In Fiction, Nothing is Won Without Sacrifice
By: Ginger | Posted on September 27, 2024
As authors, we all strive to create stories that resonate deeply with readers, pulling them into our characters’ journeys and making them feel truly invested. One of the most powerful tools for achieving this is sacrifice. Whether it’s a physical loss, a shattered belief, or giving up a cherished dream, sacrifice elevates the stakes and compels readers to care about the outcome. The key lies in understanding why sacrifice is so essential in storytelling—because not all sacrifices are created equal. When done poorly, it can feel hollow or forced, leaving readers unsatisfied. But when done well, it becomes the emotional anchor of your story. Today, Ginger walks us through the crucial role of sacrifice, how to determine what your characters should give up, and offers tips for crafting those moments to make a lasting impact. I’m obsessed with the structure of storytelling. Although every story is unique, I love being… Read More >
Spicy Romance Novels to end your Summer
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on September 24, 2024
There is no need to let that summer love sizzle out quite yet because today we’ve rounded up a collection that includes a variety of hot and spicy romance novels that have been popular and well-liked by Hidden Gems ARC readers. Buried Truths by Michelle Grey With a 4.6 average star rating, is a fast paced romantic mystery with paranormal elements. Olivia’s life is in turmoil—she’s living out of a suitcase, her career is crumbling, and her sister, Annie, is dead. Cam, a documentary filmmaker, returns to Atchison, Kansas, to claim an inheritance. After meeting Olivia and hearing her story, he sees an opportunity to boost his career. Together, they begin to dig into a Civil War era house’s mysteries and uncover dangers that threaten their lives. Trusting each other may be the only way to find the truth they both seek. “Another absolute banger from Michelle Grey! She continues… Read More >
Hard Lessons Learned from the Failure of The Acolyte
By: Ginger | Posted on September 20, 2024
It’s often said that you can learn more from failure than success, but it’s not only your own failures that can teach valuable lessons. The Acolyte is a prime example—a show that promised so much, yet stumbled in its execution, offering key “lessons learned” for writers. While fans and critics alike were divided over its story, there’s no denying that its flaws provide an opportunity to learn what not to do when crafting narratives. In this week’s blog, Ginger breaks down the show’s major misfires and explores how we can turn them into opportunities for growth in our creative journeys. There are valuable lessons to learn from studying the pitfalls of this Disney+ series—such as poor use of pre-existing characters or an overreliance on a non-linear timeline—and they serve as a reminder that even the most ambitious and well-funded projects can fall apart if the core storytelling isn’t solid. Warning:… Read More >
Young Children’s Books to Add to Your Cart
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on September 17, 2024
Do you have a young reader in your life? We have a handful of books to add to your reading list! Our Hidden Gems ARC readers loved the following young children’s books, and there is something for little bookworms of all ages in this list. The Cat Who Chased Ghosts by Nic Minnella With a 4.6 average star rating, The Cat Who Chased Ghosts is recommended for children 9-14 years old and tells the story of a haunted house, a paranormal cat, and the power of friendship. “What a lovely and fun book! It follows the Thompson family as they move into an old house they’ve inherited. The story takes a turn when their son Timmy forms a bond with Whiskers. It’s charming and entertaining, and the characters are delightful. The book is on the longer side for a children’s book, but the story is engaging enough. A must-read for… Read More >
What can writers learn by studying Sarah J. Maas?
By: Ginger | Posted on September 13, 2024
Ever wonder what makes certain authors skyrocket in popularity while others struggle to break through? Sarah J. Maas is a name on nearly every reader’s lips today, but not everyone knows she began her journey by self-publishing Throne of Glass before going the traditional publishing route and selling 38 million books worldwide. In a relatively short time, Maas has built a literary empire with her intricate worlds, complex characters, and unforgettable romances. But what’s the secret behind her meteoric rise, and what can we, as writers, learn from it? That’s exactly what Ginger sets out to explore in today’s article as he examines the key writing strategies that have propelled Maas to best-seller status. From her richly detailed world-building and compelling characters to her savvy marketing tactics and sheer persistence, there are countless lessons we can take from her path to success—lessons that can help us transform our own writing… Read More >
Great Fantasy Books to Escape With
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on September 10, 2024
If you’re looking for great fantasy books to cozy up and escape with as the Fall weather starts to arrive, here is a list of novels loved by Hidden Gems ARC readers, sure to keep the pages turning. On Viking Seas by Jay Veloso Batista With a 4.8 star average on Amazon, On Viking Seas is book three of the four book Forerunner series. Based on historical events and set in the year 880, this installment will bring Norse legends to life! Creativeheart describes in their five star Amazon review, “The third book in the Forerunner series by Jay Batista is as great a read as the first two books, where we are introduced to the Agneson clan, a Viking family whose allegiances and enemies quickly separate family members and create new destinies. War has created dire circumstances. The oldest son, Cub, who fought alongside his doomed father, has been… Read More >
The Author’s AI Toolkit – Brainstorming
By: Craig | Posted on September 6, 2024
Welcome to part 3 of the Author’s AI Toolkit series. After an introduction to the series, and then a brief primer on prompting, it’s finally time to start digging into some real examples of how AI can assist you. Brainstorming is the natural place to start because that’s where most of the work for an author begins—coming up with ideas. Artificial Intelligence is fabulous at brainstorming, and for many authors, this will be the primary and most valuable use case they have for it. And for those still worried about AI stealing/borrowing/plagiarizing content, brainstorming should feel less risky, as it’s not about generating unique ideas to use verbatim but rather offering a diverse range of ideas to spark your creativity and guide your thinking in new directions. Once you’re nudged off the path you normally follow, you can discover entirely new ideas just by thinking outside the box you usually… Read More >
SciFi Books to read this Fall
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on September 3, 2024
Fall weather is just around the corner! Need to add a futuristic novel (or two) to your TBR list? Our Hidden Gems ARC readers loved the following scifi books, and we bet you will, too. Endless Winter: Part Two by Riley Miller & Grace Hamilton With 150+ ratings and a 4.5 star average, Endless Winter: Part Two is is the finale of the Endless Winter series, which follows Jarred and Fiona as they and their family navigate an ice age of apocalyptic proportions. Michelle V. explains in her five star Amazon review, “Endless Winter: Part Two is a page turning read with an ‘it could really happen’ storyline that caught my attention from the first page until the last. The writing is well done and the story has strong and well developed characters, intrigue, suspense, danger, and so much more. I love reading post-apocalyptic survival stories and these authors… Read More >
