In my novels, Malkis of Tartarus often speaks about fulfilling one's destiny. Even I'm not exactly sure what is meant by this. Do we all have an ultimate destiny? Or do only a chosen few have any real destiny? And is it ever perfectly clear to any of us what that destiny is? Are we supposed to figure it out for ourselves---or just muddle through life hoping for the best? Or perhaps we should wait to receive some kind of divine revelation? Well, I'm not a big fan of that last one, but more thoughts on that at some later date.
I know many people have thought that they'd discovered their ultimate destiny, only to find they were as wrong as wrong could be! Like the guy who attempted to sail around the globe by himself only to have to be rescued shortly after setting out! Sometimes it's a heck of a lot easier to discover what your destiny isn't, rather than just what it is. To give you another for-instance, I ruled out any kind of a medical carreer at a fairly early age---I can't stand the sight of blood, even fake blood!
Several times in my life I've wanted to do something very much, never achieved it, and ended up feeling depressed or angry or both! But looking back on such instances now, I'm not only grateful for the way things turned out instead---I'm extremely grateful that I didn't get some of those things I wanted so badly! So did destiny play some role in my life? I have a feeling it did. Okay, I'm not a movie star, or royalty, or the president---God forbid!---but I have everything I ever truly wanted most and am remarkably content with my lot. Anything else from here on out is simply icing on the cake!
Even if some of you don't recognize your destiny as yet, don't allow yourself to become discouraged! The journey to discover it can be a heck of a lot of fun! Try to enjoy the journey to the full and let destiny take its course!
MRTighe
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Monday, April 11, 2011
Looking Forward With Crossed Fingers!
Just gave True Son of Tartarus its final edit before sending it to my publisher; it's 267 pages long on Microsoft Word and approximately 93,000 words! That's a heck of a lot of words---but they mean nothing unless they connect with readers!
I do have some worries that a few people who read and enjoyed Judgment on Tartarus may find True Son a little too violent for their tastes. I don't like writing graphic violence, and try to keep it to a minimum, unless there's a very good reason to include it. And in this particular case I thought long and hard about it and decided the violent aspects of the story are justified. Traumatic events tend to change people dramatically, and my characters are no different.
Also, the events depicted in True Son foreshadow events -to-come in Ransom of Tartarus ( Book 3, already written and which I hope to have published by early 2012. ) Until True Son comes out and I get reader- feedback, ( very important to me! ) I'm keeping my fingers crossed that my readers will enjoy the book just as much, if not more than Judgment. Meanwhile, as I"ve told you before, I'm hard at work on one of the prequels to the Tartarus series, Malkis of Tartarus, and anticipate a second prequel, probably to be titled "The Hero of the Gorgonian Wars" or something to that effect.
Must get back to work now,
MRTighe
I do have some worries that a few people who read and enjoyed Judgment on Tartarus may find True Son a little too violent for their tastes. I don't like writing graphic violence, and try to keep it to a minimum, unless there's a very good reason to include it. And in this particular case I thought long and hard about it and decided the violent aspects of the story are justified. Traumatic events tend to change people dramatically, and my characters are no different.
Also, the events depicted in True Son foreshadow events -to-come in Ransom of Tartarus ( Book 3, already written and which I hope to have published by early 2012. ) Until True Son comes out and I get reader- feedback, ( very important to me! ) I'm keeping my fingers crossed that my readers will enjoy the book just as much, if not more than Judgment. Meanwhile, as I"ve told you before, I'm hard at work on one of the prequels to the Tartarus series, Malkis of Tartarus, and anticipate a second prequel, probably to be titled "The Hero of the Gorgonian Wars" or something to that effect.
Must get back to work now,
MRTighe
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Rough, Rough!
Not to get too far ahead of myself ( which I manage to do all the time! ) I've pretty much completed a rough draft of Malkis of Tartarus which is a prequel to my Tartarus series. This book tells the story of how Malkis left Tartarus in the first place---against his father's wishes, thus beginning a life-long feud between the two! The rest of the story involves his meeting Hughes at the ISS Academy and how those two became rivals and bitter enemies!
