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The Art of Writing Obsession: How to Create Deeply Compelling Characters The human psyche is a labyrinth of light and shadow, but nothing illuminates the corridors of a character’s soul quite like the burning flicker of an obsession. Whether it is a detective’s fixation on a cold case or a gardener’s frantic need to grow a blue rose in a desert, these singular drives move a story from a mere sequence of events into a visceral experience. When you ground a narrative in the relentless gravity of an addiction, you are no longer just writing a plot. You are documenting a soul in motion, chasing a horizon that always seems to recede just as they reach for it. The Pulse of the Fixation To write a character with an obsession is to give them a heartbeat that the reader can hear through the page. It is the difference between a protagonist who wants to find a treasure and one who cannot breathe until the gold is in their hands. Think of Captain Ahab and his white whale. The whale is not just a creature; it is an idea, a grievance, and a god all wrapped into one. An obsession provides an internal engine that ignores logic and defies safety. It creates natural conflict because an obsessed person will inevitably clash with the world’s boundaries. When you weave an addiction into a character’s fiber, you introduce a ticking clock that never stops. This is not always about substances. It can be an addiction to power, to nostalgia, or to the approval of a parent who has been dead for twenty years. These internal demands force your characters to make choices they would otherwise find abhorrent. That tension is where the most honest writing lives. It reveals what a person is willing to burn down to keep their internal fire stoked. The Cost of the Chase Every great story thrives on the price paid for a goal. By centering your narrative on a character’s compulsion, you create a built-in system of stakes. If your hero is obsessed with reclaiming a lost family legacy, what are they losing in the present? Are they neglecting their health, their relationships, or their morality? This creates a rich, textured conflict that feels earned. Take, for example, a character obsessed with perfection. They might create the most beautiful symphony ever heard, but at the end of the book, they are sitting alone in a silent room because they pushed everyone away to achieve it. This duality offers a profound resonance. Readers see themselves in that struggle. We all have things we want too much. Seeing a character navigate the wreckage of their own desires offers a mirror to the human condition that is both terrifying and beautiful. What You Are Missing Without This Narrative Edge If you are writing stories that play it safe, avoiding the messy, jagged edges of human compulsion, you are missing out on the raw power of emotional stakes. A story without a deep-seated “need” often feels like it is floating. Without the anchor of an obsession, your characters might feel like puppets moved by the plot rather than living beings driven by their own desperate hunger. You are losing the chance to create “unputdownable” tension that keeps a reader awake at 2 a.m. wondering if the protagonist will finally get what they want or if it will finally consume them. Why You Must Master the Obsessive Arc Now The literary landscape is crowded with “average” stories. To stand out, you must go deeper into the marrow of what makes us tick. Waiting to explore these darker, more intense character traits only delays your growth as a storyteller. There is a hunger in the reading world for stories that feel urgent and dangerous. By mastering the art of the obsessive character today, you give your work the weight and gravity it needs to pull readers in and never let go. Don’t let your next manuscript be another “fine” story when it could be a haunting exploration of the human heart. The Conclusion of the Hunt Writing about obsession is an act of bravery. It requires you to look at the parts of yourself that are never satisfied and put them on display through your characters. When you make a character’s addiction or fixation the centerpiece of your work, you aren’t just telling a tale; you are creating an atmosphere. You are inviting the reader into a world where every choice matters and every heartbeat is a drumroll toward a final, inevitable climax. Let your characters want too much. Let them chase the impossible. The result will be a story that lingers in the mind long after the final page is turned. FAQ How do I make an obsessed character likable? Likability is less important than empathy. If the reader understands why the character is obsessed—perhaps they are trying to fix a past mistake or find safety—they will follow them anywhere. What is the difference between a goal and an obsession? A goal is something a character pursues. An obsession is something that pursues the character. A goal can be set aside for a night’s sleep; an obsession keeps them awake. Can an obsession be a good thing in a story? Absolutely. An obsession with justice or protecting the innocent can drive a hero to incredible heights, though it usually still comes with a heavy personal cost. How do I show addiction without being cliché? Focus on the sensory details and the internal justification. Instead of the typical tropes, show the small, quiet ways the addiction dictates their daily schedule and alters their perception of reality. —————- This post may contain affiliate links. If you click and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. 1000+ Forgotten Apothecary Recipes Remedies Book, Natural and Herbal Daily Wellness, Vintage Aesthetic| Detailed Illustrations

introduction to the shroud welcome to the shroud! if you, like myself, are a lover of the shadows, you’ll fit right in here! we welcome all darkness, all light, and everything in between. now, for the real intro music: hello! my name is hannah, I’m a young queer writer with a WIP named Shrouded that just recently hit 100,000 words! Shrouded is a dystopian fantasy novel about a group of magical individuals living under a military government that wants to erase magic entirely. if this sounds like a story you’d be interested in, consider following along as I introduce you to my world! (and yes, the story is queer, write your life experience first and save the rest… or something.) again, welcome to the shroud. welcome under the Veil.

