Likeable characters can become the beating heart of your narrative. Readers root for them and stick with them throughout their journeys. But what exactly makes a character likeable? It’s not just about being nice but making them relatable.

So, let’s look at how to write such characters!

Kindness WITHOUT An Agenda

A likeable character is helpful, compassionate and patient with others because it’s part of their personality … NOT because they want something in return. They will even be kind when it’s not convenient to themselves.

Anne Shirley (Anne of Green Gables) can be dramatic and impulsive, but her deep kindness shines through everything she does.

Forrest Gump’s kindness is pure and never changes, even when others attempt to take advantage of him.

Ted Lasso always gives others grace, even when they’re contemptuous of him.

Give Them an Optimistic Outlook

Optimism can be endearing, especially when it’s grounded in awareness. An optimistic character can seem clueless or over-privileged if they are overly naive. Likeable characters acknowledge reality, but choose to see the positive in it.

Jo March in Little Women is a good sister to Meg, Beth and Amy. Jo also wants to earn her own money and is determined to succeed as a writer. Jo does not mention love, a rich husband, or children like many women of her time. When she gets her first pay cheque then, we cheer for her.

Phil Dunphy in Modern Family is goofy and sometimes child-like, but that is not where his characterization ends. He is a committed father and husband, providing for his family. When his real estate business is not going so well, he hides this from wife Claire as he doesn’t want her to worry. This makes him lovable rather than a man-child like Homer Simpson.

Have Them Lift Other Characters Up

A character become likeable when they put others first. They validate the other characters and support their own journeys. They help them deal with setbacks, as well as celebrate others’ wins.

In Lord of the Rings, Samwise Gamgee is a constant support to Frodo. Sam accompanies Frodo on his epic quest and encourages him through its trials and tribulations.

Elizabeth Bennett in Pride and Prejudice is quite reserved, but offers constant support for her sisters. She understands the sacrifices she may need to make to ensure the family is financially secure. Her acceptance of this makes readers root for her.

Last Points

Remember there are three elements that contribute to a likeable character: kindness, optimism and uplifting others. Just ensure they are not naive or over-privileged in doing so. Then you will have a likeable character that resonates with readers and viewers alike.

Good Luck!

LUCY V. HAY - Resident Writing Coach

Lucy V. Hay is a script editor, author and blogger who helps writers. She’s been the script editor and advisor on numerous UK features and shorts & has also been a script reader for 20 years, providing coverage for indie prodcos, investors, screen agencies, producers, directors and individual writers. She’s also an author, publishing as both LV Hay and Lizzie Fry.  Lizzie’s latest, a serial killer thriller titled The Good Mother is out now with Joffe Books, with her sixth thriller out in 2024. Lucy’s site at www.bang2write.com has appeared in Top 100 round-ups for Writer’s Digest & The Write Life, as well as a UK Blog Awards Finalist and Feedspot’s #1 Screenwriting blog in the UK (ninth in the world.). She is also the author of the bestselling non-fiction book, Writing & Selling Thriller Screenplays: From TV Pilot To Feature Film (Creative Essentials), which she updated for the streaming age for its tenth anniversary in 2023.

The post How To Write A Likeable Character appeared first on WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®.

Your Characters’ Skills

Memorable characters often have skills or talents that set them apart … but these abilities need to serve a purpose in the story.

So, how do we know whether we are writing a character with a completely random skill, or one that will make them three-dimensional and compelling?

Why Skills Are Essential to Characterization

In the 2020s, nuanced and layered characterization is a non-negotiable. This means a character’s skills contribute to their depth, relatability and memorability.

As an example, for the past few decades female leads are frequently exceptional archers, especially in movies and TV. Characters such as Katniss Everdeen (The Hunger Games), Susan Pevensie (The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe) and Kate Bishop (Marvel’s Hawkeye) all demonstrate their exceptional skills in this way.

The best stories link a character’s abilities to the plot, making their skills feel integral and part of that storyworld:

• Katniss Everdeen is an archer out of necessity. She hunts for food for her family, plus she sells carcasses and skins as well. This is not allowed, which means she is risking her freedom to do it. This skill will be integral when she is in the arena.  
• Susan Pevensie arrives in the fantasy world of Narnia. Here, there is little technology and modern equipment or weapons, such as guns. This means a bow and arrow is an obvious choice to help defend herself and her friends. She is also known for being a ‘straight arrow’, so it is good for her characterization, too. 
• Kate Bishop is the protegé of Clint Barton, AKA Hawkeye from The Avengers. His story revolves around him being an exceptional archer himself. He will mentor Kate, the very first female Hawkeye in the comics so that she too, takes the archer crown. 

These characters and their plotting arcs demonstrate how character and plotting are inextricably linked, which means their skills are too. The last thing we want to do is make such a skillset feel random or pointless.

Linking Skills to Plot

Plot and characterization should be linked. This is because a main character has a need, goal or want. In going for that need, goal or want, that character will go through many different events. That’s plot and character, interlinked.

In turn, this means a character’s abilities should help advance the story. Whilst stories can technically be anything, this can generally happen three ways:

i) Solving Problems

A character’s skillset should help them deal with whatever the plot throws their way. In crime fiction, a police officer or detective – like Sherlock Holmes or Miss Marple – will break down all the clues. This character will do this according to their experiences, training and innate abilities.

ii) Conflict Creation

In contrast, losing skills can create obstacles or tension for a character. Marvel’s Doctor Strange loses his hands in a car crash, so learns the mystic arts instead. By facing adversity like this, Doctor Strange becomes a hero. We can do this lots of different ways. To illustrate, in a reimagination of his story, the What If? animated TV series asked: What If Doctor Strange Lost His Heart Instead of His Hands?

iii) Symbolic Resonance

In the blockbuster movie Gravity, Doctor Ryan Stone must deal with extreme adversity in space to get back to Earth. As a trained astronaut, she has many skills to help her do this. She must fight space debris, fires, lack of oxygen, cold and lack of power.

Ryan must also fight herself, because she’s not sure whether she wants to survive. All her colleagues are dead, plus her daughter died back on Earth. Through the narrative, she decides she WILL survive and get back to earth … or die trying.

Whilst most of us will never go into space, there’s a strong symbolic resonance for the audience here. All of us will have faced adversity of some kind in our lives. Seeing Ryan fight so hard, using her skills to get out of trouble, can be very inspiring for those viewers going through hard times themselves.

Making Skills Believable

Authenticity is also super-important to modern readers. This means research is key, especially when it comes to specialized skills. It’s always obvious when a writer does not understand what they are writing about!

Many characters have to gain skills as the story progresses. This is particularly obvious in transformative arcs like The Hero’s Journey, where a character has to do ‘zero to hero’. The protagonist must train and learn how to wield their power – supernatural or literal – against a villain AKA ‘The Big Bad’.

But sometimes ‘everyday’ skills have to be under the spotlight, too. I don’t have a driving license and haven’t had a formal driving lesson in more than twenty years. However, characters in my novels frequently drive (because most adults do). This means I always research where everything is in a car and remind myself how it works.

In writing crime fiction, my characters may break into and/or steal cars as well. In the case of one novel, one character had to do this with a broken arm. I am a big fan of what I call ‘deep research’, so I broke into my husband’s car using only one hand to see if it worked. It did! (Of course, this didn’t stop one reviewer claiming this was ‘impossible’! But you can’t win ’em all, plus doing that research means peace of mind as I know it IS possible).

Last Points

Whatever it is, a character’s skillset needs to feel integral, authentic and real. We can achieve this by linking their skills to the plot and ensuring we do our research. Next time you write, ask yourself: does your character’s skill truly serve your story?

Good Luck!

Would you like to learn more about adding talents and skills to your stories?

Hop over to One Stop for Writers to check out the Talents & Skills Thesaurus (plus tons of other helpful description collections and writing resources).

