Author William R. Potter's Blog

The Fright Factory by William Potter

2012-01-09T11:00:00.000-08:00

Tied to chairs, Robin and Wesley have only minutes to free themselves before a bomb detonates...

Wesley stared at the candle and saw less than an inch of wax above the hole with the dynamite fuse. He began to feverishly kick his feet and tug his wrists hoping for a loosening or the break of a strap. Instead, the rear legs of the chair snapped, sending him over backwards, resulting in a loud crack when his skull met the wood floor.

He shook his head slightly and glanced up at Robin next to him. She was straining to see him as he fought to meet her eyes. He could not see her face.

“You—okay?”

“Um—think so.”

“Half an inch,” Robin said, in a small, childlike voice.

“I know.” They were both quiet for a few seconds. Wesley was able to move enough on the floor to see the candle. He couldn’t see Robin’s face or stand or break free of the chair but he could see that damned candle.

“I’m sorry,” Wesley said.

“Huh, why?”

“For bringing you here.”

“You only did because I was pressuring you for us to get away.”

“I love you, Robin. More than you know.”

“I do know, Wesley. I love you too…I’ve loved you my entire life….”

Reviews:

“A Fast Paced Chiller That Won't Disappoint! Potter has done a fine job of introducing and developing characters I related to. He managed to make me care about their survival and kept me guessing to the final pages whether or not they would live or die in the final round of Jesse's sick "game." Fright Factory is definitely a chiller fast paced and at times graphic yet kept me turning pages from start to finish.” 5 stars

“Terror has a new name, and it's Jesse Lawless. This was a very fast read. I hated to put it down once I started reading. I finished it in a day.”

“I read The Fright Factory in two days during spare time. How...I couldn't put it down. If you like shows such as CSI and Criminal Minds, you will want to read this book.”

“The Fright Factory touches our most primary emotion: fear, and our primitive response to it: fight or flight. It asks us to question how far we would go in order to save our loved ones. Could you kill a friend to save your spouse? Equal parts thriller and horror, The Fright Factory delivers the goods to those who enjoy fast paced suspense on the chilling side. A quick read that will keep you involved and entertained from beginning to end.” Reader’s Choice Book Reviews

Available at Amazon.com

The Fright Factory (Sample Sunday)

2011-09-18T08:20:00.000-07:00

A 900 word excerpt of my new book, The Fright Factory.

(WARNING some coarse language remains in the sample)

Now available at Amazon.

Wesley saw motion from the corner of his eye.

Jesse wandered into the room. “Howzit going?” He had a length of chain and a padlock. He looped the chain between the two chairs, pulled up the slack, and then clicked in a lock. With a second length of chain he secured Wesley and Robin to the cast iron fireplace. Where Robin had been able to slide along the floor earlier, they were now secured in place.

Jesse showed them both a candle with a hole drilled through the middle near the base of the stick. He set the candle in a brass candle holder on the coffee table. He walked to the kitchen and returned in a few seconds with a long red stick, obviously dynamite. He used duct-tape to fasten two more sticks to the first and he set the three next to the candle. He then took a long string that looked like a fuse and threaded it through the hole in the candle.

Wesley wasn’t sure what Jesse was doing but he knew it wasn’t good. Jesse took the camera off his shoulder strap and began to film Wesley and Robin. Brandi entered the room with a long butane fireplace lighter. She wiggled her ass for the camera and licked the end of the starter seductively and then headed for the candle.

Oh shit, oh shit! Wesley began to understand what was about to happen. He tensed in his chair and glanced at Robin who appeared to know what was occurring as well.

“Wes?” Robin said in a low whisper.

Wesley watched as Brandi enacted a dramatic, slow motion lighting of the candle. The wick lit and then the flame increased. Jesse carefully moved the table a few feet closer to Wesley and Robin. Brandi stood back from the candle about the same distance as Wesley and blew a long, hard breath at it. The flame flickered and danced but remained lit.

“You all can huff and puff but I’d say you have about 20-30 minutes before those three sticks blow the roof off this sh**hole and you along with it.”

Both Jesse and Brandi turned and walked for the front door. Jesse stopped and then said, “Smile now. And please…please make this good! Huh?”

“Have fun,” Brandi giggled.

The flame continued its morbid dance as Jesse opened the door, Brandi followed, and both exited. Wesley watched the smoke of the flame and he could smell that the candle was scented with flowers.

“Wes! What are we going to do?” Robin was pulling on her tie-straps and kicking her feet. The chain made a metallic jingle. “Do something. Don’t just sit there!”

Wesley began to pull at the strapping with every ounce of strength. He pushed with his feet and tried to stand. Nothing. The candle continued to flicker as if mocking them. The scent was growing stronger as the flame grew taller.

Robin was gulping in long breaths and then exhaling as hard as she could. The flame shrank and twisted and then shot higher in the increased oxygen. She did the same maneuver again and again. “For f*** sakes, Wes, blow!”

Both were huffing, wheezing, and blowing and still the flame danced and flickered, and when they stopped the flame was taller.

“Okay,” Wesley said, winded. “On three, fill your lungs, and when I signal let’s blow together. Okay?”

Robin nodded.

“One-two-three.” They filled their lungs, held their breath, and looked into each other’s eyes. He gave a small nod and they both blew out as hard as they could. The flame burned away from their view as they exhaled, appearing as though it had been extinguished. Wesley felt a moment of triumph, however, as soon as their lungs emptied, the flame darted for the ceiling once more.

“F***!” Robin said between gasps. “All we’re doing is helping it to burn down faster.”

“I agree.”

For the next several minutes they struggled at their bonds. Faster, desperate movements. Robin was screaming and swearing and he could see tears streaming down her face. He looked at the candle and saw less than an inch of wax above the hole with the dynamite fuse. He began to feverishly kick his feet and tug his wrists hoping for a loosening or the break of a strap. Instead, the rear legs of the chair snapped, sending him over backwards, resulting in a loud crack when his skull met the wood floor.

He shook his head slightly and glanced up at Robin next to him. She was straining to see him as he fought to meet her eyes. He could not see her face.

“You—okay?”

“Um—think so.”

“Half an inch,” Robin said, in a small, childlike voice.

“I know.” They were both quiet for a few seconds. Wesley was able to move enough on the floor to see the candle. He couldn’t see Robin’s face or stand or break free of the chair but he could see that damned candle.

“I’m sorry,” Wesley said.

“Huh, why?”

“For bringing you here….”

“You only did because I was pressuring you for us to get away.”

“I love you, Robin. More than you know.”

“I do know, Wesley. I love you too…I’ve loved you my entire life….”

“I feel bad—for the kids. This will be hard for them….”

Amazon.com

Character Interview: Dwayne Johnson and Dee-Dee Roland from "Bent, Not Broken"

2011-09-10T09:32:00.000-07:00

Bent, Not Broken is about a man named Dwayne Johnson who is plagued by severe obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). We watch Dwayne struggle as what are normal day to day activities for most of us are much more challenging for him. His anxieties are compounded by the fact that his co-workers gang up on him by moving things in his cubicle that he needs to have just so. You can't help but to feel for the poor guy. Dwayne meets Dee-Dee and falls in love with her, but his many issues will be the cause of much strain and difficulty in the relationship.

I sat down this morning with Dwayne and Dee-Dee from author William R. Potter’s novel, Bent, Not Broken.

Q. You two met in the story. How long have you been a couple?

Dee-Dee: Four months now—four and a half actually. (She glances at Dwayne with a hint of worry in her eyes.)

Q. Dwayne. How does it feel to be in a book? (Dwayne continues to rub his hands and shuffle his feet. He stands, reaches for an empty chair, lifts it and then removes it from the room to leave three chairs in total. He sits. His squirming has ceased, and he has a slight smile.)

(Dee-Dee leans toward me and whispers, “Dwayne won’t touch the even numbered questions.”)

Q. Okay. Dee-Dee. What is it like to be in a book?

Dee-Dee: It was weird at first. Being on display like that. But, now I think it’s kind of cool. Definitely a conversation starter at parties.

Q. What do you think of William Potter, the author?

Dee-Dee: He’s a hack! (She smiles)

Dwayne: Dee this one is mine! Mr. Potter—I think he did a good job. I mean he didn’t make me look like a total freak.

Q. How is Dwayne coping with his OCD? Just say pass if this is too uncomfortable.

Dee-Dee: Dwayne is doing wonderfully. I don’t have to remind him to take his meds as much anymore and he is working really hard in therapy…I’m proud of him.

Q. Dwayne, how has your anxiety made having a relationship with Dee-Dee difficult?

Dwayne: Everything is always tough for me—so it’s normal. I have to work at the relationship a lot—just like I have to work at not wanting to run to the bathroom to wash after shaking your hand.

(Dee-Dee touches Dwayne’s knee and he takes her hand in his.)

Q. Dee-Dee, how has Dwayne’s anxiety made dating difficult from your point of view?

Dee-Dee: It hasn’t! (She blurts quickly and then sighs.) Being with Dwayne has been the best relationship of my life. (She pauses for a few seconds) I was with this one guy who drank too much and sometimes he’d slap me around. Dwayne doesn’t like it when there’s six cans of beer in the fridge…so I drink one first. (She smiles at Dwayne.) He’s impossible—you know?

Q. Dwayne, you’ve struggled with alcohol in the past. Does that continue to cause you problems?

Dwayne: No, I haven’t had a drink since Dee had that scare with the baby. Sometimes, when things get hard I would like to drink…but so far I’m good.

Q. Dee, what do your parents think of Dwayne?

Dee-Dee: It’s just my Mom. She worries about me because I have made some bad choices regarding men. But Dwayne impressed her when he rushed to the hospital and wouldn’t leave my side until we knew everything was okay.

Q. Dwayne, do you still work at that awful office with those three…colleagues tormenting you like that?

Dwayne: No way! Dee got me on where she works. I stock shelves and work in the warehouse. It’s hard work and it’s dusty and I get my hands dirty…which is really good for me.

Q. Now an easy one and then a couple tougher questions. Where are you both from?

Dee-Dee: Dwayne is from here in Vancouver, and I’m from Montreal.

Q. Who is the most important person in your life and why?

Dwayne: For me it’s Dee. My parents…they don’t understand me…they are…they’re ashamed, embarrassed of me. (Dee squeezes his hand.) She teases me a tonne but she has always been good to me—very good. I love her.

Dee-Dee: Enough with the sappy stuff, Johnson. I mean, who is the chick here?

Q. Can you tell us about a really bad experience and how it changed you?

Dee-Dee: Of course this one falls to me. (Her face is strained with emotion.)

Dwayne: (He looks at Dee-Dee then to me) When (he clears his throat) when Dee was fifteen or so her brother’s friends got her drunk…then they—they took advantage of her.”

Dee-Dee: So I um—have trouble trusting men, now.

Q. What do you guys see in your future and is it a future together?

Dee-Dee: Well, I am expecting, so I hope that somebody does the right thing soon and puts a ring on my finger before I’m out to here.

Dwayne: Dee! You know I’m saving up for a nice ring. I already asked her—but she said no.

Dee-Dee: I didn’t say no. I said don’t even ask me if you don’t have the hardware—I mean come on—a lady has standards!

Dwayne: What lady? (He pretends to look around for someone else.)

Dee-Dee: Okay, Johnson. That’s it. When this guy is done… (She gives Dwayne a soft punch in the shoulder.)

Q. Okay we’ve had some pretty serious questions. So I’ll lighten up for this last one. Do you think William Potter will write you into another story?

Dee-Dee: Potter is working on a detective novel I hear. It would be cool if he made me a CSI or a cop. But he is a guy so I’m sure he would write me in as a hooker or the next bimbo to get sliced and diced.

(Dwayne is getting fidgety again. I decide to end things early) Okay thank you very—

Dee-Dee: (Whispers to me) I think that’s fourteen. Would you have one more by any chance?

Q. Yes I have one more. If someone makes a movie of your story, who would you like to play you both?

Dwayne: I think Dee looks at lot like Ann Hathaway. I think she would do a good job.

Dee-Dee: For him, hmmm. (She smiles) I think someone like Woody Allen could pull it off.

Dwayne: That guy is like—sixty!

Dee-Dee: I don’t think Danny DeVito is doing anything.

Dwayne: Dee! He’s like three feet tall and…. oh, you’re just evil!

Okay, thank you, Dwayne and Dee-Dee. Good luck with the baby and I hope you get that ring soon, Dwayne.

Originally published by Rose at The Plot

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Fright Factory is Coming September 19

2011-08-27T13:35:00.000-07:00

Wesley and Robin Tate become empty-nesters in their early forties when their daughter leaves home for college. Without the shared focus on parenting, a few weak spots in their relationship have been revealed. A weekend away at a secluded resort cottage seems like just the thing to rekindle and refresh their strained marriage.

Jesse Lawless is an indie film maker intent on producing the next great horror classic despite lacking the funds for actors, effects, or a script. He will stop at nothing to capture and upload his chilling masterpiece to satisfy his rabid internet fan base.

With the cabin as the setting and the Tates as his cast, Lawless sets in motion a plan to produce the most realistic slasher flick ever. "We is gonna make us a fine motion picture!"

The Fright Factory is Jesse's version of reality show and movie premise rolled into one. For the Tates, no acting ability is necessary as the terror becomes all too real. In each round, Jesse turns up the brutality in a game where killing your best friend may be the only way to survive.

Coming September 19/11 To An eBook Reader Near You!

Bent, Not Broken Reviewed on Amazon

2011-07-30T09:13:00.000-07:00

In Bent, Not Broken, Dwayne is a brilliant man who struggles with a severe case of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and much of it involves counting and numbers and fear of germs. He has what some people would call the most boring job in the world...he sits in a cubicle and takes telephone surveys all day; but he likes his job, and he's good at it. His co-workers (The Gang of Three) disrupt his perfect cubicle and play other disgusting juvenile tricks. Dwayne doesn't seek revenge; he simply puts everything back in its precise order and resumes his work. Personal relationships are nearly impossible; physical contact is extremely uncomfortable, and a kiss means exchanging saliva with another person, something that's appalling to him. Then Dee Dee, a unique and compassionate woman who "gets him," enters his life, and turns everything upside down with surprising and positive results. Now he has a reason to consult his doctor, resume his meds, and practice his strategies of "calming and coping skills" to reduce anxiety attacks.

