Word Refiner
  • Start Here
  • Word Refining
  • Learn More
  • Books I Have Refined
  • Promote Your Book
  • Acclaim from Authors
  • Book Reviews
  • Previous Book Reviews
  • Boomers on Books
  • Blog: Words For Thought
  • Highly Regarded Blogs
  • Guest Blogs
  • Contact
  • Hyper-Speller Humor
  • The Hyper-Speller interviewed
  • In memory of Grizz
  • Start Here
  • Word Refining
  • Learn More
  • Books I Have Refined
  • Promote Your Book
  • Acclaim from Authors
  • Book Reviews
  • Previous Book Reviews
  • Boomers on Books
  • Blog: Words For Thought
  • Highly Regarded Blogs
  • Guest Blogs
  • Contact
  • Hyper-Speller Humor
  • The Hyper-Speller interviewed
  • In memory of Grizz

​book reviews

Favored by Priscilla B. Shuler

8/20/2022

53 Comments

 
Multi-volume, multi-genre author, Priscilla B. Shuler introduces us to her mystery story, “Favored”:
She was left for dead. Now all the townspeople rally together to hunt down the perpetrator…
South Carolina. Sheriff Boyd Custer is fit to be tied. Enraged that someone under his protection was brutally attacked, he vows to do whatever it takes to expose a murderer. And to spring the trap, he keeps a secret that the killer will never suspect…
As the search for the man responsible heats up, Sheriff Boyd heads a group of mourning friends and families while knife-edge feelings rip open old wounds and inspire acts of heroism. But when the tragic truth is finally revealed, this tight-knit community may never recover.
Can they heal from the devastating blow of a horrifying crime?
FAVORED is a mind-blowing standalone murder mystery. If you like small-town characters filled with faith, surprising twists, and startling happily ever afters, then you’ll love Priscilla B. Shuler’s thought-provoking tale.

Picture
This is a powerful story! Nobody has been white-washed or their actions excused. Everyone gets to live with the consequences of their choices, frequently, for many years. Just like real life.
This is an exciting Christian Historical Fiction book and I really enjoyed it. The major storyline is the solving of a crime of rape and severe physical abuse, almost to the point of death. There are several other storylines also involving secrets, marital unfaithfulness, alcoholism and more.
My faith is encouraged by the reading of this book. Make no mistake, this book is full of Christian concepts and precepts. Anyone can read this book, but if the reader is not a Christian, they may find some of their beliefs challenged and they may not understand everything in the book.
I enjoyed the book a lot and give it 4.7 stars!

Picture
You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Favored-Priscilla-Shuler-ebook
https://www.goodreads.com/-favored
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/favored-priscilla-shuler
 
You can follow the author:
twitter.com/ShulerPriscilla 
https://priscillabshulerartistauthor.com
https://www.amazon.com/Priscilla-B.-Shuler 
www.facebook.com/priscilla.shuler.33 

​I have reviewed another book by Priscilla, "Kuimba": 
www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/kuimba 

Copyright © 2022 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction
53 Comments
Priscilla B Shuler link
8/23/2022 07:14:14 pm

FAVORED needed writing. I wanted a platform to expose inner feelings of many assorted people from all walks of life. The story morphed from ‘seeing’ shadowy figure(s) running through dark woods with wavering flashlight(s) haphazardly lighting the way. There’s no way I can assure a reader of complete rapture through the reading of my tomes, but I find myself carried away within the channels of my minds’ thought processes. I write as scenes emerge. Such entrance often takes me into cul-de-sacs where I become stymied. Here, I search for avenues that might lead up to my first scenes. Setting the story in an area very familiar to me provides ease in developing surroundings as well as sub-characters that embrace many of the beautiful people I know/have known through my long years on this earth. There’s no secret that my personal life is deeply connected to The High Power of all creation. Most of our language call Him GOD. Since His Holy Spirit is my mentor, guide, companion, etc. I find it impossible to negate His sure infiltration into my writing.

Reply
Mark
8/23/2022 07:25:31 pm

Thank you, Priscilla. That is a great opening statement. You almost answered a couple of my questions.

So, let's back up just a little bit.

First questions.

What inspired you to write this book?

Why did you choose this genre, or do you feel the genre chose you?

Reply
Priscilla B Shuler link
8/23/2022 08:19:34 pm

Inspiration has to emerge from the mental scenes of memories… Or from a single word: ie, ‘scrabbling’. …Or from an unusual natural sight, (blood red stalks of the poke berry weed). … Or from an acquaintance who experienced the horror of childhood incest. …. This world is rife with subjects to be brought into the light and fully examined. I’m blessed that I’ve never been constrained by subjects of a single or two genre(s) that - in my mind, would ‘box me in’. One of the beautiful benefits of writing is truly that ‘the world’ is exposed by our fingertips. Imagination has no limits, however, I enjoy more toward realism than sci-fi.

Reply
Mark
8/24/2022 08:19:32 am

So true, Priscilla. Inspiration can come from anything. I have read that inspiration can come from smells also. PTSD can easily be triggered by certain scents.

New question.

Your book, Favored, is listed by Amazon as Christian Historical Fiction. How would you categorize your book without the limitations of Amazon?

