EVERYONE WANTS TO BE AN AUTHOR

 Hi again, y'all,

I think the title of this blog, "EVERYONE WANTS TO BE AN AUTHOR," is so true. I know it was for me. It took me a long time to get published, plus it took the help of some fantastic writers and critique partners to get there. But "Bridgetown High" is the result. It's not well known, yet, but those who have found it, and read it, loved it. Have you gotten your copy yet? Remember you can get it in either Kindle (electronic) or paperback versions. Either version can be found on Amazon. Also, remember, the sequel I'm calling, "The Bridge Beckons," is in the works.

Well, today I promised you I would talk a bit about Dean Koontz's advice that we have "well-drawn backgrounds." Koontz goes into a lot of detail about this subject.

Consider, for a moment, that if you've never been to the place where your novel is set, how can you portray it adequately so that the reader feels he/she knows the place? If the reader can't picture the place/setting he's going to toss the book in the trash. I've had to do that when critiquing some novels by new writers (that wasn't the only reason, but a big one). I simply couldn't follow the story, or get set in the background. It just didn't seem real.

I struggled with getting the setting right until I set my book in someplace recognizable. But even more than that, I also did a lot of research into background setting. It starts with a "real" funeral parlor in a real town, that even if you'd never been there you can still see it in your mind. Then, I set most of the novel in the shadow of the Carquinez Bridge overlooking the small town of Crockett, California. The bridge plays a big role in the story line. Actually, the Carquinez Bridge (about 35 miles northeast of San Francisco) is quite recognizable to anyone who's crossed it with the huge C&H Sugar refinery at the base of the south end of the bridge. Then, the next, and probably the biggest setting, is the local high school, John Swett High School in Crockett. I had to reach back in my memory banks a lot to make sure the setting was accurate the way things really were back in 1965, when the book is set, and that has been a big draw to readers who have been there.

Now, if I hadn't set the book in these settings, I suppose I could have set it anywhere, as long as I did the research sufficient to portray the setting accurately.

And, that's where science fiction and fantasy come in. Most often, these genre do not have known settings and the author, not if not doing a good job at the descriptions, asks us to suspend disbelief.  To me, that's a tough assignment. These settings are most often totally made up by the author, hoping that the reader will follow the made up descriptions. Not an easy thing to do, but I applaud those who have done it successfully. Not being a huge fan of these genre, I frankly don't know how these authors do it. They have to completely create a new background and be true to it all the way through the story, and many times the background/setting becomes a character as well, with motives of its own.

That's all for today. If you have any questions, or don't understand something I said here, drop me an email (paulwwest@yahoo.com), or leave a comment on this blog or Facebook site where I also post these blogs.

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 from this 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. 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 

P.S. I have no idea who took that picture above, so I hope he/she doesn't mind my using it.

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.

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

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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

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Hi again to all my family, friends, and followers,


I thought from now on, I should begin addressing these blog posts to my family members as well as everyone else. I'm sure 1 or 2 of them are following this, ha ha.


Today I thought I'd give you all a word of warning. This past week I read what I thought was a stand alone novel which will remain nameless, and author-less. For the most part it was somewhat boring in the first 4 or5 chapters, but it got more interesting as I kept reading.


The first thing this author did wrong was NOT starting with the main character getting into some kind of trouble, or "terrible trouble," as Dean Koontz often said in his book, "How to Write Best Selling Fiction." The story begins with a lot of background information, or an "info dump" as we writers call it. Maybe I could have tolerated it for a while, but it went on for several chapters. I was about ready to give up on it. The real story didn't begin until the main character went to a party where the hostess was someone who hated the MC and vice versa.


Now, that perked up my interest a little bit.

But the unforgivable sin she left with was ending the story with a cliffhanger, then told reader he/she had to purchase the sequel to find out what happened next. She dropped the story off right at the climax, leaving the reader hanging. Of course, I'm not going to purchase the sequel. The author blew it in my mind and I will probably never read another book of hers. I'm just glad it didn't cost much.


So, two words of warning:

1) Always begin your story with the main character being hit (figuratively) with some kind of "terrible trouble."


2) Never end a story at the apex of the climax with no resolution and expect the reader to purchase your sequel.


In my mind, it ain't gonna happen.

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

See y'all next week.

Paul

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Hi again to all y faithful followers and friends.


Today I thought I might write more about what Dean Koontz's teacher told him when he asked what made for a great novel. Today, I'll talk about the 4th of the eight things he was told a novel needs: to be colorful, imaginative, and convincing characterizations.

In a lot of the reviews I've received for Bridgetown High the reviewer mentioned that they loved my characters, all kind of saying, "They are well drawn and convincing." So, what made them that way?

