Dave Barry and Alan Zweibel tag-teamed in 2012 for this novel, and it was a fun one . . . if you can suspend your disbelief again and again and again. I can. I enjoyed the repeated and unbelievable twists and turns. As I outlined in some previous posts, writing funny involves exaggeration, grotesqueness, shock,Continue reading “Lunatics: Two Authors & A Ludicrous Story”
Tag Archives: Publishing
Writing Funny: Comfort & Affliction
No one wants to see the innocent child beaten down, but most of us do like too see the tables turned on the bully, so he or finally gets his or her comeuppance. The general population also has some common, shared, arch-enemies: violent criminals, corrupt government officials, the dictator, “boss,” and more; they’ve become tooContinue reading “Writing Funny: Comfort & Affliction”
“Both legs were hanging down his back”
Bumbling crooks have long been a part of comedy. Two of the most iconic are probably Harry and Marv from the Home Alone movies. Yes, they’re dangerous, but they’re also dumb enough to for us (and Kevin) to stay one step ahead of them. Dave Barry offers two comparable crooks, Snake & Eddie, in BigContinue reading ““Both legs were hanging down his back””
“…fills the space with grape scent.”
A handful of books use smells to connect the reader emotionally. CJ Simone does it sparingly in The Manic Mission, but this line grabbed me. In the late 80’s, young love smelled like Carmex, Almay, Drakkar Noir, and sometimes grape bubble gum. The Manic Mission is for readers interested in tough topics that eventually offerContinue reading ““…fills the space with grape scent.””
“…delight and torment girls.”
Ok, one more from The Manic Mission by CJ Simone. I’m a slightly nerdy white guy, and I rarely delighted or tormented girls . . . but we all knew the knuckleheads that did. Handsome, talented, and sometimes cocky or just a fool. And yet, we nerds thought, it might be nice delight and tormentContinue reading ““…delight and torment girls.””
“Wrecking balls got no choice…”
I’m a sucker for a good metaphor, too. This character believes he’s destined to destroy, no matter what his intent. He does everything he can to help others, but damage is what is left behind. CJ Simone infuses a few of these concise metaphors throughout The Manic Mission. The Manic Mission is for readers interestedContinue reading ““Wrecking balls got no choice…””
Suddenly Rural Girl has a heart as big as TEXAS . . . and is now available at Bookhound Haven in Texarkana!
A HUGE thank you to Bookhound Haven in in Texarkana Texas for adding Suddenly Rural Girl to their inventory! If you live in the area or know folks who do, we’d encourge folks to stop by this great little Indie Bookstore! (We gotta support local businesses–including our Indie Bookstores!) Suddenly Rural Girl is available lotsContinue reading “Suddenly Rural Girl has a heart as big as TEXAS . . . and is now available at Bookhound Haven in Texarkana!”
“One of the quirkiest premises I’ve read for a young adult novel, and I’m all for it!”
As a a new author, I’ve begun to see the value of the review. Lots of people are reading Suddenly Rural Girl…and we want to give a HUGE thanks to those who are taking the time to add a review on Amazon, GoodReads, Barnes & Noble, Christianbooks.com, and more. It means a lot! Here’s anotherContinue reading ““One of the quirkiest premises I’ve read for a young adult novel, and I’m all for it!””
“…his voice tells of vulnerability.”
I spent a good chunk of my career on stage or in front or behind a camera. The best characters (in my opinion) are both confident and vulnerable, two traits required to elicit emotional responses–both laughter and tears–from the audience. CJ Simone captures those characteristics for her protagonist in one sentence. The Manic Mission isContinue reading ““…his voice tells of vulnerability.””
“The first chapter is absolutely riveting, could not put the book down…”
As a a new author, I’ve begun to see the value of the review. Lots of people are reading Suddenly Rural Girl…and we want to give a HUGE thanks to those who are taking the time to add a review on Amazon, GoodReads, Barnes & Noble, Christianbooks.com, and more. It means a lot! Here’s anotherContinue reading ““The first chapter is absolutely riveting, could not put the book down…””
“A breeze would have been louder.” from The Red Texts Club, by Andrea VanRyken
“Barely audible” is an adequate description. I enjoyed that VanRyken took it one step further, because I immediately understood how quiet a breeze is, and how nearly-silent the whisper was. A good and effective description. The Red Texts Club digs deeply and creatively into the teenage mind—more specifically the minds of teens dealing with depression.Continue reading ““A breeze would have been louder.” from The Red Texts Club, by Andrea VanRyken”
“Humanities only hope” from The Red Texts Club, by Andrea VanRyken
I chuckled at this line, a glimmer of humor while facing a difficult battle. The Red Texts Club digs deeply and creatively into the teenage mind—more specifically the minds of teens dealing with depression. I struggled a little with some repetitive descriptive phrases, but overall enjoyed the read. Andrea VanRyken creates a diverse cast ofContinue reading ““Humanities only hope” from The Red Texts Club, by Andrea VanRyken”