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Creating Unforgettable Characters: A Guide for Authors

Creating exceptional characters lies at the heart of every successful story. Whether you’re crafting a thrilling mystery, a heartwarming romance, or an epic fantasy, the strength of your characters can make or break your book. In this blog post, we will delve into the art of developing great characters that resonate with readers and keep them hooked from the first page to the last.

Understand Your Characters:

To write great characters, you must first understand them on a deep level. Begin by creating detailed character profiles, including their background, personality traits, motivations, and flaws. Consider their desires, fears, and aspirations, as these will shape their actions and decisions throughout your story. By knowing your characters inside and out, you can make their actions feel authentic and consistent.

Make Them Complex and Multi-Dimensional:

Avoid one-dimensional characters by giving them depth and complexity. Nobody is entirely good or bad, so allow your characters to have a mix of virtues and flaws. Explore their contradictions, vulnerabilities, and inner conflicts. By giving them layers, you create characters that readers can relate to and empathize with.

Show, Don’t Tell:

One of the golden rules of writing is to show, not tell. Instead of explicitly stating your characters’ traits, reveal them through their actions, dialogue, and interactions with others. Let readers experience the characters’ emotions and personalities firsthand. This approach not only engages the readers but also allows them to form their own connections with the characters.

Provide Clear Goals and Motivations:

Compelling characters have clear goals and motivations that drive their actions. What do they want? What obstacles are they willing to overcome? Understanding your characters’ objectives will help you create a compelling narrative arc and keep readers invested in their journeys. Remember that characters who are actively pursuing their goals create tension and drive the plot forward.

Develop Authentic Dialogue:

Dialogue plays a crucial role in character development. Each character should have a distinctive voice and speak in a way that reflects their personality, background, and education level. Consider the rhythm, vocabulary, and tone of their speech. Dialogue can reveal relationships, conflicts, and provide insight into characters’ thoughts and emotions. Avoid excessive exposition in dialogue and strive for natural-sounding conversations.

Introduce Flawed Heroes and Formidable Antagonists:

Heroes and villains are two sides of the same coin. Flawed heroes with internal struggles and personal growth make for compelling protagonists. Equally important are formidable antagonists who challenge the heroes and provide opportunities for character growth and conflict. By creating well-developed adversaries, you elevate the stakes and add tension to your story.

Embrace Diversity and Inclusion:

The world is a diverse place, and your characters should reflect this reality. Embrace diversity by creating characters of different ethnicities, cultures, genders, sexual orientations, and backgrounds. Avoid stereotypes and aim for authentic representation. Including diverse characters enriches your storytelling and allows a broader range of readers to connect with your work.

Continuously Evolve Your Characters:

Characters should evolve throughout your story. As they face challenges and overcome obstacles, they should grow, change, and learn from their experiences. Avoid static characters who remain unchanged, as they can feel unengaging and predictable. Give your characters room to develop and surprise both you and your readers.

Remember that characters, like real people, should evolve and grow as they navigate the challenges you throw their way. This evolution keeps your readers invested in their journeys, as they witness their triumphs and failures, their transformations and revelations.

In the end, writing great characters is an art that requires dedication, empathy, and an unwavering commitment to crafting authentic, relatable individuals. As you embark on your writing journey, always keep in mind that it is these characters who will leave an indelible mark on your readers’ hearts and minds. So, embrace the power of character creation, and let your imagination soar as you breathe life into extraordinary beings that will captivate readers for generations to come.

A Guide for Authors to Reignite Creativity and Success

As an author, it’s not uncommon to experience periods of creative stagnation or a loss of motivation. However, with the right mindset and strategies, you can break free from this slump and embark on a journey of rejuvenation and success. In this blog post, we’ll explore effective techniques to help authors start fresh, reignite their creativity, and boost their writing careers. Let’s dive in!

