Is the antagonist always the bad guy? So often, we use the terms interchangeably. But this practice can lead to confusion about the true function of the antagonistic force within a story. Contrary to common parlance, the antagonist vs. villain dynamic isn’t a straightforward equation. Although the roles often overlap, a character can be an […]
November 4, 2024 by 20 Comments CharactersThe 3 (Structurally) Most Important Characters
Today, I want to talk about the three most important characters from a structural perspective within your story. Very often, two of the most common questions writers will ask about characters in their story is, “How many characters do I need and or can I have and which characters do I need? What characters are […]
July 1, 2024 by 26 Comments CharactersEverything You Need to Know About the Lie the Character Believes
Hello, everyone, and welcome! In today’s post/podcast/video, we’re going to be talking about what is very possibly the single most important element of any successful story. And that is the Lie the Character Believes. The Lie the Character Believes is a mistaken or limited perspective the character holds at the beginning of the story which […]
June 10, 2024 by 17 Comments CharactersConsider This Before Killing a Character
I have a little game I play when reading a book or watching a movie, especially a violent one. I try to predict if the author will be killing a character. More often than not, I’m right on the money, and it isn’t because I’m prescient or because I cheated and peeked ahead. It’s because […]
March 25, 2024 by 15 Comments CharactersFrom Lead to Gold: The Alchemy of Character Arc With Carl Jung
Storytelling is a mystical crucible. Just as the ancient alchemists sought the transformation of base metals into gold, writers strive for the metamorphosis of their characters’ inner selves throughout the story. Alchemy, as explored through the lens of Carl Jung’s insights, can elevate your characters from the leaden weight of initial flaws to the gleaming […]
March 4, 2024 by 50 Comments Characters6 Tips to Write Deeply Emotional Fiction
In the tumultuous sea of storytelling, where the tides of emotion ebb and flow, writers get to discover the profound art of learning how to write deeply emotional fiction. Emotions are the vibrant threads that weave a connection between characters’ souls and readers’ hearts. To navigate this intricate terrain, let us uncover six tools to […]
February 26, 2024 by 59 Comments CharactersHow to Use Antagonists in Your Story: The Right Way and the Wrong Way
How to use antagonists in your story is a critical skill that can either elevate or undermine your entire story. In many ways, antagonists are the true architects of unforgettable plots, and as you navigate the path between narrative brilliance and potential pitfalls, the art of utilizing your story’s antagonists becomes crucial to success. When […]
February 19, 2024 by 28 Comments BackstoryA Writer’s Comprehensive Guide to Backstory
Hello, welcome to Everything You Need to Know About Backstory! I’m K.M. Weiland, and you are listening to the Helping Writers Become Authors podcast or watching it because this is also a video post. This video is in answer to a question from SW, who asked: “I’m interested in how you figure out how to […]
January 15, 2024 by 14 Comments Characters7 Tips to Craft Compelling Character Motivation in Fiction
From KMW: As “the lie that tells the truth,” fiction only works when it is able to present a reasonable facsimile of reality. At the level of plot, it does this by creating a string of causes and effects that feel plausible. The foundation of this plausibility is the greatest “cause” of them all: character motivation. […]
January 8, 2024 by 32 Comments CharactersLessons From 2023: 5 Reflections on “Flat Arc” Periods
Welcome to 2024! And welcome to what has become a yearly tradition here at Helping Writers Become Authors. Every January, I write a New Year’s post in which I look back at the year that has passed and reflect on its major themes, lessons, and gifts. When I began this little ritual six years ago, […]
