Pocket Full of Tinder
Page 29
Watch a woman become the artisan of her own fortune.
And then I stepped out of Paradise and entered the gates of Myriostos.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Many thanks and much gratitude to:
Betsy Mitchell, who helped with content and copy editing. Betsy was subjected to an early version of the manuscript and her comments were extremely helpful. If not for her, the story of Noon’s time up in Rockthorn Gorge would still be full of plot holes, inconsistencies, and a less-than-satisfactory ending. http://betsymitchelleditorial.com/
Rebecca Frank, who illustrated and designed the cover. I heard this may be Rebecca’s last illustrated cover. Sadness! But kind of neat that Noon might be her last cover illustration. She is still designing beautiful photo manipulation covers. To see more of her work, visit her at http://rebeccafrank.design/.
Roxanne Rhoads, who has helped with publicity and promotion for all of the Noon Onyx books. Roxanne is always a pleasure to work with. Prompt, professional, and friendly. http://bewitchingbooktours.blogspot.com/
Joan Havens, who has assisted with the Latin translations in all four Noon novels. I did not take as many liberties with the translations this time, but any errors – or apparent anachronisms – are entirely my fault. The Latin phrases I use are often Roman quotes, but every now and then the phrase is just a simple translation, i.e. Nullum funus sine fidula. No funeral without a fiddle. “Fidula” is a Late Latin word for “violin,” an instrument the Romans didn’t have. But since Halja isn’t based on any one place or time, both Joan and I felt its inclusion was consistent with my pastiche approach to worldbuilding.
Meredith Bond at Anessa Books, who formatted both the digital and print versions of this novel. Because my first three books were traditionally published, this part of the publication process was new to me. What a job! Merry was wonderful to work with. If you are an indie author who wants to avoid the myriad sticky wickets of formatting, check out her author services at http://www.anessabooks.com/.
All of the bloggers who interviewed me, allowed me to guest blog, spotlighted the series, participated in the cover reveal, reviewed the books, and/or helped to spread the word about the series in other ways – you are all fantastic, terrific, and awesome! Authors rely on a healthy network of supporters to let the world know about their books. I continue to be humbled and amazed by their enthusiastic support.
My friends and family, who continue to assist me in ways both big and small. If writing a novel is a labor of love for the author, than for those close to them it is an exercise in patience, indulgence, and fortitude.
MY READERS!
Especially to those of you who contacted me and said you wanted a fourth book. Pocket Full of Tinder, for many reasons, was the toughest of the four books to write. I’m excited that it’s finished and that I can finally share it with you, but my excitement is tempered by my knowledge of the story’s saddest event – and by the uncertainties of self-publishing. In many ways, I feel like Noon at the end when she steps out of Paradise and into Myriostos.
Watch a writer become the artisan of her own fortune…
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Attributions:
“The wise build bridges and the foolish build dams.” – Nigerian proverb
“Fall down seven times, stand up eight.” – Japanese proverb
“Terror is dreadful, but necessary.” – Journal d’Autre Monde, 1794
“Ever-newer waters flow on those who step into the same rivers.” – Heraclitus
“Faber est suae quaeque fortunae.” – Appius Claudius Caecus (The original phrase was Faber est suae quisque fortunae.)
The inscriptions on the plaque beneath the Magna Fax and the offering bowl at the top of Mount Occasus were inspired by the pedestal inscription on the Colossus of Rhodes.
The first two lines of the spell Ichabye are from an alternate version of the traditional Welsh air, All Through the Night. The original English lyrics were written by Sir Harold Boulton in 1884.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1.Humpty Dumpty: Part I opens with the famous English nursery rhyme. Do you think its inclusion is a reference to a character, relationship, or something else?
2.Impermanence: Everlasting change and forward motion (versus stasis and/or reversal) are twin themes in the novel. How were these themes woven into the story? Were there particular scenes, sayings, or dialog that seemed to underscore the overarching theme of impermanence?
3.Memento Mori: Remember that you will die. It’s a dark little saying with an egalitarian message. Its point? In death, we are all equal. Thoughts?
4.Ichabye: In each book, Noon’s mother has given her a “growing gift.” (In Dark Light of Day, it was an evergreen. In Fiery Edge of Steel, it was seeds and medicinal herbs. In White Heart of Justice, it was gardening tools). Why do you think Aurelia sent Noon an Angel prayer primer?
5.Icarus: Part II opens with Oscar Wilde’s well-known quote about the tragic Greek hero. What allusions to this myth are included in the novel? Do you think one particular character embodied Icarus more than the others? If so, who and why?
6.Names Have Power: Chapter 19’s title was a reference to Ari – his birth (Rafe gave him the name Bhereg as an infant), death (he was killed when the Magna Fax exploded), and life. Do you think names have power? If so, how? Do you think names can impact a person’s life, future, or fate?
7.Guard the Guards: Who did you think Displodo was? Did you suspect Kalchoek? Was Cliodna’s involvement a surprise?
8.Worst Enemy: Which characters were their own worst enemy? Who and how? Are some of those characters more sympathetic than others? If so, why?
9.Is Love the Ultimate Panacea? Ichabye saved Noon twice. Rafe cured Noon of the curse of Eidolon’s Alternate Ending by casting a love spell. Do you think Cliodna could have been cured? Why or why not?
10.The Ending: Watch a woman become the artisan of her own fortune. Do you think Noon was referring to Tenacity? Or herself? What do you think is next for Noon?
TRIVIA
Myriostos: Was named after the asteroid 10000 Myriostos because the neighborhood has 10,000 people in it.
Memento Mori falls: Was inspired by Multnomah Falls in Oregon.
Kalchoek: A near-anagram of Kalk Hoek (Chalk Corner), which was the name for a shell midden near Collect Pond, New York City’s main source of drinking water circa 1700. The pond became polluted, then it became a landfill, and then finally it became one of the world’s most notorious slums – Five Points.
The ancient amphitheater: Rockthorn Gorge’s melee arena was inspired by the Theater of Pergamon and the observation decks were inspired by Clingmans Dome Observation Tower in the Great Smoky Mountains.
The Magna Fax: Inspirational seeds include the Colossus of Rhodes, the cannon used in the Siege of Colchester, the Sixth Labour of Hercules, and the Icarus myth.
Domesday Descriptio: The real Domesday Book was commissioned in the 11th century by William the Conqueror.
Frigore Luna: This fictional holiday was inspired by All Hallows Eve and the Chinese Moon Festival.
Cliodna’s Cygnus painting: Inspired, obviously, by the constellation, but also by Vincent Van Gogh’s The Starry Night. That painting’s subject (the night sky), the artist’s history of mental illness and self-mutilation, and the fact that it was painted in an asylum made it an interesting inspirational source for Cliodna’s self-portrait.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jill Archer writes dark, genre-bending fantasy from rural Maryland. Her novels include Dark Light of Day, Fiery Edge of Steel, White Heart of Justice, and Pocket Full of Tinder. She love
s cats, coffee, books, movies, day tripping, and outdoor adventuring.
She also loves to hear from readers! Email her, subscribe to her newsletter, and/or find her online here:
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Are you new to the series?
Find the first three books here:
Dark Light of Day (Noon Onyx #1)
Fiery Edge of Steel (Noon Onyx #2)
White Heart of Justice (Noon Onyx #3)