A literary device is a technique in writing to help enhance the writing or otherwise help authors get their message across in creative ways. Many literary devices are widely known, such as the simile. But there are many you might not know about! Here are some lesser known literary devices to spice up your writing.

Metaphor

Metaphor is commonly thought of in the same vein as the simile. While a simile is a comparison using “like” or “as” (ex. Her eyes were blue like the sea), a metaphor is a comparison that does not use “like” or “as.” (ex. Her eyes were a blue sea.) A metaphor might be an ideal device for comparison if you wish to be more abstract and establish a recurring theme over the course of your story. 

Anaphora

Anaphora is the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of sentences/independent clauses. This kind of repetition is typical in oration and poetry, in order to emphasize ideas, provoke emotion in the audience. An example: The repetition of “I have a dream” in Martin Luther King’s 1963 “I Have A Dream” speech – so effective, it is how people know that speech all these years later!

Metonymy

Metonymy is symbolism, but phrased a certain way – a metonym is where a single object is used to represent a larger thing that is more complex. It comes to serve as a synonym for that thing or things. Examples: “The crown” representing the British Monarchy; In the phrase “the pen is mightier than the sword”, “pen” means written words, while “sword” means violence. 

Consonance

You probably have heard of alliteration before – the repetition of sounds at the beginning of words. But did you know that alliteration is actually a form of consonance, the repetition of non-vowel sounds in a series of words? Consonance can also happen in other places in a word, not just at the beginning. Example: “Hickory dickory dock,” “He struck a streak of bad luck.”

Parallelism 

Parallelism is a type of sentence structure. It is arranging similar words or phrases in a way that reflects their similarity or relationship. Typically, it creates a harmonious, poetic sound. It is more common in oratory, but can be effective in your book as well. Examples: “No pain, no gain,” “Where there is smoke, there is fire.”

Polysyndeton

Polysyndeton is a fancy sounding word for a device that is fairly simple. Polysyndeton is when a writer combines long clauses with conjunctions, rather than commas or starting a new sentence. It is usually for dramatic effect, such as to represent a train of thought or perhaps a worried tone. Example: In Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Act 2, Scene 5: ““Your love says, like an honest gentleman, and a courteous, and a kind, and a handsome, and, I warrant, a virtuous — where is your mother?””

In Medias Res

In medias res translated from Latin means “in the middle of things.” To use In medias res means to start a scene right in the middle of action. It is effective to use when you want to catch a reader’s attention right away. 

Allusion

Allusion is a term that simply means a reference to another work. Well placed references wont take away from your story but will enhance it. They can pay homage to works that inspired your work. 

Hypophora

Hypophora is similar to a rhetorical question. It is when someone asks a question for dramatic effect, and answers it themselves right away. It is typically used when a character is talking to themselves, making a dramatic point, or talking to an audience. Example: In The Great Gatsby, when Daisy Buchanan says, “Do you always watch for the longest day of the year and then miss it? I always watch for the longest day in the year and then miss it.”

Zoomorphism 

Zoomorphism is the opposite of personification – taking animal traits and assigning them to something that isn’t an animal. These traits can be metaphorical, or literal, such as the mythological creature of a centaur. Example: Saying someone is “barking up the wrong tree” to express bad behavior. 

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Every writer has experienced writer’s block – a period of time when it seems like the creative juices just aren’t flowing. Luckily, writer’s block doesn’t have to last forever. There are things you can do to get back in a creative mindset. Here are some ways to fuel your creativity for your next writing session and beyond.

Healthy habits

It might get old to hear, but healthy habits do go a long way. Healthy habits help you be more creative. Why? Because creativity comes from your brain! Treating your brain well will make your brain happy and productive.

Get adequate sleep, eat your vegetables, and do a quick workout to awaken the artist within. 

Create other things

Creativity breeds creativity. If you have hit a wall with writing, engage in another creative practice for fun. Drawing, painting, photography, playing music are all things that can help unlock a spark. Engaging in other art may relate to what you are writing, or it can be completely different. 

Community

The image of a writer as someone who spends all their time alone has never been entirely accurate. Writers have found community with each other and found inspiration from spending time with others since the advent of writing! Spend some time with people who energize you in order to get out of your creative rut. Whether it is friends, family, or another community group, inspiration for writing can come from being around others. 

Move to another part

If you have come into a part of your book that is stumping you, write a different chapter or go back to work on previous parts of the book. 

Take a short break

Sometimes writer’s block can be solved with a short break. Just like taking a break from studying when you were in school, taking a break during writing and coming back can make things click into place. Walk away from the desk for a half hour if you are stuck. 

