Angela Ackerman's Blog: Writers Helping Writers

Coping Mechanism Thesaurus: Intellectualization

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 develops an unhealthy reliance on that mechanism, problems will arise. Long-term, certain coping behaviors will impair their connections with others, their ability to achieve goals and dreams, and their resiliency in handling life’s pressures.

At some point, they must have an Aha! moment where they realize their coping method is holding them back and they need to seek other ways to deal with stress. Namely, they���ll have to adopt healthier mechanisms that enable them to manage difficulties and ultimately have a happier future.

To help you write your character’s growth (or regression) journey, we’ve created The Coping Mechanism Thesaurus, which contains a range of coping methods. The one we’re highlighting today can be damaging, and we hope this partial entry will help you show your character’s struggle in a way readers can relate to.

IntellectualizationDEFINITION

Focusing on logic and reasoning to sidestep the pain of processing difficult emotions.

WHAT IT MAY LOOK LIKE

Avoiding grief by listing the way the person who passed is better off
Focusing on planning a funeral to avoid dealing with the experience of loss
Rigidly reciting facts to shut out conversation that might touch on a painful why beneath the surface
Following protocol, no matter what the situation is
Thinking about personal problems in an abstract or clinical way
Overanalyzing problems and overthinking

BASIC HUMAN NEEDS IT COULD COMPROMISE

Esteem and Recognition: Being unable to accept constructive criticism or handle uncomfortable truths about themselves will stymie the character���s growth, preventing self-confidence and esteem.
Love and Connection: Having a barrier in place to experiencing emotion will cause loved ones to feel the character is not emotionally available, limiting closeness.

FALLOUT (AND POSSIBLE TURNING POINTS)

Realizing that most of their relationships are distant or transactional
Wanting to move past certain fears, but being unable to because examining past pain is too difficult
Being called out for a lack of empathy
Being unable to show the compassion and support another needs
Burning out because the false show of always being reliable and stable takes its toll

COMMITMENT TO CHANGE

Making time for other people
Resisting the urge to escape emotional conversations
Making a practice of noticing emotions in the moment and how they feel
Meditation
Practicing mindfulness (paying attention, rather than drifting)
A willingness to examine the past

Need More Descriptive Help?

While this thesaurus is still being developed and expanded, the rest of our descriptive collection (18 unique thesauri and growing) is accessible through the One Stop for Writers THESAURUS database.

If you like, swing by and check out the video walkthrough for this site, then give our Free Trial a spin.

The post Coping Mechanism Thesaurus: Intellectualization appeared first on WRITERS HELPING WRITERS��.

Unmissable Black Friday Deals for Writers

It’s time for our favorite round-up of the year: Black Friday Deals for Writers!

We all know it’s been a rough year, and protecting our wallets has become more important than ever. Becca and I have scoured the internet and found even more deals than we usually do (hurray!), so buckle in, friends, and get ready to save!

Feeling the weight of unfinished projects, messy drafts, or writing goals that you hope to wrap up by the end of the year? Let us help!

Save 25% on all Writers Helping Writers�� digital books

For many writers, the hardest part isn���t coming up with ideas���it���s getting them onto the page in a way that feels authentic, powerful, and emotionally true. That���s where our Writers Helping Writers�� Thesaurus series shines.

Early this year, we launched the Writers Helping Writers�� Bookstore, meaning it’s easier for us to offer a Black Friday deal for our books! So, until December 1st, all digital books are 25% off���ebooks, PDFs, and our boxed set.

New to our books? This sampler offers a peek inside our 10 volumes, giving you a better feel for how our thesaurus-style writing guides help you make every descriptive detail matter:

download our free book sampler

Used by writers, editors, and universities all over the world, each thesaurus book contains:

A deep dive into a story element writers need to master. Character emotions, backstory wounds, traits, conflict, settings, etc.–learn how each element will help you create dynamic characters and breakout fiction.A brainstorming thesaurus that will help you show-not-tell so readers walk with characters through every struggle and emotional experience.Examples, worksheets, and visuals to help deepen your understanding and strengthen your story ideas

If you like resources that help you become a stronger writer, we hope you’ll check out our thesaurus guides. This 25% discount is applied directly at checkout and runs until December 1st.

Save 25% at our BOOKSTOREMore Writing, Editing & Marketing Deals

Book Coach Suzy Vadori Introductory 1:1 Book Coaching Session (Save $100)

Grab your Black Friday Introductory 1:1 Book Coaching Session for $249, and experience the clarity that has given 1000���s of Suzy Vadori’s writers a path to achieve their creative dreams. Includes a 10-page assessment, 30-minute Zoom, and hand-selected lessons or worksheets. Deal runs until December 5th.

Book Coach Julie Artz Writing Essentials 3-Course Bundle ($75 $27)

Book Coach Julie Artz’s Writing Essentials course bundle contains two crucial craft techniques Understanding Scene and Bring Your Story World to Life, plus her most popular course, 12 Weeks to Your Next Draft, all in one amazing low-priced bundle. Deal runs until December 1st.

Jill Boehme Editing Services A Three Chapter Edit (Save 33%)

Jill Boehme is offering 33% off a full line-edit of your first 3 chapters (up to 7500 words)–a great way to see if your opening chapters are working. Deal runs from November 26th to November 30th.

Bang2Write: A 4-Pack of Deals for Writers & Screenwriters

Whether you’re looking for powerful courses, a Writing Fast Track, A Submissions Boot Camp, or to be part of the B2W Academy, you will find all the help you need to become a great storyteller, finish your novel or screenplay, and fast-track your creative career. Deal runs during Black Friday week.

