Exploring Top Books of Shelfari

Plot (Elements of Fiction Writing)

by Ansen Dibell

This book is about identifying the choices available when creating, fixing, steering, and discovering plots and then learning what narrative problems they are apt to create and how to choose an effective strategy for solving them. The result? Strong, solid stories and novels that move.

The Naked Face

by Sidney Sheldon

Hanson died quickly - with a knife in his back. Carol was next - she was covered with acid and tortured to death. Now it was Judd's turn, as a New York psychoanalyst he had known both Hanson and Carol. Were any of his patients capable of such a thing? Sidney Sheldon is the author of "The Doomsday Conspiracy".

Novelists Essential Guide to Creating Plot (Novelists Essentials)

Novelists Essential Guide to Creating Plot (Novelists Essentials)

by J. Madison Davis

This book covers the most popular element among our fiction-writing audience: plot. Appealing to novelists of any stripe. The Novelist's Essential Guide to Creating Plot allows readers to focus on and examine in depth the structure of the novel - either one they're currently working on or one that they are planning. Light in tone and friendly to the beginner, Davis' instruction is accessible and practical, guiding... (more)

Plot & Structure: (Techniques and Exercises for Crafting a Plot That Grips REaders From Start to finish) (Write Great Fiction)

Plot & Structure: (Techniques and Exercises for Crafting a Plot That Grips REaders From Start to finish) (Write Great Fiction)

by James Scott Bell

The second book in the Write Great Fiction series, Plot & Structure offers clear and concise information on creating a believable and engaging plot that readers can't resist. Written by award-winning thriller and suspense author James Scott Bell, this handy instruction guide provides: * Easy-to-understand techniques on every aspect of plotting and structure, from brainstorming story ideas to building... (more)

the Day of the Jackal

by Frederick Forsyth

The Jackal. A tall, blond Englishman with opaque, gray eyes. A killer at the top of his profession. A man unknown to any secret service in the world. An assassin with a contract to kill the world's most heavily guarded man. One man with a rifle who can change the course of history. One man whose mission is so secretive not even his employers know his name. And as the minutes count down to the final act of... (more)

The Tenth Justice

by Brad Meltzer

Fresh from Yale Law School, Ben Addison has just landed one of the most coveted positions in the field of law--a Supreme Court clerkship. After inadvertently revealing the confidential outcome of an upcoming decision to the wrong person, Ben enlists the aid of his housemates and his co-clerk, Lisa, to trap a blackmailer. By pitting co-worker against co-worker, roommate against roommate, "The Tenth Justice" keeps... (more)

Robert Langdon: Book 2

The Da Vinci Code

by Dan Brown

An ingenious code hidden in the works of Leonardo da Vinci. A desperate race through the cathedrals and castles of Europe. An astonishing truth concealed for centuries . . . unveiled at last. As millions of readers around the globe have already discovered, The Da Vinci Code is a reading experience unlike any other. Simultaneously lightning-paced, intelligent, and intricately layered with remarkable... (more)

Godfather: Book 3

The Godfather Returns

by Mark Winegardner

THE MISSING YEARS FROM THE GREATEST CRIME SAGA OF ALL TIME Thirty-five years ago, Mario Puzo’s great American tale, The Godfather , was published, and popular culture was indelibly changed. Now, in The Godfather Returns , acclaimed novelist Mark Winegardner continues the story–the years not covered in Puzo’s bestselling book or in Francis Ford Coppola’s classic films. It is 1955. Michael Corleone has won a... (more)

The Cinema Book

by Meike Bernink

This much-anticipated new edition builds upon the achievements of the first, taking stock of the many recent exciting developments in the field while retaining the historical coverage and depth of the original. The text is supported by over 250 illustrations, selected reading guides, and full bibliographies. Another unique feature of T he Cinema Book is its fifty-five sidebars that support the text with in-depth... (more)

Story Structure Architect: A Writer's Guide to Building Dramatic Situations and Compelling Characters

Story Structure Architect: A Writer's Guide to Building Dramatic Situations and Compelling Characters

by Victoria Schmidt

With Story Structure Architect, writers discover how to use the classical structures found in all literature since Greek mythology to create unique and successful works. Presented in a fun, 2-color illustrated design, this book: -Walks readers through each step of the structuring process--from identifying characters to weaving in subplots to building conflict -Offers thousands of possible story combinations... (more)

