Patrick Dent's Blog, page 5
February 6, 2018
From All That We Have Been Hearing And Seeing In The Movies, Most Writers Are Alcoholics. Your Views On That?
This may be a trope based on Stephen King being an alcoholic writer who writes books about alcoholic writers. Alcoholism has a huge genetic component. Also, alcoholism causes seclusion. Seclusion does not cause alcoholism.
I didn’t mean to get dark with this one, but they asked the question.
February 2, 2018
Review Of Purgatory is a Place Too by Dominique Kyle
Purgatory is a Place Too by Dominique Kyle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A Must Read!
This is a well-written book about the horrific topic of underage girls being forced into prostitution by vicious gangs. The police, social services, and teachers aren’t much help. In fact, like so many people, they simply wish the problem didn’t exist.
20 year old Formula car driver Eve takes matters into her own hands and puts herself at great risk by posing as a 14 year old, wearing surveillance equipment, and entering this underworld to collect actionable intel.
Kyle alternates between this based-on-reality storyline and a positive, uplifting story of Eve’s life in the world of Formula 2 racing. This duality kept my attention while educating me on a very uncomfortable topic that needs to be brought to light.
I cannot imagine a higher priority than addressing the exploitation of helpless children by ruthless monsters. Awareness needs to be raised, and Purgatory is a Place Too does this in a stark but artistic fashion.
Everyone needs to not just read this book, but become part of the solution. There are links at the end of the book connecting citizens to groups that need as many resources as we can throw at them.
January 31, 2018
5 Star Review of Execution of Justice
By MRS M D ATTENBOROUGH on November 13, 2017
Format: Kindle Edition
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
Are you sitting comfortably?? Then I’ll begin.
Once upon a time, there was a reviewer, who read a lot, LOT of books. Before she started reviewing for the blogs, she read mostly horror and crime. But now, it’s mostly romance of some description or other.
So when the reviewer had a chance to read something a little out of her comfort zone, she jumped at the chance.
AND WAS BLOWN AWAY!!
Usually there is sex in her books: not so here. There is usually romance: not so here. There are usually nekkid muscly men involved: bar two young recruits to the Army, not so here. She can often see where things are going: not so here.
AGAIN, she was blown away.
The reader found the book took a while to set the scene, it kept her fully engaged, because she got to hear from ALL the major players, and a minor one or two. It took time to present the full picture, and she didn’t know which way things would go til they did. She connected with each and every person, loved some guys, and a certain gal, hated some other guys.
The reader did get a little confused at the beginning with the time line involved, because it talks a bit about the oil embargo and the President of the US at the time (but already, the reader has forgotten which one t was!) However, once the reader had late 60’s early 70’s stuck in her head, things were much better, but the reader is still not entirely clear on that one!
The reader enjoyed this book so much, she read it on one sitting, and its not an EASY read, not at all, but what it is, is a BRILLIANT read. The reader looked to see if she could find any other books by this author, but THIS book appears to be the FIRST book written by this author.
The reader found it carried some difficult story lines, kidnapping and people trafficking mostly but some rape, and drug abuse too. She found it very violent in places but thought it right and proper for this book to have such graphic violence. It NEEDED that in places, to get the point across.
All in all, the reader was so very impressed with this book, she hopes to get a chance to read more by this author.
So the reader could only give this. . . .
5 stars. Because nothing else would do.
The end.
View Execution of Justice on Amazon
January 30, 2018
Does It Get Frustrating If You Are Unable To Recall An Idea You Had In Your Mind Some Time Earlier?
Yes, which is why I advocate getting every thought down on paper every day, no matter how incomplete or unrefined.
January 26, 2018
Review of The 12 Key Pillars of Novel Construction by C.S. Lakin
The 12 Key Pillars of Novel Construction: Your Blueprint for Building a Strong Story by C.S. Lakin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Essential for all beginning and intermediate authors!
This is the best book I’ve ever read on writing! You must use it as a workbook to form the blueprint for the novel you are writing. Once you do this, the rest is almost paint by numbers. But, you must understand that constructing the blueprint is the hardest part. All beginning and intermediate authors must study this book.
January 24, 2018
5 Star Review for Execution of Justice
By Trypsin on November 1, 2017
Format: Kindle Edition
This is an action thriller set in the 1970s with a Black Ops theme in which the main protagonist John Drake is assigned to destroy a sex-trafficking ring. Fast-paced and well-written, it is highly entertaining. story that has an additional thread involving the CIA trying to control Middle East oil companies. Drake is not perfect my any means, and the unfolding of his personal problems provides good character development and understanding of where he is coming from. The scenes are very well described and gave me a real feel for the situations. John Drake reminded me of Jack Bauer in the series ’24’. I like a good ending and this one didn’t disappoint. Highly recommended.
View Execution of Justice on Amazon
January 23, 2018
Have You Ever Incorporated Something That Happened To You In Real Life Into Your Novels?
Nearly everything I write begins with a kernel of a real event. Then, I ask, “What if it had happened differently? What if the stakes were huge? What if the person with that experience was a hero or villain?”
January 19, 2018
Review of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy by Lawrence Wallace
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: 7 Ways to Freedom from Anxiety, Depression, and Intrusive Thoughts by Lawrence Wallace
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Helped Me Enormously!
If you suffer from anxiety, depression, ocd, or a general inability to find happiness, this book will help you. It builds a foundation in modern biochemistry and cognition and relates them to all religions and ancient philosophies. I highly recommend this book to anyone who fantasizes about seeing a therapist, but doesn’t have the money.
January 17, 2018
5 Star Review for Execution of Justice
By Cat on October 24, 2017
Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
Execution of Justice is not a genre I normally read but I’m so glad I did. The well-written story has the perfect balance of action and character development to keep the reader fully engaged and eager to turn the page. The main character, John Drake, is complex and I found myself empathizing with him despite the difficult decisions he had to make. The overarching themes of revenge and forgiveness are woven in beautifully and the action scenes, though gritty and intense, are multi-purposed, serving to move the narrative forward as well as providing further insight into the characters. I’d highly recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys this genre or who appreciates quality story telling.
View Execution of Justice on Amazon
January 16, 2018
Have You Ever Written A Character Based On The Real You In Some Part?
Nearly every character contains a little piece of myself. That piece will be exaggerated and re-formed, but in knowing yourself, you know all people in a way.
