Brian Terenna Author Interview on Manybooks

Brian Terenna Interview 

Here a link for an interview that the Manybooks website did for me. It's centered around my first novel in the Cryptopunk Revolution Trilogy, but also touches on the other novels in the series. 

https://manybooks.net/featured-authors/brian-terenna-fantasy-that-takes-readers-to-exciting-unexpected-places

The Three Steps to Lasting Happiness

 

Consciously Choosing to be Happy:

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to get bogged down by negativity? A stressful day at work, a fight with a loved one, or even just the gloomy weather can quickly put a damper on our mood. Happiness is often fleeting and dependent on our circumstances but what if you could choose to be happy, even in the midst of adversity? It sounds like a simple answer but taking conscious control of your emotions is a powerful tool for achieving happiness. By recognizing that your thoughts and emotions are not inherently dictated by external circumstances, you can learn to separate your sense of happiness from your surroundings.

The truth is that happiness isn't just a reaction to external events. It's also a conscious choice we can make, even in the face of challenges. By taking control of our own mental state, we can cultivate a sense of joy and contentment that transcends fleeting circumstances. This doesn't mean ignoring problems or pretending everything is perfect. It means acknowledging difficulties while choosing to focus on the positive aspects of life and the strength within ourselves.

Programming Your Subconscious Mind with Happiness:

In this section, we'll explore how to use the power of your subconscious mind to reinforce happiness and positivity. To do this, you'll need to enter a state of deep relaxation, which is often referred to as the theta wave or hypnotic state. There are several ways to achieve this state, including deep meditation and hypnosis. For those who are new to meditation, accessing the theta wave state may take a few attempts, but experienced meditators will find it easier. YouTube offers a range of free guided meditations and hypnosis videos that can help you enter the theta wave state and induce happiness.

When you find a video that resonates with you, take some time to listen to it and allow yourself to fully relax into the suggested state. As you do so, focus on letting go of any doubts or negative thoughts, and simply allow yourself to feel happy and relaxed. If you need to redo a video or try a different one, don't worry - this is a normal part of the process. The key is to find a technique that works for you and make it a regular part of your self-care routine.

One advanced technique for building happiness is called anchoring. Anchoring is a process where you create a physical trigger that, when activated, immediately shifts your state to a feeling of happiness or relaxation. You simply need to create a consistent association between the trigger and the desired state while in your meditation. For example, I have an anchor where I press my thumb into the side of my pointer finger, which immediately transports me to a state of positivity. By using an anchor regularly, you can train your subconscious mind to respond automatically to certain stimuli, making it easier to access happy feelings whenever you need them.

Feeling Happiness Daily:

The final step in your journey to achieving happiness is to make it a daily habit. This means incorporating your anchoring techniques or simply smiling and focusing on happiness in your daily routine. For many of us, this might seem like a daunting task, but trust me, it's worth it. I like to use my downtime to practice feeling happy. You can either do this by using your anchoring technique or by simply smiling and trying to feel happy. Whether I'm doing the dishes, showering, or watching a TV show, I make sure to take a few moments to focus on my happy state. I find that this not only helps to keep me in a positive mindset but also makes the tasks themselves more enjoyable.

It's also helpful to incorporate gratitude into your morning and evening routines. As you wake up in the morning, take a few minutes to reflect on what you're grateful for and focus on your happy state. Similarly, before bed, take a few minutes to do the same. At this stage, you're likely to be in an alpha or theta wave state, making it easier to access your subconscious mind and reprogram it with positive thoughts. By incorporating gratitude and happiness into your daily routine, you'll find that it becomes second nature. You'll experience a significant reduction in negative emotions and an increase in positive ones.

By following these three steps, you can train your brain to respond positively to challenging situations and create a happier, more fulfilling life for yourself. It's not to say that you won't experience negative emotions or setbacks from time to time, but you'll find that these moments are fewer and farther between. With time and practice, happiness will become a natural state for you, and you'll be able to draw on it whenever you need it.

Check out my sci-fi adventure mystery series, the "Cryptopunk Revolution."

