S.K. Nicholls's Blog, page 37
September 19, 2014
Beta Readers Rock My World!
I’ve been checking up on the blogs I follow closely, but I haven’t been doing much blogging myself. My world had been consumed by beta reads and edits. It’s not really a chore. It’s rather fun to see how the variety in readers is represented through their fresh visions of my work.
After a year and a half, I received my first one star review on “Red Clay and Roses” yesterday.
It was really simple. Ten words. But that was all they really needed to say and guess what?
I get it! And I sincerely appreciated this:
“Story was too segmented and I felt a little confusing.”
I have admitted from the get-go that that this book is different. It was not written by a standard formulaic novel template. There is an Introduction, Part One, Part Two and a Conclusion that are all unique in writing style, POV, and person. Most people are going to be able to go with it and some not. That’s okay.
I’m, of course, disappointed that I let a reader down so badly that they felt a one star was necessary. We always are. That’s a sad note.
What am I doing about it this time that’s different?
Beta Readers!
I learned about beta readers from my blogging friend authors and I have to tell you they are invaluable. You get to learn so much from a cross-section of the population that isn’t family who are invested in you emotionally.
I started out with nine and worked through five readers notes, so far It’s been a wonderful experience. Here’s some questions being answered:
Are you satisfied with the plot and characters?
Were there points you could really relate to personally?
Were there points you couldn’t relate to?
What did you enjoy most?
At what points did you feel frustrated? Why?
Do you feel satisfied with the last act?
Can you summarize the book in a few sentences? How did the book make you feel after?
These are all things your family is going to struggle with, but good beta readers shoot from the hip and tell you like it is. One of the nicest things about beta reading is that you get to go back and forth with the reader to discuss the book without any fear of ruining it for others with spoilers.
I don’t have any grandiose delusions that I can pump out a novel that is going to be perfect on the first or second draft, or even on the fifth draft. Truth is: readers all have their own life experiences and knowledge base. Some are highly skilled and talented when it comes to writing and some are novice writers who simply enjoy a good read. I love you all!
We need to hear from all of you before we try to market to the world at large. That’s why I am glad that I have more than a couple of betas.
“Naked Alliances” is a much better product today than it was back on June 8th, when I completed the first draft, and I could not have done it without you!
I am eternally grateful for the help I have had so far and look forward to the feedback from the next four.
Do you use beta readers?
What’s your experience with later drafts and editing?
Have you ever read a draft for someone who hasn’t yet published?
Share you experiences.
Filed under: Writing Process/WIPs Tagged: beta readers, help, writer, writer aides
September 17, 2014
Legends of Windemere Campaign on Thunderclap
Help support a fellow author! This may be something you’d like to try yourself.
Originally posted on Legends of Windemere:
Help Support Legends of Windemere on Thunderclap! Deadline is OCTOBER 4th!
Please lend a hand and help me reach 100 supporters by the deadline. It’s a great way for anyone who wants to campaign for anything to get a blast of support, but it only works if I reach or surpass my goal of 100.
If you have Facebook, Twitter, and/or Tumblr then CLICK ON THE PICTURE BELOW!
CLICK HERE!
Filed under: Uncategorized
September 16, 2014
Here is my interview with Pamela Beckford
Originally posted on authorsinterviews:
Name Pamela Beckford
Age Not as old as dirt, but closer than I would like
Where are you from – northern Indiana
A little about your self `ie your education Family life etc
I have never left my hometown, a small rural community in northern Indiana. It was a great place to raise my daughter. Of course, she wasted no time in leaving and moving to a large city. Sigh. I have an adorable five year old grandson. I know everyone says that, but really he is adorable. He actually has done some modelling (it helps that my daughter is a fashion designer and has been able to expose him to many photographers).
Fiona: Tell us your latest news?
I published my third book in July this year. What an exciting adventure this has been.
Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?
I started writing poetry about 18 months…
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September 15, 2014
Book Review: One Way Fare: Null City by Barb Taub
This past week I was thumbing through my Kindle app on my iPhone looking through my TBR list for something to read over the weekend. There is a lovely lady, Barb Taub, whose blog I have followed quite some time. Coincidently, there is a guest post by her today on How to Tell if You’re a Writer here on A Woman’s Wisdom blog.
