How to Draw Readers in Through a Character’s Inner Struggle by Angela Ackerman

 

Readers have short attention spans, so the goal is to draw them into a story quickly. We can hook their curiosity through the protagonist’s actions and emotions in the moment, and use the setting, events, and POV observations to awaken the reader’s need-to-know response. These are good strategies to get us going, but to create real investment, we need to move readers beyond curiosity. To generate true connection and empathy, we should show the protagonist’s inner struggles, especially those moments that touch the deepest parts of their selves and reveal who they are by how they resolve personal turmoil.

Moment of struggle where a character’s beliefs and values conflict or contradict are especially important to show. Consider these:

·                  Leo discovers a secret about a family member that is both shocking and harmful. Should he go to the police, or stay silent? (Family loyalty vs. justice)

·                  At her university graduation, Darma is at a crossroads. Her parents expect her come work in the family business, but she knows that won’t make her happy. Should she do what is expected of her, or chart her own course? (Duty vs. freedom and self-fulfillment)

·                  Jim’s old friend Steve is in town, and two days into the visit, he asks for a favor: to lie for him. Steve’s worried about his crazy-jealous wife discovering he had coffee with an old high school flame the day before. If she finds out Steve wasn’t with Jim all day as he told her, she’ll send her mob-connected brothers after him. This situation seems fishy and Jim is an honest person by nature, but Steve’s invoking the bro code. (Friendship vs. honesty)

In each case, the character’s beliefs and core values are clashing, and it’s causing them internal tension. There’s a term for psychological discomfort caused by these contradicting thoughts, perceptions, values, or beliefs: cognitive dissonance.

Inner conflict, and the dissonance at the root of it is compelling to readers because these things are true-to-life. Readers know what it’s like to wrestle with difficult situations and the pain of not knowing what to do.

In these moments, a character experiences negative emotions, possibly guilt, worry, confusion, defeat, shame, and the like, and may question their own value and strength. If their emotional discomfort is strong enough, they may try to run from their problems and difficult decisions rather than deal with them. Readers understand this too. Avoidance is a pretty common coping strategy when a person feels overwhelmed or unequipped to handle the challenge before them.

Can you see how reminding readers of their own personal experiences makes them feel connected and involved? By seeing a character go through something they know themselves, they come to care about the character and what happens next.

 

Tip: Don’t Leave Inner Conflict Unresolved

 

Characters running from their problems might be true-to-life, but if we don’t reverse that the pace will stall, and we’ll lose our grip on the reader’s interest. An emotion amplifier can help us get things back on track.

Emotion amplifiers are an added condition or situational burden that a character must cope with on top of everything else. They’re a challenge, conflict, and emotional destabilizer rolled into one, capable of causing physical, cognitive, and psychological discomfort. Like adding weight to an already overloaded cart, the strain can become too much, and the character breaks like a cart’s wheel.

Pressure, pain, exhaustion, scrutiny, danger—these and other amplifiers have the power to intensify a character’s emotional state, making them reactive. If they lose control of their emotions they might lash out, act with poor judgement, and make a mistake. Not only does generate conflict, but it also resonates with readers who have also lost control and then had to clean up the fallout.

Reminding readers of the real world is always a good strategy for engagement, but anything that touches their emotions will be especially powerful. If you’d like to learn more, check out The Emotion Amplifier Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character Stress and Volatility. To see a full list of amplifiers you might like to use in your story, go here.

 

 

Angela Ackerman is a story coach, international speaker, and co-author of the bestselling book, The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character Expression, and its many sequels. To date, this series has sold over a million copies.

Angela is also the co-founder of the popular site Writers Helping Writers®, as well as One Stop for Writers®, a portal to game-changing tools and resources that enable writers to craft powerful fiction. Find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Insecure Writer’s Support Group Day and Writing Distractions

It’s time for another group posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! Time to release our fears to the world – or offer encouragement to those who are feeling neurotic. If you’d like to join us, click on the tab above and sign up. We post the first Wednesday of every month. I encourage everyone to visit at least a dozen new blogs and leave a comment. Your words might be the encouragement someone needs.

