Loading ...Interview With Authors Barb Galler-Smith and Josh Langston
PLEASE NOTE: The contest portion of this event is now over. The winners will be chosen at a later date and contacted via email.
” We have a million collaborative words already written before we even started on this book. We are a two-headed author. We trust each other. Together we have a strong voice that is quite different from our separate styles. We have two creative brains with different strengths blended in a creative dance so unique that it is hard to tell where one ends and the other begins.” - Barb Galler-Smith talking about her writing relationship with Josh Langston, in the creation of Druids, shortlisted for the Aurora award for best SF/Fantasy novel.
About Druids:
For 500 years, Europe was ruled by the Celts, a powerful race who believed acts of nature were omens of the gods, where nobility was earned and where honor was valued above life. The most revered were the Druids: bards, healers, judges, and seers. A special few protected the secrets of ancient Earth magic and wielded phenomenal power. But was this power enough to save their way of life?
Rhonwen, a passionate young Celtiberian healer, must forge a path through a land in the throes of war with Rome. Haunted by an oath of vengeance against a man she holds blameless, she struggles against betrayal and is forced to gamble her life on an arcane healing magic from distant Gaul.
Far to the north, Mallec escapes the lifestyle and ferocity of his warrior tribe to become a scholar at Mona, the great center of druidic learning. The training does little, however, to prepare him for the terrifying
challenges of an ancient rite for immortality. Once mastered, he must protect the knowledge from those who thirst for its power–enemies bent on his destruction.
BBB: How did the two of you start to write together?
Barb: Hmmm. The story of this collaboration epic is epic in itself. It all began one stormy night when we met online on Compuserve . We were Compuserve “IMPs” in their SF/F writing forum.
There’s no single hook that tied it all together for us, other than we were having so much fun writing together, we simply started. We were talking just today–it started with a silly fantasy that sucked like a vacuum, but with one character we liked. That guy (Spaldeen) never made it into the
first three novels, but has shown up in 4/5 (we think).
Josh: I won’t bore you with a recap of Druid’s labor or delivery, or add to Barb’s recount of our writing history. Our backgrounds are very different, as are our politics–almost drastically so (for two white, middle-aged North Americans ). How is it then that we can write novels (four at last count) together when under most other circumstances we’d likely not be talking to each other?
I think it’s because we both have a profound love for a good story. Our politics have no bearing on issues the druids faced. We have deep — and conflicting — convictions about modern social issues, but they rarely
interfere in the evolution of stories that focus on personal crisis. By weaving our tales through little-known bits of history, we create boundaries for ourselves that are wide open for creative exploration, but leave little, if any, room for current issues.
So, even though one of us is a pragmatic, non-emotional, libertarian and the other is a nascent socialist whose worldview is utterly media-inspired, we manage to work together pretty darn well. (I imagine this might be subtly rephrased to read: So, even though one of us wears socio-political blinders forged by neanderthals, and the other sees the world in all its many shades of reality, we manage to work together pretty darn well.) I have absolutely no idea why I’ve written this, but I hope it helps!
BBB: Why Druids?
Barb: I think Celtic/Druids came from me being very interested in it at the time, although it could just have easily been Norsemen (from Josh’s background).
Josh: Suddenly, it all comes clear. The whole Celtic thing was Barb’s idea; I just went along for the ride. Next time around, it might be Vikings at the story’s core (I have Scandinavian blood from three of my grandparents, BTW, and I will be learning to curse in Norwegian later this summer).
Barb: Josh and I were playing around with characters and mythos’s and came up with two characters. You know how it is. We wondered how they got where they were. They ended up in Book 3 - LOVERS Josh had read a little about the Celts and their battle with Caesar, recognized a great area, and read Caesar’s Commentaries. I think it was Josh who saw it would be cool to really tell it from the Celt’s point of view. and we decided after much agonizing (probably) to set it before Caesar got to Gaul. We decided to give him a good axe to grind. Alas. that is for Book 2 of the series, which we wrote first and titled Druids. NOW that book is called CAPTIVES .
We wrote DRUIDS (Book1) because Josh made me . He read the story of Quintus Sertorius while browsing for fun (hard to believe but true) through Plutarch’s histories. And he likes hot babes with wild hair and large
…dark eyes. I resisted quite strenuously and I recall a phone call one evening and he said “Just trust me”. I did. We wrote it.
These questions are being sent to both of you…you cannot confer as to the answers 
BBB: What is your favorite character in the book, and why?
Barb: I don’t really have a favourite character per se. I really do want to love Aras, though. He’s all man, and for him everything is so simple: do what you must, remain honourable, and hook up with a woman who is also brave, honourable, and has wide hips which promise good childbearing. There’s no pretense and you always know where you stand with him. He’s a proud rooster, and has a lot to be proud of. My most favourite of all is Almeda, a character only briefly mentioned in this book. I won’t give anything away except to say she has a lot of spunk and has a larger role to play in subsequent novels.
Josh: I love Dierdre. Because she is so uncompromisingly evil, and is so utterly convinced that everything despicable thing she does is justified. Bad guys generally are easier to work with. All you have to do is wave
goodbye to your scruples. After that, it’s much easier!
BBB: How far apart do the two of you live? What was the biggest challenge with the distance and writing Druids together? How did you overcome it?
Barb: That would be 3800 kilometers apart. The biggest challenge in the early days of writing was my astronomical phone bill–at 56 cents a minute it didn’t take long to discover half my monthly salary went to the phone company. Infrequent face-time was precious and on those times when we could get together, we ended up in marathon sessions that seemed to last days past my bedtime! (The man was a slave driver! Still is, now that I think about it.)
Instant messaging via computer phone helped a lot, but most useful, especially during last year’s galley edit process, was Skype. We could be looking at the same text and talking and writing simultaneously. For the
usual write and rewrite bits, we relied on regular email, with Josh being better at keeping up with the latest conferencing technologies.
Josh: According to Google Maps, it’s a mere 2,400 miles between Marietta, Georgia and Edmonton, Alberta. The biggest challenge is that neither of us has the ability to hop in the car, drive across town, and throttle out writing partner for being A) obstinate B) stubborn, or C) stuck in a soul-sucking cycle of negativity. Of course, since neither of us has ever been in any of those conditions, the distance hasn’t presented any problem at all. (Thank you, God, for the internet….)
BBB: If Druids was turned into a movie, who would you envision being cast into the main roles?
Barb: That’s a great question. Just a couple of days ago I found a file which did just that– be identified actors to help us keep in mind what our characters look like. So, Rhonwen, in 1999 when we made the file, could have been played by Catherine Zeta-Jones. These days, I’m partial to Spanish actress Paz Vega.
Mallec? That’s a whole different kettle of fish. These days I’m looking at Gerard Butler or Michael Praed might make a very good Mallec. Someone younger might include Robert Pattinson, Brad Cooper, or Josh Holloway. Hugh Jackman can have any role he wants in the movie of any book I write! I also need to write a novel in which we can cast LLCool J !
Sertorius can only be played by Christopher Eccleston. He wasn’t the one we had in mind when we started writing the book, but he stands out as the perfect man’s man general that Sertorus was.
Josh: Sadly, we’ve already beaten each other up over this. For reasons I cannot fathom, we have different views on who should play what. For me (Josh here), Evangeline Lilly would make an awesome Rhonwen. I could see Russell Crowe as Sertorius the Roman ex-patriot who lead the Celtiberian revolt against Rome. Jim Carrey, in his first truly dramatic role, would likely made a fantastic Mallec. (Although I can’t really imagine him in one of those great droopy Celtic mustaches, but if anyone could pull it off, he could.) Dierdre? Hmm. It ought to be someone I truly despise. Jane Fonda? Probably not, then I wouldn’t even want to go see it.
BBB: What words of wisdom would you have for a new author starting out?
Josh: Learn to love outlines and rewrites. The first will guide you to better, tighter, more readable fiction. The latter will allow you to make up for ignoring the outline and help you rescue your drivel and turn it into
better, tighter, more readable fiction. Alternatively, take a good course in auto mechanics. There will always be a need for them, even when the economy goes desperately south. Like now, actually.
