Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Touching base

Just thought I might roll around some notions of what might happen post MBT.

I have a sea-story idea rattling about in my head, but want so much to stretch out and explore beyond the Soutlands. Perhaps I might try doing a full tale and pop out a few short stories in the process...

As for leers, Sara Charlotta Johansson, well there is one front and centre in the up-and-coming The Corsers' Hinge, we even get to see from his point of view... but I shall not reveal any more.

Also, there is a discussion over at the Cult regarding the changing of the series title of the US/Canadian edition, new name, new cover, re-launch of first two books, all rather intriguing. Let us discuss...

18 comments:

Unknown said...

Hi! I just found your book about a week ago (sadly in the clearance bin at Borders) but I'm almost done with it and I have to say I absolutely love it. Rossamund is charming, and so far I love most of the characters. I read a lot of George R R Martin, where things tend to go wrong quite a bit for his characters, but it was nice to see Rossy actually making his way to where he needed to be without getting too torn up or turned about in the meantime.

I can't wait to read the others, and I just wanted you to know that your story is very appreciated. :)

Thank you!
Shae

Jackie said...

2nd!

Yay, a sea story! That sounds great.

It seems to me that Rossamund always thinks about the naval things he learned at Madame Opera's but never dwells on them (not that that's a problem- it's not something focused on, that's all), so it'll be interesting to learn more about the monsters in the sea and the sailors' way of life.

Keep writing!

Unknown said...

As a retired sailor, I love sea stories. Can't wait to see if Rossamund gets sea sick. I did for the first 3 days at sea. Tell him to keep his stomach full at all times. You never know when you will need to puke. I ate a ton of saltines, drank a lot of water and carried a bucket. Cleaning up after yourself is mandatory and causes more puking. lol

manawa said...

Hi D.M. C
having just devoured the 1st two MBT's and found your blog, talk of post MBT disturbs me as I am awaiting the release of factotum.
please forgive as this new found MBT addiction is hungry, that said if you were to take us on a seafaring rollick I for one would jump aboard and burn the midnight candle to delve into another world you have crafted. For me the half continent and rossamund is fresh new and exciting and I exist on this side of the page for you it is perhaps time to heed the call of the vinegaroon.

noelle said...

I am a bit sad about the name change and especially about the cover art change, but I do have to admit that I get some odd looks whenever I proclaim my love for MBT. People tend to think it's some dark, disturbing goth tale or perhaps a slasher story and I have to set them straight.

Also, the more fiction I read these days, the more I miss MBT! I have been getting into steampunk lately, but too often I feel that the authors get way too wrapped up in their worlds and machines and weapons and creatures and give the story and characters only their secondary attention (Avatar anyone?). However, I think that you have the perfect balance of a fully developed, immensely interesting setting IN ADDITION to a multitude of well-rounded and fascinating characters, which really give the story its heart. Characters are what keep a person invested in a story, anyway.

Still eagerly awaiting Factotum! It can't come soon enough!

portals said...

Noelle I agree. Avatar was nice and shiny with cool animation and graphics, but aactual plot was highly derivative. It really was about seeing it at the movies, not about content.

monday said...

the name change is annoying. the cover art change is unfair and uncalled for, but, well, what can you do...

i agree with Noelle about world-development. it's fun and all to get carried away with the details, but it's sort of pointless and boring to read if there are no real characters living in the world. fortunately Mr Cornish is patient enough to develop both. :)

Sara Charlotta Johansson said...

This will be one great year... ^________^

(As long as I manage to get hold of a copy that is.)

Alyosha said...

I have a question, a request, and a comment – though I won’t be bent out of shape if you prefer not to respond to any of them.

The question: When Rossamund is setting out on his adventures, and receives the gift of a fine valise in which to carry his few belongings, he has a strong feeling that whoever made the valise intended good things for it’s owner. What’s more, when he’s packed it and lifts it, he finds it much lighter than he expected considering all that’s inside. On one hand, both of these things could be put down to the excitement of a young man at the start of an adventure. On the other hand, for someone who, at a later point in the story, can feel the pull of the moon even when it’s hidden behind clouds, maybe feelings of that sort have some real weight to them. Is Rossamund’s valise more than it seems?

