The Searing of the Shire

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This post really has nothing to do with the searing of the shire, but at the end I'm going to announce the winners of some of the Hobbit's Birthday contests and so it just seemed like an appropriate wrap-up title.

Before that, though! Fellow author of psychological suspense and comrade in the darkness, Jennifer Hillier tagged me in a blog-post, and I thought it was about time I did one of these things again. So, here we go. Your chance to get to know the mind of Nevets.

19 Questions, and my 19 answers!


1). If you have pets, do you see them as animals, or are they members of the family?
I have a cat, and, of course she's an animal. In some ways she's also part of the family. In some ways, she's obviously not. I suppose I tend to insert myself into her kinship diagram more than I incorporate her into mine.

2). If you can have a dream come true, what would it be?
I don't prioritize one dream over another, really, and I live with the intent to do everything possible to realize all my dreams.

3). What is the one thing most hated by you?
People who sneak-attack the self-esteem of others and undermine their dreams and their belief in themselves.

4). What would you do with a billion dollars?
Move to a country house somewhere I wasn't allergic to. Live, write, support family members and friends.

5). What helps to pull you out of a bad mood?
The necessity to act on behalf of someone else.

6). Which is more blessed, loving someone or being loved by someone?
Something about this question bothers or annoys me.

7). What is your bedtime routine?
Shower, brush my teeth, annoy my wife while she's making the bed, maybe read a little.

8). If you are currently in a relationship, how did you meet your partner?
I met my wife through a mutual friend. I had recently sworn off women. Rose had recently sworn off mine. Our friend said, "Hey, you've gotta meet. You'll love each other!" We did. :)

9). If you could watch a creative person in the act of the creative process, who would it be?
The creative process of other people really, really, really bores me to tears.

10). What kinds of books do you read?
Thrillers, mysteries, sci fi, fantasy, wu xia, historical fiction, westerns, literary fiction, and others. And that's just the fiction.

11). How would you see yourself in ten years time?
If I think to much about this I'll get ill. So I'm gonna pass.

12). What's your fear?
Well, I already opened this can of worms elsewhere today, so I'll try to avoid a repeat fiasco, and just say, "living an unfulfilled life without having met my purpose, whatever that may be."

13). Would you give up all the junk food for the rest of your life for the opportunity to visit space?
I don't do questions that hypothetical. They don't make any sense to me.

14). Would you rather be single and rich, or married and poor?
Married and whatever. What with loving my wife and all.

15). What's the first thing you do when you wake up?
Feed the cat...

16). If you could change one thing about your spouse/partner, what would it be?
Pfft. For those of you are still single, here's some advice: find someone you love because of, not in spite of.

17). If you could pick a new name for yourself, what would it be?
I'll let you know after Yat-Yee's had some time to cook something up for me.

18). Would you forgive and forget no matter how horrible a thing that special someone has done?
I'll forgive just about anything. I can't forget anything at all, no matter how much I may want to.

19). If you could only eat one thing for the next six months, what would it be?
Speaking of hypothetical questions that don't make any sense to me....

haha

So now that I've spoiled the fun of the tag by being a curmudgeon, here's some news about prizes!

The winner of the signed copy of my story, "I Need this," the piece that got me into Notes from Underground is Jennifer Hillier! Jennifer, e-mail me your address, and I will get this out to you!

The winner of her choice of either Tim Stretton's Dog of the North or R. N. Morris' A Razor Wrapped in Silk is... Misha! Misha, take a look at the books and then send me an e-mail at c dot n dot nevets at gmail dot com, letting me know your choice and whether you want a print a copy or an eBook and then we'll work out the details on getting it to you!

Now, don't forget! You have until tomorrow to add me as a friend on Facebook maybe a week or two to comment on author profile pieces for the remaining two contests.

.Nevets.

Hobbit Birthday's Eve

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As we all know, on their birthdays, Hobbits hand out presents to their party guests.  Tomorrow's my birthday, and so I'm going to hand out presents.  Seriously cool presents.

But, hey, tomorrow is more than my birthday.  It's also the birthday of writing and blogging friend Frances Garrood, author of Dead Earnest and The Birds, The Bees, and Other Secrets.  When we found out we shared a birthday, Frances suggested we throw a blog party -- and we are!  So be sure to stop at Frances' blog and join the fun on the 18th.  Come and your favorite literary character and give us a brief reading!  Join the fun!

Now for the presents!


First of all the winners of the prizes from my Reader Feedback contest!

The winner of an item from the Cafe Press Store is... Summer Ross!  Summer, I know you had mentioned liking the bear once before, so I thought I'd send that you, but if you have an alternate choice, just let me know!  We've e-mailed before, so just drop me a line with a shipping address!

The winner of the Nevetsized Aesop's fable, printed and signed is... Domey Malasarn!  Domey, just let me know know either in comments or e-mail or whatever what Aesop's fable you'd like me to Nevetsize for you!

