Behind the Character: Esmour

Originally Esmour was a very minor character in Cursed With Power.  And by minor I mean he was mentioned perhaps once in the first draft of the book.  Obviously before it was published Esmour's true character shined through, and the readers were only able to learn as much as Celestria.  Still the point has been clear... there's a story to Esmour we haven't heard yet.  When will we hear it, though?
At this point it's no secret that Leal will be answering some of our questions about Esmour in the upcoming sequel, Punished With Destiny.  I will not be revealing any spoilers -never do and never will-but I'll be talking about the "birth" of his character as well as some other material that isn't something you might simply know from reading the books.
Meaning of the name: Initiating action, pioneering, leading, independent, attaining, individual
Most of the time the actual meaning behind the name has nothing to do with my process in choosing a name for a character, though I'll admit in this case Esmour does have qualities that fit the personality attached to his name.  If one thing was ever certain about him from the beginning, it was that he would be the antagonist.  For the longest time it was difficult to decide just what exactly made Esmour the feared man magicians knew him as.  That's what is fun about the job, though; you can decide the story behind the characters, whether you use it or not.
Esmour has a significant role as the leader of Destin, an organization he created with who he believed were some of the best and talented Dark magicians.  As we learn early on in CWP, Alaire and Leal were part of this organization.  We won't actually understand the full details until the sequel releases, but I promise you Leal has quite the story to tell.
What you won't find out from the books is that Esmour has a lot of promise as a narrator.  The Magicians series is meant to be a five book series, but if it were to go over well I'd consider writing a prequel in which Esmour would tell his story.  This would include his life before Destin, how he became such a powerful leader, and more depth into the secretive life he led.  There are plenty of journals and notes in my room that could help with building the story line for the book, but this is simply a consideration and perhaps something I'll decide on entirely once we're closer to book 5 in the series.

Until the sequel, the questions are still yours for the asking.  What do you think: Is Esmour the true villain or a hero?
Lindsey R. Sablowski

Upcoming sequel, book signing... oh, and a deadline

First off, I hope everyone enjoyed their holidays.  I'm a little late on returning, but lately life has been catching up -a phrase I'm becoming too familiar with these days.  Over the week I put out the money for 20 copies of Cursed With Power and 25 business cards for my upcoming book signing (January 19th).  It's in Maryland, but if you live in or near the area feel free to leave a comment and I'll include the address for you.  I will say it was money well-spent because in the end I always look forward to these book events; it makes me feel like CWP is coming alive. (If that makes any sense?)  So far all of the signings I've had has been with my fellow authors at Old Line Publishing, so it's also nice to finally put faces to the names I've seen on book covers.
Someone asked me the other day what it's like writing the sequel to Cursed With Power, since with that book I had no actual deadline and with the sequel I've made my own deadline.  Old Line isn't requiring that I have the second book finished by a certain date, seeing as they're not signing me on until I send it to them, but regardless of that I personally would like to have the book finished to release in spring.  It can be quite a struggle at times, and I'll admit some days I write more (or less) than other days, but in the end I do believe it'll be worth it.  The fact that readers are finishing CWP and awaiting the next book is enough to keep me going, and at the end of the day that's what gives me hope.

Anyways, I have some writing to get back to, but remember to check back in because in the next day or so we're having the blog redesigned! :)  Night all!
Lindsey R. Sablowski

New Year's Resolutions

Since I'll be busy both New Year's eve and New Year's day, I decided to make a post early reflecting on this year and what's to come in 2013.  Without further ado...

2012

The most amazing part about this year was the publication of Cursed With Power.  After spending six years trying to publish one of my books, I am proud to say that this one will always be remembered as my first.  The fans have been amazing, the support has been wonderful, and journey -with it's ups and downs-has been worth all the blood, sweat, and tears I poured into this book.
Another important part of this year was finding myself again, and in that journey I also found someone who has supported me through a lot.  My boyfriend, Eric, has done more than any words could do justice, and I'll gladly share to the world that this man is the one I am happy to say stands beside me through everything.  (And we all know that dating a writer can't be easy, can it?)
And let's not forget that now my hair is dyed blonde, and I absolutely love the change!
And then there was this book that impacted me like none other has ever before... The Fault in Our Stars by John Green.  I am in love with this book, and it's honestly like nothing that's ever been written.  John Green has an amazing gift, and if there's one thing that man should be remembered for it's this book alone.

