Author Archives: Rob Bignell

Craft of Writing: Maintain the Reader’s IllusionWhen writing any story, your goal ought to be to create and maintain a fictional dream, or an “illusion that there is no filter between reader and events that the reader is actually experiencing what he is reading,” as the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, Inc. defines it. READ MOREContinue reading “Maintain the Reader’s Illusion – Inventing Reality’s Newsletter for Sept. 8, 2026”

Craft of Writing: Crack a Joke – But Only for a Good ReasonJust as in real life when humor is used to ease tension in social situations or to bond with another person, so jokes and comedy serves a purpose in your story. Unfortunately, a lot of novice writers don’t quite know when to inject humorContinue reading “Crack a Joke – But Only for a Good Reason – Inventing Reality’s Newsletter for Sept. 1, 2026”

Craft of Writing: Silence the Laugh TrackAnother way to tighten your writing is to leave out the laugh track. In comedy television shows, fake recorded laughter often is added to suggest that an audience is present – and to suggest to viewers at home that they also should find a joke humorous. In your story, aContinue reading “Silence the Laugh Track – Inventing Reality’s Newsletter for Aug. 25, 2026”

Craft of Writing: Switch out BookismsEver notice when reading a story that sometimes an odd word appears when “said” would do? For example, “Well, I’ve never!” she blustered. If so, you’ve just come across a bookism. A term coined by science fiction writer James Patrick Kelly, a bookism is a long word that means “said.” READContinue reading “Switch out Bookisms – Inventing Reality’s Newsletter for Aug. 18, 2026”