Category Archives: articles

Heart of Writing S2 E6 Creating Tension by Putting Your Character Where They Don’t Belong

“Heart of Writing S2E6 explores creating tension by placing your characters in the wrong place at the wrong time. Master suspense in your story!”

The Reader’s Contract: Suspense, Trust, and Reward

Every story begins with an unspoken promise to the reader. Learn how to create suspense, plant fair clues, and reward your audience with satisfying reveals—featuring lessons from Insomnia, The Thomas Crown Affair, The Bone Collector, Se7en, and When Time Ran Out.

The next Samantha Leary novel is available for preorder!

Step into the dark, gripping world of Samantha Leary Psychological Thrillers. Discover the suspense, secrets, and manipulation in The House on Teller Hill — the second book in this bold new series by J.E. Nickerson

How to Detach from Disturbing Content as a Writer

Learn how to write dark, disturbing, or morally complex stories without getting emotionally overwhelmed. Tips, observer techniques, and a practical worksheet included.

Heart of Writing S2 E4 The power of Subtext

Subtext is the hidden heartbeat of a story—the thoughts, feelings, and tensions that simmer beneath the surface. In this episode, we explore how writers use what’s unsaid to create depth, suspense, and emotional power.

Every World Has Rules: How to create worlds that feel real to your characters

Writers know that characters and plot aren’t enough to make a story feel real. Every story world operates under its own rules, and breaking them without explanation pulls your audience right out of the story.

In this article, we explore how two very different franchises—Law & Order: SVU and John Wick—show us the power of rules in storytelling. From moral codes to universe-specific logic, we break down why rules anchor characters, guide audience expectations, and make tension meaningful.

Plus, we give you practical exercises to define the rules of your own story worlds and ensure your characters stay consistent, believable, and compelling.

The 30-Minute Writer: How to Make Progress on Your Book Every Day

“Discover how to make real progress on your book in just 30 minutes a day with practical tips on chapter structure, quick proofreading, and links.”