tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74683140461525009982024-03-05T01:33:39.047-05:00Author Ron D. VoigtsWanderings of an Eclectic Mind
and Other MysteriesRon D. Voigtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02912922391951560594noreply@blogger.comBlogger229125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468314046152500998.post-85614236341933987202021-08-29T10:17:00.005-04:002021-08-29T10:18:22.458-04:00Add some Tension to your Novel<p> </p><p class="Normal"><b>Writing</b><strong><span class="tm7"> the Killer Mystery Series</span></strong></p>
<p class="Normal">I have wrestled where to go with this blog. The obvious answer, at least to me, is to talk about <b>Writing the Killer Mystery </b>series. If you are a wannabe mystery writer or established one, he may find this
interesting. If you know all this stuff I don’t want to waste your time, but if you want to go along for the ride, hop on.</p>
<p class="Normal">One other thing I wanted to mention much of the stuff in the WTKM series can be applied to general writing. So if you are in another genre, writing the all-American novel, or penning short stories, you may
find this helpful. If nothing else, you may find my take a bit different and offers a different twist on some old subject matter</p>
<p class="Normal"><strong><span class="tm7">Tension</span></strong></p>
<p class="Normal">Not the tension from watching your sister’s kids or getting a call at work to come up to the VPs office or that moment when someone cuts you off in traffic. This is Tension in you plot. It is the UPS
and DOWNS in your story plot. When they say your story was a rollercoaster ride, it is the Tension you’ve added.</p>
<p class="Normal">Stories need rising Tension followed by brief moments of rest. Get their hearts pounding. Make their hair stand on end. Get them turning pages. Then offer a moment in your story to take a breather. Not
too long now. Then grab them by the throats and take them for another gut wrenching, heart palpitating moment. </p>
<p class="Normal">Okay, all Tension does not have to be that physical and emotional, but it must keep them wanting more and moving ahead to see what comes next.</p>
<p class="Normal"><i><b>Tension=creating emotion in the reader of anxiety, stress, fear, and worry.</b></i></p>
<p class="Normal">It's funny that we spend most of our life seeking calm, peace, and tranquility but when we read a story we want excitement for just a moment, to live someone else's life vicariously. Don’t forget
to let them rest from time to time.</p>
<p class="Normal"><b>Here are some types of Tension</b></p>
<p class="Normal"><i>Conflict</i></p>
<p class="Normal"><i>Uncertainty</i></p>
<p class="Normal"><i>Danger</i></p>
<p class="Normal"><i>Threat</i></p>
<p class="Normal"><i>Revenge</i></p>
<p class="Normal"><i>Unrequited love</i></p>
<p class="Normal"><i>Disagreement</i></p>
<p class="Normal"><i>Fear of the Unknown</i></p>
<p class="Normal">I bet you have some thought of your own on how to do this.</p>
<p class="Normal">Let me offer here an example from <u><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Plotting-Murder-Strategy-Develop-Storyline-ebook/dp/B07FDDXMYW/">Writing the Killer Mystery: Plotting the Murder</a></u>.</p>
<p class="NF_PARAGRAPH"><b>Act I</b></p>
<p class="NF_PARAGRAPH">The detective comes back to the office and finds it ransacked. The intruder is hiding. They scuffle. A gun goes off.</p>
<p class="NF_PARAGRAPH">Tension = Intruder, scuffle, the sleuth may be shot.</p>
<p class="NF_PARAGRAPH">This is otherwise known as a cliffhanger. Note that relief comes in Act II.</p>
<p class="NF_PARAGRAPH"><b> Act II</b></p>
<p class="NF_PARAGRAPH">The detective survives the shooting from the first act, but the intruder gets away. </p>
<p class="NF_PARAGRAPH">Relief = Detective survives. </p>
<p class="NF_PARAGRAPH">Later his star witness vanishes. He follows leads and finds the kidnappers hideout. Only, they are gone, and she is dead.</p>
<p class="NF_PARAGRAPH">Tension = Witness vanishes.</p>
<p class="NF_PARAGRAPH">Relief = Kidnappers escape and witness is dead.</p>
<p class="NF_PARAGRAPH">Take note, the relief is not always good or positive. Only, it has eliminated the tension.</p>
<p class="NF_PARAGRAPH"><b> Act III</b></p>
<p class="NF_PARAGRAPH">A clue leads the detective to a warehouse on the docks. He believes he has trapped the killer, but then the tables are turned. He finds himself tied up with a ticking bomb next to him. The killer explains
how he is going to leave the sleuth to die and then . . .</p>
<p class="NF_PARAGRAPH">Tension = the detective’s darkest hour. He may die if he cannot escape the dilemma.</p>
<p class="NF_PARAGRAPH">Relief = what happens next.</p>
<p class="NF_PARAGRAPH"> </p>
<p class="NF_PARAGRAPH">Here is a Video I did to describe Tension</p>
<p class="NF_PARAGRAPH"><br /></p><p class="NF_PARAGRAPH"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxpP0oEqKAEDYqEb6gfP_3tWs88v7z6M0m-Jzv-YDZcmP9bx9nZ5P6lerrENZPdB1damEqAFy4F2F6b7LQcag' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /> <p></p>
<p class="NF_PARAGRAPH"> </p>
<p class="NF_PARAGRAPH">If you want check out <u><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Plotting-Murder-Strategy-Develop-Storyline-ebook/dp/B07FDDXMYW/">Writng the Killer Mystery: Plotting the Murder,</a></u> Book 1 on Amazon.</p>
<p class="Normal"> </p>
<p class="Normal"> </p>
<p class="Normal"> </p>Ron D. Voigtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02912922391951560594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468314046152500998.post-8830062848087457042021-02-22T20:47:00.002-05:002021-02-22T20:47:52.343-05:00Some of my Art<p> So for the past year I should have been writing but put much of my focus on learning graphic design and art. My goal was to design better book covers to help other authors, become better at a craft and finally it was fun. Most important thing in life, if you are not having fun than don't do it.</p><p>Here a piece I did which falls in the genre of flat design. This kind of art is popular in advertising. This piece is totally vector art. I call it Gnome Home.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiytpSJeq1brgyQjwI8H1FvR_PosyZIEGoN9uRD_mODs0xzz45gl70je9GY-5bvtKgdjTfcA1R8sDeXmXAM8yJ-9AOiIUxcA3JH3T_WRyDjrZ1bpfDx0UxmD9Gnh2TSxE-4cGUgPbb0qXw/s1600/Gnome+Home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiytpSJeq1brgyQjwI8H1FvR_PosyZIEGoN9uRD_mODs0xzz45gl70je9GY-5bvtKgdjTfcA1R8sDeXmXAM8yJ-9AOiIUxcA3JH3T_WRyDjrZ1bpfDx0UxmD9Gnh2TSxE-4cGUgPbb0qXw/w400-h300/Gnome+Home.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This next piece is Pretty Woman. Just a portrait with some color tossed in.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiITnAanpIX8jSdRtndvig40QmeA3PKSFZhUj6jIJUTV3Ol096MJ3SDncUWbJT4kxmLA62TMC2BiAnzrHolU3fiJhSEz2TLyHyYKtrN1E0PGJMjoZpBXIfjZ8poh4oSE9A47MEh2fGOXOw/s1600/pretty+woman.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiITnAanpIX8jSdRtndvig40QmeA3PKSFZhUj6jIJUTV3Ol096MJ3SDncUWbJT4kxmLA62TMC2BiAnzrHolU3fiJhSEz2TLyHyYKtrN1E0PGJMjoZpBXIfjZ8poh4oSE9A47MEh2fGOXOw/w300-h400/pretty+woman.png" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This is the last one for the day. The elements are available on line, the arrangement is mine. Here is Go Ask Alice.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQy3pccE0slqlJwaXQ4sNrtPjtitLY164PiKryeKCjE5TNpv6v5csAqDrKEqG9Az6d-hgWJeTIOHHJ9cS9tYPHCOSFhdwa7w9ODi7EY-ALFtalvW4GSkT166JjGFAm5tRVVficyfAFrI/s1600/go+ask+alice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQy3pccE0slqlJwaXQ4sNrtPjtitLY164PiKryeKCjE5TNpv6v5csAqDrKEqG9Az6d-hgWJeTIOHHJ9cS9tYPHCOSFhdwa7w9ODi7EY-ALFtalvW4GSkT166JjGFAm5tRVVficyfAFrI/w400-h300/go+ask+alice.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That is enough to leave you with. Best to all!</div><br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p></div>Ron D. Voigtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02912922391951560594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468314046152500998.post-54638915522327329352021-02-11T20:16:00.003-05:002021-02-12T11:37:38.572-05:00I’m Back!<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal">A lot has passed since I last wrote here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The world now has Covid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People stay at home more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We wear face masks in public.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The unemployment rate has skyrocketed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The stock market is in a bubble with no signs
yet it will burst.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The national election
has come and gone with a change of leadership.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We even had an insurrection to overthrow the government though some may
call it a mob action.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In 2020, my wife and I had targeted moving to Florida no
matter what! We stayed on track. Got the house ready and put it for sale.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sold and bought a new house in the Sunshine
State.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now I live on the 6<sup>th</sup>
floor of a condo complex overlooking the 5<sup>th</sup> hole on a golf course and a marina with
Tampa Bay just to the right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s Feb
11, 81 degrees outside, and I am not shoveling snow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yay!!!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I have been getting into graphic design. Something I will
share here in the future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My series
Writing the Killer Mystery has been doing modestly well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have helped a few authors publish their
books.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need to get back to basics and
write another murder mystery.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For today I will leave you a promo video for Book 1, Writing
the Killer Mystery: Great beginnings which is available at Amazon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I plan to create explainer videos like this
one for the Writing the Killer Mystery so please stop back from time to time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">See you around.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dytHbaVEGMvL32Wb9UJDjr7pHK0dNh6Os-KZ8ynmQn8MNuzQwQePS3rvZ5yOMRXAAtelQIEcmo_rKfBkI49QQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>If you'd like to create Promo Video like this for your book, then click <a href="mailto: rondvoigts@gmail.com" target="_blank">Contact Me</a>.<br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>Ron D. Voigtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02912922391951560594noreply@blogger.com0Tampa, Florida27.9319736 -82.45601309999999327.447239049024041 -83.005329506249993 28.416708150975957 -81.906696693749993tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468314046152500998.post-90441920560397489242019-11-24T12:03:00.002-05:002019-11-24T12:04:53.207-05:00DIY Book Trailers and Other Video Feats<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Old English adage says: “A picture is worth a thousand
words.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then it follows a video must be worth a million.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Everything these days is video. Facebook. Instagram.
