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# Lisa Hall-Wilson

Dive Into The Soul Of Storytelling With Deep Point Of View

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://lisahallwilson.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Posts

- [How To Show Emotion In Deep POV Using Body Language](https://lisahallwilson.com/how-to-show-emotion-in-deep-pov-using-body-language/) - One of the most common pieces of advice writers hear is: show emotion, don’t tell. So you stop writing things like: She was nervous. And you replace it with: Her hands trembled. Technically, that’s an improvement, but it’s still doesn't capture the emotion you way you want it to. That's because body language alone doesn’t
- [How To Fix a Scene That Feels Dead In Deep POV](https://lisahallwilson.com/how-to-fix-a-scene-that-feels-dead-in-deep-pov/) - If you've polished a scene six times and it's still flat, the problem may not be your writing.
- [Making Subtext Work: Advanced Deep POV Examples](https://lisahallwilson.com/creating-subtext-in-deep-pov-examples/) - This post continues a guest article published at Writers In The Storm. If you haven’t read Part One yet, pause here and go read it first—then come back. These examples will make much more sense once you understand the framework behind them. In Part One, we talked about subtext as what’s left when you remove
- [Making The Most Of Your Character's Internal World](https://lisahallwilson.com/making-the-most-of-your-characters-internal-world/) - Do beta readers keep saying, ‘I’m not in her head’ or, ‘this still feels distant,’? You’re not alone. This is by far the most difficult aspect of deep POV to put into practice. What if you learned how to transform character thoughts into forces of internal conflict that reveal personality, deepen emotion, and move the
- [How To Write Compelling Raw Emotion In Deep POV](https://lisahallwilson.com/how-to-write-compelling-raw-emotion-in-deep-pov/) - Dive DEEPER into Deep POV techniques to show your characters’ inner world through raw thoughts, layered emotional beats, and the power of silence.
- [Why Internal Dialogue Is The Heart Of Deep POV](https://lisahallwilson.com/why-internal-dialogue-is-the-heart-of-deep-pov/) - The role of internal dialogue in deep point of view is often skimmed over, but your ability to write a character's thoughts in a way that captures their voice, emotion, intention drives the emotional journey of the story. The key to great internal dialogue in deep pov is keeping it organic. Intimately Know Your Character
- [3 Ways Author Intrusion Creeps In And How To Fix It!](https://lisahallwilson.com/3-ways-distance-creeps-into-deep-pov-and-how-to-fix-it/) - Deep point of view is a stylistic choice to remove the author voice or narration and instead write the story as though the reader is inside the character's head. You want to remove any hints that the reader is in a chair at home reading a story instead of living out the story alongside the
- [Make The Most Of Sensory Detail In Deep POV](https://lisahallwilson.com/making-the-most-of-sensory-detail-in-deep-pov/) - Make your fiction unforgettable—learn how to use powerful sensory detail in deep POV to pull readers deep into your character’s world.
- [How to Remove Author Voice and Strengthen Deep POV (With Examples)](https://lisahallwilson.com/unleash-the-power-of-deep-pov-pro-tips-to-remove-author-summary-with-examples/) - Learn how to eliminate author intrusion and deepen reader immersion with actionable deep POV tips and examples that show, not tell.
- [How To Write Trauma Authentically With Deep POV](https://lisahallwilson.com/5-tips-writing-backstory-with-trauma/) - Learn how to write authentic, emotionally resonant trauma backstories that deepen your characters without resorting to clichés, info dumps, or flashbacks.
- [How To Show Don't Tell Backstory In Deep POV](https://lisahallwilson.com/how-to-show-dont-tell-backstory-in-deep-pov/) - Discover how to reveal character backstory in deep POV naturally and powerfully using techniques that show rather than tell.
- [Writing PTSD With Emotional Depth](https://lisahallwilson.com/how-to-write-about-ptsd-in-deep-point-of-view/) - Why Write About PTSD in Fiction?Trauma adds depth and emotional stakes to a character’s journey. When characters face overwhelming mental struggles, readers rally behind them. Including PTSD in a backstory risks cliché unless you portray emotional consequences beyond occasional memories. Updated July 2025 What Do Writers Get Wrong About PTSD? Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- [3 Quick Tips to Trim Your Word Count In Deep POV](https://lisahallwilson.com/3-reasons-deep-pov-wont-bloat-your-word-count/) - Deep Point of View (POV) is a writing technique, a style choice, that's become very popular among writers over the last five or ten years. The goal of Deep POV is to create an immersive experience for the reader where they're experiencing the story along with the POV character(s). It's like strapping a GoPro to
- [Banned From Facebook And Instagram - And You're Next!](https://lisahallwilson.com/banned-from-facebook-and-instagram-and-youre-next/) - It's the end of an era for me. I've been permanently banned from Facebook (and Instagram) after 17years on Facebook with no infractions, violations, or even a time-out. Want to know why? I used what I can only assume is a banned word. "Cocaine" A friend shared a post that showed the labelled key ingredients
- [Last Minute Digital Gifts For Writers 2024](https://lisahallwilson.com/last-minute-digital-gifts-for-writers-2024/) - Writers can be both easy and difficult to buy for, I’ve been told. You can always go with the ever-classic pretty notebooks (that we probably won’t use but love to see lined up on our shelves). We can never have too many pens – especially the cool ones that don’t smear or go through thin
- [4 Questions To Ask To Avoid Info Dumps In Deep Point Of View](https://lisahallwilson.com/4-questions-to-avoid-info-dumps/) - No one likes reading an info dump, but we writers justify their existence because we're sure the reader needs all this background information here, right now. Info dumps kill the pace and tension in your story and readers may just put down your book and walk away forever. What Is An Info Dump? "An info
- [Editing In Layers Part 3: Scenes and Sequels](https://lisahallwilson.com/editing-in-layers-part-3-scenes-and-sequels/) - Get off the hamster wheel of revisions and begin editing smarter and more efficiently! We're working our way through a 5-layer process that streamlines the editing process so you can get a draft to beta readers faster! Prep Work: Goals Layer 1: Plot Layer 2: Scenes and Sequels (you are here) Layer 3: (Weakness) Plus
- [4 Ways To Be Invisible with Deep Point of View](https://lisahallwilson.com/4-ways-to-be-invisible-with-deep-pov/) - When writing in Deep point of view, the author's job is to be invisible. Readers want to immerse themselves in the story in real time, they want to take the journey with your characters and experience everything the character is going through. They want the virtual reality headset. You need to eliminate distance to do
- [Editing In Layers Part 2: Plot](https://lisahallwilson.com/editing-in-layers-part-2-plot/) - Are you stuck on an unending groundhog day cycle of editing the same book for years? I created this 5 layer editing system a year ago to be more efficient and effective with my edits and rewrites. Since I started using this system, I've written 3 books, rewritten one (for market and audience even though
- [Writing Emotions In Layers - What Does It Look Like](https://lisahallwilson.com/writing-emotions-in-layers-what-does-it-look-like/) - Psychology tells us there are primary emotions and secondary emotions. Primary emotions are the instinctual, gut-reaction emotions we have no control over. Secondary emotions are caused by or are reactions to primary emotions. Anger is a secondary emotion. You don't immediately jump to anger, something's caused you to be angry. Maybe you were frustrated, tired,
- [4 Tips For Rewriting In Deep Point Of View With Examples](https://lisahallwilson.com/4-tips-for-rewriting-in-deep-point-of-view-with-examples/) - You asked for it! Let's dive into some examples so you can see a deep point of view rewrite in action! From time to time I ask my audience what kind of content would help them learn best, and every single time I get the same answer: examples. I dove through the cobwebs into a
- [How To Add Emotion In Fiction](https://lisahallwilson.com/how-to-add-emotion-in-fiction/) - Learning to write in deep point of view isn't easy -- not for most writers at any rate. It's so tempting just to tell the reader what's going on, how the character feels, what the character wants/prioritizes. Instead, if we can stretch ourselves and learn to SHOW instead of tell, immerse the reader in the
- [Mastering Character Description Without Info Dumps In Deep POV](https://lisahallwilson.com/mastering-character-description-without-info-dumps-in-deep-pov/) - How to fix info dumps in character description using deep POV.
