Character
Character Conflicts That Mirror a Larger Societal Conflict
When a character’s personal conflict reflects a larger societal issue is when character and plot come together. Author Beth Kirschner discusses how to create character conflict that can mirror a larger societal conflict.
3 Things to Learn About Writing From Reading The Comfort of Strangers
To add more suspense and a feeling of unease to your work in progress, a close read of Ian McEwan's The Comfort of Strangers offers plenty to learn from.
Ways Animals Have Interacted With Writers Through the Centuries
Across the globe and spanning lifetimes, animals have always operated as more than simply animals within the stories they reside. Author Richard Girling discusses how animals have interacted with writers throughout the centuries.
Rhys Bowen: On Knowing Your Characters Inside and Out
New York Times bestselling author Rhys Bowen discusses how knowing her characters so well made for an easier writing process in her new book, God Rest Ye Royal Gentlemen.
Reframing Complicated Historical Characters in Fiction: How I Rewrote Wallis Simpson
Historical fiction is the blend of in-depth research and imagination. But what happens when your research doesn't match what you imagined of the real-life person? Author Wendy Holden discusses reframing complicated historical characters in fiction.
How to Use Economic Class to Develop Characters
Author Galia Gichon’s research for her historical fiction novel, The Accidental Suffragist, helped her understand the moment better, and infused what she learned into her characters.
Writing Mistakes Writers Make: The Characterless Character
The Writer's Digest team has witnessed many writing mistakes over the years, so this series helps identify them for other writers (along with correction strategies). This week's writing mistake is writing a characterless character.
4 Myths About Writing Animal Characters
Author Codi Schneider debunks four myths about writing animal characters, including that audiences won't connect with animal characters and that they're only for children's books.
3 Tips for Writing Female Friendships in Fiction
Bestselling author Jasmin Darznik offers creative ways to put female friendships at the heart of your story.
Four Ways to Incorporate Empathy Into Writing
Author J.R. Jamison explores how writing with an empathetic eye (and ear) can enhance character development.
3 Reasons Your Characters Should Break the Rules to Do the Right (or Wrong) Thing
Let's face it: There are times when characters should follow the rules, but there are also times when characters should break them. Debut author Addison Armstrong shares three reasons your characters should break the rules to do the right (or wrong) thing.
How to Know When Your Manuscript Is Ready
In a craft and business as subjective as writing, there’s no clear finish line to let you know when you’ve arrived. Let editor Tiffany Yates Martin give you some tips for knowing when your manuscript is ready.
The Transformative Power of Writing Dialect
There are plenty of reasons against mimicking dialect when writing ... but are there any in favor? Author Ed Davis discusses.
Character Differentiation Analysis: Fleshing Out What You’ve Started
When it comes to crafting characters, you can't be too careful. Let Kris Spisak guide you in your character development.
4 Tips for Writing Quirky Characters
Looking for ways to spice up your characters? Here are 4 tips from Kerry Winfrey, author of Very Sincerely Yours.
5 Tips for Breathing Life Into Fictionalized "Real-Life" Characters
Has a historical figure, a political candidate, or someone else captured your writerly fascination? Novelist EJ Levy shares her tips for how to bring that person to life on the page.
5 Things Writers Should Know About Flight Attendants
If you're thinking of including a flight attendant in your story, let author (and former flight attendant) Lacie Waldon give you some tips.
Motive Magic for the Middle Grade/Young Adult Writer
Doctors don’t want you to know this secret to melt sagging plotlines and eliminate one-sided characters. Luckily, Ren Koppel Torres is here to share!
3 (In-Depth) Tips for Writing Fresh and Authentic Characters
There's nothing worse for a reader than a stale, predictable character. Here, award-winning author S. K. Ali shares her top 3 tips for ensuring an engaging cast.
How to Inhabit the Character You Write About
One key to engaging your reader is to give them a character they love to read about. Author Diana Souhami gives her top tips for making this happen.
4 Tips for Writing Engaging Frenemies
No matter what genre you write, if you're planning to write characters as frenemies, you'll need to know how to do it well. Bestselling romance author Lorraine Heath shares her top tips.
Gabriela Garcia: On Writing the Character's Arc
Debut author Gabriela Garcia discusses how she established goals for her novel Of Women and Salt, how she let her characters dictate their stories, and what it's like to write a cast of dynamic women.
Are Your Minor Characters Working Hard for You?
Minor characters mean more to your readers than you might think. In this article, author Steve Goble shares his top 3 tips for making your secondary characters stand out.
14 Techniques to Write Emotional Truth to Engage Readers: Why It Works and How in Successful Storytelling
Why is engaging the reader's emotions so important? YA author and award-winning journalist Robin Farmer lays out the answer in this article.