Tag: Books

What kind of wizard are you? – A Quiz.

On By nexusfictionIn Books, Fantasy Fiction, films, magic, Reading, wizards, writingLeave a comment

Ever wondered what kind of wizard you would be? No, we not talking sorting hats here, we’re talking about how your personality and power would come together. In the Book of Water (Enchantress Trilogy) by our author JW Whitmarsh there are four different kinds of wizard; enchanters, illusionists, seers and druids. Each have distinct approaches and perspectives but, ultimately, it is the person inside who shapes how the wizard comes to their power.

After a quick word from the author find out where you would sit

Nexus-Fiction: We’re trying to decide what kind of wizard people would be if they were born gifted in the world of the Elemental Cycle. Maybe we should start with some famous examples.

JW Whitmarsh: OK, but bear in mind this would mean they would have to be limited by the lore of my world. You can’t really dump a character from another world into a distinct fictional construct cohesively.

NX: Indulge us.

JW: Very well.

NX: Right. Let’s start with a biggie. Gandalf?

JW: Difficult. I think you’d have to treat Gandalf the Grey and Gandalf the White differently. Gandalf the Grey seems to have an affinity with fire magic principally, which says enchanter, but he also does defensive wards and shields in the manner of a seer. I’m going to say seer with exceptional skills in elemental charms. Gandalf the White on the other hand is all about light magic and in the Elemental Cycle world he’d probably be a summoner like Loreliath, but that’s not an option in this test.

NX: Alright, Merlin?

JW: The recent TV Merlin on BBC seemed to be a seer mostly but if we’re talking about the Merlin of legend he would definitely be an illusionist.

NX: Prospero?

JW: He is quite controlling and gets others to do his bidding a lot so I’d say he’d be an enchanter.

NX: Who’d be a druid?

JW: Radagast the Brown would fit very comfortably into the druid role, I think. Or Herne the hunter.

There you have it. Now it’s your turn to decide what you would be.

Question 1: If you had to face one of the following, which would you LEAST want?

  1. Going blind
  2. Losing both hands.
  3. Losing sense of taste and smell
  4. Going deaf

Question 2: It’s raining hard outside and you want to pass the time. Pick the game that would amuse you best.

  1. Poker
  2. Chess
  3. Blackjack
  4. Dominoes

Question 3: Your bedroom is drab and spartan. You can cheer it up with one thing, which would you choose?

  1. A teddy bear
  2. A plant
  3. A ceiling painting of the stars
  4. An encyclopaedia

Question 4: You have to go onstage and entertain a crowd for a short time. What is your act?

  1. A Stand-up routine
  2. Juggling
  3. Magic tricks
  4. A poetry recital

Question 5: Which danger sign would most likely adorn your workshop.

  1. 1024px-Flammable-symbol.svg 2. electricity 3. 2000px-WHMIS_Class_D-1.svg.png4. 2000px-Danger_radiation.svg

Question 6: You’re worried about security for your home, which do you invest in?

  1. A state-of-the-art alarm system
  2. Beefing up the neighbourhood watch
  3. A guard dog
  4. Hidden traps

Question 7: Which of the following phobias bothers you LEAST

  1. Crowded places
  2. Spiders
  3. Heights
  4. Snakes

Question 8: You’ve got some time to relax, what do you want to do?

  1. Take a walk in the park
  2. Visit an art gallery
  3. Listen to classical music
  4. Have a massage

Question 9: You have to commit a bank robbery and want to use as little violence as possible, how would you go about it?

  1. Fill the bank with smoke and set off the fire alarm to get all the employees out first.
  2. Hack the security cameras so you can pass by unseen.
  3. Convince the bank manager that you have his family hostage
  4. Pump a sedative into the air conditioning to send everyone to sleep

Question 10: You are in fear for your life, how will you protect yourself?

  1. Find a vantage point from where you can see anyone approaching.
  2. Escape to deep within the forest
  3. Surround yourself with the best guards you can find
  4. Retreat into a cave network that you know intimately

Answer Time.

Add up the following scores for each question. Pens and pencils ready.

