Lee Strauss's Blog, page 13
July 12, 2016
Author Tip Tuesday – Tip #8 Climax and Resolution – the End is Near
The climax is the do or die scene.
Everything comes to a head and it looks very dismal for our main character. We are left wondering if a happy ending is at all possible (maybe it’s not). It’s tempting to rush the ending, especially when you’ve spent so much time working your way to get there, but make sure you keep an eye on your pacing (more on Pacing in another tip). Readers who’ve committed to reading your book through to the end deserve satisfaction. They want to be wowed by the climax and content with how all the loose threads are tied up at the end. They want a meaningful resolution. Series books may end with a cliffhanger and loose threads, but it better all be rewarded by the last book.
“The beginning hooks the reader, but the ending makes them fans.”
-Martha Alderson, The Plot Whisperer
In HARRY POTTER, Harry has entered the chamber and finds Quirrel without his stutter and the head of Voldemort under his turban. Even in this form, Voldemort is a fearful foe and Harry has to use his wits and the stone to fight him off.
Resolution: Harry is safe for now.
In HUNGER GAMES, Katniss and Peeta fight off the final competitor; they are the last 2 standing and the winners – until the rules changed back to only 1 victor. Now they have to make a hard choice. Instead, they call the Capitol’s bluff.
Resolution: Katniss and Peeta return to District 12 as heroes.
Since these examples are of series books, not everything is tied up in a neat bow at the end, but the main plot is resolved and the story question is answered. (More to come on the story question.)
When writing Mystery Thrillers or other genres with a thriller component (there’s a flesh and blood villain out to get the protagonist), the third act will include a Hero at the Mercy of the Villain scene and a False Ending scene.
The Hero at the Mercy of the Villain scene is when the protagonist is trapped by the villain and it looks like this can only end badly for her. The False Ending is when we think it’s over, but the villain or protagonist revives, and a second final ending happens.
In PERCEPTION, The Hero at the Mercy of the Villain happens when Noah and Zoe are together at the campground making their escape and the villain finds them. He’s in the position of power and the odds of the heroes defeating him in a physical fight are slim.
The False Ending is when the villain is holding Noah off the ground by the neck, strangling and suffocating him. It looks like the end.
But then Zoe makes a move and the real ending happens at her hands.
Resolution: Zoe and Noah are safe, but still on the run.
In GIRL ON THE TRAIN, The Hero at the Mercy of the Villain happens when Tom finds Rachel and Anna together at his house. He’s letting her know all the ways she screwed up and why he’s left her no option but to do the same thing to her that he did to Megan. The False ending is when Tom incapacitates Rachel and we think Anna is going to help him kill her. (It’s a light False Ending.)
Rachel runs for her life, Tom catches her but then she gets the upper hand and stabs him in the neck.
Resolution: Rachel is cleared of Tom’s death as self-defence (Anna’s witness) and Megan’s murder is solved.
For Romances, the third act includes a separation of the couple with a dim outlook for their future, and a final climatic confrontation and turn of events that bring the couple back together.
In SUN & MOON, Katja believes Micah chose another woman over her, and goes back to Berlin to take care of her family. She believes that the gap between her impoverished family situation and his position of wealth and means is too much of a barrier for them to over come.
Then Micah makes the “grand gesture,” and Katja forgives.
Resolution: they live happily ever after. 
July 8, 2016
Free or .99 book Friday – Dead Before the Wedding by Ruby Blaylock!
For cozy mystery lovers – only .99 on Amazon!
Life in a small town can be murder…
Meet Carly Keene. She’s a professional photographer, part-time bakery employee, and a small town girl who loves everything about her hometown, until she discovers that there’s a murderer on the loose.
Parker’s Mill has a killer in its midst. The sleepy little Georgia town is full of quirky characters, but one of them is a stone-cold killer. When Carly discovers the body of one of her photography clients in his bathtub, fully clothed and snuggled up to a space heater in the dead of summer, she knows something’s not right.
The dead guy had some secrets. One of which just happens to be a secret love child, and another is a redhead who smokes too much, which wouldn’t be a problem if he hadn’t been engaged to a brassy blonde with eighties hair and a heck of a mean temper. He also has a gorgeous twin brother who knocks Carly for six when she realizes that she might be falling for him.
