volumes’
about our three months of travelling, filling them with lots of research about
the historical characters and events we heard of. Then I wrote my first ‘short’
story. It covered a man’s life until his death in the Australian bush – a short
amount of words but hardly a short story. I realized I’d need structure if I
was to be the next O’Henry. I took a couple of diploma courses from different
colleges and then a BA degree at UNE, in Armidale, and read so many How To
books and followed all of Alicia Rasley and Holy Lisle’s workshops until I
grasped what I needed to do. In the meantime my stories were being assessed and
gaining good feedback from the tutors. I
figured writing was what I really wanted to do and I’ve kept at it.
What is your favourite pastime, when not
writing, or wondering what to write, or editing your writing, or helping other
authors with their writing?
When not doing all of
that, haha, that’s easy – Thinking (mental pastime). Or did you mean physical
pastime? Then that’s teaching my mini schnauzer new tricks. Although, Spitzli
probably thinks she is teaching me. Either way, we are good for each other, and
of course she’s good for my husband too. The three of us walk on the beach or
on the promenade and go to outdoor cafes together. We love it when someone
points to Spitzli and says, “I want one of those.” One day I’ll write a story
about Spitzli, fictionalized of course to protect her identity, but for now I’m
too tightly wound around her little paw to be objective.
LOL, I know what you mean! Thanks for sharing your time and your writing journey with us Wendy. I hope visitors grab their copy of A Summer Squall today and enjoy reading it as much as I have. MuseitupBookshopLINK
If you’d like a free copy of this short story, A Summer Squall, to review, answer this simple question.
When I suffered writer’s block, what did I keep telling myself?
It is wonderful to learn more about your writing career, Wendy. Congratulations on this new release. A wonderful addition to your other sci fi short story Happiness Guaranteed, your YA, Billy the Bonsai Bull and my favourite time travelling adventure The Unhewn Stone... all from Museitup Publishing.
To celebrate the launch of Book Five in the Chronicles of Caleath... Wendy Laharnar is throwing one of her now famous... or should I say, INfamous cyber parties. There could be dragons. Who knows who or what will turn up?
We hope to have nearly a dozen of Muse's authors helping us celebrate! Check Wendy's blog for details. :)
The debris from the last book launch bash has been cleared away.
The pond has been drained and refilled.
The garden hedge replanted, the gate re swung!
We are ready to go. The cyber spirits are on ice... or burning where they like it best.
The ovens are fired up. The snickerdoodles are smelling good.
Only a few days to prepare, so mark your diary.
Stock up on your sense of humour and adventure and be sure to join us.
Oh, and to grab your copy of Caleath's brand new adventure...
If you have not yet caught up on what Caleath has been through previously... (not essential, but why not enjoy his adventures...) the four books in EXILED are still available. For a limited time EXILED: Autumn's Perilis on special at $2.99
There is a lot of information offered. Learning about the Alchemist and the details of ancient wisdom is brilliant. I love how fact and fiction tie in together.
This interview demonstrates to those who are not writers, just how thorough an author's research and intimate knowledge of their subject has to be, before they put pen to paper.
At any time, even in writing 'Fantasy' an author who is serious about their craft will admit that gathering the knowledge and doing the research behind their work, probably took a lifetime to collect.
Just putting the words together in a story can take years... what goes into the background takes a lifetime.
It is no wonder The Unhewn Stone has won readers around the world. It is the sort of Young Adult book both young readers and adults will keep coming back to. Each re read brings out more from this fascinating story.
Also, showing her multi genre talent, Wendy has a science fiction short story out now... Happiness Guaranteed. Five star ranking from this reader!!
Coming soon is Wendy Laharnar's YA novel, Billy the Bonsai Bull. Another great story, in a different genre. Don't miss this one!! Look for it in February from Museitup Publishing.
Another wonderful review for The Unhewn Stone,
at Edith Parzefalll's Blog
Well worth checking out this review.
Congratulations Wendy.
This is perfect, and well deserved.
Edith does justice to your story.
The Unhewn Stone will transport readers through time and space, as they travel with Stefan on an amazing adventure. Stefan, a young man with issues, infatuated and insecure, takes on the challenge of changing the course of the Wilhelm Tell legend. His family is involved through the generations. With the knowledge of 21Century technology, Stefan hopes for a better outcome. Surviving in Medieval times proves more complicated when an manipulative sybil and an ambitious knight seek to end his existence.
Wendy Laharnar weaves a story filled with magic, symbolism, science, self discovery and romance. The atmosphere and landscapes are portrayed with authenticity, a touch gained from travel through the actual settings.
The story works on so many levels. This adventure will appeal to readers of all ages.
Allow yourself the pleasure of reading The Unhewn Stone, you know you deserve it. Five stars.
