James Minter's Blog: Writers do it in Public... - Posts Tagged "farce"

The Scene 0/2 underdiscussion is available here: http://bit.ly/15fzHbX
Scene Summary:
Date: February; Day: Saturday; Time: 5.00am; Location: Griggs farm house – bedroom & kitchen.

Colin cannot sleep – it too cold & he’s worried about VAT tax return; Izzy his wife, is disturbed by his absence; she needs to check his VAT calculations – she doesn't trust his ability to use a calculator. She opens post to find a party Invite from Lady Diana Wills ‘come as you are’ party. The RSVP requires a photograph so she can check her guests come as they are.

Scene Role & Objectives:
Jeopardy - VAT return due; introduce notion of extreme cold; remind readers of Colin & Izzy’s exploits in Book 1 - The Hole Opportunity ; introduce Diana’s party; set up reason to have compromising images of guests. Establishing the month, day & location when & where the story begins.

Discussion The first scene in a book is the hook to get you reader turning pages - its a honeymoon period - but it also has to be a scene setter although any preamble has to be brief not wanting to bore them. Readers like to be orientated as to what's going on where and when. Does this scene work for you? Please let me know...

Ridiculous by D.L. Carter

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I write farce and appreciate the genre. As a man I read this to see how a female author wrote for a predominantly female readership. Jane Austin’s Pride and Prejudice it’s not, and you need to suspend belief but the humour is good, as is the attention to detail without overwhelming the story.
I wasn't sure what to expect. This book is pure entertainment; an escape. It’s fun, witty, and conversationally absurd. Millicent's love for her family, and later for the Duke, drives her to sacrifice her own happiness in order to secure their futures. On assuming the identity of her deceased tight-fisted male cousin, she begins an adventure of epic proportions whilst revelling in the freedom of living as a man. Losing the restrictive requirements of being female gives her an opportunity to grow and be valued for her business sense and wit. Her adventure is never dull.




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Worse Things Happen at Sea by Beverley Watts

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Finding Mr Right …
I want to marry Bev … Mr Right, is over here. It’s me. Writing from first person point of view, I feel I know Bev and I like what I know. She has a great personality which is very attractive. Her use of language, her turns of phrase, descriptions—sufficient but not overly long—coupled with great wit and insights into her life, plus expressions of her feelings and desires drew me in. I was hooked.
There are many laugh-out-loud moments - Swallowing an insane urge to burst in to tears, I try to find a non-sticky bit of tissue in an effort to wipe underneath my eye without getting bits of gobbed up biscuit in it. Okay, out of context but … well you need to read the book for yourself. All in all, a very easy, enjoyable pool-side read with no extreme profanity, sex or violence: very refreshing.



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Genetic Hemochromatosis (GH) is a hereditary disorder causing the body to retain the trace mineral iron over and above its requirements. Without iron we couldn't survive – its instrumental in the transportation of oxygen around the body; but too much iron kill. As the body cannot expel excess iron, it deposits it around our organs — mainly in the liver, pancreas, heart, endocrine glands, and joints, where it turns into a poison.

The subject is close to my heart, having been diagnosed with Genetic Hemochromatosis 10 years ago. I decided to write a humorous spoof thriller to increase awareness, raise funds and bring humor; I believe laughter is the best medicine. ‘The Unexpected Consequences of Iron Overload,’ is a paranormal, romantic, spoof thriller, with 100% of profits being donated to the Hemochromatosis Society.

Jimmy has absorbed iron and is now magnet. After a significant event in which he saves Barbara, the woman of his dreams, from possible death Jimmy realises he can control his magnetism. His life is further complicated after coming to the attention of the KBG - they are interested in all things paranormal, and the CIA who are determined to stop the Russians. Sheila further complicates life for Jimmy. Her father is Irish though she was born in Australia. Unbeknownst to her she has Haemochromatosis and is magnetic but of course, from the Southern hemisphere her polarity is reversed.


For a disorder that few have heard of, it is surprisingly common. In Europe an estimated one in 200 have the genes linked to it — that’s 3.7 million people. The Hemochromatosis Society — a charity founded and chaired by Janet Fernau, MBE says “people are suffering from entirely preventable diseases and even facing premature death because of a lack of awareness and testing.”

Left untreated, this insidious condition causes individuals to develop life-threatening illnesses like diabetes, liver cirrhosis, cancer, arthritis, and heart disease. The treatment is simple and cheap. The only way to remove iron from the body is via the blood - venesection. Every pint removed takes with it 200mg of iron and lowers ferritin levels by 25 as the body starts to use the excess stored iron to make new red blood cells.

Hemochromatosis Society - www.haemochromatosis.org.uk – has as host of resources for people who have the condition.

The Unexpected Consequences of Iron Overload
The preface to The Unexpected Consequences of iron overload is a good layman’s introduction to the subject. In addition, a list of worldwide support groups/resources are included in my book.