Book Buzzin' and Writing Tips

Here's an interesting book that was finally released in the US yesterday. Dan Wells I am Not a Serial Killer. It sounds fascinating even though I believe it is a horror. I had the opportunity to met Dan at the LTUE Conference in February and sit in on some classes he taught. Great, enthusiastic person. His book sounds equally as good as his classes.

I Am Not a Serial Killer is the story of John Cleaver, a 15-year-old sociopath who works in a mortuary, dreams about death, and thinks he might be turning into a serial killer. He sets strict rules to keep himself “good” and “normal,” but when a real monster shows up in his town he has to let his dark side out in order to stop it–but without his rules to keep him in check, he might be more dangerous than the monster he’s trying to kill.

For more information about Dan and his book, check out his website. http://www.fearfulsymmetry.net/

One of the classes I took from Dan was on Pacing and Structure. I loved his energy in what he taught. He that growing up he did a lot of role playing which turned out to be a valuable source of story structure. Anyway, here's the 7-point system he uses and said that you can fit any store into this system. He showed us several examples. It was quite interesting to see how accurate his statement was.

1. Hook-start with the opposite in your character, i.e. if the character ends strong have them start weak
2. Plot Turn 1-helps the story move from beginning to midpoint, introduces conflict, sets story in motion
3. Pinch 1-apply pressure, force the characters into action
4. Midpoint-characters move from reaction to action
5. Plot Turn 2-pushes from the midpoint to the end, you get the last piece you need
6. Pinch 2-applies more pressure, takes the characters into the jaws of defeat, make sure it's bad
7. Resolution-everything works out or it doesn't

This is a good outline to have in mind, but keep in mind everyone doesn't write this way. Some people are discovery writers-meaning they discover their story as they go. Most will find that they have all seven of these points but they don't necessarily know what they are the first time they sit down to write.

I'm a discovery writer. It's have the fun for me to write that way, but one thing I strongly agree with Dan on is you have to begin with the ending. Otherwise you end up going in circles not sure what you're doing or where you're going. I don't mean you have to have all the particulars already worked out, just know how you want the story to resolve.

Hopefully this helps some, if it doesn't everyone has to find the best way that works for them. Just remember you have to know where you want to go or you end up wandering nowhere at all! :)

Just a thought

I keep thinking I'm going to spread out my posts but that just isn't happening very well. We had a interesting experience this weekend that I thought I'd share. Sunday night we were taking our dog Honey for a walk. She saw another dog and took off after it before we could reign her in (being 90 lbs and pretty big makes it hard to combat her if she decides she wants something). Well of course a truck would be speeding down the street when she decides to take off and she gets hit. It freaked me out, major trauma issues all around. But the sad thing was the driver didn't stop. He put on his brakes but he didn't stop.

After we got her to the animal hospital we were told to call the police to file a report because it was a hit and run. There were a total of eight people who saw the accident including two little girls. So we called the police to file a report since we found the truck and it happens to be about five houses away from us.

The really sad thing is we were told no law was broken and there was nothing they could do. So apparently it's alright to hit a person's dog with the owner standing there and nothing can be done. We were basically told that we would have to be holding onto the leash when the dog was hit in order for something to be done.

Moral of the story . . . if your dog gets hit by a car, make sure you're holding onto the leash. I just think it's really sad. We didn't expect much but it would have been nice to have the driver at least acknowledge that they had hit something, maybe offer to help a little, an apology? Is that too much to ask?

Our dog is miraculously doing great right now, all she wants to do is play. Me, my husband and my dad all thought she was dead right after the accident. It's a miracle she's alive. I'll take the stitches and cuts over broken bones and a broken heart. I am so grateful she's alive, but it still makes me sad that the driver didn't at least stop.

Book Review & Buzz

I found a friend that had the book I wanted to buzz about last week, so I borrowed it. Now I get to do a buzz and a review! Joyce DiPastena's Illuminations of the Heart takes place in 12th century France. It is a wonderful love story full of twists and turns that will keep you captivated from the beginning to the end. I really enjoyed everything about it. Click here Take a look at her website and blog for more info about her and her books. http://www.joyce-dipastena.com/
http://www.joyce-dipastena.com/
She also runs contest that are a lot of fun too!

