Searching for Family

Now that Spring has finally, blessedly, sprung, I took several days off to recharge my batteries and visit my kids and grandkids. It was great fun! My family means everything to me. Each member is special, unique, talented, and entertaining. Whenever we all get together, it's a laugh a minute! Some of my kids ( who shall remain nameless here! ) could've had great careers as stand-up comics.

No wonder that so much of what I write ends up being about family at its roots. If you didn't notice that in Judgment on Tartarus, you certainly will in True Son of Tartarus and Ransom of Tartarus! For instance, Rona Scott has no family left to speak of---her parents both died in the Mars-colony disaster. And Kalom of Eris decided to stay behind on Terra when his parents returned to Eris ( his father was the Ambassador to Earth, remember? ) and he's not now on very good terms with them. They accuse him of being more Terran than Erisian.

And as for Malkis, his father, Kadris, disowns him outright, then accuses him of being the cause of his own mother's death! Sweet guy! For now, Hughes' background remains pretty much a mystery---but believe me, this guy has daddy issues big time! So, obviously, several of my characters are out in space searching for "family" as well as adventure, even if they don't realize this, and have found a substitute family aboard Astrella.

That's it for now. Hope to be back again tomorrow!

MRTighe

A Little Nudge!

Just in case you need a teensy little nudge to convince you to try reading Judgment on Tartarus:

The focal character, Ensign Corona Scott ( Rona ), is an idealistic, career-driven young officer who has just been assigned to her first deep-space mission. She comes aboard her first ship, the retired battle cruiser Astrella II, with high hopes of advancing her career and fulfilling her life-long dreams. She's adventurous, though a bit timid, impulsive, and insatiably curious. Dismayed by the unexpected atmosphere of prejudice, bigotry, and outright hatred rampant aboard Astrella, she finds herself struggling valiantly to maintain an open mind and prove herself competent.

She soon begins to worry that her career in space is about to be deep-sixed! She comes into conflict with Astrella's legendary CO, Richard Hughes, who's notorious for his hair-trigger temper, no-nonsense attitude, and lack of sympathy for green ensigns! And his ExO, Malkis of Tartarus, despises Terran females and seems to have it out for Rona in particular! What's a girl to do?

I know my loyal followers have already read my first book, and I'm still soliciting reviews posted on Amazon.com's bookstore or elsewhere.

Hope you're intrigued and want to find out what happens,

MRTighe

Weaving the Tale

How did I come up with the plot for Judgment on Tartarus? Well, as I remember it, I wanted to write a tale about interstellar travel and relationships, so I threw together a motley group of Terrans and aliens who were basically "human" but different. Terran-humans being what they are, once enclosed in the confines of a spaceship on a long voyage, tensions would be bound to arise. We have an unfortunate tendency to prejudge others who aren't "like" us.

And the second plot-thread of Judgment on Tartarus revolved around the ancient Greek myth of Hades, god of the underworld, and Persephone. The two themes clicked wonderfully well ( I think! ) So I set about creating in depth the various characters who would act out this plot; they sprang into being like Aphrodite ( also known as Cytherea.)

I worked on the book off and on for over forty years, but the basic plot stayed pretty much the same. In fact, a fair amount of the rough draft actually survived largely unchanged. But as I reworked the story, I discovered hidden treasures, added details, made dialog more natural, and uncovered quirks of my characters' personalities. I began to understand on a much deeper level why they acted as they did,  the changes they were going through,, and  the destinies they were meant for. And all along I really had fun doing it!

If you haven't had a chance to read Judgment yet, I hope you do!

That's it for now,

MRTighe

Listings for Judgment on Tartarus

Hey, all! Great news---Judgment is now listed on Wheatmark.com, BarnesandNoble.com, Amazon.com here in the US, and Amazon.com.uk! So if any of you who live in countries other than the US have any trouble ordering it, give the UK a try.

If anyone has finished reading Judgment and would like to post a review online at Amazon.com, I'd be very grateful---thanks! I was happy to see that they have the back cover text ( which I gave you a sneak peek at in one of my earlier blogs ) included on my Amazon page. And you can also get a blow-up of the cover.

I've still had no luck finding my book on Borders' website. They were supposed to be carrying it. I'll keep trying, but at least I know it's available elsewhere. Also, someone we know is buying the book for their teeenage son. I think Judgment is suitable for teens and young adults---outside of some rough language ( common in all branches of the military---have you ever watched Carrier on PBS? Eeek!) there's nothing I would rate as objectionable. My two daughters to the contrary, I do not write soft porn! Judgment is a space adventure with a love story and a dash of mystery thrown in.

Getting close now to the final edit of Book Two in the series: True Son of Tartarus.

