Writers Helping Writers^®

Posts by Becca Puglisi

Writing About Pain: Different Types to Explore

August 24, 2023

Writing About Pain: Different Types to Explore

August 24, 2023

“Life is pain, Highness. Anyone who says differently is selling something.” -The Dread Pirate Roberts Pain is an unfortunate part of life. As our characters go about their day—working, building relationships,…

Character Type and Trope Thesaurus: Pessimist

August 19, 2023

Character Type and Trope Thesaurus: Pessimist

August 19, 2023

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…

Character Type and Trope Thesaurus: Mad Scientist

August 12, 2023

Character Type and Trope Thesaurus: Mad Scientist

August 12, 2023

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…

Powering Through the Un-Fun Parts of the Job

August 10, 2023

Powering Through the Un-Fun Parts of the Job

August 10, 2023

I’m gonna go out on a limb and say you probably became a writer because you like to write. But if you’ve been writing for any time at all, you…

Character Type & Trope Thesaurus: Snob

August 5, 2023

Character Type & Trope Thesaurus: Snob

August 5, 2023

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…

Five Commonalities Between Heroes and Villains

August 3, 2023

Five Commonalities Between Heroes and Villains

August 3, 2023

In story terms, a villain is a person, entity, or force who is cruel, evil, or malicious enough to wish the protagonist harm. Rather than simply blocking a goal or…

How to Stay Focused on Your Story’s Central Conflict

August 1, 2023

How to Stay Focused on Your Story’s Central Conflict

August 1, 2023

Conflict in every scene. We’ve all heard this advice, and for good reason. Your protagonist has a goal—hopefully, an audacious and high-stakes goal that is difficult to achieve. “Difficult” is…

Character Type and Trope Thesaurus: Benefactor

July 29, 2023

Character Type and Trope Thesaurus: Benefactor

July 29, 2023

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…

After the First Draft: Revising Your Plot

July 27, 2023

After the First Draft: Revising Your Plot

July 27, 2023

Ok, writers. Raise your hand if you love revising. *crickets* Revision freaks a lot of people out because it can be overwhelming. When you start drafting, you’ve got this really…

Character Type and Trope Thesaurus: Hopeless Romantic

July 22, 2023

Character Type and Trope Thesaurus: Hopeless Romantic

July 22, 2023

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…