401 Reply by Randall Krzak

(12 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Hello L.A.,

Welcome to TNBW!

You've definitely landed on a good site. Plenty of helpful members. If you decide to become a member after the trial, the costs work this way: Monthly Plan: $8.95 per month. Quarterly Plan: $21.95 per quarter (less than $7.50 per month). Yearly Plan: Only $69.95.

I hadn't shared my work with anyone other than friends and family before joining TNBW. Since I joined three years ago, my writing has continuing to improve. Join groups, respond to forum questions, and above all, read and review other members' works. It all helps to improve your writing. Your writing voice will come and members will help you along the way.

I can't answer about how readers and agents would respond to memoir non-fiction as I only write fiction, but have you thought about using fictional characters and tell your story through your characters? I believe this would still be therapeutic for you and still get your message across. I'm sure there are other members more knowledgeable than me who will chime in.  Regards, Randy

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402 Reply by Randall Krzak

(43 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

vern wrote:

Most stories, if not all, have elements of more than one specific genre. For instance, a historical novel might also have a love affair and a murder mystery. You pick the element which dominates in your mind and/or intention and go with it. There is a good chance that no matter what you pick, an agent/publisher will choose a different genre. Of course, if you self-publish, it really doesn't matter; you're not marketing the genre, you're marketing the book, hopefully anyway.

The way I look at it, we often get sidetracked by things which ultimately are pretty much irrelevant in getting a book published. This is one of those things which will take care of itself with the crafting of a good story. Just my three cents (inflation). Take care. Vern

Vern, your comments are well worth the inflation.:)  Many thanks for sharing. Regards, Randy

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403 Reply by Randall Krzak

(43 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Christine, how does you story match up again these historical romances? I haven't checked them out, but with the historical aspect and the love triangle, this might help you a bit.

https://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&k … 2nr1ypka_b

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404 Reply by Randall Krzak

(43 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

How about a romantic fantasy? This would cover the fantasy/sci-fi parts and also with the protanganist's loss of his loved ones?

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405 Reply by Randall Krzak

(671 replies, posted in Alpha to Omega - Review Group)

Completed an inline review of NJC's 'The Sorcerer's Progress, Book Two', chapter 14.

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406 Reply by Randall Krzak

(671 replies, posted in Alpha to Omega - Review Group)

Posted an inline review of Suin's Being Fifteen, chapter 27.

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407 Reply by Randall Krzak

(671 replies, posted in Alpha to Omega - Review Group)

Completed inline reviews of alkemi's The Souring Seas, chapter 28 and 29.

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408 Reply by Randall Krzak

(15 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Many thanks Gabi and Don60!  I should have the next chapter of Carnage in Singapore posted over the next week. This is the follow-on to Dangerous Alliance and The Kurdish Connection.

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409 Reply by Randall Krzak

(15 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Rachel (Rhiannon) Parsons wrote:

Yowza!  (I never like to follow the crowd, so no 'Wow!')  Congratulations.  Just remember us little people when you get on the New York Times bestseller list.

Many thanks. Aw, I'm one of the little people too.:)

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410 Reply by Randall Krzak

(15 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

njc wrote:

Wow!  Congratulations.

Many thanks!

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411 Reply by Randall Krzak

(15 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Many thanks to all for your kind comments. I was third runner-up but it's still a great achievement.  As I mentioned, I couldn't have done it without the help from the great TNBW community!  Thanks again and once I get it published, I'll let everyone know.

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412 Topic by Randall Krzak

(15 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

I would like to thank the many TNBW reviewers for their assistance with Dangerous Alliance. In March of this year, I submitted the first 10,000 words to the 2018 Breakthrough Novels Award, sponsored by The Book Khaleesi and author Ken Fry. Last month I was informed Dangerous Alliance was one of five finalists (three thrillers, one sci-fi and a romance novel) and had to send the entire manuscript.

The romance novel, LIFE HAPPENS ON THE STAIRS by AMY J. MARKSTAHLER was the overall winner.

