I have to (want to) write a new book. There is only one problem: What’s an original trope? Umm, what the heck is a trope? A trope is the general theme of the plot. There are 7 plots/tropes: Overcoming the Monster, Rags to Riches, The Quest, Voyage and Return, Comedy, Tragedy, Rebirth.
Obviously each plot can be broken into sub-tropes, such as the Quest can be a Girl meets Boy plot where the boy doesn’t notice the girl, or the boy does notice the girl but he only wants to be friends, or he wants to be more but their different statuses, blah, blah, blah.
Since I write science fiction, I get to choose from:
Time travel
Mind control
Aliens, extraterrestrial lifeforms, and mutants
Space travel and exploration
Interplanetary warfare
Parallel universes
Fictional worlds
Post-apocalyptical
Or I can invent something completely original, but is that even possible?
-Leon
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, and a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words.
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When I finished the last chapter of my novella, The Final View, I did a word count. The result?
28,000.
Now that’s a fun experience. But then one of my beta readers spotted an error and now it’s 28 001.
That’s like trying to squeeze a bit more gas into the tank and having to pay $50.01. But wait. Why then are we willing to gamble at $49.99? Are you a gambler or a settler?
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, and a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words.
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When I wrote the final two chapters of my trilogy, I admit I did tear up a bit. Chalk it up to investing two years with my characters and trying to come up with a fitting ending to a story that creates a satisfying conclusion.
When I received the following comments from my beta readers, I knew I succeeded.
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, and a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words.
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There is a radio show on CBC here in Canada that occasionally does a feature called SYNTH: Songs You Need To Hear.
Now, I can’t say to someone, “You’ll like this song” (or book for that matter) because I can’t presume that others will share my taste in music (or books), so it is safer to say, “You might like this” and if they don’t like it, so be it.
Why don’t you post more of your own music here? Well, it takes me a long time to write a piece, even longer to be able to play it properly— Without mistakes. Pfft. I wish I could play without mistakes. There’s always a few, well, more than a few. But to continue my thought, it takes me even longer to record the piece. Because of all the mistakes. Yes. Because of all the mistakes.
When I finished the last chapter and epilogue to the final book in my sci-fi trilogy, I was a bit saddened and teary eyed (yes, they’re that good), and nothing bring out a piece of music than emotion. So, I sat with my guitar and began to compose.
It took a few months, but the piece became an homage to the characters and the story. I then decided to make a video with it as a way to wrap everything up for the readers of the trilogy.
I can’t share the video because:
1. It’s not done 2. If you haven’t read the series, it won’t make sense 3. If you are going to read it, there are spoilers in the video
But, I will share the piece, Time and Again.
Keeping with the new tradition of sharing Music Monday blogs, what happens when you type in “Music Monday” in the search bar? You find stuff like this:
If you like blues, guitar, just solo blues guitar, and just less than 7 minutes of a long haired dude playing solo blues guitar, then check it out.
-Leon
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, and a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words.
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Week one of 2023 is in the books. I blogged everyday, wrote three poems, and am close to having the final draft of book three of my sci-fi trilogy ready for me to get sick of as I read it for the umpteenth time.
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, and a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words.
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To start the new year, I thought I would repost an interview I did with myself in 2020, after my first poetry book was out and before The View from Here had been finished. I think I had grand plans of being a podcaster but having only 3 episode to show for it … well, that worked out, didn’t it?
If you want to just read the transcript, I’ve posted it below.
Transcript Part I: Leon Stevens, Author, interviews Leon Stevens, Reader
Today we sit down with Leon Stevens, the reader. We haven’t chatted for a while, how have you been? -I’m doing well, thanks for asking! Tea? -Oh, yes please. [clinking of fine china teacups] Say when. -When? When you want me to stop pouring. -Can’t you tell when it’s full?
