The rise and fall of a story

cj Sez: Let’s talk a bit about story and story arc. What follows in this post are excerpts and tidbits of information that I’ve gleaned from many sources over the years.

  First let’s agree that a story needs a beginning, a middle, and an end. What often may be missed, especially by new authors, is that it also needs a story arc—a rise and fall of tension and emotion. Ideally that would happen in every scene, but certainly in every chapter and absolutely an overall arc that carries the reader and character development from the beginning to the end. 

  The term “story arc” was coined in 1988 in relation to the American TV series “Wiseguy” and sometimes unfolds over many episodes. In terms of what authors do, the Oxford English Dictionary defines the term this way:  a story arc is “(in a novel, play, or movie) the development or resolution of the narrative or principal theme.” 

   The graphic is attributed to Kurt Vonnegut . . . part of a presentation he gave to illustrate the story arc of “Cinderella.”

For fun or for research, analyze your favorite stories, and see if you can identify the arcs that keep you turning the pages.

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Readers and writers:  If you’re in the Mobile, AL, this is for you:  

  The Mobile Public Library is celebrating 120 years of
service, and on August 25, the organization will host a special author event for best-selling author Carolyn Haines at its designated Literary Landmark, the Ben May Main Library. 

  Haines, a multi-genre author—suspense, horror, mystery, Southern Gothic, humor, the popular Sarah Booth Delaney series and the cat-detective Trouble series—has written more than 70 books. She will discuss her literary career and inspiration, and there will be a question and answer session, followed by a book signing and reception.

  Carolyn Haines is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Alabama Library Association and the Harper Lee Award for Distinguished Writing. She was inducted into the Alabama Writers Hall of Fame in 2020.

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  That’s it for today’s post. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same. Raising prayers for your health and safety during these uncertain times. 

cj

  No inflation here: THE DAWGSTAR and DEATH ON THE YAMPA, my fast-paced, exciting thrillers with a smidgen of romance (ala Jane Bond) ebooks, are now lower-priced at $2.99.

P.S.  The Haunted Bookshop has signed paperback copies of my books in stock. TO ORDER my author-graphed books or any book of your choice on-line, contact The Haunted Bookshop here: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us

P.P.S.  Sorry, pre-signed copies of THE BIG FANG are not yet available at The Haunted Bookshop, but I’m working on that.

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Fall is here...can the end of Daylight Saving Time be far behind?

Autumn days come quickly, like the running of a hound on the moor.                   –Irish proverb

cj Sez:  Fall, that season of brilliant northern foliage and ubiquitous pumpkin spice, officially arrives in the Northern Hemisphere on Monday, September 23, at 3:50 a.m. EDT. 

   Tell that to my Gulf Coast weather man, please. I’m in the mood for cooler weather…80° F and lower humidity would be nice, thank you.

   The equinox occurs at the same moment worldwide—adjusted for your local time zone. (For my visitors in the Southern Hemisphere, that’s when you look for the arrival of spring.)

From patch.com . . .

   No matter where you are in the world, the sun will rise due east and set due west during the fall equinox (the same thing happens during the spring equinox). For the directionally challenged, it’s a good time for a reset. Go outside around sunset or sunrise, find a landmark and mark the sun’s location in relation to it.

                                             ///

   I give you the above public service announcement so you can plan ahead. There are only three more months until December 25, that’s Christmas, y’all. If you’re like me, that's three paydays, and you’ve already missed Hobby Lobby’s offer of free shipping of their artificial Christmas trees.

                       /// 

In other news …

   Carolyn Haines announced that her novel, A VISITATION OF ANGELS, is up for pre-order at $4.99 on Kindle and … “all proceeds—every penny—goes to fund Good Fortune Farm Refuge and the animal work our tiny little band of volunteers do.

   The story is set on Sand Mountain, Alabama, in 1920. This book is #4 in the Pluto's Snitch mystery series, and we hope you enjoy this bit of paranormal chill as we head into Autumn. It's the most dangerous case Raissa and Reginald have taken on.”

