The Mystical Wombat's Guide to Life

Great humour in this wonderful story. I love the title by the way - who wouldn't want to read a book with such a title? I too was tickled pink by your fun book. Backed with pleasure. Eunice - The Temple Dancer.

What a quirky, entertaining little book.
Your first line really grabbed me and I was tickled pink while reading this.
Backed.
T.L Tyson-Seeking ELeanor

This is a curious gem of a book that deserves to do well. There's something unutterably groovy about the word 'wombat', your title being what grabbed me. You have a wonderful vocabulary and a way of turning a phrase into something memorable. I suggest you break up the chapter lengths to make them easier to digest. I mean literally. I've printed these things off to eat them. This looks set to be a fascinating yarn. Shelved without question.

The Mystical Wombat's Guide to Life

Hi Miranda,

I love this, jaunty, comedic in tone with a floating narrative point of view that enables us to analyse the action in a slow motion mode. Different from Coffee. You weave in the intrigue as well and it is the freshness of these ideas and their execution that mean I have absolutely no idea what is going to happen next. A friendly book, a fun book, a book to get lost in and to return to more quickly than I really should because I should be doing other things. Best of luck with this, you are building a portfolio now, quirky, different, character-focused and fun.

I would welcome your views on my book if you have time.

Best wishes and good luck
Andrew W.
(Sanctuary's Loss)

Great humour in this wonderful story. I love the title by the way - who wouldn't want to read a book with such a title? I too was tickled pink by your fun book. Backed with pleasure. Eunice - The Temple Dancer.

Miranda,
The Mystical Wombat's Guide to Life has a catchy title and I love the little animal on the cover. Your original writing style makes reading your work a pleasure, but I must admit it was the little animal who drew me into the book. Backed with pleasure.

So the writing is good--but you already know that being a published author :) (I'm being cheeky, of course).

I've only read chapter 1 and will read more later, however I wanted to give you my two cents on what i've read so far. Here goes:

I wanted more faster. It's a compelling premise, and I want to know the 'why' behind his jumping, obviously, but it's taking too long for me to care as much as I should be caring.

I like the back and forth between him and Old Sid, but I think another rewrite or two, where you include more bits and nuggets of what's to come and why we're here to begin with, will have a strong impact at keeping reader attention. I like the backstory you do include, but maybe put a little more in there of consequence.

But...I will read more and keep my eye on Wombat

Cully

To be honest I was hooked with 'Book of Wom' very enjoyable, dixie.

The Mystical Wombat's Guide to Life

Hi Miranda,

I love this, jaunty, comedic in tone with a floating narrative point of view that enables us to analyse the action in a slow motion mode. Different from Coffee. You weave in the intrigue as well and it is the freshness of these ideas and their execution that mean I have absolutely no idea what is going to happen next. A friendly book, a fun book, a book to get lost in and to return to more quickly than I really should because I should be doing other things. Best of luck with this, you are building a portfolio now, quirky, different, character-focused and fun.

I would welcome your views on my book if you have time.

Best wishes and good luck
Andrew W.
(Sanctuary's Loss)

Miranda, I read three chapters of this charming story and I wish I had time for more. Excellent style, characterization and dialogues, an intriguing premise.

I add my voice to the previous readers’ suggestions that you let some air into the compact body of the pitch. It takes no time to do that and I wonder what you are waiting for.

I’m shelving this book with pleasure.

Iva P.
Fame and Infamy
(history, comedy, crime and more)

Clearly you've had a ball writing this and your zest and enthusiasm shines through the text. [I can't read the word marsupial with resorting to an Aussie accent and a chuckle].

This is a curious gem of a book that deserves to do well. There's something unutterably groovy about the word 'wombat', your title being what grabbed me. You have a wonderful vocabulary and a way of turning a phrase into something memorable. I suggest you break up the chapter lengths to make them easier to digest. I mean literally. I've printed these things off to eat them. This looks set to be a fascinating yarn. Shelved without question.

Hi Miranda!

This is a fun read you've got here! Your cover captured my attention, and the story didn't let me down. One suggestion - section your pitch into paragraphs. Other than that, great job. On my shelf!

Kim
Invisible Justice

What a quirky, entertaining little book.
Your first line really grabbed me and I was tickled pink while reading this.
Backed.
T.L Tyson-Seeking ELeanor

Hi Miranda,

I'm here from the forum, to take a peek at "the book that came before"... *grin*

I jotted down some notes as a reader, since I don't feel I know enough as a writer to give good advice. These are the things that jumped out at me and interrupted the flow of the story, or bits I really liked. I hope you find these comments helpful.

Pitch

~ I freely admit I'm a lazy reader, and seeing a big block of text for a blurb makes me want a nap. However, once I stopped whining and read it, the blurb sounded very intriguing - maybe break it up into three smaller paragraphs to make it more eye-catching? I would suggest at "Unexpectedly given" and "One night".

Chapter One

~ It took me a second to realize what you meant by, "the sight of this lady's... now in front after she nearly ran" because for some reason it didn't occur to me that McBee was also in a car, so I was trying to figure out how her dice were in front of him. But if I'm the only one who has a brain cramp with this, please feel free to ignore it. :)

~ Love the idea of the dice setting him off, by the way.

~ "McBee fled across the lanes... blood and bone." - don't think you need the dash

~ "When Heston McBee began his working life..." - I think you could break this one up at "During a late lunch-break..."

~ Mr Lubowicz has a very excellent point!

~ I'm glad I wasn't drinking any beverages when reading Sid's description of what he does... *grin*

~ Hmmm, interesting hook at the end of the chapter.

Chapter Two

~ And another interesting hook to start off the chapter (but again, lazy reader complains about the big scary paragraph)

~ I really enjoy the exchanges between McBee and Old Sid - they sound natural, and I can "hear" Sid's accent without being distracting by how you present it.

~ "I sees 'alf a deck that wants more swabbin' your lordship..." - LOL!

~ I like the subtext (okay, maybe not so sub) of the ferryman shuttling McBee from his "death" to his new life, especially with the sunrise moment.

~ Ooo, a faceless man in a boat, who I assume is connected to the men at the bridge - very intrigued.

~ I like how layered Sid's character is becoming as well.

~ Gethin's going to pick up young Archie - guess we're about to meet him. :)

After hearing Archie's description of how they all came to the island, I knew this was a story I'd want to spend more time with. Sadly, I don't have time at the moment, but I shall attempt to come back for more chapters as life (or procrastination - this site is helping me master that skill) allows.

Oh, and shelved. :)

~Traci
Tangled Web

Miranda, The Mystical Wombat's Guide to Life is truly marvelous! I love your style, and Sids sea chantys made me chuckle. Wonderful writing and a great title! I like it when you speak to the reader (I do the same myself). Hard to pass up a book with a title like this! I have shelved it. Check my book "Brünnhilde" If you have a chance. Best regards, jedward