Plotting Your Book: Create a Riveting Opener for Your Story
A vital part of your story is the opening lines, also known as the inciting incident. In this section of your story, we learn who the main character is, the central problem facing him and a little about the setting. READ MORE
Make Sure the First Page of Your Story is the Best it can Be
My writing guidebook Write Your Story’s First Page looks at the 11 must-have components of your story’s first 250 words. These include starting in the middle of your story, writing a killer first line, introducing your protagonist, and more. Being aware of what readers need and expect from the first page of the book – even though they often aren’t aware themselves of those elements – is vital to ensuring you make the most of your story’s opener. SEE BOOK
Writing Tip: Show Don’t Tell When Writing Story Dialogue
All too often, new writers fall into the error of telling instead of showing. This occurs, for example, when the narrator states how character feels rather than using concrete details from which the feeling can be inferred. So instead of saying, Suzanne was feeling naughty infer it by writing Suzanne ran finger along his arm. READ MORE
Self-Publishing Tip: Five Tips for Taking a Book Cover Photo
The truth is you’re probably a better photographer than you realize. We live in a very visual society, and with the advent of avatars, selfies, and Instagram, we constantly take photos. Still, there are some basic guidelines that professional photographers follow that you’ll want to consider. READ MORE
This Week’s Podcast: How to Come Up with an Awesome Story Title
Selecting a title marks one of the most important decisions you’ll make about your story. The title blares across a novel’s cover and is listed in a magazine’s table of contents. LISTEN TO PODCAST
Book Marketing Tip: Being an Indie Writer Means You’re a Business
Among the best things about being an indie writer is control. You control when your book comes out, you decide what the cover will look like, you determine if a chapter will be edited out, you select where you’ll go on any promotional tours. In short, you are the publisher. And that makes you a business. READ MORE
Client Spotlight: “First Awakening: A Spiritual Memoir” by John Roger Barrie
An editing client of mine, John Roger Barrie, has published his third book, First Awakening: A Spiritual Memoir! In 1974, a teen overturns his car on Sunset Boulevard in front of a statue of Jesus. Three months later, his life is forever changed. One young man’s mystical journey in the autumn of 1974 turned his world upside down. In this riveting narrative, Barrie recounts a ninety-day transformational spiritual experience. His fascinating quest, filled with inner discoveries, insights, and revelations, unfolds as he searches for his soul. 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 Feb. 18, 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.
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