Each finalist receives the following:

A Finalist Badge
Listing on their website
3 months social media promotion once the book is released
Custom ad banners
eBook Cover Design
eBook Formattting

I'll be sending my manuscript out to several publishers to see if anyone will pick me up.  I wouldn't have made it this far without the excellent support of the TNBW family. Thanks again for your help!  Regards, Randy

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413 Reply by Randall Krzak

(62 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

jack the knife wrote:

Useful points, except I disagree with #4. People do use hesitating words like "uh" and "um" in conversation, so I don't see why they should be banished from written dialogue. And, in fact, the use of these words often in a character's dialogue can distinguish their speech pattern from that of other characters (#6).

Agree with Jack's comments. Authors do need to use something to help distinguish between characters and uh and um are natural.

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414 Reply by Randall Krzak

(14 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Many congrats, Don. Hope you sell loads!

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415 Reply by Randall Krzak

(13 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

I'm not sure if this helps. I know when I begin a review but don't finish it right away but save it to come back to, the date when I actually submit seems to be the date I started the review, not the submission date.

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416 Reply by Randall Krzak

(281 replies, posted in Alpha to Omega - Review Group)

Suin wrote:
C J Driftwood wrote:

To Jubes and Suin's point, cheating on your reviews, will only cheat yourself in the end.

On this point - what are people doing when they receive these reviews? I always feel compelled to reciprocate, but when I receive thirteen of these types of reviews in a row, it seems like a huge amount of effort to respond to them! Do people reciprocate? Do you put in your usual effort of an hour per review? Or do a superficial review similar to what youreceived? I'd be tempted to do the latter due to time constraints...but feel guilty for giving a poor review!

I also feel compelled to reciprocate and I still do my best with my reviews. Like others, I put at least an hour into each review, depending upon the length of the posting.

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417 Reply by Randall Krzak

(671 replies, posted in Alpha to Omega - Review Group)

e's 'The Day of Darkness - Book 1' chapter 31.

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418 Reply by Randall Krzak

(281 replies, posted in Alpha to Omega - Review Group)

Those are my own responses, not any software. From time to time you will notice I do make comments, but the majority of the time everyone in this group makes excellent suggestions. I don't edit right away, but when I do, the suggestions are included.:)

On a different note, I'll be back reviewing this week. Over the past two weeks I've been tied up. I finished editing Dangerous Alliance and also sold my house (closing on the 24th).  I had planned to read/review over the weekend but our power went out Friday afternoon and came back today, seventy hours later.

No, I am not a bot.:)

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419 Reply by Randall Krzak

(281 replies, posted in Alpha to Omega - Review Group)

Ariion might be like Don60. Don already had his manuscript ready to post, just needed to earn the points to do so.

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420 Reply by Randall Krzak

(281 replies, posted in Alpha to Omega - Review Group)

Many thanks for posting the link, NJC. 

For Dangerous Alliance, I went with a cover produced by fiverr.com based on a recommendation from Ann Everett. She recommended two people. Cost me $105 for the ebook and paperback covers. You might have seen it before I pulled the novel from TNBW as I complete my final editing.

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421 Reply by Randall Krzak

(281 replies, posted in Alpha to Omega - Review Group)

It's a shame to find this out. How do these people pick a published novel to read? Must be by the cover as many publishers discourage chapter titles.

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422 Reply by Randall Krzak

(24 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Many congrats!  Look forward to reading all of the series!

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423 Reply by Randall Krzak

(671 replies, posted in Alpha to Omega - Review Group)

Completed an inline review of Matthew's A to O Krudges:The Girl Who Lost the Earth, Book 1, chapter 28.

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424 Reply by Randall Krzak

(264 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

D.J. Montalvo wrote:

Hi all! I'm new to the site and writing groups in general. It wasn't my intention to focus my energy on my writing, but here I am. Elementary level stories has become my happy place. I've already experienced, in my few days here, how much my writing can improve with the unbiased and helpful opinions of other writers. Thanks for having me.

Welcome aboard! TNBW's a great place to be!

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425 Reply by Randall Krzak

(2 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Welcome to TNBW! It's a great place to be!

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