Writers and Readers discussion

Hi, Robert - and welcome.
Please take anything I say with a grain or two of salt - but you asked for feedback.

A prominent podiatrist on the verge of a midlife crisis jumps into a relationship with a voluptuous, foot-obsessed new neighbor only to find himself up to his neck in her husband's explosive real estate scheme.

I think voluptuous, foot-obsessed new neighbor may be enough to "sell" the quirky romantic mystery/thriller aspect. (Right on, A.F.) Labeling the guy as a podiatrist right off the bat may be a mistake. It may be limiting. Even people with average IQ's may have to look it up. Experience says, they won't. They'll skip to the next book blurb. Since it's the introduction to your main character, you may want to use the opportunity to hook that reader. What's attractive about that character? What makes him different and more interesting than other people, including podiatrists? It's an opportunity to really get your hooks into the reader. Also,instead of heightening the explosive real estate scheme - which doesn't seem very threatening out of context with the rest of the book, you may want to heighten the threat of the husband. Is he big? Is he a mixed martial arts student? Does he have a very large gun collection, notoriously short temper and a pit bull? Basically, how does the real estate scheme put the main character at risk?

But it's a great start.

That will be a hundred bucks,please. :)

A.F. wrote: "Welcome to the group, Robert. The blurb isn't bad, it says quirky romantic mystery/thriller to me. Is that what you were looking for?"

Thank you, A.F. Glad to be here. Yes, that's exactly what I am going for. Is that a type of book that usually appeals to you?

Chuck wrote: "Hi, Robert - and welcome.
Please take anything I say with a grain or two of salt - but you asked for feedback..."

Thank you, Chuck. Good points, all. I just started reading Save The Cat! by Blake Snyder and came to similar conclusions. I have a clearer sense of how to present it now and will be working on that today. I appreciate your observations and input!

Robert wrote: "Chuck wrote: "Hi, Robert - and welcome.
Please take anything I say with a grain or two of salt - but you asked for feedback..."

Thank you, Chuck. Good points, all. I just started reading Save The ..."
Cool! Keep us posted - and best of luck!

Robert wrote: "A.F. wrote: "Welcome to the group, Robert. The blurb isn't bad, it says quirky romantic mystery/thriller to me. Is that what you were looking for?"

Thank you, A.F. Glad to be here. Yes, that's exa..."

It isn't generally my type of book (I lean more to sci-fi and fantasy), but people do seem to like the quirky mysteries.

Hi Folks,

My full name is Glenn Muller and I recently completed my first novel, this past Spring. TORQUE is a thriller inspired by my previous life as a driving instructor, and is currently looking for a publisher while I explore the world of self-pub'ing as a back-up plan.

For more info on TORQUE use the link below:
http://home.primus.ca/~gmuller/torque...

I look forward to participating in this group.

Glenn

Hi Glen

Welcome to the group. Best of luck with finding a publisher for your book. The first is always your best baby!

Glenn wrote: "Hi Folks,

My full name is Glenn Muller and I recently completed my first novel, this past Spring. TORQUE is a thriller inspired by my previous life as a driving instructor, and is currently lookin..."

Welcome, Glen.

Thanks for the welcome, Linda and A.F.

Glenn

Chuck wrote: "Hi, Robert - and welcome.
Please take anything I say with a grain or two of salt - but you asked for feedback."

Hi, Chuck- I revised my blurb for Feet First. If you have a moment please let me know your thoughts:

A well-respected doctor is on the verge of a major midlife crisis
When a voluptuous new neighbor with a foot fetish and her brutish, vengeful husband pull him into a scheme that endangers his family, his reputation, his friends in high places and even the future of his hometown

Thanks!

Oh, heck yes! Much better! It makes me want to read the book!

Erica wrote: "hello, i'm erie morgan, i not really a poet any-more but i love to read it, i'm working on a notebook with my friend on notes on poetry and that's going good although i had to start from the very b..."

Erica wrote: "hello, i'm erie morgan, i not really a poet any-more but i love to read it, i'm working on a notebook with my friend on notes on poetry and that's going good although i had to start from the very b..."

Hi Erica, and welcome. If you have any poems or writing you like to post we have a Reading Nook for that, or the Critiques folder, if you'd like some feedback.

