dyingartspress

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good omens (2019)  sent me back to when i was 15yo and i first read the novel and honestly? thank you.

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90% of writing advice can be thrown out the window for your first draft.

Show don’t tell? Ignore.

Basic grammar and punctuation? Unnecessary. 

Physical descriptions of characters? Don’t need to bother. 

Solid plot? That’s for later. 

The words don’t come as fast when you’re thinking of the best way to put them together. It doesn’t have to be pretty, or much more than inconsistent nonsense.  The point is to have it exist.

Effective storytelling is for subsequent drafts! Go write some nonsense! 

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Raven sketch on a coffee stained paper, still reading. Ig: johnfenerov 🍁 Density of 175 g/m2, A5

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**maNiacAl LauGHteR**

I am so very excited to read this! I don’t care if the intended audience is middle grade, Cassidy and Jacob give me life. Not to mention, V always slays it with the world building and creating atmospheric reads. 🖤♥️

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And in her smile, I see something more beautiful than the stars.

Beth Revis (via quotemadness)

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A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes. https://www.instagram.com/p/ByXEY4NgJcO/?igshid=q01wgm0urqqc

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Life is not like water. Things in life don’t necessarily flow over the shortest possible route.

Haruki Murakami (via quotemadness)

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Invaluable writing tips (From Blake Snyder’s “Save the Cat”)

I just finished this book on screenwriting and have highlighted some amazing advice for novelists as well:

1. Save the Cat

This refers to a scene at the beginning of yoru manuscript in which the main character does something that makes the reader root for them them i.e. saving a cat.

This doesn’t have to be something altruistic - it can include smarts or humour or naivety - just something that will make the reader want to follow this character through the story.

Without this scene, you’ll probably end up with a boring character. And no matter how amazing your plot, you need a “followable” character to carry it.

2. The Pope in the Pool

This refers to a scene in which necessary exposition is given whilst the audience is distracted by something more entertaining i.e. having the Pope explain important backstory aspects whilst doing laps in the Vatican Pool.

This is the best way to give readers the information they need whilst still keeping them engaged. Something funny/interesting/moving should happen whilst this necessary exposition is provided.

3. Double Mumbo Jumbo

This refers to the mistake many writers make in asking readers to believe in more than one type of magic/miracle. This suspends reality too much and causes the reader to lose faith in the realism/probability of your story.

So, if you already have magical fairies, don’t throw aliens into the mix as well.

ONE magical element is enough.

4. Laying Pipe

Another error often made is writing a story that needs too much set-up. This means that so much backstory must be explored in the first part of the novel that your catalyst only occurs at page 100 or so.

This will cause readers to lose interest long before they’ve reached the inciting incident. If you don’t get the beginning right and move on the exciting stuff as soon as possible, it doesn’t matter how great your ending is, since few readers will get there.

5. Watch out for that Glacier

This is when the danger in your novel takes too long/perhaps the whole book to get to your characters/to threaten them. Therefore, the reader is aware that there is some eventual threat, but the characters aren’t affected by it throughout the story.

It’s a glacier coming for them rather than a missile. And it dampens the tension.

6. The Covenant of the Arc

Every somewhat important character in the novel should change, except for the bad guy. This is what will ultimately distinguish your good guys from your villain: moral change.

So, take a look at the journey of every primary and secondary character in your manuscript and ensure that they grow/experience some for m of change that is brought about by the events in the story.

7. Keep the Press Out

This is the tip I think should be used with the most circumspection. It’s for you to decide whether you want to follow this piece of advice or not.

This tip calls for leaving media coverage/the press out of your story. If some supernatural/extraterrestrial event occurs in a secluded neighbourhood and remains a family secret, it’s much easier for your reader to believe that it could really have happened than if the whole world is supposedly in on it.

Like I said, use with discretion.

These are all Blake Snyder’s tips (not mine) and are explored in greater detail in the book. So, if you would like more information and more great advice, I suggest grabbing a copy.

Reblog if you found this useful. Follow me for similar content.

