Book Review - Know No Fear

I'm kicking off my book reviews with a novel I finished over the weekend. This one has been out for a few months now, but I just got around to reading it.

And it blew me away.

"Know No Fear" by Dan Abnett is another installment in the New York Time's best selling series, The Horus Heresy.

The story begins on the planet Calth, a verdent, booming planet that is slated to become another regional capital in the five hundred worlds of the Ultramar Empire. Hundreds of thousands of Ultramarines, Army auxiliaries, and Mechanicum forces are preparing to deploy against a host of Orks at the order of the Warmaster, Horus Lupercal. As they prepare, the warriors of the XVII Legion, the Word Bearers, are translating in system. The Ultramarines' Primarch, Roboute Guilliman, and his warriors believe that they are going to attack the greenskins together with the Word Bearers.

But it's a trap. The Ultramarines still don't know that Horus has turned against the Emperor, and the Word Bearers are there to end the Ultramarines.

I'm not going to give away any spoilers. That would ruin the book, and do an injustice to such an amazing tale. There is little introduction to the book except a description of how the Ultramarines mark records of combat operations. Then, Dan Abnett throws you into the muster of the Ultramarines, the Army units, the Mechanicum, and the devious plots of the Word Bearers and their Primarch, Lorgar Aurelian. The book is written in the present tense, as in, "Roboute Guilliman picks his nose, and eats the booger he digs from that oriface." (That's not a quote from the book, just so you know.) "Know No Fear" is fast paced and keeps you on the edge of your seat. You are bodily dragged at a hundred miles an hour from beginning to end with no apology.

The action is intense. Scenes of battle are littered with close calls, close combat, and plenty of daemon fighting. What gets me is the emotions poured into the story. Some authors do poorly expressing the emotional states of their characters, especially in action/sci-fi. But Dan Abnett fills the book with the rage and anger dug from the depths of the Ultramarines, and especially Roboute Guilliman, at the treachery of their brothers. The mixed words, tones, and descriptions of body language and feelings brings these feelings to life for the reader. The loss of comrades, desperation, fear, and unbridled rage.

It took me four days to get through "Know No Fear" on my kindle. (Damnable work!) I was left satisfied at the amazing saga told, and craving much more of the same. A full five stars for "Know No Fear"!

Hunting for Ideas

Hello everyone! Did you miss me? :) What? You didn't? What a buncha-ANYhoo, I've been MIA for the last few weeks because I just purchased a house and have been trying to whip it into shape. Between that, work for my Master's Degree, my day job, and everything else (Lent is rough, dontcha know?) blogging has taken a bit of a back seat.

Well, now I'm back (in black)!

Today's fine topic: Idea Hunting.

I read about the The Idea Hunter on the Forbes website. The book, written by Bill Fischer, Andy Boyton, and William Bole, is about the literal and figurative hunt for ideas. They talk finding your gig - what you want to do - and then actively searching for ideas from numerous different areas, especially areas that aren't even related to what you want to do. The book is based around their I-D-E-A model: Interested, Diverse, Exercised, and Agile. Throughout the book they give numerous examples, from Thomas Edison and Walt Disney, to Steve Jobs. It's a very quick read (and only took up about four pages, front and back, in my personal notebook), and, while it doesn't give you all the answers, it does help the reader form a rough framework from which they can work on discovering ideas.

I'd like to note here that the previous paragraph is a very brief, bare-bones synopsis of the book and I highly recommend reading it to get the full effect. It's $12.99 in the Kindle store.

The Idea Hunt isn't just for businesses, which the book is more geared toward. The authors say that this can be used for anything you're trying to do.

And what are we trying to do here, more often than not? Well I'm here to write...and make money. But mostly write (money is nice, too).

So where am I going with this? And why don't I have any pants on? Well I can't explain the lack of pants (or why I feel groggy, or why I'm bruised all over). The point is that the Idea Hunt is perfect for we writers. Some writers may already have this down pat. Think of all the writers that want to write about something and do endless research...that leads to research in another area, which leads to research in five other areas. But for us normal types - we self-supporting, hard working, bronze skinned, chissled muscle, self-published writers! - it can be an uncultivated art.

For example, say you're writing a sci-fi novel (NO WAI! you say. WAI! I say.), and say you wish to mirror Heinlein in that all space technology is founded deeply in fact, or clearly proveable theory. A good start would be to research how rockets work. And you want your rocket to go somewhere, right? So you'll have to research the bodies within our solar system and how they work.
BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE!
Now that you're researching the rocket and planets, you research engine types and fuels, which leads you to researching a lot of science. This could bring an idea for characters! Maybe a rocket engineer chief. And how does the piloting of that rocket change when landing on, say Mars? Or Titan? Or on an asteroid? How are the fuel and components of the rocket affected on different planets and moons?
Or how is the rocket built? Who builds it? What's the process that organization has to go through to liscence, build, and sell/operate that rocket? What departments and individuals within and outside the organization are involved? What are the roles and responsibilities of their jobs? How and do they all interact in a business sense?

See all that? That's the beginning of ideas flowing. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. As you write MORE ideas will come to you, and MORE research will have to be done.

