Phoebe M.C.'s Blog

How to use astrological signs to create deeper characters

Using astrological signs to create deeper characters can add layers of personality, motivation, and behavior traits that make them more relatable and intriguing.

1. Understand the Basics of Astrological Signs:

Each of the 12 zodiac signs has distinct traits, strengths, weaknesses, likes, and dislikes.

Aries (March 21 - April 19): Energetic, courageous, and impulsive.

Taurus (April 20 - May 20): Reliable, patient, and stubborn.

Gemini (May 21 - June 20): Adaptable, curious, and indecisive.

Cancer (June 21 - July 22): Emotional, nurturing, and moody.

Leo (July 23 - August 22): Confident, ambitious, and egotistical.

Virgo (August 23 - September 22): Analytical, meticulous, and critical.

Libra (September 23 - October 22): Charming, diplomatic, and indecisive.

Scorpio (October 23 - November 21): Intense, passionate, and secretive.

Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21): Optimistic, adventurous, and blunt.

Capricorn (December 22 - January 19): Disciplined, responsible, and pessimistic.

Aquarius (January 20 - February 18): Innovative, independent, and detached.

Pisces (February 19 - March 20): Compassionate, imaginative, and escapist.

2. Assign a Sign to Your Character

Choose an astrological sign that fits the character's role in your story or the personality traits you envision for them. This will serve as a foundation for their behavior and motivations.

3. Develop Traits Based on the Sign

Use the core traits of the chosen sign to flesh out your character's personality.

Strengths and Weaknesses: Define the character’s strengths and weaknesses according to their sign. For instance, a Leo might be very confident and charismatic but also struggle with arrogance.

Motivations and Fears: Base their motivations and fears on their astrological traits. A Cancer character might be driven by a deep need for security and family, while an Aquarius might be motivated by a desire for innovation and freedom.

Behavior and Reactions: Think about how their sign influences their behavior in different situations. An Aries character might react impulsively in a crisis, while a Virgo might approach the same situation with careful planning and analysis.

4. Create Relationships Dynamics

Astrological signs can also inform how characters interact with each other. Consider compatibility and conflicts based on their signs. 

Compatible Signs: Relationships between compatible signs can be harmonious and supportive. For example, a Taurus and a Virgo might share a practical, grounded relationship.

Conflictual Signs: Opposing or different signs can create tension and conflict. For instance, a free-spirited Sagittarius might clash with a cautious Capricorn.

5. Add Depth with Birth Charts

To add even more depth, consider the character’s full birth chart, including their Moon sign, rising sign, and other planetary positions. 

Moon Sign: Represents their emotional nature and inner self.

Rising Sign: Influences their outward behavior and first impressions.

Other Planets: Each planet rules different aspects of life (e.g., Venus for love, Mars for action), adding complexity to their personality.

Example of character development using astrological signs. 

Character: Elena

Sun Sign: Scorpio

Moon Sign: Cancer

Rising Sign: Capricorn

Personality Traits

Scorpio Sun: Elena is intense, passionate, and secretive. She has a magnetic personality and is deeply loyal to those she loves.

Cancer Moon: Emotionally, she is nurturing and sensitive. She craves emotional security and has a strong intuition.

Capricorn Rising: Outwardly, she appears disciplined, ambitious, and responsible. She often takes on leadership roles and is seen as reliable.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths: Determined, resourceful, protective, and strategic.

Weaknesses: Jealous, controlling, secretive, and overly cautious.

Motivations and Fears

Motivations: Driven by a desire for deep emotional connections and personal transformation. Seeks to protect loved ones and achieve professional success.

Fears: Fear of betrayal, vulnerability, and failure.

Behaviour and Reactions

In a crisis, Elena remains calm and strategic, using her intuition to navigate the situation. While in  relationships, she is fiercely loyal but can become possessive and jealous.

Relationships

Compatible with: Cancer (shared emotional depth), Pisces (shared intuition and creativity).

Conflictual with: Leo (clash of egos), Aquarius (different values and approaches).

By using astrological signs, you can create multi-dimensional characters with distinct personalities, motivations, and relationships, enriching your story and engaging your readers but you can also use it as a  guide to help you understand more about who your characters are. 

Self publishing vs traditional publishing

Self-publishing and traditional publishing both have advantages and disadvantages and only you can decide which path is right for you. I have written this blog post to lay out some of the advantages and disadvantages of both self publishing and traditional publishing as well as some other considerations. 

