Among the most common mistakes I see when editing novice writers’ manuscripts is the use of redundant words. A redundancy exists when the modifying words aren’t needed because they say exactly what the word being modified implies. For example, “rich heiress” is redundant as an heiress by definition is rich. Writer Samuel Delaney recommends a simpleContinue reading “Delete Redundancies for Tighter Manuscript”
Author Archives: Rob Bignell
Great Writing Quotes by Author Anne Sexton
I think of myself as writing for one person, that one perfect reader who understands and loves. The beautiful feeling after writing a poem is on the whole better even than after sex, and that’s saying a lot. All I am is the trick of words writing themselves. It’s a little mad, but I believeContinue reading “Great Writing Quotes by Author Anne Sexton”
Consider Using Counterplotting in Your Novel – Inventing Reality’s Newsletter for July 8, 2025
Plotting Your Book: Consider Using Counterplotting in Your Novel One solid plotting strategy for a long novel – though it also will work in a novella or a long short story – is to split the main characters into two groups and alternate the focus of scenes or chapters between them. The two groups then reuniteContinue reading “Consider Using Counterplotting in Your Novel – Inventing Reality’s Newsletter for July 8, 2025”
Great Writing Quotes by Author Andre Maurois
Almost all great writers have as their motif, more or less disguised, the passage from childhood to maturity, the clash between the thrill of expectation and the disillusioning knowledge of truth. ‘Lost Illusion’ is the undisclosed title of every novel. A great writer has a high respect for values. His essential function is to raiseContinue reading “Great Writing Quotes by Author Andre Maurois”
What is a Scene and a Vignette in Fiction? – Inventing Reality’s Newsletter for July 1, 2025
Plotting Your Book: What is a Scene and a Vignette in Fiction?A major division of a story is a scene, in which a dramatic action occurs, usually involving the same characters at a single locale. Stories typically consist of several scenes, all of which correspond with the opening, rising action, climax, falling action and denouement. READContinue reading “What is a Scene and a Vignette in Fiction? – Inventing Reality’s Newsletter for July 1, 2025”
Great Writing Quotes by Author Vanna Bonta
The real story is not the plot, but how the characters unfold by it. Teaching English and teaching Writing are two separate things. My primary motivation for writing is to communicate my perceptions and insights into the human condition, in a way that may provide understanding, comfort, and company to others. Language achieves soul onlyContinue reading “Great Writing Quotes by Author Vanna Bonta”
Use Reversals to Increase Suspense in Story – Inventing Reality’s Newsletter for June 24, 2025
Plotting Your Book: Use Reversals to Increase Suspense in StoryAs your main character attempts to resolve the story’s central problem, he should suffer reversals. Reversals occur when the main character’s effort to solve the crisis actually worsens the situation so that the problem is more difficult to rectify. READ MORE Marketing Tips: How to Build YourContinue reading “Use Reversals to Increase Suspense in Story – Inventing Reality’s Newsletter for June 24, 2025”
Great Writing Quotes by Author Graham Swift
When I am writing, I’m very much on the ground, on the same ground my characters are treading. If you can’t stand your own company alone in a room for long hours, or, when it gets tough, the feeling of being in a locked cell, or, when it gets tougher still, the vague feeling ofContinue reading “Great Writing Quotes by Author Graham Swift”
How to Build a Scene for Your Story – Inventing Reality’s Newsletter for June 17, 2025
Plotting Your Book: How to Build a Scene for Your Story When penning a story, concentrating on its smallest chunk – the scene – marks a good approach. Rather than be overwhelmed by the complexity and multiple layers of the entire story, focusing on this basic dramatic unit makes writing more manageable. READ MORE The Best Guide toContinue reading “How to Build a Scene for Your Story – Inventing Reality’s Newsletter for June 17, 2025”
Great Writing Quotes by Author Barbara Pym
The small things of life were often so much bigger than the great things . . . the trivial pleasure like cooking, one’s home, little poems especially sad ones, solitary walks, funny things seen and overheard. Of course it’s all right for librarians to smell of drink. My thoughts went round and round and itContinue reading “Great Writing Quotes by Author Barbara Pym”