Using Alternating First-Person POV in your Novel
By: Ginger | Posted on May 3, 2024
There are many ways to tell a story, and authors tend to write in the style that they find most comfortable. Yet there are sometimes reasons to select one style over another, aside from personal preference. For example, an alternating first-person point of view, with chapters switching between the perspectives of the main characters, can enrich storytelling in a variety of genres by offering a more intimate connection to the characters’ inner thoughts and feelings. Ginger discovered success with this POV style years ago, and has been using it in most of his novels ever since. Through his years of experience, he has gathered an understanding of the mechanics, benefits and nuances that go into it, and he’s sharing that knowledge with us today. So if you’re unfamiliar with this technique but looking to give it a try, or even if you have some experience with it of your own, read… Read More >
The Author’s AI Toolkit – Prompting 101
By: Craig | Posted on April 26, 2024
Last month, I kicked off this new AI author toolkit series with a brief overview of artificial intelligence (AI) and its importance for writers, including some available options and a preview of key topics we’ll explore in future installments. To truly benefit from this series, however, it’s essential that you understand the basics of how to interact with AI. That is, via Prompts. By now, most people are at least familiar with the terms “AI Prompts” or “Prompting” or “Prompt Engineering”, but may not be clear about what they really mean or why they are so important to AI. Even among those that do understand what prompts are, some believe the whole concept to be overly complicated, scary, or too technical. After all, there are already a myriad of courses and degrees in Prompt Engineering, so they must be hard to use, right? Wrong. The Truth About Prompting First of… Read More >
Can You Use AI To Become a “Plotter”?
By: Ginger | Posted on March 22, 2024
Some authors like to plot out their novels before they start writing, and others like to fly by the seat of their pants, letting the characters direct the story as they go. However, it’s not always so black and white, with some author’s taking a more hybrid approach, and others switching from plotter to pantser depending on the project. Yet for authors who aren’t opposed to using AI for a bit of assistance in their planning process, it’s never been easier to be a plotter. As Ginger lays out in today’s blog (with some great examples), AI can not only help guide you through the plotting process of whatever genre or style of book you are writing, but it can even do so using the story structure you want your book to follow. So whether you’re using ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, or something else, plotting has never been easier! Traditionally, there… Read More >
The Author’s AI Toolkit – An Ongoing Series
By: Craig | Posted on March 8, 2024
After exploding into public awareness about a year ago, generative AI seems to be all anyone is talking about these days. First it was simply a really cool “chatbot” idea that seemed like a fun distraction and a way to get some quick answers versus having to do a traditional web search. Quickly, though, it became a looming threat hanging over virtually every industry, just waiting to take our jobs. But for authors, there is more of an opportunity to make our jobs easier than there is a chance we’ll lose them completely. AI can be used as a tool in a variety of ways to do just that, and for this reason, I’m launching a series of articles on this very topic starting with this first of the series. It’s no secret that I’ve been enthusiastic about Artificial Intelligence (AI) since I first discovered ChatGPT about a year ago…. Read More >
Exploring the Potential of Non-linear Storytelling
By: Ginger | Posted on March 1, 2024
Navigating the world of storytelling can sometimes lead us to question the rigidity of traditional narrative structures recently discussed on this blog. Not all stories fit neatly within those conventional frameworks, yet they can still captivate and resonate with audiences. One intriguing approach to this challenge is non-linear storytelling, where the sequence of events is intentionally shuffled, defying the expected chronological order. This technique has found a place in both popular literature and blockbuster films, albeit with mixed success. Adopting a non-linear timeline can be highly effective in some instances, but it also carries the risk of confusing the audience or disrupting the natural flow of the narrative. In today’s post, Ginger guides us through the nuances of non-linear storytelling to help us master this approach. He outlines the potential pitfalls and shares examples where this powerful storytelling technique can achieve maximum impact. By learning how and when to weave… Read More >
Has the Craft of Writing Improved?
