Thursday Review—Plotting Simplified: Story Structure Tips for the Breakout Novelist

I've come across a wonderful little book by Eddie Jones on plotting. I was fortunate to take his workshop at ChristianDevotions, Writers Bootcamp  in January 2011 and I came away with a new understanding about how to craft a compelling story.  And the good news for you is that he’s written it all down in this amazing e-book.

Here’s the overview of the book:

In Plotting Simplified you'll learn how to map your story using the "passage markers" that shape every story's journey. From introduction and motivation to your Lead's moment of maxim angst, you’ll see how easy it is to develop a story line and keep your characters on the path to a compelling climax. 

Learn how to introduce the Great Disturbance, what 4 Questions you should ask of your plot, how to map-out your story, manage your key scenes, the 7 Keys to every good plot, why Worry, Conflict and Disaster spells success for the writer, and how to introduce your Major Dramatic Question.

Trust me—I own the book and it does all this and more. This book is available through Amazon for Kindle here and through Barnes and Noble for the Nook here. If you don’t already have an e-reader you can download the Kindle software and the Nook software for free for your computer or smart phone. When you do, this should be one of the first books you buy!

Don’t forget to join the conversation,

Blessings,

Edie

Young Adult Pirate Author Seeks to Raise $10,000 for the Epilepsy Foundation

The Curse of Captain LaFoote

Raleigh, NC— Social networking has changed the way young people communicate. Can we keep books in “their” loop?  According to KidSay Market Researchers, Facebook is now the favorite website among tween (8-11) boys and teen (12-15) girls. Over 90% of tween boys and girls play games online. Could a pirate tale be the perfect antidote to the adolescent blank-stare fascination with video games?

“My goal in writing this book was to spur the imagination of young readers. Boys especially,” says Young Adult author, Eddie Jones. “I wanted to create within them a desire to read and set sail for a life of adventure on the high seas.” Note: Eddie sails and surfs and sometimes works. “I also want to help kids (and adults) who suffer with epilepsy. My goal is to raise $10,000 for the Epilepsy Foundation in honor of Ricky Bradshaw, the hero of the book.” (Ricky suffers from epilepsy.) “For each book sold, the publisher will donate a few pieces of eight—half a sandy dollar—to the Epilepsy Foundation.”

Jones says, regardless of how well the book sells, if it helps others become “Seizure Smart!” and raises money to fight epilepsy, it’s a success.

About the Book

RICKY BRADSHAW has never sailed the Caribbean Sea, searched for buried treasure or battled pirates on the deck of a Spanish Galleon. He’s never fallen through the floor of Davy Jones’ locker or watched an old fisherman morph into a porpoise. All Ricky knows is his lonely life with his widowed mom in a tiny apartment overlooking a marina on the Chesapeake Bay. But all that changes on a snowy Christmas Eve when Ricky’s apartment building burns down and he falls into the chilly waters while trying to save a dog with shrimp breath. Suddenly Ricky finds himself thrust into a world where there is surprising beauty on every island, danger around every corner and great honor and glory ahead of him… if only Ricky can summon the courage to survive the curse of Captain LaFoote.

About the Author

Eddie Jones is a full time freelance writer and author of five non-fiction books, one young adult novel, and one adult romantic comedy. He sails, surfs and freely admits: “I'm a boat swab at heart and thief and liar when honest work proves unprofitable.”

A Young Adult / Tween novel, Rated PG13

eBook ISBN - 978-1-935600-05-3 Available in Kindle

Print ISBN - 978-1-935600-04-6 Available on February 14, 2011

Visit his website here.

Reviewers say:

"Eddie Jones has 15-year-old angst down to a science with his warm and witty style of writing." - James Watkins.

"The Curse of Captain LaFoote is the perfect fix for some swashbuckling fun! Eddie Jones brings his time-travel pirate adventure to life with humor, adventure and thoughtful moments that boys will enjoy and their parents will appreciate!" - Christopher P. N. Maselli.

"The Curse of Captain LaFoote by Eddie Jones is a rollicking adventure filled with humor, mystery and the sea." - Doris Fisher.

"This imaginative, Caribbean adventure and colorful characters will hook readers and take them for a tremendous ride! Eddie laced courage, bravery and a tad of romance together for a fresh and fun read!" - Jill Roman Lord.

"Fresh funny fantasy...a book young readers are sure to enjoy." - Max Elliot Anderson.

"Teaser Chapters leave you wanting more! Quite a beginning for the troubled teenage kid. This is a must buy…" "Jones intertwines the foundation of good characters into a cleverly written storyline. Middle school kids will drop quickly into the life of Ricky Bradshaw and relate to the situations and antics he's thrown into…" "I laughed and sped my way through this book. Great characters and a wacky adventure with a wonderfully dry sense of humor."

Contact: Diana L. Flegal, Literary Agent , diana@hartlineliterary.com