tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016920739769027102024-02-06T23:32:48.597-05:00What Would Lin Do?Debra A. Kemphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04001360087370469893noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-201692073976902710.post-57754142170384807542014-05-01T00:00:00.001-04:002014-05-01T00:00:54.287-04:00Today is my character's birthday! May Day.<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/cg4YrOlAkds" width="459"></iframe><br /><br />
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Yes, this is Gwen singing and Lin has issues with her mother. But this is the movie that helped me conceive of Lin in the first place. So there! Now talk to me Lin and tell me more of your story, please?Debra A. Kemphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04001360087370469893noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-201692073976902710.post-78636035043888552532013-03-05T14:55:00.001-05:002013-03-05T14:55:25.664-05:00March --Women's History MonthMarch is not just about brackets and hoops and madness. Yes, I am caught up in that. Go Hoosiers. But all that aside, it is also Women's History month. How better to celebrate than with an historical and feminist novel about a very strong woman struggling against oppresion and slavery?<br />
<br />
So, very simple, to win an autographed copy of FIREBRAND or RECRUIT (winner's choice): <br />
<br />
Leave a comment here about women in history. It could be someone from your personal history or a historic figure who you admire. Leave a woman's name and why she's important to you.<br />
<br />
On March 31, I'll draw a name from the entries and announce the winner.<br />
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Good luck!<br />
<br />
Debra A. Kemphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04001360087370469893noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-201692073976902710.post-72278837689397006612013-02-03T12:37:00.000-05:002013-02-03T12:37:59.723-05:00FIREBRAND's 10th Anniversary CelebrationOctober 2012 sees the tenth anniversary of FIREBRAND's publication! My, how time has flown. Lots has happened in the course of those ten years. My granddaughter was about six months old then and she and I were the first people to see the wonderful cover art Trace Edward Zaber did for the book. I cried, she grapped for the computer screen. Then came the agonizing wait for the book to actually come out in October. <br />
<br />
Everything was worth it though. Firebrand was in the top ten best sellers at Amber Quill Press for it's first year in print. It earned nominations for the EPPIE and the Dream Realm Award, plus many stellar reviews.<br />
<br />
Not long after it came out, my husband and I moved from South Dakota, returning to our native Indiana. Sadly, I had to leave behind my beloved Black Hills Writers Group. All the friends who had read and critiqued and made FIREBRAND the book that it is. They are the best of friends. I will always be grateful for all their love and support. But even harder for me was having to leave the most awesome job in the universe: working for Lori Spiers at Everybody's Bookstore in Rapid City, SD. I could write a whole blog post just on that, but I would start crying, so it would take a long time to do! <br />
<br />
After settling back into Hoosier land, I found the Indy Writer's Group. Kate Chaplin, the founder of the Indy Writer, is an independent film maker. She GETS Lin. There has been talk about FIREBRAND the movie. I have samples of the script in progress posted here.<br />
<br />
2007 saw the release of book two of my House of Pendragon series--The Recruit. It has earned several awards and loads of fabulous reviews, too.<br />
<br />
The granddaughter who was 6 months old when FIREBRAND was published will be 10 herself in a few weeks, She now has a four year old brother! They are, of course, awesome!<br />
<br />
And that brings us to today. It has been ten years. The time has flown by. It may not be a huge seller, but I am glad I went with Amber Quill Press because I doubt it would still be in print for me to be celebrating. <br />
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Debra A. Kemphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04001360087370469893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-201692073976902710.post-43307531268367767252013-01-28T13:51:00.002-05:002013-01-28T13:51:58.194-05:00FIREBRAND's 10th Anniversay Celebration<br />
October 2012 sees the tenth anniversary of FIREBRAND's publication! So I want to celebrate with my family, friends and fans! Watch this space every month for a special prizes. This month I have wall poster/2013 calendar with the Firebrand cover art.<br />
<br />
<br />
Authors are often asked: do you have a favorite character? For me it's: Dafydd or Lin? I'd like to propose a variant of that. Which character do you admire more: Lin or Dafydd or another? Why? Which do you relate to more closely? <br />
<br />
Or do you just have a favorite or least favorite character you want to talk about?<br />
<br />
Just leave comment here before Saturday and you'll be in the drawing.<br />
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Debra A. Kemphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04001360087370469893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-201692073976902710.post-79683806729896761472012-11-12T15:17:00.002-05:002012-11-12T15:23:12.657-05:00Episode #86--Arthur ap Morfudd<br />
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The Wheatsheaf</div>
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From the moment he set foot in the crowded and noisy ale house, Arthur regretted his decision to follow Margisia. It wasn't the work he minded--serving ale and food to the endless ranks of customers--merchants, soldiers. If they had coins, Margisia welcomed one and all. It wasn't the lowly kitchen duties either; the mountain high stacks of p[ots and cups to wash and re-wash. Arthur didn't mind working for his room and board under Margisia's roof, such as that was. They did not lack for food, but room? He and Sian huddled on the floor in the kitchen, trying to stay warm and quickly falling into exhausted sleep.</div>
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<br /></div>
