Book Review: Tiffany Girl by Deeanne Gist

I love historical fiction, and Deeanne Gist is one of those authors who you know will deliver a great story, wonderful characterization, and the zing of romance. Gist's latest novel, Tiffany Girl, releases today.

Set during the time of the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago, this book (Gist's third set in that year) takes place in New York City, where Louis Tiffany creates stained glass windows. Check out the synopsis:

SYNOPSIS: From the bestselling author of It Happened at the Fair and Fair Play comes a compelling historical novel about a progressive “New Woman”—the girl behind Tiffany’s chapel—and the love that threatens it all.

As preparations for the 1893 World’s Fair set Chicago and the nation on fire, Louis Tiffany—heir to the exclusive Fifth Avenue jewelry empire—seizes the opportunity to unveil his state-of-the-art, stained glass, mosaic chapel, the likes of which the world has never seen.

But when Louis’s dream is threatened by a glassworkers’ strike months before the Fair opens, he turns to an unforeseen source for help: the female students at the Art Students League of New York. Eager for adventure, the young women pick up their skirts, move to boarding houses, take up steel cutters, and assume new identities as the “Tiffany Girls.”

Tiffany Girl is the heartwarming story of the impetuous Flossie Jayne, a beautiful, budding artist who is handpicked by Louis to help complete the Tiffany chapel. Though excited to live in a boarding house when most women stayed home, she quickly finds the world is less welcoming than anticipated. From a Casanova male, to an unconventional married couple, and a condescending singing master, she takes on a colorful cast of characters to transform the boarding house into a home while racing to complete the Tiffany chapel and make a name for herself in the art world.

As challenges mount, her ambitions become threatened from an unexpected quarter: her own heart. Who will claim victory? Her dreams or the captivating boarder next door?

Gist's characters Flossie and Reeve will pull you in and keep you turning pages. I handed the book to my husband the other night and haven't seen him except for meals. You can read more about the characters here.

Through a special arrangement, readers can buy the book at a 30% discount from Givington's. Not only will readers get a great deal, but $1.50 of the purchase will go toward an organization helping kids with dyslexia, which Gist herself suffered from.

If you belong to a book club, Gist has not one, but three different free book club kits available for download. Choose the one that fits your group the best. Also, head over to Gist's site to enter a contest for a great bathtub reading kit.

What was the last book you read? Leave a note in the comments.

Free Books from Jeff Goins

I first heard of Jeff Goins when I downloaded his book You Are a Writer (so start acting like one).Click here to view more details. I was in a place where I desperately needed a pep talk. Someone to help me understand why I sometimes sabotaged myself. Goins' book addresses fear of failure, uncertainty of the unknown, and the anxiety of success.

Anyone else feel that way sometimes?

Right now, Goins is offering two other books for free. The Writer's Manifesto is a short book, intended for reading in one sitting. The purpose of the book is to help writers fall back in love with writing. We could all use a little bit of that in the new year, especially with the fiscal cliff clouds looming! To get the book, head to Goins' site and sign up for his newsletter (it's worthwhile). If you'd rather not get another newsletter, there are links to buy the book for $0.99. While you're on his site, check out the great posts he's been writing.

Goins is giving away a second short book, this one a .pdf file. It's called Wrecked for the Ordinary: A Manifesto for Misfits. He describes this book as "a short call-to-action for people wanting more out of a life, a challenge to make a difference with the gifts you've been giving." Writing this book led to the publishing of his first 'real' book. 

Do you need a pep talk at the start of the year? Or is a fresh start enough to get your fingers moving?

Book Review: Blogging Made Simple: Powerful Strategies for Blogging Success

Many writers blog. Many writers don't. The decision about whether or not to blog is a complicated one. Maintaining an active blog can help authors establish their platform. But some professionals question whether it's always necessary. Like agent Rachelle Gardner, who asks Should All Authors Blog?

If you do have a blog, you want it to be the best it can be. That means learning your way around the blogging platform you choose, creating great titles and content, and maximizing your search engine visibility. (Thanks to my friend Scoti Domeij for letting me know this book is free right now.)

Blogging Made Simple: Powerful Strategies for Blogging Success is a book that can answer those questions in a concise way. Authors Michael Fleischner and Justin Fried, both well-versed in marketing and social media take a step-by-step approach to help readers make effective use of their blogs.

Chapter one helps potential bloggers with the decision of whether to blog and what to blog about. Topics addressed include: blogging for fun or business, what you should know about blogging, and setting goals.

Chapter two describes three main blogging platforms, and how to choose between them.

Chapter three gives specifics on how to set up your blog on each of the platforms. Choosing a theme, layout, and ways of content management are included.

Chapter four goes into managing your blog. This section covers making strong headlines, creating dynamic posts, using images and videos, and even the consideration of monetizing your blog, among many other topics.

Even though I'm not a new blogger, I definitely learned a few things about the Blogger platform, and some of the ins and outs of search engines that I wasn't clear on before. It's a quick read, but worthwhile.

