Hi all!
Well, The Bloom of Youth (TBoY) has been live now on Amazon for about a week, and in that time a few of the early readers have already finished it and written with their input. It seems that so far Will's story has resonated, which is really gratifying for me to hear since this was one of my goals in writing this novel in the first place. It seems that more than a few of you out there have experiences that in one or more ways mirror that of Will (or the other characters in the book).
The truth is, no one gets a free ride, and even if you're born in or around the truth, you still have to make it your own. It's my hope that the book is able to convey this, and I also hope that in time it'll find its way into the hands of those who are currently in a situation similar to Will's, and that in some small way, it can help them survive those dreadful teenage years.
That said, I'm all ears for any feedback you all may have for me (positive or negative). I realize that the book in some ways takes risks that the others have not, for example in [SPOILERS AHEAD] Will's obsession with the rock band Weezer and infatuation with Danielle. I suppose these elements could've been removed and replaced with something less eyebrow-raising, but the story I ended up with was the one I wanted to tell. I've tried my best not to buff out the blemishes or pull too many punches. I can only hope that this comes across to readers!
If you've already finished the book, please consider dropping by its Amazon page and leaving a rating and/or a short review. Comments like these really help to show potential readers what they're getting into (for better or for worse). Also, keep in mind that if you've ready any of my books and really disliked them, Amazon has a generous refund policy, so you can always return the book and get your hard-earned cash back.
Wednesday, October 10, 2018
Thursday, October 4, 2018
The third and final installment...
In the past few weeks, I've gotten a fair amount of email asking when the third novel in the FLEE series will be released. Unfortunately, I still can't provide a definite date. Typically, I'll only announce a release date once I'm 75-80% done with the first draft. At that point, I can usually predict how long the rest of the process will take, which includes finishing that first draft, writing a second draft, getting input from editors and proofreaders, and then making changes for the final copy.
Initially, I suspected that I'd give myself a little break after the release of The Bloom of Youth. I find breaks to be a vital part of the writing process; they allow me some mental breathing room and an opportunity to shift gears and brace for a new project. I expected this would be especially important given the shift in tone from The Bloom of Youth back to the FLEE series. (The creative "brain space" used to write these books, I feel, is completely different.)
As it turned out, however, I found myself wanting to dive right back into the FLEE universe as I neared completion on TBoY, and I'm happy to announce that work has been underway on it for the last week or so. While I still can't provide a definite release date, I'm shooting for the summer of '19, which gives me nine months or so. This seems like a comfortable time frame, but given the fact that there is still so much story to be told and will require me tying in the stories of over a dozen characters, I'm expecting this final book to be a lot longer than the first two. (So don't be surprised if I nudge that date back a little.)
One of the great things about writing for the friends is that you all understand these novels aren't the primary focus of my life. While I enjoy immensely crafting these fictional worlds and building characters and every other aspect of writing the novels, there are plenty of other things taking precedence in my life, and I'm very grateful for your understanding in that regard.
In our entertainment-obsessed world, it's common for writers, directors, and musicians to be hounded by their fans for information on their newest project. I believe that kind of pressure is unhealthy, both mentally and creatively. The best creations don't come out of a pressure cooker; they're the result of a patient, thoughtful, and well-seasoned process.
And that's precisely the process that you all have allowed me to employ in writing these books, so thank you.
Initially, I suspected that I'd give myself a little break after the release of The Bloom of Youth. I find breaks to be a vital part of the writing process; they allow me some mental breathing room and an opportunity to shift gears and brace for a new project. I expected this would be especially important given the shift in tone from The Bloom of Youth back to the FLEE series. (The creative "brain space" used to write these books, I feel, is completely different.)
As it turned out, however, I found myself wanting to dive right back into the FLEE universe as I neared completion on TBoY, and I'm happy to announce that work has been underway on it for the last week or so. While I still can't provide a definite release date, I'm shooting for the summer of '19, which gives me nine months or so. This seems like a comfortable time frame, but given the fact that there is still so much story to be told and will require me tying in the stories of over a dozen characters, I'm expecting this final book to be a lot longer than the first two. (So don't be surprised if I nudge that date back a little.)
One of the great things about writing for the friends is that you all understand these novels aren't the primary focus of my life. While I enjoy immensely crafting these fictional worlds and building characters and every other aspect of writing the novels, there are plenty of other things taking precedence in my life, and I'm very grateful for your understanding in that regard.
In our entertainment-obsessed world, it's common for writers, directors, and musicians to be hounded by their fans for information on their newest project. I believe that kind of pressure is unhealthy, both mentally and creatively. The best creations don't come out of a pressure cooker; they're the result of a patient, thoughtful, and well-seasoned process.
And that's precisely the process that you all have allowed me to employ in writing these books, so thank you.
Monday, October 1, 2018
"The Bloom of Youth" Now on Amazon!
Hi all! It's always exciting to share news of a new book's release, and today I'm happy to announce that The Bloom of Youth is now available on Amazon! As always, I've released both Kindle and paperback versions. (If you don't own a Kindle, I recommend downloading the Kindle app, available for both Android and iOS devices, which will allow you to purchase and read the book digitally.)
You can grab a copy by clicking the picture below. (The two versions currently appear on Amazon as separate entries, but this should be fixed within a day or so.)
If you'd rather read in bite-sized weekly installments, check out The Bloom of Youth blogspot here. As usual, new chapters will be released each Monday morning.
Hope you enjoy reading as much as I did writing!
