Many a would-be story writer has been put off by thinking “I don’t have the imagination to write anything people would want to read”. This is nonsense. Anyone who wants to write good interesting stories can achieve their aim and I want to tell you how to do it. If you are just starting out, or have tried fiction writing but haven’t got very far, then you need to ask yourself – “How am I approaching this?” Because, for beginners, the right approach is essential. What I recommend you do to begin with is say “This story I am about to start and complete is going to be just for my own enjoyment”. Later, when you have gained some confidence, you can start thinking about writing for competitions or getting published, but for now keep it in-house. Here is a four-stage plan to get your story down on paper. 1. Ideas Maybe you already have a story in mind that you want to write. If so, great: move on to the next point. If not then how are you going to come up with ideas? This is not difficult when you know how. Stories, or the kernel of stories, are all around you. Next time you go out somewhere where there are lots of people keep your eyes open. Watch people to see what they are doing. It won’t be long before you see something that interests you. Then begin to ask yourself questions about what you see. “Where are they going?”, “Why is she looking at him like that?” “What’s in the bag he’s carrying?” and so forth. When you get home jot down some of the things you observed and you will be well on your way to a story. My free Story Writing Course goes into more detail on this whole subject. 2. Story Outline Having got the germ of an idea for a story you now develop it by asking yourself more questions. For instance if you like the idea of someone carrying a bag, you could say something like, “When Kenny got home he carefully emptied the contents of his bag onto the kitchen table. He’d never cooked anything like a proper meal before, but Lucy was a very special person and this was their first date, so he desperately wanted to impress.” Now we go on to outline the rest of the story. Does he manage to produce a fantastic meal or is it a disaster? Does Lucy even turn up? If she does what is her reaction to the meal, assuming it’s edible? Decide how you want it to turn out. Hopefully love conquers all – even the oven! 3. Writing the story Having got the outline sorted, we now go on to fill out the details. Show the reader what thoughts are going on in Kenny’s mind as he prepares the meal. Even have him talking out loud as he, perhaps, gets frustrated with things. When Lucy turns up show how they talk to one another. Shy, confident, cautious? You decide. 4. Endings How does it all end? What kind of ending would you personally prefer? Once you’ve decided, work towards that. If you can state in the outline how it ends this is the best way for many writers, as you then know what to aim for. But some writers prefer to leave it open and let the story produce the conclusion as they write it. You decide. I would strongly suggest, however, that you give your story a warm and satisfying ending. If you are just starting out, then putting in that ‘feel-good’ factor at the end will round it off for you nicely. But that’s up to you. Finally, I want to say this. Don’t be discouraged if your first efforts at story writing are not up to blockbuster standards. The most important thing is that you enjoy writing your story. The more you write the easier it will become and the more ideas will flow. Your brain is an amazing instrument. It will be your servant as you begin to ask those questions and will pop up some amazing answers that will surprise you.
Archive for June, 2010
My Sister’s Stories Volume 3, Three Billy Goats Gruff, Chicken Little, and Follow Your Heart
Product DescriptionThe timeless lessons of Old World fables and fairy tales are blended with contemporary twists and humor for todays children in the audiobook collections of My Sisters Stories. Stripped of the unnecessary violence and cumbersome language of the original versions, the stories promote such traits as loyalty, perseverance, teamwork, self-acceptance, and honesty. In Billy Goats Gruff, the troll decides in the end to peacefully co-exist with the goats and take up fishing…. More >> My Sister’s Stories Volume 3, Three Billy Goats Gruff, Chicken Little, and Follow Your Heart
Google Will Release Electronic Books Sales Platform Known As Google Editions
Google reveals that it will launch a new platform in the following year, through which readers can buy digital books. Fashion Trend All over the World: aigo iphone charger Once purchase, readers can download the book via internet at any time and place, many kinds of reading tools are available. Wardrobe Essentials for Matron This new platform which is called the Google Editions will be firstly put into the U.S., the UK and Europe market before next June. All of the e-books are stored in one cloud library, and after readers buy books, they can download and read in any countries at any time by using any networked reading tools, including computers, smart phones and e-readers. Google will put all the books into the same on-line library, Reader can decide where to buy books and where to read them on their own. But the prices are decided by the publishers. Google Editions would provide three patterns of selling e-book, Readers are supposed to buy the books through Google website, cooperative network bookstores, publishers` Websites. The income of the digital books sold on Google website will be shared in a ratio of 37:63 by Google and publisher; If the books are sold through cooperative network bookstores, the publishers will get 45%, while the remaining 55% will go to the bookstores and Google. But the profit allocation plan is not settled for independent selling by publishers. There have been some on-line bookstores involved in this activity at the present time, these bookstores are likely to become the first Google Editions cooperative network bookstores. Google says that there will be about 400 thousand to 600 thousand e-books available when this platform is launched. Readers can purchase on Google, or from other online store such as Amazon.
