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My favourite things to bring me out of the writing doldrums

Kylie Fennell
Staying motivated to write when you are tired, grumpy and exhausted is an ongoing challenge and sometimes downright depressing.
Since I write a lot for a living, sometimes it’s hard to put fingers to keyboard with the enthusiasm my fantasy writing deserves.
Often I listen to my favourite music to keep me inspired. I have a few different playlists for different moods, which I will share with you another time.
For now though, I wanted to stick to a ‘musical’ theme and tell you about some of my favourite things. Things that bring me out of the doldrums and remind me why I like fantasy writing so much.
So here is my ode to my favourite things – fantasy and non-fantasy related – inspired of course by the Sound of Music, which happens to be one of other favourite things. 
(To be sung to the tune of My Favourite Things)
War of the roses and everything written
Heroic young princes making me smitten
Wizards and hobbits protecting a ring
These are a few of my favourite things
Cream colored unicorns and crisp apple strudels
Mulled wine by the fireplace
The whole kit and kaboodle
Dragons that fly with the sun on their wings
These are a few of my favourite things
 
Leia in white dresses with side bun hairstyles
Musicals and Pixar movies and medieval trials
Winter is Coming and there’s no hope of spring
These are a few of my favourite things
When the vamp bites 
When the Siren sings
When I’m feeling sad
I simply remember my favourite things
And then I don’t feel…so bad
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Image courtesy of https://imgflip.com/i/8n79v 

10 awesome words to use in everyday conversation

Kylie Fennell
As a writer I have a natural passion for words.
I’ve also claimed, rather cheekily, to be a purveyor of fine words. Maybe a more accurate description is that I’m a word collector.
Just like someone who collects stamps or Star Wars figurines, I find extreme pleasure in discovering unusual, underused or just interesting words. I then file that word away for later reference and an appropriate time to use them.
I tend to fall in love with certain words and look for any opportunity to use them in my writing and everyday conversation.
I don’t intend to sound impressive or elicit a certain response from my audience (most of the time). My motivations are entirely selfish. I find joy in using overlooked and sometimes unusual words.
So this blog post is clearly just an excuse to share some of my favourite words.
 

 1. Flummoxed – adjective. Confused and turbulent; baffling or baffled
Many years ago I was watching a popular comedy series on Australian TV (the Late Show made by the same people that brought us The Castle). One skit featured the word ‘flummoxed’ repeatedly and I couldn’t get it out of my head. Somehow I convinced my newspaper editor to let me use it once in a police brief. The story was about a crime spree involving a gang of youths turning up at unsuspecting businesses and ‘chucking brown-eyes’ before disappearing. Understandably the victims of these crimes were ‘flummoxed’.  Brown-eye is another unusual word or phrase Australians like to use but is best left for the Urban Dictionary to define. Most of the other definitions below come from www.dictionary.com
2. Skullduggery – noun – shady behaviour; dirty work, hanky-panky. What a fabulous word. A dodgy sounding word for dodgy situations. It sounds downright underhanded and it is.
3. Debacle – noun – a complete collapse or failure. A journalist’s favourite, often used in conjunction with fiasco. Eg. The government’s plan to [insert initiative name] is a debacle. The Minister has distanced himself from the fiasco.
4. Saturnine – adjective – sluggish in temperament; gloomy; taciturn. Eg. He wore a saturnine expression.
The word even sounds a little depressing.
5. Cerulean – adjective, noun – deep blue; sky blue; azure. Eg. Her eyes were the same cerulean as the summer sky.
So much prettier sounding than sky-blue.
6. Dragoon – verb – to force by oppressive measures; coerce. This word sounds like dragon, which makes it immediately attractive to me, and evokes feelings of power. Eg. ‘The King’s men dragooned the farmers to hand over their crops’.
7. Vex – verb (used with object) – to irritate; annoy; provoke. vexing, adjective Eg. She is always late. It is most vexing.
I can’t use this word enough. It’s the most accurate way to portray how annoyed you are without swearing. Thank you Jane Austen for introducing this word to me.
8. Beseech – verb (used without object), besought or beseeched, beseeching. To make urgent appeal. Eg. Earnestly did I beseech, but to no avail.
This word sounds as dramatic as its meaning. A great word for my medieval fantasy novels but more fun to use in everyday conversation. ‘Don’t play cricket in the house, I beseeched’.
9. Genki – a Japanese word that roughly translates to happy, enthusiastic, energetic, lively, full of health and happiness. A common exchange in Japanese: ‘O genki desu ka?’, ‘Hai, genki desu’. A little like ‘how are you?’ And ‘I am good’, but good just doesn’t cut it when there is a word like ‘genki’.
10. Ganbatte – Another Japanese word. I lived in Japan a while back, and I love the fact there are some words that don’t have a direct translation in English. My writing also has some Japanese themes so I’m naturally drawn to this language. Ganbatte roughly translates as keep at it, be courageous, do your best, work hard and good luck. It is used everyday in the workplace to encourage each other to do a good job. It is also used to wish people ‘Good luck’. However it also suggests you should word hard as well as wish for good fortune.
When it comes to my writing and editing projects I live by the mantra ‘ganbatte’.
So there it is. Some of my favourite words. What words do you love? What great words do you think should be used more?
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Book mountain – my nemesis and oasis all at once

