Writers Helping Writers^®

Writing Craft

How to Generate Better Story Ideas Using the Ones That Don’t Work

June 2, 2026

How to Generate Better Story Ideas Using the Ones That Don’t Work

June 2, 2026

Generating ideas is the most underrated skill in a novelist’s toolkit—more essential than an appetite for cold-blooded revision, a head for structure, or a gift for dialogue. Generating more story…

Coping Mechanism Thesaurus: Cultivating Trust

May 30, 2026

Coping Mechanism Thesaurus: Cultivating Trust

May 30, 2026

When a character suffers emotional pain, the brain’s response is to stop the discomfort, and often this results in a coping mechanism being deployed. Whether it’s an automatic response or…

Five Truths I Learned Editing Hundreds of Books That Might Change Your Life

May 28, 2026

Five Truths I Learned Editing Hundreds of Books That Might Change Your Life

May 28, 2026

As a Book Coach and developmental editor, I work on hundreds of books with writers each year, in full or in part. I give feedback on drafts, debuts, and nearly…

8+ Ways to Signal Your Character’s Fear to Readers

May 26, 2026

8+ Ways to Signal Your Character’s Fear to Readers

May 26, 2026

With no shortage of things that can trigger a character’s fear, learning how to show it becomes just as important to writers as plotting, character-building, and crafting a realistic story…

Coping Mechanism Thesaurus: Visualization

May 23, 2026

Coping Mechanism Thesaurus: Visualization

May 23, 2026

When a character suffers emotional pain, the brain’s response is to stop the discomfort, and often this results in a coping mechanism being deployed. Whether it’s an automatic response or…

A Mother Lode of Resources on Character Fear

May 21, 2026

A Mother Lode of Resources on Character Fear

May 21, 2026

Writing The Fear Thesaurus taught us so much about the psychology of fear and how that translates for our characters. The difference between minor and deep fears, the role fear…

The Art of Withholding Information

May 19, 2026

The Art of Withholding Information

May 19, 2026

As authors we hold all the cards when it comes to how and when we reveal key information to our readers. Withholding certain details can create intrigue and set up…

Coping Mechanism Thesaurus: Fantasizing About Revenge

May 16, 2026

Coping Mechanism Thesaurus: Fantasizing About Revenge

May 16, 2026

When a character suffers emotional pain, the brain’s response is to stop the discomfort, and often this results in a coping mechanism being deployed. Whether it’s an automatic response or…

Win Feedback on 5 pages!

May 14, 2026

Win Feedback on 5 pages!

May 14, 2026

Want to win editorial feedback and take your storyfrom good to great? Well, my writerly friend, you’re in luck! It’s time for our monthly Phenomenal First Pages contest. In this draw,…

The Fear Thesaurus Is Now Available Everywhere + a Giveaway!

May 12, 2026

The Fear Thesaurus Is Now Available Everywhere + a Giveaway!

May 12, 2026

Fear is more than just an emotion–it’s also a powerful internal warning system. When a threat is perceived, fear kicks in, alerting a character to possible danger so they can…