A Successful Novel Must Be in Want of a Sequel


Book Description

What happened after Mr. Darcy married Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice? Where did Heathcliff go when he disappeared in Wuthering Heights? What social ostracism would Hester Prynne of The Scarlet Letter have faced in 20th century America? Great novels often leave behind great questions, and sequels seek to answer them. This critical analysis offers fresh insights into the sequels to seven literary classics, including Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility, the Bronte sisters' Jane Eyre, Louisa May Alcott's Little Women, and Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca.




Catch the Moon, Mary


Book Description

A magical story about a gifted but vulnerable girl who is both saved and damned by an angel who falls in love with her music and claims it as his own in a Faustian pact. With Mary in his thrall, he ruthlessly kills those who threaten his plan to bring Mary to Carnegie Hall where her talent will be hailed supreme. Sunday Express, March 2017: 'Catch the Moon, Mary is one of my six favourite books' - Amanda Redman, actress/director/arts patron/head of ATS, New Tricks, The Good Karma Hospital, Sexy Beast 'Beyond beautiful' - Simon Egerton, singer-songwriter, composer, lyricist 'Original and scintillating, tantalising and thought-provoking. A novel about the transformative powers of music and beauty' - Hazel Philips OAM, Gold Logie winner, author of Black River, Bright Star 'Weaves a singular spell mesmerising the reader on several levels like a fugue. Wendy Waters and her characters believe deeply in the power of music, which pours lyrically from her sentences' - Joshua Rosenblum, composer, conductor, music critic 'A rare and ingenious glimpse into the real and the surreal. Waters interfaces these twin realities with ease and dexterity, reminding us of the profound yet often neglected depth of imagination. A brave and unique journey' - Gerry Taylor-Wood, international lecturer on Esoteric Sciences and author of The Journey to the Sacred Well




100 Days of Sunlight


Book Description

When 16-year-old poetry blogger Tessa Dickinson is involved in a car accident and loses her eyesight for 100 days, she feels like her whole world has been turned upside-down. Terrified that her vision might never return, Tessa feels like she has nothing left to be happy about. But when her grandparents place an ad in the local newspaper looking for a typist to help Tessa continue writing and blogging, an unlikely answer knocks at their door: Weston Ludovico, a boy her age with bright eyes, an optimistic smile...and no legs. Knowing how angry and afraid Tessa is feeling, Weston thinks he can help her. But he has one condition -- no one can tell Tessa about his disability. And because she can't see him, she treats him with contempt: screaming at him to get out of her house and never come back. But for Weston, it's the most amazing feeling: to be treated like a normal person, not just a sob story. So he comes back. Again and again and again. Tessa spurns Weston's "obnoxious optimism", convinced that he has no idea what she's going through. But Weston knows exactly how she feels and reaches into her darkness to show her that there is more than one way to experience the world. As Tessa grows closer to Weston, she finds it harder and harder to imagine life without him -- and Weston can't imagine life without her. But he still hasn't told her the truth, and when Tessa's sight returns he'll have to make the hardest decision of his life: vanish from Tessa's world...or overcome his fear of being seen. 100 Days of Sunlight is a poignant and heartfelt novel by author Abbie Emmons. If you like sweet contemporary romance and strong family themes then you'll love this touching story of hope, healing, and getting back up when life knocks you down.




Ordinary People


Book Description

One of the great bestseller of our time: the novel that inspired Robert Redford’s Oscar-winning film starring Donald Sutherland and Mary Tyler Moore In Ordinary People, Judith Guest’s remarkable first novel, the Jarrets are a typical American family. Calvin is a determined, successful provider and Beth an organized, efficient wife. They had two sons, Conrad and Buck, but now they have one. In this memorable, moving novel, Judith Guest takes the reader into their lives to share their misunderstandings, pain, and ultimate healing. Ordinary People is an extraordinary novel about an "ordinary" family divided by pain, yet bound by their struggle to heal. "Admirable...touching...full of the anxiety, despair, and joy that is common to every human experience of suffering and growth." -The New York Times "Rejoice! A novel for all ages and all seasons." -The Washington Post Book World




