Dianne Bright's Blog - Posts Tagged "fantasy"
Soul Reader, Excerpt and Response on Character Development
"Can you explain the mind-melding thing to me please?" I whispered to avoid an audience. "It's convenient and cool, but it's also freaking me out, probably because it's still new for me." (Jennifer)
"It's just mind-melding. What's the big deal? When we choose to, I can hear your thoughts and you can hear mine." (Jadan)
page 79, Soul Reader Book #1
When developing Jadan's character, I tried to create a figure with noticeable weaknesses juxtaposed against obvious strengths. Most readers question his mysterious nature and his unexplained edge of confidence. Jadan has a timeless way of drawing Jennifer inside his mind, heart, and soul-- and she wants to know more.
Jadan's physical weakness is evidenced only by his wheels. As a San Diego day trader, he's got an unlimited supply of money to enjoy his thirst for adrenaline through extreme sports. His brown hair and blue eyes attract plenty of looks from the ladies, but his super-model health-nut girlfriend, Brooke, has kept his attention steady.
Then again, the longer Jadan studies Jennifer from afar, he realizes she offers something that simple words can't explain. Jadan connects with Jennifer differently; but it's not physical. For them, it's spiritual because their souls long for the same thing-- to be fully known and understood. Their connection allows Jadan to lower his guard emotionally; around Jennifer, he can just be himself.
Jennifer's weaknesses come from her vulnerability and worrisome nature. She's genuinely good and puts others first; but she undermines her own needs and abilities. She begins to long for more than her 9-5 routine and is drawn to Jadan's certainty about how the world works. Her strengths become more obvious as she embraces her new identity.
The more Jennifer learns about her past, she realizes life will never again be normal. But deep down, that excites her, and she can't wait for the rest of the story to unfold.
"It's just mind-melding. What's the big deal? When we choose to, I can hear your thoughts and you can hear mine." (Jadan)
page 79, Soul Reader Book #1
When developing Jadan's character, I tried to create a figure with noticeable weaknesses juxtaposed against obvious strengths. Most readers question his mysterious nature and his unexplained edge of confidence. Jadan has a timeless way of drawing Jennifer inside his mind, heart, and soul-- and she wants to know more.
Jadan's physical weakness is evidenced only by his wheels. As a San Diego day trader, he's got an unlimited supply of money to enjoy his thirst for adrenaline through extreme sports. His brown hair and blue eyes attract plenty of looks from the ladies, but his super-model health-nut girlfriend, Brooke, has kept his attention steady.
Then again, the longer Jadan studies Jennifer from afar, he realizes she offers something that simple words can't explain. Jadan connects with Jennifer differently; but it's not physical. For them, it's spiritual because their souls long for the same thing-- to be fully known and understood. Their connection allows Jadan to lower his guard emotionally; around Jennifer, he can just be himself.
Jennifer's weaknesses come from her vulnerability and worrisome nature. She's genuinely good and puts others first; but she undermines her own needs and abilities. She begins to long for more than her 9-5 routine and is drawn to Jadan's certainty about how the world works. Her strengths become more obvious as she embraces her new identity.
The more Jennifer learns about her past, she realizes life will never again be normal. But deep down, that excites her, and she can't wait for the rest of the story to unfold.
Soul Reader, book #2-- two new mystical gems
So, it's taking me a bit longer to finish book #2 of my fantasy/sci-fi trilogy. I'll blame it on the fabulous So Cal weather that calls me to go cycling or jogging most days before "sitting down to write." It could be my recent Cassandra Clare addiction (she's such an amazing writer) or Andy Weir's The Martian that I could barely put down. Kiera Cass could be culpable as well. It's just that there are so many books to read and not enough time; however, I strongly support reading good literature to improve my own writing style in a number of ways.
That said, book #2 is actually coming along pretty well. I'm just a little behind schedule from where I wanted to be by the beginning of November. I'm currently around page 200/300 pages.
Book #2 offers a variety of new mystical gems. Jadan gives two gems in particular to Jennifer while they are on Catalina Island, looking for some weapons stored in an underground cellar of the casino on Avalon. Here are some details about the two gems and a few passages from book #2.