The first thing I did for each character was to get into his or her head. Decide what makes them tick. What are their motives? What do they want most? What do they fear most? Then, as situation changed, so did their wants, fears, needs, etc. I even got into the antagonist's head and made him, if not likable, at least sympathetic. I hope you are doing the same with your characterizations.

Some writers use a question/answer sheet for each character, writing these questions down. They also draw verbal descriptions of the characters. I don't go through all that, but I do have this all stored in my head. I'll admit that can be a little scary, however, unless you can remember what a character looks like or thinks from the beginning of the book to the end. In other words being consistent and track all the changes as you write.

In a review I received recently the reviewer said: "Well-drawn characters and exciting. I enjoyed getting to know the characters in this book. We meet seventeen year old Mark Wilkerson attending the funeral of his parents and little sister and learn they were killed in a car accident  on Christmas eve that he and his other younger sister survived. The story follows him as he deals with this immense tragedy by trying to find out exactly what happened and who was responsible. There is a message about forgiveness and healing in this book."

So, until next time, please "Share" and "Like" this blog post on Facebook , and "Retweet" it on Twitter, then PLEASE, write a review and post it on all the sites where you can find my book. 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 my posts. And also keep in mind "Bridgetown High" is still available on Amazon, Goodreads and Barnes&Noble and a few other places I can't remember. You can read some GREAT reviews of Bridgetown High on all of these sites if you need more info about Bridgetown High.

I

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Hi, all my friends and followers. How is your writing coming? Have you decided on a title yet? I know, titles are not my thing either. "Bridgetown High" was a lucky decision. If you have a title, or at least a working title, please send it in the "Comments" below. I think others here may like seeing what you are working on.


When I say, "working title," it doesn't have to be what you'll eventually end up calling your novel. I think I must have used several working titles...


Mark and Genie
Sweet Revenge
The Bridge Beckons
Vengeance or Vindication
Bridge to Destiny
Retribution or Vindication

... and maybe a couple others I can't recall right off.

The point is, you don't need to decide on a title right now, and there's a strong possibility that if you go with a traditional publisher, your publisher will change it anyway. I guess I was fortunate. My publisher "Limitless Publishing" didn't change my title.

Hey, I got another great review. What do you think?

Review for Bridge Town High by Paul W. West

Well-drawn characters and exciting. I enjoyed getting to know the characters in this book. We meet seventeen year old Mark Wilkerson attending the funeral of his parents and little sister and learn they were killed in a car accident  on Christmas eve that he and his other younger sister survived. The story follows him as he deals with this immense tragedy by trying to find out exactly what happened and who was responsible. There is a message about forgiveness and healing in this book.

This is a good novel in the young adult genre and the author has a great understanding of the teenage years with all their complicated emotions involving friendships, love interests, and learning where one belongs in the swirling sea of on again-off again romances. I found the minute details of who was going to the Junior Prom with whom somewhat tiring, but I understand the method behind the madness

I liked the emphasis on forgiveness from a Christian standpoint. I enjoyed the parental wisdom of Mark’s grandmother, who courageously takes over the care of Mark and his sister while dealing with the death of her son, daughter-in-law, and grandchild. She often quotes her mother and one of the best is “’what we see today as a tragedy, we may look back at tomorrow as a blessing’”. Of course Mark balks at this advice, but the reader hopes he will one day accept what has happened and begin to enjoy life again. He does, and the reader gets to go along for the ride.

The book is enjoyable and exciting. This book is worth the read and stays true to the genre with no profanity or sexual content, though some of the characters use alcohol and drugs. There is some violence, but no more than is seen in any television program. I highly recommend it for adults and young people alike.

So, how does that sound? I hope that will help sell a few hundred copies, maybe a thousand or more (just kidding)

So, until next time, please "Share" and "Like" this blog post on Facebook , and "Retweet" it on Twitter, then PLEASE, write a review and post it on all the sites where you can find my book. 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 my posts. And also keep in mind "Bridgetown High" is still available on Amazon, Goodreads and Barnes&Noble and a few other places I can't remember. You can read some GREAT reviews of Bridgetown High on all of these sites if you need more info about Bridgetown High. In fact I just got another great review from a follower that should be posted in the next few days.

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Good afternoon, all my faithful friends and followers.

I hope you're all getting some good ideas to generate a great plot.


Today, I'm going to cover the next issue Dean Koontz's high school teacher taught him: "You need a hero or a heroine or both."

Can you imagine a story without a hero or heroine? What would that be? Boring! Jack London's novels "Call of the Wild," and "White Fang" had heros -- the dogs.