What's your favorite tip for improving your blog? Mine is remembering the best way to tag photos so they show up on search engines. How about you?

 Update: here's a bonus I just found: a double-sided printable blog post planner. It's a free download.

Book Review: Screenwriting Tricks for Authors and Screenwriters

 I haven't done a book review for awhile, but this one's a fantastic one. And it's free today and tomorrow! Even if you don't catch it when it's free, the $2.99 pricetag is well worthwhile. Here's why.

I wandered over to Alexandra Sokoloff's blog after seeing the title of her latest post in the sidebar of another blog. The title was Nanowrimo Prep: The three-act, eight-sequence structure.

I'm all about getting as prepared as I can for Nanowrimo, so I was happy to read about some practical exercises I can do to get my story idea in the best shape possible to make the writing go faster.

Sokoloff is a multi-published novelist and successful screenwriter. She wrote a book called Screenwriting Tricks for Authors (and Screenwriters). She has a way of explaining concepts that is very easy to grasp, and she follows each one with an exercise or two that cements the new knowledge.

The Amazon page has a copy of the extensive Table of Contents, if you'd like to take a look (it's too long for me to post here). There are thirty-three information-filled chapters. And at the end of the book, she shares complete story breakdowns for four different movies to help readers get a feel for story structure.

This book will help writers understand story structure (by watching movies--how fun is that?) and applying the knowledge to a manuscript. Whether you're starting a new novel, in the middle of one, or tackling revisions, Sokoloff's expertise will help you find holes, discover unnecessary scenes, and place key scenes in the spots they'll do the most good. You'll find out why blockbuster movies get that way, and how to take those secrets and incorporate them in your work in progress.

I spent some time yesterday watching a favorite movie in my novel's genre, and writing down the scenes, while timing when they occurred in the film. Now I've used Sokoloff's index card system to tack them up according to the eight sequences they fall into. (Why eight sequences, you ask? Sokoloff explains the fascinating reason why in the first chapter.) 

My mind is already analyzing what I've written in my almost-complete novel. I know what I've learned in only the first five chapters will help me make some important decisions about what stays and goes. I'm using the book as a course to focus my mind on my Nanowrimo project. And I've also purchased Sokoloff's second writer's book ($2.99), titled Writing Love, which is her techniques geared for romance writers.

Here are the links to the international Amazon sites where you can get a copy:

- Amazon US

- Amazon UK

- Amaxon DE

- Amazon FR

- Amazon ES

- Amazon IT

Have screenwriting techniques helped you as a novelist? 

Book Review and Giveaway: The Writer's Retreat Kit: A Guide for Creative Exploration and Personal Expression

Maybe money is tight. Maybe you live in a far away place. Maybe your circumstances make it impossible to leave for a writer's conference. Check out The Writer's Retreat Kit: A Guide for Creative Exploration and Personal Expression, by Judy Reeves.

This book, which comes with a set of cards, offers writers twenty different themed retreats to plan. Each of them can be further personalized in four ways. Reeves gives specific instruction on how to plan your retreat, including how to bring other writers in, if you so choose. There are also plenty of exercises to get the muse humming.

Judy Reeves has written several books for writers, each one very practical. You may also enjoy her blog, The Lively Muse. She also offers several articles on writing at her website.

Last March I created a writing getaway for myself. Some of you might be feeling the need for one now that the weather is cooling and the summer craziness is ending. I've got a brand-new shrink-wrapped copy of The Writer's Retreat Kit just waiting to fly into someone's hands. Anybody want it? Just leave a comment with your email address by midnight on Friday. I'll post the winner on Monday.

Have you ever designed your own retreat? What would you do differently next time?

Book Review: The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to Character Expression

You've heard me mention The Bookshelf Muse on the blog before. Writers Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi are some of the most generous writers I know, offering a huge amount of information to writers--free.

If you've never checked out The Bookshelf Muse, you need to head over there. Ackerman and Puglisi have assembled a constantly expanding series of thesauruses (or is it thesauri?), which has earned them a spot in the Top Ten Blogs for Writers.

On , you'll find a character traits thesaurus, a weather & earthly phenomena thesaurus, a color, shape & texture thesaurus, a setting thesaurus, and a symbolism thesaurus. The emotion thesaurus has recently been gathered into an ebook, which makes it an amazing and handy reference for writers trying to evoke emotion without settling for cliches.

And, generous as they are, Ackerman and Puglisi are offering a sample of the book for free. In the sample .pdf file, you'll find "15 specific conditions (Pain, Hunger, Thirst, Attraction, Exhaustion, etc) that can alter a character's physical and mental state." Once you check it out, you'll probably see why having the book on your computer or ereader would be so helpful. For even more examples from the book, check out the sample entries here.

The $4.99 price is a small amount to pay for seventy five emotions, complete with all the details of how to show those emotions. From body language, internal sensations, actions and thoughts, writers will feel confident in keeping their writing fresh.

