S.A. Larsen's Blog, page 38
August 12, 2015
IWSG~What's Eating Your Writing Time?
It's been an eventful few weeks. Eventful meaning all that's eaten up my writing (and blogging) time. Granted, some of it is justified.
In case you've never seen a beach in Maine, here's
Old Orchard Beach or better known as #OOB.We took a much needed family vacation last week. Walked the beach, did some reading, and hung out with my younger brother's family. The week prior was eaten up by preparing our two oldest sons for college. And this week, thus far, is being gobbled up by two funerals. I was able to eek in some editing/writing during that previous week to prepare my MG manuscript for submission.
Me & the hubs being silly.That leads me to more of this week's blogging time being already occupied. I'm subbing, so I might not be around a ton. My brain is also starting to ponder marketing ideas for my YA release next fall. But that will wait. I've been so swamped that I never even released my IWSG post. What the???? I've never missed before, so I'm hoping this boatload of wisdom I'm sharing counts. ;)
Basically: What eats most of your writing time? I'm talking about scheduled writing time. Do you find yourself distracted? If so, by what? That's my IWSG fear - I become so distracted by whatever that I lag myself out. Yup, just used that phrase and I actually like it.
The purpose of the IWSG is to share and encourage, posting on the first Wednesday of each month. You'll find writer doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Support and a common understanding spread throughout the group as many fellow writers can relate. Feel free to JOIN in anytime. 
In case you've never seen a beach in Maine, here'sOld Orchard Beach or better known as #OOB.We took a much needed family vacation last week. Walked the beach, did some reading, and hung out with my younger brother's family. The week prior was eaten up by preparing our two oldest sons for college. And this week, thus far, is being gobbled up by two funerals. I was able to eek in some editing/writing during that previous week to prepare my MG manuscript for submission.
Me & the hubs being silly.That leads me to more of this week's blogging time being already occupied. I'm subbing, so I might not be around a ton. My brain is also starting to ponder marketing ideas for my YA release next fall. But that will wait. I've been so swamped that I never even released my IWSG post. What the???? I've never missed before, so I'm hoping this boatload of wisdom I'm sharing counts. ;)Basically: What eats most of your writing time? I'm talking about scheduled writing time. Do you find yourself distracted? If so, by what? That's my IWSG fear - I become so distracted by whatever that I lag myself out. Yup, just used that phrase and I actually like it.
The purpose of the IWSG is to share and encourage, posting on the first Wednesday of each month. You'll find writer doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Support and a common understanding spread throughout the group as many fellow writers can relate. Feel free to JOIN in anytime.
July 28, 2015
Need Me Some Zombies! A Great MG Read & Giveaway!
Welcome to the Paperback Release Blitz forLast Siege of Haven (Undertakers 4) by Ty Drago
presented by Month9Books!
Looking for a great zombie read? Enter the giveaway at the end of the post for your chance to win!
Last Siege of Haven (Undertakers #4) byTy Drago
Publisher: Month9Books, LLC.Age Group: 12 & upPages: 250
Description: While away on an undercover mission, Undertaker Will Ritter has made an unthinkable alliance...with a Corpse! But though Robert Dillin (aka 'The Zombie Prince') is indeed one of those alien invaders who animate and possess the bodies of the dead -- unlike the rest of his kind, Dillin isn't evil. In fact, he wants to help. And Will needs that help, because the Queen of the Dead has learned the location of Haven, the Undertakers' secret HQ, and is planning a massive and deadly assault.
With the last day of the Corpse War finally upon them, Will and his friends find themselves in a desperate race to close the Rift between worlds and forever kill the Corpses. But can they do before Haven is overrun?
For that matter, can they do it at all?
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | TBD | Chapters | BAM | IndieBound | iBooks<<Care for a teaser? Then by all means read on! >>
“Follow me,” I said. “All of you!”
We headed down the alley toward the rear parking lot.
That’s when a figure stepped in front of us, blocking our exit.
A Corpse. But not just anyCorpse.
The principal.
Robert Dillin.
“Mr. Kessler,” he said. He was a Type One. Very fresh and very strong, his stolen body probably dead less than a week. I didn’t see too many Type Ones. The Corpses found them hard to come by. The fact that Dillin wore one suggested that he ranked high among the Malum.
Leader caste.
I held up my Taser and readied myself for his attack.
It didn’t come.
“No need for that, young man,” the deader remarked. Then he said something that I would never in a million years have imagined coming out of a Corpse’s mouth.
“I’m here to help you.”
Author Links: Website | Twitter | Facebook | GoodreadsTy Drago does his writing just across the river from Philadelphia, where the Undertakers novels take place. In addition to The Undertakers: Rise of the Corpses,The Undertakers: Queen of the Dead, and The Undertakers: Secret of the Corpse Eater, he is the author of The Franklin Affair and Phobos, as well as short stories and articles that have appeared in numerous publications, including Writer’s Digest. He currently lives in southern New Jersey with his wife and best friend, the real Helene Drago née Boettcher.
Complete the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win!a Rafflecopter giveaway What's the last scary, spooky, horror sort of story you've read?
July 22, 2015
You Want To See Parent Trauma?
It's been a while since I shared a Sherism with you. So here's to one from my mommy files.
Now, as you read this please keep in mind that I am 1. no expert and 2. the mother of four children - both male and female, currently ranging in ages from 11 years old to 21 years old. I've experienced ... well ... as much parent trauma as the next guy. ;)
Some of you may recognize this image. It's of a restaurant owner from Portland, Maine - my home state and city I lived in while in college. You may have already heard about the incident linked with this image - this woman (said restaurant owner) yelled at a screaming child after the child's parents allegedly did nothing to control (or console, depending on how you look at it), her.
It's been on CBS & NBC News, all our state's larger newspapers and news programs, all social media, and even a subject of debate within Consumerist.com. But unbelievably, it's not on YouTube (or at least I couldn't find it). Thus I can't share the video feed with you. You can click on the links above to get that, though.
Communities at-large have numerous opinions about how this woman - running a business - chose to handle the situation. Some praises for her actions could be heard from the top of the Appalachian Trail. These voices claim it's about time someone took a stand against young children acting out in public - which is really a cry for their parents to set boundaries for their kids - aka Sherism #1. Other voices firmly condemn her for verbal abuse of a young child and crossing the line.
Now I'm not saying she was fully just in the manor with which she yelled at the young toddler. Nor am I here to judge the child's parents in any way, shape, or form. I do not know anything about these young people. But in general, there must be exercised decency and delicacy when bringing young children in public.
