Author D.B. Jackson Release Party and a $110.00 Amazon Gift Card Contest
“Daddy, Where Do Historical Urban Fantasies Come From?” (or Why It Took a Geek Like Me To Write Thieftaker)
“Hi, my name is David, and I’m a Geek.”
[Geek Chorus] “Hi, David.”
“It’s been over two years now since I last tried to pretend in public that I wasn’t a geek. [Smattering of applause.] At this point, even if I were to try that again, it really wouldn’t work. See, I’ve got this new book out — Thieftaker, book I of the Thieftaker Chronicles — and, well, only a geek could have written this book. It pretty much screams geek to anyone who sees it or hears about it.
“The book began with an idea that came to me after I read a footnote in a history book. [A chorus of groans.] I know, I know, but it was a really cool footnote. [More groans.] Right. Not helping matters. Let me explain, though. The book I was reading was Robert Hughes’ THE FATAL SHORE, a comprehensive survey of Australian history that begins with the country’s founding as a British penal colony. And so it also touches on the history of English law enforcement. The footnote described in some detail the life and career of London’s most famous and notorious thieftaker, Jonathan Wild.
“Wild was little more than a criminal himself. He had several toughs working for him who were responsible for much of the thieving that occurred in early 18th century London. They would bring the stolen goods to Wild who would sell the most valuable items and return the rest to their rightful owners — for a fee, of course — as if he had recovered them from the thieves. Not only did he build an empire for himself out of the profits he made, but he became a hero of sorts among London’s elite, who thought him a bulwark against rampant criminal behavior.
“Upon reading about Wild, I realized that I wanted to write a book about thieftakers, and wanted to have a character like Wild as the nemesis for my lead character, who would be an honest thieftaker. I took the liberty of making the Wild character into a woman named Sephira Pryce, and I made her rivalry with my protagonist, Ethan Kaille, the central conflict of the book (and, I expect, of every book that will follow.) By making her influential and powerful, I made life tough for my hero, which is always fun. And by making her a woman, I brought a crackling sexual tension and energy to their relationship. All of which is very cool. But all of which began with that footnote.
“Are there other ways in which my inner geekiness shines through in this book? How much time do you have? Even my magic system has geeky origins. Because THIEFTAKER is set in Colonial Boston in the 1760s, on the eve of the Revolutionary War, I needed to make the paranormal elements of my story blend with my historical setting. Fortunately for me, pre-Revolutionary Boston had its own supernatural tradition. The Province of Massachusetts Bay had seen witch scares going back nearly a hundred years. In Salem, not far from the city, nearly one hundred and fifty people were jailed as witches in the spring of 1692. Twenty were executed. And during the 18th century, fear of witches continued to result in scares throughout the colony. In Thieftaker, conjurers and witches are not the same thing. Witches are the stuff of myth; preachers rail against witchery and black magick in writings and sermons. Conjurers, on the other hand, are real. But fear of one is conflated with the other, and so Ethan and other conjurers must keep their abilities secret, lest they be hanged as witches..
“I also had Geek Moments again and again while I was researching Thieftaker. In particular, I discovered a couple of research gems that had me doing my best Snoopy dance in the middle of my office. The first I found while trying to write a description of King’s Chapel, Boston’s oldest Anglican church, which figures prominently in Thieftaker. I was able to find references to the church’s exterior, but found almost nothing about the interior. That is, until I struck gold in the form of a document that turned up on the fourth or fifth page of an internet search. An architectural firm had recently started renovatations on King’s Chapel, and had put a summary of their work online. They gave detailed historical descriptions of the structure’s interior, specifying the location of windows and columns and the type of wood used for the pews. They even provided bore-test results on the walls, which revealed the paint color for different time periods, including the 1760s. Suddenly, I knew exactly what the Chapel’s interior looked like.
“My second golden discovery also grew out of my need to write a physical description, this time of a person. Sheriff Stephen Greenleaf, a recurring character in the Thieftaker books and stories, was Boston’s leading law enforcement official in the 1760s, when the city had nothing resembling an organized constabulary. He managed to keep the peace, though he had no police force or soldiers at his disposal. I knew he had to be a formidable figure, but I had no idea what he looked like. I did several internet searches, scoured my bookshelves, went to the local university library, searched interlibrary loan — nothing. Until finally, while online, skimming through an old text, I found not just a description, but a pen and ink drawing. I remember gaping at my computer screen. There was the man himself, staring back at me. Broad face, strong hook nose, pale widely-spaced eyes: I’d actually imagined him that way, but seeing him for myself was magical.
“These moments of discovery and revelation — the footnote, the ease with which my paranormal elements worked with my historical setting, the renovation document, the drawing of Greenleaf — were like manna from heaven for a geek like me. And they confirmed for me something that I already knew: I like being a geek. In fact, I love it. Building historically accurate backdrops for my books, developing characters, piecing together narratives, creating believable magic systems — these are my passions, even if they seem pretty geeky to those looking in from the outside.
“So, yeah, my name is David, and I am a geek. And I’m proud of it.”
