Plotting Your Book: Use Broad Conflict to Set Your Story in Motion
Almost all stories force the main character to solve several problems. The issues of where to hide, of finding a way to send a message for help, of obtaining a weapon to defend oneself, all might appear within a single chapter of a novel or even a lone scene of a short story. One core problem, though, sets into motion the need to address these other issues. READ MORE
How to Write Engaging, Natural Dialogue in Your Story
One of the most important tools in your writing kit is dialogue. It can help develop your characters, move the plot forward, increase tension, and establish a scene’s mood. Unfortunately, sometimes novice writers write dull dialogue. Like a flat tire that slows your vehicle to a near stop, so dull dialogue can quickly bring your story to a near halt. My guidebook Write Engaging, Natural Dialogue is all about helping beginning writers better understand how to pen conversations between characters. If you’ve already written a story and know the dialogue is weak, the tips in this book can help you diagnose and fix the problem. SEE BOOK
Writing Tip: Benefits, Pitfalls of Flat Characters
When a character doesn’t change and is fairly uncomplicated, it is said to be a flat character. Its opposite is a round character, which has dimension and develops over the course of the story. READ MORE
Self-Publishing Tip: How to Format Your Self-Published Book’s Text
Text, chapter headers, drop caps, alignment, justification – are you ready to format your book for publication? READ MORE
This Week’s Podcast: Your Story’s Main Character Must Fail
Typically a story is about a single character who overcomes some problem. This player in your story is called the main character or protagonist. One common trait of your main character is that s/he will fail for much of the story. LISTEN TO PODCAST
Book Marketing Tip: Avoid These Flubs When Seeking Book Signing
Certainly one of the promotional efforts you’ll want to undertake with your self-published book is a public book reading/signing. Such a reading/signing can help your book get press coverage in local media and help fulfill your personal dream of living the author’s life. READ MORE
Client Spotlight: “Whispers to George” by Lauri Burns
A recent editing client of mine – Lauri Burns – has published her self-help book and memoir, Whispers to George! If you have a hard time believing in a God of Judgment, a fat pot belly buddha or any pit of hell theory, this book is proof that you can pray to anything… a tree, a rainbow of even your dog and the big guy (or girl) will pick up your mail wherever you leave it. This series of books details the crazy events that occurred while praying to George Burns, an actor who played God in a 1980’s movie. 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 25, 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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