As a writer who is about to publish my first children's novel, Ray Rhamey's Mastering the Craft of Compelling Storytelling is particularly useful as it gives you great insight on how to self-edit and make the story better.
The section on wordcraft was an excellent way to tackle the good, the bad and the ugly. The chapter on adverbs gave excellent advice on this often debated topic and the remaining chapters addressed those pesky words "without" and "as" that like to creep in and need to be weeded out.
Section 2 on the techniques of storytelling is a first class exercise in showing not telling. Throughout Rhamey uses examples which are illuminating and often humorous. Writers can be neurotic about having their work dissected but Rhamey shows us the humor in the exercise while always aiming to improve the reader's writing - to simply make us better.
My favorite chapter in the last section on storytelling is "Tension in your first sentence" - it made me rethink my opening lines and I believe I have made them better. Thanks Ray!
Signed paperbacks are available on my website (discounted price, free shipping), both Kindle and the paperback are available on Amazon.com.
I want to give a shout-out to my book-design client (cover and interior), Cristina L. White and her new memoir, Sex and Soul. Cristina was not only a delight to work with, she's a terrific writer. Here's the blurb from the back of the book:
“I grew up in a world where it seemed that all women were meant to marry, and it was expected that every girl wanted to be a bride. I wanted to be Roy Rogers.”
Sex and Soul: A Memoir of Salvation is about the quest to reconcile body and soul; it is an intimate look at a struggle between the dictates of a Catholic upbringing and the call to be true to one’s sense of self. In a story of transition from compliance to nonconformity, Cristina L. White shares her sexual awakening, spiritual transformation, and her political affinities—a trinity that fueled her change from good Catholic girl to an out and open gay woman of color.
Sex and Soul is a frank and often funny account of how one woman’s road to damnation became her sole path to salvation.
I'm giving a shout-out for a client/friend, Pete Barber, who has a new book out--I didn't have anything to do with this one, but I guarantee he's a very good writer and storyteller. Here's a blurb, cover, and a link:
Lab assistant and avid climber Amber Wilson is no stranger to risk. But she feels invisible around her handsome boss, Mark, until she accidentally doses him with an irresistible aphrodisiac that leaves him with a suicidal hangover. Abruptly fired, Amber and Mark partner up to research the source of the drug—a rare New Zealand mushroom—in hopes of refining it for safe use.
On their way to New Zealand to collect fungi samples, Amber is blindsided by a deep and intense romantic connection with Mark. Their new business plan is endangered by ruthless Maori mobsters who control a mushroom scheme they’re killing to protect. As the body count rises, Amber struggles to salvage her and Mark’s dreams, but when she risks her heart and acts alone, both of them could end up paying the ultimate price.
Emily has a blog called Kitty Cat Chronicles, and when she came across The Vampire Kitty-cat Chronicles, she contacted me for an ebook to review. I sent her one, and her review is here.
More than that, she’s running a drawing to give away a free ebook copy. So I hope you’ll visit her blog and enter to win.
Here’s an excerpt from her review:
“The book jumps right into the action from the get-go, which I appreciated. The story starts with Patch, the cat narrator, being turned into a vampire, who then goes on to share all the adventures and troubles he runs into as he tries to adjust to his new lifestyle. He makes several friends (and enemies) throughout his journey, including his new "associate" Amy, a freshly turned "vee" who has an ambitious streak. The cast of characters includes a seven-foot tall vampire with a flair for the dramatic, a pair of opportunistic vampire lawyer twins, an extremely wealthy and corrupt human mob-boss, an extremist preacher turned vampire, and a weasely journalist who is out to catch the newest "it" story. These characters will have you laughing, groaning, and rolling your eyes for sure. They keep you on your toes too!”
Emily had some Photoshop fun turning her own cats into vampires, too. Her review catches the spirit of The Vampire Kitty-cat Chronicles--it's for fun!
I want to give a shout-out for a client of mine, Sara C. Snider, who has just published a terrific fantasy novel, The Thirteenth Tower.
I know it’s terrific because I edited it. Sara has a natural prose voice that draws a reader in, and the story is involving, imaginative, and touching. Here’s the synopsis from the back cover:
In adversity lies strength beyond imagining.
