Scookie Reviews

Heart of Dread: Frozen by Melissa de la Cruize, Michael Johnston So my first official book review is here and I have mixed feelings. I loved the sound of this book, but disliked the way it was written... and yet still found myself softening up to it. I reckon it might be the shaky start to a great series. Release Date : 2nd October Recommend : If you don’t mind info dumping and love action, fantasy, dystopian fiction and anything in between. Verdict : 3/5 stars Nat is a young blackjack dealer working for New Vegas, but she’s also marked: a monster inside her head and magical gifts which she can’t control. The world has frozen over, the waters poisoned, and the marked are killed on sight. Even though Nat can hide her mark, she can’t stay in New Vegas – the voice won’t let her. She hires a cocky and young Wes and his crew of mercenaries to help her reach the warm paradise of Blue, a place that is only rumoured exist. It’s actually more complicated than that little summar...

No. Next question? There’s a box to the right where you can ask me anything… Okay, I’ll elaborate on this one. Getting to the end of a novel can be an impossible task, so why give yourself more hurdles than needed? If you can write from start to finish and it works for you, then congrates – you’ve found your style! If not, then you are far more likely to get to the end if you write the sections you’re excited about. Write the best bits first , where ‘best’ means the bits you are passionate about. Follow, kindle, develop your ideas and get into the flow of the scene until that section feels done and you don’t know where to go. These are the sections that come flowing out, right? Those lulls between the action scenes still need to be thrilling, which may seem like an impossible task at first. This is probably because you’re not fussed about these scenes yet. You’re not entirely sure what needs to happen. But you will. I know many individuals write chronologically so they ...

Someone recently asked me what aspiring writers should read to help them hone in on their craft.  I think they were expecting a ‘how to write’ guide of some sort, but that’s not what I’d recommend at all. There are alternatives which I think are much more helpful, and they all stem around reading lots and doing so with a critical mind. Get ready for lots of links! If you haven't already, read both old and new material withing your genre . Real published books too, rather than writing site drafts. Goodreads and LibraryThing  are a great place to start, and amazon  can often provide titles for 1p plus packagin (£2.70) from alternate sellers. Alternatively, you can walk to a bookshop or library, unless you’re like me and sorta forgot you had legs there... The second option is to read books which are highly recommended in general. From these, you’ll learn what’s trendy now as well as how to do it right in general, and possibly what you can add to your genre. If yo...

Two books seek avid readers. They enjoy warm fires and the scent of a good cuppa. Or anyone who will love them.  Thanks to N.M. Mac Arthur ,  my very first blog giveaway is finally here. She has kindly offered two paperback books of her fantasy adventure novel The Prince of Prophecy Vol. I: Destined , and I can tell you now that it's a fantastic read for all ages. If you've already read it and can’t wait to read more, then perhaps take a read of Interview with N.M. Mac Arthur  for her insights into the writing the book and a few hints to what is to come. Book two is set to come out in December for all of you who are waiting for more! Entries closed. Winners will be announced soon!   Good luck!