Category Archives: Uncategorized

It’s easy to get it’s vs. its right – and your readers will appreciate its correct usage. “It’s” is a contraction for “it is”, as in It’s just like the one my father wore. (“It is just like the one my father wore.”) “Its” is the possessive form of “it”, as in The sun shined high overhead, its brightnessContinue reading “Get it right: Its vs. it’s”

When promoting your self-published book, consider offering additional valuable content. This tried-and-true technique can drive readers to a service you provide or to other books you are selling. Your book already is valuable content. But after the reader finishes it, you only can hope that the reader takes the next step of hiring you for theContinue reading “Offer Valuable Content to Increase Sales”

“It is perfectly okay to write garbage – as long as you edit brilliantly.” – C. J. Cherryh “PROOF-READER, n. A malefactor who atones for making your writing nonsense by permitting the compositor to make it unintelligible.” – Ambrose Bierce, “The Devil’s Dictionary” “I believe more in the scissors than I do in the pencil.” –Continue reading “Five Great Quotations about Editing”

If blocked while writing the opening of your story, approach the story sideways. Start in the middle or with a scene that is more fully formed in your head. A sculptor, after all, doesn’t have to start with the feet or the crown of the head but can begin at any portion of the statue. HeContinue reading “Writing Inspiration: Approach Story Sideways”

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”

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”

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”

“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”

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?”