What’s Your Story’s Focus? Plot vs. Character Arcs
What’s Your Story’s Focus? Plot vs. Character Arcs
There are as many ways to tell a story as there are stories in existence. That means not all writing advice will be a good fit with the story we’re…
Read more…How to Show Emotion for Non-Viewpoint Characters
How to Show Emotion for Non-Viewpoint Characters
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…
Read more…3 Simple Tricks to Immerse Your Reader In Your Story
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…
Read more…5 Ways Trauma Makes Your Character an Unreliable Narrator
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…
Read more…A Mother Lode of Resources on Writing Conflict
A Mother Lode of Resources on Writing Conflict
With the recent release of the 2nd Volume of The Conflict Thesaurus, Angela and I have been here, there, and everywhere, sharing everything we’ve learned about what conflict can do…
Read more…Release Day: The Conflict Thesaurus Is Here!
Release Day: The Conflict Thesaurus Is Here!
Well, guys – another book is out in the world! The Conflict Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Obstacles, Adversaries, and Inner Struggles (Volume 1) is a game-changer for writers, screenwriters,…
Read more…NaNoWriMo Prep for Plotters & Pantsers
NaNoWriMo Prep for Plotters & Pantsers
It’s October, meaning many writers are turning their thoughts to NaNoWriMo, (National Novel Writing Month) starting November 1st, when they will attempt to write 50,000 words in a month. NaNoWriMo…
Read more…Need Compelling Conflict? Choose A Variety of Kinds
Need Compelling Conflict? Choose A Variety of Kinds
All right, hands up: What’s the one thing we can’t get enough of in fiction but we avoid like a screaming toddler in real life? Conflict. It’s ironic that something…
Read more…How Much Do I Need To Describe My Character’s Appearance?
How Much Do I Need To Describe My Character’s Appearance?
How characters look is a much-discussed element of writing craft. So, just how much do we need to describe our character’s appearance? Obviously individual writers’ mileage may vary on this…
Read more…Story Not Behaving? Try Going Deeper into Structure
Story Not Behaving? Try Going Deeper into Structure
With all the writing advice out there, we know that some “writing rules” we hear are more like guidelines. However, story structure is important not just for our writing but…
Read more…Use Trauma Strategically To Create An Emotional Arc
Use Trauma Strategically To Create An Emotional Arc
Many authors give their characters past trauma that makes life more difficult and at the very least adds internal conflict. But are you strategic with the kind of trauma you…
Read more…Conflict Thesaurus: Being Offered an Easy Way Out
Conflict Thesaurus: Being Offered an Easy Way Out
Sourced from The Conflict Thesaurus EXAMPLES The character being offered a solution in exchange for a favor down the roadSomeone offering to take over a difficult situation the character is struggling…
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