ProWritingAid Annual & Lifetime Subscriptions (Save 50%)

ProWritingAid is the essential toolkit for storytellers, helping you to craft your story and bring it to life. It’s like having an English teacher, editor, critique partner and writing buddy all in one place. This deal runs from Nov 17 – Dec 3rd.

Publisher Rocket ($30 off Publisher Rocket + a Free Keywords & Categories Course)

Your book deserves to be read! Join other authors using Publisher Rocket to sell more books by optimizing keywords, categories, and ad campaigns. This deal runs until December 2nd.

2026 Fictionary Memberships (Save 40%)

Fictionary offers programs to help you write & finish your novel, series, and for becoming a certified editor. Save 40% with the code BF2025. Deal runs until December 1st.

Novlr Writing Software (30% off any subscription)

Novlr gives you a distraction-free writing workspace. Trackable writing goals and streaks will also keep you focused on your goals, making them more achievable than ever before. Write more with Novlr. Deal runs until December 31st.

Write | Publish | Sell (40% off Instagram for Authors Course)

���Instagram for Authors is a power-packed course providing authors with the tools they need to successfully use Instagram to market and grow their author platforms. Deal runs until December 2nd.

K.M.Weiland’s Products for Writers (Save 25% Storewide)

Save 25% on everything in the Helping Writers Become Authors shop, including bestselling books, in-depth courses, guided meditations for brainstorming and inspiration, fillable worksheets, and the Outlining Your Novel software. Deal runs until December 1st.

Scrivener MacOS & Windows (25% off)

Tailor made for long writing projects, Scrivener combines a virtual typewriter, ring-binder and cork board in a single app. Save 25% with the code BLACKFRIDAY2025 from November 28th to December 1st.

Atticus Software (Free Course with Purchase)

Transform your writing journey with Atticus.io���the all-in-one powerhouse for book writing and formatting. Get a free course with each purchase. Deal runs until December 2nd.

Miblart Book Covers (20% off cover designs)

Get 20% off all Miblart Book Cover Designs until December 3rd, with no order limits. From fantasy to romance, our team has helped thousands of indie authors bring their stories to life with covers that sell and stay memorable. Deal runs November 24th – December 3rd.

Book Brush Custom Cover Design Package (Save $100)

Book Brush understands what catches a reader���s eye. Our Custom Cover Design blends creativity and market know-how to make sure your book stands out and truly reflects your vision. Email contact@bookbrush.com to claim your discount and reserve your cover design spot. Deal runs November 25 – December 1st.

The Bookshelf Website Builder (50% off a 1-year subscription)

The Bookshelf Website Builder gives authors everything they need to create a beautiful, professional website���no coding required. Designed by authors, for authors, it combines simplicity with flexibility. Deal runs November 29-December 1st.

Novel Factory Software (Save 30%)

The Novel Factory combines intuitive organisational tools to help manage your plot, characters, locations and notes, with advanced features including a subplot manager and timeline. Save 30% on an annual plan with code BLACKRIDAY2025 until December 1st.

Dabble (Save 20% off Lifetime access)

Dabble provides a seamless and intuitive writing experience for authors. With its clean, user-friendly interface, Dabble simplifies the way you organize and structure your stories, allowing your ideas to flow freely. Deal runs November 28th – December 1st.

Last but not least, a story support tool to help you write fiction that stands out from the rest:

One Stop for Writers 6-Month Plan (Save 35%)

As many of you know, in addition to our bestselling writing guides, we built One Stop for Writers, a powerful writing partner that has helped tens of thousands of writers get their very best stories onto the page and into the hands of readers.

Your All-In-One Creative Toolbox

CHARACTER BUILDER
CHARACTER ARC BLUEPRINT
TIMELINE TOOL
STORY & SCENE MAPS
WORLDBUILDING SURVEYS
IDEA GENERATOR
WORKSHEETS & TEMPLATES
THE STORYTELLER���S ROADMAP
SHOW-DON���T-TELL THESAURUS DATABASE
CHECKLISTS & TIP SHEETS
A PRIVATE WORKSPACE

If you���ve been looking for a tool to support you at every step and stage, and to help you focus your ideas into stronger concepts and write characters who draw readers in, I hope you���ll check out One Stop for Writers.

Save 35% on the 6-Month Plan

Activate this one-time code:

BLACKFRIDAY25

And save 35% when you select the 6-month plan.

Visit One Stop for Writers

Deal ends December 1st, 2025.

To use this code:

Sign up or sign in.Choose the 6-month subscription and add the code: BLACKFRIDAY25.Once the button is activated, the 35% discount will display onscreen.Add your payment method, check the Terms box, and then hit the subscribe button.

If you’re a current subscriber, you can use this code, too! Visit our FAQ if you need any help.

We’re all watching our spending this year, so it’s good to have a chance to stretch our dollars further. I hope you’ll find a few new tools to help you — happy writing!

The post Unmissable Black Friday Deals for Writers appeared first on WRITERS HELPING WRITERS��.

Coping Mechanism Thesaurus: Spending Time in Nature

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 develops an unhealthy reliance on that mechanism, problems will arise. Long-term, certain coping behaviors will impair their connections with others, their ability to achieve goals and dreams, and their ability to handle life’s pressures.

At some point, they must have an Aha! moment where they realize their coping method is holding them back and seek other ways to deal with stress. Namely, they���ll have to adopt healthier mechanisms that enable them to manage difficulties and ultimately have a happier future.

