Writers Helping Writers^®

Reader Interest

Writers, Have You Watched This Free Webinar on Reader Engagement?

December 20, 2022

Writers, Have You Watched This Free Webinar on Reader Engagement?

December 20, 2022

Hi lovely folks! We know that the clock is ticking down to the holidays, and it’s easy to lose track of everything, so Becca and I wanted to remind you…

A Gift for You: Secrets to Engaging Readers (Webinar Recording)

December 8, 2022

A Gift for You: Secrets to Engaging Readers (Webinar Recording)

December 8, 2022

This time of year, we usually host a spectacular giveaway called Advent Calendar for Writers, and you may have noticed it’s missing this go-around. I’ll be honest – life’s been…

Want Readers to Connect to Your Character? Include this Element.

May 12, 2022

Want Readers to Connect to Your Character? Include this Element.

May 12, 2022

Some characters have more shape and weight than others, feeling so authentic we can almost believe they walked right out of the real world. Their emotions, vulnerabilities, needs, and desires…

10-Year Celebration: Win the Ultimate Writer’s Toolkit

May 9, 2022

10-Year Celebration: Win the Ultimate Writer’s Toolkit

May 9, 2022

It’s a big anniversary for us, folks! Ten years ago today we hit the publish button on The Emotion Thesaurus. 10 Years. Can you believe it? We wrote this book…

The Art (and Importance) of Specifically Ambiguous Writing

November 30, 2021

The Art (and Importance) of Specifically Ambiguous Writing

November 30, 2021

By Harrison Demchick One of the cornerstones of effective writing is specific detail. Specific detail is what grounds the action of a scene in a tangible reality. It’s how we…

3 Simple Tricks to Immerse Your Reader In Your Story

November 9, 2021

3 Simple Tricks to Immerse Your Reader In Your Story

November 9, 2021

As writers, fusing our protagonist with the reader creates the ultimate reading experience. Teacher and writer John Gardener referred to this as “the fictional dream.” It’s a state the reader…

Bookish Gifts for Writers (TIP: This Year, Shop Early)

November 2, 2021

Bookish Gifts for Writers (TIP: This Year, Shop Early)

November 2, 2021

Every December we put together a gift-giving list for writers for those of you wanting to pick up a little something for critique partners & book buds, or to source…

How to Tell If You’ve Found the Best Book Marketing Niche

October 28, 2021

How to Tell If You’ve Found the Best Book Marketing Niche

October 28, 2021

How can you tell if your book marketing niche is the right one? There are three signs to look for. But first, let’s review what we’re talking about. What is…

A Show-Don’t-Tell Database for Writers

October 14, 2021

A Show-Don’t-Tell Database for Writers

October 14, 2021

One thing we’re known for around here is description. For a dozen years, Becca and I have explored topic after topic, and whether it’s settings, emotions, backstory wounds, conflict, weather,…

Need Compelling Conflict? Choose A Variety of Kinds

September 24, 2021

Need Compelling Conflict? Choose A Variety of Kinds

September 24, 2021

All right, hands up: What’s the one thing we can’t get enough of in fiction but we avoid like a screaming toddler in real life? Conflict. It’s ironic that something…