Sunday, May 1, 2011

New Book By Stephen Bly!!

Hi everyone,
I was recently contacted by Stephen Bly asking if I would feature him again on my blog as he has a new book coming out!! You all remember when I had him as a guest in the past. This time he has a neat post about Why Heroes and Heroines Need Sidekicks. And make sure to check below this to enter the giveaway. There will be two winners!!

WHY HEROES/HEROINES NEED SIDEKICKS
Stephen Bly
Copyright©2008,2010

Every hero or heroine needs a side-kick to bounce off thoughts and ideas.
Sidekicks in Throw The Devil Off The Train provoke humor and provide balance.

Frances Garrity, an obese woman with two very small children, fills the seat behind Catherine Draper and Race Hillyard. As she becomes enmeshed in their lives, she seems oblivious to her massive size. Part comic relief, she also enriches the story with her depth of experience, hurts and show of loyalty.

When Francine auditioned for a part in Throw The Devil Off The Train, I was skeptical of her size. However, her natural, in-your-face personality convinced me of her importance.

The second quirky character is Mr. Walker, Race Hillyard’s saddle. His name comes from the stamp of the maker, D. L. Walker of Visalia, California, on the back of the cantle. Catherine anthropomorphizes him by her various conversations during central scenes.

Then, six teenage daughters of a Mormon passenger who dress alike, act quite different. Yet their focus on this trip unites them as they’re concerned about the fate of Catherine and Race.

None of the sidekick characters showed up on my list when I started the book. They just appeared, one by one, in various scenes. If they did well, I allowed them larger parts later in the story. Who ends up in my novels surprises me. But I’ve noticed one thing. . .seldom do normal people qualify.

Just when I think I know the plot, the characters up and change everything.

You see, Avery John Creede needed a sidekick. In a western movie, theme music can move the story along. In a western novel, without a partner for your protagonist, you’re forced to use a lot of interior monologue…or he or she talks to a horse. I’ve even included a burro and a moose…and a saddle…as a sort of sidekick to converse with in my novels. Each of these was for the heroines.

I decided in Creede of Old Montana on a young compadre. But Avery’s such a loner, he wouldn’t accept just any kid. So I provided a nephew who was named after him: Avery Creede Emerson…or Ace.

In order not to stereotype Ace, I didn’t want him to be a rank tenderfoot at everything. I wanted him to be of help to his Uncle Avery, but keep his independent personality. So, I needed a dramatic event or two to reveal his character.

I like Ace. He’s kind of like a young Matt Damon…or for Bly fans, think of him as a young Brady Stoner. He hasn’t been out west very long, but he’s a quick learner. And he recalls a few words from the dime novels he’s read, such as “light a shuck,” which means to get out there in a hurry. Much needed concept when he hangs around his Uncle Avery.

Ace soon starts using the phrase, “What would Uncle Avery do?” to get him through his troubles. This reminds Avery of his important role in Ace’s life, a duty suddenly thrust on him, to be sure.

I figure Avery needs a long talk with someone…to explain some things, to figure out others. Maybe he’ll unload to the mystery dark-haired lady…or the gal in yellow. Maybe he’ll confide in his nephew, Ace. Or maybe he’ll let me in on it. Me and Avery go way back.

##########

Stephen Bly lives in the mountains of north Idaho with his wife, Janet, who is also a writer. He has authored over 100 books, both fiction and nonfiction. Bly’s newest novel release May 2011: Throw The Devil Off The Train (hardback), Center Point Publishing/Thorndike. Also available: Creede of Old Montana. Order through any local quality bookstore, online bookstore, public library, or HYPERLINK "http://www.BlyBooks.com" www.BlyBooks.com

Readers, get your entries in below for your copy of Throw the Devil Off the Train. This just released and you will have the chance at winning it!

MANDATORY ENTRY-
Leave a comment letting me know who your favorite sidekick is? Whether someone in a book, etc. This must be done or the extra entries do not count.

US ONLY!!
EXTRA ENTRIES-Please leave a comment for each entry.

1.Blog or post about this on Facebook. Get 3 entries for each.
2.Follow my blog via GFC, subscribe through RSS Feed or follow me on Twitter. Get one entry for each you do.
3.Enter any of my other currently running giveaways. Let me know which ones.
4.Leave a comment on any of my review only posts. This must be for reviews only! Leave a comment for each.
5.Tweet about this giveaway. Can be done three times a day.



This giveaway will end 5/12. Winner will be chosen through Random.org and they will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen.

40 comments:

Sylvia said...

I really enjoyed the Austin-Stoner Files by Stephen Bly and look forward to reading this one too.

These sidekick characters sound very intriguing. I love the way they just show up for the author unexpectedly.

nina4sm/at/gmail/dot/com

Sylvia said...

I am a follower.

nina4sm/at/gmail/dot/com

Sylvia said...

I commented on the blog review for the book "Yesterday's Tomorrow" by Catherine West.

nina4/st/at/gmail/dot/com

karenk said...

i'm a follower :)

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

Lisa-Oklahoma
I recently discovered Stephen Bly as a Western Writer and would love to read this book. I looked for it on CBD but its not available. So if I could win the book...I would sooooooooo love it!

sugarplumtree032000@yahoo.com

Wendy said...