- [5 Tips To Show Time Passing In Deep Point Of View](https://lisahallwilson.com/5-tips-to-show-time-passing-in-deep-point-of-view/) - 5 tips on how to show the passage of time in a story without using author intrusion or telling and staying in deep point of view.
- [How To Revise For Deep POV](https://lisahallwilson.com/how-to-revise-for-deep-pov/) - Break down the process and 3 layers needed to rewrite for deep point of view.
- [When To Use Deep POV In Fiction By Genre](https://lisahallwilson.com/when-to-use-deep-pov-in-fiction/) - What is deep POV really good at, and where might this style of writing not serve story?
- [8 Ways Voice Can Show Emotional Depth](https://lisahallwilson.com/8-ways-voice-can-show-emotional-depth/) - How we say things communicates as much or more than what our words say. Deep point of view takes show-don't-tell to new extremes, and I've found it helpful to pause and take things in from new angles and perspectives because there are a great many things we overlook or take for granted. When we communicate
- [Why Deep POV Isn't Working And How To Fix It](https://lisahallwilson.com/why-deep-pov-isnt-working-and-how-to-fix-it/) - Deep POV is not a beginner-friendly style to write in, so *deep breath* don’t give up.
- [3 Red Flags For Author Intrusion In Deep Point Of View](https://lisahallwilson.com/red-flags-for-author-intrusion-in-deep-pov/) - Readers want an emotional experience or journey in addition to being entertained. Many writers are looking for ways to create a deeper connection between readers and their main character. They want to create an emotional experience and deep point of view definitely can do that, but not if you undermine the feeling that readers are
- [Go Deeper Writing Fiction With Personification](https://lisahallwilson.com/go-deeper-writing-fiction-with-personification/) - Use personification to show insight/motivation/desire, use subtext, create setting – in a deeper way.
- [Examples of First Person Deep POV](https://lisahallwilson.com/examples-of-first-person-deep-pov/) - First person POV is NOT automatically deep POV. Learn the differences with examples.
- [17 Things To Know About Deep POV Before You Start Writing](https://lisahallwilson.com/17-things-to-know-about-deep-pov/) - I LOVE deep POV, but there’s a lot of confusion about what it is and what it isn’t, how it works, what genre or tense you must use – lots of questions and a lot of confusion. I wanted to put together a list of things many people don’t realize before doing a two-footed jump
- [4 Responses To Uncertainty That Create Tension In Fiction](https://lisahallwilson.com/5-responses-to-uncertainty-that-create-tension-in-fiction/) - Something I've observed over the last two years or so is how different personalities react to uncertainty. Very little about life is certain, that's always been true, but when the stakes are raised different personalities handle uncertainty in varied ways that can create all sorts of really compelling internal conflict. So how can you use
- [1 Pro Tip To Create Emotional Depth In Deep POV](https://lisahallwilson.com/1-pro-tip-to-create-emotional-depth-in-deep-pov/) - I have mainly been writing guest posts for other blogs and neglecting my own. *sad face* So, I'm hoping to post here more regularly going forward, but it will mean shorter posts. *mittened fist-bump* One of the things that writers seem to struggle with a lot when shifting from limited third person to deep point
- [Writing Insecure Characters](https://lisahallwilson.com/writing-insecure-characters/) - If your character is going to struggle with insecurity, it's important to show this emotion clearly.
- [Writing Trauma In Fiction: Anniversaries](https://lisahallwilson.com/writing-trauma-in-fiction-anniversaries/) - The anniversaries of traumatic events can radically increase internal conflict.
- [Writing Complex Emotions In Deep POV: Shame](https://lisahallwilson.com/writing-complex-emotions-in-deep-pov-shame/) - The key to deep POV is specificity and particularity. Put the reader in the scene with the character, in their shoes, inside their head -- keep no secrets.
- [Writing Traumatic Memories Without Overwhelming Readers](https://lisahallwilson.com/writing-traumatic-memories-without-overwhelming-readers/) - This is Part One of a Two-Part Series. Find Post Two Here: 4 Tips For Writing Your Character's PTSD And Trauma Memories PTSD and trauma (both big “T” and small “t” trauma), affect our memory in different ways, and when writing in deep point of view, it becomes telling to label an emotion for readers.
- [Keeping Secrets From Readers In Deep Point Of View](https://lisahallwilson.com/keeping-secrets-from-readers-in-deep-point-of-view/) - How can I keep a secret from the reader? I'm writing mystery, and I can't let the reader know why my POV character is [insert action: searching, driving to, making a u-turn without explanation, making accusations] because then there won't be any suspense. Yes, I'm continuing on the Deep POV FAQ series and this isn't
- [What Is Your Character's Emotional Kryptonite?](https://lisahallwilson.com/what-is-your-characters-emotional-kryptonite/) - What emotion will your character avoid at all costs, and what does it cost them to avoid it?
- [Use Beats In Deep POV To Convey Emotion](https://lisahallwilson.com/use-beats-in-deep-pov-to-convey-emotion/) - In deep point of view, we want to use beats instead of dialogue tags to attribute dialogue. Beats move the story ahead, they are more efficient, keep the reader deep inside the character’s head, and remove the writer/narrator voice. In limited third person, dialogue tags are encouraged (he said/she said), but they aren’t used much
- [Do You Really Have Writer's Block?](https://lisahallwilson.com/do-you-really-have-writers-block/) - Is there such a thing as writer's block? I don't think it's as common as writers would like to believe. I think we give the "writer's block" label to a whole bunch of other things because we feel like we can't do anything about writer's block -- so we're off the hook. Not so, my
- [4 Ways To Make Limited Third Person Into Deep POV](https://lisahallwilson.com/4-ways-to-make-limited-third-person-into-deep-pov/) - Deep POV came out of limited third person, and they have some similarities, but they are in fact different in style and strategy.
- [Using Defense Mechanisms To Create Emotional Depth In Fiction](https://lisahallwilson.com/using-defense-mechanisms-in-fiction/) - Every character has defense mechanisms they default to, some are chosen involuntarily, some they aren't even consciously aware of. But all of that will show the reader a lot about who the character is and what's important to them.
