Writers Helping Writers^®

Posts by Becca Puglisi

How to Use Amplifiers to Motivate Emotionally Challenging Characters

March 6, 2025

How to Use Amplifiers to Motivate Emotionally Challenging Characters

March 6, 2025

Like many other kids, I got my first job as a babysitter. You’re probably picturing me as a competent, CPR-trained teenager armed with craft supplies and a boatload of determination.…

6 First Page Inclusions for Drawing Readers In

March 1, 2025

6 First Page Inclusions for Drawing Readers In

March 1, 2025

There are a lot of Dos and Don’ts for a story’s first pages. Do introduce the protagonist(s). Do start in medias res. Don’t start with a dream sequence. Don’t info…

Character Secret Thesaurus: Helping Someone Die with Dignity

February 22, 2025

Character Secret Thesaurus: Helping Someone Die with Dignity

February 22, 2025

What secret is your character keeping? Why are they safeguarding it? What’s at stake if it’s discovered? Does it need to come out at some point, or should it remain…

Phenomenal First Pages Contest

February 20, 2025

Phenomenal First Pages Contest

February 20, 2025

Hey, wonderfulwriterly people! It’s time for Phenomenal First Pages, our monthly critique contest. So, if you need a bit of help with your first page, today’s the day to enter…

Character Secret Thesaurus: Doubting One’s Faith

February 15, 2025

Character Secret Thesaurus: Doubting One’s Faith

February 15, 2025

What secret is your character keeping? Why are they safeguarding it? What’s at stake if it’s discovered? Does it need to come out at some point, or should it remain…

Use This Method to Identify Your Story’s Stakes

February 13, 2025

Use This Method to Identify Your Story’s Stakes

February 13, 2025

Stakes are a crucial part of your story because they define what will happen if the protagonist fails. To build reader empathy, you need this piece in place because when…

Character Secret Thesaurus: Faking an Illness

February 8, 2025

Character Secret Thesaurus: Faking an Illness

February 8, 2025

What secret is your character keeping? Why are they safeguarding it? What’s at stake if it’s discovered? Does it need to come out at some point, or should it remain…

Character Secret Thesaurus: Concealing a Sexual Identity

February 1, 2025

Character Secret Thesaurus: Concealing a Sexual Identity

February 1, 2025

What secret is your character keeping? Why are they safeguarding it? What’s at stake if it’s discovered? Does it need to come out at some point, or should it remain…

Making Nice Guys & Girls Realistically Flawed

January 30, 2025

Making Nice Guys & Girls Realistically Flawed

January 30, 2025

We’ve talked a lot around here about why characters need flaws. Those negative traits make characters relatable to readers, they contribute to their arc, and, oh, a whole bunch of…

Phenomenal First Pages Contest

January 28, 2025

Phenomenal First Pages Contest

January 28, 2025

Hey, wonderfulwriterly people! It’s time for Phenomenal First Pages, our monthly critique contest. So, if you need a bit of help with your first page, today’s the day to enter…