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...
The post From Idea to Page: The Journey of a Romance Novel appeared first on WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®.
https://writershelpingwriters.net/2026/03/journey-of-romance-novel/

#ResidentWritingCoach #Romance #WritingLessons

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...
The post Ooo La La: 5 Steps to Write Uncomfortable Scenes appeared first on WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®.
https://writershelpingwriters.net/2026/03/write-uncomfortable-scenes/

#ResidentWritingCoach #Romance #WritingCraft #WritingLessons

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...
The post Story Beats appeared first on WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®.
https://writershelpingwriters.net/2026/03/story-beats/

#Dialogue #ResidentWritingCoach #WritingLessons

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...
The post 8 Tips for Writing an Unreliable Narrator appeared first on WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®.
https://writershelpingwriters.net/2026/02/8-tips-for-writing-an-unreliable-narrator/

#CharacterTraits #Characters #Empathy #WritingCraft #WritingLessons

https://www.storyangles.com/post/storytelling-methods-every-writer-should-know

Storytelling Methods Every Writer Should Know.
Techniques that storytellers use to satisfy audiences.

#storytelling #StoryAngles #writer #writingtips #mediumwriters #mediumwriter #writing #writinglessons #writingcommunity

Four Key Moments When You Should Hold the Conflict

Conflict in every scene. It’s popular advice because it’s true. Conflict ratchets up the tension for readers because it makes the character’s success less likely, and readers start worrying about the hero’s ability to win. Will she find true love? Can he overcome his demons and move…
https://writershelpingwriters.net/2025/12/four-moments-when-you-should-hold-the-conflict/

#Conflict #WritingCraft #WritingLessons

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 […]…
https://writershelpingwriters.net/2025/11/is-your-writing-good-enough/

#Motivational #ReaderInterest #ResidentWritingCoach #WritingCraft #WritingLessons

How to Tell the Difference Between a Hook and Inciting Incident

Opening pages are notoriously hard to get right, especially in early drafts of your manuscript. I’ve read hundreds of opening chapters of novels in my work as a writing instructor and book coach and one of the most common issues I see…
https://writershelpingwriters.net/2025/10/how-to-tell-the-difference-between-a-hook-and-inciting-incident/

#Openings #ResidentWritingCoach #WritingCraft #WritingLessons

How to Use the Four Levels of Conflict to Strengthen Your Story

A cardinal sin of storytelling is to skimp on conflict, and no wonder. Those problems, challenges, obstacles, and inner struggles help keep readers engaged, casting doubt on the character’s ability to achieve their goal. Because readers are focused on what’s happening from one…
https://writershelpingwriters.net/2025/08/strengthen-your-story-with-conflict/

#Conflict #Tension #WritingCraft #WritingLessons
@indieauthors

How to Show Your Character Healing from an Emotional Wound

When it comes to writing a story where a character is going to work through a difficult past wound, there are two behavioral states to convey: one showing their brokenness and dysfunction, and one displaying hard-won insight, self-acceptance, and increased…
https://writershelpingwriters.net/2025/08/character-healing-from-an-emotional-wound/

#CharacterWound #Characters #Emotion #WritingCraft #WritingLessons
@indieauthors