Self-Publishing

Advantages:

1. Control: You have complete control over the content, design, and marketing of your book.

2. Speed: The process is faster. You can publish your book as soon as it's ready.

3. Higher Royalties: You keep a larger percentage of the profits from each sale.

4. No Gatekeepers: You don't need to secure an agent or publisher's approval.

5. Creative Freedom: You can make all decisions about your book’s presentation and content.

Disadvantages:

1. Cost: you will have the upfront costs for editing, cover design, formatting, and marketing are your responsibility.

2. Distribution: It's harder to get your book into physical bookstores.

3. Marketing: You must handle all the marketing efforts yourself, which can be time-consuming and challenging.

4. Credibility: Traditionally published books may carry more prestige and credibility.

5. Time: Managing all aspects of publishing can be time-consuming.

Traditional Publishing

Advantages:

1. Support: Publishers provide editorial, design, marketing, and distribution support. 

2. Advance: You may receive an advance against royalties.

3. Credibility: Being published by a reputable publisher can enhance your book's credibility.

4. Distribution: Better access to physical bookstores and international markets.

5. Focus on Writing: You can focus more on writing while the publisher handles the business side.

Disadvantages:

1. Control: You have less control over the final product and marketing strategies.

2. Royalties: You will earn a smaller percentage of sales compared to self-publishing.

3. Time: The process can be lengthy, often taking years from writing your manuscript to the publication of your story.

4. Rejection: It can be challenging to secure a publishing deal, and you may face numerous rejections.

5. Rights: You might have to give up certain rights to your work.

Considerations

Goals: What are your primary goals? If you want creative control and faster publication, self-publishing might be better. If you seek credibility and support, traditional publishing could be the way to go.

Budget: Can you afford the upfront costs associated with self-publishing?

Skills: Are you willing and able to learn about marketing, design, and distribution, or do you prefer to focus solely on writing?

Patience: Are you willing to wait for the traditional publishing process, or do you want to get your book published and out to the public quickly?

Choosing between self-publishing and traditional publishing depends on your individual circumstances and what goals and hopes you want to achieve with your book.

The difference between two of my books

 

A year ago I did a blog post on the differences between my first Wattpad book secrets and The Hybrid mate (check it out here if interested) but I thought it could be a good idea to compare the differences and similarities between two of my books The Hybrid Mate and Bound Desires 

The main differences between The Hybrid Mate and Bound Desires would be the word count with The Hybrid Mate having a word count of around 48k words and Bound Desires of a word count of around 58k words. 

The fact that Ruby in The Hybrid Mate knew of the supernatural world already unlike Freya who only knew a human life and was thrown into the supernatural realm after her kidnapping. Bound Desires also has a lot more supernatural creatures appear throughout the book unlike The Hybrid Mate. Bound Desires also has a lot more “main” character deaths. 

The biggest similarities between the two however is that both are human at the start of the book and hate their mates for who they are at the start of the book before slowly becoming more accepting and even falling in love as the book continues to progress. 

Both Ruby and Freya have a child by the end of the book and both have big themes of evil people and things set to destroy them. 

How to write the perfect book blurb

Writing the perfect book blurb is essential for attracting potential readers and convincing them to buy your book. Here I have outlined some steps and tips to help you craft an engaging and compelling book blurb. 

1. Hook the reader: Start with a captivating sentence that grabs attention. Example: “In a world where magic is forbidden, one girl’s discovery will change everything.”

2. Introduce the main character(s): Briefly introduce the protagonist(s) and their key traits. Example: “Elena is a rebellious teenager with a knack for uncovering secrets.”

3. Set the scene: provide a glimpse of the setting and the context of the story. Example: “In the dystopian city of New Arcadia, where technology rules and emotions are outlawed”

4. Outline the central conflict: Highlight the main conflict or challenge the protagonist faces. Example: “When Elena stumbles upon a hidden library of forbidden magic books, she becomes the target of the ruthless Enforcers.”

5. Tease the plot: Give a hint of the plot without revealing too much. Create intrigue and leave the reader wanting more. Example: “As she unravels the mysteries of the past, Elena must decide whether to use her newfound knowledge to fight for freedom or to protect those she loves from the dangerous truth.”

6. Highlight the stakes: Emphasise what’s at stake and why it matters. Example: “With the fate of New Arcadia hanging in the balance, Elena’s next move could save or destroy her world.”

