The Damsel’s Files

Best Children’s Books that Teach Significant Values

What makes reading more enjoyable is its ability to entertain and teach. It has become more than a leisure activity or a hobby. Reading is the way for people to understand and learn different things in the world and apply those lessons as they further their journey in life. Because of that, many parents start to introduce practice sharing stories and reading tales to their kids. It’s a good way of developing the comprehension skills of kids and generating their imagination.

So, if you are looking for the best books that can teach your little ones the significant values in different aspects of life, then we have listed below the titles to look out for.

Easter: McEaster Valley by Walter R. Hoge, DVM

Easter: McEaster Valley is a meaningful children’s book by Walter R. Hoge, DVM, that was published last December 22, 2020, by ReadersMagnet. It is a one-of-a-kind story that was primarily written for the author’s kids and now is shared with every kid all across the world. The book conveys the message that life has more to offer and that things might not go as planned. But, where you are now might be exactly the place where you need to be. Easter: McEaster Valley also allows the readers to appreciate every aspect of the world, be respectful to the community, give love to the planet, etc., to enjoy a happier and healthier life.

The Water Walker by Joanne Robertson

The bilingual edition of Joanne Robertson’s The Water Walker was published in 2017. It is the tale of the motivated and persistent Ojibwe Grandmother (Nokomis) Josephine-ba Mandamin and her huge affection for water, which is called Nibi. She starts a journey to boost awareness of water protection for the upcoming generations, as well as for every living being in the world. Nokomis walked along with different bodies of water together with the adults and the youth. The Water Walker, therefore, is a tale encouraging everybody to value and protect the planet.

Sam Tells Stories by Thierry Robberecht

This picture book was penned by Thierry Robberecht and illustrated by Philippe Goossens. The wonderful character from the story Sam Is Never Scared is set to star in a new story intended to teach the little ones about honesty. It follows the tale of Sam, who’s extremely excited to make new buddies in his new school. As a result, he starts to share fabricated stories. After all, he always creates fun bedtime tales for his sibling, who patronizes his storytelling abilities. But, Sam starts to reflect on his actions after the truth starts to emerge. After identifying the differences between storytelling and lying, how would he correct his past actions?

Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson

Jacqueline Woodson’s Each Kindness is the winner of the following awards, Coretta Scott King Honor Award and The Jane Addams Peace Award. From the title itself, readers can already hint that this book is about kindness and anti-bullying. It follows the story of Chloe, who, along with her buddies, won’t let the new girl named Maya play with them. They always shut her down and exclude her every time Maya attempts to join them. When Maya eventually stops going to school, their teacher begins to teach the kids the importance of kindness. Thus, Chloe learned and regretted her actions and treatment towards Maya.

Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena

Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena is an award-winning and bestselling book published in 2015. It shows how children are innately curious and how beautiful and heartwarming the grandchild-grandparent relationship is. Hence, the story revolves around CJ and his grandmother, who got on a bus after attending church. On their way to the bus stop, and while on the ride, CJ starts to ask questions. His inquisitiveness was satisfied by the answers of his grandmother, who never got tired of answering every question and showing him the beauty of the world.

The Ladybug and the Bully Frog by Caroleann Rice

In 2018, the book The Ladybug and the Bully Frog by Caroleann Rice was published. The title already explains the whole story. Hence, the gist of the tale is to stand up for yourself or others from bullies. In the story, the ladybug, Dot, was picked to help others enjoy the pond that’s without being terrorized by the frog, Milton. Was Dot brave enough to face the bully and have everyone play at the pond? Read to find out.

Must-read Christian Books of All Time

In the broadest sense, Christian literature refers to literary pieces with themes, concepts, and perspectives that center on or are related to Christianity. It is among the vast book genres that boost inspiration, supply knowledge, and strengthen the faith of its readers. As you dig deeper, you can discover its different categories, such as Christian devotional, poetry, nonfiction, fiction, allegory, and more.

Christian books tend to humbly influence everyday believers by encouraging them to take the leap of faith, change their lives, rejuvenate their spirits, break free from sin, and more. So, if you are looking for must-reads under this genre, please refer to the list of the best Christian books to read at different moments of your life.

