E.R. Yatscoff's Blog, page 22

Story endings

I have one or two chapters to write in order to finish my firefighter story Fire And Ice/May Day/Too Late For Spring. I must decide on a drawn out ending  or a quick one.  The drawn out path requires wrapping things up with a pretty ribbon; a gradual slide to the end,   while the other, being sharper  will leave a few things hanging, especially repercussions for the protagonist.

I really have to change the title as I've checked out books with similar titles and believe me there are tons.  In this case, I'd rather not ride on the coat tails of them during book searches.  I feel my work has to standout on its own.  I'll take any and all suggestions for a new title.  This will be my third firefighter eBook and I hope a catchy title will lead to being a popular book with eReaders.

Writing Update

Anyhow, I've just returned from Roatan and am working hard on Gerry's War getting it formatted for eBook upload.  Also did some rewriting grammar for Will's website – 2 units.  Also finished reading THE ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC.  This is a good novel about social unrest in a time of recession and corporations squeezing everyone and everything.  It raises some interesting questions on both sides.  I think I understand a bit better why many people protest at G7 and G20 conferences.  Check it out on the books link on my page.

writing update

Anyhow, I've just returned from Roatan and am working hard on GERRY'S WAR getting it formatted for eBook upload.  Also did some rewriting grammar for Will's website – 2 units.  Also finished reading THE ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC.  This is a good novel about social unrest in a time of recession and corporations squeezing everyone and everything.  It raises some interesting questions on both sides.  I think I understand a bit better why many people protest at G7 and G20 conferences.  Check it out on the books link on my page.

Firefighter writing firefighter books

Back when I was a firefighter the chief discovered I was a writer with a short story published.  He volunteered me for a children's reading week at a district school.  I walked in the school gym and mingled with several other neighborhood people who had volunteered.  Since I was in full dress uniform I got all the attention from the elementary students .  What surprised me were the comments of the children regarding firefighters: "Firemen can read?"  "Is that really your name in that book?"  Apparently firefighters were illiterate sorts, Neanderthals, who couldn't read or write.  Most of the children told me their fathers didn't read books; "only the paper."  Many of my male friends and ex-colleagues have rarely cracked a book.  Could it be they never found anything interesting while growing up?

Few firefighters write books.  There's plenty of non-fiction in Canada written by them but no fiction.  I'm the only one in Canada writing eBook mysteries featuring a firefighter.  Unfortunately it's an adult book.

Whenever school and children's groups toured my fire station there was always a definite excitement.  The older the group, such as Boy Scouts, the higher the interest.  To keep this interest going, with regards to books, there was little around save for picture books.  A chapter book/juvenile novel with firefighters and fire trucks could continue to build on the excitement.  Literary books are a tough sell for boys.  In my situation, I've written several juvenile/middle grade novels yet it's never occurred to me to write one about firefighters.  The high interest angle is essential to attract children, especially boys, to books.  Perhaps a few firefighter novels in the genre would turn on more boy readers and therefore more men readers.  Maybe I'll write one.

I was at a provincial park in Saskatchewan several years ago and watched a mixed group of tweens goofing around near the beach on a hot day.  One boy sat on the grass reading.  What kind of book could keep a boy away out of the sun and water?  I walked over to him and saw it was a Harry Potter novel.  That's when I realized the power of attraction in those books.  Thank you J.K. Rowling.

Aug.31/11   Not much interest around for renaming my 2nd firefighter novel entitled Fire and Ice.  The first draft is on chapter 21 and at most I have two more chapters to write.  My Beaumont writers group will see chapter 21 in a few weeks.   I'm hoping Gerry's War will be at eBook retailers before the end of September.  I'm waiting on the cover configuration from my son.  I've also submitted the above article to http://www.storytimestandouts.com/  where I hope to be a regular contributor on their blog.

Fire and Ice

Should I call my firefighter work-in-progress MAY DAY?  There's already a lot of books out there with those words in the title.  Maybe I could ride their coat tails if readers run a search.  Or would my story just get lost in the noise?

Any suggestions are appreciated.  Chapter 21 is submitted to my writers group and I got one excellent review back.  Don't know where all the members were last night but I guess they're not as committed. I have a short story, a juvenile one I'll be putting on Smashwords.com and maybe Amazon Kindle for free or 99cents just to see the response.  I know there are voracious readers on SW as the cheap books have incredible download numbers.  John Locke, has sold a million eBooks  on Amazonstarting with 99 cent ones.   As soon as I get a decent pix I'll be putting mine on.  It's called TRUE GRIT.

FIRE AND ICE

Sept. 21/11     Should I call my firefighter work-in-progress MAY DAY?  There's already a lot of books out there with those words in the title.  Maybe I could ride their coat tails if readers run a search.  Or would my story just get lost in the noise?

Any suggestions are appreciated.  Chapter 21 is submitted to my writers group and I got one excellent review back.  Don't know where all the members were last night but I guess they're not as committed. I have a short story, a juvenile one I'll be putting on Smashwords.com and maybe Amazon Kindle for free or 99cents just to see the response.  I know there are voracious readers on SW as the cheap books have incredible download numbers.  John Locke, has sold a million eBooks  on Amazonstarting with 99 cent ones.   As soon as I get a decent pix I'll be putting mine on.  It's called TRUE GRIT.

Welcome

"You have a real talent with language. Every scene you describe is vivid, and the dialogue is alive and authentic." -TransAtlantic Literary Agency

"Your work is certainly of merit…"  -  Robert Astle and Associates

Welcome to my website. If you enjoy fast moving, adventurous novels for juvenile/middle grade readers and adults you've come to the right place.  Boy's adventures and firefighter fiction are my forte.  My firefighter fiction is the very first with a Canadian firefighter protagonist.  There's plenty of firefighter non-fiction written by Canuck firefighters but no fiction as far as I know.   My juvenile novels have no magic wands, secret keys, or talking, wise beings.  My boys get in trouble and they are on their own.   Archie's Gold will be my first juvenile mystery onto the eBook market.

OLD FLAMES my 1st firefighter story, is now available at Amazon Kindle eBooks, Smashwords.com,  Diesel eBooks, and Barnes & Noble Nook.  It will be available @ all eBook retailers by mid-June.   Do not fear the eBook.

Check it out on Amazon Kindle or download and read a sample

If you don't have, or want, a Kindle eBook reader, a Kindle app can be downloaded onto your PC or laptop enabling you to read my books and a zillion others, some are even free.      Give it a look Smashwords will download your eBook in PDF format for any computer.  Follow me on Twitter:

http://www.twitter.com/ERYatscoff

Smashwords links:

Old Flames: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/yatscoff

There's a truckload of cheap reading on the links below.  If you're a voracious reader you'll appreciate the site.

Literary best-sellers under 25,000 words

http://www.smashwords.com/books/category/881/popular/0/any/short/yatscoff

Fiction books

http://www.smashwords.com/books/category/3/yatscoff

Publisher page for Smashwords publisher, Excessica (adult erotica):

http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/excessica/yatscoff

 

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