David Berger's Blog, page 7

A Tool for Writers—Organizing Your Thoughts!

I'm a techie, so when I find something that works for me to help organize my ideas, I not only use it, but also share with my friends. It's an easy free tool, and it is basically a mind map called Mindmeister. Here's a picture of one of mine I made. It's extremely easy to use, and you can use a limited free version or pay as little as $4.99/month:
 If you'd use it regularly, it's worth it. I'll probably upgrade since I do like it. If you're interested in signing up for free, click here.

A Tool for Writers—Organzing Your Thoughts!

I'm a techie, so when I find something that works for me to help organize my ideas, I not only use it, but also share with my friends. It's an easy free tool, and it is basically a mind map called Mindmeister. Here's a picture of one of mine I made. It's extremely easy to use, and you can use a limited free version or pay as little as $4.99/month:
 If you'd use it regularly, it's worth it. I'll probably upgrade since I do like it. If you're interested in signing up for free, click here.

Events Schedule for 2013/2014

This Fall 2013 and Spring 2014, I am planning on being at the following events, so please come out and say hello, get a book or two (or get them signed!), and enjoy!:
NECRONOMICON (Tampa, FL): Oct. 18 - 20, 2013.
BENT-CON (Burbank, CA): Nov. 8 - 10, 2013.
DITTERCON * (Orlando, FL): Jan. 18 - 19, 2014.
MEGACON (Orlando, FL): Mar. 21 - 23, 2014.
*Facebook link

You MUST read this book—and it's not mine!

I just got off the phone with my very dear friend Randy, and we spent about an hour talking about Neil Gaiman's latest novel, The Ocean at the End of the Lane. We both are tremendous Gaiman-ites (is that a word?) and have read other works of his like Neverwhere, American Gods, and Anansi Boys. But, we both had agreed to read this latest novel as soon as it came out, and I read it in one sitting. Mind you, it's only 182 pages, but it's a read that could take you a few days to digest once you've finished it. The word that I keep using over and over when I talk about this book is that it resonates with me. My conversation with Randy simply solidified that idea as we both come from similar backgrounds in reading. I need to explain a little.

I have been a child of storytelling ever since I was a child, starting with my mother telling me stories of her childhood with my grandparents (her parents), and moving through my paternal grandmother's stories of her life in the 1920s and beyond. There's always someone telling stories to me, and I even have a good friend Kathy who has regaled me time and time again with stories about teachers and students that have left me crying from laughter. Aside from the real life stories, I'm also a child brought up with mythology and fictional characters. I've been a fan of Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Celtic, and Norse mythologies since I left the womb, and that got me interested in comic books (and my interest in Wonder Woman, which is another blog post or more to be sure). But, getting back to storytelling... The story is a frame narrative, beginning with the return of an adult man who goes back home for a funeral. While he's there, he sits by a pond (ocean?), and the past unravels like skein of yarn. This is a children's story, but it's for adults. It's an archetype wrapped in diaphanous folds of language. I would love to meet other people who have read this novel and just talk to them about their reactions to it. I'd love to find out who their favorite characters are, too. Mine are the Hempstocks. Read the novel and find out why.
Gaiman is the consummate storyteller; he doesn't just write novels. He engages his reader with glimpses of the past, of ancient archetypal ideas that ebb and flow like a literary tide. The Ocean at the End of the Lane has a firm grasp on my psyche, and it's because of my love of ancient mythologies. You see characters who embody the maiden-mother-crone archetype, and the moon/mother goddess, as well as primordial beings who have no discernible shape or substance beyond that which we ascribe to them. Gaiman's descriptions of certain predatory creatures that the reader encounters instill a fear of the dark (more of darkness incarnate, i.e. Erebus), but at the same time, a deep respect for the ancient powers that built the world. He masterfully grabs us by the throat long enough for us to feel the same trepidation of the narrator (who is unnamed), but yet, he allows us the ability of putting the book down and walking away from the images (as if we would!).
One of the things Randy and I talked about was the way this novel connected with us, and I explained that I brought other stories with me in my mind that helped fill in the nooks and gaps, the stories of ancient goddesses who mind destiny or the simple control a child can have over the natural world. Those who don't have a background reading mythology will certainly enjoy this novel as Gaiman doesn't weigh it down with specific names of entities; rather, he uses more everyday, common appellations that give the feeling of familiarity or simplicity. He puts the reader at ease. Sort of.
To think of this novel as a hero/villain novel would deprive it of the idea that in the grand scheme of the cosmos, true heroes and villains are more like adversaries vying for control, toying with humanity. This isn't a superhero comic book; it's Ovid or Hesiod, but through modern lens.
If you've never read anything by Neil Gaiman, this novel would be a great starting off point for his style and subject matter. Then, once you've become familiar with how he thinks, move on to American Gods or Anansi Boys. I'll most assuredly read The Ocean at the End of the Lane again some time soon.

Indie Writers Summer Solstice Sale—6/21 to 6/23

From Jun. 21 - 23, at Incandescent Phoenix Books, a select group of Indie authors will be selling their novels on Kindle for $.99! Whether you're interested in Fantasy—Contemporary, Epic, Erotic, or Historical, or Magical Realism, Memoirs, Paranormal Romance, Steampunk, or Science Fiction, you'll find 22 authors whose novels are at this reduced price just for this weekend!
For this weekend only, Task Force: Gaea will be $.99! Get it now before the Memory's Curse comes out in the Fall!
You can visit the promotion page here and purchase directly through the site. Take advantage of this great savings while it lasts!

