The Fear Thesaurus Is Here! (Early Release at Writers Helping Writers)
The Fear Thesaurus Is Here! (Early Release at Writers Helping Writers)
A new book is always something to celebrate, but we are extra excited about this one. Fear is more than an emotion that shows up in tense moments–it lies at…
Read more…How Does Fear Play Into Character Arc (Part 2)
How Does Fear Play Into Character Arc (Part 2)
In last week’s post, we discussed fear’s role in character arc, as well as the backstory elements you should know about your character’s past. Their wounding event, the resulting fear…
Read more…Coping Mechanism Thesaurus Entry: Practicing Gratitude
Coping Mechanism Thesaurus Entry: Practicing Gratitude
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…
Read more…Win Feedback on 3 Pages & Book Blurb
Win Feedback on 3 Pages & Book Blurb
Want to wineditorial feedback and take your storyfrom good to great? Well, my writerly friend, you’re in luck! It’s time for our monthly Phenomenal First Pages contest. In this draw, you…
Read more…Is Fear Weakening Your Story? 5 Mistakes to Check
Is Fear Weakening Your Story? 5 Mistakes to Check
Writing about your character’s fear can be tricky because it rarely sits out in the open where everyone can see it. Instead, fear is hidden, rationalized, or the character puts…
Read more…Coping Mechanism Thesaurus Entry: Suppression
Coping Mechanism Thesaurus Entry: Suppression
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…
Read more…What Your Story Problems Reveal About Your Writing Brain
What Your Story Problems Reveal About Your Writing Brain
Much as we may have things in common as writers, our brains are wired differently. How one writer creates a story is likely to be quite different from how another…
Read more…How Does Fear Play Into Character Arc? Part One
How Does Fear Play Into Character Arc? Part One
It’s hard to overstate the importance a character’s greatest fear plays in their life. As a key motivator, it informs decision-making, spawns new habits and tendencies, and pushes them to…
Read more…Coping Mechanism Thesaurus: Seeking Therapy
Coping Mechanism Thesaurus: Seeking Therapy
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…
Read more…Differentiating Narrators in a Multiple-Viewpoint Story
Differentiating Narrators in a Multiple-Viewpoint Story
Writing in multiple viewpoints is a great way to explore a story from more than one angle, but it creates problems if readers can’t tell who’s talking. You don’t want…
Read more…Free Workshop: How to Write Fear That Feels Real
Free Workshop: How to Write Fear That Feels Real
Writing authentic fear reactions can be challenging—even when we understand our character well. Why? Because each character has their own personality, background, trauma, and triggers, meaning their fear response to…
Read more…Coping Mechanism Thesaurus: Catastrophizing
Coping Mechanism Thesaurus: Catastrophizing
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…
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