So where do I get MY ideas?

Robert A. Heinlein, for one. He is, without a doubt, my favorite author with all perpatuity throughout the universe. His sci-fi, specifically, is what pushed me to get serious about writing sci-fi.
BattleTech was next. BattleTech is the epitome of giant robot/power armor future combat. The stories and the tabletop game started swirling ideas into my head since I was 13.
Aliens (note the "s") with its colonial marines. Warhammer and Warhmmer 40K (BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD! I mean...yeah!). StarCraft, WarCraft, Command and Conquer.

Real life is a HUGE influence on my ideas. SpaceX, Virgin Galactic, and other private space companies make me very hopeful for a future where humanity lives and operates throughout the solar system, and I hope more private space companies enter the market...and take me to the Moon and Mars. Many of the ideas coming out of this rising industry fuel my ideas for what I write, even if it is just hyper-ventalating optimism.

But there are a lot of non-space and -science related sources I draw from, too.

The Harvard Business Review, Forbes, Fortune, Inc. Magazine, and other business sources that I use to augment my day job and help increase my personal knowledge add to my writing. Some of the ideas expressed in the Harvard Business Review had directly impacted how I'm shaping the Olympus Mons Technocracy for the next novel (DUN DUN DUN! Spoilers!).

Finally, personal experience and learning go into a lot of what I write. My experience in contracting and purchasing influences how I write about deals (see DER STERNVOLKER). And the education I'm going through now - my Master's degree and soon-to-be studying for my Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) from the Institute for Supply Management - influences me in what professions I write my characters into and how they interact (such as in the upcoming FREE short story RUN).

The point is to look everywhere for ideas, both in writing and in whatever your industry is. Search for ideas in other, non-related areas that could give you new insights and inspire new ways of doing things in your writing or job. And I recommend The Idea Hunter for everyone.

Until next time...

Glad Tidings

I hope you all are having a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and a generally good holiday season.

As this year comes to a close I find it amazing at what's happened with Renegade Data Core. What started as a full blown publishing idea transformed into a more lean digital publishing plan and the site opened in April with free content and the promise of the first book. In August, Der Sternvolker hit digital shelves, and in October the short story A Cruel Solar System followed.

You have all waited patiently as I have transitioned jobs and started my masters degree and writing progress wasn't what I expected or promised, and I thank you. Thank you to everyone who has purchased both the book and the short story. I hope you have enjoyed them, and I am hard at work to provide you with more excellent science fiction and, in the future, fantasy.

During this season of giving I'd like to draw your attention to the amazing artwork of Nicholas R. Giacondino at DeviantArt and at his online comic, Free Mars. Nicholas, also known as Aerion-the-Faithful on DeviantArt, is an amazing comic artist who has even caught the attentions of Warhammer 40k author Dan Abnett. Nicholas' Warhammer 40K art, specifically his adaptation of Inquisitor Eisenhorn and his retinue, and his long-running Free Mars comic are excellent pieces of work. I recommend Nicholas' art and suggest that everyone check out his sites and give him a little business if your funds allow it.

Now, as Christmas gift to my patient readers, here is another excerpt from the upcoming novella Run.

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            Alfred Zwinger turned his data pad to face Peter. On the tablet’s screen were two ships Alfred had in stock. Skeleton crews manned and secured the vessels for Alfred until the ships were purchased. The longer the ships sat in Alfred’s inventory, the more money he lost.

            “Here are two ships that are the closest matches to the price and specifications you provided, Herr Drexel.”

            Peter scrutinized each ship. He scratched his chin as he read each ship’s service and maintenance history. Details such as cargo space, small craft bays, and fusion reactor capacities ran through Peter’s mind.

“They’re so old,” Peter said.

“They’re five-hundred thousand,” Alfred said. “Anything newer would cost you more.”

Peter pointed to one of the vessels. “How is this ship still in service? It was built before the End War.”

Alfred shrugged. “The pirates that used to own it kept it in good shape. There are a few jury-rigs--”

“Like with the reactor itself. It looks like they stripped out the old thorium-based nuclear reactor and smashed the fusion reactor into its place. God, it’s ugly.”

Alfred stole the data pad from Peter. “Perhaps you’d like to find someone else to purchase a ship from, Herr Drexel.”

Peter sighed. “No, it’s fine. Let me look at the other one again.”

“Now that is a fine ship.”

Peter retrieved the data pad from Alfred and clicked the image of the other vessel to zoom in on the picture and its stats.

The ship looked like some strange bloated insect, or perhaps an alien’s egg, Peter couldn’t decide which. It wasn’t very large, but it wasn’t some Venusian junk, either. It was a frigate with a full compliment of light naval guns and point defense weapons. Although the frigate’s one-third gravity centrifuge wasn’t ideal, Peter did note that all of the living accommodations were located there.

“Tell me more about this one,” Peter said as he pointed to the screen. “The Voyager-class frigate.”

Alfred smiled. “She may not look like much, but the city-state that used to own her kept her in amazing condition. The fusion reactor is one of the newer models from the Olympus Mons Technocracy. She was originally built in twenty-ninety-five, just before Earth died. The North American Federation crew took her to Ganymede and settled with one of the larger NAF colonies, Gir. The Community Fleet took her a few weeks ago when said city-state decided to harass our merchants.”

