Use Subplot to Give Story More Depth – Inventing Reality’s Newsletter for Sept. 16, 2025

Plotting Your Book: Use Subplot to Give Story More Depth
One way to give your story depth is to include a subplot, which is a secondary plot line. This sometimes is referred to as the B story, a term from screenwriting. 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: Most Popular Point of View Types in Stories
Among the most important decisions a fiction writer can make is what point of view to use in a story. Point of view determines what aspects of a story will be left out and deeply affects how the reader relates to the main character and interprets the tale’s message. The various points of view available to novelists and short story writers generally are grouped into three categories: first person; second person; and third person. READ MORE

Self-Publishing Tip: You’ve Self-Published? You’re a Sole Proprietor!
The moment you’ve self-published a book – presuming you’ve done nothing else to set up your business – you’re a sole proprietor. That’s right, you’ve started your own business, ipso facto! READ MORE

This Week’s Podcast: Use Third-Person Objective for Neutral Narration
A popular third-person point of view in fiction is third-person objective. This occurs when a narrator outside of the story tells what occurs without giving the characters’ internal thoughts, opinions or feelings. LISTEN TO PODCAST

Book Marketing Tip: Use Various Kinds of Presentations to Pitch Book
Public presentations are a great way for authors to sell their books. Usually such presentations allow you to get publicity for the event, meaning that those attending usually have a strong interest in your book’s topic. Such a captive audience can be introduced to other books you’ve written, increasing sales of your older titles. READ MORE

Client Spotlight: “The Jungle Didn’t Kill Me” by Shamso Abdullahi Ahmed
A summer editing client has published her first book – the memoir The Jungle Didn’t Kill Me. Written by Shamso Abdullahi Ahmed, the book recounts her journey from war-torn Somalia to the United States. During the civil war, she lost her mother as a young girl. Orphaned, she began her journey to start a new life, first traveling to Kenya then South Africa, where she is betrayed and forced to continue her journey. After flying to Brazil, she traverses South and Central America on foot until she can reach the United States and find a new home that offers her peace and freedom. The Jungle Didn’t Kill Me is available in paperback and ebook. 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 Sept. 23, 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.