A.F. wrote: "Please introduce yourself here. Tell us who you are, if you are a writer, reader or both."

To start with, I am an avid reader of contemporary fiction, British fiction (Jane Austen is a fave), and short story collections. Currently, I'm reading Freeman by Leonard Pitts, Jr. and I'm so engaged with his storytelling. This historical novel begins on the day after emancipation and is extraordinary. His character depictions and use of landscape as character bring me right to the edge of the page, not to mention the story. Wonderful characters.

I live and work in the Tampa Bay area (yes, sunny Florida) and work as an editor, an educator, and a radio broadcaster (www.About-the-Books.com is one of our sites) and I'm lucky that I get to interview Pulitzer Prize-winning authors. They keep me on my toes! I moved to Florida from Hawaii where I worked as a newspaper columnist. People say, "How could you leave Hawaii?" I have no answer for that, other than, "Family stuff."
Thank you for starting this group.

Kate Sullivan
WordSmitten Media, Inc.
St. Petersburg, Florida

WordSmitten wrote: "A.F. wrote: "Please introduce yourself here. Tell us who you are, if you are a writer, reader or both."

To start with, I am an avid reader of contemporary fiction, British fiction (Jane Austen is..."

Welcome to the group.

Hi there. My name's Katrina, but most people call me Kat. You can call me whatever you want. It's probably true.

I'm a writer and a reader. Most of my day is spent reading and reviewing ARCs for OnFictionWriting.com, then I'm up all night writing.

I've published quite a few short stories, some creative nonfic, but I'm still working on the novel.

Hoping to meet and be inspired by a few new like-minded people. Good to meet you all.

Katrina wrote: "Hi there. My name's Katrina, but most people call me Kat. You can call me whatever you want. It's probably true.

I'm a writer and a reader. Most of my day is spent reading and reviewing ARCs for O..."

Hello Kat, welcome to the group.

Aloha Glen

Welcome and Congrats to you and your new book. It's always a pleasure to see fellow Author!!!

William wrote: "Hi, I'm William, I'm a writer of sci-fi, fantasy and action and I'll post more fully on Sunday lol !"

Hi William, and welcome.

Treneice wrote: "Aloha Glen

Welcome and Congrats to you and your new book. It's always a pleasure to see fellow Author!!!"

Thanks Treneice, though for a moment I thought you were from Hawaii :)

Glenn

Hi everyone! I'm new to Goodreads (like four days old!). Though I'm happy to say that my first enovel, an epic fantasy called Born of Water, will be 1 year old next month! I thought this looked like an excellent group so thought I'd join. I thought I'd say hi and that I look forward to getting to know everyone.

Autumn wrote: "Hi everyone! I'm new to Goodreads (like four days old!). Though I'm happy to say that my first enovel, an epic fantasy called Born of Water, will be 1 year old next month! I thought this looked lik..."

Hi Autumn, and welcome to the group and Goodreads.

Hi,I am not new to Goodreads site though just now getting a little more active. I wrote as small child in the world of poetry and have been told that I wrote a play with dialogue when in public school. Much more in the way of prose poetry was written prior to the age of 18 though sadly or not perhaps, those works have been lost or in some cases pieces written and then given away.

I began writing again in 1973 when our daughter was born. Again I wrote when she was two and not again until the late seventies and then into the eighties(wrote myself out of the pit of depression).

Again after my time in hospital under suicide watch.
Since that time the writing has increased and the body of pieces stretching from 1973 until 2011 has been published or should I say self-published through Essence Publishing by Epic Press. The book is titled 'Tapestrys of Life' by Glenna Hall All rights reserved. August 2011.

Now is the time I do suppose, to step out and share.

Presently have just finished 12 chapters that seem to be taking on the look of a Saga. We shall see.

There lies within a true love for the written word. I survey the covers of books and their titles and then a quick perusal before deciding to read. This is because when I read just as when I write I am within the same pages and long after what is read or written walk in those places between the twilight and the days' night.

I hope to visit Goodreads more often.

