Brian MacLearn's Blog - Posts Tagged "editing"
Ridicule nearing completion
"Ridicule" is now going through its third editing. After I finish, I will be looking for beta readers to judge the flow and consistency of the story. This project has been interesting to say the least. "Ridicule" wasn't the book I had originally planned to start after I'd finished writing "Remember Me."
If I had to liken "Ridicule" to another story, it would be Dean Koontz's "The Husband." The more the story unfolds, the more intense it becomes, and the more we learn that not all is what it seems. I believe in writing stories about average people who rise to face the challenges put forth before them. In "Ridicule," that is exactly what the main character, Jeff Peyton, must do or the people he loves will die.
People always wonder where I come up with my ideas. Coming up with ideas isn't a problem. I have too many to write and not enough life left to accomplish writing them all. If only I hadn't procrastinated for the last twenty years… As far as "Ridicule" is concerned, the idea came to me as I listened to a radio broadcast about bullying. The stories about spousal abuse have been written many times. I wanted to take the playground bully, along with his victim, and then jump ahead twenty years to show what might happen if they were still connected. When you are twelve and face the bully, a punch to the nose will usually end the torment. But, what if the bully is thirty-five years old, and he's now your boss, and he's been controlling you for the last twenty years.
I believe that we all have a hero inside of us. Sometimes we have to force them to the surface, and sometimes they are pulled, screaming from within us. "Ridicule" is a fast-paced novel of suspense and surprises. What and who would you be willing to sacrifice to gain your freedom.
If I had to liken "Ridicule" to another story, it would be Dean Koontz's "The Husband." The more the story unfolds, the more intense it becomes, and the more we learn that not all is what it seems. I believe in writing stories about average people who rise to face the challenges put forth before them. In "Ridicule," that is exactly what the main character, Jeff Peyton, must do or the people he loves will die.
People always wonder where I come up with my ideas. Coming up with ideas isn't a problem. I have too many to write and not enough life left to accomplish writing them all. If only I hadn't procrastinated for the last twenty years… As far as "Ridicule" is concerned, the idea came to me as I listened to a radio broadcast about bullying. The stories about spousal abuse have been written many times. I wanted to take the playground bully, along with his victim, and then jump ahead twenty years to show what might happen if they were still connected. When you are twelve and face the bully, a punch to the nose will usually end the torment. But, what if the bully is thirty-five years old, and he's now your boss, and he's been controlling you for the last twenty years.
I believe that we all have a hero inside of us. Sometimes we have to force them to the surface, and sometimes they are pulled, screaming from within us. "Ridicule" is a fast-paced novel of suspense and surprises. What and who would you be willing to sacrifice to gain your freedom.
Against the Current
The editing continues on "Ridicule" which is now called "Against the Current." The original story received a 5 star review from Reader's Favorite and is a finalist in the category of Fiction/Intrigue. One of the things I've learned from the previous two novels is to listen to the readers and the professionals. Ridicule was a suspense story with manipulation and abuse as the backdrop. The general opinion was that it was more suspense and should move faster. After several (favorable) critiques, I began the process of condensing the novel to make it flow faster. This isn't as easy as you might think. It actually feels like I'm writing a new story. It will all be for the best…I hope. My mind wants to drift back to "Isolation," and continue writing where I left off. I've even started hearing from Jason and Allison recently. There are too many ideas and not enough time in a day to do it all. Hopefully, you will be able to see "Against the Current" in print this fall or early next year.
