The best fiction published in the last two decades has been by first time authors. Examples are: Red October by Clancy, Absolute Power by Baldacci, Cold Mountain by Frazer, The Horse Whisperer by Evans, as well as Grisham’s first works. These authors applied years of polish to their fresh stories. Like them I’ve spent years learning my craft. Additionally, I labor to gain honest feedback about what works or doesn’t work for the reader in any novel I’m working on. That listening greatly helps me eliminate flaws and produces a captivating story for you. Consequently, I’ve re-written Gold Rush 2000 / Gold Lust, Gold Raid, and Gold Fire, and my latest thriller numerous times to provide memorable characters skirmishing within an interwoven plot with surprising twists and outcomes.
As in real life, aspects of my characters’ personalities emerge over time (across many chapters).
When you read one of my first chapters you will immediately find a main character coping with personal or family dilemmas while striving to achieve their goals.
Their depth continues to be exposed in later chapters.
Implausible events or incredulous behavior by characters makes me stop reading. Therefore, in my thrillers I strive to avoid that by leveraging true-life experiences, as well as achievements, by real people I have observed disagreeing during arduous situations. I adapt and merge those events into the story. Example sources include: planning and executing actual military operations, the thrill of being on a missile launch team, physical fights, boardroom battles about down sizing, technical meetings between government managers and contractors, prospecting and finding my first piece of gold, marriage, divorce, the death of parents, a grandchild’s smile; as well as burying someone I love.
Today, people surf the TV, even the radio as they commute, as well as surf the Internet at work and at home. They seek data and answers quickly and want satisfaction NOW! Like gold, their time is precious. To respond to the desire of today’s reader for quick information, I write short, tight chapters, attempting to make every word, sentence, and paragraph, propel forward the characterization or the plot.
And, like you, I hate a book with a weak or disappointing ending. To avoid that pitfall, I figure out the beginning and ending before I craft all the chapters in between. Plus, I design multiple climatic endings. Two or three times the hero and heroine appear doomed. Hopefully, when you reach those chapters, you will worry: Will they survive?
Thank you for being one of the thoughtful, intelligent, and wise people who take the time to read a book. I hope my first chapter hooks you.
Click on any book to read chapter 1 right here and online. Read their awards and reviews too. Enjoy!
From: Author Ed Mitchell
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