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EVERYONE WANTS TO BE AN AUTHOR

by Paul W. West, Author | Thursday, October 03, 2019

EVERYONE WANTS TO BE AN AUTHOR

Hello to all my faithful family, friends, and followers.

Today, since I have many new followers, I thought I should introduce myself.

My name is Paul W. West. I'm a California transplant and now live in Taylorsville, Utah with my wife. I have one published novel, "BRIDGETOWN HIGH," and am currently working on a sequel I'm calling "Bridgetown Murders." More about that one in a later post. In these posts I usually offer some advice to other writers and authors that I've gleaned over the years, hence the title EVERYONE WANTS TO BE AN AUTHOR. I hope these posts will help you in your writing adventures.

BRIDGETOWN HIGH is about seventeen year old Mark Wilkerson who has no memory of the fiery crash that killed his family on the Carquinez Bridge… Living with his grandmother and burdened with guilt, Mark vows to find the hit-and-run driver who killed his family and take his revenge. The only detail he remembers, however, is round taillights swerving in front of his family’s car, and he’s shocked when he notices that the car of the high school’s bully, Jeff Marino, has identical taillights—and a suspicious dent in the fender. Now he wants revenge more than ever… Jeff believes Mark is an anti-Vietnam War activist like his cousin Gary—and despises him for it. To make matters worse, when Jeff’s girlfriend Genie Lombardi dumps him for Mark, it kicks Jeff’s hatred for him to a dangerous new level. Lies and threats escalate, until alcohol and drugs and a shocking death send Jeff over the edge, and his campaign to get Genie back any way he can turns violent. When Mark’s memory begins to return, it leads to a terrifying confrontation. Will he finally prove the identity of the guilty driver? Or will he and Genie become one more tragedy associated with the Carquinez Bridge?

If you would like to follow me, you can follow this link (www.paulwwest.com) to my blog page and enter your email address in the side-bar. You will be notified whenever I write a new post. You can also follow me on Facebook at Paul W West, Author: Twitter at @paulwwest: and LinkedIn at Paul West.

I look forward to any questions or comments you would like to offer.

Thanks,

Paul W. West, Author

BRIDGETOWN HIGH

More on: 1960s, drugs, novels, young adult

About Paul West

Paul West is a freelance writer and novelist. Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Paul claims to be a "Prune Picker," though he now makes his home in Taylorsville, Utah.

You can follower him on Twitter: @PaulWWest

Published: Thursday, October 03, 2019

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Hi again, to all my wonderful friends and followers.

I thought today I would talk a little bit about creating memorable characters.

I suppose everyone has a slightly different technique in getting to know their characters. Mine is probably as unique as anyone's.

My novel "BRIDGETOWN HIGH" is character driven. I prefer to write and read this kind of fiction. If one writes plot-driven stories, a strong well-defined character isn't always needed and may even get in the way of the suspenseful plot. But in character-driven fiction, it's imperative to know your characters, how they think, how they react to circumstances, their background, goals, fears, loves, hates, etc.

When I began writing my novel, I tried to create characters using the personality traits of people I knew. Of course, I had to modify them so the actual people wouldn't recognize themselves. As I did this, I tried to get into their heads. I tried to imagine myself in their shoes. How would I think, act, react, feel, etc., if I were them? From trying to empathize with my characters, I've been able to write not only from the protagonist's point of view, but also from the antagonist's. I think my main antagonist is as real as my protagonists. My female characters are as real to me as the male characters. I know it's perhaps difficult for a man to think like a female, and vice-versa, but I think it can be done if we're truly sympathetic and empathetic to what makes the opposite sex tick.

Try this in your writing. It makes your work stand out and enjoyable to read. If you want some good examples, check out "BRIDGETOWN HIGH." It's garnered several great reviews on Amazon and Goodreads.

Hi, to all my friends and family

While I've been gone for several weeks, a question was raised, should novel endings always be happy?

Happy or sad, I think isn't the proper question. In my opinion, the story's ending must resolve satisfactorily all the questions and problems that have been posed.

Right now, I'm struggling with the ending of my next novel BRIDGETOWN MURDERS. Should I let the heroine live or die?

If my heroine dies, it would be horrible, heart wrenching, but a realistic outcome of all that had gone on before. But would it solve the main problem, that of my hero overcoming his phobia? As one critiquer suggested, having her die on the bridge would likely make his phobia worse.

If she lives, however, I fear it could read too much like a cheap romance novel, all hearts and flowers, and would not be realistic. But it could have the effect of helping the hero to overcome his phobia, assuming I can write the ending well enough.

Either way, I don't think the question of whether happy versus sad endings is important, as long as it is satisfying. If the reader cries out buckets of tears over the ending, then I as a writer have succeeded in my main purpose, that being to entertain my readers.

