Laurisa White Reyes's Blog, page 120

WRITER 2 WRITER: THE SHAPE OF A STORY

As many of you know, I'm mid-way through grad school. One class I'm taking this semester is Advanced Narrative Writing in which we are reading and examining a wide selection of contemporary short stories by Amy Bender, Joe Hill, George Saunders, Neil Gaiman, Ben Loory and a few others.
We are not reading them just for the sake of entertainment, though the stories are definitely entertaining, but we are discussing the various techniques these authors employ in crafting these stories.
One of the techniques we've been talking about is the shape of a story. Traditional stories tend to follow a linear path, detailing a sequence of events leading to a climax and resolution. But many of the experimental stories we are reading don't exactly fit into this pattern. Well, at first glance they do, but on closer examination they do something radically different.
For example, in the Neil Gaiman story "Other People" (from his collection Fragile Things ) the unnamed protagonist arrives in hell and is met with a demon with scars on his back and a collection of instruments of torture at his disposal. The narrator endures thousands of years of punishment that ends and begins over and over again until finally it all stops and he becomes the demon set to torture hell's newest arrival.  This story has a spiral shape to it. The story wraps around on itself many times over, and finally ends where it begins.
Amy Bender's story "The Rememberer" (from her collection The Girl in the Flammable Skirt ) is even more convoluted. Beginning at the end of the story, or nearly the end, the narrator jumps back and forth in time, describing the de-evolution of her boyfriend from human to ape to finally--something microscopic and primordial. Very odd story, but an excellent example of how the shape or structure of a story can be bent and manipulated to create something extraordinary and unpredictable.
And then there are stories that are indeed linear, but do not end with a predictable, "nice-little-package" resolution. Instead, the stories seem to implode or explode or just leave you going "huh?" Like George Saunders "CivilWarLand in Bad Decline" (from his collection of the same name). This is just a bizarre tale about a wimpy kind of a guy working at a run down Civil War amusement park. He sees ghosts. Gang members get shot. Weird things happen. And then he dies. Yup. It is does in fact boggle the mind. It is a linear story, but with a frayed and tangled ending.
The reason why I mention these examples is because I've been paying closer attention to the shape of the children's stories I'm reading -- and writing. I've always been interested in weaving experimental techniques into my work. I've noticed that the vast majority of books written for children and teens are linear. Simple, straight forward, one event follows another, climax, resolution. The end. And there is nothing wrong with that. But what about stories that veer from the norm? Are there any out there?
The first story (or stories) that come to mind are The Hunger Games books by Suzanne Collins. On the surface, these are linear stories. Right? Well, yes--but where does the story begin? With the protagonist anticipating the games in her home in District 12.  Where does the series end? At the close of Mockingjay , Katniss is back in District 12. While the plot is linear, the overall story Arc is circular.
Another example of a circular Arc is Neil Gaiman's The Ocean at the End of the Lane . Just the opposite of The Hunger Games series, which ends where it begins, Gaiman's story begins at the end. The narrator is an adult returning to the town of his childhood, recollecting a series of bizarre incidents which bring him full circle.
What about spiral-type stories or stories that bounce around?
The best example of these kinds of shapes I can thing of is 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher . A boy receives a collection of cassette tapes recorded by a girl who committed suicide. The story jumps back and forth between Clay's life today and Hannah's life pre-suicide. And, like Gaiman's "Other People" it ends where it begins when Clay passes the cassettes to the next person fated to listen to them.
And finally one last example - Forgotten by Cat Patrick , a story of a girl who wakes up every day with her memory of the previous day erased. She only remembers "forward." The story is constantly skipping ahead while she tries to get through every day by piecing together the pieces of her future.
All of these stories are highly experimental in form, but I'd love to see more like this.  Notice, too, that they are all Young Adult books. I couldn't think of any contemporary middle grade books that tamper with story shape. (Of course there are several classical ones, such as Peter Pan and Alice and Wonderland, both circular.) Maybe this is an area that could use a little experimenting.
Can you share some other examples of children's or young adult books that play with story shape and structure?

