Today we’re looking at part two of writing a scary, believable villain. For a villain to be great, his or her threats must be believable and truly scary. The threat has to hit home. In the Wizard of Oz, we’re afraid for Dorothy and her friends, but when the witch threatens Toto, we’re drawn all the way into the danger. “She’s going to hurt an innocent dog?” We see Dorothy’s response too. Not Toto! As you develop your villain or antagonist, create a scenario that’s real and hits home. Could it happen? And what if it did? Work on thinking outside the norm, too. Terrorist blowing up a city while Bruce Willis tries to save mankind is exciting and perhaps interesting, but I’m not really drawn in because the threat […]
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Shameless Promotion of Finding Stefanie!
It’s Shameless Promotion week ~ Now It’s my turn to plug my newest book — hitting the stands this month…FINDING STEFANIE! I’m so thrilled about this story — it’s the continuing saga of the Noble Family. (If you want to catch up, Meet Nick, and find out Who’s Rafe). Stefanie Noble put her dreams on hold years ago to keep the family ranch from going under. Now, they’re about to come knocking at her door. But will she have the courage to follow them? Here’s the Publisher’s Description: Everyone around Stefanie Noble is content, but it seems that her “happily ever after” has passed her by. Then two troubled girls and their older brother, Gideon, show up in town and clearly need help. Could they bring the fulfillment that Stefanie […]
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I’m so excited to announce that my NEW COLUMN with the Christian Fiction Online Magazine is up! It’s called From the Big Screen to Your Scene, and takes popular movies and teaches writing techniques from it…. Here’s a sample from this month’s issue…. Can you hear it? August Rush Asks a Question Listen, can you hear it? The music. I can hear it everywhere. In the wind; In the air; In the light; It’s all around us. All you have to do is open yourself up; All you have to do is listen. These are the opening lines of last fall’s delightful movie, August Rush, delivered in the haunting, delicate voice of amazing young actor Freddie Highmore. The story opens with young Evan, a so-called orphan, leading a symphony […]
Read the RestShameless Promotion of Love Starts With Elle
Today on MyBookTherapy, Rachel Hauck will shamelessly promote her newest release, “Love Starts With Elle,” coming July 8, 2008 from Thomas Nelson. “Hauck is quickly making a name for herself as an insightful and thoughtful author. Elle is vulnerable, yet wise, and the romantic angle will leave you sighing with delight.” Melissa Parcel, Romantic Times Book Club, 4.5 Stars and Top Pick (whoo hoo, cheers and clapping.) Here’s a bit about the book. (whoo hoo, cheers and clapping.) Elle’s living the dream – but is it her dream or his? Elle loves life in Beaufort, South Carolina – lazy summer days on the sand bar, coastal bonfires and dinner with friends sharing a lifetime of memories. And she’s found her niche as the owner of a successful art gallery too. […]
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