While you are pondering that issue, you can read what led up to this question in my novel BRIDGETOWN HIGH. You can find it in Amazon in either paperback or kindle.

Welcome to all my faithful followers and newbies, who have only recently found me on this page. For those who are new to my blog, a bit about me. I fancy myself as a fiction writer and will post my thoughts on several issues including fiction writing and marketing.

I live in Utah and until recently worked as an environmental biologist. Over the years, I’ve completed a novel-length manuscript titled BRIDGETOWN HIGH. While I’m trying to market it, I’ve begun another I'm giving it the working title of BRIDGETOWN MURDERS. Both of these novels are targeted toward young adults and so-called baby boomers - I know, a weird combination, but it works.

I grew up in a small town in California's San Francisco Bay Area called Port Costa, and even though I now live in Utah, I still claim to be a native Californian. We liked to joke that Port Costa has a population of 150 if you count the dogs and cats. It’s a picturesque old Huckle Berry Finn kind of town with a colorful history and picturesque countryside. It's from this town that I get a lot of my writing inpiration.

One day, I came across a wonderful site http://www.claytonbailey.com/skycam.htm. The owner of the site, Clayton Bailey, is a resident of Port Costa and seems to share my love of the town and it’s environs. He’s posted pictures of the countryside, the town, and occasionally some of the townsfolk, many of whom I still recall from my childhood. I occasionally refer to his site as I write about the town in which I once lived.

The rustic San Francisco Bay Area countryside, the quaint small town in which I grew up, the colorful people, all have teamed to fertilize my mind with stories that are screaming to be told. From my high school days, my English teachers saw some sort of raw writing ability in me, both for fiction and non-fiction. In college, my professors seemed to see the same ability and encouraged me to mold that ability into a talent. I like to flatter myself into thinking I have done that.

After settling on my career as an environmental biologist, the stories swarming through my head kept crying to get out. So several years ago I began writing my pubfiction, but only as a hobby at first. But now, it’s became an obsession, and 2 1/2 years ago I finally got published through Limitless Publishing, LLC. Since then, it has become a run away best seller, at least among my friends.

In addition to my writing, my wife and I enjoy spending time with our four children and 18 grandchildren. I also love gardening, researching my family history, and reading good books.

I hope you will enjoy this blog as I try to give some writerly tips I've found over the years.

Hi gang,

How did your holidays go? I hope it went well for all of you and you got everything your heart desired. Now that the holidays are over, it's time to get back to work on that novel you're writing (and I'm writing too).

Right now, I'm in the process of retiring from my day-job, so writing my novels will become my new day-job, and I should be able to devote more time to my writing.

I would like to make this blog interactive. If you have any questions or comments about writing, please send them to me and I'll try to respond as best I can. Sure, there are a lot of better writers than me, but will they spend the time with your questions like I will? Or they will charge you hundreds of dollars to join one of the many writing groups for information I can give for free.

I say, there are better writers, but that may be up to you, the reader. My first novel "BRIDGETOWN HIGH," received many high reviews (4.43 in Goodreads and 4.2 in Amazon). That's as good as I've found for any of the top 100 writers. In fact, I got a compliment just today from a reader who has begun reading BRIDGETOWN HIGH. She said the opening chapter held her spellbound, and it only gets better as you read on.

Well, that's it for today. Please send me your writing and/or reading questions, and please add your email address to this blog so you can be aware of future developments and release dates.

Thanks, and I hope you have a wonderful New Year.

Hi to all my friends, followers and family.

I hate to do this, but I need to let you know that this is likely to be my last post for a while. I'm finding it difficult to write these blog posts every week and still find time for actual writing.

Based on the actual number of comments I've gotten from all of you in my audience over the past couple of years, it doesn't appear there are very many people actually reading these posts anyway.

I will probably be back in a few months. I just need some space right now to put into practice what I've been teaching here.

It's been fun, but for now I need to do actual writing, and decide whether I want to continue with my Bridgetown High sequel called The Bridge Beckons, or resume work on another book I've wanted to finish. Some of you might remember me talking about GERTA!

In the meantime, keep going with your own writing and if you need help with something, please feel free to contact me at paulwwest@yahoo.com. I'd love to hear from you, and I'll be happy to answer any questions, or help you with any issues you may have as best I can.

Bye for now,
Paul W. West, Author
Bridgetown High

Hello to all my wonderful family and friends (and if you're reading this, you are one or the other in my mind).

Today, I have to brag, just a bit. Last week's blog post got nearly 1,000 readers. WOW! Now, if everyone would get a copy of my book, and sign up for my email, that would be wonderful.

