Inventing Reality Editing Service

Unfold action to develop a stronger story

Most stories unfold in the same way: The main character encounters a problem, he attempts in various ways to overcome the problem, and ultimately he succeeds.

For example, in the “Star Trek: The Original Series” episode “Devil in the Dark”, Captain Kirk faces the problem of stopping what appears to be a monster that is killing miners on the planet Janus VI. He attempts to solve the problem by hunting down the creature. He ultimately succeeds in stopping the murders by making contact with the creature and coming to an understanding of and agreement with it.

Of course, the plot of a story is more complicated than this. But the way action unfolds in most stories can be divided into distinct parts. Being aware of these parts can help you better develop a story.

There are five general parts of a plot:
• Inciting incident - During the first paragraphs of a story, the main character, the problem he faces and the setting is introduced. This part sometimes is referred to as the “introduction” or the “opening.” In “Devil in the Dark,” we also learn that some of the miners doubt Kirk’s ability to solve the problem, which will complicate his efforts later in the episode.
• Rising action - The bulk of the story consists of the rising action, in which the main character attempts to solve his problem. He repeatedly fails, however, causing the situation becomes even more dire for him. This part also is known as the “complication”. During the hunt, Kirk loses a man, finds the station’s nuclear reactor pump has been stolen, almost dies during a cave-in and then is cornered by the creature.
• Climax - Ultimately, the main character solves the problem through some great, dramatic effort. Discovering the creature is intelligent, Kirk orders Spock to mind meld with the creature and Dr. McCoy to heal its wound; this allows Kirk and the creature (which calls itself a Horta) to come to an agreement: the miners will stop killing its young and it will stop killing the miners.
• Falling action - This extremely short section of the plot occurs immediately after the climax. It deals with the effects of the climax on the main character. Kirk now champions the Horta’s cause and stops the miners from attacking it.
• Denouement - The “conclusion” occurs in the last few sentences of the story. The loose ends of the story are tied up at this point. Back aboard their starship, Kirk, Spock and McCoy discuss (er, joke) about the philosophical implications of the Horta’s intelligence; we also learn that the miners and Horta are getting along fine.

Need an editor? Having your book, business document or academic paper proofread or edited before submitting it can prove invaluable. In an economic climate where you face heavy competition, your writing needs a second eye to give you the edge. Whether you come from a big city like Orlando, Florida, or a small town like Beer Bottle Crossing, Idaho, I can provide that second eye.

Wisconsin paper features '7 Minutes a Day...'

The Dunn County News ran an article this past weekend about my latest set of books, the “7 Minutes a Day…” writing guides. “In these comprehensive yet practical and useful guidebooks, Bignell helps writers navigate one of the fastest growing realms of the book world: self-publishing,” the News wrote. “An incredible 1,185,445 books were self-published during 2011, and that number is expected to grow during the decade ahead.” The “7 Minutes a Day…” series consists of three books, each focusing on a different topic: writing a novel; self-publishing a book; and promoting a self-published book. The Dunn County News is located in Menomonie, Wis., my hometown.

Need an editor? Having your book, business document or academic paper proofread or edited before submitting it can prove invaluable. In an economic climate where you face heavy competition, your writing needs a second eye to give you the edge. Whether you come from a big city like Augusta, Georgia, or a small town like Funk, Ohio, I can provide that second eye.

Five great quotations for aspiring writers

“First you’re an unknown, then you write one book and you move up to obscurity.” – Martin Myers

“When a man is in doubt about this or that in his writing, it will often guide him if he asks himself how it will tell a hundred years hence.” – Samuel Butler

“I love being a writer. What I can't stand is the paperwork.” – Peter De Vries

“A writer and nothing else: a man alone in a room with the English language, trying to get human feelings right.” – John K. Hutchens

“The only thing I was fit for was to be a writer, and this notion rested solely on my suspicion that I would never be fit for real work, and that writing didn’t require any.” – Russell Baker

Need an editor? Having your book, business document or academic paper proofread or edited before submitting it can prove invaluable. In an economic climate where you face heavy competition, your writing needs a second eye to give you the edge. Whether you come from a big city like Portland, Oregon, or a small town like Papa, Hawaii, I can provide that second eye.

Editing client’s sales motivation book published

Dynast Amir, an editing client of mine this winter, has released his first book, “Get Off You Ass and Cold Call!!!” The self-help/sales motivation book serves as a reminder to not only sales professionals but to people in all walks of life, that to accomplish everything your heart desires, one must pay a price. This “price,” simply stated, is hard work. Amir was an American Family Insurance ALL-USA first team running back from California in 1999 and signed with Georgia. He’s now in sales in the Los Angeles area. Amir’s book is available at Amazon.com.

Need an editor? Having your book, business document or academic paper proofread or edited before submitting it can prove invaluable. In an economic climate where you face heavy competition, your writing needs a second eye to give you the edge. Whether you come from a big city like Boston, Massachusetts, or a small town like Boston, Georgia, I can provide that second eye.

Editing client releases literary romance novel

An editing client of my mine from this past autumn has published her first novel. Jana Meador’s “Edward Hewitt’s Story” takes us through the life of the title’s namesake and the legacies of a silver lighter and a vintage ring that have been in his family for more than a century. After young Edward meets the smart and beautiful Dorothy Harris, who forever captures his heart, World War II interrupts their lives. When Edward’s plane is shot down, and the love letters stop arriving from him, Dorothy refuses to accept that he may have died. Her strong love for Edward and her sixth sense keep her believing that her husband will come home. Will he? “Edward Hewitt’s Story” is available online at Amazon.com.

