Writers Helping Writers^®

Character Arc

How to Draw Readers in Through a Character’s Choices

November 23, 2021

How to Draw Readers in Through a Character’s Choices

November 23, 2021

Quick, what’s one thing you need in every scene? This question can have a lot of answers – tension, conflict, stakes, emotion, action…on and on it goes. But I would…

What’s Your Story’s Focus? Plot vs. Character Arcs

November 18, 2021

What’s Your Story’s Focus? Plot vs. Character Arcs

November 18, 2021

There are as many ways to tell a story as there are stories in existence. That means not all writing advice will be a good fit with the story we’re…

A Show-Don’t-Tell Database for Writers

October 14, 2021

A Show-Don’t-Tell Database for Writers

October 14, 2021

One thing we’re known for around here is description. For a dozen years, Becca and I have explored topic after topic, and whether it’s settings, emotions, backstory wounds, conflict, weather,…

Release Day: The Conflict Thesaurus Is Here!

October 12, 2021

Release Day: The Conflict Thesaurus Is Here!

October 12, 2021

Well, guys – another book is out in the world! The Conflict Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Obstacles, Adversaries, and Inner Struggles (Volume 1) is a game-changer for writers, screenwriters,…

Story Not Behaving? Try Going Deeper into Structure

September 14, 2021

Story Not Behaving? Try Going Deeper into Structure

September 14, 2021

With all the writing advice out there, we know that some “writing rules” we hear are more like guidelines. However, story structure is important not just for our writing but…

The Conflict Thesaurus Is at One Stop for Writers

September 9, 2021

The Conflict Thesaurus Is at One Stop for Writers

September 9, 2021

Hi everyone! Just a quick post today to let our One Stop for Writers users know that the Conflict Thesaurus is live at the site. This database is all about…

Does Your Story Need More Conflict? Tap this Powerful Source

September 2, 2021

Does Your Story Need More Conflict? Tap this Powerful Source

September 2, 2021

Conflict is such a versatile storytelling element. Not only will obstacles, adversaries, and stressors keep tension high and readers focused, they also provide characters with valuable opportunities to prove themselves,…

Testing Fate: A Closer Look at Person vs. Fate Conflict

August 31, 2021

Testing Fate: A Closer Look at Person vs. Fate Conflict

August 31, 2021

Conflict is key to writing great stories. And while writers may categorize conflict differently, I categorize conflict into eight types: Person vs. SelfPerson vs. PersonPerson vs. NaturePerson vs. SocietyPerson vs.…

Don’t Let Excess Baggage Bring Down Your Character’s Plane

August 10, 2021

Don’t Let Excess Baggage Bring Down Your Character’s Plane

August 10, 2021

We’ve all heard that characters need backstory, and in particular, an emotional wound that they’re carrying around when we meet them on page one. (As an aside, if you haven’t…

3 Mistakes To Avoid with Your Side Characters

August 5, 2021

3 Mistakes To Avoid with Your Side Characters

August 5, 2021

Help me welcome Resident Writing Coach Alumni Sacha Black, who has just an excellent post on how to avoid creating story problems caused by mismanaged side characters. Here’s a bit…