Is It A Bad Idea To Make Your Protagonist A Bitch?

I am currently in the process of writing my second novel and am at the difficult planning stage. Every decision I make now will be crucial to the outcome of the competed novel and I am taking all of them very seriously. Questions are racing through my mind constantly, questions like; should I write in first person or third person, should I write from several perspectives and who are my characters and what motivates them? I have written several chapters already but still can’t seem to decide; writing a book is a big commitment and I want to make sure I don’t regret a decision I have made now and have to re-do the entire book at the editing stage.

One question however seems to be at the forefront of my mind at the moment and I am struggling to decide which direction I should go down. Is it a bad idea to make your protagonist a bitch?

I want my novel to be an enjoyable to read, but I also want to enjoy writing it and there is something quite satisfying and fun about writing from a bitch’s perspective. Her thoughts are shocking, cutting and littered with sarcastic observations of the world and people around her. She has little respect for people, especially men and uses them as objects to entertain her if and when the occasion suits her.

I recently read the first chapter of my novel at my writer’s group and there was a strong reaction amongst them, some of them enjoyed it and said it was dramatic and gritty, but the overwhelming response seemed to be; who is this bitch and why does she hate the world so much? Many of them said they couldn’t read something with such derogatory sexist comments about men.

So do people really want the heroine in a book to be just that; a character they can relate to that possess a likeability factor? If the central character of a novel is essentially a good guy, does that make a book more gripping, and if a reader has no feelings for the protagonist will they care when they are beaten or cheated on or murdered, or face any other obstacles that you as a writer are planning on throwing at them over the course of their journey?

I personally find characters with a bad side more fascinating; why have they become the person they are? Being a bad guy seems to open up so many more possibilities with a character’s back history than a good guy. I mean what’s interesting about a goodie two shoes?

Please could you let me know your opinions on this subject; do you prefer your protagonist to be inherently good and would it put you off a book if you disliked the central character; or do you think that bad guys are more exciting and fun to read about? Any comments would be welcome; I would love to get some feedback on this as I think it is a pretty crucial question that will affect the entertainment value of my book hugely.

Thanks everyone! xxx

Image courtesy of SOMMAI / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Chapter Eight Of CORRUPTED

Watch me read chapter eight of my novel, Corrupted – A Tale Of Sex, Scandal & Suspense.

Ria Kimura is about to leave behind her life in England and move to Sydney with the man of her dreams Brad Harrison, but has she made the right decision? Tears will be shed!

Malcolm; A Hilarious Short Story By Simon Bolton

Since I have been doing my book signings I have met so many interesting and inspiring people who all have amazing stories to tell. I have also met a lot of writers who are in the process of writing a book. Simon was one of these people and he was kind enough to send me this short story; Malcolm.

During a writing class recently he was asked to write a piece about someone boring; I found it hilarious and thought I would share it with you. I hope it entertains you as much as it did me!

Malcolm
He awoke in the position that he always did, lying on his back facing upwards. His eyes were greeted with their usual first image of the day – the mock brass light fitting with its peach coloured silk effect shade. Five small cracks in the plaster around the ceiling rose giving the impression of a multiple amputee spider. These were just cosmetic flaws a bit like aging lines around someone’s eyes rather than a serious structural defect, not that Malcolm had ever considered or given that any concern.

His arms were outside the duvet and by his side, he had made the decision when he went to bed at 9:45pm the night before, that due to the ongoing heat wave with temperatures in excess of 32 c most days for over a month, to fold his summer bedding back a full 75cm and to sleep with the upper button of his pyjama top undone.

He calculated that with his arms on the outside of the quilt he would gain a .002sec advantage in turning off his Phillips digital alarm clock before it chimed. As it was about to go off at 6:45am he reached his right arm across to the bedside table and pressed the off button before it could utter a sound, giving Malcolm a deep sense of satisfaction that his calculations were precisely correct. If the Phillips 2000 series radio/ alarm had senses it would probably be those of profound frustration that since being purchased by Malcolm Dibly from the local Comet store in 1998 and used by him every day since, with the exception of Christmas mornings when he stayed at his Mother’s flat in Epping,
It had never been able to give its rendition of the Big Ben chimes, its USP, Police siren or any other of the twelve alarm tunes in its repertoire. Its daily chance stymied by its owner’s timely abilities.

