D.K. Brantley's Blog, page 2

CHARACTERS TO FIT THE AUDIENCE

Long ago, I took a big step with my first middle grade book, I’m 12 Years Old And I Saved The World. So I cleaned up the first few chapters and—after making sure she was game—shot it over to a writer friend who has at least a dozen books in the last bookstore you visited.

She gave it a read, chopped off the first six chapters (Ouch!), and told me something that made me realize what a moron I am. She said I needed more kids in the book. I gave the book some thought and realized she was right. The title of the book aims the book at readers who are 12 years old or younger, but Adam Shannon Dakota Car was the only three-dimensional 12-year-old in the book. Everyone else was an adult. And believe it or not, 12-year-olds don’t really want to read about a bunch of old folks.

So I got to work fixing the problem. Fortunately, there were hints of other young folks in the book, so I knew who I would work with, but it was a rather big task. Especially since much of the book took place in Adam’s home and not at school.

It took some substantial tweaking and adding and subtracting and all that jazz, but I eventually landed on something that works. And the book is much better for the effort put into it.

Why do I tell this sob story? (Okay, it’s not quite a sob story, but you know what I mean.) To encourage you to recognize who your readers are and to write characters that they care about. Writing for serious readers? Give them serious characters. Getting read by people who love taxi drivers? Better toss one in for good measure. Have an audience of teachers? Put a teacher in the mix of your book that will make them love your characters and, in return, you forever.

Because at the end of the day, while we writers do write for ourselves, it’s mighty nice to be read by someone else.

NEW BOOK PRESS

It’s been very exciting and humbling to see I’m 13 Years Old And I Changed The World getting some good press. For this, I am very thankful, as the more press it gets, the more money we’re able to send to the Duncan family.

Here is a story that ran in the Cleveland Daily Banner earlier this week.

And yes, I always look this…handsome?

PRE-ORDERS NOW AVAILABLE & HELPING FAMILY IN NEED

7th grader Dylan Duncan

In D.K. Brantley’s first book, I’m 12 Years Old And I Saved The World (Sir Brody Books, $5.99), Adam Shannon Dakota Carr had to save his parents’ marriage by helping them fall in love again. In the follow-up book, I’m 13 Years Old And I Changed The World, Adam faces a deadly foe: cancer. And it’s attacking his best friend, Big Mike.

In the real world, rising seventh grade student Dylan Duncan is battling cancer. A student at Tennessee Christian Preparatory School in Cleveland, Tennessee, Dylan was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in May 2016. His mother, Becky Duncan, has since taken leave from work to care for Dylan, which has meant an immediate and drastic drop in family income.

“We’ve known the Duncan family for years,” Daniel said. “They’re very sweet people who are in a situation I can’t imagine. As soon as I heard about Dylan, I felt I had to do something to help.”

The way Daniel decided to help is by giving the Duncan family the first few months’ profit of his book sales. Until the end of 2016, all profit from every book Daniel sells—including his older works—will go to the Duncan family.

Vernon Duncan, Dylan’s father, told Daniel he hopes others will heed the lesson of the Duncans’ story. Initially, physicians diagnosed Dylan with severe growing pains. However, the Duncans felt something bigger was going on in Dylan’s body. So they sought additional testing, which led to Dylan’s diagnosis.

“Parents need to follow their God-given instincts and not rely solely on medical professionals, because sometimes they get it wrong,” Vernon said. “The surgeon at Vanderbilt said she had never seen this type of cancer caught this early before, and the oncologist told us that if we’d relied on the first specialist, Dylan’s cancer would have spread within six months and we may have gotten a much different outcome!”

You can now pre-order D.K. Brantley’s new book, I’m 13 Years Old And I Saved The World (Sir Brody Books, $6.99), at Amazon.com. Prefer to help the Duncans without purchasing a book? Visit https://www.gofundme.com/23m4tf8 to make a gift of any amount.

And don’t forget to leave a review once you read it. That will help more folks find the book and buy it, leading to more money for the Duncans!

GOING INTERNATIONAL

A year or two ago, my friend Lurlene McDaniel had a suggestion: join the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, “The international professional organization for writers and illustrators of children’s literature.” Well, it took more time than necessary, but I finally did it. And I’m thrilled! What am I thrilled about? That is yet to be determined, as I’m only just starting to figure out what resources they offer a li’l writer like myself. But once I get my head around the overwhelming amount of resources available, I’m sure I will write better than ever.

Speaking of writing, I’ve got some exciting news for those who read I’m 12 Years Old And I Saved The World and are curious about what happens to Big Mike. The next book is finished and Mike’s fate is sealed! (Note: Don’t assume because I say his fate is sealed that he meets a bad fate. Good fates get sealed also.)

Anyway, it took quite a while to get the book finished. Were it not for my wife’s suggestions and edits and thoughtful comments from my friend Jonathan Cavett, the book would be nowhere as great as it is. That is to say it is pretty doggone great. Better than the first? Methinks yes.

And without further ado, I give the title of the book: I’m 13 Years Old And I Changed The World.