   Release date is September 30. You can grab this e-book (or paperback!) at Amazon, B&N, Apple iBooks, or Kobo. Here's a quick link to choose your favorite e-book store: 

https://books2read.com/AVisitationofAngels  

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   Remember that call for submissions from Negative Capability Press I mentioned last week…the one for short, short stories? Well I submitted my 100-word story. How about you? You still have time. Here’s the info again: Last date for submission is September 30. And did I say short, short? It’s more of a haiku…no more than 100 words long. If you’re interested in trying your hand, read more here: http://www.negativecapabilitypress.org/   (P.S. Their call for submissions is near the bottom of the page.)

   By the by, as the masthead of Lyrical Pens says, if you have a book you want to promote, let me know. We can arrange a blog date…the only caveat is that this site is PG 13.

   That’s it for this week’s post. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same. See you next week?

cj

   CHOOSING CARTER and DEADLY STAR are quick reads chock full of adventure with a touch of sassy banter and sweet romance. Get your Kindle copy on Amazon…visit my Amazon Central Author Page = https://amzn.to/2v6SrAj for more information about my stories.

   TO ORDER an autographed copy of CHOOSING CARTER, DEADLY STAR, HOMETOWN HEROES, and/or THE POSSE, contact The Haunted Bookshop here: The Haunted Bookshop  Angela Trigg, the awesome owner and a RITA Award-winning author in her own right (writing as Angela Quarles) will be happy to ship you the book(s) of your choice.

Visit me on Facebook at:   cjpetterson/author on Facebook

New releases by two Gulf Coast authors

cj Sez: TODAY'S POST PUTS a spotlight on a couple of my favorite Gulf Coast authors who have recent book releases waiting for you on Amazon.

   Miranda James, the alter-ego of author Dean James and the New York Times bestselling author of “A Cat in Stacks” mystery series, released THE PAWFUL TRUTH (book 11 of 12), on July 19, 2019.

 

"Humor and plenty of Southern charm...Cozy fans will hope James will keep Charlie and Diesel in action for years to come."--Publishers Weekly

   Check out more reviews at https://amzn.to/32kBwpU

   (P.S.: James also wrote the Deep South mysteries.)

///

   Prolific author Carolyn Haines is reissuing earlier books in her Sarah Booth Delaney mystery series and many of the novels are available free with Audible trial as of this posting.

  GAME OF BONES, launched on May 14 this year, is number 20 in the series, and THE DEVIL’S BONES, is due to be launched in May 2020.

"Distinctive characters and an atmospheric setting elevate this paranormal cozy. Series fans and newcomers alike will be satisfied."―Publishers Weekly

///

   Besides the lighter Sarah Booth Delaney mysteries, she also launched her paw-sitively entertaining Familiar series featuring Trouble, the Sherlock Holmes of cat detectives. There are ten books in the series, written by different authors.  

   But wait, there’s more…there is a darker side to Ms. Haines’ story telling—horror stories, including THE DARKLING and THE SEEKER (which was released on June 19 this year).

   An excerpt from one of the 5-star reviews for THE SEEKER: “I love old fashioned suspenseful storytelling without the gore and graphic death scenes that is prevalent in today’s horror stories. Ms. Haines is a masterful storyteller and writer that is hard to dispute in this reader’s opinion.”

///

   The novels above are enjoyable reads, and that kind of excellence doesn’t happen overnight.

   These two Gulf Coast authors have honed their craft over the years and continue to work hard at putting out their very best effort for their readers.

   One of the blogs I follow is that of author/editor/chief-cook-and-bottle-washer, C. Hope Clark.  http://www.fundsforwriters.com  Her “Funds for Writers” blog has been on the Writer’s Digest’s 101 Best Websites for Writers list every year since 2001. Anyway, to quote Hope: 

“Writing well takes time. It isn't an instinct. You are not born with it. You do not accidentally write a stupendous tale. You develop this talent with hard work and a crazy number of hours invested in making your craft better.”

   That means all writers, but especially aspiring writers, need to participate workshops, critique groups, conferences, and READ in the genre you write. Before a writer can develop his/her own writing voice, (s)he must read the good work of other published authors.

