Today Destiny Booze is here to talk about her latest release, The Curse of a Mind, a romantic thriller, available now from Whimsical Publications.
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Thank you so much for inviting me to Book Binge! I’m so excited to be here!
My newest release, The Curse of a Mind is a romantic thriller with just a hint of the unexplained… Here’s the blurb:
They can’t win. The perpetrator is using a marvel in the medical field known as techlepathy, a combination of technology and telepathy to produce a telepathic result. He’s reading their minds. How can they possibly get away when he knows their every move?
Chris Chambers is a private investigator with great instincts and a shady past. She works with a skilled team on cases that most P.I.’s won’t touch. She’s hardened to life, hardened to people and as tough as the military trained her to be.
Her team’s newest case is a construction worker by the name of Aidan Wolfe. Aidan is hardheaded and successful, a man with no friends and a long list of enemies. Someone is trying to kill him, someone with extraordinary gifts.
The investigative team and Aidan will be confronted with their worst enemies—themselves. They are cursed to face their own thoughts, inner fears, prejudices, and every private feeling or emotion they have as this man toys with their minds and hearts.
Can they survive? By the end, will they want to?
Let me first say that I am very proud of this book! When I began this story, I decided that I was going to write something different, something so out of the box that it couldn’t possibly go unnoticed in the publishing industry. I started with a tough, hardcore female lead and a surprising plot. I added in some eerie scenes from the killer’s point-of-view. I also used the unique voice of the lead character’s autistic brother. I do believe I came up with something pretty noteworthy, if I do say so myself.
With that said, this book began in a wave of unforeseen controversy when an editor gave me some unexpected feedback concerning one part of the story. The editor told me that I needed to remove a scene involving an animal because I would lose readers that are animal lovers because of it. My instant reaction was one of shock.
The scene was not overly violent or graphic. It was not added in just for shock value. I’ve read other books where animals are hurt and I’ve never heard feedback from readers that they found that book to be offensive.
Honestly, it never occurred to me that this issue would be a problem. It’s a work of fiction. There’s no form of animal cruelty involved. It’s not even like a movie where a real animal is needed.
My first loyalty is to my readers. I really don’t want to do anything to lose them. I really don’t, and I’m not the type of writer to argue a point with editors. I welcome the feedback and most always bend to their expertise. I definitely believe they know what they’re talking about.
In this situation, I did the same, but for the first time ever, I did argue some parts to stay true to my story. This particular issue in the book is an important key point in the plot. So, the end result was that we reached a compromise. It’s one I honestly believe will not offend readers and it also stays true to my story.
Do you think I did the right thing by compromising? Should I have refused to change any of it or should I have just taken the whole scene out? My one revelation today will be that an animal does not die in my book, not anymore. So, if you are a big animal lover, please don’t be afraid to read it. I did listen to my editor and made big changes.
Also, readers, please contact me after you’ve read the story and let me know how it came out! I love hearing from you! You can email me at destinybooze@gmail.com.
Destiny Booze grew up at a campground in Virginia where her childhood was full of hard work. There was also an element of excitement as she met a large variety of diverse people with widespread tales about fun and adventure. She grew into a young lady with a very active imagination.
Destiny attended Virginia Western Community College for two years. Her writing career began as a community journalist, yet creative writing was always her passion. In May of 2009, she released her debut romantic suspense novel, Altered Beginnings.
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Would you like to win a copy of The Curse of a Mind? Destiny has offered to give away 2 pdf copies to our readers. Leave a comment on this post
This book is available from Whimsical Publications. You can buy it here in e-format.
Thanks so much for having me!
Editors have opinions. Often–particularly when it comes to the how of writing–they’re right. Writers also have opinions. And sometimes you have to stick up for what you believe is right for your story. Best of luck, Destiny.
Thanks so much, jrlindermuth! I think the final outcome was a great compromise for everyone.
Destiny
Yes, I know your dilemma. Though we may cringe where it comes to hurting animals (I’m a HUGE animal lover), sadly, it’s also a fact of life that there are people out there who don’t care anything about any kind of life, animal or human. So, to present a realistic scene of a heartless person, an author may need to write a situation like this.
In my book, “Said the Spider to the Fly” I had to write of a man experimenting on mice. To me, even this form of abuse is hideous, yet it was essential to the plot.
If you’re happy with how you and the editor reached agreement, that’s really what matters. 🙂
I had an instance in a book I wrote about an animal being intentionally hurt to hurt the human riding it. It was part of the plot too, I got editor flack for it. I did change it, but I still think th original is better.
Good luck with yours.
Love and blessings
Rita
Miss Mae – Thanks. I am happy and I think readers will be, too! 🙂
Rita – Were you shocked by that feedback? I remember being very surprised by the reaction of the editor. Now, I’m not as shocked. Many readers have told me that I did need to change it. They said they would refuse to read anything else I wrote if I’d left the scene in. So, we both probably did the right thing.
Let me also add a quick note that it was not a Whimsical Publications editor that suggested the changes to me. The editor I worked with at Whimsical was wonderful to work with and he loved the story. The scenes I’m referring to were made before the book was contracted for publication.
It sounds like you did the right thing, Destiny. I found this a very interesting post and liked your book synopsis.
It seems we have to pick our battles with our editors. I had an editor (not WP)telling me to cut the feelings and thoughts of a man in a wheelchair. He was paralyzed from an automobile accident. I argued that it needed to be kept in. A lot of readers liked this character and liked reading how he felt about his disability. I did listen to her about other things and made changes.
It really drives me crazy how people care more about animals than humans. Rape or kill a child? Fine, go ahead. Mutilate a woman? No problem. But have the baddie be mean to a dog? Reader outrage.
People have some messed-up priorities.
Diane – Oh my. You ABSOLUTELY made the right call with your story! Thanks for sharing that. It makes me feel a lot better.
Anonymous – I tell you what, in books, people really do care more about animals than people. *Shrugging* It is what it is, I guess. 🙂 Thanks for commenting!
Destiny