The co-hosts for the May 1 posting of the IWSG are Victoria Marie Lees, Kim Lajevardi, Nancy Gideon, and Cathrina Constantine!

May 1 question - How do you deal with distractions when you are writing? Do they derail you?

Distractions can be anything.

Your children
Your pets
Housework
Yardwork
The phone
Emails
Social media

Some distractions need your attention.

Some are self-inflicted.

Some you just need to ignore.

Take time to prioritize your day. Make a list the night before of what you need to accomplish and note what’s the most important. Focus on what matters most first. Then when distractions happen, you’ll have most of the key items done and not be completely derailed.

How do you deal with distractions? How do they derail you and how can you stop that from happening?

Great Tips I Wish I Knew Before Writing My First YA Novel

By Jaire Sims

I decided to write and publish a Young Adult (YA) story when I was in high school. The process was exciting but had challenges along the way. Once I began writing my debut novel, it took almost ten years to self-publish my story, and the year after publishing, Getting By earned an award. While that's incredible, there are some things I wish I had learned about publishing before launching. I was a newbie, and in many ways, I still am. But I know a lot more now by trying to figure out the process of self-publishing a book, mostly on my own, leading me to create an online course on self-publishing to help writers streamline the process and save them time and money. It will also allow me to improve the release of my next book. With that in mind, I have some tips and suggestions for aspiring YA writers.

Researching the YA Market
Many writers start by writing a story they want to tell; as the adage says, "Write what you know." While that is fine, it's important to know if there's an audience for your story. Is it something readers will want to read? Otherwise, it will be tough to market and sell your book to audiences (though YA novels are popular among teen and adult readers.) But you still should know what makes a good YA novel. Do your due diligence by looking at market trends, researching recent successful YA releases, and seeing what stories such books tell. Then you can emulate elements at play in other successful YA books in your novel. If there's a story in you that you want to write, you don't have to compromise your ambitions to suit trends entirely. But depending on your goals, be mindful of what your target readers want to see in their YA books and find a compromise.

Building An Online Platform
One regret with my self-publishing experience is that I didn't establish a solid online presence before publishing my debut book. Now, I'm building my online platform with a blog and writing articles, expanding my email list by offering freebies to help aspiring YA authors, and collaborating with other writers in the community (like Ignited Ink!) to increase my visibility and attract my target readers. But it's an uphill battle. Marketing and selling a book after publishing without an established audience is challenging. Start building an audience as soon as you embark on your writing and publishing journey to build hype. Connecting to and engaging with the writing community is a great start, as many people would be willing to help you with your writing goals and champion your progress and success. Remember that no one is successful on their own, so it's good to seek help from people who may have knowledge that can help you early in the writing process and will spread the word when your story hits shelves!

Hire an Editor
New writers debate whether to hire a book editor for their manuscripts because of the cost (TLDR: do it!). Hiring a freelance editor was one of my best decisions. It's an investment that nobody should ignore. You risk launching a book that lacks polish, which can affect your reputation as an author. While many books have a few typos, readers don't mind if the story is good. But if it's riddled with mistakes, that will distract readers from enjoying your story. Moreover, an editor will smooth details in your story, like plot holes, character development, and other critical elements. To release the best version of your book, an editor's role is to help you improve the quality of your story, so don't skimp on one.

Beta Readers
After revising the first draft of my manuscript, I thought my editor was the only resource available. Now I know about beta readers and their vital role. But back then, I relied almost entirely on my editor's feedback to improve my novel. While I don't regret taking input from my editor (I received excellent feedback!), I wish I had contacted a few YA fiction beta readers first. They may have helped me improve my story further and boost my marketing reach after the fact. If you have just completed the first draft of your manuscript with revisions, have a few people beta-read and review your work before sending your story to your editor.

