THGM Writing Services

Enhanced biblical narrative published: David and Bathsheba’s story retold

November 10, 2021 by 1 Comment

Another client of THGM Writing Services publishes his book. Wisdom Betrayed: David, Bathsheba and the Man Behind the Throne is Don Clifford’s work of biblical enhancement.

The story of David and Bathsheba is one of the better known tales from the Bible. But like all Bible stories, it is told in few words. That leaves so much to the imagination. Or to speculation. Or to deductive reasoning.

That’s what Anne Rice did with her famous Christ the Lord series. And that’s what Don Clifford has done with his book Wisdom Betrayed: David, Bathsheba and the Man Behind the Throne. As he and I struggled with how I should refer to this genre, he said: [Read more…]

Filed Under: Books and publishing Tagged With:

Do you want to hire a slave or a writer?

October 1, 2021 by 7 Comments

Some people want something for nothing. Tempting as the offer sounds, I just don’t need any more nothing right now.

Rant time! Every day – yeah, pretty much every day – I get an email from somebody seeking to hire a slave. In my mind’s eye, I see them standing there with a whip and an evil laughter. “Muuaahhahahhahahaaaaa!”

Here is one of those emails I just received. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous

Average book word count: how many words should I write?

August 28, 2021 by 1 Comment

It’s one of the first questions new authors ask: “How long should my book be? How many words should I write in my manuscript?” Here is some useful guidance, from children’s books to fantasy novels.

First-time authors come to us for help to take their book idea to the next level. One of the first issues to address is the desired word count of the book. That determines everything from the ghostwriting fee to the outline they’ll need for their manuscript. We get questions like:

  • How many words make a novel?
  • How many words should your first novel be?
  • What should be a picture book word count?
  • What should be a fantasy novel word count?
  • What’s the minimum word count for a novel?

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Books and publishing

Proofreading saves body parts! How a lady’s chest went up for sale online

August 8, 2021 by Leave a Comment

Women are being sold on the Internet, one piece at a time. It’s a tragic dismemberment that could be avoided simply by proofreading what you write.

I’ve written before about the dangers of not proofreading carefully. For instance, one celebrity chef became a cannibal, all because somebody forgot a comma. Such a tragedy, really.

Then there was the time I nearly accepted a position as a hitman, a murderer. Thank goodness for proofreading.

Now I learn that people are accidentally selling their used body parts, all because somebody didn’t proofread carefully enough. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous

Words of wisdom from 15 Canadian novels

June 19, 2021 by 4 Comments

The stories we love best are filled with subtle (and not-so-subtle) lessons and perspectives. These quotes from 15 modern Canadian books offer unique insights into the lives we live.

Most people look for words of wisdom in self-help books or in the Bible or other religious guides. But you will find much to think about in the passing comments of characters in works of fiction and other books, too.

Consider my favourite motivational quote: [Read more…]

Filed Under: Books and publishing

How to write a commencement speech

May 8, 2021 by Leave a Comment

A commencement or convocation speech should deliver a powerful message, one that students can draw on for inspiration in their lives beyond the academic walls.

Commencement speeches, typically about 10 minutes long, have the power to change lives. Not usually in big ways, of course. More in the sense of giving an uplifting message that students can take with them from graduation out into the world when they need inspiration.

Sevy Petras is co-owner of Priority Life Care, a chain of retirement homes. She was invited to speak to the graduating class at Tiffin University in Ohio. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Speeches

How to write the plot of a story

April 8, 2021 by 2 Comments

Writing the plot for a story is never simple. If you are just starting out writing fiction, a template can help you get started and structure your outline.

So many people want to write a book or movie, but find it hard to structure their story. They aren’t sure how to write the plot of a novel or a screenplay.

The Infographic below is more than just how to write a plot of a story – it reads like the plot summary of a typical fiction story, or even of an epic non-fiction story. [Read more…]

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Dr. Seuss books – to cancel or not to cancel?

March 10, 2021 by Leave a Comment

It is right to rethink old literature. But does cancel culture amount to book burnings?

It was on Twitter that I first saw news that people were cancelling Dr. Seuss. Sooner or later, everybody gets cancelled, but I could not imagine why anybody would pick on Dr. Seuss, a childhood favorite of mine.

It turns out that all the discussion is because Dr. Seuss Enterprises, the organization in charge of Dr. Seuss’s legacy, announced that it would no longer publish six of his books, saying that “These books portray people in ways that are hurtful and wrong.”

It was a proactive action. But it got media play and people have weighed in both against and for Dr. Seuss. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Books and publishing

New book tells baseball stories from around the world

February 22, 2021 by Leave a Comment

Another client of THGM Writing Services publishes a best seller. A Pilot’s Passion: Baseball Travels the World is a genre-defying book by Scott Weaver.

Is it an anthology of short stories?

Is it sports?

Is it self-help motivation?

It’s all three!

If you love baseball, you’ll love this book. If you have a world view, and would be thrilled to read about how “America’s pastime” is taking roots in the far corners of our planet, you’ll really, really love this book.

Retired USAF fighter pilot Lt. Col. Scott Weaver loves baseball. He even headed well down the path of a career in baseball, and was invited to try out with both the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Cincinnati Reds. [Read more…]

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Magical Mountain fantasy novel published

February 6, 2021 by Leave a Comment

Another client of THGM Writing Services publishes. Magical Mountain is the first in the four-part Kingdom of Treasures series by Asmaa Jamil.

An Iraqi-born American author, Asmaa Jamil set out to retell not one, but two compelling folk tales:

  • Cinderella
  • Two Sisters Who Were Jealous of Their Younger Sister

However, Asmaa gives them a fresh and exciting twist. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Books and publishing Tagged With: ,
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