Sage Nestler's Blog, page 74

Writing Tip #3 – Know Your Characters

When I was seventeen, I worked with a publisher who specifically worked to publish young people.  She was published herself and full of information.  She would take my work and write pages and pages of revisions that she suggested.  It is from those pages and pages of revisions and tips that I bring you the next, most important writing tip according to her:

KNOW YOUR CHARACTERS!

Now, what exactly does knowing your characters mean?  Do you think that you have a solid foundation for each and every one of your characters?

Okay, then let me ask you this: do you know what your characters’ favorite food is?

If not, then please read on.

When I first started writing, I filled out the basic character profiles listing what they looked liked, what their personality was like, and where they lived.  But my mentor (the woman I referred to above) always drilled into me that those specifics are not enough.  In order to create characters in which your reader will be able to connect to, you must know them like the back of your hand.

Think about how brilliant you are, you created people in your mind!  How can you not know every little thing about them?  Well, that’s just it.  You DO know every little thing about each character that you have ever created, you just have not dug deep enough into them yet.

When you have well developed characters, and you know every little thing about them, you not only help yourself as a writer by having a lot of different situations where you can put them in based on their histories and personalities, but they will intensify your story by creating many different angles.  For example, think about how successful Cassandra Clare and J. K. Rowling are.  Now, think about all of their different characters.  They know their characters from inside out and were able to create huge series around them because on the depth that they provided.  My best advice is to create characters that you want to keep writing, and can keep writing, because of all of the information you have on them.  Don’t make it so that the reader knows everything about them in one book.  Make characters that will keep developing and growing.  Even if you want to only write one book with these characters, you will always have the opportunity to go back and expand the series further.

Some of the best places to start with character development are to write backstories on them.  Readers love backstories, and by understanding the backstories of your characters you will be able to understand their motives and where they come from.  From there, go on and write about their families, past/present loves, and even the smallest details such as their favorite foods, likes/dislikes, and their aspirations.

I hope that this article helped you, and I am currently working on an in depth character profile worksheet that I would love to send anyone who would like to work on their character development.

Email me at peachykeenreviews@gmail.com if you are interested and I will send you the worksheet!

Also, if you need any further advice on writing or help with character planning, feel free to comment below or email me and I will work with you one on one.

Much love,

Ashley

 

 

No Net by Noah Nichols – 4/5

Title: No Net

Author: Noah Nichols

Rating: 4/5

Purchase: No Net on Amazon

Synopsis:

“What would you do if the Internet mysteriously vanished? NO NET is the ambitious novel that explores how little or how much people care about the beloved World Wide Web. Spanning across 20 APPs with a hearty assortment of varied characters, this fictional tale begs you to just take a moment and think about how deep we’ve all been sinking in a digital quicksand…”

“No Net” was an interesting novel.  The concept of the internet vanishing was complex, but I felt that the characters could have been developed better.  After the astounding first chapter (which I mistakenly read at home, alone, in the dark, at night), I felt as though the rest of the novel seemed to decline rapidly.  I didn’t feel connected to the rest of the characters, and I grew irritated by the dialogue.  Teenagers do tend to speak in a different language than adults, but I felt that the dialogue of the teenagers was too juvenile.  I also didn’t believe that the entire population would all run outside and freak out just because one of their technological devices “lost signal”.

Nichols did verbalize that he wanted his novel to be a discussion platform for everyone to think about how attached to technology they are, but I felt that the message was lost in the catty dialogue and shallow characters.  In order for this novel to succeed in creating a discussion with its readers, the characters need to be likable to some extent and the plot needs to be believable.  In order for this novel to be better, I would suggest changing the plot so that the characters slowly begin to go crazy after days of not having the internet.

Nichols is a gifted author, however.  His first chapter blew me away, and I did feel as though I were reading a best seller of a very successful author.  An example of his beautiful language is as follows:

“It was encompassing everything, merging the human being and the machine into an unrecognizable slab of dark matter.”

If he can match his novel to be as intense as that first chapter, he will go far.  I also liked how the chapters were called “APPs” instead of chapters.  This added a fun layout to the novel, as well as the various artwork included in the chapters.  I do see how our world is so obsessed with the internet and electronics and I do see how it can cause many people to suffer in their relationships with others.  I think that the following description that Nichols presented on how obsessed people are with the internet is accurate:

“It was the type of behavior you’d expect from an out-of-control alcoholic if you permanently took away everything booze-related.  Or if you took all drugs away from a toothless and habitual junkie.  It was that bad.”

If you are looking for a book that will make you think, then this book is the one.  It is very unique and I have not read another novel with the same premise.  I think that this novel would be most beneficial for young readers to be confronted with how technology is negatively affecting their lives.  Noah Nichols is a thinker and it shows in his work.  If he can just update the dialogue and allow the reader to like the characters and connect to them, his book will be more believable.

Why I LOVE Indie Authors/Books

Hello Everyone!