Creating a Marketing Plan
However you decide to publish your book, you need an effective marketing plan if you want your story in your readers' hands. A great story is not enough by itself anymore. In fact, there are successful books that may not have the best story premise or exceptional writing but are still bestsellers because of a great marketing strategy. Shocking though it may seem, I find writing and publishing a book is the easy part: marketing is the most challenging and what you'll spend most of your time doing. As a result, many writers outsource help to promote their novels. Thankfully, there are plenty of options to market and sell your book. But be aware that not all services deliver the results you are looking for. Also, don't choose a marketing service because someone recommends it. Research to see if these businesses have convincing reviews, look into their clients' successes, reach out to their clients for feedback, set up a preliminary meeting to connect, and then evaluate if it's a good fit for you. You can save money and energy by carefully vetting marketing services (and, honestly, anything you will outsource: editing, graphic design, etc.). When it comes to marketing, my final bit of advice is to start as early as possible to see better results.

Thoroughly Research all Publishing Options
Once you're ready to share your book with the world, you must decide how to publish it: traditional or self-publish. Whichever way you're leaning, evaluate your options before deciding, as either has many benefits and disadvantages. You'll want to pick the best method for you and your book. One of the reasons I chose to self-publish was to avoid going through the grueling and time-consuming process of reaching out to literary agents and traditional publishers, hoping they would like my book. Rather than risk facing countless rejections, I wanted to make my own opportunities and decisions, for better or worse. There are multiple self-publishing platforms available, and I decided to publish my book through BookBaby because their services fit my needs. Your publishing goals may differ from mine, so consider your objectives and evaluate your options before choosing the publishing route that will make the most sense for you and your book.

Set Realistic Expectations
You can save a lot of heartache by establishing expectations. To start, writing a book while balancing other responsibilities is challenging. Stick to a schedule, set aside time to write your story, and be realistic about the time it takes to finish a page. You should also understand the publishing industry and that it's competitive and often pretty subjective. Publishing houses rarely accept manuscripts upon the first submission, and many authors, even renowned ones, face dozens of rejections before being accepted. That's just part of the process, but you can use that as an opportunity to learn, improve your work, and persevere. Also, finding a literary agent and securing a publishing deal will take a while. If you're thinking about self-publishing, it takes time for first-time authors to make money. You will likely lose more money than you earn because of publishing and marketing expenses. But remember, your first book is the start of your writing journey, but you can lay the foundation of establishing yourself in the book marketing sphere and see success as an author for years to come.

Give Yourself Enough Time
Take your time, and do not rush through the process. Even though it took me years to publish my book, I'm glad I took my time with the publishing process. It's tempting to speed through so you can finally have it in your hands, but if you want to see any success with your book, you need to take your time and avoid skipping the necessary publishing steps.

Publishing comes with its ups and downs, but remembering why I wanted to write in the first place helped me persevere. I had a story in me that I wanted to share with the world. I published the best book I could write with the knowledge I had at the time. But it was so limited, and while I wish I knew more at the start, I did learn so much throughout that journey (check out my online self-publishing course if you're interested in learning more!). By keeping the above in mind, I guarantee you'll have a smoother process than me. If you have more questions about what I do or self-publishing, please find me on social media and reach out.


Jaire Sims lives, works, and writes where he was born and raised, in Chicago. After spending years with social anxiety and undergoing counseling, he was eventually diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum. Still, he overcame the challenges before him, graduating from Monmouth College with a Bachelor's Degree in Communication Studies. Off and on, he worked on and eventually published his debut novel, Getting By, named a finalist in the 2021 Next Generation Indie Book Awards. Jaire hopes to inspire and nurture aspiring authors and, through his work, champion marginalized voices facing similar struggles to him.

The Sweet Spot When it Comes to Word Count

You might not think about word count while crafting your masterpiece, but writers have to if they hope to sell their book. Publishers and agents are looking for a specific length. Readers expect genre books to be a certain length. So, it’s important to hit that sweet spot when it comes to word count.

