Writers Helping Writers^®

Posts by Writing Coach

Finding Your Way Into Your Story

October 18, 2016

Finding Your Way Into Your Story

October 18, 2016

I recently avoided a workshop assignment that should have been completed in no more than an hour because I couldn’t find a way into my story. This workshop generates significant,…

Understanding Inner Conflict with Story Expert Michael Hauge

November 1, 2016

Understanding Inner Conflict with Story Expert Michael Hauge

November 1, 2016

All stories are built on a foundation of three basic components: character, desire, and conflict. A hero or protagonist desperately wants something, and must overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles to achieve…

When to Listen to Your Inner Editor

November 15, 2016

When to Listen to Your Inner Editor

November 15, 2016

We’ve all wrangled with our inner editor at some point in our writing process. This voice in our head critiques our craft in mid-stream, from the big picture (“This plot…

Tips for Weaving Romance into Your Novel

January 3, 2017

Tips for Weaving Romance into Your Novel

January 3, 2017

By C.S. Lakin Romance is a part of life, and so it should also play some part in our novels—if we intend for our characters to mirror real life. Even…

Pacing and Momentum in Revision

January 17, 2017

Pacing and Momentum in Revision

January 17, 2017

One of the elements I like to focus on when I revise is pacing. Pacing is the manipulation of momentum and time in a piece of writing and how the…

Does Your Character Description Create A Powerful Image?

February 7, 2017

Does Your Character Description Create A Powerful Image?

February 7, 2017

Your job as a storyteller is to create IMAGES. This is true not just for screenwriters, but for anyone presenting a story to a reader or an audience. Whenever we…

Editing with Text-to-Speech Software

February 21, 2017

Editing with Text-to-Speech Software

February 21, 2017

When I was preparing to edit my novel last year, one technique I considered was reading each chapter out loud. That way, I could hear the words instead of simply…

ProWritingAid: A Useful Tool For Many Types Of Writing

March 16, 2017

ProWritingAid: A Useful Tool For Many Types Of Writing

March 16, 2017

Resident Writing Coach, April Bradley, is giving her take on ProWritingAid, a popular editing software for writers. When Angela asked me to review some editing software, I was intrigued. I…