Twitter. Video communication is a way of life now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And its one of the best ways to promote
books.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A few years back, the only way to get a book trailer was
hiring a professional company and pay a few hundred bucks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then prices dropped and people popped up on Fiverr.com
who could do it for less than a hundred. But still costs could be a little
pricey. I mean for $50 I can have a really good meal out or buy myself some
nice duds.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But now comes the do-it-yourself age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have recently created some of my own book
trailers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cost: my time and
creativity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here is one for my book The Fortune
Teller’s Secret.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/AiqUFA9Pqoc/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AiqUFA9Pqoc?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Like? Okay, I know you can do better. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I created the book trailer at <a href="http://invideo.io/">http://invideo.io/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Invideo lets you make your own video for just about
anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have all the bells and
whistles. Special effects. Music. Stock video and pictures. Titles and text.
Enhancements and stickers. Even upload your own pics and video.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pricing…$48 yearly for pro version, $180 for business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am only pro for now. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Try it out for free at <a href="https://invideo.io/pricing/">https://invideo.io/pricing/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here’s another book promo <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/-44FdpPWF8g/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-44FdpPWF8g?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Worried you will never be able to learn all this good
stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Check out this course at Udemy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.udemy.com/course/invideo-video-creation-and-marketing-beginner-to-advanced/">https://www.udemy.com/course/invideo-video-creation-and-marketing-beginner-to-advanced/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bottomline: make your book promos and save big time. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Ron D. Voigtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02912922391951560594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468314046152500998.post-42233697340040116872019-09-21T21:19:00.000-04:002019-09-21T21:28:35.050-04:00Write Your Book Blurb with C. E. N. A.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdi5GAMn4YuAc2yy_nFnJ4aTXsuWWwWKri0L4EHpMcAXRXnZnL4E-y7HQfXRtcx9yr0QjS0wlxM_XQl04-UnhvSXYbmnPnlcmvce692GBOZ7Pdkbeq23R2zCLPZPcCYmSbddEZIi-hAMA/s1600/book-306211_640.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdi5GAMn4YuAc2yy_nFnJ4aTXsuWWwWKri0L4EHpMcAXRXnZnL4E-y7HQfXRtcx9yr0QjS0wlxM_XQl04-UnhvSXYbmnPnlcmvce692GBOZ7Pdkbeq23R2zCLPZPcCYmSbddEZIi-hAMA/s320/book-306211_640.png" width="320" /></a></div>
Uploading your book to Amazon KDP requires a description otherwise known as the book blurb. For us writers this can be a daunting task despite the reality we just wrote a novel of 75,000 words. And if you have a publisher and think I don't need this, guess again. Even writers with book contracts need to come up with the dreaded blurb.<br />
<br />
Copywriters use a formula called AIDA: <u>A</u>ttention, <u>I</u>nterest, <u>D</u>esire, <u>A</u>ction. The ads go something like this...<br />
<br />
Attention--an elderly woman lies on the floor and cries, "I've fallen and get up."<br />
<br />
Interest--a narrator comes on and explains the benefits of medical alert systems.<br />
<br />
Desire--the viewer/listener is presented with the reality of needing the alert system. Either be safe or lie on the floor helpless for hours, days, and maybe die.<br />
<br />
Action--call a toll free number and get the system.<br />
<br />
So I came up with my own version for a book blurb which is really an ad to buy your book. My system is CENA: <u>C</u>atchphrase, <u>E</u>ssence, <u>N</u>eed, <u>A</u>ction.<br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<u><b style="background-color: white;">Catchphrase</b><span style="background-color: white;">, aka</span> <gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-1" id="gwmw-15691126682622228244290"><gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-1" id="gwmw-15691144695444208726487" style="background-color: white;">logline</gwmw></gwmw><span style="background-color: white;"> or </span><gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-1" id="gwmw-15691126725676723386796"><gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-1" id="gwmw-15691144695444459009504" style="background-color: white;">tagline</gwmw></gwmw><span style="background-color: white;">. </span></u><br />
Some memorable or catchy line to tag your book. Movies have always been good at this. Here are some favorites.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">“In space, no one can hear you scream.” – Alien</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">“A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…” – Star Wars</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">“Who <gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-1" id="gwmw-15691127711906476639033"><gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-1" id="gwmw-15691144767485845108000" style="background-color: white;">ya</gwmw></gwmw> gonna call?” – Ghostbusters</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">“Be Afraid. Be very afraid.” – The Fly</span></div>
<br />
<u>Capture the <b>Essence</b> of the Book</u><br />
Basically, this is the summary. But here are some guidelines.<br />
<ul>
<li>Teaser summary</li>
<li>A taste of the book's contents</li>
<li>What it is about</li>
<li>Conveys the genre or scope </li>
<li>About characters (fiction) or information (nonfiction)</li>
<li>Terse and to the point</li>
</ul>
<div>
<u>Create a <b>Need</b> for the Book</u></div>
<div>
This can be any real need or a tantalizing sentence to get the book. Even a "got to read" summary can do it. Here a few more thoughts. </div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Summarizing statement</li>
<li>Why read this book</li>
<li>Importance</li>
<li><gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-1" id="gwmw-15691133623765360271200" style="background-color: white;">Gotta</gwmw> have the book moment</li>
<li>Desire to read the book</li>
<li>Sink the hook</li>
</ul>
<div>
<u>Take <b>Action</b></u></div>
</div>
<div>
Bottom line: ask them to buy your book.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Here is the blurb for my book <i><b>Penelope and Birthday Curse</b></i>.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #660000;">Sometimes birthdays can be deadly</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Catchphrase)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
An isolated mansion in the country... Stranded in a snowstorm... Someone is murdered on Penelope's birthday.
But who did it? Her gangster uncle on from the law... Or the Broadway actress who's us husband… Don't forget about the mob hit man hiding in the woods behind the mansion. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A young fortune teller weaves a tale of a gypsy curse where three people will die. And it happens on Penelope's 13th
birthday. While the adults bumble along, trying to discover the killer, Penelope sleuths with the help of her friends to
find the culprit. It's a race against time before Penelope becomes the third victim. (Essence)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
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(Need)</div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Get your copy today!!!</b></span></div>
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(Action)</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
While the Amazon description of your book is meant to inform a potential reader, it is your sales pitch. Do as the advertisers do. Use CENA to write your book blurb.</div>
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Ron D. Voigtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02912922391951560594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468314046152500998.post-2433617349963875212019-07-10T11:44:00.000-04:002019-07-10T13:21:54.798-04:00Writing Prompts to Get the Creativity FlowingFeeling a touch of writer's block? Need to kickstart the old keyboard action? Got the Parker pen in hand and nothing to write about? Try writing prompts!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
Finish the Beginning</h3>
<div>
Take a story beginning and finish it. Here is one I use from a class I teach in creative writing.</div>
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<div>
<i><span style="color: blue;">Mick slipped the revolver from his pocket, knocked at the door, and hoped no one was home. </span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></i>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>"My mother doesn't understand me," Malcolm said and dropped a shovel full of dirt onto the body in the hole.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>The weather had been pleasant and mild, but now the air crackled with electric as thunder shook the house.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Agnes liked her men tall, handsome, and eager.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>
<i><span style="color: blue;"></span></i><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Cracked foundation, glass broken in the windows, brickwork stained from pollution and smoke, Hull House stood on the corner of North and Main like relic from a forgotten era.</i></span></div>
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Then what happens? You're the writer. Run with it</div>
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<h3>
Grab Some Opening Nouns</h3>
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Open a book you like (or not) and pick out some nouns on the page, assuming there is enough to go around. Else go the the next page or the previous page. Here are some words from my book <i>The Fortune Teller's Secret</i>. </div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;">Mantra Brain Problem Lady Ice Cream</span></i></div>
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What can you write?</div>
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<span style="color: blue;">I<i> repeated the <u>mantra</u> of my youth. "It's going to be okay. It's going to be okay."</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;">But my <u>brain</u> said otherwise? That was the <u>problem</u>.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div>
<i><span style="color: blue;">I'd seen the <u>lady</u> outside the drug store earlier in the day. She waited from someone and she seemed nervous, checking her cell phone repeatedly, chain smoking cigarettes.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;">I stopped at vendor truck selling ice cream. Two kids walked away with orange push-ups. I ordered two chocolate dip cones and offered one to the <u>lady</u>. "Something sweet always makes me feel better."</span></i></div>
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<div>
You get the picture. Run with it.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<h3>
Writing Images</h3>
</div>
<div>
Grab a pic from the Internet. Find something that inspires you.. Here is something from Instagram I posted. Note the story does not have to follow the picture exactly. Just use it to get the juices flowing.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqcb14AtQAuGTfkcSZVN31at-Lx6NCEtOVUUNZ_3OKZIsQkGoKf0d-0hT7sd5FXzVzsXSmBWAotKfeLTUubQlPFb05WZ-qdn8o48bSL7vr7FpwMWtHHXgMy7OGrzpnMfhT_968C2CAbZo/s1600/Tomb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqcb14AtQAuGTfkcSZVN31at-Lx6NCEtOVUUNZ_3OKZIsQkGoKf0d-0hT7sd5FXzVzsXSmBWAotKfeLTUubQlPFb05WZ-qdn8o48bSL7vr7FpwMWtHHXgMy7OGrzpnMfhT_968C2CAbZo/s320/Tomb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Circa 1908. Seven men from Lavenham, Suffolk, England excavated and entered the tomb of Akhenaten, The Valley of the Kings, Egypt. The tomb bore a curse scribed over the entrance that the men ignored. Three of them died before leaving the mid-east. The other four returned home with gold and artifacts. Over the next two years, two more members of the group died from a mysterious illness resembling malaria. The sixth man perished when a wagon in Chelsea, London, overturned and crushed him. The last man, Williams Mills, found his wife and infant son murdered, throats cut. A bloody Egyptian dagger was found in bushes outside the house. </i></span></div>
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These are just a few ways to get the creative juices flowing. </div>
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BTW, connect with me on Instagram at <span style="color: blue;"><b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/rondvoigts/" target="_blank">@rondvoigts</a></b></span>.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Read, Write, Experience</span></i></b></div>