Barb: Never give up, never surrender. Seriously. Keep your butt in the chair and keep writing. Do not let anyone say no, although be respectful when they do (because they will!) When you’re done, get it read by trusted critters, tweak/edit as required and start looking for a home for and all the while writing the next book. Repeat. Do not believe your mom, sister, brother, about how good it is, unless they are pro writers, editors, or publishers. Instead, rely on yourself, and readers who are esteemed members of your writer support group. If you don’t have a group, get one. Network. Keep writing. Write what you love, write what you know, and hold on to your passion. Work, study, get better. Grow a thick skin. Maybe grow a thick
skin should come right after keep butt in chair. Not everyone will love your prose as well as your mom will.
BBB: Do you have a sample chapter of the book we can read?
Barb: A sample chapter directly from the book is available on our publisher’s (EDGE Science Fiction and Fantasy Publishing) website on the Druids page. That link is…
http://www.edgewebsite.com/books/druids/dr-catalog.php
BBB: Thanks for being with us! Good luck with the Auroras! Do you have a question for our readers?
What is the best part of the stories that you read? What draws you, keeps your interest, and makes you want to read more? We will be asking more questions to readers throughout the day, so check back often…
Barb and Josh: Thanks so much for this opportunity to share with your readers, and we look
forward to any and all questions!
¨¨¨°º©©º°¨¨¨¨¨¨°º©©º°¨¨¨¨¨¨°º©©º°¨¨¨¨¨¨°º©©º°¨¨¨¨¨¨°º©©º°¨¨¨¨¨¨
CONTEST:
EDGE Science Fiction and Fantasy Publishing is also giving away some AMAZING prizes to several lucky contest entrants. There are LOTS of cool prizes so get your entries in NOW!
Prize 1: One copy each of the following EDGE titles:
“Tesseracts Thirteen: Chilling Tales From the Great White North” edited by Nancy Kilpatrick and David Morrell
“Gaslight Grotesque: Nightmare Tales of Sherlock Holmes” edited by Charles Prepolec and Jeff Campbell
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Prize 3. Bitten by Books Vampire Girl Tote Bag
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Who were your favorite authors growing up?
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Do you plot out the entire book before you start or does the story evolve as you write?
To answer your question what keeps me interested in a book is the characters. If I don’t care about the characters and what happens to them I lose interest in a book.
RSVP’d
Joined the daily chat
entered the free book drawing
rsvp’d for thur and fri
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Welcome to Bitten by Books Barb and Josh!
Who would you say would make the best villain between the two of you if you were to be cast in a movie?
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I believe that the characters are the best part and also what keeps me interested in any story that I read. An exciting plot line also helps!
When did you know writing was what you wanted to do?
rsvp’d
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So - like - I mean - how do you write a book?
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Is there any advice you are willing to share re : ways to remain motivated, knowing when a scene or a character just are not working (i.e. were all your original characters in the finished work, or had you “killed” any of them off?), how difficult/easy it was to collaborate long-distance (how did you manage that - were there time differences?). Do you have specific times for writing, or do you write when the “mood” moves you?
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Janessa,
My favourite authors growing up were numerous. The first book I ever loved was a fantasy tale called “David and the Phoenix” by Edward Ormondroyd. I read Robert Louis Stevenson (Treasure Island, Kidnapped, Doctor Jekyll and Mister Hyde) since I loved that time period. I love Jules Verne, H.G. Wells, and Edgar Allen Poe. I also read every Nancy Drew mystery, every book I could lay hands on written about some period in the past, and every book that had a dragon on the cover. I was also one of those geeky kids who read the encyclopedia for fun. I have always loved pre-20th century history.
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Hi everyone, thanks for being here…just talked to Josh and Barb and they are busy answering your questions. Watch for posts soon.
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@Janessa — I grew up reading Robert Heinlein, Mark Twain, and Edgar Rice Burroughs. This make explain my penchant for stories featuring robots, riverboats, and Lord Greystoke. (I’m also a HUGE fan of Jane.) –Josh
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Welcome to BBB!
Can I just say I admire the fact that you are willing to write a novel merely for the LL Cool J factor. I’m being completely serious.
How important is historical accuracy to your writing? Do you try to be 100% accurate, or do you allow yourselves a certain amount of creative influence?
As for the question you posed–entertainment value is the most important aspect of a book for me. It emcompasses the characters, plot, believability, all of it. As long as I’m entertained and not groaning in disbelief, I’d say the book was a success.
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Sandy G.
When I first started writing, I rarely plotted out anything, and that usually ended up being unfinished since the story path became so winding I couldn’t make heads nor tails of it. Working with Josh MADE me have to plot in great detail. Without knowing in advance just what we trying to accomplish with every scene, every chapter, the collaborative writing would have failed. We started writing only after we had a detailed outline that included a short summary of what every single scene was supposed to accomplish in the overall story.
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@Sandy G:
The books Barb and I have co-written were all outlined in painstaking detail, right down to the scene level. If something unanticipated happened while one of us did the actual writing, then we’d bring it up for discussion and work it into the outline.
I have written three other novels, solo, and have not outlined them anywhere near as extensively. In a collaboration, a detailed outline is essential. And while it can be frustrating, exhausting, and quite challenging to work out so much detail in advance, it’s nothing compared to the frustration and exhaustion which would occur with it. I’ve read the starts of several good story collaborations which died for lack of direction. –Josh
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I heard that with your book Druids, that you set it in history. How did you research your book so that it is historically accurate?
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Rachel,
Josh probably thinks HE would be the best villain, and maybe he’s right. But being a villain seems like SO much fun, I’d sure like a crack at it. By nature I’m pretty mild-tempered, so the only kind of villain I could convincingly do is a completely misguided one or ensorcelled one. I feel a lot of synpathy for Wormtongue in Lord of the Rings. He started off a better man than he ended. Of couirse, if got in touch with my evil side, there’s no limit to the depravity and evil I could imagine!
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@Rachel
Hmmm. You really like to derail partnerships, don’t you? Barb would probably make the better villain. She seems so innocent, so mild-mannered, so utterly Canadian, that her victims wouldn’t suspect a thing prior to being eviscerated. I have learned this first-hand.
Oh, and she has an ax. I think she’s even named it. That should tell you everything you need to know…
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Peppy,
Keep reading! Write the story you would like to read, then sit down and put your story to paper (or computer). Keep writing until it’s done! Simple!
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Miranda,
When I was in Grade 2 I began the first chapter book I actually read, “Whitefoot the Wood Mouse”. From that moment, I wanted to make up stories and write them. My first was done in Grade 3 on yellow school paper in pencil. I still have it–what today would be called a “fanfic” piece about Brer Rabbit saving Valentine’s Day from Brer Fox!
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@Miranda I “discovered” writing when I watched my father engaged in it. He wrote and directed commercial films for years. Being a writer always sounded like a wonderful thing to do. I spent a lot of time working at odd jobs when I was in high school and college, and these experiences proved to me that I wasn’t cut out for “real” work.
Writing is only hard if you don’t like the creative process, and many people simply don’t. They prefer to enjoy the fruits of someone else’s creativity, and that’s a truly wonderful thing. Many of these folks are called “readers.”
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Paulette, I love your question about motivation and want to spend a little extra time on that one. So I’ll give you another longer answer later today. IN short.. staying motivated is a daily task, but I think getting enough exercise is crucial. Seriously–writing exercises, and mental, spiroitual and physical exercises are a must!
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Wow, Paulette, Jackie.. I really need to answer those questions and I have a meeting in a few minutes I have to go to, so look for your answers in a little while. In the meantime–Josh… how’s your afternoon going? Isn’t this just GREAT FUN?! See you all in a little while.
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@Rachel - Barb says she has a picture of the axe that she will send later…maybe you can post it?
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I’m a bit intimidated by the thought of an axe with a name, LOL
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@peppy How does one write a book? Interesting question. Hemmingway suggested
that one first find a good place to stand, since he claimed to do all his best writing standing up. I prefer a chair, actually. Your mileage may vary. Next, I suppose, it would be handy to have an idea, preferably one that hasn’t been bungee’d about too much already.
