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Monday 9 November 2020

AUTHOR INTERVIEW with MATTHEW WARD| The Legacy of Steel Blog Tour


Hi guys! I'm very excited about today's post because it is my blog tour stop in The Legacy of Steel blog tour! If you're following my Bookstagram, which I hope you are, you might know that I absolutely LOVE Legacy of Ash and I've been raving about it since I read it in May. But what's more, I've been saying over and over again how much I'm excited about the release of Legacy of Steel, which is already out by the way, and here I am, a tour host!

If you haven't read Legacy of Ash, please do so because it is a great book! Here's my REVIEW of it.

I'm so so grateful to the author Matthew Ward, who invited me to be a host. He was kind enough to do this interview with me and I'm excited for you to read it, so without any further ado let's get right into it!

(This interview is spoiler FREE.)

What is your writing routine? 

 

I’m very much a ‘start early and work through’ person. If I don’t get underway by about half eight in the morning, the day very quickly turns to dust.

 

How long I’m writing? That depends. If I’m in the drafting stage, I normally aim to get a chapter done each day, which means that the days can sometimes run long if I’m struggling with a particular scene or even a recalcitrant sentence. If I can’t get a chapter done in a day, it’s normally a sign that I’m trying to do too much in too few words … and I need to get better at spotting that earlier.

 

As far as the broader task goes? I normally write one draft, front to back, then go back and do two edits. The first is dropping in details I think the story needs, but I didn’t include the first time, and the second is pruning for length. Books the size of Legacy have to keep a fair pace going, and however efficiently I think I’m writing, there’s always more I can smooth away to keep the story moving.

 

What comes to you first, the plot or the characters?

 

Bit of both, because the plot is the characters. Or the main characters, anyway.

 

In the case of The Legacy Trilogy, the relationship between Viktor and Josiri is more important than the actual events – what happens, happens to shape that relationship, rather than the other way around … at least for the most part.

 

Other characters join the cast as part of the writing process, either to provide perspective, drive the plot ... or because I have something (or someone) fun I’d like to include. The best characters are often the ones introduced this way.


 

How do you handle writer's block? 

 

I suspect what we term ‘writer’s block’ is a bit different for everyone. I certainly don’t run out of ideas, which is one of the common symptoms I see listed.

 

As I mentioned earlier, my frustrations tend to arise out of chapter simply not refusing to die, and needing another scene, and another. And most times it’s because what I thought was a chapter is actually two or three chapters, and I need to reappraise the structure a bit.

 

When the obvious has finally dawned, I’ll either push on through and finish the chapter according to its new place and format in the grand scheme, or I’ll stop for the day and come back fresh the following morning, or later in the week. Sometimes stepping away is the right thing to do. Gives the brain a chance to do a little unconscious processing.

 

What is your favourite and least favourite part of the writing and publishing process? 

 

I actually really like editing – the odd nudge and tweak that really makes the story and characters shine. In truth, I don’t do much heavy editing for structure, so it’s all about polishing events and dropping in cool bits of foreshadowing. I’ve eaten my greens during the drafting process, so now it’s time to have fun with dessert.

 

On the other side of the coin, I hate the opening sentences in new chapters. Always overthink them, writing them a dozen times and ultimately end up throwing most of what I’ve written away.

 

What piece of advice would you give to an aspiring author? 

 

Keep writing!

 

It’s really dull advice, but it’s the best there is. For all but the very luckiest or best connected, it’s a long road to publication. You need to stay the course and hone your craft so that when luck does break your way, you’re ready for the opportunity.

 

I suppose the other piece of advice is to figure out as early as you can what style of writing (and what writing process) works for you. Everyone’s different, and while there are plenty of folk on the internet determined to give you the do’s and don’ts of writing, in the end, what works for you is what works. There’s so much bad advice out there, and it can really kill your confidence if you let it.

 

Of course, this is also advice, so I’ll leave it up to you to decide whether it’s good or bad.



You have said before that you have drawn inspiration from Slavic folklore, what is your favourite thing about it? 

 

I love the gothic feel to it – unsurprising, as so much of classic gothic fiction is rooted in Slavic folklore. It’s that sense that there’s something strange lurking beneath the forest’s edge, or in the river weeds or in that one, isolated cottage where no one goes.

 

It breathes wonder into the world, and the world can always use a little more of that … just like Slavic folklore could use being acknowledged for it’s far-reaching influence more often than it is. Without it, there are no vampires or werewolves and precious few witches.

 

I also love (or perhaps that’s not the right word, considering) the duality present in a lot of Slavic folklore – that transition point in history when benevolent spirits were recast as demons and tempters as Christianity spread deeper into Eastern Europe and evicted older deities and traditions. Mythology reflecting history. There’s a lesson there.

 

How did you come up with the trilogy? What inspired it?

 

The core story has been lurking in the back of my head for twenty-plus years now, though what precisely inspired it, I couldn’t say. I can point at odd bits and pieces along the way – I know where particular elements drew their inspiration, but the foundation of the story’s a lot harder to define.

 

I know that feels like a cop-out answer, but it’s the truth. Or maybe I should lean back into what I said before? That the story began with Josiri and Viktor, just as it will likely end with them too.

