Category: Kayelle Allen

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Time Travel: Sci Fi or Historical? #SciFi #Historical #Book

Updated on 05/06/2018 by Kayelle Allen

In this two-part discussion on time travel, I’ll share a fascinating discussion in my reader group. I love science fiction and fantasy, space opera, whether film, TV, book, or magazine. Likewise, time travel has always fascinated me. But is it sci fi or historical? I decided to ask my readers.

QUESTION: Is a time travel in which characters travel to the future a Sci Fi? Would one in which they traveled to the past be historical?

I offered a $10 gift certificate to Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or Amazon (winner’s choice) for the best answer. One of my readers is author Dariel Raye, who in turn asked some of her readers. I got responses from both groups. I’ll share some here and the winning response next week.

Jean:

Anything that removes you from your present time, whether it be future or past, in my opinion is SyFy.

Kayelle:

Good point! I suppose that is quite true. :)

Donna:

I think they both would be Sci Fi as the ability to time travel does not exist at this time.

Kayelle:

ooh very clever answer! So true. Do you think it’s something we’ll ever have?

Donna:

At this point in time, I don’t think it is possible (who knows what the future holds) but it would sure be nice to be able to go back in time to experience history (there is so much I would like to experience) without changing it (be like a fly on the wall). One can dream. I’m not sure how going forward would work — would we be going into our own future or the future in general is the question. Would we be able to change anything in the future if it was bad? Future time travel generates a lot of ethical questions. What do you think?

Kayelle:

I know current science says it’s impossible. But 500 years ago, smartphones would have been considered witchcraft. Who knows? But wow I would like to be that fly on the wall myself. Long as someone didn’t swat me! LOL

I’d love to go into the past. Always been fascinated by Alexander the Great. I think a time travel story about a doctor going back in time to save Alexander’s life might be good. Except maybe it turns out that his being there is actually what killed him… Which means he had already gone back before he decided to take the trip. No matter how you look at these stories, you get mental vertigo!

Lacey:

I think that while time travel is Sci-Fi a book that uses it as part of the plot doesn’t have to be in that category. There’s a big difference between a story based on a time-traveller (where the main point of the story is that the character time travels and their adventures doing so) and a story where time travel is used as a plot device to get a character to a specific period of time (where the main point of the story is what happens to the character after time travelling).

I don’t think a book where the character gets to the past through time travel would be a historical novel because the character’s perspecitive and attitudes would still be from current times even after arriving in the past.

Kayelle:

Nice insight! You make great points. It’s still contemporary to the time traveler in a sense. And since it’s not the main plot (necessarily) it could be just a plot device.

I hadn’t considered that traveling to the past would still keep the person with a contemporary attitude. That’s excellent! Have you read any good time travel stories lately?

Lacey:

This one is awesome. It’s actually part of a series but I read them out of order lol, I bought the first one but haven’t gotten into it yet but they can be read stand-alone.

https://www.amazon.com/Chronothon-Time-Travel-Adventure-ebook/dp/B00QHIYBZ4

Kayelle:

Wow that is one different idea. A time traveling Amazing Race. I can see that could be totally misused and abused. I put that on my wishlist. Thank you. :)

Glenda:

I did see what Wikipedia said (the first paragraph) which is very similar to what I learned. The last sentence sums up the total.

Speculative fiction is an umbrella genre encompassing narrative fiction with supernatural or futuristic elements. This includes, but not limited to, the genres science fiction, fantasy, superhero fiction, science fantasy, horror, utopian and dystopian fiction, supernatural fiction, as well as their combinations. Anything using speculative science– something that hasn’t been invented– is also Science fiction. (Science- not invented- speculative- fiction)

Kayelle:

Good answer! So by these standards, you think time travel is always scifi?

Glenda:

Yup… It can be historical Science fiction (Yes, it really does exist) as well as speculative fiction. I would go with historical science fiction but I have seen time travel to the past and it is always in the science fiction/romantic section – if that is the premise.

Kayelle:

I can believe that. I have a sci fi that has a major plot of archaeology. Trailing Kaiwulf is about a character who’s trying to discover the history and meaning of these huge “gates” they are finding on multiple planets. Think mini size St Louis Arches side by side. So while the story is very much sci fi it is also very much archaeology. I guess you could have historical sci fi as well.

Kind of spins your head around, doesn’t it?

