Book Review: Danielle Bannister

Pulled by Danielle Bannister

If you love books about soul mates and love overcoming all obstacles then I highly recommend reading Pulled.  The imagery is fantastic, the characters so real you begin rooting for them from page 1.  I downloaded Danielle’s book last night and finished it in less than 24 hours, which is really saying something for a busy mom. 

Pulled is Danielle Bannister’s debut novel, and a darn good one at that.  Thanks so much Danielle.  Let me know when your sequel is ready!  I’ll be waiting.

Book Description:

Pulled is a love story of Twin Flames connecting. When college freshman, Naya walks into her first acting class two years after the freakish death of her parents, she becomes consumed by a mysterious pull coming from a facially scarred classmate named Etash. When he is cast as the Romeo to her Juliet, sparks fly. These star crossed lovers discover that fate has other plans for them. This is not the first time they have been 'pulled' together, nor will it be their last.

Pulled is available through Amazon.  Ebook price is only $1.49 

http://www.amazon.com/Pulled-ebook/dp/B005MY4SXO

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Your opinion matters

As a soon to be published author I'm excited and terrified of the reviews my book will receive.  I'm sure this is normal with all writers.  A book is like your baby.  You labor over it, help it walk on unsteady feet and then let go and hope it takes off running.  But what if it crashes and burns?  Oh the fears and doubts we writers experience.

My new book, Defiance Rising, is my baby.  I've spent the past 2 years writing and re-writing.  Cutting, pasting and hacking at my chapters.  My book has changed more times that I care to think about...but each time it's gotten a little better.  The ups soar higher.  The downs are more dramatic.  My characters are more well rounded...I hope!

But after 2 years of laboring over my book...is it enough? Will people love my characters as much as I do?  Will they reach the ending and beg for more? 

My Defiance Rising book is the first of three.  I'm 3/4 through the second book and I've begun writing the 3rd.  It's so exciting for me as a writer to see the progression of my characters.  To see them stumble and fall, to get back up and press on.  I've fallen in love with them and I so desperately want my readers to feel the same way.

Reader reviews are the lifeblood of writers.  Their opinions are the only ones that count because they're the ones keeping you going.  I told my husband the other night that if only one person, that I don't know, says they enjoyed my book then it will all be worth it.  Soon I'll get to see if I was right.

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Movies...inspiring or pathetic?

I've been noticing a trend lately. Movies seem to be diminishing in quality.  Am I the only one that thinks this?  How many times in the last couple of years have you gone into a movie thinking that it's going to be a great 2 hours out of your life only to leave thinking you just wasted $15?  I've lost count of how many times!

So what's the deal?  The quality of picture hasn't changed. Well, except for this crazy push to make EVERY movie a 3-D.  Not my style.  The sound is just as crisp.  The actors are just as good, for the most part.  So what's changed? 

Are we, are movie goers, looking for more than the movie industry can give?  Perhaps.  Maybe we've all become so desensitized that the romance isn't romantic enough, the jokes aren't funny enough or the blood isn't gruesome enough.  Or...maybe we as people have changed. 

When I go to a movie I'm looking to be entertained.  Most of us are, but in different ways.  My husband goes to just watch the movie.  I go to pick it apart piece by piece to make sure it all makes logical sense.  I want to know "who done it" in the first 25-30 minutes of the movie.  If it's too obvious I'm bored.  If the characters are too stupid, I'm bored.  If the dialogue is too cliche, I'm bored.  If they've mixed two movies together to create a "new" one, I'm bored.  Why is that?

I'm a writer.  Plain and simple.  I notice people's actions, their facial expressions, their body language when they are emotional.  I want reality when I watch a movie.  My husband just laughs at me and reminds me that "it's just a movie" but to me, it's like a book.  Writers have just as hard a time making their words believable as a big motion picture does.  In fact, it's harder.  We don't have the luxury of having some gorgeous couple to imply the emotions that we try to express.

So, dear readers, are you a movie lover of late?  Do you go to just watch or do you look for the flow of reality like me?  I'd love to hear your opinion!

Happy writing!

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Constructive Criticism

Constructive criticism is vital to any writer.  Hearing that your story isn't "perfect" can be a bit hard to take.  But what makes you a great writer is how you use that advice to grow. 

I've had the pleasure of getting to know an amazing writer, Jessica Patch.  I've learned more from her in four days than I'd learned in 2 years of doing research on Google!  Thank you for being willing to take the time to teach me and hold my hand through some painful rewrites.  I'm know I'm only beginning!

Jessica showed me how vital it is to pay attention to word count.  If you're like me, an overly descriptive writer, then you know how hard it is to stay within those word count limits.  My first attempt at writing my novel brought me in at nearly 50,000 words over.  That's huge!  So I shredded, rewrote, cleaned it up and I'm still over!

Funny thing is...after speaking to Jessica I realized that I'm still 30-40,000 words too heavy.  That's amazing!  So in reality I had nearly 90,000 words too many in my novel.  That's an entire book! 

So...for those of you that see every detail and want to share that with the world, I'm here to say it's rough to cut back.  Brutal might be a better word.  But...it's vital to your survival as a writer.  Once you're as popular as Stephen King then you can feel free to write entire chapters that seem to be filled with nothing but stuff and fluff!  Until then, cut back.

Pay attention to how many times you use the same word.  I was able to delete nearly 400 words from my novel just by deleting the word "just." Do we really need to say "He stood up" or "She sat down"?  Isn't it implied that standing or sitting means up and down?  These are simple tricks that have helped me cut nearly 4,000 words from my book so far!

Take a look at your writing and see how many fluff words you can unload.  You'll be amazed at how many words can form contractions that you simply breeze over when reading.  They count so pay close attention!  Make it a challenge to see how low you can get while still keeping the essence of the book.  It can be a lot of fun!

Good luck!   Let me know how you're doing!  And start searching for a critique partner that will be honest in their critique.  Their advice can be priceless!


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The Wonders of Great Feedback

Humans, born with a need for praise, long to hear words of affirmation. What better way to get that as a writer than to join a small writers critique group. I have been a part of a local group since November and I like it...no I LOVE it! Once a month we get together to share how the past month has inspired us to continue putting words to paper. We encourage each other, share in the trials and joys of great characters and stumbling road blocks...but we are in it together.
Nothing serves as greater encouragement than to have fellow writers who share the same passion you do. Personally I was beginning to think that I was a misfit in my town. No one I knew even cared about reading, let alone writing as a fun hobby. I was a loner...until I found my group. Now...I fit in with the other obsessed writers!
Some people are writers because they enjoy dabbling in tossing a few words together on a blank page and waiting to see what comes from it...others are born to write. They are compelled...a deep seeded longing within their soul to feel their fingers fluttering across the keys, or clenched tightly to a ball point pen. I am one such person. If I couldn't write daily I feel like I would simply burst! Is that the way you feel?
So last night my group met and I was given such glowing praise for my homework that I just had to share it with you in a separate blog. We were given a name and told to have at it. The response that I got simply made my night. Heck it made my entire week!
I encourage you to find a group that will help you to grow, encourage you to work on the areas that you need strengthening and allow your creativity to soar! Have fun!

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