How Characters Change in Stories (And How to Write Believable Change)

How Characters Change in Stories (And How to Write Believable Change)

You’ve probably heard this one before: Your character must change throughout the course of your story. Characters need to transform.

I see a lot of confusion over this concept. Writers can normally nail the change (weak to strong; bad to good; cynical to optimistic) but it often comes from a weird place that doesn’t sit quite right with what we know about the protagonist. Or it’s too big of a change (or too much of a “fairy tale ending”) to be believable.

Writers think that great characters need drastic changes, but this isn’t always the case. 

Let’s take a look at how writers should deal with character change, and how creating a character arc might make for a more interesting cast and plot.

5 Reasons to Use Pictures as Writing Prompts

5 Reasons to Use Pictures as Writing Prompts

If you follow any kind of writing blog or social page, you’ve probably seen picture writing prompts before. People love them and there’s no end to sites that provide them. Not to mention the millions of pictures that are out there that aren’t “official” writing prompts. You’ve probably got a ton on your phone that could spark an idea.

If you haven’t taken the plunge and tried writing from picture writing prompts before, here are five reasons why you should.

How to Shorten a Story: Writing Tips to Reduce Word Count

How to Shorten a Story: Writing Tips to Reduce Word Count

Short stories are their own art form. In a novel, you have an entire book to elaborate, to make your readers care. In a short story, you have to have the same elements, but in about two percent of the words. How can you shorten story?

Ultimately, learning how to write a story in fewer words takes practice. Luckily, tightening a short story into an even shorter story is something you can get the hang of over time.

This article shares various, easy writing tips that can help you cut your word count—and make your short story all the better for it.  

20 (Not Scary) Halloween Writing Prompts for Kids

20 (Not Scary) Halloween Writing Prompts for Kids

I’m a firm believer in Halloween. But I know all the gore and scary movies aren’t for everyone, especially little kids.

Halloween is for everyone, though! There’s so much more to the celebration than jump scares and fake blood. And I think we all need a little lightheartedness this year.

Have your kids try one of these writing prompts (or try one yourself)!