Friday, October 27, 2023

Ten Benefits to Writing in the First Person Point of View

 Why You Should Write in the First Person Point of View

Writing from the first person point of view has many advantages for authors. There are countless benefits to writing in the first person, from increased reader engagement to more opportunities for developing characters and building tension. Here are ten of the many advantages of writing in the first person.

 

1. Reader Engagement – Writing in the first person allows readers to become intimately connected with the narrator of the story. By writing in the first person, readers can identify with the narrator's feelings and experiences and become more invested in the story. This can help build tension and suspense in a story, as readers are more likely to be drawn in to the narrator's struggles and triumphs.

 

2. Character Development – Writing in the first person can allow an author to create a fully-fleshed out character that readers can connect with. By writing in the first person, an author can use the narrator's thoughts, feelings, and dialogue to paint a vivid picture of the character. This can also help readers understand the motivations and actions of the narrator, as well as any other characters in the story.

 

3. Tension and Suspense – Writing in the first person can help create tension and suspense, as readers get a firsthand glimpse into the narrator's thoughts and feelings. This can be especially effective when the narrator is in a suspenseful situation, as readers can be drawn into the tension and fear of the moment.

 

4. Conflict – Writing in the first person can help create conflict, as readers can understand why the narrator is making certain decisions and what they are struggling with due to their personal thoughts and feelings. This can also allow an author to explore different types of conflicts, such as internal conflicts, that wouldn't be possible if writing in a third person point of view.

 

5. Voice – Writing in the first person allows an author to create a unique voice for their narrator. This can help bring the story to life, as readers can easily become immersed in the story due to the unique style of the narration.

 

6. Emotion – Writing in the first person can help an author convey emotion to readers in a powerful way. By writing in the first person, an author can use the narrator's thoughts and feelings to convey a wide range of emotions, from joy to despair.

 

7. Intimacy – Writing in the first person can create an intimate bond between reader and narrator, as readers get a firsthand glimpse into the narrator's thoughts and feelings. This can help create a powerful connection between reader and narrator, as well as making it easier for readers to empathize with the narrator's struggles and triumphs.

 

8. Perspective – Writing in the first person allows an author to explore different perspectives and points of view. This can be useful for exploring different sides of an issue or conflict, or simply allowing readers to experience a different perspective than their own.

 

9. Clarity – Writing in the first person can help clarify complex ideas and situations for readers by allowing them to experience them through the eyes of the narrator. This can help make complex situations easier for readers to understand, as well as making them more invested in the story due to their connection with the narrator.

 

10. Audience Reach – Writing in the first person can help an author reach a wider audience, as readers may be more likely to relate to a story told from a specific point of view. This can help an author reach a larger audience and connect with readers on a more personal level.

Check out my cyberpunk mystery series, the "Cryptopunk Revolution."


Join the brilliant hacker Fae Luna and her companions as she battles an unknown foe of unimaginable power. Get ready for an electrifying journey filled with twists and turns, where truth is elusive and nothing is as it seems. Available on Amazon







Tuesday, October 10, 2023

Nine Tips for Creating Strong Falling Character Arcs

Creating a Strong Falling Character Arc

1. Define the character's peak


The character's peak is the point where they have achieved their goal or come close to it. This peak should be well-defined, and the reader should be able to understand the character's sense of accomplishment or near-accomplishment. By establishing a clear peak, you can create a foundation for the character's falling arc.

2. Show the character's reaction to their success

The character's reaction to their success is an essential element of the falling arc. This reaction should be tied to the character's personality and backstory, and it should show the character's sense of accomplishment or disappointment. By showing the character's reaction, you can create a sense of realism and depth to the character's journey.

3. Create new obstacles for the character

After the character has achieved their goal, it's essential to create new obstacles that challenge them. These obstacles can be internal or external, and they should be significant enough to create tension and conflict. By creating new obstacles, you can create a sense of momentum and purpose to the character's falling arc.

4. Develop the character's flaws

A well-crafted character should have flaws that are tied to their personality and backstory. These flaws should play a significant role in the character's journey, and they should be tested after the character has achieved their goal. By developing the character's flaws, you can create a sense of realism and depth to the character's journey.

5. Create a sense of regression

A strong falling arc should create a sense of regression, where the character is moving backward from their peak. This regression should be tied to the new obstacles the character faces and the flaws they exhibit. By creating a sense of regression, you can create tension and keep readers invested in the character's journey.

6. Show the character's decline

The character's decline is essential for a strong falling arc. This decline should be tied to the new obstacles the character faces and the flaws they exhibit. By showing the character's decline, you can create a sense of development and change, which is essential for a compelling character arc.

