The Key to Selling Books: Find Your Hook
By: Ginger | Posted on March 14, 2025
If you want to sell more books, you need a hook that stops readers in their tracks. With thousands of new titles flooding the market every day, your book needs a way to stand out. A strong hook is what keeps readers from scrolling past your title and onto the next, as it compels them to stop and find out more! In today’s blog, Ginger breaks down what makes a killer book hook, how to identify yours, and why some of the most successful self-published books of all time owe their rise to a single, unforgettable concept. He’s sharing actionable tips to help you distill your book’s premise into a gripping one-liner that grabs attention, strengthens your marketing, and ensures your story doesn’t disappear into the void. A few months ago I wrote a blog post called “the only four ways to sell books” and I wanted to revisit one… Read More >
What Writers Can Learn From the James Bond Formula
By: Ginger | Posted on March 7, 2025
This past February, Amazon MGM Studios made a billion-dollar deal to take over control of the James Bond franchise. After five years without a Bond film, this seems to signal that the super spy is on the verge of a major comeback. But for many familiar with the studio’s history, there are legitimate concerns about this return. Will the online retailer turned movie studio stay true to the Bond formula that has kept the franchise running successfully for six decades, or will they fumble it like they did with The Rings of Power? Because there’s no doubt, the existing 25 films follow a well-established “Bond formula” that fans have come to know, love, and most importantly, expect. And that’s the lesson Ginger aims to teach us this week. The success of James Bond isn’t just about fast cars and shaken martinis, but about understanding audience expectations and delivering on them…. Read More >
Is the Book Always Better Than the Movie?
By: Ginger | Posted on February 21, 2025
We’ve all watched a movie adaptation of a book we love, only to walk away shaking our heads, muttering that “the book was better”. It happens so often that it feels like an unshakable truth—and as authors, let’s be honest, there’s a little satisfaction in knowing that a novel’s depth and nuance are hard to replicate on screen. But every now and then, a film or TV show not only gets it right but actually improves on its source material, capturing the essence of a book while also fixing its flaws. Writers spend countless hours crafting intricate worlds, shaping unforgettable characters, and fine-tuning every detail—so why do some stories translate brilliantly to film while others lose some of their magic? And perhaps more importantly, what can authors learn from these successes and failures? With the small screen version of Reacher returning for Season 3 this week, there is no better… Read More >
The Five Stages of Writing a Story (According to Lucas)
By: Ginger | Posted on February 7, 2025
In their minds, I think most non-writers imagine all authors to be pantsers. That is, we simply sit down in front of a keyboard and start typing away until we arrive at a finished piece. Of course, the reality is very different. Even if you are a pantser by nature, there are still plenty of steps standing between initial idea and finished product. A successful author only makes it look easy! As Ginger explains in today’s blog, his own writing journey has evolved over the years to a more structured approach than when he first started. But regardless of your style—whether you lean more towards spontaneity or meticulous planning—he believes there are at least five essential stages to successful storytelling. And by using the evolution of the Star Wars saga as an example, he takes us through each stage step-by-step—explaining why each is crucial and how they all come together to tell… Read More >
Is it worth using Unreliable Narration in your stories?
By: Ginger | Posted on January 31, 2025
One of the most powerful tools in an author’s arsenal is the ability to shape a reader’s perception of reality—only to twist that reality on its head. Unreliable narration is one of the most effective ways to do this, drawing readers into a story where the truth is never quite what it seems. When done well, it turns storytelling into an immersive puzzle, compelling readers to read between the lines, question what they’re being told, and uncover hidden truths. Unreliable narrators make for some of the most gripping and memorable characters, as their motives, biases, or even their grasp on reality keep readers guessing until the very end. From psychological thrillers to literary classics, unreliable narration has long been used to create suspense, deepen character development, and deliver shocking twists. But how can you apply this technique to your own writing? In today’s blog, Ginger explores how to do just… Read More >
What can writers learn from Colleen Hoover?