Today, I want to cover the next thing Dean Koonts said is what the average reader demands if you want to write best-selling fiction. That is: "Colorful, imaginative, and convincing characterizations."

I remember when I first read that, I realized my characters were pretty much vanilla pudding. Mark was so, so, and Genie didn't exist, neither did Gary. As soon as I read that, I realized I needed to do something to make my characters people that other people would care about.

First thing I did was to I change Mark, making him more aggressive, more of a boy who would be tough in a fight, though the only fights he ever got into was when three other boys attacked him. In his big fight scene, Mark tries to fight, but with 3 on 1 that's kind of tough, and Jeff, the antagonist nearly kills him. You'll have to read Bridgetown High to see what I mean.

Second, I invented Gary. Gary is a colorful character, being a hippy and a draft dodger. In spite of that, to make him of value to the story, I decided to make him Mark's cousin, and that role plays in some serious interaction with Mark throughout the book, but mostly at the end. 'Nuff said for now.

Third, I created Genie, but she started out as a real problem to Mark. She went from a bad girl, a druggie, and a rape victim, to the pretty, sweet, talented girl with a lot of spunk and in the end, the girl who, due to her great love for Mark, took the bullet meant for him. Did she live or die? You'll have to read Bridgetown High to find out.

And, that brings me to Jeff, the hated antagonist. He's a poor boy from across the proverbial tracks. I spent a lot of time in his head, making him as real as I could. Through his head, and some of his friends, we learn to empathize and actually feel sorry, for him. We learn he lives in a broken home, had an abusive father, and so on. By the time I got through with him, most readers actually sympathize with him as well as empathize with him, though they don't condone his actions. Again, if you haven't read the Bridgetown High, Get a copy so you'll see what I mean.

There are other characters, of course, but I'll leave of their descriptions off for now. Just remember, your characters need to resonate with the reader. Brainstorm and see if you can't make your characters more real, and someone the reader can love, or like Jeff, someone the readers can hate.

Okay. So, until next week, as always, if you like this blog, please remember to "Share" and "Like"it on Facebook , and "Tweet" it on Twitter. Then PLEASE, take five minutes to write a review and post it on Amazon or Goodreads. Also have you signed up for my email letters on my Blog Site? I would love to see you there and have you introduce yourself and give comments, good or bad, to this blog. And also keep in mind "BRIDGETOWN HIGH" is still available on Amazon, Goodreads and Barnes&Noble and several other places I can't remember. Also, you can read some GREAT reviews of BRIDGETOWN HIGH on Amazon and Goodreads in case you need more info about my novel. And keep in mind, if I ever get some free time, I have a sequel in the works.

(By-the-way, the above blued words are clickable links. Just hold down the Control key and click on the blue words.)

See y'all next week.

Paul

Hello "EVERYONE." After reading my blog messages, do you still want to be an "AUTHOR?" I hope so. It's an exciting journey. Often frustrating, but even if you never get published, it's a rewarding experience.

For those of you who are new to following me and who I am, I wrote the selling novel, Bridgetown High. Today, I thought I'd tell a little bit about the novel and maybe encourage you in your writing, that if I could write and get published by a traditional publisher, maybe you can too.

BRIDGETOWN HIGH is a suspenseful look at how conditions were in the mid-1960s. The Vietnam War, drugs, alcohol, teen romance, first loves, etc. A lot has changed sine then, but in the long run not much has really changed if you compare both eras.

It's a story about Seventeen year old Mark Wilkerson who has no memory of the fiery crash that killed his family on the Carquinez Bridge in the San Francisco Bay Area. Now living with his grandmother and burdened with guilt that he may have helped to cause the accident, Mark vows to find the hit-and-run driver and take his revenge. But, the only detail he remembers is round taillights swerving in front of his family’s car. He is shocked when he notices that Jeff Marino's car, has identical taillights—and a suspicious dent in his rear fender. Jeff Marino is the school's bully. Now Mark wants revenge more than ever… On the other hand, Jeff believes Mark is an anti-Vietnam War activist like Mark's cousin Gary and despises him for it. To make matters worse, when Jeff’s girlfriend, Genie Lombardi, dumps him for Mark, it kicks Jeff’s hatred for him to a dangerous new level. Lies and threats escalate, until drugs and alcohol, and a shocking death, send Jeff over the edge and his campaign to get Genie back, any way he can, turns violent. When Mark’s memory starts to return, it leads to a terrifying confrontation between Mark and Jeff. Will Mark finally prove the identity of the guilty driver? Or will he and Genie become one more tragedy associated with the Carquinez Bridge?

