Hallo, Hallo dear hearts!
I am having a wicked sweet blast this week featuring the Indie Fantasy novelists who are published via Odyssey Books – as these authors helped make my 3rd Year of Wyrd And Wonder wicked wonderful! Each of them has brought a different perspective on #amwriting Fantasy, reading Fantasy and breathing a fantastical world to life – as they are a diverse group of authors who are offering new & dynamic voices in Fantasy which hopefully will become our next wicked #mustreads!
I wanted to talk a moment about what fuelled my interest in wanting to seek out the Sentinel of Eden series to read and why I wanted to host Ms Denman during #WyrdAndWonder! I found it truly an interesting spin on where Urban Fantasy can take us as a reader whilst at the same time, I have a healthy appreciation for spiritual stories and cultural heritage which can be explored through topical themes in genre fiction. I grew up with a passion for learning about cultures and religious heritages outside my own background – there is such a wide world out there and I wanted to see if I could bring it a bit closer to home by understanding more about our differences and what unites us together.
I find whenever an author can seek to draw us together – through empathy, understanding, tolerance and a layer of enlightenment towards fundamental truths and a unique perspective about something which is familiar to us all but whom has found a way to shed a new perspective on known history is an author I am most desiring to read. It is also why I wanted to work on an interview which would not only highlight how she approached telling this story but what is waiting for us to find inside it once we’re able to read it. I love delving into the stories and/or series ‘back-history’ and seeing how they were inspired to be written and/or developed.
I didn’t get a chance to gather a copy of this novel during #WyrdAndWonder – however, this conversation we’ve shared has definitely left me with a solid connection to the world within The Sentinels of Eden series and I will be looking forward to reading this when I’m able to bring the series home.
Brew yourself a cuppa and enjoy what I have to share with you,…
Songlines
Subtitle: The Sentinels of Eden, Book One
by Carolyn Denman
In the heart of the Wimmera region of Victoria, an ancient gateway to Eden is kept hidden and safe by a creature so powerful that even the moon would obey her commands – at least it would if she had any idea that she wasn’t just a normal girl about to finish high school.
When a mining company begins exploratory sampling near Lainie’s sheep farm, a family secret is revealed that makes her regret not having learnt more about her Indigenous heritage. What she’s told by their farmhand, Harry – an Aboriginal elder – can’t possibly be true, but then the most irritating guy in class, Bane, begins to act even more insanely toward her than ever, until she can no longer deny that something very unusual is going on.
When Harry doesn’t return from his quest to seek help to protect the area from the miners, Lainie sets out to discover the truth of her heritage, and of the secret she’s been born to protect.
Places to find the book:
ISBN: 9781922200600
Published by Odyssey Books
on 20th August, 2016
Published by: Odyssey Books (@OdysseyBooks)
About [ The Sentinels of Eden series ] by the author:
(The Sentinels of Eden) so here is a quick summary. The series is YA fantasy, set in rural Australia, and explores the possibility that the Garden of Eden has been hidden away in the Aussie bush. When Lainie discovers that she’s been born to protect the secret of the Garden, and has been gifted with supernatural powers to do so, she (naturally) wants to see the place for herself. Of course, finding a portal to another world somewhere in ‘the back of beyond’ isn’t that easy.
The series showcases a laid-back sense of Aussie humour, feelgood romance, and good old adventure, all woven through with some deeper Australian Indigenous and spiritual themes.
My passion is to entice early YA readers to explore the Fantasy/Urban Fantasy genre, and hopefully help to bridge the gap between Middle-Grade and YA novels. The full four book set has just been released on Amazon as a bundle deal, so now would be a great time for readers to check it out.