March of the Writers – Day 18

March of the Writers – Day 18 by Richard White Where the Magic Happens ✍️✨ Read on Substack Every writer has a place where the world fades and imagination takes the throne. For some, it’s a quiet office. For others, a coffee shop humming with background noise. A corner desk. A porch chair. A parked car beneath a streetlamp. But wherever it is, that space becomes sacred. It’s where blank pages turn into battlefields… Where characters breathe… Where entire worlds rise from nothing more than thought and stubborn determination. Writers don’t just sit in these places. We travel from them. For me, the journey often begins at my dining room table. It’s round — and there’s something about that shape that pulls my mind into legend. When I sit down with my notebook or laptop, I’m no longer just a writer staring at a page. I’m at a council of minds, like King Arthur and his knights gathered at the Round Table, plotting quests and destinies. Ideas don’t feel small there. They feel legendary. Other days, the road is softer. The couch calls, and I settle in with my lap desk, wrapped in comfort while scenes unfold like old films playing behind my eyes. It’s a quieter kind of magic — the kind where stories drift in gently instead of charging through the gates. And then there’s my new desk. My command center. Shelves built into its frame hold my writing textbooks like trusted advisors waiting to be consulted. When I sit there, surrounded by resources and notes, it feels like stepping into a control room before a mission begins. If I’m writing espionage, I’m the analyst behind glowing monitors, tracking coded messages and shadowy figures. If I’m researching historical fiction, one search turns into another, and suddenly I’m tumbling down rabbit holes of forgotten wars, old maps, conspiracies, and stories buried beneath time — chasing truth like a detective hunting ghosts. That desk doesn’t just hold my computer. It holds portals. And if I’m being honest, my dream writing space hasn’t been built yet. One day, I want a sanctuary all my own — a hidden bookshelf door that swings open into a quiet lair wrapped wall-to-wall in shelves overflowing with stories. Indie authors lining most of the walls, a few timeless classics standing like elders among them. In the center, a large desk worn smooth by long writing nights, a couch for drifting into thought, and a warm fireplace crackling beside a well-loved recliner. A sturdy hearth where a few good cigars rest, and a small bar nearby holding a glass of whiskey waiting for the hard-earned pause between chapters. A place sealed off from the noise of the world. A place where imagination echoes freely. A writing sanctuary that belongs only to me. Where we write shapes how we write. Some places make us feel powerful. Some make us feel safe. Some make us feel curious enough to wander deeper into the unknown. But all of them are doorways. And every time we sit down, we step through. So tell me— Where is your writing sanctuary? Does your desk spark inspiration? Do you have a secret creative lair where the magic truly happens? Show us the spaces where your stories are born. Please feel free to comment, I love to interact. Thank you. Like what you are reading for March of the Writers. Read more of my posts from #MarchoftheWriters. Join the conversation on social media and check out other authors work BlueSky: #MarchoftheWriters Facebook: #MarchoftheWriters Instagram: #MarchoftheWriters SubStack: #MarchoftheWriters Threads: #MarchoftheWriters TikTok: #MarchoftheWriters X.com: #MarchoftheWriters Read the full article

Writers, I want to ask something. Do you ever finish a chapter and feel like everything works… but later you notice a small mistake hiding in it? Maybe a missing detail, a confusing line, or a moment that didn’t land the way you expected. When we write, we already see the full picture in our minds, so it’s easy to miss things on the page. That’s why a second pair of eyes can help a lot. If you’d like someone to read your draft and share kind, honest feedback, I’m open to beta reading. Also curious to hear from you: What’s a mistake in your writing you only noticed after rereading it later?

