Always Start Your Story in the Middle – Inventing Reality’s Newsletter for Mar. 4, 2025

Plotting Your Book: Always Start Your Story in the Middle
An old but essential writing adage is “Start your story in the middle.” That is, rather than give background information about how the story’s main conflict came to be, instead start it by dropping the reader right into the hornet’s nest. READ MORE

Writing Advice: Mastering Point of View
For beginning writers, point of view often is the most difficult element to master. Without really understanding the role point of view plays in storytelling, aspiring authors frequently select the wrong one. Sometimes they prefer to write or read a specific point of view, so they just go with that, even though it’s not the best choice for their story. My book Mastering Point of View addresses those and many other issues writers face with this element of fiction. It examines the three main points of view – first, third and second – and the different forms each one can take. It looks at when using a specific point of view is to a story’s benefit and when it’s to the story’s detriment. It also discusses how to select your viewpoint character and why a consistent point of view is vital. SEE BOOK

Writing Tip: Select Your Viewpoint Character with Care
Every story is told from someone’s perspective. This someone is known as the viewpoint character. How do you decide who will be the viewpoint character? READ MORE

Self-Publishing Tip: What Goes on Your Book’s Copyright Page
When self-publishing your book, you’ll need a copyright page. The copyright page lists important information about your book for libraries, academicians and book distributors. READ MORE

This Week’s Podcast: Follow a ‘Process’ when Writing Your Book
When writing, you probably follow a process – that is, you go through a series of steps from the proverbial germ of an idea to (hopefully!) its publication. Of course, very few people actually follow these steps in a precise, military drill order. LISTEN TO PODCAST

Book Marketing Tip: Make First Book in Your Series Permanently Free
Perhaps the greatest challenge facing self-published writers is getting their name and book title in front of people. That’s especially difficult when hundreds of books are published every day. One long-term solution to help overcome this problem is to make the first book in your series permanently free. READ MORE

Client Spotlight: “Stolen Diamonds, Lost Rubies” by Dr Q
A recent editing client of mine – Dr Q  – has published her first book of poetry, Stolen Diamonds, Lost Rubies! This collection of poems explores the perceptions and realities of those of a lesser social standing, those torn apart by violence yet feel there is no way out, the plight of the marginalized, and those with mental illness. This collection is an exploration of hope, redemption, resilience, and the enduring human spirit – it’s a gritty observation of the forgotten souls who dwell in neglect and isolation, the umbrage of society. 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 March 11, 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.