Kylie Fennell
As a writer it shouldn’t come as a surprise that I‘m also an avid reader.
I love, LOVE, L.O.V.E. books. And when I say books, I mean the old fashioned kind.
I have nothing against e-books at all and have been known to read a few novels on the Ipad now and again, but it’s not my preference.
There is the tactile experience of flicking through the pages of a book, running your hands along the spine and across the cover, just the simple act of opening and closing a book is completely satisfying. I like to keep my favourite books on display, to admire, to remind me why I love writing so much. They are my beautiful friends.
Then there is the completely practical reason I prefer old school books – they tend to hurt less than an Ipad when they land on your head after falling asleep mid-sentence.
So yep I love books, which brings me to my dilemma – Book Mountain.
Book Mountain is my nemesis and oasis all at once. It is a pile of books that sits tantalisingly next to my bed. This is where ‘must-read’ books wait for me to get to them.
I try to only read one book at a time, but occasionally I have an urge to park what I am reading and delve into a different topic, land or time.
Then there are the books, I really, really want to read but haven’t got time for right now, but maybe soon…they are perfect candidates for book mountain.
Just when I make a dent in Book Mountain, another must-read arrives and takes its place. The books that are lucky enough to make it to the top of Book Mountain, will be read…unless another more enticing book comes along in the meantime…but I will get to it…eventually. At least that is what I tell myself.
This week I wanted to share Book Mountain with you so you could get a snapshot of what kind of books inspire me and my writing.
So here it is:
The Tournament by Matthew Reilly – I was very fortunate to win a signed copy of this book when I subscribed to the Never Ending Bookshelf blog by Jess – a big shout out there to the fabulous Jess. I’d never read any of Matthew’s books before but admired his journey as an author. He is an international best-seller who self published his first book. Legend! I’m reading The Tournament right now, and am really enjoying the story and Matthew’s no nonsense writing style. It’s a fascinating story with a young Queen Elizabeth I, as narrator.
It centres around a chess tournament in Constantinople held by Sulleiman the Magnificent, Sultan of the Ottoman Empire. The Sultan invites all of the major nations to send their best player for the tournament. A 13 year old Elizabeth Tudor, accompanies her teacher, Roger Ascham, to the tournament but the focus quickly turns to murder.
This is a crime story, which is not my usual type of book, but I am a major fan of historical fiction and the Tudor Court, so this take on Queen Elizabeth is definitely new and exciting for me.
The White Princess – I’m a sucker for anything written by Philippa Gregory. I share her passion for history and I love the stories she builds up around real historical figures, particularly how she portrays female characters. I can’t wait to read about King Henry VIII’s mother.
War and Peace (Leo Tolstoy) – I bought this on a whim. I guess I wanted to find out what all the fascination was about. When I saw how many pages it was, and how small the font was, I was reminded of what people mean when they say, ‘Don’t give me War and Peace’. That being said, I’m determined to get to this one.
Week-end Wodehouse– I’d heard somewhere that PG Wodehouse was a remarkable chronicler of a particular kind of Englishness. That his witty stories had become required reading at country house parties in the late thirties. As a fan of anything vintage and English country houses, I bought this wanting to transport myself to dark panelled drawing rooms, evening gowns and smoking jackets. I’m still looking forward to this one.
Vanished Kingdoms: The Rise and Fall of States and Nations (Norman Davies) – I read a review once about this historical reconstruction and it sounded fascinating. Apparently Norman Davies brings back to life the long-forgotten empire of Aragon; the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, once the largest country in Europe, and the Kingdom of the Rock, founded by ancient Britons when neither England nor Scotland existed.
Geez! That does sound interesting.
Catherine the Great(Robert K. Massie) – this was featured in another review that struck a chord with me. Historical – tick! And a strong female character – double tick!!
Ulysses and The Dubliners – I was watching an interview with one of my other favourite authors one day, Ken Follett. Ken recalled an anecdote about author James Joyce explaining his day’s work when writing Ulysses. He had spent the day painstakingly writing two sentences. “I have the words already. What I am seeking is the perfect order of words in the sentence,” he is quoted as saying. I found the anecdote fascinating and wanted to read the book myself. I added The Dubliners to the shopping cart at the same time, for good measure.
A Tale of Two Cities(Charles Dickens) – I love Great Expectations, especially after watching the recent BBC adaptation. I thought it was only fitting I read this Dickens’ novel as well.
The Once and Future King (TH White) ­– A while back a childhood memory came to me of reading a book about King Arthur, while lying on a blanket in our backyard, enjoying the sunshine and eating watermelon (the ones where you had to spit out the seeds!) trying not let the juice drip all over the pages. The power of nostalgia got me thinking that I should start reading some Arthurian novels. I love historical fiction and fantasy, so this was an obvious choice.
The Crystal Cave (Mary Stewart) – I bought this one at the same time as the Once and Future King. I started reading it a while back, but it was taking too long to get to the ‘magic’ stuff so I put it down in favour of something else. I know this is supposed to be a great read, so I’m determined to revisit it.
Rendezvous with Rama (Arthur C. Clarke)  ­– this science fiction novel came with an irresistible recommendation. My husband read it, enjoyed it and said I should read it. For a start my husband isn’t an avid reader. Secondly he’s not the science fiction type. So if he liked it, it must be awesome. This earns its place in Book Mountain based on his recommendation alone.
So there you have it, my ‘pending’ pile of books I’m reading/will read. Hopefully next time we revisit Book Mountain, we will find some brand new candidates in their place.