By: Ginger | Posted on January 24, 2025
When it comes to staggeringly successful self-published authors, the name Colleen Hoover should top anyone’s list. Since publishing her debut novel in 2012, she has gone on to become a literary phenomenon with over 20 million books sold and named one of the world’s most influential people in 2023. Her rise to fame should be studied as a blueprint by other aspiring writers, which is exactly what Ginger aims to help with in today’s blog as he breaks down everything that Colleen does right. By analyzing her ability to craft emotionally impactful stories, foster deep reader connections, and navigate the ever-changing publishing world, Ginger uncovers strategies that resonate far beyond the page. Hoover’s career offers countless lessons, from the art of creating unforgettable characters to leveraging modern tools like social media to engage and grow a devoted readership. Whatever skill it is you need to grow, there’s plenty to learn… Read More >
What Can Writers Learn by Studying the Novels of Jilly Cooper?
By: Ginger | Posted on December 13, 2024
For fans of romantic fiction, the television adaptation of Jilly Cooper’s iconic novel Rivals is a long-awaited celebration of an author who has been shaping the genre for decades. If you haven’t yet discovered the work of this British writer, you might be wondering what all the fuss is about. The fact is, Cooper is more than just a successful novelist. She’s a trailblazer whose wit, charm, and unforgettable characters have earned her a devoted following across generations. Ginger counts himself among those fans, which is why he’s taken a closer look at the glitz, glamor, and steaminess of her novels to uncover the invaluable lessons they offer to other writers. From her expert use of character and pacing to her sharp dialogue and picturesque settings, Jilly Cooper’s books are a masterclass in storytelling and thus the perfect study choice for for authors looking to hone their skills. One of… Read More >
Writing Romantic Suspense: Keeping Readers Hooked Until the End
By: Delaney Diamond | Posted on December 6, 2024
If fear of not being able to keep readers on the edge of their seats while rooting for love to triumph has held you back from writing romantic suspense, today’s blog is exactly what you need. Bestselling author Delaney Diamond, with over 50 contemporary romance and romantic suspense novels to her name, is here to share her expert insights. Her wealth of experience makes her the perfect guest to reveal the secrets of blending action, romance, and complex characters into a gripping story that readers won’t want to put down. Drawing from her own successful career, Delaney reveals actionable tips for starting strong, crafting relatable yet flawed characters, and raising the stakes with heart-pounding suspense. These techniques are key to balancing emotional depth with high-octane action, ensuring that your readers are hooked and won’t stop turning pages until the very end. I started my author career writing contemporary romance, and… Read More >
Do Shorter Novels Make a Bigger Impact?
By: Ginger | Posted on November 29, 2024
Many authors believe there to be an unspoken pressure to produce hefty novels, as if the length of a book is directly tied to its worth. But is there any validity to that assumption? Do readers always want longer novels, or could shorter ones offer equal—or even greater—value to both readers and writers? As Ginger highlights in today’s blog, modern readers juggle countless demands on their attention and time. Shorter books not only fit seamlessly into their busy lives but also create exciting opportunities for authors, from reaching a broader audience to increasing output while reducing costs. Maybe it’s time to rethink whether bigger truly means better in the world of storytelling. When it comes to credit card debt, suppositories, and the spiders you find in your bathroom, one thing is clear: Bigger isn’t always better. But does the same rule apply for novels? Some of my favorite novels are… Read More >
Why You Shouldn’t Leave Chekhov’s Gun Hanging On The Wall
By: Ginger | Posted on October 18, 2024
Writing is a craft, with authors employing a variety of tools and techniques to weave together their stories. One such tool is Chekhov’s Gun, a principle that essentially emphasizes that every element introduced in a story should serve a purpose, or it shouldn’t be there at all. Today, Ginger is digging into the details of this technique and how it can be used in your own work, along with examples of how it has been used in popular literature and film. Checkhov’s Gun is all about discipline, foreshadowing, and rewarding your readers for their attention to detail. Whether it’s a clue hidden in the first chapter, a character’s flaw that leads to their downfall, or a seemingly innocuous object that becomes critical later on, this tool can add layers of suspense, symbolism, and satisfaction that will transform your stories from good to unforgettable. Writing is a craft, not an art… Read More >
