Clint Stoker's Blog, page 7
November 10, 2011
A REALLY Great Review!
Over the past 3 months, I have given out dozens of copies of "The Cause" to reviewers. I expected it to take awhile for reviews to start trickling in from the internet because people are busy and reviewers usually have several books they are reading all at one time.
I am please to announce that the wait is over.
Dottie Randazzo of "Reader Of Everything" has given "The Cause" a great video review. It's posted on Amazon.com and it should shortly make it's debut on her YouTube channel.
Usually, reviews make me a little nervous because I have no control over it. Reviewers can be harsh, as I experienced in my amateur music career. Apparently, the author of this blog didn't think highly of my singing and the record in general.
Since, I've become accustomed to big thumbs down, I've lost the fear of rejection. What's the worst that can happen right? Because every bad review only helps me get better. Not to mention the fact that good reviews are so much more special.
"The Cause" has made me really proud. I enjoyed writing it and now that reviews are starting to surface, I can see that my readers are genuinely enjoying it too.
Thanks for all your support. I'm going to take this adrenaline rush and put it to good use on my next book!
I am please to announce that the wait is over.
Dottie Randazzo of "Reader Of Everything" has given "The Cause" a great video review. It's posted on Amazon.com and it should shortly make it's debut on her YouTube channel.
Usually, reviews make me a little nervous because I have no control over it. Reviewers can be harsh, as I experienced in my amateur music career. Apparently, the author of this blog didn't think highly of my singing and the record in general.
Since, I've become accustomed to big thumbs down, I've lost the fear of rejection. What's the worst that can happen right? Because every bad review only helps me get better. Not to mention the fact that good reviews are so much more special.
"The Cause" has made me really proud. I enjoyed writing it and now that reviews are starting to surface, I can see that my readers are genuinely enjoying it too.
Thanks for all your support. I'm going to take this adrenaline rush and put it to good use on my next book!
November 9, 2011
Politics
A lot of my research lately has been looming around politics. It helps that I am taking a class right now that also wants me to stay caught up on all the latest in politics. I've been looking at it all from a very different perspective than I used to. For a lot of people, politics is about the issues and the parties. This makes sense because... well that's just how politics work now days. But, if you look at the politicians and how they talk about their issues, there are some interesting things to learn.
So what have I learned? Nothing, really. I can't put my finger on an exact problem or an exact solution, but by watching how politicians maneuver and coerce the public to agree. It's actually really fascinating. Some people (not just politicians) use scare tactics. They spell out these big hypothetical disasters that will inevitably occur if they don't get their way. It can be frightening because people put a lot of faith in these nay Sayers.
The thing that scares me, is the "boy who cries wolf" scenario. What if someone actually has a valid warning and the public doesn't pay heed because we are too used to it? This is all great stuff for my next book.
What do you think? What scare did you buy into? swine flu? Y2K? Anthrax?
So what have I learned? Nothing, really. I can't put my finger on an exact problem or an exact solution, but by watching how politicians maneuver and coerce the public to agree. It's actually really fascinating. Some people (not just politicians) use scare tactics. They spell out these big hypothetical disasters that will inevitably occur if they don't get their way. It can be frightening because people put a lot of faith in these nay Sayers.
The thing that scares me, is the "boy who cries wolf" scenario. What if someone actually has a valid warning and the public doesn't pay heed because we are too used to it? This is all great stuff for my next book.
What do you think? What scare did you buy into? swine flu? Y2K? Anthrax?
November 3, 2011
Endings
Outlining my next great novel has been an absolute thrill up until I reached the ending.
The ending of a story is, in my opinion, the most important part of the story. Some people might say the beginning is the most important. Though I agree that the beginning is crucial to enticing an audience to read on, I don't think it's as important as the ending.
Have you ever watched a movie that really got you going right from the start only to have the ending pass you by? The credits start rolling and you think to yourself, "That was it?" Sometimes the ending is so disappointing that you actually sit through the credits hoping that the director pasted a clever little scene afterward that might clear everything up. Finally, when all other disappointing movie goers leave, and the lights are back on, and some zit-faced 15-year-old is sweeping up the carnage in the front row, you realize that you had indeed witnessed the ending. Now you feel like a sucker. The trailer and the acting and the mood, everything that once seemed purely awesome, is now one big joke.
