For those of you who have Facebook accounts I've set up a group there called the Quests Fan Club. If you're interested in the series please consider joining the group.
I'd like everyone to give a big round of applause to my friend and artist, Karolyn for the wonderful work she did with the new Quests logo. It turned out great!
I will be creating on-line previews of the prologue and 1st episode of Quests and the first 2 chapters of my new Young Adult novel, The Jericho Effect in the following month. The Quests preview will be released next week on September 30. A scene from Jericho Effect will appear on the blog the following week. The preview for Jericho Effect will be released on October 28 in conjunction with Halloween since it centers on a pack of werewolves. Once created, these previews will remain available for anyone who may be interested in reading the books. I will probably set up a Facebook group for the Jericho Effect following the release of the preview so look for that in November.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Fedrick & Felnar answer your questions
This post is a response to Fedrick & Felnar's Interview from a couple months ago.
All right, everyone. Today I've brought back the goblin boy, Fedrick and the troll girl Felnar, to answer a few questions from our readers.
Colette asked: Why do you guys hate fairies so much? I think your friend Bardmaid has a different idea about them! Also, do trolls and goblins live together?
Fedrick: I'll take the first question. We hate fairies because they're stupid little trouble makers! They always find a way to ruin everything we do! Also they have these spells to keep us out of their forest, which happens to be one of the best hunting grounds on Irowasa. As if that's not enough, you can't even eat them or you get major food poisoning. They're just useless little...
Rebekah: Okay Fedrick, we get the idea! You're right though, Colette, I do have a different idea about them.
Fedrick: You probably think they're cute! That shows how much you really know about them!
Felnar: The little ones are cute!
Fedrick: Until they turn you to stone, kill you, or destroy your cave.
Rebekah: Let's move on to Colette's second question. I'll take this one. Not all goblins and trolls live together but some do. The underground city which is one of the major settings in Quests is home to both goblins and trolls. That's where Fedrick and Felnar live.
A friend on facebook asked: Question for Rebekah: how can you bear to have those two IN YOUR ROOM??
Rebekah: Well, whether I like it or not my characters are in the habit of slipping into my room at unusual times like 3 AM to tell me something important they think should go in the story. As annoying as it sometimes gets, if I kept them out my stories wouldn't be very interesting.
Fedrick: You're just another one of those clueless people who think fairies are cute little innocent things! What if she got a pet fairy who decided to blast a hole in her roof and let some sunlight in? Maybe you don't know that sunlight turns trolls to stone.
Question for Felnar: don't you think catching a fairy would be a very hard thing to do, especially since they live aboveground?
Felnar: I never thought about that. Maybe if I got the right fairy catching gear and snuck up to their house in the night when they were sleeping I could get one.
Fedrick: I just know she's somehow going to end up with a pet fairy. Just remember Felnar, any consequences are your own fault and don't say I didn't warn you.
Felnar: You're such a spoil-sport Fedrick. You probably still think I should just get a pet bat! Everyone in the city has pet bats!
Fedrick: Yeah, and no one has fairies. Don't you think there might be a good reason for that?
Rebekah: No fighting or I'll let in some sunlight and turn on all the lights! Well fans, I hope that answers your questions. Our next guest will be a... er... well, another friend of mine.
All right, everyone. Today I've brought back the goblin boy, Fedrick and the troll girl Felnar, to answer a few questions from our readers.
Colette asked: Why do you guys hate fairies so much? I think your friend Bardmaid has a different idea about them! Also, do trolls and goblins live together?
Fedrick: I'll take the first question. We hate fairies because they're stupid little trouble makers! They always find a way to ruin everything we do! Also they have these spells to keep us out of their forest, which happens to be one of the best hunting grounds on Irowasa. As if that's not enough, you can't even eat them or you get major food poisoning. They're just useless little...
Rebekah: Okay Fedrick, we get the idea! You're right though, Colette, I do have a different idea about them.
Fedrick: You probably think they're cute! That shows how much you really know about them!
Felnar: The little ones are cute!
Fedrick: Until they turn you to stone, kill you, or destroy your cave.