Then, one might consider finding characters to flesh out the idea, since readers tend to think in terms of action items: challenges and responses. Sometimes they work, and sometimes they don’t. A good mix of both generally makes for a better story.
You’re jotting all this down, I’m sure, so the following also needs adding to the list: a good opening, and a satisfying conclusion. Both are essential, unless you don’t want the book to sell. But then, if you didn’t want it to sell, why bother writing it in the first place? –Josh
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http://www.edgewebsite.com/books/druids/downloads/Druids-ChapterOne.pdf is the link for Chapter One of DRUIDS…
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Hi Barb and Josh,
Two questions: How excited were you when you found out Druids was up for an Aurora? (Congratulations again, by the way!)
and
What is the best part of the process for each of you? (Writing, editing, or the marketing and “business end”?)
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Thanks Barb!
I think you are awesome. First you have a terrific last name
and you used one of my favorite words “ensorcelled”
I tend to see the good in the bad people. Sometimes that is difficult. When I was younger it was very black and what. If a person did something bad they were an ass and they were to be written off. Then one day I read something and had an a ha! lightbulb moment in my tiny not so well formed twenty something brain and had a paradigm shift in thinking.
Something along the lines of “once you know all there is to know of a man, you can do nothing but forgive” I thought it was something from Scaramouche by Rafael Sabatini, but I can’t remember now, nor the exact quote.
Oh and Yes Janice send over the Ax photo, I am happy to post it. LOL
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The best part of any story I think is just the first interaction btween the main character and those that will start to be secondary and important people. It’s absolutely hilarious some of the interaction and I totally get such a kick.
Rsvp’d
Bookchat: right after this
Free book contest: done
RSVP for tomorrow event: Done
RSVP for Friday event: Done
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Hey there everyone…it is great seeing you turning up to ask Barb and Josh questions…please tweet and share the link with those you know, so we can make this the best event ever for Barb, Josh and Rachel! And good luck with the contest…
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@Paulette I see Barb is busy coping out on answering your ever-so-easy questions. I’ll try not to drop the bag she’s left me holding….
At the risk of coping out myself, let me say that an outline can go a long, long way toward resolving many of the nagging doubts a writer can have when working on a story, whether it’s a novel or something shorter. Can an outline help with motivation? Possibly. One can more easily gauge how far they’ve come, and how much farther they have to go. But simply reaching the end isn’t enough. Having a completed first draft is a wonderful thing, and it should be celebrated. But it doesn’t mean the work is done — not by a long shot.
Re-writing is every bit as important as the first draft. It’s what allows a writer to fix the bad things that snuck in while he/she was pondering how to achieve the various things called for in the outline. F’rinstace: the outline requires that character “A” breaks a limb while fighting marauders who are after the treasure he’s transporting across the desert. Should this happen accidentally, say by a friend, or intentionally — by a foe? Does the incident bring any new information to the reader? Does it show character “A’s” vulnerability? His clumsiness? His ability to withstand terrible pain?
The point I’m trying to make here, is that writing is a process that requires many skills. In addition to the usual abilities such as creativity, humor and insightful thinking, there are others. Among them are an appreciation for delayed gratification and a willingness to have one’s work misunderstood and/or criticized.
Much of this also explains why so many writers also drink heavily. –Josh
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I think it’s awesome that two people can come together, and write a fabulous story together.
To answer your question.. It’s the characters and the entertainment factor that keeps me interestedd in a story. i have to feel with the characters feel, I want to feel like I went thru everything they did in the story.
Did you find yourself believing the Druid lore, while you were researching for this book?
I am wishing you much continued success on this book, and all your other projects together.
I RSVP’d
I spread the word on fb, twitter, and my blog
http://www.facebook.com/tawania?ref=profile
http://www.twitter.com/tawania_e
http://www.wickedreadinsbytawania.blogspot.com
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Working with EDGE is always a great experience. Those nominations for the Aurora are a thrill and a half, too!! I really admire any team who can produce a strong, entertaining book that people will love, so congratulations on ALL the achievements this one represents!!!
Many, many sales - and people - the EDGE catalogue is filled with amazing books - even Sherlock Holmes is well represented!!
Blessings and Happy St. Pat’s to all….
Denysé
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@Paulette Oops! I just realized I hadn’t finished with your questions.
Working long-distance isn’t nearly the problem it used to be. Long-distance phone rates have dropped to nothing, and the internet makes working on-line just as productive as working face-to-face. And, with the advent of live video, face-to-face is also an option. (Sadly, Barb gets quite tired of looking at my face, so we usually end up E-mailing back and forth.)
If you want to write only when the mood strikes you, or the muse tickles your phunnie bone, or when the cat barfs on your slippers, then do NOT attempt a collaboration. You will not only annoy your writing partner, you will almost certainly abandon the project before it’s complete.
Most writers don’t have the luxury of being able to write whenever they want. This means that they have to write whenever they can. I tend to write more in the mornings; Barb’s better at night. During those rare times when we were actually in the same room together and working on a book — usually at the outline stage — we were both quite capable of writing usable copy regardless of the hour.
Writing consistently is a good thing. The more you write, the better you’ll become. A good friend of ours has pointed out many times that creativity operates like any other muscle; it gets stronger the more you exercise it. I certainly believe that. –Josh
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@Jackie You are the perfect reader, as far as I’m concerned. And I could not agree with you more about the entertainment factor.
As for history, we try to keep our historical facts pure. That can be damn tricky when dealing with periods in which the accuracy of the records can be readily discounted. The first century BC, for instance (which is when most of the DRUIDS series takes place), has quite a bit of documentation: mostly Roman, some Greek, a smattering of other viewpoints. There is absolutely nothing written from a Celtic perspective, however. So, we wrote within the confines of historical specifics recorded by the Romans, but did so using a Celtic point of view. We believe our overall rendering of the history is accurate, although we certainly added fictional characters to the mix.
A smidge more on entertainment. I agree with your suggestion that the entertainment value of a book is the sum total of its parts: plot, character, setting, etc. It’s also the result of a good mix of opposites: success and failure, loves gained and lost, humor and sorrow, suspense and slapstick, the expected and the unexpected. When you get to the end of the book, do you wish you had another by the same author standing by? If so, the entertainment factor was there, in spades. That was our goal. I hope you’ll read DRUIDS, and then you can tell me if we hit it or not. –Josh
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Hey Denysé! Good to see you…Josh, “As Fate Decrees” is written set in Ancient Greece - thanks for your best wishes for DRUIDS with the Auroras.
Denysé will be on Bitten by Books with EDGE’s “As Fate Decrees” on April 19th - make sure you join us then…
Josh, can you tell the story of how you and Barb started to write together?
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@Janessa I touched on historical accuracy in a response to an earlier question, so I hope you’ll be able to find it. Our approach to history, and where it fit our story was largely one of convenience. When we started, Barb was significantly more familiar with early European history than I was. We had only a rough idea of where our story began, and I was essentially browsing through the events of the time, searching for “something” we could use as a backdrop. I found references to the work of Plutarch and looked the old boy up. Bingo! There was our setting: first century BC Iberia where the native population, under the command of an ex-patriot Roman general named Sertorius, stood Rome and some of its greatest generals on their collective ear.
Students of the history of that period are well aware of this conflict, but readers in general are ignorant of it. Plutarch’s work details a wonderful array of the little things so often overlooked in the rush to record dates and names and body counts. Those were the gems we mined for DRUIDS. And we believe we found equally interesting events to serve as the backdrop for the sequels. –Josh
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Josh, here’s one that may have been asked before, but I am curious - working with a partner is something I have done in the past, and sometimes it is the most WONDERFUL experience in the world - but was there any major point that you didn’t agree on and had to “negotiate” a truce about to get to muual agreement?
Thanks - and much luck to you….
Denysé
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This sounds like a great partnership. I am familiar with EDGE through Denyse and one of my all time favs…As Fate Decrees…so she brought me over here…but how great to see you guys…I’m going to have to go check out the catalog.