1: 1)d  2)b  3)a  4)c        2: 1)d  2)c  3)b  4)a    

3: 1)b  2)a  3)d   4)c       4: 1)b  2)c  3)d  4)a

5: 1)b  2)c  3)d  4)a       6: 1)c  2)b  3)a  4)d

7: 1)b  2)d  3)c  4)a       8: 1)a  2)d  3)c  4)b

9: 1)d  2)c  3)b  4)a        10: 1)c  2)a  3)b  4)a

Mostly As Click Here     Mostly Bs Click Here    Mostly Cs  Click Here     Mostly Ds Click Here

 

Enchantress Awakening New Edition Available Now!

On By nexusfictionIn Books, Erotic Fantasy Fiction, Fantasy Fiction, magic, Reading, writingLeave a comment

We’re pleased to announce that the Spellbound Edition of Enchantress Awakening is now available for purchase on Amazon. Meanwhile the Stone Edition is still available for the same price so now you have the choice of which cover you prefer.

 

Soon they will be joined by the Spellbound Edition of Enchantress Apprentice and in early May by both versions of Enchantress Destiny, which will be release simultaneously in both formats.

Quick Link to Spellbound Edition US, UK, Can, Aus, Ita, Fra, Ger, Ned

Quick Link to Stone Edition US, UK, Can, Aus, Ita, Fra, Ger, Ned

 

Trilogy or Epic – A reader’s poll

On By nexusfictionIn Books, Fantasy Fiction, films, Reading, Uncategorized, writingLeave a comment

In light of the forthcoming release of the third part of the Book of Water, Enchantress Destiny being released at the beginning of may and the complete trilogy version being released a month later. We thought we’d look at this question more generally.

The trilogy is a well-known staple of films, books and games. So much so that almost everything now has to be a trilogy. The number three is very satisfying but is it always what people want?

Tolkien famously never regarded The Lord of the Rings as a trilogy. That was his publishers idea. Yet when it came to making the films splitting it into three was a no-brainer. Is this the eternal truth? Is it that writers prefer a single, complete story whereas the audience needs a more digestible chunks?

We’re polling this on twitter at the moment and would be really interested to know people’s thoughts with regard to books and fantasy books, in particular. In the meantime, here’s a (very) short case for both sides.

Trilogy

Every writer wants their book read and many people would be intimidated by a 900-page brick. Length can be an initial barrier for many, even if in the event they would be able to manage. This remains true even once a reader has decided to take it on. War & Peace is famously one of the least finished books. We all like a sense of progress and huge books don’t make it easy for us. When you’ve read 100 pages you should feel like you’re well into a story and not just scratching the surface. Reading is a time-consuming process the less like a slog it seems the more people will do it.

Epic

First of all, a distinction should be made. There’s a difference between a book having two sequels and breaking up a longer tale. The reason writers don’t like their books split into three is because they are not three separate stories. It is a single story that should be read in order. Who wants to read Return of the King if you haven’t read the other two first? Also, this artificial split puts a lot of pressure on the first book to be the gateway to the others as well as being a complete story in its own right. We don’t judge films and plays simply by watching the first act. Novels should be no different.

Obviously there is a lot more you could say on both sides but it’s a start. Give your vote and your opinions here  or use the hastag #trilogyvsepic with your thoughts.

 

Release Day!

On By nexusfictionIn Books, Erotic Fantasy Fiction, Fantasy Fiction, magic, Reading, Uncategorized, writingLeave a comment

Enchantress Apprentice(celtic)As of today Enchantress Apprentice is officially on sale. Click here for the links by country. We like to show thanks to our most committed fans therefore early purchasers will be rewarded with a lower price for the first month.

 

 

 

 

Enchantress Awkening(Avetemp_-001If you are a little behind and wish to catch up, do not despair. Enchantress Awakening is still available. Buy now and begin the journey.

Interview with the author of Enchantress Apprentice – JW Whitmarsh

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So here we are. With Enchantress Apprentice – Part Two of the Book of Water coming out tomorrow we thought it would be a good chance to catch up with the author, JW Whitmarsh  once more. This is the first of three interviews that we will be posting on this website over the coming days and weeks. [Minor spoilers possible for those yet to read/finish Enchantress Awakening].

