Finally a Book Review for New Skipping Childhood Novel

TRUTH

I chose the topic of "truth" today to discuss my first published book review for the "Skipping Childhood" novel.  I chose this phrase because I appreciate the truthfulness of what the reader had to say.  Not only because the reviewer rated the book a 4-star, but because she was honest and candid enough to share her thoughts about the ending.  The truth in her words (even the less than favorable ones) was not lost on me.

I celebrate the fact that a Reader has finished my book and posted the first Amazon review.  I am happy that “Skipping Childhood:  A Novel” received a four-start rating as well as the flattering things that were said about the book.  But more importantly, I'm happy to have my book product page display evidence that someone is reading the book.

Hopefully, this is one book review that will soon be followed by many more.  But until then, I’m appreciative to receive even one.  To a self-published author, each and every review is like precious gold.  All of them matter in one way or another; yes even the negative ones.

As a writer, I am definitely interested in hearing what a Reader honestly thinks.  It’s funny how growing up under certain circumstances can teach you to have tough skin.  If any good came out of growing up to be a survivor, it’s the fact that I can usually take the toughest pill to swallow, and handle it with ease.  Clearly, this is something that can be useful in life, especially if you’re a creative person.  We’ve all heard the stories about how temperamental artists can be.  In many ways, this does  seem to describe me, but I’m also happy to  hear what other people think would make my work better.  At least I'm willing to listen and consider what they have to say.

If a Reader cares enough to share their thoughts and opinions, I respect and appreciate them enough to take their words under advisement, if not for the current project, at least for the next one.

I’m happy to report that the overall comments made about “Skipping Childhood “ were positive and insightful. The Reader demonstrated a genuine interest in the story, though they would have preferred a different outcome.  As the first to review the book, this Reader’s feedback will be especially remembered.

Moving On from Skipping Childhood

Now that my novel is published and available in both print and digital format, I’m ready to move on from “Skipping Childhood” and focus on a new goal for the upcoming year.  I’m writing “Predator’s Revenge” as the second book in the series involving Deandra Baxter, so while I want to promote the first book, I can’t afford to get stuck on strictly marketing. 

Unify Activities

With the new look and design of my charmbaker.com website, I have tried to unify all my online activities and accounts.  For so long, I've been scattered all over the place, and I imagine if anyone were to see my entire internet cloud, it would show.

With the help of this particular blog, I've been able to learn a few more things about myself, though not really trying to.  I've come to the conclusion that part of the reason I've been all over the place with my internet activities is because I've been mentally "all over the place".  But publishing "Skipping Childhood:  A Novel (From Abused Foster Child to Adolescent Serial Killer)” has helped me to start pulling myself altogether (so to speak).  I’m really beginning to get a better focus on the kind of author I want to be. 

In order to be that author, I have to stop allowing so many other types of writing divert my attention.  That means finding a sensible way to position everything I’ve done and everything I’m doing.  I want to be able to benefit from it all, but not at the expense of future productivity.

With that being said, the posts for this particular blog will probably be less frequent, since I’m becoming more and more active on my primary blog and website.  While “Skipping Childhood” is my latest baby and the one I’m most proud of, I can’t neglect the rest of my “kids”.  Hopefully, I’ve done a good enough job of linking the sites together.  Readers can enjoy the posts that have already been published here, and also feel free to follow along at charmbaker.com for more frequent and related posts. 

The Book’s Future

So far, the future of my book looks promising.  You can now purchase a copy of Skipping Childhood:  A Novel (print version) on Amazon, in addition to the digital format of the book.  Clearly, I will need to continue marketing and promoting it, and I will undoubtedly use this blog to do it.  But I’m also ready to move on to the next thing, and that is writing a follow up to the story.  Needless to say, I have to start prioritizing my time.

I’ll continue posting here on this blog, as thoughts specific to “Skipping Childhood” categories happen to come up.  This of course is in addition to regular mentions about the book on the website.  I am also open to writing posts that address any related issues that readers may have.  Simply drop me an email and I will respond.  

Upcoming Discussion on Serial Killer Movies

SERIAL KILLER

This week I've been focusing a lot on checking out various serial killer movies, and particularly those that were adapted from books.  I actually came across some interesting points regarding the variety of different types serial killers, especially in the movies.

