Dwayne’s Comments (group member since Apr 01, 2017)

Dwayne’s comments from the Support for Indie Authors group.

Jay wrote: "But therein lies a problem. If the novel goes on too long, and avoids melodrama, the level of tension/uncertainty stagnates and the reader becomes bored with the "more of same" roadblocks the characters face and overcome."

Or you could incorporate things like plot twits, multiple plots, change of heart within characters, new challenges not seen early on, and many other techniques. It's not a problem, really.

I plan on linking to a few authors in my epic novel when it's finished a couple decades from now, because these brave souls waded through a heavy early version of the book. That in and of itself needs to be rewarded with a shout out. I don't want one in return.

Just came to mind last night: Helter Skelter. I read it a few years ago and it scared me more than any movie, TV show, or any other book. I'll have to jump on the books scarier than movies bandwagon. The first time I read Misery, it really got to me. The movie? I thought it was well done and entertaining, but not terribly scary. One of Charles Hash's shorts got to me, too. I can't recall which one, now.

Magnus wrote: "I think it's an interesting question - can a story/book be actually scary?"

I think this depends more on the reader than the book. Like anything, we can put into a story as much as we can, but if the reader doesn't want to go along with us, they won't be affected. Some people find Stephen King books incredibly scary, some do not.

When I was a teenager I read a lot of "true" ghost story books. Some of them would keep me awake for hours because I was in the mind-set to be scared and not as skeptical as I am today.

I love urban legends! My favorite might be the classic The Hook. Probably the creepiest one is the one where the girl thinks the dog is licking her hand...

As for books, I used to read a lot of horror. Most of it didn't scare me much, but the two I found creepiest were Stephen King's Misery and Peter Straub's Shadowland. I recently read listened to Washington Irving's short story The Legend of Sleepy Hollow in my car. Not scary, necessarily, but it certainly has a good creepy atmosphere to it.

And, of course, the short stories of fellow Indie author Charles Hash are nightmares in prose.

No negativity, please. That even applies to books whose authors have been dead and buried for over a hundred years. Thanks.

I somewhat agree with you Lyra. If one can get sales and keep your prices "high" (I don't think 4.99 is high), by all means go for it. And I have found that my longer books tend to sell better with the price "high".

However, I'm not sure I agree that lower pricing is somehow damaging to all Indies. If someone is finding success by giving a lot of free stuff away, by all means, they should continue.

Ajla wrote: "Every idea had been written? Sorry, but that's not true..."

In a sense, it is. Every book has had an inspiration behind it, perhaps many. No story idea is wholly unique. Now, yes, it is possible to take elements of so many different books and stories and mash them together in a way that feels unique, but there will always be traces of your inspirations in there. Aliens certainly are not a completely original idea. Generally, aliens resemble humans or some kind of earth animal or at least something we're familiar with. Their agendas seem a bit limited, often times wanting to war with other aliens, ally with them against a common enemy, coming to humans with some kind of peaceful message that is supposed to help humanity, coming to enslave humans or what-not.

Micah wrote: "Still a lot of links earlier in the thread but I realize the Mods have other things to do all day! "

My left nostril is pretty clear, but I haven't gotten to the right one today.

J.D. I have deleted two such messages as they were in a thread about business cards and your post has nothing to do with business cards.

From the upcoming Suckers & Rogues:

“Ben,” she said. “I’ve been thinking.” Her words were drenched with tears. “It seems to me that the worst thing a human being can do to themselves is be a teenager.”

The lyrics of Bullet The Blue Sky by U2 go like this:

In the howling wind comes a stinging rain
See it driving nails
Into the souls on the tree of pain

But, I always hear:

In the howling wind comes a stinging rain
See it driving nails
Into the souls of the Chia Pets

Well... I'm writing right now. Currently I have my MSWord open, two documents. One is my manuscript, the other filled with sketchy notes about how tall the corn is at each farm in my story on any given day and other such exciting information.

Firefox is up so I can check on Support for Indie authors now and then and other things completely unrelated to my writing. Occasionally I'll look up how a wheelchair was made in the 1930s or some such thing so I can justify having the Internet open. Hey - I did some research!

I have my Windows Media Player open. Music helps me focus. Currently it's playing Riders On The Storm by The Doors. This may be the most important tool I have, aside from my fingers and my brain.

The fourth most important is coffee. Today I'm drinking something called Oktoberfest that I picked up in the Amana Colonies a week ago. It has hints of apple and caramel in it. I'm drinking it from a Cheech & Chong mug - which is maybe the fifth most important tool. Without it, I'd have a puddle of coffee or I'd have to hold the coffee in my hand, which makes typing nearly impossible.

True story.

Okay. Noted.

I buy Indie books, I read them, I review them, I recommend the ones I like to others.

Since another mod here once dubbed me the King of Indie Short Stories, I'll give your question a whack.

Short answer: Couldn't hurt.

Long answer: I do think a few short stories could be beneficial to any fiction author. It gives you a chance to give readers a "sample" of your work. If you keep the price low and offer them free from time to time, you will see activity on them. If your writing sparks something in the reader, they may come back and pick up other stories or even a novel. They will not guarantee success of any kind, but it couldn't hurt to have a few out there.

The only drawback is that there are fewer people interested in short stories than in longer novels. The most common complaint I hear on my shorts is "I wish this had been longer" or "I wanted more" even when there really wasn't more story to tell.

As for collections? I have had no success with them in any shape or form. That doesn't mean you won't.

Tyler wrote: "Is there any single place the majority here would agree is the best place to start getting the word out on a book?"

Nope. What many of us have learned is that what works for one author does not work for all authors. And what some of us are finding, myself included, what worked a couple of years ago doesn't work anymore. There's no easy path or magic formula.

Don't let stuff like this annoy you, guys. There are rules of writing, very few of them, and there are "rules" of writing, very many of them. The "rules" are the ones that are really nothing more than stylistic choices. I don't mind books that "head hop" as long as it's clear whose head I'm in.

A Fantasy wrote: "Sort of on topic... "

Not even close to on topic. And it's not appropriate for our forum. If you have a beef with an author, take it up with them. This isn't the place to discuss it.

J.D. wrote: "If you go it alone (for whatever reason) you will want to hire an editor."

No I won't.