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 & Trope Thesaurus: Father Figure
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Character Type and Trope Thesaurus
What do reluctant heroes, femme fatales, nerds, snobs, and rebels have in common? They're all character types that are frequently found in many kinds of stories. The upside of these tropes is that they're familiar to readers, who will recognize them and immediately know the role they're meant to … [Read more...] about Character Type and Trope Thesaurus
How To Write A Likeable Character
Likeable characters can become the beating heart of your narrative. Readers root for them and stick with them throughout their journeys. But what exactly makes a character likeable? It’s not just about being nice but making them relatable. So, let's look at how to write such … [Read more...] about How To Write A Likeable Character
Use This Method to Identify Your Story’s Stakes
Stakes are a crucial part of your story because they define what will happen if the protagonist fails. To build reader empathy, you need this piece in place because when the reader sees what’s at stake, and they recognize why it matters to the character, the story becomes important. It … [Read more...] about Use This Method to Identify Your Story’s Stakes
Five Vehicles for Adding Subtext to Dialogue
Realistic, evocative dialogue is an important part of any successful story. We need our characters’ interactions to be authentic, consistent, and engaging to draw readers in to what’s happening. So when we’re learning to write, we spend a lot of time on mechanics—learning all the grammar and … [Read more...] about Five Vehicles for Adding Subtext to Dialogue
Need to Get a Stubborn Character Moving? Use an Amplifier
If you’ve researched story structure at all, you know there are many models out there, and they’re all slightly different. The most popular forms tend to follow the three-act structure, which resonates with many readers regardless of genre or format. Within this simple framework, certain events … [Read more...] about Need to Get a Stubborn Character Moving? Use an Amplifier
Could a Raptor Play the Protagonist Role?
Raptors are some of the most successful predators on the planet. From owls, eagles, and vultures to hawks, falcons, and other birds of prey, raptors are skilled hunters with incredible senses, like binocular vision, that help them detect prey at far distances. The secretary bird even carries … [Read more...] about Could a Raptor Play the Protagonist Role?
Flashbacks vs. Dual Timeline: What’s the Difference?
For strong storytelling, we need to focus on what’s important and relevant to current story events. That means we shouldn’t info-dump a bunch of irrelevant backstory just because it’s interesting or it’s something we enjoyed developing about our character, as we instead need to keep this story … [Read more...] about Flashbacks vs. Dual Timeline: What’s the Difference?
Character Type & Trope Thesaurus: Mafia Don
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 & Trope Thesaurus: Mafia Don
How to Combine Myth with History to Create Historical Fantasy
Three years ago, I never would have guessed I’d be writing a blog post on this topic. Back then, I was focused on pure fantasy stories. My first novel was an epic fantasy, while my second and third were paranormal fantasy. I thought I had “found my voice” in paranormal fantasy, but then a … [Read more...] about How to Combine Myth with History to Create Historical Fantasy
Do You Need a Prologue? Take the Test!
By Julie Artz Affiliate links below After nearly ten years working with writers, I’ve decided the only inviolable rule in writing is that a romance must have either a happily ever after (HEA) or a happy for now (HFN) ending. And yet blog posts like these are full of writing “rules.” I loved … [Read more...] about Do You Need a Prologue? Take the Test!
Write Like a Magician: Creating the Illusion of an Unseen Character
Whenever we write a protagonist who lost someone important within their backstory, we have some heavy lifting ahead of us. That “unseen” character—a character who has died or who is simply away for one reason or another—is going to need to be developed and brought to the page somehow to deepen the … [Read more...] about Write Like a Magician: Creating the Illusion of an Unseen Character