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When you think about publishing a book, chances are your first thought is a fictional novel or a nonfiction book such as an autobiography. But there are many types of books out there that you may not have thought about. We have published many unique books over the years that might not be the typical novel or memoir. Everyone has a book in them. Here are some examples of unique books you can publish with us. 

Cookbooks

Share your favorite recipes with the world by publishing a cookbook! Cookbooks are timeless publications. In fact, they have some of the longest print runs of any book! With this in mind, if you are passionate about cooking and the power of food, consider publishing a cookbook.

Family histories

Preserve your family legacy with a book about your family. Tell the story of your family tree through words and photos, all in one place for future generations. We have published several such books over the years.

Show off your collections

Many people collect things. Show off your collections by publishing a book about them. Taking photos of your collections and cataloging each item is a great way to preserve the collection and connect with other hobbyists. One unique collection we have published is a book about a glassware collection!

Photography books

Professional photographers and hobbyists alike can publish a book of their original photography. Full color photo books make a nice addition to a coffee table or a bookshelf, and they serve as part of your portfolio of works as an artist! 

Dissertations and thesis papers

Have you ever written a big academic project such as a PhD dissertation or a Master’s thesis? Publish the finished product! Put your name alongside other scholars and make a physical copy of your research available.

Lesson plans

Teachers and educators can share their lessons with others by publishing books of lesson plans. 

Humor and jokes

There will always be a need for humor in this world. Publish a book of humorous stories and jokes!

Bottom line: If you can dream it, you can publish it. When you have your book idea, let us know!

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Every year on George Washington’s birthday, the United States celebrates Presidents Day. Presidents Day is a federal holiday to honor the leaders of America’s highest office.

Over the 234 years since the Constitution established the office of President, many interesting men have provided wisdom to Americans. Here are some quotes from past presidents to inspire you as you write your book! 

“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” —Theodore Roosevelt

“If you’re walking down the right path and you’re willing to keep walking, eventually you’ll make progress.” ―Barack Obama

“Be patient and calm; no one can catch a fish with anger.” —Herbert Hoover

“Try and fail, but don’t fail to try.” ―John Quincy Adams

“The finest steel has to go through the hottest fire.” ―Richard M. Nixon

“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.” ―Calvin Coolidge

“There are no great limits to growth because there are no limits of human intelligence, imagination, and wonder.” ―Ronald Reagan

“Tell the truth, work hard, and come to dinner on time.” —Gerald R. Ford

“You can do what you have to do, and sometimes you can do it even better than you think you can.” ―Jimmy Carter

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Genre is a term given to categories of books. The word is derived from French, meaning “like” or “type.” It is a label that describes what the book is about and how it is constructed. A genre label not only helps in marketing the book, but it helps readers know what they are getting into with a book. 

There are fiction and nonfiction genres: Fiction is a made up story, while nonfiction is a “real life” book. A book can’t be fiction and nonfiction at the same time. A book that is a novel, but based on a true story, is still fiction. 

Some examples of nonfiction genres are biographies, memoirs, and history. (For more about the difference between an autobiography, biography, and memoir, read this blog post!)

Some examples of fiction genres are romance, mystery, science fiction, children’s fiction, and fantasy.

Books of a genre will share certain characteristics and conventions. For example: romance novels will feature characters falling in love, science fiction will push the limits of our current scientific knowledge. The familiar characteristics are what made up the genre.

Sometimes, for fiction books especially, the story may not fit neatly into a genre. “Literary fiction” is sometimes the genre given to novels that are character-centered or otherwise don’t fall into a genre. There can be multiple genres – a book can be a fantasy romance, for example. 

Nonfiction books that don’t fit into another nonfiction genre are often simply categorized as “nonfiction.” 

We have a wide variety of genre categories at the Dorrance Bookstore. These genres are not to suggest that all books within the genres are the same, but to merely sort similar books with each other. This makes it easy for readers browsing the store to find what they are looking for.

Having a genre also helps with promotion and marketing of a book. For example, a true crime book and a children’s fiction book need to be handled differently – they are very different, and meant for very different audiences!

Dorrance Bookstore online homepage.

As for promoting your book, a genre helps you find your audience. If you have a book that is about a topic related to business, a business magazine or podcast might be a suitable partner for an interview. 

At the end of the day, the genre of your book is not a determining factor of quality, but is a signal to your audience. Books may be of the same genre, but each one is unique – just like yours!

Have a book within you? Let us help!

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We talked to Ms. Parks about her inspiration for writing the book and more!

Name: Malissa Parks

Hometown: Grew up in Carson, CA and now reside in Long Beach, CA.