Posted in Historical Fiction Books 
Tags: Books, Editions, electronic, Google, Known, Platform, Release, Sales 
Comments OffEnjoy An Audio Book Anywhere And Add Hours To Your Day
When talking about technology, we have a lot to be grateful for. Who would have ever believed that not only would we cut down on the way we use up our trees for making hardcover and paperback books, we would also be able to “listen” to our books instead of “reading” them. Ironic? Not since audio books have been introduced. With audio books, we can keep on doing things with our hands, and still be entertained or learn. We can now do other things like household chores, exercise, etc while still having the book read to us. More people are becoming aware of the wonders of audio books and are buying their favorite books in audio book version. If you are going to buy an audio book, here are 6 of the great places you can enjoy an audio book: 1–In a plane while traveling – You wouldn’t believe it, but there are many people who spend more time in the air than on road. There are professional assignments that involve traveling from one state to the other, or even from one country to the other. If you are in such a situation, think of he enormous benefits you would get listening to audio books, especially those that can improve your professional skills. What a time to listen to an audio book! No bothering with putting on the lights, holding the book, turning the pages or the stress of reading the book itself. 2–Whilst going to work. – This could either be in your personal car or a commercial bus or train ride to work. Many people lose a great deal of time doing nothing while commuting to and from their jobs until they discover audio books. What a great time to enjoy an audio book! Your hands are busy but your mind is free. For example, listening to an audio book that improves your skills daily can do a lot of good to your career, instead of listening to a musical song which wouldn’t help you much in the area of skill acquisition. 3– While gardening – You can also listen to audio books while gardening. The audio book can make the gardening fun because you would be concentrating on the content of the audio book and not on the difficulty of gardening. What a great time to enjoy an audio book. 4–While exercising – Exercising such as jogging leaves your mind open but your hands, legs and even your entire body busy. What a great time to enjoy an audio book. Most people exercise for hours while their minds do nothing. Listening to an audio book during this time ensures you don’t waste those exercise times. Talking about doubling up – exercising your body and mind at the same time! 5–While doing household chores such as washing the dishes or cooking in the kitchen. For some people it can be very boring being in the kitchen, especially washing the dishes or other such chores. Why not use that time to listen to an audio book, especially one that develops your mind and/or improves your professional and business skills? Instead of feeding your mind with negative thoughts during this time, an motivating audio book will be a wonderful alternative. 6–In bed – Sometimes we just don’t want to do anything but lie down in bed thinking of certain issues. Or we could just want to lie down in the dark until we fall asleep. With an audio book, the entire book will be read to you while you stay comfortable in bed – without turning any pages, holding the book or putting on the lights. Yes, there are many audio book courses made specifically for professionals to improve their skills in many areas of their professions. You can find a large catalogue at http://best-audiobook-store.com
Find your Favorite Downloadable Audio Books
You should be able to find several indispensable facts about audio books in the following paragraphs. If there’s at least one fact you didn’t know before, well… it was worth it. How and where can you find that favorite downloadable audio books? Technology can be wonderful thing indeed. It makes life easier in so many ways. One such area in which technology has made life a lot easier is in the area of searching for information. The days of spending long hours, days or even weeks looking for the information you want are gone. For instance, 20 years ago if you were searching for a particular book you would have to physically visit the Library or bookstore. As if that isn’t manual work enough, you would then have to spend your valuable time searching