Showing results by author "Steve Alcorn" in All Categories

Have you ever gone to a theme park and wondered, "How did they do that?" At last there's a book that tells you. Theme Park Design reveals the secrets behind some of the world's greatest attractions. Take a peek behind the scenes, with a theme park engineer. Aimed at theme park enthusiasts, the book features behind the scenes information based upon author Steve Alcorn's 35 years designing attractions.

Have you started a novel, only to get part way into the manuscript and find yourself stuck? Or do you have an idea for a novel, but aren't sure where to begin? Have you completed a first draft, but feel it doesn't quite have the luster of professional writing?

If you've ever visited a theme park and wondered how the magic is created, this is the book for you. Theme park design invites you to become an apprentice Imagineer. Inside, you'll:- Explore the different types of rides and shows- Experience creating an attraction from conception to opening day- Discover the different professional roles in Imagineering so you can determine which best suits your interestsAnd for avid fans and gearheads, a special section takes you on a deep dive into show control, ride control, audio, video and special effects.Whether your goal is to become an Imagineer, or ...

This fun and exciting guide shows you how to write an autobiography or biography that will bring your story to life. It begins by introducing you to all the different forms a life story can take, from journals to blogs to magazine articles to complete memoirs. Then, it helps you organize your story into either chronological, thematic, or anecdotal form. You'll receive a powerful set of writing tools, and learn how to use story structure, viewpoint, dialogue, and settings to make your story clear and vivid.

Building a Better Mouse is the story of the Electronic Imagineers who designed Epcot Center. It tells the tale of the "hundreds of mostly young, mostly bright and all embarrassingly idealistic people" who worked on Epcot, and gives a unique insider's perspective on what it was like to be in the trenches as a Disney Imagineer in the early 1980s, from pixie dusting - when new employees are indoctrinated into all things Disney - through the craziness of the engineering design process, right up until the last frantic dash to opening day.

Whether you’re plotting your first whodunit or revising your tenth thriller, this comprehensive guide is your trusted partner in crime. Packed with practical advice, real examples from bestselling mystery novels, and a touch of wry humor, Writing Mysteries That Matter walks you step-by-step through the entire writing process—from crafting a gripping opening to planting clues, building suspense, and delivering a twisty, satisfying ending. You’ll learn how to: • Structure your story for maximum tension • Create complex, compelling protagonists • Plant clues (and red herrings) that...

Whether you’re dreaming of galactic empires, magical kingdoms, or dystopian futures, this comprehensive guide will help you bring your imagined worlds to life—and keep readers turning pages. Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy is your essential companion for crafting compelling characters, building immersive settings, and mastering the tools of powerful storytelling. You’ll learn: Worldbuilding Creating magic systems and technologies that feel real Pacing, suspense, and scene structure Character arcs, voice, viewpoint, and more How to write each genre, from time travel to high fantasy...

Dive into the world of fiction with a pen in hand and a wealth of imaginative narratives in mind! This engaging book is your playground for learning how to craft captivating, concise tales that pack a punch. Explore the elements of storytelling, including character development, plot structure, and dialogue, and learn to apply them to short forms from flash fiction to novelettes. Whether you've got a head buzzing with potential whodunnits, ghost stories, or heartfelt dramas, we'll guide your journey from the first spark of an idea to a fully-realized short story. You'll learn to weave ...

Curious by Design describes a journey of invention, imagination, and the occasional malfunctioning animatronic. From an untethered childhood to designing the world’s most complex theme park attractions, Steve Alcorn has spent a lifetime exploring the crossroads of art and engineering. Along the way, he’s built companies, created rides, composed music, coded operating systems, mentored thousands of writers—and still found time to sculpt a few nudes. Spanning decades of creative adventure, this is the story of one man’s relentless curiosity: how things work, how stories are told, and ...

On October 1, 1982, The Walt Disney Company opened its EPCOT Center to the world, heralding changes that would take the Disney property in Florida from a mere theme park to a world-class resort destination. Authors Steve Alcorn and David Green were there, as employees of Disney's WED Imagineering. "Building a Better Mouse" is the story of the Electronic Imagineers who designed EPCOT Center. It tells the tale of the "hundreds of mostly young, mostly bright and all embarrassingly idealistic people" who worked on Epcot, and gives a unique insider's perspective on what it was like to be in the ...