One of my favorite side kicks is Don Knotts in the Andy Griffith show.
wsmarple/at/gmail/dot/com

Wendy said...

I came over from ACFW.
wsmarple/at/gmail/dot/com

Wendy said...

I am a follower.
wsmarple/at/gmail/dot/com

Anne Payne said...

I haven't read any of Stephen's books but would love to start with this one. My favorite sidekick would be Samwise Gamgee from Lord of the Rings. He absolutely melts my heart!

homesteading[at]charter[dot]net

Anne Payne said...

I'm a follower.

homesteading[at]charter[dot]net

Anne Payne said...

I came over from ACFW :)

homesteading[at]charter[dot]net

Anne Payne said...

I'm an email subscriber. Is that the same as RSS?

homesteading[at]charter[dot]net

Pegg Thomas said...

My favorite side-kick is Stumpy from the western movie Rio Bravo. The actor who played Stumpy was Walter Brennan. Does it get any better than that?!

twinwillowsfarm at gmail dot com

Courtney said...

Talking about a favorite side-kick is hard, I enjoy all them. I find the book a lot more entertaining if there is a hilarious side-kick. The only book I've read recently that I could come up with a side kick is The Texas Boardinghouse Brides by Vickie McDonough, the Corbett brothers in that were great sidekicks, always scheming, plotting and hilarious!
kcmelone(at)yahoo(dot)com

Courtney said...

I am a follower!
kcmelone(at)yahoo(dot)com

Courtney said...

I received an email about this giveaway because I am a ACFW member! Thanks!

kcmelone(at)yahoo(dot)com

Jo said...

I haven't read any of Stephen's books and this one sounds very interesting. My son loves westerns as well. Please enter me.

Blessings,
Jo
ladijo40(at)aol)dot)com

Jo said...

I'm a ACFW member

Blessings,
Jo
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

Sylvia said...

A favorite sidekick character of mine would be Barney Fife from The Andy Griffith Show? I know that's not a book and not very original, but he's so hilarious!

nina4sm/at/gmail/dot/com

Katie Marie said...

I'd love to be entered into this giveaway. I read one book by Stephen in the past, and enjoyed it.

Throw the Devil Off the Train looks like a neat read. Thanks for the chance!!

~ Katy
agirlslegacy(at)yahoo(dot)com

lewalk said...

Coming up with a favorite sidekick is hard. Lol. I just asked my 15 year old which one came to mind first and she said Robin (Batman). Lol. I'm terrible at coming up with answers to these questions. I will think of a million answers tonight while i'm laying in bed trying to go to sleep.

lewalk(at)hotmail(dot)com

lewalk said...

Entered honeybee Gardens.

lewalk(at)hotmail(dot)com

lewalk said...

Entered Kaydie Book.

lewalk(at)hotmail(dot)com

lewalk said...

Entered The FInal Note.

lewalk(at)hotmail(dot)com

lewalk said...

Tweeted.

http://twitter.com/#!/lewalk76/status/68493857070911488

lewalk(at)hotmail(dot)com

lewalk said...

Shared on FB.

http://www.facebook.com/lewalk76#!/lewalk76/posts/151658941567641

lewalk(at)hotmail(dot)com

ann said...

I like Barney Fife on a the Andy Griffith show , he was always so funny


amhengst@verizon.net

Rick said...

Favorite sidekick???? I would say Tonto, he was a very strong character and a true friend to The Lone Ranger.

csthankful said...

There are so many unique sidekicks. Who could not live Matt Dillon's Festus (and Chester?) Love eharing in Steve's new book someone from Visalia, California is there...as that is where I am from. (Steve was just a tiche away from there! I am chomping at the bit to read this latest book of Steve's....all of his characters come to real life for me. Wahoo! Thanks Connie Sue

lewalk said...

I asked my daughter and she said Robin from Batman. I'm terrible at coming up with answers like this on the spot. I'll think of a thousand answers later. Lol. This is actually my second time to enter this (thanks Blogger) and I can't for the life of me remember what I put the first time.

lewalk(at)hotmail(dot)com

lewalk said...

GFC follower.

lewalk

lewalk(at)hotmail(dot)com

lewalk said...

Twitter follower.

lewalk76

lewalk(at)hotmail(dot)com

lewalk said...

Entered Pure Silk.

lewalk(at)hotmail(dot)com

lewalk said...

Entered Kaydie.

lewalk(at)hotmail(dot)com

lewalk said...

Entered The Final Note.

lewalk(at)hotmail(dot)com

lewalk said...

Tweeted.

http://twitter.com/#!/lewalk76/status/70244792788979712

lewalk(at)hotmail(dot)com

lewalk said...

Shared on FB.

http://www.facebook.com/lewalk76#!/lewalk76/posts/217149884970601

lewalk(at)hotmail(dot)com

lewalk said...

Shared 2.

lewalk(at)hotmail(dot)com

lewalk said...

Shared 3.

lewalk(at)hotmail(dot)com

I've been trying to think of a great answer to sidekick this whole time and still can't come up with anything good. Lol. Sorry.

Giveaway Lady said...

And Random.org chose Annie and Courtney as the winners! Congrats girls:) I have emailed you to get your info.

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