Reply
Priscilla B Shuker link
8/24/2022 08:41:17 am

FAVORED might best be described as ‘all encompassing’ since it speaks of ordinary, everyday people. Ie: lonely elderly, young boy, law enforcement officials with deep secrets, homeless Vet, deeply intelligent hunter, gentle grieving mother, restaurant crew, suspicious mail carrier, mortician, minister, doctors, nurses, etc. This tome gave me such freedom to bring to the reader some ideas - from my point of view, of the everyday people they pass by each day and might never have the sweet opportunities to get to know. … I might term this book to speak to the reader of interestingly mundane issues mixed with a deeper lying horror perpetrated by evil lying in wait to surface through some chosen mundane, ordinary individual. … A story of evil being overcome by good.

Reply
Mark
8/24/2022 11:09:34 am

Favored certainly deals with the everyday lives of ordinary, small-town people. I feel like the book is pretty modern in its context, yet it can't be any later than the late 80s because no one has cell phones. Those devices followed by widespread internet access have truly been dividing points in history.

I love how you included so many different people who are at different stages of their lives in Favored. You painted quite an interesting picture. Your characters are very real, three dimensional because they all have secrets and weaknesses.

New questions.

Who designed the cover of your book? Feel free to drop a link if appropriate.

Was it hard to come up with the title? What was the process?

Reply
Priscilla B Shuler link
8/24/2022 11:31:47 am

The cover of FAVORED was painted by me. My son, Victor, did all the other covers, but at the time I finished FAVORED, Vic was inundated with jobs and could not take time to read the book and come up with an appropriate representative cover. Since I have no propensity to ‘see’ the ideal cover, I simply tried to attract the book browser with the face of a sad, beautiful young woman… the heroine. The title was initially FORTUNATE. I soon realized that ‘Fortunate’ occurs by chance… negating the direction by GOD, whereas FAVORED is definitely of Holy origin and not not any other Spiritual force.

Reply
Mark
8/24/2022 12:07:01 pm

The cover is unique. It isn't glossy or highly polished. It definitely shows the human hand. I like it.

I think you made a good choice on the title, and I like your reasoning. The Hand of God is everywhere in our lives whether we know it or acknowledge it or not.

New questions.

Were the character names difficult to develop?

How did you choose them?

Reply
Priscilla B Shuler link
8/24/2022 12:52:37 pm

Years ago I started a list of names! There are first, last, male, female, childhood, pets, places, etc. I’ve really used that dog eared piece of paper … probably ought to redo it ‘losing’ names already used. Then again, I ‘see’ the name of my characters more often than not. When I began THE MEDALLION I envisioned a witch over a steaming cauldron and her name ‘came to me’… Gretchen. There are times, as characters develop they outgrow their initial names and I go back and upgrade them with whatever I’ve determined suits their character best. However, I certainly understand that whatever name I perceive to be ideal for my characters might induce an entirely different concept in the mind of the reader. I guess it’s a phenomenon readers must put up with in order to get as much entertainment as possible for the book.

Reply
Mark
8/24/2022 03:28:25 pm

Very smart to have a list of names like that. As you know, names are very important to the story and must match the time period and region. Having a name that is popular in a different time period can throw your readers off. There are websites devoted to the popular baby names for each year and sometimes for different regions or countries. Some of them go back for hundreds of years, as long as birth and death records have been kept.

New question.

We promoted another book of yours, Kuimba. The link is above under the review.

What other books and genres have you written?

Reply
Priscilla B Shuler link
8/24/2022 03:47:32 pm

As previously stipulated I don’t believe my books encompass just one or two genres. I think they run the gamut. I’ve not yet been led to maintain a genre by forwarding toward a continuation of any book. I’ve thought about it, but it’s never ‘grabbed’ my attention. Presently I’ve a novel in my trusty Dell dealing with a suicidal middle-aged man. Never known anyone close who committed suicide, but had blood relations in my fathers’ family to die by their own hand. Dads youngest brother took his own life years ago leaving a wife and two young sons. My father never got over it. … Researching will very likely be traumatic but I have to embed myself in it enough to draw on the emotions bringing one to even contemplate such. … A problem to be faced is I’ve promised myself that every book I write must have a happy ending… there’s that to deal with. Guess we’ll see how I ultimately hand this one. 🙄

Reply
Mark
8/24/2022 05:09:20 pm

Suicide is a heavy topic. I am sure that the Holy Spirit will provide the angle you are seeking.

New question.

Have you done any public speaking? Such as a reading for only one example.

Will you be doing more in the future?

Reply
Priscilla B. Shuler link
8/24/2022 06:42:58 pm

Sunday School Teaching cannot be considered public speaking, and that’s really all I’ve ever done formally. I love to address people, love to talk! Have practically no butterflies… maybe old age has given me lots of chutzpah, or maybe I just don’t care. As far as future public speaking, I THINK I’d love to, as long as I’d be able to present my unadulterated views. Wouldn’t want to be dictated to as to subject matter. I fear this stance could negate ever being invited to speak.

Reply
Mark
8/24/2022 06:59:57 pm

Sunday school teaching is not that much different from public speaking. The group size might be smaller, and the participants may or may not be willing listeners. Most of the time, attendees of a public speaking event are there voluntarily and may have even paid money to attend. Therefore, they are eager to receive the information from the speaker. If the speaker knows their material well then all will be pleased by the result.

