(Hells bells this turned into a long post. Sorry in advance!)
On our long walk the other weekend I came across a hawthorn in bloom, growing beside an oak with new leaves, over what appeared to be an old well. A raft of symbolism, right there on my doorstep, all tying into the novel I’ve just finished rewrites on – May Queen – and its sequel which I have been researching – Forest King.
I had to share the picture. Oak and hawthorn are representative of my two main characters, and the story is drawn from the folklore of the British Isles so much of which revolves around trees.
Chatting on twitter the other day, I mentioned process and that maybe I would write up a blogpost on it. So this is that blogpost. And the pretty picture… ah well, that’s part of the process too. All will become clear – or more confused. We shall see.
I’m having a very happy Star Wars day (May the 4th, geddit??? đ ) as my paranormal romance Soul Fire comes out in print today. The author copies are sooooo pretty!
ebook available now (978-1-60504-619-8)
paperback available now (978-1-60504-712-6)
âNo question about it, Soul Fire is monumentally thrilling and exotic. I couldnât put the book down. A rare treat for me, I devoured this story from beginning to end in one sitting and I want more! … An out of this world paranormal romance/fantasy story that will have readers clamoring for more, Soul Fire is one hot read I will be recommending to all of my friends.â â Amanda Haffery, ParaNormalRomance
“In Soul Fire, R. F. Long has created an intriguing world of light and dark magic. Of intense action and hot love. From the opening scene, she drew me in. Captivated me. Sheâs taken an age old tale of good versus evil and has freshened it up with unique characters … I recommend R. F. Longâs Soul Fire. It made me smile and love and not want to put the book down.” – Sandra Barkevich, Romantic Inks (read the full review here)
âLet me start by saying âwow!ââŚR.F. Long has the amazing ability to drag her readers into the story and carry them along for the ride. The characters were unique and out of this world, yet they seemed like someone you could get along with and have fun with⌠If you want to read something mind-blowing and incredible then I would recommend you read this story.â ~~ Tulip, Whipped Cream Erotic Romance Reviews, 5 Cherries
Iron born and iron bred.
Trust not iron, it will see you dead.
Rowan Blake could really use a magic wand to keep her struggling art gallery afloat. But the faerie key she stumbles across is far from a lucky charm. Itâs a magnet for danger, and by touching it sheâs unwittingly put herself in the middle of a war between the forces of light and dark. And in the arms of its rightful owner, Prince Daire.
While searching for his brother, Daire finds himself trapped in the Iron World with a mere mortal woman who ignites his passion like no other. Each stolen kiss deepens their attraction and sends him spiraling closer and closer to the edge of his inherent dark desires. Desires that act as a homing beacon for the Dark Sidhe, who are intent on forcing him to fight on their side.
The longer he lingers in her armsâand in her bedâthe closer his enemies get to her door. And the greater the risk that the gateway to the Faerie Realm will shift, destroying not only his power to protect her, but his very life.
Warning: Contains enchantments, danger, some very scary monsters, a trip to the dark side and hot, soul-transforming sex with an immortal prince.
Thanks to Wyvernfriend for the tip off we went into Dublin today and found…
*drumroll*
a copy of The Scroll Thief in Waterstones!
Soooooooo exciting as it’s the first time I’ve seen it in the wild! Great was the squeeing (from me and from the family). We talked to the staff, and signed the book. And jumped up and down some more.
As things are so quiet at the moment (i.e. I am working very very hard on rewrites – honest!) I thought I’d share some of my photos as a regular (or semi-regular) slot on the blog. I love taking photos wherever I go. They often end up being a source of inspiration in my writing. So it kind of ties in! đ
Church of St. Tudy, Loctudy, France - August 2008
The late 11th century church at Loctudy, in Brittany, France. We visited the area over the last three years and had wonderful holidays there. This small and beautifully atmospheric church is still in regular use.
Sad to say my wonderful Fujifilm camera, with which I took this died recently. I have a canon at the moment but will probably buy myself anther Fuji in the long run.
A while ago (I think) I mentioned that The Wolf’s Sister and The Wolf’s Mate would be brought out as a single print volume. The good news is that I have the cover and here it is. It will be called…
A love transcending race and cultureâŚa love worth a fight to the death.
The Wolfâs Sister
Elite Feyâna warrior Shan is driven by hatred for the Lord of River Holt, the human who killed his sister. Vengeance is his only goal. Then he meets a woman on the run.
Jeren is desperate to escape her brother before his misuse of magic consumes his sanity. She finds safety and protection with ShanâŚbut only so long as she hides her kinship with the Lord of River HoltâŚ
The Wolfâs Mate
Jeren doesnât expect Shanâs people to readily accept her, but sheâs determined to prove herself worthy. Then the eyes of the beautiful sect mother fall on Shan, turning Jerenâs new world upside down.