Join the brilliant hacker Fae Luna and her companions as she battles an unknown foe of unimaginable power. Get ready for an electrifying journey filled with twists and turns,
where truth is elusive and nothing is as it seems. Available on Amazon

How to Create Interesting Magic Systems for Fantasy Novels

 

9 Ways to Improve Magic Systems for Fantasy Books 

Magic systems are a key element in many fantasy novels, and creating a compelling and unique system

can be a challenging task. A well-crafted magic system can add depth and complexity to a fantasy world, as well as providing a rich source of conflict and tension. In this blog post, we'll explore nine ways to create better magic systems for fantasy novels, with detailed explanations of each technique.

1. Establish Rules and Limitations

The first step in creating a magic system is to establish clear rules and limitations. These rules should define what magic can and cannot do, as well as any costs or consequences associated with using magic. By establishing these limitations, you can ensure that magic remains a source of conflict and tension throughout your story, rather than a convenient plot device.

2. Tie Magic to the World and its Lore

A good magic system should be integrated into the world and its lore. Consider how magic fits into the cultural and religious beliefs of your world, as well as its history and mythology. By doing so, you can create a more immersive and cohesive world, where magic feels like a natural part of the setting.

3. Develop a Clear Source of Magic

Every magic system should have a clear source of magic, whether it's through innate ability, magical artifacts, or other means. By establishing a clear source of magic, you can create a more consistent and believable system, while also providing opportunities for conflict and tension. For example, if magic is tied to a limited resource, characters may compete for access to that resource.

4. Create Different Types of Magic

To add depth and variety to your magic system, consider creating different types of magic. These may be based on different schools of magic, different sources of power, or different styles of casting. By creating different types of magic, you can add complexity and richness to your world, while also providing opportunities for characters to specialize and stand out.

5. Use Magic to Explore Themes

Magic can be a powerful tool for exploring themes and ideas in your story. Consider how your magic system can be used to explore concepts such as power, identity, or morality. By doing so, you can create a more thought-provoking and impactful story, while also creating a more nuanced and complex magic system.

6. Consider the Cost of Magic

In any good magic system, magic should come with a cost. This may be a physical cost, such as exhaustion or injury, or a more abstract cost, such as loss of sanity or morality. By establishing a cost for magic, you can create tension and conflict, as well as adding depth to your characters and world.

7. Create a Clear System of Learning and Training

To make your magic system feel more grounded and believable, create a clear system of learning and training for your characters. Consider how characters learn and develop their magical abilities, as well as any institutions or organizations that support magic users. By doing so, you can create a more immersive and detailed world, while also providing opportunities for character development and conflict.

8. Use Magic to Create Worldbuilding Opportunities

Magic can be a powerful tool for worldbuilding. Consider how magic is used in different parts of your world, as well as any cultural or societal implications of magic use. By doing so, you can create a more rich and immersive world, while also providing opportunities for conflict and tension.

9. Create a Unique and Memorable Magic System

Ultimately, the key to a successful magic system is creating one that is unique and memorable. Consider how your magic system can stand out from others in the genre, whether through its mechanics, its source, or its themes. By doing so, you can create a more distinctive and memorable story, while also engaging your readers with your world and characters.

Check out my sci-fi adventure mystery series, the "Cryptopunk Revolution."

Join the brilliant hacker Fae Luna and her companions as she battles an unknown foe of unimaginable power. Get ready for an electrifying journey filled with twists and turns,
where truth is elusive and nothing is as it seems. Available on Amazon

9 Ways to Improve Fantasy Novels

 

Writing Strong Fantasy Novels 

Fantasy novels can be an incredible and immersive form of storytelling, but there are still ways that
authors can improve upon them. Here are nine ways to make your fantasy novels even better.

 

1. Create a compelling world: A great fantasy world should draw the reader in and make them feel like they’re part of the story. Put thought into the details of your world, and the way it interacts with your characters. Consider the geography, climate, cultures, and political systems that exist in your world—the more complex and unique they are, the more interesting your story will be.

