Writers Helping Writers^®

Resident Writing Coach

One Quick Reason Readers Cheer For Unlikable Characters

April 19, 2022

One Quick Reason Readers Cheer For Unlikable Characters

April 19, 2022

How do we get readers to cheer for unlikable characters? We cheer for anti-heroes and characters who are surly, have anger issues, and even questionable morals. Why? They all have…

What is Rhythmic Writing?

April 12, 2022

What is Rhythmic Writing?

April 12, 2022

Rhythm is one of the most underrated aspects of writing, but readers sense the rhythm in our words, whether they realize it or not. Rhythm attracts readers to certain authors.…

The One Popular Myth Writers Believe About Writer’s Block

April 7, 2022

The One Popular Myth Writers Believe About Writer’s Block

April 7, 2022

“There’s no such thing as writer’s block!” No doubt you’ve heard this myth before. Worse, you may have believed it. And that’s rarely a good thing, as it tends to…

Is My Story A Mystery, Horror or Thriller?

March 15, 2022

Is My Story A Mystery, Horror or Thriller?

March 15, 2022

By Lucy V Hay Lots of writers enjoy mystery, horror and thriller novels … but are not too sure what differentiates them. As a result, when they attempt their own,…

Scenes vs. Sequels: What’s a Good Balance?

March 10, 2022

Scenes vs. Sequels: What’s a Good Balance?

March 10, 2022

We use the terms scene and sequel for so many definitions when it comes to writing that it can be difficult (not to mention confusing) to discuss Dwight Swain’s ideas…

Best Practices for Working with an Independent Editor

March 1, 2022

Best Practices for Working with an Independent Editor

March 1, 2022

Most writers have read the wide-eyed articles from newly-agented writers detailing the pressure of revising and returning edits on a tight schedule and working with an assigned editor. But what…

The Measure of a Character

February 15, 2022

The Measure of a Character

February 15, 2022

One of my favorite characters of all time is Star Trek’s lovable android, Data. If you aren’t familiar with The Next Generation, and Data in particular, the most important thing…

Zig Zag Plot Arc

February 8, 2022

Zig Zag Plot Arc

February 8, 2022

As writers, the classic arc-plot diagram is burned into our brains. The one conveying that our characters should move through our books in one steady climb, both externally and internally.…

6 Cheats to “Tell” Well (When It’s Warranted)

February 1, 2022

6 Cheats to “Tell” Well (When It’s Warranted)

February 1, 2022

Most of us are familiar with the “Show, don’t Tell” rule. In short, it’s more effective to dramatize the story than to simply tell what happened. Nonetheless, almost every story…

Using Physical Pain to Show a Character’s Past Trauma

January 18, 2022

Using Physical Pain to Show a Character’s Past Trauma

January 18, 2022

There doesn’t seem to be much info out there to tell writers how to realistically capture emotions and trauma while still leaving room for plot, characterization, and genre tropes. The…