June 02, 2012

AAD Author Spotlight: Jae Lynne Davies -- Guest Post + Giveaway! (18+)






The Complex Art of World Building

We’ve all heard the term “world building”—a story/series and the details of the fictional worlds within them. Some are relatively simple involving a hero, a heroine, and the challenges between the two that ultimately bring the couple together at the end of a piece of romantic fiction.

At the opposite end of the spectrum there are complex worlds comprised of multiple characters, planes of existence, and a spin-off series or two. Some worlds are so detailed they have the power to make heads spin. But simple or no, authors invest a wealth of time and effort into creating a world that readers find utterly fascinating.

Through my personal experiences, world building begins with a foundation based loosely on facts. For example, in my latest novel, Blood Moon (the second installment in the Mythic series), my world begins in modern day London, England. Once characters begin to branch out, the location moves to Greece where the story takes on ancient Greek mythology and builds upon the lore.

I’ve been a fan of mythology for years, but my interest in the subject was a mere stepping-stone along the journey toward completion of the novel. Tremendous amounts of research went into the creation of the world in Blood Moon. I began over a year ago, reading and watching just about anything I could get my hands on to make sure I set the stage for a believable setting. Once I collected enough information to lay the foundation, elements were then added to bring the world to life. But when the setting was complete, there was nothing more exhilarating than taking a particular story in Greek mythology and adding a twist that might earn a few raised eyebrows. 

Want to see what how I’ve altered a popular myth? Read about Dante Diakos in Blood Moon, coming soon from Tease Publishing! 



Blood Moon Blurb: 

Forced to make a heartbreaking decision between the man she loves and the family she thought long dead, Gianna Marino returns to London—obligated to vampire coven leader, Mattias Vitale while thoughts of another are fresh on her mind.

When word is received of suspicious vampire activity, she is assigned to an investigation that leads her to Greece, where she discovers Dante—Mattias’s recently resigned second in command, and a dangerous prophecy.

Dante Diakos is the last of a pure immortal bloodline—a descendant of the gods, and he intends to invoke the power of the entire pantheon on the eve of the Blood Moon which occurs once every millennia. If he attains the legendary abilities, he’ll be the most powerful being on earth, and intends for her to rule by his side. 

When the fate of world hangs in the balance, the decision is placed in Gianna’s hands…become an eternal slave to Dante’s will or lose everyone she’s ever loved.

** I’d like to give away a digital copy of MYTHIC (the first novel in the series) to a commenter.**

Question to your followers: Which fictional world would you like to step inside for a day? Me? I’d LOVE to walk around in Sherrilyn Kenyon’s world of the Dark-Hunters. Going for a stroll her vision of New Orleans would be so much fun!


Mythic blurb: 

Centuries after the death of her family, human/vampire hybrid, Gianna Marino is determined to shed the blood of the vampire responsible. 

Disguising herself as a human wanting to be turned, she infiltrates the enemy’s coven with the hope of bending him to her will and destroying him from the inside. 

But when a handsome stranger enters the scene and is lured into their seductive game that results in a heated love triangle, she discovers a secret that blurs the lines between good and evil, forever changing the course of her existence, and destiny will soon determine on which side she’ll stand.

I want to thank the lovely, Damaris for inviting me to her blog today and I hope to see a few of you at AAD in August. Happy Reading!

Bio: Jae Lynne Davies is a wife, mother and author who wishes there were more hours in a day to balance all three and her full-time job, but whenever she finds a spare moment, you’ll find her sitting in front of her laptop typing the next chapter! Jae Lynne currently resides in the suburbs of Philadelphia with her husband and two children.

To learn more about Jae Lynne and her work, please visit her website: 

 
Mythic is available online at: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_9?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=jae+lynne+davies&sprefix=jae+lynne%2Caps%2C181


  • Must be 18 or older to enter this giveaway
  • Giveaway is open INTERNATIONAL

Must leave a comment below answering Jae Lynne's question: Which fictional world would you like to step inside for a day?


Good Luck!

 

14 comments:

  1. I'd enjoy stepping inside any of Joey W. Hill's novels, I'm thinking club Atlantis would be an amazing place to spend the day, week, month, year whatever! As long as I get a glimpse of Deagan, Gideon, and hopefully Jacob and Mason decide to visit!

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  2. I would love to step in the world of Twilight. I love Edward. Tore923@aol.com

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  3. I feel like this is a hackneyed response, but I would like to visit Harry Potter's world. The theme park in Orlando is too small to count! (extemter at hotmail dot com)

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  4. I would have to say the world of the Bridgerton family by Julia Quinn. Love her books and her characters. I would want to be one of their long lost family members. They love their family and seem to always have fun. I love the parties, the clothes, the dancing, and the family.
    Thanks for the great giveaway.
    christinebails@yahoo.com

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  5. I'd love to spend a day in Elantra and the fiefs(from Michelle Sagara's Chronicles of Elantra series)

    elizabeth @ bookattict . com

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  6. I'm going to pick Kim Harrison's Hollow series as Rachel. I just think it would be one wild adventure. Now if it were for a certain male character...I'd pick KMM's fever series for Jerricho or Jeanienne Frosts night huntress series...BONES..sigh..lol..your book sounds great and I'd love a chance to win it. Thank you
    Tanyaw1224(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  7. Thanks for a great post and giveaway! I would also love to go visit Elantra from Michelle Sagara's Chronicles of Elantra. See the Sergeant and the Aerians and maybe get a glimpse of a dragon :)

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  8. I'd like to step inside JK Rowling's Harry Potter's series.

    bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  9. I would love to step into Charlaine Harris' Louisiana in the Southern Vampire Series.

    Lizzi0915 at aol dot com

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  10. I would definitely like to step into Harry Potter's world. Might be a little scary, but with the right group of friends I think I can manage:)

    yadkny@hotmail.com

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  11. As far as books go or movies I am with several of the commentors and pick the Harry Potter books/movies. However I also would like to be in the world of Underworld movies with Selene and Michael.

    rachel at thejeepdiva dot com

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  12. whoa! sexy covers..lives up well to the title authors after dark..

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  13. I'd like to go inside Harry Potter's world.

    bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  14. I know this is a genre a bit off the track, but I love the world of the Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind - there are just so many amazing things to see :) Thank you for taking the time to share with us today and for the lovely giveaway opportunity, I am looking forward to visiting Gianna's world.
    dz59001[at]gmail[dot]com

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