 

2. Add a strong antagonist: A strong antagonist can be the driving force of your story. Make sure your antagonist has clear motivations and goals that help to further the plot. Make sure that they’re complex—they should have both good and bad qualities, as well as a backstory that explains why they’re doing what they’re doing.

 

3. Develop believable characters: Characters are the lifeblood of any story, so it’s important to make sure yours are believable. Give them distinct personalities, motivations, and flaws that readers can relate to. Make sure their dialogue feels natural and not forced.

 

4. Use magic carefully: Magic can be a great tool for creating suspense and excitement in your story, but it can also be overused and become a crutch for lazy storytelling. Be careful to make sure that your magic system is logical and consistent—you don’t want readers to get lost in the details.

 

5. Include interesting creatures: Creatures are an important part of fantasy novels, but they don’t all have to be dragons or orcs. Think outside the box and create some unique creatures that will surprise and delight readers.

 

6. Make the stakes high: Every story needs stakes—the higher the stakes, the more exciting the story will be. Make sure your characters have something to fight for, and that their actions have real consequences for them and their world.

 

7. Build tension gradually: Tension is essential for any suspenseful story, but it needs to be built gradually. Start by introducing small conflicts that escalate until they reach a climax at the end of the novel.

 

8. Establish a unique voice: Your writing should reflect your unique voice as an author. Work on developing a consistent writing style, and find ways to make your writing stand out from other fantasy authors.

 

9. Read widely: Reading widely is a great way to get inspiration for your own writing. Read other fantasy books to get a sense of what works and what doesn’t, and use these insights to improve your own work.

Check out my sci-fi adventure mystery series, the "Cryptopunk Revolution."

Join the brilliant hacker Fae Luna and her companions as she battles an unknown foe of unimaginable power. Get ready for an electrifying journey filled with twists and turns,
where truth is elusive and nothing is as it seems. Available on Amazon

Five Tips to Write a Strong First Paragraph for a Novel

 

Writing a strong opening paragraph for a novel can be a daunting task. It's the first thing that
readers will see, and if it’s not good enough then your book may never get read. An opening paragraph should draw readers in, set the tone for the story and hint at what’s to come. Here are some tips to help you write a strong and compelling opening paragraph for your novel.

 

1. Focus on the Setting

The setting of your novel is the foundation for what’s to come. Describe the environment in detail and give readers a sense of what’s to come in the story. Whether it’s a small town, a big city, an exotic location, or even an imagined one, make sure to paint a vivid picture of the setting.

 

2. Introduce a Character

Your first sentence should introduce a character or characters who will become important throughout the novel. Do this by giving a brief description of the character, or hinting at the character’s personality. You don’t have to reveal who they are right away, but make sure to give enough information to pique readers’ interest.

 

3. Create Tension

Tension is essential in any story, and your opening paragraph should create it. Start with an exciting event that grabs readers’ attention, or hint at a situation that needs resolution. This will set up a sense of suspense and anticipation that will keep readers hooked from start to finish.

 

4. Include an Element of Mystery

Nothing grabs readers’ attention more than a bit of mystery. If you can leave readers with questions that need to be answered, they’ll be eager to keep reading to find out what happens next. Don’t give away too much in the beginning, but just enough that readers will be hooked.

 

5. Make it Unique

Your opening paragraph should stand out from all the other books out there. Make sure you’re not rehashing ideas that have already been done before. Your opening paragraph should be unique and original so that readers know they are in for something different.

Check out my cyberpunk mystery series, the "Cryptopunk Revolution."

Join the brilliant hacker Fae Luna and her companions as she battles an unknown foe of unimaginable power. Get ready for an electrifying journey filled with twists and turns, where truth is elusive and nothing is as it seems. Available on Amazon

Ten Marketing Tips for Authors

 How to Sell More Novels

Marketing a novel can be an intimidating proposition for any author, but with the right strategies, it

doesn’t have to be. Whether you’re a first-time author or an experienced one, these ten tips will help you get your book out there and into the hands of readers.

