Turn your characters' deepest fears into the heart of your story's plot
For writers who want to make every story moment count by exploring the roots of emotion and understanding what truly drives pivotal character choices.
The Root Fear Factor is an in-depth, hands-on workshop designed for fiction writers who are ready to go deeper than ever before into the emotional lives of your characters.
Together, we’ll gently uncover the core fears that shape your hero’s journey and explore how these hidden drivers can bring new meaning, conflict, and authenticity to your stories.
You’ll leave our workshop equipped with a practical, repeatable process for mapping character growth and weaving emotional stakes into the fabric of your plot.
And we'll do it all in a supportive space that honors where you are in your storytelling career and celebrates the stories only you can tell.
Meg Gassler
Fantasy romance author
Before I did The Root Fear Factor, I struggled to know my female main character on a psychological level.
Now, I feel like she could be a real person with real problems and real reactions to her situation!
Not just a basic, bland character.
Before I did Sue's RFF workshop, I understood my character's desires, but now I understand what happened in their lives before the story even began that haunts them and WHY that makes them act the way they do.
It's a game changer to know all this as I'm creating the characters, so now writing them will be easier than ever before.
Grace Best
Romantic suspense author
Book me as a speaker at your next meeting, workshop, retreat, or summit. More info here about other workshops I offer (click to browse). Or contact me below to set up a date.
A real example from the workshop, where I walk you step by step through my intuitive process for discovering hidden story gems and hero possibilities.
The Root Fear Factor Workshop invites you to pause and look beneath the surface of your stories, honoring the vulnerabilities and dreams that inspire both your characters and yourself.
This isn’t just a craft lesson. You’ll be guided—step by step, and with plenty of warm encouragement—through gentle exercises that reveal the core fears at the center of your protagonist’s arc.
Through the practical tools, empathetic coaching, and thoughtful self-reflection I use in this workshop, you’ll see how tapping into these emotional truths unlocks deeper conflict, richer transformations, and the kind of scenes that stay with readers long after The End.
Saving me months
Lois Melbourne - Historical Fiction Writer
[The Root Fear Factor cohort experience] is saving me months of walking through a drafting desert or losing my mind with 'complete rewrite needed' feedback from a future editor.
Note: The cohort experience is a 3-week small-group program that builds on what writers learn in The Root Fear Factor workshop. Contact Sue for details.
Whether you’re revising a romance, plotting fantasy, or exploring any genre where character evolution matters, this workshop will give you a solid framework that meets you where you are in your storytelling career. You’ll gain confidence in mapping emotional arcs, linking them to meaningful plot moments, and working with your writing style instead of against it.
Every attendee receives a robust workbook that guides you through how to use the Root Fear Factor framework over and over, during the workshop and on your own. And each time you revisit the workbook to spin up a vibrant new story or troubleshoot a stubborn work-in-progress, you’ll build confidence in how essential your stories are.
Rooted in compassion and clarity, the Root Fear Factor experience gives you the freedom to work at your pace while gently nudging your craft forward.
So you always feel seen, supported, and inspired to write with authenticity.
Before The Root Fear Factor, I couldn't move forward in my story, despite knowing *what* happens. Now, I see how some character decisions didn't make sense regarding her Root Fear.
I was picking up on it subconsciously. I just didn't know what the problem was.
Leah Harrington
Paranormal YA author
Book The Root Fear Factor live workshop intensive for your writing group or event to learn how to turn your characters' deepest fears into the heart of stories that truly resonate with readers.
All workshop attendees will receive the companion workbook for this training, which walks through my step-by-step process for digging down deep to unearth story possibilities hiding just beneath the surface.
Real reasons writers recommend this workshop:
"Like all of Sue's workshops and offerings, The Root Fear Factor was an easy guide to making HUMUNGOUS discoveries. She led us all along on a gentle path, each step a little nudge until WHAM the answer smacked me in the face and I just understood my characters and their motivations on a deeper level."
- Grace Best, romantic suspense author
"[The Root Fear Factor] takes you out of the bubble that you will be in about your own work beforehand, and will break things down so you could see it in a different light. Weak points and strong points. It will guide you into crafting much more polished characters to write about and know what they are afraid of on the deepest level. A must to craft a compelling story!"
