Riding Invisible – Book Review

Riding Invisible
It’s been awhile since a book review, and since I found this particular book so interesting, I wanted to share “Riding Invisible” by Sandra Alonzo with you.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved “Riding Invisible” and had a hard time putting it down. The story begins with young Yancy running away from home on his horse, Shy, and the journal of his adventure. Yancy also happens to be an illustrator, and his illustrations help put the reader in the mind of an adolescent boy. While the subject matter is serious – abusive brother, parents trying to cope with the brother’s mental illness, homelessness, and more – the book is not morose or depressing. The author clearly writes from the boy’s point of view, seeing all these issues as he sees them.

I would say “Riding Invisible” is appropriate for ages 13 and up due to some of the language and situations. But as an adult, I truly appreciated the child’s perspective, and it made me think about fairness in families when one child’s behavior creates chaos. Perhaps I cared about Yancy so much becasue the character was so well developed. Spoiler alert: in the end it seemed there was hope.

I highly recommend this book. It is a very different read, and one that will leave readers of all ages thinking beyond the pages.

For the “Riding Invisible book trailer, click here.

View all my reviews

One-Liners

One of my virtual friends, Charlie Bray, began a new series featuring one-liners from novels.

http://theindietribe.wordpress.com/2013/04/09/10-one-liners-from-10-novels-collection-one/

I’m pleased to announce that Charlie chose a one-liner from “Believing In Horses” as one of the top ten in the first collection.

“Ten pairs of eyes in various stages of fear, desperation, and sadness, all watching Sadie, seemingly pleading for her to do something”

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BELIEVING IN HORSES by Valerie Ormond

I don’t know Charlie personally, but via the worldwide web.  He works tirelessly to help independent and aspiring authors through efforts such as this.  He has a huge following…just check out the blogroll.

But I found Charlie’s contest fun for more reasons than the win.  You see, I had to pick the one-liner to enter.  For you writers out there…what line would you choose from your novel, story, or work in progress?  Try it…it won’t be as easy as you think.

A Fun Writing Exercise

Question: What will make me a better writer?

Answer: Write more.Almost any writer will respond to the better writing question with similar advice. Figuring ALL writers couldn’t be wrong, I decided to write more myself and see if it worked. I participated in a fun flash fiction writing contest once sponsored by Emlyn Chand and Novel Publicity with the following rules:

  1. Write a romance story, including all the traditional elements of a romance novel, with the title “Kindergarten Love Blossom.”
  2. Use no more than 1000 words.
  3. The main characters must be…no more than five years old (nothing off-color).

As the blooms are starting to blossom here in Maryland, it seemed a good time to share this exercise.

Fun Writing Exercise

Photo by Jaime Navarro

Kindergarten Love Blossom

Hannah stood on her tiptoes shading the sun from her eyes with her hand trying to see as far as she could see. A typical glorious Montana summer day, a light breeze filled the endless sky, and the sun shone a bright smile from the heavens. Hannah spotted a truck bouncing up the country gravel road across the green hills, bringing what she’d been waiting for since last month – her new best friend. [Read more...]

Making A Difference, One Horse, Or Human, at a Time

Hello readers, I was a finalist in Angelea Walkup’s HorseGirlTV Guest Bloggers competition!  Please see the guest post at http://www.horsegirltv.com/making-a-difference-one-horse-or-human-at-a-time/.  Thanks, Angelea, and Team HorseGirlTV for inviting me to stop by.

On Editing

I haven’t blogged in a while – guilty. Not even going to talk excuses like holidays or travel. Nope, no excuse, but a reason: PRIORITY. My PRIORITY has been editing. But I thought I would take a short break from editing to share some thoughts on my recent editing project.

I’m editing my Work In Progress (WIP), Believing In Horses, Too, a sequel to my first novel, Believing In Horses. When I wrote my first book, I edited along the way (and of course, re-edited, re-edited with editors, re-edited again, etc.). I spent more time choosing the exact words during the first draft, rewriting each chapter until I got what I wanted. This time, I followed Stephen King’s approach. From his classic, On Writing:

Editing

“On Writing” also includes great editing advice

With the door shut, downloading what’s in my head directly to the page, I write as fast as I can and still remain comfortable….If I write rapidly, putting down my story exactly as it comes to mind, only looking back to check the names of my characters and the relevant parts of their back stories, I find that I can keep up with my original enthusiasm and at the same time outrun the self-doubt that’s always waiting to settle in. [Read more...]

“Everyone Has Talents and Abilities” – DelSheree Gladden

A double-header today! I’m pleased to bring you talented author DelSheree Gladden, and discuss her fifth book, Inquest: Book One of the Destroyer Trilogy (Volume 1). After DelSheree shares her thoughts on writing, character building and story creation, I’ve included a review of Inquest. So, please, take your seats, and enjoy the games.

Game One: The Interview

  1. 1.  What inspired you to choose present day and Albuquerque, New Mexico, as the setting for this novel?

I have lived in New Mexico most of my life. I grew up in a small town with only one stoplight. I have learned to write what I know, but a small town wasn’t the right setting for Inquest. I needed a bigger stage for a teenage girl meant to destroy the world to make her appearance. Albuquerque had the appeal of being a decent sized city, and I felt it was a good match for Libby’s story. [Read more...]