Let’s rewind for a moment. Back in 2015, self-publishing was the scrappy underdog, creative, underestimated, and often dismissed by the traditional publishing world. Authors who were tired of waiting for approval from gatekeepers took matters into their own hands, armed with a story and a stubborn streak of determination. Fast...
Ever stumbled over a sentence that’s way too long, too confusing, or just… complicated? It might just be a complex sentence! While they might sound intimidating, complex sentences are simply the superheroes of the grammar world, helping writers convey more ideas, details, and nuance without sounding like a run-on mess....
Picture Sherlock Holmes without his deerstalker hat and pipe, or Harry Potter minus that lightning bolt scar. Still compelling? Absolutely. Strip away Batman’s cape or Hermione’s bushy hair, and you’d still recognize these characters by their wit, determination, and distinct personalities. That’s because truly memorable characters are built from the...
Would you ever hit “rewind” on life and relive a moment? Maybe not when you spilled coffee during a job interview, but the good moments, like a first win or a meaningful conversation. In storytelling, writers have a tool for that: it’s called a flashback. What is a flashback, you...
Ever tried assembling IKEA furniture without the manual? You’ve got 46 oddly shaped pieces, 22 screws, and a growing sense of doom. That’s exactly what writing feels like without text structure—confusing, chaotic, and likely to collapse under the weight of its own ambition. So, what is text structure? Simply put,...
Imagine Star Wars without Luke Skywalker. Or Marvel without Iron Man. Actually, don’t—because that sounds like a snooze-fest. Even the dullest hero has their place, and it’s thanks to a storytelling cheat code that’s been hardwired into our brains since the days of campfire tales and epic poems: archetypal characters....
Have you ever dreamed of sharing your love story with the world? Whether it’s a whirlwind romance, a slow-burn connection, or an unexpected twist, your story deserves to be read. If you’ve already written it, maybe it’s tucked away in a drawer or hidden in your laptop; you’ve taken the...
Faced with two versions of the same book, one abridged, one unabridged, and wondering which to choose? You’re not alone. It’s one of those small literary decisions that somehow feels oddly high-stakes. Maybe you’re shopping for an audiobook and notice one is five hours shorter. Or you’re browsing the classics...
Picture this: you’ve just typed the final word of your children’s book, a story that’s been dancing in your imagination for years, now beautifully captured on the page. You breathe a sigh of relief, thinking the hard part is over. However, reality soon sets in: publishing is only half the...
Not all kids’ books are created equal. Imagine trying to read a picture book to a 15-year-old or handing a gritty YA novel to a preschooler. It’s like serving broccoli ice cream to a toddler; they just won’t bite! When it comes to writing children’s books, one size does not...
In the grand buffet of storytelling, the novella is the perfect middle course, more filling than a short story, yet lighter than a full-length novel. It’s the literary equivalent of tapas: quick to consume, but deeply satisfying. Typically ranging between 20,000 and 50,000 words, novellas offer rich plots and memorable...
Self-publishing a book is like planning a surprise party for yourself. There’s excitement, a dash of chaos, and a lot of last-minute scrambling, but when done right, it’s all worth it. Unlike the traditional publishing process, where you’re left waiting (and waiting) for approvals from established publishing houses, self-publishing puts...
