Sage Nestler's Blog, page 69
June 2, 2016
Author Interview: Tiffany Apan
Today’s featured author is Tiffany Apan, author of “Decent” which is part of The Birthrite Series and will be featured in a special Halloween Go Indie Now! Box this October! I am in love with her work and her dark writing style, and I am sure that you will fall in love with them as well! Keep an eye out for her book and featured items in the box this October!
1) What is the first memory you have of writing?
First off, thank you for featuring me and my work here!
I have been writing for quite some time and doing so for as long as I can remember. I was always coming up with stories, whether writing them down or having my toys re-enact them. I always loved stories, music lyrics, and poetry, but I didn’t really have a turning point until my fifth grade English class. At that time, we got to learning of and studying the principles of poetry, so naturally writing a poem was one of the assignments in the class. Because I had an obsession with Norway and Vikings (and still kind of do), I wrote of a Viking sea adventure (when everyone else chose to write of a family member or pet…are there any other ten-year-olds out there obsessed with Vikings or was I the only one?). My English teacher said that I had a great talent for writing and encouraged me to continue from there.
That particular poem, among some of my others, did garner much praise from my English teachers and at times throughout the years, my writing was called ‘ambitious.’ Given the monstrosity of a series I’m currently writing, it looks as though that hasn’t changed all that much!
2) Which authors inspire you, and why?
It’s a toss up between Edgar Allan Poe and Emily Bronte. While there are contemporary authors that I do enjoy, I am quite taken by our writers of yore. Poe is just brilliant to me.
With Emily Bronte, the fact that her work, Wuthering Heights, is often so misunderstood and misinterpreted fascinates me alone. I’ve also been reading a lot on her life, those of her sisters Anne and Charlotte, her brother Branwell, and her father Patrick. It is quite interesting finding out what inspired them to write as they did.
Also Tolkien. Because Tolkien reigns supreme.
I also enjoy H.P. Lovecraft, Stephen King, Bram Stoker, Zane Grey, Rod Serling, Washington Irving, Oscar Wilde, Clive Barker, Mary Shelly, Anne Rice, Shirley Jackson, Charlotte Bronte, William Shakespeare, George Orwell, L. Frank Baum, Lewis Carroll, CS Lewis, Emily Dickinson, Kate Chopin, among others. Any author or writer that can tell a good story with vivid characters and a plot that makes you think (possibly even questioning your own sanity and the world around you) is more than okay by me!
3) What is your favorite genre to read, and why?
All kinds. It depends on my mood, really. I love Horror, but I also love Romance, Historical Fiction, anything to do with the paranormal and supernatural, Gothic Fiction and authors of bygone eras (Poe, Lovecraft, Brontes, Austen, Grey, Shelly, Stoker). Even the horror from the 1800s is so beautiful and has much romance in the way it is written. And of course, I also enjoy historical fiction.
I’m also reading a lot of non-fiction (mostly history), especially with the amount of research that goes into most of my stories. It’s never boring as I am constantly uncovering new territory.
4) What is your favorite genre to write, and why?
I love dark (Gothic) fiction, because for me that is the genre that fully encompasses human strength and frailty. A lot of the Gothic Fiction I’ve read has shown some of the best depictions of the human experience. And that is the journey I enjoy going on when I write.
5) Do you like writing alone or collaborating, and why?
I tend to be a bit of a hermit when I write and for me it is a very solitary activity (with the exception of my characters, of course). But I have also been a part of anthologies, so I don’t mind doing some collaborating either.
6) How did you get the idea for Descent?
How Descent (and The Birthrite Series in general) came about is a story in itself!
Back in late 2011/early 2012, I had a rather vivid dream that stayed with me and I found myself unable to let it go. The dream entailed me in deep conversation with a person that would later be a key character in The Birthrite Series. And it’s interesting, because what was originally supposed to be a more fun and adventurous time travel romance under the working title Through Time eventually morphed into something completely different. In fact, NONE of the main characters from the first book in the series (Descent) where even a thought as I wrote the original draft and concept (which is odd since now I can’t even imagine the story being without any of them!). But as I was writing Through Time, it just didn’t feel right. Yes, the general idea was there and, yes, pretty solid but something was definitely missing.
