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
Search Results for: father figure
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
How to Combine Myth with History to Create Historical Fantasy
Three years ago, I never would have guessed I’d be writing a blog post on this topic. Back then, I was focused on pure fantasy stories. My first novel was an epic fantasy, while my second and third were paranormal fantasy. I thought I had “found my voice” in paranormal fantasy, but then a … [Read more...] about How to Combine Myth with History to Create Historical Fantasy
Do You Need a Prologue? Take the Test!
By Julie Artz Affiliate links below After nearly ten years working with writers, I’ve decided the only inviolable rule in writing is that a romance must have either a happily ever after (HEA) or a happy for now (HFN) ending. And yet blog posts like these are full of writing “rules.” I loved … [Read more...] about Do You Need a Prologue? Take the Test!
Write Like a Magician: Creating the Illusion of an Unseen Character
Whenever we write a protagonist who lost someone important within their backstory, we have some heavy lifting ahead of us. That “unseen” character—a character who has died or who is simply away for one reason or another—is going to need to be developed and brought to the page somehow to deepen the … [Read more...] about Write Like a Magician: Creating the Illusion of an Unseen Character
Continuing a Series: Is This Info Too Repetitive?
We’ve probably seen advice warning that any time our story revisits information, we risk the idea feeling repetitive or redundant to readers if we’re not careful. Not surprisingly, the same risk can apply even across books in a series. Yet when we write a book series, we usually need to repeat … [Read more...] about Continuing a Series: Is This Info Too Repetitive?
Five Elements of Relationship Plotlines
Whether you are writing romance, adventure, fantasy, or mystery, nearly every well-told story has a relationship plotline. Unfortunately, though, entertaining banter or fiery arguments alone aren’t enough to sustain that plotline. Your characters may be love interests, friends, neighbors, allies, … [Read more...] about Five Elements of Relationship Plotlines
Why “But” is a Powerful Writing Tool
Boredom is a common reason why a reader DNFs a book. Genre is irrelevant. If the reader isn’t engaged with the storyline, they will set aside your book for another that will draw them in. A but means a complication, an obstacle the main character(s) must overcome. If the main character achieves … [Read more...] about Why “But” is a Powerful Writing Tool
Character Type & Trope Thesaurus: Whiskey Priest
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: Whiskey Priest
Writing Techniques: Use and Abuse of “Lampshading”
As storytellers, we usually want to keep readers immersed in our story. However, we’ve probably all written lines that we worry will break readers’ suspension of disbelief, such as with story events that might feel too cliché, coincidental, or incongruent. Obviously, we can try to fix the issue by … [Read more...] about Writing Techniques: Use and Abuse of “Lampshading”
Using Talents and Skills to Reveal Hidden Layers
When you’re creating a well-rounded and realistic character, there are many factors to consider: their backstory, personality traits, fears, desires…the list goes on. Each is important because it plays a part in defining and fleshing out the character for readers. But there’s another aspect of … [Read more...] about Using Talents and Skills to Reveal Hidden Layers
The Ruler Archetype
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 The Ruler Archetype