Wednesday, June 14, 2017

THE AUTHOR: RENE' VAN ZYL

RENE' VAN ZYL
WRITER/BLOGGER/PLAYWRIGHT

TALENTED MINISTER’S WIFE PUBLISHES FIRST NOVEL TO GREAT APPLAUSE

Her full time career as wife to successful Hartbeespoort minister Anton van Zyl meant that René van Zyl had to leave the hustle and bustle of a full time career in journalism behind her. This however did not quell her passion for the written word and it was through this and her love of Ireland and Scotland that Wee Monk’s Tale – The Secret of Immortality was born. René set out to write an action/adventure book that would be enjoyed by young and old alike and even with the Christian theme of good vs. evil manages not to let it slump into the often associated ‘lameness’ as she keeps it fresh, hip and interesting throughout.


Wee Monk's Tale, the Secret of Immortality: 

Available on Amazon.com: 

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=WEE%20MONK'S%20TALE


AUTHOR BIO


TALENTED MINISTER’S WIFE PUBLISHES FIRST NOVEL TO GREAT APPLAUSE

Her full time career as wife to successful Hartbeespoort minister Anton van Zyl meant that René van Zyl had to leave the hustle and bustle of a full time career in journalism behind her. This however did not quell her passion for the written word and it was through this and her love of Ireland and Scotland that Wee Monk’s Tale – The Secret of Immortality was born.


The novel, a medieval action packed adventure, tells of three child-warriors who are propelled, rather reluctantly, into terrifying situations and forced to think on their feet outsmarting Vikings, druids and witches. These dangers however are nothing compared to the internal forces in each of their lives that continuously threaten to derail them and no one is more surprised than our young adventurers to find that deep inside of each of them lives a true hero.

Set against the backdrop of the year 795, a time of superstitious beliefs in dark forces, a 14 year old orphan named Shaughn finds himself without his adopted Scottish family when Viking marauders attack and burn the monastery where he lives. He flees to Ireland accompanied by his adopted and cripple brother Connor (who dreams of becoming a knight) and an outspoken, superstitious gypsy girl named Heather. Never far behind them is a cold-blooded, murderous Viking, Thorvald who is after the book of Kells that Shaughn rescued from the burning monastery. Journeying desperately from one medieval predicament to another, the trio find themselves stranded in ‘bewitched’ castles, threatened in gloomy dungeons and even, bizarrely, at a Viking tournament.

In the end God’s grace and love prevails though and shines on everyone including an orphan, a Viking, a king, a princess, a knight, a midget, a druid and a monk. Our three friends, with their different beliefs and outlooks discover that it is this, more than anything that is their greatest weapon.

René set out to write a book that would be enjoyed by young and old alike and even with the Christian theme of good vs. evil manages not to let it slump into the often associated ‘lameness’ as she keeps it fresh, hip and interesting throughout.

Her tremendously supportive husband, minister at the Dutch Reformed Church Hartbeespoort, applauds the energetic and worldly way in which this story is being told and has this to say: “We need to provide the youth of today with supernatural, but Biblical, stories as they crave secrets, intrigue and adventure. One just has to look at the popularity of books like Harry Potter and Twilight for confirmation of this.”

Main stream publishers, it seems, do not agree and though and René has certainly received her fair share of rejection letters. Local publishers have their sights set on authentic South African stories with one wryly remarking that “our youth do not read books with a historical background or, for that matter, books set in other countries.” Strangely enough, it is exactly these types of books that René’s own teenage daughters enjoy the most.

Determined to see her work published and after several people of different age groups commented favorably on the book, René took the plunge and decided to self publish regardless of the risks and expense involved. True to the nature of the beast, she burnt her fingers a couple of times and lost a great deal of money but pulled through in the end and now sells the book through her own marketing initiatives. She still holds on to the hope of finding a publisher though and continues to pop off letters of enquiry to suitable agents and publishers.

An adaption of the screenplay has found a home with an agent in Hollywood and is being offered to producers with the view of turning it into a movie. Unfortunately this industry is a dog eats dog world and René harbors no illusions about the fact that it is not what you know but who you know that counts. Her Friend in higher places keeps a keen eye on he though and she is convinced that He would appreciate a quality Christian action adventure movie on the big screen as much as she would. She has pitched the story as a combination of A Knight’s Tale and Spy Kids but with a Christian flavor of course!

She is currently spending the little spare time she has left from her duties as a minister’s wife and mother to three children, Michelle (22), Chantal (19) and Sean-Jacques (24), who is brain-injured with very special needs, working on the second installment of a planned trilogy. Set in fantastical Norway with its ‘Ice Giants’ and ‘Mountain Trolls’ the heroes search for a monk that was captured by the Vikings during the first book with many hilarious and disastrous consequences.