Writer’s Digest gives a general breakdown for the average adult novel:
In short, word counts should be:
80,000-89,999: Totally cool
90,000-99,999: Generally safe
70,000-79,999: Might be too short; probably all right
100,000-109,999: Might be too long; probably all right
Below 70,000: Too short
110,000 or above: Too long

It also depends on the length of the story:
Short story under 7,500
Novelette – 7,500-17,500
Novella – 17,500-40,000
Novel – over 40,000

But what is a good length for each genre? After exploring over a dozen top websites, it became apparent that the range varies. Below is a list of multiple genres with a general word count range and an estimated sweet spot in parenthesis.

General fiction 70,000-110,000 (80,000)

Literary fiction 50,000-100,000 (80,000)

Romance 50,000-90,000 (75,000-80,000)

Mystery 70,000-90,000 (80,000)

Suspense-thrillers 70,000-90,000 (80,000)

Horror 70,000-100,000 (80,000-90,000)

Science fiction 70,000-125,000 (90,000-115,000)

Fantasy 90,000-150,000 (100,000-115,000)

Historical fiction 75,000-100,000 (80,000-90,000)

Chick lit 70,000-80,000 (75,000)

Westerns 50,000-80,000 (60.000-70.000)

Picture books 500-700 (600)

Middle grade 25,000-50,000 (35,000-40,000)

Young adult 55,000-80,000 (60,000-70,000)

New adult 50,000-80,000 (70,000)

Self-help 30,000-60,000 (40,000-50,000)

History 80,000-200,000 (100,000-150,000)

Memoir 50,000-80,000 (70,000)

Are there books that fall out of those word counts? George R. R. Martin and J. K. Rowling have multiple books that far exceed the average in their genres. But they are the exception not the rule and as established authors, they have a lot more leeway.

Now when your manuscript is finished, you’ll have a good idea if it falls into a good range for both publishers and readers. And you’ll know if you need to do some serious cutting. (Or flesh out the story more!)

Do your stories fall within range?

Long and Short of IWSG Day!

 

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting! Be sure to link to this page and display the badge in your post. 

And please be sure your avatar links back to your blog! Otherwise, when you leave a comment, people can't find you to comment back.

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.

The awesome co-hosts for the April 3rd posting of the IWSG are Janet Alcorn, T. Powell Coltrin, Natalie Aguirre, and Pat Garcia!

Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. 

Remember, the question is optional!

April 3 question - How long have you been blogging? (Or on Facebook/Twitter/Instagram?) What do you like about it and how has it changed?

Has spring sprung where you are yet? In some cases I guess that would be has fall fallen. Anyway, how many springs or falls have you gone through in blogland?

Been a good thirteen or so springs here. A lot has changed. There isn't the amount of bloggers that there used to be or the amount of posts there used to be from those still around. At least in many cases. I'm sure there are still some plugging away like they used to.

I enjoyed blogging and still do in some ways, but the only thing I really use these days is Instagram. I found many bloggers went there and that let's us stay in touch and such. Plus, I find it isn't as downward spiraling as Facebook or Twitter/X. 

How has blogging changed for you? Are you anywhere else more than you used to be? Still post the same amount? Been in blogland long? How many IWSG posts have you done over the years? 

I better stop. We are getting into too much math territory.

Enjoy the latest IWSG Day as you add another post to your count.

How Does a Writer Really Know When Their Manuscript Is Ready?

Welcome Mary Kole to IWSG again. This is such an uplifting and encouraging post filled with great common sense tips for writers.

Writing a novel or memoir manuscript is a labor of love. This effort requires a unique blend of passion, creativity, and perseverance that brings your story to life on the page. But once those final sentences are written, a daunting question looms like a shadow over the finish line: How do you know if your manuscript is truly ready for either submission to literary agents and publishers, or self-publishing? For aspiring writers and seasoned authors alike, this question sits at the heart of not just the writing process, but at the invisible transition from creator to published author. In a world where every word can be endlessly adjusted, how do you decide when it’s time to call your project really, truly finished?