At the time, I was also reading Stephen King’s On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft. In one passage, he compares writing a story to discovering a small fossil, and then continuing to dig until the whole dinosaur is uncovered. Sometimes it will seem as though you are shoveling nothing but crap, but eventually you will make the great discovery. For me, that is exactly how writing Descent was.
As time went on and I allowed the story to just develop naturally, more characters seemed to just “walk on,” and characters I thought were just going to play minor roles ended up being major key characters. When this happened, it was a little scary but instead of fighting it, I allowed the characters a voice in their stories and ended up being pleasantly surprised with the results.
The story seemed to build upon itself, especially as I was doing more research to create the world in which the characters inhabit. It was then the story started going from being a fun adventurous romance to one that was still fun, adventurous and romantic, but darker and with a lot more mystery. Add to that my passion for history and the process of researching it and I was having a blast with it.
Because of the new direction the story was taking, the working title obviously had to change. Bloodlines was the new working title (which I knew would also eventually change since there already are so many projects out there with that title).
7) I absolutely love how the book deals with insanity. What made you want to delve deeper into this concept?
Thank you! It certainly seemed the natural way to go. As I was doing the research for the book and going through the characters, their backgrounds and journeys, I kept returning to the concept of sanity vs. insanity. I started delving deeper into the following questions: What makes a person ‘sane’ and who really dictates that? Is all that we see really what is around us or is it a mere illusion? Perhaps the one who is seen as the most insane is simply open to another reality that the rest of us are closed to.
It was a fascinating concept to delve into, and seemed appropriate for the characters and their journeys. It was also fun to invade the minds of my characters and really get into what made them the way they are.
8) How many books are you expecting to be in The Birthrite Series?
I expect to write five full length novels with a couple of novelettes, novellas and shorts in between the books. I don’t, however, believe in confining a story. Plus there is a lot of back story and history, so there might even be room for a prequel or spin-off Birthrite-verse series. We shall see.
June 1, 2016
Author Interview Month – Joseph Ferguson
Yay! Author Interview Month is upon us! Today’s featured author is the wonderful Joseph Ferguson, author of Southbound. Joe first approached me to review his novel, and since then I have been happy to have gotten to know him and his passion for writing. His novel “Southbound” is so raw and real, and I couldn’t put it down. I love books that are based on real people and events, and Joe did this so well in his novel by also adding in his own touches of fiction. Read below to learn more about him and his writing!
1) What is the first memory you have of writing?
I used to draw and write comic books with crayons when I was very young; usually featuring a Godzilla-like creature stomping on some ill-fated metropolis.
2) Which authors inspire you, and why?
Anyone who writes well and/or has a unique style or perspective. Over the years I’ve been inspired by Hemingway, Harry Crews, Kerouac, Flann O’Brien, Roddy Doyle, Dickens, Dostoyevsky, Sartre, Camus, Kafka, Tolkien, Ralph Ellison, Harlan Ellison, Richard Brautigan, Faulkner, Tom Waits,Richard Fariña, Richard Price and Leonard Cohen, Eugene O’Neill, Tennessee Williams, Edward Albee…The list goes on.
3) What is your favorite genre to read, and why?
I suppose it’s fiction, though I love to read anything – science, history, biography, plays, poetry, philosophy
4) What is your favorite genre to write, and why?
I seem to specialize in short fiction at the moment, but have a few unfinished novels waiting in the wings. Before I retired and could actually follow up on all the half-done stories, and ideas scribbled on bar napkins, I could only finish poems, since they are short enough to see the whole thing from beginning to end.
5) Do you like writing alone or collaborating, and why?
I always write alone, but really should have a collaborator. It’s great to have someone you can bounce ideas off, and fuel your energy; but most importantly for me, someone to keep me from goofing off. (Joe wouldn’t mind collaborating with someone – if you would like to collaborate with Joe, feel free to reach out to him!)
6) What was your inspiration for Southbound?