Converse via: #Fantasy, #YAFantasy, #TheSentinelsOfEden
as well as #OdysseyBooks & #WyrdAndWonder
This is the 3rd Year of Wyrd And Wonder – I’ve loved having a chance to showcase Indie Authors of Speculative Fiction all three years as it’s a particular passion and interest of mine as both a reader and as a writer. I wanted to take a moment and ask you what Fantasy means to you personally and how you find Fantasy popping up in your life – this can be in the traditional sense of stories within literature, tv or film; musical scores, fashion, art, gaming or any other area wherein you feel Fantasy can thrive.
Denman responds: I honestly can’t imagine my life without fantasy, probably because most of my family are also addicted to the books, shows, games, cosplay…if you can name it, then I have a family member who will chat to you for hours about it.
One of my work colleagues once told me she found fantasy much too frightening. She preferred real-life, human stories. It took me a while to get my head around that. She finds real life drama and conflict less frightening than fantasy? Have I ever read a fantasy story that isn’t far more packed full of ‘human stories’ than any real life events? Perhaps she’s more de-sensitised to real life than I am, or perhaps she’s braver.
All I know is that as a fantasy writer, I get to see the world from someone else’s viewpoint. And not just someone similar to me, who would react in a similar way. I get to be a magical creature, or an animal, or a tree, or a dragon. I get to feel what they might feel. I get to argue with the people around me, and best of all, I get to be those people too. What a glorious way to develop empathy for those with an entirely different frame of reference to what I happened to be born into.
I have had a similar experience – generally speaking, whenever I talk about the Crime dramas I love watching generally the reaction is “All you ever watch are family centred dramas!” Which they have a point – even the quirkiest Crime dramas I watch have both traditional, non-conventional and found families within the scope of the lead and supporting characters! (everything from NCIS, Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, Agatha Raisin, My Life is Murder to Rosemary & Thyme and far, far too many to name inbetween them all!) I find a lot of ‘life’ in Cosy Crime & Cosy Mysteries – either on the page or on the screen. It is simply how you look at the stories themselves which might alter what you find inside them. I know for some the amount of crime narratives I read/watch (as I have a healthy addiction to Love Inspired Suspense novels, too!) whilst I cannot wait for the next Kay Hunter installments on audiobook (by Rachel Amphlett) – might be overkill for others because they might think that’s too much for today’s world to process. For me, their cosy comforts! lol
I think the bad rap Fantasy and other Speculative narratives receive is similar – people are only looking at it from one particular lens. They cannot see what we see because their approaching it from a different perspective and perhaps, unlike us, they haven’t found their gateway into Fantasy yet wherein they feel comfortable traversing the genre. (and all its other variants across mediums of influence)
I love your final thoughts on this topic because you’ve voiced exactly what has fuelled my own passion and interests into Fantasy, Science Fiction and Cosy Horror (*my term).
“Songlines” begins the Sentinels of Eden series – which at the jump-start is rather interesting premise as it tackles the origins of humanity and what is taken as truth from the story about Eden. Especially in regards to who was present and who was known to be present within the garden itself. What first sparked an interest of delving into this back-history of the origins of humanity? And, how did you want to augment your own vision of this time period into the series which has developed from ‘Songlines’?
Denman responds: It probably won’t surprise anyone to hear that I happened to be re-reading Genesis when I was first plotting this story. The story itself began as a paranormal romance that needed to be set in the country I live in, and ‘paranormal’ quickly evolved to ‘supernatural’.
That, of course, raised some interesting questions that I felt excited about trying to answer. If Eden is real, then how does it work? Even if Eden is symbolic or metaphorical, and the Creation story simply a poem, then it still deserves to be tasted, savoured, explored – isn’t that what poetry is designed for? No matter what you believe about Eden, it is clearly meant to be a promise, just as the Dreaming is a promise. An ongoing, living thing that is relevant to our past, present and future. Who wouldn’t want to write about that?
I seriously am enjoying seeing how your mind thinks and how you’ve conceptionalised this story and the series which evolved out of ‘Songlines’. That is the most wicked intriguing bit about reading and by extension being a book blogger – wherein I can reach out to authors and interview them about their stories (or as a chat hostess via @SatBookChat). I like to root out the heart of the stories, see the passionate methodology of their writing and also, hone in on what gives them the most joy in creating their worlds, their characters and the little ‘behind-the-book’ insights you might not otherwise have known.
