Plotting Your Book: What is a Story? An Autopsy of a Tale
What is a story? An idea or a setting or a character alone do not make a story. A fictional story is all of those and more. READ MORE
The Best Guide to Writing Your Novel!
You dream of being a published author. You don’t have time to write, though … work or school is hectic, the house needs to be cleaned, the kids demand your attention … But we bet you can find just 7 minutes a day to pursue your dream. If you can, 7 Minutes a Day to Your Bestseller is the book for you. This practical, how-to-guide takes you step-by-step from coming up with a great story idea to seeing your pride and joy published – with just 7 minutes of writing a day. You’ll complete short, skillful exercises that allow you to build a short story or novel as you read the book, all the while receiving the encouragement and motivation needed to keep you going. SEE BOOK.
Writing Tip: When To Use First-Person Point of View in a Story
One of the two most common point of views, first-person occurs when a character in the story narrates the tale. If the protagonist is the narrator, you have first-person major; if a character who is not the protagonist is the narrator, you have first-person minor. READ MORE
Self-Publishing Tip: Numbering Your Book’s Pages in Microsoft Word
For authors self-publishing their books, among the biggest challenges is placing the page numbers, especially if formatting in Microsoft Word. READ MORE
This Week’s Podcast: Strengthen Writing by Replacing Adverbs
If you’ve got a lot of adverbs in a passage, you’re probably relying too much on that part of speech to do the hard work in your sentence. Adverbs aren’t the muscle that an exact verb provides. While you may need to use an adverb on occasion, our language generally is broad enough that you can find the right verb. LISTEN TO PODCAST
Book Marketing Tip: Potential Locations for Book Presentations
Once you’ve decided that a public presentation is a good way to promote your book, you’ll need to find some spots to hold your event. Identifying those locales can help you determine what kind of presentation (book signing, topical presentation, etc.) you’ll make and place you on the path for contacting the right people to set up such an event. READ MORE
Client Spotlight: “Less Tagging More Killing” by William Rose
An editing client of mine from last autumn has published his first book. Less Tagging More Killing, by William Rose, a former FBI Special Agent, provides insights into gang culture, the crimes they commit, and the law enforcement techniques that work and those that don’t. If you live in Southern California, especially Ventura County, the book offers plenty of surprising facts about the local gang culture. CHECK IT OUT
$25 Off Your Next Edit!
For being a newsletter subscriber, please take $25 off your next edit with Inventing Reality Editing Service. When scheduling your edit, be sure to mention you’re a subscriber and give the email where you received this newsletter. Minimum order of $200. Offer expires Jan. 14, 2025. SCHEDULE EDIT
My name is Rob Bignell. I’m an affordable, professional editor who runs Inventing Reality Editing Service, which meets the manuscript needs of both aspiring and published writers and offers a variety of self-publishing services. During the past 15 years, I’ve helped more than 400 novelists and nonfiction authors obtain their publishing dreams at reasonable prices. I’m also the author of a novel, the Storytelling 101 Quick Read series, four children’s books, more than 25 bestselling hiking guidebooks, and even a book of poetry. Several of my short stories in the literary and science fiction genres also have been published.
Discover more from Inventing Reality Editing Service
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.