Create an Uncertain Outcome for Your Main Character – Inventing Reality’s Newsletter for June 9, 2026

Craft of Writing: Create an Uncertain Outcome for Your Main Character
If you’re story feels flat, you may want to look at the plot and ask yourself, “Do my readers have a sense of anticipation yet uncertainty about what will come next?” If the answer is “No,” then your story lacks suspense. READ MORE

The Ultimate Guide to Self-Publishing Your Book
You’ve written a book that’s languishing on your computer hard drive. You don’t have time to pitch it to a literary agent or a major publisher … work or school is hectic, the house needs to be cleaned, the kids demand your attention … But we bet you can find just seven minutes a day to achieve your dream of getting it published. If you can, my book 7 Minutes a Day to a Self-Published Book is for you. This practical, how-to guide takes you step-by-step through the self-publishing process – with just seven minutes of work required a day. You’ll complete short, skillful exercises that allow you to self-publish your novel or nonfiction title as you read the book, all the while getting the encouragement and motivation needed to keep you going. SEE BOOK

Writing Tip: Consider Using Man vs. Nature Conflict in Story
When developing your story, you’ll want your characters to face a number of challenges or conflicts. One of the most basic of them is man vs. nature. In this conflict, the characters find their goals jeopardized by the natural forces of the universe: the cold of an ice age, dangerous plants and animals in an alien jungle, or the vacuum of space. READ MORE

Self-Publishing: Common Questions about Publishing Ebooks
As a book editor, I get a number of questions about publishing ebooks, especially since this is such a new field. Here are the answers to a few that have been asked a lot of me during the past few weeks. READ MORE

This Week’s Podcast: The ‘Thinking Step’ when Writing Your Book
If you’re putting your pen to paper or fingers to keyboard for the first time on a story, you really aren’t starting at all. You probably “started” writing the piece some time before – in your head. That “thinking step” is known in the ⁠writing process⁠ as brainstorming. LISTEN TO PODCAST

Book Marketing Tip: Entice Readers with Excerpt from Next Book
If you’ve already started writing the next book you plan to publish, the back of the one you’re about to release is a great place to promote it. You might do that by offering readers an excerpt of your next book. This is particularly popular among novelists. READ MORE

“The Zen of Kata” by Alex W. Tong
A recent editing client of mine, biomedical scientist and sensei Alex W. Tong, has published what without doubt is the book on traditional Shotokan Karate-dō. Chockful of photos, easy to follow instructions, and contemporary scientific insights, “The Zen of Kata” details all of the health benefits of this Eastern practice and explains how to do it. CHECK IT OUT

Get a Coloring Book for Your Kids – or Yourself!
My latest writing project is coloring books! I’ve just released 21 mostly nature-themed books about California, Arizona and Wisconsin. Books range from national parks to wildlife and wildflowers. There’s even one for my hometown, which I did just for fun! Thirty-three accurately detailed drawings wait to be colored in each book. Beneath every drawing is an interesting fact about the picture. They are intended for older elementary school children (grades 3-7) and adults who still have a little kid in them. All books are available on Amazon and for retailers at Ingram. I’ll be at Dragon Tale Books (Menomonie, Wisconsin) later this month to promote them. 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 16, 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.