The request: If you write some short stories set in the Half Continent (and what a great way that would be of exploring far and wide without having to justify the jumps between locations), I would love to hear a story told from the point of view of an apprentice in Sinister, someone learning the trade of those dread surgeons. Though many may think them evil – and the surgeon we know, Swill, certainly seems so – within their own society there’s probably a spectrum from noble to rotten, just as within any other cut through the social stratum. It would be fascinating to view the fabled Sinister from the eyes of an at least partially good-hearted young man or woman.

The comment: Concerning change of title of the series… the series is well named, but I can see the point of those who might want to make it more marketable. For example, when I suggested the series to my niece, my brother (who’s not much of a reader, though his daughter is) was negative about the idea, thinking (from the title) that the story probably involved a great deal of gore and horror. I finally convinced him that, although there is, indeed, some gore and violence, the heart of the book is actually opposed to such things. But for kids who don’t have a parent (or uncle) to argue the MBT cause, a change to a more mysterious, less obviously violent title might be of benefit.

portals said...

Yeah Alyosha. I can also understand why they would change the name but i am against tha name for two main reasons.

1.Changing something to make it more marketable is something I hate and destroyed the music industry. A band like The Beatles found themselves and instant commercial success, but people like Lady Gaga design themselves to be successful and i don't think it should be that way.

2. I just don't really like the alternate name. I just think that its kind of general and it kind of detracts from the story. But the book is unchanged so I guess we have nothing to complain about.

Asia said...

What are they changing the name to?

Unknown said...

I can't wait until the third book is released, though I will be sad to see the final chapter of Rossamund's story. I'll just have you know that I'm game for whatever you write next. I love Monster Blood Tattoo, and I have no doubts that any future stories will be anything less than fantastic. I would love to see Rossamund make a cameo appearance in a future work- that might be pretty cool. Well, that's just a silly idea I had. Can't tell you how much I love MBT.

Carlita said...

I was looking for the name change since I don't know what it is either, but I found something both disconcerting and exciting. imbd.com had a link for a Monster Blood Tattoo movie. Do you know anything about that Mr. Cornish (or anyone else - I'm not picking about information)?

Tornac said...

Hello, I've just finished Lamplighter and am greatly awaiting Factotum. During my ponderings, I realized I have only the foggiest inclination of what a factotum. The Explicarium explained a factotum as a sort of aide that deals with day-to-day trifles. However, Licurius seemed to be MUCH more than a simple servant/secretary and everybody who hears of Europe's offer to Rossamund seems a bit awed(namely Threnody, until she decided she didn't like the fulgar, of course). So, either there's more to the whole idea of being a factotum or I'm a moron who doesn't understand the whole system. What was or is role of Licurius and of Rossamund as factotum to Europe?

If this has already been dicussed, please direct me there to save time.

Kathryn said...

Oh a sea story would be soo great, i am very much looking forward to find out what you come up with for it! It would be great if you could once again transport us to the world of Half-Continent! Thank you so so much Mr Cornish!

RottenPocket said...

**Crawls out of hibernation**

I would most desire to see a very invasive and possibly enlightening experience between Rossamund and a Sea Monster...

Mike Breza said...

Yes to a sea adventure- as long as some pirates are thrown in to it!

Keep writing and I will keep reading.

Omelu said...

I am horrified by the name change. And the art change. And in general.

But I suspect, given time, I will become accustomed to it.

Then again, I have always remained horrified about the Sorcerer's Stone/Philosopher's Stone and have taken pains to acquire HP books published in the UK to rid myself of the annoyance.

just utter ugh.

as for Sea stories though, HURRAH. Though I confess I would say that about ANY stories about the Half Continent.