Start somewhere

Perhaps, the most difficult aspect of writing a sequel is in determining where to begin. However, when it comes to writing a sequel, you actually have less work to do because you’ve already set the scene in your first book. The opening chapter of your sequel should, in essence, pick up where you left off in your first book’s closing pages. You’ve already introduced your protagonist and antagonist, so work to weave the storylines seamlessly into one.

What’s considered too much?

There will be some attention-to-detail and some extra thought needed in order to connect the dots between your first book and its sequel. So the question is, “How much is too much?” When you’re sitting down to write a sequel, think of your first book as essentially this book’s backstory, and use that as a guiding force that points the way for this second book. You’ll want to start with a predominantly clean slate but keep some important details from your first book to help you tie together any loose ends. Keep the idea of context in mind when infusing pieces of your first book into your second. Don’t force anything to try to create cohesion. Keep it natural and fluid and try your best to keep your first book in the back of your mind, not in the forefront. Remember, this is the next part of the adventure, not a retelling.

Focus on the similarities and differences

When writing a sequel, keep in mind the similarities between your two books as well as the differences. Let’s first start with the similarities. Obviously, there has to be room for opportunity to build off of the storyline of the first book in order to elicit the start of a brand-new book. If your readers loved what they read in your first book, you’ll want to capitalize on that momentum and look at the same subject matter, just in a different light. Here’s where the differences come into play: Your sequel has the opportunity to one up your first book. Take advantage of what’s already been written and expand on that storyline in a different, edgier manner. Remember that both books are their own so they should have their own individual nuances that make them unique while keeping the reader engrossed in the evolving story of your primary characters.

Copyright Dorrance Publishing, 2017

The post How to Write a Sequel – Three Easy Tips appeared first on Dorrance Publishing Company.

The theme of this story is something we can all relate to on a human level: Day-in and day-out we are all tested to make good decisions and stand up to the evil temptations that surround us.

Throughout the pages of this book, we see the back-and-forth struggle between good and bad, and while evil nearly wins, the forces of love and virtue offer Princess Bellarina the wherewithal and determination to fight for what’s right and let the good triumph.

The story begins with Princess Bellarina being cursed by the Duchess Magda and hindered by the jealousy of Alyssel, the Duchess’ daughter. These two forms of evil are the thorns in Princess Bellarina’s side as she finds herself alone and isolated from the love of both her family and her fiancé, Prince Rainiel. As Princess Bellarina navigates her journey to reclaim her own beauty and her position in the Kingdom of Clodia, she’s also searching for the love of her life, Rainiel. However, she knows that she’s facing an uphill battle as the entire kingdom is under the black magic power of Duchess Magda.

The future of the entire land rests on the shoulders of the princess, and she realizes that it’s going to be a difficult fight to reclaim what means the most to her and defeat the evil that’s trickling down from Duchess Magda and Alyssel.

Princess Bellarina knows that she cannot do this on her own, so she employs the help of some new friends to prove that the power of love is a far stronger force than evil.

This engaging and innovative fairy tale celebrates the innate strength of a woman and her love.

Princess Bellarina is Obsuna’s first published book. Get a copy, today!

Copyright Dorrance Publishing, 2017

The post Dorrance Book Spotlight: Princess Bellarina appeared first on Dorrance Publishing Company.

More times than not, when you crack open a fantasy novel for the first time, you’re greeted with a map. This map shows you the ins and outs of the area and adds context to the story that you’re about to read.

Nowadays, we’re living in a world where visuals speak volumes. So if you’re in the midst of writing a fiction novel of your own, we have a few reasons why you should consider adding a map to your storyline.

It helps the writing process.

Do you remember when you were younger and you’d have a handful of crayons and a blank page in front of you, how your imagination would almost take off like a space ship? It was as if you couldn’t color fast enough to get your ideas onto the paper. The same idea applies to drawing out a map of your of the world in your novel. When you spend time sketching out the lay of the land, you’ll start to think of new ways to develop your plot. Will you add new scenes that provide a plot twist into your story to supplement the incorporation of a brand-new location? Seeing a map with your own eyes will bring to life the story that you are trying to tell and iron out any wrinkles in the plot that you might not have been aware of without the help of the map.