Do you have any tried and true resources for showing your character's emotion? Do you act things out yourself, or watch movies depicting the emotion?

More Writing Advice from Randy Ingermanson + a free book

Back in October, I reviewed a book of writing advice from authors Randy Ingermanson and John B. Olson. They cleverly inserted four appendices on writing at the end of their award winning sci-fi novel, Oxygen. And now they physicist/biochemist duo has done it again with the sequel, The Fifth Man.

The Fifth Man comes complete with three meaty appendices (over 60 pages) that are worth the price in themselves. It's like getting the novel as a bonus. Here's more about what you get in Ingermanson's own words.

Imagine pitching a story idea in such a way that an editor turns off her inner critic, breaks out her pom-poms, and becomes your instant fan.
 

Think that's over the top? I've seen it happen, over and over.

My writing buddy, John Olson, has developed a battle-tested technique for taking almost any idea and turning an editor into a salivating puddle.

It's not about the presentation. It's not about the polish. It's certainly not about boiling the story down to a one-sentence "elevator pitch."

It's a psychological technique for creating a special kind of "high concept" that worms inside an editor's brain and stays there. John explains it all with examples in one of the appendices for our new e-book.

We're now releasing an e-book, the new and improved edition of our novel, THE FIFTH MAN, which we coauthored years ago. Since John and I are the publishers, we get to decide what goes into the book.

We've added three appendices for aspiring authors. Here's what they include:

* Developing The Big Idea -- how to find great ideas.

* Developing A Powerful High Concept -- how to get your editor salivating over your story.

* Every Scene Is A Story -- how to find the perfect structure for every scene in your novel.

THE FIFTH MAN is a space adventure with a strong dose of romance, suspense, and humor.

Valkerie Jansen is tough, beautiful, and being pursued by every man on the planet. Literally. The planet in question is Mars, with a total population of four.

Days before a giant dust storm is projected to strike their camp, Valkerie is attacked by an unseen assailant. Fortunately, there are only three suspects.

Unfortunately, all three of them . . . are innocent.

Within the appendices, you'll find out the big five story drivers writers need to be aware of. You'll absorb a detailed explanation of the six roads to a high concept story. And you'll get a thorough education in proactive and reactive scenes--a technique that will take your writing to a whole new level, and make your story difficult to put down.

To read the first three chapters, and find links to the book on all platforms, check out Ingermanson's Fifth Man page. I really like how the authors, though successful, are taking the time to give back to the writing community. They're candid about their experiences and missteps, and the appendices are entertaining to read. When you're successfully published one day, what will your advice to aspiring authors be?

Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World, by Michael Hyatt

Here's a book you'll probably want to buy. Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World, by Michael Hyatt. I just did. Why? 

1. Because I read Michael Hyatt's blog. Formerly the CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishing, Hyatt blogs about publishing, writing, social media, and leadership. His posts are practical, and I always learn something. He's got great content.

2. Because he's given away content before--and it's good content. Sure, he can make money on this book. But he's offered so much free content through his blog, with posts like How To Shave Ten Hours Off Your Workweek and his free ebook Creating a Life Plan.

3. Because he exemplifies how to build a great platform. Hyatt started blogging eight years ago. After four solid years, he managed 1000 unique visitors a month. In other words, he started out just like us. In the last four years, he's made some changes. Now he has over 300,000 unique visitors a month, and a huge presence on Twitter and Facebook. Wouldn't you like to hear how he does it?

4. Because he's giving incentives. To help get the word out about the book, Hyatt is employing some great marketing tactics. He's building a team of influencers for the book. And those readers who buy the book by the end of the day on May 25th will receive a huge batch of free videos, ebooks, and podcasts. Check out the list to see what you'll get.

Who inspires you with their marketing ability or their platform?

Book Review: Let's Get Digital, by David Gaughran

Yesterday, while browsing Pixel of Ink, the website that keeps me up to date on free Kindle books, I saw Let's Get Digital, by David Gaughran. The subtitle intrigued me: How to self-publish and why you should. I started reading this morning, and decided others might benefit from Gaughran's information. If you've been studying self-publishing for awhile, some of the information may be old news to you, but other sections might be helpful.

In part one, Gaughran shares an overview of publishing. In these twelve chapters, he highlights why traditional publishing is changing, and how it benefits the independent author. Tagging on that, he answers the obvious questions about book piracy and the realities of actually making money on your own, along with addressing the myths of self-publishing.

Part two addresses the actual process of self-publishing. From editing, to cover design, to formatting, Gaughran covers it all. He includes advice on pricing, marketing, and social media, as well. Following his ten steps, you can get your book online for every available reader. He also links to a free guide to formatting your book.

The section I like best is part three. Here, Gaughran allows thirty-three self published authors share their own stories. Each one has seen varying degrees of success, and I really appreciate that Gaughran is not promising bestseller status to anyone who tries self-publishing. Whether published traditionally or not, there are no guarantees. But the stories are inspiring, and can give writers the nudge they need to persevere in whatever publishing path they've chosen.