Why New-Adult Fiction?

I had a few choices to make when I was writing Task Force: Gaea (TFG, henceforth)—I could tailor it to the Young Adult audience, or I could write to the type of reader I am. I have a pretty strong vocabulary and use what I would consider a sophisticated sentence structure. I'm not afraid to use polysyllabic words (see what I did there?) when I know a simpler word would do. If I happen to like the word 'tenebrous' to the word 'dark', then so be it. I like the mouth-feel of the word 'tenebrous'. It almost feels like 'tentacle' and wraps itself around your tongue.
I know that plenty of YA readers enjoyed books like Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief, and I did, too. The thing of it is, I didn't want to add to what I perceive is a saturated market. I wanted my story (and, now, stories) to reach readers whose vocabulary and appreciation of some more mature themes would resonate. As I have said in the past, I write to tell stories, not to retire on my royalties. If people enjoy reading my novel(s), then that's all that matters.

As a teacher, I see nothing wrong with challenging my readers with a few vocabulary words or perhaps some mythological references that require Google. Having active readers means people pay attention to the story; I don't want to write books that people can skim and enjoy as much as if they read it in depth. I leave "gems" throughout the novel so some people will pick up on them and say to themselves, "Clever, Mr. Berger, very clever." Well, at least I try. For those whose knowledge of Greek mythology is extensive, some of the gems shine a bit brighter. I have learned a few lessons, though, and I'll be including a pronunciation key and glossary (of a sort) in the sequel, Memory's Curse.

Growing as a writer over the years, I've learned a bit about audience, and even just teaching English has taught me much as well. If you have an audience in mind, and the right people read your work, then they'll hopefully pass it on to like-minded readers. I just want people in the 18 - 30+ bracket to be able to enjoy a Greek mythology fantasy as much as the YA readers do.

I would love to know what you think. If you have comments or questions about this, please post them below!

I could use your help!

Above is a poll about how much Greek mythology you know and how that would affect your reading of Task Force: Gaea—Finding Balance or Memory's Curse . PLEASE take a few seconds and click the choice that best fits you and share this with other readers of fantasy fiction.
Having read a number of fantasy novels, I can tell you that I like learning new things, especially if they're related to the novel's story. In Lord of the Rings , Tolkien uses names of people and places, as well as Elvish and other languages, to establish his world. I don't find them to be a hindrance to my reading; what I don't understand, I accept as new knowledge.
The problem I think people have with Greek mythology is that they miiiiiiiiight know some of the basic gods, but beyond that, not so much. They might know what a centaur is, or who Medusa is, but they wouldn't know Typhon or Ekhidna from anyone. I do try to give context within the novel, but I know some readers have told me they have had to Google some info (most actually liked learning more that way, too). My advice to new readers of TFG is: just treat the names as you would treat names in LotR or another fantasy book—as author created. Some of the elements in TFG are tweaked by me or made up entirely, but most are found in source material.
Thank you for responding to the poll. I really do appreciate it!
DB

First Draft of Memory's Curse—FINISHED.

Not the real cover!Late last summer, I put myself on the path to write a sequel to Task Force: Gaea—Finding Balance , and I actually had quite a few ideas for it already in my head (many of them I have used). I just knew I had more of a story to tell (and a third book is in the works, too!). It has been a grueling almost-year making sure I had all of my ideas lined up properly, and I started the process writing blurbs or scenes that I had pictured in my head, rather than writing from Ch. 1, Ch. 2, etc. The ideas just flowed from my addled brain more so in an erratic fashion.
This could be a lengthy post about things you don't want to read about, but suffice to say, I have finished the first draft of Memory's Curse , and I eagerly want to dive into the editing, but I will leave the draft until work ends (I teach, and our school year ends June 6). That way, I'll have a little bit of a buffer between creativity and my mechanics.
Writing a book in less than a year when the first one took almost 25 to publish astounds me, but I'm glad I didn't need a few decades to make this one work.
Stay tuned. I hope you like it. Read the first one, if you haven't. ;)

The End is Near!

I'm currently writing one of the last chapters of Memory's Curse, and yes—I can see the light at the end of the proverbial tunnel!
This is SO exciting.
As I write this, I have 4,075 4,572 words written, bringing my total to date to 94,807 95,304, and I'm not quite done yet. I've updated the meter above just because it's nearing the end, so you may yet see that number climb more frequently.
Right now, the last events of the novel are coming into clarity, and I will have this sequel finished probably within the next week or so.
Then, the editing process begins, but that's the stuff I LOVE.
Stay tuned!

Dress United—Shirts that rock!

I just recently got a shirt from Dress United that would promote Task Force: Gaea , and it looked great! The novel cover image came out clear on the front, and the text, "Can mortals succeed where gods cannot go?", jumped off the shirt (gold ink on a purple shirt). On the back, the text (title and my name) also look fantastic. The quality of the shirt was top notch. I highly recommend their work. I'll post a picture of the shirt as soon as I can!
The people at Dress United have been nice enough to offer you, my readers, a discount when you order a shirt from them. All you have to do is go here to redeem the offer, and use the code: BLOG30OFF4U. This code will give you 30% off and free shipping in the US.