How to Write Authentic Emotion

In the real world, no two people are alike, which means each of us expresses emotion in our own way. Some people find it natural to share what they feel with those around them, while others find the idea of revealing what they feel horrifying and will avoid situations that could lead to such vulnerability....
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https://writershelpingwriters.net/2026/04/write-authentic-emotion/

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How to Write Authentic Emotion

Emotions are never one-size-fits-all, in life or in fiction. Taking the time to explore your character’s inner landscape will pay off.

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Creating Microtension Through Setting Description

Author, copyeditor, and writing coach C. S. Lakin shares ways to create microtension through setting descriptions. You’re probably wondering what microtension is, and what it has to do with fiction writing. Oddly, very little has been written on the topic, yet it’s an essential element that supercharges our writing. No, it’s not the tension created...
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https://writershelpingwriters.net/2026/04/creating-microtension-through-setting/

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Creating Microtension Through Setting Description

Microtension “bits” are like the pungent spices you add to bland food to give it a kick - they entice people to keep reading.

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What Your Story Problems Reveal About Your Writing Brain

Much as we may have things in common as writers, our brains are wired differently. How one writer creates a story is likely to be quite different from how another one does it. That doesn’t mean that one is wrong—it just means our processes differ. Figuring out how your writing brain operates and how to...
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https://writershelpingwriters.net/2026/04/writingbrain/

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What Your Story Problems Reveal About Your Writing Brain

Here are seven story problems that often have a deeper connection to the unique writing brain behind the page. Which one sounds most like you?

WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®

What Your Story Problems Reveal About Your Writing Brain

Much as we may have things in common as writers, our brains are wired differently. How one writer creates a story is likely to be quite different from how another one does it. That doesn’t mean that one is wrong—it just means our processes differ. Figuring out how your writing brain operates and how to...
The post What Your Story Problems Reveal About Your Writing Brain appeared first on WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®.
https://writershelpingwriters.net/2026/04/writingbrain/

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What Your Story Problems Reveal About Your Writing Brain

Here are seven story problems that often have a deeper connection to the unique writing brain behind the page. Which one sounds most like you?

WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®

Differentiating Narrators in a Multiple-Viewpoint Story

Writing in multiple viewpoints is a great way to explore a story from more than one angle, but it creates problems if readers can’t tell who’s talking. You don’t want them feeling lost or disconnected from the story. Whether you’re writing a dual point-of-view romance, a family saga, or a thriller with alternating perspectives, here...
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https://writershelpingwriters.net/2026/03/multiple-viewpoint-story/

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Differentiating Narrators in a Multiple-Viewpoint Story

Writing in multiple viewpoints gives readers a richer story experience, but only if they can clearly follow who’s narrating.

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From Idea to Page: The Journey of a Romance Novel

Romance is the #1 genre of all time. Whether you love it or loathe it yourself, it’s fair to say readers LOVE it! As someone who enjoys romance novels of ALL kinds – classic and Rom-Com, through to romantasy, paranormal, steamy, LGBTQ+, young adult (YA) and beyond, I thought I would share my tips on...
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https://writershelpingwriters.net/2026/03/journey-of-romance-novel/

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From Idea to Page: The Journey of a Romance Novel

Writing a romance novel isn’t just about love scenes or attractive characters. It’s about crafting a journey of emotional transformation.

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Ooo La La: 5 Steps to Write Uncomfortable Scenes

For many authors, the most difficult type of scene to write (and write well) are sex scenes. However, any type of uncomfortable scene can feel awkward to write, as we may struggle with descriptions or complex emotions, or we may feel judged or ashamed of our writing, and all of that can make our writing...
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https://writershelpingwriters.net/2026/03/write-uncomfortable-scenes/

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Ooo La La: 5 Steps to Write Uncomfortable Scenes

Many writers struggle to draft scenes that feel awkward to write, and high on that list is writing sex scenes.

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Story Beats

Dialogue without anything else on the page feels like a screenplay—all setup for actors who will never arrive. In a film, the actors carry the scene. In your novel, the writing has to do that work itself. Writers often reach for action beats to fill in the gaps, sprinkling in gestures, expressions, and blocking to...
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https://writershelpingwriters.net/2026/03/story-beats/

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Story Beats

Beats fill out the story, deepen context, and give readers the full experience of living vicariously inside a scene.

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8 Tips for Writing an Unreliable Narrator

We know that reader empathy is vital for maximizing their engagement and helping them identify with the protagonist, but what if that character turns out to be an unreliable narrator? These characters can be tricky because if you don’t set them up properly, they won’t be sympathetic. And their lives typically spiral into confusion and...
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https://writershelpingwriters.net/2026/02/8-tips-for-writing-an-unreliable-narrator/

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8 Tips for Writing an Unreliable Narrator

Writing an unreliable narrator? Learn to gradually reveal their unraveling mind while building reader empathy for this unusual character.

WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®
Storytelling Methods Every Writer Should Know

Techniques that storytellers use to satisfy audiences. Storytellers use a variety of techniques to engage the audience.1. Create Relatable CharactersReaders connect deeply with characters they understand, even if they are flawed. Focus on their motivations, struggles, and growth.2. Develop a Strong Narrative ArcStructure your story with a clear beginning, middle, and end. Use elements like inciting incidents, climaxes, and resolutions to sustain interest.3. Build Tension and SuspenseIncorporate

StoryAngles