The first story I wrote was “Southbound,” for a Creative Writing Class in college back in 78 or 9. Several people from my neighborhood had drowned while drinking at that marina in Yonkers; one in particular happened with the real Basement Man, pretty much how I wrote it. So with a ready-made story, I tried to concentrate on the details of location, and the symbolism of not being able to get from point A to point B. Basement Man was something of a hit in the class, so I then wrote another one, “After the Crux,” for the same class.
7) Why did you choose to write a short story collection instead of a novel?
Well, as I said, it started as two separate short stories. “After the Crux” was then published in a small literary magazine called Swift Kick, and the editor said she wanted to do an issue featuring my work. That gave me the idea to make it all Basement Man stories. Unfortunately, life, working as a PR writer, and a general tendency to avoid facing a blank page at all costs got in the way, and though I produced one or two more BM stories, I never did get enough for the collection. I finally finished up the last one this past summer, after retiring, at which time I also learned that it was now possible to publish your own book for free; so there then ensued the long search for all the pre-computer stories, wading through musty files, and luckily, tracking them all down in the end.
8) Did you purposely write your short stories to resemble poetry?
Thank you for saying that. I imagine it’s a combination of deliberately trying to write as precisely and economically as possible (little attribution, show don’t tell, make every word count), and the fact that all those years where life got in the way of writing anything long, I wrote poetry almost exclusively. I also tend to accidentally alliterate…I call myself Afunctionally Alliterate.
9) Was Brian Weidner your Muse for Southbound? If so, why?
Damn, you actually read the acknowledgements? Yes, Brian sort of created this larger-than-life persona for himself and moved in. It was such clear-cut character that there was no work at all to recreate him on paper. It was more like transcribing. Even though, other than “Southbound,” most of what I have him doing or saying never happened, the character was so strong, I knew exactly how he would have reacted to any situation. Along the way, I did bounce the stories off Brian, who by the way is a writer in his own right (and one with much better work habits than mine).
10) How long were you working on Southbound before finishing it?
Well, I started them at college in the late 70s, and finished up last summer, so about 38 years. Of course, there was a lot more not working on it going on than working on it.
*Thank you to Joe for participating in this interview! You can find him and his work at the following links, and please feel free to reach out to him. He is a very passionate author and I look forward to reading any new work he comes out with!
May 31, 2016
What Comes of Eating Donuts With a Boy Who Plays Guitar by Nicole Campbell – 5/5
Title: What Comes of Eating Donuts With a Boy Who Plays Guitar
Author: Nicole Campbell
Rating: 5/5
Synopsis:
Due to mature themes and moderate language, this novel is intended for readers ages 16+.
Courtney Ross has lived her whole life doing everything by the book. She’s a top student, the captain of the cheer squad at her Scottsdale high school, and a nervous wreck most of the time. For summer vacation before senior year, she finally has her chance just to relax. She will be spending it with her best friend, Vanessa, in her tiny hometown of Gem City, Ohio. Courtney’s hoping for a chance to breathe, and maybe even for some of Vanessa’s carefree nature to rub off on her. What she doesn’t expect is Ethan Fisher. Courtney knows she’s in trouble the minute she sees him holding a guitar at her “Welcome Back” party. Her instincts prove to be correct as she gets to know him, and she finds her head spinning. What will this mean for the girl who always plays by the rules?
In her first full-length novel, Nicole Campbell delivers a perfect beach read for the more mature Young Adult crowd. Readers will re-live their first relationships (the good, the bad, and the overwhelming), or imagine the spark of what the future might hold in this story full of the type of intensity only found in young love.
Review:
Nicole Campbell is a beautiful author. First of all, I absolutely loved the title of this book even though it is quite long. It just added a unique spice to the story that she created, and I felt that her writing transported me back to my high school days and the childlike wonder that comes with being a young adult. I enjoyed how her novel followed a girl who is trying to come out of her shell and ends up falling in love. I am a strong believer that young love can mold and shape you, and Campbell portrayed this perfectly in her novel.
One of the most unique aspects that Campbell included in her novel were songs linked to each chapter. She herself has a YouTube channel that contains all of the songs that she linked to each chapter, and I think that the songs did help to visualize the story better. I think that this novel is perfect for the older young adult crowd, and for those who are ready to move on from the younger young adult scene. Her writing reminds me of the great Sarah Dessen, and I admire how well she grasps the age range of her characters and her audience. She writes with ease, and I ate up her novel very quickly.