[silence]
Well then, enough of the small talk. Let’s get started, shall we? First question: What was the first book that you remember reading? -Ever? Yes. -Wow, that’s a great question. I thought it was. -I guess if I try to remember all the way back, I’d have to say, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. That’s the one with all the holes in the pages through the apples. -Yup. I think that I got my finger stuck in one of them. I think we all did. [laughter] Any others worth mentioning? -I do recall reading Curious George, Pippi Longstocking, Hardy Boys, and I liked pop-up books. Oh, and the Highlights magazines. Next Question: What was the first book that fascinated you? -That’s an easy one, A Wrinkle in Time. Why that one? -My fifth-grade teacher read it to us. I looked forward to that time. He was a great reader, and I was sad when the book ended. It was a kind of a dark adventure for that age group. Did you like reading? -I didn’t dislike it, but I wasn’t a voracious reader. Were you encouraged to read? -I think so. My dad would read to me at bedtime. He would make space stories for me. I later found out, when I started reading science fiction on my own, that many of those “made up” stories were ones he had read before. I don’t fault him for it. It was funny reading a story and thinking, “Hey, Dad didn’t make that up!” Do you have a favorite genre, or do you have a variety of interests? – I usually read science fiction, and I prefer the older works over new. I do enjoy historical non-fiction, especially about explorers. I do enjoy some fantasy from time to time, as well as crime dramas. What book have you re-read the most? -I would have to say, Klondike by Pierre Burton, followed by Alive by Piers Paul Read, and The Chronicles of Narnia. Favorite book? -Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut. Any newer books that I might know that you have enjoyed? -Umm, you know the same books I do. I suppose that’s true…Well? –Ready Player One and The Martian would be the most recent. But again, you knew that. Have you ever not finished a book? -Yes. Care to throw it under the bus? -Nope. Not fair to the authors. Sometimes a book just doesn’t fit with the reader. I understand. Well then, last question: What will you be reading next? -I’m waiting for you to finish your science fiction book. It’s getting there, don’t rush me. -I’m just yankin’ your chain, I’ve liked what I have read so far. Thanks. I appreciate that. -I knew you would. I knew that you knew that I would. -I’m not playing that game.
[silence]
I guess we are done then. It has been a pleasure interviewing you. -Well, thank you. It was fun! We should do this again. Agreed!
[sounds of shaking hands (which doesn’t sound like anything…)]
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, and a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words.
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Do you ever read your older posts and think that they are, well … not that good? Or, maybe they have merit, but just need a but of tidying up.
I throw caution to the wind when I write poetry. I never set out to write a specific form of poetry. The closest I come is when I’m inspired to write the occasional Haiku, but it always angers me that I still have to count the syllables on my fingers and usually run out.
Of syllables. Not fingers.
Rhyme scheme? Pfft. If it happens it happens. Sometimes it is better to catch a reader off guard with a well placed rhyme, or an “almost rhyme” as I mention in this two-year old post I updated*:
I think I am a better blogger and writer than I was then, but when it comes to poetry: Rules, schmules.
-Leon
*What did I change, you ask? You’ll never know.
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, and a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words.
Not ready to purchase? Sign up for my newsletter and receive a free book of your choice:
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, and a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words.
Not ready to purchase? Sign up for my newsletter and receive a free book of your choice:
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, and a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words.
Not ready to purchase? Sign up for my newsletter and receive a free book of your choice:
Ohhh, the big secret. What will the next cover from your favorite author look like?
I have always shown the cover way before the book is released. I don’t think readers would wait by their screens, looking at the countdown clock to be the first to see a cover.
Many of my readers get a chance to share their opinion on a book cover, so that cat is out of the bag. BTW, it’s more fun to watch a cat going into a bag, then trying to get comfortable. Any one can get out of a bag.
I think releasing a book trailer is more effective in building excitement and buzz.
What do you think?
Rules:
Link your blog to this hop.
Notify your following that you are participating in this blog hop.
Promise to visit/leave a comment on all participants’ blogs.
Tweet/or share each person’s blog post. Use #OpenBook when tweeting.
Put a banner on your blog that you are participating.
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, and a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words.
Not ready to purchase? Sign up for my newsletter and receive a free book of your choice:
Lines by Leon 