August 2022 Guest Author Read - Midwives by Duncan Ralston

[Duncan]

Anja wrote: "I'm not reading this thread much fearing spoilers before I'm done with the story :P
But just took a sneak peak and read you (Duncan!) are writing s choose your own adventure story! I love that!! Re..."

Hey Anja! That book sounds wild lol and yup, I'm having a ton of fun writing it, though it really does flex different brain "muscles." More like writing a video game than a book!

[Ian]

Only at 10% - but loving it already. 👍. 😎

[Shannon]

Hey, Duncan!

If you don't mind, I've got a couple of questions for you when you get the time.

You write some pretty creepy, crazy stuff, so it got me wondering. Is there anything that you're personally so freaked out about or disgusted by that you can't even bring yourself to put it in one of your books? Is anything off limits?

Also, when you write your books, do you already have it all plotted out, or do you go into it with a vague idea and just see where the story takes you?

Thanks so much! :)

[Duncan]

Shannon wrote: "Hey, Duncan!

If you don't mind, I've got a couple of questions for you when you get the time.

You write some pretty creepy, crazy stuff, so it got me wondering. Is there anything that you're per..."

Hey Shannon! Great questions! I don't think there's any limit to what I would put in my books if it's done in a way that I feel is necessary and/or I guess "tasteful." Child abuse is not something I want to explore in a detailed fashion, for instance, but I did tread lightly within that area in Where the Monsters Live. Other than that, pretty much anything is game.

I don't generally do a full plotting. I prefer to tell myself the story as I go along. It keeps the writing fresh and exciting for me. Though I do typically give myself "signposts" along the way, ie. major plot points I want to have occur, and a general idea of how I want it to end.

With Woom and Salvage I did fully plot out the stories. With Midwives, I believe I plotted it out lightly, but the version you're reading/have read is a full rewrite from the book I wrote back in 2011. Many of the plot points remained the same but there are significant changes and entirely different characters added from that draft.

[Charlene (Char)🍁☕️📚]

Hi everyone
Luckily I was able to start reading this book last night and so far it’s really hard to put down I am on the part where the author just found out about someone who wrote a book about is on the loose so I anticipate this book to be intriguing

[Shannon]

Duncan wrote: "Shannon wrote: "Hey, Duncan!

If you don't mind, I've got a couple of questions for you when you get the time.

You write some pretty creepy, crazy stuff, so it got me wondering. Is there anything..."


Thanks so much for taking the time to respond, Duncan! :)

I completely understand the child abuse thing. I wouldn't want to delve into that too deeply either.

I had no idea this book was a rewrite! I enjoyed hearing about your writing process. Thanks for sharing!

I'm up to 85%, and I still have no idea how this is going to end, which I freaking love! :)

[Charlene (Char)🍁☕️📚]

Hi @Duncan!
For some reason I didn’t see your message but I was reading Poppy Z Brite - Exquisite Corpse. I been able to read a few pages at a time because of work. The book was fairly good just a lot to process

[Ian]

Charlene (Char) wrote: "Hi everyone
Luckily I was able to start reading this book last night and so far it’s really hard to put down I am on the part where the author just found out about someone who wrote a book about is..."

Yep Char, our Jimmy sure is one hell of a naughty boy. Now as for Martin, maybe naughty too, but in a totally different way.

Up to 40% - is really good and keeps you on your toes regarding what is about to happen next.

Knit - knit - knit… 😊

[Char]

I'm up to just short of 70% and still this book is holding its secrets close!

[Shannon]

Char wrote: "I'm up to just short of 70% and still this book is holding its secrets close!"

I completely agree, Char! I'm up to 90%, and I'm still like, how is this going to end? I love books that keep you guessing, though, and they can be hard to find. I hate being able to figure out the ending, but this one is keeping me on my toes! :)

[Duncan]

Charlene (Char) wrote: "Hi @Duncan!
For some reason I didn’t see your message but I was reading Poppy Z Brite - Exquisite Corpse. I been able to read a few pages at a time because of work. The book was fairly good just a ..."

Wild, I just finished rereading Exquisite Corpse. I enjoyed it probably as much as last time, twenty years ago.

[Duncan]

Hope it sticks the ending for you folks! :D

[Char]

Whew! That was a blast!
Might not be around much the next day or two because vacation, but I’m looking forward to hearing more thoughts as everyone finishes.

[Kimberly]

Char wrote: "Whew! That was a blast!
Might not be around much the next day or two because vacation, but I’m looking forward to hearing more thoughts as everyone finishes."

Have a great vacation!

[Duncan]

Enjoy your vacay, Char!

[Ian]

Re: ‘The Midwives’ - Barclay James Harvests! 😁

Great witches story this one -80% done and hoping for a quite glorious conclusion…the storm clouds are a-gathering! 👍 😊

[Charlene (Char)🍁☕️📚]

Hellos! I think I’m the only one still reading this book lol I’m 37% in and hopefully I’ll be able to finish reading this book by this weekend but so far I absolutely LOVE IT! I love how an author can take a small town and turn it into hidden secrets and mystery ! Good job Duncan ! This one is hard to put down

[Char]

I’m still watching for comments! Glad to hear you’ve enjoyed it so far!