Seeing is believing.

It’s one thing to describe the landscape of where your characters are from with words, but it’s another to actually see it for yourself. Maps will provide your readers with a visual of the terrain where your story is unfolding. Maybe a focal point of your story is a mountain? Your map will allow you to sketch out that mountain and showcase the land around it and how the varied terrain works in cohesion to bring your story to life.

Point of reference.

Sometimes when we read a good book, we are completely ensconced with the words and fiercely flip the pages to see how the story unfolds. In these instances, we read and re-read portions of the book to make sure that we didn’t miss anything like subtle undertones or clues along the way. The same goes for maps in books. As a reader leafs through your book, they’ll want to visualize where exactly the scene is unfolding. That’s when a map can be an effective supportive piece to your story – when the reader wants to determine how far the city is from the mountaintop, they’ll only need to flip to the map to close the loop in their minds.

So if you’re weaving a fictional tale, take some time to put on your cartographer’s cap and create a map of your setting. It may prove to be a valuable tool for both you and the reader!

Copyright Dorrance Publishing, 2017

The post Map it Out: How Maps can Help Your Story appeared first on Dorrance Publishing Company.

While many think a protagonist is the most important part of your story, the antagonist holds just as much, if not more, importance to how your plot plays out before your readers’ eyes.

The entire purpose of an antagonist is to act as a roadblock that inhibits the main character from reaching his or her goal. More times than not, the antagonist is represented as a villain or someone who has evil intentions. But it’s important to note that the antagonist doesn’t have to be evil. In fact, the antagonist can add comedic relief to your plot as well.

If you’re looking to develop an antagonist in your story, check out these three tips to get you started.

What’s the goal?

Just like you would for your protagonist, you want to go in with a game plan and have a goal in mind for your antagonist. What are they working toward? How are their actions going to lead them to their overall goal? The goal of your antagonist can be something humorous, or it can take a dark and twisted turn that directly conflicts with your main character’s ambition. Whatever route you choose, make sure that you solidify a plan and stick to it, as a strong antagonist is trying to achieve something for their own benefit. What’s your antagonist’s goal?

What’s the motivation?

Working from the previous point, every goal needs a motivating force. Just like if you wanted to lose weight (your goal), your motivation could be your summer vacation or a big upcoming event. The same goes for developing your antagonist. What is the motivating force that’ll help them work toward their goal? Antagonists are commonly motivated by deep-rooted emotions of anger, jealousy, or greed, or even a power struggle. Whichever driving force you choose, make sure that this emotion remains clear in your antagonist’s actions from start to finish. The presence of the motivation is essential in creating a cohesive struggle between your main character and antagonist.

What are they hiding?

Your antagonist isn’t dumb. In fact, they have the street smarts and the book smarts to potentially outwit your main character. It’s this characteristic that makes them interesting and keeps your readers on the edge of their seats trying their hardest to anticipate their next move. Your antagonist isn’t going to fall for the obvious. Their motivation and their goal are in sync and in direct contention with the main character’s own unique drivers. The antagonist grows and changes to stay a step ahead of their nemesis, so developing both storylines in tandem will help you carry out your character-driven storyline.

So, as you work to develop the antagonist in your story, keep these three tips in mind so that you can create a character that your readers will love to hate.

Copyright Dorrance Publishing, 2017

The post How to Develop an Antagonist appeared first on Dorrance Publishing Company.

Because we want to keep the fun in writing, we’ve put together three simple writing prompts that’ll help take away some pressure and either help get the creative juices flowing, break through writer’s block, or just help you to enjoy a few minutes to yourself doing what you love – writing.

In five years I’ll be …

This one should be interesting – a nice open-ended writing prompt to kick things off! Did your mind start whirling with ideas? Are you lounging on a tropical island leafing through a stack of your favorite books? Perhaps you’re traveling around the world promoting your five-star book? Or maybe you’ll be working on the second installment of your book series? The opportunities are endless! There’s no such thing as a dream that’s too big. Reach for the stars and see how excited you get as the words pour onto the paper as you outline your future.

