Alan O’Hashi, Whole Brain Thinker best chance blog 2025, Craft

“If I read ‘He Said’ one more time, I’ll scream!” she said.”

By Jennifer Braddock – Editor

Ever feel like your characters are trapped in an eternal tennis match of “he said” / “she said”? You can almost hear the ball bouncing:

“I’m leaving,” she said.
“No, you’re not,” he said.
“Yes, I am,” she said.

Yawn. Your readers didn’t sign up for a hostage situation with repetitive dialogue tags. Let’s break them out. Change the conversation to move the story ahead by showing, and not telling:

“I’m leaving.” She stormed out the door and instantly returned when she walked into a rainstorm.

“No, you’re not!” He grabbed and unfurled an umbrella.

“Yes, I am.” She pulled up her collar and the two walked out together under the umbrella.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to hunt down those tired, overused words in your manuscript. Replace them with fresher, more engaging options. When we’re finished, your dialogue will sparkle. Your pacing will pick up. Your beta readers will stop glazing over halfway through a page.

Step 1: Identify the Repeat Offenders

We all have comfort words we don’t even notice we’re using. Common culprits:

  • Said / replied / asked (every third line in dialogue)
  • Filler verbs: looked, turned, walked, sat, smiled, nodded
  • Filters: thought, realized, noticed, felt
  • Intensifiers: very, really, quite, suddenly

Step 2: Make Dialogue Do the Heavy Lifting

Instead of relying on endless “he said” tags, you can:

  • Use action beats: “I’m leaving.” Mara shoved her keys into her pocket.
  • Use body language: “You think I care?” Sam crossed his arms and stared at the floor.
  • Let the voice carry the tone: If the dialogue itself is distinctive, you can often skip the tag entirely.

Step 3: Search and Replace With Purpose

  1. Find each overused word.
  2. Decide if it’s needed — many can be cut.
  3. Replace with a synonym only if it feels natural. For example:
    • “Said” could become “muttered,” “shouted,” “whispered,” “teased” — but don’t go overboard or you’ll end up sounding like a bad thesaurus.
  4. Read aloud — if the replacement sounds forced, try rewriting the sentence instead of swapping the word.

Step 4: Keep a Repeat Word List

Make a running list of the words you tend to overuse. For example, if “just” appears 437 times, maybe 420 of them can go.

Step 5: Turn Editing Into a Game

Set a timer for 20 minutes. Each time you find and fix a repetitive word, tally a point. Reward yourself with chocolate, coffee, or smug satisfaction when you beat yesterday’s score.

50 Overused Words & Phrases to Hunt in Your Manuscript

I looked up a few sources and categorized this list of 50. If you need more information, check these out. The AP Style Manual should at least be on your bookshelf.

  • Style guides (Chicago Manual of Style, AP Style, and fiction editing resources)
  • Writing coach checklists (Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Browne & King)
  • Author-reported word tallies (forums like the National November Writing Month board-NaNoWriMo)

Dialogue tags:
1. Said
2. Asked
3. Replied
4. Answered

Filler verbs:
5. Looked
6. Turned
7. Walked
8. Went
9. Came
10. Sat
11. Stood
12. Gave
13. Got
14. Took
15. Made

Filter words (create distance from POV):
16. Thought
17. Felt
18. Knew
19. Realized
20. Noticed
21. Saw
22. Heard
23. Decided

Weak modifiers & intensifiers:
24. Very
25. Really
26. Just
27. Quite
28. Almost
29. Nearly
30. Suddenly
31. A little
32. A bit
33. Kind of / sort of

Overused reactions:
34. Smiled
35. Laughed
36. Nodded
37. Shook head
38. Sighed
39. Frowned
40. Raised eyebrows
41. Rolled eyes

Time/transition crutches:
42. Then
43. After
44. Before
45. While
46. When
47. As
48. Again
49. Suddenly
50. Finally

Final Thought: Your characters deserve better than a monotonous ping-pong match of “he said” / “she said.” Give them movement, emotion, and distinctive voices, and your readers will thank you. And hey, if you must keep a “he said,” make sure it’s one that really earns its spot.

Do you have questions or comments? Ask Besty Bot about the writing craft and how to publish your book with Best Chance Media!