I am always hooked by the characters in a story. I have to be able to feel like I connected to keep reading.
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@Eileen I’m glad I was sitting down when I heard about the Aurora nomination. Barb made sure of that, as she’s the one who told me. I was, quite honestly, floored. I’ve always known it was a story people could relate to. The characters seemed very real to me as we worked with/on them. It is deeply gratifying to know that other folks share that view.
As for the process, my favorite part is the writing, absolutely. I’m a terrible salesman, and my marketing know-how is abysmal. But I do love to write. And I love to get feedback. That’s probably the chief advantage of a collaboration; one’s partner can provide the feedback that helps keep both of us going.
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@Tawania You pose in interesting question, because “druid lore” is so hard to define. Julius Caesar wrote extensively of the druids, and I’m convinced he made the bulk of it up as he went along. Barb and I share a mutual dislike for Caesar. I tend to think of him as providing a model for Hitler’s dreaded SS. Somewhere along the way, Caesar’s heartless murder of peaceful Celts — by the hundreds of thousands — was made a cornerstone of civilization. Not sure where the ‘civil’ part fits in that word.
But, back to “druid lore!” We really don’t know much about what they believed. They disdained written records, opting for the much older (if less reliable) oral tradition. So what we think we “know” about them was written almost exclusively by folks who didn’t like them.
Much of the modern day “druid lore” is simply conjecture, promoted by 19th century imagery, and made fashionable by well-meaning but mostly unenlightened people seeking alternatives to traditional religion. Sorry, I have so many soapboxes to shout from, I sometimes forget what I’m shouting about.
So, no, we didn’t subscribe to druid lore any more nor less while researching DRUIDS than we did before (or now ).
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@Denysé Thank you! And allow me to echo your sentiments about Edge. There are many, many fine authors and books to choose from at Edge. The staff have been really great to us, and I have heard similar comments from all the Edge authors it’s been my great joy to meet.
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What draws my interest? That can change from book to book. I can say if there are shifters involved I am more apt to by a book than if there are none. And in a series, I like it when each book focuses on a separate couple’s HEA. A series that focuses on only one person can get old after a few books especially if the don’t get a long term loving relationship.
One thing I do like is if one or both characters have emotional hurdles to overcome before they can get their HEA. It’s great watching them come to terms with their past so they can face the future together.
I RSVP’d for this event
did the daily chat
rsvp’d for Thursday
rsvp’d for Friday
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My answers first:) I think a mixture of romance, adventure and magic/paranormal keeps me interested. Not ALL of one thing, but some of each element. I love epic fantasy like Tolkien, Goodkind etc, but I also love fast paced urban fantasy.
I want to say without sounding insulting that it’s nice seeing that you two aren’t ahem…in your 20’s. I’m 49 and attempting fiction after 20 years of non-fiction writing. At first it seemed like all the newer books were written by VERY young authors. Sure I feel 29, but 50 is coming up around the corner. I am guessing too that you two are good writing partners because you have a sense of humor? Seems that would important:)
Contest stuff:
Fan of Barb and Josh on Facebook-left note on wall
Tweeted event: http://bit.ly/cR6SVX
RSVP Erin and Rhonda
RSVP Seanan
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I’m a sucker for good characterization, action, and romance. Urban Fantasy is my drug of choice, but ParaRom is great too, but if you put any great book in front of me, I’ll read it!
-I joined at today’s book chat
-I entered to win free books
-I RSVPed for tomorrow’s event
-And RSVPed for Friday’s event
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@Denysé What a wicked question! Did Barb and I ever quarrel? Of course not! Did we ever argue over character motivation, who should write what, who *agreed* to write what, etc.? Never! Ever! Did we ever come to blows? Actually, no, but we came close a couple times. No, wait! That never happened! All our work was congenial, even keeled, steady.
Okay. It wasn’t always easy. Sometimes it was dauntingly difficult, especially when we had conflicting ideas about what readers want to read. For the most part, I believe our compromises resulted in a better product. If I didn’t think so, I’d still be fighting for an alternative approach.
We’re both strong, highly opinionated writers with critical thinking skills. This has been both a blessing and a curse. Somehow, we were able to shove our egos aside long enough to get the work done. DRUIDS, and the books which follow, are true collaborations. One of the things which amazes me the most, is that looking at our work retrospectively, I can see where we went through many of the same emotions our characters endured. I won’t enumerate them, but trust me when I say it’s a long list.
We have argued, complained, and whined to and about each other on many occasions, but not nearly as often as we have praised, complimented and thanked each other. Strong marriages survive occasional spats, so do strong collaborations. We’re human; we have foibles (Barb more than I, of course ), but that is the nature of creative people. Barb has been a wonderful writing partner, and I look forward to working with her on the next project (as soon as she gets off her high horse and agrees that my concept — detailed *months* ago — is the best way to proceed).
[Note to self: Barb is going to hurt you for these remarks y'know. Better start working on your apology now rather than later...]
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@Brigit I love your name, by the way. We’ll have to see about working that into a future tale.
You can read the first chapter of DRUIDS on our website:
http://www.DruidsBook.com
I would never discourage anyone from visiting the Edge website, however, and you’ll find a handy link to it there. Enjoy!
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@Beth Okay, I’m going to crawl out on a limb here and admit that I didn’t have a clue what HEA meant, and therefore many other folks are in the same boat. However, I looked it up on Wikipedia and am now up to speed.
I confess to a not-so-secret partiality to Happily Ever Afters. I think all good romances should end that way.
However, it’s the path to that kind of ending that interests readers. When a reader thinks, “No, no, no! Don’t fall for him (or her), you’ve got to save yourself for _____!”
If you haven’t experienced this, then the writers you’ve been reading have completely missed the mark. In my not-so-humble opinion, of course.
My goodness! HEA? Who knew?
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OK, it says above to answer the authors questions, and on the Edge facebook page it says to ask questions, so I’ll do both.
My Answers:
What is the best part of the stories that you read? The characters, hands down. If I’m am not drawn to the characters (either love them, hate them, or am intrigued by them), I can’t rarely read on.
What draws you, keeps your interest, and makes you want to read more? Besides good characterization, the biggest draw, the thing that keeps me turning pages long after I should be sleeping, is wanting to find out what happens next. That doesn’t mean that every chapter has to end with a cliffhanger, but that just enough is resolved to open more questions, and that I just can’t help wanting to know what happens to the characters, to find out how things turn out for them.
My Question for Josh and Barb:
Do either of you ever have trouble sleeping because your imaginations won’t ‘turn off’? And, do you ever use dreams for story inspirations?
I enjoyed the interview. Thanks!
Angie Z
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I’m big on plot and character relationships. If a story is boring, it’s hard to stay interested, but if the plot continues to twist into awesome directions and the characters are connected, then the story is great to read.
I joined the EDGE Science Fiction and Fantasy Publishing Facebook Page and posted on the wall that I visited from this interview.
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@Brenda Write, my dear. Write!
I hear — constantly — that Hollywood has no use for writers over 30. Anything and everything is done by the diaper set.
Well, excuse me for livin’! Who’s kidding who, here? How many 20-somethings can find their own posteriors without a billboard and a tour guide?
Experience drives fiction, and I suspect most folks under 40 lack the volume, intensity, ferocity, and variety of experience that results in truly great fiction. Common, garden-variety fiction? No problem, grab a 20-something. But deep, gut-wrenching, heart-twisting, laugh-evoking fiction? Find an adult — a real adult. Maybe even an old fart like me. I’m 60. (But I run often, swim a pretty mean mile, and can hold my own in a battle of wits with just about anyone.)
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@Angie I can’t speak for Barb, naturally, because I have no idea how she sleeps. Thankfully, my imagination usually remains dormant until I’ve had a good six or seven hours of sleep. Then it wakes me with a vengeance! Every day for the past two months I’ve been forced out of bed *before* my great, hulking dog pounces on me to announce she’s ready to go out.
This has saved significant wear and tear on the bedspread, but has not done much to elevate my mood. It has, however, contributed greatly to the work in progress (a novel about a southern gal who encounters a very, very short Indian with an amazing talent…)
Ah, but this is about DRUIDS. So, no, my imagination works more in the morning than at night. Thank Gawd!
