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It’s Not What Your Hero Wants, But Why
Do you have a hard time creating compelling motivations for your characters? Writers often find it easy to create wants, but hit a road...
Repurposing the Hero’s Journey
In their latest episode, the Writing Excuses hosts examine where N.K. Jemisin’s The Fifth Season fits into the canon of fantasy literature. They ask: How...
What’s Your Expertise?
In a guest post on Jane Friedman's blog, Joshua Doležal says every writer should keep a list of topics on which we are an...
Description Can Reveal More Than Your Character’s Looks
In a post on Writers Helping Writers, Angela Ackerman offers advice on using character descriptions to intrigue and hook your readers. "We build worlds...
Tips for Using Setting to Create Conflict
In a blog post, Janice Hardy suggests ways that setting can create conflict. "Conflict also exists in the world around the characters which has...
From Real Life to the Page
In an article for Writer's Digest, Tracy Badua shares her process for finding stories in her personal experiences, as well as four open-ended questions...
Lessons on Subtext from ‘Challengers’
In an interview with ScreenCraft, Justin Kuritzkes share insights from his screenplay for Challengers, which combines marriage drama with high-stakes action.
Kuritzkes developed the concept for...
The Joy of Schadenfreude
In a new post, Kristen Lamb says that a taste of schadenfreude--pleasure at the misfortune of others--can spice up your fiction. "We humans, by...
What’s at Stake?
In a guest post on Writers in the Storm, Becca Puglisi offers advice for uncovering what's at stake for your protagonist. "Stakes are a...
8 Steps to Create a Compelling Character
In a new blog post, Janice Hardy shares a step-by-step guide to creating a strong character. Hardy acknowledges that there are many ways to...
