• Writing Business
    • Agents & Editors
    • Finding Writing Markets
    • Indie Publishing
    • Marketing
    • Market Trends
    • Quirky Links
    • Web Design
    • Writing for the Web
  • Writing Craft
    • By Genre
      • Romance
      • Young Adult Teen
    • Characters
    • First Pages
    • Grammar
    • Pacing
    • Plotting
    • Point of View
    • Revision
    • Scenes
    • Worldbuilding
    • Writing Prompts
    • Writing Tips
  • Writing Life
    • Author Interviews
    • Conferences
    • Critiques
    • Inspiration
    • Making a Living
  • Writing Tools
    • Book Reviews
    • eBooks
      • Dialogue More than Just Talk ebook
    • Online Writing Tools
    • Writing Software Programs
  • About
    • Contact
    • Regular Columnists
    • Privacy Policy
  • News
  • Services
    • Editorial Services
How To Write Shop

Articles on the craft and business of writing

Archives

Creating The Compelling Protagonist: Three No-Fail Writing Strategies

January 18, 2012 by Kathy Steffen 13 Comments

One of the most important aspects of a page-turner is a strong reader-protagonist connection. Use any one or better yet, all of these three techniques and you are well on your way to writing a bestselling protagonist.

Posted in: Characters, Writing Craft Tagged: characters, writing technique

Find Character Motivation Thru His Past and Fear

October 14, 2011 by Kathy Steffen 6 Comments
character motivation character mask character fears

The underneath is where a reader connects and empathizes with your character. Although a reader may not be privy to this skeleton from the start of the story, she can sense when it’s there and will look forward to peeling back layers of the character until she gets to the truth.

Posted in: Characters, Writing Craft Tagged: character development, character fear, character motivation

Featured Book

Techniques of the Selling Writer 
by Dwight V. Swain

Techniques of the Selling Writer by Dwight Swain

Classic book on how to write books that readers will want to read!

This is one of the foundation books that all novelists should have on their bookshelf.

Get at Amazon

Follow us on

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • RSS

Or…

Get New Articles Emailed to You!

~~~

We collect, use, and process your data according to our Privacy Policy.

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Articles:


Featured Book

Techniques of the Selling Writer 
by Dwight V. Swain

Techniques of the Selling Writer by Dwight Swain

Classic book on how to write books that readers will want to read!

This is one of the foundation books that all novelists should have on their bookshelf.

Get at Amazon


Find Us on the Web

  • Follow on Twitter Follow on Twitter
  • Like at Facebook Like at Facebook

Copyright © 2023 How To Write Shop.

Omega WordPress Theme by ThemeHall