Looking for clear, honest feedback on your manuscript? Writing a book is only half the journey. Understanding how readers experience it is what turns a good draft into a strong one. As a beta reader, I provide reader-focused feedback on: • pacing and engagement • plot flow and structure • character development • clarity and overall readability You’ll learn what’s working well, where readers may lose interest, and how to strengthen your story while keeping your unique voice intact. If you’re revising a draft, preparing to publish, or simply want fresh eyes on your work, feel free to message me. I’d be happy to support your writing process.

Tristan takes Katherine to his favorite quiet place after her prom date turns out to be a disaster. From Back in the Spotlight by author Calliope Parrish

Authors, your story deserves more than surface-level feedback. I offer honest, detailed, and actionable insights through beta reading, book editing, professional formatting, and strategic book marketing, everything you need to elevate your manuscript from draft to publish-ready. If you’re tired of guessing what your book needs and ready for clarity, refinement, and real guidance… My inbox is open. Let’s get your book ready for the readers who are waiting for it.

Janurary’s Favorite Book: The Little Prince Every month this year I’d like to share my very favorite books with you! January’s book is my number one of all time, The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupery. It was originally written in the French language and called Le Petit Prince in 1943. Don’t let that date fool you! A good friend was kind enough to hand this book to me when I was maybe 16 years old. It rekindled my love of reading and I’ve read it more times than I could fathom. This is truly, to me, the greatest book ever written. I’m not alone in that; this is one of the best selling books on the entire planet. It’s been translated into 600 different languages - often second only to The Bible. Yes, more than Harry Potter! This book has changed the whole world! It has everything: amazing lessons, humor, gloriously gorgeous writing, and of course, it’s a major tear-jerker. My very first tattoo was from this book! I truly believe anyone of any age can fall in love with this little novel. It wakes up something in you and makes you a better person if you open up your eyes and heart and really listen to the pages. “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.” What book holds your number one spot, and why? I’d love to know!

@jackieguerra • Milkshake Website Builder The Relapse is out now on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, & Google Play Books! 📚 I’ve been doing so many side quests this year..including tapping into my creative side!✍🏽 I gotta say- writing, let alone self publishing a book in 2026 was NOT on my bingo card…But it felt so healing to finally share my truth! My story. My hidden struggles. A path to let it out, so i can let go. This book explores the painful cycle of loving a mother I cannot love safely. This debut is deeply personal, writing about narcissistic parenting, generational trauma, cultural expectations, and having to choose yourself, which sometimes isn’t easy! These poems trace the stages of awareness, boundaries, grief, healing — and the relapse into hope. The longing. The wish that things could be different. Honest and unflinching, this book is for anyone who has had to break cycles, set painful boundaries, and learn that sometimes healing means loving from a distance. It speaks directly to young adults navigating life while carrying the weight and confusion of having a narcissistic parent — learning & unlearning all at the same time. I’m so proud of this book & all of the vulnerabilities it comes with it..Transforming a painful situation and difficult emotions into something meaningful and beautiful- I truly hope this helps someone out there.❤️‍🩹 You can purchase the hardcover matte* version on Amazon. Hardcover glossy version on Barnes & Noble. The ebook version is on amazon & google play books! Enjoy !! :)

Thanks, dudes and dolls. Major gratitude for your follow! Thanks to all the familiar faces I see, and a big resounding hello for all the fresh faces I hope to get to know. Over the next few weeks, this account will catch up on the posts from Instagram, which was previously my only social media account. You can also find me on Facebook now. Thanks for tuning in!

The Relapse: The Hidden Struggle of Escaping a Narcissistic Parent: Guerra, Jackie: 9798256306823: Amazon.com: Books Front & Back cover of my book “The Relapse” which is out now ❤️‍🩹

Character art commissioned by author Valelane based on her book Queen of The Shadow Woods

Now about the bonfire…#lol Aka #writing time!!! #thursdayvibe #writingcommunity #authorcommunity #authors

The Relapse: The Hidden Struggle of Escaping a Narcissistic Parent: Guerra, Jackie: 9798256306823: Amazon.com: Books From my book “The Relapse"❤️‍🩹

