Research Fiction

Compelling characters are what keeps readers turning pages and buying books—from fantasies to mysteries to the great literary novel. But how to do you create characters that feel three-dimensional and real on the page? Counsellor and author Eileen Cook shares common psychological techniques to help you build your characters and take your story to the next level. This book covers understanding your character's backstory and how it impacts their choices in your book by doing a structured counselling interview, personality structure, and the Stages of Change.

There are only, in my humble opinion, two kinds of readers: readers who love your books and readers who don’t know they love your books yet. But how do you reach those readers in the second category, no matter what kind of writer you are? The answer to that question is...universal fantasy. Universal fantasy is why my sales tripled when I “accidentally” wrote three books that landed in the Amazon Top 100. Universal fantasy is why some authors get gobs of gushing reviews and some authors who write “way better” get crickets.

They say writing is rewriting. So why does the second part get such short shrift? Refuse to Be Done will guide you through every step of the novel writing process, from getting started on those first pages to the last tips for making your final draft even tighter and stronger.

The Story Ritual is a fully illustrated, deep-dive handbook for storytellers. Writer and Story Artist Adam Argot connects the ancient patterns of ritual to modern story structure. Drawing on ancient tools of exegesis, combined with anthropology, contemporary theories of mind, and Argot’s experience in story development, this manual clearly presents a full picture of the character engine. Loaded with lush illustrations and diagrams, this vivisection of character unlocks the hidden world of story that brews below the surface.

Spring is livening up Briar Creek after a long, cold winter, and newlyweds Lindsey and Sully could not be happier. Even though the upcoming mayoral election is getting heated, everything else in town is coming up daffodils...until a body is found. Ms. Cole, a librarian and current candidate for town mayor, is shocked when she opens her trunk to discover a murder victim who just so happens to be a guy she dated 40 years ago and the founder of the baking empire Nana's Cookies.

Houston publishes so many books a year that he can't possibly write them himself. He has a ghost team; writers, agents, publishers. So when he takes a year out to write something of quality, a novel that will win prizes, a lot of people stand to lose their livelihoods. Now Houston, the prime suspect in his wife's murder, has disappeared. He could be anywhere and there are many who'd like to find him.

In Fiction Writing 101, you’ll find a complete guide to nailing a successful book—from the seed of an idea right through to the finished manuscript....

Our unique audioteach method features the voice of a real tutor, Chris Sykes. He will guide you through your course with over seven hours of audio material, giving you tips and advice based on his many years of teaching and writing experience and helping you to avoid common mistakes and pitfalls. This course takes you from complete beginner or committed amateur to the point where you've completed, edited and redrafted your work and are ready for publication.

An engaging collection of stories and essays by the celebrated author of the internationally bestselling Guido Brunetti series, infused with her ever-present and delightful senses of humor and irony. Donna Leon’s memoir, Wandering through Life, gave her legions of fans a colorful tour through...

An unabridged audio collection spotlighting the "best of the best" hard science fiction stories published in 2016 by current and emerging masters of the genre, edited by Allan Kaster, as narrated by top voice talents.

Writing a Romance Novel For Dummies is the only reference aspiring writers need to get their careers off to the right start. Fully updated to reflect the industry's latest trends and secrets, this book helps you understand what makes a great novel, so you can hone your craft and write books people want to read. We break down the romance subgenres, give you expert tips on plotting and pacing, and walk you through the process of finding an agent and getting published in today's competitive market—or self-publishing like many six-figure authors are doing.

Have you had intimate fantasies or simmering plotlines you've wanted to write but weren't sure how or where to start? Let renowned erotica author and editor Rachel Kramer Bussel show you how to turn those fragments into fully fleshed out erotic stories, novellas, and novels. In this guide, Bussel takes her twenty plus years of experience in the genre and walks writers through the ins and outs of erotic writing.

La structure est-elle le fondement caché de toutes les histoires à succès ? Pourquoi certaines histoires fonctionnent-elles et d'autres pas ? La réponse est la structure. Dans ce guide primé de l'auteur du célèbre "Préparez votre roman", vous apprendrez les fondements universels qui garantissent une intrigue et des arcs de personnages puissants.

Daisy Dumont tries so hard to be normal. She doesn't talk about the night her parents were murdered, or the fact that she can't remember it. She certainly doesn't talk about her imaginary friend who disappeared shortly afterward. Then the MRF calls. The research facility finally admits that they took her former friend, and now they want her help to save him.

In a research hangar in Virginia, a Unit 51 team studies an ancient but long-dormant virus that can transform human physiology - and turn it into something else.... In the Amazon rain forest, a newly evolving life form known as Subject Z acquires the ability to think conceptually, build elaborate traps, create new carriers - and spawn a new race....

Pax, a cunning street rat without a class, navigates life in a city constantly threatened by monstrous beast waves. He's dedicated to keeping his crew safe and fed, especially after his family vanished without a trace. But when his best friend is captured, Pax risks it all—even his freedom—on the eve of the Awakening.

When you think of unforgettable characters from books you’ve read, who comes to mind? James Bond, Harry Potter, Scarlett O’Hara, Elizabeth Bennett, Atticus Finch, Sherlock Holmes? These are just some of the most iconic characters in fiction. They are so memorable that even decades or centuries later, they still captivate our imagination. But what exactly is it about them that keeps generations so invested in them? Writers apply certain rules and tricks with their characters to make their stories shine. With this guide, you’ll find out exactly what they are.

Behind every acclaimed work of literature is a trove of heartfelt decisions. The best authors put painstaking - sometimes obsessive - effort into each element of their stories, from plot and character development to dialogue and point of view. Veteran editor and teacher Richard Cohen draws on his vast reservoir of a lifetime's reading and his insight into what makes good prose soar.

Learning how to write your first novel can be overwhelming. You have to master outlining, writing, revising, and so much more...and it can be scary if you've never done it before. While it seems daunting, writing your first novel is simple when you have someone experienced to help you through it. In this writer’s guide, prolific writer M.L. Ronn shares an easy step-by-step process of writing compelling fiction that he's perfected after writing over 40 books.

Un auteur de romans doit être une machine à produire des idées. Pas le choix ! Mais d'où viennent les bonnes idées et comment les rendre meilleures pour écrire un roman à succès ? Vous avez une idée de roman ? OK, mais est-ce qu'une idée ça suffit pour écrire un roman de 25 000, 50 000 ou 120 000 mots ? Non ! Il en faut des dizaines et des dizaines. Et même si vous avez une bonne idée pour tout votre roman, vous pouvez encore l'améliorer pour en faire une grande idée, qui portera toute votre écriture.