Authors can speak at many different forums. Here are a few: A book signing, or reading are both good opportunities to present your book and very likely sell a few copies, local book clubs, service organizations such as Rotary or Kiwanis, bookstores, libraries, craft fairs, farmers markets, flea markets, county fairs, book conventions, comic conventions (AKA comic cons), superhero conventions, local radio, TV and cable access stations, college literature courses, literature clubs, high school and college broadcast arts courses or clubs, local neighborhood newspapers. Many of these venues are looking for people to interview, they have broadcast hours they need to fill. Some are public speaking others are an interview format. Exposure is exposure, especially if they show a picture of your book. Who is the expert on your book? You are! No one knows your books like you do. Low hanging fruit, waiting to be picked.

New questions.

Have you entered any writing contests?

Have you won awards of any kind for your writing?

Reply
Priscilla B Shuler link
8/24/2022 09:46:39 pm

As well as I can recall, I entered a short story in a contest being run in an artists’ magazine. Can’t think of the name of the magazine but it had the word TRAIN in the title. It is no longer in business. My short story got Honorable Mention and I was as thrilled as if I copped the lottery!
As far as my published fictions, all six have received awards of one ilk or another through one of my marketing companies… Chrysalis Brew located in Australia. Seeing those award seals decorating the covers of my books. Is a real blessing. In fact, am presently working to get all the covers brought up to date with their attendant award seals.

Reply
Mark
8/25/2022 09:06:37 am

Congratulations on those achievements! I have no doubt that is very gratifying. That is a good idea to update your covers with the awards.

The contest landscape has probably changed a lot since you entered that last contest. Scammers have gotten involved with contests as well as other areas of writing and publishing. Here is a great blog on the topic, a copy-and-paste link or hit the search box below: Beware Bogus Writing Contests! Look for These 8 Red Flags. https://annerallen.com/2019/05/beware-bogus-writing-contests Anne Allen is one of my favorite bloggers.

New questions.

Do you have an email newsletter available for people to subscribe to on your website? Why or why not?

Of the five senses which is the easiest to write and which is the hardest?

Reply
Priscilla B Shuler link
8/25/2022 11:08:01 am

Concerning the ‘email newsletter’ on my web site… I’m not aware of such, so I probably don’t. Honestly, I emerged into/onto this scene at such an inappropriate age until I know I’m ignorant about SO many available avenues I should take advantage of, but don’t know about. At this point in my life I’m bound by the circumstances of caring for my 93 year old Beloved Husband. He cannot make a day without my help. We’ve celebrated 71 years of marriage, and shall continue. His welfare is more important to me than my attempting to update my knowledge of everything ‘out there’ to aid in getting really successful in promoting my books. Hey! But here I am with the best! Word Refiner!
Five senses… probably ( for me) I can imagine trying to get the reader to experience a character’s sense of touch/feeling sensation… such as describing the feeling of touching velvet, maybe. Then I’m guessing that sight might be the easiest to describe. But honestly, who knows… I don’t think I’m aware of deliberately conjuring up concrete ideas to bring stuff into the reader’s mind… I simply write what my mind experiences as I live the scenes.

Reply
Mark
8/25/2022 12:19:29 pm

Caring for your husband of 71 years is paramount. Pretty much everything else can wait.

Here is an idea. Copyright law allows an author's estate to hold the copyright and the legal right to all profits and royalties from your writings for 75 years, the last time I looked. Perhaps there is a family member, maybe a grandchild who would be interested in overseeing that part of your estate and cultivating a fan club and increasing the number of readers. More sales equals more royalties or profits. There are also many opportunities to publish in other languages and alternate formats.

Audio books come to mind as a popular alternate format. English is the official language of many countries but not the USA, go figure, and English is taught as a second language in many other countries around the world. There are more than a hundred million people who access the internet only with a smartphone.

Graphic novels are another popular format. This book would make a good graphic novel.

Both of these formats are expensive to produce and they are frequently funded through crowdfunding sites such as Kickstarter.com. Here is an extreme success of one crowdfunding project, copy-and-paste time again: https://kriswrites.com/2020/07/22/business-musings-the-kickstarted-game-changer-part-two/

New questions.

Have you ever participated in theater in some way?

What kind of marketing has worked the best and the least for you for this book?

Reply
Priscilla B Shuler link
8/25/2022 03:11:56 pm

Your question about ‘theatre’ brings a smile to face and memories… my only brush with theatre was during my school days… wearing crepe paper costumes sewn by my mother. Miss Lillie Mae Workman was the 5th, 6th, 7th grade teacher in our country school. Three classes in one room! I was blessed to enter that room in 6th grade, when moving from Albany Georgia to Chappells SC at 12 years of age. Of course the lower grades were taught in the other two rooms. FYI… once I completed 7th grade, I was bussed 10 miles to Ninety Six SC where I finished school. BUT, I’m wandering aren’t I? Back to Lillie Mae; nearly from the first time time she saw me, she clapped her hands and declared she’d found her ‘Queen of Hearts’. The class was in the throes of preparation for a school play, and I must have fit in with her idea of that role. Asking me if my mother could sew, I answered in the affirmative. Soon I arrived home with two packages of crepe paper and a picture of the costume. Within a few days I was taking that most beautiful costume back to school. Mother made a feed sack bag to cover it as I trekked through hill and dale, across weedy meadows, across highway 39 to our school. … Wish I could remember the title of that play. I DO know there were lots of different fairy tale characters that interacted with each other. Jack Frost vied for my affections. Can’t recall what the outcome was! 🙄 Once I got to Jr High and High school there were yet more plays. This time, mother made costumes of fabrics that we paid for. In any event, school days provided my only opportunities for stage/theatre exposure.
Truthfully, my books have gleaned more productive mileage from you, Mark Schultz, and through Chrysalis Brew quartered in Australia. Am also being marketed via a local company here in Newberry - Best Version Media. I must say, I reap very little monetary gain through Amazon. KDP (previously Create Space) was truly the only venue available to me when I initially decided to pitch my books. Cost was the deciding factor.
… Think I’ll take your advice about handing this ‘business’ over to one of my children… or a very smart grandchild who may be interested. Need to cogitate this mess. Thank you, Dear Mark.