But what kind of birthday presents would they be if the only presents were prizes from a contest that was already established?  That would be ridiculous.

So there's more!

Way more!

I randomly selected one of my blog followers... The mice were with us.  The number that popped up was Number 42.  I counted back that number of followers, and.... Anthony Pacheco, you've won your choice of items from the Cafe Press Store.  Take a look, see what suits your fancy, and then drop me an e-mail with your choice and a shipping address!

But that's not all either.

Four more prizes!

The quick version:

1) Comment here for a chance at, "I Need This."
2) Comment on author profile stories for increased chances at Notes from Underground.
3) Friend me on Facebook for a chance at Genre Wars.
4) Comment here and at Frances Garrood's blog during the party on the 18th for a chance at The Dog of the North and/or A Razor Wrapped in Silk!

The details:

In honor of the upcoming Notes from Underground anthology, including my story "Terminal Instar" and a whole lot of other, excellent pieces, every one who comments on this post between now until the end of the weekend will be entered in a drawing for a signed, printed copy of "I Need This," the story I wrote which won my inclusion in the anthology.

Anyone who has commented on any of the author profiles in overcoming will be entered to win a copy of the Notes from Underground anthology, signed by me, once it is released in early March.  One entry for every story you've commented on!  In case you've missed any, check out the list:  RJ Ellory, Gary Corby, Marilyn Meredith, RN Morris, Michael Malone, Ryan David Jahn, Deborah Swift, Jennifer Hillier, and Aliyah Whiteley.  You want to have read these anyway!

Trying to catch my breath here.  It's not easy being a Hobbit.

Okay, two more!

Anyone who friends me on Facebook (or is already a friend) by a week from my birthday will be entered to win an electronic copy of Genre Wars, the first Literary Lab presents anthology which included two of my stories, "The Best Medicine" and "Death, Be Not Me."

And finally.

Anyone who comments on this post or joins the birthday at Frances Garood's will be entered to win either electronic or new print copies of  Tim Stretton's Dog of the North or R. N. Morris' A Razor Wrapped in Silk, because I just think it's insane that more of the world doesn't know these books.  Comment in both places and if you win you will win both books!

Quick recap:

1) Comment here for a chance at, "I Need This."
2) Comment on author profile stories for increased chances at Notes from Underground.
3) Friend me on Facebook for a chance at Genre Wars.
4) Comment here and at Frances Garrood's blog during the party on the 18th for a chance at The Dog of the North and/or A Razor Wrapped in Silk!

And now this Hobbit is worn out.  Happy Birthday Eve, everyone!

.Nevets.

Soundtrack for this crazy party has been provided by Metallica, because that's how Hobbits roll.

History by Immersion, Mystery through Craftsmanship

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Historical fiction often feels like a guided a tour of another world, with the author serving a friendly and well-informed guide who points (sometimes clumsily and sometimes deftly) toward the things that are interesting about this other place and time.  Traditional mysteries, in which the reader pieces together clues together with a professional investigator so that the story is about the case itself rather than the detective's personality or methods (apart from the detective's brilliant logic) have given way to procedurals, forensic procedurals, cosies, and thrillers.  A Razor Wrapped in Silk  by R. N. Morris transcends these trends.  It is a traditional mystery, told with literary craftsmanship, fully immersed in 19th century Russia.

The third in a series of books that began with A Gentle Axe and continued with A Vengeful Longing, Morris' A Razor Wrapped in Silk takes place in Czarist St. Petersburg and features Porfiry Petrovich, the investigating magistrate created by Dostoevsky for Crime and Punishment.  Lest you think this abusive or derivative, rest assured that Morris handles both  Petrovich and Dostoevsky's Russia with great respect.  If anything, this book stands as a great tribute to an intriguing character and an author whose ideas have influenced a great deal of literature.

The story itself weaves together two mysteries: one, the brutal slaying of a much-loved woman; the other, the disappearance of a young boy who worked in a factory and was attending an experimental new school.  With a similar feel to Conan Doyle's Holmes when international affairs got involved, and with a touch of Dostoevsky himself, the stories unfold at three levels: the intriguing work of discovering and interpreting clues; the emotional drama of those caught up in the crimes; all with an eye to the politics and ideological clash in the world around them.  Petrovich, as a detective, is a man of striking intellect and entertaining personality, but as much as he is the center-piece of the story, his character never overwhelms the rest of the narrative.

From the outset, the thing that is most impressive about A Razor Wrapped in Silk isn't the mystery (which is well-crafted), isn't the detective (of whom I can't wait to read more in the earlier books), isn't the prose (which is sharp and bleakly vivid), and isn't even the political intrigue (engagingly related but with a fair hand).  What is most impressive is the way that the story is told.  The reader is immediately immersed into the world, and the story reads as if 19th Century Russia is the most natural place for a book to place.  There is no sense of marvel or wonder.  There is no subtle suggestion that the reader should be entertained by the differences between the world of the book and the world in which they live.  There is no implication that the real point of the book is to show off Dostoevsky's St. Petersburg to readers.

