Riley Adams's Blog

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethspanncraig.com

The last thing we want for our books is to have readers abandoning them halfway through. I’ll admit that, as a reader, if a book hasn’t grabbed me by the first 25-30 pages, I’m giving up on it. I have too many things on my TBR list. Here are some ways to keep readers invested in our books.

Deliver on Your Opening Promise

Your first pages set reader expectations about tone, pace, and genre. A thriller that opens with heart-pounding action needs to maintain tension throughout. A cozy mystery that begins with small-town charm should consistently deliver that atmosphere. Breaking your opening promise disappoints readers who chose your book for specific reasons.

Plant Questions in Every Chapter

Curiosity drives page-turning behavior. Each chapter should leave readers with questions they genuinely want answered. Will the detective realize the witness is lying? What’s behind that locked door? How will the character handle their impossible choice? These don’t need to be dramatic cliffhangers; even subtle mysteries about relationships maintain momentum.

Vary Your Story Rhythm

Too much intensity exhausts readers (and viewers: I remember the Jurassic Park film making me feel this way), while too much slow development is boring. Alternate between high-energy scenes and quieter moments. Consider following intense action with reflection time. Give readers breathers between emotional confrontations, then accelerate when your story needs momentum. This rhythm prevents reader fatigue while building toward climactic moments.

Create Characters Worth Following

Readers continue journeys with characters they’re invested in, not necessarily ones they like. Make sure your characters have something meaningful at stake, vulnerabilities that create connection, and enough agency to influence their situations. Readers will keep reading to find out what happens to characters.

Strengthen Your Middle Sections

Book middles often sag because initial momentum naturally slows. Combat this with fresh complications that change everything, surprising revelations about characters or plot, and emotional payoffs that feel earned.

What book kept you reading past your bedtime recently? For me, it was She Didn’t See it Coming by Shari Lapena.

Practical techniques for creating stories readers can't put down:
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by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

LitLinks are fed into the Writer’s Knowledge Base search engine (developed by writer and software engineer Mike Fleming) which has over 70,000 free articles on writing related topics. It’s the search engine for writers. While you’re there, check out the Writer’s Digest award-winning Hiveword novel organizer.

Have you visited the WKB lately?  Check out the new redesign where you can browse by category, and sign up for free writing articles, on topics you choose, delivered to your email inbox!  Sign up for the Hiveword newsletter here. Follow the WKB on Facebook here.

