A Play of Shadow (82 page)

Before I sat down to start
A Turn of Light
, I’d found my inspiration for the next fantastical setting to be encountered by Jenn Nalynn—and you. I needed somewhere very different, yet as grounded in reality as Marrowdell’s village. What did I have in mind? Everything a writer experiences is grist for the creative mill. After my guest stint at Armadillocon 2006 (a simply wonderful convention in Austin, Texas), Roger and I took a couple of days to explore the famed River Walk of San Antonio, Texas.

It was late August and the air at street level was closer to a sauna than anything I’d encountered outdoors. The skin of my legs actually hurt. Being determined tourists, we followed a small sign to a staircase by an arched bridge. The stairs seemed to take us inside a tree. (Interesting of itself.)

But they led down to another world. The air turned to silk, cool and moist. Music was playing, softly. A canal of dark, gleaming water—with turtles—curled into the distance. On either side, walkways followed along, here lined with planters of flowers and little cafes with bright awnings, there between old stone walls and writhing roots. While around every bend, bridges arched overhead and vegetation cloaked the world above.

What better mix of inspiration (for us both, as my other half is a photographer) and romance (need I say more?)? We’d leave to walk to our hotel (mistakenly up in the concrete jungle and blocks away), only to turn back to the canals for relief. Trust me, sometimes we’d stand there and laugh at the amazing change. At others, we’d be silent and in awe.

Roger Czerneda Photography

“Timeless Romance” along the River Walk, San Antonio, Texas

Roger had his photos, I had my memories, and all I needed was the go-ahead from my beloved Editor to write the book in your hands, in order to bring Channen’s Shadow District to life.

Of course, then I had the pleasure of adding details. Much of what you’ve read in the story is straight from real life. So is the cover. I sent several of Roger’s photos to Matt Stawicki for his reference. You’ll recognize both fountain and bridge, as well as the stonework.

Roger Czerneda Photography

Fountains and ornate stonework were everywhere along the River Walk, San Antonio, Texas

The turtles, you ask?

We’d met already, at Armadillocon. The concom took us for a fabulous Texas BBQ and behind the restaurant happened to be one of the, to-me, strangely dark, warm rivers. To our surprise, our hosts had us toss rib bones into the water. Instantly ripples formed everywhere as hundreds of turtles swam up and close to seize the offering. The nyim were born, then and there.

Having decided there would be turtles, I knew I’d want them to be like Marrowdell’s house toads and somehow different when seen at the turn. Though I could have made something up—that’s my job, after all—there was no need. I came across the research of Dr. Abigail (Abby) Dominy with terrapins.

Terrapins live in brackish water and, to most of us, look a great deal like a larger version of the common red-eared slider turtles found in rivers and lakes across North America (including Texas). Terrapins are, however, quite different and remarkable in their own right. How different?

Dr. Dominy discovered, as I read in
Science News,
that terrapins have markings only visible in UV light, and that they can see that portion of the spectrum. She’s hypothesized this may play a role in their social interactions.

Imagine the vastness of my joy! Remember, I’m a biologist by training and inclination. Here was a chance to slip something real and astonishing about the natural world into my fantasy one.

I contacted Dr. Dominy at once. She graciously sent me information on her research, adding reference images I could pass along to Matt for the cover, for all of which I am most grateful. (I love my job, btw.) The passage within the book where Jenn Nalynn recites what she’s read about turtles, terrapins, etc, is part of my promise to inform the public about these fascinating creatures. There’s also a page on my website, with links, for those of you who wish to know even more.

I’d turtles. I’d firsthand experience with a truly unique environment. All I had left to do was create the magic of the Shadow District, and that came to me while I wrapped a birthday present. The edge, as I see it, is like a ribbon twisted through the world. Not simply along the surface, as in Marrowdell, but at times plunging below.

Or above.

It was raining outside, when I took a length of ribbon in my hand, lifted it up, and gave it a thoughtful twist.

That, dear readers, is why magic rains in Channen, to collect in dark canals. That’s why nyim rise to catch mimrol drops—and whatever else falls in. And that’s why, as I wrote about the Shadow District, I smiled to myself.

