Writing Tips

Loa was not just a good dog, but rather, the best dog. And I know that all dogs are good dogs, and all dogs are the best dogs; that’s just how dogs are. But the reality is, when I say it, I need you to understand I really mean it. Every dog is the best

Words … words … words. Every story needs them. But they must be suitable for each situation. Don’t season your writing with words that provide the wrong flavor. If you pull readers out of your narrative with anything that doesn’t … Continue reading →

In the real world, no two people are alike, which means each of us expresses emotion in our own way. Some people find it natural to share what they feel with those around them, while others find the idea of revealing what they feel horrifying and will avoid situations that could lead to such vulnerability…. The post How to Write Authentic Emotion appeared first on WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®.

By Janice Hardy Little tweaks can make a big difference in our novels. It always amazes me how many decisions go into writing a strong novel. There’s the big stuff, like the plot and characters, but something as simple as your title, or where you break your scenes can be the difference between a good book and great book.Use too many clichés? The novel feels familiar and unoriginal. Throw in a ton of adverbs? Your readers don’t feel the full weight of the story’s emotional layer. You have so many opportunities to write a strong novel, and more writers should take advantage of that fact. It’s not necessarily their fault, either. Maybe they didn’t learn a technique, or no one ever told them their writing had problems they could easily fix. Writing has a ton of moving parts, and there’s a lot to learn. I’ve been writing […]

When a character suffers emotional pain, the brain’s response is to stop the discomfort, and often this results in a coping mechanism being deployed. Whether it’s an automatic response or a learned go-to strategy, a mechanism helps them cope with the stress of the moment or escape the hurt of it. But if the character… The post Coping Mechanism Thesaurus Entry: Dissociation appeared first on WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®.

Author, copyeditor, and writing coach C. S. Lakin shares ways to create microtension through setting descriptions. You’re probably wondering what microtension is, and what it has to do with fiction writing. Oddly, very little has been written on the topic, yet it’s an essential element that supercharges our writing. No, it’s not the tension created… The post Creating Microtension Through Setting Description appeared first on WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®.

The clock ticks! The calendar pages fly off the wall. The sun rises and sets and rises again. Winter is coming! And the wheel turns. Which is to say, I’m uncmaxxing in my agemogging era, bruh, ngl. Which is to more to say, oh shit, I’m 50 years old. As it is my birthday, I

By Angela Ackerman Part of the How They Do It SeriesJH: Fear is at the heart of so many stories, because it’s often what’s keeping the protagonist from whatever it is they want in the story. It has so many potential uses in writing great fiction, and Angela Ackerman is here to share some genre-specific ones for us today.Take it away Angela… No matter the genre, fear is always present. It anchors readers in the character’s experience by closing the gap between story and reality. Fear taps into our instinct for self-preservation and the universal struggle to manage it without letting it take over. But fear doesn’t look the same in every genre. Reader expectations shape the kinds of dangers characters face and the fears that drive their choices. In some stories, fear centers on emotional vulnerability and relationships; […]

Ever feel like you’re having such a hard day or week or month that you’re not sure how to write anything at all? You’re not alone. Recently, someone in the writing community on Substack posted the following: “Don’t you love it when you don’t work on your WIP for three months and then you write… The post From Cathartic to Intentional: How to Write When It Feels Hard appeared first on WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®.

By Tess PerkoPart of the How They Do It SeriesJH: Becoming part of a writing community can be a rewarding and beneficial experience for the often-lonely business of writing. Jess Perko takes to the lecture hall today to share her publishing journey and how she found her “writing home.” Take it away Tess…Writing can be a lonely process, but not if you have a writing community. I wake up each morning enthusiastic about connecting with other writers and readers. That’s because I’ve made a promise to myself to enjoy the process of publishing my book and social interaction with other people I meet along the way.  When I retired from my professor job, I wrote a novel, something I’ve been wanting to accomplish for years. I’m thrilled to announce that Learning to Whistle has been published by She Writes Press and came out on […]

