Writers Helping Writers^®

Character Secrets

The Art of Withholding Information

May 19, 2026

The Art of Withholding Information

May 19, 2026

As authors we hold all the cards when it comes to how and when we reveal key information to our readers. Withholding certain details can create intrigue and set up…

The Fear Thesaurus Is Coming: A New Writing Guide for What Holds Characters Back

January 29, 2026

The Fear Thesaurus Is Coming: A New Writing Guide for What Holds Characters Back

January 29, 2026

Fear is more than an emotion; it is an underlying force that runs through every story element, including character development, plot, arc, conflict, and theme. It’s what draws readers in,…

Character Secret Thesaurus Entry: Being Pregnant

December 14, 2024

Character Secret Thesaurus Entry: Being Pregnant

December 14, 2024

What secret is your character keeping? Why are they safeguarding it? What’s at stake if it’s discovered? Does it need to come out at some point, or should it remain…

Character Secret Thesaurus Entry: Is Safeguarding Someone’s Secret

November 30, 2024

Character Secret Thesaurus Entry: Is Safeguarding Someone’s Secret

November 30, 2024

What secret is your character keeping? Why are they safeguarding it? What’s at stake if it’s discovered? Does it need to come out at some point, or should it remain…

Character Secret Thesaurus Entry: Hiding a Sexual Relationship

November 23, 2024

Character Secret Thesaurus Entry: Hiding a Sexual Relationship

November 23, 2024

What secret is your character keeping? Why are they safeguarding it? What’s at stake if it’s discovered? Does it need to come out at some point, or should it remain…

Character Secret Thesaurus Entry: Coveting Someone Else’s Life

November 2, 2024

Character Secret Thesaurus Entry: Coveting Someone Else’s Life

November 2, 2024

What secret is your character keeping? Why are they safeguarding it? What’s at stake if it’s discovered? Does it need to come out at some point, or should it remain…

How to Hook Readers with Character Descriptions

October 24, 2024

How to Hook Readers with Character Descriptions

October 24, 2024

I think we can all agree that characters are the heart of a novel. We build worlds around our story’s cast, spend dozens of hours plundering their psyche to understand…

How to Write Unputdownable Psychological Thrillers

October 22, 2024

How to Write Unputdownable Psychological Thrillers

October 22, 2024

“I read your pages,” said my critique partner. “And I think it’d really increase the tension if you tore the one page out of the book that your main character…

Three Ways You’re Losing Your Reader’s Trust

October 15, 2024

Three Ways You’re Losing Your Reader’s Trust

October 15, 2024

There’s no better feeling than being in the hands of a great storyteller. They have command of the details we need to know, the scenes we need to see, and…

Character Thesaurus Entry: Using a False Identity

October 5, 2024

Character Thesaurus Entry: Using a False Identity

October 5, 2024

What secret is your character keeping? Why are they safeguarding it? What’s at stake if it’s discovered? Does it need to come out at some point, or should it remain…