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Fear Thesaurus Entry: Losing One’s Heritage or Cultural Identity

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: Losing One’s Heritage or Cultural Identity

Writing Antagonists Readers Can’t Help But Like

There's a dirty little secret among many of us readers: well-written antagonists get our blood pumping. When a scene come along with them in it, well, we lean closer. Grin a little more. Not because we're a bunch of budding psychopaths and this is some alter-ego role play--okay, maybe a little--no, … [Read more...] about Writing Antagonists Readers Can’t Help But Like

Our Favorite Gifts for Writers

It's that time of year when we're thinking about upcoming holidays and the people in our lives who love writing as much as we do. Critique partners, accountability chums, fellow scribblers in the trenches...this is a great time to give them a little something to show them how special they are to us, … [Read more...] about Our Favorite Gifts for Writers

Fear Thesaurus Entry: Rejection

Game-Changing Creative Tools for New & Advanced Writers

One thing that drives all writers is the desire to create a truly amazing story, one a reader can't put down or forget. It's why we're always learning to deepen our storytelling skills - we want that next book to be our best one yet. But the learning curve can be frustrating, and it's hard … [Read more...] about Game-Changing Creative Tools for New & Advanced Writers

Phenomenal First Pages Contest

Hey, wonderful writerly people! It’s time for our monthly first-page critique contest 🙂 This contest is closed. Please try again next month. If you’d like to be notified when the next one goes live, consider subscribing to the blog (in the sidebar). If you’re working on a first page (in … [Read more...] about Phenomenal First Pages Contest

Fear Thesaurus Entry: Sickness

Top Black Friday Deals for Writers

We're all feeling the pinch of inflation, so Black Friday deals are even more welcome than usual, am I right? Well, I've been scouting deals for you, so have a look at what I've found below. Hopefully you'll be able to get all the help you need without stressing your wallet! Writing … [Read more...] about Top Black Friday Deals for Writers

Historical Fiction: The Story Comes First

As writers of historical fiction, we might be tempted to believe our job is to teach readers about a certain event or era. While that might be part of what we’re doing, I would argue it’s not the most important part. The number one job of a fiction writer is to tell a story. A history textbook tells … [Read more...] about Historical Fiction: The Story Comes First

Fear Thesaurus Entry: Losing Control

How to Uncover Your Character’s Inner Conflict

Conflict is a powerful element within the story and can be loosely categorized as either Outer (external) Conflict or Inner (internal) Conflict. The difference is that outer conflict is something external keeping the character from his goal, while inner conflict is a mental struggle over wanting … [Read more...] about How to Uncover Your Character’s Inner Conflict

7 Ways to Find Telling in Your Writing

I’ve been obsessed with the concept of Show, don’t Tell for years. I could geek out about it all day long, and don’t get me started if I find a book that drags me into its pages with Showing details and makes me skip meals, sleep, and time with my family to find out what happens at the … [Read more...] about 7 Ways to Find Telling in Your Writing