Joanna White, Author of "Shifter," Discusses How She Develops Her Writing Ideas

In today’s word, many people want cheap books with excellent writing. Standards are high, and everyone wants something new to entertain them. Since no one wants a cliché, as a writer you have to be really creative to keep your readers on their toes.

How do you do that?

Well, ideas don’t come from nowhere. Every idea in any book that’s ever been written has come from something at some point. So if you like an idea but it’s really cliché or overused, how do you make it different?

First off, make it your own!

I’ll use the example from my book Shifter, which has shapeshifters. It’s been used many times; it’s an extremely popular genre for readers, especially werewolf romances. Really overused in my opinion. So how do you change this idea and make it your own?

Add something else you love into it. For me, it’s dragons, so I did shapeshifting dragons, rather than werewolves. It’s been used a few times but not to the point of overuse like werewolves. Maybe you love history, so you could add shapeshifters into a specific time period of history you’re really passionate about. Or maybe you love fashion—try to imagine shapeshifters in that industry. Whatever you love outside of writing, make it apart of your story to add a layer of depth to it that no one else has done!

Second, combine ideas.

Now this one may not work for everyone but hear me out. Say you love an idea—again, using an example from my book Shifter—a girl doesn’t know about the existence of shapeshifters but falls in love with one anyway. How would you take that idea and make it different? Other than adding your own spice to it—aka, he’s a dragon shapeshifter, instead of the typical werewolf—you can combine it with lots of other ideas you like.

In this example, we can take the idea that she doesn’t know about shapeshifters, but they have influenced her life before. There is also the “hard to accept factor” so I can combine that with the idea that she ends up being okay with it. Maybe you like cowboys and want to incorporate that, or you like the idea of a hostage situation, or a forbidden love. When you start combining ideas, eventually, the original idea becomes less of what it started off and the more complicated it gets, the more it becomes original to you. That’s why ideas in any book don’t seem like they’re taken from other things (well, sometimes). It’s because they’ve been combined with new ideas and the writer’s own original twist to create something brand new.

So the next time you have a cliché idea that you really like, do not count yourself or your book out yet. It may just take some creative thinking and a lot of idea tweaking to make it so much better. 

About Johanna’s book, Shifter:

Beroan is a shapeshifter, part of the dragon clan. His clan’s Alpha, Sirath, wants to watch the world burn.

For ten long years Sirath has attacked villages, killing thousands of humans and burning towns to the ground. Beroan has had enough, but his resistance will only end in suffering.

Nsi is a human living in a small village with her grandmother and cousin. Her ignorance about the existence of shifters won’t protect her for long. Her family was killed in a dragon attack when she was younger, and now dragons have come again. Now she will stop at nothing until the dragon shifters are stopped, to save humans from suffering the same fate as her family.

Together, Nsi and Beroan will risk everything to save humanity from Sirath. 

Johanna’s Books:

Hunter (Valiant Book 1)

Shifter (Valiant Book 2)

Joanna’s Social Media:

Facebook: facebook.com/joannamariewhite

Twitter: twitter.com/joannamwhite

Website: https://www.joannamariewhite.wixsite.com/mywebsite

Joanna White earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing for Entertainment at Full Sail University. The Valiant series is her first published work, which first started off on Wattpad. She lives in Missouri with her husband, where she continues to work on more books. Writing has been a passion since she was ten, when she wrote her first book. Ever since then, writing has become her life outside of her family, God, and being a nerd.

Thank you, Joanna, for being a guest writer for Lunarian Press!

Book Review: G.M. Nair's Duckett & Dyer: Dicks for Hire

I picked up a copy of G.M. Nair’s Duckett & Dyer: Dicks for Hire because I met him on Twitter, and he seemed very funny! Also, I happen to love scifi/fantasy comedies like Douglas Adams’ Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and anything by Terry Pratchett, so I was excited to read one by a new author. I’m so glad I did, because Nair’s book is a joy to read. It’s funny, but it also has moments of great drama and pathos, and I loved the characters.

It took Michael and Stephanie nearly an hour of walking before they spotted a lone cab searching the edge of suburbia for a fare like a grandparent canvassing a toy store for a "Nintendo Playstation."

Michael Duckett and Stephanie Dyer seem at first like the most hilariously awkward/incompetent duo to ever fumble their way through a cosmos spanning mystery. But one of the things I loved about the book was how they grew and developed as the story progressed. They both come to reevaluate their lives and their friendship in meaningful ways, Even side characters, ones we barely meet, seem to grow over the course of the book. What’s more, while the story has plenty of moments of zany comedy, there are moments of poignancy and depth that I loved. As the book progressed, Nair gave both Duckett & Dyer a level of self-awareness that lead to some very thoughtful, sweet moments.

