Those of you who are familiar with me know that Angela Ackerman and I talk a lot about emotion. A LOT. That’s because we believe that clearly conveying emotion—particularly that of the protagonist or viewpoint character—plays an important role in building reader empathy. If we … [Read more...] about How to Show Emotion for Non-Viewpoint Characters
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3 Simple Tricks to Immerse Your Reader In Your Story
As writers, fusing our protagonist with the reader creates the ultimate reading experience. Teacher and writer John Gardener referred to this as “the fictional dream.” It’s a state the reader reaches whereby they feel as though they are inside the story, inside the character’s skin, going through … [Read more...] about 3 Simple Tricks to Immerse Your Reader In Your Story
5 Ways Trauma Makes Your Character an Unreliable Narrator
Trauma is defined as anything that’s overwhelming or unpleasant that causes long-term mental or emotional problems. It rewires the brain and causes disordered thinking. So, if you’re looking for a way to SHOW a character’s trauma background, the WHY behind poor choices, and irrational behaviour, use … [Read more...] about 5 Ways Trauma Makes Your Character an Unreliable Narrator
Workshop: Using Character Emotion to Wow Readers
Thanks so much for attending this webinar on character emotions and how to write them effectively. I hope you gleaned some practical tips on showing instead of telling so you'll be able to use those techniques to better engage readers. Additional resources you might find helpful: Further … [Read more...] about Workshop: Using Character Emotion to Wow Readers
How to Nail the Purpose of Your Novel’s Scenes
By Resident Writing Coach Alumni, C. S. Lakin Ever read a scene in a novel, get to the end, and scratch your head? Have you ever asked, “What the heck was the purpose of that scene? Nothing really happened—at least nothing interesting or _____? (important, revealing, tense, or funny … you fill … [Read more...] about How to Nail the Purpose of Your Novel’s Scenes
Describing a Character’s Emotions: Problems and Solutions
Characters are the heart of a story, but what really draws readers in is their emotions. Only...showing them isn't always easy, is it? Like us in the real world, characters will struggle. Life is never all cherries and diamonds; in fact, it's our writerly job to make sure reality fish-slaps … [Read more...] about Describing a Character’s Emotions: Problems and Solutions
3 Mistakes To Avoid with Your Side Characters
Help me welcome Resident Writing Coach Alumni Sacha Black, who has just an excellent post on how to avoid creating story problems caused by mismanaged side characters. Here's a bit more about the Rebel Leader of the Bookish World: Sacha Black is a bestselling and competition winning author, … [Read more...] about 3 Mistakes To Avoid with Your Side Characters
Nods, Smiles, and Frowns: How Can We Avoid “Talking Heads”…and Cliches?
Context is often an underappreciated element of our writing because when not done well, a context-filled passage can become a tell-not-show info dump. However, context is essential for most aspects of writing, from attributing dialogue and establishing stakes to evoking emotions and anchoring … [Read more...] about Nods, Smiles, and Frowns: How Can We Avoid “Talking Heads”…and Cliches?
Building Your Writing Support Triangle, Part 1: Critique
As writers, it's important to have a support system, and it's just as important to enlist the right people to that inner circle. Jessica Conoley is sharing the first post in a three-part series on what this support system should look like and who it should include. Every writer I know who has … [Read more...] about Building Your Writing Support Triangle, Part 1: Critique
4 Tips for Writing Your Character’s PTSD and Trauma Memories
Trauma: any event that overwhelms our ability to cope, causes feelings of helplessness, and diminishes our ability to feel a full range of emotions. Anything can be traumatic depending on the individual and what they can cope with. Giving a character a trauma background, having them … [Read more...] about 4 Tips for Writing Your Character’s PTSD and Trauma Memories
Want a Stronger Manuscript? Read It Aloud
Editing freaks a lot of people out. Drafting is creative and inspirational, and every writer LIVES for that moment when you get into the groove and the words just flow. But editing is kind of the opposite. It’s analytical, with a rigid set of rules that have to be followed. I think this is why so … [Read more...] about Want a Stronger Manuscript? Read It Aloud
Show-Don’t-Tell Help
Show-Don't-Tell is one of the most common pieces of advice...so common that many writers get sick of hearing about it: Yeah, yeah, show, don't tell. I got it, I got it. (But if it was easy to 'get' then editors, agents, and critique partners probably wouldn't red pen those three words so often, … [Read more...] about Show-Don’t-Tell Help