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@Julie Thank you for stopping by. I hope you’ll give DRUIDS a chance. You can catch the first chapter on line at our website which was posted somewhere in here. If not, I’m sure we’ll post it again soon.
I agree with you about relationships, by the way. It’s the chase, isn’t it, rather than the catch, that keeps you reading? If so, I think you’ll find DRUIDS an interesting take on that whole issue.
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Hi Josh and Barb…. I want to say that the book was wonderful…. glad to hear that this is not the end of the line for Mallec and Rhonwen. I want to see what their lives will be like when the two finally get some happiness in their lives.
…. as for your characters…. I have to agree with both…. I saw someone like Josh for Mallec like Barb picked…. not Gerard… he needs to be a bit less of a hard edge… as for Rhonwen I see Evangeline like Josh did. I liked the Jane Fonda Idea…. maybe she was a bit harsh… how about Meryl Streep… thats kinda how I pictured her. I like Russell Crowe for Seritus too….
S
P
O
I
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Why a stick? LOL
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Josh/Barb
Since neither of you knew what the other was going to answer for the interview questions, were you surprised at any of the answers the other came out with?
Or were they right on target for what you thought the other would say today?
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I was trying to be polite and not ask your age, but I’m glad you volunteered it. I’m turning 50 in June and I think I appreciate writing and life much more now than I did in my 20’s and 30’s. Our kids are 16, 15 and 10 and they keep me feeling young. Thank you so much for the boost. I think I want to be you when I’m 60. BAHAHAHAHAHA Yes, that was a compliment:)
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@HockeyVampires Why a stick? That’s a long, long story, and goes way back to the earliest incarnation of the story: a novella set in 800AD where an old man (named Spaldeen, by the way) makes a living foraging in the woods. From time to time he stumbles across enchanted sticks which, when carved, come to life. Usually they are edible creatures, like chickens or rabbits, but one day…
I think you can imagine what might happen next. DRUIDS, is actually the backstory for what happens to Spaldeen. Will that story ever be published? Who knows?
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@Rachel I was, quite frankly, shocked and appalled by what I wrote in response to the interview questions. I can only assume it had something to do with my changing brands of bourbon. Thankfully, Barb’s answers were all on target, tactful, and to the point. (I say this knowing full well, that Barb will get me for it later. I’m prepared!)
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@Brenda You have nothing to fear from the future. You are wonderful now, and you will only improve with time.
My bride and I will celebrate 40 years together next April. I like to think we keep each other young. Not necessarily thin, mind you, but young.
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I will return later this evening as I have another engagement. I look forward to further chats!
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If the story deals with strong characters and deal with deep issues that will keep me interested.
I rsvp’d
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Barb Galler-Smith will be dropping by to answer your questions in a short while.
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Howdy everyone! I’m back for a while, and then off to a Story Slam.
First answer: Historical research. We started the old-fashioned way, with paper encyclopedias, scientific journals of anthropology, and visiting libraries. We read classics like Bulfinch’s “Mythology”, and tried to get as many “real” refeences as possible. We read historical writers like Caesar (”Commentaries”), Plutarch (”Histories”) and any other writers from that times we could find. We didd’t use Wikipedia, because it didn’t exist then, but we did use the internet to find experts to pick their brains for details. It’s gotta be as accurate as you can make it.
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Thank you Madame Hockey Vampiress for such a powerful review of DRUIDS. http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=21063#more-21063
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Hi! Loved the first chapter so thanks for the link. Now I just need to find the book. B &N didn’t have any new copies when I clicked on the link to them. Guess I’ll try Amazon though us Coloradans are trying to avoid them.
I joined/fan’d the EDGE Page on Facebook as requested (Margaret Mary Short on there..I posted I came from here).
To answer your questions, my favorite stories are Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy though I love historical/fantasy romances too. My favorite part of a story is a character I’ve come to love overcomes some obstacle they’ve been struggling with, or comes up with a witty retort to someone in conversation. Humor (often dark humor) slipped into the middle of a serious scene will get me every time. What keeps me reading is wanting to know what comes next. You need to have strong characters though or I won’t stick around for the punch line so to speak no matter how good the set up is.
My question for both of you: What has been the most UNEXPECTED Challenge and UNEXPECTED Benefit of writing as team?
Thanks!
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@Eileen,
How excited were we to discover Druids was up for an Aurora? Utterly gobsmacked. I think I sat perfectly still for a full five minutes unable to say anything. It was an unbelievable thrill. And thank you!
The best part of the process for me was the actual plotting and writing. That whole creative process is the hardest, and best, work I have ever done. Editing was easier, and in some eays the early editing was almost as good as the writing, especially when we had to rewrite whole bits. I really detest the marketing part. It’s not in my nature to “sell myself” so I’m looking for a friend who can market me while I market her/him! Going to the wall for someone else is easy!
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I hate to say it, but the best part of any story for me is the romantic relationships. No matter how minor its role, love always keeps me reading!
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@Rachel
@Biki
No person, no matter how bad he (or she) really is, considers himself bad. They do what they must to accomplish their own goals. So just like real people in which their evil deeds are not “personal”, so too are those of bad characters in books. Dierdre, bless her, really believes she’s been hard done by and deserves retribution for what happened to her and her family. She doesn’t know that her treatment of her son is bad for him–she thinks it will make him stronger.
Dierdre also truned out to have friends we use much later. More than one bit player in “Druids” has a bigger more important role in Book 2 (”Captives”).
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@Tawania
Thanks for your kind comments.
As for believing in the druid lore, not in the long run. We tried to write a diverse number of world views–Roman, Celt, Celt-iberian, Belgian, Strict druids vs not-so-strict ones, etc, we had to have a flexible approach and be able to see all the sides. But when in the middle of writing from one characters point of view, in a sense we bgecome that character and reflect what they believe. These characters are “real” to us, especially when we are in the middle of writing a scene from their point of view.
And some of the “druid lore” is our pure fabrication. We used what history tells us the people believed, added a pinch of older religions like Buddhism, Sufism, Zoroastrianism, Ancestor worship, shamanism of the people of the far north, and other indigenous peoples from around the world. A pinch here, a little of that, and we hope we created a “religion” that runs consistently through the book.
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@Josh
@Brigit
Collaborations! Josh pretty much nailed it in his remarks, but I will say he’s boldly lying when he says we had almost no friction . It was sometimes smoother than silk, and other times as rough as Sisyphus pushing that boulder up a hill and then having it roll all the way down again. Yet, we perservered and accompolished something I have always thought great and unique. Sometimes the work was a dance. SOmetime Josh led, sometimes I did, we taught each other, we laughed, we snarled, we argued calmly, we muttered under our breath, all for the sake of putting out the very best work we could. The 4 books Josh and I have done together (and more to come) have been among the most rewarding experiences of my life.
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@Denys
The only truly big oint was the the very beginning of the book. Originally it had a lot more setting (my gift) and some lunatic (Josh) wanted less. Being the sweet soul that I am, I relented. Just kidding, but in fact, we really did disagree heartily about the scene where Rhonwen is assaulted. Were we filtering, telling the reader what she was feeling, or showing it correctly? We had such a large disagreement, we decided to let it stay as it was for the time being and just keep working forward. That scene was the last major rewrite we did, and not long before we turned it in to Edge for consideration.
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Barb - Can you tell the story of how you submitted the manuscript?
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Michael Praed, I loved him as Robin of Locksley in the 80’s sitcom Robin of Sherwood (even liked how they had the God Hern mentioned a lot in the series). Stopped watching the show when Sean Connery’s boy took over his character.
What is the best part of the stories that you read? What draws you, keeps your interest, and makes you want to read more? We will be asking more questions to readers throughout the day, so check back often…
Best part of stories? Varies from story to story. Each one is different on what the best parts are. As for what draws me and keeps me interested plenty of action broke with some comedy to give readers a pause to get themselves under wraps and of course, the depths in the character where you believe that they are ordinary people like you and me. Also, key elements in stories like druids, Celts (nope not kidding on that one! I use to go by Visionary Druid for so long), elves, and the like.