If you are looking for a novel to present to older young adults, or to read yourself, then this is the one for you. It is one of those sweet novels that I love to read on vacation because of its simple attitude, and it was nice reading a contemporary novel that is so realistic and relatable in the way that the characters weren’t perfect or too far fetched for the reader to relate with. I think that this book will allow readers to not feel so alone, and a book like this is the best companion for lonely nights.
FOR BOOK REVIEW REQUESTS FILL OUT FORM: Book Review Request Form
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*Donations are more than welcome and help me to keep my reviews and marketing services free. Please help me to keep my blog going! All donations will receive a gift.*
May 30, 2016
Weekly Update – 5/30/2016 -6/5/2016
Hello Everyone!
Welcome to a new week! I am excited to share many announcements with you. But first thing first. This week I will be reviewing:
The Crown of Stones: Magic Price by C.L. Schneider
(I will only be reviewing one book this week due to my busy schedule with the Go Indie Now! Box. Please bear with me!)
Now for the announcements!
Today is the last day to use the 30% off coupon for 30% off of your first Go Indie Now! Box. To get this discount, use “MEMORIALDAY30”.
Tomorrow is the last day to use the free shipping coupon for free shipping within the United States ONLY. Please use code “NEWMEMBER” for free shipping on your first box.
Also, Go Indie Now! has been re-imagined! Instead of just being a book box featuring indie novels, we are now a mental vacation box. This means that to go with the book(s) chosen each month you will get an item to appeal to the different senses and submerse yourself into the story! For the cheaper $20 subscription, you will be receiving the book of the month, the bonus content packet, the “to see” item (art print), the “to hear” item (playlist with links to our YouTube channel and the different chapters or pages correlated to the different videos), the “to taste” item (recipe relating to the story), and the “to smell” item (a scent pack that relates to the book). If you go with the more expensive plan ($30 a month) you will receive all of the above plus a “to touch” item that will be connected to the book, and 1 -2 extra bookish items and occasionally a second book.
FOR THE JULY INDIE PRIDE BOX:
Since July 1 is Indie Pride Day, we are celebrating by including two books and two full mental vacations in our July box. HOWEVER, please read below for more information on the specifics.
If you are subscribed under the $20 plan, you will only be receiving the “twisted tales” themed book and mental vacation. However, if you are subscribed to the $30 plan you will be receiving the second “sci-fi” themed book and mental vacation ALONG WITH the “twisted tales” book and mental vacation as well as the touchable items for each book and mental vacation. This will be a steal if you order the $30 box for this month, because you will be getting TWO FULL mental vacations as each book will come with its own recipe, scent pack, playlist, art print, and touchable item. PLEASE KEEP THIS IN MIND WHEN ORDERING.
THE DEADLINE FOR ORDERING THE JULY BOX WILL ALSO BE JULY 1 INSTEAD OF JULY 10. This is because I have to order an item in bulk, and I need a specific number to order the item and have it made and shipped in time. Please keep this deadline in mind as well!
That being said, the June Historical Fiction cutoff date is JUNE 10. I have already started packing and shipping these boxes to internationals, but you can still order through June 10. After that date, any new subscriptions will start receiving their boxes with the July box.
Thank you to everyone for your constant support! Creating a book box that celebrates indie authors and brings readers a mental vacation has been a huge dream of mine, and I am so happy to see that coming to life. I want all of you to enjoy the boxes as much as I love putting them together, and I hope that each box that you receive warms your heart and brings you joy.
Much love,
Ashley
FOR BOOK REVIEW REQUESTS FILL OUT FORM: Book Review Request Form
IF BOOK REQUEST WEBSITE IS DOWN EMAIL: peachykeenreviews@gmail.com
SIGN UP FOR GO INDIE NOW! MONTHLY BOOK BOX: Go Indie Now!
