In this episode of the Heart of Writing Podcast, we explore what makes characters unforgettable: ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances. Host J.E. Nickerson dives into how fear, love, and morality shape character decisions, why the moral gray zone drives tension, and how writers can create emotionally rich, human characters. Plus, discover a free Character Profile Checklist to deepen your own storytelling and bring your characters to life.
Tag Archives: character development
The Challenge of Writing Psychological Thrillers – A Writer’s Perspective
Writing a psychological thriller isn’t just storytelling—it’s a delicate balancing act. Discover the perspectives, pacing, and mental gymnastics required to craft a suspenseful, gripping story.
Why Formulaic Writing Holds Your Readers
Discover why formulaic writing isn’t a flaw—it’s a storytelling strength. Using examples from CSI, NCIS, Eddie and Freddy’s Adventures and the upcoming Samantha Leary thriller series, author John Edward Nickerson explores how structure and creative freedom can coexist to keep readers hooked for years.
Heart of Writing S2 E7 Writing Characters with Quiet Strength
Exploring characters with quiet strength—the ones who act with courage, resilience, and subtle power, shaping their worlds in ways big and small. Dive into the psychology, the storytelling, and what makes these understated heroes unforgettable.
The Power of Questions: How to Keep Readers Turning Pages
Learn how unanswered questions drive suspense and character development. Explore tips, exercises, and movie examples like Jason Bourne and The Wrong Man.
S2 E5 just because they can doesn’t mean they should
Heart of Writing S2 E5 – Just Because They Can Doesn’t Mean They Should
In this episode of Heart of Writing, we explore the fine line between what characters can do and what they should do in storytelling. Learn how thoughtful choices, consequences, and moral tension can make your fiction more compelling and believable. Perfect for writers looking to deepen character motivation and craft stories that resonate.
Heart of Writing S2 E3 Five Lessons Writers Can Learn from Legal Thrillers
Heart of Writing S2 E3 – Five Lessons Writers Can Learn from Legal Thrillers
In this episode of Heart of Writing, we dive into the gripping world of legal thrillers and uncover five key lessons writers can apply to their own storytelling. From crafting tension and high-stakes drama to creating compelling characters and plot twists, discover techniques that keep readers hooked from the first page to the last. Perfect for fiction writers looking to sharpen their suspense, pacing, and narrative skills.
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.
Heart of Writing S2 E2 Writing Wounded Characters
Explore the art of crafting wounded characters in fiction. Learn how to create emotionally complex, flawed, and compelling protagonists that stay with readers long after the story ends.
We Are Wise Thinkers 