The first passage is about the light pink gem:
“All right, the pink one first. This one allows you to lock in to a past memory. You can hear from a person or read their thoughts. So if you had a conversation with someone and got interrupted, or you never got to share that one last thought—you get to lock in to that moment from the past. You can hear the rest of the story,” Jadan said smiling.
The second passage is about the over-sized white diamond gem:
“This one creates a huge bubble-like cloud over you. It’s an emotional diffuser which simply means that when one emotion feels too strong for you, you can enter the cloud to get better control of your feelings. It works on any emotion: anger, fear, anxiety, and even strong romantic feelings that you might be trying to avoid,” he said shyly. “After a short while, the strong emotion dissipates. You come out feeling more self-controlled.”
“So am I safe inside the bubble? I mean, what if Zander or Zophar came around?” I asked nervously. “Will you go inside the bubble with me? That might feel safer the first time.”
There are a plethora of flying scenes in book #2, along with an abduction by a demon, and a crazy-insane dark blue gem that I'm not going to explain just yet. It's not safe to share about it here or anywhere for that matter. So forget that I mentioned the gelatinous blue gem that Jennifer finds in her bedroom.
That's it for now. Thanks for reading my blog and please pass Soul Reader along to your friends. Feel free to share on social media and if you get the chance, I'd love a review.
If you haven't read Soul Reader, book #1 yet, please "ADD IT TO YOUR SHELVES."
Blessings,
Dianne :)
@dibright
Facebook.com/AuthorDianneBright
Soul Reader
That said, book #2 is actually coming along pretty well. I'm just a little behind schedule from where I wanted to be by the beginning of November. I'm currently around page 200/300 pages.
Book #2 offers a variety of new mystical gems. Jadan gives two gems in particular to Jennifer while they are on Catalina Island, looking for some weapons stored in an underground cellar of the casino on Avalon. Here are some details about the two gems and a few passages from book #2.
The first passage is about the light pink gem:
“All right, the pink one first. This one allows you to lock in to a past memory. You can hear from a person or read their thoughts. So if you had a conversation with someone and got interrupted, or you never got to share that one last thought—you get to lock in to that moment from the past. You can hear the rest of the story,” Jadan said smiling.
The second passage is about the over-sized white diamond gem:
“This one creates a huge bubble-like cloud over you. It’s an emotional diffuser which simply means that when one emotion feels too strong for you, you can enter the cloud to get better control of your feelings. It works on any emotion: anger, fear, anxiety, and even strong romantic feelings that you might be trying to avoid,” he said shyly. “After a short while, the strong emotion dissipates. You come out feeling more self-controlled.”
“So am I safe inside the bubble? I mean, what if Zander or Zophar came around?” I asked nervously. “Will you go inside the bubble with me? That might feel safer the first time.”
There are a plethora of flying scenes in book #2, along with an abduction by a demon, and a crazy-insane dark blue gem that I'm not going to explain just yet. It's not safe to share about it here or anywhere for that matter. So forget that I mentioned the gelatinous blue gem that Jennifer finds in her bedroom.
That's it for now. Thanks for reading my blog and please pass Soul Reader along to your friends. Feel free to share on social media and if you get the chance, I'd love a review.
If you haven't read Soul Reader, book #1 yet, please "ADD IT TO YOUR SHELVES."
Blessings,
Dianne :)
@dibright
Facebook.com/AuthorDianneBright
Soul Reader
Almost...
Some days, the condition of "almost" can pull us down to the depths of the sea. Not by actual iron shackles, of course.
But metaphorically speaking, as writers trying to make it in the world of publishing and marketing, it gets tough. A numbers game, where the odds are never in our favor.
If you've been at the game for a while, you get what I mean. After questioning my purpose as a writer recently, I asked myself, "Should I just go back to teaching?" But, I've come to realize I'm okay with a pocketful of "almost" adventures compared to never having tried in the first place.