7. Create a sense of loss

Loss is essential for a strong falling arc. This loss can be tied to the character's goal or something else they hold dear, and it should be significant enough to create tension and conflict. By creating a sense of loss, you can create a sense of urgency and purpose to the character's falling arc.

8. Show the character's struggle to regain control

After the character experiences loss, it's essential to show their struggle to regain control. This struggle should be tied to the character's flaws and the new obstacles they face. By showing the character's struggle to regain control, you can create a sense of conflict and keep readers invested in the character's journey.

9. Create a sense of resolution

The character's falling arc should have a sense of resolution. This resolution should be tied to the character's journey and should create a sense of closure. By creating a sense of resolution, you can tie the falling arc to the rising arc and create a cohesive character journey.

Check out my cyberpunk mystery series, the "Cryptopunk Revolution."


Join the brilliant hacker Fae Luna and her companions as she battles an unknown foe of unimaginable power. Get ready for an electrifying journey filled with twists and turns, where truth is elusive and nothing is as it seems. Available on Amazon





Wednesday, September 27, 2023

Ten Ways to Write a Strong Love Interest

 Write Strong Romance 

Writing a strong love interest for a novel is an important part of creating a successful story. Love
interests are often the driving force behind a plot, and they can provide a source of tension and conflict. To make sure your love interest is as strong and compelling as possible, here are ten tips for writing a memorable one.

 

1. Give them a unique personality. Your love interest should be more than just a pretty face; they should have their own unique personality, quirks, and beliefs. Think about their hobbies, what makes them laugh, and how they talk. Put in the effort to make them stand out from other characters.

 

2. Make sure they have flaws. Nobody is perfect, and your love interest should be no exception. Giving them flaws makes them more relatable and human, and it can add a layer of complexity to the story.

 

3. Establish clear goals. Your love interest should have clearly defined goals that drive their actions and decisions. This helps the reader understand their motivations and can create tension if their goals conflict with the protagonist’s.

 

4. Create obstacles. A story without obstacles is boring; make sure your love interest faces challenges that test their strength, courage, and resolve. This helps to make them relatable while also making the story more exciting.

 

5. Write chemistry between them and the protagonist. The relationship between the love interest and the protagonist should be believable and exciting. Make sure that their interactions are full of chemistry and tension, and that there is an underlying spark between them.

 

6. Make sure they have an interesting backstory. Everyone has a past, and it can be interesting to explore your love interest’s history and the events that shaped them into the person they are today. This can provide insight into their beliefs and motivations.

 

7. Show how they change over time. Characters should grow and develop over time in response to the events in the story, and your love interest should be no exception. Show how they change in response to their experiences, both positive and negative.

 

8. Give them a distinct physical appearance. Your readers should be able to easily recognize your love interest in a crowd, so make sure to give them a distinct physical appearance that stands out from the other characters in the story.

 

9. Establish their unique voice. Each character should sound unique, so take some time to think about how your love interest talks and understands the world around them. Make sure their dialogue is distinct from other characters’ dialogue, so the reader can always tell who is speaking.

 

10. Don’t forget about body language. Body language can be a powerful tool for conveying emotion, so make sure to utilize it when writing your love interest’s scenes. Their body language should reflect their inner thoughts and feelings, which can be very helpful in conveying their emotions without relying on dialogue alone.

Check out my cyberpunk mystery series, the "Cryptopunk Revolution."


Join the brilliant hacker Fae Luna and her companions as she battles an unknown foe of unimaginable power. Get ready for an electrifying journey filled with twists and turns, where truth is elusive and nothing is as it seems. Available on Amazon





Monday, September 18, 2023

Ten Ways to Overcome Writer's Block

 Creative Ways to Move Past Writer's Block


Writer’s block is a frustrating experience that can be difficult to overcome. It can lead to feelings of anxiety, stress, and a lack of motivation. Fortunately, there are several strategies that can help writers break through writer’s block and get back to creating. Here are ten ways to overcome writer’s block:

 

1. Take a break: Sometimes the best way to break through writer’s block is to simply take a break from writing. Take a few days or even a week off to rest and focus on something else. This can help provide a fresh perspective and the motivation to get back to writing.

 

2. Change your scenery: Writing in the same place every day can become monotonous and lead to writer’s block. Try changing up your surroundings by writing in a different room, a coffee shop, or even outdoors. This can help stimulate your creativity and get the creative juices flowing.

 

3. Read: Reading is one of the best ways to get inspired and break through writer’s block. Reading books, articles, and other writers’ work can often spark ideas and help you move past any mental blocks you may have encountered.

 

4. Free write: To get the creative juices flowing, try free writing, which is simply writing without any particular goal or plan in mind. This can help loosen up your creative muscles and provide a clean slate for you to start writing again.