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🤯 If I read “he said” one more time… I’ll scream — she said.
💬 Ditch the echo chamber! Use action, emotion, and unique voices to keep dialogue fresh.
🔍 Pro tip: Ctrl+F your repeat offenders & set your story free! #WritingTips ✏️ #AmEditing 🖊️ #WritersLife 📚 #EditingHacks 🔍 #DialogueTips 💬 #IndieAuthor 🚀 #WritingCommunity 🌍 #AuthorLife 📖 #FictionWriting 🖋️ #WIP 💡 https://bestchancemedia.org/2025/10/16/if-i-read-he-said-one-more-time-ill-scream-she-said-2/

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Alan O’Hashi, Whole Brain Thinker best chance blog 2025, Craft, Uncategorized

Show, Don’t Tell: Unlocking Emotional Depth

By Jennifer Braddock – Editor

You’ve probably heard the advice “show, don’t tell” tossed around in every writing workshop, critique group, or how-to book. If you’re a newer writer, that phrase can feel like a riddle.

  • What does it really mean?
  • They sound like the same thing!
  • When is telling actually okay?

Let’s break it down.

What is “Telling”?

Telling is the act of summarizing a scene, emotion, or action. It’s straightforward and often quick. Think of it like giving the audience a news report.

Telling example:

Maria was nervous about the audition. She didn’t think she was good enough.

The reader gets the information, but there’s no emotional immersion. You’re told what Maria feels, but you don’t feel it alongside her.

What is “Showing”?

Showing brings the reader into the scene with sensory details, action, dialogue, and subtext. It lets readers experience the story.

Showing example:

Brenda clutched the script so tightly her knuckles turned white. She mouthed the lines again, her voice barely a whisper. When the casting assistant called her name, her feet stayed rooted to the floor for half a beat longer than necessary.

You aren’t told she’s nervous, you see it in her actions. Showing invites the reader to infer emotion and meaning through behavior and atmosphere.

So… Is Telling Bad?

No! Telling has its place, especially when you need to move through time quickly, summarize minor events, or create narrative distance. It becomes a problem when it replaces emotional depth or undermines key moments.

Here’s the trick:
Use telling for transitions. Use showing for transformation.

Blending the Two

Good storytelling is a balance of showing and telling. Imagine your manuscript like a film. You don’t need to zoom in on every moment in high-def slow motion. When your character’s heart is breaking, let us feel it. When the villain turns, show us the glint in their eye. When your protagonist is growing, show us the stretch marks of that change.

Let’s Compare – A Scene, Told and Shown

Told:

Jesse was heartbroken when Elena left him. He missed her terribly.

Shown:

Jesse stood in the darkened kitchen, the coffee pot still half-full from the morning she left. He picked up her favorite mug and ran his thumb along the chip at the rim. The silence in the apartment buzzed louder than the refrigerator.

The first version is faster, but emotionally distant. The second immerses you in Jesse’s world. It lets you feel the weight of his grief without ever using the word “heartbroken.”

Your Turn – Take Action

The next time you revise a scene, ask yourself:

  • Am I showing emotion, or just labeling it?
  • Can I replace a summary sentence with a sensory detail, action, or snippet of dialogue?
  • Where does telling help with pacing, and where does it steal emotional resonance?

Writing isn’t about choosing one over the other. It’s about mastering both.

Your challenge:
Take one paragraph from your current draft. Identify where you’re telling. Then rewrite it to show. Feel the difference. See how your story comes alive.

You’ve got this. Your readers don’t want to be told how your character feels, they want to feel it with them.

Final Word

Showing is where your story breathes. Telling is how it moves. Together, they give your narrative rhythm, shape, and soul. Mastering the difference is what turns decent prose into unforgettable fiction.

Now go show us something we can’t forget.

Do you have questions or comments? Ask Besty Bot about the writing craft and how to publish your book with Best Chance Media!

Show, don’t tell” is great advice—but what does it really mean? And when is telling okay? Learn how to balance both, with examples and a challenge to improve your next scene.

https://bestchancemedia.org/2025/02/12/show-dont-tell-unlocking-emotional-depth/
#ShowDontTell #WritingTips #AmWriting #WritersLife

Alan O’Hashi, Whole Brain Thinker best chance blog 2026, Craft

Third-Person Omniscient POV: The Day the Fence Took Everything

A reflection on truth, memory, and the power of third-person omniscient narration

By Jennifer Braddock – Editor

Ever wanted to play god without the responsibility of smiting anyone? Welcome to third-person omniscient, where you know everything, see everything, and judge nothing. This is the narrative voice that floats above your characters. Before you put on your all-seeing narrator hat, let’s discuss the what, why, and how.

Third-Person Omniscient Traits and Boundaries

Why tell this story through the eyes of many? Because stories like the one about Camp Arroyo aren’t just about individuals. They’re about a system. A society. A truth that implicates everyone.

