Blog Archives
Come visit the Tucson Festival of Books!
Saturday and Sunday, March 9 & 10, 2024 I will be at the Tucson Festival of Books.
I would love to meet you, tell you about my books, and sign a copy for you.
Many organizations and authors will be represented, as well as presenters and food and beverage trucks for your convenience.
A complete list of exhibitors can be found here.
For more information and extras, please check out my website –
I hope to see you there!
Solitaire
Author Signing Event at Half Price Books in Mesa, AZ
Hello everyone and welcome to 2024!
I would like to invite you to a book signing event on Saturday, February 3, 2024, from 11:00 to 3:00 pm, at Half Price Books in Mesa, Arizona. Here is the address:
Superstition Springs Center
6339 East Southern Avenue
Mesa, Arizona 85206
I would love to meet you and introduce you to my Science Fiction/Fantasy books – The Dragomeir Series (for those who love adventure and dragons), Tinker Smith and the Conspiracy of OZ ( a contemporary twist on the Wizard of OZ), and an action/psychological thriller – Vengeance of the Wolf.
My latest book, The Atrium – a journey of self-reflection where the protagonist is forced to confront the traumas and decisions that have shaped his existence while inside an atrium that transcends the boundaries of time and space will also be available.
For those who are interested in “out-of-body” – The Larger World Series may be of help in your journey of knowledge. And there is something for all those who love poetry as well – Tapestry – a glimpse inside the mind of a poet, with a slightly medieval tone depicting a world of inspirations, hopes, fears, loves, and successes to ponder in the wee hours of any long and lonely night.
Please join me on Saturday, February 3rd, as I am looking forward to meeting you, giving some insight about my books and signing copies for the many readers out there. Come visit me!
Happy Reading!
Solitaire
New Review for 2024 – The Atrium
Thank you Emilee for the review of my latest book – The Atrium
“The Atrium” by Solitaire Parke is a thought-provoking exploration of the human condition, masterfully crafted within the confines of a mysterious and symbolic atrium. The narrative unfolds after a harrowing car crash, trapping the protagonist in a space adorned with framed pictures that serve as gateways to pivotal moments in his life. What follows is a poignant journey of self-reflection, forcing the protagonist to confront the traumas and decisions that have shaped his existence.
Parke skillfully weaves a tale that delves into the complexity of human nature, presenting the protagonist with the challenge of reliving past events. This unique narrative device creates a rich tapestry of emotions, as the character grapples with the consequences of his actions and the motivations that drove them. The atrium becomes a crucible for self-discovery, compelling the protagonist to scrutinize his own morality and motives.
The novel navigates through a series of life-altering decisions, prompting a profound examination of compassion, purpose, and the interconnectedness of our actions. Parke invites readers to contemplate the capacity for change within ourselves and the transformative power of empathy.
The struggle between life and death decisions adds a layer of suspense, creating an engaging and immersive experience for readers. As the protagonist faces the prospect of determining his fate, the narrative unfolds with a delicate balance between introspection and external consequences.
In “The Atrium,” Solitaire Parke crafts a narrative that transcends the boundaries of time and space, offering readers a profound meditation on the human experience. The novel prompts reflection on the choices we make, the impact on those around us, and the potential for redemption and growth. “The Atrium” is more than a story; it is a compelling exploration of the human psyche, urging readers to consider the transformative power of self-awareness and the enduring possibility of a life filled with compassion and purpose.
For this book and others listed in my book section, check my website –
Happy New Year 2024!
Solitaire
Your Worst Nightmare!
What causes your worst nightmares? What if someone wants you dead, but you have no idea who or why? If you love horror books or movies, this one will make you think twice about falling asleep – particularly if you are alone.
In my horror/thriller, Vengeance of the Wolf, you are drawn into the world of dreams. It’s the story of a shocking assassin who works through dreams using a technique that seems physically impossible, to end the lives of those deemed responsible for an untimely death. Detectives are completely baffled, and just as they appear to get closer to determining the person’s identity, they are completely thrown off and their efforts seem to take them nowhere. Extremely shaken at the horrific scenes to which they are led, the question remains – why is this happening and where is it leading? Only the assassin has the answers to their questions – answers that may be too unsettling to be revealed.
You can find the answers to these unnerving questions in my book Vengeance of the Wolf available at my website, where you can read the first chapter.
Suspenseful and thrilling, this will have you sleeping with the lights on! Happy Halloween!
Solitaire
The Sands of Mars by Arthur C. Clarke
Currently, I’m reading The Sands of Mars which was published in 1951, one year before I was born. Arthur C. Clarke qualifies, at least to me, as one of the founding fathers of present-day science fiction, present day being from the 1950’s through the 21st century.
This science fiction classic is the story of the first science fiction author invited on a trip to Mars. His published books about the red planet were released long before anyone had ever been there and revolve around not only how wrong he was about that world, but how much he came to love it.