 

5. Brainstorm: Brainstorming is another great way to get past writer’s block. Try brainstorming ideas for topics or stories, outlining stories or topics, or even just jotting down random thoughts or ideas that come to mind. This can help get your mind working and provide you with some fresh ideas for writing.

 

6. Talk it out: Sometimes talking to someone else can help get past writer’s block. Talking out ideas and stories with a friend or colleague can help stimulate your creativity and provide some outside perspective on your work.

 

7. Take a walk: Taking a walk or getting some exercise can help clear your head, stimulate your creativity, and help you move past writer’s block. Exercise can also help reduce stress, which can be beneficial for breaking through writer’s block.

 

8. Listen to music: Listening to music can be a great way to break through writer’s block. Music can help you relax, stimulate your creativity, and inspire you to write again.

 

9. Try something new: Trying something new is another great way to break through writer’s block. This can include trying a new writing exercise, writing in a different genre, or even using a different writing tool or software.

 

10.Set a timer: Setting a timer for yourself can help motivate you to write and break through writer’s block. Set a timer for 15 minutes and try to write as much as you can in that amount of time. This can help jumpstart your creativity and get you back in the groove of writing again.

Check out my cyberpunk mystery series, the "Cryptopunk Revolution."


Join the brilliant hacker Fae Luna and her companions as she battles an unknown foe of unimaginable power. Get ready for an electrifying journey filled with twists and turns, where truth is elusive and nothing is as it seems. Available on Amazon






Saturday, September 16, 2023

Writing Three Dimensional Characters with Arcs

 

How to Improve your Novel Characters 

Here is my youtube video on improving characters for all of you authors out there. I hope you enjoy!


Check out my cyberpunk mystery series, the "Cryptopunk Revolution."


Join the brilliant hacker Fae Luna and her companions as she battles an unknown foe of unimaginable power. Get ready for an electrifying journey filled with twists and turns, where truth is elusive and nothing is as it seems. Available on Amazon



Wednesday, September 13, 2023

Cryptopunk Revolution: A Sci-fi Cyberpunk Adventure Mystery Trilogy

Join the brilliant hacker Fae Luna and her companions as she battles an unknown foe of unimaginable power. Get ready for an electrifying journey filled with twists and turns, where truth is elusive and nothing is as it seems.

The Cryptopunk Revolution series

Book 1: The Astral Hacker
Book 2: The Cyborg Anarchist
Book 3: The Ethereal Nightmare (Being written)

The Astral Hacker Blurb:


In 2120, New America is the world leader in technology and individual freedom. Why, then, has
seventeen-year-old Fae Luna felt like an isolated prisoner her entire life? She survived the worst of the foster care system by honing her skills as a top-level hacker and thanks to the support of her humanoid robot, Sunny, who is illegally upgraded to a human-level AI. Finally, she’s matched with a foster mom who treats her kindly. Fae slowly lets her guard down until a suspicious tragedy tears them apart. With no flesh-and-blood friends, she is forced to call Blaze, a guild-mate from her online holo-game, who introduces her to a motley crew of rebels and loyalists. When they dig into Fae’s mystery, they discover a far-reaching and deadly conspiracy. Fae promised her dying mother she would never alter her body with a brain implant, but with the Evo, her hacking skills would be unbeatable. Lethal battles and devastating consequences will challenge her vow. Will Fae choose the enhancement or trust her own exceptional mind to defeat a secretive and powerful force threatening all New Americans?

The Cyborg Anarchist Blurb: (spoilers)

Elite hacker Fae Luna has successfully overthrown the malicious National Intelligence Agency, which used
brain-computer hacking to control the minds of influential figures and citizens alike.

Before Director Tempton died mysteriously, he warned of a god-like being who orchestrated everything. He also hinted that Fae herself isn’t human, an allegation that shook her to the core since she wields supernatural powers.
Along with her two closest friends, the cybernetic Naveha and the AI Sunny, she has rebuilt her militia into a mighty force of soldiers, spies, and hackers.
Now, they must race against time to uncover the identity of their powerful adversary, all while battling the corrupt military and betrayals from within.
With the enemy literally in people’s minds, Fae must embrace her powers and their implications to save the clueless citizens, no matter the cost. But will it be enough?



You can purchase them here on Amazon: Cryptopunk Revolution



Monday, September 4, 2023

Ten Tips for Writing a Strong Trilogy

 How to Write a Better Trilogy


Writing a fiction trilogy can be a daunting task, especially if you’re new to the genre. With a trilogy, you must create and develop characters and plotlines that span three books, while still keeping the overall story arc cohesive and interesting. It’s a balancing act that requires creativity, discipline, and dedication. Here are ten tips to help you write a successful trilogy.