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But Sian had been right about the woman's profession. And Sian had been right not to trust her. </div>
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<br />
Arthur had even wondered if they would have been better off staying with the slave trader. Then he saw his friend nimbly dodge another groping hand at his backside. It seemed it was the same either way. At least they were still together. </div>
<br />
Arthur paused from his tasks to watch a man enter the smoke-filled alehouse. There something different about the man. Different from the merchants and soldiers he usually served. Arthur immediately recognized the man's dress and adornments. And the tattoos. Arthur stroked the hound that had been worked into his skin and caught Sian's attention.<br />
<br />
"Sian," he said. "Have a look at the newcomer. That table over there." He had reverted to the tongue of his forebears. What the Saesneg, the English, around him called Welsh. He did not wish to lose that connection to his past, so he and Sian used it whenever possible.<br />
<br />
Sian nodded. The boys spoke a few moments, wondering about the stranger until Margisia's shadow fell on them.<br />
<br />
"Lazy lie-abouts! I give you food and lodging in exchange for work, not for you to wile away time in gossip." She thrust mugs of ale at Arthur.<br />
<br />
He took them as she pointed to a table of merchants a few steps away. The merchants were well-dressed, no doubt wanting to flaunt their wealth in public. They were also already well in their cups when Arthur set the fresh mugs in front of them. He removed the empty cups and began to turn away, when he felt a hand on his forearm.<br />
<br />
"You have a pretty mouth, boy," the merchant said, caressing Arthur's arm.<br />
<br />
Arthur froze, repulsed by the merchant--his touch, his words.<br />
<br />
The merchant's grip grew firmer and Arthur reacted. He twisted free of the merchant, holding his head proud. He did not mind the work, but this? This he would not allow. He would not bebase himself in that way.<br />
<br />
The rest happened so quickly, Arthur could bearly make sense of it. One instant, Margisia was hissing an order into his ear and the next the newcomer with the tattos was at their side. Whatever the man's intentions, Arthur knew better than to interrupt the man's lies. Arthur even bowed his head when the man glared down at him in anger. He watched, incredulous, as the man pulled out a handful of gold coins and gave them to Margisia.<br />
<br />
The man then spun on his heel, barking an order for Arthur and Sian to make haste and follow.<br />
<br />
Neither boy hestitated. They had no belongings to gather.<br />
<br />
Sian gripped Arthur's arm as soon as they were outside. "Have we been rescued from one nightmare for another," he said in their native tongue.<br />
<br />
"I might be your worst nightmare," the stanger said, also in Cymraeg. "My name is Braith."<br />
<br />
Arthur was still trembling from the ordeal. But he was not surprised to hear the same language from the man. Feeling unclean, he stroked his tattoo again.<br />
<br />
"Diolch," he said, never feeling more grateful.<br />
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Debra A. Kemphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04001360087370469893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-201692073976902710.post-89467304795323480072012-08-28T18:19:00.000-04:002012-08-28T18:19:49.241-04:00Finding your characters come to life while shoppingGareth of Orkney works at our local Meijer! Well, at least as I see the character. Same shoulder-length, straight, dark blonde hair. Tied back in a ponytail, with the front strands falling free. Everything about his face was just as I see Gareth when I’m writing. I even got to see him twice while I was shopping. Makes me want to make up excuses to shop there. Oh! I need a pack of gum. Need to go to Meijer, hun!<br />
<br />
Seeing that young man, though got me thinking, which prompted me to write this blog. As I was driving home, it was like his spirit was returning to me. His character. I sensed his smile, like when I’m on a roll writing a scene with him and Lin. I sensed him wanted to be with Lin. That’s been too long for him since we’ve been crafting the story.<br />
<br />
I realize this third book has been nearly impossible for me to write. It has taken far too long. I think part of it is Lin’s reluctance to relate her love of Gareth with Ris listening. And it’s like she resists me. But with the return of Gareth practically in the flesh—well, neither of us can ignore the issue. If it’s a reminder to me, it must be for her, too. She cared too much for him. Maybe this is a prompt to get us both to take up the story again.<br />
Debra A. Kemphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04001360087370469893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-201692073976902710.post-61998171554557233322012-07-30T03:16:00.001-04:002012-07-30T03:16:32.728-04:00medieval-novels.com: Once Upon a Time Episode 41: Arthur ap Morfudd<a href="http://medieval-novels.blogspot.com/2012/07/once-upon-time-episode-41-arthur-ap.html?spref=bl">medieval-novels.com: Once Upon a Time Episode 41: Arthur ap Morfudd</a>: A Jar of Honey Debra A. Kemp Still singing, Arthur rounded a corner. He fell silent as he took in the sight before him. A man on ho...Debra A. Kemphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04001360087370469893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-201692073976902710.post-34899326504331222842012-07-29T23:46:00.000-04:002012-07-29T23:46:13.029-04:00The Arthur ap Morfudd episodesNew one goes live on 7-30-12! Squeaked in with an episode. Too bad I had to miss my other one earlier this month, but it fell during my time at InConJunction. Head-on collision with Doctor Who. But Arthur and Sian are now in London. They are free from the slaver, or are they??? Wiil post the link when I have it.Debra A. Kemphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04001360087370469893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-201692073976902710.post-82640964676590856872012-06-12T19:30:00.000-04:002012-06-12T19:30:25.202-04:00The Arthur ap Morfudd episodesI hope everyone has been enjoying the episodes of Arthur ap Morfudd at the Once Upon a Time collective story. I'm due to get another episode by Sunday and I'm not sure which way to go. I know I need to get young Arthur to London by the end of the episode. But I'm torn. Do I get him to London for an auction, and possibly another character in the collective buying him? Or: have him and his friend Sian escape, and make their way to London on their own.<br />