I realise my ‘must-read’ mission is doomed to never-end and Book Mountain will simultaneously haunt and thrill me…but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

13 tips for writing and editing your first novel

Kylie Fennell
I’ve earned a living as a professional writer for more years than I care to admit.
I can pump out 1,000 words on almost any topic and edit them to a professional standard, well before the boss screams down the phone ‘one minute till deadline’.
That might sound like a bit of a brag-fest, but it’s not meant to be. It’s meant to illustrate the stark contrast between my corporate writing experience and my creative writing.
As I’ve mentioned before I’m in the process of editing my first fantasy novel series. I’m a novice when it comes to novel writing and editing and I can tell you it is a case of: same but different.
While I can apply my corporate writing knowledge and skills to my creative projects, the practices are distantly related cousins rather than siblings.
For me the key differences are:
The length of time– it comes down to simple maths. Writing and editing 100,000 words takes significantly longer than 1,000 words, making the task all the more overwhelming and complex
Subjective criticism– creative and particularly novel writing is a completely personal and subjective experience. Corporate writing usually involves facts, figures and quantitative research. Most of the time you can be reasonably objective. When it comes to novels you tend to continually question and overly criticise your work. It’s almost impossible for me to look at my creative work objectively.
For these two reasons, I tend to go through various stages (which I suspect are common to many novelists). I swing back and forth between loving what I’m writing/editing, to hating it, to despising it, to wanting to give up on it, then back to loving it again. On a good day I’m filled with confidence and pride, on an average day I’m thinking ‘it’s not so bad’ but then there are the other days.
These are the days you discover a major plot hole 200 pages in, that means revising every other page. It becomes a case of one chapter forward and 200 pages backward.
I look back at my ‘writing my first novel’ self and laugh knowingly in her face. “You thought that was hard? Well, editing your novel will be (at times) the hardest and most demoralising thing you’ve ever done.” I tell myself. Yet we do this with no promise of financial reward at the end.
Lucky for people like me I still think the process is worth it, in spite of all the pitfalls. Frankly, I don’t have a choice. I must write and these novels must be written. But how can it be done without sending myself spare?
The ever resourceful and helpful Queensland Writers Centre, which I’m eternally grateful to, highlighted in a recent editorial that “there’s writing, and there’s finishing”.
The editorial reminds us that until we “complete a working first draft, we won’t know how to fix our story in the rigorous editing and polishing stages to follow”.
  