LUCY V. HAY - Resident Writing Coach

Lucy V. Hay is a script editor, author and blogger who helps writers. She’s been the script editor and advisor on numerous UK features and shorts & has also been a script reader for 20 years, providing coverage for indie prodcos, investors, screen agencies, producers, directors and individual writers. She’s also an author, publishing as both LV Hay and Lizzie Fry.  Lizzie’s latest, a serial killer thriller titled The Good Mother is out now with Joffe Books, with her sixth thriller out in 2024. Lucy’s site at www.bang2write.com has appeared in Top 100 round-ups for Writer’s Digest & The Write Life, as well as a UK Blog Awards Finalist and Feedspot’s #1 Screenwriting blog in the UK (ninth in the world.). She is also the author of the bestselling non-fiction book, Writing & Selling Thriller Screenplays: From TV Pilot To Feature Film (Creative Essentials), which she updated for the streaming age for its tenth anniversary in 2023.

The post Three Ways a Talent or Skill Can Set Your Character Apart From the Rest appeared first on WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®.

Every word counts in a story and first impressions matter. Traditionally, a prologue is an introductory chapter that sets the scene, tone and genre of your novel. But should you write one? The million-dollar question! Believe it or not, using a prologue can be quite controversial in the social media age.

So, let’s put prologues under the microscope, so you can make an informed choice on whether YOU should use one … let’s go!

What Is A Prologue?

Put simply, a prologue is an introductory chapter that lays the groundwork of what’s to come. Their purpose is to hook the reader and make them want to turn the pages. Prologues are usually shorter than the average chapter, but they don’t have to be. Prologues can be controversial because both writers and readers can have strong feelings about whether they are necessary … or not.

You may have seen online discussions in which authors say they believe prologues provide important context and intrigue. Others might reject prologues, saying they can be too cryptic. You may even have heard that readers claim to skip prologues altogether.

So, with all this in mind, let’s explore the pros and cons of writing a prologue. Ready? Let’s go!

Prologue PROs

i) Can be important for set up

Prologues can be powerful tools in setting the stage for your story. Early foreshadowing prepares readers for what lies ahead without revealing too much. Ultimately, it’s about creating a sense of anticipation.

ii) Can be important for backstory

In setting the stage for your story, a prologue can allow authors to provide readers with crucial backstory. This may be character or storyworld-related … or both.

iii) Creating Suspense or Intrigue

A good prologue can help hook readers from the very first line. By introducing an unresolved conflict or a puzzling scenario, you create suspense right away. This means good prologues can raise questions without offering immediate solutions.

Prologue CONs

iv) Can be confusing

Prologues can sometimes overwhelm readers with excessive information. This is known as ‘info dumping’ and should be avoided at all costs. This is because too much upfront about the characters or storyworld can feel frustrating for the reader.

v) Can disrupt the flow of the story

Narrative flow in a story is very important … and starts with the prologue! If the beginning is too slow or overly complex, readers might become impatient to get to the main plot. They may even skip the beginning altogether. This is because a prologue can sometimes feel like a detour.

vi) Giving away too much too soon

Prologues must not give away too much, too soon. Readers may feel they already know what will happen, diminishing their motivation to keep turning pages. Striking a balance between intrigue and clarity is essential.

So, Should You Write A Prologue?

When contemplating whether to write a prologue, consider …

• The Genre and Style of Your Novel. Some genres and styles like historical fiction or fantasy are enriched by prologues. Action thrillers often don’t need one. Weigh it up.
• Relevance and Impact. Too much detail can sidetrack – rather than support – your story. Make sure your prologue ADDS to the reading experience, rather than detract from it.
• Your Personal Writing Style and Preferences. Be honest with yourself about prologues: do you really need one? Think about what resonates with you and your target reader. Trust your instincts.

Last Points

Ultimately, you need to decide what will serve your story best … you’re the writer, after all! Weighing up the pros and cons will help you make an informed choice on whether your novel needs a prologue or not.

Good Luck!

LUCY V. HAY - Resident Writing Coach

Lucy V. Hay is a script editor, author and blogger who helps writers. She’s been the script editor and advisor on numerous UK features and shorts & has also been a script reader for 20 years, providing coverage for indie prodcos, investors, screen agencies, producers, directors and individual writers. She’s also an author, publishing as both LV Hay and Lizzie Fry.  Lizzie’s latest, a serial killer thriller titled The Good Mother is out now with Joffe Books, with her sixth thriller out in 2024. Lucy’s site at www.bang2write.com has appeared in Top 100 round-ups for Writer’s Digest & The Write Life, as well as a UK Blog Awards Finalist and Feedspot’s #1 Screenwriting blog in the UK (ninth in the world.). She is also the author of the bestselling non-fiction book, Writing & Selling Thriller Screenplays: From TV Pilot To Feature Film (Creative Essentials), which she updated for the streaming age for its tenth anniversary in 2023.

The post Should Your Novel Have a Prologue? appeared first on WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®.

What Makes Up Fantasy As A Genre?

If you want to write a fantasy novel, it pays to understand what goes into this fascinating genre. Fantasy conventions can vary widely, but there are some common elements we can find. Here’s a few key conventions of fantasy novels that I learned writing my own … Ready? Let’s go!

1) Magic

Magic can be a fundamental element of fantasy novels. It is often used by characters to achieve extraordinary feats or interact with the supernatural. One of the top things to remember here is to ensure your magic systems have limitations. If there are no constraints to your magic system, then this can impact the potential conflict of your story. This is where Brandon Sanderson’s 3 Laws For Magic Systems can really help.

2) Fantastic Creatures

Where there’s magic, there’s also monsters. But fantasy novels often feature mythical creatures that are not necessarily evil too.  Dragons, elves, hobbits, witches, centaurs, unicorns, gigantic sea serpents, sandworms… they can be anything you like. The sky really is the limit!

3) Hero’s Journey

The Hero’s Journey is a classic plotting archetype, charting a protagonist’s growth from ‘zero to hero’.  Many fantasy stories follow the classic hero’s journey, where a protagonist embarks on an adventure, faces challenges, and ultimately undergoes personal growth. Such fantasy novels as Harry Potter, Dune and even my own, The Coven, follow this archetype.

4) Storyworld

Traditional fantasy worlds are often inspired by medieval settings, featuring castles, knights, and kingdoms, creating a sense of timelessness and wonder. However, there’s such a thing as urban fantasy too that does the opposite. Instead of being ‘ye olde’, it might take place in our own world, with a secret underworld of magical people. In short, storyworld can be anything you want … as long as you start as you mean to go on!

5) Epic Battles

Epic battles between forces of good and evil are a common theme in fantasy. Such battles often showcasing bravery, sacrifice, and the triumph of good over evil. A good example here would be Marvel’s Avengers: Endgame which has a fantastic end battle that does all these things.

6) Quests

Quests can be a staple of fantasy literature. The Hero’s Journey (as per #3 on this list) is one large quest in which characters set out on a journey to accomplish a specific goal, facing obstacles and adversaries along the way.

7) Prophecy

Prophecies and foretold destinies play a significant role in many fantasy stories. These prophecies then shape the actions of characters and drive the plot forward. In The Coven, ‘The Proclamation of The Elementals’ starts the book:

“We are all kernels in the earth. We are baptised by fire; fed by the water of life, powered by air. To us, we call The One: connect us through the chain of being and bring us liberation from the ties that bind us.”

This prophecy tells of an all-powerful witch The Elementals call ‘The One’. In this storyworld, Elemental witches have the power of one of the four elements: air, water, fire or earth … but The One has ALL four elements. As the prophecy foretells, The One is powerful enough to free all witches around the world.

8) Parallel Worlds

Fantasy often explores the idea of parallel worlds or alternate realities. In The Coven the world is almost the same as ours … except that up to 50% of women have magic. The leaders of the world don’t like this one bit, especially the President of The United States, Michael Hopkins. He decrees that witches must be locked up for their own safety as well as non-magical peoples’.

I watched a lot of political rallies when I was writing The Coven. I really wanted to make the politics of my parallel world believable, but worried about Hopkins being too jingoistic. Yet every time I sent these scenes off to my editor or beta readers, it always came back with: ‘Still not as bad as the REAL guy!’ That was surprising.