To help you write your character’s growth (or regression) journey, we’ve created The Coping Mechanism Thesaurus, which contains a range of coping mechanisms. The one we’re highlighting today can help your character better manage painful emotions and stress. Use this partial entry to show readers the character is choosing more productive strategies that will build resilience.

Spending Time in Nature Definition

Getting outside; exposure to the natural elements (light, fresh air, flora, fauna, water, etc.).

What It May Look Like

Going for a walk or jog
Taking a journal outside
Working in the garden beds, hands in the earth
Sunbathing
Storm watching
Focusing on sensations: breeze against the skin, heat of the sun, the texture of a flower petal
Enjoying a night swim

Internal Struggles

Needing the reset nature provides, but feeling guilty for setting aside responsibility or duty to do it
Not wanting to return to a stressful environment, but knowing they must
Feeling guilty for enjoying downtime in nature when it means others must pick up the slack
Experiencing an epiphany that they���ve wasted an opportunity, a relationship, or their life in some way

Challenges That Will Test the Character

Wanting to spend time in nature but not having access to it
Returning to a must-anticipated natural location only to discover it���s changed in some way
Having a limitation that prevents the character from enjoying their location fully (being unable to hike due to an injury, being tethered to a cell phone awaiting an important call, etc.)

Basic Human Needs It Could Fill

Physiological Needs: The natural world is the source of many things needed for survival. As the character explores, they could discover a source of water, food, shelter, or something else they desperately need.
Safety and Security: Long-term health means taking care of physical and mental wellness. The restorative nature of the outdoors and the opportunity to exercise can be exactly what your character needs.

Need More Descriptive Help?

While this thesaurus is still being developed and expanded, the rest of our descriptive collection (18 unique thesauri and growing) is accessible through the One Stop for Writers THESAURUS database.

If you like, swing by and check out the video walkthrough for this site, then give our Free Trial a spin.

The post Coping Mechanism Thesaurus: Spending Time in Nature appeared first on WRITERS HELPING WRITERS��.

Make the Most of Your Manuscript’s Resting Time

If you’re participating in ProWriting Aid’s Novel November, Reedsy’s Novel Sprint, NaNo 2.0 (not the original NaNo) or another writing challenge this November, you’ll soon be finished drafting. And if you’re like most writers, you’ll immediately start thinking about how to revise your manuscript. But I’ve got some advice for you: DON’T.

At least, not yet.

After the hard work you’ve put in, the best thing you can do for your story is to set it aside. Give it some Drawer Time, as we old-timers say.

Letting a manuscript rest for a month or so will give you some much needed distance. When you���ve lived inside a story for weeks or months, it���s hard to see what needs trimming, what���s unclear, or which scenes need a makeover. Once you���ve stepped away for a while, you’ll regain objectivity, and those things will become more obvious.

So resting time is essential, but implementing it is hard because we don’t want to lose momentum. And what will we do with ourselves in the meantime?

This pause between drafting and revising is actually a great time to refill the creative well and strengthen your toolkit. Here are 8 ways to make the most of this crucial stage in the writing process.

Jot Down Ideas for What Needs Work

While your first draft is fresh in your mind, start a working list of any issues you suspect need attention���plot holes, character issues, scenes that feel off, possible inconsistencies, etc. Don’t try to fix them right now. Just start the list, which will accomplish two things:

It makes things easier when it’s time to revise because you’ve already identified problems to address. Keeping a list takes the pressure off because those revision ideas are being recorded; they won’t be forgotten, so your brain can move on to other things.Reward Yourself

Holy buckets, you wrote a novel! This is an amazing achievement that many people dream of but few actually accomplish. So treat yourself. It doesn’t have to be anything big or expensive: order in and binge that show you’ve been wanting to watch, buy the shoes you’ve been eyeing, take a day off���do something to mark this moment, because it’s a huge deal.

Work on Another Writing Project

Since your manuscript is off-limits, shift focus to a different project. Explore a shiny new idea, flesh out a character you’ve been thinking about, do some worldbuilding. Do something you’ve never done before, like writing a short story or experimenting with a new genre or voice.

Most writers have loads of story and character ideas on the back burner. Pick one that excites you and start exploring.

Pursue a Different Creative Outlet

Whether it took a month or a year to get the words down, finishing a first draft can be exhausting. If you’re feeling burned out, like you just can’t with a new story right now, take a vacation and do something different.

Give your brain a rest and mix things up with some drawing, baking, photography, dancing, playing a musical instrument, or whatever interests you. Let your mind wander and just play. Changing your focus while still staying creative can reset your brain and refill your well. Then, when it’s time to get back to writing, you’ll feel energized and refreshed.

Read…Maybe Strategically

Reading for pleasure is a great way to relax and reset. And now is a good time to do it because while you’re chilling out with a good book, your brain is still taking in techniques and style choices���the ones that work and those that don’t. Two birds, one stone.

If you’d like your reading to be more focused, choose books in your genre to see how other authors handle pacing, dialogue, or tension. Notice what keeps you turning the pages, what makes a character memorable.

Or re-read a book that’s inspiring in some way. Maybe it’s how the author wove theme into the story, or setting descriptions that made you feel like you were right there. Make notes about techniques you might be able to use in your own writing.

Study an Aspect of Craft That Needs Strengthening

Every writer has strengths and weaknesses. What storytelling aspect do you struggle with? Maybe your protagonists tend toward melodrama and don’t feel emotionally authentic. Or you’re fuzzy on character arc.

