DT-1

1. What favorite book or short story have you read with an interesting and engaging plot?
My favorite book of all time is Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell which is character driven...Laudy, that Miss Scarlett is sumtin, ain't she!?

My favorite author is P. J. Parrish who is actually two people. Sisters who write together. They also happen to be good personal friends as well. I love all nine of their books, all of which I assisted some with brainstorming. Titles of their books all of which can stand alone, yet feature Louis Kincaid and Joe Frye(female) as main characters are:
1. Dark of the Moon (2000)
2. Dead of Winter (2001)
3. Paint It Black (2002)
4. Thicker Than Water (2003)
5. Island of Bones (2004)
6. A Killing Rain (2005)
7. An Unquiet Grave (2006)
8. A Thousand Bones (2007, Joe Frye novel)
9. South of Hell (2008, Louis and Joe both appear)

These stories are packed full of action, but are character driven. When you begin reading, you absolutely cannot put them down.

2. In the short story I asked you to read for the class, Brownies, was the plot easily discerned?
Did it follow the basic Freytag Model?
Was there a resolution for the protagonist?
The plot was discernable and it did follow the Freytag Model. There was a resolution for the protgonist and I also agree the story brought forth how wrong and hurtful it can be to be judegmental.
I have a son who is dyslexic with other learning problems who suffered immensely at the hands of such behavior and still does to an extent, yet is probably the ONE human I would choose to be left with if there were a disaster leaving us with no water, electricity, nor gas available. He would have me a tent set up, fire going and food on the fire. I also have biracial grandchildren who have at times been on the wrong end of some less caring person's judgment. One of them summed it up quite nicely though when asked what color he was: "I'm not a color. I'm a little boy."


3. How do you get ideas for your story plots?
From where do you draw your inspiration for your stories?
Are there any methods of finding a plot idea which do not work well for you? Why?

Most of my story plots are from personal experience or that of someone I know. I also get ideas and inspiration from things I read or watch on television. At times, I gain inspiration for them in church or listening to music. God's world around me offers a wealth of inspiration as well.

I have used all the 20 methods and some work better than others for me. I am not sure why; it is as simple as the mood I happen to be in sometimes.