• Hello, My Name Is: How a Great Intro Will Chart Your Book’s Path.

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      Why Writing an Introduction Helps Chart Your Book’s Path. Imagine you have a map in front of you, but for some reason there is no starting point to lead your journey in the right direction. The same sentiment can be felt when you read a manuscript that doesn’t have a Preface/Introduction/Prologue section to briefly explain to readers the purpose of the book; it gives a fifty-fifty shot to readers of whether they will understand the book’s purpose within the first few pages or not at all. So, what better way to begin your book “on the right foot” than by creating an engaging…

  • Back to School To Re-Start Your Book

    Back to “School” To Re-Start Your Book

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    The idea has been realized; the outline has been established; maybe a couple of pages have already been written for the book that has been placed on your heart to write. Yet as with all writers, regardless of education, skill set or experience, obstacles will come about to impede progress and, if left unchecked, will cause a promising book to be shelved indefinitely. One recognized obstacle that can emerge happens to occur within the writer, you: the belief that you don’t have business writing a book on this particular topic. Such a thought could be disastrous to the incubation of…

  • writing historical fiction, characters historical fiction

    How-To Write: All About Historical Fiction, Real Characters

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    In historical fiction, your focus as the author may be toward authenticating the setting, presenting believable characters and creating a compelling storyline that will grab readers and hold their attention from beginning to end. What can be an aspect missed while writing historical fiction is the opportunity to allow readers access to the main characters’ thoughts, feelings and beliefs through inner monologues. The reason could be that the author may see the story as what will be the relatable factor for readers, or maybe a hesitance to put oneself into the characters’ mindsets at that particular time period and produce…

  • writing a children's book, plots for a childrens book, characters in a childrens story, how to write books for children

    The Most Common Mistake in Writing a Children’s Book—and How to Avoid It

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    Who doesn’t have a children’s book that they have cherished and grown to love over time, hoping to share with their children when they reach the right age? This month we’re talking about writing and self-publishing children’s books on the blog, and it reminds me of my love of reading—and how I don’t have enough fingers to count the number of books I read as a child, and still love to read as an adult. Children’s books regularly come through our editorial fingers, but what has become a noticeable trend in manuscripts is content gaps in storylines: characters disappearing and reappearing…