Is there an invisible parental line in public in today's society?
I grew up in a small town within the confines of close-knit, nearby communities. No one would bat an eye if a child was scolded by an adult other than the child's parents. I'm not talking about yelling at a child to degrade him. But those times when mom and dad were either absent or distracted and didn't notice Little Jimmy stuffing a piece of candy in his pocket. In my youth, the adult would tell the child to put it back or even give a simple evil eye. And guess what? The child would comply. More importantly, the child learned that society is a whole and we are all in it together. Thus, if we all want to enjoy it, we must respect it. And the real kicker here is that the parents would thank the other adult for helping them out.
It takes a village to raise a child. Yeah, that's where that probably came from. A village. Not an overly, abusive, condescending, belittling, or accusatory village. But a village that guides for the betterment of all.
I will not lie. In today's world, this social ideology is much harder to achieve. There is deceit and crime all around us. The news is the most depressing and negative entity out there, spreading the hate and discontent of the few instead of nurturing the connected concern for humanity among most. Stranger danger is a norm in our children's vocabulary. You can't ride your bike to the playground with your buddies anymore and make a pit-stop at the corner store. Not everyone is out for the betterment of another; sadly, most are not. And honestly, if tomorrow another adult bellowed at my child, my gut reaction would be to swipe at the person with my momma bear claws.
The key: don't allow yourself or your child to be in that situation - if you can help it. Give them the tools right from their beginnings and be there to exercise those tools for them when they can't.
Parenting nightmares are well within my personal mothering lineage. Please, I have an ADHD kid with the high achiever let's-drive-myself-crazy gene, the Evil-Knievel kid with more broken bones and medical expenses then you want to know, the tomboy girl with a gift for athletics yet has suffered setbacks because of major foot-reconstructive surgeries on both feet, and the generation internet kid with no idea how to hold a conversation without a controller in his hand.
Let me use my ADHD kid as an example. (BTW - he's a senior in college with a 4.0. Keep your chins up, ADHD parents.)
Child #1 was label ADHD, when the label was only two years old and most people knew nothing about it. I had people telling me that if I spanked my son often he'd eventually learn to listen. People just didn't get it. We could have beat him with a bat and it wouldn't have helped. His brain didn't work that way.
Now let's gear this conversation to the incident above. Going in public with this kid for the first eleven years of his life was like going grocery shopping and bringing a pack of lions along. My head was on a constant swivel. My arms were windmills tugging, pressing, and keeping items on the shelves. He was always getting hurt or touching things.
One day when he was two years old and still our only child, he and I went to Church alone. After struggling to keep him in the pew for over half an hour, feeding him Cheerios and reading him books, I was exhausted. The straw that ripped the coat off the camel's back was when he pulled a shoe off the lady in front of us and threw it. I knew Church was not for him. At least, not for some time. Why? Because it wasn't fair to the other people trying to spend time with God. I was a pretty faithful Catholic, so it pained me to stop going. But I had to adjust. So, I set a boundary.
Going out to a restaurant was unheard of in my family until he was nine years old. Before that, he couldn't sit in a seat at a table, on a stool at a bar, or in a booth. He'd go limp at a table and then slide beneath until my poor husband would have to crawl under there to pull him out. It was way too much work for us and it was too disturbing to other patrons. So, I set a boundary.
I could go on and on with these experiences as well as others from my motherhood arsenal. That would just be redundant, because, in the end, they all revolve around the main theme of this post - setting boundaries - Sherism #1.
Setting boundaries for our children is not always pleasant, and it sure as heck is rarely convenient. Nonetheless, it MUST be done. Boundaries are teaching tools. There's nothing wrong with using them.
Now, as you read this please keep in mind that I am 1. no expert and 2. the mother of four children - both male and female, currently ranging in ages from 11 years old to 21 years old. I've experienced ... well ... as much parent trauma as the next guy. ;)
Some of you may recognize this image. It's of a restaurant owner from Portland, Maine - my home state and city I lived in while in college. You may have already heard about the incident linked with this image - this woman (said restaurant owner) yelled at a screaming child after the child's parents allegedly did nothing to control (or console, depending on how you look at it), her.It's been on CBS & NBC News, all our state's larger newspapers and news programs, all social media, and even a subject of debate within Consumerist.com. But unbelievably, it's not on YouTube (or at least I couldn't find it). Thus I can't share the video feed with you. You can click on the links above to get that, though.
Communities at-large have numerous opinions about how this woman - running a business - chose to handle the situation. Some praises for her actions could be heard from the top of the Appalachian Trail. These voices claim it's about time someone took a stand against young children acting out in public - which is really a cry for their parents to set boundaries for their kids - aka Sherism #1. Other voices firmly condemn her for verbal abuse of a young child and crossing the line.
Now I'm not saying she was fully just in the manor with which she yelled at the young toddler. Nor am I here to judge the child's parents in any way, shape, or form. I do not know anything about these young people. But in general, there must be exercised decency and delicacy when bringing young children in public.
Is there an invisible parental line in public in today's society?
I grew up in a small town within the confines of close-knit, nearby communities. No one would bat an eye if a child was scolded by an adult other than the child's parents. I'm not talking about yelling at a child to degrade him. But those times when mom and dad were either absent or distracted and didn't notice Little Jimmy stuffing a piece of candy in his pocket. In my youth, the adult would tell the child to put it back or even give a simple evil eye. And guess what? The child would comply. More importantly, the child learned that society is a whole and we are all in it together. Thus, if we all want to enjoy it, we must respect it. And the real kicker here is that the parents would thank the other adult for helping them out.
It takes a village to raise a child. Yeah, that's where that probably came from. A village. Not an overly, abusive, condescending, belittling, or accusatory village. But a village that guides for the betterment of all.
I will not lie. In today's world, this social ideology is much harder to achieve. There is deceit and crime all around us. The news is the most depressing and negative entity out there, spreading the hate and discontent of the few instead of nurturing the connected concern for humanity among most. Stranger danger is a norm in our children's vocabulary. You can't ride your bike to the playground with your buddies anymore and make a pit-stop at the corner store. Not everyone is out for the betterment of another; sadly, most are not. And honestly, if tomorrow another adult bellowed at my child, my gut reaction would be to swipe at the person with my momma bear claws.
The key: don't allow yourself or your child to be in that situation - if you can help it. Give them the tools right from their beginnings and be there to exercise those tools for them when they can't.
