Month: February 2014

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The Best Seller That Almost Was

Onet

Ive reworked this massive tome – all one hundred and ninety-seven A4 pages (102,200 plus words) of it. It took a few months to correct everything my former professional editor (so-called) missed!

Back in 2010, before I saw the light and became an Indie, my first officially published book Onet’s Tale – a Science Fiction Space Opera, appeared courtesy of a small press based in the USA. At the time I was over the moon that one of my works was finally available via Amazon in both Kindle and Paperback versions. Back then, like a lot of writers new to the game, I seriously thought, “At last, I am finally on my way!”

Sadly the book is no longer available even though it still features on Amazon. Why? Because inevitably the time came when the chief editor who is also the senior partner in the company and I fell out. From my point of view it was all about his company’s lack of advertising. I suspect that from his, it was that I flatly refused to doff my metaphoric cap in his presence, and be grateful for whatever crumbs he deigned to give me.

To cut a long story short, part of the contract termination deal dictated by him was that Onet’s Tale would no longer be available for purchase.

Now you know why I became an ‘Indie’.

Still interested? Here are its reviews:-

5.0 out of 5 stars Onet’s a Great Storyteller, February 2, 2011
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Amazon Verified Purchase(What’s this?)
This review is from: Onet’s Tale (Paperback)
Imagine slaving in a mine on a distant planet, where each swing of your pick throws poisonous dust into the air that will kill you in a few months time from breathing it. This is where “Onet’s Tale” opens, but it doesn’t stay there long. This epic sci-fi tale from Jack Eason includes a large cast of characters from various planets, including the human/nephile Akhen and Khan, who is a Drana. Once enemies, the two band together to escape the mine and start a rebellion that eventually leads to a war that spans years and galaxies.The story itself is narrated by Onet, who happens to be a Khaz. Think little gray alien guy that might land in Area 51. Except Onet is albino and has red eyes. He’s watching all this unfold, waiting for his chance to stop the evil that his own kind started, which spread through a goddess-type being called Shu, and continued through her horrible creations of berserker warriors.Murder, war, and mayhem reign throughout this book, while the main characters try very hard to live normal lives. Their efforts are always ripped out from under them, and I sympathized with the tortuous events they lived through. On the other hand, I kept wishing for more character depth. I’m really partial to character-driven novels, and this one seems mostly plot-driven. For me, I would have liked to have been inside the characters’ heads more, really feeling what they feel.If you like sci-fi packed with battles, futuristic weapons and modes of transport, you’ll like “Onet’s Tale”.
4.0 out of 5 stars Fast paced action – an epic odyssey, February 15, 2011
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Paula Boer (Badja, NSW, AU) – See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What’s this?)
This review is from: Onet’s Tale (Paperback)
Wow! Hang on tight for a roller coaster ride. This novel moves at such a fast pace it’s like you’re on one of the spaceships. There is so much in it, it could easily have been expanded to three trilogies! The story line is great, and the characters good though lacking a bit in definition. As always in these types of stories I find it hard to remember who everyone is from the unusual names. Where there is detail, it is fantastic, but I would have liked a lot lot more.
 
5.0 out of 5 stars An epic tale, December 9, 2010
Amazon Verified Purchase(What’s this?)
This review is from: Onet’s Tale (Paperback)
This is grand tale. The tone is that of a storyteller recounting the past. There are a host of characters caught up in intrigue, action and a fascinating story that spans worlds. A struggle against all odds in an epic battle for survival. An excellent read.
 
5.0 out of 5 stars A New Journey, June 29, 2010
Amazon Verified Purchase(What’s this?)
This review is from: Onet’s Tale (Kindle Edition)
Onet’s tale truly takes you into a new journey of adventure new characters and keeps you wanting to read more and more. I recommend this novel to any Sci-Fi reader who enjoys good story telling and wants to get lost in new worlds and exploration. The Author did an amazing job in creating a new adventure for all of us to enjoy
5.0 out of 5 stars When life is threatened, the only option is survival., May 21, 2010
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This review is from: Onet’s Tale (Paperback)
”A triumph of modern science fiction. A wonderful story of Fantasy anchored by Science”.This is the first work by Jack Eason to be published and yet this book has the feel of a seasoned Author. The consideration and detail in which Onet’s tale is written never allows the reader to wonder about anything for too long. Every plot twist, each character and every action they take is just one small brush stroke of a much larger painting. All actions have consequences and all consequences are vital to the story. The web of intrigue, spun so subtly by the Author, unravels with each turn of the page. The bigger picture only begins to come into focus when all the other pieces are in place.
I find it very difficult to say exactly what Onet’s Tale is about, because it isn’t solely about one thing. The story has many leading characters and many different reasons why each would be where they are and why they are a part of the story. I could condense the entire story to just a few words..”A tale about the struggle for survival againts all odds”..but this doesn’t do it justice.
The battle for survival isn’t confined to just one person, nor even to an entire species. It encompasses all life in both this world and in many others that wish to live without fear and oppression. A species that come from further away than most can imagine are hell bent on the complete annihilation of all others, forsaking none. The ensuing struggle spans the face of our galaxy and the lives of each and every living being within it.
The fate of future history is in the hands of a reluctant few. Out numbered and out gunned, the battle begins.