Shan wants nothing more than to be with Jeren, but the sect mother has cleverly bound him to her serviceâfull time. Yet he vows the suicide mission heâs been assigned wonât stop him from returning to claim Jeren.
Left alone to make a place for herself, Jerenâs own people seek her outâand force her into a terrible choice. She can set them free âŚbut only if she forsakes Shan.
Warning: Contains violence, scary monsters, desperate acts, burning jealousy and timeless love. Readers may find their imaginations hopelessly ensnared in a beautiful and terrible world of magic.
Review
4.5 Stars â âI havenât read such a beautifully written tale in a very long time!â â Natalie, The Library
5 Angels & a Recommended Read â âThe fascination that I first felt when I had the chance to read the blurb for this book was well justifiedâŚI love to read books that make me feel the emotions that the players experience, be it fear, pain, anger, happiness, sorrow and frustration. The battles that these two go through make you ask yourself what next and when will it end, but the ending is very rewarding. Overall, I could read this book repeatedly and find something new in it. Thanks to R. F. Long for a very wonderful read.â â Darksnite, Fallen Angel Reviews
âItâs well written, fast paced and filled with interesting and unique charactersâŚ.The best part of the story is Jeren herself. I liked her in The Wolfâs Sister but in this release, she really grows and shines, as she turns into a confident and determined woman, willing to fight for her man. Iâm very curious to see what happens to these two mates with the next and last release.â â 4 Nymphs, Mystical Nymph, Literary Nymphs Reviews Only
Irish writer Ruth F. Longâs contemporary YA fantasy MAY QUEEN, a darkly engaging mix of romance, adventure, fairytale, and folklore, about a teenage girl thrust into a faerie world where nothing is what it seems, no one is who they say, trust is a variable commodity, love can be used against her, and where the veil slowly lifts until she finds herself faced with a choice between salvation or sacrificeâand not just her own, to Jessica Garrison at Dial Books for Young Readers, in a preempt, by Colleen Lindsay at FinePrint Literary Management (World).
So exciting. Unfortunately I’ve been a bit ill this week but working away on rewrites and doing some family history research as well – sick librarian cannot leave well enough alone… ever… Relax? What does that mean?
Back to work tomorrow. The headache is still lurking, but mostly gone. Planning to have a bath later on and try to soak some stress away. đ
As the news broke last night, I can finally share!
My wonderful agent Colleen Lindsay has sold my YA fantasy MAY QUEEN to Jessica Garrison at Dial Books for Young Readers. I am naturally calloo-callaying all over the place and have been DYING to share the news.
I’m been something of a busy bee this last while, so please excuse my lack of posts. Hightlight was the wedding of one of my oldest friends. I’ve known him since I was four. It was a beautiful ceremony where almost everyone told them “it’s about time” and they took it with the affection intended and agreed. I have never cried at a wedding before. So there you go.
But that’s what I’m not here to waffle on about today. That is my excuse note – like “the dog ate my homework” or “please excuse Ruth from gym because she hates it with the fire of a thousand suns”.
I read a comment on another blog (no I can’t remember where, seive-like brain strikes again. If anyone knows, point me there) about editing. And I have my thoughts on editing. They also relate in part to critiquing. Actually it all boils down to one statement.
(Leaving aside grammer and typos) editing, and critiquing, are not designed to point out what is wrong, but rather to point out what can be made better.
There is an enormous difference between wrong and could be better. There’s an enormous difference in how we explain this to others. The words themselves do the trick.
“You’ve got this wrong” – oh bad you
“This could be improved by…” – let me help you.
I had a fantastic conversation towards the end of last week discussing edits and came away invigorated, excited and raring to get to work and make my story shine. I think (I hope) I can do that when I critique for fellow writers – word my comments correctly so that they can see the potential I can see in their work. And while the adage is true that the only response to a critique is “Thanks very much”, I’m not adverse to exchanging ideas, to doing some brainstorming or re-reading rewrites. I like to see things grow. I think to see how ideas take form and work their way through a story. Honesty may be the best policy, but kindness works more wonders. So if you’re critiquing don’t hold back, but choose your words with care, thinking about the person reading them at the other end.
But if you can’t take honesty, it may be better not to ask for a critique.
Editing to me is the final stage of creation – it isn’t something that comes afterwards, its a vital part. It is the details on a sculpture, the polish on the marble. It’s what makes a story shine.
And speaking of which I have a critique to do, and then some edits to get to. đ
I’m working on a YA urban fantasy with an Irish setting. Can you tell?
I’m also using The Call, but can’t embed that. It’s well worth a watch though. There are a number of songs informing this story – from Celtic Woman to Green Day.
I love using music as a basis for stories. Sometimes, as I think I’ve mentioned before, the right song comes along at the beginning, and sometimes its later on when the story is formed but not yet complete. Music acts as the soul of many of the tales I tell. It adds that extra layer and draws everything together. Songs filter through everything I write.
(Hells bells this turned into a long post. Sorry in advance!)
