A. Renee Hunt's Blog, page 49
April 24, 2017
What would you do to save the life of your only child?
Guest Blog: Adelise Cullens
On Rejection - or The art of allowing a person to crush all your hopes and dreams.
I think this is something we all have in common. As writers, rejection and its ugly step-sister, criticism, play a part in our lives, but no one really prepares you for the crushing weight of the devastation that these evil twins dish out. If you are going for the traditional publishing or the self-publishing route, either way, you will have to duel with these bitches at some point in your career, quite possibly all the way through.
I have broached this subject on my own blog once before, but because I had just raised my head from a bought of depression brought on by this exact thing, the subject was not really delved into. As I say on my blog, I couldn't tell you how many times I have received rejection letters for my books or short stories. I have since also received bad reviews. And it doesn't seem to matter how many good reviews you get for a story, it is always that one bad one that you remember.
Hi, by the way, I'm Adelise M Cullens. I'm a writer and mother and all round crazy goth artsy chick from Australia. I have been writing for roughly 13 years, so, yeah, I have been rejected a few times.
I recently read an article about JKR trying to get her new books published the traditional way. She used a pseudonym and didn't mention who she was in her cover letters. I love this about JKR. All she would have to do is say who she is and anyone would pick up her work. But she didn't, she is starting from the bottom, in the slush with the rest of us, trying to get there on merit alone. But she has still been rejected. I feel two ways about this story. A) I feel happy that even someone as brilliant as JKR can be rejected. And B) I feel terrible that someone as brilliant as JKR can be rejected. What does this say about the publishing world? And how many brilliant books have been passed up for something else, possibly something horrible. Also, how many squeaky new writers, that may have had brilliant work, like JKR, have given up on their dreams because some lit agent's secretary was hung over and didn't read something properly and passed on it?
These are the things I think of… I am a cynical bitch at heart…
This also makes me think about something I heard Maggie Stiefvater say once, she said 'If you want to stop being rejected then stop writing shit…' well, maybe that wasn't the exact quote, but she said something very close. Now, I fucking love Maggie S. Sometimes I like to think that we were sisters separated when we were still young, like gothic Elsa and Anna, our black souls still connected somehow, but this comment pissed me off. I think this is shitty advice to give us fragile beings. I mean, if your writing is shit then you should probably improve it, but mostly I don't think rejection is all about the quality of your writing. If it was then surely JKR would have been snapped up by the first agent/publisher she sent her stuff to, cause her writing is fucking perfect.
Enjoying a piece of writing is so subjective. Our styles are different; topics, genre, life experience, health, language, age, everything has some sort of effect on our book choices, our writing and whether a book gets picked up or not. What if the person reading your work is sick with the flu but went to work anyway? They are reading through your MS in one hand and holding a trash can in the other to puke in. Or maybe their marriage just collapsed, he walked in on his wife fellating his father in their marital bed the day before, so your terrific novel about a funny but slutty housewife fighting zombies while wearing sexy lingerie will be thrown straight in the slush pile.
Maybe I am going to extremes, but I think you see my point.
Your MS being rejected does not mean your writing is shit. Let me say that again, perhaps we can all say it together. OUR MANUSCRIPTS GETTING REJECTED DOES NOT MEAN OUR WRITING IS SHIT. Hello, Authors Anonymous, my name is Adelise and I'm a writer…
So, how can we do our best to avoid getting rejected and not falling into a suicidal/alcoholic slump when we do?
I'll tell you. Rejection avoidance plan. Edit. Edit the shit out of your MS. Edit that word child until you can recite it word for word. Edit it until you hate it, but love it at the same time, like your bratty kid that back talks at you.Get yourself a critique partner. This is the person that you trust enough to read your work first. The person you can trust to be honest with you and you won't tear their face off when they say something mean about your writing. This person doesn't need to be another writer. For instance, mine is my father or my husband. Beta. Fucking. Readers. I used to skip this part because, frankly, it is terrifying. You are going to get constructive criticisms, you are going to get your heart stomped on, you are going to want to murder at least one of your betas in their sleep. DO NOT skip this part. It is necessary, whether you are Trad-pub or self-pub, you must do this step. If you want some tips on beta reading Jenna Moreci gives some great advice on her vlog.Write better. I know what I said above, but for some of us it is true. Go back and read the first thing you ever wrote. If you have been writing for a number of years, I guarantee you will cringe at some of the things you used to do. Research. It is all well and good to submit to every lit agent and publisher that pops up in your Google search, but volume does not always equal success. Do some research into who you are applying to. Remember that these are just people and they have preferences and interests too. Plus, they probably know the market better than you do. (sometimes they are idiots, but most of them know what the fuck they are talking about.) Take a look on The Publisher's Marketplace. Read through people's profiles and try to find someone that is not just a good fit for your story, but also for you. Remember that if they say yes to representing your book, you will be working closely with them for a long time. Research again. Look at cover letters and how agents want the MS set up. It doesn't matter if you have written the next Twilight, if you submit your MS in Courier when that agent prefers TNR, it is straight into the slush pile with you.