I suppose if you are writing in first person, the first person narrator would automatically be the hero/heroine. Or would it? I can imagine a first person narrator relating the story of someone else, probably from his memory of the circumstances that spawned the story. In that situation, the story is really being told in third person. Either way, you still need a hero or heroine. How do you decide who that is going to be?

In Bridgetown High, Mark is the first person we meet and the story pretty much follows his struggles through to the end. But there are other characters that we learn about as we read the novel. The main heroine in this book would have to be Genie. We watch her struggles too and care about what happens to her.

But Gary, Charisse, and even Jeff (the antagonist) have their stories that make us care for them as well. So, are they also heros or heroines? I purposely wrote a sub-plot for each of them that ties together with Mark's story in the end. So, while not being main characters, they still have their own stories and are heros or heroines in their own minds.

Does that make any sense? So, how can someone as despicable as Jeff be a hero? I went deep into his mind and found he has some deep-seated psycological issues brought on by his upbringing including an abusive father and hard working mother who never had time for him. Would you call him a hero? In his story, his actions are heroic in his mind.

For each of my main characters I've done the same, making them likable, or at least sympathetic. I think that is what made Bridgetown High the great story it is.

If you haven't done so yet, you'll have to read "Bridgetown High" to see what I mean. Please let me know what you think.

In the meantime, please "Share" and "Like" this blog post on Facebook , and "Retweet" it on Twitter, then PLEASE, write a review and post it on all the sites where you can find my book. 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 my posts. And also keep in mind "Bridgetown High" is still available on Amazon, Goodreads and Barnes&Noble and a few other places I can't remember. You can read some GREAT reviews of Bridgetown High on all of these sites if you need more info about Bridgetown High. In fact I just got another great review from a follower that should be posted in the next few days.

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EVERYONE WANTS TO BE AN AUTHOR

Hi again, to all my faithful friends and followers.

So, how are you doing with your writing. Did last week's post teach you what not to do? I ran my review past the author of the novel I was reviewing and she agreed with my rating of 3 stars out of 5 and understood why: that I wasn't trying to be critical, but helpful. Maybe she's following this blog??? If so, I'd love for her to comment.

This week, I'm going to talk about what it takes to be a best-selling author. A long time ago, 1972, Dean Koontz published a very helpful book titled: "How to Write Best-Selling Fiction." I cut my writerly teeth on that book and wish I had a copy of it, even today. But I did take some notes that have helped me a great deal. Over the weeks I'll share some of them with you.

The first notes I have, he quoted his high school teacher who said the following: "The average reader demands eight things 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 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 could write a college thesis on each of those subjects. Maybe I will go over them in greater detail in the coming weeks. I think they give a lot of food for thought - to spin a cliche'.

One thing Mr. Koontz didn't cover was how publishing has changed from the old find an agent who will find a publisher for you. Today, agents are still around, but difficult to find, and most traditional publishers these days require authors to do most of their own marketing, and independent self-publishing requires writers to do pretty much the same (a lesson I still haven't digested).

Take a close look at the list of eight things readers demand and see how they can help with your writing.

In the meantime, please "Share" and "Like" this blog post on Facebook , and "Retweet" it on Twitter yet. 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 my posts. And also keep in mind "Bridgetown High" is still available on Amazon, Goodreads and Barnes&Noble and a few other places I can't remember. You can read some GREAT reviews of Bridgetown High on all of these sites.

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SO, DO YOU WANT TO BE AN AUTHOR?

Hello to all my wonderful friends and followers. Sorry for being gone, but like I always say: "Sometimes work gets in the way of more important things like writing."

So, to pick up where I left off. I think I was giving ideas about how to create a novel.

Today, I'll talk about where did all my characters come from? Well, since Mark is the first character in my novel, the question is where did I get him and why did I make him the way he is?

First, I did not want a clone of myself. I tried very hard to make him unique. He is not really the hero type, but he has his strengths and weaknesses that make him rather unique. I though about what kind of boy he should be. How old, something about his looks, his likes and dislikes, etc. At first, I think I had him too wimpy, so I went back through the manuscript that I had written so far and rewrote some scenes where he could be strong and aggressive, yet compassionate. I gave him some faults too like his anger issue and desire for revenge, lacking the capacity for forgiveness. I think characters don't ring true unless you give them weaknesses and faults to overcome. For example, Mark starts out angry. He wants revenge for his family's deaths. Throughout the book he struggles with that issue. In short, I had to ask myself, how would a seventeen year old senior in high school react to losing his entire family, except for his kid sister. Then, add to that, having to enroll in a new high school where some of the kinds hated him.

So, where do you get your characters? If you're serious about wanting to be an author, you have to make your characters as real as possible.