Let's Get Digital is currently free on Kindle for a few days (normally $2.99), but the author is offering free copies to owners of other devices. It's worth a look. For more information from Gaughran on self publishing, check out his Let's Get Digital blog.

 I'm still on the fence about whether I'll try self-publishing, so I'm learning all I can about it. How about you?

Book Review: Wish You Were Here, by Beth Vogt

There are people you learn a little from, and there are people you learn a lot from. For me, Beth Vogt is in the second category.

When I was just starting out in fiction writing a few years ago, Beth graciously volunteered her time to teach a handful of newbies how to critique one another. Month after month, she guided us, instructed us, and encouraged us, until we were ready to continue on our own. That group is still together.

During one of those sessions, Beth brought the first chapter of her novel, Wish You Were Here. I loved the story, and couldn't wait for her to get published so I could read the rest of the story.

That day finally arrived when I received the book in the mail a few weeks ago. Unfortunately, I had to fight my husband over the book, since we were both reading it at the same time. Now my mom is visiting, and she's spending all her time with her nose in the book.

Wish You Were Here is an inspirational novel set in my neck of the woods--Colorado. It was really fun to read about places I've been (my town even makes it into the book!) and new places I'd like to explore. And it has llamas! Here's the back cover copy for the book:

Kissing the wrong guy days before her scheduled wedding leads Allison to become a runaway bride. But can it also lead to happily ever after? Allison Denman is supposed to get married in five days, but everything is all wrong. The huge wedding. The frothy dress. And the groom.

Still, kissing the groom’s brother, Daniel, in an unguarded moment is decidedly not the right thing to do. How could she have made such a mistake? It seems Allison’s life is nothing but mistakes at this point. Daniel’s adventures—chronicled through a collection of postcards—have always appealed to Allison’s well-hidden desire for something more. But how can betraying her fiancé’s trust lead to a true happily ever after?

Can Allison find her way out of this mess? Recognizing she doesn’t have all the answers won’t be easy because she’s used to being in control. To find her way again, she will have to believe that God has a plan for her—one outside her carefully defined comfort zone—and find the strength to let Him lead.

I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. Allison is a character readers can relate to. Her issues are not skin-deep, and I loved discovering her layers right along with her. Both her character arc and Daniel's are so realistic, and the dialogue keeps things moving along in a humorous way.

One of the things Beth does best is keeping the reader off balance with plot twists. Romances are usually so predictable. Not this one. My husband was so worried about how it would end, right up until the last chapter with its wholly satisfying ending.

I'm excited I'll get to go to Beth's book launch this Saturday. If you're in the area, you might want to swing by. And here's a fantastic review of the book by one of Beth's critique partners.

Free Resources for Setting Up Your Author Website

Aspiring authors have a difficult decision. Besides writing, editing, and getting critiqued, they have to figure out when they're ready to submit to agents, then write a query and synopsis. And on top of that, there's the choice of when to set up an author website.

It feels weird to think about a professional website when you may not have a book contract, or even an agent yet. But at the same time, you hear how important it is to have a place interested agents and publishers can visit to learn about you.

Thankfully, mystery and romance author Jordan McCollum has put together an ebook that examines all the angles and gives great advice an links. Culled from a blog series she posted, the free ebook is a great tool for writers making this important decision.

McCollum details nine things an author website must do (and includes seven things an author website must have). 

Writers often agonize over whether their blog is enough of a web presence. McCollum shares how to make a basic free blog more like a website, but also explains the pros and cons between Blogger and Wordpress services, including advice on hosting.

If you write more than one genre, you'll appreciate McCollum's analysis of how many websites you need. She also touches on topics like how much personal information to include, and setting up and evaluating goals for your website. Also included are tips on site layout and typography, and how to make your pages search engine friendly.

Head over to McCollum's site to download Aspiring Author Websites, and let me know what you think!

Book Review: Fiction is Folks, by Robert Newton Peck

For Christmas in our house, everyone gets a few books. Even me. : ) In December, I was browsing in a used bookstore, and I came across Fiction is Folks: How to Create Unforgettable Characters, by Robert Newton Peck.

It's an old book. Out of print. Sometimes books like these can be lemons, but then I read that the author also wrote A Day No Pigs Would Die. I decided to take a chance on it. Besides, it was only a dollar.

I'm glad I did. There are few craft books that are difficult to put down. This is one of them. Peck is funny. Sarcastic. Entertaining. And in between the entertaining words, the reader finds Peck has hammered home every one of his points. The subtitle is absolutely correct: Characters are what readers remember, what editors look for, and what turn aspiring writers into published authors.

In Fiction is Folks, writers will learn:

~how to use yourself as a character--and when not to

~how to write about people the way they actually are--instead of how they ought to be

~what homework you need to do on each of your characters--and how to use the results

~"narrative drag"--what it is and how to cure it

~how to create believable villains

~how to turn what bugs you into a salable idea

~how to take a short story and turn it into a novel

~why you should invite trouble into your story.