Your series has been tagged as being a Fantasy Adventure, a paranormal exploration of spirituality and a layered insight into the characters and world you’ve created. How would you best introduce the series to a new reader who is considering reading each installment?
Denman responds: Fantasy adventure is a good description. In regards to demographic, I originally wrote this when my daughters were 11 and 14, and I wanted to write something they would enjoy. Something with a bit of feel-good romance and characters they would enjoy spending time with. However, don’t assume that girls that age don’t think very deeply about spirituality and identity. Adolescence is rich with such themes. This series will hopefully encourage readers of all ages to think on a deeper level if they feel drawn to that, or simply be a fun ride for those that don’t.
Hmm… I’ve been a deep thinker since I was quite young – I can’t imagine anyone mistaking a certain age bracket as only focusing on the superficial layering of stories and/or not being able to consider the deeper meanings behind where the stories can lead them? Hmm.. perhaps it is co-dependent on your family, whose inspiring you to read and how you personally approach the stories you’re reading as well. I always felt learning, spiritual growth and mindful thinking are life long pursuits – at each individual age and milestone years we reach, we gain further insight into ourselves, our spiritual natures and the world round us.
On your website there is an iconic icon on your top banner – I wasn’t sure if it was your personal icon or related to this series as the books are beside it – can you describe the inspiration behind a sword with wings and iridescent flames?
Denman responds: The sword is definitely a central part of the story. It’s the centrepiece of the final book. Have you ever wondered where the idea of a flaming sword came from? I’d love to hear of an earlier historical record than the Hebrew Eden story. I’m not saying there isn’t one, just that I haven’t found one. Treasure hunt, anyone?
When I asked for a design for a flaming sword for the cover of the book, the first draft I was sent literally had a demon face on the pommel. Not exactly the sacred sword guarding the entrance to Eden I had imagined. So I asked my dear friend Bek White to design something for me. Isn’t it just perfect?
OOoh I would as well? I wonder if anyone will step forward with a reference point towards that end? Hmm. Your friend better understood what you were searching for and yes, I dearly love it because it makes a statement and its a positive one!
I can happily attest I know a bit more about Melbourne from a visual perspective now – as during the time I was developing this interview I binge watched #MyLifeIsMurder and ache for new episodes and a confirmation of a new series for it. I am honestly thrilled to bits I took a free trial for #AcornTV as now I’m on my third series – Ms Fisher’s Modern Mysteries as I loved her Aunt #MissFisher. I love how art forward Melbourne is but also how it is cross-cultural and a dynamic modern city. What are your favourite places in and round Melbourne and have any of the local region inspired part of your settings or the background of your stories in regards to structure, elements of nature or an aesthetic that is decidedly Melbourne but would work in a Speculative novel?
Denman responds: To be perfectly honest, my favourite parts of Melbourne are the outskirts. The semi-rural, semi-suburban blend. The places where jumping over a backyard fence can lead you to a small creek rich with ancient Indigenous history that still sings even as it runs through a sheep paddock and meanders into street stormwater drains. Suburbs where loose ponies may still cause havoc and delight the local kids (although as an adult I now find that rather horrifying!) The only things I really like about the city are the live music venues. The Forum Theatre, the Corner Hotel. Some amazing memories have been birthed there.
There have certainly been some terrific Melbourne spec-fic stories (check out Michael Prior’s Gap Year In Ghost Town for some superb visuals). Songlines has been set in an imaginary country town roughly five hour’s drive from Melbourne, although they do visit Melbourne in book two.