How To Make Yourself Safe Online: 7 Ways: by @hughsviewsandnews.com31 Writing Prompts For October 2025: by Mia BothaRefilling Your Creative Well with Artist Dates: by Monica Cox7 Novels Narrated by Sociopaths: by Paula BomerDon’t Underestimate the Power of Habit: by Nicole PylesJust Write It! Persevere through Writer’s Block: by Donna LawrenceContinuing Education for Writers: By Andrea MerrellWired to experience the world through words – talking to multilingual novelist, short story writer and memoirist Claire Polders: @rozmorris.bsky.socialThe Discipline Myth—and What Actually Sustains Us: By Harper RossStrategic Authoring: Plan Like a Pro, Write Like a Rebel: by Tammy BurkeEven Google Wants You to Have a Team: by Sue Bradford EdwardsHow to return to writing after a slip – without beating yourself up: by Daphne Gray-Grant31 Evening Journaling Prompts for October: by Javacia Harris BowserWhat Cozy Fantasy Is and How to Write It: by Chris WinkleThe Art of Doing Nothing, The Craft of Making it Hurt: by Katia LiefSingle Women in Crime Fiction: @mkinberg.bsky.socialMurders in Plain Sight in Crime Fiction: @mkinberg.bsky.socialThe Power of Connotation in Picture Books: by Chelsea Tornetto @janefriedman.comThe Best Ultimate Guide To Why Alt-Text Is Important: ‪@hughsviewsandnews.com‬Put Yourself in the Spotlight to Get New Fans for Your Book: by Rebecca Camarena7 Types of Questions to Help You Define Your Author Brand: by Jenny HansenHow Do Readers Discover Books on YouTube? by Jacky Bethea at Penguin Random HouseBartz v. Anthropic Settlement: An Update for Authors: @victoriastrauss.comThe Audiobook Boom: Growth, New Awards, and the Rise of AI Narration: from the Alliance of Independent AuthorsPEN America’s New Censorship Report: ‘A Disturbing Normalization’ of Book Bans: by Porter AndersonWriting a Book that Publishers Will Love: by Nicholas C. Rossis5 Reasons a Literary Agent Isn’t Going to Steal Your Story, Make Millions, and Cut You Out: by Sarah Chauncey @janefriedman.comFirst Drafts and Other Torture Devices: by Boo WalkerWhen You Must Info Dump: by Marilynn Byerly5 Reasons Your Writing Sucks (Plus How To Fix It): from Lucy V HayThe Trick to Writing Compelling Inner Life: from Fox Print EditorialWriting the Wind: Capturing the Sensation of Life’s Many Storms: By Catherine BushWriting: What Do You Have to Say? by Linda S. ClareThe Story’s Internal Clock: by Philip AthansCures for Loneliness: Writing and Illustrating Disability: by Charlotte Sullivan WildWhen The Good Guys Must Die: By PJ ParrishShow, Don’t Tell, by Scene Segmenting: by CS LakinHow to Write, Plot, and Execute a Multiple POV Novel: by Jacqueline FriedlandPlot Development: 6 Steps For Powerful Plots: by Brandi BadgettThe Writers Write Snowflake Method Of Plotting A Book: by Elaine DodgeProper Plurals and Possessives: By Tiffany Yates MartinPunctuation: Apostrophes & Contractions: by D. Wallace PeachCommunication is the Key to Critique Partner Success: by Julie ArtzTough Edits: Why Every Writer Needs the Truth: by Andrea AskowitzNavigating Feedback Contradictions: When Readers Disagree: Craft Questions in Writing: Do You Really Need That Scene? by April DávilaWriting Subtext for Non-POV Characters: by Lisa Hall-WilsonAre Tropes A Good Thing? A Bad Thing? Or Somewhere In The Middle? by Joy YorkWorldbuilding for Writers: How to Create Story Worlds That Serve Your Narrative: from Story GridThe Difference Between Dystopian and Post-Apocalyptic (And How to Make Your Book Stand Out in the Resurgence): by Shannon A. ThompsonOne author’s answer to “where do your ideas come from?” by Mark Thielman

 

The Top Writing Links From Last Week Are On LitLinks:
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by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethspanncraig.com

Nothing kills reader enjoyment faster than confusion. We lose readers when readers have to stop and figure out who’s talking, where they are, or what just happened. The good news is that most confusion comes from easily fixable problems that you can catch during revision.

Make It Clear Who’s Speaking

Dialogue confusion frustrates readers more than almost anything else. When you have more than two people in a scene, use names or dialogue tags regularly instead of assuming readers will keep track. It’s one of those things I find irritating as a reader, myself: backtracking to figure out a dialogue thread is annoying.  Even when the conversation seems obvious to you as the writer, readers need more guidance than you think. A simple “Sarah said” every few exchanges can really help.

Ground Readers in Time and Place

Readers need to know where they are and when things are happening, especially at the beginning of new scenes or chapters. You don’t need elaborate descriptions, just enough context so readers aren’t floating in space trying to figure out the setting. If your character moves from the kitchen to the garage, mention it. If three days have passed since the last scene, let readers know. These small transitions keep everyone oriented and prevent that disorienting feeling of being lost in your story.

Introduce Characters Clearly

When you bring in new characters, give readers something to hang onto—a name, a role, or a relationship to someone they already know. “The woman in the red coat” might work once, but if she’s important, give her a name quickly. I try to limit how many new people I introduce in any single scene, because too many unfamiliar names at once overwhelms readers and makes everyone forgettable.

Keep Your Timeline Straight

Flashbacks and time jumps can confuse readers if they’re not handled clearly. Make sure transitions between past and present are obvious, either through formatting, clear transition phrases, or chapter breaks. If events happened “three years ago” in chapter two, don’t suddenly refer to them as “five years ago” in chapter eight. Keep a timeline for yourself during revision to catch these inconsistencies before readers do.