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Ron D. Voigtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02912922391951560594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468314046152500998.post-69838073315371773192019-07-04T10:26:00.000-04:002019-07-04T10:47:54.794-04:00A Haunted House and A Grisly Murder<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiGrQPEfOK5D1HSo_Y7fHvTl4JI_vJOPNv0hzqRKSzKQ5PCMugi6U-XYRdY9Q8z-2d46Lo5NJTnfAmF4jHFk4B5F8_l46aOPMIjnRHrgIv6F3aN_6aby9D8jgZfySwGJBjY-AiJtBxtN8/s1600/house-4206140_1920+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiGrQPEfOK5D1HSo_Y7fHvTl4JI_vJOPNv0hzqRKSzKQ5PCMugi6U-XYRdY9Q8z-2d46Lo5NJTnfAmF4jHFk4B5F8_l46aOPMIjnRHrgIv6F3aN_6aby9D8jgZfySwGJBjY-AiJtBxtN8/s400/house-4206140_1920+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">1927. Vanise, California. Police discovered two women dead in the house, their hearts and livers removed. A jury trial found Dr. Arthur Lemke, the home's owner, guilty. He went to the gas chamber two years later. His last words: "I'm innocent." The house has remained empty since. Neighbors report lights and sounds coming from the house at night. They insist it's haunted. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Be a mystery writer.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Check out <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CGLVZ7C" target="_blank">Writing the Killer Mystery: Great Beginnings (Book 1)</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIf7oI6v3VYNlumHAG0WWtUKg4HbshtsFvXpoLyU2bLdEMsg_1uX7iTroGF6Bl52hk_sxHz8eZBxleIBzLEHlO6J0AGl1jVQ4FqeFRAEPmrbtfna276ZHLtTxGTnjyrs10JrMlcpYmU8k/s1600/Great+Beginnins%252C+600x900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIf7oI6v3VYNlumHAG0WWtUKg4HbshtsFvXpoLyU2bLdEMsg_1uX7iTroGF6Bl52hk_sxHz8eZBxleIBzLEHlO6J0AGl1jVQ4FqeFRAEPmrbtfna276ZHLtTxGTnjyrs10JrMlcpYmU8k/s200/Great+Beginnins%252C+600x900.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Get it at <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CGLVZ7C" target="_blank">Amazon</a>.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
Image by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/dimitrisvetsikas1969-1857980/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=4206140">Dimitris Vetsikas</a> from <a href="https://pixabay.com/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=4206140">Pixabay</a>
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Ron D. Voigtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02912922391951560594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468314046152500998.post-43503377871886178942019-06-25T08:45:00.000-04:002019-06-25T08:52:04.707-04:00Book 2 in Writing the KIller Mystery, On Sale!<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Click here >>></span> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D7JPW8T/">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D7JPW8T/</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: orange;">Click here >>></span> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D7JPW8T/" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: lime;">Or here >>> </span> <a href="http://bit.ly/captivatingcharacters">http://bit.ly/captivatingcharacters</a></span>Ron D. Voigtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02912922391951560594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468314046152500998.post-40351628277485155662019-05-20T09:57:00.002-04:002019-05-20T10:08:10.725-04:00Writers write today!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Years ago I developed a philosophy. If you want to be an Olympic runner, you run everyday. Becoming a great surgeon means living in the operating room clutching a scalpel. If you want to be a writer, then write everyday.<br />
<br />
Grace Ann Watts wanted to be a writer while in her twenties but friends, parties, and fun stuff occupied her time. In her thirties, a husband and kids kept her busy. She also had a budding career in real estate to take care of. But she still dreamed of writing a novel. Come her forties, she said her life was too busy but someday she'd get all those words on paper. By fifty years old, things had settled in. Life was good. She dreamed often of the novel. Sixties meant retirement. More time. But visiting family, seeing friends and relaxing ate up those hours. Grace died at 73. The novel died with her.<br />
<br />
Now it should be said that Grace led a great life, had a career, and family who stood by her side when she passed. But she never wrote her novel because writing doesn't begin tomorrow.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Being a writer starts today.</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<script type="text/javascript" src="//downloads.mailchimp.com/js/signup-forms/popup/unique-methods/embed.js" data-dojo-config="usePlainJson: true, isDebug: false"></script><script type="text/javascript">window.dojoRequire(["mojo/signup-forms/Loader"], function(L) { L.start({"baseUrl":"mc.us19.list-manage.com","uuid":"67925044ea11002f43f3c152f","lid":"ffc52cf867","uniqueMethods":true}) })</script>Ron D. Voigtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02912922391951560594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468314046152500998.post-1972211080079978492019-03-08T23:34:00.000-05:002019-03-08T23:34:54.671-05:00Writing the Killer Mystery and WeatherThe following excerpt comes from <b><i>Writing the Killer Mystery: Places, Clues and Guilt, Book 4</i></b>. Here is some advice about using weather when creating the setting in your mystery. This advice works across other genres too.<br />
<br />
<h2>
The Weather</h2>
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<br />
<div align="center" class="NF-PARAGRAPH" style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Everybody talks about it, but nobody does anything
about it.”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="NF-PARAGRAPH">
<br /></div>
<div class="NF-PARAGRAPH">
The weather is on everyone’s mind. A dark, rainy morning brings
depression. Sunshine speaks happiness. A spring shower washes away sins and heralds
a new life. Snow transforms the world into a winter wonderland. A blizzard
spells danger. A tornado spins ill will.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="NF-PARAGRAPH">
<br /></div>
<div class="NF-PARAGRAPH">
Weather goes with the territory. Place the story in
Seattle, Washington, and be aware it rains over 200 days a year. Characters feel
light rain when they walk out their front doors. Everyone talks about a sunny
day. Windshield wipers slap on car windows. Umbrellas go with their owners on
trips.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="NF-PARAGRAPH">
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<div class="NF-PARAGRAPH">
Write a tale of London in the 19th century and be certain
of foggy streets and cloudy days. The fact the “foggy city” used coal to heat
its homes and businesses until the mid-20th century compounded its murky
climate. Billowing clouds above cobblestone pavements and dim alleys create an
ambiance of dread and unknown. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="NF-PARAGRAPH">
<br /></div>
<div class="NF-PARAGRAPH">
Imagine a freak blizzard dumping snow on an isolated
mansion in the country, stranding a dozen people for days. Then someone is
murdered, but who did it? With no one in or out of the house, it has to be one
of them. This was the plot in my book <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Penelope and The Birthday Curse</i></b>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
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<div class="NF-PARAGRAPH">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Setting<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="NF-PARAGRAPH">
Weather is an integral part of the setting, becoming an element
blended into its description. Rain beats on window panes. Snow fills roads. A
sunny day raises the temperature, and a cloudy day may drop it. Consider how weather
affects your mystery story’s location.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="NF-PARAGRAPH">
<br /></div>
<div class="NF-PARAGRAPH">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Characters<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="NF-PARAGRAPH">
Physical: characters put on extra clothing for the cold and
shed garments for the heat. They carry umbrellas in the rain. Apparel gets wet
in a downpour. Too much sun burns the skin. Wind musses hair. Consider reactions
to the elements.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="NF-PARAGRAPH">
<br /></div>
<div class="NF-PARAGRAPH">
Psychological: weather influences <span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">mental states. On blustery, dreary winter days, people
become depressed. Summer sunshine makes them happy. When in love, they dance in
the rain. Thunder and lightning frighten them. Consider the characters’
feelings and attitudes toward the weather. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="NF-PARAGRAPH">
<br /></div>
<div class="NF-PARAGRAPH">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Plot</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="NF-PARAGRAPH">
Weather has a direct bearing on the storyline. Snow
closes roads and strands people. Winds, tornadoes, and hurricanes destroys homes
and kills people. Summer heat and lack of rain leads to fires. The effects of the
weather direct the plots course.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="NF-PARAGRAPH">
<br /></div>
<div class="NF-PARAGRAPH">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Symbolism</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="NF-PARAGRAPH">
Weather represents many things. A pending storm on the
horizon means something bad is coming. Rain signifies a change or cleansing. Lightning
striking may mean judgment or warning. The symbols can represent a turning
point in the story. Consider using weather to flag an important event.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="NF-PARAGRAPH">
<br /></div>
<div class="NF-PARAGRAPH">
For more ideas, grab a copy from Amazon.</div>
<div class="NF-PARAGRAPH">
<br /></div>
<div class="NF-PARAGRAPH" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Places-Clues-Guilt-Mystery-Success-ebook/dp/B07HM67D1Q/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Writing the Killer Mystery: Places, Clues and Guilt, Book 4</span></a></i></b></div>
<div class="NF-PARAGRAPH">
<br /></div>
<br />Ron D. Voigtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02912922391951560594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468314046152500998.post-17692746533560246522019-02-03T21:33:00.000-05:002019-02-03T21:33:42.782-05:00Plotting the Murder: On Sale at Amazon.<span style="font-size: large;">Countdown sale is going on at Amazon for Book 3 in Writing the Killer Mystery, Plotting the Murder.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"> ☺</span><span style="font-size: large;"> On sale for 99 cents, Ends Feb 8 </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">☺</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPwmjSDzkUtZH3y6rMEuDfCzdDoXitHQFegfsdY4KURFZIQSrXeWAbfjIwNTaQ130l95KxLzUQyrFmQXWzcoOZffZ445OJC9smLbTJeNrPdHO1-nrjYcrM_CEtZJBC-9B-rtS0R3hMMBI/s1600/WTKM-Cover-Three-V1.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPwmjSDzkUtZH3y6rMEuDfCzdDoXitHQFegfsdY4KURFZIQSrXeWAbfjIwNTaQ130l95KxLzUQyrFmQXWzcoOZffZ445OJC9smLbTJeNrPdHO1-nrjYcrM_CEtZJBC-9B-rtS0R3hMMBI/s320/WTKM-Cover-Three-V1.1.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FDDXMYW/" target="_blank">** Get yours at Amazon **</a></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Ron D. Voigtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02912922391951560594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468314046152500998.post-88879164726879189252019-01-24T11:55:00.002-05:002019-01-24T12:25:39.880-05:00Writing and Tomato Timers<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdEC274sZdPmunD5toX-XqA3JZjSEm9Nj39K2iEFBg6yC9cKFYoJAlxVCG_RVbLyyIKWin2hbMM4QeRzIbr3PdDMFxp15fzHM_c_yIchSqrD3gqJPDXdcgfMnd-NHJeB6O5p6k6fcZ43I/s1600/tomatotimer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1062" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdEC274sZdPmunD5toX-XqA3JZjSEm9Nj39K2iEFBg6yC9cKFYoJAlxVCG_RVbLyyIKWin2hbMM4QeRzIbr3PdDMFxp15fzHM_c_yIchSqrD3gqJPDXdcgfMnd-NHJeB6O5p6k6fcZ43I/s320/tomatotimer.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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I have the attention span of a peanut.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not that I cannot focus, just getting myself to last the distance can be a P-A-I-N (all caps).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I read about this method called the
Pomodoro Method.</div>
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This Italian guy <span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Francesco
Cirillo</span> came up with the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pomodoro_Technique">Pomodoro Technique</a>.<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"> <span style="background: white;">Whatever the task, you break it
up into chunks, working 25 minutes at it and then resting 5 </span>minutes.<span style="background: white;"> Repeat cycle. After four repeats, take a longer rest
say 15-30 minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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I use this method when writing. If I make four cycles, two
hours, I take a nice long break, get some ice cream, play with the cat, and catchup
on Netflix offerings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Sometimes I don't make four cycle, but I still eat ice cream and play with the cat. </span>The method was
devised to decrease internal and external interruption of the creative flow.
