Category Archives: Tools and Resources

Why All Writers Need A Structural Toolbox

Posted on March 17, 2020 by Writing Coach

What Is A Structural Toolbox? Put simply, a structural toolbox is the foundation work all writers need to put in to ensure they … understand how structure works can apply structural techniques to their writing Think of it as a … Continue reading →

Posted in Characters, Middles, Openings, Resident Writing Coach, Story Structure, Theme, Tools and Resources, Uncategorized, Writing Craft, Writing Lessons, Writing Resources | 10 Comments

Need a Creative Kick in the Pants?

Posted on March 12, 2020 by ANGELA ACKERMAN

FACT: every once in a while, the ol’ brain noodle goes limp. You stare at the screen…stare at the screen…stare at the screen. And then you remember…oh hey, there’s a pile of laundry downstairs. Or, the car needs gas. Or … Continue reading →

Posted in About Us, Focus, One Stop For Writers, Reading, Time Management, Tools and Resources, Uncategorized, Writer's Attitude, Writer's Block, Writing Time | 9 Comments

Organize Your Research with Notes at One Stop for Writers

Posted on March 5, 2020 by Guest Poster

The last time Rodney Buxton was here, he shared some helpful information about how authors can export their One Stop for Writer’s Export material directly to Scrivener. Many of you reached out to let us know that you weren’t aware … Continue reading →

Posted in Characters, One Stop For Writers, Story Structure, Tools and Resources, Uncategorized, Writing Craft, Writing Resources | 6 Comments

Tools to Make You a More Powerful Writer in 2020

Posted on February 4, 2020 by ANGELA ACKERMAN

The start of the year is when I pay close attention to what is happening in our industry: what publishers and organizations are focusing on, the changes occurring on sales platforms, and what author advocates are suggesting writers pay attention … Continue reading →

Posted in Editing Tips, Focus, Grammar, Motivational, One Stop For Writers, Publishing and Self Publishing, Revision and Editing, Show Don't Tell, Software and Services, The Business of Writing, Tools and Resources, Uncategorized, Writer's Attitude, Writing Craft, Writing Resources | 9 Comments

3 Steps To Writing Diverse Characters

Posted on December 17, 2019 by Writing Coach

It’s official … Audiences have voted with their wallets and proved they WANT more diverse characters as standard. Novels lead the way, with breakout successes like Gone Girl and The Hate You Give making huge cultural impacts. Now the screenwriting … Continue reading →

Posted in Backstory, Buying Books, Character Arc, Characters, Cliches, Diversity, Emotion, Reader Feedback, Reader Interest, Reading, Resident Writing Coach, Stereotypes, Story Structure, Tools and Resources, Uncategorized, Writing Craft, Writing Lessons | 8 Comments

Mastering Show, Don’t Tell

Posted on December 5, 2019 by ANGELA ACKERMAN

We hear it over and over: Show, don’t tell. You can’t get away from this advice, not in writing workshops, at conferences, or heck, even when visiting this blog. Writers Helping Writers and the thesaurus work we do is all … Continue reading →

Posted in Balance, Characters, Mood and Atmosphere, One Stop For Writers, Revision and Editing, Setting, Show Don't Tell, Tools and Resources, Uncategorized, worldbuilding, Writing Craft, Writing Lessons | 13 Comments

Writing Feedback: Should We Seek It Out?

Posted on September 26, 2019 by ANGELA ACKERMAN

As most of you know, Becca and I have been writing and publishing for some time now. Many thing have changed in the industry, including how a book reaches the shelf. Thankfully the slush pile of doom is no longer … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, Character Arc, Characters, Critiquing & Critiques, Motivation, One Stop For Writers, Publishing and Self Publishing, Reader Feedback, Reader Interest, Reading, Revision and Editing, Show Don't Tell, Story Structure, Tools and Resources, Uncategorized, Writing Craft, Writing Groups | 4 Comments

When Telling, Not Showing, Emotion is the Right Choice

Posted on August 6, 2019 by ANGELA ACKERMAN

Hi everyone! A past resident writing coach is visiting us with an excerpt on a new course she’s teaching on mastering emotions: C.S. Lakin. This post is a touch longer than usual but it will give you a good window … Continue reading →

Posted in Characters, Description, Dialogue, Emotion, Guest Post, Revision and Editing, Show Don't Tell, Tools and Resources, Uncategorized, Writing Craft, Writing Lessons | 11 Comments

One Stop for Writers Now Has a Free Trial!

Posted on July 19, 2019 by ANGELA ACKERMAN

Imagine it: You’re standing there, holding your book. The weight of it. The smoothness of the cover. How the pages flutter as you drag your thumb along their edges. A smile beams out of you. It’s happened–it’s really happened: you … Continue reading →

Posted in About Us, Focus, Goal Setting, One Stop For Writers, Show Don't Tell, Software and Services, Tools and Resources, Uncategorized, Writer's Attitude, Writing Craft, Writing Resources, Writing Time | 3 Comments

The Easiest Way to Plan Characters in a Series: Cloning (Yes, Really!)

Posted on June 27, 2019 by ANGELA ACKERMAN

This spring, Becca and I released two very important tools for writers… The Emotion Thesaurus 2nd edition (expanded by 55 entries) and a Character Builder Tool at One Stop for Writers. These two releases happened within days of each other, … Continue reading →

Posted in Backstory, Basic Human Needs, Character Arc, Character Flaws, Character Traits, Character Wound, Characters, Description, Emotion, Emotion Thesaurus Guide, High Stakes, One Stop For Writers, Series, Software and Services, Tools and Resources, Villains, Writing Craft, Writing Lessons | 2 Comments