James Scott Bell’s “Plot & Structure” is regarded as one of the ultimate writer’s reference books in the industry. And rightly so. Bell has an incredible way with words and with teaching. When I signed up for Bell’s coaching class at the 2010 Summer OCW Conference, I immediately went out and read “Plot & Structure” so I was well versed before the class. But the class came and I learned infinitely more than I could have imagined. So I purchased “The Art of War for Writers,” which is based on Sun Tzu’s 6th century manuscript and adapted for the literary profession. I found “The Art of War for Writers” to...
2010 Genesis Winners and Carol Awards
Congrats to everyone!! The 2010 Genesis Winners are: Contemporary Fiction: Lynnette Horner, The Assistant Contemporary Romance: Janice LaQuiere, Truckload of Love Historical Fiction: Brenda Jackson, Principle Engagement Historical Romance: Pam Hillman, Terms of Indenturement Mystery/Suspense/Thriller: Rich Bullock, Storm Lake/Storm Song Romantic Suspense: Valerie Goree, Weep in the Night Speculative Fiction: Andra Marquardt, Traitors Women’s Fiction: Jennifer Fromke, Docking Young Adult: Stefanie Morris, Shyla, Desert Daughter/Shyla, Child of the Desert Carol Award Winners: Contemporary Novella: Susan May Warren, The Great Christmas Bowl (Tyndale House) Historical Novella: Janet Tronstad, Christmas Bells for Dry Creek (Steeple Hill) Short Contemporary: Mae Nunn, A Texas Ranger’s Family (Steeple Hill) Short Contemporary Suspense: Jill Elizabeth Nelson,...
Wishing ACFW-ers the best!
Right now is the annual ACFW Conference and hundreds of writers, agents and editors converge for networking, learning and more! Two of my critique partners are attending, one of whom is pitching her manuscript! I’m wishing her, and everyone looking to sell their novel, the very best! I know all the feelings and nervousness they are experiencing. Good luck to everyone! I’m looking forward to stories and great things!
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Book Review: Mockingjay
I can count on one finger the times I’ve waited in line for the midnight release of a novel. And that was Mockingjay. The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins (Book 1 & 2 reviews) is a masterpiece of pure heart-gripping storytelling. From the very first page of Hunger Games, you’re inside the head of Katniss, a young girl whose only goal is to survive and protect her family. In the Hunger Games and Catching Fire, Collins takes her readers on an emotional rollercoaster in this futuristic world of Paneam – the former continent of North America. In Mockingjay, the stages of revolution are set, and the icon of the...
Story Behind the Story: Margaret Brownley
The idea for my September 2010 release, A Suitor for Jenny, the 2nd book in my Rocky Creek series, lurked in a dusty Kansas museum. While rifling through old newspaper clippings I came across a meeting notice for “The Society for the Protection and Preservation of Male Independence.” I don’t know what ever happened to that group or even if its members succeeded in remaining single and independent but I know a story idea when I see it and I pounced. From that clipping came the idea to have my heroine Jenny Higgins breeze into town looking for husbands for her two siblings. Jenny soon finds out that “The...