Debilitating fears are a problem for everyone, an unfortunate part of the human experience. Whether they're a result of learned behavior as a child, are related to a mental health condition, or stem from a past wounding event, these fears influence a character's behaviors, habits, beliefs, and … [Read more...] about Fear Thesaurus: Being a Burden to Others
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5 Reasons Why It’s Still a Good Idea for Writers to Have a Blog
It’s 2023. Should writers have a blog? It's been the subject of debate for several years now. There was a time when, if you intended to publish and sell books, you were expected to write a blog too. But it’s not so clear-cut today. There are a lot of ways to communicate with your potential … [Read more...] about 5 Reasons Why It’s Still a Good Idea for Writers to Have a Blog
Force Your Character to Make Hard Choices
One of the best things about conflict is that it pushes your characters to act. In every scene, your characters are making choices—big ones and small ones, and thereby steering their fate. Some decisions will be obvious and require little to no thought, but others will be muddier, with no clear … [Read more...] about Force Your Character to Make Hard Choices
Happy Holidays & Our Favorite Recipes
Angela, Becca and I hope you’re having an amazing holiday season full of family, friends, good food and special memories. We are so grateful for your visits, kind words of support, and trust in us. We love serving the writing community through this blog, One Stop for Writers, books, and … [Read more...] about Happy Holidays & Our Favorite Recipes
Writers, Have You Watched This Free Webinar on Reader Engagement?
Hi lovely folks! We know that the clock is ticking down to the holidays, and it's easy to lose track of everything, so Becca and I wanted to remind you about our gift to you: a free recorded webinar on how to leverage psychology & the show-don't-tell mindset to hook readers & keep them … [Read more...] about Writers, Have You Watched This Free Webinar on Reader Engagement?
Phenomenal First Pages Contest: Holiday Edition 2022
Hey, wonderful writerly people! It’s time for our monthly first-page critique contest..with a holiday twist! We appreciate every one of you so much. We love seeing you win prizes and hope critiques like these help take your writing to the next level. But some people read our blog regularly, leave … [Read more...] about Phenomenal First Pages Contest: Holiday Edition 2022
Fear Thesaurus Entry: Being Physically Touched
Debilitating fears are a problem for everyone, an unfortunate part of the human experience. Whether they're a result of learned behavior as a child, are related to a mental health condition, or stem from a past wounding event, these fears influence a character's behaviors, habits, beliefs, and … [Read more...] about Fear Thesaurus Entry: Being Physically Touched
How to Use Real Life to Inspire Your Fiction
The memoir section in any book shop is made of writers who have done outlandish, shocking or terrible things (or had them done to them). These books are popular because those writers are the exception, rather than the standard. Whilst it’s said real life is ‘stranger than fiction’, the reality is … [Read more...] about How to Use Real Life to Inspire Your Fiction
“No, Don’t Tell Me”: How & When Should We Use Foreshadowing?
Foreshadowing is a literary technique we can use in our stories that gives a preview or hint of events that will happen later. While many might think of foreshadowing for mysteries, this literary device can be used in any genre. In fact, most stories need foreshadowing of some … [Read more...] about “No, Don’t Tell Me”: How & When Should We Use Foreshadowing?
Fear Thesaurus Entry: Being Returned to an Abusive Environment
Debilitating fears are a problem for everyone, an unfortunate part of the human experience. Whether they're a result of learned behavior as a child, are related to a mental health condition, or stem from a past wounding event, these fears influence a character's behaviors, habits, beliefs, and … [Read more...] about Fear Thesaurus Entry: Being Returned to an Abusive Environment
A Gift for You: Secrets to Engaging Readers (Webinar Recording)
This time of year, we usually host a spectacular giveaway called Advent Calendar for Writers, and you may have noticed it's missing this go-around. I'll be honest - life's been hectic. Both my boys had weddings this October (so awesome!), but then a house move and my husband's major surgery … [Read more...] about A Gift for You: Secrets to Engaging Readers (Webinar Recording)
3 Action-Reaction Misfires That Flatten Your Writing
Cause and effect. Stimulus and response. Action and reaction. Everything in a story depends on what the characters do about whatever the story pushes them up against. Stiff, disconnected, or missing character reactions snap the chain of cause and effect that constitutes your story. When readers … [Read more...] about 3 Action-Reaction Misfires That Flatten Your Writing