Ramblings On Formulas

Often writers churn out basically the same story in series, just replacing the names of the main characters and altering situations slightly, but nonetheless you know what's going to happen. I think romance writers are the greatest offenders. I used to love reading Christine Feehan's Carpathian series, giving the first book that I'd read of hers 5 stars, then fervently snapping up more, but eventually her repetitiveness with giving me basically the same story as well as repeating annoying sayings, like "molten lava" made me lose complete interest in her writing. I remember the last book I bought of hers I got barely a chapter in and gave up.

So, what makes writers repeat the same stories varying to a certain degree so their readers think they've bought a new book?

1) The writer has a formula that they know works, and they don't want to risk writing anything different. Yes, they will lose some readers, but by then we've already bought quite a lot of their books and they've made their profit, so some losses aren't too damaging.

2) They are a write by numbers type of author, they're skill not progressing. They don't know how to write different stories. Full stop. There is no originality there.

3) Their publishers know that this particular formula sells and they don't want to veer away from it, because of course it's proven, therefore it's money in the bank. Hence, they ask the author for more of the same.

Personally, I hate it when authors write formulaic books, which is why I don't do this in my own writing, my books in the same series quite different. For example "Behind the Hood" is a totally different kettle of fish to "Behind the Tears" while "Graffiti Heaven" (the first in a prequel series) is different again. Yes, there are similarities in the sense of my books having harsh and dark elements, but that's it, just a stylistic, genre thing. Instead, the story progresses, changes, like life does. "Behind the Hood" was more nuts, a crazy bunch of teenagers raging out of control, starting from one bad decision that snowballs into a fall-out avalanche of disaster. Whereas "Behind the Tears" has more of dark romance elements to it, where the characters are coping with their difficult relationships. It also has a strong family aspect to it, because unlike the first book, this tale is about three brothers instead of a selfish gang-leader who wrecks havoc on other people's lives.

But, to be fair, my books aren't romance books. Although some of them may have dominant romantic strands, it's just a part of life. Instead, I prefer to write realistic fiction, my genre probably being relative to a program like "Sons of Anarchy", where you get romance, but it's only one aspect of life, the other main issues also just as important: business dealings, family issues, etc. And like SOA, you also get the criminal elements in my writing, because it's dealing with a certain section of society. I must say, I'm a huge fan of "Sons of Anarchy". Before last year I hadn't heard about it, and was surprised that it had been going since 2008. So, when I got back to New Zealand this year, and since it's a genre I like, I went and rented it from Blockbuster, and now I'm up to Season 3 and am totally addicted to it, the story-lines so well done. Of course there is a bit of jumping about with the timeline, but the writers have done such a great job with making the transitions as smooth as possible. Plus, the story-lines are not always predictable, which is a good thing and is something hard to find on television, and is why I prefer not to watch TV or films now, because I basically know what's going to happen. But "Sons of Anarchy" doesn't have any problems keeping my interest, and the story can totally surprise me as well as kept me pestering my husband to watch more. Three episodes a night, no problem :) I will try to get a season a week if he let me.

Again, I suppose it's not fair comparing a romance writer to a television program, but there are romance writers out there who know how to be original and progress a story, do world building. J.R. Ward writes the same genre as Christine Feehan, and she progresses her stories. I really like her books and can't wait for the next one (really can't wait!) because she doesn't just regurgitate what I've read before, she gives her readers new elements to her stories, gives us something interesting. Of course, she has couples getting together, which are givens, but she doesn't have stereotypical characters like Feehan does, Qhuinn and Blay's coming story proof.

So, what I'm saying is: I HATE FORMULAS. Be original in your writing, create a world that a reader can believe in, even if it's filled with vampires or bikers, those aspects are irrelevant, just as long as you capture your reader. Also, progress with your writing / the series. Give the reader something new. Don't continue to create write-by-numbers books. Doing this is okay for your first couple of books as you're cutting your teeth as a writer, but definitely don't keep doing it, and most certainly not on your tenth book, etc, like Christine Feehan does.

Good luck!