BOOK REVIEW: REMEMBER DIPPY by Shirley Reva Vernick

Welcome to Marvelous Middle Grade Monday (MMGM), a weekly event hosted by author Shannon Messenger. For a list of other MMGM posts, click HERE .
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REMEMBER DIPPY
Shirley Reva Vernick
Cinco Puntos Press
Ages 12 - 15
176 pp.

Johnny's plans fly out the window when he finds out his single mother is leaving town for the summer. She has a breakthough job in upstate New York. He can live with his Aunt Collette but only on the condition that he "help out with" his autistic older cousin, Remember. Yup, you heard it right: Remember Dippy. That's his cousin's name—and Remember is a gawky awkward kid with some pretty strange habits, like repeating back almost everything Johnny says and spending hours glued to the weather channel. Johnny's premonitions of disaster appear at first to come to cringeworthy fruition, but when the two boys save a bully from drowning, salvage the pizzeria guy's romance, and share girl troubles, Johnny ends up having the summer of his life.
MY REVIEW:

Fans of books like Al Capone Does My Shirts and Gennifer Choldenko and Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine will love Remember Dippy, too. Remember is a high-functioning autistic teen who is prone to tantrums, brilliant at video games, and fiercely loyal to his friends. Johnny, his cousin who is given the task of watching Remember for the summer while Mem's mom is at work, is a wonderful character, someone any reader can relate to. I couldn't put this little book down. It's a sweet, touching tale about learning to look beyond first impressions and outer appearances. Even though it is listed as young adult, this story is perfectly accessible and appropriate for pre-teen readers as well.



CONTENT RATING:

Violence:  Mild
Profanity: None
Sexuality: None

THIS REVIEW MADE MY DAY!

* Win a THE LAST ENCHANTER PROMO PACK at the 2013 BLOGFEST!

_______________________________________________
Sharon the Librarian posted a review of The Rock of Ivanore this week on her blog. It was a real pick-me up!  Here are some quotes from the review:

"This book takes the classic genre and makes is feel new again."

"The read was fun and had me holding my breath on several occasions."

"I recommend The Rock of Ivanore to readers that enjoy well built worlds and characters in fantasy fiction. The middle school and young adult crowd can enjoy the book, as can adults."

To read the review in its entirety, click HERE .

BLOGFEST 2013 & GIVEAWAY!

Welcome to BLOGFEST 2013 hosted by A Journey of Books!!!

How it works is very simple.  There are dozens of participating blogs, each  hosting a giveaway. Hop from one blog to the next, enter the giveaways, and ... well, that's it!  It's a fun way to discover new blogs and win some cool prizes.  For a list of all participating blogs, go HERE .
Be sure to come back here between October 12th - 31st for THE LAST ENCHANTER BLOG TOUR and a chance to win a 16 GB NOOK HD!!!

What am I giving away today?

 THE LAST ENCHANTER PROMO PACK!!!
Including: A signed ARC,signed bookmark, water bottle, tote bag, a hand-crafted pewter gryphon medallion, ANDa $10 Barnes & Noble Gift Card!!!


Months have passed since Marcus and Kelvin succeeded in their quest to find the Rock of Ivanore. Kelvin is living as royalty in Dokur, and Marcus is studying magic with Zyll. When Fredric is murdered and Kelvin becomes king, Zyll and Marcus head for Dokur in hopes of protecting Kelvin from meeting the same fate, though it quickly becomes apparent that none of them are safe, and Marcus has had disturbing visions of Zyll's death. With the help of his old friends Clovis and Bryn, joined by new friend Lael, a feisty girl in search of her mother, Marcus uncovers a powerful secret that will change the course of his life forever.
GIVEAWAY TIME!!!
Enter for a chance to win THE LAST ENCHANTER PROMO PACK & A $10 BARNES & NOBLE GIFT CARD!Giveway will end on September 29th, so hurry!U.S. residents only, please.