Wendy welcome to my blog. Great to have another Australian author as a guest.
Not only are you a fellow MuseItUp Publishing author, you are the creator of Calamity’s Corner, a monthly ezine that has a particularly Aussie flavour.
Thanks for being here today as our guest Wendy.
The Unhewn Stone is released TODAY!! Would you please whet our curiosity before we begin?
Hi Rosalie, thank you for having me on your stunning blog. It’s one of the most spectacular blogs on the Internet. I’m honoured to be here.
About my Stefan’s story—it’s 93,000 words long. So, where to begin? Stefan has a complex because of facial scars and a lame leg from birth. He wants to look perfect so he can win the popular Ursula, who has eyes only for herself. He’d be better off taking notice of young Heidi who only has eyes for him.
He has another problem too. On his eighteenth birthday, he comes across a vagrant disintegrating in the snow. With his charred hand, the man offers Stefan half of a golden orb, which happens to be part of a key that keeps open a wormhole back to 1307AD. He begs Stefan to ‘Tell them I came.’ In an ancient manuscript, his grandfather gives him, Stefan discovers that this man was an alchemist who used the orb to transport him to our world. He was also the brother of the tyrant, Gessler, who made William Tell shoot an arrow through the apple on his son’s head, thus beginning the Tell legend which has haunted Stefan’s family down through the centuries because they bear the unpopular Gessler name.
So, Stefan’s grandfather, a magician, asks Stefan to use the orb and go back in time to change the course of history and prevent the legend from happening. If he does, he will restore the family honour and as a reward, his grandfather promises, he will lose his complex. Oh yes, and Stefan has another problem. Me! Oh dear, how I make that poor boy suffer. Out of love . . . of course. Hehehe.
Thanks Wendy. I will add here, that Stefan’s adventures are compelling, your characters and writing kept me turning pages. I won’t ask where you get your magic pen from. That’s a secret you should keep. But don’t stop writing!! Or I will ask! The age old legend revamped with finesse makes for great reading.
That’s lovely of you to say, Rosalie. Thank you. I’m so glad you enjoyed Stefan’s story. I’ve come to care for Stefan, too. If I was writing his story today, I think I would have been a lot kinder to him, but I’m glad I wasn’t :). He made me suffer!
So Wendy, about yourself, other than ‘author’ what are three words you would use to describe ‘you’?
Haha! Should I sugarcoat this or be overtly humble? As a writer, Truth doesn’t come easily. In fact, sometimes I’m not really sure what ‘truth’ is. So, three words. Loving, Caring, Giving. Yeah, I wish. Haha. Umm . . . Curious, Worrywart, Friendly.
Do they influence you as a writer? Or the genre you write?
Oh! I wasn’t expecting that. Can I change my answer? :) Curiosity certainly influences me as a writer. I love all aspects of research. The thing is: when I was writing The Unhewn Stone, over four years, I was trying to figure out what I actually believe in; if I had a philosophy at all. Stefan’s experiences in the medieval world with the monks, alchemy and magic opened my eyes. Now my beliefs are the same as his.
What is it about your chosen genre that fires up your muse?
That’s easy. Escapism! But then fiction of all genres allows that. My muse loves to escape back into history or into fairytales with real people who are shape shifters and tricksters. She loves the tricksters. Problem is, she’s better at being one and not that good at conjuring them. She often leads me up the wrong path and has me bogged down for a long time. Often, I have to boot her out of the way and get on with my story, alone.
Your first book is about to be released. Congratulations. It has been a long wait. Now you are about to be published, please tell us what inspired your story?
Tellskappelle
Thank you. A teacher, where I worked, asked me to give a talk on writing short stories to her junior high English class. Since she taught History, too, I thought I’d use a medieval setting for a short story which I planned to write specifically for her class. So, to entertain myself in the process, I chose the Wilhelm Tell Legend because I wanted to learn more about it and that would require some research. The short story and the talk didn’t happen, but the germ of the novel was born. However it stalled for five years until I was able to visit Switzerland and figure out exactly what it was I was trying to say.
Do you have a regime when writing? A special place, time, mood or do you snatch opportunities to pen ideas or write a few lines?
No regime, I’m sorry to say. First drafts are very difficult for me to get down. I sweat blood over the characters and conflicts. There is very little joy in my study and lengthy absences from my desk. BUT, the story and my attitude change dramatically in the second draft. That’s when my characters seem to come alive for me. Then, when that magical thing happens and I’m ‘on a roll’ I write anywhere and everywhere, as passenger in the car, as an email if I’m on an outside computer, on note pads kept in different rooms and always with a smile because of the wicked things or amazing connections that just happen when you tap into the collective consciousness. Okay, when the muse is active and playful. The third draft is the serious business of writing. I write at my desk, which is big and cluttered.
