Writers Helping Writers^®

Resident Writing Coach

Testing Fate: A Closer Look at Person vs. Fate Conflict

August 31, 2021

Testing Fate: A Closer Look at Person vs. Fate Conflict

August 31, 2021

Conflict is key to writing great stories. And while writers may categorize conflict differently, I categorize conflict into eight types: Person vs. SelfPerson vs. PersonPerson vs. NaturePerson vs. SocietyPerson vs.…

Use Trauma Strategically To Create An Emotional Arc

August 26, 2021

Use Trauma Strategically To Create An Emotional Arc

August 26, 2021

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…

Freedom to Create

August 17, 2021

Freedom to Create

August 17, 2021

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,…

Don’t Let Excess Baggage Bring Down Your Character’s Plane

August 10, 2021

Don’t Let Excess Baggage Bring Down Your Character’s Plane

August 10, 2021

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…

What’s Your Character’s Love Language? (And Why Does it Matter?)

July 13, 2021

What’s Your Character’s Love Language? (And Why Does it Matter?)

July 13, 2021

Creating characters can be an exciting time for writers, but it can also cause headaches if we don’t understand what motivates them or how they should react to certain situations…

Procrastination vs. Real Writing Crisis: How to Tell the Difference

July 1, 2021

Procrastination vs. Real Writing Crisis: How to Tell the Difference

July 1, 2021

You’re not writing. It’s been a few weeks now, and your regular writing routine has gone out the window. Are you struggling with a legitimate writing crisis, or are you…

8 Ways to Write Your Novel’s Outline

June 15, 2021

8 Ways to Write Your Novel’s Outline

June 15, 2021

Writers who don’t outline are often very loud online. They will say outlines kills creativity. They may even go so far as to claim an outline is a ‘straightjacket’ and…

Nods, Smiles, and Frowns: How Can We Avoid “Talking Heads”…and Cliches?

June 8, 2021

Nods, Smiles, and Frowns: How Can We Avoid “Talking Heads”…and Cliches?

June 8, 2021

Context is often an underappreciated element of our writing because when not done well, a context-filled passage can become a tell-not-show info dump. However, context is essential for most aspects…

7 Clues that Reveal Writing is Part of Your Life’s Purpose

June 5, 2021

7 Clues that Reveal Writing is Part of Your Life’s Purpose

June 5, 2021

It’s one thing to enjoy writing. It’s another to believe that writing is part of your life’s purpose. How can you tell which may be the case for you? Watch…

The Journey to Success

May 18, 2021

The Journey to Success

May 18, 2021

One of the things I love most about being an author is the opportunity to read books from people I personally know. I have read fabulous books by authors whom…