- [What Is Deep Point of View And Why Should You Learn It?](https://lisahallwilson.com/what-is-deep-pov/) - I LOVE Deep Point of View (POV). Back in the early 2000's, I noticed some of the novels I was reading were written in a style that felt new and fresh. I was immersed into story in a way I hadn't been before, and I was a little addicted to the thrill of the adventure
- [Creating unique voices for multiple POV characters – and how to show their emotions](https://lisahallwilson.com/creating-unique-voices-for-multiple-pov-characters/) - So excited to have Aiki Flinthart on the blog today. I'm recovering from knee surgery and Aiki generously stepped in for me and is sharing about creating unique characters. Aiki describes every pantser's nightmare below, *grin* but don't panic. You would go through all the same steps to pants your way through this, you'd just
- [An Emotion-Critique Group For Intermediate Writers](https://lisahallwilson.com/an-emotion-critique-group-for-intermediate-writers/) - Are you looking for a critique group that goes beyond the basics? A group who is committed, who has a bit of a thicker skin, who understands story structure, character arc, plot, tension, pace, etc. They might not always have these things nailed, but they know how important they are and want to craft the
- [Biking In Panties](https://lisahallwilson.com/biking-in-panties/) - This is not that kind of post - this is a true story. It wasn't a bet, I wasn't drunk...I didn't plan to bike 15 kilometers (just under 9.5miles) in a t-shirt and panties. It's funny now, but at the time I wanted to crawl into a hole and die from embarassment. I spent a
- [Honeymoon Horrors: Ceiling Mirrors and Faux Fur](https://lisahallwilson.com/ceiling-mirrors-and-faux-fur/) - I was a painfully shy, naive bride with apparently bad research skills. I'd never really seen a man full-on naked, and I had limited intimate knowledge of too much else. I learned the hard way that not all honeymoon suites are created equal. We got married young, both of us still in school with no
- [How Connotation And Subtext Convey Meaning Between The Lines](https://lisahallwilson.com/connotation-writing-between-the-lines/) - Connotation helps add unspoken meaning to readers through subtext. Connotation helps you show your reader backstory and character traits without telling them anything. It's the writer's job to be as economical as possible and make words pull double duty (say as many things to a reader as possible) so getting connotation to work FOR YOU is
- [The Details Make The Story](https://lisahallwilson.com/the-details-make-the-story/) - Description is my Achilles heel. My writing tends to be so sparse it's practically naked, and to make up for that lack I've done some pretty embarrassing things in the pursuit of details. It's fun to go back to my earliest manuscripts and see how much my writing's improved. And then shake my head -
- [Why Do You Write?](https://lisahallwilson.com/why-do-you-write/) - I've been forced to ask myself this question over the last couple of weeks. Why do I write? What are my ultimate goals? Why do I sit alone everyday for hours at a time staring at my laptop screen, and what do I hope to gain from it? Why do I dredge up experiences I'd
- [A Note From Writing Conference Faculty To Attendees](https://lisahallwilson.com/a-note-from-writing-conference-faculty-to-attendees/) - I've been added as a late faculty member to my favorite writing conference Write! Canada. Why is it my favorite? Because that's where I got my start. I met so many fabulously encouraging people there who I connected with and have formed personal and working relationships with. These people helped me build my writing career.
- [4 Tips From Top Indie Authors](https://lisahallwilson.com/4-tips-from-top-indie-authors/) - As you may know, I don't blog about writing here at Blogging Through The Fire any more. Instead I publish a weekly newsletter called The Candid Writer. This week, I've interviewed 3 top ranked Indie authors and asked for their advice on 4 areas newbie Indies want to know more about: What are the top
- [A Study of Proactive Characters](https://lisahallwilson.com/a-study-of-proactive-characters/) - There’s a rule that your main POV character must move from reactive to proactive. Some rules are made to be broken. This week in the Candid Writer. What is a proactive character? Proactive characters take action into their own hands. The proactive character doesn’t wait for others to create a solution, he is involved in
- [Why Writers Should Be Wrecked with Jeff Goins](https://lisahallwilson.com/why-writers-should-be-wrecked/) - This summer I entered an online book tour contest to host the author of Wrecked on my blog...and I Won! I don't win anything very often so this is a big deal for me. I tend to the be the 1 in 10,000 in a bad way usually. I follow Jeff Goins' blog, so of
- [When We Only Remember The Good Parts](https://lisahallwilson.com/when-we-only-remember-the-good-parts/) - "You're going to miss this someday, when they're all grown up." Ever received a well-intentioned comment like this? I used to roll my eyes and brush it off. Lady, you have no idea what kind of day I've had. I've been puked on, peed on, dealt with a temper tantrum at the grocery store, and
- [How A Recipe Feels Like A Memory](https://lisahallwilson.com/how-a-recipe-feels-like-a-memory/) - Is there a memory from your childhood that sneaks up like a shadow? "Ain't it funny how a melody sounds like a memory." ~Eric Church My grandmother left me her recipes. My grandmother was a farmer's wife, mother to seven, grandmother to 21. She was no-nonsense, practical, with lists to put order to the chaos
- [You Want To Be A Writer? Write!](https://lisahallwilson.com/want-to-be-a-writer/) - People often ask me how did I get to where I am now with my writing. Did I go to school? "I want to do what you do, but I don't have your talent." The prevailing idea seems to be you've either got talent or you don't, those are the cards you're dealt. Suck it
- [Where I Come From](https://lisahallwilson.com/where-i-come-from/) - I am from family dinners of meat and boiled potatoes at the table each night, from Coca-Cola and road-trips for ice cream and chip truck fish and chips (french fries), salt & vinegar potato chips that leave your mouth numb, soccer games with the boys, and always had two or three pets. I am from
- [How To Write For Newspapers](https://lisahallwilson.com/write-newspapers/) - How many books does it take to make a NYTimes bestseller? Some float the number (there are a tonne of variables) that you need 100,000 books sold to make it on that list. That's a lot of books. Reader's Digest had a monthly circulation of over 500,000 in Canada and over 5.5million in the United
- [The Tricky Art of Pacing](https://lisahallwilson.com/tricky-art-pacing/) - I've got a great guest post today from Becca Puglisi, the co-creator of The Bookshelf Muse and The Emotion Thesaurus. Before I hand over control, I always ask two probing questions: LHW: What are you reading right now? BP: Right now, I'm reading Lovely, Dark, and Deep, by Amy McNamara. It's contemporary, which normally isn't
- [Writers Behaving Badly on Facebook](https://lisahallwilson.com/writers-behaving-badly-facebook/) - Did you know there are rules of etiquette on Facebook? Facebook is my happy place, and I like to try and make Facebook a positive environment when possible. So, when an online acquaintance posted a link to her own blog on my timeline (personal wall) I left her a short note saying that many people
- [How To Build Compelling Character Conflict](https://lisahallwilson.com/build-character-conflict/) - Wondering how to build in effective character conflict? How does one create the kind of inner turmoil that drives a character to outrageous page-turning decisions and mistakes? Try drawing a line in the sand. I love that scene from the Fellowship Of The Ring where Gandalf screams at the Balrog: “You shall not pass!” Awesome.
