James Scott Bell

It's the best time on Earth to be a writer. More writers are making money today than at any other time in history. For centuries few have been able to support themselves from the quill or the keyboard alone. Not anymore. With the rise of ebooks and indie publishing there are now more opportunities than ever for writers to generate substantial income from their work. And there is still a traditional publishing industry that needs new talent to keep growing. In How to Make a Living as a Writer, you'll learn the secrets of writing for profit and increasing your chances of making a living wage from your work. Here are some of the subjects covered: - The 7 Secrets of Writing Success- The 8 Essentials of Your Writing Business- How to Reach Your Goals- Keys to a Winning System- How to Stay Relentless- Unlocking Your Creativity- How to Write More, Faster- Comparing Traditional and Self-Publishing- How to Go Traditional- How to Go Indie- How to Form Multiple Streams of Writing Income- How to Write a Novel in a Month- How to Choose Non-Fiction Subjects- How to Keep a Positive Mental Attitude- Resources for Further StudyAnd much more, all to help you write what you love and earn what you're worth. James Scott Bell has made a living as a writer for nearly two decades, and shares with you everything he knows about the best practices for turning your writing dream into a reality

"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

A cold-blooded killer is destroying all who oppose him. Will there be a final witness to the truth? Young, idealistic law clerk Rachel Ybarra has just been handed a career-making opportunity--helping in the prosecution of an infamous leader of the Russian Mafia. But when the star witness turns up dead, Rachel discovers the case is not merely a battle for the truth--it's a battle for her life. The Legal Thriller That Won The First Christy Award for Suspense "In this fast-paced story of good vs. evil, Bell expertly creates a believable picture of federal law-enforcement activities. But it's the more immediate struggle between Rachel and an absolutely chilling villain that will have readers biting their nails until the very end." - CBA Marketplace

Jake Denney has hit rock bottom. His wife has left him. He's drinking again. And his five-year-old daughter is in the middle of it all. When a judge calls him "a disgrace to the legal profession," Jake starts thinking things might be better for everyone if he wasn't around anymore. Then a childhood friend's mother phones him. Her son, Howie, has been accused of murdering his wife. Jake takes the seemingly hopeless case in a last-ditch effort to save his client and his fading career. Meanwhile, Howie's little sister, Lindsay, has grown into a beautiful woman. Though Jake is drawn to her, there's something about her he doesn't understand, even though it may be the very thing he needs to reclaim his humanity. With the evidence mounting against his client, and a web of corruption closing around them both, Jake Denney faces the fight of his life--not only in the courtroom, but in the depths of his own soul. "Move over John Grisham. James Scott Bell has done it again with Blind Justice. A must read " - Nancy Moser, author of The Invitation and The Quest

When they came for him, it was time to run. When they came for his brother, it was time to fight... Chuck Samson needs to heal. A former Navy chaplain who served with a Marine unit in Afghanistan, he's come home to take care of his adult, autistic brother, Stan. But the trauma of Chuck's capture and torture threatens to overtake him. Only the fifth graders he teaches give him reason to hope for the future. And then the unthinkable happens... Chuck Samson finds himself on the run from an unseen and ruthless enemy. Needing to protect his only brother, and face down the dark fears in the depths of his soul, Chuck Samson must find a way to save them both...or die trying.

Ramp up the tension and keep your readers hooked! Inside you'll find everything you need to know to spice up your story, move your plot forward, and keep your readers turning pages. Expert thriller author and writing instructor James Scott Bell shows you how to craft scenes, create characters, and develop storylines that harness conflict and suspense to carry your story from the first word to the last. Learn from examples of successful novels and movies as you transform your work from ho-hum to high-tension. Pack the beginning, middle, and end of your book with the right amount of conflict. Tap into the suspenseful power of each character's inner conflict. Build conflict into your story's point of view. Balance subplots, flashbacks, and backstory to keep your story moving forward. Maximize the tension in your characters' dialogue. Amp up the suspense when you revise. Conflict & Suspense offers proven techniques that help you craft fiction your readers won't be able to put down.

Strategies and Tactics for the Master NovelistSuccessfully starting and finishing a publishable novel is often like fighting a series of battles. You not only have to work hard to shape memorable characters, develop gripping plots, and craft dazzling dialogue, but you also have to fight against self-doubts and fears. And then there's the challenge of learning to navigate the ever-changing publishing industry. That's why best-selling novelist James Scott Bell, author of the Write Great Fiction staples Plot & Structure and Revision & Self-Editing, came up with the ultimate novel-writing battle plan: The Art of War for Writers. You'll find tactics and strategies for idea generation and development, character building, plotting, drafting, querying and submitting, dealing with rejection, coping with unrealistic expectations, and much more. With timeless, innovative, and concise writing reflections and techniques, The Art of War for Writers is your roadmap to victory.

Ty Buchanan is a rising star in his L. A. law firm, and looking forward to a bright future with his beautiful and sweet fiancee, Jacqueline. Then Ernesto Bonilla ends it all. A smalltime thug, Bonilla makes headlines when he murders his wife and commits suicide by jumping off an overpass, landing on Jacqueline's car and ending both of their lives. The newspapers and the police write it off as a freak accident. But a vagrant approaches Ty at Jacqueline's funeral claiming he witnessed someone else at the scene murder Jacqueline. Now Ty is determined to find out the truth, no matter what it takes or how far he has to go. As he tracks down Jacqueline's killer, he'll find himself tangled up with a mysterious group called Triunfo which claims to rehabilitate former gang members -but are their intentions as honorable as they claim? Ty relentlessly navigates the underworld of L. A., and soon finds himself the target of a killer.

After finally getting his life back on track, thanks to his love of Christ, attorney Sam Trask hears from an old college dorm mate, Nicky Oberlin, who seems anxious to reconnect, but when Sam tries to back out gracefully, he soon learns that Nicky is a sociopath who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. Original. 15,000 first printing.

Pastor Ron Hamilton's 8,000-member church is thriving, and his book on pornography in the church has unexpectedly become a best seller, but all of his success ends abruptly when a young female porn star's body is discovered in a sleazy motel room and all of the murder evidence points to him. Original. 35,000 first printing.

Craft an Engaging Plot How 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 endsEasy-to-understand plotting diagrams and chartsBrainstorming techniques for original plot ideasThought-provoking exercises at the end of each chapterStory structure models and methods for all genresTips and tools for correcting common plot problems Filled 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.

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.