Jamie Marchant, Author THE GODDESS'S CHOICE |
Epic Fantasy Author
Jamie Marchant introduces the world of Korthlundia in THE GODDESS’S CHOICE – a sword and sorcery
novel based on a Norwegian fairy
tale. However, Jamie found it annoying that
the female character was basically snubbed in the fairy tale. So she re-invented the
crown princess as a strong heroine. As you'll read in her following article, she believes characters are a critical component of pulling readers into a make-believe world.
Jamie teaches writing and literature at Auburn University and lives with her husband, son, and four cats in Auburn, Alabama.
Jamie teaches writing and literature at Auburn University and lives with her husband, son, and four cats in Auburn, Alabama.
Making a Make-Believe World Believable
By Jamie
Marchant
Fantasy
literature transports you from the mundane world into the strange and the
magical. How does it do this? By making that world believable, in its setting,
its use of magic, and in its characters. To transport you, the fantasy world
must be as complex and rich as reality. While I don’t like works that give long
lectures on the history and geography, a sense of both must be present in the
fantasy world—this sense preferably arising naturally from the needs of the
plot and unfolding bit by bit. For example, in THE GODDESS'S CHOICE the way we learn about the longstanding
animosity and history of warfare between Korth and Lundia is through the king’s
pressure on the crown princess Samantha to marry. King Solar believes her
marriage is necessary to maintain the fragile peace between the joined
kingdoms. The history and culture of the joined kingdoms flow from and enhance
the story’s central conflict
Magic is
an essential element of fantasy; yet to be believable, any system of magic must
be both consistent and limited in scope. When the limitations on the wizard or
sorcerer are clearly established, tension builds as he or she must work within
those limits. The existence of magic doesn’t allow the writer to cheat. My
hero’s Robbie’s magic lies in the ability to connect to the mind and body of
another. It only works on living things. He can’t suddenly have the ability to
warp metal even though that would be convenient. The use of his magic also
depletes him physically, so he must be wise in its use. His strength is also
his vulnerability.
For me,
the most important element in creating a believable fantasy world lies in the
characters. A believable world must be peopled with believable characters. In
reality, few people are without flaws, but few are so bad that they have no
redeeming qualities. Fantasy characters must be equally complex. Heroes must
not be completely virtuous, and villains at least need sound motives for their
villainy. Robbie is burdened with anger, and Samantha is headstrong and
somewhat insensitive. On the other hand, Argblutal believes (with some
justification) the throne is rightfully his and that he’d be a better king than
a eighteen-year-old girl. When I read a novel, if I can believe a writer’s
characters, I can forgive other inconsistencies with the work, but if I cannot
believe the characters, nothing else the writer does can redeem the story.
Depth of character is the key to believability in the make-believe world of
fantasy.
Author Bio
Jamie Marchant lives in Auburn, Alabama, with her husband, son, and four
cats, which (or so she's been told) officially makes her a cat lady. She teaches writing and literature at Auburn University.
Her first novel THE GODDESS'S CHOICE was released in April 2012 from Reliquary Press. She is working on the sequel, tentatively titled The Soul Stone. Her short fiction has been published in Bards & Sages, The World of Myth, and Short-story.me.
Her first novel THE GODDESS'S CHOICE was released in April 2012 from Reliquary Press. She is working on the sequel, tentatively titled The Soul Stone. Her short fiction has been published in Bards & Sages, The World of Myth, and Short-story.me.
Blurb
The crown princess Samantha fears she’s mad; no
one but she sees colors glowing around people. The peasant Robrek Angusstamm believes
he’s a demon; animals speak to him, and his healing powers far outstrip those
of his village’s priests. Despite their fears, their combined powers make them
the goddess’s choice to rule the kingdom of Korthlundia.
In Marchant's sword and sorcery novel, THE GODDESS'S CHOICE, Samantha’s ability enables her to discern a person’s
character through their multi-colored aura, and Robrek’s makes him the
strongest healer the kingdom has seen in centuries. But their gifts also
endanger their lives. Royals scheme to usurp the throne by marrying or killing
Samantha, and priests plot to burn Robrek at the stake. Robrek escapes the
priests only to be captured by Samantha’s arch-enemy, Duke Argblutal; Argblutal
intends to force the princess to marry him by exploiting Robrek’s powers. To
save their own lives and stop the realm from sinking into civil war, Robrek and
Samantha must consolidate their powers and unite the people behind them.
