SPARK inspires

dulce et decorum est
from SPARK collaboration with Caroline Davies

What is SPARK?

A participatory, inclusive creativity event….
that’s SPARK, and we want you to join us!

Open to writers, musicians, and visual artists of all kinds, SPARK takes place four times each year.

During each 10-day project round, participants create a new piece of work using someone else’s art, writing, or music as inspiration. All resulting work is then displayed online, alongside the piece that inspired it.

I've joined two rounds of SPARK--once, as a writer and the second time, as an artist. Next week I'm jumping in for a third round (again as an artist). Each time I've taken part, I experience the same excitement--hoping I can rise to the inspiration piece's challenge and knowing I have no other choice.

The day-to-day work of writing is, more often than not, a solitary act. Collaborating in SPARK, I become part of a creative conversation, inspired by another's ideas.

The effect of inspiration lasts long after the project is complete. And, each time I have come away with new knowledge. Last November's pairing with poet Caroline Davies introduced me to the poetry of Wilfred Owen and to Caroline's own vivid poems. I'm forever chipping away at my irrational fear of poetry (let's call it poemaphobia). Finding poets whose work I connect with helps me grow as a reader and a writer. I have SPARK to thank for that.

If you're a writer or artist, come join me in the next round. Registration is open until November 22. There's still time!

And, whether you choose to participate or not, pop on over and take a look at the creative collaborations from previous SPARK rounds.

Enjoy!

Into the fray

It's snowing in Nebraska, but I'm off visiting Etruscan places--in my imagination, anyway. A perk of fiction writing: daydreaming is part of the job.

Right now I'm writing Tales of Malstria, Book 4. It's set in tumultuous 3rd and 4th century BCE, when many Etruscan cities were facing off against Rome's expanding power. Here's a sneak peak excerpt from the work in progress:

My troops followed the river south and east along the base of the hills. Bog reeds, willows, and birch clogged the marshland on the riverbank, but farther out the valley opened in broken oak groves and pastureland. An hour's march in bough-strained moonlight brought us within sight of our enemy's camp. 

We formed up. The light infantry--men with swords and throwing spears--took the far right flank near the river and amongst the dense-growing trees. My own guard, Aplu's chosen, lined up four rows deep, and on our left the remaining hoplites filled the valley to the hill's base, forming a wall of spear-wielding men. Silent, we waited only moments before our archers rained fire on their tents. 

The enemy scrambled, men half-dressed grabbing swords and shields; trumpets blaring and signaling formations. A ragged band, they might have been twice our number but had less than half our skill. Men charged uphill in imperfect lines as their cavalry mounted.

"Forward!" I shouted, and our trumpeter blew the call.

We ran into Vetluna's half-formed lines, and as my spear hit the shield opposite me, I lost sight of the larger battle. Tents burned, making one dark silhouette of the phalanx facing us. Somewhere beyond them, horses screamed and men bellowed like beasts.

I'm using NaNoWriMo as encouragement to keep the rough draft rolling. So excited to see this story unfolding. (I always encounter surprises as I write. Comes from using a broad outline, I suppose.) Now back to work for me!

Tapestry tales

The Unicorn is Killed and Brought to the Castle (from the Unicorn Tapestries, Met Museum)

Tapestries tell stories. Beyond the primary image, small details add layers of meaning. Violets might symbolize saints. Wild strawberries indicate desire. A rabbit, fertility.

While writing The Taking, I was studying medieval iconography. I became so caught up in the symbols I was learning about that I created an entire series of tapestries for Amarys' walls--each one filled with plants, animals, and figures that revealed hidden aspects of the novel. In the course of edits, most of the tapestries were cut out, but symbols inspired by medieval art appear throughout the text.

To explore these inspiring images, take a look at The Lady and the Unicorn and The Unicorn Tapestries at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Met's site is one of my favorites. It includes clickable detail views, providing information on the symbolic meaning and practical function of each item.

A steal on The Taking

It's been a busy couple of weeks. I've been preparing an upcoming guest post for Tony Riches' blog The Writing Desk, and the proofs have just arrived for paperback editions of The Taking and Tangled. I'll update you in the coming weeks on both projects. In the meantime, take a look at Tony's blog, where you can discover a great collection of new books and authors.

My big news today is the launch of a Kindle countdown deal for The Taking. The promotion lasts October 23-27, with an opening price of only $0.99. That's over 80% off the regular price (and for less than a the price of a cup of coffee you can experience a book created by more than a decade's worth of research, writing, and refining). Give it a try! It's a good gothic read--perfect for Halloween.

The Taking Amazon UK Kindle countdown runs October 30-November 6.

Tales of Malstria

The first two novels in my Tales of Malstria Series are now available. The novels take place in thoroughly researched historic settings, including England in the decades following the Norman Conquest and the Mediterranean in the time of Alexander the Great. Combining elements of fantasy, horror, and literary fiction, the series explores the adventures, loves, heroism, and misdeeds of complex characters changed by supernatural acts. Tales of Malstria's supernatural roots draw from the myths and folklore of various cultures.

Lose yourself awhile in another time and place. Cringe and laugh, love and hope for characters you like and hate in equal measure. Although part of a series, each book is written as a stand-alone novel.

If you're a fan of subtle psychological horror or fantasy with a gothic feel, check out The Taking. Three generations have passed since LeMerle carved out his realm during the Norman Conquest, and his atrocities have grown to legends. When the castle he built becomes her home, Amarys of Rensweald feels LeMerle's dark presence. The darkness haunting her tempts her, as well. Amarys struggles to make the right choices, but when love gnashes her, she craves revenge. How will she face the monster she is unleashing?

Like horror touched with edge-of-your-seat adventure and psychological tension? Then, Tangled is for you. A runaway in twelfth-century York, Quin builds a life from stolen trinkets and constant hope. His knack for survival keeps him alive after he's nabbed by Leoric of Rensweald, a nobleman with dangerous needs. When Quin falls in love with Leoric's ward Amarys, his precariously balanced life comes undone. Pulled into a quest for revenge, he must choose between saving himself or the one he loves.

For a synopsis and excerpts and to preview Gates the Hours Keep, the next book in the Tales of Malstria Series, visit TraciRobison.com.

Picture this

What do you notice first when you look at this photo? Setting? Character? Action?

Look at the image for a few minutes and let your mind wander. Then, look away and start writing whatever comes out on the page.

What grows from your first thought? A poem? A story? Did the result surprise you?

Light and artistry

San Luigi dei Francesi in Rome, 2010

At Challenging Perfection, Lila recently wrote about the use of light in both visual and literary art. As a beta reader, Lila notices details of light in a scene and has often brought up inconsistencies I missed when writing. Having a group of readers with unique skills and points of view has helped me become a better writer. For that, I thank them all.

We've spent the last month at writersvibe highlighting visual arts. If you visit our blog, you'll see my fellow writers are multi-talented to say the least.

My art of choice is photography. I love the process of capturing a moment and framing it. Choosing a focus. Changing an angle. Looking to the light.

I took the photo on the right at San Luigi dei Francesi in Rome. I visited the church to see paintings by Caravaggio, who has been my favorite painter since freshmen art history. His dramatic chiaroscuro is how I see the world, darkness making beauty of light.