Tag: Featured
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Writing Compelling Dialogue: One Author’s Process
Dialogue can make or break a story. Writing compelling dialogue is a crucial aspect of crafting engaging and believable characters in fiction. I’ve read books with too little dialogue and, consequently, found them to be snooze-fests. On the flip side, I’ve read books with too much bad dialogue, and they were virtually unreadable. My preferences…
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Christine M. Germaine, author of The Brother’s Curse Saga
When did you first consider yourself a writer? I knew I had a passion for writing at the age of eleven. I was intrigued by Stephen King and R.L Stine. My fascination with supernatural stories started when I discovered the Fear Street novels. I love horror and anything that injects fear. Why did you choose…
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Five Characteristics of Great Speculative Fiction
Speculative fiction explores the unknown, the impossible, and the extraordinary. The genre (which includes fantasy, science fiction, horror, superhero fiction, dystopian, utopian, and other stories with supernatural and/or futuristic elements) allows us to venture into the uncharted territories of our imagination, and delve into worlds that challenge our understanding of what is possible. I write…
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Faders and Alphas Series: 2nd Edition
Dear Reader, As you probably know, I’ve spent the past couple of years writing and publishing the Faders and Alphas two-book series that also includes two short story serials. Well, with the release of the second edition covers, my co-author (Lornett B. Vestal) and I have finally reached the end of our journey with the…
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A Letter from the Editor: Looking Forward to an Exciting 2023
Dear Readers, I hope you are enjoying the content here at Waking Writer. Since I started this site in 2016, Waking Writer has become quite a hub for indie authors looking for more exposure. Last year was a busy year as promotion requests poured in! This year, you can expect more fascinating interviews, book highlights,…
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Question Culture: A Tribute To Carl Sagan
During the most recent episode of Question Culture (a bi-weekly socio-political podcast), Lornett and Brian discussed one of their favorite scientific minds, Carl Sagan. They talked about his early contributions to space exploration, his amazing documentary Cosmos: A Personal Voyage, and his activism for causes like nuclear disarmament and climate change. Check out the episode. As you…
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Raymond Parish, author of The Mighty Shall Fall
Why did you choose to write in your particular field or genre? I found my way to the mystery/ thriller genre through the intersection of my love for detective series, dating back to childhood, and an enduring interest in understanding the unique lives of folks who are, as I like to say, “not me.” As…
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A Serene Study of Love: Review of A Particle of You
“To truly enjoy poetry, we must leave behind our preconceived notions of what the art form is supposed to be; and instead, let the words freely come and speak to us. The same goes for love, actually. The more we embrace it, the more we grow.” Cendrine Marrouat “Love can mean so many things to…
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Co-Writing a Duology: Berneta and Lornett Talk Faders and Alphas
As some of you know, I recently ventured into co-writing with my spouse, Lornett B. Vestal (founder of Evolving Man Project). Coming to retailers on June 1, 2021, Aya and the Alphas will be the final novel in the Faders and Alphas two-part series or duology. Lornett and I sat down to discuss our journey…
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Aya and the Alphas by Berneta L. Haynes and Lornett B. Vestal
When a young girl, Aya Wright, develops extraordinary abilities and becomes a target of the world’s most powerful fader, Eve must protect her. But at what price? In the twenty-five years since she exposed the existence of faders, Eve Cooper has survived the collapse of her country and the loss of her closest friends. Now…
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