 

What should we expect from Legacy of Steel?

 

Short version? Legacy of Ash with the dials turned up. The challenges are greater, the consequences steeper. Old alliances are tested in new ways, and the stakes are much, much higher.

 

But at the heart of it all, it’s still the characters we know and love (or hate). For all that this is a sweeping narrative of vying nations and meddling gods, the core is always about men and women finding their place in the world, and attempting to make that world a better place.

 


How much did Legacy of Ash and Legacy of Steel change after their first drafts? 

 

Legacy of Ash went through the largest change – roughly 50,000 words worth, as a matter of fact. Sort of as a trial by fire of ‘tighter and pacier is better’. It’s easy to say now, but nothing of value was lost – it was all trimming back slightly waffly or overly-wordy language.

 

By comparison, Legacy of Steel lost maybe 20,000 words during editing but as with Ash, the book is fundamentally the same one I drafted. A little clearer in places, and a lot tighter, but still the same story. If anything, there’s more whimsy in Legacy of Steel, and I’m really glad to have been able to keep it.

 

What was your favourite scene to write in Legacy of Steel?

 

Oh, that’s a hard one. There are a couple of moments where you can feel the bombastic music swelling and the tide turning … those are always great. But there are a couple of chapters towards the end that takes place in very different settings to the ones we’ve seen before. I can’t really give any more details because, well … spoilers, but you’ll know them when you see them.

 

What was the hardest scene to write in Legacy of Steel?

 

Being a horribly repressed Englishman, I get really, really nervous about writing romantic relationships … which is why there aren’t so many of those in my books. Even so, Legacy of Steel turns on four such relationships, and doing them justice takes a lot of work.

 

It’s much, much easier to kill people. (In a literary sense, of course.)

 


Which is your favourite character? If you don’t have one, which character did you enjoy writing about the most?

 

I love Anastacia and Kurkas, both of whom have way more of my sense of humour than is entirely healthy. They also get to do as they please for most of the plot – it’s the benefit of being side characters, I suppose. Rest assured, we spend a lot more time with both than with did in Legacy of Ash.

 

If you had to describe each of your main characters in 3 words, what would those words be? 

 

Determined, unswerving, conflicted (Viktor).

Generous, defiant, frustrated (Josiri).

Arrogant, honourable, resentful (Melanna).

Angry, angry, more angry (Rosa).

 

I have noticed that in recent years military-focused and faster-paced fantasy novels have become quite big and books like The Legacy Trilogy which have a more traditional vibe to them have become a bit of a rarity. Would you say that this new trend caused any setbacks for the publishing of Legacy of Ash?

 

Honestly, I’ve no way to know … but if it’s as you say, then it’s probably done me a favour because everything old is new again! I’m not often ‘cutting edge’. I should probably try to enjoy it more.

 

Could you describe Legacy of Steel in five words?

 

War calls. The gods wake.

 

What can we expect from Legacy of Light?

 

Well, by now I’m sure you’re not expecting everything to end well for everyone at the close of Legacy of Steel. If anything, there’s a steeper mountain to climb than at the end of Legacy of Ash … but we can discuss that more nearer the time.

 

Thank you so much, Matthew, for doing this interview with me. I'm always curious about the different writing routines of authors and the way their ideas form. I was also especially excited about The Legacy trilogy after I realised that there are some Slavic elements in it. I was actually so excited about this interview that, in typical Nerd Alert fashion, jumped right to the point, no 'Hellos' or 'Byes'.

If you haven't checked out Legacy of Ash already, please do so because it's a great book and definitely go check out the sequel Legacy of Steel which I'm currently reading and loving!

Make sure to check out the other posts from The Legacy of Steel Blog Tour:

FANFIADDICT - Book review + Chapter reading
FANTASY BOOK NERD - Interview with Matthew Ward
THE FANTASY INN - Guest blog post by the author
OUT OF THIS WORLD SFF REVIEWS - Interview with Matthew Ward and a GIVEAWAY (2 winners to be chosen on Nov. 13th)
THE FANTASY HIVE - Interview with the author
GRIMDARK MAGAZINE- Exclusive: The Prologue of Legacy of Steel

Next stops:

RUN ALONG THE SHELVES - Nov. 11th 
TRACK OF WORDS - Nov. 12th
STARBURST MAGAZINE - Nov. 14th

Saturday 31 October 2020

BOOK REVIEW: These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong


Actual rating: 4.5 stars

Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton for the provided ARC in exchange for a review.

When I first saw the premise, a Romeo and Juliette retelling set in Shanghai in 1926 that also included gangs, I was sold. It seemed like something new that also appealed to my very new interest in East Asian inspired books and other media. I've never read a Romeo and Juliette retelling before and I was excited about this book but I also really loved the cover! So, when I saw that I was approved for a physical ARC, I was beyond excited.

And oh, this book did NOT disappoint!

