When you watched the class bully shove the school nerd into his locker and hold his notebook out of reach in high school, you were probably the person looking on and wanting to do something to stop the situation. Given enough courage, you would rush into save the victim. On no terms would you actually […]
April 23, 2014 by 34 Comments CharactersWhy Protagonists Must Suffer to Be Interesting
“Stories are about things happening to protagonists.” Would you agree with that statement? I’d agree. But we’d have to add a further statement: “Interesting stories are about things that matter happening to protagonists.” Not just things that matter generically—but things that matter very specifically to this specific character. Sometimes these things will be wonderful things: […]
January 12, 2026 by 28 Comments Plotting Your NovelStory Stakes: When to Reveal Them—and Why Timing Is Everything
Here’s what’s most important for writers to understand about story stakes. Story stakes are what characters stand to lose if they fail—not what they gain if they succeed. Stakes are the emotional cost of the story’s outcome and the primary reason readers care what happens next. Character motivations drive your story. The protagonist’s motivation informs […]
December 15, 2013 by 18 Comments CharactersHow the Antagonist Affects Character Arc
When crafting a powerful story, it’s easy to focus solely on external conflict—what the protagonist wants and who stands in the way. Howver, to create truly resonant fiction, writers must also consider how the antagonist affects character arc. The best antagonists don’t just block the protagonist’s outer goals; they also challenge the protagonist’s inner beliefs, […]
December 11, 2013 by 21 Comments Novel EndingsHow Many Characters Should Be in Your Story’s Climax?
Your story’s Climax is the moment everything has been building toward—the final test, the big showdown, the emotional payoff. It’s where your characters converge, tensions explode, and all the plot threads tie together (or unravel spectacularly). Whether it’s a battle, a confrontation, or a quiet but intense decision, the Climax needs to feel inevitable and […]
November 24, 2013 by 50 Comments CharactersHow to Double the Conflict in Your Story for Maximum Impact
If a little conflict is good for your story, then learning how to double the conflict in your story can make it even more gripping. By layering obstacles and consequences, you can create a dynamic plot in which characters must constantly adapt, struggle, and react to ever-escalating stakes. Instead of a straightforward challenge, they face […]
November 13, 2013 by 12 Comments CharactersWhen Two of Your Characters Want the Same Thing
This week’s video talks about how shared goals can either make allies or enemies of your characters. Video Transcript: Here’s a riddle for you: Two of your characters want exactly the same thing. Does this make them enemies or allies? The answer, of course, is both. It totally depends on the unique circumstances in your […]
October 17, 2013 by Leave a Comment CharactersHow to Create Conflict and Plot Out of Character
Today, I’m guest posting on The Write Now Coach, with a post about “How to Create Conflict and Plot Out of Character.” Here’s an excerpt: “No conflict, no story.” We’ve all heard that one enough times that we can now sagely nod our heads whenever it’s repeated. But, today, let’s stop and think about it. If […]
October 6, 2013 by 53 Comments Most Common Writing MistakesMost Common Writing Mistakes: Characters Who Lack Solid Story Goals
Characters have to want something, right? That’s the whole point of a story. The protagonist wants something; the antagonistic force gets in the way; conflict ensues. Bing, bang, boom. So it’s totally a no-brainer to point out that a book in which a character lacks solid story goals is a book that’s not going to […]
September 22, 2013 by 103 Comments Characters10 Types of Antagonists Your Readers Will Loathe (in All the Best Ways)
In any story, the antagonist plays a crucial role in driving the plot forward and providing a worthy challenge for the protagonist. While the protagonist often takes center stage, the types of antagonists you choose to introduce will significantly shape the conflict and tension in your story. Whether your antagonist is a person, a force, […]
