Writing intense scenes can be one of the most exciting parts of storytelling. Whether it’s a gripping fight, a romantic encounter that leaves hearts racing, or an emotional moment that hits readers hard, these scenes pull readers in and keep them hooked. But creating truly intense moments takes more … [Read more...] about How to Write Intense Scenes That Captivate Readers
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The Ripple Effect: How to Weave Plot with Character
Actions have consequences—that’s what makes a story tick. A story begins when events around a character push them into action. Those actions create new situations, and those situations push the character into even tougher choices. Watching this chain reaction unfold is what keeps readers glued to … [Read more...] about The Ripple Effect: How to Weave Plot with Character
The Building Blocks of a Synopsis
By Julie Artz A writer once told me they’d created their query list specifically to avoid agents who asked writers for a synopsis because writing one was harder than getting a whole novel reader-ready. I laughed at the time, but since then I’ve encountered a lot of fear and trepidation about … [Read more...] about The Building Blocks of a Synopsis
Why Every Writer Should Try Their Hand at a Horror Story
By Savannah Cordova Affiliate links below It’s that time of year again: the leaves are changing color, the wind is getting chillier, and pumpkins are decorating doorsteps. And given that today is Halloween, there’s no better time to pen a spooky story of your own — even (perhaps especially!) … [Read more...] about Why Every Writer Should Try Their Hand at a Horror Story
Creating Suspense in any Genre
When we think about suspense in writing, we naturally leap to thrillers and mysteries, genres that are known for suspense and rely on it. But that doesn’t mean the rest of us are off the hook. Suspense is an essential element in any story. Whenever we create a feeling of anticipation (or dread) that … [Read more...] about Creating Suspense in any Genre
7 Tips to Make Your Antihero Stand Out
When it comes to story heroes, there are many kinds, from reluctant to tortured to tragic. But the one that’s getting a lot of airtime these days is the antihero. Heroes get the moniker because of the qualities they embody: they’re honorable, courageous, selfless, and good. They’re people of high … [Read more...] about 7 Tips to Make Your Antihero Stand Out
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
A Mother Lode of Resources on Emotion Amplifiers
Angela and I have been busy bees the past few months, creating as much content as we could surrounding emotion amplifiers—a little-known storytelling element that's great for elevating a character's emotions and setting them up for overreactions, misjudgments, mistakes, and increased … [Read more...] about A Mother Lode of Resources on Emotion Amplifiers
How to Fix Big Story Problems
Is there anything more frustrating than knowing there's a problem with our story, but not being sure how to fix it? We wish for an easy button in these moments, but sadly, none exist. Occasionally though, we get lucky and discover a versatile story element or technique so useful it can help us … [Read more...] about How to Fix Big Story Problems
How to Avoid Clichéd Emotional Reactions
The single tear trickling down the cheek. A kiss that leaves one’s knees weak. The grin that stretches from ear to ear. Yawn Oh, excuse me. I almost fell asleep there. Why Readers Hate Clichéd Emotional Responses Clichés in writing are frowned upon because they’re easy; they’re … [Read more...] about How to Avoid Clichéd Emotional Reactions
Structuring an Ensemble Cast with Plotlines
Writing an ensemble cast can feel daunting, especially when most writing advice is for stories that feature one, or maybe two, lead characters. How is an author supposed to structure a novel or series that has four, five, or six? One of the most useful approaches, is to consider plotlines. Years … [Read more...] about Structuring an Ensemble Cast with Plotlines