WOULD YOU LIKE AN AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF MY BOOKS? REQUEST HERE
*Donations are more than welcome and help me to keep my reviews and marketing services free. Please help me to keep my blog going! All donations will receive a gift.*
Making Monsters by Joe Turk – 5/5
Title: Making Monsters
Author: Joe Turk
Rating: 5/5
Synopsis:
Making Monsters is an apocalyptic horse race. Ozark reluctantly participates in a half-baked conspiracy to overthrow the United Corporations of America. But time is running out. Manmade earthquakes create sinkholes that devour the landscape. Engineered sterility devastates crops and plant life. Chemically induced insomnia spreads like a virus. Scorned militants indulge dark desires. And ancient, subterranean nightmares will compete to bring the era of man to an abrupt and unmerciful conclusion. The end is near…and it’s corporately sponsored.
Review:
Joe Turk is an amazing artist and author. Not only did he paint his own cover (which I found to be brilliant), he used his words to paint a story as well. With all of the apocalyptic novels out there, I thought that this novel might not be as original as it could be, but I was very wrong.
Turk’s story and ideas are something that I have never seen before in a novel, and I enjoyed thoroughly the idea that humans are creating their own death traps. Even though this novel follows the idea that the government and corporate officials are the ones creating man made disasters to destroy life, I felt that this was also a metaphor for how we as a race are destroying the earth and writing our own death sentences. Joe Turk was clever with his words, and through reading this novel I felt as though each scene and character were being painted before me.
For my reviews, the biggest aspect that I judge on is originality and this novel received a well deserved 5/5 for that. I didn’t feel that I had read the story so many times before; instead, I felt that I was reading a story that was well thought out and had been mulled over for quite a long time. In today’s day and age, I think that this novel came at the perfect time due to the conflicts that we are currently facing based on how we have treated our planet. I also think that Turk wanted the reader to understand that it isn’t the earth that we should be afraid of, but our fellow humans. However, this novel wasn’t preachy and only presented the reader with a situation that is much needed at this time in the world. I am gladly giving this book 5/5 and I am sure that, no matter what genres you prefer, this book will leave a lasting impression.
If you enjoy Dystopian/Apocalyptic novels, then this book is the one for you. The writing was clear and crisp and I thoroughly enjoyed stepping into Turk’s world.
FOR BOOK REVIEW REQUESTS FILL OUT FORM: Book Review Request Form
IF BOOK REQUEST WEBSITE IS DOWN EMAIL: peachykeenreviews@gmail.com
SIGN UP FOR GO INDIE NOW! MONTHLY BOOK BOX: Go Indie Now!
WOULD YOU LIKE AN AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF MY BOOKS? REQUEST HERE
*Donations are more than welcome and help me to keep my reviews and marketing services free. Please help me to keep my blog going! All donations will receive a gift.*
May 27, 2016
A 4-D Monthly Mental Vacation
Hello everyone,
BIG NEWS! I have completely re-imagined the Go Indie Now! Book Subscription, and have finalized the new elements of it. Instead of just being a monthly book box, it is now a monthly mental vacation. How is this so? Let me explain.
When I read books, I love imagining everything in my head, but what if you were able to receive extra help in fully visualizing your book? That is exactly what Go Indie Now! is going to do. Each month you will receive an indie book with a bonus content packet that will include an author interview, but you will also receive a scent packet to go along with the story, a recipe to pair with the book, a playlist that will lead you to different songs on our YouTube channel that are correlated with different page numbers, and art prints to help you better visualize the story. We will also have two options for the subscription. You can receive the base package with the book, bonus content, playlist, recipe, and scent packet for $20+shipping or the upgraded package that will include all of the above plus extra items based on the book for $30+shipping.
I am extremely passionate about this little business that I have created, and I wanted to create a box that would not only help spread the indie community, but also bring comfort to subscribers. I know that reading is such a stress relief, and I wanted to make it just a bit more therapeutic for an experience unmatched by anything else.
Remember that the 30% off coupon is still available worldwide through May 30 with the code “MEMORIALDAY30”, and the free shipping coupon is still available for U.S. citizens through May 31 with “NEWMEMBER”.
Thank you everyone once again for all of your support. I absolutely love supporting my fellow indie authors and bringing readers of all different backgrounds joy.
