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Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Writing Warfare in Fiction with Terry W. Ervin II and the Release of RELIC HUNTED


I am pleased to have Terry W. Ervin II back on my blog (you'll remember him from his excellent article on participating in panels). We're celebrating the release of his newest book, Relic Hunted, which released on January 18th. You can learn more about Terry and his books on his website. You can also feast upon the treat he's offered us today: how to write warfare in fiction (an article I personally requested, because we need to know!).

Take it away, Terry!

~*~

Writing Warfare in Fiction

Epic combat scenes are a common fare in fantasy and science fiction novels. Think: Armored phalanxes armed with spears and catapults, backed by earth wizards and flame-spewing dragons vs. necromancer-controlled zombie hordes, goblin mobs and brutish ogres, backed by propeller-driven

dive-bombers and mechanized tanks reminiscent of WW II technology.

Okay, maybe that combination isn’t ‘common fare’ (unless you’ve happened to stumble across my First Civilization’s Legacy Series). The question is: How can an author bring such battles to life for the reader. Infuse them with excitement and, well, believability?

Personally, I have absolutely zero military combat experience. I don’t count the several years of U.S. Civil War reenactment, where I learned 19th Century drills and military tactics, including the basics wielding a bayonet and saber. I am competent in firearm safety and basic use, my experience mainly with shotguns and revolvers. That’s it.

Add to that, how can I convincingly write about what no author, let alone human, has experienced? For example, an interstellar taskforce made up of carriers, cruisers and destroyers encountering a hostile alien fleet, from large formations down to ship to ship combat using pulse lasers, nuclear tipped missiles, railguns, ion cannons, fusion beams, and more?

It can be done, as proven by a multitude of authors. Admittedly, sometimes accomplished more convincingly than others. In any case, here’s what has worked for me.

The first thing that I’ve done is a lot of reading, supplemented by watching various programs and documentaries that focus on various wars and conflicts humanity has engaged in over the years. My reading includes a variety of books which, if listed in detail, would take up several pages. Nevertheless, I’ll share four examples in several categories:

  1. Books that provided ideas of overall units, weapons and tactics on a large scale:
  • How to Make War by James F. Dunnigan
  • The Face of Battle by John Kegan
  • 50 Weapons that Changed Warfare by William Wier
  • Jane’s Fighting Ships of WW II by Antony Preston

  1. Books that covered tactics, responses and reasoning, including personal experiences and insight from larger to smaller scale:
  • The Battle of Leyte Gulf by Edwin P. Hoyt
  • Citizen Soldier by Stephen E. Ambrose
  • Iron Coffins by Herbert A. Werner
  • Modern Air Combat: The Aircraft, Tactics and Weapons Employed in Aerial Warfare Today by Bill Gunston and Mike Spick

  1. Novels that included depiction/tales of combat at various levels, using a variety of technologies, including magic, and equipment:
  • Red Storm Rising by Tom Clancy
  • The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever by Stephen R. Donaldson
  • The Chronicles of Amber by Roger Zelazny
  • World War Series by Harry Turtledove

There is also the audiovisual aspect garnered from television and movies that proved useful in supplementing the various reading material studied:
  • Babylon 5
  • The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
  • Saving Private Ryan
  • Gettysburg

I can add that playing some strategic war games, mainly during my college years, such as Star Fleet Battles, Panzer Leader, Kingmaker, Diplomacy, and Global Supremacy also laid some of the foundation for depicting fictional strategies and tactics.

All of that said, I believe that #3 above is the most important and useful as it’s directly relevant in exclusively using words to depict and provides specific and varied ‘how to’ examples for me as an author.

Maybe as a writer you’re feeling overwhelmed and, as a reader, thankful it’s not your job. Really, it’s not as bad as all that.

Identify the scope of what’s trying to be achieved when writing a battle or combat scene. I remind myself I’m telling a story, not writing an extensive training manual or doctrine to be studied and employed.

Identify the POV used and focus on the knowledge and observable aspects from that perspective. Yes, as the author, I have a wider understanding of the war, battle or conflict, all the way down to the individual vs. individual level. Having that allows for depth and consistency, and much of that content won’t make the pages of the novel as it isn’t necessary in conveying the story to the reader. Think world building. An author may create an extensive world, with names and places, culture and history, but only a fraction of it graces the pages of a novel.

In my Crax War Chronicles, the main character, Security Specialist Keesay, has a far different perspective and available knowledge than his superiors, whether he’s serving in the trench line, fending off the advancing Crax air and armored offensive, or attempting to survive a Crax hit-and-run landing assault, assigned to defend the research lab deep within the Io colony, until help arrives—if it arrives.

