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Writing Prompts by Mood
Write What You Feel. Whether you chase the thrill of suspense or bask in quiet joy, spark imagination through feeling. From surreal landscapes to moments of reflection, let mood guide where the story goes. Tension Prompt > A character overhears a conversation not meant for them, forcing a decision they’re not ready to make. Melancholy Prompt > A forgotten letter is found in a drawer, revealing a truth that changes everything. Hopeful Prompt > After years apart, two friends

C. L. Nichols
Oct 26, 20254 min read


Body Language Reveals Character Fears
Communicate a character’s true feelings. Tense muscles, defensive postures, avoidance of eye contact, or nervous habits betray emotional turmoil. Characters who fear confrontation shrink back, fold their arms, or turn their body away during tense exchanges. Someone hiding anxiety fidgets, taps their fingers, bites their nails, or exhibits restless movements that signal discomfort. Wide eyes, raised brows, and a tight jaw are signs of fear trying to be controlled. Shallow brea

C. L. Nichols
Oct 24, 20253 min read


20 Five-Minute Writing Exercises
Break through writer’s block & spark new ideas. Set a timer to generate fresh ideas, strengthen writing skills, and break through blocks. Write Without Stopping Pick a word, phrase, or random thought. Write nonstop for five minutes. Don’t pause, edit, or think too hard. Let the words pour out. If you get stuck, write about how you’re stuck. The goal is momentum, not perfection. Describe a Scene in Detail See a setting in your mind. Your kitchen, a rainy street, a futuristic c

C. L. Nichols
Oct 16, 20253 min read


Villains
12 Traits to Make Them Unforgettable Antagonists with Real Motives and Depth. A well-written villain does more than play the bad guy...

C. L. Nichols
Oct 8, 20253 min read


Writer’s Diary
From Blank Page to Book Build a Diary Day-by-Day For Your Next Story. Turn a simple diary into a full-blown book. A writer’s diary is...

C. L. Nichols
Sep 25, 20254 min read


The Hidden Forces Behind Character Decisions
The web of desires, fears, and needs. Every character has a reason for what they do. It’s why they do it. Motivation creates emotional...

C. L. Nichols
Sep 23, 20252 min read


8 Story Structures That Make Your Writing Click
Plot Shapes That Deliver Results There are many story structures writers use to shape narratives. Each serves a different purpose...

C. L. Nichols
Sep 19, 20252 min read


Write a Paranormal Mystery in 5 Scenes
A Structure for Suspense and Supernatural Twists Writing a paranormal mystery doesn’t need to be complicated. You don’t need a huge cast...

C. L. Nichols
Sep 17, 20252 min read


NON-FICTION Hook Readers Fast Then Hold Them Till the End
From First Line to Final Word Getting someone to click on your article is hard. Keeping them reading past the first few lines? Whether...

C. L. Nichols
Sep 14, 20252 min read


FICTION Hook Readers Fast Then Hold Them Till the End
From First Line to Final Word Readers decide fast. If your first page doesn’t pull them in, they move on. True, whether you’re writing a...

C. L. Nichols
Sep 14, 20252 min read


What Drives Your Main Character?
What makes them tick, what do they fear, what do they crave? A protagonist isn’t just a name, a background, and a few quirks. Your...

C. L. Nichols
Sep 13, 20252 min read


Now on Amazon!
Available in eBook & Paperback. <Click> C. L. Nichols — Amazon Author’s Page The Writer's Reach: Shape the World Your Way Dozens of...

C. L. Nichols
Sep 1, 20251 min read


The Writer’s Diet
Foods That Boost Creativity and Brainpower High-quality “brain foods” fuel cognitive functions like memory, focus, and mental clarity....

C. L. Nichols
Aug 30, 20253 min read


100+ Motivational Quotes
Inspiration from Famous Writers “If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that.”...

C. L. Nichols
Aug 24, 20257 min read


Breathing, Movement & Motor Control for Fiction Writers
Category III — Science for Writers Breath and motion reveal emotion. How someone walks, how they fidget, how they stand in silence....

C. L. Nichols
Aug 18, 20252 min read


The 6 Levels of Conflict in Storytelling
From Internal Struggles to Supernatural Threats Conflict gives a story its shape. Tension pulls readers in and keeps them turning pages....

C. L. Nichols
Aug 16, 20253 min read


The House That Watches Back
Architecture in Psychological Thrillers Use layout, rooms, and décor to trap your characters in fear, suspicion, and emotional collapse....

C. L. Nichols
Aug 14, 20253 min read


Scent Intensifies Thrillers
How Smell Warns, Triggers, and Terrifies When people think of thrillers, they picture dark alleys, heavy footsteps, and sudden silence....

C. L. Nichols
Aug 13, 20253 min read


Soundtrack Your Writing Sessions
Build Playlists That Boost Productivity When you’re writing, your environment matters. One part of that environment is sound. A writing...

C. L. Nichols
Aug 11, 20252 min read


Use Foils to Highlight Traits in Fiction
How Contrasting Characters Enhance Storytelling In fiction writing, well-rounded characters are essential. One way to achieve this is by...

C. L. Nichols
Aug 11, 20252 min read
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