All for now,
MRTighe

Sneak Peek

Hi, again!

About two weeks to go and counting! It's so hard to rein in my excitement---trying to concentrate on other things---like Christmas decorations, feeding the multitude of ravenous birds and squirrels in my backyard, um---ah, where was I?

So, as promised, here's a sneak peek at the back cover copy of Judgment on Tartarus:

     Newly assigned to the space cruiser Astrella II, captained by the legendary "Hero of the Gorgonian Wars", Richard Hughes, Ensign Corona Scott fears her long-dreamed-of career is about to be deep-sixed! She runs afoul of her new CO's volcanic temper, and Med Supervisor Johann Weiner warns her that Astrella's ExO, Malkis of Tartarus, is going to make her life a living Hell. He hates Terran females! Rona's ideals are put to the test as the shocking bigotry and hatred she finds aboard Astrella culminate in sabotage and murder and, ultimately, in a serious rift between Hughes and his ExO. Without warning, Astrella is mysteriously dispatched to the enigmatic planet Tartarus, where Rona Scott encounters an unsought destiny far beyond her wildest dreams, and where the fate of Astrella's crew rests upon the outcome of a barbaric, bloody duel to the death!

So what do you think? Does this make you want to read the book---or not? Would you recommend a book  like this to your friends who read? Comments are more than welcome. If you have trouble commenting on my blog, I'm also on facebook as M.r.Tighe; leave me a message there. You can also view a tiny pic of my cover using the info in my last blog. Thanks!

Trying my best to wait patiently,

MRTighe

More Good News!

Hello, all!

I was very happy to hear today that Judgment on Tartarus is now available for pre-order on my publisher's website: http://www.wheatmark.com/bookstore/

You can search for my book by a word in its title, by my name, or by the ISBN #:  9781604945225

In the next few weeks, Judgment should also be listed on Amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.com, Borders.com, and other online booksellers ( probably at a discount! ) I'm overjoyed at reaching yet another milestone in the publication process! This is all new to me, and I've experienced a fair share of trepidation about this whole thing. Can't wait to get the first copy in hand.

I hope to give you a bit of a sneak peek in my next blog.

MRTighe

The Joys of Laptopping

Hey again!

After getting my first laptop not so long ago, I was soon ready to toss the dang thing out the window! It was so much different from working on the electric typewriter or word processor that I was used to. Took me some time to get the hang of it, and there are still things that are mysteries to me. Fortunately, I have a lot of help from my family, especially my computer-savvy kids! Without their help I probably would've given up --or quietly gone insane. Well, maybe not so quietly.

I still have trouble with some aspects of "laptopping"--like when the bloody machine insists I didn't really mean to use a certain word and changes it on me!!! ( I find my own vocabulary tends to de-volve rapidly whenever that happens! ) However, I've been dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st century, and it looks like I'm here to stay. Well, back to the laptop! I'm in the process of editing Book Two: True Son of Tatrtarus, which is next up on the schedule.

All for now,

MRTighe

The Final Steps

Having overcome a few technical difficulties, I completed the final steps before publication: signing and returning my acceptance of my cover and proofs and signing my W9 for royalties. I took them to the Post Office myself as we are on a rural route and outgoing mail is not always secure. When you are a struggling writer, you come to know the Post Office well! I've sent out manuscripts often and usually receive nothing but rejections (a few accompanied by some very polite and encouraging letters, thankfully!)

I'll have a very hard time waiting the three weeks until I have my first novel in my hot little hands. I'm sure you understand why this is so exciting for me. I love to write. I scribble on every scrap of paper that comes my way. This can be very messy! Ask my poor husband who has to put up with my disorganization!

And, of course, I'm anticipating some negative criticism---I'm used to it. I used to belong to a writer's group. A few people there truly appreciated my work, but there was one in particular who refused to read anything that was science fiction. I was shocked by such a close-minded attitude. I believe in giving a book a chance. I may not love everything I read, but at least I'm willing to give it a try. Hopefully, since you're reading this blog, you are open-minded enough to give Judgment on Tartarus a try when it becomes available.

More later. Thanks,

MRTighe

Latest Info

Hi again,

The latest word I've received is that it takes about three weeks from the time my file goes to the printer until I'll be sent hard copies of Judgment on Tartarus. The better news is that people can preorder my book from my publisher's website http://www.wheatmark.com/ a day or so after it's uploaded to the printer. After the release date, the book can be ordered directly from the publisher. Two or three weeks later, my book will appear on most online publisher's lists. ( Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, etc. ) I'm not sure about overseas orders yet. I'm hopeful that our many friends in Cambodia will also have access.

