My guest today is prolific author Vijaya Schartz. She’s here to share her fascinating perspective on the blending of science fiction and medieval in the same story. She also shares blurbs from several of her books. Her series Chronicles of Kassouk, released from Desert Breeze Publishing, sound absolutely fabulous. So read on. When you finish, leave a comment about what you think of the interesting idea Vijaya presents here. Since I’m also working on a series that blends SF and medieval I am truly captivated by this author. Thanks for guest blogging with me Vijaya.
Why science fiction authors also write medieval novels
As an author, I write romance in futuristic and medieval settings, and sometimes, I mix both into the same series, like in the Chronicles of Kassouk, where I pit a medieval society against an advanced technological race. And contrary to modern logic, medieval humans are smart, very resourceful and full of surprises... enough to outdo their betters. Everyone enjoys seeing the oppressed win in the end.
A number of new authors are now also writing medieval as well as science fiction novels, but this is not a new phenomenon. Marion Zimmer Bradley in the eighties and nineties wrote in both science fiction and medieval genres with her Mists of Avalon (Arthurian legends) series and her Darkover (speculative fiction) series, and she met with great success in both genres. Most of her readers did cross over the genres to read all her books.
Writing the past or the future is not so far apart. Research is still research. For the future, instead of researching historical facts, you research modern science in order to project where the next logical evolutionary step will lead, and what kind of future society it will likely engender. Creating an unfamiliar world and making it real to the reader, whether in the past or in the future, requires the same skills, the same kind of imagination that projects into a world with different sets of rules, a different political climate, different dress codes, eating habits, different laws and ethics, different religious beliefs, different taboos, etc.
The only thing that doesn’t change through the ages is people. Although we would like to believe that we evolved over the last millennia, we really haven’t. Despite our fancy laws, we still have serial killers and terrorists. Given the opportunity, any human being will behave in the same noble or despicable manner now as he or she would have centuries ago. And in the future, it will probably still be the case. Of course, in the future there also might be robots, cyborgs, and clones which might operate under a different set of rules. But is that so different from the rules controlling the slaves of ancient times?
The struggle for justice, however, like the need for love and freedom, are timeless and constant themes that keep repeating in the past, the present, and will most likely endure in the future. Because these needs are inherent to human nature.
In conclusion, whether a writer tackles the past or the future, what carries a story, beyond the action, adventure and plot, is human emotion.
CHRONICLES OF KASSOUK SERIES:
Set in a world where a human transport crashed centuries ago, the Chronicles of Kassouk relate the evolution of a human community kept at a level of medieval development to serve a technologically advanced race. Constantly battling to regain their rights, the human population struggles for freedom.
NOAH’S ARK - A Prequel
When Trixie's starfreighter, Noah's Ark , drops out of jump space in an uncharted part of the universe, she believes the M-class planet on her viewer represents hope and salvation for her motley crew and the ragtag settlers aboard her ship.
Kostas, ex Space Marine, the expert survivalist recruited for this expedition, doesn't believe in coincidences, and knows that when something looks too good to be true...
Everyone, on this voyage to seed a new planet, is fleeing something, and harbors dangerous secrets... including Trixie, who vowed to never let a man control her life again. As for Kostas, he would get lynched on the spot if anyone suspected who he really is.
But on this seemingly abandoned planet, others are watching, herding them for evil purposes... and when the truth emerges and secrets unravel, Trixie and Kostas will have to fight for survival, for freedom, and for the right to love...
WHITE TIGER - Book One (award-winning novel)
On the frozen plains of Kassouk, where a few aliens rule a medieval Human world, Tora, Human warrior trained by tigers, seeks her father’s murderer. But what she finds at the point of her sword confuses her. How dare Dragomir, the handsome Mutant, question her bloodline and her loyalties? And could a new enemy control the savage hordes of the fringe?
Dragomir offers to help, but Humans and Mutants are forbidden to fraternize under penalty of death... Should Tora trust her mind, her instincts, or her heart?
In the vortex of war, treason and intrigue, among blizzards, avalanches and ambushes, will Tora solve the mystery of her father’s death and unveil the secret of her birth? Can she and Dragomir escape persecutions long enough to save their planet from the invaders and fulfill their destiny?
REVIEWS for WHITE TIGER:
"...an exceptional tale that belongs in a place of honor on keeper shelves everywhere." Johnna Flores - Coffee Time Romance - 5-cups rating
"...this is one futuristic that you do not want to miss!" Naomi - Fallen Angels Reviews - 5 angels - Recommended Read
"...kept me enthralled from the first page...a thrilling science fiction romance" Marlene Breakfield, Paranormal Romance Reviews
CURSE OF THE LOST ISLE SERIES
From history shrouded in myths, emerges a family of immortal Celtic Ladies, who roam the medieval world in search of salvation from a curse. For centuries, imbued with hereditary gifts, they hide their deadly secret, stirring passions in their wake as they fight the Viking hordes, send the first knights to the Holy Land, give birth to kings and emperors... but if the Church ever suspects what they really are, they will be hunted, tortured, and burned at the stake.
806 AD - Alba (Ancient Scotland) - As the Vikings raid the coast of Alba, Pressine of Bretagne sets out to seduce King Elinas of Dumfries, chosen by the Goddess to unite the tribes against the foreign invader. Elinas, still mourning his departed queen, has no intention to remarry. Head-strong and independent, Pressine does not expect to fall for the very attractive, wise and noble ruler... Furthermore, her Pagan nature clashes with the religious fanaticism of the king’s Christian heir, who suspects her unholy ancestry and will stop at nothing to get rid of her.
Find more of Vijaya Schartz' stories by following the links below:
6 comments:
Emotion is the most important part of a story, because the reader has to care. World building whether in the future or past is not an easy feat, so I give you credit having the ability to. I wish I did. :)
Hi Amber. I agree with you about emotion. Emotional development in a story is an important element. It enhances the plot and makes your characters come to life no matter what sub-genre you choose to write.
Thanks for having me, Kaye. I agree completely. Emotion is the key to a reader's heart. Have a wonderful day.
I think that the combining of sub-genres such as SF and medieval is awesome. As a reader I love both when I can find well written blended stories, like Vijaya's, it is truly wonderful.
I love a mix of elements. A good, emotionally meaningful story isn't constricted by a single time period or genre. I think the market today is opening up new and wonderful ways for authors to unleash their imaginations and mix things up.
I love writing a mixture of fantasy and science fiction. But the characters are the most important part - getting the readers to care about them as much as the author does. :)
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