For me, it takes an insurmountable task, like writing a 100,000-word book and knocks
it down into bite-size chunks.<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
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Pomodoro is Italian for tomato and the original method used
a tomato shaped timer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can find them
on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07D5MRP4K">Amazon </a>. I used my
wife’s Owl Timer at first. Later I progressed to a timer on my Android Phone. Check
out Google Play Store for Pomodoro Timer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I am sure an app exists for the Apple iphone.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAqLO8tKADD4VOPvvkW513H21niGkV1CJEDntGtmfb96MJsVy2X46Rg_Gj0dEwn7kJF0FUF7GQVJQwXbUXYHY1A1TL1xmI102igpZNGnUAkURKLH8fKx1O813az_T19aNhiat6IqDOynA/s1600/OwlTimer.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAqLO8tKADD4VOPvvkW513H21niGkV1CJEDntGtmfb96MJsVy2X46Rg_Gj0dEwn7kJF0FUF7GQVJQwXbUXYHY1A1TL1xmI102igpZNGnUAkURKLH8fKx1O813az_T19aNhiat6IqDOynA/s320/OwlTimer.JPG" width="180" /></a></div>
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Interesting to think: if Francesco had been from the South,
it might have been the Okra Method. We’d call him Frankie then. Maybe Bubba for
short.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Happy writing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Try
the tomato timer method.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Ron D. Voigtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02912922391951560594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468314046152500998.post-8016349714756880622018-12-27T22:59:00.000-05:002018-12-27T23:06:28.139-05:00Pre-Order Now for Book 5 in Writing the Killer Mystery<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsg2bGM76fF2VVVl6MXTL1RbzOmkBetzIbrT8cnwTLORX6QCPj9NFFuLuBr6zJ5Suh9UN0CQxeiM3R0DXJmCYBzy5AKEzalJoL3Jz41BcH-20WqpTovHdnZGPRNok1IqZmwykD-VQdYuw/s1600/WTKM%252C+Getting+Right+Paid%252C+V2.0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsg2bGM76fF2VVVl6MXTL1RbzOmkBetzIbrT8cnwTLORX6QCPj9NFFuLuBr6zJ5Suh9UN0CQxeiM3R0DXJmCYBzy5AKEzalJoL3Jz41BcH-20WqpTovHdnZGPRNok1IqZmwykD-VQdYuw/s320/WTKM%252C+Getting+Right+Paid%252C+V2.0.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
<h2>
Finish and Sell your Mystery Novel!!!</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<b>Let me show you how</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Build conflict and suspense into scenes</li>
<li>Write dynamic dialog</li>
<li>Use secrets and lies in your mystery</li>
<li>Fix plot, characters, and scenes</li>
<li>Self-Publish your book</li>
<li>Get a literary agent</li>
<li>Find a traditional publisher</li>
<li>Promote your book</li>
<li>Develop a marketing plan</li>
<li>Build your author platform</li>
</ul>
In a Nutshell<br />
<em>This fifth book in the creative writing course, <strong>Writing the Killer Mystery</strong>, offers advice on finishing, revising, publishing, and marketing to make the mystery novel a success.</em><br />
<strong><em>Help with your Mystery Novel</em></strong><br />
<em>>>> Are you looking to take your murder mystery from concept to publication?</em><br />
<em>>>> Do you want to grow your writing knowledge and skills?</em><br />
<em>>>> Looking for a muse to help with writing your mystery novel?</em><br />
<em>>>> Are you stuck on some aspect of crafting your mystery?</em><br />
<em>>>> Do you sometimes have writer stall-out?</em><br />
Let <strong>Writing the Killer Mystery</strong> series guide you with Volume 5, <strong>Getting It Right, Getting Paid</strong>.<br />
<em>Scroll up and </em><strong><em><u>grab a copy </u></em></strong><em>today!!!</em><br />
<em><br /></em>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: orange;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Right-Paid-Mystery-Writing-ebook/dp/B07LFJHBVY/" target="_blank">Pre-Order Your Copy at Amazon</a></b></span></em></div>
Ron D. Voigtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02912922391951560594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468314046152500998.post-32175740581189861652018-11-28T22:36:00.000-05:002018-12-01T08:56:17.763-05:00Promote Your Book on Facebook<script data-dojo-config="usePlainJson: true, isDebug: false" src="//downloads.mailchimp.com/js/signup-forms/popup/unique-methods/embed.js" type="text/javascript"></script><script type="text/javascript">window.dojoRequire(["mojo/signup-forms/Loader"], function(L) { L.start({"baseUrl":"mc.us19.list-manage.com","uuid":"67925044ea11002f43f3c152f","lid":"ffc52cf867","uniqueMethods":true}) })</script>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGKt58aJ7ZWGfaIJlBySyY_QH7QZ7Ck2C6ddofUzaGuXSvNCd5QqmhbL6H-SZJ0lCUfiWoBSmDdHBK1R9kpaMi_27dZhZ8ihWAUtlCjL97Sv-mGoZw1fvPVBrnIBlO9b6GISFBiGEoDQ4/s1600/facebook-76536_1280.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="719" data-original-width="1280" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGKt58aJ7ZWGfaIJlBySyY_QH7QZ7Ck2C6ddofUzaGuXSvNCd5QqmhbL6H-SZJ0lCUfiWoBSmDdHBK1R9kpaMi_27dZhZ8ihWAUtlCjL97Sv-mGoZw1fvPVBrnIBlO9b6GISFBiGEoDQ4/s320/facebook-76536_1280.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Facebook offers a great number of groups to promote your
books.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you have not already done so,
you need to try this promo method.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here
is the basic formula.<br />
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<ol>
<li>Go to a promo book page. </li>
<li>Post to the group a short book blurb and link to your book.
I always use the Amazon link as it produces a nice pic of your book cover.