You can grab a copy by clicking the picture below. (The two versions currently appear on Amazon as separate entries, but this should be fixed within a day or so.)
Hope you enjoy reading as much as I did writing!
Saturday, September 22, 2018
"The Bloom of Youth" Blogspot now live
Hi all! I know it's been a while since I last posted! Between our regional convention, finishing up the service year, and just the general hectic stuff of life, I haven't had any time to post or record new podcasts. Of course, I've also been busy writing and editing my most recent book, The Bloom of Youth. I'm thrilled to announce that it'll be available within a couple of weeks! You can take a look at the Blogspot I've set up for it (you can even read the foreword).
This book was my most challenging writing project to date, and it took me nearly two full years to complete. That said, it was a thoroughly enjoyable process, and maybe even a little cathartic. It might not be everyone's cup of tea since it's such a far cry from the previous novels, but I think that at least a few of you out there will be able to relate to the main character.
If you'd like to learn a bit more about The Bloom of Youth and haven't yet seen the podcast I put together about it, you can check it out below.
I'll let you all know as soon as the Amazon versions are ready, and when the first chapters will be released via the blog. Stay tuned!
This book was my most challenging writing project to date, and it took me nearly two full years to complete. That said, it was a thoroughly enjoyable process, and maybe even a little cathartic. It might not be everyone's cup of tea since it's such a far cry from the previous novels, but I think that at least a few of you out there will be able to relate to the main character.
If you'd like to learn a bit more about The Bloom of Youth and haven't yet seen the podcast I put together about it, you can check it out below.
I'll let you all know as soon as the Amazon versions are ready, and when the first chapters will be released via the blog. Stay tuned!
Thursday, August 9, 2018
Evolution Podcast
Running into staunch evolutionists and/or atheists in the ministry used
to scare me, but not anymore. In this two-part podcast series, I detail
some of the points I like to use when the topic of evolution comes up.
In the second half, I attempt to explain why so many scientists stick to
the theory of evolution, even with so much evidence stacking up against
it. Enjoy!
Wednesday, August 1, 2018
Two more podcast episodes + I'm finally over writer's block!
Writer's block, as I've mentioned in a previous post, is one of the most frustrating and scary things that can happen to a writer. It can feel like a vacuum of ideas and inspiration, where sitting down in front of the computer results in random sentences fit only for delete key fodder. It can be maddening.
As has become a pattern with my writing, the completion of the last book left me a little exhausted and not at all in the mood to work on other books. And so, for the last three months, I took a break to work on other things and recharge my batteries.
These last two weeks, though, I've been feeling excited to write again, starting of course with the completion of The Bloom of Youth and then with the final book of the FLEE series, which is good news for both of us!
In other news, I've got a few podcasts up. In episode #007 I explain how creative writing can help us develop empathy, and how I personally experienced this while writing Critical Times. In episode #008, I share some of the research that went into writing Martin Landretti's doomsday bunker from the last book, STAY. It's a fascinating topic!
Feel free to check out the podcasts below:
As has become a pattern with my writing, the completion of the last book left me a little exhausted and not at all in the mood to work on other books. And so, for the last three months, I took a break to work on other things and recharge my batteries.
These last two weeks, though, I've been feeling excited to write again, starting of course with the completion of The Bloom of Youth and then with the final book of the FLEE series, which is good news for both of us!
In other news, I've got a few podcasts up. In episode #007 I explain how creative writing can help us develop empathy, and how I personally experienced this while writing Critical Times. In episode #008, I share some of the research that went into writing Martin Landretti's doomsday bunker from the last book, STAY. It's a fascinating topic!
Feel free to check out the podcasts below:
Thursday, July 19, 2018
A couple more podcasts
Both of these podcasts deal with elements of the new world. In the first, I explore some possibilities for repurposing old world technology for a newer, more beneficial use in paradise.
In the second podcast, I describe what appears to be a shift in the general attitude towards the idea of eternal human life and offer some suggestions on how to help someone overcome a fear of forever.
Sunday, July 15, 2018
Friday, July 13, 2018
All Things New + New Podcast
In November of last year, I made a post here explaining that I'd be taking All Things New down from Amazon (both the digital and paperback versions). My purpose in doing this was to take some time to update the book, making some corrections to certain parts and removing others altogether. The goal was to release a second, more relevant version of the book to replace the original. However, as some of you may have noticed, although the Kindle (digital) version is no longer available, the paperback is still there. You may be wondering why!
Shortly after making that announcement last year, I realized that removing that book from my catalog would pose a problem for translators, many of whom are still working on their various language versions of All Things New to this day. By removing this book, it would essentially render whatever work they had done of the book so far obsolete. If, in turn, these non-English versions of All Things New were released, it would mean that foreign-language readers of the book would be actually experiencing a novel quite different from the newer English-language version, complicating things.
Another reason for leaving the paperback version of All Things New up is that by and large, the feedback I've gotten from that book has been positive. Most who read it (and again, I'm so grateful for your comments and continuing support) come away with exactly the reaction I was hoping for; namely, one of having their minds opened to new possibilities, and being excited for specific things in the New World.
Additionally, I'm trying out something new: a podcast! I've no idea if there will be any interest in something like this, but I've found that certain topics (like the one I've written about here), work better in the format of a podcast, where things are less formal and I can literally just talk directly to all of you. And so, for this first episode, I've taken the topic here and expanded a bit on it, adding some extra info that some of you might find interesting. So give it a look, and if it's something you enjoy, consider leaving a comment, a like, or possibly even subscribing to the channel. It's a fairly simple affair to produce these so I don't expect it to take up too much additional time and frankly it's kind of nice to have a new format to create in. Here's the first episode:
As always, thank you all so much for your kind support and readership!