So in this post, I want to focus on ways to stay on track when it comes to writing your first draft and how to stay positive and motivated throughout the writing and editing stages. Let me begin first with the disclaimer that I am no means an expert when it comes to novel writing, but this is what I’ve learned so far.
  1. Just write – write anything. If you can’t bring yourself on a particular day to write your novel, write something else. Write about the ‘writing process’. Write a mock letter to your main character. Write a list of your character’s favourite places. The daily process of writing is critical. When you’re not sure, or downcast, just keep writing, just keep writing.
  2. Set goals – set yourself achievable goals for the week/month/year and regularly track how you’re going. Revise goals if you need to, but be careful not to make your targets too low or too high.
  3. Set aside time – find the time of day that best suits you to write or edit, whether it is first thing in the morning or late at night, as long as it suits you. Set the time aside and stick to it. Any stint longer than 4-6 hours though may become unproductive.
  4. Reward yourself – when you do achieve your goals, reward yourself.
  5. Identify recurring distractions and eliminate them (if possible) – if you notice that you are commonly distracted by household demands while writing from home, get out of the house and go to the library or a café or park to work. Turn off mobile and social media if you can.
  6. Make notes as ideas come to you – have a notebook and pen on hand or type notes directly into your phone when they occur to you. I’ve been known to record voice memos while driving (using the hands-free and voice activation functions on my phone).
  7. Find things that inspire you – I actively look for phrases, images, films, books or music that inspire me. I have a Pinterest board for general writing tips and inspirational quotes and another for my fantasy writing pins. Pinterest can suck up time quite easily but can be therapeutic if you monitor your time carefully. Start a blog like this one. Read books that inspire you. Create a playlist of music that could be the soundtrack for your novel. Watch your favourite movie that is from the same genre or style of your novel.
  8. Learn more about your craft – read credible books about writing. Join a writers group. Go to writing events and workshops such as the those held by the Queensland Writers Centre.
  9. Combat blocks – if you are truly stuck, ask yourself ‘What if?’ scenarios or questions about your setting, plot or characters.
  10. Take a break (just not too long!) – step away from the computer if you are finding it all too overwhelming. Take a walk. Go get a coffee.
  11. Understand when perfection is required – You may have heard the phrase that ‘first drafts don’t have to be perfect. They just need to be written’. This pin from novel-software.com describes the draft and edit stages. Your first edit is really draft two. In draft one you go like the clappers and don’t look back.  In draft two you start to refine and improve. You don’t focus on polishing and editing or cutting until draft three. Draft four is for tweaking and polishing. Only after then will you be – or preferably a second pair of eyes – proofreading. So when a loved one offers ‘to edit for you’ when you are still in draft two, politely explain the above process. This may also prevent or minimise the endless ‘how’s the editing going?’ questions. You may like to engage a trustworthy friend or fellow writer to act as a betareader for you in the later stages as well. They can help identify plot holes, continuity or flow issues.
  12. Don’t beat yourself up and believe in yourself – writing and editing a novel is a mammoth task. Congratulate yourself on how far you have come. When you are feeling despondent, seek out people who believe in you. Seek out those people who will tell you how wonderful you are and how awesome your book is going to be. Alternatively, if you need a kick up the backside, find the person you know who will give that to you.
  13. Never, ever, ever, ever give up – if you can’t stop yourself from wanting it, don’t stop trying.
As a final piece of inspiration, here is a great quote from www.KarlBimshas.com

“When you cannot think: write; When you cannot speak: write: When you cannot sleep: write; and if you cannot write: read”.
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My Top 10 (Kick-butt) Women of Sci-Fi and Fantasy

Kylie Fennell
In previous blog posts I have mentioned how I often get inspiration from my favourite films and TV shows.
Since I focused on my top 10 male stars of fantasy and science-fiction last time, I thought it was only fair that this week I featured ‘kick-butt’ women.
So here are my Top 10 women from fantasy and science-fiction.
1. Trinity, The Matrix
Carrie-Anne Moss plays Trinity in the Matrix, and Neo’s (Keanu Reeves) love interest.
When Neo learns that humans are living in a simulated reality called ‘The Matrix’ created by machines, he joins a rebellion to free people from the dream world.
Trinity guides and protects him through this journey, with some seriously kick-butt acrobatic actions and extreme stunts.
Even if she wasn’t as awesome in the physicality of her scenes, you would still give her kudos for some seriously tight black leather outfits, that she totally pulls off.
2. Katniss Everdeen, The Hunger Games
Jennifer Lawrence plays Katniss Everdeen in the Hunger Games films based on the best selling book series.
In the dystopian nation of Panem the wealthy Capitol punishes poorer districts for a past rebellion by forcing them to nominate two ‘tributes’ to compete in the televised Hunger Games – a fight to the death.
The tributes are decided via a lottery and Katniss volunteers when her younger sister Primrose is initially drawn.
Katniss is fiercely loyal, courageous and shows amazing ingenuity to outsmart the Capitol and win the Hunger Games while saving male Tribute Peeta Mellark, a boy her age from the same village.
On top of that, she is deadly accurate with a bow and arrow and doesn’t flinch when wearing a dress on fire. Well deserving of the second spot on this list.
3. Princess Leia, Star Wars
Carrie Fisher plays Princess Leia Organa of Alderaan, and a leader in the Alliance and succeeding galactic governments to defeat the evil empirical forces.
Princess Leia is as adept at using a blaster gun as she is at diplomacy. She doesn’t suffer fools lightly and doesn’t have any time for anyone unless they will help her on her quest.
She cuts down Han Solo and his sarcastic wit in an instant. She is fearless and somehow makes a side bun hairdo look sexy. And who could forget how she gets the better of Jabba the Hut while wearing one of the skimpiest, iconic outfits of all time.
4. Buffy Summers, Buffy the Vampire Slayer
I don’t have anything against vampires, but I have to give a big high five to Sarah Michelle Gellar for her lead role in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
The series narrative follows Buffy Summers, the latest in a line of young women known as Slayers as they battle against vampires, demons, and other forces of darkness.
Buffy looks like the (pretty) girl next door but in reality is an unstoppable fighting machine. She manages to combine strength and agility with likeability.
 