Before I quit for now, I need to ask, have you "Liked" and "Shared" this blog post on Facebook yet, or "Retweeted" it on Twitter yet. Also have you signed up for my email letters on my Blog Site? I would love to see you there and have you introduce yourselves and give comments to my posts. And also keep in mind "Bridgetown High" is still available on Amazon and Barnes&Noble. You can read some GREAT reviews on both of them.

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SO, DO YOU WANT TO BE AN AUTHOR?

Greetings to all my faithful followers and friends. I have to apologize for not writing to you for almost 2 weeks. Frankly, I have no excuse (other than I have been sick in bed for most of it). But, now I'm back.

Have you "Liked" and "Shared" this blog post on Facebook yet, or "Retweeted" it on Twitter yet. Also have you signed up for my email letters on my Blog Site? I would love to see you there and have you introduce yourselves and give comments to my posts. And also keep in mind "Bridgetown High" is still available on Amazon and Barnes&Noble. You can read some GREAT reviews on both of them.

I think I ended my last post, explaining about how I began "Bridgetown High." If you remember I had a college professor who taught me to define a beginning and ending and work the story toward the two.

I also read a book by Dean Koontz called "How to Write Best-Selling Fiction." It's a great book for anyone wanting to write best selling novels (though his methods in today's book markets are a bit obsolete.

But back then (30 or so years ago) I started with trying to work out an opening scene. It needed to plunge my main character into some kind of trouble. My first idea was to have Mark sitting in his classroom, watching the clock tick off the minutes 'till the end of class. He is nervous. Sweat drops from his underarms and he hopes he's not going to be offensive when he asks Charisse for a date. It's kind of exciting, but after further consideration I felt that that was too far into the story and I needed to begin earlier. That's when I came up with the ending. I felt that would be more enticing, and at first I put it as the opening scene. Then, I still needed an ending, but I did come up with something you'll have to read for yourself (no spoilers allowed on this blog site). It was only at the insistence of my former critique group members, that I put the beginning at the end -- again, you'll have to read the book to know what I mean.

To say the least, "Bridgetown High" went through many revisions and edits before it was ready for publication.

More next week.

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EVERYONE WANTS TO BE AN AUTHOR

Hi again to everyone.

Do you really want to be an author? I have to admit, though it's been a rough row to how, it's been a lot of fun too.

Did you enjoy reading that excerpt I posted last week? I must have written and rewritten that scene 30 or 40 times. As I said before, I started this novel some 30 years ago. Hopefully it won't take you that long. Most of that time was spent trying to find an agent, but I also spent a lot of time writing and editing and rewriting until I got the book as good as I could.

It helped having a critique group. My "Writer's Pen" group was a huge help. The members were all great writers. Some of them, like me, were eventually published. Some wrote fantasy. Some wrote horror. Some wrote science fiction. Some like me, wrote young adult coming of age.

So, how did I begin? I think I started writing about this in my post a few weeks ago, but I'll take the chance I won't repeat myself too much.

I began with a strong desire to write something. So, with a pad of paper and a pen, I began. At first, the only time I had to write was during my lunch breaks. And that has pretty much been the way it was ever since. Before I had access to a computer, I would leave my office and go down to my car and with oldies playing on the radio, I started jotting down some ideas.

At first, I just wanted to write about my life in high school. But that idea didn't go very far. I had a pretty boring high school life, ha ha. Soon, I realized I was writing about my high school days, but no one in particular. Mark and Gary, Charisse and Genie, and Jeff and Bobby are all made up. I suppose if you were to examine these characters closely enough you'd see something of yourself in one or more of my characters, but I suppose that's the way it is with every novel. We all tend to identify with one or more of the characters in the story.

So, where did I begin? I know I've said this before, but I started with a rough idea of a beginning and struggled to come up with a logical climax and ending. I read with relish a book by Dean Koontz called "How to Write Best-Selling Fiction." His training (if I can call it that) was wonderful. I read "How To" books from several other writers as well. All of them said to begin by plunging your main character into some kind of terrible trouble. Then, as they try to solve their trouble, they get into deeper and deeper trouble, until the ending when everything is resolved, hopefully happily.

This post is getting kind of long, so I'll save more of this for later. I hope this gives you some hope and an increased desire to write. Like I said, it's fun and rewarding, even if it's a struggle at times.

Good luck. Please remember to "Like" and "Share" this post if you're reading it on Facebook, or "Re-Tweet" it if you're on Twitter. Also, for those who have read "Bridgetown High" or are in the process of reading it, a review on Amazon would be much appreciated.

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Hello to all my faithful followers and friends, (which should be the same readers).

You'll never guess what I did yesterday.

Give up?

I broke down and ordered three paperback copies of Bridgetown High. They're supposed to arrive tomorrow from Amazon.


Do you have your copy yet? If not, why not?