Shortly after making that announcement last year, I realized that removing that book from my catalog would pose a problem for translators, many of whom are still working on their various language versions of All Things New to this day. By removing this book, it would essentially render whatever work they had done of the book so far obsolete. If, in turn, these non-English versions of All Things New were released, it would mean that foreign-language readers of the book would be actually experiencing a novel quite different from the newer English-language version, complicating things.
Another reason for leaving the paperback version of All Things New up is that by and large, the feedback I've gotten from that book has been positive. Most who read it (and again, I'm so grateful for your comments and continuing support) come away with exactly the reaction I was hoping for; namely, one of having their minds opened to new possibilities, and being excited for specific things in the New World.
Additionally, I'm trying out something new: a podcast! I've no idea if there will be any interest in something like this, but I've found that certain topics (like the one I've written about here), work better in the format of a podcast, where things are less formal and I can literally just talk directly to all of you. And so, for this first episode, I've taken the topic here and expanded a bit on it, adding some extra info that some of you might find interesting. So give it a look, and if it's something you enjoy, consider leaving a comment, a like, or possibly even subscribing to the channel. It's a fairly simple affair to produce these so I don't expect it to take up too much additional time and frankly it's kind of nice to have a new format to create in. Here's the first episode:
As always, thank you all so much for your kind support and readership!
Friday, June 29, 2018
Thank you for your patience!
Hi there! It's been a while since my last update (nearly two months, yikes!), so I wanted to pop in here and say a few words about what I've been up to this summer, as well as offer [some very meager] news regarding my current writing projects.
First off, I allowed myself a bit of a break this summer. I had the opportunity to travel with my wife to Japan, where we enjoyed a 10-day vacation. We got some much needed rest (and lots of great food) after what's been a rather stressful few months in our current situation here in Asia. (Side note: I was a few days late on one of the updates for the "STAY" novel on the blog due to enjoying my vacation so much that I totally forgot to publish a new chapter...)
As for the third installment in the FLEE series, I think it's safe to say that it's likely not going to be getting a release this year. (Hopefully early 2019, but please don't hold me to that!)
Part of the reason for its delay is just being too busy with other things to have the time or energy to focus on it. Being the final installment in a trilogy is also part of the issue; there's quite a bit of pressure to make this last novel a worthy and satisfying conclusion to FLEE and STAY. Aside from all that, there's just still so much story to tell. Simply put, it's daunting, and I want to make sure I get it just right!
In the meantime, of course, I've got The Bloom of Youth about to be released (I'm shooting for the end of August), which is a wacky little book written in a totally different voice than my others. But I'm hoping that it'll be a needed change of pace after the heavier books that I've been publishing these last few years.
Anyhow, that's what's been going on in my life this summer. How is yours?
First off, I allowed myself a bit of a break this summer. I had the opportunity to travel with my wife to Japan, where we enjoyed a 10-day vacation. We got some much needed rest (and lots of great food) after what's been a rather stressful few months in our current situation here in Asia. (Side note: I was a few days late on one of the updates for the "STAY" novel on the blog due to enjoying my vacation so much that I totally forgot to publish a new chapter...)
As for the third installment in the FLEE series, I think it's safe to say that it's likely not going to be getting a release this year. (Hopefully early 2019, but please don't hold me to that!)
Part of the reason for its delay is just being too busy with other things to have the time or energy to focus on it. Being the final installment in a trilogy is also part of the issue; there's quite a bit of pressure to make this last novel a worthy and satisfying conclusion to FLEE and STAY. Aside from all that, there's just still so much story to tell. Simply put, it's daunting, and I want to make sure I get it just right!
In the meantime, of course, I've got The Bloom of Youth about to be released (I'm shooting for the end of August), which is a wacky little book written in a totally different voice than my others. But I'm hoping that it'll be a needed change of pace after the heavier books that I've been publishing these last few years.
Anyhow, that's what's been going on in my life this summer. How is yours?
Sunday, May 6, 2018
Keeping on the watch
More than a few readers have wondered if I'll be able to finish the FLEE series before the end (or at least, before the outbreak of the great tribulation). Although some of these comments may be made in jest, it's certainly a valid question considering all that's going on in the news.
Watching the developing situation between North and South Korea has been especially interesting. Sudden cries of peace and cooperation between two nations technically at war for over six decades is certainly something worth keeping an eye on, but even if this whole thing blows over and the situation reverts to what it was just a couple of months ago, we know we're close. Very close.
But as I've said before, nothing would make me happier than being unable to finish this series due to the actual fulfillment of Bible prophecy. I mean, with the real thing unfolding before our eyes, what would be the point of fiction? It would be like collecting materials for a log cabin when a mansion is already under construction in your front yard.
The other point that's been so clearly driven home in my mind from watching the latest news is how unpredictable things truly are and how impossible it is to know what the next day holds. We absolutely have no idea exactly how things will unfold, though I imagine that the other side of this system, when we look back, we'll probably see just how inevitable and obvious it was all along.
Just like the ending of a good story!
Watching the developing situation between North and South Korea has been especially interesting. Sudden cries of peace and cooperation between two nations technically at war for over six decades is certainly something worth keeping an eye on, but even if this whole thing blows over and the situation reverts to what it was just a couple of months ago, we know we're close. Very close.
