Category: feedback

goodreads review for Seven Sneezes

Manisha Mahalingam said:

“Seven Sneezes is a story of a woman, beginning from her first breath to her last, telling a tale of struggle, determination, the will to keep going on,and most importantly family.

I truly enjoyed reading this book, Lizzy being the kind of character who makes any story unique. She retains her humor and her character all through out the book, even at the age of seventy five.

I love the fact that the author thought of linking Lizzy and Daniel Steel’s books. Both speak about adversities and hope, and Lizzy seems to get strength from reading the story of another.

Why the book was for me – It was a relaxing break from the action packed, political or any other thrillers I have been indulging myself in. This book is a peaceful reading, yes there are times your heart cries for Lizzy, but you are not on your edge going ‘What’s going to happen next.’ This is a good as well as a bad thing.

Things I liked-
Lizzy – she really holds the book together. I enjoyed being in her head and seeing things through her eyes. She truly does make a wonderful mother.
Family – the book speaks about family and how the best families stick to each other. Family doesn’t always have to be blood. Sometimes, it extends more than than.
Life isn’t static- Another message from the book is that life keeps moving,it is a roller coaster ride, having its off and on moments.
The characters – Lizzy’s sons and “sub-daughter” are such unique people. David has shown them in distinct ways.
The chapters – each chapter is a year from Lizzy’s life. Very creative.

Things I didn’t like.
Lack of action – I felt there were parts in which life could be pumped up more.

Other than that, this was a great book!”

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22630913-seven-sneezes

Many thanks, Manisha.

 

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positive beta readers

Must try harder… must write more… must finish novel… must try harder… must write more… must finish novel…

So, yes, three lovely ladies have beta-read the opening 2-4 chapters of my current novel RLDD, even though it’s only a first draft, and even though I haven’t yet written the rest. And I NEVER do that. Well, apart from this time, obviously. 😉

But the feedback has been SO positive from them all that I’m totally psyched to continue. But also a little scared now, of disappointing, of failing. But Denny’s tale must be told.

All I need to do now is find the time… Heh.

 

0

four books or a four-part book

This is the dilemma I still face when considering my 700-page novel Tell Me Something True.

Although many-stranded, it is all one complete story, and takes place over one year. Well, the main thread does. Heh.

But there are four distinct parts to the novel, and I do still wonder if it might be more palatable for a potential reader if split? As in, a four-book series?

It would mean each quarter would be easier-to-afford, but overall the reader would spend more for the complete behemoth (to use Tamsin’s description in her writocracy.blogspot.co.uk review). 

For example:

Now…

  • 1 x eBook @ £2.94
  • 1 x paperback @ £14.99

If split…

  • 4 eBooks @ £0.99 each = £3.96
  • part 1 paperback … 130 pages @ £5.99
  • part 2 paperback … 190 pages @ £6.99
  • part 3 paperback … 190 pages @ £6.99
  • part 4 paperback … 190 pages @ £6.99 … so total of £26.96

Do you think they would be likely to gather more interest? At the very least, I suppose, the first one would be a cheap introduction to the novel, at almost a third of the cost of the whole book, offering a taster which might entice readers to try before buying the remainder (or whole thing)?

I might even be able to offer the first eBook for free? And possibly host a giveaway for it, or a free paperback #1 as a competition prize, when at the moment it’s not so easy, given its size?

Any thoughts? Always welcome. 🙂

4

3words August – day 1 of ??

And so here we are. Well, I say ‘we’… 😉

Like I posted earlier, ‘we’ are going to be inspired by one or more of the girls on vickiedoodles’ site here:

http://vickiedoodles.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-girls.html

Oh, and if you visit/link vickiedoodles’ site please keep everything appropriate. Thank you

Would you like a ‘rules’ reminder?

  • I post 3words every day for the duration of the story
  • ‘we’ write 100 words of an ongoing story each day
  • ‘we’ repeat these two steps until ‘we’ reach the final day

Simple. 🙂

Ok, so here are the day1 3words… CONFESS – CIRCLE – CONTACT.

And part1 of my story…

 

“I know one of you did it, and I won’t stop till I find out which.”

I glared at each of the six girls in turn, forcing them into a moment’s direct eye contact, hoping one might look away, thereby confessing. But none did, and I knew I shouldn’t have expected it to be that easy.

They were sitting in a circle in the garden, while I paced around the outside of them, thinking that by forcing them to see the others it might also provoke a confession. But, again, I wasn’t confident.

“Okay,” I said. “Who wants to start?”

 

 

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