Blog - Page 3 of 37 - Booked4Books

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…

05 Nov

Romance Microtropes – Let The (Tiny) Sparks Fly!

Pranjali WakdeArticles

From enemies to lovers and grumpy/sunshine to second chance and fake dating, there is no shortage of tropes in romance. However, there exist some elements in romance novels that are recurring enough that everyone thinks they are tropes. But, plot twist, they don’t exactly fall under that umbrella. For instance, the MMC crosses his arms while leaning against the wall, or the FMC tends to her love interest’s wounds. It is clear that these are not substantial enough to be a plot device… but they do give readers butterflies. Well, that’s the job of microtropes! What Are Microtropes In…

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…

16 Oct

Crazy, Dangerous Love – The ‘Romantic’ World of Yandere

Pranjali WakdeArticlesBell, Delusional yandere, Higurashi When They Cry, Sweetest Monster, World of Yandere

Imagine a person who is so in love with you that they can manipulate, bruise, and even kill people… for you. But they weren’t psychopaths since the start – it’s their love for you that makes them controlling, obsessive, and batshit crazy. If this happens in real life, that person will have cuffs slapped on their wrist the moment they act dangerous. But when it happens in books? Well, that’s called Yandere romance. This romance is one of the many Dere types, a Japanese concept that describes different character archetypes of people acting around their love interest. As readers have…

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…

01 Oct

From Draft to Bestseller: What Are Effective Strategies to Market Your Books?

Pranjali WakdeArticlesMarket Your Books

With many authors choosing self-publishing over the traditional approach, the need for marketing has become more important now than ever. Sure, your novel has the best story you’ve ever read (or, if you’re the self-deprecating writer, a good story). But the readers will only be excited to pick up your book if there’s palpable excitement around it. The only way to do that? Effective book marketing. Writing and Marketing – The Double-Edged Sword of Book Publishing In today’s world, where everything is rated and reviewed, writing a book and hoping the readers will pick up isn’t enough. You must…

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…