The Holiness of God by R.C. Sproul

R.C. Sproul’s The Holiness of God was originally published in 1984; and, since then, it got reprinted with a total of 43 editions. Moreover, it focuses on positioning the holiness of the Almighty Father in its appropriate and correct place in the lives of believers. Sproul builds a great vision of the Lord that inspires others to become sacred in such a way that God does. The moment you get to see and realize His sacredness, everything in your life will not stay the same.

Redemption Accomplished and Applied by John Murray

William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company published John Murray’s Redemption Accomplished and Applied in 1955. The author elaborates each passage from the Holy Bible that tackles the needs, sophistication, and scope of the atonement. In Redemption Accomplished and Applied, you can also learn to determine the definite steps in how redemption achieved through the Lord is exercised subsequently in the life of the believer as presented in the Scripture. This book truly shows the readers the systematic steps towards redemption, which is explanatory to its title.

Colossians Verse by Verse by Dr. Jack Hetzel

Colossians Verse by Verse by Dr. Jack Hetzel was written in the hopes of providing a better grasp on each significant idea and subject Apostle Paul tackled in the book of Colossians. Hetzel writes his inputs on every subject thoroughly and emphasizes the role of the Son of God, whom Apostle Paul declared to be omnipotent and dominant in the whole world. Moreover, the book motivates the members of the Christian family to showcase and strengthen their faiths and understand what living is all about.

The Gospel According to Jesus: What Is Authentic Faith? by John MacArthur

The enlarged edition of this bestselling book authored by John MacArthur was published in 2009 by Zondervan. The Gospel According to Jesus: What Is Authentic Faith? tests every Christian to re-assess their commitment to the Lord by analyzing their “fruits.” The author raises a meaningful question about the real meaning of being saved. MacArthur also encourages the readers to get a fuller grasp on the value of their conversion and that it wasn’t just a simple phase but a lifetime commitment and accordance.

In the Grip of Grace by Max Lucado

In the Grip of Grace by Max Lucado is a Christian self-help book published in 1999. It primarily talks about how life is filled with obstacles and chances that push people to be self-sufficient. But, that kind of life is not what God had given. The way the world encourages you to double your efforts in living and achieve success is not the same method that the way of the cross has. According to In the Grip of Grace, the latter will direct you to a place where you don’t need to force yourself so you can submerge to the limitless, free, and rejuvenating grace of the Lord.

The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Dietrich Bonhoeffer penned the book The Cost of Discipleship, which contained a foreword by Eric Metaxas and was published in 1995. The book serves as an enticing proclamation of the necessity of sacrifice and ethical regularity from an individual whose life and ideas were outstanding articulations of a fresh kind of leadership inspired by the Gospel. It also tackles a person with the same thoughts that were inoculated with the spirit of Christian humanism, as well as a great sense of civic duty.

Remarkable Authors with Inspiring Life Stories

In this lifetime, many have already gone through their darkest and happiest moments. And, authors are not exempted from experiencing the good, bad, and horror that life brings. What made them special was their ability to turn their account into masterpieces that inspire millions of readers across the globe. Some fully write their intimate experiences into a full-blown novel, while others make use of some aspects of their lives and inflict them in their works. Hence, here are some of the authors who have inspiring life stories that you should know.

Maya Angelou

A poet, a civil rights activist, and an author, these are the common things that come up when people talk about Maya Angelou. However, her literary success goes beyond her job titles. Maya was born on April 4, 1928, as Marguerite Annie Johnson, the second born of Bailey Johnson and Vivian Johnson. Moreover, her parents ended their marriage and were sent to Arkansas when she was three years old. At eight years old, they were sent back and lived together with her mother. Unfortunately, she was raped and abused by her mom’s boyfriend. The abuser was detained for a day but was murdered shortly after his release.

Maya Angelou became mute for about five years, believing that her voice killed her abuser after confessing his name. During those moments, she discovered and improved her passion for literature and reading, her skill to listen and observe, and an amazing memory. Her darker days continued, but she still rose above them all, making her a phenomenal woman and a great figure in literature.

