Ask the Author: P.H. Solomon
Answered Questions (18)
P.H. Solomon
“Well, there’s Hastra to keep me company. And really, everyone in our group’s experienced. It’s an incredible adventure and my father will, um, he’ll see… Anyway, I like being around other warriors. But, to be honest I’m a little worried how my feet will hold up when we start walking. I’m more used to riding horses and these boots the dwarves got me back at Marston’s Station are a bit uncomfortable. But I’ll make it.”
Read the rest of the interview: https://coldhandboyack.wordpress.com/...
Read the rest of the interview: https://coldhandboyack.wordpress.com/...
P.H. Solomon
Middle-earth to take a tour. Guess I need to go to the movie sets in New Zealand.
P.H. Solomon
Thanks for asking me a question, David. I look back to being in school and realize that I had a desire to write because of a love for books and stories. I had no real ambition for other careers even though I have aptitude for many different ones. Specifically, reading fantasy at an early age set me up for more books in the genre and then to a realization that I had ideas for stories. However, I'd say that my early love for the written story came from my mother reading to me during my early years which planted a seed in me for writing later. I note you are a writer too. What inspired you, David?
P.H. Solomon
My daughter would simply answer with a question, "Have you read Pride and Prejudice?" Others might well fall back on Romeo and Juliet.
However, as a fantasy writer and reader, I turn to that genre for my answer. Beren and Luthien from The Silmarillion are a good couple because of their devotion to each other regardless of the odds set against them. Likewise, Aragorn and Arwen of The Lord of the Rings have a tight bond but this is not so deeply protrayed in the actual tale while Beren and Luthien are their own tale unto themselves - much like Romeo and Juliet.
Another couple that I like from fantasy is from The Riddle-Master of Hed: Morgon of Hed and Raederle of An. Like Beren and Luthien, these two characters from Patricia McKillip's fantasy series are a bit star-crossed. The portrayal is fraught with danger and mystery that both draws them together and apart.
However, as a fantasy writer and reader, I turn to that genre for my answer. Beren and Luthien from The Silmarillion are a good couple because of their devotion to each other regardless of the odds set against them. Likewise, Aragorn and Arwen of The Lord of the Rings have a tight bond but this is not so deeply protrayed in the actual tale while Beren and Luthien are their own tale unto themselves - much like Romeo and Juliet.
Another couple that I like from fantasy is from The Riddle-Master of Hed: Morgon of Hed and Raederle of An. Like Beren and Luthien, these two characters from Patricia McKillip's fantasy series are a bit star-crossed. The portrayal is fraught with danger and mystery that both draws them together and apart.
P.H. Solomon
“Well, I fell in with Hastra after I left home to show my father, um, well, I mean I’m here for the adventure and… Well, anyway, Athson can handle himself even if he does see things like that dog. But he’s not seeing dead people from his past anymore since he got that sword. I just wish he and I could spend more time, um, scouting for the group like we did before Marston’s Station. Right now we’re riding with a bunch of elven rangers as far as their forts near the Troll Heaths and we don’t get that much time together, um, for scouting. But we’ll get him to the bow. I’ve got his back. He’ll do what he needs to. He doesn’t miss with a bow, just throwing knives sometimes…” See the rest of the interview: https://coldhandboyack.wordpress.com/...
P.H. Solomon
Dana, I'm sorry I didn't see this posted until today. I'm currently working on the next book in The Bow of Hart Saga - An Arrow Against the Wind. This month, I'm also working on the third book during NaNoWriMo - The White Arrow. Additionally, I'll be releasing 2 short story anthologies very soon - one in late December or early January, the other in March or May. Thanks for asking!
P.H. Solomon
Thanks for the question, Micki. I think even traditional fantasy takes research. The book features such things as archery, woodsman skills and differing cultures. I learned archery long ago so using the skill was important. I've read about tracking and survival skills at times for information. I have a degree in Anthropology so I lean on that learning to highlight differing fantasy cultures. I think a writer should always be seeking information because you never know when it can be useful - even for alternate-world fantasy. Any number of things like politics, religion, culture, skills, botany, geography, etc. are all useful topics to create setting and plot in ways the influence characters throughout a book! Good question!