For any of you Science fiction addicts out there who would like to read it for free, leave me a message here, not forgetting to include your email address and I will send it to you in .PDF form.

Should it have become a best seller? I’ll leave that for you to judge…

PS – Chris Graham aka The Story Reading Ape is currently reading his copy.  😉

PPS – I’m currently reading through it for the first time since it was published in 2010, I simply cannot believe the number of ‘editing errors’ that my former editor failed to note before allowing it to be published. So much for his assertion that he was/is a professional editor – Hey ho…

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Hey Moron – to err is human, to forgive, divine!!!

pedant

A couple of days ago a person who took the cowards way out by using a nom de plume when commenting on a particular blog post of mine, seemed to take great delight in pointing out the fact that I had made one spelling mistake. As it turns out I hadn’t…

At the time I thought big deal – take me outside and shoot me! So I missed one while I was editing the post, so what?

When I accused him of being pedantory in the particular blog post’s comments, he was quick to deny that he is a pedant, by saying that “Not pedantic at all. You mentioned you revised this post dozens of times yet the misspelled word is early in the post. I felt bad for you since we, as editors, have all been there. It is hard to proofread your own work. This example points out why that is so. If I came across as snarky in any way that certainly wasn’t my intention. My apologies for the misunderstanding”. At the time I fully accepted his apology, prepared to forgive and move on. But like all of his ilk he could not simply leave it at that. Had he done so, I would not now be writing this post.

Instead he saw fit to repeat it in so many words below the link for the particular blog post in a Facebook writer’s group to which I contribute, this time using his own name, thereby making his condescending comment a matter of public record.

Therefore I can repeat what he said verbatim for the great majority of those who follow my blog and do not feel the need, unlike him, to feel superior :- “The article shares some good thoughts. I did giggle when he said he revised the post three dozen times – three or four sentences in he misspells “practices” and uses “practises”. I feel bad for him because we’ve all been there. It’s hard to proofread your own work.”

Perhaps he will take the time to think first before he feels the need to make any further comments of this nature in the future. After all most hardworking writers do not appreciate being attacked by smart mouthed clever dicks.

I would remind him and all other pedants who feel that they are somehow a cut above the average writer of the following quote by Alexander Pope  – To err is human, to forgive divine…

PS – thinking about it, I checked the spelling in my English version of the OED. Guess what, as an Englishman, I was perfectly correct in my spelling. Practices is the US version!!!

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Another Teaser from the fantasy book I’m currently writing – The Time Before

PW in Oak Forest Darker Bark 3A HR w font

At the moment I’m working on Chapter Two, in which we find out more about the early years of my heroine pictured above – Persephone Witchclaw.

” From her sixth summer until her fifteenth, she led an idyllic life. For many summers she could never bring herself to speak about Crellan. She returned the love showered upon her by her adoptive Humin parents Alene and Caerwyn Witchclaw tenfold. She had never been as happy as she was here in the village. The greatest delight for her was when she and her mother spent time together each summer, gathering berries on the edge of the woods that surrounded the village, spending endless hours gossiping. Equally she loved to help her father make hunting bows and arrows. Caerwyn quickly appreciated that his daughter was naturally gifted. So he taught her the arts of fletching and flint knapping. She soon gained a reputation for producing the finest arrows.

First she selected the best willow wands for the shafts. Next she made the nock out of a mixture of beeswax and pine resin which quickly hardened once she had fixed it to one end of the shaft. She then fletched the arrow with a mix of carefully selected Swan, Goose and Duck feathers held on by twine made from the tough hair from along the spine of a Boar’s back. She soaked the twine in hot beeswax before carefully winding it through the feathers and around the shaft below the nock. Finally she split the other end of the shaft before inserting a flint arrowhead into it, and once again, she secured it into place using more of the beeswax soaked Boar twine. Young Persephone’s arrows soon became much sought after by every hunter and warrior throughout Goblindom, no matter whether they were Goblin, Humin, or Elf.”

 

More later, if you’re good…

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Writing Habits to Be Avoided At All Costs

lazy-college-senior-my-rough-draft

As an author, it wasn’t until I took up writing seriously back in 1995 that I finally appreciated just how many of today’s books are the end product of lazy writing practises. A classic example is the endless use of things like, ‘he said’ or ‘she said’ when your characters are speaking. This is perfectly acceptable when writing the initial draft of your book. But never ever let them endlessly appear in the final draft. Once you have been picked up on it and other examples of literary lazyness by your harshest critics (your readers), until you mend your ways and the use of tools like your Dictionary and Thesaurus becomes second nature, don’t be surprised at the loss of your potential readership. The harsh reality of the writing world is that readers either make or break you! If one person likes your work, they will soon tell their friends, particularly these days with Social Media Sites like FaceBook and Twitter. By the same token. the opposite will apply if the end product of your work is unmitigated rubbish, chock full of errors!