Nexus-Fiction: So a month in and now we are talking about Enchantress Apprentice. Does it feel like just yesterday that Enchantress Awakening came out?

JW Whitmarsh: Not really. This month has been pretty busy so it actually feels like quite some time ago.

NX: How distant do the stories feel to now? I mean you wrote a lot of the material some time ago.

JW: That’s true but still the story feels quite close. I’ve had to look at it again in a different way with trying to turn the Book of Water into a trilogy. I’ve spent quite a bit of time walking with Caleigh recently.

NX: On the subject of Caleigh, how do you pronounce her name? I’ve heard people say it different ways.

JW: It’s a Celtic name but there isn’t one correct Celtic or British accent. The derivation of the name is disputed and I think there are several variants that are acceptable so cay-lee, cal-ee, kelly, or even keely would be fair, depending on your own accent. I recently read a theory that the name actually comes from the Greek Callisto, who was a nymph, which is, shall we say, an interesting coincidence.

NX: I’m not convinced it is a coincidence but I can tell when an author is being circumspect. Staying on the subject of Caleigh, while trying to avoid spoilers as much as possible, where is she at the beginning of Apprentice compared to Awakening?

JW: I take it you mean in terms of her character as opposed to geographically?

NX: Yes, and in terms of her progress as a wizard.

JW: It’s very different. She is now a firmly established Apprentice and Librarian of Elevered. There’s an argument to say that in Awakening she is following the journeys others have given her (at least initially). In Apprentice the journeys are very much of her design. Of course she is still guided by Loreliath and Tovrik but she is using her own interpretation much more.

NX: Is she a match for other wizards yet?

JW: Obviously it depends on the wizard but she is getting there. We saw glimpses of that at the end of Awakening but it goes further in this story. Her enemies are starting to learn they need to take her seriously.

NX: Do we learn much more about the Coven and the Society of Shadows?

JW: Yes, definitely. We’ll get to put a lot more names to faces with the Coven and see that they are not necessarily homogeneous characters. It’s the same with the Society. When we first meet them we only see them as direct actors. In Enchantress Apprentice we begin to appreciate that their influence is more pervasive than that.

NX: More society to go with the shadows?

JW: Yes, you could put it that way.

NX: What about the good guys? Will more be added to the cause?

JW: Without giving too much away I can say that’s a pretty safe assumption. We’re definitely in the recruitment phase now.

NX: At the end of Awakening we saw Caleigh struggling to contain her powers. Will this be a problem for her again?

JW: I think you can see this as a development on her part. I think by the end of Awakening she has understood that repression doesn’t work for her so partly it’s that need to embrace her wilder side that persuades her to venture out from Elevered.

NX: So we shouldn’t expect to see Caleigh taking up the nun’s habit in Apprentice?

JW: Not unless it’s fancy dress night.

But it was cool when… – times adaptations got it right

On By jwwdevlinIn Books, Fantasy Fiction, Reading, writingLeave a comment

Earlier, I wrote a blog called ‘Wouldn’t it be cool if’ … – the modern curse of Sci-fi and fantasy where I argued against taking liberties in adaptations for the sake of a cool (but unjustified) moment and one reader asked me if I ever thought adaptations could be better.

I feel I need to respond to this for a number of reasons. First of all, adaptations per se are not the problem. My problem is with WIBCI moments that wreck the story around them/the characterisation of those involved. As I wrote in that article, they are by no means limited to adaptations they just have worse consequences when they are.

Still, it’s fair to ask if I think there are times when TV/film can do better than my beloved medium of text. There are many writers who are dismissive of visual media and as a result are often far less outraged by bad adaptation than their readers. To them the definitive version (theirs) will always exist no matter what goes on elsewhere.

There are others who think TV/film is always better or at least the only form people care about and while I can’t agree with them on that, there is a  tiny nugget of annoying truth in that. Adaptations can’t and shouldn’t be dismissed, as for many people this will be their first introduction to the story. A poor adaptation may stand in the way of the author getting their true vision across.

There are others still who say there are two versions and you can’t really compare them. As reasonable as this position is, I can’t agree with that either. One begat the other and for the reasons mentioned before, the other often stands as the former’s representative in the world of mainstream awareness. Note George RR Martin being called on to justify Sansa-gate when he didn’t even write that. The two are and always will be linked.

