For People Who Don't Read SF

Do you have to be a fan of science fiction in order to enjoy reading Judgment on Tartarus? No, I don't think so. I've read a lot of different types of SF and enjoyed most of them, if well-written. But I definitely prefer "soft" SF where story and characters drive the action, rather than the hardware and scientific theories. As I've said before in my blogs, SF isn't all rockets, robots, and ray-guns. And my particular brand of it has a little of the flavor of fantasy---and even a dash of sword and sorcery.

In my reading, as well as in my writing, I prefer an intellectual challenge, engaging characters, and an engrossing storyline involving an emotional journey. My stories ( for the most part ) just happen to be set in the future, either on Earth, in space, or on a planet we haven't yet discovered. So if you're looking for an SF story where the stalwart hero---or heroine--- handily overcomes all odds and doesn't change one iota from the first page to the last, don't read Judgment on Tartarus.  And if you're looking for a story where technology and theoretical science are described in great detail, reading Judgment won't satisfy you. Everyone else, I think, will get some enjoyment from it.

So far all the feedback I've received has been positive, even from people who don't generally read SF. For that I'm truly grateful. Basically, I write to please myself, never knowing if anyone else will appreciate my work. I just hope for the best. I'm a bit surprised, as well as pleased, that so many people are enjoying my work so much! ( Later on I will discuss a couple concerns my readers have had, I promise.)

All for now,

MRTighe

Writing Is Fun for Control Freaks

As I've noted here before, when you're first learning to write, you're going to write a ton of sheer and utter drivel! We all do; in fact, some of it will be downright laughable. Don't take yourself so seriously. Laugh it off and move on. Persist and one day you might discover a small gem sparkling amidst all that crap: something you can latch onto, examine and polish---something to be carefully faceted and mounted in an exquisite setting.

Above all else, don't get discouraged! Take it from someone who let herself do so and now regrets the time wasted.

Okay, enough of the soul-searching already. Let's be brutally honest: writing can be downright fun! And if you're a control-freak like me, writing is also very satisfying; I get to do it all! I'm the director, the script writer, the casting director, set designer, etc., etc.! Who the heck wouldn't want that much power???

Thanks for reading,

MRTighe

Learning to Write

Exactly how do you become a writer?  Well, if you have a passionate desire to be a writer, first of all I'd advise you to read---read everything you can get your hands on. Learn about words, what they mean and how they can be used for different effects; study grammar and punctuation---all these are the tools of the trade. Then learn what works in your writing and abandon what doesn't. Don't think everything you write is a gem. We all write an awful lot of sheer drivel.

Pay attention to people. Try putting yourself in the shoes of everyone you meet. Develop empathy. Observe how people act and speak. Try to make the characters you invent "real"; they must live and speak and feel until they almost become flesh-and-blood. What happens to them must matter to you, and through you, to your readers. With these characters, you experience their suffering, their sorrow and their joy, and work through their dilemmas. That's what writers mean when they say, "My characters wrote this book!"

This is true. I wrote Judgment on Tartarus; my characters then wrote True Son of Tartarus and Ransom of Tartarus. I just helped them along the way.

That's all for today,

MRTighe

A Question of Judgment?

Do any of you have questions about the theme/title of Judgment on Tartarus? That's been my book's title right from the rough draft. First, judgment refers to the Laws of Ahn-eld ( Tartarus ), specifically to the death-sentence which can be imposed for violating them. Judgment also refers to pre-judging others---thus the word "prejudice"---a main theme in this novel. As Captain Hughes says, "Bigotry is an age-old Terran fault we haven't outrun by going into space." Astrella holds plenty of evidence as to that fact.

But in Book 1, judgment also refers to the errors in judgment many people in the story make; specifically, Rona Scott, Captain Hughes, and even Malkis of Tartarus make some whopping errors in judgment---and they are the good guys! As they discover, recognizing and owning up to such errors ain't easy---and redressing the consequences is even harder!

That's it for now,

MRTighe

Mind-boggling?

After hours spent searching the web for sites that carry my book, Judgment on Tartarus, my mind was most definitely boggled! The number of those booksellers is growing rapidly, and their discount prices are all over the map. So, if you're on a budget ( who isn't these days? ) and want to buy a copy of Judgment---or know someone who does---keep looking until you find a price you/they can afford.

It's my humble opinion that even some people who don't generally read science fiction would find they enjoy Judgment. In this day and age there are so many types of the genre available ( sub-genres ) that everyone should be able to find some SF that suits their taste. In other words, it isn't all robots and ray-guns.

Of course, I'd be an idiot ( no remarks please! ) if I thought everyone would appreciate my work. ( I have at least one rating of 2 1/2 stars which goes to prove my point. ) And that's fine; I probably wouldn't like what that particular reader looks for in a book. "To each his own".But I do try other books to see whether or not I like them, and I try not to pre-judge a book. Which leads into my next blog.

Until next time, then,

MRTighe

Patience Is A Virtue

Okay, I realize that some people are going to be frustrated because every one of their questions isn't answered in Judgment on Tartarus. And I understand their frustration. But unfortunately, that's inevitable because Judgment is Book One of a trilogy! You won't get all the answers in full until Book Three: Ransom of Tartarus.

All I can advise for now is enjoy Judgment and have patience. By the end of the story all will be revealed. I'm hoping that in the meantime readers will have fun trying to solve the mysteries and guessing what happens next.; also hoping there'll be considerable anticipation for Book Two; True Son of Tartarus. ( I've already written them so I know what happens! )

And if that's not enough to whet your appetite, I've started a rough draft of the prequel, Malkis of Tartarus. So far it's coming along nicely. If you do become invested in my stories, know that you've signed aboard for a long voyage, and for that---and your patience---I sincerely thank you.

MRTighe

A Peek Into the Future

Soon, I hope to begin the crazy publication process all over again. Book 2 of my trilogy is almost ready to be submitted for publication. True Son of Tartarus, which takes up  the story about nine months, Terran Reckoning, after Judgment on Tartarus, will answer some of the questions raised in Book 1: Who---or what---are the race known as " Gorgonians "? Why do they so badly want to conquer the planet Tartarus? Will Malkis ever succeed in redeeming himself in his people's eyes---especially in the eyes of his father, Kadris?

Here's one small hint: At long last Malkis of Tartarus finds himself trapped in a situation where, once and for all, he can prove beyond all doubt that he is indeed a True Son of Tartarus---even though he may not survive it!

Hope you are intrigued!

MRTighe