Eddie Jones – författare

Do you dream of writing a novel? If so, start your story today. This quick study guide helps you learn the basic elements of novel writing so you can make real progress right now!

A Novel Idea includes instructional materials, notes, and handouts from workshops taught by the author over the past 10 years at writers'' conferences. The intent of this book is to PRESENT the basic elements of novel writing in UNDER 60 MINUTES. Regardless of the genre, the BASIC elements are the same: PLOT, DIALOGUE, SCENES, CHARACTER GROWTH. When your plot sags, dialogue drags, or scenes feel stale, pull out this book and re-read sections. Chances are, a quick review of the basics will help you see the holes in your story and inspire you to push on and finish!

Topics include:

How To Write Plot

We remember characters; we pitch the plot. In this section, you''ll learn how to map your story using the "passage markers" that shape every story''s journey. From introduction and motivation to your Lead''s moment of maximum angst, you''ll see how easy it is to develop a story that keeps your characters on the path to a confrontational climax.

How To Write Scenes!

Making a scene is as easy as ABCD - Action, Backstory, Conflict, and Decision. A good scene reveals information that moves the story forward (new goals, old secrets, hidden motives), shows the conflict between characters (adds tension), deepens your characters'' development, and creates suspense (introduces a new wrinkle that leaves the reader hanging). Learn the three keys to scene summary, how to create memorable moments in your story, and what four questions you should ask of each scene.

How To Write Dialogue

Dialogue can breathe life into any fiction or non-fiction story. In this section we examine what a scene is: Doing (Action), Thinking (Narrative), and Talking (Dialogue). Learn when to add tags, when to skip tags, and where to place tags. Explore the types of dialogue -- Direct, Reflective, Misdirected, Modulated, Descriptive, Breathless, and Compressed.

How To Create Compelling Characters

Compelling characters are larger than life. They risk more, laugh often, and love with passion. In this section, you''ll learn how to invent both likable and loathsome main characters, heroes and heroines, reflections, nemesis, and supporting characters. Examine your Lead''s motivation, focus on his or her flaws, and explore the feelings of your hero/heroine. You''ll see how conflict, crisis, and consequences shape your characters.

How to Write Romance & Romantic Comedy

Romantic comedies are stories with light-hearted, humorous plots that demonstrate how true love can overcome all obstacles. In a typical romantic comedy, the two lovers tend to be young, likable, and apparently meant for each other, yet they are kept apart by complicated circumstances. A happy ending is always the result. Learn the basic story structure of romance and romantic comedies in less than ten minutes.

How to Write Cozy Mysteries

Despite changes within the book publishing industry, cozy mysteries remain popular. Cozy mysteries allow readers to fall in love with a quirky sleuth while at the same time solving a puzzle. Cozies avoid profanity, graphic violence, and overtly sexual scenes. For readers, the payoff has less to do with "who did it" and more to do with "how the who did it." Learn the basic story structure of cozy mysteries in less than ten minutes.

The year I turned thirty my wife became pregnant with our first child. That was on me; I take full responsibility. I was warned by others--men, mostly--that my wife was about to change.Wait, what I meant to say is that MY LIFE WAS ABOUT TO CHANGE.My wife also changed, but I have learned to never comment on my wife's physical appearance or emotional state, so forget I even mentioned it. The point is (I know there is one here some place), if I was going to hang onto my dreams and youth and vigor I had to act fast.So I bought a boat.It was a small thing, a ComPac 16. Our tiny kitchen was bigger. I found this used ComPac 16 through a classified ad in a boating magazine. This was before Al Gore invented the Internet. I talked my dad into riding with me to Charleston, South Carolina to pick up my boat. I also talked Dad into driving. (He had a car with a trailer hitch.)I did not tell my wife I was going to buy a boat. I paid a little under $4000 for my yacht which, at the time, seemed like a good price for such a fine vessel. Thankfully Dad had the good sense to check the wheel bearings on the trailer before we drove off. Turns out that was the first boating lesson I ever learned: always bring along crew who are smarter, stronger, and if possible, have more money than you.I parked my yacht in the backyard of our home and there it sat until our son was born four months later. I wasn't about to take my pregnant wife sailing or leave my pregnant wife home while I went sailing.So . . . the next thirty-some years our family sailed the coastal waters of North Carolina, the Bahamas, and the Keys on a variety of vessels. We sailed out of New Bern until I planted our next "yacht" atop the canoe dock at Camp Don Lee. After we "re-launched" that little Nimble 20 (a bunch of us jumped up and down on the dock until it broke), I limped into Oriental, NC, and pretty much sailed out of there the rest of my sailing career. Back then Oriental was a colorful, little town with quirky, colorful characters -- most of whom suffered from some serious sailing addictions. Once I bought my wife sailing lessons for her birthday. To my knowledge, that was the only time any of our family ever received any formal boating training.But boy did we learn some stuff on boats.Not long ago my two boys were invited to go with friends to the BVIs on a week-long sailing charter. Since they were two of four participants who had ever actually raised a sail, they were put in charge of one of the yachts. When they got home they thanked me. Turns out all those sailing mistakes our family suffered due to my navigational ineptness had actually taught them how to do things the right way. ("Don't do what Dad did, do the opposite.")If you buy this book and read even half of it, perhaps you too, can learn from my mistakes, laugh a little, and be thankful you don't own a boat. But should you find yourself wanting a boat, my advice to you would be: BUY ONE! A boat, no matter its costs, is almost always cheaper than couple's therapy, marriage counseling, or a horse. Plus, one day you'll get to sell or sink the sucker and you'll find that day is another reason to celebrate having once owned a boat.These stories first appeared in Carolina Cruising Magazine and later Coastal Cruising Magazine. For a time Hard Aground with Eddie was a popular column. But then, like I mentioned earlier, Al Gore invented the Internet and that put an end to regional magazines supported by print ads. Hope you enjoy the book. I enjoyed the passages . . . some days. - EJ

