Month: June 2023

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Tips About Scenes – Conflict part 2

Central Conflict is the soul of your book. I want to delve into what I call RRCC or Remind Reader of Central Conflict.

A Vital Part of Virtually all Novels.

In coaching new or experienced authors, I emphasize the idea of capturing the reader’s attention at the very beginning of the book; the first sentence, if possible. That is because conflict forms the heart and soul of a plot. The story could be summarized: conflict revealed, conflict experienced, and conflict resolved.

The Reader Must Be Constantly Reminded of Conflict.

If all you did was open the book with a mind-boggling conflict, it is not enough. We humans forget. You captured their attention in the opening sentence or sentences, but you lost them because they forgot the conflict or plot.

In my previous blog, I talked about the formula and that the formula works for chapters as well. In general, a typical novel will reveal the conflict in the opening chapter or chapters, then develop the conflict in the middle chapters, and finally resolve the conflict in the ending chapters.

This formula works, but it depends on you reminding the reader that there is a conflict. There are multiple ways of doing that, so I won’t attempt to provide an example. That said, it is not a bad idea to revisit the origination of the conflict. It is even better to add fuel to the conflict in the form of action, words, or thoughts.

Conflict needs to grow.

By this I mean that the intensity of the conflict needs to grow. It is after all the central plot or theme of your story. If you allow the intensity to drop, then the reader can get bored, and they never finish the story.

That is why you don’t want to provide too much intensity at the very beginning. In a previous blog, I mentioned Joseph when he was cast into a dry well. That was a dramatic and fearful thing for him, but there was worse to come. The conflict between him and his brothers spanned a great deal of time and wasn’t resolved until after he became second only to Pharaoh. Yet the brothers had not seen Joseph for approximately 30 years!

Conflict Should Always be Resolved.

Notice I said ‘should’ rather than must. The ’should” comes into play if you plan on a sequel. Then the conflict can still be unresolved at the end of the first book, and resolved in the next book. But if you do that, there must be that second book. But in most cases, the conflict needs to be resolved. Not only the primary conflict, but any additional conflicts.

Readers can be finicky. They want all your conflicts resolved by the end of the book, or to at least know why it isn’t resolved. Sometimes, unresolved conflict is a good lead into the next book.

An example of this occurred in Perished: The World That Was. The book started with the conflict of sin in the Garden of Eden which caused Adam and Eve to be kicked out of the Garden. But sin had continued throughout the book bringing God’s judgment of the Flood. Here is how I ended the book which occurred on the 41st day of the Flood. Noah’s wife Naamah is talking.

“Will man ever again face judgment?”

“I hope not! But God has not promised me that and man’s record is not too encouraging.”

“But,” Naamah, continued, her face full of confusion, “if man has your records, surely he would not tempt God again?”

“I do not know the future, Naamah. But I know men. They may have all the knowledge this Ark contains and still they would be prone to sin. I only know this: God is merciful and slow to anger. He will preserve His Word and provide a Redeemer. That is our hope, Naamah and the hope of mankind!”

That is how the book ended; leaving the sin conflict unresolved, and hopefully leaving the reader wanting to see what happened next. Of course, most English-speaking people know the history of mankind, but the series World That Was narrated the stories behind the stories.

The point here is that the sin conflict was unresolved, and the reader would have to read the next book World of Noah and the Ark for more. In fact, there were five more books to go in the series. Though the sin conflict was never resolved, the series pointed to a coming Redeemer who would resolve the conflict.

Your book doesn’t have to be so elaborate, but the principle is the same.

T&R Independent Books brings you this blog post to keep you informed on the issues of today. Authors need to stay informed so that they can relate to their readers facts as well as entertain them with their imagination.

Basic Authors Training is a Basic Writing Course that explains and guides you into becoming an author. Powered by video along with PDFs and Coaching you learn the basics of writing, publishing, and marketing. Plus, we will offer you a publishing package at no out of pocket cost to you if you complete the course and meet the criteria. What can be better? Guaranteed publishing by simply finishing your lessons and meeting simple criteria?