I found this book fascinating. The writing is clear and
the characters are well-developed. I was hooked from the first line. We see how excruciating life can be for people with OCD. I found myself cheering for Dwayne to get back on track with meds and treatment to control his OCD so he can enjoy more personal freedom, less anxiety, and have a relationship with a wonderful and understanding woman. This book is informative as well as enjoyable to read.

Reviewed by Janet J for ReadersFavorite.com

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BENT, NOT BROKEN is story of two people who, for different reasons, have trouble finding someone to love. Dwayne has a debilitating mental/emotional handicap and Dee-Dee struggles with a painful experience in her past. Despite those obstacles, they do find a way to connect. This is a fascinating and gentle romantic novella, beautifully told and full of quiet wisdom. by Christa Polkinhorn (Santa Monica, CA, USA)

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We all know the "Rain Man" version of OCD, and we know real people who struggle with compulsions, phobias and "quirks." I wasn't sure what to expect with "Bent, Not Broken," but surely not this sweet, lovely story. It takes a deft touch to create a complicated character like Dwayne and make us root for him--not out of pity, but because we see ourselves in him. This was a fast read, and it ended too soon. I can't remember the last book that left me feeling this hopeful.

By ARLockwood (Orlando, FL United States)

Available in Kindle at Amazon.com

Available in Multiple ebook formats at Smashwords.com B&N NOOK Apple/iBook Store

Reader's Favorite Reviews: Surviving the Fall

2011-07-14T10:04:00.000-07:00

Had me on the edge of my seat rooting for the protagonists--Reviewed by Donna M. for ReadersFavorite.com

James Goodal is living a life of isolation, solitude, and regrets. He sees his life as a failure and lives in a home that feels like a castle, a house that he dreamed would be filled with children and family. However, his wife and childhood sweetheart decides that she no longer wants the marriage, or the family they aspired for, and leaves Goodal with unfulfilled dreams and memories of better days.

Goodal's life takes a sudden turn when he rescues Ashley who was thrown from a speeding car. As an 11-year-old virgin, Ashley was alienated and isolated from society in the worst way possible. She was exploited in the sex trade market, sold for sex through the internet, so that her mother could purchase drugs and pay off her debt to the drug dealer she is in hock to. Now as a 14-year-old, Ashley's only goal is to save her own life. She makes a brazen attempt to escape this life by using the only thing she knows how to use, her sexuality. While Goodal is greatly tempted by Ashley's wiles, he tries to gather his wits and show Ashley that what was done to her was wrong; he manages with great difficulty to resist her temptations. Ashley's mother and step-father are in deep debt to their drug suppliers because they use more products than they sell; therefore, their lives are in danger. Their only hope of survival is to find Ashley (and a broach that is in her possession) to pay off their drug supplier and save their own lives.

This story has you on the edge of your seat as you root for Ashley to live a normal life and escape the wiles of her mother and for Goodal to hold true to his values and show Ashley that she really can live a normal life. This author has a healthy knowledge of human behavior and a natural talent with dialogue. This story had me on the edge of my seat rooting for the protagonists. It also brought tears to my eyes as I traveled with Goodal and Ashley who were both hurting and struggling to overcome their own personal life tragedies and bring normalcy to their lives. 5 Stars

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Big Name Pay-for-Publishing VS True Self-Publishing

2011-07-13T07:56:00.001-07:00

A special post as part of the Blog Party for the Four Hundred Days release.

Both Lor Mandela Destruction From Twins and Lor Mandela 400 Days were self published by author L. Carroll. Many writers are working to publish in the YA fantasy genre so I offer this article to help authors make a more informed decision about publishing.

I wish I had known more about the Self Publishing-Print On Demand Industry before I chose to self publish my first book with a big name vanity publisher back in 2008. Many authors are now choosing to publish with do-it-yourself publishers like CreateSpace and Lulu. I went for a full service POD publisher for my first book. This was a mistake and here is why.

The big pay-for-publishing companies (iUniverse, Xlibris, AuthorHouse etc.) don't make their money selling their author's books. Their income stems from selling expensive publishing packages and marketing/publicity campaigns to their authors.

The suggested retail price for many books published by these companies is preset by the publisher with no author control. It is often way above market standards. Imagine $19.99-$24.99 for a 250 page trade paperback book and $9.99 for a Kindle ebook. Compare this to the 10 bucks for best sellers by world famous authors. A 250 page book POD published should retail for $15.00 or less and the ebook for no more than half the print retail.

On average, these overpriced books sell 5 copies or less (not including to family or friends) One big name admits to many titles not selling a single copy at on-line stores like Amazon.com. (In some rare instances some authors have sold hundreds even thousands of copies from these companies) Learn as much about self promotion as you can online and be prepared to work hard to build your reputation.

Books from these companies often have a terrible reputation. The books themselves are believed to be of poor quality and the writing is thought to be weak and in need of professional editing. (Printing quality has improved greatly over the years but the stigma remains) Hire a professional editor to make sure your manuscript is at its best. Also, don’t cheap out on cover design as readers do judge books by their covers.

Some interested readers might shy away from your book when they realize it is published by one of these companies because of the industry reputation. My recommendation: Mail a print copy of your book to reviewers and run contest giveaways at your website or blog to get your book out to the reading public.

by William R. Potter

October 18, 2012 is Now Available

2011-07-13T07:45:00.000-07:00

Is October 18, 2012 the end of the World?

Trevor Woodward is an auto-mechanic who is struggling with a father who has Alzheimer’s, in a relationship with a woman he loves and loves to fight with, and he must somehow survive the end of the world as caused by Ivan.

Ivan is a comet on its way to Earth. Scientists predict that it will either collide with Earth or with the Moon. Either way, the impact will bring with it long term ecological changes in the environment, possibly even the extinction of human race.

All Trevor wants to do is finish his work and get home to be with his girl, Kelly-Anne. For some reason it isn't the comet that worries Trevor, but something else. He feels that he's already lived through this disaster many times before. Can he change the future?

"Look!" Kelly-Anne said aloud. "Meteors."

Trevor turned toward the city and watched the rocks streak across the sky and disappear on the horizon. Something was coming. The question on his mind was probably the same as for most people on the mountain. The sober ones, at least. Would this be it? A memorable night with a few shooting stars or was this the precursor of a much more serious event?

A review:

In the novella October 18, 2012, author William R. Potter attempts and succeeds in putting a fresh spin on the end of the world comet about to smack into the `ol earth scenario.

We meet Trevor Woodward and his buddies finishing up the work day as Ivan the comet zeroes in on our beloved planet. The banter between Woodward and his auto repair colleagues may seem over-the-top to some but I assure you (as the nephew of the owner of a sheet metal fabrication shop) this is how working guys talk to each other. Fabulous dialogue here!

As pandemonium over the advancing comet begins, Woodward just wants to get home to his girlfriend, Kelly-Anne. Again the exchanges between Trevor and his girlfriend are realistic as stress and fear can cause the closest couples to lash out at each other.

There was a tender moment where Trevor manages to spend time with his ailing father who suffers from dementia. You may need the tissues here.

Overall, this is a well-written, quick read that will be a welcome addition to your Kindle or other ebook reader.

Recommended by Glenn Cruickshank.

I received this book free from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Now available at Smashwords.com

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L.Carroll: The Author Interview

2011-07-12T05:55:00.001-07:00

L. Carroll is the author of the Lor Mandela Series (Book #2 "Four Hundred Days" coming July 15, 2011). Her first book, "Destruction from Twins" maintains a 5 star rating on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Goodreads.

Currently, she lives in Eagle Mountain, UT with her husband, Chuck, and four of their five children. Her favorite place is the portal in her garage (a.k.a. the office) that takes her to the mystical world of Lor Mandela!

WP. Please tell us about Lor Mandela 400 Days:

LC. Four Hundred Days follows Audril, the heiress to the Lor Mandelan throne, as she sneaks away to Earth to save one of her dearest friends, and finds that a power hungry tyrant from her own world has begun systematically obliterating towns and cities to get her to turn herself over to him.

On Earth, Audril meets a wildly eccentric old lady named Teedee Venilworth whose imaginary butler/fiancé supposedly holds the key to her success. But how can someone help if he doesn't exist? Could it be that creatures who dwell in shadow are not exclusive to Lor Mandela?

Book number two in the Lor Mandela Series, Lor Mandela – Four Hundred Days, is an action-packed whirlwind of intrigue and fantasy. Join the extraordinary characters from the first book, (both the good and the evil), as they traverse the haunted corridors of Alcatraz Penitentiary, travel via portal to an ancient castle on the cliff shores of Ireland, and meet a foreboding race of mystic warriors known as the Solom.

Soar on the back of a large horse-like creature to the Northern High Forests and discover that on the picturesque world of Lor Mandela, your friends can become foes, your enemies your allies, and just because someone dies, it doesn’t always mean that they’re dead.

WP. How long did it take to write the book?

LC. "Four Hundred Days" took about fourteen months to write. It took five times that to write my first book "Destruction from Twins", so I guess I'm getting better!

WP. Why did you decide to write a sequel instead of going in another direction with a stand alone?

LC. Originally, "Destruction from Twins" was going to be a stand alone book. I started writing it without any sort of outline, but about half way through, I sat down and roughed out the rest of the story. With everything that still needed to happen, I realized that this was going to have to be a trilogy.

WP. Do you have part three in the Lor Mandela series written or outlined?

LC. I've written the first few chapters of the third book, and have a basic outline. Knowing me, though, that outline is bound to see a few revisions before it's all said and done.

WP. You ran a contest for readers to name a catch phrase for the Lor Mandela series. How did that turn out?

LC. That contest was such a blast! I think I had about sixty entries or so. The idea was to have people send in their favorite phrase for a chance to have it featured as the "catch phrase" for a new character in book #3. I had some of the funniest, most clever, and highly inspirational phrases pass through my inbox! In the end, the winner was a gal from Georgia, with her phrase, "Speaking of toasters…" That's gonna be a fun one to work in, for sure!

WP. Talk about the writing process. Did you have a writing routine? Did you do any research, and if so, what did that involve?

LC. My process was kind of a secret before I started this blog tour, only because it's embarrassing! I usually start out by going on an, "I'm going to write so y'all need to keep it quiet", rampage. After that, I lock myself in my office and read the last chapter I wrote. Then, I actually act out the next scene I want to write, (for the sake of continuity and believability). Once I'm happy with the flow of the next segment, I start plunking away at the keyboard.

There is a ton of research that goes into my books, even though, and perhaps especially because, they are fantasy. Again, in the name of believability, there have to be hard facts mixed in with the fantastic. In "Four Hundred Days" for example, I had to research Alcatraz Penitentiary…its layout, stories of famous inmates, etc. and I even had to study up on the United States Secret Service. (Let's hope they never confiscate my computer; questions would undoubtedly arise….)

WP. What do you hope your readers come away with after reading 400 Days?

LC. A desire to read the third book and a healthy despise of cliffhangers!

Actually, I love the prevalent underlying theme in fantasy stories in general -- that ordinary people can, and do become extraordinary. I hope that "Four Hundred Days" inspires readers to find their own inner greatness!

WP. Where can we go to buy your book?

LC. Right now, "Destruction from Twins" is available in paperback at

https://www.createspace.com/3602036 or

http://www.amazon.com/Lor-Mandela-Destruction-Twins-Book/dp/0615481752/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1309238407&sr=8-3

Or in ebook formats at

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/55880 or

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lor-mandela-destruction-from-twins-l-carroll/1031162349?ean=2940011287046&itm=1&usri=lor%2bmandela

WP. Any other links or info you'd like to share?

LC. Sure! You can learn more about the Lor Mandela Series at http://www.lormandela.com or on my Independent Author Network page at http://www.independentauthornetwork.com/lcaroll.html

And, if you're interested in joining the "Four Hundred Hours to Four Hundred Days" blog tour and countdown party, visit http://www.wovenstrands.wordpress.com or http://www.lormandela.blogspot.com

Excerpt from book:

Here's the first page…

The only visible thing outside of the cement, one-windowed room was a hazy blanket of black — a thick, inky gloom so dense that neither moon nor stars penetrated it. Inside, the small room was similarly shrouded in stale blackness, except for a tiny sliver of one wall weakly illuminated by three shining, green buttons. In their faint glow, the sharp edge of a metal door glinted on the otherwise barren slab of concrete. A musty odor — similar to that of a dust field stirred by the wind prior to a thunderstorm — hung heavily between the cold, damp walls and seemed a fitting aroma for a mill which was left dead and decaying by its former owners.

On a simple, grey, utilitarian bench — sterile and hard, and haphazardly jutting out from a corner — sat a tiny creature, curled in a dismal, rocking ball, quietly sobbing and shivering. The faint chirping of crickets in the distance no longer appealed to her. In fact, the sound that would have normally held an irresistible fascination now created a sickening knot in the pit of Tabbit the Shadow Squanki's bulgy, brown tummy.

“Squankis don’t tells,” she blubbered, “lady comes backs . . . lady comes backs . . . return the powers . . . four hundred days . . . four hundred days.”

Book Review:DEAD of KNIGHT

2011-06-12T10:31:00.000-07:00

Reviewed by John L. Betcher

Author William Potter has penned one of the more realistic and dramatic crime thrillers I've read in a long time. Dead of Knight tells the story of the "Birthday Boy" serial killer who terrorizes the small town of Hanson, British Columbia. He has earned his name by brutally murdering his victims on their birthdays.

Potter renders true-to-life insights into small town and RCMP police procedures and politics. Dialogue is spot-on, breathing life into the many characters. Cop-speak is entirely realistic -- and appropriately loaded with expletives. (In my opinion, the cursing comes with the territory.)

While the cops beat the bushes for clues to the perp's identity and whereabouts, Potter leads the reader into the twisted mind of the psychotic killer, revealing the pathologies that made "Birthday Boy" the murderous menace he has become.

Editing is, for the most part, superb -- better than in typical NY Times Best Sellers. And Potter crafts the plot line with skill and artifice.

