Author
Bio:
Christopher
Paul Meyer writes noir and nonfiction. He is a former bouncer, comic,
soldier, firefighter, actor and prison chaplain. In addition
to Icarus
Falling,
he has written five screenplays, three of which were optioned and/or
commissioned. When not writing, he enjoys Brazilian Jiu Jitsu,
improv comedy and political rants delivered in an angry mumble at his
reflection in the bathroom mirror.
Author
Links -
Twitter:
ChristopherPaulMeyer @TheLoadedPen
Book
Genre: Memoir
Publisher:
Amazon Digital Services/CreateSpace
Release
Date: 12/22/14
Buy
Link(s):
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=icarus+falling
Book
Description:
The
true story of a failed actor, who - still tantalized by the promise
of LA - reinvents himself as a nightclub bouncer. Working both
downtown and on the Sunset Strip, he is thrust into the bloodstream
of LA. Amidst the unending parade of strung-out transients,
shimmering miniskirts, enraged gangbangers and unhinged party people,
he avenges his history of cowardice, atones for his past infidelities
and tries to become something better than another Hollywood casualty.
Review
3.5/5
This is Chris's story on how he moved to LA to become and actor. He failed miserably but decided to stay and remake himself. He decides to become a night club bouncer. He uses his new job to remake himself. He trys to stop being a coward and become better. He doesnt want to just be another failed actor.
I thought Chris's story telling was amazing. He seems like such a fun and passionate person and it come across in his work. I loved following along as he went from wannabe actor to new bouncer. His interaction with all the LA people while he is working are pretty interesting. It was great to see that he didn't let his failures stop him and reinvented him.
How to Solve Your Writing Problems
Here’s the thing about writing: a little insecurity goes a long way. The first step is to admit you have a problem, even if you don’t know what it is. Trust me, it’s there. Somewhere in your writing is a little demon that’s going to stop your readers from staying your readers. What is it? It could be your dialogue, your descriptions, your two-dimensional characters, your plot, your lack of a plot, your POV use, your use of tenses. How can you find out? Here’s six ways.
1) Professional feedback. The obvious choice. Especially when you’re starting out, having an established professional focus, laser-like, on your work can be the least sexy, but most surefire way of running a diagnostic on your work. Where can you find an established professional? Some advertise. Many teach. More on that in a second…
2) Beta-readers. Sure, there are websites that will find interested readers to look at your work. There are also friends and family members who will probably love to look at it and tell you what they think. My favorite beta-reader? A classmate I respect – a peer whose critical instincts I’ve admired.
I know, I know – who has time, energy or money for classes? I barely did. I lived in my truck just to take writing classes. We’re lucky to live in a time when you can take online writing classes from schools like UCLA or NYU. The bottom line is you will have all the time, energy and money you need if you are really prioritizing your writing career.
3) Use your gut. Sounds simple, but it probably takes the longest to perfect. Your gut does know what’s wrong, but it also has a lot of ego, hubris and bad information cluttering your pitch-perfect intuition. Fortunately, there is a way to fool your gut…
4) Wait at least a month and read your work again. With a fresh pair of eyes, you might be surprised what you find.
5) Read. Reading someone else, in or out of your genre, can train you to see what appeals to you as a reader and what doesn’t. It can show you how other authors have handled similar structural elements, dialogue issues, character development, etc. And, maybe most importantly, it’s fun, cheap and easy to do.
6) Go live a little. If you’re going to write about cops and robbers, soldiers and spooks, ex-cons and ex-hookers, it helps to have actually walked the walk. You don’t have to give up your job. You don’t have to work a beat or a streetcorner. But what about volunteering? Take a few shifts in a soup kitchen or as a prison English tutor. Become a reserve police officer or, if you need the money as well, become a military reservist. This isn’t for everyone; not everyone’s writing needs a dose of reality. But if yours does, you may need to live it to write it.
Schedule
June 23 - Reviewed at Virtual Hobby Store And Coffee Haus
June 29 - Guest Blogging at Bellevue Book Reviews
July 2 - Guest Blogging at Infinite House Of Books
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