Trust Readers, But Don’t Assume They Remember Everything

You know your story inside and out, but readers are experiencing it for the first time. They might not remember that minor character from fifty pages ago, or the significance of that object mentioned in chapter three. When you bring back important details, give readers a gentle reminder without making them feel stupid. Something like “the key Sarah had found in her grandmother’s jewelry box” works better than just “the key” if it’s been a while.

The goal isn’t to oversimplify your story—it’s to make sure readers can follow along without working harder than they want to.

What’s the most common source of confusion you catch during revision? What bothers you as a reader?

Clear dialogue tags, smooth transitions, and gentle reminders keep readers immersed in your story instead of stopping to figure things out:
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by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

LitLinks are fed into the Writer’s Knowledge Base search engine (developed by writer and software engineer Mike Fleming) which has over 70,000 free articles on writing related topics. It’s the search engine for writers. While you’re there, check out the Writer’s Digest award-winning Hiveword novel organizer.

Have you visited the WKB lately?  Check out the new redesign where you can browse by category, and sign up for free writing articles, on topics you choose, delivered to your email inbox!  Sign up for the Hiveword newsletter here. Follow the WKB on Facebook here.

What Happens When We Treat Agents and Publishers as Genuine Partners: by Claire Polders @janefriedman.comA Quick Guide to Bookstore Events: by Tessa BarbosaThe British Audio Awards Release a First Shortlist: By Porter AndersonThe £30,000 FT Schroders Business Book 2025 Shortlist: by Porter AndersonBeyond Teen Fiction: Six High School Novels for Adult Readers: By Miriam GershowThe Hidden Purpose of Escapist Fiction: By Donald MaassHow much time to spend writing: by Daphne Gray-GrantTo Tell The Honest Truth: Why Black Women’s Stories Remain Essential: By A’Lelia BundlesOwn the Title of Writer (Don’t Add “Aspiring”): by Lisa Fellinger @janefriedman.com5 Addictions That Secretly Sabotage Your Writing: By Susanne BennettWhat If Your Creative Flame Is Flickering? from Fox Print EditorialStaying Sane in the Wild, Wonderful World of Writing: by Sarah “Sally” HamerHow Do They Have Drinkable Water in Fantasy Worlds? by Charles YallowitzMixing Magic and Technology: from Mythcreants wkb43Fictional Airs in Crime Fiction: @mkinberg.bsky.socialCrime Fiction: In The Spotlight: Gail Langer Karwoski’s A Brush With Murder: @mkinberg.bsky.socialA Step-By-Step Guide to Writing a Nonfiction Book: by Thomas E. RicksTry it, You Might Like it: 5 Reasons to Write Micro Fiction: by Susan K. HamiltonChoosing Your Publishing Path: The Traditional Way or Self-Publish? by April DávilaWriter, Blogger Alaa Abd El-Fattah Released From Egyptian Prison: by Porter AndersonWhy the Bankruptcy Clause in Your Publishing Contract May Not Protect You: @victoriastrauss.comGoing Wide With Publishing: Return of the Nigerian Prince Redux: Beware Book Club and Book Review Scams: @victoriastrauss.comHow to Write Different Character Arcs for the Same Character: by K.M. WeilandWhy the Mysterious Badass Hero Is a Trap For New Writers: by Oren AshkenaziWhen the Second Draft Feels Like a Step Back: by Janice HardyThree-Act Analysis of Star Wars IV: A New Hope: by Gabriela PereiraThe Six Triple Eight Beat Sheet Analysis: by Tricia NelsonChekhov’s Gun: Does Your Story Have A Forgotten “Gun”? by Anne R. AllenWriting: Make Readers Care: by Linda S. ClareMillennial Slang for Writers: by Sue ColettaFrom flash of lightning to finished novel: a writer’s survival guide: @rozmorris.bsky.socialThe Non-Linear Writing Process: by Jenny HansenHow readable is your writing? by Anne Janzer7 Tips for a Hero Coming from a Villain Family: by Charles E. YallowitzMore persuasive writer: by Daphne Gray-GrantStrategic Authoring: Plan Like a Pro, Write Like a Rebel: By Tammy BurkeHow to Use the Enneagram to Plot Novels: by Julia GandrudGrammar Still Matters, Don’t It? by James Scott BellWhy Every Author Needs To Update Their Editing Skills: : By Carolyn Howard-JohnsonWhen to Let Go: Recognize the Point of Diminishing Returns in Revision: by Seth Harwood @janefriedman.comCritical Distance for Writers: by Sue ColettaWhere Was I Going Again? The Benefits of Re-Reading During a Revision: By Janice HardyWhen the Dream Project Gets Smaller: By Kelsey AllagoodContinuing a Series: Enticing Readers to Return: by Jami GoldWriting Nature: The Healing Connection of Space and Spirit: By Bridget CrockerWriting with Your Five Senses: by Jodi M. WebbHow To Write A Synopsis For Your Screenplay Or Novel: from Bang2write5 Steps to Amp Up Your Novel’s Tension: by Jennifer Graeser DornbushHow a Scrivener Outline Can Rescue Your First Draft: by April DávilaA Novel Blueprint for Building Your Book: by Bryan Wiggins @janefriedman.comShould I Edit an Anthology? By Cindy Eastman

