Give Your Story Oomph! with Narrative Drive – Inventing Reality’s Newsletter for May 26, 2026

Craft of Writing: Give Your Story Oomph! with Narrative Drive
Ever read a story before bed and find it so gripping that you stay up far later than you should just to find out what is going to happen? If so, you’ve been a “victim” of narrative drive. READ MORE

Writing Advice: Using a Writing Process When Writing Nonfiction
One of the biggest mistakes aspiring authors make is denying that they’re following a process when writing a book. These writers often say they write “from the seat of their pants.” Yet, every writer goes through five basic steps if they finish and publish their nonfiction book. Understanding those five basic steps can help authors identify why they’re having trouble writing. Maybe their book idea isn’t very good. Possibly they haven’t thought through it enough. Maybe they’re not revising it efficiently. My book Following a Writing Process for Nonfiction takes you through the five steps of the writing process. Among the many topics covered include brainstorming story ideas, outlining the book, drafting it, revising, and formatting. SEE BOOK

Writing Tip: Substantive Edit Needed Early in Writing Process
A substantive edit generally is needed after the writer has taken the manuscript through at least one draft. That is, the manuscript is “completed” with no missing parts. A substantive editor may find that additional parts need to be written, but before the edit begins, at least in the writer’s mind, the manuscript is “complete.” READ MORE

Self-Publishing Tip: Pros and Cons of Using Draft2Digital for Book Sales
A number of self-publishing companies exist, and most are rip-offs. Yes, they may turn out a quality-looking product, but they don’t get you an Amazon.com landing page for your title or you’re unable to sell your title across several platforms such as iBook or Nook. Worse, they are extremely expensive. So what about Draft2Digital, especially with its new fees? READ MORE

This Week’s Podcast: Top 5 Habits All Writers Should Possess
Despite widely varying writing styles, almost all writers share several common habits that help ensure their success. Drawing upon my experience working as an editor with hundreds of authors and having read far more interviews of or essays by writers, I’ve noticed five common habits among them. LISTEN TO PODCAST

Book Marketing Tip: Sell More Books via Email Marketing Campaign
The key to selling books is to “make contact with” or reach potential readers of your titles. After all, if a reader doesn’t know about your book, she can’t purchase it. Among the best ways to reach readers is through email marketing. READ MORE

Client Spotlight: “Universal Intelligence” by Mike Steinle
A recent client of mine has published his book that I edited in spring, Universal Intelligence. Mike Steinle’s book posits that there is a universal intelligence that underlies everything that exists, and that you by accessing it, you can:
• Discover who you really are and why you are here.
• Achieve all of your goals and aspirations.
• Gain the knowledge you need to build and live your best life here and now.
• Protect yourself and the people you care about from the mayhem in the world.
• Find the answers to your questions about life and its true meaning.
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 June 2, 2026. 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 425 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.