Will Raywood

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March 2025


Will Raywood is the author of creative writing and storytelling guides that blend cutting-edge scientific research with business acumen to help authors build successful careers. Drawing on more than 20 years of experience in writing, mentoring, and publishing, along with his expertise in neuroscience, he has developed transformative storytelling frameworks, including the natural laws of story, the 4P Method, and the Golden Triangle of Storytelling.

A member of the Society of Authors, Will is an active voice in the writing community. His goal is to empower writers to go beyond plot mechanics and tap into the primal power of emotional connection. Learn more at WillRaywood.com.

Stop Making These Common Character Development Mistakes!

Flawless characters are totally relatable. Change my mind!

I mean, I, Jamie Genius, have no trouble relating with someone who’s perfect and always right.

Mary Sue traits chart by Jamie Genius

Your protagonists must be impeccable role models. Duh! How else are they supposed to inspire your readers?

Flawless Protagonists: Mary Sue or Gary Stu Checklist

Your protagonist must be flawless, morally superior, and, of course, smoking hot. Thi

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Published on November 20, 2025 10:22
Average rating: 4.78 · 9 ratings · 1 review · 4 distinct works
Trust Your Story: Master St...

it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 3 ratings2 editions
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The Psychology of Bestselle...

4.67 avg rating — 3 ratings
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The Natural Laws of Story: ...

4.50 avg rating — 2 ratings2 editions
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Jamie Genius Writes a Novel...

it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 1 rating
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* Note: these are all the books on Goodreads for this author. To add more, click here.

Will’s Recent Updates

Will Raywood wrote a new blog post

Stop Making These Common Character Development Mistakes!

Flawless characters are totally relatable. Change my mind!I mean, I, Jamie Genius, have no trouble relating with someone who’s perfect and always righ Read more of this blog post »
" Hi Dave, and welcome to Goodreads!

The community isn’t quite as lively as it was a few years ago, but there’s still a strong network of authors here, a
...more "
" Edmond wrote: "Will, are you talking about swapping with another author as a critique partner? If so, I've tried that a few times and found the experi ...more "
Will Raywood made a comment in the group Authors & ReviewersFocus on Reader Connection topic
" I completely agree. Jane Friedman offers similar insights in her book The Business of Being a Writer, and my own experience echoes that advice.
[im
...more "
" What makes a book a bestseller?
Why do some stories captivate millions while others fade into obscurity? Is it the writing, the characters, the plot, t
...more "
" What makes a book a bestseller?
Why do some stories captivate millions while others fade into obscurity? Is it the writing, the characters, the plot, t
...more "
103713 110285
"Well, it’s official. The moment I’ve been quietly dreading has finally arrived. After months of watching Jamie’s “process,” I’ve compiled the unfiltered story of his quest for literary immortality.I’m both thrilled and slightly terrified to announ..." Read more of this blog post »
Will Raywood shared a quote
The Natural Laws of Story by Will Raywood
“Finding a balance between tradition and originality is essential; yet many writers struggle with it. Some aim for originality at any cost, ultimately confusing or frustrating their audience. Others, so fearful of deviating from established formulas, produce derivative and forgettable stories.
The most successful works of modern times offer a unique take on classic themes, making their stories relevant to their generation.”
Will Raywood
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Quotes by Will Raywood  (?)
Quotes are added by the Goodreads community and are not verified by Goodreads. (Learn more)

“If there’s a secret to success, it’s this: Don’t aim to impress; aim to engage. Storytelling is the art of emotional exchange. To truly connect, you must be willing to share.”
Will Raywood, Trust Your Story: Master Storytelling and Build a Successful Creative Writing Career

“What determines the success of a story is not its ability to mirror real life or its escapist value; it’s its power to illuminate specific aspects of the human experience in an engaging way. Ultimately, the main goal of storytelling is to create shared emotional experiences.”
Will Raywood, The Natural Laws of Story: Master the Art and Science of Engaging Narratives

“To create an immersive experience, trigger curiosity by introducing a mystery, evoke empathy by drawing readers into the inner world of a protagonist facing a challenge, and ignite imagination by painting a vivid scenario that hints at a broader conflict.”
Will Raywood, Trust Your Story: Master Storytelling and Build a Successful Creative Writing Career

“Focus on what truly matters. Strive to achieve more by doing less. The act of creating and sharing stories should bring you enthusiasm, joy, and a sense of purpose—not frustration, dread, or self-doubt.”
Will Raywood, Trust Your Story: Master Storytelling and Build a Successful Creative Writing Career

“Your aim shouldn’t be simply to produce marketable products; you should strive to tell stories that genuinely resonate with readers, creating characters and narratives they will cherish and return to time and again.”
Will Raywood, Trust Your Story: Master Storytelling and Build a Successful Creative Writing Career

“The most impactful stories are authentic. They stem from genuine human experiences, not from mechanical adherence to formulas and plot templates. Don’t settle for mediocrity; aim for authenticity.”
Will Raywood, Trust Your Story: Master Storytelling and Build a Successful Creative Writing Career

“Stories aren’t lies; they are integral to our search for truth and meaning. Our species has been trying to make sense of the world through stories since the dawn of mankind. What is curiosity if not our thirst for truth? Whether the story is real or imaginary, we seek the truth within it, hoping to learn something relevant to our own lives.”
Will Raywood, Trust Your Story: Master Storytelling and Build a Successful Creative Writing Career

“Empathy isn’t just a byproduct of evolution; it’s humanity’s superpower. It enables us to form cohesive groups, collaborating in ways that make the whole greater than the sum of its parts. Without empathy and mutual understanding, civilizations as we know them wouldn’t exist.”
Will Raywood, Trust Your Story: Master Storytelling and Build a Successful Creative Writing Career

26989 Goodreads Authors/Readers — 55474 members — last activity 5 hours, 55 min ago
This group is dedicated to connecting readers with Goodreads authors. It is divided by genres, and includes folders for writing resources, book websit ...more
1086382 Author Marketing - Resources, Exchanges, & Challenges — 1596 members — last activity Nov 17, 2025 12:40PM
This group is for all authors who want to learn about marketing for the purpose of increasing book sales. This group will include: 1) Marketing Resou ...more
103713 Authors & Reviewers — 10717 members — last activity 6 hours, 4 min ago
A&R is about helping authors promote their books. If you are a reviewer or a blogger, and you don't mind writing a honest review, then come and join u ...more
110285 Alpha Betas — 1132 members — last activity Nov 24, 2025 12:13AM
We're a group of readers and writers who are looking to beta books for free. Our purpose is to give those who are self-publishing a chance to have the ...more
205386 FREE BOOKS for Book lovers: ARC & Polished Manuscript Readers for Authors — 6223 members — last activity 5 hours, 13 min ago
This group is designed to help Authors in the publishing process & to provide book lovers with FREE books. Readers can get their hands on polished no ...more
31471 THE Group for Authors! — 12913 members — last activity 7 hours, 6 min ago
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1189951 Review / Write / Read Club (Indie & Self-Published) — 543 members — last activity 3 hours, 36 min ago
We love indie/self-published (SP) authors and their books. Review / Write / Read Club (Indie & Self-Published) is a group for: - Reviewing and get ...more
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Online discussion forum for the Sword and Laser podcast and monthly book club pick. Subscribe to the audio podcast: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podca ...more
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