How do you choose a book? Often by the first few lines right? They either grab you or you move on to the next book on the bookstore shelf that catches your eye.
But what about last lines throughout a book? Those lines that complete a scene, chapter, or THE END itself that propel you to turn the page and read on, or that keep the story alive in your mind long after you’ve finished it. I have to admit that I am one who always flips to the back of a book and reads the last line before I buy. Read more [...]Lines To Leave Us Hanging
How do you choose a book? Often by the first few lines right? They either grab you or you move on to the next book on the bookstore shelf that catches your eye.
But what about last lines throughout a book? Those lines that complete a scene, chapter, or THE END itself that propel you to turn the page and read on, or that keep the story alive in your mind long after you’ve finished it. I have to admit that I am one who always flips to the back of a book and reads the last line before I buy. Read more [...]
Never Assume, Never Underestimate. A guest post by thriller author Khaled Talib.
Imagine a layman thrown into the world of espionage. Would he survive, especially with assassins running around trying to kill him?
With that idea in mind, I began to weave a story about a young journalist who not only is framed for murder, but is chosen to be a scapegoat in a plot to assassinate the Israeli Prime Minister during a visit to Singapore.
Unlike most spy novels, my protagonist, Jet West, 
I'm excited to have author and marketer extraordinaire Kristina Stanley back on my blog! Instead of sharing her bestselling alpine mysteries today, we are talking about writing help for authors - something Kristina knows much about. Her new app Feedback For Fiction does just this! Writers, find out how you can participate in this exciting new app.
Today Kristina is talking about rewriting that first draft.
Whether you’re a plotter or a panster, you’ve completed a first draft. Congratulations! 
Watchers. My favorite fictional figures that hover on the sidelines weaving in and out of the story. They change lives.
You may know them as guardians, guides, mentors, or allies. They help the hero on his journey by blocking them, guiding them, or even saving them. They can be a mysterious and dark overseer or a jolly and light eccentric. They ultimately save the hero or motivate him to save himself.
In my suspense novel, A Human Element, I created The Man in Black as a watcher. He is