September 3, 2016

Guest Promo (CLXXV) Craig Boyack and The Experimental Notebook



I have a wonderful guest visiting today. Please, welcome Craig Boyack with his latest release The Experimental Notebook.  What could he write down in it, huh?  
He is on a tour with a collection of short stories, and also shares with us from his writing experience. So without further talk here is our guest.

Thanks for inviting me today, Carmen. I'm here to talk about my newest book, The Experimental Notebook of C. S. Boyack II.





This book is a collection of short stories that can be read individually during a lunch break, or even a coffee break in some cases. They run the gamut of science fiction, paranormal, and even one fantasy.


Carmen wanted me to discuss the difference between short form and novels. To be honest, there isn't much available online and most of those articles tell you to make them shorter. While that may be true, it isn't much help. I've had to learn all this myself, by reading some classics, watching some films, and trying things out.



With a novel, you have enough room to detail scenes, do some world building, and go on a traditional hero's journey. A short story isn't capable of all that, but you might weave some bits in there. One of my short stories is called Last Flight of the Rocket Men, and it's one of the longer ones. I spent a little bit of time exploring this new world, but not in the detail you might get in a novel.


I think most good short stories are about an epiphany. The character growth is limited to that moment, and revealing it is the basis of the short story. She really does love me, aliens are real, I'm moving out and going to Orlando. Sure in my stories it might be an extraordinary event in that person's life. Possibly even the end of their life. But the epiphany is there.



I also wrote a short story lesson that went semi-viral one day. It involves the twist endings that sometimes show up in short form. These make the stories fun, and I included one of my own micro-fiction pieces as an illustration. The story is from the first Experimental Notebook, which is also 99¢. Those of you who are interested might want to check it out at https://coldhandboyack.wordpress.com/2016/04/09/a-short-fiction-trick/



Take a 99¢ chance. Short fiction is a time honored way of telling a story, and it nearly died out. Amazon gave it a new lease on life, and it's one of my favorite forms.
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Yes, blooging buddies, follow Craig's advice and take this 99c. chance. It's worth it, trust me!
 Buy link:

Thank you Craig for being my guest today! How's Lisa, your radio assistant, by the way?

                           
You can find more about the author and his works here:
Blog 

22 comments:

  1. Thank you so much for hosting me today. Lisa is fine. She's winging her way somewhere to play her own role in this blog tour. Glad you enjoyed the experiments, and thanks again.

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    1. You are most welcome, Craig! And glad to hear Lisa feels in her element again. She seemed a bit distracted a while ago.
      I should add to the differences between novel and short story the number of characters, which is larger in a novel, I think.
      Wishing you great sales and reaching the bestsellers list!

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  2. Hey, Craig. Great to see you here on Carmen's blog. Good post too, about shorts vs. longer works. Last Flight of The Rocket Men was one of my personal favorites from your Experimental Notebook II and it was on the longer side as you noted. But my absolute favorite was Holo-Barkers which I think might have been the shortest. It just goes to show how well you can tell a complete story regardless of length. Congrats on the release and I hope many readers take advantage of that fantastic price!

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    1. Thanks, Mae. I'm beginning to think stories are as long as they need to be. Holo-Barkers didn't need to be any longer. Rocket Men took a little more time.

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    2. Thank you, Mae for checking the post! So you know what's in the notebook. I have to find out, too.

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  3. Love all his work...short and long :)

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    1. Thank you for stopping by!
      I am sure he'll be glad to hear it. Who wouldn't be?

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    2. Thanks for stopping by. Aren't you supposed to be spoiling a new baby?

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  4. You are a master of the short story, Craig! Ikved the first Notebook, have downloaded the new one, and cant wait to start reading it!

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    1. Wow! Your words and praise make me push the book closer to the top of the TBR list. Thank you for stopping by and supporting Craig!

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    2. Thanks Ali. You're a great supporter.

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  5. An enjoyable insight into Craig's work. I have read and thoroughly enjoyed Book 2 of the Experimental notebook. I will be checking out Book 1 asap.

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  6. Always love to read what Craig writes. His stories are fantastic. Thank for hosting him

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    1. I feel honored he is my guest and I am thrilled to see he has so many fans! This is what makes an author want to go on. Thank you for visiting my blog!

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  7. Great interview!! I like the explanation of what short stories should be, it helps narrow things down.

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  8. Interesting post, thanks for sharing!
    Best of luck Craig, with the new release. I added your collection to my TBR list and am heading to Amazon to get it!

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    1. Thanks for giving me a chance, and enjoy the experiments.

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  9. Thank you for checking the post, whispers!
    Craig will surely be delighted to know he has found a new fan/reader.

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