This book took me quite a long time to write, edit, re-edit, re-re-edit, and once more, edit. I actually tossed in the garbage can several times, but I still believed in it and just couldn't just let it rest. Finally, after hundreds of agent rejections, I found Limitless Publishing who was willing to publish BRIDGETOWN HIGH. I can't say they will publish your novel, but it's worth a try. I'm willing to review your book, if you want, and decide whether or not to recommend your book to them.

I hope that encourages you, not discourages you. For me, writing is in my blood. I just can't quit. I hope my next novel, a sequel to BRIDGETOWN HIGH, will be as well written.

So, until next week, as always, if you like this blog/message, please remember to "Share" and "Like"it on Facebook , and "Tweet" or "Retweet" it on Twitter. Then PLEASE, take five minutes to write a review and post it on Amazon. I need all the reviews I can get to make this book a success. Also have you signed up for my email letters on my Blog Site? I would love to see you there and have you introduce yourself and give comments, good or bad, to this blog. And also keep in mind "BRIDGETOWN HIGH" is still available at Amazon, Goodreads and Barnes&Noble and several other places I can't remember. You can read some GREAT reviews of BRIDGETOWN HIGH on Amazon and Goodreads in case you need more info about my novel. Almost everyone who has read it, loved it.

(By-the-way, if you are reading this on my blog (www.paulwwest.com) the above blued words are clickable links. Just hold down the Control key and click on the blue words.)

See y'all next week, and happy writing.

Paul

Hey, Gang (all my family and friends):

I hope everyone is well and busy writing in your spare time -- which is most everyone's desire. I believe everyone has a book or two in them. I proved it by writing Bridgetown High.

I love this review by Josie Melendez on posted on December 3, 2015

She gave me 5 stars, and I like what she said about me and my writing:

"It is hard to believe that this book is this author’s debut novel. I have to say the author’s note referencing that the setting behind this story takes place in the mid-1960’s, had me nervous going in. However, I have to be honest, the way this author wrote this story I didn’t feel lost or unaware of the surroundings within. The start to this story nearly broke my heart. AND THAT WAS ONLY THE FIRST PAGE! After that I knew I would not be able to put this book down. The story is told in multiple POV’s which I happened to enjoy a great deal.

"I do not want to say much or give anything away because this one needs to be read going in blindly. I will say, once I got to that Aha moment I was floored. I really enjoyed how the author used words, landmarks and life events to describe a setting or scene so that I really could imagine how it was in the 60’s. I can tell that this author researched a lot and put a lot of effort into this book. The conversations and language used in the book is how I would have expected it to be like in the 60’s. Like the close family unit, people’s view points on the Vietnam War and music.

"Mark’s pain, anguish, grief, rage and guilt over the loss of his parents and sister is felt on every page. I can’t imagine losing my family in such a tragic way, but his author was able to have me emotionally connect so much that I felt like I was there with him sharing his pain. Mark’s need for revenge of the person responsible for their death was palpable. The three characters that surround this book were very well developed. Mark, Gina and Jeff each have a story to tell and their lives are connected in some way. As the year unfolds secrets, manipulation and danger will follow the lives of these 3 teenagers.

"I got more than what I imagined I would have when I started this book. The drama and angst level was over the top. If you love a book that has drama, action, suspense, jealously and fast cars then this is your book. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and I can’t wait to see what this author brings us next."

Isn't that a great review?

Now, guess what?

I'M EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE that my publisher, Limitless Publishing, and I are going to do another Blog Tour for Bridgetown High. Along with the tour, we're going to give away some electronic versions of the book. Keep posted as I haven't set it up yet, but will soon and want to be able to let you know. Maybe you can join in the tour and gain some publicity as well.

So, until next week, as always, if you like this blog, please "Share" and "Like"it on Facebook , and "Tweet" it on Twitter. Then PLEASE, take five minutes to write a short review of "Bridgetown High" and post it on my correct author page at Amazon.

Also, remember to sign up for my email letters on my Blog Site. I would love to see you there and have you introduce yourself and give comments to this blog. Have a wonderful week.

A warm hello to all my family and friends at this Christmas season.

Today I only want to wish everyone of you a wonderful Christmas or Chanukah for my Jewish friends, and a happy upcoming New Years to all.

I also want to say that the giveaway I had was a great success, and I will have more freebees in the near future to be sponsored by publisher. So, if you didn't take advantage of my last two giveaways, you still have a chance So, stay tuned to this station for more details. In the meantime, if you want to purchase Bridgetown High, it is still available on Facebook , Barnes & Noble, and several other places.

So, until next week, as always, if you like this blog, please "Share" and "Like"it onnd "Tweet" it on Twitter. Then PLEASE, take five minutes to write a short review of "Bridgetown High" and post it on my author page at Amazon.

