I.A. Ashcroft's Blog: Mythology and Musings with I. A. Ashcroft
June 17, 2016
The reason why ravens are unsettlingly intelligent creatures
I don't post a lot of science-related content in spite of writing science-fiction and fantasy—perhaps that should change!
There's a lot of fascinating research around avian intelligence as of late. One of the more mysterious stars of Raven Song is the flock ("unkindness", if you will,) of presumably extinct ravens that seem intent on following our heroes around. Ravens are playful creatures, but also fearsomely intelligent, supernaturally charged or not—they use tools, communicate, and spread information across generations.
The question is, how are they so smart? Well, despite their small brains, they pack in as many neurons as some primates! Read more here:
http://arstechnica.com/science/2016/0...
There's a lot of fascinating research around avian intelligence as of late. One of the more mysterious stars of Raven Song is the flock ("unkindness", if you will,) of presumably extinct ravens that seem intent on following our heroes around. Ravens are playful creatures, but also fearsomely intelligent, supernaturally charged or not—they use tools, communicate, and spread information across generations.
The question is, how are they so smart? Well, despite their small brains, they pack in as many neurons as some primates! Read more here:
http://arstechnica.com/science/2016/0...
June 9, 2016
Writing a book in nine months
My debut novel,
Raven Song
, took me a full year and a half to write. I guess if you count some idea exercises I was doing, two years! Labor of love, that.
However, I'm an independent publisher now, and it's not easy in this space if you publish once every few years, haha. My ultimate goal is to publish a new work for my fellow book lovers to enjoy every six months. I'm told that's crazy! But, I've seen it done.
My current deadline for book two is a readable beta draft by the end of July. That will put things at nine months of work, much less than two years, and there have been so many times when I've thought I wouldn't make it. Writer's block, plot holes, etc., these happen to us all.
Two nights ago I woke up at 3AM. And, all of the holes fell into place, the blocks lifting even for books three and four, as I stared at the ceiling. It's those beautiful, perfect moments that you learn to love when you write. I'm so happy with where Book Two is headed, and I think you'll love it to.
I hope I have more 3AM insomnia in the days to come.
However, I'm an independent publisher now, and it's not easy in this space if you publish once every few years, haha. My ultimate goal is to publish a new work for my fellow book lovers to enjoy every six months. I'm told that's crazy! But, I've seen it done.
My current deadline for book two is a readable beta draft by the end of July. That will put things at nine months of work, much less than two years, and there have been so many times when I've thought I wouldn't make it. Writer's block, plot holes, etc., these happen to us all.
Two nights ago I woke up at 3AM. And, all of the holes fell into place, the blocks lifting even for books three and four, as I stared at the ceiling. It's those beautiful, perfect moments that you learn to love when you write. I'm so happy with where Book Two is headed, and I think you'll love it to.
I hope I have more 3AM insomnia in the days to come.
May 13, 2016
Update: Raven Song paperbacks are here!
I'm absolutely delighted to announce that the paperback edition of Raven Song has just been made available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble! You can also get a signed copy directly from me via Paypal at my website, ia-ashcroft.com.
Announcement there aside, book two is going very well! I can't wait for you to see the surprises in store for Anna and Jackson... the cover is also in development, and it's going to be beautiful. I hope you join me for this adventure!
Announcement there aside, book two is going very well! I can't wait for you to see the surprises in store for Anna and Jackson... the cover is also in development, and it's going to be beautiful. I hope you join me for this adventure!
April 21, 2016
Ebook Giveaway! Happy CampNaNoWriMo!
Enter the Amazon Giveaway for Raven Song here!
I've been very excited to put my fingers to keys this month. For those that don't know, Camp NaNoWriMo takes place in April, a sort of extension of National Novel Writing Month (which is in November). I've been using this April to continue fleshing out Book Two of Inoki's Game, a project I will be sharing with you this year!
That said, Raven Song, my first book, began life during one NaNoWriMo, and celebrating it makes me festive. So now, I'm giving away ten Kindle ebook copies of the book.
For those who missed the Goodreads physical copy giveaway, here's a great chance to snag a free dark fantasy/sci-fi adventure you'll never forget. Good luck!
I've been very excited to put my fingers to keys this month. For those that don't know, Camp NaNoWriMo takes place in April, a sort of extension of National Novel Writing Month (which is in November). I've been using this April to continue fleshing out Book Two of Inoki's Game, a project I will be sharing with you this year!