<br />
I got the new Rush studio album today, and they aren't helping me creatively. I am usually inspired by new Rush music.<br />
<br />
Leave a comment on what you prefer!<br />
<br />
Love and thanks as always for reading,<br />
DebraDebra A. Kemphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04001360087370469893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-201692073976902710.post-14042163281647454162012-05-15T14:04:00.000-04:002012-05-15T14:04:41.129-04:00FIREBRAND: The Movie another sampleI haven't done anymore work on FIREBRAND: the Movie lately. Reached a point that requires condensing and composite sort of work. Much of Lin's interior thoughts will need to get adapted into dialogue with Dafydd. Some of it can be cut or moved. So, I'm doing the mental work with that right now.<br />
<br />
Since the last sample seemed to be a hit, I thought I would post more. This scene isn't in the book at all, but it explains a lot that gets told to Lin towards the end of the book. I coudn't write it into the book because of the 1st person point of view, but the movie will make more sense with it shown.<br />
<br />
So here's another scen from FIREBRAND. Enjoy!<br />
<br />
Int. Bedchamber - Camelot - day<br />
<br />
A royal bedchamber, richly appointed. Large bed, piled with pillows and heavy furs. Tapestries on walls. Chests for clothes. Braziers for warmth and light. Chairs. Side table. On the floor near the bed is a cradle, draped with cloth. A WOMAN, early 20's with auburn hair, in a simple gown kneels over the cradle. Grief stains her face.<br />
<br />
A door opens. A MAN, 25 with spun gold hair and clear blue eyes, enters. He wears 5th century period armor. Leather boots, ring mail and a deep red cloak draped over his shoulders. He watches the woman briefly.<br />
<br />
Arthur<br />
<br />
Gwenhwyfar? My son?<br />
<br />
The woman turns to face Arthur, her hand still on the cradle.<br />
<br />
Gwenhwyfar<br />
<br />
She is dead, Arthur. We had a daughter, not a son. And she died in her cradle. I just got the message from Morgause a few days ago.<br />
<br />
ARTHUR<br />
<br />
Morgause? What does my sister have to do with our daughter?<br />
<br />
GWENHWYFAR<br />
<br />
She came to Camelot while you were gone. She got here just as my labor began. Arthur, she was so helpful. She took charge of the birthing.<br />
<br />
(pause)<br />
<br />
She was so wise, and very kind to me. She thought you might be angry to have a daughter rather than a son. And I see she may have been right about you after all.<br />
<br />
Arthur stares at his wife. Then at the empty cradle.<br />
<br />
ARTHUR<br />
<br />
Angry? Did you really believe I would be angry to have a daughter?<br />
<br />
Gwenhwyfar nods.<br />
<br />
ARTHUR<br />
<br />
And you sent her to Dunn na Carraice with Morgause?<br />
<br />
GWENHWYFAR<br />
<br />
To keep her safe until . . . Until you wanted her.<br />
<br />
Arthur crosses the room and kneels beside Gwenhwyfar next to the cradle.<br />
<br />
ARTHUR<br />
<br />
What did you name her?<br />
<br />
GWENHWYFAR<br />
<br />
Helin.<br />
<br />
ARTHUR<br />
<br />
My love. I would have fought the hounds of hell for our little girl.<br />
<br />
<br />
CRAWL: 5 years laterDebra A. Kemphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04001360087370469893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-201692073976902710.post-30825298920820695612012-05-06T13:14:00.001-04:002012-05-06T13:14:50.590-04:00medieval-novels.com: Once Upon a Time Episode 8: Arthur ap MorfuddThere was rebellion in my head when I first tried writing in the later Anglo-Saxon era!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://medieval-novels.blogspot.com/2012/05/once-upon-time-episode-8-arthur-ap.html?spref=bl">medieval-novels.com: Once Upon a Time Episode 8: Arthur ap Morfudd</a>: WORDS OF ANGER Arthur was ten and five the morning he stormed from the cottage, leaving his bowl of porridge on the trestle board half-eat...Debra A. Kemphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04001360087370469893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-201692073976902710.post-26515566044866892532012-04-28T15:12:00.000-04:002012-04-28T15:12:11.627-04:00Firebrand: The Movie: a sampleChapter 8 of Firebrand, condensed to screenplay format. Any critiques?<br />
<br />
*****<br />
Lin is alone, lying on the stone floor.<br />
<br />
LIN 12<br />
<br />
(whispers)<br />
<br />
I'm sorry, Dafydd. Please come back. Don't leave me alone.<br />
<br />
The door to the hut opens and closes. Muffled footsteps are heard crossing the room.<br />
<br />
MODRED 17<br />
<br />
So. Your precious brother has left you to suffer alone. About time the lazy idler returned to his duties. I should have him at the post too, for wasting so much time.<br />
<br />
(pause)<br />
<br />
How dare you look at me? have you no manners? Do you not know who i am?<br />
<br />
He jabs Lin in the side with the toe of his boot.<br />
<br />
LIN 12<br />
<br />
I know you, prince.<br />
<br />
MODRED 17<br />
<br />
Why do you not address me properly? Are you not afraid of me?<br />
<br />
LIN 12<br />
<br />
Should I be?<br />
<br />
MODRED 17<br />
<br />
I am your master. I can have you beaten for your insolence. I can have you flogged simply because i desire to see you bleed.<br />
<br />
LIN 12<br />
<br />
Am I so special, that a prince desires to see my blood?<br />
<br />
MODRED 17<br />
<br />
Silence.<br />
<br />
(pause)<br />
<br />
You gave quite a show today. Much better than I expected.<br />
<br />
He paces around Lin, still half-lying on the floor. He stops when he comes full circle. He stoops and hooks his fingers around Lin'd collar. He lifts her up, holding her a little off the floor briefly. Lin struggles to keep her torn gown on her shoulders.<br />
<br />
Modred chuckles.<br />
<br />
MODRED 17<br />
<br />
You are mine now, did you know? Mother gave you to me as a gift. Just this morning.<br />