The Disparity of Reviewing Sites

The disparity between reviews on different book reviewing sites is a frustration that many self-published writer faces, even more so than traditionally published writers because self-published writers don't have the big publishing houses to promote their work, and are often working at a loss, which can be considerable if you take into account editor's costs, payments to promotional sites, home office supplies, etc. And I must admit, I'm also feeling this frustration, especially when my books are getting numerous good or incredible reviews on one place, but where it counts the most (on Amazon) those reviews are simply not there. For example: I have 67 ratings with 23 reviews for Behind the Tears on Goodreads at an average of 4.31 stars, but on Amazon I only have 5 reviews at an average of 3.4 stars. But Behind the Hood has a lower rating of 4.09 on Goodreads but a much higher rating on Amazon with 11 reviews and 4.9 stars, yet many people who have read both books on Goodreads say that they loved Behind the Tears more. The sales of Behind the Tears is also a lot more than Behind the Hood, but where are the reviews on Amazon? I must say, when writing my follow up books these aspects do affect my frame of mind, making me think: Is it all really worth it? And if I want to actually make a success of my writing, which means not losing money, what do I write next? I originally wanted to write Graffiti Heaven's sequel next, Crying Out Silent, but because of what I've mentioned above, not enough people reviewing the book on Amazon, I had to put it aside for Behind the Tear's sequel (Behind the Lens). However, if things don't pick up I may have to put them all aside and start writing more conventional books, like the planned Dirty Dancer series. So, what I'm saying is, if you actually like a book and want the writer to continue writing sequels of your favourite series, and this is not just for me, this is for all self-published and published writers, please pop your reviews up on Amazon, otherwise other readers won't learn about these books and will take the very few who have managed to write a review, which may not be an adequate reflection on what the majority think.

Sorry for the gripe of the day, but again, if you really want sequels, encouragement goes a long way for authors who write into the early hours of the morning, then get up to go to their day jobs along with juggling family commitments.

Thanks!

MYSTERIOUS SKIN: A Novel.

Possibly the best writer I have read, words don't convey how good this author is, and how thought provoking and chilling his tale of two boys is. Brian and Neil, total opposites in the spectrum of personalities have a common link: their little league coach, a man who through his actions has affected their lives greatly. You are given an account from when the boys are 8 right through to 19.

At the beginning of the story you get Brian's point of view, a confused eight-year-old who doesn't know what has happened to him after he is found in a cupboard at his home, scared and with a bleeding nose. Again, at ten he has another similar experience, where a chunk of his life is missing from his memory. After his first experience he starts getting nose bleeds, faints a lot and wets his bed, but his mother, although caring doesn't question it (other than pulls him out of baseball), and his father tells him off. Throughout the years, those missing hours and all the things that comes with it (the nosebleeds, dreams, etc.) leaves Brian with a desire to find out what really happened on those nights. In doing this, he gets into his head that aliens abducted him, his confused mind latching onto anything that could explain it. But gradually, when pieces start falling together he starts realising that there is a much more logical explanation, although horrifying and life shattering.

Neil knows what has happened to him, he's forgotten nothing, but sees it as good, the mind of a young boy not understanding that what was done was anything but loving. He comes to realise this at the end of the book, finally understanding how wrong it was through Brian. That last scene was so emotional, so sad, chilling, and scary as hell as a mother knowing that predators like the boys' coach are out there, ingratiating themselves so they can get what they want. The picture below is from the last scene in the film version, which was also powerful and disturbing:

Neil on the left, Brian with the blond hair.

As I've said, Neil reacted differently to his involvement with his coach, and throughout the majority of the book remembers the man with love and affection. But it was clear that the coach's actions and the way he gave Neil money set the boy on the path of prostitution. Neil becomes promiscuous, seeking out older men, preferring them over people his own age when it comes to bed partners. But, it always comes with a price - he hustles, something he enjoys until boredom leads him to New York, where a traumatic experience (and a harrowing scene) takes away an innocence he didn't know he had, making him hate sex for the first time. Neil in this book, in all his beauty and sensuality, was the star here, as he was in the film. He was perfectly played by a young Joseph Gordon-Levitt (seen below).