Anti-depression plan for post-rejection.Keep writing. First and foremost, don't let the rejection (or the bad review) stop you from writing. Maybe it'll be hard at first, but keep going. Maybe do a short story about an angry writer that goes on a murderous rampage, killing all the lit agents that they can find. Something to get the juices pumping again.Allow yourself only one day of grieving. If you take it really badly, as sometimes we do, depending on how personal the blow is, only allow yourself a certain amount of time to grieve for your dying soul. Especially if your grieving process involves alcohol or cookie dough ice cream like mine does, that is not a process that you want to turn into a habit. Remember that, although a romantic idea, the days of the drunk writer are dead. It is no longer an acceptable thing and we must keep our bodies healthy and our minds sharp like a serial killer's blade. Submit to someone new. Like a rebound lay after a long relationship. Not that I would know… I have been with my husband since I was fourteen… but, I understand the concept. Pick someone else and go for them.Change something. Change your cover letter, change your first line, change your synopsis. Have a look through what you did last time and see if you can notice anything that may not have been great.Don't beat yourself up. You are not a terrible writer. Talk to someone about it. Get on social media and discuss with other writers about their recent rejections. Other people's pain can often make yours feel not so bad. Lol. That made me sound like a horrible fucking person, but it is true. Knowing that others are experiencing the same thing as yourself can really help make you feel not so alone.
Now that I have ranted for half of your day, I will leave you with a story. About seven years ago, I wrote a quadrilogy set in a BDSM parlour. It was pretty good. It was NOT erotica. But it was racier than most things out there. I sent it to every agent in Australia. The last rejection letter I got said, "Really enjoyed it, well written, but I'm sorry, in this market kinky doesn't sell." Three months later Fifty shades came out… Kinky doesn't sell my fucking arse… I have wanted to email back that agent so many times!
Feel free to pop over to my blog or on all the social media and say hello. Please share your own crushing rejection stories down below in the comments or on social media (make sure you tag me and the beautiful A. Renee Hunt in the story) and I'll pick the most devastating to send a prize.
Hugs, AMC xxx
I think this is something we all have in common. As writers, rejection and its ugly step-sister, criticism, play a part in our lives, but no one really prepares you for the crushing weight of the devastation that these evil twins dish out. If you are going for the traditional publishing or the self-publishing route, either way, you will have to duel with these bitches at some point in your career, quite possibly all the way through.I have broached this subject on my own blog once before, but because I had just raised my head from a bought of depression brought on by this exact thing, the subject was not really delved into. As I say on my blog, I couldn't tell you how many times I have received rejection letters for my books or short stories. I have since also received bad reviews. And it doesn't seem to matter how many good reviews you get for a story, it is always that one bad one that you remember.
Hi, by the way, I'm Adelise M Cullens. I'm a writer and mother and all round crazy goth artsy chick from Australia. I have been writing for roughly 13 years, so, yeah, I have been rejected a few times.
I recently read an article about JKR trying to get her new books published the traditional way. She used a pseudonym and didn't mention who she was in her cover letters. I love this about JKR. All she would have to do is say who she is and anyone would pick up her work. But she didn't, she is starting from the bottom, in the slush with the rest of us, trying to get there on merit alone. But she has still been rejected. I feel two ways about this story. A) I feel happy that even someone as brilliant as JKR can be rejected. And B) I feel terrible that someone as brilliant as JKR can be rejected. What does this say about the publishing world? And how many brilliant books have been passed up for something else, possibly something horrible. Also, how many squeaky new writers, that may have had brilliant work, like JKR, have given up on their dreams because some lit agent's secretary was hung over and didn't read something properly and passed on it?
