Elements of Voice

Voice--Personality

Through diction, syntax, punctuation,

paragraph length, imagery, detail, word choice, diction, sentence structure

Persona

Friendly/acerbic, playful/focused, warm/cold, authoritative/casual, inspiring/demeaning, professional/crass, relaxed/tense, reserved/controlled, objective/subjective,

logical/emotional, (in)sincere, (non)apologetic, critical, curious, ironic, hopeful, sentimental, sympathetic, solemn/flippant, cynical/naïve

Language

Complex, simple, jargon-filled, insider, fun,

serious, whimsical

Tone (positive, negative, neutral)

Personal, honest, humble, clinical, direct,

scientific, trustful, gleeful, cheerful, sarcastic,

pessimistic, aggressive, polite, rude, urgent

Style

Formal, informal

Access

Narration, near-far person, omniscient, intrusion

Camilla Monk - SPOTLESS

One might expect (slightly) over-the-top characters, plot, and situations might doom a novel, but in this case, it made this shiny penny the shinier. And a fun read.

I loved the protagonist and her 'love' interest, empathized with the evil antagonist, enjoyed the American-French-Japanese connections, the writer's voice, and intelligent humor (Okay, smart mouth).

I give SPOTLESS a strong thumb up.

Find it here for the price of a cup of coffee.

I'll Probably Be Playing...

...With this cover until I publish it.

Coming up with a cover...

Is so much harder than you'd think

The Covers are Harder than Writing the Novel

Nearly Ready for Beta Readers

If you're interested in beta reading for me...my next edit, during Kindle formatting, will be done soon...message me and let me know. I will owe you for eternity.

I especially need female readers to make sure I didn't take the humor too far, when building the characterization for my female personalities.

Blurb:

Guv-Gulliver Simon loves single life. While he’s avoiding the cops for two deaths he’s tangentially connected, two women he thinks of as sisters, mostly-usually, have decided they don’t want to be just friends. There’re a couple other females who wish to make him a daily habit too. He strives to avoid what they consider inevitable as they all become harder to ignore. It’s all a guy can do to stay sane, while making it to the gym every night.

An un-romance, a tale of career gone wrong, with a tad of humor and suspense.

Fav Passage - I'm Editing Novel #40

“Drove by, to see if your bike would be here. It was. I stopped. Don’t ask me why. Crazy getting between a man and the two women who love him. Even though I think we make a good tango together.”

I closed my eyes. Had I stepped into some alternate reality a couple of weeks ago? I couldn’t remember drinking heavy, since I don’t drink, and I don’t do drugs, and I didn’t remember stroking some alien artifact.

Title and Cover in process.

I've Typed 'The End'

So the easy part is done.

Now I have to edit and edit and edit and edit
Come up with a final Title
Come up with a final Cover
Here's my draft cover and Title

Draft Blurb:

Guv-Gulliver Simon loves single life. While he’s avoiding the cops for two deaths, two women he thinks of as sisters, mostly-usually, have decided they don’t want to be just buddies. There’re a couple others who wish to make him a daily habit too. He strives to avoid what they consider inevitable as they all become harder to ignore. It’s all a guy can do to stay sane, while making it to the gym every night.

Favorite Passage - Current WIP

“You see her Jag?” Dad asked.

I was looking at Evil’s eyes. Brown. On the lighter side. Like her hair. Oozed emotion. Apology. Angst. Hope. Some others I couldn’t put words to. Maybe fear. That she shouldn’t have jumped at Mother’s idiotic invitation.

Meghan Ciana Doidge - DOWSER SERIES box set

I previously shouted out book 1 of this series. I'm glad they are a set, because they are really one long novel. I'd love to edit it, take out the backstory in 2 and 3, take a dozen or so scenes out of each and merge them into one story so there is a beginning-to-end story arc. That said, I enjoyed the author's wit, characters, and world, so I still recommend the read

Find it on Amazon here 

Shadows Book 4 is LIVE

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WV58B4L

A novel of suspense and attempted romance.

Former Olympian Bea Ruud rolls a wheelchair compliments of a sociopathic stalker who will not die. She’s experienced hell the past year. Victim. Alcoholic haze. Person of interest. Mother’s murder. Her sole goal is to reinvent herself with the broken body she has left. Late to the competitive venture of love, she doesn’t feel she brings much to the game, but oddly, multiple admirers ignore her intrinsic flaws. Her dad’s pick, the former SEAL. The other SEAL. An architect. A shrink. A fibbie. They should be smart enough to see she’s no grand prize.

Meghan Ciana Doidge - CUPCAKES, TRINKETS, AND OTHER DEADLY MAGIC

If you enjoy the witch-changeling genre-trope, you will enjoy this book, the first in a series.

