10 Ways You Can Master The Art of “Show, Not Tell”
By: Ginger | Posted on November 17, 2023
The reason the advice to “show, not tell” seems so tired and overused is that you’ve likely been hearing it since you first picked up a pen. It’s arguably the most important technique in a writer’s arsenal, but it doesn’t come naturally. If you read stories written by children, they’re almost all telling and very little showing. That’s because it’s far easier to simply tell your reader what it is you want them to know than to try and show it to them through descriptions, actions, or dialogue, yet by doing so your story is left flat and lifeless. By showing the reader your world, you create an emotional connection, you engage their imagination, and you leave a lasting impression that persists far beyond when they’ve finished your book. Today, Ginger has put together a list of 10 different ways you can show, not tell – each one backed up… Read More >
What can writers learn from the works of Andy Weir?
By: Ginger | Posted on November 10, 2023
Certain authors create stories that captivate readers, leaving an indelible mark on the literary landscape. Andy Weir, known best for his self-published hit The Martian, is one such writer. His ability to weave compelling narratives set against the backdrop of space exploration has garnered widespread acclaim, and it leaves other authors curious – what secrets can be gleaned from Weir’s writings? Today, Ginger takes a deep dive into the writings of Weir in an attempt to uncover the elements that make his work resonate with readers. By dissecting his storytelling techniques, we can all learn to be better writers ourselves, and create works that will be as “out of this world” as The Martian. A few weeks ago, I wrote a blog post about the only four ways to consistently sell books, and one of the examples of a successful self-published author using one of these techniques was Andy Weir,… Read More >
5 Tips for Crafting Deliciously Memorable Villains
By: Ginger | Posted on November 3, 2023
As much as we know we’re supposed to root against them, there is something undeniably alluring to a well-crafted villain. Perhaps it’s because we’re drawn to these complex, competent, and often morally ambiguous antagonists who challenge our heroes and help intensify the drama in whatever type of story they appear in. But creating memorable villains is an art, so in today’s blog, Ginger is attempting to unravel some of the secrets that help make our bad guys truly unforgettable. From the complex backstory of Hannibal Lecter to the moral ambiguity of Jaime Lannister, these villains have distinct traits, personality quirks, and compelling motivations that make them uniquely suited to causing havoc in our stories. When done right, these characters will linger in the minds of our readers, which is the best way to keep them coming back for more! Whether it’s Lord Voldemort, Darth Vader, or HAL 2000, one thing… Read More >
Wait, is there a FIFTH way to sell books?
By: Ginger | Posted on October 27, 2023
When Ginger posted his blog last week, at least one reader took exception to his stance that there were only four ways to effectively sell books, pointing out that a well-crafted book with effective marketing can also lead to success, even if it doesn’t result in overnight stardom. This question led Ginger to wonder whether there was a fifth way to sell books, and in today’s article he explores this topic by delving into the nuances of book sales, the definition of success and the effect of multiple factors working together to help build your career as an author. Last week I wrote a blog post entitled “The ONLY Four Ways to Sell Books” and not everybody was thrilled with it. One of our wonderful readers, Bonnie Bonaduce, had this to say about it: I have to say, this post was quite upsetting. As a new author recently published last… Read More >
The ONLY Four Ways to Sell Books
By: Ginger | Posted on October 20, 2023
The distinction between marketing and selling is crucial, as many self-published authors have discovered the hard way. The best promotional campaigns may bring a potential reader to the edge of a sale, but isn’t always enough to close the deal. But if dumping money into ads isn’t the most effective way to sell copies of your book, then what is? That’s precisely the question Ginger addresses in today’s blog, as he delves into the four key attributes that have the power to significantly impact the conversion of traffic into sales. You don’t need to incorporate them all, as some may align better with your unique situation than others. Yet, harnessing just one of these attributes, as detailed below, can substantially enhance your chance of transforming your passion for writing into a thriving and profitable career. The purpose of many of my blogs is to help authors actually SELL copies of… Read More >
Minding the Statistics: Key Ad Metrics to Focus On
By: Ginger | Posted on October 13, 2023
Whether you’re diving into Facebook ads or navigating Amazon’s advertising platform, understanding, interpreting and optimizing key ad metrics like CPC, CTR, Conversions, RoAS, Frequency and DPV can make all the difference in your marketing efforts. This week, Ginger is breaking all of these acronyms and confusing terms down as he attempts to lay out the main advertising metrics that authors should be paying attention to – which is in response to a very recent question posed to us via email. Once you have a deeper understanding of how these metrics play a part in the success of your campaign, you’ll be able to fine-tune your ads, maximize your book sales and reach new heights of success. Recently, we received an email from a reader and thought it would be a great topic for a blog post. The email read: I’d love to see a story about “minding the statistics”. Like,… Read More >
What can GoT author George R.R. Martin teach us about Characterization?
