In 1959, Carl Jung first popularized the idea of archetypes—"universal images that have existed since the remotest times." He posited that every person is a blend of these 12 basic personalities. Ever since then, authors have been applying this idea to fictional characters, combining the different … [Read more...] about Character Type and Trope Thesaurus: The Chosen One
Search Results for: what killed it for me
Using Talents and Skills to Reveal Hidden Layers
When you’re creating a well-rounded and realistic character, there are many factors to consider: their backstory, personality traits, fears, desires…the list goes on. Each is important because it plays a part in defining and fleshing out the character for readers. But there’s another aspect of … [Read more...] about Using Talents and Skills to Reveal Hidden Layers
Originalizing Your Story Idea
I’ve been thinking a lot recently about differentiation—how we can make our stories stand out from all the others. Customers are being more careful with their money, which means they’re very likely buying fewer books. With the estimated 1,000,000+ books being published each year, ours need something … [Read more...] about Originalizing Your Story Idea
Build Suspense With Secrets
Have you wondered what makes a book unputdownable? What techniques or tricks an author employs to make sure you read that next word, sentence, paragraph, page? One of the most effective ways to do this is by building suspense. All genres have suspense...or at least should. Suspense is … [Read more...] about Build Suspense With Secrets
Find the Secrets Exercise & Giveaway
In my Build Suspense With Secrets post, I include a bonus exercise and giveaway. For those who want practice detecting secrets, I’m offering up the first scene of my latest release, TRUTH TRUTH LIE, to be dissected. If you think you’ve found all the secrets, leave a comment on the original post … [Read more...] about Find the Secrets Exercise & Giveaway
Force Your Character to Make Hard Choices
One of the best things about conflict is that it pushes your characters to act. In every scene, your characters are making choices—big ones and small ones, and thereby steering their fate. Some decisions will be obvious and require little to no thought, but others will be muddier, with no clear … [Read more...] about Force Your Character to Make Hard Choices
Writing Antagonists Readers Can’t Help But Like
There's a dirty little secret among many of us readers: well-written antagonists get our blood pumping. When a scene come along with them in it, well, we lean closer. Grin a little more. Not because we're a bunch of budding psychopaths and this is some alter-ego role play--okay, maybe a little--no, … [Read more...] about Writing Antagonists Readers Can’t Help But Like
Conflict Thesaurus: Losing a Vital Item
Sourced from The Conflict Thesaurus, Volume 2 EXAMPLES: Not having a map or compass in an outdoor environmentLosing a phone or laptopA family heirloom being misplacedThe character losing their passport or birth certificate, a relative's will, or other documentation Losing necessary medication, … [Read more...] about Conflict Thesaurus: Losing a Vital Item
Conflict Thesaurus: Being Injured
Sourced from The Conflict Thesaurus, Volume 2 EXAMPLES:Slipping on a wet floorFalling down a flight of stairsMisusing a tool and sustaining an injuryOverexerting while working outBeing injured while playing a sportBeing attacked by an animal or another personGetting hurt while under the … [Read more...] about Conflict Thesaurus: Being Injured
Using Crisis to Reveal Character
In the writing community, a crisis (also known as a “dilemma”) happens when a character has to choose between two opposing things. And he can’t have both. Shawn Coyne, author and creator of The Story Grid, breaks crises down into two types: a. The Best Bad Choice The character has to choose … [Read more...] about Using Crisis to Reveal Character
Choosing the Right Job for Your Character
By Becca Puglisi As human beings, our work is very important. Choosing a career is one of the biggest decisions we make in life, and we often put a ton of time and energy into it. But what about our characters’ jobs? How much thought do we put into that? We authors recognize the … [Read more...] about Choosing the Right Job for Your Character
Is My Story A Mystery, Horror or Thriller?
By Lucy V Hay Lots of writers enjoy mystery, horror and thriller novels … but are not too sure what differentiates them. As a result, when they attempt their own, they might get stuck. As a script editor in the UK who’s worked on predominantly horror and thriller, plus as an author myself who … [Read more...] about Is My Story A Mystery, Horror or Thriller?