characters

How to Use Settings to Support Plot and Character Growth

characters, plot and structure, settings / Rachael

How to Use Settings to Show and Influence Character Development When you think about “worldbuilding” in fiction, are you thinking… epic fantasy, dragons, magic, hereditary monarchies under threat from armies of goblins—that kind of thing? All of those things absolutely fall under worldbuilding. Building your storyworld can look like writing a thousand years of history […]

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How Settings Reveal Your Characters’ Emotions

characters, settings / Rachael

Settings have the power to reflect your characters’ emotional states in rich, nuanced ways. Learn how to get the most out of worldbuilding in your novel.

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archetypes, fiction, authors, writing, characters, personas

Understanding Archetypes in Fiction (And Why They’re Your Secret Writing Weapon)

characters / Rachael

Archetypes are not cliché! Learn how authors can use archetypes strategically in their fiction to create unforgettable characters that resonate with readers.

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Can a novel have more than one protagonist?

characters, plot and structure / Rachael

Can a novel have more than one protagonist? Can a novel have more than one protagonist? Looks like a simple enough question, doesn’t it? But the answer very much depends on who you ask. And that in turn opens up a fascinating debate about narrative focus, character development, and storytelling structure. Traditionally, novels are understood

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How to make sure your protagonist’s character arc is doing what it needs to do

characters, technique / Rachael

How to make sure your protagonist’s character arc is doing what it needs to do When writing your story, one of the most crucial elements is your protagonist’s character arc. Readers want to see growth, transformation, and evolution—it’s part of what turns a series of interconnected events into a narrative. So… how do you make

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How to Keep Readers Engaged: Best Practices for Building Tension in Stories

characters, plot and structure, technique / Rachael

Learn how to craft compelling narratives and master pacing strategies that will keep your readers engaged from start to finish.

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A group of characters chatting. Their dialogue is represented by different coloured speech bubbles over their heads

How authors can use dialogue to bring their characters to life

characters, dialogue / Rachael

Characters are the heartbeat of any great story. Learn how to make yours leap off the page and connect with your reader.

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Publicity still from Our Flag Means Death Season 1

Inner, outer, and private worlds: the concentric circles exercise and Our Flag Means Death

characters / Rachael

Level up your writing with a powerful character development exercises for authors – and see it in action in Our Flag Means Death

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“But why?” – A powerful exercise for character development

characters / Rachael

A quick and easy exercise to help get to the heart of your novel’s main characters and create a spellbinding journey for your reader.

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The antagonist: your story’s second most important character

characters / Rachael

Character is the engine that drives every narrative. And that applies just as much to your antagonist as your protagonist – arguably even more so.

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