Friday, June 28, 2013

Origin Stories

Every superhero seems to have an origin story. Heck, the world we live in is one gigantic origin story! I can't speak for all writers, but I always try to know what happened in the past before I write a novel.
With THE REVENGE GAME and DECEIT, I had to know what happened before the series started in order to give it a drive and purpose. The worst thing in the world for a reader is reading a book where the author has no idea how it will end. Does the writer need every beat worked out? No. That comes from writing the novel. However, if you know the character's motivation beforehand, I think it gives unspoken clarity to the work.
In THE REVENGE GAME trilogy, I had to know why everything that happened happened in order to know how the trilogy will end. In the next book, all will be revealed. No loose ends. Okay, maybe one loose end, but I promise to wrap it up. The reason why it all happened and what's going on will make sense, so read up and stay tuned in!
If you haven't read the first two books in the trilogy, just click below to get them today!

The Revenge Game for Kindle
Deceit for Kindle

-Cole

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Reviews: To read or not to read?

Ah, it's the eternal question! Should writers, actors, directors, etc. read their reviews, good or bad?
Since I don't have a review for THE REVENGE GAME as of yet, I can't use my personal experience. However, I do know that if you read your reviews, you have to read all of your reviews. The good comes with the bad. If you cherry pick the best reviews, you're being disingenuous to the process.
Oprah once said that she doesn't read reviews; neither does Steven Spielberg. There may be good information one could use to strength their work in a review, but should they worry about something they've already written and released into the world? Remember how upset Carrie was on SEX AND THE CITY when The New York Times didn't give her a good review?
Remember, some people just like to write bad reviews to drive down your Amazon rating. Others love everything (we know those people..)! So, proceed with caution.
Will I read my first review?
Well, you'll have to see!

Happy reading!

-Cole

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Print editions of THE REVENGE GAME and DECEIT

The Nassau Street Group and I have been talking about print editions of THE REVENGE GAME trilogy. It was always intended to be an e-book series, but it's a little different from other young adult books on the market.
What do you guys think?
We're still talking, so when something's decided, I'll let you know!

-Cole

Monday, June 24, 2013

Author page on NassauStreetGroup.com

If you have time, check out the page of my publisher, The Nassau Street Group, Ltd. It's a well designed, well run site. Check it out!

-Cole

Saturday, June 22, 2013

Writing Tip #4: Supporting characters

I love supporting characters. In a series like THE REVENGE GAME, it's very easy for the lead characters (Wes, Brandon, Corey, and Greg) to become mired in a lot of drama, which is great! However, I think every book needs a fleet of supporting characters who can add levity to the situation and lighten the tone from time to time.
When I first wrote, THE REVENGE GAME, Madeline, Kirby, Mo, Jack, and Holly were people who came about and were there to be there. I knew Madeline lived across the street from Corey, but then I wrote her first "scene". Wow! I fell in love with her snooty attitude. She reminds me of Nellie Oleson! Madeline wasn't in my initial outlines for THE REVENGE GAME, but she was so much fun to write, I couldn't not include her in DECEIT as well.
Mo Gross came about when I wrote the first story bible for the trilogy. I wanted Brandon to be the baby of a large family and Mo was the eldest child. Well, there was nothing remarkable about Mo until I started writing THE REVENGE GAME. As I started exploring the characters' families, I picked Mo, made him an irresistible jock jerk, and quickly paired him with another character (if you've read THE REVENGE GAME, you know who!). It all made so much sense, but I didn't plan it. Having a slew of supporting characters to draw on allows you space to expand the world of the novel.
With Jack Webber, he was only supposed to appear in the graduation scene. He's Wes's old friend, but they drifted apart during high school. Jack was the "opposite" of Brandon, Corey, and Wes, but he came from the same world. When I paired Jack with another supporting character, it made sense. We see a lot more of Jack in DECEIT, but that's all I can say...for now...
Even though supporting characters may not be in your initial outline or pitch, they can add a dimension of reality to your world. It's a good thing!

-Cole

Friday, June 21, 2013

Writing Tip #3: Edit while you write?

