Learn how to write characters forever changed by grief. Explore examples from John Wick, Edge of Darkness, and Rabbit Hole to craft emotionally rich and authentic arcs.
Category Archives: How to write a book from start to finish
When Giants Fall: Writing the Slow Decline of Powerful Characters
Explore how to write powerful characters whose slow decline reshapes the emotional balance of your story. Learn from examples in Foundation, The Godfather, and more.
Verbal Sparring & Smooth Flow: Why Banter Makes stories Unforgettable
Discover how banter in films like Jaws, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, and Ocean’s Eleven builds character chemistry, drives the story, and keeps audiences engaged. Learn why sharp dialogue is a writer’s secret weapon.
When Good People Collide: Writing Conflicting Desires Between Likable Characters
Learn how to write emotionally rich stories where even likable characters clash. Explore character-driven conflict in The Morning Show, Shrinking, and The Avengers, and discover how to craft tension rooted in values, not villains.
How to Use Health Struggles in Character Arcs
Learn how to write authentic character arcs shaped by illness, pain, or recovery—without falling into stereotypes or plot devices.
🩺 When the Body Becomes the Barrier: Writing Health as a Hidden Villain
Explore how memory loss, fatigue, and pain can quietly shape your characters. Learn to write health as a subtle but powerful antagonist.
5 Lessons Writers Can Learn from Legal Thrillers
Learn 5 storytelling techniques from legal thrillers like The Lincoln Lawyer, The Firm, and The Judge. Explore how personal stakes, moral gray zones, and secrets can elevate your writing.
When Good Characters Are Pushed to the Edge: Family, Fear, and Morally Grey Choices
A powerful look at characters who make morally complex decisions in the name of protecting their families. Featuring insights from No Escape, Ransom, and Taken, this article explores how fear, love, and desperation shape unforgettable storytelling.
Telling the Truth Even When It’s Ugly
Not all stories are meant to comfort. Some are meant to confront. In this bold article, J.E. Nickerson explores why writers must sometimes tell hard, unsettling truths—and how storytelling can become a voice for those the world refuses to hear.
💔 The Wounded Hero: Writing Characters Who Bleed and Still Stand
Learn how to write compelling wounded heroes by exploring two unforgettable characters: Rambo and Jason Bourne. This article breaks down how trauma, pain, and reluctant strength can shape your protagonist’s emotional arc — making them feel raw, real, and unforgettable.
We Are Wise Thinkers 