Really. You should find this book. Buy it used on Amazon, or check out PaperbackSwap or BookMooch. I couldn't find out if Peck is still living (he was born in 1928), but he's a fascinating guy. He's the first of his entire family to read and write. And Fred Rogers (yes, that Mr. Rogers) was his best man. Add this book to your library.

Book Review: The Writer's Workout: 366 Tips, Tasks, & Techniques From Your Writing Career Coach

Quick question: how many items on your personal Christmas list are not books? If you're like me, very few. Well, here's another book to add to your wish list.

Christina Katz, author of Writer Mama, Get Known Before the Book Deal, and Author Mama, has done it again. Check out The Writer's Workout: 366 Tips, Tasks, & Techniques From Your Writing Career Coach.

The nice thing about The Writer's Workout is that you don't have to read it all at once. You pick it up anytime and turn to an entry for the season you're currently in. Katz wants writers to grow their careers in a "natural, more authentic way". By spreading different areas throughout the year, writers don't feel pushed to do everything at once. I can see picking up the book and starting my day with one of the short workouts. 

In the spring, entries zero in on "get going". Summer centers on "find your stride". Fall's focus is "become recognizable". And as winter settles in, you'll "coach yourself". Check out a partial list of the table of contents for more details.

Check out Christina Katz' website. 

Read a free excerpt from the book.

Download a free motivational poster.

Could you use a personal pep talk every day of the next year?

Book Review: Writing Bestselling Children's Books

Writing children's books is an art form. A picture book takes a huge amount of time and effort, belied by the low word count. Writing Bestselling Children's Books, by Alexander Gordon Smith, can help children's writers of picture books and novels navigate the process. And right now, it's free for the Kindle.

In fifty-two concise chapters, novelist Smith details the journey of a children's book writer. He covers basics like finding a place to write and establishing the age range of readers. But he also delves into topics like how to use humor, whether to tackle a 'gross' topic, and how to introduce animal characters.

Though Smith spends a lot of time on ideas, and how to express them, he doesn't forget about marketing and promotion. He also covers the seven cardinal sins of children's writers. Each chapter ends with a list of ideas for writers to consider.

For more information, check out Alexander Gordon Smith's website. You may also be interested in his other craft book, Inspired Creative Writing: 52 brilliant ideas from the master wordsmiths.

Do you write for children or young adults? Have you ever considered it?

Huge Stack of Free Writing Books! Get them for #NaNoWriMo inspiration.

I was bowled over Sunday morning to discover half a dozen writing books free for Kindle and Nook! There's no telling how long they'll be free (just found out they are free only through November 12th), so get them while you can. I'm including the blurb for each one, since I have not read them yet, with the exception of Les Edgerton's excellent Hooked (see my review here). Don't miss your chance to snap up that one, and while you're at it check out his wonderful blog.  

Hooked, by Les Edgerton The road to rejection is paved with bad beginnings. Agents and editors agree: Improper story beginnings are the single biggest barrier to publication. Why? If a novel or short story has a bad beginning, then no one will keep reading. It's just that simple.In Hooked, author Les Edgerton draws on his experience as a successful fiction writer and teacher to help you overcome the weak openings that lead to instant rejection by showing you how to successfully use the ten core components inherent to any great beginning. You'll find:Detailed instruction on how to develop your inciting incident. Keys for creating a cohesive story-worthy problem. Tips on how to avoid common opening gaffes like overusing backstory. A rundown on basics such as opening scene length and transitions. A comprehensive analysis of more than twenty great opening lines from novels and short stories. Plus, you'll discover exclusive insider advice from agents and acquiring editors on what they look for in a strong opening. With Hooked, you'll have all the information you need to craft a compelling beginning that lays the foundation for an irresistible story!

For Kindle click here | For Nook click here 

 

The Complete Handbook Of Novel Writing: Everything You Need to Know About Creating & Selling Your Work Get advice from the best in the business on every part of the novel writing and publishing process! In The Complete Handbook of Novel Writing, 2nd Edition, you'll learn from the invaluable advice of established writers. Discover new ways to generate ideas, implement intriguing techniques, and find the inspiration you need to finish your work. This fully-revised edition includes a revamped marketing section that covers the unique challenges of today's publishing market and the boundless opportunities of online promotion.Inside you'll find expert advice from dozens of bestselling authors and publishing professionals on how to: Master the elements of fiction, from plot and characters to dialogue and point of view. Develop a unique voice and sensibility in your writing. Manage the practical aspects of writing, from overcoming writer's block to revising your work. Determine what elements your story needs to succeed in a particular genre—science fiction, fantasy, mystery, suspense, inspirational, romance (mainstream and Christian), or historical fiction. Find an agent, market your work, and get published—or self-publish—successfully. You'll also find interviews with some of the world's finest writers, including Margaret Atwood, Tom Clancy, Brock Clarke, Cory Doctorow, Dave Eggers, Elizabeth George, Jerry Jenkins, Stephen King, Megan McCafferty, Audrey Niffenegger, Joyce Carol Oates, Chuck Palahniuk, James Patterson, Richard Russo, Anne Tyler, John Updike, and Kurt Vonnegut. Their words will provide you with the guidance and encouragement of your very own writing mentor.The Complete Handbook of Novel Writing is your one-stop resource for everything you need to know about the craft and business of creating a bestseller. 

