David Akseizer

To Inspire, To Create: Character Development

Smiley FaceBy David Akseizer

In a recent interview, I was asked how it felt to hold the very first copy of The Legend of Pearl Cave. My answer, “Though I’ve never given birth myself, on account of being a man and all, I’d have to say the feeling was probably similar to having a baby. You gain weight, lose sleep and at times have mood swings. Every moment leading up to the book release is uncomfortable, nerve racking and painful.But when you finally hold the book in your hands, it’s the greatest feeling ever. [Read more…]

The Legend of Pearl Cave KICKS OFF at Tiger Schulmann

Author David Akseizer and Joshu Murray

Author David Akseizer and Joshu Murray

On Saturday October 18th, David Akseizer attended Tiger Schulmann’s annual Bully Shield in Paramus, New Jersey for his first-ever book signing. The event’s purpose is to help children understand that bullying is a cyclical process and to discover ways to prevent it. Specifically, students learned how to overcome bullying at its early stages to hinder it from developing into a persistent action. The martial arts atmosphere was the perfect setting for David’s initial book signing, as he also was able to address similar themes found within his novel, such as standing up for yourself. Attendees also had the privilege of being the first to purchase a copy of The Legend of Pearl Cave.

[Read more…]

An Exclusive Interview with David Akseizer

Assistant Publisher Nadine Cauthen sat with author David Akseizer to discuss a few questions about the making of The Legend of Pearl Cave.

Author David Akseizer

Author David Akseizer

NC: When did you first decide you wanted to become a published author?

DA: Back in high school when dreaming big was all I did. My friends and I were gathered around a circular kitchen table playing cards on a Friday night. We bet with cookies of course, not real money. That’s the moment I first shared the idea of one day writing an underwater adventure novel. Everyone laughed at me, mostly because that’s what guys do, we poke fun at one another. I tried not to take it personally. Besides, I don’t think my buddies were laughing at the idea behind the novel. I think they doubted the possibility that one day I’d become an actual writer. And here I am, a published author who’s still not afraid of dreaming big. [Read more…]

To Inspire, To Create: Plot Twists

The Legend of Pearl Cave on eBook Reader

The Legend of Pearl Cave on eBook Reader

By David Akseizer

Welcome legend fans! Life is good. Correction. Life is great! The Legend of Pearl Cave is mere weeks away from being released in both digital and print formats. Now is when the hard work truly begins. The time has come to hit the pavement running. I’ll spend all my spare time promoting, marketing and advertising this powerful read to the masses. What’s that you say? Did you just ask how you could be of help? How generous of you to lend a helping mouse click. Simply click SHARE and select LIKE to help spread the word. I am forever grateful for all your support.

Last time, I provided a few tips on plot development. We discussed how the main plot is the core of your story; the essential drive for the main character. I cited specific examples from my upcoming release The Legend of Pearl Cave to help readers understand the basic concepts needed to develop a plot, as well as sub plots. Lastly, I mentioned excluding characters, wasteful dialogue, unnecessary scenery, and other non-essentials that have nothing to do with supporting the main plot.

Lesson 5: Plot Twists

The perk of being an author is that only the author knows how their story will unfold. This advantage provides authors with valuable opportunities to trick and fool their audience. And if executed properly, an author can add the type of irresistible twists that readers crave when cozying up to a novel.

How many times have you read a great book and found yourself saying, “Well…that just happened” or “Wow. I wasn’t expecting that.” With the right technique an author can deliver shock factor to every reader, convincing them to become a loyal fan for the many books the author plans to release.

Helpful Twisty Tips: 

  1. For every written conflict ask yourself whether you want your audience to read what they’d expect or if you should provide them with an unexpected outcome or plot twist. Write down five to ten outcomes for any given conflict and choose a believable resolution that you consider to be the least obvious.
  2. Release only bits of information at a time. By taking this approach, you control what comes next. This technique helps build suspense. When it comes time to deliver the final blow, follow step 1.
  3. Reversing the role of the protagonist can deliver a great plot twist. In the end, the hero becomes the villain. I just got chills.
  4. Kill someone off in the most shockingly horrific possible way you can think of. Choose a character the reader has deeply bonded with and get ready to anger your fans in a delightfully evil way.
  5. Leave the reader hanging and drive them to the brink of crazy town. Finish, I mean don’t finish your story by leaving it open-ended. This allows your audience to try and figure out what happened on their own. This option also provides the author with an opportunity for writing a sequel.

Tune in next time when I’ll discuss character development. Every character needs a personality and every character counts!

If you have any questions, please visit www.davidakseizer.com and shoot me an email. You can also follow me on twitter at https://twitter.com/akseizer and send me a message. Until then, BE BRAVE!

To Inspire, To Create: Plot Development

By David Akseizer

Stack of Books

Stack of Books

Howdy legend fans. I have great news! The Legend of Pearl Cave is off to the printers. Be on the look out for Figlo Press’ blockbuster marketing campaign starring yours truly (wink). We’re in the process of releasing exciting news updates along with amazing discounts off the purchase price for you and all your friends.