- [Don't Let Doubt Stop You From Writing](https://lisahallwilson.com/doubt-stop-you-writing/) - I spent the weekend at WANACon - well, I spent the weekend in my jammies, with no makeup, and listened to and chatted in real time with some best selling authors at WANACon. This is the beauty of a digital writer's conference. I had been sick all week. If this had been a traditional in-person
- [Writers Need Discipline, Devotion and Dedication](https://lisahallwilson.com/writers-need-discipline-devotion-dedication/) - Writers are supposed to be this erratic, emotional, slightly-unhinged, unpredictable mess. I mean, that's what popular culture says. But to be successful at writing requires equal parts devotion, dedication, and discipline, and there's not chaos involved at all! So, I'm hanging out on Twitter and see a tweet come through from Porter Anderson. If you
- [What is Character Voice?](https://lisahallwilson.com/what-is-character-voice/) - We all know our main characters well – at least in our own heads. The trouble is making them seem as real and 3D on the page as they are in our mind’s eye. Because a great well-rounded character doesn't have to be well liked, attractive, or do heroic things. A great character is one
- [What Does Your Writing Cost You?](https://lisahallwilson.com/writing-cost/) - The very best writing we'll ever do is the kind that forces you to rally your courage, expose yourself emotionally, by putting your thoughts and opinions out for critique whether it's pitching an agent, in a blog post, an article or book. But that's only part of the cost though, and in my opinion, not
- [5 Substantive Editing Tips For Pantsers](https://lisahallwilson.com/5-substantive-editing-tips-pantsers/) - What is substantive editing? There are different levels of editing and most writers only concern themselves with the last level of editing - copy editing. This is the nitty-gritty one word at a time editing where you're checking spelling and grammar. Substantive editing is the big picture editing. Does your story have an arc? Do
- [Ready, Set - FAIL](https://lisahallwilson.com/ready-set-fail/) - What if God's plan for your new ministry, new job, new relationship is for it to fail? What do we do with that? Sorry I haven't blogged for a while. I'm reading through the book of Isaiah with my mentor. We've never been to seminary. We're not biblical scholars, but we're reading through and gleaning
- [Facebook Shut Down My Profile!](https://lisahallwilson.com/facebook-shut-profile/) - I received the above frantic message from an author this week looking for help. Unfortunately there wasn't much I could do because I don't have the Zuck on speed dial. The author, in hindsight, had a few ideas on why that happened but bottom line - they had over 5000 friends and several hundred followers
- [Does Facebook Lie?](https://lisahallwilson.com/facebook-lie/) - **Warning - About to climb on a soapbox** I receive messages and people tag me on Facebook asking questions. Totally cool - I love helping people whenever I can. One of the most common complaints I see on FB is about reach stats. What do you mean that ALL of my fans don't see everything
- [When To Start A Facebook Platform?](https://lisahallwilson.com/facebook-platform-writers/) - Facebook is my happy place. I spend A LOT of time there managing Pages for non-profits and small businesses and on the side I help writers trying to figure out how to tame the gorilla. One of the most common questions I get asked is, when should I start building a Facebook platform before my
- [10 Cover Photo Tips For Writers](https://lisahallwilson.com/10-cover-photo-tips/) - Your Page's or Profile's cover photo is some of the most valuable marketing real estate you have on Facebook - how are you using that space to promote your writing or brand? A cover photo is the large photo at the top of Pages and Profiles. This is a big piece of FREE prime real
- [Writers: Stop Mutual Like-Fests on Facebook](https://lisahallwilson.com/writers-stop-mutual-like-fests-on-facebook/) - "If you like my Page, I'll like yours back. Then we both have more followers and everybody wins." Nope. Not even close. Please stop -- for the love of bacon and beavers this isn't helping you. Worse, you're hurting your organic reach. (No, organic reach is not dead.) Here's why. No matter how many fans you
- [Would You Click On That Link?](https://lisahallwilson.com/would-you-click-on-that-link/) - It's important not to be a one-writer/artist show on Facebook. It's absolutely OK to share links from other writers or blogs and promote other people's work if it's something your fans would enjoy. The problems I see are when only links to a writer's own content (sometimes to the exclusion of any other kind of content)
- [4 Things Writers Should Decide Before Posting](https://lisahallwilson.com/4-things-writers-should-decide/) - Many writers want to instantly be bestsellers so they turn to the gorilla of social media and expect this magical panacea to bring readers to them. Not so much. With Facebook, like any marketing strategy, you need a plan. You need to know what your content objectives are, how you'll measure success, and how you
- [A Contest Changed My Life](https://lisahallwilson.com/a-contest-changed-my-life/) - Hard to believe, right? Winning a single contest could change the path of your life so irreversibly, but it did. Like most writers, I grew up wanting to be a writer and for a number of what seemed like very practical reasons didn't pursue it. Years later, after getting an education, getting married, and three
- [Seeking Everyday UnCommon Adventure](https://lisahallwilson.com/seeking-everyday-common-adventures/) - Mom - let's go for a walk. Please - I want to take pictures of the snow. I stare at my computer screen. I have several deadlines looming -- but it's so beautiful outside. I'm not very good at resisting an adventure. We dress warm and head out into the forest near our house. (OK -
- [Where's The Line In The Sand?](https://lisahallwilson.com/wheres-the-line-in-the-sand/) - Wondering how to build in effective character conflict? How does one create the kind of inner turmoil that drives a character to outrageous page-turning decisions and mistakes? Try drawing a line in the sand. I love that scene from the Fellowship Of The Ring where Gandalf screams at the Balrog: "You shall not pass!" Awesome.
- [Keep Fighting For Your Dreams!](https://lisahallwilson.com/keep-fighting-for-your-dreams/) - Dreams can take a long time to realize. Don't give up! What can you do right now to find fresh motivation or drive?
- [What Nearly 80 Rejections Have Taught Me](https://lisahallwilson.com/nearly-80-rejections-taught/) - Since I was 11 or 13 years old and I found novels I could immerse myself in, I have wanted to be a writer. Whether it was a Trixie Belden mystery, Walter Farley or Farley Mowat, John Steinbeck or Ted Dekker, Patricia Briggs or Diana Gabaldon, I love a good story. If you want to
- [How To Publish A Book In Canada](https://lisahallwilson.com/how-to-publish-a-book-in-canada/) - I've had several people ask me what steps I went through to self-publish (Indie publish) my debut novel The Watched. I published on a shoestring budget ($400-$500 total). If you can hire a more experienced professional, always up your game that way. There are many vanity presses out there who say they're publishers. They will
- [Anger: 5 Shades Of Seeing Red](https://lisahallwilson.com/anger-5-shades-of-seeing-red/) - Everybody gets angry. Whether you're irritated or enraged, it’s not a simple emotion. Stephen King says fiction is truth inside a lie. We must have characters react honestly and authentically, but how much do you know about getting angry? Anger is a universal emotions. It's impossible to write a novel and not include anger some
- [5 Tips for Awesome Author Facebook Launch Party](https://lisahallwilson.com/5-tips-for-awesome-author-facebook-launch-party/) - Ever done a virtual book launch party through a Facebook group? How has that gone? I've attended a few, some were OK - most were...not a lot of fun. However, this last week I joined a friend's Jamberry nails Facebook party. I've never had a manicure. I paint my nails black and am done with
- [Are You Playing Facebook Roulette With Your Profile?](https://lisahallwilson.com/are-you-playing-facebook-roulette-with-your-profile/) - A lot of authors (indie and trad) are using their Facebook Profiles to build platform. The friend limit is still 5,000 but if you turn on the Follower option there's no limit. You're not violating any rules by doing this as long as you don't try to sell anything directly from your Profile (as per
- [Using Personal Vows To Increase Story Tension](https://lisahallwilson.com/guest-post-using-personal-vows-increase-story-tension/) - It's summertime here and the sun is shining. My outdoor office is my favourite place to be and my fingertips are flying across the keys working on new stories. Today, I am guest-posting over at Kristen Lamb's blog. I would love for you to send Kristen some blog love and leave a comment! Want to
- [Biggest Mistake Authors Make On Facebook](https://lisahallwilson.com/biggest-mistake-authors-make-facebook/) - I have done a lot of critiques for writers trying to build platform using Facebook. Facebook is my happy place. I spend a lot of time there. For many years, I was paid to hang out on Facebook. I follow a lot of authors on Facebook and am "friends" with dozens more. I see new