For Kindle click here | For Nook click here  

 

Story Structure Architect, by Victoria Lynn Schmidt Build a Timeless, Original Story Using Hundreds of Classic Story Motifs!It's been said that there are no new ideas; but there are proven ideas that have worked again and again for all writers for hundreds of years.Story Structure Architect is your comprehensive reference to the classic recurring story structures used by every great author throughout the ages. You'll find master models for characters, plots, and complication motifs, along with guidelines for combining them to create unique short stories, novels, scripts, or plays. You'll also learn how to:Build compelling stories that don't get bogged down in the middle. Select character journeys and create conflicts. Devise subplots and plan dramatic situations. Develop the supporting characters you need to make your story work. Especially featured are the standard dramatic situations inspire by Georges Polti's well-known 19th century work, The Thirty-Six Dramatic Situations. But author Victoria Schmidt puts a 21st-century spin on these timeless classics and offers fifty-five situations to inspire your creativity and allow you even more writing freedom. Story Structure Architect will give you the mold and then help you break it.This browsable and interactive book offers everything you need to craft a complete, original, and satisfying story sure to keep readers hooked! 

For Kindle click here | For Nook click here

How to Be a Writer: Building Your Creative Skills Through Practice and Play by Barbara Baig Athletes practice. Musicians practice. As a writer you need to do the same. Whether you have dreams of writing a novel or a memoir or a collection of poems, or you simply want to improve your everyday writing, this innovative book will show you how to build your skills by way of practice. Through playful and purposeful exercises, you'll develop your natural aptitude for communication, strengthening your ability to come up with things to say, and your ability to get those things into the minds (and the hearts) of readers. You'll learn to: 1. Train and develop your writer's powers—creativity, memory, observation, imagination, curiosity, and the subconscious. 2. Understand the true nature of the relationship between you and your readers 3. Find your writer's voice. 4. Get required writing projects done so you have more time for the writing you want to do. And much more. Empowering and down-to-earth, How to Be a Writer gives you the tools you need, and tells you what (and how) to practice so that you can become the writer you want to be. 

For Kindle click here | For Nook click here

 

The Complete Guide to Self-Publishing: Everything You Need to Know to Write, Publish, Promote and Sell Your Own Book by Marilyn Ross "Self-publishing," say authors Tom and Marilyn Ross, "is a perfect example of the American dream." The Complete Guide to Self-Publishing, then, is an aspiring self-publisher's dream. "This isn't a book of fancy theory," as the authors put it; "it's a practical handbook of state-of-the-art specifics." In 521 pages, it lays out everything you need to know to publish your own books, from start-up considerations to the possibility of selling to a big publisher: how to choose a name for your press, how to get an ISBN, what cover designs cost, how to find a reliable printer, how to price your book, where to find lighter-weight shipping envelopes, how to generate working capital. The authors' encyclopedic grasp of the ins and outs of self-publishing is matched by their natural good sense about self-promotion. Turn your signings into events, they recommend; get your books into a variety of venues; use the books as fundraisers for organizations; get online and get reviewed online. The price of this book is negligible considering the cost of proper self-publishing (between $12,000 and $25,000), and, oh, the headaches it will spare you! --Jane Steinberg

For Kindle click here | For Nook click here

Getting the Words Right by Theodore Cheney The Secret to Good Writing. When asked by the Paris Review what compelled him to rewrite the ending of A Farewell to Arms 39 times, Ernest Hemingway replied, "Getting the words right." His answer echoes what every successful writer knows: The secret to all good writing is revision.For more than twenty years, Getting the Words Right has helped writers from all professions rewrite, revise, and refine their writing. In this new edition, author Theodore Cheney offers 39 targeted ways you can improve your writing, including how to: create smooth transitions between paragraphs, correct the invisible faults of inconsistency, incoherence, and imbalance, overcome problems of shifting point of view and style, express your ideas clearly by trimming away weak or extra words. You'll strengthen existing pieces and every future work by applying the three simple principles—reduce, rearrange, and reword. Once the secrets of revision are yours, you'll be able to follow Hemingway's lead—and get the words right! 

For Kindle click here | For Nook click here

Hope you enjoy these books. Let me know what you think. 

 

Book Review: Write That Book Already!

In the spirit of NaNoWriMo, today's book should give you a kick in the pants. Write That Book Already! may inspire you to keep writing all month.

The best part? It's free on Kindle and Nook.

