Nightmares and Dreamscapes discussion

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Jeff Strand - Featured Author for August - Veiled - August 1, 2024 to August 31, 2024
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Jeff wrote: "I'm ready to A all of your Q's!"
Awesome! :)
On that note I will throw out the first question.
How did this story and book come about, Jeff?
Awesome! :)
On that note I will throw out the first question.
How did this story and book come about, Jeff?

The answer to the question "What the hell is she hiding?" was the inspiration for the book. I can't remember how I came up with the idea, but it originally wasn't a secret. That was just the premise of the novel. But as I played around with the idea, I decided that it worked better if the main character and the reader didn't know what was happening, and I completely restructured the story.
Jeff wrote: "Going to tread carefully to avoid spoilers...
The answer to the question "What the hell is she hiding?" was the inspiration for the book. I can't remember how I came up with the idea, but it origi..."
Very cool, Jeff. Thank for that answer.
The answer to the question "What the hell is she hiding?" was the inspiration for the book. I can't remember how I came up with the idea, but it origi..."
Very cool, Jeff. Thank for that answer.
Jeff, welcome to the group read, I am so stoked to have one of my all time favorite writers here with us, unreal!

Oh, it's REAL!!!
Jeff wrote: "Kasia wrote: "Jeff, welcome to the group read, I am so stoked to have one of my all time favorite writers here with us, unreal!"
Oh, it's REAL!!!"
Ha! Well I started the book last night and I'm intrigued from the first page so it's getting real for sure :P
Oh, it's REAL!!!"
Ha! Well I started the book last night and I'm intrigued from the first page so it's getting real for sure :P
Jeff wrote: "Going to tread carefully to avoid spoilers...
The answer to the question "What the hell is she hiding?" was the inspiration for the book. I can't remember how I came up with the idea, but it origi..."
Thank you for the answer Jeff. :)
The answer to the question "What the hell is she hiding?" was the inspiration for the book. I can't remember how I came up with the idea, but it origi..."
Thank you for the answer Jeff. :)
I started the book too. The prologue was interesting. I am wondering what you have in store for us all. lol
I was chuckling through some of the prologue so I know this is going to be a great ride!
I was chuckling through some of the prologue so I know this is going to be a great ride!
I am 28% into the story. Still have some chuckles going on. I just love these comedy horror stories that you write Jeff! :)
My next question is this:
Are the characters completely made up or are they parts of people you have met or know? I know sometimes authors will take people that they know or have met then throw them into a story. lol
Are the characters completely made up or are they parts of people you have met or know? I know sometimes authors will take people that they know or have met then throw them into a story. lol

Hello Mr. Strand!
Kevin wrote: "I'd like to jump in if it's ok. i just ordered this, so it will be a few days before I start. I've read The Odds and loved it.
Hello Mr. Strand!"
Kevin, always welcome you can start anytime is good for you and we also don't close these threads so we can chat about these books forever :) nice to have you!
Hello Mr. Strand!"
Kevin, always welcome you can start anytime is good for you and we also don't close these threads so we can chat about these books forever :) nice to have you!
Marie wrote: "I am 28% into the story. Still have some chuckles going on. I just love these comedy horror stories that you write Jeff! :)"
I really enjoy that as well, it just sneaks up on you, always unexpected in the best way! I was reading about Nate opening his fridge and seeing condiments and reaching the point in life as seeing them as main courses, yessss.... I've opened the fridge before and tough hm hot sauce adn mayo, yes we can make something to make this work :P
I really enjoy that as well, it just sneaks up on you, always unexpected in the best way! I was reading about Nate opening his fridge and seeing condiments and reaching the point in life as seeing them as main courses, yessss.... I've opened the fridge before and tough hm hot sauce adn mayo, yes we can make something to make this work :P
Kevin wrote: "I'd like to jump in if it's ok. i just ordered this, so it will be a few days before I start. I've read The Odds and loved it.
Hello Mr. Strand!"
Awesome to have you with us Kevin! :)
Hello Mr. Strand!"
Awesome to have you with us Kevin! :)
Kasia wrote: "Marie wrote: "I am 28% into the story. Still have some chuckles going on. I just love these comedy horror stories that you write Jeff! :)"
I really enjoy that as well, it just sneaks up on you, al..."
Same! lol Some of the thoughts I can relate to as well which keeps me giggling. lol
I really enjoy that as well, it just sneaks up on you, al..."
Same! lol Some of the thoughts I can relate to as well which keeps me giggling. lol

Are the characters completely made up or are they parts of people you have met or know? I know sometimes authors will take people that they know or have met then throw t..."
The characters in my stories are almost always completely made up. I obviously pull from social experience in general, but it's extremely rare that any characters are specifically pulled from real people.
Jeff wrote: "Marie wrote: "My next question is this:
Are the characters completely made up or are they parts of people you have met or know? I know sometimes authors will take people that they know or have me..."
I like made up people. lol :)
Are the characters completely made up or are they parts of people you have met or know? I know sometimes authors will take people that they know or have me..."
I like made up people. lol :)
Jeff wrote: "Marie wrote: "My next question is this:
Are the characters completely made up or are they parts of people you have met or know? I know sometimes authors will take people that they know or have me..."
My dad worked with this one journalist in our small Polish town that was also in charge of horoscopes, and she would sneak in stuff about ppl she knows into the horoscopes, Im still laugh remembering some of those stories because she really got some people good haha.
Are the characters completely made up or are they parts of people you have met or know? I know sometimes authors will take people that they know or have me..."
My dad worked with this one journalist in our small Polish town that was also in charge of horoscopes, and she would sneak in stuff about ppl she knows into the horoscopes, Im still laugh remembering some of those stories because she really got some people good haha.