 
 
 
 
5. Galadriel, The Lord of the Rings
Cate Blanchett magnificently portrays the elf Galadriel in The Lord of the Rings.
Galadriel, the Lady of Light, was a royal Elf and described as ‘the mightiest and fairest of all the Elves that remained in Middle-earth’.
She possesses mysterious magical powers and is all grace, beauty and etherealness will being a little bit scary and intimidating.
Galadriel and her powers pop up just when the Hobbits and the Fellowship of the Ring need them.
If only we could all leave everyone just as awestruck.
6. Éowyn, The Lord of the Rings
Miranda Otto plays Éowyn, a daughter of the House of Eorl and the niece of King Théoden.
As a child Éowyn dreams of going into battle and defending her uncle’s realm and getting justice for her father who was killed fighting orcs.
As a female, she is obliged to take on the role of nurse to her uncle. When her uncle recovers from his illness and goes to war, she is reminded that her duty is with her people and that she must shoulder the responsibility of ruling Rohan in Théoden’s stead.
Instead she disguises herself as a male warrior named Dernhelm to fight beside Théoden in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields.
During the battle, she is confronted by the Witch-king of Angmar, The Witch-king boasted that ‘(no) living man may hinder me’. Éowyn then removed her helmet and declared: ‘But no living man am I! You look upon a woman’.
Éowyn then goes on to defeat the Witch-king. Legendary!
 
 
7. Tris Prior, Divergent
Shailene Woodley plays Beatrice ‘Tris’ Prior in a dystopian post-apocalyptic version of Chicago, where people are divided into distinct factions based on human virtues.
Tris discovers she is Divergent, which means she will never fit into any one of the factions. As she navigates her way through figuring out who she is, she participates in a gruelling training regime under the steely gaze of Four, another Divergent.
They discover a sinister plot that threatens to upturns the seemingly perfect society and together they step-up to prevent the worst from happening.
Tris earns respect for her never give up attitude.
8. Black Widow, The Avengers
It may not fit in the typical sci-fi or fantasy genre, but The Avengers boasts one of the coolest heroines in my books.
Scarlett Johansson plays Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow. She makes up for the fact she is one of only two members of the group who don’t have superpowers, by being a super charged warrior.
The Black Widow is a highly trained spy who ensnares and seduces her prey before launching kick-butt fight moves and stunts while donning a curve-defying skin tight jumpsuit.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
9. Sarah Williams, The Labyrinth 
Jennifer Connelly plays teenage girl, Sarah Williams, in a quest to save her baby brother from the Goblin King, Jareth (David Bowie).
Somehow she manages to resist Jareth’s magical powers and seductive words, to win victory, declaring ‘You have no power over me’.
Cute and strong-minded. She has to admired for not falling under David Bowie’s spell.
 
10. Alice, Alice in Wonderland
Lewis Carroll’s Alice from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland has to be one of the original fantasy heroines.
Alice falls down a rabbit hole into a fantasy world populated by peculiar creatures such as the Cheshire Cat and the Mad Hatter.
She takes on the formidable Queen of Hearts and every curve ball or flamingo thrown at her.
Curiouser and curiouser, she soliders on until finally returning to the real world.
Wouldn’t we all like to fall down the rabbit hole to have an adventure just like Alice? I know I would.

Who is on your Top 10 list?

Check out my related blog post featuring my Top 10 Men of Sci-Fi and Fantasy.

***UPDATE*** This list wouldn’t be complete without my gal Wonder Woman. So let’s consider it a top 11.

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My Top 10 (Kick-butt) Men of Sci-Fi and Fantasy

