Introduction

Brief intro to my first full-length novel to be released next year! Check it out as well as my fan page! https://www.facebook.com/#!/jldyersbook

Why hello! Blake Wilson. 

Well, I suppose this would be where it all begins. I died in a fire. And I ain’t talking smoke inhalation either. I was lit up, charred to a crisp and sent to the heavens. Well ok, I can’t necessarily say “the heavens” since I’m talking to you and no one really has any valid account of someone or something writing from the place. So I guess I didn’t make it to Heaven or at least not yet. This isn’t Hell, either. Again, I am talking to you so maybe this is some sort of purgatory state I am in. I don’t know for sure. I know some things, but certainly not all. 

So that would be my first lesson to you about the after-life. Think you’ll have your grand revelation after death? Forget it. You will find yourself with far more questions than answers. But I am relieved that there is indeed some sort of aftermath upon death. Because after dying, I immediately learned I had a piece of unfinished business (I’ll get to that later) aside from all the other things you would miss as a result.

  I want to talk a bit about burning though. Sweet Mary was that an experience. My final one in life, of course, but without a doubt my most memorable.

I’d say I was fairly lucky over the years, not having sustained many serious injuries. Oh, I died at 27 by the way. Anyways, beyond the bumps, cuts and bruises from my years in high school football, a scuffle or two, the only real injury I ever suffered was a fractured femur from when I wrecked the firebird after a drinking binge. Don’t judge. I haven’t had a sip of booze since that particular evening and can assure you, I never will.

  What I will apologize up front for is my infamous ability to trail off all the time as I’ve already proven by the third paragraph. I will do my best to make this tale enjoyable for reasons I’ll disclose later on, but bear with me. You won’t regret it. And no. This isn’t some damn ghost story.

 

Check out my Facebook fan page for more at 

https://www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tnmn#!/jldyersbook

Reviews

[xx]

An introduction that piques a reader's curiosity. The speaker is obviously not your typical I'm-dead-but-I-return ghostly being - in fact, he sounds a good deal more whimsical than any decent, dead person ought to be. But the flightiness of the narrative attracts the reader and holds his attention, and it's a solid introduction that will make the reader want to read more. It won't be a ghost story, of course, but we all want to know exactly how the situation came about and /why/ he's stuck where he is at the moment. Some unfinished business, Blake Wilson mentions, but there aren't very many clues to lead us yet.

It's an interesting way to start a story. A dead man greeting us, and we don't even know he's dead until the next paragraph. For all we knew, he could have been our new neighbor hailing us from his yard. Some comic relief generated by how casually he drops the bomb over our heads, one that made me smile.

Just from this short introduction, we already know a good deal about our speaker. He died in a fire, he's in some sort of purgatory and is sticking around at least partly because of some unfinished business, he's not a drinker, flighty and whimsical and even his most memorable moment in life (his leaving it, ironically). Oh, but wait. We /don't/ know much. We actually barely know anything at all. What's all this dead business about, what's his unfinished business, what's up with his dying in a fire of all things, and what's his story?

There wasn't much that detracted from what you wrote. The only things I squinted a bit at was the first sentence - I'm more accustomed to seeing that comma after the "why," as it's an interjection. Same with the "Sweet Mary" sentence; I would have put a comma after "Sweet Mary." But I'm not a professional nitpicker, though I might act like it...I'll just say that this was an interesting introduction, and I look forward to seeing more.

Keep writing! :)

-Mina

[Hanhil]

I like the introduction! And I like the protagonist already! I am all charged to read the story now. The way things are shaping right now in my head the story seems like its heading to 'Spawn' or even 'Nightrider' territory but not entirely so. :-) I am a comic fan so I tend to connect. But hopefully this will be full of surprises.

[ms. barrie]

Very strong, well written introduction, was immediately drawn in. l enjoy the story line and how you chose to use to write this in the first narrative style, you breathed life into the character, one who is humorously dry, cynical. Looking forward to reading the next chapters, great beginning!

[Jason Dyer]

Thank you so much! I just posted another chapter excerpt as well as "Blake's Follow-up". Check em out when you get the chance.

[ms. barrie]

i most certainly will! :)

[ms. barrie]

just so you know: i just clicked like on your f.b. page

[Jason Dyer]

I see that. Awesome!

[H-Jonesy]

I want to read more before I judge the story its self. I find my self wanting to know more about your character here, he seems..sarcastic, comical, and I like that as-opposed to the normal: "I'm dead, woe is me."
I am very interested to see where this goes, and what happens. Your style of writing is one I don't see too often, but I do enjoy it.
You can expect another review from me as soon as you update this intriguing piece :)

[Jason Dyer]

Thank you so much for reading. I've plenty more written, just not posted here. But I will.

Blake is basically the narrator of the tale and yes, he has a rather fearless attitude regardless of what he's up against (which doesn't always serve him well).
Feel free to check out my fan page on face book. I plan to release this novel in August!

https://www.facebook.com/#!/jldyersbook

[Jason Dyer]

Two new excerpts posted on here! A death scene and then the narrator's response.

[H-Jonesy]

I'll read and review them as soon as I can

[Jason Dyer]

Oh whenever you get the chance. Hope you enjoy.

[Nona]

I want to open this book somewhere in the middle first, before I start reading the second chapter... just want even more intrigue :-D for a good kid too much is never enough! ha-ha! :)

[Jason Dyer]

More to come indeed. I already have more posted on my fan page. Be sure to check it out... (and like).. Big thanks for this review!

https://www.facebook.com/#!/jldyersbook

[KAOlmsted]

hmmm...I think I'll need to read more before making any sort of judgment on the book. So far, the writing is really tight in places but in others I felt like I was reading some kid's journal. Meanwhile; I will definitely read more as you post it, because, I confess, I am intrigued; especially since you told me it's not a damn ghost story *laugh*

Thanks for sharing this with us,
-kimmer

[Jason Dyer]

Basically I'm introducing my "comic relief" first. Possibly the narrator. I've plenty more written, just not posted. I'm new to this site but just wanted to kind of mingle with other writers. But yeah, I'm more active on the fanpage. Either way, you won't be let down. Thanks again for your time and interest!