9) Lore and Mythology

Fantasy worlds are rich in lore, mythology, and history, providing depth and context to the setting and characters. I am a big fan of ‘The Power of Three’ in writing. When things come in threes in literature, it’s believed they can be more satisfying, more effective and/or more memorable, than other numbers of things.

I enacted The Power of Three with my witches in The Coven. The ‘Triumvirate’ refers not only to witchcraft generally – Mother, Maiden, Crone – but also the witches themselves.

The vast majority are Kitchen Witches, who don’t have innate magic of their own. Instead they have spell books, cauldrons, poppets, family spells etc rather like our own reality.

Where it changes are the other two types of witches. About 5-8% of witches are Crystal Witches. They do have innate magic in their veins, but can only access it with crystals (as their names suggest). The remaining 2% are The Elemental witches (mentioned in #7).

10) Themes of Good vs. Evil

Fantasy frequently explores themes of morality, ethics, and the battle between light and darkness. Whilst the story may deal with UNreal settings, creatures, magic etc, it may be about very real issues. These UNreal things can offer insights into human nature and society. As The Sun newspaper said of The Coven: ‘A scarily real take on society today … buckle up for a battle like no other’.

Got any questions about writing fantasy? I’m very happy to answer … leave them in the comments and I will get back to you.

Good Luck With Your Own Fantasy Novels!

LUCY V. HAY - Resident Writing Coach

Lucy V. Hay is a script editor, author and blogger who helps writers. She’s been the script editor and advisor on numerous UK features and shorts & has also been a script reader for 20 years, providing coverage for indie prodcos, investors, screen agencies, producers, directors and individual writers. She’s also an author, publishing as both LV Hay and Lizzie Fry.  Lizzie’s latest, a serial killer thriller titled The Good Mother is out now with Joffe Books, with her sixth thriller out in 2024. Lucy’s site at www.bang2write.com has appeared in Top 100 round-ups for Writer’s Digest & The Write Life, as well as a UK Blog Awards Finalist and Feedspot’s #1 Screenwriting blog in the UK (ninth in the world.). She is also the author of the bestselling non-fiction book, Writing & Selling Thriller Screenplays: From TV Pilot To Feature Film (Creative Essentials), which she updated for the streaming age for its tenth anniversary in 2023.

The post Top 10 Tips On Writing A Fantasy Novel appeared first on WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®.

Are you struggling to write the perfect author bio for your book, social media or website? Then this post is for you! Say goodbye to boring bios and hello to a profile that truly reflects who you are as a writer.

Let’s dive in and unlock the power of an unforgettable author bio … Let’s go!

Why Is an Author Bio Important?

At grass roots level, an author bio is a brief summary of who you are and what you do as a writer. It may seem like just another piece of information to include on your book cover or website, but it holds much more significance than that.

In fact, it can be one of the most powerful tools in your writing career. As writers, our words are our brand. Our readers want to know more about the writer behind the stories they love. An author bio provides them with that insight!

A good author bio gives readers a glimpse into our background, interests, and accomplishments that have shaped us as writers. But why else is an author bio so important? Let’s delve deeper … A good bio:

• Establishes credibility and trustworthiness
• Connects with readers on a personal level
• Provides context for our work
• Acts as a promotional tool
• Useful for our blogs, social media or other sites like LinkedIn or Amazon

Tip #1: Highlight your accomplishments and credentials

As a writer, it can be daunting to condense one’s entire writing career or creative journey into a short author bio. Our author bio is often the first introduction readers have to us and our writing, so it’s crucial to make a strong impression.

One effective way to make your author bio compelling is by highlighting your accomplishments and credentials. This step involves showcasing any notable achievements or milestones in your writing career as well as mentioning relevant educational background or experience.

Here are some examples of impressive accomplishments that you could consider including in your author bio:

• Published Works
• Awards and Recognitions
• Bestseller Status
• Speaking Engagements
• Successful Book Launches
• Media Features
• Positive Reviews from professionals in your genre

Remember, the key is to only include accomplishments that are relevant to your writing career and demonstrate your skills. Including too many vague or unrelated achievements can dilute the impact of those that truly matter. Choose a few of your most impressive accomplishments and highlight them with specific details, rather than listing out every single one.

Tip #2: Add a Personal Touch and Show Your Personality

Your author bio is the perfect opportunity to showcase your unique voice and personality. It’s not just a dry list of credentials, but a chance for readers to get to know you on a deeper level.

Adding a personal touch to your bio can make it more engaging and memorable for potential readers … but don’t go overboard, because that might make you seem obnoxious or hard to work with. The whole point of your bio is to get your name out there in GOOD way!  

Want to see an example of a more light-hearted bio? Then check out MY INSTAGRAM AUTHOR BIO.

Tip #3: Keep it concise and relevant

When it comes to writing your author bio, one of the most important tips to keep in mind is to make sure it is concise and relevant. As writers, we often have a lot to say about ourselves and our work, but it’s important to remember that a long and rambling bio can quickly lose the attention of readers.

So how do you balance providing enough information while keeping your bio short and sweet? First up, start by identifying what information is essential for your audience to know about you. 

Next, think about what makes you stand out as a writer. What sets you apart from others in your field?

If you want to see a bio that focuses only on professional accomplishments, check out MINE HERE ON LINKEDIN.

By the Way …

Again – as tempting as it may be to list everything in your author bio, try not to overwhelm readers with too much detail! Instead, select a few key accomplishments that demonstrate your expertise and credibility as an author. And don’t forget – always keep these accomplishments relevant to those reading your bio.

Remember that brevity does not mean sacrificing quality. Your bio should still be well-written and professionally presented. Use complete sentences and proper grammar. Avoid slang or overly casual language unless it aligns with your brand or writing style.

BONUS: How Long Should an Author Bio Be?

When it comes to creating a compelling author bio, one crucial aspect that writers often overlook is word count. Many authors either provide too little information or go overboard and include excessive details. However, finding the right balance and sticking to an appropriate length can have a significant impact on how readers perceive you as an author.

So, what is the ideal length for an author bio? If on social media, you may have only a few characters to play with, so limit yourself to how much space you are given. Simple as that!  

In other places, you will have more space. While there isn’t a set standard, most experts recommend keeping it concise and between 100-200 words. This may seem like a small word count, but it’s enough to convey your essential information without losing the reader’s interest.

One of the main reasons for keeping your author bio short is that it allows you to focus on highlighting only the most relevant details about yourself. Remember, readers are more interested in learning about your writing achievements and background rather than your personal life story.

Last Points

So, when crafting your author bio keep in mind …

• Brevity is key
• Don’t sacrifice important information in the process!
• Stick to 100-200 words
• Make every word count
• Focus on highlighting writing achievements and
• Also any relevant background

Concentrate on the above and you’ll create a compelling author bio that will captivate readers and leave a lasting impression.

Good Luck! 

LUCY V. HAY - Resident Writing Coach

Lucy V. Hay is a script editor, author and blogger who helps writers. She’s been the script editor and advisor on numerous UK features and shorts & has also been a script reader for 20 years, providing coverage for indie prodcos, investors, screen agencies, producers, directors and individual writers. She’s also an author, publishing as both LV Hay and Lizzie Fry.  Lizzie’s latest, a serial killer thriller titled The Good Mother is out now with Joffe Books, with her sixth thriller out in 2024. Lucy’s site at www.bang2write.com has appeared in Top 100 round-ups for Writer’s Digest & The Write Life, as well as a UK Blog Awards Finalist and Feedspot’s #1 Screenwriting blog in the UK (ninth in the world.). She is also the author of the bestselling non-fiction book, Writing & Selling Thriller Screenplays: From TV Pilot To Feature Film (Creative Essentials), which she updated for the streaming age for its tenth anniversary in 2023.

The post The Secret To a Compelling Author Bio appeared first on WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®.

The start of a new year is a great time to put plans in place to ensure a terrific writing year.

