Tatto For You

Well, how are the dice making projects coming along? Better than my blogging frequency, I hope :) Once again it is well overdue for me to post. Exciting news (I hope) is that I am working on two books at the moment: one an edit/rewrite of The Corsers' Hinge to (again, I hope) be released as a stand alone novella, complete with maps, illustrations, a brief explicarium and other appendical (not a real word) matter. Do people want to see this? If it happens it is more likely to come out first. The second is a proper novel that the more I work on it, the more I feel might stretch out into the usual fat, multi-volume "epic" (for want of a better word) I found myself stumbling into with MBT. It will not (as I might have said before... or was that just in a dream...?) be about Rossamünd and Europe this time around, but I hope you are going to really like the new fellow in the spot light (as it were) - he really takes up where dear little Rosey left off. This is all what ...

A couple of posts ago Elinor Blackwood (Ashira) was asking for me to divulge the process that goes into making my coloured images, so I shall now oblige. So, I start with the line drawing on paper (yes, a real piece of paper!) done with a sepia pencil for no other reason than I like the feel of the media and the brown looks nice. Some folk have mistakenly thought these charcoal drawings, but they are not, just coloured pencil. Having scanned the image in at 600 dpi, in Photoshop I then make a layer on MULITIPLY setting, onto which with the PENCIL tool I draw/paint/whatever it is you do in the digital context, areas of flat colour corresponding with the lines of the original drawing. Usually making a copy of this FLAT COLOUR layer – as I call it (turning off the original flat layer, thus preserving the original should anything go awry) I then mould the copied flat colour layer with the BURN tool, working in shadows and form as appropriate. Finally over the line drawing and the moulde...

Hello hello, hello! Still here, still kicking about, avoiding the blank page and all that. A favourite truism of mine (heard as a sample on Ride's "Going Blank Again") goes, "even a stuffed clock tells the right time twice a day." So in that spirit I am blogging again after an extended hiatus. First, I have an interview for your perusal over at fellow author, Greg Mitchell's page. A caution for those of a less religious bent that one of the answers gets pretty religious, so bare with me. Well, I have some questions to answer, I will have a crack at one: The glorious Justine H . asks: "... How exactly did you come up with the idea for leers? Are leers able to fall in love?And where on the Half-Continent did you come up with such an epicly amazing character as Sebastipole (and his amazingly epic name?!)?!?!" Well, I think it came first with seeing something that made me think it would be "cool" to put a large box right on someone's ...

Actually I have no idea what number of "question answering" this is, but, you know, just having fun... Alyosha asked a little while back why there seem to be few/no married folks in the MBTs , and I have to admit myself a tad perplexed by this. I too have realised such a (Freudian?) anomaly, and can only think that it is for the same adolescent reason that many spec fic novels deal mostly with the filially /conjugally unattached - it is simpler; no ties, no needed to refer back home to sooth anxious loved ones, just freedom to go and do and be as the adventure proceeds. Having said, I have quite pointedly had Rossamünd writing and "keeping in touch" with Verline , and refer in his thoughts to her and Frans and Pin, have tried (after committing the cliche of all cliches by making him an orphan) to give him filial connections that require tending - for I see Verline and the two one-time foundlingery masters as an ersatz family to our little adventurer. ... Maybe ...

The lovely RandomAlex has done a quick interview with me for the Snapshot project this year, part of the lead up to AUSSIECON 4 68th World Science Fiction Convention September 2 nd - 6 th 2010 - Melbourne, Australia ... being the 4th WorldCon to be held in Australia. I hope to go and thus for me it will be my first world con ever in Australia or out of it. And now for answers! Emma Nicole Reinmuth posits: "Just a theory... Are monsters aware of which humans possess Monster Blood Tattoos without seeing with their own eyes, and does that influence heavily whom they see as a threat? Rossamünd [we can heavily assume] is of monster blood and any action by monsters against him are taken with consideration. Perhaps it's the sense of their blood kin festering under human flesh that really grinds their gears?" Dear E.N.R. , I had not thought of it quite like that, but great late night fancy talk. I reckon it more the sight of cruorpunxis that would warn a monster off an ev...

I'm Allliiivvveee..! Over at Bookface [ TM] (where I am I think spending far too much time... maybe) Jane Hart Mason was good enough to ask me: Howdy... I hope you don't mind if I ask you a quick question, and I promise not be hurt if you don't have time to answer, or if it is your rule not to or whatnot. I am working on a little story of my own (not really to publish, just for my kid), and although I know what happens next and so on, I just can't seem to get it done. It may just be writer's block, but I am wondering if you have any tips or method as to what you do when this (if this?) happens to you. I have heard some writers set aside time to work on their stories, and even if they can't get anything written, they force themselves to sit there and think about it at least. Have you ever had any success with this? Mayhap you are one of those who is able to just pour it all out without pause, and if so please disregard this query. (I wish! DMC ) ... to which ...