Up until I began writing, the concept of ‘Lazy Writing’ hadn’t even entered my mind. Back then, like millions of other readers, the only thing that mattered to me was whether or not the story grabbed my attention. Some authors, be they ‘Indie’ or ‘Establishment’ are equally guilty when it comes to literary laziness, the same can be said for some editors. In all three cases, there is no acceptable excuse.  Another glaring example of the sheer lazyness prevelant in today’s literature is the endless repetetion of certain words, along with foul language. While the above may be socially acceptable when talking with family and friends, if you are a writer, it certainly isn’t!

Regarding foul language and poor writing practices, E.L. James’ Fifty Shades of Grey is the classic example. While it may appeal to a certain base section of the world’s population who know no better, to anyone who holds the written word dear as I do, it is anathema.  Despite the fact that the book has become a best seller and is soon to become a movie, it will never be held up as a shining example of ‘best writing practice’ by any literary critic or scholar worth their salt.

Lastly, as a writer, you must be your own harshest critic as well as being an extremely tough editor. If you are wondering why your books simply don’t appeal, take a long hard look at your final draft. I’m betting that it is full of glaring literary error’s.

PS – If you are wondering how many times I edited/rewrote this post, it was well over three dozen before I finally hit the Publish button…

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If It ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix It!

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Picture 1                                                                            Picture 2

Why is it that folk feel the need to change/upgrade technology that works, and works well? Microsoft produced their next OS (Windows 8)  to supersede their highly user friendly Windows 7. Don’t get me wrong here folks, I love technology. But, when a major corporation like Microsoft decides to change something like a computer operating system for no other reason than its time for a change, as an end user I have to remind them that if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!

A couple of days ago here on my new Win 8 driven laptop, because of the OS’s extreme sensitivity to touch from my finger on the touch-pad, the front page of this blog shrank (see picture 1). For the life of me I had no idea how to get the page back to normal size, here at my end. I asked a few of you to check my blog from your end. In all cases you got back to me saying that it was fine from the point of a visitor/reader.

It was driving me crazy that I could not figure it out. A good friend suggested I get in contact with WordPress. And so I clicked on the contact button. It opened up on their ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ page, which fortunately wasn’t shrunk. Nowhere did I see anything about how to get my front page back to normal.

A lot of cursing happened I can tell you.

So in desperation, yesterday I decided that I was heartily fed up with Win8 and WordPress, it was time to resurrect my old blog at Google Blogger. All went well initially, until overly sensitive Win 8 struck once more. This time it didn’t shrink my blog, it expanded the living daylights out of it (see picture 2).

Once again a good friend suggested that maybe all I needed to do was to update Win 8. Have you tried it? It isn’t easy. For a start, its blurb claims that Win 8 automatically updates itself – not! Win 7 did and does. Win 8 has to be coaxed into action by one of the most convoluted processes known to man.  To cut a long story short, I finally got it to begin downloading the two outstanding updates at 10pm yesterday. The process finally reached its conclusion at 12 midday today!

In desperation once more, I wondered if it would be possible to download Win 7, with the idea of partitioning the hard drive. It downloaded with no problem. But when it came to compatibility with this new laptop – no dice. So it was back to the drawing board. What the hell do I do?

Then about a half hour ago by chance I clicked on the ‘View’ button on my Firefox system. Guess what? I fixed the problem on both blogs utilizing the ‘Zoom’ facility.

I’m glad the problem is solved. But I still don’t like Win 8. Move your cursor anywhere near the upper right, or upper and lower left corner of your screen and see what happens. The same goes when you want to move your cursor from one item to another on sites like Facebook…

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Turning Point’s Latest Review

Turning Point free weekend

Turning Point’s latest review on Amazon US and UK 5.0 out of 5 stars An EPIC Epic Tale, 15 Feb 2014 By Chris Graham (Manchester, UK) – See all my reviews Amazon Verified Purchase(What is this?) This review is from: Turning Point (Kindle Edition) This story is an EPIC Epic Tale. How to describe and explain that statement? It’s well written, in depth and detail, without losing the thread or the plot. Full of great characters, Human and Alien / Good and Bad. The story covers just about everything you could imagine, what Ancient Sanskrit texts dating back as far as 6,000BC were talking about with their flying machines, who built the Pyramids in Egypt & South America, how Humans first got their thinking faculties, and a LOT more. Combine all this with the nature of suppressed peoples, their resulting uprisings, the actions of WWII type Resistance and you’ve got an EPIC Epic Tale! To say I enjoyed reading it would be an understatement, I lived in it, became friends with the heroes, cheered and celebrated their victories, mourned their losses and itched to help them when they got into difficulties. The next book, Onet’s Tale – here I come! I’d recommend anyone who enjoyed Asimov, Clark, Bradbury, Wells, et al, type science fiction, to read this book.   Thanks Chris. Much appreciated…

Here is the Amazon US link :- Turning Point

Here is the Amazon UK link :- Turning Point