No contemporary Occult fiction collection would be complete without Jim Butcher’s “Harry Dresden” novels. This series is so popular with dark urban fantasy fans that a television show, “The Dresden Files,” has been created from the concept.

So far Butcher has written eight novels in the series, and I hear he envisions twelve more. Certainly good news for Occult fiction fans!

Harry Dresden is a Wizard, the only one in Chicago who advertises his services, working from a sparsely furnished office, the level of disarray always dependent upon whether his latest visitor was human or not. He scrambles to make the rent every month, since his cases rarely turn out the way he imagines. This is due partly to a steady stream of questionable clients, but mostly to Harry’s heart, which shimmers with gold and never considers the current state of his wallet.

Harry lives in a basement apartment with no electricity. He uses candles for light and suffers through cold showers, since electrical appliances tend to misbehave in the presence of a Wizard’s energy field. Harry’s “lab” sits beneath the apartment, stocked with hundreds of items used for spellcasting. Here you’ll find Bob, an ancient air spirit who inhabits a dusty human skull and is the source for most of Harry’s spells. Besides being a virtual encyclopedia of magick, Bob possesses a wry wit, providing the perfect touch of reality and humor to Harry’s chaotic days.

Butcher has succeeded in creating a cast of delightfully complex characters, yet each scene in these novels flows as smoothly as city water from the tap. I cannot say enough about his talent as a novelist. Butcher wrote the first book in this series while he was still in school. It was awful. But he continued to tweak the story for several years until it reached the high level of craftsmanship fans of Occult fiction demand. And the rest is publishing history.

Any reader who values expertly written dark urban fantasy, dazzling magick, a fast-paced plot, and hilarious characters should definitely consider Jim Butcher’s “Harry Dresden” series as an essential part of their Occult fiction collection. I know I do.

For years I’ve heard complaints about a lack of Occult fiction portraying Witches realistically in a contemporary setting. And it’s true. As a Wiccan and novelist writing Occult fiction, I’m just as much a fan of the genre as any reader. However, I have found if you search carefully, there are dazzling gems awaiting discovery, novels that should be a part of your contemporary Occult fiction collection.

To find these novels I have narrowed my search criteria to dark urban fantasy novels set in contemporary times or in the near future. At least half the rituals, magick, or sorcery used by the main character must be based on real magickal principles. The main character must be human, and the plot not overshadowed by trendy leagues of vampires.

Having set those guidelines, I want to present my first recommendation for must-read Occult fiction. All I can say is if you’ve never read Lilith Saintcrow’s “Dante Valentine” series you are in for a treat!

Saintcrow is best known for her paranormal romance novels, the “Watcher” series, featuring elemental Witches and their handsome guardians. However, Dante Valentine was created from an entirely different cut of cloth.

Dante Valentine is a Necromance, who works for lawyers, raising the spirits of the dead when wills come into question. She also takes a few bounty hunting jobs on the side to help pay her mortgage. “Danny” is a wise-cracking whirlwind of energy with a haunting past that won’t quit. Devoted to the Egyptian god Anubis, she entertains Pagan readers with plenty of rituals, spells, and magick.

The series takes place in the near future, as the plot races from one high to the next at lightning speed. This is contemporary Occult fiction at its finest, the kind of book you can’t put down until you finish it. And one you’ll still be thinking about months later.

Saintcrow is a master at creating memorable characters and deftly plotted novels. If you’ve been searching for awesome Occult fiction to add to your personal collection, this should be the first series on your list. You won’t be disappointed!

Author: jaswalbhisham

Creative Writing Tips –

We all tackle plotting differently. How you plot will be individual to you, as it is with every writer.

Below is an outline of what can go into a plot. How much you choose to develop each point is entirely up to you.

So some basic questions to ask are…

1. Briefly what your story is about

2. The theme?

3. Main Characters

a. For main characters it’s best to write a full biography of them.

4. Secondary Characters

a. Who are they?

b. What will their role be?

c. What is their relationship with main character?

5. Beginning of the story

a. Viewpoint – who will be telling the story?

b. Setting – where will the story take place?

c. How will you introduce main character?

d. How will you introduce other characters?

e. How will the story begin?

f. What will happen in the beginning?

g. What is the conflict?

h. What is the character’s goal?

i. How will the conflict prevent the character from reaching his goal?

j. What’s motivating the character?

