The Keys to a Convincing Action Hero

They thrill on the screen, leaving us on the edge of our seats as we root for them to vanquish the villain and save the day! Yes, we love a good action hero, and if film and television revenues, not to mention book and video games sales are any indicator, action heroes are big business! But just what makes for a convincing action hero? Here are three tips for aspiring writers.

Make a mess. Violence isn’t neat and tidy. Fights are seldom confined to a small area. Nobody, no matter how good a fighter they are, ever gets away without taking a hit. Even James Bond took a couple of blows. Real life is messy, and odds are your action hero will be messy too. Sometimes it takes the precision of a nuclear blast to get things done, and that just makes it realistic.

Make them suffer. Much like no action hero will ever make it through a fight without taking a few punches, no hero can save the day without some suffering. Perhaps some kidnapping and torture? Maybe the loss of a friend or loved one?

Up the stakes. Your action hero needs a reason to get involved, and high enough stakes can turn the ordinary into extraordinary. A kidnapped loved one will have them stopping at nothing, or a city in peril for the altruistic. Your hero needs the right reason to get in the game.

Looking for more action and adventure? Visit our online library at www.totalful.com for a wide variety of ebooks, audiobooks, music, and more, accessible anytime from your favorite devices.

The Keys to a Convincing Action Hero

Looking for more action and adventure? Visit our online library at www.totalful.com for a wide variety of ebooks, audiobooks, music, and more, accessible anytime from your favorite devices.

Action and Adventure on the High Seas

Some time ago adventurer Alastair Humphreys interviewed fellow adventurers and asked them about their favorite books in their particular field of expertise. When it came to ocean adventures, Alastair chose to interview Roz Savage, the first woman to row solo across three oceans. She wrote two books about her adventures: Rowing the Atlantic: Lessons Learned on the Open Ocean (2009) and Stop Drifting, Start Rowing: One Woman’s Search for Happiness and Meaning Alone on the Pacific (2013). Here are Roz Savage’s five favorite adventure books.

1. Sailing alone around the world – Joshua Slocum – he may be spinning a few fine salty yarns, but who cares if they’re true – it’s a great read!

2. Two years before the mast – Richard Henry Dana – a fascinating glimpse into history, not only of sailing, but of the wild new frontier of 1840s California.

3. Adrift – Steven Callahan – the ultimate survival story, which always made me feel better. No matter how badly my day at sea was going, it was always better than his!

4. A pearl in a storm – Tori Murden McClure – a real all-rounder, with adventure, failure and success, introspection and insights.

5. Dark waters – Jason Lewis – made me laugh out loud at some of their misadventures, plus some fascinating musings on serious matters like the environment and the nature of language and consciousness.

Looking for an adventure? Visit our online library at www.totalful.com for a wide variety of ebooks, audiobooks, music, and more, accessible anytime from your favorite devices and sure to get you going!

Great Action Novels for Your Next Read

With so many titles to choose from in the world of action and adventure literature, it may be difficult to choose your next read. Here are three action novels that are well worth reading, and would make great choices for your next book.

Nothing Lasts Forever by Roderick Thorp. The action packed adventures of detective Joe Leland served as inspiration for detective John McClane as played by Bruce Willis in the movie Die Hard. Although the movie differs significantly from the book, Thorp’s novel is non-stop excitement nonetheless and well worth the read.

Night Film by Marisha Pessl. A cross between a thriller and a detective novel, Night Film tells the tale of journalist Scott McGrath, who discovers that he himself may be in danger as he investigates the death of Ashley Cordova, the daughter of a controversial film director. A finalist for the 2013 Shirley Jackson Award, Night Film reached sixth on The New York Times Bestseller’s list in September 2013.

Smoke and Summons by Charlie N. Holmberg. The author of the the Wall Street Journal bestselling The Paper Magician series, Holmberg creates a captivating world of monsters and magic in Smoke and Summons and tells the tale of Sandis, a human vessel for an ancient spirit who can be transformed at her master’s will into a monster to do his bidding.