   

 Neil is the one leaning out of the car, while the other boy acts as Eric, one of Neil's best friends, and the girl is Wendy, his other best friend, both also getting chapter view points in the book, Eric's being the more interesting of the two, because he shows us more of Brian and Neil's personalities. He's in love with Neil, but as said above, Neil is only interested in older, hairier men. Wendy also starts of having an infatuation with Neil, but realises quickly that Neil is gay, some of his actions shocking her. But this doesn't discourage her from forging on with their friendship, because he is so enigmatic and fascinating.

Enigmatic is definitely the right word for Neil, as it is for Brian also, because of the mystery behind their story. I wasn't sure how the title fitted in for a while, but by the end, or a bit prior to it, I realised what it meant and the picture on the cover of the book is so appropriate, and again the meaning is chilling, the blue light from the porch of the coach's old home shedding light (in more ways than one) on what happened to Brian and Neil.

As a overall assessment of this book, is was perfectly structured, giving the reader a mystery to start off with, leading them into wanting to know what happened to Brian and why he can't remember. We get pieces of the characters lives over an eleven year period. Some aspects were slow, more so in Brian's chapters, but, life isn't full speed all of the time, and these slower periods of the story were all needed, nothing in my opinion needing editing. Instead, the story was so realistic that the slower and faster periods for me played a perfect balance, allowing me to put the book down so I could enjoy it at a better pace, instead of whipping through it too fast ... plus I didn't want it to come to an end, because now it's over I really want to know more about Brian and Neil, to further read about their lives. Although there probably won't be, I hope there is a sequel. 

On a note in regards to the writing style, all I can say is this author is brilliant. His writing is so beautiful, the structure of wording, how he describes scenes - it is all so poetic. I tend to skim or flick through descriptions of settings usually, but I didn't want to here, because it was just so beautifully rendered, a true masterpiece of skilled writing.

I will be thinking about this book for a long time, I don't think any book has affected me this much, both in its originality, the horrifying message to protect your children, the masterful and poetic rendering of text, the totally captivating characters... I will definitely be seeking this author's works out again. In my opinion, he is the best writer I have read, and as an author myself, I don't say that lightly.

Warning: It goes without saying, with the topic, that there is non consent in this book. But, even due to the difficulty of the theme and what Neil experiences at nineteen, the author does handle it with care.

   

 Amazon US

Amazon UK

Innovera Yakov

Title: Innovera Yakov By: Kia Garriques Summary: Innovera Yakov is a beautiful world of crystals that turns under five moons and two brilliant suns that never set. Flitters take care of domestic chores while Starbirds and Starflies soar through the never-ending sunlight of this crystalline world. The Circle of Knowing decides their fate; the forbidden forests of the Dimmer Zone swallow trespassers. And at the very edges of Innovera Yakov there is the terrifying watery darkness of Verheer. We meet Ayana, the healer and lonely outcast with her scarred face; Vinton, her protector (or is he her imaginary friend?); Gamma and Blu Tara, the beautiful, fiery twins who can kill with one look. These twins are important characters in the book. They could hardly be more different from each other. Krave, beloved by Gamma, hated by Blu Tara, ‘tall and upright as a polished spear with a beautiful crop of golden hair that cascaded down his back in waves’; his ‘brother’ Skylar, pure trouble with ‘muscles on his arms and legs that stood out in lumps’; Ryder with his crystal spear, forever seeking Ayana’s approval although she, refusing to believe she's worth it, can only wonder, ‘What does he see in me?’ And Ice, mysterious, dangerous, murderous with eyes like bright furnaces who feeds on Innoverans. These young Innoverans are often haunted by a forgotten past recalled only in strange dreams. They form friendships, make enemies and face constant physical and emotional challenges that test them to their limits. They have amazing powers; they can fly, they can communicate through 'thought-words', their minds can travel to other worlds. They harbour secrets. But life is not easy on Innovera Yakov and the young Beings must live in constant fear of Blu Tara; ‘What I want, I have. What I can’t have, I destroy.’ They find that the great powers they are gifted with are nothing compared to the dangers they face. They must shelter from Solar-storms. To fall in love is dangerous. Lovers long to combine to become stronger, better Beings but it can go terribly wrong and when that happens they perish. Their survival is further threatened by Ice, who consumes Innoverans and holds both Blu Tara and Ayana in his control. Everyone seeks a partner with whom they can ‘merge.’ This desire to ease the passage through life by joining forces with a true companion, is one of the main themes of the story. Love for Blu Tara, is a terrible thing. She tells her sister, ‘It is a curse. You will scoop out your core and abandon it just to have the Being that you love... You will steal another person’s life force if it makes it easier to get it. You will kill or die for it. And you’ll hate yourself for the weakness that it brings on you.' They are told that they must embark on 'The Journey', this journey will be more terrifying than any of them could imagine and a strong leader must be elected from their midst. They are shocked to discover who that leader is, none more so than the chosen one herself. Many of them will perish as they make their way through the watery darkness of Verheer while battling the army of underworld warriors bent on destroying and consuming them. Finally, diminished in strength and numbers, they reach their journey’s end only to learn the final brutal truth.