Ooh! I love this version of Melbourne, too! I grew up in a melting pot of a metropolis but I’ve spent the last few decades in a more rural urban area – meaning, I’ve experienced the best of both worlds really because this kind of atmosphere of being tucked out from the city lights and being close to nature and to the slower pace styling of life is something I’ve loved. My heart is spilt into both worlds but I think the closer I find myself to the natural world and to a pace not set by deadlines, traffic and sounds of life at high speed – the more I find myself able to breathe and create. Being a creative spirit I find has a comfort level when your tucked away from the daily grinds and are able to find room to explore your inner creative spirit.
Loved how your writerly career began as you inspired your daughter to root out her own story to write – I must ask, did she stick with it or did you become the sole writer in your family? The lesson of believing in oneself and never thinking you’re too young or old to pursue something was sound advice. Are there any stories you haven’t yet tackled you’d like to in the future?
Denman responds: My daughter is currently neck-deep in university study – no time for writing! My other daughter doesn’t read books, which is fine because she consumes her stories through other mediums which are just as valid. In fact, she’s often my go-to if I need to figure out why a character or pinch point isn’t quite working. She understands ‘story’ really well.
Through her I learned that writing for young teenagers should never be about trying to educate them to become more ‘literary’. This generation has grown up watching far more stories (and well-designed ones) than I ever did at their age. They understand story. They don’t need to be educated in that way. What they ‘need’ is to be exposed to as diverse a range of characters as they will find in real life. They need to experience conflict, and conflict resolution, and relationships, and romance, and temptation, and wisdom, and stupidity, and ignorance, and compassion. And experience it all in a safe way they can learn from. Yep, I’ll choose fantasy over real life any day of the week.
As for the next story I’d like to tackle? I’ll start with that list I just made, and go from there.
Again, I think it boils down to the parents, the guardians, the foster Mums and Dads – the grandparents and Aunts/Uncles – who are involved in a child’s upbringing to set the tone for how they understand how individuals process ‘story’. Because you’re quite right – they exist in all mediums of influence – from podcasts (which I’ve learnt this year are also on YT as vlogs), to audiobooks to films, tv series, flash fiction narratives, spoken word poetry sessions, poetry in its traditional sense, graphic novels, audio plays, theatre and songcraft, too. That’s just the tip of it really – there are so many ways a story can be told, explored and expressed – you are quite right – it isn’t the method of how a story reaches an audience it is how the story affects the audience after it is reached. What the story speaks to about life as its being lived and what can be taken out of a lived experience within the context of a story which enlightens the reader upon completion. Very, very true!
Your series tackles how your characters are sent to Earth to gain knowledge and lessons they wouldn’t otherwise be able to experience. How did their purpose on Earth both reflect our own and also differ away from it as well? What did you want readers to take away from their guided directives about how they must learn whilst they’re here and to sort through their own journey and purpose?
Denman responds: In a perfect world, free will is redundant. But what room does that leave for love? In the Genesis story of Eden, there were two types of trees: The Tree of Life, and the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.
We were given the free will to choose whether or not to eat. Humans have been both cursed and gifted by the knowledge. How would we appreciate the good if we don’t experience the bad? If I wanted to protect the innocence of my beloved children in the Garden I made for them, then I would appoint guardians who understand exactly what is at stake.
If I wanted the human race to one day return to Eden, and return to true innocence, with absolutely no shame, then I would want them to value that feeling. Freedom from shame. Not guilt (which can be healthy), but true shame. Imagine what that would feel like? To never have to feel bad about yourself in any way. Obviously not something we can ever achieve by trying to behave. We’re being allowed the time to give it a red hot go though, to see how it works.
I loved your response here. It not only begs someone to question what they feel about the subject but to internalise it through your lens as well and see if there is common ground together. Beautiful!
I need to preface this with a note:
I hadn’t meant any disrespect or meant to cause an offence to anyone by asking this question. When I previously explored Aboriginal Culture & Heritage, I hadn’t come across those who declared themselves Aboriginal Christians. However, I am an eclectic Protestant Christian myself – wherein I personally draw inspiration from other sources than my own denominations – thereby, I just wanted to say, I was curious how two different spiritual backgrounds could become combined in the story/series but by no means meant someone could not have both belief backgrounds.