Parenting nightmares are well within my personal mothering lineage. Please, I have an ADHD kid with the high achiever let's-drive-myself-crazy gene, the Evil-Knievel kid with more broken bones and medical expenses then you want to know, the tomboy girl with a gift for athletics yet has suffered setbacks because of major foot-reconstructive surgeries on both feet, and the generation internet kid with no idea how to hold a conversation without a controller in his hand.
Let me use my ADHD kid as an example. (BTW - he's a senior in college with a 4.0. Keep your chins up, ADHD parents.)
Child #1 was label ADHD, when the label was only two years old and most people knew nothing about it. I had people telling me that if I spanked my son often he'd eventually learn to listen. People just didn't get it. We could have beat him with a bat and it wouldn't have helped. His brain didn't work that way.
Now let's gear this conversation to the incident above. Going in public with this kid for the first eleven years of his life was like going grocery shopping and bringing a pack of lions along. My head was on a constant swivel. My arms were windmills tugging, pressing, and keeping items on the shelves. He was always getting hurt or touching things.
One day when he was two years old and still our only child, he and I went to Church alone. After struggling to keep him in the pew for over half an hour, feeding him Cheerios and reading him books, I was exhausted. The straw that ripped the coat off the camel's back was when he pulled a shoe off the lady in front of us and threw it. I knew Church was not for him. At least, not for some time. Why? Because it wasn't fair to the other people trying to spend time with God. I was a pretty faithful Catholic, so it pained me to stop going. But I had to adjust. So, I set a boundary.
Going out to a restaurant was unheard of in my family until he was nine years old. Before that, he couldn't sit in a seat at a table, on a stool at a bar, or in a booth. He'd go limp at a table and then slide beneath until my poor husband would have to crawl under there to pull him out. It was way too much work for us and it was too disturbing to other patrons. So, I set a boundary.
I could go on and on with these experiences as well as others from my motherhood arsenal. That would just be redundant, because, in the end, they all revolve around the main theme of this post - setting boundaries - Sherism #1.
Setting boundaries for our children is not always pleasant, and it sure as heck is rarely convenient. Nonetheless, it MUST be done. Boundaries are teaching tools. There's nothing wrong with using them.
July 15, 2015
Dancing On Daisies
Not much to say today. Well, I do, but I'm still recovering from last week's planning of kid #2's high school graduation party. The party was this past Saturday. Loved it, but thankful it's over, too. I think I'm getting too old to be the triplets of Planning Peggy, Hostess Hannah, and Cleanup-Crew Christina. Phew.... I'm spent.
I did want to quickly chime in with a warm and humble
THANK YOU
for the amazing well-wishes, congratulations, and comments I received about my YA novel being acquired by a publisher. I was stunned at the number of folks who took time to comment on my post HERE, on Facebook, and on Twitter. My phone literally blew up all day long, and even for the next few days. The smile on my face was because of all of you.
Lastly, I'm here to thank those who entered my two giveaways and to announce the winners! Major congrats goes out to:
ELLEN MULHOLLANDWinner of All About YA Reading Package(nine YA books)andMISHA GERICKEAll About Writing Book Package(trio books from the Emotional Thesaurus series)If you will, share a time or experience in your life where you were touched by the support of others.
I did want to quickly chime in with a warm and humble
THANK YOU
for the amazing well-wishes, congratulations, and comments I received about my YA novel being acquired by a publisher. I was stunned at the number of folks who took time to comment on my post HERE, on Facebook, and on Twitter. My phone literally blew up all day long, and even for the next few days. The smile on my face was because of all of you.Lastly, I'm here to thank those who entered my two giveaways and to announce the winners! Major congrats goes out to:
ELLEN MULHOLLANDWinner of All About YA Reading Package(nine YA books)andMISHA GERICKEAll About Writing Book Package(trio books from the Emotional Thesaurus series)If you will, share a time or experience in your life where you were touched by the support of others.
July 8, 2015
My Wait Is Over ... And So Is Yours & A GIVEAWAY!
So, I've thought of about a bazillion ways to write this post.
Like a lot of you, I've dreamed of selling one of my manuscripts to a publisher for what feels like forever. In reality, it's been a mere blimp on the life scale. But, you know, I'm an impatient human. Waiting puffs.
image creditWaiting for my next turn on the slide during nursery school. Waiting for my next 'up' during a kickball game in elementary school. Waiting to hear if I made a team or the results of a test during junior high. And in high school ... well, we all know the waiting there was endless.
Then there was weeding through the gargantuan fields to find a serious boyfriend and waiting for the marriage proposal. The wedding itself took forever to arrive and was over in a swat of a hand at a fly. Then there was the pregnancy. Four, actually. Those took 4-stinking-ever to pass. My first labor was a hellish 38 1/2 hours, but who's counting? The other three weren't nearly as bad.
But now, my publishing wait is over. As I'm sure some of you have heard via Facebook, Ellysian Press has acquired my young adult paranormal romance, MARKED BEAUTY. I mean, it's not my first time being published. I've freelanced, written for newspapers and magazines, and I've had short stories see print. I've even been agented for over a year. But this wordage baby is different. It's mine and mine alone.
My heart flutters when I say that.
I do have plans to share this manuscript's journey with you and how it found a newer yet impress press. But that's for another day. For today, I only want to toss confetti and share my elation with you.
How am I going to do that, you ask? By giving away books!
Sometime ago, we had a local store go-out-of-business. I was fortunate enough to snatch up some scrumptious books. I've been waiting (no pun) to share them with you. I'm giving away two separate packages of books. The first, for one lucky winner, is:
All About YA Reading Package
Paperbacks: THIRTEEN REASONS WHY, CITY OF BONES
CITY OF GLASS
Hardcovers: HOLES, SHATTER ME, CRESCENDO,
DON'T JUDGE A GIRL BY HER COVER,
ONLY THE GOOD SPY YOUNG, & CLOCKWORK ANGELThe second, for one lucky winner, is:
All About Writing Book Package
Offered in winner's preferred eBook format
Because my Angela Ackerman & Becca Puglist are plain 'ole AWESOME!
I've created two separate giveaways, but feel free to enter both. And as always, spreading the word is much appreciated!!! Thank you in advance. I can't wait to share this new part of my writing journey with you. *No duplicate winners, though. If you happen to win both giveaways, I'll ask which you prefer and choose another winner. Only fair, folks!
a Rafflecopter giveaway a Rafflecopter giveaway
Share a snippet of your writing and/or publication journey with us!
