Tag Archives: Delfaerune Rhapsody

Lark Tūrehu, Reveal #3

Posted on by
Reply
Lark and her ever-present iPod, as illustrated by John Taylor.

Lark’s ever-present iPod, as illustrated by John Taylor.

Reveal #3: Lark carries an iPod everywhere, and uses songs to shift or complement her mood.

Here is another image of my heroine Lark Tūrehu. It shows her addiction to human music throughout my Delfaerune Rhapsody series-in-progress. The story unfolds around the young Noble Fae, starting in Song of the Ocarina, the first book in the young-adult, fantasy-adventure series, due out in late 2013.

I encourage you to suggest your favorite song(s), which Lark may listen to on her iPod in the story. If I select your song to include in the book, I’ll also list your name in my Acknowledgements.

Watch for more clues in the coming days to reveal Lark’s whole character image — also, image reveals of the books’ Dark Fae brothers: hero Noel and antagonist Mikk Stone. Also watch Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Back to Reveal #2                                To Reveal #4

Lark Tūrehu, Reveal #2

Posted on by
2
Second glimpse of Lark, as illustrated by John Taylor

Second glimpse of Lark and her ocarina, as illustrated by John Taylor. THIS IS THE SPECIAL IMAGE to show at Ann’s Nov. 22. 2014, book signing at Capture 12 photo gallery to earn an entry into the drawing for a copy of the book.

Reveal #2: Lark is a musical prodigy, and more connected to the Earth’s magic than any other Noble Fae.

This image reveals the musical aspect of my heroine, Lark Tūrehu, in my Delfaerune Rhapsody series-in-progress. She is the only Noble Fae musical prodigy connected well enough to Mother Earth’s magic to retrieve and master three ancient instruments to save her worlds.

Anyone wondering what is an “ocarina?” It’s a small hollow wind instrument, often made of ceramic or wood, with a mouthpiece and holes for fingering.

Lark’s story unfolds, starting in Song of the Ocarina, the first book in the young-adult, fantasy-adventure series, due out in late 2013.

Watch for more clues in the coming days to reveal Lark’s whole character image — also, image reveals of the books’ Dark Fae brothers: hero Noel and antagonist Mikk Stone. Also watch Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Back to Reveal #1                        To Reveal #3

Lark Tūrehu, Reveal #1

Posted on by
Reply
Glimpse of Lark, illustrated by John Taylor

Glimpse of Lark, as illustrated by John Taylor

Reveal #1: Lark thought she was human, but actually belongs to a leading Noble Fae family.

This image partially reveals one artist’s interpretation of my heroine, Lark Tūrehu, in my Delfaerune Rhapsody  series-in-progress.

The story unfolds around Lark, starting in Song of the Ocarina, the first book in the young-adult, fantasy-adventure series, due out in late 2013.

Watch for more clues in the coming days to reveal Lark’s whole character image — also, image reveals of the books’ Dark Fae brothers: hero Noel and antagonist Mikk.  Also watch Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

To Reveal #2

Call for songs to add to a character’s iPod in young-adult fiction series

Posted on by
1
My talented young friend John Taylor created this lovely illustration, showing the fae side of my heroine Lark Tūrehu. You can see more of his work at https://www.facebook.com/jktaylor.art.

My talented young friend John Taylor created this lovely illustration, showing the fae side of my heroine Lark Tūrehu. You can see more of his work at https://www.facebook.com/jktaylor.art.

One of my favorite things about writing the Delfaerune Rhapsody Trilogy is involving you in its creation. I’m asking readers’ input on certain scenes in the books. If you respond to one of my requests and I end up using it, I’ll credit your contribution in my “Acknowledgements” when the book is published. Those not used, I’ll add to the contributors page here on my blog.

