Inspiration for the Nifaran Chronicles 6: Tolkien’s disdain for writing conventions.

Kill your darlings? Not in the Lord of the Rings; give your darlings several chapters.

Tom Bombadil, a character who appears in a couple of chapters, then vanishes from the story with no impact, not a mention. At least three endings to the book, a fourth if you include the epilogue.

The lesson? Ignore convention; go where your imagination takes you.

I'm not saying the Nifaran Chronicles has multiple endings (it does) or that I have side plots that have no connection to the main story (I don't). Still, writing without a virtual English teacher lurking on your shoulder is liberating.

Kill your darlings, show, don't tell, don't use adverbs after said (he said sarcastically). Rules are for breaking, and risks are for taking.

Inspiration for the Nifaran Chronicles 5: The Magnificent Seven

The Magnificent Seven.

Yes, I know it was based on The Seven Samurai, but the western sticks in my mind. The story of a rag-tag bunch of gunslingers coming together to fight overwhelming odds is one I return to time and again. I love that we come to care about these men, making their demise all the more poignant.

It helps that my late father loved westerns, and watching them reminds me of him.

I’ve borrowed heavily from this tale in the Nifaran Chronicles. There will be blood.

Inspiration for the Nifaran Chronicles 2: Highlander

There can be only one!

The mid-eighties fantasy film may have too many damsels-in-distress, some ropey special effects and an Egyptian with a scottich accent, but it remains a huge influence on my fantasy ideas. The story of a race of immortals living among us, and battling to win the prize has stuck with me and remains one of my top ten movies.

Holy ground!

Inspiration for the Nifaran Chronicles 1: The book: Little Grey Men by BB

The book: Little Grey Men by BB

Before discovering Tolkien, aged 9, I read a strange little book about grumpy little men living on the banks of a river. A peculiar tale considered a brilliant children's story. However, far from enthralled, I was petrified at the thought of angry gnomes running around the countryside. As such, a similar unpleasant character haunted me and found its way into my forthcoming book as a dunter.

What is a dunter, you may ask? This small creature, similar to a gnome, is a blood-thirsty killer with long claws and spindly limbs. They're known to wear red caps dyed with the blood of their victims. Nice,

When writing Fantasy, the author has the choice of making up creatures are drawing from folklore. The Dunter is found in Scottish folklore.

Cheers for now.

John Howes.

The Nifaran Chronicles - Inspirations

 

In the run-up to the publication of Stone and Sceptre, The Nifaran Chronicles Part 1, I thought I would share the inspiration and influences that helped shape the series. This might be useful, interesting, or tedious. I don’t really know, but I’m doing it anyway.

I’ve spoken before about how I’m heavily influenced by film and TV. I’ll list some great movies, a smattering of TV shows, the odd book, and other weird stuff each day.

Both Part 1 and 2 of the Nifaran Chronicles are complete. I just need to commission the cover art.

That's all for now,

John Howes