In 1959, Carl Jung first popularized the idea of archetypes—"universal images that have existed since the remotest times." He posited that every person is a blend of these 12 basic personalities. Ever since then, authors have been applying this idea to fictional characters, combining the different … [Read more...] about Character Type & Trope Thesaurus: Father Figure
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Character Type and Trope Thesaurus
What do reluctant heroes, femme fatales, nerds, snobs, and rebels have in common? They're all character types that are frequently found in many kinds of stories. The upside of these tropes is that they're familiar to readers, who will recognize them and immediately know the role they're meant to … [Read more...] about Character Type and Trope Thesaurus
Writing 101: How to Fix an Infodump
The latest post in our Writing 101 series is all about the dreaded infodump—when the author drops a landslide of information on the reader and the pace (and reader interest) grinds to a halt. These big blocks of text often show up in early chapters when a writer wants to be sure they’ve explained … [Read more...] about Writing 101: How to Fix an Infodump
How to Find Symbols in Your Settings
We all want our writing to be layered. Like a gourmet meal, we want there to be more to them than just what’s seen on the surface. In stories, this depth can be added a number of ways—through subplots, character arc, subtext, theme, and symbolism. Of them all, I think symbolism is one of the … [Read more...] about How to Find Symbols in Your Settings
Reading Like a Writer
We all know that as writers we should be reading a lot. It’s one of the best ways to learn the craft, and Stephen King’s quote on the topic is legendary: “If you don't have time to read, you don't have the time (or the tools) to write.” While it’s great to beat your annual Goodreads challenge, … [Read more...] about Reading Like a Writer
How To Write A Likeable Character
Likeable characters can become the beating heart of your narrative. Readers root for them and stick with them throughout their journeys. But what exactly makes a character likeable? It’s not just about being nice but making them relatable. So, let's look at how to write such … [Read more...] about How To Write A Likeable Character
Use This Method to Identify Your Story’s Stakes
Stakes are a crucial part of your story because they define what will happen if the protagonist fails. To build reader empathy, you need this piece in place because when the reader sees what’s at stake, and they recognize why it matters to the character, the story becomes important. It … [Read more...] about Use This Method to Identify Your Story’s Stakes
Five Vehicles for Adding Subtext to Dialogue
Realistic, evocative dialogue is an important part of any successful story. We need our characters’ interactions to be authentic, consistent, and engaging to draw readers in to what’s happening. So when we’re learning to write, we spend a lot of time on mechanics—learning all the grammar and … [Read more...] about Five Vehicles for Adding Subtext to Dialogue
Need to Get a Stubborn Character Moving? Use an Amplifier
If you’ve researched story structure at all, you know there are many models out there, and they’re all slightly different. The most popular forms tend to follow the three-act structure, which resonates with many readers regardless of genre or format. Within this simple framework, certain events … [Read more...] about Need to Get a Stubborn Character Moving? Use an Amplifier
Could a Raptor Play the Protagonist Role?
Raptors are some of the most successful predators on the planet. From owls, eagles, and vultures to hawks, falcons, and other birds of prey, raptors are skilled hunters with incredible senses, like binocular vision, that help them detect prey at far distances. The secretary bird even carries … [Read more...] about Could a Raptor Play the Protagonist Role?
Flashbacks vs. Dual Timeline: What’s the Difference?
For strong storytelling, we need to focus on what’s important and relevant to current story events. That means we shouldn’t info-dump a bunch of irrelevant backstory just because it’s interesting or it’s something we enjoyed developing about our character, as we instead need to keep this story … [Read more...] about Flashbacks vs. Dual Timeline: What’s the Difference?
Character Type & Trope Thesaurus: Mafia Don
In 1959, Carl Jung first popularized the idea of archetypes—"universal images that have existed since the remotest times." He posited that every person is a blend of these 12 basic personalities. Ever since then, authors have been applying this idea to fictional characters, combining the different … [Read more...] about Character Type & Trope Thesaurus: Mafia Don