Tuesday, April 26, 2011

How to add email notifications

Blogspot has added an awesome feature. In case you haven't noticed, you can now sign up to read my blog via email. (See upper right hand corner.)



Want to know how to add it to your blog? Below are simple instructions.


Click on DESIGN


Click on ADD a GADGET (for sidebar)


FOLLOW ME BY EMAIL


Friday, April 15, 2011

Writing the Paranormal Novel

Writing the Paranormal Novel: Techniques and Exercises for Weaving Supernatural Elements Into Your Story.

Author: Steven Harper

ISBN: 1-59963-134-2

Publisher: Writers Digest Books


Click Here To Purchase Writing the Paranormal Novel: Techniques and Exercises for Weaving Supernatural Elements Into Your Story.

Writing the Paranormal Novel is an excellent guide not only for writing a paranormal story, but it is also useful for writing fiction.

The book is broken into four parts: Gathering the Elements, Summoning the Characters, Casting the Words, and Banishing the Book. It covered lots more than I expected.

Not only does author Steven Harper go over the basics on how to add elements of paranormal and keeping it real, but he also touches base on important topics such as: How to present yourself when researching, interviews, clichés, writing believable fight scenes and flashbacks, and how to avoid two-dimensional protagonist and antagonists. Each chapter is very detailed and easy to follow. Great techniques and exercises for weaving supernatural elements into your story.

A nice little bonus is added in the last two chapters. In chapter 14, The Reality, he talks about the publishing world, what expect and strategies for getting published. He also shows you how to deal with scams, criticism, queries, rejections, pitch sessions and more. In the final chapter, Destruction and Creation, he shares how to build your career with a little hard work.

All in all, this book is packed to the rim with lots of great tips and info. Whether you're thinking about writing a paranormal novel or just want to learn more about writing, this book has it all.

A great read for aspiring novelists. Especially paranormal novelists.

Steven Harper Piziks was born in Saginaw, Michigan, but he moved around a lot. Currently he lives with his wife and three sons near Ann Arbor, Michigan. His novels include In the Company of Mind and Corporate Mentality, both science fiction published by Baen Books. Writing as Steven Harper for Roc Books, he has produced The Silent Empire series. He's also written movie novelizations and books based on Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, and The Ghost Whisperer.

Mr. Piziks currently teaches English in southeast Michigan. When not writing, he plays the folk harp, dabbles in oral storytelling, and spends more time on-line than is probably good for him.

Reviewed by Martha Ramirez of Bookpleasures

Click Here To Purchase Writing the Paranormal Novel: Techniques and Exercises for Weaving Supernatural Elements Into Your Story.

Friday, April 8, 2011

The Breakout Novelist: Craft and Strategies for Career Fiction Writers

The Breakout Novelist: Craft and Strategies for Career Fiction Writers
Author: Donald Maass


ISBN: 978-1582979908

Publisher: Writers Digest Books

Click Here To Purchase The Breakout Novelist: Craft and Strategies for Career Fiction Writers

Veteran agent, Donald Maass has put together another valuable book for writers. I'm not surprised. If you've read any of his writing books, then you know it's some serious stuff for serious writers. A must-have for fiction writers of all levels.

If you're determined to learn how to be a breakout novelist, this is the book for you. This comprehensive writing reference can help whether you're ready to submit or are just now learning the craft. Donald's words of wisdom will lead you every step of the way.

The spiral bound formatting allows for trouble-free access and the practical tools section shows you how to add larger-than-life qualities—an excellent guide to apply toward a work in progress or a completed manuscript.

The Breakout Novelist includes three parts: Mastering Breakout Basics, Achieving Breakout Greatness, Building a Breakout Career. You'll learn about setting, description, plot, character, agents, contracts, and much more. The list is endless.

The book contains invaluable material from four of his bestselling books, Writing the Breakout Novel, Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook, The Fire in Fiction, and The Career Novelist, plus updated content.

How awesome is that?

Top New York literary agent, Donald Maass has more than thirty years' experience in the publishing industry. This is one easy-to-use reference you do not want to miss. Guaranteed.

Donald Maass is president of the Donald Maass Literary Agency in New York, which he founded in 1980. He represents more than 100 fiction writers in the SF, fantasy, crime, mystery, romance and thriller categories. He sells more than 100 novels per year to top publishers in America and overseas. Recently he has obtained six- and seven-figure advances from publishers such as Warner, Ballantine, G.P. Putnam’s Sons, Harcourt Brace, Penguin Canada and others for authors like mystery writer Anne Perry, thriller writer Gregg Keizer, historical novelist Jack Whyte and science fiction writers Diane Duane and Todd McCaffrey.

He the author of more than 16 novels. Some of his writing books include: The Career Novelist (Heineman, 1996), Writing the Breakout Novel (Writers Digest Books, 2001), The Breakout Novel Workbook (Writer’s Digest Books, 2004) and The Fire in Fiction (Writer’s Digest Books, 2009). He is a past president of the Association of Authors’ Representatives, Inc. (AAR). Mr.Maass speaks at writer's conferences throughout the country and lives in New York City.

Click Here To Purchase The Breakout Novelist: Craft and Strategies for Career Fiction Writers

I've got a really special treat for you all! By accident I came across a link that Donald has up on Writer's Digest. It's an amazing PDF. Extremely useful. It gives you a taste of what the book is all about. But most importantly, it will help you become that breakout novelist you always dreamed to be.

For an interview and worksheets from The Breakout Novelist click HERE and you'll see what I am talking about. You do not want to miss it!