Though it's a heck of lot of fun writing the rough draft of a novel, it usually turns out to be pretty badly written! First drafts tend to be written fast and dirty! Going back to refine them later is dang hard work ( but still rather fun! ) The editing process is where you really get down to the nitty-gritty, nit-picky stuff that can drive an author absolutely crazy! Editing is time-consuming and tricky; all your learning and experience comes into play as you spell-check, make use of the thesaurus, check every line for grammar, punctuation, accuracy, etc. Then you have to reread for clarity, tone of voice, continuity, natural sounding dialog, too much repetition, and so on.
You really have to love the work and believe in what you are writing---or don't become a writer! If you dare to do so, above all else, do not allow yourself to become a lazy writer! If you think you are above such mundane issues as spelling and grammar, better think again! Writing is damn hard work!
Whew! Got that off my chest! ' Til next time,
MRTighe
Though it's a heck of lot of fun writing the rough draft of a novel, it usually turns out to be pretty badly written! First drafts tend to be written fast and dirty! Going back to refine them later is dang hard work ( but still rather fun! ) The editing process is where you really get down to the nitty-gritty, nit-picky stuff that can drive an author absolutely crazy! Editing is time-consuming and tricky; all your learning and experience comes into play as you spell-check, make use of the thesaurus, check every line for grammar, punctuation, accuracy, etc. Then you have to reread for clarity, tone of voice, continuity, natural sounding dialog, too much repetition, and so on.
You really have to love the work and believe in what you are writing---or don't become a writer! If you dare to do so, above all else, do not allow yourself to become a lazy writer! If you think you are above such mundane issues as spelling and grammar, better think again! Writing is damn hard work!
Whew! Got that off my chest! ' Til next time,
MRTighe
Thursday, April 7, 2011
SF and Fantasy Films and TV Shows
Besides reading and writing books, I watch a fair amount of TV and an occasional movie. ( Though I love movies, I see most of them on DVD. ) Past and present TV shows which I've loved most include Babylon 5, Farscape, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Lost, CSI, House, Medium, Moonlight, Blood Ties, and True Blood ( on HBO and definitely adult! Not for the faint-hearted! )
As with the majority of TV shows, not all episodes are terrific, so I usually try to watch several before I judge a show---unless they're so stinking bad it's a waste of my time! For example, season one of Babylon 5 was sadly lacking in many areas, but had definite potential. I stuck with it, fortunately, for B5 built into a truly great show! Most of the acting, by the major characters at least, was superb---and the sets, costumes, lighting, etc. were literally out of this world! Why no actor on that show ever won an Emmy for their role beats me! At least, more recently, many of the actors on Lost were recognized for their performances!
Don't even get me started on the prejudice which exists in Hollywood against science fiction and fantasy! Avatar and District 9 were both passed over for the Oscar. In fact, to my memory ( which is not always reliable! ) the only fantasy film to ever win Best Picture was Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King! I think many people were embarrassed not to vote for it because it was so darn good!
Any thoughts on the subject? Let me know!
MRTighe
As with the majority of TV shows, not all episodes are terrific, so I usually try to watch several before I judge a show---unless they're so stinking bad it's a waste of my time! For example, season one of Babylon 5 was sadly lacking in many areas, but had definite potential. I stuck with it, fortunately, for B5 built into a truly great show! Most of the acting, by the major characters at least, was superb---and the sets, costumes, lighting, etc. were literally out of this world! Why no actor on that show ever won an Emmy for their role beats me! At least, more recently, many of the actors on Lost were recognized for their performances!
Don't even get me started on the prejudice which exists in Hollywood against science fiction and fantasy! Avatar and District 9 were both passed over for the Oscar. In fact, to my memory ( which is not always reliable! ) the only fantasy film to ever win Best Picture was Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King! I think many people were embarrassed not to vote for it because it was so darn good!