- [Surprise Your Readers](https://lisahallwilson.com/surprise-your-readers/) - How do you surprise readers? The reality of genre fiction, especially, is that you know how it ends. The guy gets the girl. The good cop catches the bad guy. The ordinary girl triumphs over the monster. You get the idea. Novels promise an escape, entertainment, characters a reader would call a friend, a story
- [A Simple Tip To Increase Tension in Fiction](https://lisahallwilson.com/simple-tip-increase-tension-fiction/) - Have you considered the importance of doors? No matter what kind of story you’re writing, being able to increase tension in a scene, to get the reader to shift to their edge of their seat, is tricky business. Doors are an opportunity to pause, force the character to take a deep breath. Commit to the
- [The Power of Touch in Fiction](https://lisahallwilson.com/the-power-of-touch-in-fiction/) - Interpersonal touch is a huge part of any society regardless of time or culture. A pat on the back, a heavy grip, a shoulder knock, we touch ourselves and other people all the time, and are programmed to interpret all of these subtle nuanced touches by filtering them through social and relational context. Writers seem
- [Are You Writing Female Characters Who Are Too Stupid To Live?](https://lisahallwilson.com/writing-female-characters-stupid-live/) - Writing strong female characters has become this... thing recently among writerly types. Nobody wants to write a tired trope or cliched character, and yet they keep popping up. Fantasy is particularly bad, but historical and horror are only a couple of other genres guilty for it. If your character is too stupid to live, it
- [Creating Strong Female Characters Your Readers Will Cheer For](https://lisahallwilson.com/creating-strong-female-characters-your-readers-will-cheer-for/) - How dynamic and authentic are the female characters in your fiction? How do you know whether they're strong? Do they have what Chuck Wendig calls "agency" which is the power to influence the story? There are plenty of women in classical literature who were strong, but sometimes it's hard to pick them out because they're
- [8 Ways To Balance A Writing Career While Making Family A Priority](https://lisahallwilson.com/8-ways-balance-writing-career-making-family-priority/) - I have been a stay-at-home mom off and on for eighteen years. For the last twelve years, I’ve also been a writer. I went from knowing nothing to having my own freelance business and being a national award-winning freelance journalist and author. One thing I had to learn was how to carve out time for
- [Cover Reveal: The Last Seers](https://lisahallwilson.com/cover-reveal-last-seers/) - So, I wrote another book! Sort of... Last fall I published my debut novel The Watched. I released it as a serial on my blog here and it has been available online for free (or as free as I could make it). The plan had been to release the series as shorter novels (novellas, really),
- [5 Ways Time Affects How We Write Emotions In Fiction](https://lisahallwilson.com/5-ways-time-affects-how-we-write-emotions-in-fiction/) - Time heals all wounds so the saying goes. Can't say whether that's a universal truth or not, but the passage of time does affect how we think about, talk about, and express past emotions. When learning to write in deep point of view, one of the first foundational tools for this technique is to avoid
- [How To Eliminate Distance In Deep Point of View](https://lisahallwilson.com/how-to-eliminate-distance-in-deep-pov/) - Deep POV is a dynamic, visceral, and immediate style of writing that aims to minimize the perceived distance between the reader and the point of view character (POVC). There are a number of stylistic choices an author makes to facilitate this. At the heart of Deep POV is an immersive experience for the reader through
- [How Feelings and Emotions Differ In Fiction](https://lisahallwilson.com/how-feelings-and-emotions-differ-in-fiction/) - As writers, part of what makes us good at our jobs is the natural inclination for self-awareness and introspection. Understanding the difference between "feelings" and "emotions" is important, especially when using an intimate writing style such as Deep Point of View (POV). I came across this in my research this week and it kinda blew
- [6 Questions To Discover The  Power Imbalance Affecting Subtext In Fiction](https://lisahallwilson.com/6-ways-power-imbalance-affects-subtext-fiction/) - Power or authority applies a filter to subtext, it affects how we perceive or interpret what we believe is actually being said. What Is Subtext? Subtext is the non-verbal communication expressed through what Psychology Today called "a silent orchestra" which is a combination of facial expression, tone of voice, posture, and body language. Subtext can
- [How Relationships Affects How We Write Subtext](https://lisahallwilson.com/how-relationships-affects-how-we-write-subtext/) - Adding layers of meaning for readers behind the dialogue (between the lines) adds some rich texture, conflict, authenticity, and understanding to story. Subtext is the silent conversation that happens while another topic is being discussed. Subtext can use euphemisms and other diversionary tactics to have a private or intimate conversation in public—when we need this
- [How To Shut Out Writer's Block So You Can Fast Draft!](https://lisahallwilson.com/how-to-shut-out-writers-block-so-you-can-fast-draft/) - Fast Drafting is a concept I first heard about from author Candace Havens. I have never taken her workshops, but I gleaned the concept from a handful of blog posts and ran with it. Jami Gold summarizes this writing technique: "Fast drafting entails getting the framework of our stories down as fast as possible—without worrying
- [Gifts For Writers](https://lisahallwilson.com/gifts-for-writers/) - What do you buy the writer on your Christmas list with too many notebooks already? Here's a list of fun ideas to get you started. It's that time of year again when people want to give a writer a meaningful gift. The go-to gift is always a notebook and pen, and notebooks are always handy--especially
- [How To Use Description To Enhance Voice, Setting & Scenes](https://lisahallwilson.com/how-description-can-build-characterization/) - Let Characters Describe Setting As They Interact With It Avoid narrative dumps of description. There are certain details you need the reader to know, but avoid just dropping in those two or three sentences into the story like bird poop on a car window. Let description paint a word picture, not splatter art. Instead of
- [One Quick Reason Readers Cheer For Unlikable Characters](https://lisahallwilson.com/one-quick-reason-readers-cheer-for-unlikable-characters/) - How do we get readers to cheer for unlikable characters? We cheer for anti-heroes and characters who are surly, have anger issues, and even questionable morals. Why? They all have one thing in common but it means we have go right back to the basics. I came across this post this week on Facebook from
- [Editing In Layers Part 1: Goals](https://lisahallwilson.com/editing-in-layers-part-1-goals/) - Editing and revising is a necessary part of writing fiction because no one NO ONE writes a perfect first draft. Everyone's work is improved with the help of a good editor and the first editor who should go over your work is YOU. That said, especially if you're a pantser like me, the first draft
- [Editing In Layers Part 4: Weakness Plus Characterization](https://lisahallwilson.com/editing-in-layers-part-4-weakness-plus-characterization/) - Non-writers think the majority of the work of writing a novel happens in the first draft. The first draft is where the heart of a novel is, but the writing craft happens during the editing. If you tend more towards pantsing than planning, the first three steps will help tighten things up and get you
- [Editing In Layers Part 5: Layering Emotions](https://lisahallwilson.com/part-5-layering-emotions/) - This is part 5 in a 6 part series on getting a manuscript ready for beta readers. This is a systematic process where you read through your work 5 times and each pass focus on a specific element. This makes the editing more efficient and consistent. In the end, you've got something so much better
- [Editing In Layers Part 6: Consistency](https://lisahallwilson.com/editing-in-layers-part-6-consistency/) - This is the final step in the 5-pass read through editing plan. If you haven't read the previous posts in this series I encourage you to do that. This is about the final read through. You've fixed all the issues (hopefully) and this is the last pass. Let’s recap: You can’t skip ahead. There may
- [Why A Compelling Emotional Arc Means Your Character Has To Lose Something](https://lisahallwilson.com/8278-2/) - What kind of novel do you want to write? What kind of ending do you want: Happily Ever After (HEA) or a realistic ending? There's only a right or wrong answer for you. HEAs are quickly consumed and deliver an emotional high for readers looking for a brief escape from reality. Those writing realistic endings
