Campfire Stories As a Blueprint for Unforgettable Books
By: Ginger | Posted on June 13, 2025
What makes campfire stories so captivating? Aside from the atmosphere created by crackling flames and darkness held at bay by firelight, these stories grab our attention right away, hold us spellbound, and linger long after the last log burns out. These timeless storytelling techniques have thrilled listeners for generations and continue to shape the novels readers love most. From gripping openings to unforgettable endings, campfire stories follow a structure that speaks to something deep within us. In this week’s blog, Ginger breaks down those core elements and shows how they can serve as a blueprint for crafting fiction that sticks. Whether you’re revising your first draft or starting something new, this is a reminder of how powerful your storytelling can be when you tap into what has always worked. The other weekend, my wife and I escaped the stifling grind of suburban life for the rolling beauty of Belvidere, New… Read More >
Turning Inspiration Into Original Writing
By: Ginger | Posted on June 6, 2025
Most writers walk a line between influence and invention. What we grew up on, whether books, movies, or television shows, serve as creative fuel for both our conscious and subconscious mind. Just because a new book is inspired by a story from the past doesn’t mean it is inferior, or that the new work lacks originality. In this week’s blog, Ginger shares how his son’s Dragon Ball obsession recently sparked conversations about storytelling, creative “fixes,” and why influence is not the same as imitation. As Ginger explains, many of his own novels have been shaped by the iconic favorites of his youth. From anime and space operas to sword-wielding brutes, these inspirations helped form some of his most original ideas. In fact, it’s not uncommon for a single story to inspire generations of new ones, so instead of shying away from the stories that led you to writing in the… Read More >
Video Game TV Adaptations: Balancing Fidelity and Creativity
By: Ginger | Posted on May 30, 2025
Every author dreams of seeing their stories brought to life on screen, but the journey from page to production is full of creative risks. This is true no matter the medium the story starts in, but some formats bring more complexity than others. Consider the recent video game TV adaptations of HBO’s The Last of Us and Prime Video’s Fallout. Converting the interactive nature of a game loved by millions into a television show that must appeal not only to diehard fans but also to viewers unfamiliar with the source material brings a unique set of challenges. In this week’s blog, Ginger explores those two adaptations to examine what each one got right, and where they may have gone wrong. There is a delicate balance between honoring an original story and reshaping it for a new format. When done well, it can strengthen your bond with existing fans and draw… Read More >
What Authors Can Learn From the Latest Hugo Awards/Worldcon Controversy
By: Ginger | Posted on May 23, 2025
What happens when one of the most respected institutions in sci-fi turns to AI to vet its potential panelists? You get another Hugo Awards and Worldcon controversy, one that has once again set the science fiction community ablaze. This time, the uproar could have been easily avoided if organizers had simply paid more attention to the audience they were supposed to serve. In this week’s blog, Ginger reflects on his own past missteps with AI (on this very topic) while exploring why the technology remains such a divisive issue among authors. Focusing on Worldcon’s latest blunder, he takes us through what went wrong, why it matters, and how writers can avoid making similar mistakes in their own careers. By understanding your readers, being transparent, and using tech responsibly, you can turn this year’s mess into a valuable lesson in building lasting trust with your audience. Even if Worldcon doesn’t learn… Read More >
Major Court Ruling Opens New Path for Mobile eBook Sales
By: Ginger | Posted on May 16, 2025
Trying to entice readers to buy more of your books through their mobile devices has been unnecessarily cumbersome for a long time, but we’re finally seeing a ray of hope. The battle between Epic Games and Apple has shaken the digital landscape, and the most recent ruling may have cracked open the paywall dead-ends and begun to loosen Apple’s grip on in-app purchases. It is already leading to meaningful changes that create a clearer path to smoother eBook sales and better returns for authors. As Ginger explains in this week’s blog, this is not just another tech industry headline. It is a glimmer of hope for authors struggling to simplify the buying process for readers, and Amazon has already pushed through an update to the iOS Kindle app to reflect these changes. Read on to understand what the court decisions mean, what has changed, and how these shifts might help… Read More >