Whatever needs work, read a book, sign up for a webinar, or listen to podcast episodes that explore the topic. (On our home page, you can find resource pages dedicated to many areas of storytelling.) Target that area and focus on it for a few weeks. Then when you return to your manuscript you���ll be better equipped to revise it.

Prep for Publishing

You’re a ways off from being ready to publish your book, but if this is your end goal, now’s a good time to start researching next steps. Whether you’re considering traditional or self-publishing, there are a lot of things you can look into during your manuscript���s rest period:

Research the literary agents who represent your genre and see which ones are a good fitDraft a template query letter to send to agents and editorsExplore ideas for how to market your bookMake a short list of proofreaders, editors, cover designers, formatters, or other professionals you’ll need to hire Join a Critique Group or Find a Critique Partner

Part of the revision process will involve letting others read and offer feedback on your story. So if you don’t yet have a critique group or partner, line them up now. There are lots of places to find critiquers, but Angela’s and my favorite is Critique Circle. This is where we met over 20 years ago. It’s free, online, and has an outstanding track record for connecting writers.

Once Drawer Time is finished, you can turn your attention to revision. But don’t freak out…The One Stop for Writers Revision Roadmap simplifies this process by organizing it into manageable rounds. We also have a wide array of helpful resources on our Revision and Editing page. So between those two, we’ve got you covered!

Summary for Busy Writers: Resting your manuscript after finishing a first draft is an essential part of the writing process, providing the distance needed to see your story more clearly so you can identify what needs work. Any of the activities mentioned here will keep that wait time productive and help you return to your manuscript with clarity, energy, and a plan for getting it across the finish line.

The post Make the Most of Your Manuscript’s Resting Time appeared first on WRITERS HELPING WRITERS��.

Qualities of a Successful Writer

What makes a successful writer? Is there a recipe somewhere for the secret sauce that will guarantee success?

Well, that depends at least partly on how you define success. Society imposes external metrics on us: publication, bestseller lists, awards, fame and fortune. These are tangible, easily measured by outcome, but thinking of success in terms of the externals can lead to a dangerous practice of valuing the end more than the means. It���s thrilling to hold your book in your hands and see your name on the cover, but that���s a fleeting moment compared to the years (yes, years) it will take to get there. If you don���t love the process, you���re in for a whole lot of frustration and unhappiness.

But there���s another way to define writing success: on the level of process.

Show Up

During my MFA, this was known as BIC: Butt in Chair. A writer writes. Sounds obvious, but there���s a difference between writing and wanting to have written that again points to product over process. Stephen King is known for showing up at his desk every day, no exceptions. Some people push back on that advice, but I know if I miss a day at my desk (or worse, more than one), I will struggle to regain my momentum. As Picasso famously said, ���Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working.” If you only work when you feel like it, you won���t get much done, and when that great idea comes knocking at your door, you might be busy doing something else.

Remain a Student of the Craft

If you ever think you���ll reach a point where you know everything there is to know about writing, think again. Committing to this craft means setting yourself up for lifelong learning: going to workshops and conferences, being receptive to feedback, being willing to start over, and reading reading reading. Adopting the attitude of a student means being teachable, accepting that you don���t know everything.

Learning to write is no different than learning to be a carpenter or a violinist. We think it���s different because, on a basic level, we already know how to write. Sure: grocery lists, maybe a basic essay. Not a short story or a novel. These are learned skills, and the learning curve is huge.

The first time I went to the Surrey Writers��� Conference, I attended a workshop where the presenter talked about writing a million words of crap. That was the approximate amount of writing you had to do, they said, before it started coming out good. It was a reminder that success in the external sense doesn���t happen overnight. I adjusted my expectations���though in truth, they had already been adjusted the first time I tried to write a short story. This is harder than it looks, was my takeaway. Duh. Of course it is. Who would ever pick up a violin and expect to sound like Joshua Bell?

Grow a Thick Skin

Being a student of the craft won���t always feel good. Getting feedback can be hard. Finding out that the novel you���ve worked on every day for a year needs to be razed to the ground (or coming to that terrible realization yourself) is tough���but I���ve done it numerous times and so has pretty much every other writer I know. John Green says he throws out 90% of every first draft he writes and then numbers the successive drafts. Each of his novels stands on a foundation of hundreds of drafts.  

Developing a thick skin is especially helpful when you start submitting your work. If you haven���t learned how to accept feedback, you likely won���t last through the submission process. It���s long, and rejection is hard. But if you value the process over the product, you���re already one step ahead of the game.

I highly recommend Kim Liao���s approach of aiming for 100 rejections a year. It flips the script and takes the sting out of rejection. I also recommend Steven Pressfield���s gem of a book, The War of Art, in which he talks about turning pro. A pro understands this is a business and doesn���t take rejection personally. They keep showing up.

Love the Work

In the end, none of this matters if you don���t love what you���re doing. The time I spend early in the morning at my desk is my favorite part of the day. I���m not suggesting you���re going to love every minute of this process. It���s hard at times. It can be frustrating. Sometimes you stare at the page for an hour and write��� nothing. Or you fill three pages with what you realize afterwards is utter drivel. But if, on balance, you don���t love what you���re doing, if you can imagine giving it up, if it isn���t the thing that fulfills you and makes you happy, why do it?

Ignore That Slippery Finish Line

Well, yes, there are the external rewards at the end. That finish line. The email you get from a publisher informing you they want your novel. You have finally arrived. You���re successful in the way most writers define success.

I���m willing to bet that good feeling will last for a few days and then you���ll nudge your finish line a little farther away. If success was publication, now it will be reviews, bestseller lists, awards. Which ones? Whichever ones you don���t have. If you make money, it won���t be enough. That���s the danger of using external measures of success; because they���re slippery, they will never quite satisfy you.  

