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Guest Post with Bruce Skye, Author of Grayrider & Giveaway
February 24th, 2009
I’m very pleased today to Welcome Bruce Skye, author of Grayrider to Peeking Between the Pages. I really enjoyed his novel and you can see my review of it here. Stay tuned at the end of the guest post with Bruce for a giveaway. Read on to gain some insight into what Bruce thinks about creativity and writing.
Why Not? by Bruce Skye
To be quite honest, I have no idea how someone can write fiction successfully and not be creative. Robert Kennedy said “Some men see things as they are and say why. I dream things that never were and say, why not.” If writers can’t think that way, how can they can they devise the kind of plot twists, in-depth characters and suspense my novels have?
To show what I mean, let me share portions of just a few of the reviews of my fantasy novel Grayrider:
- His great character development and strong story line make this a great read.
- Grayrider was a very good read with lots of twists to the story. I really look forward to another book from this series.
- The story line moves at a fast pace and keeps the reader very involved. I found that I could not put the book down.”
I write what I do for the simple fact I’m a creative person. I’m happiest when I’m working on a novel, in creating new situations the heroes must deal with. And it is always a challenge to give new depth to a protagonist and make him or her more real for the reader. Even though I write fantasy, making the characters—both bad and good—real for those reading my words is important. That adds a great deal to the suspense of the plot.
Creativity is essential to write good novels. I can’t see how you can do it otherwise. Another reviewer commented about me:
- I think this series has potential as Mr. Skye has a very creative imagination that will allow the adventure to continue to grow in original ways.
She’s right. My imagination is quite vivid and I try to make every novel in this series a very different story from the last. The second volume of the Deathsong Chronicles is a direct result of the climax of Grayrider. And the third is a very stark contrast to the first two. And in all of them, I work to keep my readers on the edge of their seats.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
A former technical writer, detail is important to Bruce Skye. His research for the Deathsong Chronicles included medieval armor and fortresses, as well as Celtic names and magic. “If you create a world, it must be consistent. And that’s what I strive for Grayrider’s world to be. I’ve built a database of material for each of the Deathsong Chronicles. Those databases aid me in keeping the world the same from book to book.
“When I wrote Grayrider, I followed the advice of Stephen King. I did not write the book following any sort of outline. I have no more idea than my readers do when I write a novel what will happen in the midst of the story. It makes it more exciting for both the readers and myself.”
You can visit his website at http://www.bruceskye.com/.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Gabriel, the exiled king of Rivalin, comes before King Airell to warn him the Ansgarian army will invade his kingdom before the night is over. Airell tells him he has no one to send. Gabriel wants revenge for the murder of his family by the Ansgarians. He decides to fight the incursion without help.
As this takes place, Deirdre (Airell’s daughter), flees the kingdom of Cynyr north of Boadhagh. She knows now her mentor, Morrigan, created the Ansgarian army her father has fought for years. She goes south to warn him of her. Because Deirdre does not believe in herself, the young sorceress has difficulty in performing magic.
Once she is reunited with her father, she tells both he and Grayrider about Morrigan. Her power is growing; only Gabriel’s magical sword may yet destroy her. He must go to Cynyr to fight her. He agrees if Deirdre attends him, seeking her counsel. On that journey they fall in love and foil many efforts by Morrigan to kill Gabriel by both armies and sorcerers.
Grayrider fights Morrigan and sees his beloved slain by the sorceress before he is finally able to kill her. He returns to Rivalin brokenhearted. The ending is a -complete surprise the reader will not expect at all.
—————————————————-
The Giveaway: In Honor of the Book Giveaway Carnival at Bookroom Reviews, my gently read hardcover copy is up for grabs. The rules are simple…leave me a comment with an email address and I’ll draw for a winner on Monday, March 9. This is open worldwide. Good luck!
Visit Pump Up Your Book Promotion here.
Filed under Guest Posts, Your Book Promotion Blog Tours | Comments (83)
Fantasy book! loving the giveaway
blodeuedd (at)gmail.com
No need to enter me in the giveaway but as a technical writer myself, I can appreciate the creative edge that Mr. Skye speaks of, since technical writing is often so dry.
I’ve posted this at Win A Book. No need to enter me.
I so envy creative people. By the time I finish my work, creativity is poofed gone out the window, lol. Thanks for hosting Bruce today, Dar!
I want in on this one Dar. It sounds really good. My email is samantha.1020@yahoo.com
Thanks!
I’d like to enter.
bridget3420(at)yahoo(dot)com
What a great post, Bruce! No need to enter me – just wanted to pop in and check out what words of wisdom Bruce left us today on your blog, Dar!
sounds really good, i would love an entry
sports[dot]erikalynn[at]gmail[dot]com
I’d love an opportunity to win this book! Thanks, Dar!
lisamos64[at]gmail[dot]com
Hey! Enter me please. Thanks!
tiffanyak1986(at)hotmail(dot)com
Can I be entered to, if it is an international comp. Great guest blog. It is so nice to hear what the writer thinks.
vivienne_dacostaathotmail.com
Excellent post today!! I like getting to know different sides of an author!!
stacijoreads@gmail.com
I am such a contest ho, so definitely enter me in this please
jennygirl73 AT gmail DOT com
No need to sing me up. I blogged about both of your present giveaways here:
http://teddyrose.blogspot.com/2009/02/this-weeks-giveaways-galore_20.html
I forgot to tell you that I really like your new look!
I’ve seen this book at a couple other blogs and would love to read it. Enter me, please.
Valorie
morbidromantic@gmail.com
Oh, I’m in! Please enter me!
arconna at yahoo dot com
Thanks muchly!
I’d love to win this, count me in!