Reply
Mark
8/25/2022 05:28:08 pm

That is a great story about your days as a young thespian! I was in a few plays also, with very few lines because of my stammer.

I am glad I could help build your business in a small way. Let one of the kids or grandkids run the business for you, you just keep writing.

New questions.

Do you have a favorite song?

How do you know when a book is finished?

Reply
Priscilla B Shuler link
8/25/2022 05:43:07 pm

Coming up with a favorite song is difficult. I love music, and through the years my tastes change. Presently I love Simon and Garfunkel’s SOUND OF SILENCE sung by some man with a gravelly voice... can’t recall his name. Too, from Phantom of the Opera, MUSIC OF THE NIGHT intrigues my senses.
Finishing a book has to ‘feel right’ as when an indrawn breath can now be released. Until that feeling emerges I continue to write.

Reply
Mark
8/25/2022 06:55:33 pm

I was listening to Simon and Garfunkle in high school. I enjoyed a lot of their music. I am not familiar with the other. My wife mostly likely is.

That is as good of a way of knowing when a book is finished as any other.

New questions.

Did anything in the book come as a surprise while you were writing?

How long does the research process take before you start to write a book, or do you do the research as you write the book?

Reply
Priscilla B Shuler link
8/25/2022 07:23:01 pm

Heavens yes! I’m constantly being surprised by scenes stumbling into my mind when I thought I’m was heading in another direction. I grab hold of the new idea and run with it. Sometimes (mostly) it works out. When I’m led into an untenable situation, I’m quick to back track and discard that path instead of wrestling with it. I prefer to travel through my work with ease.
I DO, however, get caught up in deep research and must alter a previously determined course as being impossible. Then I’m caught and must wrestle/figure out my new direction.
I think I research when I reach the need to enlighten my knowledge of a subject I’ve very little actual knowledge of. Like in THE MEDALLION I entered London when the Thames was so polluted it was barely flowing… causing huge health problems… the stench was unbearable… cholera and dysentery. I was forced to research deeply in order to explain the discomfort of my characters.

Reply
Mark
8/26/2022 07:14:45 am

Many authors run into situations like that. Merrily writing along thinking they know where the story is going to go next. Then a character pops up and says, "No, this is what should happen next." or something like that. The authors are surprised and occasionally annoyed, after all, who is writing this book! Similar to your experience, the unexpected plot change usually works out for the better.

That sounds like some serious research. Those diseases were devastating.

New questions.

How much time passed from when you got the idea to write your book; then actually starting to write the book?

How long did it take you to write the first draft?

Reply
Priscilla B Shuler link
8/26/2022 08:39:24 am

I usually begin a new book by quickly scribbling down ideas/scenes, etc randomly wherever I am the moment some scene, idea arises. When I was impressed by the sight of those blood red stalks of the poke berry weeds, I was driving along a back country road and handed the ‘ever handy’ little note pad to my husband and and had him write down those words. Later, when there’s quiet time and I can begin (hopefully uninterrupted) I pull up WORD and begin typing. Pulling myself into the scenes unfolding before my eyes. I confess it takes me a relatively long time to churn out a complete book because my life is one of constant interruptions. I find it imperative to write down ideas/scenes on any scrap of paper I have at hand in order to maintain them until I am able to return to my computer.
I seldom (probably never) write a first draft. I think I surge forward, retreat, rewrite, lunge ahead to way beyond the ‘present’ … back and forth… read, reread, suffer through the same scene, tweaking as I go. You’d think the final sigh would give me a pristine manuscript. Not the case. I type with no thought to proper punctuation and correct spelling. When an idea is surging, I don’t care about that… getting the scene, conversation down is my goal. I remind myself… ‘I’ll fix that later’.

Reply
Mark
8/26/2022 10:17:55 am

Your writing process mirrors that of many other authors. I think that is pretty smart to write every idea down as it comes to you, thus preserving the moment of inspiration. Another idea that you may find useful. I imagine you have a smartphone like most of us do. You may find it easier to dictate a memo to yourself and possibly attach a picture to the memo.

I also think it very wise of you to write that "first draft" without regard for spelling or grammar. As long as you can understand it. The first draft has only one purpose and that is to exist. Once it's out of your head you are good to go. It's not possible to edit the story until it's out of your head.