Abandoned as a baby, young Emelyn’s life as a housemaid in the quiet village of Fallow is unremarkable—and empty. That is, until a host of magical creatures arrives and inflicts terrible misdeeds on the townsfolk. Inexplicably immune to their enchantments, Emelyn joins a pair of Magi intent on stopping the cause of the trouble—and who claim to know of her parents, promising Emelyn answers to a lifetime of questions.
But the answers Emelyn seeks prove to be more elusive than she hoped, and the world outside Fallow more perilous than she imagined. Magical creatures roam the land over, attacking yet another town before coming after Emelyn. The key to her survival—and finding her family—lies deep within her, if only she can conquer her doubts and believe she is more powerful than she ever dreamed.
In a journey that explores facing one’s fears amidst the uncertainties of an unknown world, The Thirteenth Tower is a magical tale of discovery, growth, and of love’s enduring strength.
The world Sara creates is fresh and involving, with magical creatures that are real, endearing, and sometimes funny. The protagonist, Emelyn, is a courageous young woman on quite a journey that includes very real , very scary dangers. I highly recommend it.
I also designed the book for Sara. It was a true partnership—she had a vision that led to commissioning special cover art, and she also suggested the font. I had the pleasure of putting it all together and designing the interior, where I was able to contribute more graphic design touches.
I highly recommend The Thirteenth Tower to you. You can get a “look inside” for the Kindle edition here. Sara is well into writing the second book in the series, and I can’t wait to read what happens next.
This is a shout-out for a former client of mine, Pete Barber. He has retitled the thriller I edited for him and is offering a free Kindle download that's good through midnight of the 21st (I don't know what time zone). It's a really good read and I highly recommend it. The price is $0 here on Amazon.
I want to give a shout-out for a client’s new book, Allah’s Revenge. Pete Barber originally came to me for an edit of his manuscript, and stayed on through book design.
I’m particularly pleased with the cover design because, IMO, it creates story questions with just the graphics. Here’s the blurb from the back cover:
Dawud, an Arab genius, creates a nanotechnology weapon capable of destroying the human race, yet small enough to conceal in a hint of perfume.
Recruited by Allah’s Revenge, a Palestinian terrorist organization, he triggers worldwide panic when his weapon suffocates the passengers on a crowded London train in ninety seconds, filling their lungs with hard, black charcoal.
Quinn, an English detective, is first on the scene. A British journalist has a link to the terrorists, and Quinn uses him as bait to flush them out.
When their demands are not met, Allah’s Revenge wipes out the world leaders attending the G20 summit in South Korea, including the US Vice President.
Quinn tracks the terrorists to their lair in Jerusalem and seems to have the weapon under control, but then it is unleashed in Phoenix, Arizona, and Quinn needs all his wits and courage to prevent a horde of nanobots from decimating America.
A challenge was to depict a horde of ravenous nanobots. An image of the full cover, including the back, is here. You’ll see them starting to devour the book spine.
Let me add that I thought this was a terrific read, exciting and interesting all the way through, with action that takes place in London, America, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and more. There are insights into Islam that I found fascinating in addition to the thriller story. The paperback is here, the Kindle version here, and the Nook edition here. And Pete’s website here.
It was a pleasure to work with such a talented (and-able-to-take-editorial-input-to-craft-an-even-stronger-story) author, and I’m now absorbed in editing his second thriller.
Bharti Kirchner, a very talented storyteller, is out with a new mystery, Tulip Season, that I had the fun of working on in a critique group several years ago. Amazing how long it takes a book to get out there in traditional publishing. See more about Bharti and her 9 books on her Amazon author page.
It’s a fun read, and the story and characters are still with me. Here’s the text from the book's Amazon page; I hope you’ll check it out.
A missing domestic-violence counselor. A wealthy and callous husband. A dangerous romance.
Kareena Sinha, an Indian-American domestic-violence counselor, disappears from her Seattle home. When the police dismiss suspicions that she herself was a victim of spousal abuse, her best friend, Mitra Basu, a young landscape designer, resolves to find her. Mitra’s search reveals glimpses of a secret life involving her friend and a Bollywood actor of ill repute.