I was completely engrossed with it right off the bat. The two things that immediately caught my attention were the beautiful writing and the very well-done atmosphere. Chloe Gong's writing flows so well on-page and reads effortlessly and I loved that. These Violent Delights is one of the few books with a strong feel for the atmosphere that I've read. It basically felt like I was there with the characters, and whenever I had to stop reading I just missed that feeling. Reading a book set in Shanghai was also definitely refreshing and the type of new in YA I crave.

I feel like I have to say that in my opinion, this book is more historical fiction than fantasy and although it has some fantastical elements, they are very low-key, to the point where I'd say it's more of the magical realism type. I still don't know how they managed to create a monster even after the explanation at the end of the book, but I'm okay with that because I really enjoyed this.

The book definitely kept me at the edge of my seat the whole time I was reading it. I absolutely loved it and that's why putting my feelings into words will be hard.

I don't have a single complaint. The plot was executed very well, it kept me interested the whole time and there wasn't a single boring part in it. I was engrossed with it the whole time and I didn't want it to end. What's more, for the first time in ages I found myself wanting to read to the wee hours of the night and I even stopped watching my dramas (something that I usually look forward to) in favour of reading this. I enjoyed it that much.

Usually, when I read a book, I'd have this one main character that I'm not that interested in, but this wasn't the case here. I welcomed each POV the author introduced and if anything, I'd like to see more from all of them! Especially Kathleen and Benedikt, I want to know more about them.

I loved all of the effortless representation we have here because it's not made to be a big deal and that's what I love seeing. It's done well and I appreciate it.

What I loved about Juliette and Roma is that they aren't the kids from the original story. They are the same age, 19, and they already have some kind of history that is revealed slowly throughout the book. I enjoyed it because it was definitely done in a way I liked. For those of you who don't like much romance, but would like to give this a chance, I'd say the romance is very low-key and is definitely not the main thing in the book at all. It's focused more on the plot which I loved because I believe it just made the romance part better. Juliette and Roma had great chemistry, as did another pair of characters that shall remain a secret.

I would have liked a bit more from Rosalind because I feel like her character was kind of absent, and there was definitely a reason for it but it wasn't completely clear so I definitely hope there's more of her in the sequel.

Benedikt and Marshal seem like an amazing duo and I loved their dynamics, they were the best partners to each other and to Roma.

In my head, Roma is a soft cinnamon roll who tries to be fierce and I love him. I loved him in These Violent Delights and how much he was trying to stay true to himself and what he believed in. Actually, that's what I love about both him and Juliette. They decided to keep going and find out what or who's behind the madness and the monster even when nobody else cared enough to do so. I loved seeing them work together.

Juliette was also a great character who has her strengths and weaknesses. I loved how human she was even when she was trying to be ruthless. She was written excellently, just like everything else in the book. I'm extremely biased.

I loved the mystery element but what I appreciated the best was the way the madness was described and how realistic the reaction of the people was. I don't know if it was added as a later edit or if it was just spot on from the beginning, but the different types of reactions to it were very, very realistic.

What's more, that ending was just great. It left me wanting more. While I wasn't surprised at one of the final acts, I was so not expecting this ending, and I'm so excited about the sequel.

Friday 30 October 2020

All or None Blog Tour


Hi guys! It's been a while, hasn't it? I've been busy with work mostly and our YouTube channel now which is currently all about books and K-Pop. But anyway. Today I'm here with a blog tour for the book All or None by Aurora Thornton. I was chosen to be a host for this blog tour by Caffeine Blog Tours and HERE is the link to the BOOK LAUNCH POST.

I was originally supposed to share a review with you but I've had a busy week at work and wasn't able to get to it on time, so I've decided to share my review at a later date. However, something that I'm really excited about is that All or None features a lot of queer rep: demisexual cis main character, pansexual cis main character, demisexual trans, bisexual cis, pansexual cis, asexual cis, pansexual polyamorous cis and pansexual polyamorous cis. And as a panromantic ace myself, I'm excited for all of it!


BOOK INFORMATION


Title: All or None
Author: Aurora Lee Thornton
Publisher: Self-published
Publication date: August 2020
Genres: Adult, Fantasy


Synopsis:

In a world where everyone has a soulmate, uniquely powerful mage Royiora and reluctant assassin Kalo collide in the worst of ways.

Royiora Daralkaen, the only mage alive able to use all five kinds of magic, has a near idyllic childhood in the country of Porescalia – before war breaks out with their antagonistic neighbors, Kloria.

Kalo Porla, a naturally magic-proof individual known as a Null, is trained to be as an assassin by the authoritarian empire known as the Domain.

When Kalo and his partner assassin are sent to kill a mage and his apprentice, it starts a journey neither man was prepared to begin.



AUTHOR INFORMATION

Bio:

Aurora is a nonbinary, asexual writer with a new goal in life: to write the queerest books possible. (And yes, xe means gay, but also weird is good too.) Xe loves dragons and fantasy, and someday hopes to complete a (soft) science fiction novel as well. Currently, xe lives with xyr two cats.


Author links:




BOOK REVIEW: Shards of Earth by Adrian Tchaikovsky

  Purchase Links: Amazon UK  |  Amazon US  |  Bookshop.org  |  The Broken Binding  |  Waterstones Hi Guys, I'm following up my Spotlight...