Writers Helping Writers^®

Characters

How to Write Authentic Emotion

April 28, 2026

How to Write Authentic Emotion

April 28, 2026

In the real world, no two people are alike, which means each of us expresses emotion in our own way. Some people find it natural to share what they feel…

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…

How Does Fear Play Into Character Arc (Part 2)

April 14, 2026

How Does Fear Play Into Character Arc (Part 2)

April 14, 2026

In last week’s post, we discussed fear’s role in character arc, as well as the backstory elements you should know about your character’s past. Their wounding event, the resulting fear…

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…

How Does Fear Play Into Character Arc? Part One

March 31, 2026

How Does Fear Play Into Character Arc? Part One

March 31, 2026

It’s hard to overstate the importance a character’s greatest fear plays in their life. As a key motivator, it informs decision-making, spawns new habits and tendencies, and pushes them to…

How Fear Shrinks Your Character’s World Over Time

March 19, 2026

How Fear Shrinks Your Character’s World Over Time

March 19, 2026

Fear is something we all experience, a psychological early warning system that alerts us to possible danger. When we encounter a situation that contains unknowns, fear kicks in. Even if…

How to Write Authentic Character Behavior

March 5, 2026

How to Write Authentic Character Behavior

March 5, 2026

Some stories stick with us more than others, and why? The characters. They feel so real. How they view life, the way they interact with others, the beliefs that steer…

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?…

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,…

The Real Story: Character Journey as Structure

January 22, 2026

The Real Story: Character Journey as Structure

January 22, 2026

Most writers think of story structure as a dry, architectural plot blueprint. Inciting incidents and pinch points and turning points map out the road as the characters stumble through their…