Backlight: A Fesler Family Chronicle Release

Backlight: A Fesler Family Chronicle Paperback – September 3, 2017

by Ms. Toby Fesler Heathcotte (Author)

Backlight, A Fesler Family Chronicle In the theatre, a backlight illuminates the shapes of the actors and the set but masks the details to create illusory truth. Backlight tells the shadow tale of a family’s trek across continents and generations. One family journeyed from Switzerland in the 1600s through Germany to Pennsylvania Colony in the 1700s, into Indiana in the 1800s, and then to Arizona in the 1900s, always searching for a better life. The Fesler saga mirrors the experiences of millions of Americans, no matter their heritage or land of origin. This work is part history, part fiction but a whole attempt to understand the people and forces that help shape us. The more we understand, the better we can consciously choose directions for our future as a family, a nation, and a world.

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tobyheathcotte.com, Author

Nonfiction Checklist Editing Workshop

1. Does your opening involve a person experiencing an event? If not, do you have such a scene elsewhere that would be a better opening?
2. Is there something visual on each page, something for the reader to imagine?
3. In an article, does the action build to a climax or make point after point on a plateau?
4. In a book, does the end of each chapter point toward the next?
5. Have you summarized material that could make interesting scenes?
6. Have you raised questions and then delayed answering them to create suspense?
7. Does the piece reverberate with other times, other places, or other people?
8. Have you consciously tried to create stress in your reader?
9. Could the weakest segment of the piece be cut or condensed?
10. Have you eliminated most adjectives, adverbs, and repetitive phrases?
11. Have you cut all clichés? “Say it new or say it straight.”
12. Have you replaced similes and metaphors that are tired or strained?
13. Have you padded the piece with description?
14. Have you used fiction techniques to characterize the people you mention?
15. Can you convert any sentence to a question to arouse curiosity?
16. Have you used short sentences and small paragraphs to create a fast pace?

                                                                                                                    

Adapted from Stein on Writing by Sol Stein.

Posted by Toby Fesler Heathcotte

Amazon  Ms. Toby Fesler Heathcotte

tobyheathcotte.com, Author

Fiction Checklist Editing Workshop

1. Do you show more than tell? Do you create a balance between scenes and narrative that is enjoyable to read?
2. Do you display characters’ emotions through action and dialogue rather than  describe them in words such as angry or sullen?
3. Do you introduce characters with a few imaginative details rather than a character summary?
4. Do you establish characters thru action, interior monologue, and dialogue rather than describe them?
5. Do you use back story sparingly, introducing it only when needed?
6. Do you introduce setting with imaginative details, a bit at a time?
7. Which point of view are you using and why? Is it consistent?
8. Do you use interior monologue to show your characters’ thoughts and feelings? Do you avoid the words “he thought” and use italics sparingly in the I point of view?
9. Is your narrative proportional, spending time on the most important elements?
10. Does your dialogue sound natural when you read it aloud? Have you used word choice, cadence, and grammar to reflect dialect?
11. Have you eliminated all “ly” words and paragraphs opening with a speaker attribution?
12. Do you use “said” to clarify who is speaking or a beat of action to attribute dialogue to characters rather than unnecessary attributions, such as he snapped or she chuckled?
13. Have you used ellipses for gaps and dashes for interruptions?
14. Do you use beats between dialogue to illuminate character and make it unique?
15. Do you vary the length of your paragraphs, your scenes, your chapters for variety and flow?
16. Is your manuscript free of repetitions of phrases, ideas, and actions?
17. Have you minimized “as” and “ing” constructions, clichés, explicit sex scenes, profanity?
18. Have you used good grammar, sentence structure, and punctuation?

Adapted from Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Rennie Browne and Dave King     

Posted by Toby Fesler Heathcotte

Amazon  Ms. Toby Fesler Heathcotte

tobyheathcotte.com, Author

         

Is technology messing up our lives? by Vijaya Schartz

 We rely on technology so much these days, that the simplest hick-ups can ruin a perfectly good day... or week... and even a life. As a science fiction writer (among other genres) I love futuristic technology, but it sometimes gives me nightmares.