through a huge collection of books therein, all in an attempt to find the book you want. And who says you would end up getting what you want? Most times you hardly ever get the book you want, even with the help of the librarians. But those days are behind us. Now, with the Internet; you can find any information you want with just a few clicks of your mouse. If for example, you are looking for a particular downloadable audio book, you can get started from a search engine. Simply visit any of the major search engines like MSN, type the title of the book you are looking for with the word “audio book” or “downloadable audio books” included in your search. By doing this you will be presented with the most relevant results for your search. Specifically, you can get the particular audio book you are looking for by going directly to bookstore or better yet the audio bookstore websites. Some of the best bookstores on the Internet include: – Audio Book Publishers — http://www.AudioBookPublishers.org (specifically for audio) – Barnes & Noble–BarnesAndNoble.com – Amazon–Amazon.com These online bookstores have specially designed search features on their sites; which you can use to find the particular downloadable audio book titles or authors you are searching for. The search features on these sites is similar to using the search feature on your favorite search engine. The major advantage is that you are searching the database of the particular bookstore (very focused), as opposed to the search engines which search the entire database of websites that they have (very unfocused). To get started, visit any of these online bookstores and enter the particular downloadable audio book title you are searching for. If you know the exact title or author name, put it in the search. It is better to include the term “audio book” in your search query so as to get the best results for a downloadable audio book. If you have used all these options and are still unable to find that audio book that you are looking for, visit one of the many book forums on the Internet and ask for the advice of other book enthusiasts. You will be amazed that there are many people out there who know a lot about books and how to find them and are willing to share. It never hurts to be well-informed with the latest on audio books. Compare what you’ve learned here to future articles so that you can stay alert to changes in the area of downloadable audio books. Enjoy audio books, the lazy way to read, I love it.
Fiction Author William R. Potter
Bio Quote :“I guess you could say the writing bug bit me at an early age. Shortly after watching the first remake of King Kong, around the age of ten or eleven, I scribbled a few lines about a mutant crab attacking the city, and called it a book. I discovered poetry in my teens and continue to write verse today. However, that kid’s dream of writing a book never went away. Lighting the Dark Side was published in April 2008, and full length novel will be released in the fall 2009. Lighting the Dark Side: Six Modern Talesby William R. Potter LIGHTING THE DARK SIDE won the 2009 Allbooks Review Editor’s Choice Award for short story collections. The stories… LIGHTING THE DARK SIDE is a collection of six stories. Each selection features leading characters that live their lives as normally as possible and then suddenly find themselves in extraordinary situations. Bent, Not Broken. Dwayne Johnson knows he is different. He lives in a world that can always be depended on to remind him of his strangeness. Despite his social awkwardness, Dwayne meets a beautiful woman at a bus stop and soon his entire life transforms. Unfortunately his obsessions work against him, keeping the couple apart pushing Dwayne to the point of alcoholism and insanity. In the Gray. Michael Connor is estranged from his entire family and for good reason. His father is wife beating racist, his brother a corrupt politician, and his mother is all too willing look the other way. Unfortunately his loving Mum won’t stop calling…insisting that he become more like his sibling and settle down and take a wife. Blessing or Curse? When Brad Stewart won eleven million dollars in the lottery he would never have guessed a group of extortionists would kidnap his son for ransom. His decision to follow the kidnapper’s demands and not involve the police is a choice that will threaten his marriage and his life with the violence of vigilantism. May 18th Trevor Woodward just wants to