6. Middle of the story

a. What will happen in the beginning section, of the middle of your story?

b. How will this be tied to the beginning of your story?

c. What will happen in the middle section, of the middle of your story?

d. What will happen in the end section, of the middle of your story?

e. What events are going to occur?

f. How will you show your character’s personality?

g. What problems are you going to introduce? (List each problem and how the character solves it)

h. How are you going to make things harder for your character?

i. What will happen in the climax?

7. End of the story

a. Will the character achieve his goal?

b. How will he or won’t he achieve it?

c. What’s going to happen in the end?

d. How are you going to end your story?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Or if you prefer you can plot in scenes…

First, figure out how many scenes your story will contain. Then plot each scene.

Scene one

a. Setting

b. Introduce characters

c. Introduce conflict

d. Introduce goals

e. What will happen in the first scene?

f. How will your first scene develop the character and the story?

Scene two

a. Introduce first problem

b. What does the character feel about this? What does he think?

c. Have the character solve the problem

d. Begin making things harder for him

e. How will the second scene develop the character and the story?

Scene three

a. Throw another obstacle in your character’s path

b. Have him solve it

c. How will the third scene develop the character and the story?

About the Author:

For More Free Resources visit www.allfreereports.com  Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – What Can Go Into a Plot?

by Jeremy Winfrey

The U.S. government offers several types of grants: for financial aid in buying a house, for helping people get out of debt, and even for writers. Some may find this a bit strange, but it is possible to write for a living.

Anyone, from any walk of life, can apply for grants for writers. Even if you have never been published or never even typed a single word, you can still aply for these grants.

This is yet another kind of grant that most people are just completely unaware of. While you might not think that grants for writers are as legitimate as low income grants or grants for minorities, they are just as good as any other grant. And, the best thing of all, is that grant money is just waiting for you to take it and use it!

Grants for writers will come in an assortment of denominations. Most of these grants are not chump change and can make a significant impact on your life. And applying for and receiving funds from one grant does not disqualify you from receiving funds from other grants. There is no limit to how many you can apply for.

Of course, you have to understand that just because you apply for a grant, does not mean that you will actually get the money from it. That’s why as a writer, it’s important that you apply for as many grants as you can. Because it’s like a bonus when you get accepted for various.

The great thing about grants, is that you don’t have to worry about paying it back to the federal government. Once you get the money, it’s yours to keep and do what you will with it. The money may be kept by the writer and used to further his or her self and career.

If you want to find out exactly what type of grants for writers you can apply for, all you have to do is click here.

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By Ronnie Smith

Wondering “How long is my book? How long should my book be? What genre is my book or novel?” Keep reading. If you have written a novel, use this article to be sure that your book meets the basic guidelines of literary agents and book publishers. You will be more likely to be published if your book follows the “rules” of your genre (whether romance, thriller, Western, fantasy, young adult, historical, or horror).

Disclaimer: Keep in mind that the information below is an overview of guidelines. For the best results always research specific information about your project.

The Rules Of Fantasy Genre Novels Fantasy is generally about world building (creating alternative worlds). Avoid clichés in your characterization, and let your major themes be strong yet subtle. Always research publisher guidelines: One publishing house states caveats such as “no time machines, please.”

Fantasy novels can contain between 80,000 and 150,000 words (approximately). Fantasy novels can be a little longer than other novels, and they are sometimes serialized.

Subgenres of fantasy include: high, fantasy of manners, alternate history, dark, historical, steampunk, urban, wuxia, and more.

The Rules Of Romance Genre Novels A romance usually emphasizes the heroine’s perspective, and the reader should be drawn into the love story. Romances end with a happily ever after of some kind.

How long is a romance novel? A stand-alone romance novel is normally between 80,000 and 100,000 words. A category romance novel (like those published by Harlequin) is generally shorter, and each “imprint” will have its own criteria. Be sure you know what imprint you’re targeting before you start writing.

Subgenres of romance include: women’s fiction, Regency, historical, fantasy/science fiction, contemporary, Christian, time travel, paranormal, erotica, and more.

The Rules Of Historical Fiction Genre NovelsResearch and attention to detail are of top importance in historical fiction. Characters must behave in accordance with the times. Plots can be “big” (featuring many strong characters and tackling big or complex issues). Some historicals are part of a saga (a series of books that covers generations within a family or many characters).