Can Carly figure out who really killed Larry Gaston before the cops nab the wrong person? Or will she let his handsome twin wander off into the sunset with one of the dead guy’s former conquests?
Get cozy with the characters in this small town as Carly fights for justice as sweet as the chocolate cake at the Sweets & Eats bakery!
**Includes two recipes straight from the book!**
July 6, 2016
We interrupt this regularly scheduled program…
I missed posting yesterday’s Author Tuesday Tip. Sorry about that. Will get back to tip-sharing next week!
Like many of you I traveled on the long weekend – this year to visit my husband’s family and celebrate the 60th wedding anniversary of his parents!
Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Strauss!
We passed this copper mine near Ashcroft BC and had to stop for a pic. Looks like the dead sea!
Now that we’re home again, I’ve jumped into Paleo eating. If you don’t know what Paleo is, its nickname is Caveman Diet, because it only includes the kinds of foods that were available back before farming, which excludes all grains and dairy. It’s becoming a popular eating lifestyle because of the rise of obesity and the rash of autoimmune disorders that have sprouted up over the last couple of decades, many believe, as a result of daily consumption of sugar, bad grains (ie GMO), pesticides, preservatives and processed foods.
My weight falls into the normal range for my height and I’m relatively healthy (I struggle with Asthma, but it’s not debilitating. I’m also anemic, but nothing a good iron supplement can’t help.) I don’t have an autoimmune disease.
So why am I doing this?
Because my daughter does have an autoimmune disease and I want to support her. We’re on the 30 day autoimmune reset regime, which is even stricter than the usual Paleo. Today is day 2. (29 more days of no chocolate or wine – I can do this!)
How do I feel so far? Hungry, I admit. In part due to the learning curve involved in finding recipes, getting supplies, and doing the actual cooking. It’s far more labor intensive that what I normally do when it comes to cooking (almost nothing.)
But I love my daughter and I’m really hoping diet and nutrition can do what prescription drugs cannot. We have nothing to lose, and hopefully better health to gain. I will post on some of the recipes I discover that become favorites and let you know how it’s going overall.
Learning the basics.
Ingredients for the daily bone broth.
Organic if at all possible.
And in season (mostly). Summer is a good time to do this.
July 1, 2016
Free or .99 Book Friday – A Dead Husband by Anna Celeste Burke
“My first day as a sleuth was more Stephanie Plum than Miss Marple.” Jessica Huntington, amateur sleuth with a shopping jones and a black AMEX card, finds out money can’t buy happiness, or save your neck. Her well-planned life in shambles, she’s hiding out near Palm Springs. When her best friend’s husband is murdered, Jessica and her friends are soon stalked by scoundrels in pantyhose, stilettos, Bruno Maglis, and Armani suits. Roger Stone had something that got him killed. What was it and what will they do to get it back?
Even in a desert paradise life is full of surprises, like A DEAD HUSBAND.
What readers have to say about A DEAD HUSBAND…
TOP 500 Reviewer: “Don’t pass by this book without buying it – excellent read”
TOP 1000 Reviewer: “A delicious plot, full of intrigue, murder, mystery, misfortune and mishap”
*****“This book has everything! Suspense, colorful characters, romance, and a beautiful and interesting setting, all woven together with intelligence and wit.”
*****“Hard to put down, action-packed mystery”
*****“Fun, funny, fast!”
*****“Fast flowing, entertaining, mysterythriller”
*****“Sheer enjoyment!”
***** “Great Characters! Fast Paced with a Murder to Solve!”
***** “A sleuth in Gucci shoes!”
A DEAD SISTER, book 2, out now!
A DEAD DAUGHTER, book 3, out now!
A DEAD MOTHER out late 2015
~~~~~
LOVE A FOOT ABOVE THE GROUND–Bernadette’s love story and the mystery of Guillermo’s disappearance. PREQUEL to the Jessica Huntington Series also OUT NOW!
June 28, 2016
Author Tip Tuesday – Tip #7 Plot Point Two
Plot point 2 is very similar to plot point 1. It’s a conflicting event in the story that launches the third act. At this point things are not looking very good for our protagonist at all. If your main character isn’t in some kind of external or internal turmoil or both, you need to rethink your structure. The third act is the build up to the climax so think of the second plot point as the cannon that launches the ball.
