Author Colm McElwain talks about James Clyde

I'm trilled to be receiving author Colm McElwain Ax today to promote his Middle Grade novel, James Clyde and the Diamonds of Orchestra.

Alongside his friends Ben and Mary Forester, James Clyde must protect a powerful diamond from falling into the wrong hands. A strange and sinister man dressed in black is also pursuing the diamond and will stop at nothing to obtain it. James and his friends set off on a perilous journey to return the diamond to its rightful place. But they are being hunted every step of the way by the relentless man in black and his blood-thirsty army. Outnumbered, James finds he must use the power of the diamond to escape their clutches - or become another victim of their murderous quest. So begins a journey that will transport them to an alternative world where they must confront the mysterious man in black for a final, winner-takes-all battle...

                   Find it on Amazon                                               Find it on Goodreads 

Hi Colm, thank you for being with us. Please do tell, what inspired you to write this book?

I saw it as a unique experience, something very different and challenging. I believe children’s literature is one of the most popular genres in writing. Some of the most iconic and popular books ever written are children’s books and I thought, if good enough, my book could join that list. Some of these iconic books will be remembered and read forever.  Therefore, I wanted James Clyde to have all the characteristics that are present in popular and classic children’s books characters.

Did you listen to specific songs while writing?

I tended to listen to movie soundtracks more often than not.  If I was writing a very heroic scene I would have the John Williams’s Superman or Indiana Jones theme booming from the speakers.  When I was writing a sequence describing certain characters in the water I had Jaws playing. If I was describing a war or action scene then Braveheart would be on.  I also had Harry Potter and other soundtracks as well. It definitely did help.  The music inspires you.

Any advice for aspiring writers?

The three ‘r’s’! Revise, revise and revise.  You could also call this rewrite.  No matter how brilliant you think your first, second or third draft is, it won’t be as good as your nineteenth one.  And your nineteenth one would be as good as your twenty-fifth.  It takes so much time to write a book.  It took a long time for me to understand this.  For example, it took me six years to write James Clyde and the Diamonds of Orchestra. I simply wasn't happy with it for a long time.  Even now, when I read a page of two of my book I always find something I might do differently.  Rewriting can include removing unnecessary scenes or simply switching words around in order to help a sentence sound or flow better. This can take an age.  Finally, this is your bible.  If you print the pages of your book out, you keep them safe and respect them.  You don’t leave loose pages lying messily around the kitchen while you eat.  I always kept my manuscript inside a folder and would treat each page carefully.  If I found a correction I used a red pen and kept things as tidy and neat as I could.  Oh, and keep copies of the work you do each day.

What are you working on now -- or would you rather surprise us?

I’m busy promoting this book at the moment so I don’t really have much time to write.  I also want this book to be a success and that may take quite a while also. It’s very much a long term project and I’ll probably need a bit of luck along the way too. Also, after spending six years on this one, I do feel I need a break from writing as I've put everything into it during those six years. If I never write another book I’ll always be proud of this one though.

You can find Colm McElwain on:

Website

Youtube



Thank you for being with us Colm, and good luck on all your future projects.

Review: The Coldest Girl in Coldtown

Holly Black gives us an atypical and disturbing look at vampires, as well as the hottest and raciest kiss ever between a bloodsucker and a human. 

The story revolves around Tana, a teenage girl who was bitten by her own mother as a child and still feels guilty over the incident. Had she not allowed her mom to bite her, the infection would have worn off and her mother would be alive today. So when her friends get attacked at a party, Tana decides to save those she can from turning, by driving them to Coldtown, away from the vampire hunters. Black spices things up by adding two neurotic bloggers named Midnight and Winter who wish to document the whole ordeal. 

Although the plot was well set up -- the need for Coldtowns easy to understand -- it made no realistic sense why Tana would risk her life for an ex-boyfriend who peer pressured her into kissing other guys. And if that wasn't enough reason to leave him and save herself, she decides to rescue a vampire she'd never met. Just because. 

Sadly, the wicked sense of humor was not sufficient to make the story worth re-reading.

Review: The Boyfriend List

Panic attacks are a clear sign that someone needs help. But when Ruby's parents send her to a therapist -- post her boyfriend breakup -- she doesn't know where to start. And so a list is made. It names every boy that affected Ruby's life and is somehow responsible for this entire ordeal. 

The story is female-focused and humorous, while keeping the seriousness of growing up from playing video games with boys to having them feel you up. Ruby is a very realistic character. She doesn't spend her days trying to climb the popularity ladder, she just wants to be loved by her friends, but must learn to assert herself first. This book is a fair example of why some relationships are meant to end, even if we are not ready to say goodbye.  

Feature and Follow Friday: Treasure

Parajunkee / Alison Can Read

FEATURE & FOLLOW FRIDAY

Once you answer be sure to leave me your link so I can follow you back

Q: If you could only have One book -- one book -- for the rest of your life. What would it be?

For me, easy, Little Women. It's one of my childhood's favorites that I still turn to every now and then. It has romance, heartbreak, sibling rivalry, a saint of a mother, and a Teddy.

Review: Origin

The Amazon rainforest comes to life in Jessica Khoury's novel, Origin. 

Pia, an immortal who hates being reminded so, was created as part of a top secret project. She lives in a protected compound with her Aunts and Uncles -- all scientists that prefer a ''family'' environment -- but never allow her to step out into the jungle. Instead, Pia spends the days training for the unknown; forced to disregard ethical questions because she is special. And special people do what needs to be done, even if it means hurting others.

Jessica Khoury maintained a thrilling plotline throughout the whole story of morality vs. eternity. I mean, really, who would want to live forever if it meant being the bad guy?

Pia was an easy character to root for: brave, intrepid, and humble. No wonder Eio agrees to help her. Finally, a book that can be enjoyed in its entirety, without the need of a sequel to prolong the obvious.