By: Ginger | Posted on February 23, 2024
While some people believe the classics were the pinnacle of storytelling, this way of thinking overlooks how much writing has transformed and adapted over time to become more accessible, diverse, and better able to mirror our complex world. Just as visual art evolved from the simplicity of cave paintings to the sophistication of the Renaissance, the craft of writing has transformed in a similar way, adapting to new eras and technologies. That’s why today, Ginger is diving into the evolution of storytelling, celebrating the leaps from stone tablets to e-books and highlighting how these advances have made literature richer and more inclusive. It’s a journey through the past, present, and future of writing, proving that while the classics will always hold a special place in our hearts, the stories being written today are just as worthy of admiration. I studied History and English Literature at a Cambridge-founded university, and as… Read More >
Which Story Structure Works Best for YOUR Novel?
By: Ginger | Posted on February 16, 2024
Last week, Ginger examined a number of story structures in-depth, exploring the frameworks behind some of the most captivating tales in literature and cinema. It was a useful primer on why story structures are important, and provided great detail on a few of the most popular ones. Yet there still may be some question as to how to choose the structure that best fits your own story, or is most suited to the type of author you are. After all, a Tolkienesque epic and a spicy romance novel aren’t built the same way—nor should they be. In today’s blog, Ginger focuses more on the suitability of these story structures across different genres and writing styles. Storytelling is as varied as the human imagination, and not every structure will suit every narrative or writer. From epic fantasies and adventure tales to serialized television and dark comedies, each structure offers unique advantages… Read More >
Using Story Structures to Write Better Books
By: Ginger | Posted on February 9, 2024
Many non-authors believe that writing a book is as straightforward as jotting down a lengthy email or drafting a report. Yet, as any author who has actually written a novel can attest, there is a big difference between everyday writing and crafting narratives that captivate and entertain readers for hundreds of pages. Perhaps the misconception comes because, unlike the specialized skills required for performing surgery or practicing law, writing seems accessible to everyone and a part of our daily lives. However, this perception ignores the artistry and dedication that goes into weaving compelling stories from the simple thread of imagination. That’s why today, Ginger is shining a spotlight on the scaffolding behind the scenes of great storytelling—the story structures. Structures are the story frameworks that can help guide an author from the germ of an idea to a fully fleshed-out narrative. And just as there are many different ways to… Read More >
Exploring the Fine Line between Inspiration and Plagiarism
By: Ginger | Posted on February 2, 2024
In the ever-evolving world of literature and digital content, the boundaries between drawing inspiration and committing plagiarism are increasingly blurred. Recent headlines have underscored this, spotlighting allegations of plagiarism against prominent academic figures and bestselling authors. In today’s blog, Ginger tackles this intricate and potentially contentious topic, hoping to provide some clarity on the question of what constitutes legitimate literary borrowing versus unethical copying. To achieve this, he will be exploring the “Somerton Scale,” a recently developed methodology designed to specifically grade the extent of plagiarism in creative works. By examining each level and providing examples from popular literature and film, he aims to make it easier to understand the subtleties surrounding intellectual property rights and the principles of fair use. Hopefully this exploration will help us all navigate the sometimes murky waters of this very complex issue. Recently, the headlines have been rocked with accusations of plagiarism – from… Read More >
Conquer Self Doubt and Just Hit Publish
By: Ginger | Posted on January 26, 2024
If you’ve been sitting on the fence about publishing because you’ve been battling insecurities about whether or not your voice is important enough to be heard, fear not: You’re not alone. Self doubt can be one of the biggest obstacles to overcome in your self-publishing journey, and some of the greatest and most influential authors that have ever put pen to paper are known to have struggled with that same lack of confidence. Yet they somehow managed to push through and the world is better for it. Today, Ginger shares a personal story that illustrates how this issue hit very close to home with him. This experience impacted him so deeply that he felt compelled to write this article, stressing the importance for authors to push past these fears and just hit publish. Recently, I’ve been spending time with my 86-year old father, talking about his life. I felt it was… Read More >
