The Storyteller | Mary Vee

One of the best opportunities I have is hosting other authors. We usually chat about books and visit either the setting of the story or the place where the author is from here on my blog.  Today, Rick Barry is visiting with us and he has his new release, Methuselah Project S.O.S .  The photos used in this post were provided by Rick. Over the years, I've read Rick's works in writing groups at conferences, etc. Then when he released The Methuselah Project , a few years back, I was excited to get my copy and host him here on my blog.  As a fellow suspense author, I couldn't help but read his suspense stories. I've especially enjoyed Rick's gift for twisting a tale into something I never expected.  His new book, Methuselah Project S.O.S . can best be compared to Marvel or DC. If you are a superhero fan, you will love Methuselah Project S.O.S. As with most superheroes, Roger Greene, the main character, was not born with his super powers. He was a pilot in WWII, but he i...

Confession, before yesterday, I had never read  A Christmas Carol . Pitiful, I know. In truth, I've seen the movie a gazillion times, and when I relinquished to finally read Dickens's words, I was surprised. (Today's photos of London were taken by my daughter) The full title, now that I know the rest of the story is: A Christmas Carol. In Prose. Being A Ghost Story of Christmas .  No, I don't think his original title received points either. Trimming it down to A Christmas Carol was a smart idea by whoever did it. The story takes place in horse and buggy days and seven years after Scrooges's partner, Jacob Marley died. So, why is this tale of " a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous, old sinner! Hard and sharp as flint,… secret, and self-contained, and solitary as an oyster," better as a book than a movie? This photo of Big Ben is when it is under construction. The scaffolding designed to protect the building prevents us from seein...

Whether a book has an amazing plot, incredible characters, or a spectacular setting, one way to turn a reader away from the story is to misrepresent a crucial fact. Ex: Did you know vehicles are not allowed to cross the Mackinac Bridge on Labor Day 6 am to noon.  As small as a sliver is, the irksome little irritant, pain can explode with a single touch.  So also is the incorrect portrayal of a cultural detail. Readers will notice!! We don't have to visit the setting used in our book, but it helps. If you can't go to the location, there are other ways to ensure the culture is properly represented. And this is  SOOOOOO crucial to keep readers reading the story! Take for example the book I am reading. I won't mention the title, but it was chosen because I happen to be in a beautiful rut reading tons of books with Parisian settings, watching movies filmed in Paris, and studying French, I've visited Paris--spent weeks in France, and okay, you get the drift. As a resu...

Sometimes taking a vay-cay to Paris is impossible, but a trip to Paris, Wisconsin or Paris, Tennessee, or Paris, Texas is a little more affordable.  We can always take a picture of the sign, buy new clothes, eat at a restaurant, and call it good, right? Or not. Sigh. There's something about being in the real place. Today's book talk with real scene photos by Mary Vee is:  Paris by the Book by Liam Callanan Definitely a 5 stars story. Well written. Engaging. Focused on the story. Rich. I totally loved this story, especially the way Callanan told the tale. Here is why: The story begins in Paris, Wisconsin. Our main character, Leah  is drawn to Robert by a chance encounter outside their small town bookstore. She wanted The Red Balloon , he wanted Madeline . Two stories with a Parisian setting. Their love story continues into their wedding. As you might expect, about one third into the story, Leah travels from Wisconsin to her dream place, Paris, France. ...