Hey guys,
Welcome back; this week, I'll be sharing new details about my upcoming book Before The Storm to get you pumped about the release. I'm excited about the release, as BTS marks a milestone for me as an indie author. The novel was the first third-person story I told exclusively at the time over on Patreon, and it was a new learning experience. Every tale I wrote prior basked in glorious first-person. I had to learn a new set of rules on writing to understand how the new story format worked. Though I still write many first-person POV's, it is an intriguing composition that I'd like to explore more of in the future. But, lets get to the fun stuff. It's not an official D.K. story if it doesn't have a soundtrack. I began adding OST lists back when I posted Even If We Tried, and it just stuck. So, with nearly 40 stories later, it has become the tradition.
Give the songs a listen; I find it helps amplify the tone and puts you in the world of the characters. Music is powerful, so let it enhance the story.
Rapid-fire questions:
Q. What part of the book was the most fun to write?
A. Without sounding inappropriate due to the book's heavy topic, the most enjoyable part of the book is around the three-quarter mark. It is where my boyfriend said, and I quote, "Well, the shit really dropped... Didn't it?" I believe it was concerning how the story had been progressively building on the tension since the start. Then out of left-wing, figuratively speaking, a bus comes speeding out from an unknown location and mows down some poor grandma... or maybe a child. From that moment on, the entire story accelerates with this hypertension as it is a rush to the finish. I like scenes that have you on the edge of your seat, and this one moment sets the tone for the rest of the book. I remember one of my readers writing to me when I released the first draft. I recall the reader being clearly distraught. Hell, I was hellbent on changing my decision, but it turned out well. I guess you'll have to read it to find out yourself.
Q. What part of the book did you have the hardest time writing?
A. Most of the book came together in a breeze. The difficult task for me would be related to medical terms that I had to research. I wanted to make sure the analogy and practices were realistic and tactically correct. Oh, and everything related to guns. For example, someone pointed out to me about Glocks not having hammers. As I'm not a gun enthusiast, I wrote that they had. During my editing phase, I had to recheck everything with guns to amend the error. Plus, halfway through the story, there was a problem with the story's timeline that needed to be altered. It was a headache all on its own, but I'm glad I toiled; it bettered the story.
Q. How did you come up with the title for your book?
A. Well, the book is about a hurricane... and well, it seemed fitting. I considered naming the book BTS when I was doing a replay of the game Life is Strange: Before the Storm.
Q. What is the future for the characters? Will there be a sequel?
A. Unfortunately, no. When I first wrote BTS, I felt that the story was complete. People asked me to write a sequel, so the best I came up with was an extended epilogue to tie up all the loose ends. I enjoyed this story, but I don't wish to dwell on it.
Q. Can you share a snippet that isn't in the blurb or excerpt?
A. Yeah... someone is going to die. :) I know, I'm evil, but its what I do... leave readers on cliffhangers. Q. Did the book turn out the way you planned? A. No... I thought it would be a love story about two boys who met at a gym during a hurricane. The more I wrote, the quicker I realised that it wasn't going to be such a happy book. Q. Would you have ended the book differently? Did it end the way you thought it would? A. Once I figured out that the story wasn't the typical romance, I had a pretty good idea of where things were heading. I had the end in sight as I wrote the remaining chapters. Though with so many elements and moving back and forward, I had to plot it out extensively so I could get to the finale. So, no... the ending was planned and I loved it. Plus, with the addition of the epilogue, it makes it better. Q. If the main character in that story lived next door, would you be friends? A. Yes, I'd happily be friends with all my characters, somehow, I think a little like them... so I'm sure we'd get along swell. Though, I wouldn't like to have Tad as a neighbour. Q. Share your favorite quote from the book. Why did this quote stand out? A. "You need wolfmen like me to blame for your little lamb problems." - Something about the tone of the statement always intrigues me. I can visualise Tad saying those words right in front of me. Q. Do you think the book will impact people? A. The aim of any writer to get people to smile and cry, feel worry and tension. I believe people will like it. I know some people will be horrified of what I done. Though in that instance... if I upset you... I made you feel something, right?
I'll leave it there; this has run on for long enough. I hope you enjoyed this little tidbit. I'll catch you in the following email. The next time you receive an email, BTS will be out.
Best then,
D.K.
Synopsis:
Hurricanes roll in off the ocean all the time, but for Zack & Elizabeth Morrison, they have their own private storm. Fleeing from a failed marriage, abusive husband, Liz goes on the run with Zack, and they take refuge in an emergency evacuation centre in a local high school. Zack befriends a budding youth called Lucas, and they instantly click as they originate from similar backgrounds. Outside in the challenging hail, Tad Morrison has escaped from prison, leaving an officer dead on the side of the road and a young father begging for help from the destruction Tad left while hunting down his fragile family.
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