Build a Book Sales Funnel That Converts
By: Ginger | Posted on May 9, 2025
Building a successful book sales funnel is not just about clever ads or a polished website. It’s about guiding your readers from curiosity to purchase in a smooth, reliable way. If you’re selling eBooks directly to readers, even small issues like a slow-loading page or a confusing checkout can cause them to drop off before they buy. In today’s blog, Ginger breaks down how to build a book sales funnel that truly converts. Drawing from his own direct sales experience and use of a variety of tools, he shares tips on writing effective Facebook ads, optimizing landing pages, and streamlining your checkout process. Any author looking to create a reliable sales funnel that leads readers straight from interest to purchase will find this guide indispensable. The fundamental goal of storytelling is to take your readers on a journey, leading them on a path that makes them feel one initial emotion,… Read More >
The Art of Ambiguous Endings
By: Ginger | Posted on May 2, 2025
When done right, an ambiguous ending becomes the part of your story that readers talk about long after the final page. When done wrong, it can be maddening, risking not only reader frustration but also the kind of backlash that leads people to abandon your work or even warn others away. So why do these kinds of endings often lead to deeper emotional investment, more buzz, and greater loyalty? And how can you craft one that feels intentional and satisfying rather than confusing or disappointing? Those are exactly the questions Ginger explores in today’s blog, using real-world examples, practical techniques, and even a few cautionary tales. With tips on planting clues, maintaining the balance between mystery and resolution, and tailoring your ending to your genre and audience, this post is packed with actionable advice for any author ready to turn their final pages into powerful conversation starters. One of my favorite… Read More >
Mastering the Cliffhanger
By: Ginger | Posted on April 25, 2025
More than just a plot device, cliffhangers are a strategic storytelling tool that can turn casual readers into devoted fans. Whether used at the end of a chapter or in the final lines of a book, a well-placed cliffhanger fuels momentum, builds anticipation, and drives series read-through. When used effectively, they become one of the most powerful tools in a writer’s arsenal. In this week’s blog, Ginger explores a variety of ways authors can harness the power of cliffhangers in their writing. Drawing on examples from bestselling books across genres, he outlines practical techniques for crafting compelling hooks at both the chapter and series level. On top of that, he offers guidance on when cliffhangers work best, when they risk frustrating readers, and how to strike the perfect balance. If you’re aiming to deepen engagement and make your work truly unputdownable, mastering the art of the cliffhanger is essential. A… Read More >
Are Cost Cap Ads Key to Direct Sales Success?
By: Ginger | Posted on April 18, 2025
While direct sales can be a game-changer for authors with a solid series or bundle to offer, the cost of running standard Facebook ads can make turning a profit a real challenge. Even for marketing-savvy writers, the learning phase, where Facebook figures out who’s most likely to buy, can set your ad budget on fire before you see a single sale. But there’s a rarely used strategy that might just change the game for authors selling direct. In today’s blog, Ginger breaks down Facebook’s Cost Cap setting, a powerful but underused tool that lets you control how much you’re willing to spend per sale. When used correctly, it can help you start running profitable ads from day one, and find your ideal readers before your budget runs dry. So, if you’ve read any of my previous articles on the topic, you should know by now that I’m an evangelical when… Read More >
What Wicked Can Teach Authors About Adaptation
By: Ginger | Posted on April 11, 2025
Many authors dream of seeing their books transformed into Broadway sensations or blockbuster films—but the journey from novel to script isn’t always smooth, or even successful. Even with industry interest, the adaptation process can be full of creative compromises, unexpected detours, and reinventions that risk losing the heart of the original story. That’s what makes Wicked such a fascinating case. Originally a novel, then a record-breaking musical, and now a critically acclaimed film, Wicked has thrived across a variety of adaptations. In today’s blog, Ginger digs into Wicked’s wildly successful evolution to uncover what it got so right, and what authors can learn from its journey. From story structure and thematic depth to the art of staying flexible while preserving your story’s core, Wicked offers authors a blueprint for crafting work that can leap off the page and come alive on stage or screen. I recently watched the Wicked movie… Read More >
