Writers Helping Writers^®

High Stakes

How to Use Show, Don’t Tell to Strengthen Your Story

March 25, 2025

How to Use Show, Don’t Tell to Strengthen Your Story

March 25, 2025

Writers hear it all the time: Show, don’t tell. This advice is so iconic that I wouldn’t be surprised if a few tattoos are kicking around the community. After all,…

Use This Method to Identify Your Story’s Stakes

February 13, 2025

Use This Method to Identify Your Story’s Stakes

February 13, 2025

Stakes are a crucial part of your story because they define what will happen if the protagonist fails. To build reader empathy, you need this piece in place because when…

Character Secret Thesaurus Entry: Being Pregnant

December 14, 2024

Character Secret Thesaurus Entry: Being Pregnant

December 14, 2024

What secret is your character keeping? Why are they safeguarding it? What’s at stake if it’s discovered? Does it need to come out at some point, or should it remain…

Character Secret Thesaurus Entry: Is Safeguarding Someone’s Secret

November 30, 2024

Character Secret Thesaurus Entry: Is Safeguarding Someone’s Secret

November 30, 2024

What secret is your character keeping? Why are they safeguarding it? What’s at stake if it’s discovered? Does it need to come out at some point, or should it remain…

Character Secret Thesaurus Entry: Hiding a Sexual Relationship

November 23, 2024

Character Secret Thesaurus Entry: Hiding a Sexual Relationship

November 23, 2024

What secret is your character keeping? Why are they safeguarding it? What’s at stake if it’s discovered? Does it need to come out at some point, or should it remain…

Character Secret Thesaurus Entry: Coveting Someone Else’s Life

November 2, 2024

Character Secret Thesaurus Entry: Coveting Someone Else’s Life

November 2, 2024

What secret is your character keeping? Why are they safeguarding it? What’s at stake if it’s discovered? Does it need to come out at some point, or should it remain…

Why Every Writer Should Try Their Hand at a Horror Story

October 31, 2024

Why Every Writer Should Try Their Hand at a Horror Story

October 31, 2024

By Savannah Cordova Affiliate links below It’s that time of year again: the leaves are changing color, the wind is getting chillier, and pumpkins are decorating doorsteps. And given that…

Character Secret Thesaurus Entry: Monitoring Someone Without Their Knowledge

October 19, 2024

Character Secret Thesaurus Entry: Monitoring Someone Without Their Knowledge

October 19, 2024

What secret is your character keeping? Why are they safeguarding it? What’s at stake if it’s discovered? Does it need to come out at some point, or should it remain…

Character Thesaurus Entry: Using a False Identity

October 5, 2024

Character Thesaurus Entry: Using a False Identity

October 5, 2024

What secret is your character keeping? Why are they safeguarding it? What’s at stake if it’s discovered? Does it need to come out at some point, or should it remain…

How to Fix Big Story Problems

June 13, 2024

How to Fix Big Story Problems

June 13, 2024

Is there anything more frustrating than knowing there’s a problem with our story, but not being sure how to fix it? We wish for an easy button in these moments,…