Viktor Frankl, author of Man���s Search for Meaning, said: ���Don���t aim at success���the more you aim at it and make it a target, the more you are going to miss it. For success, like happiness, cannot be pursued; it must ensue, and it only does so as the unintended side-effect of one���s dedication.���

Loving the work for its own sake might not fully cure the tendency to keep moving the finish line farther away, but when you focus on the process rather than the product, you���re more likely to find fulfillment and happiness. The externals will be a bonus.

Summary for Busy Writers: A successful writer focuses on process rather than product. Show up, be a student of the craft, love the work, and you will be successful regardless of the outcome.

The post Qualities of a Successful Writer appeared first on WRITERS HELPING WRITERS��.

Two Craft-Boosting Black Friday Deals for Writers

The best thing about Black Friday sales is how writers can put themselves first, picking up affordable resources that will make a huge impact on their writing success. I love that!

Every year, we offer discounts so your dollars go further, and this year is no exception. What is new, though, is now that our Writers Helping Writers�� Store is up and running, we can offer a sweet deal on our books, as well as our One Stop for Writers�� webapp!

So, if you are looking to invest in learning how to activate every detail in your story and master show, don’t tell…

All Writers Helping Writers digital books are 25% off (including our boxed set!)

For many writers, the hardest part isn���t coming up with ideas���it���s translating those ideas onto the page in a way that feels authentic, layered, and emotionally true. That���s where the Writers Helping Writers�� Thesaurus series shines.

Each thesaurus book contains…A deep exploration of a specific story element (emotion, conflict, setting, character traits, etc.) Tips and guidance on how to write this element with skillWorksheets, templates, and visuals that help you understand concepts and explore ideasA comprehensive “thesaurus” of descriptive lists (on character emotions, traits, emotional wounds, conflict scenarios, locations, etc.) to help you brainstorm and show, not tell like a pro

Powerful storytelling depends on understanding the nuances of meaning, what details matter, and how to show, not tell, so your characters come alive and their journeys matter to readers. Our books show you how.

These writing guides are perfect for writers who…Want to learn how to take their writing from good to greatLike having ideas on hand to speed up writing sessionsNeed a resource that helps them bust through Writer’s BlockWant to create human, relatable characters readers connect toLove high-value resources they’ll turn to again and again Visit our Writers Helping Writers Store

This 25% discount on digital books is exclusive to our Writers Helping Writers Store. Last day to save is December 1st, 2025.

Save 35% at One Stop for Writers

As many of you know, in addition to our bestselling writing guides, we have a powerful writing partner that has helped tens of thousands of writers get their very best stories onto the page and into the hands of readers.

Your All-In-One Creative Toolbox

CHARACTER BUILDER
CHARACTER ARC BLUEPRINT
TIMELINE TOOL
STORY & SCENE MAPS
WORLDBUILDING SURVEYS
IDEA GENERATOR
WORKSHEETS & TEMPLATES
THE STORYTELLER���S ROADMAP
SHOW-DON���T-TELL THESAURUS DATABASE
CHECKLISTS & TIP SHEETS
& MORE

If you’ve been looking for a tool to support you at every step and stage, and to help you focus your ideas into stronger concepts and write characters who draw readers in, I hope you’ll check out One Stop for Writers.

Save 35% on the 6-Month Plan

Activate this one-time code:

BLACKFRIDAY25

And save 35% when you select the 6-month plan.

Visit One Stop for Writers

Deal ends December 1st, 2025.

To use this code:

Sign up or sign in.Choose the 6-month subscription and add the code: BLACKFRIDAY25.Once activated via the button, the 35% discount will display onscreen.Add your payment method, check the Terms box, and then hit the subscribe button.

New to One Stop for Writers? Join Becca for a quick tour to see how our resources and tools can help you reach your creative goals.

The post Two Craft-Boosting Black Friday Deals for Writers appeared first on WRITERS HELPING WRITERS��.

8 Qualities that Will Help Your Protagonist on Their Journey

Every writer strives to create protagonists with unique qualities that make them compelling, fully-formed people. We spend hours, days, and sometimes years to make them believable.

Recently, I attended a day job webinar that gave me new tools and perspectives for fiction. (I love it when that happens.) The course detailed the eight characteristics every person needs to successfully navigate this ���adulting��� thing and realize their full potential.

Here are my thoughts about tweaking these traits and qualities to help our own heroes and heroines as they journey through our stories.

Meet the 8 Cs: Qualities that Can Help a Character Become Whole

As authors, we want our characters to be whole by the end of the story, or at least whole enough to fight another day. The list below, shared by a long-time social worker, contains the qualities people need to be fully actualized [aka happy], and some exercises that will help them ���get there.���

The conundrum of happy characters often lies inside the artist. Most creative spirits are forged from adversity. As Richard M. Nixon said, ���The finest steel has to go through the hottest fire.���

We want to put our characters through these hot fires of hell. We need to hold them to the flames to keep readers reading. But most writers also want their characters to find happiness by the time they write The End.

I���d also like to point out that it’s especially difficult to keep our eye on the happy prize when the world around us is chaotic.

How do you mess with a character���s happily-ever-after under these circumstances?

The 8 Cs Are…CuriosityClarityConfidenceCreativityCalmCourageCompassionConnectednessHow can we use these qualities?

Below are quotes, questions, and affirmations for each quality that may spark ideas for your own characters. The smart writer will pick a few traits and ensure that their character is terrible at them.