Christopher Paolini

If you have read the series The Inheritance Cycle, then you might already be familiar with Christopher Paolini. He is a popular fantasy author born on November 17, 1983, in California. At the age of 15, shortly after graduating high school, he began writing. That particular write-up turned into the first book of his hit fantasy series, which he titled Eragon. Christopher opted to publish his debut novel through his parents’ publishing firm, which is Paolini International LLC. He promoted his book in over 130 schools and libraries, discussing not just his work but also literature while in a medieval costume.

Moreover, Paolini didn’t further his education and has proven that with hard work and passion, you can still reach success. His great effort and innate talent allowed his work Eragon to name him as one of the bestselling authors at 19 years old. The book was also adapted into a film in 2006, and a year before the movie was released, he launched the story’s sequel titled Eldest. His literary success continued, which allowed him to complete his fantasy series and write other books under other genres, like science fiction.

Trea Jackson

Trea Jackson is the author of The Innocent Eyes of a Child: Everyone’s Little Girl, But Nobody’s Child. Her book narrates her personal experiences of being in a foster care system, as well as the struggle of being part of the said process. Moreover, Jackson already experienced horrible things as a little kid, from manipulation to domestic abuse. There was nobody courageous enough to save her. While being in that setup, she always found herself wishing for a loving mother and father. Trea was taken by the Illinois Department and Children Services, which released her the first time. But, they kept her under the foster care system the second time she was taken.

Being part of that certain system was harder than she thought. It was an endless cycle of hoping to find a family that would genuinely love and take care of her and experiencing abuse all over again. Jackson considered writing as her safe haven and comfort in the middle of it all. Thus, when she gained the strength to share her story and her truth, she gradually wrote her book while still pursuing her college education in 2004. Her book is a reflection of the emotional rollercoaster ride that she experienced, minus the particular abuses after getting advice to avoid backlash. It also serves as a ray of inspiration and hope for kids who were and are in a foster care system.

Brilliant Authors Who Practice Other Forms of Arts That You Should Know

Art comes in different forms, and literature is one of them because it tells stories, creates themes for the audience to ponder, and follows certain structures. Thus, writers are already considered as artists for they utilize and apply their creativity by writing great stories in various styles. However, many authors practice other art forms aside from literature. Some of them are drawn into painting, drawing, sculpting, woodcarving, and music, while others are into photography, digital illustrations, theater, and more.

So, if you want to get to know many talented authors who also do other types of arts, then this blog is for you. We have listed below those brilliant writers that you should know.

Eric Carle

Have you read The Very Hungry Caterpillar when you were a child? If yes, then you might already be familiar with Eric Carle. He is an American children’s book author born on June 25, 1929, and died on May 23, 2021. Carle has authored and published various books under children’s literature that have helped young adults of today understand the world as they go through different stages of development.

But, did you know that Eric Carle also became a graphic designer at The New York Times before he served the U.S. Army during the Korean War. After serving the army, he came back to the Empire State and continued his job at The New York Times. In 1963, he decided to resign and opt to be a freelance artist. That’s also the moment that he met Bill Martin, Jr., who inspired him to get creative with the illustration. Hence, he became an illustrator first after collaborating with Martin before he fully became an established author.

Edith Vosefski

Edith Vosefski is the author, speaker, teacher, and etiquette expert. She obtained her undergraduate degree from Northwestern University’s College of Speech and her master’s degree in communication science from Governor’s State University. As an author, she wrote multiple books, such as The Nine Lives of Curious Edith, Leo’s Out of This World Adventure, and more.

At 78 years old, she started to study art — generally drawing using colored pencils. Edith’s artwork is found in her children’s books, such as in Leo and the Spirit of Golden Boy. Moreover, her love for nature and life has been reflected in her artworks, and her newfound craft also boosted her creativity that inspired her subsequent literary works.