It seems so obvious, but somehow it wasn’t. After spending the better part of a year with some rather miserable title ideas, I went to my wife for help. Within the span of 15 minutes, she had the winning title. When she said it, I was a bit ashamed. The title was staring me in the face and I just wouldn’t give it the time of day. Another reason I love that lady.

The book cover is currently being designed and should be ready for your consumption by mid-September, so stay tuned!

REVIEW OF I’M 12 YEARS OLD AND I SAVED THE WORLD

Quite a few moons ago, a book-loving lady graciously reviewed I’m 12 Years Old And I Saved The World on her blog, Read by Me. While the book felt a little young for her (she’s more into young-adult fiction), she had some kind things to say.

So in an effort to toot my own horn and thank Anna for the review, I point you in the review’s direction. While you’re there, be sure to check out the other posts she has produced. The girl loves her books!

OLD STORIES, NEW LIFE

In 2013, I wrote a few short stories. Really short stories. But they are decent stories, and the folks at Sir Brody liked them well enough to republish them with the Sir Brody Books seal of approval.

If you’re into baseball, street vendors, escalators, execution, church, or bugs, you’ll likely find something you like in The First Six: A collection of six rather short stories.

Get it here!

HANDLING HARD TOPICS IN KIDS’ BOOKS

When I first had the idea to write I’m 12 Years Old And I Saved The World, I knew the basic premise of the story and the reason I wanted to write the book.

Premise: The main character’s world is collapsing around him, and he feels responsible for fixing it. That world collapsing involves his dad losing his job and his parents’ marriage getting rocky.

Reason: Kids are hurting, lots with divorced parents or parents struggling to love each other well. These kids need to read about a character they can relate to, someone who shows that things can get better.

With the next book dealing with difficult topics as well, it is worthwhile to consider how difficult topics ought to be approached in writing—especially when writing for elementary and middle grade readers.

So without further ado…

1. Be Honest. Kids know that bad stuff happens. It’s why you have to be careful how you act and speak in front of them. They’re sponges, and while they may not ask about the heartache around them, they know it’s going on. So there is no need to avoid hard topics in kids’ books. Be honest, and you’ll be surprised at how kids respond to it. Honestly.

2. Give The Proper Perspective. When you’re writing a book for kids, you have to keep their perspective in mind. More than likely, a child whose parents are arguing every night won’t understand technical lingo necessary to decode what is going on. What they will understand is the pain and fear that come when parents don’t get along. So let your character hurt and be confused. Unless your character is a heartless droid. Then use that lack of humanity drive home the point that feeling is normal, this character is not, and that lack of feeling is a weakness rather than strength.

3. Slip Humor In. When life is difficult for kids, they don’t spend every minute of every day feeling down in the dumps. If they do, they wish they didn’t. Kids want to be happy and enjoy life. And more than adults, kids can do this in the midst of difficulty. Give your character the ability to find humor even in the most heartbreaking situations and your readers will appreciate that your character laughs during hard times. Kids in hard life situations sometimes need permission to laugh, and you have the power to give it to them.

Have some insight on how to write about difficult topics in a middle-grade book? Share your insight below. And if you’re interested in seeing how I handled relationship woes from a 12-year-old’s perspective, check out I’m 12 Years Old And I Saved The World, published by Sir Brody Books.

REVIEW FROM DOWN UNDER

So I decided to Google myself the other day. If you’ve not done it, it is a superb exercise in narcissism. Of course, it’s not just the ego-driven person who does it. It should be done by anyone who will one day want a job. Your future employer is going to do it, so you may as well beat them to the punch.

The real reason I Googled myself was to see if there were sites I was unaware of selling and reviewing my book. Lo and behold, I stumbled across a review that made my book sound better than I ever could.

The review went a little something like this:

This is an AWESOME BOOK! It was definitely worth buying it and was great way to spend a few minutes of every day! If I could rate this book from 1-10, it would be a no-brainer! (10) You should buy this book! I cannot wait for the next one! Awesome author, awesome book, awesome plot… You get the picture. You will never regret buying this and when you finish it you will probably say “PURE AWESOMENESS”. What are you waiting for?! IN the time it took you to read this review you could have already bought it! No more words needed to describe it…simply a brilliant, great, and awesome book by DK Brantley!

Very kind words from down under.

For the original review, click here.

BOOK GIVEAWAY

I realize this is a bit late, but Sir Brody Books is giving away a signed copy of I’m 12 Years Old And I Saved The World. To get in on the action, head to GoodReads and click the proper buttons.

The giveaway only lasts until tomorrow, so hurry! Next time I’ll try to update a bit earlier.

ADULTS LIKE IT, TOO

Are you under the impression that I’m 12 Years Old And I Saved The World is only for young adults? Since it’s labeled a “young adult” book, it’s understandable. However, Sir Brody Books thought it appropriate to have some grown folks read the book and give their opinions.

Here is a sliver of what they thought.

“Very, very fun and well-written. Looking forward to reading it to Hez (reviewer’s toddler).”—J. Vaden, adult

“First off:  I loved it. Second off:  Nothin’ bad better happen to [Name omitted for dramatic purposes] in the second book.”—Corey H., another old guy

Want to find out what has these adults readers foaming at the mouth with excitement? Stay tuned!