Another thing that I encourage writers is to not worry about writing that first draft in sequence. I tell them to write whatever comes easiest. One of my prolific guest bloggers, Rick Hall, wrote a great blog on my website, here is the copy-and-paste link or search for it in the box below: http://www.wordrefiner.com/guest-blogs/non-linear-writing

New questions.

Going back in time, did you do any kind of creative writing, even back in grade school?

How early was it that you realized how powerful words can be?

Reply
Priscilla BbShuler link
8/26/2022 10:55:38 am

In high school I wrote a ‘romance’ story of a couple of sisters… an angelic one and an evil one. The evil one coerced the fiancé of the angelic sister into a sexual encounter and made sure the angelic sister found out… causing the angelic sibling to take her own life. Then the evil sister married and made sure her husband ‘paid’, for ever thinking he had been in love with the sister. Boy! I suppose I was led by my own teenaged raging hormones!?
I have no idea when I ever became aware of the power of words… but early on I experienced how terribly they can affect one. My brother gave me (literally) decades of self-loathing. When my permanent teeth emerged, I was missing a tooth in front next to my front tooth, causing a very noticeable gap. He sneeringly hung ‘Snag-Nasty’ onto my heart. From that moment until I was 36 years old… when my dentist in Alexandria Virginia (husband stationed in the Pentagon) installed a fake tooth in that slot, I smiled with a closed mouth. Kept my head down. Introverted. … Dear Father God! Spoken, as well as written words have tremendous power because they imbed themselves into our brain matter! How many little children have found life unlivable from bullying? I know my brother had no idea of the depth of his words, but he was reacting to my smile probably from wishing I didn’t suffer from that unhandy condition and said the first thing to come to mind. The old adage of “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me” is an absolute farce! Words are capable of doing more damage to one’s heart then sticks and stones. Conversely!! Kind, loving words soothe the soul. Would that humanity could embrace that concept. This evil old world might become a tad more enjoyable.

Reply
Mark
8/26/2022 12:45:59 pm

That was quite hormonal, no doubt.

Yes, words do have a powerful effect despite the old saw. We both experienced negative effects during our formative years.

I was the second smallest guy in my junior high and senior high classes, I also had a definite stammer. I suffered quite a bit of teasing and abuse.

The Bible speaks many times of the importance of positive speech. I like Proverbs 25:11 quite a bit.

New questions.

A lot of new authors struggle with finding beta readers. Because, after the first draft is done, fresh eyes and feedback become very important.

Do you have alpha-readers and/or beta-readers to help you smooth out a lot of wrinkles before publishing?

If you don’t, why?

If you do, how did you find them?

Reply
Priscilla B. shuler link
8/26/2022 01:12:30 pm

I know this exposes my ignorance but I’d never heard of a Beta Reader! I did every bit of editing by myself until I sent my first novel - TWO CAN PLAY, to an Agent. He worked diligently with me … shipping printed manuscripts back and forth containing his markings and suggestions. We finally got it decent, and then I was told to wait for him to see if he could find a publisher. Meantime, I was writing DADDY JACKS PLACE and queried friends, if they knew of anyone that might edit for me. I paid over $500 for the editing of DJP! Since those days, I’ve worked with Rachel Newhouse to edit for me. Sadly, errors still abounded. I have probably pulled my published books to make corrections and upgrades a half dozen times. In fact, FAVORED is presently being reinstated since this last round of editing was done.

Reply
Mark
8/26/2022 04:34:55 pm

As you might have guessed, a beta reader is someone who is willing to read a draft to help you ferret out errors and plot holes, anything that disrupts the smooth flow of reading.

Many writers use civilians, people who aren't involved in the publishing industry, they are true readers. Other writers like to share their manuscript with other writers for honest critiquing and frequently returning the favor in turn. Some use both.

Our brains respond well to new material and find a lot of errors in the manuscript. When an author has been working the same manuscript for weeks or months, the brain gets fatigued and shows the material to the author without noticing the errors. Brain Fatigue is partly why I find spelling and punctuation errors in almost every published book I read.

Here are some tips for self-editing. Change the font size, style and color, change the background color on the screen, read the manuscript aloud from the end, one paragraph at a time. Print the manuscript out with all of these changes and read it aloud. Your brain will think it is new material. Some word processing software will also read the manuscript aloud for you.

New questions.

Do you have other writers you connect with, as in a critique group or support group?

What is the most important thing you learned from publishing your latest book?

Reply
Priscilla B Shuler link
8/26/2022 08:05:27 pm

No. I’m swimming these waters all alone.I have no one with whom to commiserate. I suppose I’m most connected (artistically) with my son, Victor. He’s interested in writing. Has done a couple of short stories and in fact, suggested the theme of KUIMBA. He is an accomplished artist and is entering a couple pieces in our upcoming State Fair. I hope he cops some award ribbons! My two beautiful daughters are equally talented, but in different avenues.
Guess the most important thing I’ve learned from publishing, promoting, marketing my books is that these efforts are extremely expensive! I’d honestly venture to say I’ve spend upward of 8-10 thousand dollars over the course of my writing/publishing/marketing years trying to get enough traction to recoup this exorbitant outlay. Thus far, the horizon still looks more like a sunset than a sunrise! But, I must admit, I have enjoyed this extended trip.

Reply
Mark
8/27/2022 08:59:17 am

Maybe you can find someone local who is an author. If there aren't any authors where you live check in at a local library or bookstore. You can also leverage the power of social media, use the search function on your favorite platform you may find several authors near you.