Glenda:

All if it does. I go with science fiction when anything has hard science and fantasy if it is based on ‘magic’. If it can be explained with speculative science—SciFi. If it relies on anything of the paranormal—fantasy. Of course, that all spreads over into other branches. Mind boggling possibilities with all of it. :D

I would love to read it when you have it completed.

Kayelle:

Oh, that book is done. Want it in Kindle, epub or pdf? I’ll send you a copy.

Glenda:

Kindle and thank you!

Kayelle:

Here you go. This is the story concept:

Find an invisible man in another dimension? All in a day’s work at TRAIL.
Travel to a godforsaken planet on the outskirts of space. Check. Hold intrusive military goons at bay. Check. Find an invisible man in a different dimension. Check. Finish the vacation TRAIL yanked you back from to do it? Easier said than done…

I plan more books in the TRAIL series. Trace, Rescue and Identification League is a group of bounty hunters, missing person investigators, and agents who recover the unrecoverable.

Characters from this book will cross over to another book’s sequel. The “gates” they are investigating were created by the immortal king in my current Bringer of Chaos series. I write in a huge universe and it’s all tied together by this king, either as his loyal followers, his enemies, or someone being manipulated by one of the two. The one thing I haven’t done yet is a time travel. I’d like to try it one of these days.

Glenda:

Thank you! I will definitely read and review. Time travel has a wide variety of possibilities. Research whatever time period is going to be time consuming but it will definitely be worth it. I do read a lot of historical fiction and if something seems off—I research. (I can’t stand glaring errors! LOL) Of course, I like research so that is a plus or negative depending on what side of the book you’re on.
The bottom line that I have found over time – As long as you don’t make glaring mistakes–it is your world, your mind, and your creation. Have fun!

Tune in for part two next week…

What do you think?

All these comments spurred wonderful discussion and thoughts. I’m more fired up than ever and eager to write a time travel. Someday! Not sure when.

What is your favorite time travel book, film, or TV show? Share it in the comments.

Would you like to be part of next month’s discussion? To participate, join the reader group. Kayelle’s Reader Group

Posted in Kayelle Allen | Tagged Fun Stuff to Do, Science Fiction and Fantasy Novels, Writing |

Layering emotion into characters: Writing Pietas #writerslife #writers

Updated on 10/21/2017 by Kayelle Allen

What does layering emotion into characters mean? Isn’t writing: “No!” he screamed angrily telling instead of showing? Yes, it is. So how do you add emotion without telling the reader what the emotion is? Here’s how to show, not tell.

To layer emotion, look at two things.

To add emotion to your writing, look at verbs and nouns. Before you heave something at the screen, let me show you what I mean. This is the opening paragraph of my upcoming military science fiction novel, Bringer of Chaos: Forged in Fire. I wanted to show that the main character, Pietas, is unhappy about being in a dark forest. He feels trapped. It’s closing in on him, but you can’t write that. It’s telling. So I focused on words that had a negative connotation instead. Here’s the first paragraph:

Would this incessant nightmare of darkness never end? The steaming, lightless rainforest stank of alien spores and enough flowers to choke the dead. Let the others inhale all they wanted, but this cloying scent left a sickening taste in his mouth. Pietas gagged, but controlled his stomach.

Verbs

Here is the same paragraph with the verbs highlighted in red.

The first verb, would, is passive, but used to ask a question with a negative connotation, which lends power. The rest have their own inferences, mostly negative. Since the goal is to show the character feels trapped, using verbs with negative concepts helps set the emotional stage.

Examine the verbs in your own first paragraph, or whatever section you think needs more emotional impact. How can you alter them to convey the emotion your character is experiencing? Is it positive?

Here’s the same paragraph, in the same location, experienced by a person who loves the setting.

The enveloping darkness cocooned him like warm gloves, blocking unwelcome light and filling the air with the scent of flowers. Others in his party failed to appreciate the floating spores and drifting pollen; he glimpsed the magnificence of this alien world through its ancient forest. He inhaled, drawing in its sweet fragrance.

By describing the setting with an eye toward emotional descriptions, you can alter the reader’s perception and let them see the character’s point of view.

Writers build emotion by choosing powerful verbs and nouns Click To Tweet

Nouns

Here’s the paragraph with nouns highlighted in red.