Like a lot of you, I've dreamed of selling one of my manuscripts to a publisher for what feels like forever. In reality, it's been a mere blimp on the life scale. But, you know, I'm an impatient human. Waiting puffs.
image creditWaiting for my next turn on the slide during nursery school. Waiting for my next 'up' during a kickball game in elementary school. Waiting to hear if I made a team or the results of a test during junior high. And in high school ... well, we all know the waiting there was endless. Then there was weeding through the gargantuan fields to find a serious boyfriend and waiting for the marriage proposal. The wedding itself took forever to arrive and was over in a swat of a hand at a fly. Then there was the pregnancy. Four, actually. Those took 4-stinking-ever to pass. My first labor was a hellish 38 1/2 hours, but who's counting? The other three weren't nearly as bad.
But now, my publishing wait is over. As I'm sure some of you have heard via Facebook, Ellysian Press has acquired my young adult paranormal romance, MARKED BEAUTY. I mean, it's not my first time being published. I've freelanced, written for newspapers and magazines, and I've had short stories see print. I've even been agented for over a year. But this wordage baby is different. It's mine and mine alone.
My heart flutters when I say that.
I do have plans to share this manuscript's journey with you and how it found a newer yet impress press. But that's for another day. For today, I only want to toss confetti and share my elation with you.
How am I going to do that, you ask? By giving away books!
Sometime ago, we had a local store go-out-of-business. I was fortunate enough to snatch up some scrumptious books. I've been waiting (no pun) to share them with you. I'm giving away two separate packages of books. The first, for one lucky winner, is:
All About YA Reading Package
Paperbacks: THIRTEEN REASONS WHY, CITY OF BONESCITY OF GLASS
Hardcovers: HOLES, SHATTER ME, CRESCENDO,
DON'T JUDGE A GIRL BY HER COVER,
ONLY THE GOOD SPY YOUNG, & CLOCKWORK ANGELThe second, for one lucky winner, is:
All About Writing Book Package
Offered in winner's preferred eBook formatBecause my Angela Ackerman & Becca Puglist are plain 'ole AWESOME!
I've created two separate giveaways, but feel free to enter both. And as always, spreading the word is much appreciated!!! Thank you in advance. I can't wait to share this new part of my writing journey with you. *No duplicate winners, though. If you happen to win both giveaways, I'll ask which you prefer and choose another winner. Only fair, folks!
a Rafflecopter giveaway a Rafflecopter giveaway
Share a snippet of your writing and/or publication journey with us!
July 1, 2015
IWSG~Loud Insecurities
The purpose of the IWSG is to share and encourage, posting on the first Wednesday of each month. You'll find writer doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Support and a common understanding spread throughout the group as many fellow writers can relate. Feel free to JOIN in anytime.
AND today I'm glad to say that I'm one of IWSG's co-hosts! So very cool! I'm really excited to explore the IWSG cyberspace and welcome new visitors to Writer's Alley. But first, let me leave you with a thought about insecurities.
The world is not always a pretty place. We've seen it all, in programs, documentaries, on the evening news. (I haven't watched the news in years.) As authors, we write about it through jaded or damaged characters, settings, and worlds. We take diseases of the heart, mind, and soul, and smear them across the pages of our stories. Why?
Because what's wrong in the world links people of all sorts, rhymes, and reasons. It moves us, motivates us to stretch beyond our fickle, fragile, and finite humanity - all that makes us insecure.
So what would we be without insecurities?
If we were so positively sure of ourselves, in all things, we'd miss out on valuable opportunities to expand who we are as individuals and as the human race. BEcome more than we thought we could ever BE.
Maybe there's a reason what we lack inside is much louder than what we're sure of.
Some Alleyway Splatter: We have a new ISWG T-shirt! It was created by Jeremy Hawkins. Thanks so much Jeremy! Feel free to pay him a visit. I'm sure he'd love it. Just click on his name. If you'd like to purchase a shirt, simply go HERE!
AND today I'm glad to say that I'm one of IWSG's co-hosts! So very cool! I'm really excited to explore the IWSG cyberspace and welcome new visitors to Writer's Alley. But first, let me leave you with a thought about insecurities.
The world is not always a pretty place. We've seen it all, in programs, documentaries, on the evening news. (I haven't watched the news in years.) As authors, we write about it through jaded or damaged characters, settings, and worlds. We take diseases of the heart, mind, and soul, and smear them across the pages of our stories. Why?Because what's wrong in the world links people of all sorts, rhymes, and reasons. It moves us, motivates us to stretch beyond our fickle, fragile, and finite humanity - all that makes us insecure.
So what would we be without insecurities?
If we were so positively sure of ourselves, in all things, we'd miss out on valuable opportunities to expand who we are as individuals and as the human race. BEcome more than we thought we could ever BE.
Maybe there's a reason what we lack inside is much louder than what we're sure of.
Some Alleyway Splatter: We have a new ISWG T-shirt! It was created by Jeremy Hawkins. Thanks so much Jeremy! Feel free to pay him a visit. I'm sure he'd love it. Just click on his name. If you'd like to purchase a shirt, simply go HERE!
June 17, 2015
Testing The Length Of Reader's Loyalty
Can testing the length of your reader's loyalty by axing a beloved character go too far?
This is a somewhat unconventional post for me here on Writer's Alley. As you know, I normally talk about picture books all the way to young adult literature and mingle in a post about motherhood every-so-often. Not today.
Well, kind of but not really.
I will eventually wrap the dragon's tail back to its children's storytelling head and tie everything in a neat little KidLit bow. But indulge me for an adult second, if you would.
I'm going to use an example of storytelling from an adult tale that I recently was forced to ponder. This particular story is from a series of books, but I've been introduced to it through television - the HBO series Game of Thrones. (If you watch the show, great. If you don't, it really doesn't matter for this discussion. This isn't about the show, but about a method of writing. HOWEVER, if you watch the show and need to catch up you might want to stop reading in case I toss in a spoiler or two.)
There are a few First Rules of Storytelling I've gathered since I began writing full-length tales. Strong opening - show, action, in-the-moment, current worldIntriguing world building - visual, unique, eventually changes in some wayMemorable main character(s) - multi-dimensional: emotionally, physically, mentally, spiritually, economically - be real Distinct voice - adds to MMC's appealAgitating Antagonist - love-to-hate, hate-to-hate, hate-to-pity, etc...Endless possibilitiesVery simple and brief. We can expound upon those forever another time. Today I want to focus on character(s). And for a series like Game of Thrones there are a multitude of vital MC's via numerous story lines, thus the reason I'm not solely focusing on one MMC from #3 above.
