Writers Helping Writers^®

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Help Us Celebrate! It’s One Stop for Writers’ 2nd Anniversary

October 5, 2017

Help Us Celebrate! It’s One Stop for Writers’ 2nd Anniversary

October 5, 2017

WOW! It’s been two years since Lee, Becca, and I held our breath and threw open the doors of One Stop for Writers, a unique online library stuffed with tools, resources,…

What’s the Dark Night Moment All About?

October 3, 2017

What’s the Dark Night Moment All About?

October 3, 2017

You’re coming to the end of the tunnel, and you see a bright light illuminating the finish line. You are almost through writing your novel! If you’ve done your homework,…

Writing to the Beat: Translating Story Beats to Any Genre

September 12, 2017

Writing to the Beat: Translating Story Beats to Any Genre

September 12, 2017

Readers of my blog know I’m a big fan of beat sheets, even creating a beat sheet for romance stories. Because of that, writers ask me what beats they should…

Using a Novel Journal for Writing Breakthroughs

September 5, 2017

Using a Novel Journal for Writing Breakthroughs

September 5, 2017

I was at a Bouchercon some years ago and did a panel with some other thriller authors. Before it began we were interacting with some people in the audience, and…

How to Keep a Short Story Short

August 22, 2017

How to Keep a Short Story Short

August 22, 2017

Part of constraining a short story to its simplest form is to observe the convention of its length. Edgar Allen Poe said it should aim for a single effect on…

Struggling with (and Regaining) Confidence in Your Writing

August 15, 2017

Struggling with (and Regaining) Confidence in Your Writing

August 15, 2017

Every writer’s toolbox is unique, containing the techniques, reference books, personal library, and lessons or “best practices” we’ve acquired over time. But there’s one tool that all writers need despite…

Making Characters Stuck in the Background Pop Out

August 8, 2017

Making Characters Stuck in the Background Pop Out

August 8, 2017

Maybe you have had some of the experiences I’ve had when writing a manuscript, one of which is finding yourself with a character–could be a side character, a secondary character,…

Angela Looks Back: Why We Must Invest If We Want a Writing Career

July 13, 2017

Angela Looks Back: Why We Must Invest If We Want a Writing Career

July 13, 2017

One thing I am terrible at is taking the time to glance back at this writing journey of mine. Usually, my gaze is fixed ahead on whatever is next and…

Suspense in Stories: the Big Tease

July 11, 2017

Suspense in Stories: the Big Tease

July 11, 2017

Suspense is one of the storyteller’s biggest teases. It’s a state of waiting, of growing unease in the reader. Most stories consist of raising questions and delaying the answers. Suspense…

How to Add Meaningful Subplots to Your Novel

July 5, 2017

How to Add Meaningful Subplots to Your Novel

July 5, 2017

Many people are familiar with subplots. They are those side stories that give a novel’s plot depth. A subplot may involve the main character or minor characters, but they enrich…