That said, Raven Song, my first book, began life during one NaNoWriMo, and celebrating it makes me festive. So now, I'm giving away ten Kindle ebook copies of the book.
For those who missed the Goodreads physical copy giveaway, here's a great chance to snag a free dark fantasy/sci-fi adventure you'll never forget. Good luck!
April 18, 2016
Mythology Discussion: Hades, Greco-Roman God of the Underworld
Those who follow me on Facebook and Twitter know I love to learn about and educate on mythology from all over the world. I'm going to begin including my Goodreads blog in these myth posts—feel free to ask questions, offer insight, ask about gods and stories you want to hear about, or anything at all! These are the stories and characters that defined peoples, part of why I love them so much.
Today, because I felt a little bit like death (Monday...), my thoughts turned to Hades, lord of the Underworld in Greco-Roman myth.
In the old stories, Hades was described as black-bearded and stern, sitting on an ebony throne, keeping his unyielding watch over the souls of the dead and ensuring they would never escape. Though unpitying, he was considered just, and gave his subjects equal treatment under the Underworld's laws. The most surefire way to enrage him was to attempt to cheat death or steal back a soul.
His brothers were Poseidon and Zeus, though their relationship is sometimes presented as strained. After felling the Titans, the brothers drew lots to determine their realms, and Hades received the Underworld. Many say he resented this.
Interestingly, it was common for the Greeks to avoid saying Hades's name, not wanting to attract the god's attention. No one really wanted to go to death. People also averted their faces when sacrificing to him. One substitute name used to talk about Hades was "Pluto" (referring to precious metals mined from the earth). Due to Hades/Pluto's association with precious metals, the Romans also associated him with the distribution of wealth, not just the Underworld.
One of the most prominent Hades myths speaks of when the god fell in love with Persephone, daughter of earth goddess Demeter. He caused the earth to swallow her, dragging her to the Underworld. Of course, Persephone was deeply unhappy with this arrangement for a long time, torn from the sun, kidnapped, and forced to be a god's wife (...euphemism). She pleaded to be allowed to return home. Surprisingly, stern Hades was said to turn an ear towards her and her mother's sorrows. She was allowed to go, but she had eaten four seeds of a pomegranate while in the Underworld. So, by law, she needed to return to Hades for four months out of the year. These were also the winter months when the earth would shrivel and die, as Demeter mourned being separated from her daughter.
In a striking turn, Persephone eventually grew to love Hades. Despite the violent start, they became perhaps one of the most stable couples in Greek mythos. Hades was protective of his wife, and his sense of unyielding justice bit into more than a few, such as when Theseus and Pirithous once attempted to steal Persephone away. You may remember Theseus as the hero who slew the Minotaur! Well, unamused by Theseus's plans, Hades bound him and his ally with snakes in Chairs of Forgetfulness, making them no longer aware of their purpose. Hercules eventually rescued Theseus from his forgetful fate (Hercules also put an arrow in Hades in The Illiad). Pirithous stayed in his chair, however, for all of eternity.
For me, it has always been Hades's fixation on law that is most fascinating. Some may know the story of King Minos, often in the tales portrayed as a cruel and reckless figure, nonetheless finding a high place in Hades's realm as a judge after his death due to his capacity for law and arbitration. Hades takes his role very seriously, and passes sentences in creative and exacting manners. Though Hades is no Christian devil, his realm no fiery pit, there are some interesting parallels to be drawn between him and the tales surrounding Lucifer - a creature enacting punishment on the damned for what he deems their sins, one with a fierce attention to law and contracts, always a fan of growing his realm's count of souls. Personally, I would like to know if it was Hades's personality that shaped later thought regarding the Christian devil, giving him those traits. Dante's Inferno, informed deeply by both Roman and Christian lore, seems a prime example of how the two blended. Chime in if have insight here!
Tune in next Monday for discussion of Hades's realm, its denizens, guests, and monsters!
Today, because I felt a little bit like death (Monday...), my thoughts turned to Hades, lord of the Underworld in Greco-Roman myth.
In the old stories, Hades was described as black-bearded and stern, sitting on an ebony throne, keeping his unyielding watch over the souls of the dead and ensuring they would never escape. Though unpitying, he was considered just, and gave his subjects equal treatment under the Underworld's laws. The most surefire way to enrage him was to attempt to cheat death or steal back a soul.
