Something new today but still on the CFRB tour!

guest poster: Cynthia MacKinnon, TWCP

Yes, it is very irreverent; it is silly and very cheesy, too . . . but was it ever fun making it!

It all started during a lull in the Packer v. bears football game on Sunday when we brainstormed what-ifs. What if Rembrandt reviewed Flashpoint: Book One of the Underground, and liked it? What would he say about it?

You can watch it here, but it is really better at YouTube where you can increase the size of the player. This is especially important in part 2 of the trailer!

Naming Characters

Trifles go to make perfection, and perfection is no trifle.
Michelangelo Buonarroti Italian architect, painter, & sculptor (1475 - 1564)

I’m a perfectionist. When a reader takes in my work, I want them to see flawlessness. While fiction is a collection of description, action and dialogue, names are an element, a detail, a common thread that crosses all phases of one’s work. Over the years I’ve worked out some logistics on getting good names to where they need to be.

My need for names began in highschool, with Advanced Dungeons & Dragons. I’d create likeable characters, outfit them with sharp blades and flasks of oil, then stare off into space with only one blank space on my character sheet: NAME:. Of course a week later I’d come up with the perfect name, but Jonathan Doe had already set out on his quest, and the moment was lost. I was stuck in the that’s-what-I-shoulda’-said mindset. So I began writing down the names I-shoulda-said, and tucked that paper inside the cover of my Players Handbook.

A fellow gamer was inspired by my growing names list, and for our college-prep class’ weekly journal assignment, filled one whole side of notebook paper, three columns wide, with NAMES! Scott Krebec’s journal assignment is the oldest of my dozen sheets of notebook paper, three to four columns wide, filled with names.

As my writing became more important than gaming, I kept gathering names in my writing notebooks. Names of places, company names, first names, last names, nick-names; I keep two three-ring binders, labeled Fantasy and Sci-Fi. When I have a need, I flip to the genre ‘names’ file and start scanning. Even if I can’t find exactly what I want, the least I’ve come away with are syllables that sound appropriate to the character I’m writing.

Apart from my nagging about keeping a writer’s notebook, here are four more name tips:

Suitability – Have you ever met someone whose name fit them so well, that every time you’ve heard their name, your mind’s eye sees them? Seek that level on naming intimacy in your character creation.

Connotation – Here’s a trick for when you need a name that carries an idea. Select a word archetypical to the personality that you wish to convey to your reader. Now, stuff the word into a pillowcase, and beat it until it’s beyond recognition. Poke a funnel into the top of your computer, and empty the pillowcase into aforementioned funnel. Shake pillowcase to get every drop. Burn pillowcase to destroy forensic evidence. Now then, the word you see on you monitor is totally unique, but still has enough phonetic similarity to the-word-you-just-bludgeoned, that the connotation of its meaning still carries over to your reader.

EXAMPLE: In my Fantasy Novella White Iron, I needed a name for a primitive group of Orq barbarians. I landed on the word Neanderthal, and one pillowcase later, Clann Nintrithaal was born. There’s more. I informed my first two critiquers of my naming strategy, then asked them to guess the connotation word. Twice, the word Neanderthal was Bach to my ears!

Aesthetics – Be a word-smith. While selecting a name suitable to your character, craft syllables that are pleasing to both the eye and ear.

Simplicity – Don’t get so carried away making nice syllables that your reader trips over the name every time he sees it. An example of my own: Zuielmann. I thought the reader would easily pronounce this, Zool-men. I was wrong.

The moral of this non-fiction story is that names are an author’s fingerprint on their work. Story details last on a reader. I read Terry Brooks’ Sword Of Shannara when I was sixteen. I’m over forty now, yet the exotic name Panamon Creel still lingers in my memory. Do that!

His Will be done,
Frank Creed

Flashpoint Tour: Update on Day 3

First, a commentary by Frank Creed:

9-11 has forever changed our society. Today's decisions and events could result in a very dark future for the free world.

Mike Roop, the role-playing game designer for Flashpoint: Book One of the Underground, is sculpting a dark dystopian one world government in 2036 Chicago. In this future setting, belief in the Bible is equated with Islamic fundamentalist terrorism. Mr. Roop sent me the following frightening message:

"Watching Fox News Sunday morning, they were complaining about a CNN 3-part special that "equated Muslim Fundamental Terrorists with Evangelical Christians - it was pretty dead-on with your projected pre-history timeline events of future Flashpoint... just amazing... if you hunt for it, I believe CNN's show was called "God's Warriors" - all I know is that Fox News anchors on Sunday morning thought it was crazy to compare Islamic terrorists with evangelicals... but hey, we know how that ends up right?"

I replied to Mike: "On Sunday my eleven year-old daughter furrowed her brow and asked if Flashpoint's dark setting is really what I think the world will be like in 2036. I told her about the timeline at the beginning of the book, and said, Only if we make the wrong choices. A three part CNN series on equating Christian believers with Muslim terrorists has even Ted Turner hitting a new low in our post 9-11 culture of fear. I sure hope this is just about media sensationalism and ratings.

If I'm wrong about one thing in my life I pray this is it—our society's at a historically dangerous point. His will for our subculture's future.


Places to check out (summaries by Cynthia MacKinnon, The Writers' Café Press) :

David Brollier at the head of the CFRBlog has two good posts about FLASHPOINT. Monday's post focuses on the setting and theme of the novel. Brollier says: Creed reintroduces the reader to the promise of both revival and persecution in the last days. Today, Mr. Brollier discusses the characters of Dave and Jen Williams and the swashbuckling appearance of everyone's favourite: Legacy.