Have you ever wanted to eat stinky tofu while binge watching reruns of the Bionic Woman? Or fall in love with a boy named Pajamas? Have you ever thought there was an alien in your stomach trying to kill you?   Coming out is hard when you have two gay moms. At least it is for Simon

Whether you’re writing historical fiction, sci-fi, or a novel based on modern events, this research tool could prove invaluable for creating the right backdrop. A Dating Dilemma? Imagine a novel about a United States senator who attends a Sunday sermon … Continue reading →

A new book is always something to celebrate, but we are extra excited about this one. Fear is more than an emotion that shows up in tense moments–it lies at the heart of every character’s journey. Every battle your character faces, every personal struggle they endure, every doubt, insecurity, and false belief they internalize…fear is… The post The Fear Thesaurus Is Here! (Early Release at Writers Helping Writers) appeared first on WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®.

In last week’s post, we discussed fear’s role in character arc, as well as the backstory elements you should know about your character’s past. Their wounding event, the resulting fear and lie, any emotional shielding, and their unmet need will come together to determine who your character is on page one. And then their current… The post How Does Fear Play Into Character Arc (Part 2) appeared first on WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®.

By Janice Hardy A first draft is a wonderful thing, but it always needs more work. There’s something exciting and rewarding about a first draft. The story that’s been in our heads is finally down on paper, and we can see how it developed. Sometimes it unfolded exactly how we pictured, but more often we encountered snags here and there and discovered fun twists and plots as we wrote. The draft might even be, shall we say, a little messy. And that’s okay, because first drafts are often messy and filled with holes. It’s what you do with it from there that really matters. As the adage goes…writing is rewriting. Often, a lot of rewriting (sigh). This is why taking an objective first look at your first draft is so important. You’re taking stock of what you have and looking for what’s working, what’s not working, and what could […]

When a character suffers emotional pain, the brain’s response is to stop the discomfort, and often this results in a coping mechanism being deployed. Whether it’s an automatic response or a learned go-to strategy, a mechanism helps them cope with the stress of the moment or escape the hurt of it. But if the character… The post Coping Mechanism Thesaurus Entry: Practicing Gratitude appeared first on WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®.

Want to wineditorial feedback and take your storyfrom good to great? Well, my writerly friend, you’re in luck! It’s time for our monthly Phenomenal First Pages contest. In this draw, you can win… Editorial feedback on the first 3 pages of your novel and book blurb. This contest is closed. Please try again next month. If… The post Win Feedback on 3 Pages & Book Blurb appeared first on WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®.

Writing about your character’s fear can be tricky because it rarely sits out in the open where everyone can see it. Instead, fear is hidden, rationalized, or the character puts on a mask and pretends it isn’t there at all. Yet when fear is shown well, it becomes an obvious force driving a character’s decisions,… The post Is Fear Weakening Your Story? 5 Mistakes to Check appeared first on WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®.

By Janice Hardy Uncovering backstory isn’t the same as plot, and focusing too much on the story’s past can hurt your novel’s future. One of the very first outlines for my urban fantasy novel, Blood Ties, focused on revealing the twist and secrets of the novel. It was mostly about how readers were going to learn all the cool things I’d created and less about a character struggling with a problem. Which was an actual problem, since struggling with problems is what makes a novel a novel. Weak as that early outline was, writing it was worth it, since it helped me figure out those backstories and secrets. It also made it obvious that I’d outlined a novel that didn’t truly have a plot. Sure, my protagonist had goals and she acted to achieve them and did all the things a good protagonist is supposed to do, but if […]

When a character suffers emotional pain, the brain’s response is to stop the discomfort, and often this results in a coping mechanism being deployed. Whether it’s an automatic response or a learned go-to strategy, a mechanism helps them cope with the stress of the moment or escape the hurt of it. But if the character… The post Coping Mechanism Thesaurus Entry: Suppression appeared first on WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®.