 

The Top Writing Links From Last Week Are On LitLinks:
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by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethspanncraig.com

After years in traditional publishing, going wide with my self-published books felt scary at first. But limiting yourself to one retailer means missing readers who shop elsewhere, and I’ve discovered that reaching a broader audience is worth the extra effort.

Libraries Became My Best Discovery Tool

I never expected library distribution to matter much, but it’s become one of my favorite parts of going wide. I use PublishDrive (Draft2Digital also offers the library market)to get my books into library systems, and those readers often become some of my most loyal fans. They’ll check out my older books from the library, then buy my newer releases directly. It’s not about lost sales—it’s about introducing my work to people who might never have found it otherwise. Libraries also appreciate simple series information and clear metadata that helps librarians recommend books to patrons.

International Sales Surprised Me

IngramSpark‘s global distribution for print reaches readers I would never have connected with through a single retailer. Ingram has printers overseas, so the cost of shipping books to readers is much lower than what Amazon can provide.  International sales build slowly, but they’ve provided surprising stability over time. I learned to research appropriate pricing for different markets instead of just using automatic conversion rates. This small extra effort makes books more accessible to readers in other countries, and those sales add up more than I expected.

Different Formats Reach Different People

Here’s something I didn’t realize at first—audiobook listeners and ebook readers don’t really overlap much. By offering multiple formats, I’m essentially expanding my audience for the same content rather than competing with myself. Hardcover library editions give my books a longer shelf life than paperbacks alone. I’ve explored audiobook platforms like ACX , and expanded print options through IngramSpark for broader format coverage.

The Learning Curve Was Worth It

Wide distribution definitely involves more work upfront—formatting challenges, different metadata requirements, and plenty of trial and error. But the creative and financial freedom I gained made this learning process worthwhile. My approach keeps evolving as I figure out what works best for my specific books and readers. The biggest advantage is having flexibility to adjust strategies as the publishing industry changes.

Start Small and Build Up

You don’t need to jump into every distribution channel at once. I started with one or two new platforms, learned their requirements, then gradually added others as I got comfortable. This approach kept me from feeling overwhelmed while building my knowledge systematically. Each platform has its quirks, but you learn them as you go.

Going wide takes more initial effort than exclusive arrangements, but the long-term benefits keep building over time.

What’s been your experience with different distribution platforms?

More platforms = more readers:
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by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

LitLinks are fed into the Writer’s Knowledge Base search engine (developed by writer and software engineer Mike Fleming) which has over 70,000 free articles on writing related topics. It’s the search engine for writers. While you’re there, check out the Writer’s Digest award-winning Hiveword novel organizer.

Have you visited the WKB lately?  Check out the new redesign where you can browse by category, and sign up for free writing articles, on topics you choose, delivered to your email inbox!  Sign up for the Hiveword newsletter here. Follow the WKB on Facebook here.

