Other Writers

Fear is more than just an emotion–it’s also a powerful internal warning system. When a threat is perceived, fear kicks in, alerting a character to possible danger so they can protect themselves. In other words, fear helps them survive. However, over time, fear has a darker […]

When a character suffers emotional pain, the brain’s response is to stop the discomfort, and often this results in a coping mechanism being deployed. Whether it’s an automatic response or a learned go-to strategy, a mechanism helps them cope with the stress of the moment or […]

Is AI really the end of creativity, or the biggest emancipation of creative energy we've ever seen? How can authors thrive in a time of super abundance, when anyone can make anything? What happens when publishers become technology providers, and agents start shopping for books […]

Writing authentic fear reactions can be challenging—even when we understand our character well. Why? Because each character has their own personality, background, trauma, and triggers, meaning their fear response to perceived threats will be unique. Showing our character’s […]

As many of you know, we recently released a new book – The Fear Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to What Holds Characters Back. This volume takes you into the dark world of fear and how it steers your character’s actions, choices, and behavior, reshaping how they see the world, […]

How is the German market different to English speaking markets, and why might it be worth looking into translation? What are the best ways to translate, self-publish and market your books in German? With Skye MacKinnon. In the intro, thoughts on feeling empty after a book, […]

  by Liz Adams You know how you meet a gorgeous person and you want to ask the important questions right away but feel it’s not proper? Questions like: How many kids do you want? Are you allergic to cats? Will you promise to always be truthful except when I ask you if I look […]

When a character suffers emotional pain, the brain’s response is to stop the discomfort, and often this results in a coping mechanism being deployed. Whether it’s an automatic response or a learned go-to strategy, a mechanism helps them cope with the stress of the moment or […]

When we think about phobias, extreme fear comes to mind. But phobias are actually considered a class of anxiety disorder, and they hijack the body’s alarm system. Understanding how this happens is important to ensure we don’t inadvertently perpetuate mental health […]

In the real world, no two people are alike, which means each of us expresses emotion in our own way. Some people find it natural to share what they feel with those around them, while others find the idea of revealing what they feel horrifying and will avoid situations that could […]

How can you navigate uncertainty in a constantly changing market? Why is persistence the key to a sustainable creative career? Plus why distribution is so important, and the four ways to monetise your creative work. All this and more with Adam Leipzig. In the intro, my […]

When a character suffers emotional pain, the brain’s response is to stop the discomfort, and often this results in a coping mechanism being deployed. Whether it’s an automatic response or a learned go-to strategy, a mechanism helps them cope with the stress of the moment or […]