Why Espionage Thrillers Still Matter

As part of my MFA program, I’ve been digging into the business and craft of espionage and speculative thriller writing—looking at how the genre works, who publishes it, who represents it, and why readers keep returning to stories about intelligence, secrets, and shadows. Image by Angelo Scarcella from Pixabay While gathering this material, it occurred to me that research like this shouldn’t live quietly inside academic folders and private notes. The path into publishing—especially in genre fiction—can feel opaque to new writers. Information is scattered across interviews, industry databases, and the occasional whisper in writing forums. So instead of keeping the research to myself, I’m turning it into a series. For the next several weeks I’ll be documenting what I’m learning about the business, audience, and craft of espionage thrillers. Think of these posts as field reports—pieces of a larger dossier exploring how this genre works from both the storytelling and publishing sides. If you’re an aspiring thriller writer, a curious reader, or someone who enjoys the machinery behind stories, this research may prove useful. Let’s begin with a simple question. Why do espionage thrillers still matter? The Persistent Allure of Spy Fiction Spy stories have existed for more than a century, yet they continue to evolve with each generation. From Cold War intrigue to modern cyber warfare, espionage fiction has always mirrored the anxieties of the real world. The reason is simple. Espionage stories live at the intersection of power, secrecy, and moral ambiguity. Unlike traditional action heroes, intelligence operatives often operate in ethical gray zones. The characters in these stories make decisions where the line between right and wrong is rarely clear. Readers are drawn to that tension. In many ways, espionage thrillers are less about gadgets or covert missions and more about human psychology under pressure. Authenticity and the Rise of Insider Thrillers One of the defining shifts in modern spy fiction is the demand for authenticity. Readers today are far more aware of how intelligence agencies operate. The internet has made declassified documents, memoirs, and investigative reporting widely accessible. That means audiences can quickly sense when a story feels unrealistic. Some of the most compelling espionage novels of the past two decades have been written by authors with real intelligence experience. A well-known example is Red Sparrow, written by former CIA officer Jason Matthews. The novel combined traditional thriller pacing with detailed depictions of intelligence tradecraft, recruitment techniques, and counterintelligence tactics. That level of realism helped set a new expectation within the genre. Readers no longer just want spies. They want believable spies. Spy Fiction and Its Close Relatives Espionage thrillers often overlap with several neighboring genres. The distinctions are subtle but important for writers trying to position their work. Spy fiction focuses on intelligence operations—agents, informants, surveillance, and covert missions carried out in the shadows. Techno-thrillers lean heavily on technology and military hardware, often exploring emerging weapons systems, cyber warfare, or advanced scientific developments. Political thrillers center on government power struggles, international diplomacy, and conspiracies that threaten national stability. Most modern thrillers blend elements of all three. A contemporary espionage novel might involve intelligence agencies, political maneuvering, and cyber espionage simultaneously. The genres are less separate categories than overlapping circles of tension and intrigue. From the Cold War to Cyber Warfare The golden age of espionage fiction emerged during the Cold War, when global politics revolved around espionage, surveillance, and proxy conflicts between superpowers. Spy novels from that era often focused on double agents, ideological conflicts, and the psychological toll of operating behind enemy lines. The world has changed, but espionage hasn’t disappeared. It has simply evolved. Today’s intelligence conflicts involve cyber intrusions, artificial intelligence, surveillance networks, private intelligence contractors, and information warfare. Modern spy fiction reflects this transformation. The enemy might no longer be a rival superpower across a concrete wall in Berlin. Instead, it may be a hacker collective, a corporate intelligence firm, or a state actor operating through digital shadows. Yet the core themes remain the same. Secrets. Loyalty. Betrayal. And the quiet realization that the most dangerous battles are often fought where no one can see them. Why the Genre Endures Espionage thrillers endure because they tap into something timeless. Every society has secrets. Every government operates in shadows. And every reader wonders what might be happening just beyond the edge of public knowledge. Spy fiction gives us a lens into that hidden world. It turns geopolitics into human drama and transforms intelligence work into stories about trust, identity, and survival. For writers, that makes the genre an endlessly rich landscape. And for readers, it ensures that the appetite for espionage stories is unlikely to disappear anytime soon. In the next field report, we’ll dig deeper into the structure of the genre itself and explore the subtle differences between espionage thrillers, techno-thrillers, and speculative thrillers—and why those distinctions matter when pitching a book to agents and publishers. Read the full article

