Story of my life: Theme in fiction

I imagine that most of us at some point have either said or heard, “oh, that’s the story of my life.”  It’s the standard line we run to when one of those familiarly annoying occurrences ruin our day.  Let’s think of an example.  You missed the start of the movie because you were late.  In fact, you are always late because your husband always realises on the way to the cinema that you have to stop for petrol.  And money.  You miss the beginning of the film like you always do because of it.  You smile apologetically at the strangers as they are forced to stand up to let you pass as you take your seats, and smile sarcastically at the husband who seemingly has no shame or realisation of how much he has annoyed you.

This is fortunately not the story of my life.  Instead it is the story of my fiancee's life, who invariably is late for anything that we are due to attend together because I have left the car with no petrol and therefore have to stop at the garage.  I will also need to ‘pop to the bank’ on the way.  Which of course, isn’t really on the way at all.

But if I were to write the story of his life in this way, I would not detail every late appearance or every missed movie.  These details would make for a very she said he said story.  Instead, I would write generally about how he constantly reminds me to please fill up the car, and how it always seems I ran out of time.  We would explore why I am always late, and get the opinion of a few others who have suffered because of it.  Lateness, would be my theme.

As writers our work is a tapestry of many elements, ideas, layers, which all combine to produce the overall finished piece.  We create characters and plot, decide on a setting and package it up with our hopefully unique and inspiring voice to tell the story.  As we tell our story, we hope that the characters and their actions reveal a central message.  A lasting thought.  Superficially we might at the end of a book or a film describe a character in simple terms, a quick nod to the story.  “That Joe character, I can’t believe he did that after everything he went through,” but we might actually be making reference to the moral of the story, the message.  This is the theme cropping up again.  

 

In my writing, I do not conciously pre determine my theme, making sure that as I step through the chapters I graffiti my theme all over them.  At least not in the first draft.  I come up with an idea, a concept.  A what if…..With this one concept in mind I begin the first draft, meet my characters and find a resolution to the story that develops.  Once this first draft is finished I take a step back and work through from beginning to end and determine how I answered that original concept.  Identity X began with a thought about the ability to cure genetic disease.  Not just one or two diseases, but a scientist who had worked so tirelessly that he had managed to formulate a single serum that could reconstruct DNA.  What if you could cure all genetic disease with a single injection? 

 

When I met my protagonist I asked myself what drove him forward.  Why was he prepared to sacrifice his home life?  Did he really not care if he lost his wife?  Why did his work matter so much?  From these early questions spawned a whole manuscript, and as I looked back though I found themes running throughout the story.  I found that I ended up asking myself how individuals and families deal with disease, and how such diseases can tear families apart.  I also found myself asking why people hold on to pain from the past, seeking nothing but vengeance and how that destroys not only the present but the future too.  These were not my original thoughts, but they were easy to identity after the first draft and became the key to the story.  Then, when I approached my second draft I could develop these concepts and improve the original manuscript.

For me, a novel without theme is like a walk through a tunnel in the mountain, all concrete and straight to the point.  Character A did this and went there and decided that.  The End.  Pretty boring, eh?  The journey I really want to take is the one that takes me up and over the mountain, that tests my strength and pushes my limits.  Over the mountain my walk will be enriched by the sky and scenery, and unexpected turns in the path.  I might meet somebody else along the way who warns me of danger and completely changes my path forward.  On this journey I will learn something about myself and those with me.  It will make me think of previous journeys and how they compare.  It will make me ask questions and the theme of my journey will develop quite organically. 

This kind of depth in a novel adds a layer of poignancy that your readers will be able to delve into.  Theme is often merely inferred, and this leads readers to find their own meanings in the text too, and draw their own conclusions. They will weave in and out of the layers, developing their own contrary viewpoint.  When a reader speaks to you about a theme that they found on the journey through your book that you had never even considered, you know you did a good job.  This kind of depth helps give a novel a meaning beyond simple entertainment and provides it with a place in society, and it could just be that very thing that your agent or publisher is looking for.  

Identity X - Sign up for Advanced Release Copies

There has been talk, and the initial announcement has been made.  Identity X is going live this September.  It's all systems go here ,whilst rigorously preparing to get this novel ready for publication.  

The manuscript itself is pretty much there.  The design work is well underway and will without any doubt end up being my favourite cover so far.  But, it seems that the really hard work has only just begun, because between now and release day there are some major obstacles to hurdle over and one of those is getting reviews.