To discover how you can be the writer you want to be, write to us at marketing@tr-indbkstore.com. We will respond.

Did God call you to write? If so, then you can contact me at info@trbookservices.com or use the contact form on the website.

VISIT MY AUTHOR’S PAGE TODAY: amazon.com/author/rfrederickriddle.

Don’t forget to comment below. We are always interested in your opinions. And to make sure you get our blogs, simply check the box that says, Notify me of new posts via email.

Company information:

T&R Independent Bookstore is a division of T&R Independent Books founded in 2014 by R. Frederick and Tess Riddle. TR Ministry, aka Christian Fund, is both a charge and an exciting outreach to the Christian Community.

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Stepping Out on Faith part 2

In my last blog I promised to talk more about Stepping Out on Faith. In particular, God’s plan for you.

Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying that I know God’s plan for everything in your life. But I do know that God loves you and wants to bless you. So, let’s explore stepping out on faith.

Being an Author is Not Stepping Out on Faith

Sorry. But we are working on the assumption that God called you and equipped you to be an author. So, deciding to write in my opinion is more responding to and obeying God’s Call.

That said, there are elements here that require us to step out on faith.

Taking Steps to Become an Author is Stepping Out on Faith

Huh?

Now wait a minute, you just said…

You didn’t know that I could read minds, did you? It’s not so difficult. It sounds like I am contradicting myself.

There is a fine line here. On the one hand, I am talking about responding to God’s call and acknowledging you are called to be a writer. On the other hand, I am talking about overcoming whatever fears you have and moving forward.

This can involve starting to write, taking a writing course, or a hundred other actions or steps. There is always that first step.

Why a Writing Course?

You caught that. Well, for one thing you need know-how. It is true that God equips you, and it is also true that He uses training. Take the Apostles. Jesus called them, but then what did He do? He trained them.

When I say God equips you, I am not saying you are ready to write the great American novel. I am referring to the fact He has placed within you certain gifts, one of which is the gift of writing. But it needs to be enabled.

There are basically two schools you can attend. One, the most common, is the School of Hard Knocks. I have talked about this school in the past. It is extremely hard, frustrating, and ultimately expensive. And there are no guarantees.

That is the school I went to and many other authors as well. You might say, that proves you can succeed.

I will give you that. But it took me years of failure to finally graduate. Others may have taken less time, but they still had to learn through trial and error. Which, by the way, is another good name for this school.

And don’t forget this, there are thousands of men and women wanting to be authors, just like you.

Taking Basic Authors Training is Stepping Out on Faith.

Every time you go on Facebook or some other social media you come across an ad promising you can turn out a best seller by taking their course. The problem is that they can’t really promise a bestseller. They can, however, teach you their formula for success. The rest is a gamble because you are going against thousands of other writers.

Stepping Out in Faith and Taking This Course Has a Guaranty

Whether you are evaluating Basic Authors Training or some other course, you need to take a deeper look. These ads often show you their bank account and the thousands of dollars in it. How do you know it is real? Even if true, are the books something you can be proud of writing?

There are all sorts of questions to ask. But let me tell you what I believe is more important.

I have authored over 14 books (9 fiction and 5 nonfiction). I have enabled others to write. In other words, I have a pattern of success.

Another fact is that I can guarantee you that your book will be finished if you complete the course and use the tools I have given you to write your book. How can I guarantee that?

Simple. I am also a publisher. And I am looking for someone like you that I can publish and market. If you meet my criteria at the end of the course, I will offer you a publishing contract with no out-of-pocket expense for you. Instead of you paying hundreds of dollars to have the book published, I am paid through each sale of the book.

My first book cost me $400 to have published; nowadays it would be more like $800 or more. I received no training and the tools had to be purchased as well.