Afterall, I study the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh – who said it quite beautifully – he started on one path, joined another and then completed the circle back to where he began. I also grew up with grandparents who introduced me to the cultural heritage of Japan and my parents introduced me to Native American culture of America – which gave me a very uniquely diverse open-mindness about life, culture, art and spirituality. All of us are on a spiritual path which we personalise and individually explore throughout our lives. I am respectful and accepting of all faith and religious backgrounds; it is how I was raised.
How did you cross the Biblical concepts with the Aboriginal elements? I was curious how you honoured both and were able to seamlessly fuse them together into one arc of a series?
Denman responds: Firstly, I need to be clear that combining these beliefs is not something new that I invented for this story. Many Aboriginal people hold Christian beliefs, and many proudly identify as Aboriginal Christians. They see no conflict between the Dreaming and the Holy Spirit. They have a deep sense of spirituality that enables them to understand Christian concepts in a way everyone could learn from.
Of course, the invasion of the lands now known as Australia involved many devastating and brutal acts, and many of them were done by Christian missionaries who believed they were doing a good thing for the First Peoples. There is so much education, acknowledgement, and healing that still needs to happen in order to reconcile those things, but one of the beautiful things we can hold on to is that Aboriginal Christians have risen out of that mess with a passion for reconciliation that absolutely astounds me. They love their God, they are fiercely loyal to their mob, and they serve the country they belong to with a protective fervour that would put a Guardian to shame.
As a non-Indigenous writer, it was risky to include any Aboriginal references at all. Much simpler to steer well clear of the possibility of offending anyone. And yet, as a Christian, how could I possibly write a story (even fantasy) set in this land, with supernatural elements, and ignore an Indigenous viewpoint? That form of ‘white-washing’ was not something I could stomach. Could I have done it better? Undoubtedly. The point is, I’ve hopefully encouraged readers to get curious, to ask questions, to challenge assumptions and hopefully learn something from the First Nations People. And I will always, always listen to any Aboriginal readers who have feedback for me. How else can I learn and move forward?
For anyone curious about the fusion between these ontologies, here is a terrific article you may find helpful.
I decided to let Ms Denman’s words stand for this response because I think my intentions behind asking this question and how it was interpreted were two different planes of thought and I hadn’t wanted to infer further offence by trying to explain more than I have already. She is correct though in one regard – we are asked to own our living histories – the dynamically diverse world in which we live but I have also noted that whenever a non-diverse writer tries to diversify their world to reflect their own living realities – they are generally called on it and are either dismissed or misunderstood. I am hopeful in future we can all respectfully support each other and the truthfulness of how a story is told by the person who was inspired to write it.
Noah, Bane and Lainie are the main characters – what can you share about their individual personalities and what bonds them together as a group of friends?
Denman responds: I wish I could have written in all the details I know about them, but no one wants to read a book that long. Lainie is a tell-it-like-it-is girl with a wicked sense of fun. She’d work herself into the ground to save her farm from drought, but probably won’t do the dishes even if you tie her to the sink. All her pencils are sorted by colour, and she can’t stand it when the spice rack isn’t in alphabetical order, but there’s a dirty mug she once hid in the back of her bedroom cupboard that’s been there since she was twelve.
Bane believes he is narcissistic and depraved, and that colours everything. He doesn’t want to be that way and is terrified of hurting anyone, so he simply doesn’t get close. To be fair, he has good reasons for believing this. He did set Lainie’s locker on fire once, and he has no idea why.
Noah is getting tired of the way everyone looks at him as if he’s something to eat, yet they won’t ask his opinion on anything important. Except for Lainie. She knows exactly why he rode his parent’s ride-on-mower into the town library all those years ago, and loves him for it.