Nicki Geigert

If you happen to read the adventure and entertaining books Who’s Yawning Now? and Family Trip to Magical Madagascar and Beyond, then you probably are familiar with Nicki Geigert. From the genres of her books, you can easily tell that she loves to explore and travel. Apart from being a great author, Geigert also fancies photography. In fact, she has an online art gallery, which features her nature photographs that can be hung up and add beauty to your walls.

Nicki Geigert considered photography as an opportunity to experience getting a snapshot of a special moment, documenting various rich cultural heritages all around the globe, and observing different behaviors. The art of photography helps her to capture candid moments of life. Moreover, Geigert also wholeheartedly takes pictures of wildlife in their natural habitats, which shows the raw moments of how animals live in the wild.

Gabriella Eva Nagy

Author Gabriella Eva Nagy was born in Hungary. Growing up, she has always taken delight in searching for visually stimulating and instructional methods to communicate with kids. Moreover, Nagy has a bachelor’s degree in physics and technology and was also a graduate of Computer Animation and Multimedia from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh.

She has penned various children’s books, such as Enchanted Rainbows, The Dancing Butterflies, Moonlight Dance, Sweet Dreams, Ladybug!, and Twinkling Stars. But, what sets her apart from others is that she illustrates the wonderful visual elements in her books. Thus, she utilizes her gift of art and writing to reach millions of kids in the world to ponder and reflect on human values.

Indeed, authors are a bunch of talented people who develops their crafts to create wonderful works that can inspire, teach, and motivate millions of individuals.

Suicide: Grieving and Healing from Tragic Loss

Losing a loved one to suicide is tragic, and the road to grieving and healing will be long and difficult for family and friends.

Suicide is one of the major health issues in many countries around the world. On average, around 130 individuals commit suicide every day. In the United States, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death, and over 47,000 died of suicide out of the estimated 1.3 million attempts, according to 2019 data. The country is among the wealthy nations with the highest suicide rate. Although the suicide rate has been declining over the past few years, it is still a significant concern, and many families still suffer the loss and trauma of losing a loved one to suicide.

Families who lost their loved ones to crimes, accidents, and suicide not only have to endure the death of their dearly departed but also the traumatic experience of their untimely demise. However, a suicide death is quite a uniquely traumatic experience because it carries a stigma. In some cultures, suicide is taboo, and some victims are even denied final rites. This and other mental and emotional burdens contribute to a devastating loss that often leaves families having difficulty processing, grieving, and healing.

Support systems play a crucial role in dealing with grief and healing from the traumatic experience of losing someone to suicide.

Because of the trauma and the complexities of suicide deaths, grieving and the road to healing may prove difficult for families. Support systems will be crucial in processing the loss and ensuring that they will not succumb to depression. Being with family and friends is essential for those dealing with the loss. While we respect privacy, eventually, they will have to allow people outside the family to care and look after their welfare. Professional help and groups can also help them understand more about their emotions. Discussion among people with shared experiences can put things in perspective.

Reading books on suicide, grief, and healing can also help families learn more from people who have endured the same traumatic experiences. The books Lessons in Surviving Suicide: A Letter to my Daughter and Divine Healing Transforming Pain into Personal Power: A guide to healing pain from child loss, suicide and other grief by Vonne Solis talk about dealing with suicide and embracing the road to recovery. Attending grief or life coaching sessions like those facilitated by Vonne Solis certainly can help as well. As a mother who lost her child to suicide, Solis knows too well the journey. Now she shares her courage and wisdom with others so they too can move on and continue with life.

The period of grief will vary, but eventually, we all need to face reality and choose to heal for ourselves and those who need our love and care.

There is no standard or set timeline for grieving, especially suicide deaths. There is no single roadmap to healing, and sometimes the time we need to grieve and heal may be longer than we can hope it would be. But one thing is essential- we all need to heal.

Suicide death is complicated as it involves certain emotions that other deaths may or may not deal with such as guilt, regret, and anger. Its nature often leaves family members in shock, denial, and the feeling of helplessness and betrayal. To embark on the path to healing, victims first have to come to grips with these feelings. And it is never easy. If these emotions are not addressed or handled well, things could worsen, and the healing may take a long while.