- [5 Pro Tips You Need To Write Deep Point of View Effectively](https://lisahallwilson.com/5-pro-tips-to-write-deep-pov-effectively/) - What Do The Pros Know About Deep Point Of View That You Don't? Deep Point of View (POV) creates emotional connections with readers making them care and cheer for your characters. It's intimate, immediate and visceral -- imagine handing your reader a virtual reality headset. That's how immersive readers want to be with your story
- [How To Recognize When Your Protagonist Isn't Your POV Character](https://lisahallwilson.com/how-to-reconize-protagonist-isnt-pov-character/) - Is your protagonist the best POV character for your story? Just because the story is about them doesn't mean they're the best storyteller in your cast of characters! Deciding which character is the best one to tell your story can be tricky. Sometimes it's a no-brainer, but sometimes an author makes an unusual choice that
- [Should You Write For Genre (and monetary success)?](https://lisahallwilson.com/should-you-write-for-genre-and-monetary-success/) - Should you write for genre (and tied up in that is the expectation that genre fiction sells better than literary fiction so you'll find more monetary success)? I don't think writing to genre is bad nor do I think avoiding all discussion of genre wise either. You can write the best book in the world,
- [5 Quick Hacks To Gear Up Your Setting and Description Into Deep Point Of View](https://lisahallwilson.com/5-quick-hacks-gear-setting-description-deep-point-view/) - One aspect of writing in Deep Point Of View (POV) that’s often overlooked or downplayed is the importance of filtering setting and description through your point of view character (POVC). Remember, in Deep POV you want to avoid drawing conclusions for readers. Don’t tell readers what to think, give them your POVCs raw data and let readers come
- [Can You Make A Living Writing?](https://lisahallwilson.com/can-make-living-writing/) - Can you make a living writing? This is a question that came through to the blog last week. My short answer was yes - of course, but I've spent some time doing a completely unscientific anecdotal poll of the various writer's groups I'm a part of so that I can answer this question outside of
- [Create Layers of Tension With Subtext To Surprise Readers](https://lisahallwilson.com/create-layers-of-tension-with-subtext/) - What Is Subtext And Why It’ll Make Your Writing Next Level Subtext is the unspoken communication that takes place between characters in a story. It usually takes place when there’s disparity between what a character says, thinks, and feels. It’s also used effectively when the point of view character shares knowledge or an experience with
- [Beyond Racing Hearts and Sweaty Palms: Writing the Body Language of Attraction](https://lisahallwilson.com/beyond-racing-hearts-and-sweaty-palms-writing-the-body-language-of-attraction/) - With deep point of view, being able to show readers how and why your character is or isn’t attracted to another without naming an emotion or using on-the-nose dialogue can be a really important detail to get right. There are at least four types of attraction (sexual attraction being just one option) and showing your
- [The Secret Sauce For A Menacing Antagonist](https://lisahallwilson.com/secret-sauce-for-menacing-antagonist/) - The two most important characters in your story are your protagonist and your antagonist. They both must be equally developed and dynamic. After all, no one looks heroic, brave, or is worth cheering for if they don’t break a sweat—if everything comes easily to them. How annoying is that! We cheer for the underdog, the
- [What If Your Antagonist Isn't Human - What's The Secret Sauce Then?](https://lisahallwilson.com/what-if-your-antagonist-isnt-human/) - In my last post, I looked at the secret sauce you need to make antagonists menacing. Today I want to go beyond basics with non-human antagonists. In school, we all likely learned the different types of conflict in literature: human vs human (very common, no examples needed) human vs himself (Hamlet, The Tell-Tale Heart, A Walk
- [5 Deep Point of View Errors Every Writer Makes](https://lisahallwilson.com/5-deep-point-of-view-errors-every-writer-makes/) - Shifting Your Story Into Deep Point Of View Often Isn't Intuitive! Deep point of view is a stylistic choice writers can use throughout an entire novel or to add emotional punch to important scenes, but it isn't an intuitive technique for many. It's not difficult, don't misunderstand me, but this technique requires a shift in
- [4 Ways Writers Cheat Reality With Internal Dialogue To Write Better Fiction](https://lisahallwilson.com/4-ways-writers-cheat-reality-with-internal-dialogue/) - Emotion In Internal Dialogue Internal dialogue is the power horse of deep point of view. Because this style of writing is personal and intimate, the things we tell ourselves, our internal observations, opinions and biases makes up a significant part of the conflict in the story. Internal dialogue is often the vehicle through which setting,
- [7 Ways To Be A Confident Writer Even If You're Not A Bestseller](https://lisahallwilson.com/7-ways-to-be-a-confident-writer-even-if-youre-not-a-bestseller/) - Artists of all stripes seem riddled with self-doubt. Part of that is because we so closely identify with our work that a rejection of our work is felt as a personal rejection. Learning to be a confident writer, not even all of the time but at least some of the time, requires a shift in
- [Writing The Body Language Of Dominance In Deep Point Of View](https://lisahallwilson.com/how-to-write-your-alpha-hero-in-deep-point-of-view/) - There are people who have dominant personalities. We might call them an alpha. They don't have to be abusive, arrogant, angry, or dismissive. In fact, when you combine the positive traits of dominant males with generosity, humility, and a few others, a compelling character can emerge. Dominant Characters In Deep Point Of View In deep
- [4 Point of View Breaks That Sneak In Even When You Know Better](https://lisahallwilson.com/4-point-of-view-breaks-that-sneak-in-even-when-you-know-better/) - Point of view errors break the fictive dream for readers. This is a problem in general, but in deep point of view where the aim is to create an immersive experience for a reader - this is equivalent of ripping off the virtual reality goggles without warning. A little jarring at best, enough to make
- [4 Times You Shouldn't Write In Deep Point Of View](https://lisahallwilson.com/4-times-you-shouldnt-write-in-deep-point-of-view/) - Deep point of view is a popular writing technique and is recommended by editors and agents. The appeal of deep point of view is putting readers IN the action of the story -- handing them a set of virtual reality goggles. Deep point of view is immersive, immediate, and emotionally compelling, but sometimes this style
- [3 Reasons Deep Point Of View Might Not Be Working For Your Story](https://lisahallwilson.com/3-reasons-deep-point-of-view-might-not-be-working-for-your-story/) - When writing in deep point of view, even though this writing technique is visceral and delivers an emotional punch -- sometimes it just doesn't seem to be working. There's no depth. Readers aren't connecting with your characters. Assuming the story is well constructed and the characters well-conceived, does that mean Deep Point of View isn't
- [Buffy vs Bella: Why Your Characters Need To Be Proactive](https://lisahallwilson.com/buffy-vs-bella-why-your-characters-need-to-be-proactive/) - Characters who make decisions that push the story forward are more engaging, more interesting, and more like-able than characters who are passive. This is a mistake I continue to make over and over. It doesn't seem to matter how well I know this lesson, it still creeps into my writing. Bella Swan Is Passive Bella
- [4 Ways To Create Unique Character Voice That Work For Any Novel](https://lisahallwilson.com/4-ways-to-create-unique-character-voice/) - Creating unique character voice for your characters is essential for great fiction. Even classical writers like Tolkien writing in omniscient point of view were able to imbue their characters with enough uniqueness that you felt like they were an individual. Yes, precious. In writing styles like deep point of view where the writer needs to
- [3 Ways To Ramp Up Setting And Description With Subtext](https://lisahallwilson.com/3-ways-ramp-up-setting-and-description-with-subtext/) - How do we use subtext to communicate setting and description? Subtext is all about what's not said. It's about what's implied, the innuendo and euphemism; it's layered implication, it's infused into facial expressions and tone of voice--it's illusive. Subtext is about the underlying or secondary meanings we want to convey to readers. I've had a
- [Readers Want More Than The Body Language Of Love -- They Want The Why](https://lisahallwilson.com/readers-want-more-than-the-body-language-of-love-they-want-the-why/) - Last week I visited Writers In The Storm and wrote about writing deep point of view using layers of emotions and I promised this week to share about writing love in deep point of view. If you missed last week’s post, make sure you check it out. Let’s recap for a moment. A secondary emotion
- [5 Ways Deep Point of View Delivers Punch To An Action Scene](https://lisahallwilson.com/5-ways-deep-point-of-view-action-scenes/) - How do you write action scenes that keep readers leaning in, holding their breath, and cheering for the character to win no matter how impossible it looks? Put the reader IN THE ACTION by writing in deep point of view! Know The Why Of The Action Scene Just like in every other kind of scene