These are the things I think of… I am a cynical bitch at heart…
This also makes me think about something I heard Maggie Stiefvater say once, she said 'If you want to stop being rejected then stop writing shit…' well, maybe that wasn't the exact quote, but she said something very close. Now, I fucking love Maggie S. Sometimes I like to think that we were sisters separated when we were still young, like gothic Elsa and Anna, our black souls still connected somehow, but this comment pissed me off. I think this is shitty advice to give us fragile beings. I mean, if your writing is shit then you should probably improve it, but mostly I don't think rejection is all about the quality of your writing. If it was then surely JKR would have been snapped up by the first agent/publisher she sent her stuff to, cause her writing is fucking perfect.Enjoying a piece of writing is so subjective. Our styles are different; topics, genre, life experience, health, language, age, everything has some sort of effect on our book choices, our writing and whether a book gets picked up or not. What if the person reading your work is sick with the flu but went to work anyway? They are reading through your MS in one hand and holding a trash can in the other to puke in. Or maybe their marriage just collapsed, he walked in on his wife fellating his father in their marital bed the day before, so your terrific novel about a funny but slutty housewife fighting zombies while wearing sexy lingerie will be thrown straight in the slush pile.
Maybe I am going to extremes, but I think you see my point.
Your MS being rejected does not mean your writing is shit. Let me say that again, perhaps we can all say it together. OUR MANUSCRIPTS GETTING REJECTED DOES NOT MEAN OUR WRITING IS SHIT. Hello, Authors Anonymous, my name is Adelise and I'm a writer…
So, how can we do our best to avoid getting rejected and not falling into a suicidal/alcoholic slump when we do?
I'll tell you. Rejection avoidance plan. Edit. Edit the shit out of your MS. Edit that word child until you can recite it word for word. Edit it until you hate it, but love it at the same time, like your bratty kid that back talks at you.Get yourself a critique partner. This is the person that you trust enough to read your work first. The person you can trust to be honest with you and you won't tear their face off when they say something mean about your writing. This person doesn't need to be another writer. For instance, mine is my father or my husband. Beta. Fucking. Readers. I used to skip this part because, frankly, it is terrifying. You are going to get constructive criticisms, you are going to get your heart stomped on, you are going to want to murder at least one of your betas in their sleep. DO NOT skip this part. It is necessary, whether you are Trad-pub or self-pub, you must do this step. If you want some tips on beta reading Jenna Moreci gives some great advice on her vlog.Write better. I know what I said above, but for some of us it is true. Go back and read the first thing you ever wrote. If you have been writing for a number of years, I guarantee you will cringe at some of the things you used to do. Research. It is all well and good to submit to every lit agent and publisher that pops up in your Google search, but volume does not always equal success. Do some research into who you are applying to. Remember that these are just people and they have preferences and interests too. Plus, they probably know the market better than you do. (sometimes they are idiots, but most of them know what the fuck they are talking about.) Take a look on The Publisher's Marketplace. Read through people's profiles and try to find someone that is not just a good fit for your story, but also for you. Remember that if they say yes to representing your book, you will be working closely with them for a long time. Research again. Look at cover letters and how agents want the MS set up. It doesn't matter if you have written the next Twilight, if you submit your MS in Courier when that agent prefers TNR, it is straight into the slush pile with you.
Anti-depression plan for post-rejection.Keep writing. First and foremost, don't let the rejection (or the bad review) stop you from writing. Maybe it'll be hard at first, but keep going. Maybe do a short story about an angry writer that goes on a murderous rampage, killing all the lit agents that they can find. Something to get the juices pumping again.Allow yourself only one day of grieving. If you take it really badly, as sometimes we do, depending on how personal the blow is, only allow yourself a certain amount of time to grieve for your dying soul. Especially if your grieving process involves alcohol or cookie dough ice cream like mine does, that is not a process that you want to turn into a habit. Remember that, although a romantic idea, the days of the drunk writer are dead. It is no longer an acceptable thing and we must keep our bodies healthy and our minds sharp like a serial killer's blade. Submit to someone new. Like a rebound lay after a long relationship. Not that I would know… I have been with my husband since I was fourteen… but, I understand the concept. Pick someone else and go for them.Change something. Change your cover letter, change your first line, change your synopsis. Have a look through what you did last time and see if you can notice anything that may not have been great.Don't beat yourself up. You are not a terrible writer. Talk to someone about it. Get on social media and discuss with other writers about their recent rejections. Other people's pain can often make yours feel not so bad. Lol. That made me sound like a horrible fucking person, but it is true. Knowing that others are experiencing the same thing as yourself can really help make you feel not so alone.