Overall, I really loved this book. If I had any criticism, it’s that the set up was a little long, but the payoff was so great it was totally worth it. Like the best comedies, it has a kind and compassionate heart, and like the best scifi, it has a fascinating and engaging world. I can only hope that G.M. Nair is working on a sequel, because I can’t wait to read what happens next!

Five More Science Fiction/Fantasy Very Short Stories

Here are some more of my scifi/fantasy very short stories, usually written for #vss365 or #satsplat. I hope you enjoy them!

RUINS

The stone pillars are ancient, their edges softened by layers of moss. Gnarled black trees that surround the ruins, hiding them away with dark foliage. Zaid lifts a branch. There's a girl asleep on a flat stone, golden hair flowing around her, a crown on her lap.

CAVE

She found it deep in a cave, its body so massive and ancient she had thought it part of the rock. It opened one yellow eye and stared into her. She froze. Its scales had hardened into stone, its wings looked like stalactites, but its inner fire burned hot.

FOREVER DREAMS

"I'm joining the Lotus eaters."

"You'll dream forever and never wake up again. Why, Silda?"

She looked off into the distance, a thousand yard stare. "I'll see them again in dreams."

He put an arm around her, tears on his cheeks. "Stay and we'll make new dreams."

DRONE

The drone was smaller than a pocket watch, and it could fly or skitter along the ground like a mechanical hamster.

"What are you going to do with that?" the recruit asked.

"Information is power," she said. "If we find the name of his mistress, we can turn him. Or her."

CRUCIBLE

"Death is the crucible and it forges us into someone, or something new," the witch said. She stirred her cauldron. "That is why I cannot do what you ask, my lord. The lady you knew is gone. Who can say what she has become?"

"Do it or join her," he hissed.

Review: The Seventh Bride

The Seventh Bride is a fantasy novel by T. Kingfisher. I discovered it while reading an essay about realistic fantasy heroines, and I loved it so much I read the whole book in one night. It's that good. It's a creepy, terrifying story about a young peasant girl who finds herself caught by a rich, powerful noble, who's also a deranged sorcerer. 

What makes this story fascinating is the heroine, Rhea, a 15-year-old miller's daughter. She's not particularly pretty, though she works hard at the mill and knows a great deal about flour. So it's a mystery to her why a rich nobleman, Lord Crevan, who she's never met suddenly decides he wants to marry her. In fact, Rhea's tempted to refuse him when he makes a show of asking her and her family for her hand in marriage, even though that would be unthinkable. But Rhea is ever practical, sensible, and kind, and she knows that an angry Crevan could destroy her family if she dared to tell him "no." Yet the more she discovers about the selfish, cold, cruel man she's about to marry, the more horrifying the prospect becomes. Especially when (spoilers) she discovers the shocking fates of Crevan's six other wives.

A brilliant re-telling of the "Bluebeard" fairy tale, The Seventh Bride captures the horror of the original story, but Kingfisher creates a wonderful character in Rhea. With only a hedgehog for a companion, Rhea defeats her evil captor in part by befriending his other wives and treating those around her with compassion. It's noteworthy that unlike most novels about a young woman in danger, The Seventh Bride makes it clear that Rhea and the other wives have done nothing wrong and do not deserve the punishments Crevan inflicts on them. He justifies his cruelty, even convincing one of his victims to serve him. Yet practical Rhea immediately recognizes his weak excuses, and takes comfort in the fact that she's done nothing wrong except somehow attract the attention of a maniac. Her attitude is a great antidote to the enormous amount of victim-blaming we see in our culture.

I enjoyed this novel from beginning to end, and I'd highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys fantasy or dark, twisted fairy tales. While the book has a youthful heroine, Rhea has the voice of an old soul, and the violence and horror of the story make it more for adults (or at least very mature young adults). It's such a great read, I'm hoping to read more books by its author, T. Kingfisher, soon.

Reviews, Book Spotlights, and Author Interviews for Saints and Curses!

I’m so happy that Saints and Curses has been getting some excellent reviews and ratings on Goodreads and Amazon! In particular, I’m really happy about this review from Killian Wolf.

This Anthology is like opening up a portal and dipping into different magical worlds all in one book. Alexis Lantgen does it again in her newest Anthology, Saints and Curses, with her ability to weave magical worlds, so detailed, that you could almost hear the music playing from within the pages, or taste the food being served at a festival.