2013

I have no idea what to expect next year, but what I do know for certain is that the world isn't ending and anything could happen at this point.  Next year I just want to give my all, do my very best with everything, and never take life for granted... Because after all, I think in the end that's what it's all about.  Don't take anything for granted and live your life out to the fullest.  If that means late nights editing for me, then hey that's all right. Leal get out of my head already....

Hope everyone has a great beginning to the New Year!  I'll be back after the holiday with more to share.

Lindsey R. Sablowski

Behind the Character: Nicia

the image is not mine; credit to photographer

Nicia is a new character we'll be meeting for the first time in the upcoming sequel, Punished With Destiny.  I've been talking about her a lot, mentioning her here and there, and I decided it was time for me to give her a more proper introduction.
In Italian the name "Nicia" means "victorious people."  As for whether the meaning actually fits our character is something I'll let you decide.  To be honest, I don't remember how I first came across this name.  Somehow I came across it and was immediately drawn toward it because it's rare and sounded unique.
While I can't go into much detail about our new character -since you'll meet her in the book- I will reveal that she has a very significant role.  I have no idea how readers are going to react to her, but if nothing else I hope they see that she brings out a different "side" of Leal.  And who knows, maybe we will also see that Leal brings out the best in her.

Nicia's name may be unique, but I'm also working to make her character unique in ways that separate her from others.  What I suppose inspired her was that in CWP Celestria was the main female character that I worked with the most, and now Nicia is a whole new challenge.  She can be brutally honest, but at the same time she could be the best friend you rely on with your life.  I still have quite a ways to go with her -considering the fact I'm only halfway through the book-but I'm working to make it so that readers are drawn toward her loyalty and mysteriousness.
Are you ready for what's next?  We find out all of Nicia's secrets and more in the upcoming sequel, and until then...
Happy reading!

Coming next: Welcoming the new year

Lindsey R. Sablowski

Announcements: Upcoming sequel and book #3!

Let's start with the upcoming sequel...

Generally when readers finish the first book in a series the question they're left wondering is, "when can I read the next book?"  So I thought it was time I talked about the release date for the upcoming sequel, Punished With Destiny.  We don't have anything official, but I'm hoping that during winter break I can sit down and finish the book -or at least come close to finishing.  (Mind you, this would require for Microsoft Word to be up and running -and as of presently, I'm having some issues with it.)  Either way, here's my unofficial release date for you: spring of 2013.  I know it's very general, but I'm making it my goal to have everything finished before the spring, so Old Line can do what they do best and make everything finalized.  Why the spring, you ask?  Well it'll be six months from when CWP released, so just around the time readers will be finishing the first book they'll have the second one to look forward to.  Feel free to pass on the news :)  (just remember nothing's official yet!)

Now what's this about a third book?!
For those of you who don't know, Cursed With Power is the first book of five in the Magicians series.  Oddly enough that was something I decided right away before I even began writing CWP.  Anyways, I already have a working title for the third book.
*drum roll*
Banished With Magic will be the third book in the Magicians series.  While this title may change when I actually start writing the book, I think it might stay permanently.  Now as for the last two books, the titles are not going to be revealed as of right now.  All the same, I'm looking forward to the adventure and hope you are too.

Coming up next: the story behind Nicia (new character)

Lindsey R. Sablowski

Oh Christmas joy! *a special gift from author to reader*

    

It's the holiday season where joy is in the air, and if we're lucky there might also be some snow.  More so to the point, though, it's also the giving season.  While I'm still working fiercely on Punished With Destiny, I'd also like to give my readers something to entertain them during the wait.  I came up with the idea that I could write a holiday scene with the characters from the Magicians series.  

So here's how you can help me....

• Tell me what characters you'd like included in the scene --no one is off limits, and I'll even allow requests for characters that will be in the upcoming sequel
• If you don't remember characters, I'll name a few here: Celestria, Leal, Alaire, Aldemund, Christopher, Fayth, Mervyn, Nicia, Rahela, Esmour, Jacquette, Mrs. Irvine (Leal's mother), Malin, Rostland (all characters in red are from the sequel)
• Remember, keep in mind that this is the holiday season. Since this scene will most likely not appear in the books (as of presently) anything could help.

