If you’re writing a story in which your character will need to evolve internally to achieve his goal, a cohesive and well-planned character arc will be vital to its success. This type of arc (a change arc) requires internal conflict, which will provide opportunities for your character to adapt and … [Read more...] about How Does Internal Conflict Fit into the Character’s Arc?
Search Results for: internal
How to Reveal a Character’s Internal Conflict
If you've been on the writing trail long enough, you've heard plenty of talk surrounding conflict and the role it plays in storytelling. Whatever form it takes—annoying neighbors, quarrels with loved ones, car accidents, fistfights, ticking clocks—conflict keeps the story moving. It creates tension … [Read more...] about How to Reveal a Character’s Internal Conflict
What is an Emotion Amplifier?
Since compiling our original Emotion Amplifier ebooklet in 2014, Angela and I have discovered so much about them. They're way more versatile than we first imagined, and we're stoked to share what we've learned with you in the soon-to-be-released 2nd edition of The Emotion Amplifier Thesaurus (which … [Read more...] about What is an Emotion Amplifier?
Why Writers Should Use Psychology In Their Storytelling
A writer’s job is to do one thing well: pull the reader in. Our words should act like a tractor beam, sucking them into our story’s world. We tap into the reader's emotions, seize their attention, and suddenly they forget to mow the lawn, eat cereal for dinner, and postpone bedtime yet … [Read more...] about Why Writers Should Use Psychology In Their Storytelling
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
Emotion Amplifier Thesaurus: Cognitive Bias
This guide will be available May 13th, 2024. DESCRIPTION: Cognitive biases occur when a character processes new information based on their personal ideas, perceptions, and experiences rather than viewing it through an objective lens. While biases are natural inclinations (the brain’s way of … [Read more...] about Emotion Amplifier Thesaurus: Cognitive Bias
The Emotion Amplifier Thesaurus (May 2024 Release)
We're adding to our Thesaurus family! It's been a while since our last book as we needed to recalibrate our release schedule from fall to spring (resulting in a year gap), but now we're back in the thesaurus-making saddle. May 13th is coming fast, so it's time to dish some details about our … [Read more...] about The Emotion Amplifier Thesaurus (May 2024 Release)
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?
8 Steps from Amateur to Pro Writer
Every author starts out as a hobbyist. We write as kids, for fun. As we get older, we write when we have free time or the fit takes us. For many, that’s as far as it goes, and there’s value in that. But for others, over time, our writing passion grows. Chances are, if you’re reading this blog, … [Read more...] about 8 Steps from Amateur to Pro Writer
Breathing Life into Characters
Picture a protagonist who stumbles upon a mysterious artifact but shows no curiosity, or a group of friends who sit down separately at the summit of a hike under a breathtaking sunset, without a moment of communal awe. Keeping your characters engaged with the story keeps readers engaged with it, … [Read more...] about Breathing Life into Characters
The Pirate’s Guide to Writing Fantasy
Remember the scene in Pirates of the Caribbean when Captain Barbossa explains the pirate’s code? “The code is more what you’d call guidelines than actual rules.” Writing fantasy is a bit like the pirate’s code. There aren’t any rules, exactly, which is what makes it so fun to write. You can allow … [Read more...] about The Pirate’s Guide to Writing Fantasy
Why Writers Should Be Their Own Valentine This Year
Valentine's Day is coming, and people have big feelings about it. On one hand, it's nice to have a set day to celebrate loved ones, but on the other, pressure to buy overpriced chocolates and flowers to 'show' love can cast a shadow on things. Me? I think gifts are nice to give and receive, but … [Read more...] about Why Writers Should Be Their Own Valentine This Year