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Post by charlie on Jan 12, 2015 16:02:58 GMT -5
Hello, Paul. Finally getting around to my first 2015 post. I think 2015 is the year they traveled to in Back to the Future. How are things going? It has been 2 years since T. Lynn and Gary logged on. I know Facebook is popular, but I miss them being here. Work and church keep me busy. I imagine the same for you. Hope all is well. Continue to be creative, continue to write.
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Post by paulwest on Jan 12, 2015 19:25:26 GMT -5
Hi Charlie,
I'm not sure when you posted this, hopefully not too long ago. It's good to hear from you. I agree, Facebook is popular but at times it can be impersonal.
IT looks like the Authors by Design is going under. I hate to see that. I've been with them for many years and recruited nearly half of their members.
I'm still working on finding an agent for Vengeance or Vindication (new working title). I have gone one step further, however. I've advertized on Facebook for people who will be willing to review the book and let me know if it's boring and why. I've got two close friends so far who might be willing. We'll see how they respond when I explain the rules, such as no pay. But then, most of them are novices.
Then, aside from VorV, I've resumed work on GERTA! The biggest problem I have is time to work on these books. And I agree, church does keep me busy too.
I gotta go. Time to get off work. Take care of yourself and your family. As always, it's great to talk to you. I hope your writing is going well.
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Post by charlie on Jan 19, 2015 18:35:25 GMT -5
It seems like many writing sites start off full of energy with many participating. Then, as time goes on, people lose interest or their focus is directed somewhere else. I know it has happened with me. Sorry to hear about Abd. I wish I could have visited and taken part more often but time just didn't to come available. I think sometimes when we think about these sites and have something to share we're not in a position to do so.
Keep going with your work on GRETA. This sounds like a good story. I will eventually get back to my current WIP. Ideas are there I just have to get them down on the computer. Hope all is well. Keep in touch.
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Post by paulwest on Jan 20, 2015 14:53:55 GMT -5
AbD is still there, but not many are participating now. Maybe the admins will come up with some way to get it back up and going. I'm not giving up, just watching and waiting. Maybe it will go defunct, like this site. Frankly, I'm surprised Gary doesn't dump it. You and I are the only ones here any more, and we could probably communicate via email just as easily.
Recently, I asked some people I'm "Friends" with on FaceBook if they would be willing to review my Vengeance or Vindication (my first novel). I was surprised that I got three takers. One, however had to withdraw due to poor health. I got back the first of my expected 3 reviews and it was VERY helpful. Frustrating, but helpful. The frustrating part is that I don't know how to fix what she pointed out, or I maybe I should say I don't have time to do what is needed. I think I need to see what the other two reviewers have to say before I get too crazy with the revisions.
Also, I want to spend more time on GERTA! So, I'm debating whether revising V and V is worth my trouble. I guess again that depends on what the other 2 reviewers have to say.
Better go. I need to work on my Priesthood lesson. I'm using Elder Bednar's BYU talk on technology as my basis.
Catch you later. I hope you get back to your WIP soon.
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Post by charlie on Feb 11, 2015 14:07:06 GMT -5
I've been busy for the past couple weeks. Work is always there and our ward is getting ready for ward conference. Also, I've been working on our tax return. What a joy that is, but it's done as of yesterday. We even get a refund.
Still haven't written anything in 2015, but hopefully the juices will start flowing soon. I did reread some of a current WIP. I'm thinking of using createspace to self-publish another book. I'm trying to figure out what motivates a person to write. I like the idea of it, but can't seem to act on my desires. Anyway, how are things going for you, Paul.
I think the idea of emailing to keep in touch is good. I use this site, even though I believe your probably right about it being defunct, in the off chance someone may see it (our conversations) and decide to join us. You never know.
As I've said before, I may have lapses in between visits, but I have no intention of abandoning this site completely.
Keep in touch. I'll visit again soon.
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Post by paulwest on Feb 11, 2015 16:11:59 GMT -5
Sounds like you've been busy. I can relate. Our taxes aren't in yet, but I will start working on them next week. I hope we will get a refund. We need it to re-do our roof, plus we're planning a trip to Virginia to see my son, daughter-in-law and their twin boys in September. Can't wait. He sent us a DVD with several video clips of the boys. We laughed and cried as we watched the boys progress. Great fun.
A few weeks ago I asked people who "liked" me on Facebook if they wanted to review my novel and let me know if they thought it was publishable or not. I told them up front I couldn't pay anything. I got two people to volunteer and they gave me conflicting opinions. So, I'm not sure what that means. I may go to other sites and ask the same thing and see if anyone is willing. I think I need a consensus of opinions and what it would take to get it publishable.