I don't want to give anything away. But suffice it to say that this book is well worth the price of admission.

I rate it a MUST HAVE for crime enthusiasts!

5.0 out of 5 stars A Top-Flight Crime Thriller,

John L. Betcher (Red Wing, MN USA) Author of the James Becker Series

Available in Print and Kindle at Amazon.com

Available in Print at Barnes&Noble.com NOOK!

Apple/iBook Store

Surviving the Fall by William R. Potter

2011-06-09T21:55:00.000-07:00

James Goodal has spent his entire life avoiding uncomfortable situations. This safe and easy existence has left James lonely and facing divorce. Everything changes when he takes in a young street girl named Ashley. The pair finds comfort in their unorthodox friendship until her violent world returns forcing James to fight for Ashley and for his very survival.

What readers are saying:

A Quick, action filled read, April 26, 2011

Jennifer S (Ball Ground, GA United States)

"Surviving the Fall" by William Potter is a fast paced, action filled book that grabs your attention as soon as you start reading. The main two characters, Ashley and James, are well developed, exciting and emotionally challenged individuals. James, who until he meets Ashley, is a quiet, rather boring guy. Ashley has seen and done it all, or so it seems. The underage street girl meets James when he picks her up. The story immediately intensifies and the action does not slow down. Prepare yourself to flip through those pages, becoming emotionally involved with both characters and amazed by their lives. You will enjoy this book!!!

An Excellent read!, April 21, 2011

MightierSword "Gladys" (Harrisburg, PA USA)

I have to admit I was surprised at what a great read this was. Mr. Potter does an excellent job of grabbing the reader and pulling them in so deeply you cant help but feel emotionally involved with the characters.

In "Surviving the Fall" the story revolves around the main characters James Goodal and Ashley Metcalf. Throughout the story you witness James emotional battles as he is torn between simply trying to help a lost soul, and becoming deeply emotionally attached, all the while the reader is made aware of the dangerous scheme surrounding them. You will definitely find yourself continually rooting for the hero of the story.
The only negative that I could possibly find with the book was the fact that Mr. Potter leaves you feel as if you are little orphan Oliver, begging the headmaster, "Please sir, may I have some more?"

High energy..., April 12, 2011

G. Reba (Panama City, FL) –

"Surviving the Fall" by William R. Potter is a thrilling story from start to finish. When at first we meet Ashley and James, they are in the final throws of life...or at least one of them is. A stranger was in the house and there was a deadly attack...one that may not be survived. The how and why remain a mystery as we delve into how they first met a mere seven days ago.

Author William R. Potter manages the short novel styling quite well. Whereas some stories can feel rushed when placed in these confines, this tale was told in a fast paced fevor, enabling readers to dive right in and hold on tight. It's easy to get swept up in the commotion as you try to discern just why things are happening and who is after them. The material does get a bit dark with the girls past and the foreseeable future through her eyes, dealing with prostitution and tension. The only drawback I truly saw was of repetitive phrases now and then, but nothing too intense that it pulls you away from the action.

Recommended for adult readers looking for an action packed book with high emotions with a length befitting a quick weekend escape.

Humanity and Innocence has its prices..., April 23, 2011

M. Stanhope "Defining normal..." (Chesapeake, VA) –

"Surviving the Fall" by William R. Potter is a quick read and one that made me thing of a saying I use frequently. My saying is "bring home no prisoners and take in no pets, even if they are human". These are words I have lived by for a long time. I wish I had been around to give them to James Goodal, before he rescues a girl thrown from a vehicle and now feels the need to take of her. If only his wife had stayed around the sexual tension between these two would have never become an issue. Ashley, a hooker, a fifteen year old who can show him things he only dreams of, there I said it, why does she have to be under age? It is a test, I swear, he (above) is testing my morality to see what I will do with this person. Did she have to be so pretty, so much fun, so happy and so loving all the time? Ashley does have her own problems though she is a person who has had to endure every part of the human body whether she wants to or not and now that she honestly lusts after someone she is not quite sure why it is not appreciated in return. Talk about an emotional roller coaster ride.

Surviving the Fall is a heart-warming tale of a wayward teenage prostitute and a gentleman with a rescuer complex. It's a great, intertwined plot where all the characters come together, in the same spirit of the Academy Award winning movie, Crash. Potter showcases his writing talent with skillful interspersing of critical backstory in such a way as to avoid slowing the plot. I urge you to take note of the writer's talent for character development and I'm sure you'll be impressed. In fact, I shouldn't think it'd be long before a major publishing house snaps Mr. Potter up because he belongs on the bookshelves with the likes of Jeffery Deaver and Peter Abrahams. Highly recommended by reviewer: Jan Evan Whitford, Allbooks Reviews.

Only 99cents on

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Surviving The Fall (Sample Sunday)

2011-03-20T08:26:00.001-07:00

SURVIVING THE FALL

Chapter I

DECEMBER 26

James Goodal jarred the oversized revolver from a dying man’s hand and then tossed the weapon across his living room. Even in the after-midnight darkness, he could see blood, soaking red the beige carpet near his feet. The man no longer stirred so James averted his gaze to the top of the staircase and to his surprise, he couldn’t see or hear her.

“Ashley,” he called.

No answer.

“ASHLEY!” he yelled as loud as his voice would allow.

Still no answer.

Fear held James in place; fear of what he would find if he ascended to the second floor of his home. He thought he heard a faint, weak whisper calling to him. A shiver went through him, and he knew he had to move.

He stepped over the body and charged up the stairs for the second floor, and after an instant, he found her a few feet from her bedroom.

“Oh god, Ashley, no!” The teenager had both of her hands clutching her left thigh a few inches below her crotch. Blood was seeping between her fingers. James knew that if the bullet had cut the main artery in the leg she could bleed out.

His mind was adrift in panic, searching for what he should do. Then it slammed into his brain. “I’ll call an ambulance.” He jogged for the phone next to his bed and quickly dialed 911.

“Ambulance!” he blurted when the operator asked for his emergency.

“My roommate was shot in the leg. It’s bleeding badly!”

While sprinting back to where Ashley lay, he pulled off his pajama top and placed it on Ashley’s leg.

“Apply pressure!” the operator said.

“I am!” He kneeled next to Ashley with one hand on his portable phone and the other holding the shirt to the wound.

“Is she breathing?”

“Yeah, she’s looking right at me.” The horror in Ashley’s eyes sunk into him and panged his heart. He had never in his life felt so worried for another human and so utterly useless to help.

“The ambulance is just a few minutes away, sir,” the operator said.

Then the operator began asking about how Ashley was shot, about the kind of firearm, and who fired it.

“Is the shooter still in the house, Mr. Goodal?”

“Yes, I think he’s dead.”

“Dead, sir?”

“Yes, I killed him.”

James set the phone aside and took Ashley’s hand in his. “It’s okay, Ashley. They’re coming. Just hold on, sweetie. Hold on.”

“I love—you—James,” Ashley said almost silently, and then her body wilted and her eyes rolled back and closed.

“ASHLEY, No!”

Available for 99c at Smashwords.com

Now available for a buck at Amazon/Kindle

Surviving The Fall is Now Available!

2011-03-12T22:48:00.001-08:00

"Surviving the Fall” is a homerun with emotional ups and downs that had me on the edge of seat. It was scary, lustful, and tender, as the plot pushed the ethical envelop of underage sexuality.

Okay, so what is the story about? It is the story of two lonely and needy people that find each other, find true love and compassion, in a perverse and evil world.

James Goodal, love the pun by the way, is a software programmer. His wife has left him, left him the house and a closet full of her cloths that she will never claim. James is lonely. He has a big heart and a lot of love to give. When James was a child he collected displaced animals and cared for them, nursed them back to health.

It was no surprise that when James saw Ashley Metcalf tossed from a moving car into the middle of the street that he had to help her.

Ashley is a complicated, oversexed fifteen-year old. Ashley has been a prostitute since her mother tricked her out when turned ten. So, it is no wonder that she is afraid to trust James and except his help. However, she gets into even more trouble that sends her to live in James’ guest house to the shock and disgust of James’ sister.

James and Ashley’s relationship is a rocky one. James is very frank with Ashley that she is underage; he only wants to help her get back on her feet. However, James sees Ashley as a sexual creature that has had more experience that he ever will. Meanwhile, Ashley can not except that he doesn’t want her. She sees how he looks at her. She wants to give him what she has; what every man she has ever known wants from her. For the first time in her life she wants to have sex with someone. The tension created between these two well written characters is the stuff of great literature. by Aaron M. Wilson Soullessmachine.com

* * *

Surviving the Fall is a heart-warming tale of a wayward teenage prostitute and a gentleman with a rescuer complex. It's a great, intertwined plot where all the characters come together, in the same spirit of the Academy Award winning movie, Crash. Potter showcases his writing talent with skillful interspersing of critical backstory in such a way as to avoid slowing the plot. I urge you to take note of the writer's talent for character development and I'm sure you'll be impressed. In fact, I shouldn't think it'd be long before a major publishing house snaps Mr. Potter up because he belongs on the bookshelves with the likes of Jeffery Deaver and Peter Abrahams. Highly recommended by reviewer: Jan Evan Whitford, Allbooks Reviews.

Available for 99c at Smashwords.com

Now available for a buck at Amazon/Kindle

B&N NOOK Coming soon!

Bent, Not Broken-A Modern Romance is Now Available!

2011-03-05T10:22:00.000-08:00

Dwayne Johnson knows he is different. He lives in a world that can always be depended on to remind him of his strangeness. Despite his social awkwardness, Dwayne meets a beautiful woman at a bus stop and soon his entire life transforms. Unfortunately his obsessions work against him, keeping the couple apart pushing Dwayne to the point of alcoholism and insanity.

* * *

I really want to tell you about “Bent, Not Broken" a story that should not be missed.

Dwayne suffers from OCD. I think that after finishing the story that some of my own compulsive tendencies have flared, but I’m not Dwayne. Dwayne must live in a world of odd numbers preferring 3s, 5s, and 7s. One of the more touching moments is when Dwayne is out on a date and he needed an extra chair and place setting at the table in order to feel comfortable, and I think that I’m hard to live with.

Dwayne is excellent at his job. He calls people that he refers to as “marks” and asks them about their preferences, surveys them about food, TV, etc, and rewards those who answer them with valuable coupon books. He holds the record for the most completed surveys in one shift. He is loved by his boss; hated by his co-workers. To Dwayne, his co-workers are the terrible trio. They play games with this desk, putting an extra pen in his up so that they number 4 or 6 or 8. These games make it impossible for Dwayne to focus.

The one thing that Dwayne has going for him is a mysterious woman that he calls Black-Coat Girl who is at the bus stop everyday at the same time he drives by on his way to work. Dwayne has made up several stories about Black-Coat Girl, who she is, what she does, why she takes the bus.

What is really nice about this story is that it has a very Punch-Drunk Love romantic twist that takes a seven car pileup on a snowy day to kick off. Dwayne has to take the bus, the very same bus that Black-Coat Girl takes. And on that day, Black-Coat Girl sits down beside him and admits that she thinks of him as her 20-Second Boyfriend.

The writing is really well done. The descriptions of Dwayne’s inner experience are strange and wildly detailed. They have a bumpy start to things, but their story ends well, not the happily ever after kind of ending, but an ending that suits the characters and left me wanting for more.

by Aaron Wilson www.soullessmachine.com

Available in Kindle at Amazon.com

Also available in Multiple ebook foramts at Smashwords.com

My Interview at Pinnacle Writing

2011-02-27T12:59:00.000-08:00

This interview was previously published at Thomas Drinkard's Pinnacle Writing blog

I’m happy to say that today’s interview will not only cover William’s writing, but will also focus on the Independent Author Network (IAN). I’ll let him explain.

T. Hello, please give us a bit of biography to start.

WRP. I live in New Westminster B.C. Canada with my wonderful wife; my son, Alex 7 and daughter, Meghan 5. I have self-published two books including my short story collection Lighting the Dark Side, which won an editors choice award in 2009.

T. When did you start writing?

WRP. I attempted my first novel at age 11 after watching the first King Kong remake in 1979. Later in my teens I would enjoy poetry and later short-stories before returning to pen my first novel in my late 30’s.

T. Was there a favorite writing teacher or mentor?

WRP. No, none that I recall.

T. With a family and full-time job when do you find time to write?

WRP. Whenever and wherever I can find a few minutes.

T. Please tell us about your current book.

WRP. My latest is called Dead of Knight. It’s a murder mystery thriller/police procedural. A synopsis: Believing he is a soldier of justice, a young man begins a callous campaign of terror, murdering women on their birthdays. Convinced of his righteousness, he continues his brutal crusade forcing the citizens of Hanson, B.C. to acknowledge a serial killer is active in their rural community. Anxious to work the biggest case of his career, Detective Jack Staal is forced to the outside when the Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s Integrated Homicide Teams are assigned to the case. Not one to sit on the sidelines, Staal convinces his colleagues to follow his lead and pursue a serial killer who the media has dubbed Birthday Boy. Dead of Knight is told from two perspectives, that of the cat, and the mouse, but who is who? Is the detective chasing the murderer, or is the murderer chasing the cop?

T. What was the inspiration for writing a mystery/crime thriller?

WRP. Writing and publishing a novel has been a life long dream. I made a few attempts at sci-fi novels in my teens and twenties without completing them. Some of my earliest television memories are of gritty 70’s cop shows like Starsky and Hutch, The Streets of San Francisco, and SWAT. As an adult, I couldn’t read fast enough the works of Michael Connelly, Patricia Cornwell and John Sanford. My first attempt in the genre was a Jack Staal short story. Readers and reviewers of Prominent Couple Slain enjoyed the piece and encouraged me to write a Staal novel.

T. What’s the significance of the book’s title?

WRP. The villain (Birthday Boy) calls himself Damian Knight…and therefore his victims are “Dead of Knight.”

T. What inspired you to craft the story from the perspective of both cop and killer?

WRP. Writing from both points of view allows me to put the reader into the head of a killer and not just the people who catch them. Getting deeper into the why and how a killer does what he or she does paints a stronger picture showing the two sides of a story. Plus it is a great deal of fun to write this way…today I’m the good guy…tomorrow not so much.

