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Book Review & Contest Insights from Real Reviews and Submissions
What separates great books from the rest? Below are articles with insights from real reviews and contest submissions—what works, what doesn’t, and how to improve your book. You’ll also find a wide range of articles covering writing, publishing, marketing, and more. Each article has a Comments section so you can read advice from other authors and leave your own.
Why Some Books Win Awards (And Most Don’t) — Insights From Real Contest Submissions New!
What separates award-winning books from the rest? After evaluating contest submissions across a wide range of genres, certain patterns become clear. Some books consistently rise to the top. Others, even with strong ideas and clear effort behind them, fall short. The difference is rarely dramatic—it...
What We’ve Learned From Reviewing Hundreds of Thousands of Books (And Why Most Don’t Stand Out) New!
After reviewing and evaluating books across thousands of submissions over the past two decades, certain patterns become impossible to ignore. Some books immediately stand out to reviewers. Others—even well-intentioned ones—fade into the middle or fall short. The difference is rarely luck. It comes down to...
How to Turn a Mundane Object Into a Plot Device That Changes Everything
When we write stories, we often feel tempted to embellish them with grand drama or jaw-topping trick twists. While those elements have their charm, we sometimes forget that simplicity can often be the ultimate brilliance. Even the most ordinary object can turn a story around, and this can be both true and surprising! With enough imagination and creativity, an excellent narrative can be woven with surprising depth and delightful twists, saving a mundane story from the clutches of boredom. But putting a mundane object into a plot device that changes everything is certainly not easy. First, think about common items that people use every day, like a diary, jewelry, or clothing. Choose one of these objects. Then, find its background and create a history that connects with the character or the plot.
For example, think about a fountain pen. It could belong to the protagonist's father or mother and be given to them for a special occasion. That pen is not just an ordinary pen. It has many memories and feelings. This object can change everything. As the story unfolds, add more detail and depth while focusing on the pen, which may ultimately decide the fate of the protagonist.
Let's explore some classic and unforgettable examples.
Remember Tom Riddle's Diary in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets? It begins with a seemingly normal personal diary, a perfect place for teenagers to pour out their angst and grievances, and suddenly, the ink disappears, turning into a magical diary. This diary not only contains the memories of teenage Lord Voldemort as a Hogwarts student, but it also houses his soul and his magical powers - talk about a plot twist. Eventually, we discover that this scribbled sentimentality is none other than Lord Voldemort's first Horcrux. Who knew journaling could be so dangerous?
Then there's The One Ring, the central plot element in Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. At first glance, it seems like a simple piece of jewelry, but it is anything but ordinary. The Ring grants the wearer the power of invisibility and is known as the Ruling Ring because wars have been fought either to acquire it or to destroy it. We should be cautious of our jewelry, as who knows what powers it might hold. While talking of mundane objects, we can never ignore C. S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia, especially the first book in the series, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. The four siblings discover the entire magical world of Narnia just by entering a wardrobe. A piece of simple wooden furniture becomes the gateway between two worlds. Maybe we should also explore what our wardrobe may contain more than our clothes.
It is essential to remember that simplicity is the key, and a mundane object has the potential to change everything. It can become the plot device that turns your story into something beyond your imagination. Dive deep into it, trust the process, and your story will surely become unforgettable—all thanks to that ordinary object.
Written by Readers’ Favorite Reviewer Manik Chaturmutha