Excerpt

Blu Tara stared her sister in the face. ‘Let me tell you what you don't know about love, Gamma. It is a curse. You will scoop out your core and abandon it just to have the Being that you love. You will steal another person's life force if it makes it easier to get it. You will abandon the world you have been cradled in, betray everything and everyone you care for. You’ll give up your name for it.’ Blu Tara's voice went soft and dreamy. ‘You will gladly close your eyes and embrace the world of darkness. You will kill or die for it. And you will hate yourself for the weakness that it brings on you. So don’t talk to me about love.’ Gamma shook her head. ‘You're not making sense,’ Blu Tara. ‘You talk as if... I’m the one who should be upset about all this.’ Blu Tara lifted her hand dismissively. She pointed a hot finger at Gamma. ‘Anyway don’t forget what we are.’ 'And what are we?’ Gamma glared at her.. 'Different. Strange. Something to be frightened of. Two Beings that can fuse and burn everything to ashes. That's the way they all see us down there. That's what the Stardog wants from you - the powers you possess. ‘I hate them all. With their suspicious, shiny faces and their empty games. I hate that Voice which drones on and on at us in the Learning Dome as soon as we've finished resting. Innoverans! All those perfect, pretty Beings; they remember nothing — it’s the curse of this shallow, shining world. Tell me, Gamma - what do you remember of the world we come from before your Odors Apeno dumped us here?’ Gamma swung around to face her sister fully. ‘Blu Tara! What's got into you? Where’s all that coming from? I've never heard you speak like that before. This is about Krave and I- not you!’ Krave and you - don't make me laugh. And, oh! Here’s a big difference — between you and I this time, Twin Sister. It’s the answer to your question that you brought me up here to ask.’ Blu Tara mimicked Gamma's soft and musical voice, Why do you want to kill Krave? Here's the answer, Gamma. I will do whatever I have to do to save myself. I'm the half of you that's not like you. I don't have a weeping heart. Now I'm out of here. I need my Rest.

