Sometimes after finishing a nonfiction book, readers want to review a specific concept or idea that appears on only a few pages of the volume. The table of contents probably is too general to give them the exact page numbers that they want to read. Instead, they turn to the index. Indexes offer alphabetized listings ofContinue reading “How to Create an Index for Your Nonfiction Book”
Author Archives: Rob Bignell
Professional Editor of African-American Fiction
Affordable Book Editing | Novels | Short Stories
Sales Advantages of Writing Nonfiction Books
If you’ve got ideas for both a novel and a nonfiction book, you may want to write the latter first. If only from a sales perspective, nonfiction books tend to garner more sales than novels. According to a recent Gallup poll, 46 percent of Americans have nonfiction book on their nightstands; in contrast, only 35 percentContinue reading “Sales Advantages of Writing Nonfiction Books”
Use Stock Art to Create Cover Inexpensively
When creating a cover for your self-published book, you’ll probably need a single, striking photograph or illustration that draws in readers. Since you’re a writer, not a photographer or illustrator, this can pose a problem. Where will you get such an image? Purchasing stock art can be a low-cost effective solution. Stock art are photographs andContinue reading “Use Stock Art to Create Cover Inexpensively”
Four Writing Prompts: Vengeance
Good stories center on the clashing of characters’ goals and motivations. Sometimes a character’s goals and motivations arise from seeking retribution for an injustice either real or perceived. Here are four writing prompts for stories that center on vengeance. Man vs. natureIn an act of revenge, a man sabotages a boat or a small plane, leavingContinue reading “Four Writing Prompts: Vengeance”
Be alert, get it right: Conscience vs. conscious
Every writer, in conscience, should know the difference between these two words. Conscience refers to one’s moral conduct. For example: Having to tell a lie wracked Tara’s conscience. Conscious refers to one’s perception or awareness – hence, you can be unconscious. For example, Cheri was fully conscious of what the judge’s words meant. Or Getting hit in the head withContinue reading “Be alert, get it right: Conscience vs. conscious”
Pit Story’s Hero Against Society to Create Conflict
Rather than take on another individual, the main character could find himself in conflict with an entire society. When the main character or small group of characters take on the greater culture – who usually are represented by a group of authority figures or “upstanding” citizens – the author is using a man vs. society conflict.Continue reading “Pit Story’s Hero Against Society to Create Conflict”
Five Great Quotations about the Power of Writing
“There are two kinds of writer: those that make you think, and those that make you wonder.” – Brian Aldiss “A writer is someone who can make a riddle out of an answer.” – Karl Kraus “To achieve lasting literature, fictional or factual, a writer needs perceptive vision, absorptive capacity, and creative strength.” – Lawrence ClarkContinue reading “Five Great Quotations about the Power of Writing”
Writing Inspiration: What are Your Goals?
For novice and unpublished writers, questions often are more important than answers. What are your writing goals? What skills do you need to achieve that goal? How can you learn those skills you don’t have? ______________ My name is Rob Bignell. I’m an affordable, professional editor who runs Inventing Reality Editing Service, which meets the manuscript needs ofContinue reading “Writing Inspiration: What are Your Goals?”
Professional Editor of Historical Fiction
Affordable Book Editing | Novels | Short Stories