Writers Helping Writers^®

Characters

Character Descriptions – Learn from the Pros!

December 11, 2013

Character Descriptions – Learn from the Pros!

December 11, 2013

Editor and author Jodie Renner has some expert advice on how to write character descriptions, so read on. In my editing of fiction, I find my clients often tend to…

The Four Types of Character Flaws

November 7, 2013

The Four Types of Character Flaws

November 7, 2013

Hostile Characters, like real people, will have flaws, aspects of their personality that shape their behavior and worldview in negative (destructive) ways. These flaws cause them to think, act, and…

Finding Your Character’s Weakness

October 17, 2013

Finding Your Character’s Weakness

October 17, 2013

Flaw: Arrogance Jordan McCollum is here to discuss the importance of giving your character realistic flaws, so please read on. Who doesn’t love a shiny new idea? Crafting a plot,…

Tips on Raising the Stakes

September 30, 2013

Tips on Raising the Stakes

September 30, 2013

Suspense & Thriller author José Bográn shares his expert advice on how we can raise the stakes. Story Stakes: How High Is High Enough? When asked what “raising the stakes”…

How to Write Fight Scenes When You’ve Never Thrown a Punch

August 14, 2013

How to Write Fight Scenes When You’ve Never Thrown a Punch

August 14, 2013

Today Author Erin Flynn is showing us how to write believable fight scenes so that when characters throw down, readers feel like they’re right there with them. I’m an enigma…

Using a Critique Checklist (Like This One)

June 19, 2013

Using a Critique Checklist (Like This One)

June 19, 2013

When writers ask me for advice, I emphasize the importance of finding a critique group or partners. These support systems are invaluable for adding the objectivity we lack and helping…

How a Character’s Unexpected Emotions Will Draw Readers In

May 15, 2013

How a Character’s Unexpected Emotions Will Draw Readers In

May 15, 2013

When the topic of Emotional Writing came up at a Donald Maass Workshop, he encouraged us to move past ‘expected’ character emotions and try for something deeper, more primal. Something…

Hidden Emotion: Using The “Just Act Normal” Technique

May 8, 2013

Hidden Emotion: Using The “Just Act Normal” Technique

May 8, 2013

As humans, we value honesty, but in truth, to protect ourselves from harm, we often turn to deception, especially where emotions are concerned. We mislead others to think we’re feeling…

Surprising Emotions: How Will Your Character React?

October 19, 2012

Surprising Emotions: How Will Your Character React?

October 19, 2012

By David McFarland Surprising Emotions When I was thirteen, I met my grandfather for the first time, and he told me about his life in the Mafia. “I ran whorehouses…

Margie Lawson Immersion Experience

September 4, 2012

Margie Lawson Immersion Experience

September 4, 2012

By Melinda Collins Immersion Master Class with Margie Lawson: The Experience, Takeaways & Lessons Thank you, Angela, for inviting me over today to talk about my recent experience in Colorado…