Peter smiled. “I remember reading about that on the ‘Net. A single squad of Renegade power armor troopers took the ship.”

Alfred smiled. “Indeed they did. Our boys and girls are efficient. And I made sure they were rewarded handsomely for their hard work.”

“Such is business.”

“Indeed.”

Peter stared at the image of the ship a moment longer. Some gut feeling told him this was the ship for him. Of course, he would have preferred a battleship of some sort. But he had to start somewhere.

“I’d like to take a look at it,” Peter said.

            “I’ll arrange transport for us.” 

The Ultramarines, Revelation Space, and Deadlifting

Today's post is more about my nerdish endevours than anything else (be wary). I shall have another short fiction piece up by Tuesday, at the very latest.

First: Ultramarines, A Warhammer 40,000 Movie, is soon to debut. On the Ultramarines Movie website - http://ultramarinesthemovie.com/ - they are selling the $40 limited edition box set. You know I bought MY copy. The preview on YouTube (here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vF_VLZotWc) is awesome, and gives much greater insight into what the movie is about and who the enemy is (I told a friend of mine Chaos - totally called it). While I'm still overseas, I sent my copy to my home for the Dinoman (younger brother, seen here: http://dinoman87.deviantart.com/) to enjoy. ANOTHER reason I can't wait to get home.

Second: I am currently reading a very fascinating, and at times confusing, book (on my Nook) called "Revelation Space" (http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Revelation-Space/Alastair-Reynolds/e/9781440673795/?itm=1&USRI=Revelation+Space). It centers around three characters: Dan Sylveste, a xenoarchaeologist who's been overthrown in the local planetary government, Ana Khouri, a contract assassin, and Illia Volyova, a reluctant captain of a very old, mystery filled, city-size spaceship. Each plot takes place in a different year, but I have a feeling all three will intertwine at some point (I'm on page 67 of 552). The immense detail and intrigue that permeates each page draws the reader in (or, at least, it draws me in) further and further. It's difficult to put this book down, and I highly recommend it, either in eBook or traditional paperback.

Third: Deadlifting 315lbs very rapidly for ten reps (two sets) hurts...but it hurts so good! FYI, the third set was a drop set: 315 for 8 reps, 225 for 10 reps, 135 for 12 reps. Add in some good bicep curls and pull ups, and you have a muscle carving workout (and a very sore Omaha Renegade).

Black Library Goes Digital, and My Discovery of Dropbox

Yesterday, the 8th of October, The Black Library opened its digital book doors: http://www.blacklibrary.com/Digital. The first free installment is "First and Only" by Dan Abnett. I suggest downloading your copy before they put a price tag on it.
I'm glad they're going digital. EBooks are the future, with the ability to have more books, but take up less physical space, people can purchase dozens, if not hundreds of books and read them digital comfort. Sure, a good paperback novel is nice, but waiting them to be shipped to me is a pain. Digital books allow me to read what I want in seconds once downloaded. It's been a lifesaver over here. So go and check it out, and look forward to more from the Black Library's new digital library.

Also, a friend of mine just introduced me to Dropbox (http://www.dropbox.com/). You sign up and download the applet, and then you can move folders into your Dropbox and either access your dropbox online, or, if you've downloaded the Dropbox applet to other computers/mobile devices, just draw the files from there. Your Dropbox syncs across multiple media and the website, but acts as a normal file on your computer. It's pretty darn cool, if you ask me. I've been sharing story ideas (and the writing continues!) with said friend as we collaborate on a project he is working on. The details of this project are classified Uber Top Secret...so no soup for you.
Perhaps I will post a link to my public Dropbox folder of some tentative fiction in the near future...who knows?

Vacancies at the Black Library, and Publishing

So, currently, there are two editor vacancies at The Black Library, headquartered in Nottingham, England. The call for applications can be seen here: http://www.blacklibrary.com/vacancies.html
Oh how I would love to work for that wonderful company. True, I would have less time for writing (I do write), but the learning experience in the publishing industry would be priceless! Unfortunately, the Omaha Renegade is stuck overseas, and the powers that be say "No!". Why does such an opportunity have to present itself and I'm not there to jump on it like fox pouncing on a mouse?

Also, Barnes and Noble (http://www.barnesandnoble.com/) has started it's PubIt service. There, once you sign up, you can submit your stories and sell them on the Barnes and Noble website. Great little thing, that. B&N take 40% of the sale as their share; the seller retains 60%. I had thought about doing this with the book I'm writing (80K words, and counting), but I'm worried that the science fiction/fantasy eBook market just isn't strong enough. I'd hate to put my book up as an ePub on B&N's site, only to not make a single cent. I've looked into self-publishing, and while I love the idea of marketing myself, I hate the prices on the books. A normal novel, 300-400 pages, that should sell for $7 or $8 (perhaps $9 at most) cost $15-$20 per copy to produce. I would have to charge $16-$21 a copy, and no one would buy that for a book obviously worth less.