Here are a plethora of "almost" moments you might relate to:
1) I almost drowned during that killer set of waves surfing in San Diego before a dolphin saved me;
2) I almost died falling down that boulder face upside down while repelling out at Joshua Tree;
3) I almost died of thirst climbing the Pyramid of the Sun in Mexico City;
4) I almost got attacked by a host of wild monkeys in the southern part of Japan while trying to get my camera to work;
5) I almost got eaten by a thresher shark in Puerto Rico out scuba diving off St. Thomas;
6) I almost crashed into my husband while parasailing off the coast of Maui (we were actually just trying to make out in the clouds);
7) I almost lost a limb after a jellyfish stung me in Oahu (kidding--just my dignity after a surfer told my husband to pee on my leg);
8) I almost crashed in the Atlantic Ocean on my way home from the Ukraine;
9) I almost lost my return ticket looking at all the cool artwork in Paris (I could seriously move there tomorrow);
10) and last but not least-- I almost gave up on my writing dreams after interminable rejection emails/letters.
But if I hadn't endured the trek to the bottom of the sea, I wouldn't be writing this now or formatting book #2 of my Soul Reader Trilogy, or pitching my #ya fantasy/novel: Blood Towers to a gazillion agents and publishers.
The point of this somewhat exaggerated post (though I did actually visit all those places) is to NEVER EVER GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAMS!
Keep writing!
--Dianne :)
Soul Reader
But metaphorically speaking, as writers trying to make it in the world of publishing and marketing, it gets tough. A numbers game, where the odds are never in our favor.
If you've been at the game for a while, you get what I mean. After questioning my purpose as a writer recently, I asked myself, "Should I just go back to teaching?" But, I've come to realize I'm okay with a pocketful of "almost" adventures compared to never having tried in the first place.
Here are a plethora of "almost" moments you might relate to:
1) I almost drowned during that killer set of waves surfing in San Diego before a dolphin saved me;
2) I almost died falling down that boulder face upside down while repelling out at Joshua Tree;
3) I almost died of thirst climbing the Pyramid of the Sun in Mexico City;
4) I almost got attacked by a host of wild monkeys in the southern part of Japan while trying to get my camera to work;
5) I almost got eaten by a thresher shark in Puerto Rico out scuba diving off St. Thomas;
6) I almost crashed into my husband while parasailing off the coast of Maui (we were actually just trying to make out in the clouds);
7) I almost lost a limb after a jellyfish stung me in Oahu (kidding--just my dignity after a surfer told my husband to pee on my leg);
8) I almost crashed in the Atlantic Ocean on my way home from the Ukraine;
9) I almost lost my return ticket looking at all the cool artwork in Paris (I could seriously move there tomorrow);
10) and last but not least-- I almost gave up on my writing dreams after interminable rejection emails/letters.
But if I hadn't endured the trek to the bottom of the sea, I wouldn't be writing this now or formatting book #2 of my Soul Reader Trilogy, or pitching my #ya fantasy/novel: Blood Towers to a gazillion agents and publishers.
The point of this somewhat exaggerated post (though I did actually visit all those places) is to NEVER EVER GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAMS!
Keep writing!
--Dianne :)
Soul Reader
Marvel, DC, or Jesus?
So many great movies are coming out this summer/fall (Guardians of the Galaxy 2 on May 5th, Wonder Woman on June 2nd, Spider-Man: Homecoming on July 7th, Thor: Ragnarok on Nov 3rd, and Justic League on Nov 17th). I can hardly wait.
Often times, the question for fantasy/sci-fi fans is, "Which is better, Marvel or DC?" which is basically impossible to answer, though Chris Hemsworth is pretty dreamy. But, I'll take my chances and throw in a third option. A better option: Jesus!
Too offensive? Definitely. Jesus offends, for sure.
For starters, He defends prostitutes, like the one at that awkward dinner with the Pharisee, where she washes Jesus' feet with her tears, massaging them with expensive perfume (used to seduce men), and dries them with her own hair (that was probably covered in sweat from a scandalous affair just hours before). The Pharisee gets upset at Jesus for letting her hang out there, so Jesus shares a story about two people owing money.
Let's say one owes five grand and another owes fifty grand. Neither has money to pay the guy back, but both debts are cancelled. Which will love him more? Clearly the one who owes more money. Jesus tells the prostitute, not the Pharisee, "Your sins are forgiven" (Luke 7:48).