7. End with a cliffhanger: Leave the reader with a question or a statement that makes them want to read the book to find out more. Example: “Can Elena harness the power of magic before it’s too late?”

8. Keep it concise: Aim for 150-200 words. Be concise and to the point, avoiding unnecessary details.

9. Use strong, vivid language: Use vivid and evocative language to create a strong impression. Avoid clichés and generic descriptions.

10. Include a call to action: Encourage the reader to take action. Example: “Dive into this thrilling adventure today and discover the secrets of New Arcadia.”

Sample Blurb

In a world where magic is forbidden, one girl’s discovery will change everything. Elena is a rebellious teenager with a knack for uncovering secrets. In the dystopian city of New Arcadia, where technology rules and emotions are outlawed, she stumbles upon a hidden library of forbidden magic books. Suddenly, she becomes the target of the ruthless Enforcers. As she unravels the mysteries of the past, Elena must decide whether to use her newfound knowledge to fight for freedom or to protect those she loves from the dangerous truth. With the fate of New Arcadia hanging in the balance, Elena’s next move could save or destroy her world. Can she harness the power of magic before it’s too late? Dive into this thrilling adventure today and discover the secrets of New Arcadia.

By following these steps and tips, you can craft a compelling book blurb that can draw the readers in and makes them eager to buy and read your book.

Websites that cost money but can help you promote your book

 

Promoting your book with paid services can significantly enhance its visibility and reach. Below I have outlined some websites that cost a fee that can help you promote your book. 

Book Promotion Sites

1. BookBub

Services offered: Featured Deals, targeted email campaigns to a large audience of readers.

Cost: Varies based on genre and book price, typically ranging from a few hundred to several thousand dollars.

2. BookSirens

Services offered: Review campaigns to get honest reviews from readers.

Cost: Starting at $10 per review.

3. NetGalley

Services offered: Distribution of ARCs (Advance Review Copies) to librarians, booksellers, and reviewers.

Cost: Starting at $399 for a six-month listing.

4. Reedsy Discovery

Services offered: Book promotion through editorial reviews and recommendations.

Cost: $50 per book.

Advertising Platforms

5. Amazon Advertising

Services offered: Sponsored product ads, display ads, and custom ads on Amazon.

Cost: Pay-per-click (PPC) model, budget is set by the author.

6. Facebook Ads

Services offered: Targeted ads to specific demographics and interests.

Cost: Flexible budget, minimum daily budget as low as $1.

7. Google Ads

Services offered: Search and display ads targeted by keywords and demographics.

Cost: Pay-per-click (PPC) model, budget set by the author.

Marketing Services

8. Smith Publicity

Services offered:Comprehensive book marketing and publicity services.

Cost: Packages start at $2,500.

9. BookBaby

Services offered: Book marketing services including press releases, social media promotion, and email campaigns.

Cost: Packages starting at $199.

10. Kirkus Reviews

Services offered: Professional book reviews and marketing services.

Cost: Reviews start at $425, marketing services vary.

Author Services

11. Prolific Works (formerly Instafreebie)

Services offered: Promotional campaigns, reader magnet giveaways.

Cost: Plans start at $20/month.

12. Book Funnel

Services offered: Distribution of ARCs, reader magnet services, email list building.

Cost: Plans start at $20/year.

 Book Tours and PR

13. Pump Up Your Book

Services offered: Virtual book tours, blog tours, social media promotion.

Cost: Packages starting at $299.

14. The Book Publicist

Services offered: Media campaigns, author PR, event management.

Cost: Custom pricing based on services required.

Analytics and Optimization

15. KDSpy

Services offered: Amazon Kindle market research and analytics tool.

Cost: One-time fee of $97.

16. Publisher Rocket

Services offered: Keyword research and AMS ad optimization.

Cost: One-time fee of $97.

Considerations

- Budget: Assess your budget and allocate funds to services that provide the best ROI (Return on Investment) for your specific needs.

- Goals: Define your promotional goals (e.g., increasing sales, gaining reviews, building an email list) and choose services accordingly.

- Research: Investigate each service's reputation and effectiveness through reviews and testimonials from other authors.

By investing in these paid services, you can leverage your professional marketing tools and strategies to effectively promote your book and reach a wider audience but remember even when spending money you may not see the outcome you are wanting. 

Book marketing tips for self published authors

 

Advertising a self-published book effectively requires a mix of both online and offline strategies and can be quite daunting when you first start but eventually you will find the way that works best for you through trial and error. 