But as I've said before, nothing would make me happier than being unable to finish this series due to the actual fulfillment of Bible prophecy. I mean, with the real thing unfolding before our eyes, what would be the point of fiction? It would be like collecting materials for a log cabin when a mansion is already under construction in your front yard.
The other point that's been so clearly driven home in my mind from watching the latest news is how unpredictable things truly are and how impossible it is to know what the next day holds. We absolutely have no idea exactly how things will unfold, though I imagine that the other side of this system, when we look back, we'll probably see just how inevitable and obvious it was all along.
Just like the ending of a good story!
Tuesday, April 24, 2018
And now for something completely different...
Writing about the great tribulation and the last days–while undeniably exciting–can be a pretty exhausting task, especially when it's practically all the writing you've done in the last couple of years. I realized this over a year ago, shortly after starting the first book in the FLEE series. I knew that I needed a break. So, for a change of pace, I began a side writing project around that same time. It was something more for myself than any kind of reading audience, but it wasn't long before I found myself falling in love with the story and characters.
You see, the goal of this project was simple–tell an honest story about life from the perspective of your average, adolescent Witness boy. It wasn't set during Armageddon or the great tribulation or paradise, but in our modern day. Instead of some epic, cinematic struggle, the main character would just be a normal kid trying to survive his teenage years: navigating the horrors of high school, attempting to not stand out too much, struggling to not be awkward around girls in the hall, and trying to figure out who he was and what he wanted to do. If Critical Times was a Summer blockbuster and the FLEE books were a thriller miniseries, this book was one of those quirky indie flicks.
Since this novel is so different (and quite strange, frankly), there is of course some risk releasing it within the EK Jonathan family (in fact, I did consider releasing it under a different pen name, but after weighing all the pros and cons I decided against it). In any case, it's almost done, and should be ready for a wide release this summer, and who knows, you might just enjoy it!
Here's a sneak peek at the cover:
Stay tuned!
You see, the goal of this project was simple–tell an honest story about life from the perspective of your average, adolescent Witness boy. It wasn't set during Armageddon or the great tribulation or paradise, but in our modern day. Instead of some epic, cinematic struggle, the main character would just be a normal kid trying to survive his teenage years: navigating the horrors of high school, attempting to not stand out too much, struggling to not be awkward around girls in the hall, and trying to figure out who he was and what he wanted to do. If Critical Times was a Summer blockbuster and the FLEE books were a thriller miniseries, this book was one of those quirky indie flicks.
Since this novel is so different (and quite strange, frankly), there is of course some risk releasing it within the EK Jonathan family (in fact, I did consider releasing it under a different pen name, but after weighing all the pros and cons I decided against it). In any case, it's almost done, and should be ready for a wide release this summer, and who knows, you might just enjoy it!
Here's a sneak peek at the cover:
Stay tuned!
Monday, April 23, 2018
It's live!
Get it here (or click the image below)!
(Unfortunately the paperback and Kindle versions are not linked within a single product description; I'm working with Amazon on getting this issue and a few others ironed out. In any event, both versions are currently available!)
(Unfortunately the paperback and Kindle versions are not linked within a single product description; I'm working with Amazon on getting this issue and a few others ironed out. In any event, both versions are currently available!)
Saturday, April 21, 2018
Paperback version of STAY releasing early
Just a slight modification to the last post I made regarding the release of STAY. I've decided to release the paperback version of the book a day earlier (Monday, April 23rd). This will allow time for shipping, so that those who choose to go the paperback route can [hopefully] start reading around the same time as those who get the Kindle version. The Kindle version will still go live on Tuesday, April 24th.
To keep track of the release times, I've set up a couple of countdown displays. Not long to wait!
To keep track of the release times, I've set up a couple of countdown displays. Not long to wait!
Tuesday, April 10, 2018
Release Date for STAY
Well, I've hit the final stretch in the editing process for STAY, meaning that I can confidently announce a release date! It's been a long process (though slightly smoother and quicker than my previous novels), and it feels wonderful to know that it's nearly done and ready to share.
Here's the full cover:
In case you can't make out the description from the back cover, here's the plain text version:
Stay tuned!
Here's the full cover:
In case you can't make out the description from the back cover, here's the plain text version:
Peter and Rachel Burton make it safely aboard their rig in New Orleans, but their journey is far from over. With Thiago close on their heels and a tropical storm brewing in the Gulf of Mexico, more trials await. Farther north, Joyce Tucker leaves her camp in Vancouver to deal with a medical emergency. But nothing will compare with what awaits her on the other side of the border...So, when exactly can you expect STAY? Soon... It'll land on Amazon on April 24th, just two weeks from today!
Stay tuned!
Saturday, March 3, 2018
The Home Stretch
Hope you're all having a great weekend!
Just thought I'd post a picture from the progress chart for STAY, the sequel to FLEE. As you can see, I've almost hit the word count I was aiming for (80k), and I'm writing the final part of the book right now. (It might seem a bit strange to go into a book knowing how many words it'll end up being, but typically that's how I've always approached my novels. Maybe I'll write about this some other time.)
Of course, once this is done I'll still need to fine tune a bunch of things, proofread it, and then send it through the editing process, but it looks like a release by the end of April is still very feasible. So stay tuned! (Now excuse me while I order a bottle of champagne... 😉 )
Just thought I'd post a picture from the progress chart for STAY, the sequel to FLEE. As you can see, I've almost hit the word count I was aiming for (80k), and I'm writing the final part of the book right now. (It might seem a bit strange to go into a book knowing how many words it'll end up being, but typically that's how I've always approached my novels. Maybe I'll write about this some other time.)