Rebekah: Let's move on to Colette's second question. I'll take this one. Not all goblins and trolls live together but some do. The underground city which is one of the major settings in Quests is home to both goblins and trolls. That's where Fedrick and Felnar live.
A friend on facebook asked: Question for Rebekah: how can you bear to have those two IN YOUR ROOM??
Rebekah: Well, whether I like it or not my characters are in the habit of slipping into my room at unusual times like 3 AM to tell me something important they think should go in the story. As annoying as it sometimes gets, if I kept them out my stories wouldn't be very interesting.
Question for Fedrick: how would a pet fairy be troublesome? Just let Felnar get one!
Fedrick: You're just another one of those clueless people who think fairies are cute little innocent things! What if she got a pet fairy who decided to blast a hole in her roof and let some sunlight in? Maybe you don't know that sunlight turns trolls to stone.
Question for Felnar: don't you think catching a fairy would be a very hard thing to do, especially since they live aboveground?
Felnar: I never thought about that. Maybe if I got the right fairy catching gear and snuck up to their house in the night when they were sleeping I could get one.
Fedrick: I just know she's somehow going to end up with a pet fairy. Just remember Felnar, any consequences are your own fault and don't say I didn't warn you.
Felnar: You're such a spoil-sport Fedrick. You probably still think I should just get a pet bat! Everyone in the city has pet bats!
Fedrick: Yeah, and no one has fairies. Don't you think there might be a good reason for that?
Rebekah: No fighting or I'll let in some sunlight and turn on all the lights! Well fans, I hope that answers your questions. Our next guest will be a... er... well, another friend of mine.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Contest Winners and Creature Answers
I’m pleased to announce the winners of the Name that Creature Contest! In 1st place we have Mike, who not only got all the answers right but also named the countries the creatures originated from, alternate names used for the same creature in other countries, and even a few of my sources. Show off! ;)
In 2nd place we have Adam who answered the questions correctly including the bonus ones!
In 3rd place is Wren who answered most the questions correctly and made a good effort to guess at the rest.
Congratulations winners and thanks for playing!
By the way I highly recommend Judy Allen’s Fantasy Encyclopedia to anyone interested in the genre. It’s one of my best sources for looking up fantasy creatures quickly. Also, I know I’ve read about most of these creatures in a few books and stories but I couldn’t remember all of them so I just put down the ones I could think of.
Now for the answers:
1. I live in mines. When danger is near I'll tap on the wall to warn you. What am I?
Answer: Tommy-knocker (a.k.a. Knocker, or Thumper)
From: Miners’ tales throughout the world
Sources: Fantasy Encyclopedia, The Spiderwick Chronicles by Holly Black and Tony DiTerizzi
2. I'm a small elvin creature that likes to tinker with technology. I was first discovered by the British Royal Air Force in the 1920s. What am I?
Answer: Gremlin
From: Legend formed from stories of the British Air Force
Sources: Fantasy Encyclopedia
3. I’m a shape-shifter who loves to cause terror and trouble. I change into things you fear. What am I?
Answer: Boggart
From: British legend
Sources: Fantasy Encyclopedia, Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling, The Boggart by Susan Cooper
4. I appear in the shape of a horse, but my hooves are backwards from those of an ordinary horse. If you get on my back I will carry you to the nearest source of water and attempt to drown you. What am I?
Answer: Kelpie (or Water Horse)
From: Scottish Mythology
Sources: Fantasy Encyclopedia, Water by Robin McKinley and Peter Dickenson, a children’s version of the Water Horse story whose name I’ve sadly forgotten
In 2nd place we have Adam who answered the questions correctly including the bonus ones!
In 3rd place is Wren who answered most the questions correctly and made a good effort to guess at the rest.
Congratulations winners and thanks for playing!
By the way I highly recommend Judy Allen’s Fantasy Encyclopedia to anyone interested in the genre. It’s one of my best sources for looking up fantasy creatures quickly. Also, I know I’ve read about most of these creatures in a few books and stories but I couldn’t remember all of them so I just put down the ones I could think of.