Here are two areas for which I already need input:

1. A song to add to the heroine Lark’s iPod. I need a song of hope, but with a beat my character can walk to in a not-too-hurried rhythm. Give me a suggestion to fit into this excerpt:

“The entrance to the main path rewarded visitors to the garden with a stunning overview of the grounds. The mirror-like pond at the focal point, today reflected the fluffy clouds and blue sky. Several pebbly paths leading off into various sections of the garden broke between the flowerbeds and willow trees hugging the edge of the water.
“Nobody wandered the garden in plain sight, so Lark took a moment to plug in to her iPod. “SONG NAME” by SO-AND-SO spoke to her hopeful mood this morning. She allowed the music to set her rhythm, and walked around the pond and up a couple of the paths, expecting to run into B’rook at any turn.”

Thanks to those who already suggested songs on my Facebook post. If you want to add something new, please comment and makes sure to provide:

  • Full song name
  • Who performed/composed it
  • Description or even a few adjectives about the song, describing why it will work in this scene
  • Your name, or how you’d like to be identified in the blog or book
  • Your geographic location

(Just so you know, I may use your contact info provided via the comment to communicate with you about the book, but will not publicize it, or use it for any other reason.)

2. A recipe for my vegetarian fae to enjoy during a banquet. Please post your recipe comment to this request in my existing blog entry on this topic.

I will ask for your additional suggestions when needed as I’m writing, so stay tuned.

– Ann

Write on!
Ann Narcisian Videan
Write • Edit • Self-publish • Word-of-mouth

Reader contributions to the DelFaerune Rhapsody young-adult fiction series

Posted on by
2
You all make me happier than anything, even more than my tea addiction. (Photo by my tea-sharing friend Andrea Beaulieu.)

You all make me happy… happier even than my tea habit! (Photo by my tea-sharing friend Andrea Beaulieu.)

Huge thanks to my creative, supportive potential readers who contributed the following ideas to include in my DelFaerune Rhapsody novel series (in-progress). I could not do this without you!

– Ann

Critique partners

  • Dotti Enderle
  • Lisa Hood
  • Sheila Larkin
  • Angela Myron
  • Paul Narcisian
  • Karen Nunes
  • Sonya Weiss

Beta readers

  • Chelle Davis
  • Jennifer Hartz
  • Sara Rebennack

Maori and New Zealand words, pronunciation, and culture

World-building consultant

Cutter Videan
• Various Delfaerune, Fae, and plot ideas discussed over numerous Pei Wei lunches

Vegetarian recipes for the Noble Fae banquet scene

Joanne De Biasi
• Stuffed squash blossoms

Syd Hoffman
• Quinoa salad with organic peas and corn
• Spinach salad with onion, strawberries and balsamic vinegar

 Barbra Kebba Buckley
• Rice-stuffed grape leaves
• Nutmeat paté en croute
• Corn squash with piñon-nut stuffing

Songs for the heroine Lark’s iPod

Barbra Simon Anderson
• “Mummers Dance” by Loreena McKennitt

Deb Bader
• “I’m on my Way” by  The Proclaimers
• “Get on Your Feet” by Gloria Estefan
• “Jessica” by the Allman Brothers

Veronica Barrera
• “Song of the Lonely Mountain” by Neil Finn (The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey)

David Campbell
• “Happily Ever After,” or “All About Us” by He is We

Eduardo Cervino
• “Rumba Azul” by Armando Oréfiche–The Lecuona Boys

Joanne De Biasi
• “Love on Top” by Beyonce

Karen Mueller Bryson
• “Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina and the Waves

Cynde Cerf-Dehmer
• “Sunsets” by Powderfinger

Sandy Anders Crockett
“Protectors of the Earth” by Two Steps from Hell

Mark R.Hunsaker
“Jump in the Line” by Harry Belafonte’s (from his 1961 album “Jump Up Calypso”

Kathy Jones Miranda
“Your Heart is Black as Night” by Melody Gardot

Paul Narcisian
• “Runnin’ With the Devil” by Van Halen

Salih Rashid
• “Song for Mia” by Lizz Wright (folksy, sad)

Cassandra Reeves
• “Here Comes the Sun” by the Beatles

Marsha Sandoval
• “Here Comes the Sun” by the Beatles

Marcus Silving
• “Beautiful” by Christina Aguilera

Kris Tualla
• “Unchained Melody” by the Righteous Brothers

Codi Videan
• “Wake Me Up” by Avicii

Robert Videan
• “Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World” by Izzie

Fae version of roshambo (rock, paper, scissors)

Cherie Scott
fist with thumb up = tree houses creature
two fingers curved = ‘bunny ears’ creature eats leaf
thumb and forefinger in oval (kinda like holding a guitar pick) = leaf tops tree

__________________________

Write on!
Ann Narcisian Videan
Write • Edit • Self-publish • Word-of-mouth

What’s your faerie name?

