Inventing Reality Editing Service

Avoid writing gimmick stories

Sometimes what seems at the outset like a great story idea really isn’t. Such is the case with the gimmick story.

This is a story in which character development takes a back seat to a big reveal or a shocking twist at the tale’s end. A good example would be in science fiction, when the evil alien invaders – whose frightful appearance and behavior raises tension through the story – turns out to be humanity. Or when the main character, usually an inept boy messing up a classroom assignment – actually is “God” creating our universe.

There are a number of reasons why gimmick plots almost never work. First, stories thrive on conflict that characters must overcome. Even if there is no great moral message (as is the case with a romance or a mystery novel), readers are able to identify with and root for characters who solve problems rather than those who do little of anything. Secondly, a gimmick story usually doesn’t ring true. That’s because to make the great reveal or twist ending work, plot holes often have to be glossed over, and so readers lose their suspension of disbelief. Ultimately, most gimmick stories are simply clichéd premises or plots. Perhaps for some deep Jungian reason, people constantly come up with plots that have already been done, such as the names of the last two survivors on a expedition to another planet turning out to be “Adam” and “Eve.”

Of course, there’s a fine line between a gimmick and a quality story, usually based on the reader’s experience and personal tastes. Just about all readers past their mid-20s will find almost any story using a Twilight Zone- or an O. Henry-styled ending to be a gimmick; a middle school reader, though, who’s encountering such an ending for the first time will find the story delightful and memorable. And, of course, sometimes just for nostalgia or because we agree with the gimmick story’s allegory, the twist ending is darn appealing.

Still, on balance, authors ought to avoid penning gimmick stories, unless it’s a really clever idea.

Professional Book Editor: Having your novel, short story or nonfiction manuscript 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 Indianapolis, Indiana, or a small town like Monkey's Eyebrow, Kentucky, I can provide that second eye.

Five Great Quotations about Fiction

“If it's fiction, then it better be true.” - Sherman Alexie

“Good fiction creates its own reality.” - Nora Roberts

“The difference between fiction and reality? Fiction has to make sense.” - Tom Clancy

“...required for good fiction: character, conflict, change through time. And if you're really blessed, you get resolution. But life doesn't usually work out that way.” - Ted Conover

“Fiction is the truth inside the lie.” - Stephen King

Professional Book Editor: Having your novel, short story or nonfiction manuscript 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 Columbus, Ohio, or a small town like Ricketts, Iowa, I can provide that second eye.

 

Writing Inspiration: Identify and rewrite

Failure can be a great a teacher. Look back at other works you’ve written but “failed” to complete. What was the obstacle that prevented you from completing it? The writing felt flat? No action occurred? The character wasn’t interesting? Identify the problem, research some tips for overcoming it (for example, use active rather than passive voice to give writing spunk), and then rewrite the piece utilizing the advice you’ve read.

Professional Book Editor: Having your novel, short story or nonfiction manuscript 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 Tulsa, Oklahoma, or a small town like Drain, Oregon, I can provide that second eye.

 

How to promote your book presentation

A book signing, reading or other presentation centered on your book obviously is a good way to promote your title. To be successful, however, your presentation will need to be promoted as well.

Some forms of promotion work far better than others. It mainly depends on where you are presenting the book.

If appearing at a bookstore, retailer or library, a press release to local newspapers, radio, TV stations, and bloggers who cover events in that area works best. Local media usually are eager to print releases (or to include them in calendars) for events in their area. Less effective is social media in which you contact your friends/followers, as they likely are scattered around the country. Instead, you want to get on your event promoted on your host’s Twitter, Facebook and other sites.

When appearing at conferences or workshops, a press release to local media largely will go ignored. Instead, focus on bloggers who write about the field your will present in, especially if those bloggers cover the organization hosting the conference or workshop. The most effective way to promote your presentation will be through that organization’s social media, since its members are the ones who will attend the conference/workshop.

Of course, mentioning on your blog and other social media sites that you are making a presentation doesn’t hurt. Just don’t expect your attendance to pick up much, if at all (The exception would be Facebook in which the majority of your friends live in the community where the event is held.). The real benefit of such social media exposure is that you give the appearance to anyone reading the tweet or post of being more than just an author. Instead, you are an author in demand, and that can raise the respect level for you as you seek new friends/followers. It even can bring in new business if your book relates to your occupation.

