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saundrakane |
Bound in Flesh by David Thomas Lord | ||
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I am sorry to hear that David
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davidthomaslord |
Re: Bound in Flesh by David Thomas Lord | ||
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I'd be lying if I said anything other than "I'm pretty disappointed," especially after being ignored by the Stokers as well. I was very proud of both works. BOUND IN FLESH is leagues ahead of BOUND IN BLOOD, which was a Lambda Finalist! And I thought "The Secrets of the Fey" was a very successful combination of fantasy and horror.
Although I don't write for awards, I have to admit this double-blow has been discouraging. I frankly don't know if I care to continue in the horror genre after teh Bound series is finished. It's apparent to me that what I consider to be horror literature isn't falling within the industry standard, especially when I see books I wouldn't blow my nose with getting honors. I will finish the series. BOUND IN HUNGER goes inside the mind of the vampire, so that the reader can understand the power of the addiction and the madness that accompanies the kill. BOUND IN THIRST explores the corruption that accompanies absolute power, and what it profits a man who can have everything but his immortal soul. And finally, THE VAMPIRE MAKER, the prequel to the series, will combine all of the speculative fiction forms--horror, fantasy and science fiction--to explore the origins of the vampire. But after that..., ? Writing more mainstream and literary fiction has been on my mind for some time now. It's obvious to me that the average horror reader really does want buckets of blood and truck-loads of body parts. They don't want their intellects challenged. So, if I'm to do any genre work after this, it will probably be in the fantasy and dark fantasy genres. I see what's selling and being recognized in horror, and it ain't me. I'm not bitter, just disappointed. I thought that giving classical Gothic literature a contemporary edge would work. Or was that contemporary lit with a classical and Gothic edge? Either way, I was wrong. I'm not quitting, just moving on. |
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saundrakane |
Bound in Flesh by David Thomas Lord | ||
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This board was designed for the everyday person who loves books and reading. We have never claimed to be intellectual snobs. But we love your writing and appreciate the classical Gothic astmosphere where your very interesting Vampire characters "live".
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weapons are available |
Re: Bound in Flesh by David Thomas Lord | ||
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Sorry to hear that, David. I am not familiar with the Lambda awards but I have very little respect for the Bram Stoker Award, based on the winners. It seems to me that half of the winners are not Horror.
I am very much looking forward to your non-Horror writing. I think that the Bound series will stand the test of time; on the whole I think the series is something very special. I love your writing and I loved 'Bound in Flesh': Crescendo of words wonderful descriptions with a musical sound/feel. Uses all our senses to create a picture (smell, sight, sound, 'touch', insight and thought and telepathy). To such visual pictures you don't need a cinema! Straightforward writing (as in strong writing perfectly pitched). It is so effective because it can mix down town New York with the language of centuries ago as in old legends. I love (p.149) the chapter ending; "The Doppelganger and the Red Witch. What a pair." What a pair indeed, the pair that together caused the final destruction of Jack (The Horror of West Street) and Claude. Perhaps at first an unlikely pairing (leading to unlikely offspring?!) but one that definitely works so well with whom the reader is right behind to the end, and beyond. (The next book!) David, the stained glass window prophesy did you plan this from the very first? It is obvious it is something very important when Mike first sees it at Chamac although we can see that he does not realize the full significance until the end when he realizes with joy and regret (for the Red Witch) his perfect self sacrifice/immolation in order to finally 'end'. Jack and Claude. There is so much one could say about 'Bound in Flesh'. Again I am so impressed by the marrying of New York cop slang with the poetic language of ancient times, which blends so well, and brings the novel so vibrantly and movingly alive. It is great to see the good (vs. evil) succeeding in this book. The extremes of violence are necessary (we need to hate Jack eh) although it becomes evident that there are evil ones still to be vanquished (final chapter) A&P) tell Red Witch. Aspro and Dentro, those most unusual characters; the story would not be the same without themand so many others. There is a reason why every character is in this novel, and I look forward very much to reading the next episodes in the story in 'Bound in Hunger.' ![]() "Be regular and orderly in your life, so that you may be violent and original in your work." -- Gustave Flaubert |
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davidthomaslord |
Re: Bound in Flesh by David Thomas Lord | ||
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Saundra, thank you. I am very touched by the appreciation you all have for my writing. But, I have to disagree that the members of this board are "everyday readers." I have found the men and women here to have an extraordinary appreciation for the written word and for those who create with it. Most readers pick an author and read that writer and others like him. Or, they choose a genre and read within it. Not so on this board. I've never known a group with such eclectic tastes and the ability to bring far-flung influences into direct contact with their souls. You are an exceptional group, not just for your literary gymnastics, but for your openness in expressing your relationship to the characters, plots and themes you read. If I never wrote for any audience but you all, I should feel accomplished by that alone.