Of course, once this is done I'll still need to fine tune a bunch of things, proofread it, and then send it through the editing process, but it looks like a release by the end of April is still very feasible. So stay tuned! (Now excuse me while I order a bottle of champagne... 😉 )
Wednesday, February 28, 2018
What Writers Can Learn from Acting
Of all the modern conveniences that technology has afforded us, I’d say it’s our access to information that is the most valuable. Colleges and universities are no longer the only places to get an education; much of this knowledge is now available at our fingertips via the internet. This is especially true since the emergence of websites like Udemy, Skillshare, Coursera, and Masterclass. These websites offer paid classes in the form of high-quality video downloads, workbooks, and assignments. Of course, there are also free alternatives (though usually of lesser quality) that can be found of popular video sharing websites like YouTube.
If you’re an aspiring writer (or even a seasoned one), these videos and classes are worth your time. What’s become apparent to me, after subscribing to several courses in different subjects (Due to time constraints I skip around a lot and rarely complete an entire course, but I've dabbled in screenplay writing, stage play writing, directing, acting, and music production), is how closely linked these arts really are.
So today, I want to take a little time here to make a case for how acting relates to writing, and why writers should be interested in the art of acting.
Here’s the bottom line: actors and writers are trying to achieve the same goal–accurate, believable character portrayal. A talented actor makes us forget all about acting; we believe he is the character. Similarly, a talented writer should make us forget we are reading words on a page.
For a moment, let’s imagine a scene in a stage play. The scene unfolds in the bedroom of a teenage boy named Jack. In the scene, Jack’s mother enters his bedroom and confronts him about returning late the night before and not answering his cellphone while at a friend’s house.
Can you picture the scene in your head? Good. Don’t worry about the dialogue–that’s not important here. What’s important in this exercise is what you see the actors doing, not what they are saying. In fact, if the actors and the director are good enough, they could be having a conversation about the weather and we’d still be able to get what’s going on in the character’s heads.
But how? How would the actors really convey this? First off, they’d need to thoroughly understand the characters. And not just the characters' overall personality traits, but the characters in this moment. Remember, people are dynamic. We change from moment to moment and are constantly being molded by our surroundings. Characters in books and on the stage should be the same.
For example, the actors might ask these questions: What’s motivating the mother in this scene? What does she want? Is she simply frustrated with her son because she feels she’s being shut out of his life, or is she actually worried for his safety (or spirituality)? What about Jack? Is Jack a good kid, or is he troubled? How is his relationship with his mother? Is he trying to rebel, or was he merely being careless the night before?
For the sake of this experiment, let’s imagine the following scenario: Jack and his mom have a good relationship. He’s a diligent student and a responsible adolescent. He cares about his mom, but lately he’s been feeling too restricted, which he feels is unjustified given his good track record. Jack’s mother knows he’s trying hard, but doesn’t want him becoming independent too soon. Deep down, she doesn’t want to lose him, and dreads the day when he finally becomes his own man.
Now, given this understanding of their motivations and the dynamics of their relationship, how might the actors and director go about bringing the scene to life? First off, Jack and his mother probably won’t be having this conversation sitting or standing in a room facing one another. They need to be moving around, doing something. But what?
Remember, we’ve already determined a few things about Jack. He’s a good kid, a responsible student, and he loves his mom. Since this scene happens in the morning, perhaps Jack is preparing to leave for school. He’s gathering his textbooks and binders and packing his bag when his mom comes in and wants to talk. Giving him this action in the scene is great–the repetition of packing his bag will allow us to see how the attitude behind his movements changes over time. (Perhaps in the beginning of the scene he's packing things neatly and carefully, but by the end he’s so frustrated that he’s just stuffing the remainder of the papers into the pockets of his backpack.)
And what about the mom? Remember, essentially Jack’s mother has a fear of him growing up. She wants to hold on to the version of her little Jack as a child. She can’t handle the idea of him growing up so quickly and becoming an adult. At the same time, she knows he’s a good kid and doesn’t want to smother him. These are two very conflicting sets of emotions, and frankly would be a challenge for any actress to clearly convey.
Perhaps the mother enters quietly, trying to be respectful in her son’s space. Maybe she’s just prepared breakfast, so she’s got an apron on, and is wiping her hands on it when she enters. Perhaps the wiping goes on a little too long, giving the audience a clue about her anxiety. Maybe, as they talk, she notices a stuffed animal on Jack’s shelf, something that he’s clearly had since he was a little boy. She goes over to it and touches it fondly or picks it up, telling us how she feels about Jack’s younger years.
Can you imagine the scene a bit better now? Did it come to life a bit more? It should have. Because we went from what could have simply been a conversation between a nagging mom and her unresponsive teenage son to a multi-layered interaction between two complex characters. The final result would be something much more interesting to watch performed on stage.
The same is true for writing a novel. Novice writers tend to tell us how characters feel by A) Having them vocalize their emotions (“I’m so frustrated with you!” “I can’t stand this restaurant!” “I’m so excited about our trip to the Bahamas!”) or B) Peppering their writing with adverbs (“I’m leaving,” he said angrily.) Seasoned writers, on the other hand, show us how the characters feel by what they do, how they move, and how they talk.
In summary, good writing and good acting are tied by a common thread of understanding people–the way they think, they way they behave, and the way they interact. Both writing and acting require being able to step into a character’s shoes and accurately convey the complexity of their thoughts, desires, fears, and emotions.