I'll admit that I've read some stories that made me a little disappointed because the author took the story in a direction I wouldn't have gone, but the next day, after I've had time to contemplate the ending, I feel much better. Sometimes sad endings do that to me. But these endings can still be great. They leave you with a profound statement of some sort. The message is something you think about for quite a while.
Here are some examples of great ending:
"I Am Legend" (The book!) Yes, the main character dies in the end but I still feel satisfied with the ending because the twist. Robert Nevell realizes that he is the monster. He's the one killing the masses while they sleep, even though they happen to be vampires.
"Oceans 11" This was a great ending because you never see it coming. Not only do the protagonists pull-off the ultimate heist, but they do it in perfect style. This ending satisfies by giving the audience what they want plus some.
"The Village" I know I'm going to get some backlash for adding this to my list a great endings, but first let me defend my reasoning. The entire movie is based in a fantasy world, but in the end you find out that the village is really just a bunch of disenfranchised Americans trying to go back to the good old days when crime wasn't a problem. You also learn that nostalgia isn't really helpful. This is one of those endings that, at first, left me wanting more but after I thought about it, I felt better. The greatness of this ending is because of the message. I know many critics disagree, but they have different criteria for great endings than I do.
I don't have time to go through all the endings that I really enjoyed. I'm not saying these are the absolute best endings of all time, but they are endings I've admired.
What do you think? What movies or books have great endings?
The ending of a story is, in my opinion, the most important part of the story. Some people might say the beginning is the most important. Though I agree that the beginning is crucial to enticing an audience to read on, I don't think it's as important as the ending.
Have you ever watched a movie that really got you going right from the start only to have the ending pass you by? The credits start rolling and you think to yourself, "That was it?" Sometimes the ending is so disappointing that you actually sit through the credits hoping that the director pasted a clever little scene afterward that might clear everything up. Finally, when all other disappointing movie goers leave, and the lights are back on, and some zit-faced 15-year-old is sweeping up the carnage in the front row, you realize that you had indeed witnessed the ending. Now you feel like a sucker. The trailer and the acting and the mood, everything that once seemed purely awesome, is now one big joke.
I'll admit that I've read some stories that made me a little disappointed because the author took the story in a direction I wouldn't have gone, but the next day, after I've had time to contemplate the ending, I feel much better. Sometimes sad endings do that to me. But these endings can still be great. They leave you with a profound statement of some sort. The message is something you think about for quite a while.
Here are some examples of great ending:
"I Am Legend" (The book!) Yes, the main character dies in the end but I still feel satisfied with the ending because the twist. Robert Nevell realizes that he is the monster. He's the one killing the masses while they sleep, even though they happen to be vampires.
"Oceans 11" This was a great ending because you never see it coming. Not only do the protagonists pull-off the ultimate heist, but they do it in perfect style. This ending satisfies by giving the audience what they want plus some.
"The Village" I know I'm going to get some backlash for adding this to my list a great endings, but first let me defend my reasoning. The entire movie is based in a fantasy world, but in the end you find out that the village is really just a bunch of disenfranchised Americans trying to go back to the good old days when crime wasn't a problem. You also learn that nostalgia isn't really helpful. This is one of those endings that, at first, left me wanting more but after I thought about it, I felt better. The greatness of this ending is because of the message. I know many critics disagree, but they have different criteria for great endings than I do.
I don't have time to go through all the endings that I really enjoyed. I'm not saying these are the absolute best endings of all time, but they are endings I've admired.
What do you think? What movies or books have great endings?
October 18, 2011
Thriller
Things have been a little slow for me recently. Now I am feeling more free and motivated to continue working on my next novel. (Still no working title yet.)
I really want this book to be more of a thriller. Of course the story is set in a dystopian world, but I feel like I need more than just an awesome universe.
Many of the dystopian books I've read are interesting because of the unique scenarios characters are put in. But the writing can be slow moving so illustrate the authors literary agenda. I enjoy reading these books but I'm just not that kind of author. I like high stakes and fast action, so, I'm going to be doing some research into thriller novels to learn just how to bring some of that adrenaline into dystopia.
Any suggestions? What are some books you've read that get your heart pumping?
I really want this book to be more of a thriller. Of course the story is set in a dystopian world, but I feel like I need more than just an awesome universe.
Many of the dystopian books I've read are interesting because of the unique scenarios characters are put in. But the writing can be slow moving so illustrate the authors literary agenda. I enjoy reading these books but I'm just not that kind of author. I like high stakes and fast action, so, I'm going to be doing some research into thriller novels to learn just how to bring some of that adrenaline into dystopia.