I remember  a long time ago someone saying "If cars were as unreliable as computers, no one would drive." Well, now computers drive our cars as well. Last summer, a Tesla on autopilot ran full speed into a semi, killing the non-driver. As much as we would like to think technology is perfect, it isn't. And Uber is implementing driverless cars!

We have learned to accept these glitches as growing pains. And like everyone else, I did, gracefully... until a few days ago, when Firefox updated their browser.... and my personal nightmare started.

"Faster and more powerful" said the update. All of a sudden, my passwords were not recognized... most of them anyway. I am still locked out of my main email account with Cox.... and cut out from my business mail. I can't access my account at Amazon. Facebook still works, and so does my online banking, but I am scared to even try to access many of my regular writers and readers sites, for fear of the nightmare.

I tried to contact Cox, of course, but their automatic phone butler keeps you listening to music for hours and never lets you speak to an operator.

"Just reset your password," says one site... but in order to do so, they must accept my old password, which they don't. Then they say they'll send you an email to confirm and you will have to acknowledge the change by clicking the link they emailed you, before you can log in again.... but I can't access my email! Grrrrr.

Although usually comfortable navigating cyberspace, I suddenly feel inadequate. Am I getting old? Am I wrong to expect updates not to mess up my carefully organized life? Or is there something more sinister going on?

Maybe there is a story in here... every life experience can be fodder for popular fiction, right? Imagine a world where glitchy computers make life and death decisions... Or is it already happening, and we are not aware of it?

There is a big difference between technology and progress. Although we are making great leaps in technology, progress lags behind, since progress is the evolution of the human mind and the human condition. I think mutual respect, quality of work and life, and caring customer service are part of progress, but these seem to be sorely lacking in today's society.

Sorry for venting here, but I was wondering if you had similar experiences with glitchy technology.


  Vijaya Schartz
  Action, Romance, Mayhem
  http://www.vijayaschartz.com
  Amazon - Barnes & Noble -  Smashwords - Facebook

WRITING ANGELS AS ALIENS - Fantasy or Science Fiction? by Vijaya Schartz

It's not always easy for a writer to figure out where what they write fits in the cookie cutter categories imposed by booksellers and promoters. Unfortunately, if the book doesn't fit perfectly anywhere, it might be featured on the wrong sites and blogs, displayed on the wrong shelf where it will not sell, or be ignored completely.

White Tiger is an award-winning Science Fiction/Fantasy romance
featuring a medieval type of society on another planet
along with technologically advanced aliens
 FREE in eBook everywhere

 This is especially true for writers like me, who like to mix genres. Since I'm rarely satisfied with one straight genre as a reader, the same is true when I write. My next book blends Science Fiction (set in space, other planets, and a space station) with Fantasy (immortal angels with amazing powers, telepathic felines) and Romance (the love story at the crux of the book). I also like to write strong heroines, evil villains, a lot of action, and I enjoy portraying the fight between good and evil... where the margins are often blurred.

The Ancient Enemy series features the "Worst villain in Science Fiction... Captain Kavak" The heroines carry guns, like many of my heroines. They are the key to saving the human race. And romance is their reward.

So, where does my story fit? It's not literary since I write to entertain. It's not mainstream since Science Fiction and Fantasy are small niche markets. So, what is it?

One thing I have going for me is my voice. Whether I write medieval romance, fantasy, action adventure, or science fiction, the professional reviewers recognize my unique style... and they usually like my brand of fiction.  "Phenomenal world building, characters the readers care about, and an intriguing mystery... all the elements one expects from a Vijaya Schartz story! Easily recommended!" CK2sKwipsandKritique.

Ashes for the Elephant God is a unique brand of reincarnation romance
set in India. This award-winning book doesn't fit any category.

