Behold, the Opening Chapters of CURSE OF A DARK GOD

For your reading pleasure, I have posted the current version of the first 12 chapters of Curse of a Dark God below. (And there was much rejoicing, yea.)

Read and enjoy!

CURSE OF A DARK GOD draft 3 chapters 1-12 reader 

Note: these are draft chapters and may change in the final version.

If you would like to be part of a test audience, please open the document and begin reading just as you would any book that you picked up because it looked interesting. Stop where you normally would. Then email me by clicking on the Contact John link under my photo up on the left. I’ll send you a couple of questions. Please make sure you don’t ask for the questions before you’ve given the bit above a go (I don’t want the questions to affect your reading). Also, don’t put any critique hat on. Just read as you normally would. 🙂 The deadline for test audience responses is January 15th.

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    John guest posts about writing memorable fiction on ReidWrite

    Luc Reid is the author of, among other things, Talk the Talk: The Slang of 65 American Subcultures.  He is also the lizard king of Codex, which he started and of which I’m so happy to be a member. He’s always starting provocative threads on Codex, making us all think and reexamine the principles of story and the whole writing business. He recently posted some insights about what makes memorable stories. A lot of other fellow Codexians joined in the discussion. Happily, he asked me to share some of my thoughts on his site, ReidWrite. They begin as follows:

    YOU’RE MINE, DEAR READER

     Mwuhahaha.

     Okay, maybe not. But you are wired to be mine. And you wouldn’t have it any other way.

    Let’s back up. Luc wrote about writing memorable. I agree with the idea that the stories that produce a strong emotional reaction are the most memorable. In fact, I believe that triggering of emotion is THE reason why linear narrative that puts us into the trance has lasted so long in so many forms and makes so much money.

    But can writers guide reader emotions? Or is it all just by accident?

    Read the rest here: http://reidwrite.livejournal.com/8331.html.

    BTW, when you’ve finished that, you might want to check out Luc’s new site, WillpowerEngine.com. It’s a place where he shares what he’s found in his research for his current book project, The Willpower Engine, on how self-motivation works. I think you’ll find a number of the posts there very interesting.

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7 Comments

  1. Awesome! I went ahead and linked this on readandfindout.com. It’s always refreshing to see authors put their stuff out there.

  2. John, finished SoaDG last night. Writing my review today. Also read these 12 chapters. But when I try clicking the link to email you it won’t give me the link. Help?

  3. Harm,

    Thanks for the heads up. I upgraded to the newest WordPress version and forgot to reactivate. It should be working now. Look forward to your review. I’m going to email you the test audience questions.

  4. John, I am perusing the Life the Universe and Everything site. You’re not on the list of authors attending. What gives?

  5. Hezekiah,

    I think they just haven’t updated. As far as I know I’m slated to be on panels etc. I received an initial email from the organizers, but haven’t heard anything yet as to official schedule etc. You might want to contact them directly to see if they have info I haven’t received yet. I believe the email is on the site.

  6. Okay. Because, you know. If you weren’t there, why bother going? I need to get SoaDG signed, after all.

  7. Indeed, cause those other folks coming, like Sanderson, Modesitt, Farland–chumps 😀

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