u/Competitive-Let-2133

I posted this on my Twitter (Formerly Known as Twitter)

Lines in media that can break me:
“Tell me I’m a good man.”
-James Ryan, Saving Private Ryan

“Please, boss… I’m afraid of the dark.”
- John Coffey, The Green Mile

“Remember who you are.”
-Mufasa, The Lion King

“Don’t leave me.”
-Chris Farley, The Chris Farley Show (book)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Part 1:
What are some lines/scenes that pull on those heartstrings?
Why?

Part 2:
How are you building characters that resonate with your readers? Good writing, regardless of genre, has to engage the audience into the lives and wellbeing of the characters you’re currently developing.

I told one of my students, who was writing a letter into honors college program, that the people on the board needed to become emotionally invested in her based on what was said in her letter. 80% of those letters from applicants to get in would be generic, formal-sounding, and she also needed to show why she would improve their program and how the program would improve her.

We altered a handful of sentence structures, changed some wording to appeal to the emotions of the board, and try to personalize her paper for maximum distinction.

Our writing in fiction has to perform a similar task. Our world has to matter, yes, and our storyline is vital, but our characters have to lure our audience back repeatedly for us to be successful.

Looking for a new dark fantasy series to start?

Look no further than The Evermere Chronicles.

Book 1 - www.audible.com/pd/B0GZ8CSM42
Book 2 - www.audible.com/pd/B0H4MXSM39
Book 3 - www.audible.com/pd/B0H959XVGV
Book 4 - Loading…

Listen.
Enjoy.
Review.
Share.
Repeat.

I know what you're thinking:

AI Slop this, AI Slop that, this guy is fake, he's not a real writer, stealing from others, etc. Let me know if I'm in the ballpark here, but I'm not trying to post anything that says to use it directly to make money. I really CANNOT stress that enough!

That's stealing (according to US Gov't), and it's robbing the world of genuine art and artists.

However, there are parts of the AI game that I find useful, and you can let me know how you feel about it. That's the beauty of the world, there's not right or wrong, and I'm not sure if anyone has noticed...we're not necessarily a bunch of millionaire authors. But who knows, maybe someday!

Full Blown Practice (Not for Profit)

One of the things I have always struggled with is the storyline process. I felt like I came up with good characters and good storylines, but the trajectory of the plot was streamlined from problem to solution with minimal fuss surrounding the arc.

However, I practiced some with AI and asked it to create ideas that correlated with my storylines. It helped me create new side quests, helped create more dynamic characters other than my protagonists, and helped create a "fuller" story other than a direct path to solving any problems the main characters faced with little-to-no extras.

The key here is to come up with off the wall outlines for books you don't plan to write. HOWEVER, there are always just things that stick with you as a writer, and you think to yourself, "Damn I gotta use that."

Now, as I write my 10-book novella series "The Evermere Chronicles", I feel like I have had the practice to ensure my characters have developed personal connections with the readers, particularly the characters surrounding Rowan (protagonist), and the crises from book to book have provided deeper stakes for the audience as they journey through the different novellas.

Character Names

I hate spending 10-20 minutes trying to come up with a suitable name for characters. Ultimately, the names don't matter nearly as much as the traits and flaws each one has. Those have to come from you, the author.

Cover Art (I know...I know...)

As a married man with four kids, student loans, a mortgage, 2 kids in college, and 1 just getting married with another engaged for next summer wedding, extra finances aren't as handy as they once were.

I'm only using the artwork as a placeholder until I can get a few royalties to put towards investing in a real cover artist!!

Book Ratings

One of the things I have done on all four of my books so far...(Available on Amazon (yes, I shamelessly plugged myself on a post supporting the use of AI (Then used a triple- (no quadruple) deep level of parentheses (Is this inception?!)!)!)!)...is I used AI to go through my full book and provide a quick review of my story.

I asked it to go through and rate my book out 10. It did not make me go back and change anything, but I did try to make mental notes on the things it said I needed to edit or solve going forward.

Ironically, it said my books were rated as follows:

Book 1 - Rating 7.6 (Currently a 4.0 on Audible with 8 ratings)

Book 2 - Rating 8.4 (Currently a 4.2 on Audible with 5 ratings)

Book 3 - Rating 9.2 (Currently a 4.8 on Audible with 4 ratings)

CONCLUSION

I know AI is seen a a cheating system, but I believe it can be used a tool for good.

We all believe we can write, we all have a chance to succeed, and we all have each other, but there is a powerful source readily available at our hands.

DO NOT USE IT FOR PROFIT!!!

But if it is used correctly, I think it can provide good opportunities for us to grow as long as we use it to make us better.

Do with this post what you will, but I think I've grown as a writer because of it.

Don't like it? Sorry, bud!

I'm not losing any sleep over it 😂

Evermere Chronicles, Book 3 has been released on Audible.

I will be releasing my free Audible Promo Codes on Monday in a different sub, but I wanted to offer here first.

Does anyone want a promo code to listen to the book for free?

Reviews always appreciated!!

ps. There are still codes remaining for books 1 & 2 as well!!

Anyone else feel like they’re constantly selling their soul with all of the constant posts, announcements, blurbs, excerpts, and all other social media shouts required to “get your book out there”?

The work isn’t in writing the book, it’s getting people to read it. It’s exhausting.

How does everyone get ARC readers and pull people into email lists?

I know there are websites that helps with emailing list but not sure how to get (potential) readers into the actual list.

Also, looking for ARC Readers without having to pay seems to be really difficult/impossible.

USA

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UK

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Coming tomorrow!

(If anyone is interested, of course!)

Assuming I can get everything uploaded, published, and approved by Wednesday, Book 4 of the Evermere Chronicles will be up!

I think I speak for Rowan when I say everything is not going as planned!

https://preview.redd.it/68d1lg5f466h1.png?width=1024&format=png&auto=webp&s=cc1a313b5ffe39c2b020ba4e5f362345dc50e67c

Anyone want to check the cover, blurb, and other books in the series and let me know what you think?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GVS2QK5R

This is the 3rd book in my series called "The Evermere Chronicles". It is FREE today (May 20) and tomorrow (May 21).

I hope you enjoy! (Reviews appreciated)

Feel free to follow me: @ JHDeLynn on X

Reviews, as always, appreciated

USA

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UK

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