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WRITER 2 WRITER: THE STORY OF A STORY

I just finished the eleventh revision of a middle grade story I've been working for about seven years now. The Storyteller was actually the third novel manuscript I ever wrote. Hot on the heels of having completed The Rock of Ivanore, an idea for a more realistic story began to take shape. I wanted to tell the story of a girl who escaped into her own imagination rather than face the truth that her father is dying of AIDS.
Set in 1992, when AIDS was still misunderstood and untreatable and those who suffered from it were ostracized, Elena lies to her friends about her father. She meets an older black woman named Ang who shares stories with Elena about her own father, who was one of the first African Americans to enlist in the Marines during World War II and was a reporter during the early days of desegregation.
These two stories entwine to create a tapestry woven of human lives and tender emotions, a tale about two very different people from different times who share a common experience.
Why did I choose to write a story about AIDS? Is it really relevant today? I think the story of AIDS and those who suffered and died from it, especially in its early years, is as relevant now as it ever was because it reveals how fear of the unknown can cause even good people to treat others in a negative way. It also demonstrates how no matter how hard some people try to separate themselves from others, for whatever reason, we really are all connected.
Twenty plus years ago I worked as an accounts payable clerk and office assistant for the Huntington Hemophilia Group. The office treated children with cancer, and adults with HIV and AIDS. I had the privilege of working alongside some the best doctors in the field at the time. I didn't have much opportunity to interact with patients, but there was one group of patients that left an indelible mark on my heart.
A man and his young children came in one day. I can't recall how many there were, three or four perhaps. And I only caught a glimpse of them walking down the hall. But later their doctor told me in passing that the man's wife had died of AIDS, and now the children were all being tested for it. She said this with such sadness, because at the time AIDS was a death sentence. Treatments that today are common and successful were only in the experimental stages. The realization that any of these children might die because of this disease left me with a hole in my gut I've never quite been able to fill.
My mother for a time also worked in the medical field arranging for in home nursing care for very ill or terminally ill patients. She met a fair number patients dying of AIDS. It broke her heart to see any  human suffer, and worse, to be so shunned by the community and even family and friends in their greatest time of need.
These experiences stayed with me for years. And I knew I wanted to tell a story that would remind us all that there are dark times in our history, times really not so long ago, when our society has not been at its best. And the question, is it really relevant today, can only be answered by realizing that "those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." (George Santayana, The Life of Reason)
I hope The Storyteller finds a home with a good publisher. After working on it for so long, I think it's finally ready to be introduced to the world. And I hope it will do the world a little good. I dedicate it to two friends of mine, Beth & Cheryl, who lost loved ones to AIDS.

THE STORY OF A STORY

I just finished the eleventh revision of a middle grade story I've been working for about seven years now. The Storyteller was actually the third novel manuscript I ever wrote. Hot on the heels of having completed The Rock of Ivanore, an idea for a more realistic story began to take shape. I wanted to tell the story of a girl who escaped into her own imagination rather than face the truth that her father is dying of AIDS.

Set in 1992, when AIDS was still misunderstood and untreatable and those who suffered from it were ostracized, Elena lies to her friends about her father. She meets an older black woman named Ang who shares stories with Elena about her own father, who was one of the first African Americans to enlist in the Marines during World War II and was a reporter during the early days of desegregation.

These two stories entwine to create a tapestry woven of human lives and tender emotions, a tale about two very different people from different times who share a common experience.

Why did I choose to write a story about AIDS? Is it really relevant today? I think the story of AIDS and those who suffered and died from it, especially in its early years, is as relevant now as it ever was because it reveals how fear of the unknown can cause even good people to treat others in a negative way. It also demonstrates how no matter how hard some people try to separate themselves from others, for whatever reason, we really are all connected.

Twenty plus years ago I worked as an accounts payable clerk and office assistant for the Huntington Hemophilia Group. The office treated children with cancer, and adults with HIV and AIDS. I had the privilege of working alongside some the best doctors in the field at the time. I didn't have much opportunity to interact with patients, but there was one group of patients that left an indelible mark on my heart.

A man and his young children came in one day. I can't recall how many there were, three or four perhaps. And I only caught a glimpse of them walking down the hall. But later their doctor told me in passing that the man's wife had died of AIDS, and now the children were all being tested for it. She said this with such sadness, because at the time AIDS was a death sentence. Treatments that today are common and successful were only in the experimental stages. The realization that any of these children might die because of this disease left me with a hole in my gut I've never quite been able to fill.

My mother for a time also worked in the medical field arranging for in home nursing care for very ill or terminally ill patients. She met a fair number patients dying of AIDS. It broke her heart to see any  human suffer, and worse, to be so shunned by the community and even family and friends in their greatest time of need.