How long is a historical novel? A stand-alone historical book may be 85,000 to 100,000 words. Publishing a book longer than 100,000 words is difficult (especially for first-timers), but historical novels are sometimes longer.

The Rules Of Mystery Genre Novels Pay special attention to plot and pacing in this genre. Introduce the murder or the crime early, and research the methods by which the crime was committed. Research forensics, criminal justice, and detective procedures to lend credibility.

How long is a mystery novel? Mysteries vary in length. Stand-alone mysteries (which may have some overlap with thrillers) may be between 75,000 and 100,000 words. Cozy mysteries, like those in a series, are often on the shorter side.

Subgenres of mystery include: crime, hardboiled, true crime, cozy, amateur sleuth, supernatural, police procedural, and more.

The Rules Of Thriller Genre Novels Emphasis in thrillers is on strong characters, action, and fast pacing. Thrillers often show clear antagonists and protagonists. Thrillers can be graphic and gritty or somewhat tamer. Focus is always on suspense.

How long is a thriller novel? Thriller novels generally run between 90,000 to 100,000 words (loosely), but they can be a little longer as well.

Subgenres of thrillers include: conspiracy, crime, action, political, disaster, erotica, eco, legal, and more.

The Rules Of Horror Genre Novels Fears and phobias play into the reader’s emotions in this genre. There is often a supernatural and paranormal element, but as always, steer clear of clichés.

Horror novels vary in length and are generally between 80,000 and 100,000 words.

Subgenres of horror include: ghost, erotic, psychological, body horror, weird menace, occult detective, and more.

The Rules Of Young Adult (YA) Genre Novels Young adult (YA) fiction targets boys and girls between the ages of 12-18. The tone, style, and content of YA novels changes depending on the specific age of the target audience. The genre can tackle G-rated issues or it can be very edgy.

Generally, YA books run between 40,000 and 75,000 words, depending on the target age group.

“Edgy” YA tackles controversial or difficult topics. Otherwise, subgenres of YA are the same as subgenres of adult fiction.

The Rules Of Western Genre Novels Westerns should be set west of the Mississippi River and before the year 1900. Historical details must be accurate. Westerns are very specific and specialized, but be sure that you’re not relying on clichés!

How long is a Western book? Westerns tend to be on the shorter side, anywhere from 45,000 to 75,000 words (loosely).

Writer’s Relief (est. 1994) is a highly recommended author’s submission service. We act as specialized advisors and industry-specific personal assistants to help creative writers navigate the ins and outs of publishing. Along with strategically targeting submissions to the best-suited markets, we provide professional manuscript preparation, formatting, proofreading, market research, and tracking. We are endorsed by many in the writing community, and our clients include established authors, celebrated poets, tenured professors, editors, and promising new writers.

Visit http://www.WritersRelief.com to learn how we can help you submit your creative writing to agents and editors. Our FREE Writers’ Newsflash, http://www.WritersReliefBlog.com, offers useful articles and fun contests for writers of all levels. See you there!

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By Lance Winslow

Let’s say that you’d like to write a book and you are having a little bit of difficulty trying to find a publisher that will give you a book deal, or even interested in publishing your book especially during the recession were books aren’t selling quite as well as they once did. Further, many publishers are reluctant to publish books right now because the e-book craze is going wild and many people now have Kindles and they are downloading books for $10 or less.

So this brings us to another decision that each author needs to make. The writer must decide if they wish to publish the book through a publishing company, publish-it-themselves, or to e-book it.

Additionally, if they decide to make the book an “ebook” they have to choose whether they wish to go with an actual publisher for the Kindle Market, or if they will make the e-book and put it on their own website.

If they decide to put it on their own website, and allow people to download it or order a printed copy they will find that they can make all the money on the book, minus of course, the money they spent in marketing and advertising, setting up the website, etc.

Most people who get a book actually published in a paper format find that they only get a small percentage of each book sold whereas, people who make electronic books, get to keep all the money from the sale of the books. Even if they sell those books for a third of the price they still make more. I hope you will please consider all this.

Lance Winslow is a retired franchisor – Lance Winslow’s Bio. Lance Winslow is formerly the CEO of WashGuys family of franchises for instance one of Lance Winslow’s favorite companies on the team; http://www.windowwashguys.com/links.shtml/.Article Source:  http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lance_Winslow

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