 

1. Have a well-crafted book cover: A book cover is the first thing a potential reader will see, so it’s important to make sure it’s eye-catching and stands out. It should be eye-catching and professional, but also reflect the content of the book. A good cover will attract readers and help them form an immediate connection with your book.

 

2. Leverage social media: Social media is an essential tool for connecting with readers and getting the word out about your book. You should create accounts on all the major platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.) and use them to regularly engage with readers, post updates about your book, and promote any relevant events or special offers.

 

3. Start a blog: Blogging is a great way to build a platform for yourself as an author and engage with readers. It’s also an opportunity to share interesting or helpful information related to your book, or even excerpts from the book itself.

 

4. Build an email list: Having an email list of subscribers is invaluable for marketing your book. It allows you to stay in touch with readers and keep them updated on any news related to your book. You can also use it to send out promotional offers or exclusive content related to the book.

 

5. Take advantage of free online promotion: There are numerous websites and services that offer free or low-cost book promotion opportunities, such as Goodreads, BookBub, and Amazon. Taking advantage of these platforms can help you reach a wider audience and get more eyes on your book.

 

6. Participate in interviews: Interviews are a great way to get yourself and your book in front of potential readers. Whether it’s a podcast, radio show, or blog post, being featured in interviews can go a long way in helping to raise awareness of your book.

 

7. Create a book trailer: Book trailers are a great way to create buzz around your book and get people interested in reading it. You can create a book trailer yourself or hire someone to do it for you.

 

8. Host a virtual book launch: A virtual book launch is a great way to celebrate the release of your novel and give readers a chance to connect with you. You can use this opportunity to share excerpts from the book or even hold Q&A sessions with readers.

 

9. Reach out to reviewers: Book reviews are an essential part of marketing your novel, so it’s important to reach out to reviewers and ask them to consider reviewing your book. You can use websites like NetGalley or Goodreads to find reviewers and send them review copies of your book.

 

10. Utilize word of mouth: Word of mouth can be one of the most powerful forms of marketing for any book. Encourage readers to share their thoughts on your book with their friends and family, or even post reviews on sites like Goodreads or Amazon.

 

Marketing a novel can be a daunting task, but if you follow these tips, you’ll be well on your way to getting your book in front of potential readers. Good luck!

Check out my cyberpunk mystery series, the "Cryptopunk Revolution."

Join the brilliant hacker Fae Luna and her companions as she battles an unknown foe of unimaginable power. Get ready for an electrifying journey filled with twists and turns, where truth is elusive and nothing is as it seems. Available on Amazon

Ten Benefits to Writing in the First Person Point of View

 Why You Should Write in the First Person Point of View

Writing from the first person point of view has many advantages for authors. There are countless benefits to writing in the first person, from increased reader engagement to more opportunities for developing characters and building tension. Here are ten of the many advantages of writing in the first person.

 

1. Reader Engagement – Writing in the first person allows readers to become intimately connected with the narrator of the story. By writing in the first person, readers can identify with the narrator's feelings and experiences and become more invested in the story. This can help build tension and suspense in a story, as readers are more likely to be drawn in to the narrator's struggles and triumphs.

 

2. Character Development – Writing in the first person can allow an author to create a fully-fleshed out character that readers can connect with. By writing in the first person, an author can use the narrator's thoughts, feelings, and dialogue to paint a vivid picture of the character. This can also help readers understand the motivations and actions of the narrator, as well as any other characters in the story.

 

3. Tension and Suspense – Writing in the first person can help create tension and suspense, as readers get a firsthand glimpse into the narrator's thoughts and feelings. This can be especially effective when the narrator is in a suspenseful situation, as readers can be drawn into the tension and fear of the moment.

 

4. Conflict – Writing in the first person can help create conflict, as readers can understand why the narrator is making certain decisions and what they are struggling with due to their personal thoughts and feelings. This can also allow an author to explore different types of conflicts, such as internal conflicts, that wouldn't be possible if writing in a third person point of view.

 

5. Voice – Writing in the first person allows an author to create a unique voice for their narrator. This can help bring the story to life, as readers can easily become immersed in the story due to the unique style of the narration.