Also, if the promo group offers sales/discussion posts, always pick discussion.</li>
<li>Post no more than one book a day to a group. Don’t overdo
your welcome.</li>
<li>Pay attention to the group’s rules. Some are wide open but
others have requirements. For example, “Kindle Unlimited” must have #KU, Kindle
Unlimited, or something like that in the post, where it can be easily seen.</li>
<li>Rotate through the groups. Using the list below, you should
be able to do a month of promos for a book before any repeats.</li>
<li>I track everything on a spreadsheet. One sheet per book. I note the post date for each promo group. I
also keep my book blurb on the same sheet for that book.</li>
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Here is the blurb for <b><i>Writing the </i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Killer Mystery: Places, Clues and
Guilt, Volume Four.</i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "segoe ui symbol" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Symbol";">★★</span> Read for free on Kindle
Unlimited <span style="font-family: "segoe ui symbol" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Symbol";">★★</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p><span style="font-family: "segoe ui emoji" , sans-serif;">✔</span> 99 Cents with Kindle Matchbook</div>
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<span style="font-family: "segoe ui emoji" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">☺</span> Now an Amazon Bestseller<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "segoe ui symbol" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Symbol";">➭</span> Create dynamic settings<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "segoe ui symbol" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Symbol";">➭</span> Invent great clues and
evidence<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "segoe ui emoji" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">✔</span> $2.99 to Buy<o:p></o:p></div>
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https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HM67D1Q/<o:p></o:p><br />
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The post looks like this on FB.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd9BjkDfqtOu3IWdyQ1_J4hBT74DUqN4o6bniOBEmtvX99hI7Kfs9OXLH6Re1zY5PFrUYUq0-q5xHruQKP2x73JvmcE7lkXCQIcBxAmMB-CmUdq_7VRxxFZUHs2NSAfHL8bIs_6y2fVy4/s1600/FB+Post.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="668" data-original-width="589" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd9BjkDfqtOu3IWdyQ1_J4hBT74DUqN4o6bniOBEmtvX99hI7Kfs9OXLH6Re1zY5PFrUYUq0-q5xHruQKP2x73JvmcE7lkXCQIcBxAmMB-CmUdq_7VRxxFZUHs2NSAfHL8bIs_6y2fVy4/s320/FB+Post.JPG" width="281" /></a></div>
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My list of promo groups on Facebook follows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remove any that don’t work for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As you go on you can add to the list. I suggest sticking to groups with a few
thousand follower or more. Note some
very similar names so use them as copied here. You can find these groups by doing
a FB search on the name.</div>
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<ul>
<li><Kindle Book Promotion> Authors, Writers &
Bloggers</li>
<li>-->>Promote Kindle Book ++</li>
<li>All Things Books</li>
<li>Author/Publisher/Editor/Book Readers</li>
<li>Authors Ebook promotion & Reviews , Amazon kindle self
publishing</li>
<li>Book Junkie Promotions</li>
<li>BOOK REVIEW & PROMOTION</li>
<li>Celebrating Authors</li>
<li>Everything and Anything to do with Books</li>
<li>Free Author Book Promotion</li>
<li>Indie Author Book Promotion Page</li>
<li>Kindle Amazon Book Club - Authors Promote Here!</li>
<li>Kindle Unlimited</li>
<li>Kindle Unlimited Bookworms</li>
<li>Kindle, Kindle, and Kindle</li>
<li>Passion for Books</li>
<li>Promote Your Book Here</li>
<li>Promote Your Book Here!</li>
<li>Promote Your Books Here</li>
<li>The Kindle Book Library</li>
<li>Unlimited Kindle Reads</li>
<li>EBook Promotions</li>
<li>Authors promote your books.</li>
<li>Unlimited Book Promos</li>
<li>Kindle Amazon Book Club - Authors Promote Here!</li>
<li>Book Promotion</li>
<li>Kindle/Book Club</li>
<li>Good Kindle Unlimited Reads</li>
<li>Kindle Book Library</li>
<li>-->> PROMOTE Kdbook! FREE!</li>
<li>eBook & Book Ads and Promotions</li>
</ul>
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Happy promoting!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />Ron D. Voigtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02912922391951560594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468314046152500998.post-69114842684917388092018-10-24T14:56:00.001-04:002018-11-03T14:11:42.547-04:00Writing the Killer Mystery: Places, Clues and Guilt<script type="text/javascript" src="//downloads.mailchimp.com/js/signup-forms/popup/unique-methods/embed.js" data-dojo-config="usePlainJson: true, isDebug: false"></script><script type="text/javascript">window.dojoRequire(["mojo/signup-forms/Loader"], function(L) { L.start({"baseUrl":"mc.us19.list-manage.com","uuid":"67925044ea11002f43f3c152f","lid":"ffc52cf867","uniqueMethods":true}) })</script>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGH79HA9YjgpwdYAWai4owTxUDrzZFFYLoZB7_XhYHjV0uEZx-pyNNHj1KQVUmL6vj4n795A_-H1czSDVVCK8xVBx5LMVdR-O3bycaWTRuSK_Nm7HWm97MvDapOOHYASDm-cC6zGh84lY/s1600/WTKM%252C+Places%252C+Clues%252C+Guilt%252C+V1.1+%252820180924%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGH79HA9YjgpwdYAWai4owTxUDrzZFFYLoZB7_XhYHjV0uEZx-pyNNHj1KQVUmL6vj4n795A_-H1czSDVVCK8xVBx5LMVdR-O3bycaWTRuSK_Nm7HWm97MvDapOOHYASDm-cC6zGh84lY/s200/WTKM%252C+Places%252C+Clues%252C+Guilt%252C+V1.1+%252820180924%2529.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<h2>
Make your Mystery Novel a Success!!!</h2>
<strong>Let me show you how</strong><br />
<ul>
<li>Write dynamic settings</li>
<li>Create believable locations</li>
<li>Find means and motive for the killer</li>
<li>Use opportunity and alibis</li>
<li>Invent great clues and evidence</li>
<li>Drop red herrings to baffle all</li>
<li>Apply misdirection</li>
<li>How to play fair</li>
<li>Separate backstory and history</li>
<li>Incorporate flashbacks</li>
<li>Piecemeal backstory and history</li>
</ul>
<strong>In a Nutshell</strong><br />
<em>This fourth book in the creative writing course, <strong>Writing the Killer Mystery</strong>, lays out the elements needed in every murder mystery, including setting, means, motive, opportunity, clues, backstory and history to make the mystery novel a success.</em><br />
<em><br /></em>
<em><strong>Help with your Mystery Novel</strong></em><br />
<em>>>> Are you looking to take your murder mystery from concept to publication?</em><br />
<em>>>> Do you want to grow your writing knowledge and skills?</em><br />
<em>>>> Looking for a muse to help with writing your mystery novel?</em><br />
<em>>>> Are you stuck on some aspect of crafting your mystery?</em><br />
<em>>>> Do you sometimes have writer stall-out?</em><br />
<em><br /></em>
Let <strong>Writing the Killer Mystery</strong> series guide you with Volume 4, <b>Places, Clues and Guilt</b>.<br />
<br />
<em><b><u>Grab</u></b><strong style="text-decoration-line: underline;"> a copy </strong>today!!!</em><br />
<em><br /></em>
<em><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Places-Clues-Guilt-Mystery-Success-ebook/dp/B07HM67D1Q" target="_blank">On Amazon.com</a></em><br />
<em><br /></em>
<em><a href="https://www.amazon.de/Places-Clues-Guilt-Mystery-Success-ebook/dp/B07HM67D1Q" target="_blank">On Amazon.de</a></em><br />
<em><br /></em>
<em><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Places-Clues-Guilt-Mystery-Success-ebook/dp/B07HM67D1Q" target="_blank">On Amazon.uk.co</a></em><br />
<em><br /></em>
<em><a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Places-Clues-Guilt-Mystery-Success-ebook/dp/B07HM67D1Q" target="_blank">On Amazon.ca</a></em><br />
<em><br /></em>
<em><br /></em>
Ron D. Voigtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02912922391951560594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468314046152500998.post-26790161821223137392018-07-14T18:25:00.002-04:002018-07-14T18:25:22.182-04:00Pre-Order Writing the Killer Mystery: Plotting the Murder (Volume 3)<h2>
Craft your Mystery Novel’s Plot to Intrigue Readers!!!</h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLb93KJ4th_e8pGkLjGT_x3BJOVWcCd7hFUyCGVXxoHsQ-YkjL71fLm1pzuz1chyphenhyphengMVpIgOM6ZvyyO7X97zQDYGtp-wT1abHM2CHcFBY1QCEdIAnPi5Umt8WZbScegTIDZR9rgsT-ZKUQ/s1600/WTKM-Cover-Three-V1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLb93KJ4th_e8pGkLjGT_x3BJOVWcCd7hFUyCGVXxoHsQ-YkjL71fLm1pzuz1chyphenhyphengMVpIgOM6ZvyyO7X97zQDYGtp-wT1abHM2CHcFBY1QCEdIAnPi5Umt8WZbScegTIDZR9rgsT-ZKUQ/s320/WTKM-Cover-Three-V1.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<strong>Let me show you how</strong><br />
<ul>
<li>Apply the Three Act Structure to the mystery novel</li>
<li>Understand rising tension and its use</li>
<li>Resolve mid-story writer's block</li>
<li>Incorporate Timelines into the story structure</li>
<li>Develop Opening Lines that draw the reader in</li>
<li>Plan a riveting story with complications and twists</li>
<li>End Act II on a dramatic note</li>
<li>Use the Dead End Dilemma</li>
<li>Reveal the murderer</li>
<li>Understand the five parts of a scene</li>
<li>Recognize the ten kinds of Cliffhangers</li>
<li>Define the mystery with Six Key Events</li>
<li>Develop an Event-driven Plot</li>
</ul>
<strong>In a Nutshell</strong><br />
<em>This third book in the creative writing course, </em><strong><em>Writing the Killer Mystery</em></strong><em>, provides a strategy to develop a storyline for the murder mystery, covering plot structure, the opening, the middle story, the big reveal, and writing scenes, pulling everything together in an event-driven plot.</em><br />
<em><strong><br /></strong></em>
<em><strong>Help with your Mystery Novel</strong></em><br />
<em>>>> Are you looking to take your murder mystery from concept to publication?</em><br />
<em>>>> Do you want to grow your writing knowledge and skills?</em><br />
<em>>>> Looking for a muse to help with writing your mystery novel?</em><br />
<em>>>> Are you stuck on some aspect of crafting your mystery?</em><br />
<em>>>> Do you sometimes have writer stall-out?</em><br />
<br />
Let <strong>Writing the Killer Mystery</strong> series guide you with Volume 3, <strong>Plotting the Murder</strong>.<br />
<em><br /></em>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Plotting-Murder-Strategy-Develop-Storyline-ebook/dp/B07FDDXMYW/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Pre-order your copy at Amazon</span></a></i></div>
Ron D. Voigtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02912922391951560594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468314046152500998.post-62690224176331698702018-06-26T11:36:00.000-04:002018-06-26T11:38:18.901-04:00Why you need Writing the Killer Mystery: Great Beginnings<h1>
Five Element Mystery Story Model</h1>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH8McKKTqh_aI1U4WBdVVjQ2pi3OxkYu8Xz2-NO-zsZKWVaKLi66N-N1L4NRgF_j45L0HpUsXyQdnd4y2L-Qig1mininrZJVhevhme7Grvag2QXSeRpat7T99Wn0AteMoCqbFvTuY6xME/s1600/Great+Beginnins%252C+600x900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH8McKKTqh_aI1U4WBdVVjQ2pi3OxkYu8Xz2-NO-zsZKWVaKLi66N-N1L4NRgF_j45L0HpUsXyQdnd4y2L-Qig1mininrZJVhevhme7Grvag2QXSeRpat7T99Wn0AteMoCqbFvTuY6xME/s200/Great+Beginnins%252C+600x900.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
The central focus of <strong>Great Beginnings, Volume 1</strong> of the <strong>Writing the Killer Mystery</strong> series, is the Five Element Mystery Story Model, something that every mystery novel must have. This first volume shows how to use the five elements to brainstorm ideas, flesh them out, and organize them into a plan for starting your mystery novel.<br />
<br />
Future volumes will focus on each of the five elements and how they go together. The overall approach to the series is taking the mystery novel from concept to publication.<br />
<br />
<strong><br /></strong>
<strong><br /></strong>
<strong>GREAT BEGINNINGS, VOLUME 1, WRITING THE KILLER MYSTERY</strong><br />
TABLE OF CONTENTS<br />
CHAPTER ONE: SOME FRONT END STUFF<br />
CHAPTER TWO: MYSTERY WRITERS AND THEIR SLEUTHS<br />
<ul>
<li>The Genesis of a Murder</li>
<li>Edgar Allan Poe </li>
<li>William Wilkie Collins</li>
<li>Sir Arthur Conan Doyle</li>
<li>Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie</li>