Much love,
Ashley
FOR BOOK REVIEW REQUESTS FILL OUT FORM: Book Review Request Form
IF BOOK REQUEST WEBSITE IS DOWN EMAIL: peachykeenreviews@gmail.com
SIGN UP FOR GO INDIE NOW! MONTHLY BOOK BOX: Go Indie Now!
WOULD YOU LIKE AN AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF MY BOOKS? REQUEST HERE
*Donations are more than welcome and help me to keep my reviews and marketing services free. Please help me to keep my blog going! All donations will receive a gift.*
Celebrating Our Fans – 10% off every month
Hello Everyone!
To celebrate our second biggest sale of the year, we are offering a ONE DAY ONLY promotion! Any new subscribers today will receive 10% off of every month they are subscribed, indefinitely! You can also use the code “MEMORIALDAY30” for 30% off of your first month or 3 month subscription with a reoccurring 10% off for each subscription period after. (Current subbies will be receiving this promotion as well!)
*The first new subscriber today will also receive a replica of the elder wand from Harry Potter in their first box package*
Also, as a reminder, all books chosen for the box are fit for young adults through adults. We cover all genres and themes except for erotica or books with excessive violence, and our goal is to give you a new book in a genre that you would have never picked up before! This is the best way to expand your horizons and step out of your comfort zone. We have found many of our new favorite books this way, so don’t be scared by the different themes and genres! All books are approved to be loved from page one.
Thank you to everyone for your support! We love every single one of you.❤ Keep on keeping on!
Much love,
Ashley
FOR BOOK REVIEW REQUESTS FILL OUT FORM: Book Review Request Form
IF BOOK REQUEST WEBSITE IS DOWN EMAIL: peachykeenreviews@gmail.com
SIGN UP FOR GO INDIE NOW! MONTHLY BOOK BOX: Go Indie Now!
WOULD YOU LIKE AN AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF MY BOOKS? REQUEST HERE
*Donations are more than welcome and help me to keep my reviews and marketing services free. Please help me to keep my blog going! All donations will receive a gift.*
May 26, 2016
Give It Back by Danielle Esplin – 5/5
Title: Give It Back
Author: Danielle Esplin
Rating: 5/5
Synopsis:
“This novel follows three characters: Lorraine, Lexy, and Ella.
Lorraine:
Not long ago, Lorraine lost her husband to another woman. She thought that was the worst thing that could happen to her, but soon she realizes it’s just the beginning of an everlasting nightmare.
Lexy:
Lexy, an au pair from London, moves to Seattle to help Lorraine with her infant son. But she didn’t come for the child…she came for something else.
Ella:
When Ella receives a call from her sister, Lorraine, who begs her to leave San Diego to spend time with her, she decides to take a few days off from work to visit her. Frightened to see how much Lorraine has weakened since her diagnosis eight months ago, she packs a bag and heads to Seattle with a foreboding feeling that this might be the last time she sees Lorraine.
But on her way to the airport, she learns that something shocking has happened since she last spoke with Lorraine and now. To make matters worse, once Ella arrives in Seattle, Lorraine’s story keeps changing, making Ella question how reliable her sister really is.
Soon Ella is entangled in a mysterious investigation, and more so, in the lives of everyone involved. She realizes not only that she won’t go home anytime soon but also that she’ll never look at others the same way she did before.”
Review:
This book was a trip. From page one the words punched me in the gut and made me take a step back. Not to mention that Danielle Esplin’s writing sounds like a professional. I found myself intrigued and yearning for more from page one, and that is something that has become very rare for me.
One of the main aspects that I seek out in a novel is whether the characters are well developed, and that was something that I was able to see easily with Esplin’s writing. She clearly understands her characters and all aspects of them. I found myself worrying and carrying for each character, and I was afraid to put the book down in fear of letting them go. They were so complex and realistic, and Esplin captured the flawed human experience perfectly. I didn’t feel like any of her characters were too perfect or unreachable, and that allowed me to connect to them on a personal level.
In terms of story, Esplin mastered the mystery element of this novel. She made it clear that she always had more information than the reader was presented with at times, and I was excited to find out that she didn’t give all of her story’s information away right away. She was the master of her story, and that is something that I rarely see anymore.
