Write Brilliant Fiction with the Gold Standard of Storytelling Guides
Whether you're just starting out or you're already published, these essential descriptive thesaurus guides give you an edge, helping you craft powerful, immersive stories that leave readers wanting more.
Serving Fiction Writers Worldwide: 1.4M Books Sold, Available in 10 Languages, and Backed by 10,000+ 5-Star Reviews Online
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The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to Character Expression
Writers everywhere struggle with writing fresh, realistic emotion—and that’s why The Emotion...
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The Emotion Amplifier Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character Stress and Volatility
When emotions spiral, characters make mistakes—and that’s where great storytelling happens. The...
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The Emotional Wound Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to Psychological Trauma
All characters carry scars from the past. The Emotional Wound Thesaurus explores...
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The Negative Trait Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character Flaws
Ready to explore the dark side of your character? Flaws are what...
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The Positive Trait Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to Character Attributes
A character’s strengths are as important as their flaws. The Positive Trait...
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The Character Trait Thesaurus Boxed Set
Strong characters need strengths and flaws. The Character Trait Boxed Set combines...
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The Conflict Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Obstacles, Adversaries, and Inner Struggles (Volume 1)
Conflict is the heartbeat of a story—and without it, readers won’t stay...
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The Conflict Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Obstacles, Adversaries, and Inner Struggles (Vol 2)
Conflict fuels every great story. The second volume of The Conflict Thesaurus delivers...
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The Occupation Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to Jobs, Vocations, and Careers
A character's job isn't just window dressing—it gives readers a ton of...
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The Rural Setting Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to Personal and Natural Places
A well-chosen setting does more than describe the backdrop—it shapes mood, reveals...
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The Urban Setting Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to City Spaces
City settings can do more than ground a scene—they can shape mood,...
What is a descriptive thesaurus, anyway?
Part how-to guide, part brainstorming list, our thesaurus books take the guesswork out of show-don’t-tell.
Each volume blends expert writing advice with a rich collection of descriptive ideas that makes crafting an immersive story easier than ever.
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Series in Order
Our books can be read and used in any order, but if...
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Ebooks (EPUB file)
Print books are nice, but when you're writing on the go, they...
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PDF Format
What's better than having an ebook version of your favorite writing guide?...
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Over 1000+ 5-Star Reviews
Not sure which volume to start with? Try a fan favorite. Each...
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Master Your Craft
Level up your writing skills via live workshops, on-demand webinars, worksheets, and...
Buzz About These Books
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James Scott Bell, International Thriller Writers Award Winner
One of the challenges a fiction writer faces is coming up with fresh ways to describe emotions. This handy compendium fills that need. It is both a reference and a brainstorming tool, and one of the resources I’ll be turning to most often as I write my own books.
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Hyacinthe Miller, Author
Each book delivers not just an extensive list of writing resources, but the introductions are master classes on the foundations of good writing. Since I bought the first volume many years ago, I never complete a project without referencing these thesauri.
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Michael Hauge, Hollywood Script Consultant and Story Expert
In these brilliantly conceived, superbly organized and astonishingly thorough volumes, Angela Ackerman & Becca Puglisi have created an invaluable resource. It is hard to imagine more powerful tools for adding depth and dimension to your screenplays, novels or plays.
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Dana Goldstein, Author
As the author of six books, I can confidently say that every writer should have these in their toolbox. They have helped me improve my craft and get to know my characters on a deeper level.
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Stuart Wakefield, Author Accelerator Certified Book Coach
Angela and Becca have once again proven why they’re trusted authorities in character development. By leaning into the complexity of emotional amplifiers, they’ve created a resource that informs and inspires, empowering writers to create more authentic, emotionally resonant characters and stories.
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Sian Claven, Author
This series has been a valuable asset in my arsenal against writers block. A quick consultation and I’m on my way with the words again.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I upload a digital file to my device?
We'll send you an email with a download link. Just open it on your preferred viewing device (an e-reader, phone, laptop, tablet, etc.), and that's that!
Can I buy your books in print?
Yes! Our volumes are available in both print and digital formats.
If you would like to buy direct from us, our paperbacks are here, or if you prefer, order them through your preferred online retailer (like Amazon). You can also support local and order a copy through your local bookstore.
Am I supporting you by buying direct?
Yes! As a writer yourself, you may know that publishing houses and retailers like Amazon take a sizable chunk of revenue, making it difficult to eke out a living as an author.