So to help you get your writing in this next year, here are five essential things to consider …

1) Establish a Writing Routine 

To hit your goals, it will be crucial for you to establish a consistent writing routine that suits your lifestyle. Set aside dedicated time each day or week for writing and treat it as a priority. Whether it’s early mornings, late nights, or specific blocks of time during the day, having a routine will help maintain focus and make progress.

Note how I say you DON’T have to write every single day! I don’t — YES REALLY. Consistency is important, but that doesn’t have to mean writing every single day if that doesn’t work for you.

2) Set Clear Goals 

Setting clear and achievable goals is a vital step towards completing writing projects. Break down larger goals into smaller, manageable tasks or milestones. This will allow writers to track progress, stay motivated, and celebrate successes along the way.

‘Bitesize chunks’ has always been my mantra … but just as importantly, we need to EVALUATE our progress and let go of goals or things that no longer serve us too!

3. Embrace Technology (Or At Least Understand How It Really Works)

In the constantly evolving world of technology, writers need to embrace tools and software that can streamline their work process. By leveraging the right technology, writers can save time and focus more on their writing.

From writing and editing software to online research tools and productivity apps, there are numerous resources available to enhance efficiency and creativity. B2W likes to use Grammarly, Coschedule and Hemingway.

If you’d like a story support tool as you plan, write, and revise, try One Stop for Writers.

A.I is also a hot topic, representing both a threat AND an opportunity for creatives. It’s a good idea to understand how AI works and what constitutes unethical use because AI is not going anywhere. By understanding what AI is and isn’t, we can protect our interests.

4. Find a Supportive Writing Community

Joining a writing community, whether online or in-person, can be immensely helpful. Connecting with fellow writers provides opportunities for feedback, collaboration, and support.

Online platforms, forums, workshops, and writing groups can offer valuable insights, motivation, and networking opportunities, helping writers stay inspired and committed. 

5. Practice Self-Care 

Taking care of oneself is essential for writers to maintain both physical and mental well-being this next year. Prioritise self-care activities like exercise, meditation, spending time with loved ones, pursuing hobbies, and getting ample rest.

Balancing work and personal life is crucial for avoiding burnout, staying motivated, and nurturing creativity. If your brain is fried, your ability to write WILL be affected … so do whatever it takes to make sure yours is rested wherever possible. Writing can wait, it’s not going anywhere!

LUCY V. HAY - Resident Writing Coach

Lucy V. Hay is a script editor, author and blogger who helps writers. She’s been the script editor and advisor on numerous UK features and shorts & has also been a script reader for 20 years, providing coverage for indie prodcos, investors, screen agencies, producers, directors and individual writers. She’s also an author, publishing as both LV Hay and Lizzie Fry.  Lizzie’s latest, a serial killer thriller titled The Good Mother is out now with Joffe Books, with her sixth thriller out in 2024. Lucy’s site at www.bang2write.com has appeared in Top 100 round-ups for Writer’s Digest & The Write Life, as well as a UK Blog Awards Finalist and Feedspot’s #1 Screenwriting blog in the UK (ninth in the world.). She is also the author of the bestselling non-fiction book, Writing & Selling Thriller Screenplays: From TV Pilot To Feature Film (Creative Essentials), which she updated for the streaming age for its tenth anniversary in 2023.

The post Five Top Tips To Smash Your Writing Goals appeared first on WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®.

Whether you’re a fan of the genre or looking to try your hand at writing one, a psychological thriller can be fun to both read AND write. But what goes into making these stories so captivating?

A psychological thriller is a story that combines elements of suspense, mystery, and even horror to create an unsettling and often terrifying experience for the reader. These stories typically revolve around characters who are dealing with some kind of mental or emotional disturbance, which leads them to behave in erratic or dangerous ways.

I’ve written six such novels, with a seventh out next year in 2024. Here are my top tips …

1) Start With an Intriguing Premise

Your story should start with a bang! Draw your readers in with an enticing and mysterious premise. Ask yourself what dark secrets your characters are hiding, or what could drive someone to commit a crime.

In my psychological thriller Never Have I Ever, it starts with my protagonist receiving an anonymous note. It reads: ‘Never have I ever … been punished for what I have done.’ But what could THAT be about?? Eeek!

2) Create Believable Characters

Psychological thrillers center around characters who are often flawed and damaged, which can make them difficult to create. Pay attention to their backstories, motivations, and needs so you can make them fully fleshed-out individuals.

It’s important to ensure that your characters feel real and relatable, even if they’re not always likeable. (Remember, female characters are often accused of being ‘unlikeable’ anyway, no matter what they do! I call this the ‘female burden’).

3) A Compelling Protagonist

A compelling protagonist is particularly important in this genre. It’s important to choose someone readers can empathize with and root for throughout the novel.

Create a detailed character sketch of your main character, including their motivation for solving the mystery or problem at hand. (Lots of writers struggle with characterization, so I’ve created a free masterclass on creating characters which you can grab HERE).

4) Intriguing Secondary Characters

In addition to a well-developed protagonist, your story will also need believable and interesting secondary characters. These characters should contribute to the plot in a meaningful way, without taking away from the mystery itself.

Since secondary characters should HELP or HINDER the protagonist, I always recommend putting your secondary characters on ‘team protag’ or ‘team antag’. This way, you can be sure secondaries are pulling their weight in the story.

5) Build Suspense Slowly

A successful psychological thriller takes its time in ramping up the suspense and tension. Keep your readers guessing by slowly revealing information about your characters and their pasts, while also raising the stakes as the story progresses.

Avoid rushing things … a slow burn really is key in this genre! Make sure you study structure and plotting archetypes so you can make the most of tension and suspense.

I always recommend the book The Seven Basic Plots by Christopher Booker for this, but there’s plenty of helpful resources to help you – including this site, Writing Helping Writers!

6) A Richly Described Setting

The setting of your story is just as important as the characters populating it. Choose a location that is rich in history and detail, then use vivid descriptions to bring it to life for readers.

In my books, I frequently write about seaside towns out of season. This is because my characters are often outsiders, cut off from others. If you’ve ever been in such a place in winter, you will know seaside towns are often shut down and cut off during the winter months. This is an example of the storyworld reflecting the characters’ lives and dilemmas.

7) Choose Your Ending VERY Carefully

The ending of a psychological thriller is especially important—it should be both climactic and satisfying without being too predictable or pat. Twist endings can be particularly effective in this genre, so long as they make sense within the context of the story as a whole.

Never, ever, ever fly in an ending out of the ‘left field’. Sometimes it can help to START with your ending and plot backwards to ‘find’ the beginning when it comes to twists.

Editing, Polishing and Setting Your Story Free

Editing, polishing and setting your story free are all important aspects of writing a psychological thriller. It is important to keep your readers engaged by making sure your story is well-written and edited.

There are many ways to edit your story, but it is important to take your time and do it right. Here are some tips for editing, polishing and setting your story free:

1) Take Your Time!

Don’t rush through the editing process. Once you have written your first draft, put it away for a few days or weeks before you start editing. This will give you some distance from the material and allow you to come back with fresh eyes.

2) Be Ruthless

When you are editing, be ruthless in cutting out anything that doesn’t move the story forward or add anything new. Get rid of any unnecessary details or scenes that drag on too long.

3) Make Sure Everything Makes Sense

As you are editing, make sure that everything in the story makes sense. Check for any plot holes or inconsistencies and fix them before moving on.

4) Pay Attention to Dialogue

Dialogue is an important part of any story, but it is especially important in a psychological thriller. Make sure that each character’s dialogue sounds natural and believable. Listen for any awkward phrases or stiffness in the dialogue and revise accordingly.

5) Let Others Read It

I know it’s scary, but you need others’ opinions and suggestions on your work. I always recommend going as far as you can with honing your craft, peer review, or writers’ group critiques BEFORE you pay for notes or feedback though. There’s no point paying to get feedback on the basics, get your money’s worth!

Good Luck!

