Writers Helping Writers^®

Writing Craft

An Unbreakable Promise to Readers

January 10, 2023

An Unbreakable Promise to Readers

January 10, 2023

A novel’s opening chapter makes a promise, a secret vow that says, “This is what you can expect from me.” The chapters that follow better fulfill that promise, or the…

Fear Thesaurus Entry: Being a Burden to Others

January 7, 2023

Fear Thesaurus Entry: Being a Burden to Others

January 7, 2023

Debilitating fears are a problem for everyone, an unfortunate part of the human experience. Whether they’re a result of learned behavior as a child, are related to a mental health…

Force Your Character to Make Hard Choices

January 3, 2023

Force Your Character to Make Hard Choices

January 3, 2023

One of the best things about conflict is that it pushes your characters to act. In every scene, your characters are making choices—big ones and small ones, and thereby steering…

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…

Phenomenal First Pages Contest: Holiday Edition 2022

December 18, 2022

Phenomenal First Pages Contest: Holiday Edition 2022

December 18, 2022

Hey, wonderful writerly people! It’s time for our monthly first-page critique contest..with a holiday twist! We appreciate every one of you so much. We love seeing you win prizes and…

Fear Thesaurus Entry: Being Physically Touched

December 17, 2022

Fear Thesaurus Entry: Being Physically Touched

December 17, 2022

Debilitating fears are a problem for everyone, an unfortunate part of the human experience. Whether they’re a result of learned behavior as a child, are related to a mental health…

How to Use Real Life to Inspire Your Fiction

December 15, 2022

How to Use Real Life to Inspire Your Fiction

December 15, 2022

The memoir section in any book shop is made of writers who have done outlandish, shocking or terrible things (or had them done to them). These books are popular because…

“No, Don’t Tell Me”: How & When Should We Use Foreshadowing?

December 13, 2022

“No, Don’t Tell Me”: How & When Should We Use Foreshadowing?

December 13, 2022

Foreshadowing is a literary technique we can use in our stories that gives a preview or hint of events that will happen later. While many might think of foreshadowing for mysteries, this literary device…

Fear Thesaurus Entry: Being Returned to an Abusive Environment

December 10, 2022

Fear Thesaurus Entry: Being Returned to an Abusive Environment

December 10, 2022

Debilitating fears are a problem for everyone, an unfortunate part of the human experience. Whether they’re a result of learned behavior as a child, are related to a mental health…

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…