Now for the answers:
1. I live in mines. When danger is near I'll tap on the wall to warn you. What am I?
Answer: Tommy-knocker (a.k.a. Knocker, or Thumper)
From: Miners’ tales throughout the world
Sources: Fantasy Encyclopedia, The Spiderwick Chronicles by Holly Black and Tony DiTerizzi
2. I'm a small elvin creature that likes to tinker with technology. I was first discovered by the British Royal Air Force in the 1920s. What am I?
Answer: Gremlin
From: Legend formed from stories of the British Air Force
Sources: Fantasy Encyclopedia
3. I’m a shape-shifter who loves to cause terror and trouble. I change into things you fear. What am I?
Answer: Boggart
From: British legend
Sources: Fantasy Encyclopedia, Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling, The Boggart by Susan Cooper
4. I appear in the shape of a horse, but my hooves are backwards from those of an ordinary horse. If you get on my back I will carry you to the nearest source of water and attempt to drown you. What am I?
Answer: Kelpie (or Water Horse)
From: Scottish Mythology
Sources: Fantasy Encyclopedia, Water by Robin McKinley and Peter Dickenson, a children’s version of the Water Horse story whose name I’ve sadly forgotten
5. I live in marshes. You can only see me as a mysterious floating light. If you follow me I will lead you far into the marsh and leave you stranded there. What am I?
Answer: Jack O’ Lantern or Will O’ The Wisp
From: British legend
Sources: Fantasy Encyclopedia, Jack O’Lantern by Patricia A. McKillip (contained in the anthology, Firebirds Rising)
6. I can breathe fire I have the head of a lion, the body of a goat and the tail of a serpent. I brought death and destruction for years before battling a Greek hero. What am I?
Answer: Chimera
From: Greek Mythology
Sources: Fantasy Encyclopedia, various books on Greek myths and legends
7. I'm a man-like creature made out of mud or clay. I can only be brought to life by spells. I work as a servant, always doing as I am told and never moving unless I am given instructions. I usually work for sorcerers. What am I?
Answer: A golem
From: Hebrew Mythology
Sources: Fantasy Encyclopedia, Fablehaven by Brandon Mull
Bonus questions:
1. I live in the Alps. Icicles hang from my hair and beard. I prefer cold weather and hibernate in the summer. My favorite form of entertainment is surfing on avalanches, though I will whistle to warn you of their danger. What am I?
Answer: Barbegazi
From: Legends in the Alps
Source: Fantasy Encyclopedia
2. I have wild green hair and blue skin. I hibernate in the winter and am at my most mischievous in the spring. I let out whistles to confuse humans. To escape me you must put your clothes on backwards. What am I?
Answer: Leshie
From: Russian Folklore
Source: Fantasy Encyclopedia
Answer: Jack O’ Lantern or Will O’ The Wisp
From: British legend
Sources: Fantasy Encyclopedia, Jack O’Lantern by Patricia A. McKillip (contained in the anthology, Firebirds Rising)
6. I can breathe fire I have the head of a lion, the body of a goat and the tail of a serpent. I brought death and destruction for years before battling a Greek hero. What am I?
Answer: Chimera
From: Greek Mythology
Sources: Fantasy Encyclopedia, various books on Greek myths and legends
7. I'm a man-like creature made out of mud or clay. I can only be brought to life by spells. I work as a servant, always doing as I am told and never moving unless I am given instructions. I usually work for sorcerers. What am I?
Answer: A golem
From: Hebrew Mythology
Sources: Fantasy Encyclopedia, Fablehaven by Brandon Mull
Bonus questions:
1. I live in the Alps. Icicles hang from my hair and beard. I prefer cold weather and hibernate in the summer. My favorite form of entertainment is surfing on avalanches, though I will whistle to warn you of their danger. What am I?
Answer: Barbegazi
From: Legends in the Alps
Source: Fantasy Encyclopedia
2. I have wild green hair and blue skin. I hibernate in the winter and am at my most mischievous in the spring. I let out whistles to confuse humans. To escape me you must put your clothes on backwards. What am I?
Answer: Leshie
From: Russian Folklore
Source: Fantasy Encyclopedia
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