But Basic Authors Training includes all of that and upon completion a publishing package that provides you, a beginning author, with up to 70% of RRP (recommended retail price), while traditional publishers start out at 10%.

Traditional publishers may provide you an advance (which you have to repay through book sales), but that is an illusion. Higher percentage royalty rate is much better.

For more on this subject, see below.

T&R Independent Books brings you this blog post to keep you informed on the issues of today. Authors need to stay informed so that they can relate to their readers facts as well as entertain them with their imagination.

Basic Authors Training is a Basic Writing Course that explains and guides you into becoming an author. Powered by video along with PDFs, Coaching, and your own publishing package, you learn the basics of writing and publishing. Your class begins as soon as your payment clears.

Did God call you to write? If so, then you can contact me at info@trbookservices.com or use the contact form on the website.

VISIT MY AUTHOR’S PAGE TODAY: amazon.com/author/rfrederickriddle.

Don’t forget to comment below. We are always interested in your opinions. And to make sure you get our blogs, simply check the box that says, Notify me of new posts via email.

Company information:

T&R Independent Bookstore is a division of T&R Independent Books founded in 2014 by R. Frederick and Tess Riddle. TR Ministry, aka Christian Fund, is both a charge and an exciting outreach to the Christian Community.

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Stepping Out on Faith

Stepping out on faith occurs when a person who is called of God to do, perform, or accomplish something makes a commitment to obey. But obedience requires faith, thus you take a step of faith.

Stepping out on faith in what?

This begins with salvation. When you asked Jesus into your heart it was a step of faith. You believed the Gospel, trusted Christ, and asked Him into your heart. Some people think that is the end, but it is the beginning of your walk with Jesus.

Stepping out on faith is taking one step at a time

When I asked Jesus into my heart in 1973, it was a step of faith. I believed Jesus died for me in my place and suffered all the hell meant for me. But salvation brought a new heart, a new relationship, and a new walk.

And I quickly learned that I was now in a war. My flesh, which had controlled my life completely until I received Christ, now had a fight on its hands. In the past, the devil and the flesh were co-conspirators. But God doesn’t share with the devil. He kicked the devil to the curb and sought a personal relationship with me. Thus began my journey with God.

So, How Does Stepping Out on Faith Work

Stepping out on faith is not a matter of work, but of trusting God. You trusted God when you asked Jesus into your heart. Well, making everyday decisions is also a matter of trusting Jesus.

I wish I could say that I have always trusted God since my salvation. Unfortunately, there have been many fails. Like I said earlier, I am in a war and the flesh knows every thought, every decision, and every weakness that I have. And, though the devil cannot read my thoughts, he can read body language, which my flesh is only too willing to display.

So, Why Should I Want to Step Out on Faith

I will grant you that the picture painted so far is not very alluring. The devil wants to undermine you and is willing to attack you wherever you are, including your writing career. But while you have an enemy in the devil, God is on your side. The devil whispers that he hopes will derail you. But remember that God is on your side, He knows everything you need and everything that the devil promises. He knows the weaknesses of Satan and how best to equip you for the fight. God has a plan for you. In the next blog, I will discus that plan and how God enables you to become victorious.

More on this subject.

T&R Independent Books brings you this blog post to keep you informed on the issues of today. Authors need to stay informed so that they can relate to their readers facts as well as entertain them with their imagination.

Basic Authors Training is a Basic Writing Course that explains and guides you into becoming an author. Powered by video along with PDFs, Coaching, and your own publishing package, you learn the basics of writing and publishing. Your class begins as soon as your payment clears.

Did God call you to write? If so, then you can contact me at info@trbookservices.com or use the contact form on the website.

VISIT MY AUTHOR’S PAGE TODAY: amazon.com/author/rfrederickriddle.

Don’t forget to comment below. We are always interested in your opinions. And to make sure you get our blogs, simply check the box that says, Notify me of new posts via email.

