Mark Your Calendars for Wed, Feb 3

Hi Gang,

Just to let you know, my interview of popular romance book cover model, Jason Aaron Baca, is set for Wednesday, February 3 at The Blood-Red Pencil Blog at http://bloodredpencil.blogspot.com.

Jason is on over 400 romance book covers and is closing in on Fabio's record.

I hope you can join me over there next Wednesday. Here's a teaser picture from one of his book covers:

And there's lots more pictures you'll see next Wednesday over there!

Find all of Morgan Mandel's romances and mysteries at
http://www.amazon.com/author/morganmandel

Excerpts and links are also at:
http://morgansbooklinks.blogspot.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/author/morgan.mandel

Twitter: @MorganMandel

Adding Twists & Turns In Your Writing! by DL Larson

My go-to book for writing has become Donald Maass's book, 'Writing 21st Century Fiction.'  As many times as I read it, I always find new techniques to implement into my writing. Like adding twists and turns. I feel I add my share of twists and turns, but he encourages a writer to go beyond the expected and create something unexpected.

Mr. Maass suggests to open your manuscript to any scene, then ask yourself, "what would blow the story sideways right now? Go for it."

So I found a spot in my WIP that I thought was too much narrative and not enough action. I added the unexpected. BAM! It added flavor and a dash of ridiculousness to the scene. I loved it. My writers group at the time did not find it a reasonable change. Some said it mislead the readers at what that particular character was all about. I contemplated removing the addition. I changed my mind and kept it in. My unexpected twist opened up my story line and created a deeper layer of involvement than I had originally intended with that character. It gave that character a new purpose the reader had not been aware of previously. I hadn't realized this new twist would bring the character to life. What a pleasant surprise.

Basically, I'm not telling you anything new. But this can serve as a reminder to not be too comfortable with your plot. Add the unexpected. Donald Maass suggests, "If the expected happens, change it. If nothing new is discovered, discover it and add it."

That's great advice ~ for all of us!

'Til next time ~

DL Larsonwww.DLLARSON.com



 

Good-bye to Alan Rickman! by DL Larson

I'm sad this great actor has left us so soon. I first adored Alan Rickman when he played the Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves, starring with Kevin Costner.

He was genius in his portrayal of nasty characters. And funny. Even likable. He had a way of revealing just enough of his character's hidden emotions to draw the viewer in.

And I have to mention his part as Hans Gruber,
in Die Hard, with Bruce Willis. A fabulous performance. He was a gifted criminal in front of the camera.

Most of all, we remember Alan Rickman for his role as the Master of Potions, Professor Severus Snape, in the Harry Potter movies. What a wonderful, delightfully, frightening character. Having read all of the Harry Potter books, I know first hand what a magnificent job he did bringing Prof. Snape to life.

Alan Rickman never received an Oscar for his performances, and he said something to the fact that, 'parts win prizes, not actors.'  How profound of him. I know as a writer, I would love to have someone of his caliber portray one of my characters. I imagine that is a dream of many writers ~ to have their work turned into a movie or play. Writers also strive for awards to show the world they are worthy, and folks should read more of their books. I don't believe I've ever come across a writer who would say, 'plots win prizes, not writers.' But then writers are a pretty insecure bunch. We dream of big characters, we rarely get to become one. Alan Rickman had the uncanny ability and opportunity to give a big character life. And we are all better for it.

Rest in peace, Alan Rickman. You will be missed.

'Til next time ~

DL Larson
www.DLLARSON.com

We at Book Beat Babes hope to get back in the swing of things and blog more regularly than we have these last several weeks. So please stop back soon.