If you’re an aspiring writer (or even a seasoned one), these videos and classes are worth your time. What’s become apparent to me, after subscribing to several courses in different subjects (Due to time constraints I skip around a lot and rarely complete an entire course, but I've dabbled in screenplay writing, stage play writing, directing, acting, and music production), is how closely linked these arts really are.
So today, I want to take a little time here to make a case for how acting relates to writing, and why writers should be interested in the art of acting.
Here’s the bottom line: actors and writers are trying to achieve the same goal–accurate, believable character portrayal. A talented actor makes us forget all about acting; we believe he is the character. Similarly, a talented writer should make us forget we are reading words on a page.
For a moment, let’s imagine a scene in a stage play. The scene unfolds in the bedroom of a teenage boy named Jack. In the scene, Jack’s mother enters his bedroom and confronts him about returning late the night before and not answering his cellphone while at a friend’s house.
Can you picture the scene in your head? Good. Don’t worry about the dialogue–that’s not important here. What’s important in this exercise is what you see the actors doing, not what they are saying. In fact, if the actors and the director are good enough, they could be having a conversation about the weather and we’d still be able to get what’s going on in the character’s heads.
But how? How would the actors really convey this? First off, they’d need to thoroughly understand the characters. And not just the characters' overall personality traits, but the characters in this moment. Remember, people are dynamic. We change from moment to moment and are constantly being molded by our surroundings. Characters in books and on the stage should be the same.
For example, the actors might ask these questions: What’s motivating the mother in this scene? What does she want? Is she simply frustrated with her son because she feels she’s being shut out of his life, or is she actually worried for his safety (or spirituality)? What about Jack? Is Jack a good kid, or is he troubled? How is his relationship with his mother? Is he trying to rebel, or was he merely being careless the night before?
For the sake of this experiment, let’s imagine the following scenario: Jack and his mom have a good relationship. He’s a diligent student and a responsible adolescent. He cares about his mom, but lately he’s been feeling too restricted, which he feels is unjustified given his good track record. Jack’s mother knows he’s trying hard, but doesn’t want him becoming independent too soon. Deep down, she doesn’t want to lose him, and dreads the day when he finally becomes his own man.
Now, given this understanding of their motivations and the dynamics of their relationship, how might the actors and director go about bringing the scene to life? First off, Jack and his mother probably won’t be having this conversation sitting or standing in a room facing one another. They need to be moving around, doing something. But what?
Remember, we’ve already determined a few things about Jack. He’s a good kid, a responsible student, and he loves his mom. Since this scene happens in the morning, perhaps Jack is preparing to leave for school. He’s gathering his textbooks and binders and packing his bag when his mom comes in and wants to talk. Giving him this action in the scene is great–the repetition of packing his bag will allow us to see how the attitude behind his movements changes over time. (Perhaps in the beginning of the scene he's packing things neatly and carefully, but by the end he’s so frustrated that he’s just stuffing the remainder of the papers into the pockets of his backpack.)
And what about the mom? Remember, essentially Jack’s mother has a fear of him growing up. She wants to hold on to the version of her little Jack as a child. She can’t handle the idea of him growing up so quickly and becoming an adult. At the same time, she knows he’s a good kid and doesn’t want to smother him. These are two very conflicting sets of emotions, and frankly would be a challenge for any actress to clearly convey.
Perhaps the mother enters quietly, trying to be respectful in her son’s space. Maybe she’s just prepared breakfast, so she’s got an apron on, and is wiping her hands on it when she enters. Perhaps the wiping goes on a little too long, giving the audience a clue about her anxiety. Maybe, as they talk, she notices a stuffed animal on Jack’s shelf, something that he’s clearly had since he was a little boy. She goes over to it and touches it fondly or picks it up, telling us how she feels about Jack’s younger years.
Can you imagine the scene a bit better now? Did it come to life a bit more? It should have. Because we went from what could have simply been a conversation between a nagging mom and her unresponsive teenage son to a multi-layered interaction between two complex characters. The final result would be something much more interesting to watch performed on stage.
The same is true for writing a novel. Novice writers tend to tell us how characters feel by A) Having them vocalize their emotions (“I’m so frustrated with you!” “I can’t stand this restaurant!” “I’m so excited about our trip to the Bahamas!”) or B) Peppering their writing with adverbs (“I’m leaving,” he said angrily.) Seasoned writers, on the other hand, show us how the characters feel by what they do, how they move, and how they talk.
In summary, good writing and good acting are tied by a common thread of understanding people–the way they think, they way they behave, and the way they interact. Both writing and acting require being able to step into a character’s shoes and accurately convey the complexity of their thoughts, desires, fears, and emotions.
If you’re an aspiring writer, here’s an assignment for you: take the above scenario (the one with Jack and his mom) and try to expand it into a full-fledged scene. There’s no length requirement, but make it long enough to convey the characters' emotional states.
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
The Paradise Trap
It’s been interesting, over the last few years, to see how the climate of JW fiction has evolved. Before I wrote All Things New, I’d read some short stories by other Witnesses about paradise and the resurrection. Some were only a page or two, while others went on for a few thousand words. (To my knowledge, there were no full-length paradise novels available prior to 2013, but if I’m wrong about this please feel free to comment below.) Since 2013 however, a whole slew of JW authors has emerged, each with their own take on what life in the new world might be like.
Despite the increase in authors, though, it seems that many paradise stories fall into a similar pattern. It goes like this: a character shows up in the new world (the Guest) and is introduced to various aspects of paradise life by a personal guide (the Mentor), who explains why and how things are the way they are.