Author Bio:
D.B. Jackson is also David B. Coe, the award-winning author of a dozen fantasy novels. His first book as D.B. Jackson, Thieftaker, volume I of the Thieftaker Chronicles, has just been released by Tor Books. D.B. lives on the Cumberland Plateau with his wife and two teenaged daughters. They’re all smarter and prettier than he is, but they keep him around because he makes a mean vegetarian fajita. When he’s not writing he likes to hike, play guitar, and stalk the perfect image with his camera.
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Pingback: Bitten By Books Release Party Is Going Live Now! | D.B. Jackson
Hi, all! We are live, and I’m pleased to be here. Looking forward to a good discussion today.
D.B.
I am really liking the sound of Thieftaker! Do you have any idea how many books will be in the series?
[Shoving a sandwich in his face...] Thanks, Roni! Right now, we have two books under contract. Thieftaker, and Thieves’ Quarry, which will be out next summer. We (my agent and I) have pitched two more books and hope to have them contracted soon. But the larger answer to your question, is I really don’t know. Unlike my previous work, each book in this series is a stand alone — a mystery set against the backdrop of some event leading to the American Revolution, with a magical element. And so I can really make the series as long as I want. And I’m having a great time with Ethan and his cohort right now, so I hope the series will go on for a while.
Having the backdrop of the American Revolution sounds like you’re in for lots more geeky research!
I love when authors are able to write about historical figures in a way that makes me feel like I know them personally. Two of my favorite historical authors, Sharon Kay Penman and Margaret George are amazing with that!
Yes, there is certainly more geekdom in my future. The second book, THIEVES’ QUARRY coincides with the occupation of Boston in 1768. Book III would have as its backdrop a smallpox epidemic that broke out in the sumer of 1769, and the fourth book would be set at the time of the Boston Massacre. So lots of fun stuff to look up. And I have to say that using folks like Samuel Adams, James Otis, and Thomas Hutchinson in my books was tons of fun. I hope my readers enjoy it, too.
If you could have the magical power to cast any sort of spell want kind of magic would you want to have?
Very difficult question because it changes from day to day. This is what happens when you read a variety of paranormal books and magical powers come into play. Often I hear “Well that is a neat gift.”
Like right now I’m reading Donna Grant’s Midnight Lover and the druid has the power that when she finds something, and it wants to be returned, it prods her to do that. It whispers and tells her where to go.
Though I kinda wouldn’t mind having a shapechanger’s ability, to change into the many kinds of animals I like. Or healing.
Raonaid, I like that idea of knowing where an item needs to go — that would be helpful to a Thieftaker! I have given my characters so many different powers and have come to see both the good and bad in all sorts of magic, that I’m almost afraid of wanting magic!
Happy I could help in such a small way.
But you are correct. There is always the bad and the good in gifts. Too one would have to be careful. There are greedy folks out there that would like nothing more than to exploit one’s ability for their gain.
All that in mind I am sort of grateful I don’t have any magical gifts. Too much responsibility. And I may be tempted to use it for ill. So why have that temptation?
Right! It’s like what Gandalf says about Frodo’s ring: [Paraphrasing] I would use it intending to do good, but through me it would work evil. Same risk with magic.
Hi, David!
I was wondering if there was any chance we may see stories focusing on Sephira? Either as Kindle shorts or in another format.
Topher, yes! I actually have a short story about Ethan’s first encounter with Sephira. It’s still in Ethan’s POV, but it is all about her. I’m not sure yet what to do with it, but I am thinking about pubbing it to Amazon. I also would like to write some stuff from her point of view. I really love her character, and so am eager to write more stuff about her. So stay tuned!
Awesome! Can’t wait. It will give us something to help tide us over until Thieves’ Quarry is released.
Thanks, Topher. Keep an eye on my website. I will announce story releases as they happen.
What historical figure would you most like to meet for coffee and deep conversation? For a romantic dinner?
Mmm, no historical figure sticks out to me eough that I would want to meet for coffee or a romantic dinner. But I would love to have a deep conversation with an actual druid. Then plot and hatch the demise with Ceasar.
For some reason ever since I learned about him I had this deep, and I mean deep subconscious hatred for him.
Hmmmm. Okay. I prefer to imagine those romantic dinners I mentioned in the question, but we all have different approaches to these things. BTW, my romantic dinner? Amelia Earhart.
No one in history really interests me to have a romantic dinner with. But then I am an odd person at times.
If I had a magical power … this question always stymies me because I always think of how people would exploit it. I would love to have healing powers. But now that I think about it, I’d rather have self-regeneration powers. That would keep me healthy and be enough to get me out of any number of scrapes.
If I could meet a historical character, I’d love to meet Eleanor of Aquitaine, because she was pretty cool and I *may* be distantly related to her.
If I could travel back in time to any place, it would be to ancient England, during the time of the druids. I’d be interested in seeing how they really lived, rather than the speculation that seems to abound.
Hi, Laura! [Waves] Like your answers. Particularly the magical power one. And yes, Eleanor of Aquitaine is way cool. I had to research her and write in her POV when I did the ROBIN HOOD novelization. Great fun. Thanks for the comments. We geeks do make the world go round. And if ever it stops turning, we’ll be the ones to figure out how to make it go again.