From this point of view, the narrator is not a character in the story. Instead, they’re an all-knowing presence who can dip into any character’s thoughts, emotions, memories, or future dreams, and offer commentary.

  • You know everyone’s thoughts, but don’t share them all at once. Pick your spots. Otherwise, it’s emotional whiplash.
  • The narrator has a tone. Even if it’s not a character, the voice telling the story has a personality: wry, wise, ironic, or lyrical.
  • You can zoom in and out, but do so smoothly. Think of it like directing a movie: wide shots for scene-setting, close-ups for emotion.
  • Avoid ‘head-hopping’ mid-paragraph. Just because you can see into every head doesn’t mean you should jump between them too fast.

I’ll illustrate these points using an example from a historical fiction book I’m writing, titled Vengeance at Stone Creek.

Camp Arroyo, Colorado, was one of ten wartime incarceration centers for Japanese Americans. It baked under the sun as it had every afternoon.

Children played. Mothers folded laundry. A sentry cleaned his rifle in the guard tower.

And then: the shots.

Tak Fujiyama was seven years old when he saw his friend Seito San collapse into the dust.

Everyone saw. No one stopped it. Sumiko, his mother, was already sprinting towards the commotion. The kitchen crew froze mid-prep, couldn’t scream. The guard, Pfc. Joe Darrow said nothing. He brushed the shell casings off the tower floor as if he were brushing crumbs from a table.

That moment changed everyone.

What About Dialogue?

In third-person omniscient, dialogue works the same way as other third-person perspectives:

“I’ll get you!” Tak screamed at Private Darrow, dusting the snow off his oversize Army coat. He hadn’t heard gunshots before and was shaken up by the whole ordeal
Darrow didn’t answer. He was wondering if he’d lose rank after the shooting incident.

The narrator, meanwhile, knew what Tak and Darrow were thinking.

You can also add asides or commentary that no character would know, which gives the narrator that wise, slightly smug quality:

Sumiko was exhausted from running from the barracks. She wasn’t quite sure what had happened. She walked closer and was overwhelmed with what she saw.

The Show-Don’t-Tell Balance

Third-person omniscient gives you ultimate show/tell control. Want to show emotion? Zoom into a character’s thoughts. Want to tell us something about the world? Zoom out and narrate. Just make sure the shifts feel intentional, not chaotic.

This is the storyteller voice of classic literature (think Dickens or Tolstoy) and some modern epics. It’s panoramic, wise, and capable of zooming in or out at will.

Third-person omniscient narration gives readers access to collective memory. It allows us to hear not just what happens, but what’s felt. All at once, the story pulls back the curtain on silence, shame, complicity, and courage.

Tak’s disbelief lives beside Darrow’s detachment. Sumiko’s heartbreak collides with her son’s helplessness. Even the wind plays a role, carrying the sound across camp like a cruel messenger.

This perspective doesn’t dilute the pain, it amplifies it. When the reader knows what everyone knows, and still nothing stops the tragedy, the horror is total.

Truth Wrapped in Fiction

Tak’s story is fictional, but the bullets, the towers, and the silence are real. More than 120,000 Japanese Americans were forcibly removed from their homes during World War II. Most had committed no crime. Many were children, and some, like those at Camp Arroyo, never came home.

By using third-person omniscient narration, Vengeance at Stone Creek invites readers not to choose sides. Readers can see the whole landscape. They can sit in the shoes of the witness, the victim, the perpetrator, and the bystander.

Because when history repeats itself, it’s often because too many people looked away.

Your Role in the Story

You weren’t in the guard tower.
You weren’t holding the rifle.
You are here now, reading, remembering, deciding what comes next. The story isn’t just told from Tak’s point of view. That’s the point.

Third-person omniscient lets the reader see the entire moment. It reveals how trauma spreads across a scene like a shock wave. It goes from Seito San falling to Sumiko running and the cook dropping a spoon. It gives the reader access to the full spectrum of awareness, emotion, and silence.

First-person limits us to one set of eyes. Third-person limited creates a one mind boundary. Omniscient opens the sky.

It asks us not only to see, but to understand what was done, what was allowed, and what was ignored.

For Writers: A Call to Experiment

Are you a writer? Try writing a scene using third-person omniscient.
Let us feel not just the protagonist’s heart, but the room’s temperature.
Let us see the villain’s hesitation.
Let us watch a neighbor look away.
Give us the whole truth, not just a character’s version of it.

