Introducing the Prolific and Exellent Writer Rags Daniels

 

Taking a blogging day here to mention a fellow writer, Rags Daniels.  Have you read any of his work? Engaging, action, suspense - you name it, Rags' books serve it up. They get five star reviews on Amazon Kindle. And Lallapaloosa is being scripted for the movies.

Mr. Daniels has had quite a life - just click on the link above and get a sampling of his history. 

 

Meanwhile there's also the dramatic Salford Sunrise that he's written which has also gotten a five star review. and 

Foxy Lady, ditto. Politics, intrigue and suspense.

As an emerging indie writer Mr. Daniels ranks right up there among the best.  Prolific too! Best of luck, Mr. Daniels, and do keep writing!

Book Giveaway - Warrior Flight Free at Amazon on Kindle Dec. 3 through 5

It's true -

Today it begins. 

Warrior Flight is Free for three days on Amazon, Dec.3 through 5. 

Grab your copy with my compliments - an early gift for the holiday season. 

 

Begin At The Beginning Of Writing And Know Where You’re Going

Ah, the beginning, the blank page, the quiet keyboard, the notebook tossed aside. Every writer knows about the beginning. The idea. The rush. 

But what about the rest? 

The trick is, whether you’re writing a screen script or a novel or something else, you have to begin, but there’s also the need to have planned to finish and that means you kind of have to know where you’re going. 

I know, I know you have this great idea and you have to get going on it. Yes, you do. Have to get going on it I mean, but give yourself some time to sort things through first. 

Fan the flames of that great idea – lay your groundwork. Know where you’re heading. 

There are things to help you do this, things you need to know. 

For example. The background of that great idea. That means research. Might be a little. Might be a lot. You’ll have to determine that. But it does apply to every story, not just thrillers, historical novels or SciFi. To bring your story to life in your head as well as on the blank page details are important. The research necessity for SciFi or historical setting is obvious. Not so obvious is the need to add detail and color to a family saga set on the streets of your home town. Detail enriches a story. 

For example, in your home town, are the streets paved with asphalt or are there still some brick streets? Is it prone to flooding every time it rains? Is there a river or a creek nearby? Are there malls or neighborhood shops? More detail? Stop by the local cemetery and read some of the old and listing headstones. Check out what birds are common to your area. How old is the oldest house and what neighborhood is it in? Who’s the local builder, or do they come in from out of town?  Think about the trees and the flowers – or lack thereof. Look around like you’ve never seen the place and pick out the details. Even if you don’t use it all, your knowing breathes live into your story.

Think about the great novels you’ve read, the movies that stick in your mind. It’s the small touches, the intimate knowledge of place that brings it all to live. 

Your characters are also of paramount importance. Know them. Know what makes them tick, what quirks they have, how they’d react in awkward, dangerous, or humorous situations. There’s more to developing character than grabbing a baby book and looking up names (or creating one online with one of the fab new name generators). Make your characters so real to yourself and your audience that they take on a life of their own and stubbornly refuse to do something you want them to do when it gets crossways of who they are. And don’t do that just for your main characters – spread the love around to supporting characters as well. 

Conflict – yep, there has to be a conflict or there isn’t a story. It’s the engine that drives it all. Focus in on your conflict, know what it is. Perhaps write it out and be specific. Know what yours is.

And embrace a theme. Understand for yourself what theme your story covers. Is it love conquers all? Maybe good versus evil? Now that’s not to say you’re locked in like cement overshoes, but if you don’t know where you’ve begun, you won’t be able to control where you’re going. Your theme might begin as one thing and then shift to another. That’s okay. More than one theme is okay to as the story evolves. But know that theme is to begin with or you’re going to find yourself way off track. 

So begin at the beginning. Give yourself time to learn about the world you’re creating ~then gift the world with your genius. 

Have a favorite way of accomplishing this? Let other readers and writers know - post a comment below. 

Writers & Readers Websites Wednesday

This one's for the writers out there and for the curious readers who love to learn what goes into putting a story together.  It's Stephen King on Wordplay - writing about creating imagery.  It's a fairly lengthy article as online posts go - but well worth the read.

Readers And Writers Alert: Stormrider Now in Paperback

Today is a day of shameless self promotion. 

Well, who hasn't done it? So proud of what you accomplished you just want to share it with the world. 

So I am.

I'm a writer after all.  I get excited about writing and reading and publishing and editing...well you know. 

So today I announce my book, STORMRIDER, originally available in Ebook format is now available in paperback format as well with plans to bring an audio version out by the end of summer.