T. Is Detective Jack Staal based on a person or people you know in real life?

WRP. Staal isn’t based on real people. After thirty years of watching and reading in the police procedural genre, I have a clear picture in my mind of what I believe a homicide cop is. So many cop characters have a bullet proof, unflinching style. I wanted Jack Staal to be tough but realistic. Staal gets the job done but takes a beating physically and mentally, as I real detectives on the job do everyday.

T. Likewise, who/what inspired the “Birthday Boy” killer?

WRP. Birthday boy was inspired by a teenager in my high school in the mid 1980’s. Like Birthday Boy, he was bullied and teased relentlessly. I remember thinking all those years ago…what if this kid comes back some day looking for vengeance…what if he kills all these bullies? Hmm….

T. Do you have a sequel or prequel in mind or in progress?

WRP. I have a stand alone novel coming out this year and two sequels of Dead of Knight in the works.

T. What are your ideas about the future of digital publishing?

WRP. Print publishing is like vinyl LP’s just before cassette tapes and later CD’s took over the recording industry. New e-book formats will continue to improve the e-book reading experience leaving print extinct by 2020.

T. You founded the Independent Author Network. What is IAN and why start up a book promotion website?

WRP. The Independent Author Network is a group of like-minded authors who are self-published or published by a small indie press. The group uses social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook to promote authors as a group. After looking for an affordable and effective book promotion site for 3 years and finding none that truly offered value and increased exposure I came up with the basics of IAN and began to mention the idea to my author friends.

T. Does IAN work?

WRP. I think so. Members can directly affect the traffic to their IAN member page by tweeting and facebooking the page daily. This sends a great deal of traffic to all the membership. Those who are active are seeing over 1200 hits to their IAN page per month. Also, IAN pages are showing up on the first page of Google and Yahoo searches. Members are selling signed copies on their page and seeing increased traffic to their personal website and blogs.

T. Back to your writing. Do you ever suffer from writer’s block?

WRP. No, quite the opposite. I have too may ideas and not enough time to work on new projects.

T. Do you mainly write by day or by night?

WRP. I do the majority of my writing on Saturday and Sunday between 5 and 9 A.M. I get up at 4:30 in the morning most weekends and fuel myself with gallons of coffee and then type away on my laptop until the kids wake up three or four hours later. I have a fulltime job and throw in two kids under eight and you can see how my writing time is very limited.

T. Thank you.

WRP. Thank you for this interview.

Falling Down The Hole Chapter 1 (Coming Soon!)

2011-01-30T09:34:00.000-08:00

CHAPTER 1 of my next book

Falling Down the Hole

Sometimes when I finish the Windsor on my necktie I feel like I’m caught in a hangman’s noose. It’s a new spin on an old insecurity, where I feel like no matter how well I’m doing it will all inevitably come crashing down. I shook my head to clear the weak moment and brushed a speck of lint from my shirt.

I had strayed from my regular Saturday morning routine of waking at 7am and bolting out the door by eight. I was up before six and had spent more than an hour watching the tape of my 12-year-old daughter Samantha’s piano recital from the night before. I re-watched her twenty-minute solo until it felt as though I had not missed the show. However, Sam would not forgive me, as easily as I wished, nor would she care how much I had earned while absent.

I put in eighty-hour workweeks with Friday marking the only scheduled rest day. Lately I had worked them as well. The real-estate market was booming higher than anything experienced in the last century. Record sales meant record commissions. I had everything I had ever dreamed of including an M-Class Mercedes and thousand dollar Italian suits. All I needed was more time for my wife and child.

In the kitchen was a new dilemma. By 7:30, the Mr. Coffee had long since passed its automatic shut off time and the urn was ice cold.

No problem, nuke it. I filled a clean mug, placed it in the miracle of modern convenience, and pushed the beverage button twice. I leaned my back on the stove and rubbed the remaining sleep gunk from my weary eyelids.

My thoughts shifted to Samantha. Her misty-eyed disappointment and her harsh words….

“You don’t give a damn about me…only care about making money!”

My father would never have stood for such talk from a child. Though he’d been gone thirty years, I still occasionally sensed his presence; a hand on my shoulder or a peripheral image that of course wasn’t there.

I opened my eyes in time to watch the timer roll down from twelve seconds. A superstition that always brought me a fine tasting re-heat.

Eleven-ten-nine. A strange sensation flashed my senses. I knew I had had the dream again last night. This time I could not remember the images, however, the emotional impact remained. I recalled the racing heart, a suffocating shortness of breath and jolting awake to cold darkness.

Three-two-one. Ding-ding.

I stared at the screen that read zero for almost a minute thinking about the dream and why it continued to plague my sleep.

I punched the door release, and then grabbed the cup of steaming liquid. When I removed the cup and moved it to the stovetop, two drops of coffee hit the floor, and another rained on my foot. A leak?

I lifted the mug, tipped it forward on a slight angle, and held it so I could see the bottom. Sure enough, drips of dark liquid were trickling from a chip on the edge of the cup below the handle.

POP!

My face boiled and I staggered away from the stove. My 20-20 vision flared from searing red to blinding white to a drowning blur. My head spun, nausea swept over me, and I needed to scream.

“Peter!” my wife, Danielle, called to me.

I heard her worn slippers on the hardwood flooring of the dining room.

“Pete, what was that? Did something break?”

I thought she was standing in the doorway.

I turned to her and said, “I dunno.”

I heard a horrified gasp from her and then, “Oh, God! Oh, God!”

“Dan. I-thin-I-gonna-pass-out,” I mumbled.

“Oh, God.” I heard her behind me and she moved something. “There is a chair right at your butt. Just sit gently.”

I sat and slumped forward. Then Dani was gone. Fear washed over me, and then she returned.

“Oh, shit. Oh, God, this phone isn’t charged—its dead,” she said.

My heart hammered in my ears, so loud and so fast. I put my left hand to my face and felt a sharp object jutting from where my left eye should be. “Dani?” My voice sounded weak.

“I’m using the living room phone,” she said. “It has a cord, remember? So hang on! Ambulance!” Dani’s words sounded distant. “My husband. His coffee mug exploded. His…his face is all cut and bleeding!”

My mind drifted to when I first met Dani when we were barely twenty. Her father was buying her a used car and I sold the wrecks part-time. She visited my lot several times, even though she could have found a quality vehicle anywhere.

Oh, God, what happened?

“Dani—I’m sore. I’m sore I worse so mush.” I tried to apologize for putting in so many hours and for leaving her alone too often.

“Tell Shammy I love her.” I heard my words slur and I knew I would never see my daughter again. My legs weakened and I slid forward on the chair until I slumped on the floor.

“No, I can’t stay on the line!” Dani sounded angry. “Just hurry!”

I felt her hands on me.

“You’re going to be okay.”

I didn’t believe her.

“You’re going to be fine.”

Then I felt nothing.

If anyone has a minute to comment it is much appreciated!

The Night Reader Reviews Dead of Knight

2010-12-19T11:08:00.000-08:00

This psychological thriller was of special interest to me because a lot of the action centered around the area where I grew up, Vancouver and the Lower Mainland of British Columbia. According to the cover blurb, Canadian author William R. Potter began this book in 2002, put the book on hold, and after completing other work, returned to Dead of Knight. I for one, am very glad he did.

A descriptive book, it takes place in the fictional town of Hanson in British Columbia. The book begins with a journey into the mind of a psychotic murderer, nick-named the Birthday Boy, because his victims were murdered on their birthdays. He sees himself as a hero; he is currently Tyro, training to become what he perceives to be a super hero who will be Damian Knight, Soldier of Justice. He believes he is on the same side as the law. The character is well-defined, as is the character of Jack Staal, the detective who becomes Knight's focused nemesis.

The story is also a police procedural that doesn't always follow procedure, often a sign of office politics versus either the very caring or the corrupt. Jack Staal is one of the caring, but he is fraught with demons of past cases. Some might call him flawed, others a hero. No matter, this is one man who is determined to stop Damian Knight, the psycho-serial killer with a mission. But what is the mission? How do the murders connect?

Jack and his group of allies on the police force must buck authority to bring in the "perp" as soon as possible, while the authorized group bungle and follow wrong leads, rumours abound. This is a very satisfying thriller, complete with background descriptions of what has led to this killing spree, internal strife in the police department, a vendetta against Jack Staal by Damian Knight when he thinks he is getting too close to solving who Damian Knight is, false leads, taunting hints left for Jack, death and injury. The methods of putting the pieces together is compelling. The plot was well thought out, played out with passion and resolve. A complex and taut story that kept my attention throughout. Written for mature readers.

Reviewed by Betty Gelean The Night Reader

Book Review: Dead of Knight

2010-11-15T20:42:00.000-08:00

Dead of Knight: A Jack Staal Mystery

William R. Potter

RealTime Publishing (2009)

ISBN 9781849610261

Reviewed by Charline Ratcliff for RebeccasReads (11/10)

I was recently asked if I would be interested in reviewing “Dead of Knight” by author William R. Potter. This book falls into the murder/mystery category and while it’s not my usual reading genre I agreed to review it. I’m glad I did because it was a great book.

The story location for “Dead of Knight” is Canada which, for me, was a really nice change. The book’s premise is this: A delusional young man believing himself to be a “soldier of justice” starts what he feels is a righteous crusade of cleansing. His victims are handpicked and meticulously stalked in order to learn their daily habits until he finally slaughters them on their birthday. I, for one, will pass on that birthday surprise thank you very much… Because of this killer’s gruesome practices the media has nicknamed him “Birthday Boy.” This nickname doesn’t sit too well with him - he wants to be taken seriously but…what’s a serial killer to do? And of course no tale featuring a heinous villain would be truly complete without an equally good counterpart trying to bring the evildoer to justice. Meet Detective Jack Staal who is assigned to this gruesome case. Jack is understandably horrified at the trail of bodies “Birthday Boy” leaves in his wake and he is determined to put an end to his reign of terror. Consequently Jack Staal will stop at almost nothing in order to apprehend this psychopath.

I’m happy to say I found “Dead of Knight” to be a fantastic read. Potter possesses great writing skills; he is appropriately descriptive and the story flows smoothly. “Dead of Knight” was suspenseful and I would agree with the back jacket’s statement that “Dead of Knight” is a cat and mouse thriller sure to delight fans…” I also appreciated that “Dead of Knight” wasn’t too easy to figure out and I admired the various plot twists that the author skillfully threw in here and there.

In summary I give “Dead of Knight” a five-star Amazon rating. It’s a riveting read but it is definitely aimed for mature readers.

Available at Amazon.com

Dead of Knight Reviewed by Review the Book.com

2010-10-09T10:11:00.000-07:00

“There is a great streak of violence in every human being. If it is not channeled and understood, it will break out in war or in madness.”
~Sam Peckinpah

The murderer is known by many names. He is called Tyro, a apprentice title, until he has killed more then his name is Damian Knight, soldier of justice, that passes judgment on the guilty. In the bar where he plays video games he is known as Retro, the police call him the Birthday Boy, but soon everyone will hear his true name. Jack Staal is a detective with the Hanson Police and has vowed to bring the killer in. “Dead of Knight” is told from the murderer’s and the detective’s perspective, which allows the reader to get a sense of both characters’ personalities. Detective Staal is a veteran cop who is dealing with demons from a past case gone wrong and the killer is also trying to come to grips with a event from his past that has marked him for life.

“Dead of Knight” is set in British Columbia in a fictional town called Hanson where the Royal Canadian Mounted Police are enforcers of the law of the land. The book gives a “real” look at what it takes to solve crimes and that it is not done in an hour as seen on Television. DNA samples take weeks instead of minutes and the suspect is not caught in the last 15 minutes of the show. Suspect after suspect are questioned and ruled out, while the killer continues to murder.

Although “Dead of Knight” in not a true murder mystery since you know the killer, the reasons for his actions are not clear until later. It is still a psychological trip with road block around every corner. It gives a chilling outcome of what can happen to someone who was a product of bullying. The characters are realistic and interesting. I recommend this book to mystery buffs that are old enough to read detailed content regarding killing, sex and drug use.

Reviewed by Michele Tater for Review the Book

Available in print and Kindle at Amazon.com

Dead of Knight is a thrilling and original mystery novel.

2010-08-06T14:16:00.000-07:00

George WilhiteAuthor,

“On the Verge of Madness”

“Dead of Knight” by William Potter is a thrilling and original mystery novel. The main character, Jack Staal, was introduced in Potter’s exceptional collection “Lighting the Dark Side” in the short story, “Prominent Couple Slain.” There, in the span of an average length short story, Potter provided readers enough information about Staal and his fictional hometown, Hanson, B.C., to leave us wanting more, and “Dead of Knight” certainly delivers.

A serial killer is on the loose, murdering women on their birthdays. The police slap the moniker “Birthday Boy” on him which only fuels his psychosis—he prefers “Soldier of Justice.” How do we know this? Ah, because thanks to Potter, we get the story from two perspectives, Staal and the Soldier of Justice, cop and killer, cat and mouse.

This is a brave undertaking and not easy to pull off. Most mystery and thriller writers stick to the police procedural formula and simply demonize their serial killer as an evil “Other,” a monster, without providing any real insight into their character or purpose.

Thomas Harris raised the bar long ago with Hannibal Lecter, The Tooth Fairy and Buffalo Bill and their complex relationships to agents Will Graham and Clarice Starling, and I think few writers have entered his arena out of fear of failure.

Potter takes on the challenge and succeeds with a fully satisfying, well rounded novel. It is both an exciting page turner and an equally effective insight into human nature and psychology.

Fans of the mystery genre and mainstream readers alike will enjoy this entertaining and thought provoking thriller. Potter’s dialog is brisk and naturalistic and he does not shy away from the graphic verisimilitude necessary to create sufficient terror and repulsion within the reader toward his perpetrator.

Hanson, B.C. is a thoroughly believable fictional town that blends seamlessly into reality and Jack Staal is a multi-dimensional, sufficiently flawed character with plenty of his own inner demons to battle while hunting down his antagonist--the perfect ticket for a successful series. I look forward to reading more Jack Staal mysteries.