The plot is rife with political intrigue, includes a thin line of young romance, and a true testimony of man’s fortitude and determination to succeed no matter how difficult the task may be. The Sands of Mars is a reminder that it’s not a matter of boldly going where nobody’s ever been, so much as learning from previous innovators about what we should do when we get there.
The book was written in a more innocent time and reflects the era’s differences when compared with today. However, his Odyssey books are as timeless today as they were when he wrote them. I would recommend his work to everyone, knowing more people will like it than not. I haven’t yet read all his books, but the man’s catalog is extensive. Oh, and don’t worry about which one to pick, as I haven’t found a bad one yet. I’m willing to bet you won’t either.
Other books by Arthur C. Clarke that I’ve read include:
The Fountains of Paradise
The Nine Billion Names of God
The City and the Stars
The Sentinel
Childhood’s End
Rendezvous with Rama
The Hammer of God
Earthlight
Solitaire
6 Questions Writers Often Ask
What’s the difference between a story’s “hook” and the “inciting incident”?
The “hook” of the story is just the opening sentence or paragraph that attracts the reader’s attention and fires up their curiosity to keep reading further. An example would be someone running for their life, looking up at the sky and seeing something unusual, a dead body being found in a boathouse, a huge explosion, or anything that creates an urgency for the reader to want to discover “why.” The actions or emotions create an urgency to find out the backstory or motivation behind what is happening.
The “inciting incident,” is the key event in the main character’s life that gets their story moving forward. It sets them on a journey that continues throughout that character’s life, literally causing them to take some action to try to restore balance or stability. For example, in The Wizard of Oz, the tornado that spirits Dorothy away to Oz is an inciting incident. It motivates her need to do everything she can to return home. In The Mysterious Island, a mega storm causes an air balloon to crash on an island. The passengers are then in survival mode which ultimately motivates them to find a way off the island and back to civilization.
Is it okay to eliminate “he said/ she said” when there are just two people talking in a dialogue?
This is a question that I considered in my writing. The answer is, yes. If just two characters are talking, the dialogue tag can be omitted. It all depends on whether there is clarity for the reader. If it is obvious which person is speaking, no tag is required. However, sometimes several sentences of narration will come between lines of dialogue (for example, the point of view character’s thoughts). In that case it might be necessary to tag the next person who is speaking. Otherwise, the reader may not be sure which one is resuming the conversation. Clarity is the main objective here because we don’t want to lose or confuse the reader.
Is it a good idea to use a Prologue?
Many bestselling authors do start their books with a prologue – but keep in mind that these authors have established a large readership who will buy their books regardless of style. That being said, if you need to let the reader know information that is not in the novel, set up the main story, or jump into the middle of a story without having to set a scene or explain main events, you might need to have one. If the understanding of your story is not damaged in any way, then you probably don’t need one.
What if I can’t find the genre of my story? Is “literary” a genre?
If your story does not fall into the broad popular genres (Mystery, Thriller, Romance, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror) yet is still popular fiction, it is often referred to as simply “mainstream fiction.”
How long should my book be?
From a publishing standpoint, it doesn’t matter how many pages you’ve written. What matters is word count. Any publisher or agent will want to know how many words you’ve written, not how many pages. Below is a quick cheat-sheet on word count.
Flash Fiction: Generally, up to 1,000 words.
Short Story: 1,000 to 20,000 words
Novella: 20,000 to 80,000 words.
Novel: 80,000 to 100,000 words. This is the sweet spot.
Science Fiction or Fantasy: Can be over 100,000 words, but the content should be strong enough to warrant the size.
While you may come across different schools of thought on these word counts, consider these numbers an average of industry standards.
The important thing is to enjoy writing and flexing your creative muscles. Each of these pieces will fall into place as the process evolves for you. Focus on your work first, then worry about the rest.
Solitaire
Surviving the Scorching Summer Heat
We’re having another record-breaking hot summer this year, not only where I live but across the globe. It’s having an impact on how we live and what we do. More people are staying inside for longer periods of time due to the impact of heat on the human body. It’s possible to cook on our sidewalks here in Arizona, as crazy as that sounds. Outdoor barbecue has taken on a whole new meaning! The kids are staying out of the sun in the middle of the day and limiting their outdoor activities to the mornings or late afternoons and evenings when the sun isn’t so intense or has disappeared beyond the horizon. Even my dogs don’t want to be outside for long.
As an author and digital artist, I am perfectly happy to be inside my office where I can be comfortable in the air conditioning with my ceiling fan whirring over my head to keep me cool. That’s the most productive atmosphere for me, and my favorite setting. If I want to see the outdoors I can just look out of the window next to my desk and pull back the curtains to let in the light, without having to deal with the heat.
If you work from home, adjust writing routines when necessary, by working during cooler parts of the day, such as early mornings or evenings. Setting realistic goals and focusing on specific tasks like editing or mind mapping during peak heat hours can also be helpful. Writers may need to be especially mindful of channeling and shaping emotions in their work, recognizing the potential for heightened emotional responses during heatwaves. You can also try working from libraries or cafes to make your day more interesting.
