Life In Pink

This is some outstanding work, and you've written it very well. It strong writing, an excellent narrative voice, and is very well-paced. It is an ideal book that tells the story of trials and tribulations of being gay. It is indeed five-star reading! Life in Pink is both shelved with confidence and Today's Pick I Like for 10/5/09: http://newandgoodreading.blogspot.com/2009/10/todays-pick-i-like-10509.html

L. Anne Carrington, "The Cruiserweight"

You know, this would be wonderful as a non-fiction book. I am not sure why the issue of sexual preference stirs up such bizarre and often hateful emotions in people, but it does. And, of course, when one is young, it is even more difficult because kids are cruel to begin with. You are what you are and that's that. In my husband's culture (Oglala Sioux Native American), gay people were thought to be special, sacred, because they had the physical attributes of one gender, but a deep ability to understand the other. It's a pity more people can't be quite so accepting. I think this book hits on an important subject matter and, frankly, should be mandatory reading. Well done. Shelved.

Very very well written. Bullying seems to have become rife in our schools over the last 10 years or so. I get many many parents who bring their children to my Judo classes, asking me to teach their children (girls and boys) how to defend themself.

Judo will help but what is needed is a change is attitude that being fat and overweight is not a laughing matter, being gay is Ok and being different from the crowd in not a crime.

Well done sir, very well writtien

Dean

ROUGH JUSTICE

I work in a school, and you're right. Homophobia is rife. Not always mean or vindictive, just intrenched, unthought, formulaic and purile. I challenge it wherever I can, but it's time more was done about it in my view. The fact that so many young people still kill themselves because of it makes it imperative that the issue is tackled. Books like yours are one way to do it. I'd like to see it on the shelves of every school library.
Cariad.

Hello Christopher: A talent for writing is often revealed in descriptions of a character's reaction, especially in situations evoking fear, embarrassment, guilt, or other strong emotion. In the five chapters of your novel posted here, you've presented several scenes that test this ability to the extreme. Thai's first day of school, his confrontation with Grant and the nurse, his determination to adapt his behavior to reflect conformity, and many other scenes are well handled, with strong reader contact. Thai's problem is laid bare, and your readers (not all, of course) will respond with understanding and sympathy. Thus you've accomplished two things--a demonstration of your talent as a writer and the communication of a message: that individuality deserves respect. I hope you'll continue adding chapters and opening eyes to the need for a general change of attitude toward those who differ from the mob. I'm pleased to back your book, and I wish you much success with your writing.

Bill Carrigan
"The Doctor of Summitville"

Raw, sad, funny and very well written. As a teacher I would love to see it widely available to the students who could benefit from both affirmation and education.
Joanna Carter
Fossil Farm

Hi Christopher
This is really well written and a perfect account of why stories like this should receive more exposure. Great story and powerful and compelling.
DP Walker
Five Dares

Dear Christopher, I love that you told your story - I told mine,too. :) Before I began to read your book, I was prepared by your pitch, which was very well done. :) Your story is good because you create interest by having short paragraphs & lots of dialogue, which makes me want to keep reading to find out what's going to happen next. I'm "backing" your book. :) "When you back a book, it only improves the ranking of that book, not yours. However, the author whose book you are backing may decide to back your book also, in which case yes, your ranking would be improved"...authonomy quote. :) Please "back" my TWO memoir books, "He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not" & my completed memoir unedited version? "Tell Me True Love Stories," which tells at the end, my illness now & 6th abusive marriage." Thanks, Susie :)
additional authonomy quote: "Every time you place a book on your bookshelf, your recommendation pushes the book up the rankings. And while that book sits on your bookshelf, your reputation as a talent spotter increases depending on how well that book performs." :)

Hi christopher. Well well, what a great piece of work you have compiled here. I loved it and shall indeed, be reading more. I want to back this now.

Backed with enormous pleasure.

Hope you get the chance to take a little peek at The Russian Hat

Sincerly
Brendan Doherty
The Russian Hat

This is a powerful story. I've read the statistics before of how many teenagers who realize they are gay kill themselves but the fact of that really didn't hit home until I read this book. It's sensitive and heart wrenching. I’m adding this to my shelf. Burgio (Grain of Salt).

A difficult topic to write about, an even more difficult to live. But a story that needs to be told, shared, and understood. Beautiful title, cover, and story. I hope more people on this site gives this book a chance.

Best of Luck
Natalie

I like the short pitch. The long pitch though needs to have the factoids put aside so it does not spoil the longer pitch which is very good in its own right. I normally complain about quality but not this time. This time it's about presentation.

Being Authonomy's #1 commentator and amateur pitch doctor, trust me, spend some time on your pitches; I cannot overemphasize how you need to master this basic sales technique to grab the casual reader. That's how you climb in ranking to gather more exposure and comments to better your novel. SHELVED!

I can use your comments on my book when you get the chance. Cheers!

JC
The Obergemau Key
Authonomy's #1 rated commentator

This should be required reading for all high schoolers! Well done, brave and so very important! BACKED!

Liz
The Cheech Room

This is a book that I wish everyone would read. If nothing else, by letting those being bullied know they aren't unique. Strongly written and very compelling. i hope I'll get the chance to read all of it one day. Best of Luck.

Sessha

I would have backed this book simply for the bravery you showed in writing it. But, then I read some of it and discovered it to be well written and a fascinating story. Bravo!

Well written and something everyone should read. Love who you love and let people be who they are.

Shelved,
Dan
Eunice Stubbins, among others...

An important, well-written book raising awareness about homophobic bullying in a sensitive manner.
Backed
Kati Jane (Little Guide to Unhip)

I went to sample your other novel but I saw this below it and I chose to read it.

