Writers Helping Writers^®

Writing Lessons

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…

10 Things You Don’t Want In Your Novel

June 26, 2013

10 Things You Don’t Want In Your Novel

June 26, 2013

While many talk about the elements you need for a successful novel, editor Jodie Renner wants to save you heartache by discussing all the things you DON’T want in your…

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…

Turning Story Opening Don’ts Into Do’s

May 24, 2013

Turning Story Opening Don’ts Into Do’s

May 24, 2013

Author Lisa Gail Green is looking at problem story openings and how to make yours stronger, so read on! We’ve all heard the tips on what NOT to do in…

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…

Realistic Dialogue Exchanges: Showing Communication Breakdowns

April 3, 2013

Realistic Dialogue Exchanges: Showing Communication Breakdowns

April 3, 2013

Author & story expert David Corbett offers us some great techniques on how to show a realistic, tension-filled communication breakdown between characters. It’s often said that the writing of dialog…

How to Increase Your Book’s Momentum

November 20, 2012

How to Increase Your Book’s Momentum

November 20, 2012

By Editor Laura Carlson Momentum: Getting Your Story up and Running Because many of you are currently writing or editing manuscripts, I wanted to discuss an aspect of your book…

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…

How to Write ‘Kid Voice’ in Middle Grade Fiction

September 26, 2012

How to Write ‘Kid Voice’ in Middle Grade Fiction

September 26, 2012

By Shannon Messenger I thought I’d talk today about writing kid voice, since that seems to be the subject that comes up most often when people find out I write…