This matters to me because I don’t dismiss TV/film. I always hope for good adaptations because when I read a book I can see the potential. As a novelist, there are tools available to TV/film which I envy; most notably the performance of actors and a soundtrack and I think these are two ways in which the original story can actually be enhanced for the readers.

So after that long pre-amble here follows some examples of when TV/film really added something. Since this site is primarily focussed on fantasy I’ll stick to famous examples from that but it’s only fair that I shout out Fight Club as an example of a film that deviated to good effect. There are a number of times when minor characters are replaced with Tyler and the ending is totally different. In both cases I think this is an improvement on what is a very good original story. Ok, back to fantasy…

Robert & Cersei, Game of Thrones Season 1, episode 5 ‘The Wolf & the Lion’.

All of season 1 of Game of Thrones is pretty much a definitive guide on how to adapt a book faithfully. Most of the changes are editing for content (which is perfectly acceptable especially when there are budget limits) and where they are not they are fleshing out characters who we didn’t see so much of in the books.

This works because all the books in A Song of Ice and Fire use the POV structure meaning there is much that happens that we (as the readers) just don’t ‘see’. The Robert and Cersei scene in episode 5 is an example of something that ‘could have’ happened off-camera from the POV characters in question.

The two of them talk and in doing so answer some questions that we wouldn’t have known the answer to otherwise and flesh out our understanding of them .In the scene both remain ‘in character’ even when they show a side to their character you might not have expected. Some purists might take umbrage that Cersei is depicted as having loved Robert initially but I think it shows them both to be more human (albeit horrifically flawed humans).

Lighting the beacons, Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

Ok, the set up is a bit laboured and unnecessary. Denethor in the film is a bit less ambiguous than in the book so he actively tries to stop this sensible measure leading Pippin to have to show some initiative. But once that is out of the way we are treated to one of the stand out sequences of the film. The soaring soundtrack of the Gondor theme playing over the glorious New Zealand scenery passing hope from mile to mile with every burst of firelight. In the books it is mentioned but, much as we try as writers, this is the kind of thing where film has us beat.

The battle of summer and winter, The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe

Now it’s been a fair few years since I’ve read The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe but as I recall the battle is not described in a huge amount of detail. The film-makers really used the opportunity to give a scene that embraced the otherworldliness of the creatures involved; the griffins (superbly, character-fully animated incidentally) swoop in and throw rocks, the phoenix creates a fiery barrier and best of all is the moment when the big cats can’t restrain themselves any more and outstrip the rest of the cavalry while on the other side polar bears and loping werewolves run to meet them. For once, really running with an action set-piece really pays off here.

Of course there are many other examples than this (mentioning all the times an actor made a character more sympathetic is a blog in of itself) but I think in all of these cases the TV/film-makers have managed to add something without taking anything away. There is no car-crash or unravelling, simply they have taken what was there and added their own artistic flourish in in a way that remains true to the original story.

 

 

One week to go!

On By nexusfictionIn Books, Erotic Fantasy Fiction, Fantasy Fiction, magic, Reading, writingLeave a comment

apprenticeblueEnchantress Apprentice will be available from Amazon kindle and all kindle apps from the 1st of April 2016. To find the link you need for your local Amazon market click here. It is currently available for pre-order too if you wish to ensure you get it the moment it comes out.

 

AwakeningcoverblueMeanwhile, there’s still time to buy and read Enchantress Awakening. American readers can currently get it at a limited-time discount until the next book comes out.

Interview with the author III (part 3)

On By nexusfictionIn Books, Erotic Fantasy Fiction, Fantasy Fiction, magic, Reading, writing1 Comment

AwakeningcoverblueTo recap, in this last series of interviews with JW Whitmarsh, author of Enchantress Awakening we have been talking about the nature of magic in the world of the Elemental Cycle. Here we continue of that theme.

Nexus: Ok, so a more general question about magic and magic learning. How common are wizards within the world of the Elemental Cycle? Would there be one in every village?