Note: Angela Ackerman wrote a post about a character���s unmet need, which is a great counterpart to this post. A character���s “lacking” qualities or their unmet need is the stuff of a great hero���s journey.

1. Curiosity

���Curiosity is one of the great secrets of happiness.��� ��� Bryant McGill

An enquiring mind is a wonderful thing. People with highly developed curiosity are often healthier and happier. People with a well-developed sense of curiosity are often more mindful of their world and more accepting of themselves.

Some questions for your character to ask (or for their mentor to ask them):

How do I feel about this, and why?What if I were more present right now?What do I need the most right now?What inner strengths have I discovered in this situation?2. Clarity

���Out of crisis, comes clarity.��� ��� Randolph O���Toole

The actual definition of clarity is: the quality of transparency or purity. It means to have clearness, wisdom, an understanding of your world or situation.

In fiction, if you have a mentor in your book, they likely have clarity. How would this look on the page? What might this mentor say to your main character?

���Breathe.������Find your refuge.������Respond, don���t react.������Dig deep.���

Although mentors always seem to die in movies, they ALWAYS impart wisdom and clarity to the main character before they go.

3. Confidence

���It is confidence in our bodies, minds, and spirits that allows us to keep looking for new adventures.��� ��� Oprah Winfrey

Some sample character affirmations to help underscore your character’s confidence:

Celebrate victories.Do your best. It will be good enough.Be congruent.I am me, and I am okay.You���re exactly where you need to be.4. Creativity

���The creative adult is the child who survived.��� ��� Ursula Le Guin

Here are some thought-inducing questions or sayings for a character brimming with creativity:

Has anything/anyone inspired you lately?Everything in my life inspires me to create.Express your thoughts and feelings your way.I gift the world through my creative expression.5. Calm

���Feelings are just visitors, let them come and go.��� ��� Thich Nhat Hanh

Everyone has a friend or family member who goes ���from zero to everything��� when it comes to their emotions. Calm is the opposite of that.

Calm takes a moment to assess.

Calm looks inward before it looks outward.

Does your character have calm? How do they use it to progress your plot? Perhaps they lack calm. How does that hurt them?

If they have this ���calm��� superpower, here are some sample mantras.

Differentiate between fear, anger, and helplessness. Then lean in.Don���t get hijacked by your feelings.���Rest and digest. Try not to just react.���6. Courage

���Always remember. . . You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think, and loved more than you will ever know.��� ��� A.A. Milne, ���Winnie the Pooh���

Courage is what every great hero is made of. It’s about willingness, effort and potential failure. Courage is about finding a way where there is no way.

How would a courageous character look?

They���d engage in authentic communication with others.According to Bren�� Brown, they would allow themselves to be vulnerable.They’d possess a willingness to be uncomfortable.Also, they���d have an optimism that ���failure is not the end.���

(Conversely, if they���re not courageous, they���ll have NONE of these.)

William Faulkner said, ���You cannot swim for new horizons until you have courage to lose sight of the shore.���

7. Compassion

���If I am not first for myself, then who will be for me? If I am not for others, what am I? And if not now, when?��� ��� Rabbi Hillel

���If your compassion does not include yourself, it is incomplete.��� ��� Jack Kornfield

Love and compassion for others start with love and compassion for oneself. It is the hardest thing to remember for many of us, and the easiest thing to forget in times of stress.

Characters who have compassion as their superpower will know the following:

Self-compassion is fundamental.They will work toward acceptance, not judgment.Bring compassion to your pain.8. Connectedness

���Only through our connectedness to others can we really know and enhance the self.��� ��� Harriet Lerner, ���The Dance of Anger���

Do you have a character with a strong community, or one who keeps to themselves? Do they want to be connected, but don’t know what that looks like? Perhaps they build a community for others but don���t feel they deserve one of their own.

How does your character connect? What is their love language–giving their time? Gifts? Acts of Service?

Here are some philosophies the connected character might live by:

Nurture your inner strengths. Then share them.Expand your generosity. Then share it.Open your heart and your mind, as well as your arms.Final Thoughts on the 8 Cs

Looking at these eight qualities together really brings home how many areas you can use (aka mess with) to help your character stretch and grow on their journey to becoming their fullest self. And that���s our goal as storytellers, right?

Now it’s your turn…

What is your main character’s superpower trait? What are they terrible at? What other qualities would you add to the list? I���d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

The post 8 Qualities that Will Help Your Protagonist on Their Journey appeared first on WRITERS HELPING WRITERS��.

Is Your Writing ���Good Enough��� to Publish?

I cringe at the title of this article, because we all know that writing is an art form, and there are thousands of ways to do it. Yet, I used this title because writers ask me daily if I can take a look at their work and let them know if it���s ���any good���. These words come from writers, expressing a very common fear that readers won���t connect with their carefully written work.

I get it. Nobody sets out to write a bad book.

But while I���d love to tell you that whatever you write is perfect the way it is, the truth is that some books are better reads than others. Some books sell thousands, or even millions, and some die on the vine after hitting publish, read by only a handful of friends or family. Over the past decade as I���ve developed my Book Coaching practice, in my spare time I���ve read every bestseller I can get my hands on. That���s right, even the ones that make you scratch your head and say, ���how the heck did that book make the list? It breaks every writing rule I���ve ever learned.���

I read these books, and almost always enjoy them, because whatever you think of the author���s writing style, something about that book worked for readers.

Readers found the bookReaders read the bookReaders loved the bookReaders shared book, helping it find a wide audience (which is what most of us secretly hope will happen to our books, even if you���re telling yourself you���re writing it ���just for you���!)

