Monday, August 25, 2014

Child of Two Cultures, by Lou Anders, Author of Frostborn


It's my pleasure to introduce our readers to Lou Anders, Hugo award winning editorial director of Pyr Books, and author of Frostborn.  

Child of Two Cultures

Your mammas not American. She doesnt look American.

Those words were said to my son by another little boy on his little league team. I didnt know until afterwards, or I would have had a few things to say. About how long my wife worked to become American. About the interviews, the exams, the travel, the expense. About how maybe working your tail off for something counted more than just being handed it at birth. But really all I should have addressed is that absurd idea that theres a single American look.

When the President was elected, a family friend, who Im pretty sure voted against him and doesnt like his politics very much, nonetheless wrote to say how glad she was that my children had a biracial man in the highest office in the land to inspire them. I appreciated her words, particularly her choice of the word biracial. Not just a black man, which was historic enough, but a biracial man.

Frostborn is my first book, so you can imagine it means a lot to me. But mixed in with all that debut author excitement is my happiness at being able to give a gift to my children. I wanted to write a story that my kids could see themselves reflected in, a story for boys and girls both. My son is an obsessive gamer, and so, too, Karn Korlundsson is a gamer. You dont have video games in the year 986 AG in the land of Norrøngard, so he plays a board game called Thrones & Bones every chance he gets. My daughter is a tornado. Shes the youngest by several years, but I frequently have to order her to quit pounding on him. For her, I wanted to write a girl a strong female character, someone who was absolutely a co-lead, not simply relegated to the role of sidekick. And while Karn is a blond haired, blue eyed lad of what wed equate with Scandinavian stock, Thianna is a child of two cultures. Her father is a frost giant, and her mother hails fromwell, thats actually a secret in book one, but her dark hair, dark eyes, and olive complexion hint at what wed call a Mediterranean heritage.

Thianna is also seven feet tall. Which you might think is pretty big for a twelve year old, but in the frost giant village where she lives, its actually pretty short. Her darker appearance and her size mark her as different from her peers, and several of themone in particularmake her life miserable as a result. How she deals with this, as well as her own struggle to appreciate the differences she has always despised, is why I think so many readers are already embracing her so fiercely. I think struggles to fit in, or not to, resonate with all of us, whether our eyes are blue or brown. And as I write this Im realizing I didnt just write Frostborn for my own kids. I wrote it for that little boy in Little League who thinks theres only one kind of American. I hope Frostborn is a better response than the one I would have given that day.



------------
Lou Anders's research on Norse mythology while writing Frostborn turned into a love affair with Viking culture and a first visit to Norway. He hopes the series will appeal to boys and girls equally. Anders is the recipient of a Hugo Award for editing and a Chesley Award for art direction. He has published over 500 articles and stories on science fiction and fantasy television and literature. Frostborn, which Publishers Weekly described as thoroughly enjoyable (starred review), is his first middle grade novel. A prolific speaker, Anders regularly attends writing conventions around the country. He and his family reside in Birmingham, Alabama. You can visit Anders online at louanders.com and ThronesandBones.com, on Facebook, and on Twitter at @ThronesandBones

38 comments:

  1. Love the premise and heartfelt reasons for writing the book. Plus Norse mythology, yeah!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh man. How did I miss this? Absolutely wonderful.Sounds like a great read.

    Thrones & Bones So cool...

    ReplyDelete
  3. I think I've seen this one floating around the middle grade reviewers world, and wanted to pick it up. Thanks for giving me the nudge to make that actually happen, and congrats on the release!

    --Suzanne
    www.suzannewarr.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. “Frostborn” is the first book in the Thrones and Bones series. The actual rules of the game are included in the end notes. Anders weaves game strategy throughout the story, which adds a layer of fun and games for savvy readers who want to get more involved in this exciting new series.