Some writers find that the summer heat actually sparks their creativity. Ernest Hemingway embraced writing in the summer heat and his style flourished during these periods. He spent significant time in hot locations like Madrid, Spain and Key West, Florida.
If you’re in one of those excessively hot areas of the world, be kind to yourself and stay hydrated, comfortable, and safe from the effects of the hot sun. Many children are now heading back to school, which will keep them busy for a good part of the day. Stay indoors when you can and protect yourself if you do go outside with sunscreen, a hat or umbrella and wear loose, light clothing that will allow you to stay cool.
Being indoors gives us all a great opportunity to explore our world and other worlds through writing and reading!
Have a great summer!
Solitaire
2023 SMASHWORDS Annual July Summer/Winter Sale
July 1, 2023 – July 31, 2023
Why is it called “Summer/Winter”? Here in the Northern hemisphere, it’s mid-summer. Readers are loading their e-reading devices for summer beach reading and long-awaited vacations. South of the equator they are now in the middle of winter. They’re ready to curl up in front of the fireplace and enjoy a great read too!
Hello to all the readers and authors out there! All my eBooks will be on sale for 50% off, so take advantage and stock up on plenty of books to read over the summer/winter. It’s an opportunity to find exclusive discounts from your favorite indie authors and discover new future favorites. You will find every type of genre, with books from terrific authors all over the world. So, check it out at SMASHWORDS.COM.
I’m currently working on my new book, Between Two Worlds. Stop by my website and read all about it at www.solitaireparke.com.
If you are a lover of dragons, you might enjoy reading The Dragomeir Series. For a new twist on the OZ books, check out Tinker Smith & the Conspiracy of OZ.
For those who like a good horror/thriller, Vengeance of the Wolf might be the one for you.
Whatever genre you like, you can be sure to find it at Smashwords.
Happy Reading to everyone!
Solitaire
New books and Revisions
Here I am back again after Memorial Day, working on my latest book “Between Two Worlds.” I’m in the fifth chapter and going strong, but MS Word is being the usual annoying program that it is and slowing me down. I’d really rather concentrate on including everything that should be in the chapter, but no, here we go again with formatting issues. OK, I have to admit that some of the problems might be me, but whatever it is, my editor will figure it out if I don’t. Right now it’s a work in progress that’s coming along nicely.
I’m also working on a revision for one of my previous books – having the interior re-edited and having a new book cover as well. I’m creating a second book as a sequel, making this a saga. So, my work is cut out for me in the days ahead. Plenty to do. It will probably have typos, possible plot holes and characters that I’m not sure what to do with, but it will all work itself out in the end and hopefully create a two-book thriller that will keep people up at night. That’s the plan, anyway.
Every now and then I take a break to get some new input, whether it be from watching a movie or getting feedback from those around me on a particular character or subject. It helps to get a different point of view to make things well rounded or to bring up something I hadn’t thought of which could add to the story structure. Various forms of research are always needed, depending on what subject you are tackling and how much you know or don’t know , and how critical it is to making things accurate. If you decide that it’s not what you wanted – rebuild it. Read through from start to finish and you’ll catch things you missed. You have the power to create whatever you want for your particular world or story. That’s your superpower as the author and it’s pretty tremendous.
So good luck to all you writers out there who are clacking away on your computers or brainstorming for your next project. Keep up the good work and I hope you finish an amazing book!
Solitaire
The Great Book of Amber – Roger Zelazny
The Amber novels were written by Roger Zelazny and published over the years from 1970 to 1991. One of the most revered names in science fiction and fantasy, Roger Zelazny accumulated numerous awards – including six Hugo and three Nebula Awards – over the course of his legendary career. He wrote more than fifty books, and his Amber novels were some of his best. The Great Book of Amber is a collection of the complete Amber chronicles featuring volumes one through ten. He had a great imagination, and his outstanding storytelling inspired a generation of authors, from Neil Gaiman to George R.R. Martin.
The Great Book of Amber is a ten volume collection of the stories of Corwin and his son Merlin. Both are involuntarily thrust into staying alive while most of the other characters and family members attempt to kill them. Neither considers themselves to be heroes, although both achieve that status through a series of misadventures along the way.
I found the narrative to be brilliant, entertaining, and humorous, all testaments to Roger Zelazny’s talent with the English language. The books are fast paced and lavishly descriptive, a combination difficult to master, yet Zelazny accomplishes it with ease.
I would recommend these books to anyone who relishes swashbuckling characters, high paced action, and a deep moral conviction for good always becoming triumphant in the end.
The Great Book of Amber includes:
Nine Princes in Amber
The Guns of Avalon
Sign of the Unicorn
The Hand of Oberon
The Courts of Chaos
Trumps of Doom
Blood of Amber
Sign of Chaos
Knights of Shadows
Prince of Chaos
I wish there had been more.
Solitaire
Solitaire Parke - Sci-Fi/Fantasy Books 