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Here is your card for Bad Things Happen Bingo. Happy writing!

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Book Recs: LGBT Edition

Since we’re a couple days into Pride Month, I think I’ll give you guys some LGBT book recommendations!

Aristotle and Dante Discover The Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz - This book is so amazing and is definetly in my top 10 books of all time. It’s about 2 Mexican-American teenage boys in the 1980s who fall in love, and I’m absolutely obsessed with it.

The Inexplicable Logic of my Life by Benjamin Alire Sáenz - Another by this author. He’s such a huge inspiration, I just had to. This book is about a boy who has an adopted father that’s gay, and the experiences he goes through has he travels through high school. It made me cry, and it’s such a good read.

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli - Honestly, this one is a no-brainer. How can someone NOT love this book? It’s about a closeted gay boy named Simon who slowly falls in love with a boy who doesn’t reveal his identity to Simon until the end of the book. I’m not going to reveal it to you if you haven’t read it already, but trust me. It’s worth it.

Leah on the Offbeat by Becky Albertalli - This is a sequel to the book previously mentioned. It’s about Simon’s bisexual friend Leah, who is learning to accept herself for who she is. This book is so good, I have no words to express my love for it.

How to Repair a Mechanical Heart by J.C. Lillis - This book is on my To-Read list, but from what I’ve heard, it’s astounding. It is about two boys who go on a roadtrip to a convention and start to fall in love. It looks super cute, and I’m definetly going to give it a read!

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YA Book Cover Round Up:

June Releases (Pearl)

Better than the Best Plan by Lauren Morrill

Stranger Things Runaway Max by Brenna Yovanoff

When the Ground is Hard by Malla Nunn

Shadow and Flame by Mindee Arnett

All Eyes on Us by Kit Frick

Ghosts of the Shadow Market by Cassandra Clare & Co

The Confusion of Laurel Graham by Adrienne Kisner

Teeth in the Mist by Dawn Kurtagich

The Modern Faerie Tales by Holly Black

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Blurred through the windows and the rain, the house was a great big jumble of rough walls and dark windows and tiled roofs, the gables and towers all mixed up and twisted together to form a puzzle of black stone. The windows lay empty behind iron bars, without a single glimmer of fire or lamp light, except for the high tower. I wouldn’t have been surprised if someone had told me it was abandoned — it wasn’t the sort of place that invited people to live in it.

And yet…

And yet, those empty windows gave me the creeping sense that someone — or something — was waiting behind them, watching.

♠

Abigail gets her first glimpse of the House in our next installment of A Murder of Crows, which goes live tomorrow. We're very excited to be posting the whole book on Wattpad over the next few months! Start reading here and if you just can't wait for the next installment, go ahead and buy the book at www.dyingartspress.com/tbr!

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Book Review - Malamander: The Legends of Eerie-on-Sea

Themes: Adventure, Magic, Mystery

Malamander by Thomas Taylor is a wonderful maritime mystery perfect for those who love adventure and the sea-side! The story follows Herbert Lemon the Lost-and-Founder at the Grand Nautolus Hotel and Violet Parma who are on a mission to find out what happened to her parents twelve years ago. As they try to find answers, the pair discover that their disappearance has something to do with the legendary sea-monster – the Malamander who is said to creep around the shipwreck of the battleship Leviathan…

I really enjoyed this book, from the first page a quick pace is established, making it a real page-turner and perfect for those who lose interest quickly. You can practically taste the salt in the air as you explore the seaside town and its mysterious atmosphere. It is the first book in a trilogy and it has set the bar high, I am really looking forward to the sequel. There are things I need to know! Questions I need to be answered!

It is a fantastic book with its own seaside legends, perfect for anyone who loves a good myth and monster-themed story. If you loved The Stormkeeper’s Island by Catherine Doyle, The Last Chance Hotel by Nicki Thornton or Cogheart by Peter Bunzel then definitely give this book a try!

Until next time, happy reading!

