D. Thrush's Blog
October 12, 2025
The 7 Basic Plots
Have we run out of stories? Some think we’ve covered just about every premise there is. According to Christopher Booker’s “The Seven Basic Plots,” published in 2005, pretty much every novel or movie fits into one of them.
They are: Overcoming the Monster (Jaws, Dracula), Rags to Riches (Cinderella, David Copperfield), The Quest (The Wizard of Oz, Lord of the Rings), Voyage & Return (Alice in Wonderland, The Hobbit), Comedy (Much Ado About Nothing, Bridget Jones’s Diary), Tragedy (Romeo & Juliet, The Great Gatsby), Rebirth & Renewal (A Christmas Carol, Groundhog Day).
There are countless novels with every variation of plot you can imagine and some that include several of the 7 plots into a single story. I enjoy those with action, adventure, comedy, and romance. But as an author, it’s quite a challenge to come up with something unique. I tend toward comedy and romance, family dynamics, and the inner journey of finding belief in yourself in my books.
What draws you?
They are: Overcoming the Monster (Jaws, Dracula), Rags to Riches (Cinderella, David Copperfield), The Quest (The Wizard of Oz, Lord of the Rings), Voyage & Return (Alice in Wonderland, The Hobbit), Comedy (Much Ado About Nothing, Bridget Jones’s Diary), Tragedy (Romeo & Juliet, The Great Gatsby), Rebirth & Renewal (A Christmas Carol, Groundhog Day).
There are countless novels with every variation of plot you can imagine and some that include several of the 7 plots into a single story. I enjoy those with action, adventure, comedy, and romance. But as an author, it’s quite a challenge to come up with something unique. I tend toward comedy and romance, family dynamics, and the inner journey of finding belief in yourself in my books.
What draws you?
October 2, 2025
First, second or third person?
First person uses I, second uses you, and third uses he/she. First is like you’re telling the reader your story and third is like telling someone else’s story and gives you the advantage of changing viewpoints. I’ve written in the first and third person.
When I’m reading, I think it depends on the story. I’ve read books with first-person and third-person narratives. Second person seems off to me. What’s your preference?
When I’m reading, I think it depends on the story. I’ve read books with first-person and third-person narratives. Second person seems off to me. What’s your preference?
September 25, 2025
Book or Movie?
Which do you prefer?
Sometimes a book will make me want to see the movie, but more often the movie makes me want to read the book. I watched and then read "The Martian" by Andy Weir (which began as an indie-published book). I loved both. His second book "Artemis" didn’t grab me. The protagonist was too unlikable. His next book, "Project Hail Mary" is one I highly recommend, soon to be a movie starring the wonderful Ryan Gosling. But I’m nervous about it. Will it be as good as the book or will they change it?
Other books and movies: "The Idea of You." I enjoyed both but they ended very differently. "A Simple Favor." Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively were so good in the movie, which is better than the book, though the book's ending is more realistic. "Daisy Jones & the Six." The mini-series wasn’t as good as the book but was still good. "Ready Player One." The book was better but the visuals in the movie are very well done.
What about you?
Sometimes a book will make me want to see the movie, but more often the movie makes me want to read the book. I watched and then read "The Martian" by Andy Weir (which began as an indie-published book). I loved both. His second book "Artemis" didn’t grab me. The protagonist was too unlikable. His next book, "Project Hail Mary" is one I highly recommend, soon to be a movie starring the wonderful Ryan Gosling. But I’m nervous about it. Will it be as good as the book or will they change it?
Other books and movies: "The Idea of You." I enjoyed both but they ended very differently. "A Simple Favor." Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively were so good in the movie, which is better than the book, though the book's ending is more realistic. "Daisy Jones & the Six." The mini-series wasn’t as good as the book but was still good. "Ready Player One." The book was better but the visuals in the movie are very well done.
What about you?
September 18, 2025
300 million
That's how many books are self-published on Amazon yearly. 300 million. The competition is overwhelming. Yet, indie authors are a supportive group. It's a huge endeavor to write a book. We help each other out with marketing advice, book descriptions, and flagging enthusiasm. We read each other's books and know how much each review is valued. So, read and review an indie book. And hug an indie author!
September 1, 2025
Last day!
This is the last day of my big .99 cent sale on most of my books. The prices will return to $3.99 starting tomorrow and will again become available in Kindle Unlimited.
