Thursday, October 3, 2013

Truth or Fiction: Which is Stranger?

Hello from London town,

As I prep for the launch of the print version of The Deveron Manuscript, coming November/December 2013, I took time to look back at the development of the book, especially the research.  
 
© Kasia75 | Dreamstime Stock Photos &Stock Free Images
If you've read the thriller novel, you see that the story explores technology advancement, a lot of history and a bit of the paranormal/supernatural.  But, one thing I actually question and you may have a better answer is: What is stranger, or more unbelievable fact or fiction?  

How's this for thought?
  • 200 years ago, flying would have been a tale to be told only in books.
  • 100 years ago, a cell phone would have been an invention only possible in science fiction tales.
  • What about the internet? The automobile? The light bulb? The list goes on…
On that note here are some thoughts that I leave with readers of The Deveron Manuscript.


TRUTH OR FICTION?

The Deveron Manuscript is a journey across continents, cultures, history and a dip into the creative world of technology.  Many of the settings discussed in the book are places close to my heart, where I have either lived or had the opportunity to visit.

Except for a couple of altered street names like St. Giles Square, each location in the novel is taken from the global map and I hope one day you’ll have an opportunity to visit some of them. In the meantime, I endeavor to draw plots from the smells, the sights and the beauty of these places and hope that some of them captured your interest.

Note from Technological & Scientific Record
I am extremely passionate about technology and scientific entrepreneurship and have had the opportunity to work in multinationals that explore the daring, the imaginative, the inventive and the creative. So where did fact end in the book and my imagination take over?

In the story, Jack Kleve is our tech whiz and in many ways the type of individual you would find presenting at a TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design conference, a non-profit devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. See: http://www.ted.com/) Much inspiration for this character came from the amazing talks that are shared here.

Slate Mendes, Mason’s hit man experiments significantly with ISTF, technological developments. Many ideas grew from some of the army technologies being developed within armies and universities. For example, Slate uses an exaggerated military cloaking concept similar to one explored by Army Technology, a component of Net Resources International. (See http://www.army-technology.com/)

Note from Paranormal Records
Calla Cress is gifted perhaps more than most, and physically capable of strengths beyond human capacity. While exploring this character, I questioned if some of her abilities were indeed fictional or had science and technology ventured a little further than I had thought. While developing her x-ray vision, I came across a report by the Discovery Channel on a girl with x-ray eyes. Fact or fiction, I leave that one up to you. (See here: http://bit.ly/195M4Ly

Lastly, while researching black diamonds for the story, known as carbonados by some, I was intrigued by their “extraterrestrial” element as some researchers have explored, including NASA. Although their abilities are skewed in this book, are carbonados truly diamonds from outer space? This was all fuel for a fascinating paranormal element. Again, fact or fiction, I leave it up to you.

Note from Historical Record
© Starper | Dreamstime Stock
 Photos &Stock Free Images
Except for a couple of altered facts around the mysterious character Merovec, I endeavored to keep each historical record explored in this book as accurate as possible, from Alexander the Great, to the history of English Grammar and Priam’s Treasure. History continues to fascinate me and casting Calla Cress as museum curator means that history will remain part of her adventurous world.

As a storyteller, I find it intriguing to dip into the mysteries of our world and hope that some of those explored in the novel not only spark your own imagination but your own curiosity.

See you on the next adventure.
(Sequel coming December - The Deveron Mandate)

Thank you!
 Rose

Thursday, August 15, 2013

A SUMMER OF FAVORITES:


Hi,

As I sit here on a cloudy August morning in London, I begin to wonder if the sun remembers that it’s “summer.”  I can’t believe I have a sweater on. Shouldn't it be all about flip flops, ice cream and cold drinks?

But, I love it in many ways, as I try to see the positive. For one, it allows me to sit and write while all is quiet in the house.

This summer has been one of reflection for me. Reflecting back over the last year. Funny, isn’t that a January thing?  Not only did I complete my first ever novel in the last twelve months, I also got to do same amazing things in London as a writer. 

One was to round up some of my favorite places in London as a writer and discover some cool websites.

I always wonder how the greats of old wrote without the assistance technology affords us today. Hence the challenge!
Here is what I came up with:

FAVORITE PLACES I VISITED AS AN AUTHOR:

The British Library:  A wonderful place of inspiration.  It was so inspiring for me to stand before some of the world’s greatest manuscripts and scribblings of geniuses.  For example, Leonardo da Vinci’s note book, Michelangelo’s drawings, original (handwritten) musical scores by Mozart, Handel and The Beatles.  Enough in one room to keep one enthused, especially when their ways of creating were not so different from yours and mine.

The Museum of London.  I could get lost in wonder in here for hours.  Listening to curators tell astounding stories of those who lived on the same soil I'm walking on and showcase the city’s hidden gems. It gave me enough ideas for my third manuscript which I've started penning.

FAVORITE WEBSITES AS AN AUTHOR:

Hmm… existing behind a computer and creating words and scenarios can be a lonely experience, so I was so grateful to find two websites that were so inspirational for me as a writer.

The CreativePenn: A wonderful resource for writers by Joanna Penn - as one who’s lived the author journey.

Quite a helpful website with seasoned musings from the published world, but my favorite parts are the guest articles where writers of all fields share everything from plotting to character development. Quite a gem of free information.

Anyway, I better get back to editing my second manuscript - a story about lost love and conspiracies.

It was lovely to spend some time with you in cyberspace.
See you soon:



Rose
(Image source: http://www.sxc.hu)

Wednesday, August 14, 2013




Hi there,

I'm really looking forward to getting to know you and sharing my journey in creativity.  Plus share some creative short cuts I have found along the way. Tune in here regularly for posts on creativity, communication and innovation.

Rose Sandy