Kester James Finley's Blog, page 16
December 1, 2017
November 29, 2017
The Opening Chapter
Great advice!
We’ve all seen the myriad of posts from bloggers and agents concerning the opening chapter of our manuscripts — cut the first twenty-five pages, start with conflict, no prologues, no tropes, no cliches…
If, like me, you’re ready to tear your hair out, then read on, because I’m about to cut the noise, and break the opening chapter into bite-size pieces…and hopefully shed some light on the ambiguous statements above. No more waffle, let’s just dive right in.
The Opening Line.
If you Google ‘the opening line’, the internet will bring you to a barage of sites touting the ‘best’ book openers in the history of books eveeerrrrr! Some will bring you the infamous ‘Pride and Prejudice’ opener, some ‘The Lord of the Rings’, but no matter how different the examples, or the gaping publishing time-gap between these books, all of them have one thing in common:
They force the…
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Random Image Wednesday!-#12
First off, I apologize for missing a week. I moved into our first “our” home and celebrated Thanksgiving between two counties with family while running around crazy. It was a good feeling, a blessing, a much-needed adventure that unfolded into being able to blog and write on a more timely schedule. No need for applause, I did enough for both of us!
Anywho, today we are going to discuss steps. A cornerstone of life, a common scene in movies, a pivotal human experience. Steps have always been used to define us, shape us, progressively steer us someplace, somewhere. We are judged on the steps we take, we are always taking steps towards the better, sometimes to the worst, but it’s all about direction, movement, progression regardless if good or bad as both shape a person in many ways and help define that person’s personality and ability to interact with the world.
Metamorphically, we often see steps as links to intent within our writing journies or clues to the direction of future involvement or interaction. Examples include a young woman descending a staircase dressed to the nines representing a blossoming into adulthood or showcasing a regal appearance. A killer ascending a staircase in a movie or book shows entrapment or sense of building doom for the people at the top. A couple of examples that clearly demonstrate this idealism relating to steps and the human progression can be seen in two movies, Stanley Kubrick’s work on, “The Shining,” by Stephen King and James Cameron’s direction on the movie, “Titanic”. Both show various scenes related to stairs, both offer up a psychology evaluation for study based on the way they are presented. Don’t believe me, watch both. 
November 28, 2017
November 24, 2017
Haiku Friday – Broken & Over — The Writer Next Door|Vashti Q
Hello everyone! Today, I have an interesting guest on my blog. Her name is Gadreel and she is one of the characters in my new novel, The Fall of Lilith. She has written a poem for us but before we get to that I have a few questions I’d like to ask her. Character […]
via Haiku Friday – Broken & Over — The Writer Next Door|Vashti Q
November 16, 2017
Random Book Review-“Dreaming At the Top of My Lungs” by Israel Finn
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Customer Review—
5.0 out of 5 stars A collection of scares and frights to please and delight!
By Kester James Finley on November 15, 2017
Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
Dreaming At the Top of My Lungs: A Horror Collection by Israel Finn takes readers on a wild ride through a collection of short stories that leave you wanting more in a way that will entice many a reader. Finn’s ability to create a collection of horror snippets that whet the appetite is nothing short of masterful as his detail to characters and the horror-filled world they find themselves in gives you just enough information to pull you in, before he leaves you there alone and afraid.
In this collection by Finn, there are offerings that focus on horror and some that cater to dark fantasy, but at the heart of each one is a person, much like us, exposed or forced into circumstances that decidedly mark their fates. Finn manages to bring a “Twilight Zone” feel to his work that somehow managed to mate with the likes of “Creepshow” and “Tales from the Crypt.” It had a vibe that was reminiscent of the 80’s while still being relevant for any era, a fun ride to the land of nostalgia while scaring you senseless. Each story within the collection is standalone, but each story takes the reader further into the dark world Finn has created and the characters that he perfectly serves up. As you read, it seems to implant itself into the dark recesses of our minds before coiling around our own fears and phobias and as its written seems to be the overall intent.
Marked as horror and dark fantasy, Finn’s work is steeped in both, though not usually at the same time. Some of the stories were bloody, some were dark and sinister, while others played on human fears that when brought to life among the pages did little to quiet our racing hearts and sweaty hands as Finn’s ability to take us there makes you feel as if you’re stepping into the role of one of his characters, I mean victims, yeah those.
It was not as bloody as I expected going in, but as I read along it became more terror-ridden than I could have imagined. The stories are short, some a few pages long, others a few longer than those, but each was enough to satisfy anyone who enjoys this genre, and each was vividly created enough to make you crave another helping. Detailed and filled with psychological twists and turns, Finn expertly explores the human condition and the horrors within ourselves while providing highlights into the often, shocking and shadowy, side of life. Finn cleverly creates a world within his collection that seems to shift from monsters on the inside to monsters on the outside and is perfect for the reader who enjoys dipping their toes into the murky waters of the horror fiction world because when it comes to Dreaming At the Top of My Lungs, you may not scream outright, but you sure as hell will be sleeping with the lights on.