Meanwhile, I am finishing up editing Book Two: True Son of Tartarus, which is a continuation of the same story. If anything, I think it may even be a bit better than Book One. I've already had some good feedback on it---and,no, not just from relatives! After all, who in your family is going to tell you they hate your book? Hmmm--now that I think about it...!

In the near future I'll probably let you know my reading tastes--more specifically than science fiction and fantasy. That might give you a good idea of whether or not you're going to like my book.

Thanks,
MRTighe

Categorizing my writing

Hello, again!

What kind of fiction do I write? Well, I surely am not a scientist, therfore I don't write "hard" science fiction. I read it, and I've known a few hard SF writers such as Isaac Asimov and Hal Clement (Harry Stubbs).And at one point in my life, I did seriously consider becoming a biology teacher---biology was always one of my favorite subjects.

But what appeals most to me is the way people will interact in the future, especially if we are forced to deal with "aliens" of some kind. I'm not convinced this will happen in my lifetime so I have to imagine it.My writing deals with characters in the future, their challenges and problems---will they get along or conflict? Will Terrans ever get over their bigotry and prejudices? Probably not entirely.

I realize that some people are going to categorize my writing as "space opera", and I have no problem with that. At least one of my upcoming novels is blatant space opera, and I find it fun to write.But whatever genre I'm writing, I do try to stick to scientific principles, even though some of them are still highly theoretical.

In addition to the SF elements in  my work, there's also a strong love story, a little violence, and a dash of mystery---what would a good story be without them? As I've said before, Judgment on Tartarus, especially, is a fun read, and I think a lot of people will enjoy it.Long-winded enough.

MRTighe

Technical difficulties

Right now things are not going well. My computer is being finicky and won't download files I need. So what else is new? Having some creative differences with my publisher---to be expected, I'm sure. I decided to go the self-publishing route because traditional publishers don't take manuscripts from new authors seriously. And even when they do, they take their sweet time making decisions. When I sent my second novel, True Son of Tartarus to DAW, they kept it for two whole years before returning it to me with a polite rejection!
Fortunately for me, I kept on writing in that time and by that time had a trilogy.

Some people might argue with my assessment, but I heard a well-known publisher say with her own lips that she only accepted manuscripts from a stable of eight or nine established authors! This was at a panel deploring the lack of new blood in the publishing industries.  Thought my husband was going to go ballistic!

Anyway, I'm well aware that publishers have to sift through a lot of chaff to get to a little wheat. But I believe my books are in the latter category. I'll probably discuss the type of science fiction in which I specialize at a later date when I'm in more of an up mood.

"Til then,
MRTighe

Bumps in the road

Well, I sent in the necessary corrections to Judgment on Tartarus and now have to wait and see what happens next.  The good thing is that I am learning as I go, and getting my next book published should be somewhat easier.

Things got slowed down a bit due to illness--almost every member of my family was down with it! And I expect the holidays which are upcoming to interfere with the schedule a bit, but I still hope to have an actual book in print before the end of the year.( I have enough manuscripts written or in progress to publish at least a book a year from now through 2013! )


All for now,
MRTighe

Second author's proofs

Hello again,

We are getting down to the wire in the publishing process.  I'm reviewing my proofs for corrections and have found a couple that somehow slipped by the corrections editor from last time.  But I'm not happy with this rendition of the back cover text; you know that stuff on the back of the book that you check out before you buy it.  Very important.  But somehow this latest version missed the boat and will have to be corrected before I sign off on it. When that occurs, the whole file will be sent to the printer, and about three weeks later---ta-dah!---I should have a printed copy of Judgment on Tartarus at last!

Of course, I'm excited, but I'm also anxious to get on to Book Two: True Son of Tartarus, which takes up the story where it leaves off.  Although each book in my trilogy is capable of standing alone---True Son was almost published by DAW as a stand-alone---I'd rather tell the entire story in the correct sequence.

My publisher's link is http://www.wheatmark.com/. My book will be listed on their website as well as Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.

Wish me luck!

MR Tighe

The Adventures of Astrella's Crew Begin!

Hi to all fans of "soft" science fiction!

This is my first blog to let you know my first novel Judgment on Tartarus will be published by Wheatmark in the near future.  This is Book One of a trilogy: Book Two will be titled True Son of Tartarus and Book Two, Ransom of Tartarus.

Judgment on Tartarus is loosely based on the ancient Greek myth of Hades and Persephone.  This adventure begins when a young DataComm tech named Corona Scott is assigned to the retired starcruiser Astrella II  and immediately finds her dreams and ideals in serious jeopardy. I had a lot of fun writing Judgment on Tartarus, and I think you'll find it a fun read.

That's all for now.  All my best,

M. R. Tighe ( rhymes with "sigh"---it's Irish! )