Yes, I agree. We both need this site to bounce ideas off each other's heads.
Good luck getting back to writing. I know it can be tough once you've let it go for a while. What you simply need to do is sit down on your computer, re-work the last two or three pages and by the time you get to the end, you'll be in full swing, and likely won't be able to put it down.
Good luck, Paul
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Post by charlie on Feb 16, 2015 23:20:36 GMT -5
Okay, Paul, I'm focusing on a direction for "Origin of Storms" which I'm currently writing. I'm writing the first initial draft and of course it's very rough. The idea is to write a story that talks about the beginning of bad things (the roots of sin, if you will). The plot is how the seed becomes festered and grows into the rapidly advancing disintegration of society we see today. I'm attempting to tell the story using an international suspense format. I'm borrowing a little from Robert Ludlum and some from Tom Clancy, both of whom I've read and enjoy. Not copying them, but following their style somewhat. I want to try to keep the reader guessing as to who the bad guy(s) is/are right up to the end of the book. The story will look at the political landscape, religions (including fanatics), the corporate world as well as visit many locales around the world. And since I believe that with Christ good wins out in the end, in my story good will also win out in the end. I'm just not sure how yet. So many details to develop. That is what I want to achieve in a general view.
Tell me what you think.
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Post by paulwest on Feb 17, 2015 15:28:02 GMT -5
Your premise sounds exciting. One thought I had was the best way to keep the bad guy(s) secret until the end is to leave some evidences as you write the story that could point to the bad guy(s), but have bigger evidences pointing at someone else. Kind of a red-herring. That's how mysteries are constructed.
In my novel (currently titled Vengeance or Vindication) I plant most of the evidence pointing at the school's bully. But at the end of the climax of the book we learn he wasn't the bad guy after all, someone else caused the accident that killed the MC's family. There are minor hints about that person's guilt, but I don't make a big deal about it. Thinks like he can't take his car on their double date because his father took his car away. Doesn't sound like much, but after using that same or similar excuse a few times, the reader can look back and shake his/her head and say "sure, that makes sense. why didn't I pick up on that." Or, as one reviewer said, "That totally caught me off-guard." That's the goal of all this mystery writing.
AS for my novel, I've decided to revise it slightly to make it more of a romantic suspense. I won't have the MC talk about getting revenge until about half way through the story when he sees evidence the school's bully might have been the one to cause the accident. Mark (the MC) starts out just trying to return to some sense of normalcy. He starts out by asking Charisse for a date, but she turns him down claiming she already had a date. Then, he meets Genie, but she is going with Jeff - the school's bully. The story thickens from there as two "love triangles" develop.
I'll keep you posted, and you keep me posted too. I hope my suggestions have helped.
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Post by paulwest on Feb 25, 2015 17:55:17 GMT -5
Hi Charlie,
I saw your response to Bruce Luck. He was a member of my now deceased critique group. Frankly his writing was almost as bad as his politics. A couple of years ago, I had a shout out with a childhood friend who loved to argue. I tried to make him see common sense but it didn't work. Finally, I had to just tell him, "I'm not arguing with you any more. You're not going to agree with me and I am not going to agree with you." He kept trying to bate me, but I refused to take the bate. I think this Bruce guy is the same. There's no sense trying to get these kinds of people to make sense and see reality.
Good luck with him if you want to try.
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Post by charlie on Mar 9, 2015 15:45:07 GMT -5
I can't recall a response to Mr. Buck. No, I won't be bated either. I'm not that type to engage in debates of that nature anyway. I appreciate your suggestions concerning Origin of Storms. I'm trying to approach the idea with something fresh but will also keep the reader turning pages. I'm sure if I ever get a first draft completed it will ultimately be revised several times.
Hope all is well for you and your family. I've kept busy. The Idaho Falls temple is closing next week for renovations so I'll have to start going either to Logan, Twins Falls, Rexburg or maybe Ogden. That probably means I won't get to go as often.
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Post by paulwest on Mar 10, 2015 18:04:17 GMT -5
No, the person you responded to, was Bruce Luck, not Buck. But then again, maybe it wasn't you but Gary. Now that it's been a while I can't recall for sure. Sorry if I got you mixed up with Gary.
I got some feedback from two volunteer beta readers for my novel Vengeance or Vindication. Frankly, I don't like that title all that much and neither did they. So, I'm going back to a very old title I used several years go - BRIDGETOWN HIGH. I ran that past them and they both like it as do a couple other writer friends. They also suggested I flesh out some of the minor characters a but more. So, I'm back on the revision trail. I'm also considering self publishing it. I doubt I'll ever get a traditional publisher until I've proven myself, that I can both write and market it.