Now I will of course be submitting the book to all manner of people and blogs and getting reviews in the usual way.  There will also be a Librarything and Goodreads giveaway.  But this is not enough.  I want to try and build up a team of people who are interested in getting their hands on an early copy, who would in return be happy to consider publishing their opinions in the form of a review.  You might be an avid reader, a blogger, another writer.  Whoever you are, I want to hear from you!

So I am asking here for you to stand up, raise your hand, nudge me in the ribs and say, 'me!  I do!  I want one!'  Some people have already done so and for that I thank you.  There is no limitation in numbers for eBooks, so spread the word to anybody you know who likes a free book.  To get involved all you have to do is sign up here.

I am so tempted to add in a quick snapshot of the design concept, but I think I'll keep it under wraps a little longer.  So instead, to wet your appetites, here is the blurb for my new conspiracy thriller that you can get your hands on free of charge before general release.

Ben Stone has one aim; discover the cure for genetic disease. He watched his father die and promised himself that it would never happen again, especially to his own son. After his appointment as lead researcher in Bionics Laboratories he begins his desperate research. It takes four years, but he succeeds. He discovers NEMREC, a serum able to reconstruct DNA and cure the diseases that have driven him. It should be the beginning of a new future, but by changing the face of the world, he has unwittingly destroyed his own.

After arriving at his laboratory to find that it has disappeared, he is sucked into a world of conspiracy and betrayal. The Agency wants NEMREC and will do anything to get it, believing it to be the most powerful scientific discovery in decades. But it wasn't just NEMREC that they wanted. The Agency wanted Ben dead, but somehow he survived. His best friend, his wife, and Ami, the beautiful scientist who he has fallen for at work all offer to help him, but each has a different version of the truth. They all have their own agenda, only one of them wants what he wants, and in a world where you are already dead, how is it that you are supposed to survive?

ESCAPING LIFE

Escaping Life has been doing really well of late and I have been really excited by the progress made.  So far, I have decided to keep my books exclusively available on Amazon. You might wonder why when there are

quite a few other outlets and many people who are using other e-Readers, downloading from places like Barnes and Noble or Smashwords.  Well, it is only for one reason, and that is the use of their Select program. 

For any of you who don’t know what this is, it is an agreement made between Amazon and author whereby the book can be given away free as part of a promotional event for up to five days.  These giveaway days not

only allow me to get my book into the hands of many new readers and generate reviews during the giveaway, following the event the book is considerably greater visibility on Amazon which helps further with promotion. 

What do you think of this exclusivity?  Is that how you got your copy?  Is it worth it or does it alienate other readers?

FORTHCOMING RELEASE: 24th SEPTEMBER 2013

It is time to stop calling the file on my computer book three.  It is time to give it a name.  There is no better place than to announce that than here.

On 24th September 2013, ‘Identity X’ will be released to the public and will be available in eBook and paperback format and will be exclusively available for purchase from Amazon.  The artwork is pending, and a press release in late July will provide you with more information.

Before general release there will be several advanced release copies available, and if you want to get your hands on one, make sure you keep up to date with the Facebook notifications so that as soon as they become available you can get yours.  There will also be a Goodreads and Librarything giveaway, so if you are not on Facebook keep checking the website for the latest news and updates!  For now, just a little taster in the form of a quote;

“Don’t think that you are the first.  You are just the first to survive.”

It started with a ............

I'm not sure if two months count as complete abandonment of my blog, but it certainly feels that way.  It  is a grand total of sixty two days since I typed anything for publication here.  I have abandoned my blog, and my readers.  I announce a blog tour and then...............silence.  I'm sorry.  But, in my defence, I have excuses.

Let's make a list.

1. I have finished editing my third manuscript to the point that I need a proof reader.
2. I have been working with a designer for the cover of said manuscript
3. I went to England for ten days
4. I went to Paris for three days whilst en route to England (that's me in Paris looking writerly)
5. I had a seizure and spent a week in hospital.

I have purposefully written you the list of excuses in reverse order of occurrance, just so number five creeps up on you unexpectedly.  Like it did me.  You think it's just a normal I'm such a busy writer list, swanning about on holiday scenario, and then whoops, you were wrong.    Up until a couple of months ago, the words 'It started with a.....,' for me always ended with 'Kiss', the smooth vocals of the 1970's pop band Hot Chocolate playing out in my dad's bright red Ford Cortina (just hoovered) on our annual pilgrimage to Weymouth (because Great Yarmouth was sooooo 1983).  But now it ends in seizure.  It started with a Seizure.  And yes, it deserves that captical letter.

