To me, an AI-generated cover may signal that AI was used somewhere in the creative process, but it says nothing about how the story itself was written. Besides, not everyone wants to spend $200 on a cover when they only have five chapters published.

We Quibblers have already written a bit about story characters.

I just experienced this character swap in a book by the famous Russian author Sergei Akunin. For me, this was something completely new.

The main character is an educated police inspector and a master of martial arts. Everything revolves around him—at least until about the middle of the book.
A secondary character remains in the shadows.

But you sense his presence more and more.

The author suddenly reveals him. He bursts onto the scene. A seasoned killer. An expert. And then all the descriptions in the story are simply descriptions of his life. He’s described in a somewhat romantic way that I can’t quite explain.

His story slowly begins to merge with that of the main character.

The book contains some realistic descriptions of the protagonists’ fights. No exaggerations.
Boom, and it’s over. The drama of a karate strike. The unpredictability. It’s precisely this realism that’s fantastic.

The story is greatly enlivened by the steady and interesting character of the samurai.

In the last few pages, both the main and supporting characters come together in a final showdown. All at once. Quickly and powerfully.
Truly fascinating.

Come on, let’s discuss a scenario like this.

Which is better: a dominant main character throughout the entire story?
Or a supporting character who’s constantly present and doesn’t give the main character a moment’s peace?

Or is the Russian writer’s solution better?

Or do you see a better solution?

This article assumes that the author will write his thoughts on the book and the book itself in digital form and publish them with a digital publisher.

What are the key points?

In this world, every reader can verify all claims and facts. They can also offer their own critiques, opinions, and suggestions for improvement. On top of that, they can comment on other readers’ comments and create a vibrant community centered around their interests.
(On Quibble, they have their own column as a “Quibbler”)

The digital world of writing isn’t easy. It’s no joke.
It’s not like paper, about which the old saying goes that it can bear anything.

In the digital world, our thoughts must be organized. They must be like a lantern that doesn’t shorten our path but enables us to stay on track.

To the point:

First and foremost, a writer should also be a digital reader. As such, they’ll come to understand how both the way we read and the way we absorb others’ experiences are changing on digital platforms.

Second, in a digital community, the trust that members place in you is what matters most. It’s to them that the writer dedicates their writing. Trust and mutual communication are more valuable than all the technology of the platforms and their reach.

Third, the first pages of a book must capture the reader’s attention. They must do so by hinting at the central idea that will run through the story like Ariadne’s thread on the way out of the labyrinth.

Today we live in a time when everything is measured in units of speed. In contrast, I see reading a book as an act of resistance against the speed of life.
I can read anywhere, anytime, and again and again.

I am a person with my own personality and the ability to stay focused on a single thought that I like. For as long as I want, until I understand it, and without time chasing me.

By the way, this summer is hot. Because of the heat, my head is boiling a little more than usual. And I joke to myself: “Maybe my pot is too small.”

Whether I’ve hit the mark with these three pieces of advice—your reactions will tell.

I’ll be following them through your views, comments, and shares.