Do you have a young adult novel idea but are unsure about where to begin? Have you started a novel, only to get stuck? Or perhaps you've completed a first draft, but you want to add the luster of professional writing? Then this audiobook is for you! Featuring lively interplay between authors of young-adult fiction Steve and Dani Alcorn, this engaging narration gives you all the inspiration and tools you need to create a best seller.

Fall in Love with the Craft of Romance Writing Whether you dream of penning a lighthearted rom-com, a sweeping historical epic, or a sizzling contemporary love story, Romance Writing is your complete guide to building believable characters, crafting emotional arcs, and delivering the powerful payoff romance readers crave. From story structure and pacing to viewpoint, voice, and romantic tension, bestselling author and educator Steve Alcorn (writing as Sharon Stevens) walks you step-by-step through the entire writing process—infused with genre-specific insights, practical tips, and ...

Unlock the Secrets of Fear. Master the Mechanics of Dread. Whether you’re crafting a pulse-pounding thriller or slow-burning supernatural horror, Writing Suspense and Horror is your complete guide to gripping your reader—and never letting go. This comprehensive handbook takes you deep into the psychology of fear and the structure of tension. Learn how to create unforgettable characters, build dread scene by scene, and design plots that twist, tighten, and terrify. From atmospheric worldbuilding to heart-stopping finales, this book covers everything from genre history to hands-on craft. ...

Just after midnight on March 13, 1928, the St. Francis Dam gave way, releasing a 160-foot-high wall of water. It was the worst American civil engineering disaster of the twentieth century. Everything in its Path tells the story of Kate, an archaeologist's daughter, who is helping excavate a Chumash Indian site below the dam when she makes an alarming discovery: the dam is leaking! Intertwined with Kate's story is that of the prehistoric Chumash settlement.

Unlock the secrets of crafting captivating nonfiction! Whether you're an aspiring writer or an experienced author looking to sharpen your skills, this comprehensive guide takes you step-by-step from initial idea to successful publication. Explore practical strategies for organizing your content, creating compelling characters, and mastering narrative structure. Learn how to effectively research, write engaging scenes, use vivid descriptions, and employ dialogue that breathes life into your writing. Delve into proven techniques for editing your manuscript to perfection, understanding ...

Welcome to Undone Redone, the podcast that talks the messiness of life…addiction and infidelity…grace and reconciliation…marriage and family…authenticity and faith. Tray and Mel know a thing or two about messy and who are thrilled that their divorce did not work out after being apart for six years!

Dani Deucer is a precocious twelve-year-old girl who wants to be a detective. She and her sister Stephanie are spending the summer in Three Rivers, California when Dani meets hobo Mott Simon. At first Dani is afraid of Mott because he's different - he spends most of his time digging up the town's flowerbeds! But when Mott is accused of murder Dani sets out to prove that sometimes first impressions can be wrong.

In 1542, a young Chumash woman named Singing Bird watches in awe as the enormous ships of Juan Cabrillo arrive off the coast. They carry men with strange weapons, heavy clothing, and unknowable intentions. She finds herself drawn to one of them—Santiago—who seems different from the rest. When she is kidnapped, he befriends her, and their connection deepens. But when the voyage meets disaster and Santiago is lost in a storm, Singing Bird is blamed. Now she must find a way to escape—or die trying. Four centuries later, in the fall of 1929, the stock market crashes and seventeen-year-old...

Just before midnight on March 12, 1928, the recently completed St. Francis Dam collapsed, releasing a 160-foot wall of water into the canyon below. Massive chunks of concrete, some weighing thousands of tons, were hurled more than half a mile downstream. Within hours, the flood had carved a 50-mile path of destruction to the Pacific Ocean, leaving over 500 people dead or missing. It remains the deadliest civil engineering disaster of twentieth-century America. Everything In Its Path tells the story of sixteen-year-old Kate Thompson, whose father and his assistant Andrew are excavating a ...

What if you could change the past—three times only? Sixteen-year-old Sheri’s life is unraveling. Her beloved grandmother has died. Her parents are headed for divorce. And a strange ring left behind by Amanda—her wise, enigmatic grandmother—offers an impossible choice: use it to journey into the past. But only three times. As Sheri plunges into the lives of her parents and grandmother before she was born, she begins to uncover secrets no one ever told her—truths about love, betrayal, and the fragile choices that shape our futures. Each journey brings clarity… and unintended ...