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LUCY V. HAY - Resident Writing Coach

Lucy V. Hay is a script editor, author and blogger who helps writers. She’s been the script editor and advisor on numerous UK features and shorts & has also been a script reader for 20 years, providing coverage for indie prodcos, investors, screen agencies, producers, directors and individual writers. She’s also an author, publishing as both LV Hay and Lizzie Fry.  Lizzie’s latest, a serial killer thriller titled The Good Mother is out now with Joffe Books, with her sixth thriller out in 2024. Lucy’s site at www.bang2write.com has appeared in Top 100 round-ups for Writer’s Digest & The Write Life, as well as a UK Blog Awards Finalist and Feedspot’s #1 Screenwriting blog in the UK (ninth in the world.). She is also the author of the bestselling non-fiction book, Writing & Selling Thriller Screenplays: From TV Pilot To Feature Film (Creative Essentials), which she updated for the streaming age for its tenth anniversary in 2023.

The post How To Write A Psychological Thriller Without Frying Your Own Brain appeared first on WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®.

Writing Sexual Tension

Are you tired of writing boring and uneventful romance scenes? Do your readers seem disinterested or even put off by the lack of chemistry between your characters? Fear not!

In this post, I am going to explore how to build sizzling sexual tension in your novel that will leave your readers begging for more. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting out, these tips and tricks will help bring heat to your pages and keep readers flipping until the very end. So, buckle up, it’s about to get steamy in here!

What is Sexual Tension?

Sexual tension is a key ingredient in many successful novels. Whilst sexual tension turns up most in romance novels, it can be part of ANY story. For example, I wrote sexual tension in my crime novel, The Other Twin.

Sexual tension is that feeling of excitement and anticipation you get when something hot and heavy is happening between the characters, but they haven’t yet acted on their desires.

Done well, sexual tension can be incredibly addictive for readers. It keeps them turning pages late into the night, eager to see what will happen next.

If you’re hoping to create some sexual tension in your own novel, there are a few key things to keep in mind. Ready? Let’s go!

i) First, don’t rush it

Take your time building up the attraction between your characters. Let them flirt with each other, or exchange longing looks. Maybe they even engage in some light physical contact before they finally give in to their desires.

ii) Make sure the stakes are high

If there’s no risk involved, then there’s no real tension. Will giving in to their feelings ruin their friendship? Threaten their careers? Put them in danger? The more at stake, the higher the tension can be.

iii) Establish what each character wants

What are their goals? What do they want? Why do they want it? This will help create conflict and tension between your characters as they try to achieve their goals while also dealing with their attraction to one another.

iv) Build up the sexual chemistry between your characters gradually

Don’t let them fall into bed together too quickly. Let the reader see the simmering desire between them, the little looks and touches that build up the anticipation.

v) Use body language

A lot of communication is non-verbal. Use this to your advantage by having your characters give each other smouldering looks, brush up against each other accidentally, or engage in subtle flirtation.

Need help? Grab these Attraction Body Language Tip Sheets

When writing sexual tension between your characters, it is important to consider the body language you use. The way your characters stand, sit, or move can amplify the attraction and tension between them.

For example, if two characters are standing close together, their bodies may be angled toward each other in a way that suggests they are eager to be close. Or, if they are sitting next to each other on a couch, their legs may be intertwined in a way that suggests they cannot keep their hands off each other.

vi) Build up the anticipation

Don’t let your characters act on their desires too soon. Make them yearn for each other, wonder what it would be like to touch or be touched by the other person. The longer you can drag this out, the greater the pay-off will be when they finally give in to temptation.

By building up that sense of anticipation, you build up the sexual tension between characters. This means you can create a scene that is truly sizzling with sexual tension.

vii) Establish boundaries early on

Make it clear from the outset that there are certain things your characters will not do. This will heighten the sexual tension as they work around these boundaries.

For example, in the TV series The Rookie, there was sexual tension between Officer Bradford and his rookie Chen from the offset. However, he is her superior and a stand-up guy, so he would never act on this. Similarly, when Chen graduates and becomes an officer herself, she will not act on her feelings and cheat on her boyfriend with Bradford.

When the officers DO finally get together, Bradford has been promoted to sergeant. This prompts him to take a demotion so he can drop out of Chen’s line of command.

vii) Make sure your characters have flaws

No one is perfect, so by giving your characters believable flaws and vulnerabilities, you’ll make them more relatable—and increase the sexual tension as they try to hide those imperfections from each other.

viii) Write sexually charged dialogue

Sexually charged dialogue can be a great way to build sexual tension between characters in a novel. By writing dialogue that is flirty, suggestive, or even graphic, you can create a scene that is full of sexual tension. Erotica novels often do this, but you can utilise this technique in any story you choose.

ix) Don’t forget about the little things

Sexual tension is often created as much by what is NOT said or done. A charged silence, a stolen glance, an accidental touch … These are all things that can ratchet up the tension and leave readers desperate for more.

Concluding …

Sexual tension can be a key ingredient in making your novel sizzle. When it comes to writing romance into ANY story, one of the most important elements is sexual tension. This is what will keep your readers turning the pages, desperate to find out what happens next.

Remember to pay attention to the characters’ emotional states and body language. This will make all the difference between writing a mundane scene or a passionate encounter. If used correctly, creating this type of atmosphere can help readers get deeply invested in your book and its characters. MORE: Top 5 Mistakes Writers Make With Sex Scenes 

Good Luck!

LUCY V. HAY - Resident Writing Coach

Lucy V. Hay is a script editor, author and blogger who helps writers. She’s been the script editor and advisor on numerous UK features and shorts & has also been a script reader for 20 years, providing coverage for indie prodcos, investors, screen agencies, producers, directors and individual writers. She’s also an author, publishing as both LV Hay and Lizzie Fry.  Lizzie’s latest, a serial killer thriller titled The Good Mother is out now with Joffe Books, with her sixth thriller out in 2024. Lucy’s site at www.bang2write.com has appeared in Top 100 round-ups for Writer’s Digest & The Write Life, as well as a UK Blog Awards Finalist and Feedspot’s #1 Screenwriting blog in the UK (ninth in the world.). She is also the author of the bestselling non-fiction book, Writing & Selling Thriller Screenplays: From TV Pilot To Feature Film (Creative Essentials), which she updated for the streaming age for its tenth anniversary in 2023.

The post How to Build Sizzling Sexual Tension in Your Novel appeared first on WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®.

How you start your story is super-important, which is why your novel’s opening is crucial. In just a few sentences – yup, sentences, never mind pages! – you need to GRAB your reader’s attention and pull them into your storyworld.

But HOW do writers do this? Well, how long is a piece of string … your novel’s opening may depend on many factors. That’s the bad news though. The good news is there ARE best practices we can learn from. Ready? Let’s go …

WHY a Great Opening is Important

A great opening in a novel is important for several reasons …

i) It sets the tone for the rest of the book. ‘Starting as you mean to go on’ is very important in novel writing. It won’t do to start a romantic comedy with a murder, for example. Whilst that may seem obvious – and it is – it’s surprising how few writers ‘match’ their genre and tone with their content!

ii) It can also set up the conflict and introduce the reader to the characters. Lots of writers think ‘conflict’ = lots of arguments or fighting. Yet as screenwriters always say, ‘drama is conflict’ which means the SITUATION characters find themselves in. In other words, you just need a strong situation that creates lots of problems for your protagonist. This in turn means we learn about your character from how they respond to those problems.

iii) Lastly, a great opening can hook the reader and make them want to keep reading. If a potential reader is interested in your book, there’s a strong chance they will check out your first page. Few of us buy books without downloading the sample from Kindle, or opening the book in the store. We all make snap judgements!

Think of your novel’s opening as your ‘audition’ for a new reader and you can’t go wrong.

The Different Types of Openings

A great opening in a novel is one of those ‘you’ll know it when you see it’ type of things. It could be a powerful prologue that sets the stage for the story to come, or it could be a slow-burn first chapter that gradually builds up to something more exciting. Whatever form it takes, a great opening is always important in hooking readers and keeping them invested in the story.