Also, remember to sign up for my email letters on my Blog Site? I would love to see you there and have you introduce yourself and give comments to this blog.

My best to all of you at this holiday season.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

... to all my friends and family -- yes, that includes you.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day and the beginning of a 4-day holiday weekend. I truly hope you have a wonderful day, considering all the blessings Heavenly Father has given you and yours. I know I'm very grateful for my family, my wife, my children, and my grandchildren. I'm also thankful for my mom and dad, my sisters and brother, and their families. They are all special to me, even though I don't get to see them very often. I'm grateful for Heavenly Father's plan for us, that we can be an eternal family. In my mind, heaven wouldn't be heaven without all of them there with me -- assuming I make it, lol.

Today I finished reading a novel for review. It was horrible. I won't go into detail, but lets just say the writer needs a lot of help. I'm not saying this to be critical, I'm sure someone could criticize my writing too. But his grammar, syntax, and punctuation were horrible, and his story line was hidden behind many info-dumps, over done descriptions, and cliche's. His story didn't even begin until about chapter 4. The first chapters were all info-dump, descriptions of the setting, etc.

I only mention this because as I know you all want to be authors, I urge you to get some professional editor or a good critique group before exposing it to the world. It took me nearly 25 years to get Bridgetown High right, and I still get criticized for some of the characters' dialogs. Well, I've mentioned that before, that some of the characters, to be true to the their personalities, their speech patterns were crude. Face it, a high school drop out probably doesn't speak as fluently as a college professor.

I hope, Steven Welch, author of this next review comment, won't mind my using his words to illustrate my point:

"I attended high school in Crockett with the Author, and while this is fiction he leaves you with the feeling that perhaps it may not be. The book is hard to put down, the characters are interesting, and Paul provides enough background to bring the 1960's community of Crockett and Rodeo to life. I enjoyed the way Paul included many of the characteristics unique to the community but still not difficult for someone who's unfamiliar with the area to imagine. He brought back memories of the fog drifting on the bay, the emergency and noon whistles, the C&H Sugar factory, The Dog House, and the well traveled road between Crockett and Rodeo. Let's hope we hear more from Paul about Bridgetown and perhaps other stories he has to offer."

Anyway, I'm sure you've heard about the sale I'm running for Bridgetown High. It's FREE until Saturday. So, if you haven't got a copy of Bridgetown High yet, Go to Amazon and get it at https://www.amazon.com/Bridgetown-High-Paul-W-West/product-reviews/1680583093/ref=cm_cr_dp_synop/156-3883310-2205657?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=0&sortBy=recent#R2USXC6G2G8RJW. When you do, after you're read it, I hope you'll find it in your heart to write a short review. Then we'll all have something to be "Thankful" for; you for getting my book, and me for the satisfaction that someone is interested in it.

EVERYONE WANTS TO BE AN AUTHOR

FREE, FREE, FREE!!!

On top of wanting to be an author, everyone wants something for free.

Well, your desire for something FREE is about to happen. Next Tuesday, November 22, 2016, Bridgetown High will be on sale for FREE! through Amazon. I hope everyone will take advantage of this sale. I don't do this often. I'd rather get paid for my work, but I've been told that the exposure generated by a freebee is worth it.

Gaining exposure is key to selling books. I mean, think about it, if no one know about you and your book, how can they buy it.

Okay. One request. You knew there would be a string, didn't you? Well, the string is not attached, so don't get shook up over it. I've asked this before, if you like Bridgetown High, please write a review. It would also help if you Tweeted and Shared this posting with all your Facebook and Twitter "friends" so they'll know about me and my book.

Are you willing to do that? You don't have to, but it sure would be nice if you did.

So until next week, I won't be posting as usual on Thursday (Thanksgiving Day), but expect me to post again next Wednesday instead. But you can read this anytime you want.

So, until then I'll wish you a HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

(And don't forget Christmas is coming, hmmm)

See y'all next week,

Paul W West, Author

Bridgetown High

Hi all my friends and family. I know it's been several days since I last posted something here. I hope you'll all forgive me, but sometimes work gets in the way of more important things like writing.

However, I have been working hard behind the lines, so to speak, marketing my novel "Bridgetown High." By the way, have you purchased a copy of it yet? It's available at Barnes & Noble for an electronic copy or Amazon for a paperback or kindle copy.

BUT here is a HUGE SURPRISE toward the end of this month (November 2016) the electronic version will be on sale for FREE, but only for five days. More details about where you can get this deal will be coming. Keep posted.

Do I think the book isn't worth anything? NO. So, why am I doing this? It's call exposure. With my book available for free, there are several promo sites that will advertise it for free to all their contacts for five days. My publisher is excited about doing this and is planning a marketing blitz along with new graphics. I'm excited and I hope you will too.