Once emotions are expressed and certain stability is achieved, other steps such as acceptance, reconciliation, and the attempt to get back to the routine may now be addressed. Again, healing and moving on don’t come overnight. Each healing journey is a work in progress.

In the end, we must remind ourselves that healing and moving on doesn’t mean forgetting the memory of our loved one who has died. We choose to heal and move on because we choose to remember the good memories they left behind. More importantly, we choose to heal because we still have family and friends who care for us and are waiting for us to get back on our feet and live a happy and meaningful life.

Simple Ways to Cultivate Your Faith

The modernity of society has greatly influenced and made significant changes in people’s beliefs, norms, principles, and faith. Perhaps these alternations didn’t come in one blow but in a gradual manner in which everyone didn’t realize they’d changed. Moreover, faith is one of the aspects that strengthen a person. It’s like a support system and the fuel to the fire. It could be easily tainted with a bit of drizzle of negativity, dark moments, and other factors.

So, make sure to cultivate and strengthen your faith so it wouldn’t waver when the world brings something new to the table. Here are the simple ways you might want to check out and apply to grow your faith in the Lord.

Talk to God through prayers

The simplest way of communicating with the Almighty Father is through praying. Your prayer serves as your conversation with God and can be the primary element that can gradually enhance your connection and deepen your faith in Him. Think of it as the way for God to listen to your heart’s desires and aches, so He can make way for you to feel and live better. So, pray and communicate your gratitude, apology, and request. Show your sincerity, genuineness, and vulnerability, and He’ll know what challenges and paths to give you to learn and toughen up and be successful and happier.

Read Christian books

There are several benefits the simple act of reading gives, such as a more profound and resilient faith. In reading Christian books, you’ll be reminded of the greatness and goodness of God. Those works can slowly boost your inspiration to continue taking the path you’ve chosen with peace of mind, knowing that God is with you every step of the way. They will also make you realize the value of every adversity and help you reflect on your actions.

Among the best books to read are The Hands of God by Judith Martin Alford, Desiring God by John Piper, Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers by Dane Ortlund, Jesus Calling by Sarah Young, and more. But, the greatest book in Christian literature is none other than the Holy Bible. So, start reading now.

Be more involved in the Christian community

Becoming an active member of the Christian community is not a piece of cake. There are many rules to abide and several things to follow. Thus, it needs commitment and hard work. Being involved doesn’t necessarily mean being present in every activity of the Church, but it means serving the Church and fellow members with compassion and sincerity. You’ll be surprised at how much personal and spiritual growth this brings you and how it gives more foundation to your faith. Apart from that, you can also dig deeper into His words — what it means and how it impacts you, and make better relationships not just with Him but with your Christian family.

Ask for forgiveness, then repent

Forgiveness and repentance are two words that are often associated with sins and wrongdoings. Apologizing and owning your mistakes make you a bigger person, but it reflects on how you are as a Christian. Asking for forgiveness will allow you to keep a deeper relationship with God, which will lead to better things, such as healing from pain, gaining more confidence, knowing the right thing, and growing your faith.

After confessing, the next thing to do is to repent from sin. This act is the option given to Christians to be free from sins and be forgiven by the Almighty Father. Hence, you go through or continue your spiritual development when you choose repentance. You must do it genuinely with both your mind and heart and submit yourself to the Lord.

Abide on His orders

As a Christian, obedience is essential. It is the act that shows our faith and trust in the Lord. Being a part of the Christian community means you must adhere to and follow the Ten Commandments and His calls. If you failed to do so due to temptations, you must seek His forgiveness either through prayers or formally through confession. So, honor His commands, abide by His orders, and strengthen your faith.

Must-read Books that Will Touch Your Hearts

In this lifetime, we go through and encounter different stories that can either fuel our desire to do better or give us lots of challenges. As we journey into our chosen paths, we need these kinds of stories to uplift up when we fall, remind us of our goals, and make us feel that we are not alone. There are many books that easily capture the interest and hearts of the readers because of their relatable aspects.