To answer the 3 questions:
1. If I could have any magical power to cast any spell what would it be? Maybe a spell for good fortune?
2. If I could meet with a historical figure for conversation? There’s SO MANY!!! I don’t know that I could pick just one. Julius Ceasar, Cleopatra, Amelia Earhart, Einstein, King Arthur, Robin Hood, the list goes on & on…
To have a romantic dinner with? Again, this is difficult…maybe Lord Byron?
3.If I could travel back in time to any historical time/place? Either medieval times or colonial/frontier times. I’ve been to Boston & Salem several times and I feel a strong connection to those places.
Roni, I swear I didn’t read your answer to this before mentioning Amelia Earhart in my reply to Raonaid. Great minds….
And I can certainly agree with the “I-want-to-back-to-Colonial-times” sentiment, as you might imagine.
If you could travel back in time to any historical period and place, which would you choose and why?
second answer gave it away. But I would love to travel back to ancient Ireland and Scotland. Much about the Celts and Druids are unknown. What is known is colored by Roman influence. I would love to observe for myself the pride of the Celtic people. And actually see and talk to the druids. I bet they would not know what to think about this time.
“The Times of the Druids” seems to be a pretty popular answer today. I have never been to Ireland or Scotland and would definitely like to see both. But I think I prefer to do so with modern comforts! Thanks, Raonaid!
Oh, and Hi D.B.! I think it’s awesome that you’re a geek. We make the world go round.
wow been so busy this wk, my brain working too hard, missed rsvping,
missed pts , sniff, sniff, 
Glad you could make it, Dina, even without the RSVP. And I’m sure we’ll find you other ways to earn points. Thanks for coming!
Thanks D.B. I’m fine, I know many ways to get pts,
It’s more fun to actually make the post with the author!
Thanks, Dina. Do you read a lot of historical stuff or are you more of an Urban Fantasy fan?
Answers to the 3 questions…
#1) I would like the power to take away pain.I hate seeing good people hurt.
#2) Thomas Jefferson.Past presidents interest me.Did they know more then they could let on about there death?
#3) 1800.I think experiencing life back in little house days would be super cool.
Thanks for the responses, Janice! Thomas Jefferson is someone I would like to meet, too. And James Madison and Alexander Hamilton. So much is made out of “the intent of the Founders.” Wouldn’t it be great to be able to ask them what they had in mind?!
Sorry about this all, but I’m having some internet troubles here at home. I need to move to another place in town. It should only take me a few minutes to get there. I’ll get back to answering questions as quickly as I can.
Okay, I’m back and the internet here seems to be working well. Back to questions and comments!
If I could meet any historical figure, I would love to meet a lady called Arabella Churchill (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arabella_Churchill_(royal_mistress) – she has her own Wiki page, ergo she’s a historical figure!). Firstly, I’d love to meet her because I’m almost certainly a direct descendant, but secondly because… man, what a kick-ass lady! One of the mistresses of a, frankly, sucky king, and then goes on to be a perfectly respectable lady with ties to all kinds of important people. So, Arabella Churchill, or Anne of Cleves. In my head, Anne of Cleves is a bit of a long-suffering plain-Jane who everyone passed over, and then got verbally abused by an egotistical king, but somehow it all sort of worked out for her.
Oh, and hi D.B! I was EXTREMELY EXCITED when I opened my gift from the lovely Laura the other day and found the adventures of one Ethan Kaille lurking inside… I just finished my bachelor’s in American Studies, which was (in my case) a lot of American history, including a big paper about the Revolution, after hanging out for a few days in Boston last summer. It all just fits, really!
What a cool reply, BlackJack! I’ve heard of Anne of Cleves, but I know almost nothing about her. I’m going to have to fix that. Thanks so much!
And that’s so cool about your degree — congratulations — and Laura’s gift. Hope you enjoy the book and don’t find too many historical inaccuracies in it!
See, poor old Anne of Cleves – overlooked again!
I’m going to be looking forward to Thieves’ Quarry very soon…
Unfortunately, THIEVES’ QUARRY is still nearly a year away from publication. You might have to content yourself with some Thieftaker short fiction in the meantime. Some stories are available on my website, and others can be linked to from there. (http://www.dbjackson-author.com)
Sounds like a great book!
I’d like to have healing magic.
Thank you, Cheryl. I hope you enjoy it.
Healing magic would be one of my top choices, too, although the more I work, and the more I have to do for my kids, the more I think it would be great to have magic that lets me slow down time for everyone but me. I think with just a few more hours in each day, I would never fall behind on writing, or chores, or correspondence. Plus, I’d get enough sleep….
I’d like to meet Louis Riel.
Another historical figure about whom I know far, far less than I should. I’ll have to read up on him.
And I really like the idea of going back in time to meet younger versions of relatives. Both my grandparents on my father’s side came to NYC when they were kids. It would be very cool to meet them, and to meet their parents.
I’d choose Winnipeg in the 1930′s. I’d like to meet my granparents when they were young.
David, welcome to BBB!
In your academic background, was American History your primary area?
Hi, Carol! Great to see you here. Yes, my Ph.D. is in U.S. history. My specialty was actually early 20th century U.S. (my dissertation was on New Deal conservation programs and their political and ecological ramifica . . . zzzzzzz. Sorry, put myself to sleep there for a moment…) but in order to get my degree I had to pass exams on all periods of U.S. history. And while reading for my exams I totally fell in love with the Revolutionary period.