Almost two weeks on (!) I surface from the Sea of Words - the Pontus Logia - to say what a swell time I had at Conjecture 2009 ; met many amazing folk - organisers, readers, writers and editors alike - though no one from here (thank you for asking Portals ). Apologies to you Klesita for not letting you know earlier, would have been great to meet you - I could have answered you questions that are still rattling about my noggin, directly... How about I do so now anyway. The one most on mind is... One of the things that intrigues me more is how Clementine, been so far away from everywhere and more over been so far inland, became a centre of power. Most centres of power become that because their position is strategic in one way or another. What is strategic about this place? I must admit when I look at the placement of Clementine/ Benevente on the map I do scratch my head a little and wonder how it got to be so powerful. Its strategic significance is not nearly as relevant in the curr...

monday comes bearing a "nosy personal question, Mr Cornish: I was just re-read Foundling again and am suddenly wondering if you have some sort of deep-seated, sweat-inducing terror of, when traveling, accidentally getting on the wrong bus/train/airplane. [I'm talking of course about Rossamund's incident with the Rupunzil and the Hogshead.] because i am a paranoid traveller myself, and that situation certainly struck a chord with me...did you have some sort of bad experience, or is it just the product of an over-anxious imagination?" I think it is the latter, though now that I ponder it, I certainly have an at times morbid concern for missing my stop - may be that is it? Ben Bryddia was wondering... "Since it's not socially acceptable to be abroad without a hat of some sort in the Empire, does Europe's refusal to wear one say anything about her personality?" I reckon it does, yes... especially in light of her rather ironic observations of Rossamun...

'Bout time I posted don't we think! E N Reinmuth was pondering... "If memory serves me right it was your interview on either the Today show or Mornings with David and Kim that got me out searching for MBT -Foundling, (technically I saw the gudgeon design before Lamplighter was even published, whoot !) and you said that you had gone to a publisher for a different story, and upon leaving you had dropped your notebook which held details of the world of the HC , and in turn the publisher asked you to write as many words a week, etc etc, leading to Foundling. Might I ask what that initial story was?" Yes you may! It goes a little like this... ' Tis a long story I shall attempt to make short. I trained back in the early 1990's as an illustrator in Adelaide, South Australia. In 1995 I moved to Sydney to pursue illustration work with magazines, newspapers and advertisers. In 1997 I began as a cartoonist at Burgo's Catchphrase working there and as a freelance i...

Yes, just as the title says, it is true, finally (*rolls eyes*) filled with self-doubt and trepidation, I am finished climbing the mountain. Factotum MBT Book3 1st Draft is complete! Now all that is left is to climb all the way down the other side. Now for some celebratory answers! Sylvenger was wondering ... 'in the video from Youtube for Lamplighter, it pronounces Europe's name exactly like the continent " YUR -up". I don't know, when I read the books I just thought it would be pronounced with a little more sophistication, like " yoo -ROE- puh ".' Actually, when used ordinarily it is said " YOO - rup ", though for more formal situations you will find it written Europ a and said " yoo -ROE- puh ". Ben Bryddia was wondering "... how nearly the present editions of Books 1 and 2 match their original drafts. In hindsight, would you have written them very differently?" The final volumes you all have read bear marked d...

I would just like to take this opportunity to correct the doggerel that Rossamund recalls of Swill early in Lamplighter . I got the metre all out o' whack and would like to offer to you a slightly improved version (and so let you in on my restless and constant polishing of the H-c) Honorius Ludius Grotius Swill Will saw off your limbs, but eschews the pill; For coughs he takes fingers, a sneeze he'll take toes, But fevers will cost you your ears and your nose. So no its syllable count for each line is 11, 10, 11, 11 whereas before it was 11, 9, 12,11 - which does not sound like much but I like the rhythm in the more even structure of the new version better - sounds more lilting in my head. If at this point you think I a little nuts, you just might be right... To answer a couple o' questions: Yes Jenny M , MBT will be a trilogy but I truly intend and hope to bring you other tales from the Half-Continent over the years in what, Lord willing, will be a long term relatio...

Just back from Brisneyland (being Brisbane for the uninitiated) having attended the Aurealis Awards night where, if you'll recall, Lamplighter was shortlisted in the Best Young Adult Novel category. Alas alak , I have to content myself with the shortlisting for I can reveal to you all now that Melina Marchetta 's (of On the Jellicoe Road and Looking for Alibrandi fame) first foray into the spec fic world, Finnikin of the Rock (Penguin/Viking) took the honours. Congrats to her - I'd be lying if I did not admit I was a tad bummed, but I got over myself and and very happy to have Lamplighter on a shortlist. The other winners of the 2008 Aurealis Awards by category were: best science fiction novel K A Bedford , Time Machines Repaired While-U-Wait ( Edge Science Fiction and Fantasy Publishing) best science fiction short story Simon Brown, ‘The Empire’ , Dreaming Again (Harper/Voyager) best fantasy novel Alison Goodman, The Two Pearls of Wisdom (Harper Collins ) best ...