Last time, we discussed the importance of creating a beginning, middle, and end. Whether you’re focusing on building arcs in a single chapter or the grand arc relating to the book as a whole, the tips I shared should help keep readers engaged and turning pages. Hopefully you’ve applied my brief and crucial advice to your writing with positive end results.

Lesson 5: Plot Development

The main plot is the core of your story; the essential drive for the main character, also known as the protagonist. In addition to the main plot, a writer can also choose to add sub-plots to the storyline.

For example: In The Legend of Pearl Cave, the main character, Samuel Waters, is challenged with saving an underwater kingdom from an evil ruler and his ruthless army. The main plot is for Samuel to overcome this challenge by finding courage from within. The stories sub plots include a love interest, a tragedy, and a quest.

Typically the main plot follows a specific pattern. I develop the main plot by determining the goal of the protagonist. Then I ask myself what obstacle or set of obstacles are in the way of achieving the main goal. In the end, the goal is either achieved or not achieved, possibly because you’re ambitious and have a sequel in mind.

Lastly, all of the characters I’ve developed in The Legend of Pearl Cave are there to support the main plot. These characters help Samuel achieve his goal or work against Samuel and prevent him from achieving his goal. All supporting characters should effect the outcome of the main plot in some way, shape or form. Characters that have nothing to do with the main plot should not be included in the novel. Writers should also exclude wasteful dialogue, unnecessary scenery, and other non-essentials that have nothing to do with supporting the main plot.

Tune in next time when I’ll discuss plot twists. I’ll provide you with some interesting tidbits.

If you have any questions, please visit www.davidakseizer.com and shoot me an email. You can also follow me on twitter at https://twitter.com/akseizer and send me a message. Until then!

To Inspire, To Create: The Beginning, Middle, and End

Smashing Piggy Banks

Smash Your Piggy Bank

By David Akseizer

Hello Legend fans. I hope everyone is doing well and preparing to smash their piggy banks to fund the purchase of their very own copy of The Legend of Pearl Cave. Now, I know I promised the release of The Legend of Pearl Cave this summer, but with any project worth launching, there will be missed deadlines and unforeseen snags. No author or publisher intentionally goes out of his or her way to create delays, but issues arise which may slow down the process. These minor delays are only for the benefit of my fans and it is my fans I aim to please. Let it be said, I am working very hard to write this novel to perfection and my publisher will release this masterpiece when every magical word on every crisp white page is just so. When you read The Legend of Pearl Cave for the first time, it will not disappoint. I am very proud of this magnum opus and cannot wait until it is in your hands.

Last time we discussed the importance of the “hook”. By “hook” I’m referring to your opening line as well as the opening paragraph to a story. We reviewed the importance of making a good first impression and how the first few sentences of a story are the most crucial.

Lesson 4: The Beginning, Middle, and End

Every paragraph, every chapter, and every book has a beginning, middle, and end. These three parts make a story whole and worth reading. There are other pieces of the puzzle, like plot and character development, but every great book has a beginning, middle and end.

The beginning of a book, starting with the “hook”, is what captures the reader. The first section of your book should propose a problem, establish a theme, introduce a character or group of characters, and build a setting the reader can easily envision using their imagination.

The middle of a book is where the author writes most of the story. It is where all the details of the story are unveiled. The middle is written to hold the readers attention, get them thinking, and build questions in their minds they must have answers to when they reach the end of the story. Another element is the climax. Think of the climax as the most exciting point in a story. A good climax occurs when the conflict is resolved and appears toward the end of the middle of the book.

The end of a book is just that, it is where the story ends. To write a great ending, an author can wrap up their story with a happy ending, sad ending, or somewhere in-between. In some cases, the author will leave the reader hanging, but this always angers me, and seems unfair to the reader after all the time they invested reading a story. The end deserves a conclusion and a solution the problem the author posed in the beginning of the book.

Tune in next time when I’ll discuss the importance of plot.

If you have any questions, please visit www.davidakseizer.com and shoot me an email. You can also follow me on twitter at https://twitter.com/akseizer and send me a message. Until then!

To Inspire, To Create: The Hook

Proofreading

Proofreading The Legend of Pearl Cave

By David Akseizer

I’m happy to announce that The Legend of Pearl Cave has entered the proofreading stage of the publishing process. Cheers. Applause. More cheers. Cricket…Cricket. What? Not impressed? I get it legend fans. You want your copy and you want it now. Don’t worry! Hang in there. We’re only a few weeks away from sending The Legend of Pearl Cave to the printers. At this rate, you’ll be able to purchase a copy of my book in no time at all. This I promise.

For those of you who are not familiar with the publishing process, the proofreading stage occurs after the author and editor have exhausted all their efforts to make a book the best darn book it can be. Qualified experts, aside from the author and editor, read through your work with a fine-toothed comb. These proofreading detectives for hire whip out their oversized magnifying glass in search of annoying grammatical errors and distracting inconsistencies within a book. Boy am I glad the proofreading stage exists. I know I’m the first to complain or become distracted when I’m reading a book and find a mistace (joking). Let’s hope my team of proofreaders have magnifying glasses as big as the sun.