I can’t wait to read Thieftaker!! Sound very interesting…
If I had an oppurtunity to go back in time to meet someone and have a romantic dinner with them, it would have to be… I can’t think…
Thanks, Gladys. I hope you enjoy the book. My choice for a romantic dinner was Amelia Earhart. Though I could just as easily have chosen Anne Boleyn (DON’T tell Henry…)
Hi your book sounds very interesting and it be a read I would enjoy
So what made you choose to write that genre? Or do you have another type you would like to write about?
Thanks, Jovhanna. I hope you enjoy THIEFTAKER. Under my real name, David B. Coe, I have written eleven epic fantasies. I enjoyed writing them very much, but I was ready for a change. And so when the idea for this series came to me, I decided that I wanted to do a few things differently. I used the historical setting, I wrote the book as an urban fantasy, with a lean, tight style and a harder-edged voice, and I brought in a strong mystery element. I’m enjoying writing the Thieftaker books and hope to write several more of them. But I’m also just enjoying writing urban fantasy and have a couple of books set in our modern world, that I’m also working on. Thanks for the question!
- If you could have the magical power to cast any sort of spell want kind of magic would you want to have?
The power to freeze time, so I’d stand a chance of reading all the books that are on my wishlist.
What historical figure would you most like to meet for coffee and deep conversation?
Amelia Earhart, today is her 115th birthday. I remember being terribly fascinated by her story as a child in school.
If you could travel back in time to any historical period and place, which would you choose and why?
though I love reading about history, I have no desire to travel back in time (would hate not having A?C, computers and modern medicine)but as long as it was just a quick trip, the 1950′s in southern California. I’d love to meet and learn about my parents when they were young and healthy
Thanks for the answers, Lisa. You and I have a lot in common! Amelia Earhart was my choice for a romantic dinner with a historical figure, and I also wanted to have the power to slow down time for myself so that I could get more done in a day. And I have to admit that while the idea of traveling back in time intrigues me, I too would miss the material comforts of A/C, refrigeration, modern medical care, not to mention my iPhone….
Have you every based any of your characters on your daughters or their friends?
I generally don’t base my characters on real people because I find that when I do the characters wind up sort of flat. I like my characters to grow, to take on qualities as I write, to become people who do things that surprise me at times. And if I base my characters on real people they are less likely to do this. At least that’s been my experience. But that said, the lead characters in my middle grade book do resemble my daughters in ways I hadn’t expected. Which leads to your later question. I’ll get to that in a moment.
Has anyone ever told you, you look amazingly like the hunky Dyson on “Lost Girl”?
Actually, no. Thank you, I’m flattered. But I think that I’m way less hunky in real life…
Huh, you do kind of look like Dyson from Lost Girl.
Thanks.
We need to see you without your shirt to decide. Come on, take it off!
Hmmmm. Okay, now this is getting a little weird . . . .
Tell us a little about the fantasy for middle readers you are working on.
Given how far along I am with it (or rather how far along I’m NOT) I’m reluctant to tell you too much. The story revolves around two kids, Allie and Eric. Allie is a bit of a loner, she’s an athlete, but she gets in trouble a lot. Eric is a total nerd and always gets the best grades, always does what he’s supposed to. And they don’t like each other — he even got her in trouble at one point. But in my book they find something magical and use it, which gets them BOTH in trouble. I’m not prepared to say much more than that, but I will add that both characters have elements of both my kids in them, and their names are similar to those of my daughters, something I hadn’t planned, but did subconsciously.
I did the rafflecopter thingie…
I love the cover and this book sounds like a fun read!
Congratulations on the new release!
Lisa K
Thanks very much, Lisa. I hope you enjoy the book, and best of luck with the contest.
I am so looking forward to reading this book. I’m especially excited that it’s set where I grew up, in Boston, a city in which past history really seems alive. I was curious about how a typical writing day unfurls for you. Strict schedule? Varied? Thanks.
Doug thanks for the comment and question. I hope you enjoy THIEFTAKER, and I hope that you find I did justice to your home town!
I tend to be very routine oriented. I write on basically the same schedule each day, and am very strict with myself when it comes to putting my butt in the chair and churning out the pages. I shoot for between 2000 and 2500 words per day. That’s not all that fast a writing pace given what some of my writer friends do, but I do a lot of polishing as I do, so once I finish a draft, I have less revision work to do than I might otherwise. I try to work weekdays and devote my evenings and weekends to my family. That doesn’t always work out, but it is my goal. So overall, I’m pretty boring, I guess. Steady routine, not much variation.
thanks for a fabulous giveaway!
You’re welcome, Erin! Hope you win something. And hope you’ll check out the book!
Teleportation would be quite cool, no stress with public transportation in the morning anymore!
And I’d love to meet Leonardo da Vinci, I like his work and his ideas and his spirit.
Btw, my fav period’s the Renaissance, cool inventions, discoveries, works
Great answers, Martina. Magic as a way of easing the morning commute: gotta love it. And I think that DaVinci is a wonderful choice, as is the Renaissance. Thanks!
Forgot to mention that I’m looking forward reading a “male” story. Don’t get me wrong, I Iove all those heroines but from time to time I want to read something … different.
