Sunday, December 2, 2012

"How to craft an epic fantasy series vs. a trilogy" Guest post by Christina Leigh Pritchard


Welcome to the virtual book tour for Lark's End by Christina Leigh Pritchard. She is famous for creating sweeping epic tales that span numerous volumes, instead of the popular and traditional trilogy. Here she talks about why.


How to craft an epic fantasy adventure series vs. a trilogy


“Three Day Cruise to the Bahamas”. 

That’s what a trilogy is. It’s a vacation given in only a limited quantity. I can’t write trilogies. Sure, you can fit everything into three books just like a mini vacation but there’s always so much left unexplored.  There’s more planning involved by the writer and less flexibility. 

For those who like to take long vacations and explore everything fully, take a look at any epic fantasy adventure series. These books aren’t written with an end in mind (usually) and delve into more character developments/back stories. 

With an epic fantasy adventure series there’s more freedom to explore other characters, worlds and play with the narrative! There could be two books, ten or fifty! To write such a series, one needs to have a basic outline and yet be willing to change as the story develops. I personally have the basic outline of each book ready. If the plot seems to change according to the character development and actions, I go with it.

Lark’s End is an epic fantasy adventure series. I’ve been writing the nine books in this series since grade school. It’s amazing to see the world grow and change as I grew and changed.  It was, personally, my longest vacation ever! (And I’m still visiting there!)


 Author Bio


Christina Leigh Pritchard was born and raised in South Florida. Her first stories were written at the age of nine in $0.15 wide ruled spiral notebooks (which were supposed to be used for class) ;o)~ and in the various diaries she kept. Stories she wrote from age nine to twelve fill about four storage boxes!

Since she's upgraded to a computer, she's completed over fifty books and still going strong. Her genre's include dark fantasy, young adult, drama, suspense, historical romance, multicultural, comedy, poetry and many more.



Links
Website for the Cin Series: cinseries.com


Title: Lark’s End

Author: Christina Leigh Pritchard
Genre: Intermediate Fantasy

From the author of the C I N Series, comes an epic fantasy world filled with nothing but constant action and adventure. A new world, new life forms, and another twisted and complex story from author Christina Leigh Pritchard!

SYNOPSIS:

Mary wants to kill them. But, someone stands in her way...

Tahmi has nightmares, of an old man in a sailor's suit, dropping her off on her doorstep. When she tells her parents about him they look sick. Could her dream have some truth to it? Is that old man the reason they won't allow her in the woods behind her house?

What are they hiding from her? Who is she?

TAHMI: She's just an ordinary girl, right?

Lark's End, the first of nine books in the epic fantasy series The Fall of Gadaie. For extras, (characters, illustrations, book trailers, maps) please visit the blog dedicated to the series:
gadaie.com

BONUS MATERIAL INCLUDED AFTER STORY (kindle version only)

66+ Illustrated photos created by Omaik Digital Art

What Readers are saying:

The world of Lark's End is topsy-turvy...I admit that I was prepared to be confused and disappointed when I started reading this story. Shifts of location left me feeling lost and for a YA book the language seemed too simplistic. After the first couple of chapters I was comfortable feeling lost. And very grateful for the language. By the middle of the book I was breathless keeping up with the journey of the companions. Far from being simplistic, Lark's End requires your full attention to follow the dream-like transformations and fast-paced movement...After reading Lark's End, I don't think there would be any trouble getting your YA to read Kafka or Borges.

-Speculative Salon Reviews

 Lark's End: Whoa, I knew you had a good imagination but Lark's End was outrageously creative. At first I wasn't sure that I would like it, it seemed a bit far out there but I loved it. It reminded me of worlds created like Alice in Wonderland or C.S. Lewis's Narnia. You are a great author/story teller. The world you created with all the wonderful creatures (my favorite being the stars) was so captivating. I can't wait to find this book and buy it for my kids. I really do have such respect for your talent as a writer. C I N was a book for me... Lark's End is a book for everyone, children and adults can both enjoy it. I was amazed and I can't wait to find out what happens next.. People that love to get lost in a book that can transport them to a fabulous new world are going to cherish Lark's End.  

-Goodreads Member -- Dione Sage

Here is another series by Pritchard that is filled with twists and turns as the plot races along. Tahmi is trying to figure out who she really is, as well as many other secrets. Pay close attention along the ride, so that you can keep up with what is going on! 

-Andi's Young Adult Reviews



Buy on Amazon: http://amzn.to/PpgTMC

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