Brian MacLearn's Blog

"Isolation" was released in September of 2018. Since its release, I've been reworking "Sensitive" (a raw horror story, and nearing the completion of my first draft of "Purpose." I'm excited by both works, but especially, "Purpose." This novel has a little of everything in it. My hope is that it will make you think, make you smile, and make you fall in love with the characters; it, as with all my novels, still has that twist you might not see coming. Rather than narrated by a lead character, it covers nearly a dozen characters that have a commonality between them—Matthew. It spans over 70 years as each character slowly moves towards a singular point that is about to happen. Matthew is only shared by their personal recollections. Cole Jansen would be considered the main protagonist as he works to uncover the link between all of them and the history that binds them together. Time is running out as the world is about to experience events that will forever shape the future.

Until the world recovers, be safe and be kind.

Brian MacLearn

Update: July 9, 2018

I'm not lost, and I haven't stopped writing--just the opposite. I finished "Isolation" 3 years ago and while I was waiting for feedback I started "Sensitive." I couldn't quit until it was done. Though I like it (think Gillian Flynn meets Dean Koontz), others thought it would benefit by a rewrite.

I turned back to "Isolation" and it will be released this August. It you are looking for a Ghost story with a twist, a love story with a surprise ending, or a thought provoking story on what happens after death, then "Isolation" is for you.

I've since started work on "Purpose." I'm excited about the possibilities of this novel. The characters have now taken over the story and I can't wait to write where they lead.

Brian

I finished the first draft on "Isolation," worked through two revisions, and sent it out for critiques. That was over a year ago. While I waited, I started working on a story idea that hit me hard. That idea turned into my latest work, which I just recently finished. Isolation received mostly positive feedback, but there is still that little something I need to work into the story. After becoming so engaged in the new work, I couldn't make myself go back to rework "Isolation." It will happen!

"Sensitive" was born from my fascination with hypnosis. A hypnotist's stage show on a night out with the girls is the catalyst that sets the rest of the story in motion. At 300 pages, it will only grow as I work through my first edit. This is by far the most intriguing story I've written, not only because the protagonist is a young female, but also by the way it touches on our humanly existence.

"Sensitive" is written in a rough style, similar to works of Gillian Flynn, and leaves all the pleasantries at the door. Part horror, part science fiction, and part thriller, along with some intense sexual situations, this story has an edge that keeps it moving. Originally, I deemed it a standalone work, but as I neared the end, it became clear that Riley Moore had battles yet to wage. I do believe that a trilogy is in order.

Recently, I've also toyed with writing the sequel to "Our Heart" and the possibility of letting Willow and Jeffrey have another crack after their escapades in "Against the Current." What I really need is that special writing partner to take all of my first drafts and make them worthy while I try to keep ahead of the hoard of ghostly characters standing behind my chair, begging to be brought to life. My book of potential story ideas is growing faster than I will ever reasonably be able to finish writing.

Take care, and read on!

Brian

The wait is almost over. "Against the Current" should be available in all formats shortly!!!

I haven't posted in awhile, so I thought I would offer an update. Against the Current (formally Ridicule) was a silver medalist in the 2013 Reader's Favorite contest for thrillers. That was the original Ridicule format, and before I completely revamped the beginning and cut nearly 60 pages from the book. Those who beta read it after the over-haul thought it was much better. The pace is definitely quicker, though I did give up some better back-story details.
I look to have it published in the early summer and begin working the marketing plan. Meanwhile, my next novel Isolation is about halfway done. This one is tricky, and it seems to take me longer to move it along. If I had to give you a clue, which I can't, because you need to read this one as it unfolds. I can tell you that it has the romantic elements of Nicolas Sparks, the deep questions of Mitch Albom, and the supernatural presence of Dean Koontz.
After Isolation, I'll be flipping the mental coin on 3-4 other projects that keep hammering around in my brain. One of my favorite authors is Dean Koontz, and one of my favorite characters is Odd Thomas. I'm waiting in great anticipation to see the movie. I finished reading his recent novel Innocence and I have mixed feelings. I really thought he was setting up a new character to write future novels around, but he ended it straight away. I really liked the character of Addison Goodheart (I find him similar to Odd Thomas.) I wasn't thrilled with the ending, but I did guess right on the direction the book was going.
I recently finished the sequel to the Shinning, Dr. Sleep, by Stephen King. I'm not sure if there is another author that has such a mastery of words and the ability to tell a good story. I've only ever had to force myself to finish one novel of his and that was Gerald's Game. A few others of his left me feeling disappointed, but there are so many that are in my top reads. I look forward to seeing the Gunslinger made into a movie series.
Feel free to drop me a note and connect with me on FaceBook and twitter. https://www.facebook.com/authorBrianM... BrianMacLearn@brianmaclearn

Chapter 1: All Things Must End

The two men stood facing each other. The lights of the bridge spanning the Black Hawk River gave off a dull illumination at best, not enough for either man to see the other's eyes clearly, despite standing mere feet apart. The sound of the river rushing around the footings of the bridge created a vibration, which in turn, produced a low humming sound much like a cacophony of tubas, spread out across the bridge, playing the same low note.The early summer night was moist with the humidity of the recent weather front passing through Mt Clarkton. Iowa's weather was stuck in a pattern of rain, causing the river that divided the town to push the banks to overflow.

