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A Show-Don’t-Tell Database for Writers
One thing we’re known for around here is description. For a dozen years, Becca and I have explored topic after topic, and whether it’s settings, emotions, backstory wounds, conflict, weather, or...
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How Symbolism Adds Depth to a Story
I think we all agree, stories need to be more than a character, goal, and a series of scenarios that keep the two apart. Reading isn’t a mechanical action after all, it’s something we do to escape and...
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Free & Nearly-Free Thank You Gifts to Give Other Writers
If you’re like me, December probably has you thinking about the people in your writing sphere who have supported you all year long: critique partners and beta readers always willing to offer feedback,...
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Setting Description Mistakes that Weaken a Story
When you think about the key elements of storytelling, characters and plot immediately come to mind, but what about the setting? Do you view it as 1) a vital story component, or 2) just the place...
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Avoiding Stereotypes in Fiction: Religious Characters
Readers have spoken: they want more diversity in fiction. And writers are stepping up, but it can be hard to write about someone who’s different than you. Careful research is the key to avoiding...
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Coming Soon: The Conflict Thesaurus (Volume 2)
Some things are harder than others: getting up to work out rather than sleeping in. Not eating that entire container of salted caramel gelato. But one of the hardest? Waiting for a sequel. When it...
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Happy 7th Birthday, One Stop for Writers!
It’s hard to believe another year has passed, but it’s birthday time again. One Stop for Writers is seven!Over the years, Becca and I have stuffed this web app with innovative tools that help you...
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Writing Antagonists Readers Can’t Help But Like
There’s a dirty little secret among many of us readers: well-written antagonists get our blood pumping. When a scene come along with them in it, well, we lean closer. Grin a little more. Not because...
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A Gift from Us: Secrets to Engaging Readers (Webinar)
This time of year, we usually host a spectacular giveaway called Advent Calendar for Writers, and you may have noticed it’s missing this go-around. I’ll be honest – life’s been hectic. Both my boys...
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Writers, Have You Watched This Free Webinar on Reader Engagement?
Hi lovely folks! We know that the clock is ticking down to the holidays, and it’s easy to lose track of everything, so Becca and I wanted to remind you about our gift to you: a free recorded webinar...
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How to Uncover Your Character’s Deepest Fear
Fear is a disruptive force, even though its job is to keep us safe. When there’s a perceived physical or psychological threat, our brain blasts us with a shot of adrenaline so we respond, fight,...
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How a Show-Don’t-Tell Mindset Helps You Write Stronger Stories
Show-Don’t-Tell is something we hear a lot about as writers, and yet many struggle to apply it. Why? Because while most understand the basics of show-don’t-tell, not every writer can spot descriptive...
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Writing About Emotional Trauma Without Triggering Readers
Trigger warnings are often debated in the writing world. Some opine that readers should be warned if something potentially harmful is included in a book, and others feel the audience shouldn’t be...
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Improve Your Storytelling in 5 Minutes
What are writers chronically short on? Time. There never seems to be enough of it as we try to get the next book written, research our publishing options, keep up with marketing, work on our platform,...
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Writing About Pain: Three Stages of Awareness
If there’s one thing writers like to do, it’s to make characters suffer. We are all about bringing forth pain and crises, whether it be emotional, physical, spiritual, or existential. Is it because...
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Writing About Pain: Describing Minor Injuries
When we push characters to their limits, sometimes they get hurt. Injuries can range from annoyances to mortal wounds, and handled well, can add tension and complication to the story, drawing readers...
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Writing About Pain: Invisible Injuries and Conditions
In this series on pain, we’ve covered everything from minor injuries to major and mortal injuries. But there’s another source of pain that can push our characters to the edge of coping: invisible...
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Happy 8th Birthday, One Stop for Writers!
Let the good times roll…One Stop for Writers‘ BIRTHDAY WEEK is here! It’s hard to believe Becca and I have been helping writers grow into confident storytellers at One Stop for Writers for EIGHT YEARS...
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Want to Show Your Character’s Pain? Here’s Everything You Need to Know
For the better part of two months, Becca and I have been exploring pain, and how to write about it in fiction. It’s been enlightening for us, and we hope for you as well. So many ways to torture...
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How to Create a Protagonist with True Depth
Some characters are so dynamic, we feel immediately close to them. Everything they say, do, and think is consistent with who they are, they have a past and present, and as we share their experiences,...
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