<br />
Lin glares at him.<br />
<br />
MODRED 17<br />
<br />
You're still to proud.<br />
<br />
Modred strikes Lin across her cheek.<br />
<br />
MODRED 17<br />
<br />
The overseer did not beat you hard enough today. I should have handled the whip myself. nest time, I think I shall. It's the only thing slaves understand. You're too stupid for anything else.<br />
<br />
(pause)<br />
<br />
I can do whatever I like with you now. Do you realize that?<br />
<br />
Lin doesn't answer.<br />
<br />
MODRED 17<br />
<br />
Answer me.<br />
<br />
(pause)<br />
<br />
Answer me, cumal.<br />
<br />
LIN 12<br />
<br />
(through clenched teeth)<br />
<br />
Yes.<br />
<br />
Modred hits her face again.<br />
<br />
MODRED 17<br />
<br />
Yes, what?<br />
<br />
LIN 12<br />
<br />
Yes, prince.<br />
<br />
MODRED 17<br />
<br />
Still so very proud. No matter. i shall break you of that soon enough. You shall learn to address me properly.<br />
<br />
(pause)<br />
<br />
I wanted your dear brother as well, you know.<br />
<br />
LIN 12<br />
<br />
Leave Dafydd alone.<br />
<br />
MODRED 17<br />
<br />
I can do as I please with him. And you. Never forget that. The next time you dare command me, i might not be as easily amused.<br />
<br />
(pause)<br />
<br />
Put your arms down.<br />
<br />
She struggles to keep the torn gown up.<br />
<br />
He gives her collar a twist.<br />
<br />
MODRED 17<br />
<br />
Are you deaf as well as stupid? I gave an order, slave.<br />
<br />
Lin lowers her arms. Modred, still holding her by the collar, jerks her garment down.<br />
<br />
MODRED 17<br />
<br />
I can do whatever I please with you. I think I'll use you as my whore. Now.<br />
<br />
He shoves her to the stone floor, and kneels over her. Lin struggles beneath him, looking for a weapon. The sheath for the prince's meatknife is empty. She uses the only weapon she has, her hands. She rakes her nails down Modred's cheek.<br />
<br />
He recoils, and Lin is able to wriggle free. She creeps backward, but before she can get far, Modred grabs her ankle and pulls her towards him. He locks both of her wrists with one of his and flips her over. He sits on her and uses her gown to tie her hands. He flips her onto her back again and shoves a cloth into her mouth.<br />
<br />
MODRED 17<br />
<br />
Lest you get the notion to bite.<br />
<br />
(pause)<br />
<br />
Much better. Shall we start again?<br />
<br />
He unties the laces of his trews and thrusts himself between her legs. He finishes. There is blood streaked on her legs and on him.<br />
<br />
MODRED 17<br />
<br />
You were still virgin. n How absolutely delicious.<br />
<br />
(pause)<br />
<br />
Well, now you're a whore, just like your mother. I could sell you this very moment.<br />
<br />
He tucks his tunic back into his trews and relaces them.<br />
<br />
MODRED 17<br />
<br />
But I won't. Not yet, anyway, because I want the pleasure of seeing your pride finally broken to be mine. Be assured, I will do it, and Iwill enjoy it. i want your brother to be there when you call me "master". For that, slave, I am. You will not have a moment to forget it.<br />
<br />
He jerks the cloth out of her mouth. She gasps for air. He walks from the hut, wiping his hands on his trews.<br />
<br />
LIN 12<br />
<br />
(whispers hoarsely)<br />
<br />
Bastard.<br />
<br />
She struggles out of her bonds and cleans herself up as best as she can before falling into exhausted sleep.<br />
<br />
fade out:Debra A. Kemphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04001360087370469893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-201692073976902710.post-49086865787528172772012-03-10T14:57:00.000-05:002012-03-10T14:57:53.516-05:00My impressions; or, a pseudo review--the "Lancelot series" by Sarah LuddingtonI don't claim to be a book reviewer. But I read books and I have opinions about them. So I want to launch a new blog series of what I like to call, pseudo-reviews. Merely my impressions about the books I include here.<br />
<br />
I recently read these three titles in quick succession:<br />
Lancelot and the Wolf<br />
Lancelot and the Sword<br />
Lancelot and the Grail<br />
by<br />
Sarah Luddington<br />
<br />
Mirador Publishing<br />
<br />
Genre: fantasy<br />
<br />
Began reading: February 5, 2012 <br />
Finished reading: March 9, 2012-03-10<br />
<br />
The books drew my interest because they are Arthurian and I enjoy reading the vast variety of versions. Each is unique to the author.<br />
<br />
An interesting twist to the familiar story and characters. The author begins Lancelot’s story—told in first person—in the aftermath of his punishment and exile from Camelot as a result of his affair with Guinevere. Interesting in that this is the point where traditional versions are typically ending the tragedy of King Arthur. So I was interested to see just where the books were headed. <br />
<br />
I was neither shocked nor surprised when it eventually became apparent that Arthur and Lancelot have always had a sexual attraction to each other. And the basic thread of the novels is their love/hate relationship and the conflicts both within themselves and the social pressure against them openly showing their love. I have often wondered about the homoerotic aspects in the medieval texts. Maybe it’s my modern conventions that make me read that sort of subtexts at times. But apparently I’m not alone in my curiosity over this theme. Over all, the theme was treated quite well by Ms. Luddington. Sex was never gratuitous.<br />
<br />
But the characters were quite flat. As a reader, I made no emotional connection with any of the major characters. To me, the author did much better breathing life into many of the secondary characters that we got to know through Lancelot’s encounters with them.<br />
<br />
The plot did keep me turning pages. And each book has its own plot along with the overall story arc of all three. But I think I kept reading more because of my Arthurian curiosity than anything else. If I had not Arthurian interest and had picked up as a fantasy or romance, I would have abandoned the first book for technical reasons: anachronisms, American slang, lack of punctuation, improper word usage, poor sentence structure, etc. (But that’s me, the writer coming out.) That and the cardboard characters.<br />