Some ways you can advertise a self published book include:

1. Create a professional website: Develop a website or blog to showcase your book, share your writing journey, and provide purchase links.

2. Leverage social media: Use platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok to connect with readers, share updates, and run targeted ads. You can also join relevant groups and forums to engage with potential readers.

3. Email marketing: Build an email list by offering a free chapter or exclusive content in exchange for email subscriptions. Remember to send regular newsletters with updates, special offers, and insights into your writing process.

4. Utilise book promotion sites: Submit your book to sites like BookBub, Freebooksy, and Bargain Booksy for featured promotions. Consider running a paid promotion on these platforms to reach a larger audience.

5. Run amazon ads: Use Amazon’s advertising tools to target readers searching for similar books. Optimise your book’s Amazon page with compelling descriptions, keywords, and reviews.

6. Engage with book bloggers and reviewers: Reach out to book bloggers and reviewers for potential reviews and features. Offer free review copies to influencers in your genre.

7. Participate in online and offline events: Join virtual book tours, webinars, and author panels. Consider attending local book fairs, library events, and writing conferences to network and promote your book.

8. Collaborate with other authors: Partner with authors in your genre for cross-promotions and joint giveaways. Contribute guest posts to each other’s blogs or social media channels.

9. Offer limited-time discounts and giveaways: Run special promotions, such as limited-time discounts or free ebook days. You can also host giveaways on social media to generate buzz and attract new readers.

10. Create engaging content: Produce content like behind-the-scenes videos, author interviews, and book trailers. Share interesting snippets, character backstories, and deleted scenes to keep readers engaged.

Consistency and engagement are key. Regularly update your strategies based on what works best for your audience and remember it can take time to see results.

How to write an "About Me" page

 

Writing an engaging and effective "About Me" author page involves a balance between professionalism and personality. Here are some tips to help you create a compelling author bio to hook your readers. 

1. Start with a Hook: Begin with an interesting fact or a unique aspect of your writing journey that grabs the reader's attention from the get go.

 2. Introduce Yourself: Provide a brief introduction of who you are. Mention your name, your profession as a writer, and any notable achievements or recognitions you may have.

3. Highlight Your Writing: Discuss your writing background, including genres you specialise in and any published works. Mention any awards, accolades, or significant milestones in your writing career.

4. Share Your Journey: Give a glimpse into your journey as a writer. Explain what inspired you to start writing and any challenges you’ve overcome. This helps readers connect with you on a personal level.

5. Personal Touch: Share a bit about your personal life, such as hobbies, interests, or other creative pursuits. This humanises you and makes you more relatable to your readers which is what you want.

6. Include Professional Details: Mention your educational background, writing affiliations, or memberships in literary organisations. This adds credibility to your author profile but is not a necessity.

7. Call to Action: Encourage readers to connect with you. Provide links to your social media profiles, website, or blog. Invite them to subscribe to your newsletter or follow you for future updates.

8. Professional Photo: Include a high-quality, professional photo of yourself. A good author photo helps readers put a face to the name and adds a personal touch to your bio.

Sample Author Bio could look like

Hi there! I'm (Name), a passionate storyteller and dedicated author of the fantasy genre. My journey into the world of writing began when I was in high school.

Over the years, I've written (number) novels, including (mention notable works). My work has been recognized with (mention any awards or recognitions), and I'm constantly inspired by the magic of storytelling.

When I'm not immersed in my latest manuscript, you can find me out hiking. Whether it's hiking or watching tv, I believe that every experience adds a new layer to my storytelling.

I hold a (degree) in (field) from (university), and I'm an active member of (writing organizations or affiliations). My commitment to honing my craft is unwavering, and I'm always excited to share my stories with readers around the world.

I love connecting with my readers, so feel free to reach out! Follow me on (social media links) or visit my website at (website link) for the latest updates and exclusive content.

Thank you for being a part of my writing journey. Your support means the world to me!

Warm regards,

(Name)

The goal is to create an "About Me" page that is authentic, engaging, and inviting for your readers but try and achieve the perfect balance as to not make it sound like you are bragging but also consider where you are posting it and the world count for that platform. 

Top 9 ways to make money writing

Making money from writing can be a great source of income if you want to make this a full time career but can be hard to find where to start. Below I have put together nine ways you can earn money from writing. 

1. Freelance Writing:

On platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer. You can make money by doing things like writing articles, blog posts, web content or even copywriting.