And Ian, I am forced to agree with your assessment of the Stokers. I've been very disappointed in the past with their selections. Stunned, when it came to winners like "The Silence of the Lambs." As you say, not even horror. But mostly, I just want to thank you for what you said about Bound in Flesh. As you well know, what you write and how it's perceived, are normally two quite different things. Each reader brings a bit of himself to the story and colors it with his experience. So, to see my exact intentions reflected in your appraisal is extraordinary. I have explained to student writers many times in the past about the relationship between writing and the five senses. Since we can only perceive in these five ways, we can only communicate with them as well. Therefore, it's essential that as writers, we engage the reader through the senses and make them see, smell, taste, feel and hear the world we've created. As for language, that's the only tool we have. We must read those who have come before us and hear the music of their prose. Homer, Shakespeare, Lady Murasaki. Joyce, etc. We must learn the major and minor chords of language and how they effect the reader. As for the panels in the chapel and what they eventually meant, yes, I plan very carefully in my outline. Foreshadowing and backstories are especially helpful in speculative fiction, where the movement of the story ebbs and flows. The scene that was depicted had to fit into the general description of the chapel, so that it didn't stand out, light up and point arrows at itself. But, it had to be important enough, so that when it became a plot point, the reader could say, "Aha!" The reader has to "get it" at the same moment Mike does. But just as the arc of the novel must have its hints and clues, so must the arc of the series. Mike is convinced that Phillipe's design of the chapel isn't arbitrary, yet he doesn't realize that he is part of that framework. So, too, are the prologue and epilogue of BinF foreshadows of series books to come. I'm very happy that you liked Baum & White. I loved creating them. Characters are normally added to a book to help resolve a plot. But, sometimes they take on a life of their own. Aspros and Dentro are "two" characters who insisted upon their own life. They didn't want to be "bit players." They will have big parts to play in Bound in Thirst and in the final book, The Vampire Maker, but I had intended to leave them out of Bound in Hunger. Silly me. As if they'd rest and sit out a whole book! So, don't be surprised if they show up in BinH as well. Thanks again. David |
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Queen Of The Abyss |
Bound in Flesh by David Thomas Lord | ||
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I'm so sorry about the awards, David. I agree the Bound in Flesh was much better than Bound in Blood. I don't know the Lamda's. And I, personally, don't pay much attention to reviews or awards of any sort. In fact, I just had to Google the Bram Stoker Awards to get an idea of what has been nominated and won. And I'm not the only such reader.
You said once, in reply to one of my posts at ARWZ, that some of the best writers are the ones who write the stories they want to read. And you do that. So I think it's safe to say that we all look forward to the future tales you have to tell, in whichever genre they fall into. *Disclaimer: Not responsible for lost, stolen, or eaten body parts* |
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davidthomaslord |
Bound in Flesh by David Thomas Lord | ||
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Thanks, Queen. I hope that each of my books is a better read than the ones before it, and that you'll all continue to look forward to them.
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weapons are available |
Re: Bound in Flesh by David Thomas Lord | ||
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Thanks for that, David. It is always enlightening for an aspiring writer to get these kind of insights.
![]() "We're wired for addiction" -- John Shirley |
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davidthomaslord |
Re: Bound in Flesh by David Thomas Lord | ||
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Ian, from your comments about writing and about different books, it's easy to tell that you have very good instincts--something essential for a writer. I believe it's more important for a writer to follow his instincts than it is for him to spend time in creative writing classes. Not that the classes aren't helpful. It's just that learning all the technique in the world is no substitute for "sensing." What you have is a precious gift you need to retain.
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weapons are available |
Re: Bound in Flesh by David Thomas Lord | ||
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Thankyou David, I have never really believed in creative writing classes. I took one once in London but the teacher wasn't very creative. Because I had written a script about a killer dog on the loose all she could say was what have I got against dogs.
![]() "We're wired for addiction" -- John Shirley |
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Aquaryan |
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When is the next part coming out???? I am curious to know...
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davidthomaslord |
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Aquaryan,
I've taken a break from the Bound series. Right now I'm working on a fictional memoir of an actual and very famous woman about whom little is known. There is a slight supernatural element to that book, but I wouldn't call it horror. After that, I think I'll begin a ghost story I've had on my mind. Still, if I got a call from my editor saying he'd like a new Bound book asap, I'd no doubt do that next. Thanks for asking, David |
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