Third Person Omniscient isn’t just a Point of View. Its lens, conscience, and chorus. Use it wisely. Some stories don’t belong to one person.
They belong to all of us.

Do you have questions or comments? Ask Besty Bot about the writing craft and how to publish your book with Best Chance Media!

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📚 Ever wished your story could show everything at once?
That’s the magic of third-person omniscient. You’re not just in one character’s head. You’re in everyone’s.
– The mother screaming.
– The soldier pretending not to care.
– The cook frozen mid-stir.
– The wind carrying truth through the Japanese internment camp.

In one shot, the whole world reacts, and you, the writer, see it all. 🖊️ Try it: Rewrite a key scene from your story using third-person omniscient.
– Feel the shift in power.
– See what your characters can’t hide.

#WritingTips #ThirdPersonOmniscient #NarrativeVoice #WritersOfInstagram #HistoricalFiction #PointOfView #WriteWithDepth #StorytellingCraft #FictionWriters #AmWriting https://bestchancemedia.org/2026/02/05/the-day-the-fence-took-everything/

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Alan O’Hashi, Whole Brain Thinker best chance blog 2026, Books, Uncategorized

Vengeance! at Stone Creek: A Novel of Injustice

Some novels entertain. Some educate. A rare few refuse to let the reader off the hook.

Vengeance! at Stone Creek is one of those books.

Set in the long shadow of World War II–era Japanese incarceration, the novel explores what happens after injustice has been legalized and filed away.

Rather than retelling history, it integrates unanswered questions and the uncomfortable truth, deferring accountability indefinitely.

Alan O’Hashi writes with restraint and precision. The tension comes from moral pressure and the question history prefers not to ask: What is owed when the harm was sanctioned by law?

When a soldier fires his rifle from a guard tower inside Camp Arroyo, a Japanese American incarceration camp near Stone Creek, Colorado, the sound echoes far beyond the barbed wire. 

What happens next is buried under military procedure, fear, and silence. Official reports flatten the truth. Witnesses are discouraged from speaking. Inside the Camp, grief is expected to be swallowed quietly.

Tak Fujiyama is a child when the shots are fired, but the moment marks him for life. Incarcerated alongside his family without trial, Tak learns early that innocence offers no protection and that the law does not always serve justice.

As the War grinds forward, Camp Arroyo becomes its own harsh world of dust storms, guard towers, loyalty questionnaires, and the daily humiliation of being labeled an enemy by the country of his birth. The violence at Stone Creek is never properly addressed, and Tak is left to grow up carrying an unanswered wound.

After the War ends, America moves on quickly.

The WRA dismantled the camps, archived files, and released families with bus tickets. Tak learns that forgetting is the price of belonging. He builds a life beyond the Camp, but memory proves stubborn. The injustice refuses to fade, shaping his relationships, his sense of self, and his understanding of right and wrong.

Years later, unanswered questions draw Tak back to Stone Creek. His past resurfaces through testimony, suppressed records, and the memories of those who survived the Camp’s violence. Tak confronts what was taken from him and others and reckons with a difficult truth. Vengeance feels like the only remaining form of balance.

Vengeance! at Stone Creek is a powerful work of historical fiction that explores the lasting psychological and moral consequences of wartime incarceration. Through Tak’s journey, the novel examines loyalty under pressure, the burden placed on survivors to remain silent, and the generational cost of unresolved trauma. My story illuminates a rarely told chapter of American history, where citizenship failed to protect and the rule of law bent under fear and prejudice.

At its heart, this is a book about memory, who controls it, who benefits from forgetting, and what happens when those harmed refuse to let the truth disappear. Vengeance! at Stone Creek asks hard questions about accountability and justice, and about what remains when a nation chooses expedience. It is a sobering, deeply human novel about the price of silence and the long shadow cast by injustice.

This novel is for readers who loved Snow Falling on Cedars, No-No Boy, or There There, but it stands firmly on its own. It’s spare, deliberate, and quietly furious. The kind of book that sparks hand-selling conversations. The kind readers come back to talk about.

Why indie bookstores should carry it:

Because this is exactly the kind of book your customers expect from you. The stories they won’t discover through algorithms or celebrity lists. This story rewards thoughtful readers by inviting dialogue.

Vengeance! at Stone Creek is available this February. Recommend it. Put it in the hands of readers who want comfort and the truth. Order from Ingram iPage, 979-8-9894213-1-2, Retail Price $19.95 USD.