Book Title: “I Like Being Brown, This Family & Hero 44”

Describe your book in 10 words or less.

A keepsake for families that teaches young learners to read.

What made you want to write your book?

I wrote this book because of the relevance of the most historical moment in African American History.

How long did it take you to write your book?

It took a year to write this book.

What do you do when you have writer’s block? 

Due to the history that is apparent behind writing this book, I never experienced writer’s block because I definitely was inspired by God. He gave me the wisdom so I knew exactly what I wanted to write about and it came to me naturally!  I knew what I wanted to say and how I wanted to present it. As an educator, I am very passionate about writing, especially writing about a topic that teaches.   

What was your favorite part to write and why?

My favorite part in Small Trilogy is in the story “I Like Being Brown” when Richard, the character, realizes he could be whatever he wanted to be, just being himself!

If your book includes illustrations, what was it like working with your illustrator? 

It was great working with all three of my illustrators. With my son and my nephew as two of them, it was really a surreal moment!! I really pride all three young men on making each picture come alive in the minds of children.

If you were stuck on an island and had to have one person from each category with you, who would they be and why:

-One friend or family member:

My son because he’s always been my little protector.

-One fictional character:

Character in the book, Richard because of his big imagination!

–One famous person (living or dead):

Maya Angelou because I love her thought process when creating some of her most famous and cultural poems and quotes.

What are some of your hobbies?

I enjoy skating, swimming, singing and socializing.

If your book was made into a movie, who would play the main characters?

The main characters would be Viola Davis, Phylicia Rashad, Denzel Washington, Tyler James Williams, Zendaya, Yara Shahidi, Marsai Martin, Jennifer Lewis with a splash of Sherri Shepard.

What did you enjoy most about working with Dorrance Publishing?

Receiving my Author’s copy of my finished project!

Five favorite books of all time?

“Becoming,” “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” Of Thee I Sing: A Letter To My Daughters,” “Beloved,” and “How Stella Got Her Groove Back”

Do you have any advice for anyone looking to write a children’s book?

To write a good children’s book, you must be a creative writer with a big imagination that kids can relate to!

You can purchase I Like Being Brown now at the Dorrance Bookstore.

Have an educational children’s book you’d like to publish? Contact us!

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Name: David Rey

Book Title: Larceny on 34th Street: An In-Depth Look at Professional Shoplifting in One of the World’s Largest Stores

Hometown: Parsippany, NJ

What made you want to write and publish this book?

When people think of organized crime, they think of the mafia or drug cartel but most of the general public is unaware of the network of professional shoplifters that make up Organized Retail Crime and the daily threat they pose to retailers. I wanted to be the first to bring this issue to the public’s attention as it is a fascinating story.

How long did it take to write the book?

I had been brainstorming ideas and putting together rough drafts for about a year before the pandemic. Once the shutdown took place, It was important to me that I used that time to do something meaningful. While some may have used the time off for relaxation and recreation, I saw it as a golden opportunity to devote my time to the book’s completion, which I eventually achieved by the end of 2020.

What was the most difficult part of putting this book together?

The most difficult part was putting myself in a position to do something I had never done before. If ever there was a time I had willingly exited my comfort zone, this was it. Creative writing was certainly not in my repertoire so I knew I was taking a big risk. I took inspiration from several nonfiction works I had in my personal library such as “Way of the Wolf” by Jordan Belfort, to help me map a blueprint and structure for my memoir. While proof-reading the chapters, I put myself in the reader’s shoes and looked at the content from a critical lens. Would I have been entertained by this if I was the reader? Would I have felt as if I learned something new and fascinating if I was the reader? The journey was difficult but it was necessary.

What was your favorite part to write and why?

Chapter 5 titled “Professional Shoplifting Strategies and Techniques” was where I felt this book hit its stride. I wanted to emphasize how turbulent yet unique working at Macy’s Herald Square could be. I kept looking for ways to introduce the clever tactics of shoplifters to the reader while also not losing sight of how wild an atmosphere the store was. I felt I was able to effectively incorporate both concepts into that chapter, which then set the tone for the remainder of the book.

Besides writing this book, what are your other interests?

Government and world affairs has always been another passion of mine. Ever since I was in grade school, I was fascinated with local politics and how the news had covered it. Following up on this passion, I recently enrolled at Harvard in their Division of Continuing Education, to pursue my graduate degree in Government. With the scholastic skills I am developing in this program, it is my hope that I will be better prepared for a future career in public service, if or when I choose to go down that path.

How did you celebrate the publishing of your book?

