Don T Make A Scene

As Diane Kurasik nears the rapids of her fortieth birthday, it seems her world is taking on the bittersweet tones of a life-change comedy from the 1970s, something starring Glenda Jackson or Jill Clayburgh. The director of a Greenwich Village revival house cinema and a single woman who has watched everyone else move on, Diane is reminded daily of her status and her limitations. Clearly there is some lesson she was supped to lave learned by now, but what it is continues to elude her. Vladimir Hurtado Padrón has troubles of his own. Although he fled Cuba a decade earlier, he still can’t convince his estranged wife in Havana to grant him a divorce. When Diane meets and falls for Vladimir, he is up front about the stalemate in his personal life, letting her make her own decisions. Diane considers the minor role he has to offer and wonders: Would Ingrid Bergman put up with this? An eviction notice jolts Diane out of her home and her routine–aren’t all New York stories ultimately about real estate? Diane shuttles between the couches of friends and family, dodging advice and criticism in equal measure and touring countless fatally flawed Manhattan apartments. Meanwhile, Vladimir refuses to succumb to nostalgia as he deals with the exile’s dilemma: What happens when you can’t go home? Then an unexpected visitor from Vladimir’s past arrives on the scene and becomes captivated by Diane just as her ardor for Vladimir is cooling. Diane considers returning his affections, and wonders if she’s lost her mind. An unabashed valentine to cinema, Don’t Make a Scene is a sparkling, witty novel that asks, Do movies satisfy the yearning, or merely fan the flames? Valerie Block uses tart humor and a deceptively light touch in this fiercely intelligent look at how the movies shape and haunt us, and what happens when the eternal allure of classic movies collides with the daily indignities of contemporary life. Don’t Make a Scene is a refreshing comedy about finding fascination, irritation, and joy in unexpected places.

Parents – Aaaaargh! Jemma’s are out of date. They still think she should wear the hand-knitted jumper with little bears on it to school – and they call her petal in public! Laura’s are divorced. Gone is the lovely big house. Now it is a grotty little one. And her mum was seen kissing Melvyn outside Tesco . . . Sumitha’s want her to keep their cultural traditions – which don’t include boys, make-up or a trendy hair cut . . . Jon’s keep bragging about his academic brilliance – but in reality it’s not stellar, nor is it where his heart is . . . Chelsea’s mum is a writer of ghastly features for the local paper, an agony aunt and a wearer of mini-skirts . . . The five teenagers’ paths (and those of their mortifyingly embarrassing parents) cross and part throughout this hilarious book set in Leehampton.

A new chapter in the extraordinary and unorthodox career of the artist known as Skinner. Take a vibrant, neon tour through the travels, shows, experiments, friends, and strange career of an American visionary freak. Skinner's wild, graphic explorations take form in multiple media, expanding the self-reflective narratives and myths that have defined his oeuvre. Skinner's unusual path has taken him beyond the traditional routes of many artists, and this book documents his journey-into-the-unknown. This journey, which has come to define his career, puts zero limits on where his creativity will take him--venturing into world-building concepts in film, animation, music videos, and writing. In addition to his fine art, Skinner has seen success in many commercial avenues with identification bumps for Adult Swim, live projections for the band Mastodon, and the experimental art show "Drawing with Skinner" on Super Deluxe. Won't you come along?

Faking this relationship should be a piece of cake. Retta Majors is having a bad day. But that’s to be expected when your ex gets engaged to your cousin. Instead of (totally) freaking out, Retta decides to attend the wedding with her amazing, faithful, and handsome boyfriend. One problem... He doesn’t exist. Duncan Gilmore is living his dream. His boxing gym is open for business, and he’s focused on success. The last thing on his mind is a relationship. That is until the beautiful baker next door makes him an offer so bizarre he can’t refuse. One weekend of pretending to be Retta’s boyfriend should be a piece of cake. However, shared kisses and some flirting start to blur the lines in their fake relationship. When their performance draws to a close, will they go their separate ways or return for an encore?

Friendship is at the heart of every joy. Isla, Priya, and Emma have been best friends since high school. As they grow older, their different paths begin to strain that bond. Isla is fresh off a major heartbreak and stuck in a frustrating job. Priya has crushed every goal she has ever set and believes her final years of med school will be no different. Emma’s life has worked out exactly how she imagined: she and her loving husband have just moved into their dream home, with their first child on the way. What could go wrong? Will Isla settle down and figure out what she wants out of life? Will Priya allow her heart to be open to new paths and new ideas? Will Emma’s perfect life be all she imagined? Through all the ups and downs, as months pass, and the seasons change...will their friendship survive? There Are Thirty Ways to Make a Scene grabs readers and drags them into a vibrant, delightful world where they can feel welcome. As these friends navigate opportunity, and adventure, readers see how difficult, absurd, frustrating, and beautiful it is to be in relationships with those around us.

Write Scenes that Move Your Story Forward In Make a Scene, author Jordan E. Rosenfeld takes you through the fundamentals of strong scene construction and explains how other essential fiction-writing techniques, such as character, plot, and dramatic tension, must function within the framework of individual scenes in order to provide substance and structure to the overall story. You'll learn how to: • Craft an opening scene that hooks readers and foreshadows supporting scenes • Develop various scene types - from the suspenseful to the dramatic to the contemplative - that are distinct and layered • Tailor character and plot around specific scene types to better convey the nuances of your storyline • Create resonating climactic and final scenes that stay with readers long after they've finished your work

The definitive guide to writing scenes--now revised and expanded! Scenes are the building blocks for any work of fiction--the DNA sequence that makes a novel un-put-downable and unforgettable. When writers are able to craft effective, engaging scenes, they can develop a complete, cohesive story--and a mesmerizing experience for readers. Make a Scene Revised and Expanded Edition takes you step-by-step through the elements of strong scene construction and demonstrates how the essential aspects of a compelling story--including character, plot and dramatic tension--function within the framework of individual scenes to give momentum to the whole narrative. You'll learn how to: • Craft an opening scene that hooks readers and foreshadows conflict. • Develop various scene types--from contemplative to suspenseful to flashback--that are distinct and purposeful. • Establish characters' intentions within a scene that drive the plot. • Transition into new scenes by clearly establishing details of setting, character, and point of view. • Create resonating climactic and final scenes that stay with readers long after they've finished your story. The revised and expanded edition includes brand-new examples, an increased focus on advancing plot and character development, and the same knowledge and clarity that writers have come to expect from Jordan Rosenfeld. Make a Scene is an essential part of any novelist's library--make sure it's in yours.

Write Scenes that Move Your Story Forward In Make a Scene, author Jordan E. Rosenfeld takes you through the fundamentals of strong scene construction and explains how other essential fiction-writing techniques, such as character, plot, and dramatic tension, must function within the framework of individual scenes in order to provide substance and structure to the overall story. You'll learn how to: Craft an opening scene that hooks readers and foreshadows supporting scenes Develop various scene types - from the suspenseful to the dramatic to the contemplative - that are distinct and layered Tailor character and plot around specific scene types to better convey the nuances of your storyline Create resonating climactic and final scenes that stay with readers long after they've finished your work