Reflect on Past Achievements

Before moving forward, take a moment to acknowledge your past accomplishments. Celebrate your published works, positive reviews, or any personal milestones you’ve achieved as an author. This reflection will instill confidence and remind you of your potential, serving as a foundation for your fresh start.

Embrace a Growth Mindset

Cultivating a growth mindset is crucial for authors seeking to reinvent themselves. Embrace the belief that your skills and abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work. Understand that setbacks are part of the journey and can lead to valuable learning experiences. By adopting a growth mindset, you’ll be open to new ideas, techniques, and opportunities for growth.

Set Clear Goals

Establishing clear goals is vital to provide direction and purpose to your writing journey. These goals can be short-term, such as completing a new manuscript within a specific timeframe, or long-term, such as securing a literary agent or achieving bestseller status. Ensure your goals are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART goals). Break them down into smaller, manageable tasks to maintain focus and track progress.

Engage in Freewriting and Brainstorming

To spark creativity and generate fresh ideas, engage in freewriting and brainstorming exercises. Set aside dedicated time each day to write without restrictions or judgment. Allow your thoughts to flow freely, exploring new concepts, characters, or plotlines. Additionally, collaborate with fellow authors or join writing groups to bounce ideas off one another and gain fresh perspectives.

Explore Different Writing Styles and Genres

Venturing into new writing styles and genres can invigorate your creativity and expand your readership. Experiment with various genres, whether it’s romance, mystery, sci-fi, or historical fiction. Each genre has its unique elements and audience, and exploring different styles will challenge you to hone your skills, think outside the box, and reach new readers.

Research and Stay Updated

Keeping up with the latest trends, market demands, and reader preferences is crucial for authors aiming to make a fresh start. Regularly research industry news, popular books, and emerging genres. Analyze successful authors in your niche and identify what makes their work resonate with readers. Stay active on social media platforms to connect with your target audience and gain valuable insights.

Cultivate a Consistent Writing Routine

Establishing a consistent writing routine is key to maintaining momentum and making progress. Set aside dedicated time each day or week for writing. Create a comfortable and inspiring writing environment that promotes focus and creativity. Whether you’re an early riser or a night owl, find the time that works best for you and make it a priority to sit down and write.

Seek Feedback and Professional Editing

To improve your writing and ensure your work resonates with readers, seek feedback from trusted peers, beta readers, or writing groups. Constructive criticism can help you identify areas for improvement and provide valuable insights. Additionally, consider hiring a professional editor to polish your manuscript and elevate the quality of your work.

Embarking on a fresh start as an author is an exhilarating journey that holds the promise of renewed creativity and success. By reflecting on past achievements, setting clear goals, and embracing a growth mindset, you can lay a solid foundation for your writing endeavors. Engaging in freewriting and brainstorming exercises, exploring different genres, and staying updated with industry trends will invigorate your creative process and expand your reach. Cultivating a consistent writing routine, seeking feedback, and investing in professional editing will elevate the quality of your work and resonate with your readers. Remember, starting fresh is an opportunity to evolve, grow, and unlock your full potential as an author. Embrace this exciting chapter, and let your words shape a remarkable future filled with literary achievements and fulfillment.

National Nutrition Month: Four Books to Show You How to Eat Smart, Starting Now!

All around the world, there are millions of resources being employed to find the most nutrition-dense diet there is. It is no news to us that a proper nutrition intake in our diet is so necessary for our bodies to function properly and keep deficiencies at bay. Many campaigns and activities are conducted all over the world to spread this message. In order to educate people on the need for nutrition in our bodies, National Nutrition Week is celebrated from 1^st to 7^th September.

History Behind National Nutrition week:

After being introduced in March 1973 by the members of the American Dietetic Association, National Nutrition week was an initiative to deliver a nutrition education message to the people. It gained a lot of support during the 1980s, after which the Indian government started the National Nutrition Week commemoration in India in the year 1982. This campaign was initiated to encourage people to adopt a healthy and a sustainable lifestyle.