Image Use–Plagiarism, Copyrights, AIs, and More: by Jacqui MurrayProtect Yourself from Copyright Trolls: by Tiffany Yates MartinFrankfurt’s News Conference: ‘In Times of Global Tension’: by Porter AndersonWhere Authors Find Inspiration in a Time of Great Distraction: By Heather Webb8 Exercises to Boost Your Creativity: by Hope LydaBack-to-School Treasures: Here Are the Children’s Books To Buy This September: By Caroline CarlsonA Writer For Our Time: Why John le Carré’s Work Remains More Essential Than Ever: By Rav Grewal-KökBooks That Didn’t Age Well: by Elaine DodgeWriters Should Read Poetry. Here’s Why: By Nicki PorterLee Child: ‘I’d rather be a multi-millionaire than a credible author’: by Dorian LynskeyWhy You Deserve to Go on a Writing Retreat: by Lucy V. HayOverwhelm and burnout as a writer: by Dan BlankThe Surprising Benefits of Word Search Puzzles for Writers: by Julie LavenderOn Learning to Love Your “Failures”: by Kate McKeanWriting and Loneliness: How to Escape the Isolation Trap: by Colleen M. StoryDid things used to be better for writers? i by Dan BlankStop trying to please the algorithms: by Dan BlankTired of Telling Just One Kind of Truth: On Moving from Journalism to Fiction: By Janelle BrownThe myth of how we create: by Dan BlankNo one knows what works, but doing stuff works: by Dan BlankThe Craft of This Mortal Coil: Jonathan Gluck on Writing a Different Cancer Story: By Terry McDonellIs Non-Magical Food Preservation Possible in Fantasy Worlds? by Charles Yallowitz5 tips on how to introduce backstory to crime fiction: by Louise HarnbyCrime Fiction: In The Spotlight: Randall DeWitt’s Tinker, Teller, Victim, Liar: @mkinberg.bsky.socialEverything’s Coming Up Cozies: by Karen DukessSmall Towns in Crime Fiction: @mkinberg.bsky.socialFemale Con Artists in Crime Fiction: @mkinberg.bsky.social10 Story Prompts for Sci-Fi Romance Writers: by Kayelle AllenHow Writing Romance Has Made Me More Creative: by Susanne Dunlap @janefriedman.comShould You Try to Turn Your Book into a Film or TV Series? The Self-Publishing with ALLi Member Q&A Podcast Featuring Michael La Ronn and Sacha Black: Simple Author Branding for Writers Who Hate Marketing: by Elizabeth Spann Craig Audio Interview: Building Your Author Platform in 2025: with Dale L. Roberts and Kerrie FlanaganWhy I left social media: by Dan BlankWhy I Dropped WordPress for PayHip: By Kris MazeProtecting Intellectual Property: What Writers Need to Know About Copyright: @victoriastrauss.comOne Author, Many Faces: Managing Multiple Identities: from the Alliance of Independent AuthorsBeginning Hook Examples That Make Readers Keep Turning Pages: from Story GridShadow Work for Writers: By Kristin Hacken SouthTap into Your Character’s Unmet Need to Strengthen Your Story: by Angela AckermanCharacterization: by Kay DiBiancaThe Orphan Archetype: Personality and Examples: j by Polly Watt50+ Character Archetypes to Use in Fiction: by Polly WattSix Improvements From the Murderbot TV Show: by Oren AshkenaziThe Residence TV Pilot Beat Sheet Analysis: by Shari SimpsonBe Weirder: 5 Unexpected Truths I Learned at the Nebula Conference: by Shannon A. ThompsonWhat Is the Heart of Story? by DiAnn Mills10 Novels Agents Have Seen a Billion Times, and How to Make Yours Stand Out: by Kate McKeanHow to engage readers: by Dan BlankWhy ‘Show, Don’t Tell’ Matters: by Beem WeeksHow to Capitalize Titles: By Arlene MillerHow to Prepare Your Manuscript for a Developmental Edit: by Jenn WindrowThe Importance of Setting in Fiction and Nonfiction: by Fundy Blue at the IWSGVoice Matters: By Kathryn CraftThe Top Ten Tactics for Writers Using ChatGPT – Without Losing Your Voice: by Garry Rodgers

 

 

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by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethspanncraig.com

Author branding feels overwhelming when you think of it as marketing, but it’s really just being consistently yourself so readers know what to expect.