Kylie Fennell
When it comes to inspiration for characters in my fiction writing I often look to my favourite films and TV shows.
From loveable larrikins to bad-guys-turned-good and comical side-kicks, here are my top 10 male stars of fantasy and science-fiction. Whether they are from the 70s, 80s, 90s or even more recent, these guys kick some serious butt on the big and small screen.
1. Jareth, The Labyrinth
David Bowie as Jareth, the Goblin King, in the 1986 movie Labyrinth delivers a triple whammy of enviable 80s hair, glam-rock make-up and a killer wardrobe dominated by patent leather and over-the-top ruffle shirts – picture Mr Darcy meets Liberace.
Added to that he sings a few tunes and delivers villainous (but dare I say downright sexy) lines like: Just fear me, love me, do as I say, and I will be your slave!
It’s not hard to fall under this antagonist’s spell.
2. Madmartigan, Willow
Val Kilmer as Madmartigan in Willow is a boasting mercenary swordsman, who helps the main character Willow on his quest to protect a child from an evil queen.
He is reckless, disgraced, dishevelled and completely self-obsessed for the most part, but glimpses of good are seen as he joins Willow’s quest. He becomes smitten by a fairy spell and declares his love for a woman who he utterly detests after she attacked him.
His devastatingly romantic declaration goes like this:
Madmartigan: You are my sun! My moon! My starlit sky. Without you I dwell in darkness. I love you! Your power has enchanted me, I stand helpless against it. Come to me, now. Tonight, let me worship you in my arms. I love you!
Sorsha: Stop saying that!
Madmartigan: How can I stop the beating of my heart? It pounds like never before.
Sorsha: Out of fear!
Madmartigan: Out of love!
Sorsha: I can stop it. I’ll kill you.
Madmartigan: Death, next to love is a trivial thing. Your touch is worth 100,000 deaths.
He has no recollection of his love declaration and when questioned cries out in complete disgust and shock: ‘I don’t love her, she kicked me in the face!’
3. The Man in Black, The Princes Bride
Cary Elwes as Westley/Dread Pirate Roberts/The Man In Black, a farmboy, a pirate in black, and (Princess) Buttercup’s love interest.
For most of the movie he wears a mask, delivering witty one-liners and overwhelming his enemies with charm, intellect and deft swordsmanship.
His only quest is to return to his beloved Buttercup and do whatever she bids. His frustratingly concise and infamous response to anything Buttercup asks of him is: ‘As you wish’.
4. Inigo Montoya, The Princess Bride
Mandy Patinkin as Inigo Montoya, is a Spaniard who has trained in fencing for 20 years to the point of fighting left-handed so as to prolong his duels. He seeks revenge upon Count Rugen for the murder of his father.
Seriously wounded early in the battle, he is able to restore his focus by repeatedly reciting his long-rehearsed greeting of vengeance: ‘Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.’ He eventually slays his nemesis.
5. Han Solo, Star Wars
Harrison Ford plays Han Solo who is described as a reckless smuggler with a sarcastic wit.
During the course of the Star Wars story, he becomes a chief figure in the Alliance and succeeding galactic governments.
Star Wars creator George Lucas described the character as ‘a loner who realises the importance of being part of a group and helping for the common good’.
No one can do cool like Han Solo. This cheeky character came back to life after being frozen in a large block of carbonite in The Empire Strikes.
His love-hate relationship with Princess Leia is the clincher for me:
‘Look, I ain’t in this for your revolution, and I’m not in it for you, princess. I expect to be well paid. I’m in it for the money’.
6. Yoda, Star Wars
So he is a little green puppet that speaks in riddles and breaks all the rules of English grammar, but this little dude can fight and his words of wisdom are seriously deep.
Grand Jedi Master Yoda is among the oldest and most powerful known Jedi Masters in the Star Wars universe and trains Luke Skywalker to fight against the evil Galactic Empire.
His philosophical oneliners include:
“Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.”
“Powerful you have become, the dark side I sense in you.”
7. Aragorn, The Lord of the Rings
Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn in The Lord of the Rings is devastatingly dark and mysterious. Aragorn was a Ranger of the North, first introduced with the name Strider.
Strider is surrounded by mystery and it is unclear initially whether he is friend or foe.
Not only does it turn out he is a friend, he is a powerful ally who protects the hobbits to the very last. It transpires he is the heir of Isildur and rightful claimant to the thrones of Arnor and Gondor and is an integral to the quest to destroy the One Ring and defeat the Dark Lord Sauron.
When he is returned to his rightful throne he instructs the four Hobbits of the Fellowship: ‘My friends… you bow to no one.’
Fiercely loyal and brave, as well as humble, what’s not to love.
8. Legolas, The Lord of the Rings
Orlando Bloom (with gorgeous long blonde hair) plays Legolas Greenleaf, an Elf and son of the Elf-king Thranduil of Mirkwood. He is a Prince of the Woodland Realm (Mirkwood), a messenger, and a master bowman.
There’s something truly magical about this elf’s skills with a bow and his unlikely friendship with the dwarf Gimli gives you warm and fuzzies.
‘Come, you shall sit beside me, friend Gimli, then all will be well, and you need neither borrow a horse nor be troubled by one.’
9. Pippin and Merry, The Lord of the Rings
Merry and Pippin are two characters from The Lord of the Rings series, played by Billy Boyd and Dominic Monaghan.
This dynamic duo are loveable, loyal, brave, mischievous and the most unlikely heroes who set forth on a big adventure and search for second breakfasts. They promise and deliver many comic moments in this blockbuster.
Aragorn: Gentlemen, we do not stop till nightfall.
Pippin: What about breakfast?
Aragorn: You’ve already had it.
Pippin: We’ve had one, yes. What about second breakfast?
Merry: I don’t think he knows about second breakfast, Pip.
Pippin: What about elevenses? Luncheon? Afternoon tea? Dinner? Supper? He knows about them, doesn’t he?
Merry: I wouldn’t count on it.
10. Jean Luc Picard, Star Trek: The Next Generation
I wanted to round off my Top 10 with a star from the small screen. When it comes to uber-cool one-liners and almost inexplicable sex appeal, nothing beats Patrick Stewart as Jean Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Stewart himself is reported to have been uncertain as to why the producers would cast ‘a middle-aged bald English Shakespearean actor’ as captain of the Enterprise, but no one could question the impressive figure he made on the Bridge.
His character has been described as deeply moral, highly logical and intelligent.  
Picard is a master of diplomacy capable of remarkable tactical cunning in tricky situations.
His signature order is: ‘Make it so’. Anyone who doesn’t look for opportunities to drop this phrase in everyday conversation, needs to get themselves to Blockbuster immediately and watch this series as a matter of grave importance.
Who is on your Top 10?
Check out my related blog post featuring my Top 10 Women of Sci-Fi and Fantasy.
***UPDATE*** This list wouldn’t be complete without my favourite anti-hero of all time, Loki. So let’s consider it a top 11.
Image result for Loki
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3…2…1….blast-off – how to market the launch of your new business