Theme of 2021 National Nutrition Week

Every year, the first week of September focuses on a new theme. For the year 2021 it is: Feeding smart right from start. It aims to promote the consumption of nutritious and healthy foods. The goal is to promote the idea of a balanced diet, which in turn will promote good health and well-being.

Books that Promote Good Nutrition and Healthy Lifestyle:

The Baby Elephant Diet by Ravi Mantha

With a super cute title, this book focuses on adding fiber to your diet to help maintain a healthy weight. The author describes the use of readily available fruits and vegetables in India. A large part of the Indian population in India is vegetarian and this book is a boon for them.

The Healthy Indian Diet by Dr Raj R Patel, Anuja Balasubramanian and Hetal Jannu

With modern diets and refined foods causing a slew of chronic diseases, this is the book of the hour. The focus is on traditional home cooking with natural ingredients, which helps to control and prevent health problems like obesity, insulin levels, and chronic inflammation. In addition to that, the book contains dos and don’ts related to nutrition and healthy lifestyle. It also has delicious and amazing recipes.

Prenatal Fitness 360°: The Way to a Healthy Pregnancy by Sonali Shivlani

Sonali Shivlani’s book has provided valuable information to soon-to-be mothers about a healthy pregnancy. The book is divided into five sections that cover diet plans, nutrition charts, a prenatal exercise regimen, a postnatal weight loss diet and exercises, and breathing techniques, providing a 360-degree approach to a healthy pregnancy.

The Wholesome Kitchen by Pooja Dhingra

Pooja Dhingra is the founder of Mumbai’s famous Le 15 Patisserie and she writes about healthy desserts and wholesome breakfasts in her book. Her focus is majorly on the idea to consume locally grown ingredients, which are fresh and nutrition-packed.

Are there any books on nutrition that you recommend?

Four Fantastic Sports Books on National Sports Day

Today is National Sports Day in India.

The Story Behind National Sports Day

On August 29, 1905, the Indian hockey legend – Major Dhyan Chand was born. Known as ‘The Wizard Of Hockey’, Chand played during the pre-independence years of India and exercised control over Europeans in a sport invented by them, which developed a feeling of pride in Indians. He dominated the sport all through his career and managed to bag three Olympic gold medals for India. One of the country’s most prestigious sports awards, the Khel Ratna, is named after him and his birth anniversary is celebrated as the National Sports Day in the country.

Why Sports Day?

Stressing the need to stay fit and healthy, this auspicious day spreads the message of the importance of sports and daily activities in everyday life. Sports helps to develop a feeling of patriotism and bind people of different backgrounds. As a nation, India has experienced a lot of ups and downs in the field of sports. It isn’t just hockey that has inspired millions of youngsters in the country. Athletes and players from all across the country have taken the game up the ladder.

There’s nothing like experiencing the live sport and for the ones who fail to do so, the closest experience they can get is through books. Books can help people to actually relive the experiences of players and one can know how the legends came to be.

Sports Books from India

Nation at Play: A History of Sport in India by Ronjonoy Singh:

This book traces ancient times when India was beginning to engage with sport along with capturing the political nature behind it. The book consists of wonderful stories, amazing anecdotes and very interesting snippets that engage readers all across the country.

Dreams of a Billion: India and the Olympic Games by Boria Majumdar:

Boria Majumdar and Nalin Mehta compiled a collection of India’s best Olympic moments over the years. The documentary Dreams of a Billion: India and the Olympic Games tells the stories of legends such as MC Mary Kom, PV Sindhu, and Abhinav Bindra. The book also paints a picture of what goes on behind the scenes in the Indian Olympics world.

Unbreakable: An Autobiography by Mary Kom

Unbreakable, the story of the legendary MC Mary Kom, traces the journey of the six-time world champion. Born with limited resources, this book tells the story of Mary Kom’s struggle and passion to reach the pinnacle of her sport. The book chronicles how she balanced her marriage and career, and also describes what it takes for a woman to succeed in a male-dominated sport and country.

