Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Day 285...These 2 Things Could Lead to a Bestseller













Welcome to Day 285...

And 2 things that could lead to a writing a bestselling novel...


Today they come from an interview with author David Balducci in a Daily Beast post titled How I Write... 


What has to happen on page one, and in chapter one, to make for a successful book that urges you to read on?


One of two things, hopefully both. I have to give you an interesting character who you can either root for or against. And second, something has to happen. I don’t mean that someone has to die or something has to get blown up. You just have to present some sort of conundrum, problem, or issue that this character, who you’ve hopefully begun to grow interested in over the first few pages, has to overcome. It’s much like the first act in a film. Any screenplay, movie you go to see, is three acts. The first act you have about ten minutes or ten pages to set up everything—who the characters are, the problem they face or the journey they have to take. Then the long second and the far shorter third act, and a resolution of some five pages at the end. In books I want to be descriptive, I want to put you in the moment, feel the atmosphere, to give you a character who’s interesting and who you can grow to care about for some reason, either like or hate. And give them an interesting problem they have to solve.

So remember - page one...bring to life an interesting character and give the reader something - a problem, an issue, an interesting situation - that they can really sink their teeth into.


Here's the full interview...http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/03/19/how-i-write-david-baldacci.html


Here's Today's Takeaway Lesson...


"The Master Has Failed More Times Than The Beginner Has Even Tried"  




Here's to Being All In,





Maggie 
Follow me on Twitter @AuthorMaggie #busywriterslife
Visit my website @ www.maggiecollins.net
Like me on Facebook Maggie Collins


365 Days & Counting...


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Day 284...Sentences That Can Change Your Life...













Welcome to Day 284...

And sentences that can your life.


I recently came across a post on http://www.thinkinghumanity.com/ I wanted to share.  10 thoughts/10 sentences That Can Change Your Life.


Here are just a few. Enjoy...


  • “People aren’t against you; they are for themselves.”  

So stop worrying about what the rest of the world is or isn't doing and stay focused on your goals.

  • Climb mountains not so the world can see you, but so you can see the world.”  
Dream big and do it for yourself.

  • "You learn more from failure than from success; don’t let it stop you. Failure builds character.”  

Failure sucks but in the long run of life, it makes you bolder and less afraid to try new things and set new goals.

  • “People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing.. that’s why we recommend it daily.”

Have you seen my posts?  I'm all about daily reminders to stay focused, stay disciplines and stay in the game.

  • Everyone you meet is afraid of something, loves something, and has lost something”  Between trials, disappointments our ups and downs in life really are the great equalizer.  

So be kind.  Always, because people may be fighting battles you know nothing about.

You can read the rest of those life changing sentences here...

http://www.thinkinghumanity.com/2015/03/10-sentences-that-can-change-your-life.html#sthash.mDkWPW1w.dpuf



Here's Today's Takeaway Lesson...

"The Struggle Your In Today, Is Developing The Strength You Need For Tomorrow."  


Here's to Being All In,



Maggie 


Follow me on Twitter @AuthorMaggie #busywriterslife
Visit my website @ www.maggiecollins.net
Like me on Facebook Maggie Collins




365 Days & Counting...


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Monday, May 18, 2015

Day 283...This Is What It Takes













Welcome to Day 283...

And knowing what it takes...

We're smack dab in the middle of graduation season and it got me thinking...

On average it takes:

4 years to earn a High School degree
4 years to earn a Bachelors degree 
And post grad degrees like MBAs, JDs, MDs can range anywhere from 2 to 6 years. 

The truth is nothing happens overnight.  Including writing a book.  Success, realizing your dreams and finishing a manuscript takes time and work.  

But along the way we need to respect this concept of time, for both the opportunity it represents and how quickly it vanishes.

Been writing daily and I'm seeing good results.  Hope you are too.  If not a reminder...

Here's Today's Takeaway Lesson...

"The Time Is Now"  


Here's to Being All In,



Maggie 


Follow me on Twitter @AuthorMaggie #busywriterslife
Visit my website @ www.maggiecollins.net
Like me on Facebook Maggie Collins




365 Days & Counting...


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