<li>Dorothy L. Sayers</li>
<li>Ellery Queen (Pen Name)</li>
<li>Dashiell Hammett</li>
<li>Earl Derr Biggers</li>
<li>Erle Stanley Gardner</li>
<li>Ed McBain (pen name)</li>
<li>Rex Stout</li>
<li>Take Away</li>
</ul>
CHAPTER THREE: UNDERSTANDING THE MYSTERY<br />
<ul>
<li>A Model for a Story</li>
<li>Story Examples</li>
<li>A Model for a Mystery Story</li>
<li>Mystery Story Examples </li>
<li>Rules of the Murder Mystery</li>
</ul>
CHAPTER FOUR: TYPES OF MYSTERIES<br />
<ul>
<li>The Sub-genres</li>
<li>Mystery Sub-genre List</li>
<li>Mystery Sub-genres with Explanations</li>
</ul>
CHAPTER FIVE: GOT A GOOD IDEA?<br />
<ul>
<li>Every Story Starts with an Idea</li>
<li>Ideas Start with the 5 Elements</li>
<li>Playing the Game of "What If?"</li>
<li>Read, Read, Read for Ideas</li>
<li>What Is Your Story?</li>
<li>What Is His Story?</li>
<li>And Now the News</li>
<li>The Things of Our Dreams</li>
<li>From Idea to a Plan</li>
<li>High Concept</li>
</ul>
CHAPTER SIX: A PLAN FOR STARTING YOUR MYSTERY NOVEL<br />
<ul>
<li>Developing Your Plan</li>
<li>Mind Mapping Your Plan</li>
<li>Free-form Your Plan</li>
</ul>
CHAPTER SEVEN: LAST THOUGHTS<br />
<ul>
<li>Just a Few Words, Please</li>
<li>More Books on the Way</li>
<li>About Ron D. Voigts</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Great-Beginnings-Starting-Mystery-Writing-ebook/dp/B07CGLVZ7C/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Buy on Amazon</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Great-Beginnings-Starting-Mystery-Writing/dp/1721143807/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Now in Paperback!</span></a></div>
Ron D. Voigtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02912922391951560594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468314046152500998.post-18999844181884508872018-05-09T20:58:00.000-04:002018-05-10T17:07:45.644-04:00Writing the Killer Mystery, Volume Two, Coming May 22nd<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
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Write your Mystery Novel with Captivating Characters!!!</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgnwOGwdSAaSZ9zfxXxW2ZWKLUY2rgnxt1BMeV153vkjko5Ae7RPJxI7m5JL-Dl1_i244S1n-3TnTqGETrnXPkBTpavlhT11k9zp7c4o1hJQngEaJzvBrwXBBFJNDh1QtPSoMIDMACZAU/s1600/WTKM-Cover-Two-Final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgnwOGwdSAaSZ9zfxXxW2ZWKLUY2rgnxt1BMeV153vkjko5Ae7RPJxI7m5JL-Dl1_i244S1n-3TnTqGETrnXPkBTpavlhT11k9zp7c4o1hJQngEaJzvBrwXBBFJNDh1QtPSoMIDMACZAU/s320/WTKM-Cover-Two-Final.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<b>Let me show you how.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">This second book in “Writing the Killer Mystery” provides a guide to developing Mystery Characters with imagination, depth, and personality, covering the sleuth, the victim, the killer, suspects, special characters, and the rest of the cast.</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="background: white;">Read on for further detail. . .</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Who is this for?</b></h3>
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<ul>
<li>Beginners wanting to learn writing a murder mystery</li>
<li>Authors looking to expand writing knowledge and skills</li>
<li>Writers seeking inspiration and help with writer stall-out</li>
</ul>
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<b>My philosophy</b></h3>
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<ul>
<li>Cover writing a murder mystery from idea to publishing in a 5 volume course</li>
<li>Articles can be read in sequence or jump around as needed</li>
<li>Information condensed in lists, bullets, key points, and numberings, with examples when needed</li>
<li>Not just teach writing a murder mystery but inspire and stimulate the imagination</li>
</ul>
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<o:p> </o:p><b>Volume Two, Captivating Characters</b></div>
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<ul>
<li>The Sleuth</li>
<li>The Victim</li>
<li>The Killer</li>
<li>The Suspects</li>
<li>Special Characters</li>
<li>The Rest of the Cast</li>
</ul>
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<o:p> </o:p><b>Volume Two Highlights</b></h3>
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<ul>
<li>Finding the right name for your Sleuth</li>
<li>Four Characteristics of a Sleuth</li>
<li>Five Characteristics all the Characters share</li>
<li>Backstory and Secrets</li>
<li>The Victim and the Crime</li>
<li>Why Victims aren’t nice</li>
<li>Is it history or backstory?</li>
<li>Supervillain skills</li>
<li>The sidekick and two other Special Characters</li>
<li>Why suspects are like the Killer</li>
<li>Why suspect are not like the Killer</li>
</ul>
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<o:p> </o:p><i>This is Volume Two in a series with more books planned for release in coming months.</i></div>
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<i><b>Coming to Amazon May 22nd!!!</b><o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CGLVZ7C" target="_blank">Check out Writing the Killer Mystery Volume One: Great Beginnings at Amazon</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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Ron D. Voigtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02912922391951560594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468314046152500998.post-53858187068621073652018-04-18T11:46:00.002-04:002018-04-21T16:35:50.912-04:00Writing the Killer Mystery Volume 1 is out!<h3 style="text-align: center;">
The best time to start your Mystery Novel is today!!!</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVOTV2D_Cr4W8qd_WQyfPCncfONiax3k-krgUb0vhUjo75tR0tX2SANGYwyfv04MGhHzhloIbLBYAjF_Nwkg1Ws77blK2gQkUPW4ZAnES2_n5kFeYdd_AroIxHgvPIRZVB2nQkvRj9UVA/s1600/WTKM-Cover-One-Final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVOTV2D_Cr4W8qd_WQyfPCncfONiax3k-krgUb0vhUjo75tR0tX2SANGYwyfv04MGhHzhloIbLBYAjF_Nwkg1Ws77blK2gQkUPW4ZAnES2_n5kFeYdd_AroIxHgvPIRZVB2nQkvRj9UVA/s400/WTKM-Cover-One-Final.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<h3>
<b>Let me show you how</b></h3>
<br />
This first book in "Writing the Killer Mystery" series builds a strong background in the art while introducing 50 sub-genres and shows how to use the 5 Element Story Model to plan a Mystery Novel.<br />
<br />
Read on for further detail. . .<br />
<br />
<h3>
<b>Who is this for?</b></h3>
<ul>
<li>Beginners wanting to learn writing a murder mystery</li>
<li>Authors looking to expand writing knowledge and skills</li>
<li>Writers seeking inspiration and help with writer stall-out</li>
</ul>
<h3>
<b>My philosophy</b></h3>
<ul>
<li>Cover writing a murder mystery from idea to publishing in a 5 volume course</li>
<li>Articles can be read in sequence or jump around as needed</li>
<li>Information condensed in lists, bullets, key points, and numberings, with examples when needed</li>
<li>Not just teach writing a murder mystery but inspire and stimulate the imagination</li>
</ul>
<h3>
<b>Volume One, Great Beginnings</b></h3>
<ul>
<li>Mystery Writers and Their Sleuths</li>
<li>Understanding the Mystery</li>
<li>Types of Mysteries</li>
<li>Getting ideas</li>
<li>A plan for starting your Mystery Novel</li>
</ul>
<h3>
<b>Volume One Highlights</b></h3>
<ul>
<li>Review of 10 classic mystery writers and their contributions to the craft</li>
<li>The 5 Element Story Model</li>
<li>Rules of the Murder Mystery Story</li>
<li>The three basic types of a Murder Mystery</li>
<li>Discussion of 50 sub-genres</li>
<li>Seven methods to developing story Ideas</li>
<li>Summarizing a Mystery with the Story Model</li>
<li>Developing your Mystery Novel Plan</li>
</ul>
<i>Watch for more books in coming months.</i><br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CGLVZ7C" target="_blank">Get your copy at Amazon</a></span></h3>
<br />Ron D. Voigtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02912922391951560594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468314046152500998.post-51020986665657309282017-12-28T17:11:00.000-05:002017-12-28T17:11:02.353-05:00Where's it's at December 2017?<h2 style="text-align: center;">
The Fortune Teller's Secret</h2>
<br />
The year 2017 is wrapping up, and it has been a busy year. Book 2 in the series, Cavendish Brown Paranormal Mystery, came out. The Fortune Teller's Secret is available at all major retailers. Here are the cover and some quick links.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4P-P_EWvtF_OijaVkYLWnw56fAXJwG-sw4RVGQvW32nZK4dUMiRi6B_B-yQBqNfe9HIJoh6cyrkD8X1zWi0TLyspdD5geyMhNO1zrP6lgPOMwPOST2GjlfnabVuCPMnvt3JgpqcOweww/s1600/fortunetellers+secret.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1029" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4P-P_EWvtF_OijaVkYLWnw56fAXJwG-sw4RVGQvW32nZK4dUMiRi6B_B-yQBqNfe9HIJoh6cyrkD8X1zWi0TLyspdD5geyMhNO1zrP6lgPOMwPOST2GjlfnabVuCPMnvt3JgpqcOweww/s320/fortunetellers+secret.jpg" width="205" /></a></div>
<br />
Get at . . .<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Fortune-Tellers-Cavendish-Paranormal-Mystery-ebook/dp/B06X9ZG7P6/" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit; color: #745cf9; font-weight: 600; text-decoration-line: none;">AMAZON</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-fortune-teller-s-secret-3" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit; color: #745cf9; font-weight: 600; text-decoration-line: none;">Kobo</a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #8c979e; font-family: Raleway, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;">
<a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/706690" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit; color: #745cf9; font-weight: 600; text-decoration-line: none;">SMASHWORDS</a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #8c979e; font-family: Raleway, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;">
<a href="http://champagnebooks.com/store/index.php?id_product=686&controller=product&search_query=the+fortune+teller%27s+secret&results=1" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit; color: #745cf9; font-weight: 600; text-decoration-line: none;">Champagne Books</a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: Raleway, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;">
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Preliminary Website for Ron D. Voigts</h2>
<br />
I've been working on website design. Here is a link to the site I have been working on. Not all the links work but you get to see all my books. Check it out here.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;">
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<a href="http://rondvoigtsbooks.x10host.com/" target="_blank">Preliminary Website for Ron D. Voigts</a></div>
</div>
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~~~~~</div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;">
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Writing the Killer Mystery</h2>
<br />
I've embarked on writing a series on writing mysteries. Ideally, it will cover five volumes. The first to be released early next year. Here are the planned volumes.</div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Volume 1: Great Beginnings</span></div>
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<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;">Volume 2: Compelling Characters</span></div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;">Volume 3: Plotting the Murder</span></div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;">
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<span style="color: blue;">Volume 4: Nuts and Bolts</span></div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;">Volume 5: Critiquing, rewriting, and selling</span></div>
</div>
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That's enough for now. Best to you in the New Year</div>
Ron D. Voigtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02912922391951560594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468314046152500998.post-73961697064504670562017-11-22T10:54:00.000-05:002017-11-22T10:54:16.898-05:00Happy Black Friday<h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Penelope and The Birthday Curse</div>
