Why I write books at the same pace as a tv show 🙀🔪📺(Updated)

If you pick up a book published 100 years ago, you'll immediately see a noticeable difference from a modern novel you'll read today. Perhaps it's the elaborate descriptions that were more important in a time when people had time to relax with a book and slip into a magical world. Remember this was before television, the internet, and Netflix, so people didn't have as many options for entertainment. Therefore, they appreciated these details.

Not to say that descriptions are no longer important, but today, people don't have time and want to dive right into the story. Also, readers want to participate in the process more than ever before. What I mean by that is that they like to imagine what that hot guy looks like rather than the mentally exhausting process of etching out his face according to your five-paragraph description. I'm exaggerating a bit but, if you're an avid reader, I know you've stumbled on this at some time. If a reader is overthinking something from my book, I prefer it be the plot, the crucial points or concept brought up by characters and not the specific, exact details of someone's face, the room they just walked into, or the garden behind their house. For example, when I refer to a luxurious hotel suite, I think most people have a pretty good idea of what that entails. I don't need to give too many specific details. 

It's hardly a secret that people have short attention spans. I was thinking about this article and had my attention diverted about seven times, so I'm hardly the exception to the rule. Rather than diving into this blog, I  thought about the television show I watched last night, conversations I had yesterday, and what I anticipated to happen later today.

In other words, readers appreciate a fast-paced book. It keeps them turning the pages. As a writer, it keeps me wanting to continue writing them too. I get bored if things aren't moving quickly, so I think that is a sign that my readers would too. Not to mention, that I see each book like a movie or television episode playing in my head. The trick is to keep caught up with my characters. Those bastards move fast! 😂

Are you more of a Chase Jacobs or Jorge Hernandez? 😇😈(Updated)

Are you fiery, powerful, and charming, or are salt of the earth, someone who tries to do the right thing and is dependable? Although characters, just like people, are often complex and unpredictable, they tend to have some predominant traits that outshine even during the darkest of days. In the end, we can't change who we are; or can we?

In my books, the character of Jorge Hernandez is known for being unregretfully brazen, to the point that he might be a little too much for readers at times, while dependable in his reaction. For example, the former Mexican cartel kingpin isn't going to lose without a fight, if lose at all. He's strong, savvy, and fierce. He never backs down. He's a criminal with a devious mind. He could even be called a psychopath. If nothing else, Jorge Hernandez is fearless, loyal, and powerful.

So, what about Chase Jacobs?

In fairness, we meet Chase during a particularly vulnerable period in his life. He's in a bad situation in the first book in my series, feeling insecure and powerless. In many ways, he's the complete opposite of Jorge. This also might explain why he's in admiration of the sinister devil named Hernandez. Chase is loyal, quiet, yet thoughtful. He's very in tune with what is going on around him and has sensitive with a gentle nature. Although we see this change throughout the series, at the end of the day, we know that in a tight situation, Chase can be relied on to be strong, and more importantly, balanced. 

The contrast in these characters is significant to the series but what I'm finding is what most attracts the readers stand out the most. I'm more of a Jorge Hernandez than a Chase Jacobs, but what about you? And even more importantly, who would you want to be?

Why Counterculture should be a genre 🔪(Updated)

Most people associate the word 'counterculture' with the hippie movement of the 60s and the change in previous attitudes about government, music, social norms, and of course, overall appearance. However, it's a more general term to describe people that go against the 'social norm', and if you've ever read one of my books, you're probably well aware that this accurately describes most of my characters.

I will point out that I'm hardly the first or only writer whose work could fall under this potential category. Many books, television shows, and even movies follow a counterculture of people, often criminals or other social misfits that live a completely different lifestyle from what is considered 'the norm' to the rest of us. Often they are swept under another category, such as crime, or end up with descriptions like 'quirky', which is a little easier to digest than something as broad as the counterculture. I think people associate the word with different things, so perhaps it might cause some confusion.

The reason why many counterculture characters are also criminals is that they go against social norms. This often includes the law. You might even see it to a lesser degree when characters go off the grid, pull their kids out of schools, and live with no fixed address in the middle of the woods. Although they aren't hardcore criminals shooting people, they are probably breaking laws not because they are rebels, so much as they don't acknowledge society's rules.

Although some people mightn't agree with me, I believe counterculture themes will see growth in the upcoming years. With so many crazy things going on in the world right now, I think people will become intrigued with an alternate lifestyle fantasy as a way to escape our stark reality.