My wife and I just got back from Lompoc, CA. We went there for my granddaughter's baptism. It was very nice, and we found the gospel is still true in California. My son-in-law is an attorney for the Air Force and is stationed in Vandenberg AFB near Lompoc.
I hope all is going well with you. Talk to you later.
Paul
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Post by charlie on Mar 31, 2015 13:42:54 GMT -5
Sorry for taking so long to post. I haven't forgotten. The adversary came into our home and we've (especially my wife) had to make some difficult decisions. My wife's nephew (mine too, just her blood line) has been living with us while he attends college. Such a good kid, but we recently found out he'd been participating in pornography in our home. When confronted he admitted it was true. After discussing it my wife and I agreed we'd ask him to move out as we didn't want that in our home. It was hard for my wife to ask him to leave as they're close. So it's been difficult for her and by extension for me.
Needless to say, I haven't written anyway, still. I am beginning to sound like a broken record. I'm glad you're still pursuing your dream of getting published. You deserve recognition for your talent, if nothing else. I settled for self-publishing because it satisfied the goal I wanted to reach.
Take care and I hope all your family is well.
Charlie
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Post by paulwest on Apr 23, 2015 13:59:01 GMT -5
So sorry to hear about your 'bout with the adversary. According to the Prophet, pornography is extremely addicting, even more so than cocaine. Still, we need to help those who are addicted as nothing is impossible with the Lord. Good luck with your nephew. I pray he can overcome it.
Today is our 40th anniversary. We're not doing anything special today, but tomorrow we're going to the Hale Center Theater to take in a play, then on Saturday we're going out to dinner and next week we'll take a short drive somewhere and stay at a motel, to be decided on so far.
A few days ago, I had a horrible bout of insomnia. While tossing and turning, trying to not bother my wife, ideas of a new query letter kept bouncing around in my mind. The next day I found a minute and jotted some ideas down. I'm messaging it and have gotten some good feed-back about it. It may just do the trick of attracting an agent or editor. Who knows?
To help you wash out some bad feelings in your home, did I tell you of a recent experience in the Timpanogos Temple? My son took a lot of the notes I made for our Cowell family. Sarah (Cowell) West is my 4th great grandmother. I've been struggling with putting her with her parents and siblings, but David boiled it all down and found where she belongs. Then, he and his wife did the baptisms, confirmations, initiatorys, and endowments, then invited my wife and I to do the sealings. When we finished we all had this wonderful feeling of the Spirit. We knew they had accepted the gospel and were thanking us. It was one of the most beautiful experiences I'd had in the temple for a long time. Now, I've got him working on another life, the Dozier line where Milbrey (Dozer) West is my 3rd great grandmother.
I hope things are going better for you and your family.
Paul
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Post by charlie on Apr 25, 2015 12:20:34 GMT -5
Things are better here. Sometimes it seems to be day to day for my wife. I have resumed writing Origin of Storms. I've written about 1000 words over the last couple weeks. So not a lot, but it's something. Now I just need to sustain the energy.
That is great concerning your family genealogy. Much of my lines are taken care of as far as ordinance work is concerned, although I'm sure I could find names if I dug deep. Usually I'll take a name from someone in the ward. I did a session in Logan a couple days ago as the I.F. temple is closed for 18 months.
Hope your queries generate positive results and all is well with you and your family.
Charlie
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Post by paulwest on May 6, 2015 18:24:41 GMT -5
Glad to hear you're back to writing.
I finally finished revising my novel I'm now calling Bridgetown High. It begins with the MC (a teen called Mark) at the funeral of his family. They all died in a multi-car pile up. Mark survived the accident, but has no memory of it, or who caused it. Managing to put his need for revenge aside, he struggles to regain some sense of normalcy in a new school, in the virtual shadow of the bridge where the accident happened. The bridge serves as a relentless reminder of his tragedy, triggering persistent nightmares and anxiety. He finds himself at the mercy of students he doesn’t know, some of whom hate new comers to their small-town high school. As his memory gradually returns, he finds evidence of who may have caused the wreck. Now his need for revenge revives, especially since the person he suspects is the boy who tried to kill him over the girl they both love. As their mutual animosity increases, it comes down to a showdown where Mark must make a choice: kill his tormentor; or forgive the boy who killed his family.
There's a huge twist near the end that I hope comes off the way I intended it to.
What do you think?
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