The
Phoenix Blade
by
Andrew Hess
Have you ever created an amazing plot,
but didn’t know how to work from conception to story? It’s
something many believe to be easy to do, but quickly find out it is
easier said than done. Writing your novel starts with the plot and
theme. The plot is a few sentences describing what the story is
about. Theme is the foundational concept in which the core of your
story boils down to one or two specific words. But once you have
these two down, how do you move forward with your story?
Your first step after you have your
plot, theme, and characters would be to outline your story. You’ll
find many successful writers plan out their story beforehand.
Likewise, there are many that don’t and can be just as successful.
I encourage the outline as a way for the writer to see where their
story will go. This will help minimalize a relentless flow of
writing that will cause your story to go on too long.
Once the outline is complete, it’s
time to sit down and write your scenes or chapters. Each one should
be designed to keep the readers’ attention, move the general story,
and further the character development. With your outline in hand,
you should be able to accurately map out your characters as they
transition from living their normal average life and become the
person that faces the challenges and conflicts of your story.
Each chapter or scene should include a
well-developed description of the scene or actions. For example;
don’t write it was a hot day. Instead, write how the hot sun
feels; have the character stare into the cloudless sky; the sun beams
off the water’s edge; the possibilities are endless. If you do
this right, your reader can visualize the scene instead of just
reading through.
Another major factor in each chapter
is dialogue. This is key to the story feeling like a reality to your
readers. Dialogue should help move the story along and used to
create tension, conflict, romance, etc. You want readers to
visualize your story, so I would not recommend using proper English
language for people in New York, Detroit, Chicago areas. Likewise,
you wouldn’t want your characters talking like they live in a heavy
populated city with a thick accents and their own lingo when you’re
writing about a small country side town that is very polite and
proper. Tailor your dialogue to the right setting for your story.
By following
these basic rules for writing your chapters or scenes, you should
have a good foundation for your story. They will help you build on
your idea and evolve your plot and theme from conception to full
story.
About
The Author:
Genre:
Action/Drama
Publisher:
CreateSpace
Release
Date: April 24, 2013
Book
Description:
Follow
the journey of Andrew Lancaster and his friends as they are thrown in
the middle of the biggest government conspiracy to hit the United
States. Andrew is contacted by a man known only as the Benefactor.;
claiming to be a government official that has been monitoring
Lancaster and his friends. He is told they have enough evidence to
arrest them for treason, but would like to hire them instead for a
top secret government project. As a bonus
the Benefactor says he will reveal something Lancaster has
wanted to know for the last six years. Who killed his mother.
Excerpt:
“I keep thinking how so much has changed in the last ten years.”
“Here we go again.”
“I mean it. When we were kids everything was different. The world was more peaceful. Everyone got along and helped each other. But now everyone’s fueled by greed, corruption, and they get some sick pleasure from hurting others.”
“I know what you mean, but there’s not much we can do about it. Too many people think they have to do whatever’s necessary to get ahead in life.”
“I still wish we could change it.”
“Yeah, it’d be great to get rid of all those people.” Mike reached for the remote to turn the movie back on. “Too bad it’ll never happen.”
I knew he was right. Our idea was ludicrous. But at that moment, my cell started ringing.
“Talk to me,” I answered.
“Yes hi, I’m looking for Mr. Andrew Lancaster,” a stern confident voice said.
“Who’s calling?”
“Someone who has the power to change your future.”
“If this is some telemarketer, you can hang up now. I’m not interested.
“I assure you this isn’t a sales pitch and I’m not a telemarketer.”
“Then what do you want?”
“It’s come to my attention that you and a few friends have been talking about eliminating certain types of people.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Don’t play dumb Mr. Lancaster. You and your friends have been monitored for some time now. We know everything.”
“Who are you?”
“I’m someone from the government that would like to give you an ultimatum. We have e-mails and recorded conversations between you and your friends talking about killing people that are as you said evil.”
“Look, Mr. we were only joking around.”
Mike heard the panic in my voice. My face turned pale white.
“What’s going on,” he whispered.
I placed the call on speaker and placed a finger to my lips.
“Be that as it may. You’ve been under our watchful eye for several months. Now, we can do this the easy way, or the hard way.”
“And that would be?”
“The hard way is we send our agents to your house and arrest you for conspiracy and possible treason.”
“Are you fucking serious,” Mike shouted. I quickly covered his mouth with my hand.
“Who is that? Who’s with you?” I didn’t reply. I could hear him rifling through papers. “Ah yes, that is most likely Mr. Santangelo.”
“How does he know my…”
“What’s the easy way,” I asked.
The man cleared his throat. “Simple, we hire you to go through with it.”
I laughed it off immediately. “Yeah right, and next you’re going to tell me that I’m the next in line to be King of England.”
“I don’t know about that, but I’m very serious. We have a list of targets and evidence that proves their illegal activities. We would like to give you the chance to make the world a better place.”
“If you have evidence against them, why not put them in jail where they belong?”
“Because they have ways of getting around our judicial system. We all know it’s fallible.”
“But why me?”
“Who better to lead a team than someone who has never received justice for his own mother’s death?”
“But it was ruled an accident.”
“That’s what you were led to believe. I have proof she was murdered and know who’s responsible.”
