Green Group discussion

Here's where you can give your thoughts and comments on Green Power, be warned there will be spoilers!!!

Just finished this book and thoroughly enjoyed it. The action sequences and characters are well written and the technicall sections are easy to read and understand. It raises some interesting questions about the use of alternative renewable energy supplies (in the case the small scale use of methane for energy production) instead of larger scale projects and the role of the media in informing and thus determining the public perception of such schemes. The effects of public demostrations are also touched upon with both sides using these, in one instance to show support for the use of alternative energy and in the other against them. A very interesting and thought provoking read.

Finished it today, and give it a thumbs up! It has elements of an action thriller, environmental thriller, romance novel, and tear jerker in one spot. Almost historical because almost all of it takes place in 1989, with a short chapter at the end bringing us up to the present.
Well done, and recommended reading for those who like to read a mix of science fact, action and romance, and a little 1980s history in dramatic fiction. Well developed characters, and even though we know the answers to parts of the medical thriller and crime drama, it is fun to have the various characters find the answers.
There are a few points of slight errors, but nothing serious enough to take away from a great reading book. The expertise of the microbiology science more than made up for that.
Five Stars. (Reviewed November 2009 by Johhny Electriglide – member of envirolink forum)

For purpose of discussion, I would like to add a review from another member of the evirolink forum. The main reason for this is that in a more extensive review of my novel, Green Power, Sam points out that she felt uncomfortable with some of the dialogue used in the book. I appreciate this critique of my novel. The publisher didn’t edit my book and left it just the way I wrote it. Now that I’m writing my second novel, any advice I get will help.
>>[I just read Charles' book and I liked it! A good story and well paced. I read it in less than 48 hours and was compelled to keep turning the pages and not put it down much. The book appears to be self published and it states in the beginning that it has not been edited by the company that printed it, which is kind of apparent. Other than recommending some more editing to help some of the dialogue flow more smoothly, I liked it.:]

Charles wrote: "For purpose of discussion, I would like to add a review from another member of the evirolink forum. The main reason for this is that in a more extensive review of my novel, Green Power, Sam points ..."

Hi Charles,

Thanks for pointing this difficulty to read your book and that readers would be uncomfortable with some parts of the dialogue.
I have added a few months ago, some tools at "The Green " group and specially one about Energy (Energy Story 1) Here's the link:
http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/story/i...

I'm looking forward hearing your thoughts about this resource.

To be fair to Sam’s review of my book in regards to dialogue, let me quote from that part of her review.
>> Part of review from amazon.co.uk:
The characters are well developed and suit the roles they are given within the story with the 'good' and 'bad' guys clearly divisible throughout. My only slightly picky complaint is some of the character dialogue is a bit formal and not how I imagine such characters to speak on a day to day basis (this could just be me though). Overall the characters were realistic with well researched histories that suit each of them perfectly.<<
My response:
My approach to the use of dialogue is to advance the storyline. I try to stay away from unnecessary chatter. But, I am learning that maybe I am not making the dialogue realistic enough for how the reader perceives the everyday interactions of my characters.
If anyone is interested to see some examples of how I use dialogue, please check out some excerpts from my novel at: http://www.freewebs.com/vrooman
* Comments are welcomed.

In response to Michelle’s advice to look at the “Energy Story”, I like to add this comment:
I did read the Chapter on Biomass Energy. First let me say that I do live in California and am very aware of the use of methane gas as a source of biomass energy. That’s what stimulated me to write my novel “Green Power”. My book deals with dairies in California using methane digesters. Second, I live in the Sierra foothills above Sacramento. In Sacramento the local utility company gets some of their electrical energy from capturing the methane gas at the Kiefer landfill and producing electricity.

Charles wrote: "To be fair to Sam’s review of my book in regards to dialogue, let me quote from that part of her review.
>> Part of review from amazon.co.uk:
The characters are well developed and suit the roles ..."

Hi Charles, with regard to your dialogue I think that it does advance the story well but a bit of 'unnecessary chatter' may actually help the reader as they can relate to them more. Personally I tend to favour books where I can relate to the characters in some way, both in the interests and in the mannerisms and speech. I find it helps make the book more real. Hope this helps with your next book :-)

Charles wrote: "In response to Michelle’s advice to look at the “Energy Story”, I like to add this comment:
I did read the Chapter on Biomass Energy. First let me say that I do live in California and am very awar..."

Of course, It's essential to be aware of the use of methane gas as a source of Biomass Energy and to be aware of its production, too. But....I was thinking at the readers. How does it make sense to read a book without knowing what's Biomass Energy? Do you think that resources like a glossary about " Biomass Energy" or " Energy " in a book can stimulate the reader?

On the subject of the reader knowing about biomass energy and the use of methane gas I think Charles explains it quite well in the book so the reader doesn't necessarily need that prior knowledge. I've lent the book to friends and family some of whom have never even heard of using methane for power production and they enjoyed the book and understood those sections that refer to biomass energy without needing additional explanation.