Remembering two days of inspiration.

And a certain timeless romance.

A veritable host of dear and familiar folk have wound up in Marrowdell, Endshere, and even Channen. Some generously bid on a character name in support of charity, for which I thank you. Others are here as part of a tribute to my now-ended and beloved sff.net newsgroup (which lives on as the Grey Stone Tower on Facebook, if you’ve missed the company). The rest of the namings were special gifts, from me to you. To all, I’m privileged to be trusted with your names, or variations thereof, and appreciate any character details (or challenges!) you provided. I hope you enjoy the result. (The usual proviso applies, in that I make stuff up to serve the story first and foremost, so it’s entirely possible you won’t recognize yourselves. Hence the following list. However, any resemblance you do spot? Please take it as the compliment I intend.)

Here’s the full list. Some are characters who are mentioned, but don’t appear in the story. Others walked in and took over the place. A few wound up on a map. Again, thank you to all, and I hope you enjoy!

Marrowdell:

Alyssa Ropp—Alyssa Donovan

Hettie Emms nee Ropp—Henri Reed

(Treffs’ friend) Frann Nall—Fran Quesnel

Treff, Cynd—Cindy Hodge

Treff, Davi—David Trefor James

Treff, Lorra—Lorraine Vivian James

Treff, Wen—Gwen Veronica James

Endshere, Channen, and Other Mentions:

Bish Fingal (Emon’s companion)—Anne Bishop

Caryn Anan (Great Gran)—Caryn Cameron

Clairr River—Claire Eamer

Dawnn Blysse (artisan)—Dawn Bliss

Herer (Emon’s companion)—Robert Herrera

Jym Garnden (astronomer in Avyo)—James A. Gardner

Kimm Larmensu (Bannan’s great-uncle)—Kimberly Marie Antell

Koevoets and Moniq (fair goers)—Monique Koevoets

Kotor and Mila Rivers—Janet, Willem, Leora, and Mila Chase

Larah Anan (Palma’s little brother)—Lara Herrera

Lehman (that infamous author)—Susan Lehman

Leott (artisan)—Elliot James Godfrey

Lianna (wife of Stevynn)—Liana K

Loiss (Bannan’s former friend)—Lois Gresh

Lornn Heatt (Lila’s assumed identity)—Lorne and Heather Kates

Palma Anan—Shannan Palma

Renee (Bannan’s former friend)—Renee E. Babcock

Rhonnda Taff (artisan)—Rhonda Donley

Rowe Jonn (Lila’s guardsman)—Jonathan Crowe

Ruthh (that infamous seamstress)—Ruth Stuart

Sarra River—Sarah Jane Elliott

Seel Aucoin (Lila’s guardsman)—Jennifer Seely

Stevynn (artisan)—Steven Kerzner

Thomm (artisan)—Thomas Czurgai

Elliot, your Auntie Jen and I look forward to hearing how your dear parents explain to you, years from now, how you came to be a character dealing wisdom and joy from a tent in a fantasy world. Perhaps, though, it will be easy. After all, you’ve begun your life doing both for us in the real one. Happy Birthday!

And an array of wonderful events ensued! If I’ve missed thanking anyone involved, please blame my hasty note-taking. It’s been something of a blur.

Marrowdell, the scale model, made its world debut in the model room of Polaris 24 to my great delight. Thank you for taking such great care of it—and me! As for the model, I’m very proud to say it was accepted by the World Fantasy Art Show jury and exhibited at World Fantasy Toronto, 2012. I was able to show Betsy Wollheim! (If it hadn’t been for a dastardly hurricane, Sheila would have seen it then, too.) My thanks to Christopher Roden and Kim Kofmel who saw me through my “I’m an artist?” jitters.

I happily attended SFContario, Ad Astra, and Polaris. These are my “home” conventions and a treat. Congratulations to the concoms for their always-excellent work. I was privileged to be a guest of Laurention University, Sudbury, as part of its “Social Science on the Final Frontier: a Conference on Science Fiction and Society” (special thanks to Dr. David Robinson, Alain Boulay, and our other charming hosts) as well as to be part of the Toronto SpecFic Colloquium.