Keep in mind, Christmas is coming and this would make a great Christmas gift for your Teens and adults as well.

So, until next week, as always, if you like this blog, please "Share" and "Like"it on Facebook , and "Re-tweet" it on Twitter. Then PLEASE, take five minutes to write a short review of "Bridgetown High" and post it on my author page at Amazon.

Also have you signed up for my email letters on my Blog Site? I would love to see you there and have you introduce yourself and give comments to this blog. And keep in mind "Bridgetown High" is still available at Amazon, Goodreads and Barnes&Noble and several other places I can't remember, both in kindle e'book, and paperback, which I recommend. You can read some GREAT reviews about Bridgetown High on Amazon and Goodreads in case you need more info about it

See y'all next week,

Paul W West, Author

Bridgetown High

EVERYONE WANTS TO BE AN AUTHOR

Just a short note today, I just got two new reviews for Bridgetown High. I thought I'd share then with you.

This one by Kim Smith, author of the Shannon Wallas mystery series. "As a child of the 60s I could identify with the characters of this book. Mr. West knows his setting and situates the reader in it like wrapping us in a blanket. The dialog fits the era of the story. And the story, a young adult novel, has everything that teens care about: revenge, regret, young love, and the promise of a future. Mark Wilkerson is a captivating character, totally believable. When his family is killed in a fiery crash on the Carquinez Bridge, his life is forever altered. Will he find out who was responsible?"

And this one by an unknown reviewer: "Love the book. I would recommend it to all my family and friends. It is definitely a page turner."

Short but sweet.

If you have read Bridgetown High and would like to write a review, please go to https://www.amazon.com/dp/1680583093/ref=cm_sw_su_dp and scroll down to a button that says "Write A Customer Review." You can read some of the other reviews my book has received.

I'd love to know what you think.

I'll try to write my usual weekly blog tomorrow, but no promises. I'm going on vacation for the next two weeks, so stand by. I'll be back -- God willing.

EVERYONE WANTS TO BE AN AUTHOR

Hi all my friends and followers.

Welcome to my weekly magazine, if you can call it that, he he.

This week since I've cultivated a lot of new followers and friends, I thought I'd talk a bit about what this site is all about -- me.

Well, not really all about me. More about my novel "Bridgetown High" where readers can find out more about me and "Bridgetown High" and also about what is going on in my writing life. By the way, would you like a free kindle copy of my book? Read on for more details.

Maybe some of you aren't aware that my novel is set in the towns I grew up in. If you are familiar with the San Francisco Bay Area, you might be familiar with the towns of Crockett, Port Costa, and Rodeo. If you're not familiar with those towns, maybe you have heard of Vallejo. It's just north of those three towns, across the Carquinez Straits.

The story is set in those three towns and in particular the high school where kids from those town go to school.

If you've read the back cover page of "Bridgetown High" you'll recognize this setting, particularly the Carquinez Bridge where so much of the tragedies depicted in the book take place. Here is a short synopsis of the book.

Seventeen year old Mark Wilkerson has no memory of the fiery crash that killed his family on the Carquinez Bridge… Living with his grandmother and burdened with guilt, Mark vows to find the hit-and-run driver and take his revenge. The only detail he remembers is round taillights swerving in front of his family’s car, and he’s shocked when he notices the car of the high school’s bully, Jeff Marino, has identical taillights—and a suspicious dent. Now he wants revenge more than ever… Jeff believes Mark is an anti-Vietnam War activist like his cousin Gary—and despises him for it. To make matters worse, when Jeff’s girlfriend Genie Lombardi dumps him for Mark, it kicks Jeff’s hatred for him to a dangerous new level. Lies and threats escalate, until drugs and a shocking death send Jeff over the edge, and his campaign to get Genie back any way he can turns violent. When Mark’s memory begins to return, it leads to a terrifying confrontation. Will he finally prove the identity of the guilty driver? Or will he and Genie become one more tragedy associated with the Carquinez Bridge?

If you want to find the answers to those story questions, come to my Amazon page and order a copy of my book. It's really a fun read, and has gotten several great reviews. If you are willing to write a review, let me know and I can give you a free electronic Kindle copy.

So, until next week, as always, if you like this blog, please "Share" and "Like"it on Facebook , and "Re-tweet" it on Twitter. Then PLEASE, take five minutes to write a short review of "Bridgetown High" and post it on my author page at Amazon.

See y'all next week,

Paul W West, Author

Bridgetown High

Hi, all my friends:

Today I thought the first thing I want to do is differentiate between "writer" and "author." Maybe you all know this all ready, but just to be sure, an "author" is a published "writer." Now, in my mind, I struggle with what constitutes "published?" There are those who are self-published and those who are published by a traditional publishing company, I'll leave that question up to you.

