As we write, we weave our characters, plot, dialogue, action, narrative, backstory, etc. together to create a full picture for our readers. However, during the revision process, we might have to rip through our carefully-constructed story. We might need to reduce our word count to meet … [Read more...] about Story Threads: Fixing Rips in Our Story
Search Results for: false belief
How To “Level Up” Your Character’s Wound
Every writer who has spent time studying the craft writing knows of the character wound, and that they are the foundation of a strong, memorable character. Why? Because they make characters complex, authentic (I challenge you to find me a person that isn’t carrying an emotional wound, consciously or … [Read more...] about How To “Level Up” Your Character’s Wound
The Destructive Power of The Lie Your Character Believes
We are often our own biggest critics, aren't we? Whenever something goes wrong, we feel disappointed, frustrated, upset, or hurt. The fallout might cause others around us to suffer too, causing further anguish and guilt. When this happens, unless the situation was in no way tied to us, we tend to … [Read more...] about The Destructive Power of The Lie Your Character Believes
Characters As Mirrors
I've been thinking lately about something that Angela and I touch on in all of our books: The Mirror of Real Life. It’s this idea that something in our stories is like a mirror for readers that reflects back to them something of themselves. When we portray the character as this mirror, it draws … [Read more...] about Characters As Mirrors
Overcoming an Emotional Wound (Character Arc Help)
Of all the pieces of backstory we should understand as authors, none are more important than our protagonist's Emotional Wound. A powerful statement, but here's why. Think about your own life for a moment. The experiences you had in your past, and the people part of those experiences have made … [Read more...] about Overcoming an Emotional Wound (Character Arc Help)
The Emotional Wound Thesaurus: Accidentally Killing Someone
Sourced from The Emotional Wound Thesaurus EXAMPLESDriving a car in which a passenger, pedestrian, or cyclist is killedUnknowingly serving food to someone who’s highly allergic to itA child consuming a fatal dose of medication while in one’s careA child drowning in one’s pool or tubKilling … [Read more...] about The Emotional Wound Thesaurus: Accidentally Killing Someone
Emotional Wound Entry: Being Bullied
When you're writing a character, it's important to know why she is the way she is. Knowing her backstory is important to achieving this end, and one of the most impactful pieces of a character's backstory is her emotional wound. This negative experience from the past is so intense that a character … [Read more...] about Emotional Wound Entry: Being Bullied
Emotional Wounds Entry: Rejection By One’s Peers
When you're writing a character, it's important to know why she is the way she is. Knowing her backstory is important to achieving this end, and one of the most impactful pieces of a character's backstory is her emotional wound. This negative experience from the past is so intense that a character … [Read more...] about Emotional Wounds Entry: Rejection By One’s Peers
Emotional Wound Entry: Being So Beautiful It’s All People See
When you're writing a character, it's important to know why she is the way she is. Knowing her backstory is important to achieving this end, and one of the most impactful pieces of a character's backstory is her emotional wound. This negative experience from the past is so intense that a character … [Read more...] about Emotional Wound Entry: Being So Beautiful It’s All People See
Emotional Wound Thesaurus Entry: Growing up with a Sibling’s Chronic or Complicated Illness
When you're writing a character, it's important to know why she is the way she is. Knowing her backstory is important to achieving this end, and one of the most impactful pieces of a character's backstory is her emotional wound. This negative experience from the past is so intense that a character … [Read more...] about Emotional Wound Thesaurus Entry: Growing up with a Sibling’s Chronic or Complicated Illness
Emotional Wounds Thesaurus: Being Kidnapped (the Aftermath)
When you're writing a character, it's important to know why she is the way she is. Knowing her backstory is important to achieving this end, and one of the most impactful pieces of a character's backstory is her emotional wound. This negative experience from the past is so intense that a character … [Read more...] about Emotional Wounds Thesaurus: Being Kidnapped (the Aftermath)
Emotional Wound Entry: Discovering One’s Parent is a Monster
When you're writing a character, it's important to know why she is the way she is. Knowing her backstory is important to achieving this end, and one of the most impactful pieces of a character's backstory is her emotional wound. This negative experience from the past is so intense that a character … [Read more...] about Emotional Wound Entry: Discovering One’s Parent is a Monster