If you could go back in time, where would you go?

Think about it for a second. If you could go back and experience any major historical event, or maybe even just relive an amazing memory of your own, what would you pick? Use this prompt to tap into the past; pick an event and explain why you would go and if you would change any of the events that unfolded.

Pretend you’re a fly on the wall …

You know you’ve wished to be a fly on the wall at least once in your life. You want to overhear an important conversation or you want the inside scoop on something that might be coming your way. Well, your wish is our command; we’re granting you the opportunity to turn yourself into a fly and observe something you’ve longed to experience!

What three features would you want your future house to have?

The year is 2065 and you’re building a brand-new home. What three features of the future will your house have and why? What would you want to see in this house? Would the house look like a traditional home that we’re used to? Or, would it look like something out of the Jetsons? Do you envision robotic maids that can anticipate what you need before you even think you need it? The opportunities are endless, so use your imagination and try and model the perfect house. If you can think of more than three features, don’t stop – keep writing!

Remember, writing doesn’t have to be a chore! It’s a fun experience that taps into your childlike imagination and allows you to create something you never even thought possible. The next time you’re struggling to find inspiration, use these writing prompts to help you rekindle your love of the written word!

Copyright Dorrance Publishing, 2017

The post Gain Inspiration from These Three Writing Prompts appeared first on Dorrance Publishing Company.

While there are times when we become frustrated while writing, there are those instances when writing is a therapeutic experience.

It’s the latter that we want to focus on today as we highlight just a few of the many reasons why writing is good for you.

Writing brings you into the present moment.

In blogs past, we’ve talked about tuning into the present moment to get inspiration. It’s in these moments that our writing journey challenges us to be in the moment, to experience the world that’s around us. Writing helps strengthen our observation skills, which in turn gives us a fuller, more appreciative view on life.

Writing helps us focus.

Writing isn’t easy. In fact, writing can be very challenging when our lives are hectic and our schedules are busy. However, when we’re committed to making our dreams a reality, we can tap into another level of concentration and focus that we didn’t know existed. Writing helps us hone in on our attention-to-detail and to and focus our energy on the things that matter to us.

Writing provides a creative outlet.

Creativity lives within all of us. And what better way to tap into your imagination and share it with others than through writing? Not only does this allow us to indulge our creative spirit, but writing also has positive effects on our health, self-esteem and our outlook on life. Beyond our emotions, it has been said that writing can create a general state that’s similar to meditation. This is just another reason that you should make time each day to write—your brain will thank you.

All in all, life is too short for you to not do what you love. We all have our own, unique relationship with writing and these were just three of the reasons that writing can help us both mentally and emotionally.

Copyright Dorrance Publishing, 2017

The post Why Writing Is Good for You appeared first on Dorrance Publishing Company.

If you’ve been thinking about writing a children’s book and are looking for some tips to help you complete your project, look no further! In this blog, we’re offering you five tips that’ll help you on your book writing journey. Let’s get right to it!

Pinpoint your audience.

Just because you’re writing a children’s book doesn’t mean it will – or should! – appeal to kids of all ages. Before you begin writing, take some time to think about who your writing will be geared toward. Pick an age group and write a story that’s relatable to them. If you’re writing a book for young kids between the ages of 2 – 6, consider writing a story that’s easy to understand and follow. Write to engage one age group directly and if you have the itch to write more books for children of other ages, do so. But remember, one group at a time!

Do your research.

The best way to narrow your focus and help determine your book’s overall message is by doing some research of your own. Take a trip to the local bookstore or scour the Internet to see some of the current children’s book best sellers. What is the main message that’s resonating with parents? Do your research and collect as much information as you can to help you define the message of your book. But remember: Use what you find as a guide and not a template. You want to write a book that sets you apart from the competition and contains your own flare and originality.

Read your book out loud.