- Meg Gassler, fantasy romance author
"If you have done countless revisions and there's just something that isn't clicking, I think it would really help to get down to "brass tacks" and do the Root Fear Factor. It allows you to cut to the core of who your character is and what their growth arc entails which can help you streamline your plot."
- Leah Harrington, paranormal YA author
"The exercises had me learning like a four-year-old continually digging deeper with "Why?" questions. Looping through the process, with slightly different perspectives to the questions each time, forced me to evaluate the strength of my responses."
- Lois Melbourne, historical fiction author
Speaker's Fee & Details
This is a 90-minute session minimum. It will not fit into a smaller time slot, but it can be extended to 2 hours if needed.
If you are a summit or conference organizer and would like to include this event as part of your live event lineup*, fill out the form below (or contact Sue directly).
For a ticketed (paid) event, I don't charge an additional fee outside of whatever honorarium or compensation you normally offer your speakers.
If you would like to book The Root Fear Factor Live Workshop as a standalone session for your writing group, contact me for the current fee. I'm flexible with speaking fees when I can share my audience with your group.
*I do not offer a pre-recorded version of this workshop for events. Because I sell an on-demand, self-paced version of this in my online university, I will only present The Root Fear Factor live.
about Your Speaker
I'm passionate about helping fiction writers craft unforgettable characters. As a book revision coach, I specialize in guiding authors through the process of creating compelling character-driven stories. My approach focuses on character transformation, breaking away from traditional plot-first methods to help you build characters that truly resonate with readers.
Over the years, I've had the joy of working with many talented writers, helping them nurture their unique voices and bring their characters to life. While I've been fortunate to receive recognition in the publishing industry, what really drives me is seeing writers like you achieve your own professional "Happily Ever Afters." I'd be thrilled to join you on your journey to creating characters that linger in readers' hearts long after they've turned the last page.
My one-click buy for author tools
A student in Learn to Line Edit Like a Pro
Sue Brown-Moore is akin to having a favorite author. I intend to take every class she puts together because I've done several, and I've never been disappointed. She's my one-click buy for author tools.
Orlando DeVito | Writer
A wonderful talent for explaining
I have been following your teachings for some time now, and you never fail to amaze. You have a wonderful talent for explaining what many would consider obscure.
Your ideas are clear and simple. I truly believe now (after trying to write by beat) that knowing what the Root Fear is absolutely key since it is the engine behind the character driven plot/story.
A student in How To Pre-Edit Your manuscript
I greatly appreciate your teaching -- style and content. I've read many of your articles / emails over the last 2 or 3 years.
Leslie Rigg, a student in How to Build Breakthrough Backstories
Janine Williams | Writer
Sue turns on the 'aha' lights and inspires confidence
Sue turns on the 'aha' lights and inspires confidence by outlining simple but vital steps to writing a story that will move readers' hearts.
I really like how you explain it so easily.
A student in How To Pre-Edit Your manuscript
I like Sue's teaching style and the vast amount of resources she makes available on her website.
Email me to set up your event's The Root Fear Factor live workshop
Drop me an email to discuss your workshop date and details. Details about other available workshops and speaking topics can be found here, on my Workshops page. I update this periodically, so even if you viewed it previously, check it again to see what I'm currently offering.
After you hit Send Message below, you should get a message at the email you enter below within 5 minutes, subject line: Got your email about Sue Brown-Moore's "The Root Fear Factor" live workshop. If you don't see it, search your Spam folder. I will try to be in touch within 72 business hours (weekdays). Be sure to whitelist this domain (@suebrownmoore.com) and pull the messages over into your main inbox so our conversations don't get lost in a spam black hole.
Sue pushes me to write better and better novels. She’s a fantastic editor. I don’t know how long it would’ve taken me to sharpen up my game without her, and I really don’t want to speculate on that either. Thank you, Sue!
JS Harker
Urban Fantasy Romance writer
First, I want to say you are a phenomenal speaker and teacher. I watched your "Liar, Liar, Plot on Fire: A 5-question story diagnosis technique" webinar back in March and loved it. So of course I'm excited by the prospect of even more of your content.
Coryanne Hicks
Ghostwriter / fiction writer