  Reviewers Wanted: Review Innovera Yakov on amazon for your chance to Win A Kindle Fire. Love reading and reviewing books? Want the chance to win a Kindle Fire? Kia Garriques’ Innovera Yakov fantasy series launches today on Amazon with The Journey of a Thousand Eyes. This story is an action-packed fantasy drama where characters with powers of healing and destruction live, love, compete and disappear without a trace while they are being prepared for the Journey. To celebrate the launch of ‘Innovera Yakov: The Journey of a Thousand Eyes’, Kia is giving away a Kindle Fire to one lucky winner, as well as the chance of having their work promoted by Kia herself across her website and social media. To enter the competition, simply follow these instructions below: 1.Write a short review on Amazon about your favourite scene from the book, who your favourite is and why, and what you think the main message of the book is 2.Then, send an email to competitions@kiagarriques.com including a link back to your review on Amazon, in order to be entered into the competition. Put the title ‘Innovera Yakov Kindle Competition’ in the subject line of the email. The winning entry will be the most creative and original response to the book and will be chosen by Kia Garriques herself. In addition, the top ten inspiring entries will have their work promoted in a blog which Kia is currently working on, called ‘Up and Coming Writers to Watch in 2013’. In recognition of their creativity, Kia will be turning the spotlight on these writers by presenting their biographies and a link to their current work. RULES: 1:This competition will run from the launch of ‘Innovera Yakov: The Journey of a Thousand Eyes’ on today and is open to entrants from any country 2: Anyone may enter, but entries are limited to one per person 3: The winner will be selected by Kia Garriques after the first 250 reviews have been received. Make sure to get your entry in early to stand the best possible chance of being entered into the competition and winning your very own Kindle. If you send your review of Innovera Yakov: The Journey of a Thousand Eyes before March 31st 2013, then you will be eligible to win a $20 amazon gift card. Be sure to send on your review via email to competitions@kiagarriques.com to claim this exclusive offer or leave a link to your amazon review in Kia’s Wattpad comment section. So, what are you waiting for? Get ‘Innovera Yakov: The Journey of a Thousand Eyes’ now and prepare to enter a whole new world of magic and mystery, danger and adventure. Click here to get the ebook on amazon now. Author Links Twitter Goodreads Facebook Tumblr Wattpad Pinterest Website Audio Link to listen to the first chapter of the book. Read the first chapter of the book here Author Bio Kia Garriques studied writing and English literature at University and has been a published short story writer since 2009. Her first story “The Invisible Alien Watcher” was published by Micro Horror in 2009 and reprinted by Pill Hill Press in 2011. Innovera Yakov: The Journey of a Thousand Eyes – is her first novel in the ‘Worlds’ series and will be out on amazon mid February. visit www.kiagarriques.com/books to read the first chapter. Book Blurb: Innovera Yakov – The Journey of A Thousand Eyes takes you into a world of excitement and danger where thoughts and feelings are overheard and minds can travel to other worlds. Be prepared to immerse yourself in a world where falling in love could cost you your life and nothing is as it seems. Innovera Yakov – The Journey of A Thousand Eyes is the first book in an action-packed fantasy drama series where characters with powers of healing and destruction live, love, compete and disappear without a trace while they are being prepared for the Journey.

Dirty Dancer

Here's the blurb for the first book from my Dirty Dancer series, which is due out either at the end of this year or near the beginning of 2014. It's based around Trey, a minor character from Behind the Hood, and is new adult.


Dirty Dancer Vol. 1 (Dirty Dancer #1)
by Marita A. Hansen.

Trey has always considered himself too soft, his pretty-boy looks and big heart getting in the way of surviving in the most dangerous neighbourhood in New Zealand. To counter what he thought were faults, he joined a gang at a young age, took up boxing and bedded every girl who took his fancy. But after the leader from his gang viciously attacks a rival, Trey chooses to help save the man's life. As a consequence, he is kicked out of the gang.

Devastated over the loss of his friends and the only life he's known, he begs his mother to move out of the area, the threatening messages he receives from the gang-leader also behind his decision. His mother agrees, but on one condition: He must sign up to the place she works at, a prestigious dance school in one of the wealthiest suburbs in Auckland, where the biggest danger a student has to face is being rejected by a clique of girls, their leader Summer Vega having the power to make someone's life hell.

When Trey turns Summer down on his first day at the school, more concerned with the promises he'd made to his mother - to only concentrate on his studies, something he'd neglected in the past - Summer brings winter to his life, freezing him out of all the top dance opportunities the school has connections to, as well as making him a laughing stock by picking on his Maori accent and his underprivileged background.

Trey does his best to ignore Summer, but when her actions start to threaten his mother's job, he confronts her, demanding she stops. Summer agrees, but, like his mother, has one condition: That Trey becomes her boyfriend. He begrudgingly accepts with the intention of ruining every date they go on, so Summer will dump him. But when he starts to fall for her, will his actions destroy a love he never thought was possible, or will Summer stick by him, even when his dangerous past comes knocking at her door.

Crying Out Silent

I have FINALLY started writing book 2 from the Graffiti Heaven Series. Well, I didn't just start, but have had failed attempts at getting it going, unlike Behind the Lies, which just flowed, mainly because it was a direct link on from Behind the Tears. However, on Friday night I stayed up really late because I got an idea for Crying Out Silent, and my fingers just went on its own tap dance across the keyboard, not wanting to stop. The thing that set this book off was, like the beginning of Graffiti Heaven, a real experience, which I often incorporate in my books. Although Graffiti Heaven's first chapter was based around someone else's experience, I decided to pull out of the hat one of my own for Crying Out Silent. However, I have weaved it into the story in a different way, because this is not my tale, it's Llewellyn Davies'.