Now that I have ranted for half of your day, I will leave you with a story. About seven years ago, I wrote a quadrilogy set in a BDSM parlour. It was pretty good. It was NOT erotica. But it was racier than most things out there. I sent it to every agent in Australia. The last rejection letter I got said, "Really enjoyed it, well written, but I'm sorry, in this market kinky doesn't sell." Three months later Fifty shades came out… Kinky doesn't sell my fucking arse… I have wanted to email back that agent so many times!
Feel free to pop over to my blog or on all the social media and say hello. Please share your own crushing rejection stories down below in the comments or on social media (make sure you tag me and the beautiful A. Renee Hunt in the story) and I'll pick the most devastating to send a prize.
Hugs, AMC xxx
Personal Blog: Alyssa's Gab- Camp NaNoWriMO
The Malevolent Soul
word count: 50003
Editing Rough Draft [image error] If you follow me on any of my social media, you know I just completed April's Camp NaNoWriMo project ahead of the game! The Malevolent Soul, revamped since November has lost about 30k, but has been edited and rewritten so beautifully, I'm terrified!
Currently sitting at 50,003 words, I've completed one of three parts. Naturally, each part won't be that large, but I needed to establish so much in my main character Ashley. She's a mess. She's also mostly me.
I won't share what parts of her life mesh into mine, but I will say that you will wonder quite a bit. (As with most of my stories) There are little things here and there, spread throughout the story that will shock you and make you ask, "Was that true?" I'll never tell. But I really hope you enjoy it. I"m sure there's a TON more I'll be removing, then re-adding for flow purposes, but this story is going be the best thing I've ever written. I hope.
I have no stress of a deadline, which is the best part. This insures me the confidence of doing what I've never done before. I expected much from very little my first go-round. This time, as an independent author, this novel will be one of my freaking best!
And because you've hung with me throughout my journey, I'd like to share something with you. The cover of my novel. If you subscribe to my newsletter, I will be sharing it to you. This isn't a cover reveal, so please don't share it- many thanks in advance!
Stay with me; it's coming!
Cheers!
word count: 50003
Editing Rough Draft [image error] If you follow me on any of my social media, you know I just completed April's Camp NaNoWriMo project ahead of the game! The Malevolent Soul, revamped since November has lost about 30k, but has been edited and rewritten so beautifully, I'm terrified!
Currently sitting at 50,003 words, I've completed one of three parts. Naturally, each part won't be that large, but I needed to establish so much in my main character Ashley. She's a mess. She's also mostly me.
I won't share what parts of her life mesh into mine, but I will say that you will wonder quite a bit. (As with most of my stories) There are little things here and there, spread throughout the story that will shock you and make you ask, "Was that true?" I'll never tell. But I really hope you enjoy it. I"m sure there's a TON more I'll be removing, then re-adding for flow purposes, but this story is going be the best thing I've ever written. I hope.
I have no stress of a deadline, which is the best part. This insures me the confidence of doing what I've never done before. I expected much from very little my first go-round. This time, as an independent author, this novel will be one of my freaking best!
And because you've hung with me throughout my journey, I'd like to share something with you. The cover of my novel. If you subscribe to my newsletter, I will be sharing it to you. This isn't a cover reveal, so please don't share it- many thanks in advance!
Stay with me; it's coming!
Cheers!
April 23, 2017
XX
*Movie Review 
XX isn't what you think. There’s no porn or anything indecent. It's XX for death, two x's for dead eyes, the unknown, I don't know! That's just my take, but I can say, XX can also stand for weird. If you looked up the definition of macabre, you'd find the XX movie poster. Actually, it's for the female chromosome... 
Composed of four stories, all written by women, each part is more bizarre than the next: The Box, The Birthday Party, Don’t Fall and Her Only Living Son. Since I never offer up spoilers or too much detail, this review will be difficult to write. I relished them all, but only one really possessed me, The Box, so that’s the one I based my review.
The Box, directed b Jovanka Vuckovic is impressive. There are no special effects or eerie sounds to make the tale horrific, just a little boy and his curiosity. Once inquisitive Danny receives an answer to his pestering question, he was forever changed. The way his parents responded to the change was convincing and lingering. I was mystified and wanted to know- what the heck was in THAT BOX!