JW Whitmarsh: That’s quite a nice idea. They could be the counterpoint to the village idiot. But no, I don’t think it would be quite that common. Off the top of my head, I think a reasonable estimation would be something like for every thousand people, there’s one person who is magically-gifted and for every hundred people who are magically-gifted, one of them would be a true mage.

NX: What’s the difference between a mage and one who is magically-gifted?

JW: Plenty of people are able to work some kind of magic but only a few of them can cast spells. That’s the major distinction. Someone who is magically-gifted might be able to make magical potions or craft magical items but no amount of wand-waving would enable them to make an apple catch fire.

NX: Where do spellsingers fit into this?

JW: A spellsinger is an exceptionally talented mage, maybe even a one in a hundred occurrence among those who can cast spells. They are mages who have such an intrinsic connection to the flow of magic that they can learn spells in a fraction of the time it would take others.

NX: So they are wizarding geniuses?

JW: I wouldn’t use that term because that implies a connection to intelligence. Spellsingers are not necessarily any smarter. They are more like ‘naturals’ in sport who are already brilliant at the age of 18.

NX: How hard is it to learn magic for mages?

JW: Very difficult at first. It’s not equivalent to learning at school. It’s an entirely holistic process so at times it may more akin to learning to dance or do a martial art, at other times like learning a language and others it would be a creative process. And it won’t be the same process for everyone.

NX: So if I came into my gift today, how long would it be before I can start using spells?

JW: Assuming you’re not a spellsinger?

NX: Yes. Let’s just say I’m an ordinary wizard, if there is such a thing.

JW: It would depend on your Art and your personality. Some aspects of magic require more study some require more intuitive understanding.

NX: But if you took an average?

JW: I think after 1-2 years you should be able to do the basics.

NX: And to be competent?

JW: Oh, I think you’d need to put in your 10,000 hours like with anything else. The only difference compared to other things like a sport or playing an instrument is that you wouldn’t peak. Mages continue to gain power as long as their mind is sharp.

NX: How long do mages live?

JW: It is variable. Ageing only really happens in the Plain of Reality so the greater the connection the mage has with the various other plains the less he or she will age.

NX: Which means Summoners would be more or less immortal?

JW: More or less.

NX: And for other mages?

JW: Without the influence of these other realms I would say a mage would likely live as long as any human could if they stayed in good health. So mages would routinely live into their nineties, which in their contemporary environment where most people are stricken down with illness before they get to that age would make them seem ancient indeed.

NX: We’re going to talk more about Enchantress Apprentice nearer the release but is there any hint you can give us about how Caleigh’s magic will develop?

JW: It’s certainly very different to where it is at the beginning of Enchantress Awakening. The question is no longer whether she is a wizard and what kind she’ll be it’s more a question of what she uses her power for. She’s a much less passive learner even though she’s aware she has a long way to go and there are threats out there to which she is not equal yet.

Enchantress Awakening is available now to buy for Amazon kindle. 

Interview with the author III (Part 2)

On By nexusfictionIn Books, Erotic Fantasy Fiction, Fantasy Fiction, magic, Reading, writing1 Comment

AwakeningcoverblueIn the first part of the interview we talked about the diversity of magic within the Elemental Cycle, which is where we continue.

Nexus: Going back a bit. You were saying that each division of magic is a tribute to the mythology of that region. Could you give us a summary of each?

JW: Ok, so as I said before Water Magic draws on those Arthurian traditions and ancient British folklore so we have things like Druidry and magic relating to standing stones as well as shape-changing and mind control. What next?

NX: We already mentioned Fire Magic, let’s expand on that.

JW: Well, Fire Magic has been channelled through the worship of the Pantheon so the spells of each discipline reflect that deity. Spells from Mars aid in battle while spells from Venus are related to seduction and love.

NX: Why is Neptune listed under the Spirit branch and not the Water branch?

JW: For two reasons. The first is that we shouldn’t take the elements too literally. Water is more about empathy than the sea and Neptune was not traditionally concerned so much with that. On the other hand, there is a link between the Spirit and prophecy and Neptune was often associated with that.

NX: Ok, what about Earth Magic?

JW: Earth Magic is based on Nordic folklore so, for example, in the fire branch runes play an important part whereas in the Air branch the role of the Skald is very important.