So that was the beginning of my abandonment.  After taking what seemed like such innocent little steroid tablets to open up my blocked and apparently broken nose (no, real side effects apparently, I just might not sleep very well) my brain decided they wern't for me and took action against them.  According to the doctors everybody is allowed one Seizure.  I guess at least I can tick it off the bucket list.  Great.

But, back to the present day and having said goodbye to the hospital, neurologists, and watching an innordinate amount of useless television because my concentration was inconsistent with editing, I got way behind.  Way way behind.  My poor little manuscript was left languishing in my office wondering what it had done wrong.  OK, so I had a little holiday too, and yes Paris and the UK were lovely but I worked on the plane and whilst I was in England.  Honestly.  Promise.

So I have caught up with all that got forgotten.  Goodreads giveaway sent.  Late, but sent.  Editing finished.  Late, but done.  Blog tour giveaway organised and will be sent tomorrow morning with my new newsletter.  Blog post written.  Almost.  And that, my friends just about sum up two months.  Except to say that the nose remains broken.  I guess one working nostril is enough at any given time, right?

So I am back with my blog.   We have made friends and all is forgiven.  I am back to wondering what is best to write about, fretting about the next book, not having enought time to fit everything all in, and I have absolutely no doubts that I wouldn't have it any other way.

PS: got the first cover designs for the next book.  Oh, I am excited!  Cannot wait to share them soon!

Blog Tour Time

Well, after many weeks of wondering if I could actually pull of a blog tour all by myself, I learned that I couldn't.  But with ten willing bloggers on your team not counting me, it all becomes possible!

So thank you very much to each and every blogger or magazine editor who has offered to host me below.  Without you guys it simply wouldn't be happening, or at least if it were, I would be poorer.

So what exactly is happening?

Between the 15th and 25th of April 2013, I will be appearing on all of the above blogs.  Each day the type of post will be clearly stated on here, my Facebook page and on my website.  Links for all of this can be found below.  Throughout the ten days there will be interviews, excerpts, author spotlights, character interviews, and one reading.  So if you don't know me personally, here is your chance to put a voice to the name and the face.  Plus, perhaps most importantly, there will be prizes.  

There are several ways to claim your price.  You can;

1. Like my Facebook page.  This can be done through my website or the page itself.
2. Comment on a relevant blog tour Facebook post.
3. Share a relevant blog tour Facebook post.
4. Sign up for my newsletter on my website.
5. Any combinations of the above are also greatly welcomed.

Everybody who does at least one of the above will automatically receive one free eBook to either their email or Facebook email, depending on what you have provided.  The second prize will be a signed paperback.  First prize will be a signed paperback plus a free gift bag.  

Make sure you drop by at some point in the tour and leave your comments.  Tell your friends too!

www.michellemuckley.com
www.facebook.com/michellemuckleyauthor

Follow up - post Select statistics

In the UK, the first of April is generally filled with silliness and pranks, and in Cyprus it also happens to be a bank holiday.  So you might think I have traded in the jokes for a day off work.  However the national holiday is in fact a celebration of the successful struggle against the British over fifty years ago, so in many ways both April Fools' day and the national holiday of Cyprus are being celebrated, only now it seems the jokes are always sort of directed at me.

But there is another reason to celebrate this April 1st.  I have had what can only be described as the best writing month to date.

As those of you who saw the last post will know, I was almost done with the Amazon Select giveaways, never seeing much of a bump in sales afterwards, and not giving away many books either.  But I thought, on a whim, to give it one more chance.  Last time I reported about the giveaway, eventually giving almost 4000 books away over three days and making it into 11th position overall in the Amazon free chart in the UK.  'That's great,' I thought, but what next?  What should I expect?

Well next was better than I had hoped for.  

In total, up until the end of April I went on to sell 401 books.  I would say that about 90% of these were in the UK, with the remainder of the 400 in the UK, and the last 1 of the four hundred and 401 was in France.  Based on the fact that I was usually pretty chuffed if I sold 10 or 15 books a month, you can rest assured I was pretty happy with these results.  This action has all taken place in the last two weeks.

So why is this important?  It's important because I honestly attribute the success totally to Amazon's free giveaway program.  Without it I simply wouldn't have found these sales.  Through the giveaway my books suddenly found a place in the Amazon algorithms that gave them a chance to be seen.  Most sales were for the previously free book, but it has also had an impact on the sales of the other book in my library.

So my conclusion is, on the right day, under the right circumstances the use of Select can be beneficial and rewarding.  I have also received three new reviews since then.  I am now a convert to Select.  I have no doubt that potentially the next time may not yield the same wonderful results, but I certainly won't be worrying about taking the chance either.