Tag Archives | Darcy Pattison

Random Acts of Publicity – TIMELESS

 

 

When I decided to participate in Darcy Pattison’s Random Acts of Publicity, I knew right away I would choose the Timeless Anthology by Pugalicious Press. The instructions are to choose a new or lesser known book that I’ve read and let my readers know about it.

I love the BLLURT concept to promote other books. Blog about it. Leave purchase Links. Like their page. Review it. Tell others about it. Love it. And it’s something I try and do for all the books I enjoy.

I’ve never been one to read or purchase anthologies. But I’ve read several this year. It was nice to read a short story before making dinner, another one a few days later before bedtime, or after I’d finished a novel, each story enticing and enjoyable in its own way.

The writing in this anthology was incredible. I kept reading all of them because they engaged my attention and the writing drew me from one page to the next.

All of these stories are historical romance with sweet, innocent love. I would read novels by any of these authors. In fact, some of the stories I wanted to be a novel.

THE STORYTELLER’S DAUGHTER by Gayle C.Krause

A reworking of the Scheherazade tale that portrays the young storyteller as a gutter-thief down on her luck.

AND THE NIGHTINGALE SANG by Kip Wilson

A reworking of an old German tale about a young woman who has to weigh up her love for a poet, her standing in the village and her need for freedom.

A LIGHT OF VICTORY by Jennifer Carson

If your love for a highwayman is eternal, then eternal is what it is. Put a candle in the window, and all will be well…

THE ANGEL OF THE BASTILLE by J.R. Sparlin

A prisoner fears to leave the walls of the notorious French prison because of his love for a ghost who is bound to the Bastille’s stone walls.

STELLA’S HERO by Kristine Carlson Asselin and Ansha Kotyk

A Victorian seamstress gets into trouble for falling from a boy from Chinatown when racial segregation is very much prevalent in society.

IN THIS MOMENT by D.E. Atwood

A mute boy undergoing experimental treatment in a sanitorium discovers that he can speak with the doctor’s son via thoughts and dreams. Very subtle steampunk.

IT LIES BENEATH by Magda Knight

The superficially beautiful city of Victorion is run on lode, steam, pride and the labour of diggers down in the Pits. Challenged to locate a mysterious underground threat, Ellie Darkbrow must find a way to survive.

But don’t trust my word on it. Read them for yourself!

 

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble

 

Give a shout out in the comments to a book you’d recommend everyone reading!


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Is your story too unbelievable? Add some “sweetening”.

*Winner of the arc of  DITCHED by Robin Mellom is Riv Re! Congrats!

If you haven’t read this absolutely fantastic post about the Grinch at Fiction Notes by Darcy Pattison then click on over. Love, love, love it. And we wonder why that story remains a classic. Well, maybe we don’t wonder – the fun language, the characters, etc.

My whole family sat and watched HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS for our first Christmas special. I watch it for the Grinch song and for his tremendous moment of change when his heart grows and breaks the frame. I love villain songs. And why are villains so fun? #ilovevillains

My daughter had a question that I tweeted the other night.

Daughter: “Why does the Grinch have a sewing machine? And where did he learn to sew?”

Me: “Hmm. Good question.”

And then we proceeded to point out all the other unbelievable parts of the TV version.

But it got me thinking about believability. Why are some events believable even when they are unrealistic? (The kind of stories I love!)

JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH is unrealistic but totally believable!

WHEN YOU REACH ME included time travel but was totally believable!

But if Rebecca Stead had tried to put in some magic beans and a humongous peach into WHEN YOU REACH ME it would’ve been totally unbelievable! (Or who knows? Maybe she could’ve pulled it off.)

Believability comes down to the story, story expectations, the world building; and honestly, the level of writing.

So, for me, the fact that the Grinch had a sewing machine or that Max actually pulled that gigantic sled with all the ribbons, wrappings, and bows up the mountain was totally believable.

Add some sweetening!

We happened to be watching a special edition with an extra behind the scene look at the making of the Grinch. They talked about “sweetening.” Which fascinated me. Sweetening refers to the sound effects they add, the small details, whether a marker squeaking against a balloon or some violins – all to add to the believability.

What would sweetening be for the author? Maybe those small details about the world or your character that seem unimportant but just might add richness to your writing, your story, your world. Hmm. Very interesting.

What do you think? What do you love about unbelievable but believable stories? Do you add sweetening to your work?

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