I highly recommend “Dead of Knight” and any fiction by William Potter.

A Fast Paced Thriller

2010-07-29T22:57:00.000-07:00

Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat

"It's a good day to die," he said quietly. "Pardon?" "Happy birthday, Kim." "What?" She retreated a step. "How did you know it's my birthday?" Tyro clenched the lighter in his fist, pulled back and struck a quick blow to her throat. The porcelain cup of steaming coffee burst from her grip and smashed to the ground. Her eyes widened in shock as she clutched at her neck and sunk to her knees. He grabbed her hair in both hands and slammed her face down against his rising knee once, twice, releasing her so that she cracked her head against the wall. He stepped aside to survey the results of his attack. "You have accomplished a great deal in your thirty-two years, haven't you, Miss Walker?" he said as he dragged her into the hidden space between the two dumpsters. "Two illegitimate children, a deadbeat boyfriend, and a minimum wage job slinging burgers to the scum of the earth." He undid his leather belt and pulled it from his waist.

Jack Staal is a detective with the Hanson Major Crime Section. At times, teams from his department are sent to a crime scene to start the work-up and secure the scene until the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team arrives. Jack and his partner, Rachel Gooch, have both been assigned to this preliminary work for two prior cases where the victims have been violently raped and murdered on their birthdays. The media has dubbed the killer "Birthday Boy." Now, they can add a third victim to the list with the killing of Kim Walker, who has been murdered on her birthday.

Author William R. Potter takes Jack Staal through the wringer with Dead of Knight. He is already fighting depression from a mass killing in a park. His deceased partner's wife, Wendy Reynolds, has called asking him to find her missing daughter; and now, the Birthday Boy killings. This may be a lot for one person to deal with, even in fiction, but the writing ability of William R. Potter makes not only the characters believable, but the story as well. This story was so well written. There were no super cops coming along to save the day. The events unrolled so well that I actually felt as if I was following a real police story. This is one author that I will continue to follow and I will be waiting on his next Jack Staal Mystery. Until then, I'll be indulging myself in his book, Lighting the Dark Side. 5 Stars

Book Review: Trapped on Mystery Island by John Howard Reid

2010-05-01T15:29:00.000-07:00

Police sergeant Merryll Manning is on vacation on an island in the Florida Keys for a Murder Mystery weekend. The plan is to solve the mystery and win a cash prize of $5,000.00. Easier said than done. Merry has his teenage-looking girlfriend Susan Ford along for the trip. Susan isn’t above using her sexuality to keep Merryll flustered and under her thumb.

Merryll Manning: Trapped On Mystery Island by John Howard Reid was published more than twenty years ago in Australia. The first installment of the twelve part Merryll Mysteries made its American debut in the spring of 2008.

The game players are an eclectic group including a priest, lawyer, novelist, as well as several actors who may or may not be playing parts in the game. Merryll begins mingling with the players as only he can. His abrasive, eccentric style quickly puts him at odds with several of the gamers. Merry continuously aggravates the priest with religious debates; while Susan’s sexy and spunky charms push and pull Merryll’s concentration from the game.

Soon the first victim of the game falls as Merryll has predicted. The others have a problem with a policeman’s unfair advantage in the game. Others believe Susan is under-age and doubt Manning is a cop at all.

When blood is found, Merryll traces it to a real murder victim. The horrific bloody murder scene has a profound affect on Merryll. Another gamer disappears during a smoke break. With no way to contact the mainland, to leave the island, or to inform the police, Merryll takes over the investigation.

Author John Howard Reid has an undeniable skill for keeping the reader guessing who-dun-it. Reid points the finger of guilt, through Merryll, at many of the characters. The reader keeps turning pages to see who Merryll will infuriate next with his accusations and taunts. Tension, mistrust, fear, and a quick pace keep the reader captivated to the final page.

Don’t mistake this as another self-published vanity project. John Howard Reid is a talented, experienced writer with more than 70 books to his credit. His dialogue is brilliant in the back-and-forth banter between Merryll and the priest, and Merryll and the novelist. He paints scenes so well that you expect to see Merryll and his suspect burst into your living room.

Books three and four in the series are scheduled for release in 2010 with Merryll Manning: Beachfront Holiday set for release in June. Merryll Manning is a wonderful, old-fashioned style mystery series. Start here with Trapped on Mystery Island and you’ll be hooked. Highly Recommended.

Lulu.com (June 24, 2008)
978-1435720855

By William Potter for Reader’s Choice Reviews.

Book Review: Sandman by Ian Kingsley

2010-05-01T15:23:00.000-07:00

The Vincent family is set to enjoy some downtime at their Mudeford Sandbank beach hut, near Christchurch Harbour in Dorset, England. It doesn’t take long for a shocking, brutal murder to disturb this tranquil setting in Sandman by author Ian Kingsley.

We meet Paul Vincent, his wife, Sasha, and their 13-year-old daughter, Leah, at a windsurfing lesson. We quickly learn how Sasha’s flirting brings out the worst in Paul. Paul finds himself apologizing for a jealous outburst directed at the windsurf instructor. The point-of-view switches to actress Carol Davis recalling her horrifying rape on the beach not far from the Vincent’s hut by a man wearing a balaclava. This two-pronged opening with a peaceful beach scene and a violent assault in the opening chapter hooked me instantly.

It has been said that good fiction must have conflict. Kingsley has included enough conflict here for two novels. An incident on the beach puts Paul at odds with a young disturbed loner, a man named Stevie Clarke. Clarke, known by the locals as “The Sandman” doesn’t do well with confrontation. His resentment boils; he produces a large knife and aggressively warns Paul, “I’ll kill you the next time you cross me.” A short time after a jogger is killed, Paul informs the police that he believes Clarke is the killer. Clarke is desperate to get even with Paul for putting the police on him and he begins to stalk Leah relentlessly.

The police appear inept in their effort to catch the killer despite an obvious connection to the previous rape on the beach. Carol Davis contacts Paul and soon the pair are working together to prove to the police Stevie Clark is the killer/rapist. Leah’s attempt to help with the investigation only serves to muddy her father’s work when she hands over evidence that implicates Paul as the murderer to the detectives.

Sandman touches our primary emotions: jealousy, love, guilt, fear, hatred, and grief. As a father, I related to Paul’s unwavering commitment to keep his family safe. I also understood his discomfort with his wife’s tendency to flirt openly with men. Kingsley has written an intriguing mystery/psychological thriller with interesting, believable and well-developed characters. There are twists, turns, red herrings, and a healthy dose of hair-raising fear and suspense to keep even the most fickle reader captivated. The dialogue is authentic, and, along with the scene-painting narrative, you’ll feel like you’re on the beach witnessing the unfolding action.

Just when you think you have it all sorted out, the author changes directions—successfully keeping you guessing until the final pages. When you begin Sandman make sure you set aside a good bit of time, for you won’t stop reading until the last page is savored. Highly recommended to readers who enjoy a great mystery! 5 Stars

New Generation Publishing (2010)
ISBN: coming soon.
260 pages

Reviewed by William Potter for Reader’s Choice Book Reviews

Dead of Knight Reviewed by Apex Reviews

2010-01-30T15:28:00.000-08:00

A serial killer is on the loose, terrorizing the unsuspecting citizens of rural Hanson, British Columbia. Dubbed the “Birthday Boy” by the media, the sadistic menace chooses to target only women on their birthdays. As his horrific crusade escalates, Birthday Boy soon falls square in the sights of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police - that is, only if Jack Staal doesn’t get to him first. Anxious to solve what will surely prove to be the biggest case of his career, Staal strives to stay one step ahead of the Mounties in his pursuit to uncover the Birthday Boy’s true identity and bring an end to his reign of terror...of course, that’s only if he manages to avoid becoming the crazed killer’s latest victim...

With taut, gripping action and a pulsing storyline, Dead Of Knight is a can’t miss mystery thriller. The skillfully penned narrative from author William Potter shifts seamlessly from the perspective of cop to killer as the action unfolds, ensuring that readers stay on their toes with each fresh turn of the page. Furthermore, Potter masterfully maintains the suspense of his tale with a series of ingenious twists and turns along the way, treating the reader to a cleverly crafted whodunit with the capacity to befuddle even the most discerning of mystery buffs.

As a result, Dead Of Knight succeeds brilliantly where many other offerings in the genre often fail, all without having to pander or overreach in order to do so.

Fast-paced and engaging, Dead Of Knight is an equally enlightening and entertaining read. Kudos to Potter for crafting such a compelling instant classic sure to be hailed for years to come.

Reviewed By Josee Morgan

Official Apex Reviews Rating: 5 stars

Dead of Knight Now Available at Amazon.com

2009-11-18T08:16:00.001-08:00

DEAD of KNIGHT A Jack Staal Mystery is now available at Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/Dead-Knight-William-R-Potter/dp/1849610266/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258549370&sr=1-5

Dead of Knight-A Jack Staal Mystery-Free Postage

2009-11-14T09:21:00.000-08:00

Believing he is a soldier of justice, a misguided young man has begun a callous campaign of terror. Damian Knight is convinced of his righteousness and continues his brutal crusade of revenge.

Anxious to work the biggest case of his career, Detective Jack Staal is forced to the outside when the Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s Integrated Homicide Teams are assigned to the case. Not one to sit on the sidelines, Staal convinces his colleagues to follow his lead and pursue a serial killer the media has dubbed Birthday Boy.

As his death count mounts, so does Knight’s courage and he soon turns his anger on a fatigued Staal. Staal and Knight play out a cat and mouse thrill ride that culminates with an epic, one-on-one meeting of cop versus killer.

Free Postage is now available from the publisher please visit: http://www.theebooksale.com/zen-cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=464

Dead of Knight-by William Potter

2009-10-25T10:09:00.000-07:00

Author William R. Potter takes the reader into the heart and soul of his protagonist and into the warped mind of a psychopath. Potter’s first full length novel, Dead of Knight is told from the point-of-view of Detective Jack Staal and from the perspective of a killer who murders women on their birthdays.

Through clever use of back story, we learn that Detective Staal is suffering from post-traumatic stress after a horrific shooting. Unable to shake the horror of that day, Staal has left his position with the Vancouver PD’s homicide squad and has resurrected his career with the police service in a fictional country town called Hanson, British Columbia.

Anxious to work the biggest case of his career, Staal is forced to the outside when the Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s Integrated Homicide Teams are assigned to the case. Not one to sit on the sidelines, Staal convinces his colleagues to follow his lead and pursue a serial killer the media has dubbed Birthday Boy.

Believing he is a soldier of justice, a misguided young man has begun a callous campaign of terror. Damian Knight (Birthday Boy) is convinced of his righteousness and continues his brutal crusade of revenge. As his death count mounts, so does Knight’s courage and he soon turns his anger on a fatigued Staal. Staal and Knight play out a cat and mouse thrill ride that culminates with an epic, one-on-one meeting of cop versus killer.

Potter has created an intriguing police procedural with a strong main character, a terrific supporting cast, and a plot with twists, turns, and plenty of red herrings. I have read many books in this genre featuring a main character that is a bullet-proof, womanizing Neanderthal. However, Potter’s Jack Staal takes a pounding, both physically and emotionally. This is one author who isn’t afraid to show his hero breaking down or making mistakes. Potter has penned a captivating tale filled with plenty of tension and conflict, crisp dialogue and an unrelenting pace. He puts us in the story with vivid descriptions and scene-painting narrative.

I highly recommend Dead of Knight-A Jack Staal Mystery. It is sure to delight fans of Patricia Cornwell’s Kay Scarpetta or Michael Connelly’s Harry Bosch.

978-1-84961-027-8
Real Time Publishing

By Erin Hynd for Reader’s Choice Literary Reviews

Coming in November!

http://www.williamrpotter.com

Buy Lighting theDark Side $12.95 plus Postage

2009-05-24T07:25:00.000-07:00

LIGHTING THE DARK SIDE -(The Preview Trailer)

2009-04-26T00:52:00.000-07:00

LIGHTING THE DARK SIDE the E-Book

2009-04-19T14:57:00.000-07:00

LIGHTING THE DARK SIDE-the E-Book is now available in most E formats including Amazon Kindle

Bent, Not Broken. The opening novella is about an obsessive compulsive man who falls in love. Dee-Dee challenges Dwayne to experience life instead of hiding from it. Nevertheless, Dwayne’s disorder puts a severe strain on the relationship. Jealousy, low self-esteem, anxiety, and an increasing sense of violence engulf him until he pushes his new love away and falls into old habits of avoidance. Will he overcome this dilemma for love? Or will his problems continue to impede his happiness?

In the Gray. A seemingly mundane phone call between a grown son and his mother uncovers the reality of one man’s life. Michael Conner has estranged himself from his entire family. He has no time for his corrupt politician brother, his racist, abusive father, and his mother who seems to be more concerned with his marital status than the ugliness in her own home. Tragedy interrupts the call seconds before Michael can speak his truth and free his mind of decades of bitter animosity.

Prominent Couple Slain. Detective Jack Staal spent twelve years working in the Major Crime Section of the Vancouver Police Department. There he saw the worst of humanity, violent murders, gang warfare, sex crimes, and the ravages of illicit drugs. Homicide investigation was once his mission in life; now with his confidence damaged, he struggles each day to face the brutality. The story finds Staal only weeks after transferring to the Police Service of a small country town called Hanson, where a detective is more likely to investigate a canoe thief than a killer. When a former mayoral candidate and his wife are found DOA in an apparent murder-suicide, Staal is thrown back onto the homicide beat.

May 18, 2010. Is May 18, 2010 the end of the world? Trevor Woodward isn’t sure; he just wants to go home to his girlfriend, Kelly-Anne, and ignore the growing pandemonium over the approach of an earth-grazing comet called Ivan. Will the rock strike earth and destroy all life? Or is the entire thing a hoax to cover up an atomic bombing in the Persian Gulf? Experiencing increasing episodes of déjà-vu, Trevor begins to suspect that the eventful day is repeating; and with each pass, he gets another chance to repair mistakes with Kelly-Anne and his dying father.