Sam wrote: "On the subject of the reader knowing about biomass energy and the use of methane gas I think Charles explains it quite well in the book so the reader doesn't necessarily need that prior knowledge. ..."

Thanks Sam to share this information about Green Power for the readers:-)

Sam, since you read my novel, these questions are directed toward you. How did you feel about the romantic relationship I developed between Ray and Linda? Did it help in the character development of Ray? Did it distract from my storyline? Is it a good idea to have any romance in a thriller novel?

Charles wrote: "Sam, since you read my novel, these questions are directed toward you. How did you feel about the romantic relationship I developed between Ray and Linda? Did it help in the character development o..."

To start it definitely didn't detract from the story at all, most of the thriller books I've read have some kind of romantic relationship in them (be it a new, flourishing or failing one) so I think they tend to lend themselves to such books quite well without taking over.

It did add to the character of Ray, as it showed he is a normal guy and has something outside his field of expertise, a life if you will. As I've said before my only slight critique is how they communicated. To me it came across a bit on the formal side and not how I imagine people to speak on a day to day basis. But again that could just be me and my somewhat informal and casual way of speaking.

Other than that I think the relationship between Ray and Linda was a good addition and an important one for the story as it gives the reader time to reflect on the more adventurous parts of the story and makes the characters seem real. I mean lets face it, there's is very rarely any kind of thriller, be it a book, film or tv series, that doesn't have a bit of romance thrown in :-)

Some more questions for Sam. What did you think of the detective story twist in Green Power? Was the FBI agent, Ted Cosgrove, believable? Did you like how I handled his investigation and pursuit of Dirk and Vic?

Charles wrote: "Some more questions for Sam. What did you think of the detective story twist in Green Power? Was the FBI agent, Ted Cosgrove, believable? Did you like how I handled his investigation and pursuit of..."

For me I thought it an integral part of the story as it showed how far some people would go to get revenge then avoid getting caught. I thought it was well written and believable and I loved the ending with the big manhunt. Again I found this believable as we all know it can and does happen and it gave the book an exciting and dramatic finale.

I did like the character of Ted Cosgrove, found him both realistic and believable and at no point did I think that what he said or did didn't fit with his character or the general persona of an FBI agent.

What I would of liked though was a bit more mystery to the whodunnit side of the book. So rather than letting the reader in on who did what and how maybe have that side hidden a bit more and only hinted at. Again that is just me, I like to try and figure out the whodunnit mystery. Saying that though I did enjoy reading both sides of the pursuit and it was very interesting to see the bad guys side of things so I think the way it was written did work really well :-)

Now that the winter reading discussion is over for my novel Green Power, let me thank both Sam and Michelle for their comments. Sam’s critique about my use of dialogue is helping me with writing my new novel – “The True Virus”. Another suggestion about not letting the reader know who the bad guy is at the beginning has caused me to hold off on the antagonist identity until half way into my new novel. Yes Sam, I do have some romance in my new book.
Since I am a professional scientist, I can’t help but put technical stuff in my novels. I know that Michelle was concerned that this might turn off readers. But, like Sam said, I am very careful on how I present the technical parts of my novels.
Again, thank for all the input.

Thank you for your message, Charles. I'm an Adult's Educator and a Knowledge Worker. All about Knowledge, Education make sense to me !!! And of course, I always ask this question for the readers and myself " What to read and Why ? "

As Mark Twain quoted,

" The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug."

All the best for " The True Virus", your new novel.

No problem Charles, I thoroughly enjoyed Green Power and glad I could help with your next one and I'm looking forward to reading it when it's ready.

Good luck with the writing :-)

Another review for Green Power:
Since global warming and going green are such hot topics, the environmental thriller novel, Green Power is a must read. This book’s plot revolves around the setting up of methane digesters as alternate sources of energy on dairy farms. However, when bioterrorists get drawn in to challenge the idea of going green, an epidemic breaks out pointing to the digesters as the cause. A detective story twist comes into play as both the CDC and FBI get involved. The numerous chase scenes add to the excitement of this thriller. A stroke of romance and the protagonist’s improved relationship with his mother bring about a soft touch to this novel.
For more information on Green Power and the author, please visit: http://vrooman.webs.com/

Great news from Green Power, Charles. Thanks for the link. All the best for your environmental thriller novel.

As the author of environmental thriller, Green Power, I’m almost done with my new medical thriller, The True Virus. http://vrooman.webs.com/

I know I’ve posted a lot of information about “Green Power” on this thread, however, you can still find more information at my website: http://vrooman.webs.com
Note: Especially, take a look at “Excerpts”.
Also:Don’t forget, you can still get signed copies of this thriller at Amazon for a 40% discount:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listin...