"your writing is so centrifugal" + book gorilla news

One of my PhD supervisors said this ("your writing is so centrifugal") to me almost a decade ago, and like anything about my work could at that time, it made me anxious.

What's he mean? Isn't that a fictitious force? One of my grandfathers was an actual scientist and science teacher, the other was a polymath who had a special interest in physics, so the concept was familiar to me. Very clumsily: it's something you feel/perceive happening, e.g., when a car takes a fast turn or you're on those spinning swing rides at theme parks. If it's fictitious, is that a bad thing? Why has he said it?

Well, gentle reader, he said it as a compliment. I was actually in my writing-up phase when these anxiety-inducing words were uttered... advanced in my own practice. Being older and far less easily spooked now, I understand exactly what he meant: it's different, but it works and I like it. Basically, he meant I manage something strong and pervasive at the center of whatever it is I'm doing, keep all that very tight, and tend to force the reader to look outward and meander various paths. (Under the influence of the thing at the center.)

I... don't think my fiction is much different in approach, to be honest. I don't try to be genre-bending or blending, but I do manage to do it. Threads of Wyrd has this centrifugal quality as a series, and Like Silk Breathing may exemplify it the most! If you haven't read it, it will be free via Book Gorilla from 9 Feb to 13 Feb.

Lots of early reviews said stuff to the effect of, This didn't end up where I thought it would, but I loved it. (I am paraphrasing, but that's the sentiment.) I used to think this was possibly because of the covers, which I do love! They might make things look like a proper all-the-magic, all-the-lore, all-the-creatures romantasy. In truth, things are far closer to a Gothic, serialized novel. And I'm anal about prose, so in that regard, I'm probably closer to lit fic. When I thought back to my other lives before now, so to speak, I concluded it's more just me being me, though. I'm not saying this because there's anything wrong with romantasy, only to note how I wouldn't precisely fit next to what's gone viral.

If you've been yearning for something a little off-kilter in its fictitious force (sorry, I had to make the science pun), give Threads of Wyrd a try. I don't think you'll be disappointed. And if you mark your calendars, you'll get lucky and be able to start with Like Silk Breathing for free.

Of course, if you've read it, consider leaving a review, recommending it to your friends, etc x