OK, now back to this week's lesson.

Before I do that, I need to ask, is there any aspect to writing fiction you would like me to cover? Let me know in the comments below.

Now, back to my subjects from Dean Koontz.

I've touched on some of the eight things he thinks the average reader demands of a novel: "1) a strong plot; 2) a great deal of action; 3) a hero or a heroine or both; 4) colorful, imaginative and convincing characterizations; 5) clear, believable character motivations; 6) well-drawn backgrounds; 7) at least some familiarity with the rules of English grammar and syntax -- the more familiarity the better, of course; 8)a style which embodies at least a trace of lyrical language and as many striking images as possible, for good writing is always vivid and visual."

I think I've covered #1 #2 and #3 pretty well. So, I'll try to cover #4. In my novel "Bridgetown High." I think my most colorful character is the antagonist, Jeff Marino. He's a scumbag, for sure. He loves to drink and he is addicted to his smokes. He absolutely hates the protagonist, Mark Wilkerson, because Mark won their love interest, Genie Lombardi, away from him. Jeff goes to great lengths to win Genie back, all to no avail. When his best friend dies, Jeff becomes real to the reader as he mourns over him, and as I wrote that scene, I even felt bad for him. I think Jeff is the most well-drawn character in my book. If you haven't yet, you need to get a copy of Bridgetown High and see what I mean.

When creating characters, don't hesitate to develop him/her as fully as you can.

So, good luck with your writing. And if you have something you'd like me to cover, please ask. I can't promise I can answer everything, but I'll try.

And, until next week, as always, if you like this blog, please "Share" and "Like"it on Facebook , and "Re-tweet" it on Twitter. Then PLEASE, take five minutes to write a review of "Bridgetown High" and post it on my author page at Amazon.

See y'all next week,

Paul W West, Author

Bridgetown High

Hi Gang. Welcome to today's bit of wisdom. Well, if you don't agree with the wisdom part, at least welcome to my blog, he he.

Today, I thought I'd talk about the importance of having a story question from page 1. I just started reading a murder mystery novel by Kim Smith, a good friend of mine. Her novel is called Disk of Death. She has come a long way in her writing from when worked together in my critique group -- now defunct.

Like I said last week, she begins her book of with the main character, Shannon Wallace, into some terrible trouble (you'll have to read the book to find out what that terrible trouble is). Then, the story question. How is she going to cope with her new life's situation. Then as she tries to cope, the trouble only gets worse and the reader wonders (story question) how can things get worse?

That is a good example of what I was talking (writing) about last week, and Kim does it well.

So, make sure when you begin your novel that you follow that example. Otherwise, you'll loose your reader before they get to the bottom of page 1.

For those of you who have read "Bridgetown High," do you think Mark Wilkerson's terrible trouble, though seemingly solved, can get any worse? I'm working on a sequel and Mark will be in worse trouble than he, and you readers, ever thought. Keep posted. I'm aiming for submission to
agents and/or editors by next year (oh, and by the way, I have no idea where this photo came from, so I hope the person who posted it on Facebook won't be too upset).

Good luck with your writing.

Also have you signed up for my email letters on my Blog Site? I would love to see you there and have you introduce yourself and give comments to this blog. And also keep in mind "Bridgetown High" is still available at Amazon, Goodreads and Barnes&Noble and several other places I can't remember, both in kindle e'book, and paperback. You can read some GREAT reviews about Bridgetown High on Amazon and Goodreads in case you need more info about it

See y'all next week,

Paul W West, Author

Bridgetown High

EVERYONE WANTS TO BE AN AUTHOR

Good afternoon, all my family and friends.

Today, I thought I'd talk about a different aspect of writing -- beginner's faux pas.

Recently, I have been purposely reading books by self-published authors. I'm doing that in an effort to find good, well written, literature.

Frankly, I'm not having much success. I recently joined a web-based book review site in hopes they might review my novel, "Bridgetown High." I really need reviews on Amazon and thought this site may provide one or more (preferably more). I volunteered to do some reviewing in return.

Honestly, it's a bore.

Almost all of these books by self-published authors (and I'm using that term "authors" loosely) begin with a huge info dump, all the background, on the first two or three pages. Then they SCREAM "Look Ma, I c'n rite." The books are full of misspelled words and punctuation errors.

Then, as I read on, the story lines do tend to be well thought out, and somewhat entertaining, but there are always inconsistencies that drive me crazy, making the read not as enjoyable as I expect.