A few months ago, I wrote on Twitter that I never edit a manuscript while I'm writing it. I get everything out and then when I'm finished, I edit it to death. Why?
Well, I find editing while you're writing to be very distracting. If you keep changing something in Chapter 1, how long will it take you to get to Chapter 3? I like to write three to four chapters a day, so editing while I write isn't good for me. One thing I do recommend is keeping a list of things you may want to change later, but only add the changes when you're finished. It'll give you a chance to look at the work as a whole, not disparate parts.
What works for you?


-Cole

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Facebook

Do I use Facebook? No. I don't like it.

However, you can find me on Twitter! I'm @ColeBosher.

-Cole

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Social media vs. writing and a little insight into the life of a writer

Someone recently sent me an email asking why I didn't blog or tweet a lot while I was writing DECEIT. Well, the truth is, writing is my full time job. It pays my bills and keeps me fed.
When I sit down to write, I write from 10AM until 6PM with breaks to walk the dog and eat lunch. Sometimes I walk around to think and clear my head. Outside of that, I write. To be honest, I find social media a little time consuming and when you're on deadline, submitting your manuscript on time is the most important thing. Like anyone else, I like to meet up with friends and relax on the weekends.
I'm getting better about being on social media, but while I'm working on a book, that's the most pressing activity in my life.
Thanks for writing in!

-Cole

Monday, June 17, 2013

What's next?

I still have the last book of THE REVENGE GAME trilogy to write this summer, but after that? Who knows? I love the characters in THE REVENGE GAME trilogy, so anything's possible, right?

-Cole

Saturday, June 15, 2013

New mysteries, a few answered questions, and the beginning of the end...

Now that DECEIT is out, I thought I'd share a few little tidbits with you about this part of the trilogy.
First, a few questions will be answered. I promise. I can't give away everything, but I can say that the identity of the Wall Street Guy will be surprised. I've always known who he is, but now you'll find out, too. You won't believe how he fits into the story.
A new mystery will be launched that'll propel the guys into the last book. What is it? Oh, if I told you that, it would spoil all of the fun!
A surprise couple will be announced. Can you figure it out?
I can't give out much more than that! If I did, it would ruin it for you.

Happy reading!

-Cole

Friday, June 14, 2013

Buy DECEIT for Kindle - Now!

Exciting news!
You can buy DECEIT for $3.99 on the Nook right now! Just click on the image for your copy of DECEIT!

The Revenge Game on Pinterest

The Nassau Street Group and I collaborated on a Pinterest board for all things concerning THE REVENGE GAME Series. It was a lot of fun! You'll see my real life inspirations for the fictional Somerset Hills, New Jersey. You can see Brandon, Wes, Corey, and Greg's houses along with pictures of their school, cars, etc. I think you'll enjoy it.
Check it out on Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/nassaustgroup/the-revenge-game/.

-Cole

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Buy DECEIT for Nook - NOW!

Exciting news!
You can buy DECEIT for $3.99 on the Nook right now! Just click on the image for your copy of DECEIT.
-Cole

DECEIT's cover...

Here's the great cover for DECEIT. Remember, don't get played.






-Cole

...and we're back!

Hello, readers!
I'm so sorry that I've been missing in action recently. As some of you may know, I've been super busy putting the finishing touches on DECEIT, the next book in THE REVENGE GAME Series. DECEIT is due out tomorrow, June 14th for Kindle and Nook. Word is that it'll be in the iBookstore soon.
DECEIT was a lot of fun to write. I've never written a trilogy before, so I ran into a few snags along the way. One thing you never want to do is repeat a lot of information from the first book. I almost fell into that trap, but I had great people who were able to pull me back from the brink of disaster.
I wrote a first draft of the novel, then threw it away, and started again. That pushed the publication deadline out by a few weeks, but the great people at The Nassau Street Group encouraged me to keep going and not worry about the release date. That meant I had to write a lot in a very short period of time. However, the book is finished and I can't wait to share it with everyone. Let me know what you think!
Best,
Cole