Following the trail, Mitra is lured back to India where she uncovers the actor’s ties to the Mumbai underworld and his financial difficulties–leading her into a web of life-threatening intrigue where Mitra can’t be sure of Kareena’s safety or her own.
“Mitra is gunpowder chutney to the mystery genre, her adventures a hot refreshing blast of sumptuous storytelling. Bharti Kirchner has once again conquered another literary field. Highly Addictive.” -- Skye Moody, Author of the mystery novel Three Bags Full
"Tulip Season is an evocative taste of Seattle's darker side." -- Cara Black, Author of the mystery novel Murder at the Lanterne Rouge
Which reminds me that no one has taken advantage of my free bookshelf/review posting offer in a while.
I want to tell you a little about--and encourage you to read--a fascinating memoir titled Entering the Blue Stone, written by a client and friend, Molly Best Tinsley.
Full disclosure: I designed the book cover and interior, and I have designed several other books for Molly’s company, Fuze Publishing. But that’s not why I’m advocating her book.
It’s because it’s a wonderful read, and a window into life that is worth the trip. Here’s the summary from the back of the book:
The General battles Parkinson's; his wife manifests a bizarre dementia. Their grown children embrace what seems a solution—an upscale retirement community. Between laughter and dismay, discover what shines beneath catastrophe: family bonds, the dignity of even an unsound mind, and the endurance of the heart.
And here are a couple of the blurbs:
“Dignity and unexpected comedy at the dark end of a family romance.” Merrill Leffler, editor, Dryad Press; poet, Mark the Music
“A story both familiar and rare, beautiful and harrowing. Mary Edwards Wertsch, Military Brats: Legacies of Childhood Inside the Fortress
You can buy it at their website or the usual online resources. I highly recommend it. The writing is delightful and absorbing.
If you’re interested in the design story, there’s a brief show-and-tell here and here and here--it’s my current featured cover design.
There was just one submission left, so I’ve added my writing book so it wouldn’t be alone. And, after all, ‘tis the season to give writers books, right?
To Promote the General Welfare Edward Wallace Richbourg Dean Granville has one thing on his mind ... convincing his girlfriend to marry him ... until he's arrested for murder. Dean covers college sports for the Washington Post, aiming to become a White House correspondent.
Virginia Governor Eugene Simpson has designs on the presidency. But he makes the mistake of vacationing in The Bahamas with his mistress. Several people have reasons to want Simpson out of the way. The timing is perfect.
As Dean begins to investigate, the trail leads him back to Virginia and Washington, DC for the showdown with the murderer of the governor and his mistress.
Flogging the Quill, Crafting a Novel that Sells Ray Rhamey Laura Abbott, Amber Quill Press: “As an owner and managing editor of a publishing company, I’ve read many submissions that were near-misses. If the writers had had the benefit of this book, they’d be published now. Witty, funny, and engaging, this is a must-read for the burgeoning storyteller and serious novelist.”
Dan Conaway, literary agent, Writers House: “Ray’s book provides the sort of practical, sensible advice that really can help you become a better writer.”
Tess Gerritsen, bestselling author: “A must-have for any novelist--published or aspiring. It’s one of the most readable, entertaining books on writing out there.”
Reality check
With writers putting their books “out there” on the Holiday Bookshelf, it got me to thinking about the “reality check” of reader reviews that these writers are exposing themselves too. Most of the ones I get appear on Amazon, so I looked mine up.
You never know
The Vamipire Kitty-cat Chronicles is, to my way of thinking, just a humorous romp, a spoof of vampires and a social satire. Harmless, I thought. But it received one 1-star and two 2-star reviews from people who disliked it a lot. However, enough other readers agree with my take on it to keep the average rating at 4 stars.
Considering the goodly number of writers who have bought Flogging the Quill, Crafting a Novel that Sells and given reviews, I’m really honored by the average of 4+ stars. I like to teach and mentor, and to have feedback that I’m helping other writers makes my day.
Do you have any review stories about your books?
More bookshelves?
Let me ask you this: I think I should do more “bookshelves” for writers to showcase their books. I could do it one week a month. What do you think? Tell me on the poll. Multiple choices can be made.