Company information:

T&R Independent Bookstore is a division of T&R Independent Books founded in 2014 by R. Frederick and Tess Riddle. TR Ministry, aka Christian Fund, is both a charge and an exciting outreach to the Christian Community.

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An Invitation To Be Your Best part 2

Author R. Frederick Riddle

An Invitation To Be Your Best part 2 continues the concept of being your best, especially as an author.

In the year 2000, we were living in an a-frame house in Pontiac, Michigan. My frustration had grown, and my motivation to be a successful author was fading. It was my habit to use the upstairs for my office and for my daily devotions. On this day I was in my daily devotions reading Genesis 6:1-22, an eyewitness account of the Flood.

The Call of God was My Invitation to be My Best

Suddenly a thought flashed through my mind. There is a story here!

Was it God’s voice or just a random thought? It was God pointing me in the direction He wanted me to go. It was God’s call on my life!

I realized God gave us all the facts we needed to know about sin, Noah, and the Flood. He is not in the business of entertaining, but of teaching us about our need for Jesus, our Savior. The facts were all there, but it was more like a skeleton. I could write a novel about the story behind the story, thus adding flesh to the skeleton. That realization changed my life!

As time went on, He gave me other evidences of His call, such as Psalms 71:18.

Immediately, I began writing what would become my first novel, Refuge: The Genesis Chronicles. Now, some 23 years later, I have written 14 books, including fiction and nonfiction.

The Invitation Continued

But that is not the end of the story. God had been working on me ever since my salvation date. He wanted all of me. That means He had to scrub all the dirt off me, teach me to depend on Him, and serve Him. This led to Teresa and me founding T&R Independent Books in 2014. The purpose was to publish all my books, and later her books as well. It was a journey that I am still traveling.

As a side note, Teresa wrote a novel, and 3 devotionals in 2022! Then, on February 19, 2023, she passed away in her sleep, and awoke in Heaven. It left me broken, but God sent people into my life to comfort me and enable me to move forward. This was an example of God’s love shining through His people.

That is just one facet of God’s love. He doesn’t want me to wallow in my grief. He still has the same plan for my life as He has always had. The journey is not over, but continuing.

The Invitation to Call Others to be Their Best

God gave me the idea of starting a course in 2022. I began working on it until Teresa went into the hospital. After she passed, God opened doors for me to resume working on the course. I knew instinctively that He wanted me to get the course set up and going. He also enabled me to take a course that would better equip me.

Helping others to be their best is an exciting quest. I dare say it is more exciting than seeing my name in print as an author. I liken it to when I was a Sunday School Teacher. Teaching Bible truths to 5th and 6th graders was indeed exciting, and now I experience that same excitement.

Are You Answering the Call to be Your Best

Each of us must answer that question for ourselves. Others cannot answer for us. I am glad I had the opportunity to take a course that caused me to take a deeper look at myself. It has caused me to take a bolder, more assertive view of my own life, which then enables me to do more for others. This is not a paid advertisement, but you might want to check out Gordon Duncan’s Capitalize Your Best.

T&R Independent Books brings you this blog post to keep you informed on the issues of today. Authors need to stay informed so that they can relate to their readers facts as well as entertain them with their imagination.

Basic Authors Training is a Basic Writing Course that explains and guides you into becoming an author. Powered by video along with PDFs and Coaching you learn the basics of writing. Each class registration occurs between the 25th  of a month and runs through the 24th of the following month. The new class starts the following month.

To discover how you can be the writer you want to be, write to us at marketing@tr-indbkstore.com. We will respond.

Did God call you to write? If so, then you can contact me at info@trbookservices.com or use the contact form on the website.

VISIT MY AUTHOR’S PAGE TODAY: amazon.com/author/rfrederickriddle.

Don’t forget to comment below. We are always interested in your opinions. And to make sure you get our blogs, simply check the box that says, Notify me of new posts via email.

