A Review – Story Engineering by Larry Brooks

September 17, 2015October 21, 2016 / Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / 4 Comments

I can’t tell you how many people have recommended this book to me and for good reason. A panster at heart, I found my story floundering and myself stuck around the 40,000-word mark.

Already an ardent follower of Larry Brooks blog, Storyfix, I downloaded Story Engineering and dug in. This book is by far one of the most comprehensive books on story structure I’ve read to date.

Full of helpful how-to’s and thorough examples, Larry teaches you how to structure and outline a story before you write the first word. From the six core competencies, necessary for every story, a list of detailed questions, and clear examples from popular movies and books, Larry takes you through the process for writing a successful and publishable novel.

This book is one of those every writer needs in their library collection. It is one you will refer to again and again.

I’d love to hear your comments. Talk to me. Tell me your story. And as always, you can follow me on Facebook at SheilaMGood, Pinterest, Bloglovin, Twitter @cofcmom, and Contently.

Check Out My Latest Reviews

September 8, 2015 / Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / 2 Comments

I’m not much for reading serial books, but the first three books in Jen Blood’s Erin Solomon five book series reeled me in and kept me turning the pages and left me guessing. Click on the review tab above.

Want to See Your Books in the Library?

August 11, 2015October 21, 2016 / Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / 4 Comments

I grew up checking books out at our local library. When I became an adult, the local library was one of the first places I visited whenever I moved to a new community. Although, once I acquired my Kindle, the trips to the physical library became less, my reading didn’t slow down. In fact, I still check out books from the library, only now it’s virtual.

So, what a pleasant surprise to discover, via C.S. Larkin and her guest, Porter Anderson, the exciting new program, Self-e.

From Library Journal and BiblioBoard, Self-e is a platform where independent authors can get their ebooks into the American Library system. Wow! You can read about it and even upload your e-book here at @ Live Write Thrive Introducing Authors’ New, Free Entry into Libraries: Self-e.

And while you’re there, submit to the Library Journal’s 2015 Self-Published eBook Awards. $4000 in winnings. The deadline is midnight August 31, 2015.

As always, I’d love to hear your comments. Talk to me. Tell me your story. And as always, you can follow me on Facebook at SheilaMGood and Twitter @cofcmom.

Three Stars: The Missings

May 16, 2015October 21, 2016 / Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / Leave a comment

As a nurse, the subject of this mystery thriller by Peg Brantley was of particular interest to me. Detective Chase Waters is on the hunt for a serial killer. A killer who discards the hacked up bodies of young men and women on the side of the road, minus all vital organs.

The story takes us to places of ethical and moral dilemmas where you must ask, “Does the end justify the means?”

What would you be willing to do to save a loved one? How far would you go? What moral, ethical, or legal boundary would you cross for those you love?

I gave this book three stars for several of reasons. It started slow and some characters were not developed as fully as I would have liked. I had to keep going back and refreshing my memory as to their role. In the end, I didn’t find all the characters relevant to the story’s plot, and the ending foreshadowed long before it should have been.

Having said that, The Missings is worth the read if you like mysteries and enjoy books that make you ponder the subject long after the last page.

As a Transplantation Nurse, in my previous career, I would be remiss if I did not share with you the importance of organ donation.

“More than 123,000 men, women and children currently need lifesaving organ transplants. Every 10 minutes another name is added to the national organ transplant waiting list. Sadly, an average of 21 people die each day because the organs they need are not donated in time.” (Statistics | Donate Life America)

If you would like more information on becoming a donor, please check out: Organdonor.gov/becomingadonor.