The reason for setting the story up this way is obvious: the Guest becomes a stand-in for the reader, who has been thrown into this fictional version of paradise, and whom the writer assumes must be curious about each aspect of life, and thus the writer goes about explaining things as carefully and as detailed as possible, doing so through the Mentor.
Yes, this is precisely what I did for my first novel. Mitch Hanson was the Guest, and the various characters he met and interviewed along the way became his Mentors. And no, there’s nothing inherently wrong with this premise. In fact, you’ll find the same set-up in much of popular and classic fiction.
But there is a trap, so writers beware. Because if the author isn’t careful, the book can easily turn into a lengthy exposition about their version of the future. Instead of a story, it reads like a series of small essays in which the author explains why he or she feels paradise will be a certain way. Instead of focusing on the story, the characters, and the underlying themes, the writer finds himself or herself contriving all sorts of scenarios in order to shoehorn in various conversations about why the resurrection has occurred in a certain way, or why technology does or doesn’t exist, or why some other element of paradise life has defied common expectations.
Again, I speak from experience. When I wrote All Things New, I knew that there were some ideas I really wanted to talk about, and so I went about squeezing them into the story via dialogue between the Mentors and the Guest, or debriefings, or found documents, or whatever else I could think of. And at the time, this felt novel and exciting. Looking back, I realize this is pretty much the go-to for stories set in paradise. But can these lengthy forms of exposition be sufficient to hold up the framework of the stories they are trying to tell? Sometimes.
This isn’t to say that these stories won’t find readers; I believe they will. I think Witnesses will always enjoy reading about various versions of paradise, regardless of how compelling the stories at their cores are. However, it’s my suspicion that many readers have begun to tire of novels and novellas that are beginning to feel a bit like soapboxes for the authors’ personal visions of the future.
I think one of the most difficult challenges of writing is not knowing what to write, but what not to write. Over-exposition is the demise of many a budding author. It can be painful to cut and trim and edit out beloved chunks of dialogue, explanation, background info, and all those other bits that spent so much time marinating in the author’s head. But for real, grounded stories, cutting and trimming is exactly what must be done.
So if you’re writing a paradise novel, here’s my challenge to you: just tell the story you want to tell. Refrain from explaining and defending every aspect of your version of the new world. Try not to build your story around explanations.
Remember, even though this is all based on future realities, we’re ultimately writing fiction.
Despite the increase in authors, though, it seems that many paradise stories fall into a similar pattern. It goes like this: a character shows up in the new world (the Guest) and is introduced to various aspects of paradise life by a personal guide (the Mentor), who explains why and how things are the way they are.
The reason for setting the story up this way is obvious: the Guest becomes a stand-in for the reader, who has been thrown into this fictional version of paradise, and whom the writer assumes must be curious about each aspect of life, and thus the writer goes about explaining things as carefully and as detailed as possible, doing so through the Mentor.
Yes, this is precisely what I did for my first novel. Mitch Hanson was the Guest, and the various characters he met and interviewed along the way became his Mentors. And no, there’s nothing inherently wrong with this premise. In fact, you’ll find the same set-up in much of popular and classic fiction.
But there is a trap, so writers beware. Because if the author isn’t careful, the book can easily turn into a lengthy exposition about their version of the future. Instead of a story, it reads like a series of small essays in which the author explains why he or she feels paradise will be a certain way. Instead of focusing on the story, the characters, and the underlying themes, the writer finds himself or herself contriving all sorts of scenarios in order to shoehorn in various conversations about why the resurrection has occurred in a certain way, or why technology does or doesn’t exist, or why some other element of paradise life has defied common expectations.
Again, I speak from experience. When I wrote All Things New, I knew that there were some ideas I really wanted to talk about, and so I went about squeezing them into the story via dialogue between the Mentors and the Guest, or debriefings, or found documents, or whatever else I could think of. And at the time, this felt novel and exciting. Looking back, I realize this is pretty much the go-to for stories set in paradise. But can these lengthy forms of exposition be sufficient to hold up the framework of the stories they are trying to tell? Sometimes.
This isn’t to say that these stories won’t find readers; I believe they will. I think Witnesses will always enjoy reading about various versions of paradise, regardless of how compelling the stories at their cores are. However, it’s my suspicion that many readers have begun to tire of novels and novellas that are beginning to feel a bit like soapboxes for the authors’ personal visions of the future.
I think one of the most difficult challenges of writing is not knowing what to write, but what not to write. Over-exposition is the demise of many a budding author. It can be painful to cut and trim and edit out beloved chunks of dialogue, explanation, background info, and all those other bits that spent so much time marinating in the author’s head. But for real, grounded stories, cutting and trimming is exactly what must be done.
So if you’re writing a paradise novel, here’s my challenge to you: just tell the story you want to tell. Refrain from explaining and defending every aspect of your version of the new world. Try not to build your story around explanations.
Remember, even though this is all based on future realities, we’re ultimately writing fiction.
Friday, February 2, 2018
FLEE novel download now available
Just a little update to let everyone know that the digital downloads for FLEE are now available. You can grab the links (mobi, epub, and PDF) at: www.fleenovel.blogspot.com
Enjoy!
Thursday, January 18, 2018
For the musically inclined...
Hello again!
So... as it turns out, this new project (see my last post) is actually taking shape much quicker than I had previous envisioned. While I'm still making progress on the new novels, I'm also starting to carve out a bit more time for this new project (sorry for being so secretive, it's simply too early to reveal).