Each movie segment was like that, except for The Birthday Party. It was more humorous, but in a morbid fashion. Each one had something of a surprise involved and I was never bored or tired of them. The animated introduction to XX was crafty as well.
XX released in January of 2017, so check it out!
XX
Written by Jack Ketchum, Roxanne Benajamin, Karyn Kusama, St. Vincent and Jovanka Vuckovic
Produced by Daniel Bekerman, Roxanne Benjamin and Todd Brown
Directed by Roxanne Benjamin, Karyn Kusama, St. Vincent and Jovanka Vuckovic
Starred Natalie Brown, Jonathan Watton and Peter DaCunha
January 22, 2017
XX isn't what you think. There’s no porn or anything indecent. It's XX for death, two x's for dead eyes, the unknown, I don't know! That's just my take, but I can say, XX can also stand for weird. If you looked up the definition of macabre, you'd find the XX movie poster. Actually, it's for the female chromosome... Composed of four stories, all written by women, each part is more bizarre than the next: The Box, The Birthday Party, Don’t Fall and Her Only Living Son. Since I never offer up spoilers or too much detail, this review will be difficult to write. I relished them all, but only one really possessed me, The Box, so that’s the one I based my review.The Box, directed b Jovanka Vuckovic is impressive. There are no special effects or eerie sounds to make the tale horrific, just a little boy and his curiosity. Once inquisitive Danny receives an answer to his pestering question, he was forever changed. The way his parents responded to the change was convincing and lingering. I was mystified and wanted to know- what the heck was in THAT BOX!
Each movie segment was like that, except for The Birthday Party. It was more humorous, but in a morbid fashion. Each one had something of a surprise involved and I was never bored or tired of them. The animated introduction to XX was crafty as well.
XX released in January of 2017, so check it out!
XX
Written by Jack Ketchum, Roxanne Benajamin, Karyn Kusama, St. Vincent and Jovanka Vuckovic
Produced by Daniel Bekerman, Roxanne Benjamin and Todd Brown
Directed by Roxanne Benjamin, Karyn Kusama, St. Vincent and Jovanka Vuckovic
Starred Natalie Brown, Jonathan Watton and Peter DaCunha
January 22, 2017
April 18, 2017
Resident Evil: The Final Chapter
Viewed: January 29th, 2017 
I was a fan of Resident Evil, when the game first made the scene for video games. And since I could never get past the burning trashcan, on screen one, level one- If you know the games, you know I SUCK! So I always had my hub (now ex-hub) play, while I watched. The graphics were amazing back then, but when the movie came out- it all came to life for me! I was immediately hooked!
Resident Evil, The Final Chapter, didn't let me down. I thought it would have been bigger and better, but I wasn't disappointed From the explanation on The Red Queen's past, to how she got inside the Hive's matrix and ran the show, it was all shared. Also, you found out some totally awesome secrets that I simply can not share, because I do not believe in SPOILERS! I can say that if you are a fan of the franchise, you will enjoy this movie!
As always, the FX's were on point, but I didn't like that it was much darker than the bulk of the movies. There were so many parts, during fight scenes, that I couldn't see well. It was frustrating. And then, the best part- the flying beasts (or as I call them: dragons), their scenes were rather fast too! I never could get a clear view of their faces and such. Had they been people? Why didn't they let me see? As with the previous RE movies, you get to see Alice go up against Dr. Isaacs and Dr. Isaacs and even Dr. Isaacs! LOL Oh, and there are Easter Eggs in the movie! I love noticing stuff, but I didn't catch them all. If you're a fan of RE, then follow my gift of a link RIGHT HERE, to see them all listed.
Is it one of the best movies? No, but it is super fun and entertaining? You bet your sweet astroturf! Check it out!
Resident Evil: The Final Chapter
Director: Paul W.S. Anderson
Milla Jovovich as Alice
Ali Larter as Claire Redfield
Shawn Roberts as Albert Wesker
William Levy as Christian
Ruby Rose as Abigail
Iain Glen as Dr. Alexander Isaacs
January 27, 2017
I was a fan of Resident Evil, when the game first made the scene for video games. And since I could never get past the burning trashcan, on screen one, level one- If you know the games, you know I SUCK! So I always had my hub (now ex-hub) play, while I watched. The graphics were amazing back then, but when the movie came out- it all came to life for me! I was immediately hooked!Resident Evil, The Final Chapter, didn't let me down. I thought it would have been bigger and better, but I wasn't disappointed From the explanation on The Red Queen's past, to how she got inside the Hive's matrix and ran the show, it was all shared. Also, you found out some totally awesome secrets that I simply can not share, because I do not believe in SPOILERS! I can say that if you are a fan of the franchise, you will enjoy this movie!