If you are an avid reader of books that teaches and inspire and are looking for new titles to add to your reading list, then this blog is for you! We have listed below the must-read books that you should look out for to make the rest of your year enjoyable and motivation-filled.

The End of The Rainbow: One Man’s Unexpected Journey of Love and Loss through Leukemia by James Forker

The End of The Rainbow: One Man’s Unexpected Journey of Love and Loss through Leukemia is a remarkable book penned by James Forker published in 2021. It revolves around the story of love that was found and was lost due to cancer. Before the unexpected turn of events, Forker and his wife were happily living and loving one another with their little ones. But, when the diagnosis was announced, Forker finds himself balancing the responsibility of a father and a husband, having to attend to the needs of his kids and wife. Amidst the pain and heartbreak of losing the love of his life, it is also a book about the triumph and determination of a father striving to raise his children alone.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

This widely recognized and awarded autobiography of the American poet and writer Maya Angelou was originally released in 1969. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings narrates the early years of Angelou and shows how she toughens over time as she conquers racism and trauma. The story opens with the little 3-year-old Maya and her older sibling being sent to live with their grandmother in Arkansas and concludes when Maya entered motherhood at sixteen. In that long period of time, Angelou has gone through various traumatic events, which she turned into lessons and tools to become the strong and phenomenal woman that she is today.

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

Fredrik Backman’s A Man Called Ove is a heartwarming story of a kind and honest old man that people perceived as grumpy and bitter. The protagonist continued living as he wished and by his principles, until a young and cheerful couple moved next door together with their chatty kids — that’s when their world intertwined. It was originally written in Swedish with the title En man som heter Ove. Moreover, Ove’s story was based on an article that the author read about a man with the same name as the main character who had a fit while purchasing art museum tickets. Moreover, the book gained multiple positive reviews and was adapted into a film in 2015.

Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom

In 1997, the biographical and philosophical novel written by Mitch Albom titled Tuesdays with Morrie was published by Doubleday. It became one of the bestselling memoirs of all time in 2006. The story centers on the rekindled relationship of the former professor named Morrie and his former student named Mitch. After Morrie appeared on a news program, Mitch mustered his courage to visit his ill professor. The visit became as frequent as every Tuesday until the old man took his last breath. But within those several Tuesdays, they have reconnected and shared a lot of things that will surely remain in their hearts and minds.

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

This young adult fiction novel was published in 2009 by Dutton Penguin. It is one of the bestselling works of Gayle Forman that was even adapted into a film. The story revolves around the life of a teenager named Mia Hall. Everything was starting to fall into place — her family, her love life, and her dream. However, a horrifying car accident threatened her life and put her in a coma. While being in that state, she had an out-of-body experience, which allowed her to witness the people who cared for her during her darkest moments. What made the book more amazing is its ability to draw intense emotions and unconventional narratives.

Essential Things to Consider When Writing an Insightful Book

With the growing numbers of books in the literary realm, with almost all that have reached and impacted many lives, have you ever wondered what it would be like to author a book that can teach and encourage people?

At present, there are already millions of literary pieces that have been successfully written and published. Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom, The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, The Book of It by Scott Rahn, The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein, Wonder by R.J. Palacio, and Atomic Habits by James Clear are among the best ones in the market. Readers tend to patronize books that they relate to, rely on, and learn from.

Moreover, there are many reasons that encourage an individual to write a book. It could be because of a significant event, random realization, notable person, intense emotion, personal development, underlying principle, and more. The reasons definitely vary from one author to another. So, if you ever considered writing a book that holds much meaning and learning, then you should know what things to consider and tips to apply, like the ones below:

Focus on developing your book idea

You already have a concept running around your mind for quite some time. So, what now? You must take a moment to develop it to bring a particular idea to life and move people. The struggle can be drawing a thick line and outlining abstract thought. All you need to do is brainstorm and plan. List the possible Ws and H questions and provide the corresponding answers. Then, come up with other supporting concepts that can further strengthen your work. You can create a mind map, bulleted outline, or a full-blown timeline to guide you during the actual writing process.

