Their methods are questionable, and their moral compass doesn’t always point north, so what makes an antihero worth rooting for? In this post, we’ll look at what makes a character an antihero, different types of antiheroes, and tips for writing an antihero that your readers will want...

In fiction, love shows up across all genres, complicating plots and transforming the protagonist. Even if you aren’t writing a romance novel, love might still be in the cards.

If you’re writing a love interest into your novel, you want to do so in a way that strengthens your...

For readers to care about your story, they have to know what's at stake. And you can only know the stakes if you know what your protagonist is trying to achieve— their goal.

So what is a character's goal? The goal is the one thing your character wants more than anything else. That...

One decision every writer must make is choosing from which point of view to tell a story. The third-person point of view (or POV) is a popular choice and can often be the easiest for new writers to tackle. There are, however, a few different ways in which to write the third-person point of view,...

Whether you’re the kind of writer who outlines their whole story before starting or the type who loves the journey of discovery writing, it’s important in the early stages of your novel to know what's driving your story. What will keep you drafting, and make readers fly through the...

A supporting character, or secondary character, is a person in your protagonist’s world that adds depth, conflict, and complexity to their journey. Think of characters like Han Solo in Star Wars, Annabeth and Grover in Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, or The...

Imagine going to a new place and meeting the most fascinating person. They have delightful mannerisms, quirky speech patterns, and an intriguing personality. After chatting for a while, you move on and meet someone else—only to discover this person has the same traits and mannerisms as the...

Third-person narratives are one of the most commonly used points of view. This may give new writers the impression that it’s a fairly simple viewpoint to write. However, it’s easy to fall into pitfalls and clichés without even realizing it. Knowing the ins and outs of writing...

Maybe you’re writing a first-person narrator for the first time. Or maybe you’ve written a first-person narrative, but the voice isn’t as strong as you’d like. Whichever stage you’re at, knowing how to use first-person effectively will make the difference between a...

No one likes a liar in real life, but it can be thrilling to slide into the head of a dishonest character in fiction. Maybe they choose to embellish, hide part of the truth, or tell us a story that can’t possibly be real (or can it?).

As writers, these characters can make for narrative...

Antagonists are people, too. Soulless corporations and faceless soldiers play their part when we think of stereotypical “villains,” but the best antagonists are the ones who are just as complex as our heroes. 

It’s probably the first thing that came to mind when you...

How can you develop characters that will keep your readers glued to the pages? Their backstory plays a huge part in getting it right—characters don’t come into existence on the first page of your story. 

But don’t worry, you don’t need to chronicle your...