Month: August 2019

Writing an Effective Short Story

Writing an Effective Short Story

Posted by | Aug 24, 2019 | , , | 0 |

Writing an Effective Short Story By:  Paul Blake   A short story can be a wondrous thing. The paucity of words allows the writer to focus on the story, rather than on the nuts and bolts of world-building, character development, and backstory vital in longer work. A short story is usually centred around, or focused towards a single event, concept, or message, whereas a novel has subplots, minor character arcs, etc. For a writer, a short story allows for experimentation in voice, perspective, genre. This experimentation can be very freeing and productive in letting the creative brain play. An...

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Suburban Gangsters By: Michael Dineen

Suburban Gangsters By: Michael Dineen

Posted by | Aug 23, 2019 | | 0 |

Suburban Gangsters By: Michael Dineen Many a poor soul has been led down the tangled path to riches and glory.  A temptation which is just too hard to resist.  This is often due to the unbearable nature of their own life, and the illusion of easy wealth which may lie just around the corner.  They will choose to abandon all they once knew to secure a better position in life, and grasp onto the materialistic benefits which such wealth can bring.  Fast cars, designer suits and life in the fast lane!  And one of the most popular ways to...

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The Bastard from Fairyland By: Phil Parker

The Bastard from Fairyland By: Phil Parker

Posted by | Aug 21, 2019 | | 0 |

The Bastard in Fairyland By:  Phil Parker   “Life has many ways of testing a person’s will.  Either by having nothing happen at all or by having everything happen all at once.”  (Paulo Coelho) Life can be tough.  There can be no doubt about that!  It will knock you down to your knees so many times that it may seem almost impossible to get back up.  Choosing instead to retreat into the darkness and escape the daily struggles.  However, those who can rise above such isolationist temptations and instead face challenges head on are the ones who will ultimately...

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Deep Characterization Enables Deep POV By: Sedona Hutton

Deep Characterization Enables Deep POV By: Sedona Hutton

Posted by | Aug 19, 2019 | , , | 0 |

Deep Characterization Enables Deep POV When I first started writing, I found an online character worksheet and filled it out. Heroine: Age: 24. Red hair, green eyes, lots of curves. Hero: Age: 26. Midnight hair, cobalt eyes, plenty of hard muscle. A few more details and I was ready to write my masterpiece! I quickly learned that without significant character detail, my manuscript was plagued with inconsistencies and required continuous rework. Even worse, my characters didn’t feel real because I didn’t know them well enough to get inside their heads. Through research, courses, and good old-fashioned trial and error,...

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The Sandman By: Alex Stargazer

The Sandman By: Alex Stargazer

Posted by | Aug 13, 2019 | | 0 |

The Sandman By: Alex Stargazer Free will.  Does it truly exist?  Wherever you choose to go on this planet you will find human civilizations which create and enforce laws, norms and values.  The population in these societies are expected to follow the prescribed standards.  While some nations are stricter in the creation and enforcement of these norms, the bottom line is that they do exist across the globe.  Therefore, it can be reasonably argued that in such conditions, “free will” many not truly exist anywhere.  I find this concept to be provocative.  So when I came across the story...

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Books Reviewed This Year

I have reviewed 80 books so far this year.

53% – 80 out of 150 books reviewed

Read reviews »

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My Goodreads Reviews!

Leonard's bookshelf: read

Akea - The Power of Destiny
it was amazing
Akea – The Power of Destiny
by Elizabeth Jade
Have you ever considered what it actually means to be "different"?  To step outside the norms of society and truly be yourself, despite the sideways glances, outright disapproval and criticism which may inevitably follow.  To be true to …
tagged:
5-star-reviews

Wham!
it was amazing
Wham!
by Carol Marrs Phipps
"First they came for the communists,

And I did not speak out because I wasn’t a communist.

Then they came for the trade unionists,

And I didn’t speak out because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews,

And I did not…

tagged:
5-star-reviews

Doctor Hydenberg
really liked it
Doctor Hydenberg
by Jeffery Martin Botzenhart
To come to the end of one’s life and be full of regret is a terrible thing for anyone to experience.  The whole idea of living with no excuses and loving with zero regrets, right out the window.  A life full of missed opportunities and w…
tagged:
4-star-reviews

The Haunting of Hope House
it was ok
The Haunting of Hope House
by Astrid Addams
Have you ever faced something in your personal life which was so overwhelming that you just needed to escape?  Running as far away from such troubles as possible in hopes of ultimately finding greener pastures in life.  Unfortunately, pe…

A Fine Death
it was amazing
A Fine Death
by Walter Rice
Have you ever felt as if your entire life was spinning out of control?  Where absolutely nothing was going right and everything you touched turned to stone?  A gloomy cloud overhead which virtually follows your every move.  All of your r…
tagged:
5-star-reviews

Scouse Gothic: The Pool of Life... and Death
it was amazing
Scouse Gothic: The Pool of Life… and Death
by Ian McKinney
What do you get when you mix vampires, a hitman, a grief stricken mother recently released from a mental institution who is bent on revenge- and a plump little angel with the appearance of a pigeon?  You get one fantastic story…that’s …
tagged:
5-star-reviews

Lullaby of the Dead: Every Ghost Has a Story
it was amazing
Lullaby of the Dead: Every Ghost Has a Story
by Lynn Lamb

If this was to be your last day on this planet, would you be satisfied with the life you have lived?  Have you existed in harmony with those around you- and within yourself?  What if your answer to these questions is a resounding ‘No’? …

Guinevere: At the Dawn of Legend
really liked it
Guinevere: At the Dawn of Legend
by Cheryl Carpinello
There can be little doubt that childhood is an exciting and wonderful time.  It is filled with a variety of fresh and new experiences which are approached with a childlike innocence.  Be that as it may, such youthful exuberance can be qu…
tagged:
4-star-reviews

Virus
really liked it
Virus
by Norton S. Beckerman
Have you ever considered what could possibly be strong enough to destroy human civilization as we know it?  Perhaps nuclear war?  Famine? Disease and pestilence?  The possibilities are many, and not very pleasant to ponder.  When thinkin…
tagged:
4-star-reviews

The Zoo: An Allegorical Adventure
liked it
The Zoo: An Allegorical Adventure
by Stephen Black
What would it take to bring a vibrant and bustling Metropolis to its very knees?  The simple answer to this question is…not very much!  Any type of civilization takes a great deal of time and industry to create, but precious little effor…
tagged:
3-star-reviews




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