My review was posted on Amazon.com and my Goodreads.com Page. Here are the links to each one for those who would like to read and buy a copy for themselves!
https://www.amazon.com/Dreaming-At-Top-Lungs-Collection-ebook/dp/B01BPN62KW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1510754638&sr=8-1&keywords=dreaming+at+the+top+of+my+lungs
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29155627-dreaming-at-the-top-of-my-lungs
Happy Hauntings-Kester Finley
November 15, 2017
Random Image Wednesday!~#11
There’s always something mysterious and magical about foggy mornings. Its the start of a new day, but it always looks as if the spirits that have run rampant through the evening are still in full swing and desperately trying to pull their astral blankets across the land in an attempt to thwart the sun. Its the almost impenetrable folds of grayish-white that hold its secrets deep inside only to melt away into nothingness the second the sun rises too far in the sky out of its reach. There’s a calmness inside the fog coupled with an uncertainty, peace meets possible death, Mother Nature’s version of a coin toss.
In Florida, we are no strangers to fog. Our random mixes of weather systems allow for some mornings of extreme fog, adding in smoke from nearby fires on any given day and you’re in for a complete whiteout, minus the snow. In some cases, along the Southern back roads and hilly dirt paths away from the city streets and commotion, its as if the powers that be are taking a huge eraser to the world in front of your eyes, a wall of nature that gets turned into a blank canvas. A slowly moving wall of white that beckons you to enter to enjoy its secret treasures, but warns you of its traps.
Take a stroll through a park or a wooded area near you on a foggy morning and you’ll understand that within the fog, there’s magic. Alone in the eerie quiet, you can feel its dewy embrace against your flesh, can almost hear the whispers contained within. Nothing inspires more, nothing terrorizes and pleases more so than the white embrace of fog for within it we can find ourselves, or for some, the haunts of others.
These posts will be about showcasing a random picture I find in the hopes of inspiring others to create ideas for their writing. I have found that generating a quick 1-3 sentence scenario, a blurb, a scene, or a full novel concept based on a random picture has worked wonders in opening up the floodgates to new ideas and enjoyment in the world of fiction. It is my hope that others will find these images and possibly be inspired to jump into the wild world of writing and become the author they always wanted to be.
Without further ado, our 11th entry!-
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Photo Courtesy of melwabythegarden.blogg.se
Share your thoughts below. What do you think of foggy mornings in those last few moments before time spins us all into daily life? Love, like, share, inspire, read, and write!
November 8, 2017
Rave Reviews Book Club “Spotlight Author” Michael Lynes — The Writer Next Door|Vashti Q
Hi everyone! I’m a member of a wonderful book club called, Rave Reviews Book Club and the club president and founder, Nonnie Jules has thought up many ways for the club to profile, promote and propel its members. A “Spotlight Author” is selected each month from the many talented members. Today, I am honored to […]
via Rave Reviews Book Club “Spotlight Author” Michael Lynes — The Writer Next Door|Vashti Q
Random Image Wednesday!-#10
There’s something mysterious and serene about fall slowly developing into winter. The night comes quicker, the weather grows bitter in its attempt to force the thin-skinned into warm houses so it can continue its rule over the lands, and people began a turning-inward approach to life as they reflect on this year’s progression. For me, that’s the best part.
I enjoy talking walking amongst nature during this seasonal change, it calms me, it connects me to the heartbeat of the world around me. It could be the trees that have recently shed their leafy surplus and have allowed sunlight to touch the earth once more, or it could be the whispers picked up within the wind as it dances between the branches. There’s a calmness to it, a personal freedom of being alone outside when it’s too cold for others, a rewarding treat for an introvert with a crowd phobia.
It could also be that I’m still gliding along from a candy-induced sugar high from Halloween and looking forward to what my family affectionately calls, “Eat Day” or “Thanksgiving” for everyone else. Growing up in the south, it’s considered a steroid filled version of any typical Sunday, only this time someone brought deviled eggs. Its this season of warmth, of family, of love and second chances that tugs at everyone’s heart and mind. One last chance to change, one final attempt to be better than we were in spring. It’s the changing of the weather, a hinting of Santa’s big day, and a reason I remain a fall to winter lover tried and true.
I always love this time of year. I highly recommend a chance to reflect, an escape from our concrete and asphalt lives, to enjoy it. Find a neighborhood park, a wooded lot, a forested locale by a lake, by an ocean, near a river and take it all in, be there as it has for you for centuries. Be alone for a while, listen to your head, listen to your heart. There’s magic in solitude, peace in the disconnect.
These posts will be about showcasing a random picture I find in the hopes of inspiring others to create ideas for their writing. I have found that generating a quick 1-3 sentence scenario, a blurb, a scene, or a full novel concept based on a random picture has worked wonders in opening up the floodgates to new ideas and enjoyment in the world of fiction. It is my hope that others will find these images and possibly be inspired to jump into the wild world of writing and become the author they always wanted to be.
Without further ado, our 10th entry!-
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Like, love, hate, could care less? Leave a comment, say hello, wave in spirit! Enjoy this season as we gear up the craziness that comes with this time of year and always continue to write, explore, and love.