The writing is enjoyable and crisp, the characters rich, the story clean and lively. The main character is likable, and those she shares the limelight with intriguing.

Added bonus, as of right now, it's free in Amazon. Snap it up > here

Shadow Affection

A novel of suspense and attempted romance.

Former Olympian Bea Ruud rolls a wheelchair compliments of a sociopathic stalker who will not die. She’s experienced hell the past year. Victim. Alcoholic haze. Person of interest. Mother’s murder. Her sole goal is to reinvent herself with the broken body she has left. Late to the competitive venture of love, she doesn’t feel she brings much to the game, but oddly, multiple admirers ignore her intrinsic flaws. Her dad’s pick, the former SEAL. The other SEAL. An architect. A shrink. A fibbie. They should be smart enough to see she’s no grand prize.

Suspense, Humor, Action, Thriller,

Romance, Contemporary Fiction

Find On Amazon KindleUnlimited

Coming Soon

Book 4...days are ticking before it hits Amazon.

Former Olympian Bea Ruud rolls a wheelchair compliments of a sociopathic stalker who will not die. She’s experienced hell the past year. Victim. Alcoholic haze. Person of interest. Mother’s murder. Her sole goal is to reinvent herself with the broken body she has left. Late to the competitive venture of love, she doesn’t feel she brings much to the game, but oddly, multiple admirers see past her intrinsic flaws. Her dad’s pick, the former SEAL. The other SEAL. An architect. A shrink. A fibbie. They should be smart enough to flee.

Ready for Beta Readers Soon

My latest in my Shadow series will be through major edits soon, and be available for beta readers. If this Suspense-(small case r) romance interests you, send me a note.

Former Olympian Bea Ruud rolls a wheelchair compliments of a sociopathic stalker who will not die. She’s experienced hell the past year. Victim. Alcoholic haze. Person of interest. Mother’s murder. Her sole goal is to reinvent herself with the broken body she has left. Late to the competitive venture of love, she doesn’t feel she brings much to the game, but oddly multiple admirers see past her intrinsic flaws. Her dad’s pick, the former SEAL. The other SEAL. An architect. A shrink. A fibbie. They should be smart enough to flee.

Favorite Passage

Mom really should have talked to me more about boys.

But I was always off to play soccer, basketball, shoot guns, or jump out of a plane. Ah. It dawned on me. I’m as butch as my two cousins. How could I have never noticed that before? Did they think of me as butch? Assume I’m gayer than the color yellow?

AN AMERICAN KILL - John Stonehouse

This is the second book in the Whicher series. I found it better than book one. Texans weren't all made to sound like total, illiterate hicks. The story was richer. The point of view more in the characters head (close POV). The random description seemed to take me out of the story a little, instead of place me in the setting as it should...but don't take these nits too seriously. I'm a writer after all, and critiquing is 'my business.' The typical reader will glide over them.

I encourage you to give Stonehouse a shot. Especially if you like police procedurals, and a little suspense. Or if you're a Texan. Or like the US Marshal trope. You may even come away picturing the protagonist from JUSTIFIED.

Snap it up here.

Today's Favorite Passage

The next three hours I worked hard to spread the attention around so no feelings were hurt. Jonathan and Francis ran out of chips before nine-thirty, the light weights. They rose from the table and hit the food again, but didn’t return. They sat in the short couches on the left, against the glass, facing each other. I almost pulled a groin trying to listen to their conversation. Francis isn’t above broaching any subject. Jonathan is skilled at killing. A bad combination.

Fav Passage

No secrets with Anthony. “Yes, I haven’t made a decision.”

“If you want to talk about it—”

When had the cuz and I ever talked things over? We were always busy racing motorcycles, hunting for victims for two-on-two full court. It was really hard to find takers. Between his Rollins six-seven and my fast feet, we had a lot of fun when we did, though.

I once heard a comedian say two women can meet and know each other’s menstrual cycle and sexual status in seconds. Male, long-time best friends might not even know their buddy has a twin brother. They grunt about the weather and the last game on TV.

Nature intended that I be a man. Though Anthony and I were once inseparable, we didn’t—share.

Then he went to Annapolis, and I was off to Brown. During my summers I interned in DC.

Favorite Passage in my WIP

Maybe I could get Rand on two wheels.

“No,” Rand said. “I’ve been shot at enough, dropped from airplanes, dismantled bombs, avoided IEDs. I’m not getting on a Florida highway on two wheels.”

“Pansy.” I guess I have to chose him. He indeed reads my mind.

I told him he’d have to ride or he couldn’t join the family. He said he was already part of the family. I told him he was only a shareholder.