Any suggestions? What are some books you've read that get your heart pumping?
October 4, 2011
Stop #2 On The Blog Tour
Today I am providing a giveaway for my second stop on my blog book tour. The blog is appropriately called "Candace's Book Blog".
The giveaway is being posted at 3PM PST, and it closes on October 14th, so I thought I'd give all my readers a heads-up.
THE CAUSE has been published for about two months now and I have been pleasantly surprised with how well it's been received. I've been making a steady incline toward the top 100 best sellers on Amazon.com. I still have a ways to go, so tell everyone you know about THE CAUSE. Write a review, post the book trailer on Facebook, tell your friends about the giveaway. As an indi-author, I need all the help I can get.
The giveaway is being posted at 3PM PST, and it closes on October 14th, so I thought I'd give all my readers a heads-up.
THE CAUSE has been published for about two months now and I have been pleasantly surprised with how well it's been received. I've been making a steady incline toward the top 100 best sellers on Amazon.com. I still have a ways to go, so tell everyone you know about THE CAUSE. Write a review, post the book trailer on Facebook, tell your friends about the giveaway. As an indi-author, I need all the help I can get.
September 27, 2011
Taking Your Ideas
In my last post I asked for suggestions on a name for the main character. After mulling over your wonderful suggestions, I've decided on names for all the characters in my next book.
The main character is going to be names Jason Ray.
I had a couple more suggestions which were excellent, but seemed to fit better for other characters. I have a key character who will be taking on the name of Sampson.
I'd love to tell you more about these characters but I don't want to give too much away, so this is where I change the subject before I spill the beans.
As of right now, I am outlining and doing some research. I have been studying different foods that people might eat when they are desperate.
Have any of you eaten, or know someone who has eaten, anything strange? Rodent? Cat? Weeds? Bugs? What did it taste like? What drove you to eat it? Go out and talk to your depression-era grannies about desperate times and desperate measures.
The main character is going to be names Jason Ray.
I had a couple more suggestions which were excellent, but seemed to fit better for other characters. I have a key character who will be taking on the name of Sampson.
I'd love to tell you more about these characters but I don't want to give too much away, so this is where I change the subject before I spill the beans.
As of right now, I am outlining and doing some research. I have been studying different foods that people might eat when they are desperate.
Have any of you eaten, or know someone who has eaten, anything strange? Rodent? Cat? Weeds? Bugs? What did it taste like? What drove you to eat it? Go out and talk to your depression-era grannies about desperate times and desperate measures.
September 15, 2011
A Break From Stories
I haven't been very good at writing new short stories, but it's not a bad thing. I've been spending time outlining and researching my next novel. I'm really excited about this one.
---
Lately I've been looking into the amazing success stories of Amanda Hocking and John Locke. They've been all over the internet for the past several months. Both are authors, and both are self-publishing millionaires. I would love to reach that kind of success for several reasons. First being the fact that I would love to make a living from writing books. But chances are it's not going to happen -- and I'm okay with that.
Hocking and Locke have a lot of things in common. They both write short novels, they both write fast, they both write series, and they both got lucky. I use the word luck only because there is no other word to describe that magic element that draws readers to one author over another of equal talent. I'm not saying their success was all luck. No. They both worked hard and made marketing plans and fought hard for attention just like every other serious author.
Why do I bring this up? Well I've been thinking about how I define success. For me, creating has always been something I need to do. I don't know why, but I always feel compelled to write another song, learn how to paint, or write another novel. I can't help it. Most of the time my creations are enjoyed only by me, but occasionally someone I don't even know finds my creations and falls in love. That is how I define success.
My goal for this next novel, is to write somebody's favorite book. Just one person. If I can achieve that, I'll count myself successful.
--- I'm having trouble coming up with a name for my main character. I need a strong male name that is not overused. Any ideas?
---
Lately I've been looking into the amazing success stories of Amanda Hocking and John Locke. They've been all over the internet for the past several months. Both are authors, and both are self-publishing millionaires. I would love to reach that kind of success for several reasons. First being the fact that I would love to make a living from writing books. But chances are it's not going to happen -- and I'm okay with that.
Hocking and Locke have a lot of things in common. They both write short novels, they both write fast, they both write series, and they both got lucky. I use the word luck only because there is no other word to describe that magic element that draws readers to one author over another of equal talent. I'm not saying their success was all luck. No. They both worked hard and made marketing plans and fought hard for attention just like every other serious author.
