It’s one thing to be ‘relatable’, but the job of the Storyteller is not merely to meet a reader where he’s at – especially if he happens to be stuck in a miserable place.
The Storyteller has the high calling of leading a reader by the hand to a metaphorical place where he can find HOPE – that is, insight that can be applied in practical ways. Insight that can withstand the rigors of the real world.
This is where most entertainment these days fails. It takes your hand in the darkness, wanders around with you in circles, and finally lets go of your hand – leaving you still wandering in the darkness.
Monday, June 17, 2013
Monday, March 25, 2013
ON “IMPOSSIBILITIES”
Everything is lame until it’s cool. Everything is unsuccessful until it succeeds.
Progress in this world is made only when people of vision defy conventional wisdom and show the world what is truly possible.
Science-fiction movies were a joke until George Lucas made Star Wars. Everybody knew that fantasy films were ridiculous until Peter Jackson made The Lord of the Rings. And who could have imagined 50 years ago that comic book heroes would one day rule the box office?
The same story has played out in the publishing industry: everybody knew that there was no money to be made in young adult books until Harry Potter, Twilight, and The Hunger Games.
Nobody had use for a computer... until they did. Nobody shopped online... until they did.
The conclusion? THINGS CHANGE.
When “they” tell you that a thing is impossible, they really mean that it is impossible FOR THEM. But since that fact doesn’t sit well with their egos, they’d like you to believe that you are no more capable than they.
Today, “everybody knows” that independent publishing is just for hacks and wanna-be authors.
Sounds familiar...
Progress in this world is made only when people of vision defy conventional wisdom and show the world what is truly possible.
Science-fiction movies were a joke until George Lucas made Star Wars. Everybody knew that fantasy films were ridiculous until Peter Jackson made The Lord of the Rings. And who could have imagined 50 years ago that comic book heroes would one day rule the box office?
The same story has played out in the publishing industry: everybody knew that there was no money to be made in young adult books until Harry Potter, Twilight, and The Hunger Games.
Nobody had use for a computer... until they did. Nobody shopped online... until they did.
The conclusion? THINGS CHANGE.
When “they” tell you that a thing is impossible, they really mean that it is impossible FOR THEM. But since that fact doesn’t sit well with their egos, they’d like you to believe that you are no more capable than they.
Today, “everybody knows” that independent publishing is just for hacks and wanna-be authors.
Sounds familiar...
Saturday, March 16, 2013
FEMALE PERSPECTIVE
Is Wade Boss: Hybrid Hunter for female readers? Read this review by Amaryllis on Hubpages:
Why I Was Wrong About This Book
I was really dubious about this book. There was something about the character’s name, Wade Boss, which seemed corny. When I found that the book was intended as teen fiction, I groaned. I have a young teen, who is, sadly, very cynical. I couldn’t even begin to imagine her reading this book. I was also worried about the fact that it had come from Createspace.
On all counts, I was utterly, totally and completely wrong. And I can prove it.
When I gave the book to my cynical sixteen year old and asked her just to read the first chapter and give me an opinion, she went on to read the rest. Her comment?
‘It’s nice to read about a hero who’s good.'
In case you’re thinking ‘isn’t that the point of a hero’ the answer’s no. So many books these days, especially for teens, are either ‘gritty and realistic’ (their words, not mine) or escapist supernatural romance. The heroes are either romantic icons that couldn’t possibly exist, or men with a problem - they’re battling addiction, recovering from a failed marriage, coming to terms with the death of a loved one or going through a divorce. Think about it. Yes, that even covers Harry Potter!
Enter Wade Boss. He’s a nice guy. Really. He is. He has standards and principles. He likes animals and doesn’t want to kill them. He likes his girlfriend and doesn’t want to cheat on her, he even gets on with his parents. He’s an adult male and he doesn’t have sex with everything that moves. I noticed all this as I read the book, but my daughter actually made the list, so if you’re wondering whether all this comes through to the target audience, I can tell you, it does.
Wade Boss Hybrid Hunter is a great action adventure story about a nice guy who always tries to do what he thinks is right. As a result, the world doesn’t always go his way, and at one point it seems he's going to lose everything, but in true heroic fashion he doesn’t let that stop him. He does the job as best he can, and his best is pretty good!
In genre terms, the story is action/adventure. The action sequences are exciting, but it’s not overly violent or gory and Wade's weapon, when fighting the hybrids, is interesting and well described. When I saw the cover I wondered whether a hero in cowboy hat and boots was just too old fashioned, but again I was wrong.
