Writers Helping Writers^®

Posts by Angela Ackerman

Write a Novel in 13 Steps

November 9, 2023

Write a Novel in 13 Steps

November 9, 2023

Every writer’s journey is unique, but we all experience one iconic moment: the decision to stop thinking about writing a book and actually do it. And then? Euphoria. Finally, our…

How to Create a Protagonist with True Depth

November 7, 2023

How to Create a Protagonist with True Depth

November 7, 2023

Some characters are so dynamic, we feel immediately close to them. Everything they say, do, and think is consistent with who they are, they have a past and present, and…

Halloween for Adults: $2.99 Thesaurus Writing Guides

October 31, 2023

Halloween for Adults: $2.99 Thesaurus Writing Guides

October 31, 2023

Halloween is here! We’re sure you have the candy thing under control, so we wanted to let you know that today & tomorrow, you can also stuff your digital bookshelf…

NaNoWriMo: Top Tips for Smashing Out 50K

October 28, 2023

NaNoWriMo: Top Tips for Smashing Out 50K

October 28, 2023

The iconic NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) challenge has many of you rolling up your sleeves to pound out a novel. Becca and I love this event because it is…

Writing Flawed Characters Who Don’t Turn Readers Off

October 10, 2023

Writing Flawed Characters Who Don’t Turn Readers Off

October 10, 2023

No one in the real world is perfect, and so characters shouldn’t be either. To seem as real as you or me, they should have flaws and strengths, and these…

Want to Show Your Character’s Pain? Here’s Everything You Need to Know

October 5, 2023

Want to Show Your Character’s Pain? Here’s Everything You Need to Know

October 5, 2023

For the better part of two months, Becca and I have been exploring pain, and how to write about it in fiction. It’s been enlightening for us, and we hope…

Happy 8th Birthday, One Stop for Writers!

October 3, 2023

Happy 8th Birthday, One Stop for Writers!

October 3, 2023

Let the good times roll…One Stop for Writers‘ BIRTHDAY WEEK is here! It’s hard to believe Becca and I have been helping writers grow into confident storytellers at One Stop…

Writing About Pain: Taking an Injury from Bad to Worse

September 21, 2023

Writing About Pain: Taking an Injury from Bad to Worse

September 21, 2023

When we put characters in dangerous or unfamiliar situations, they can get hurt, and when they do, things become harder to do. Injuries can mean reduced mobility, pain makes it…

Writing About Pain: Invisible Injuries and Conditions

September 7, 2023

Writing About Pain: Invisible Injuries and Conditions

September 7, 2023

In this series on pain, we’ve covered everything from minor injuries to major and mortal injuries. But there’s another source of pain that can push our characters to the edge…

Writing About Pain: Describing Minor Injuries

August 29, 2023

Writing About Pain: Describing Minor Injuries

August 29, 2023

When we push characters to their limits, sometimes they get hurt. Injuries can range from annoyances to mortal wounds, and handled well, can add tension and complication to the story,…