THE GODDESS'S CHOICE is based on a Norwegian fairy tale, “The Princess and
the Glass Hill.” Though Marchant's favorite fairy tale as a child, it disturbed her that
the female character has no name and no role other than being handed off as a
prize. Her novel remakes the crown princess of Korthlundia into a strong heroine
who is every bit as likely to be the rescuer as the one rescued.
Book Excerpt
Chapter 2
The
Princess Samantha sat at her dressing table and glowered at her reflection as
her maids dressed her hair. She detested balls and loathed the hundreds of
suitors who flocked around her, spouting empty flattery: “I have never seen a
lovelier flower, Your Highness!” or “Your eyes rival the brilliance of the
stars, Your Highness!” If I hear that one again, I’ll vomit. It wouldn’t be
quite so bad if even one of them meant it. Sometimes she wished . . . She
pushed the thought away. She was the heir to the throne. She couldn’t expect
romance.
"Let us be painting your face tonight, Your Highness!" Ardra begged, in her north Korthian accent. Samantha's maid was as small and slight as the princess herself and had hair so blonde it was almost white.
"Let us be painting your face tonight, Your Highness!" Ardra begged, in her north Korthian accent. Samantha's maid was as small and slight as the princess herself and had hair so blonde it was almost white.
“Yes, Your Highness,”
Malvina chimed in. “Lady Shela’s maids said just yesterday we couldn’t possibly
know our business ‘cause you never wear paint.” Malvina, more of a typical
Korthlundian woman, was tall and broad and not nearly as pretty as Ardra.
“Lady Shela,” Samantha
snorted in disgust. Shela wore so much paint she resembled some ghastly sea
creature. Samantha knew she wasn’t pretty, but she was fond of the freckles
that speckled her nose and thought the emerald green brilliance of her gown set
off her white skin and auburn hair beautifully. Besides being appallingly
uncomfortable, paint would absolutely spoil the effect. The princess gestured
toward the huge portrait that covered one wall of her bedchamber. “Do you think
Danu wore paint?”
Malvina shrugged. “The
Princess Danu was said to be a powerful sorceress, Your Highness. She probably
didn’t need to wear paint to attract men.”
Samantha laughed
bitterly, as she thought of the army of men waiting below. “I wish not wearing
paint was all it took to scare them off. They say Danu never married, and see
how happy she is.”
Samantha yearned for
Danu’s freedom. The long-dead princess was laughing as she galloped across the
fields. Danu’s auburn hair flew out behind her in the wind. The stars on the
forehead and chest of her horse shone against its gorgeous coat. Samantha loved
this painting, which was just as well because it was bolted to the wall and
couldn’t be removed without tearing her chambers apart. She’d decorated the
rest of her bedroom to match. Tapestries of horses covered the walls. Her
dressing table, armoire, and large four-poster bed had horses carved into the
woodwork. A quilt, embroidered with horses and stars, was spread over the bed.
The mantle over her fireplace sported figurines of horses in gold, silver,
jade, crystal, and precious stones. Every new ambassador added to her
collection.
Contact Information
Email:
jamie-marchant@jamie-marchant.com
Website
Blog
Facebook
Twitter: @RobrekSamantha
Goodreads
Website
Blog
Twitter: @RobrekSamantha
Goodreads
Buy Links
Dear Joyce,
ReplyDeleteWow, what a great guest blog by having Epic Fantasy author Jamie Marchant! It was so great to get to know you and your stories. I can not wait to read your books! Especially the "Goddess Choice", I really love how detailed your writing is. Amazing! Kudos for this Guest Blog Joyce!
Syl Stein
Definitely on my list. Lovely guest post. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteYou should know that the ebook is on sale for only $.99 through Jan. 1.
ReplyDeleteDear Jamie,
DeleteThanks for the information, I am going to get it!
Syl Stein