A Fresh Review – From Someone I Don't Know!
Today my intention was to dive right back into the research for Rubbed Out, but when I checked my email, much to my delight I found a message from one of the LibraryThing Member Giveaway winners of Flesh Wound. Here is the text of the email:
Hi Jon,
I just finished reading your book (in less than 24 hours after it arrived at my doorstep I must add) and thought I would save you some of the trouble of hunting all over the internet looking for the most recent reviews. I must say, I absolutely loved this book. I'll be cross-posting the same review to LibraryThing, Goodreads, Amazon, and Paperbackswap.com (I figure most people who read books belong to at least one of the four sites…and the more places a review exists the better the odds that more people will pick up your book). So here's the review and thanks for giving me the chance to read it!
There are so many things one could say about this book…it is engaging, edgy, romantic, sweet, a complete change from the expected formula. I will simply say that this is not something I would have picked up and read on my own and I am now a convert. The story grabs hold of the reader in the first paragraph and won't let go until the final sentence. The actual concept is one that hasn't been done often and (to the best of my knowledge) hasn't been done well until now. However, this book is not for the squeamish as it is full of what is considered to be non-mainstream scenes that are sexual in nature. However, if non-traditional lifestyles and sex aren't something that completely turns you off of a story you should most certainly give this one a try; you won't be disappointed.
Needless to say, I was thrilled and told this reader so in my reply email to them. There is something especially rewarding about getting positive feedback from someone you don't know. This sort of review makes me want to redouble my efforts to get Flesh Wound and Creatures in front of people, and to make Rubbed Out better than both of them. True to their word, this review does in fact appear on the sites mentioned. I didn't know about Goodreads.com and Paperbackswap.com, but I checked them out and they look to be full of great readers! I have applied for author status at Goodreads.com, which will allow me to link this blog to the page showing my book there. Fantastic!
I noticed on the LibraryThing site that two other Member Giveaway winners, one in Cambridge, UK, and one in the States, have received Flesh Wound. No word from them yet on reviews, but I know now that the book has made it across the pond. Which is sort of fun. 
I spent more time than usual answering emails and talking on the phone today as it is my birthday, and all I have to say is that I am the luckiest man on earth to have such phenomenal family and friends. There isn't anything life can conjure that can't be handled with the support system I have. Love to all of you!
So I spent less time than usual on Rubbed Out today, but it's all good. One thing I did do is email the author of the series of SF Chronicle articles that I am using in my research. The series was written in 2006, and one concern I had was that the writer may no longer be at the paper, but the email did not bounce back so I'm assuming she is. I hope to hear from her and learn even more about the topic of human trafficking.
A word about my process at this point: I have summarized much of my research, and what I do next is plot out what happens by chapter in the book. I set up a grid with chapter down the left hand side, and major plotlines across the top. I then populate each chapter row with the events that happen in each plotline. This helps me structure the timeline of the plot events, as well as see the holes that exist right off the bat.
Next, I will create a comprehensive list of characters, both primary and secondary, and map their relationships to each other. I will fill out backstories where they need it, and get a fuller sense of the plot. This is a fun stage, because invariably plot twists will suggest themselves. I personally don't think those twists would occur to me any other way.
More on Friday! I hope your week is going well! Read something tonight that excites you too much to fall asleep right away! -Jon