   Now, to inspire you to continue working on your own WIP, here’s marvelous first line hook:  

"It was a wrong number that started it, the telephone ringing three times in the dead of night, and the voice on the other end asking for someone he was not." —Paul Auster, City of Glass (1985) 

   By the by, as the masthead of Lyrical Pens says, if you have a book you want to promote, let me know. We can arrange a blog date…the only caveat is that this site is PG 13.

   That’s it for this week’s post. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same. See you next week?

cj

CHOOSING CARTER and DEADLY STAR are quick reads chock full of adventure with a touch of sassy banter and sweet romance. Get your Kindle copy on Amazon…visit my Amazon Central Author Page = https://amzn.to/2v6SrAj for more information about my stories.

   TO ORDER an autographed copy of CHOOSING CARTER, DEADLY STAR, HOMETOWN HEROES, and/or THE POSSE, contact The Haunted Bookshop here: The Haunted Bookshop  Angela Trigg, the awesome owner and a RITA Award-winning author in her own right (writing as Angela Quarles) will be happy to ship you the book(s) of your choice.

  VISIT ME on Facebook at:   cjpetterson/author on Facebook  

Trouble is on the move, 2017 Awards

cj Sez: Trouble is on the move, and it all began with author Carolyn Haines … I’m talking about Trouble, the black cat shamus star of her Familiar Legacy mystery series. 

A number of books are scheduled for the series, and three have launched: Familiar Trouble, Trouble in Dixie, and Trouble in Tallahassee. The fourth book, Trouble at Summer Valley Ranch, will launch October 9. The first book in the series, Familiar Trouble written by Carolyn Haines, is currently available free on Amazon Kindle.  http://amzn.to/2uqmHUY

Blurb:  BLOOD IS THICKER... Sometimes a unique talent is inherited—and such is the case for Trouble, son of Familiar the black cat detective. Trouble’s rather indolent life in the sleepy town of Wetumpka, Alabama is upended when a serial killer arrives on the scene. Trouble begins to apply the skills he learned from his dad and his hero, Sherlock Holmes.

A 5 out of 5-stars review: “Cats can get into plenty of trouble. Trouble the cat is just the opposite - he works hard to keep his "biped" OUT of trouble. Witty, amusing and tense, Familiar Trouble is a fun and engaging read.”

cj Sez:  You get ’em, Trouble.

I’m happy to share the good news of recent award-wining authors. Maybe someone you read? If not, maybe someone you should read?

The American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) announced its Carol Awards winners for the best in Christian fiction published in the previous calendar year (2016). The winners were announced September 23 during the annual conference awards dinner. www.acfw.com/carol/carol_award_finalists_2017 

Contemporary
The Feathered Bone by Julie Cantrell

Historical
Like a River from Its Course by Kelli Stuart

Historical Romance
The Lady and the Lionheart by Joanne Bischof

Mystery/Suspense/Thriller

When Death Draws Near by Carrie Stuart Parks

Romantic Suspense

Always Watching (Elite Guardians) by Lynette Eason

Debut

You’re the Cream in my Coffee by Jennifer Lamont Leo

The Private Eye Writers Association announced its Shamus Awards for 2017. The Shamus Awards were given to private eye titles published in 2016.  The winners announced in the PWA newsletter. For more details, go to:  http://www.privateeyewriters.com/news.html

Best Private Eye Novel
Where It Hurts by Reed Farrel Coleman

Best First Private Eye Novel
IQ by Joe Ide

Best Original Private Eye Paperback
The Perplexing Theft of the Jewel in the Crown by Vaseem Khan  

Best Private Eye Short Story
“A Battlefield Reunion” by Brendan DuBois  in AHMM, June

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE WINNERS!!

Tell me about your good news, and I’ll be happy to share that also.

Got my royalty check recently and decided I better not quit my day job. Oh wait… I did that already. Sigh.

That’s it for this post. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same.

cj

And now a brief word from my sponsors:

“Bad Day at Round Rock” in The Posse Western anthology of 8 short stories @99 cents

Choosing Carter  -- Kindle  /  Nook  /  Kobo   /  iTunes/iBook

Deadly Star --  Kindle  / Nook  / Kobo

California Kisses—10 book publisher’s bundle (includes Deadly Star) @ 99 cents

The Great Outdoors  8 book publisher’s bundle (includes Choosing Carter) @99 cents

Bodies in Motion — 10 book publisher’s bundle (includes Choosing Carter) @99 cents

Note: The “look inside” invitation on the book bundles gives you a taste of the first book.