By: Ginger | Posted on October 6, 2023
One of the biggest challenges new authors face is juggling multiple characters – especially when the story jumps between the viewpoint of different people. This is especially important when writing a series, or a big epic novel, but can also apply to smaller books and stories as well. One of the undisputed masters of juggling multiple character Points of View (POV) is George R.R. Martin – and in this blog post, Ginger will cover some of the things we can learn about characterization from studying his work. In addition to writing and self-publishing my own books, I’ve worked with a lot of authors and helped develop and edit their books. One of the issues I consistently find new authors struggle with is keeping a coherent point of view throughout their books – especially when they write them in third-person perspective, and jump from character to character. If done poorly, jumping… Read More >
What can writers learn from the works of Rick Riordan?
By: Ginger | Posted on September 29, 2023
Publishers have long understood how lucrative the young reader market is, and are always anxious to find the next big franchise to build a vast world of marketing and books around, one that can stand the test of time and continue to enchant new generations of readers. When Rick Riordan launched his wildly popular Percy Jackson series back in 2005, they probably knew very quickly that they’d found their mark. Since then, the series has gone on to sell close to 200 million copies, become a movie, and will soon stream as a television series on Disney+. But what is it about the stories that make them connect so well to their audience? That’s exactly what Ginger is going to break down in today’s blog, as we once again dive deep into the work of a successful author to learn what it is that they are doing right, in the… Read More >
Is Kindle Unlimited worth it in 2023?
By: Ginger | Posted on September 22, 2023
While some authors publish wide across multiple online storefronts, there are a great many others that are exclusive to Amazon due to their KDP Select enrollment terms. As part of that enrollment, their books are available to readers with a Kindle Unlimited (KU) subscription, and the authors are paid per pages read from a common pool of money. But as KU Page Reads hit their lowest payout ever this past July, those same authors may be asking themselves “Is Kindle Unlimited worth it in 2023?” That’s exactly the question that Ginger is looking to answer this week, as he examines the pros and cons of remaining in KU as the main benefit to authors continues to fall, month over month. There may not be a single answer that applies to everyone, but knowing the facts can help make an informed decision for anyone still on the fence, or simply deciding… Read More >
10 Essential Tips for Crafting Effective Horror Stories
By: Ginger | Posted on September 15, 2023
For authors, Halloween is the perfect time to unleash the darker recesses of their imagination by crafting tales that send shivers down readers’ spines. The art of chilling storytelling has evolved over centuries, with authors like Edgar Allan Poe and Stephen King shaping the genre’s landscape while adhering to its core essence—a masterful mix of fear, suspense, and unease. Similar to his article last week which dove into Science Fiction world-building, this week Ginger is examining the ingredients that make up truly effective horror stories. By breaking down the core elements that help turn regular tales into spine-tingling literary nightmares, you too can write books that keep your readers up at night, long after they’ve reached the end of your book… Some Starbucks stores have already unleashed their pumpkin spice products, which means summer is effectively over! For many of us writers, our attention turns next to Halloween – one… Read More >
