Michael Wescott Loder's Blog
September 13, 2021
New Novel: Forbidden Games
My newest novel, Forbidden Games is now available. You can order through your local bookstore via Ingram or from Amazon. A mystery and sports story for YA readers, particularly ones looking for a strong male protagonist and romance.
Forbidden Games, ISBN 9791734292916.
Price will be around $14.00.
URL: https://www.facebook.com/WesLoderBook...
Synopsis: Juvenile sexual abuse and volleyball form the backdrop to a story about parental greed and lies as a teenage boy and a girl with a shared past fight for their own independence and truth.
11th grader Peter Bain, an accused liar and community pariah, discovers that his late great-aunt has left him secret financial resources—and a mission. Encouraged, Peter successfully goes out for volleyball, the one sport that his father has absolutely forbade him to play.
Then he meets Marty, a girl who lives by lying. Finding Peter, in turn, gives Marty the courage to free herself from her own sexual abuser, setting in motion deadly events that lead to a climax in a district justice’s courtroom.
Forbidden Games, ISBN 9791734292916.
Price will be around $14.00.
URL: https://www.facebook.com/WesLoderBook...
Synopsis: Juvenile sexual abuse and volleyball form the backdrop to a story about parental greed and lies as a teenage boy and a girl with a shared past fight for their own independence and truth.
11th grader Peter Bain, an accused liar and community pariah, discovers that his late great-aunt has left him secret financial resources—and a mission. Encouraged, Peter successfully goes out for volleyball, the one sport that his father has absolutely forbade him to play.
Then he meets Marty, a girl who lives by lying. Finding Peter, in turn, gives Marty the courage to free herself from her own sexual abuser, setting in motion deadly events that lead to a climax in a district justice’s courtroom.
August 28, 2016
Swoon & a new title
For those of my followers who also may read manuscripts in Swoon , I have placed one of my stories there. It is "The Chosen One," A YA novel that I think fits Swoon's criteria closely. Anyway, if you are interested, take it look and leave comments if you feel it would help.
Thanks, WES
Thanks, WES
August 26, 2013
Liar, liar …
As I read "contemporary" young adult fiction, I notice that lying appears to be an acceptable means of getting along in the world. Not only do the protagonists themselves accept this, but the authors suggest that this is a universal behavior pattern. But is it? And why do so many writers appear to promote this as "normal?"
Is lying to parents, friends, teachers and other adults just an easy way to get along in the world? Is this the real world, or an endorsement on anti-social, self-destructive behavior?
When I was in high school, I did know one classmate who regularly lied to her father. She was secretly dating a boy her father did not approve of. With reason. The young man was a bully who treated the girl was a mixture of violence and affection. She lapped it up.
But I knew of no others, and in a small school where everyone knew everyone, secrets were hard to keep. True, none of us shared everything with our parents. There were many things I did that I did not want my parents to know about, or even share with my friends. Too many events happened that we did not have the discretion, moral development or wisdom to handle. But we did not lie. We shut up. Perhaps that was lying by omission, but we did not place into words the thoughts or actions that we hid. We knew that lies have teeth that all too often could bite back. We wanted our parents to trust us, because with trust came freedom. If I had lied to either my mother or father and they had found out, I would have created a canyon I would never have been able to bridge.
But this does not appear to be the way of the modern teenager. She (usually she) lies to her parents without a single prick of conscience, a act so natural that she might as well be drinking at the water fountain or crossing a street. And they get away with it too. Is this the way of the contemporary world?
Is lying to parents, friends, teachers and other adults just an easy way to get along in the world? Is this the real world, or an endorsement on anti-social, self-destructive behavior?
When I was in high school, I did know one classmate who regularly lied to her father. She was secretly dating a boy her father did not approve of. With reason. The young man was a bully who treated the girl was a mixture of violence and affection. She lapped it up.
But I knew of no others, and in a small school where everyone knew everyone, secrets were hard to keep. True, none of us shared everything with our parents. There were many things I did that I did not want my parents to know about, or even share with my friends. Too many events happened that we did not have the discretion, moral development or wisdom to handle. But we did not lie. We shut up. Perhaps that was lying by omission, but we did not place into words the thoughts or actions that we hid. We knew that lies have teeth that all too often could bite back. We wanted our parents to trust us, because with trust came freedom. If I had lied to either my mother or father and they had found out, I would have created a canyon I would never have been able to bridge.
But this does not appear to be the way of the modern teenager. She (usually she) lies to her parents without a single prick of conscience, a act so natural that she might as well be drinking at the water fountain or crossing a street. And they get away with it too. Is this the way of the contemporary world?
July 28, 2013
Heroes
I read a lot (as anyone who has taken a look at the range of my reviews might attest to). I probably read two or three books a week when I’m home and not on a writing splurge. I seldom buy books, mainly because my book shelves are already packed tight, but I do use my local public library.
I read a lot of adult non-fiction: history, crafts, homesteading, alternative living. But the lion’s share of my reading time goes to middle-grade and YA fiction. Why? Part of the reason might be that this area is where I write myself. The simpler, straight-forward problems that teenagers believe they must face is easier to get through than the twisted, less-believable plots of adult fiction.
Truth in fiction can be a hard sell. The reader has to be able to accept that the actions and thoughts of the characters are consistent with reality—even in a fantasy work. Too often I find that the actions of characters in adult fiction are too weird to believe.