Thanks for this as well. I think (hope) that you’ll like Ethan. He’s not your typical male character in a fantasy. He’s older, he’s scarred, he has a dark past. He has lived, and his perceptions and personality are deeply shaped by all that he’s been through. I’ve never written a protagonist who intrigued me more. That probably sounds terribly boastful, but it’s not meant to. I just really love the character and who he has become as I’ve written stories and books about him.
I think if I had to choose 1 magical power it’d have something to do with healing!
That’s been a popular choice today, Nicole, which is pretty understandable, I guess. It’s probably what I would choose, too, though we’ve also talked about slowing down time. Thanks for the reply!
Hi David,
It would be something if I could time travel. I think I would like to travel back to 1600s Scotland. That way I could see the castles when they were actively in used and see the inner workings.
I’m not sure who I would want to meet! Perhaps a real-life (friendly to me) vampire or witch if they really were in existence. That would be cool!
I think the magical power to read people’s minds would come in handy. Though I would want to be able to turn it off so I don’t hear voices all the time.
I like historical things whether they are real or not. There are so many eras that could be used to set up a world.
Congrats on your release,
Na
Great choices, Na. I wouldn’t mind meeting witches and vampires, too, so long as I was protected in some way. 1600s Scotland would absolutely be cool. The mind-reading thing I’m less sure about. I don’t want to know what people really think of me….
Thanks for the kind words. Hope you’ll check out the book.
Haven’t been here in a while, new format. I like it. Great authors,,,love it!
Magical Power- hypnotism
Historical figure… nothing romantic, but intersting dinner with George Washinton
LOVE the historical era of victorian. Would love to visit for a fancy dance or two.
Elie, thanks for joining us. I like your answers — what would you do with the hypnotism? Washington would be an interesting dinner companion; another who is on my list, too.
I would probably use magic to cast healing spells. Or just turn stuff into money.
“Or just turn stuff into money.” Now you’re talking . . . First alchemy magic we’ve gotten. I like it!
I think my answer for both dinner questions would be Lord Byron. Although realistically I probably wouldn’t want to get really romantic with him. Unless I was in the mood for some old-fashioned STD’s.
Byron is a pretty popular choice, although I agree that you’d need to be pretty careful with him. I find myself wondering if I should have chosen Catherine the Great for my romantic dinner….
I’m just happy to know a geek who does the snoopy dance.
As to the rest of it — I’ve read Thieftaker and it gets 6 stars. Truly.
Thank you so much, Faith.
Your book sounds great! And I love how you described your geek moments, Snoopy dancing and all.
I can’t wait to read about your characters, and Sephira…intriguing.
As for magic…I would want the ability to weave protective spells. I would be in such high demand, and I wouldn’t have to worry about my family =)
Thanks, Lexi. Sephira really is a fun character to write — and her dynamic with Ethan is very entertaining. Protective magic is a nice choice; I like that. Hope you enjoy the book!
First of all, I have to say I am impressed that you were still giving it the good-old college try with trying to pretend not to be a geek! I gave up with that pretense years ago. I could pretend for a while, but then I’d say or do something incredibly, incredibly geeky. Then the jig would be up. So Ifinally decided to own it. But kudos to you for being able to hide it better than me for way longer!
And I think footnotes are cool too! Just like bibliographies are awesome.
If you could have the magical power to cast any sort of spell want kind of magic would you want to have?
I knowa lot of people have been saying healing. But I’d have to go with the power to transport or teleport myself. I’d rather avoid getting hurt in the first place.
What historical figure would you most like to meet for coffee and deep conversation?
Oh there are lots but my first choice would have to be Leonardo da Vinci. I’ve had a slight obsession with since I took classes about him in college. I’ve read so much about him, including some of the kooky things he did, including one about a lizard that I won’t go into. I would so have to meet him.
If you could travel back in time to any historical period and place, which would you choose and why?
Ooh, I have to choose one! I suppose I’d have to go with Ancient Rome. Yeah it had it’s problems. Okay,serious problems. But a lot of times did. But I think it was one of the more reasonable. There was so much history and culture going on at the time. I could go on and on about why, but I’ll spare you.
But also there were so many things going on at the time that didn’t occur in other places in history, like plumbing. So important! I’d also love to hear the Latin spoken.
Yeah I know, dork.
Okay, so I’m curious, how long was the research process for this book?
Thanks!
Thanks for the great responses, Rae. On the whole geek thing, I
Thanks for the great responses, Rae. On the whole geek thing, I’m pretty sure my wife would tell you that I do a rotten job of hiding it. I haven’t fooled anyone in years.
The research for Thieftaker was ongoing as I wrote the book — there were always new things to look up, new questions to answer. But that initial research — the preliminary stuff I did — probably took me three months of solid reading, web searches, library work, etc.
Oooh I’m so glad I came across this. Thieftaker is on my TBR list. I’m a self professed geek too. And hey..footnotes are cool
Thanks, Primrose. Nice to hear that you’d already had THIEFTAKER on your radar. Hope you enjoy it!
Hi there! I have heard so many awesome things about the Thieftaker (seriously, it’s been awhile since I’ve seen a book get such great word of mouth) and I can’t wait to read it! As a history geek myself, I want to commend you on including the social sciences & humanities in your definition of geekdom–not everybody does!