[Shannon]

Just finished, and I loved it!! :)

Thanks so much for the great discussion and hanging out with us while we read your book, Duncan! I've really had a blast reading this with all of you. :)


I have just one last question, if you don't mind. I was wondering what the last book was that you read that actually scared you or unnerved you or just kind of made you think, damn, that's some creepy shit. I always think of horror writers as kind of hardened to horror, which may be completely wrong, but I figure if something scared you, then it'll probably scare the hell out of me. Thanks! :)

[Ian]

Hey Duncan - Just finished ‘The Midwives’ and thoroughly enjoyed the walk into the dark world of evil witches. Excellent!

I noticed that you said that this was a horror story, adapted many times, being based upon ideas that you had when you first started writing. To me, at times it almost had a ‘mainstream bestseller’ feel to it (largely when the narrative focused on Martin and Shelia). Was wondering if you have ever felt this when reading through it as it’s definitely very different to the style used in say ‘Woom’…which was excellent also.

Last question…

(view spoiler)[ At the end, whatever happened to Aunt Norma? I was convinced that she was always going to be revealed as part of the circular coven of evil witches. Perhaps not…Lol. (hide spoiler)]

[Duncan]

Charlene (Char) wrote: "Hellos! I think I’m the only one still reading this book lol I’m 37% in and hopefully I’ll be able to finish reading this book by this weekend but so far I absolutely LOVE IT! I love how an author ..."

Thank you, Char! I grew up part in the "big city" and part in a small town, so I feel like I got a good education in the good and bad of both, which I think helped me to write about them.

[Duncan]

Shannon wrote: "Just finished, and I loved it!! :)

Thanks so much for the great discussion and hanging out with us while we read your book, Duncan! I've really had a blast reading this with all of you. :)


I h..."

Thank you, Shannon! The last book that unnerved me was Stolen Tongues by Felix Blackwell. The first third of that was genuinely chilling!

[Duncan]

Ian wrote: "Hey Duncan - Just finished ‘The Midwives’ and thoroughly enjoyed the walk into the dark world of evil witches. Excellent!

I noticed that you said that this was a horror story, adapted many times, ..."

Thanks, Ian! I kind of wish I did shop this one around to agents but I'd had a not very great experience with querying for Ghostland that left a bad taste in my mouth, so I didn't bother.

(view spoiler)[ As for Aunt Norma, she was just as brainwashed as the rest of the town. She lived happily ever after with no one to clean up after. (hide spoiler)]

[Shannon]

Duncan wrote: "Shannon wrote: "Just finished, and I loved it!! :)

Thanks so much for the great discussion and hanging out with us while we read your book, Duncan! I've really had a blast reading this with all o..."

Thank you, Duncan! Adding it to my to-read list! :)

[Ian (RebelGeek)]

This was my 2nd DR read (audiobook). Salvage was my 1st. I loved them both & noticed a homecoming theme in them both. I plan to read more! I am pleased with my Audible purchase for this one.

[Ian]

Hey Duncan, just posting this now, just in case I forget.

Thanks for answering my questions regarding ‘The Midwives’ etc - really appreciated. Been fun chatting to you. Anyway, sure we will meet again, don’t know where, don’t know when…some sunny day! Take care, buddy! 😊

(view spoiler)[ Btw - Pleased for Aunt Norma…put in a big shift and now undoubtedly deserves some downtime…to read your books!. 😊 (hide spoiler)]

[Duncan]

Ian (RebelGeek) wrote: "This was my 2nd DR read (audiobook). Salvage was my 1st. I loved them both & noticed a homecoming theme in them both. I plan to read more! I am pleased with my Audible purchase for this one."

Great to hear, Ian (RebelGeek)! Hope you enjoy whatever else you choose to read!

[Duncan]

Ian wrote: "Hey Duncan, just posting this now, just in case I forget.

Thanks for answering my questions regarding ‘The Midwives’ etc - really appreciated. Been fun chatting to you. Anyway, sure we will meet a..."

Thanks, Ian! Been a pleasure! And yes, I agree about Norma. Patience of a saint. :D

[Char]

Thanks, Duncan for joining us for the month! I think our members had a good time. (Thanks for the discount on the book too!)

[Kimberly]

Duncan, I loved following this discussion (almost as much as I loved the book, itself!) One of my top reads from you.

[Duncan]

Char wrote: "Thanks, Duncan for joining us for the month! I think our members had a good time. (Thanks for the discount on the book too!)"

Thanks for having me! Pleasure's mine. :)

[Duncan]

Kimberly wrote: "Duncan, I loved following this discussion (almost as much as I loved the book, itself!) One of my top reads from you."

Thank you! That's great to hear!

[Charlene (Char)🍁☕️📚]

Hi!! I finished this book it’s been a busy few weeks but honestly Duncan this is one for the books ! You did an amazing job with this story! I’ll definitely be reading more of your books ! Also, the ending I didn’t not see that coming !

[Duncan]

Charlene (Char) wrote: "Hi!! I finished this book it’s been a busy few weeks but honestly Duncan this is one for the books ! You did an amazing job with this story! I’ll definitely be reading more of your books ! Also, th..."

Thank you kindly! That's great to hear! :)