Any thoughts on the subject? Let me know!
MRTighe
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Rona's Relationships
In Judgment on Tartarus, Rona Scott's experience is a perfect example of how differently Cythereans and Tartarians are regarded and treated by Terrans. Rona's best friend aboard Astrella is Tiko of Cytherea; she's fun to be around, easy-going, attractive, and graceful. She has a good sense of humor and tends to laugh a lot. She likes Rona immediately, even gives her a "heads-up" about both Malkis of Tartarus and Kalom of Eris---for very different reasons of course! And Tiko is obviously one of those aboard Astrella who think Rona is "involved" with Captain Hughes. ( And may have shared her suspicions? )
As far as Rona's relationship with Malkis goes ( and he happens to be the one and only Tartarian aboard, and in fact the only one serving aboard a Terran-based ship! ) it doesn't take her more than a few minutes to realize she can't stand him! Rona finds him cold, abrasive, smug, acerbic, and pretty darn annoying! He has no sense of humor, enforces regulations to the letter, and he's weird-looking! Despite her aversion to him, she tries valiantly to maintain an open mind, to be tolerant of other cultures.
Perhaps you've had a similar experience: you have no particular animosity toward a race or ethnicity---until you run up against a representative of that group whom you can't stand! It's a frustrating, exasperating, embarrassing, and humbling experience! Fortunately for my story, Rona Scott manages to remain fair, to do her duty no matter what, to be as truthful as possible---without getting herself into too much difficulty! And the result of all her struggles, if you've read Judgment, is a destiny beyond her wildest dreams!
All for now,
MRTighe
As far as Rona's relationship with Malkis goes ( and he happens to be the one and only Tartarian aboard, and in fact the only one serving aboard a Terran-based ship! ) it doesn't take her more than a few minutes to realize she can't stand him! Rona finds him cold, abrasive, smug, acerbic, and pretty darn annoying! He has no sense of humor, enforces regulations to the letter, and he's weird-looking! Despite her aversion to him, she tries valiantly to maintain an open mind, to be tolerant of other cultures.
Perhaps you've had a similar experience: you have no particular animosity toward a race or ethnicity---until you run up against a representative of that group whom you can't stand! It's a frustrating, exasperating, embarrassing, and humbling experience! Fortunately for my story, Rona Scott manages to remain fair, to do her duty no matter what, to be as truthful as possible---without getting herself into too much difficulty! And the result of all her struggles, if you've read Judgment, is a destiny beyond her wildest dreams!
All for now,
MRTighe
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Tartarus: Not a Vacation Hotspot!
To continue with the comparison I was making between Cytherea and Tartarus, Tartarus is one heck of a harsh planet---not a place you'd want to live, or even visit! Its surface is cold, bleak, barren---Tartarus is a frozen world bereft of sunlight and hostile to all but a few forms of life which have been able to adapt to the frigid temperatures. In order to survive upon their adopted planet, Tartarians have suffered much. Over the centuries, they've learned to patiently endure whatever must be endured, without complaint. They adhere to a strict code of honor which stresses fulfillment of duty and loyalty to their Law. Children are brought up from infancy to obey their parents in all matters. Almost from birth, they are trained in both mental and physical disciplines, meant to insure survival.
Children must study the Law, learn to fast and meditate, and practice Rahn-tzl, a particularly-athletic form of martial art. In addition, Tartarians are taught to be stoic, to repress even the least sign of their emotions---unless for some reason they find it appropriate to reveal their feelings ( usually anger! ) They make no real music---after all music evokes emotional responses!---and their surroundings, though beautiful, are spartan. Comfort means little to them; they sit and sleep on the polished-stone floors, as if they still lived in the caves and caverns their ancient ancestors dwelled in!