Originality and quality are good, I guess, but it takes longer for readers to discover your particular brand when it is spread over several genres. And not all are willing to cross genre from medieval to science fiction to contemporary romance.

The solution? Write for the market? I would never do that. I am proud to write the books of my heart, and I will continue writing them. I may not have as many readers as other popular authors, but my readers are fiercely loyal. They love my stories, and I love them, too. Fortunately, my publishers stick with me because they like my books as well.

My latest series, just completed this year, is Fantasy (based on authentic legends) and medieval, as well as romance.

So expect more romance, action, adventure, science fiction, fantasy, or historical stories, with exotic settings, strong heroines and despicable villains, where the fight between good and evil is front and center.

Happy Reading!

Vijaya Schartz
Action, Romance, Mayhem
http://www.vijayaschartz.com
Amazon - Barnes & Noble -  Smashwords 
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The difference between horror and a little thrill - by Vijaya Schartz

Find all my BWL titles at your favorite online retailer by clicking on each title here

Let's face it, many books and movies nowadays focus on the scary, the morbid, the deadly, the darkness in people's souls. Some are masterfully written (thank you Mr. Stephen King) and that's well and good for those who relish the genre. Personally, it gives me nightmares. When a hopeless group of people is doomed to certain death by an unknown and unstoppable evil, watching them die one at a time in utter paralyzing fear, panic and dismembering bloodshed is not fun to me. Horror focuses on creating fear... a negative emotion that releases toxic chemicals in the human body.

You can find General KAVAK, "the worst villain in sci-fi history" in the Ancient Enemy series

In my novels, I prefer to focus on hope, and the courage of the brave heroes and heroines who overcome their fears to fight the battle of good vs. evil. Although reviewers said I write "The worst (meaning best) villains in sci-fi history," I do not need a large body count to demonstrate they are bad guys. Usually, one death by elephant, one human sacrifice, or one severed head rolling on the sand is enough to make my point... there are bad people out there, and demons, and things that go bump in the night. But in my books, for every demon there is a loving immortal, a determined human, or a half-angel willing to risk their very life to fight it.

The Archangel twin books, a tale of redemption in the battle of Good vs. Evil

In the world of medieval fantasy romance, I've been accused of writing bloody battle scenes, because I do not sugarcoat the middle ages. As a writer, I want to reflect the truth of the historical period according to my extensive research. In the horror genre, however, I would be considered an innocent babe. My goal is to write an uplifting story with flawed but worthy characters who constantly overcome their fears and limitations to save others.

The Curse of the Lost Isle series depicts the Middle Ages in a realistic way

Call me a boy scout if you like. I just like the good guys to win and redeem themselves in the process. I like action, adventure, and romance in my books, those I read and those I write. I've been accused of mixing genres, and I'm proud of it. So sue me. I live for the thrill of a good story, with heroic heroes and villainous villains, plenty of action and adventure, and a dash of romance.

Vijaya Schartz, author

Romance with a Kick

http://www.vijayaschartz.com

Writing Prompts by Cherie Lee

The Multi-billionaire:

Aging, the billionaire wanted to leave a life memorial for the living, especially since he had no living family members. He walks through his mansion and asks various servants, “Could you envision this place becoming a home for the elderly or orphans?”

Questions:

What servants would he ask or would he ask every one this same question?

How many servants would work for him and would it be on a daily basis or less often?

What answers would he get?

Would he plan to remain in this home if it became a refugee for the elderly or for orphans?

How did he make his money? Legally or illegally? Would that make a difference in his decisions?

What would this place look like? Is it close to a city or town or be somewhere hard to get too?

Who would inherit his estate if none of the above were done?

What would happen if he started a home for the elderly and they all need specialized care? Would doctors and nurses become residents?

What if the orphans came and some had criminal backgrounds? Would he take a personal interest?

What would happen if he lost all of his money and he had elderly or orphans to care for? What would he do? Could he regain his wealth?

I hope this sparked your inspiration today.

Happy Writing.

Cherie Lee