Kylie Fennell
When starting a business there are a few basic marketing activities you need to get underway. 
Image courtesy of koratmember/freedigitalimages.net
Ideally you would have developed a marketing strategy for your ongoing operations, but just as much focus should be given to launching your business.
You will only have one ‘grand opening’ for your business, so you should make the most of it. 
Getting your launch marketing activities right will put you in a good starting position and create a great first impression.
Here are my tips for marketing the launch of your new business. You can also use some of the same tactics for marketing a new product, service, idea or store location.
The ‘Coming Soon’ phase
In the weeks leading up to your grand opening, you want to start sharing the ‘Coming Soon’ message.
You can achieve this by:
  • Creating a ‘Coming Soon’ web page. You don’t need your full website to be up and running for this. A holding page or temporary page is fine for the ‘Coming Soon’ phase. Refer to my previous blog post for tips on setting up a website.
  • Tell everyone.Tell all of your friends, contacts/everyone you know or meet, about your upcoming business opening.
  • Create a contact list– start building an email/mailing list of people who would be interested in receiving information about your business. This will be the starting point of your Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system – one of your most valuable assets. You may not be able to afford specific CRM software, at least not initially, so you can use a simple spreadsheet to capture contact details.

    You could also set up a simple subscription form on your website and Facebook page. You can even create and manage contact lists in a free web-based tool such as mailchimp, which provides tailored sign-up forms and can be used later to develop and distribute e-newsletters.

    However, you must comply with relevant privacy laws and anti-spam laws, which you will need to make yourself familiar with. These differ from state to state and country to country but generally you can’t send marketing information to anyone unless they agree to receive it.  If someone agrees to only receive certain type of information, you can’t send them different types of information. You can’t pass on any person’s contact details to a third party without their permission and their details must be kept securely. You must also include an unsubscribe option in any email/text message communication.

    Don’t ever abuse the right to send contacts information or overload them with too many emails/letters. If you do they may unsubscribe.

    You could send your current contacts advice initially that your business is ‘coming soon’ and a little information about it and ask them if they are happy to receive any further updates or information about opening specials.