As always, the FX's were on point, but I didn't like that it was much darker than the bulk of the movies. There were so many parts, during fight scenes, that I couldn't see well. It was frustrating. And then, the best part- the flying beasts (or as I call them: dragons), their scenes were rather fast too! I never could get a clear view of their faces and such. Had they been people? Why didn't they let me see? As with the previous RE movies, you get to see Alice go up against Dr. Isaacs and Dr. Isaacs and even Dr. Isaacs! LOL Oh, and there are Easter Eggs in the movie! I love noticing stuff, but I didn't catch them all. If you're a fan of RE, then follow my gift of a link RIGHT HERE, to see them all listed.
Is it one of the best movies? No, but it is super fun and entertaining? You bet your sweet astroturf! Check it out!
Resident Evil: The Final ChapterDirector: Paul W.S. Anderson
Milla Jovovich as Alice
Ali Larter as Claire Redfield
Shawn Roberts as Albert Wesker
William Levy as Christian
Ruby Rose as Abigail
Iain Glen as Dr. Alexander Isaacs
January 27, 2017
Kubrick's Game by Derek Taylor Kent
Okay, so before I get into this review, I have to admit, other than seeing a few of Kubrick's movies, I don't know much. I never saw the art and beauty of the movies the way the characters in this novel did, or the author, obviously, but this was a cool read. It was like a young Indiana Jones adventures, but with movies and screenplays. The read was creative and very different from my usual reads, but it was good. And to have Number One (Jonathan Frakes from Star Trek, The Next Generation) reading to me- that was awesome! LOL
Kubrick's Game, written by Derek Taylor Kent, is written on the concept of Stanley Kubrick leaving a series of puzzles for the die-hard fans of his work. Three students are introduced to the puzzle through a college professor. Sam, his best friend, Wilson and Sami, a girl interest are set along the path to a discovery that could change everything!So as I've already admitted, I'm not one of those conspiratorialists who seek an answer in every glitch and mystery of movies, books and murals. I like a good mystery, but Kent went all out! There's a great amount of research and study to make a book like this. I find great appreciation and admiration in authors like him. This book not only took a long time, but a freaking GREAT deal of work! I enjoyed the thrill and the mystery- even if I didn't get it all.
Check out this fun novel- for New Adults, while I head on to the next read!
Kubrick's Game
Derek Taylor Kent
Evolved Publishing, LLC
September 24, 2016
April 10, 2017
Lisey's Story by Stephen King
*Audiobook Review 
Okay, so as you all know, I am a Stephen King fan. My first King read was Pet Sematary, then Cujo, then IT, Misery and so many more. I watched the movies, made for tv movies and the rest and always found myself leaving the book happier than when I'd found it. Sadly, that was not the case with Lisey's Story.
The book was more like a memoir for a woman with a history of depression, loss, and mental illness. Instead of receiving horror or some sort of hysterical, mental breakdown, I got a ton of babble and gobbly-goop! lol
Lisey Story tells of how a woman picks up the pieces after she's lost the love of her life. Her husband, Scott is dead, and all she wants is to put her life into some sort of order. She's also dealing with the lives of her sisters, who are so jacked up, ten ways from Friday, that she can't seem to find reprieve. Now add in a man telling her she's got so many days to give something of her husband's, or she'll be hurt and you've got a King novel.
I always start a review with something positive, so I liked the cover. The sleeve is sorta ordinary, but once you pull the sleeve away, you have a gorgeous masterpiece of a book. It's a garden of both living and dead flowers and it's probably the best part of the novel. I am not joking, this book was probably the worst read- I'm so glad I got the audiobook for FREE! Had I sat with my physical copy, I'd have stopped a long ago.
Had I dealt with another smucking phrase that Lisey constantly spouted, I'd have gone insane! The insanity of the entire story stemmed from sporadic, memory flashbacks that didn't always make sense, to Lisey's sister, who was catatonic today just to be speaking in Scott's words the next, I found myself trapped in a world of depression, mental illness and flat out boredom. The story was nestled in a reality that just didn't bring on the hype I was hoping for.