An American Outlaw - John Stonehouse

Just finished this novel. I'll voice one nit, then move along. I'm from Texas. We speak slowly. New Yorkers get impatient waiting for us to finish a sentence. But we know our nouns and verbs as well as anyone, so the over-stressed accent and backwater language drove me a little insane. 

Aw, glad I got that off my chest.

Now I can tell you that this was a great read. Great characters, well developed. I've been to Terlingua and seen the beer-drinking goat. I've spent time in that desert, so can appreciate the realism--it really is no-man land out there.

The story is intricate, without daring to become tedious. The plot rich. The juxtaposition between the relentless lawman and flawed antagonist is intriguing (and oddly sympathetic).  The conclusion wonderful.

Pick this up. You'll be glad you did

Find it here on Amazon.

A Favorite Passage in my WIP

We didn’t speak as we headed for the lobby. I must be drawn to quiet men. Raised by the tight-lipped John Ruud. Perigrino acted like every sentence cost him a pint of blood. The average chick would never guess Rand could put a noun and a verb together.

What a GREAT Title

Immortal Plague - Aiden James

This came as a trilogy package. I was pumped about connecting biblical history to a fantasy immortal. The connection was interesting, but I was left wanting more. The writing was good. The action was okay. The characters were good. But I kept feeling as though the characters weren't responding as I expected (not enough motivation to take the great risks they were engaging in). I minor glitch. If you love immortal fantasy, I think you'll enjoy this.

On Kindle here.

HOOSIER DAD - Elizabeth Seckman

Hi Mac! Thanks for letting me stop by and spread the news about my newest book. Before I get to the self-promotion, I wanted to share this vacation pic with you. We took it today while on vacation. Our old dog, Grizzly, is eleven years old and he's having some hip problems that make walking on concrete nearly impossible, but he still loves to play on the beach. The problem? Our beach cottage is several blocks away from the beach and the walk there is mostly concrete and steps. ...how does he get there? 

Hitch a ride with your human!

Boy #2, Cole, and Grizzly

Properly trained, a man can be dog's best friend. 

                                                       Corey Ford

Now, about that book...

Sarah can hold her own in a courtroom, but when it comes to love, she’s 0-3 and Rich was her biggest loss to date. 

Hoosier Dad is available for pre-sale:

 Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Smashwords / kobo.com

Elizabeth is a mom, a wife, and the caretaker of far too many pets, all of whom her children swore they'd take care of. But they went off to college leaving fur babies in their place. She is a multi-published author of women's fiction and romance. 

Blog / Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

Every Paragraph...

...should have a line this good:


Uncle can drive a cold stare across a par four with a sand wedge. Maybe a nine iron.

Two Brothers Two Shadows

New, Third Edition now in Amazon

on amazon

Fav Passage

I'm preparing to go back to work on a book I stopped working on in 2017, reading the previous book to get my mind into the 'world'. I loved this passage...

“So how are you taking retirement?” I asked as she pulled to the exit.

“Never been so bored in my life,” she said. “Maybe you want to liven things up and attract another stalker.”

I laughed out loud. That was more a Rollins crack, not a sweet, Belinda Aguilar Ruud comment. 

“She can laugh,” Mother mumbled.

“So maybe moving back to Ohio would be good for you,” I said.

“Ah. We pull you from the morgue, coddle you hand and foot, and now you’re ready to kick us to the curb.”

“Just you,” I said. “Dad can stay another week. I love him.”

She cackled. She liked that one. 

JOHNNY REVENGE - Remington Kane

Do you like police-procedurals? Do you like noir-style? At first the Joe Friday, 'just the facts, ma'am'  staccato pace, annoyed me. But it very much fit the mood of this story, and eased in later chapters.

Interesting characters. Great story. Intriguing plot. Good writing (but be prepared for omniscient writing -- personally, I'm a near-1st person bigot; but I still enjoyed this novel.)

Prepare for lots of evil. Good cops. A required incompetent cop. A little lusting on the side. Easy to miss a little sleep slipping from chapter to chapter.

Free on kindleunlimited, or the price of a cup of Starbucks coffee.

NEVER SAY SPY - Diane Henders

This is Ethan Hunt meets Stephanie Plum. Imitates a cozy mystery with Mission Impossible intrigue.

Intended for entertainment purposes only. Hang up your brain and just enjoy. (may imply a plot that runs off the reality rails)

Hope you don't mind the eff bomb. Otherwise the writing is rich and enjoyable, the main character lovable, side characters riveting.

A couple nits … the intro lacks a little clarity, and you have to be patient for it to make sense. The protagonist is involved in dangerous situations, away from 'the plot' … and the explanation of action too often explained afterward in dialogue.

Otherwise a great read.

Free on Kindle. Can't beat that.