Playing it my way: My Autobiography by Sachin Tendulkar:

The autobiography of the former Indian cricketer – Sachin Tendulkar reveals the scenes of his legendary performances and struggles throughout his 24-year career. Tendulkar has won hearts all over the world and his decision to publish this book has been loved by all.

“So here I am, at the end of my final innings, having taken that last walk back to the pavilion, ready to recount as many incidents as I can remember since first picking up a cricket bat as a child in Mumbai thirty-five years ago.” – Sachin Tendulkar

Which sports books have you been inspired by?

Nine Times Kafka Was Splendid and Wildly Relatable

On this day, 138 years ago, notable novelist Franz Kafka was born. His writing has since become well-known for their “senseless, disorienting and menacing complexity”, with kafkaesque entering our cultural lexicon to describe situations similar to those found in his books.

Despite the reputation his books have garnered of being difficult to read and comprehend, a closer look reveals that Kafka would have fit right in with the rest of us as we navigate a pandemic, adjust to work-from-home, and juggle our emotions, needs, and physical and mental health.

Along with tempestuous and difficult personal relationships, Franz Kafka also struggled greatly with his mental health throughout his life. As a result, his writing literally represented a lifeline for this prolific author, and authors today continue to benefit greatly from his reflections on the life of a writer.

Kafka’s thoughts on depression, love, and anxiety give us a glimpse into the human condition, that has remained largely unchanged over the last one hundred years. And in the same way, one might be forgiven for thinking that he might not have been out of place in our meme-obsessed social media landscape with his bitingly sarcastic wit.

KAFKA WAS CLEARLY CENTURIES AHEAD OF HIS TIME WHEN IT CAME TO LIVE-TWEETING HIS DEPRESSION.

Basically it is nothing other than this fear we have so often talked about, but fear spread to everything, fear of the greatest as of the smallest, fear, paralyzing fear of pronouncing a word, although this fear may not only be fear but also a longing for something greater than all that is fearful.”

KAFKA ON SOCIAL ANXIETY, FROM LETTERS TO MILENA

NO PRIZES FOR GUESSING WHAT CAPTIONS HE’D HAVE ADDED TO HIS CAREFULLY CURATED FEED OF SOULFULLY ARTISTIC IMAGES ON INSTAGRAM. KAFKA WAS THE OG INSTAGRAM POET.

KAFKA, METAMORPHOSIS

Happy birthday, Franz Kafka. And finally thank you for these evergreen words of wisdom, that we are unlikely to forget as we struggle to work from our homes and manage our anxiety.

Interview: Chandra Shekhar Balachandran

We got talking to Chandra Shekhar Balachandran, author of Geography, Everywhere!

Dr. Chandra Shekhar Balachandran is a geographer with over 35 years of teaching experience. In 2000, he returned to India and set up TIGS. He tells his students that he ‘eats, drinks, blinks, breathes … lives geography!’

How did you get interested in geography? What kind of books and people in the field interested you?

In 1971, when I was in the 8th standard at National High School, Bangalore, the Bangladesh war broke out. Our Social Studies teacher, Sri B Narasanna, held us spell-bound for the duration of the war explaining to us the geography and history of what was unfolding daily. We didn’t touch the textbook for all those days. The seeds of my interest in geography were sown then. However, I didn’t realize it until I started teaching geography as a doctoral student at Kent State University (Ohio) in the mid-1980s where I had come under the tutelage of my next geography guru, Dr Surinder Mohan Bhardwaj.

Before that, I don’t recall any books inspiring me to become a geographer. I did rethink many books from a geographer’s perspective and found new meanings and connections in them. In graduate school, of course, we had readings of geographers such as the legendary Dr. Yi-Fu Tuan, and others.

My own guru’s writings on pilgrimages and sacred geographies continue to be a huge influence both in my life and in my geography education work. My interests today are largely shaped by the latter.

Tell us about TIGS.