In the first HARRY POTTER, the second plot point encompasses two events. Ron leads the three friends through the chest game, and then Hermione solves the riddle that gives Harry access to the chamber below. Once in the chamber we’re in act three.
In HUNGER GAMES, plot point 2 is Rue’s death. Katniss experiences grief for the first time in the games and it’s also the first time she kills someone. The reality and severity of her situation underscores her determination to live and to win.
In PERCEPTION, plot point 2 is when Zoe and Noah get caught by Zoe’s grandfather and Noah is forced to leave her behind or be killed. It’s the first time they are separated and sets up the next act nicely when he returns for her only to find she’s not the same person he left behind.
In GIRL ON THE TRAIN, plot point 2 happens in Anna’s point of view: she discovers her husband Tom (Rachel’s ex) was cheating on her with Megan (the dead woman) and she begins to suspect him.
Make sure your plot point pinches effectively propel the story forward. They have to mean something and do something.
Next I’ll talk about Climax and Resolution.
June 24, 2016
Free or .99 Book Friday – Delayed Death by Beate Boeker!
Who doesn’t want to spend time in Italy?
These books look cute and fun. On my TBR pile.
Delayed Death is Book #1 in the Temptation in Florence Series, a cozy murder mystery romance series with a strong dose of humor and romance.
The title of the series comes from the lingerie store that the protagonist, Carlina, owns and runs, Temptation, on one of Florence, Italy’s, premier shopping streets. The Temptation in Florence Series follows the life, adventures and loves of Italian-American Carlina, and of her extended eccentric Italian family, many of whom live in apartments in the same building in central Florence.
The family’s eccentric members and their whims and wishes are a never-ending source of amusement for Carlina. While often treated like the family’s Cinderella, Carlina is also a sexy, saucy, funny thirty-two-year-old woman.
When a crisis occurs, right at the beginning of Delayed Death, and Carlina gives in to her domineering cousin’s wishes, Carlina sets herself on a collision course with police Commissario Stefano Garini.
Check out all the books in the “Temptation in Florence” series:
Delayed Death (volumen #1) – ASIN: B00AGUZF6S
Charmer’s Death (volume #2) – ASIN: B00BAFOKZU
Banker’s Death (volume #3) – ASIN: B00CELFP44
Expected Death (volume #4) – ASIN: B00MMMPO1Y
Only .99!
June 23, 2016
Second day of summer – finally and almost
Is it just me, or is summer as a season shrinking? I remember in years past sitting on my deck at the end of April, soaking up the sun and sighing with relief – six months of good weather to look forward to before winter. Now it’s June, and I’m checking the weather every day, looking for a sun break.
Did I mention I make a lousy Canadian? I don’t like cold or snow, so summer is important to me. I’m afraid it’s barely going to get started before I’m bemoaning the fact that it’s almost over.
Maybe I’m just getting old. That part is true. I am.
But, today the Sun DID Shine! I spent the morning at the Farmer’s market with my friend (who happens to be my editor) Angelika.
(I don’t know why this picture shows up sideways – it’s upright as I write this.)
After we spent several hours in a french bakery talking about what’s going to happen next with Marlow and Sage in Twinkle Little Star, and the over all A Nursery Rhyme Suspense.
(if you’re ever in Kelowna, visit http://www.sandrinepastry.com)
Then I ended the afternoon kayaking with my husband.
I believe this is what’s called making hay while the sun shines!
The forecast is for rain, but that just means buckling down and writing – also a good thing. Love me some Marlow and Sage
June 21, 2016
Author Tip Tuesday – Tip #6 Midpoint Reversal
What is the midpoint? It’s just what it sounds like. It’s the middle of Act 2, the middle of your book, 60minutes into a 120 minute movie. As writers, when we reach the midpoint, we know we are half way there. Time to celebrate!
It’s also the point where you’re reminded that you still have half the book to write. But you got this far. You can make it the rest of the way.
So what exactly happens at midpoint?
Well, the story got kicked-started early on (within the first 30 pages) with the Inciting Incident. Then we gave it another push at Plot Point 1 propelling us into Act 2. The thing about Act 2 is that it’s twice as long as Act 1 and 3, so even though there are only three acts, the midpoint gives us four equal (ish) parts.