His brothers were Poseidon and Zeus, though their relationship is sometimes presented as strained. After felling the Titans, the brothers drew lots to determine their realms, and Hades received the Underworld. Many say he resented this.
Interestingly, it was common for the Greeks to avoid saying Hades's name, not wanting to attract the god's attention. No one really wanted to go to death. People also averted their faces when sacrificing to him. One substitute name used to talk about Hades was "Pluto" (referring to precious metals mined from the earth). Due to Hades/Pluto's association with precious metals, the Romans also associated him with the distribution of wealth, not just the Underworld.
One of the most prominent Hades myths speaks of when the god fell in love with Persephone, daughter of earth goddess Demeter. He caused the earth to swallow her, dragging her to the Underworld. Of course, Persephone was deeply unhappy with this arrangement for a long time, torn from the sun, kidnapped, and forced to be a god's wife (...euphemism). She pleaded to be allowed to return home. Surprisingly, stern Hades was said to turn an ear towards her and her mother's sorrows. She was allowed to go, but she had eaten four seeds of a pomegranate while in the Underworld. So, by law, she needed to return to Hades for four months out of the year. These were also the winter months when the earth would shrivel and die, as Demeter mourned being separated from her daughter.
In a striking turn, Persephone eventually grew to love Hades. Despite the violent start, they became perhaps one of the most stable couples in Greek mythos. Hades was protective of his wife, and his sense of unyielding justice bit into more than a few, such as when Theseus and Pirithous once attempted to steal Persephone away. You may remember Theseus as the hero who slew the Minotaur! Well, unamused by Theseus's plans, Hades bound him and his ally with snakes in Chairs of Forgetfulness, making them no longer aware of their purpose. Hercules eventually rescued Theseus from his forgetful fate (Hercules also put an arrow in Hades in The Illiad). Pirithous stayed in his chair, however, for all of eternity.
For me, it has always been Hades's fixation on law that is most fascinating. Some may know the story of King Minos, often in the tales portrayed as a cruel and reckless figure, nonetheless finding a high place in Hades's realm as a judge after his death due to his capacity for law and arbitration. Hades takes his role very seriously, and passes sentences in creative and exacting manners. Though Hades is no Christian devil, his realm no fiery pit, there are some interesting parallels to be drawn between him and the tales surrounding Lucifer - a creature enacting punishment on the damned for what he deems their sins, one with a fierce attention to law and contracts, always a fan of growing his realm's count of souls. Personally, I would like to know if it was Hades's personality that shaped later thought regarding the Christian devil, giving him those traits. Dante's Inferno, informed deeply by both Roman and Christian lore, seems a prime example of how the two blended. Chime in if have insight here!
Tune in next Monday for discussion of Hades's realm, its denizens, guests, and monsters!
April 6, 2016
Giveaway over: thank you so much!
Thank you all, you epic Goodreads members. Over 2,400 of you entered the giveaway for Raven Song, and while I can only send out copies to the three lucky winners, I'm so grateful for your interest in my debut novel, and for your support for the genre of strange fantasy and science fiction. I hope my book finds its way onto your shelves, and that you'll love reading it as much as I did writing it.
You can also find Raven Song for 3.99 or less in ebook format on Amazon, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, and Google Play, and more paperback copies and an audiobook version (read by the very talented Mikael Naramore) will be available in a couple months! iBooks and Smashwords versions will be made available as well.
Thank you all again. Also, I hope you'll join me as I talk about writing, fantasy, magic, and mythology on my blog. Feel free to send me any questions you have too, or ideas you'd like to see discussed!
Talk to you soon, Goodreaders!
- I. A. Ashcroft
You can also find Raven Song for 3.99 or less in ebook format on Amazon, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, and Google Play, and more paperback copies and an audiobook version (read by the very talented Mikael Naramore) will be available in a couple months! iBooks and Smashwords versions will be made available as well.
Thank you all again. Also, I hope you'll join me as I talk about writing, fantasy, magic, and mythology on my blog. Feel free to send me any questions you have too, or ideas you'd like to see discussed!
Talk to you soon, Goodreaders!
- I. A. Ashcroft
Mythology and Musings with I. A. Ashcroft
I love talking with people about fiction, fantasy, magic, and mythology. I'll also be providing updates on my own projects, both published and soon-to-be.
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