Dear POTENTIAL BOAT OWNER: I offer the below letter from a yacht broker as a warning. Boat ownership is not nearly as easy as Jimmy Buffett makes it out to be. Beer helps. Money helps more.

"Thank you for your recent inquiry as to the availability of the Fit 2B Untied. I''ll be honest: I had no idea anyone would ever be interested in this boat. Especially in this economy. But knowing how a man in your position would hate to pass up a good deal, I charged ahead and drafted your checking account the full asking price for this perfect yacht. I''ve texted you a picture. As you can see, she''s a classic. Or was. (More on this, later.)

"I originally thought $39,000 sounded a little high for a 27-foot boat in this condition, but the man at the salvage yard assured me that was a fair price. The fact they don''t make this model any more concerned me at first. I thought maybe the design had fallen out of favor, but my contact explained that it had something to do with lawsuits and actuaries. Anyway, when I heard that, I began to feel better.

"Now, knowing how a person of your stature likes to have things done right, you''ll be interested in the information I managed to gather about the engine.

"First, you''ll be pleased to know we were able to knock the rust off the engine block and find the serial number. We traced it back and found that it WAS NOT originally a diesel engine. I must say I was surprised. It sure smelled and leaked oil like a diesel engine. My contact at the salvage yard said the engine could probably be converted back to gasoline, if you like, making it as good as new. Knowing how important it is to move fast with these projects, I went ahead and drafted your account the $8900 fee so the men on the yard could get started.

"About the boat itself. Who would have thought that for that price it would have a big hole in it?

"It sure caught me by surprise, I''ll tell you that. I didn''t even notice how low she rode in the water until we did the sea trial. The two of us barely escaped before she sank. 

"By the way, after the sea trial the man working on the engine restoration project must have gotten sick or something because I haven''t seen him since I gave him the money I drafted out of your account.

"Oh, here''s some more good news. I ran into an engineer from the Ukraine who said he could refit your boat for $22,500. He said he used to work for the Russian navy before he retired to the States. His last retrofit was that submarine, the Kursk. That''s the one that blew up and sank. But Yuri -- that''s his name -- said he stands behind his work. "Way behind," I think were his exact words.

"I drafted your account for half the renovation fee because I knew, based on the sparse amenities on your yacht before it sank, that you''d want any improvements done before you saw it. I''m sure Yuri is down there in the water right now looking for your boat because I haven''t seen him since.

Signed--Your yacht broker, where our to motto is, "You''re broker today than you were yesterday. 

What does it mean to find God''s will for your life? How can you know your calling. . . your destiny?

When we say, "Lord, Your will be done," we are asking God to place His deepest yearnings into our hearts and alter the circumstances of our lives. In My Father''s Business, you will see how others responded to God''s yearning for passionate living and enjoyed his blessings and promises.

Enjoy inspirational stories about General George S. Patton, Bruce Wilkerson, Jim Valvano, Walt Disney, Mother Teresa, Abraham Lincoln, Colonel Sanders, Jeremy Lin, and others.

The word discernment comes from two Latin words: discernere (to perceive) and discretis (to separate).

To discern God''s voice and will is to engage in an intimate conversation with the Creator of all things. God sees beyond our past and knows our secret desires, even those desires we do not yet know exist. In My Father''s Business, you will see how others responded to the yearning God placed within their heart and enjoyed their Father''s blessing. As you read these short stories, ask:

The stories in this short book illustrate how others have heard God''s call and heeded His voice. Our prayer is that you will learn to recognize the whisper of Jesus and both discern and do His Father''s will.

If you were forced to sail with pirates . . .

captured and tried for piracy . . .

and sentenced to hang . . .

would you trade your body to the crew of the "Flying Dutchman" in order to save your soul? Ricky did. Some dead men DO tell tales. And there is stolen treasure in this pirate story.

★ Directors'' Choice Award Winner Finalist ★

Last winter Ricky Bradshaw was another gangly freshman hoping to fit in -- or at least not get picked on -- and maybe catch the attention of Becky Nance, a girl in his biology class. Except sometimes Ricky "zones out" in class because he has absence seizures. If you''ve never heard of absence seizures, that''s okay. A lot of people haven''t. Ricky''s teachers are a lot of those people.

