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The type prison the person is released from will also be a determining factor. Make sure to read up on the difference from Federal versus State.

I can definitely sympathize. I've been taking a break to read more, and Facebook adds pop up with free books. Who wouldn't want a free book, right? Needless to say, all of those stories, though free, were not worth what I paid - my time. They were horrible and most I never made past the first chapter before I deleted it from my kindle. I've learned so much from TNBW that I constantly find myself wanting to comment and edit everything I read. I've even struggled to finish most of the greats lately (i.e. Nora Roberts, Heather Graham, Catherine Coulter, etc...) - granted they have some excellent early novels that made them big, but lately all are lacking. I want a story I can get lost in instead of feeling like I'm just wasting time.

The last published story I read that I couldn't put down was "3-2-1" by JA Huss. It's a dark romantic suspense, basically a train wreck that you can't look away from and extremely sexually graffic. The psychological twist at the end will blow you out of the water and explain it all. I read that in December, and since then, I've read more than 25 others that I honestly can't tell you anything about because they were wasted time.

I've since started to download samples of books before I waste my money and that has helped. With the EXCEPTION that the trend in books now seems to publish 1 story broken down into 3 or 4 books instead of just putting the whole story out there. I hate that trend! I've revolted against anyone that does that and refused to buy the second book. I want a happy ending - that's why romance is my choice of story.

All this to say, it's up to the author to take the initiative to make a story great and TNBW will help. Because of those horribly written stories can get published then so can mine.

Yes, Amy. I am completely serious. I volunteer to be the judge.

Hi Dirk,
Just because you haven't done something in your book, doesn't mean you can't change the pattern when the story calls for it. I recently finished reading the Divergent series and the first 2 books were in one POV only. The third book broke that up and alternated POV's. As a reader, it didn't slow me down, it worked because the author made it work. My OCD-self comes out in my stories where I alternate POV's with every other chapter, but as the story progresses, I'll have alternating POV's within the same chapter because that what it calls for. Make what works for you and the story and don't worry about the pattern. BUT if you mess up the timeline, the readers will know. You don't have to give each character equal time, tell the story.

That's my 2-cents and that's probably more than my opinions worth.
Philisha

Yeah, you are in the States! Glad to have you!

#4 - Is it:  'Oh Brother Where Art Thou?"

Allen,
Love the story! I've always told my husband and kids that if they see me running then there's something chasing me. Proves you don't have to be more capable just more wise.

Janet,
My ex-husband plays the villain in my stories, too. It's the best way to kill someone without going to jail.

Hi Samuel,
Getting the first chapter can be the hardest. My suggestion would be (remember this is only a suggestion and not direction) to start the scene with some kind of real action (yes, your other first chapter was real action too, but it didn't leave a live character for the reader to root for). If your story is about the daughters, start and end with them. Take time to sit and daydream a little about the story. Example: While the father is preparing the city for seizure or battle, what are the girls doing? He stated they were buying time for the families to escape. Are they running around playing? I would think not. I would think they are panicking, packing, commiserating the loss of their future. Envision the terror of running through the tunnels with other women and children, but because you are a warrior's grown daughter you have to be in the back to protect the younger, old, and weak. You are looking over your shoulder, anticipating a horrible rat man to appear any moment. The ground shakes from cannon fire and dirt rains down. Are you afraid of being buried alive? What did they take with them other than the clothes on their back? Did they put on multiple layers of clothes because they needed to keep their hands free for weapons that their father taught them to use? Are the sisters holding hands? Their whole worlds been torn away from them the moment they have to flee. Does an old woman crumple with heart failure and they cry over having to leave her behind? Is a child trampled?

Anyway, this is just food for thought and intended to encourage.
Philisha

Ok, so here is a wish that I'd like to see on the system. I hope it's something minor. We I go to view my regular reviews, click on the review itself, at the top of the review I still can see the 4-tabs: Regular Received, Regular Posted, Inline Received, & Inline Posted. However, when I go into read an Inline Review, the tabs are no longer there and I can't go back to the listing without hitting the back button or clicking the home to navigate back through.

Would it be possible to make sure the 4-tabs remain when we go into the Inline Reviews/Posted?

Hi Allen,
I can't see you doing needlepoint but it might work. If I get stumped on something, I usually read. However, you've said you've done that already. Have you tried to write a short story that is completely opposite of your manuscript? Try to think of a children/teen/romance story and put pen to paper with something different (under 1000 or so words). Go fishing, hiking, hunting, just don't find any decapitated bodies when you do, again. Put the computer away for a week and force yourself to not touch it. This is your minds way of telling you it needs a break.

Philisha