<br />
A fourth novel is due later this year. I doubt I will pick it up. My Arthurian curiosity wore out with this one.Debra A. Kemphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04001360087370469893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-201692073976902710.post-80416271650874794812012-03-10T13:31:00.000-05:002012-03-10T13:31:06.599-05:00Fandom Fest 2012, here I come!I've just been invited to attend Fandom Fest 2012 in Louisville, Kentucky as part of their literary/writers' track! Working things out. I'll update when I have more info. Which panels and when.<br />
<br />
But keep these dates:<br />
<br />
June 28 to July 2!! <br />
<br />
See you than.Debra A. Kemphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04001360087370469893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-201692073976902710.post-82252010058677825512011-12-21T14:30:00.002-05:002011-12-21T14:30:48.069-05:00Happy Solstice!Believe!<br />
<br />
DebraDebra A. Kemphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04001360087370469893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-201692073976902710.post-53099948970841989772011-06-29T15:07:00.001-04:002011-06-29T15:12:31.451-04:00The Hero's JourneyThought I'd share the notes I prepared for InConJunction this weekend!<br />
<br />
Joseph's Campbell's 'Hero's Journey' structure as revised by Chris Vogler in his "The Writer's Journey: Mythich Structure for Writers" 2nd Edition.<br />
<br />
I think all writers use this struture on an instinctual level because it is so universal.<br />
<br />
Not all these events will occur in every hero's journey. And the steps don't always appear in their exact order.<br />
<br />
Act 1<br />
The scene is set and the hero sets out.<br />
1. Ordinary World<br />
The story starts in the ordinary world where the hero is going about everyday existence, oblivious of the adventures to come. This anchors the hero as a human, just like you and me, and hence we can associate our selves with the hero.<br />
2. Call to Adventure<br />
The hero is next presented with a wrong done, a problem or challenge which she feels she must resolve. Thus the king calls for someone to save the realm from a marauding enemy, a private detective has a client bring in a difficult case or an attractive other person is spotted in a bar. Thus the challenge is set, to defeat the enemy, solve the murder or win the heart of the other person.<br />
3. Refusal of the Call<br />
The hero may well balk at the thought of the task ahead, perhaps refusing the challenge or has second thoughts. The problem seems too much to handle and the comfort of home seems more attractive than the rough wilderness or dangerous streets. <br />
This would be our own response and we thus bond further with the reluctant hero.<br />
4. Meeting the Mentor<br />
The mentor appears to help the hero prepare for the road ahead. Thus Gandalf, Obi-wan Kenobi and a host of other wise and experienced people teach the hero the skills she needs and gives her critical knowledge to help her survive.<br />
5. Crossing the Threshold<br />
Eventually the hero is ready to act and crosses the threshold, often literally as she leaves the family homestead on their journey into the unknown.<br />
Act 2<br />
The main action happens as the hero survives the road and achieves her goal.<br />
6. Tests, Allies, Enemies<br />
Once out in the big wide world, the hero is confronted with an ever more difficult series of challenges that she may face, ranging from minor skirmishes and struggles against weather and terrain to riddles and various setbacks that would defeat a lesser person. <br />
In this way the hero's character is both highlighted and developed. Now bonded to the hero, we feel a vicarious sense of pleasure as these challenges are met.<br />
7. Approaching the Inmost Cave<br />
At last the final destination lays ahead and the hero, battered but wiser from her trials along the way must prepare for the ultimate test. In ancient legend, a typical 'innermost cave' is the land of the dead or a labyrinth. It is the lair of the dread enemy where no help may be found and only deep courage will win through. Another threshold must be crossed here to enter the dragons' den of the innermost cave.<br />
We swallow hard, as does the hero, at the thought of what might go wrong. To approach the innermost cave is to face death and still go on. This pause helps show the hero as still human and helps build the story tension before the high point of the story.<br />
8. The Crisis / Supreme Ordeal<br />
At last the hero must face her deepest fears, typically in battle with the dark villain. This is the ultimate test that the hero takes, where the real story perhaps is the inner battle whereby the hero overcomes her own demons in facing up to the enemy outside.<br />
As observers, we feel scared for the hero and may be terrified that she might fail or die. In so doing we also face and, with the hero, overcome our own inner fears.<br />
9. Seizing the Reward<br />
In defeating the enemy, the hero is transformed into a new state where fears are vanquished and the new fearless person is born. The reward in the story may be gaining new knowledge, a treasure or rescuing a princess, but the inner reward is in the personal growth that is achieved.<br />
Act 3<br />
10. The Road Back<br />
After the story has reached its main peak the transformed hero sets out home again. Having gained the treasure she has no need for more adventure and nothing left to prove and so sets out back home again.<br />
The return home is a reverse echo of crossing the threshold when setting out on the adventure. In contrast to the earlier anticipation of danger, the anticipation now is of acclaim and rest.<br />
11. The Climax / Resurrection<br />
The story has one last trick up its sleeve now, having lulled its audience into a false sense of security, as one last challenge faces the hero. Perhaps the villain was not completely vanquished or perhaps there are other people in need on the way back -- whichever way, we are again plunged into another climactic event, just when we thought it was safe to breath easy again.<br />
In ancient stories, the hero has to be purified before return. After the toil of the journey and the ordeal, they are formally reborn into a new and beautiful form.<br />