She has a series out called Null City, and I thought it sounded very interesting, so that’s what I went with. And what fun! There was a tiny bit of “Alice in Wonderland” or maybe “Alice Through the Looking Glass” type of feel to it in the manner in which some of the ancillary characters are introduced. (Some of my most favorite stories of all times BTW.)
Barb Taub has a way of making you laugh out loud even when she’s not trying to be funny…oh, I don’t know, maybe she is trying, but it comes across so very casually that it sneaks up on you and grabs you in the ribs. I mean what would life be like in Hell if you couldn’t order a Grande Caramel Macchiato, right?
“One Way Fare: Null City Book One” is a contemporary fantasy and it is fantastic. The author’s humor and wit come out in both the character dialogue and the narration. The plot is clever, and convoluted, which made for a very interesting read. There is time travel, (2012, 1972, 1890’s) and history, beyond ancient, the time goes back to the very origin of the universe…what could have, might have occurred, in the realm of heaven and hell. Sounds heavy, but with its modern day references it is a very light and often funny read.
Creatively fascinating, cleverly constructed characters Gaby and Leila, endowed with their own unique talents, are on a mission to save the world, but angels, Watchers and Fallen, have their own Courts, and Gifts and Haven are at war, complicating the mission. Flaws become assets. The supporting characters were just as much fun as the main ones. Perfect touches of romance sweeten the story. Null City is supposed to be a place of refuge but the costs are dear.
The writing is clean and well done. I enjoyed the reading. If you are looking for something that stimulates the imagination and challenges your concept of reality, take an exciting ride on the METRO and explore. I’m looking forward to the next read: “Don’t Touch: Null City Book Two”.
5 of 5 Stars
One Way Fare (Null City Book 1)
September 14, 2014
Two Read Tuesday Opportunities for Readers and Authors
Fast approaching Read Tuesday Time! Authors, do you have books to promote?
Originally posted on ReadTuesday:
readtuesday.com
READ TUESDAY, 1ST OPPORTUNITY
In an effort to promote reading, we will create one post on Tuesdays (not necessarily every Tuesday) from now until the big event on Tuesday, December 9, featuring selected promotions that help to inspire interest in reading.
We will feature:
books with special, short-term promotional pricing
new releases available for pre-order
Each book featured must:
inspire interest in reading
be relevant to teens, tweens, or children
have content that is parent-approved
(Not what you’re looking for? Scroll down below for the second opportunity, which includes books for adults as well as younger audiences.)
Novels are okay, as long as they are suitable for teens or younger audiences.
This promotion is designed to help parents who are looking for material that may inspire their kids to read.
This promotion is also good for authors who write books that they hope will inspire kids to read.
The…
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September 13, 2014
Always wanted to write a romance novel?
Got a romance novel on the back burner? Check this out!
Originally posted on readful things blog:
Always wanted to write a romance novel? Well here is your chance. With this amazing contest from Harlequin you now have the opportunity, along with the ultimate author’s publishing prize up for grabs. Check out the information below and then go to the so you think you can write website to join up.
You can see the itinerary for the Harlequin boot-camp, online conference, events here.
Rules and regulations for the contest can be found here.
Ready to take up the gauntlet? Then click on the image below to join up now. Good luck!
Filed under: Uncategorized
September 11, 2014
Sword of Destiny – Anniversary offer
Originally posted on Daily Echo:
While I wander the moors on which Sword of Destiny is set this weekend, the book celebrates its first year; a Kindle offer will be running for three days from 12th to 14th September. Sword of Destiny will be available for download for 0.99 during the whole of the promotion.
Available on Amazon UK and Amazon US
When I was a child I tramped the moors of Yorkshire with my mother, my grandfather and my great-grandfather. I listened to them weave the tales that brought the landscape to life. Tales of boggarts and barguests,sleeping giants and the Old Ones who walk between the worlds.
