Writers Helping Writers^®

Writing Help

When to Listen to Your Inner Editor

November 15, 2016

When to Listen to Your Inner Editor

November 15, 2016

We’ve all wrangled with our inner editor at some point in our writing process. This voice in our head critiques our craft in mid-stream, from the big picture (“This plot…

Character Motivation Thesaurus: Beating an Illness or Diagnosis

November 12, 2016

Character Motivation Thesaurus: Beating an Illness or Diagnosis

November 12, 2016

What does your character want? This is an important question to answer because it determines what your protagonist hopes to achieve by the story’s end. If the goal, or outer motivation, is…

Mastering Stylistic Tension

November 8, 2016

One of the first things writers learn is to start a story with conflict. Some writers have bombs go off. Others start with a death. Or a break-up. But over…

Character Motivation Entry: Righting A Deep Wrong

November 5, 2016

Character Motivation Entry: Righting A Deep Wrong

November 5, 2016

What does your character want? This is an important question to answer because it determines what your protagonist hopes to achieve by the story’s end. If the goal, or outer motivation, is…

Understanding Inner Conflict with Story Expert Michael Hauge

November 1, 2016

Understanding Inner Conflict with Story Expert Michael Hauge

November 1, 2016

All stories are built on a foundation of three basic components: character, desire, and conflict. A hero or protagonist desperately wants something, and must overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles to achieve…

Character Motivation Thesaurus: Mending a Broken Relationship

October 29, 2016

Character Motivation Thesaurus: Mending a Broken Relationship

October 29, 2016

What does your character want? This is an important question to answer because it determines what your protagonist hopes to achieve by the story’s end. If the goal, or outer motivation, is…

5 NaNoWriMo Hacks To Keep Words Flowing

October 27, 2016

5 NaNoWriMo Hacks To Keep Words Flowing

October 27, 2016

Ready to mow down some words? Read on–this will help you get to the 50K finish line! 1. Start with a plan (yes, even the Pantsers). Really, the more you…

Character Motivation Thesaurus: Escaping a Killer

October 22, 2016

Character Motivation Thesaurus: Escaping a Killer

October 22, 2016

What does your character want? This is an important question to answer because it determines what your protagonist hopes to achieve by the story’s end. If the goal, or outer motivation, is…

How to Choose Settings that Have Emotional Impact

October 20, 2016

How to Choose Settings that Have Emotional Impact

October 20, 2016

Generic settings won’t cut it if you want readers to feel the story–instead, your locations need emotional impact as this immerses them better in the point-of-view character’s experience. Shared experiences…

Finding Your Way Into Your Story

October 18, 2016

Finding Your Way Into Your Story

October 18, 2016

I recently avoided a workshop assignment that should have been completed in no more than an hour because I couldn’t find a way into my story. This workshop generates significant,…