If you’d like to know more about how people are liking Saints and Curses, check it out!

In addition to an excellent review, I did another author interview at Meet the Author by Camilla Downs.

What’s your favorite place to visit in your country and why?

My family went on an incredible trip to the Redwoods National Park in California. Seeing the redwood forest–they’re the tallest trees on Earth, and it’s impossible to convey their majesty. It was the most magical place I’ve ever been, and I loved it. I want to go back again someday, and show the redwoods to my children.

Last but not least, I’m happy to have a book spotlight for Saints and Curses on Timothy Bateson’s Website! Thank you once again, Timothy!

My author copies for Arlingcon—I’m so excited to get them in!

Review: The Goblin Emperor

I'd heard about Katherine Addison's new book, The Goblin Emperor, and since it seemed like a story I might enjoy, I decided to give it a try. I'm happy I did, since it's one of the most refreshing and wonderful fantasy stories I've read in a while. Addison's main character, Maia, the half-goblin fourth son of an Elven emperor, is one of the most likable, sympathetic characters I've read in fantasy since Samwise Gamgee.  

Unlike much of the fantasy released today, The Goblin Emperor has very little darkness or dramatic action. It's a novel about how Maia, a neglected, exhiled fourth son, becomes emperor after the murder of his father and brothers and learns to navigate the treacherous, complex intrigue of his court. Yet the book has a profound emotional resonance, considering it's the story of a young man thrust into a new world were he struggles to find friends and allies, while worrying that people's lives depend on his every decision.

Maia grew up untrained in the skills he needs to rule, but he throws himself into learning everything about his court with enormous dedication. His compassion, sensitivity and willingness to defy traditions at first seem like terrible weaknesses in a place more used to the impassive, often cruel reign of his cold-hearted father. But as Maia grows into his role, his kind heart wins him the loyalty and love of his servants and some of his family. Although there's an intriguing mystery that unfolds as Maia searches for the people responsible for the airship crash that killed his family, the book on the whole is a domestic drama. Indeed, while the assassination and coup attempts against Maia give the book moments of intense drama, the true story feels more like a Bildungsroman (a coming of age story). 

While I enjoy Game of Thrones and other dark fantasy, I'll admit it was a huge relief to read this somewhat light-hearted, optimistic book about courtly intrigue. It shows how much real drama and emotion can revolved around the fear of public embarrassment or the longing for acceptance and friendship. I nearly cried in the last few pages when Maia ultimately rejects cruel, if well-intentioned advice to avoid friendship. The book's warm, positive message was a healthy reminder that while cruelty exists, there are far more Maias out there than Ramsey Boltons. Indeed, in The Goblin Emperor, Addison shows how love and loyalty can ultimately defeat ambition and cruelty. I'd recommend this book to anyone interested in the lighter side of fantasy, especially intrigues. 

StoryTime Read Aloud of "The Last Bird"

One of the things I signed up for during OWSCyCon 2019 was Timothy Bateson’s Storytime. Timothy and a few other volunteers agreed to record some of our stories and put them up on youtube! Storytime ended up being so popular that poor Tim got inundated with requests, but he kept going and is going to finish them all! I loved the audio for this story so much, I got tears in my eyes when I heard it. “The Last Bird” was one of my favorite stories from Sapience, and it’s been pretty popular with reviewers as well. So check it out, in audio form! Thank you so much, Timothy and Phoebe Darqueling, who did the voice recording.

Your Listen

My (Recent) Indie Book Reviews!

I’ve decided to make an effort to read and review more Indie books. Here are three Indie books I read in the past month, along with the reviews I wrote (which are also posted on Amazon and Goodreads). Remember, if you like a book or an author, one of the best ways you can support them is to write a review, even a short and simple one!

Black Hat Blues by Gene Kendall

I really enjoyed this book! I loved the characters--Mr. Scratch is funny and terrifying at the same time, while Mark Lipscomb is enjoyably clueless and harmless, yet with enough of a dark side that you can actually see Mr. Scratch as a bit of dark-id wish fulfillment. The relationships between the characters are as complex and awkward as I could imagine between a father-figure creator and the wayward son. 
If I have criticism of the book, it's that it sort of lost its way at some points. There's a whole bit that criticizes politicians and political correctness that felt a little out of place in the story. Also, one of the more interesting characters (I won't tell you which one), is killed halfway through "offscreen." I feel like it would have been way more interesting for the author to actually write that character's death scene, or perhaps even keep them until the end of the book. 
Nonetheless, if you enjoy comic books and scifi/fantasy, this book is very entertaining. It's funny, dark, and heartwarming, and manages to be both an homage and a critique of comic books and fan culture.