In preparation for going into production for this project, myself and the other brothers managing this thing (it's a bit too big for any one person to handle), are looking for a music composer. Ideally, we'd love to find someone experienced in composing acoustic/digital music who is a brother or sister.
(Obviously, we're not looking for freebies, we know music composition is hard work!)
Anyhow, if you fit the bill and are interested in possibly collaborating, please contact me at allthingsnewnovel (at) gmail (dot) com.
If you know of someone who you think might be interested, tell them about this post and encourage them to email me for more details. (Please don't send me the email addresses of people you know who make music; I'd rather they take the initiative so I know it's something they're actually interested in.)
As always, thank you for your support! The last time I asked for some help (regarding prison witnessing experience), the response was pretty overwhelming.
Thank you!
P.S. I should probably mention here a bit of what may come as bad news to some of you… I'm no longer pursuing the audiobook option. To be fair, I looked into it quite a bit. I even borrowed a bunch of professional recording equipment from a friend, built a tiny recording area in my office, and did some online tutorials for learning how to use audio editing software. Alas, just to record and edit together a single chapter in one of my books was a mammoth project, and there's simply no way I can afford to hire out the work. (Typically, I found through my research, audiobooks are recorded over several-week sessions by a team of professionals including a voice actors (or actors), a proofreader, and an audio technician. But I'm just one guy!) Anyhow, I apologize to those of you who were hoping to listen to audiobook versions of my work, but it doesn't seem to be a likelihood anytime soon...
So... as it turns out, this new project (see my last post) is actually taking shape much quicker than I had previous envisioned. While I'm still making progress on the new novels, I'm also starting to carve out a bit more time for this new project (sorry for being so secretive, it's simply too early to reveal).
In preparation for going into production for this project, myself and the other brothers managing this thing (it's a bit too big for any one person to handle), are looking for a music composer. Ideally, we'd love to find someone experienced in composing acoustic/digital music who is a brother or sister.
(Obviously, we're not looking for freebies, we know music composition is hard work!)
Anyhow, if you fit the bill and are interested in possibly collaborating, please contact me at allthingsnewnovel (at) gmail (dot) com.
If you know of someone who you think might be interested, tell them about this post and encourage them to email me for more details. (Please don't send me the email addresses of people you know who make music; I'd rather they take the initiative so I know it's something they're actually interested in.)
As always, thank you for your support! The last time I asked for some help (regarding prison witnessing experience), the response was pretty overwhelming.
Thank you!
P.S. I should probably mention here a bit of what may come as bad news to some of you… I'm no longer pursuing the audiobook option. To be fair, I looked into it quite a bit. I even borrowed a bunch of professional recording equipment from a friend, built a tiny recording area in my office, and did some online tutorials for learning how to use audio editing software. Alas, just to record and edit together a single chapter in one of my books was a mammoth project, and there's simply no way I can afford to hire out the work. (Typically, I found through my research, audiobooks are recorded over several-week sessions by a team of professionals including a voice actors (or actors), a proofreader, and an audio technician. But I'm just one guy!) Anyhow, I apologize to those of you who were hoping to listen to audiobook versions of my work, but it doesn't seem to be a likelihood anytime soon...
Monday, January 8, 2018
The last two months
…Have been busy! So busy that I haven’t had a chance to post to this blog (or even check the comments). For those who’ve commented recently on my posts, thanks very much. I especially appreciate the support regarding the post I made about updating “All Things New”. The book is still available on Amazon but I’ll be removing it shortly to work on the revision.
As for STAY, the second book in the FLEE series, it’s coming along nicely, although it’s been a bit slow going the last couple of months due to me getting tied up in another side project. (Regarding this project, I’m very eager to share with you all what I’m working on, as I think it’s something that will appeal to many readers (though it’s not a book), but it’s too early now to talk about it, so I’ll just leave it at this.)
If I’m being completely honest, this side project (which is spiritually-themed, but very different than anything I’ve worked on before), has sidetracked me a bit because it’s very involved but has me creatively engaged in a way completely different than writing a novel. However, as with so many things in life, I’m finding many connections between it and my writing, and constantly learning new things that I think will really improve the way I approach my books in the future.
I got a good reminder from a friend, though, who knows about this project I’m working on but is also a reader of the books. It was pretty straightforward: “Finish the books first!” So that was a good wake-up call, and I’m back on track with writing on a daily schedule. Feel free to badger me in the comments to keep me on the ball and get this series finished!
That said, I think you all are going to enjoy the second book. It’s been a blast to write so far. :)
As for STAY, the second book in the FLEE series, it’s coming along nicely, although it’s been a bit slow going the last couple of months due to me getting tied up in another side project. (Regarding this project, I’m very eager to share with you all what I’m working on, as I think it’s something that will appeal to many readers (though it’s not a book), but it’s too early now to talk about it, so I’ll just leave it at this.)
If I’m being completely honest, this side project (which is spiritually-themed, but very different than anything I’ve worked on before), has sidetracked me a bit because it’s very involved but has me creatively engaged in a way completely different than writing a novel. However, as with so many things in life, I’m finding many connections between it and my writing, and constantly learning new things that I think will really improve the way I approach my books in the future.
I got a good reminder from a friend, though, who knows about this project I’m working on but is also a reader of the books. It was pretty straightforward: “Finish the books first!” So that was a good wake-up call, and I’m back on track with writing on a daily schedule. Feel free to badger me in the comments to keep me on the ball and get this series finished!
That said, I think you all are going to enjoy the second book. It’s been a blast to write so far. :)
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