To Outworlders, Tartarians appear to be cold, humorless automatons. They aren't exactly fun to be around. No jokes, no smiles, no touching! No wonder they're generally not well-liked! Their way of life may seem unnecessarily harsh, but it has meant survival for their race. The sparsely-populated planet has no civil war, no poverty, no divorce---and very little crime. On Tartarus, the punishment for serious transgressions is either exile or death---neither one a terribly pleasant prospect!
Yet as my stories reveal, beneath the veneer of a peaceful, highly-civilized society lies an undercurrent of political intrigue, conspiracy, pride, arrogance, and the lust for power and vengeance. Sound at all familiar?
Food for thought?
MRTighe
Children must study the Law, learn to fast and meditate, and practice Rahn-tzl, a particularly-athletic form of martial art. In addition, Tartarians are taught to be stoic, to repress even the least sign of their emotions---unless for some reason they find it appropriate to reveal their feelings ( usually anger! ) They make no real music---after all music evokes emotional responses!---and their surroundings, though beautiful, are spartan. Comfort means little to them; they sit and sleep on the polished-stone floors, as if they still lived in the caves and caverns their ancient ancestors dwelled in!
To Outworlders, Tartarians appear to be cold, humorless automatons. They aren't exactly fun to be around. No jokes, no smiles, no touching! No wonder they're generally not well-liked! Their way of life may seem unnecessarily harsh, but it has meant survival for their race. The sparsely-populated planet has no civil war, no poverty, no divorce---and very little crime. On Tartarus, the punishment for serious transgressions is either exile or death---neither one a terribly pleasant prospect!
Yet as my stories reveal, beneath the veneer of a peaceful, highly-civilized society lies an undercurrent of political intrigue, conspiracy, pride, arrogance, and the lust for power and vengeance. Sound at all familiar?
Food for thought?
MRTighe
Friday, April 1, 2011
Hedonistic Beings?
In my book Judgment on Tartarus, the neighboring planets Cytherea and Tartarus are philosophically light-years apart, on opposite ends of the spectrum. Tartarians consider Cythereans "hedonistic beings" who live for the day and only for themselves and their comfort. Cythereans refuse to worry; they favor such sentiments as "Spilled water eventually evaporates!" and "Do not worry so much about everything!" ( Perhaps good advice practiced in moderation! )
Most Cythereans tend to be light-hearted, appreciative of humor, easy-going, and friendly. They laugh frequently, but have tender feelings which they aren't afraid to express. Cythereans enjoy to the fullest good food and drink, art and music, beauty, sports, and relaxation.
Of course, this is a broad generalization; there are some Cythereans who are more serious, tend to duty, and exhibit great concern for the welfare of their planet and its people. For instance, there is Ambassador Tal, a Cytherean who has voluntarily left his own comfy planet to spend most of his time confined to the bubble-like structure that is the Interplanet Compact Embassy on one of Tartarus' twin moons. And in Book Two, True Son of Tartarus, we will meet First Minister Ryn of the Cytherean ruling cabinet. But these two men are the exceptions rather than the rule.
Next time, I hope to delve a bit deeper into the Tartarian philosophy and way of life.
'Til then,
MRTighe
Most Cythereans tend to be light-hearted, appreciative of humor, easy-going, and friendly. They laugh frequently, but have tender feelings which they aren't afraid to express. Cythereans enjoy to the fullest good food and drink, art and music, beauty, sports, and relaxation.
Of course, this is a broad generalization; there are some Cythereans who are more serious, tend to duty, and exhibit great concern for the welfare of their planet and its people. For instance, there is Ambassador Tal, a Cytherean who has voluntarily left his own comfy planet to spend most of his time confined to the bubble-like structure that is the Interplanet Compact Embassy on one of Tartarus' twin moons. And in Book Two, True Son of Tartarus, we will meet First Minister Ryn of the Cytherean ruling cabinet. But these two men are the exceptions rather than the rule.
Next time, I hope to delve a bit deeper into the Tartarian philosophy and way of life.
'Til then,
MRTighe
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