Looking for more action and adventure? Visit our online library at www.totalful.com for a wide variety of ebooks, audiobooks, music, and more. Accessible anytime, and sure to get your blood pumping.

Interesting Facts About Dan Brown

With 4 blockbuster movie adaptations and several best-selling novels to his name, Dan Brown has solidified himself as one of the most successful and influential authors of modern times. For a bit more into the man behind all the success, here are four interesting facts about the author that you may not have known.

Humble beginnings. At the 2014 Penguin Annual Lecture, Dan Brown stated that his first book was actually called The Giraffe, the Pig and the Pants on Fire. He wrote the book at the tender age of 5, it had a print run of one copy, and it was dedicated to his mother.

Chasing the dream. Prior to his career as an author, Dan Brown brown moved to Hollywood in 1991 to pursue a career as a singer/songwriter and pianist. We’ve never heard his music, but we’re happy things played out the way they did!

Working hard. After Hollywood, Dan Brown and his wife moved to New Hampshire, where he became a teacher. Brown taught English at Phillips Exeter Academy, and later taught Spanish at Lincoln Akerman School.

At the top. The success of 2003’s The DaVinci Code was nothing short of monumental. So monumental, in fact, that in 2004 all four of Dan Brown’s novels made it to The New York Times bestseller list. In the same week.

Looking for more action-packed reads? Visit our online library at www.totalful.com for a wide variety of ebooks, audiobooks, music, and more, available anytime on your favorite devices.

Why do we like to read action fiction?

There are few things more pleasurable things to do than shut off the rest of the world and sink into a good book. We all have our own preferences and different genres appeal to different people. However, no matter what the genre, one thing all book fans seem to have in common is the desire for escapism.

This is especially true when it comes to reading action novels. Reading action fiction has proved a popular diversion for people seeking thrills and excitement they aren’t likely to find in their everyday lives. When’s the last time you jumped out of 20-storey burning building or were involved in white-knuckle car chase?

OK, so very few people will experience those things, but what is appealing about action fiction is that very often it is about extraordinary things which happen in pretty ordinary settings. Not every police officer will be involved in a high-speed chase or witness huge explosions every day, but we want to get lost in the story of the cop who does. Heck, we might even want to be that guy (although he’s most likely got his demons too).

The notion of escapism isn’t about trying to disengage from reality or try to hide away from our day-to-day lives. It’s more about a need to take a temporary break from the mundane things around us and excite our senses. Look at life from a different angle or simply be entertained by a gripping story or hang out with a favorite character.

Get lost in some exciting and thrilling action books from www.totalful.com.

Holiday Gifts That Thrill

Electronics are always nice, who wouldn’t love the latest smartphone or that new 4K TV? Finding the right clothes could also be the perfect fit, sweaters sure do come in handy when it’s cold outside. But for some people, it takes a little bit more of a … WOW, factor. For some it’s all about the rush and the adrenaline, and with those people in mind, here are three action-packed gift ideas for the adventure seekers in your life.

Skydiving! One of the ultimate thrills, there’s nothing quite like climbing up to altitude on an airplane knowing that you’re about to jump off and have the experience of a lifetime! Many dropzones are closed during the winter, but gift certificates are always available for when weather permits.

Bungee jumping! Considerably more budget-conscious than skydiving, bungee jumping still offers the thrill and sensation of freefall in safety and security. Much like with skydiving, if you live where the winter weather isn’t quite right, a gift certificate will be ready and waiting for the perfect time to jump!

Books! Are your loved ones still working up the courage for that skydive or bungee jump? Why not get their hearts pumping and get them in the mood with a good book! Every adventure starts with an idea, and the right book just might plant the seed… The thrills will have them turning pages at a frantic pace!

Looking for a bit more action in your own life? Browse the wide variety of action-packed books and more at www.totalful.com.

The Journey Begins

Thanks for joining me!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton

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