Writers Helping Writers^®

Posts by Sacha Black

What “Read More to Improve Your Writing” Really Means

July 28, 2020

What “Read More to Improve Your Writing” Really Means

July 28, 2020

Everyone says you should read a lot if you want to improve your writing. A blanket statement if ever I heard one. Anyone can read. There are readers out there…

3 Ways to Differentiate Your Characters

May 30, 2020

3 Ways to Differentiate Your Characters

May 30, 2020

We’ve invited Resident Writing Coach Sacha Black to give us an extra dose of wisdom as she’s just released a new book that I think will help a lot of…

Breathe Life into Your Prose with the Sense of Touch

April 14, 2020

Breathe Life into Your Prose with the Sense of Touch

April 14, 2020

Humans are social beasts: we live together, we yearn for the comfort of quality time, of family memories, and of physical closeness. But right now, touch has a bad rep.…

Six Steps to Setting Yourself up Financially as a Writer

January 14, 2020

Six Steps to Setting Yourself up Financially as a Writer

January 14, 2020

I’ve always loved the energy of a New Year. It’s alive with intentions and goals and the buzz of a fresh start. This New Year feels even more special because…

Diversity in Fiction: Writing the Character You’re Afraid to Write

October 8, 2019

Diversity in Fiction: Writing the Character You’re Afraid to Write

October 8, 2019

In the last two years, diversity in fiction has become more and more prevalent. We’ve seen blockbuster film and TV hits from award winning books like The Hate You Give by Angie…

Why Every Novel Needs a Sprinkling of Fear

July 9, 2019

Why Every Novel Needs a Sprinkling of Fear

July 9, 2019

You’d be forgiven for thinking that only horror books should contain an element of fear, but I’m here to challenge that thought by claiming that all books – regardless of…

Saggy Middle? Use Conflict to Nip and Tuck It

May 16, 2019

Saggy Middle? Use Conflict to Nip and Tuck It

May 16, 2019

When I get a new story idea, I fly into the start of it with as much gusto as a kid in a candy store. I’m filled with the buzz…

Want Readers to Fall in Love With Your Hero? Create The Perfect Hero Lens

January 8, 2019

Want Readers to Fall in Love With Your Hero? Create The Perfect Hero Lens

January 8, 2019

We writers worry about all sorts of things: traits, arcs, themes, motives etc. But even when we’ve got all of those things sorted, bridging the gap between the black ink…

Create Killer Twists: Learn How to Redeem Your Villain

October 9, 2018

Create Killer Twists: Learn How to Redeem Your Villain

October 9, 2018

You might think a villain can’t be redeemed. After all, they’re sinister and twisted and think killing people is a post-dinner dessert choice. But even villains are people, and, no…

How Do You Lead Readers to Your Theme?

July 10, 2018

How Do You Lead Readers to Your Theme?

July 10, 2018

Theme & Symbolism Database A good book, once finished, often leaves you with that feeling of something more. I like to think of it as the book’s essence. It kind…