This leads me onto the main characters in this book. Obviously, I've let slip Llewellyn is one. You will remember him from Graffiti Heaven as the shy gay, red-headed boy who is picked on by Ant. He has a MAJOR part in this book and develops a friendship with Ash Rata, the other main character in Crying Out Silent, because both of them have had similar experiences, to Ash's shock. I have only written from Llewellyn and Ash's points of views at the moment, but just to let you know, Jenna Hamilton will AGAIN have her own point of view chapters. I think my editor would kill me if I didn't put her in there, but anyway, her chapters are a means to see into Kelley's situation, the runner who is now unable to walk. Plus, Jenna has linked herself closely to Ant, and because of him and her problem with not being able to let Ash go, she again causes trouble, her jealousy now wrongly aimed at Llewellyn, who she sees as a bad influence on Ash, because she's believes all the lies that Ant has filled her head with, plus she needs any excuse as to why Ash doesn't like her.

And a special note, this will be my first book written in first person (I instead of he). I haven't done this before, because I don't tend to like doing it, but because of the diary writing the boys do, it's necessary - and it actually works well, giving a different insight into the characters without the barrier that third person perspectives have.

One warning: I know I put this book to be due out this June, but because my other series has become more popular, namely Behind the Tears propelling it, I have to force myself not to be distracted by this book (even though I want to be), because Behind the Lies needs to come out first. Plus, I also work, so I have to choose one over the other. However, it does not mean that this book is being put on hold completely, I will keep working on it, I just need more time, and to take stock that more people want Behind the Lies first, which DEFINITELY 100% has to come out in June. So, I am now looking at September for the release of Crying Out Silent. Don't tell me off! I'll try my hardest to get it out sooner, but I have to make sure that Behind the Lies is my number one priority with my writing.

P.S. I will add updates when I can, so you know I'm not slacking, and that I'm trying my best to get this book out for you.

#SPECIAL NOTE: It is looking like Behind the Lies is going to have a name change due to the direction that the story line is going. The name I'm considering strongly now is: BEHIND THE LENS.

FREE TODAY - Behind the Tears

FOR TODAY anyway!

To trust is to get hurt, to be loved could end in death.

Everyone sees Ash as the toughest of the Rata brothers, the tall, tattooed man who is untouchable. But not many know of his past, of a tormented youth, which almost saw him take his own life. For ten years he's lived with the nightmares of his stepfather raping him, and how it destroyed his family. Further tormented by his first love leaving him, he tries to move forward with his new partner Beth, but is unable to open up to her, his past continuing to eat away at his soul.

Beth knows Ash is keeping her in the dark, and every word he doesn't say, every secret he keeps, pushes her further into his brother's arms, someone who doesn't understand boundaries, a trait that has given Dante a wild reputation: the man every woman wants to bed. Hedonistic and uncontrollable, Dante desires Beth to the point of madness, his bipolar condition worsening with the stress of his hidden desires. He wants to control her, to take her, but he is deeply reliant on Ash, and like his brother, he hides his true nature. On the outside he shows a confident swagger that gets him the attention of both sexes, but on the inside all he wants is one woman who sees him as more than a sexual object.

Sledge, the youngest of the three Rata brothers, finds himself in a different situation, dealing with the affections of his best friend: Beth's brother Corey. Diagnosed with cancer, Corey wants Sledge more than life itself, even though he believes Sledge is homophobic and would find him disgusting if he confessed his love. But when another man shows interest in Corey, Sledge's jealousy eats away at him, and makes him reassess his sexuality, and whether he could be more than a friend to Corey - whether he could be his lover.

As the Rata family's love life is thrown into tangles, the brothers' stepfather escapes from prison with one thing on his mind: To get Ash once again. Someone he will kill for - and has killed for.

*Dark Romance (R18)

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