Blessing or curse? Who wouldn’t enjoy winning the big one? Brad Stewart isn’t certain that becoming an instant millionaire is all he dreamed it to be. With the constant hounding by charities and long lost relatives, and the distance forming between him and his best friends, Brad is beginning to believe the windfall may be a curse. Without warning, a backyard barbeque becomes his worst nightmare when his son is abducted and held for ransom. Brad must reunite with his buddies in a frantic effort to rescue his kidnapped child.

Surviving the fall. Since childhood, James Goodal has had a soft spot for stray creatures. One gloomy afternoon, a lonely and depressed James meets Ashley, a young street girl. Impulsively, he offers her a spot on his couch for the night. Tempted by Ashley’s beauty and her willingness to please him, James struggles to live by his morals while questioning his motivations. Sickened by her life story, he can’t bring himself to send her away. But the comfort the two find in their unorthodox relationship is short-lived; shattered by violence as Ashley’s past catches up to her at Goodal’s home.

Amazon Kindle http://www.amazon.com/Lighting-Dark-Side-Modern-Tales/dp/B001VLXM6Q/

Getting a grip on the Darker Side

2009-04-08T05:27:00.000-07:00

A Book Review from Ezine Articles.com

I don't normally like short stories, but as soon as I started reading this book, Lighting The Dark Side, I instantly fell in love with the stories.

Each story is completely different - although they have a thread going through them of - the darker side of life.

I think my favorite is Blessing or Curse - which actually reflects one of the things that i often think - one good thing happens and then something bad happens to equal it out!

Some might think this is a series of pessimistic outlooks on life - in fact, I have been, myself, on occasion accused of being in this state of mind - however, I choose to call it reality and I like that author Potter has the guts to put down on paper what alot of people think, deep inside their minds. It can be scary to actually admit just how dark the mind can truly get. I, for one, applaud this author for channeling his "inner dark side" and writing these stories.

Granted, this book will not exactly make you feel all warm and loved after you have finished reading it, but the stories are so well written, that the tales, in themselves will be engrossing enough.

The author, William R. Potter, is a very good writer, he knows how to get to the darker side of human nature and the darker side of life....I loved this book, even if after reading it, I wasn't exactly in the mood to sing a hearthy song.

by Tina Avon

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tina_Avon

Guest Post for The Blue Stocking Society

2009-03-02T20:29:00.000-08:00

My guest post for The Blue Stocking Society. I talk about how I juggle family and writing.

Like most aspiring authors, I dream of selling a book to a mainstream publisher, and then writing fulltime. For now, I write whenever I can.

Saturday, 4:30 AM. I’m up and ready to take on the day. Yeah right! After quickly flipping off the alarm so not to wake my wife, I’m at the computer nursing a fishbowl sized mug of coffee. As the PC comes to life, I glance at the stack of books next to me on the floor. Somehow the latest hardcover offering from Michael Connelly has made its way to the top of my TBR (To Be Read) pile, so I spend a half hour with Connelly’s meal ticket, Harry Bosch.

I begin work on my own novel, a police procedural called Dead of Knight. The story is complete; it’s now down to re-writes and polishing. I hear tiny feet on carpet. My five year old son is wandering around the house in the dark half asleep—it’s 5:30. I guide Alex back to bed and snuggle with him until he returns to sleep.

I pause for another cup of coffee and a few minutes of staring at a blank screen. A writer friend has asked me to read his 300-page manuscript. How can I tell him the second and third chapters are just a rehash of the first? I e-mail him a note reminding him to hook the reader early and suggest that perhaps his first 35 pages could be condensed into a strong ten to twelve.

A second after opening my book file, the phone rings—it’s my mom. She launches into a story of how my dad put his back out working in the yard yesterday. I ignore Mom’s subtle invitation to feel guilty about not spending more time with my parents.

The family is awake now and Erin, my wife, is quick to comment about how early I was up to write. She’s worried about how tired I am. Her concern is valid, as constant fatigue is the price I pay for working at such a ridiculous hour. Erin is telling me something about shopping with her mom. She’s irritated that I’m living in my head, as she calls it. She’s right—I’m stuck in my book and can’t get a scene out of my mind.

I pause from the book to open some snail mail. An agent from Toronto regrets to inform me that she is presently unable to take on new clients. Next, I learn a book proposal does not meet the current publishing needs of a small press in Connecticut.

As if on queue, my three year old daughter, Meghan, dances in to relieve the stinging pain of rejection with noisy versions of Do Re Mi and My Boy Lollipop!

I’m re-energized and writing at a nice pace. Erin is increasingly annoyed with my inability to pull myself from my book for even a few seconds. She announces that she is taking the kids to have lunch with her mom.

I decide to write for an hour and then surprise the family by meeting them at the mall. The house is quiet, too quiet. My eyes are closing, and each minute becomes a greater struggle to stay awake. I move to the bed for a short nap and wake three hours later to the sound of loud voices and laughter.

Alex and Meghan find me in bed and I excite them with news about a special day at the park tomorrow. However, the promise does little to diminish the guilt I feel for spending so much time away from my kids for writing.

http://thebluestockings.com

Writer's Life interviews William Potter.

2009-02-13T20:34:00.000-08:00

Welcome to The Writer's Life, William Potter! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how long you’ve been writing?

I would first like to thank The Writers life for having me. I guess you could say I was bitten by the writing bug at an early age. Shortly after watching the first remake of King Kong, around the age of ten or eleven, I scribbled a few lines about a mutant crab and said I was writing a book.

I discovered poetry in my teens and continued to write verse into my twenties and early thirties. However that kid’s dream of writing a book never went away. In 2001 I decided to get serious about fiction and dabbled in short stories with some success. With my confidence surging I attempted larger and larger word counts. Before long I had a collection of shorts and two novellas approaching novel length. It was time…after waiting twenty-five years since that monstrous crustacean of my childhood I attempted another novel in 2003 and finished the first draft just before Christmas 2004.

Can you please tell us about your book and why you wrote it?

Lighting the Dark Side is an anthology of short fiction including three novellas and three shorter works spanning the gamut of fiction genres. After I finished the first draft of my first novel I decided to let the manuscript sit and cool for a while. I then returned to the assortment of stories I penned from 2001 to 2003.

The first thing I noticed about the group of fiction was the darker subject matter. I blamed or credited this gloominess to pain and sadness still lingering from my divorce of a few years previous. My writing was getting some favourable feedback and I wondered if grouped together the short stories might be enough for a book. I began to polish the stronger selections and wrote two more novellas in 2006 and 2007. I pared the total down to six and then began to seek out a publisher.

I believe everyone has an ugly side to their personality down deep that troubles those who witness it. For some it is pure evil and for others its anger management or perhaps jealousy. The key to triumphing over this darkness is to recognise it, and to turn a light against it. This became the theme and title of the book.

The characters in the book all follow unique paths in order to escape their own personal short comings; from Dwayne Johnson, a man who struggles to find love despite a severe Obsessive Compulsive Disorder; to Brad Stewart, whose lottery win becomes a nightmare when his son is kidnapped for ransom; to James Goodal, a gentle man with a rescue complex who resorts to murder when he takes in a young street prostitute.

What kind of research was involved in writing “Lighting the Dark Side”?

Each of the six stories required different amounts of research. As soon as I realised that Dwayne in the novella “Bent, Not Broken” suffered from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder I stopped writing and began to researching online OCD sites. The internet makes research so much easier and I quickly had a feel for this much misunderstood anxiety disorder. It took me a while to feel confident that I wouldn’t offend people who suffer from OCD and almost cut the story from the book. I’m glad I kept it in as the piece is always mentioned first by readers and reviewers.

For the police procedural, “Prominent Couple Slain” I studied as much information about police detective work as I could find. If you don’t have access to a real life detective, the World Wide Web is a good alternative to learn about weapons and tactics of law enforcement.

Researching the novella “Surviving the Fall” was a very sad experience for me. Ashley Metcalf is a fourteen year-old prostitute who was put on the street at age eleven to finance her Mother’s drug addiction. I found numerous stories from around the world of girls as young as nine forced into this nightmare world of fear and violence.

How much input did you have into the design of your book cover?

From early on I had a vision of how I wanted the cover to look. I made my own “working cover” and hoped the professionals at the publisher could improve it. The publisher’s designer went in a different direction with the title font. I disliked his first draft as it made the cover look like a self help book and it took me many weeks to persuade him that my idea was better. However, he continued to send galleys with lower case font and I became discouraged. I’m still not happy with it and it bothers me that the main title is not centred properly. Nevertheless readers and reviewers have called it eye catching, striking, and unique.

Has it been a bumpy ride to becoming a published author or has it been pretty well smooth sailing?

From the beginning I didn’t expect a traditional publisher to pick up a short story collection from and unknown and unpublished author and after several rejections I decided to go the self publishing route. The self publishing industry was my first adventure in publishing so I’m not sure how the ride compares to those who work with mainstream publishers.

For this particular book, how long did it take from the time you signed the contract to its release?

From the time I submitted my finished manuscript to the release date was about six months.

Do you have an agent and, if so, would you mind sharing who he/is is? If not, have you ever had an agent or do you even feel it’s necessary to have one?

I don’t have an agent and I know that if I’m going to be taken serious by traditional publishers I will need a good one. Finding an agent is my number one goal for 2009 as I attempt to leave my POD past behind me and sign that elusive contract.

Do you plan subsequent books?

Definitely. I’m currently in the rewrite stage of a sequel to the short story “Prominent Couple Slain” from “Lighting The Dark Side” called “DEAD of KNIGHT-A Jack Staal Mystery”. It should be available by Christmas 2009—fingers crossed. I think the Detective Jack Staal character is strong enough for a series and already have two sequels outlined.

Another completed novel manuscript is about an average family man and how he and his wife deal with his depression and addiction following the sudden tragic loss of his eyesight in a freak kitchen accident. “Falling Down The Hole” is my 2010 project and I daydream about it becoming my first book published by a traditional publisher.

Are you a morning writer or a night writer?

Any chance I get at the computer works for me. However, I have a fulltime job and my wife works evenings—throw in two kids under six and you can see how my writing time is very limited. I get up at 4:30 or five in the morning most weekends and fuel myself with a few gallons of coffee and then type away on my laptop until the kids wake up three or four hours later.

If money was no object, what would be the first thing you would invest in to promote your book?

Unfortunately you can’t see the smile on my face as I answer this one! I would write a two or three minute video trailer and then hire the best in the film business to produce it. M. Night Shyamalan or perhaps Marty Scorsese would direct. U2 would record the sound track—hey you said money was no object—and an all A list cast would be hired to play the characters form each story. Then I would unveil it during the next super bowl.

Seriously if I had a larger budget I would try a shot gun approach running ads in newspapers and magazines around North America. I would place banners, video clips and ads in every website and blog I could find featuring writers and books. Then I would hire a publicist and to get me some radio or local television spots.

How important do you think self-promotion is and in what ways have you been promoting your book offline and online?

For self published authors self-promotion is the only promotion. I’m always on the lookout for new opportunities to market my book. I am a member of Authors Den and several other sites that connect writers with readers. I try to spend at least an hour a day posting in forums, writing articles for blogs, and for maintaining my websites. Despite the negative reactions of bookstore mangers toward POD books I continue to investigate the possibility of a signing in the near future.

Any final words of wisdom for those of us who would like to be published?

Write something, anything every day and read as much as you can. Set realistic goals for your self such as how many pages you write every day or each week. Pick a date for when you will be published and then be prepared to work your tail off to reach your objectives. If you have a burning desire to be an author then keep at it and never give up until you get to where you want to be. Most of all—have fun with it!

Thank you for coming, Mr. Potter! Would you like to tell my readers where they can find you on the web and how everyone can buy your book?

Thanks again for having me I appreciate the support. I can be found at http://www.lightingthedarksidewrp.com or at http://www.authorsden.com/wrp

My book is available at Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble.com, Borders.com with the current best prices found at Tower.com.

This post was originally published in the Writers Life http://www.thewriterslife.blogspot.com/

THE PLOT Interviews Dwayne and Dee-Dee

2009-01-31T10:50:00.000-08:00

The Plot at http://theplotline.wordpress.com/ interviewed two characters from the the opening novella, SURVIVING THE FALL in LIGHTING THE DARK SIDE

Interviewing Dwayne Johnson and Dee-Dee Roland from Bent, Not Broken a novella in the short story collection Lighting The Dark Side.

Q. You two met in the story. How long have you been a couple?

Dee-Dee: Four months now—four and a half actually. (She glances at Dwayne with a hint of worry in her eyes.)

Q. Dwayne. How does it feel to be in a book? (Dwayne continues to rub his hands and shuffle his feet. He stands, reaches for an empty chair, lifts it and then removes it from the room to leave three chairs in total. He sits. His squirming has ceased, and he has a slight smile.)

(Dee-Dee leans toward me and whispers, “Dwayne won’t touch the even numbered questions.”)

Q. Okay. Dee-Dee. What is it like to be in a book?

Dee-Dee: It was weird at first. Being on display like that. But, now I think it’s kind of cool. Definitely a conversation starter at parties.”

Q. What do you think of William Potter, the author?

Dee-Dee: He’s a hack! (She smiles)

Dwayne: Dee this one is mine! Mr. Potter—I think he did a good job. I mean he didn’t make me look like a total freak.

Q. How is Dwayne coping with his OCD? Just say pass if this is too uncomfortable.

Dee-Dee: Dwayne is doing wonderfully. I don’t have to remind him to take his meds as much anymore and he is working really hard in therapy…I’m proud of him.

Q. Dwayne, how has your anxiety made having a relationship with Dee-Dee difficult?

Dwayne: Everything is always tough for me—so it’s normal. I have to work at the relationship a lot—just like I have to work at not wanting to run to the bathroom to wash after shaking your hand.

(Dee-Dee touches Dwayne’s knee and he takes her hand in his.)

Q. Dee-Dee, how has Dwayne’s anxiety made dating difficult from your point of view?

Dee-Dee: It hasn’t! (She blurts quickly and then sighs.) Being with Dwayne has been the best relationship of my life. (She pauses for a few seconds) I was with this one guy who drank too much and sometimes he’d slap me around. Dwayne doesn’t like it when there’s six cans of beer in the fridge…so I drink one first. (She smiles at Dwayne.) He’s impossible—you know?