They spoke, especially my great-grandparents, with the rich dialect that is being lost, as are many of the old tales. I started writing a story, weaving the legends and the landscape I love into an adventure, preserving them for other eyes to discover in imagination. I…
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How a Novel Can Be Like a Memoir: Guest Blogger SK Nicholls
The lovely Luanne has allowed me to post a guest post on her Writer Site blog. Luanne posts a great deal about memoir writing and memoirs, so this post is about how Red Clay and Roses, a roman a clef, and memoirs compare and contrast.
Originally posted on Writer Site:
I read the novel Red Clay and Roses by blogger S.K. Nicholls. In addition to its engaging, well-told story, the book intrigued me with its historic detail and accuracy. When S.K. and I discussed the real life story behind the book, I saw that the line between a novel and a nonfiction genre, such as memoir, is not always that well-defined. In this case, thank goodness!
So I asked S.K. to talk about the historical nature of her book, without using any spoilers–and here she is!
By the way, you’re going to want to check out her book for yourself!
***
The lovely Luanne has invited me here to her very neat and pleasant blog to tell you a little bit about how writing a roman à clef relates to writing a memoir. I’m a little disorganized. I’ll try not to mess things up too much while I’m here.
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September 10, 2014
Inspiring Spaces Blog Hop: Share What Ignites Your Creativity
This blog hop about writer’s writing spaces was started by Cate Russell-Cole
The lovely Jade Reyner and the lovely Leigh Michaels tagged me for it. Thanks, Jade and Leigh!
Writers:
~ where do they work and
~ what can’t they write without?
I’ve posted my writing space before. It’s still a mess. It is a corner of my combination den and dining room. My husband’s desk sits to the left of mine and sometimes we bump rolling chairs when he is home. My doggies are often under the desk, keeping my feet warm.
I have neon lights on above the desk. This one shows a man in a sombrero sitting on a key. It means Siesta Key, where my husband lived as a teen. The pennant is hiding the Miller Light sign under the palm tree to keep my husband from craving a beer.
While I sit at my desk to write, there is a lot more thinking than writing most days and I sit on the porch to do that. I have a corner of an old ragged wicker sofa where I’m comfortable. I also read out there, often into the night. The towels are there because I am in and out of the pool. Sorry about the brown, straggly palm tree. It was once green and lush. The County Extension Office told me to spray soapy water on it to kill a white fungus that was attacking it. It killed the fungus, but it nearly killed the palm. There is some new growth, so I’m leaving it alone to heal itself.
This is my view from my spot on the sofa. My tropical garden on the other side of the pool. I call it The Jungle. It inspires me to write regional fiction like the neon palm tree and waves do over my desk. Writing involves a lot of thinking, so I am out here as much as I am at my desk. Thank goodness for ceiling fans. It’s my private oasis in the midst of Orlando and has a twenty foot greenwall and an eight foot privacy fence so I can swim nude. Sometimes, I bring the bird out so I can listen to him sing.
What I can’t do without? Coffee, lots and lots of coffee. I keep a pot going all day then top it off with an ice cold margarita at night followed by a handful of psychotropic meds. It’s what keeps me sane. The chemical cocktail surging through me from morning till bedtime is surely a significant factor in my capacity for creativity. With my mental disorder, you don’t want to know me 100% sober.
You’ve been tagged!
Filed under: Writing Process/WIPs Tagged: blog hop, writing spaces
A must read if you want your Gravatar to work for you!
I am reblogging this post because I have some new regulars and I would like to be able to follow you back easily. Many don’t know how to set up the gravatar to work for you in this regard. I hope this helps!
Originally posted on S.K. Nicholls:
Are you lost in the cyberspace of the blogosphere? Most everybody knows what a Gravatar is, right? It’s that little image you inserted that tells people who you are. However, if you “like” something on my page, but you have not commented, I have no way to check out your site to see who you are. (BTW, if I have a lot of likes/comments on something, the notifications box has probably scrolled you away before I had time to check you out, especially if I wasn’t sitting by the computer.Checking archives can be a pain.)
Make it easy for me! We might could become good friends and have a nifty online relationship…if I can find you.
So help me out, if you have not done this already! I would love to check out your stuff, chances are, if you “liked” mine, I would “like” yours, too.
Go to…
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