Carole McDonnell interviewed Cecil Washington and Frank Creed a few weeks ago about writing in their genre: The Farthest Frontiers: An Interview with Two Writers of Marginalized Speculative Fiction. Definitely worth a look.

The Christian Mystery Writers post by David Brollier is quite thought-provoking as he points out the use of futuristic technological gadgets that Calamity Kid and his fellow Saints use. Makes one realize that Frank Creed's quite likely predicted the tech-abilities we'll be seeing in the near future.

Daniel I Weaver, the up-and-coming author of Christian horror or "spirital thrillers" has posted his review of FLASHPOINT on his website. This is one review Mr. Creed was anxious to read because of his high regard for Weaver. Read it for yourself and see—

On Dark Parables, Carole McDonnell has posted FLASHPOINT's book trailer (also available on YouTube) as well as all the information you need about the novel! You can also view the book trailer at Tree Swing Reading.

Disturbing the Universe's Karen McSpadden posted a review of FLASHPOINT a few months back. She appreciated the use of non-lethal weaponry for the novel's good guys: His Christian underground, an organization known as the Body, is refreshingly different from the militant guns-and-God undergrounds that characterize most futuristic Christian novels; these are men and women so committed to their philosophies of redemptive resistance that they use non-lethal weapons, even when logic would dictate otherwise.

Grace Bridges, reporting from a 747 somewhere over Mongolia, but it's dark, so I can't say for sure... :) Grace Bridges, author of Faith Awakened takes the prize for the review that has been transmitted from the most unique location! Read her comments on FLASHPOINT: at the Grace Bridges website.

Caprice Hokstad is offering a prize on her Queen of Convolution. All you have to do is comment on her review of FLASHPOINT and give her a reason you should win the book! I tell you, reading the comments attached to the review are worth the price of entry (which there isn't) alone! That Calamity Kid is quite the sassy lad.

Don't forget to ask a question on one of the Flashpoint Tour posts here at A Frank Review and win a basket of goodies for the "best" question!

Oh, and if you want to purchase a signed copy of FLASHPOINT (and get a free gift) go to The Writers' Café Press site for more information.

Following the CFRBlog Tour of FLASHPOINT

I encourage everyone to enter the UNDERGROUND flash fiction contest. There is a nice little prize involved (and a press release) but also your fiction will be posted on the Books of the Underground site's blog dedicated to short fiction AND submitted to fanfiction.net. All the information is contained in the UNDERGROUND newsletter.

NB. Your entry does not have to be cyberpunk/ sci-fi; any genre is welcomed; while there are some key words you must include, your style does not have to mirror Frank's.

Cynthia,

TWCP

And, on to Frank's highlights of Sunday's book tour posts:

David Brollier at the main CFRBlog site has Calamity Kid introduce himself, Flashpoint: Book One of the Underground, and yours truly. I tell ya' that CK is a pill (and I don't owe him twenty bucks, just for the record)!

Tami over at Tree Swing Reading put up a very informative post: a bio, summary of Flashpoint, some review blurbs, etc. David B's comment pleases me that folks see me as a novelist -- not someone for whom to feel sorry.

New CFRBlog member and from all accounts, master novelist of speculative fiction, Carole McDonnell "spotlights" FLASHPOINT at her blog. Glad she used the trailer TWCP made for me!

I tell you, David Brollier is da man! Just noticed he's also posted over at the Christian Mystery Writers Forum. On a scale of 1 to 5 I give FLASHPOINT about a 7. - David Brollier. Wow, what a compliment!

Caprice Hokstad is a talented writer of speculative fiction who plays an instrumental role in the CFRBlog. Hokstad's review of Flashpoint is very special to me. Why? by her own admission, Caprice does not enjoy reading dystopia, and the term "cyberpunk" even if it is Biblical, has such negative connotations for her. Yet, she put those preconceptions aside and read Flashpoint. I am humbled.

The last blog to mention for today is that of sci-fi novelist Karina Fabian: Virtual Book Tour de 'Net. Karina wrote this review a few months ago and sent it to TWCP -- as one of the first reviews to come in, we were very excited but the day was still young . . . who knew what would follow!

Thank you to all the bloggers listed above. Stay tuned; tomorrow I will highlight more posts and blogs.

Faith,

f

Enter the UNDERGROUND

This week's posts are a bit of a departure from usual. Yes, they will feature a new book, but this time the novel is written by yours truly! and these posts will be written in response to a current tour of FLASHPOINT: Book One of the UNDERGROUND by David Brollier and crew over at the Christian Fiction Review Blog.

The format for this week? I will post links from the CFRBlog tour, add some excerpts from FLASHPOINT, and answer any questions that people might have about the novel. Oh yes, *publisher from TWCP taps my shoulder* The Writers’ Café Press is offering a very nice prize basket for the best question of the week.

While you are waiting for the excitement to begin, you might stop by a page on frankcreed.com and sign up for The UNDERGROUND newsletter. Subscriber Polly Harris said, "This is probably the best newsletter I've ever read." Pretty cool and I wish I could take all the credit, but several folks helped TWCP with the content.

You'll find fan-fiction: "Raven" written by Pastor J. O'Hearn (who was also one of my reviewers!). Writing tips, a column about Christian RPGs, profile of author Grace Bridges, discussion about biblical cyberpunk, photos, announcements AND a flash fiction writing contest in which everyone can participate! Check it out now because the contest ends Oct. 15.

Hope y'all come back and visit A Frank Review during the week. Leave a question. Win a house; Win a car. What's that? oh. My publisher says the prize includes neither a car nor a house. Whatever. Cheapskates.

Faith,

f