By Bethany FehrThese days, the classic hero seems to be an endangered species. Or an obsolete relic, depending on who...
Characters Articles
7 Things You Need to Know About Your Protagonist Before Writing Your Novel
By Rachel Leitch Character questionnaires get a bad rap.Many authors suggest ditching them completely in favor of...
8 Clichés to Save Your Heroine From
By Rachel LeitchOne girl does not fit all.Ever buy something one size fits all, only to find it didn’t fit your head...
Three Mistakes to Avoid When Crafting Character Motivations
You did it. You've sketched out a great cast of protagonists, a detailed plot, and a genuinely scary villain (the last...
Three Reasons to Make Your Villain Sympathetic (and Two Dangers to Avoid)
A villain rounds out your story’s conflict by opposing the hero’s every move. But, like heroes, villains are busy...
Four Lessons Loki Can Teach You About Writing Villains
By Sierra RetNovember heralds the approach of Thanksgiving, holiday-flavored Starbucks beverages, and (for loyal...
Interview on Character Creation and Christian Writing with S. D. Smith (+3 Book Giveaway!)
Yes, KeePers, we're giving away three signed books (two of them in hardback) courtesy of the latest author we're...
Five Ways to Create Nail-Biting Internal Conflict
By Brandon MillerWhat do character, theme, and tension have in common? They are...
How Symbolism Benefits Character Arcs
By Gabrielle PollackCharacter arcs are bothersome.Let me clarify: creating...
Three Types of Telling You Must Erase to Create an Intimate POV
By Gabrielle PollackYou’ve just created a new character and are excited to share his point of view with readers. He’s...
Five Methods to Flesh Out a Character
By Naomi JacksonIt's happened to every writer. You push through thousands of...
How Villains and Side Characters Can Deepen Your Protagonist’s Character Arc
By Gabrielle PollackThe core of story is conflict. If your story contains no struggle, it’s just a tale about nobody...