Newsletter sign-up:  cjpetterson@gmail.com

Stop by my author pages for more info . . .

Simon&Schuster Author Page

Amazon Central Author Page

Introducing new novels . . .

cj Sez:  Carolyn Haines’s Familiar Legacy Mystery Series hosted a Facebook launch party July 14 (Flag Day and Bastille Day).

For the few who don’t know her, Carolyn Haines is the USA Today bestselling author of more than 70 books. She is a recipient of the Harper Lee Award for Distinguished Writing and the Richard Wright Award for Literary Excellence, as well as the "Best Amateur Sleuth" award by Romantic Times. Haines writes in a number of genres, from cozy mystery to horror and short fiction. She got her start in publishing in romantic mysteries with one savvy black cat detective called Familiar. She's delighted to bring back the first Familiar stories—and to introduce Trouble, son of Familiar, in a delightful new Familiar Legacy series which will feature a number of talented authors (and cat lovers!).

Books in the Familiar Legacy Series are:

Bk 1 Familiar Trouble by Carolyn Haines launched July 10 and is available on Amazon.

Bk 2 Trouble in Dixie by author Rebecca Barrett has a launch date of August 14 and is available now for pre-order on Amazon 

Rebecca Barrett writes historical fiction, post-apocalyptic fiction (writing as Campbell O’Neal), children’s stories, and short stories of life in the South. An avid reader all her life and a product of “front porch” socializing, she became a story-teller at an early age. Trouble in Dixie features that handsome, sleek, black cat detective, Trouble.

Bk 3 Trouble in Tallahassee by Claire Matturro is scheduled to launch September 12

Bk 4 Trouble at Summer Ranch by Susan Tanner will launch in October.

More new titles in the series are scheduled to launch in 2018.

***

In other publishing news, the publisher for “Bad Day at Round Rock,” my historical fiction short story in The Posse anthology, has co-written another Western novel. California Bound, co-authored by John O’Melveny Woods and Frank Kelso, is being introduced in two steps. The cover reveal is scheduled for July 19, 8 to 9 p.m. CDT on Facebook . . . https://www.facebook.com/CABoundBook/

The novel is scheduled to launch on August 16 also at 8 p.m. CDT with an interactive Facebook party. The launch comes complete with prizes. Be sure to stop by and leave a comment for a chance to win. Here’s a trailer snippet for California Bound: http://snip.ly/40nlr 

***

One of the blogs I follow is that of author/editor/blogger-supreme Hope Clark at   http://www.fundsforwriters.com  Her “Funds for Writers” blog has been on the Writer’s Digest’s 101 Best Websites for Writers list every year since 2001. Anyway, to quote Hope:

“Writing well takes time. It isn't an instinct. You are not born with it. You do not accidentally write a stupendous tale. You develop this talent with hard work and a crazy number of hours invested in making your craft better.”

That means all writers, but especially aspiring writers, need to participate in workshops, critique groups, conferences, and read relentlessly in the genre they write. Before a writer can develop his/her own writing voice, s/he must read the good works of other published authors.

To inspire you to look at your own work-in-progress, I’ll leave you with one of Elmore (Dutch) Leonard’s famous first lines: 

“Chris Mankowski's last day on the job, two in the afternoon, two hours to go, he got a call to dispose of a bomb.”—Freaky Deaky (1988)

That’s all for today, folks. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same.

cj

PS: Click on the highlighted book titles for the buy link. 

A word from my sponsors:

NOW ON AMAZON:  A really amazing, super-duper deal for your summer romance reading.  A Crimson Romance bundle of 10 novels about athletes and the sports they love, Bodies in Motion, includes my novel, Choosing Carter.  10 wonderful reads for 99 cents on Amazon  Other ebook bundles still available on Amazon:  More Than Friends and California Kisses 

 “Bad Day at Round Rock” short story in The Posse anthology

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