I am still a fan though, because hey- one bad book out of the many that I've read isn't bad one bit. I'm off to the next read!
Lisey's Story
Written by Stephen King
Published by Scribner
October 24, 2006
Okay, so as you all know, I am a Stephen King fan. My first King read was Pet Sematary, then Cujo, then IT, Misery and so many more. I watched the movies, made for tv movies and the rest and always found myself leaving the book happier than when I'd found it. Sadly, that was not the case with Lisey's Story. The book was more like a memoir for a woman with a history of depression, loss, and mental illness. Instead of receiving horror or some sort of hysterical, mental breakdown, I got a ton of babble and gobbly-goop! lol
Lisey Story tells of how a woman picks up the pieces after she's lost the love of her life. Her husband, Scott is dead, and all she wants is to put her life into some sort of order. She's also dealing with the lives of her sisters, who are so jacked up, ten ways from Friday, that she can't seem to find reprieve. Now add in a man telling her she's got so many days to give something of her husband's, or she'll be hurt and you've got a King novel.I always start a review with something positive, so I liked the cover. The sleeve is sorta ordinary, but once you pull the sleeve away, you have a gorgeous masterpiece of a book. It's a garden of both living and dead flowers and it's probably the best part of the novel. I am not joking, this book was probably the worst read- I'm so glad I got the audiobook for FREE! Had I sat with my physical copy, I'd have stopped a long ago.
Had I dealt with another smucking phrase that Lisey constantly spouted, I'd have gone insane! The insanity of the entire story stemmed from sporadic, memory flashbacks that didn't always make sense, to Lisey's sister, who was catatonic today just to be speaking in Scott's words the next, I found myself trapped in a world of depression, mental illness and flat out boredom. The story was nestled in a reality that just didn't bring on the hype I was hoping for.
I am still a fan though, because hey- one bad book out of the many that I've read isn't bad one bit. I'm off to the next read!
Lisey's Story
Written by Stephen King
Published by Scribner
October 24, 2006
The Beyond Experience by Michael Reid, Jr.
To find out what's beyond all that we know, that's what Dr. Lewis wanted to know. Is there life after death? Is there a heaven or a hell? Or some place else?Taking place here, in my current location- Saint Louis, on the famous campus of Wash U, Dr. Lewis and his assistant, Kyle are working on a project so powerful, the federal government hands over millions...
The Beyond Experience, by Michael Reid, Jr. tells how two men find a way to find What's Out There, when the brain is inactive. Death. But what they find is more than frightening, more than curious... But are they using the experiences or are the experiences using them?Using prose that easily allowed me to form a relationship with every character involved, I couldn't stop reading. I wanted to know what was out there too, and why it pulled everyone in such a manner that boundaries were crossed and secrets were, well hidden.
I found this tale of fiction spiritual, philosophical and even frightening. It placed me in mind of the movie Flatliners, because the doctors pushed the limits; their curiosities causing them to go beyond extreme and place themselves and others in danger. I also saw myself attached to those most important, wanting them to succeed, regardless of the cost. Not many books do that for me.
I have to warn you, this is a science fiction novel, so you will receive a lot of medical information- but it's necessary. Well, maybe not all of it, but the books is so good, you want to know what's going on and how they'll do it.
There's really nothing negative I can say about the novel. And check out that beautiful cover! Isn't it amazing? I think the cover alone should draw you in! Check out The Beyond Experience and see what the rave is. I'll be moving on to the next read!
The Beyond Experience
Written by Michael Reid, Jr.
Published by HQT Publications
December 11, 2016
The Dark Tapes
*Movie Review 
Whenever I get an independent horror movie, I usually prepare myself for something super cheesy, with a weak storyline. I listen for inflection in the voices of the actors, and I wonder how much was spent on production. None of that happened during my viewing of The Dark Tapes. I instantly fell into line, watching the strangest of things take place and, not once did I worry about the acting (though they did come off cheesy at first). I didn't worry about the effects (they were on point), and the story- Phenom
It all begins with a mysterious voice stating:
"Humanity is getting closer to the truth.
To us.
We won't let that happen."
You’re then dropped into the storyline, Tape #01, where a man and woman are inspecting a room with damaged equipment and a bit of blood. The acting’s typical for indie filming, at first, but things change. The intro-beginning is a story in itself, but the next chapter, Tape #02, is where the GOLD is struck!