Aspiring writers may contact René on 0823964100 or at rene@kuierkerk.co.za to enquire how to best get around the daunting process of self-publishing. It is a tough and nasty world to navigate as a new writer and a helping hand goes a long way to smoothing the road.

Web address: renevanzyl.blogspot.com

Monday, June 10, 2013

FROM IRELAND WITH LOVE!


TALENTED MINISTER’S WIFE PUBLISHES FIRST NOVEL TO GREAT APPLAUSE

Her full time career as wife to successful Hartbeespoort minister Anton van Zyl meant that René van Zyl had to leave the hustle and bustle of a full time career in journalism behind her. This however did not quell her passion for the written word and it was through this and her love of Ireland and Scotland that Wee Monk’s Tale – The Secret of Immortality was born.

The novel, a medieval action packed adventure, tells of three child-warriors who are propelled, rather reluctantly, into terrifying situations and forced to think on their feet outsmarting Vikings, druids and witches. These dangers however are nothing compared to the internal forces in each of their lives that continuously threaten to derail them and no one is more surprised than our young adventurers to find that deep inside of each of them lives a true hero.

Set against the backdrop of the year 795, a time of superstitious beliefs in dark forces, a 14 year old orphan named Shaughn finds himself without his adopted Scottish family when Viking marauders attack and burn the monastery where he lives. He flees to Ireland accompanied by his adopted and cripple brother Connor (who dreams of becoming a knight) and an outspoken, superstitious gypsy girl named Heather. Never far behind them is a cold-blooded, murderous Viking, Thorvald who is after the book of Kells that Shaughn rescued from the burning monastery. Journeying desperately from one medieval predicament to another, the trio find themselves stranded in ‘bewitched’ castles, threatened in gloomy dungeons and even, bizarrely, at a Viking tournament.

In the end God’s grace and love prevails though and shines on everyone including an orphan, a Viking, a king, a princess, a knight, a midget, a druid and a monk. Our three friends, with their different beliefs and outlooks discover that it is this, more than anything that is their greatest weapon.

René set out to write a book that would be enjoyed by young and old alike and even with the Christian theme of good vs. evil manages not to let it slump into the often associated ‘lameness’ as she keeps it fresh, hip and interesting throughout.

Her tremendously supportive husband, minister at the Dutch Reformed Church Hartbeespoort, applauds the energetic and worldly way in which this story is being told and has this to say: “We need to provide the youth of today with supernatural, but Biblical, stories as they crave secrets, intrigue and adventure. One just has to look at the popularity of books like Harry Potter and Twilight for confirmation of this.”

Main stream publishers, it seems, do not agree and though and René has certainly received her fair share of rejection letters. Local publishers have their sights set on authentic South African stories with one wryly remarking that “our youth do not read books with a historical background or, for that matter, books set in other countries.” Strangely enough, it is exactly these types of books that René’s own teenage daughters enjoy the most.

Determined to see her work published and after several people of different age groups commented favorably on the book, René took the plunge and decided to self publish regardless of the risks and expense involved. True to the nature of the beast, she burnt her fingers a couple of times and lost a great deal of money but pulled through in the end and now sells the book through her own marketing initiatives. She still holds on to the hope of finding a publisher though and continues to pop off letters of enquiry to suitable agents and publishers.

An adaption of the screenplay has found a home with an agent in Hollywood and is being offered to producers with the view of turning it into a movie. Unfortunately this industry is a dog eats dog world and René harbors no illusions about the fact that it is not what you know but who you know that counts. Her Friend in higher places keeps a keen eye on he though and she is convinced that He would appreciate a quality Christian action adventure movie on the big screen as much as she would. She has pitched the story as a combination of A Knight’s Tale and Spy Kids but with a Christian flavor of course!

She is currently spending the little spare time she has left from her duties as a minister’s wife and mother to three children, Michelle (18), Chantal (16) and Sean-Jacques (20), who is brain-injured with very special needs, working on the second installment of a planned trilogy. Set in fantastical Norway with its ‘Ice Giants’ and ‘Mountain Trolls’ the heroes search for a monk that was captured by the Vikings during the first book with many hilarious and disastrous consequences.

Aspiring writers may contact René on 0823964100 or at rene@kuierkerk.co.za to enquire how to best get around the daunting process of self-publishing. It is a tough and nasty world to navigate as a new writer and a helping hand goes a long way to smoothing the road.