Tip # 1: Start with Action

One of the most common ways to open a novel is with some kind of action scene. I write crime fiction and thrillers, so I often start with the crime itself … Or I may begin with a person’s response to it (running away, fighting back, racing to cover it up, etc).

However, you can do whatever you like as long as it’s exciting! Perhaps in your horror novel your protagonist is being haunted by ghosts or chased by werewolves? Or in your romantic comedy, perhaps your character is racing after their ex-partner to stop them from leaving?

Action openings are usually fast-paced and exciting, and they can give readers a good sense of what the rest of the novel will be like. They can also be used to introduce readers to the characters and setting of the story right away.

Tip # 2: Focus On Worldbuilding

Another popular way to start a novel is with a focus on worldbuilding. This could involve introducing readers to the rich history and lore of the storyworld. Alternatively, it could simply be establishing the everyday lives of the characters before things start to get interesting.

One word of caution: it can be very easy to ‘info dump’ when worldbuilding if you are not careful! Make sure you don’t make your reader ‘wait’ for the story to start … Introduce the setting, situation and characters hand in hand.

Tip # 3: Start with Characters

Some novels choose to open with character introductions instead, either through dialogue or inner monologue. This often benefits from a quirky beginning that really marks the character out.

One of my favorites is probably I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith. Protagonist and narrator Cassandra starts with the memorable line, ‘I write this sitting in the kitchen sink’!

More Examples of Great Novel Openings

More memorable first lines that focus on the characters …

• “Call me Ishmael.” – Herman Melville, Moby Dick
• “It was a queer, sultry summer, the summer they electrocuted the Rosenbergs, and I didn’t know what I was doing in New York.” – Sylvia Plath, The Bell Jar
• “It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.” – George Orwell, 1984
• “Lolita, light of my life, fire of my loins.” – Vladimir Nabakov, Lolita
• “It was a pleasure to burn.” – Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451

Tips on Writing a Great Opening for Your Novel

It’s no secret that the first few pages of a novel are important. They are what hook the reader and make them want to keep reading. But how do you write a great opening? Here are a few tips:

1. Start with action. You want to grab the reader’s attention from the very first sentence. One way to do this is to start in the middle of the action, rather than at the beginning.

2. Introduce your characters quickly. Don’t spend pages and pages describing them; just give enough information so that readers can start forming attachments.

3. Set the scene. Give readers a sense of place and time so they can immerse themselves in the story.

4. Use strong language. Your words should be evocative and paint a picture in the reader’s mind.

5. Hook the reader with a question or mystery. Make them want to know more so they’ll keep reading to find out what happens next.

Last Points

A great opening in a novel is incredibly important and should be taken seriously. It sets the tone for the entire story, and it can make or break a reader’s interest from the start.

An effective opening will have characters that readers can relate to, an engaging plotline, vivid description of setting, and clever dialogue. Put simply – craft your opening thoughtfully and carefully for maximum impact.

Good Luck!

LUCY V. HAY - Resident Writing Coach

Lucy V. Hay is a script editor, author and blogger who helps writers. She’s been the script editor and advisor on numerous UK features and shorts & has also been a script reader for 20 years, providing coverage for indie prodcos, investors, screen agencies, producers, directors and individual writers. She’s also an author, publishing as both LV Hay and Lizzie Fry.  Lizzie’s latest, a serial killer thriller titled The Good Mother is out now with Joffe Books, with her sixth thriller out in 2024. Lucy’s site at www.bang2write.com has appeared in Top 100 round-ups for Writer’s Digest & The Write Life, as well as a UK Blog Awards Finalist and Feedspot’s #1 Screenwriting blog in the UK (ninth in the world.). She is also the author of the bestselling non-fiction book, Writing & Selling Thriller Screenplays: From TV Pilot To Feature Film (Creative Essentials), which she updated for the streaming age for its tenth anniversary in 2023.

The post The Importance of a Great Opening in a Novel appeared first on WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®.

The memoir section in any book shop is made of writers who have done outlandish, shocking or terrible things (or had them done to them). These books are popular because those writers are the exception, rather than the standard.

Whilst it’s said real life is ‘stranger than fiction’, the reality is most of us have pretty straightforward lives. Some may even declare their own lives ‘boring’.

So how can we use real life to inspire our fiction? It turns out there’s plenty of ways … Check these out for size.

Think: Location

All of us have lived somewhere in our lives (perhaps many places!). This means we can utilize these locations to their best advantage in our fiction.

My latest novel, Kill for It, is set in Bristol, a city in the Southwest of England, UK. There were several reasons I chose Bristol …

• I know it very well. I’ve been visiting Bristol since I was a teen; my town is approximately forty-five minutes by train away. My adult son also lives there now. That means I know Bristol ‘like the back of my hand’ (as people in the UK say!).

• Bristol is known for its culture. As the fourteenth biggest city in the UK, Bristol is very busy and cosmopolitan. It is known for its universities and colleges as well as its vibrant music scene, art and media. It is also the home of Banksy, the reclusive and renowned street artist, film director and activist.

• Bristol was in the news when I was starting my book. As I started outlining Kill For It, Bristol hit the worldwide headlines. The statue of the infamous slave trader Edward Colston was finally toppled by BLM protestors. (The statue had been subject to condemnation and multiple petitions for decades before Bristol residents took matters into their own hands. The statue is now in a museum).

The combination of these three things made me realize I could use Bristol in my novel. Early reviewers like the fact the novel is not set in London too for a change!

Think: Jobs

Most of us will have lots of work experience. This real-life experience may include (but is not limited to): full-time or part-time employment; white collar versus blue collar work; Saturday jobs as teenagers; volunteering at charitable organizations; internships or unpaid caring.

Having real life experience of a particular job can be a great way of adding authenticity to our fiction.

Kill For It is set in the world of investigative journalism. The story pits young and upcoming journalist Cat against veteran reporter Erin. Cat is tired of not getting ahead at work, so comes up with a sickening plan to (literally!) grab the headlines. The only one who can stop her is Erin, but in doing so she must put her own life at risk.

The book draws on my own experience as a junior reporter in the late 90s/00s. I wrote for a variety of publications and sites (though I didn’t kill anyone … promise!).

The 90s and early 00s was a weird time for journalism. It was the age of the ‘dot com bubble’ as well as ‘The Millennium Bug’. I was also one of the last people to train before the internet changed the face of news and content forever!

I’d always wanted to write a story set against such a backdrop, so it was a real pleasure to write.

There’s one note of caution, however: DON’T imagine everything in a job stays the same decade to decade, or even year to year! If you have not done the job for a long time, you will still need to do some research to ensure your information is up-to-date.

Think: Favorites

Thinking about what you enjoy reading or watching yourself in real life can really help you ‘zero in’ on what you want to write in your own fiction.

Kill For It was inspired in part by Killing Eve, which I really enjoyed. I was lucky enough to interview Luke Jennings, author of the Killing Eve novellas, for LondonSWF365 in 2020.

He told me and the LSFers all about his work on the books and helping Phoebe Waller-Bridge with s1 of the acclaimed BBC TV series.

As an admirer of the psychopathic Villanelle, this lit the touchpaper in my imagination … so I was delighted when a beta reader proclaimed my antagonist Cat was ‘Villanelle’s twisted little sister’!

In addition, one of my favorite movies is Dan Gilroy’s Nightcrawler (2014). In the film, Jake Gyllenhaal plays another psychopath: Louis Bloom, a con man desperate for work. He manages to muscle his way into the world of LA crime journalism where he blurs the line between reality on the stories he is reporting on.

Whilst Cat’s journey is different, the seed of the story is similar. In attempting to smash the glass ceiling, Cat will plumb depths no decent human should ever go to.

Think: Personal

As writers, we all have personal experiences and opinions. We may even have started writing BECAUSE we feel the need to talk about such things.

One reason I write crime fiction is because Agatha Christie – the bestselling author of all time! – is a real ‘shero’ of mine. Even better, she even comes from Devon, where I live too.