Get active on social media and blogs
Set up your social media accounts and post that the grand opening is ‘coming soon’. Refer to my previous blog posts on how to tame the social media beast, and identifying the best social media platforms to use for your business. You can also find tips on developing social media content here.
You can start a blog and follow and comment on other blogs relevant to your industry. Read about the benefits of business blogging at my previous post.
On social media you can also post ‘teasers’ or sneak peeks of your store, products or services or staff. Count down the days to opening on your social media pages.
Organise your marketing collateral
You will need to have your basic marketing material prepared and ready to go.
Once you have chosen or created a logo and visual identity, including colour schemes and preferred fonts, you can start printing and creating email templates.
The basics include a business card and email signature. These should include your main phone and email contact details, website address and details/links for social media pages if you have them.
You will also want to start preparing letterhead templates and other stationery if needed. You may need flyers, catalogues, posters and/or product lists, and signage ready to go. Refer to this blog post for all the different types of marketing material you may want to consider.
Make sure all of your marketing material includes your key messages and speaks to your target audience. Your point of difference should be clear. Read these tips on how to develop a unique brand story and key messages.
Contact media
Determine the most relevant media for your audience and business, then send them a media release advising of your upcoming business.
Often your local paper and radio are happy to highlight good news stories of businesses opening, especially if you are buying advertising at the same time. Just don’t demand media coverage. Don’t ever pressure a journalist to write something ‘because’ you advertised.
Editorial (or media coverage) is not an entitlement for advertisers, but it can give you a better shot at being highlighted in your local media. That being said, if the news angle or story idea is strong enough, you shouldn’t have to advertise to generate media interest. Tips on writing a media release can be found here, as well as how to identify news story ideas or media angles.
If you are interested in advertising, contact the media outlet’s advertising representative and determine the best advertising plan for you. Ask them for details on their audience and demographics so you can ensure your advertisement reaches your target market. There may also be opportunities to buy an advertisement and ‘advertorial’ in a specific feature relevant to your business and target market.
Once you have determined your advertising plan, ask the ad rep how you may go about approaching editorial to see if they would be interested in doing a news story on your business. They will give you the best advice for their media outlet.
Other advertising and cross-promotion
You should also consider other advertising and promotional opportunities such as outdoor signage and billboards.
Look for opportunities to cross-promote with other businesses by offering discounts/deals for each other’s clients. Choose likeminded businesses, those located near to your business or complementary businesses, eg. hairdresser and a make-up artist, butcher and a fruit and vegetable shop, an accountant and a solicitor. You can put business cards or flyers in each other’s shops.
Even if you don’t have a shopfront you can develop mutually beneficial relationships with other businesses and share each others’ details, promotional material and perhaps promote links to each other’s websites or social media.
Giveaways, discounts and competitions
In the lead-up to your launch and at any launch event, offer giveaways, discounts, or competitions to win a free product/service. Send details to your contacts and post details on your social media.
If your business is focused on a specific region or location you may want to consider a letterbox drop, and offer discounts or giveaways to them. This is an especially great idea for direct neighbours, especially if your neighbours are residential and you want to get off on the right foot with them.
Get out there
Start getting out there and introducing yourself to potential customers and influencers. Try to reach your target audience in person if possible.
You can set up a stall at trade expos, festivals or community events. Consider sponsoring a popular local event.
Get listed
Make sure your business name and contact details are listed on key directories. These directories will differ depending on your business type and budget, but they may include Yellow Pages, TrueLocal,and/or Yelp. Some directories are free, but if they are charging money just make sure the directory seems credible and well-used.
Check out where your competition is listed and perhaps get listed there as well. At the same time, investigate what other promotions your competition are doing and how you can compete.
Launch event
Hold your own launch event and invite contacts, supporters, potential customers and media. If you have a shopfront try to hold the event on site. If you don’t have a physical shop, hold it at a local hotel, café, restaurant or function centre.
It doesn’t have to be a particularly lavish type of event. Make sure you have marketing material on display and product samples. You may also want to prepare a slideshow or presentation.
If you are a service based industry you may like to offer a free or discounted price seminar at a local venue. You can give away some of your ‘secret sauce’, which will help to develop brand awareness, and hopefully give you leads on potential customers or opportunities to upsell your full services.
Coincide activities
Get the most bang for your buck by trying to coincide promotional and advertising efforts with each other. For example, if you are sponsoring an event on a particular weekend, you may want advertisements in the local paper around the same time and pictures or teasers for the event on your social media pages.
Have your operational ‘ducks in a row’
It is all great to have all your marketing sorted for your launch, but there’s no point if your operational ‘ducks aren’t in a row’.
This means your product and services need to be ready for launch. Marketing materials need to be sorted. Distribution channels need to be ready as well as customer and product support infrastructure. Packaging, pricing and people (staff) also have to be locked in readiness for launch.
Marketing strategy
Try not to lose sight of your overall marketing strategy for your business. Your launch is only one promotional activity in the grand scheme of things. You want to keep your promotional momentum going well past your launch and your overarching marketing strategy should support this. Learn here how to DIY and create your own marketing strategy.

For help with your marketing needs contact us at Kylie Fennell .

Making Merry at the Medieval Festival

Kylie Fennell

Inspiration can come from the most unlikely places.

Caboolture is an urban centre, on the outskirts of Brisbane, or the Sunshine Coast (depending on where you come from). A great spot. You’re a hop, skip and a jump away from the city, beach and Bribie Island, but also surrounded by paddocks, rolling hills and mountains in the distance.

It’s also home to the Urban Country Music Festival and was Keith Urban’s hometown for most of his childhood.

I have to admit I love (more than) a bit of country music but this isn’t why I’m suddenly talking about Caboolture.

The reason I’m feeling the love for Caboolture is because it hosts the Abbey Medieval Festival, which I visited last weekend.

The festival goes over a couple of weekends and features everything from jousting, banqueting, and fencing to medieval music, food and dancing.

The Abbey Festival is a delight for the medieval enthusiast, like me, as well as the hardcore re-enactors who live on-site in tents: dressing, eating and sleeping as if they were in medieval times.

Thanks to the festival I am feeling re-energised about my writing and editing.

This is the kind of place you will find a 6 ft 5″ Gandalf walking around casual-like, Game of Thrones inspired merchandise and delicious mulled wine.

The Festival boasts way too many attractions for me to list them all here. For me personally, I loved the archery and the joust. Before you ask, the horses were real, the armour was real and the jousting lances were as real as you can get without the possibility of causing a gruesome death.

It was a heck of a lot of fun and will help inform some of my medieval fantasy writing.

So after some making merry of my own at the festival, I am tackling my editing with new vigour.

Thanks to the wonderful people who run the festival each year and a shout out to Caboolture. You’ll see me again next year!

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