Web address: renevanzyl.blogspot.com



Saturday, January 1, 2011

I love to write Screenplays


Ever since the Norway Disaster, that broke my "Wee Monk's Tale" dreams and heart, I have been working on some screenplays to keep me busy. 2010 was a terrible year for me and my family - not only did I miss the London Book Fair, but we went through some rough patches with Anton's work as a reverend and my kid, Chantal had a back operation, to name a few emotional setbacks!
Wee Monk's Tale was my first born (book) and I worked long and hard on the screenplay adaptation, but later in the year a friend suggested I write a Christian screenplay (drama, ugh!) - I'm more an action-adventure type of girl. But I had the idea and then wrote the script in 3 weeks time. Wow. I was surprised! The name: King's men. So, I started on another one, a musical, Heartsong, a Greek love story (also three weeks) and now I've started on another one, a more serious Christian-spy story - No name yet... I think something like: Silent weapon. Or whatever. I am doing research now - reading up on drug smuggling and secret societies. Oh, I love it! I already wrote the first 15 pages.
I gave up on thinking I will sell any scripts - yeah, I used to think it will come easy and God himself will pave the way, but life is not that simple. This year 2011, I'm thinking, I'll keep on writing and hopefully, maybe, whatever...
I'm not finished with the follow-up Wee Monk's Tale, the secret of the mountain troll, either, but I will get there. My heart is still broken - you know, the London book fair, the ash. Maybe it is not meant to be, even though I got good feedback on the Fresh Voices screenplay competition. Very good indeed. But not good enough to be the winner it seems. Will find out who the finalists are on 17 Jan.
May God be good to us writers in 2011 - the aspiring ones, especially.
And yes, if Mel Gibson do contact me about my movie, if he gets over his problematic love life and personal thingi-madingies, then of course, we can still make a lovely movie in Ireland! He is such a good director, actor and person, I know so. I still believe in him. We all had a really bad 2010!
Luv Rene'
The photo: I visited the sleepy town of De Rust in December to reload my bateries! NOw I am loaded...

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

VOLCANIC ASH HAPPENS


A.K.A. SHIT HAPPENS! So I went on this mission to do some networking at the London Book Fair 2010. My suitcases were all packed, including published copies of my book, Wee Monk's Tale, The Secret of Immortality; my screenplay, visitor's cards and whatever! My hubby, anton joined me and so did our two daughters, Michelle and Chantal. We planned a week in Wales and a week in Norway before the BIG BOOKSHOW! I was going to hit London with a BANG! And I wasn't going to leave without a publisher or literary agent. No, way!
But, with a BANG the volcanic ash hit us while in Bergen, Norway and we had no way of getting to London. We were stuck in Oslo for another week. It was one of the biggest disappointments of my life. What now? What now. Shortly after, back in South Africa with all my books and stuff still in the suitcases, we had the opening night of my best musical, ever, A New Day has Come, a Passion Play (with the music of Celine Dion). And some Christians decided, no, Christ can't be crusified accompanied with the music of Celine Dion! So they staged a nice little boikot and what should have been a smash hit (as far as hits go in a town in South Africa) turned out to be just another show, maybe 800 people came to watch. We thought there would be at least 1500. But the play changed lives and empowered people nevertheless. Poor buggers who decided to stay away, missed the show of their lives!
I'm struggling to get over the feeling of failure and disappointment in events that I can't control. So, what to do. what to do? Write. since then I have finished two screenplays: King's Men, about an ex-convict who tries to convert his yuppie friends who abuse their wifes/families in different ways; and Heartsong, a Greek Love Story (Musical) about an arrogant singer who needs to learn about life and love after fleeing for his life and hiding out on a Greek island. I'm also working on another Community play: about the life of the big Sampson in the Bible (it will be a comedy, I suppose, but with a valuable life lesson!) So, this is me. 2010 was a TERRIBLY exciting year.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Wee Monk's Tale


Writer's Blog:
René van Zyl's diaries...
(Playwright, novelist, screenwriter... dreamer...)
from South Africa

This here is my book. To find a publisher, agent or whatever, is... difficult, but, this here is my BLOG. I am going to write down my personal thoughts on how to conquer this fierce jungle of publishing politics and try and make some sense of it - for me and my fellow wannabe-writers who fight this demon (a.k.a. the publishing business!)
Why do I write if it is so difficult to get published?
Because I must... It is who I am...
My dream is for Mel Gibson to make the movie of my screenplay... yes, I know, some will die trying to reach their dream... and they eventually do...
But if you shoot for the moon, you will land among the stars... and that ain't bad...
ABOUT MY MEDIEVAL ACTION/ADVENTURE NOVEL/SCREENPLAY:

WEE MONK’S TALEA novel by René van Zyl






Available on Amazon.com: 