You are right, getting noticed is the biggest problem for most authors. With more than a million new books published each year, it's very hard to get your book in front of prospective readers. That is where advertisements and promotions come into play. They are expensive. Your experience mirrors that of most authors. It is a long-term game, like the stock market. Every book an author publishes helps to build the intellectual property base and increases the chance of writing financial solvency. Don't forget, there are many forms a story can be packaged in and sold, as we have previously discussed.

I think most authors would agree with you. They are enjoying their journey.

New questions.

What are three things, that you wish you knew before you wrote your first book?

Do you have a hero, real or fictional?

Reply
Priscilla B Shuler link
8/27/2022 09:44:47 am

There are plenty more than just three things I wish I’d known before ever seriously putting pen to paper… how excruciating the process is for me. … Akin to giving birth through endless bouts of labor pains! How disappointing it is to find out that very few readers care enough to stop by and tickle your baby beneath its chin, or pat it gently… lingering long enough to see it smile! … How heart-rending it is to find ERRORS abounding in my pristine ideas stubbing toes within the Perusers reading flow. … How horribly expensive the entire process is to return such pitiful benefits. … Being informed by some all-knowing stranger that my book cover certainly is misleading! … And the list goes on.

I do honestly believe my earthly hero is found within the integrity of my husband of 71 years. This dear man, without doubt, is simply honest, almost to a fault. I truthfully say he has never taken advantage of another living soul. More than once he has given money we really couldn’t afford to individuals I thought weren’t nearly as needy as they portrayed themselves to be, to be assured by my husband that “God knows their heart, and He knows mine.” Our family never suffered from his integrity; only benefited. Everyone of our children are superior in their assurance of righteousness. Are ever open to anyone of any stature, no matter how diminished. In their sight every man is worth saving. … I firmly believe that their earthly father is the power behind how wonderfully well our children grew to adulthood.

Reply
Mark
8/27/2022 11:08:15 am

Most authors, if not all, would certainly agree with your list. The author's perspective is quite different from the reader's point of view. For readers a book is a source of entertainment or information.

Your husband sounds like a wonderful man. Very giving and loving. It sounds like your kids turned out well also.

New questions.

What are three things you love about writing?

What is the most valuable piece of advice you have ever received from another writer?

Reply
Priscilla B Shuler link
8/27/2022 03:35:53 pm

I’ll venture to admit I love seeing my thoughts emerge from a scrap of paper… being free to twist words to better suit my ever-changing vision. It would be sad, to my thinking, if we had to revert to only the voice to relay our stories. Passing histories on via an elder is lost at their passing and the listeners are left with only those remembrances retained. A ‘hit or miss’ venture at best. I believe books are superior keepers of every sort of information. I love seeing my books graced by the hands of strangers! I love interacting with someone who seems excited to begin reading something I’ve written. I DO have trepidations sometimes fearing they might be disappointed in me… not so much in the book… but in me. Wonder if this comes from my childhood of deep trepidations?
Sorry to admit I have no other writer’s input to fall back on… BUT, you, Mark have provided me with some awesome advice. Don’t know if I’ll be able to avail myself of much of your varied suggestions, but at least I have them in abeyance. My free time is nonexistent presently. However, I was up early this morning where I picked up on a work waiting in WORD for continuation. Been very busy this day with my husband but that hasn’t stopped me from thinking of ongoing scenes that, hopefully, will soon be written into the book.

Reply
Mark
8/27/2022 07:23:40 pm

Oral traditions are difficult to maintain at best. Unless a concerted and lasting effort is made in the community to share and preserve the stories.

Johannes Gutenberg's invention of the printing press with moveable type might be the most important invention in more than a thousand years. Some think it as important as the internet and I would not argue against that. Books are a far superior method over hand scribing a book and over oral tradition.

I do love books. When I was a boy, I wanted to read all of the books. The library in our small town probably had only a few thousand books and those were probably the books I had in mind. I had not seen a big library at that point, I think.

I can almost imagine how much of a thrill it would be to see someone reading a book I had written. That would be so very awesome! Every author shares that feeling with you, and I think they share a similar trepidation also.

I hope you can find some fellow authors it would be a pleasure for you and for them to connect. I am glad I have been able to share some writerly wisdom with you, I have been hanging around writers for some time now and some of it is rubbing off on me.

I know you don't have a lot of free time now I am grateful that you are sharing your time with me here.

New questions.

What are common traps for beginning writers?

Do you think a strong ego is an asset or liability for a writer and why?

Reply
Priscilla B Shuler link
8/27/2022 08:11:17 pm

Common Traps? I’ve no idea… but from my own struggles, I might consider that it’s difficult to press on! One gets tired. One thinks this is futile. One listens when one says ‘No one in their right minds will ever actually pay money for this!” Losing impetus is the elephant stomping through the mind! I think daring to plow ahead in the teeth of self-assured failure takes a grit too easily lost. Hanging on by one’s fingernails must demand commitment! Believe in oneself and commit!

Absolutely. Ego is the kindling to keep the fire of creativity burning. Now… too much ego will soon undermine productivity by lulling the writer into thinking anything produced has to be worthy. A sad misconception.