NX: What is a Skald?

JW: They were revered storytellers and singers. I like the idea of their songs having a physical effect on those who hear them.

NX: Tell us a little about Air and Spirit?

JW: Air is tied to the traditions of the east so it’s various branches pay tribute to the martial arts and distinct history of each region. Spirit is more based around the great civilisations of the middle-east and Africa. So we might see genies and mummies and ancestor worship in there.

NX: And then there is the Sixth Element: the Gate. How would you describe this?

JW: This is the magic of Summoners who can open gates to every plain of existence even those of Darknesss and Light.

NX: Would they be able to summon demons and angels for example?

JW: Summon and banish, although neither task would be easy.

NX: Which region of the world does this magic represent?

JW: It doesn’t. This is the magic of beyond our world.

NX: Does that make it more powerful?

JW: Potentially. But there are no true Summoners currently active in the world. Unless you count the betrayers borrowing Xyraxis’s power.

NX: Does that mean we won’t see much Light and Dark magic?

JW: Not necessarily. There are some who wield it who are not Summoners. The Society of Shadows use Dark Magic as much as they can and you’ll get to meet someone in a forthcoming book for whom Light Magic is of fundamental importance.

Interview concludes in Interview with the author III (part 3). 

Interview with the author III

On By nexusfictionIn Books, Erotic Fantasy Fiction, Fantasy Fiction, magic, Reading, writingLeave a comment

AwakeningcoverblueWelcome to the third of our interviews with the author of Enchantress Awakening, JW Whitmarsh. Today we shall be concentrating our questions on the matter of magic in the world of the Elemental Cycle.

Nexus: The magic in the world of the Elemental Cycle is pretty systematic and comprehensive. Just how many spells are there?

JW Whitmarsh: There are any number but in terms of what a wizard might use…hang on, this is a maths question…I suppose if I wrote them all down there would be between 800-1,000 depending on how many combinations you could think of.

NX: 1,000! That’s a lot of spells to devise. Have you thought of all of them already?

JW: Give me time. So far I’ve devised the common spells and the spells for Water Magic, Earth Magic and Fire Magic and few for Spirit. So that’s probably about 600 or so thus far.

NX: Oh, a mere 600. Nothing really. Why did you decide to split up spells into different schools of magic? Wouldn’t it have been much easier just to have one list of spells that everyone can use like in Harry Potter?

JW: I love Harry Potter and I love the magic of that world but no, it was always the plan that there would be limitations. I think sometimes limitations liberate us because we are forced to think more inventively, ironic as that sounds. I wanted the wizards of my world to be distinct and have their own ‘magical personality’. If Caleigh, Gideon and Tovrik were presented with a problem they would think about the solution differently. Why shouldn’t their approach to spells be different as well?

NX: Sure, but you could still have had only four Arts. Choosing to make the magic of each region distinct is creating a lot more trouble for yourself.

JW: That’s true but it’s good trouble. By the same virtue I could have made the Book of Water the only story but instead I chose to spread the story across the entire parallel world.

NX: Why?

JW: The short answer is I thought it would be more interesting.

NX: And the long answer?

JW: I wanted to pay homage to world mythology. That was always my starting point. The Book of Water is based in Celtic mythology, the Book of Earth in Norse mythology, Fire in classical mythology etc. I wanted these events to be happening in every corner of the Earth and one way of drawing on these disparate mythologies was to embed it in the magic they use.

NX: So, Water Magic is the magic we would expect from Celtic mythology?

JW: Yes and from Western Europe in general. It’s the magic of Merlin in his various incarnations and the magic of fairy tales.

NX: Is there much crossover between different Arts in different places?

JW: Absolutely. Caleigh for instance is influenced by the elements of Water and Fire so any other Art that has either of these elements will not be completely foreign to her.

NX: What about when it’s the same two elements just in a different order? Would the water branch of fire magic be right up her street?

JW: Very much so. I think for Caleigh, learning the magic of Venus, Diana and Juno (the Moon magic of the Imperium) would be like someone versed in Spanish attempting to learn Portuguese. Likewise, the water branch of Air Magic in the east would seem very familiar to Gideon.

Continues in Interview with the author III (Part 2) >>>>