go home after a long day at work. He is tired of all the talk about the approaching “comet” that may or may not strike the earth. However, he can’t shake the feeling that he has lived through the events of the historic day before. Or is it many times? Prominent Couple Slain. Detective Jack Staal of the Hanson Police Major Crime Section has recently transferred from the Vancouver Police departments MCS. Burnt out, tired and weary of Homicide, he’s looking forward to the lower profile cases of a small town. That wish is dashed when a former Mayor candidate and his wife are found murdered. Surviving the Fall. Since childhood, James Goodal has had a soft spot for stray creatures offering as many as possible a good home. Now James is separated from his wife, depressed and alone. Then one afternoon, a few days before Christmas, he meets a young street girl named Ashley. Days after taking her in, his simple life is turned into a nightmare of violence and death as Ashley’s past catches up to her at Goodal’s home. Product Details:Paperback: 260 pagesPublisher: Xlibris (April 29, 2008)Language: EnglishISBN-10: 1436312531ISBN-13: 978-1436312530 $19.99 online price at Amazon and Barnes and Nobleshttp://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1436312531/ref=s9_ri_wizard http://search.barnesandnoble.com//e/9781436312530 E-Book Version ISBN 978-1-906806-79-8, 9781906806644 $10.95 online at E-Book Sale Publishinghttp://www.theebooksale.com/zen-cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=89&products_id=431 Praise for William Potter and LIGHTING THE DARK SIDE: “These novellas and short stories are definitely page-turners. I shouldn’t think it’d be long before a major publishing house snaps Mr. Potter up because he belongs on the bookshelves with the likes of Jeffery Deaver and Peter Abrahams.”Highly recommended by reviewer: Jan Evan Whitford, Allbooks Reviews “Potter shines a little light on the darker side of humanity. Fans of modern fiction will enjoy Lighting The Dark Side.”Debra Gaynor, Review Your Book.com “This book, Lighting the Dark Side, by William R. Potter, will definitely be enjoyed by all fans of fiction. I think that it would make an excellent selection for a reader’s group or for a college course.”Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (7/08) “Potter’s writing skills shine as a storyteller throughout his collection. I highly recommend Lighting the Dark Side to all readers. His stories captivate the mind in all respects. I hope to see more works from William Potter soon!Reviewed by Mona Lisa Safai for TCM Reviews “Lighting the Dark Side consists of six short stories, all of which are very different and unique, spanning the full gamut of fictional genres. After reading all three of the novellas and all three of the shorter works, I can honestly say that I enjoyed each and every one of them.”Reviewed by Kam Aures for RebeccasReads.com (9/08) “A remarkably well-written collection of six ironic tales. Each story touches on reality as you’re guided through the lives of characters that are not too much different from ourselves. Captivating storytelling, drawing the reader in and keeping them enthralled.”Reviewed by TJ Jenkins for PremierBookReviews.com Coming Soon!DEAD of KNIGHT-A Jack Staal Mysteryby William R. Potter (author of LIGHTING THE DARK SIDE) Your next birthday could be murder! Believing he is a soldier of justice, a misguided young man begins a callous campaign of terror murdering women on their birthdays. Convinced of his righteousness he continues his brutal crusade forcing the citizens of Hanson B.C. to acknowledge a serial killer active in their rural community. The Mounties always get their man…but not if Jack Staal gets him first! The Royal Canadian Mounted Police put their Integrated Homicide Investigation Teams into action. Detective Jack Staal and the rest of Hanson PD are invited to support the RCMP. However, Staal, the once elite major-crime investigator reduced to small-town detective is desperate for redemption. He ignores protocol to work a case that is not his to solve. Told from the perspective of both killer and cop DEAD of KNIGHT is a cat and mouse thriller sure to delight fans of Patricia Cornwell’s Kay Scarpetta or Michael Connelly’s Harry Bosch. Author Contact:wrpotter@booksinsync.com Please visit William R. Potter’s Author’s Web Page: http://www.booksinsync.com/multibookauthors/potterwilliam.html
Anchored Assurance: Bestseller, Blockbuster Or Both?