Surprisingly, I don’t get approached with many contemporary novels to review, and reading Give It Back was a breath of fresh air. I absolutely love when novels are separated into chapters with different character perspectives, and Esplin’s novel completely demonstrates the writing tip I posted earlier this week about handling different perspectives. Her writing was golden and flawless and I could go on and on about it.
If you are looking for a wonderful contemporary novel with flawed characters and intense mystery, then this novel is the one for you. I will gladly read it again and recommend it to others as much as I can.
FOR BOOK REVIEW REQUESTS FILL OUT FORM: Book Review Request Form
IF BOOK REQUEST WEBSITE IS DOWN EMAIL: peachykeenreviews@gmail.com
SIGN UP FOR GO INDIE NOW! MONTHLY BOOK BOX: Go Indie Now!
WOULD YOU LIKE AN AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF MY BOOKS? REQUEST HERE
*Donations are more than welcome and help me to keep my reviews and marketing services free. Please help me to keep my blog going! All donations will receive a gift.*
May 25, 2016
FLASH SALE! 30% Off of Your First Go Indie Now! Box
Hello Everyone!
We have a new logo! Also, in celebration of Memorial Day I am offering a flash sale for 30% off of your first box! Use the code “MEMORIALDAY30” through May 30 to reap the benefits!
All subscriptions ordered by June 10 will start receiving their subscription with the June Historical Fiction Box.
Thank you all for all of your support!
Ashley
FOR BOOK REVIEW REQUESTS FILL OUT FORM: Book Review Request Form
IF BOOK REQUEST WEBSITE IS DOWN EMAIL: peachykeenreviews@gmail.com
SIGN UP FOR GO INDIE NOW! MONTHLY BOOK BOX: Go Indie Now!
WOULD YOU LIKE AN AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF MY BOOKS? REQUEST HERE
*Donations are more than welcome and help me to keep my reviews and marketing services free. Please help me to keep my blog going! All donations will receive a gift.*
Writing Tip #6 – Handling Multiple Perspectives
Hello everyone,
Yay! It’s time for another writing tip! I’m sorry these tips haven’t been posted as routinely as I would like them to be, but things have been insane in the membrane and I promise I will try harder to post them on a regular basis. That being said here I am, ready to give you another important writing tip that will be gold for those who love writing from different character perspectives.
Have you ever read a book where every chapter is from a different character’s perspective? Does Game of Thrones ring a bell?
Yes, well, this technique is not as easy as one might think. The more books I read, the more I see authors who have almost come to grips with handling the different characters and their perspectives, but more often than not authors tend to make all of the character perspectives sound the same. This is an unfortunate trap when an author is trying to come to grips with the different abilities and experiences of each character, and in turn, the characters become two-dimensional instead of three-dimensional. My advice is that if you want to write a book with chapters surrounding the perspectives of different characters, create specific profiles of each character and describe the tone of voice they would have in person when talking or telling their stories. I also highly suggest that you read the different chapters out loud as well to make sure that each chapter and character has their own voice. The point of writing a novel with chapters from the perspectives of different characters is to present the stories of different characters, as well as portraying the motives and backgrounds of them as well, and you need to make sure that using a certain character’s perspective will add to the story and not confuse the reader.
Use the Three Character Rule
If you want to use the different perspectives of different characters, I would suggest to you to use the three character rule. Don’t use more than three perspectives from three different characters. Doing so can confuse the reader, and you as an author, and above all else you want your novel to be understandable not only in your head, but for your reader. Before writing a novel using the different perspectives of different characters, make a story map outlining your story, but then make three additional maps to work out the perspective of your story from the three different character perspectives. I also suggest that you have certain elements known to only certain characters in your story so that their tone and perspective has purpose. Only use the perspectives that you need, and leave the other characters be.
Use the three rule once again and determine: 1) If a character’s memories are of use to you, 2) if a character’s tone is of use to you, and 3) your story can’t be told or understood without the perspective of the character. If the answer is yes to all three of those specifics, then go ahead and use the first person perspective, but keep as many characters as you can in third person. For the characters who you are using in first person, make sure to label each chapter under the name of that character who will be speaking. Keep your story clean and understandable, and your writing will be golden.
If you have any questions regarding this tip, please feel free to email me!
Much love,
Ashley
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