He folded back the corner of his bedding and gently swung his legs off the mattress and onto the floor. Sitting on the side of his bed for a full three minutes looking straight ahead, silent and motionless Malcolm prepared himself for his day, his Wednesday.

By eight minutes past seven Malcolm had washed his hands, face and corners, shaved, had his breakfast of 25gm of fair-trade muesli with honey and a banana and brushed his teeth. leaving him a full ten minutes to evacuate his bowels, rinse his hands, brush his hair, put on his summer blazer and leave his first floor flat for the two minute walk to the bus stop to catch the 7:25am loop service that would take him to outside the gates of Gosling & Hardacre engineering where he had worked in the accounts department for twenty three years.

The bus journey could vary between fifteen and twenty five minutes depending on traffic conditions which meant Malcolm always had ample time to clock on for his 8:00am start. He liked it when the bus journey was quick it allowed him time to get into his department without being taunted by all the shop floor workers who had walked to the factory along the High Road. Many a time he had to run the gauntlet past small groups of them who would call out and when they got the chance surround and intimidate him, taunting and calling him names. “Weirdo, poofta, wanker, boring twat”.

Due to the road works near the town hall Malcolm knew it would be nearly five to eight when the bus would arrive opposite the factory gates, he prepared himself to meet his provocateurs. As he stepped of the number 47 he saw the gang of persecutors opposite him several of whom had already spotted and recognised their quarry. “ooi!! Malcolm you muppet hurry up you don’t wanna be late do ya” shouted a pimply faced youth. Malcolm crossed the road and found himself immediately surrounded by the jeering mob, it’s spotty spokesman circling him like a deranged matador verbally jousting with its prey.
“Bet you never had a shag ‘ave yer?, got yer leg over, been laid Malcolm eh, eh?” inquired his acne ridden aggressor. Malcolm looked on impassively as the baying crowd howled like a pack of hyenas until they were struck with disbelief at what happened next.

Malcolm reached into the breast pocket of his blazer and pulled out his Parker fountain pen, unscrewed the lid, changed his grip to that of a stabbing position and plunged it into deep into the ringleader of his tormentors right eye, the pupil exploding in a mass of blood and ink, a purple torrent flowed down his cheek as he screamed in agony. “Boring-the act or process of making or enlarging a hole” recited Malcolm as he looked at his one eyed victim “ yes I suppose I am “ he added as he walked through the shocked crowd towards the factory entrance.

It was two minutes to eight and already 26c Malcolm noted looking at the thermometer on the wall next to the clocking on machine, perhaps he would undo two buttons on his pyjama top tonight he thought.

How To Get Your Book Stocked By Retailers – One Of The Biggest Hurdles Of Self Publishing

One of the biggest challenges with self-publishing a book is getting it into stores. For most authors, seeing their book gracing the shelves of a bookshop for the first time is one of the biggest thrills of getting your book published, but when you have self-published your book it isn’t usually a straightforward process. I am still working hard at getting my book, Corrupted stocked by more shops in the UK and have encountered a few hurdles along the way. I hope this post helps anyone who is about to go about introducing their book to retailers and it will hopefully give you ideas of how you can achieve your goal.

Step One: Get Your Book Stocked By A Wholesaler

If you are serious about getting your book stocked by book shops one of the first steps towards achieving that is to get it stocked by a wholesaler. In the UK there are several to choose from, but I opted for Gardners. They will keep a stock of your book and distribute it to any shops for you, including Amazon. Prepare yourself though as it might take a while to get paid from distributors, but if you want to be taken seriously then this is an important step. Gardners stock Waterstones, WHSmiths and many other retailers.

Step Two: Research The Buyers

The next step is to find out the names of the buyers for each of the companies you want to approach. You want to find out who is in charge of buying from your genre and get their contact details. Prepare an email introducing your book, remember to add information about your wholesaler, target market, any publicity you have had, book signings, anything that will support your application to be stocked by them. Attach your book cover image, a press release and email it to them. Follow up your email with phone calls, it may take a while to get through to the person you need to reach as they are very busy and in meetings quite a lot, but don’t give up. When you do finally get them on the phone, remember that first impressions count and treat your conversation as a sales call. Be succinct and explain why your book will sell, as quickly as you can. Hopefully they will ask you to send them a copy of the book.