Need an editor? Having your book, business document or academic paper proofread or edited before submitting it can prove invaluable. In an economic climate where you face heavy competition, your writing needs a second eye to give you the edge. Whether you reside in Winston-Salem, North Carolina...Jersey City, New Jersey...or anywhere else in the United States, I can provide that second eye.

Editor reading his novel ‘Windmill’ in Hudson, WI

I’ll be reading from and singing my novel, Windmill on Saturday, Feb. 23, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Chapter 2 bookstore in historic downtown Hudson, Wis. An independently owned bookstore, Chapter 2 sells a number of locally authored books and regularly hosts book readings and signings. Windmill tells the story of Carl Steinar and his sons, Peter and Lyle, who for 15 years have maintained a tenuous balance, keeping together their family and farm on the western plains of Nebraska. Like blades in a well-oiled windmill, each works in harmony with the other. But when Abbie Blaire, the new reporter in town comes to write a story about them, a monkey wrench is thrown into their perfect machine: She is the spitting image of the wife and mother the Steinar men lost years ago. They soon find themselves on new trajectories in which their needs and goals can only collide. You can purchase copies of “Windmill” in advance of the book reading/signing (or on that day!) at Chapter 2.

Need an editor? Having your book, business document or academic paper proofread or edited before submitting it can prove invaluable. In an economic climate where you face heavy competition, your writing needs a second eye to give you the edge. Whether you live in Garland, Texas...Anaheim, California...or anywhere else in the United States, I can provide that second eye.

Editing client publishes his first YA fantasy novel

An editing client of mine from this winter, Pat Mallon, has published his first novel, “Seefer Elliot and the World Aside Ours”. The book tells the story of Seefer Elliot, a twelve-year-old boy who thinks his life stinks. He’s at constant odds with his mother. The kids at school relentlessly tease him. And not a day goes by where something near him doesn’t break or burst into flames. Just when he thought things couldn't get any worse, his school is overtaken by an otherworldly foe. Now the kid nobody wanted around is the most wanted one in this existence. He faces the decision to flee for his own safety, or use his burgeoning superpower to battle the enemy who seeks control over it. The book is available at Amazon.com.

Need an editor? Having your book, business document or academic paper proofread or edited before submitting it can prove invaluable. In an economic climate where you face heavy competition, your writing needs a second eye to give you the edge. Whether you live in Irving, Texas...Tulsa, Oklahoma...or anywhere else in the United States, I can provide that second eye.

Editing client publishes his first thriller

An editing client of mine from last year, Freddy Howard, had published his first novel, “Luke 11:24 (The Dark Obsession of a Killer Clergy)”. When a woman’s body is found in Otay Lake with a crucifix around her neck, a trail of mutilated victims, a dead policeman, and a mysterious pregnancy leads Jack Dunn, a retiring San Diego homicide detective, to believe his long-time friend, Father Antonio Florentino, is a serial killer. Dunn is determined to bring him to justice, but there is a deeper, dark secret for which none can escape – a force born in the purgatory between good and evil. “Luke 11:24” can be purchased at Amazon.com.

Need an editor? Having your book, business document or academic paper proofread or edited before submitting it can prove invaluable. In an economic climate where you face heavy competition, your writing needs a second eye to give you the edge. Whether you reside in Plano, Texas, or Columbus, Ohio, or anywhere else in the United States, I can provide that second eye.

'7 Minutes a Day...' books on sale in Eau Claire

Each of the three books in my 7 Minutes a Day… writing guide series are now on sale at the Volume One store in downtown Eau Claire. Volume One, the premier news guide to entertainment and the arts in the Chippewa Valley, boasts an art gallery and store that sells all things “Eau Claire." The three books on sale include:
• 7 Minutes a Day to Your Bestseller
• 7 Minutes a Day to Self-Publishing a Book
• 7 Minutes a Day to Promoting Your Book
Volume One carries a large collection of other Chippewa Valley writers’ books as well. It is located at 205 N. Dewey St.

Need an editor? Having your book, business document or academic paper proofread or edited before submitting it can prove invaluable. In an economic climate where you face heavy competition, your writing needs a second eye to give you the edge. Whether you reside in Fort Wayne, Indiana, or Santa Ana, California, I can provide that second eye.

Editing client publishes her first fantasy novel

An editing client of client from last year, Stacy May Meppen, has published her first novel. “Embers of Adam: In the Beginning” tells the story of Gloria, a teen girl struggling with finishing her senior year, her alcoholic mother, and whatever boyfriend-of-the-month she has at the time. As if this isn’t enough, she unknowingly finds herself the pawn between the two warring nations of the Mörkrai on the Isle of Nammu. Gloria must decide if what she is dreaming and feeling are real or simply imagined. If Gloria fails to see the truth, the Mörkrai will perish, along with her chance at true love. “Embers of Adam” is available at Amazon.com.

Need an editor? Having your book, business document or academic paper proofread or edited before submitting it can prove invaluable. In an economic climate where you face heavy competition, your writing needs a second eye to give you the edge. Whether you reside in Glendale, Arizona, or Aurora, Colorado, I can provide that second eye.