There are patterns that emerge from studying these bestsellers, including writing style, technique, and marketing timing, but the long and the short of it is:

Satisfying readers is the key to your book making it through this cycle, and your book opening up a new conversation with the world. ��

Now, I���m not suggesting that you change your book idea to suit the market if that feels like ���selling out���. I���m also not suggesting you chase publishing trends, because they are usually over by the time you write, edit, and start looking for publishing options. I can guarantee that the book idea you���re working on is enough to write an excellent book. After all, it���s got you excited, and you���re here reading and learning how to make it better. If you love it this much, readers will love it too.  

Instead of Starting Over, I���m Suggesting to Shift Your Focus.

I���ve worked with thousands of writers over the last decade, and the ones who build coveted readerships are the writers who stay maniacally focused during the writing process on what they want readers to take away from their books.

They become masters at showing vs. telling, lighting up their readers��� brains and immersing them in story.They ensure that everything included in their book is doing double or triple duty to build character, show their world, or further their plot. Nothing extraneous survives.They splash their writing voice, and the Point of View (POV) of their characters all over their pages without apology.Why Does This Attention to Your Reader���s Experience Matter?

Think of writing as the kids��� game of telephone, where a group sits in a line, and whispers a phrase to their neighbor. It���s passed down the line until the result is announced���usually a pale representation of the original idea, often making no sense at all.

The goal of your writing is to get your original idea (the one that���s keeping you up at night because it���s so exciting) all the way to the end of the telephone line, intact. That���s where your writing skills come in. If your message gets lost along the way, then a two star review of your book doesn���t mean that readers didn���t like your idea. They might be reacting to a completely different message���one that���s far from your original intent.

What Can You Do to Make Your Reader���s Experience Amazing?

Make sure everything in your brain is actually on your page. You���d be surprised how many times I���ve read a writer���s work and asked a question in the margin because I couldn���t figure out what was happening in their scene. The writer at first is surprised, thinking they were very clear and I missed something. Then they look and realize they never actually wrote the details on the page, so I couldn���t possibly guess what was happening. Readers and editors along the way can help you find these issues. They���re tricky to see yourself, because your brain knows too much about your story, and will fill it in as you read, whether it���s on your pages, or not.

Use clear language. Avid readers read fast. Spend the time to eliminate sentences they���ll trip on or have to reread to understand. Doing this work makes reading more pleasurable for your readers, meaning that they���ll enjoy their time with your book even more. Reading your writing out loud to yourself, or setting up a listening pass on your phone or laptop of your draft can help you find these problematic friction points in your writing.

Step readers through logic instead of leaping. Especially for major decisions your character makes, or important plot points, slow it down and don���t skim past. These moments have the potential to be some of the most satisfying in your whole book. Give readers a chance to absorb and appreciate what���s going on, and avoid complicating these important moments with hints or vague descriptions, assuming readers will read your mind. They won���t. Sometimes you need to use a sentence or two to spell things out.

If you pay attention to how your reader will experience your idea, going above and beyond to make sure it���s clear, readers won���t be able to put your book down when you put it in their hands. That���s not magic, it���s science. Readers read to escape their world for a while. They read to learn, to empathize, and to be entertained. And the easier you make it for them to immerse in your world, the more they���ll enjoy their time there���so they���ll love your book, and share it.

Want to get my eyes on your work to show you how it���ll land with readers?  Get a writing assessment! Until Black Friday, I���m offering an introductory Writing Assessment, where I���ll evaluate a sample of your writing and coach you where to focus to make your writing as impactful to your reader as it can be.

The post Is Your Writing ���Good Enough��� to Publish? appeared first on WRITERS HELPING WRITERS��.

Coping Mechanism Thesaurus Entry: People Pleasing

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 develops an unhealthy reliance on that mechanism, problems will arise. Long-term, certain coping behaviors will impair their connections with others, their ability to achieve goals and dreams, and their resiliency in handling life’s pressures.

At some point, they must have an Aha! moment where they realize their coping method is holding them back and they need to seek other ways to deal with stress. Namely, they���ll have to adopt healthier mechanisms that enable them to manage difficulties and ultimately have a happier future.

To help you write your character’s growth (or regression) journey, we’ve created The Coping Mechanism Thesaurus, which contains a range of coping methods. The one we’re highlighting today can be damaging, and we hope this partial entry will help you show your character’s struggle in a way readers can relate to.

People PleasingDefinition

Prioritizing the needs and desires of others over one���s own to avoid conflict, gain approval, and validate self-worth.

What It May Look Like

Being highly attuned to the wants and needs of others
Difficulty saying no
Apologizing frequently
Always agreeing with others
Waiting to hear what others say and think before speaking
Pursuing goals that will impress others (that the character doesn���t necessarily want)

Basic Human Needs It Could Compromise

Self-Actualization: Because people pleasers spend all their time fulfilling other people���s dreams and desires, their own usually are pushed to the side, leading to dissatisfaction.
Esteem and Recognition: No one can please everyone all the time. When the character���s value is based on their ability to make others happy, they���ll inevitably be disappointed in themselves.

Fallout (and Possible Turning Points)

A relationship turning toxic
Burning out or having a breakdown
Low self-esteem escalating to feelings of worthlessness or self-loathing
Crossing a moral boundary to please others and suffering dire consequences

Commitment to Change

Replacing negative coping mechanisms with positive ones is how your character turns the page, but it starts with internal work, new habits, and practices:
Thinking about what they want
Pursuing a hobby or area of interest
Setting and enforcing healthy boundaries
Recognizing that their thoughts and opinions are just as important as someone else���s

Need More Descriptive Help?