Thank you, Fred Addis and the Leacock Museum, for hosting not one, but two events: my workshop at Literary Lapses and the splendid gallery show of Roger’s photographs (“Look. Magic!”) with its finale night of readings and feast (“Here Be Dragons”) featuring Anne Bishop, Mark Leslie, Adrienne Kress, and myself. You not only support the arts, my friend, you elevate us all. (While providing a Very Fun Time. People came from afar. There were gambols.)

My thanks to Anime North and Fingers Delarus for having us as guests and workshop presenters. Thanks also for giving me the honor of hosting the opening ceremonies (complete with hat). An amazing event and I look forward to coming back.

Pi-Con and Albacon were great events. Pi-Con was a new convention for me and quite wonderful. My thanks (and hugs) to Kris Synder, Persis Thorndike, and Tom Traina. Albacon followed, where we met new friends and familiar ones. Kudos and hugs! to Chuck Rothman, Christopher J. Ford, Debi Chowdhury (who always smiles!), Bryan Connell, and Elizabeth McLaren. A special shout-out to my newsgroup friends who came out to find us, including G’leep (Pi-Con), Morgan (Albacon) and Kay (in Baltimore). Lovely to see you all.

Launches for
Turn
were held at Bakka Phoenix Books in Toronto, and in Buffalo with my dear friend, Anne Bishop. I must make special mention of Minicon 48 (where the con suite was renamed “The Claw and Jaws!”). Thank you, Joel Phillips and Steve Hubbard, as well as liaison extraordinaire Anton Petersen, along with all those at this terrific and warm convention.

The most unusual—and meaningful—event for
A Turn of Light
was hosted and planned by Cam Trueman, master miller. Yes, we did Star Wars Day at Watson’s Mill, Manotick, outside under a tent, complete with a band and folks in period costume.

That fall, I attended my first Baltimore Book Festival, thanks to Catharine Asaro and SFWA, as well as Danielle Ackley-McPhail. It turned into something of a book tour, including a wonderful event at Flights of Fantasy. Thank you, Maria Perry, for your hospitality both within your home and your fabulous store, and to the ever-gracious Joe Berlant. I should mention this trip included not only a terrific stint with my beloved DAW kin in New York, but Julie’s Video Day at Penguin! Thank you all for making me look and feel like a star.

Thank you, Reversed Polarity, for letting us help celebrate 50 years of the Doctor with you!

It wasn’t all fun and games. Okay, most of it, but I was privileged to make other authors sweat—I mean to conduct workshops—for the following groups: Writers Community of Simcoe County (thanks, Deepam Wadds), Toronto ChiSeries (and a reading! with thanks to Sandra Kasturi and Michael Matheson, and hosts Bakka-Phoenix), and Ottawa Comiccon (thanks, Cliff Caporale).

There were special online events this past year, starting with the immense Blog Tour for
A Turn of Light
organized by Jessica Clooney of Penguin Canada, assisted by Kelsey Marshall, and Katie Hoffman of DAW Books. I can’t thank the bloggers who hosted me and helped promote my very new book enough. There’s a list, and links to archived posts, on my site for readers who may have missed it. I’d also like to thank Bryan Thomas Schmidt for inviting me to my first ever twitterchat on Sffwrtcht. Such fun! (For me. I know Bryan worked very hard behind the scenes.) My sincere thanks to Jim C. Hines for hosting the cover reveal for
Species Imperative
. You’re a good friend and kind. Last, but not least, my thanks also to Kristen Bell of Fantasy Café for hosting the cover reveal for A Play of Shadow with such enthusiam and class.

As I write this, I’m looking ahead to what’s to come. Signings for this book, absolutely. Favorite cons to revisit and enjoy; new ones—and friends—to meet! For what I love most about writing—what still blows me away every time—is how it’s introduced me to so many fine people I’d otherwise never have met. Hugs to those I have! Hello (and hugs) in advance to those I will!