 I downloaded the book, and read through most of the chapters. They're short and to the point, so you'll be able to glean information quickly. As the cover indicates, there are quotes from famous authors, mainly in the appendix, where these authors mention their favorite books.

Here's a rundown of the chapters:

1-Why we write (and why you write, too)

2-You have a great idea. So what?

3-How to get started with the write stuff

4-Your manuscript: the basic rules of attraction

5-Finding an agent

6-Behind closed doors: will they buy your book?

7-You and your editor

8-Marketing and publicity: getting the word out

9-The pros and cons of self-publishing

10-For sale: bookstores, bookselling, and book groups

11-Long life: paperback and backlist

12-Conclusion: what's next?

Appendix I: Beloved books of famous authors

Appendix II: The life cycle of a book

Appendix III: Glossary of publishing terminology

Head over to download this book while it's free:

 Write That Book Already! on Amazon

 Write That Book Already! on Barnes & Noble

Now it's time to get back to my NaNoWriMo novel. Happy writing!

Book Review: The First 50 Pages, by Jeff Gerke (plus free webinar)

 The title of Jeff Gerke's book caught my eye. I'm working on polishing my manuscript's first 50 pages to send to interested agents, and I'm also working on writing the first few chapters of my next book for a contest submission. My goal is to grab those agents and contest judges with my first pages. Gerke's new book, The First 50 Pages: Engage Agents, Editors and Readers, and Set Your Novel Up For Success is exactly what I need.

Gerke is a novelist and publisher, and has worked as an acquisition editor in the past. He reads from the slush pile all the time, and has a great sense of which manuscripts will make it and which will not. One of his recent books on the craft of writing, Plot vs. Character is another you may want to pick up.

Though The First 50 Pages is being released in November, Jeff Gerke will host a free webinar with Writer's Digest at noon EDT on Friday, Nov. 4, entitled "Your Novel's First 50 Pages: Why They Count, What They Do, and How They Can Wow Agents, Editors, and Readers." Click the link to sign up. After the webinar, you can decide if you're ready for the book.

Things I like about The First 50 Pages:

* The foreword is written by amazing writing teacher James Scott Bell.

* Gerke's introduction is so motivating and encouraging, I may make myself read it every month. If you'd like to check it out, you can read sample pages on Amazon or Scribd. You won't be disappointed.

* The first part of the book explains the submission process, and helps authors understand what editors and agents think and want and what makes them keep reading. Gerke also has a great perspective on the current shifts in publishing, and why this is a great time to be a struggling author. 

*  Ten separate chapters detail the key things your manuscript must contain in order to keep the attention of publishing professionals. From introducing your main character (and his normal world), to starting the inner journey, Gerke shares exactly what to do and how to do it.

* There's also a chapter devoted to how writers can keep the momentum going and engage agents and editors so they'll read past page fifty. 

If you're interested in checking out more, Gerke has a First 50 Pages Checklist to help writers diagnose problems with their manuscript. And Writers Digest has posted an excerpt where Gerke explains how to identify and fix stilted dialogue.

How do you make your first pages the best they can be? Do you use a critique group? A hired editor? Read books or blogs? And don't forget to sign up for Gerke's free seminar! I just did.

Book Review: The Tehran Initiative, by Joel C. Rosenberg

Called by some a 'modern-day Nostradamus', Joel C. Rosenberg's latest novel, The Tehran Initiative, has been making headlines even before its release. The reason? The author's almost uncanny ability to write about events that become headlines.

Recent events involving Iran, like the country's growing ability to produce nuclear weapons, and seeming involvement in assassination attempts are some of the issues Rosenberg addresses in The Tehran Initiative. What intrigues the media outlets is that he wrote the novel many months ago.

Interested? Here's the jacket copy:
The world is on the brink of disaster and the clock is ticking. Iran has just conducted its first atomic weapons test. Millions of Muslims around the world are convinced their messiah—known as “the Twelfth Imam”—has just arrived on earth. Israeli leaders fear Tehran, under the Twelfth Imam’s spell, will soon launch a nuclear attack that could bring about a second holocaust and the annihilation of Israel. The White House fears Jerusalem will strike first, launching a preemptive attack against Iran’s nuclear facilities that could cause the entire Middle East to go up in flames, oil prices to skyrocket, and the global economy to collapse. With the stakes high and few viable options left, the president of the United States orders CIA operative David Shirazi and his team to track down and sabotage Iran’s nuclear warheads before Iran or Israel can launch a devastating first strike. But will they be too late?

My review:
Rosenberg's seventh novel, like the previous ones, is fast-paced, suspenseful, and above all believable. It's easy to tell he's knowledgeable about the topics, the cultures, and the places, as the reader travels the world with the main character.

David Shirazi is an American CIA operative of Iranian descent. His looks and language allow him to penetrate the Iranian infrastructure and become friends with prominent Iranians, the most important of which is an Iranian physicist, a secret Christian. Shirazi must get the physicist out of Iran and destroy the nuclear weapons being built.