It evokes uneasiness with words like nightmare, darkness, spores, dead. The adjectives and adverbs around the nouns add to it: incessant, never, steaming, lightless, alien, wanted, cloying, sickening. All the words are negative or lean toward the negative. In the end, the reader knows exactly what the character is feeling without coming out and telling them.

By the next page, Pietas finally escapes the gloomy forest. The paragraph that describes his joy never says “He was happy” but you get it. He burst into the welcome light, squinting and shielding his face. After hours tramping through deep shadow, the noonday heat caressed his head and shoulders like a friend, hoped for but long lost.

Build emotion by choosing powerful verbs and nouns that evoke the feeling you want to convey. Your readers will fall in love with the story, empathize with the characters, and scout out more of your work.

Posted in Kayelle Allen | Tagged Bringer of Chaos, Kayelle Allen Characters, Pietas, Science Fiction and Fantasy Novels, Sempervians, Tips and Tools, Writing, Writing Pietas |

Recommended for Writers

Recommended Books and Software

Included here are books, software, and sites that I use and recommend. Take the advice as you please. I am an affiiliate with some of them and make a bit of money, but I offer them to you because I’ve found they work and are worthwhile. Some are free. Click the title to visit the site or buy link. All open in new windows so you won’t lose your place.

The Emotion Thesaurus

Emotion Thesaurus

Compiled by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi, this little gem belongs in every writer’s bag of tricks. Say you’re writing a bit where your character feels regret. How do you show it? If you have this book, you go to the page labeled regret and read physical signals displayed by someone experiencing it. There might be internal signals. Then there are mental responses, and cues of long-term repressed regret. This is just a tiny peek at the multitude of details provided by this book. Grab this one. It’s a keeper. There are other versions available too. Imagine how helpful it would be to have a Positive Trait Thesaurus or a Negative Trait Thesaurus. They are available in Kindle or print. I have and use all three of them. Recommended if don’t want to write “he frowned” or “she tossed her head angrily” or “she stalked across the room” — there are better ways to express emotions.

Dramatica Pro Software
I use this to plot. You answer basic questions, and your answers help the software guide you toward a complete plot for your book. For example, does the protagonist see the result of the book as a good ending or a bad one? Does the outcome of the story result in the protagonist being changed, or does he/she remain steadfast? Each question can direct your story in a different direction. Worth every penny. If mine was lost and I had no hard copy, I’d go right out and buy another one without hesitation. You can also trial it free. In the free version, you can’t save any of your work, but you can copy/paste into another program. Give it a shot.

Getting the Words Right
Theodore Cheney wrote this book more than twenty years ago, but it remains a hallmark for writers today. One thing that stood out in my mind about this book was learning that words change the chemistry of the brain. White space (or on this site — black space) at the end of a paragraph has an effect as well. Where you place words in a sentence is as important as which words you choose to write. I’ve used the advice in this book for over ten years, and have won national awards, and garnered multiple four- and five-star reviews. This book is available in Kindle and print. I use this book, and it’s recommended by many editors. If you can only get one book on writing, make it Getting the Words Right.

Marketing for Romance Writers
I created this Yahoo group in 2006 for a group of twelve friends. We were all emailing questions and answers to each other about how to handle different marketing aspects for our books. I often found myself answering the same question from different people. Rather than rewrite the same answers, I created this group so we could all post a question and provide an answer.This was a way I could gain mentoring from peers I trusted, and provide the same. Today, there are thousands of members, plus a Facebook group, a volunteer staff who helps promote members on Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook, and other sites. Promotional services are free for members of the Yahoo Group. There is no cost to join and no fees. The site is volunteer-driven. Read more by clicking the title.

May you write in great health and happiness. — Kayelle

Characters mentioned on this page might be found in multiple books in my story universe. Download a printable book list and check them off as you read.

~ Copyright ©2024 Kayelle Allen. All rights reserved ~ Kayelle Allen participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates program, an affiliate advertising program which provides the means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com. If you purchase an item listed on the site from Amazon.com, Kayelle will earn a small commission. Other sites might be affiliate links as well. These will not result in higher prices for you. Thank you for your support!

To experience art, sci-fi, romance, and space opera with unstoppable, unshakeable, unforgettable characters so real you'll swear you've met them, join me on Ream Stories!

Changes and Updates

New changes and updates on the website. Bookmark this page and always know what’s new. Any time I upload or change something, I note it here.