Company information:

T&R Independent Bookstore is a division of T&R Independent Books founded in 2014 by R. Frederick and Tess Riddle. TR Ministry, aka Christian Fund, is both a charge and an exciting outreach to the Christian Community.

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An Invitation to be Your Best

Author R. Frederick Riddle

This is an invitation to be your best in whatever you do, but especially as a writer. In past blogs and posts, I have talked about the School of Hard Knocks. We begin by learning about it.

School of Hard Knocks is Not Your Best

To begin with it is a different school for each person. Something like a college offering different degrees in a variety of studies. This school offers a different pathway for every student. These paths are different yet the same. They all promise much but rarely deliver. It certainly is not your best experience or result.

My Journey to be Your Best Through the School of Hard Knocks Begins

In 1968, I returned home from the Navy after serving in the Navy during the Vietnam War. I immediately sought a job and was hired by Western Electric, a subsidiary of AT&T, as an installer. My job was too either install or remove phone equipment in the AT&T buildings.

Aside from my job, it was also a time that I decided to pursue a writing career. I had wanted to write since my teen years and still wanted that elusive dream.

I received a invitation to join a Writers course that was associated with a group of famous writers. I took their entrance test which was a ridiculously easy test, passed it, and joined.

But, alas, it was shortly thereafter that I was laid off at Western Electric. This was about 1972. When I returned to work, it was to Michigan Bell, also part of AT&T. During the time I was laid off, I had no income, was forced to drop the writing course, lost my entire savings, and lived for a week on nothing but peanut butter.

Though I was no longer in the writing course, I was accepted into the school of hard knocks. This school has no brick-and-mortar buildings, no campus, no real teachers, no curriculum, and no rewards. Most of all, it had no guarantees.

The School of Hard Knocks Wasn’t My Best

Since there were no teachers or classrooms or class assignments, I was on my own. I started by visiting local libraries and reading everything I could find about writing. Also, I started writing my first manuscript!

That was exciting, until I got to the 5th chapter and hit the Wall! The Writers Wall is just as real as a wall made of stone. It stopped me cold. I didn’t know how to handle it. In the end I tossed the manuscript into the trash.

It quickly became a trap and a source of frustration. I would get a little way into the story and hit a wall. Then the manuscript would eventually end up in a trash can.

I was miserable! Then in 1973, I met Jesus Christ and He became my Savior. This rejuvenated my life on so many levels, but while my life changed and I became a better person learning to walk with God and serve Him, my writing career was as still as ever.

The School of Hard Knocks Changed

I began reading and writing poetry. Not great poetry, mind you. But it captured the heart of a young lady and played a role in her becoming my wife. We met in January 1981 and were married in September of the same year! So, Poetry was a success.

More importantly it helped get started a loving marriage that lasted over 41 years! But my writing continued to fail. Then, in 2000 everything changed!

More on this subject in An Invitation To Be Your Best part 2.

T&R Independent Books brings you this blog post to keep you informed on the issues of today. Authors need to stay informed so that they can relate to their readers facts as well as entertain them with their imagination.

Basic Authors Training is a Basic Writing Course that explains and guides you into becoming an author. Powered by video along with PDFs and Coaching you learn the basics of writing. Each class registration occurs between the 25th  of a month and runs through the 24th of the following month. The new class starts the following month.

To discover how you can be the writer you want to be, write to us at marketing@tr-indbkstore.com. We will respond.

Did God call you to write? If so, then you can contact me at info@trbookservices.com or use the contact form on the website.

VISIT MY AUTHOR’S PAGE TODAY: amazon.com/author/rfrederickriddle.

Don’t forget to comment below. We are always interested in your opinions. And to make sure you get our blogs, simply check the box that says, Notify me of new posts via email.

Company information:

T&R Independent Bookstore is a division of T&R Independent Books founded in 2014 by R. Frederick and Tess Riddle. TR Ministry, aka Christian Fund, is both a charge and an exciting outreach to the Christian Community.

