We’re in a world where it seems everyone needs to be branded and packaged to be successful. Politicians—knowing what they stand for (usually). Singers—their style of music. For example, you wouldn’t expect heavy metal from Dolly Parton. And authors—what they write. You see the name “James Patterson” on a book’s spine and you expect crime/mystery. [...]

I started out writing screenplays. When I began writing novels, I realized that many of the guidelines I’d learned in screenwriting class would serve me well, even though they’re two totally different mediums. You have to remember that they both have one very important thing in common: a good story! Your goal should be to [...]