Describe Your Books Simply and Accurately

Tell people exactly what you write. “Cozy mysteries with senior sleuths in small Southern towns” works better than “compelling fiction exploring the human condition.” Your description should help readers decide if your books match what they enjoy reading. When someone asks what you write at a bookstore event, your answer should immediately help them know if they’re interested or not.

Be Yourself Online, Just Consistently

Pick a personality that matches who you actually are, then stick with it across platforms. If you’re naturally quiet and thoughtful, don’t try to be the writer who posts fifteen times a day with exclamation points. Readers appreciate authenticity, and fake enthusiasm gets exhausting to maintain. I tend to be pretty straightforward and practical, so that’s how I come across online too.

Use the Same Basic Information Everywhere

Keep your author photo, bio, and key details consistent across your website, social media, and book materials. This is about recognition. When readers see your books in different places, they should immediately know it’s you. Update everything at once when you get new headshots or achieve new milestones, but don’t stress about minor variations in bio length for different platforms.

Emphasize What Makes Your Books Different

Every writer doesn’t need identical branding. Maybe your books always feature small-town settings, or your protagonist has an unusual job, or you specialize in a particular type of humor. Whatever distinguishes your work from similar books should be part of how you present yourself. This helps readers who loved one of your books easily find your others.

Keep It Simple and Sustainable

You don’t need to master every social media platform or have a presence everywhere online. A well-maintained website plus one or two social platforms you actually enjoy using beats abandoned profiles scattered across the internet. Choose what you can realistically keep up with, then do those things consistently rather than sporadically.

How do you keep author branding from being too stressful?

Author branding is just being consistently yourself so readers know what to expect from your books:
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by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

LitLinks are fed into the Writer’s Knowledge Base search engine (developed by writer and software engineer Mike Fleming) which has over 70,000 free articles on writing related topics. It’s the search engine for writers. While you’re there, check out the Writer’s Digest award-winning Hiveword novel organizer.

Have you visited the WKB lately?  Check out the new redesign where you can browse by category, and sign up for free writing articles, on topics you choose, delivered to your email inbox!  Sign up for the Hiveword newsletter here. Follow the WKB on Facebook here.

Looking better this week! Thanks for sticking with me, everybody.

Building Inventory: by Anne R. AllenIf Your Publisher Promised to Register Your Copyright, Check Your Registration Now: @victoriastrauss.comHow to Hook New Readers with a Novel-Based Workshop: by Colleen M. StoryUS National Book Awards: The 2025 Translated Literature Longlist: by Porter AndersonThe £25,000 British Academy Book Prize Names a 2025 Shortlist: Porter AndersonHow Creative Writing Constraints Unlock Better Stories: from Story Grid4 Easy Ways to Use Writing Prompts for Inspiration: By Savannah CordovaFive literary theme parks to blow your vacation days on: by Brittany AllenSilence the Inner Critic: by Kill Zone BlogIt Turns Out Walking and Writing Have Things in Common: from Writers in the StormAnchor and Practice: Diaries and Journals: by Sophie MassonHow SEO Broke the Internet: By Lisa NormanHope and Action: Fuel for the Fire: by Tiffany Yates MartinIs it time to branch out in your writing? by Anne JanzerWhy Writing Advice Fails (and What To Do Instead): by Colleen M. StoryNumbness’s Effect on Writing And Ways to Recover: by Charles YallowitzWhat You Can Really Learn From a Writing Retreat: by Jessica StrawserHow to Write in Ecstasy: by Philip AthansClaiming Headspace for Your Writing Life: Lessons from Aikido: by Barbra RodriguezWhat Does It Mean To Be a Working Class Writer at Iowa Writers’ Workshop? By Lee ColeDo Authors Need to Access Emotions While Writing? by Charles YallowitzWrestling With Fan-Fiction: by S.M. CarrièreHow To Write Historically Correct Books Without Offending Modern Sensibilities: by Elaine DodgeHow to Improvise a Locked Room Murder Mystery: by Bianca MaraisWhen Bodies are Misidentified in Crime Fiction: @mkinberg.bsky.social“Every Man for Himself” Situations in Crime Fiction: @mkinberg.bsky.socialHow a Writer Can Turn Passive Newsletter Subscribers into a Thriving Community: by Kate Huff7 Books in 21 Years: Tips on Getting Published: by Lee WindEvery Part of a Book, Explained (With 15+ Examples): by Dave ChessonOlder Books: from Self-Publishing AdviceDo You Really Have to Use a 3-Act Structure in Fiction?: by C.S. LakinWriting an Inciting Incident? You Can Do Better: by Chris WinkleThe Real Scarlett O’Hara: Heroine or Selfish Brat?: from Writers WriteThe Importance of Conveying Character: by September C. FawkesCreating Fiction from Real People: by DiAnn MillsBuilding Character: By Elaine Viets10 Flaws to Give Your Perfect Characters to Make Them Human: by Quillology With HayaCharacter Building: by Dave KingRevisiting Animal Characters: by D.L. FinnMorally Grey Characters: Definition, Examples, and Writing Tips: by Brandi BadgettHow Much Does Your Protagonist Really Need to Do? By Barbara Linn ProbstWriting: Revisiting Old Manuscripts: by Linda S. ClareEpigraphs: A Fun Writing Tool: by Jordan CrumpHow to Write Better Subplots: by Diane CallahanThe Fairy Tale Heroine’s Journey: A Structure for Writers: by Kate FarrellThe Injuries Checklist: By K.M. AllanResearch for Fiction Writing: by April DávilaWriting: Avoiding Splits, Danglers and Prepositional Micromanaging: by Linda S. ClareOn Propellants, Talking, Infatuation, and Revising: By Kathleen McClearyNeed a Good Book Editor? Top Up-to-Date Recommendations: by K.M. WeilandCurated Writing Content: Accessible Ebooks: by Liz Gauffreau