Well, it is near two weeks since the peep of the year and have you heard anything from me..?! I am very chuffed to break silence (as it were), do as others have done and post up a shortlist from the up and coming Cybils Awards in my own chosen genre, Fantasy & Science Fiction : Cabinet of Wonders written by Marie Rutkoski , Macmillan Graveyard Book written by Neil Gaiman , HarperCollins Magic Thief written by Sarah Prineas , HarperCollins Savvy written by Ingrid Law , Penguin USA Airman written by Eoin Colfer , Hyperion Curse Dark as Gold written by Elizabeth C. Bunce , Scholastic Explosionist written by Jenny Davidson , HarperCollins Graceling written by Kristin Cashore , Harcourt Hunger Games, The written by Suzanne Collins , Scholastic Wake written by Lisa McMann , Simon & Schuster ... and (*drum roll*) Lamplighter written by some weird fellow surrounded by notebooks in a darkened room, Penguin USA. A true and dare I admit astonishing honour - (watch for my over-...

It is about time I answer Pearlius ' question: "About how old is Europe? She looks either a very tired young woman or a good looking old woman." I have always thought of the Branden Rose as about 29, as we currently know her, more in the line of a tired, world-weary young(ish) woman who has seen and done about as much as there is to see and do in the Half-Continent. I have to admit I think I overdid the careworn-ness of her portrait in Lamplighter , just a touch too haggard perhaps - ah well, live and learn. Pearlius was also wondering: "...does Europe have any heroic, awesome scar that she can show off?" I reckon she would have the scars, yes, but would be unlikely to show away with them... not her style I am thinking. (Perhaps if you asked nicely..?) I have been over to the Monster-Blood Cult on FaceBook started by Patrick Brooks. I have not said hello yet (on account that I do not have a Bookface account :) but perhaps folks from our neck of the woods coul...

Folks might notice my rather enthusiastic response to Jack so excellently putting up an Unofficial Forum in the form a snazzy link image to that very same place! Thank you very much, sir!/... I guess that answers the poll question then... Plus: Carlita's expectoratingly insightful question: "If anything, happens if a leer catches a cold and still uses his sthenicon. And what would happen if a wit or a fulgar caught a cold? Would they just be miserable, or would their transplanted organs cause them trouble?" Any of the H-c's more knowledgeable physicians would heartily recommend to any leer with a strong head cold to leave off using the sthenicon or olfactologue until the malady had passed. To ignore this advice can be both very messy (can you imagine a snotty sneeze inside a box), painful and will very likely extend the duration if not increase the severity of a cold. I guess that means, too, that hay fever suffers with dreams of leering best find themselves a new ...

So, I am thinking I shall keep up with this blog (indeed, that was my hope and intention) - I very much look forward to a forum happening though (hint hint - am I allowed to do that...?) - probably a powerful benefit I see is having some kind of section where questions are asked of me so I can clearly see what I have and have not answered. I am afraid to think of the number of questions that have gone unanswered here at Monster Blog Tattoo because I lose track of them in all the comments. Sorry to anyone who feels a bit snubbed by such an oversight, please, if you dare, ask again. In light of this contrition I shall now attempt to answer a question. Dear portals was axing a quekstion ... "So far all the Haacobin Empire's armies seem to all be made up of foot soldiers and suchlike. from what I know about history, cavalry always seems to be a great asset to any army, so why does the Empire have none.Sorry if they do have some, but with the definition for the Armies of the Empi...

(Following to be read with some strange accent in mind - I have no idea why, just cause...) Please being 'Hello!' to my good friend, the Handsome Grackle . (Cease with accent, please.) He is what is called nadderer - a sea-nicker, a water-dwelling monster - with neither head nor tail, but both at once, being able to walk on either end when he/she/it ventures on land. A very very robust creature, it recovers quickly from hurts, so much so that he has been swallowed more than once by much larger sea-beasts, travelled the length of their alimentary canals before being "poo-ed" (if I may use that word...) out again, relatively unharmed to get about his/her/its business. Oh what fun... There have been many excellent questions put to me here over the last couple of posts. Unfortunately I do not have time right now to address many of them - but I hope a couple of answers might suffice for the mo...? P ortals was wondering, "I have questions about lahzars' weapons....

Well, here we are in the post Lamplighter release phase of my plans for world domination (did I just say that or think it..?) I thought I might do a little Q&A for folks to mull on. 1600H (not their real name) - over at the Myspace page for MBT asked me via email: "... does the H-c still evolve in your mind? Do places, people, monsters, etc. still change, or are they a bit more fixed since you began writing the books?" And my reply: The whole H-c and the land beyond is very much a growing thing: as you can see above, you yourself have had an effect on it with your query. Another good example would be trying to decide what to call the whole world that the H-c exists within; it was the Alltgird at one point, though I am thinking to make this the name of the entire continent of which the Half-Continent is but a portion, Harth Alle - or maybe more properly, harth alle (a common noun instead, perhaps) - is the current notion I am rolling about my noggin. So many thin...