Category Archives: Art,

A Smile is The Sweetest Reward

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Working in customer service for years, I’ve often found the most important thing you can give your customers is time, the few minutes it takes to create that feeling of human connection.

A sense of connection is a basic human need. Unfortunately for some of us we can find ourselves isolated and alone especially in our present time with the challenges we are faced with.

Some of my customers really need to have a chat and feel connected more than they need to buy groceries. I may be the only person they have a genuine conversation with all day and I’m aware how much of an impact the way I respond can have. I feel privileged to be part of their day and always hope I made their shopping experience that little bit brighter. Talking with them about their children, grandchildren or pets can bring the sunniest smile to their face and one to mine seeing the positive difference a little banter can bring to their entire demeanour.

I reckon a book can help do the same thing for people. It can create a connection so a reader can feel part of the story, be best friends with the main character, empathise with them, see through their eyes, and experience an adventure running alongside their favourite hero or villain.

I believe I owe it to my audience to put the work in to each of my main characters, so they have the power and strength to carry the reader high on their shoulders for the entirety of the journey.

And just as I believe that it’s an honor to work in service of other human beings, I trust I’m equally blessed to have the opportunity to build a story that might transform a life for the better, assist someone recognise a change they need to make, or that they’re not alone in life. My greatest hope is to be able to create a story that demonstrates the truth; that we are each challenged, we all make mistakes and need a little help sometimes and all of us have the power to change, grow and triumph.

I write for myself because I love it, but I write for you too. If my story can generate a feeling of connection and meaning for my readers, you’ll see me smiling a big bright sunny smile all year long.

So, to everyone I say, “Thank you”.  Thank you for being that special person I write for.

Can My Leading Lady Hold Her Own on The Big Screen?

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When creating my scenes especially dramatic action-packed scenarios they play out like a movie in my head. I can envisage what my characters look like. I can hear their voices, the different pitch and speech patterns. Spending countless hours planning my novel, embellishing my characters I can’t help but imagine them up on the big screen. I don’t know a thing about screen writing or how different it is in comparison to writing a novel.  I still have my novel writing L plates firmly plastered to my forehead and find I’m learning new things about story telling daily. Probably a good idea to finish my novel first, before I attempt adapting it to script format. Still the idea of screen writing seems exciting and it’s always fun to dream.

In the meantime, I have discovered some amazing software, Final Draft 12, this is a professional screen writing program with a load of features and is widely used by the entertainment industry. I especially like the look of the Enhanced Beat Board and the formatting is to industry standards. I plan to purchase Final draft 12 when I can afford to and of course once my books published. 😉

Once armed with this great software I’m going to take a shot at adapting my novel to screenplay just for the fun and the learning journey it will take me on.

Can I even think of good Logline?

“Subjugated by her first crush, Liora ultimately breaks free. Struggling to get back to herself, she realises her ascendance as a woman, discovering an underlying darkness only she can oppose. As events unravel in the sleepy town of Wilstell Ferry, will Liora’s fortitude be enough to save those she loves.”

How’d I do?

A Picture Says So much… a Book Cover Says Even More

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The general consensus is “have your book cover done professionally” and think of it as an investment to assist with your book’s commercial appeal. My common sense tells me this is definitely accurate, but my creative side is making up book cover images in my head. The practical side is doing the sums of the money it costs just to have it published. Can I save on the book cover if I do it myself? Realistically are the savings worth it? If you’re not on the mark, you sabotage your potential sales and undermine your professionalism.

I have a few artists in the family capable of putting together some stylish artwork for the design. There is an abundance of information on the basic requirements for a good book cover and tips to draw your perspective audience to your work. Making sure your cover provides a sneak peek into the story and denotes the genre your novel exists within are important aspects to include. If you can succeed in having your readers connect with your protagonist from their first glimpse of your book cover, your ahead of the game. I think I can do all that but still, do I want to risk it?

I’ve been considering using Book Brush, its less expensive than some of the other apps I’ve investigated. From what I’ve read its not too complicated to use, has many features and resources. It can help you make regular covers; 3D covers and covers for digital versions. You can add text and stamps easily and search over 1 million free images. Sounds good, doesn’t it? I have a link to Book Brush on my page if you want to check it out.

I’m still early in the conception of my first novel length thriller, I think I have a way to go before I’ll be needing a book cover, so I have ample time to consider my options. I’m feeling inspired by my characters and their adventures to turn the images in my mind into something tangible. Being so invested in them makes me want to be as much a part of the book as I can but I also owe it to my characters to give them my best shot at having their story read. I don’t want our intended audience taking a little taste of the cover and turning away. I want people turning pages and devouring it…

If I have a professional do my cover and I’ve almost convinced myself via this blog post that I ought to, I can offer my sketches as an outline of what I want anyway.

If I do design anything worthy, I’ll post it 😊

What’s your experience, have you had a book cover professionally designed or are you not there yet same as me?

Cover designed with free trial Book Brush