    Mica
    Best Reviews for Austin Towing Company

    ReplyDelete
  5. DO YOU WISH TO BE A VAMPIRE OR YOU WANT YOUR OWN POWERS AND PROTECTION COME AND BE AMONG THE VAMPIRES KINGDOM TODAY AND YOU GET WHAT EVER YOU DESIRE CONTACT LORD SHAKA AT ( lordshakavampirekingdom@gmail.com )
    contact LORD SHAKA at( lordshakavampirekingdom@gmail.com ) to be a rich and powerful vampire!
    Welcome to ( lordshakavampirekingdom@gmail.com). Do you want to be a vampire,still in human,having talented brain turning to a vampire in a good posture in ten mines time to a human again, with out delaying in a good human posture. A world of vampire where life get easier,we have made so many persons vampires and we have turned them rich,you will be assured long life and prosperity,you shall be made to be very sensitive to mental alertness,stronger and also very fast,you will not be restricted to walking at night only even at the very middle of broad day light you will be made to walk, this is an opportunity to have the human vampire blood to perform in a good posture.if you are interested contact us on: lordshakavampirekingdom@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. It's fun to learn about woodworking. If you turn that learning into practice, you'll find your projects exceed expectations.play bazaar

    play bazaar

    play bazaar

    ReplyDelete
  7. Be sure to check in with members of your downline on a regular basis. Find out how they are doing and ask if there's anything you can do to help. If your team members do not feel supported, your success rates will suffer.
    satta king

    satta king

    satta king

    ReplyDelete
  8. To effectively fix your credit, you need to change your mental state, too. This implies making a particular arrangement, including a spending limit, and adhering to it. In case you're accustomed to purchasing everything using a loan, change to money. The mental effect of leaving behind genuine cold hard cash is a lot more prominent than the conceptual future effect of purchasing on layaway.
    Satta King
    Play Bazaar

    ReplyDelete
  9. Here and there marking a more extended term contract is justified, despite all the trouble to get the telephone you need. A few suppliers will offer the best costs on the off chance that you are happy to sign on for their administration for a year or two. Simply ensure you're willing to focus on the agreement, since closure the term early can cost a great deal in punishments. satta king
    play bazaar
    satta matka

    ReplyDelete
  10. play bazaar Utilize your warmth styling actualizes, for example, hair curling accessories or smoothing irons, on the most minimal viable warmth setting.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Two months is really a greatly improved objective, or even one month. Numerous individuals neglect to supplant their contacts as every now and again as they should, which later prompts increasingly difficult issues in the eyes, for example, aggravation, ulcers, or diseases.
    Satta King
    Play Bazaar

    ReplyDelete
  12. When promoting to clients through portable advertising, make yourself and your image known right away. Clients are more averse to purchase items or administrations from the individuals who don't recognize themselves immediately. Doing so will cause you to appear to be increasingly dependable, and cause your items and administrations to appear to be all the more engaging. Satta King Play Bazaar

    ReplyDelete
  13. Are you tired of being human, having talented brain turning to a vampire in a good posture in ten minutes, Do you want to have power and influence over others, To be charming and desirable, To have wealth, health, without delaying in a good human posture and becoming an immortal? If yes, these your chance. It's a world of vampire where life get easier,We have made so many persons vampires and have turned them rich, You will assured long life and prosperity, You shall be made to be very sensitive to mental alertness, Stronger and also very fast, You will not be restricted to walking at night only even at the very middle of broad day light you will be made to walk, This is an opportunity to have the human vampire virus to perform in a good posture. If you are interested contact us on Vampirelord7878@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. My Name is, Paula James from Canada, i turn to a vampire any time i want to, I become a real vampire because of how people treat me, This world is a wicked world and not fair to any body. At the snack of my finger things are made happened. Am now a powerful vampire and no one step on me without an apology goes free. I turn to human being also at any time i want to. And am one of the most dreaded and respected person in my country. i am now also very famous and rich with the help of the VAMPIRES EMPIRE. i get what ever a want. i become a vampire through the help of my friend who introduce me into a vampire Kingdom by given me their email: jamessuccessfultemple45@gmail.com, if you want to become a powerful and a real vampire kindly contact the vampire kingdom on their email: jamessuccessfultemple45@gmail.com for help. it is real. Contact them today. jamessuccessfultemple45@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. Very good blog post about plastering a one bed flat. I am very happy to see this post and interested to find another good post in coming days. Thanks for it
    성인웹툰

    ReplyDelete
  16. I got this web site from my friend who informed me regarding this website and at the moment this time I am visiting
    this web page and reading very informative content here.
    바카라
    사설토토