Jesus may not wear a super hero suit, but he's into cool tech, aka, miracles and supernatural stuff. Here are some examples from the book of John.
ONE: Jesus, the WORD, becomes flesh (John 1:1).
TWO: Jesus turns water into wine at a wedding--such an amazing party trick--using six stone water jars, each holding 20-30 gallons (John 2).
THREE: Jesus heals a father's son, who is basically left for dead (John 4:43).
FOUR: Jesus heals a paralyzed guy by a pool, just by saying "Get up!" (John 5:8).
FIVE: Jesus feeds five thousand people using five small loaves of bread and two small fish. After everyone had eaten, the disciples "filled 12 baskets with the pieces of the 5 barley loaves left over..." (John 6:13).
SIX: Jesus walks on water (John 6:16).
SEVEN: Jesus heals a blind man (John 9).
EIGHT: Jesus raises his friend Lazarus from the dead, saying, "Lazarus, come out!" (John 11:43).
NINE: He helps the disciples catch 153 fish after a long night of empty nets and no cool Marvel or DC trailers (John 21:10+11).
TEN: He even talks to demons. Remember when he comes upon the two demon possessed men walking by the tombs? No one can go near them, because they're so violent. The demons know they are screwed and beg Jesus to send them into a herd of pigs. "Jesus said 'Go!' and the demons came out and went into the pigs" (from Matthew 8:31-32).
For those who doubt the Bible, just look for His fingerprint by studying the complexity of the human eye, the depth of a black hole, or the amazing transformation a caterpillar undergoes on its way to becoming a butterfly. There's just too much proof not to investigate HIS claims.
Revelations 3:20 says, "I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me."
As you break from the new DC and Marvel trailers, take a minute to check your heart. Make sure you're right with JESUS, the one who participated in making the whole universe and everything in it.
1John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
The coolest superhero in all of history offers you eternal life, freely, so take the gift.
*Dianne Bright has written for a variety of magazines and professional blogs including Scholastic's Parent & Child. Her first novel, SOUL READER, is being re-released this spring. Book #2, SOUL JUMPER, comes out in late April. Look for BLOOD TOWERS this summer, her young adult fantasy novel about core temperaments and the pharmaceutical industry.
Often times, the question for fantasy/sci-fi fans is, "Which is better, Marvel or DC?" which is basically impossible to answer, though Chris Hemsworth is pretty dreamy. But, I'll take my chances and throw in a third option. A better option: Jesus!
Too offensive? Definitely. Jesus offends, for sure.
For starters, He defends prostitutes, like the one at that awkward dinner with the Pharisee, where she washes Jesus' feet with her tears, massaging them with expensive perfume (used to seduce men), and dries them with her own hair (that was probably covered in sweat from a scandalous affair just hours before). The Pharisee gets upset at Jesus for letting her hang out there, so Jesus shares a story about two people owing money.
Let's say one owes five grand and another owes fifty grand. Neither has money to pay the guy back, but both debts are cancelled. Which will love him more? Clearly the one who owes more money. Jesus tells the prostitute, not the Pharisee, "Your sins are forgiven" (Luke 7:48).
Jesus may not wear a super hero suit, but he's into cool tech, aka, miracles and supernatural stuff. Here are some examples from the book of John.
ONE: Jesus, the WORD, becomes flesh (John 1:1).
TWO: Jesus turns water into wine at a wedding--such an amazing party trick--using six stone water jars, each holding 20-30 gallons (John 2).
THREE: Jesus heals a father's son, who is basically left for dead (John 4:43).
FOUR: Jesus heals a paralyzed guy by a pool, just by saying "Get up!" (John 5:8).
FIVE: Jesus feeds five thousand people using five small loaves of bread and two small fish. After everyone had eaten, the disciples "filled 12 baskets with the pieces of the 5 barley loaves left over..." (John 6:13).
SIX: Jesus walks on water (John 6:16).
SEVEN: Jesus heals a blind man (John 9).
EIGHT: Jesus raises his friend Lazarus from the dead, saying, "Lazarus, come out!" (John 11:43).
NINE: He helps the disciples catch 153 fish after a long night of empty nets and no cool Marvel or DC trailers (John 21:10+11).