If you like gripping novels with espionage, world travel, and politics, this is the one for you.

For more on Joel C. Rosenberg, check out his website and his blog. The publisher's page also has videos, interviews, excerpts and other resources.

Note: This book was provided to me by the publisher for review purposes.

Writing Advice from Randy Ingermanson

Randy Ingermanson is an award-winning novelist and writing teacher. I've reviewed his Writing Fiction for Dummies, and posted several of his excellent articles here on the blog.

Ingermanson and coauthor John Olson won the coveted Christy Award for their novel, Oxygen. It's being re-released now, and the authors have added some amazing resources. Not only that, but for a few more days, the novel with 21,000 words of writing advice is only 99 cents.

Here's what Ingermanson says:

Over the years, I've mentored a large number of writers who wanted to write fiction.

Not one of them ever wanted to write mediocre fiction.

Every single one of them wanted to write powerful fiction. Compelling fiction. Fiction that grabs you by the hair and pulls you through each scene.

The good news is that I know a powerful technique that can catapult your fiction forward.

The bad news is that it takes some hard work to master.

The great news is that I'm willing to teach it to you for only 99 cents.

MY #1 FICTION-WRITING SECRET IS...

I learned this technique years ago from the legendary fiction teacher Dwight Swain. He called his method "Motivation-Reaction Units." There's a whole chapter in his book on these so-called "MRUs".

I spent months learning how those pesky MRUs work.

I tore into my own writing, ripping apart every paragraph, finding the MRUs, throwing away the fluff,
and then putting it all back together.

It was a hellish few months, but when it was over, my fiction-writing craft had improved dramatically.

I was no longer a wannabe novelist. I was a gonnabe novelist.

MRUs, in my opinion, are the best-kept secret in fiction-writing lore. Hardly anyone teaches them. Even published authors often don't understand them well.

Not long ago, I realized that I didn't have any teaching products that analyzed an entire scene from a
real published novel, paragraph by paragraph, showing exactly how the MRUs work.

That's about to change.

MY NEW E-BOOK IS...

I'm about to release an e-book, the new and improved edition of my award-winning novel, OXYGEN, which I coauthored years ago with my best buddy, John Olson.

Since John and I are the publishers, we get to decide what goes into the book.

We decided to add an appendix, just for aspiring authors, in which I rip apart every single MRU in the
first scene of our novel (which John wrote).

Then John took revenge by writing an appendix using his own methods of analysis on the second scene of the book (which I wrote).

Then we wrote an appendix telling exactly how we sold OXYGEN to a royalty-paying publisher in less than seven weeks -- without an agent.

Finally, we added an appendix showing the proposal we used to make the sale. (Our editor has used this proposal for years to teach workshops at writing conferences.)

The four appendices run to over 21,000 words. All meat. No gristle.

Those appendices don't change the price of the e-book one penny. But they change the value massively.

If I were to sell the appendices as a separate course, I'd charge at least $15.

THE COST OF OXYGEN IS...

The introductory price of the novel PLUS the appendices is only 99 cents, from now until Saturday, October 8, 2011, at midnight.

OXYGEN is a space adventure with a strong dose of romance, suspense, and humor. An explosion on the first mission to Mars leaves four astronauts with only enough oxygen for one to live. All evidence points to one of the four being a saboteur. One's unconscious. One's unstable. And the other two are falling in love.

We expect you'll like OXYGEN.

But even if you HATE the story, we think you'll find the appendices a heck of a great deal.

Oh, there's one more thing you may like. In the section for aspiring authors, we included an "Eternal Coupon". It's good for a discount of 50% on featured products on my web site.

We call it an "Eternal Coupon" because it never expires. It will always be good for some writing
product or another on my site, as long as I'm in business.

You can use it again and again because we'll change the featured product regularly.

We suspect you can do the math here. The total prices of all the writing products on my web site add up to several hundred dollars.

Spending 99 cents to get OXYGEN plus the appendices PLUS the "Eternal Coupon" is a crazy good deal.

MORE INFO AND SAMPLE CHAPTERS...

You can find out more about OXYGEN and read some sample chapters here: http://bit.ly/oqinNR

HOW TO BUY THE OXYGEN E-BOOK...

You can get OXYGEN for Kindle here on Amazon: http://amzn.to/nWPg0m

You can get OXYGEN for Nook here on Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/osoBY8

OXYGEN is also available as an e-book at similar prices on Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.de.

We're sorry, but this edition of OXYGEN is NOT available on the Canadian site, Amazon.ca. We just didn't have that option.

John and I hope that this edition of Oxygen will help advance your writing to that pesky next level, but most importantly, we want you to have fun.

Me again. I bought a copy of Oxygen years ago, and though I don't read a lot of sci-fi, I loved the book. And I've just read through the appendices of this new version, and can tell you it's worth much more than the 99 cent price tag. I really like the detailed explanation of MRUs. If you master this technique, your fiction will be far stronger.