    ReplyDelete
  17. Good post however I was wanting to know if you could write a litte more on this subject? I’d be very thankful if you could elaborate a little bit further. Cheers! Feel free to visit my website; 토토사이트

    ReplyDelete
  18. Thanks for a marvelous posting! I actually enjoyed reading it, you might be a great author.I will be sure to bookmark your blog and will often come back at some point. I want to encourage yourself to continue your great posts, have a nice day! Feel free to visit my website; 카지노사이트

    ReplyDelete
  19. In your article, points caught my attention the most is how your prose, to give me a deep impression. Wish you would write more. good luck! Feel free to visit my website; 카지노사이트

    ReplyDelete
  20. Thanks for sharing your info. I really appreciate your efforts and I will be waiting for your further write.
    Thanks for sharing ! 토토사이트

    ReplyDelete
  21. Can add up your article, believe that there is something you can add, visit the site
    토토

    ReplyDelete
  22. Thanks for every other great article. The place else could anybody get that kind of information in such an ideal approach of writing? 온라인카지노

    I've a presentation subsequent week, and I am on the search for such information.

    ReplyDelete
  23. The post is written in very a good manner and it contains many useful information for me.
    바카라사이트

    ReplyDelete
  24. Appreciate it for this post, I am a big fan of this internet site would like to keep updated. 경마

    ReplyDelete
  25. Your website is really cool and this is a great inspiring article. Thank you so much. 파칭코사이트인포

    ReplyDelete
  26. I am sure this piece of writing has touched all the internet visitors, its really really pleasant post on building up new webpage. great blog article.Really looking forward to read more. 카지노사이트존

    ReplyDelete
  27. Just desire to say your article is as astonishing. 카지노사이트 The clarity on your submit is just great and that i can assume you are an expert in this subject.

    ReplyDelete
  28. As I website possessor I believe the content material here is rattling great , appreciate it for your hard work. 토토 You should keep it up forever! Best of luck.

    ReplyDelete
  29. There is certainly a lot to learn about this topic. I really like all the points you made. i enjoy to read all comments here! i really like the website you share on us .I appreciate the effort you made.Very informative idea.i want to invite you to visit my site please try it.thank you so much Feel free to visit my website; 바카라사이트

    ReplyDelete
  30. Hi there, I found your site by the use of Google whilst searching for a similar topic, your site got here up, it looks good. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks. Feel free to visit my website; 토토사이트

    ReplyDelete
  31. Thanks for sharing such a Great Information with us
    야설

    ReplyDelete
  32. I just found this blog and have high hopes for it to continue. Keep up the great work, its hard to find good ones. I have added to my favorites. Thank You.
    메이저사이트
    온라인경마

    ReplyDelete
  33. Thanks for your marvelous posting! I really enjoyed reading it, you could be a great author. I will be sure to bookmark your blog and definitely will come back in the foreseeable future. FOR MORE INFO: 스포츠토토


    ReplyDelete
  34. This really is such a awesome write-up. I’ve been looking for this information for quite a while now and then finally stumbled upon your internet site. Thanks so much for posting this, this has helped me out tremendously. By the way I love the style of the blog, looks good, did you create it all by yourself?



    스포츠토토
    토토사이트
    먹튀검증



    ReplyDelete
  35. 스포츠중계
    토토
    토토사이트

    Greetings! Very useful advice in this particular
    post! It is the little changes which will make the
    most important changes. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Infinity Ops apk is a new Android game that is set in the world of the Marvel Comics universe. In the Infinity Ops mod apk unlocked everything, you play as Nick Fury, an Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., who must stop the evil Doctor Doom from merging the three Infinity Stones and becoming a god. Infinity Ops mod apk unlimited money and gold 2022 is a new and exciting modification for the game Fortnite. It is a cooperative multiplayer mode that pits teams of players against each other in a battle to secure control of various locations across the map.
    https://apkoryx.com/infinity-ops-mod-apk/

    ReplyDelete
  37. I’m really enjoying the design and layout of your website.
    Regard:
    garena aov mod apk unlimited money and diamond

    ReplyDelete

Have your say...