Friday, May 3, 2013

Magical Fantasy Worlds


At the conference I attended last week, someone asked me about my fantasy series. Was it romantic fantasy, urban fantasy or epic fantasy? The question got me thinking—what exactly defines Whispers of a Legend Saga?

I have always thought of Whispers of a Legend Saga as an epic fantasy. The definition of an epic fantasy is basically the following. Epic fantasy centers on one person's journey. Most times, this journey is developed through quests and hardships. The story relies on its setting and the whole of the world is affected by the storyline. Within this world, the author creates a magical place filled with action, adventure, and romance.

Romance. Yes...romance is key to any epic fantasy. It is usually the heart of the story. Think about any epic fantasy you have read. The first one that quickly comes to mind- Lord of the Rings- was not a love story at the heart of the story whether intentional or not? Aragon and Arwen. I contend it was and that is why I have always claimed Whispers of a Legend is an epic fantasy.

Whispers of a Legend is also written in the new genre- New Adult. There was a small debate over New Adult at the conference—whether it was needed or not. Was it young adult with sex? I believe the best answer was that New Adult is a transition from teen to adult. In literature there was a gap in between. I believe that New Adult fills this void.

From the beginning of Whispers of a Legend, I wrote it in a different manner than I did my other books. It's in first person. I have never written another book in first person, but I felt that Kela needed a strong voice. Also, the focus of my book dwells upon Kela. There aren't many epic fantasies that hold the heroine as the string that binds the story together.

I have followed Kela's journey from a child through the turbulent years where one questions who they are to the woman she will become. Did we not all go through a period in time that defines us as a person? The path to where we emerge as an adult isn't an easy one. It is my hope that in the midst of the adventure I have captured this essence of maturity.

I have a confession though...writing a fantasy is fun. You are in control of your worlds...your characters...it's yours to command! Flying hawkmen, portals from one world to another, Euchouns, magic, evil creatures...it's all there in Whispers of a Legend.

Whispers of a Legend, Part One- Shadows of the Past!

WHISPERS OF A LEGEND, Part One- SHADOWS OF THE  PAST
FREE eBOOK!

Whispers of a Legend saga: Kela Calledwdele was born with a destiny, a Euchoun with only one purpose in life...to protect. Torn between two worlds, Kela soon discovers she is the hope of both. Now she must find the courage to face the destiny fate has dictated to her.

Kela has always known what path in life she would follow. She was born a Euchoun. Half Witheleghean, a passive peaceful race where magic runs freely and the other half, Sordarin, a valiant warrior race of hawkmen who rule the sky, she knows well her parents gave the ultimate sacrifice to give her a chance to live. Yet, in so doing, they have left Kela unprepared to face the dangers that await her. Her instincts are to protect and in this she does, but in so doing it leads her into a world where she knows not whom to trust. In time her power matures and grows stronger when she bonds with a Sordarin warrior, Cono. She learns well why she holds the power. An evil as no other before, Asmeodai, has emerged but all is not what it seems as a dark cloak encompasses her family. Betrayal, distrust, treachery leaves Kela alone. She is torn by her desire for Cono and the purpose, the path, she has been given to follow. And when another emerges within her world, one who seemly wants only to help her along her path, she is pulled further away from her Sordarin.

Shadows of the Past, Book One of the Whispers of a Legend is the first in nine installments of the saga. It is a journey of a young woman’s battle to embrace her destiny. Whispers of a Legend follows Kela along this conflicting path, where as a young woman unsure of her ability and her confidence in facing the challenges before her to where she emerges as a strong leader who learns to lean upon her own strength, to stand not behind, but side by side with her warrior.
What do you think? Have a good one! Keep reading!

8 comments:

Margo Hoornstra said...

Sounds like you are putting together some very compelling reads. Always good to fill a void in the marketplace. Best of luck!

Barbara Edwards said...

good luck with your series. Sounds great. another added to my tbr list.

Colleen Connally said...

Margo,
Thanks!Love writing this series! Sometimes I can't wait to see what happens...

Colleen Connally said...

Barbara,
Hope you enjoy it if you get the chance!

Tea said...

Thank you very much for ebook.

Jannine Gallant said...

Odd how heroines used to all be eighteen back in the '80's then went to older and now are back to having a whole young adult category. Trends include age, apparently. Creating a world sounds fascinating, but I have a hard enough time creating a town and keeping everything straight!

Colleen Connally said...

Tea,
I hope you enjoy it! Let me know! Thanks so much for dropping by!

Colleen Connally said...

Jannine,
Fantasy worlds are fun...all rules are off! I like that.