Ciao, Glenna or 'multiplicity'

Pamela wrote: "A.F. - yeah thank you for the welcome, its good to know there's someone else of a genre type. :)

Jack - Oddly I am the only writer I know with a mood disorder, rare I know since alot of creative ..."
Hi, I have been diagnosed with bi-polar though cannot take the medication as they all do harm to my kidneys. I have Loin Pain Hematuria Syndrome otherwise known as LPHS. I do have another mood disorder and that lies with the name I sign with most often. Glad I am that this walk I take is not mine alone for then this world would be lonely indeed.

My love of the written word in various venues and the reciting of same was kindled and forged within one of the few memories that I have. She was my Nana.

Ciao, glenna or multiplicity

Glenna wrote: "Hi,I am not new to Goodreads site though just now getting a little more active. I wrote as small child in the world of poetry and have been told that I wrote a play with dialogue when in public sc..."

Welcome to the group Glenna.

Hey everyone, I probably should have done this first, but I was so excited that I had worked up the courage to post some of my book, that I started there first . . . :)

Anyway, my name is Ani and I'm many things. A writer, website designer / developer, somewhat of a gamer, teknogeek, and music lover. I've been working on a novel series called Stars of Heros for a while now.

Hi! my name is Laila. I work full time as a school librarian (amazing job) and write in my spare time. My dream is to write a YA sci-fi novel with a strong female character the girls in my school can be inspired by!

My blog is at http://lailamurphy.blogspot.co.uk/ I am looking forward to being a part of this group.

Ani wrote: "Hey everyone, I probably should have done this first, but I was so excited that I had worked up the courage to post some of my book, that I started there first . . . :)

Anyway, my name is Ani and ..."

Hi Ani, and welcome.

Laila wrote: "Hi! my name is Laila. I work full time as a school librarian (amazing job) and write in my spare time. My dream is to write a YA sci-fi novel with a strong female character the girls in my school c..."

Welcome to the group, Laila.

Hello all!
I am both a reader and a writer.
As a reader, I tend toward literary fiction and the classics. I also love experimental literature, family sagas, and literature from all around the world; in fact, I'm currently actively seeking out literature from certain areas for my TBR pile (Central & South America, The Caribbean/West Indies, and Africa).

I love getting glimpses into lives I won't have time to live myself. ;)

Ada wrote: "Hello all!
I am both a reader and a writer.
As a reader, I tend toward literary fiction and the classics. I also love experimental literature, family sagas, and literature from all around the worl..."

Hello Ada, and welcome to the group.

Hi, everyone. My name is Cheryl Landmark and I'm the author of three published books--two fantasies and a young adult adventure. I'm really happy to join this group and meet other authors and readers.

I just posted a topic under Author Profiles that will give you a little more insight into me and my writing. I'm also an insatiable reader, so this seems like a great place to be! :)

Cheryl wrote: "Hi, everyone. My name is Cheryl Landmark and I'm the author of three published books--two fantasies and a young adult adventure. I'm really happy to join this group and meet other authors and rea..."

Hi Cheryl, and welcome.

Ada wrote: "Hello all!
I am both a reader and a writer.
As a reader, I tend toward literary fiction and the classics. I also love experimental literature, family sagas, and literature from all around the worl..."

Hi Ada, you might be interested in my travel memoir, HERE WE ARE & THERE WE GO, which has a chapter on Ghana, West Africa, where my family lived for five years (as well as Mexico, Singapore, and Guam). It is a family saga that chronicles our crazy, hilarious, and scary adventures over 10 years of living and teaching abroad. Just thought you might be interested. www.facebook.com/JillDobbeAuthor
Cheers!

Thanks, A.F. Glad to be here. :)

Hi Ada,
If you enjoy literary fiction then you might like to read my novel, Duende. Set in Lorca's Spain, 1900-1936, it follows the lives of 2 gay men, an artist and a philosopher, in a country fast escalating towards civil war. Described by one critic as 'one of the great love stories in literature', it draws on a wide range of artistic, philosophical and political ideas, interweaving historical facts and characters within its fictional framework. Hope you enjoy it if you get a chance to read and all the best.
Lizzie
http://www.amazon.com/Duende-ebook/dp...

Hello, my name is Madeleine, i'm 17, I love reading and writing, preferably high fantasy YA, I'm currently working on a few stories and would love some feedback.

http://www.fictionpress.com/s/3096890/1/

Hello there
I have written since my teens, and despite loads if finished material just lying around somewhere, I have only recently decided to hi public and publish, and now my book is on sale.
Please check out my website for details
http://mansworld.wix.com/mansworldbyb...