I began this site in 2004, and kept notes, but would erase them when adding the next thing. I decided it would help me track progress if I kept them. It’s an interesting walk through the history of the site, and changes that have been made. A crash in 2011 wiped out links in the text, but most of the links were internal and referred to other pages. Once I have the other basic pages up, I’ll add an updates archive page with all the old info. For now, these are changes made since 2015 only.

There is a goodie at the end of the page for readers who venture that far.
Thank you for reading. — Kayelle Allen
===

2016 Updates

Mar 7
Had an issue with the blog. A config file blew up and needed to be reinstalled. My host provider handled it, but it took me over 90 minutes online to get done. Updating some pages I had already fixed, so starting 2016 here.

2015 Updates

Sep 14
I added new books and updated their pages. The blog is now updated as well.

Aug 12
The final edition of the Romance Lives Forever News went out today. After this, it’s the Romance Lives Forever Reader Group, and will be structured to give back to my readers far more than it did before. I learned so much in Las Vegas at #RNC2015. One of those things was the importance of communicating with my readers more often. I’m focusing on that by giving away a new book written just for them. Bro is the result.

Jul 17
More positive changes! I’ve made the book Wulf, Tales of the Chosen permafree. I have other good things in store for my readers as well. My new Romance Lives Forever Reader Group will have cool goodies just for members, including exclusive downloads, giveaways, and contests. Watch for more by bookmarking the website, or signing up at my Reader Group page.

Jul 2
After attending RNC2015 in Las Vegas, I came back armed with good info for making my website better. I will be implementing updates immediately, and have already started on some areas.

May 26
Added new pages, including “About the Illustrator” for Jamin, who is the co-illustrator for the Tarthian Empire Companion. Still updating basics on the site and figuring out how to use menus. It’s all new to me.

May 22
I took down the website, all 90+ pages of it. I’m rebuilding it a step at a time to make it mobile friendly. Look for new info about returning pages here.

May 5
Happy Cinco de Mayo! Updated the Romance for Christmas page and added a new link.

Apr 12
Added hidden page for promoters who work with me to grab banners.

Apr 6
Updated the artist info page with new links for Jamin Allen and Nimajination Studios.

Mar 18
I joined the Independent Author’s Network, and have added new links to my page on several of the pages on this site, including the home page, Books, and other pages.

Mar 13
The Tarthian Empire Companion is now live on Smashwords and Amazon. More will come online soon. Added buy links to the book’s page.

Mar 11
Added a review to the Reader Reviews page.

Mar 6
Updated links on the first page, and added a better blurb for the Companion book.

Feb 11
I updated this page by changing the info at the beginning, and updated the first 30 pp by making the link to my mobi site more accessible. The main site is not responsive or mobile friendly, but the mobi site is. I plan to upgrade this spring to make it more friendly, but in the meantime, you can access book info there.

Feb 9
Added a banner to the Bringer of Chaos page.

Feb 7
Updated the Night Raven Gallery.

Feb 3
Created new banners for the upcoming Tarthian Empire Companion.

Jan 31
Uploaded a new version of the Bringer of Chaos cover.

Jan 28
New map for the Tarthian Tour Company homepage. More accurate and better graphics. Updating due to the upcoming Tarthian Empire Companion.

Jan 26
Updated the Wallpaper page with images of the Milky Way as it appears in 15127 AD within my books.

Jan 13
I added the buy link for Human Perfect. It’s available for preorder until 1/19 when it will go live in the Amazon store.

Jan 9
Uploaded Human Perfect to Amazon today and set it on Preorder status. There’s a freebie attached to this on the Tarthian Empire Companion page, as well as a link on the Human Perfect page. You’re welcome.

Jan 8
Human Perfect is back from formatting and ready to be uploaded for pre-order. The hashtag is up too. #tecefreP

Jan 3
Two new wallpapers are up. These are for Innersoul and Humancopy, the two main android businesses mentioned in Human Perfect.

Jan 1
I added a new book cover. Human Perfect will be out this month. In the android business, the best of the best are Human Perfect.

Izzorah, aka Izzy - aka Rah - on a couch

“Izzy” from Surrender Love

Characters mentioned on this page might be found in multiple books in my story universe. Download a printable book list and check them off as you read.

To experience art, sci-fi, romance, and space opera with unstoppable, unshakeable, unforgettable characters so real you'll swear you've met them, join me on Ream Stories!