But then, “normal,” conventional families and people are boring. Right? Perhaps that is true for most readers, but I prefer to read about regular people being forced to confront irregular events. Do they rise to the occasion? Do they find new or unknown strengths? All too often the heroes discover that they are not normal but special, given special powers or chosen for a special task. This can work, but I prefer to read about young people like I was myself, confronted with a crisis and being brave and strong anyway.
I read a lot of adult non-fiction: history, crafts, homesteading, alternative living. But the lion’s share of my reading time goes to middle-grade and YA fiction. Why? Part of the reason might be that this area is where I write myself. The simpler, straight-forward problems that teenagers believe they must face is easier to get through than the twisted, less-believable plots of adult fiction.
Truth in fiction can be a hard sell. The reader has to be able to accept that the actions and thoughts of the characters are consistent with reality—even in a fantasy work. Too often I find that the actions of characters in adult fiction are too weird to believe.
But then, “normal,” conventional families and people are boring. Right? Perhaps that is true for most readers, but I prefer to read about regular people being forced to confront irregular events. Do they rise to the occasion? Do they find new or unknown strengths? All too often the heroes discover that they are not normal but special, given special powers or chosen for a special task. This can work, but I prefer to read about young people like I was myself, confronted with a crisis and being brave and strong anyway.
July 7, 2013
Series endings
It appears today that every first book is but the prelude to another, which in turn leads to still another. All books, particularly YA fantasy, seem to come in threes. Why is this? Is the world-making that fantasy demands just too much for one volume? Or does saving the world or universe by one person require more volumes than one book?
I have no objections to series, but I do feel that when a book comes to the last page, it should have an end, even if a sequel is possible. Too many fantasy novels today end with nothing resolved, with every thread left untied and the hero about to embark on some new, vital journey with no finish in sight.
Of course, that neatly ties into keeping the book-buying going. Read the first in a series, love it, and the market is there to buy more. Unfortunately, the second volumes rarely solve anything. Instead, the issues and problems mushroom and then the reader has to get the third volume. Is this a con game? Do I really believe that the author could not have solved the problems the hero faced in one book? Yes, he or she could have.
My own writings involve sequels. But I hope I have always tried to tie up loose ends and reached a conclusion at the end of each story. One does not have to read the sequel to "Beetle." It is just a better story if one does. But my novel "Red Patch" definitely ends. Green Shana, the sequel, mostly involves Leenea's daughter, a different country and an entirely different set of problems and challenges. That is the kind of sequel I like.
I have no objections to series, but I do feel that when a book comes to the last page, it should have an end, even if a sequel is possible. Too many fantasy novels today end with nothing resolved, with every thread left untied and the hero about to embark on some new, vital journey with no finish in sight.
Of course, that neatly ties into keeping the book-buying going. Read the first in a series, love it, and the market is there to buy more. Unfortunately, the second volumes rarely solve anything. Instead, the issues and problems mushroom and then the reader has to get the third volume. Is this a con game? Do I really believe that the author could not have solved the problems the hero faced in one book? Yes, he or she could have.
My own writings involve sequels. But I hope I have always tried to tie up loose ends and reached a conclusion at the end of each story. One does not have to read the sequel to "Beetle." It is just a better story if one does. But my novel "Red Patch" definitely ends. Green Shana, the sequel, mostly involves Leenea's daughter, a different country and an entirely different set of problems and challenges. That is the kind of sequel I like.
June 26, 2013
The Watchers. A story in progress
If you would jump over to my regular blog and scroll back to December 19th, 2008, you will find the beginning of a story that I ran parts of for six or so entries.
"The Watchers" is an alternative world Science Fiction/fantasy involving a troubled girl and a nosy holy man, both being used by hidden beings called the watchers.
If you read it, tell me what you think. Should I continue? Do you want to read more?
"The Watchers" is an alternative world Science Fiction/fantasy involving a troubled girl and a nosy holy man, both being used by hidden beings called the watchers.
If you read it, tell me what you think. Should I continue? Do you want to read more?
Thank you everyone
A huge thank you to all my followers who have taken the time to sign on with GoodReads and check my writings.
I finally successfully added my other ebook, the sequel to "Beetle,A Biography of a Virtual Girl."
This is "Beetle II: Restoration and Retribution." As with the first Beetle book, both are available for only 99 cents from either Amazon or Smashwords. I like Smashwords a bit better. They keep track of my sales and account in a nicer way, and the stories are downloadable in a wide range of formats.
Also, The Golden Horn is available in many ways. Go for the cheapest cost. If you purchase from Publish America directly, check for all the various editions. They are all the same, so go with the cheapest price.
And when you read these, please give me ratings and nice reviews. Again, thank you.
I finally successfully added my other ebook, the sequel to "Beetle,A Biography of a Virtual Girl."
This is "Beetle II: Restoration and Retribution." As with the first Beetle book, both are available for only 99 cents from either Amazon or Smashwords. I like Smashwords a bit better. They keep track of my sales and account in a nicer way, and the stories are downloadable in a wide range of formats.
Also, The Golden Horn is available in many ways. Go for the cheapest cost. If you purchase from Publish America directly, check for all the various editions. They are all the same, so go with the cheapest price.
And when you read these, please give me ratings and nice reviews. Again, thank you.