Conduct an extensive research

Whether your goal is to inform, express, or entertain, research still plays an integral role in writing. If your book is fiction, there are still features of the story that are inspired by real-life places, scenarios, or people. Thus, studying how these aspects look and function can help you fictionalize and fit them into your story. On the other hand, when your book is nonfiction, you must read, analyze, cite, fact-check, and apply the relevant information to your work. Your research will serve as another foundation of your book, making the concept and claim stronger and appealing to the readers.

Utilize an appropriate language

Every book has its own target readers. For example, books tagged as children’s literature are written specifically for kids under different age brackets, while stories under the romance genre are suited for young adults and full-grown adults. Thus, you have to expect that the writing style, tone, and language of each work are different. In your writing, make sure to use the appropriate language in which your readers can fully comprehend the central message. It is also one way to avoid losing the interest of your targets, undermine your claims, and stray your readers away from your topic.

Indicate your references to support claims

Have you observed that there are some books with footnotes, such as John Green’s An Abundance of Katherines? What about books with citations like many self-help books? Indicating the source of the information that you’ve mentioned in your work is vital. Apart from it enables you to recognize and give credit to the owner or contributor of the idea or notion, avoiding plagiarism. And, it also backs up the claims and arguments that you’ve raised in your book. The readers will gradually be convinced, and their skepticism will slowly vanish.

Think outside the box

There are a handful of factors that can make a book attain success, and it often depends on the author. Why? The writer of the story has the ultimate power to write, modify, and develop it. That said, it is vital that you should think outside the box to make your book stand out among the million others. Being a better thinker pushes you to come up with new techniques, elevated writing style, and distinctive voice that can radiate to your work because it can enhance the entire story, increase its impact, and give you an identity as an author.

How to Write a Stirring Story

Do you have a concept that would make an awesome story? If you have, then don’t keep it in and bring it to life because stories are meant to be told. Whether the tale is based on your life experiences, an existing story, notable mythology, or a historical figure, you should find a way to start writing. But, becoming an author is not an easy task because there are multiple things to consider.

Regardless of how daunting it is topen a book, nothing can compare to the fulfillment and sense of joy of seeing your idea turned into a masterpiece that’s about to touch lives and captivate readers. If you want to write a stirring story that entices the readers to turn every page, then here are some tips on how:

Read more books

Reading is the key to a great story. Why? It lies in the fact that reading more books, especially those under the genre you’ve chosen, gives you more concepts, tips, and knowledge. This activity widens your imagination, improves your vocabulary, ignites passion, and enhances your abilities. The books of Kerry Marzock, Agatha Christie, Mark Manson, Rupi Kaur, Dean Koontz, and Neil Gaiman are some of those that you might want to check out. Thus, take it as a self-investment that can contribute not just to your growth as an author but also to your development as a person. So, start listing and searching the titles of those pieces that interest you, then read.

Brainstorm for the general ideas

You already have a concept in mind, that’s for sure. But, have you considered strengthening that idea, so your story will have a better appeal to your readers? Every tale needs firm foundations so it can stand out among others, give your targets a great reading experience, get better feedback, and widen your reader base. All you need to do is sit and think for new ideas that can elevate your current concept. Apart from that, also try to come up with possible solutions to your story’s conflict and ways to develop your characters. Don’t forget to list down what you have thought about and have it as a guide during the actual writing process.

Focus on moving the story forward

While you are writing, don’t get too much immersed in writing the descriptions and other parts that tend to build images on the minds of the readers. Sometimes focusing on the narration can make your storyline stagnant, which is already a red flag. Although creating imagery through a narrative is a great thing, but you should focus on moving your story forward because nobody wants a tale with no progress. Use the different aspects of your work to create developments, such as your characters. Maximize them to show the readers the events in the story and make them feel intense emotions.

Add interesting elements

Who wouldn’t want an entertaining story? Hence, enhance the overall quality of your work by adding different literary devices. If you follow the traditional plot structure, you can insert different devices in between, such as figurative language, symbolism, motif, foreshadowing, and imagery. However, if you wish to be more unconventional, you can use other techniques that can spice up your work — such as in media res, cliffhanger, and flashback. Just make sure that the twists and turns are captivating enough to hook your readers and drive them to look forward to the flip the last page.