I'm collecting, enjoying and am very grateful for the 5 star reviews. Here are what people who've read Stormrider are saying: 

**   5.0 out of 5 stars Extraordinary Writer March 11, 2013

By Rowdy Rhodes

Format:Paperback

If you are a science fiction/fantasy fan, then this page-turner with keep you enthralled. The multi-talented Peggy Bechko has once again taken the reading world by storm; no pun intended, with her release of Stormrider. Previously only available as an eBook, the new format and layout does justice to a story line that will hold you in suspense until the very last page. The journey and adventure of her young character Janissary keeps you rooting for her every step of the way until the final, exciting conclusion. A must have summer time read. Add it to your list folks!

**    5.0 out of 5 stars worth reading! November 26, 2012

By Vallere

Format:Kindle Edition

This is a tightly woven tale of adventure, goodwill and savagery. Beyond the classic story of good versus evil, there is the conflict between the call of duty and the call of conscience. No one is perfectly good or evil, but within each of us are seeds of both good and evil. Stormrider details the internal tug of war experienced by two very different protagonists as they find their way in a strange, yet familiar world.

The conclusion of the story is of secondary interest. It is the journey and evolution of the characters that tells the tale.

** 5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully descriptive writing & wonderfully compelling story November 8, 2012

By Nick @ Den Publishing Company

Format:Kindle Edition

Page 1 and I'm already drawn in (excitedly so). But, isn't that how good (great) fiction writing is supposed to be?! I can't tell you how quickly and easily (and I'm not a fiction reader) Miss Bechko drew me in - not only to the beautifully described surroundings, but to feel (~deeply) for the main character, again on page one! Amazing!

**    "Once I started reading Stormrider I couldn't put it down."
—John Cullum, Northern Exposure , Tony winning fame

~~ Aw, gee, I'm blushing! 

Go check it out - get a free sample, then get your own copy via Kindle, Paperback, B & N,  even UK Amazon.

AND, since you read all the way to the end of this post, I'll be delighted to send a paperback copy of Stormrider to the first person who posts a comment below - just post a comment and I'll contact you for a mailing address.  

Cheers everyone!   

Blog Hop Next Big Thing

I have been asked by Jim Wright of the blog OlBigJim and author of New Yesterdays  to take  part in a blog chain called The Next Big Thing in which an author answers ten questions about his/her next (or most in need of a push) book. At the end of the blog post I must ‘tag’ other authors and they answer on their blog the following week. And, we all put it on our blogs and Facebook pages, and/or tweet it.”

So here we go --- 

And these are the 10 questions:

1) What is the title of your book?

The title of my book is “Stormrider”.

2) Where did the idea come from?

I've always had a great love for wolves, adventure and fantasy. It all kind  of came together when the first seeds of the idea came to me a few years back - then those seeds sat around before they germinated. Where an idea comes from is always hard for me to answer. It's usually just some little thing that starts the process - but there are many 'seeds' that never seem to get going. Because of my particular love for animals - and wolves - and elements of SciFi this one really took root.

3) What genre best defines your book?

I guess I'd have to say Fantasy but there are a number of SciFi elements in it as well. I'm getting positive reviews from folks who've put it in both and some who want to call it a romance.  Really???  Hmm, hard to cram it into a box.  How about just a great read?

4) What actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie?

LOL - no idea whatsoever. Maybe Angelina Jolie as the lead, Stormrider because she does physical action so well.

 5) What is the one-sentence synopsis?

There's a whole lot more than wolves coming - how much more?

6) Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

It is published at Kindle on Amazon by The Fictionworks. I'm contemplating adding a paperback version a little later in 2013

7) How long did it take you to write the first draft?

Maybe three months.  I was holding down a full time job at the time so couldn't dedicate as much time at a stretch as I would have liked to then.

8) What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

I don't like to compare my story to others in my genre (if I even came close to defining that above). It's strong on adventure, touched with a bit of philosophy, spiced with SciFi and stands on it's own. There was no model in mind when I originated it.

9) Who or what inspired you to write this book?

My own love of Fantasy, SciFi and the strength of friendship - between people and between people and animals.

10) What else about the book might pique the reader’s interest?

It's set on a world in turmoil and Stormrider, dedicated protector of the people, by finding the Amulet which has been stolen, can help bring order and peace to her world. But, because she is believed dead by the Cirlce of Nine who'd sent her on her mission, they send a Bounty Hunter, a mercenary to complete her mission and she ends up rescuing him. After that the sparks fly pretty much everywhere and it is the wovles who've come together in a pack including Stormrider, who guide the mission.

Now, I must pass The Next Big Thing to five more victims… erm, friends. (a direct quote from Big Jim)

Watch for the answers provided by my nominees and support their efforts by picking up a copy of their books. If you like them let them know by posting a review. It’s your praise and criticism that keep us going!

And, the nominees are:

V.K. Ramsey, author of The Third Key (Guarding The LIght Part 1)  

and 

Jim Murray, author of Lethal Medicine and State of Illusion. 

There were to be more folks tagged and responding, but unfortunately due to the time of year, my own insane schedule with getting a new computer, these brave volunteers are the ones I have to share with you.