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Alan O’Hashi, Whole Brain Thinker best chance blog 2025, Craft

Mastering Third-Person Limited POV in Fiction

You’re not in their head, but you’re definitely looking over their shoulder.

By Jennifer Braddock – Editor

If First Person POV is “I saw the ghost,” Omniscient is “Everyone saw the ghost.” They all had strong opinions about it. Third-Person Limited is “She saw the ghost,” and regretted reading the Latin inscription aloud.

This point of view allows you to explore one character’s experience deeply. You don’t need to commit to writing as if you are them. It’s flexible, intimate, and very popular in modern fiction, especially YA, thrillers, and literary fiction.

Definition:

Third Person Limited tells the story from an outside narrator’s perspective. It uses third-person pronouns (he, she, they). However, it is limited to the thoughts, perceptions, and knowledge of one character at a time. You’re the camera, but the lens is glued to their shoulder. The POV is best for:

  • Character-driven stories
  • Genre fiction (fantasy, romance, mystery)
  • Readers who want emotional immersion without full-on “I” narration

What Makes It Work:

  • Focused insight into a single character’s thoughts and feelings.
  • Suspense through selective revelation. Readers only know what the character knows.
  • Empathy without total immersion. You can still write in your voice while exploring theirs.
  • Flexibility to shift to other characters in different chapters or scenes. You must stay consistent within a scene.

Golden Rule of Limited:

Stick with your character’s brain. No head-hopping allowed. If you’re in Olivia’s POV, you can’t say what Jack is thinking. You can only state what Olivia guesses he’s thinking. She might be wrong, and that can be fun to play with.

  • Bad: Jack looked angry. He wanted to tell her everything, but couldn’t. (How would Olivia know that?)
  • Better: Jack looked angry. Olivia wondered if he wanted to tell her something, but his jaw stayed tight. (Much better, we’re in her head, not his.) Internal thoughts are often italicized or made clear with free indirect style: Why was he lying? He didn’t even flinch.

Already writing in First Person and want more flexibility? Third Person Limited lets you but zoom out just enough to expand the world a little. It’s like switching from GoPro to a handheld Digital Single Lens Reflex camera.

Next time, we’ll get godlike with Third Person Omniscient. We will explore what happens when the narrator knows everything. This includes the stuff the characters don’t want revealed.

Do you have questions or comments? Ask Besty Bot about the writing craft and how to publish your book with Best Chance Media!

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🧠 Third Person Limited = in their mind, not in their mouth. A great POV when you want depth without diary entries. #POVWriting #WritersCommunity #ThirdPersonLimited https://bestchancemedia.org/2026/01/29/mastering-third-person-limited-pov-in-fiction/

Alan O’Hashi, Whole Brain Thinker best chance blog 2025, Craft

Vanity Publisher Red Flags You Must Know

By Jennifer Braddock – Editor

You finished your manuscript, and now you’re dreaming of holding your book in your hands. You are just starting to explore publishing. Suddenly, a “publisher” offers you a deal. It sounds too good to be true.

Spoiler alert: it probably is.

The Vanity Press Trap:
Vanity presses prey on your vanity, excitement, and lack of experience. They promise to publish your book for a fee. Traditional publishers pay you and invest in your book’s success. In contrast, vanity presses make their money from you, not for you.

The Typical Vanity Scheme:

  • They flatter your work: “Your book is exactly what we’re looking for!” even if they haven’t read it.
  • They ask for upfront money: Watch out for editing, design, marketing, and distribution discount packages.
  • They overcharge: Don’t fall for their one-stop shop approach for services you could get cheaper elsewhere (e.g., $4,500 for a cover design you could get for $450).
  • They upsell relentlessly: Pay-as-you-go pricing promises things like “Hollywood film options,” “bestseller campaigns,” or “celebrity endorsements.”
  • They retain your rights: Number one criterion for any publishing contract? Retain your book rights. Be sure any rights you cede revert back to you after the contract expires.

Watch for Red Flags:

  • Vague promises or guaranteed success
  • High-pressure sales tactics
  • Unclear or hidden fees
  • They’re listed on Writer Beware, ALLi’s Watchdog Desk, or Predators & Editors

What to Do Instead:

  • Research publishers and agents: Use reputable databases like QueryTracker or Manuscript Wish List.
  • Join writing communities: Get real feedback from other authors who’ve been phished by unscrupulous vanity presses.
  • Consider hybrid publishing carefully: Some are legitimate, but vet them as you would a contractor or a surgeon.
  • Self-publish on your own terms: You keep creative control, and with platforms like IngramSpark or Amazon KDP, you don’t have to go broke.
  • Read contracts: Be careful and pay attention to the details. Hire someone who knows about contracts. Best Chance Media offers some legal tips to get you started with the basics.