One thing NEVER to do is to pay for advertisement. You simply will not recoup the costs of an ad in a newspaper or on a radio station through book sales unless you the biggest of names in writing. In such a case, the host of your event will pay for advertising because your name will draw people to their store or institution.

Professional Book Editor: Having your novel, short story or nonfiction manuscript 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 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, or a small town like Cluttsville, Alabama, I can provide that second eye.

Writing Inspiration: Make yourself accountable

Making yourself accountable to another also is a good way of motivating yourself to achieve a goal. So tell you family you’re writing a book. Tell them it will come out next Thanksgiving. Are you feeling a little pressure? Good. Now go impress your family so you can show off copies of your book to them before everyone sits down to turkey, mashed potatoes and cranberries 365 days from now.

Professional Book Editor: Having your novel, short story or nonfiction manuscript 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 Youngstown, Ohio, or a small town like Hogshooter, Oklahoma, I can provide that second eye.

Editing client publishes first heroic fantasy novel

A recent editing client of mine has published his first heroic fantasy novel. Robert E. Dudley II’s “Lady Dove: Jubilant Order of the Air” follows the story of the great Lady Dove, a legendary leader and unstoppable warrior. Yet as the Commander of the Jubilant Order of the Air, an epic fighting order, she is a failure.

Two of her members were taken by a Demon Lord from the Pits while she was in command. Twenty times her order descended into the fiery abyss to reclaim their fallen comrades. Each time was a failure. Now the Jubilant Order is no more, its members scattered to the far corners. Only Lady Dove remains.

Finding a powerful sage who augurs that her only hope to recover her fallen brothers is to align herself with Krayer, a fallen Paladin who leads an order of evil warriors, the Knights of the Bloody Rose. Lady Dove will stop at nothing to reclaim her lost members and reform her order – not even teeming up with the foul Lord of Death.

The book is available online.

Professional Book Editor: Having your novel, short story or nonfiction manuscript 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 Tucson, Arizona, or a small town like Zap, North Dakota, I can provide that second eye.

Writing Prompt: Outline a story idea

Suffering from writer’s block or need to add some spunk to your writing? The problem may be that you need to change up your routine.

To that end, try this tip: Outline a story idea in your project bible or journal. Do you prefer to use note cards? Beat-by-beat list? Flow chart? Did the method work well for you? Select another kernel of a story idea and try a different method of outlining it. Which of the two methods do you prefer?

Professional Book Editor: Having your novel, short story or nonfiction manuscript 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 Houston, Texas, or a small town like Chicken, Alaska, I can provide that second eye.

Editing client publishes book on synchronicity

A recent editing client of mine has published her first spiritual self-help book. Jenna Fuller Moore’s “The Secret Language of Synchronicity: Deciphering the Words & Wisdom of Meaningful Coincidence,” examines how the Universe answers different people through different types of coincidence.

Once we discover our unique style, it is easier to understand these personal signs and benefit from their meanings. The book explores the essential link between our intuition and flow, that wonderful stream of ongoing serendipities offered by the Universe. It delves into the how-to – attracting, understanding and responding to this higher wisdom, our potential to be transformed when we do, and the best benefit of all – how to lead happier, more meaningful lives.

The book is available online.

Professional Book Editor: Having your novel, short story or nonfiction manuscript 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 Las Vegas, Nevada, or a small town like Accident, Maryland, I can provide that second eye.

Five Great Quotations for Aspiring Writers

“If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot. There's no way around these two things that I’m aware of, no shortcut.” - Stephen King

“I meet far too many people who are going to be writers ‘someday.’” – Robin Hobb

“A professional writer is an amateur who didn’t quit.” - Richard Bach

“The darkness has ink eyes, and if you stare long enough, you’re going to see it blink black. That’s the moment to start writing.” - Jarod Kintz

“You will have the grace of writing, when you boldly begin to write your first sentences.” - Lailah Gifty Akita

Professional Book Editor: Having your novel, short story or nonfiction manuscript 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 Kansas City, Missouri, or a small town like Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, I can provide that second eye.

 

Writing Inspiration: Focus on the present

Focus on the present by taking note of what you do as writing. Note the feel of the pencil in your hand or hear the taps of the keys as you type. Concentrate on the words you add, as if hearing them spoken aloud. Zone out everything around you.

Professional Book Editor: Having your novel, short story or nonfiction manuscript 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 Birmingham, Alabama, or a small town like Buttzville, New Jersey, I can provide that second eye.