Q. Dwayne, you’ve struggled with alcohol in the past. Does that continue to cause you problems?

Dwayne: No, I haven’t had a drink since Dee had that scare with the baby. Sometimes, when things get hard I would like to drink…but so far I’m good.

Q. Dee, what do your parents think of Dwayne?

Dee-Dee: It’s just my Mom. She worries about me because I have made some bad choices regarding men. But Dwayne impressed her when he rushed to the hospital and wouldn’t leave my side until we knew everything was okay.

Q. Dwayne, do you still work at that awful office with those three…colleagues tormenting you like that?

Dwayne: No way! Dee got me on where she works. I stock shelves and work in the warehouse. It’s hard work and its dusty and I get my hands dirty…which is really good for me.

Q. Now an easy one and then a couple tougher questions. Where are you both from?

Dee-Dee: Dwayne is from here in Vancouver, and I’m from Montreal.

Q. Who is the most important person in your life and why?

Dwayne: For me it’s Dee. My parents…they don’t understand me…they are…they’re ashamed, embarrassed of me. (Dee squeezes his hand.) She teases me a tonne but she has always been good to me—very good. I love her.

Dee-Dee: Enough with the sappy stuff, Johnson. I mean, who is the chick here?

Q. Can you tell us about a really bad experience and how it changed you?

Dee-Dee: Of course this one falls to me. (Her face is strained with emotion.)

Dwayne: (He looks at Dee-Dee then to me) When (he clears his throat) when Dee was fifteen or so her brother’s friends got her drunk…then they—they took advantage of her.”

Dee-Dee: So I um—have trouble trusting men, now.

Q. What do you guys see in your future and is it a future together?

Dee-Dee: Well, I am expecting, so I hope that somebody does the right thing soon and puts a ring on my finger before I’m out to here.

Dwayne: Dee! You know I’m saving up for a nice ring. I already asked her—but she said no.

Dee-Dee: I didn’t say no. I said don’t even ask me if you don’t have the hardware—I mean come on—a lady has standards!

Dwayne: What lady? (He pretends to look around for someone else.)

Dee-Dee: Okay, Johnson. That’s it. When this guy is done… (She gives Dwayne a soft punch in the shoulder.)

Q. Okay we’ve had some pretty serious questions. So I’ll lighten up for this last one. Do you think William Potter will write you into another story?

Dee-Dee: Potter is working on a detective novel I hear. It would be cool if he made me a CSI or a cop. But he is a guy so I’m sure he would write me in as a hooker or the next bimbo to get sliced and diced.

(Dwayne is getting fidgety again. I decide to end things early) Okay thank you very—

Dee-Dee: (Whispers to me) I think that’s fourteen. Would you have one more by any chance?

Q. Yes I have one more. If someone makes a movie of your story, who would you like to play you both?

Dwayne: I think Dee looks at lot like Ann Hathaway. I think she would do a good job.

Dee-Dee: For him, hmmm. (She smiles) I think someone like Woody Allen could pull it off.

Dwayne: That guy is like—sixty!

Dee-Dee: I don’t think Danny DeVito is doing anything.

Dwayne: Dee! He’s like three feet tall and…. oh, you’re just evil!

Okay, thank you, Dwayne and Dee-Dee. Good luck with the baby and I hope you get that ring soon, Dwayne.

William Potter -Guest Post for Scribe Vibe

2009-01-22T16:52:00.000-08:00

This is my guest post and how it appeared on ScribeVibe in November 2008

Why did you chose to write 6 stories that focused on the same concept - the weaknesses of the characters in them?

It was never a conscious decision to have the six stories in Lighting the Dark Side focus on a similar concept. It just turned out that way, and to best explain how and why, I will give a brief history of the book and of my writing.

I was making up stories before I could read. I switched between fiction and poetry from my early teens through to adulthood. Then in 2001, I found myself in a new relationship and happy for the first time in years. From this stability, I decided to get serious about fiction. I started with a few short stories and with my confidence growing, I tried increasingly complex plots. By fall 2004, I had a number of shorts and two novellas.

The birth of my daughter delayed writing for over a year. In spring 2006, I returned to the unpublished short stories. The first thing I noticed was the darker subject matter, and the characters all struggling against their weaknesses. I credited this gloominess to sadness still lingering from my divorce. The stories were getting some favorable feedback and I wondered if grouped together they might be enough for a book. After polishing the stronger selections, I wrote another novella; pared the total down to six; and then began to research publishers.

I believe everyone has a darker side to their personality that troubles those who witness it. This could be anything from bigotry to anger management or perhaps jealousy. The key to triumphing over this darkness is to recognize it, and to turn a light against it. This theme is present in all the stories and became the title of the book.

The characters in the collection all follow unique paths in order to overcome their shortcomings and escape extraordinary situations; from Dwayne Johnson, a man who struggles to find love despite a severe Obsessive Compulsive Disorder; to Brad Stewart, whose lottery win becomes a nightmare when his son is kidnapped for ransom; to James Goodal, a gentle man with a rescue complex who resorts to murder when he takes in a young street prostitute.

Together, the stories are a good representation of who I was as a writer over the first eight years of this decade. They run the gamut of fiction genres and, I hope, will challenge readers to think in new directions.

http://www.scribevibe.blogspot.com/

BLogCritics Magazine Interviews William R. Potter

2009-01-21T16:23:00.000-08:00

Thank you for this interview, Mr. Potter. Can you tell us a little about yourself and how long you’ve been writing?

Thank you. I’m thrilled to be here.

My active imagination had me making up stories before I could read. The first remake of King Kong, and the original Star Wars a year later, really got my young mind fired up, and at the age of ten I decided to write a “book.” I remember a few lines about a mutant crab attacking a city. I discovered poetry in my teens and continued to write verse into my twenties and early thirties. However, that kid’s dream of writing a book never went away. In 2001, I decided to get serious about fiction and had some success writing a few short stories. With my confidence peaking, I attempted larger projects until I had a collection of shorts and two novellas approaching novel length. It was time. After more than twenty years since that rampant crustacean of my youth, I attempted another novel in the summer of 2003 and finished the first draft just before the end of 2004.

Do you write full-time?

No, not yet, but one can dream.

At what point in your life did you make up your mind you were going to become a published author?

In 1994, with my second attempt at writing a novel I discovered three things about myself: I didn’t have a clue about plotting a novel length story; I was hooked on story telling; and I was obsessed with learning as much as I could about the craft until one day I could be published.

What was your favorite book to read as a child?

Books that fired my imagination were always favoured. I read anything from Little House on the Prairie to Lord of the Flies.

What is your favourite book at the present?

I can’t think of a favorite at the moment. I just finished, and enjoyed, Peacemaker by Dan Ronco, a thriller about a computer virus which almost destroys the world.

Can you tell us a little about your latest book?

Lighting the Dark Side is an anthology of fiction featuring three novellas and three shorter works. They are about human nature and how our darker side can impede our ability to cope with hardships. The book opens with a novella called “Bent, Not Broken” where we meet Dwayne Johnson, a man beginning a new relationship even though he is plagued with severe Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). A police procedural called “Prominent Couple Slain” is also included. Detective Jack Staal is disillusioned about his career after he takes a nosedive from big city homicide investigator to small town detective. Desperate to prove himself, he ignores protocol to work a case that is not his to solve. In “Blessing or Curse?” Brad Stewart’s bloated ego strains lifelong friendships after an enormous lottery win. His millionaire lifestyle suddenly becomes a nightmare when his son is kidnapped for ransom. The book closes with the largest piece, “Surviving the Fall,” a tale about James Goodal, a man who spent his entire life avoiding uncomfortable situations. This safe and easy existence has left James lonely and facing divorce. Everything changes when he takes in a young street girl named Ashley. The pair finds comfort in their unorthodox friendship until her violent world returns forcing James to fight for Ashley and for his very survival. The two remaining stories find average, but flawed, people struggling to overcome their weaknesses in order to escape extraordinary situations.

What was the inspiration behind your book? Why did you feel a need to write it?

Inspiration for the book came from everywhere. Sometimes it was from my own life experiences, like the birth of my children or the end of my first marriage. Other times it was the stimulating imagery of books, television, movies, and the Internet. Whatever the topic, if it stirred up my emotions, there was a good chance an idea would end up in a story. The collection represents where I was as a writer during the last eight years, and I felt compelled to put them together in a book.

What kind of research did you have to conduct to write your book?

Each of the six stories required different amounts of research. Dwayne in “Bent, Not Broken” suffers from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. I researched the disorder until I felt confident that I wouldn’t offend sufferers, and then finished the story.

For the police procedural, “Prominent Couple Slain,” I studied as much information about police detective work as I could find. If you don’t have access to a real life detective, the Internet is a good alternative to learn about weapons and law enforcement tactics.

Researching for the novella “Surviving the Fall” was a sad experience for me. Ashley Metcalf is a fourteen year-old prostitute who was put on the street at age eleven to finance her mother’s drug addiction. I found numerous stories from around the world of girls as young as nine forced into this nightmare world of fear and violence.

Why did you choose your particular genre?

The stories of Lighting the Dark Side cover a wide range of genres from action adventure to romance. I wish I could say that the variety of fiction was the result of some grand scheme, but it wasn’t. The stories were written between 2001 and 2007. Some of the ideas were years, even decades, old while others were brand new. Despite the differences in genre, each story has the underlying theme that everyone has a darker side, and each of us must recognise these weaknesses to overcome life’s worst circumstances.

How do you deal with rejection?

I tell myself that rejection is a normal part of the publishing process and I try to remember the stories I’ve heard from best selling authors who often talk about their many rejection slips. Still, each time it feels like a kick in the stomach.

Do you write mainly by day or by night?

I do the majority of my writing on Saturday and Sunday between 5 and 9 A.M. I get up at 4:30 in the morning most weekends and fuel myself with gallons of coffee and then type away on my laptop until the kids wake up three or four hours later. I have a fulltime job and my wife works evenings—throw in two kids under six and you can see how my writing time is very limited.

Do you ever get writer’s block and what do you do when that happens?

So far I’ve never had writer’s block. Actually, you could say I have the opposite. I have too many ideas and not enough time to work on them all.

How long did it take your book to be published from the time you submitted and was accepted to the time it was finally released?

From the time the manuscript was submitted to publication was about six months.

Can you tell us a little about the publisher who published your book? How have they been to work with?

From the beginning I didn’t expect a traditional publisher to take on a short story collection from an unknown and unpublished author. After several rejections I decided to go the self-publishing route. Working with the Xlibris Corporation was my first publishing experience, and I found the consultants to be very understanding of my lack of industry knowledge. The journey went, for the most part, smoothly despite the fact that the staff copy editor missed over 120 simple spelling and grammar mistakes in my manuscript. This added an extra month of frustrating work in the galley stage.

Do you blog? If so, what can you tell my readers about the advantages of blogging as a useful tool in book promotion?

Yes, I have two blogs and post as much as time allows. Every post shows up in Google searches so it really helps to get noticed. It’s very easy. Write a 200 word blurb about a book signing, for example, and post to your blog in two minutes. Many readers prefer the blog format over websites and will visit your blog daily to see what you’re up to, so it’s a promotional tool that should not be overlooked.

Do you have a website?

I have two do-it-yourself websites that I run myself and one my publisher manages for me.

What’s next for you?

I’m currently in the rewrite stage of a sequel to the short story “Prominent Couple Slain” from Lighting the Dark Side called DEAD of KNIGHT—A Jack Staal Mystery. It will be available by Christmas 2009. I enjoy Detective Jack Staal and his world and already have two sequels outlined.

Another completed novel manuscript is about an average family man and how he and his wife deal with his depression and addiction following the sudden tragic loss of his eyesight. Falling Down The Hole is my 2010 project, and I daydream about it becoming my first book published by a traditional publisher.

Thank you for this interview, William! Do you have any final words you’d like to share with my readers?

Thanks again for having me here. I appreciate the opportunity. I would also like to thank the readers for their interest in Lighting the Dark Side and I invite all to stop by www.lightingthedarkside.com for more information about me and my work.

The BlogCritics post on Nov. 24/2008
http://blogcritics.org/archives/2008/11/24/134307.php

2009 Allbooks Review Editor’s Choice Award

2009-01-16T17:46:00.000-08:00

LIGHTING THE DARK SIDE won the 2009 Allbooks Review Editor’s Choice Award for short story collections.

Highly recommended by reviewer: Jan Evan Whitford, Allbooks Reviews. "I am highly recommending Lighting the Dark Side. The stories are captivating but more than that, I urge you to take note of the writer’s skill at character development and I’m sure you’ll be impressed. In fact, I shouldn’t think it’d be long before a major publishing house snaps Mr. Potter up because he belongs on the bookshelves with the likes of Jeffery Deaver and Peter Abrahams

http://www.free-press-release.com/news/200901/1232029899.html

Full Rerview
http://allbookreviews.com/Default.aspx?tabid=1047

Nominated for the 2009 AllBooks Review Editor’s Choice Award

2008-12-08T19:06:00.000-08:00

Lighting the Dark Side was recently nominated for the 2009 AllBooks Review Editor’s Choice Award for short story books.

Jan Evan Whitford at AllbooksReviews had this to say when he reviewed LIGHTING THE DARK SIDE-Six Modern Tales.

The book jacket claims these tales will exercise our emotions, capture our imagination, and challenge us to think in new directions. Well, I’m here to tell you all that the author delivers on all that plus much, much more! These novellas and short stories are definitely page-turners, but what impressed me the most was their character-driven force. Potter skillfully intertwined succinct narrative and some natural, fast-paced dialogue to present characters so real, they leapt right off the page and captivated me immediately.