 

6. Emotion – Writing in the first person can help an author convey emotion to readers in a powerful way. By writing in the first person, an author can use the narrator's thoughts and feelings to convey a wide range of emotions, from joy to despair.

 

7. Intimacy – Writing in the first person can create an intimate bond between reader and narrator, as readers get a firsthand glimpse into the narrator's thoughts and feelings. This can help create a powerful connection between reader and narrator, as well as making it easier for readers to empathize with the narrator's struggles and triumphs.

 

8. Perspective – Writing in the first person allows an author to explore different perspectives and points of view. This can be useful for exploring different sides of an issue or conflict, or simply allowing readers to experience a different perspective than their own.

 

9. Clarity – Writing in the first person can help clarify complex ideas and situations for readers by allowing them to experience them through the eyes of the narrator. This can help make complex situations easier for readers to understand, as well as making them more invested in the story due to their connection with the narrator.

 

10. Audience Reach – Writing in the first person can help an author reach a wider audience, as readers may be more likely to relate to a story told from a specific point of view. This can help an author reach a larger audience and connect with readers on a more personal level.

Check out my cyberpunk mystery series, the "Cryptopunk Revolution."

Join the brilliant hacker Fae Luna and her companions as she battles an unknown foe of unimaginable power. Get ready for an electrifying journey filled with twists and turns, where truth is elusive and nothing is as it seems. Available on Amazon

Nine Tips for Creating Strong Falling Character Arcs

Creating a Strong Falling Character Arc

1. Define the character's peak

The character's peak is the point where they have achieved their goal or come close to it. This peak should be well-defined, and the reader should be able to understand the character's sense of accomplishment or near-accomplishment. By establishing a clear peak, you can create a foundation for the character's falling arc.

2. Show the character's reaction to their success

The character's reaction to their success is an essential element of the falling arc. This reaction should be tied to the character's personality and backstory, and it should show the character's sense of accomplishment or disappointment. By showing the character's reaction, you can create a sense of realism and depth to the character's journey.

3. Create new obstacles for the character

After the character has achieved their goal, it's essential to create new obstacles that challenge them. These obstacles can be internal or external, and they should be significant enough to create tension and conflict. By creating new obstacles, you can create a sense of momentum and purpose to the character's falling arc.

4. Develop the character's flaws

A well-crafted character should have flaws that are tied to their personality and backstory. These flaws should play a significant role in the character's journey, and they should be tested after the character has achieved their goal. By developing the character's flaws, you can create a sense of realism and depth to the character's journey.

5. Create a sense of regression

A strong falling arc should create a sense of regression, where the character is moving backward from their peak. This regression should be tied to the new obstacles the character faces and the flaws they exhibit. By creating a sense of regression, you can create tension and keep readers invested in the character's journey.

6. Show the character's decline

The character's decline is essential for a strong falling arc. This decline should be tied to the new obstacles the character faces and the flaws they exhibit. By showing the character's decline, you can create a sense of development and change, which is essential for a compelling character arc.

7. Create a sense of loss

Loss is essential for a strong falling arc. This loss can be tied to the character's goal or something else they hold dear, and it should be significant enough to create tension and conflict. By creating a sense of loss, you can create a sense of urgency and purpose to the character's falling arc.

8. Show the character's struggle to regain control

After the character experiences loss, it's essential to show their struggle to regain control. This struggle should be tied to the character's flaws and the new obstacles they face. By showing the character's struggle to regain control, you can create a sense of conflict and keep readers invested in the character's journey.

9. Create a sense of resolution

The character's falling arc should have a sense of resolution. This resolution should be tied to the character's journey and should create a sense of closure. By creating a sense of resolution, you can tie the falling arc to the rising arc and create a cohesive character journey.

Check out my cyberpunk mystery series, the "Cryptopunk Revolution."

Join the brilliant hacker Fae Luna and her companions as she battles an unknown foe of unimaginable power. Get ready for an electrifying journey filled with twists and turns, where truth is elusive and nothing is as it seems. Available on Amazon