Writing Fun: All About the New Episode of the Night Rider Adventures!

Last month, I released a new short story! The Night Rider Adventures Episode 2 – The Voice! This second episode came about when I was writing my original drafts for the first five episodes of the short story series. I found that there was too much space between the first and second episodes. So much happened between the two stories I had written that I felt I needed to fill in the gaps. Thus came The Voice! It is a story that not only helps bridge the gap between the first episode and the other episodes I have written, but it is also a story that helps explain a crucial part of the novels in the Arlin Trilogy. The first book, The Story, tells about a story that can change the lives and possibly the world of the main characters. But what does that mean? Yes, this is explored in the books, but who discovered this story was so important? Why is it so essential that Ben and his crew get it out to the people of their world? These questions needed answering. The Voice does precisely that. Whether you have read the books or not, this new short story is a great read! If you have not gotten a chance to check it out yet, you can read it here! If you are not on the email list, sign up here to get the first story and the code to access The Voice!

For those who have gotten the chance to read this short story, you may notice that the main character faces off against some pretty strong opponents. When I was writing this story, I wanted to give a glimpse into what the soldiers of darkness are like, as they will be much more prominent characters in the second and third books in the Arlin Trilogy. These agents of evil are the principal manipulators of darkness and pain, and their purpose will grow clearer and clearer with each short story and book. There is one scene where the main character encounters one of these soldiers of darkness up close. I won’t give anything away, but if anything about that scene confuses you, that is okay! I have written some things in the short story, so they won’t give away things in the Arlin Trilogy books! So, stay tuned to my newsletters to find out when that second book will be released!

Let’s Talk Books! – Mr. Bennet, An Element Every Book Needs

As you may know, I just started a new reading list that consists of classic romance novels. These novels are mostly books by Jane Austin; however, a couple others are on the list as well. But the one I started with was Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin. If you read my post on the lists I chose from, you might know that I am not a fan of romance novels. But I wanted to expand my horizons a bit and give them a try. I started with Pride and Prejudice because I liked the movie and figured it would be a good way to get me off on the right foot with this genre. So far, it has worked!

There were a lot of things about this book that I didn’t like, but there was one thing that really got me interested from the get-go. Mr. Bennet. Now, don’t get me wrong, he made some mistakes that were not so great in the book. However, his character contained something that I think every romance book, or really every book, should have. A character who is brutally honest with overbearing characters. Mr. Bennet’s forthright and unexpressive demeanor offers a streak of comedy that entirely contrasts with his over-excitable wife and two of his daughters. Why is something like this so important? I think it helps because it is refreshing.

One Man in a Sea of Woman

Now, I love stories about both men and women. But in Pride and Prejudice, there is a massive cast of female characters who are all very excitable and emotional. Having Mr. Bennet planted firmly in the middle is a hilarious way to balance out all the emotions flying in every which direction! The best thing Mr. Bennet did, to be specific, was help the character of Mrs. Bennet be easier to take. Mrs. Bennet is highly expressive and overbearing and on a mission to get all of her daughters married to wealthy men, as per the requirement of her time. Mr. Bennet, on the other hand, is in no rush at all. He sports an entirely opposite personality from his wife; he is low-key and less interested in rushing the girls to marriage. This low-key, unworried personality of his does aid in some problems that present themselves at one point. Still, it is a massive help in the storytelling when it comes to trying to swallow the hugely emotional Mrs. Bennet.

Counteract Excitable with Low-Key

I think every book needs a Mr. Bennet type character to provide the reader with a refreshing break from the excitable character’s craziness. When a book has a character who is highly expressive, whether they are an annoying character or one everyone can understand and feel for, their opposite is still needed. This doesn’t necessarily mean there has to be a man in a sea of women. There can be one woman who is just funny and laid back (Elisabeth kind of does this for the family as well) in a sea of women who are uptight and all over the place. Or other ratios and dynamics. But the point is that there needs to be someone to hold down the reader’s emotional fort, so to speak, and offer that breath of fresh air throughout the book.

Same Principle, Different Type

This same principle can be used with various character “types.” A sad character can have a happy friend, and vice versa. A character with severe shopping problems can have a friend without them (Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella), an emotionally insensitive character can have a caring and sensitive friend (Sherlock Holmes and Watson), or you can even do two on two with two friends out on a mission, stuck with two other friends who start out just along for the ride and trying not to die (Frodo and Sam and Merry and Pippin). This idea of opposites can be a great way to elevate a story and bring more characters to the page, providing the readers with a break from whatever character they don’t like or the character who is just a lot to handle. In short, every book needs a “Mr. Bennet,” especially if there is a “Mrs. Bennet.”

Photo Credit: Libby Screen Shot

Writing Journal: Editing Book 2

Dear Journal,

I got a start on reviewing edits for the next book in the Arlin Trilogy, but my editor is finishing up her last few edits before I can dive all the way into my review. In the meantime, I have been trying to review the first eight chapters so that my editor can go check my comments shortly after I get started again. I am working with a winter publishing date, and it is fast approaching! I hope I can get everything done in time!

Sincerely,

Ondrea Keigh