Does your Muse follow rules and plot lines or does she offer ideas on a whim?
My muse and I clash. I follow rules and plotlines. She offers ideas on a whim. I love her for that, but I wish she’d do it more often. For the most part she tends to criticize my characters and situations. That’s when I shut her out. There is nothing worse than a muse who assumes the role of internal editor, especially in the first draft.
What are the most dramatic changes you have made to a story you have written? What prompted the change?
Burglen in winter, showing the snow clad mountains.
The most dramatic change I made was in The Unhewn Stone. In the beginning, I created Stefan as a farmer’s son who loved the land, because I knew about farming. But he fell foul of those fallow fields and the novel stalled. When we took our granddaughter to Switzerland with us, on my research trip, I discovered that tourism rather than farming was more obvious in the foothills of the William Tell birthplace so one of the hotel or guest house was a more likely home for Stefan. Also, my granddaughter felt intimidated by the high snow clad mountains. She worried about an avalanche and wanted to get away. I realized young Stefan, the innkeeper’s son, would feel trapped here and would want to escape the pressure of life, symbolized by the solid ring of sharp peaked mountains. He might want to travel like the tourists who stayed at his inn.
In this case it was Sara, and not my muse, who put me on the right path and the story began again.
Has there been one event in your life that changed/inspired your writing career? For example, meeting an author, finding a publisher, joining a critique group?
Mirella Patzer owner of the Historical Writer’s critique group pushed me to complete The Unhewn Stone when I had five chapters to go. She had become an editor with a now defunct publisher and wanted me to submit my manuscript. I’m forever grateful to her for believing in my story more than I did, at the time.
Having given us a hint about Stefan’s adventure, would you like to tell us more about the main character of your book and/or the villain? Would you please share an excerpt? Either or both… we are keen to learn more about this fascinating story.
Stefan can be exasperating at times, especially when he thinks his modern day knowledge is enough to help him survive in the Middle Ages. Almost everything he does meets with disapproval or worse. It isn’t long before he comes to rely on his ‘distant cousin/ Vetter’ Rolf for help and companionship in this very dangerous age. When Stefan is on his own, well . . . I shudder at the memories.
There are two villains, an evil knight and the shape shifting sibyl. Stefan is drawn to the sibyl because she has Ursula’s face, but he is repelled by her too, especially when she morphs into the old crone and the bat.
Museitup Publishing is releasing The Unhewn Stone as an ebook TODAY… Where can we get the ebook?
The Unhewn Stone will be available from the MuseItUp Bookstore, on Amazon and probably at the Australian on-line bookstores Fishpond and Booktopia.
Do you have any idea yet, when it will be in print? Will it be available here in Australia?
I understand the print book will be available in a few months, but I don’t have a date for that yet. It should be available in Australian bookstores, but this is still a dream for the future.
Wendy, how can we follow your career?
I have an author page at MuseItUp Publishing Wendy Laharnar
Calamity’s Corner is for everyone: writers, readers, movie buffs, travellers, pet owners etc., and anyone is welcome to contribute.
Wendy, it’s been great having you drop by. Thanks again and congratulations on the release of The Unhewn Stone.
Thank you for the pleasure of spending time with you and your readers, Rosalie. Oh boy, all that talk has stirred up my muse. Now she’s pushing me to open our fantasy wip, but I already opened my urban mystery. :)
Please come back soon!
Leave a comment and have a chance to win a copy of The Unhewn Stone. Winner will be chosen on 20th August.
Best leave an email address or check back on the 20th. :)
The release day for Wendy Laharnar's The Unhewn Stone draws even closer. Finally this exciting, delightful and fascinating novel will be available on August 12th.
I will be interviewing Wendy Laharnar then... but why not drop into Museitup Bookshop and pre order your copy!!
Sneak a peek: Aussie Authors at Work is a new blog that focuses on Australian authors, what they are writing and how they manage their writing and lives down under.
Thanks to those wonderful Australian authors and their generous spirit, who have agreed to join Wendy Laharnar and me. Sneak a Peek: Aussie Authors at Work will promote and share writing with an authentic Australian theme.
Drop by and check out our first posts. Maggi Andersen reviews Anne Gracie's The Perfect Rake.
Today you can read an interview with characters from The Chronicles of Caleath on the Museitup Blog
There are also entries from other of the Muse book characters. What a great way to check out a new title.
Drop by the Museitup Publishing blog for their Christmas Festival posts.
Wendy Laharnar and I are guests today. ;) Please visit and leave a comment!
Meanwhile if you are in the crafty Christmas mood, I know of a great blog with some great ideas.
;) Crafty Christmas on a Budget
Hope you are all enjoying Summer... We are looking for some sunshine! Enough with the rain, thanks!
Or Winter. Hope it snows if that is what you wish for.
