Writers Helping Writers^®

Experiments

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,…

Introducing…The Character Type & Trope Thesaurus!

April 1, 2023

Introducing…The Character Type & Trope Thesaurus!

April 1, 2023

Character building is hard work, and when we see certain types of characters appear again, and again in fiction and film, we wonder if there’s a way to start with…

How Writers Can Turn the Page This Spring

April 21, 2022

How Writers Can Turn the Page This Spring

April 21, 2022

We may write different things, but I’m betting we have something in common – a set-up process. We sit down, favorite writing tools at the ready. Maybe we light a…

NaNoWriMo Prep for Plotters & Pantsers

October 7, 2021

NaNoWriMo Prep for Plotters & Pantsers

October 7, 2021

It’s October, meaning many writers are turning their thoughts to NaNoWriMo, (National Novel Writing Month) starting November 1st, when they will attempt to write 50,000 words in a month. NaNoWriMo…

11 Techniques for Transforming Clichéd Phrasings

March 4, 2021

11 Techniques for Transforming Clichéd Phrasings

March 4, 2021

One of the things that pumps me up the most when I’m reading a book is when the author phrases things in a way I’ve never seen before. It could…

Story Tropes: To Avoid or Not to Avoid?

December 8, 2020

Story Tropes: To Avoid or Not to Avoid?

December 8, 2020

Every genre and medium of storytelling uses tropes, common themes or story devices. For example, a popular trope in the romance genre is “enemies to lovers,” where the characters start as enemies…

No Story Conflict? Explore Your Options

September 8, 2020

No Story Conflict? Explore Your Options

September 8, 2020

As a reader of Angela and Becca’s blog, chances are you’ve seen some of their many posts about the role of conflict in our story. In fact, as a Resident…

What “Read More to Improve Your Writing” Really Means

July 28, 2020

What “Read More to Improve Your Writing” Really Means

July 28, 2020

Everyone says you should read a lot if you want to improve your writing. A blanket statement if ever I heard one. Anyone can read. There are readers out there…

When ‘Situational’ Writing Works Better Than Plotting

February 13, 2020

When ‘Situational’ Writing Works Better Than Plotting

February 13, 2020

Hi everyone! Help me welcome Brandon Cornett to the blog today, who is discussing a great plotting technique Stephen King uses for people who struggle with plotting. Please read on!…

Introducing the Character Trait Boxed Set

October 22, 2019

Introducing the Character Trait Boxed Set

October 22, 2019

Full disclosure: Becca and I have been a bit sneaky this year. First, we decided that rather than tell everyone which thesaurus we would publish next we would surprise everyone,…