WARRIOR WENCH - Marie Andreas

I close a lot of books without finishing them. Finish a lot of books without noting them here ... it's been a while since I've given a book recommendation.

So for you SF fans, here's an author I'll recommend, with one caveat. Great story, great characters, great setting, but the story line doesn't wrap up ... a huge WTH will occur when you reach THE END ... but although Andreas pushes you over a cliff to buy the next book, you still get a nice read. I really loved this flawed but intriguing character; lots of action; fun aliens out the wazoo.

On Amazon

Fav Passage...

...as I edit one of my original novels.

I watched in a little shock as the thousands added up in my passbook. I
didn’t have a clue what to do with the money. So why did I keep selling the shit?
Never came up with a reason. Just did. Like gravity. Didn’t do much good worrying about it because every tomorrow turned into a yesterday no matter what I did.

Favorite!!

I'm loving this cover. I know I still have some iffy covers, but I love this image.

- the Hermit Writer

I'm on a Roll

I've updated my cover for my standalone Ghostly novel

He appeared on the other side with no memory of his past. Eagle tattoo, weightlifter-build, and comfort on the basketball court are the only hints to who he was. History of the live-ones he's near pours into his head though, also their thoughts, emotions, even glimpses of their future. He learns this is unique among his kind, as is another inconvenient shortcoming. He forgets most of the previous day. He searches for purpose. His meddling endangers the lives of those he tries to help, generates ire in his fellow spirits.

Web Page Updated

...with all new covers for the series. 

http://rmacwheeler.com/

Getting Closer...

The Hermit Writer

Test Drive of new covers for 6 Ways series

Be sure to click to enlarge

Maybe New Covers for...

Working on my Shadow Series now. This may be the final look. Don't know. Let it sit and stew a while.

Web Page is Updated with New Covers

And I'm so excited I'm shaking.

SAVING MAGGIE Urban or Grunge?

The LYCAN Series Covers are Coming Together

SAVING MAGGIE Cover

Reworking the Lycan Council series covers. I particularly like how the cover for SAVING MAGGIE is coming along.

Covers are hard!!

If you have any thoughts on the series concept / a preference for book 2, let me know?

BLOOD OF STONE - Jayne Faith

Latest recommend: Jayne Faith is a great writer. Puts her words together well, dialog even better, which ratchets her up several notches in my book. Her characters are rich. Her fantasy world is describe enough to get me into the story -- I'm known to skip ahead with a lot of fantasy world building. Just isn't as important as the story. But Jayne gives you a fun story on top of that.

That's a pretty kickbutt cover too, huh. And currently it's free over in amazon.

New Trailers - NEW ORDER APOCALYPSE

I've completed publishing a NEW EDITION of my New Order Apocalypse series, and have loaded a trailer for book 1 and 3 over on my trailers blog. I invite you to pop over and give me your impressions.

click here

SURVIVING - New Order Apocalypse 3

I have clicked publish on the NEW EDITION of NOA 3.

Chloe and Ginna Lee must decide whether to continue Jason’s dream to unite survivors of Earth’s shredded population, or concentrate on surviving. Chloe hasn’t the tact to play ambassador and Ginna Lee is more likely to take heads than spread good will. Promises little hope they can build an alliance, especially if peace hinges on a cure for Jihad. Meanwhile, the landscape they must cross still writhes with roamers and desperate clans.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K5WB63I

Fav Passage - SURVIVING

They pretty much looked like every other starving survivor I’ve ever crossed paths with. Filthy clothing, hands filled with whatever odds and ends didn’t fit over their shoulders. Their life possessions. Most of it less than useless. The pathology of the long-starved. They hoarded garbage, perhaps to give them a sense they had something.

What they needed most usually, was a bar of soap. To stop by a mall and scrounge a new set of clothes, even if it was two-decades-moldy.

[Edition Two in edit]

Test Driving a New Cover for NOA 3

Second Edition of NOA 2 now Live in Amazon

Thirty-three years after an engineered plague shredded Earth’s population, technology barely sustains a starving few on the Eastern Seaboard. After returning from a mission to the heartland, Jason Kates ignited a revolution that turned the CDC from a ruling order back to a scientific organization.

Now, Jason leads a team of pioneers West to feed what remains of civilization. The convoy must cross lawless lands, avoid scavenging bands, and negotiate passage with desperate clans. But he and the tiny Chloe will be propelled into a larger scheme.

On Amazon

Favorite Passage

The cruiser jolted and shook.

“Crap!”

I hadn’t expected to make it out of Atlanta without some group of losers trying to blow us up. The glass by my head feathered from impacts. Hundreds of hits vibrated through the cruiser’s frame, through my seat. Felt a little like massaging fingers, but a little deadlier.

[Editing in Kindle now]