The Santa Secret will still be FREE, and Guardian of the Light will be .99 cents until the end of this month.
Happy Reading!
The Santa Secret will still be FREE, and Guardian of the Light will be .99 cents until the end of this month.
Happy Reading!
August 15, 2025
New and improved
I've finally finished re-editing all of my books, hopefully catching all those tiny little errors that slip through. AND I've reduced all the prices to .99 for the next few weeks on all booksellers. (Except for The Santa Secret, which is free.)
I used an editing program for this feat, and as I went through each book, I found myself appreciating anew my stories with their twists and heartaches and flawed characters. Of course, they each contain bits of myself and bits of my own story. Many of us authors do that consciously or subconsciously. Or we create the worlds that we want to inhabit or the heroes we wish we were.
I hope you'll venture into the labyrinth of my imagination and love the characters there. I want to find the readers with whom these stories resonate, who sit back and let the feelings sink in, who enjoy the humor, the romance, and the challenges the characters experience. And I hope you experience it with them!
I used an editing program for this feat, and as I went through each book, I found myself appreciating anew my stories with their twists and heartaches and flawed characters. Of course, they each contain bits of myself and bits of my own story. Many of us authors do that consciously or subconsciously. Or we create the worlds that we want to inhabit or the heroes we wish we were.
I hope you'll venture into the labyrinth of my imagination and love the characters there. I want to find the readers with whom these stories resonate, who sit back and let the feelings sink in, who enjoy the humor, the romance, and the challenges the characters experience. And I hope you experience it with them!
July 19, 2025
The Sale Must Go On
I promised a BIG sale and it's begun! So far, 6 of my books are .99 on all book sellers. The rest of my books will soon join them. And The Santa Secret is still FREE.
This is to celebrate my 12th year as an independent author in early August. I appreciate the readers who have taken the time to let me know how much they enjoy my books. Thank You and Happy Reading!
This is to celebrate my 12th year as an independent author in early August. I appreciate the readers who have taken the time to let me know how much they enjoy my books. Thank You and Happy Reading!
July 4, 2025
Coming up
All my books have been available in KDP Select. Starting last month, I've slowly been making them all available in all markets. The Little Secrets books are already available. The Santina Series is very popular and, for the first time, will soon be available in all markets.
AND there will be a BIG sale on all of them coming up to celebrate the August anniversary of publishing my first book, Guardian of the Light in 2013.
Watch this space for news of upcoming sales!
AND there will be a BIG sale on all of them coming up to celebrate the August anniversary of publishing my first book, Guardian of the Light in 2013.
Watch this space for news of upcoming sales!
June 9, 2025
How Not to Age
I want to reach old age in a healthy way. Quality as well as quantity.
"How Not to Age" is the second book I've read by Dr. Michael Greger. I also read "How Not to Die" after I heard him lecture. I've read health books for years, including "The Blue Zones" (another great book). "How Not to Age" has so much of the latest information that I started taking notes. For less than the price of a copay, you can make a difference in your health.
Yes, there are things we can do to slow down aging. Part of it is genetics but so much is within our control.
"How Not to Age" is the second book I've read by Dr. Michael Greger. I also read "How Not to Die" after I heard him lecture. I've read health books for years, including "The Blue Zones" (another great book). "How Not to Age" has so much of the latest information that I started taking notes. For less than the price of a copay, you can make a difference in your health.
Yes, there are things we can do to slow down aging. Part of it is genetics but so much is within our control.
May 22, 2025
Something I've never done before
I'll usually price the first book in a series free. This time BOTH books are FREE (through Monday).
Whims & Vices and Fate & Flirtations tell the story of a love triangle in the early '70s. Max and Sam are best friends, like brothers, until they both fall for bartender Molly, and Max makes an impulsive decision that changes everything. The first book is Max's side and the second is Molly's. Both books are standalones.
I think these books aren't for everyone, but those who like it, love it. Fate & Flirtations has all 5-star reviews on Amazon. I really hope you enjoy these books!
Whims & Vices and Fate & Flirtations tell the story of a love triangle in the early '70s. Max and Sam are best friends, like brothers, until they both fall for bartender Molly, and Max makes an impulsive decision that changes everything. The first book is Max's side and the second is Molly's. Both books are standalones.
I think these books aren't for everyone, but those who like it, love it. Fate & Flirtations has all 5-star reviews on Amazon. I really hope you enjoy these books!