While this thesaurus is still being developed and expanded, the rest of our descriptive collection (18 unique thesauri and growing) is accessible through the One Stop for Writers THESAURUS database.

If you like, swing by and check out the video walkthrough for this site, then give our Free Trial a spin.

The post Coping Mechanism Thesaurus Entry: People Pleasing appeared first on WRITERS HELPING WRITERS��.

6 Ways to Create Amazing Character Chemistry

I���ve been thinking a lot recently about character chemistry���that spark, bond, or shared connection we often associate with strong and compelling romantic relationships.

But chemistry shouldn���t be limited to love interests. Frodo and Sam, Thelma and Louise, Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader���some of the most memorable relationships in fiction had nothing to do with physical attraction. If we can bring chemistry into the protagonist���s friendships, rivalries, or even mentor/prot��g�� and adversarial relationships, the characters and dynamics will come alive for readers.

So I���d like to share six tips for creating that oomph between characters in any genre.

1. Make the Characters Clash

Tension���the reader���s emotional response to what���s happening with the character���is a key element of chemistry and can be generated through conflict, suspense, uncertainty, and anticipation. When we examine tension within the context of relationships, it often arises through the interplay between the characters.

Even positive and symbiotic relationships need tension to keep them moving. So give the characters opposing traits���impulsive vs. cautious, logical vs. intuitive, tolerant vs. inflexible���to create that sense of strain. Maybe they have conflicting goals, or they���re pursuing the same objective but for different reasons. Are they opposed when it comes to certain questions of morality or ethics? Differences create friction, and friction creates interest. So make sure your characters challenge each other simply by being true to themselves.

2. Let Them See Each Other Clearly

Everyone wants to be seen; it���s something we look for in our real-world relationships, so adding that element to a fictional dynamic can give it an extra dose of authenticity. Maybe one character sees something in the other that most people miss: an undervalued strength or how they���re uniquely different. Maybe the character sees a friend���s flaws and weaknesses and are able to call those out in a way that���s challenging rather than critical. This depth of knowing each other speaks to a deeper kind of relationship that most readers appreciate and will respond to.

3. Don���t Forget the Subtext

I recently rewatched the TV show Lie to Me, and in the first episode, the protagonist claims that people on average lie three times per hour. I don���t know if that���s true, but it feels true. Whether we���re lying outright or covertly being deceptive (leaving out details, pretending to feel something we don���t, etc.), no one is completely honest all the time.

Authentic characters hide things: their true feelings or opinions, what they really want, their insecurities and fears���even from the people they love and trust. So a character���s surface-level interactions (their words, choices, and behaviors) contradict what���s really going on inside (visceral responses, thoughts, and emotions). That subtext charges the energy in the relationship, making it crackle.

This kind of chemistry is compelling to readers because it adds a sense of realism to the relationship. It also creates intrigue as the reader sees everything isn���t as it seems, and they start paying closer attention to figure out what���s happening under the surface.

4. Create Shared History or Inside Moments

Chemistry builds on shared experiences���good and bad. When you���re creating characters and their important relationships, add in backstory events that reveal a bond. When they reference those touchpoints, it reveals a depth to their relationship. If the characters are just getting to know each other and don���t yet have a history, create bonding moments���even something small, like a shared joke or win���to start building that depth early.

5. Make the Relationship Interesting

Chemistry is anything but boring, so it���s hard to find it between boring, predictable, or clich��d characters. What can you add to the relationship to make it unusual or interesting?

As discussed, make the characters clash through opposing traits, goals, or morality.Unify them in a difficult objective.Make the pairing itself unusual, as in the case of a high school chemistry teacher and his student joining forces to make meth.Give them a powerful joint enemy in the form of an individual, organization, a natural or supernatural force, or even the society or culture they live in.Add mystery. One of my favorite pairings in all of fiction is the one between Scout Finch and Boo Radley. Their relationship teems with chemistry despite them not talking or officially meeting until the very end. They were separated for most of the story, but the tension, energy, and spark were there because of the mystery surrounding Boo Radley.

Relationships are only as engaging as the characters who embody them, so invest ample time and energy in the character creation process to be sure you���re building a unique and authentic cast that readers will find interesting.

6. Add Ebb and Flow

Chemistry is very much about shifts and changes. A relationship where both parties are content and comfortable and everything stays the same will read as flat. One way to address this is to map out the relationship arc���all the characters��� interactions���throughout the story. Mark those events with a + or ��� sign to indicate strengthening (increased admiration, proven trust, bonding through adversity) or a decline (increased distance, an argument, loyalty being questioned). If you don���t see changes (if the relationship is mostly flat) add moments that create movement. This will keep it from stagnating, giving the relationship a sense of flow and evolution.

Basically, chemistry emerges not only from what the characters say and do, but through how they engage with each other. Big moments have big impact, but you can only have so many of those in a story. Capitalize on the small things that can bring about friction, camaraderie, subtext, and uncertainty in the relationship, and readers will be drawn in.

Build the relationships���healthy, toxic, and in-between���that your character needs

Check out our comprehensive Relationship Thesaurus at One Stop for Writers. These entries will help you plan each connection with intention, showing how the relationship shapes a character���s choices, sparks meaningful attachments or points of friction, and ultimately drives the story forward.

The post 6 Ways to Create Amazing Character Chemistry appeared first on WRITERS HELPING WRITERS��.