Michael Keyton: Master Wordsmith
I've known Mike Keyton for several years. We met on the online critique site, OWW, but I don't remember which one of us critted the other first.
I knew almost from the start that Mike wasn't just another wannabe writer though. The guy had real writing chops, the kind that make you doubt your ability to judge one's betters. But he was equally gracious when he analyzed other people's work.
Even when I was writing bilge water, he found enough redemptive qualities in my work to dissuade me from cutting open my wrists with a fountain pen.
If my writing has improved over the years, I can cite Mike as one of my role models. We have vastly different styles, but he's taught me so much about sneaking up on a story and teasing out those subtle details that put flesh on bone.
It brings me great pleasure to announce Mike's first foray into romance. DARK FIRE is billed as a historical paranormal, but it also borders on magical realism. At least it did to me.
This is a novella that covers a great span of time, so expect it to jump quickly between eras. The main characters inhabit other bodies, even other genders, as they struggle to find each other again through time.
I would've been content if the story had stayed in one era, but Mike's eloquence kept me invested to the very end.
Lovers of the metaphysical will devour this story in an afternoon. But writers of any genre should read this too, if only to watch a master wordsmith paint with prose.
Well done, Mike. Now if I could only talk you into writing a strictly historical novel.
Writers: Have you ever had a critique partner inspire or mentor you? Have you ever found yourself in a mentoring position to others?
I knew almost from the start that Mike wasn't just another wannabe writer though. The guy had real writing chops, the kind that make you doubt your ability to judge one's betters. But he was equally gracious when he analyzed other people's work.
Even when I was writing bilge water, he found enough redemptive qualities in my work to dissuade me from cutting open my wrists with a fountain pen.
If my writing has improved over the years, I can cite Mike as one of my role models. We have vastly different styles, but he's taught me so much about sneaking up on a story and teasing out those subtle details that put flesh on bone.
It brings me great pleasure to announce Mike's first foray into romance. DARK FIRE is billed as a historical paranormal, but it also borders on magical realism. At least it did to me.This is a novella that covers a great span of time, so expect it to jump quickly between eras. The main characters inhabit other bodies, even other genders, as they struggle to find each other again through time.
I would've been content if the story had stayed in one era, but Mike's eloquence kept me invested to the very end.
Lovers of the metaphysical will devour this story in an afternoon. But writers of any genre should read this too, if only to watch a master wordsmith paint with prose.
Well done, Mike. Now if I could only talk you into writing a strictly historical novel.
Writers: Have you ever had a critique partner inspire or mentor you? Have you ever found yourself in a mentoring position to others?
Comments
Dark Fire isn't a romance in the traditional sense, but it doesn't skimp on the steam either. :)
Congrats to Mike and thanks for sharing Maria.
This book sounds like a lot of fun. I like the idea of body jumping to search for your lover
I hope you'll publish many more books.
I never understood the value of a crit partner until I lucked out and met mine over a writers' lunch. We laughed at the same joke -- um, no won't share it in public. CPs can push you where editors seem now to lack the time to focus on you and your style/development. So it's vital to have a CP smarter than you -- shh. Don't tell my CP that! ;)
Re: smarter CPs
LOL. Yup.