Here's a comprehensive guide to help you make an important decision in this definitive moment in your writing journey.

Knowing When to Stop: The Art of Self-Editing

The first step is always the hardest. Once you’ve completed your first draft, the elation of this great accomplishment tends to quickly be replaced by the intimidation and complexity of the self-editing process. The art of revision is crucial to learn, it’s through this process that you mold your story to reflect its true potential. Begin by scrutinizing the structure and clarity of your narrative. Are your characters compelling and consistent? Are they relatable, deep, and flawed, with big needs and wants? Does the plot flow naturally via a sense of cause and effect, or are there gaps and logic flaws that need addressing? 

Every word must serve a purpose, every scene must move the story forward. Look for redundancy and tighten your prose. Remember, less is more when every word counts. Look out for unnecessary adverbs, adjectives, and prepositions that dilute the potency of your sentences. Often, the simplest phrasing is the most powerful. Be ruthless with your cuts. Furthermore, you should ensure that your characters' voices remain distinct and true to their nature. Remove any dialogue or action that feels out of step or is a clear plot contrivance.

Taking a Breather: The Power of Distance

After swimming in the intricate details of your manuscript, you need to take the critical step of getting away from the page. A breather allows you to return to the project with a fresh perspective, as if looking at your work through the eyes of a reader. A hiatus can bring clarity, highlighting potential issues that you’ve missed in the heat of creation or the organized puzzle of revision. Put your manuscript in a drawer or a digital lockbox, anywhere that you won't be tempted to peek.

There's no one-size-fits-all recommendation for how long your break should be, but a good rule of thumb is a few weeks at minimum. This allows time for your brain to reset and keep working on the story in a subconscious, “back burner” way. But don’t lose your creative momentum. Use this time to indulge in other pursuits or writing projects. Read books unrelated to your genre for fresh insight. Engage in hobbies. The goal is to fill your intellectual and emotional wells so that when you return to your work, you come back enriched and with new and focused ideas.

Seeking Feedback: Outside Eyes on Your Work

A writer’s creation is inherently personal, yet the finished product of a novel or memoir is intended for public consumption. There’s some inherent friction here, and getting quality feedback can bridge this divide. Connect with fellow writers who understand the challenge of the craft, or consider hiring a freelance editor. Fresh perspectives will bring forth strengths and weaknesses you may not have detected.

This process is important because writers are famously short-sighted when it comes to seeing their own work as an outsider might. But getting third-party feedback doesn’t have to be expensive. You can barter with writers, which will also nourish your sense of creative community. Join writing circle, attend workshops, or find online forums or Facebook groups where writers exchange feedback. When offering your own critiques, recall the kind of valuable input you want to see on your own work, and offer the same level of honesty and insight to your peers. An important byproduct of this stage is that you will learn things about your own writing when you see similar issues in others’ work.

If your budget allows, investing in a professional editor can provide a level of polish that few writers can achieve on their own. Editors bring an objective eye coupled with industry expertise that can elevate your manuscript to a publishable standard.

Research and Refinement: Understanding the Market

Publishing is both an art and a business. While you might not want to write to market initially, or get obsessed with what the market is doing while writing. However, it’s generally considered strategic to investigate the publishing landscape once you’re getting ready to submit or self-publish. What are some of the current trends? Any timeliness hook that you can leverage? How does your manuscript fit in? Research the tastes of the moment and consider how to position your story—maybe with an eye toward some current comparative titles—while maintaining its integrity. Balance is key—you want to be relevant without losing the essence that makes your work original.

Keep a keen eye on the books hitting the shelves. Analyze bestsellers, not to mimic them, but to potentially understand patterns—if these narratives resonate with readers, there's something to be learned from them. Of course, you shouldn’t chase trends at the expense of your creative vision, especially since your manuscript already exists in its more-or-less final form. Authenticity is your greatest asset. Infuse market awareness by making informed choices about genre, audience, and even the timing of your submission or release.