Great writing 👊
Victor *Nothing Happened* wrote: "I'm halfway through chapter 5 and my agita is already ramping up. And I think there's something wrong with my left phalange.
Great writing 👊"
Welcome to group read Victor! :)
Great writing 👊"
Welcome to group read Victor! :)
I am up to 88%! Really liking this story. Sorry I have been MIA - lots of home stuff going on, but I am reading the story.
Have you thought about writing sequels to some of your stand alone novels, Jeff? Maybe do another series or trilogy of books?
I am working on reading your Wolf Hunt trilogy. Then I need to read your Andrew Mayhem series.
I am working on reading your Wolf Hunt trilogy. Then I need to read your Andrew Mayhem series.

A lot of my books could have sequels (ALLISON, THE ODDS, SICK HOUSE, etc.) and I did DEATHLESS, the sequel to PRESSURE, back in 2021, but I usually focus on new stuff.
Part of my problem is that I do sequels wrong--several years between installments! If I did another trilogy, all three books would be written before the first one was published, and I'd bring them out only a month or two apart!
Jeff wrote: "Marie wrote: "Have you thought about writing sequels to some of your stand alone novels, Jeff? Maybe do another series or trilogy of books?
A lot of my books could have sequels (ALLISON, THE ODDS..."
I would read them all no matter how you wrote them! lol :)
A lot of my books could have sequels (ALLISON, THE ODDS..."
I would read them all no matter how you wrote them! lol :)
So I finished the book and WOW - what a twisted nutty ride that was! lol
Gave it five stars. :)
Here is my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Gave it five stars. :)
Here is my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Gave it five stars. :)
Here is my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."
Sweeeeeet! Thanks!!! :)

A lot of my books could have sequels (ALLISON, THE ODDS..."
I like the idea of a completed trilogy released in a timely manner! Most of the trilogies/series I read are like 800 page fantasy tomes so when I finish one my brain hurts so I read a palette cleanser afterward. Your books seem to be a good page count for me to finish the series in one go.

I love the horror/comedy aspects of your writing! I actually LOL sometimes. The conversations between the characters are very fluid.
(view spoiler)
Bravo sir, bravo!

Again, great job with this one.
Are the final endings in your books set in stone from when you formulate the idea or is it more fluid depending on rewrites and editing or feedback?

Almost everything is fluid!
Now, in the case of VEILED, I knew the big reveal ahead of time. That was never going to change. Alice's behavior needed to be consistent with what we learn later. However, I didn't know the final third of the book except in very broad strokes. I didn't know the very ending at all.
I was maybe three chapters away from finishing the book before I came up with the actual ending. And then I thought, "Do I really want to do that?" After some reflection, the answer was, "Yes, I do." :)

Almost everything is fluid!
Now, in the case ..."
Thanks for the reply!
I could see how that was the case with this one.
(view spoiler)
Kind of a dumb question if you don't mind another one. How do you pick the names of your characters? I'm curious on how the creative people keep things fresh. Can't have every character named Kevin....can you? Haha!
Thanks!
Jeff wrote: "Marie wrote: "So I finished the book and WOW - what a twisted nutty ride that was! lol
Gave it five stars. :)
Here is my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."
Sweeeeeet! Th..."
You are welcome! :)
Gave it five stars. :)
Here is my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."
Sweeeeeet! Th..."
You are welcome! :)

Gave it five stars. :)
Here is my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."
5 stars from me too! Your review is spot on!
Kevin wrote: "Marie wrote: "So I finished the book and WOW - what a twisted nutty ride that was! lol
Gave it five stars. :)
Here is my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."
5 stars from ..."
Awesome Kevin! Thank you! :)
Gave it five stars. :)
Here is my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."
5 stars from ..."
Awesome Kevin! Thank you! :)
Synopsis of story:
The first time their eyes lock, it’s an amused and sympathetic look from Alice at the next table. She can tell Nate’s blind date is going horribly awry.
The second time is a chance meeting at a grocery store. Or is it by chance? It’s a little weird, but either way, Nate and Alice hit it off immediately.
He really likes her. They have great chemistry. But there’s something a little off—okay, a lot off—about her. Not just the unexplained sadness. It’s an intense desire, almost a desperation, for things to move much faster than Nate is comfortable with.
Alice has an obvious secret. What’s she hiding?
When Nate finds out…well, nobody said this was a romantic comedy…
Goodreads Author Profile of Jeff Strand:
Jeff Strand
Amazon link to buy the book (also it is on Kindle Unlimited):
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C...
Please welcome Jeff Strand!