Writers Helping Writers^®

Posts by Angela Ackerman

How Universal Fears Pull Readers into the Story

June 4, 2026

How Universal Fears Pull Readers into the Story

June 4, 2026

No matter what genre you write or who your audience is, one thing is certain: Everyone experiences fear. It shapes how people think, the choices they make, and influences how…

8+ Ways to Signal Your Character’s Fear to Readers

May 26, 2026

8+ Ways to Signal Your Character’s Fear to Readers

May 26, 2026

With no shortage of things that can trigger a character’s fear, learning how to show it becomes just as important to writers as plotting, character-building, and crafting a realistic story…

The Fear Thesaurus Is Now Available Everywhere + a Giveaway!

May 12, 2026

The Fear Thesaurus Is Now Available Everywhere + a Giveaway!

May 12, 2026

Fear is more than just an emotion–it’s also a powerful internal warning system. When a threat is perceived, fear kicks in, alerting a character to possible danger so they can…

Free Workshop: How to Write Fear That Feels Real

May 7, 2026

Free Workshop: How to Write Fear That Feels Real

May 7, 2026

Writing authentic fear reactions can be challenging—even when we understand our character well. Why? Because each character has their own personality, background, trauma, and triggers, meaning their fear response to…

Fear Thesaurus Expansion at One Stop for Writers + Save 25%

May 5, 2026

Fear Thesaurus Expansion at One Stop for Writers + Save 25%

May 5, 2026

As many of you know, we recently released a new book – The Fear Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to What Holds Characters Back. This volume takes you into the dark…

Fears vs. Phobias: What Writers Need to Know

April 30, 2026

Fears vs. Phobias: What Writers Need to Know

April 30, 2026

When we think about phobias, extreme fear comes to mind. But phobias are actually considered a class of anxiety disorder, and they hijack the body’s alarm system. Understanding how this…

How to Write Authentic Emotion

April 28, 2026

How to Write Authentic Emotion

April 28, 2026

In the real world, no two people are alike, which means each of us expresses emotion in our own way. Some people find it natural to share what they feel…

The Fear Thesaurus Is Here! (Early Release at Writers Helping Writers)

April 15, 2026

The Fear Thesaurus Is Here! (Early Release at Writers Helping Writers)

April 15, 2026

Update: The Fear Thesaurus is now available everywhere books are sold!Find the links for these stores below or visit the official Fear Thesaurus page for more information on formats, retailer…

Is Fear Weakening Your Story? 5 Mistakes to Check

April 7, 2026

Is Fear Weakening Your Story? 5 Mistakes to Check

April 7, 2026

Writing about your character’s fear can be tricky because it rarely sits out in the open where everyone can see it. Instead, fear is hidden, rationalized, or the character puts…