Category Archives: Writing

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THE Guide to Great Storytelling: StoryMasters

Posted on September 2, 2015 | Leave a comment
StoryMasters Cover 2-1-2015xe flat EBook

Yesterday’s Cover

StoryMasters POD Front Cover Black 9-2-2015 X

Today’s Cover

StoryMasters POD Cover Black w-Blue 9-3-2015

Future Cover?

Back Cover

Back Cover

StoryMasters

—the writer’s guide every author should have!

Now available in print and eBook 

StoryMasters for novice to advanced storytellers. It’s a labor of love of over a quarter century writing novels and teaching the craft. An eighth edition of Novel Writing Made Simple, it’s the first major revision since Edition Seven in 2010.

This is one of the most comprehensive reference and resource books on novel writing available, with complex concepts broken down into the most basic of terms.

  • When was the last time you saw subtext discussed in a novel-writing book? It’s in StoryMasters!
  • What about free indirect discourse—have you ever seen that broken down and given in simple terms so that you understood it and could recognize how important FID is to your writing? It’s in the book!
  • Do you even know what psychic distance is? Just sayin’—z’in the book!
  • Need to research a writing concept for the next writers’ meeting? In the book!
  • Having trouble with point of view and need a refresher? It’s in the book!
  • Your characters seem too flat and unreal, and you want to know more about writing 3D characters that will leap off the page? The book is where you’ll find it!
  • Don’t know what direction your story is headed and need help with plotting? Got it right there in the book!
  • Bogged down or completely stuck halfway into your story and in search of a pathway out of the mucky middle (muddle)? Ditto!
  • Want to find out how to make a novel notebook like Storybinder that will keep all your story ideas in one place? Yep—ITB!
  • Want to brainstorm your story in order to develop it more and flesh it out? It’s in the book!
  • NaNoWriMo’s coming up—do you know what StoryStormer is and how it can help you write your story quickly? Check it out in the book!
  • Want to develop emotional subplots to help characterize but don’t know how? Af-firm-a-tive!
  • Want a bang-up opening without a bomb going off? Si-si!
  • Want a comprehensive lexicon of over 500 words to help you understand the craft and business of novel writing? Roger that!
  • Want to read over a hundred quips from bestselling writers and celebrities about writing and entertaining? Of course, it’s in the book!
  • What about Grandma’s recipe for her luscious apple pie—do you think it’s in the book? No, silly! You’ll have to ask Grandma for that … but if you need a clear and effective recipe for writing gripping suspense … you guessed it—it’s in … the … book!
  • What about writing dynamic dialogue, imagery, interactive setting, skillfully shifting tenses, shifting narrative mode and point of view, simple editing techniques, manuscript formatting, an overview of the traditional publishing business and how to query an agent? Uh-huh … need I say more?

Prepare to launch— StoryMasters: Writers, Hone Your Skills! Advanced Notions in Novel Writing.

Find StoryMasters here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B014M5Q7S2/

Thank you in advance for taking a look! I’m sure it will help!

—Gordon

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Posted in EBooks & EPublishing, Novel Writing Made Simple, Readers' Interests, Writing

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Two New Writer Meetups in KC!

Posted on April 18, 2015 | Leave a comment

Indie Writers Alliance Meetup presents:StoryMasters POD Front Cover Black 9-2-2015 X

StoryMasters: Advanced Notions in Novel Writing! Things neither your mama nor your writing teacher ever told you that will take your writing and your stories to the next level, and;

THE Master Plan: After “THE END”

After The END

–Will your months of hard work and creativity just die when you’ve typed “THE END” on the last page of your novel? It doesn’t have to!

What Lies Beneath2

Also, Coming Soon: What Lies Beneath monthly writers social! You don’t have to read between the lines to get to know the authors who write them. Go behind the scenes and socialize with fellow scribes.

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Posted in Book Covers, EBooks & EPublishing, Seminars & Appearances, Writing, Writing Conferences

Write the Dream Conference in KC March 7-9, 2014!

Posted on March 5, 2014 | Leave a comment

Calling all indie writers within driving distance of KC!

Better hurry: coming this weekend

Write the Dream Conference

Featuring two-time Emmy Award winner Cady McClain!

As well as five other top-notch speakers (hey, including me!)

With sessions on Dreamscaping, Editing, EPublishing, Novel Writing, Social Media, Book Covers, Marketing, Funding, Layout and Design, and Brainstorming. Find out more:

http://www.writethedream.com/the-convention/

From the website: “If you are an aspiring writer who wants to stop talking about writing your story and actually D0 it, then our conference is for you. Please join us in March in Kansas City, Missouri, for your chance to learn the basics of writing and self-publishing your own book and learning from others who have a proven success at reaching the masses. Join keynote speaker, Emmy-award-winning actress, writer, and film producer Cady McClain, who will share with you how she fulfills her own dreams—and hopefully inspire you to do the same.