When I was growing up in the 80s and 90s however, movies, TV shows and books most often featured male protagonists. This annoyed me as a young girl and I remember thinking I would write female protagonists if I became a professional writer.

In addition, I was a teenage mother. Because of this, I discovered very quickly that the notion ‘women can have it all’ – motherhood AND a career – was a lie. Even though I had great grades and a university degree, because I had a baby first it was extremely difficult to even get a job.

So, as a mother for over half my life now, I know how hard it is for women to juggle work and their responsibilities … Even when we manage it, it’s frequently held against us. After all, men STILL don’t get asked about their families or caring commitments like we do! I wanted to draw on this personal experience in KILL FOR IT.

That said, men are not the enemy in the book. KILL FOR IT takes aim at the system, not men. Whilst there’s at least one male character who is THE ABSOLUTE WORST, the point is not that men *as a whole* suck. Even female characters who don’t try and smash the system will lose their conscience and their humanity.

Of course, you may not have very strong feelings and opinions about a specific issue like I have. Other personal things you could mine for inspiration could include (but are not limited to):

Fears

Most of us have fears, or even outright phobias. They may relate to specific childhood traumas or anxieties, or they may be difficult to understand. These fears may be universal, or they may be very niche.

Secrets 

Secrets can be potent in storytelling. Most of us have them, so thinking about them can help us inform characters’ motivations in particular.

Moments you wish you could change

Regrets are common, especially if we did not act like our best self. However, even just wishing something unavoidable hadn’t happened can be good inspiration for our stories.

Favorite memories 

And to the other end of the scale … just as we might wish things could have been different, there will be perfect moments in our lives that can act as story fuel, too.

Summing Up

So, don’t worry if your own real-life experiences are straightforward or even ‘boring’. Chances are, you have plenty of lived experience you can use in your fiction to give it added authenticity and bite. Good luck!

LUCY V. HAY - Resident Writing Coach

Lucy V. Hay is a script editor, author and blogger who helps writers. She’s been the script editor and advisor on numerous UK features and shorts & has also been a script reader for 20 years, providing coverage for indie prodcos, investors, screen agencies, producers, directors and individual writers. She’s also an author, publishing as both LV Hay and Lizzie Fry.  Lizzie’s latest, a serial killer thriller titled The Good Mother is out now with Joffe Books, with her sixth thriller out in 2024. Lucy’s site at www.bang2write.com has appeared in Top 100 round-ups for Writer’s Digest & The Write Life, as well as a UK Blog Awards Finalist and Feedspot’s #1 Screenwriting blog in the UK (ninth in the world.). She is also the author of the bestselling non-fiction book, Writing & Selling Thriller Screenplays: From TV Pilot To Feature Film (Creative Essentials), which she updated for the streaming age for its tenth anniversary in 2023.

The post How to Use Real Life to Inspire Your Fiction appeared first on WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®.

So, you’ve finished your book. Congratulations! Writers often work alone, with very little validation. We have to struggle uphill, putting up with rejection and radio silence.

This is why we absolutely MUST celebrate our completed books. Here’s how …

1) Acknowledge the Win

Look in the mirror and tell yourself you’re the main wo/man. Remind yourself LOTS of people want to be writers … but very few of us manage to get words on paper, never mind make it out the other side to publication.

So first things first, pat yourself on the back for your achievement. That’s it!

2) Take a Break

Confession time: I used to find finishing a book a bit of an anti-climax.  This meant I wanted to fill the hole my last story had left, so I would go straight from one book to another or start editing without a break.

Unsurprisingly, this took its toll VERY FAST … and I ended up burning out, HARD. Learn from my mistakes!

3) Tell Your Writer Friends

If you have a group of personal writer friends, tell them you’ve completed your book. They will get what a big deal this is, so will celebrate with you.

If you DON’T have any personal writer friends, that’s okay. Drop in to Twitter, insta or Facebook and tag ME as @Bang2write. 

I will congratulate you and so will the Bangers. W000t! You can also use hashtags like #WritingCommunity to find writer friends too.

4) Treat Yourself

It’s true that many of our friends and loved ones won’t ‘get’ what a big deal it is to finish a book. (Hell, many of them think we’re just mucking about – boo).

When I finish a book, I go for a walk. It’s great to get away from my desk and be at one with nature. I even go when it’s windy and rainy! I love to see how dramatic the British countryside can get.

If I’ve just done a MAJOR edit or had a book published, I go one further and treat myself to a block of my favourite chocolate. I have expensive taste – it’s £3.50 for a small bar. Yikes! But that’s okay, I’ve earned it. So think about whatever it is you like to do … and do it. You deserve it.

5) Remind Yourself

Sometimes writers tell me finishing books makes them anxious. This will usually because they feel daunted about about revising the story.

Other times it will be because they have to ‘reset to zero’ by moving on and starting a new project.

Remind yourself every writer feels this way. What’s more, you know now you CAN finish a book. You’ve done it before and you’ll do it again. YOU GOT THIS!!! 

So what are you waiting for? Go CELEBRATE!

LUCY V. HAY - Resident Writing Coach

Lucy V. Hay is a script editor, author and blogger who helps writers. She’s been the script editor and advisor on numerous UK features and shorts & has also been a script reader for 20 years, providing coverage for indie prodcos, investors, screen agencies, producers, directors and individual writers. She’s also an author, publishing as both LV Hay and Lizzie Fry.  Lizzie’s latest, a serial killer thriller titled The Good Mother is out now with Joffe Books, with her sixth thriller out in 2024. Lucy’s site at www.bang2write.com has appeared in Top 100 round-ups for Writer’s Digest & The Write Life, as well as a UK Blog Awards Finalist and Feedspot’s #1 Screenwriting blog in the UK (ninth in the world.). She is also the author of the bestselling non-fiction book, Writing & Selling Thriller Screenplays: From TV Pilot To Feature Film (Creative Essentials), which she updated for the streaming age for its tenth anniversary in 2023.

The post The Finishing Line: How to Celebrate A Completed Book appeared first on WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®.

For this reason, we’re running a series of posts on avoiding stereotypes in fiction. Written by a diverse cast of talented authors, each post highlights a different people group—the common stereotypes to avoid and how to write those characters realistically. We hope this series arms you with the knowledge and tools to write characters you may have been reluctant to write before—ones that will take your story to the next level.

A stereotype is a simplification. Whilst writers CAN use stereotypes on purpose for effect, too often writers use them by accident. This makes characters feel flat and two-dimensional and can mean our target readers switch off.

There are lots of lists of female stereotypes online, but I always think it’s more illuminating to understand what elements CREATE those stereotypes. With this in mind then, here’s the top 10 No-Nos when writing female characters so we can avoid stereotypes altogether:

1) Stop Using the Word of Doom

First things first … we need to do away with the word of DOOM! That’s right, stop describing your female characters as some variant on ‘beautiful’. (Or even worse, ‘pretty but doesn’t know it’ – BLEURGH).

‘WTF!’ you say: ‘Isn’t ‘beautiful’ a compliment???’

Sure, but it’s overused in novels and short stories. It also lends to the idea women are most prized for their appearance. Whilst male characters may be described as handsome (especially in romance or erotica), it’s rarely at the expense of every other facet of their lives.

2) Don’t Objectify Female Characters

There’s a reason the internet says male writers write TERRIBLE female characters. This isn’t because male writers literally can’t write them (in fact, some of my own favorite female characters are written by men) … It’s because too many are overtly creepy about female characters’ bodies.

Even worse, many of these objectified female characters are in award-winning novels or by celebrated male writers! No, women don’t check themselves out in the mirror, feel themselves up, or walk seductively every minute of the day.

By the way: it’s perfectly possible for female characters to be sexy without only being a sex object. Consider a character like Gloria in the iconic sitcom Modern Family. Gloria’s sexy, yet she’s so much more than this.

She is a fantastic mother, plus a loyal sister-in-law and aunt. She is also clever and pragmatic, clawing her way out of poverty before she met Jay. She’s also got a hella dark back story, with LOADS of knowledge about the world and various professions: she’s been a real estate agent, hairdresser, mover, philosophy professor, businesswoman and (possibly) worked for a cartel. More like Gloria, please!