While a children’s book doesn’t necessarily have to rhyme, it does have to have rhythm and a good cadence. Just think about all of the children’s books you’ve read. A commonality between most if not all is that the words flow effortlessly from one page to the next. One way of finding out if your book is doing the same is by reading it out loud. By doing so, you’ll be able to hear for yourself how your book flows. If it sounds a little disjointed, you can go back and revise. If you want to up the ante, read your book out loud to someone else to get their input and reactions; this too can help you make the necessary edits to create the best book possible.

Picture this.

Children’s books are the perfect canvas to fill with gorgeous, attention-grabbing illustrations. In a children’s book, pictures can help bring your story to life without having to add more words – perfect for engaging little ones who haven’t yet learned to read. Bright colors and full-page illustrations will draw your little reader even deeper into your story. If your artistic skills don’t quite match up with your writing skills, find a creative person who can take what’s in your imagination, add some color to it and bring it to life on the pages of your book. And remember, not all children’s books have to have illustrations to be successful. In fact, sometimes the words of a story are perfectly complemented by real photographs. If this is the case for your book, make sure that you’re using high-quality photographs.

Find your inner child.

You’re writing a children’s book, so have fun! This is a chance for you to find your inner child and let your imagination soar. Let your creativity be your compass and see where it takes you. If you’ve run into a stumbling block, take a step back and remember the things that brought joy to your life as a child. Was it playing with neighborhood friends? Getting ice cream with your parents? Whatever it may be, take some time to reflect on your childhood and infuse those memories and lessons into your book. Finally, don’t discount an idea just because you think it might be a bit too quirky; after all, you’re writing a children’s book and kids have silly senses of humor!

When writing a children’s book it’s very important to remember that you officially have permission to act like a kid again! So let your guard down and enjoy the process!

Copyright Dorrance Publishing, 2017

The post Five Tips for Writing a Children’s Book appeared first on Dorrance Publishing Company.

The first step to building that type of experience as an author is by creating a character that’s relatable; one that has depth and layers that the readers can peel back and uncover as they flip past page after page. This is what makes character development so important to the overall plot of your story.

Here are some helpful tips to get you started:

Personality

A flat character will likely be a boring character. To make your plot more relatable, you’ll want your main character to have quirks, personality traits and physical identifiers that make them seem human. Start with their physical appearance. Perhaps your main character is a rugged man with a beard, tattoos and a scar on his cheek. Or, she’s a refined woman with a slim figure, jet black hair and large black-rimmed glasses. A physical description can help paint a picture in the readers’ minds of what the main character looks like. Then build on this premise, including creating their personality. Perhaps they fidget when they’re nervous, or absentmindedly bite their nails when they’re deep in thought. Identifiable habits will humanize your character – something your readers will appreciate.

Obstacles

As people grow, they encounter many obstacles as they are trying to navigate through life. When developing your main character, you want to identify those internal and external struggles that motivate them to act a certain way. Are they anxious? Are they afraid to step outside of their comfort zone? Does your character turn people away out of fear of getting their heart broken? Take your time and think about these obstacles because they’ll play an integral role in the overall development of your plot as well!

As your story develops, your character will likely endure an external obstacle that brings to light the intricacies of their personality. Consider creating scenarios that could potentially play out in real life. Perhaps your character is one mortgage payment away from foreclosure, or they have to make a big move across the country to start a new life. These real-life situations can help your readers connect to the main character on a personal, relatable level.

Kryptonite

Not every story needs an arch-nemesis or a situation that could cripple your main character. But, if your plot allows it, adding this element of tension can create some interesting layers to your story. Identify your character’s kryptonite, whether it’s a person they are at odds with or even a situation that could completely derail their progress. The threat of being defeated could add considerable depth to your story that will have your readers feverishly turning the pages.

Your main character is the captain of your story’s ship, the person who will lead your readers on an exciting journey through choppy waters, calm seas and into uncharted territory. Give your character depth that will allow them to grow in these situations, and your readers will be taken along on the ride as well.

Copyright Dorrance Publishing, 2017

The post Character Development Tips appeared first on Dorrance Publishing Company.