 

1. Start with a strong premise. Your trilogy should have a clear idea that will drive the entire story. This can be something as simple as “a young girl discovers she is the chosen one” or as complex as “a group of revolutionaries fight to overthrow a corrupt government”. It should be something that will keep your readers engaged for the entire trilogy.

 

2. Plan out your books. Before you start writing, break down your story into three separate arcs. Each book should have its own set of characters, plot points, and themes. This will help you stay focused and ensure that each book is distinct and enjoyable.

 

3. Introduce your characters early. You want your readers to be invested in the characters from the very beginning. Introduce them in the first book and then continue to develop them throughout the trilogy.

 

4. Keep your world consistent. You want your readers to feel like they are in a fully realized world. Pay attention to details such as geography, culture, language, and technology. Make sure that these elements remain consistent throughout the trilogy.

 

5. Create tension and conflict. Your trilogy should have plenty of tension and conflict to keep the plot moving forward. Introduce obstacles for your characters to overcome and create unexpected plot twists that will keep your readers guessing.

 

6. Establish stakes. Make sure your readers understand why it’s important for your characters to succeed in their goals. The stakes should be high enough that readers will be compelled to keep reading until the end.

 

7. Use foreshadowing. Foreshadowing can be a powerful tool for creating suspense and mystery in your story. Plant hints throughout the trilogy so that readers will be able to guess the outcome long before it’s revealed.

 

8. Leave room for surprises. While foreshadowing can be helpful, you don’t want to make the story too predictable. Leave some room for surprises so that readers will be constantly engaged with what’s happening in the story.

 

9. End with a satisfying conclusion. Your trilogy should have an ending that satisfies readers and ties up any loose ends. Make sure that each character has a satisfying arc and that all of the major plot points are addressed in the conclusion.

 

10. Don’t rush it. Writing a trilogy takes time and dedication. Don’t rush it—take the time to make sure each book is well-crafted and enjoyable for your readers.


Check out my cyberpunk mystery series, the "Cryptopunk Revolution."


Join the brilliant hacker Fae Luna and her companions as she battles an unknown foe of unimaginable power. Get ready for an electrifying journey filled with twists and turns, where truth is elusive and nothing is as it seems. Available on Amazon



Tuesday, August 22, 2023

Ten Ways to Improve Suspense in Novels

 Improving Suspense in Novels

Writing suspense in a novel can be a tricky task. It requires the author to strategically use plot elements
and character development to bring the story to life. But with a few simple tips, anyone can learn how to craft a thrilling story that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Here are ten ways to improve suspense in your novel:

 

1. Research: Research is essential when writing a suspense novel. You need to understand the elements of suspense and how to weave it into your story. Research topics such as character development, setting, plot structure, and various techniques for creating suspenseful scenes.

 

2. Create a Character Arc: Character arcs are crucial for creating an engaging story. Your protagonist should have a goal and obstacles that prevent them from achieving it. These obstacles should become increasingly difficult as the story progresses, heightening tension and creating suspense.

 

3. Establish Conflict: Conflict adds tension and excitement to your story. It should be present throughout the novel and escalate as the plot moves forward. Conflict can be between characters, within characters, or between characters and outside forces.

 

4. Use Foreshadowing: Foreshadowing is one of the best tools for creating suspense. It allows you to hint at future events without giving away too much information. This keeps readers guessing and increases their anticipation for what’s to come.

 

5. Develop Mystery: Mystery is another way to create suspense. Introduce a secret that the characters must uncover or a villain that the protagonist must face. As the story progresses, reveal clues and new information that will lead to the resolution of the mystery.

 

6. Use Red Herrings: A red herring is a false clue or twist that misleads readers and keeps them guessing. This can help to create suspense as readers try to figure out what’s going on in the story.

 

7. Utilize Suspenseful Prose: To really draw readers in, use prose that creates a sense of tension and unease. Describe the setting in vivid detail, focus on sensory details, and use short sentences and concise language to keep the narrative moving forward.

 

8. Increase Tension: Tension is essential for building suspense. Create moments of high stakes and danger, such as physical confrontations or life-threatening situations. This will increase the stakes and keep readers hooked.

 

9. Create a Climax: The climax of your story should be a moment of intense suspense. This is when all of the plot threads come together and the protagonist must face their greatest challenge yet.

 

10. Leave Loose Ends: At the end of your novel, don’t forget to leave some loose ends unanswered. This will give readers something to ponder, encouraging them to return for future stories in the series or sequels.

Check out my cyberpunk mystery series, the "Cryptopunk Revolution."


Join the brilliant hacker Fae Luna and her companions as she battles an unknown foe of unimaginable power. Get ready for an electrifying journey filled with twists and turns, where truth is elusive and nothing is as it seems. Available on Amazon