TEN: He even talks to demons. Remember when he comes upon the two demon possessed men walking by the tombs? No one can go near them, because they're so violent. The demons know they are screwed and beg Jesus to send them into a herd of pigs. "Jesus said 'Go!' and the demons came out and went into the pigs" (from Matthew 8:31-32).
For those who doubt the Bible, just look for His fingerprint by studying the complexity of the human eye, the depth of a black hole, or the amazing transformation a caterpillar undergoes on its way to becoming a butterfly. There's just too much proof not to investigate HIS claims.
Revelations 3:20 says, "I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me."
As you break from the new DC and Marvel trailers, take a minute to check your heart. Make sure you're right with JESUS, the one who participated in making the whole universe and everything in it.
1John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
The coolest superhero in all of history offers you eternal life, freely, so take the gift.
*Dianne Bright has written for a variety of magazines and professional blogs including Scholastic's Parent & Child. Her first novel, SOUL READER, is being re-released this spring. Book #2, SOUL JUMPER, comes out in late April. Look for BLOOD TOWERS this summer, her young adult fantasy novel about core temperaments and the pharmaceutical industry.
SOUL JUMPER
Author Update:
SOUL JUMPER, book #2 in my SOUL READER Trilogy is now available from Barnes & Noble and Amazon. Even without reading book #1 (to be re-released in early June), this one does well as a stand-alone, since the preface provides a summary.
If you're interested in writing a review, please message me on goodreads or Twitter (@dibright).
BACK COVER:
She's been playing with bad blood. After discovering a world full of angels and demons, Jennifer Mills explains to her husband, Hunter, that Jadan is her guardian angel.
She is a human: A rescue mission to save her dad and Jadan from the Dark Realm causes Jennifer to question her earthly identity. She tries to stay focused on her everyday tasks, but feels pulled toward her spiritual role even more.
She is a half-angel: Jadan adds two mystical gems to Jennifer's growing collection from the Realm Beyond and helps her navigate the flying part of her training. He also reveals an intimate part of her past, creating an even stronger connection between them. Will she make the right choice?
She is a trap: When Jadan is forced to leave the earthly realm, Zalia is sent to guard over Jennifer. A host of angels arrives on the beach, before a mysterious navy blue gem finds its way into Jennifer's house. Will she be able to let this one go, before it leads to her demise?
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/soul-...
*Dianne Bright has written for a variety of magazines and professional blogs, including Scholastic's Parent & Child. She is also a reviewer for James Patterson books, via his assistant, Sean Comstock. Her second edition of book #1, SOUL READER, came out in the spring of 2017. She has a new young adult fantasy duology coming out soon.
SOUL JUMPER, book #2 in my SOUL READER Trilogy is now available from Barnes & Noble and Amazon. Even without reading book #1 (to be re-released in early June), this one does well as a stand-alone, since the preface provides a summary.
If you're interested in writing a review, please message me on goodreads or Twitter (@dibright).
BACK COVER:
She's been playing with bad blood. After discovering a world full of angels and demons, Jennifer Mills explains to her husband, Hunter, that Jadan is her guardian angel.
She is a human: A rescue mission to save her dad and Jadan from the Dark Realm causes Jennifer to question her earthly identity. She tries to stay focused on her everyday tasks, but feels pulled toward her spiritual role even more.
She is a half-angel: Jadan adds two mystical gems to Jennifer's growing collection from the Realm Beyond and helps her navigate the flying part of her training. He also reveals an intimate part of her past, creating an even stronger connection between them. Will she make the right choice?
She is a trap: When Jadan is forced to leave the earthly realm, Zalia is sent to guard over Jennifer. A host of angels arrives on the beach, before a mysterious navy blue gem finds its way into Jennifer's house. Will she be able to let this one go, before it leads to her demise?
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/soul-...
*Dianne Bright has written for a variety of magazines and professional blogs, including Scholastic's Parent & Child. She is also a reviewer for James Patterson books, via his assistant, Sean Comstock. Her second edition of book #1, SOUL READER, came out in the spring of 2017. She has a new young adult fantasy duology coming out soon.