These experiences stayed with me for years. And I knew I wanted to tell a story that would remind us all that there are dark times in our history, times really not so long ago, when our society has not been at its best. And the question, is it really relevant today, can only be answered by realizing that "those who do cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." (George Santayana, The Life of Reason)

I hope The Storyteller finds a home with a good publisher. After working on it for so long, I think it's finally ready to be introduced to the world. And I hope it will do the world a little good. I dedicate it to two friends of mine, Beth & Cheryl, who lost loved ones to AIDS.

COVER REVEAL: GODDESS TITHE by Anne Stengl

I'm so excited to announce Anne Stengl's newest book, GODDESS TITHE! Anne is my guest today and she discusses the process of designing the book's gorgeous cover and shares an excerpt from her book which will be released in November.  Also, Anne is giving away 2 proof copies of her book! Take it away, Anne!

The Vengeful Goddess Demands Her Tithe
When a stowaway is discovered aboard the merchant ship Kulap Kanya, Munny, a cabin boy on his first voyage, knows what must be done. All stowaways are sacrificed to Risafeth, the evil goddess of the sea. Such is her right, and the Kulap Kanya's only hope to return safely home.
Yet, to the horror of his crew, Captain Sunan vows to protect the stowaway, a foreigner in clown's garb. A curse falls upon the ship and all who sail with her, for Risafeth will stop at nothing to claim her tithe.
Will Munny find the courage to trust his captain and to protect the strange clown who has become his friend?


Author Anne Stengl on the cover design:
I had the fun of designing this cover—finding reference photos, inventing the composition, applying the text, etc.—but the actual artistic work was done by talented cover artist Phatpuppy (www.phatpuppyart.com), whose work I have admired for many years. It was such a thrill for me to contact and commission this artist to create a look for Goddess Tithe that is reminiscent of the original novels but has a style and drama all its own.
The boy on the front was quite a find. I hunted high and low for an image of a boy the right age, the right look, with the right expression on his face. Phatpuppy and I worked with a different model through most of the cover development stage. But then I happened upon this image, and both she and I were delighted with his blend of youth, stubbornness, and strength of character! It wasn’t difficult to switch the original boy for this young man. He simply is Munny, and this cover is a perfect window into the world of my story.
You can’t see it here, but the wrap-around back cover for the print copy contains some of the prettiest work . . . including quite a scary sea monster! Possibly my favorite detail is the inclusion of the ghostly white flowers framing the outer edge. These are an important symbol in the story itself, and when Phatpuppy sent me the first mock-up cover with these included, I nearly jumped out of my skin with excitement!
About the Illustration:  There are eight full-page illustrations in Goddess Tithefeaturing various characters and events from the story. This is the first one in the book. I decided to share it with all of you since it depicts my young hero, Munny the cabin boy, under the watchful eye of his mentor, the old sailor Tu Pich. Munny is on his first voyage, and he is determined to learn all there is to know about a life at sea as quickly as possible. Thus we see him utterly intent upon the knot he is learning to tie. Tu Pich is old enough to know that no sailor will ever learn all there is to know about the sea. Thus he looks on, grave, caring, and perhaps a little sad. He might be looking upon his own younger self of many years ago, fumbling through the hundreds of difficult knots his fingers must learn to tie with unconscious ease. 
I enjoyed creating all the illustrations for Goddess Tithe, but this one was my favorite. I love the contrasts of light and dark, the contrasts of young and old . . . youthful intensity versus the perspective of age.