Closing Thought and Call to Action:

Thinking of publishing? Do you have a contract or offer you want to vet? Start a conversation with Best Chance Bot. Let’s make sure your dream book doesn’t turn into a costly lesson.

Do you have questions or comments? Ask Besty Bot about the writing craft and how to publish your book with Best Chance Media!

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💸 New writers: If a “publisher” wants you to pay them, it’s not a deal, it’s a SCAM.
Don’t let flattery cost you thousands. Learn how to spot vanity press red flags and protect your work. #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #IndieAuthors #WritersBeware #SelfPublishing #VanityPress #WriterTips #PublishingScams #AuthorLife #ScamAlert #KnowYourWorth 👇
https://bestchancemedia.org/2025/01/23/avoiding-the-vanity-trap-how-new-writers-can-steer-clear-of-publishing-scams/

Alan O’Hashi, Whole Brain Thinker best chance blog 2025, Craft

How to Safeguard Your Manuscript from Theft

By Jennifer Braddock – Editor

Every new writer has that one fear: What if someone steals my story? You’ve poured your soul into your manuscript.

The idea of someone swiping it and cashing in is the stuff of literary nightmares.

Take a breath. The good news? You have more protections than you think, and they’re easier to access than you realize.

Ways Writers Can Protect Their Work:

  • Copyright Automatically Applies: The moment you put your story into a fixed form, like typing it in a document, saved in the cloud, or printed out, it’s automatically protected by copyright law. You own it, even if you haven’t registered it.
  • Register with the U.S. Copyright Office: While copyright is automatic, registration adds teeth. It gives you the right to sue for statutory damages and attorney’s fees if someone actually does steal your work. It’s cheap insurance, about $45 to $65 to register online at copyright.gov.
  • Keep Good Records
    Save dated drafts, emails to critique partners, and notes to yourself. Metadata and timestamps can be useful evidence of originality and creation dates.
  • Use Trusted Sharing Platforms
    If you’re sharing with beta readers or critique groups, choose platforms with built-in version tracking. Google Docs or Dropbox are good options. If you’re really concerned, ask your readers to sign a simple non-disclosure agreement (NDA). This isn’t common in most writing circles.

Myths to Avoid:

  • Poor Person’s Copyright: Mailing your manuscript to yourself is outdated and largely useless in court.
  • Someone Will Steal It Just Because You Shared It: In reality, theft of unpublished stories is incredibly rare. It’s good to have confidence that you have a great story. Most professionals have enough ideas and are too busy creating their own work to bother with stealing yours.
  • Your story deserves to be heard and not hoarded: Equip yourself with the facts, take a few simple steps, and then speak up boldly. After all, the bigger risk isn’t theft, it’s never letting anyone read your work at all out of fear.

Your Call to Action:

Ready to protect your writing and publish with confidence? Share this post with your writing group and check out our guide to registering your first copyright step-by-step.

Do you have questions or comments? Ask Besty Bot about the writing craft and how to publish your book with Best Chance Media!

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💡Worried about your story getting stolen? Learn how to protect your work, what counts as first publication, and why fear shouldn’t stop you from sharing. #WritingTips #Copyright #AmWriting #IndieAuthors #WritersCommunity https://bestchancemedia.org/2025/01/09/how-to-safeguard-your-manuscript-from-theft/

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Alan O’Hashi, Whole Brain Thinker best chance blog 2025, Craft

Turning Rejection into a Book Deal

By Jennifer Braddock – Editor

I received my first rejection letter in 1987. It was polite. The envelope looked steam-opened. Whoever did it wasn’t even that curious.

My manuscript? Printed on a dot matrix printer from a Tandy TRS-80 Model 1 back when computers sounded like dial-up demons.

My rejected pages went into a box filled with high school trophies, college memorabilia, and expired dreams.

Fast forward a few decades. Before I attended the 2019 Wyoming Writers, Inc. conference in Laramie, that rejection was still my only one. I know, it’s a unicorn story, but stick with me.

Back in the day, my Uncle Jake ran Pioneer Printing in Cheyenne. I edited Wyoming Graffiti, an anthology of newspaper columns I’d written about Wyoming and its culture. The writings included a piece titled, Beyond Heart Mountain. It was about a Japanese American woman I met on a plane from Denver to Riverton. She was interned at the Heart Mountain camp and was flying to Worland for a family get-together. It was also a throwback to my childhood growing up in the once-vibrant Japanese neighborhood of my hometown.