You pick the characters, and I'll write the story.

It's simple and easy, and even if you haven't finished reading the book or haven't read it all, it's simple enough that you can choose any character.  Hopefully I'll get your thoughts on this, and if not I might have to reconsider if it'll be worth writing and posting.  Happy holidays everyone!

Coming up next: Behind the character - Nicia

Lindsey R. Sablowski

7 Years Ago

This time of the year holds a very special place in my heart, and not simply because I enjoy the holidays -which I do.  Seven years ago I began the journey into the writing world.  It all started with the cover you're looking at right now.  I sat down and started writing what would become my first novel, The Magic of Light.
For those of you who haven't heard the story, The Magic of Light followed the lives of Trisha and Keith.  They were "good" magicians, living in a world overrun and terrorized by Dark magicians.  Magicians have always seemed to fascinate me, and I feel like for a long time they've been haunting my mind, waiting for me to tell their stories.  Anyways, back to the story... This book was definitely not ready for publication in any way, but my inner writer was determined to have her voice be heard.  And so fate had it that many -more than I can count-publishers would hear my voice.  The problem of course was that this book was not publishing material. Sure there was promise perhaps, but it wasn't perfect and certainly wasn't ready.
I cannot begin to tell you how many rejection letters I received during the four years I worked so hard to have that book published.  I was determined, and when people criticized the book and told me I needed to do something else it only made me want it more.  Once you step your feet in the water you can't jump out, and for me that's exactly what the publishing industry was.  Now that I had a feel of it, I didn't want to run away just because it was scary.  (And oh was it scary!)
But then how is it that after four years I gave up on Trisha and Keith, and ended up writing a story about a totally different world with Celestria and Alaire?  What happened during those fours years that changed?  Well, for one, I changed a lot and matured during those years.  Even now I'm still maturing and growing into a stronger writer, and if there's anything I learned during the time I spent on The Magic of Light it's that you don't give up on something you love.  You perfect it, make it better, give it your full heart....and then try again.

   

There have definitely been a lot of changes through the years, but I'm really happy that seven years down the road this is where we have ended up.  There is so much more to come in the Magicians series, and Celestria's story was only the beginning.

Here's to many more years of writing! And as always a huge thank you and many hugs to all of you out there who support me :)

Lindsey R. Sablowski

Hello December, Goodbye NaNoWriMo

I honestly had no idea that I would finish NaNoWriMo this year, but somehow I did.  I finished literally a few minutes before I had to leave for work, and let me tell you that once I finished I swore I could never write again. Naturally I did the only logical thing... and started writing the first thing when I woke up this morning.
And now look, it's already December and I haven't changed my calendar!  If anything, NaNo has just proven to me that time flies.  Finals are coming up this month, so today might be my one free day to write before I have to study like crazy.

As most of you know, I intend on having Punished With Destiny released in the spring of 2013, so the fact that I've finished more than half of the book will hopefully help me reach that deadline.  Leal has been a pain at times, but I'm starting to grow fond of the characters.  The first part of the book focuses on Leal's life before he met Celestria, being as he was a part of Destin.  All of the characters in this first part are mainly new to me with the exclusions of Leal, Alaire, and Aldemund.  I suppose that's the most exciting and challenging part of this book so far: having a whole new cast of characters to work with.  At times it can be frustrating, but now that I've become more accustomed to them I can't wait for when I'm in the editing process to add more to them. (Haha imagine that, someone looking forward to editing.)

CWP news
The support for Cursed With Power has been amazing, and let me just say for the record (and the millionth time) that I love each and every one of you who have shown your support.  I certainly hope that the book can be a success because there's so much more to come in the next four books of the series.
Now that it's December, we have another book signing on the way!  On December 8th, I'll be at North Carroll Library to chat with fans, sign copies of the book, and also sell copies for those who haven't made a purchase yet.  Remember a book can be a wonderful gift for someone who loves to read :)  I realize a lot of you who follow this blog don't live in or near Maryland, but I'll ask someone to take pictures and post them here after the event.

Happy December!
Lindsey R. Sablowski