Author Inspired: Timothy J. McBride

Timothy J.McBride is the author of the science fiction anthology Vessels of Cor: Conquest. McBride is a young author (first published at age 18!) who writes both fantasy and science fiction. This book is currently available in paperback from Barnes and Noble, and soon to be released in digital format and on Amazon. I sat down with McBride shortly after the release of his first novel to delve into his work further. 

Lavender Inspiration: Tell us about the Vessels of Cor Universe.

MCBRIDE: Vessels of Cor is sort of a mixture of your typical space opera with the addition of lovecraftian existentialism. We see that humanity is far from the only species in this cosmos and that the universe itself is prone to forces beyond our reckoning. 

Lavender Inspiration: What does the writing process for Timothy J. McBride look like?

MCBRIDE: My writing process is a lot like the process of many other writers. In a way, I have to work backwards, having an ending in mind before figuring out how my characters get there in a way that makes sense and is entertaining. I consider all perspectives and do my research to create characters and a setting that is believable and complex.

Lavender Inspiration: What is the most difficult part of your artistic process?

MCBRIDE: The most difficult part of my writing process is, like many other creators, getting the word out about my work. I want to share my work with people, but it’s easy to be ignored.

Lavender Inspiration: Which books or authors have influenced you?

MCBRIDE: Most prominently, I was influenced by the works of H.P. Lovecraft for certain elements of my story, and the rest blossomed from what I now see in hindsight as a subconscious nod to the Halo expanded media. I love how much more the books add to the games and I strive to create a world that can be so lovable.

Lavender Inspiration: What’s up next with Timothy J. McBride?

MCBRIDE: While I am excited for the sequel to Vessels of Cor: Conquest, I am currently working on recycling a storyline that was sadly cut from Conquest. I have another anthology in the works that details the relationship between humanity and a new faction that I find very interesting.

Read some of his other short stories on his website and my review of his anthology here Follow him on Instagram at author_mcbride. 

More About the Author here. 

Vlogging Versus Blogging

A friend has been pushing me for years to start vlogging on YouTube. I have resisted since, in my own opinion, I am much better with the written word than public speaking. However, I recently sat down and tried it. Nothing fancy - no special equipment, such as pictured here. No ideal background or special effects. I simply put my old iPhone on a selfie stick and hit record. 

When I think about why blogging became such a chore, the first thing that comes to mind is the editing process. Regardless of how many times I tell myself the posts do not have to be perfect, I can't get that concept out of my head. 

With videos, however, there is no script. Besides knowing what I am going to talk about, I just wing it. For this first attempt, I took a few takes and chose the best one - and voila! It was a quick and easy way for me to share some information. 

Anyway, here is the first video posted to my YouTube Channel. Check it out and let me know what you think. If you like it, please subscribe. I will continue to post about life in South Florida, teaching, and things I enjoy. 

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Originally posted on Nikki Revamped, the latest blog in the Lavender Inspiration family of blogs. 

New Blog Announcement

 

I am excited to announce a new blog called Nikki Revamped. This blog will be about more day to day events. Although there are currently only a few posts, please check it out and let me know what you think. 

Vessels of Cor: Conquest (Book Review)

Welcome back, readers! I am resurrecting my book reviews for a very special anthology. Vessels of Cor: Conquest is written by my youngest son, Timothy J. McBride. Therefore, this is absolutely shameless promotion. 

The anthology, which at the time of this post is only available at Barnes and Noble Booksellers, is comprised of five short stories/novellas that are uniquely connected to each other. The story begins in the year 2675 and finishes in the year 3025. 

This is neither a light-hearted book nor a light read. The target audience includes fans of literary science fiction that questions humanity's place in the universe. The book grapples with the concepts of power, sacrifice, and heroism. Fans of military science-fiction (think intergalactic warfare) and cosmicism will find this book deeply compelling.  Like I said, some deep stuff! 

McBride is a talented storyteller and gifted writer. He is the author of several other works and is already working on new projects. You can read some of his other stories for free on his website at Vessels of Cor.

Here is the official book blurb to give you an idea of the premise. 

The universe is a living, thinking, and feeling thing. Bearing the name of Legion, it lived in peace for eons, ruling without any threat to its illustrious domain. However, as humanity and other sapient species advance and spread across its expanse, the threat of them discovering primordial, dangerous artifacts deeply concerns it. In response, Legion begins to amass an army of horrific thralls and warships to permanently cripple the capabilities of intelligent life in order to save itself.

However, a strange entity known only as the Anomaly forges a child by the name of Cor. The Anomaly has simple but ever ambitious goals for his beloved child. The newly born angel is destined to study the lives of two of humanity's greatest heroes from the twenty-eighth century onwards in order to gather the knowledge necessary to prevent a mysterious, universal calamity destined to occur in the year 3025, one that will carry the fate of all life, including Legion itself.