"What's more important to a story: a gripping plot or compelling characters? Literary-minded novelists argue in favor of character-based novels while commercial novelists argue in favor of plot-based stories, but the truth of the matter is this: The best fiction is rich in both. Enter Plot Versus Character. This hands-on guide to creating a well-rounded novel embraces both of these crucial story components. You'll learn to: *Create layered characters...

"Real-world writing advice, minus all the lectures. You're an aspiring writer. Maybe you've just discovered your love of words and dream of being a novelist someday. Maybe you've been filling notebooks with science-fiction stories since middle school. Maybe you're contemplating a liberal arts degree, but you don't know what the heck you're going to do with it. The last thing you need is another preachy writing manual telling you how you should write....

"Fitzgerald locked himself in his attic until The Great Gatsby was finished. Hemingway took a more casual approach, writing along the banks of the Seine River. Hawthorne found inspiration while working and living on Brook Farm. Three great writers chose three different methods of writing-each one uniquely suited to the quirks and qualities of the individual artist. Finding your own method-one that makes writing easier, more enjoyable and more productive-can...

"Get to Know Your Character's Sinister Side A truly memorable antagonist is not a one-dimensional super villain bent on world domination for no particular reason. Realistic, credible bad guys create essential story complications, personalize conflict, add immediacy to a story line, and force the protagonist to evolve. From mischief-makers to villains to arch nemeses, Bullies, Bastards & Bitches shows you how to create nuanced bad guys who are indispensable...

"Creating a platform isn't just beneficial--it's essential! In today's world of blogging, websites, Twitter feeds, and Facebook updates, building a writer platform from the ground up can seem a daunting task. Never fear--author and editor Chuck Sambuchino provides expert, practical advice for increasing your visibility, selling more books, and launching a successful career. In Create Your Writer Platform, you'll learn: *The definition of a platform--and...

"Dan Brown's 'The Lost Symbol' was the most anticipated novel of 2009, and was the literary event of the year. Alex Carmine examines all the themes in depth, and provides a chapter-by-chapter analysis of 'The Lost Symbol'. From Alex's assessment of the novel, it is very much apparent that Dan Brown has not only been adhering to his own formula, but that he has also been following Joseph Campbell's concept of the hero's journey. We know that Dan Brown...

"More than 670,000 middle school teachers (grades 6-8) are responsible for educating nearly 13 million students in public and private schools. Thousands more teachers join these ranks annually, especially in the South and West, where ethnic populations are ballooning. Teachers and administrators seek practical, time-efficient ways of teaching language arts to 21st-century adolescents in increasingly multicultural, technologically diverse, socially...

"Publishing Your Nonfiction Book In Publish Your Nonfiction Book, successful literary agent Sharlene Martin and noted novelist and nonfiction author Anthony Flacco draw on their years of experience to provide you with an in-depth understanding of what the publishing industry is really like and how to successfully navigate it in order to ensure a long-term career. You'll learn: *Techniques for writing a strong query letter that hooks agents and editors...

"Everyone wants to produce writing that is clear, concise, and grammatically accurate, but getting to that point is not always easy. If you've ever had difficulty finding the right phrase to complete a simple sentence or have struggled to put a complicated thought into words, The Only Grammar and Style Workbook You'll Ever Need is for you. In this book, grammar savant Susan Thurman guides you through the complexities of spelling, usage, and style...

"Writers need a structured approach to writing fiction, one that includes effective strategies for both drafting and revision/fine-tuning. A structured approach builds a writer's confidence and provides an efficient process in terms of producing submission-ready work. It's best to get that first draft out there, not worry a lot about how well it's going, and then let it cool a little before getting into the heat of revision and fine-tuning."--