Writers Helping Writers^®

Writing Craft

48-Hour Mega-Contest on Now (21 Writing Prizes to Be Won!)

January 27, 2026

48-Hour Mega-Contest on Now (21 Writing Prizes to Be Won!)

January 27, 2026

Want to kickstart 2026 in the best possible way? It’s time for our monthly Phenomenal First Pages contest, but with an amazing twist: SIX guest editors are offering 21 amazing prizes!…

Coping Mechanism Thesaurus Entry: Managing Time

January 24, 2026

Coping Mechanism Thesaurus Entry: Managing Time

January 24, 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…

The Real Story: Character Journey as Structure

January 22, 2026

The Real Story: Character Journey as Structure

January 22, 2026

Most writers think of story structure as a dry, architectural plot blueprint. Inciting incidents and pinch points and turning points map out the road as the characters stumble through their…

Betrayal and Plot Twists: 5 Ways to Hide Your Villain

January 20, 2026

Betrayal and Plot Twists: 5 Ways to Hide Your Villain

January 20, 2026

Every story needs a great villain! Sometimes, that villain is obvious–someone who’s not a part of your protagonist’s gang of supporters against whom everyone is fighting. Think Sauron in LORD…

Coping Mechanism Thesaurus Entry: Creative Expression

January 17, 2026

Coping Mechanism Thesaurus Entry: Creative Expression

January 17, 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…

People-Pleasing Writers: The Surprising Connection that Slows You Down

January 15, 2026

People-Pleasing Writers: The Surprising Connection that Slows You Down

January 15, 2026

If you’re a writer, you’ve probably heard that writers and people-pleasing don’t usually go together. One is about self-expression. The other is about self-abandonment. But here’s something I found out…

How to Take a Story from “Good” to Great

January 13, 2026

How to Take a Story from “Good” to Great

January 13, 2026

Self-publishing costs can add up, so one of the best ways to save money on editing is to take your story from good to great before bringing in an editor.…

Helpful Picture Book Tips and Tricks (Plus a Giveaway!)

January 10, 2026

Helpful Picture Book Tips and Tricks (Plus a Giveaway!)

January 10, 2026

Whether you’ve always wanted to create a picture book, are in the process of revising one, or your manuscript is out on submission, your 2026 picture book goals are within…

Coping Mechanism Thesaurus Entry: Keeping Relationships Superficial

January 8, 2026

Coping Mechanism Thesaurus Entry: Keeping Relationships Superficial

January 8, 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…

Make Retreats Part of Your Writing Life

January 6, 2026

Make Retreats Part of Your Writing Life

January 6, 2026

It’s that time of year when writers and non-writers alike make huge aspirational lists of resolutions for the coming year. One of the most common things writers build into their…