To check out the discussion, feel free to visit my website at charmbaker.com and stay alert for the posts that will be published on Monday, Wednesday and Friday (the first week in January).  That three part series will discuss just how atypical many of the movie serial killers are.  Of course I only talk about three different movies, but the killers in each of them are as different as night and day.

There are others that I actually plan to discuss at a future date, like the infamous "Dexter" the quirky serial killer who became so popular when he first came on the movie scene.  I think it's important to take a look at the mindset of all these killers, especially if I plan to keep writing about characters who kill for one reason or another.

Be on the lookout this coming spring because I actually plan to bring Deandra Baxter back in the next book.  She's my child serial killer in

Skipping Childhood:  A Novel (From Abused Foster Child to Adolescent Serial Killer)

 

Why Do Readers Relate to Coming of Age Stories

COMING OF AGE

To discover some of the best coming of age fiction books in the Amazon Kindle Store, you can start with a look at their top 100 best sellers.  When you browse through this list, you may find yourself wondering why readers seem to somehow connect with coming of age stories.  This is a fitting question when you consider how diverse the various titles in this book category really are.  For instance, notice these top three titles in Amazon’s 100 best coming of age books in the Kindle Store.

   

The Queen's Poisoner (The Kingfountain Series Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Jeff Wheeler

Commonwealth

by Ann Patchett

Billionaire…

by Claire Adams

The first book is a period book, set in “the court of Kingfountain”, the second book is a modern day book set in “southern California”, while the third book is set in Manhattan.  While all three of these books are categorized as coming of age fiction, they couldn’t be more different from one another.  So what is it that makes a reader of this type of fiction be content to enjoy one or all three books and manage to find some connection?

I believe that the thoughts and perceptions that we all experience as children growing up are both unique and yet the same to all of us.  The relationships we form and how we form them at different ages and stages actually demonstrates just how much alike we humans really are.  That is why you can read a coming of age story about a prince or princess from another time and era and still find some point that is relative to your own upbringing.  But the beauty of it all is the fact that when we’re not busy enjoying what is familiar to us, we like to get a peek at things that are new and foreign.  So either way, when we pick up a good coming of age book and dive into the pages, we expect to be delighted in two different ways.

My new novel: Skipping Childhood:  A Novel (From Abused Foster Child to Adolescent Serial Killer) is a different sort of coming of age book.  It contains some memorable references and episodes about growing up in the late 60’s and 70’s but the book also deals with more than just a casual walk down memory lane.  You can find Skipping Childhood in Amazon’s Mystery, Thriller & Suspense category, in addition to the coming of age section.  That gives you a hint that this novel is a whole lot more than your average story in this genre.  Why not pick up a copy of Skipping Childhood:  A Novel the next time you’re looking for a good coming of age story.

Mixing Urban Drama with Mystery, Thriller & Suspense

URBAN DRAMA

Amazon best-selling authors can typically be found in the Mystery, Thriller & Suspense category.  This is a popular category because many readers love to devour this type of fiction.  It doesn’t matter whether they buy it from the Kindle Store or some other type of digital download, or if they purchase a traditional print publication.  When it comes to curling up with a good book, there’s nothing better than enjoying Mystery, Thriller & Suspense.   

But what happens when you throw a lot of urban drama into the mix?  You end up with a dark coming of age story like:  Skipping Childhood:  A Novel (From Abused Foster Child to Adolescent Serial Killer).

When you think of an urban setting, you couldn’t ask for a better one than a rundown apartment on the south side of Chicago.  As for drama; is a twelve-year-old serial killer enough drama for you?  Needless to say, this story contains some other weighty content so you can expect profanity and violence.  With heavy subject material like physical and sexual child abuse, not to mention murder, why bother trying not to curse?  In fact, the entire raw and gritty tone of this African American novel is what makes this fictional piece of urban drama an interesting read. 

If you typically enjoy browsing through Amazon’s Mystery, Thriller & Suspense category for a good read, why not try a little urban flavor in the mix and check out my new novel: Skipping Childhood:  A Novel (From Abused Foster Child to Adolescent Serial Killer).