Awesomesauce.

Finding the perfect mix of strengths and weaknesses for our characters can be difficult. We need to choose the right blend of strengths that make them admirable and worth rooting for—without making it too easy for them to succeed—and we need to figure out which flaws best fit our characters.

These books, cousins to the Emotion Thesaurus above, are great tools for creating three-dimensional characters.

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.

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.

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! :)

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!

One I consult a lot for my horror books. You can’t go wrong here

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.

In December 2012 a good friend gave me a copy of The Emotion Thesaurus – A Writer’s Guide to Character Expression, by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi, as a Christmas gift. It was the best gift ever and has been a huge help to my writing over the past twelve years. Since then I have recommended this useful writer’s aid to many other writers. In this second edition, the list of emotions has been expanded giving writers a broader choice to help show instead of tell. A must for every writer to have in their tool box.

Considering the way traits are expressed helps my characters grow and multi-dimentional beings.

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!

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.

What a helpful inside look at the jobs characters have and how they can influence personality and plot.

I was so excited when this came out and rightfully so! It’s genius and just adds so much.

Writers know that our main character needs a wound. This book is fabulous for helping you determine the wound or dig deeper into the wound. It will make your writing better!