It’s Tuesday again! Time you get your fill of informal writerly learnings.

Janice Hardy lists six problems your query letter reveals about your novel. Then, Laurence MacNaughton lists three powerful ways pros create character conflict. Fiction University

Word choice, diction, and syntax. Shaelin Writes

K.M. Weiland continues her archetypal character arc series with part 9: the maiden’s shadow archetypes. Helping Writers Become Authors

Karen DeBonis espouses the value of becoming. Then, Ellen Buikema explains the roles of secondary characters. Writers in the Storm

Will-o-the-wisp: monstrous flicker or scientific phenomenon? Monstrum | PBS Storied

Amy Ayres is writing humor as a funny introvert. Then, Carol Ven Den Hende explains what an author brand is and how to craft yours. Gabriela Pereira interviews Chuck Wendig: you can do anything, magic skeleton! Jaclyn Goldis helps you write multiple timelines set in the same place. DIY MFA

The gay best friend stereotype. The Take

Barbara O’Neal wants you to keep your notebook. Donald Maass: novelty and the novel. Kathryn Craft wants you to make your protagonist an actor. David Corbett: the criminal as hero. Later in the week, Desmond Hall drops some writerly wisdom on us. Writer Unboxed

The angry woman trope, explained. The Take

Catherine Baab-Muguira tells you what every writer needs to know about email newsletters (they’re not going away). Then, Barbara Linn Probst tells you everything you always wanted to know about hybrid publishing. Jane Friedman

Becca Puglisi advises that if you want a stronger manuscript, read it out loud. Writers Helping Writers

Chris Winkle shares five problems caused by tone mishaps and how to fix them. Then, Oren Ashkenazi analyzes how three book series kept their readers interested. Mythcreants

Kimberly Kessler helps you craft your story spine using literal and essential wants and needs. Story Grid

Thank you for taking the time to visit. I hope you found something to support your current work in progress.

Until Thursday, be well and stay safe, my writerly friends.