- [Using Deep Point Of View Without Dragging Down The Pace Of Your Novel](https://lisahallwilson.com/using-deep-point-of-view-without-dragging-down-the-pace-of-your-novel/) - Deep point of view is a great writing technique when used well, but if you’re not careful, deep POV will bloat your word count and tie an anchor to the pace of your story. Pace Must Be Strategic I’ve met very few bestselling authors who, when asked, can’t tell you the pace they were intentionally
- [How To Get Inside Our Character's Heads And Make Readers Care](https://lisahallwilson.com/how-to-get-inside-our-characters-heads-and-make-readers-care/) - Getting readers to care and have an emotional connection to our characters is the gold medal run for most novelists. If readers don't care, if there's no emotional pull, it gets easy to place a bookmark in a page and walk away. *womp womp* I'm continuing in my summer series of answering reader questions. Today's
- [How To Find Time To Write](https://lisahallwilson.com/how-to-find-time-to-write/) - Finding time to write when you're already crazy busy is a challenge. I've been writing (with a mind to being published) since I was 27. I've raised three kids in that time, launching a journalism career, begun teaching writing online, and written several novels. Is it easy? No way. So many writers tell me they
- [3 Ingredients You Need To Make Readers Feel](https://lisahallwilson.com/writing-deep-point-of-view-making-readers-feel/) - I get so many writers telling me that what they want is to make their readers feel something. Their goal is to make a reader laugh, cry, shake their fist at the sky--whatever, either to cheer on the character or cry in sympathy with them. Deep point of view is a great stylstic choice to
- [How To Discover Your Author Voice And Why You Probably Already Know It](https://lisahallwilson.com/how-to-discover-your-author-voice-and-why-you-probably-already-know-it/) - One of the things many writers get hung up on (and I did too) was finding their writer or author voice. It feels like this elusive, ethereal thing that you chase and have about as much chance of catching as netting the wind. You never feel like you've "found" it and some writers spend years
- [Write Minor Character Descriptions Like A Pro Even If You're A Beginner](https://lisahallwilson.com/write-character-descriptions-like-a-pro/) - There are serious pitfalls in adhereing only to "show don't tell" when it comes to character descriptions because there's so much more you can do than simply catalogue a character's appearance. The goal with any character description should be to paint a word picture for readers, but more than that -- what can the description
- [4 Ways To Write Dynamic Character Descriptions](https://lisahallwilson.com/4-ways-to-write-dynamic-character-descriptions/) - Last week, I shared about describing minor characters and how we shouldn't let these opportunities pass us by. This week, I wanted to dive deep into how our protagonists (and antagonists) describe themselves. This often trips up new writers and offers particular challenges if you've chosen to write your whole novel in deep point of
- [3 Tips On Writing Internal Conflict With Emotional Punch](https://lisahallwilson.com/3-tips-on-writing-internal-conflict-with-emotional-punch/) - Does your main character have a line in the sand, a personal boundary or belief they will not violate? This internal conflict is central stories written in deep point of view often. What happens if the character violates their belief or boundary? What would they sacrifice in order to avoid crossing that line? What would
- [4 Steps Anyone Can Take To Avoid Writer Burnout](https://lisahallwilson.com/4-steps-anyone-can-take-to-avoid-writer-burnout/) - Writer burnout is a real thing and it's absolutely devastating. How awful to have the time to do what you love to do, but not be able to bring yourself to the laptop to do it. Sometimes this is just a simple sign of procrastination or fatigue, but sometimes it's a symptom of something bigger.
- [How To Use Beats To Keep Long Dialogue Passages Interesting Even If There's No Action](https://lisahallwilson.com/how-to-keep-dialogue-interesting/) - There are times in a manuscript where your characters engage in a longer dialogue exchange. Ideally, those dialogue passages are where important information is revealed for readers. In deep point of view, we want to avoid using dialogue tags (he said, she said) but additionally we don't want readers to lose track of who's talking,
- [4 Ways To Replace Dialogue With Subtext Even New Writers Can Master](https://lisahallwilson.com/4-ways-to-replace-dialogue-with-subtext-even-new-writers-can-master/) - Once I realized what subtext was and the different ways I could use it effectively, it became a go-to tool for deep point of view. I had a reader ask: Can subtext replace dialogue and how would that look? Subtext is silent communication. It's the body language (posture, facial expressions, gestures), tone of voice --
- [4 Tricks To Keeping Fight Scenes Authentic](https://lisahallwilson.com/4-tricks-to-keeping-fight-scenes-authentic/) - How To Put Your Reader In The Action With Action Scenes Using Internal Dialogue To Enhance Action Let's dive a little deeper at the techniques and stylistic choices that add a punch to your action scenes in deep point of view. How much internal dialogue you use will be determined by your POVC's (point of
- [How To Write Fear Authentically Even If You Don't Write Thrillers](https://lisahallwilson.com/how-to-write-fear-authentically-even-if-you-dont-write-thrillers/) - Want to scare your readers? SHOW them what your character is afraid of! Your story needs life or death stakes (and not necessarily the murderous, knife-wielding, gravestone kind of life or death stakes). Fear and the body language of fear, should be topics every novelist strives to know better. Fear can range from mild to
- [Create Emotional Connections With Readers Using Deep Point Of View](https://lisahallwilson.com/create-emotional-connections-with-readers-using-deep-point-of-view/) - There are still many many fans of writers like Tolkien, Austen, and Dickens, but contemporary readers (particularly genre fiction readers) are looking for more than entertainment from a book -- they want an emotional experience! "By some curious chance one morning long ago in the quiet of the world, when there was less noise and
- [Top 10 Posts of 2018](https://lisahallwilson.com/top-10-posts-of-2018/) - Good-bye 2018!! Was 2018 a year that saw your writing become a priority or was it a year where maybe some things didn't quite go as you'd planned them to? Either way, another year another blank chapter. Let this be the year you make the most of your writing dreams, talents, and hard work! In
- [9 Tips For A Powerful Antagonist That Work For Any Genre](https://lisahallwilson.com/9-tips-for-powerful-antagonists/) - Your story needs a successful antagonist – one who wins a lot, who has odds overwhelmingly in their favor, moves the story ahead and directly challenges the protagonist’s story goal. Without a powerful antagonist, your protagonist has nothing substantial to fight against—there’s little reason to cheer for them. Ways to Make Your Antagonist Menacing Backstory –
- [Deep Point of View: First Person Or Third Person POV](https://lisahallwilson.com/first-person-or-third-person-pov/) - Is it better or does it create more emotional connection to write fiction in first or third person? Does genre matter? Can I use multiple POVS? Am I worried about the wrong things? Is First Person Or Third Person Better? This is one of the most common questions I get asked when I’m running my
- [Advice From Jack Sparrow On Building Emotional Connections With Readers](https://lisahallwilson.com/advice-from-jack-sparrow-on-building-emotional-connections-with-readers/) - Captain Jack Sparrow, love him or hate him, most people FEEL something for the irrascible pirate. What can Jack Sparrow teach us about creating emotional connections with readers? Lots. Savvy? There are many posts out there on the interwebz for writers looking for advice on how to create emotional connections with readers, but let's look
- [How To Write Fear That Connects Emotionally With Readers](https://lisahallwilson.com/how-to-write-fear-that-connects-emotionally-with-readers/) - For readers to get chills, explore the root causes of fear, make reactions individual to your character, and keep surprising your readers.
- [Brene Brown’s Guide To Creating An Emotional Arc Using Shame](https://lisahallwilson.com/brene-browns-guide-to-creating-an-emotional-arc-using-shame/) - Shame is one of the most powerful and underused emotions in a fiction-writer’s toolbox. Shame is pervasive and common, it’s ugly and hard to capture well, but deep point of view is the perfect technique to use with this complex emotion. Readers cheer for characters who are relate-able, who stand up to bullies, who stay
- [How To Create 3-D Emotional Depth In Fiction](https://lisahallwilson.com/how-sensory-details-create-emotional-depth/) - Sometimes what's in your head isn't what comes across on the page. Create a 3-D effect for readers and using sensory details to convey motive/goals/priorities, and emotions.
