Writers Helping Writers^®

Character Traits

8 Tips for Writing an Unreliable Narrator

February 26, 2026

8 Tips for Writing an Unreliable Narrator

February 26, 2026

We know that reader empathy is vital for maximizing their engagement and helping them identify with the protagonist, but what if that character turns out to be an unreliable narrator?…

Two Craft-Boosting Black Friday Deals for Writers

November 16, 2025

Two Craft-Boosting Black Friday Deals for Writers

November 16, 2025

The best thing about Black Friday sales is how creative folk can finally put themselves first, picking up affordable resources that will make a huge impact on their writing success.…

8 Qualities that Will Help Your Protagonist on Their Journey

November 13, 2025

8 Qualities that Will Help Your Protagonist on Their Journey

November 13, 2025

Every writer strives to create protagonists with unique qualities that make them compelling, fully-formed people. We spend hours, days, and sometimes years to make them believable. Recently, I attended a…

Using a Character’s Personality Traits to Generate Conflict

April 10, 2025

Using a Character’s Personality Traits to Generate Conflict

April 10, 2025

When it comes to generating conflict, your character’s personality can help ensure that sparks fly, especially when their traits clash with someone else’s. When people grate on one another their…

6 First Page Inclusions for Drawing Readers In

March 1, 2025

6 First Page Inclusions for Drawing Readers In

March 1, 2025

There are a lot of Dos and Don’ts for a story’s first pages. Do introduce the protagonist(s). Do start in medias res. Don’t start with a dream sequence. Don’t info…

How to Avoid Flat Characters in Your Story

February 25, 2025

How to Avoid Flat Characters in Your Story

February 25, 2025

Has an editor or critique partner said, “Your character is flat” when offering feedback on your story? Or perhaps they worded it another way: “Your protagonist didn’t grab me,” or…

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…