Review: Stellar writing and an intriguing story line - The Acting Class has it all...
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 02 19, 2014
Not many writers have the gift of captivating readers from the very first pages. It's what all writers aim for, but few achieve. Yet, D.C. Bell has taken charge of this small literary room at the top. As a reader, I was riveted. As a writer, I was enchanted.I received a message from this writer a while ago. One of those `will-you-please-take-a-look-at-my-work? I-love-yours' kind of notes. I usually turn these away because I'm hyper-focused on my own stuff. Selfish. Self-involved. I can't be reading other people's stuff and when I do it is `anonymously' thank you very much. All I usually say is the `call-me-when-it's-published-yada-yada' line. Yet, within the opening paragraphs, D.C. Bell captured my imagination and swept me up by essentially mirroring a rant style of writing that was reminiscent of the ever famous Gillian Flynn of "Gone Girl" fame and this writer's current literary crush. I quickly realized that I was in for a true literary experience, and treasured it fully because they are so rare. I was captivated by the first person narration and at the idea of being given a personalized tour of the famed and fabulous--a privileged glimpse into the world of acting--by the effervescent heroine of this amazing storyline, Miss Sherri Dawn Ferrell.Sherri doesn't mess around; she'll pull readers further into the story with every word she utters."...I admit it, I'm addicted to the Daily Mail.  I'm addicted to gossip," I say.George smiles my way.I relax into a collective laugh.Excellent.Mission accomplished.Because guess what?I hate gossip.Gossip liquefies my brain, bores me to tears, but it is the conversational lubricant of my business, like men need to talk about games with sticks and balls."Part romance, part thriller, "The Acting Class, Part 1" pulled me right in to an iridescent world providing a rare glimpse of the primped and privileged. I quickly got in line and followed Sherri through the various twists and turns of this "matrix" and fell in love with both Sherri Dawn Ferrell and this Shane Loring. Believe me, I was already there with the insanely famous actor named George. But now, we're back to Shane Loring. Shane. Loring. Say it slow. Warning: You'll be crushing on Shane.Sherri Dawn describes him this way:"And I have worked almost every day with the man to my right.He's the first major and pulse-spiking crush of my life.  A massive, ridiculous, leg-trembling crush.  Cacophony of cannons. Thunder of hooves. Heart-stopping. Seriously, I'm sure I've damaged veins and valves. And yet for every moment in his presence I have been entirely and completely professional.Because I am a professional.And so is he.He is a Prince.He is "The Prince."Not so fast. It's not easy, not 'that' easy anyway. Readers discover fairly early on in "Part 1" that not everyone is what they seem and that there may be just as many users as abusers gracing the proverbial stage and hankering for fame's light to shine upon them. Sherri's insight serves as an essential guide wire just like one we might need for a trapeze act."And if you think it is some kind of awesome thing to be discovered by the modeling business, by the scouts who haunt every shopping center and beauty contest, and sell you to the agencies and take a slice of your commissions?Don't.You may well find you are a flower.Whose stem has been cut."There are perceptive lines of prose such as these throughout that will literally cut you to the core. You'll be amazed and surprised. And it's not just Sherri's telling of this story that captivates, but readers may also sense the underlying deep soul of this guy, Shane Loring.Lines like these:"You're a sweet girl.  You've got some tough in you, maybe a whole lot of tough, but to me you're really kind of innocent.  So don't let your feelings run away with you, Okay?  And neither will I.  Love.  And all that stuff.  It's not a good idea to fall in love in this business.  That could really mess up a good working relationship.  This is just a job, you know?  But it's our job.  And we don't want to screw it up," and he was out of that tiny dark dressing room, with just a glance over his shoulder."Okay.  Love.  And all that stuff.  Yeesh.  Not good.  Got it."But he was already out the door.And the door clicked behind him.And clicked on my soul.Need I say any more? My prediction? Readers will be reading Part 1 of "The Acting Class" over and over and all but begging or, at the very least, chanting for the next installment. Hopefully, D.C. Bell can deliver as soon as humanly possible.Five Stars. Hands down. More please.