Mardi Gras Bread Pudding with Sweet Butter Topping

Updated on 09/27/2016 by Kayelle Allen

Bread Pudding.

Would you like an easy recipe for your Mardi Gras party or dinner menu? How about a simple bread pudding even the kids will enjoy? This one is an old favorite, and it’s served with a sweet butter topping and cinnamon sugar. Good down home cooking.

Clean up is easy too. You’ll need one large bowl, one small one, a baking pan, measuring cups (you can mix the cinnamon sugar topping in one), measuring spoons, and a whisk.

Bread Pudding with Sweet Butter Topping

Bread Pudding

1 loaf whole grain bread, broken into small pieces

2 12 oz. cans evaporated milk

1 cup water

6 large eggs, lightly beaten

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 tsp. nutmeg

5 Tbsp. vanilla extract

1/4 cup butter, softened

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Place broken bread pieces in a large bowl.

Combine milk, water, eggs, sugar, nutmeg, and vanilla, and blend well.

Pour over the bread, add the softened butter, and toss to coat. If dry, add 2-3 teaspoonsful additional water, one at a time, until bread is well moistened. Mixture should be wet, but not soggy.

Spoon mixture into a greased 13×9 inch baking dish.

Bake for 35 to 45 minutes or until set.

Serve with Sweet Butter Topping.

Sweet Butter Topping

6 Tbsp. butter

1 Tbsp. all-purpose flour

? cup sugar

1 cup whipping cream

1 Tbsp. vanilla extract

Melt butter in small saucepan. Whisk in flour and cook 3-4 minutes. Stir in sugar and whipping cream. Cook 2-3 minutes. Stir in vanilla. Simmer over low heat for 5 minutes. Serve warm over bread pudding. Add Cinnamon Sugar Sprinkle for garnish and taste.

Cinnamon Sugar Sprinkle

1 Tbsp. cinnamon

1/4 cup sugar

Combine ingredients in a small measuring cup, and sprinkle atop warm bread pudding.

This makes an easy dessert that’s filling and tastes wonderful. All the flavors of home, and very little work. I like the smell of bread pudding when it’s baking. It reminds me of childhood and happy times. What recipes do you make that bring back fond memories?

Kayelle Allen is an award-winning, multi-published author. Her heroes and heroines include badass immortals, warriors who purr, and agents who find the unfindable–or hide it forever. She is known for unstoppable heroes, uncompromising love, and unforgettable passion.

Posted in Kayelle Allen | Tagged Fun Stuff to Do |

Update on PayPal, Immortals, Teenagers, and the Election

Updated on 09/27/2016 by Kayelle Allen

Just Say No Way.

I’m a member of a group called Banned Writers. We are a coalition of writers, readers, publishers, and editors who have come together to fight against the economic censorship of erotic fiction by non-governmental organizations and entities who believe they have the power and the right to determine what adult men and women should be allowed to read.

We’ve joined with other organizations fighting the PayPal censorship movement and we are getting results. Doug Michelman, head of Investor Relations for Visa, responded to a message from our leader, Madeleine Morris.
– – –
Relevant to this situation, the sale of a limited category of extreme imagery depicting rape, bestiality and child pornography is or is very likely to be unlawful in many places and would be prohibited on the Visa system whether or not the images have formally been held to be illegal in any particular country. Visa would take no action regarding lawful material that seeks to explore erotica in a fictional or educational manner.

As you note in your letter, Visa is not in the business of censoring cultural product. We recognize, as courts in the U.S. and elsewhere have long recognized, that this is a challenging topic. Bright lines are difficult to establish. We welcome the input of all stakeholders regarding our policies as we work to sustain a network that supports global commerce, while respecting the laws of the countries where we operate.
[Read entire letter here]
– – –

In other words, they are not the ones holding PayPal’s leash.

PayPal has finally responded publicly to this debacle, but their answer is murky, unclear, and they obviously do not yet grasp the significance of the growing discontent of their user base. To see what their response is, click [here]. You won’t be able to leave a comment; they have blocked responses.

We are making a difference. Keep talking, tweeting, spreading news on Facebook, and blogging. Tell people you do business with. Talk to everyone. Don’t let them get away with this. And since you’re reading this, come over and take a stand with Banned Writers.

Posted in Kayelle Allen |