I started TIGS (The Institute of Geographical Studies) as a project in 2000 when I relocated to Bangalore, after having studied and taught in the USA for twenty years. When I returned I observed how dead school-level geography education is in most of the academic endeavors. Inspired and inspiring geography education was there, but very rare. Alas, it still is.

I wanted to share what my teachers (both Sri Narasanna and Dr. Bhardwaj) had taught me with pupils and teachers alike.

Under TIGS, I began offering workshops that showed how textbook concepts connect to our lives in many interesting ways.

Over time, TIGS has been offering a variety of other activities including field trips, lectures, documentary film screenings, non-formal geography education online (a course called G.o.D. – Geography over Distance), weekly geography essays published for several years in the Deccan Herald Student Edition, online readings, quizzes, assignment ideas, and our flagship annual event: International Geography Youth Summit (IGYS). IGYS is the only formal academic geography conference for school children (standards 7 and above) in India. It has become very popular with children because they get to explore geography by conducting a project on a topic of their choosing.

Why are you on a mission to educate children about this subject?

Every discipline we engage with comes with a set of ethics and human values. When school education goes from teaching subjects to teaching disciplines, children see the value of what they are learning, and how they should use their knowledge for making a difference for the better in the world around them. Far too often, school education is about getting high marks and becoming ‘successful’, not much about how to be a good citizen of the world at all scales ranging from the family to the world.

Every discipline can offer such frameworks. I just happen to talk about geography. It is not only interesting in and of itself, it is also a naturally integrating discipline. It helps us see how things are interconnected in this world. Recognizing and engaging with these interconnections make the discipline that much more powerful. This is called PDK (Powerful Disciplinary Knowledge). Geography’s PDK empowers children to be both critical thinkers and compassionate human beings.

There are many anecdotes and tidbits in the book Geography, Everywhere! Tell us about them.

Every waking moment, I keep reflecting on what might be teachable. Thanks to my gurus, my geography lens is always helping me see how beautifully geography connects with everything. So, no matter what happens, one track in my mind is always discerning the geography aspect of life. That is a joyous experience.

I just share that with anyone who is interested.

Tell us about your writing process.

Generally, I work better when I have deadlines! I look at the goings-on in the world and in my own life to see things that illustrate geography concepts. I use these to introduce my readers to geography concepts. Through these, definitions of the concepts are tied to real-world phenomena. Sometimes, they are not real-world! I have explored cyberplaces, fiction, dreams, mythologies, psychologies, and so on through geography.

Nothing escapes the geography treatment!

I have done a lot of slice-of-life kind of writing (mainly online). Several of these have appeared in an e-zine. Here, I have to put in a lot of effort to keep the geography discourse out! These are musings from my own life.

In all cases, it is merely observing, not much digging.

How is the approach toward geography different in the west?

‘The west’ is a very broad term. Generally, in Europe, for example, teachers have a great deal more agency to develop, design, and deliver curriculums. In the USA, there is considerable political meddling in the social sciences curriculum. The effects of this are far less on geography than the other social sciences. There is much more hands-on learning because class sizes are usually small.

You have talked about zoonotic diseases in one of the essays in your book. In pandemic times, what role do you see geography playing in the spread of COVID-19?

One of the subfields of geography is medical geography. It shows how place matters. Specifically, in the context of COVID-19, geography appears in many different ways. Starting with the place of origin of the various species and their interactions with their ecosystems, we look at where the species end up and how humans interact with them (e.g.wet markets). What are the characteristics of a place that facilitate zoonosis? For instance, poor hygiene, dense human populations, transportation connections (modes of transport, frequency, etc.), and so on. The characteristics of places matter a lot!

Check out some essays related to this crisis at the TIGS blog.

Tell us about your experience with Pothi.com.

I can’t remember how I came across Pothi.com It may have been through searching online about 1½ years or so ago, when I was compiling some of my essays into a book and was looking for possible publishing avenues. In the event, we ended up publishing it from TIGS in July 2019 at the International Geography Youth Summit-2019.

