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When I say McDonald’s, what pops into your mind? Most likely, it’s those iconic golden arches. How about Nike? The swoosh. Michelin? The Michelin man. Apple? The apple, of course. A good logo is more than just a graphic—it’s an embodiment of a brand’s personality, history, and culture that embeds itself in the minds of consumers like you. The logos mentioned above have become icons that are recognized all over the world and hardly need an introduction. When you see these logos, you immediately recall the brand’s products and services, achievements, and recent history. So what if the same principles could be used for your brand as an author? Why You Should Have a Logo You might be asking yourself, “What does a logo have to do with my writing?” or “I won’t need that when I’m already famous.” The thing is, making it as a writer is already hard as is, so why not do what you can to stand out? Humans are largely visual creatures , which makes information easier for us to remember an

In “The Decay of Lying,” Oscar Wilde wrote, “Life imitates art far more than art imitates life.” While there are surely cases that could support that observation, we shouldn’t discount how often real life can be even crazier or stranger than fiction, which is probably why there are so many great books and films inspired by true stories. Even if aliens don’t land in backyards or princes don’t slay dragons in these types of stories, there’s something to be said for fiction that transcends reality while also giving us a deeper understanding of the world we live in. 10 Books Based on True Stories Below are 10 riveting stories that only real life could inspire. 1. Beautiful Exiles by Meg Waite Clayton In 1936, successful journalist Martha Gellhorn met literary titan Ernest Hemingway at a bar in Key West. The two forged a flirtatious friendship, which turned into more as the pair covered the Spanish Civil War in Madrid, despite Hemingway’s marriage to journalist Pauline Pfeiffer.

A skilled writer knows how to adapt their tone and style based on their audience and the type of writing they’re attempting. For your blog, you might let your signature wit and light sarcasm shine through; for a personal essay, you might be more reflective; and for a persuasive piece, you let your passion take center stage. For academic writing, there are a few more rules to follow that can limit your creative freedom in some ways, but make this writing style unique in its own right. The important thing is knowing when and how to use it. What Is Academic Writing? Academic writing is a formal style of nonfiction writing that is primarily used by students, academics, and researchers. It can include everything from student papers, to journal articles of scientific studies carried out by professionals. Examples of Academic Writing Below are several types of writing that can often be considered “academic”: Essays (not personal) Research papers (including academic journal articl

If you are an artist, continually learning is a must in order to grow in your craft. This includes knowing where to find inspiration and where to learn business skills. That way, you can be sure that you are constantly improving and expanding your career as an artist.  The good news is that many others have come before you, and have shared their experience and expert advice in the form of books.  Best Books for Artists  Here are some of the best books to have in your shelf as an artist:  1. A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future by Daniel Pink  In this book, Daniel Pink outlines the differences between right-brain and left-brain thinking, and then proposes: what if this age is paving the way for more right-brain, visual thinkers, than the used-to-be lauded left-brain scientific, logical thinkers?  2. Real Artists Don’t Starve by Jeff Goins When you think about pursuing your art as a career, are you afraid you’ll find yourself broke? This is the myth t

Grimdark fantasy is a fantasy subgenre whose tone and style is characterized by moral ambiguity, grittiness, and an overall grim outlook on life. They’re not happy stories; they’re cynical, violent, nihilistic, and downright dirty. In a grimdark setting, you’re not winning; you’re just losing slower than the others. The term was inspired and popularized by Warhammer 40,000 , a miniature war game with the tagline: “In the grim dark ness of the far future, there is only war.” Writers of grimdark fantasy rarely romanticize or idealize their stories. Rather, they take inspiration from the darker side of humanity, and don’t shy away from portraying broken worlds and equally broken characters. Common Features of Grimdark Fantasy Grimdark fantasy is still a developing subgenre, so it’s still evolving and taking on its form, which gives way to many questions. Is anything with darkish vibes considered grimdark? Is it the same as dark fantasy? There’s a lot of debate surrounding what thi

Manhwa is the Korean version of Japanese manga, and a general term Koreans use for comics and cartoons. But outside the country, it’s a specific term used for South Korean comics. These are the things you should know when it comes to this particular form of literature. Etymology of Manhwa Derived from the Chinese manhua , which translates to “impromptu sketches,” manhwa has slowly gained popularity due to Japanese manga’s growth as a major influence on Japanese culture, and subsequently, the rest of the world. Because of their similarities, manhwa is often confused with Japanese manga and Chinese manhua by people who are unfamiliar with these distinct styles. Though both manhwa and manga were derived from Chinese manhua and share the same meaning, they have since evolved and gained their own distinct styles and themes. Manhwa Culture Historically, manhwa has struggled with strict censorship. When it was first gaining popularity, political and social movements had a big part i

American romance novelist Elin Hilderbrand is known for her love stories, most of which are set on the idyllic Nantucket Island in Massachusetts. Reading her novels is like a breath of fresh air, and if you’re a fan of the romance genre, you may want to add some to your to-be-read list.  If you haven’t tried reading her books, this list will help you find the right Hilderbrand novel to start with. If you’re already a fan, we hope this list can help you find books that you haven’t read yet! Elin Hilderbrand Books to Warm Your Heart  Here are some of the best books by Elin Hilderbrand that  you may want to add to your bedside pile:  1. 28 Summers (2020)  At his mother’s deathbed, Link Blessing receives instructions to call a number. When he does, the husband of a frontrunner presidential candidate answers the call. Link is baffled as to how his mother knows this person, and the story unfolds way back to his mother’s younger years. 2. Summer of ’69 (2019)  Four siblings

Joining or starting a book club is a great way to meet other readers from different walks of life and share the experience of reading a thought-provoking book. New York Times bestseller Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng is a great choice for a book club read, with its wide array of themes. You can talk about identity and heritage, as well as transience and assimilation. What really makes your identity? Is it easy to find or discover? These questions and others make for a reflective discussion with your reading group!  What Are the Themes of Little Fires Everywhere ?  If you haven’t read the book yet, here is a little background to help you along. The story revolves around two families. The Richardsons live in an affluent suburb, and rent out a home to single mom Mia and her daughter Pearl.  But the peace in the community is shattered when the Richardsons get involved in a case, where their friends are fighting for custody in the adoption of a Chinese-American baby. Thi

Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist is one of the most thought-provoking, inspiring books ever written. Whether you enjoyed it for its fable-like quality, the adventures experienced by the protagonist, or the self-discovery element, most likely you loved its life-changing effect more than anything. Reading books with a personal legend theme is a great way of learning more about yourself and the things you want in life.  Thought-Provoking Books Like the Alchemist If you enjoyed The Alchemist , here are some other books you can check out.  1. The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran  If you enjoyed the wise ideas that Paulo Coelho shared in The Alchemist , Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet is a great next choice. These poetic essays give insight, with a Middle Eastern flair, into a wide array of subjects written with an authentic voice.  2. Arabian Nights or A Thousand and One Nights This collection of stories, or rather, stories within stories within stories , are told by the legendary Princes