Bøker av James Scott Bell

I drove away tired. Tired of the road rage guys, the bar fight guys. There's always more of them. History is about one thing, and has been ever since hunter clubbed gatherer and took his berries. Conquest.It's always been about beating the other guys into submission. From the Greeks and Romans to mobs on a city street. Destroy and dominate.The Spartans understood this better than anybody. From age seven the boys were trained to fight. It was fight or be conquered. There was no sitting it out. After a battle you came back with your shield, or on it. I still had my shield.The tragic suicide of a college student catapults Romeo into a web of deception unlike anything he's encountered before. Driven by an unshakable commitment to unearth the truth for a heartbroken Catholic mother, Romeo must navigate the enigmatic Roethke Spiritual Center-where self-realization, Norse mythology, and "bliss" form the core curriculum-and a seemingly tranquil small town that doesn't want to give up its secrets. Hovering over everything is the rush for "white gold"-lithium-raging along California's Salton Sea.Running afoul of motorcycle-riding enforcers, a formidable energy magnate guarding an empire, and a sheriff hell-bent on locking him up, Romeo must find a way to satisfy justice-without losing his life in the process.Another heart-pounding thriller in the International Thriller Writers Award-winning series.

She was the woman he was going to marry...A man shoots his young wife to death. He drives to a freeway overpass, gets out, shoots himself, and drops 100 feet to the freeway below, crushing a Toyota Camry. Inside is an elementary school teacher named Jacqueline Dwyer, who dies at the scene.Ty Buchanan is a hotshot lawyer. Jacqueline Dwyer was the woman he was going to marry. Ty goes into a tailspin. And it gets worse when a mysterious man finds him at the funeral and says Jacqueline's death may not have been an accident after all.In fact, she may have been murdered.Now Ty Buchanan will risk everything, including his skyrocketing career, to find out what really happened to the only woman he ever truly loved. That is if he can stay alive. Because someone out there does not want him to know the truth. From the high-rises of the city's most powerful law firms to the mean streets of gangland L.A., Try Dying is a blistering thrill ride in the finest tradition of modern noir. "Bell, an attorney turned prolific novelist, has created in Buchanan an appealing and series-worthy protagonist, and the tale equally balances action and drama, motion and emotion. Readers who pride themselves on figuring out the answers before an author reveals them are in for a surprise, too: Bell is very good at keeping secrets. Fans of thrillers with lawyers as their central characters-John Lescroart and Phillip Margolin, especially-will welcome this new addition to their must-read lists." - Booklist

"This book revolutionized my writing! I use it for every novel I write. Highly recommended!" - Colleen Coble, USA Today Bestselling AuthorA powerful secret and a fresh approach to writing bestselling fiction!What's the best way to write a "next level" novel? Some writers start at the beginning and let the story unfold without a plan. They are called "pantsers," because they write by the "seat of the pants."Other writers plan and outline and know the ending before they start. These are the "plotters."The two sides never seem to agree with each other on the best approach.But what if it's not the beginning or the end that is the key to a successful book? What if, amazing as it may seem, the place to begin writing your novel is in the very middle of the story?According to #1 bestselling writing teacher James Scott Bell, that's exactly where you'll find your story's heart and heat. Bell's "Mirror Moment" is the secret, and its power is available to any writer, at any stage of the writing process.Bringing together years of craft study and personal discovery, Bell presents a truly unique approach to writing a novel, one that will stand the test of time and serve you all your writing life."I need three things before I tackle a new novel: Diet Coke, a laptop, and my dog-eared copies of James Scott Bell's books on writing craft!" - Kami Garcia, #1 NYT Times & International Bestselling author

Murder, betrayal, and a trial that feeds a media frenzy.Can one woman stand against the forces that threaten to tear her family apart? Pastor Ron Hamilton's star is rising. His 8,000-strong church is thriving. His good looks and charisma make him an exceptional speaker on family values. And his book on pornography in the church has become an unexpected bestseller. Everything is perfect. Until a young woman's body is discovered in a seedy motel room. The woman is a porn star. And all the evidence in the murder points to one man: Ron.With the noose tightening around her husband's neck, Dallas Hamilton faces a choice: believe the seemingly irrefutable facts-or the voice of her heart. The press has already reached its verdict, and the public echoes it. But Dallas is determined to do whatever it takes to find the truth.And then a dark secret from Dallas's past threatens to take them all down. As the clock ticks toward Ron's conviction and imprisonment, and an underworld of evil encircles her, Dallas must gather all her trust in God to discover what really happened in that motel room . . . even if it means losing faith in her husband forever.

How far will a father go to get back his only daughter? And how will he survive in a legal system that crushes those who can't afford to fight back?Mark Gillen has the storybook life other men dream of, complete with a beautiful wife and an adoring five-year-old daughter. Then his wife announces she's leaving him. And taking their daughter with her. The other man is a famous film director with unlimited funds and the keys to stardom and wealth for Paula. How can Mark begin to compete? But the most bitter blow comes when he is kept from seeing his daughter because of false charges . . . and a legal system ill-suited for finding the truth.Forged in the darkest valley Mark has ever walked through, his faith in God may ultimately cost him everything in the eyes of the family law system. But it is the one thing that can keep him sane-and give him the strength to fight against all odds for what matters most.

Craft an Engaging PlotHow does plot influence story structure? What's the difference between plotting for commercial and literary fiction? How do you revise a plot or structure that's gone off course?With Write Great Fiction: Plot & Structure, you'll discover the answers to these questions and more. Award-winning author James Scott Bell offers clear, concise information that will help you create a believable and memorable plot, including: • Techniques for crafting strong beginnings, middles, and ends • Easy-to-understand plotting diagrams and charts • Brainstorming techniques for original plot ideas • Thought-provoking exercises at the end of each chapter • Story structure models and methods for all genres • Tips and tools for correcting common plot problemsFilled with plot examples from popular novels, comprehensive checklists, and practical hands-on guidance, Write Great Fiction: Plot & Structure gives you the skills you need to approach plot and structure like an experienced pro.