12. Return with the Elixir<br />
Finally, the hero returns to the hero's welcome, gives the treasure to the proper recipient and receives her just reward, whether it is the hand of the princess, the acclaim of the people or simply a well-deserved rest.<br />
In this final part, all tensions are resolved and all unanswered questions answered, leaving the reader of the story satisfied and replete.<br />
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Common Archetypes in the Hero’s Journey<br />
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1) HERO: represent’s the ego’s search for identity and wholeness. The hero must sacrifice for the betterment of her society. The hero must transcend the boundaries of the ego and incorporate all aspects of her personality into the SELF.<br />
2) MENTOR (wise old man or woman): usually a positive figure who aids or trains the hero. The mentor may teach, give gifts, or act as the higher moral conscience of the hero.<br />
3) THRESHOLD GUARDIANS: represent obstacles that the hero must overcome as they cross into new worlds. They are menacing, but they can be bypassed or overcome by the worthy hero.<br />
4) HERALD: a force that brings a challenge to the hero. A herald will issue a challenge and announce the coming of significant change. This challenge or announcement shifts the hero’s balance, and forces her to make a life changing decision.<br />
5) SHAPESHIFTER: an elusive archetype, often of the opposite sex, who constantly changes from the hero’s point of view. They may mislead the hero, and their loyalty or sincerity is constantly in question. Shapeshifters may often appear in disguise or masks.<br />
6) SHADOW: represents the dark side; the unexpressed, unrealized, or rejected aspects of something. Shadows are the things humans do not want to admit about themselves (stored in the unconscious). The Shadow is often projected onto a villain, antagonist, or enemy of the hero.<br />
7) Trickster: embodies the energy of mischief and the desire for change. Clowns and comical sidekicks often represent this archetype.<br />
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I found a good worksheet on this website:<br />
http://library.thinkquest.org/03oct/00800/journey.htm<br />
Need to scroll down for the link.Debra A. Kemphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04001360087370469893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-201692073976902710.post-36841570717043300342011-05-31T16:37:00.000-04:002011-05-31T16:37:56.033-04:00Quiet journalsMarch, April and May were quiet in my 1992 journal. Sadly, too quiet here as well. Hope to do better in the month of June. There are several dated entries for June in that old journal. So, I'll get them up here.Debra A. Kemphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04001360087370469893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-201692073976902710.post-5514244695559308972011-04-02T14:57:00.000-04:002011-04-02T14:57:06.347-04:00Writing FIREBRAND: Year OneThere wasn't a single entry in the 1992 journal for March. Now I'm curious as to what I actually did in that time period. Seems like, if we don't write it down it's forgotten and like it never happened at all. I no doubt bundled up in my winter clothes and parka and boots and all and tucked the cassette walkman in my coat pocket and took long walks, like to the frozen lake. One of my favourite winter spots to walk to: the lake on K I Sawyer. I'd trudge across the frozen snow covered park and climb up the life guard's chair and sit, listening to my music and listening to what Lin might have been saying to Dafydd, or whoever. Then I'd go back home and warm up and wait for the kids to get home from school. Often Bill would come home from work early and then Lin would shut up, like she was guarding a secret from Bill. I was still learning to fit into my new role as a writer.Debra A. Kemphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04001360087370469893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-201692073976902710.post-78692473380814223272011-03-26T10:42:00.000-04:002011-03-26T10:42:19.400-04:00Diva Night Event @ the Art BankA booksigning in an old bank--inside the vault. And no camera. But I was captured on canvas by talented Indiana artist, Gretchen Ten Eyck Hunt.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcU8YI_Z_3ZX9CqR5RSM0ioC-RJ0sHelPnGbrJ4e2vUkIK7FTsdCcRw1GOGTpdajquirxgmem-_h6DveaCKO3QPOlj24PczYNy09qGzIaH2m_0PfsO4TZ5H1CpUT8g3wvtEpcuB3fJMiA/s1600/Art+Bank+signing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcU8YI_Z_3ZX9CqR5RSM0ioC-RJ0sHelPnGbrJ4e2vUkIK7FTsdCcRw1GOGTpdajquirxgmem-_h6DveaCKO3QPOlj24PczYNy09qGzIaH2m_0PfsO4TZ5H1CpUT8g3wvtEpcuB3fJMiA/s400/Art+Bank+signing.jpg" /></a></div>Debra A. Kemphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04001360087370469893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-201692073976902710.post-55926797601777800852011-03-07T14:19:00.003-05:002011-03-07T16:10:08.757-05:00Birthdays and memories and perseveranceToday is my birthday and instead of me writing a blog I want you to read my friend Kate's blog today. She made me cry with her beautiful tribute not just to me but to Lin and Firebrand and the Pendragon series.<br />
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<a href="http://katechaplin.wordpress.com/2011/03/07/debra-kemp-series-done/">My best birthday present!</a>Debra A. Kemphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04001360087370469893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-201692073976902710.post-86278822565233998552011-02-24T16:25:00.000-05:002011-02-24T16:25:34.280-05:00Discussion Question for Firebrand #11) Authors are often asked: do you have a favorite character? For me <br />
it's: Dafydd or Lin? (and I admit a partiality to Dafydd.) I'd like to propose a variant of that for my readers. Which character do you admire more: Lin or Dafydd or another in Firebrand, or even Recruit? Why? Which do you relate to more closely?Debra A. Kemphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04001360087370469893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-201692073976902710.post-53010044812051783442011-02-17T15:45:00.000-05:002011-02-17T15:45:24.220-05:00Writing FIREBRAND Year OneK I Sawyer AFB, MI<br />
