Story Behind The Book
I started writing in the late 80’s writing poetry. The poetry of Rod McKuen caught my attention and influenced my writing style. Poetry doesn’t make money however, but the brevity of the genre and the media translates well into commercial writing. By “painting pictures with words,” I laid the groundwork for the success I have in the business of writing for other people. The original Vince Roberts / Hitchhiker saga was in an unpublished poem I wrote in 1988 entitled ‘The Hitchhiker’. The premise and the story stayed with me throughout the years and last year, I gave the original poem a bolder story line and a wider persona. Using The Hitchhiker poem as my outline, Show Low is my cornerstone novel of the Vince Roberts Series. You can read the original poem in Flash Format here: http://www.gaclark.com/TheHitchhiker.htm
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Reviews
<p style="line-height:normal;text-indent:27pt;margin-bottom:0pt;" class="MsoNormal">I'm really enjoying your story so far.<span> </span>The opening 'conversation' (with your sister) is brilliant and sets the story going.<span> </span>I liked the part with the rat.<span> </span>(the smell of '...wet fur and crap)<span> </span>Great description of the storm and Vince's uncomfortable predicament.<span> </span>In chapter two we find out about your sister and you playing together, lonely because your folks are in politics and haven't time for you.<span> </span>You make up your own realities and are very close.<span> </span>We are left wanting to join you (despite knowledge of the rat!)<span> </span>A really excellent piece of work.<span> </span>I shall read more.<span> </span>Backed with pleasure,<span> </span>Barry Wenlock – “Little Krisna and The Bihar Boys” <br />------</p> <p style="line-height:normal;text-indent:27pt;margin-bottom:0pt;" class="MsoNormal">I felt very acquainted with Vince and it's very interesting how he still uses his survival skills when he's back in the U.S. Good scene with the rat.<span> </span>His concentration was a fine method for introducing his childhood, the environs there and his engagement.<span> </span>The style is agile and it kept me reading with the details.<span> </span>Sounds like a compelling plot!<span> </span>Katherine Holmes “The Swan Bonnet”<br />------</p> <p style="line-height:normal;text-indent:27pt;margin-bottom:0pt;" class="MsoNormal">Not just a classical addition to the genre of romance but one that is written to a much higher, much more literary fiction level, than I would normally expect.<span> </span>Excellent fare.<span> </span>Andrew Skaife<br />------</p> <p style="line-height:normal;text-indent:27pt;margin-bottom:0pt;" class="MsoNormal">You have written a very interesting storyline and created a most memorable character in Vince.<span> </span>The Prologue set the tone for your story nicely and the dialogue is well written.<span> </span>The pace of your book flows well and your use of imagery is excellent.<span> </span>The dream sequence is well done and all of this coupled with your descriptive writing makes your romantic mystery a pleasure to read.<span> </span>Andrew Burans – “The Reluctant Warrior: The Beginning”<br />------</p> <p style="line-height:normal;text-indent:27pt;margin-bottom:0pt;" class="MsoNormal">One of the earlier reviewers of my work on the site said that agents/publishers would pan it because I had opened with dialogue.<span> </span>Didn't explain why or offer any substantiation.<span> </span>However, based on the opening of this book alone I'm backing it.<span> </span>With the obvious and deliberate intent of stimulating the reader's inquisitiveness and motivation to read further the dialogue is touching, sensitive, provides the optimum patina of mystique and achieves this aim brilliantly.<span> </span>Robert Davidson.<span> </span>“The Tuzla Run” <br />-----</p> <p style="line-height:normal;text-indent:27pt;margin-bottom:0pt;" class="MsoNormal">GA, I read the first two sections.<span> </span>They say either you have it or you don't.<span> </span>You definitely have writing talent, my friend.<span> </span>Good narrative and true-to-life dialogue.<span> </span>Joffrey<span> </span>“The Silver Spoon Effect” <br />-------</p> <p style="line-height:normal;text-indent:27pt;margin-bottom:0pt;" class="MsoNormal">I love this - reads like a movie - so polished and well written threaded with humor and romance.<span> </span>I think this is one I'd buy based on the pitch and it would not disappoint after I read the first three chapters –<span> </span>Liz – “The Cheech Room” <br />------</p> <p style="line-height:normal;text-indent:27pt;margin-bottom:0pt;" class="MsoNormal">This is an exciting, fast moving story, and Vince is an unusual character who attracts us straightaway.<span> </span>His meeting with the truck driver, Alex, is fascinating, and promises a lot more excitement.<span> </span>You give us Vince's background easily through his thoughts, and by showing us some of the things which have happened to him.<span> </span>The scene where he is crouching in the hole, hiding from the weather, staring at the angry rat, is excellent, vividly brought to life with lots of detail.<span> </span>I was hooked by your opening, and am still eager to know what was going on in that conversation, so I'll need to read more.<span> </span>The hook at the end of Chapter Four is another sure draw.<span> </span>Your writing is clear and fluent.<span> </span>Gerry McCullough, “Belfast Girls.” <br />------</p>