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How to Write a Fictional Story by C.B. and Dan Hoffmann

Illustration of a turn-of-the-century scroll of old paper with a red ribbon containing the title "How to Write a Fictional Story" by C.B. & Dan Hoffmann

There are five components that constitute a good story: character, conflict, setting, plot, and resolution (although some adventures, such as Star Wars or Lord of the Rings end an episode with a temporary or partial resolution to an ongoing struggle, leading into the next episode).  These components keep the story flowing and allow the action to follow a logical progression. Without these main elements, a story remains underdeveloped and usually lacks clear purpose or conclusion. This article will deal with these five components, starting with character and conflict, and how to develop the three essential characters in fiction: hero, victim, and villain. Let’s focus on the hero, first, who is the main character in any story, whether it’s fiction or nonfiction. Character The Hero The hero, also called the protagonist, is the core of your story and he/she always has a goal or ambition—a purpose that is driving his/her actions. All characters, plots, actions and motives serve to drive the »

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A Fan Asks About Marketing:

Image of studio microphone with spotlights shining on it for CB Hoffmann's marketing blog post.

Hello! You pose many interesting propositions about science and humanity. I agree that campfires were probably the first TV’s (of sort) — in that people communed around them, and did you know — before literature was written, the folktales and tales of heroic valor (re: King Arthur, Beowulf, etc.) were told and ballads were sung and embellished, probably around campfires, as well as in the courts of the kings. Your book sounds interesting. These are the marketing strategies we have used and we have been getting radio and podcast interviews (& 1 TV interview last week). Maybe you should try the following: 1. Creating your own media database (look up college & other radio stations & record their pertinent info. into a Google database. Include phone #, location, email address, names of talk show hosts & producers, address, etc.) Create a column for recording when you contact them & their »

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A Life of Perfection

Dreaming about a perfect life in this perfect place. But Alexa Silven is perfectly aware her goals of eliminating the blackmailing nemesis in her life  must be a crime of perfection if she is to survive. Visit cbhoffmann.com and watch the action unfold in Consuming Fire: An Alexa Silven Novel. Or, find her story on Audible.com, recorded by the author — CB Hoffmann.

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Poolside in Malaysia!

Alexa would take a dip, but she’d have to lose the Glock! She’d go to any depths; nothing will stop her pursuit of Angelo. Ending his encrypted emails, demanding the elimination of influential businessmen who are aware of his Black Market scams. His threats to expose her turbulent past and the indiscretions of her pastor-father had to end —now! But Angelo wasn’t going down without a fight. Get into the riveting action! available through cbhoffmann.com, or just $.99 on iTunes, BN, or Amazon.com.

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Believing When You Can’t See It Yet

Have you ever waited a long time for a dream to come true, only to eventually start to lose hope? I started writing Consuming Fire thirty-one years ago, revised it ~17 times, and finally my son/partner and I published the final version on Amazon.com earlier this year. We hired a PR agent in NYC and immediately landed my first interview, on live TV, no less, and two radio interviews — one from Sacramento, CA and one in Ocala, FL. We also got a great book review (check for links in previous blogs). I thought we were on our way!! Then, nothing! That’s right, nothing happened after that! Bottom line: it’s not fun to walk through the desert with no oasis in sight. But I’ve come to the conclusion that this is what real faith is all about… trusting & believing God has plans for your future & is working things together for your »

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A Bali-high Experience!

Bali?! Alexa Silven will travel to great distances to unfold the identity of the blackmailer scamming art in the Black Market under the alias “Angelo.” Does she uncover him? Does she let him live? Find and follow the action in the Alexa Silven murder/mystery trilogy available @ $.99 at cbhoffmann.com and BN, iTunes, and Amazon.com. Also available and narrated by the author at Audible.com.

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Hot on the Trail!!

If her blackmailer & Black Market scammer is hiding, even this ominous tunnel won’t protect him! Near Hurricane Ridge, WA, Alexa Silven is determined to unearth Angelo’s location. Get the detective mystery, available at cbhoffmann.com, BN, iTunes, or Amazon.com, or at Audible.com.

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Silven Dreams

Silven sailed to silvery swords stationed securely in a stone. But destiny drew deeper dreams that she alone would own. “Consuming Fire: An Alexa Silven Novel” in paperback or $.99 ebook at http://cbhoffmann.com , BN, iTunes, & http://Amazon.com .

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