“Our three-day conference will give you every tool and resource you need to learn how to fulfill your dream of being a published author. You will gain the inspiration to get your story down on paper and take the necessary steps to see it in both e-book form, as well as print. Our conference workshops will include: a set plan to complete that first manuscript; resources to fund your project; tips and tools to help you find a good editor and designer; methods and resources to get your book correctly formatted for distribution; and finally, a plan to help you market and sell your book once it is completed. Step by step, from A to Z, our conference team will walk you through the process— even if you have absolutely no idea where to start. Come for one day or all three— you can choose from three plans that will fit both your time and budget.

“We want to help you share your story…because what you have to say deserves to be told. You don’t need to wait around for the traditional publishers if you want to succeed; all it takes is a good story, will, and determination. Come join us and see what we can do for you!”

Register NOW! http://www.writethedream.com/the-convention/Join us at the beautiful Kansas City Convention Center in downtown Kansas City. For more information about the center, click here. For a complete list of classes and a more detailed description of the conference, click here. To register for the conference or to check pricing, click here. If you would like to register by phone or would like more information, please call 816.896.6802.

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Posted in Book Covers, EBooks & EPublishing, Seminars & Appearances, Uncategorized, Writing, Writing Conferences

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EPublishing Day–FREE!

Posted on April 16, 2013 | 1 comment

That’s right! I’ll be conducting two, FREE, all-day seminars where, if you’re ready, you can walk in a wannabe and walk out a published author!

Kansas City (Merriam) May 18, 2013

Wichita June 22, 2013

Click for details:

EPublishing Day–Kansas City!

EPublishing Day–Wichita!

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Posted in EBooks & EPublishing, Novel Writing Made Simple, Seminars & Appearances, Writing, Writing Conferences

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Book Reviews: John Locke Didn’t Do It This Way!

Posted on April 7, 2013 | 4 comments

I posted this on our Indie Writers Alliance page, then I realized this might be important enough to wave it around on my author site, as well.

To my readers and fans, let me just tell you how very important it is for any author to get good, legitimate reviews for their books. If you give a book a good review, you’ve made the author’s day. On the other hand, if you give it a bad review, there will likely be gnashing of teeth. But even negative reviews are important to readers, if they’re honest–and, ultimately, that’s who reviews are for. Reviews are to help potential readers decide whether or not to buy and read a book. Reviews are good things for the consumers–for readers, the reason we write. Reviews with hurtful language, spoilers, negative because “I don’t read this genre, but I got this book for free”: those are the really lame reviews that no one needs.

Okay, so don’t even compare what I’m about to tell you to John Locke’s, “Hey, I sold over a million books in five months this way!” The following info and link is to help fellow indie authors hook up with potential reviewers in their book(s) genre(s).

What’s different? Locke said nothing about the main and now obviously secret ingredient in his plan: buying reviews! I’m not saying it’s wrong to buy reviews. I’d say it’s wrong if you’re buying positive reviews, fabricated reviews from folks who didn’t even read your book, left out the fact that you bought reviews when you go around bragging to other writers how you became so successful and left this very critical piece of the puzzle out. And then Mr. Locke sells us indies a guide-book about how we can do what he did with the most important part–the real key to his success–never mentioned! That’s ri-ight! He paid over $6,000 for 300 reviews. Now think of it, authors: paying three hundred people to go “buy” your book on Amazon over a few days’ time–the increased sales alone would shoot your title near the top of the rankings. Don’t you think if you’re giving these reviewer folks pretty good money to give a review, and there’s no real control over whether they really read the book or not, that they’ll likely give your book a good review? Especially since, if they give it a bad review, they might not be considered favorably for a chance to get paid to write review again!

Click the Image!

Click the Image!

Anyway, check this out, fellow indies! For $67.00 BookRooster will distribute your book to a genre-targeted portion of their 3,000 plus reviewers, and they’ll keep working at it until you get ten reviews. They don’t promise those reviews will be positive. What are you paying for, then? Distribution of your book to reviewers. The reviewers themselves don’t get paid, but they do get to download your book for free. If you need reviews, this might just be a way to go.

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Posted in EBooks & EPublishing, Personal Views, Pet Peeves, Readers' Interests, Uncategorized, Writing

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EPublishing Radio Interview

Posted on March 30, 2013 | Leave a comment

I was just interviewed about my writing career as well as ePublishing by nationally known radio personality and voice talent, Mike Lamb. The half-hour segment will air Sunday, March 31, between 1:00 and 2pm ET on WJML radio:  http://www.WJML.com

Listen to the interview here: https://s3.amazonaws.com/moneyroom/033013-moneyroomshow-hour2.mp3

The actual interview starts at 7:10 into the audio recording.

Check it out!

But, if you don’t get a chance, you can catch it anytime afterwards on a podcast on Mike’s Internet radio website, at: www.MoneyRoom.com, and later I’ll post it right here!

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Posted in EBooks & EPublishing, Interviews, Personal Views, Readers' Interests, Seminars & Appearances, Writing

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