We all know that developing a character isn't all about making him a positive entity or complete eye-candy in a story. Frankly, loads of us rather create the antagonist - the villian, the evil-doer, nature-gone-bad. They're fun to 'play' with and toss at your MC for an intriguing reaction. But both Hero MC or Vulgar Antagonist must have layers to his personality, beliefs ...See #3 above. You need not look hard to find either in the numerous story lines within Game of Thrones. There are so many strong characters carrying so much personal baggage it's almost insane. And beloved. We adore that.
OMGosh, I hate that character ... That did not just happen to him ... I feel horrible for her ... I could go on and on with emotions conjured by witnessing the boulders tossed at some of these characters. As watchers and readers we hate, love, despise, pine for, encourage, chastise, cheer on, and grow with each fictional life. We take ownership of them, feel responsible. We are moved, which is awesome!
And despite times when writers take a beloved character to a dark place we never imagined, we understand it's necessary. Life isn't easy. It doesn't hand out a warm blanket when your car breaks down on the side of the road during a snowstorm. And it surely doesn't deliver a fully-cooked turkey dinner to you when you already spent your paycheck for the week on bills and have nothing left to buy food.
Writing in hardships for our characters is the main ingredient that makes the world they live in tangible. Their reaction makes them real. It gives a watcher/reader something to grip on to, relate to, and escape into. But is it possible for a writer to take a beloved character too far down a dark road of no return? Is it possible, especially within a story like Game of Thrones with a multitude of MCs, to create a character who is untouchable, who isn't expendable, and who death should never come for? This is fiction, where all things are possible, right? But are things all possible in fiction for your story to survive ... really?
If you're creating a franchise, a story monopoly, do you think it would be wise to take one of your most successful story lines and abruptly end it? Kill it off, even though a lot of your popularity and the popularity of the tale rides on that story line/character?
Yes, I'm referring to the Jon Snow debacle from this week's episode. I am a firm believer that reality must happen in fiction for fiction to be reality. But killing off Jon, at least for this fan/writer, was a wrong choice. As a reader, I NEED at least one reliable within a story. Everything can't be chaotic all the time. It's like in childhood, when I needed my toy stuffed frog. (I like frogs. So what?) Someone could have poured dirt in my hair in the sandbox or bullied me off the swing at the playground. I might have had the flu or lost my TV privileges to my younger brother. At the end of the day none of that mattered as long as my frog was with me in bed to sleep. All set right with the world.
So, yeah, maybe Jon Snow was my stuffed frog. (Sounds wrong, but go with me here.) As a viewer, I need him. His character is my anchor, my steadfast, my assurance that when all else goes wrong the world still has something right in it. Does that mean that Jon Snow's existence within the story should have been void of heartache and tragedy? No way. Up until this point in the story, whether television or books, Jon traveled a road of potholes, twists and turns, battles, uncertainty, and disappointments. At times, it was hard watching him struggle as he had to, but it was necessary for his growth, the forward progression of the story, and to stabilize the other story lines.
What made JS untouchable to extinction/death for me? His character was longing, jaded, tainted, torn, suffering, lovable, honest, gentle, lonely, strong, selfless, and brave - the pinnacle of multi-dimensional we all strive for in developing characters. Mostly, he held integrity like no other. And in a stained world like Game of Thrones, integrity is rare. But desperately needed in the small doses that Jon gave.
Rumors that his character really hasn't met his end and will somehow be resurrected began surfacing directly after the infamous episode ended. If they're true will I feel differently? I'm not sure. If so, I might eventually catch up on story lines and start watching again, but never with such fervor and passion as I did before. I am now a distrusting viewer/reader.
I feel betrayed by the writing, almost jaded like How dare they do that to him? He's the story's one and only steadfast. What kind of roller coaster ride do they think I signed up for? Now mind you, I was a viewer of The Red Wedding, which was absolutely devastating. It took me three boxes of tissues and a week to recover from that episode. But, despite my horror of losing some of the most beloved characters that make up that story, I was able to find value in their ending and move forward with the show.
At the end of Jon's death scene - which was totally lame and felt like an afterthought, btw - I made no noise. Didn't scream or cry or anything. I simply turned off the power and whispered under my breath "I'm done."
What do you think? Is it possible to create a character who is not expendable, maybe one you can bend and prod and twist and burn but who is untouchable and imperceptible to death for the good of the story and the love of your readership? How far can you test your reader's loyalty to your story?
This is a somewhat unconventional post for me here on Writer's Alley. As you know, I normally talk about picture books all the way to young adult literature and mingle in a post about motherhood every-so-often. Not today.
Well, kind of but not really.
I will eventually wrap the dragon's tail back to its children's storytelling head and tie everything in a neat little KidLit bow. But indulge me for an adult second, if you would. I'm going to use an example of storytelling from an adult tale that I recently was forced to ponder. This particular story is from a series of books, but I've been introduced to it through television - the HBO series Game of Thrones. (If you watch the show, great. If you don't, it really doesn't matter for this discussion. This isn't about the show, but about a method of writing. HOWEVER, if you watch the show and need to catch up you might want to stop reading in case I toss in a spoiler or two.)
There are a few First Rules of Storytelling I've gathered since I began writing full-length tales. Strong opening - show, action, in-the-moment, current worldIntriguing world building - visual, unique, eventually changes in some wayMemorable main character(s) - multi-dimensional: emotionally, physically, mentally, spiritually, economically - be real Distinct voice - adds to MMC's appealAgitating Antagonist - love-to-hate, hate-to-hate, hate-to-pity, etc...Endless possibilitiesVery simple and brief. We can expound upon those forever another time. Today I want to focus on character(s). And for a series like Game of Thrones there are a multitude of vital MC's via numerous story lines, thus the reason I'm not solely focusing on one MMC from #3 above.
We all know that developing a character isn't all about making him a positive entity or complete eye-candy in a story. Frankly, loads of us rather create the antagonist - the villian, the evil-doer, nature-gone-bad. They're fun to 'play' with and toss at your MC for an intriguing reaction. But both Hero MC or Vulgar Antagonist must have layers to his personality, beliefs ...See #3 above. You need not look hard to find either in the numerous story lines within Game of Thrones. There are so many strong characters carrying so much personal baggage it's almost insane. And beloved. We adore that.