              N and the Dying Arts Press Team

Please note that while we do our best to make sure that our recommendations are well informed and accurate it is always best to use your own judgement when deciding what is suitable to read, as our definition of mature content or what is appropriate may vary from your own views.

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Dyslexia Friendly Books to Try

All of us at Dying Arts Press have worked around books and in bookshops. Whenever customers come in looking for recommendations for reluctant readers, we often find that their reluctance is due to lack of confidence and links with dyslexia. For anyone who is dyslexic and reading this just know that while you may struggle – please don’t let it put you off reading anything you want. As someone who struggles with severe dyslexia (and I wasn’t formally diagnosed until 18 years) let me tell you that reading is one of the best things you can do to help with some of the disadvantages of dyslexia and can soon become your strengths … Enough sappy messages – here are some books that use dyslexia friendly fonts.

First on our list is A Dangerous Game by Malorie Blackman

Suitable for ages: 11+ * Themes: Drama, Real Life, Suspense * Mature Content: Mild – explores terminal illness and peer pressure.

 This book follows Sam who has a long-term illness and is desperate to have a normal life. He is thrilled when he persuades his parents to let him go on the school trip to the Scottish Highlands. Sam wants adventure and to prove to everyone that he's just as strong as his friends. But when some of the boys from his class start taking reckless risks in order to win a challenge, the trip turns out to be more dangerous than Sam imagined. 

It is full of suspense and drama and also looks at the struggle to fit in with classmates and how peer pressure works along with the consequences.

Our second recommendation is Race to the Frozen North: The Matthew Henson Story by Catherine Johnson

Suitable for ages: 11+ * Themes: Adventure, Historical, Real Life* Mature Content: Mild

This book is actually based on a true story about Matthew Henson. When Commander Robert E. Peary entered his life and offered him a chance at true adventure. Henson becomes a craftsman, translator and navigator on a treacherous journey to the North Pole. This is his incredible and often untold story, where he defies the odds and overcomes the challenges thrown at him. This is a great book for anyone who loves adventure or isn’t too keen on fiction.

Third on our list White Feather by Catherine and David MacPhail

Suitable for ages: 11+ * Themes: Historical, Mystery, Real Life* Mature Content: Mild – explores mental health, death and grief

This is a great book for anyone studying WW1 or WW2 and discusses important issues on how soldiers and families were directly affected by war. This novel is set just after WW1 and follows Tony who is mourning the loss of his brother (who was executed for cowardice in No Man’s Land). Tony refuses to believe his brother is a traitor and in his grief is pushed to the edge to discover the truth.  With growing discussions in mental health, books like this make safe places to start and have open discussions about various issues.

Fourth on our list, The Disconnect by Keren David

Suitable for ages: 13+ * Themes: Drama, Mystery, Real Life* Mature Content: Extremely mild, primarily focused on screen addiction

Could you give up your phone for six weeks? This story is about Esther whose year group is challenged by an eccentric entrepreneur to completely disconnect from their phones. The winners will win £1000, which Esther feels she could use to see her Dad and sister in New York. This story follows the challenges of addiction and self-discipline as she tries to complete the challenge. (I can hear in the distance parents joking to their teens about how they should read this – the horror!)

Last but not least Grave Matter by Juno Dawson

Suitable for ages: 13+ * Themes: Fantasy, Mystery, Thriller* Mature Content: Mild horror themes featuring dark magic and resurrecting the dead

 This is a chilling tale about Samuel who, after losing his girlfriend in a car crash uses dark magic to bring her back. However, there is a high price to pay for powers you cannot understand or control. This is a great book for those who like something a little more suspenseful and otherworldly. This is defiantly a page turner with beautiful, haunting illustrations.  

Until next time, happy reading!

N and the Dying Arts Press Team

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Happy #quotesunday Another quote from a classic novel which features in our Five Classics You Should Read article which you can check out on our website. . . #quote #dyingartspress #thesecretgarden #magic #franceshodgsonburnett #books #classics #lovereading https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx6-ltGAgAa/?igshid=td4i015gfav7