Reply
Mark
8/28/2022 10:58:18 am

You illustrated the inner struggle writers deal with on a daily basis quite well. That inner voice that disparages everything a writer produces, non-writers suffer from the same inner liar. That voice seeks to isolate us and bring us down. I tell writers to ignore that voice.

A strong ego is necessary to withstand the doubters, lack of reviews and sales. As you point out, balance is necessary, nobody has ever written a perfect first draft.

New questions.

Can you describe the demographic of your ideal reader?

Who is the person most likely to buy your book?

Reply
Priscilla B Shuler link
8/28/2022 11:36:23 am

Ideal reader? Thinking a woman with some mileage. One that could easily identify with ‘everyday characters’ in KUIMBA, FAVORED, TWO CAN PLAY, and DADDY JACK’S. PLACE. As for RAT and THE MEDALLION most any adult woman might be drawn to them for simple entertainment. I was really surprised when a man read TWO CAN PLAY with the intention of proving the premise impossible to pull off. To my delight, he capitulated to my rendition of that story and agreed that, indeed, it had been feasible.
I suppose an individual in search of realistic fiction and sheer entertainment might be drawn to purchase my books. Who knows? There’s no accounting for taste in books or anything else. We’re all completely individual personalities with tastes that run the gamut.

Reply
Mark
8/28/2022 02:03:37 pm

I think you are pretty accurate in your analysis, though I think many spiritually minded men will enjoy your books also. Because I have read and reviewed Kuimba and this book, Favored. Don't change your writing to aim for a male audience, your writing is fine.

I like that story about the guy reading your book to prove you wrong.

I like that moniker, realistic fiction.

New questions.

Do you have an item or a routine you consider to be your writing lucky charm?

Do you struggle with writer's block, if so, how do you overcome it?

Reply
Priscilla B Shuler link
8/28/2022 05:17:05 pm

No… I have no charms, amulets, crystals, schedules, etc. I believe the only source of my strength and guidance flows from The Holy Spirit of my Father God. His ever-present guidance HAS to influence my writing as well as every aspect of my life.
I don't think I’ve suffered ‘writers block’… yet. This might be blamed on the fact that my writing hours are interrupted constantly with forced ‘blocks’. As I make beds, assemble meals, mop the kitchen, care for my husband… my mind is delving into those last scenes in my writing and investigating assorted directions being taken by my characters. For instance- In my newest work… an elderly man has been found dead in his den by his wife and my two main characters are attending her, calling 911, etc. As I labor, I envision those four and shove them into assorted conditions, etc. once I’m able to get back to my keyboard, I’m ready to try any-all those ideas to settle on the one that seems to work best.

Reply
Mark
8/28/2022 05:26:24 pm

Very nice, the Holy Spirit is more than enough.

Many writers admit to struggling with a creative block at one time or another. You might be on to something with short writing periods and lots of interruptions for daily living activities. Those familiar and repetitive activities release your creative mind to work on the writing issues and solves them for you easily, it sounds like. I have recommended to many writers to perform easy and familiar activities, whether indoors or outdoors, to get past writer's block.

New questions.

Do you see an advantage of writing under a pseudonym, why or why not?

Are there any writing styles or genres that you disliked at first but came to like after reading a book or two?

Reply
Priscilla B Shuler link
8/28/2022 06:05:27 pm

Never was tempted to use a pen name. Don’t know why… never gave it a passing consideration.
Sci Fi has never appealed to me, and I don’t know why. My life itself was so full of unbelievable traumas until maybe I’d experienced enough sci-fi in reality. Too… I never cared for ‘undead’ zombie reads. But I did deliberately purchase such a fiction with the promise I’d read and critique his book as he would mine. Chapel Street was surprisingly an interesting read and I gave it 5 stars. I don’t recall that author ever reciprocating, though.

Reply
Mark
8/28/2022 06:43:26 pm

I am not surprised that you don't use a pen name. Some authors want total anonymity or no connection between their writing and career or family, others craft a pen name that fits the genre they are writing in, some write in multiple genres and have multiple pen names.

The trauma you experienced as a child made self-preservation a priority, other genres were likely far more attractive to you than the flights of fancy represented in science fiction. Some, like myself, appreciated the escape from reality and trauma that was provided by sci-fi.

I am not a fan of gory stories, bloody horror or heavy zombie action. We agree about that completely. I watched one episode of the very popular series, The Walking Dead and it was more than enough. A small part of me appreciated the special effects and the other part of me was horrified and felt traumatized.

New questions.

Do you think reading, watching movies or listening to music help you be a better writer?

At this time, do you read books for entertainment or just research homework?

Reply
Priscilla B Shuler link
8/28/2022 06:57:38 pm

I cannot say that seeing a movie or hearing music makes me a better writer, but… it seems that every sense affected by outside forces are fodder for some story scene. The Simon-Garfunkel SOUND OF SILENCE displays poignant scenes flooding my mind as my ears absorb those fabulous sounds and words. Music- even instrumentals offer scenes for my mind.
Only read for entertainment…I have a tall stash of books I’m looking forward to reading later. … I will open The Holy Bible to glean some special verse(s) for a special place in a novel. But most deep research is accomplished via the internet.

Reply
Mark
8/29/2022 07:55:46 am

Music is powerful, it can affect each person in a different way. The images that appear in our minds are very personal.

