Kristi’s Comments (group member since Jul 05, 2013)

Kristi’s comments from the The Suspense of It All! group.

Martyn wrote: "My maximum on e-books is 9.99, but most books I buy are 3.99-5.99, which I think is the sweet spot for novels.

Please don't get me started on how much I spend European graphic novels..."

Funny how we can justify spending much more on our passions, eh?

How much do you spend as a reader, Martyn? Do you have a maximum?

Martyn wrote: "I sent you a PM with my email. I'll check it out and I'll be strict but fair... :)"

That is all anyone can rightly ask. It is sent.

Martyn wrote: If you send me an ePub and let me know whether you want feedback (private) or a review (public), I'll add it to my TBR pile..."

Well, if the blurb interests you enough that you might have read it had you run across it on your own....
....message me your email and I will send it. If it doesn't interest you, then I'm okay with a pass.

As to whether I'd prefer a public or private response...hmmm. I do think it will hold up against others of the genre, and I can't really see asking for a conditional review, so I would say follow your usual review policy.

My only request is that if you give it 1 or 2 stars you explain why, so anyone reading it will know what you found iffy, or didn't like about it. But of course, the end rating/review is all up to you. Just let me know if you want me to send it.

Yes, romances in general are more fluffy. One of the reasons I started writing them is because I wanted to see a little harder edge.

I'd be curious to hear your opinion (I think) of my book Blinding Justice. I was calling it a romantic suspense, and at least one reviewer said there really wasn't much romance. It takes place in about 36 hours, so I didn't feel I could justify a full-on relationship by the conclusion, but there is definite heat between the two main characters.

One of the characters is a cop, and while I didn't go to an Academy to research it, I did do research, and had a law enforcement friend beta read it for me. It is not exhaustive by any means, but for the genre I think it has an edge.

But it surely is fluffy compared to Amsterdam Assassins.

Welcome to the group, Martyn!
I checked out your books and have added the first one to my TBR list.
I'm impressed with the blurb. It sounds like something I will have to dedicate some serious attention to reading, so as not to miss anything.

Oh man, dreams! My hubby is constantly amazed when I tell him about my bizarre dreams.

Just last night I dreamed about his step dad getting his 'cookie truck' repossessed (he bakes and sells cookies at fairs and events) and to dodge the bank he cut the gas lines to the house and was going to blow it up with everyone inside. Of course, I discovered the cuts and was frantically trying to get everyone out and fix the lines.

And some other stuff was going on, too. Pretty hard core. Especially since John is the sweetest guy who would never lift a finger to hurt anyone.

The logic in my dreams is often bent, but I do get some great nuggets out of them.

Me? Well I just have for a long as I can remember. I completed my first novel in the 8th grade. It reads like an 8-10th grader wrote it, but it was complete. My teachers all said I had a gift, and encouraged me to learn the craft. I was happy to learn, because I loved seeing my stories come to life.

As for my stories ... Something triggers a 'What if...?' question in my mind and I run with it. I puzzle out what any given character might do in a situation. How do they feel? Why would they do that? How would they handle it if it all goes wrong? Then I figure out what happens next.

For example, the first book I published came about because I was bored with my downtown office job, and while using the restroom, I wondered what would happen if someone kidnapped me as I walked out the door. So, poor Cassie, that is exactly what I put her through. Of course, it all worked out in the end.

My second release came from the question 'What if a cop's boss tries to kill her and she has to figure out why?'

Once I ask the question, I feel a definite compulsion to answer it.

What about you?

Self pub?

A note on my qualifications: While I don't have a piece of paper granting me a degree in literature, I have been a writer for three decades. I have attended literally dozens of classes and workshops on the writing craft. I have studied with teachers, professors, and successful writers, including the likes of Nora Roberts, Lisa Jackson, and Debbie Macomber, to name a few. I have learned and practiced all elements of the writing craft, from story development to sentence structure to proofing.

I have a keen eye for spotting errors in manuscripts and do not rely on spellcheck or other auto-checking software. I have found mistakes that have slipped by professional editors and teams of beta readers. Analyzing texts and puzzling out how to say it better is a compulsion which I happen to enjoy.

