If you’re writing a story in which your character will need to evolve internally to achieve his goal, a cohesive and well-planned character arc will be vital to its success. This type of arc (a change arc) requires internal conflict, which will provide opportunities for your character to adapt and … [Read more...] about How Does Internal Conflict Fit into the Character’s Arc?
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How to Reveal a Character’s Internal Conflict
If you've been on the writing trail long enough, you've heard plenty of talk surrounding conflict and the role it plays in storytelling. Whatever form it takes—annoying neighbors, quarrels with loved ones, car accidents, fistfights, ticking clocks—conflict keeps the story moving. It creates tension … [Read more...] about How to Reveal a Character’s Internal Conflict
Build These Seven Growth Milestones into Your Character’s Arc
While there are many kinds of stories, most of them today are about a protagonist navigating a change or growth arc. In this model, the character undergoes a personal journey of evolution; they realize that their hurts, habits, or hang-ups are keeping them from success and, over time, adopt … [Read more...] about Build These Seven Growth Milestones into Your Character’s Arc
Seven Writing Fears That May Be Holding You Back from Greatness
Eleanor Hecks joins us to share seven writing fears common among writers and how they may be holding you back. Writing is a journey filled with challenges, many of which stem from internal fears that can stifle creativity and hinder progress. Recognizing and addressing these fears is crucial for … [Read more...] about Seven Writing Fears That May Be Holding You Back from Greatness
Character Secret Thesaurus: Hiding the Truth about Family
What secret is your character keeping? Why are they safeguarding it? What’s at stake if it’s discovered? Does it need to come out at some point, or should it remain hidden? This is some of the important information you need to know about your character’s secrets—and they will have secrets, … [Read more...] about Character Secret Thesaurus: Hiding the Truth about Family
How to Use Writing Prompts to “Unstick” Writer’s Block
By Savannah Cordova Stop me if you’ve heard this one: you’re at your desk, laptop or notebook open, hours stretching out before you… but you can’t seem to get the words down. You feel stuck, hopeless, and incapable of moving forward; in other words, you’ve got writer’s block. Luckily, there … [Read more...] about How to Use Writing Prompts to “Unstick” Writer’s Block
Best Ways to Pace Your Story’s Key Moments
Great novels don’t hook readers by accident. They strategically build up tension and feelings, then release them at just the right moment. This perfect timing isn’t about fancy writing tricks; it’s baked into how the story itself is built. When a story pulls readers through the pages so smoothly … [Read more...] about Best Ways to Pace Your Story’s Key Moments
6 First Page Inclusions for Drawing Readers In
There are a lot of Dos and Don’ts for a story’s first pages. Do introduce the protagonist(s). Do start in medias res. Don’t start with a dream sequence. Don’t info dump. These techniques are important because they accomplish one of the main purposes of your opening: they encourage reader … [Read more...] about 6 First Page Inclusions for Drawing Readers In
How to Avoid Flat Characters in Your Story
Has an editor or critique partner said, “Your character is flat” when offering feedback on your story? Or perhaps they worded it another way: “Your protagonist didn’t grab me,” or “This character needs more depth.” However it’s phrased, being told we’ve missed the mark on a character is a bit of … [Read more...] about How to Avoid Flat Characters in Your Story
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
Book Structure for Disorganized Writers
A while back, I shared a post at WHW about Scene Writing, and why it’s such a valuable tool for writers (especially those like me, whose brains get easily overwhelmed by details). This post also shares my tricks for keeping a story organized even if you have a disorganized brain or process. A … [Read more...] about Book Structure for Disorganized Writers
How to Leverage Humanity to Outshine AI-Generated Books
AI is reshaping the book industry, and writers are polarized; some have integrated AI into their writing process while others refuse to. No matter which camp you align with I'm sure you share a growing concern: creatives are not the only ones publishing books. Thanks to AI tools, anyone with a … [Read more...] about How to Leverage Humanity to Outshine AI-Generated Books