It comes in either kindle or paperback. you can go to this page to order your copy and read the reviews. You'll be surprised that it's gotten close to all 5-star ratings and some very kind reviews. If you feel inclined, please write another review. The more reviews (hopefully all good ones) the more likely it will sell and become the best-selling novel it is meant to be (ha ha ha).

Also, don't forget to "like" and "Share" this posting.

I think I told you on last Monday that I would post a scene in Bridgetown High that I'd discarded. Well, I can't find the one I wanted to use. So, instead I'm going to post an excerpt from the current novel.

No spoilers. Just hope you enjoy it. It's a bit bloody, but a turning point in the story.

Enjoy!

-------------------------------------------------------

Except for the muted sounds of music from inside the auditorium, the schoolyard felt quiet. Too quiet.

The auditorium door shut behind him and the darkness hemmed him in. Looking up, he realized all the schoolyard and parking lot lights were out.

Moving toward the parking lot, Mark’s foot crunched some broken glass on the sidewalk. In the dimness, he could make out the base of a broken light bulb in the socket of the light fixture above him.

A gust of wind rustled the leaves in the nearby bushes and trees lining the sidewalk. Behind a bush at the end of the sidewalk he thought he saw a shadow move. Mark shivered. Was it his imagination?

As he kept moving down the short sidewalk to the parking lot, he heard another rustling sound from behind the bush. This time there had been no breeze.

Another shuffling sound stopped him. The hairs on his arms and the back of his neck bristled.

The half-moon broke through restless clouds, then hid again. In that moment, he saw and heard another shadowy figure skitter from one bush to the next. Was someone hiding behind that bush?

Pop… pop… pop. He heard the sound of cracking knuckles behind him. Mark spun around. Two dark gray shapes emerged from the corner of the building. Stalking toward him.

Mark turned back to the parking lot. From behind a bush next to the sidewalk, a third silhouetted figure emerged, blocked his path, and started stalking toward him in the same menacing manner.

The only route to the parking lot was through the narrow opening between the bushes and the building. Mark sprinted wide. He had to escape.

“Get him, Al!” he heard Jeff call out.

That must be the one Genie had called Alan Benaducci, Mark realized.

Alan was too quick and stepped in Mark’s path, threatening with a large knife.

Before Mark could dodge another way, Jeff and Bobby surrounded him and Alan drew closer. Even in the darkness, Mark could see the crazed look in Alan’s eyes. He looked even more dangerous than Jeff.

“I told you to watch your backside, slick,” Jeff said. “Like I said, I don’t like no draft-dodging, city slickers messing with my chick. Capisce? You get it? So, now we’ gonna teach you a lesson you ain’t never gonna forget.”

Mark knew he could take Jeff or Bobby, maybe even Al, in a fair fight, but he couldn’t beat all three of them. “I’ll fight you, Marino. Just not here. I don’t feel like getting kicked out of school over a bum like you.”

Jeff swore again, then laughed. “What’s that to me? I think you’re just a plain chicken. That’s why you’re a draft dodger, making guys like Bob an’ Alan an’ me go to the war for you. So, I don’t care what you think. When we’re through with you, you’re gonna be dead anyways! So it don’t matter none. So, it’s about time you figured out when I say something, I mean it and I play for keeps. You get what I mean?”

Mark tried to run and break free from the triangle, but Alan and Bobby grabbed his arms and pulled him off his feet, throwing him down on the grass.

Rolling out of their grasp, Mark jumped back up and tried to run again. But Bobby and Alan grabbed him again and held him tight.

Jeff shook his head and chuckled. “Now, you lily-livered puke. You’re a dead man.” He slugged Mark’s stomach, knocking his breath out, then a slug to his face stung and spun his head to one side.

“Come on, you chicken, fight me,” Jeff said, then spit in Mark’s face again.

The sick ooze made Mark nauseous. In spite of being held tight by Bobby and Alan. Mark leaned his head to wipe his face on his suit jacket sleeve. It was useless to fight against three of them.

“I said, I’m not going to fight you here, Jeff. But I’ll fight you any other day you want where no one can see how I’m going to kill you for killing my family!”

“Kill me? Ha! That’s funny!” Jeff laughed. “Me? Kill your family? Now that’s an idea. What’s the matter, worm? You afraid you’re gonna get hurt? I think you’re just chicken to fight me. You gonna run home and cry to your dead mommy? Or should I say mummy?” Jeff belly laughed.

The jab about his mother stung again. Not only had Jeff killed his family, now he had to gall to rub it in. He wanted to kill Jeff for that remark and he struggled to break free so he could slug Jeff, but Alan and Bobby held him too tight. “Tell them to let me go. I’ll show you who’s chicken.” He put up his arms to fight in spite of being held tight.

