One worry that can plague writers is whether their characters are original enough or not. After all, readers meet a lot of characters over time, so how can writers make sure their characters are fresh and interesting? How can they make sure their story’s cast has that WOW factor that ensures they … [Read more...] about Differentiate Your Character with a Talent or Skill
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Three Essentials for Engaging Reader Emotion in the Setup
As authors, we all know the importance of engaging our audience within a book’s first few pages. Grabbing the reader: captivating them in a way that makes them want to stick with the story to its end. But Michael Hauge prefers a different term for this phenomenon: No one likes to be grabbed. … [Read more...] about Three Essentials for Engaging Reader Emotion in the Setup
Character Type & Trope Thesaurus: Nice Guy/Girl
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: Nice Guy/Girl
Does Your Scene Need More Tension? Add an Emotion Amplifier!
Emotion and tension often go hand in hand. If character emotion is low, story tension is also probably waning. On the flip side, tension is likely on the rise when emotion is high and it’s written effectively. Dramatic tension is the feeling of anticipation surrounding what happens next. It’s … [Read more...] about Does Your Scene Need More Tension? Add an Emotion Amplifier!
A Mother Lode of Resources on Talents and Skills
Talents and skills can serve many purposes in a story by revealing truths about the character, making them more likable or relatable for readers, and contributing to story arc by helping the character achieve their goals. As such, they can do a lot of good things for our stories and characters—if … [Read more...] about A Mother Lode of Resources on Talents and Skills
Character Type & Trope Thesaurus: Cowboy
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: Cowboy
Phenomenal First Pages Contest – Guest Editor Edition
Hey, wonderfulwriterly people! It’s time for Phenomenal First Pages, our monthly critique contest. So, if you need help with the beginning of your novel, today's the day to enter for a chance to win professional feedback. This contest is closed. Please try again next month. If you’d like to … [Read more...] about Phenomenal First Pages Contest – Guest Editor Edition
Three Easy Steps to Generate a Goal Using Fear as Motivation
There’s so much emphasis on making sure that we give our character a goal that’s clear starting from their very first scene. Win the game. Find someone to marry. Land the job. Solve the crime. We tend to think about goal in terms of the character obtaining the thing they don’t have when the story … [Read more...] about Three Easy Steps to Generate a Goal Using Fear as Motivation
Character Type & Trope Thesaurus: Hotshot
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: Hotshot
What is an Emotion Amplifier?
Since compiling our original Emotion Amplifier ebooklet in 2014, Angela and I have discovered so much about them. They're way more versatile than we first imagined, and we're stoked to share what we've learned with you in the soon-to-be-released 2nd edition of The Emotion Amplifier Thesaurus (which … [Read more...] about What is an Emotion Amplifier?
Top Story World and Story Bible Tips
When we create a story world for readers, we are implanting images and sensory details. From which, the reader fills in the gaps. If we skew that world in any way, we pull the reader out of their base model. And ultimately, out of the story itself. Examples of Oopsies: Creating a fictional … [Read more...] about Top Story World and Story Bible Tips
Character Type & Trope Thesaurus: Psychopath
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: Psychopath