I’ll answer the questions first, then ask one of my own!
1. if I had a magical power, and it could only be one, I’d pick teleportation, because a. I could save so much time on my commute b. I wouldn’t need to worry about insurance, parking, or filling my bus pass and c. because it’s environmentally friendly. However, it might be a bit of a challenge figuring out discreet places to teleport into without anyone seeing me!
2. My first instinct would be to say I wanted to meet Cleopatra (probably not for coffee, but a beverage she was actually used to). But what I really want to know is what it was like to live under her rule; whether the Egyptians saw her family as benign monarchs or foreign interlopers (or even cared), and if her knowledge of their language impressed them or was too little too late. So how about random Egyptian citizen from Cleopatra’s time (probably someone high ranking, who would have an opinion about her)? And I can’t think of anyone to have a romantic dinner with; too hard to come up with someone appealing to me who wouldn’t be shocked by my hoydenish 21st century ways . . .
3. If I could travel to any time and place, surprise, surprise, I would pick Alexandria in the 1st century BCE. I’d love to see the Library of Alexandria in its heyday, and I’m fascinated by the diverse peoples who lived in Hellenistic Egypt. Plus much of the ancient world wasn’t too great for women, but there is some evidence of their greater independence during the Hellenistic era.
The question I have for you is: having done so much research to breathe life into your historical fiction, how do you “show your work” without turning the novel into one big info dump? Sometimes when I read a historical novel, the author has done an impressive amount of research, but includes so much of it that it really weighs down the story. Is it hard to pull back and let the research serve the story, rather than using the story to show off the research?
Thanks for the fascinating post, and the great giveaway!
Hi Kimberly,
Sorry for my delay in responding. We had dinner plans and then I had to get some sleep. I love the idea of going back in time to speak with someone who isn’t necessarily famous, but who has a unique perspective at the time. You’d make a great social historian.
You ask a great question. Yes, the temptation is there to throw into my story every cool thing I’ve learned. But I try to be disciplined about it, and I apply this discipline in the form of three test questions I ask myself when debating what details to include and which ones to leave out. 1) Is the information vital to understanding my plot, my character development, or something integral to my setting? If the answer is yes, obviously the detail goes in. If the answer is no, I then ask, 2) Does the detail add enough to my story (and those elements I mentioned — plot, character, setting) to justify including it despite the fact that it’s not vital? Often this is where I think about adding depth and richness to my story. Quite often, even if a detail isn’t vital, the benefit of adding it in is enough to justify its use. I don’t want to overwhelm my readers, but I do want to transport them to another time and place, and these details can help me do that. If I’m still having trouble justifying the use of this tidbit, I fall back on 3) Is the detail small enough, and easy enough to convey that it can provide a touch of ambiance, or reinforce the voice and tone of the piece without being a distraction? If this filter catches a detail, I include it. If not, I let it go. Again, I want to steep my reader in the history, but I don’t want to distract from the story; this series of questions helps me find that balance.
Hope that answers your question.
I would want the power to heal people.
Thanks, Stacey. The more I think about this question the more I think that having just one form of magic wouldn’t be enough. What would you choose for a second power?
Hi D.B.
Running a bit late. This is great, a two for one. I love finding new authors.
answers to you questions…
If you could have the magical power to cast any sort of spell want kind of magic would you want to have?
Something elemental or healing
What historical figure would you most like to meet for coffee and deep conversation? For a romantic dinner?
I am drawing a blank. How sad. I have looked at lists of the historical figures from all my many intrests and there is not a one I would want to have meaningful conversation with. I would love to have a dance with Fred Astaire though.
If you could travel back in time to any historical period and place, which would you choose and why?
Either 1920′s or victorian era
QUESTIONS FOR YOU…
Do you generally set one large or many small goals?
What do you do to reward yourself when you reach your goals?
Do you keep track of random plot bunnies as they pop up or do you let them run free and grow until you need them?
Thanks for the replies, Koren. I love the idea of going back in time for a dance with Fred Astaire.
To your questions:
I find that I do better with a series of smaller goals leading to a larger one. When I begin a book, for example, I still find it daunting, ever after all these years of writing, to think about starting a project that big. I find it much easier to break down the book into chapters and shoot for finishing one every few days.
I reward myself in different ways. Sometimes it’s as simple as having a beer at the end of a good work day. Sometimes it’s more along the lines of taking a day off to go out on a photo shoot (I’m an avid photographer) or taking the rest of the day off to play guitar or do something with my wife and kids. I do believe in rewarding myself for goals met and work well done, but my rewards tend to be fairly simple.
My cultivation of plot bunnies is entirely dependent on where they are and what project they pertain to. If I am in the middle of a novel and find that new plot threads are appearing, I will take a close look at them and decide which ones I can incorporate into the larger project and which ones I need to ignore. If they are for a different project, or a future book, I will take some time out to jot them down and nurture them a bit. But then I leave them so that I can return to the work in progress. If an idea is good, if it is going to grow into something substantial and workable, it will keep coming back to me, like a puppy eager for a walk. So I can afford to leave it for a while and complete the job at hand.
Thanks for the questions!
I love reading about the past but would not want to go there.right now we live in a very good medical time are doctors can do so much now.maybe the future would be nice or maybe it will be worse so now is the best time for me.just wish I was younger again to enjoy it better.