Watch out for plot holes

Plot holes can ruin the integrity and quality of your work. A plot filled with inconsistencies and gaps doesn’t only downgrades the entire story but also disappoints the readers. In order to avoid that from happening, you need to be thorough not just during the writing process but also while editing. So, whether it takes you a draft or two before the manuscript will be approved for publishing, don’t worry. It’s for the betterment of your work.

To sum it all up, becoming an author is a long and, oftentimes, tiresome journey. With the number of ideas, words, and efforts you spend on your work, you can surely feel the rewarding feeling after you see the published output and its growing reader base.

Simple Ways to Replenish Yourself

Girls dancing in the middle of a flower field

Have you ever noticed that everything seems dull lately? No matter how bright the days are, there is just something that doesn’t feel right. Several things that once made you jump for joy start to become uninteresting. It’s like your mind, body, and soul is drained, and perhaps you need to find ways to replenish yourself to restore your wholeness and better yourself.

Self-replenishing refers to the act of prioritizing completeness by making up for the things that you deemed are missing or have been consumed. By fueling yourself up, a bunch of positive things will follow — such as increased passion, boosted energy levels, improved enthusiasm, and others. But are there any ways to replenish your mind, body, and soul? Luckily, we have listed below the simple yet best methods to renew and refresh you.

Go on an adventure

Sometimes what you need is a breathing space to pause, vent, and restart. So, going on an adventure might be what you need. The trip doesn’t have to be grand; you can have little adventures that can slowly turn to bigger ones as time goes by. You can go for a long drive with your favorite songs blasting on the radio, stroll around the nearest park, try climbing and camping on mountain peaks, take a dip on the beach, enjoy the sunset, and more. Although it is not required, taking nature-related trips can definitely give you the healing and restoration that you never thought you needed.

Read a book or two

Books are powerful because they contain words that you never thought you needed to hear. There are many literary works that relate, understand, and help with your situation. Most of them are under different literary genres, such as nonfiction, fiction, poetry, and prose. Happiness in Quantum Leaps by Aura McClain, Wonder by R.J. Palacio, The Strength in Our Scars by Bianca Sparacino, and The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery are some of the best books that can make you reflect and realize what you lack, what you should aspire for, and how to work them out.

Talk to people

Communicating can be scary, especially when the receiver of the message doesn’t have the same principles as you do. But, you have to accept that every person has different perspectives and mindsets. You just have to choose the right people to lean on and confide in. Muster up the courage to slowly talk about and express the things that are bothering, haunting, and burdening you. You don’t have to go all out and overshare because always remember that the words can hurt. Hence, know who, what, and when to communicate.

Eat your comfort food

With everything overwhelming you leaving you stagnant and burdened, food can sometimes be the solution. Although eating only brings temporary happiness because too much can also cause problems, it is still enough to make a smile on your face and help you calm your mind — which later on radiate on your body and soul. Once in a while, cook or buy your comfort food and savor it until the last bite. You can surely feel a surge of happiness aside from fullness. But, always remember to eat moderately!

Set a routine

The words “routine” and “cycle” can be deemed negative, especially for those that are struggling with the monotony of life. However, it still depends on the purpose. Setting a routine can surprisingly bring you lots of benefits — such as low-stress levels, better sleeping habits, good eating patterns, more refreshed feeling, increased confidence, and more. It can also develop your concentration and boost your productivity, which is better than having no routine at all. You will be amazed at how much you have accomplished with this simple activity.

Learn the art of detachment

Attaching yourself to people, places, and things is a red flag. Because sometimes becoming too connected and invested in others make you lose yourself and get drowned in the idea of prioritizing those aspects, especially if you’re attached to someone. What you need to do is slowly detach yourself from the individuals, locations, and objects that you strongly feel linked to so you can trace how they have affected you and decide whether to keep or drop the bond. Once you do this, you’ll become wiser and bolder that can radiate to your mind, body, and soul.