Being written in first person POV, the only description and events available to the reader are those available to Specialist Keesay. But, as the writer, I’ve already determined the Crax objectives, ships, equipment and numbers they have available, and the tactics and backup plans they’ll use. I also have the resources, plans and strategies Specialist Keesay’s side will employ.

From there I just write what happens. What Keesay personally observes, is told or witnesses through cameras, sensors or other reports. His emotions and responses, and those of the characters around him. I keep in mind the effectiveness of grenades, shotguns, magnetic pulse pistols and medium-duty laser carbines, as well as the caustic pellets, molecular saws and tactics of the armored and energy shield-protected Crax, and of their Stegmar Mantis allies, with their CO2 powered firearms sending sprays of toxin-coated needles.

In addition to thoughts and actions, I include the senses. Yes, sight and sounds, but tactile and especially smells are important in relaying the desperate struggle to the reader.

But how do you get it to flow? Make it real to the reader?

First, I remember that I am telling a story, and relay sufficient action, movement, thoughts and emotion, dialogue, and sensory description to the readers so that they can create the action in their minds’ eye. No amount of words and description can match the readers’ imagination.

Then I work to pace it. Get the wording and description right. The amount of dialogue and movement and reactions set properly for the reader to make it—the conflict occurring—theirs.

How do I know if I’m doing it right? I draft and re-draft. I read it orally, and share with a trusted reader. If I’m stuck or unsure, I go to the work of another author or two (category #3 above), ones who I’ve enjoyed reading and have relevant examples of combat—similar to what I’m trying to achieve. I read and re-read those sections, paying attention to wording and pacing and description and more. Determine what made it work for me. Then I apply what I learned (or re-learned) to my own scene and writing style. Make it as real and believable of a fictional combat, of a struggle, as I can.

I’ve been told in person and through reviews that I do a good job of writing combat scenes. If you’re a reader interested in epic action-adventure fantasy with a fair bit of combat (the main character is a mercenary), then consider giving my First Civilization’s Legacy Series a try. If you enjoy science fiction, with a para-military/space opera bent, consider my Crax War Chronicles. And if you’re a writer, and are struggling to write some of those difficult combat scenes, take a look at what I have to offer, and maybe one or more of my books will end up in your own category #3 above. Or, contact me if you would like more information on the books listed and not listed in the categories #1-3 above.

~*~

Terry W. Ervin II is an English and science teacher who enjoys writing fantasy and science fiction. His First Civilization’s Legacy Series (fantasy) includes Flank Hawk, Blood Sword, and Soul Forge.

The Crax War Chronicles, his science fiction series, includes Relic Tech and Relic Hunted (his most recent release from Gryphonwood Press).

In addition to writing novels, Terry’s short stories have appeared in over a dozen anthologies, magazines and ezines. Genre Shotgun is a collection containing all of his previously published short stories.

To contact Terry or learn more about his writing endeavors, visit his website at www.ervin-author.com and his blog, Up Around the Corner at uparoundthecorner.blogspot.com






Tuesday, January 12, 2016

MACHINATIONS by Hayley Stone: Cover Reveal



Perfect for fans of Robopocalypse, this action-packed science-fiction debut introduces a chilling future and an unforgettable heroine with a powerful role to play in the battle for humanity’s survival.

The machines have risen, but not out of malice. They were simply following a command: to stop the endless wars that have plagued the world throughout history. Their solution was perfectly logical. To end the fighting, they decided to end the human race.

A potent symbol of the resistance, Rhona Long has served on the front lines of the conflict since the first Machinations began—until she is killed during a rescue mission gone wrong. Now Rhona awakens to find herself transported to a new body, complete with her DNA, her personality, even her memories. She is a clone . . . of herself.

Trapped in the shadow of the life she once knew, the reincarnated Rhona must find her place among old friends and newfound enemies—and quickly. For the machines are inching closer to exterminating humans for good. And only Rhona, whoever she is now, can save them.

Pre-order Machinations today!


And don’t forget to add it to your list on Goodreads!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR




Hayley Stone has lived her entire life in sunny California, where the weather is usually perfect and nothing as exciting as a robot apocalypse ever happens. When not reading or writing, she freelances as a graphic designer, falls in love with videogame characters, and analyzes buildings for velociraptor entry points. She holds a bachelor’s degree in history and a minor in German from California State University, Sacramento.


Machinations is her debut novel, releasing June 14th, 2016 from Hydra/Random House.

Friday, January 8, 2016

Updated Cover for EL MAGO DE PAPEL

The Spanish edition of The Paper Magician releases January 27th from Oz Editorial. I'm so thrilled to be able to reach a new audience and see my debut book in a new language! And while I don't speak Spanish (short of what I remember from eighth grade), I can definitely appreciate the updated cover for the book:




What do you think of the changes?