Excerpt from GODDESS TITHE:
Here is an excerpt from the middle of the story. In this scene, Munny has been ordered to Captain Sunan’s cabin to clear away his breakfast . . . an unexpected task, for a lowly cabin boy would not ordinarily dare enter his captain’s private quarters! Munny hopes to slip in and out quietly without attracting the captain’s notice. But his hopes are dashed when Sunan addresses him, asking how their strange, foreign stowaway is faring:
__________
“And what do you make of him yourself?”Munny dared glance his captain’s way and was relieved when his eyes met only a stern and rigid back. “I’m not sure, Captain,” he said. “I think he’s afraid. But not of . . .”“Not of the goddess?” the Captain finished for him. And with these words he turned upon Munny, his eyes so full of secrets it was nearly overwhelming. Munny froze, his fingers just touching but not daring to take up a small teapot of fragile work.The Captain looked at him, studying his small frame up and down. “No,” he said, “I believe you are right. Leonard the Clown does not fear Risafeth. I believe he is unaware of his near peril at her will, suffering as he does under a peril nearer still.” Munny made neither answer nor any move.“We will bring him safely to Lunthea Maly, won’t we, Munny?” the Captain said. But he did not speak as though he expected an answer, so again Munny offered none. “We will bring him safely to Lunthea Maly and there let him choose his own dark future.”“I hope—” Munny began.But he was interrupted by a sudden commotion on deck. First a rising murmur of voices, then many shouts, inarticulate in cacophony. But a pounding at the cabin door accompanied Sur Agung’s voice bellowing, “Captain, you’d best come see this!”The Captain’s eyes widened a moment and still did not break gaze with Munny’s. “We’ll keep him safe,” he repeated. Then he turned and was gone, leaving the door open.Munny put down the pot he held and scurried after. The deck was alive with hands, even those who were off watch, crawling up from the hatches and crowding the rails on the port side. They parted way for the Captain to pass through, but when Munny tried to follow, they closed in again, blocking him as solidly as a brick wall.“Look! Look!” Munny heard voices crying.“It’s a sign!”“She’s warning us!”“It’s a sign, I tell you!”Fearing he knew not what, Munny ran for the center mast and climbed partway up, using the handholds and footholds with unconscious confidence. Soon he was high enough to see over the heads of the gathered crew, out into the blue waters of the ocean. And he saw them. They were water birds. Big white albatrosses, smaller seagulls, heavy cormorants, even deep-throated pelicans and sleek, black-faced terns. These and many more, hundreds of them, none of which should be seen this far out to sea.They were all dead. Floating in a great mass.Munny clung to the mast, pressing his cheek against its wood. The shouts of the frightened sailors below faded away, drowned out by the desolation of that sight. Death, reeking death, a sad flotilla upon the waves.“I’ve never seen anything like that.”Munny looked down to where Leonard clung to the mast just beneath him, staring wide-eyed out at the waves. “How could this have happened? Were they sick? Caught in a sudden gale? Are they tangled in fishing nets?”There was no fear in his voice. Not like in the voices of the sailors. He did not understand. He did not realize. It wasn’t his fault, Munny told himself.But it was.
____________
Author Bio:
Anne Elisabeth Stengl makes her home in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she lives with her husband, Rohan, a kindle of kitties, and one long-suffering dog. When she’s not writing, she enjoys Shakespeare, opera, and tea, and practices piano, painting, and pastry baking. She studied illustration at Grace College and English literature at Campbell University. She is the author of the Tales of Goldstone Wood, including Heartless, Veiled Rose, Moonblood, Starflower, and Dragonwitch. Heartless and Veiled Rose have each been honored with a Christy Award, and Starflowerwas voted winner of the 2013 Clive Staples Award.
 GIVEAWAY TIME!!!Anne Stengl is offering two proof copies of GODDESS TITHE! U.S. and Canada only, please. To enter, just fill in the Rafflecopter form below.
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WIN A COPY OF THE LAST ENCHANTER ON GOODREADS

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Goodreads Book Giveaway The Last Enchanter by Laurisa White Reyes Giveaway ends October 15, 2013.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads. Enter to win Months have passed since Marcus and Kelvin succeeded in their quest to find the Rock of Ivanore. Kelvin is living as royalty in Dokur, and Marcus is studying magic with Zyll. When Fredric is murdered and Kelvin becomes king, Zyll and Marcus head for Dokur in hopes of protecting Kelvin from meeting the same fate, though it quickly becomes apparent that none of them are safe, and Marcus has had disturbing visions of Zyll's death. With the help of his old friends Clovis and Bryn, joined by new friend Lael, a feisty girl in search of her mother, Marcus uncovers a powerful secret that will change the course of his life forever.

RAGING BULL: A SUPERSTITION NOVELLA by Noelle C. Campbell

My lifelong friend and fellow writer, Noelle Campbell, recently published an awesome novella called RAGING BULL: SUPERSTITION SERIES with a unique twist on mythology.  You can get it on your Kindle for $3.99!