I totally get that sentiment, Stacey. Despite all the world’s problems, this is pretty good time to live. I have to tell you, though, as someone who is probably way older than you are, I would not want to go back and be younger. I like my life just as it is right now, and I imagine that as you get a bit older you might find that same comfort, too.
don’t be afraid to be a nerd .shout it to the world.
Thanks!
I can’t wait to read it! I too am a fan of modern medicine, plumbing, and hygiene.
Thanks, Nikki! Hope you enjoy it!
Sounds like a great read – going to download to my kindle and take to the beach.
Thank you, Sue. I hope you like the book and have a great time at the beach. I’ll be at the coast next week, too. Looking forward to it.
This fellow geek is excited to read your book!
Thanks, Linda! We geeks have to stick together. Hope you enjoy THIEFTAKER.
If you could spend 24 hours playing guitar with your favorite band, which ONE would it be?
Well, I guess I’m showing my age here, but I’ve been a huge fan of James Taylor since I was a kid and got Sweet Baby James as my very first grown-up record album. I learned to play guitar so that I could play his songs. So he would be my choice.
Great choice in my book
Thanks. Actually, I’ve always thought this was funny, given how much a fan I am, but JT and I have the same birthday (different years, but same date). A little trivia for you.
If someone wrote a book about your life, what would the title be?
Wow, that’s a tough question, and I really have no idea. It would be something positive. “Family, Friends, and Fantasy: The Good Life of an Author.” Or something corny and stupid like that.
If you could travel in a Time Machine would you go back to the past or into the future?
Another tough question. But the historian in me wins out. I’d go back in time.
I would like a spell that would make my house have more room and keep it spotless all the time. LOL I have 5 kids and 2 grandkids in a 3 bedroom house.
Okay, that might be my favorite answer to the magic question so far! Great choice, Heather.
I would love to meet my ancestor Richard Henry Dana, he was a big part of Harvard, friends with John Adams and John Quincy Adams worked for him. I think a deep conversation with him would be sooo interesting.
Another cool choice. Several people now have mentioned going back to meet ancestors. It’s not something I had considered when I asked the question, but I really like the idea of it.
I’m not huge on historic times, no toilets or showers, but if I had to choose one, I would say maybe the Victorian Era. Dresses were to die for.
Yes, the Victorian Era does seem to be very popular.
I want to come to the event, just have to figure out where to RSVP. LOL Can’t wait.
Actually, this is the event. I know it doesn’t seem like much, but the Q&A is the event, and the giveaways will happen at the end of a week’s time (there’s a clock counting down near the top of the page). Once the event began — yesterday at noon Central Time — you couldn’t RSVP anymore. But this is where you want to be.
I’d probably cast either a beauty- or wisdom-enhancement spell.
Good choices. I think that it’s too late for a beauty spell to do me much good — that ship sailed a long time ago. But I could always use some wisdom.
For coffee, I’d like to meet Charles Dickens. I can’t think of anyone I’d like to meet for a romantic dinner.
I agree: Meeting Dickens would be amazing. Twain, too. Oh, and Bram Stoker. There are a ton of authors I would love to meet.
I’d definitely like to got to ancient Egypt, as I’ve always been fascinated by that part of history. For an exact place, I’d like to got to Amarna, that’s where Nefertiti lived.
Another vote for Ancient Egypt. Cool. There are definitely some patterns emerging.
rafflecopter is not working correctly, I dont show any pts wiull email you Rachel
Im gonna try to enter again
Re: what historical person would you take out for coffee — I definitely want to take Nathan Hale out in a totally platonic way. This is influenced quite a bit by another geek writer — Lora Innes, who writes the comic The Dreamer (www.thedreamercomic.com). I have a feeling Lora would love Thieftaker, so I’ll make sure she knows about it. Maybe we can get some cross-fandom going on!
Nathan Hale! That’s an original choice. I like it. And re. telling Lora about THIEFTAKER: That would be great, Alana! Thanks. I’ll be sure to check out Lora’s work!
What
You have won one million dollars what is the first thing that you would buy?
What is your guilty pleasure?
I’m going to answer these in one comment, because my internet is a bit slow again today:
The most fun thing I’ve done in the past year? Well there are a couple of choices that come to mind. This spring I took my older daughter on a college tour. We visited several schools and had a wonderful time traveling together. And at the holidays last December, my wife and daughters and I hosted my brother and his family. That was wonderful.
A million dollars, eh? Well, I could be noble and buy stuff for people in my family. But this is my event, and it’s my money, so this stuff is for me. My first purchase would either be a new digital camera — an SLR to replace my fast-aging one — or an electric guitar. I’ve been playing guitar for nearly 35 years and I’ve never had an electric. I covet one.
My guilty pleasure is definitely single-malt Scotch. Balvenie, 15 year. Good stuff.
Thanks for the questions!
I like to have a spell to take away pain.
Thanks for the contest.
