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By: Mark Miller,
on 8/18/2013
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From the land of Empyrean
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Keith will be making his first appearance at Authors in the Park's Booktoberfest on October 5th (Details HERE). In the meantime, he would like to discuss the challenges of genre hopping and plotting out a good story.
You started it, how are you going to finish?
As I pushed through the first draft of You Killed My Brother, I started to doubt the story was good enough. I had always written in psychological suspense with elements of horror, and never psychological crime. I wanted to jump genres to prove that I could do it. So when I started the editing process and began to work out the finer details of the plot in You Killed My Brother, I got about halfway through when I placed my red pen down (yes, I handwrite my manuscript as well as my edits). That is when I gave up on the story.
For the first time in my writing career, I was battling self doubt and questioning my capabilities as a writer. What I had written was crap and I needed to get away from it. Forget it ever existed.
Working on the same story day after day for months, writing, revising, and making sure all parts of the plot are connected can be grueling. There is no doubt it is the most important part of the writing process, and it exposes every flaw. Every page was filled with red pen, spilling onto the back of the page as well. Frustrated and knowing I was looking at entire rewrite, I decided was going to break away from You Killed My Brother, I shifted my focus to a new idea. It felt refreshing to be back in psychological horror; after all, it’s where I am most comfortable. The intricate plot and creepy scenes of the new story challenged my imagination. But I had a distraction that was quite literally nagging at me
The idea that I had spent months, had lost hours upon hours of sleep, had chosen THAT story to write and I abandoned it was nothing short of quitting. That bothered me. I’m not a quitter. That’s not the trait of a writer. We put our time in, bleed out an array of emotions, work out painstaking details and hope our readers connect with what we do.
I needed to see that with this novel. I started something, but allowed frustration to get the better of me. I abandoned it and thankfully it was calling me back. But how was I going to finish it and not fall into the same trap?
I stumbled across old outline notes on You Killed My Brother and saw that although some of the details of the story had changed, the original story concept and theme had remained intact. It was a powerful message about revenge. It is a story I purposely geared towards a broader audience than my prior two novels. I wanted people to see what would happen when criminals collided with the wealthy and make it as real as possible.
Seeing my initial passion for the story rekindled my flame, and in a period of time about a month long, I finished the rewrite and completed the novel. And I’m glad I did. It seems the ending has left people a little surprised and I’ve had multiple reader requests for a sequel which I’m currently considering.
So now I’m curious, what have you done that might have helped you through a similar situation?
About the book: How far would you go to make someone pay for hurting a loved one? Rainer is a successful doctor and father of two. He's a celebrated member of the community for his exceptional care and charity work. Brick is a local street thug that can't keep his nose clean. When fate brings the two together through tragedy, the life of Rainer is changed dramatically, setting into motion events that change communities. Glenn is a seasoned cop and Rainer's younger brother. Trusting the justice system, he keeps his desire for revenge in check as Brick is brought to trial. But when the jury hands Brick a lean sentence, Glenn sets out to avenge his family's suffering. But what he forgets in his rage is that for every action, there is a reaction.
About the author: Keith Rommel is a native of Long Island, New York and currently lives with his family in Port Saint Lucie, Florida. Keith is a retail manager and has enjoyed collecting comic books since he was a child (a hobby inspired by a teacher in grade school to help overcome a reading comprehension disability). Keith Rommel is the author of the critically acclaimed dark suspense Thanatology Series entitled The Cursed Man and the Lurking Man. His newest novel: You Killed My Brother is a fast-paced suspense thriller with crime and some rather unorthodox police work. Keith has had several writer how-to articles published and has appeared on numerous radio shows and at many signing events. Keith is currently hard at work on the third novel in the Thanatology Series due out summer 2013.
Get the book here:
JLB Creatives, a Lake County business that is Bringing Light to the Literary World, announced a unique author event for its summer offering asAuthors in the Park returns to Mount Dora. The event, Picnic with an Author, is set for Saturday, July 6th from 11 AM to 1 PM. Ten local authors will gather at the Gilbert Park pavilions, located on the northeast corner of Liberty Avenue and South Grandview Street, near the Mount Dora Lighthouse. Mark Miller, Social Media Executive for JLBC, encouraged fans and readers to join in for the full event. Food will be provided by Mount Dora’s Round Lake Christian Church for a small donation, he said.