Marquette, MI<br />
February 17, 1992<br />
<br />
Chapter one is complete as a first draft. What a feeling. I'm on cloud nine. Can't wait for Bill's opinion. Chapter two is starting to take shape now, starting to make a bit more sense I think. Still not sure exactly what direction it's going to go. We'll see. I do envision a reunion with Lin and Guinevere with the children. Should be interesting. And Lin teaching young Arthur (Bear) her tricks with a sword. We'll see. I've never been so confident about anything I've ever done before. This is great. Lin's been quite helpful.<br />
<br />
****<br />
<br />
It would seem it took about a month to draft that first chapter. And it really didn't change too drastically after that. It was expanded and tightened, but it's still about Lin and her inner conflict in the hours after the devasating battle of Camlann. That first page or so has never changed.<br />
<br />
Chapter 1<br />
<br />
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I had no idea what hour it was. The sun had set a lifetime ago and thick clouds obscured any moonlight. Battle weary and with heavy hearts, we picked our way from the river in the dark, our joyless task compleated. My four companions formed an escort around me. They knew what I thought of protocol, but I fell in step with the men simply because I was of no heart to argue. The only sounds were the lapping water behind us and our boots crunching the earth. <br />
<br />
Odd, such stillness after the mayhem of battle. <br />
<br />
When we reached the supply wagons and cooking fires, Dafydd hurried ahead without a word and disappeared into the crowd of soldiers and servants awaiting our return. I noticed immediately that an unnatural hush hung over the entire encampment, like a pall. I saw none of the usual camaraderie or back-slapping, heard none of the light-hearted banter normally present after victory. But my father's men were a special breed, cut from finer fabric. To a man, they snapped smartly to the instant I appeared. I acknowledged their salute with an "at ease" and hurried on my way. <br />
<br />
Camlann a victory? Camlann was nothing short of internecine. Not Britanni against Saxon this time. We had all been part of the same army mere months ago. Yet this morning we had faced each other in the twilight mist, astride our battle steeds, in full armour, lances couched, anxious for the signals to be given, the battle cries to be sung, and have at each other. Men who had once been friends met as mortal enemies and slaughtered everything that moved in their paths. Who are the victors in civil strife? <br />
<br />
Wfft. What had made us so bloodthirsty? <br />
<br />
I saw a different question in the eyes of the men through the smoky firelight as we swept past; the man they had expected to see, the one their eyes sought, the one they had waited for, was not among us. We had lost our king as well as the Round Table. Modred, my half-brother, had driven a pike through Britain's heart. And as my father's heir, the duty fell on me to tell them. But not now. Instead, I announced to my companions that I would meet with everyone for reports after I had changed. <br />
<br />
Bedwyr barked out orders and the place seemed to come back to life. Of a sort. I trusted him and the others to know what must be done, and do it, as my father had. He would have addressed the men first most likely, but my father was the Pendragon, and I never would come close to being his equal. <br />
<br />
I was not the least surprised to see Dafydd lighting the last of my lanterns when I lifted my tent's flap a moment later. He even had water ready so I could wash. <br />
<br />
He offered to undo the laces of my armour, but I declined. <br />
<br />
"At least let me help you with this." Dafydd grasped the shield still hanging from my shoulder. <br />
<br />
Why had I bothered to retrieve it? <br />
<br />
I accepted his assistance without a word. <br />
<br />
Dafydd regarded me. Impossible to hide my emotions from him. He knew my heart was shattered. I knew he wanted to offer comfort. But if I allowed myself his embrace now, I would crumble. <br />
<br />
"Later, Dafydd," I said. <br />
<br />
"You do not bear this alone, Noble One." <br />
<br />
"I know. Thank you." <br />
<br />
****<br />
Thanks for reading,<br />
DebraDebra A. Kemphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04001360087370469893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-201692073976902710.post-24958049628064489182011-02-08T15:30:00.000-05:002011-02-08T15:30:45.239-05:00Writing FIREBRAND Year OneI'm glad I started this project--re-reading and posting old journal entries from when I was creating the first part of Lin's story. Through it I have embarked on an interesting personal journey. It's fun to see what I planned to have in the book and compare it to what it evolved into.<br />
<br />
But enough of 2011 for now. Let's swirl back in time to 1992.<br />
<br />
*****<br />
<br />
More snow. Eight inches over night-ick. Great neighbors. Someone cleared our driveway with their snow blower. Yes, there is a god. There is no way I would have been able do that myself with a shovel. Yes, David (teenage son) could have helped--tag-team! And if Bill were home and not in California!! Anyway, the neighbor must have seen us struggling and like a knight in shining armour came to our rescue. Bless him!<br />
<br />
I'm making forward progress with the book. Wish I could get backwards as well. Guess I just need to get chapter one refined before I can move on. It's going like a jigsaw puzzle--one piece here, another there, yet another somewhere else all together. How will it all fit together?<br />
<br />
Yikes! Chapter one is depressing. I can't wait to get out of it. It's so down and somber and dark. I was not made to be a soldier. Wow! Lin just snuck that one in on me. Thanks. Nothing short of a complete re-write will do. It all seems to be there now. If I could just shape it so that it flows better. And stop worrying about making it too long. This is a novel, I don't have to think about length--there are no such restrictions. I am my own bitterest enemy in this journey.<br />
<br />