- [4 Tips To Get Unstuck Writing Hard Emotions In Fiction](https://lisahallwilson.com/4-tips-to-get-unstuck-writing-hard-emotions-in-fiction/) - Emotions are hard to capture authentically in fiction, maybe in part because as a society we tend to want to express things more in terms of what we're doing or thinking. This diving deep into the raw humanity expressed through emotions is the power of deep point of view. How You Doin Joey GIF from
- [Will Deep Point Of View Work For You?](https://lisahallwilson.com/will-deep-point-of-view-work-for-you/) - Will deep point of view work for you? Deep point of view is going to change your writing and even change how you read fiction, but it's not a panacea to bestseller status. It's just not. Deep point of view is an intermediate fiction technique that requires you to have a good foundation in basic
- [Why Is Learning Deep Point Of View So Hard?](https://lisahallwilson.com/why-is-learning-deep-point-of-view-so-hard/) - When you only have the basics of deep point of view, writing with this technique becomes a bit like exploring a new house by groping your way through the main floor in the dark. You're guessing, making assumptions, and skimming over important details. This is a case where a little information is a dangerous thing.
- [Identify Your Character's Emotional Triggers](https://lisahallwilson.com/identify-your-characters-emotional-triggers/) - Everyone has an emotional trigger. This is not about mental health, anxiety, PTSD -- none of that. Every one has emotional triggers - but are you using this to increase the emotional tension in your story? Why not!? What Does Your Character Think Is Their Strength? What does your character pride themselves on having, being,
- [6 Marketing Myths That Harm Fiction Writers](https://lisahallwilson.com/6-marketing-myths-that-harm-fiction-writers/) - 6 myths about marketing fiction writers are sold that don't work!
- [3 Basic Rules For Building A Fiction Platform On Facebook](https://lisahallwilson.com/3-basic-rules-for-building-a-fiction-platform-on-facebook/) - Organic reach is NOT dead on Facebook.
- [4 Exercises To "Go Deeper" With Deep Point Of View](https://lisahallwilson.com/4-exercises-to-go-deeper-with-deep-point-of-view/) - Hearing "go deeper" from crit partners and editors? Here are my 4 favorite tricks for digging deeper emotionally into a scene. Deep point of view is a powerful writing technique, but it’s a strategy and like any technique or strategy you need to know what effect you want to create so you understand where and
- [Don't Let "The Rules" Of Deep POV Limit You!](https://lisahallwilson.com/dont-let-the-rules-of-deep-pov-limit-you/) - There are a great many writers who LOVE rules. Rules. Rules. Rules. They rub their hands together and begin to salivate. Grammar rules. Punctuation rules. Structure rules. Genre rules. Templates. Formulas. I'm not such a big fan of writing rules myself, generally speaking -- so I'm only guessing here, but I suspect some writers love
- [How To Write A PTSD Flashback In Deep POV](https://lisahallwilson.com/how-to-write-a-ptsd-flashback-in-deep-point-of-view/) - Flashbacks are super popular among writers, but less popular among editors and agents. Partly because some writers call info dumps and backstory "a flashback." If you're interested in diving deep into writing flashbacks caused by trauma and PTSD, read on because I have some good tips for you! Quick Recap: What Is Deep Point Of
- [How To Write With Immediacy In Fiction](https://lisahallwilson.com/how-to-write-with-immediacy-in-fiction/) - We’re continuing in our FAQ series on Deep POV. The question that came in was: How do you write with immediacy? There are a few foundational rules with deep point of view and writing with immediacy and removing distance are two of them. If you don’t write with immediacy you add perceived distance between the
- [5 Pro Tips On Writing Description In Deep Point Of View](https://lisahallwilson.com/5-pro-tips-on-writing-description-in-deep-point-of-view/) - Woop! Let’s give 2019 a giant kick out the door and welcome in 2020 with a bang! Beginning January 1st, I am launching 30 Days Of Deep POV on my Facebook page, where I’ll be creating a video a day based on my 30 most popular blog posts (including guest posts) on deep point of
- [How Do I Add Emotion To My Fiction?](https://lisahallwilson.com/how-do-i-add-emotion-to-my-fiction/) - Part of the power of deep point of view (I think) is diving deep into emotions in a way that's both specific and unique to the character and universal to the reader. Some writers focus more on what's happening than on what's being felt. I fall into this category. I have to put the emotions
- [What Deep Point Of View Can Do For Your Writing](https://lisahallwilson.com/what-deep-point-of-view-can-do-for-your-writing/) - Are you struggling to create characters readers care about? Critique partners, editors or agents telling you to dig deeper emotionally? Do you want to write emotional arcs into your stories to keep readers engaged and turning the pages? Deep point of view (POV) is dynamic, visceral, and immediate. The goal of this writing technique is

## Pages

- [Success](https://lisahallwilson.com/success/) - You're In! Thanks for signing up for the 4 week master class Method Acting For Writers - Learn Deep Point Of View. The class begins on March 9. **This is your confirmation of registration.** You will receive confirmation of payment and receipt from Paypal. The email you used with Paypal is both your login and
- [Courses](https://lisahallwilson.com/resource-hub/) - The Deep Dive Author Club is a collection of courses available online. Learn Deep Point Of View: Foundations This is the introductory unit in the larger 5 week masterclass on writing in deep POV. The masterclass only runs three to four times a year, and this unit offers you access to the basics at a
- [Contact](https://lisahallwilson.com/contact/) - I'd love to connect! I do my best to respond in a timely way to email, but I'm not at my desk every day. I'm out on the trails most every day and don't always have cell reception. Try Facebook messenger if your message is brief :D Email: lisa [at] lisahallwilson [dot] com Also find
- [Welcome!](https://lisahallwilson.com/welcome/) - I LOVE deep point of view. I don't know where you are on your writing journey. Perhaps you've been at it for a while and are just looking for some new tools to dig deeper into emotions in your writing. Maybe you're an intermediate writer sending out queries and going to agent appointments, or even
- [Privacy Policy](https://lisahallwilson.com/privacy-policy/) - Summary of Privacy Policy for LisaHallWilson.com (TL;DR— the Too Long; Didn’t Read version) We take your privacy seriously and will use your personal information only to improve your experience for your visit or to interact with you in the ways you request. We never sell or trade your information, and information is shared with third parties only to further its intended
- [Books](https://lisahallwilson.com/books/) - Fiction The Last Seers Edric has risen through the ranks from scrappy orphan to top soldier. He protects the Seers, an influential family blessed and cursed with supernatural gifts and hunted to near extinction. When he as to reveal himself to protect one Seer’s heart as well as her body, he finds himself in love
- [Upcoming Classes](https://lisahallwilson.com/upcoming-classes/) - Growing An Organic Platform on Facebook July 22, 2017 Learn the difference between a Page and a Profile, how to best utilize each one, and which is best for you. There’s a lot of bad press out there about how you have to pay to reach fans on Facebook, and though it grows more difficult

## Categories

- [Editing And Marketing Fiction](https://lisahallwilson.com/category/editing-and-marketing-fiction/)
- [Business Of Writing](https://lisahallwilson.com/category/business-of-writing/) - 8 most recent blog posts.
- [How To Write Fiction - Advanced Tips](https://lisahallwilson.com/category/advanced-fiction-writing-tips/) - Take your writing to the next level – from beginner to intermediate and advanced with these tips.
- [Deep Point Of View](https://lisahallwilson.com/category/writing-in-deep-point-of-view/)
- [Deep POV Mastery Series](https://lisahallwilson.com/category/writing-in-deep-point-of-view/deep-pov-mastery-series/)

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