3) Stop Fixating on Clothes

If used well, clothing choices CAN be a good way of indicating a female characters’ personality, mood or class. Too often however writers use clothes to remind us of a female character’s sex appeal (see point # 2 on this list!).

Alternatively, writers may rely on what I call the ‘laundry list introduction’. This is when a writer uses clothing as a constant stand-in for personality. Tell me: what does white jeans and a black tee shirt tell us about a female character’s personality, really? Honestly: not much.

Whilst some looks may indicate temperament (Goth and hippy are stand-outs here), it’s much more interesting if they’re the opposite of what you expect … ie. a super-happy Goth, or an uptight hippy!

4) Don’t Define Her by the Men in Her Life …

Fathers, husbands, sons, male employers … we frequently see a female character defined by the men in her life in stories. They exist solely to orbit that male character and facilitate their emotions, becoming mere sounding boards. YAWN!

The best female characters are nuanced and three dimensional. They may have fathers, husbands, sons and male employers but are not defined by them.

Consider a character like Amy Dunne in Gone Girl. She is not some classic little wifey. Amy fakes her own death as part of an epic power play and puts her unfaithful husband Nick on the hook for it. The message is clear: you do me down? I will pay you back tenfold.

If you want a wife or girlfriend who ISN’T evil like Amy Dunne, consider Bianca from the movie Creed. Like Adrienne before her in the Rocky franchise, Bianca supports Adonis in the ring. But like Adrienne, Bianca is so much more. She is a musician who is losing her hearing. The way she deals with her own adversity inspires Adonis to push on through with his own.

5) … But Don’t Have Her Fly Solo Just for the Sake of It, Either

Sometimes writers want female characters to stand alone. This works well when a female character is literally alone, such as Ryan Stone in the movie Gravity. She must deal with the adversity of being lost in space, relying only on her wits to get her home. (Even fellow astronaut Matt’s help literally comes from her own psyche, as we discover from that controversial and unexpected dream sequence).

However, too often writers want female characters to stand alone because apparently having a boyfriend or husband ‘weakens’ her. This point of view is understandable if we consider how many female characters have been side-lined in the wife or girlfriend (WAG) role historically … but the WAG role itself is NOT automatically sexist, as outlined in point # 4 on this list.

Consider a ground-breaking and enduring female character like Katniss Everdeen. As well as change the world over the course of The Hunger Games franchise of books and movies, she must make a choice between Peeta and Gale.

Love triangles are often part of Young Adult stories because they are powerful reminders to teenage fans that every choice we make is at the expense of something else. What’s more, in The Hunger Games Katniss eventually chooses Peeta not only because of their shared ordeal in the arena, but because Gale is arguably responsible for Katniss’ sister Primrose’s death … the reason Katniss went in the arena in the first place.

Far from ‘weakening’ Katniss then, the love triangle between her, Peeta and Gale gives the story an added dimension. It also creates a sense of delicious dramatic irony.

6) Stop Giving Female Characters a Traumatic Past **as Standard**

Drama is conflict. This means characters of any gender may have a backstory that equips them to deal with what’s going on in the ‘present time’ of the story (whatever that means).

However, it’s very striking how many female characters have traumatic pasts … It’s almost like writers don’t believe they can become powerful without first being ‘reduced’ somehow first. Ack.

As a result, we have been overrun by female characters who have been raped, abused or neglected in some way before the story even begins.

Whilst all of those things can be powerful motivators for the right story, too often these backstories are just ‘tick box’ exercises. As the animation Wreck It Ralph jokes about the powerful female lead Sergeant Calhoun:

• RALPH: Jeez, she’s kinda intense, huh?
• SOLDIER: It’s not her fault. She’s programmed with the most tragic backstory EVER!

By the way, that movie was satirising this about female characters a DECADE ago. Time for a change.

7) Don’t Make Her a ‘Kick-Ass Hottie’

The Kick-Ass Hottie is a character like her name suggests … she will take ANYONE on and win (often whilst scantily-clad, or even in her underwear). This character’s roots can be traced all the way back to Ellen Ripley in Alien. She takes on an acid-dripping Xenomorph in her scanties AND wins!

Now, I enjoy The Kick-Ass Hottie. She’s a fun fantasy character who frequently turns up in action movies, plus some Horror and Thriller novels. Audiences and readers love her, so she’s not going away anytime soon.

The problem is not that she exists, but when kicking ass is the ONLY thing she does. Think back to Ripley here. She is an iconic, memorable heroine who is so much more than a simple kick-ass hottie.

So by all means have a sexy heroine who kicks ass in your stories (as per point # 2 on this list). Just make sure you round her out and ensure it’s not the ONLY thing she does.

8) Stop ‘Fridging’ Female Characters

Short for ‘women in refrigerators’, this trope was named by comics writer Gail Simone. ‘Fridging’ is an unholy mix of points #2 and #4 on this list. Basically, a sexy WAG character is raped and/or murdered just so a male hero can go on the rampage to avenge their wife or girlfriend.

This trope is SO prevalent that even full-on superheroes like Batman and Spiderman seemingly can’t save the women in their lives! Yikes.

By the way: ‘fridging’ is not to be confused with the so-called ‘Sexy Lamp’ test. This refers to the idea that female characters should actually DO something in your plot … but if you can take them out and replace them with a sexy lamp? Then they are not doing ENOUGH in your story.

9) Stop Thinking Female Characters Only Talk About Men

NEWSFLASH: female friendships do not revolve around men. Sure, we may talk about our boyfriends and husbands, but not at the expense of everything else.

Consider a teen classic movie like Mean Girls. While the ‘plastics’ do indeed talk about getting it on with various boys, they talk WAY more about things such as the politics of high school demands.

So even in genres where we may expect romance, we don’t have to make it ALL about that.

10) Lastly: You Don’t Have to Make Her Positive!

Sometimes feminist critique says it’s ‘misogynistic’ to write female characters who are evil or have dodgy motives. I can’t stress enough how this is UTTER BALDERDASH. Seriously!

Literally no one worries about ‘misrepresenting’ male characters generally – especially white, straight, able-bodied male characters. This is because the internet doesn’t bother itself creating fake-ass ‘rules’ about how male characters ‘should’ be represented.

If we want to ensure female characters receive the same leeway? Then we need to let there be a free-for-all instead of consistently boxing female characters in. Sure, some of the female characters will be TERRIBLE … but many of them are anyway! We have literally nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Free eBook to Download

Want more info on this topic? Download my free eBook from Amazon, How NOT To Write Female Characters. Enjoy! 

Other posts in this series:

Avoiding LGBTQ+ Character Stereotypes
Avoiding Religious Character Stereotypes
Avoiding Mental Health Character Stereotypes
Avoiding People of Color Stereotypes

Discussion is encouraged, but please keep it courteous. Let’s not call out authors for past mistakes, and let’s do keep an open mind. By listening to and respecting each person’s experiences and perspectives, we can better write the stories and characters readers want to see.

LUCY V. HAY - Resident Writing Coach

Lucy V. Hay is a script editor, author and blogger who helps writers. She’s been the script editor and advisor on numerous UK features and shorts & has also been a script reader for 20 years, providing coverage for indie prodcos, investors, screen agencies, producers, directors and individual writers. She’s also an author, publishing as both LV Hay and Lizzie Fry.  Lizzie’s latest, a serial killer thriller titled The Good Mother is out now with Joffe Books, with her sixth thriller out in 2024. Lucy’s site at www.bang2write.com has appeared in Top 100 round-ups for Writer’s Digest & The Write Life, as well as a UK Blog Awards Finalist and Feedspot’s #1 Screenwriting blog in the UK (ninth in the world.). She is also the author of the bestselling non-fiction book, Writing & Selling Thriller Screenplays: From TV Pilot To Feature Film (Creative Essentials), which she updated for the streaming age for its tenth anniversary in 2023.

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