Years passed. Life happened. Then, I watched a local TV interview about the Japanese community in Cheyenne nudged my memory. I dusted off those old essays. They still held power.

At the WWI conference, I pitched the idea to Wintergoose Publishing. Not only did they not reject it—they accepted it on the spot. I wrote 80,000 words by October and had a contract in November.

I’ll be the first to say that this is not the norm.

Writers in online groups talk about 60, 70, 100+ rejections. Publishing can feel like playing whack-a-mole in the dark. So how do you increase your odds of success?

Put yourself in positions to succeed: Writing is solitary, but success isn’t. Go to readings. Attend writing conferences (especially ones with pitch sessions). Show up at art events, gallery openings, and open mics. Say “yes” more often. Relationships matter. Sometimes more than the perfect manuscript. People remember people.

Your odds improve when people can connect your face to your voice, and your voice to your work.

Get off the couch: Dig out your dot matrix pages. Check your iPhone Notes app scribbles. Look at your coffee-stained drafts—and get out of the house. You’re not just building a book. You’re building a network, a reputation, and maybe, if you’re lucky, a “yes” that changes everything. Rejection isn’t the end. It’s just a reroute. Success doesn’t always knock. Sometimes you have to knock first.

Get writing. Get pitching. Get out there.

Do you have questions or comments? Ask Besty Bot about the writing craft and how to publish your book with Best Chance Media!

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📚 My first rejection? 1987. The manuscript typed on a TRS-80 and printed on a dot matrix printer. It took hours to print. Brutal. Fast forward to 2019: I pitched my old idea at a writing conference. I landed a book deal on the spot. 💡 Writing doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Show up. Speak up. Pitch your story. 📦 That box of dusty pages? It might just be your next book. #WritersLife #RejectionToRedemption #WritingCommunity #PitchToPublish #WritersConference #KeepWriting #AuthorJourney #WyomingWriters #AmWriting #NetworkingMatters #WriteYourStory #BookDealDreams https://bestchancemedia.org/2025/12/18/from-a-dot-matrix-manuscript-to-book-deal-how-i-turned-rejection-into-redemption/

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Alan O’Hashi, Whole Brain Thinker best chance blog 2025, Craft

Mastering Short-Form Writing: Essential Strategies

By Jennifer Braddock – Editor

Would-be writers are sipping matcha at the bohemian coffee shop. Laptops are open as they write their latest piece. This piece may or may not actually exist outside their heads.

If you’re seriously considering becoming a short-form magazine writer, here’s what you can do. Make it a stopgap job while you work on the Great American Novel. Start by moving beyond the yoga café daydream. Focus on transitioning into paying work.

Think beyond “I want to write.”

Write a Business Plan:

Build a Portfolio Before You Pitch: Magazine publishers, whether glossy print or digital, want proof. They need to see that you can deliver clean, on-point writing. Get that first byline someplace, somewhere.

  • Local publications: Neighborhood papers, city lifestyle mags, or regional travel guides.
  • Nonprofit newsletters: Many will be thrilled to give you a byline in exchange for volunteer writing.
  • Online guest posts: Even unpaid, these give you links you can show editors.
    Your goal: a handful of well-edited, published clips to link in your pitch emails.

Consider Medium and Substack, but Know the Costs: Self-publishing platforms offer writers space to write and publish their work. They can also earn a little cash for their efforts.

  • Medium: You can post for free, but to earn from the Partner Program, you’ll need a paid membership. This is currently around $5 per month. The first step is attracting at least 200 followers. After that, you’ll make money based on the time members spend reading. Not exactly rent money unless you build a following.
  • Substack: There is no fee to publish. They take a 10 percent cut of subscription revenue. They also charge credit card processing fees (around 3 percent). This means if you charge $5/month, you’re netting around $4.25 per subscriber.

These platforms won’t magically bring you readers. You’ll have to actively promote your work. As with all self-publishing, having a large number of social media followers is a big help.

Develop a Short-Form Skill Set: Short-form magazine writing isn’t the same as writing essays or blog rants. You’ll need to do some research.

  • Follow the magazine’s style guide. If they say one-inch margins, make one-inch margins.
  • Nail the hook in the first sentence. This is true for any writing, but more important if you’re limited to 500 words.
  • Keep to strict word counts. If they say no more than 800 words, stick to that limit.
  • Fact-check like your career depends on it, because it does. Watch a movie called Shattered Glass, which is about the worst possible scenario of stories based on made-up facts.

