Neelakshi Singh, Author at Booked4Books

13 Nov

Microfiction for Social Media: Crafting Stories That Pack a Mean Punch

Neelakshi SinghArticles

Microfiction is the incredible art of telling a story in a ridiculously small amount of space. It’s like trying to fit a three-act play into a single song or packing all the suspense of a thriller into a single text message. When written well, microfiction is the bookish equal to a concentrated espresso shot: small, intense, and hits you in the right places If you’re thinking, “How am I supposed to do this in just two sentences?” don’t worry. Microfiction is tricky, but that’s half the fun. Start in the Middle of the Action In a book, you’d build…

11 Nov

Flash Fiction: Big Stories with Tiny Word Counts

Neelakshi SinghArticles

Flash fiction is writing with a strict word count budget—folding an entire story into a few handful words, sometimes even fewer. Writing flash fiction isn’t about stuffing; it’s about curating. When you only have a handful of words, there’s no time to set the table. Flash fiction works best when it starts with action or a high-stakes emotion. Forget about writing about the weather or easing into character backstory. Instead, think of an opening that grabs readers from the very start : “The letter dropped from her hand as she read the last line.” We’re already hooked, curious, and invested,…

06 Nov

Horror That Haunts: How to Write Horror Without the Gore

Neelakshi SinghArticles

So, you want to write horror that’ll make your readers feel like something is creeping up on them from behind? That’s fantastic! And the best part? We’re going to do it all without buckets of blood and without throwing in organs that slop around like leftover pasta. Because real horror—the kind that keeps you looking over your shoulder for hours—lives in the shadows, the silences, and the things left unseen. Build Characters Your Readers Care About Real horror doesn’t work unless readers feel for the person in the thick of it. No one wants to see a bunch…

28 Oct

Talk the Talk: The Dos and Don’ts of Writing Accents

Neelakshi SinghArticlesconsistent voice, Writing Accents

Using dialects and accents in dialogue can be a powerful tool for character development in writing. However, as with most things, it requires care and precision. When done well, it gives a voice to characters, distinguishes them from one another, and adds a rich texture to the story. When done poorly, it can come off as offensive or difficult to read, and that’s a pretty quick way to lose a reader's attention. The goal in writing character dialogue is to make each character sound like themselves. It’s all about their voice—not just what they’re saying, but how they say it.…

21 Oct

The Glamour of Gloom: How Gothic Romance Makes Misery Look Good

Neelakshi SinghArticlesGothic Romance

Here, sadness is a whole mood. It’s as if the characters woke up one morning and said, “You know what would really spice up my love life? A bit of emotional torment.” But why do these books make misery look so… well, attractive? Is it just to up the drama, or do they actually believe that the path to true love has to include a few sleepless nights and some dramatic hair? You’ve seen it: the looks, the moonlit strolls through the cemetery, the mystery lover who may or may not be a vampire. But have you ever wondered if…

05 Oct

Trendsetters or Trend Chasers: Who Really Rules the Book World?

Neelakshi SinghArticlesFOMO effect, The Hunger Games, Twilight

Ever feel like you're being led on a treasure hunt, but the treasure is a never-ending series of love triangles and dystopian societies? Yeah, you’re not alone. The question of whether fiction trends are shaped by what readers crave or if we're just following the shiny, publisher-designed breadcrumbs is like trying to figure out if the chicken or the egg came first—but with a lot more glittery vampires and tortured bad boys. So, tighten the seatbelts, dear reader, as we dive into the conspiracy that is the publishing industry, where the lines between what you want and what you’re given…

25 Sep

Graphic Novels: Serious Literature or Just Entertainment?

Neelakshi SinghArticlesGraphic Novels

If you think graphic novels are just fancy picture books, brace yourself — we’re about to see why they deserve a heck of a lot more respect. Let’s be real, the whole "comics aren’t cool" vibe is kind of a relic, right? Like, are we still stuck in the 1950s when comic book fans were nerds hiding their Batman stash under their beds? (Pffft, give me a break.) And I know some people out there still think graphic novels are nothing but superhero capes, pow-bam-boom action, and simplistic plots. Spoiler alert: you're wrong. Graphic novels have evolved into an art…

24 Sep

Revenge in Books: Catharsis or Harm?

Neelakshi SinghArticlesCatharsis or Harm

You know you probably shouldn’t be rooting for the hero to go full “scorched earth” on their enemies, but when they do... oh, does it feel good. The whole revenge plot is like that irresistible junk food: satisfying in the moment but leaving you wondering if you’ve just fed your darker instincts. From classics like The Count of Monte Cristo to modern hits like The Boys, revenge tales often have us cheering from the sidelines, wanting the villain to get their well-deserved comeuppance. But hold up! Just because it feels cathartic doesn’t mean it’s without consequences. The real question is:…

21 Sep

From Classics to Marvel: Can We Appreciate the Art Despite the Artist?

Neelakshi SinghArticlesFrom Classics to Marvel

Let's say, You’re halfway through a novel, completely gone, when suddenly you come across a headline announcing that the author has been caught in a major controversy. You pause, book in hand, and think: "Can I still enjoy this book knowing what I know now?" It’s a modern dilemma, isn’t it? Literature and controversy seem to walk hand in hand these days, and with every new revelation, we’re asked to re-evaluate how we engage with art. Now, if you’re someone who likes to dip in a little Stoicism—a philosophy centered around self-improvement, emotional control, and clear-headed thinking—you might already have…

18 Sep

Twisted Thursday: Your Thrillers Fix

Neelakshi SinghArticlesTwisted Thursday

If there's one thing I love more than a cozy night of reading, it’s a book that keeps me guessing until my brain feels like an active psych ward. You know the ones—those psychological thrillers that mess with your head, flip your expectations upside down, and leave you staring at the last page, wondering what just happened. These are the books that make you question everything, including your ability to tell on even the most obvious plot twists. Trust me, I’ve fallen for every single one of these—and absolutely loved every minute of it. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn:…