OMGosh, I hate that character ... That did not just happen to him ... I feel horrible for her ... I could go on and on with emotions conjured by witnessing the boulders tossed at some of these characters. As watchers and readers we hate, love, despise, pine for, encourage, chastise, cheer on, and grow with each fictional life. We take ownership of them, feel responsible. We are moved, which is awesome!
And despite times when writers take a beloved character to a dark place we never imagined, we understand it's necessary. Life isn't easy. It doesn't hand out a warm blanket when your car breaks down on the side of the road during a snowstorm. And it surely doesn't deliver a fully-cooked turkey dinner to you when you already spent your paycheck for the week on bills and have nothing left to buy food.
Writing in hardships for our characters is the main ingredient that makes the world they live in tangible. Their reaction makes them real. It gives a watcher/reader something to grip on to, relate to, and escape into. But is it possible for a writer to take a beloved character too far down a dark road of no return? Is it possible, especially within a story like Game of Thrones with a multitude of MCs, to create a character who is untouchable, who isn't expendable, and who death should never come for? This is fiction, where all things are possible, right? But are things all possible in fiction for your story to survive ... really?
If you're creating a franchise, a story monopoly, do you think it would be wise to take one of your most successful story lines and abruptly end it? Kill it off, even though a lot of your popularity and the popularity of the tale rides on that story line/character?
Yes, I'm referring to the Jon Snow debacle from this week's episode. I am a firm believer that reality must happen in fiction for fiction to be reality. But killing off Jon, at least for this fan/writer, was a wrong choice. As a reader, I NEED at least one reliable within a story. Everything can't be chaotic all the time. It's like in childhood, when I needed my toy stuffed frog. (I like frogs. So what?) Someone could have poured dirt in my hair in the sandbox or bullied me off the swing at the playground. I might have had the flu or lost my TV privileges to my younger brother. At the end of the day none of that mattered as long as my frog was with me in bed to sleep. All set right with the world.
So, yeah, maybe Jon Snow was my stuffed frog. (Sounds wrong, but go with me here.) As a viewer, I need him. His character is my anchor, my steadfast, my assurance that when all else goes wrong the world still has something right in it. Does that mean that Jon Snow's existence within the story should have been void of heartache and tragedy? No way. Up until this point in the story, whether television or books, Jon traveled a road of potholes, twists and turns, battles, uncertainty, and disappointments. At times, it was hard watching him struggle as he had to, but it was necessary for his growth, the forward progression of the story, and to stabilize the other story lines.
What made JS untouchable to extinction/death for me? His character was longing, jaded, tainted, torn, suffering, lovable, honest, gentle, lonely, strong, selfless, and brave - the pinnacle of multi-dimensional we all strive for in developing characters. Mostly, he held integrity like no other. And in a stained world like Game of Thrones, integrity is rare. But desperately needed in the small doses that Jon gave.
Rumors that his character really hasn't met his end and will somehow be resurrected began surfacing directly after the infamous episode ended. If they're true will I feel differently? I'm not sure. If so, I might eventually catch up on story lines and start watching again, but never with such fervor and passion as I did before. I am now a distrusting viewer/reader.
I feel betrayed by the writing, almost jaded like How dare they do that to him? He's the story's one and only steadfast. What kind of roller coaster ride do they think I signed up for? Now mind you, I was a viewer of The Red Wedding, which was absolutely devastating. It took me three boxes of tissues and a week to recover from that episode. But, despite my horror of losing some of the most beloved characters that make up that story, I was able to find value in their ending and move forward with the show.
At the end of Jon's death scene - which was totally lame and felt like an afterthought, btw - I made no noise. Didn't scream or cry or anything. I simply turned off the power and whispered under my breath "I'm done."
What do you think? Is it possible to create a character who is not expendable, maybe one you can bend and prod and twist and burn but who is untouchable and imperceptible to death for the good of the story and the love of your readership? How far can you test your reader's loyalty to your story?
June 10, 2015
Dodging The Lull Of Summer Publishing
We've all heard it ~ Publishing slows down during the summer months. And that may be true for various reasons.
image creditAgents, editors, and publishers do have lives outside of the industry. Some take vacations to warmer destinations, while others simply stall their query and manuscript reading speedway to replenish their working verve. It's natural. We all need to do it. But....
If you're the writer waiting for a response on your query, this season within the publishing world--despite how brief--can wear down one's nerves. If you're anything like me, you'll pace a solid strip of shine off your wooden floors. Looks awful, doesn't it.
Well, no fear. I have a few ideas to distract you during this time and, hopefully, keep your spirits up. If nothing more it should save the flooring in your home.
Read - Yeah, we've all heard it before. But I mean read with intention. Focus on the author's source of story structure, character development, voice, tone, and mood. Love or hate the world the author created. Invest yourself. And, for gosh sakes, read out of your comfort zone. It WILL not only inspire you, but also will distract the heck out of you. Free Write or Fast Draft - Yeah, we've all heard these before, too. But, honestly? Have you given either a try? The first time I attempted a fast draft I couldn't get going because I was too worried about the end result needing too much editing. Wrong approach. For either, pull an idea out of the air. No matter how wacky or silly or strange it might be. Give it a try. And if you've decided to fast draft, come up with a beginning, a middle, and an ending idea. Then write. Just write. It might suck in the end, but I assure you, you will have created at least one element you can use in a novel.Live - My third and final yeah. Record all you do, from grocery shopping to attending a parade to an unexpected hike you take with your kids. You don't need a notebook, although I still love using them. Your cell phone is more than sufficient in this day and age. Do the selfie thing or a daily record, Your Story on Snapchat. Ultimately, this lull within the publishing world only lasts a few months. For some industry leaders, the break is merely a week or two. And when you think about it, they all don't take breaks at the same time. Continuing to query couldn't hurt. You just might have to wait a little longer for a response. But aren't you doing that by waiting to submit anyway?
How do you plan to dodge the lull of this summer publishing season? Will you continue to query and submit? For those with representation, will you send your manuscripts in this summer or wait?
image creditAgents, editors, and publishers do have lives outside of the industry. Some take vacations to warmer destinations, while others simply stall their query and manuscript reading speedway to replenish their working verve. It's natural. We all need to do it. But....If you're the writer waiting for a response on your query, this season within the publishing world--despite how brief--can wear down one's nerves. If you're anything like me, you'll pace a solid strip of shine off your wooden floors. Looks awful, doesn't it.
Well, no fear. I have a few ideas to distract you during this time and, hopefully, keep your spirits up. If nothing more it should save the flooring in your home.