Just curious, are any of you fans of Morgan Llwelyn or Caiseal Mor both are authors who write Celtic-ish type books.
And I am happy to hear that you and Barb have a mutual dislike for Caesar. So don’t I. I absolutely refuse to read books that have him as characters (without the druid elements). When I read I believe it was Morgan Llwelyn’s “DRUIDS” I was so furious with the man I wanted to go back in time to beat the tar out at him. I hear his name in books or in real life I get snarly and go on a tangent.
Became a fan/friend of EDGE Science Fiction & Fantasy Publishing
RSVP
Twitted http://twitter.com/RaonaidLuckwell
facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/RaonaidLuckwell?ref=profile
Google buzz
http://www.myspace.com/visionarydruid
http://buzz.yahoo.com/article/1:9b9f7afc6a521013363c519d59c53fbd:25cbc4a52837e84dd4115d5448f819d4/Interview-With-Authors-Barb-Galler-Smith-and-Josh-Langston?usc=1
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@Angie! Hi!
Do I ever stay awake because I’m thinking? Rarely. Only once did I ever dream of anything and later wrote it. MOPst of my planning is early in the day, and my writing later. Once I hit the pillow, I’m really done for the day.
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I R.S.V.P.’D
2) I Love The Romance Of Two Characters That Shouldn’t Be Together But Can’t Stay Away From Each Other.
A Great Story Always Draws Me In. A Well Written Story Can Hook Me Upon Reading The First Sentence. Also Star-Crossed Loves Can Also Grasp My Attention.
4) I Blogged About This Event.
http://skyla11377.blogspot.com/2010/03/bitten-by-bookscom_17.html
I Tweeted About This Event (@skyla11377).
http://twitter.com/skyla11377/status/10646751235
I Posted This Event On My Facebook Page.
http://www.facebook.com/#!/skyla11377?ref=profile
I Posted This Event On My Myspace Blog.
http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.ListAll&bID=531162358
I Posted This Event On My Myspace Bulletin.
http://bulletins.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=bulletin.read&authorID=82282510&messageID=6647707593
I Shared This On Myspace.
http://www.myspace.com/skyla11377/stream/6
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@Julie
I totally agree about boring stories. Who wants to read a story in which nothing happens? Not me. And writing a story in which nothing happens is the fastest way to run out of motivation to finish it. So when I find myself flagging in interest, I realise it’s time to do something horribly heinous to my characters.
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@Everybody!
Off to the story slam and I”ll be back in little while for the rest of the night and tomorrow morning, too! Tahnks so much for your questions…you are amazing! Josh–you’re pretty amazing, too.
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Thanks Barb - Have a good time at the story slam! To all readers, please post your questions here on the site, and watch back to see the authors answers to your questions.
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I R.S.V.P.’D.
2) The Characters/And Or Plot Are The Best Parts. Without That You Really Have No Story.
The Suspense Keeps My Interest. Most Stories Have Some Sort Of Suspense To Them.
4) I Posted This Event On My Facebook Page.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?ref=profile&id=1510150859
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If you wish to order DRUIDS from an independent bookseller in your area, you can get the book ordering, ISBN numbers etc. from our website at:
http://www.edgewebsite.com/books/druids/dr-catalog.php
Please make sure you email your receipt to the prize Goddess here bittenbybooks.contests @ gmail.com (no spaces)tomorrow to be entered in the draw.
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I wish to enter the contest here. I joined the facebook page and commented there too.
Answers to question: Books that keep me reading have letters in them- that make up words. Actually, I think I read for the characters, because I will not keep reading a book where I do not like anyone- at least after they have had a chance to do some changing and growing in the story, but the book needs to entertain as well or I will not stick with it, even if a character them self is someone I would love as a best friend.
Now- a question for the writers. Did you read Irish and Welsh mythology as well? Some of that seems to have pre-Christian and, in Ireland at least, pre-Roman roots.
All the best weapons have names
I am enjoying your serialized interview, and I appreciate you putting up a chapter for people to read. Thanks.
Rebecca S
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Thanks Rebecca and everyone for joining us. Check back later to see the authors’ responses to your questions.
Janice
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@Maggie Mae S. “What has been the most UNEXPECTED Challenge and UNEXPECTED Benefit of writing as team?”
This is a really tough one to answer, because so much of the entire process turned out to be unexpected. Probably the biggest challenge of the writing process was the outlining, because we realized very early on that without a comprehensive outline, the project was doomed. It was simply too big, and too involved, to be attempted without a detailed plan. And neither of us had ever worked like that!
The most unexpected benefit of working as a team, for me, is the feedback. With Barb, I know it will be prompt (usually ), insightful, and relevant. Because we have worked together for so long, we don’t have to dance around trying to avoid hurt feelings. We’re working with words, not offspring, so if something isn’t working, whoever spots it can fix it. What matters is the end result, not who had the most words survive ’til the final draft. *That* is a HUGE benefit.
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@Melissa While I do not ordinarily read many stories bearing the genre label of Romance, I do find that characters in love are wonderfully compelling. Most everyone has experienced romance at some level, and so we know how great an impact it can have. People do strange things while under the spell of romance. They think differently, act differently, and certainly re-act differently. Which, I suspect, is why they’re so much fun to write about! It seems to me, however, and I believe I mentioned this earlier, that the chase is by far the most interesting part of the process.
In DRUIDS, the chase has just begun.
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Dear Josh & Barb,
Vampires have been a favorite with horror readers long before the “Twilight” series. With Rice, Hamilton, ect. writing in the vein(pun intended) I’m curious to know how you went about approaching the creation of your characters with making carbon copies and with all the vampire storylines out there, how did you decide which powers and personalities to give.
Thanks, Shon M.
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@Raonaid Yes, I’ve read several of Morgan Llwelyn’s books, and generally speaking, I enjoyed them. We were already involved in a re-write of our DRUIDS, when I first discovered she already had a book out by the same name. Fortunately, our stories bear no similarity whatsoever. So, they can both be enjoyed without getting in each other’s way!
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@Raquel My goodness! You have been a busy gal. Thank you!
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@Denise Any time a writer can lure a reader into going further into the story — because they want to find out what happens next — scores as a win for the writer.
What makes it better, is that it also scores as a win for the reader. It amazes me that so many books are published these days which don’t seem to understand that.
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@Rebecca Yes, we did study Irish and Welsh mythology. And you’re right, much of it pre-dates the Roman empire. But, much like some of the early legends of the native peoples of North America, the stories are difficult to adapt for modern readers.
They all grew out of an oral tradition among people who rarely traveled more than a few miles from the spot where they were born. I find them fascinating, because they say so much about the people who kept telling and re-telling them.
Fantasy, it would seem, is an old, old art form.
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@Shon
Because we follow our characters from youth into adulthood, we have the opportunity to show how their personalities, their strengths, and their weaknesses evolved. The “powers” they have are entirely human. Are they scaled up? Absolutely! Because they are heroic characters, and they face difficulties which only heroes could rise above.
I’m sorry to keep harping about the outline, but it really was the bedrock for not only DRUIDS, but the books which follow it as well. Because we knew what trials they would face in book 3 (for instance), we were able to arrange events in their younger lives which would give them the ability to handle the problems which would arise later.
Where else can poor mortals such as Barb and I wield such power?
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Hi Josh!
Barb is at the Story Slam and will be coming back and then there will be BOTH of you online at the same time…:-)
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Hi Barb and Josh,
enjoyed your post today and love the pic w/axe.
have not read about druids, but love vamps.
rsvp
posted on FB:dinaStornello
joined and posted on fb wall:dinastornello
tweeted:dlsmilad
rsvpd for tomorrow
rsvdp for fri
thanks,
Dina S
dlsmilad@yahoo.com
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@Hockeyvampiress — Sorry I mistyped your handle a few dozen posts ago! But I had to tell you how much I appreciate your review of DRUIDS. Actually having the opportunity to chat with readers is amazing! Most of the time we work in a sort of vacuum, and I’m delighted to be able to participate in this BBB program.