I have so many books on my Kindle waiting to be read it's starting to get heavy. ;-) I know that feeling well.

New questions.

What type of book is your favorite guilty pleasure to read or listen to for fun?

Have you ever read a book that changed the way you look at writing?

Reply
Priscilla B Shuler link
8/29/2022 09:28:31 am

My favorite author is John Grisham… I enjoy everything he’s written. My other favorite genre is historical romance where the author pulls me into drafty castles, across foggy moors, interacting with costumed gentlemen and ladies. But! I’m not crazy about extended sex scenes. A little ‘sex’ can go a long way… easily becoming so distracting until I’ll drop the book and get it out of my house. I love a story that soon opens the door and bids me welcome. I like dialogue of the era and location. Am not crazy about audio books as (to my way of thinking) the voice often doesn’t lend itself to my notion of how the character needs to sound in my mind. My conjured characters have voices that perfectly suit their persons and personalities. Lord Harry Martindale is tall and thin, but with a deep voice… kindly commanding, whereas Gretchen’s is rough and certain of her rightness.
I suppose most everything I’ve read, seen, heard, experienced has/is affecting my way of writing and seeing how I write. I consider writing more or less as breathing… every molecule of oxygen feeds every cell and every life experience feeds my brain with verbiage and sights and smells… etc. … … isn’t it one more wonderfully marvelous thing our Father God gave us - His created beings - the delightful ability to create something that another human can use to enthrall themselves for a few hours. … HE is worthy of all our devotion and praise.

Reply
Mark
8/29/2022 11:40:31 am

I have read several of Grisham's books and watched a few of the movies, I have enjoyed all of his work so far.

I agree with you about the historical romances, they can provide a fun escape as long as they are not too steamy.

I understand what you are saying about audio books. I can get around that issue. I have a bigger problem though; I have trained myself to block all extraneous noise when I am reading a book. Unless I speed up the playback to 1.4 or 1.5 times the normal playback speed, I quickly block it out and lose where I am in the story. Speeding up the playback forces me to maintain my focus.

New questions.

Do you think that a writer needs to read books, why or why not?

What hurdle did you face in writing this book and how did you overcome it?

Reply
Priscilla B Shuler link
8/29/2022 11:49:53 am

Somehow, I’m convinced all writers must be readers! I cannot keep from reading other authors. Maybe it’s in the DNA??

The biggest hurdle I needed to conquer in the production of FAVORED was the ranking of law enforcement officials in the small town. I am blessed to know a retired officer who helped me. In fact, FAVORED is dedicated to this wonderful friend.

Reply
Mark
8/29/2022 01:30:05 pm

Yes, I think all writers need to be readers also. I think a writer needs to be well read in the genre or genres they are writing in, but they should read in other genres also, there is something to learn in other genres that may be useful.

One writer expressed the idea to me that he purposefully didn't read books in his genre because he didn't want to be influenced by other writers or worse, accidentally steal an idea. He didn't understand that there are no new plot ideas, there are no new plots, all plots can be summarized in 12 to 20 different plots, depending on who is making the list. That writer, thinking he was being so smart avoiding the influence of other writers is likely doomed to repeat all of the mistakes that others have made before him.

Each writer has a voice, a way of telling the story that is unique. That is why 20 writers given the same prompt will write 20 different stories. All with the same words, for the most part.

Last questions.

What were your intentions or your goals when you wrote this book?

Do you feel you were successful in getting that message across to the reader?

Reply
Priscilla B Shuler link
8/29/2022 01:49:29 pm

I suppose the ultimate goal of FAVORED might be that the reader accepts the assurance that forgiveness of the unforgivable is possible, albeit only through one’s Spiritual connection with Father God. One of my reviewers found Colleen’s ability to forgive her attacker completely irrational and unacceptable. Our ‘old man’ isn’t capable of such forgiveness. Not until we’ve been afforded the beautiful experience of complete - never looking back- forgiveness of our own sins might we find ourselves capable of such freedom.
Forgiveness in untenable circumstances has to hinge on the miraculous. All I can say is that I tried. Preaching from the pulpit of a fiction provides great license. Just as in a formal setting… one takes away what one will.

Reply
Mark
8/29/2022 03:18:54 pm

That makes a lot of sense to me. When we have been forgiven much, we can forgive others. We all need forgiveness in our lives. If we don't forgive, then the price we experience is very high.

Thank you, Priscilla for writing Favored, I enjoyed the story and was blessed by it. I want to thank you for being a fabulous guest on the Word Refiner channel. I have another promotion starting tomorrow so I must bring our time to a close.

Until next time, keep on writing.

Reply
Priscilla B Shuler link
8/29/2022 06:08:42 pm

Thank you. From my heart, I need you, Mark Schultz, to realize how tenderly I hold our relationship and how important it is for my shaky ego. You are brilliant and I’m blessed to have been led to connect with your talents. Sincerely, Priscilla

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Who am I?

    An avid reader, typobuster, and the Hyper-Speller.  I am a husband, father, and grandfather.

    Contact

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

"I'm very pleased with all your efforts. Twitter promotion and proofreading were beyond what I expected with a book review. Your suggestions throughout the process of refining both books helped me immensely. I look forward to working with you again."   A.E.H Veenman “Dial QR for Murder” and “Prepped for the Kill”