 

The Top Writing Links From Last Week Are On LitLinks:
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by DiAnn Mills, @diannmills

Throughout time, the world has provided us with real people who attempted feats of courage to survive the odds against them. Those heroes and heroines tapped into mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual strength to battle and overcome obstacles. Those bigger-than-life people laid the foundation for fascinating stories to captivate readers.

The process of creating a fictional account or story based on real people challenges the writer to weave facts into characters and events, which allows the reader to walk the pages of the adventure with the character. The process sets the stage for an incredible story seen through a unique POV by using emotion, symbolism, and sensory perception that fits into the real person.

The writer explores information from reliable sources, libraries, respected websites, front-page news, or the latest media report to pull out facts and discover between-the-line possibilities. But the process has three challenges that must be addressed:

How much information can a writer use legally without the threat of plagiarism? Copying and pasting from previously published works is illegal.How can the event or person be used to create an intriguing story? The basis of heroism is a personality open to wisdom and learning. Story is line after line of emotive conflict, and the problem lingers on what could have happened vs. what might have happened.If a real person is part of the story and recognized as a hero or heroine, how does the writer show growth and change?

For many writers, the prospect is intriguing. The facts and research are documented, and adding characters and literary techniques to tell the story should be . . . easy. But the story requires skill to develop unforgettable and unpredictable characters.

What do writers need to accomplish their story?A character who steps into a reader’s heart and takes permanent residence. They are three-dimensional, feeling, thinking, acting, and reacting people who have a dynamic backstory that explains behavior in the present.A plot that identifies a problem and employs a complicated means of solving it. Mounting conflict moves the storyline forward.A strong point of view expressed by the character who has the most to lose and gain in every scene. For the protagonist to represent a recognizable person in history, traits must identify with what is commonly accepted about the person.A credible display of character emotions motivated by the past, present, passion, personality, and persuasion. Life experiences will have influenced the real person’s emotions. How do those critical parts of story line up with facts? Showing how the person reacted and responded to various situations can be a tightrope, but when completed effectively, readers will praise the writer.A dialogue linked to genre, culture, setting, and detailed characterization.A setting with strong antagonistic traits.A climax that explodes naturally from all the happenings and events leading up to the black moment.A critical resolution designed to meet reader satisfaction. It must tie all the loose ends and answer all the questions. Accuracy to facts is a must.Using fiction techniques for the sake of story is needed for rising action, but a writer who changes history might not find their story accepted.