Read - Yeah, we've all heard it before. But I mean read with intention. Focus on the author's source of story structure, character development, voice, tone, and mood. Love or hate the world the author created. Invest yourself. And, for gosh sakes, read out of your comfort zone. It WILL not only inspire you, but also will distract the heck out of you. Free Write or Fast Draft - Yeah, we've all heard these before, too. But, honestly? Have you given either a try? The first time I attempted a fast draft I couldn't get going because I was too worried about the end result needing too much editing. Wrong approach. For either, pull an idea out of the air. No matter how wacky or silly or strange it might be. Give it a try. And if you've decided to fast draft, come up with a beginning, a middle, and an ending idea. Then write. Just write. It might suck in the end, but I assure you, you will have created at least one element you can use in a novel.Live - My third and final yeah. Record all you do, from grocery shopping to attending a parade to an unexpected hike you take with your kids. You don't need a notebook, although I still love using them. Your cell phone is more than sufficient in this day and age. Do the selfie thing or a daily record, Your Story on Snapchat. Ultimately, this lull within the publishing world only lasts a few months. For some industry leaders, the break is merely a week or two. And when you think about it, they all don't take breaks at the same time. Continuing to query couldn't hurt. You just might have to wait a little longer for a response. But aren't you doing that by waiting to submit anyway?
How do you plan to dodge the lull of this summer publishing season? Will you continue to query and submit? For those with representation, will you send your manuscripts in this summer or wait?
June 3, 2015
IWSG ~ A Writing Truth
The purpose of the IWSG is to share and encourage, posting on the first Wednesday of each month. You'll find writer doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Support and a common understanding spread throughout the group as many fellow writers can relate. Feel free to JOIN in anytime.
Steampunk TomahawkWhen writing is no longer fun I'll stop. - Mega, outlandish, totally-saying-it-because-we-think-we're supposed-to LIE.I have no idea who said that first, but it's a total fib. No one on this planet can like what they do ALL THE TIME. It's not possible. Well, maybe on some infinitesimal level when all variables line up and the planets take on some never-before-seen alignment. But that answer is for some mathematical genus. Not me. A writer. We ALL feel that writer's angst from time to time--the black rabbit hole of doubt, denial, and self-degradation. Don't tell me you never have wanted to smash your laptop or tomahawk every stinking social media site that waves everyone else's writing successes in your face. And don't tell me you haven't ever said to yourself, "I suck."
You have. We all have.
The trick is to embrace it. Don't try to distract yourself or put the writing away. Examine your obstacles. This is life. It's why we're here. You're not going to escape barriers to your dreams. And even those of you who've reached some dreams - the potholes of life are still going to come. They will never stop. We are here to learn and become more than we were when we first arrived.
Welcome a challenge. You'll be better for it.
Steampunk TomahawkWhen writing is no longer fun I'll stop. - Mega, outlandish, totally-saying-it-because-we-think-we're supposed-to LIE.I have no idea who said that first, but it's a total fib. No one on this planet can like what they do ALL THE TIME. It's not possible. Well, maybe on some infinitesimal level when all variables line up and the planets take on some never-before-seen alignment. But that answer is for some mathematical genus. Not me. A writer. We ALL feel that writer's angst from time to time--the black rabbit hole of doubt, denial, and self-degradation. Don't tell me you never have wanted to smash your laptop or tomahawk every stinking social media site that waves everyone else's writing successes in your face. And don't tell me you haven't ever said to yourself, "I suck."You have. We all have.
The trick is to embrace it. Don't try to distract yourself or put the writing away. Examine your obstacles. This is life. It's why we're here. You're not going to escape barriers to your dreams. And even those of you who've reached some dreams - the potholes of life are still going to come. They will never stop. We are here to learn and become more than we were when we first arrived. Welcome a challenge. You'll be better for it.
May 27, 2015
Wistful YA~TREASURE DARKLY by Jordan Elizabeth & a GIVEAWAY!
Wistful YA is my reoccurring spotlight, giving young adult literature center stage.
My next featured young adult tale is from a sweet author, who happens to be one of my co-authors filling up the pages of GEARS OF BRASS. She writes down her nightmares to live her dreams, as quoted from her CQ bio. How cool????
Intrigued by a touch of steampunk, mystery, and romance all wound up in a western setting? Then check out this next YA release. And remember to enter for your chance to win one of two free eCopies of the book!
AMAZON | GOODREADS
PUBLISHER WEBSITE
TREASURE DARKLY: Treasure Chronicles #1 by Jordan Elizabeth
Genre: YA Steampunk, RomancePublisher: Curiosity Quills PressReleased: February 15, 2015Pages: 289Format: Paperback, eBook
Favorite Line/ Passage: Amethyst: Adam tossed Amethyst onto a sack of grain behind a closed barrel. Breath whooshed from her lungs as her body jerked against the hardness. The gag slipped down her lips enough for her to spit it out.
"You idiot," she panted. The only light in the cellar came from the doors to the outside that Adam had left open. "You don't think someone's going to find me in the bloody cellar?" (Kindle: 53%) OMGosh, I just love this character.
I'd like to thank the author for supplying me with an eCopy in exchange for an honest review.
Description: Seventeen-year-old Clark Treasure assumes the drink he stole off the captain is absinthe… until the chemicals in the liquid give him the ability to awaken the dead.
A great invention for creating perfect soldiers, yes, but Clark wants to live as a miner, not a slave to the army—or the deceased. On the run, Clark turns to his estranged, mining tycoon father for help. The Treasures welcome Clark with open arms, so he jumps at the chance to help them protect their ranch against Senator Horan, a man who hates anyone more powerful than he.
Sixteen-year-old Amethyst Treasure loathes the idea of spending the summer away from her bustling city life to rot on her father’s ranch, but when a handsome young man shows up claiming to be her secret half-brother, her curiosity is piqued. He’s clever, street smart, and has no qualms jumping into the brawl between the Treasures and Horans. Caught in the middle, Horan kidnaps Amethyst, and all she gets is this lousy bullet through her heart.
When Clark brings her back to life, however, the real action starts, and Amethyst joins him in his fight against the Horan clan—whatever the cost. Defeating the Horans may seem easy at first, but going up against men with the same fighting vengeance as Clark, and a Senator with power he’s obtained by brainwashing the masses?
Well, Amethyst’s boring summer at home has turned into an adventure on the run, chock full of intrigue, danger, love, and a mysterious boy named Clark.
NIGHTSTAND WORTHY!
My Splats: a little bit of snark and romance mingle with steampunk elements in a western flair to bring an under-privileged boy to his true lineage.