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God’s Call is a Journey part 2

In God’s Call is a Journey part 1, I told my story of how God called me and brought me to where I am today. Where am I today?

Since God’s Call

Since my call in 2000 when I was 57 and the publication of my first book in 2003 at 60, I have not only established myself as an author, but I have also become a coach. This additional skillset has been added because I want to help authors, whether new or struggling, glorify God and become the best authors they can be.

God’s Call Motivated Me

That call of God motivated me to start Christian Authors Business Institute, which in turn created the Basic Writing Course. This course is based on the following:

  • Students are called of God to write
  • Our motto is God has enabled me, trained me and equipped me
  • I take personal interest in each student

God’s Call Requires Commitment

  • I am committed to each student to help them become their very best
  • Each student is committed to doing the assignments
  • Investing time in the lesson material is also required
  • Every student is committed to their vision

A Faithful Vision

When students begin, they may not know their vision, but one of the goals is for them to discover their vision, then to be committed to it.

My vision is based on Psalm 71:18: “Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed Thy strength unto this generation, and Thy power to every one that is to come.”

Your vision is your motivation. It is stronger than money, fame, or worldly success. It will keep you going no matter what.

Principles of God’s Call

  • Trust God (Luke 6:31; Philippians 4:19):this principle teaches us to treat others as you would want to be treated, plus, trust God’s provision.
  • Wait on God (Psalms 27:14, 37:34; Proverbs 20:22) teaches us to patiently wait for God’s Will to be Done.
  • God’s Thoughts Higher Than Our Thoughts (Isaiah 59:9) The smartest man or woman doesn’t come close to God’s wisdom.
  • God’s Will is Perfect and Timely (Psalm 143:10; Luke 12:28; Romans 8:28) teaches us that God has a perfect master plan for our lives. It is always the best and always on time.
  • Give God the Glory (1 Corinthians 10:31; Hebrews 13:15

So what can we draw from this journey?

I believe the following passage expresses today’s truth about God:

“This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.” (Lam. 3:20-26)

We are never too old to be reminded of God’s faithfulness and mercy. I dare say that as we get older, we need to trust God more because we can no longer do the things we once did. So, we need to depend on Him more.

PRINCIPLES;

  1. TRUST GOD!
  2. WAIT ON GOD.
  3. HIS THOUGHTS ARE HIGHER THAN OURS.
  4. GOD’S WILL IS PERFECT & TIMELY.
  5. GIVE GOD THE GLORY.

When God called me in 2000. I was now 57 years old, when most people are retiring. As I write this, I have only recently turned 80. That means that since I first heard God’s call it has been 23 years!

At the age of 80, I don’t know if He is going to give me another 40 years as He did Moses, or just increase my productivity, but I do know or at least see through the mirror a little clearer, that writing about Him, His Word, and His people is His plan for me.

T&R Independent Books brings you this blog post to keep you informed on the issues of today. Authors need to stay informed so that they can relate to their readers facts as well as entertain them with their imagination.

It’s Your Business is a Basic Writing Course that explains and guides you into becoming an author. Powered by video along with PDFs and Coaching you learn the basics of writing. Each class registration occurs between the 25th  of a month and runs through the 24th of the following month. The new class starts the following month.

To discover how you can be the writer you want to be, write to us at marketing@tr-indbkstore.com. We will respond.

Did God call you to write? If so, then you can contact me at info@trbookservices.com or use the contact form on the website.

VISIT MY AUTHOR’S PAGE TODAY: amazon.com/author/rfrederickriddle.

Don’t forget to comment below. We are always interested in your opinions. And to make sure you get our blogs, simply check the box that says, Notify me of new posts via email.

Company information:

T&R Independent Bookstore is a division of T&R Independent Books founded in 2014 by R. Frederick and Tess Riddle. TR Ministry, aka Ministry Services, is both a charge and an exciting outreach to the Christian Community.