Between scribbling my notes and staring in awe of the sheer ingenuity of it all, I kept telling myself, "This is going to be good!" The Dark Tapes is an agglomeration of stories, collected on recordings. Horror stories. Each tape holds an original tale, more gruesome than the next, and I eagerly enjoyed them. The special effects were creepy and haunting, sharing flickers that linked the stories to each other, making the movie an infinite circlet of terror.
The Dark Tapes releases on April 18th, 2017 but pre-orders begin on the tenth on iTunes. Visit The Dark Tapes website and be sure to watch the trailer as well. The Dark Tapes
Written, Directed and Edited by Michael McQuown
Co-Directed by Vincent J. Guastini
Produced by Michael McQuown, Nicola Odeku, Haldane Morris
Amon Zia Mahmud, & Vincent J. Guastini
March 17, 2017
Whenever I get an independent horror movie, I usually prepare myself for something super cheesy, with a weak storyline. I listen for inflection in the voices of the actors, and I wonder how much was spent on production. None of that happened during my viewing of The Dark Tapes. I instantly fell into line, watching the strangest of things take place and, not once did I worry about the acting (though they did come off cheesy at first). I didn't worry about the effects (they were on point), and the story- Phenom
It all begins with a mysterious voice stating: "Humanity is getting closer to the truth.
To us.
We won't let that happen."
You’re then dropped into the storyline, Tape #01, where a man and woman are inspecting a room with damaged equipment and a bit of blood. The acting’s typical for indie filming, at first, but things change. The intro-beginning is a story in itself, but the next chapter, Tape #02, is where the GOLD is struck!
Between scribbling my notes and staring in awe of the sheer ingenuity of it all, I kept telling myself, "This is going to be good!" The Dark Tapes is an agglomeration of stories, collected on recordings. Horror stories. Each tape holds an original tale, more gruesome than the next, and I eagerly enjoyed them. The special effects were creepy and haunting, sharing flickers that linked the stories to each other, making the movie an infinite circlet of terror.
The Dark Tapes releases on April 18th, 2017 but pre-orders begin on the tenth on iTunes. Visit The Dark Tapes website and be sure to watch the trailer as well. The Dark Tapes
Written, Directed and Edited by Michael McQuown
Co-Directed by Vincent J. Guastini
Produced by Michael McQuown, Nicola Odeku, Haldane Morris
Amon Zia Mahmud, & Vincent J. Guastini
March 17, 2017
Remember To Love Me by Becky Wright
[image error] There's always that one book that sends you away. It allows you to feel the story and know it was the right one to read at the right moment. Remember to Love Me, by
Becky Wright
is one of them. The story is about family dedication, love and being able to get out and find yourself. Even when that epiphany comes through someone else! 
Remember to Love Me is a beautiful story on life. Across time, hundreds of years, the lives of so many cross paths. April, in current time, is looking for guidance as her 21st birthday approaches. She's looking to her grandmother for the passing of wisdom, but she gains so much more, beginning with a visit to the attic. She begins to see things and experience life through an amazing event. But there's so much more to this time-traveling tale.
This story is beautiful, like the cover! I don't think I've ever rated a book at beautiful before, but it certainly applies. The characters are perfectly created- nearly real, and description is precise with no over-kill. I am so curious about Bury St. Edmunds now, I'd love to visit. Wright came to the literary world with a wonderful book, that I could honestly read again... and again!
Readers, grab this book. To those with Kindle Unlimited, grab this time-slip romance, while I move on to the the next read.
Remember To Love Me
Becky Wright
Socciones Editoria Digitale
October 30, 2016
Remember to Love Me is a beautiful story on life. Across time, hundreds of years, the lives of so many cross paths. April, in current time, is looking for guidance as her 21st birthday approaches. She's looking to her grandmother for the passing of wisdom, but she gains so much more, beginning with a visit to the attic. She begins to see things and experience life through an amazing event. But there's so much more to this time-traveling tale.This story is beautiful, like the cover! I don't think I've ever rated a book at beautiful before, but it certainly applies. The characters are perfectly created- nearly real, and description is precise with no over-kill. I am so curious about Bury St. Edmunds now, I'd love to visit. Wright came to the literary world with a wonderful book, that I could honestly read again... and again!
Readers, grab this book. To those with Kindle Unlimited, grab this time-slip romance, while I move on to the the next read.
Remember To Love Me
Becky Wright
Socciones Editoria Digitale
October 30, 2016