I blogged about your giveaway here:
http://lostinagoodstory.blogspot.com/2009/02/international-giveaways_25.html
joanna.loves.books at gmail dot com
no need to enter me, but I really enjoyed the guest post and his comments about a need for imagination and creativity to be a writer. I really loved the Kennedy quote as well. Why NOT!
I’ll post this in my sidebar for you though.
I agree that writers are creative in the way they use their imagination. If not, how could the readers follow the storyline or how could all these paranormal could come about?
Thanks for giving away your copy to us readers.
-Sue
okibi_insanity[at]yahoo[dot]com
nice giveaway thanks for your generosity minsthins(at)optonline(dot)net
It sounds great.
ttt1612 AT yahoo DOT com
Love the idea of the Celtic magic! This sounds like a neat book and a great guest post too!!!
great post, this book does sound very good!
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/
oh cool, please do enter me too.
elizascott2005[at]yahoo[dot]co[dot]in
Please enter me!
Sounds great! Please enter me.
schmerfette@cox.net
Please include me in your drawing. Sounds like a great book.
Thanks
Carlene
Willreadforever@verizon.net
Please enter me for the contest!
acrisalves AT gmail DOT com
It sounds like a great book. Thank you.
It really sounds great. Please count me in.
carianmoonlight (at) gmail (dot) com
I’d love to add this to my collection
jdmimi at gmail dot com
i love the cover of this book
Thanks for the chance to win. It looks like a great book.
ruthann (dot) francis (at) gmail (dot) com
I’m always up for a good fantasy read. Thanks for the great giveaway.
spackattak7(at)hotmail(dot)com
This book looks like one that even my husband would enjoy!
Thanks for such a great giveaway!
ellybean (at) connected2christ.com
http://www.connected2christ.com/theblog
This sounds like something my daughter would love to read Please enter me in the drawing. florida982002[at]yahoo[dot]com
would love to read
This looks like an interesting book.
ikkinlala AT yahoo DOT ca
Sounds like a great book! Thanks for the chance to win it!
Thanks for the giveaway. Please enter me.
I love a good fantasy novel! And my son would kill for this too! Thanks for the opportuny!
Kelly
enroutetolife(at)gmail(dot)com
Please enter me!
meh471 (AT) gmail (DOT) com
This sounds like an awesome book so please enter me for this one and thanks!
LadyVampire2u(AT)gmail(DOT)com
This sounds like an awesome book so please enter me for this one and thanks!
LadyVampire2u(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Sounds like a real page turner
This sounds really good, and I liked that the author mentioned the importance of researching topics that are relevant to your writing.
I’d love to be entered in the giveaway
shiloki (at) gmail (dot) com
Great interview! I would love to read the book!
vmlay@artsci.wustl.edu
Sounds great – please enter me as well : D
BevE
merryweatherbookblog@gmail.com
I am interested in winning this one too, Dar. I enjoyed reading the author’s guest post about writing and creativity. The two definitely do go hand in hand when it comes to fiction writing.
literaryfeline(at)gmail(dot)com
Great giveaway! Thanks!
JodiMof3 at hotmail dot com
Thanks for posting Bruce, I’m interested after reading this, and putting you on my bookist.
This book sounds real good. Please enter me, and thanks for having this giveaway.
ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
sounds like a exciting book con5459(at)gmail(dot)com
I enjoyed reading “Why Not?” The books looks very interesting. I have a vivid imagination, as well. Mine could be described as extremely overactive to on hyper-drive. Thanks for the giveaway.
http://sayitwithlaughter.blogspot.com/
sounds great
KawaiiNeko2008 (at) aol (dot) com
Greetings! My son loves Fantasy books! Please enter my name in your marvelous book giveaway drawing. Many thanks…..Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com
Sounds great, count me in please
lucidconspiracy [ at] gmail[dot] com
very interesting interview you got there. Got me intrigued by the book. Please toss my name in the hat for the drawing.
ivan[dot]girl25[at]gmail[dot]com
Grayrider sounds like a really interesting book! Please enter me.
kyrissaean(at)live(dot)ca
Please include me in your giveaway.
Thanks
Debbie
debdesk9@verizon.net
Please include me in your giveaway.
Thanks
Debbie
debdesk9@verizon.net
Looks great! Thanks for the giveaway!
Sounds like a really good read. Love the fantasy books. Thank you for the giveaway
I’d love to read this.
rsgrandinetti(at)yahoo(dot)com
I’d like to be included in the drawing please
I love fantasy books. Looks like a good read
jason@allworldautomotive.com
A great fantasy book – right up my alley! Please count me in.
Thanks,
megalon22 at yahoo dot com
I’d like to read this book. Thanks.
-Terra H.
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com
I definitely would love to win this!
Thank you
calliemist@yahoo.com
I Like fantasy but I need more than just a re-hash of old tales. I would like to see if Bruce has managed to come up with something a little bit different so please enter me
Sounds like a cool book, would love to win this one.
I would love a chance to add Grayryder to my colllection of books, thank you for the chance
Nona
san(underscore)peppy(at)hotmail(dot)com
Great post!
Thanks for the chance to win an excellent book
slcremer at gmail dot com
It sounds like a great book, thanks for giving us the chance to own it!
Purplecards@googlemail.com
Sounds like a good book. I would love to read it. Please enter me. Thanks for having this giveaway.
ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
I love to get lost in a good fantasy novel.
qwills2cats@hotmail dot com
I love fantasy novels – and this looks like a fun one, complete with sword and sorcery and exiled royalty.
teetersj(at)gmail(dot)com
Sounds like a fun book.
Sounds fun. Thank you.
candieluster(at)gmail(dot)com
Please add my name to this drawing. Thank you.
Sounds great.
ooow owuld love to be entered! love ur blog!