I’m sorry for posting so much lately, I just have so much to say!  I am filled with such love for all of you and the indie author/book movement as a whole and I wanted to share with you the reason why.

I am a twenty something college student who was first published in 2013 during my senior year of high school.  I continually slaved away at sending query letters to agents, hoping and praying to find someone who would accept my work and help me get traditionally published.  I wanted to spread my work with the world in the biggest way possible and I felt that being traditionally published would help me achieve this.

But that was not the case.

I got rejected time and time again, and I would be lying if I said that it didn’t damper my passion for writing and my characters and stories as a whole.   I felt that no one wanted to read my stories and that they weren’t even good enough to be looked at.  I started to lose my passion to spread my writing around, and stopped writing for awhile because I just couldn’t get over the rejection.  But that was when I found the indie author community.

Never have I felt so included and loved by a community, even an online one.  Ever since I have become active in the community and have had my two books self published I have now regained my passion and my love for my stories and characters.  Being in the community has helped me to understand the problems with both of my books (editing, mostly) and has allowed me to act on them and not feel ashamed or as though I am a terrible writer.

But the best part of being an indie author and a reviewer has been being able to read all of your stories and understand how passionate you are about them. I know how much time and effort you all have put into your work, and I take my reviews very seriously.  For many of us, the stories we have published were worked on for years before they were finalized and they deserve to be heard.

When I read indie novels, I feel as though I am reading the soul of the author and I handle it very carefully.  Indie books are not “lesser”, and in my opinion they have had more opportunity to thrive because they aren’t revised and edited in order to match the current market.  They are free, just as all novels should be.

I just want you all to know how much I love you, both the writers and the readers, and that I urge anyone who hasn’t considered indie books to go out and pick one up right this second.  I guarantee that you won’t be disappointed, and if you need recommendations, then absolutely contact me at peachykeenreviews@gmail.com and I will have a mouthful for you.  I can also direct you to the authors themselves who can prove to you just how important their work is to them.

Thank you all for reading my blog and trusting me with your books.  And thank you to the readers who care enough to read the reviews I write and take the novels reviewed into consideration.  No one is to be excluded from this community, and please know that I am here for anything you need, even if it is just someone to talk to.

Much love,

Ashley

P.S. Please join the indie author movement.  Check out: Indie Books Be Seen

FOR BOOK REVIEW REQUESTS FILL OUT FORM: Book Review Request Form 

IF BOOK REQUEST WEBSITE IS DOWN EMAIL: peachykeenreviews@gmail.com

*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.*

Review/Interview/Win Update

Hello Lovelies[image error]

This week I will be posting reviews for No Net by Noah Nichols and Everyone Dies at the End by Riley Westbrook.  I will also have Writing Tip #3 up on Wednesday!

I have also won the 2016 Fantasy Jack Pot at the Brain to Books Con and am EXTREMELY excited to receive all of the books included in the win.  Once I have all of them in my hot little hands I will be making a post with all books that were included in the jackpot.

In the meantime, please join me on Facebook.  I will be posting information for other notable authors you must check out.

I also still have 27 spots open for interviews this summer for the month of June.  If you are an author and would like to be featured during my Summer Author Interview Month, please email me at peachykeenreviews@gmail.com!  I would love to speak to you.

~Ashley

 

Brain to Books 2016 Con Wrap Up

Hello Everyone[image error]

Today is the last day of the Brain to Books Con and I wanted to write a wrap up of the convention and the books that I have received from other authors and have purchased myself.

I also wanted to post a last minute opportunity for anyone who reads this blog post.  The first edition of my novel “Into The Fog” is up on Smashwords as I have taken it off of Amazon until I get the second edition published, and I would love to gift the first edition to anyone interested.  I am not expecting anything in return, I just want to spread my work around!  If you are interested in “Into The Fog” please email me at peachykeenreviews@gmail.com or comment below with an email address that I can send the ebook to.

List of All Books Received at Con:

Broken by Angela B. Chrysler

Song at Dawn by Jean Gill

The Cogsmith’s Daughter by Kate Colby

Beasts and Savages by Emma Woods

Rhuna by Barbara Underwood

Lantern by Chess Desalls

Existence by A. F. Stewart

Descent by Tiffany

The Northern Queen by Kelly Evans

The Heartbeat Thief by Ash Krafton

These are all books that I will be writing reviews of here on the blog and I may be posting interviews from the authors as well!

Thank you to everyone who stopped by my booth and has considered my own novels!  The two giveaways that I have going will be up until April 30th.

TIME TURNER GIVEAWAY

INTO THE FOG GIVEAWAY – 1st edition

That’s all for today everyone!  Have a great rest of your Sunday[image error]

~Ashley

INTO THE FOG GIVEAWAY – 1st edition

WANT TO WIN A COPY OF INTO THE FOG?

