We write novels. We’re not published yet, but we’re trying.

We’re at the stage where some of the responses we get from our submissions are encouraging, rather than simply form, and we’ve even had one agent go so far as to request a completed novel. (She passed, alas.) We have two completed manuscripts, 120,000+ words, both to at least the fifth draft.

So we’re not quite at the stage where we have that unfinished novel sitting in the cupboard, but we’re yet not published authors either.

Our written fiction is the same as what we read. Mostly fantasy and science fiction, with a a few mysteries and technothrillers thrown in. Caid of Barrian is a fantasy novel.

We write together, but each of us has a very different role.

CabSav

I’m probably the driving force behind this web-site, the one who took the idea and ran with it, so you’ll probably hear more from me than you will from my writing partner, Calder. Because of this you will probably get a quite skewed impression of how we work together. Can’t help that, unfortunately.

I’m big into science fiction and fantasy, and also enjoy mysteries and technothrillers.

Favourite authors change, obviously, depending on the mood I’m in, but they include—in no particular order—Diana Wynne Jones, Ted Elliot and Terry Rossio, C. J. Cherryh, Charles Sheffied, Vernor Vinge, Joan D. Vinge, Connie Willis and Robin Hobb (but funnily enough, I haven’t been able to read a Megan Linholm through yet).

Calder

I am the editor of the partnership.  I tell CabSav when our story stinks. I have been known to sit on the couch with a cushion over my head saying, “This is embarrassing.”  Scott (from Barrain) was an entirely different character before I said he was a pain, and I could not read something like that. He was totally unlikeable for a main character. Still, he grew up. Thankfully.  Am currently working on the police in the story. They are improving, but there’s some work to go. Otherwise, I will insist on deletion.

Apart from editing, my role is to add emotion—the feelings that to add to the drama—and changing direction of the story.  I am also a sounding board.  One thing CabSav can count on is my honesty.  If I don’t like something, I am not backward in saying so.

My reading tastes are similar to CabSav’s but I probably read more variety.  I go through stages where I read big chunks of thrillers, spy stories, and mystery. In addition to the authors CabSav mentions I also like Matthew Reilly, Robert Ludlum, Martha Grimes and Emma Bull. It all depends on my mood at the time.

When writing and reading I listen to a lot of movie themes, stuff by Hans Zimmer, Mark Knopfler, John Williams, Howard Shore to name a few.  If I need voices, I like Sarah Brightman, Meat Loaf, Bonnie Tyler, Enya.  I could go on forever.

And while on movies, my current favourite movies are Pirates of the Carribbean 1, 2 and 3 (but 1 is best).

Rowan Dai

We’re piling pseudonyms on pseudonyms here, but Rowan Dai actually came first. Rowan Dai is the pen-name we use trying to sell our novels.