Then, Jeff slugged Mark hard in the pit of his stomach.

Buckling over, he nearly blacked out, gasping for breath. Propped up by Bobby and Alan, Jeff threw an uppercut that slammed into Mark’s wet face.

Bobby and Alan tried to push him to the ground again, but he staggered to keep his balance. He was sure Jeff had broken his nose with that last blow, and probably knocked a tooth loose too. He could taste the coppery taste of his warm blood, and felt it dripping off his chin as he gasped for air.

Mark struggled to dodge the blows. He swung his arms and lowered his head to try to block them. A high kick slammed into his left eye, shutting it.

Bobby and Alan finally let him go, but before Mark could escape, a hard kick to his groin doubled him up in unbelievable spasms of pain. His head struck hard on the sidewalk as he fell.

Rolling back onto the soft grass he attempted to escape his tormentors, but another kick slammed into his face, shutting his other eye. He tasted the sweet grass, mixed with dirt and blood. They were going to kill him. God, help me! It was the first prayer he’d said since his family’s death.

Mark couldn’t tell who was hitting him any longer. Every blow added a new layer of pain and agony.

“Should I finish him?” Alan laughed.

“No! Not your knife,” he heard someone else shout. It sounded like Bobby, but it didn’t matter. Another hard kick to his groin and another to his ribs knocked more wind out of him and crashed additional pain through his already contorted body. Another kick to his head and he saw stars.

Now, Mark was only vaguely aware of the kicks. The blows to his back. To his head, his stomach, and again his groin. Stiffly, he tried to curl tighter into a ball and covered his head with his hands and arms.

Another kick crashed against the side of his head. A bright light flashed in his head.

Suddenly he was on the bridge, in his family’s sedan. His mother, father, Sabrina and Amy. Then a car passed. Red taillights. Was it Jeff’s? The car hit his car. His dad over corrected. The gasoline truck bore down on them. The family car toppled. An explosion. He saw Amy on the pavement covered with blood.

It all happened in an instant. Then he heard a girl scream and another blow to his head turned everything mercifully black.

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EVERYONE WANTS TO BE AN AUTHOR

 Hello again to all my faithful friends and followers.

This past week I've been reviewing a book titled "Just Another Quiet Little Town, by J.S. Frankle. It's a fantasy set in modern day. I know you'll enjoy it, it's a fun read. Here's the link so you all can find it and all Mr. Frankle's books: http://www.amazon.com/J.S.-Frankel/e/B004XUUTB8/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1

Mr. Frankle gave me the review I told you about last Monday. I really appreciate it.

Have you added your email address to the "Subscribe" box on my Blog's sidebar? It's a great way to keep up with what I'm doing and how, plus all my blog entries. And when I finally finish my next novel, I'll be sure to let you know.

Speaking of reviews, here is a link to the reviews I've gotten 9 so far from various people: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1680583093/ref=cm_sw_su_dp. You'll have to scroll down a bit to find them.

I just met someone on line who wants to give me a review too. If any of you want to review Bridgetown High in exchange for a free Kindle copy, let me know, either here on my blog site or on my Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/Paul-West-Writer-284357001596275/.

Next week I'm thinking of posting some tossed out chapters of Bridgetown High. Until then, thanks for your following.

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Hello again to all my faithful followers and friends.


It looks like there are a lot of you out there who would love to be a writer, especially a published writer, or in other works, an author. That's the definition of published writer -- an author. I can see by the number of visits my last post generated that my following is growing. That's important for a writer, especially since that could generate sales.


I've probably said this before, but for a author, the more "Likes" you get the higher can be your rank on Amazon, and the higher your rank, the more likely you'll get sales.


Likewise, the more "Shares" you get the the more exposure you will get, as every time someone "Shares" your work it can get exposed to everyone on that person's time-line on Facebook, especially if you share it with the "Public."


There's something else that's important, and that's reviews. I read somewhere that for an author to be successful, he/she should get at least 25 reviews -- the more the better. So far, I've gotten only 9 or 10.

And speaking of reviews, I just got a wonderful one the other day from an author named Jesse Frankle and I want to share it with you:

Howdy. Finished your novel and the review is up on Goodreads. This is your first novel? Holy damn, I was impressed!!

His full review can be seen on his goodreads site:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1567640174?book_show_action=false

I hope you'll enjoy this review. Thanks for following me. It's exciting to see my book gaining in popularity, and it's a lot because of you.

Thank you, all of you.

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Good afternoon, all you my faithful followers.


This journey through writing and publishing is getting more and more exciting. I now have more than 2,000 followers, and I'm hoping some of you are as excited about my novel "Bridgetown High" as I am. Looking at some of my "Friends" on Facebook, I'm finding that people from all over the United States are learning about my novel. I've even found several from England and Australia, and even one from Ghana and another from the Middle East, though I hate to admit I can't remember which country.