When you buy direct, you're ensuring more money flows to us as authors. This enables us to continue providing free education through our Writers Helping Writers blog while paying it forward to our charitable projects.
Do you have a bulk order discount?
Yes! If you're a retail store or organization wanting to make a bulk purchase, please reach out so we can get you what you need.
Do you have a refund policy?
Yes, you can find that information here.
Can I find your books in other languages?
You sure can! Our books have been translated into a wide variety of languages. Find our foreign edition list here.
When will your next book be available?
First of all, thank you for your interest—you rock. Second, we've been releasing books every other spring, so depending on when you see this, it may be this spring or the next.
The best way to stay in the loop about new books is to add your name to this list. We'll send you an email as soon as we have a release date, and then again when the book is available.
Do you offer workshops around your books?
We do! To build lifelong book fans, authors need to master description that brings depth, meaning, and emotion to their writing. The right details can take a story from good to great, so we offer many workshops around show-don't-tell and powering up your storytelling.
We host open-to-all workshops through Zoom and present to writing groups, online and off.
If you're interested in bringing Angela or Becca to speak at a conference, retreat, or virtual event, please reach out at info@shopwritershelpingwriters.net for more information.
I have another question. How can I get in touch?
We'd love to hear from you. Just send us a note at info@shopwritershelpingwriters.net.
Meet the Authors
Author
BECCA PUGLISI
Becca is a bestselling author of the Writers Helping Writers® Description Thesaurus series, with over 1.2 million copies sold worldwide. Based in sunny Florida, she is deeply passionate about empowering fellow writers through knowledge sharing. Alongside her co-author Angela, Becca provides writers with the resources and software they need to craft powerful stories.
Author
ANGELA ACKERMAN
Angela, a Canadian based in Alberta, is a story coach, international speaker, and co-founder of the acclaimed sites, Writers Helping Writers® and One Stop for Writers®. Alongside Becca, Angela creates groundbreaking writing guides, resources, and tools with a mission to help writers master storytelling and create fiction that stands out.
Let customers speak for us
from 54 reviewsLove this series. It has helped me so much in my writing.
Love this series. It has helped me so much in my writing.
It's a great help for descriptions, since it covers all senses and really expands your vocabulary and makes you think more outside of the box.
Oh gosh I thought I missed this. It's May 24tj.
When I bought this book, I didn't know how much benefit I would obtain from its information. The concept of the Amplifiers caught my attention, but when I started reading, I realised this was exactly what I needed: the theory behind situations I often force by instinct, but always make me doubt. Knowing the theory behind what I'm doing allows me to lay this tool on the paper more confidently, and use it with more purpose and only when necessary.
This book is a writer's dream. With the importance of character flaws in a novel or a screenplay, this book places high value on the subject, in clear, precise, understandable terms. I highly recommend it to writers!
When I feel stuck in a rut with how I'm portraying a feeling, thumbing through ET sparks so many helpful alternatives and can take my project in new directions.
Digging deep into ‘show don’t tell’ is so much easier using the Emotional Thesaurus and the Emotion Amplifier Thesaurus. The entries are detailed yet simply easy to apply to bring the characters we write to life.
In this thesaurus, a wide variety of conflicts are described. For each, the thesaurus lists examples, minor complications, potentially disastrous results, resulting emotions, possible internal struggles, negative traits that may worsen the situation, impact on basic needs, positive traits to help the character cope, and positive outcomes.
In short, everything a writer might want to know!
Looking to strengthen your writing? You won't go wrong with any of the books in this series, but the Conflict Thesaurus might just be your favourite!
Whether you’re a seasoned storyteller or just starting to explore the writing realm, this guide will amp up your emotional arsenal. Let’s get those characters feeling, reeling, and revealing their inner chaos for all to see.
One I consult a lot for my horror books. You can’t go wrong here
Ah, conflicts are the fuel that propels stories. Including realistic conflicts along with emotional responses and physical character reactions helps bring stories to life, because we can all relate!
The Emotion Thesaurus book is a must have. So great for idea generating or when you just can't find the right word. Or you over use certain words--for me it's a pounding heart! :)
As someone not well travelled (I’m a hermit) this came in so handy. Especially as someone who lives in Africa where settings are very different.
I use this book a lot. Helps generate new ideas or dig deeper into description you've already written (first draft stuff) and make it better.