The plot doesn’t have to match the historical or front-page headlines, but it must be believable. Writers take seeds from established facts and massage what’s necessary into the character’s life. Fascinating backgrounds help writers create a similar or fresh story idea.

The prospect of creating a story from a real person is a task worth the hard work. Done properly, the reader is entertained, encouraged, inspired, and learns more about what shaped our world.

Are you ready to roll back your writing sleeves and take on the project?

 

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, conference consultant for the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers, a member of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, the Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, and International Thriller Writers. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.

DiAnn is active online and would love to connect with readers on: Facebook, X, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, BookBub, YouTube, LinkedIn or her website: diannmills.com

 

Author @diannmills shares expert tips on creating compelling stories from real people while respecting facts and legal boundaries:
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by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

Welcome to a very strange edition of LitLinks! I apologize for its brevity and formatting. The tech gremlins have gone on a total rampage this week. I’ve decided to completely eschew a laptop for a desktop (being delivered tomorrow), which will help with some of the problems I’m facing. You should see a very normal edition next week. :) I feel like I should be hanging a sign that says “Thank you for your patience with our progress,” ha.

How a Misbelief About Love Can Be a Guiding Light for Your Romance Characters: buff.ly/0Ukdq7K by Jane Friedman #wkb45

Elements of Suspense: buff.ly/Ix6g4sW from Fictionary #wkb18

Should You Write What You Know?: buff.ly/EHsNRwp by Savannah Cordova #wkb31

Crime Fiction: In The Spotlight: Octavia E. Butler’s Parable of the Sower: buff.ly/YJjXDBs @mkinberg.bsky.social #wkb44

When to Get Up and Write in the Middle of the Night: buff.ly/xC32GZM by Josh Bernoff #wkb31

Writing 101: Semi-Colons & Other Tricky Punctuation Marks: buff.ly/x8y3Sat by Becca Puglisi #wkbd

37 Days of Shakespeare Day 35: Much Ado: buff.ly/nqiAnUh from Secrets of Story #wkb14

Author, Take Back Your Power: buff.ly/syI3EyK from Writers in the Storm #wkb31

Shadow Work for Writers (Part 1 of 2): buff.ly/uR0Jcyd from Writer Unboxed #wkb31

Help! My Romance Draft Is a Mess (Now What?): buff.ly/QiovHZm by Stuart Wakefield #wkbb

Sabotaging My Own Writing Before Even Starting? buff.ly/qqGkki4 by Kristen Arnett #wkb30

Apostrophes & Possession(‘s): buff.ly/dIqtgRu from Story Empire #wkbd

Using Formula Without Being Formulaic: buff.ly/bN3cy2R from Fox Print Editorial #wkb89

Longlist: The 50,000 Pound Baillie Gifford Prize for Nonfiction: publishingperspectives.com/2025/09/long… by Porter Anderson #wkb84

How to Decide If a Writer’s Retreat Is Right for You: buff.ly/upEzSDj by Nathan Bransford #wkb84

Write a Great Screenplay: buff.ly/k4wCHxn from Writer’s Digest #wkb48

The Problem in How to Train Your Dragon: buff.ly/vq6FLfN from Flying Wrestler #wkb14

What Are Editorial Reports and Should You Write Them? buff.ly/yuNFPBf by Louise Harnby #wkb82

The Value of Warming Up Before Each Writing Session: buff.ly/H0KJ0xL from Writers on the Move #wkb31

Basic Copywriting: buff.ly/DSEpt4O from Nonprofit Copywriter #wkb8e

10 Ways to Use Setting Effectively in Fiction Writing: buff.ly/XacSlFD from Career Authors #wkb90

Pinterest Is My Best-Kept Author Marketing Secret: buff.ly/Gwc3Ft1 by Melissa Bourbon #wkb71

Create a Plan for Local Book Presentations: buff.ly/iUt9Ceu By Linda Wilson #wkb84

Moving and Writing: buff.ly/QIsN7B7 by Kay DiBianca #wkb31

Four Ways Writing a Book Will Teach you about Your Writing Fears and Habits: buff.ly/txR74iF by Rebecca Camarena #wkb31

The Top Writing Links From Last Week Are On LitLinks:
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