Helping Writers Become Authors

Learn how archetypes and story structure mirror each other in any individual book and can be used to further strengthen your story.

Here are a five important questions you, as a writer of fiction, can ask yourself to help you in making story structure your own.

There's nothing incorrect in using confrontation to create conflict in fiction. But to understand conflict as only confrontation is too narrow a definition.

Learn how to increase the health and effectiveness of the writer's inner critic while diminishing toxic effects.

Here are this writer's New Year reflections, focusing on six "gifts" I gave myself and why I believe they were profoundly life-changing.

The two halves of the Climactic Moment require the story's final sequence to offer two very specific beats: Sacrifice and Victory/Failure.

The two halves of the Third Plot Point work together to create a scene arc that moves from the False Victory to the Low Moment.

The halves of the Midpoint are unique in story structure in that they mark the dividing line between the two halves of the entire story arc.

The First Plot Point is often referred to as a threshold, a visual metaphor representing the native two-sidedness of all structural beats.

A series examining the two important "halves" in each of story structure's major beats, beginning with the Inciting Event in the First Act.

Find out what defines repetitive scenes, as well as strategies for recognizing and avoiding them in your fiction.

The archetypal antagonists for the Mage Arc often manifest subtly--not in obvious "evil," but in an ordinary person's weakness.

The archetypal antagonists for the Crone Arc are represented as a Death Blight and as the subtle Tempter who would lure her from the Truth.

The archetypal antagonists for the King Arc are the Cataclysm and the Rebel, both of which challenge the King to culminate his rule.

Usually the archetypal antagonists for a Queen Arc are represented by the Invader in the outer conflict and the Empty Throne in the inner conflict.

The antagonists for the Hero Arc can be seen archetypally as both the Dragon and the Sick King.

The antagonists for the Maiden Arc can be seen archetypally as both her Authority Figures and a frightening Predator.

A series looking at the archetypal antagonists inherent within each of the six main archetypal "life arcs."

How can you tell what your story's premise is telling readers? Here are four questions you can ask about your story's premise.

The tremendous (but sometimes misunderstood) significance of the Climactic Moment in the ending of a story.

The role of the antagonist varies depending on the nature of the protagonist's character arc.

Should you edit as you go? The best choice has much to do with a writer's personality, strengths, weaknesses, and even lifestyle demands.

The world needs us all to be writers and creators. It needs the next Pulitzer winner, and it needs the scribbled poem forgotten on a napkin in a cafe.

How can you apply archetypal character arcs in a practical way to your own stories? Here are five considerations for choosing archetypes.

The final Flat archetype of the Mentor is one of the most significant within human storytelling.

The Flat archetype of the Elder provides crucial guidance for enacting important change in surrounding characters.

The Flat archetype of the Ruler represents the potential period in a person's life in which he or she is in a position of leadership.

We don't often think of the Flat archetype of the Parent with the same enthusiasm as we do the Hero. And yet they are intrinsically linked.

A deeply nuanced archetype that evolves with us for most of our lives, the Flat archetype of the Lover is inherent and integral.

The archetype of the Child is necessarily an archetype of deep vulnerability and surprisingly powerful impact upon other characters.

Flat archetypes are often seen teaching other characters some of the same lessons they just learned in their own previously completed arcs.

Will the character triumph--or succumb in the end to the powerful temptations of either of the Mage's shadow archetypes, the Miser or the Sorcerer?

If the character cannot powerfully transition into the final act of life, the risk is that of sliding into the Crone's shadow archetypes.

Whether this powerful character brings life to the Kingdom depends on if he is in the grip of the King's shadow archetypes of Puppet and Tyrant.

The Queen's shadows have the potential to block her possibility for a positively transformative archetypal character arc.

The Hero's shadow archetypes of Coward and Bully are especially important (and cautionary) due to the pervasiveness of the Hero's Journey.

Out of fear and egoism, the Maiden's shadow archetypes would prevent her from embracing a new perspective and completing her journey.

Each positive character archetype inherently represents a struggle with related shadow archetypes--one passive and one aggressive.

The powerful and mysterious Mage Arc--the final archetypal character arc--turns its attention to questions of power and surrender.

The Crone Arc begins the final act of the "life arcs" by presenting an inevitable and imperative Underworld Journey.

Although the plot in a King Arc can be absolutely epic, it is a fundamentally spiritual arc--more so than any that have preceded it.

The majestic Queen Arc builds upon the lessons learned in the Hero's Journey to create an archetypal character arc that offers a worthy sequel.

The Hero Arc is the story of the conquering champion--the ingenuous but perhaps immodest youth setting out to do a great deed.

As the "youngest" of the archetypal character arcs, the Maiden Arc represents the quintessential coming-of-age story.

For a writer, one of the most exciting explorations of archetype can be found within specific archetypal character arcs--or journeys.

Why are archetypal stories so important and what does this mean for you as a writer attempting to channel these deep patterns of existence?

It is not too simplistic or idealistic a statement to say that storytelling--and therefore story theory--is a quest for meaning.

Pairing the Karpman Drama Triangle and the Empowerment Triangle offers a fantastic tool for creating solid character arcs.

Seven writing lessons to inspire, ground, and encourage you in moving forward into the wide new frontier of 2021.

Every writer knows about daydreaming. But what about dreamzoning? How can it help you cultivate inspiration for your storytelling?