Why Espionage Thrillers Still Matter

As part of my MFA program, I’ve been digging into the business and craft of espionage and speculative thriller writing—looking at how the genre works, who publishes it, who represents it, and why readers keep returning to stories about intelligence, secrets, and shadows. Image by Angelo Scarcella from Pixabay While gathering this material, it occurred to me that research like this shouldn’t live quietly inside academic folders and private notes. The path into publishing—especially in genre fiction—can feel opaque to new writers. Information is scattered across interviews, industry databases, and the occasional whisper in writing forums. So instead of keeping the research to myself, I’m turning it into a series. For the next several weeks I’ll be documenting what I’m learning about the business, audience, and craft of espionage thrillers. Think of these posts as field reports—pieces of a larger dossier exploring how this genre works from both the storytelling and publishing sides. If you’re an aspiring thriller writer, a curious reader, or someone who enjoys the machinery behind stories, this research may prove useful. Let’s begin with a simple question. Why do espionage thrillers still matter? The Persistent Allure of Spy Fiction Spy stories have existed for more than a century, yet they continue to evolve with each generation. From Cold War intrigue to modern cyber warfare, espionage fiction has always mirrored the anxieties of the real world. The reason is simple. Espionage stories live at the intersection of power, secrecy, and moral ambiguity. Unlike traditional action heroes, intelligence operatives often operate in ethical gray zones. The characters in these stories make decisions where the line between right and wrong is rarely clear. Readers are drawn to that tension. In many ways, espionage thrillers are less about gadgets or covert missions and more about human psychology under pressure. Authenticity and the Rise of Insider Thrillers One of the defining shifts in modern spy fiction is the demand for authenticity. Readers today are far more aware of how intelligence agencies operate. The internet has made declassified documents, memoirs, and investigative reporting widely accessible. That means audiences can quickly sense when a story feels unrealistic. Some of the most compelling espionage novels of the past two decades have been written by authors with real intelligence experience. A well-known example is Red Sparrow, written by former CIA officer Jason Matthews. The novel combined traditional thriller pacing with detailed depictions of intelligence tradecraft, recruitment techniques, and counterintelligence tactics. That level of realism helped set a new expectation within the genre. Readers no longer just want spies. They want believable spies. Spy Fiction and Its Close Relatives Espionage thrillers often overlap with several neighboring genres. The distinctions are subtle but important for writers trying to position their work. Spy fiction focuses on intelligence operations—agents, informants, surveillance, and covert missions carried out in the shadows. Techno-thrillers lean heavily on technology and military hardware, often exploring emerging weapons systems, cyber warfare, or advanced scientific developments. Political thrillers center on government power struggles, international diplomacy, and conspiracies that threaten national stability. Most modern thrillers blend elements of all three. A contemporary espionage novel might involve intelligence agencies, political maneuvering, and cyber espionage simultaneously. The genres are less separate categories than overlapping circles of tension and intrigue. From the Cold War to Cyber Warfare The golden age of espionage fiction emerged during the Cold War, when global politics revolved around espionage, surveillance, and proxy conflicts between superpowers. Spy novels from that era often focused on double agents, ideological conflicts, and the psychological toll of operating behind enemy lines. The world has changed, but espionage hasn’t disappeared. It has simply evolved. Today’s intelligence conflicts involve cyber intrusions, artificial intelligence, surveillance networks, private intelligence contractors, and information warfare. Modern spy fiction reflects this transformation. The enemy might no longer be a rival superpower across a concrete wall in Berlin. Instead, it may be a hacker collective, a corporate intelligence firm, or a state actor operating through digital shadows. Yet the core themes remain the same. Secrets. Loyalty. Betrayal. And the quiet realization that the most dangerous battles are often fought where no one can see them. Why the Genre Endures Espionage thrillers endure because they tap into something timeless. Every society has secrets. Every government operates in shadows. And every reader wonders what might be happening just beyond the edge of public knowledge. Spy fiction gives us a lens into that hidden world. It turns geopolitics into human drama and transforms intelligence work into stories about trust, identity, and survival. For writers, that makes the genre an endlessly rich landscape. And for readers, it ensures that the appetite for espionage stories is unlikely to disappear anytime soon. In the next field report, we’ll dig deeper into the structure of the genre itself and explore the subtle differences between espionage thrillers, techno-thrillers, and speculative thrillers—and why those distinctions matter when pitching a book to agents and publishers. Read the full article

Commission done for author Kristy Perkins Jones. Thank you for always support me, Kristy 😊

Publishing a book doesn’t have to feel overwhelming — or restrictive. This visual guide highlights the benefits of choosing small independent book publishers , where authors get: ✔ More creative control ✔ Flexible publishing options ✔ Better royalty structures ✔ Personalized support Looking to publish your next book with confidence? Explore more: 🔗 https://www.shieldcrest.co.uk