A Reward Yourself Read by Rowena Cory Daniells
That’s what I set out to create, when I wrote the King Rolen’s Kin trilogy.
It might not sound like a grand goal. I didn’t want to confront or shock. I didn’t want to write the Great Australian Novel. I just wanted to deliver the kind of read that made me passionate about my genre back when I had my bookshop.
I remember how I used to long to get back to a book, how I used to search for certain authors amongst the bookshelves. (Fritz Leiber, Joanna Russ and Georgette Heyer for starters). I remember books that, when I finished reading them, lingered in my mind for days, even years afterwards, books whose characters refused to be forgotten
I remembered the thrill of discovery and the excitement of reading, and I missed it.
A few years ago I was running a workshop where one of the aspiring writers was a precocious 13 year old-boy, who had just discovered speculative fiction. I said to him, you are so lucky because there are all these wonderful authors you are yet to discover.
The thing is, as you grow older it’s harder to find that thrill of discovering a new author. Maybe it’s because when I had the bookshop, I used to read a book before lunch, a book after lunch and a book after dinner. Maybe it’s because I write. It’s really hard to turn off the internal editor. I wonder if architects look at a building and see how it’s built.
If I find an author who can make me forget I’m reading a book I consider myself lucky. I go out and buy all their books and I read them in chronological order to see how they have developed as a writer.
I want to be captured by a book.
So that’s what I set out to do with the King Rolen’s Kin trilogy. I set out to write a reward yourself, Saturday afternoon read.
Rowena Cory Daniells
Blog - http://king-rolens-kin.com/
Webpage - www.corydaniells.com
13 comments:
"a book before lunch, a book after lunch and a book after dinner" sounds like heaven to me. I guess a bit of exercise between meals would be advisable too, though!
What do you reckon are the main INGREDIENTS of a reward-yourself read, Rowena? For example, what makes a character unforgettable, for you as a reader?
Margo.
Hi Rowena,
that's a very cogent explanation of the reading experience. Good luck with the series. People will love it I'm sure.
Hi Rowena,
what a great explanation of the reading experience.
Good luck with the series, I'm sure it will be hit.
Wow Rowena... you have so succinctly stated what it is we crave, year for and aspire to be... I look forward to reading the trilogy - thank you for the opportunity to be reminded of what makes the difference, and what we are here for! Amanda
Margo, I should have been doing exercise between all those books. And I did get around to it. That was when I did the black belt in Tae Kwon Do.
As for the Ingredients of a reward yourself read, that would depend on what flavour of read you prefer!
Marianne,
I think blogger doesn't like you.
I'm like that sometimes. My husband says I give off rays that mess with electrical equipment.
I like the idea of a rewarding read. Having already finished The King's Bastard, I can definitely say that's the case - you accomplished your goal!
I remember what I was like when a guy at work put me onto Barbara Hambly. I sent my mother, who lives in the US, to scour every second-hand book shop she could find! Now I just need the time to read all the books she managed to find for me. :)
Hi Amanda,
I'm a fan of a good read. When I met George RR Martin at the World SF Convention in 2005 I was overcome by a gushing fan-girl moment that still makes me blush!
Hi Rowena,
Fritz Leiber must be the fantasy writer's writer, I don't know many who weren't influenced by him - I grew up on his Nehwon books.
Hope everyone is as excited seeing your new series in print as I am!
Trent
Lea, glad you were swept away by The King's Bastard.
Here's hoping you like book 2 just as much. And you won't have to wait long for it!
Trent, I must re-read my Leiber books. You're right, he is the fantasy writer's writer.
Hi Rowena! I love what you say about a book 'that can make me forget I'm reading a book'. That's the ultimate!
Judging by the speed at which you used to read - 3 books a day! - you must have been exercising at a tremendous rate just turning the pages! Who needs martial arts when your arm is moving so fast?
I hope the whole King Rolen's trilogy lives up to the first book - I'm sure it will. I'll be reading the sequels as soon as they appear.
Thanks, RIchard. I heard your Worldshaker has been .. well, Shaking the world!
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