Last time we discussed the importance of developing an outline that will help steer your writing in the proper direction, define the direction your headed in, and direct you on how to get there.

Summary (examples of outlines were provided in my previous blog post):

  • Outlines will help keep you focused as you begin to develop your characters and plot.
  • Outlines enhance your overall thought process and help to write the chapters more effortlessly.
  • Outlines keep you from getting lost or straying away from your original ideas.
  • Outlines will allow you to meet all your deadlines.

Lesson 3: The Hook

From the minute I first began writing The Legend of Pearl Cave, I realized the importance of the hook. By “hook” I’m referring to your opening line as well as the opening paragraph to a story. The first few sentences of a story are the most crucial. This concept can best be compared to a blind date. Your initial impression is everything. The goal is to find a way to make a lasting impression within the first few minutes of meeting someone that convinces them to stick around for the entire date. The same concept applies when writing the hook. Write a hook that will convince your reader to stick around and finish reading your book. It’s that simple.

First sentence guidelines (compliments of my high school english teacher):

  • Establish tone.
  • Hint at a conflict or your overall theme.
  • Lure readers in with the promise of some reward (reward meaning: the emotional reward of reading the book).
  • Cause an instant emotional reaction, connection to a character, and or fascination with the scene.

And remember fans, you wouldn’t attend a fireworks show without any fireworks. The beginning of your book should be explosive. Write opening sentences that suck your reader in like a gigantic black vortex swallowing planet earth. Make sure they can’t resist the pull and are forced to read on. Don’t rush this process. Take your time! Tryout a few different ideas before settling on a final hook.

Tune in next time when I will discuss the beginning, the middle, and the end. This applies to chapters and the book as a whole.

If you have any questions, please visit www.davidakseizer.com and shoot me an email. You can also follow me on twitter at https://twitter.com/akseizer and send me a message. Until then!

To Inspire, To Create: The Road Map

Road Map

Road Map

By David Akseizer

Whew! I just finished the last round of revisions for the upcoming release of The Legend of Pearl Cave and boy are my fingers tired. Rim shot (a little humor for my readers)! As I reach these final stages, I must have read and edited my novel a hundred times over. You will too when you get published. The good news is, that after all this time, I still enjoy reading The Legend of Pearl Cave. I can only imagine what great times my fans will have when they finally get their hands on a copy in just a few more months (end shameless book plug).

Last time we discussed the importance of developing a great idea, tapping into your creative side, and choosing to write a story that will leave your readers thirsting for more of your literary genius. Have you thought of that million-dollar idea yet? Oh you have. Well that’s great! Chances are you haven’t hashed out all the details of your novel just yet. Not to worry. I’m sure you’ve filled your notebooks with worthwhile scribbles and doodles that will take your work to the top of every bestseller list. Keep your fingers crossed.

Before we hit the open road, get a blank piece of paper, and with a pen or pencil, jot down a brief storyline or synopsis of your grand idea for a best selling novel. Go ahead… I’ll wait. Ready? Great let’s begin.

Lesson 2: The Outline

People rarely drive without a destination in mind or without knowing how to get to that destination. Every road trip requires planning on some level. Some people use a traditional map, while others use a GPS System to guide them accordingly. Road maps help reduce travel time, keep drivers from getting lost, and eliminate the need for guessing. This is also true for writers. Take the time to develop a road map or outline for your novel. An outline will keep you focused as you begin to develop each chapter and organize your thoughts. Outlines keep you grounded when you find yourself getting lost or straying from your original idea. I’ve been known to free write large portions of my work, but in the end, I always refer back to a detailed outline to stay on track and meet important deadlines.

An outline can be detailed or simple, and it is entirely up to you. To begin, write an overall summary of the book, followed by brief summaries of what you hope to accomplish in each chapter.

Example (based on a made up story):

Summary – A dying man John is alone on his deathbed. He is visited by an angel who takes John on a magical journey through his past. John relives and reflects on all the mistakes he made throughout his lifetime. This reflective journey has a profound effect on John’s emotions. He comes to see the wrong he had committed. John tries his best to make amends before he takes his last breath and the clock runs out of time.

Chapter 1- The Dying Man

John is lying in the hospital bed in horrific pain. He’s disgruntled, judgmental, and abusive to every nurse and physician that tries to tend to his dying needs. This chapter focuses on developing John’s character and explains his illness to the reader. John spends most of this chapter expressing his negative outlook on life and showing the reader why he is all alone in his final days on earth.

Chapter 2- The Visitor

It’s late at night and the support staff is down to just a few RN’s and covering Residents. The hospital is quiet and John abruptly wakes from his sleep. A visitor appears in his doorway. The visitor introduces himself as a spirit guide, an angel. The angel briefly explains his purpose to the dying man. He then sneaks John out of his room and proceeds to take him on a magical journey of self-discovery and self-reflection.

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Don’t stop here readers. Keep going. Finish up by completing your outline with a brief summary to each and every one of the chapters you intend to write. Once you’ve finished creating an outline, you will have a great roadmap to follow as you begin to write your story.

Tune in next time when I’ll discuss the best ways to capture the attention of a reader as you begin to write the first chapter of your novel.