A genetically engineered colony on a new world. A baby born different than everyone else. A mother who will do anything to save him.
Welcome to one of the February 10th stops on the blog tour for Children of Alpheios by Diana Fedorak with Goddess Fish Promotions. Be sure to follow the rest of the tour for spotlights, reviews, author guest posts, and a giveaway! More on that at the end of this post.
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Author Guest Post
What I Look For As a Writer When Reading a Book
If you’re an aspiring author, you have to read widely to become a better writer. Here a few tips on what you can learn from other authors, and further develop your craft of writing:
First page. It can be difficult to know how and where to start your story. When you find an appealing first page, examine how the author draws you in. There’s a strong likelihood the premise of the story and its stakes are somewhere within the opening paragraph if not first line itself. The first page is a promise to the reader of what kind of journey they’re about to embark upon, and the most often read page for readers who are browsing in the bookstore if they open your book. This is the time for your best writing effort. Take multiple swings at it. Show your first pages around to critique groups and friends and ask them what they like or where they got confused. Then rewrite it a few more times—fifty times if you must. Your first page is your reader’s first impression of the story.
Cover and Back Blurb. A well-designed cover will entice the reader to pick up the novel. Different genres will have common themes on their cover, and tastes will change over time for what the market is responding to, so study the best-selling books of your genre. If you’re traditionally published, you probably won’t have final approval of the cover, but you might be able to provide input to your editor. If you’re self-published, you’ll have to hire a cover designer and tell them what you want. At minimum, readers should be able to tell the genre of the book by glancing at the cover. The back blurb or inside jacket often seals whether a reader will open the book for browsing if they don’t buy it outright. The blurb should contain the story premise, or introduce the main character, give the reader an idea of the stakes and the setting, but shouldn’t reveal too much about events that occur in the novel. Think of the back blurb as a movie trailer. Does it pique your curiosity enough to read further?
Emotional Subtext. Subtext is what is not said or stated in your writing. In real life, most people do not say exactly what’s on their mind. Neither should your characters. If all your characters speak plainly or tell you everything about what they’re thinking, you’re not allowing your readers to discover the story, rather, you’re spoon-feeding it to them. And readers like to feel smart. There are plenty of ways to create tension with subtext. Is one of the characters you’re reading about passive-aggressive? How do they show that? Maybe a wife has a husband who’s very critical of her, but she doesn’t argue back. Instead, she decides to cook their meals with loads of butter when she knows he has heart disease. Another scenario: Does a character complain loudly to her friend about her friend’s choice of suitor, only to be found later in a steamy embrace with him behind her friend’s back? Often, characters may not be what they first appear. Subtext can be a powerful way to heighten conflict and show the flaws in your characters.
Mood: Is there a scene in a novel that provokes strong feelings in you? Perhaps it’s anxiety and fear for the hero? Or maybe joyfulness when he or she finally connects with a romantic partner? The mood is how readers feel about a particular moment in your story. How does the author accomplish this in their description of the setting? How are the characters speaking to one another? How does the protagonist feel about what’s happening? The last part is especially important to establish a connection between the reader and story. We read because we want the ups-and-downs of a journey, and the catharsis of a satisfying ending after an unpredictable climax. Ask yourself how you want your readers to feel at key turning points in your novel and hone those scenes to evoke that reaction.
New Genre. On occasion, read outside your genre for ideas. If you’re a science fiction author thinking about how to execute a twist, open a suspense novel or mystery. Does writing romance scenes make you queasy? Consult an expert, by which I mean a romance author by picking up their book. Or are you a romance author trying to write a physically demanding, action-packed scene? Try reading a military or detective inspired thriller. Every genre has well-known tropes so explore outside yours to fire up your creative spark.
About the Book
Children of Alpheios
by Diana Fedorak
Published 8 February 2023
The Wild Rose Press, Inc
Genre: Science Fantasy
Page Count: 438
Add it to your Goodreads TBR!
A genetically engineered colony on a new world. A baby born different than everyone else. A mother who will do anything to save him.
On planet Eamine, twenty-one-year-old Alina must protect her baby when Mandin is born with a remarkable DNA anomaly. The colony’s central corporation wants Mandin for an experimental treatment program. Trained by the Expeditionary Academy, Alina knows how to survive Eamine’s harsh environment and flees to keep Mandin safe.
While Alina tries to uncover the truth, she finds herself relying on Kiean, a gruff pilot who protects her from threats in the midst of her new surroundings. As an upcoming rebellion brews, Alina must discover who she can trust, facing choices about family, life, and love. Despite the risk, Alina is determined to safeguard Mandin from the colony‘s most powerful institutions.
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Excerpt
Alina followed him, trying to keep her voice even. “It’s urgent. I need to get to the city fast.”
“Somehow, I think you’ll make out fine.” Kiean threw his bag in the small space between the tandem seats and canopy apparatus.
A flare spread throughout her cheeks. “I thought you were a friend of Macy’s.”
He climbed into the hover-jet. “I am, but Macy reimburses me like everyone else.” Kiean smirked and punched the starter switch. The hover-jet engine sputtered, then faded.
“Listen!” She attempted to speak over the noise of engine as he tried to start it again. The shuttle coughed to life this time. He slid the canopy down, but she leapt forward, grabbing it. The canopy’s edge dug into her palm, and she applied pressure against his hold. “I need to pick up medication for my baby. He’s three weeks-old.”
Kiean snickered. “First your purse, then your brother, and now a baby. I’ve heard lots of excuses before, but yours keeps changing.”
Alina clenched her teeth to contain her simmer. She leaned in so he could not ignore her. “My baby’s medication was taken when my purse was stolen. I’ll get the money from my brother while I’m in the city. See my link? It has advanced meteorological functions you can use for flying. You can have it as a down
payment.”
He squinted up at her wrist. “That’s an expeditionary model. Where did you get it?”
“Do we have a deal?” She locked her gaze onto his, like a game of chicken. Emerald flecks in Kiean’s eyes glistened in the sunrays that illuminated the shed.
He looked down at the controls, sighing. “Get in.”
About the Author
Diana Fedorak is a speculative fiction writer from Las Vegas, Nevada. Born in Saigon, South Vietnam, she grew up in a Pan Am Airways family who frequently traveled overseas. Her prior career was serving as an officer in the United States Air Force.
Diana’s debut sci-fi novel, Children of Alpheios, was acquired by The Wild Rose Press in 2022. Set on planet Eamine, the story is about a young mother who finds herself pitted against the colony’s corporation when she discovers they desire her baby’s DNA anomaly for their genetic engineering program.
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Giveaway Alert!
Diana Fedorak will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B&N gift card to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
a Rafflecopter giveawayDisclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Thanks for hosting me, Jenna.
For readers, I’ll be stopping by Friday from time-to-time to check comments. Did you find the writing tips helpful? What draws you in when you read a novel’s first page? Let me know your thoughts.
Diana Fedorak is a new author to me, but I want to thank this blog for the introduction. I look forward to reading this book.
Thanks for hosting!
Sounds like a good book.
This sounds really good.