How to Write an Effective Scene with One Stop for Writers’ Formal Scene Map
How to Write an Effective Scene with One Stop for Writers’ Formal Scene Map
When it comes to story structure, writers seem to fall into one of three camps: they love it, hate it, or are completely confused by the many iterations of it.…
Read more…Understanding Inner Conflict with Story Expert Michael Hauge
Understanding Inner Conflict with Story Expert Michael Hauge
All stories are built on a foundation of three basic components: character, desire, and conflict. A hero or protagonist desperately wants something, and must overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles to achieve…
Read more…Creating Mood in a Scene Using Light and Shadow
Creating Mood in a Scene Using Light and Shadow
What’s one of the first things a person does to set the mood at home for a romantic evening? She turns down the lights. This simple adjustment is a big…
Read more…How To Turn Your Setting Into a Conflict-Rich Obstacle Course
How To Turn Your Setting Into a Conflict-Rich Obstacle Course
Every story element should pull its weight—including the setting, which is a built-in source of conflict just waiting to be used. A simple first-date picnic in the park? Cue the…
Read more…Writing Patterns Into Fiction: Scene and Sequel
Writing Patterns Into Fiction: Scene and Sequel
Raven Oak joins us to talk about the successful pattern of Scene and Sequel. When I began writing seriously—not the scribbles in a notebook of plots I’d write someday or…
Read more…Conflict vs. Tension: How Are They Different?
Conflict vs. Tension: How Are They Different?
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,…
Read more…Compassion Fatigue: Is it Relevant for Your Characters?
Compassion Fatigue: Is it Relevant for Your Characters?
We know the importance of making our characters authentic, believable, and memorable for readers. But relevance is important, too, because it makes them relatable. Readers see characters who are facing…
Read more…11 Chapter Endings to Keep Readers Turning Pages (Part 1)
11 Chapter Endings to Keep Readers Turning Pages (Part 1)
As authors, we give a lot of attention to our openings—where to start the story, polishing the first pages—because they’re important for pulling readers in. But what about endings, particularly…
Read more…8+ Ways to Signal Your Character’s Fear to Readers
8+ Ways to Signal Your Character’s Fear to Readers
With no shortage of things that can trigger a character’s fear, learning how to show it becomes just as important to writers as plotting, character-building, and crafting a realistic story…
Read more…A Mother Lode of Resources on Character Fear
A Mother Lode of Resources on Character Fear
Writing The Fear Thesaurus taught us so much about the psychology of fear and how that translates for our characters. The difference between minor and deep fears, the role fear…
Read more…Fear Thesaurus Expansion at One Stop for Writers + Save 25%
Fear Thesaurus Expansion at One Stop for Writers + Save 25%
As many of you know, we recently released a new book – The Fear Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to What Holds Characters Back. This volume takes you into the dark…
Read more…How to Write Authentic Emotion
How to Write Authentic Emotion
In the real world, no two people are alike, which means each of us expresses emotion in our own way. Some people find it natural to share what they feel…
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