Lighting the Dark Side is a collection of three novellas and three short stories, including plenty of action, thrills, suspense, mystery, and even romance. We start with an engaging story of an improbable romance between an obsessive-compulsive geek and a drop-dead gorgeous woman, seemed doomed from the start. Next, there’s an artist trying his best to thrive and find love in spite of overbearing, cruel parents. Following that, Potter changes directions and we’re treated to a well-done, hard-boiled police procedural with a nice twist. An end of the world by approaching comet thriller is on tap after that, with some great flash-forward writing as well as another ingenious plot twist. Now, these are all wonderful tales, but I believe Potter saved the best two for last. The title, Blessing or Curse is self-explanatory, referring to a big lottery win. A kidnapping for ransom follows and we’re treated to some of the author’s best dialogue. It’s hugely entertaining and there are virtually no wasted words Elmore Leonard style. And finally, Potter ends (all too soon) with a heart-warming tale of a wayward teenage street prostitute and a gentleman with a rescuer complex. It’s a great, intertwined plot where all the characters come together, in the same spirit of the Academy Award winning movie, Crash. Once again, Potter showcases his writing skills, this time with skillful interspersing of critical backstory in such a way as to avoid slowing the plot.

Well, you’ve probably guessed that I am highly recommending Lighting the Dark Side. As I said, all the stories are captivating but more than that, I urge you to take note of the writer’s skill at character development and I’m sure you’ll be impressed. In fact, I shouldn’t think it’d be long before a major publishing house snaps Mr. Potter up because he belongs on the bookshelves with the likes of Jeffery Deaver and Peter Abrahams.

Highly recommended by reviewer: Jan Evan Whitford, Allbooks Reviews

A Book Review of Lighting the Dark Side

2008-11-24T09:34:00.000-08:00

If you aren't already a fan of short stories, this book will change your opinion. In Lighting the Dark Side - Six Modern Tales, William Potter has written three novellas and three short stories that, as he says, "features leading characters that live their lives as normally as possible and then suddenly find themselves in extraordinary situations." These six stories cover almost every genre from thriller and suspense to mystery, detective and even romance. The character development in each story is amazing. All of the main characters are written superbly. The dialog never comes off as stilted or phony. Mr. Potter may well find himself in some extraordinary company with some of the best authors sooner than he ever expected.

The first story, Bent, Not Broken introduces us to Dwayne Johnson, a character who suffers from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, a disorder which obviously makes him very socially backward. As Dwayne drives by a certain bus stop every morning on his way to work he looks for someone very special. Someone he has named "Black-Coat Girl". The unexpected happens and Dwayne's life takes a dramatic turn when he finally gets to meet her face to face.

The next story, In the Gray is a very short tale where the reader gets to peek into the life of Michael Conner. Most of the story is a phone conversation with his mother, but from that one phone call we are able to learn everything we need to know about Michael, his family and his past. It is amazing how much information the author can squeeze into less than a dozen pages.

Prominent Couple Slain is a great old-fashioned detective/murder mystery. In this story, we are introduced to Detective Jack Staal, a burnt-out homicide detective who has just transferred from the stress of the big city only to be faced with a horrendous murder of his new small town's most prominent couple.

The premise of the next story is that May 18, 2010 will be the very last day of civilization. The comet, Ivan is on a collision course to destroy everything and it will be here soon, but all Trevor wants to do is get home to be with his girl, Kelly-Anne. For some reason it isn't the comet, Ivan that worries Trevor, but something else. He feels that he's already lived through this disaster many times before. Can he change the future?

Who hasn't dreamed of winning a multi-million dollar lottery? Lighting the Dark Side's fifth story, Blessing or Curse? deals with that exact topic. The main character, Brad Stewart has won 11 million dollars? Imagine all of the things that he can do with that money. Imagine what he'll buy. Imagine how much his life will change. Brad imagined all of this, but what he didn't plan for was that as a lottery winner he would become the target of an extortionist who has kidnapped his son!

The last story, Surviving the Fall is an exciting thriller that takes place a week or so before Christmas. In it, James Goodal witnesses a young woman being thrown out of a moving vehicle and takes her home to care for her. Unfortunately, Ashley has a very dangerous past that catches up to her and James. This story is fast-paced and keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Each and every one of the stories contains two of the most important elements in good story writing and that is believable characters and interesting situations. This book delivers much more than expected. I look forward to more of William Potter's works in the future.

For more information on Lighting The Dark Side-Six Modern Tales by William R. Potter, please view at The author's website or at Amazon.

by Leigh Ann Webster for EzineArticles.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Leigh_Ann_Webster

Lighting the Dark Side-Six Modern Tales

2008-11-05T23:17:00.000-08:00

Lighting the Dark Side is an anthology of fiction featuring three novellas and three shorter works. They are about human nature and how our darker side can impede our ability to cope with hardships. The book opens with a novella called “Bent, Not Broken” where we meet Dwayne Johnson, a man beginning a new relationship even though he is plagued with severe Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

A police procedural called “Prominent Couple Slain” is also included. Detective Jack Staal is disillusioned about his career after he takes a nosedive from big city homicide investigator to small town detective. Desperate to prove himself, he ignores protocol to work a case that is not his to solve.

In “Blessing or Curse?” Brad Stewart’s bloated ego strains lifelong friendships after an enormous lottery win. His millionaire lifestyle suddenly becomes a nightmare when his son is kidnapped for ransom.

The book closes with the largest piece, “Surviving the Fall,” a tale about James Goodal, a man who spent his entire life avoiding uncomfortable situations. This safe and easy existence has left James lonely and facing divorce. Everything changes when he takes in a young street girl named Ashley. The pair finds comfort in their unorthodox friendship until her violent world returns forcing James to fight for Ashley and for his very survival. The two remaining stories find average, but flawed, people struggling to overcome their weaknesses in order to escape extraordinary situations.

http://www.lightingthedarkside.com

First Five Stops on the Tour!

2008-11-05T22:43:00.000-08:00

Visit me on any of the first five blog stops for interviews and guest posts!

3/11/08 - The Writer's Life - http://www.thewriterslife.blogspot.com/

3/11/08 - The Plot - http://theplotline.wordpress.com

4/11/08 - The Plot - http://theplotline.wordpress.com

5/11/08 - The Book Stacks - http://www.thebookstacks.com

6/11/08 - Fiction Scribe - http://www.fictionscribe.com

Six Refreshingly Different Short Stories

2008-11-02T18:10:00.000-08:00

Lighting the Dark Side: Six Modern Tales

William R. Potter

Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views

“Lighting the Dark Side” contains a collection of six refreshingly different short stories. Each one is very unique and cannot be compared to the others. I really enjoyed reading the stories. They are about human nature and how we deal with hardships. Sometimes we overcome them, sometimes we obliterate them and sometimes we just make adjustments in ourselves to live with them.

What I discovered really interesting is that in almost every story, I found aspects of myself in the characters. This allowed me to feel like I could relate to what they had going on inside themselves. Some of these aspects ranged from a desire for vigilantism in situations with no other way out; a desire to help others by going way beyond what is expected; and that need to ask myself why I allow things to happen when I know the outcome ahead of time. Kind of like, why did I do that again? The examples in the stories are so much more interesting than any story that I have possibly lived.

Each short story or novella is very complete within itself, however, I found myself wishing that the stories would go on longer. I wasn’t ready to leave the lives of these interesting characters. This is what made the book even more fun because I found myself thinking about the stories later on, wondering what happened to people that never even existed. The characters are very well developed and intricately woven into their plots that they seem very real. Their humanity is expressed through their shortcomings, and their need to change their situations.

This book, “Lighting the Dark Side,” by William R. Potter, will definitely be enjoyed by all fans of fiction. I think that it would make an excellent selection for a reader’s group or for a college course. I would love to hear the interesting discussions that will be held about these stories.

http://www.readerviews.com/ReviewPotterLightingDarkSide.html

Virtual Book Tour November 2008

2008-11-01T17:47:00.000-07:00

William Potter and his book LIGHTING THE DARK SIDE will be on a Virtual Book Tour starting November 3/08. More than twenty blog stops over the month visiting blogs across North America and as far away as Australia and Japan.

Reviews

Interviews.

Guest posts.

And much more!

Just some of the more than twenty tour stops.

3/11/08 - The Writer's Life - http://www.thewriterslife.blogspot.com/
3/11/08 - The Plot - http://theplotline.wordpress.com
4/11/08 - The Plot - http://theplotline.wordpress.com
5/11/08 - The Book Stacks - http://www.thebookstacks.com
6/11/08 - Fiction Scribe - http://www.fictionscribe.com
7/11/08 - The Book Connection - http://thebookconnectionccm.blogspot.com
10/11/08 - Café at the END of the Universe - http://bookwormsballroom.blogspot.com/
11/11/08 - Café at the END of the Universe - http://bookwormsballroom.blogspot.com/
12/11/08 - Beyond the Books - http://beyondthebooks.wordpress.com/
14/11/08 - Fiction Scribe - http://www.fictionscribe.com
14/11/08 - The Book Stacks - http://www.thebookstacks.com
17/11/08 – Zensanity - http://zensanity.blogspot.com/
18/11/08 - The Book Czar - http://www.thebookczar.blogspot.com/
19/11/08 - The First Page - http://the1stpage.blogspot.com/
20/11/08 - Scribe Vibe - http://www.scribevibe.blogspot.com/
21/11/08 - Paperback Writer -
24/11/08 - BlogCritics –Link coming soon!
25/11/08 - The Blue Stockings - http://thebluestockings.com
26/11/08 - The Blue Stockings - http://the1stpage.blogspot.com/

About The Book

2008-10-23T19:36:00.000-07:00

The Stories of LIGHTING THE DARK SIDE

Bent, Not Broken. The opening novella is about an obsessive compulsive man who falls in love. Dee-Dee challenges Dwayne to experience life instead of hiding from it. Nevertheless, Dwayne’s disorder puts a severe strain on the relationship. Jealousy, low self-esteem, anxiety, and an increasing sense of violence engulf him until he pushes his new love away and falls into old habits of avoidance. Will he overcome this dilemma for love? Or will his problems continue to impede his happiness?

In the Gray. A seemingly mundane phone call between a grown son and his mother uncovers the reality of one man’s life. Michael Conner has estranged himself from his entire family. He has no time for his corrupt politician brother, his racist, abusive father, and his mother who seems to be more concerned with his marital status than the ugliness in her own home. Tragedy interrupts the call seconds before Michael can speak his truth and free his mind of decades of bitter animosity.

Prominent Couple Slain. Detective Jack Staal spent twelve years working in the Major Crime Section of the Vancouver Police Department. There he saw the worst of humanity, violent murders, gang warfare, sex crimes, and the ravages of illicit drugs. Homicide investigation was once his mission in life; now with his confidence damaged, he struggles each day to face the brutality. The story finds Staal only weeks after transferring to the Police Service of a small country town called Hanson, where a detective is more likely to investigate a canoe thief than a killer. When a former mayoral candidate and his wife are found DOA in an apparent murder-suicide, Staal is thrown back onto the homicide beat.

May 18, 2010. Is May 18, 2010 the end of the world? Trevor Woodward isn’t sure; he just wants to go home to his girlfriend, Kelly-Anne, and ignore the growing pandemonium over the approach of an earth-grazing comet called Ivan. Will the rock strike earth and destroy all life? Or is the entire thing a hoax to cover up an atomic bombing in the Persian Gulf? Experiencing increasing episodes of déjà-vu, Trevor begins to suspect that the eventful day is repeating; and with each pass, he gets another chance to repair mistakes with Kelly-Anne and his dying father.

Blessing or curse? Who wouldn’t enjoy winning the big one? Brad Stewart isn’t certain that becoming an instant millionaire is all he dreamed it to be. With the constant hounding by charities and long lost relatives, and the distance forming between him and his best friends, Brad is beginning to believe the windfall may be a curse. Without warning, a backyard barbeque becomes his worst nightmare when his son is abducted and held for ransom. Brad must reunite with his buddies in a frantic effort to rescue his kidnapped child.

Surviving the fall. Since childhood, James Goodal has had a soft spot for stray creatures. One gloomy afternoon, a lonely and depressed James meets Ashley, a young street girl. Impulsively, he offers her a spot on his couch for the night. Tempted by Ashley’s beauty and her willingness to please him, James struggles to live by his morals while questioning his motivations. Sickened by her life story, he can’t bring himself to send her away. But the comfort the two find in their unorthodox relationship is short-lived; shattered by violence as Ashley’s past catches up to her at Goodal’s home.

For more info please visit http://www.lightingthedarksidewrp.com/

RebeccasReads Review

2008-10-23T19:26:00.000-07:00

Lighting the Dark Side: Six Modern Tales

William R. Potter
Xlibris (2008)
ISBN 9781436312530
Reviewed by Kam Aures for RebeccasReads (9/08)

“Lighting the Dark Side: Six Modern Tales” consists of six short stories, all of which are very different and unique, spanning the full gamut of fictional genres. The six short stories included in the book are: “Bent, Not Broken,” “In the Gray,” “Prominent Couple Slain,” “May 18, 2010,” “Blessing or Curse?,” and “Surviving the Fall.” After reading all three of the novellas and all three of the shorter works, I can honestly say that I enjoyed each and every one of them.

My favorite novella in the book was the very first one, “Bent, Not Broken.” It is about a man named Dwayne Johnson who is plagued by severe obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). We watch Dwayne struggle as what are normal day to day activities for most of us are much more challenging for him. His anxieties are compounded by the fact that his co-workers gang up on him by moving things in his cubicle that he needs to have just so. You can’t help but to feel for the poor guy. Dwayne meets a girl and falls in love with her, but his many issues will be the cause of much strain and difficulty in the relationship.

It is in this first novella that the meaning of the title of the book, “Lighting the Dark Side,” is revealed as well. Dwayne’s girlfriend Dee-Dee is in a mud bath reflecting and meditating. On the phone to Dwayne she tells him that she is “just spending some time lighting the Dark Side.” She says, “everyone has a dark side” which is “that ugliness about our personality that scares the people who see it.” What we need to do “is to fight it, to turn a light against it.” (p. 65)

Each story draws you in within the first few sentences and will hold your attention through the completion. All of the characters are well developed and seem very real. I became so involved in each tale that I found myself wishing that these weren’t short stories and that each work was a full-length novel instead. Don’t get me wrong, the writing was very thorough and the stories were not lacking anything, but I enjoyed the characters and the writing style so much that I just wished that they were longer! In the author’s biography that was sent along with the book it states that he is “re-working two full-length novel manuscripts for publishing” and if these works are anything similar to “Lighting the Dark Side: Six Modern Tales” then I can’t wait to read them!