Fiction writing guide to creating dramatic tension and suspense. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

What makes a book a page-turner? How do you grab your readers right from the start and hold them through the last sentence? How do you make your plot twist and turn and keep the action moving without losing continuity? You do it by generating drama and developing it using conflict, action and suspense. You make your reader burn to know what's going to happen next. You create tension...and build it...to the breaking point. William Noble shows you how to intensify that pressure throughout your story. You'll learn exactly what constitutes conflict, action and suspense, how they relate to other important ingredients in your story, and - perhaps most important - how to manipulate them. Through thorough, step-by-step instruction, you'll learn how to... set the stage with techniques and devices that enhance drama introduce suspense from the very beginning of your story build suspense through cliff-hangers, dialogue, mood, character development, point of view, subtlety and indirection, and time and place bring all that conflict, action and suspense to a gripping conclusion There are all sorts of ways to create tension in your prose - from using adjectives and nouns that drip with imagery to making quick scene cuts and transitions to accelerating the pace. Learn them here. Then use them, and your story will plunge your readers into a river of worry...and the current will carry them to The End.

Craft your fiction with scene-by-scene flow, logic and readability. An imprisoned man receives an unexpected caller, after which "everything changed..." And the reader is hooked. But whether or not readers will stay on for the entire wild ride will depend on how well the writer structures the story, scene by scene. This book is your game plan for success. Using dozens of examples from his own work - including Dropshot,Tiebreaker and other popular novels - Jack M. Bickham will guide you in building a sturdy framework for your novel, whatever its form or length. You'll learn how to: • "worry" your readers into following your story to the end • prolong your main character's struggle while moving the story ahead • juggle cause and effect to serve your story action As you work on crafting compelling scenes that move the reader, moment by moment, toward the story's resolution, you'll see why... • believable fiction must make more sense than real life • every scene should end in disaster • some scenes should be condensed, and others built big Whatever your story, this book can help you arrive at a happy ending in the company of satisfied readers.

When a Florida lawyer agrees to represent a man accused of murdering his mistress, he conceals his own relationship with the woman. A blackmailer exploits the conflict of interest.

“A tortuous tale of murder and madness . . . a psychological thriller offering insight into love, friendship, and mental illness.”—Kirkus Reviews When a mangled car is pulled from the river, containing bloodstains and a gun, the sense of safety is shattered in Tessa’s Californian hometown. Tessa, who works at the river conservancy, thinks she saw a girl out on the riverbank—but Tessa’s memory is failing and could this be the start of something more serious? Tessa’s friend and co-worker, Claire Barrett, is worried—about the car and the gun, but also about Tessa. With Tessa’s attorney husband preoccupied with a big case and in denial about his wife’s memory issues, Claire knows that it’ll be up to her to work out what’s going on. When a body turns up and she discovers the identity of the gun’s owner—someone disturbingly close to home—Claire is determined to uncover the truth . . . whatever it takes. “This poignant standalone from Hill (Last Words) is as much a story about friendship and loss as it is a mystery . . . A link between Tessa and the murder mystery gradually emerges as this emotionally involving novel builds to a surprising, heart-wrenching climax. Hill’s balanced treatment of environmental issues will resonate with many readers.”—Publishers Weekly “A haunting psychological thriller.”—Booklist

Craft an Engaging Plot How does plot influence story structure? What's the difference between plotting for commercial and literary fiction? How do you revise a plot or structure that's gone off course? With Write Great Fiction: Plot & Structure, you'll discover the answers to these questions and more. Award-winning author James Scott Bell offers clear, concise information that will help you create a believable and memorable plot, including: • Techniques for crafting strong beginnings, middles, and ends • Easy-to-understand plotting diagrams and charts • Brainstorming techniques for original plot ideas • Thought-provoking exercises at the end of each chapter • Story structure models and methods for all genres • Tips and tools for correcting common plot problems Filled with plot examples from popular novels, comprehensive checklists, and practical hands-on guidance, Write Great Fiction: Plot & Structure gives you the skills you need to approach plot and structure like an experienced pro.

There's more to writing a successful fantasy story than building a unique world or inventing new magic. How exactly is a plot put together? How do you know if your idea will support an entire novel? How do you grab reader attention and keep it? How do you create dynamic, multi-dimensional characters? What is viewpoint and do you handle it differently in urban fantasy than in traditional epics? What should you do if you're lost in the middle? How do you make your plot end up where you intend it to go? From the writing of strong, action-packed scenes to the handling of emotions, let award-winning fantasy author Deborah Chester guide you through the process of putting a book together. Convinced there's no need to shroud the writing process under a veil of mystery, Chester supplies tips that are both practical and proven. They are exactly what she uses in writing her own novels and what she teaches in her writing courses at the University of Oklahoma. Along with explaining story construction step-by-step, Chester illustrates each technique with examples drawn from both traditional and urban fantasy. The technique chapters include exercises to assist novices in mastering the craft of writing fantasy as well as suggestions for avoiding or solving plot problems. More experienced writers will find tips for taking their work to the next level. With an introduction by author Jim Butcher, The fantasy fiction formula provides the information you need to gain skill and proficiency in writing fantasy like a pro.