Raw and real is what opens the first few scenes. The reader is introduced to a dank yet busy brothel and Clark as a child, exposed to truths of life at such a young age. He tends to take most of it in stride, accepting what he can't change and seeing hope for growth in what he can. It was actually refreshing to see a younger person claim his life instead of wading through as a victim. Despite living in a less-than-appropriate establishment for a child, Clark has an obvious affection for his mother, which is so nice to see in a young adult story.
The tale comes to life through clever use of names, titles of places, and physical mechanics which were pleasant to both eye and ear. Solid character descriptions, including distinct voices, lit up the pages. Personally, westerns are not my favorite setting. But blended with the steampunk descriptions, the numerous mysteries, and ... well, yes - romance - it really worked. So much so that at times I hardly noticed it was set in field dust, barns of hay, parlors, and on horses. It was also interesting to see this world through duel POVs - character points-of-views. Trust me. The male and female perspective showed totally different sides. :)
I was particularly intrigued by the overall premise. Being plagued with the ability to bring back the dead in exchange for another's life is quite the burden to bare. Complicate that with the accidental stealing of that gift/curse, and it makes for great tension and conflict. Speaking of conflict, the idea of a boy from nothing showing up at a wealthy home to claim he belongs to them ... I think you get the picture. And within that tension, there's loads of family member conflicts: some for Clark and some against him. Then add in a feud with a rival wealthy family, growth of commerce and dignity of different peoples, and that the government is searching for the one who stole the potion to begin with, and you'll have to agree that Clark's journey is full of action.
Spoiler Alert: And then there's the paranormal aspects of Clark discovering his real father and communicating with his spirit... I'm such a sucker for any otherworldly trait.
I'd recommend this story for any action-packed/romance, YA enthusiast, and also anyone who appreciates the finery of the western and Victorian eras.
The giveaway runs from 05/27 to 06/10. The two winners will be drawn after that an announced the following week. Thanks so much for entering and spreading the word!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
My next featured young adult tale is from a sweet author, who happens to be one of my co-authors filling up the pages of GEARS OF BRASS. She writes down her nightmares to live her dreams, as quoted from her CQ bio. How cool????
Intrigued by a touch of steampunk, mystery, and romance all wound up in a western setting? Then check out this next YA release. And remember to enter for your chance to win one of two free eCopies of the book!
AMAZON | GOODREADS PUBLISHER WEBSITE
TREASURE DARKLY: Treasure Chronicles #1 by Jordan Elizabeth
Genre: YA Steampunk, RomancePublisher: Curiosity Quills PressReleased: February 15, 2015Pages: 289Format: Paperback, eBook
Favorite Line/ Passage: Amethyst: Adam tossed Amethyst onto a sack of grain behind a closed barrel. Breath whooshed from her lungs as her body jerked against the hardness. The gag slipped down her lips enough for her to spit it out.
"You idiot," she panted. The only light in the cellar came from the doors to the outside that Adam had left open. "You don't think someone's going to find me in the bloody cellar?" (Kindle: 53%) OMGosh, I just love this character.
I'd like to thank the author for supplying me with an eCopy in exchange for an honest review.
Description: Seventeen-year-old Clark Treasure assumes the drink he stole off the captain is absinthe… until the chemicals in the liquid give him the ability to awaken the dead.
A great invention for creating perfect soldiers, yes, but Clark wants to live as a miner, not a slave to the army—or the deceased. On the run, Clark turns to his estranged, mining tycoon father for help. The Treasures welcome Clark with open arms, so he jumps at the chance to help them protect their ranch against Senator Horan, a man who hates anyone more powerful than he.
Sixteen-year-old Amethyst Treasure loathes the idea of spending the summer away from her bustling city life to rot on her father’s ranch, but when a handsome young man shows up claiming to be her secret half-brother, her curiosity is piqued. He’s clever, street smart, and has no qualms jumping into the brawl between the Treasures and Horans. Caught in the middle, Horan kidnaps Amethyst, and all she gets is this lousy bullet through her heart.
When Clark brings her back to life, however, the real action starts, and Amethyst joins him in his fight against the Horan clan—whatever the cost. Defeating the Horans may seem easy at first, but going up against men with the same fighting vengeance as Clark, and a Senator with power he’s obtained by brainwashing the masses?
Well, Amethyst’s boring summer at home has turned into an adventure on the run, chock full of intrigue, danger, love, and a mysterious boy named Clark.
NIGHTSTAND WORTHY!
My Splats: a little bit of snark and romance mingle with steampunk elements in a western flair to bring an under-privileged boy to his true lineage.
Raw and real is what opens the first few scenes. The reader is introduced to a dank yet busy brothel and Clark as a child, exposed to truths of life at such a young age. He tends to take most of it in stride, accepting what he can't change and seeing hope for growth in what he can. It was actually refreshing to see a younger person claim his life instead of wading through as a victim. Despite living in a less-than-appropriate establishment for a child, Clark has an obvious affection for his mother, which is so nice to see in a young adult story.
The tale comes to life through clever use of names, titles of places, and physical mechanics which were pleasant to both eye and ear. Solid character descriptions, including distinct voices, lit up the pages. Personally, westerns are not my favorite setting. But blended with the steampunk descriptions, the numerous mysteries, and ... well, yes - romance - it really worked. So much so that at times I hardly noticed it was set in field dust, barns of hay, parlors, and on horses. It was also interesting to see this world through duel POVs - character points-of-views. Trust me. The male and female perspective showed totally different sides. :)
I was particularly intrigued by the overall premise. Being plagued with the ability to bring back the dead in exchange for another's life is quite the burden to bare. Complicate that with the accidental stealing of that gift/curse, and it makes for great tension and conflict. Speaking of conflict, the idea of a boy from nothing showing up at a wealthy home to claim he belongs to them ... I think you get the picture. And within that tension, there's loads of family member conflicts: some for Clark and some against him. Then add in a feud with a rival wealthy family, growth of commerce and dignity of different peoples, and that the government is searching for the one who stole the potion to begin with, and you'll have to agree that Clark's journey is full of action.
Spoiler Alert: And then there's the paranormal aspects of Clark discovering his real father and communicating with his spirit... I'm such a sucker for any otherworldly trait.
I'd recommend this story for any action-packed/romance, YA enthusiast, and also anyone who appreciates the finery of the western and Victorian eras.
The giveaway runs from 05/27 to 06/10. The two winners will be drawn after that an announced the following week. Thanks so much for entering and spreading the word!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