You have a great story to tell. It’s an important story about tolerance and acceptance. It’s timely. I read a couple of chapters. It’s well written. I can see how it will validate many young men who feel that they don’t belong and live alone. You’ve provided them an echo. Good.

The prologues to each chapter are raw and real and revelatory. They are as intrinsic to your novel as dialogue. They are expertly timed and written quite well.

Okay. Now. Your opening prologue is wrong. Please omit it. It’s earnest and emphatic and badly paced. It kills your novel. I understand the importance of it. I understand why you wrote it. But you must understand that if you wrote this novel as well as you should have written it - all those points will be made.

Mark R. Trost
“Post Marked.”

Very inspiring. I think if this book gets published, it would help a lot of kids who find themselves in the same situation. It's sad so many kids have to go through what Thai did but you've written a wonderful book.

Missy
Mark of Eternity

Life in Pink is a serious book about serious issues, and I liked your introduction , which for a non-fiction work provides a necessary framework of the ground you expect to cover and the ends you hope to achieve. I think the counterpoint between your factual quotes and the chapter narrative works very well to keep the reader focused on the issues you are raising. Your writing is powerful, evoking in C2 for example all the mixed emotions and fears of being a new boy at school, and here I liked the fact that Kiara and Brendan were in the same group as Thai to give balance - because in C3 the bullying begins in earnest. This is an eye-opener and deserves to be widely read, so I'll back it willingly.

Christopher, I really like this story. You write very well and in such a natural way and the subject is really worth telling about. Backed.
Nillan
Blue-eyed in Luhya-land

A heart-rending story put together very well. Although it highlights one boys struggle, I really enjoyed reading it.

Andy (Fortitude; Indifference)

This is an inspiration novel

I know many, who have varied stories, yet who are scared by homophobia

In my case, it was my own family

But on to your novel

First, you are an amazing writer

The pace is good and the voice is captivating

You have created a very chilling beginning

I appreciate the stylish writing

You have several phrases and description that are real gems

There is some real good stuff and I wish you the best

Scott
The Esrevinu Chronicles/Secrets of the Elephant Rocks

I love the idea.. i haven't read it yet but i think it's so common today; & i'm not just speaking about homosexual. So many people with unorthodox views get rediculed & bullied so they try to mask their own believes & opinions just to fit it. I would dig more into your story later on; just wanted you to know that i liked it. Good luck. Margarita N. author of "Love Circles Triangles & Other Geometric Shapes"

Christopher, cant wait for the rest of this story - please post more chapters.

This is some outstanding work, and you've written it very well. It strong writing, an excellent narrative voice, and is very well-paced. It is an ideal book that tells the story of trials and tribulations of being gay. It is indeed five-star reading! Life in Pink is both shelved with confidence and Today's Pick I Like for 10/5/09: http://newandgoodreading.blogspot.com/2009/10/todays-pick-i-like-10509.html

L. Anne Carrington, "The Cruiserweight"

Christopher,
Interesting twist to the story with Thai excelling at football. I believe that's actually a part of the gay culture that few understand. Not playing football, but after having to fight for survival, while that breaks far too many young people, it drives others to excell at what they set out to do - and with a tenacity that surprises people. I'm amazed at what a small minority of people have wrought in American politics because of this obsession to prove that they're not "defective" human beings, but rather superior to those who taunt them.
I would love to know how Thai's story shakes out. (I hope that you'll post the entire manuscript)

As for your writing, it's crisp, and settles in at a reasonable pace. On piece of criticism that I can offer is that it seems to be a little heavy on the narrative side of the scale. I've had several people leave that as feedback on my first two books and - drum roll please - have tried to adjust my style accordingly in writing my third (maybe just to prove to the critics, that I can do it ; [ "Show, don't tell" is the mantra - use conversation, not narration to develop the character. Let the reader "see" who he is by their own words to others.

Best wishes on your writing
tyler
Never In a Million Years

Christopher,
Interesting twist to the story with Thai excelling at football. I believe that's actually a part of the gay culture that few understand. Not playing football, but after having to fight for survival, while that breaks far too many young people, it drives others to excell at what they set out to do - and with a tenacity that surprises people. I'm amazed at what a small minority of people have wrought in American politics because of this obsession to prove that they're not "defective" human beings, but rather superior to those who taunt them.
I would love to know how Thai's story shakes out. (I hope that you'll post the entire manuscript)

As for your writing, it's crisp, and settles in at a reasonable pace. On piece of criticism that I can offer is that it seems to be a little heavy on the narrative side of the scale. I've had several people leave that as feedback on my first two books and - drum roll please - have tried to adjust my style accordingly in writing my third (maybe just to prove to the critics, that I can do it ; [ "Show, don't tell" is the mantra - use conversation, not narration to develop the character. Let the reader "see" who he is by their own words to others.

Best wishes on your writing
tyler
Never In a Million Years

Hi Christopher, I love your subject matter and you write the story very well. Thai is very real. One thing I suggest is sticking to one perspective or point of view per chapter... stay in Thai's head, and let us interpret other's feeling's through his perception of them. I am defininitely backing this. Helen.

You know, this would be wonderful as a non-fiction book. I am not sure why the issue of sexual preference stirs up such bizarre and often hateful emotions in people, but it does. And, of course, when one is young, it is even more difficult because kids are cruel to begin with. You are what you are and that's that. In my husband's culture (Oglala Sioux Native American), gay people were thought to be special, sacred, because they had the physical attributes of one gender, but a deep ability to understand the other. It's a pity more people can't be quite so accepting. I think this book hits on an important subject matter and, frankly, should be mandatory reading. Well done. Shelved.

Proud to be your first backing. Because the website is currently acting up and I cannot read your book (or any other book), you are SHELVED! I do look forward to your forthcoming comments and possible backing of my book. Cheers!

JC
The Obergemau File