“We’re serving lunch the entire time,” Miller said. “Fans and readers will have the special opportunity to sit with the author of their choice or visit all of the authors.” The authors, Miller said, will be reading from their novels, discussing their works, and answering questions for fans and aspiring writers. Genres will range from epic fantasy to local history, and much more.
JLBC Conventions & Events executive and author, Jean E. Lane, mentioned with excitement that JLB Creatives has scheduled talented writers from around Lake County and even as far as Tampa and Jacksonville.
In attendance will be:
Rick Reed - Local History
“We are thrilled how much this has grown,” Janet Beasley, President of JLB Creatives and co-creator of the Authors in the Park event series, said. “Our Facebook page is getting traffic from as far away as England and people are talking about our events at work and school. We work hard to make this very different from your typical author book signing.” Authors in the Park can be found on Facebook at www.FB.com/AuthorsInThePark. “The goal of Authors in the Park fits right into JLB Creatives' purpose. It promotes authors, both self- and traditionally published,” Janet said. “They have good things to share and great books for sale.” Beasley also noted that anyone purchasing a book from one of the authors on the day of the event will get a free hot dog.
To enhance the picnic atmosphere, there will be face painting by Rachel Clunn and a few other surprises, Miller said. “With summer reading in full swing, this is a great event for children and adults.” He urges readers to follow Authors in the Park on Facebook for updates and future events.
By: Mark Miller,
on 12/11/2012
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In five days, the authors are going to be loose! That's right, local authors from around Central Florida are going to be signing books and meeting fans in downtown Mount Dora.
Authors in the Park will take place Sunday, Dec 16th from 2PM to 6PM at the Mount Dora Community Bldg Green Room (520 N. Baker, Mt. Dora, FL).Why is it called
Authors in the Park if they are in a building? Well, this is our first event and we did not want to take a chance on the weather. We are literally across the street from well-known Donnelly Park and we will have a Welcome Booth set up outside, along with live music performed by the Round Lake Christian Church Youth Band.
Inside, we will have 9 authors representing a huge variety of genres for all ages. There is absolutely something for everyone.
We will also be an official Baby DJ drop off location, as heard on XL 106.7 FM. Who knows, maybe one of your favorite on-air personalities will put in an appearance!
Here is the amazing part: Local Mount Dora businesses, supporting the arts, have donated close to $1000 in gift certificates and merchandise to be used in our gift basket raffle. That means we will have 10 baskets with almost $100 worth of gifts in each. Winning is simple, but you have to attend to win. For every $5 you spend with one of the
Authors in the Park, you get one raffle entry. Even if you don't win a basket, you still win with a great book!
Check out the authors scheduled for Sunday:
Janet Beasley
Julie Compton
Jean E. Lane
Amy I. Long
Mark Miller
Theresa Oliver
Amy Sellers
C. Kevin Thompson
Rebecca Wilson-Shore
Can you believe that talent? Who would have thought so many gifted authors live right next door?
Here's some of the fine print. The event is presented by
JLB Creatives and
MillerWords.com. It is sponsored by the Mount Dora Library Association (
www.MountDoraLibrary.org). We would like to thank the City of Mount Dora Parks & Rec Department for their excellent cooperation. We would also like to thank all of the local businesses that have generously donated to our gift basket raffle:
Amy Sellers Art Gallery, Barrel of Books and Games, Copacabana Cuban Cafe, Cupcake Delights, Debbie's Dog Treats, The Frog and Monkey, Gold in Art Jewelers, High Five Frozen Yogurt, Home & Garden Treasures, KaDee Kay Gourmet Kitchen Products, Ken's Place, Long & Scott's Farm, The Lost Parrot, Maggie's Attic, Merrill's Market, Mt. Dora Veterinary Clinic, Mt. Plymouth IGA, Oakwood Smokehouse, The Olde Clock Shoppe, One Flight Up, Permanent Solution Hair Salon, Race Car Diner, Stoneybrooke Publix, Whispering Winds, The Windsor Rose Tea Room
Please visit
to learn more about the authors and our supporters.
Check out the Facebook event page
and let us know you're coming!
What more can I say? We hope to see you there!
Merry Christmas
and Happy Holidays!
Amulet Books, 2010
I've been blogging about this great new book by local author Tom Angleberger.
I went to one of his book signings and blogged about it here.
He recently was on WDBJ7 for an interview. I linked to that here.