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On Sale!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVGVeoZKuFR7kVjNHzKb4mQvU1PUTb6vpiTpyqiHZKL1k0wvN8CdvvGs09L_G5Gvk2uG8-Oa-xqLtzDEIACB1baJRIg6Gv64e1vJ2W2VE3oam2GxnKTwc7H8LGppwhd33nfDclg617BJE/s1600/PTBC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVGVeoZKuFR7kVjNHzKb4mQvU1PUTb6vpiTpyqiHZKL1k0wvN8CdvvGs09L_G5Gvk2uG8-Oa-xqLtzDEIACB1baJRIg6Gv64e1vJ2W2VE3oam2GxnKTwc7H8LGppwhd33nfDclg617BJE/s320/PTBC.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<h3>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Sometimes birthdays can be deadly</span></h3>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 400;">An isolated mansion in the country...stranded in a snowstorm...someone is murdered on Penelope's birthday.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 22.4px; margin: 0px;" /><h3>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">But who did it</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 400;">?</span></h3>
<ul style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px 0px 18px 20px; padding: 0px;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;">Her gangster uncle on the run from the law</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;">Or the Broadway actress who's her own biggest fan</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;">Maybe the jealous husband</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;">Don't forget about the mob hitman hiding in the woods behind the mansion</li>
</ul>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 400;">A young fortune teller weaves a tale of a gypsy curse where three people will die. And it happens on Penelope's 13th birthday. While the adults bumble along, trying to discover the killer, Penelope sleuths with the help of her friends to find the culprit. It's a race against time before Penelope becomes the third victim.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 22.4px; margin: 0px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 22.4px; margin: 0px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Penelope and The Birthday Curse </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 400;">weaves a mystery with madcap characters, who-done-it clues and non-stop action that's a fun read for the whole family. The story is full of humor, suspense, and mystery that will keep the reader guessing until the very end.</span></div>
</h2>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 400;">Only 99 cents. </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 400;">November 23 through December 1</span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005561FZI" target="_blank"><span style="color: orange;">AMAZON</span></a></span></h4>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/60894" target="_blank">SMASHWORDS USE COUPON ON PAGE</a></span></div>
Ron D. Voigtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02912922391951560594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468314046152500998.post-13446727405941840812017-11-08T22:14:00.000-05:002017-11-10T22:38:14.154-05:00Horror Story Plot #1, The Haunting<h2>
<br /><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Déjà vu, This Looks Familiar</span></h2>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Ever watch a movie or read a book and think: this seems very familiar?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The plot has been done before. The situation seems like the last spooky movie you saw. Recently I watched the “The Darkness” and had that déjà vu sense. He is trailer for the flick.</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
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Horror Story Plot #1, The Haunting </h2>
1. Take a dysfunctional family.<br />
2. Introduce a catalyst to drive the haunting. New home. Recently acquired an object.<br />
3. Haunting begins subtly and ratchets up through the course of the story.<br />
4. The focal point of the haunting is a dysfunctional family member.<br />
5. Haunting details are ignored or rationalized by family members until it becomes obvious it is a genuine problem.<br />
6. A solution is found and tried but fails.<br />
7. Things escalate until real cause is found.<br />
8. Then comes remedy.<br />
9. Problem resolved.<br />
10. Casualties may have occurred though often family survives.<br />
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<h4 style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Notes</h4>
• A dysfunctional family member may also be youngest or frailest member. Key is who is most vulnerable.<br />
• A family may be a group not necessarily related by blood. Paranormal investigators. Group of friends. Strangers thrown together.<br />
• The resolution comes from knowledge of the history of the haunting element.<br />
• The haunting element can be ghosts, demons, and monster.<br />
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I will share a few more of these plot outlines in future blogs. Please if you have something to offer or share leave a comment. </div>
<br />Ron D. Voigtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02912922391951560594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468314046152500998.post-209649687159045372017-10-12T20:55:00.002-04:002017-10-13T16:34:23.807-04:00Halloween Sale at Champagne Books<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnTvpRJbps6TyeamF7K27be1_YKGme3sh_tfRojqtr654jY3MOV6hP1LvXoOZvypCjeZXvv6-zfcdSsRTOS1flxC4KBM_lLLnaLTiGqcJx2WKy-7-zrfF1hs3tP7JXD_QDB1bOODew9J4/s1600/Chills+%2526+Thrills+on+Sale%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="560" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnTvpRJbps6TyeamF7K27be1_YKGme3sh_tfRojqtr654jY3MOV6hP1LvXoOZvypCjeZXvv6-zfcdSsRTOS1flxC4KBM_lLLnaLTiGqcJx2WKy-7-zrfF1hs3tP7JXD_QDB1bOODew9J4/s400/Chills+%2526+Thrills+on+Sale%2521.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Halloween is almost here. Time for Ghouls and Ghosts and Goblins...Oh, my! Check out the Fantasy, Paranormal, and Horror books at <a href="http://champagnebooks.com/store/index.php" target="_blank">Champagne Books</a>...all half price for October. Oooooo! A spook-tacular value. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://champagnebooks.com/store/index.php">http://champagnebooks.com/store/index.php</a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">If you like witches and ghosts with your murder mysteries, check out my books:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://champagnebooks.com/store/index.php?id_product=561&controller=product&search_query=the+witch%27s+daughter&results=5" target="_blank">The Witch's Daughter</a> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://champagnebooks.com/store/index.php?id_product=686&controller=product&search_query=the+fortune+teller%27s+secret&results=1" target="_blank">The Fortune Teller's Secret</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_7ugvQfOjdLdYPuDeRlYZBn6rlHAfG-J3JToFV0qA97ZDM9DxnpTXzhNBweZQ_vr7xeKwW_GWIBjD_Jbg2iazqcr_fRbsSf8uKDLc3KshiN5IRwB6l8EimLdSsZfoeM7eOxugEF80og/s1600/STBB.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="850" data-original-width="564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_7ugvQfOjdLdYPuDeRlYZBn6rlHAfG-J3JToFV0qA97ZDM9DxnpTXzhNBweZQ_vr7xeKwW_GWIBjD_Jbg2iazqcr_fRbsSf8uKDLc3KshiN5IRwB6l8EimLdSsZfoeM7eOxugEF80og/s320/STBB.PNG" width="212" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">If Vampires and Werewolves and things that leak blood are you</span><span style="font-size: large;">r cup of poison </span><span style="font-size: large;">then check out </span><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Strigoi, The Blood Bond</span><span style="font-size: large;"> now on sale for $1.49.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Strigoi-Blood-Ron-D-Voigts-ebook/dp/B00LQRJBZ6/" target="_blank">AMAZON</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/565483" target="_blank">SMASHWORDS</a>, use Coupon Code </span><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "mono"; text-align: center;">EL73N</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "mono"; text-align: center;"> </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~</span></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Happy Haunting, Y'all!</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
Ron D. Voigtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02912922391951560594noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468314046152500998.post-38497595939350653762017-08-07T06:00:00.000-04:002017-10-21T08:28:00.327-04:00Desperate Knight by Keith W. Willis<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial black" , sans-serif; font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Today is release day!!!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial black" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">DESPERATE KNIGHT<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial black" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Book 2 in the Knights of Kilbourne series </span></i><span style="font-family: "arial black" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">by award-winning fantasy/romance author </span><a href="http://www.keithwillisauthor.com/"><span style="font-family: "arial black" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Keith W. Willis</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial black" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial black" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Published by </span><a href="http://champagnebooks.com/store/index.php?id_product=695&controller=product"><span style="font-family: "arial black" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Champagne Books</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial black" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj96-J8x_52sURqfMK6NJqcKtsM-cofdUPU5OUlITWd_Dz17NaE0f78zNYwqYuqO1mJnk0lD82eImKuA5FcS2dasMWNmNTVtdKULDX-er8z0nBiyOB2DP5VCVJI1NK6PIezJMqA6sDINNM/s1600/KOK-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="875" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj96-J8x_52sURqfMK6NJqcKtsM-cofdUPU5OUlITWd_Dz17NaE0f78zNYwqYuqO1mJnk0lD82eImKuA5FcS2dasMWNmNTVtdKULDX-er8z0nBiyOB2DP5VCVJI1NK6PIezJMqA6sDINNM/s640/KOK-1.jpg" width="408" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://champagnebooks.com/store/index.php?id_product=695&controller=product" target="_blank">Buy it now</a></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The’ “Knights of Kilbourne” fantasy/romance series, set in the mythical Renaissance-era kingdom of Kilbourne, features dashing knights and irrepressible damsels, courtiers and clergyman, and spies and rogues, with wizards, Dwarves and a hiccupping dragon for good measure. The tales combine action, intrigue, and fantasy served up with a dollop of romance and a dash of wit. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial black" , sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt;">No time… No plan… No options…<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial black" , sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt;">No one said saving the world would be easy.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Morgan McRobbie and Lady Marissa duBerry swing back into swashbuckling action, facing old enemies, new threats, and a diabolical conspiracy. Not to mention a more personal battle, one with hearts and pride at stake.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">As the pair escorts Prince Robert to the dwarf king’s court, a fiendish scheme is unfolding, intended to hurl men and dwarves into a devastating war. Morgan ends up sidetracked by a kidnapped dwarf and a centuries-old feud, while a mysterious wizard’s revelations shake Marissa to her core, throwing into question everything she thought she knew about her past and future. And the advent of a rival for Marissa’s affections threatens any hope of a happy ending—if they survive.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Once again the desperate knight and indomitable damsel must hazard everything on a single throw of the dice, gambling on untested allies and unimagined weapons to save their world. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">And the odds have never been worse. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial black" , sans-serif; font-size: 22.0pt;">AMAZON GIFT CARD GIVEAWAY<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial black" , sans-serif; font-size: 22.0pt;">THROUGH RAFFLECOPTER<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial black" , sans-serif; font-size: 20.0pt;">You can enter to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card by entering the </span></b><a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/6f03957e3/?"