Step Three: Be Patient

There is a fine line between being persistent and being annoying! Give the buyers the opportunity to evaluate the book but make sure you follow up when you can to get feedback and find out their decision. They are busy people so they will not appreciate being pestered but they will have so much to do you don’t want them to forget you either. Be polite, friendly and keep your fingers crossed. I found when I have approached buyers often they will automatically ask you who your publisher is, if you are self-published then make sure you tell them about the 4000 downloads you have had on Kindle in the last few months, and everything you are doing to promote your book. Showing you are pro-active is very important.

Step Four: Don’t Give Up

It is very frustrating that quite often there is one person working for a company who is the gate-keeper and has the power to make or break your books success. If your book has been accepted by the head buyer then congratulations, this is just the beginning, once you’re in with one major retailer it will start to become a lot easier for you to get into more. If however you’re book is rejected then don’t lose faith, gather sales from book signings, events and with your e-book and through Amazon. Approach shops individually and offer to do a signing to support your books sales. I have so far managed to get my book into about 10 WHSmith stores and 5 Waterstones, as well as many indie bookshops. Continue to build relationships with the managers and aim to re-approach the buyers with all of this added information to support you. Keep trying and eventually you will see your book in many more stores and maybe one day really soon, it will be in the charts! Good luck and I hope this helps you!

P.S, in case you wondered Corrupted isn’t number one in the UK book charts yet, I took a photo of it in the number one spot to motivate me. It is the screen saver on my phone at the moment and it inspires me every time I look at it!

Watch Me Read Chapter Six Of My Novel Corrupted!

Another day, another instalment from my novel Corrupted! I hope you are enjoying it so far. In Chapter Six, Ria is about to discover that her fling with the Australian millionaire Brad Harrison is about to become a lot more serious than steamy hotel-room sex!

See you soon for chapter 7! xxxx

Corrupted, a Semiautobiographical Tale of Sex, Scandal & Suspense by Emmy Yoshida

My book is now on FirstChapters, a brilliant new blog that allows readers to read the first four chapters of a novel before deciding whether to buy it. A great resource for authors and writers alike. Anyone looking to promote their book then get in touch with them, it’s websites and blogs like these that have given self-published authors the opportunity and tools to grow their audience. Thanks David!

First Chapters

 

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B05VVZC

Ria Kimura is a student in London, struggling to fund her degree and her party lifestyle. Her reckless attitude and hunger for fun is a magnet for disaster and leads her to becoming an exotic dancer in one of London’s top gentlemen’s clubs. Quickly seduced by the champagne lifestyle, Ria becomes addicted to the cash and thrills and after graduating, gradually begins to lose faith in fulfilling her real ambitions, and slowly starts to resign herself to life as a stripper.

That’s when she meets Brad Harrison. A handsome Australian millionaire, Ria is easily lured by his bravado and materialistic displays of affection. Impulsively she agrees to move back with him to Sydney to a life of luxury living, leaving behind all her family and friends in the process.

But the dream soon becomes a nightmare and Ria finds herself all alone on the other side of the…

View original post 8,902 more words

My Radio Interview About Self-Publishing For Sovereign FM

Hi everyone!

I recently had an interview for my local radio station, Sovereign and Arrow FM.

They asked me to come in and talk about my experiences of self publishing and my novel; Corrupted. It was a great experience and a good opportunity for me to promote my novel and I really enjoyed it!

Below is the link to the interview which will be aired soon.

Let me know your thoughts,

Emmy x

http://picosong.com/Rx3b/

Chapter Five Of Corrupted – A Tale Of Sex, Scandal & Suspense

Watch me read Chapter Five of my novel; Corrupted.

Ria is about to go out on a first date like no other with Brad Harrison; the charming Australian millionaire she met while working in Centrefolds, London.

Hope you enjoy watching my reading,

 

Thanks,

Emmy xxx

Watch My Reading Of Corrupted – Chapter Four

Watch me read Chapter Four of my sexy suspense thriller, Corrupted. We are about to learn a lot more about the main character Ria Kimura as she recovers from her evening of entertaining Brad Harrison; the charming Australian millionaire she just met at the gentlemen’s club she works in. Hope you enjoy it, I will post the next chapter soon!

Emmy x

Watch Me Read Chapter Three Of Corrupted – A Tale Of Sex, Scandal & Suspense

Hi everyone. I am continuing with the readings from my debut novel Corrupted and today my newest video is available to watch online. In chapter three of Corrupted, Ria Kimura is about to meet a man in Centrefolds gentlemen’s club, who will change her life forever. Hope you enjoy listening to it and I will post the next instalment very soon!

Thanks,

Emmy x