I had a chuckle out of hearing about Lanie’s gift for organised structure but her aversion to dishes and cleaning. Whilst Bane seems to be on a path he has to look deeper within himself to better understand what he is going to find. Noah seems like the type of bloke you’d love to rally behind and be supportive all along. As a trio they each have such unique windows into how to live and what life can evolve onto your journey. I look forward to meeting them!
For those seeking out your series – where do you feel it fits best within the world of Fantasy and what do you feel is the most fantastical part of the series for readers who are seeking a new way to see a world spun in the genre?
Denman responds: I would call it Aussie urban fantasy, except that it’s anything but ‘urban’. Is there such a thing as sheep-farm-portal-fantasy? Well. There is now. Magical portal to another world, ancient secrets, heavenly creatures, a spinning, flaming sword…and sheep drenching. That is precisely where it fits.
Aussie Urban Fantasy, eh? I find that wicked brill – because I am already in love with American & British Urban Fantasy – it would be nice to dip into Australian Lit and see what is familiar and what is set apart. I find it interesting too how each genre has regional differences and regional unifers where you can see pieces of a genre in different areas of the world.
Sheep Farm Portal Fantasy – you would definitely hook a lot of knitters!! (*raises hand*)
Your story “Songlines” also picks up the thread of interest revolving around oil and gas companies. How important was it to include this layer of realism to our current events and newscycles wherein those companies make more headlines than other utilities?
Denman responds: When I started writing this story, coal seam gas mining was a very real and disturbing threat to this country. Since then, our state government has put an indefinite hold on future projects, but that doesn’t mean the fight is over. It still continues in other states. There are better ways to source energy. Cleaner ways. And there are First Nations people putting everything they have into protecting the land they serve. The brave mob standing up against Adani Australia to prevent the harm being done by the Carmichael coal mine could certainly use some help from a couple of friendly neighbourhood Cherubim. Are you listening, Lainie? I know, I know. Your authority doesn’t extend that far. Luckily we live in a democratic country, so mine does. And I will have my say.
I whole-heartedly support any narrative of story which highlights the devastating realities of what is happening in our living hours – similar to how I felt after seeing ‘Medicine Man’ as a ten year old fifth grader and realising in that one moment of a film how we were going to destroy the Brazilian Rain Forest and not even understand what we had actually lost. Stories help generate knowledge and first-hand understanding about topics and subjects which might become taboo otherwise to talk about in other mediums or situations. Stories help keep our living realities whole by presenting all sides of ‘story and truth’. Good for you!
Let’s focus on rural Australia for a moment – how did you want the setting to reflect itself to where it was visually giving readers a keen sense about this area of a country they might never get to visit but could feel as if they had in your story? What were some aspects of the setting Australians might pick up on a bit faster than American or UK readers?
Denman responds: My heart is sighing happily just thinking about this question. Rural Australia. You’ve probably seen plenty of footage of dry desert plains and red dust, and yes, there’s a lot of that, but for those of you who have never been here let me remind you that this continent is huge. And it has pretty much every climate you could imagine. From the tropical lush north, to the freezing Tassie beaches being blasted by wind straight from the Antarctic, this place has it all. And my favourite parts are the mountains. If I were taking a quiz, I’d be river, not ocean. I’d be mountain, not city. I’d be climbing a river gum, not cheering at a footy match. But the best part is that I could choose any of those options and still be less than an hour away from my own cosy bed.
When Australian’s read that Lainie grew up on a sheep farm, they would get an immediate picture of McLeod’s Daughters riding stock horses across Drover’s Run. They would feel the small town vibe of A Country Practice where Fatso the wombat caused mischief in Wandin Valley. They would visualise the grain silos along the highways, many of which have been stunningly painted in recent years. And they would without a doubt know exactly how good it is to bite into a hot buttered Vegemite crumpet when you get home from school on a rainy day. Mmm, that tangy saltiness. Followed by Milo. At least four heaped spoonfuls for one glass of milk, or else just eat it straight from the tin. For an Aussie, just the word Milo is what writers call a ‘telling detail’. It conjures up an entire childhood montage of bedtime story – sprinkles on vanilla ice cream – sprinkles on Weet-Bix – post soccer hot drink – Milo on toast – piercing the foil – sticking to the roof of your mouth. Probably a bit like PB&J sandwiches, only much better.