So. What do we have? Lin and Gareth. He's what? Six years older? A love match? Where do they meet, if Lin doesn't grow up in Camelot? Meet in the kitchen of Camelot. The Beaumains story from the Malory tradition? Gareth goes off on his fate first. Within a year Lin ends up learning her birthright. How? We'll work it out later. The friendship of Lin and gareth resumes, etc. Did Gareth and Lin marry? Good question. And what about Dafydd? And how does Lin get to the kitchen?<br />
<br />
Lin's marriage would definitely be a frequent topic, since she's Arthur's daughter. Gawain (15 years older)would be first choice as husband. Gawain was head of that clan. Age wouldn't matter to parents. It would to Lin. She could work to convince them of a love match. She and Gareth are at least hand-fast/betrothed before he dies. (Malory tradition: Lancelot kills gareth in Guinevere's rescue.) In our story: how? Why? At Camlann?<br />
<br />
Lin doesn't marry Gaheris (seven years older) right away after Camlann. A year later? When is Bear/Arthur conceived?<br />
<br />
My head hurts! Time to rest and let things stew a bit. We'll come back to this later.<br />
<br />
****<br />
This was a fun entry to rediscover. Great insight to my process. It hasn't changed a bit. I still go roundabout with things. Get on tangents that I think are important to the book and fixate on them. Funny how none of that working in Camelot's kitchen ever wound up in Firebrand! I had some interesting scenes running through my head. And the book would have been very different had I gone that route. But I think I saw how cliched the scenario was. <br />
<br />
Had to laugh about me fretting over things getting too long--I still have that trouble with book three!!<br />
<br />
Thanks for reading,<br />
DebraDebra A. Kemphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04001360087370469893noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-201692073976902710.post-22034957253169533422011-02-05T12:42:00.002-05:002011-02-05T13:44:43.394-05:00Writing FIREBRAND Year OneK I Sawyer AFB, MI<br />
(Marquette, MI)<br />
February 5, 1992<br />
<br />
Well, Gareth has made his intro in a grand way yesterday. From out of no where, he stepped into a scene with Lin. So now I have Lin, Gareth, Gaheris (Ris), Bedivere, and Dafydd for sure. Gwen is still silent. Also still silent: Arthur, Lancelot, Merlin, Modred . . . The list of characters is endless!<br />
<br />
But today? It's quiet in Camelot. I'm procrastinating. I have to re-write chapter one again and don't want to. It's a lovely, sunny day. I think I'll go into town awhile. Then I'll work on the re-write.<br />
<br />
****<br />
<br />
I remember that scene of Gareth and Lin talking. It never made it into FIREBRAND, of course because the book wound up taking a different course; focusing on Lin's years of slavery in Orkney. At this point in the brainstorming, I was still thinking that the slavery years would get glossed over. That in the course of the character relating her life story, she'd mention the slavery and then move on to meeting her dad and getting to Camelot. I still had a long way to go. And the scene didn't make it into RECRUIT either, but it led to something I did eventually use in RECRUIT only without Gareth. If you've read RECRUIT, it's the scene right after she's broken Cerdic's nose and she's sweeping out the stable as her punishment for fighting in the ranks and her dad shows up. Originally it was Gareth first and then dad. I decided that we didn't need both and dad was more important. But Gareth got the scene going for me, so thumbs up to him.<br />
<br />
My list of characters is also interesting. People who have read FIREBRAND and RECRUIT will notice that there is no sign of Merlin! And there will be none in the rest of the series.<br />
<br />
And as for putting off the re-write? I was still doing it long-hand at the time. On loose leaf paper, with fountain pen. And there were about 35 of those pieces of paper that I would have to re-copy like a medieval monk in a scriptorium.<br />
<br />
Thanks for reading,<br />
DebraDebra A. Kemphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04001360087370469893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-201692073976902710.post-51861794483929581422011-02-03T13:44:00.000-05:002011-02-03T13:44:44.713-05:00Not dated journal entry for today, but . . .there's this undated page of some brainstorming I did and it's between the entries for Feb. 1 & 4.<br />
<br />
Hmm... Here's a peek at my musing. And a comparison with what evolved from it.<br />
<br />
From 1992<br />
K I Sawyer, MI<br />
<br />
Britain was not ready for the chaos which was about to descend upon us at the loss of King Arthur. Without the strength and support of the Round Table knights, my claim was hopeless. I could give it a try. Rally those men out there to my side? Could I? Would they? Wfft! They were Arthur's men, not mine. Not his daughter's.<br />
<br />
Dad and I talked late into the night last night on just this possibility. I did not want to accept that this could happen.<br />
<br />
****<br />
<br />
Here's what ended up in the published edition of "FIREBRAND"<br />
<br />
Ballocks. Why can Bedwyr not address the men? He would know what to say. True. But what made me believe that his pain and grief were any less than mine? Addressing the soldiers was my duty now. I could no more walk away from it without so much as a by-your-leave than I could bring my father back. They had a right to expect my father's heir, not the weakling I had become, too much the coward to face them. Yet I had no idea what I should say. That Arthur, the Pendragon, was gone? Unthinkable. Once the Saxons caught wind of the day's disaster, they would be on us like a pack of starving wolves on an unsuspecting doe. And if not the Saxons, then all our fickle allies would descend like carrion crows, with Camelot as the feast. <br />
<br />
If my father could not depend on the aid of his fellow countrymen as the Pendragon, what chance in Annwn did I have? <br />
<br />
Between the Saxons and Britain's own people, Camelot would be torn to shreds. And it would take far more than the meagre remnants of the Round Table and my father's army to prevent such calamity. What could I possibly hope to achieve in my father's wake? <br />
<br />
Thanks for reading!<br />
DebraDebra A. Kemphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04001360087370469893noreply@blogger.com0