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Character Traits

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…

Does Your Character’s Behavior Make Sense?

August 29, 2024

Does Your Character’s Behavior Make Sense?

August 29, 2024

Have you been in a situation where someone acts erratically, and not in a good way? It takes you by surprise, doesn’t it? Imagine this scenario: you’re sitting around the…

What Characterization Detail Gives Your Protagonist More Depth?

August 22, 2024

What Characterization Detail Gives Your Protagonist More Depth?

August 22, 2024

Every writer wants to write a character who stands out, drives the story to interesting places, and captures the reader’s heart. Why? Because characters with depth sell books. And of…

Differentiate Your Character with a Talent or Skill

May 2, 2024

Differentiate Your Character with a Talent or Skill

May 2, 2024

One worry that can plague writers is whether their characters are original enough or not. After all, readers meet a lot of characters over time, so how can writers make…

The Character Trait Boxed Set Is On Sale

December 16, 2023

The Character Trait Boxed Set Is On Sale

December 16, 2023

Usually on Saturday, we share a new thesaurus entry, but, well…we had a bit of a family dust-up here at Writers Helping Writers that we need to address. You see,…

How to Create a Protagonist with True Depth

November 7, 2023

How to Create a Protagonist with True Depth

November 7, 2023

Some characters are so dynamic, we feel immediately close to them. Everything they say, do, and think is consistent with who they are, they have a past and present, and…

Writing Flawed Characters Who Don’t Turn Readers Off

October 10, 2023

Writing Flawed Characters Who Don’t Turn Readers Off

October 10, 2023

No one in the real world is perfect, and so characters shouldn’t be either. To seem as real as you or me, they should have flaws and strengths, and these…

Writing About Pain: Three Stages of Awareness

August 22, 2023

Writing About Pain: Three Stages of Awareness

August 22, 2023

If there’s one thing writers like to do, it’s to make characters suffer. We are all about bringing forth pain and crises, whether it be emotional, physical, spiritual, or existential.…

Five Commonalities Between Heroes and Villains

August 3, 2023

Five Commonalities Between Heroes and Villains

August 3, 2023

In story terms, a villain is a person, entity, or force who is cruel, evil, or malicious enough to wish the protagonist harm. Rather than simply blocking a goal or…

Improve Your Storytelling in 5 Minutes

July 25, 2023

Improve Your Storytelling in 5 Minutes

July 25, 2023

What are writers chronically short on? Time. There never seems to be enough of it as we try to get the next book written, research our publishing options, keep up…