This electronic age is amazing.

By the way, if you've read Bridgetown High, have you though to add a review on the Amazon site? You can go there by following this link.

Also, please remember to "Like" and "Share" this post on my Facebook site, and "ReTweet" on my Twitter site and posts. They both really do help with the sales.

Today, I thought I might tell you about another character in my novel - Suzie.

Suzie is an unpopular girl, totally absorbed with herself. She lives for her dogs and cats and Barbies - believe it or not. That is until she meets Mark at the funeral of Mark's family. Mark doesn't remember her until he starts school at the new high school, "John Swett High School." Then, she becomes obsessed with Mark, hoping he'll ask her for a date. When he does finally give in to her flirtations, only because he can't get anyone else to go with him, the date becomes a disaster, and so does their relationship, but she teaches Mark a good lesson.

You'll have to read the book to find out how much of a disaster and what kind of disaster.

So, until I get another chance to write here, I wish you all well and if you're a writer, I urge you to keep writing, reading, writing, reading, etc. LOL. Writing and getting published is only half the job. Marketing it is the other half, but in a couple of weeks I should find out how rewarding it is.

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Hi again, all my faithful followers.

Did you like my expose' on Charisse Davis, one of the main characters in "Bridgetown High?" If so, I hope you will "Like" and "Share" and/or "ReTweet" This post. I have a goal to make this novel into a best-seller. Ha, ha, I even had a couple of readers suggest it could be a movie. Not sure I would go that far.


A few days ago, I finally got some time to work on "GERTA!" I have 45 pages written so far. I know. I have a long way to go. But, I need to confess, this is a 4th or 5th edit of this part of the book. It's the ending that I can't seem to get.


That brings me to a technique I learned in a creative writing course in college. For my Communications requirement I signed up to a Communications class (imagine that). The professor had one requirement -- write 1000 words (real tough). It could be about anything as long as it made sense and communicated some idea. Seeing my work, he suggested I enroll in a Creative Writing class. It was half way through the semester, but I agreed. I didn't get much in the way of lasting ideas, but one thing he taught me is this:


For the final test in the class, he wrote two seemingly unrelated sentences on the chalk board. He told us we had to begin a short story (500 words) with the first sentence and end it with the second sentence. That, I have to admit, was a tough challenge. The two seemed to have nothing to do with each other. But I began, knowing I had to connect them somehow. Well, to make a long story short, I got the only "A" on the test, and one of the few in the class.


So, since then, I've tried to write all my fiction that way. Create a hook for the opening, then work toward the final that I've pre-created for the story.

Maybe that bit of advice will help you too.

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Hi, all my faithful followers. I'm finally finding a moment to write something. I like the quip I coined several years ago. It goes like this: "Work often gets in the way of more important things, like writing." If you like realistic young adult stories, stories of love and vengeance and forgiveness, you'll love Bridgetown High.

I hope before you read any further, you will "Like" and "Share" or "Retweet" this posting first. That really helps with the marketing. Thank you.

I've wanted to tell you more about Bridgetown High. Like I said before, each of the main characters have their own stories. So, which one do you want me to describe today? Charisse Davis? OK. I'll do that.

Charisse is a beautiful young lady, about 5' 1", strawberry blonde hair, green eyes, shapely. She's the kind of girl every boy dreams about but is afraid to ask on a date. Even though Mark talks with her from time to time, he's like every other boy, intimidated. Charisse is the Girl's Representative to the Junior Class, as well as being the Head Cheerleader. She's resourceful and pictures herself as next year's (her senior year) Student Body President. At the beginning of the book, Charisse is going steady with the basketball team captain. He actually dumps her as being too good for him. After doing a dirty trick on Mark, she goes after him, realizing he's very talented and the dirty trick has made him popular. In the end of the book, Mark has to choose, Charisse or Genie. More about Genie later.

Like I've said in previous blog entries, I want to write my next novel but can't find a free minute to do that. So, like I've said too, I'm writing this so you can see some of the struggles I've gone through to be a published author, and now to sell my book(s).

I still have no idea how well my book is selling. Sometimes I get the feeling it's doing OK, not great but OK. Other times, I get the feeling it's not doing well at all. I won't know until I get my first royalty payment, sometime around March 1. And even that won't tell me much as it will only reflect sales up to last December 31 (I think). 'Nuff for now.

I'm

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Hi everyone.


I just got notified that my novel's cover has been nominated for 2015 Best Young Adult General Cover by New LDS Fiction. You can see the posting here: http://www.newldsfiction.com/2015-ya-general/


I won't know if I won for a few days, but it's exciting to just to be nominated. I think someone upstairs is watching over me and my novel.