I have set my prices so low in order to make my services accessible to cash-strapped self-pub and 'indie' authors, because I believe proof reading is an important and vital tool that ought to be used before every book gets published.

Give me a try!

Proof Reading Service for Self-Pub Authors

My Premium Service includes these steps:

I will check for spelling errors (including ‘wrong word’ choices), and mark sentences/phrases that I find awkward.
I will offer suggestions on how to correct awkward sentences: structure, basic grammar, phrasing, etc.
I will flag Point of View and Narrative Tense issues.
I will ask questions that a reader might ask and want answered within the book.
I will give my overall impression of your manuscript and my opinion on its readiness for publication.

I will not do any fact checking, and will assume that all research has been done.
I will NOT try to change the style or tone of your manuscript. If your writing style is formal, it will stay formal. If you write in Third Person Omniscient, that is how it will stay.
I will NEVER insist that you make any of the changes I suggest.

Additional Services at negotiated prices:
Work closely with a new/enthusiastic author to not only polish a manuscript, but teach some fundamental writing and self-editing skills.
Light fact checking on real world places and/or events that are mentioned or related in story. (This does not include checking the science on Sci-Fi.)
Check formatting of various files after conversion to various formats. (e.g. mobi, PDF, ePub, etc.)

Prices:
$45.00 (minimum charge) for up to the first 30,000 words. (That's .0015¢ per word.)
(Even tighter Budget? Ask about Basic and Limited Proofreading Services!)

This minimum must be received prior to return of the manuscript.
.0015¢ for each additional word over 30,000.
For manuscripts over 150,000 words, a fee of $50 will be added for committing to work on an extra long piece.

$20 Re-Read after edits have been made.
I can do a very basic proof read if you want me to double check for any missed/new errors after I have already read your manuscript, or if you have a 'final draft' after working with a professional editor. See special circumstances.

All payments will be facilitated through PayPal.

Special Circumstances:
In the event a large number of markups are needed (i.e. 20 or more pages with 6 or more edit suggestions or verified/justified errors, on one page) the price per page increases on a sliding scale, which will be defined in our contract agreement. If this becomes apparent, you will be notified and given the opportunity to reconsider the project. (There will be no surprises at project completion.)

Conversely, if I only find 6-10 errors in an entire manuscript, I will reduce the minimum charge to $40.00. If I find 5 or less, I will only charge $20. If I find zero errors, I will not charge for the reading, because zero errors mean I was having too good a time reading your fabulous story and I wasn’t doing my job!

Try Me Out: Upon request, I will read and mark one chapter (any chapter, up to 10 pages) for free, to help you determine whether you want to hire me.

This folder is for group members who have a service to offer other members. Do you have a (writing-related) skill that someone may find useful? Post it here.

Please indicate whether it is a free service, or if you charge.

On the one or two day sales, I saw one reader comment on another thread that by the time he saw the post about the one day sale, he had missed it.

I think if I were to go that route, I will have a five day sale, and/or announce it in advance, giving it a bump on the day so people can see it.

Charlene wrote: "Is it too late to do a give away on a book published two years ago? Or is it better to do new? I'm going to check into adding an excerpt from my book as well...."

I think you get a bigger bump if you do it on a new book, but you can do giveaways for any book. And I think putting an excerpt to the new book would be very smart.

Charlene wrote: "Nothing's more thrilling when I write something and wonder even to myself 'How do I come up with this stuff?' ..."

I love coming up with stuff that I look back on and think 'what genius wrote this?' Puffs me up a bit. Then I have to go back to editing. :-)

Awesome!

knocked out more than 1200 words today. Feeling ten feet tall!

Cute. Will check it out. I love to poke a little fun at my hubby. All in good fun. The best of my hubby is the inspiration for the hero of my book 'Blinding Justice'.

20 Action Heroines Defying The "Strong Female Character" Trope

http://www.buzzfeed.com/thebumblekee/...

Well, kudos to you for teaching. I personally couldn't handle all that energy. I'm a bit of a introvert and kids wear me out. But that means I'd be one of those who'd ask if you wrote political intrigue or smut. ;-)
It's hard to beat good old fashioned suspense, right?