Seedfolks (Joanna Colter Books)

by Judy Pedersen, Paul Fleischman

Common Ground A vacant lot, rat-infested and filled with garbage, looked like no place for a garden. Especially to a neighborhood of strangers where no one seems to care. Until one day, a young girl clears a small space and digs into the hard-packed soil to plant her precious bean seeds. Suddenly, the soil holds promise: To Curtis, who believes he can win back Lateesha's heart with a harvest of tomatoes; to... (more)

The Mortal Instruments: Book 1

City of Bones

by Cassandra Clare

When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder -- much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing -- not even a smear of blood -- to... (more)

The Various Haunts of Men

by Susan Hill

A woman vanishes in the fog up on "the Hill", an area locally known for its tranquility and peace. The police are not alarmed; people usually disappear for their own reasons. But when a young girl, an old man, and even a dog disappear, no one can deny that something untoward is happening in this quiet cathedral town. Young policewoman Freya Graffham is assigned to the case; she's new to the job,... (more)

Stealing Fire from the Gods: A Dynamic New Story Model for Writers and Filmmakers

Stealing Fire from the Gods: A Dynamic New Story Model for Writers and Filmmakers

by James Bonnet

Stealing Fire will take readers beyond classical story structure to an extraordinary new story model that can demonstrate how to create contemporary stories, novelsd, and films that are significanly more powerful, successful and real. James Bonnet reveals the link between great stories and link between great stories and a treasury of wisdom hidden deep within our creative unconscious selves - a wisdom so... (more)

The Art Of Dramatic Writing: Its Basis In The Creative Interpretation Of Human Motives

The Art Of Dramatic Writing: Its Basis In The Creative Interpretation Of Human Motives

by Lajos Egri

Learn the basic techniques every successful playwright knows Among the many "how-to" playwriting books that have appeared over the years, there have been few that attempt to analyze the mysteries of play construction. Lajos Egri's classic, The Art of Dramatic Writing, does just that, with instruction that can be applied equally well to a short story, novel, or screenplay. Examining a play from the inside... (more)

As the Mirror Cracks

by Steve Jordan

The Mirror isn't just another virtual world... it's a worldwide phenomenon, deeply intertwined with real world culture and finances. So when a plot to destroy the Mirror is uncovered, it's serious! It's a race to save the Mirror, and the real world with it, led by a mild-mannered writer and his Mirror "reflection"?the ultimate superhero, Zenith! A story that looks at the real social and financial connections... (more)

Encephalopath

by Steve Jordan

Glen Jansen is seeking to improve his work and prospects when he purchases bleeding edge personal computer technology. But when the tech gives him unexpected access to strange parts of the net, and seemingly to other people's very thoughts, he finds himself on the run from the government, the mob, and a bunch of ersatz terrorist/patriots, all while trying to find out who's really controlling the country's... (more)

An Eye for a Deadly Eye

by John A Wooden

Twelve years ago, Special Agent Steve Carson was one of many agents who died at the hands of the group called Just Cause. Their cause-kill as many agents as possible, in the name of justice. Today, Just Cause is back and once again, they are killing agents of the nation's lead investigative bureau, the FBI. Their first two targets are Steve's old partners at the Bureau. After his last case, former Bureau agent,... (more)

The Plot Against Pepys

by James Long

It is 1679 and England is awash with suspicion. Fear of conspiracy and religious terrorism has provoked panic in politicians and a zealous reaction from the legal system. Everywhere, Catholic agents are plotting to overthrow the King--or so it is feared. Now Samuel Pepys, Secretary of the Admiralty, finds himself in a position few people then or now would have expected--charged with treason and facing a... (more)

by Brenda Hill

Plot Your Way to Publication A step-by-step method for building a successful storyline. A compact writing course, this workbook guides you from basic story idea to a solid storyline. Designed for the busy lifestyle, it's simple enough to read in one sitting, yet powerful enough to demonstrate the mysteries of story structure. Contrary to myth, a good skeleton does not inhibit a writer's imagination;... (more)

Shelfari Book Activity

Tags: plot

by Ansen Dibell

by Sidney Sheldon

by J. Madison Davis

by James Scott Bell

by Frederick Forsyth

by Brad Meltzer

by Dan Brown

by Mark Winegardner

by Meike Bernink

by Victoria Schmidt

by Judy Pedersen, Paul Fleischman

by Cassandra Clare

by Susan Hill

by James Bonnet

by Lajos Egri

by Steve Jordan

by Steve Jordan

by John A Wooden

by James Long

by Brenda Hill