I wish there had been something like this when I was growing up!
***And let’s not have any smart remarks, Galler-Smith!***
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@Dina — Sorry to disappoint you Dina, but there aren’t any vamps in DRUIDS. Well, except for Dierdre, she’s pretty vampy in a Celtic killer kinda way. She doesn’t actually suck blood, but she does spill a little. Nasty piece of work, Dierdre. But great fun to read about!
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Since I live in the Eastern Time Zone, it’s getting close to my bedtime. The kind nurses here at the home will be coming soon to wheel me back to my crypt. I’ll give it a few more minutes, then it’s off to dreamland….
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@Dina EVOLVE: Vampire Stories of the New Undead,(which is edited by Nancy Kilpatrick, and features Tanya Huff, Kelley Armstrong and 22 other Canadian horror writers envisioning the future evolution of Vampires) will be featured on Bitten by Books on April 5th.
Thanks for dropping by to learn about DRUIDS.
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Barb and Josh - who would you say is more evil - Deirdre on Perpenna?
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that would be Deirdre or Perpenna…
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@Hockeyvampiress
I don’t think Josh and I will ever agree on the casting. We just see the characters differently. I cou ld be convinced to cast Mallec with someone a little more “scholarly” than Gerard Butler. Maybe Christopher Lambert in his pre-Highlander days, and I’m still holding out for a Michael “Robin of Sherwood” Praed lookalike!
As for why sticks..that’s a story nearly as long as the story of our partnership. It came from our first attempts, where old Spaldeen found two enchanted trees which metamorphosed into a brother and sister duality. Then we worked on the tree changes, and ended up with branches. Then we needed to transport them and a stick is a lot smaller and easier to carry than a big tree branch!
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@ Rachel
As for the interview questions, I loved them and enjoyed Josh’s answers. He always surprises me with how witty and complete he is in his answers, and yet, I’ve know him a long time and should not be ever surprised by his talent and insight. I’m always amazed we get along as well as we do, obviously a testament to my great patience .
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I have friends with different politics that I get along with well because we have other things in common. I also used to round robin/RPG with a fellow Spike Girl as different show characters, which was fun. Yay for Josh Holloway and LL Cool J.
I try to be an unbiased reader, so being related to writers makes no difference in my honesty.
The best part of the stories that I read is action, mystery, humor and many paranormals. Detective work the most. Interesting, unusual, dark or humorous characters draw me in. Having good plots, mysteries, romances/sexual tension/erotica and good characters makes me want to read more. What’s your favorite Disney Villain?
Poe, Nancy Drew, encyclopedia–faves.
Brer Rabbit! 
Hahahaha yeah, cat barf, no kidding. I agree with that creativity comment. I’ve got my shamrock dress, green carnations and Celtic Knot jewelry on today. 
RSVPd for this.
Did book chat, free book contest, RSVPd for future events. All those prizes sound great.
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Hi Barb & Josh
1.Stacey S
2.Best part of a story is the sense of connection whit the character’s lives,Love’s,hates likes dislikes.what makes them the character’s that they are.the connection whit them and the people that thay love.makes them like a friend or family to you.
3.Did
6.Spread the news on my myspace and facebook and here is the links to them
http://www.myspace.com/sasluvbooks & facebook.com/sasluvbooks
*I RSVPed
sasluvbooks(at)yahoo.com
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@Josh Item 56: “I was, quite frankly, shocked and appalled by what I wrote …”
You completely crack me up–you would never change bourbon brands. Also, I liked your answers–they are completely you! Now the world knows what I have to deal with ! HAHAHA!
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@Leni Item 59: Glad to hear that characters and deep issues are the main things for you. I once heard an Irish gentleman on a TV special about the Celts say life was what happened between the “immensities” of birth and death. If fiction does not cover the big things, then it’s not for me either. Those are the things we can all relate to.
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@ Hockeyvampiress –re: 62: Absolutely what Janice said. It really was fantastic. Thank you so much!
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@MaggieMae Great comments on #63. I’m so glad you liked Chapter 1. As for getting the book in, I’ve heard from a little bird B&N is getting some, although it’s taking a longer time than I had hoped. You can also order directly from the publisher, even if they are in Canada.
I like Urban fantasy, too, and I like near future or present SF.
Unexpected challenges in writing as a team for me was learning to develop a successful working relationship with someone else and embracing a give and take attitude. That was actually the greatest benefit for me, too. When I wrote something, I had complete trust that Josh would do his utmost to make it even better. I wasn’t tied to the work the way I might be to a piece that was all mine–so I was less senstitive when he changed or deleted my words to make his own. So nearly every sentence in the entire book has both of us in it. While we did write different scenes, the overlap of comments, rewrites, edits and such often made the work stronger and more cohesive. IT also gave it a distinctive voice to the “author” different from his author voice, or mine. Some people think Josh wrote Mallec and I wrote Rhonwen, but the truth is, we both wrote each character, depending on the scene.
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@Melissa, I like romance too, which is why Rhonwen and Mallec’s HEA is coming.
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@Janice You would have to ask about “THE BOX”! In short, Josh’s brother Lloyd made a lovely wooden chest, and gave it to Josh to submit the manuscript in. The box was to be similar to the one which held the poet staves which are at the top of each chapter. Josh lovingly wrapped the box, took it to a courier who lovingly unwrapped it and then rewrapped it. I got it, had to unwrap it, and put the manuscript it the box. My husband thought the manuscript would get damaged so he lovingly wrapped it so well nothing could get it wet or soiled or damaged in any way unless possibly attacked by a rampaging water buffalo. I gave the box with the manuscript inside to Brian Hades, the publisher at Edge Science Fiction and Fantasy Publishing. He laughed. It was worth it!
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@Raonaid I have to admit I preferred MPraed to SConnery in Robin of Sherwood, but it DID tie in so many of the Robin Hood legends. I did begin to like him, especially as Marion grew to like him. I adore tying in legends and folklore to fiction and the writer, Richard Carpenter, did a great job! I would say his weaving of just a little fantasy, with folktales and real history had a powerful impact on me. And didn’t you just love that line from the first episode: “You’re like a May morning.”? Awwww.
You asked about Morgan Llwelyn or Caiseal Mor > When we began working Celtic stories, I avoided all Celtic based fiction as much as possible because I didn’t want any of the techniques or notions of other writers to possibly affect what I wanted to accomplish.
As for Caesar, my husband was a Latin scholar and loves Julius Caesar. He also loves tormenting me about how Caesar kicked Celtic butt, although I think he does it just to annoy me. He did grudgingly admit that perhaps from the Celtic point of view Caesar was such a great guy. I am forced to admit that Caesar did what any other Roman did–pit the locals against each other to eventually take over the country. He wasn’t bad by Roman standards. And happily, characters in book 3 discover that Caesar does get his comeuppance–right in the rotunda!
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@Raquel — Wow, thanks for the posting and tweeting!
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@Everyone: The story slam was amazing. I’ve never been to one and it was great fun. 10 people stood up on stage and told or read a story (or as in my case part of one) for 5 minutes. Then it’s judged by 5 groups. Tonight’s fare was 9 true stories, most of them funny, and my one excerpt from the beginning of book 2 “Captives”. I ended up with just over 25 points– finishing about the middle of the pack, and the winner 27.5. She told a very funny and entertaining story and I had to admit, it was great. I was completely gratified to know one of the group of judges gave me the only 9.9 of the evening. That felt great!
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@ Rebecca - I heartily agree about likeable protagonists. Also a good villain –one we love to hate– is a draw for me. Star Wars would be nothing without Darth Vader!
We read all the Irish and Welsh mythology, as well as Roman. We also did a lot of research into shamanic beliefs regarding spirit journeys. Of course we also looked at every other kind of mythology we could find in English, too, just for good measure-Polynesian, Australian, North American First Nations, specifically Cree, Lakota, and Navajo. If you know of good translations of Scandinavian and Saami folklore that would be great–we’re going to need it later!
You said: All the best weapons have names
I love that! My friend Ann Marston wrote a series of novels and in the first the sword was named “Kingmaker”.
