One of the most effective ways to create tension in fiction isn’t with physical danger—it’s by putting your character in a situation where they don’t fully belong. This guide explains why displacement generates suspense, provides examples across professions and social situations, and offers practical exercises to help writers craft scenes that keep readers on edge.
Tag Archives: character development
Not Your Stereotypical Character: Avoiding Common Stereotypes in Character Development
Dive into the art of character development without relying on clichés or stereotypes. Using examples from CSI, Criminal Record, and Criminal Minds, this guide explores how to create nuanced, compelling characters. Includes hands-on exercises and a worksheet to help you apply these techniques to your own writing.
Heart of Writing S2 E1 Character growth
In this premiere episode of Season 2, we dive deep into one of the most essential elements of storytelling: character growth. I break down how to make your characters evolve in ways that feel authentic, compelling, and emotionally resonant. From subtle internal shifts to dramatic turning points, we explore techniques to show, not just tell, the transformation of your characters. Whether you’re writing a thriller, romance, or literary fiction, this episode gives you practical strategies to make your characters’ journeys feel alive on the page.
Intimacy Without Cliché: How to Write Emotional Connection in Romance
Discover how to create believable emotional intimacy in romance stories using examples from popular films and practical writing exercises.
Heart of Writing S1 E10 Wrap Up
Season 1 of the Heart of Writing podcast is complete! Join John Edward Nickerson as he shares 10 inspiring episodes on staying true to your writing, finding your voice, writing through exhaustion, honoring small gains, maintaining focus, and creating impact with your words. Season 2 dives into character development, helping you craft characters that leap off the page. Perfect for writers seeking motivation, guidance, and practical tips to elevate their craft.
The Case No One Saw: Writing Crimes That Get Swallowed by History
Discover how to write emotionally powerful crime stories by exploring cases that are overshadowed by major events. Learn how to use historical context to deepen character grief, explore injustice, and create haunting, human-centered fiction.
What Makes a Character Feel Real to the Reader?
Discover how to write emotionally honest, multidimensional characters readers connect with—from inner conflict to voice, specificity, and change.
Let Them Grow: Why Character Development Is Worth the Mess
Discover how great characters grow through conflict, mistakes, and maturity. Learn how films like Taps, The Outsiders, School Ties, and A River Runs Through It can teach writers the art of meaningful character development.
When Doing the Right Thing Still Feels Wrong: Building Moral Dilemmas into Your Stories
Not every story has easy answers. Discover how to write morally complex characters who face impossible choices—when doing right still feels wrong.
Writing Characters Who Grieve: How Loss Changes Them
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.
We Are Wise Thinkers 