Subsequently, mainly due to COVID-19, we wanted to get an eBook version published with some corrections and updates to the print version. I returned to Pothi.com to see if they could do it.

They did it! And did it well. The sequence of production was very methodical. I had never published an eBook, so the learning curve was rather steep. However, team Pothi.com very patiently helped me through the process. And now there is an eBook version of Geography, Everywhere!

Future projects.

I’ve begun work on a book primarily for school children (class 7 and above) on how they eat and drink geography. Literally. I am hoping to have this out by end of 2021. I can’t say more at this time.

Seven of my online students are collaborating with me on a very interesting documentary that connects geography with the life and works of Karnataka sangītam composer of 18th-19th century. COVID-19 has really slowed us down, but we hope to have this completed as soon as possible when we are able to travel and work safely.

We are working to have an International Geography Youth Summit-2021 entirely online. TIGS’ students are helping with this also.

Finally, we are in the process of revamping our website to make it offer more interactive spaces for school children to explore geography in their own lives.

Thanks so much for talking to us about this unique subject and we wish you luck in your mission to spread the love of geography everywhere!

5 Success Tips for Non-fiction Authors

writing pencil creative light technology thinking web symbol bulb office business paper lightbulb energy education font power art sketch drawing creativity design vision strategy inspiration plan organ calligraphy information idea imagination intelligence success innovation invention brainstorming

Source: https://pxhere.com/en/photo/714869

Non-fiction is a genre that, despite its wildly successful nature, rarely gets the props it deserves in popular culture. Non-fiction is often seen as being dry and boring, but nothing could be further from the truth. And the sales speak for themselves – well-written educational books, textbooks and self-help books fly off the shelves. Unlike in fiction, where an author has to work extra hard to narrate a story that hasn’t already been told in some form, the topics and subtopics that can be covered under non-fiction are practically limitless.

But having something important and informational to convey about a topic is only the first step. Here are five things you can do to increase the chances of success for your book:

Tell a Story to Spread an Idea

Remember, just because you’re not writing fiction doesn’t mean you can’t tell a story. Readers are always drawn to an interesting narrative, and you can use it to break down a complex topic and make it more accessible to readers.Ensure that the writing style is engaging and concise. Set out information in a way that is easy to read and remember. The use of visual aids such as tables, side bars, and bullet points will come in handy.
Cite and Refer Generously

Be sure to include plenty of references to other works on the same subject. This way the reader gets to benefit not only from your expertise, but also from the work of other authors in the same field. Citations and references also boost the author’s credibility, increasing the reader’s confidence in the author’s knowledge.
Nurture the Community

An active presence in the community, both online as well as offline, is the most important asset for promoting your book. One of the ways you can get started is to read and review other books in the same genre you write in. Make sure to tag authors when you post the reviews publicly.You can also conduct discussions on the subject. Organize Ask Me Anything sessions on sites like Quora. This will reinforce your credibility with regards to your subject and boost the visibility of your work among your audience. Remember, a rising tide lifts all boats!
Present it Well

Unlike a fiction book, bad presentation can kill a non-fiction title. Typeset the book professionally to ensure that your visual elements and textual information are placed together neatly. Well-spaced books with a moderate amount of white space are easier to read. Ensure that standard fonts that promote readability are used.
Take your Book Out for a Test-Drive!

Feedback from the intended audience is critical, and wouldn’t it be great if you could get it before your book is published?!

Find a small circle of people who fit the demographic you are writing for – students, professionals, hobbyists, etc. and release the early drafts of the chapters of your book to them, for free. Your beta-readers benefit from information about a topic they’re interested in, and you get valuable information on how to optimize your book’s potential! You can find interested readers among bloggers, and on social sites like Twitter and Instagram.Above all, your book is a labor of love. And with non-fiction books, the reward tends to be proportional to the effort, so spare no effort, and pour your soul into your work.

Author: pothi