Have a Safety Net: Creative entrepreneurship isn’t for wimps. Get a part-time job, ask your grandmother for a float from your inheritance, leverage your unemployment benefits, anything. You’ll deal with all kinds of excuses from publishers.

  • Late payments.
  • Kill fees. Publishers may pay you less than promised if they decide not to accept your piece.
  • Pitch rejections that read like “We’ll keep your idea in mind. That translates to “No.

Treat freelancing like a business, not a hobby.

Bottom line: Becoming a creative entrepreneur is like climbing the Flatirons in a windstorm. Have a safety net, a business plan, and a clear-eyed view of how you’ll make your writing pay. It’s not enough to just look like a writer. You’ve got to deliver the words.

If you have questions or comments, message Besty Bot. We’re always learning something new!

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Want to write magazine articles as a side hustle? You can’t swing your yoga mat without hitting someone who calls themselves a “freelance writer.” 🧘‍♀️✏️ But turning that latte-fueled dream into paying magazine work takes more than a laptop and vibes. Build your portfolio, know the platforms, and have a safety net. Creative entrepreneurship isn’t for wimps. 💪📚 https://bestchancemedia.org/2025/11/27/mastering-short-form-writing-essential-strategies/ #FreelanceWriting #WritersLife #BoulderLife #CreativeEntrepreneur #WritingTips #ShortFormWriting #MagazineWriter #ContentCreation #BusinessOfWriting #WritersCommunity #WriteAndThrive

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Alan O’Hashi, Whole Brain Thinker Craft, Marketing 2025, Submit Manuscripts

Unlock Your Writing Potential with Best Chance Media

By Jennifer Braddock – Editor

Best Chance Media is an imprint that seeks writers who have been rejected and not been traditionally published. If you fall through the cracks, submit anyway. We’re flexible. We only accept submissions for full-length works: at least 40,000 words: fiction, nonfiction, and memoir.

If there’s a historical element, that’s a plus.

You write romance stories or young adult fiction, and then set them in a historical context. If you’re writing a memoir, think about historical events that happened during the experience that changed your life. Fantasy and science fiction can be set in historical contexts of the earthly world.

  • Fiction: While any fiction will be checked out, we’re partial to historical fiction. The story is set in the past. It may incorporate real historical events, people, or settings. Historical stories feature fictionalized characters, dialogue, and plot details. Your story should create an authentic sense of a particular time while telling a made-up “What If?” story that fits within that historical context.
  • Nonfiction: The same applies to nonfiction. A historical story presents accounts of unique past events, people, and places, based on factual evidence and thorough research. We seek stories that describe historical events. We also explore how areas like history, philosophy, literature, art, and culture have shaped human society.
  • Memoir: Memoirs are historical by definition. They intertwine with history during significant events or periods. These include the writer’s personal story unfolding midst war, migration, or civil rights movements. Such historical events shaped the author’s journey. The memoir doesn’t just list historical facts. It brings history to life through the author’s eyes. It blends personal feelings with the realities of the time.

– The Fine Print:

  • Best Chance does not accept manuscripts that depict violence, like rape, incest, harm to a child, or dismemberment. Manuscripts that advocate criminal activity are also not accepted.
  • Best Chance only accepts manuscripts from authors who are at least 18 years old and residents of the United States.
  • Best Chance only accepts manuscripts written in English. No partial manuscripts or idea pitches will be accepted.
  • Best Chance does not accept manuscripts for foreign rights expansion into the U.S. market.
  • Best Chance does not accept earlier released books (either self-published or released by a traditional publisher).
  • Best Chance does not accept short stories, collections of stories, or poetry.
  • Best Chance will remove manuscripts that do not meet these guidelines.
  • Best Chance will remove any query directly emailed.

If you meet all the requirements, fill out the:

SUBMISSION FORM

We will let you know our decision. It may take Best Chance up to a month to accept or refuse your submission. If you have questions, send an email to bouldercommunitymedia@gmail.com

Do you have questions or comments? Ask Besty Bot about the writing craft and how to publish your book with Best Chance Media!

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Are you frustrated with all your rejection letters? Have you rewritten your story 50 times and you can’t get the interest of any agents or publishers? Best Chance Media are looking for writers like you. We’re a traditional press and won’t ask you for any upfront money, or charge you for editing. Best Chance is a writers’ cooperative that shares and collaborates for the betterment of all! https://bestchancemedia.org/2025/11/06/best_chance_submissions/

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