Successful stories are driven by authentic and interesting characters, so it’s important to craft them carefully. But characters don’t usually exist in a vacuum; throughout the course of your story, they’ll live, work, play, and fight with other cast members. Some of those relationships are positive … [Read more...] about Relationship Thesaurus Entry: Grandparent and Grandchild
Blog
Use Trauma Strategically To Create An Emotional Arc
Many authors give their characters past trauma that makes life more difficult and at the very least adds internal conflict. But are you strategic with the kind of trauma you choose—the severity, the onset, the symptoms and coping mechanisms? What’s the character’s emotional arc and how does the … [Read more...] about Use Trauma Strategically To Create An Emotional Arc
How to Nail the Purpose of Your Novel’s Scenes
By Resident Writing Coach Alumni, C. S. Lakin Ever read a scene in a novel, get to the end, and scratch your head? Have you ever asked, “What the heck was the purpose of that scene? Nothing really happened—at least nothing interesting or _____? (important, revealing, tense, or funny … you fill … [Read more...] about How to Nail the Purpose of Your Novel’s Scenes
Relationship Thesaurus Entry: Therapist and Patient
Successful stories are driven by authentic and interesting characters, so it’s important to craft them carefully. But characters don’t usually exist in a vacuum; throughout the course of your story, they’ll live, work, play, and fight with other cast members. Some of those relationships are positive … [Read more...] about Relationship Thesaurus Entry: Therapist and Patient
The Storyteller’s Roadmap: Your Ultimate Guide to Planning, Writing, and Revising a Book
By now, most of you know that Becca and I are pretty nerdy when it comes to writing. We've spent over a dozen years studying story craft and psychology, and how to blend the two to create powerful stories that will draw readers in on an emotional level. We’ve penned millions of words on writing, … [Read more...] about The Storyteller’s Roadmap: Your Ultimate Guide to Planning, Writing, and Revising a Book
Breaking Free
By Christina Delay Freedom is a contradictory word, don’t you think? The official definition of freedom is the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint. However, follow that to its extreme and chaos reigns. But that’s the dream of every author, … [Read more...] about Breaking Free
Describing a Character’s Emotions: Problems and Solutions
Characters are the heart of a story, but what really draws readers in is their emotions. Only...showing them isn't always easy, is it? Like us in the real world, characters will struggle. Life is never all cherries and diamonds; in fact, it's our writerly job to make sure reality fish-slaps … [Read more...] about Describing a Character’s Emotions: Problems and Solutions
The Conflict Thesaurus Writing Guide Is Coming
Each year we look forward to this post, the one where we get to spill the beans and introduce to you the next book in our thesaurus series. This one we are so excited about, because no matter what genre and age group you write for, mastering conflict is a must. And this book is going to help you do … [Read more...] about The Conflict Thesaurus Writing Guide Is Coming
Don’t Let Excess Baggage Bring Down Your Character’s Plane
By Marissa Graff We’ve all heard that characters need backstory, and in particular, an emotional wound that they’re carrying around when we meet them on page one. (As an aside, if you haven’t checked out Angela and Becca’s Emotional Wound Thesaurus, you’re missing out. It identifies and … [Read more...] about Don’t Let Excess Baggage Bring Down Your Character’s Plane
Relationship Thesaurus Entry: One-Night Stand Lovers
Successful stories are driven by authentic and interesting characters, so it’s important to craft them carefully. But characters don’t usually exist in a vacuum; throughout the course of your story, they’ll live, work, play, and fight with other cast members. Some of those relationships are positive … [Read more...] about Relationship Thesaurus Entry: One-Night Stand Lovers
3 Mistakes To Avoid with Your Side Characters
Help me welcome Resident Writing Coach Alumni Sacha Black, who has just an excellent post on how to avoid creating story problems caused by mismanaged side characters. Here's a bit more about the Rebel Leader of the Bookish World: Sacha Black is a bestselling and competition winning author, … [Read more...] about 3 Mistakes To Avoid with Your Side Characters
Relationship Thesaurus Entry: Adult Child and Elderly Parent
Successful stories are driven by authentic and interesting characters, so it’s important to craft them carefully. But characters don’t usually exist in a vacuum; throughout the course of your story, they’ll live, work, play, and fight with other cast members. Some of those relationships are positive … [Read more...] about Relationship Thesaurus Entry: Adult Child and Elderly Parent