RAGING BULL:  A SUPERSTITION NOVELLA
by Noelle Campbell
Calinor Ink
142  pp.
Adult Fiction


In the Superstition Series created by Noelle Campbell, not only are the Greek gods real, but Cupid has been busy. Mortals have completely mismanaged this ‘love’ thing on their own and so he is busy with his latest project. He’s picked the perfect haven for his ambitious plan to rebuild his power, influence and reputation. A little city he named Superstition. A fitting name for a city in the Superstition Mountains in Arizona. The city is surrounded by abandoned mines, a ghost town–filled with real ghosts of course–an Indian Graveyard, and enchanted forests. It’s far enough from other cities to make it comfortable for a young god trying to rebuild, but not too far away from bigger cities to make it comfortable for the mortals, and immortals, living there. But there are certain traditions that must be followed for Greek Gods, among which are building temples, quarreling with other Gods, but most importantly, recruiting followers and heroes. In the first book of the series: Raging Bull, an Army Ranger Captain–just recently disgraced in front of Congress–is blamed for the death of his unit on prime time television just in time for Valentines Day. His name is Captain Peter Vara, and Cupid has plans for him…

This series brings back heroes and renews mythology. Cupid is the god in management of Superstition, Arizona in the Superstition Mountains, and he’s actually quite Americanized. He has a soft spot for underdogs. This is an American mythology, filled with American heroes of all stripes. The cities first hero is a disgraced Army Ranger Captain. He must fight classic monsters, office politics,his own nightmares and rescue the fair maiden. The damsel in distress is hardly a model for the typical fairy tale princess. She is a deaf, adopted Hawaiian native trying to adjust to her first year of the job in the school she graduated from: Superstition High School, which just happens to be Cupids favorite place to meddle.

BOOK REVIEW: THE NIGHTMARE AFFAIR by Mindee Arnett

THE NIGHTMARE AFFAIR
by Mindee Arnett
Tom Doherty, Associates
368 pp.
Ages 13-17

Sixteen-year-old Dusty Everhart breaks into houses late at night, but not because she’s a criminal. No, she’s a Nightmare.
Literally.
Being the only Nightmare at Arkwell Academy, a boarding school for magickind, and living in the shadow of her mother’s infamy, is hard enough. But when Dusty sneaks into Eli Booker’s house, things get a whole lot more complicated. He’s hot, which means sitting on his chest and invading his dreams couldn’t get much more embarrassing. But it does. Eli is dreaming of a murder.Then Eli's dream comes true.
Now Dusty has to follow the clues—both within Eli’s dreams and out of them—to stop the killer before more people turn up dead. And before the killer learns what she’s up to and marks her as the next target.
MY REVIEW:
I really wanted to love this book. I did. I was originally drawn to it by its unique and appealing silhouette cover. But the moment the word "werewolf" appeared, I knew this would be an uphill climb. I admit, outside Harry Potter, I am not a big fan of paranormal-kind-of-books. Luckily, the werewolf policemen aren't a big part of the story, but fairies, demons, and witches are. The story is set in a Hogwarts-like school for magic-kind teenagers (as opposed to ordinaries, who are just plain old human) where one of the students is murdered and her corpse mutilated.  Dusty, the half-breed offspring of a human and a nightmare, tries to solve the mystery by entering the dreams of Eli Booker, a human who is recruited by the magic kind.
I never really understood how clues to the murder, and ultimately the entire plot to take control of "the will" (which controls magic), could be discovered in the dreams of a human who had absolutely nothing to do with any of that. I always assumed dreams were an interpretation of the dreamer's subconscious. Some things felt a tad contrived, and everything about this story felt as if it was Harry Potter, just the terminology had changed.
However, I give the author Arnett credit for weaving some classical magical legends (which I will not name here) into her story in an unexpected way.  The story, too, has a fun romantic triangle, some good humor, and fast paced action.  Fans of paranormal, fantasy, and/or mystery stories looking for a quick read, A Nightmare Affair fits the bill. While I will mostly likely pass on the sequel, (A Nightmare Dilemma, 2014) I am planning to pick up Arnett's sci-fi thriller Avalon, due out in January.


Content Rating:
Profanity:  MildSexualtiy:  ModerateViolence:  Moderate