Luna the Moon Pig


Book Description

All About Luna The Moon Pig - The Pig Who Hid. A Family Tale of Caring, Sharing, Rejection, Hope, Fun, Adventure, Happiness, Sadness, Love, Magic and Self Discovery. Dedicated to Families of Piggies and People Worldwide Luna Moon Pig is the cutest of pigs, with a moon face, chocolate-drop eyes, and the wiggliest of tails. The Millers adopt her, and give her to their daughter, Maria. But Moon Pig longs for her freedom, and she soon escapes! A friendly cardinal bird, and a wise owl accompany her on her adventure - a magical journey to a wild wood, and beyond. When Luna returns to her surrogate family, something is different! How has she changed? Who did she meet? She has made a discovery, and has a new philosophy about life! What she knows now will change her life, for good! This is a fairy tale for all ages, that tells of a kind of magic - the magic of self-belief! Luna The Moon Pig - a fairy-tale that came from real life! One day, author Suzy Davies was standing on the back porch step in the back yard of her house in Florida, taking in the evening sunset, when she saw a little black animal creep out from under the bushes! At first, Suzy thought it was one of the cats who lived in the neighborhood. But this animal did not move like a cat. It kept its nose to the ground, and rustled through leaves. It didn't sound like a cat, either. It made a squeaking sound! Suzy slowly approached the small animal, and to her surprise, it was a piggy! Sure enough, this little piggy was very shy, and when she saw Suzy, off she trotted! That same evening, Suzy put out lettuce and water for the her. She tried to make sure the piggy was fed and watered. The piggy was sighted for several days and nights. Suzy took notes as she observed her antics from the back window. Very quickly, Suzy came to realize that this cute shy piggy was a nocturnal animal. She liked to hide away from people, under the cover of the dark. Little did the piggy know how visible she was under the light of the Harvest Moon! At last, the runaway piggy was captured by a neighbour and returned to her owners to make a real life fairy-tale ending. Suzy could never forget the little piggy. "Ah, Luna, ...." Suzy thought, and the name fitted the lovable piggy very well. Suzy knew she had the seed of an idea for a children's book, and she set to work. When the first draft of her story was complete, she wondered who might be the best illustrator for her Luna piggy tale. Abracadabra! One person - and one person only - came to mind, Sheila Graber, the award-winning world-acclaimed animator for "Paddington Bear" and animator/illustrator for Kipling's "Just So" stories, who Suzy knew had an empathy for animals and animal tales. Suzy sent off an email to Sheila just to ask Sheila what she thought of her story. Suzy hoped Sheila would enjoy it, and enjoy it - Sheila did! Author and illustrator decided to collaborate on Luna's story "just for fun" and fully immersed themselves, day by day, in the creation of a book. Sheila enlisted the help of a real family to act as models for The Millers in her stunning rotoscoped cartoon-style drawings based on reality, which range from Whimsical to Wonderful! Sheila also dreamed up a special name - Moonwishes Magic - for Suzy's notion of making wishes under the light of a glowing moon. This magic seemed to touch everything the two collaborators did together, with text and images falling into place to make this enchanting tale a dream come true! Sheila read Luna The Moon Pig aloud to 6 year old Henry, who enjoyed the book so much that Sheila and Suzy decided this piggy tale was a tale to be shared. And here it is for everyone - children and adults - to enjoy!




The Purification Ceremony


Book Description




Story Engineering


Book Description

What makes a good story or a screenplay great? The vast majority of writers begin the storytelling process with only a partial understanding where to begin. Some labor their entire lives without ever learning that successful stories are as dependent upon good engineering as they are artistry. But the truth is, unless you are master of the form, function and criteria of successful storytelling, sitting down and pounding out a first draft without planning is an ineffective way to begin. Story Engineering starts with the criteria and the architecture of storytelling, the engineering and design of a story--and uses it as the basis for narrative. The greatest potential of any story is found in the way six specific aspects of storytelling combine and empower each other on the page. When rendered artfully, they become a sum in excess of their parts. You'll learn to wrap your head around the big pictures of storytelling at a professional level through a new approach that shows how to combine these six core competencies which include: • Four elemental competencies of concept, character, theme, and story structure (plot) • Two executional competencies of scene construction and writing voice The true magic of storytelling happens when these six core competencies work together in perfect harmony. And the best part? Anyone can do it!




Save the Cat! Writes a Novel


Book Description

The first novel-writing guide from the best-selling Save the Cat! story-structure series, which reveals the 15 essential plot points needed to make any novel a success. Novelist Jessica Brody presents a comprehensive story-structure guide for novelists that applies the famed Save the Cat! screenwriting methodology to the world of novel writing. Revealing the 15 "beats" (plot points) that comprise a successful story--from the opening image to the finale--this book lays out the Ten Story Genres (Monster in the House; Whydunit; Dude with a Problem) alongside quirky, original insights (Save the Cat; Shard of Glass) to help novelists craft a plot that will captivate--and a novel that will sell.




Writing Great Books for Young Adults


Book Description

From a top young adult literary agent, the only guide on how to write for young adults With an 87 percent increase in the number of titles published in the last two years, the young adult market is one of the healthiest segments in the industry. Despite this, little has been written to help authors hone their craft to truly connect with this audience. Writing Great Books for Young Adults gives writers the advice they need to tap this incredible market. Topics covered include: Listening to the voices of youth Meeting your young protagonist Developing a writing style Constructing plots Trying on points of view Agent Regina Brooks has developed award-winning authors across the YA genre, including a Coretta Scott King winner. She attends more than 20 conferences each year, meeting with authors and teaching.




Something to Hide


Book Description

An Instant New York Times Bestseller! Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers and Detective Inspector Thomas Lynley are back in the next Lynley novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth George. When a police detective is taken off life support after falling into a coma, only an autopsy reveals the murderous act that precipitated her death. She'd been working on a special task force within North London's Nigerian community, and Acting Detective Superintendent Thomas Lynley is assigned to the case, which has far-reaching cultural associations that have nothing to do with life as he knows it. In his pursuit of a killer determined to remain hidden, he's assisted by Detective Sergeants Barbara Havers and Winston Nkata. They must sort through the lies and the secret lives of people whose superficial cooperation masks the damage they do to one another.