P.H. Solomon
Thanks for the question, Adrian. I do start with an outline but not so structured as what many of us learned years ago in English class to write term papers, etc. I work with an outline that's numbered according to scenes with just phrases for thoughts about each one. This allows me to be fluid with the outline so I can make changes easily. It allows for the freedom to be a little of both plotter and pantser.
P.H. Solomon
Honestly, whenever I've got time but I try to avoid late nights. Ideally, I like to get new words out in the morning when I'm most alert.
P.H. Solomon
E. J. that's an interesting thought that I haven't considered. I'm not sure how to approach such a project but I'm certainly willing to consider and research such an undertaking. By all means send me a message and we'll discuss it.
P.H. Solomon
That's an excellent question since most fantasy worlds are fraught with conflict and danger - not exactly places for even an adventure vacation. I think the extension of the question would be what place would you visit since it's only a week. Middle-earth is an obvious start since it was so well described and a good place to stay would be Rivendell. Another detailed world that appeals to me is that of Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time where there are any number of interesting cities as well as Ogier Steddings and the Aiel Waste if you like deserts. I'm also interested in An or Caithnard from McKillip's Riddlemaster Trilogy. Pern is good for getting around well since you might have access to flight with a dragon. A week would really be either too short to really see something or just enough time to get into some real danger!
P.H. Solomon
Thanks for asking, Peter. I often come up with an idea for a story or novel from something I've seen, read or heard. I once got an idea from seeing a missing lock on the trunk of a car.
P.H. Solomon
Thanks for asking, Sharon. As I think about the question, I’m drawn to the short answer: voice. This is a tricky aspect to identify for anyone and I'm not sure many of us have a good idea what it is. As I consider the concept of literary voice, I think perhaps it means the sum total of the author's story presentation - the cumulative effect of plot, characters, setting, ect, all being neatly woven together in such a way that the reader is engrossed to extent of experiencing the story with the characters. Most recently, I found The Hunger Games trilogy to be gripping because of literary voice. I liken the engaging, first-person narrative power of Katniss to that of Mattie Ross in the book, True Grit, on which the well-known western movies are based. The character's experiences ooze from the page and capture the imagination in both cases. Other voices I like in speculative fiction are Ursala K. LeGuin (the Earthsea Trilogy), Patricia A. McKillip (The Riddle-Master of Hed series) and John Steakley (Armor). I could list many more well-known authors too. What grabs and keeps your attention in a story?
P.H. Solomon
Short answer: everywhere. Long answer: I read and gather information from many resources so my varied interests can serve as inspiration. I once got inspiration for short story from a car trunk with no lock. Mostly I rely on history, anthropology, archaeology and even news as well as tidbits of personal experiences. Thanks for asking!
P.H. Solomon
Hi, Susanne! Thanks for the request. Could you send me a DM so we can work something out? I'm a little busy but I think reviews would be good for both of us.
P.H. Solomon
I'm working on publication of my first novel length book, The Bow of Destiny which is the first book of a fantasy series. Currently I am raising support on Indiegogo to fund professional editing, cover artwork, ebook formatting and other needs for the project. Additionally, I'm revising the book while my beta reader provides feedback.
Otherwise, I have plans for 2 more books in this series, a parallel novella trilogy in the same world along with aspirations for 2 more series related to this one.
I have several other books and short fiction projects posted on my website (www.phsolomon.com)
Otherwise, I have plans for 2 more books in this series, a parallel novella trilogy in the same world along with aspirations for 2 more series related to this one.
I have several other books and short fiction projects posted on my website (www.phsolomon.com)
P.H. Solomon
Write a lot, learn from others and have patience.
P.H. Solomon
For me, writer's block is usually caused by something else whether personal or with the book. I journal until I figure out the problem and then see if I can use what I wrote. I see it as an opportunity rather than a problem.
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