 2. Blogging:

You can earn money through monetising the blog through Advertising, sponsored posts, affiliate marketing, selling digital products or services. A good tip would be to focus on a niche with a dedicated audience.

3. Self-Publishing Books:

Platforms include but not limited to Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), Smashwords, Draft2Digital.

4. Content Creation for Businesses

Types of content could include website content, newsletters, social media posts, white-papers. To do this reach out to businesses directly or join content marketing platforms.

5. Technical Writing

Types of documents include manuals, how-to guides, technical documentation. The skills needed will vary but can include a strong understanding of technical subjects and the ability to explain them clearly.

6. Ghostwriting

You could be writing books, articles, speeches, or other content for someone else. A lot of people looking for ghost writers are busy professionals, celebrities and business leaders.

7. Writing for Magazines and Journals

Some topics you could write around are specialised subjects, features, opinion pieces. Pitching article ideas to editors or submitting completed works can get your foot in the door.

8. Scriptwriting

Comments fields include TV shows, movies, web series and even video games.

 9. Writing online courses and educational materials

You can join platforms like Udemy, Coursera, Teachable. You could create courses and educational materials around scripts, lesson plans or educational guides.

Additional tips

Build a portfolio: Showcase your best work to attract clients and publishers.

Network: Join writing communities, attend writing workshops, and engage on social media.

Stay updated: Keep up with industry trends and continuously improve your writing skills.

Free sites that can help you promote your book

Promoting a book effectively without spending money can be challenging but achievable with the right strategies and resources. Here are some of the free sites and platforms that can help you promote your book but remember do your research on what will be best for you. 

Social Media Platforms

1. Facebook

Groups: Join book promotion groups, author communities, and genre-specific groups.

Page: Create an author page to engage with readers.

2. Twitter

Hashtags: Use relevant hashtags like #BookBoost, #AmReading, #IndieAuthor.

Engagement: Participate in book chats and engage with the wider writing community.

3. Instagram

Bookstagram: Post visually appealing pictures of your book and you can use hashtags like #Bookstagram, #Bookish.

Stories & Reels: Share updates, behind-the-scenes content, and short videos.

4. TikTok

BookTok: Share engaging videos about your book, including readings, reviews, and writing tips.

Book Promotion Sites

5. Goodreads

Author Profile: Set up an author profile and connect with readers.

Giveaways: Host a book giveaway to attract new readers.

Groups: Participate in discussions and book clubs.

6. BookBub

Profile: Create an author profile and get followers who receive notifications about your new releases.

Recommendations: Recommend books and engage with the community.

7. LibraryThing

Author Profile: Create a profile and connect with readers.

Giveaways: Run book giveaways to increase visibility.

Writing and Reading Communities

8. Wattpad

Serial Publishing: Publish excerpts or short stories to attract readers to your book.

Engagement: Engage with readers through comments and messages.

9. Medium

Articles: Write articles related to your book’s themes, your writing process, or book reviews.

Publications: Submit your work to popular Medium publications for greater reach.

10. Reddit

Subreddits: Participate in relevant subreddits like r/books, r/writing, r/selfpublish, and r/IndieAuthors.

AMA (Ask Me Anything): Host an AMA session to engage with potential readers and answer questions about your book.

Additional Strategies

Blogging: Start a blog on platforms like WordPress or Blogger to share content related to your book and your journey.

Guest Blogging: Write guest posts for popular blogs in your genre or industry.

Podcasts: Reach out to podcast hosts who interview authors or discuss topics related to your book.

Email Newsletters: Use free email marketing tools like Mailchimp (up to a certain limit) to build an email list and send updates to your readers.

Press Releases: Use free press release distribution sites like PRLog to announce your book launch.

There are so many more websites that can help you promote your book for free and while I have not tried all of these options to promote my own books I have heard from other writers that these have worked for them so remember to do more research before you decide exactly what will be best for your book. 

How I did with my 2024 goals

 My goals for 2024 were

Write 80k wordsFinish writing 3 booksEdit 1 bookI will admit I did not do well with my goals for this year. I only got about 60k words written and I only finished writing one book this year but I did manage to rewrite one of my old books in preparation for my contract with that book ending next year (Hinovel book) and the one book I finished which I wrote the most words on this year the first round of edits was completed. 
2024 was not the year I expected it to be but it has opened doors for 2025 which I am excited about but it does mean that I have set my goals a little too high for next year but we will see what that brings. 
My 2025 writing goals are as follows. Write 100k wordsWrite three booksEdit two booksPublish two book