The game between them had been played, and the rest of the pieces sacrificed, leaving only the two of them left. Exhaustion and pain being negated by the adrenaline controlling their basic instincts to conclude the game they'd been playing most of their lives. There had been too many years of conflicted and pent-up emotions eating the spirit away inside the smaller man. The larger man was obsessed with the absolute need to control the smaller man. He must put an end to the uprising and break the last remaining seed of hope in the smaller man.

The bigger man howled with a savage rage at the smaller man, his voice carrying across the river. All semblance of rational thinking was gone. The only thing that mattered was showing the smaller man who held the power, even if it meant killing him. The smaller man stood his ground. Twenty-five years of having his arms pinned behind his back and his face shoved in the dirt was going to end, one way or another. No longer afraid of the bigger man, he was ready to finish what he had started. There would be no more backing into a corner, no more worrying about the costs and the losses. It was time to do what should have been done all those years ago; take down the bully.

The smaller man treaded lightly in preparation of the attack, stepping back and onto the bridge's sidewalk. His eyes never left the bigger man's chest. His life depended on making the right assumption, and the bigger man's chest couldn't belie his true intentions. This would be his last move of the game, win or lose. The larger man charged, screaming at the top of his lungs. The smaller man's own battle cry joined in response. His cry, a piercing determination to end a lifetime of ridicule, erupted from him like a dormant volcano exploding without warning. Neither of them heard the panicked cry of another. They were long past knowing anything other than the moment at hand, the silent understanding that only one, or neither, would survive the end of the game.

I've finished the rewrite of "Against the Current." I could use a couple sets of fresh eyes to read the story and tell me what they like or didn't. If you have time this next week, send me a message to find out more. After this, it's off to the editor for final cleanup. Thanks!

The editing continues on "Ridicule" which is now called "Against the Current." The original story received a 5 star review from Reader's Favorite and is a finalist in the category of Fiction/Intrigue. One of the things I've learned from the previous two novels is to listen to the readers and the professionals. Ridicule was a suspense story with manipulation and abuse as the backdrop. The general opinion was that it was more suspense and should move faster. After several (favorable) critiques, I began the process of condensing the novel to make it flow faster. This isn't as easy as you might think. It actually feels like I'm writing a new story. It will all be for the best…I hope. My mind wants to drift back to "Isolation," and continue writing where I left off. I've even started hearing from Jason and Allison recently. There are too many ideas and not enough time in a day to do it all. Hopefully, you will be able to see "Against the Current" in print this fall or early next year.

This is the first review of "Ridicule."

Ridicule

Rating: 5.0 stars

Reviewed by Alice Recker for Readers' Favorite

“Ridicule,” written by Brian L. MacLearn, is the story of Jeffrey Peyton who is the victim of a bully while in Middle School. The anguish begins when Jeffrey creates an apparatus to ward off garden pests that like to gnaw on young seedlings. The tormentor doesn’t leave him alone, pitting everyone close to Jeffrey against him, until relief arrives while Jeffrey spends time in college. To Jeffrey’s chagrin and dismay, he finds that his aggressor has found him once again and secures a job at the same place where Jeffrey works. Matt feigns friendship and though Jeffrey is wary of him, he is too weak to resist Matt Sinclair’s hold on him. Eventually, Matt forms his own company. Knowing he has no talent for invention himself, he invites Jeffrey to join him and promises a partnership in patenting and promoting his earlier invention. The hold Matt has on Jeffrey is like a vise held so that the object can be worked on.

The book “Ridicule” is well-written. Brian L. MacLearn takes the reader on a painful journey from experiences received from the hands of a bully that extend well beyond childhood. Breathless throughout the narrative, one is led through well-described actions and characters that cause the reader to place all trust and faith in the victim. This saga is surprising with twists and turns throughout. “Ridicule” sweeps us into the heart of long-lasting effects of childhood traumas at the hands of bullies. It is a story of survival, in spite of all odds, of the main character. MacLearn writes in a way that makes his point clear while the story flows easily from one segment to the next. This is a book I hope to see published soon.

-------------------

The following are optional personal comments from the reviewer that will NOT appear in your review:

This is a story well-written and hard to put down. I liked the way you portrayed the effects of bullying that extend well beyond the schoolyard playground. Your protagonist had to win or else in my mind as I read it!

As a celebration of summer, and the upcoming release of "Ridicule," I have lowered the kindle price of "Remember Me" to $.99 on Amazon.com. Pass it on to your friends and let them know.

Thanks,

Brian