In celebration of the Brain to Books convention I am giving away a paperback copy of the first edition of my novel “Into The Fog”! This novel is set to release in a new edition in the coming months, but I am giving away the current copy as a collectible item. It will be signed by me and come with a personal letter describing all of the ideas and effort that went into it, as well as why it is such a precious story to me.

TO ENTER:

Like Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Ashley-Nestl…

Follow My Blog: https://peachykeenbookreviews.wordpre…

THEN, comment that you have done so below.

I will be announcing the winner on April 30th!

Thank you everyone and much love,

Ashley

INTO THE FOG AND TIME TURNER GIVEAWAYS

Happy Second Day of Brain to Books Con Everyone!

In celebration of the event and all of those who have supported me as an author and book reviewer, I am giving away a time turner necklace!

All I am asking is that you follow my blog: Peachy Keen Book Reviews

And like my Facebook page: Ashley Nestler on Facebook

After you have done so, please comment on this post so that I know you have met each requirement.

GIVEAWAY ENDS ON APRIL 30TH

Thanks everyone,

Ashley

FOR BOOK REVIEW REQUESTS FILL OUT FORM: Book Review Request Form 

IF BOOK REQUEST WEBSITE IS DOWN EMAIL: peachykeenreviews@gmail.com

*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.*

TIME TURNER GIVEAWAY

Happy Second Day of Brain to Books Con Everyone!

In celebration of the event and all of those who have supported me as an author and book reviewer, I am giving away a time turner necklace!

All I am asking is that you follow my blog: Peachy Keen Book Reviews

And like my Facebook page: Ashley Nestler on Facebook

After you have done so, please comment on this post so that I know you have met each requirement.

GIVEAWAY ENDS ON APRIL 30TH

Thanks everyone,

Ashley

Windcatcher: Book 1 of the Stone War Chronicles by A.J. Norfield – 5/5

Title: Windcatcher: Book 1 of the Stone Way Chronicles

Author: A.J. Norfield

Rating: 5/5

Purchase: Amazon Link

Synopsis: 

“Far away from home, under the command of his brother, Raylan and his squad must retrieve an ancient relic stolen from their kingdom’s trading partner—the Tiankong Empire.

Traveling deep into unknown enemy territory to complete their mission, Raylan learns that the ancient relic holds unexpected life; a creature buried in legends, one not seen in their world for more than two hundred years.

With their enemies closing in, Raylan and his friends search, desperately, for a safe way home. Danger lurks around every corner: Warriors larger than any man, predators stalking them through the night and soldiers determined to hunt them down. Leaving them all little choice, except to keep moving as they plot and fight their way back to those awaiting their return.”

Review:

“Windcatcher: Stone War Chronicles – Book 1” captured my attention from beginning to end.  Many times fantasy, especially with delicate cultural topics, can end up being poorly researched and written, but this was not the case with this novel.  Instead, author A.J. Norfield had a strong grip on his story and the cultural aspects that it involved.  While reading the novel I felt that I could visualize the setting of the story through his descriptions and his own mind’s eye.  None of the descriptions were excessive or tiresome to read, and it showed me how mature a writer Norfield is.  A great example of his descriptions is as follows:

“But these new sounds were the unwelcome, the loud cracks of thick wood splitting apart.  They forcefully invaded his hearing as he felt his life slip away.  And as his heart gave its final beat and the world disappeared into nothingness, Master Wen realized – to his horror – the sanctum doors had not merely been opened…they had simply been shattered by a single punch.”

He is also a very compassionate person, and his dedication page warmed my heart:

“For my two greatest – and most wonderful – distractions in the world and she who takes care of them.”

However, my favorite part about this novel was the emphasis put on the mythical creature of the Dragon.  Using this mythological aspect and bringing it to life warmed my heart.  I have not read a novel that captured the essence of dragons as well as this book has, and mixing both cultural and mythological aspects gave this novel power.  On A.J. Norfield’s Goodreads page he talks about how he is trying to give life to a story he has had in his mind for years, and with this book he has done just that.  All of his characters are well developed, and the storyline wasn’t lacking in any way.  This novel is full of action and adventure and fantasy fans will eat it right up.  While reading this novel, I could easily see the storyline being converted into a movie because of how in depth it was.

I highly suggest this novel for mythology buffs as well as fantasy fans, and I will be reading the sequels in this series as well.  This series is bound to go far.

 

Come Visit Me at the Brain to Books Convention!

Hello Everyone!

If you have read my previous post, you are aware that a fabulous online book convention is going on write this moment featuring over 300 authors.  Each author has their own “booth” (discussion thread) and there are multiple giveaways, author interviews, and other fun events going on.

I have a booth at the convention myself: Link to My Booth

As well as a side attraction inviting you to follow my blog and like my Facebook page.  If you do both of these things I will advertise you and your writing for free to help you gain a bigger audience: Link to Side Attraction

Come visit me and reach out!  I am looking forward to talking to and meeting all of you.  Let’s make this community grow.

Excited to talk to all of you,

Ashley