I felt like I could breathe in your world and vision for this series simply by how you were augmenting how to envision rural Australia! This was exactly what I was hoping for in a response because usually you have to read a story feel this anchoured inside it. You’ve blessed me and my readers with knowing a bit more ahead of time and I thank you for that gift!
It also reminded me of a question I used to get from my pen friends – as I actively wrote letters since I was eleven years old into my late twenties – it is something I have been trying to get back into now that I’m in my forth decade. The point though is that the question I would be asked is how easily people mistake something about you because they do not see the ‘whole’ of your country – they feel its more condensed than it is and its not as large as it truly is in density of miles, topographical changes, climate shifts and of course the whole unique difference in environmental zones, hemispheres and time zones. Regionally Australia and America have such a varied diverse ecological history the two could be studied on that level for many, many moons and we’d still be ‘sorting it’ out.
Or, to put another way, when I first saw “Galaxy Quest” – I was curious where they shot the ‘red desert planet’ scene – turnt out its in the Southwest of the states and I never would have guessed something like that kind of topography was located there or here! It proves that there are hidden gems in both our countries – you simply have to look off the beaten path. This is one reason I love road treks (ie. road trips) and why travelling on the road is such an interpersonal way to see a country. Not just for how light and time shift through the regions and environs but how you can hear how people are talking, observe regional differences and peer into a part of America you might have overlooked if you did a fly over. I am sure as you’ve highlighted the same is true of Australia, too. We’re both living in such a beautiful living biosphere!
I’ve attempted to get into “McLeod’s Daughters” but never could get it to stick. I grew up watching “The Man from Snowy River” and “Return to Snowy River” – those were equally as important to me as a child as “Annie”, “Pete’s Dragon” and “The Neverending Story”. Not to mention most of the Disney vault! lol Horse dramas were just part of what I loved as a child (and now as an adult) which of course moved into reading copious amounts of Western Fiction and/or Western/Cowboy Romances which are peppered throughout Jorie Loves A Story though in recent years occupy a lot of what I’ve loved reading from Harlequin Heartwarming. However, it was Janet Gover’s #CoorahCreek which really set the stage for my understanding of Australian Westerns!
I admit, those points of references are a bit lost on me, being an American but this is also why I seek out stories written by other voices in literature. I’ve been wanting to read more Australian Literature (and Canadian for that matter, as well as German Historical Sagas) since I first started book blogging. I’ve been limited in access and part of that is because most stateside libraries cannot borrow from oversea libraries (something I wish we could sort out!) and thereby, it takes a bit longer to gather books I want to be reading. However, those little nuances of ordinary life – those popular references others would nod their head in agreement over? Those I love hearing are included in the stories because they help those of us not as familiar with Australia anchour ourselves into your lives. It is a wonderful treat for a reader outside of Australia.
When you’re not researching and writing your stories what uplifts your soul the most?
Denman responds: My little hobby farm is absolutely my happy place. Giving scrtichy-scratchies to my horse, Judah (now retired from active duty), who was born in our old stable while my girls and my parents watched from the doorway. Building fences, repairing fences. Chasing loose chickens. Feeding apple slices to the possum that lives in the shed. Breathing in the scent of wattle blossoms at the end of winter. Watching fairy wrens play on the front lawn. Listening to the chorus of frogs before rain, and the cicadas in summer. Watching the wedge-tailed eagles soar through a graceful sky. My soul is just fine. Just fine.
You’ve described what would lift my own soul – to have a farm again and to live on the land in harmony with the natural cycle of the Earth, the seasons and the rhythm of life as it evolves. I truly am thankful for this beautiful conversation – wherein I felt more connected to you as a writer, felt uplifted by our ability to discuss the harder topics and subjects explored in the series itself and to find a kindred spirit who is living a life I hope to one day re-embrace as my own.