Thanks for the comment, Sarah. And you’re welcome for the the contest — best of luck. I have to admit that your response here has my mind churning. “…A spell to take away pain.” Emotional or physical? Or both? Or is it not clear? And that last question has a story idea percolating in my head — because some pain in not bad. Sometimes the pain of losing a loved one, or of a love affair gone bad, is difficult to deal with but also necessary and even affirming of the good things those relationships brought us when they were whole. And so what if a spell to take away pain, actually had unintended and unwelcome consequences — like if it swept away the memories of the good that was lost? Just thinking here, but I could see writing a story along those lines. With your permission, of course. It’s your spell. And if you like the idea, and if you’re a writer, maybe you should write it. But as I say, you do have me thinking….
Your new series sounds awsome. I would love to meet Cleopatra and anything Egyptsion. I should keep away from any black magic because I would be tempted to do bad things to my youngest daughters male counterpart. I really think that Thieftaker is a catchy Title for your book. Do you have the rest of the titles already and are they as good?
Lisa D. USA
Thanks for the kind comments, Lisa. I hope you enjoy THIEFTAKER. The second book in the series is called THIEVES’ QUARRY. The third and fourth books only have working titles right now, but book III is tentatively called CITY OF SHADES and book IV is DEAD MAN’S REACH.
Where would you like to see yourself in 30 years?
Lisa D. USA
Well, I’m older than you think I am, or you would have made it fewer years….
In fifteen years, I hope to still be writing fantasy novels — maybe still writing Thieftaker books, but certainly still writing for a living. In thirty years, I hope to be enjoying a comfortable retirement with my wife by my side and grandchildren visiting us on a regular basis.
Since the Olypics are getting underway have you thought about writing any books including them? Or maybe about a sport in the Olympics?
Lisa D. USA
I can’t say that I have. But it’s an intriguing idea, and I will think about it. Thanks!
What is the best book you have ever read?
Tough one. I think the best novel I’ve read is probably ANGLE OF REPOSE, by Wallace Stegner.
Where is your favorite place to read?
I usually read while exercising on a recumbent bicycle at the gym. But my favorite place to read is probably outside on our front porch, particularly on a cool afternoon in the fall.
If you could be any Disney charactor, who would it be?
Oh, that’s easy: Goofy!
What books are on your nightstand or in your TBR pile right now?
I’m reading the novelization of MACBETH by A.J. Hartley and David Hewson; I’m about to start a manuscript by a friend that needs blurbing; and I’m planning to read Kalayna Price’s GRAVE WITCH.
You woke up this morning and realized you had been reincarnated as a pair of shoes.
Describe yourself.
I’m that pair of hiking boots that is worn and broken in and feels like an extension of your foot. I’m not pretty, but I’m your favorite pair of walking shoes.
If you were selected today for an outer space adventure,(totally ignoring that you are a family man) would you go?
Nope. I have vertigo, and I don’t really like things that make me dizzy or light-headed. And truth be told, I’m a bit of a coward . . .
I think I would really like to sit and have a cup of coffee with Shakespeare — there is so much I’d like to ask him! Gandhi is a close second.
Great choice, Carol! I’d love to chat with Shakespeare. It would be fun to do a historic tour of great authors. The Bard, Dickens, Twain, Faulkner, Fitzgerald, etc.
Healing powers! Healthcare costs so much, so it would be nice to be able to take care of injuries/sickness myself
You woke up this morning in London and realized you were competing in the Summer Olympics, what’s your sport?
YOU are a paranormal character, what is your super power?
If you could be on a reality show, one that’s on now or a new one, what would it be, and why?
I’d love to have a spell to fly or teleportation.
I’d love to travel back to when my parents were young and talk to them since they died when I was young and I have questions.
For my magical power I would LOVE to have control over the elements. Water Fire Earth…you name it, I could think of a way to DESTROY you with it! Muahahah! lol
I would probably want to meet up with Jackie Kennedy and Michelle Obama. I’m a definite fan of strong, American women and those two take the cake.
as for romantically…I saw a really handsome painting of a Civil War soldier once…he was really cute…maybe I’d go out with him for a bit…lol
For the historical timeperiod and city…that’s really tough…I’m pretty fond of where and when I live right now…but I think it would be cool to be in China during the time of the great empires and silk trade and all that…
Answer A Question – What historical figure would you most like to meet for coffee and deep conversation? For a romantic dinner?
I’d got with Albert Einstein for coffee and deep conversation. For a romantic dinner? That’s harder, I’ll go with John Lennon though, because he was a romantic and I’d still get deep conversation
If you could travel back in time to any historical period and place, which would you choose and why?
For this one I have to choose ancient Egypt or Greece, around 10,000 years ago. I choose either or both of those for the architecturural and engineering accomplishments.
Which magical power i would like to have?
I would like to be able to heal and that includes animals and plants so i also would like to be able to understand and speak to them
What historical figure would you most like to meet for coffee and deep conversation? For a romantic dinner?
for a deep conversation i would like to meet leopold first of Belgium. He was a sever man but quite a visionnaire
for a romantic dinner: no one so far interest me
If you could travel back in time to any historical period and place, which would you choose and why?
hum…good question i guest i would like to go in greece in the antiquity so i could see first hands how the “democracy” started but i’m also intrigued by teh celte ( ireland and all) and i would like to learn the herbal remedy from the druid too or last possiblity: the maya still quite a lot mysteries to unfold with them too
What do you do “to color outside of the lines”?
Who is your favorite sidekick in a book?
If we looked under your bed, what would we find?