There was a great article about this book in The Roanoke Times. But, I hadn't blogged about the book itself. Until today. My writing group friend,
Angie Smibert, told me about blogging about a book that you think is awesome. It's called "Spread the Awesome" and we are supposed to blog about a book that deserves 10 stars. It's promoted by
Elana Johnson. The big day is May 3, so I held out on my lovefest of this book until today.
Gist of the book: Dwight is a nerd and everyone knows it, but Dwight has this Yoda--an origami Yoda. Yoda gives advice and talks in that strange sentence structure that Yoda speaks in. The book is told from different character's points of view each giving their story about their encounter with origami Yoda and whether he really has powers. It's like a case file collection of Yoda and his advice and whether it worked or not. The whole book is filled with hilarious stories of what Yoda has done for each character and the healthy doubt that comes from believing a talking folded piece of paper.
Top Five Reasons I Love this Book:
1. It is hilarious. What is funnier than a nerdy kid carrying around an origami Yoda and giving advice to his friends? It's LOL funny.
2. Boys will love this book. I'm a teacher and I bought a "school copy" of this book from
Scholastic Book Clubs. I do book talks about different books.
I showed the video of Angleberger talking about this book, and showed them them the
Roanoke Times article about it. The book literally flew out of my hands. I am taking my signed copy to school tomorrow (which I normally don't do) because so many kids want to read it. I also will be placing another Scholastic order for some more copies. And by the way, girls will love this book too.
3. The design of this book is kid-enticing. The cover jumps right out at you. The pages inside look crinkly--like some kid wrote his story, then crumpled it up and threw it in the trash can because he was so embarrassed. There are cool drawings and doodles throughout the book that make it fun and kid-like.
4. Angleberger is a master of characters. He makes these characters real and really nails the voice for each one. It would be difficult to write a distinctive voice for each kid that tells his story about Yoda, but he does it and does it well.
5. He's a local author. He writes for our local paper. I love seeing local authors become really successful. Need I say more??
11 Comments on Spreading the Awesome: 10 Stars for The Strange Case of Origami Yoda, last added: 5/5/2010
I'm always excited when a local author does well. Tom Angleberger and wife, Cece Bell, are two of my favorites.
Tom Angleberger's new book is out, and he was doing a local signing at the very awesome independent bookstore, Ram's Head Bookshop. Even though his new book is too old for my five year old daughter, I took her anyway and I bought the book for myself. Tom kindly showed her how to make an origami Yoda. Here are the pictures.
Makenna makes an origami Yoda. Mommy thinks she needs a new camera. These pictures look a little fuzzy.
Are you an author looking to get school visits? Are you an educator looking for an author to do school visits? Check out Kim Norman's new site that lists authors by state. Our local reading council is always looking for authors to come for our events. This is like one stop-shopping. If you are an author and would like to be listed, check out the site and find out what you need to do to be listed.
Authors By State
I am currently bouncing off the walls with the excitement of my life! My very first original painting sale happened today, four days shy of the artwalk (well besides the paintings that were sold at Doctors and Derrieres for charity). I couldn't be happier. Really! A client of mine asked to see what I had for sale so I invited him (and his family) to my studio to take at look at the display I was creating for this years Whyte Ave artwalk. I almost cried when they left my house (with pure happiness). My little paintings could not have found a better home. Truly.
Here are the paintings (Spring Lady will still be available to view only at the artwalk if you'd like to see her before she goes to live at my clients home). :)
YAHOOOOOO!!!!!
-Crystal
Great review, Marcie. I'll have to get the book!
Awesome! Another boys book!
Omgosh...this sounds so funny. Really, you had me at the title!
This sounds and looks hilarious! Seriously, if the book is as good as the cover, I'll be in heaven when I read it.
I have never heard of this book. How is that possible, it looks fantastic! I'll blame it on its newness. Thanks for letting us know about it.
What a fantastic title! Sounds like a wonderful read. Thanks for the recommendation!
I actually picked up this book at the bookstore today and very nearly bought it. Next time, I will! Thanks for the review! :-)
My son would love this! Thanks for the rec!
this sounds hysterical! My son will lose it, after I read it...
Thanks for the awesome!
My son just bought this book while we were on vacation in South Carolina. It's hilarious! Good choice :)
Excuse me while I go add this book to my must-be-read-right-this-minute list. :o)