This guest author feature is courtesy of: Odyssey Books
I’d like to extend a thank you to Odyssey Books and to Ms Denman for helping me put together this guest feature during #WyrdAndWonder! It was a gift of joy.
This author interview is part of my showcases during #WyrdAndWonder: Year 3:
This is part of my showcases for a Fantasy event I am co-hosting during our 3rd Year of #WyrdAndWonder – follow us socially via @WyrdAndWonder – stalk our tag (across social media) and/or join us in a month long celebration of how the fantastical realms of Fantasy give you wicked JOY.
Ideas of how you can participate – an initial welcome post by my co-host Imyril as well as the first Quest Log (map into the book blogosphere for #WyrdAndWonder) and the first Roll Call Log by my co-host Lisa!
Read our Creative Roulette #WyrdAndWonder Interview!
Be sure to visit my Announcement & TBR List!
Read through all my reviews & posts showcased during #WyrdAndWonder!
NOTE: Similar to blog tours wherein I feature book reviews, book spotlights (with or without extracts), book announcements (or Cover Reveals) – I may elect to feature an author, editor, narrator, publisher or other creative person connected to the book, audiobook, Indie film project or otherwise creative publishing medium being featured wherein the supplemental content on my blog is never compensated monetarily nor am I ever obligated to feature this kind of content. I provide (98.5%) of all questions and guest topics regularly featured on Jorie Loves A Story. I receive direct responses back to those enquiries by publicists, literary agents, authors, blog tour companies, etc of whom I am working with to bring these supplemental features and showcases to my blog. I am naturally curious about the ‘behind-the-scenes’ of stories and the writers who pen them: I have a heap of joy bringing this content to my readers. Whenever there is a conflict of connection I do disclose those connections per post and disclose the connection as it applies.
{SOURCES: Book cover for “Songlines”, book synopsis, author biography and author photograph of Carolyn Denmen were all provided by Odyssey Books and are used with permission. Post dividers by Fun Stuff for Your Blog via Pure Imagination. Tweets were embedded due to codes provided by Twitter. Wyrd And Wonder 2020 banner created by Imyril (Image Credit: Flaming phoenix by Sujono Sujono from 123RF.com) and is used with permission. Blog graphics created by Jorie via Canva: Conversations with the Bookish banner and the Comment Box Banner.}
Copyright © Jorie Loves A Story, 2020.
I’m a social reader | I tweet my reading life
?NEW #WyrdAndWonder Interview
feat. @CDenmanAuthor & her lovely #SentinelsOfEden series which is a work of Australian #UrbanFantasy rooted out of the origins of life & Genesis – whilst learning her #amwriting process??https://t.co/xLKI9hx5Gf#writingcommunity pic.twitter.com/jh2iKmwmzF
— Jorie (#WyrdAndWonder) ?? (@joriestory) May 30, 2020
What an honour to be featured as part of #WyrdAndWonder today. Thanks @joriestory 💕💜 https://t.co/IBmKCLAR5u
— Carolyn Denman (@CDenmanAuthor) May 30, 2020
Thanks for hosting me, Jorie. Loved this year’s #WyrdAndWonder. Can’t wait to see what is in store for 2021!
Hallo, Hallo Ms Denman,
It was such a beautiful honour to host you during #WyrdAndWonder!! This event has become such a beautiful world-wide community of Fantasy readers, novelists and those eagerly passionate about how Fantasy is so much more than mere ‘stories’. We (Imyril, Lisa and I) are humbled every year seeing the momentum and joy we continue to curate for #WyrdAndWonder and how as an event it is a singular month of fantastical goodness! I appreciate the fact you’ve been a part of my 3rd Year celebrations!! Before we reconvene in 2021 – we’ll be hosting a smaller fortnight event called #SpooktasticReads at the end of October!! Stay tuned!