When achieving a personal goal, my first thought is to always make sure I celebrate with the people I’m hoping will benefit most from the accomplishment, my family. Therefore when I succeed at something, I make sure to spend the time celebrating with my wife and kids. I hope to serve as an inspiration to my kids and encourage them to have ambition. The more I celebrate with them, the more I hope to foster an environment that encourages motivation.  

What do you hope readers take from the book?

I mentioned in the beginning of my book that television, podcasts and other forms of entertainment have been saturated by courtroom and police drama shows. It is my hope that I am able to provide a unique and fresh story for my readers that they wouldn’t have been able to get anywhere else. I don’t want to just tell a story but also teach my readers something new and fascinating.

By the end of the book, hopefully I’ve done a good job introducing the reader to the rarely seen world of Organized Retail Crime while also helping them gain a better understanding of the social science of why people commit crime.

What did you enjoy most about working with Dorrance Publishing?

Certainly the artistic freedom was something that made this process enjoyable. When researching other author’s journeys through the production process of their respective books, I heard stories about the micromanaging and constant oversight coming from their publishers. Some had to remove entire chapters or make wholesale changes to their manuscripts.

Dorrance Publishing respects and supports their author’s intellectual ideas and creativity. I had a story to tell and a certain way I wanted to tell it. I thank Dorrance Publishing for supporting my vision.

Do you have any advice for anyone looking to get into law enforcement or criminology?

To those who are interested in the industry, I have several pieces of advice. Firstly, keep an open mind to learning more about why crime exists and why people choose to commit it. Many people see criminal behavior as black and white with no gray areas. It is important to be educated in crime causation theories before getting into this line of work.

Secondly, one should have the ability to be desensitized by the violence associated with some criminal behavior. You will be exposed to it at some point and how you let it affect you could impact your desire to stay in this industry long term.

Finally, successfully investigating a crime or some unethical incident is definitely rewarding. If you love being able to uncover dishonesty or criminal behavior and then seeing the investigation all the way through to its successful completion, this could be a fun job for you.

Thank you, David!

Larceny on 34th Street is available for purchase at the Dorrance Bookstore. 

Do you have a unique job you’d like to write about? Contact us!

The post Author Spotlight: David Rey, “Larceny on 34th Street: An In-Depth Look at Professional Shoplifting in One of the World’s Largest Stores” appeared first on Dorrance Publishing Company.

October is finally here, which means it’s time to load up on scary stories. Whether you need a tale to tell around the bonfire or are writing your first novel, here are some tips on how to write a good scary story.

1. ) Atmosphere

Use the five senses in order to build a compelling, believable, and most of all, spooky atmosphere for your tale. Describe your setting by showing the reader how things smell, taste, what they hear, and what their surroundings look like in great detail. Research locations and photography of them for inspiration, and practice describing what you see. 

2.) Avoid shock value

While jumpscares and sudden gore work in movies to scare audiences, these don’t always translate well in the written word. Avoid sudden shocking scenes designed to scare. Instead, build up to scares gradually. If your story is shorter, save the scariest plot point for last. 

3.) Tropes are your friend

Horror is a genre built on tropes, aka familiar story forms or plots that can be used over and over again. Audiences appreciate the familiarity of a haunted house on a hill or a teen slasher where one final girl survives. What happens around those concepts is what will set your story apart from the crowd and make it your own. 

4.) Have a message

Horror stories and novels are meant to give readers a thrill, but think about why your story is scary– and why you’re telling it. What is it that you want your audience to beware of? What scary part of life or our society are you highlighting? 

5.) Characterization and plot

Think about whether you want your story to be more character-centered or plot-centered. This will help anchor the story and help you decide how to deliver the best scares. A character-centered scary story will be more psychological in nature and focus on a character’s thoughts, feelings, and experiences as something happens to them. A more plot-centered story will focus on scary happenings or events, and may have multiple characters’ points of view. 

We hope these tips are helpful throughout your very own Spooktober!

For more inspiration, check out these VAMPIRE AND WEREWOLF books on sale at the Dorrance Bookstore!

Have a scary book you would like to publish? CONTACT US!

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We spoke to Marisa about her writing process, inspirations, and further reading recommendations!

Name: Marisa Recker

Hometown: Roots in Washington State, Montana, NYC & currently DC (never stayed in one place for too long)

Book Title: Until I See Stars

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Describe your book in 10 words or less:

All-the-feels, emotional, and healing. Get the tissues ready.

What made you want to write your book?

I went through a personal loss in my life, and I wanted to create a story that people could see themselves in, especially broken people like myself. I wanted to write something that touched people, and gave them a little bit of the healing that I felt in writing it.