For example, in the book I'm currently reviewing, the main character says she's 14 years old. Then, in a later chapter she says she's been doing something (I won't say what to not give it away) for two years, making her 16. Then she goes back to having the girl be 14 again. Near the beginning she gives her life's story, thus far, which goes pretty smooth. However, she gives that same story at least 3 other times - boooorrrrriiiinnnnngggg.

I don't mean to be critical, but I'm trying to warn you, regardless of how you want to be published, self or traditional, don't do what this lady, and many others like her, have done. Get a good editor, beta reader, or at least a good critique group. I believe you can be successful which ever route you choose, but get the professional help you need.

Keep that in mind when you are writing your best selling fiction.

And, until next week, as always, if you like this blog, please "Share" and "Like"it on Facebook , and "Retweet" it on Twitter. Then PLEASE, take five minutes to write a review of "Bridgetown High" and post it on my author page on Amazon.

Also have you signed up for my email letters on my Blog Site? I would love to see you there and have you introduce yourself and give comments to this blog. And also keep in mind "Bridgetown High" is still available at Amazon, Goodreads and Barnes&Noble and several other places I can't remember, both in kindle e'book, and paperback. You can read some GREAT reviews of Bridgetown High on Amazon and Goodreads in case you need more info about it

See y'all next week,

Paul W West, Author

Bridgetown High

EVERYONE WANTS TO BE AN AUTHOR

Hello to all my Friends and Family.

Today I thought I'd write a bit more I'm extracting from Dean Koontz's book, "How to Write Best Selling Fiction." He suggests "The average reader demands eight things of a novel:" and he proceeds to list them. One that I think is paramount he lists as second in his list: "a great deal of action."

Have you ever read a book that just makes your eyes glaze over and instead of "I couldn't put it down," you say "I couldn't keep from putting it down." I recently read a book like that. It's written by a great, self published, author that I admire. But one of her books just put me to sleep and after about 10 chapters of boredom I had to give it up. I may take it up again if I find nothing else to read. Some books are so filled with internal dialog (thoughts) that nothing ever gets accomplished.

If you want to write a best selling book, it's got to have some action, or as Dean Koontz said, "... a great deal of action."

In my novel "Bridgetown High," I tried to put some action, if only in dialog, into every scene.

I also read a "how too" book by Jack M. Bickham. The title of his book is "Scene and Structure." If I only got one thing from his advice it's that for every scene, such as a fight, argument, chase scene, etc., you need to have a sequel to unwind, so to speak. He calls that "Strucure." He explainns, "Structure is nothing more than a way of looking at your story material so that it's organized in a way that's both logical and dramatic." And that brings up another subject for another day (logic).

So, I wrote "Bridgetown High" with both ideas in mind, action and structure.

Keep that in mind when you are writing your best selling fiction.

Also have you signed up for my email letters on my Blog Site? I would love to see you there and have you introduce yourself and give comments to this blog. And also keep in mind "Bridgetown High" is still available at Amazon, Goodreads and Barnes&Noble and several other places I can't remember, both in kindle e'book, or paperback. You can read some GREAT reviews of Bridgetown High on Amazon and Goodreads in case you need more info about it

See y'all next week,

Paul

EVERYONE WANTS TO BE AN AUTHOR

Hello again to all my faithful family, friends, and followers.

Today, I thought I'd talk about the need for a hero or heroine. As Dean Koontz put it: "Your lead character doesn't have to leap tall buildings in a single bound, and he doesn't have to stop speeding bullets with his bare hands, but he darn well better know the difference between right and wrong, and he better be kind to animals, and it sure wouldn't hurt if he brushed his teeth regularly."

Ha ha. In other words, he/she needs to be real. He/she needs to have faults and strengths just like everyone else.

In my book, "Bridgetown High," the main character, Mark Wilkerson, has his faults. His story begins when he's mourning the loss of his family and wondering who killed them, and what he would do if and when he ever found out. He is angry. He wants revenge! But deep down inside he wants to have a normal life again. He wants to love and be loved, and in the end he learns forgiveness and wins the girl he loves.

In contrast, Jeff Mario, the antagonist, is also real. As you read it, it becomes clear that he is from a broken home. He wants to be accepted, but because he dresses in dirty clothes, few, if any of his fellow school mates like him. He is also angry, deep down inside, and acts up as a result to get some kind of attention. He also has his heroic qualities. When Genie, the girl of his dreams, is being teased to tears by another boy, Jeff comes to her rescue even though the other boy is much taller and stronger.

If you haven't read "Bridgetown High" yet, I hope you will get a copy and enjoy it. I had great fun writing it, and I'm having fun writing the sequel.

By the way, if you are interested in reading it and writing a review, I will give you a free Kindle copy.

Until next time, I'll say happy writing and reading.

EVERYONE WANTS TO BE AN AUTHOR

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