Picture the blurb in the movie opening for Anchored Assurance, a storm in full sway, thunder and lightning, then a deep masculine voice saying: “Things were dead calm…until the storm came. Who do you have surrounding you in troubled times? Is your faith strong enough to withstand when testing times come? … First, the letter came, and then the disappearance and finally the tragedy. How would they make it through the testing times, and how deep was their trust in God?” What makes a best seller, blockbuster or both? Creativity, uniqueness, luck, public opinion, positive reviews, inclusion in the top 10 list or money? Novels that you just have to finish and draws you into the storyline would be top of my list. Being an ardent fan of fiction novels and movies of the romantic/mystery/thriller genre, I personally believe a bestseller or blockbuster has to leave me thoroughly entertained, laughing, guessing or hiding behind my cushion or at least have my heart in my mouth, well that’s just me, maybe the ‘experts’ are looking for something else that’s not immediately obvious to the discerning movie goer or novel reader! Does the size of the novel determine it’s bestseller/blockbuster status? Or, are books having similarity in storylines, what Hollywood is looking for? The fact remains that bestsellers and or blockbusters should provide escapism for the customer whilst retaining an element of reality. You know it’s fantasy, however, you can totally relate as you see the ‘reality’ through the protagonist’s eyes. Anchored Assurance is such a book, as stated by one reviewer: “The style of writing that the author employs serves to increase the impact of events described. Although the central theme of the text is religion, the development of the plot is not limited by this factor. The reader is able to identify with and relate to many facets of the characters’ personalities, to the extent in a lot of instances, the fact that the protagonists are Christians is forgotten. The author succeeds in making the characters believable to the reader, making the text accessible to all.” Other comments confirm the best seller/blockbuster potential of Anchored Assurance, see below: “I enjoyed the story line so much I couldn’t put the book down, it was very good!” “I was captivated and finished it before going to bed. It was enjoyable and interesting to read and had a good storyline.” If that’s not sufficient to meet the criteria of a best seller or blockbuster, the author has since 2007 been keen to raise money for charity, mainly World Vision, Release International, and now most recently Smile of a child and Rescue Life, through the sale of her novel. A £1 per every copy sold goes to charity, imagine how much could be raised by a £100,000, £200,000, £1,000,000 copies or more and all donations are gift aided! In my opinion, Anchored Assurance comes tops in title, story line, uniqueness, perfectly blending fiction, thriller, mystery, humour and tragedy with the right dose of reality. Is it material for a bestseller, blockbuster or both, you decide? Remember, your decision today to purchase will have a twofold effect, pleasure for you and much needed assistance to the aforementioned charities. Anchored Assurance: Bestseller, Blockbuster or Both? You decide.
Posted in Historical Fiction Books Tags: Anchored, Assurance, bestseller, Blockbuster, Both Comments OffSet of 2 Easy Reader Historical Fiction Books – Sam the Minuteman and George the Drummer Boy
Set of 2 Easy Reader Historical Fiction Books – Sam the Minuteman and George the Drummer Boy
Posted in Historical Fiction Books Tags: Books, Drummer, Easy, Fiction, George, Historical, Minuteman, Reader Comments OffBarbara Corrado Pope Launches New Career as a Novelist
Barbara Corrado Pope, professor emerita in Women’s Studies, has a passion for making history come alive, especially through the study of vibrant and strong women in every historical period. Barbara’s devotion to women’s studies and history inspired her to play a prominent role as a leader in fostering the integration of race and gender into the UO curriculum. Now that she has retired from the double duties of directing and teaching in Women’s Studies and the Honors College, she is delving into topics that she rarely had the opportunity to address in the classroom—French history and the visual arts. Instead of preparing a lecture however, Barbara is exploring new ways of sharing her knowledge through historical fiction. On the heels of the release of her first full-length novel, Cézanne’s Quarry, Barbara affirms that retirement has opened the way to fulfilling her creative and literary urges. More information about Cezanne’s Quarry (Pegasus Books, June 2008) by Barbara Corrado Pope, can be found by visiting www.cezannesquarry.com “This is something I have always wanted to do,” said Barbara. “Like everyone else I wanted to write the great American novel – who hasn’t? But for my first novel it was good to delve into history. It was something I knew, but it was also something that enabled me to develop my craft.” Cézanne’s Quarry is a murder mystery set in 1885 in Aix-en-Provence. The book weaves together many of Barbara’s research interests while at the UO: the interconnections among the role of women, religion, and science in the nineteenth century as well as French intellectual and cultural history. The book will be published in three languages. Pegasus Books will handle the American edition, while German publisher Ullstein List is coming out with an edition under the title, Im Hellen Licht des Todes. A Polish translation is expected