Illuminations of the Heart
by
Joyce DiPastena

“Clothilde.”
He spoke the name on a breath like a prayer. Then he lowered his head and kissed her.
Her heart is lost in that first embrace, her world shaken to its foundations. There is just one problem: her name is not Clothilde. It is Siriol de Calendri. Trained in the art of illumination in the far-off city of Venice, Siri is directed by her late brother’s will to the county of Poitou in France, where she enters the guardianship of her brother’s friend, Sir Triston de Brielle. Once in Poitou, Siri hopes to find employment in an illuminator’s shop—until Triston unexpectedly snatches her heart away with a kiss.

Triston is a man of quiet honor and courage, but the guilt he carries for the death of his late wife, Clothilde, has left him numb and hesitant to love again. Worse yet, Siri bears an uncanny resemblance to his lost love. Or does she? Her merry laughter and twinkling eyes are very different from his late wife’s shy smiles and quiet ways. Yet when he gazes into Siri’s face, all he sees is Clothilde.

Then Triston’s past returns to threaten them both. Will his tragic life with Clothilde be repeated with Siri? Trapped between the rivalry of the king’s sons on the one hand and a neighbor out for vengeance on the other, Triston realizes it would be safer to send Siri away. But how can he bear to lose her again?

Siri is determined not to be cast off and not to live in another woman’s shadow. She has illuminated many a priceless book with pen and paint. But can her own vibrant spirit illuminate the darkness in Triston’s soul and make his heart beat for her alone?

Book Buzzin'

Well, Brandon Mull's Fablehaven: Keys to the Demon Prison was released this week. I'm really excited about it and learned something about Amazon. If you pick the Free Shipping that is offered when you order $25 or more, you don't get your book for a really long time because they figure you don't mind waiting since you didn't want to pay for shipping. Now, the book's been out since Tuesday and mine hasn't even been shipped. Not sure I'm going to do that again! I'll let you know about the book . . . as soon as I get it.

Here's some other exciting news I've heard about. For those of you that loved hush, hush by Becca Fitzpatrick, there is finally a summary for it! I'm really excited. Take a look and let me know what you think! CRESCENDO

Book Reviews

Fire Kristin Cashore

This companion novel almost needed to be first as it gave the history of one of the characters in Graceling. I really enjoyed it though. Some of the details got to be a bit much, but I loved the world she created and the lessons learned by Fire. There’s a fine line between right and wrong and this novel shows that very well. There is some language and talk of lovers but overall a good book.

http://kristincashore.blogspot.com/

Book Reviews

The 39 Clues: In Too Deep Jude Watson

I have enjoyed this series. The first book written by Rick Riordan was phenomenal. The rest of the series was sort of a letdown. This one renewed my faith in the series. I enjoyed the characterization, the story and the plots twists that now make sense. I’m more excited for the next few now rather than knowing I would read them just to read them because it’s a series kids like. www.the39clues.com

Rules Cynthia Lord

This was a fascinating book about an autistic child told from the perspective of his sister. I loved how she learned and grew in dealing with a sibling that was far from easy to handle. I loved the way she learned and hearing what her true feelings were. The author did a great job in portraying everyone in the story. www.cynthialord.com

Sent Margaret Peterson Haddix

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, Found and it left me curious as to how she was going to pull everything together. I liked her take on the time travel and seeing oneself in the future/past. I liked how the kids had to depend on each other and never gave up. The historical element of it worked really well also. I learned more about the 15th century way of life. I’m excited about the next one in the series. www.haddixbooks.com/home.html

Last Day for Mary Kay Sale

Hi Everyone!

Just a reminder, today is the last opportunity for the guaranteed 15% off of your Mary Kay order. To date I have $160 worth of orders. Help me get to $250 and everyone gets and additional 5%. Get another 5% if you become a follower on my blog www.bonnieharris.blogspot.com. So make sure to get your orders in by midnight! www.marykay.com/bonnie.andrus

Thanks!