The book ends in a way which seems to promise more adventures for Wade Boss, when hopefully we’ll find out more about the hybrids, where they’ve come from, and whether Wade finally manages to save the world, get the girl and keep the change.
Speaking for myself (and my daughter) the next book can’t come too soon.
- Amaryllis (Find her original posting HERE.)
Why I Was Wrong About This Book
I was really dubious about this book. There was something about the character’s name, Wade Boss, which seemed corny. When I found that the book was intended as teen fiction, I groaned. I have a young teen, who is, sadly, very cynical. I couldn’t even begin to imagine her reading this book. I was also worried about the fact that it had come from Createspace.
On all counts, I was utterly, totally and completely wrong. And I can prove it.
When I gave the book to my cynical sixteen year old and asked her just to read the first chapter and give me an opinion, she went on to read the rest. Her comment?
‘It’s nice to read about a hero who’s good.'
In case you’re thinking ‘isn’t that the point of a hero’ the answer’s no. So many books these days, especially for teens, are either ‘gritty and realistic’ (their words, not mine) or escapist supernatural romance. The heroes are either romantic icons that couldn’t possibly exist, or men with a problem - they’re battling addiction, recovering from a failed marriage, coming to terms with the death of a loved one or going through a divorce. Think about it. Yes, that even covers Harry Potter!
Enter Wade Boss. He’s a nice guy. Really. He is. He has standards and principles. He likes animals and doesn’t want to kill them. He likes his girlfriend and doesn’t want to cheat on her, he even gets on with his parents. He’s an adult male and he doesn’t have sex with everything that moves. I noticed all this as I read the book, but my daughter actually made the list, so if you’re wondering whether all this comes through to the target audience, I can tell you, it does.
Wade Boss Hybrid Hunter is a great action adventure story about a nice guy who always tries to do what he thinks is right. As a result, the world doesn’t always go his way, and at one point it seems he's going to lose everything, but in true heroic fashion he doesn’t let that stop him. He does the job as best he can, and his best is pretty good!
In genre terms, the story is action/adventure. The action sequences are exciting, but it’s not overly violent or gory and Wade's weapon, when fighting the hybrids, is interesting and well described. When I saw the cover I wondered whether a hero in cowboy hat and boots was just too old fashioned, but again I was wrong.
The book ends in a way which seems to promise more adventures for Wade Boss, when hopefully we’ll find out more about the hybrids, where they’ve come from, and whether Wade finally manages to save the world, get the girl and keep the change.
Speaking for myself (and my daughter) the next book can’t come too soon.
- Amaryllis (Find her original posting HERE.)
Friday, February 22, 2013
FUN INTERVIEW
Many thanks to Amy at GamesFiends for a thoughtful interview about Wade Boss: Hybrid Hunter! You can read it here.
Monday, January 14, 2013
Saturday, November 10, 2012
SPUR OF THE MOMENT APPEARANCE
The last 48 hours has been a whirlwind! On Thursday morning I was having coffee with a good friend of mine, and he mentioned the “Saturate” teen conference beginning THAT NIGHT at the Elim Gospel Church in Lima, NY. This was news to me, so I placed a quick call to the conference coordinator. He graciously agreed to include me among the vendors, and a couple of hours later, the Wade Boss display table was set up and open for business! Roughly 1,000 teens were in attendance, many of whom traveled some distance. The book trailer (soon to be released online) was a hit and inspired many a book purchase. To all you new fans, welcome to the world of Wade Boss!
NOBLESSE OBLIGE
The essence of Chivalry can be summed up in two words: noblesse oblige.
Noblesse oblige is the idea that those who enjoy a privileged status ought to serve those who have need. Part duty, part gratitude, noblesse oblige is the moral of the Parable of the Talents: “Every one to whom much is given, of him will much be required.”
How is it, then, that this sentiment is so frequently taken amiss? As an affront to the dignity of the receiving party?
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
UNRECOGNIZED GENIUS
There are many definitions of the word "myth." Most of these connote "untruth," but not the ones I usually use. In the following quote, it is used as a synonym for falsehood. For the purposes of this post, I will use it in the same way...
In his masterful work entitled Story, screenwriting-guru Robert McKee observes: “With rare exceptions, unrecognized genius is a myth.” (p.14)
In his masterful work entitled Story, screenwriting-guru Robert McKee observes: “With rare exceptions, unrecognized genius is a myth.” (p.14)
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