Writers Helping Writers^®

Show Don’t Tell

What Can the Best Metaphors in Literature Teach Us About Writing?

October 17, 2019

What Can the Best Metaphors in Literature Teach Us About Writing?

October 17, 2019

A big hello and welcome to Savannah Cardova from Reedsy today. She’s got some terrific advice (and resources) on Metaphors, so read on! Life is a highway. Love is a…

Writing Feedback: Should We Seek It Out?

September 26, 2019

Writing Feedback: Should We Seek It Out?

September 26, 2019

As most of you know, Becca and I have been writing and publishing for some time now. Many thing have changed in the industry, including how a book reaches the…

When Telling, Not Showing, Emotion is the Right Choice

August 6, 2019

When Telling, Not Showing, Emotion is the Right Choice

August 6, 2019

Hi everyone! A past resident writing coach is visiting us with an excerpt on a new course she’s teaching on mastering emotions: C.S. Lakin. This post is a touch longer…

How to Craft Engaging Dialogue Exchanges

August 1, 2019

How to Craft Engaging Dialogue Exchanges

August 1, 2019

One of the best places to reveal your character’s emotions is during dialogue. Author Peter Gelfan joins us with some great considerations on how to make these exchanges more powerful,…

World-building: Creating a Credible Magic System

July 25, 2019

World-building: Creating a Credible Magic System

July 25, 2019

Hi everyone! Today we have a new face at the blog: author and ghostwriter Justin Attas. He’s in love with world-building and has some great ideas on how to ensure…

Digging Deep: The Psychology of a Layered Story

July 2, 2019

Digging Deep: The Psychology of a Layered Story

July 2, 2019

Humans like complexity: puzzles, questions, layers. It fascinates us. My guess it’s because there are so many complex systems in nature that our brain needs to navigate successfully. Ecosystems, weather…

Goal-Oriented Storytelling: Novelty

March 19, 2019

Goal-Oriented Storytelling: Novelty

March 19, 2019

In the first post of my four-part series, I introduced ANTS, my framework for helping storytellers make strategic choices that increase reader engagement. ANTS stands for the effects a storyteller should seek…

Three Ways Writers Tell, Not Show (And How You Can Fix Them)

March 7, 2019

Three Ways Writers Tell, Not Show (And How You Can Fix Them)

March 7, 2019

One of my favorite writing coaches is here with us to dish some helpful advice on Show and Tell. Please welcome Janice Hardy and read on… Show, don’t tell, is…

Introducing One Stop for Writers’ Character Builder

February 14, 2019

Introducing One Stop for Writers’ Character Builder

February 14, 2019

If you’re like me, you get pretty serious about creating characters who leap off the page. That’s why you’re going to love this new character design tool. At One Stop…

The Key Components of a Compelling Character (According to Psychology)

January 23, 2019

The Key Components of a Compelling Character (According to Psychology)

January 23, 2019

We’re fascinated by our fellow humans. In fact, we have a profound desire to try and understand the thoughts and feelings bouncing around other people, the characters on TV…the hero…