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Fear

Maximize Character Growth By Building Fear into Your Turning Points

September 22, 2026

Maximize Character Growth By Building Fear into Your Turning Points

September 22, 2026

When it comes to storytelling, fear is more than a feeling; it’s an underlying force that runs through multiple story elements, influencing plot, character arc, internal growth, and conflict. Fear…

How to Show a Character’s Fear in Real Time

August 18, 2026

How to Show a Character’s Fear in Real Time

August 18, 2026

Fear is much more than an emotion—it is one of the biggest influencers of human behavior. Whenever we encounter a situation with unknowns, fear kicks in. Even if we do…

Last Chance to Grab the Phobias & Triggers Mini Guide

July 28, 2026

Last Chance to Grab the Phobias & Triggers Mini Guide

July 28, 2026

Have you ever read a story where a phobia is a plot device for why a character can’t do something (say, travel by boat), or conveys comedic irony (a building…

A Mother Lode of Resources on Character Fear

May 21, 2026

A Mother Lode of Resources on Character Fear

May 21, 2026

Writing The Fear Thesaurus taught us so much about the psychology of fear and how that translates for our characters. The difference between minor and deep fears, the role fear…

The Fear Thesaurus Is Now Available Everywhere + a Giveaway!

May 12, 2026

The Fear Thesaurus Is Now Available Everywhere + a Giveaway!

May 12, 2026

Fear is more than just an emotion–it’s also a powerful internal warning system. When a threat is perceived, fear kicks in, alerting a character to possible danger so they can…

Free Workshop: How to Write Fear That Feels Real

May 7, 2026

Free Workshop: How to Write Fear That Feels Real

May 7, 2026

Writing authentic fear reactions can be challenging—even when we understand our character well. Why? Because each character has their own personality, background, trauma, and triggers, meaning their fear response to…

Fear Thesaurus Expansion at One Stop for Writers + Save 25%

May 5, 2026

Fear Thesaurus Expansion at One Stop for Writers + Save 25%

May 5, 2026

As many of you know, we recently released a new book – The Fear Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to What Holds Characters Back. This volume takes you into the dark…

Fears vs. Phobias: What Writers Need to Know

April 30, 2026

Fears vs. Phobias: What Writers Need to Know

April 30, 2026

When we think about phobias, extreme fear comes to mind. But phobias are actually considered a class of anxiety disorder, and they hijack the body’s alarm system. Understanding how this…

The Fear Thesaurus Is Here! (Early Release at Writers Helping Writers)

April 15, 2026

The Fear Thesaurus Is Here! (Early Release at Writers Helping Writers)

April 15, 2026

Update: The Fear Thesaurus is now available everywhere books are sold!Find the links for these stores below or visit the official Fear Thesaurus page for more information on formats, retailer…

Is Fear Weakening Your Story? 5 Mistakes to Check

April 7, 2026

Is Fear Weakening Your Story? 5 Mistakes to Check

April 7, 2026

Writing about your character’s fear can be tricky because it rarely sits out in the open where everyone can see it. Instead, fear is hidden, rationalized, or the character puts…