And that''s what happened to Ricky last Christmas Eve: he had an episode and ended up in pirate land. When Dead Calm, Bone Dry begins, Ricky is on his way to be tried for piracy. In the ship''s brig he is about to learn that some things are worse than being unpopular in high school. MUCH worse. Like sailing to . . . Well, we best let Ricky tell the account. It is his story, after all.

Parents can trust the Caribbean Chronicles Series. There is no sexual dialogue or situations, violence, or strong language, only positive moral values.

When you purchase "Dead Calm, Bone Dry," you''re not simply buying a book - you''re providing a meal for someone in need. 100% of the profits go towards supporting the homeless ministry of Christ''s Church at Moore Square. Your support doesn''t end there; your review could inspire another reader, leading to more meals for those in need. Make a difference, one book, one meal, one life at a time. mooresquarechurch.org

If the sea spit you out, thrusting you back into the age of pirates, buried treasure and beauty beyond belief. . . would you stay? Ricky is about to learn that some dead men do tell tales-and of a terrifying sort.

★ Moonbeam Book Award Winner - Selah Award Winner ★

RICKY BRADSHAW has never sailed the Spanish Main, searched for buried treasure, or battled pirates on the deck of a Spanish Galleon. He''s never fallen through the floor of Davy Jones'' locker, skippered a pirate vessel, or saved the life of a governor''s daughter.

But all that changes on a snowy Christmas Eve when Ricky falls into the chilly waters of a creek across from his apartment while trying to rescue BARNACLE, a mangy mutt with shrimp breath.

Now Ricky finds himself on a raft in the middle of the Caribbean Sea where there is surprising beauty on every island, danger around every corner, and great honor and glory for all who can survive the curse of the Black Avenger.

Parents can trust the Caribbean Chronicles Series. There is no sexual dialogue or situations, violence, or strong language, only a wee little bit of humor. :)

When you purchase "Curse of the Black Avenger," you''re not simply buying a book - you''re providing a meal for someone in need. 100% of the profits go towards supporting the homeless ministry of Christ''s Church at Moore Square. Your support doesn''t end there; your review could inspire another reader, leading to more meals for those in need. Make a difference, one book, one meal, one life at a time. mooresquarechurch.org

2020 Selah Award Winner for YA Literature - In this YA pirate tale, award-winning author Eddie Jones blends action, adventure, and humor into a fictional retelling of the pirate exploits of Calico Jack, Anne Bonny, and Mary Read.

While searching for rumored treasure in a cave on Coffin Cay, a small island off the southwestern tip of Haiti (Hispaniola), Ricky suffers an absence seizure. During his last trance-like episode, Ricky uncovered a treasure from the Nuestra Señora de Riqueza, a vessel in an armada of ships sailing the Spanish Main. Now back on Coffin Cay with his parents, Ricky hunts for the treasure he found in the cave over three hundred years earlier during his trip back to pirate land.

The End of Calico Jack is a fictional retelling of the pirate escapades of Calico Jack, Anne Bonny, and Mary Read. The story is based on historical research of the life of "Calico Jack" John Rackham. Some liberties have been taken in the telling of the story, but many of the events reflect what historians believed happened to Jack, Mary, and Anne. Also, in real life those who suffer absence seizures may appear to be in a trance but cannot recall what happens during their episode. The book includes a PIRATE MAP of Calico Jack''s sailing routes and the ports he visited.

Parents can trust the Caribbean Chronicles Series. There is no sexual dialogue or situations, violence, or strong language, only positive moral values.

★Selah Award Winner ★

In the year 1717, Ricky embarks on an unexpected journey aboard a ship captained by Stede Bonnet, a wealthy sugar plantation owner who abandons his comfortable life to set sail as a pirate. As they chart a course toward the North American coast, Bonnet''s crew is put to the test when they encounter a heavily armed British warship. Soon, stealing, killing, and plundering their way becomes their grim routine on the path to the Carolinas.

Only when Bonnet''s men come under the tutelage of Blackbeard do they truly learn what it means to be a pirate. Under his leadership, they endure the harsh realities of life at sea, pillaging ships, and facing the consequences of serving the most black-hearted pirate ever to sail.

While navigating the treacherous waters of the Caribbean and North Atlantic coast, the men face adversaries, mutinies, and ultimately end up marooned near "Top Sail" inlet, just off the coast of Beaufort, North Carolina.

Blackbeard the Pirate and Stede Bonnet''s Fateful Clash blends adventure and historical accuracy with a dash of humor, giving readers a lively pirate yarn that will last for the ages.

This concludes the next chapter in a thrilling seafaring saga - stay tuned for more!

Parents can trust the Caribbean Chronicles Series. There is no sexual dialogue or situations, violence, or strong language, only a wee bit of humor. :)

When you purchase "Blackbeard the Pirate and Stede Bonnet''s Fateful Clash," you''re not simply buying a book - you''re providing a meal for someone in need. 100% of the profits go towards supporting the homeless ministry of Christ''s Church at Moore Square. Your support doesn''t end there; your review could inspire another reader, leading to more meals for those in need. Make a difference, one book, one meal, one life at a time. mooresquarechurch.org