Maddie wrote: "Hello, my name is Madeleine, i'm 17, I love reading and writing, preferably high fantasy YA, I'm currently working on a few stories and would love some feedback.

http://www.fictionpress.com/s/3096..."

Welcome Madeline, to the group. We have a Critique Folder to post in as well, if you are looking for feedback.

Bex wrote: "Hello there
I have written since my teens, and despite loads if finished material just lying around somewhere, I have only recently decided to hi public and publish, and now my book is on sale.
Ple..."

Hi, Bex, and welcome.

Hi my name is Melissa Moon and I write fiction, such as my novel Black Heart of the Wolf and non-fiction (under the pen name Storm Moon.) I live in Devon and enjoy reading fiction and non-fiction. My favourite non-fiction authors include Philip Carr-Gomm, Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche, and Capra, Fritjof.

Melissa

Storm wrote: "Hi my name is Melissa Moon and I write fiction, such as my novel Black Heart of the Wolf and non-fiction (under the pen name Storm Moon.) I live in Devon and enjoy reading fiction and non-fiction...."

Hello Melissa, and welcome to the group.

Dear Friends and Book lovers, This is Krishna Kranthi, author of the recently published fiction 'MBA is not about Money,Blazer,Arrogance. I am an MBA grad myself and an entrepreneur now and planning my next 2 books.

The book is about the journey of a grad in a B-school trying to realize the true purpose of his MBA. In these modern 'rat race' times where students are pursuing their MBA just to earn more money, crave for higher roles and in effect indulge in unneeded arrogance, I wanted to present a different view point that the value of a MBA degree is not just confined to money,blazer,arrogance but it is much more than that. Overall, the book sends a strong message to the society on the true purpose of education degree and not just a management degree.

We are getting great reviews at http://amzn.com/B00APD8YYQ

The book is available at Homeshop18 in India http://www.homeshop18.com/mba-money-b...

Thanks for giving this opportunity to introduce about me and the book.

cheers,
krishna
www.krishnakranthi.com

Krishna wrote: "Dear Friends and Book lovers, This is Krishna Kranthi, author of the recently published fiction 'MBA is not about Money,Blazer,Arrogance. I am an MBA grad myself and an entrepreneur now and plannin..."

Welcome Krishna.

Hi! I'm new to this group, and very excited to get involved here. I have been an avid reader and writer all my life, but am just entering the world of being a published author. My YA fantasy novel, "The Quest of the Unaligned," will be available this summer, and I can hardly wait. I look forward to interacting here with other authors and readers!

A.L. wrote: "Hi! I'm new to this group, and very excited to get involved here. I have been an avid reader and writer all my life, but am just entering the world of being a published author. My YA fantasy novel,..."

Hello, A.L. and welcome to the group.

Hello--my name is Sumi. I'm an obsessive reader and compulsive writer. My favorite genre is probably fairytales/mythology, but I think those fall under fantasy; I also read poetry, SF, classics, horror, essays, romance, biology, mystery, physics--in other words, books.

I've just finished writing, and am polishing the manuscripts of, 2 fantasy novels (in a series) while on a break from medical school; I have 2 years to go. Sadly, the ability to discuss books and reading has been missing from my life for quite a while, both because of a lack of time, and very few fellow fans, in med school.

Sumi wrote: "Hello--my name is Sumi. I'm an obsessive reader and compulsive writer. My favorite genre is probably fairytales/mythology, but I think those fall under fantasy; I also read poetry, SF, classics, ho..."

Welcome to the group, Sumi.

Thank you, A.F. I'm glad to be here.

Hi, I'm a reader and a writer. I posted more about myself in the Writers profile folder. I'm really glad to have found this group. I read general fiction, women's fiction, mysteries, nonfiction (mostly theology), and a little romance. There's so much I'm learning about the book world from the process of publishing my first novel. My favorite discovery by far is how kind, generous, and interesting readers and writers are! Thanks for this group.

Summer wrote: "Hi, I'm a reader and a writer. I posted more about myself in the Writers profile folder. I'm really glad to have found this group. I read general fiction, women's fiction, mysteries, nonfiction (mo..."

Welcome, Summer.