Bellerophon: Son of Poseidon

This is an interesting book, and there's a lot I enjoyed about it. I loved the setting, in ancient Greece. The author included lots of fascinating details that made the day to day life real come alive, but not so much the story felt bogged down. 
I enjoyed the story as well. The battles were intense, the fight with the chimera harrowing and climactic, and the political machinations enjoyably dirty and dramatic. 
If I had a criticism, it would be the main character. He's a little too good, and I sometimes wished he was a little more naughty. Ancient Greek myths tend to have tragic, larger than life heroes with a fatal flaw, often hubris. Lero could have used a little more lusty swagger, if you ask me. On the other hand, I loved his relationship with Pegasus and his friendships with all the warriors. 
Overall, this book is an enjoyable read, and I'd recommend it to anyone who likes Greek myths and fantasy. It's a good choice for someone looking for the grownup version of the Percy Jackson books.

Smile Again by Eunice Nascimento

This is a peaceful, cozy book of short stories. While it didn't have a lot of intense drama, the stories were enjoyable, mellow, and well-written. Honestly, I think "Smile Again" would be a good book to read if you're feeling anxious or depressed, because it's very comforting. I also like the fact that while many of the stories included a sweet romance, many other stories were about friendship or family, or just connecting with other people. 

An enjoyable read for anyone looking for a cozy book of realistic, sort of women's fiction short stories.

More Very Short Stories, Mixed Genres

Here are five more very short stories I’ve written recently in a mix of genres—science fiction, dark fantasy, and realistic. I had posted them on twitter under #vss365 and #scififri. Also, if you are a writer, some of the members of #vss365 are going to be making an anthology of very short stories, submitted on twitter via the hashtag #vss365a. You can find out more on the Making Fiction website, so if you’re interested in submitting, check it out!

Orion

Capt. Dayne surveyed the icy surface of Enceladus from the deck of the Orion.

"What are the surface readings? When can we attempt a landing?" she asked her science officer.

"Tomorrow," came the taciturn answer.

"Good. We're ready."

"Perhaps."

Regrets

I have a thousand regrets. Paths not taken, love not given, friends lost for no real reason. But I have never regretted even one kiss I gave your soft baby face, or one nuzzle of your fuzzy hair. There is never enough time to tell you how much I love you.

Sudden Silence

I perk my head up, aware of the sudden silence.

"What are you doing?" I call, my heart beating in trepidation. No answer.

"Kids! What are you up to?" There's a flurry of footsteps and whispers.

"Nothing, Mommy!"

I start running upstairs.

Reciprocated

"What happened?" Sal yelled over the blaring alarms.

"Meteor," Jen said. "Pierced the hull."

"Isolate the compromised sector."

"That's us. We'll die."

"Put on your breather. We'll work fast and find a patch."

"Done. And I love you."

"Reciprocated."

A Dream

The sound of rain on her window inspires reverie. She runs a hand over her swollen belly.

Who will you be? she wonders.

The baby kicks. She closes her eyes. She sees the rain turn to blood, and the patter on her window becomes the sound of distant gunshots.

News, Events, and a Guest Post!

I’m very excited for June because my newest book, Saints and Curses, will be coming out this month on June 5, 2019! It is available in ebook and paperback, and it will be free on Kindle Unlimited. Here’s the blurb and the cover:

“Explore worlds of light and dark, where magical whimsy and grim tidings alike are painted across the tapestry of human experience.
Indulge in tales of the fantastical where enchantments are bought and sold at the local corner store, your morning latte gives you special abilities, and you might just adopt a murderous, vampiric cat. Your child might be stolen away in the night and replaced with an ancient, evil creature of the fae, waves of plague-ridden vermin consume everything, and only a saint could hope to turn the tide.
These stories and more await you, if you dare to turn the page...”

I’ll also have a table at ArlingCon 2019, on June 15, 2019 from 10am to 6pm. I’ll have copies of both my books to sign and sell. I had a great time at Dallas Fan Expo this year, and I’m looking forward to attending ArlingCon as well! You can find out more information about the event here, and I’ll be posting plenty of pictures and video from the Con on my Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts.

In more exciting news, one of my short stories is in the May issue of Kzine (#24). It’s one of my favorite stories, and I’d highly recommend you check it out!

Last but not least, you can read a flash fiction horror story I wrote on K. T. Rose’s blog as a guest post!