Why do I bring this up? Well I've been thinking about how I define success. For me, creating has always been something I need to do. I don't know why, but I always feel compelled to write another song, learn how to paint, or write another novel. I can't help it. Most of the time my creations are enjoyed only by me, but occasionally someone I don't even know finds my creations and falls in love. That is how I define success.
My goal for this next novel, is to write somebody's favorite book. Just one person. If I can achieve that, I'll count myself successful.
--- I'm having trouble coming up with a name for my main character. I need a strong male name that is not overused. Any ideas?
September 6, 2011
First Stop on The Book Blog Tour.
Today I stopped at a little South African book blog called "All the days of". Check it out for a more in-depth look into the writing of The Cause.
http://allthedaysof.blogspot.com/2011/09/dystopian-author-interview-clint-stoker.html
http://allthedaysof.blogspot.com/2011/09/dystopian-author-interview-clint-stoker.html
September 5, 2011
The Cause Blog Tour
Starting tomorrow, I will be traveling the internet to promote The Cause. I'm feeling a little dubious because many of my blog stops will be for professional / semi-professional reviews. So, just to be safe, I'm expecting the worst.
Besides reviews, I have some interviews coming up. The first interview is scheduled to be published tomorrow. I'll keep you updated.
Speaking of book blogs -- I've noticed that most book bloggers are female. There isn't anything wrong with that, except that I don't write books for girls. I looked everywhere for some kind of man-blog for guys who like reading, but I've been coming up empty-handed. This is only making my marketing battle more difficult.
Besides my fears, I'm really excited to start really promoting The Cause. I'll keep this blog updated over the next several weeks so you all can follow me on my blog tour.
Besides reviews, I have some interviews coming up. The first interview is scheduled to be published tomorrow. I'll keep you updated.
Speaking of book blogs -- I've noticed that most book bloggers are female. There isn't anything wrong with that, except that I don't write books for girls. I looked everywhere for some kind of man-blog for guys who like reading, but I've been coming up empty-handed. This is only making my marketing battle more difficult.
Besides my fears, I'm really excited to start really promoting The Cause. I'll keep this blog updated over the next several weeks so you all can follow me on my blog tour.
August 22, 2011
The Cause by Clint Stoker
I am celebrating the release of my first novel today!
The Cause is available on Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com with ebooks going for $0.99 and paperbacks here for $11.20.
There are a couple of things I thought I'd mention. Anyone who reads this blog, knows I write short stories here. If you enjoy reading them, great! You'll notice, I like to add a twist to every short story I write. I like to add twists simply because the short stories I like to read have twists.
THE CAUSE is a full-length dystopian novel, so don't expect the same silliness that I implement in the short stories. Without giving away too much, I'd like to give you a little insight on THE CAUSE.
I love dystopian literature. It is, essentially, an experiment on human nature. A dystopian asks the question "what if..?" For example, 1984 by George Orwell is an experiment on privacy in the future. If 'Big Brother' really was always watching, what would you do?
A more recent example would be The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. It asks, "What would happen if the government forced children to fight to the death live on TV?"
Following this same line of thinking, THE CAUSE asks the question, "what if you could live forever, but only at the expense of someone else?"
If this sounds like something you'd like to check out, let me know. I am giving out free ebooks to the first 20 people to message me. Act fast!
The Cause is available on Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com with ebooks going for $0.99 and paperbacks here for $11.20.
There are a couple of things I thought I'd mention. Anyone who reads this blog, knows I write short stories here. If you enjoy reading them, great! You'll notice, I like to add a twist to every short story I write. I like to add twists simply because the short stories I like to read have twists.
THE CAUSE is a full-length dystopian novel, so don't expect the same silliness that I implement in the short stories. Without giving away too much, I'd like to give you a little insight on THE CAUSE.
I love dystopian literature. It is, essentially, an experiment on human nature. A dystopian asks the question "what if..?" For example, 1984 by George Orwell is an experiment on privacy in the future. If 'Big Brother' really was always watching, what would you do?
A more recent example would be The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. It asks, "What would happen if the government forced children to fight to the death live on TV?"
Following this same line of thinking, THE CAUSE asks the question, "what if you could live forever, but only at the expense of someone else?"
If this sounds like something you'd like to check out, let me know. I am giving out free ebooks to the first 20 people to message me. Act fast!