Posted on by
6
Yeah, this happened within a few months of posting the blog entry below. Thank you, Joanne. @2013 ANVidean

Yeah, this happened within a few months of posting the blog entry below. Thank you, Joanne!  ©2013 ANVidean

The certificate says:

“It has been proclaimed by the fairy power vested in Twig the Fairy
by the state of discombobulation and fitting out, that your official fairy name
is hereby declared
Rula Ghillie Gardenia Mossyroot.”

………………………………………

Today, I was thinking about character naming. Honestly, I’m not that good at names. So, in dealing with this challenge of mine, I discovered a fascinating and fun site. It’s a name-generating Web page substituting your name for a fairy’s.

Here’s mine … “Gossamer Moonglow. She is a messenger of the moon goddess. She lives in spiderwebbed wonderlands and insect grottoes. She is only seen in the light of a full moon. She wears dresses made of cobwebs and gossamer and has bright blue butterfly wings.”

Ah-h-h, I like that.

Most people envision fairies like this: tiny, cute and winged. [As expertly illustrated by Mark Pate. (www.markpate.com)]

That name did serve as a source of inspiration, but doesn’t necessarily fit the mood for my books. You see, the fae in my Delfaerune Rhapsody young-adult-fiction, trilogy in-progress do not fit the mold of your typical fairy. Mine, in the Celtic fae tradition, look more like elves: they grow extremely tall; embrace glamour (magic), not wings, to fly; and,  therefore, require unusual names.

So, in the first book of my series, “The Song of the Ocarina,” I’ve given my Dark Fae monikers which emulate bad-boy rockers like Mikk, Axyl and Janys. My Noble Fae have natural names like Fern, Glenn and Whillo. Key characters also use Maori surnames, as my setting is Queenstown, New Zealand.

I’m looking for more inspiration. So, might you visit the fairy name site and come back here to share your name and description? Pretty please?

Call for delicious vegetarian dishes for young-adult fiction book

Posted on by
3
Community garden

A community garden in Highlands Ranch, CO. In its beautiful surroundings with the Rocky Mountains in the distance, I could see this garden tended by faeries. ©2012 ANVidean

In a banquet scene in The Song of The Ocarina (first book of my Delfaerune Rhapsody series),  I want to describe a number of succulently mouthwatering vegetarian dishes.

But, being of Armenian heritage where meat is a serious staple, I am at a loss. Can you share a vegetarian recipe worthy of a serving to the political leaders of Delfaerune (my realm of both Noble and Dark Fae)? Suggest a luscious dish that would fit into this paragraph:

“The chefs honored her homecoming by outdoing themselves in the kitchen. First, the servers delivered a leafy salad bursting with a variety of bright, colorful, tasty garden vegetables mixed with the chef’s especially creamy, tangy Ceasar. How wonderful to experience fresh-from-the-garden vegetables again. Their flavors exploded across her taste buds. Second, arrived the main entrée: a perfectly presented stuffed winter squash nestled in its own shell within a field of bright arugula and dressed with a cheesy asagio Alfredo sauce. Artfully placed golden squash blossoms piped with pesto hummus topped the dish. The orangey, coconutty ambrosia delivered third … well, talk about food for the gods. Pure heaven melting in her mouth.”

In your comment, please make sure to provide:

  • Full recipe
  • Description or even a few adjectives about the recipe, describing why it will work in this scene
  • Your name, or how you’d like to be identified in the blog or book
  • Your geographic location

(Just so you know, I may use your contact info provided via the comment to communicate with you about the book, but will not publicize it, or use it for any other reason.)

– Ann

Write on!
Ann Narcisian Videan
Write • Edit • Self-publish • Word-of-mouth