Brian MacLearn's Blog - Posts Tagged "ridicule"
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.
Ridicule in the last edit
I have heard back from my advanced readers--and I listened. They wanted a more concise and happier ending. The whole story continued to crescendo until the very end. I wanted to leave that feeling in place and only write a short summation of what happened next. It was realistic and gave some hope to a brighter future. However, the readers felt it needed to be more positive, and they asked some great questions about unanswered issues in the story. I added a couple of short chapters to tie up the loose ends, and eased into the ending, even changing my initial direction. Now they are happy…me too! Thank you for your help!
"Ridicule" 5 star review
This is the first review of "Ridicule."
Ridicule
Rating: 5.0 stars
Reviewed by Alice Recker for Readers' Favorite
“Ridicule,” written by Brian L. MacLearn, is the story of Jeffrey Peyton who is the victim of a bully while in Middle School. The anguish begins when Jeffrey creates an apparatus to ward off garden pests that like to gnaw on young seedlings. The tormentor doesn’t leave him alone, pitting everyone close to Jeffrey against him, until relief arrives while Jeffrey spends time in college. To Jeffrey’s chagrin and dismay, he finds that his aggressor has found him once again and secures a job at the same place where Jeffrey works. Matt feigns friendship and though Jeffrey is wary of him, he is too weak to resist Matt Sinclair’s hold on him. Eventually, Matt forms his own company. Knowing he has no talent for invention himself, he invites Jeffrey to join him and promises a partnership in patenting and promoting his earlier invention. The hold Matt has on Jeffrey is like a vise held so that the object can be worked on.
The book “Ridicule” is well-written. Brian L. MacLearn takes the reader on a painful journey from experiences received from the hands of a bully that extend well beyond childhood. Breathless throughout the narrative, one is led through well-described actions and characters that cause the reader to place all trust and faith in the victim. This saga is surprising with twists and turns throughout. “Ridicule” sweeps us into the heart of long-lasting effects of childhood traumas at the hands of bullies. It is a story of survival, in spite of all odds, of the main character. MacLearn writes in a way that makes his point clear while the story flows easily from one segment to the next. This is a book I hope to see published soon.
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The following are optional personal comments from the reviewer that will NOT appear in your review:
This is a story well-written and hard to put down. I liked the way you portrayed the effects of bullying that extend well beyond the schoolyard playground. Your protagonist had to win or else in my mind as I read it!
Ridicule
Rating: 5.0 stars
Reviewed by Alice Recker for Readers' Favorite
“Ridicule,” written by Brian L. MacLearn, is the story of Jeffrey Peyton who is the victim of a bully while in Middle School. The anguish begins when Jeffrey creates an apparatus to ward off garden pests that like to gnaw on young seedlings. The tormentor doesn’t leave him alone, pitting everyone close to Jeffrey against him, until relief arrives while Jeffrey spends time in college. To Jeffrey’s chagrin and dismay, he finds that his aggressor has found him once again and secures a job at the same place where Jeffrey works. Matt feigns friendship and though Jeffrey is wary of him, he is too weak to resist Matt Sinclair’s hold on him. Eventually, Matt forms his own company. Knowing he has no talent for invention himself, he invites Jeffrey to join him and promises a partnership in patenting and promoting his earlier invention. The hold Matt has on Jeffrey is like a vise held so that the object can be worked on.
The book “Ridicule” is well-written. Brian L. MacLearn takes the reader on a painful journey from experiences received from the hands of a bully that extend well beyond childhood. Breathless throughout the narrative, one is led through well-described actions and characters that cause the reader to place all trust and faith in the victim. This saga is surprising with twists and turns throughout. “Ridicule” sweeps us into the heart of long-lasting effects of childhood traumas at the hands of bullies. It is a story of survival, in spite of all odds, of the main character. MacLearn writes in a way that makes his point clear while the story flows easily from one segment to the next. This is a book I hope to see published soon.
-------------------
The following are optional personal comments from the reviewer that will NOT appear in your review:
This is a story well-written and hard to put down. I liked the way you portrayed the effects of bullying that extend well beyond the schoolyard playground. Your protagonist had to win or else in my mind as I read it!
