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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...
What If Your Main Character Could Only See in Black-and-White but Starts Seeing Color with Each Secret They Uncover?
In fiction, authors are always looking for new ways to create interesting stories. One technique is manipulating the main character's perception of color to reveal hidden truths. Imagine a world where the protagonist sees only black and white, but with each uncovered secret, vibrant hues burst forth, illuminating the path to truth. This odd narrative device has enticed writers and readers in Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman and The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken.
Such rare visual impairments or sense transformations for the protagonist can, within a literary text, evoke a deep impact on plot and character development. The protagonist, who begins the story unable to see colors but starts seeing colors throughout their search for hidden information, makes a real and symbolic step toward change and revelation. This captures the psychological depth of how characters evolve by using colors as a metaphor for knowledge and awareness. Every hue that appears to the character is a landmark in a new journey; thus, it could give a visceral sense to a reader of how something in their life changes. It can create a very strong connection between the reader and the protagonist, as each discovery changes how they experience the story.
Authors who use the same narrative techniques based on senses to show growth or awakening of self also make great memories for readers. As shown in The Giver, for instance, Lois Lowry made a black-and-white world stand out as it portrays a limited perception of the characters in this society, as if knowledge and emotions have been hidden. As the hero finds the way to access those forbidden memories, colors start coming back and signify the growing awareness of himself and his emotional depth. Similarly, in the novel A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness, a young boy undergoes grief and acceptance by way of changes in visual and emotional tone but not in color. In The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, the inhabitants begin to awaken to hidden truths through gradual changes in seeing color. From these examples and many more like them, one sees how changes in sensory input within characters' experiences do not just work as a character arc but as an unconscious commentary about the world in which the character lives. When done well, this becomes the way the discovery of secrets is not just plotted but is rather moments of personal revelation, vivid and unforgettable.
The basic premise involves a protagonist navigating a world perceived in black and white until, toward the end, they ultimately gain the ability to see color. This powerful device can explore various themes, such as awakening consciousness, a transition from innocence to experience, or the revelation of truth. Authors can use it to create stories that stir readers' hearts and minds. Taking inspiration from authors like Haruki Murakami can enhance the effectiveness of this technique. By gradually piecing together these colors along with an evolving revelation, authors can build mystery and suspense, drawing readers in as they seek to understand the story. This unfolding perception of the plot enriches the narrative, particularly in genres like fantasy or mystery, where a central puzzle needs to be solved or a truth uncovered by the protagonist. The development of color in this manner may contribute to a very rewarding read and the resolution of a mystery. In conclusion, the gradual introduction of color makes the story more impactful and enhances the overall narrative.
Written by Readers’ Favorite Reviewer Manik Chaturmutha