How long did it take you to write your book?

It took me one month to write my book.

How do you choose the names of your characters?

Do you ever look at someone and think they look like a certain name? That’s how my names are chosen. Typically in the midst of my writing, I’ll have an urgent need to come up with a name, and what is chosen is typically the first thing that pops in my head.

What do you do when you have writer’s block?

I move on to a different scene in the book. I had an entirely separate document filled with scenes that didn’t fit the story at that moment, but could be used later. Sometimes jumping around your book helps free up your mind.

What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?

Any of the extremely emotional scenes. No spoilers, but there is one argument scene between two of the main characters that I loved writing because it was so emotionally intense.

If you were stuck on an island and had to have one person from each category with you, who would they be and why:

-One character from your book:

Cassian. He is a smaller character in the book, but I fell in love with him during the writing journey. I think he would be comforting to have on an island, plus he can play guitar, so he’s a perfect built-in radio.

-One fictional character:

Annabeth from Percy Jackson. I am not a huge fantasy reader, but she really shined in these novels. Plus, we need some fighters on this island to keep us alive!

-One famous person (living or dead):

Mary, Queen of Scots, mostly because she is my favorite historical figure and I could talk to her for hours.

Besides writing, what are your other interests?

I love reading, practically every genre. I also love spending time with my husband and 2 guinea pigs, my friends, traveling, and visiting museums!

How did you celebrate the publishing of your book?

I went out to dinner to celebrate and shared it with all of my friends and family on social media.

If your book was made into a movie, who would play the main characters?

What a great question!

Karina: Amy Adams

Dan: Jeremy Renner

Bethany: Alexa PenaVega

Kayla: Lili Reinhart (but with auburn hair)

What did you enjoy most about working with Dorrance Publishing?

I loved my cover designer. They nailed the perfect cover right away, and I get compliments on it all of the time.

Do you have any book recommendations for your readers?

Atonement by Ian McEwan, or anything by Kristin Hannah.

One sentence of advice for other writers?

Don’t compare yourself to other writers. Your journey isn’t supposed to look like theirs, it is supposed to look like yours.

Thank you, Marisa!

Until I See Stars is available now at the Dorrance Bookstore.

Have a story you’re ready to tell? Contact us!

The post Author Spotlight: Marisa Recker, “Until I See Stars” appeared first on Dorrance Publishing Company.

Every good story has an established setting. Your novel has to exist somewhere – your characters can’t just float in space (and even that would be a setting!) Having a specific setting not only makes your story easier to understand, but can aid in the plot and characterization. 

These tips will focus on general fiction. For tips on worldbuilding in fantasy fiction, check out our blog post on fantasy writing.

Specificity

Choose a specific town or region for your novel to exist in. It can be a fictional town in an otherwise real place in the world, or the story can take place somewhere that exists completely in our world. Using the real world allows you to take existing qualities that may be relevant to your story (ex. a coal mining town having a hard-working populace.) Making up a city or town from scratch will allow you to tailor it to your story’s needs and give it the characteristics that make sense for your story. Give your town a specific name and geographic location. 

Setting and Plot Working Together

Along with choosing a specific setting, think about what the setting means for the plot of your story. A lot of plot tropes have to do with setting and plot being reliant on each other. For example, many stories begin with a character moving to a new place for a fresh start. The new place then introduces a conflict or an event that sets the story in motion (e.g. Bella moves to Forks, Washington in Twilight for a change of scenery sets off the events of the novel, and the town of Forks becomes integral to the plot.)

Even if the character doesn’t start the story in a setting unfamiliar to them, something else could happen in the setting that relates to the plot: a beloved business closes, a new landmark pops up one day, etc. As you sketch out your plot, think about how the setting relates to it. 

Senses

Describe your setting using the five senses. What does your character hear when they walk outside? What do they smell? Setting entails everything in the environment, not just geography. What do other people look like when they walk along the street? Are things old or new? Thinking about questions like these and answering them – when appropriate – will help you establish a sense of place for your reader using the senses. As the old adage goes, show, don’t tell. 

Time

In addition to what the world in your story looks and feels like, time is also part of the overall setting. What time period is your story set in? The present, the distant past? Making sense of time will help ground your story and help the other parts work together. It is easier to sketch out the town your novel takes place in if you have a general time period for it to be set in – for example, a novel taking place in a coal mining city in the late 19th century would be a lot different than a coal mining city in 2022.

These are certainly not all that needs to be considered with regards to setting in your novel, but they are here to get you started! Have fun as you embark on your writing journey.

For extra help, consider our writing coach program.

If your novel is already written and waiting to be published, contact us!

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