Writers Helping Writers^®

Writing Lessons

How to Soften a Hard Character to Make Them Likable

February 4, 2014

How to Soften a Hard Character to Make Them Likable

February 4, 2014

Author Julie Musil is here with some great tips on how to handle our hard characters. Have you ever done something you regretted? Spoke harshly when you wished you’d held…

Villain Stereotypes and How to Avoid Writing One

January 9, 2014

Villain Stereotypes and How to Avoid Writing One

January 9, 2014

All characters will have flaws, but when it comes to the villain, it’s easy to go a bit too far, giving them so many bad qualities they feel like a…

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…

Mystery Writing: Characters & Plot Elements

November 20, 2013

Mystery Writing: Characters & Plot Elements

November 20, 2013

Staci Troilo is here with the basics of what plot and character elements a successful mystery novel needs. Ah, the mystery novel. The whodunit. The sleuth story. Sherlock and Miss…

Conflict vs. Tension: How Are They Different?

November 18, 2013

Pulling readers into the story, reader curiousity, reader interest,

Conflict vs. Tension: How Are They Different?

November 18, 2013

One of my favorite Aha moments as a writer came in the form of feedback from a critiquer. (Shout out to all the critique partners!) She kept writing notes in my manuscript,…

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”…

Writing a Whodunit Mystery

August 29, 2013

Writing a Whodunit Mystery

August 29, 2013

Michael Dickson got the scoop on how to write a whodunit mystery! Whodunit Mystery Clues: How Do You Create Them? Do you enjoy puzzles? When you start one, do you…

Sagging Middles: How to Fix Your Story’s Muffin Top

August 21, 2013

Sagging Middles: How to Fix Your Story’s Muffin Top

August 21, 2013

Welcome story expert K.M. Weiland, here to help us get our story’s saggy middle into shape! How Structure Prevents “Saggy Middle” Syndrome How do I fix my saggy middle? is…