Writers Helping Writers^®

Posts by Becca Puglisi

Writing a Health Challenge When It’s Not What Your Story’s About

September 24, 2026

Writing a Health Challenge When It’s Not What Your Story’s About

September 24, 2026

Many stories that feature a character with a physical or mental health challenge are about that challenge. It plays a pivotal role, coming up often, and growth and failure opportunities…

Maximize Character Growth By Building Fear into Your Turning Points

September 22, 2026

Maximize Character Growth By Building Fear into Your Turning Points

September 22, 2026

When it comes to storytelling, fear is more than a feeling; it’s an underlying force that runs through multiple story elements, influencing plot, character arc, internal growth, and conflict. Fear…

4 Tips for Successfully Writing Picture Books

August 6, 2026

4 Tips for Successfully Writing Picture Books

August 6, 2026

Did you know I cut my teeth writing picture books? Well, technically, my first attempt was a chapter book. I didn’t bother doing any research; as a first grade teacher,…

Use Literary Devices to Propel Readers Past Chapter Endings

July 16, 2026

Use Literary Devices to Propel Readers Past Chapter Endings

July 16, 2026

In my last post, I discussed why chapter endings can be tricky (because they provide a natural stopping point for readers) and how to counteract that. By using a variety…

11 Chapter Endings to Keep Readers Turning Pages

June 23, 2026

11 Chapter Endings to Keep Readers Turning Pages

June 23, 2026

As authors, we give a lot of attention to our openings—where to start the story, polishing the first pages—because they’re important for pulling readers in. But what about endings, particularly…

Coping Mechanism Thesaurus: Cultivating Trust

May 30, 2026

Coping Mechanism Thesaurus: Cultivating Trust

May 30, 2026

When a character suffers emotional pain, the brain’s response is to stop the discomfort, and often this results in a coping mechanism being deployed. Whether it’s an automatic response or…

Coping Mechanism Thesaurus: Visualization

May 23, 2026

Coping Mechanism Thesaurus: Visualization

May 23, 2026

When a character suffers emotional pain, the brain’s response is to stop the discomfort, and often this results in a coping mechanism being deployed. Whether it’s an automatic response or…

A Mother Lode of Resources on Character Fear

May 21, 2026

A Mother Lode of Resources on Character Fear

May 21, 2026

Writing The Fear Thesaurus taught us so much about the psychology of fear and how that translates for our characters. The difference between minor and deep fears, the role fear…

Coping Mechanism Thesaurus: Fantasizing About Revenge

May 16, 2026

Coping Mechanism Thesaurus: Fantasizing About Revenge

May 16, 2026

When a character suffers emotional pain, the brain’s response is to stop the discomfort, and often this results in a coping mechanism being deployed. Whether it’s an automatic response or…

Coping Mechanism Thesaurus: Living in the Past

May 9, 2026

Coping Mechanism Thesaurus: Living in the Past

May 9, 2026

When a character suffers emotional pain, the brain’s response is to stop the discomfort, and often this results in a coping mechanism being deployed. Whether it’s an automatic response or…