For many of you who are new to my ramblings, I've found a lot of people on Facebook who are from the towns and area, including John Swett High, where my novel is set. I welcome you, and everyone else I've "Friended" over the past few weeks and months. It's so nice to connect with all of you. I hope you will post your email on the side-bar so you won't miss all the excitement I'm sharing as I go through the writing, querying, publishing, and marketing struggles. It's really been a "trip," as Gary, one of the main characters in my novel Bridgetown High, would say.


Since I mentioned him, maybe I'll to ahead and introduce him to you. Gary Johnson is Mark Wilkerson's brother. Mark it the main character in the book. Gary is a bit unconventional -- a hippy if you will. I love his speech patterns, but his use of the word "like" in a lot of his sentences does get a bit tiring. But. that's Gary. He has a mind of his own and is extremely loyal to Mark, even if they do have their differences at times. In addition to being a hippy, he is also a member of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS). You can look that up in your Funk & Wagnall. Near the beginning of the story, Gary is asked to the "Vice-Versa" dance by a nerdy girl named Kathy Kelly (unique, I know). Thus starts a platonic love affair that just keeps going throughout the story.

I won't tell you any more. Sorry. You'll just have to meet Gary for yourself as you read Bridgetown High. But, I will say this, he plays an integral role in the climax of the story.

If you don't already have a copy of my novel, get one. Each of the characters has their own story. You won't be disappointed. Go to here http://www.amazon.com/dp/1680583093/ref=cm_sw_su_dp to read the reviews.

Also, don't forget to "Share" and "Like" this post. Thanks. The more everyone does that, the more people will get excited and want to read my book.

Thanks

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Hi, to all my faithful friends and followers. I hope you all had a wonderful Martin Luther King holiday. Mine was busy, but great with the advent of our 14th grandchild.

I also received a new review at Amazon -- number 9. The person gave me a rating of 5 out of 5 and boosted my overall rating to 4.8 out of 5 -- thank you very much, reviewer. Not bad for a not-so-best selling novel. But then again, I have no idea how well it's selling, or not, and won't know until the end of March.

Have you been to my Amazon site and checked out the reviews, or even better wrote one? I've learned that the more reviews a writer gets, the higher the novel's rank at Amazon can go, and Amazon will put it higher on the best-selling list to capture more purchases.

It also helps to get tons of "Likes" and "Shares."

If I could get everyone reading this blog posting to click on the "Share" button on my Facebook pages, that would increase my marketing reach a lot as all of you have different "Friends" lists and posting to the "Public," would go to all your friends as well as mine.

Hint, hint, hint.

Now, I just need to find more time to write. Ever since I sold Bridgetown High, I haven't had a free minute to write. But, hang in there with me. I'll find a way somehow. Until then, you can share my frustration as a writer.

Thanks for following me. More to come.

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A wonderful New Year to all my friends, fans, and followers. Despite the stock market crashing, I think 2016 is going to be a wonderful year.


In another week, if all goes well, we will welcome our 14th grandchild into this world -- another boy. We are excited to see this little one and pray he is healthy and normal. That's been my prayer for all of my grandchildren.

I still have no idea how well, or not, my novel is selling.  I think the Blog Tour my publisher did for me, has helped, but I have no idea of how much. Yesterday, a lady I've never met before asked me if I would let her interview me (via email) for her blog site. I can't see how that could hurt anything as long as the questions aren't too personal. So, during my lunch break I took a stab at her questions. Pretty much, they're just questions about my writing. I told her I would be willing to return the favor, but she said she's not a writer, just a blogger, and wants some material for her blog. I guess that's OK.

Just wondering. How many of you would like to learn what I had to learn about writing fiction? I'm willing to do that if there's interest.

I'm anxious to get back to GERTA! but with work responsibilities, home responsibilities, church responsibilities, etc., I just can't seem to find the time. I thought maybe I would give you a taste of GERTA! At least that would help me get back in the mood:


She stood five-foot-eleven, had to be all of 450 pounds and smelled worse than a sewer. Her dull beady eyes looked out from a mass of tangled, dishwater blonde hair. Her twisted and puffy face was pocked with oozing acne. “IT’S GERTA! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!” We’d all scream in our best blood-curdling cries whenever we saw her. Everyone knew she was cooties of the deadliest kind and we would probably die if she ever touched us. But I loved her.

Does that peak your interest? Now, I just need to fashion a story around that theme. When  I do, I hope you'll all hang in with me as I express the struggles I will have writing that novel.

So, until next time, I wish you all a wonderful beginning to the New Year, and don't let the stock market scare you. It'll pop back up in a few weeks.

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