Writers Helping Writers^®

Posts by Becca Puglisi

Four Key Moments When You Should Hold the Conflict

December 2, 2025

Four Key Moments When You Should Hold the Conflict

December 2, 2025

Conflict in every scene. It’s popular advice because it’s true. Conflict ratchets up the tension for readers because it makes the character’s success less likely, and readers start worrying about…

Make the Most of Your Manuscript’s Resting Time

November 20, 2025

Make the Most of Your Manuscript’s Resting Time

November 20, 2025

If you’re participating in ProWriting Aid’s Novel November, Reedsy’s Novel Sprint, NaNo 2.0 (not the original NaNo) or another writing challenge this November, you’ll soon be finished drafting. And if…

Coping Mechanism Thesaurus Entry: People Pleasing

November 8, 2025

Coping Mechanism Thesaurus Entry: People Pleasing

November 8, 2025

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…

6 Ways to Create Amazing Character Chemistry

November 4, 2025

6 Ways to Create Amazing Character Chemistry

November 4, 2025

I’ve been thinking a lot recently about character chemistry—that spark, bond, or shared connection we often associate with strong and compelling romantic relationships. But chemistry shouldn’t be limited to love…

Coping Mechanism Thesaurus Entry: Denial

October 25, 2025

Coping Mechanism Thesaurus Entry: Denial

October 25, 2025

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…

Writing 101: Popular Structure Models that Work

October 23, 2025

Writing 101: Popular Structure Models that Work

October 23, 2025

Every successful story, no matter the genre or format, has some structure at its core. It’s the backbone that provides shape and purpose. Without it, even the most compelling ideas…

Coping Mechanism Thesaurus Entry: Embracing Responsibility

October 11, 2025

Coping Mechanism Thesaurus Entry: Embracing Responsibility

October 11, 2025

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 Entry: Self-Medicating

October 4, 2025

Coping Mechanism Thesaurus Entry: Self-Medicating

October 4, 2025

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…

The Coping Mechanism Thesaurus is Coming!

September 27, 2025

The Coping Mechanism Thesaurus is Coming!

September 27, 2025

Characters don’t always react to stress and threats in healthy ways–like real people, they lean on coping strategies they’ve developed to survive past trauma and avoid new pain. These dysfunctional…

Writing 101: How to Find & Write Your Character’s Voice

September 25, 2025

Writing 101: How to Find & Write Your Character’s Voice

September 25, 2025

Writing a strong and consistent character voice is one of the best ways to make your story stand out. A unique voice tailored to your character makes them feel real…