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=WEE%20MONK'S%20TALE




A MYSTERY, A QUEST, AN ARMY OF HIGHLY INAPPROPRIATE TEENAGE WARRIORS…

A MYSTERY, A QUEST, A COUPLE OF GUTSY TEENAGERS AGAINST ALL ODDS
795 AD: A time of superstitious beliefs and dangerous forces. When Viking marauders burn the monastery on the Scottish Island, Iona, the orphaned Shaughn (14) is forced to flee the only home he ever knew in a desperate attempt to save a precious altar Bible. Not willing to be left behind, his cripple step-brother Connor (14) (with grand illusions of becoming a knight) and Heather (13), a superstitious, street-wise gypsy girl, accompany him on the adventure of a lifetime. 
Hot on the heels of the relic follows the fierce Viking, Thorvald, who is convinced that the Bible contains a secret recipe (a potion for eternal life). The escaping teenagers are cast into every imaginable medieval drama, from a bewitched castle to an encounter with a nasty Druid and even weird Viking Tournament Things. 
Shaughn, who passes the time reading Latin (a super-weird hobby for even a medieval teenager!) is clearly not equipped for this mission. Meanwhile, the cynical Connor, who harbours aspirations of becoming a famous knight, notwithstanding a lame foot and serious lack of valour, appoints himself bodyguard to Shaughn. But the brothers can barely stay on top of the spirited horse they fled on! 
Their only hope lies in the quarrelsome gypsy, Heather. Half Spanish and severely traumatised by the abuse she suffered at the hands of her stepparents, her single wish is to find her mother who, according to her, was abducted by fairies when Heather was 6 years old. Skilled as an archer, she saves the naïve boys from various predicaments but her superstitious nature soon drives them crazy. Shaughn, who is focused on his mission, is determined to educate her, whilst Connor finds it hard not to believe all her weird superstitions. 
As if it isn’t enough that they are being harassed by a group of Vikings and their nasty offspring, an ‘undercover’ witch and each other, the teenagers also have to deal with Heather’s drunken step-father (an ex-communicated monk who wants the Bible’s bejewelled cover), the midget druid and his ogre-like twin brothers who plan to sacrifice the kids on the night of the all-dead, and an eccentric Pilgrim who appears and disappears like a ghost. Their greatest enemy, however, might just be their own insecurities.
Through this journey of outsmarting medieval foes, the bickering children, barely equipped to deal with the threatening choices of real life, touch the lives of many hurt and lost people and also find real friendship. The journey teaches them to trust God unconditionally and to find the heroes inside themselves.

A note on the Altar Bible:
Fact: The Gospel of Colmcille is considered the most important treasure contained in the Trinity College Museum, Dublin. During the Viking raids on Iona in 795, the Bible disappeared and mysteriously reappeared at the monastery of Kells, Ireland. How it ended up there nobody knows...
Fiction: Well, maybe three canny teenagers rescued it! 


AUTHOR BIO: RENE’ VAN ZYL

(Out of pure frustration I used my savings and published my first book: Wee Monk's tale; a lonely and frustrating path that cost-a-lot! But I did it and I am glad. I printed 100 and then another 100. And I am visiting the London Book Fair in April 2010 to look for a Literary agent: for a writer's life is not worth living without one of those. I am going to dish out my lovely book to every publisher or agent I can lay my dirty little hands on. Will it work? I don't know, but at least I will see Wales and a bit of Norway. Did I mention my book will be part of a trilogy - the follow up will hit Norway with its Ice Giants and trolls...)


(Here I am with Mel Gibson - at Madame Tussaud's in London, trying to convince him to make my movie of my screenplay: Wee Monk's Tale the Secret of Immortality! He still owes me an answer... He doesn't seem at all interested on this photo... Why?)
So, who am I?
René is a South-African born writer with an Honours degree in Communications, with majors in Journalism and Filmatography. Her husband, Anton, an ex-engineer, is now a full time reverend. Her children, Sean-Jacques (17, who is brain injured), Michelle (15) and Chantal (13) are her inspiration. She has spent four years researching and writing her first novel, a teenage action/adventure, Wee Monk’s tale (and is working on the rest of the trilogy). She’s been fascinated by the middle Ages since childhood and loves everything about the British Isles. She also writes children’s theatre (puppetry) and community plays combining old Biblical stories with modern day music to spark people’s interest in the Bible. She aspires to make God a reality in the daily lives of people.




First published in 2009 in South Africa by:
René van Zyl Publishers
PO Box 563
Hartbeespoort
0216
South Africa

Email: rene@kuierkerk.co.za or writemyassoff@gmail.com
Mobile: +27 82 396 4100