The Inflection Point: Submission or Self-Publishing

The pieces are falling into place, and now it’s time to consider your path to publication. Traditional publishing offers the backing of an established house, while self-publishing affords you full creative control. There’s no one right answer—the choice depends on your goals, resources, market knowledge, and the nature of your manuscript. (If you decide to self-publish, be aware that marketing is going to be the biggest challenge. Traditionally published authors are required to market their work, but they tend to have an easier time getting distribution to bookstores, libraries, etc.)

If you’re aiming for traditional publication, your job becomes to craft a compelling query letter and meticulously research literary agents who represent your genre and target audience. Submissions are a marathon, not a sprint. Patience and persistence are your allies in this pursuit. It just takes one yes, and if you’ve done the hard work of self-editing, getting feedback, and researching the market, you can consider yourself ahead of the rest of the writers in the submission trenches.

If you choose to self-publish, invest in professional cover design, formatting, and marketing. Build a platform, engage with your potential audience, and understand the self-publishing landscape to make informed choices about distribution and pricing. There is generally a steep learning curve as you learn the technology and techniques involved, but the tools that exist to help you have never been more robust. 

The Decisions Are Yours

There's no syllabus or formula when it comes to completing a manuscript, and every writer’s path is as unique as their voice and storytelling imagination. Trust the process, take your time, and remember that the final word on your manuscript's readiness should come from within. It's your creative conviction that ultimately decides if a manuscript is ready for the world.

Believe in the power of your story and the art of your craft. Know that every edit, every break, and every feedback round—from trusted friends to astute professionals—is a stepping stone toward reaching your manuscript's final form. When the project hits that perfect expression of itself in just the right way, you’ll feel it, deep in the marrow of your writing bones. Or maybe you’re just so sick of it after years of hard work that you can’t wait to get it off your plate. The former reason to submit or publish is obviously a little more compelling than the latter, but both are valid. When you decide that you and your project are ready, it’s time to share it with the world.

Photo Credit: Erin VonRuden (https://www.hellophotophotography.com/)

 

Former literary agent Mary Kole founded Mary Kole Editorial in 2013 and provides consulting and developmental editing services to writers of all categories and genres. She founded Good Story Company in 2019 with the aim of creating valuable content—like the Good Story Podcast, YouTube channel, and Good Story Learning classes and resources—for writers of all categories and ability levels. Her Story Mastermind small group workshop intensives help writers level up their craft, and she offers done-for-you writing and ghostwriting at Manuscript Studio and marketing services with Good Story Marketing. She also develops unique and commercial intellectual property for middle grade, young adult, and adult readers with Upswell Media and Bittersweet Books (website forthcoming).

​​Mary has appeared at regional, national, and international SCBWI conferences, as well as independent conferences including Writer's Digest, Penn Writers, Writer's League of Texas, San Francisco Writers Conference, WIFYR, Writing Day, and dozens of others. She has guest lectured at Harvard, the Ringling College of Art and Design, the Highlights Foundation, and the Loft, and her classes can be found online at Writing Mastery Academy, Writing Blueprints, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning.

She holds an MFA in Creative Writing and has worked at Chronicle Books, the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, and Movable Type Management. She started blogging at Kidlit.com in 2009. Her book, Writing Irresistible Kidlit, a writing reference guide for middle grade and young adult writers, is available from Writer's Digest Books/Penguin Random House. She’s also the author of Successful Query Letters, Writing Irresistible Picture Books, and How to Write a Book Now from Good Story Publishing.

 Social Links

Company: https://goodstorycompany.com

Editing: https://marykole.com

Workshop: https://storymastermind.com 

Ghostwriting: https://manuscriptstudio.com 

Blog: https://kidlit.com

Facebook: https://facebook.com/goodstoryco

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