in the winter of 2009. The clues to the mystery lie hidden in the famously unexplained violence of Paul Cézanne’s early paintings as well as in his relationship to the novelist Emile Zola, then considered France’s greatest writer. The catalyst of the plot is a secret, turbulent love affair that Cézanne had with a woman in 1885. Biographers have never discovered her identity. In Barbara’s novel she is the enigmatic Solange Vernet, a self-made woman who strives for social advancement by hosting a salon which discusses the artistic and scientific issues of the day. Vernet is murdered in the Bibémus quarry, a remote spot that Cézanne painted several times. “This is a novel that, because of the way it explores the role of women in nineteenth-century France, will appeal to many women of all ages,” said Barbara. Barbara’s presence on the UO has been central to the development of women’s studies curriculum. She spearheaded the 1987 curriculum shift that required students to take a course focused on race and gender. Based on her tireless work to win innovative curriculum reform, Barbara was the first woman to win the Charles E. Johnson Memorial Award for “exceptional service to the University and the community” in 1991. She also received a Ford Foundation Grant which helped her establish a two-year seminar with input from eleven faculty members, many public speakers and events, including a convocation. When the Ford Foundation came out with its publication of syllabi from twenty different universities, titled Women Of Color and the Multicultural Curriculum, eleven of the thirty-eight selected publications were from UO faculty members who had worked with Barbara. Her work in the Honors College was recognized by a scholarship established in her name. Barbara is enjoying pouring her passion for exploring issues of gender, race and history into a literary venue. “To really establish my second career as novelist, I have to work on publicizing the first book while desperately wanting to finish the second!” she exclaims. “This will also be a murder mystery, tentatively called The Blood of Lorraine. I think this is where my commitments to the issue of race come into play. The theme of this book is the new anti-Semitism at the end of the nineteenth century in France.” Barbara is bringing together the very best of her scholarship, pedagogy and personal interests into a new, post-retirement career. CSWS wishes her lots of success, and lots of readers. Her book is already available for pre-orders. Reprinted with permission from the Center for the Study of Women in Society, University of Oregon from the spring 2008 issue of the CSWS Review
How to Write and Publish a Book
To publish a book is to become immortal. Why? Because your name and most importantly, your ideas will live on even when you are no longer physically here on earth. For as long as there are people who read (for information and for pleasure), accept, or even oppose (for the sake of argumentation and critical analysis) your ideas, your person is alive through that book. For many—at least for those who have the passion for reading and writing—to be able to publish a book in their lifetime, is an ultimate goal, an ultimate dream. Hence, having been able to publish a book at least once in their lifetime is already an achievement. There are also many who would want to publish a book for profit. Why not? Whatever kind of book it is that you have in mind, whether it’s literary, fiction or non-fiction, informative, self-help, scientific, medical or investigative, for sure it will sell—if not millions, thousands at least. There are all sorts of readers out there and definitely there’s a certain group of bookworms that’ll love your book. Publishing a book nowadays is easier than ever. Aside from the traditional means of publishing a book, there’s already the Internet, which you can make use of to quickly, conveniently and affordably publish a book—or rather, an e-book. So, you want to publish a book? To help you start, here are some pointers you can consider and some tips you can follow so you can make that dream of yours a reality in no time at all. Get all the information you need – First and foremost, you should know how the publishing industry works and that includes e-book publishers. There are what they call as agents who read manuscripts and book proposals. Many publishing houses take advantage of agents’ help in deciding whether a book is worth publishing or not. Many publishers also agree to publish a book only when the book has been recommended by these agents. There are of course lots of other writers out there who aspire to publish a book, just like you; certainly, among all those aspirants, there are the best, good and bad writers (well not literally bad, but they just don’t meet high standards of most publishers). You might want to go to an agent first or better yet write him a letter to inquire about certain procedures in publishing a book and other matters rather than going directly to a publishing house and get rejected at once. Provide a complete and comprehensible proposal – Even when the agent or the publisher has not yet responded to your inquiry, you should already prepare a proposal about that book you want to publish. It should include an overview of your book, a description of your targeted readers, description of published books that may have similar topic or subject as your book, introduction about yourself, and a summary of each chapter of your book or an outline of the story. It would also be helpful to state in your proposal how long your book is.