Instead, A Razor Wrapped in Silk is drenched in authenticity.

It is difficult to completely scrub time and place from the English language, but apart from a few very brief moments in which a character's speech strikes an American "ear" as rather British, and a climactic sequence that feels a bit more modern, Morris has put together a book that feels very much as if it were simply published out-of-time.

A Razor Wrapped in Silk is available in UK paperback and also on Kindle in the US and internationally, as well as through various after-market resellers.

.Nevets.

It's Like a Casserole

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So tomorrow morning I've got the next author-overcoming profile.  You will not want to miss it.  Seriously.

But because I  posted on Sunday, I didn't post yesterday, so I feel like I should post tonight.  But I don't want it to be anything too earth-shattering since I have another post going up in the morning.

In that light, here is a casserole of random goodness:

Don't forget to like my Facebook page.  Next week there will a contest, and at least one prize will only be available to Facebook fans.

Speaking of contests, if you never read how I Nevetsized a moment of Deb Markanton's life, you should.  Not only is it a fun story, but there will be a new opportunity soon to possibly have a moment of your own life re-written as if it were part of my dark, twisted tales.

In news unrelated to Nevets-QST, I would point you to the two give-aways that Michelle Davidson Argyle is having on her blog right now.

In other news, every time I watch Deep Space Nine, I remember why I used to write sci fi.  All benefits to focusing on my genre duly noted, there's just something powerful about being able to manipulate an entire universe against your poor hapless characters.

Back to books for moment, it's recently been announced that RJ Ellory's next release in the US will be A Simple Act of Violence.    RN Morris has released a small teaser of the cover for his next book, The Cleansing Flames.  And while there's no cover art yet, you can pre-order Jennifer Hillier's debut thriller, Creep.

Okay, Tex Mex Hotdish.  This is what Minnesotans would eat if Minnesota were in Mexico.  In a baking dish, one layer of ground beef, browned with diced onion.  Next, a layer of corn, rotel, and green chiles.  Next, a layer of cheesy salsa.  Finally, the layer of tater tots.  Then bake per the tater tot directions.  It's not health food, except for putting a smile on your face.

Random enough for you?

.Nevets.

R. N. Morris: When There's Nothing Left but Guts

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Most authors have experienced rejection.  Many of us have faced it so many times we begin to take it for granted.  British author, R. N. Morris came face to face with the worst sort of personal rejection -- truly an author's nightmare.  He calls it his, "darkest moment," and now he's on the other side of that moment, with four published novels and another in the works.



I remember meeting my agent for coffee. He ‘d been my agent for a number of years but without managing to place any of my novels. I have actually lost count of the number of novels he’d tried – maybe three or four. Maybe more. It’s a blur. It wasn’t his fault. He’d been able to get the scripts on the desks of the right people but there had been no takers. Apparently I’d come very close a couple of times, but something had always got in the way. One editor’s reaction was typical, if brutal: “I won’t be able to sell enough copies.” That was for the novel my agent had just been submitting and our meeting was to let me know how things were going. Badly, was the short answer. “Your name is starting to meet with some resistance,” he told me. I asked what he meant. “Well, when I tell editors I have a new novel by you, they say, ‘Ah, yes, we know him – don’t you have anyone else?’”


That was pretty much the lowest point of my writing life. As far as I could see, this was the end of the road. Either I change my name, or give up. That was the way it seemed. I didn’t like the idea of changing my name – it seemed a deceitful thing to do. I also didn’t like the idea of giving up. I decided to try one last throw of the dice. I’d had this idea for a detective novel based on Porfiry Petrovich, the magistrate from Dostoevksy’s novel “Crime and Punishment.” I shared the idea with my agent. “Yes, that might work,” was all he said. But it was all the encouragement I needed.


Actually, I had two last rolls of the dice. There was another idea that I had to get out of my system first, an idea that had also been obsessing me for years. A story about a guy who went round collecting mementos from scenes of tragedy or disaster. I decided I had to write that first and then get on to the Porfiry Petrovich idea, which I felt would be harder and would require more time to research. I wrote “Taking Comfort”, my first published novel, in a frenzied eight weeks. Then I started work on the novel that would become “A Gentle Axe”, my second published novel, immediately.


So I didn’t give up. I don’t know what I did – or how I did it. I wrote the two books that I most needed to write – the two books, also, that I was most afraid of writing. Maybe I learnt, not to give up, but to let go.

R. N. Morris

R. N. Morris has written a contemporary thriller, Taking Comfort, and three literary mysteries set in Dostoevsky's Russia, the most recent of which is 2010's A Razor Wrapped in Silk, now available in  the UK and in the  US on Kindle and from resellers.  His previous novel, A Vengeful Longing, is available in Australia, and the first St. Petersburg mystery, A Gentle Axe, is available as an audio book in South Africa.

.Nevets.