Master character development with these five must-read books that transform static characters from boring to brilliant.

You've created characters with compelling backstories, but somehow, they still feel... flat. They move through your plot but don't feel like real people.

Here's the thing: character development is what makes readers fall in love with your story, not just read it. But it's also one of the trickiest parts of fiction writing.

That’s why today, I'm sharing five books that have completely transformed my approach to character development. And they've also helped hundreds of my students create characters readers are totally invested in.

You'll hear me talk about things like:

[01:17] Why most characters feel flat even when they have clear goals and motivations (and which book can help you unlock the missing piece)

[06:22] My favorite resource for understanding character arcs, whether you’re writing a positive arc, a negative arc, or a flat one

[08:16] Which book can help you understand your villain's emotional wounds—and why this might be more important than perfecting your protagonist's backstory

[10:35] A book that’ll help you make readers feel your character's emotions without ever naming a single feeling on the page

[00:00] My go-to resource for learning how to marry your plot with your characters (this one’s especially good for pantsers who want a little more structure!)

If your characters feel static despite having detailed backstories, or if you're struggling to show meaningful character growth throughout your story, this episode will give you the exact resources you need to create characters readers will never forget.

🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:

• Join the waitlist for my Notes to Novel course
• Want me to send you this list of recommendations? Click here!

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Learn how to handle book reviews without letting them crush your confidence or derail your writing dreams.

Receiving your first book review can be both thrilling and terrifying at the same time. Whether it's a glowing five-star love letter or a brutal one-star takedown, reader reviews can send even the most confident authors into an emotional tailspin.

I recently sat down with book coaches Emily Golden and Rachel May of Golden May Editing to discuss the challenge of negative reviews. Between their own publishing experiences and years of guiding clients through review season, they know exactly what separates thriving authors from those who let negative feedback derail their dreams.

Tune in to hear us talk about things like:

[03:45] Why book reviews feel so much more intense than beta reader feedback (and the one key difference that changes everything).

[08:25] How to separate your novel from your identity so criticism doesn't feel like a personal attack on your self-worth.

[11:05] Why trying to "toughen up" actually makes book reviews hurt worse (and what to do instead when they sting).

[35:35] The simple boundary you can set with ARC readers to avoid getting ambushed by negative reviews.

[40:25] Why we obsess over one-star reviews but barely notice five-star ones (and how to flip this script).

[41:45] Whether you should let reviews influence your future writing decisions, and a brilliant way to use feedback as data, not direction.

Whether you're approaching your first book launch or struggling with review anxiety, this episode offers practical strategies to navigate both praise and criticism.

⭐ Follow & Review

If you loved this episode, please take a moment to follow the show and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your review will help other writers find this podcast and get the insights they need to finish their books. Thanks for tuning in to The Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast! See you next week!

🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:

• Anti-Hustle Writing Life Masterclass
• Golden May Editing Website
• Story Magic Podcast

Click here to register for my FREE training: 3 Things You Need to Write Your Novel in 2025.

Support the show

👉 Looking for a transcript? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, scroll down below the episode player until you see the transcript.

Master the art of creating irresistible, page-turning curiosity without confusing or frustrating your readers.

Have you ever written what you thought was a brilliantly mysterious scene, only to have readers say they were completely lost? Or maybe you've struggled with knowing how much information to reveal and when?

Here's what most writers don't realize: there's a fine line between being mysterious and being vague. And the writers who master evoking curiosity without being vague or confusing are the ones who create truly compelling fiction.

In this episode, you'll hear me talk about things like:

• [02:35] Why most writers mistake withholding information for creating mystery—and the simple test to tell if you're being mysterious or just vague
• [03:20] The movie trailer analogy that'll completely change how you think about revealing information to readers
• [6:55] How to give readers the essential context they need to stay grounded in your story without giving everything away
• [8:25] Why the missing information must matter deeply to your protagonist—and how to tie your mysteries to what characters desperately want
• [10:30] How to deliver information that keeps readers engaged and wanting more (without just withholding everything)
• [11:50] The one question that determines whether you're creating compelling mystery or confusing noise, plus how to apply this across every genre

Whether you're writing romance, fantasy, thrillers, or any other type of fiction, this episode will help you create the kind of curiosity and tension that keeps readers glued to the page instead of accidentally driving them away.

⭐ Follow & Review

If you loved this episode, please take a moment to follow the show and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your review will help other writers find this podcast and get the insights they need to finish their books. Thanks for tuning in to The Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast! See you next week!

🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:

• Want my entire step-by-step process for brainstorming, outlining, and writing your first draft? Click here to learn more about my Notes to Novel program.

Click here to register for my FREE training: 3 Things You Need to Write Your Novel in 2025.

Support the show

👉 Looking for a transcript? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, scroll down below the episode player until you see the transcript.