><b><span style="font-family: "arial black" , sans-serif; font-size: 20.0pt;">Rafflecopter</span></b></a><b><span style="font-family: "arial black" , sans-serif; font-size: 20.0pt;"> contest.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial black" , sans-serif; font-size: 20.0pt;">Leave a comment on the blog, tweet or post on Facebook about the contest, buy a copy of Desperate Knight (extra credit for that one), or leave a review (lots of extra credit for this one too). All details can be found by clicking the link above.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial black" , sans-serif; font-size: 20.0pt;">The contest runs through August 14<sup>th</sup>. Don’t miss out on your chance to win!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16.0pt;">Excerpt from <i>DESPERATE KNIGHT<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The rapier slid from its sheath with a soft susurration that presaged swift and violent death.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Morgan McRobbie ignored his opponent’s blade. Instead he scanned the man’s eyes for the telltale flicker that signaled an attack. All around them men lunged and dodged and whirled. Cries of anguish and triumph rang out over the clash of steel on steel. But for Morgan no one else existed at this moment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">His attacker approached, his movements tentative. From caution, perhaps, leavened with a bit of trepidation. He was, after all, facing the renowned Knight-Commander of the King’s Legion. The Dark Knight of Kilbourne. Morgan scowled fiercely at this sobriquet and his opponent danced a hasty step back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Then, gathering himself, the man lunged forward with a wild yell. His sword sliced the air in a hissing arc. Morgan stepped neatly back out its trajectory, and air was all it sliced.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Morgan acknowledged the strike with a brief nod. Maintaining his defensive posture, he watched the other man’s eyes for his next move. He knew the fellow to be a decent swordsman. He was also well aware his opponent didn’t possess Morgan’s level of proficiency. His reaction and recovery times were definitely slower. Offsetting this lack of expertise was an attitude of grim determination.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">His opponent launched a furious flurry of thrusts and slashes, but Morgan parried the attack with studied ease. He refrained from going on the offensive himself quite yet. He had plenty of time. If he finished off this fellow too soon, there’d be plenty more ready to take his place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The attacker lunged again, his blade darting like a swallow in an attempt to find an opening in Morgan’s defenses. The man was breathing a bit harder now, further evidence of his lack of practice. Morgan flashed him an evil grin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Not slowing down already, are you?” he taunted. “I would have expected better from you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">His opponent didn’t answer. He just gasped a little. In all likelihood saving his wind for the fight. He lunged again. This time he was careless, leaving his left side wide open,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">It was like being handed a gift. Seizing his opportunity, Morgan went on the offensive at last. His sword sliced the air with an angry hiss as he stalked inexorably towards his foe. The man fell back into a determined defensive posture, managing to parry the first few thrusts. Then Morgan feinted, his blade slashing low. As his opponent reacted, Morgan shifted his stance in the blink of an eye, his rapier darting in high to find its mark.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Gently he touched the point to the spot over his opponent’s heart. “You’re dead, Your Majesty,” Morgan said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16.0pt;">Praise for <i>TRAITOR KNIGHT</i> (Book 1 of Knights of Kilbourne)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">“…well-told story with a witty heroine, a noble-yet-flawed hero, and a colorful set of secondary characters. And a dragon! Let's not forget the dragon!”</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> –Tegan Wren, author of <i>Inconceivable<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">“…a witty and action-packed page-turner that takes the classic fantasy land and adds depth, character, romance and political intrigue to brilliant effect.” </span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">-- SFF World<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">“…medieval England meets fairy-tale. I soon felt at home there. All of the characters in this book had flesh on them - their individuality shone through. There was plenty of action, romance, suspense, a murder or two, a chase across the roof tops and a dragon - did I mention a dragon?” – Mary Anne Yarde, author of The DuLac Chronicles, in Myths, Legends, Books & Coffee Pots<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I recommend Traitor Knight to anyone looking for a good fantasy with just a dash of romance.” </span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">– Long & Short Reviews<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16.0pt;">BIO:<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Keith W. Willis graduated with a B.A. in English Lit from Berry College (which has the distinction of being the world's largest college campus). He migrated to the Hudson Valley/Adirondack region of NY with his wife Patty. Keith is certain those rumbling noises attributed to Henry Hudson's crew are really just the dragons grumbling. Keith's interests include reading classic mysteries, fantasy and sci-fi; camping and canoeing; and cutthroat games of Scrabble. He began writing seriously in 2008, when the voices in his head got too annoying to ignore. When he's not making up stories he manages a group of database content editors at a global information technology firm. Keith is a member of the </span><a href="http://hvwg.org/"><span style="background: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Hudson Valley Writers Guild</span></a><span style="background: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">, the </span><a href="http://www.lastsfa.org/"><span style="background: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Latham-Albany-Schenectady-Troy SFF Association</span></a><span style="background: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">, the </span><a href="https://adirondackcenterforwriting.org/"><span style="background: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Adirondack Center for Writing</span></a><span style="background: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">, and the </span><a href="http://www.mythsoc.org/"><span style="background: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Mythopoeic Society</span></a><span style="background: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Digital copies of <b><i>Desperate Knight </i></b>can be purchased through </span><a href="http://champagnebooks.com/store/index.php?id_product=695&controller=product"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Champagne Books</span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> for $3.99. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Paperback copies will be available in September 2017. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Traitor Knight </span></i></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">is available through </span><a href="http://champagnebooks.com/store/index.php?controller=search&orderby=position&orderway=desc&search_query=traitor+knight"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Champagne Books</span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> and most other book retailers (Amazon, B&N, Kobo, etc). </span><span style="background: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Find and connect with Keith W. Willis at:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Website: <a href="http://www.keithwillisauthor.com/">http://www.keithwillisauthor.com/<o:p></o:p></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Email: </span><a href="mailto:knightsofkilbourne@gmail.com"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">knightsofkilbourne@gmail.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Ron D. Voigtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02912922391951560594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468314046152500998.post-7081501886120680172017-06-18T18:11:00.000-04:002017-06-18T18:11:47.902-04:00Sidekicks, The Buddy System for SleuthsNot necessary, but supplying your sleuth with a sidekick can have benefits. Many famous detectives had sidekicks with some duos being nearly inseparable. Mention Sherlock Holmes and John Watson comes to mind. Sgt. Joe Friday always had Office Bill Gannon at his side. Adrian Monk kept his assistant near.<br />
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Does your sleuth need a buddy? Contemplate this.<br />
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Everybody needs a sounding board. Somebody to talk to. A confidant. Ultimately your detective will want somebody to talk to and try out ideas. The sidekick is this guy.<br />
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<ul>
<li>Alternate view point. Your sleuth spouts his latest theory of the killer’s method, and the sidekick chimes, “Yes, but what if…” The sleuth says black, and sidekick says could be white. Up or down? High or low? Opposite view points keep the possibilities open.</li>
<li>Ever need your brain picked? A good sidekick will ask questions. Need further explanations. Push for exemplification. It keeps the story going, but the real effect is to keep your readers informed.</li>
<li>Scenes can flow better with two people. Yes, a scene can be a single character, just the sleuth, but toss in another character, the sidekick, and things go smoothly. They can talk and argue and discuss the clues. He can watch your sleuth’s back. Do some grunt work. And just be there for support.</li>
<li>Off camera details. The sidekick loves errands (maybe) and can take care of detail too mundane for the detective and uninteresting for the reader. Time passes and the sidekick returns with the information, missing evidence, a sudden revelation to keep the plot moving. Don’t even have to go into great detail how he did it.</li>
</ul>
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What do you need for a great sleuth-sidekick combo? Chemistry. Detective soulmates. Your duo needs to complement each other. Balancing out the sleuth’s personality. If he is cold and calculating, the sidekick is warm and candid. A moody, stuffy sleuth needs a steady, laid-back sidekick. Genius thinker vs everyday guy. Rude, arrogant needs polite, humble. Opposites can attract. Balance, balance, balance. This should not be a formula but return to the idea of soulmates in solving crimes.<br />
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Other features to consider about the sidekick<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Loyal to the sleuth.</li>
<li>Supporting the cause of solving the crime.</li>
<li>When things get tough, the sidekick hangs in there.</li>
<li>The sleuth’s number one cheerleader.</li>
</ul>
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<u>Some Famous Detective Teams</u><br />
Sherlock Holmes — John Watson<br />
Hercule Poirot — Arthur Hastings<br />
Martin Beck — Gunvald Larsson<br />
Master Li — Number Ten Ox<br />
Sister Fidelma — Brother Eadulf<br />
Hildegarde Withers — Inspector Oscar Pipe<br />
Spenser — Hawk<br />
Perry Mason — Della Street, Paul Drake<br />
Sgt. Joe Friday — Officer Bill Gannon<br />
Green Hornet — Kato (Crimefighter)<br />
Batman — Robin (Detective Comics)<br />
Lord Peter Wimsey — Mervyn Bunter<br />
Albert Campion — Magersfontein Lugg<br />
Precious Ramotswe — Grace Makutsi<br />
Adrian Monk — Sharona Fleming, later Natalie Teeger<br />
Charlie Chan — Number One Son<br />
Nero Wolfe — Archie Goodwin<br />
Inspector Darko Dawson — Philip Chikata<br />
Inspector Morse — Sergeant Lewis<br />
Inspector Thomas Lynley — Sergeant Barbara Havers<br />
Dave Robicheaux — Clete Purcel<br />
DI Jimmy Perez — DS Alison McIntosh<br />
Ron D. Voigtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02912922391951560594noreply@blogger.com0