I like the phrase I first heard coined by author Janice Harding. She calls it the midpoint reversal, because ideally, something major should happen here to completely turn the story on its head, and throw the protagonist into a tizzy. It’s the lack of such of an event that creates what’s known as the saggy middle. You’ve probably read books like that (or maybe you’ve written books like that, I know I have), where you feel like skipping pages to get back to the exciting stuff.
Here’s a free tip. It should ALL be exciting stuff.
Planning a reversal of fortunes in the middle helps to give a story that extra punch.
The midpoint of HARRY POTTER (the first book) happens when the three friends get past the three-headed dog and claim the stone that Voldmort is after. This is the reversal event because possession of the stone changes their position of power (now they have it) and it makes them, and especially Harry an even greater target of Voldemort’s. Now they are in real danger, and the tension amps way up.
In HUNGER GAMES the midpoint happens at the Cornicopia. The Hunger Games begin and Katniss thinks Peeta has betrayed her.
By the midpoint in PERCEPTION Zoe knows what happened to her brother, but she doesn’t know why. She and Noah find a big clue together, which propels their search. It also marks a turning point in their friendship, which is strictly forbidden by their social classes.
In SUN & MOON the midpoint happens when Katja finds out what’s behind the locked door in Micah’s apartment. Her discovery puts everything she thought she knew about Micah into question.
The midpoint, or any of the major structure points, doesn’t always have to be a big external event. Sometimes it’s a subtler, internal affair.
In GINGERBREAD MAN the midpoint reversal isn’t anything that other people could witness. It’s a change of heart for Sage about her opinion of Marlow. She moves from not believing him to believing him, which changes everything.
This is what the scene looks like:
>>>He took another bite of his sub. “They can’t see me, you know.”
“Who?”
“The cops. No one can know who I am or that I’m here.”
Right. Already a Marlow Henry on campus. I saluted. “Okay, Mars.”
“Mars?”
“That’s what I’m going to call you. So I don’t have to say Marlow and the other Marlow.”
“That’s cool, I guess.”
Marlow, or rather, Mars, disappeared into the bathroom. I finished my sub by the time he emerged. I held back a grin. “You look…”
“Like a geek?”
“No, I was going to say…clean.”
I couldn’t stifle the laugh this time. He looked like a kid in his father’s clothes.
“Shut up.”
“You’re welcome.”
Mars returned to Teagan’s laptop and started typing.
“What are you doing?” I scooted my chair up to him and noted that he definitely smelled better.
“Might as well use the time waiting to see if Teagan left any other clues.”
A wave of black washed over me. “Oh my God, I can’t believe I forgot.”
He turned and raised an eyebrow. “Forgot what?”
“She got this creepy message last week. Someone called the gingerbread man.”
I felt him stiffen. “Show me.”
I scrolled through looking for the message. “She showed the police and they said they’d keep watch.”
His eyes darkened. “What did the message say?”
“You’re next.”
He pushed away from the desk and into a standing position. “You’re next? You’re next?”
“The police just thought it was a prank because none of the other victims had gotten a warning message. They said they’d watch our dorm. And her.”
Marlow waved an arm flippantly. “And yet, she’s not here and neither are they. You need to call them again, Sage. Talk to someone else. We’re wasting too much time.”
His urgency amped up the level of fear I felt from concerned to desperate. My fingers shook as I dialed.
<<<
Can you identify your midpoint?
Next tip is, you guessed it, Plot Point 2.
June 17, 2016
Free Book Friday – I Spy with My Little Eye by Lee Strauss!
I wrote this short story with my reader’s list in mind – it’s only available for my newsletter subscribers and will never be for sale or available anywhere else. It can be read alone, but is best enjoyed after Gingerbread Man the first book in A Nursery Rhyme Suspense series.
I hope you’ll grab your copy and sign up for my reader’s list!
(PS. If you’re already on the list – no worries, I’ll be sending a link to you shortly!)
June 16, 2016
Celebrating life’s milestones…
My youngest just graduated from University of British Columbia Okanagan with a degree in science.
It’s an accomplishment for us both.