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@Shon - I like your question about creating characters that have not been done before–and that is every author’s challenge. I think Josh answered that part of your question very well. Vampire or no, the basic personality arises out of the character’s situation, upbringing, social arena, and the gifts or talents they’re born with.
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@Josh “– You said “…and I’m delighted to be able to participate in this BBB program. I wish there had been something like this when I was growing up! ***And let’s not have any smart remarks, Galler-Smith!***”
You’re an old fart. When you were growing up you used string between tin cans to talk long distance. Oh wait… you’re slightly younger than I am? Never mind, I’ll just go back into my cave, light a candle and scrawl on the walls with charcoal while I wait for the dinosaurs to pass by.
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@Janice. Dierdre or Perpenna? Great question! Dierdre is nuttier than a fruitcake. Perpenna really does know exactly what he’s doing. SoI have to go with Perpenna. I feel pity for her, but frankly, if history hadn’t already told us of Perpenna’s fate, I would have killed him long before he died in real life.
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@Hockeyvampiress
I don’t think Josh and I will ever agree on the casting. We just see the characters differently. I could be convinced to cast Mallec with someone a little more “scholarly” than Gerard Butler. Maybe Christopher Lambert in his pre-Highlander days, and I’m still holding out for a Michael “Robin of Sherwood” Praed lookalike!
As for why sticks..that’s a story nearly as long as the story of our partnership. It came from our first attempts, where old Spaldeen found two enchanted trees which metamorphosed into a brother and sister duality. Then we worked on the tree changes, and ended up with branches. Then we needed to transport them and a stick is a lot smaller and easier to carry than a big tree branch!
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@ Rachel
As for the interview questions, I loved them and enjoyed Josh’s answers. He always surprises me with how witty and complete he is in his answers, and yet, I’ve known him a long time and should not be ever surprised by his talent and insight. I’m always amazed we get along as well as we do, obviously a testament to my great patience .
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@REB Yup. Josh and I are very different in our politics, religious views, ecnomic approaches, etc. We do share a common love of dogs, children and good writing. We are excellent friends and I think he might even get new shoes wet to save my life. I, however, would have the good sense to take my new shoes off first before jumping in to save him.
@Stacy. Thanks for the comments. I see that everyone loves good characters they can relate to.
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@Rachel and everyone. It is officially well-past my bedtime. See you all in the morning! Thanks Rachel, what a fantastic way to spend the day. And if I messed up anyone’s name with the wrong answer to your question… it’s because I’m channeling Josh whlie he sleeps. NIghty-night and don’t let the Vampires bite! hehehe
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@Janice RE: 95 & 96 — I’m not convinced Perpenna was really evil, at least, perhaps not the historical one. The Perpenna portrayed in DRUIDS is despicable, to be sure, but we never got inside his head, so we never had to pin down his motivations. Dierdre, on the other hand, is a point of view character, and in order to “get” her we really had to crawl around in that dark, web-strung melon of hers.
As mentioned somewhere else on this page, Dierdre feels justified in everything she does. Her reasoning is dreadfully flawed, but she doesn’t know that, just as she doesn’t believe her responses to perceived slights are so over the top they may as well be powered by an Atlas rocket.
Perpenna, I think, was the ultimate xenophobe. And I base this conclusion solely on what Plutarch reported about him. I believe he really thought he would make a better general than Sertorius. There is ample testimony to his utter incompetence, but he covered it up by blaming subordinates. How many mid-level managers do that every day?
His one great skill was the ability to convince people to do his bidding, despite his obvious flaws. Who knows? He may have simply been an agent of Rome, whose goal was to spread rot and discord among the followers of Sertorius. But evil? I’m not so sure.
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@98 Barb’s “great patience?” Oh, my. That’s uhm… a teensy bit of a stretch. (Kind of like “Swan Lake” is a teensy bit of a dance.)
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@R.E.B.#99 — My favorite Disney villain is probably Captain Hook, although I realize Disney didn’t invent him. But who could ask for a more dashing, well-dressed, dare I say polished, evil-doer? And, one glance at his namesake appendage explains a great deal about him. Perhaps he was once kind, and generous, and well-intentioned, and then the roof caved in, through no fault of his own. That sort of thing can twist a person, give them a truly cranky world view.
Then to, he had to deal with someone like Mr. Smee and a boat full of smelly, ill-kept, bad-tempered pirates. Who wouldn’t go a little wonky in a situation like that? We should try to see him as a victim.
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@Barb #112 Okay, so you found the bait, nibbled on it, then spit it back out. This tells me you’re learning. I just can’t understand why it’s taken so long!
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@Barb #116 You failed to mention that I only have one pair of shoes that could be considered “new.” And yet, I would make that sacrifice in the interest of not wasting time. If I were holding an adult beverage, however, I would probably look for a place to set it down before I engaged in any heroics.
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Good morning all!
@REB
At the risk of sounding like a copy cat, I love Captain Hook too. That naughty boy, Peter Pan, just irks him for the sheer sake of irksomeness. I’m also quite partial to Disney’s first great vilain–the Queen in Snow White. Now that woman was a nut bar completely willing to destroy herself for the sake of destroying her perceived enemy.
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@Barb #123 — Welcome back, btw.
The Queen in Snow White? Puhleeze! I figured you for a Cruella DeVille fan, all the way.
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@Josh #124– Well yes. She was my “first”, ya know? I did think of Cruella, but she’s just not that scary for me. She would however, make a superb vampire, doncha think? Also scary is that Sea Witch! Also –the lion Scar. What a “perpenna”!
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@Barb #125 — Whoever played Cruella in the live-action movie version would make a good Dierdre, don’t you think? Similar make-up, too. She’d have to lose the puppy pelt coat though.
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Definitely, Glenn Close. In fact, she’d be perfect!
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Thanks Barb and Josh for being here…thanks Rachel for having us…good luck to everyone who has entered in the draw.
Janice
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Thankyou for your humorous interview. I like the characters. What draws my intrest is the plot to the story. If it doesnt’ grab my intrest at the begining I will read the book beacause I have bought it and then forget all about it. What have you two learned about yourselves during this writing duo? I RSVPed and have done all the rest of the things. Thankyou Lisa D.
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@Lisa #129 Thanks for your answer to our questions. I also used to finish dull books just because I bought them. It seemed only right. Now, I don’t. Life is too short to spend it reading books that don’t entertain me. There are a lot of great books out there in every genre… I could read foever and not get through them all, so I refuses to waste time with books that do not appeal to me. I pass them on, either to friends who might like it, or to the local Goodwill.
NOw, you also asked what I learned about myself? A fantastic question. I learned so much both as a person and as a writer.
As a person I learned that true working partnership requires trust, patience, letting go of the little things and fighting hard for what matters–just like any friendship or even a marriage. I also learned that when I care deeply, I can go to the wall and mostly stay there, and work harder than I thought possible, and that the work is more important than my ego. (NOT that I can always rise to that better self, but I do try. I think Josh will admit sometimes I can be very trying )
As a writer I learned there is NO subsitute for hard work. To write means you just have to sit down and DO IT! Most important, the process of writing with Josh opened my eyes wider to things like devising better plots, understanding what “motivation” really means to good characterization, and how to make the unreal SEEM more real (Josh taught me the meaning of “verisimilitude”–essential in all fiction).
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@Lisa — I learned that I possess a great deal more passion, and patience, than I ever imagined. Both seem to be growing with age, too!
Barb has done her level best to teach me the value of writing good setting, and she’s largely succeeded. That doesn’t mean I’m able to do it, yet, but at least I recognize that it’s missing. Somewhere in there.
@Everyone — Much obliged for a fun event. I’d love to do it again one of these days.
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One last comment before I turn into a pumpkin. Thanks to everyone, and especially Rachel, for a fantastic opportunity to say hello to a very cool bunch of folks, and to talk about ourselves. Hope everyoe enjoyed it, I know I did!
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[...] Barb Galler-Smith and Josh Langston, authors of Druids, at Bitten by Books [...]
[...] Interview With Authors Barb Galler-Smith and Josh Langston I’d love to write a book with someone! [...]