As a novelist, making a solid connection with your readers is better than building thousands of followers, if half may be bots. Make readers excited about you and your book. Buyers of nonfiction are looking for self-help or study, so the author’s topic and authority are critical. In contrast, a novelist doesn’t need an MDiv but needs to possess the gift to write a God-honoring, entertaining, edifying, and meaningful novel. A novelist must convince readers that reading a story is a good use of their leisure time. Readers who are invested in you will be more likely to read your fables. How do yo ..read more

Welcome back to our series on story structure. Last time I talked about Pinch Point #1. Remember, a “pinch point” in a story is a moment where the antagonist’s power is showcased, applying pressure to the protagonist and emphasizing the stakes at hand. Pinch point #1 usually occurs around the midpoint of the first half of the story, serving as a reminder of the antagonist’s strength and the challenges the protagonist must overcome. The pinch point in Oliver’s story is the message with the painting containing the incomplete facial reconstruction, only there’s a single tear painted on her partia ..read more

You’ve published your book with a publisher. But it has been some time since it was published, and it feels like the publisher is no longer interested in promoting your book. Or the book is “old” enough that the publisher isn’t going to spend new money to sell copies but is simply keeping it available. Or the print edition of the book is no longer available, but it is still considered “in print” because an ebook edition is still available. Now you want the rights back so you can do something with your work that the publisher is unlikely to do. This is called reversion of rights. Defined by Joa ..read more

Today marks the sixtieth anniversary of the deaths of three well-known authors: US President John F. Kennedy (he wrote three books before becoming President), C.S. Lewis, and Aldous Huxley. JFK was 46 years old when he was assassinated. In the car driving through Dallas that day, Texas Governor John Connally’s wife turned around and said, “You certainly can’t say that the people of Dallas haven’t given you a nice welcome.” “No, you certainly can’t,” JFK replied, a blink of an eye before the bullet from Lee Harvey Oswald’s rifle killed him. Aldous Huxley, a British author, mostly known for writ ..read more

As the year draws to a close and the holiday season approaches, it’s the perfect time for content creators to pause, reflect, and cultivate gratitude. In our fast-paced world, where the demands of content creation often leave us in a constant state of hustle, the joy of gratitude can be easily overlooked. However, taking a moment to be thankful for the connections, opportunities, and creative ideas we’ve experienced throughout the year can be a game-changer. I want to offer practical ways to rest, recover, and refresh before diving headfirst into the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead ..read more

‘Tis the season in the U.S. to celebrate Thanksgiving and to take a moment to be thankful. Today I would like to thank you. To thank those of you who read our blog regularly either via an email subscription or RSS feed or visiting the site. I am grateful for the time you have invested in reading what we write. Ask any of us, and we will tell you the hours we spend in creating these posts and the discussions we have about what topics to tackle. But without you, the effort would be for naught. Therefore, I want to sincerely and officially thank you for the time you have given to us each week. No ..read more

Writing is a solo creative venture. Or so it may seem. But sometimes, a collaborative effort can make the solo a chorus. Today’s video is an expression of that community effort. Four people playing one guitar. Brilliant! Who are some people in your life who make your creativity greater because of their contributions? The post Fun Fridays – November 17, 2023 appeared first on The Steve Laube Agency ..read more

Thankfulness is a gift we give ourselves. Why be Grateful? As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, now is an ideal time to revisit our reasons for gratitude. I’m thankful for the God we serve, a merciful God Who loves us no matter what mistakes we make and who rejoices in what we try to do to please Him. I’m grateful for the people in my life and that the Lord meets my needs and beyond. That’s only a start. If I were to compose a list, this blog post would be so long that no one would read it. Social Media I’ve taken a break from social media, and now I’ll try to be more active by sharing hel ..read more

Dueling percussionists! Enjoy today’s Fun Friday! What they must have been like in their high school marching band pit: The post Fun Fridays – November 10, 2023 appeared first on The Steve Laube Agency ..read more

Welcome back to our series on story structure. As I’ve said before, this is only one of many options to choose from when it comes to plotting your stories. In the last two posts, I covered the inciting incident and Plot Point 1. I left poor Oliver attacked outside the restaurant with a head wound and a warning to “let the dead stay dead.” Someone doesn’t want the skull reconstructed. Oliver’s response? “Whoever didn’t want her face to be revealed just made a huge mistake. I’m going to be working on that reconstruction day and night now.” Because that’s how heroes respond, right? Now, I di ..read more